Cleaning Darkness

Chapters

Chapter 1: Rehabilitation?
Chapter 2: The Museum
Chapter 3: Settling In
Chapter 4: The Single Most Beautiful Hunk of Metal
Chapter 5: This Should Be Good
Chapter 6: A Few Days
Chapter 7: Rev It Up
Chapter 8: Punishments
Chapter 9: Answers
Chapter 10: Minor Upgrades
Chapter 11: A Slow Day
Bonus 1: The Day of No Mercy
Chapter 13: Forming A Plan
Chapter 14: A Deep Connection
Chapter 15: Testing The Armor
Chapter 16: Showing The Truth (DARK AF)
Chapter 17: The Start
Chapter 18: Pushing The Limits
Chapter 19: Breaking Barriers
Chapter 20: The Pod
Epilogue: Walking Once Again
Bonus 2: Moving On
Chapter 12: Trouble With Dealing With Monsters

Chapter 1: Rehabilitation?

Cleaning Darkness
Chapter 1: Rehabilitation?

By: Major Frostwing

I sat in the meeting room which was normally reserved for foreign diplomats and other important people. The room was furnished with one of the most magnificent tables ever crafted. A perfect oak base to support all the weight of the table. The surface was a brilliant redish brown. It reflected the light of the room brilliantly. I smiled as I walked up to the table sliding my hand over the surface. I pulled out a chair planting myself into the well crafted chair before raising my feet onto the table. It wasn't my table so why should I care if the surface gets fucked up?

"Jon I would appreciate if you would take your feet off of my very expensive table." Celestia said as she took he seat across from me.

"Let me think about it. Fuck you." I said flatly as I ground my heel into the table. Celestia only let out a sigh of defeat.

"HEY!" I heard one of the elements yell out. I rolled my eyes tilting my head towards them only to see them leveling a finger at me. "You can't talk to the princess like that. I will kick you ass if you do it again." I gave her a flat look before casually pointing at Celestia with my thumb.

"Hey Tia. You are a fucking cunt." I said as the element bearer of I'm guessing here but I would have to say loyalty got up from her chair slamming her hands on the table. I only turned my attention away from her looking back to the princesses.

"Dash don't you dare." I heard one of the other elements yell out before a fist collided with the side of my head. I cocked an eyebrow flicking my wrist away from me which threw the element that just hit me straight into the wall. I saw the shocked looks on everyone's faces at what Dash had just pulled but I couldn't care less it wasn't like she even hurt me.

"So can we get this shit done and over with?" I asked looking to Celestia with a wicked smile she could only let out a sigh.

"Alright now that everyone knows the rules here let's try to follow them." Twilight said as I crossed my legs so my left foot was resting on the table instead of my right foot.

"I guess I can play nice for now." I stated in a bored tone.

"That's the best we are going to get from you I guess." Twilight said looking at me with a sad smile. "Who wants to go first?" I saw a few hands raise up which prompted myself to prepare for the stupidity. "Alright Dash you can go first." Twilight said pointing at the element of Loyalty.

"WHAT IS YOUR FUCKING PROBLEM!?" Dash yelled as I only cocked an eyebrow.

"I'm evil or did that go over your pretty little head?" I asked flat out as if it was obvious. "Next question."

"Um mister Jon?" I flicked my eyes finding the one who was talking to me. "What made you want to be evil?" She asked as I set my hand against my chin.

"I always had a bit of an evil streak going for me." I said as I thought about it. "I mean just look at me. I was the guy who killed villains because saving them is useless. I mean they all just fall back on bad habits. And since I was possessed by Nightmare Moon negative emotions feed my magic. Being the bad guy just made more sense." I finished up nodding my head sagely.

"That sounds stupid to be honest." A woman wearing a ball-cap said as I looked to her confused. "You could have just been a good guy and not have to turn to evil." She said only for me to casually point at Celestia.

"Hey Tia how did our first meeting go?" I asked as Celestia took a deep breath.

"That was so long ago... You tried to fight everyone around you when you first arrived."

"Luna how did I deal with Discord?" I asked as I looked at my fingernails.

"You pinned him to the ground with your sword." Luna answered as I began rubbing my knuckles against my chest.

"Twilight how did I deal with Chrystalis?"

"The first or second time?" I leveled a glare at her which she seemed to understand what I meant. "We only found a mutilated corpse."

"Cadance? How did I deal with Sombra." I asked in a sing song tone.

"You carved his horn out of his head." She answered shivering from discomfort.

"All together now. How did I deal with Tirek?" I asked throwing my hands above my head.

"You decapitated him with Umbra..." The princesses answered with matching sighs.

"I am not a good guy. I will play the hero but I am not the good guy." I pointed out smiling. "Next question."

"What kind of magic do you use? I heard stories about you using all kinds of unique and interesting spells but they never went into detail." I turned fully to the one I knew for a fact was the element of magic.

"Oh you know. Gravity Magic, telekinesis, pyromancy, corruption magic you know the basics. I was more akin to use Umbra than to use really fancy spells. Most of my fancy spells I reserve for torture and getting information that I want. Not to mention my stunning good looks." I said leaning back in my chair. "Good times... I'm sorry what happened I lost myself there for a second." I heard a palm slap a forehead which made me look at Luna.

"Anyway... You never smile for real do you?" The Element of Laughter asked. I looked up at the ceiling before sighing.

"Haven't smiled for real in a very... very long time. You wouldn't want to smile if it reminded you about things that are gone forever." I pointed out before scratching the back of my head.

"Jon?" The newest princess asked as I felt a hand rest on my shoulder. I leaned my head back to look at her.

"Why the fuck do you look so familiar?" I asked calmly as she only smiled down at me.

"Well it has been a thousand years since you last saw me after all." I furrowed my brows in thought before I suddenly got out of my seat throwing the damn thing nearly halfway across the room.

"HOLY FUCK!" I yelled before seizing the newest princess. I heard everyone else get to their feet only to see me hugging the princess swinging her about with a laugh. "WHEN DID YOU BECOME A PRINCESS!?" I asked as I finally set her down looking her over. "Looking good for being a thousand plus. I can't really say much since I am over Three-thousand years old." I said as I turned back to Celestia. "TIA! When did this happen? Holy fuck I wouldn't have been such an asshole if I knew that another of my friends still survived the harsh reality of time."

"Jon you are always acting like an asshole." Celestia said flat out earning a collection of gasps from the elements.

"The benevolent ruler fucking cuses get over it. Anyway Nova it's so good to see you. It really is." I held my arms open to her. "Now give me a real fucking hug before I start killing for no reason." I said as Nova smiled giving me a hug. I couldn't help but smile a real smile knowing I didn't lose another of my friends.

"He does a full 180 when he finds out about Princess Nova. Almost like he has a split personality." The element of Generosity whispered. A gun shot rang out as a spell bullet ripped past the element of generosity's head blowing a hole in the wall behind her.

"I heard that." I said in a happy tone spinning the spell gun in my hand. "Didn't appreciate it either. Now that we have this out of the way. What are we going to do now?" I asked floating my seat back over to me.

"Jon I want to send you to new Ponyville where the elements will work on your rehabilitation. Which will be overseen by Princess Nova." Celestia said with a smile as I only gave her a flat look. "You leave tomorrow morning."

"Fine... at least I might be able to get some fucking work done." I muttered out stretching out my shoulders.

"About that..." Luna began scratching the back of her head uncomfortably. "If you kill anyone we will be force to seal you back up. There will be no second chances on this Jon this is your only warning." Luna said as I looked at each of the princesses with a dropped jaw.

"OH FOR FUCK'S SAKE!"

Author's Note

I decided to write Jon up as more of his original self from the first story since it would make sense with him wanting to be the villain. Not to mention being alone in a statue does tend to piss people off. It's one of those things. Anyway enjoy the start of the third story in the series.

Chapter 2: The Museum

Cleaning Darkness
Chapter 2: The Museum

By: Major Frostwing

I walked with the elements surrounding me the princess Nova leading us towards an unknown destination. "Not that I mind being escorted but where the fuck are we going?" I asked as I felt a hand impact the back of my head. I whipped around my hand seizing the neck of the one who hit me like a vice. I flicked my wrist as my spell gun appeared in my other hand planted firmly against their forehead. "If you value that little head of yours you will never do that again. We clear?" I asked as I heard a gun cock behind my own head. I released the element of magic dropping her to the ground before turning to see Nova with her own pistol leveled with my head.

"Jon please don't make me do this again." The princess said as her voice finally clicked in my head.

"Alright alright... I'll play nice I guess." I said dismissing my pistol. "I remember when you used to be afraid of holding a gun." I said only to get a glare leveled at me.

"You ready to cooperate?" She asked me as I shrugged.

"When in the presence of the one who put me in my little personal hell I better behave." I said mocking her the elements looked ready to jump me that was until Nova giggled.

"You haven't change. Still playing the villain and provoking everyone around you." I only chuckled.

"But of course." I said with a mock bow. "Shall we continue now?" Nova nodded her head holstering her weapon.

We all stood outside a museum which to be honest was fucking weird. "Why the hell are we at the Canterlot Museum?" I asked Nova as she only motioned for us to follow. "You have been hanging out with the other princesses to much Nova you are starting to become very cryptic." I pointed out as she only rolled her eyes.

"I know you will appreciate this Jon." Nova said as I only shrugged entering the museum to follow the Princess and the elements.

"Princess why would we bring Jon here there are a lot of dangerous artifacts here that he could try and take." The element of Generosity stated as I let out an annoyed huff.

"All dangerous artifacts are hidden away in a secret vault that only the princesses know about and to a degree me as well. If I wanted those little trinkets I would have already gone for them. Everything in here is just an imitation." I pointed out sliding my hands into my pockets.

We entered a large room of the museum that had a large destroyed car sitting on a pedestal in the center of the room. I looked at the car before I looked around the room seeing all kinds of old relics each one I knew for one reason or another. I looked up to see a banner which made me pause. "The Fall of Our Protector." I looked at the beginning of the line stating simply. "The Arrival" I walked over seeing a very old picture of me with the girls after the defeat of Discord.

"This... All of this is about me." I looked around the room walking slowly around the room noticing replicas of my swords and armor. My achievements and everything I did.

"We had this exhibit created a few weeks ago before your return." Nova said as I continued looking over each of the sections before I stopped at the end seeing a small object resting on a podium. The object's screen was shattered and spider-webbed. The object had seen better days.

"M-my phone..." I said as I reached out seizing the object only for alarms to blare. I held the object in my hand looking it over with a sad smile. I waved my other hand over the phone as the screen slowly repaired it's self. I watched the phone power up with the image of me with my kids so long ago standing in front of the orphanage.

I heard the clatter of feet enter the room prompting me to look over my shoulder to see a few security guards enter the room with their weapons leveled at me.

"It's alright." Nova said waving for the men to lower their weapons. "He is just here to retrieve his property. No need for weapons." The guards looked to the Princess before looking at me I only smiled wickedly at them.

"Oh come now Nova let them shoot I could use the exercise." I said raising my hand towards them only for Nova to seize my wrist.

"Don't you dare. This is not like it used to be. If you kill any civilians you will be put back into the stone prison." I looked to Nova before looking at the guards I clicked my tongue ripping my hand out of her grasp.

"Joy kill." I muttered looking back at my phone. "Mind if I get my car back at least?" I asked as I scanned through my phone.

"Yes you can have your car go fix it." Nova said as I walked past all of them looking over the damages to my car.

"I can't believe they shot my car with an artillery shell." I let out an annoyed sigh snapping my fingers as the car began to repair it's self only to stop half way through. A burning pain ripped through my chest forcing me to clutch at the source of my pain. "Looks like my magic is still fried from the elements... That's fucking annoying." I muttered out turning away from the car. "Fuck it I will make a new one it should keep me occupied." I turned away from the vehicle making my way back towards the girls.

"What's wrong big man? Can't perform with an audience?" Dash said only to get a smile from me.

"Trust me I am much better behind closed doors little girl." I said with a wink only to see her face turn crimson. "Anyway ignoring my torturing way and psychotic tendencies I think we are done here." I said rolling my wrist walking towards the exit with a pep in my step typing on my screen. I set my phone against my ear as it began to ring. "Tia am I able to have access to my funds?" I asked as she talked back to me. "Good have it sent to where I will be staying I have a big purchase that I need to make when I get to New Ponyville." I said before hanging up abruptly. Today was a good day all in all can't wait to get started.

Author's Note

I made a filler chapter just so Jon can have his phone back and get some more junk sorted out.

Chapter 3: Settling In

Cleaning Darkness
Chapter 3: Settling In

By: Major Frostwing

A day had passed since I was able to get my phone back and now I sat in the Princess Suite of the train. To be honest I had used my magic to secure myself to the ceiling which seemed to confuse the elements and in turn Nova.

"Jon will you get down from the ceiling and join us? We need to talk about who you will be staying with along with your reformation schedule." Nova said as I looked away from my game rolling my eyes.

"I'm staying with you Nova." I said flatly as a cup bounced off of my shield.

"That is Princess Nova to you." Thunder Dash said. Since I bothered to learn the elements names it made my interaction with them much smoother. She was the element of Loyalty.

"That's nice." I said in a bored tone. "Hey Nova? Is the object I ordered ready yet?" I asked going back to my game. Nova only let out a sigh of defeat.

"It should be arriving later today. I still don't know why you ordered a broken down dead car but it's your money to spend after all."

"How much money do you have Jon?" Party Popper the element of Laughter asked. I closed my game setting my hand against my chin thinking. I quickly dialed a number raising my phone to my ear.

"Hey Tia. No nothing is on fire... No I haven't killed anyone... NO I HAVEN'T BROUGHT THE APOCALYPSE! JUST SHUT UP AND LISTEN!" I roared into my phone before taking a deep breath. "How much money do I have again? I can't remember... Uh huh... alright thank you." I said hanging up looking down at Party Popper. "Let's just say a lot." I said with a shrug.

"So like a few thousand bits or?" She asked as I sighed.

"More like a few hundred million and that's only a fraction of my money... I don't use my money often since it is just a waste for me to spend so much money... I would pretty much boost the economy if I went on a spending spree." I said thinking about what I would need to buy when I got to New Ponyville.

"A-a-a few h-hundred m-million th-that's a-a-a oh sweet Faust." I heard a thump bringing my attention back to see Glittering Ruby the element of Generosity had fainted.

"Whoops." I said rolling my eyes. "That's why I don't like telling people how much money I have just brings more trouble than myself." I said flatly going back to my game.

"Now Arriving at New Ponyville Station. Please mind the gap." A voice said over the intercom as I got to my feet dropping down to the ground with the aid of my magic... Well I would have landed on my feet. If my magic didn't short out halfway down making me fall the 7 feet down onto my head and back.

I looked up to see the girls all looking down at me with looks of concern. "Not a fucking word..." I muttered kicking myself up onto my feet. We each crossed the border into the morning air as I got my first good look at New Ponyville. It was like a small city now instead of a little village.

I looked about seeing a few of the big department stores and a few of the apartment buildings nothing like a bustling metropolis but still a nice little city. I felt a memory burn it's way through my mind forcing me to put my hand to the side of my head. This place reminded me of where I originally came from.

"Jon you ok?" Nova asked as I only shook off the pain.

"I'm fine let's just get me situated." I said motioning for everyone to move forward. "After that I need to get a few things together so I can get straight to work." I clapped my hands together in excitement.

"What kind of things do you need?" Aura the Element of Magic asked as I looked to her only to see a skeptical frown on her face.

"Tools like wrenches screwdrivers and tools of the such so I can get straight to work on my car as soon as it arrives." I said raising my eyebrow at her. "What the fuck do you think I meant?" I asked slightly offended. "I am a changed man I wouldn't harm a fly." I lied with a smile only to get slammed into by someone from behind.

I heard a few of the girls gasp as I slowly got to my feet I was about to tear into someone for knocking me over. When I turned on who ran into me I saw it was a kid who was crying with a bent wing on his back. I looked down at the kid before kneeling down to his level. "Did you hurt your wing?" I asked as he only continued to cry. "Alright stop crying and let me see."

He sniffled trying to dry his tears as I examined his wing moving it gently to see what was wrong. "Good news kid it's not broken just looks like a sprained wing. Hold still as I fix this." I held my hand over the joint as my hand began to glow green the magic seeped into the wing mending it. "Alright kid feeling better?" I asked as he wiped away the last of his tears.

"It feels a lot better." He said as I smiled to him. "Thanks mister."

"Don't worry about it just try to be more careful." I said ruffling the hair on his head. "Go on get going." I said as the kid nodded taking off like a bullet. I dusted myself off turning back to the girls only to see them with dropped jaws all except for Nova who was only smiling to me sweetly. "I'm evil not a monster." I pointed out before glaring at Nova. "Wipe off that stupid fucking smile before I remove it." I threatened as she only shook her head still smiling.

"We will talk later Jon." She said as she looked at the girls. "I need to run a few errands why don't you girls show Jon to the castle." Nova said as they bowed to her. "I'll be back around Eight 'o' clock." Nova said before teleporting away. I only rolled my eyes looking down at my hand seeing dark purple magic arc through my hand.

"Guess teleporting us is out of the question. Alright I'm bored here let's go see this castle." I said moving forward only for the girls to cut me off.

"A few ground rules first." Aura said as she pulled out a list. I glared down at the list before pulling it out of her hands looking it over quickly.

"No eating in my room? No tracking mud into the throne room? No breaking anything? What am I a fucking child?" I asked as Aura cleared her throat pointing at the list. I looked it over once again. "No cursing... alright here is a ground rule for all of you. The sooner you all learn I don't give a fuck the better." I ignited the list in my hand with dark purple flames. "Now kindly show me to the castle so I can get my room situated." I glared down at them as they slowly cowered under my gaze nodding their heads.

I sat in my room of The Castle of Nova. My room was a two story room with access to the second floor and bare white walls. A bed rested on the first floor of the room and that didn't sit right for me. I moved the bed to the second floor in a corner out of sight. I looked about the blank white walls before flaring my magic. The room darkened as the walls turned a dark purple before picture frames popped into existence. Each of the frames aligned themselves on the wall which forced me to smile happily. I looked at the full wall of pictures showing each picture of me with my children from so long ago.

A knock came to my door ruining my good mood. "Enter." I said moving away from the wall towards a writing desk which sat where my bed used to be.

"H-hello?" A small voice asked as I looked over to see Light Heart the element of Kindness. "I-I came to see how you were adjusting." She said as she walked into the room.

"I'm adjusting fine." I said as I looked about the shelves of my room letting out an annoyed sigh. "So many things need to be purchased." I muttered as I continued to walk about the room before I gave Heart all of my attention. "Make yourself comfortable I guess." I said as I pulled both a de-corrupted Umbra and Solaris out of my storage before hanging them up on the wall.

"Who are all of these children?" I heard Light ask as she was now standing in front of the wall of pictures.

"They were my children. Used to run an orphanage a very long time ago... It was when I was retired you see. I wasn't always a villain I used to have a heart somewhere in this empty chest of mine..." I said as I pulled a black bracelet out of my storage setting it on my desk.

"They all look so happy." She said with a tinge of happiness. "Who is this woman? She is in every single picture as well." I cocked an eyebrow before remembering.

"Oh that's Nightmare Moon." I said as I focused my magic into my hand before my magic slowly pulled it's self out of my body. The magic collected on the floor before it began to form a body. The magic slowly got to it's feet looking at me with a flat look. "Good to see you again." I said as Heart turned around only to squeak in alarm.

"Really Jon? I get that you didn't want help with your revenge against Queen Serene but I didn't appreciate being locked away for so long." The woman said before the purple mist fell off her body revealing Night once again.

"I know. I know." I said waving my hand dismissively at her. "Anyway now that you are back you can help me once again." I said as a fist collided with my face throwing me through the wall of my room. I blinked the stars out of my eyes before sitting back up. "Alright... I deserved that." I said shakily getting to my feet.

"DAMN RIGHT YOU DID!" Night roared as she let out a huff of annoyance.

Author's Note

Sorry for the small hiatus I had some stuff I was dealing with so I am posting 2 chapters today.

Chapter 4: The Single Most Beautiful Hunk of Metal

Cleaning Darkness
Chapter 4: The Single Most Beautiful Hunk of Metal.

By: Major Frostwing

After Night and myself repaired the wall she had sent me through we decided to go and buy the parts for the new car. I was going to build the whole thing frome scratch so I needed to buy a new engine block, transmission, suspension, you know the works. Once we got the parts we went and bought all of the tools I would need. I spent a pretty penny to get everything I would need but this was going to be a great build.

The trip back to the castle was slow since I had to ask the elements to help me. The room we set up as my new garage was on the first floor of the castle in an empty room that no one was using. I had blown out the back wall so we could move the car inside when it got here. That was four hours ago...

"What the fuck is taking so long? It's just a hunk of metal on a flat bed it shouldn't take this long." I muttered before letting out an annoyed sigh. "Fuck it I'm bored. I would have had an easier time carrying the damn thing back." I growled out as I heard the honk of a horn. "FUCKING FINALLY!" I yelled getting to my feet.

When I walked out of the hole I motioned for the truck to come over to me. They did dropping the car outside and passing me a clipboard. I quickly signed my name tossing him back the clipboard. "What about a tip?" The guy said as I was about to walk away.

"The car was supposed to be here around Four. It's Seven. You are three hours late." I pointed out going over to my car. "Here is a tip don't be late next time now fuck off I got to get to work." I said as I pushed the car into the room activating my magic as the wall repaired it's self.

Nova returned from her errands with a pep in her step. She knew exactly where Jon was working on his car since this was her castle... and she had bugged the room with cameras and microphones... She needed to keep tabs on him. She was able to organize a meeting with the entirety of the town in three days time so Jon can begin to reintegrate himself.

She went to the room Jon was working in opening the door only for a blast of music to nearly blow her ears out. She quickly covered her ears walking into the room to see Jon yanking parts out of his new project. That's not the only thing that caught her attention. There was a woman standing next to him passing him tools when he held his hand up.

"JON!" Nova yelled as he only continued to work . "JON!" She yelled again but still he didn't hear. She let out a groan of frustration walking over to the stubborn man tapping his shoulder. "HEY!" She yelled right in his ear as he jumped looking over to her. He raised his hand turning it as the music went quiet.

"Yes?" He asked as he went back to work. "Got some questions?" He asked as he ripped a bad spring out of the suspension.

"Several." Nova said with a flat look. "Who is this woman? and why the hell were you listening to your music so loudly?" Jon tapped his chin with a wrench thinking about it.

"That is Night. Also known as Nightmare Moon she is the source of my magic. About the music though. I did sound proof the room so I could do just that." Jon answered going back to work ripping out sections of the suspension tossing them into a pile. "So why are you in my workshop?" Jon asked as he held up his hand to Night. She took the wrench from his hand and put a new one in it's place.

"I had to make sure you weren't creating something dangerous." Nova rolled her eyes annoyed at the simple answers she got. "So what are you going to do with this hunk of junk?" Nova asked as Jon only shrugged.

"Turn it into the most beautiful hunk of junk. Or at least try to do that. I am annoyed about the new engine configuration. I will have to take it apart slowly so I can study it and improve upon it." Jon said as he got to his feet dusting off his pants. "Your delivery guys were late by the way. I could have been working on the engine by now if they would have moved faster." Jon said as he grabbed a rag cleaning off his hands. "So what bad news do you got for me?" He asked setting the rag on the body of the car.

"I have scheduled a town meeting to introduce you back into society. It will happen in three days." Jon only raised an eyebrow looking back at his car.

"Is that all?" He asked moving over to a crate ripping the top off of it. He reached in pulling out new suspension coils with ease. "It only means I got a time limit to get this hunk of junk looking beautiful." Jon pointed out as he went back to his seat to get back to work.

"Do you think you can get this thing in working order in three days?" Nova asked as Jon shrugged again.

"If I don't sleep I should have it done. I won't have time to give it a test drive or finish the decals I want on it but it should be in working order." Jon said as he held up his hand as a wrench was handed to him.

"W-well I guess I will let you get to work then." Jon didn't answer her as he only continued to work. "Have a good night Jon. I will have one of the girls bring you your dinner." Jon nodded his head as another tool was placed into his hand. "Have a good night Jon." Nova said as Jon raised his hand waving her good bye before his music turned up as loud as it could go.

Author's Note

Sadly they are both short chapters.

Chapter 5: This Should Be Good

Cleaning Darkness
Chapter 5: This Should Be Good

By: Major Frostwing

New Ponyville was standing in the center of the city. It almost seemed like a parade was supposed to move through the town at any moment. People were talking trying to figure out why they were all called to meet here by the Princess. A few cars were driven down the road blocking off alleys and cops and royal guards were everywhere as if something was to go wrong.

A few of them moved their hands to their ears to listen to their orders. Each of the guards drew their weapons keeping them at the ready. That's when the town heard it. A deep rolling growl. It seemed to echo off the buildings around the city adding an unknown terror to the meeting of the city. A second roar sounded this one louder than before. People turned their heads to gaze down the road when a third roar began.

Then they heard the telltale signs of a guitar. A pitch black car with a dark purple stripe down the center appeared screeching down the road. It was sideways as it just turned out of an alley before straightening out gunning down the street with an unholy roar of it's engine.

People watched as the car slid to a stop at the end of the road right in front of a large stage. For those who got a closer look at the car they saw the purple stripe was not solid it was designed to look like a nest of barbwire. The licence plate read "TRAITOR". The door slowly opened as a cloud of darkness rolled out of the car. A single foot stepped out as every single police officer and royal guard raised their weapons taking aim. The man stepped fully out of his car.

Jon stood there dressed head to toe in a black suit. He reached up adjusting his tie with a cocky smile before closing his door. He walked around the car opening the door holding his hand out. Nova stepped out of the car a small smile on her face.

The entire city watched in stunned silence as Jon closed the door behind Nova before leading her up the stairs to the stage. She shook hands with the mayor before walking up to the podium.

"New Ponyville allow me to introduce you to our newest resident. Have no fear he will not harm you in anyway shape or form. He is here to relearn the magic of friendship. I will now allow Jon to introduce himself." Nova said motioning for Jon to take the microphone.

I stood there flicking my wrist as a pair of shades appeared in my hand. I flicked them open before setting them over my eyes with a smile. I walked up to the podium seizing the microphone. "Morning." I said in greeting waiting and judging the city's reaction to me. They looked around in confusion. "So how do you all like my car?" I asked as I leaned against the podium. "Took me almost all of the three days before this get together to get that thing to run. I will admit it was a bit of a rush job on the paint job but oh well." I said casually. "Anyway my name is Jon or as most of you know me as. I am the Traitor. You know the one who betrayed the princesses and tried to take over the world. You know what most evil pricks do." I shrugged walking away from the podium.

I saw a reporter raise his hand to ask me a question. "Really are we in school now?" I asked annoyed. "Ask your question." I said floating over the microphone to him.

"Are you a threat to our city?" The reporter asked as I tapped my chin thinking it over before looking at Nova.

"Is he being serious?" I mouthed before shrugging. "Nah." I said rolling my wrist. "Next question." The reporter passed the microphone off to a female.

"Mr. Jon."

"Just Jon is fine. That Mister shit makes me feel so old." I said waving my hand dismissively.

"What can we expect from you?" The reporter asked as I thought it over shrugging my shoulders.

"To be honest I'm still trying to figure out what the elements hope to do to reform me." I said sitting on the edge of the stage. "But if I was going to be honest I would have to say a drastic increase in sales with the part stores around the city as I will be rebuilding cars and most likely trying to build something crazy for the fuck of it."

"Jon do you plan to return to your evil ways?" A new reporter asked as I smiled.

"Next question."

"B-but you didn't answer my question."

"Fine you want an answer?" I smiled getting to my feet. "Expect hell to be raised every Tuesday." I said walking back to Nova. "I'm going back to the castle want a ride back?" I asked as Nova only sighed. "Suit yourself." I snapped my fingers appearing next to my car. "REMEMBER NEW PONYVILLE! EVERY TUESDAY!" I yelled out opening my door. I turned my car on as it roared to life. I burned the tires as I whipped the tail of my car before gunning it down the street with a smile plastered on my face. I left two pitch black skid marks on the road as I continued to burn my tires the whole length of the street.

I sat in my workshop adjusting a few components on my car as I heard the doors to my workshop being kicked open. I stopped working setting down my tools. I looked over my shoulder to see Thunder Dash standing there seeming to be pissed off for some reason. "The fuck you doing here? Get out of my shop." I said as I picked up my tools getting back to work.

"Did you seriously just threaten my damn home?" Dash asked as I groaned in annoyance.

"It's called a fucking joke." I said as I finished up with my adjustments. "Are the media going nuts because tomorrow is Tuesday?" I asked slamming the hood down.

"You literally put the entire town on edge because they all know what you are capable of. You fucking idiot. Do you only bring pain everywhere you go?" Dash asked as I set my hand on the hood of the car.

"Yea... Sounds about right." I said as I raised my hand clenching it into a fist before slowly lowering my fist. "Please just go away I have more work to do." I said as I seized Dash in my magic before tossing her out of the room like a ragdoll. I flicked my wrist as the door slammed closed locking loudly.

I walked over to my car looking down at the beast I had created sighing. "It's not done yet." I said going under the car to check the damage I put it through earlier. "I need to find a new hobby beyond building cars." I heard a knock at the door making me groan out in annoyance.

I got to my feet wrapping my magic around the door ripping it off it's hinges. "WHAT!?" I roared as I saw a single man standing there wearing a black suit. I cocked an eyebrow at the guy dropping the heavy door with a thud. "Who the fuck are you." I asked as the man looked me over before letting out a huff of a laugh.

"Really now. I wasn't expecting the one who is known to go toe to toe with the princesses and give them a run for their money working on a piece of junk like this." I scoffed rolling my eyes.

"Do we have some business here or are you here just to try and get a rise out of me?" I asked rolling my wrist with a glare.

"No need for that. I just came to see who my competition is." The man straightened his suit jacket smiling. "You can go back to being a pet to those petty little elements." The man snapped his fingers as he vanished from sight with a flash of dark blue magic.

I felt my anger rise as my magic billowed off of my body. I let out a roar of rage as I disappeared reappearing in Nova's throne room. "YOU! ME! WORDS! NOW!" I yelled as I seized Nova in my magic disappearing back to my workshop. The door to the work shop slammed back in place a dark purple barrier appearing over the door sealing us inside.

I paced back and forth in front of Nova my hands clenched into tight fists. I was constantly oozing with corruption. My rage was not being checked as I continued to glare at everything my eyes fell upon.

"Who the fuck was that guy?" I asked as Nova seemed to swallow loudly.

"That guy was the first enemy that the girls defeated with the elements. I don't know how he escaped his prison but something needs to be done about him." Nova said as she quickly got to her feet. "I will go and gather the girls they will want to know this." I raised my hand as Nova was forced back into her seat.

"Sit. The. Fuck. Down." I said as I went back to pacing. "I want a shot at him." I said my voice cold and acidic.

"Jon you know that if you kill ANYONE you will be put back into the prison." I seized Nova's throat with the speed of a cobra.

"This man appeared in your castle without so much as alerting you or your guards to his presence. I don't give a single fuck. I want a shot at him or so help this world I will hunt him down and gut him live for the whole world to see." I tightened my grip glaring down at her. "You know what I am capable of when I set my mind to it." I pointed out as the darkness that had filled the room disappeared into the aether. "I suggest you help me hunt this man down." I released Nova's throat turning back to my car. "Don't make me wait Nova." I said as the door unlocked swinging open slowly.

Nova quickly got to her feet running out of the room I looked around my shop. My eyes locked on the old body of the car I raised my hands shifting my magic through the metal as it began to glow red hot. I moved my magic about as it formed into an anvil. I held the form as the metal began to cool. Once done I floated the anvil onto a table pulling Umbra out of my storage along with a large hammer. "I'm gonna upgrade you Umbra... You deserve at least that after all I have put you through." I said with a wicked smile as Umbra revved up as if to answer me.

"Did that guy really come back?" Ruby asked Nova as she nodded her head solemnly.

"We put him done once we can do it again." Dash said with a cocky smile. "Nothing to worry about."

"That's not the problem... Jon wants to fight him." Nova said rubbing her forehead stress already taking hold of her psyche.

"WAIT! Jon wants to fight Iron Shackles?" Party asked her jaw dropping to the table. "B-but that means we will have to seal him in stone again. He knows that he will be in trouble." Party seemed to deflate at that thought.

"Jon doesn't care he has been sealed for a very long time and he just wants to go back to his only purpose." Nova said calmly. Dash only scoffed.

"What? Is his only purpose to cause more death and spread evil?" Dash asked in a mocking fashion only to get a glare from Nova which made her shrink.

"Jon was branded a traitor over a thousand years ago. 2500 years prior he was branded wrongfully as the only to kill the sun and moon. Before that Jon was actually a man who sought to protect Equestria. He was a peaceful man who just wanted to keep his family and home safe. So I ask you Dash what happens when you take everything away from a man till he has nothing but his name left?" Nova asked slamming her fist on the table. Each of the girls jumped. They had never seen Nova this angry or defensive about someone.

"I'm sorry princess..." Dash said as Nova took a deep breath.

"Jon ripped this world back from the hands of a tyrant and..." Nova stopped herself taking a second deep breath. She almost let the secret Jon entrusted to her slip. "Jon is just a man with nothing but his name left. He will do everything in his power and beyond to keep whatever he deems precious safe. That is why he turned to evil. He was sick and tired of people trying to take everything away from him." Nova explained sighing. "If everyone is under your fist no one can take anything from you. You will never lose what you love..." Nova closed her eyes looking up sighing.

"So Jon wanted to take over the world so he could protect what he loved?" Aura asked as Nova nodded.

"Jon would still rather conquer the world than lose what he holds dear." Nova said as Ruby tilted her head confused.

"What does he love? He only ever works on that car." Ruby said as Nova smiled softly.

"Jon loves his car. His blades. The king of the Dragon Kingdom and of course the Princesses. He loves them with all of his heart but he thinks that showing that love leaves them open for attack. Jon only shows hate but we all know that he loves us." Nova smiled fondly. "But for now we must focus on how to stop Jon in case he decides to go after Iron." Nova said as they all nodded beginning to plan for the inevitable fight.

Author's Note

I think I am losing my mind... Yep I can't find it... Fuck.

Chapter 6: A Few Days

Cleaning Darkness
Chapter 6: A Few Days

By: Major Frostwing

It was a quiet morning in New Ponyville. The sun had just started to rise over the city and people were slowly waking up to greet the day. The castle was a different story. Nova had been awake for a few hours watching the cameras and listening to the audio that was coming from Jon's shop. He had locked himself in there three days ago and no one had seen him since. The most terrifying thing was the camera feed was just a black screen and the mics were only picking up the same song the entire time.

"Just what is he doing in there?" Nova asked as she tried to listen for any other sounds besides the sound of music.

"Good morning Princess." Dash said walking into the dining room to get some breakfast. She looked exhausted but Dash was never a morning person to begin with.

Nova looked up from the tablet to greet her with a smile. "Dash you are up early. Looking to get some flying done?" Nova asked as Dash rubbed her eyes shaking her head.

"Nah. Just having a hard time going back to sleep." Nova said as she took a seat next to Nova. "Jon still locked up in his shop?" Dash asked as Nova let out a tired sigh.

"I don't know what he is doing in there the cameras are just a black screen and the mics are only blasting the same song." Nova rubbed her eyes sighing. "I can't even get him to open the door." Dash let out a huff.

"I don't get how you and the other Princesses can even put up with him. I get he used to be some big shot hero but now he is just an ass." Dash said as a servant came up to take her order. Once she had ordered and the servant had left Nova picked the conversation back up.

"Jon has always been like that. He was only polite around one person and his children when he ran an orphanage." Nova looked down at the tablet a sad frown on her face. "He is terrified of her now. He is so afraid that he has disappointed her and it drives him insane." Nova looked to Dash still frowning.

"Who was she?" Dash asked genuinely curious about the one thing that made Jon stop being such a prick. "Maybe we can get her here and she can make Jon reform." Dash suggested only for Nova to shake her head.

"She died a long long time ago." Nova said solemnly to the shock of Dash.

"I'm sorry Princess I didn't know." Nova set her hand on Dash's shoulder smiling gently to her.

"It is alright Dash. To answer your question her name was Red Line. She had saved Jon's life when he first arrived and soon enough they fell in love. They got married and started a family together. Jon would protect Equestria with all his might and from what I heard from Celestia, Luna, and Twilight. Jon vowed that if any harm were to befall her or his family there would be no mercy for the perpetrator."

"Did he really vow that on his wedding day?" Dash asked as Nova giggled.

"It definitely sounds like something he would vow." Nova said as Dash let out her own giggle. "But now the memory of her haunts him. He constantly feels like he has failed her. I just wish he would let us in to help him." Nova slammed her fist on the table startling not only Dash but the guards in the room as well. "But that hard headed bastard won't even come out of his room." Nova said through gritted teeth. "I'm supposed to be able to help him. He trusted me with something and he treats me as if I am nothing to him."

"I will go and see if I can talk some sense into him." Dash said about to get up when Nova set her hand on her shoulder once again holding her in place.

"Not wise. Jon does not like being disturbed when working. It is one of the only times that he gets to sit down and just think so let him have it. If we bother him to much he will only push us away." Nova said as she released Dash. "Plus your food is here. You shouldn't waste food."

It was getting late on the fourth day of Jon being locked in his room. Jon was sitting in his shop tinkering with a few bits of metal in his hands while also doing the same thing in his magic. His music was blaring as he continued to just sit and think. A sudden bolt of pain rocketed through his chest as the bits of metal dropped out of his magic and hands. Jon slowly rubbed his chest right where the pain sat his eyes had not moved from what he had been staring at the entire time. "I need more parts... and time. Time is nice." Jon thought to himself as the pain slowly faded away. Jon blinked as he stood up walking over to his project seeing a cannibalized Umbra laying on his table. The blade did not care that it was in pieces he knew this much for sure. "So much to do... So much to do indeed." Jon thought as he covered the project with a sheet sealing it with a flick of his wrist.

Nova sat in the dining room as the rest of the elements filed into the room. Each of them were chatting about their day as they took their seats at the table. Nova smiled to each of them before her eyes rested on the empty chair across from her.

"Princess are you alright?" Party asked as Nova snapped out of her thoughts.

"Yes Party I am alright just thinking is all." She said with a smile.

"You just looked sad is all... Has Jon still not left his room?" Party asked as the rest of the girls looked to Nova as she sighed.

"It has been four days now what is he doing in there?" Aura asked as Nova magicked her tablet into her hands looking at the cameras only to blink in surprise.

"I can see the room." Nova said as she flicked through the cameras only to see that Jon wasn't in the room. "Where is he?" Nova asked as the doors to the dining room opened slowly.

I opened the doors leading into the dining room yawning as I stepped into the room closing the doors behind me with a quick flick of my wrist. I saw everyone at the table staring at me which made me only cock an eyebrow at them. "What?" I asked as I walked to my seat sitting down across from Nova.

"You left your room." Nova said as I gave her a perplexed look.

"Uh... Yea I noticed when I stepped out the room." I pointed out a little off kilter from the weird stares. "I was hungry and decided I needed a break so I left my room." I watched as the servants came to take everyone's orders. The servant had gotten to everyone before stopping at me. "I will take a steak Medium Rare a baked potato and a bottle of wine the best you got." I said clapping my hands together before shooing them away.

"You eat meat?" I heard Aura ask as I flicked my eyes to her.

"Yep. I thought we covered this when you guys first met me." I said picking up my knife spinning it between my fingers casually. "I mean come on my teeth say it all. I smile enough for you guys to see them." I pointed out before seizing all the knives in my magical grip as they mimicked the knife in my fingers. I slowly moved them towards me as they continued to spin in graceful arcs.

"Jon just what do you think you are doing?" Nova asked as she moved her hand under the table.

"Doing something with my magic I hadn't done in a very long time. I am fine tuning my magic trying to pinpoint what is strangling my magic." I said as I began to feel the same burning in my chest beginning to rise. The burning sensation turned into pure pain as the knives dropped from my magical grasp only to be caught in Nova's magic. I set my hand over the pain in my chest as it slowly faded. "Something is stuck in my chest... and whatever it is. I want it taken out. I can't focus with this constant annoyance." I said as Nova moved all the knives back to their proper places.

"Jon. What is stopping you from removing it yourself?" Nova asked as I continued to hold my hand over the pain I looked away from Nova setting my hand on the table. "Jon?" Nova asked as I let out a sigh.

"It's sitting in my heart... Or at least close enough it would be stupid to try and remove it on my own. I don't particularly enjoy being in my death state it is quite painful contrary to the number of times I have been put into it." I looked to Nova sighing. "Plus you know the other reason I won't shove my hand into my heart to remove it."

"Right." Nova said quietly as the girls looked about confused.

"What is the other reas-" I snapped my fingers as a band of dark purple magic slammed over Ruby's mouth.

"It does not concern any of you except those who actually know me. None of you know what I have sacrificed and what I have lost. Only those that know of that pain can even ask me for my reasoning for anything. Now fuck off and don't ask again." I said snapping my fingers again as the mist disappeared. I turned my attention away from Ruby as I focused on Nova once again. "So how are the others doing?" I asked as I continued my conversation with Nova.

"Concerned about you locking yourself in your room for so long. They also know about your plans to fight Iron Shackle." Nova said as I let out a scoff.

"They only know that I am planning to fight him. Not my actual plans Nova. There is a difference." I said as our food was brought before us. "Tell them they can stop worrying about me. I am just focusing on some very important preparations and I like to be alone when I work."

"Mind letting me in on your plans?" Nova asked as I picked up my knife and fork stabbing into the junk of meat on my plate.

"In due time my dear... All in due time." I said as I began to eat coming up with a small solution for my big problem.

Author's Note

Peek-A-Boo Mother Fuckers! Due to me purchasing a new computer I had lost all of my old writing so I had to rewrite a few chapters. That and the horrible horrible distractions. (GAMES!) I have been rather lazy but now I am back so enjoy more of our psychotic Hero/Villain.

Chapter 7: Rev It Up

Cleaning Darkness
Chapter 7: Rev It Up

By: Major Frostwing

Another quiet morning in New Ponyville the birds were chirping and the sun was shining on the castle. It looked like it was going to be another beautiful day. It had been a week since Jon left his room and just as quickly as he had appeared he soon enough locked himself in his workshop once again. The cameras once again went black and only music played over the mics.

An explosion shook the castle bringing everyone's attention towards the large structure only to see smoke rising from the front gates. Another explosion hit a tower resulting in a large fire ball. The entire city was thrown into a panic. Some people ran away from the destruction while others pulled out their phones recording the attack. An army was attacking the castle.

Nova was running through her castle trying to organize the guard while also giving orders to gather the elements in the throne room. Nova needed to hurry and repel the attackers so Jon would not get involved. If Jon got involved he would only slaughter them and then he would have to be sealed once again. Nova sprinted the whole way towards Jon's work shop. The door didn't have it's large magical seal over it and seemed to be ajar. When Nova barged into the room she saw a small squad of attackers were on the ground knocked out. Nova looked away from the attackers to see Jon standing next to a table putting large black crystals in a gauntlet.

"Be a dear Nova and have the servants remove this trash from my room." Jon said casually as he looked over his gauntlet carefully.

"You didn't kill them." Nova pointed out as Jon looked over his shoulder at her before shrugging.

"Meh they aren't worth being killed." Jon said with a dismissive wave of his hand before his body was surrounded in a dark purple haze. The gauntlet seemed to shudder before the metal crawled over his body encasing him in his suit of armor. Jon reached up lifting his visor. "Now then." Jon reached down picked up a sword lifting it up to his shoulder. "I'm gonna go beat the fuck out of some dumbasses." Jon walked towards the door as Nova moved to get in his way. "Move Nova... Now." Nova glared down Jon before her eyes flicked to the sword he was carrying. It wasn't even a blade it was just a flat slab of steel not even with an edge. Jon flicked his wrist as Nova was magically moved out of his way. "I'm not gonna kill them. Just hurt them really fucking bad." Jon slowly marched his way out of his room towards the entry way. That's where the fighting was from what he could hear.

I stepped around the corner of a hallway to see a contingent of the castle's guard using whatever they could as cover. I looked away from the guards to see the attackers doing the same strategy as the two groups continued to fire at each other. I was bored of this little display of poor tactics and with a flick of my wrist a large wall of dark purple appeared between both parties. I moved towards the wall flicking my visor down and readying my weapon. I passed the guards as they looked at me with shock before I walked right through my shield standing now before the enemy.

They hesitated as I raised my sword as it crackled with purple lightning. The enemy raised their weapons at me waiting for me to make my first move. I only shook my head as I charged forward to the closest one as they opened fire. I felt the bullets slam into my armor but I did not slow until I was right on my first victim. I raised my blade smashing the man in the side as he screamed out in agony as the lightning coursed through his body. I smiled as I seized the man bringing him up as a shield and I charge into their ranks. I felt shots impact the man's body before I threw him to the side now in the ranks of their main attack force. I could only smile as I flicked my wrist watching as magic arced along my left arm. "I'm going to hurt you fuckers now. Now put up an actual fight and make it fun for me." I said as the enemy all took aim about to fire. I charged the closest one decking the man across the face straight into his friends. I turned around to see one has decided to fight me head on only to get my sword to the front of his knees. The bones shattered under the force exerted on them with a satisfying crack.

Bullets pinged off my armor as I continued to weave through the ranks punching and smashing knees with my sword. I felt a blast hit my helmet bucking it into my face slightly forcing me to stumble back. Another blast hit my chest buckling my chest plate as I felt something rip through my chest. I took another step back using my blade as support as I did a small assessment of the damage to me before reaching up seizing my helmet ripping it off glaring down the one who dared break my armor. It was big guy with a shot gun that he was calmly loading before taking aim at me once again.

"MEN CHARGE THE SHIELD HE CAN'T FIGHT AND MAINTAIN THAT SHIELD AS WELL!" The big guy yelled as the soldiers around us charged the shield. I went to use my magic to stop them when the fucker shot my hand. I looked at my hand seeing the metal that replaced my bones in my hand. My eyes slowly dragged over to him as he pumped another shell into the gun. I clenched my hand into a fist as I pushed my magic as far as I could feeling the burning in my chest become only pain.

"You want to fight me? Then let's fucking fight." I said as sections of my skin turned black as pitch. The pain in my chest only continued to get worse as I charge my magic into my hand repairing it. The man took aim only to see I was suddenly face to face with him. I seized him by the face bringing him down to his knees as I squeezed.

"SARGE!" I heard a few of the enemy yelled before bullets slammed into the back of my armor. I looked over my shoulder and that was a mistake. I felt pain rocket up my leg as my right leg buckled. I looked back to see the man had shot my knee at point blank almost ripping my leg off in the process. I let out a grunt of pain before releasing the Sargent's face trying to heal my leg before another shot impacted my chest knocking me back.

"Fuck... I'm burning to much of my magic trying to keep that shield up and trying to be non-lethal. I have to choose one or the other." I told myself as I took a deep breath. "GUARDS!" My voice thundered as the shield dropped. "FOR THE PRINCESSES!" I roared out as a small black stone about the size of a fist appeared in my hand. I crushed it feeling a new well of magic pour into my allowing the pain to subside. My knee repaired it's self along with the damage in my chest.

"FOR EQUESTRIA!" I heard a guard yell out.

"FOR THE PRINCESSES!" I heard another yell out as my face contorted into a twisted smile. The guards yelled out their battlecry as they began to fight off the attackers with righteous fury.

"Come on big guy." I said as I motioned for him to come at me. "Round two." I prepared my blade as it crackled with magic. He went to pump another round as I focused my magic along the edge of the dull sword as I swung right through his shotgun. "Melee only man make this fun for what it's worth." The man dropped the broken gun drawing a combat knife off his belt flicking the blade backwards.

He charged at me as I met his charge electrifying my blade he swung as I did as well I felt his blade right through the right side of my face as my blade slammed into his pelvis shattering the bones the electricity took care of incapacitating him. The large man dropped as I turned my attention to the groups that had shot me in the back while I was in the middle of combat. I snapped my fingers as I appeared before them raising my fist as I knocked the first one out before smashing my sword down on the shoulder of the second enemy shattering the entire bone structure in his shoulder the third one I swept their feet out from under them punching them straight down into the ground with a resounding crack.

It only took a few minutes for the remaining attackers to be put down. I looked deeper into the castle seeing Nova and the girls round the corner to see the destruction. They were in stunned silence as I reached down lifting my broken helmet walking towards the girls looking over the damage to my helmet with a frown.

"Jon you know you were not supposed to kill anyone." Nova said as I cocked an eyebrow at her.

"I didn't. The ones that are either screaming or unconscious are the ones I fought. I didn't kill a single one." I said looking back down at my helmet rolling it about in my hands thinking about how I could repair it. "I don't want to be sealed back up. It's boring after all." I said as I used my magic repairing my helmet before setting it over my head to see how it fit now.

A surge of magic drew my attention as I turned around to see a man in robes standing there with his hand out stretched aiming at us... no he wasn't aiming at me or Nova. That fucker was aiming at the elements. A molten ball of magic was launched out flying right for Lightning Dash as I snapped my fingers.

Seeing all of that destruction made me pause. how could he do all of this without a second thought? He wasn't even killing them only taking them out of the fight and still leaving them alive. I shudder to imagine how he would fight if he was trying to kill all of them.

"Jon you know you were not supposed to kill anyone." Princess Nova said as Jon only looked up for a second to raise an eyebrow.

"I didn't. The ones that are either screaming or unconscious are the ones I fought. I didn't kill a single one." I could still hear a few of the attackers screaming in the distance and it was horrifying to hear their anguished screams. "I don't want to be sealed back up. It's boring after all." Jon said as he fixed his helmet setting it over his head. How could he be so calm after all of this. Even the guards are shocked to a degree but he just looks like this was an everyday occurrence.

"Jon was our protector until he fell from grace." The voice of Princess Celestia ran through my head as I looked at Jon only to see him turned around suddenly. I looked at what had caught his attention to see someone standing there wearing a robe his hand pointed right at me. A bolt of magic flew free and everything seemed to slow down as the bolt got closer.

"Why can't I move?" I asked myself as my feet were routed in place my wings felt as if they were pinned to my sides. The bolt continued to fly closer and closer as I shut my eyes in fear raising my arms to defend myself. A snap echoed in my ears and something hot splashed against me. Slowly I opened my eyes to see Jon standing before me his hand was only a few centimeters from my arms. He was holding a ball of light that slowly turned black. Jon suddenly turned around throwing the ball as it impacted the robed man. in an instant the man exploded into a shower of blood and gore. Jon continued to stand there after his throw when I noticed it. There was a gaping hole through his back running completely through him. I stared in mute horror as he stumbled slightly turning around slightly as if to look at me. I saw his eyes and they seemed to be filled with relief right until blood shot out of his face plate and he crumpled to the ground in a heap.

I ran forward to see if he was alright but was stopped by Nova. "GUARDS!" Nova barked as the guards rushed to her. "Take him to the hospital and have him seen to by the best healers and doctors." She ordered as the guards saluted.

"BY YOUR COMMAND PRINCESS!" The guards said as one moving to get Jon the help he needed.

I continued to stand there when Nova set her hand on my shoulder. "Let's get you cleaned up Dash." She said sweetly as I nodded my head slowly feeling numb for some reason.

"Why did he do that?" I asked myself as Nova led me out of the entry way.

Author's Note

Enjoy. ^,..,^

Chapter 8: Punishments

Cleaning Darkness
Chapter 8: Punishments

By: Major Frostwing

It had been a week since Jon was put into the hospital due to taking that magic bolt. They had to put him in the new M.H.A.S. just so his body could begin to repair itself. He looked so peaceful but that was most likely because his heart had not come back on yet. I spent almost every second of the last week sitting by him waiting for him to wake up. I glanced at the heart monitor that was built into the pod he rested in only to see it was still flat lined. Nothing on the machine even showed signs of him coming back. I could only let out a sigh as I looked back at his face a sad frown on my face.

"Still nothing I see." Princess Nova said startling me from my thoughts. "Dash you have been here for an entire week you need to go home and get some real rest." Nova said as she pulled up a chair next to me.

"I have to ask him why he did it." I said as I leaned closer staring at the heart monitor. "It just doesn't make sense. He hates us so why would he do that." I glared at the machine. "What is taking so long for him to put himself back together? You said he was pretty much invincible." I asked the stress was getting to me.

"I never said he was invincible. He can be put down but he will always get back up." Nova said as she looked down at her watch. "They should be here soon." Nova said barely above a whisper. I looked away from the machine to see Nova look to the door. A knock came to the door and was opened before either of us could answer.

"Ah Nova a pleasure to see you once again." Princess Celestia said as she entered the hospital room. "I see he is still sleeping." Celestia said as the other three Princesses entered the room.

"Sorry we weren't able to come sooner we were trying to calm the media fire caused by the attack and pushing blame off of Jon." Princess Twilight said with a weak smile.

"I'm still surprised that he was able to fight without killing them to be honest." Princess Luna said looking at the pod that contained Jon.

"It is a sign that he still respects and loves us." Princess Cadance added with a giggle.

"He still broke the rules though." Celestia said grimly. "Even if he did it to protect the elements he promised he wouldn't." Celestia looked at Jon setting her hand on the pod staring down Jon when there was a twitch of movement.

Jon's hand slid up the glass before stopping in front of Celestia's hand. I looked at the heart monitor seeing that it still had yet to move.

"How is that possible?" I asked as I got up from my seat only for Nova to set a hand on my shoulder.

"Time to wake up old friend." Celestia said as the other princesses stepped forward setting their hands over Celestia's as the room seemed to darken. A cold chill ran up my spine as the lights seemed to fail showing only the light of the pod. The heart monitor kicked up once then twice before going erratic. I don't know what was going on and it scared me.

The heart monitor leveled out to a normal pace as the lights kicked back on. "Ow..." A muffled voice said as I saw Jon open his eyes looking about the room confused. "What happened?" He asked as the Princesses stepped back from the pod.

"You died... Again." Luna said with a shrug.

"I knew that!" Jon snapped glaring at Luna. "I meant what happened to Dash?" He asked as I stood from my seat. His eyes flicked to me before softening. "Oh thank fuck." Jon said with a sigh of relief.

"You realize that you killed someone." Celestia said shattering Jon's relief. "You know you broke the rules of our agreement. You were to not kill anyone Evil or not." Jon looked to Celestia before looking down at the ground.

"Let me out..." He said with pain in his voice. Nova typed a few buttons on the pod before the lid cracked open with a hiss. Jon pushed open the door stepping out not wearing anything except a set of boxers. "Give me my pants please." He said calmly pointing at the clothes that were folded on the table. Nova levitated them over to him as he quietly put on his pants.

Something felt wrong. Jon seemed to be hurt from what he had done.

"You realize that because you broke the agreement that your punishment will be carried out." Celestia let out a sigh before taking a deep breath. "Jon The Traitor. I sentence you to Imprisonment for your crimes against Equestria." Celestia said with authority which made Jon look up at Celestia hurt etched on his face.

"Let's get this shit over with then Princess Celestia." Jon Said as he walked forward bumping his shoulder into hers roughly. He walked to the door opening it slightly before looking at Celestia with a cold glare. He walked out the room closing the door.

"We should get the girls ready." Nova told me as we walked to the door. I reached for the hand to see that it was completely crushed.

When we finally reached the castle Jon was sitting in the middle of the throne room being completely locked down by Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Twilight. Jon was knelt down his arms being forced behind him. He looked up to see Nova and myself walk into the room. I saw the others standing there each wearing their respective element.

Aura looked at me walking forward holding my element out to me. I reached out taking hold of it looking down at the cluster of blue lightning bolts. I attached the element to my wrist. It felt heavier than I remember almost like I was an executioner holding my axe at the ready. I walked to stand by my friends and they seemed to be having the same thoughts as me.

"Jon The Traitor. Do you have any last words before your punishment is carried out." Celestia asked as Jon looked over to her that same cold glare was present but there was so much pain in his eyes.

"I see you accept that I am nothing but a monster now. Just a sick dog that needs put down. Even in my rage filled heart I still cared about you princesses. And look at where it got me." Jon said as he looked away from her locking his eyes on us. "So get it over with. Take the fucking shot and put this sick animal down." He said as we all flinched under his glare.

Something definitely wasn't right. Jon always had some form of mischief in his eyes like he was constantly messing around but right now... There was only hate burning in his eyes but it wasn't for us.

Aura looked to each of us before she began to channel the spell. We each rose into the air feeling the energies circle through us feeding the spell. I couldn't do this. I unclasped my element as it clattered to the floor. The spell wound down as we each lowered back down to the ground.

"Dash what are you doing?" Ruby asked as I looked at Jon seeing only confusion on his face now.

"I can't do this. I will not be a part of this." I said as I picked up my element looking down at it with only contempt at the object. "I am the element of loyalty and I will not punish someone that willing threw away his life to save a friend." I said tossing my element to Nova before turning for the door. "I will not be your executioner." I said as I threw the door open walking out of the throne room.

Author's Note

Short Chapter so my bad.

Chapter 9: Answers

Cleaning Darkness
Chapter 9: Answers

By: Major Frostwing

The dungeons. Cold, dark, empty, Depressing... A perfect place for me. I was locked in here only a few days ago due to Dash refusing to put me down. I sat in the center of the room inhibitor cuffs over my wrists and inhibitor rings on each of my fingers. I could shatter them by just hitting the walls hard enough. I could escape in the same manner but I did not. I looked up looking through the bars of my prison seeing the squad of guards standing at the ready. A few of them looked down at me weapons always at the ready to stop me if I tried anything.

"Let us see the prisoner." The voice of Nova said as I heard footsteps coming towards my prison. I stood up only for the guards to flinch at the action raising their weapons. I turned my back to the bars sitting back down with a thud. "Open the door." Nova ordered.

"Princess Celestia has ordered us that no one was to enter the prison of the traitor." One of the guards said as I felt my anger rise.

"Are you disobeying a direct order Lieutenant?" Nova asked as I heard the guard stiffen.

"B-By your command Princess." The guard said opening the door to my cell with a squeak of the hinges. A set of foot steps entered my room before the door closed once again.

"Jon..." I heard Nova say as I only continued to stare at the back wall. "Dash has come to ask you a few questions." Nova said as I thought over her words before pointing at the spot across from me. I heard both of them move as I flexed my magic as much as possible stopping them with a small push of my magic. I raised one finger before motioning for Dash to come forward. I heard only one set of footsteps coming towards me and saw Dash sit down in front of me.

"Hello Jon." Dash said as I looked at her in the eyes.

"Hello." I said my voice sounding cold and emotionless. "What do you want to ask?" I got straight to the point as I didn't want to mess around with these people anymore.

"Why did you save me?" Dash asked as I thought it over. Such a simple question with an even simpler answer.

"People shouldn't have to see the ones they love die so abruptly." I answered my eyes never once looking away from hers. "If that is all get out." I said with finality to the conversation.

"But why put yourself in that much harm for someone you don't even like?" Dash asked as I glared at her.

"If you die the elements won't work." I said barely above a whisper. "Without the elements the world falls to darkness and that makes everyone fall into that same darkness. There has to be some form of light in this world. Without it and the world will never recover." I pointed out as I saw some form of confusion on her face. "I saved you because the world needs that little ray of light." I said looking down at my shackled hands tightening them into fists. "I fought for the light by being the bigger shadow. The shadow on shadows so to speak. So dark that I caused the real monsters in the dark to shudder in fear." I loosened my fists letting them relax. "A shadow protecting the last bits of light in this world from harm. I would gladly die for that little light to live on." I looked back up at Dash to see her looking at me in a new light. "No matter how hard you all fight you will never eradicate the darkness because no matter what. I will always be right here." I said closing my eyes taking a deep breath.

"Thank you Jon." Dash said as she stood up walking back towards Nova.

"Hey Dash. Tell Celestia I forgive her... She must be tearing herself up having to call me that." I said as I went back to staring at the wall. I heard the cell door open and close as the foot steps faded into nothing I stood once again turning back around towards the bars of my cell. I stared at the guards as we went back to our silence.

I sat in the meeting room. Twilight, Luna, Cadance, and Nova sat with me as we each thought of the topics we were to discuss. We each knew of the big topic at hand that needed to be discussed as soon as possible.

"Let us move to the biggest issue." Luna said as each of us lowered our heads. "Jon's crime and what we are going to do about it. The element of Loyalty has refused to imprison Jon after he saved her life and the other elements have come forth and agreed with her and have also refused to do the task." Luna stated as Cadance spoke up.

"We can't force them to do it. Even though we are the princesses we can't force them to attack a friend. That would shatter their link to the elements." I could only put my hand to my chin trying to think of a solution.

"We also can't keep him locked up in the dungeons. That would only breed more hate into Jon and cause him to be more powerful." Twilight said rubbing her forehead. She was one of the most upset about this entire dilemma concerning Jon's punishment.

"I have a suggestion." Nova spoke up catching all of our attentions.

"And what is your suggestion Nova?" I asked as Nova took a deep breath sighing.

"Pardon Jon of his crime." Nova said with more resolve than I have ever seen from her before.

"So we should just ignore the fact Jon broke the rules of his reformation? Just ignore the fact that he snuffed out another life like it was nothing?" I said slamming my fist on the table.

"Think about it Celestia. Jon didn't have to save Dash's life." Nova said as we all thought it over before Twilight caught on to what she said.

"If he didn't save her then there would have been no consequence to his killing. The elements would have been useless and therefore our threat to put him back would become useless." Twilight explained as we all looked to Twilight before looking to Nova. "So why did he do it?" Twilight asked.

"I brought Dash to talk with Jon since she had the exact same question we are thinking. I listened to what he said and I now know the answer... That's actually incorrect. I knew the answer all along."

"What do you mean Nova?" Luna asked as Nova had a look of pain on her face.

"Before the attack on Canterlot castle all those years ago Jon said something to me. You all should be preparing since you will be fighting your first big bad and you don't want to be unprepared for them." Nova said before looking at us. "He wasn't talking about Queen Serene... He was talking about himself. He knew the world would only continue to try and destroy us because he was there. With him out of the picture the villains would not try to attack us because he was the main goal. 'Beat the top dog and take his place' so to speak." Nova explained.

"You can not be suggesting that Jon..." Cadance began as Nova smiled.

"Played everyone for fools?" She asked as she nodded her head. "Jon was never evil to begin with he just made it seem that way kept up the charade even after he was released. Jon is still on our side and him sacrificing himself to protect the elements proves it. Again if he was really evil he would have just let Dash die." Nova said as we all thought over the argument presented to us.

"Jon was faking it? Then that means... Oh sweet Faust." I said as I set my hand over my eyes trying to hold back my tears of frustration. "I called him that wretched name."

"Jon gave Dash a message that was passed on to me Celestia. It was for you." Nova said as I looked up to her as Nova smiled. "I forgive you." I swear I saw Jon for a flash of a second standing there saying those words. I lost control as the tears fell free as I let out a choked sob.

"I'm sorry everyone but there is a mistake I need to rectify." I said as I stood from my seat channeling my magic as I began to teleport.

I continued to sit in my cell moving my magic through my body avoiding my arms seeing how far I could push my magic without being noticed. It was like a little game to see how much magic I could channel without the guards noticing. My concentration was broken but a burst of magic ripping through the aether that I recognized all to well.

I scowled as I turned my back to the bars knowing who was coming. The door leading down to my cell was thrown open. "Leave us." Celestia commanded as The guards stood straight saluting. They filed out of the room leaving only me as Celestia in the room.

"What do I owe the pleasure?" I asked not once looking back. I heard the door to my cell being ripped off it's hinges as I finally looked back.

"A thousand years... a facade at what you really were." Celestia said as she stepped into the room. I stood up ready for a fight only for Celestia to wrap her arms around me. "A thousand years of being called a traitor when you were the most loyal to us all along." I felt her tighten her grip on me as I continued to stand there. "I am so sorry that I called you that." Celestia whispered as I felt magic wrap around my bonds unlocking them and pulling them off.

I quickly wrapped Celestia in a hug feeling the sincerity in the apology. "About fucking time you saw it." I said as I released my hold on her as she did the same. I smiled to her as she did the same to me. That's when I slammed my fist into her stomach bringing her face down as I seized her head bringing it further down as I raised my knee knocking her to the ground. Celestia coughed hard curling on herself from the pain I reached down lifting her by her clothes. "That's for calling me a traitor." I said dusting off her shoulders before backhanding her across the face rather hard. "Twice." Celestia moved her jaw around trying to fix the damage I caused.

"I deserved that." She said coughing again.

"Damn right you did. Now then I'm gonna guess you are going to pardon me of my crimes and all that shit right?" I asked as I rolled my wrist about thinking.

"Yes... but there will be a big ceremony for you to return as The Fist of Equestria." Celestia said as I held up my hand stopping her.

"You can pardon my crimes on paper right?" I asked as I smiled wickedly.

"Of course. What are you scheming in that head of yours." Celestia asked returning a mischievous smile to me.

"Just want to bait the hook is all. Now show me the way up so the guards don't think I just escaped if you would kindly." I said motioning for her to take the lead. "And cover up that black eye it will just raise unnecessary questions." I said as Celestia giggled before leading the way up.

Chapter 10: Minor Upgrades

Cleaning Darkness
Chapter 10: Minor Upgrades

By: Major Frostwing

Back in my workshop once again. I can finally finish what I set out for. I looked down at the dismantled Umbra laying on the table in front of me. I cracked a smile as I set to work forging the new Umbra I seized Umbra's main body setting it on my anvil using my magic to heat up the metal picking up my hammer as I began to strike the hot metal. It would take me a while to forge Umbra into his new form but it will be glorious. I slammed the hammer again and again giving Umbra his new shape.

A knock interrupted my work as I glanced at the door as I continued to hammer away at the blade. "Enter." I said as I looked at the blade before heating it up once again. The door opened to reveal a happy Nova who smiled at me I gave her a cocky smile before getting back to work.

"I'm glad to see you back to your normal self Jon." Nova said as she took a seat next to me. I only shrugged as I smacked the heated blade with my hammer. "So what are you doing?"

"Upgrading Umbra." I said as I continued to hammer the metal into the shape I wanted. "He deserves an upgrade after all of his service to me." I pointed out as I looked over my work before continuing. "It's gonna take me a while to finish this project but Umbra will be even more effective." I smiled down as I looked at Umbra's new frame smiling. "Gonna be one hell of an upgrade from the original."

"Well I hope it turns out perfectly. I will have one of the servants come gather you when dinner is ready." Nova said as I gave her a two finger salute. "I am really glad to have you back with us Jon." Nova said as I rolled my eyes smiling.

"I never left I just took a small break." I said as Nova giggled walking out of my workshop. "Let us continue my old friend there is a lot of work to be done."

It had been 3 weeks since I was released and pardoned of my crimes by Princess Celestia and now I stood in the guard training field with the new Umbra sheathed on my back. The tip of the blade dragged lightly across the ground due to me lengthening the blade by six inches. all of the Princesses stood by watching carefully as I was going to demonstrate the new blade for them. "Welcome ladies to the unveiling of the new Umbra." I drew Umbra from his sheath slamming the tip of the blade in the ground. The core of the blade was studded with black gems that seemed to absorb the light that hit them. I moved the blade about with a smile feeling the new length out. "I added gem inlays into the core of the blade which allows Umbra to be strengthened by my magic coursing through the entire blade. I also coated each of the teeth on the blade edge in gems as well. I can now channel spells through the teeth to make Umbra even more devastating against all forms of armor including magic shields." I said as I channeled my magic through the blade as the teeth began to glow a dark purple before lightning arced between the teeth. "I have set up many different types of armor and would like a 5 layer shield each put up by you ladies to test the cutting properties of the blade." I said as the door to the room opened revealing the Elements.

"Sorry we are late Party couldn't decide on what to put on the banner for the party." Dash said jerking a thumb at Party Popper.

"Hey! It's very important to know what to be celebrating." Party retorted as I let out a chuckle shaking my head.

"Just get to the seats and we shall begin the tests." I said as I used my magic to float the sets of armor over to me. "Now this armor is standard anti-blade armor that the police wear standard. We already know that Umbra can cut through this with ease." I swung Umbra casually as the blade carved through the armor like a hot knife through butter. "Let's move onto light armor with magic enchantments to strengthen the armor. This is also to weak to stop Umbra." I swung Umbra again carving through the armor like nothing.

"Shall we skip the armors we know that Umbra can cut through?" Celestia asked as I shrugged nodding.

"Alright then let's move on to the armors I haven't had the pleasure of cutting through. I have a MKIV heavy magic combat armor system. From what I know of this armor magically it is neigh impenetrable to magic based beam attacks and blades don't even scratch the surface of the armor. It's a very expensive suit of armor and very time consuming to create due to the rune relays that have to be carved into the armor to strengthen it... So let's not only test Umbra let us test this armor as well since that was the only way I could acquire this armor..." I shrugged as I swung Umbra at the armor only for Umbra to bounce off the armor.

"No rev and no Magic. Armor holds up and Umbra does not cut." I say before revving Umbra up. "Let's try with the rev." I said before Swinging Umbra in a shower of sparks. I felt Umbra shaking in my hands before I pulled Umbra back inspecting the armor to see a deep gouge cut into the chest plate of the armor. "Prolonged attack will carve through the armor now let's just finish up the test. "Rev and Magic." I flexed my magic seeing dark purple blades extend over the teeth on Umbra. I revved the blade as the motion seemed to give Umbra a glowing dark purple edge to it. I swung once more as Umbra carved through the armor with little to no difficulty. I spun Umbra cutting off my magic as Umbra's teeth stopped with a loud clack. "Armor system has failed and Umbra has succeeded" I said looking to my audience.

"Very impressive." Celestia said with a smile "What kinds of spells can you channel through Umbra I wish to see that?" I wobbled my left hand.

"Eeeeeeeeeh. I don't know to be honest. I tested Lightning and standard energy blades to great effect but I haven't tested all of my spells since I don't think I want to break Umbra testing A magical detonation spell." I said setting Umbra on my shoulder. "Shall we move onto the final test?" I asked rolling my shoulders. "Ladies?" I asked aiming at a red X. The princesses stood as one channeling their magic as a five layer shield appeared over the red X.

"These are our strongest shield spells so have fun Jon." Twilight said smiling happily. I shrugged my shoulders walking up to the shields knocking on the first layer hearing the strikes thrum through the magic.

"Get ready for the back lash." I said as I slammed Umbra in the ground behind me focusing my magic into the blade as the teeth glowed a dark purple before the blades began to spin up. "HERE WE GO!" I yelled as I swung with all my might carving into the shields with only a little strain. I spun with my swing hitting the shields once again only for the shields to shatter under the force. I smiled as I spun Umbra in my hand slamming it down into the ground. "Umbra is a glorious success. gotta love it." I said as I looked to the princesses seeing the fatigue on their faces from the magical backlash.

"Most impressive." Luna said with a clap of her hands. I looked over Umbra as the teeth slowly began to rotate around the edge as I followed each one with a critical eye. I clicked my tongue in annoyance as I saw the gem coating on one of the teeth was missing.

"I need to return to upgrading Umbra... The gem coating is still very brittle when I pour to much magic into it." I muttered to myself as I continued to examine Umbra seeing little imperfections in my design. "So much to fix..." I muttered in anger as I sheathed Umbra on my back. "Excuse me ladies I still have a lot of work to do." I said as I lifted the two parts of the new armor system hauling them towards the door of the training field. "I might just have to study the new armor. Add a few of it's secrets to my own armor." I cracked a wicked smile as I kicked the door open leaving the field with a new pep to my step.

Chapter 11: A Slow Day

Cleaning Darkness
Chapter 11: A Slow Day

By: Major Frostwing

"JON FOR THE LOVE OF CELESTIA SLOW DOWN!" Dash yelled out in fear as the wheels of my car squealed from taking a particularly sharp turn. "YOU ARE GOING TO GET US KILLED!" I only let out a bark of laughter as I looked in my rear view mirror seeing the flashing lights chasing us down.

"I think I'm gonna be sick." Light Heart said as I laughed again. Taking another sharp turn seeing a bunch of cars on the road blocking my path. I yanked up the E-Brake whipping the tail of my car around before dropping it once again to gun it the other way.

"Jon as much fun as it is to watch you run away from the cops we should pull over." Nova said beside me as I cocked an eyebrow at her.

"Come on this is fun as fuck. I haven't felt this alive in a long time." I said as I continued down the road dodging cars as we went. "Plus there is only a few cop cars chasing me down." I pointed out as I saw a police barricade set up ahead of us. "So that's where they are... Huh pretty clever to plan out this spot to try and stop me. Sorry girls looks like fun times are over." I said as I slammed on the brakes stopping the car just before the barricade.

The cops moved out from the cover of the barricade taking aim at my car with their pistols. Soon enough the other cop cars pulled up behind me locking us in. I could hear Light Heart whimper in the back seat with Dash trying to comfort her. I rolled down my window leaning my head out.

"Happy Tuesday Gentlemen." I called out with a smile as all the guns trained on my head. "Was I speeding perchance?" I asked as they remained stoic.

"EXIT THE VEHICLE WITH YOUR HANDS UP!" One yelled through an intercom.

"It's ok Gentlemen." Nova called out poking her head out of the opposite window of mine. "I asked him to drive fast and didn't expect him to go that fast." She glared at me as I only held my hands up in defense. "Please excuse us we have somewhere to be right now." Nova said as the cops lowered their weapons.

"Does this mean I can leave now?" I asked looking to Nova as she only let out a sigh. I shrugged as the cops moved their cars out of my way. I slowly pulled forward looking at the cops with a wicked grin as I slowly rolled up my window.I gunned the engine once more burning the tires a bit before they finally caught traction and we rocketed down the road once more.

I sat in the waiting room of the spa reading over a newspaper as I waited for the girls to be done with all their massages and pedicures and what not. I let out a sigh as I looked up at the clock on the wall noticing that I had only been sitting in my seat for about 10 minutes. I got so used to moving about and constantly doing something that sitting still felt wrong to me. I let out another sigh looking back at my paper. This has been the 4th week that I had come here and just wait for them to be done.

"Excuse me." Some one said in front of me. I pushed the top of my paper down with my index fingers looking up at who was talking. "Sorry to bother you but are you waiting on an appointment?" The unicorn woman asked with concern at talking to me.

"I'm waiting on my friends to finish up their own appointments." I said as I folded the paper up setting it to the side. "To be honest I just can't relax I don't have anything to do besides sit here and read." I let out another sigh leaning back in my chair annoyed.

"I'm sorry to hear that sir." I looked at her for a second before shrugging.

"How much is a massage and spa treatment?" I asked getting to my feet stretching my back out.

"Sir?" She asked confused before shaking her head. "It's 25 bits for a massage and 50 bits for a standard spa treatment." I thought it over for a minute before shrugging reaching into my wallet pulling out some money.

"I'll take the deluxe minus the manicure pedicure." I said as the spa worker looked at the money before looking back up at me.

"Sir it's 400 bits for the deluxe." I cocked an eye before shrugging pulling out more money.

"Money is no trouble." I said as I held out the money out. She took the money showing me to the register and ringing up what I owed and the payment. She hit a button summoning a masseuse to take me in the back. "Miss Vera this is... I'm terribly sorry I forgot to ask your name." I chuckled shrugging my shoulders.

"Jon. Just Jon." I said as she nodded smiling to me.

"Miss Vera Jon has ordered the Deluxe please show him professionalism and kindness." The girl said as Vera bowed to her.

"Please follow me Mr. Jon." Vera said as she showed me the way to the changing room. "Please remove all of your clothing and put them into a locker. The robes will be in the basket along with a towel." She bowed once again stepping out of the room. I quickly got changed sliding the robe over my shoulders noticing the three scars on my chest. I set my fingers over the smallest hole near my heart.

I couldn't help but let out a sad sigh before tying up my robe and sliding my towel around my neck. I stepped out of the room to see Vera waiting on me. "Hope I didn't make you wait long." I said as she shook her head.

"Please follow me to the massage room and we shall begin." She said as I followed her to a bright very calming room. Light music was playing to help soothe the customers. "Please lay on the table face down me and my assistant will begin the massage." I did as asked and layed down on the table as I felt the towel being move off of my neck as my robe was removed. "Please relax as much as possible." I heard the tell tale sign of magic being used as I felt a small press on my back.

"Um sir... Your magic is interfering with our magic. Are you by chance using your magic to cover something up?" I heard the assistant ask as I let out a sigh.

"I have to disengage it don't I?" I asked knowing what the answer was.

"Normally we would say no but the spell seems to be rather strong. I'm sorry but we will not judge you for a few little marks." She said with a smile.

"Don't scream..." I said as I flexed my magic disengaging my cloak spell as I heard two shocked gasps. "Yea I know not the most pretty of "Little Marks"." I said As I glanced at the assistant out of the corner of my eye. She had her hands over her mouth with a look of fear and shock as she stared at the scars. "This was stupid I shouldn't have done this." I said as I went to reinstall my spell only to feel a hand on my shoulder.

"We are professionals sir nothing we haven't seen before. Miss Gentle. Please get control over yourself Mr. Jon has paid a lot of money to have the Deluxe treatment and we will do the job with utmost professionalism." Vera said as I glanced at Gentle to see her break out of her initial fear before nodding. I heard the sound of the magic starting back up before I felt a sharp pain in my muscles. I let out a wince of pain gripping my hands into fists.

"I'm sorry sir but in order to massage the muscles we need to add more magic to loosen them. The pain should pass soon enough." Gentle said as slowly the pain disappeared to be replaced by a gentle numbness. I let out a sigh as they continued to work through my muscles I felt like all my fatigue from years of fighting had melted away. It was a solid 30 minutes before I was finally finished with my massage.

"Follow us sir to the sauna and then over to the spa and finish up with a hair treatment. I shrugged as I followed them into the sauna. That took only a few minutes before I was thoroughly done with that dry air and into the showers I went. A quick shower and into the spa I went. As I stepped into the spa I saw Nova, Dash, and Tender all sitting in the hot water relaxing. They looked up to see who entered only to be shocked to see me.

"Sorry to say but the Spa is a mixed bath sorry for the inconvenience." Vera said as I shrugged wrapping my towel around my waist removing my robe and stepping into the pool. The girls were staring at me which only made me confused as I looked at myself to still see my scars visible. I looked back at them a cold smile on my face.

"They don't just go away after all." I said as I sunk deeper into the water trying to relax.

"Jon." I flicked my eyes over to Nova as she pointed at her left eye. "What happened to your eye? It's all black and Purple." I set my left hand over the eye chuckling.

"This old thing? Celestia cut my eye out with her stupid glaive." I said as I pointed at the small circular scar near my heart. "Magic beam from a particular bitch." I pointed at a clean cut on my right shoulder. "Guy cut my arm off. the list goes on and on." I said with a shrug. "I can tell you more if you want but I just want to enjoy the time here since it makes me feel young once again." I closed my eyes leaning my head against the edge of the pool.

"How do you keep them hidden?" I opened my eyes letting out a sigh.

"It's actually really easy Dash. Ever heard of a changeling?" I asked as she nodded. "Nasty little bugs at least back then. I caught one and basically dissected it magically and was able to discern how it's shape shifting magic worked and tweaked it to work for me. I just use it to keep the scars covered. I honestly forgot that I even had the damn thing up." I said with a shrug.

"So wait you mean to tell me you had this spell activated since I met you?" Nova asked as I looked to her with a small smile.

"Girl I have had that spell up since I was around 56 years old. and now I am..." I stopped as I thought over how old I was using my fingers to count for a second. "Hot damn I am 3824 years old." I said with a shocked expression. "And most of my life I have been either dead or locked in a rock... Fucking hell my life is depressing." I felt a hand on my shoulder only to see Nova smiling sadly at me. "Anyway." I said as I knocked Nova's hand off of my shoulder. "You guys are taking this rather well."

"Well scars are cool." Dash said as I let out a bought of laughter.

"Scars only have two meanings." I said holding up two fingers. "Trophies and mistakes. I try to learn from each mistake but sometimes it is unavoidable." I shrugged my shoulders. "Anyway we can talk more about my mistakes later let's just try and relax." The girls nodded their heads as they each leaned back enjoying the nice hot soak.

A little while later we all walked out of the Spa feeling clean and refreshed. I felt like a new man and my bones no longer felt like they creaked and cracked with every movement. "God damn I feel like I'm 24 once again." I said with a stretch as I magicked the doors to the car open. The girls looked to the car with unease but got in nonetheless. I got into my seat starting the engine leaning back in the seat. "Hey girls?" I asked as they all looked to me. "Let's keep the whole... Cloak thing between us. No one needs to know about how fucked up I really look." I said feeling a little self conscious about all of my scars.

"Of course Jon just between us." Nova said as Dash and Tender both nodded.

"Thanks girls... Now then shall we drive fast and reckless or fast and reckless?" I asked as I dropped the car into gear and gunned it for the castle to the screams of Dash and Tender.

Author's Note

A few things. Jon does get scars from all of his injuries but keeps them covered with a improvised Changeling cloaking spell. We also Have Jon's current age as of right now. I promise something a little more... spicy next chapter so enjoy.

Bonus 1: The Day of No Mercy

Cleaning Darkness
Bonus 1: The Day of No Mercy

By: Major Frostwing

The night was quiet and only partly cloudy it was getting close to October and the cold chill started to roll in as fall slowly began. It was here on this night that I found Jon staring out at the city below. He was worried I could see it with the fact he had an ash tray next to him brimming with cigarette butts. He only smoked heavily when worried. I knocked on the door leading to the balcony to not even gain his attention. I took that as a sign to come out. "Something is troubling you Jon." I said as he finally looked over his shoulder at me.

"It has been four days Luna of course I am worried." Jon said as he continued to glare out at the distance. "Something just feels wrong and Bright always sends a message whenever he is out on a mission. Every night at the exact same time." I set a hand on his shoulder only for him to jerk out of my touch. "I don't want sympathy I want my son back home." He snapped before returning to his quiet demeanor.

"Jon your son is one of the strongest soldiers under our command. He has never failed a mission we had ever sent him on. He will return home just like every other time." I said as he looked to me his eyes burned with worry.

"I just want him to come home." He stubbed out his cigarette when the sound of a whistle being blown caught our attention. We looked down at the main gates to see a soldier running towards the castle.

"What is that man carrying?" I asked myself as Jon suddenly disappeared in a flash of magic. He reappeared in front of the soldier stopping him with a hand to the throat. "Dammit Jon." I muttered out as I teleported down next to him.

"What happened soldier? Where is your captain? WHERE IS MY SON!" Jon roared in the man's face. He seemed to be on the verge of killing the soldier when he held out a bloody bag. I could see the soldier did not want to hand the bag to Jon but he was scared.

"JON!" I yelled as he looked over to me. "Put him down and calm down." Jon looked back to the soldier seizing the bag and dropping the soldier without any form of grace. Jon looked at the bag opening it slowly before stopping. Jon slowly reached into the bag pulling out it's contents. My heart stopped when I saw that it was a head. It was the head of Jon's own son just delivered to him in a bag.

Jon dropped to his knees still holding the head he hugged it to his chest. His skin shifted to pitch black as he threw back his head letting out a wail of despair. It was ear shattering in volume. That's when I felt it scrape against my magical senses. Jon's magic was going critical and it was about to blow. "RUN!" I ordered as the guards scrambled to get away from Jon.

Without warning the magic stopped as a black fog began to pour out of Jon corroding the ground around him. The head was untouched by the corruption as he set it down on the ground getting to his feet. Jon looked towards me and ice settled in my spine as I looked into his eyes. Only hate burned in his eyes. The black fog seemed to shroud him except for his eyes as he disappeared in a flash of magic. I had to warn Celestia... Jon was going to do everything in his power to slaughter the Mino that killed his son.

"Sir the reinforcements have arrived right on time." A lieutenant stated saluting to me as I looked over to him.

"Good we now have enough to continue the campaign towards Dodge Junction and then towards Manehatten and then straight for Canterlot." I grip my hand into a fist smiling. "Nothing will stop our conquest of Equestria. Not even The Legendary 112th Battalion and their Captain could stop us." I said as I turned back to my lieutenant smiling. "Gather the men we will be making our march out to take Dodge Junction. I want them ready in an hour." I ordered as he saluted once again before exiting my quarters.

I turned to my desk pulling out my journal writing down my thoughts and developments of this war. History will remember the war that took over Equestria.

My door was suddenly thrown open as a watchman ran in. "SIR THE SCOUTING PARTY HAS RETURNED! HE HAS AN URGENT MESSAGE FOR YOU!" I looked to the one who dared charge into my room when the scout in question walked in a hand print burned on his face.

"Sir..." He said looking scared for his life as he looked behind him to see if something was following him. "Look to the hills past the town. That's all he told me to say." He suddenly clutched at the sides of his head as he fell to his knees. "YOU SAID I WOULD LIVE PLEASE DON'T KILL ME! PLE-" The scout's head exploded in a shower of black gore startling me. I looked to my balcony walking towards it pulling out my binoculars.

I stared out towards the hills trying to see anything when something caught my attention. The scouting party I had sent out were all on their knees as a shadow stood behind them staring right at me. The shadow raised it's hand pointing at me and then I heard it. "You will watch." I heard the entire camp before me cease their activities as I chanced a look at my men. They were all staring up at me before looking in the distance seeing what I was seeing now. "Their blood will sated my fallen son." The shadow's voice seemed to corrode my soul as I watched as he pointed at the first of the scouts. The Mino's hands reached up gripping his own head. He seemed to be screaming something when his head was suddenly spun around. The body collapsed to the ground as the shadow moved his hand pointing at the next one.

My heart sank as I saw the mino rip his own throat out gurgling out his fear. The eyes never left me as he pointed at the next one. I couldn't tear my eyes away as this one yelled something out as he tore into his own chest. The last one was crying as the shadow walked up behind the mino setting a hand on his head. A black fog fell over him as his flesh melted away from his bones leaving only a skeleton.

"I'm coming for you General." The shadow's voice echoed in my head shivering me to the bone. "This fist will not falter." The shadow seemed to only grow in size as it spoke. "May the gods have mercy on your soul. For I have none on this day." I dropped my binoculars as I saw the shadow spread into the sky forcing the stars to hide behind it's veil.

"MEN! PREPARE TO REPEL THE FIST OF EQUESTRIA. LOAD THE ARTILLERY AND PREPARE THE ASSAULT SQUADS! THAT IS AN ORDER!" I bellowed at the top of my lungs as the camp moved to follow my orders. I moved into my room gathering my armor and weapon as one of my lieutenants entered the room.

"Sir we are not equipped to fight the Fist of Equestria." He said as I looked to him still feeling that ice course through my veins.

"The assault squads will be a diversion as we all make our escape." I said as I set my helmet over my head. "Get the rest of the men on the ships and cast off we will return with more troops and take Equestria with full force. Even the Fist can't survive a full out assault." I said as I walked over to my desk pulling out my journal opening it as I began to write when there was a sudden explosion that shook my teeth. I ran to my balcony seeing that all of the ships were destroyed and burning in the harbor.

"No escape. Nowhere to retreat. Nowhere to hide." That voice creeped back into my head as I looked towards the hill to see the shadow walk towards us as I wrote down what I was witnessing. History will remember this day... The day we made a god angry. I closed my book looking to my lieutenant as he looked at me with uncertainty.

"Prepare the troops for a last stand... Fight till the last because none of us will survive if we don't." I looked back at the soldiers preparing to charge against our foe.

The soldiers were ready for their charge with me standing behind the assault squads the shadow continued to march towards us I could hear the uncertainty in the voices of my men. "ALRIGHT MEN TO THE LAST OF US WE WILL FIGHT ON!" I yelled as the soldier's resolve steeled. "FOR THE MINOTAUR KINGDOM! CHARGE!" The first assault squad charged forward swords and spears and shields at the ready. Their charge was like a small earthquake as they tore the ground up on their way to the enemy. The first soldiers reached their mark only for a wave of blood to shower the next line as the shadow flicked his hand out quick as a viper. The bodies flew gracefully through the air before colliding with the ground harshly.

"Turn against thy friends of old and follow your new command." The shadow spoke out raising both hand skyward. "Betray." He threw his hands downward as the first assault squad was brought to it's knees in one fell swoop A black fog flowed over them. They all screamed out in pain as they gripped their head tearing at the fog in vain. Suddenly they all stopped screaming as they stood up turning around. Each of their eyes glowed a bright green as they roared as one before charging back towards the lines their weapons ignored.

"SECOND ASSAULT SQUAD CHARGE!" I yelled out as the second squad charged forward to attack The bodies of both squads slammed into each other violently only for the true violence to be unleashed. The Minotaurs under the shadow's command tore at the second assault wave with reckless abandon. if one was felled the others would surround the attacker and tear into them with hands and teeth. "THIRD AND FOURTH SQUADS CHARGE!" I ordered as more squads charged forward to aid their comrades. Soon enough the corrupted squads were slaughtered. We all turned our attention towards the shadow to see him still standing there. No one dared make the first move towards him but he raised his hand as his sword flashed into existence in his hand.

The shadow disappeared suddenly appearing in the ranks of the squads that were just fighting. "Kaboom." He said as a sphere of magic exploded outwards devouring my men. The shadow stepped out of the crater walking towards us dragging his blade behind him slowly. The shadow raised a hand before flicking it to the side. A quarter of my men slammed into the sides of the building turning to paste upon impact. I looked on in horror as my men were being slaughtered so effortlessly. I felt my voice hitch in my throat as my eyes returned to the shadow as it reared back it's sword throwing it right through my lieutenant pinning him to the wall of a building.

"SIR YOUR ORDERS!?" One of the sergeant's asked as I looked to him. He eyes screamed for retreat but there would be no escape. This day would be their last. Not even the artillery would stop him. I had to do something otherwise our deaths will be meaningless. I drew my sword letting a battle cry free as the shadow locked eyes with me.

The shadow flickered for a moment before the fog receded revealing the true fist of Equestria. The man who stood before me skin black as the darkest depths with a flowing mane of black and dark purple. No armor adorned his body as he stared me down. A subtle flick of his wrist and his blade returned to him as his calm stared turned into a fierce scowl. Fog billowed out behind him before it coalesced it a dragon of corrupting. The man took a deep breath roaring at the top of his lungs answering my own battlecry with one of his own. The dragon spewed flames into the air only adding to the cry for death. I felt my very being shudder in fear at the man that stood before me.

"RETREAT!" I heard a sergeant yelled out as a few minos broke ranks running for their lives. The shadow dragon was quick to burn them to ash as they ran.

"NONE WILL ESCAPE!" The fist yelled as he took one step forward. "NONE WILL RUN!" He took another step towards me as I took one step back. "I WILL HAVE MY VENGEANCE FOR WHAT YOU DID!" My body screamed at me to give the order but I knew it was pointless he would just kill us as we ran. "YOU WANTED A WAR! YOU GOT A FUCKING WAR!" The fist raised his hands seizing more of my army in his magic. I turned to look at my soldiers as they were raised into the air before their bodies were shredded like paper. I looked at the fist as he continued to use his magic to decimate and slaughter my troops... and there was nothing I could do to stop him.

"WE SURRENDER!" I heard a few of my troops yell out only for spires of black magic to skewer them raising them in the air like trophies.

I watched as more magic tore my troops to nothing but gore as it was slowly pulled into a pile in the center of the town I turned back to the fist to see that he was standing before me wreathed in darkness. I dropped to my knees letting go of my blade as I fell. "Why?" I asked as the fist stared down at me. "We did nothing to bring this amount of cruelty on us." The shadow set a hand on one of my horns gripping it so tightly I thought he was going to crush it.

"You killed my only son." He said as he gripped my other horn. "And sent me his head." I let out a scream as I felt darkness pour into my mind and as soon as it began all that was left was the dark.

I stood there the general's head in my hands as I looked out at the destruction around me. I picked up a spear from one of the felled minotaurs walking with purpose to the center of the town seeing the spire of death I had created. I slammed the spear into the blood soaked earth before impaling the general's head on the spear. I dispelled my dragon staring up at the pillar a sad look on my face. I pulled a stone out of my pocket. It was a Dragon Diamond that Bright found so long ago and gave to me as a gift. I clenched the diamond tightly as I felt my anger pool into the gem. "Bright... You didn't deserve what happened to you. You were a great warrior and you always made me proud." I said as I fell into my memories.

"Dad! Dad! Dad! When I grow up I am gonna be just as strong as you!" A young Bright said to me as I crouch down to ruffle his hair with a smile.

"You want to be strong like your old man?" I asked as he nodded his head smiling up at me. I smiled back to him as he threw a small punch hitting me in the chest lightly. I chuckled as I picked him up setting him on my shoulder. "You don't have to be as strong as me Bright just remember that I didn't get strong to just be strong. I got strong so I could protect you and your mother. As long as you get strong to protect something you will always be as strong as me." I said as I held up my fist towards the sky. "Protect the ones you love and there is no limit to how strong you can get."

"So as long as I can protect something I can be as strong as you?" He asked as I chuckled once again. "Then if I can protect everything then I will be stronger than you." He said as I bounced my shoulder with a smile.

"I can't wait to see you be stronger than me Bright. Just know I will always be proud of you." I heard him laugh as I laughed with him.

I felt my breath hitch in my throat as I stood up feeling my anger cool as the diamond took on a black and purple coloration. I heard a clink of metal behind me as I suddenly turned around to see Twilight and a small squad of guards staring at me. I looked to my right at the head of the general as the last of my anger pooled into the gem sealing a majority of my magic in it. I saw the dark fog vanish as I stared at Twilight before stepping towards her she took a small step back before I passed her. "May I never have to do this again." I said as I activated what remained of my magic to teleport back to Canterlot. I had to talk to Celestia and tell her what happened this day and bury the history of this event.

Author's Note

I decided to post the bonus in the middle of the story because I couldn't get it out of my head. Hope you all enjoy.
Also the song I chose for this chapter is right here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7iQrEd4C0

Chapter 13: Forming A Plan

Cleaning Darkness
Chapter 13: Forming A Plan

By: Major Frostwing

"So... Iron has that stone I made after that incident." I pointed out as I had my feet propped up on the table. I looked at the Princesses that all sat around the table with me.

"Correct. I was unable to stop him from getting the stone." Celestia said as she looked down at her clenched hands as I only let out a sigh.

"And what did he call it? Hate's Heart? Or something like that?" I asked as Luna nodded her head. "That's not what it's called and that annoys me even more. That damn thing is literally called "Rock." I never came up with a real name for it because every name I could think of would make it sound fucking stupid." I rolled my eyes before looking at the weird looks I got from everyone. "What...?"

"You named one of the strongest artifacts of dark magic... Rock." Twilight asked as I nodded my head slowly. "Rock..."

"Yep. Why is that bad? It's my fucking artifact I can name it whatever the fuck I want." I said as Twilight's palm met her face. "Look the name is not important What is important is how much magic is in that damn thing. I poured as much magic as I could into that Dragon Diamond as I could and it accepted it all. That little rock is a god damn time bomb of magic. That damn thing has more magic than the core of a dark dragon you know just like the cores of my hands." I said raising my hands up the quills on my arms shuddered slightly before settling.

"We understand how much magic is poured into that gem." Cadence said as I took my feet off of the table slamming my fist down on it.

"NO! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!" I yelled as I stood knocking my chair over. "That fucking rock holds all of the rage and dark magic I had from that day. That thing is a god damned source of dark magic It literally creates it's own magic now. You can pull the magic from it and it just fills it's self back up." I let out a sigh trying to get my anger under control.

"Are you saying that, that rock..." Nova began as I nodded my head.

"Just as The necklaces of Luna and Celestia focus their power and add to it. Just like Cadance's Crystal heart. Twilight's Tome. And even your Supernova Bracelet Nova. That fucking diamond is my Relic of Power." I pointed out as Twilight rubbed her forehead.

"Jon if you knew that what you created was capable of was why did you try to hide it instead of keeping it on your person?" Twilight asked as I looked away clenching my fists.

"That rock holds everything from that day and I don't want to dwell on it. For once after me being taken over by Moon... I ran away from my problems." I sat back down looking at the princesses. "We each know there is only a few ways to destroy a relic of power and they are each dangerous. The more powerful the relic the bigger the bang. "There is also an even bigger problem with Iron having my relic." I said leaning back in my seat.

"He seems to have already gained control over it so what could be the problem?" Luna asked as I looked to Celestia.

"Tia would you like to explain what happens to someone who uses a relic tied to another person?" I asked as Celestia looked down at her hands rubbing them together uncomfortably.

"Normally with our relics the person experiences a backlash and a burn out from the conflicting magic." Celestia looked up at Luna a sad look in her eyes. "With Jon's relic it cares not for who uses it as long as it's magic is drawn out and used. It's almost addictive to another person. You draw from it once and it makes you feel powerful like nothing can stop you and you just want more and more." Celestia began to shake as she looked at me. "There is no burn out no backlash just that damned addiction." I nodded my head smiling to her softly.

"My magic is fueled by hate and it causes a corruption in all who are touched by it. It doesn't effect my because it is my magic. So now that Iron is taking magic from it the corruption in him will only spread taking his mind until he can't live without the magic in that rock. That is the main problem but it is also my main weapon. I don't like using it but if I can get my hands on that fucking rock I can use it." I saw Luna comfort Celestia as I turned to Cadence. "That is our best shot is for us to get the relic from Iron and I will crush him with the very magic he thinks he can control." I said slamming my fist on the table.

"So our whole plan hinges on you stealing your relic from Iron and using it against him." Twilight said as I nodded my head smiling. "Shouldn't we be planning something more in depth." I shook my head chuckling.

"I'll tell you something my dad used to tell me all the time. K.I.S.S. Keep it simple stupid." I said as Twilight tilted her head. "A truly complicated plan is doomed to fail due to the fact it has to many 'what if's'. If you keep the plan stupidly simple it allows very little fuck ups. We keep the main plan simple and we add contingencies in case something happens. We can complicate those as much as we want because it allows us to plan every variable." I explained putting my feet up on the table once again chuckling. "Now that the main plan is done let's put some effort into the contingencies."

"So what do you think they are talking about?" Party asked as she kicked her feet under chair.

"I think they are coming up with a plan to deal with Iron." Aura said reading from a book as usual.

"Doesn't explain why they needed us to sit out here instead of being in there helping. We can come up with some really good plans ourselves." Ruby said as the doors were thrown open revealing Jon with his hands in his pockets.

"The reason why the major plan making is because we had to set up a few secretive plans that only me and the princesses are allowed to know about." Jon said shrugging his shoulders. "The main plan is very simple. Get me that fucking Rock. Simple as that now the contingencies will be talked over with Nova while I go and do some training and construction." Jon said walking past us giving us a two finger salute. "If you need me I will be in my workshop. Knock before entering." I sat there watching as Jon walked away before I felt a nudge in my ribs.

"You alright Dash?" Lasso asked as I shook my head clear.

"Yea I'm alright so what's the plan Princess?" I asked clearing my throat calmly. The other princesses left the meeting room when Princess Cadance glanced at me stopping mid step.

"You girls go on ahead I got something to do." Cadance said as she stepped up to me. "Nova you don't mind if I borrow Dash for a moment?" Cadance asked with a sweet smile. Nova cocked an eyebrow at her before nodding. "Lovely it will only be a few minutes." Cadance said seizing me by the hand and running off. I could barely keep up as we rounded a corner when Cadance released me.

"What is this about Princess?" I asked as she giggled circling me like a hungry shark.

"You like a certain someone am I right?" Cadance asked as I froze up.

"I have no idea what you are talking about." I said trying to play it off.

"Dash I am the Princess of Love. Everyone is an open book to me and you are no exception. Now spill. Who has captured that heart of yours." I really was backed into a corner now. "What is spoke between us will not leave us so come on Dash who is it?" I looked down at my feet shuffling them nervously.

"I don't even know if I like him... well love him at least... He is such a self centered asshole but he has a good heart under all that hate..." I said as Jon's image flashed in my mind. "He saved my life so I am not even sure if I like him for that." Cadance set her hand on my should smiling to me.

"Dash I would normally say chase what the heart wants but if you are falling for Jon... You will not be able to get him to love you back. His heart no matter how much love he shares for us will never be open again. At least until he can forgive himself." Cadance said as I looked up to her in shock. "I see it every time I see him his heart is dark and closed off. I have seen many people block off their emotions but he locked his heart away so no one else can get in he doesn't want another incident like last time." She pat my shoulder turning to walk away when I spoke up.

"The Day of No Mercy... That was the incident that made Jon close off his heart." Cadance stopped dead in her tracks letting out a heavy sigh. "He is afraid that someone will kill someone he loves and he will do it again. He is afraid." I said as Cadance looked over her shoulder.

"He isn't afraid. He is terrified to lose someone that will never come back. Us princesses who are immortal can die but only temporarily. You on the other hand die and stay dead. Jon will be angry about one of us dying but someone like you... Jon despises losing people who can't come back. Why do you think he always worked alone?" Cadance sighed again turning fully back to me. "If you still want to try and win his heart I will not stop you. But I will say that digging to deep leaves very few exits. Good luck Dash." I smiled to Cadance as she smiled back to me.

"Now come on you need to be informed of the plans for the fight against Iron." I nodded my head as I walked back with Cadance.

Author's Note

I wrote a short chapter because meh...don't judge me I have a lot going on right now and I am trying to prepare for what is to come. Anyway I hope you all enjoy.

Chapter 14: A Deep Connection

Cleaning Darkness
Chapter 14: A Deep Connection

By: Major Frostwing

I sat in my workshop tinkering with my armor going over my new schematics for it. "That magic bolt really did a number on this old thing." I said as I traced a finger along the jagged edge in the chest. "I can't have another fuck up like this." I said as I pulled a chunk of Lunar steel out of a box looking it over carefully.

"Indeed." Moon said as she stood next to me doing her own examinations of the armor. "With my magic being limited to what it could do we need to take precautions to not allow this to happen again." Moon said as I nodded my head moving the chunk of lunar steel in place shaping it with my magic as I sealed the holes . I looked over the now recovered holes frowning.

"We need to strengthen the armor with the new rune schematics I got from that MK IV armor. With a few little surprises added to the armor for fun." I said as I flexed my magic dismantling the armor laying it down on the ground. I was about to get to work when a knock came to the door. "You mind getting that Moon?" I asked as I picked up the schematics looking them over carefully since I didn't want the armor to fail because of one misplaced line.

"Hey Jon it's Dash." Moon said as I looked over my shoulder seeing Moon escorting Dash over to me.

"Oh. Hey Dash what brings you to my workshop?" I asked as I went back to the schematics picturing how to engrave the runes in my head.

"Just came to see what you were working on." She said as she looked over my laid out armor. "So whatcha doing with your armor?" She asked as she knelt picking up a piece looking it over.

"I'm gonna upgrade it with a rune inlay to strengthen it's durability and to make the armor have a few new features." I said as I magicked the piece out of her hand setting it back down in it's place. "Want to help? Maybe I can put something really cool together for you." I said as I looked to Moon who nodded her head going to my workstation to gather some tools.

"So you don't want your armor to break." Dash said as she stood up brushing off her knees. Moon brought me a bag handing it off before she began setting out the tools we were going to use for the rune inlay. I magicked the schematic away before opening the bag pulling out a few gems looking them over carefully. A pristine Sapphire caught my attention as I held it out to Dash.

"Mind charging this with some of your magic?" I asked as I went to my tools.

"I'm not a unicorn I can't put magic into this." Dash said as I cocked an eyebrow looking over my shoulder at her.

"Everyone can pour magic into gems they accept it willingly to begin with. All you have to do is focus on the gem and move your magic into it. The gem will do the rest." I said as she looked down at the sapphire trying to focus on it. I turned back to my armor picking the chest piece up moving it to my desk. I went back grabbing a few cutters before setting off to work on the inlays. It was going to be a long night for me as I set to work putting a set of magnifying lens over my eyes to begin my work.

It took me eight hours just to finish the chest piece. The entire inside of the armor had runes running along it. I took off my glasses rubbing my eyes in fatigue. I picked up the chest piece running my hand along the inlay seeing it light up a dark purple . I smiled as I moved setting the piece down in it's place before going back for the back piece. I saw that Dash was sleeping on the cot on the side of the room. I saw that the gem I had given her glowed a gentle blue as I walked over picking it up tossing it in my hand as I examined it. "Not bad it's fully charged and I can feel her magic moving about." I looked back down at Dash as she slept quietly. "No wonder you are so tired." I said as I moved over to my desk bringing the gem with me.

"She was at it almost as long as you were." Moon said as I looked over to her. "I had to give her tips on how to do it." She shrugged as she followed me to the desk.

"Get my medical tools... we need to implant it while it is still fresh." I said as I removed my shirt looking over my left arm carefully.

"Of course." Moon said as she moved seizing my medical kit out of a drawer before walking over to me. "So which arm?" She asked as I set my left arm on the table.

"This is going to hurt like hell but be thorough." I said as I waved my hand putting a sound proof bubble around us. "Now get cutting." I ordered as Moon sighed pulling out a scalpel as she cut into the back of my left hand I let out a grunt of pain as Moon cut deep into my hand. Soon enough the black gem was visible glowing with dark magic. I held the wound open as Moon moved her magic seizing the gem before looking at me. I nodded my head once as the gem was ripped out of it's socket and along with it the quills were ripped out of my forearm as well. I couldn't hold back a yell of pain as my hand went limp. I saw Moon set the gem aside as she set the new gem into my hand My vision went white as I felt my chest ignite with pain I clenched my left hand tight as it began to glow a light blue before turning white. slowly the pain shifted from my heart moving down towards my left hand. The light only got brighter before it exploded out launching me backwards into the wall of my workshop. The wall didn't stop me as I kept going ripping through a storage room and another wall. I came to a stop feeling only pain coursing through my body. before slowly I tried to get to my feet. My left arm burned something fierce as I stood up stumbling a bit as I tried to clear my thoughts.

"You ok Jon?" I heard Party Popper ask as I turned my head to see her and the girls all standing there sans Dash. I looked at the hole I had made and then back at the girls.

"Yea... Yea I'm alright just... blew up a little bit." I walked back towards to hole looking over my left arm as it still glowed a bit. "I'll fix the wall just go back to whatever it was you were doing." I said as I stepped out of the hole waving my hand as the wall fixed it's self.

"Well that was something." I said as I continued to examine my hand. Slowly the glow died down and with it the pain. Moon peaked her head through the hole looking concerned. "Let's get the last part of this surgery done." I said as I sat down at my desk waving my hand as the wall repaired it's self of the damage it was put through.

"Just what the fuck was that?" Dash asked as I looked to her seeing she was shaken and wide awake.

"I'll show you when we are done here." I looked to moon nodding to her. Moon sighed as she raised a bit of metal up as she lifted her scalpel about to cut when I looked to Dash seeing her eyes locked on what was about to happen. I shook my head as I flicked my wrist at her as a band of darkness covered her eyes and ears. I looked to Moon nodding once as she began to cut the entire length of my arm with the single goal of removing a section of my Humerus I gripped the side of the table as she pulled out a saw. That's when the pain came back with a vengeance.

Soon enough I was sitting at my desk looking over the new quills that jutted out of the top of my right shoulder carefully. They arced with power I flicked my right wrist as all the quills became active letting out a loud crackling of power I aimed my magic as the crackling only got louder until I finally released the magic a bolt of magic burned through the wall of the castle before fizzling out. I looked down at my right hand shaking it out thinking carefully about the new advancements to my body. "Not even a little discomfort from using my magic... I say the test was a success." I said as I went back to work on the back piece only to be interuppted by Dash.

"Mind explaining what the hell that was all about?" Dash asked as I shrugged my shoulders.

"A theory that had been running through my head for some time now but I needed a way to pull it off. You know that pain that had been radiating from my chest for the longest time right?" I asked as she nodded her head. "Well I thought that since it was the magic from the elements that was strangling my magic I thought if I could give it a path to follow then the harmony magic would be unable to harm me when I use my dark magic. Hence the gem I had you infuse." I pointed out lifting my left hand. "Since you are an element holder your magic resonates with the harmony magic. You have helped me by giving me back my powers with no restraint." I said as I held up my left hand seeing a light blue magic emanate from it. Dash seized my hand holding it as she looked over She moved it around carefully examining it suddenly her fingers intertwined with mine and I jerked my hand away from her. I turned my chair so I was facing away from her. "I have work to do." I said as I put my glasses on getting right to work on the rune inlays. I heard Dash open the door to my workshop before closing it quietly I could swear I heard her quietly sob but I couldn't have that kind of life... Not ever again. I dived headlong into my work.

As long as I could work I wouldn't have to think about that. Never again.

Author's Note

Sorry for the long delay I have been very busy dealing with Life's terrors. Anyway enjoy the new chapter.

Chapter 15: Testing The Armor

Cleaning Darkness
Chapter 15: Testing The Armor

By: Major Frostwing

"You want me to what?" Luna asked as I stood there rolling my eyes. I only hand a section of my armor resting over my right forearm.

"I need to test the new armor so hurry up and fight me." I said rolling my wrists.

"But Jon we already know what would happen. I would go right through the armor if I hit you with all of my strength." Luna pointed out as I let out a chuckle.

"That would have been true in the past but trust me. This armor system will not break so easily." I pointed out motioning for her to come at me.

"Jon I will not be responsible for putting you in your death state. I refuse." Luna said with finality. I scowled as I snapped my fingers as a dark blue book appeared in my hand.

"You leave me no choice Luna you brought this upon yourself." I cleared my throat as I opened the book. "Dear Diary." I said as Luna's head flicked glaring at me.

"You wouldn't dare." Luna said as I cracked a wicked smile.

"Today I saw a cute boy. He had lavish silver hair and piercing blue eyes I thought he wa-" A blast of magic flew at me only to splash across a shield that appeared before me. I looked down at my gauntlet as it glowed a smooth purple. I raised my gauntlet tapping a few runes on it as the glow shifted becoming very dim. "Where was I?" I asked as I moved my finger along the page. Another blast of magic came this one stronger than before only to hit me a disappear. I glanced down at my gauntlet seeing that it was glowing brighter.

"Jon if you do not cease I will kill you." Luna began marching towards me as I cocked an eyebrow smiling.

"That's not likely." With a flick of my wrist my armor extended surrounding me in it's metallic grasp. The helmet was redesigned to sport a more jagged appearance with two curved horns slipping back and down the head. I tilted my head to either side eliciting a series of pops and cracks. "Ah yes here I was. He was dashing as he looked up at me. His Princess hi-" I felt a fist impact my helmet as my head slightly turned a glow spreading through the armor from the point of impact. I chuckled as I struck Luna in the chest launching her across the room as I flipped a few pages through her diary. "This is quite a good read." I said as I saw a large section of wall flying at me.

"STOP READING!" Luna bellowed as I shrugged my shoulders making the book disappear as I swiped a few runes as my armor lost it's glow. I raised my hands as I caught the wall tossing it to the side.

"Make me Luna." I said swiping a new command into the gauntlet. I saw the glow encase my legs as I charged forward reaching Luna with my fist poised to strike only to be pulled out of the air and into the opposite wall.

"Luna what is happening?" I heard Celestia ask as I got back to my feet more than a little annoyed.

"TIA!" I yelled catching her attention. "I'm trying to test the new armor can you fucking not butt in?" I asked throwing my arms up in exasperation.

"I'm sorry?" Tia said more than a little confused.

"He was reading my diary Tia." Luna complained as I rolled my eyes crossing my arms.

"Really? Gonna cry about it?" I asked as I tapped a few new commands seeing my armor shift and change with each new command. "Since Tia is here I guess we can up the test to full battle ready." I said as I swiped my hand across the runes as my armor stopped glowing entirely. "Wait a second why did it turn off?" I asked as I tapped the runes seeing nothing light up. "What the fuck?" I asked as I looked up to see Luna charging at me magic glowing on her fist. I raised my hand to seize her in my magic grip only for nothing to happen. My eyes widened as her fist got closer. The second Luna's magic impacted my helmet everything went white as the armor absorbed the magic before redirecting it right back at Luna's arm destroying it and along with it I felt half of my face just disappear. Luna launched across the room as I collapsed to the ground in a heap.

I awoke with a start looking about the room to see I was now in that stupid healing pod. I couldn't help but let out a sigh. "Awake I see." Nova said as I saw her sitting to the left of the pod. "Luna is very pissed at you for that little stunt." I raised my arm feeling across my face. "Her arm is back and the same can be said about your face. What the hell happened anyway?" Nova asked as I thought over everything.

"I think that activating all of the runes gave the armor a weird synergy that is way to destructive." I said as I tilted my head still thinking it over. "I will have to stick with a few synergies that I know will not do that." I snapped my fingers as I teleported outside the pod with a stumble. "How long was I out?" I asked as I flicked my wrists clothing myself.

"Only a few hours we found a way to boost the healing process of these pods." She said leaning against it. "So was your test a success?" I looked back to her before turning my attention to the armor that was sitting in the corner of the room.

"Perfectly. Just need to be careful of activating all of it." I said as I held out my arms to the side as the armor stood up melding over me. "All in all I have the greatest weapon against Shackle. And he will not expect it." I said as I tapped a few runes turning a few systems online. "Just need to tweak a few of the runes and this armor will be perfect. Last time was a fluke this time... There will be no mistakes and I will grind Shackle to dust." I tightened my fists until the metal creaked with stress.

"I can't believe he read my diary... Just to get me to test his new armor." Luna growled crossing her arms. "I even lost an arm because of it." Celestia let out a sigh rubbing between her eyes.

"Jon died as well let's not forget that." Celestia said as Luna only let out another harrumph. "Nova can you explain what all Jon was trying to test with his new armor?" I nodded my head.

"Jon's new armor system is some very delicate and very complex rune circuitry. The entire armor is covered in runes to allow him to activate different armor systems. Shielding, strength, speed, and a bunch of new systems that we have not seen yet. This armor must have taken days just to carve the runes into it just to get it to work. And from what I read of the report of the fight. Jon activated all of the systems and created a synergy that is volatile not only to the attacker but to the wearer as well. The armor seems to be impervious to all forms of attack and something even more strange seems to be surrounding the armor. I don't know what it is but the armor seems to be a dead spot." I said moving my papers around to read my notes.

"You mean a magical dead spot?" Celestia asked as I nodded my head. "Just what is he doing with that armor?" Celestia asked tapping her chin.

"I do not care I am still very cross with him about losing an arm." Luna said as I sighed.

"When I talked to Jon he didn't know that would happen." I pointed out as Luna only scoffed. "Anyway if it is try and Jon created a magical dead spot as his armor that would be extremely dangerous for him. He is only kept alive by his magic. If all of his magic were to disappear then Jon would simply cease to be alive. Thousands of years of being alive would crash down on to him in seconds. There would be nothing we could do to keep him alive for his magic to return." Luna stopped pouting as she looked to me.

"Do you think Jon made his armor for that exact reason?" She asked as I shook my head.

"No. I think Jon created this rune inlay for the purpose of taking his item of power out of the equation. if the armor acts like a magic dead spot when he activates it then that means magic would not work on him no matter how much we threw at him. You could call upon all the powers of the sun and the magic would just splash across the armor harmlessly." I said as Celestia thought this over.

"Onto another issue with Jon." Luna began flicking an image of Jon across to me. "What do you know about his new upgrade?" Luna asked as I looked over the image seeing the spikes jutting out of the top of his shoulder.

"Dash informed me about what had happened and... about something else..." I said letting out a long sigh. "About the upgrades Jon implanted a new gem into his left hand that had been infused with Dash's magic and took the old gem and implanted it into the bone in his bicep. Jon's magical prowess has been restored with a few benefits. The shards of harmony magic are no longer restricting him of his magic."

"You said he had Dash infuse a gem with her magic?" Celestia asked as I nodded. "With her connection to the elements the harmony magic must be pulled towards the gem thus allowing him to have no restrictions to using his magic through the rest of his body. A very roundabout way of going about it but the theory was sound." Celestia mumbled before smiling. "He is crazy but that is what gave him his genius in magical theory." I nodded my head before going over my last bit of notes.

"Sadly we have another problem. Dash seems to have fallen into a bit of a depression." I said as I caught the attention of the two rulers.

"What could be wrong? She was happy and well a few days ago." Luna asked giving her sister a confused look which was returned by Celestia.

"She got a little to close to Jon and he pushed her away. Metaphorically speaking. She opened her heart to Jon and he shut her out so heavily that it seems to have affected her psyche. She doesn't really smile and seems to have lost her appetite. Party Popper tried to help cheer her up but was only pushed away. We have to help her otherwise she might lose her connection to the elements." Celestia let out a sigh rubbing her forehead.

"The only thing to do is for Jon to try and fix what he did... But doing that will be damn near impossible."

"I don't think so. If we inform of Jon of the situation then he will try and fix this with all of his power." I said as Luna nodded her head.

"Then we know what to do. Let's try to get Jon to fix this mess." And with that the meeting concluded and I made my way to Jon's Workshop. Hopefully he could fix this.

Author's Note

Merry Christmas everyone. Hope you enjoy the new chapter.

Chapter 16: Showing The Truth (DARK AF)

Author's Note

WARNING: I got pretty dark with this chapter but I needed to, to show everyone why Jon has fully cut off his heart.
This chapter is dark as fuck so read at your own risk.

Chapter 16: Showing The Truth (DARK AF)

Cleaning Darkness
Chapter 16: Showing The Truth

By: Major Frostwing

I walked solemnly through the castle keeping my eyes forward as I thought over the talk I had With Nova. It made me feel terrible that my own closed off heart had hurt Dash. I will have to explain it as best as I could why I had to do it. I gripped my hands into fist picking up my pace towards Dash's room. I stopped just before the door raising my hand to knock when I faltered. "What if she doesn't want to talk to me?" I asked myself as my hand began to shake. "What if..." My fist dropped to my side as I took a deep breath letting out a sigh. I leaned forward resting my forehead on the door with a thud.

"Hello?" I heard Dash as as I heard movement behind the door. "I swear to god Party I don't want to have a feel better party I just want to be left al-" I took a step back from the door as it was ripped open to reveal a disheveled Dash looking at me in confusion then her eyes filled with hurt. She went to close the door but I was quick to catch the door.

"Wait! I just want to talk." I said as she tried to shut the door with all her strength... The door didn't budge.

"Just go away. You already did enough damage as is." She said as I continued to hold the door. "Just leave me alone you heartless bastard." I winced at that insult but it was deserved.

"Please Dash. You deserve to have the truth." I said as she stopped pushing the door.

"It's about Bright heart and Red Line isn't it?" She said as my heart seemed to stop. "I know I can't compare to Red Line but I really wanted to show you that I am not just some speed Junkie or some athletic nut." I lowered my head sighing.

"They were only part of why I didn't return your feelings. I can show you the real reason but only if you want to honest truth. No lies and no misdirection. I will show you what happened to make me close it all off." Dash continued to stand there before she opened the door slowly.

"Show me the truth. Show me what hurt you so bad." She said a fire in her eyes. I let out a sigh pulling out my phone dialing a number.

"Luna. Come to Dash's room... I am going to show her the truth." I hung up as I stepped into her room sitting down in a chair.

We only had to wait a few minutes before Luna showed up looking between us a sad frown on her face. "Are you sure about this Jon?" Luna asked as I looked up to her before looking down at my hands clenching them before sighing.

"She deserves this so do it." I said moving over to the bed laying down. "Run her through the procedure." I said closing my eyes.

"Dash what I am about to do is put all three of us asleep. Jon's dream will be altered to be memories. His memories can not lie to you nor can you change them. You will be with me the entire time. The memories that Jon is going to show you... Are you sure this is what you want? Once we start I can't pull us out." Luna said as Dash looked to me before looking at Luna.

"Yes." Dash answered which was answered by Luna's sigh.

"Lay down next to me and I will begin the spell. Just... Just be prepared for the worst." Luna said as her magic seized my mind as I began to drift off to sleep.

A field so calm and peaceful. A gentle breeze moved the grass as I looked up at the clouds seeing them move at a lazy pace. I smiled as I leaned back in the grass continuing to watch the clouds before a familiar site came into view. "Princess Luna isn't this a beautiful day?" I asked as Luna sighed tapping my forehead as suddenly I became aware of my surroundings. "What the hell?" I asked as I sat up looking around only to see everything fall away. "I'm dreaming?" I asked confused.

"Yes. You wanted the truth." Luna reached down to me helping me to my feet. "Let us be off." Luna's horn lit as I found myself suddenly floating in a field of stars. "You are in the realm of dreams. Come Jon's dream is over here." Luna said grabbing my hand as we floated over to a shuddering portal of purple. The colors of the portal were shifting between black and purple but the jagged nature of the portal intimidated me.

"What is wrong with his dream?" I asked as Luna set her hand on the portal. The portal seemed to be more erratic.

"That was a nightmare... I just put him into his memories. I don't know which is worse. He is fully conscious of us going into his memories so if it jumps then that is him changing memories. You stay right beside me." Luna said as I nodded my head looking at the portal as it continued to spaz and freak out. Luna walked into the portal pulling me into the memories of Jon.

When the world came into focus I saw Jon playing with a small child that couldn't be happier. They were laughing and giggling as they tossed a ball around. It was adorable to see Jon so happy. Suddenly the dream flickered to Jon standing before a grave before cutting back to Jon and the child playing.

"What was that?" I asked as Luna sighed.

"Jon's memories trigger darker memories. Every happy memory is just a dark reminder of what happened." Luna said solemnly.

"JON! BRIGHT!" A woman called as I looked to the owner of the voice. She was beautiful as she smiled to the boys. Jon looked up smiling at her. A rush of memories flicked across my vision before settling once again. "There you two are. Dinner is almost done come and get cleaned up." She said as Jon got to his feet passing the ball to Bright smiling to him. They both walked to the woman as Jon gave her a small peck on the lips.

"Thanks Red." Jon said as he held the door open for Bright and Red.

The memory flickered and shifted to a now grown up Bright standing in a line of soldiers he was saluting Celestia as Jon walked down the line of soldiers. He had his armor on sans the helmet which he carried under his arm his blades rested on his back as he inspected each soldier carefully. A few of the soldiers sweated under his gaze but he moved past one before they would break. Bright on the other hand didn't falter as Jon turned fully to him looking him over.

"He grew up so fast." A rumbling voice echoed through the world. "Not a single piece of gear out of place and not even so much as a scratch on his armor. He really went all out to make me proud." Jon stared right into Bright's eyes. "When did your eyes change Bright? When did you get so mature?" Jon broke eye contact moving down the line once again not once looking back.

"Before you ask that was Jon talking to himself. He has a bad habit of muttering to himself when in private as well." Luna said as she looked at Bright. "His son was a great soldier hell bent on succeeding his father as The Fist. He was tough but kind. A big heart for all of his men and only justice for those that would harm the innocent... Just like his father." Luna said as she seemed to slip into her own memories.

"DO YOU SWEAR YOUR LOYALTY TO EQUESTRIA!?" Jon bellowed as the soldiers stood at attention answering his call.

"YES SIR!" They all answered as Jon shook his head.

"SPEAK UP YOU FUCKING WORMS!" Jon yelled back. "I'M FIVE FEET AWAY AND I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" Jon turned walking the line once again. "DO YOU SWEAR LOYALTY TO EQUESTRIA!?"

"YES SIR!" The yelled even louder.

"DO YOU SWEAR TO PROTECT EQUESTRIA!?" Jon asked as he finished walking the line before turning again.

"YES SIR!"

"DO YOU SWEAR TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT!?" Jon asked as his eyes focused on Bright once again but this time only one voice was heard.

"YES SIR!" Bright answered

"If I can protect everyone then I can be stronger than you daddy." A childish voice rumbled through the memory.

"PRINCESSES! MAY I BE THE ONE TO INTRODUCE THE 112TH BATTALION! THE EQUESTRIAN HAMMER!" Jon yelled as the men saluted the princesses not moving.

The memory shifted once again to Jon sitting in a hospital room holding the hand of an aging woman. He looked so young compared to her. "Jon... How is Bright doing?" the old woman smiled sweetly asking Jon. He smiled to her yet it was filled with sorrow.

"He is doing alright Red." He gripped her hand tighter but continued to smile to her. "He is captain of his battalion now and he knows how proud you are of him." Red smiled as she went to speak only to let out a ragged cough. Jon was there to help her with a glass of water.

"He is such a good boy. Always trying to make his parents proud." she said once she got her breath. "You'll keep him safe won't you?" She asked as Jon took a shuddering breath before nodding a tear rolled down his cheek as he held her hand close.

"I'll always protect him Red. I promise." Jon said as Red's eyes went distant before they settled on Jon once again.

"I'm sorry but who are you?" Red asked as she looked confused at Jon.

"It's ok Red. It's me Jon you remember me." Jon said as he smiled to her once again. Recognition sparked in her eyes as she smiled sweetly to him.

"Jon... How is Bright doing?" Red asked as the memory dissolved shifting to a new memory.

"Red was diagnosed with magical decay. Her own magic began to eat away her memories... She began to forget who the ones she loved were. Jon stayed with her the entire time until she stopped remembering. Even then Jon tried to remind her who he was until her passing day." Luna let out a sigh as she wiped away her tears.

The next memory appeared showing Jon standing before Red's grave he stared down at the grave with Bright next to him. The body was buried only a few hours ago but Jon had yet to leave.

"Come on Dad." Bright said setting his hand on Jon's shoulder only for Jon to seize Bright by his suit lifting him off the ground rage in his eyes. As fast as his rage boiled it just as quickly disappeared only to be replaced by shock and concern as Jon released Bright. Jon took a step back away from Bright looking terrified at what he had just done.

"I-I'm Sorry I just..." Jon looked back at the grave sadness filling the atmosphere of the memory before become a crushing depression.

"It's ok Dad." Bright said as he reached out to Jon only for him to back away once again. "I'll be here when you are ready." Bright said as Bright turned walking away leaving Jon alone once again. He stepped back to the grave as memories flowed across my vision. Some looked happy and then the dark ones started to overtake the good.

Suddenly the memories stopped as Jon sat in a room a gun in his hand. The memory looked different almost like it was coated in static the only things in the room that had clarity were Jon, the gun, and the stain on the wall. The room smelled of death as Jon continued to sit there staring at the gun. "This time for sure." Jon said as the gun went to the side of his head and the memory disappeared.

I couldn't help but put my hands to my mouth in horror. Luna looked even more shocked than me. "I never knew... He was trying to forget that he even did this." Luna said as the next memory kicked in with Jon in the same room yet this one was clean and seemed to have been repaired. He was doing paperwork for something before he raised it with a smile.

"Red Line Memorial Orphanage." Jon said as he double checked all of the paperwork. "Did I miss anything Moon?" Jon asked as what we were seeing shifted and began moving.

"Not a single bit of info was missed Celestia will have to approve especially since you are funding the entire project out of pocket. I'm glad to see that you are coming back to us." A female voice said as Jon Smiled.

"Red would approve of this." Jon said as he got to his feet making his way for the door.

The memory disappeared before reforming to Jon standing with Bright's head in his hands. Luna gasped in horror as the memory began to play. "This was... The day Jon lost everything." Luna said as the memory seemed to jump and stutter before a deafening silence.

"Bright..." A soft voice said echoing through the memory. "Who would... Why would..." The soft voice continued before the memory began to shake and shudder. "Hunt them down." Jon's voice returned rumbling in distortion. "Slaughter them. They shall pay for this." Jon let out a piercing wail of despair. "I failed you Red." Jon's voice rang as the corruption began to pour off of him. "I couldn't protect him. If I can't protect the one closest to me... then what good am I?" Jon asked himself as he disappeared. The landscape changed to a town over run by Minos. The memory jumped between scenes of slaughter and bodies being turned into stains on the ground.

The memory flickered to Jon walking past Twilight. "May I never have to do this again." Jon said as he teleported away. "If I let no one in... I won't lose them." Jon's voice rumbled as the world began to shake as fall apart.

"Jon is forcing himself to wake up. Come along Dash." Luna said as I looked at Jon standing before me a sad smile on his face suddenly everything went white.

I awoke slowly sitting up rubbing my eyes. I looked over to see Luna comforting Dash she was giving me a sad frown as I looked away. "Sorry. You wanted the truth and I gave you all of it. The two people that were the closest in my heart and what happened to them. If you hate me for it I understand." I said running a hand through my hair. "I know I do." I said as Dash crashed into me hugging me as tight as she could.

"You put yourself through that hell. Everyday just because of one mistake you can't do that. It will tear you apart." Dash said as I sighed setting my hand on her shoulder. "Why can't you just forgive your mistake?" She asked.

"The promise to my late wife was made with all of my heart. When I failed to keep my son safe I found just how weak I really was. not because I let people into my heart it was because I couldn't keep one simple promise. That promise..." I felt Luna's hand on my shoulder. "That promise haunts my every waking moment. But it is my burden to bear and serves it's purpose." I said getting to my feet. "I will never be weak ever again. I will protect the last things that mean the world to me no matter what. At any cost." I moved to the door opening it before smiling. "You are one of the people I want to protect no matter what Dash never forget that." I walked through the doorway closing it softly.

Chapter 17: The Start

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 18: Pushing The Limits

Cleaning Darkness
Chapter 18: Pushing The Limits

By: Major Frostwing

"Faster." I muttered as I swung only for my blade to clash against Shackle's. "Come on move faster and hit harder." I muttered as I swung again and again only for my blade to be deflected and parried. "COME ON!" I roared as I used all of my strength hitting Shackle's blade again as a shower of sparks launched him back.

I went to charge forward only to catch a bolt of magic across the visor of my helmet. I raised my arm as the light filled my vision and a sudden grinding against my chest caught my attention. "Is this all you have Jon?" I heard Shackle ask as I punched his blade away before taking another swing. "You seem to be slowing down." Shackle taunted as he jumped back dodging the swing with ease.

I took a few deep breaths glancing down at my right hand to see smoke beginning to pour out of it. "I'm limiting myself otherwise I would end this to quickly." I said once I caught my breath.

"Well if you aren't going to stop holding back then I won't hold back anymore." Shackle charged forward in the blink of an eye as I swung only for Umbra to halt and pain to rocket across my chest. I was thrown back from the swing before something caught my foot pulling me back. I opened my eyes to see a fist coming right for my face. The fist impacted my helmet slamming me into the ground. I bounce once before a second hit put me back into the ground once again. When the spot started to clear I saw Shackle holding his blade up about to slam it down through me. I quickly rolled out of the way pushing myself back to my feet. I blink the last of the spots away as Shackle pulled his blade out.

"Come now Jon stop holding back and fight me." Shackled threw his arms wide as I flipped my visor up wiping a bit of blood out of the corner of my mouth.

"Lucky shot." I said flipping my visor down as I mentally screamed in frustration. "If I turn the armor system off then I will get fucked up by a lucky shot... Just like last time." I shook my head revving Umbra once before charging once again with one terrifying thought running through my head. "Why do I feel slower and weaker?"

"Something is wrong Luna." I said as I watched Jon fight against Shackle.

"I see it sister but what could it be? Jon should be at full power now." Luna said before crushing a soldier with her mace.

"He isn't using his magic but if anything that shouldn't be affecting him this heavily. Something is definitely wrong." I said as I watched Jon charge right into battle. "He seems to be getting slower... What is wrong Jon?" I asked as I cut down another soldier.

"Jon..." I said as I looked to Nova, Twilight, and Cadance as they watched the fight from afar. "Princesses. Something is wrong with Jon." I said catching their attention. They looked at me before looking at Jon fight.

"We know." Nova said as she continued to watch with a critical eye.

"His right hand is smoking as if he is experiencing a magical burnout but he hasn't cast a single spell." Twilight said as I looked more closely to see that she was right.

"Then what is causing his magical burnout?" Cadance asked before Nova let out a surprised gasp.

"His armor. You know how that MK-IV armor ran on a mana battery? What if Jon never installed one?" Nova said as Twilight looked at Nova before looking at Jon.

"That fucking idiot built a suit of armor that feeds off of his own magic." Twilight muttered as she stepped forward only to be stopped by Cadance.

"You heard Celestia. We are to protect the elements at all costs and for no reason are we to move from this spot." Cadance said as Twilight let out an annoyed growl before stepping back.

"He doesn't have an infinite amount of magic if he isn't careful he is going to drain himself of magic." Twilight said as she continued to watch the fight.

"What happens if Jon runs out of magic?" I asked as Twilight looked back at me before looking at Jon.

"I don't know. Jon isn't an alicorn nor did he have innate magic when he got here. If he burns through all of his magic then he could die... and not come back." Twilight said as I went to run for Jon only to be stopped by all three of the princesses.

"LET ME GO I HAVE TO HELP HIM!" I yelled as the princesses continued to restrain me.

"You will only get in his way. Let Jon handle this Dash. He has a reason for doing this." Nova said as I continued to struggle.

"FUCK!" I roared in my head as I barely deflected a blow before retaliating only to catch a fist across the helmet. I took a swing of my own only for my arm to be caught. My world flipped as I was slammed into the ground with no regard. I saw the blade slam against my chest sparks flying off of my armor. I swung my own blade only for Shackle to back off once again. I got to my feet feeling the scratches in my armor becoming deep gouges. I glared at Shackle as he continued to smile at me spinning his own blade as he began to circle me.

"Come on Jon stop holding back... Or is this all you can do?" Shackle asked as I looked down at my right arm to see the smoke pouring out of the appendage. My eyes looked back up at Shackle only to see his blade coming right for my head. I tried my hardest to raise my blade to block it but I was moving to slow. The blade caught my helmet ripping it from my head as I was knocked back to the ground.

I struggled to get to my feet as I felt a kick to my ribs throwing my a great distance away. When I finally impacted the ground I felt the severe dent to my chest plate crushing my chest. "Why do I feel so slow? What is wrong with me?" I asked as I raised Umbra to aid me in getting up only to see my reflection. I was older. No wonder I was getting slower and weaker. My own age was catching up to me via the magical burn out. "I fucked up." I muttered as I slowly got to my feet staggering slightly I took a deep breath only to wince in pain. This isn't good I have to disengage the armor if I don't then my own armor is going to kill me. I moved my hand to touch the runes when I hesitated. "Why am I hesitating?" I asked myself as I saw my hand shaking. "Why am I scared?" I looked up to see Shackle smiling as he walked forward. I moved Umbra just as a strike was coming only to be knocked back once again. "Stop being a little bitch about this. Just turn off the relay and my magic will come back." Again I reached for the runes on my gauntlet only to hesitate again. "Stop being so afraid. STOP BEING SCARED!" I roared in my head As Shackle charged me once again. I took a swing only to be disarmed. I looked to see Umbra flying away from me. I turned my eyes to Shackle as He stood there his own blade poised to strike.

"What's wrong Jon? Scared of something?" Shackle asked as I took a step back as he took a step forward. "End this farce Jon you can't beat me." I took another step back as I raised my arms to defend myself. "Are you still going to fight? YOU CAN'T WIN!" Shackle swung only for me to charge right for him.

"SAYS YOU!" I yelled back as I tackled shackle to the ground only to be blasted off by a magical explosion. I impacted the ground struggling to get to my feet. My bones creaked and hurt under the strain the drain was putting me through. "Think Jon. If you are to scared to turn off the relay then what can we do?" I asked myself. "I need to get Umbra and I can be of some use." I looked to see where Umbra layed only to see Shackle picking up my blade. He looked it over before smiling as he tossed his own blade away before revving Umbra. "Ah shit." I muttered as Shackle came right for me a menacing purple glow shining off of Umbra. I raised my arms only to feel Umbra rake deep gouges through my arms.

I roared in pain as I took a step back to see Umbra cut right through my armor. "A perfect blade for me. Thank you for holding onto it Jon." Shackle said as he looked over Umbra with a smile. I growled in frustration tightening my fists until they cracked.

"Fuck you Shackle." I muttered raising my arms once again only to get kicked in the chest. I stumbled back before feeling pain explode across my back.

"Come now Jon I can make all of this pain stop. All you have to do is simply join me and the pain will stop." Shackle said before swinging at me again this time the blade took off my right arm at the shoulder. My armor sparked before disengaging to revert back to it's compact form. "JUST GIVE UP AND SURRENDER!" Shackle roared booting me in the face with his heel.

"I would rather die." I said as I held my face. Shackled roared in frustration taking aim a spell charged in his palm.

"FINE THEN DIE!" Shackled boomed as he launched his spell. I closed my eyes when something tackled me out of the way. I heard a woman scream in pain. When I opened my eyes I saw Dash laying on the ground unmoving. The world around me froze.

Chapter 19: Breaking Barriers

Cleaning Darkness
Chapter 19: Breaking Barriers

By: Major Frostwing

I continued to sit there staring at Dash's unmoving body. The world around me seeming to feel ice cold as I finally moved making my way over to Dash. I turned her over looking her over only to see a dark splotch crawling across the side of her face. "I can absorb the magic. If I take the ma-" My head turned as I saw my right arm laying on the ground nearly skeletalized from the magical burnout. I turned back to Dash tightening my grip on her.

"This was unforeseen but not unwanted. I was going to take the elements out after dealing with the Princesses but I guess I can check this off of my list now." I heard Shackle say as he began to circle us. "That spell I hit her with was meant for you Jon. It is quite an intricate spell designed to corrode the body using your own dark magic." I pressed my forehead against Dash's as I took a few deep breaths. "A shame that she saved you from that fate only to suffer it herself."

"Come on Dash you are stronger than this." I whispered as I shook her slightly. "Come on... Please." I held her tight against me. "No god please not another one. Don't take another one from me." My breath hitched in my throat as I felt tears sting my eyes.

"Come now Jon." I felt a kick to the side of my head knocking me away from Dash. "No time for tears on this day. I am about to make history after all. I WILL SUCCEED WHERE ALL ELSE HAVE FAILED! I WILL KILL THE ELEMENTS OF HARMONY!" Shackle kicked Dash in the side knocking her away as he cackled. I slowly got to my feet staggering over to Dash as I collapsed over top of her. "Trying to protect her with your body will not save her Jon. I WILL JUST GO THROUGH YOU!" Shackle Raised Umbra about to bring it down when I flipped over raising my left arm as Umbra slammed on my bare flesh only for a magical explosion to launch Shackle away. I looked at my arm seeing it glow a gentle blue before it faded. An idea shot through my head as I looked down at Dash's element smiling.

"Thank you Dash you just saved all of us." I said as I unclasped Dash's element looking it over before resting it over my own wrist as pain rocketed through my body. I couldn't help but yell out in pain as the element clasped and locked on my arm. "You can hurt me as much as you like but I need to do this. I just need one shot." I said as I unsheathed Solaris getting to my feet.

"YOU GOT LUCKY JON! THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN TWICE!" Shackle roared out as he stomped his way towards me. I rested Solaris on my shoulder getting ready.

"YOU WILL NOT WIN SHACKLE SO HELP ME GOD! IN THE NAME OF LOYALTY AND ALL OF EQUESTRIA I WILL BRING YOU DOWN!" All the pain coursing through me ceased as Moon was forcefully ejected from my body. Solaris began to glow brighter and brighter. The blade began to shift through all the colors of a rainbow coursing with power as I felt my wounds close and heal. "Just one shot. Better make it count." Shackle charged forward swinging with all of his might as I stopped his attack with Solaris. Our blades locked together as I got face to face with Shackle.

"This little farce will not stop me Jon." Shackle growled out as I cocked a smile.

"You are feeding off a power that is not yours Shackle it is you who is a farce." I flicked my finger as Shackle was launched backwards. "MOON!" I boomed as I looked over my shoulder at her. She looked up at me fear in her eyes. "Get Dash out of here and keep them safe. I got some shit to settle with this fake." I turned back as my skeletal arm returned to me sans the crystals. The arm reattached before healing over completely. I flexed my right hand looking it over before turning my attention to Shackle as he made a mad dash for me. I cracked a smile as I flicked my wrist seizing him in my magic grasp. Shackle roared in pain as I began to crush him in the harmony magic.

"You are near death. Without your stupid dark magic. YOU SHOULD BE WEAK AND PATHETIC! WHERE ARE YOU GETTING THIS POWER!?" Shackle roared as I sighed raising Solaris up.

"Let's just say you did the one thing you should not have done. You took something precious from this world." I took off like a rocket winding up my swing as I hit Shackle in the shoulder cutting right through him. He took a few steps back no harm done to him.

"I knew it. That blade can't hurt me. I AM INVINCIBLE!" Shackle began to cackle manically as I rolled my eyes as he took aim to launch a spell only for nothing to happen. "WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!?" He continued to try and force a spell only for nothing to happen.

"Solaris doesn't cut physically. It cuts Ethereally. I just temporarily cut off your magic flow. Normally I don't use Solaris because even with someone using magic I can tear them apart but with that damned armor nearly getting me killed I thought I should even the playing field." I grabbed Shackle by his armor as I flipped him over my shoulder slamming him down to the ground with such force he bounced. On Shackle's way up I raised my leg putting him back to the ground with a stomp. "Not as much fun when you are on the receiving end is it?" I asked As I swung Solaris straight down only for Shackle to roll away. "NOW THAT WE GOT A REAL FIGHT LET'S FUCKING GO!" I roared charging forward.

"Sweet Faust." I said as I watched Dash take the hit for Jon. Luna was watching with me as Jon made his way over to her. Luna went to step forward when I seized her shoulder. "No Luna Jon told us to control the army while he dealt with Shackle. He can still do this." I said as I watched Jon get kicked aside.

"Sister this is a lost fight Jon has no weapon and no magic. If we do not interfere both he and Dash will die." Luna said ripping her shoulder free Only to cut down another soldier. "Are we just to let them die?" Luna asked as a blinding flash caught our attention. We both turned to look at Jon as he seized Dash's element before attaching it to his arm.

"DEAR GOD JON NO! DON'T DO IT!" I yelled as Light began to radiate from Jon as he stood drawing Solaris off his back.

"YOU WILL NOT WIN SHACKLE SO HELP ME GOD! IN THE NAME OF LOYALTY AND ALL OF EQUESTRIA I WILL BRING YOU DOWN!" Jon roared as we saw Moon being forced out of Jon as the light only got brighter.

"No Jon the element will reject you and without your magic..." Luna said as she went to move forward again only for me to grab her again.

"He knows the risks Luna. All we can do is hope his one shot hits." I said as Luna looked away only to charge back into the thick of combat. She did not want to witness what was about to occur and if I was being honest with myself. Neither did I.

"Dash you fool. What were you thinking?" I muttered as I watched Jon fighting with his new found power. It was painful to watch Jon fighting with a limited amount of magic. A flash of dark purple caught our attention. We looked down to see Moon out of breath holding Dash in her arms.

"She has a dark magic infection I don't know what spell was used and I can't stop it." Moon said fear in her eyes. "Help her please. If she dies then we all lose!" I knelt looking over Dash's wound noticing the dark magic slowly crawling across her body. I went to touch it only for pain to arc up my arm making me recoil.

"Twilight I need your help breaking down this spell." I said as Twilight joined me looking over the corruption closely.

"It's almost like what Jon was going through when he first arrived. When he first connected with Moon. The only problem is that the corruption was in his right hand and we were able to easily isolate it. She was hit in the chest and it is quickly advancing through her body." Twilight said as she rummaged through a bag before producing a purple bracer looking it over closely. "As long as the corruption doesn't fully corrupt her then we can save her. But this will not hold it back forever." Twilight clasped the bracer on Rainbow's arm as she let out a scream of pain. "I know it hurts Dash but deal with this pain it will help you." Twilight said as I looked back at the fight happening below.

"Is there really nothing else we can do?" I asked as I heard the girls step forward setting their hands on the bracer.

"Come on Dash you can pull through this." Party said as I saw her element begin to glow.

"Jon is down there fighting with your element you can't give up on him." Tender said as her own element began to glow.

"Come now Darling show us that toughness you brag about so much." Ruby smiled as her element began the same glow.

"You can't Die yet. Not until we settle that fight." Lasso said her element glowing.

"Come back to us Dash. We all need you." Aura's element began that same glow before they began to pulse with power. I looked down at Jon seeing him begin to radiate light.

"Sweet Faust the elements... They are granting him a shot." I said as I continued to stare at the fight below in amazement.

I found myself standing in a white void. I knew I was fighting Shackle just a second ago what the hell is going on? I turned around to see Dash and the rest of the girls surrounding her. Behind them stood the other bearers of harmony. I couldn't help but smile as tears streamed down my cheeks.

"Rainbow Dash, AppleJack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rose Thorn, Engraved Silver, Calm Wind, Gentle Grace, Apple Blossom." I said as each one looked up at me smiling softly to me as I walked forward When I finally reached them I embraced them tightly. "You have no idea how much I missed you." I said as they all returned the hug.

"We can not talk for long Jon so listen carefully." Rarity began as the others nodded.

"The elements are granting you one shot at their power." Rainbow Dash said with a cocky smile.

"You have to use it to stop Shackle and remove your relic of power." AppleJack said tipping her hat to me.

"You can not miss this one shot." Pinkie Pie said with a giggle.

"You have to succeed." Fluttershy said smiling sweetly to me.

"But I don't even know how to activate the elements. How am I supposed to use this one shot without the spell?" I asked as Thorn chuckled.

"You already have the spell." Silver said smiling to me.

"That awesome sword of yours." Thorn said crossing her arms.

"Your blade was hit by the Harmony Spell." Calm Said adjusting her glasses.

"The spell is imbued with the sword." Grace said with a small giggle.

"Solaris is the key." Apple Blossom said as I looked to each of them.

"Solaris... But what is I miss?" I asked as they each smiled nodding to me.

"You can't miss Jon. Not if you hit him." They all said as the void disappeared as I returned with my blade locked with Shackle's.

I couldn't help but crack a smile as I backed off using my magic to swat Shackle away from me. "I think it is about time we finished this Shackle." I said as I held Solaris at the ready.

Shackle let out a roar for blood as he charged me swinging with all his might with Umbra. I swung upward as Umbra shattered under the force of our attacks. Shackles eyes widened in surprise and fear as I swept his feet out from under him as I brought Solaris down. Solaris impaled Shackle to the ground as he yelled in pain trying to push Solaris out of himself.

"THIS ENDS NOW SHACKLE!" I raised my left hand as my chest began to glow brightly before it traveled down to my left hand which I clenched into a fist. I slammed my fist down on the pommel of Solaris as a bright shock wave of chromatic light shot out engulfing everything around me in it's warm embrace. When the light faded I was standing there over a stone corpse of Shackle my relic of power laying down on the ground next to him. I looked at Solaris only to realize I was holding a decrepit blade that seemed to be wasting away in my grasp. I smiled sadly as the blade turned to ash in my hand. I knelt down picking up my relic walking towards the castle only to stagger slightly. I nearly fell over when someone caught me. I looked up to see Celestia holding me up.

"Jon." She said as I smiled up to her weakly.

"I don't think I got much left in the tank Tia... Mind helping an old fool? Just for a little longer?" I asked as Celestia smiled lifting me up before taking flight to where the girls were. "I really fucked up didn't I?" I asked as Celestia smiled sadly.

"You can make it up to us later Jon. Just hold on a little longer and you will be fine." I nodded my head slowly as we finally touched down where Celestia layed me down on the stone next to Dash.

I looked at Dash seeing that old bracer resting on her left wrist as her skin was nearly black as pitch except that hand. I reached out grabbing it gently. "Thanks for that one shot." I whispered as I pulled myself up seizing the element that rested on my left wrist unlatching it as I secured it to her own wrist. Slowly the darkness slowed as I felt a sudden chill run through my body as Moon returned to me. I still felt old and weak as I set my hand on her forehead. I let out a grunt of pain as the corruption was pulled into me reverting Dash to her normal self. Once the magic was completely pulled out I removed my hand collapsing to the ground once again.

"Jon!" I heard the girls yell as they gathered around me. I still held my relic tightly as I slid my arm into the glove.

"Under the car... The pod. Take me there... I fixed it." I said as darkness crept along my vision. "I'm gonna take a... A nap... Wake me up... later." I closed my eyes as darkness claimed me in an instant.

Author's Note

Double chapter posting because I am bad at making really long chapters. So enjoy. The epilogue is next.

Also! The music for this chapter. It fits the best in my opinion. Enjoy.
Disturbed The Light

Chapter 20: The Pod

Cleaning Darkness
Chapter 20: The Pod

By: Major Frostwing

I carried Jon to his shop in a hurry. My fellow Princesses along with the elements of harmony followed just as quickly. When we pushed the doors open we were surprised to see how clean the room was compared to every other day when the room was trashed. My eyes locked onto the car as I seized it in my magic tossing it into a wall with no regard to the vehicle. Once the vehicle was removed a section of the floor began to glow before slamming down into a set of stairs. I looked down at Jon in my arms before moving down the stairs carefully.

"Princess what is this room?" I heard Aura asked as she carried Dash on her back.

"I do not know. I have never seen this before." Nova answered as she looked at the craftsmanship of the hallway. "Jon must have spent a great deal of time building this... But when did he start?" She asked confused.

"I would have to say Jon started construction as soon as he got here. This looks exactly like the laboratory he used in Canterlot." I said as the stairway opened into a large amphitheater.

"I would guess that what Jon put in his workshop is what he deemed safe to be found and everything else..." Luna looked at all of the blackboards with crazed writing all about them along with papers strewn across multiple tables. "He kept down here." Luna moved over to one of the blackboards looking it over with a critical eye.

"This is amazing." Twilight whispered as she moved over to a desk looking over the papers.

"Girls we don't have time. Find the pod he mentioned." I ordered as everyone turned their attention to me nodding.

It didn't take time to find the pod it was covered by a tarp along with four more machines that were broken or flat out destroyed all except the last two. When we looked closer we saw signs of more machines to be built. We looked at the M.H.A.S. that stood before us but there were large cables running from it to a large covered object. I seized the tarp pulling it off to reveal a giant crystal glowing with dark magic.

"We don't have time to question all of this we have to hurry." I said as the machine opened giving off a gentle purple light as I set Jon in the pod. The door closed as the machine powered on slowly giving off a menacing darkness that obscured our view of Jon.

"How long should the machine take Celestia?" Twilight asked as I looked to the pod seeing a timer start making my eyes widen in shock.

"It says 3 years 5 months 22 days 6 hours and 12 minutes. He is going to be stuck in this machine for so long." I said as the girls looked to the pod sadly. I moved to one of the last intact machines looking it over to see a name carved into the lid. "Atmospheric Latency Induction Collection Operating Reconstruction Network MK 4." I name at the object carefully before it all clicked in my mind.

"Girls put Dash into this machine. I think Jon created these machines to help all of you in case something happened." I said as the girls looked at the machine before nodding their heads. The door of the machine opened only to let out a torrent of white light. We all had to shield our eye before the light died down. Dash was deposited into the pod as the door slid close. The machine began to hum loudly before the light returned ten-fold. We all looked away from the machine as it began to spark and go critical. The machine detonated covering the area in smoke. We all coughed and tried to clear the smoke when the smoke was forced away from us by a large gust of wind. I looked up to see Dash floating in the air wings outstretched and an ethereal white glow surrounding her. I was in shock as I saw a horn resting on her forehead.

Dash landed with a light tap as she stumbled slightly holding her head. "Ow fuck... What happened?" Dash asked as she looked up to see all of us looking at her in shock. "What? Did we win? Did Jon beat Shackle?" She asked as I walked forward looking her over carefully. "Princess Celestia is something wrong?" I reached up poking Dash's horn as she winced backing up. "What the hell was that for?" She asked as she raised her hands up to her forehead only to feel the horn. She tapped it a few times before she began to hyperventilate. "Princess what happened? WHY DO I HAVE A HORN!?" I let out a light chuckle smiling.

"Jon you crazed fool you found a way to make an alicorn just to save the girls if something were to happen." I told myself as I looked to his pod before turning to Dash who was still freaking out. "Breathe Dash. You are now an alicorn. Jon created a machine that would help save you in case something went wrong. The machine turned you into an alicorn be infusing you with pure harmony magic. It will take time to adjust to but you should be fine. Jon on the other hand..." Dash whipped around staring at the other machine still running as she went to run to it as I caught her hand. "Jon is fine. The machine is helping him recover his magic. He needs time before he can come back so please be patient.." I said as she stopped struggling looking at the machine sadly.

"How long will he be in there Princess?" She asked as I let out a sad sigh.

"Not to long for us. Only three and a half years. He will be alright Dash now come with us we have much to talk about." She nodded sadly as we all made out way out of the laboratory.

Author's Note

I lied I need to tie up some loose ends before the Epilogue so enjoy. And yes the name of the machine is A.L.I.C.O.R.N. so yea.

Epilogue: Walking Once Again

Cleaning Darkness
Chapter Epilogue: Walking Once Again

By: Major Frostwing

A set of rhythmic beeps roused me from my sleep. I let out a groan before there was a loud hiss of air and me gracefully landing on the ground face first. A second groan escaped my throat as I slowly got to my feet stumbling slightly as I got my bearings. I ran a hand through my hair scratching at the back of my head as I blinked the weariness out of my eyes. "Ah fuck how long was I out this time?" I muttered letting out a yawn. I glanced to my desks to see that they were barren my groggy mind din't register it at first before I suddenly felt very awake. "WHERE THE FUCK IS MY RESEARCH!?" I yelled as I ran to my desks looking through all of the drawers on the desks. I picked up one of the desks throwing it across the room. That's when my eyes landed on the destroyed machine that sat a little bit away from mine. I let out a shrill scream as I ran over to the machine looking it over carefully. "HOW DID IT FUCKING EXPLODE!?" I roared getting to my feet making my way up to my workshop.

Once in my workshop I saw my car resting against a wall it's hood caved in. Another scream of horror. "MY CAR!" I yelled as I looked it over not daring to touch it. "Who would do this to you?" I asked as I looked to the door to my workshop. I flicked my wrist as the doors flew off slamming to the wall across from them startling a few guards. "WHERE THE FUCK IS CELESTIA?!" I demanded as the guards looked at me shaking in their armor as they pointed down the hall. I stomped off but not before trowing the guards to meet a painful knockout via the doors.

As I stomped my way towards the throne room I left craters the entire way. Muttering my rage about what happened to my research and my car. When I finally arrived at the throne room doors my foot connected with them rather violently as they slammed open shattering against the marble walls they were mounted to. "CELESTIA!" I roared when I saw her as she turned around to smile at me.

"Jon. I'm glad to finally see you up and about. A few people are waiting for you to finally return. I bet they will be excited to see you." The entire time she spoke I kept walking towards her a glare on my face. "I-Is something wrong?" She asked as I seized her by the throat lifting her off the ground.

"MY CAR! MY RESEARCH! WHAT HAPPENED TO IT ALL!?" I asked shaking her as she gagged under my grip.

"I-in hurry..." She coughed out. "Twilight..." I saw her eyes begin to roll into the back of her head when I finally released her as she grabbed her throat gasping for air.

"You broke my car because you were in a hurry... And Twilight took all of my research?" I asked as she nodded her head. "Ah." I tapped my chin thinking it over. "Makes sense. What happened to the other machine. I saw it exploded but that should not have happened." I pointed out waving my hand.

"That's what I want to tell you. We put Dash into the machine and it healed her... With some side effects."

"You mean she turned into an alicorn? Well yea the machine is connected to the tree of harmony after all took forever to run the cables for it. You shove enough Harmony magic into a person and they ascend. I did study that spell ever since I saw you perform it on Twilight." I pointed out taking a seat on the throne. "Now then how long have I been out? I hope it hasn't been more than a hundred years." I said offhandedly.

"Only three and a half Jon." I looked to her shocked before noticing my relic was sitting on my hand.

"I see. I will have to run a few calculations over why that is." Celestia finally picked herself off the ground clearing her throat a few time.

"Do you need to be so rough on me? I'm still young and beautiful after all." I looked at Celestia with a raised eyebrow combined with my best flat look. "... OK I am at least beautiful." My look did not falter as she let out a sigh. "You wound me Jon." I cracked a smile tapping her lightly on the shoulder with my fist.

"Come on Miss Young and Beautiful. I want to go over the fight with everyone... And melt down my armor and start over... Fucking thing damn near killed me." I muttered out annoyed.

"Alright Dash let's try this again. You need to focus your mana to your horn and then push with your mind. Shape the mana and pick up the feather." Twilight explained as Dash stared at the feather a glare ever present as she tried to burn the infernal object with her stare alone. A few sparks escaped from her horn before she let out a frustrated yell flipping the table. Twilight could only sigh as she magicked the table and feather back into place.

"I CAN'T DO THIS!" Dash yelled as she glare at the feather once again.

"Well it's no wonder you can't lift the feather. You got Twilight teaching you. She is a scientist not a normal run of the mill magic user." I said as I walked into the room levitating the feather up letting it rest on it's tip in perfect balance. Dash got up turning around as she heard my voice. She looked at me in shock as I gave her a two finger salute. "Sup?" I said as she took off like a bullet tackling me to the ground in a bone shattering hug. I let out a grunt as she kept squeezing.

"You damned fool." She sobbed still holding me.

"Oh come on I don't stay down long. And I am back ready for whatever is coming my way." I said as I returned the hug.

"It is good to see you up and about once more Jon." Twilight said as she walked over. "But Dash still has to work on her magic." Twilight said adjusting her glasses as Dash let out a growl of frustration.

"Mind letting me up for a second Dash I got to chat with Twilight about something very important." Dash begrudgingly let me up but she didn't release my hand. "Don't worry I ain't going anywhere." I said patting her head with a smile. "Now then Twilight. I will be taking over Dash's magic training since I am a better teacher. Also have you seen my research?" I asked as she began to sweat taking a step back as I let out a sigh. "Twilight. Twilight. Twilight. Curiosity killed the cat after all." I said with a shrug as I flicked my wrist materializing my pistol as I planted a round in the center of Twilight's forehead. Twilight jerked as she collapsed to the ground her eyes wide in shock as she was put in her death state. "Sometimes literally." I let out a sigh as I looked to Dash.

"Now then let's get started on your magic. It's very simple. Think of it like this. Pick it up with your hand." I said motioning to the feather. Dash reached down grabbing the feather before I stopped her. "You can feel your hand grabbing the feather right?" I asked as she nodded her head. "Now close your eyes and keep holding onto it just focus on holding it." Dash complied as I slowly took her hand away from the feather. "Are you still holding it?" I asked as she nodded. I looked at her horn seeing it glow a gentle blue. I looked to feather as it began to glow in the same light. I moved her arm down to her side slowly. The feather continued to float spinning in lazy circles. "Open your eyes." I said as Dash opened her eyes only to gasp in shock before her concentration broke making the feather fall. "That's simple telekinesis. Soon enough you will be able to use it in combat like me. But first you need to practice it and then we will move onto more advance spells." I smiled to her as she smiled back.

"Thank you Jon." She said as I shrugged.

"Come on Dash Let's go find Luna. She probably has what is left of Umbra." I said as I looked at Twilight's corpse seeing the hole already beginning to heal over. "Before Twilight wakes up and gives me a lecture." I said seizing Dash by the hand as I ran out of the room.

Didn't take us long to find Luna as she was staying in a guest room most likely waiting for my return. She was busy sleeping in her bed as it was still day. I cracked a smile as I snuck into the room with Dash right behind me. I looked to dash motioning to cover her ears as I looked back to the sleeping Luna throwing my arms wide. "MORNING SUNSHINE!" I boomed as I clapped my hands together releasing a shock wave of sound. Luna launched out of the bed clinging to the ceiling with her bare hands. She was taking rapid deep breaths before looking down at me glaring daggers. I on the other hand was on the ground rolling in laughter.

"That's not funny Jon." Luna grumbled as she dropped to the ground landing on her feet. "I am glad to see you awake and well." I stopped laughing for long enough to get off the ground.

"It's good to be back once again Luna. Do you happen to still have Umbra?" I asked as she smiled activating her magic as A bunch of broken bits of corrupted metal clattered to my feet.

"This is all we could recover." Luna said solemnly as I waved off her sadness.

"That's more then enough. I can still feel him." I flicked my wrist as my magic activated surrounding the pieces as the sword began to rebuild itself before our very eyes. I moved the magic carefully as Umbra was complete once more. I seized the blade looking it over carefully smiling softly to it. "I'm sorry old friend. You know I had no choice." The blade was silent before it revved violently. "Thank you." I said as I dismissed Umbra rolling my wrists. "Are we able to reforge Solaris?" I asked Luna as she looked at me with uncertainty.

"You would have to ask the elements to help you create a new Solaris." Luna said as she scratched the back of her head uncertain about something.

"Did something happen in the last 3 or so years?" I asked as Luna let out a squeak.

"Nope nope nope nothing nothing at all." Luna said as I glared at her. "Well... The public are a little eager to see you return once again. Especially after that reporter recorded the entire fight live for the entire country." I raised a finger to say something only to lower it slowly.

"I'm supposed to do some press conference or something of the sort aren't I?" I asked as Luna nodded. I couldn't help but let out a sigh face palming.

"Oh come on Jon the people are very happy to have you back. They have waited patiently for the last few years for your return. Hell even the guards want to present you with something for helping them defend the castle." Dash said as I rolled my eyes letting out a groan.

"Fuck... Let's just get this over with. When is the conference?" I asked Luna as she looked down at her watch.

"In about 5 minutes." She said as I wrapped my hands around her throat.

"WHY DO YOU FUCKS ALWAYS DO THIS TO ME!? WHY IS IT ALWAYS LAST SECOND WITH YOU DAMNED ALICORNS!" I yelled as I shook Luna violently.

I made my way towards the throne room since that is where the conference was to be held. I looked over myself still seeing the cuts and damage to my clothes from the fight with Shackle. "If I had more time I would have showered and changed." I muttered as I began to see the reporters near the entrance. I took a quick peek over the heads of the people before me to see Celestia, Twilight, and Nova standing on their raised dais talking with the reporters. I set my hand on Dash's shoulder snapping my fingers as we both teleported next to the other Princesses. A few seconds later Luna joined us.

"Ah Jon I see you didn't get changed." Celestia said as I pointed at her glaring daggers at her.

"We will talk later." I said before turning to the reporters. "Are you all recording?" I asked as they nodded their heads. "So uhhhh... What do you guys want to know?" I asked as they started yelling out their questions only for me to flick my wrist silencing everyone with a dark purple mist. "Alright should have seen that one coming. I will only accept a few questions and one at a time. Alright?" I asked as they nodded. "Good now then lets start at the back." I flicked my wrist once again as the mist disappeared. "You with the red hair." I said pointing at a female reporter in the back.

"Yes I wanted to ask about the fight. What was going through your mind while you fought against Shackle?" I tapped my chin sighing.

"Rage. Hate. Fear." I began rubbing my hands together in a weird display of weakness. "I would be lying if I said that fight went exactly how it should have. My armor was killing me slowly and I was getting my ass kicked by Shackle. If the element of Loyalty didn't accept me for that one shot everything would have died. I couldn't let that happen." I said as I pointed at another reporter this one a male with yellow hair.

"How could you not have accounted for such an oversight like your armor failing? If our survival was on a gamble then how can you expect us to trust your next gamble will fail?" He asked as I looked at him before looking to Celestia who was about to step up to say something.

"I never expect any of you to trust me. To be honest I don't fucking care if any of you trust me. I mean over three years ago you all thought I was some villain and feared me until it came out I was actually a hero. The ones who stand behind me are the ones I can count on because we are the ones who step up and put everything on the line." I said jerking a thumb behind me. "And to answer your first question. I learn from my mistakes." I snapped my fingers as the armor in question appeared next to me only to melt into a chunk of lunar steel. "Next." I said pointing at a female reporter in the front row. She had light purple hair and was calmly waiting as if she knew I would pick her.

"I was there with my crew recording your fight against Shackle. I just want to know one thing. What are you going to do now?" She asked as I looked down at her before looking at the princesses and elements that stood behind me. I flicked my eyes over the crowd of reporters before nodding my head.

"I swear on my life that I will continue to protect this country and it's people from all forms of destruction. I am the Fist of Equestria and it is time I took the mantle up once again and crush our enemies with no hesitation. Let them come. I am ready to stand and fight once again." I slammed my fist against my chest nodding my head. The room exploded into cheers as I turned back to the Princesses kneeling before them. "I am your fist use me to crush all who will threaten us. Use me to protect those under our charge. Use me to defend this great country." I lowered my head as Celestia summoned her glaive. Luna summoned her mace. Twilight summoned a rapier. Nova summoned a spear. Cadance summoned a crystal short sword with a shield. Rainbow held up her element.

"You are our fist." Celestia began smiling down at me as she rested her glaive on my left shoulder.

"We will use you to help those who can't defend themselves." Twilight said resting her rapier over Celestia's glaive

"We will use you to crush our enemies." Luna said resting her mace on my left shoulder.

"We will use you to defend our country." Cadance said resting her short sword over Luna's mace.

"We will use you as a symbol of hope." Nova said setting her spear over Twilight's Rapier.

"Uhhhh... We will..." Dash tried to think of something important to say as I couldn't help but chuckle. "Support you?" She asked looking to her fellow princesses as they each giggled nodding their heads. Dash smiled setting her hand over Cadance's Short Sword. I bowed my head low as each weapon was raised off of me.

"Rise Jon. The Fist of Equestria." Celestia said as I got to my feet turning back to the crowd of reporters raising a hand.

"You all know where to find us." I said as I snapped my fingers as The elements, the Princesses, and myself teleported to a different room of the castle. "I think that went pretty well." I said turning back to everyone smiling. "Now if you will excuse me I am gonna go get some food. I am starving." I said kicking the doors to the room we were all cramped into exiting with a pep in my step.

Author's Note

And that is Cleaning Darkness. I am currently working a non-cannon story of the S.A.A.B. series and will be posting that when I get around to finishing the thing. anyway I hope you all enjoy.

Bonus 2: Moving On

Cleaning Darkness
Bonus 2: Moving On

By: Major Frostwing

"Cadance I don't think this is such a good idea." I said as I was being pushed towards Jon's workshop. "I mean he is probably very busy. You know with the whole rebuilding of his armor and all of that." I said trying to stop from being pushed towards the door.

"Nonsense. Jon would love to see you trust me. I am the Princess of Love after all. Now." Cadance said kicking the door to Jon's workshop open before throwing me into the room. "Go get 'em." Cadance closed the doors locking them with her magic.

I slowly got to my feet looking at the door solemnly. "WHAT DID I TELL YOU FUCKS ABOUT KNOCKING!?" I heard Jon boom from his underground laboratory. I gulped as I began making my way down the stairs toward the large amphitheater. "Ow dammit Moon be gentle that's my ribs you are shattering right there." Jon muttered out as I entered the room to see Jon on a table with Moon standing over him performing some weird surgery. I let out a gag As Jon looked over to me. "Oh hey Dash what are you doing down here. I put a sign on the door and everything saying I was not to be disturbed." Jon said as he let out a yelp of pain. "MOON SERIOUSLY! JUST CONNECT THE RELIC THIS DOESN'T FUCKING TICKLE!" Jon roared only for a loud bang to echo out as something on the other side of the room exploded.

"Quit being a baby about this just hold still and it won't hurt... as much." I looked on as Moon lifted Jon's relic of power setting it in his chest. The second the relic was placed and connected to his magic Jon's eyes went wide in shock before he let loose a scream of pain. Jon's entire body glowed a menacing purple before a shock-wave launched off of him throwing everything around him including me against the walls. When I was finally able to clear my head of the cobwebs I saw Jon standing his chest healed up but he was in his Nightmare form breathing heavily.

"Oh this feels really fucking weird. Like every ounce of my being is saturated in magic." Jon closed his eyes as the nightmare receded once again. Jon stood there his eyes closed as his magic moved about the room moving everything around to what it was when I walked in. "This is going to be fun. Now what did you need?" Jon asked as he walked over holding his hand out for me. I seized the hand as I was pulled to my feet.

I fidgeted about trying to think of how to word my question. Jon for his part just stood there a cocked eyebrow his arms crossed. "W-well... I uh. I wanted to ask. If you maybe I don't know. It's just something stupid. Honest let's just drop it." It was impossible to even pitch the question to him. He probably wanted nothing to do with me to begin with. He made it know so long ago. "I'll just see myself out." I turned to walk away when I heard Jon chuckle.

"You know something strange happened when I used the elements that day." Jon said as he went over to his desk moving some papers about before lifting a folder up smiling. "I got to see the old bearers of the elements along with you guys. It was... good to see them once again." He set the folder down opening it going through it's contents. "It made me realize something that I was to blind to see what was right in front of me." I turned walking towards Jon as he spoke. "The death of Bright Heart. The death of my son... It was an accident that could have been avoided if I was there with him. But If I was there... If I was always there with him through every battle and every war. He wouldn't have grown into the man he was. The promise I made to Red was doomed to break when I let him go to war. But." Jon turned another page running his fingers along the page smiling. "A father knows when to let their child leave the nest and their protection. Bright made the choice when he became a soldier and I think it is time I... Let go of the past. Not forget mind you but I think it is time I came to terms with what happened."

I stood there silently listening to what he had to say when he turned around. "I think it is time I moved past this depression and became stronger then ever before." He set his hand over his recently healed chest right where his relic now sat. "Become something I haven't been in a long time." He smiled to me before he reached up wiping my cheek with a thumb. "And it is time I try love again and maybe just maybe I can find someone who can return the love I give them." I smiled as my tears flowed freely. "Now dry those tears and lets go for a joy ride. I don't even care where but let's go raise hell and have some fun." I laughed between my happy sobs nodding my head. "Sweet also do me a favor real quick. Go up the stairs and give them one solid kick. And I mean really give those doors one hell of a kick. They can take it." He whispered as I nodded as we both came up the stairs.

Once we were at the doors I looked to Jon as he nodded. I raised my foot giving the doors a taste of my heel as they swung open violently launching everyone that was gathered at the doors listening in.

"AND THAT'S WHAT YOU FUCKS GET FOR LISTENING IN ON A PRIVATE CONVERSATION!" Jon yelled as I let out a laugh as I saw that all of the princesses were in a heap against the opposite wall. "Now if you will all excuse us. We have a hot date on the town. Come on Dash I bet we can make the town go crazy with the hell we are going to raise." I couldn't help but throw my fist in the air letting out a cheer.

Author's Note

Jon has grown up even if it was just a little bit. Sometime we need to put our trauma behind us and move forward to become stronger than what we once were. It is part of life and sometimes necessary. I am happy that all of you have stuck with my series for so long and hope to see you all again in the next installment Aptly named "Fractured Darkness."

Chapter 12: Trouble With Dealing With Monsters

Cleaning Darkness
Chapter 12: Trouble With Dealing With Monsters

By: Major Frostwing

"Do you think this is really a good idea?" Tender asked as I only rolled my eyes.

"For the last time Tender. Nova asked us to go to the Chasm and gather the crystals." Aura said as they continued to move through the dangerous terrain. "Plus with all of us I'm sure we can handle whatever the chasm can throw at us." Aura said flashing Tender a smile.

"No doubt anything that comes at us is gonna get one hell of an ass whooping." I said as I flexed my arm. Ever since I ask Jon for some tips on work outs he has been training me in some exercises to increase my strength and stamina. I think I have been making real progress.

"Now calm down there Dash we aren't here to start any fights we just need to gather the crystals and be on our way." Ruby said looking at the depressing granite walls that flanked them.

"Come on girls this should be fun and when we get back I can throw us all a party." Party said skipping her way through the terrain without a single care.

It took us hours just to get to the chasm and we each knew that we would have to camp here after we found the gems. We were gonna be here for a few days at minimum due to the rarity of the crystals we were looking for. We were now just trying to find a good spot for us to set up the tents and get a fire going.

"At least it isn't getting to dark down here." I muttered out adjusting my backpack slightly.

"We should prepare camp soon so we can see what we are doing." Aura said as we found a large rock that was very flat. We each set up our tents and with the help of an anchor spell courtesy of Ruby our tents were secured.

"What are we going to do for a fire?" Party asked as she began pulling out our food for the evening.

"I got that." Lasso said as she pulled out a small bag reaching her arm into the small bag she pulled out a fer stick and logs. "Jon passed me this bag just before we left. He said it should have enough wood to last the Journey and then some. Now all we need is a small fire spell to get it started." Lasso set the wood up into a fire pit as Aura ignited the wood.

"I'll get started on dinner." Party said with a smile.

It had been a little while after dinner that all of us sat around the fire idly chatting and discussing other matters. I for some reason couldn't bother to even chat something was eating away at my attention. My thoughts were filled with Jon and that day he saved me. I know his reasoning now as to why he did that but it still filled my heart with uncertainty. Just what goes through that guy's head?

"Dash are you okay?" Ruby asked as my attention was shattered as I looked away from the fire to see everyone looking at me worriedly.

"Yea I'm fine just thinking is all." I said looking back at the fire maybe it would be ok to tell them what I'm thinking about. They are my friends after all I should not keep secrets from them. "Just thinking about that day." I said pulling my knees up to my chest.

A hand rested on my shoulder and I looked over to see Tender smiling down at me but she was still worried for me. "Do you want to talk about it?" She asked as I looked back to the fire.

"I was scared..." I said glaring at the fire. "I was so scared I didn't know what to do. It felt as if my wings were tied to me and my legs were stuck in rock. I couldn't even scream I was so scared." I felt another hand on my shoulder. "But Jon without so much as a second thought jumped in the way. I know why he did it and it makes sense but still... That courage to just jump in the way of something that could easily kill... I want that kind of courage." I buried my head in my knees not wanting them to see how scared I really was of that day.

"It gives you nightmares doesn't it?" Aura asked as I nodded. "Is Princess Luna helping you with them?" Aura asked as I nodded again.

"It's not just that, that scares me. Jon was able to do what he did that day with almost no trouble. I am scared of what would happen if he didn't care if he killed them." I said as I felt Calm wrap me in a hug. "I respect him but he scares the hell out of me. If he has trouble because he was holding back what would happen if he didn't care? Could we even stop him? Hell could the Princesses stop him?" I asked as I looked up to see the unsure faces but the one who look scared was Aura.

"There is one account of Jon doing just that." Aura said as I looked at her with surprise but she looked uneasy about it. There was an account of a General who wrote what he saw before the battle... and then an account from Princess Twilight when she arrived shortly after. It was recalled by Twilight as "The Day of No Mercy." A day that was removed from the history books along with all history of the war due to... What happened that day." Aura shivered slightly just thinking about that book.

"Tell me. I need to know what happened that day." I told Aura as she continued to look away. "Please Aura I need to know." I said as Aura finally let out a sigh looking to us.

"The war was known as "The War of Betrayal." A Minotaur rose up an army and attacked Equestria. The Minotaur was named General Heavy Hammer. They attacked a small coastal town by the name of Runway Reef. From the documents it was a beautiful town that was perfect for a vacation. One day without warning the General attacked the town he slaughtered the entire town and posed their bodies like trophies..." Aura took a sip from her canteen she looked very upset over talking about this but I needed answers.

"Jon was of course informed about this war but he was just starting his retirement. It had only been a year since the death of his wife. He was still mourning the death. Celestia dispatched the 112th battalion to handle the invasion under the command of their Captain. Captain Bright Heart. From his file he was a glorious fighter and had a big heart for his soldiers under his command. Captain Heart lead a campaign against the General pushing him all the way back to Runway Reef. He challenged the General to a duel..." Aura went quiet as she rubbed her eyes.

"What happened? Did Captain Heart beat that big meanie General?" Party asked throwing mock punches but when Aura didn't answer she lost her smile.

"Captain Bright was killed... The General sent his head to Canterlot..." Aura looked down at the fire sadness in her eyes. "Jon was there when it arrived. In a fit of rage that Princess Luna was quoted on saying. "I never thought the power of a god could pale in comparison at the rage I had witness coming from our protector." Not many know this but Jon had a son."

My eyes widened in horror. "They didn't... He wasn't..." I said as my heart seemed to freeze.

"Captain Bright Heart was Jon's only son and he was just delivered his head." Aura said as we all felt a weight fall over us. "Jon disappeared in a flash of magic and before anyone could stop him he went down to Runway Reef... And slaughtered everything."

"He avenged his son." Lasso said tipping her hat over her eyes. "But at what cost?"

"30,000 lives The General had called in reinforcements and they arrived on the day that Jon attacked." Aura took another drink of water sighing. "The quote of General Heavy Hammer goes as such."

"A man came to us... No army at his back, no artillery, and no soldiers... Just one man strode over the land of no man. He walked with determination and a hate burning in his eyes none had seen before. The Fist of Equestria had come to our steps. He did not come to negotiate he came to slaughter. This lone man was not Just Celestia's Right Fist no... he was a God. He was the God of Slaughter. Minos whisper his names. "Tyrant's Executioner." "Queen Slayer." "Nightmare Harbinger." "God of Blood." "Unyielding Slaughter." "Angel of Celestia's Fury." "Luna's Meteor." These names were not far from the truth and on that day we were shown the error of our ways. We were shown what happened when you angered a God." Aura said as she shivered once again.

"His last words were documented in a war journal. When Twilight arrived to try and stop what was going to happen she was already to late. The deed was done and blood was spilt on that day. Twilight wrote down her own quote at what she came upon."

"Death. The town of Runway Reef that was once known for it's beauty was now filled with a miasma over death and blood. It was as if you could taste the blood in the air. The ships that the army arrived in were in splinters burning in the waters of the reef. A mountain of what could only be loosely be called bodies filled the center of the town. I could hear the soldiers that I had brought with me cough and gag in disgust. This was not that new to me but this level of carnage and complete disregard for life was very new. Nothing was spared. Even the animals that were brought along were slaughtered. Everything that dared to be associated with the general were killed.

We carefully entered the town seeing only piles of gore lining the street. The building were all painted red with spatter and death. When we reached the center of the town Jon was standing in front of the mountain of bodies but the air around him suggested not to approach under any circumstance. I noticed my guards reaching for their swords only for me to stop them with a wave of my hand. When I looked back up at Jon he was staring right back at me. His eyes a sinister green burning with malice and rage. I knew this man before me was Jon yet at the same time... He was not a man he had ascended to a power most would call a god. Suddenly he looked to his right and my eyes followed only to see the general's head resting on a spear a look of absolute fear on his face. I looked back to Jon to see that the rage was gone as he strode forward towards me. I could feel my fear rise up almost like a vice on my heart. He only said one thing to me as he walked past me and my guards." Aura paused taking a deep breath once more she looked exhausted just telling the story.

"May I never have to do this again." We each looked to each other before looking at Aura confused.

"Princess Twilight continued to say that Jon teleported back to Canterlot to report what he did but the records were destroyed. Celestia wrote the book detailing everything that lead up to the battle including the Quote of General Heavy Hammer and that of Princess Twilight. She wrote in her own words a theory about what Jon meant by those words. She says that Jon refused to let anyone else into his heart so he would never do what he did again. It seems to be the only thing that Jon regrets ever doing. There isn't even a date for when Jon attacked but The Princesses leave Jon alone for that one day so he may mourn." Aura said as the weight that surrounded us seemed to disappear.

"Jon truly is terrifying isn't he?" I said as I tightened my grip around my knees.

"If Jon is that powerful then why does he fight for the Princesses?" Ruby asked as I thought back on what Jon told me.

"Without the elements the world falls to darkness and that makes everyone fall into that same darkness. There has to be some form of light in this world. Without it and the world will never recover. I saved you because the world needs that little ray of light. I fought for the light by being the bigger shadow. The shadow on shadows so to speak. So dark that I caused the real monsters in the dark to shudder in fear. A shadow protecting the last bits of light in this world from harm. I would gladly die for that little light to live on. No matter how hard you all fight you will never eradicate the darkness because no matter what. I will always be right here." I said as the girls looked to me as I let out a weak laugh. "Jon said that to me when I asked him why he saved me. I see what he meant by being the bigger shadow." I looked up at Aura she looked so tired.

"Thank you Aura. I'm sorry it made you so uncomfortable to talk about it." She smiled at me shaking her head.

"No problem Dash I am always willing to talk with you about anything. You are my friend after all." I smiled back to her as Ruby cleared her throat.

"I would like to move on to a lighter subject if possible." Ruby suggested as we all agreed to the change in subject matter.

The next two days of searching yielded no results of the rare crystals. Why the hell were we searching for these crystals anyway? "Aura does this Crystal even exist?" I asked as I floated next to the girls lazily.

"It was a crystal that was planted by Jon thousands of years ago. We need to gather it otherwise who knows what will happen." Aura said as she climbed over a rock that was in her way.

"I know exactly what will happen." A voice said catching all of our attention. I looked about trying to see where that voice came from. "That crystal known in the underground as "Hate's Heart." is a dark relic created by Jon said to harness the very essence of his hate." A flash of light erupted behind us as we all turned around to see Iron Shackle standing there holding a fist sized crystal in his hand it was black as pitch swirling with dark purple light. "And I hold that very crystal in my hand." I landed getting ready to fight only for Iron to chuckle at us. "I hold one of the most powerful artifacts of dark magic and you think you can take me?" Iron raised his hand a bolt of magic flying forth as a bubble shield was raised in front of us shattering from the bolt.

I heard Aura scream in pain behind me as I took off flying as fast as I could in such a short distance swinging with all my might only for my fist to be caught. I saw Lasso next to me her own fist outstretched and caught all the same.

"Pathetic." Iron muttered as I felt myself being swung right into a rock wall. Pain exploded in my head and back. I looked up to see Iron straight kick Lasso into the girls her turned his attention to me looking down at me with a smile on his face. "So much power from such a small crystal I can feel it's power coursing into me even now." He grabbed me once again this time in his magic I felt a crushing pain all around me I tried to break out of the grip only to hear something break. "Oops looks like I broke one of your wings. I will have to just break the other one just to balance it out." I felt more pressure on my wings as I let out a scream.

"LEAVE HER ALONE!" A voice boomed through the cannon. I saw a blur slam in the side of Iron throwing him into the other wall of the canyon. I dropped out of the air only to be caught by someone.

"Worry not Dash. We shall deal with this trash." I looked up to see Luna had caught me. I looked forward to see Princess Celestia standing there her hands clenched into fists. She flicked her wrist as a glaive appeared in her hand without warning the glaive ignited into brilliant flames lighting up the shadows around us.

"Iron Shackle under decree of one of the Princess' of Equestria I sentence you to death." Celestia raised the glaive ready for combat only for Iron to let out a bout of insane laughter.

"I think not Celestia I will not die here there is more work to be done before our final battle." Iron threw a giant bolt of magic only for it to be deflected by Celestia's blade. Iron Shackle was gone and with it the crystal.

"Coward." Celestia spat out dispelling her weapon turning back to us. "Are you girls alright." Celestia came up to us.

"I'll be alright Princess Just a small burn out nothing to be worried about but Dash is hurt pretty badly." Aura said as Celestia looked to me.

"I'm ok Princess we have to get that maniac." I tried to get out of Luna's grip only for a haze to fill my mind.

"Sleep young Dash that fight will come soon enough." I tried to fight off the sleep spell only to feel my grip on the waking world slip away. "We shall... to Pon-... -pital..." I closed my eyes as sleep claimed me.

I awoke with a start panic gripping me only for a hand on my shoulder to stop me. "Hold still I'm trying to fix your wings and it is a very delicate process." I was breathing heavily as the nightmare of that day once more ran through my mind. "Calm down you are in good hands. Just be happy I know how to do this so quickly. Otherwise this would take months to fix." I slowly calmed down looking over my shoulder to see Jon there. A blue magic surrounding his hand as he ran it over my right wing. "Glad to see you calmed down finally. Be very happy it was a small fracture and not a shatter." I saw Jon raise a crystal in his hand shattering it as the blue glow became even more powerful.

"How long have I been out?" I asked as he only shrugged.

"I heard what happened to you and came down here to do this. I would have to say maybe a day if that. They wanted to put you in that stupid healing pod thing but again that would have taken way to long." Jon shrugged as he continued to work on my wing. "Should only take me a few hours to finish this up correctly. I also dealt with that concussion you had. I get that you want to be a badass like your's truly but you are not immortal. You die you stay dead so pick your battles wisely and remember that you have a destiny to protecting the light just like me." Jon scolded but I know he was worried I could hear it in his voice.

"I'm sorry." I whispered as he patted my shoulder lightly.

"Don't worry about it. You get hurt I can fix you up no trouble Just try not to break these wings of yours. They are special and need to be cared for just like any other part of the body." Jon let out a chuckle as I felt my wing shift.

"What about you? There are stories of you getting an arm cut off and just putting it back on like it was nothing." Jon let out another chuckle.

"Think of it like this. Everyone has a special kind of magical signature which make traditional healing so slow since you are trying to use your magic to force things back together. For me I don't need to force my magic on another magic source to heal my arm. I just use a standard healing spell and my magic resonates with it's self speeding up the process. But right now I am basically forcing my magic to adapt to yours so I can speed up the healing of your wing. Problem is it drains on my more than normal since I am again. Forcing my magic to be something it isn't." I felt him shrug. "That makes sense?" He asked as I shook my head.

"Not even a little." I heard him sigh.

"I'm doing magical shit that I'm not used to to help your wing heal." He said sounding slightly annoyed. "I brought you a book to read cuz this will take a while." I saw a book wrapped in purple mist float in front of me. "101 Ways to Kick The Teeth Out of a Skull. A book by your's truly. It's quite a good read if I do say so myself. I also brought an adventure book if that isn't your cup of tea." I saw another book float before me as I seized it opening it up. It was gonna be a long few hours.

Author's Note

By the way I will be writing up The battle report of the Day of No Mercy as a bonus chapter because for some reason I like you people. Hope you enjoy the long chapter.