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.