Secrets of the Night

Screaming. That was all she could hear as Moonflower stood on the precipice of a great cliff. The wind howled around her, whipping her mane wildly. The great gusts of air carried the cries and screams of many, and when she looked down, she could see thousands of ponies wailing, scrambling to climb back up to freedom.

A low cackle wrenched her gaze up, and she gasped as she looked deep into the sickly green sclera and blood red irises of a massive black unicorn. His horn was long and curved, and fangs gleamed as he laughed coldly at the misery of the ponies below. Moonflower backed away from the edge, yet her eyes never left the unicorn. Atop his head was a crown of silver, and it shone coldly.

But was disturbed her the most, was the deep purple mist emanating from the corner of his eyes. The sign of the Taint. The source of corrupted and dark magic. Moonflower gagged as she felt the sweet pull of dark promises of power, of secrets revealed through pain and misery. She planted her hooves and closed her eyes tight, knowing this was a dream.

"Why do you resist?" the black unicorn purred, his voice soft as he attempted to lure her in, "You know in your heart you want to let the darkness take over, as it did once before...as it did your own mother...."

Moonflower snapped her eyes open, and she glared at the stallion, "I know not what form you have taken, you fiend, but I shall not succumb to your tricks! Leave me!" She stomped her hoof, causing the ground around her to quake as she broke through the fragile veil that kept dreams and realities apart. She knew it was dangerous, but it was vital that she shatter the illusion, and free her mind from the fear it held.

The unicorn hissed and began to morph, his coat darkening even more and his eyes glowing teal, the pupils becoming slits. Wings sprouted from his back and he grew even taller, but what horrified Moonflower the most, was the mare the stallion had become.

"You!" Moonflower growled, her eyes narrowing dangerously, "I should have known you would still be around. After all this time."

"Stupid fool," Nightmare Moon snapped, her eyes glaring at her creator in hatred, "I could not reach you in that prison you slept in for so long...but I know you would free yourself, just as I freed myself as well. I have been waiting for you." The dark mare chuckled wickedly, her eyes never leaving Moonflower.

Moonflower growled and stood her ground, refusing to let the mare get the better of her, "What do you want? I won't give in. You can't have my mind!"

"I am afraid your little protest is invalid. I have already made myself quite at home here, and I would say that my powers would make you stronger, should you need assistance in battle." Nightmare Moon smiled coldly.

"I will never need your assistance, just as I know there will be no battle! I shall not cause a war for you!" Moonflower hissed, "Be gone! Trouble me no more you foul manifestation of fear and hatred. I no longer have any need of your services." With that, Moonflower turned her back, and plunged down into the chasm below her.

Nightmare Moon rushed to the edge, and her words chilled Moonflower to the core, "The war has just begun! It began when you awoke! Now, you shall be the source of my return! All hail the Night!"

Moonflower closed her ears, trying to drown out the sorrow and cries that surrounded her as she fell into the pit of sorrow.

With a sudden gasp, Moonflower bolted upright in her bed, her sides heaving as she fought for breath. Sweat shone on her brow, and her pupils were pinpricks, fear causing them to shrink. Moonflower looked over, out the window and at the forest, and she yearned to go out and run, run away from everything that she had done, straight into the embrace of her mother.

Moonflower bit her lip, tears springing to her eyes as she realized she couldn't even remember the last time her mother had held her. Had made her feel warm and safe. In defeat, the mare collapsed onto the bed, sobbing as she tried to forget her nightmare.

"How could I have been so stupid," she scolded herself, "I made this monster...what made me think it would have just left this world?" Moonflower wiped her eyes and looked out of the window again, and she set her eyes upon the stars. Quietly, she slid out of the bed, walking to the window and gazing at the tiny white specks in the night sky.

"Do you ever feel alone?" she asked them in a raspy whisper, "Even surrounded by millions, do you ever feel like there is nopony there? If so, then I understand that feeling. How am I going to fix this? I made something, without thinking about the countermeasures to prevent her from growing stronger. I am such a stupid fool..." she sighed and waited for an answer. None came, and the feeling of loneliness grew ever stronger.

Then just as she had been ready to cry once more, Umbra's face flashed through her mind, and she blinked. Umbra knew what it felt like to be alone, to be an outcast. Ponies fear him because of his intimidating look, but Moonflower had seen the softer side, if just briefly.

She smiled and raised a hoof to caress her cheek, the spot where his lips had touched her in such a soft, and so very sweet way. Her heart beat faster and she shivered as she felt the same feeling as before light up her filly bits. With a blush she tried to force the feeling away, but the denial seemed to make the burn stronger. With a grunt of frustration, Moonflower stood, and set her eyes upon the forest.

"I can't wait any longer. Injured or not, I must go." she murmured, and she sighed in relief as the near irresistible itch faded once she set her mind upon her new goal. Turning, she grabbed a small pair of saddlebags, and she began packing it with simple supplies she would need.

"Let's see..." she murmured to herself, "bandages, ropes, first aid, flashlight, and a small blanket." she listed everything she could think of that she would need. When she rechecked everything, she set the saddlebags on her back and strapped it on, her magic glowing a dark blue as she worked with the delicate and refined details. Once she was done, she quietly stole down stairs, opening up the front door and limping out. Moonflower closed the door silently, and turned to face the Everfree, taking a deep breath before beginning her trek through the dark forest.

Moonflower walked through the moonlit forest, gazing around in wonder and curiosity. It had changed so much since she had last seen it, and she sighed, knowing that her hooves would take her to her destination. She felt herself be pulled deeper into the forest, into the heart of the Everfree, and she giggled foalishly, knowing that she would soon be home.

At last she came upon the bridge, only to stare in dismay at the decrepid castle before her. "No...." she sobbed as she raced across the bridge, her eyes tearing up at the sight of the stone and crumbling rock around her. "Why? How did this happen?"

"One thousand years ago, I battled a pony I loved dearly," A soft, yet regal voiced announced from behind her. Moonflower whipped around to see Princess Celestia in all her radiance standing there, looking up at the ruins with sadness.

"C-Celestia!" Moonflower gasped, her eyes taking in her aunt's pastel rainbow mane, "Your mane! I don't remember it looking like that!"

"It has been this way for over one thousand years." Princess Celestia smiled down at the young alicorn, "Ever since I banished my sister, your mother, to the moon." A single tear fell down her cheek as she spoke, and Moonflower looked down in shame.

"It was all my fault...I was angry..." Moonflower admitted, yet she felt a gently hoof lift her chin. Moonflower gazed into her aunt's beautiful mauve eyes, and she felt warmth and security in them.

"Luna has felt guilt for her mistakes, and she regrets many things. You were both wrong, as was I. Now it is up to you to forgive each other, and perhaps start a new life as a family. We have been a broken family for too long, and broken families can't survive that way." Princess Celestia said softly, and Moonflower tried to understand what she was saying. As far as Moonflower could remember, she had never had a real family.

"But why did you leave here?" Moonflower asked as she sidled up close to her aunt, soaking in the warmth that seemed to naturally emanate from the Princess' coat.

"I could not bear to be in a place where I had turned against my own sister. The memories still haunt me even to this day. She had been so angry, so hurt that she had been overlooked by the ponies, and so unappreciated, that I should have seen what was happening. You had been the catalyst, what with that parasite you put in her mind. Even though the intentions were vile, the creation itself was a marvelous work of focus and concentration." Princess Celestia look down at Moonflower, her face stern, "You must promise me you must never use that knowledge for evil intent again."

Moonflower nodded, her eyes wide as she gazed up at the Princess, "Yes ma'am. I won't ever do it again. I promise!" She sighed and looked around at the castle, and she felt a tear in her heart as she saw her old home in such a horrid state. "So this is where you battled her?"

Princess Celestia nodded solemnly, her eyes distant, "Yes, but it was a battle I wish I had never fought, and I hope I never have to again."

Moonflower looked down at her hooves, thinking quietly to herself, "Why are alicorns so different? Why are we so powerful and feared? I am nopony, but everypony I have met thinks I am a princess, or I am of some importance. When did alicorns become such revered beings?"

The questions seemed to catch Princess Celestia by surprise, having not expected them from anypony. "I do not truly know. Yes, alicorns are powerful, and many ponies look up to us, but we are also a very uncommon species. Few are ever born. You were the last known alicorn to be born, and ever since, the rest have ascended from common ponies."

"Why? Why was I the last alicorn to be born?" Moonflower asked, her curiosity peaked.

"Because it is assumed that alicorns who are born, are significantly more powerful than those who are ascended. Luna and I were two of the most powerful of our generation, and then Luna had you, and that was when the Purge began..." Celestia winced visibly, as if recalling a painful memory.

"The...Purge? What is the Purge?" Moonflower asked, but the word sent chills down her spine.

"That is a lesson for another day," Princess Celestia said sternly, "Come, shall we revisit old memories together?"

Moonflower perked her ears forward, a smile splitting her face, "I would love to Aunt Celestia."

"Then come along my dear," the regal white alicorn gently wrapped a soft wing around the slightly shorter alicorn, "Let us see if we can find any treasures."

"From this moment, I shall treasure my family." Moonflower swore solemnly, her head high as she walked beside Princess Celestia.

Princess Celestia shook her head, her ancient eyes saddened, "I hope you remember that promise when your day comes...." She murmured to herself. The words were too quiet for Moonflower to hear, but to Celestia, they seemed to echo in the dark corridors of her old home.