Lost Soul

Hoofington, Equestria

YEAR 210 AFTER TRIBES UNION

3 Months after Mecury Stream's defeat.

Late night. City of Hoofington was deeply asleep. Clear sky allowed the moonlight to illuminate the empty streets. Most of the inhabitants were either asleep or readying to end the long day. Most of the few awake were the guards, patrolling the walls and alleys of the silent city.

"I tell you that this whole 'We move the sun and moon.' is a pile of horseapples! There is no way unicorns could do that!"

"And I tell you to shut up! I can't take your rambling anymore! Either you whine about the assignments or tell those conspiracy theories of yours."

Two pegasi guards trotted on the northern wall of the city looking over the market square.

"It's not my fault I'm bored out of my mind. Besides-" He was interrupted by a hoof in his mouth.

"Hush! I see something." Second guard raised his hoof and pointed at the sky outside the city. There was something flying in their direction. "Flying visitors so late? Better check this."

His partner nodded and both took off, flying to meet the newcomer. They stooped and hovered in his path, raising their spears. As the pegasi shaped creature came closer one of the guards shouted. "Stop and state your busi-" Guest crashed into them knocking both unconscious and sending them to the ground. Creature didn't even flinch and continued its flight towards the city.

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A sounds of heavy hoofsteps and breaking glass awoken Stargazer. She was a High Mage of Hoofington, well known and respected.

"What was that?" Another loud crash. " Burglars? In my tower?" Blue mare jumped off her bed and quietly trotted downstairs, to her laboratory. As she was descending, noises were becoming louder and louder. Finally she reached the laboratory floor and peeked around the corner.

Room was in disarray. Much of her equipment was scattered on the floor. She gritted her teeth. They're gonna pay for this. Then she spotted the trespasser next to her artifacts display. Barely visible in the moonlight, he appeared to be a large, heavily armoured, pegasus. How did he manage to pass the guards? Nevermind I will teach him a lesson. She smiled and charged her horn with magic, not giving the intruder time to react she shot a powerful lightning at him. Smoke and smell of ozone filled the room.

"Lets see how effective is your metal armour against this." She smirked and levitated a staff from a nearby wall. By tapping the floor with the staff, she lit all lamps and torches in the room. Then she waved it removing the smoke from the laboratory. "Let's see who our guest... Is..." What she saw shocked her to the core. Not only the trespasser was still standing, seemingly unaffected by her attack, but he appeared to not be a pony at all.

Before her stood a creature that could be taken for a cross-breed between pony and a dragon. Taller than anypony she have ever seen. Four plate sized hooves, bat-like wings, long thick tail that looked heavy enough to break bones and head that looked like a skull of a dragon. Eyes glowing red and mouth filled with a long sharp teeth. Creature seemed to be made of iron, its hide looked like a heavy armour embellished with a row of spines from the top of its head to the end of the tail.

Monster slowly turned around, snarling and hissing. It spread its wings and roared at the dumbfounded unicorn before jumping at her. She conjured a bubble of energy around herself and ironclad hoof slid on it, knocking a hole in the wall behind her. How is this even possible?! Stargazer started to panic, then creature raised itself on its hind legs to crush her, she gazed upon the monster as it towered above her. How could such abomination come to life? Before the strike came she teleported to the far side of the laboratory.

Nightmarish creature didn't give her much time. as soon as she reappeared it pounced at her. Unicorn dropped to the floor allowing the monster to fly over her and sent a wave of energy at it, causing the creature to crash through the wall and outside the tower. Stargazer trotted to the hole and looked out, just in time to see as the beast hit the pavement destroying it in the process. She exhaled and smiled in relief, her laboratory was on the height of six storeys, she was sure that creature was killed by the hard landing and even if it still lived the guards, alarmed by the commotion, were closing in and surely would neutralize wounded beast.

Her relief was short-lived though and her smile disappeared as the monster slowly raised up and looked at her. These red eyes pierced her soul like arrows. Creature roared, took off and sped towards her. Unicorn jumped backwards on second before abomination was in her tower once again. It looked her straight in the eyes. She was stunned by the sheer amount of hatred and anger visible in the creature's eyes. It seemed that it was fueled by these emotions. Monster charged at her once again. Mage quickly shook off and, by charging both her horn and the staff in her hooves, she created a magic barrier between the monster and herself. Creature started to pummel the barrier with its heavy hooves, causing the entire room to shake. Stargazer knew that her shield won't last long so she sent a wave of telekinetic energy at the creature. Hit, that would send a fully grown stallion flying, merely pushed the assailant back. Continuing her attack she conjured a fireball that set the creature in flames but it didn't seem to affect it much. Before it could renew the attack, pegasi guards arrived. Crossbow bolts fired by the guards that came to help the wizard started to bounce from metal skin.

Realizing that the opposition was gaining strength, iron monster roared and grabbed some of the artifacts from the display. Then, still burning, it jumped out through the hole it made earlier.

Stargazer quickly run to the breach. She saw the monster breaking through the formation of pegasi that tried to stop it. Then it turned towards the tall belfry and crashed through the building, causing it to collapse on the houses below. The sheer strength of the creature amazed the Mage, burning monster looked like destruction incarnate. A real demon. Then it began to set the buildings on fire by crashing its burning hooves against the roofs.

Fire spread quickly, causing panic among freshly awoken ponies.

Using chaos as cover, monster made one more circle around the tower before flying away, too fast for the guards to follow it.

Blue mare evaluated the situation. City was in disarray. Everypony was doing their best to put down the flames but severe damages to the building were unavoidable. So much destruction. Caused by one creature. She turned her eyes to the direction where the beast disappeared. It's time to call the Knights.

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Hayverness, Equestria

Hayverness armoury was buzzing with preparations. Ponies of the Knights Order were arming themselves. For today they are marching on the enemy.

Reports of the Ironskinned monster attacking cities around Equestria resulted in mobilization of the Knights. Everypony who could, came to Hayverness to take part in expedition, whose task was to hunt down the beast.

Among the gathered ponies there was a cyan pegasus mare. She was putting on heavy vambraces, while doing her best to ignore the blue unicorn that was glaring at her.

After a few moments mare sighed. "I know what you want to say Silver Blade. And you should know that I wont change my mind."

Unicorn stallion frowned. "Sun Blaze please listen to me. You should stay in Hayverness and let us do it. You have just became a mother for ponies sake!" Silver Blade's eyes showed concern and worry.

She turned to face him. "It's been a month Silver Blade. I have fully recovered by now. And my foal is in good hooves, he will stay with my brother and his wife."

"I still think that you should stay here."

Sun Blaze growled silently. "Listen... I know that you are worried, but I can't sit here when you fight thing whose master killed my husband!" She stomped her hoof in frustration.

"We don't know for sure if that monster is Mercury Stream's creation."

"We don't know for sure? Metalclad monster that steals magic artifacts and happens to have lair inside of the same fortress that once was witch's headquarters. I'm sorry Silver Blade but I don't buy your version." She returned to adjusting her armour. Unicorn opened his mouth to say something but pegasus interrupted. "Please stop this." She hung her head. "I know that I'm horrible mother, leaving my foal like that and risking my life... *sigh* But I can't bear the thought that this monster could one day come for me and my son." She looked in the stallion's eyes. "You will need every available Knight to finish Bright Heart's work."

Blue stallion sighed. "You are as stubborn as him." He gave her a weak smile and put his hoof on her shoulder. "Okay Sun Blaze. Be ready then." He bowed slightly and trotted off.

Pegasus mare pulled out two silver lockets from her saddlebag and looked at them. She inhaled deeply, muffling emotions building inside her at the sight of the wedding gifts. I'm sorry Bright Heart. I know that you would want me to stay, but I have to do this. She put on the lockets and donned the helmet.

I miss you so much.

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Travel to Aurora Light's castle passed without any incidents. Nopony dared to bother the marching column of about five dozens of armed Knights.

They stopped on the hills in front of the fortress. Since the battle with Mercury Stream nopony entered the ruins. Plans of retrieving Bright Heart's body were abandoned, because works that would be necessary to do so could cause a collapse of the rest of the great hall. The only ponies that were visiting the ruins were scouts taking care that no cult would take roots there. It was thanks to them that location of the beast's lair was discovered.

Silver Blade, now fully fledged leader of the Knights, looked at the building with sadness. Then he turned to the mare next to him. "Lime Leaf! Take nine fastest pegasi and take position outside the castle. If the beast escapes we will need somepony to follow it. Rest follow me, we go inside now." Column moved forward, despite the high number of ponies no talking could be heard, everypony was silent and concentrated on the task ahead. It was late, orange light of setting sun shined through the remaining embellished windows.

Silver Blade and Sun Blaze were on the head of the column and were the first ones to enter the throne room. And they didn't like what they saw. On the center of the chamber, right before the great pile of rubble, standing in red flames there was a metal circle. It was about two metres high and was constructed of half melted objects of various shapes and sizes. The nightmarish construction was emitting slight glow and an aura of uneasiness.

Knights slowly trotted forward looking for the inhabitant of the castle. "So that's where it took all the artifacts." Sun Blaze whispered.

Silver Blade nodded. "It looks like a portal... But the witch built an altar, why would the monster behave differently?"

Cyan mare frowned and unsheathed her sword. "No idea. And where is the-" She suddenly stopped, her eyes widened. "-the monster." She lifted her hoof to point at the pile of the rubble.

There, on the top of the debris pile, was laying a coiled creature. Awoken from its slumber the ironskinned monster stood up, stretched and unfolded his wings. Knights were shocked, the size and outlandish appearance of the beast stunned them. Creature looked at the intruders with its red glowing eyes and released a deafening roar before taking off and diving at the ponies below.

"DISPERSE!" Silver Blade shouted and jumped to the side, avoiding metal hooves by centimetres. Several Knights behind him werent so lucky. Those who were to slow were rammed by the beast, which didn't even flinch as it hit their ranks. It ascended and prepared for another attack, arrows, spears and magic blasts directed at the monster bounced from its metal hide. Once again beast attacked and wounded few Knights in the process.

"It's tearing us apart! Silver Blade you need to ground it!" Sun Blaze shouted to her leader while trying to draw the beast's attention away from her companions.

"One moment!" Blue unicorn concentrated. "NOW! Get clear!" Cyan pegasus flew away from the monster a moment before a charge of magic hit its back, covering metal wings with ice.

Disoriented monster crashed against the floor. Knights took advantage of the situation and quickly surrounded the beast, attacking it relentlessly. But the fight was far from over.

Ironclad monster roared in anger and jumped on its hooves. Then it began to attack the assailants. Blows of iron hooves and swings of massive tail quickly scattered attacking ponies. Even on the ground beast was too powerful to be overpowered by the ponies.

Seeing that her fellow Knights were unable to fight the beast, Sun Blaze jumped into fight. Flying over the others she delivered a powerful blow to the creature's head and landed behind it. Monster turned around swinging its tail at the bold mare but she anticipated the attack and dodged it gracefully. Now they were standing face to face looking in each other eyes. Abomination accepted the silent challenge, baring its long sharp fangs it attacked Sun Blaze with its heavy hooves. Each of the creature's attacked were skilfully dodged by the pegasus and retorted. Other Knights could only take distance and watch, not daring to disrupt Sun Blaze's dance. She was the best duelist in Equestria, be it a pony or a beast, there was none who could best her in single combat. Monster was furious, unable to hit the mare it was attacking madly, kicking, punching and biting. Yet despite the fact that she could dodge every blow, she was unable to win the combat. Her attacks bounced harmlessly from the metal hide.

Then unexpected happened.

Monster, knowing that it was too slow to fight on the ground, stopped attacking and tensed its wing muscles, causing the ice cover to crack and then to scatter in all directions. Sun Blaze was hit in the face by one of the splinters and lost her balance. Before anypony could react beast rammed the pegasus, throwing her across the room. She didn't have time to stand up, in the moment she landed monster was already standing over her. It snapped at her with its fangs but she managed to defend herself with her sword which was then shattered in creature's jaws. Having nothing else to defend with from another bite, she shielded herself with her armoured foreleg and closed her eyes. Sun Blaze felt the jaws of the beast clench on her vambrace, metal started to bend from the crushing force of the abomination. She prepared for the pain.

But it didn't come.

What?

She slowly opened her eyes. The monster was there. Its fangs clenched on her foreleg. But instead of ripping her limb off the beast was just staring at her neck. She looked down and noticed that the monster was looking at the two silver pedants she was wearing. What is happening? Then the pressure on her foreleg lessened. Beast released her limb and started to back off slowly.

Rest of the Knights stared at the scene dumbfounded. In one moment their companion was effortlessly jumping around the monster, then in few seconds everything changed and the creature was about to kill brave mare. But now it was backing off.

The red glow of monster's eyes faded revealing green irises. Sun Blaze was confused, the beast could kill her easily but it didnt. She looked at the pedants, then in the beast's eyes. The eyes she now recognized. No... It cannot be... "B-Bright Heart?" She muttered. At the sound of that name ironskinned monster growled and started to stomp its hooves as if in agony.

Silver Blade and several Knights run to her side and formed a barrier between her and tossing beast. "Sun Blaze are you alright?" Mare nodded still looking at the monster with wide eyes. "What have you done to it?"

It took her a few seconds to gather her thoughts before she responded to unicorn. "Silver Blade, you need to take everypony outside now!"

Stallion looked at her in shock. "What!?"

She looked him in the eyes. "Silver Blade... It's Bright Heart. This beast... It's Bright Heart."

"How is this even possible?!"

Mare shook her head. "I don't know. But I know that's him." Another howl pierced the air. "You have to trust me. I think I can still reach him." After a moment of consideration Silver Blade nodded and gave signal to retreat. Knights carefully left the chamber taking their wounded brethren with them, making sure that they remained as far as possible from the beast thrashing about in the center of the chamber.

Sun Blaze slowly stood up and made few uncertain steps towards the beast while taking off her helmet. "Bright Heart?" Monster turned her attention to her. "Bright Heart is that you?" The only response was a deafening roar but the beast remained in place. Then she heard a low rumble coming from behind. She turned her head and saw that the flames and aura surrounding the portal intensified. The power residing there realised that its grip on its puppet's mind was slipping away.

Monster's eyes regained their red glow as it took few steps towards the mare snarling and stomping loudly.

"Bright Heart It's me Sun Blaze! Your wife!" Beast flinched but didn't stop. Mare started to back off slowly. "You have to wake up! You are not a monster." Tears started to flow from her eyes. "Please snap out of it! I love you Bright Heart!" Iron creature looked like it was fighting against itself. Its head was twitching as two wills struggled, but it was still walking towards her.

Sun Blaze started to lose hope. She stopped and sat on haunches and hang her head, tightening her eyes. "Please wake up. Return to me. And to your son." Heavy hoofsteps stopped. Cyan mare looked up and saw the monster standing right before her completely still, it was looking in her eyes its jaw slightly ajar.

She stood up. "Yes. You are a father Bright Heart." She carefully raised her hoof and placed it on monster's cheek. "We have a beautiful pegasus boy." Smile crept on her face as beast's eyes returned to green colour. "His name is Bright Ray. He has your eyes Bright Heart."

Thunder-like roar pierced the air and the floor started to shake. Sun Blaze turned around and gasped as she saw that a storm of fire broke out around the portal. Faint image of demonic entity appeared inside the circle. Her gaze returned to the metal creature. "Bright Heart we have to stop this! If these things break free Equestria will be lost."

Monster looked at the portal, then at the mare before him. Then it closed its eyes and with a howl of agony it took off into air.

"Bright Heart what are you doing?" Sun Blaze shouted with fear in her voice. Then Ironskinned pony dived with astonishing speed towards the portal. "BRIGHT HEART!" Her voice drowned in the roar of explosion when monster crashed against the portal. She was knocked to the floor as light filled the chamber and she blacked out.

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Sun Blaze woke up. It was quiet. She slowly stood up and looked around. In the place where moments ago stood portal there was now only smoking dent in the floor. Oh Bright Heart... She clenched her teeth fighting the emotions building up in her. Then she saw something in smoke. There, among the pieces of molten metal was laying a bruised, grey pegasus. "Bright Heart?" Sun Blaze quickly sped to laying stallion and pressed her ear to his chest. A heartbeat!

Stallion released a groan of pain. "Owwww..." Mare shifted herself and lifted his head slightly. Then his eyes opened.

"Sun Blaze?" Bright Heart looked at his wife with wide eyes.

She smiled. "I'm here Bright Heart."

He recovered from shock and recalled what happened. "Oh Sun Blaze I'm so sorry."

Mare hugged him and whispered. "It's alright now."

Bright Heart hugged her back. "It's all my fault. When I saw our home... When I believed that the witch killed you... I was so furious that I let my hate to blind me. These demons felt it when I came here... It gave them power. Witch was too unpredictable ally for them so they abandoned her, they used my own hate and their powers to change me into... Into this monster. It's all my fault."

Sun Blaze broke the hug and looked in his eyes. "Bright Heart... It's not your fault. It's because of her machinations that it all happened. And it was you who overcame the beast and saved us all." She helped him to stand up. "You are a hero."

Stallion smiled weakly. "I couldn't do it without you Sun Blaze. In darkness I heard your voice, you were the beacon that led me back." He put his hoof on mare's cheek.

She smiled and tear of happiness flowed from her eye. "I love you Bright Heart."

"I love you too Sun Blaze."

Two ponies stood there, in the light of setting sun, looking in each other eyes with love.
Love that survived the darkest of trials. Love that defeated the monster spawned from hate.

Love that never fades and overcomes everything.