Author's Note

So... chapter 8 is finally here. And I apologises for the long waiting, but it was worth it. :-)

And more has been going on. Well, I will not spoil it. Read it or yourself. ;)

Chapter 10: Dark Castle

Twilight woke up at an unknown place. She remembered that something opened under their feet and they fell. But they were also separated from each other and now she is here with a difficult situation.
She uses her horn to light the cave up and look around. She called to her friends, but there was no answer from them. Then she started to walk, in hope for finding her friends again. She looked around the cave and thought it looked a bit creepy. She has been in many caves before, but this one is something completely different. Then she stumbled again and bumped into a rock where a random vision appeared. She saw an unknown pony in the hood, exactly the same as Astral´s, but the vision changes and she saw the same pony again, now in training ofmagic by... Clover the Clever?
Twilight starred at a stone wall in confusion. What was that, she saw? But she heard some voices and could recognize them. She heard Sweetheart's voice, so she shouts at her name.

"Thank goodness, I´m so happy to hear you again!" Twilight yelled.

Sweetheart too was happy until they heard more voices. Twilight heard only a loud pitched fancy voice. "Rarity... Is that you?" Twilight muttered speechlessly. Rarity cried in joy, and then Applejack and Pinkie's voices came along, followed by Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Twilight was very relieved that they were gathered. She told them that she is trying to find a way out of this cave and find them later. That would also be the case for others, so they started immediately.
Twilight went into the big cave in front of her, but it was so dark that she almost tripped. There was nothing but rocks, but Sweetheart warned her and her friends that there were hidden traps. Because Nightmare had prepared it all if anyone shold come here.
Twilight checked on her way if there is secret booby traps, but nothing had happen so far. She sighed peacefully. But then she heard Fluttershy's scream and turned frightened around, but she accidently stepped something that dropped below her. There was a sharp spear at the stoned ceiling in which it lowered and termed down towards her. Twilight couldn´t use her magic so she ran out of the trap and landed in safety.
It was dark again, so she got carefully up on her legs, but unfortunately, she tripped and hits her head again. And again, she saw another vision of the same unicorn along with Nightmare. She heard him murmuring very quiet, but Nightmare looked very surprised but also satisfied. Meanwhile, the unknown pony looked very depressed. And sad... Twilight woke up again and had the strange feeling that she has seen it before. It reminded a little bit of her fairytale book...
But then, she remembered Fluttershy and called her name on the other side of the cave. Fluttershy mumbled quietly although it sounded a bit loud. Twilight was very relieved to hear to her voice, but there is another surprise. She heard Sweetheart's voice, telling her she just managed to save Fluttershy from the trap.
"How far are you?" shouted Sweetheart after Twilight. Twilig shouthed back that she´s almost spearheaded into a kebab, but was close. Sweetheart told her, that there is a resort where they can meet. Twilight was relieved and said she will be hurry. She ran as fast as she could, and turned quickly to the right. When she did, Sweetheart and Fluttershy were already there. Fluttershy was very pleased to see her and ran up to her for a hug. She also whined over the traps she´s been through. Twilight calmed her while Fluttershy cried out loud.
Luckily Pinkie showed up with a big jump and just drove on Twilight. She wondered how fun she had, which Twilight and Sweetheart warmly glanced at her. Then Applejack, Rainbow and Rarity appeared, which probably had found each other a long time ago. But they were happy to see each other again. "Are you okay girls?" she asks them. The others were fine even though they were about to be crushed og speared. Pinkie says it was a bit of fun, but pretty scary. Rainbow Dash seemed a bit off, so Twilight asked her if she´s oaky. But Rainbow looked really intense at her, "Okay? It's not okay. That... is... AWESOME!" she exclaimed jolly. Twilight and her friends shone their mouth completely. How can she cheer something dangerous? But Twilight knows that Rainbow Dash loves all the danger, but not the worst.
She quickly changed the subject and asked Sweetheart if she knew a way out since she´s now allowed to show the way. Sweetheart said that there is only one trap to go, but this is much harder than the others. Twilight was a bit nervous, but still feels hopeful when they were so close to their goal. She and her friends immediately entered the dark cave. Sweetheart guides them past the trap and they managed to slip past the arrows that shots after them.
"There it is!" Sweetheart shouted and pointed to another cave. Twilight immediately knew it must be where Astral is, so she started running. But Sweetheart just managed to push her away before a giant spear almost hits them. Twilight was in shock and hadn´t been aware of it. "Are you okay? You should be more cautious next time," said Sweetheart. Twilight feels a bit embarrassed and giggled nervously. Suddenly, her friends managed to run past the spear and asked many times if Twilight was hurt or okay. But their eyes were directed over her head. Their expression was changed from worried into astonishment. Twilight followed their eyes, and now her eyes were opened more wider. There was a huge castle of shiny crystals standing in the middle of a big cave.
Twilight and her friends stared admired at the castle, except Sweetheart. She then said, this is the place where Astral is. Twilight nodded and looked at her friends where they were looking at her, but nodded confidently. They started to walking towards to the castle, although Sweetheart mumbled quietly over that there was something she had forgotten.
As they were passing by, they stared pretty impressed by the big shiny cave. they almost shines like tiny stars. But they reached straight to the gate. She called at Nightmare and said that they had already finished her riddles. But there was no answer or the slightest reaction.

"Maybe she´s not at home," Rainbow said in a sloppy voice, which others stared strangely at her. "What?"

"I don´t understand... We passed her tests so why don´t it open up?" Twilight asked frantic. She looked at Sweetheart after a reply, but she looked just plain.
Then they noticed something shaking on the ground, even the pebbles was jumping a round. "What was it?!" Fluttershy asks scared. They heard a big rumble. "Sweetheart... What were you trying to mention?" whispered Twilight a bit nervous. Sweetheart wasn´t sure, but it was clearly something important. Then the rumble became even louder and the seven ponies backed up. They looked around to see where the sound came from, but it was too dark to see. But before they could react, a big black horse protruded and almost stamped on them. Twilight and her friends hurried away from the giant horse.
"Oh now I remember! We´re have to pass the giant guard who guarded the castle!" Sweetheart shouted with relief. "You know, you have the worst timing of telling us this!" Rainbow Dash shouted in annoyance.
But Sweetheart felt embarrassed by it, but they continued to distract the giant horse. It stamped and swung his big forelegs, but luckily Dash avoided and saved Fluttershy in a scared stage, but with a brave look. Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie just managed to jump from the stifling death, but Pinkie laughed hysterically as if it was a some kind of a rollercoaster. Twilight used her magic to prevent it from swinging and stamping on her friends, but unfortunately it almost hits her and was thrown away.
But as she were hitting, another vision suddenly appeared. This time, it shows the unknown pony again, sitting in a crystal room and looks completely sad. He had fire marks, but Sweetheart appeared before the sight faded. Twilight shook her head and looked at the big giant. She has no clue of what the vision has to do with it, but she knew it has something to do with Sweetheart. So she called to her and finally found her. She whispered quickly in her ear and pulled a long scarf tied together. It was from Pinkie when she encouraged her from a long day after their journey. Sweetheart nodded and took the scarf with her mouth and ran.
They ran around the giant horse in hopes of distracting him, so her friends could get away. They were about to run around the huge legs of the horse, but he was too fast, so Twilight uses her magic to source his big hooves. It didn´t succes, but it hurried the guard and trampled after her.
The others hurried away and even tried to open the gate. Sweetheart galloped quickly to them and helped them while Twilight distracted the giant guard. They quickly found a handle and they pulled down, and the gate slowly opened. They hurried inside, but Sweetheart left them to save Twilight. She grabbed the scarf and pulled her through the guard. It ran after Twilight, but stopped up in front of Sweetheart. Twilight don´t know how, but she noticed the cold and angry look as she had never seen before.
The giant glanced at Sweetheart and slowly moved backwards into the dark again. Sweetheart breathed lightly and galloped slowly to the gate.
The six ponies were too exhausted to notice Sweetheart's action, but Twilight was totally amazed at her. She would like to ask her about it, but went silent when she saw the serious look in her eyes.
The seven ponies are now inside the castle. The hall was big and crystal clear like outside. There was two stairs on each side and a chandelier that shines without candles. Rarity stared admired in the castle's big hall and couldn´t help fizzle around and admiring the crystals, but most of its mirror image. Applejack whistled impressively and commented it´s much bigger end Twilight's. In a good way, of course. But Twilight was eager to find her friend and called carefully to Nightmare, but no respond. But they heard a scream coming from Rarity. They rushed towards her and looked completely surprised when they saw Rarity lying on the clear floor, swirling around. They tried to calm her, but Rarity just pushed them away and screamed.
"What's wrong with her?!" Rainbow Dash said completely out of confusion, but then she also started screaming, falling and rolling around on the floor. Everyone looked pretty confused, then they also started screaming and running around or rolling scared on the floor. "What in the Equestria happens to them?!" Twilight yelled comepletely panicking and looked at Sweetheart after an explanation.

"They're... in a trance of their biggest fear..." she said terrified. Twilight raised an eyebrow. "What?!"

Sweetheart explained shortly, that the castle Nightmare created was cursed. It creates visions from their worst nightmares and if they could not overwhelm their fears, they would be caught in their dreamscape forever. Twilight understood it very well, but she can´t just stand there and doing nothing. She tried to help her friends to get them out from their trance despite Sweetheart's warning. But her head started to sting a bit like she just got a headache. Her eyes began to swearing, so she rubbed a bit. But when she opened her eyes, she was in her old home in Canterlot with her books. She also saw Celestia far away, but Twilight was just relieved to see her again.
"Princess Celestia! I need your help!" She called after her, but she didn´t respond. Twilight had to gallop to the princess, but she noticed something that seemed off. "Princess..." Twilight muttered a bit uncertain.
Celestia turned her head toward her and stared very strictly at her. "You've disappointed me..." she whimpered. Twilight stared confused at her, but when Celestia's gab opened, there was a loud scream whcih Twilight quickly held her ears. Appearently, the books screamed too and began to fly around her while she heard Celestia and her friends say some insults that she feared.

"You're a disgrace!You're not suitable to be my student! You are not a real princess!You're nothing but an imposter!

Twilight tried not to listen these illusions, but she couldn´t help but crying and feeling like a useless flaw. It felt empty. "Twilight! You must fight your fears!".
She heard a familiar voice. Sweetheart was right. She had facing her fears before and could do it again. She dried her eyes and standing up with a rank confident. Her horn glowed and looking forward her fake mentor and friends to show her fearless face, but something isn´t right. The screams and fearsome faces were still there, Twilight lost a bit courage and seems more confused about her actions.
"I don´t understand..." Twilight muttered completely speechless. What should she do? But she heard Sweetheart's voice again. "You have to try! Fight your inner fears!". "Inner fear?" Twilight said a bit confused. Her worst fear was in front of her, and even though she had previously fought it, she still don´t understand what went wrong.

"What you see, is not what you feared mostly," Sweetheart said convincining. "You have to dip down. Like REALLY dip down into your true fear!"

Although Twilight didn´t quite understand what she meant by "dip down", but she tries her best. She holds her head and concentrates deeply in her mind. The words from the ponies she knew, flowed through her ears, but she focused a lot and Sweetheart's voice gave her courage to focus.

"Dip down... Dip down..." she muttered very focused until she finally found something, that lightens her spirits;

"... Dip down... Dip. DOOOOOWWWNNN!"

The unknown room around her turns white and the light was sharper. It blinded her a bit, but she saw a figure in front of her, she ran and suddenly stopped. She stood just there with big eyes.

"What can you see?" Sweetheart whispered questionable.

"It´s... Astral?" she replied, comepletely surprised. Astral stood in front of her and stared blank at her. He stared deeply, but she could feel the warmth she actually longed for.

"When I was little... I had always dreamed of meeting the prince from my fairytale book I found long ago. I had a lot of dreams and imaginations of him and being with him the whole night until dawn, and since then I had waited and believed in him.". The room around her was shaken a bit and the light turns almost into a gray-colored atmosphere, and the illusion was blurred. "But... The older I got, the less I believed in him. I... know that he was not real, but... I couldn´t believe myself that he wasn´t even real. And I was afraid I would lose my faith in him. But when I met Astral..." Twilight's eyes wetted into tears, but she laughed a bit of joy. "I couldn´t believe my own eyes, but... he WAS real! And I'd never been more happier than before. He was everything I imagined and... I knew right from the start, there was something missing... a missing part of me. My friends... my teacher and my family were important to me, but... I know it sounded selfish, but... Astral, my prince was the only reason for my motives. He and the fairytale gave me the foundation... To make me feel more alive than ever!!"

The bright atmosphere broke into small pieces and Twilight looked amazed by it. And it's as if she opened her eyes and saw Sweetheart holding her in a comfort way. "Sweetheart..." she groans exhausting. But Sweetheart shushed at her and whispered quietly, "You've overcome your greatest fear."
Twilight looked completely astonished on her and herself. Sweetheart was right... She had seen the fear and it was not something she was worried about or overreacted to impress her mentor. But she had never lost faith in the pony that had helped her from worries and expectations.
But they were quickly disturbed by Pinkie's hysterical laughter and the others who were completely lifeless and either slacked, or rolled around. But she and Sweetheart could not help but laughing at Rarity's big eyes and the gap that bubbled. "Go. I'll help them from their trance," reminded Sweetheart, and went to one of them to help them. Twilight took a quick look at them before she walked up the stairs.
It did take a bit longer than she expected, but it did led up to another big hall and it's the same size as below. She looked round after Astral, but there was no sign of him.
"Astral... Are you there? It's me, Twilight," she called, but still no respond from him. Twilight doubted if he's actually here. Or was Nightmare just fooling her, even though she passed her tests.

"Twilight..."

Twilight looked startled up by the sound of a familiar voice. On the third staircase, a figure appeared from the dark. The figure took the form of an alicorn, like Celestia and Luna, but his wings were much larger, and his dark blue mane flashed like stars in the sky.
Twilight was in shock. He looked a bit like the unicorn fro her dreams before, but he looked really different. Even his cutiemark was a full moon instead of a crescent. "You look... different?" Twilight said out loud, but meant it in a good way.
"I... I see you're in good hooves, Ast-" Twilight stopped saying his name. She had a feeling that it was not his real name. Yet it just came out of her mouth. "Midnight."
She was a bit shocked when he said something. "Midnight Moon is my real name.". Twilight nodded and Midnight glanced at her as he walked down the stairs. Twilight couldn´t stop looking so surprised at him. He looked completely different. She began to stumble about her quest and feel embarrassing to herself, but Midnight fences and put his one wing on her back that had calmed her.
"Hush, my dear Twilight. No need to be rush," he said, but wondered about where her companions were. Twilight bits on her lips with eyes of concern, "They were a little bit tired of our journey," she said in a doubtful way, but Midnight looked a biy suspicious, but nodded.

"Say, would you like something to eat?" he asked politely, "You and your friends must be hungry after a long journey.". Twilight appreciates his generous soul, but politely declined his offer, cause she wasn´t that hungry. Midnight nodded understandable, but even asked if he would like to take a walk. Twilight smiled and nodded in accept. Midnight reached his long wing in front of her. Twilight wasn´t sure, but she accpeted it by holding his wing with hers. And together, they started to walk up to the third stair.
Twilight stared admirably at the crystal walls and the shiny sculptures. Despite the castle being cursed, but she can see there is beauty and a slight of goodness. "It´s... beautiful..." Twilight mumurs to herself, but was quite embarrassed by saying out loud, but Midnight giggled and seems to not mind. Twilight blushed a bit, but felt a bit of joy inside her. Or rather, in her chest. Her heart beated slowly, but fast. She wasn´t sure if she´s too nervous to finally meet the real Astral. Or was it because he was just like her?
By the time, they finally stopped to another floor with much bigger hall than the others. Twilight wanted to ask him, how he got here, but don´t want to upset him. "You were about to ask me, how I got here?" Midnight said just out of nowhere. Twilight was a bit startled and wondered how he knew that? Can he read her mind?

"Y-yes... if you don´t mind..." Twilight stammed nervously.

She did notice Midnight´s expression was a mix of sadness and isolation. Maybe because he spent a lot of years in this castle, but she knew exactly, that he didn´t want to tell her.

"You know... It´s okay, if y-"

"I choose to give my soul than let others suffer..."

Twilight was a bit surprised by hearing him. He started to tell her, that he once was a young colt who has dreams. Even the night times, he adored very much. He even had dreams of becoming the most greatest wizard, like Starswirl which he idolized very much. Twilight was surprised to hear that. She also idolized Starswirl the Bearded, but she´s more interested in hearing Midnight´s story. He continues by telling, that he was in training of becoming a royal guard by his uncle request. He tried to make him proud, but he was never happy about his future.
That all changed when Clover discovered his magic, and she decided to give him lessons of sorcery. And by the time, he learns more spells and learns to take more control over his powers. He soon become the repected wizard in Equestria and those ponies he knew, loved him by his kindness.
Twilight said that it sounds like a great adventure(which apparrently felt like deja vu), but Midnight´s stare turns into sorrow. Twilight knew, where this is going. Midnight explained shortly that Nightmare, the witch, cursed his village out of nowhere. And when she made a deal with Clover and the princess´ who seemed familier with the witch, that she wants the most powerful host to gain her power and even become the ruler of her kingdom. Supposedly, Clover should have been the one, but because his act of bravery, he choose to give himself to her.

"... And for that, I became the prince in her kingdom..." he said finally.

Twilight felt a shock inside her. All what he told her, this was exactly what the fairytale book says. And the visions... some of them she saw, was actually Midnight who was just an normal pony before all this. She couldn´t help but feel bad for him and teel him how sorry she was, but Midnight just smiled. "Hey, I would like to show something," he said and started to walk. Twilight followed him to a balcony. Midnight´s horns lights up and he whistles a gentle tone. Suddenly, a small light appeared and flew around them, but landed on Twilight´s snout. It was a dragonfly with blue wing shining. And when she was about to pet the small creature, it flew away and more dragonflies showed up and swirled around the cave. Twilgiht was amazed by the sight. She has never seen anything like this.

"Wow...".

"Yeah... wow," he said with a happy smile.

Twilight continues to stare at these beautiful fellas. But a small dragonfly flew around so fast, that it hits Twilight´s eye by accident. And even fall down. It didn´t hurt, but it was the most gentlest startle she ever have. Midnight helped her up, and suddenly, another vision appeared again.
Twilight thought it was strange to have it like that, but she´s more curious about what it´s about now. She was in the wood and it´s almost dawn. But something rushes in the bushes and she hides quickly behid a berry bush. She took a quick look and saw Sweetheart. No surprising to see that, but... there is more. She also saw Midnight in his unicorn form and he seemed nervous.

"Quick! We´re almost there!"

And they suddenly dissapeared in the woods. Twilght tried to follow them, but couldn´t catch them up. The vision stopped and Twilight was back to reality. She was laying on a bed and looked confused, but luckily Midnight was there. She asked him what happened, and he repsonded that she just fainted after the incident. Even Twilight has no idea why it did happen, but she approciated Midnight´s help.
But when she got out of the bed, she quickly regconizes the room. She felt like she has been here before, but suddenly she remembered something. Something from her visions. She even remembered that Midnight screamed before she woke up. And she still has the bitter scent of something burning.
"Burnt..." she thought to herself and took a quick look on Midnight. She started to remember that Midnight has once escaped and the half of his face was burnt. That´s probably explained why he only appeared in night time. But as the fairytale said; he was cursed to wander in night times forever.

Midnight asked her if everything is alright. But Twilight just stared at him with shocking eyes. She couldn´t hold it back any longer, "Why didn´t you escape?"
Midnight frozes and stared blank at her. But Twilight isn´t a fool. She started to demand him why he couldn´t escape second time or even tried to break his curse. But Midnight said nothing and just walked out of his bedroom. Twilight was a bit frustruated and followed him, asking him to stop. But Midnight kept walking and finally stopped in the middle of a unknown room. Twilight was exhausting for chasing after him, but still demanding him to answer her questions.
"You don´t know what she can do..." he reponded in a frigting tone. But Twilight still doesn´t get, why he didn´t even try to fight back. But Midnight reminded her with fright in his eyes, that she don´t know what she´s capable of. And she shouldn´t been involved of this, which makes the room take a darker scheme. But Twilight didn´t care. All she have in her mind is to save her him, her best friend and all ponies, she loved. The room started to lighten up, but one shadow stayed put.

"Please Midnight... please tell me why you can´t leave? Just because you have a dumb curse, doesn´t mean you can´t let Nightmare win!" she said confidently.

But Midnight was quiet and stayed at nothing for a moment. But he mumbled something, Twilight couldn´t hear. She aksed him to speak a bit louder, and he did while looking... frustruating with frowned angry eyes.

"I´ve never asked you to save me!"

"I... I don´t understand?"

"No you don´t? I´ve never asked any of this. I never wanted you to involve all of this. And you know... I´ve never wanted to leave here!"

Twilight frozed. Did he really mean that? Did he actually mean that he liked this place? To be Nightmare´s prisoner? Twilight tried to be reasonable, but Midnight kept shutting her out and told her leave. But Twilight just stood there with a surprised look. And tears floating down on her cheeks.
Suddenly, she heard voices which were her friend. They were cured and was happy to see her. They were even surprise to see Midnight looking different, but Rainbow Dash reminded them that it was a perfect rescue. But all what Twilight could say: "Let´s just go."
The others was caught in surprise. And in confusion. One of them asked her why she said that, but Twilight just kept telling to just go. But Sweetheart wasn´t gonna give up asked her why she´s saying that. Twlight stared at her in a miserable way, but Sweetheart already knew the answer and started to question Midnight about what happend before they got here.
Midnight stared in a pitiful way and responded thta he want to be left alone. And that he would like to stay here.
Twilight´s friends gasped, yet Sweetheart seems more surprised. She asked him why he´s acting like that.

"Don´t you want to be free? Didn´t you want to feel the sunlight again? Why did you just change your mind like that, when you suffered in so much misery!?"

Midnight was about to answer, until they were interrupted by a wicked laugh. The room turned into a dark-schemed aura, but the room started to shake. Appearently, Some shadows in scary shapes came out of the crystals and swirls mischiously around the hallroom.
"She´s here..."Sweetheart whispered afraid. She told the others to run, and so they does. Except for Twilight. She stared frightingly while hearing the laughter of Nightmare. She then looked at Midnight who lowered his long neck and looked dissapointed. But Twilight was soon dragged by Sweetheart an d she can no longer see Midnight anymore.
They ran down towards the stairs, but they were already trapped. Shadow-like creatures flew around and pulled their tails or wings, while lauging at them. "Why you nasty, disrespectful beasts!!" Rarity shouted angrily at them. Applejack and Rainbow Dash tried to fight them off, but they don´t seem to take any damage.
Luckily, Twilight came in and helped them. She shoots from her horns, which seems to take some of them down, but these things just kept coming and laughed at them more. Twilight and her friends were surrounded. Defendless and scared.

Then, a light appeared and have scared those monsters off. They were happy to be safe, but was blinded by the heavy light. They heard Sweetheart calling them, and Twilight told them to follow her voice. They ran through the darkness and the noises of laughters. When they finally reached Sweetheart, they were surprised to see a blueish portal. And right next to it,there is Sweetheart. Twilight was about to ask her, but they don´t have time. She told them to jump to safety, which they did without hesitation. Twilight was about to, but wants to take Sweetheart with her.
"Go, Twilight! I´ll be fine!" she shouted and pushed her. Twilight shouted at her name, but she vanished through the portal. Despite the fact that their goal failed, she couldn´t get the sight of Sweetheart´s sad look and the haunted grin of Nightmare.

Ha ha ha ha!!!