Chapter 12 Changes of the past and a new leader

It was a normal morning, the sun shined and Twilight was training with Fallen in the arena. "Before we go to fight mages you will learn to fight other creatures than ponies."

As he said this a shadow Manticore jumped out of Fallens shadow and began to attack Twilight. "Whoa!" Twilight jumped back and got in fighting position.

After she dodged some of its attacks she began to attack it herself. She fought the Manticore for some time as Fallen saw a brown carriage flying above the arena. He seemed to know the carriage and growled. His eyes followed the carriage as it flew towards the place in front of the castle.

As it landed he sighed. "The training is over for today. I have to take care of something."

The Manticore disappeared and Fallen left the arena. Leaving a confused Twilight in the middle of the arena.

A silver unicorn stallion with a dark yellow mane left the carriage. He wore a brown and very much damaged cloak and he had light red eyes. He spoke to the pegasi that pulled the carriage. "Thank you for bringing me here. We see us tomorrow in Canterlot."

He took a big case form the carriage and they flew away.

Fallen walked to the stallion and spoke to him. "Rubyus, what are you doing here?"

Rubyus looked at Fallen and smiled. "How often do I need to tell you that you can call me father."

Fallen growled. "I said that I will never do this. Now what do you want?"

Twilight walked to them and she could have sworn that she saw sadness in Rubyus face for a short time. "May I ask who you are?"

Rubyus looked at Twilight and bowed fast. "My name is Rubyus Side and I am a geologist. I am the father of Bright and the step-father from Fallen. I am here to visit them."

Fallen spoke to him. "Next time tell us before you come here."

"Can't I surprise my family?"

"I hate surprises and you are Brights father not mine. So I will get your family."

He walked away and Twilight looked at Rubyus. "Why is he rejecting you?"

Rubyus sighed "He never accepted me as his father. I hope he will change his mind one day."

Twilight wanted to say something but she was interrupted by Bright, who ran in the direction of her father and screamed. "DAAAAAD!"

She jumped at him and hugged him. "I haven't seen you for so long!"

Rubyus hugged her back. "I am sorry but you know that my job is very important."

"I know."

They hugged for some time till Fallen walked to them. "When you are finished. Spike has prepared lunch. He also prepared some for you Rubyus."

Rubyus nodded. "Thank you."

They walked inside the castle and entered the dining room. They sat down and Spike served the food. Rubyus was the fist who spoke. "Where is your pet spider Fallen? Arachna was her name, right?"

"She is dead and she wasn't a pet she was an experiment and an assistance." Replied Fallen.

"Oh, well... Bright how are your studies going. Learned anything interesting new?"

"I learned a lot about magical crystals and gems." She smiled at him.

"This is wonderful to hear." He turned to Twilight. "Bright didn't made any problems or did she?"

Twilight laughed a bit. "No she didn't."

"I have to ask. Why is there a arena made of Fallens dark crystals?"

Twilight was a bit confused. "How do you know that the dark crystals are made by Fallen?"

Rubyus smiled a bit. "This is a part of my special talent. I can use my magic to nearly find anything about a crystal or gem, especially the magical ones. Now what is the reason behind it?"

Fallen spoke up. "After I beat the princess in an duel she asked me to train her so I build an arena."

"But he still won't train me." Murmured Bright quiet so no pony heard her.

Rubyus looked at Fallen with an surprised expression."You had a duel again. If I remember it right the last one you told me about was the one against princess Luna."

"I already fought some duels in this town."

"Really? How went these duels."

Fallen took a sip of his drink and began to talk again. "The first was a short time after I arrived. I challenged Twilight and defeated her in a short fight. She asked me to train her and one of her friends joined the training too. I fought this pegasus in a training and defeated her after one move. "

Rubyus listened interested. "So you are training a pegasus and a Alicorn?"

Fallen nodded. "Yes but I cannot teach the pegasus very much anymore so she mostly trains on her own. Now where was I? Ah, right. After that I fought against Twilight and five of her friends after she said that their friendship can defeat everything. So I defeated them without any problems. The last one was against Twilights brother, Shining Armor captain of the royal guard."

Rubyus eyes widen. "You fought against the prince of the crystal empire. I heard that he is a really good fighter."

Fallen took another sip. "Yes he was good but he had no knowledge of dark magic so I could defeat him with a little trick."

Rubyus smiled at Bright and Fallen. "Sounds like you two have an interesting time here."

Twilight then asked Rubyus. "I am a little bit curious. How did you met Fallens mother?"

Rubyus expression changed to an sad smile. "You mean Shine Keeper. The story isn't very special."

Twilight just looked at him.

Rubyus expression lighten up a bit. "But if you want me to. I walked through the streets of Canterlot because I got a letter that said that they found a indestructible magical gem. It turned out that it was just the result of an project of an mage that got lost and was found in the streets. It fell apart after it lost all its energy. On my way back home I bumped into Shine. She was carrying some purchases and as I bumped into her she dropped them in the mud."

He took a bite of his food before he went on. "Because it was my fault I bought everything new for her and invited her to a cup of tea. After that we began to meet each other more often. I found out that she had a son and that the father is dead."

Fallen turned his head a bit away from him.

"But she and Fallen never told me who he was and what happened to him. I accepted their decision and never asked again. After a long time I married her and a short time later Bright was born. You probably already know that Shine died a few years ago. Since I have to travel a lot for my job Fallen takes care on Bright."

No pony said anything and they ate the rest of their foot in silence.

After they finished Fallen was the first one who spoke again. "I have work to do." He stood up and walked away.

After Fallen left the room Bright walked to her father and talked to him. "How long will you stay here?"

Rubyus smiled at her. "Sadly only for today but we can spent the rest however you want."

Brights face turned to a big smile. "YAY. Twilight can I have the free from studying."

Twilight looked at Bright and Rubyus happy faces and nodded. "Sure but tomorrow you will make up all the lost time."

Bright jumped in excitement and dragged her father to the door. Rubyus tried to talk to Twilight while he was dragged. "It was a pleasure to meet you princess Twilight."

Fallen was in his laboratory and opened the locked shelf and took out the necklaces and the natural dark crystal. He placed everything on the work table and took out some notes. 'I need to have this finished in time.'

This day Fallen didn't left the laboratory and spent all the time enchanting the necklaces and the crystal.

In the evening Bright and her father waited at the train station of Ponyville . "It was nice to spent some time with you again dad."

The train arrived as she said that and Rubyus hugged her. "It was fun for me too. I hope I will have some more free time in the future."

He walked into the train and waved Bright. She waved back and the train left the station. As it left the station towards Canterlot Bright turned around and made her way back to Twilights castle.

As she arrived it was time for dinner. While she ate together with Spike and Twilight she noticed that Fallen wasn't there. "Where is Fallen?"

Spike shrugged and answered."I don't know. I knocked at his laboratory but he said that he is busy and don't want to be disturbed."

"Then we should better let him alone. He only does this when he is behind his schedule. So we should let him work."

Spike grabbed Fallens plate. "Then I suppose that I can have this."

They ate their food and went to the library. Bright wanted to start with the lesson she had to catch up on.

Fallen worked to whole night. As the sun raised the next morning, he finished the project.

As he put the necklaces and the crystal back in the shelf and locked it again Spike knocked on the door. "It is time for breakfast!"

Fallen just realized how long he worked. 'I think I overreacted a bit. I think I still have a week or two left to prepare everything.'

He left the laboratory and walked to the dining room. He saw that Twilight and Bright were already sitting there and Twilight saw Fallen entering the room. "Is training canceled for today or are we going to start after eating?"

Fallen sat down and began to eat. "I have no work for today if you have the time we can start after I finished my breakfast."

He ate the rest and went outside together with Twilight. They walked to the arena and saw that Rainbow Dash was already there training.

Twilight and Rainbow sat down in front of Fallen waiting that he tell them what the lesson for this day is. "Twilight you remember the lesson form yesterday. Since Rainbow Dash is here two you two will fight five Manticore."

His shadow stretched and five Manticore came out of it. Without anymore words they began to train. It was hard both for Rainbow Dash and for Twilight to fight against five Manticore. Five month ago, before they started training, they wouldn't even have managed to defeat one Manticore.

Fallen ended the training as he noticed that Rainbow and Twilight were way too exhausted to go on. Rainbow Dash flew away and Twilight and Fallen wanted to go inside the castle.

But as they opened the door they heard somepony flying in their direction. Fallen looked at the direction of the noise and saw that it was a mailpony.

The pony landed in front of them and took out a package and a latter. "A package for princess Twilight Sparkle and a letter for Fallen Dark."

Fallen took the letter and Twilight the package. After the mailpony flew away they walked inside the castle and to the dining room for lunch.

After they ate Bright asked. "Who sent you two post?"

Twilight shrugged. "I don't know I wanted to open it now."

While she said that Fallen already opened his letter and began to read it.

Greetings high mage Fallen Dark

I have to tell you that Arcanus died yesterday. The magic council will be meeting in Canterlot with the royal sisters in two days. There we will choose the next archmage.

Rising Light

"What does the letter say?" asked Bright.

"The archmage is dead. I will go to an meeting in three days to decide who the next archmage is."

Bright expression saddened a bit as she heard the news. "That is sad. He was a nice guy."

Twilight on her side began to open the package . Inside it was a letter and a smaller box with another letter attached on it. She took the letter and began to read it.

Greeting princess Twilight

I sent you this letter because Arcanus died and we found this box with a letter for you in his room. I can assure you that no pony read the letter or opened the box.

Rising Light

Twilight took the box and with the letter out of the box. "What could the archmage send me?"

Twilight took the letter and read it.

Dear princess Twilight

if you read this letter that means I am dead and I haven't found a successor for my arcane magic. And it also means that Formulas wasn't the one who found it. I am writhing you this because I think you are the only pony I know that could be capable of mastering arcane magic. From what princess Celestia told me I think I can trust you that you wouldn't abuse this magic. In the box is a book with everything I know about arcane magic and how to use it. Keep it save, it is the only of its kind.

your now dead archmage

Arcanus

Twilight looked at the letter of a moment and placed it on the table. Bright was curious. "Who wrote you and what did he send you?"

"It was the archmage and he sent me a book about arcane magic."

Fallen grinned a bit. "Then I congratulate you. Arcanus the pony who discovered arcane magic and he always said that he would only share his knowledge about it with somepony who he thinks is worthy. It seems like he toughed very high of you."

Twilight opened the box and took the book out of it on the cover was written 'Arcane Arts by archmage Arcanus.'

Twilight began to read it.

Arcane Magic

found by Arcanus

Chapter 1: The basic knowledge

Arcane magic is the purest magic that can be used. When a pony uses it he can control magic itself but if a pony can't control it, it will destroy him and everything that is near him. It is complex to explain and even more complex to use.

Twilight closed the book and noticed that there was a light blue crystal in the cover.

Fallen stood up and walked away. "I will leave with my carriage tomorrow noon . Training is canceled but I think you have something to do instead."

Twilight nodded and took the book. "Bright, I think we should start with your lesson."

She walked towards the library and Bright followed her. The rest of the day went on without any other events.

At the noon of the next day Fallen stood in front of his carriage. He summoned two shadow to pull it. He walked onto it and commended the shadows to fly.

He commended them to fly slow so he could read some books while they flew. They arrived at the evening at Fallens old house. He let the shadows disappear and walked inside. He walked through the house and looked at everything they didn't take with them when they moved to the castle. He looked at the showcases and the pictures on the walls. 'I still don't know what to do with this place.'

He went to his old bed room and opened a shelf. He took out an old picture of his father that was made before he was born. He looked at it for some time and went to his old bed to sleep.

At the next morning he went to the castle of Canterlot. He wore his cloak so the guards knew that he was a high mage. He walked to a room that is made for meeting between the council and the princesses. The room was located in one of the towers. It was a room with only one table and some seats around it. At the head of the table were two bigger seats for the princesses.

As he entered the room he saw that Rising, Formulas and Ice were already there. He sat down on his seat and greeted the other high mages. After some time the other high mages entered the room and sat down on their seats.

A few minutes later Celestia and Luna entered the room and sat on the two big seats. Celestia was the first who spoke. "I expect you all know why we are here."

They all nodded and Luna began to talk. "Even if Arcanus death is a sad event we have to perform our duties. To do so we have to choose a new archmage."

Formulas stood up and took out a few small crystals in different colors. "I will give each off you a crystal. To vote you have to change the color of the crystal to the color of the high mage you vote for. They are prepared so you can't vote for yourself." He looked at Mirror Illusion while he said that. "When you made your decision you put the crystal in the hole in front of you."

Mirror Illusion just sighed. "We all know how to vote this isn't the first time we vote something. So please give us the crystals and let us vote. "

Formulas looked at Mirror with an disapproving expression. "I just follow the protocol but if you insist." He levitated the crystals to the princesses and to the high mages.

Fallen took his and looked around. He thought about his choices. Mirror Illusion wasn't not serious enough for this position. Fallen didn't want to share his knowledge with Formulas. Rain Bringer was too young and inexperienced. Rising didn't even came to his mind. So he decided he would vote for Ice Eruption.

He changed the color to an red and placed it in the hole in front of him.

After some time everypony has placed his crystal.

Celestia stood. "After erverypony made his decision I will know count the votes."

Her horn began to glow and a crystal came out of the middle of the table.

It was a quarter was colored in black another quarter was red and the left half was white.

Luna stood up now too. "So it is settled Rising Light is the new archmage."

Fallen hold his anger about this decision back as good as he could but he couldn't hold back that some small crystals began to grow around his seat. No pony noticed them. Fallen took a deep breath and let them go back in the ground.

Raising stood up and bowed. "I am honored that so many of you have such an high view on me. I will do my best to follow these expectations."

Celestia nodded . "Then this is cleared. Rising Light is the new archmage. Now let's move to another point. Formulas, could the magic hunters track down the vandals in Manehattan."

Formulas answered fast. "Yes and it turned out that they were failed magic students and they indeed stole the book form the library."

Celestia nodded. "Then, if no pony has anything to say, this emergency meeting is over."

The high mages stood up and bowed before the princesses. They all walked outside and made their way to their carriages.

Fallen walked home to carriage and summoned shadow to pull it. He flew back to Ponyville used the memories from this day to feed his hatred to let it grow bigger.