The Corruption of Love

Chapters

A Voice of Understanding
Specters of the Past
Wedding Crasher
Specters of the Past- Pt. 2

A Voice of Understanding

Canterlot Castle shimmered brilliantly in the late afternoon sun, the usual white walls were painted with gold and red light as the dying sun turned towards the western horizon. Princess Celestia was careful to make sure that the sun and moon were moving in perfect harmony with each other, but unlike the last thousand years, she no longer had to do this task alone. She now had her younger sister, Princess Luna, to help her, but even after a year, Luna still had trouble keeping rhythm with her elder sister and so Celestia was often predisposed to spend evenings with Luna until the moon had fully risen.

Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, however, loved to spend these last moments of the day with her Aunt Celestia and she was still not used to having their few quiet moments together interrupted by a distressed Luna. For what seemed like the thousandth time, Cadence walked sedately down the halls of Canterlot Castle alone after being shooed out of Celestia's quarters. It's just like when Twilight was first Celestia's pupil, Cadence thought with a small, nostalgic smile, but back then I could usually help Aunt Tia with whatever she was teaching Twilight. Now... she shook her head, not letting herself go down this destructive thought process. Opening the door to her chambers, she quickly stepped inside and shut the door behind her before sighing dramatically.

“It's just not fair!” she cried out to the empty room, “I can't spend any time with Aunt Tia anymore without something coming up! It's either “Your Aunt Luna this” or “Twilight Sparkle and her friends that” … there's never any time for me anymore.” She flopped dramatically on the bed and sighed, “no no... I shouldn't complain. I mean, it's not like Aunt Tia doesn't spend time with me anymore...” her eyes narrowed slightly as her hoof brushed across a small pile of discarded jewelry on her nightstand, “oh wait. I forgot. She doesn't... I just wish things could go back to the way they were before... before all this...”

“Longing for a day long since passed...” a quiet voice alien to her brushed against the back of her mind causing Cadence to sit up quickly and look around her empty room, “something everypony does.”

“Wh-who said that?” Cadence's voice wavered ever so slightly as her eyes dart around the room. With all of the spells protecting Canterlot and the castle, she had thought it was impossible for intruders to sneak inside. “Who's there?”

“Not that you're to blame, of course,” whomever was speaking to the young alicorn took no notice of her demands and continued to speak in its quiet, steady tone, “it's only natural to long for something you don't have... isn't it?”

Her ears swiveled back and forth as she tried to pin point the location of the voice, but to no avail. After a few moments, she realized the voice was in her head and speaking to her magically. Standing up, she began to walk slowly around the room, trying to locate the device that was communicating to her as no magical voice could come from outside her room, but without knowledge of a spell to direct her, Cadence searched the only way she knew how- by trial and error.

“In fact, I'd say that you...” the voice faded dramatically until, within moments of her leaving her bedside, Cadence could no longer hear the voice speaking to her. Turning around, she glanced to the only obviously enchanted objects between herself and her bed- the disheveled pile of necklaces and earrings and crowns that adorned the top of her nightstand.

“Um...” Cadence stepped over to the nightstand, “I'm afraid I missed the last part of what you said.” She began to slowly pick up and set down each piece of jewelry as she spoke, “you said that I...?”

As her magic grabbed a large black stone set into a silver backing that was curiously devoid of any chain, the voice blasted into her mind, much louder than before, “I said that you of all ponies have a right to be upset about this... Mi Amore Cadenza.”

Startled, Cadence nearly dropped the amulet, but caught it in her hoof before it could clatter to the floor, “Y-you know who I am? How would you know something like that? A-are you a pony speaking to me across a great distance?” For a long moment, the amulet remained silent and Cadence lost her temper, adding, “Answer me!” quite forcefully.

The amulet shimmered, the light reflecting off its surface shifting ever so slightly that at first Cadence thought it was simply a trick of the light, but when the voice spoke again, it was amused, “No, Princess, I am not a pony... I am something far more... interesting.” Again the voice paused, “I am what you see before you- no more than a piece of jewelry to be worn at leisure.”

Cadence turned the amulet over in her hooves, “just a piece of jewelry you say... yet how can you speak to me as you do? Either my lessons in magic finally have me hearing voices or you are more than you appear. Which is it?”

The amulet's voice was full of mirth, though for just a moment it felt as though it was not friendly, “I never said that I was an ordinary amulet, did I? But your observation is correct as always, Princess Mi Amore- I am indeed more than I appear, though I am less than I could be.”

As she listened to the amulet's soothing voice, Cadence could feel it become heavier in her hoof. A small, less magical voice in the back of her head warned her to put the amulet down, or better yet, get her Aunt Celestia to look at it, but she pushed the worrying voice away with a quiet smile. It had been a long time since she had received a compliment without the lingering, unspoken words, “Twilight could do it better.” hanging over her. So instead of setting the amulet down, Cadence lay back on her bed and set the dark stone against her chest. “You're very kind, but please, you do not need to be so formal. Call me Cadence. All of my... friends... do.”

As the amulet rested on her chest, Cadence could feel a strange... it wasn't a pulsing, more of a tingling in her chest around the amulet... and it was not all together pleasant. “And why do you think I am a friend... Cadence?” When the amulet spoke her name, it sent a shiver down her spine, though its tone was carefully neutral.

“Well... my Aunt has taught me to trust my impressions...” her voice was carefully level as she spoke and her words were slow, as if she were carefully picking them and looking them over before speaking, “and I want to trust you... perhaps if I make friends... like... like Twilight did... Celestia will pay attention to me as well.”

The amulet grew warm at this revelation and its voice became warmer too, “Aaaah... I see. You are... jealous of this Twilight... is this not so?”

The young alicorn shifted slightly on her bed, her muzzle wrinkling at the word 'jealous', “No... not jealous... precisely... I just... I miss what I had with Aunt Tia before Twilight became... what she is now. Sure, she'd been Celestia's student before, even her prized pupil, but... ever since she and her friends became connected to the Elements of Harmony...” She paused as the amulet pulsed against her chest. “You're familiar with them, are you not?”

“Oh yes... I am well acquainted with the Elements of Harmony,” the amulet's voice was heavy, as if he were frowning intently, “continue.”

“Yes, of course. When Twilight and her friends saved Aunt Luna from the grips of the Nightmare, she became even more the pride of my Aunt Celestia. Before, she would teach us together, but now that Twilight is in Ponyville instead of here in Canterlot... it just seems that Aunt Tia no longer has time for private lessons. She's either too busy with ruling, rehabilitating Aunt Luna after 1,000 years of imprisonment, or she's reading up on Twilights exploits. It's rather frustrating...” her eyes closed and she sighed, “but I suppose that is jealously... is it not?”

“It most certainly is, Princess... indeed, it is perhaps a textbook definition of jealousy... but I would implore you to not be ashamed of that jealousy, Cadence.”

“Not be... ashamed? But everything I have been taught tells me otherwise! As a Princess of Equestria I am a symbol of Harmony to my little ponies... and jealousy is the opposite thereof.”

“But is it not a natural reaction to your situation?” The amulet argued gently, its voice soothing. “Is it not jealousy with fills us when something we care deeply for is taken by another? Or that which drives us forward when another pony fills a position which we would have for ourselves?” As it spoke, the amulet grew warm again, “it is jealousy which drives us to be better than others, better than we were before... I do not see how that is something to be ashamed of.”

“Put in that light, what you say makes perfect sense... but what of honesty, generosity, or kindness? Are they not what drive us to be better? These feelings of friendship and unity... is jealousy truly among them?” With her hooves, Cadence picked up the amulet and stared into it, as if searching the eyes of another pony, “answer me truly, I beg you.”

Though the amulet did not change, Cadence felt as though she truly was looking into the eyes of another pony, “I ask you- who is it that decides what is a virtue and what is a vice? Is it the vaunted Aunt you speak so highly of? Or perhaps this Twilight who appears to dictate all things good in your Aunt's eyes? Is it they who decide virtue and vice? And if they are indeed the ones... would you be so eager to follow them?”

Cadence shook her head slowly, “again, I hear the honesty in your voice and the truth in your words... and yet...” she set the amulet back down on her chest, “and yet I am still confused. Must I choose for myself what is for good and for ill? It seems a path driven by arrogance and bound to failure! Or am I misguided in this as well?”

The amulet began to warm her chest again in a way that Cadence understood was its smile, “oh dear, sweet Cadence. You shouldn't worry yourself so much over trivialities like 'good' or 'ill'. I am certain that you'll find your way in time... but perhaps you should not overlook the drive of jealousy. It may yet lead you to your greatest triumph against those who overshadow you. And if you need a friend who is not already bound by the rules of your Aunt... you may seek me out again. I have enjoyed our... chat.”

The amulet grew cold and Cadence felt its presence recede from her consciousness. “As have I... you have given me much to think about...”

Specters of the Past

Several weeks have passed since Cadence first set eyes on the strange, black amulet. In that time the two have spoken casually several times, though not for very long. The amulet has shown that it not only understands her, but that it can also remember passed conversations and seems to grow more and more lively with each conversation. She has taken to calling the amulet “Noir”, as it has no name, and considers it a fun, secret friend that nopony else has.

The sun had long since passed beyond the horizon and the moon glowed softly overhead. Along the empty castle corridors a lone pony could be seen as she spun and danced her way silently around the glowing white courtyards and halls to music only she could hear. Princess Cadence was returning from a date with a young guard named Shining Armor and she was feeling lighter than air after the revelation that they both felt very strongly for each other. It was the first time in a long time that she felt truly and unabashedly happy and no one, not even her Aunt Celestia, could take this little spark of joy from her.

And yet, as she continued down the empty halls of Canterlot Castle, she can't help but feel a small pang of worry begin to bury itself in her chest as she approached the tall door to her private chambers where the amulet- her friend Noir- was waiting. With a final spin, she opened the door to her room magically, whirling inside before the door clicked shut behind her. Hurrying across the room, she quickly scooped up the amulet in her hooves and grinned, “Oh Noir! I had such a wonderful night! I almost wish you'd been there with me. Shiny was such a gentlecolt and we had the most magical evening together!” She giggled and spun once with the amulet held tightly in her hooves before she fell back onto her bed, the excitement from the evening draining away as the rest of the night began to catch up with her.

“Oh my,” Noir's voice was warm and Cadence could tell the amulet was smiling, but what kind of smile was impossible to say, “it sounds like it was a very good evening for you. So tell me what you two did on your date.”

“We went out to dinner and then saw a movie. It was all very fun, though I don't remember much of the movie at all. We were... ah... less concerned with watching it than...” Cadence blushed and hurried on, “a-anyway! Dinner was wonderful! It wasn't the most expensive place in Canterlot, to be sure, but the food was exquisite and Shiny and I were able to talk about lots of things together. For instance, he's been offered a promotion! He's going to be Celestia's new Captain of the Day Guard! Shiny's been working for this since he was a foal and I'm so happy he's finally doing what he's always wanted to!” As Cadence drew her story to a close, the amulet felt a strange twinge in her heart, one he was all too familiar with.

“Ah... but there is something inside you that is not happy, Cadence. I can feel it, you know- it's no use trying to lie to me... although I applaud you for trying, at least. So Shining Armor is going to be living his dream, what is the problem then?”

Cadence huffed and scrunched her muzzle tightly, “I wasn't hiding anything from you, Noir. You asked what I did, and I told you. You didn't ask how I felt about everything.” She paused for a moment and sighed, “but there is something bothering me. Shining... after he told me about his promotion, he started talking about his sister. He hasn't mentioned her in... a while and I was hoping he wouldn't... but he did. He said he's been worried about her, since she's all the way in Ponyville and on her own. Not that he needs to worry- she's always fine. He said he's been so busy working with the guard that he hasn't been able to write her lately and she hasn't written to him either. He's upset that they're drifting apart and... and...” As if she can't bear to face the revelation again, Cadence buried her face in her pillows before mumbling, “and I'm glad they are.”

“You're glad that Shining Armor and his sister are not on the best of terms..?” For a moment, Noir's voice was confused, but it did not last. After a few seconds of silence, he caught on, “oh yes- his sister is Twilight Sparkle, of course. I'm sorry, I had forgotten his family for a moment. So he brought up Twilight on your date, lamenting that he has lost touch with her and it bothers you that he wishes to be closer to her, yes?”

“No!” Cadence's voice was indignant, even through the pillow, but she sighed, “yes... maybe?” There was a short pause as she sat up again before she continued, “I shouldn't be mad- she's his only sister after all... if I had any siblings I'd want to be close to them, but it's Twilight and... and I can't help but worry that if he gets close to her again that... that he'll just forget all about me.” She hurried to finish what she was trying to say before the slow build up of tears in her eyes overflowed, “it's just stupid of me... isn't it?”

Noir hummed in a strangely soothing way for a moment, the melody calmed Cadence and dried her tears. When he spoke, his voice was warm and gentle, “Now now, Cadence, no tears. Tears will not help you in this endeavor... well, not right now, at any rate.” Noir smiles and the amulet in her hooves warms again, “Twilight has taken much from you and it's not 'stupid' to fear a repeat performance. Quite the contrary- if you ignored the possibility of such an outcome, you would indeed be 'stupid'.”

“Is that so?” Cadence was strangely calm after the emotional turmoil she had been feeling just moments before, “then... perhaps there is something to fear from Twilight?”

“Is there?” Noir made a thoughtful noise, “well, unless the societal presidents about a brother and a sister having a relationship beyond that of siblings has changed in...” For the first time, the amulet paused mid-sentence, but quickly recovered, “since I was made, then I don't think you have much to fear of her stealing Shining Armor away from you.” There was another short pause before the amulet continued, his voice affectionate, light, and playfully teasing, “I am a simple amulet and not well versed in such things, but I would say that you are much more beautiful than Twilight.”

Cadence smiled at Noir's attempt to make her feel better, allowing his words to warm her troubled heart before she said, “I am not worried that Twilight is prettier than me- or that she might steal Shining in such a way... but what if something were to happen to Twilight? Would he leave me to be with her? If she suddenly didn't like me, would he listen to her words over the memories and time we've shared?” She rolled the amulet over in her hooves to look at the stone from different angles as she thought aloud, “I may be working myself up over nothing, but she's done this before with Celestia... and you said I'd be stupid to ignore these things.” She stopped turning the amulet when the stone faced her, “what do you think?”

“If you are worried that he may choose her over you in times of duress, then you must ensure he has ample reason to choose you instead... and as for what I think?” The amulet pulsed gently in her hooves, “I think you have an opportunity and that to ignore it would be beyond foolish.”

“An opportunity?” Cadence watched the amulet carefully, her interest piqued, “what do you mean?”

“Think, Cadence. You find yourself worried that the colt who rightfully is yours will choose another instead of you. You feel that jealousy that you have spoken of even now, pricking at you deep inside your heart, motivating you to ensure he stays with you.” Noir's voice was colder, less casual than before, “I will keep my council for now... until you tell me this: taking all these things into account, what do you think I will tell you to do?”

Cadence was silent for a long moment, her mouth pressed into a tight line as she thought hard about her answer. Slowly, she began to string her words together, “You told me that I would have to make him feel that I am more important to him than she is. And to do that... you would suggest that... that I insert myself between them?” Another pause as she shook her head, “no... that's too direct and he would suspect something which might drive him farther away from me... I can't have that.” She set the amulet up on her forehead before letting her forelegs drop to her stomach. “Come on, Cady,” she murmured quietly to herself, “you can do this! Noir... you would want me to make him mine... in a way he can't just leave...” She sat up so quickly that the amulet on her forehead was thrown forward into her lap, “Are you saying that I should marry him? If I were Shining Armor's wife, there would be no way Twilight could come between us!”

Noir's quiet chuckle rose in her mind as a warm breeze, “a very astute observation, my young Princess. Indeed, if you were his wife then his ties to you would be stronger than his ties to anypony else... but what is it that makes those ties so strong? Surely there are ponies who are more loyal to others than their wives. Tell me what makes ties bind tighter than anything else and I will reward you, my vivacious Cadence.”

Cadence felt her cheeks flush, “well, that's love, of course. Love and friendship are what tie ponies together.” Her voice became quieter as a realization hit her, “you want me to make him fall in love with me, that's what you were getting at...” Her blush turned a deeper shade of pink and her eyes dropped down to the comforter on the bed, “I... I guess I got a little carried away with... with marriage... didn't I?”

“Perhaps just slightly, sweetling,” Noir said gently, a small smile in his voice, “but it is not wrong to have a goal in sight. And certainly marriage is the goal. It is the best way to ensure Twilight never comes between you, but you must make him love you- wholly, desperately love you- before a thing like marriage will bind him to you.” The amulet warmed against her lap, sending darts of feelings through her in ways that made the young princess blush again, “I'm certain you can do that... can't you, Cadence?”

“O-of course!” Cadence said, though she was clearly flustered by the feelings Noir had given her, “I am the Princess of Love! If anypony could make another pony fall in love, it would be me!” Getting to her hooves, Cadence tossed her mane. Noir slid safely onto the bed and she could feel him watching her as she continued, “I know I can make Shining Armor fall in love with me... because I am in love with him.” Her voice softened as she allowed herself to feel the love and happiness she'd felt earlier that evening with Shining Armor. She'd not had the courage then to tell him so boldly, but now... now she knew she would.

“Good, Cadence... very good,” the amulet appeared to shimmer in the light of the room, but as Cadence turned to look at the large black stone, it could have just been a trick of her eyes. “And then you will have won a great victory against Twilight Sparkle... and won't that be a victory to savor?” Even though she was looking down at the amulet, Cadence suddenly got the feeling that Noir was a much older being looking down at her. The thought made her smile and shudder at the same time. “Now, would you like to know what your reward is going to be?”

The pink alicorn blinked, having almost forgotten that Noir had mentioned a reward for her careful thinking, she was caught off guard. “Of course!” She picked up the amulet in her magic and lifted it towards her, “but if you don't mind me saying, I don't know how you might reward me. You're just an amulet, after all.”

Noir's chuckle filled her mind and body in a way that made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end, “Oh my sweet filly... you would be surprised at just what kind of rewards I could give you... but this is a simple one: an exchange of sorts. You have shared so much of you life with me... and now I shall reciprocate. A little at a time, of course- I fear that showing you too much all at once might be traumatizing for you- but little by little I shall show you more of me. If you wish, of course.”

Cadence was quiet for a moment as she thought over the amulet's offer. With a smile, she nodded and said, “I'd be delighted to experience some of your memories... as you are offering to share them.”

“As you wish,” Noir smiled his dark, secret smile as he continued, “you'll have to relax, Princess, and... try not to think of anything.”

She settled herself back onto the bed, the amulet resting carefully against her chest. Closing her eyes, Cadence sat in darkness until images began to flash across her eyelids, images that were brought into being not by her thoughts, but by the amulet she held close to her heart.

At first, the images were disjointed, flickering from one subject to the next with little coherence or theme. Cadence's eyes flickered back and forth behind her eyelids as she watched the memories dance before her, seeking a solid image to rest her eyes on. Finally, just when she thought she could stand no more and was about to open her eyes, the images slowed and solidified onto the figure of a dark black stallion, his high collared black cape cascading down his muscular figure like a midnight waterfall. The stallion's eyes were bright green, but there was none of the grassy warmth there that Cadence felt there should have been; instead, the alicorn felt more like she was staring into twin blocks of green sea-ice rather than the eyes of a living creature. The stallion's horn was glowing a rich royal blue, and even thought Cadence knew that she was viewing memories she could tell that the stallion was channeling an immense amount of power through himself.

The image stayed stationary for several long moments before Cadence's perspective began to float upwards in a fashion that was disconcerting to the Princess. It felt as though she were being lifted upwards by some unknown force, but as she continued to watch she saw that she was actually being held in the stallion's magic. He lifted her and pulled her closer, his eyes scrutinizing her intently.

He was muscular beneath his cape, and across his chest he wore a metal breastplate emblazoned with an insignia that Cadence did not recognize, but something that tickled the back of her memory as if she should remember it. Sweat beaded across his coat as he turned Cadence first one way and then another in his magical grip, his gaze sweeping her in a way that made the Princess blush despite the fact that she knew he wasn't actually looking at her.

After several long moments the stallion seemed satisfied and stepped back from Cadence, a smile touching him lips for the first time. It was not, however, a happy smile or even a smile that said he was happy with his work. Instead it was a hollow smile, the smile of a pony who was smiling more out of reflex than of the desire to do so.

“This will have to do,” he muttered under his breath, his deep voice echoing in Cadence's ears despite the low tone. “This shall be the last one... the one that I shall wear.” Cadence's view shifted so that she was looking down at the stallion as he lifted her up into the air. “My greatest creation...” he whispered reverently.

The image faded rapidly, leaving Cadence staring into blackness as the image of the black stallion burned itself into her memory.

Cadence's eyes flew open as the images disappeared into darkness and she gasped heavily, as if she had been holding her breath for some time, and as she thought back on the black stallion Noir had showed her, she found herself again short of breath. What is this feeling? She thought to herself, confusion written clearly on her face as she looked down at the dully shining amulet. It is nothing like I have felt before! Is it fear? NO, I do not fear him... though he is certainly a pony to be feared. If anything... I believe I may admire him and yet I know nothing of who he was or what he was, save he created the amulet! Hold on, perhaps Noir can tell me more about this strange stallion... her gaze refocused on the amulet and she asked cautiously, “Who was he? The black stallion you showed me? The one who created you?”

Noir was silent for a long moment before he answered, “Indeed, he was the one who created me. I wanted to see how far back I could show you, and it seems I am able to remember even that far back...” He fell silent, though Cadence could feel that his presence had not retreated.

“Should I leave you alone to recover?” Cadence asked, concern in her voice, “I do not wish to press you for answers if you are not able.”

“I am at your beck and call, Princess- if you ask then I shall answer.”

“Very well,” Cadence felt her worry subside, though no disappear completely. Sometimes it was difficult for her to remember that Noir was not a pony, but a magical construct that did not tire in the same ways she did. “Then tell me more about this stallion. He... intrigues me. I feel I should know him, though I know not how. You are, undoubtedly, an ancient artifact and therefore the pony who created you must be long dead for he was not an alicorn. And yet... I cannot shake the feeling that I have seen him before.”

“Ancient I am, though I am far younger than Celestia... and the pony who created me...” There was a hesitation in Noir's voice for a heartbeat before he continued, “he is not dead, though because of circumstances beyond my control he is no longer the... master I once knew.”

“I see...” Cadence lay back against the stack of pillows up against her headboard and yawned, “that is certainly something to think on...” another yawn cut her off. “A pony who is not an alicorn surviving so long? But any answers will have to wait until morning, I'm afraid.” She sat up and used her magic to turn the lights in her room down before setting the amulet on the nightstand next to her. “Good night, Noir,” she murmured quietly as her eyes closed.

“Good night, Princess... I hope you sleep well...” Noir's voice faded as he retreated into the amulet.

As sleep overtook the young alicorn, her thoughts should have been filled with memories of her evening with Shining Armor, but instead her evening date was eclipsed by the much more ancient memories of a black stallion. Mysterious and dark, his icy green eyes sparked in the background of her dreams... and nightmares.

Wedding Crasher

Cadence's relationship with Shining Armor has progressed rapidly and smoothly with the unicorn falling in love with her desperately and hopelessly- just as Cadence had hoped he would. When she went to her Aunt Celestia to inform her of their decision to marry, however, Celestia expressed concerns... and made the mistake of mentioning that the two of them getting married so quickly may cause turmoil for Twilight Sparkle. This, of course, set Cadence off, and the alicorn proclaimed her intention to marry Shining Armor without telling Twilight at all if need be before storming off to her room.

The large doors that lead from the castle halls to Cadence's private rooms slammed loudly, sending echoes of the Princess's agitation through both her room and the halls outside. The Princess stood just inside the room, her usually calm and warm features twisted into an angry scowl as she stopped a hoof in childish frustration. “It's always Twilight!” Her voice was shrill and angry as she cried out in her fury. She turned her head sharply, her horn igniting with magic as well as one of the plush pillows on her bed. With a firm flick of her head, she sent the pillow tumbling through the air and into a wall with a less than satisfying thump.

“Never mind that she's not the one getting married! Never mind that Twilight isn't even a major part of his life anymore! Never mind any of that! Oh the poor, precious, porcelain Twilight- Savior of Princess Luna, Bearer of the fabled Element of Magic- might be distressed that her older brother is moving on in life without her! The- the nerve of Celestia saying such a thing!” Again, her horn lit up with magic. This time the umbra surrounded not another soft pillow, but her large and heavy jewelry box that sat on a side table. This time the crash and clatter of metal hitting the wall, the box spilling open, and the baubles inside tumbling to the floor made Cadence smile smugly.

“Jealous old maid that she is... probably can't stand the thought of her niece getting married when she can't seem to catch the eye of any stallion. Not that a two thousand year old hag is much to look at anyway. She's probably using Twilight as a cover for her own feelings.” Cadence sighed deeply and in a moment all her anger drained away, leaving her weak. She crumpled to the floor as her knees could no longer hold her weight, “ah... but what am I going to do? Without Celestia's blessing I can't get married at all! Not to Shiny... not to anypony... Why must Twilight be the cause of all my problems?”

From her nightstand, the only pendant not in a pile on the floor, shone with an inner fire, “Such sadness, my Cadence...” the voice was quiet and soft, but full of warm understanding, “what's the matter, sweetling?”

“Everything!” Cadence cried out in distress, her voice drifting up from the floor with less force than she would have desired, “Shining and I went to Celestia for a blessing on our engagement and marriage... and instead of giving it, she makes excuses! Asks what Twilight- of all ponies- thinks and when we tell her she doesn't know, Celestia all but faints! She seems to believe that getting married so quickly- without telling Twilight- will cause her distress.” Her tone becomes more and more mocking each time she says Twilight's name. “I just... I lost. There's nothing I can do now... I can't just go behind Celestia's back, she'd disown me... at best, I'd be a scandal. At worst... I can't even imagine.”

She laid her head on her hooves and sighed dejectedly, “we... traded words and eventually I said that I didn't care if Twilight knew about the wedding or not. If Celestia thought it would cause her such distress, I thought it would just be better to not tell her at all! And then I came back here... I know there's nothing you can do, but... talking to you makes me feel better.”

There is silence and stillness in the room as the amulet shimmers and seems to move towards her ever so slightly, “I see. That's no how you imagined the conversation would go, I'd venture to guess. To have Celestia deny you your own happiness for Twilight Sparkle's comfort... it's selfish favoritism, isn't it?”

“Yes, it is...” Cadence's voice was dull and lifeless as she continued to lie on the floor. “Even Shiny was surprised when she denied us. It... it never crossed our minds that Celestia cared more for Twilight than her own flesh and blood. But I suppose even the great Celestia has her faults. Glaringly obvious faults, if you're brave enough to see them.”

“And you're nothing if not brave enough, Cadence,” inside her mind, Cadence feels Noir shake his head slowly. “Come over here, my Princess. Allow me to help you.”

Slowly, Cadence pulled herself to her hooves and towards the nightstand where Noir is resting, without protesting that he is 'just' and amulet. Reaching out with a hoof, she pressed it softly against the smooth contour of the stone and she smiled slightly. No sooner did she touch the amulet than all of her hurt feelings, her anger and rage, suddenly all vanish as if they were sucked from her body, causing her to feel as if she'd had a chilled, wet blanket wrapped around her warm body. She shuddered as all the negativity was drawn from her body, “Thank you, Noir... I feel so much better now. I can think more clearly.”

From under her hoof, the amulet all but shivers in delight, “Anything to be of service, Princess... in fact, it is the very service I was designed by my creator to perform: to absorb negative emotions.”

“Very interesting,” Cadence murmured to herself as she sat on her bed, bringing the amulet with her. “But what should I do about Celestia? Shining Armor and I are in love with each other... but without being married, I can't help but fear it's only a matter of time before that changes...”

“Then your course of action is clear, is it not?”

Cadence sighed, “perhaps to you, but I am at a loss.”

Noir sighed, vexation tinging his mental voice, “will you allow him to slip through your hooves, Princess of Love? Will you truly allow your... how did you say it? Your 'jealous old maid' of an aunt to stop you?”

“Of course not!” Cadence felt her own anger flare up in defense against Noir's, “but as I said, without her blessing marrying Shining Armor is impossible! It's not like we have our own little country to escape to! I'm not giving up,” she added firmly, “never, but my hooves are tied. All I can do for the moment is keep Shining Armor close and be more careful around Celestia. I should not have lost my temper before... but perhaps I can still change her mind.”

“Oh, quite the contrary: I think it was the right time to lose your temper. That shows your aunt that you are serious and passionate about the subject, and she will not soon forget your anger.” Noir's voice was calm again and it was clear he was far less agitated than before. “But you are correct, there is, as I stated before, one course of action you can take to ensure that your plan goes accordingly.”

“And, pray tell, what is that course of action? I believe I can convince Celestia in time, but I have a feelings your plan will not be as... long winded.”

“Agree to inform Twilight Sparkle of your impending nuptials, as your Aunt wishes.”

Cadence sat up with a start, “what? You can't be serious! Why should I agree to her terms?”

Silence reigned for a moment before Noir spoke again, and when he did, his voice was cool and calm, “What is your goal, Mi Amore Cadenza?”

“To marry Shining Armor, but-” Cadence answered quickly, but Noir cut her off before she could protest further.

“And what are you willing to do to realize that goal, Mi Amore Cadenza?” His voice grew firmer, half chastising her and half goading her on.

Her muzzle scrunched up tightly for a moment before she sighed, “Very well... I see your point. I should not be so short sighted. I will invite Twilight to our wedding... but not for a while. I'll invite her just before the wedding.”

Noir's voice softened and it was clear he was smiling, “Very good, Cadence. There is a valuable lesson in this: be willing to do whatever it takes to achieve your goals. Be it bowing your head to a pony you despise or trampling lesser ponies under your hooves as you rise to the top- always be willing to do whatever you must to be victorious. If sending a message to Twilight Sparkle will appease your aunt, then by all means do so...” The smile in his voice grew larger, “although sending it to her at the last possible moment is a wonderful touch, I must say...”

Cadence smiled at the compliment, “That's what I'll do then. Thank you, Noir. You always know just what to say.” She gently caressed the amulet with a hoof.

“I do my best for you, Princess... but are you certain you can maintain your composure when you speak to your aunt again? Perhaps... perhaps you should take me along, so that I may assist in calming your emotions.”

The young alicorn thought his proposal over a moment before nodding, “I think that would be a good idea. You do have a way of calming me down... some days I don't know what I'd do without you.”

“I'm pleased to know you trust me so much, Cadence. I will endeavor to never let you down.”

Standing up, Cadence lifted the amulet in her magic and, after rummaging through a drawer, she carefully threaded him onto a thick gold ribbon. Lifting her mane, she slipped the ribbon around her neck and tied it in a tight bow before letting it go and allowing the amulet to rest against her chest. As it touches her skin, she feels a strange warmth tinged with something more sinister...

Specters of the Past- Pt. 2

Cadence begins to wear Noir on occasion around the castle, usually whenever she feels like she needs friendly support or when she may be dealing with her aunt. She and Shining begin preparing for their wedding after Cadence appeases Celestia and Noir's simple presence brings her peace throughout the early stages of planning. One night, after a particularly hectic day trying to arrange a series of particulars concerning the decorations, Cadence returns to her room in desperate need of distraction...

Cadence stumbled into her room, haggard and exhausted, but exhilarated at the same time. Despite the growing bags under her eyes, they shine brightly with excitement and hope for her future with Shining Armor. “What a day!” She exclaimed as the door closes behind her, her left hoof rising to her chest where Noir hangs from a gold ribbon that is tucked neatly under her golden neck piece. “So much done! So much left to do! It's unreal!” The alicorn collapsed onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling, one hoof draped elegantly across her forehead. “And I couldn't have made it through without you, Noir.”

The amulet against her chest chuckled softly, “I hardly did anything, Cadence. You were very... composed out there today.” His voice sounded almost disappointed, but it quickly faded away as he continued, “I can feel that wearing me gives you a large boost in your confidence, and that in turn truly negates my purpose... but I am happy that I am of assistance to you.”

“You do give me confidence, but confidence alone won't help me stand up to Celestia,” she smiled down at Noir. “You're very useful to have around and I appreciate your companionship. No pony else understands me the way you do... not even Shining...” she paused slightly, but shook her head to dislodge the thought. “But he's just as busy as I am, so I can't blame him for being less attentive recently. These wedding plans have been taxing both of us and he's Guard Captain on top of that.” A small smile crossed her lips, “I'm very proud of him.”

“I have no doubts as to your feelings for your stallion- I can feel them, you know.” Cadence can see Noir smile now, as if his presence was growing more solid in her mind, “However, I can also feel your frustration about not being able to be near him as much. I can feel that you are frazzled, and that you would like nothing more than to... what is the phrase? To 'cuddle' with the object of your desire to relieve the stress of a long, arduous day. Yes?”

“Well, yes of course,” Cadence frowned slightly as she rubbed the amulet with a hoof, “but there's nothing I can do about that. Shining sleeps down in the guard house and it would be uncouth for him to come to my chambers. This is how things must be for now... but that's why I want to be married. The sooner, the better.”

“Ah yes, propriety. How could I have forgotten such a thing... it was a very important issue in my creator's time, so it is hard to believe that it had slipped my mind. Forgive me, Princess.”

“It's not your fault. An amulet has no use for propriety, now does it?” Cadence smiled and chuckled lightly, “but I'm grateful for your concern. That you want to help me feel better, that you make an effort to help solve my problems, is greatly appreciated. You're... you're one of very few who seem to care so much.”

“It is my pleasure, Princess,” Noir paused and Cadence can feel him mulling over a thought. “And in the interest of making you 'feel better'... do you remember what I showed you before? The memories of my past?”

Cadence was silent a moment as she thought back, confusion written across her face, before her eyes widen slightly, “oh! Yes, I do remember. The memories you showed me of your creation, correct?”

“Correct- I'm glad that you remember. You were quite exhausted that night and I was not sure you were quite awake enough to recall it. At any rate, since you have been so busy today with nopony to comfort you or soothe you, I thought you would perhaps like to see more of my memories.” The unspoken words, 'and my creator' hung in the whispering depths of Cadence's mind as she smiled.

Laying back, she settled herself against the pillows on her bed and closed her eyes, “I'd love to see more of your history...” she murmured, her words trailing off into silence.

“Very well... but what to show you... that is the difficult question. Is there, perhaps, any questions about me that you would like to ask? I may be able to show you a scene that answers your questions.”

Silence filled the large room as Cadence thought about an answer, or rather a question to pose to Noir. Her words were slow and deliberate as she responded, “Well, I know very little about what you were created to do. You have mentioned a purpose before... what exactly was that purpose? Could you show me that?”

The amulet grew warm against her chest as Noir smiled again, but it was a much different smile than before. “My purpose... a good question indeed, my Princess. If you wish to know my purpose I will show it to you. Please, relax and clear your mind...”

She shifted slightly, sinking into the feathery comforter that covered her bed and into the thick pillows behind her head. After a moment, the darkness behind her eyes began to change as before, the fragments of Noir's memories flickered through Cadence's mind were spotty at first. Disjointed and incoherent flashed of places and times long since past. Cadence did her best to try not to focus on anything, lest the strange melding of Noir's mind with her own be offset and fail, but in spite of her attempts to remain unfocused, her eyes kept latching onto things. The meld was stronger than it had been before, the images in her mind as crisp and clear as if she was seeing them for herself and as a result her attention was drawn to things that looked familiar to her. A flash of a white alicorn that could only have been Aunt Celestia hurtled past her followed moments later by a black alicorn with a fiery blue mane. In spite of herself Cadence flinched and in that moment she felt the psychic link between herself and the amulet fracture, though it did not break entirely. Without a second thought, the young alicorn steeled herself against any more such moments and watched as impassively as she could.

Finally the images slowed and Cadence felt herself smile in eager anticipation as the image solidified into an exquisitely detailed memory, one so real that if Cadence hadn't felt the soft comforter beneath her, she would have sworn she was there.

An open field of green grass lay before her, its soft veridian waves rippling in a gentle breeze that she could all but feel upon her coat. The Princess's eyes darted to and fro, trying to get a better look at the landscape so she could figure out where she was, but nothing she did could change her view. I am in a memory, she reminded herself, so I suppose I can't see anything that Noir didn't see at the time. Several long seconds passed without anything happening at all, much to the Princess's irritation, but before her mind could begin to wander, a voice spoke in the memory- a mare's voice, silky and alto, that filled her ears as if the mare were speaking right next to her.

“Are you prepared to test it?” she asked, her words cautious, but her tone excited. “If you are not sure, then we should-”

The voice of Noir's creator filled her head, his deep voice echoing into her soul as if he had been lying at her back with his hooves around her in bed, “I'm sure,” he answered simply, his tone cold and dry. “Call the golems, Morningstar- I'm ready.”

For the first time the perspective of the vision shifted, turning sharply to Cadence's left to reveal the form of the mare who must have been Morningstar. She had a beautiful snow-white coat and a mane that faded slowly from blue at the roots to pink before tapering at the ends to orange. Her dark blue eyes were looking above her perspective intensely and Cadence frowned, why is she looking up there instead of at me? She wondered for a moment, oh... because she's not looking at me... or rather, at Noir. She's looking at the pony WEARING Noir. The white unicorn in the vision nodded slowly, her horn igniting with a soft pink magic that flashed brightly along the length of her horn. Noir's creator let out a sigh and turned to face the field once again, but this time the field didn't stay empty.

Morningstar's magic lanced out along the grass of the field in jets of pink lightning and within moments pieces of the idyllic landscape began to tear themselved out of the ground atop hooves made of rock: stone golem ponies, at least a dozen of them, slowly rose from the idle dirt of the field amid horrible grinding and gnashing sounds. In spite of herself, Cadence flinched again; everything was so real, so fresh that she could practically smell the churned soil and feel the crackling intensity of the magic it would take to raise that many golems at once.

Once the golems had clawed their way free of the loose packed soil, they turned their attention towards Noir and the pony that wore him. As the artificial creatures lumbered towards them, Noir's creator wasted no time on words. Cadence felt his legs move, his body working right behind her back as he darted towards the first golem in the pack, its hollow, empty eyes staring blankly ahead as it crunched is stony teeth back and forth in its cavernous mouth. Cadence had to fight the urge to cover her eyes with her hooves, but before she could have done so a flash of silver darted in from her left. The sliver of steel sliced into the golem and the construct exploded into earth and rocks, disintegrating as completely as if it had been struck with a fireball. Cadence's eyes widened as the silver object floated into view; it was a sword, a brilliant steel blade with a hilt that looked like black iron, enveloped in a midnight blue magic that held it deftly before Noir. The pony behind her turned sharply to his left, the blade flashing through the air once more to strike the nearest golem and from behind her she heard Morningstar shout.

“Use the amulet! Don't use your magic alone!”

The pony behind her sighed angrily, but almost immediately she felt something strange: a pulling sensation at the small of her back, as if the pony who wore her was... tapping into her somehow and drawing a thread of magic out of her. Cadence winced and squirmed a moment, but in spite of the uncomfortable feeling forming in her middle, her eyes widened as her perspective changed once more.

The magic around the sword suddenly grew brighter, the blue glowing as if it were about to burst into flames as the pony shifted his attention towards the next golem. The earthen construct raised its hoof to strike him, but with speed that made Cadence almost nauseous, the pony darted backwards and struck out with his glowing sword, blasting the golem into dust with the barest of strikes.

The stallion behind her chuckled as he darted forward again, moving faster than any normal pony should have been able to. His blade struck back and forth, seemingly at random, but each swing destroyed one of the golems lurching around the field, his control tight and professional.

Suddenly, the stallion turned to his right, where a group of the remaining seven golems all lumbered towards him at once. The stallion swore under his breath, but from a distance Cadence heard Morningstar once more.

“Use your magic and not your sword, idiot! We need to see how much the amulet augments your natural talents!”

The stallion grumbled angrily and Cadence felt a strange process begin to take place inside her chest: she felt the stallion's negativity flow into her, swirling around like a strange whirlpool of dark emotion inside her. At the same time, the glowing thread flowing from her to the stallion grew thicker, brighter, and more substantial. With a single motion, the pony sheathed the floating sword.

She couldn't see his horn from where she sat against his chest, but she could feel his magic growing stronger... and stronger... and stronger until, with a surge of electricity along her body, the stallion called down a lightning bolt from the clear, blue sky above, a bolt of pure white power that landed in the center of the group of golems and blasted them into earthen smithereens with a single strike. The thunderous retort from the lightning washed over her and amid the shower of stones and dirt from the former golems, she heard the stallion behind her chuckle again, a rich, deep sound that seemed to fill her up.

“Not half bad... much more than I could accomplish on my own.” She felt a lifting sensation as the stallion's hoof touched her back and, after a moment, she found herself looking into the cool green eyes of the stallion she had seen before- Noir's creator. The stallion smiled slightly and nodded. “Not too bad at all...”

The image faded and within a moment, Cadence jerked back to the real world, though as she opened her eyes, she couldn't help feeling that the room laid out before her felt less real than the memories she had just witnessed. Noir was silent for several moments, allowing Cadence time to recuperate before he spoke softly, “Does that answer your question, my Princess?”

“It does and yet...” Cadence's voice was quiet and sounded far away to her ears. She shook her head once before continuing, “it opens up so many more. Why were you created? Were you ever used for the purpose for which you were made?” She was quiet for a moment, “but- you don't have to answer these questions right now. I don't know if I could handle another foray into your memories right now, Noir.”

“A wise decision, Cadence. My memories are... powerful and I would not wish any harm come to you via them. However, I do believe I might be able to answer your two questions with words rather than images, if you would like.”

Cadence nodded and smiled, “I think I would like that.”

She felt Noir smile as well, but it was the dark, secretive smile she had come to know, “to answer your first question... I was created to use negative emotions to augment the magical abilities of ponies such as yourself. I siphon those emotions out of the pony and, in return, I give that pony access to the magic stored inside of me.” His voice grew soft and serious. “And yes, Princess... I have been used for my intended purpose... to great effect, I might add.”

Darkness seemed to swirl around Noir as he spoke in his gentle, soothing voice, but Cadence did not notice as she was swept along by her own curiosity and desire to know more about Noir and his mysterious creator.