I don't remember much of what happened after teleporting. It was all blurry and pain was making it hard to stay awake. The outline blur of Chrysalis panicked above me. I may not know where I am, but I could feel the outside cold air indicating that we were above ground again. My only wish was to get out of the crystal catacombs unharmed.

Well, I guess that matters little now considering how I could possibly still be infected by that crystal thing. I thought I would fall unconscious, but before I could, Chrysalis splashed some cold liquid down on my face.

4:00 AM, Twilight's Castle

Twilight paced in the castle's library frantically mumbling to herself. Spike could clearly see how stressed she was at the moment. He figured it was her usual princess duties getting the best of her. Spike smiled warmly gathering up a breakfast tray walking into the library balancing the tray perfectly in his claw. He had set aside the dish for the princess before presenting the dish to Twilight.

Spike was the same green and purple drake he always has been, but during the pass five years the boy had changed physically and grown taller during those years. His arms picked up more muscle and tone to them while he stood at 4'6" now.

"Hey, Twilight. I made your morning pancakes." Spike said cheerfully trying to brighten her spirits.

"Thank you Spike." the Princess of Friendship replied in a somewhat quieter tone sitting herself down in a chair. She made no further attempt to eat the pancakes.

Spike sighed expecting this, so he set the tray on the coffee table next to the chair Twilight sat in. The drake knew when she is stressed out like this her attention gets too focused on the task at hoof. She tends to put the task even above her own well being. Spike set himself down in a chair close by to Twilight looking back at her with a tingle of worry lingering.

"At least try to fill your stomach, Twilight." Spike said sternly.

Twilight just pulled out a book, from a shelf nearby, in her magic like she didn't hear him. The drake sighed in defeat, in times like these it was best to let her tire herself out rather than convince her. He got up heading for the exit.

"Spike?" Twilight called out.

"Yes Twilight?" Spike asked turning back around to face the alicorn.

"What...did you think of Shadow,.... you know, before the Worldquake." Twilight asked the drake.

Spike wondered where that question came from, but he decided to not attempt to press the origins of such a question. "Well.... I thought he was a real nice stallion. I was a bit concerned that we still know next to nothing about him, but...... I just knew deep down that he wasn't going to do us harm. I know, it sounds weird."

Twilight couldn't believe what Spike was saying to her. And the strange thing was she felt the same way. The closest source that she could find on the stallion was based on a reports Nightmare Moon gave to her five years ago and the villain: Rufusdraco, yet there is more to this creature than his evil intentions. How did Twilight know this extra bit of intel? She overheard a conversation Shadow was having with Nightmare and Zecora when he was bedridden from severe injuries dealt by the same monster. The princess had a feeling Nightmare Moon was really close to the stallion. On that thought, she needed to get the time to visit Zecora sometime.

The connections between his past grew stronger when Lord Hades recognized Shadow as well. Somehow, Shadow is connected with these two major villains. Only a couple problems: Hades is dead and Rufusdraco hasn't been seen since those five years ago which leaves her nothing to research about Shadow. Twilight has even looked in every book in all the major libraries across Equestria to find something that even remotely relates to the Lord of Darkness. The only way to get information about him was to get it out of Shadow himself. He's tight lipped about anything involving his past and previous achievements though.

"I should have shortened his time more. He must have known how shocked I was to see him alive." Twilight thought to herself.

"So.....how are the Mintaurs of Minos with us?" Spike asked a bit more skittish than previously.

All the countries of Equis were paranoid by the Worldquake, even the ponies of Equestria. However, the Mintaurs were the first to blame the leaders of Equestria on causing such a natural disaster. Some words were said to each other at the World Meeting before the two countries became sort of rivals against each other. Now the King of the Mintaurs: Cloven Hammer, decided to make an embargo with his allies against Equestria. His allies, Japony and the Griffon Empire, supported him with the embargo. Twilight only knew because of the spies that the princesses sent to gather current information on Minos. At this rate, everyone was just holding their breath for all out war.

"It's not good. Cloven declared an embrago against Equestria. That is only driving everypony into fearing the worst is about to come." Twilight said.

Spike seemed even more worried before a sad expression took it's place. "If only Shadow was here. Maybe he could help calm everyone down and explain what happened. You said that he knows the most of what happened on that day." Spike said with a tinge of hope.

Twilight wanted to say the truth to him, but if word gets out then what little resistance holding Equestria back from going to war will be shattered instantly with a boost of misplaced confidence and possibly confusion. Honestly, Twilight thought they depended on Shadow too much back then over the years. They went as far as labeling him a hero of Equis at one point. The Princess of friendship could never understand what made that stallion so trustworthy in the first place. No pony ever earns everypony's trust and respect in under a year of murdering a few villains. But then again, Twilight knew the truth of the matter.

The Princess of Friendship gets up from the chair walking silently out of the library. She paused at the doorway remembering something.

"Oh. Set the pancakes in my room, Spike. I'll eat them when I get a chance." She said.

Spike happily did what was asked while Twilight head into the throne room. She sighed in frustration sitting on her throne chair. Twilight looked around the Friendship Map seeing all of her friends' separate thrones. A light glow of gold on her cutie mark broke her trance as her cutie mark insignia flew from her flank placing itself on the map in front of her.

Her confusion grew thinking this was a friendship call mission. However, the only mare's cutie mark to appear on the map was hers. She viewed the place her cutie mark swirled over. Twilight had never seen the mountain marked on the map before until now. The name of it appeared in her mind seconds later.

"Mt. Sheartop." Twilight said the name of the mountain out loud.

The golden light around her cutie mark glowed brighter for a few seconds before disappearing completely. Twilight sat on her throne a bit disoriented before getting up and calling Spike. The drake came as soon as he could hearing the urgency in her voice.

"There you are Spike. I need you to send some letters for me." she said frantically moving into different rooms to pack some things up for the trip.

Spike got nervous seeing her so active in what felt like forever. "To who?" He asked preparing a parchment and a scroll.

"Celestia. I need you to to write it down word from word."

5:00 AM Canterlot Castle

Celestial was just about to return to her chambers. Today had been high with tension making it a busy week for her. Nobles across Equis insulting each other and evidence of crimes flying everywhere created mayhem in the court system.

"The nobles are nothing but foalish bastards that don't understand the concept of having power."

It made her wonder what such ponies would do if they received total power. Celestia dreads to even think about the damage or state Equestria would be in. Regardless, taking a nap sound like a good idea at this point. Then a scroll engulfed in brief green fire lands on top of her king sized bed. She got a bit irritated and was going to simply read it later, but Twilight's seal imprinted on the scroll itself made her second guess herself.

Celestia walked over picking up the scroll before unraveling the message:

Dear Celestia,

I'm just imforming you that I won't be in contact for a few days. Given the sudden place that was brought to my attention. I could be close to something big going on which is why I'm sending you this letter.

Do you know of a mountain called Sheartop? The friendship map marked it, sending only me to investigate. If I caught you at a bad time than please ignore this.

Your friend, Twilight Sparkle.

Celestia's mind flipped like a switch, all tiredness fading simultaneously. That name brought back memories... dark memories. But, for some reason, those memories were still quite foggy in her mind. Why was Celestia panicking? She had no idea why, but it feels like that place should have stayed a secret. If Twilight finds what is inside......

Maybe I'll have to kill her...

Celestia bolted out of the bedroom and down the hallway charging up her horn. Panic still plastered on her muzzle. A moment later, she teleported without a trace.

5:20 Unknown Valley

I really hated this. I'm not one to complain, but it pains me to say that I feel worse than the crud on gears. Whatever I did to Rufusdraco just so happen to hurt the bastard. That at least brought a smile to my face. It didn't change the fact though that I still feel abnormally tired.

Chrysalis sighed obviously annoyed. "Why in tartarus can't you get up? All of your wounds have been healed. You should be fine. They weren't that deep anyway." She said.

I felt too tired to come up with something smart to say. "It's not that, Chrysalis. My body is fine. That's not what is making me feel exhausted."

"Really, then what exactly is making you so tired?" She asked

I had to pause for a moment to find the right words. It's was kind of strange to say out loud, but it's like I used my innerself during that fight.

"I-I don't know. All I know is it felt like I used my own body to fight." I said.

Chrysalis looked at me like I was crazy for a brief second before sighing. "Well, whatever, it doesn't matter anyway now." Chrysalis said finally.

I looked around seeing that we were somewhere in a valley with lush green grass as far as I could see. I made an attempt to get up but failed. Chrysalis stepped in supporting my weight to carry me on one side.

"Thanks."

"It's the least I could do. No sane mare would have helped the Queen of Changlings." Chrysalis replied back with a secret small smile.

We marched forward in the valley searching for something to eat. I'll admit, I can not scavenge to save my life. However, I was lucky to have Chrysalis by my side showing me the ways of survival. We didn't get all of what we needed until the sun set to the west. It showed a sliver of its beauty radiating itself proudly even when about ready to be consumed in the darkness. Yet, it didn't last long as Celestia herself seem to finally put the celestial body to sleep. The moon arose in the sun's place radating brighter than ever before amongst the sky. A smile lit up on my face admiring the other celestial body greatly.

A tinge of jealousy burned in my chest, yet a solemnly ignored the feeling all together. Hatred was never the answer.

I looked back to Chrysalis who went ahead starting a fire that crackles cracked brightly into existence. She fed the fire some more sticks before keeping the fire at a manageable level. We sat beside each other in silence before I spoke first.

"Why didn't you use your magic to start the fire?" I asked the changling.

Chrysalis slightly shifted beside me. "I used the remaining amounts of magic I had to heal your wounds. I was able to snatch some off my tormentor over the time she was around me." I could almost feel the hatred for the mare coming off her as she spoke.

"You feed off of love to get magic, right?" I asked causing Chrysalis to tense up but nods. "I was thinking, maybe I could share some love with you. After all you'll have to be in peak shape for us to put up a fight." I said.

The changling grew quite allowing the embers to continue its soft crackles. Chrysalis got closer before directing my head toward her face. Before I could react, she pulled me into a deep kiss causing my eyes to widen in shock.

The shock didn't last long causing me to loosen up under her tounge war against me. However, her tounge seemed to be too much for me as shoved mine back into my throat. I couldn't help the moan from escaping my throat. Chrysalis smiled through the entire assault before breaking the kiss and rubbing my back.

I snapped out of my trance before glaring at Chrysalis dangerously. "Next time do that with a warning would you!" I scowled at her.

She didn't listen though. "Oh, Nightmare admit it. Your reaction was hot and on spot. You would think you had done this before." Chrysalis purred getting uncomfortably close while a blush spread across my face.

The changling laughed seeing my adorable expression. "No I do not!" I retorted back.

The night went on as we laughed and sometimes told a few daily life stories to each other. Our laughter and giggles died down eventually before Chrysalis looked back at me with a sense of nervousness.

"Hey Nightmare?"

"Yes?" I asked.

The changling sort of paused thinking about her answer carefully. "How exactly did you meet Shadow Faze? I've always wondered why you were kept alive even for what you did in the past. By all means you should have been ripped to sheds by the Elements of Harmony at least."

"Well, that's a loaded question. Where to begin," I said to myself before starting off. "The truth is Chrysalis that I was the wicked Nightmare Moon the ponies of Equestria feared at the time. Even Celestia was wary of my mighty power over her precious sun. Luna was my vessel to greatness. And I would have succeed too if it wasn't for Shadow intervening."

Flashback: Nightmare POV

I stood on the throne of the once beautiful castle made for the Princesses of Equestria. It was called the Castle of the Two Royal Sisters. "How original."

I couldn't help, but feel angry, so damn angry. Why did Celestia had to be the only one praised while I was left to be forgotten? She didn't even acknowledged my problems or the purpose of the diarchy system that was made! Uncle Nightgaze was right. This world is nothing but land fit for only the strongest. Nothing will stop me this time though. I'll make sure of that. No more slip-ups.

A set of hooves clattered on the broken tile heading straight for me. A lavender mare showed herself to me lit by the moonlight I provided. I couldn't help a confident smile to spread across my face as I chuckled darkly at the new intruder.

"So, you managed to find me? It's either that, or you just are really good at tracing down somepony's magical signature." I commented calmly making sure to keep my eyes on the stone elements around me.

However, the gaze of the lavender mare, that was filled with fright, turned into determination. She snorted sending some smoke from her nostrils before stomping the ground a few times.

At this point, I thought the mare lost it completely. She thought she could challenge me, the Queen of the Night?! "You're kidding. You're kidding, right?" I asked.

The mare didn't listen however running toward me. "So be it then."

I teleport my trusty close courters blade: Silent Night in my grasp. It was a flawless indigo sword that seem to shine like glass as if it was polished heavily with wax. However, the metal it was made out of only seem like the sword itself looked like that. In reality, the smoothness was a light coding as a result of magic buildup. And since I have been in the side moon for a thousand years, well, let's just say that that sword is very pent up. It made the weapon even more lethal than intented while giving it the ability to swing faster than normal swords could. I dashed at my opponent while her horn seem to light up.

However, the horn defused as fear set itself in overriding her determination. I didn't waste a heart beat going for the kill. I slashed downward.

All I remember next was a black figure blocking my path using its own black sword to raise above to protect the lavender unicorn mare. This caused both swords to collide with each other sending some sparks in the air. My eyes widen in absolute shock. This....pony moved so fast I couldn't register the speed.

My shock died a bit as I examined the pony closely. The figure appeared to be a black unicorn stallion. He wore a pair of torn shorts and a blood stained shirt that was also torn. I could also tell he was heavy injuries before, something fierce. I didn't know what though since it healed over itself. The last thing I was able to register was his dull red eyes. But something was very peculiar about them though. Unlike the other pony eyes his pupils seem to stay widen at all times. I couldn't meet his gaze her long feeling something strangely evil about them.

I brushed it aside though. The lavender mare stumbled moments later to the ground while the unicorn stallion and I clash blades together displaying each others skill in combat. Something primal rose inside of me though like nothing I felt before. And I couldn't control it either. My hatred for the bitch Celestia was absolute and raw, but this feeling...... Felt completely more....intoxicating than that.

Getting myself drunk on the renewed hatred, I grit my teeth as we fight each other in fierce combat. I could tell the advantage I had over the bastard, but I felt the need to vent a bit. "You dare intervene you filthy wrench! Do you know who I am?!" I bellowed out in his face.

A surge of raw power filled my body as I slashed downward on the defending black stallion. He dodged in time before I ripped the stone tile apart with that swing. Debris went everywhere while the stallion took this time to back off me.

"I am Nightmare Moon and nothing is going to stop me from taking Equestria as my own, bow to your Queen!" I added on dashing at him with new determination preparing my blade.

However, the stallion paused in place for a moment before something appeared in his eyes that didn't seem magical in any sense of the word.

"NO!" He yelled at me.

His tone and volume gave me pause to my charge. I even nervously stepped back a bit. "What's making me feel this way? He's just a worthless lowlife that barely can avoid my attacks. Why should I be afraid of this bastard?"

I was proved other wise as the stallion charged at me in a blinding speed, almost as fast as the dash a few moments ago. I tried to keep my blade up forcing me to go on the defensive. It was unreal. This cutiemarkless unicorn stallion was somehow able to match my power. It was clearly impossible unless he was an Element of Harmony. And yet here he is.

I could barely even notice that his sword was able to even cut into my armor. I started to panic inside. I began to hear the hoofsteps of other ponies coming this way so I charged up my horn in desperation striking the stone elements. Each elements shattered into pieces. The lavender mare's face would have been satisfying if it wasnt for the fact that this crazy skilled stallion was hot on my tail.

I tried pulling out of the situation, but the bastard body slammed me into the throne wall. While not hurt badly I was momentarily stunned by the force. He took the time to light up his horn and restraining me to the wall. My anger seethed even further, but I could not break out of these....dark tentacle things.

The lavender mare seem to regain her confidence back as she stood firmly against me. My eyes narrowed in rage. How dare she look at me like that!

"You think you can destroy the Elements of Harmony just like that? Well, you are wrong because the spirits of the Elements of Harmony are right here!" the lavender mare exclaimed as her 'friends' make it up the flights of stairs to the throne room. "Applejack, Spirit of Honesty, Fluttershy, Spirit of Kindness, Pinkie Pie, Spirit of Laughter, Rarity, Spirit of Generosity, Rainbow Dash, Spirit of Loyalty, the spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge you had!"

I couldn't help but feel sorry for them. I don't know what 'challenges' they spoke of, but I was no fool in the matter. These mares are starting to become a real nuisance. But I felt pretty confident. After all, I only count five Elements of Harmony.

"You still don't have the sixth element! The spark didn't work!" I retorted back struggling in the tentacle's grips.

"It did a different kind of spark," the lavender turns around to face her friends. "The spark ignited inside me when I realized..... you all are my friends."

And just like that I realized that this will be my demise. A bright light appeared seemingly out of nowhere before the last of the elements floated down to the lavender mare. A smile plaster itself on the mare's face while my hatred was starting to focus on this worthless mare.

"When the spark is ignited, it creates the sixth element.... the Element of Magic." the lavender mare continues on.

The light grew brighter before I was swarmed in a tornado of rainbow colors. I could feel the black unicorn stallion release me from his hold, but it was too late by then. I didn't want it to end like this. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

I thought it would be the end, but I thought quickly shooting a bit of myself out of the tornado using its wind to propel me out. The rest was a haze.

"That's just about what I remember from our first encounter." I finished with the story.

Chrysalis stared at me a bit shocked, but said nothing else. "That explains why you are still here today. But tell me, how were you friends with him? Judging by that experience, you wanted to get revenge on him."

"I did. For the longest time I wanted to teach the stallion his place in the world. So, I bait him out of his location, but he swallowed me inside of him. I was about to destroy and bend his mind to my whilm. Or so I thought." I said.

"What do you mean?" Chrysalis asked.

I sighed recalling the horrible experience like it happened yesterday. "Well, turns out he has a sort of alternative self living in his head.... And let me tell you, I'd rather feed myself to a hydra before being in a room with that psychopath. He....was in every sense the most evil thing I have faced. It wasn't until later that Luna saved us from his grasp."

There was a moment of silence between the both of us. The air seem to stiffen, but I was sure that Chrysalis got the message how bad his alternative self is. "I'm sorry to hear that you had to go through that. If he hurt you that badly then how are you still sane? Not even an alicorn can save the mentally ill." She asked.

I couldn't help the fond smile that spread across my face. "That's just the thing. I accepted that sad truth myself. I was sent to the Canterlot Insane Asylum for life. Somehow he found me and miraculously healed my mental illness. I still have the experience of the events, but...... it was like he understood my pain." Tears threaten to fall from my face, but I kept them back. "I never had somepony so caring for my wellbeing. It was something... unexpected."

"He does sound like a caring stallion that's for sure..... However, judging from my own experience, he is a serious soldier. He didn't hesitate to stab me behind my back." The changling shivered. "I still don't know why he left the decision up to Sunbutt."

She quickly fell quiet again. "Shadow Faze makes no sense at times. He came from another world, yet he won't tell anything detailed about his world. His morals are questionable at best and concerning at worse.... Too bad he isn't here anymore. He has too many question around him then answers." I said.

"Maybe."

I looked back at Chrysalis not believing her words, "What do you mean? He fell into a coma and died two years ago."

Chrysalis looked skeptical at me. "The stallion can survive being shot by a piece of metal to the heart. Yes, I heard about that incident. There is no way he could not be alive."

I sighed knowing it would come to this eventually. "He died from magic loss, Chrysalis. He loss too much magic for his body not to function anymore."

The reality really sunk into Chrysalis hearing the result of his death. Every beimg has a magical field, and without enough of its magic the pony, or creature, would die almost simultaneously (heart failure usually).

"I see.... I'm sorry for your loss." Chrysalis said a bit awkwardly, but I didn't really pay any mind to the apology.

"Yeah." I looked up at the sky once again admiring the stars that lit my beautiful night wondering what I was truely here for.

Celestia's Mind

Celestia woke up with start coming off the floor, or what she thought was the floor. In reality, there was nothing on all sides around her. Celestia grew used to seeing these colors of nothingness over time, but the cold that came with it always made her shiver.

She could feel another source of heat nearby, but she didn't need to turn around to know who it was. Celestia already knew her.

"How is the hunt going so far dear Celestia. The voice said almost spiteful in tone.

The Sun Princess' neutral expression turned sour hearing the voice. "Why don't you find something better to do then bother me."

The voice crackled with laughter before it died down. She could feel the heat getting closer to her before a hand touched her chin. Celestia didn't have time to think before the hand forced her to stare into piercing orange serpentine eyes.

Her flaming enraged mane waving eternally behind her head along with her tail. Her sharp white teeth could also be seen breaking into a crude smile. "You and I both know Celly that I have little patience for lazy progress. You know what you must do, or must your sister suffer again for you to fully understand?"

Her cruel words hit Celestia like a jackhammer. She knew what must be done, but her heart was torn in half by thinking of such an action. Celestia's eyes narrowed threatenly at the the monster in front of her, but all the mad mare did was chuckled happily. No matter what she did the monster wouldn't leave her, and Celestia knew her powers were nothing in the dream realm.

"Fine..... It shall be done." Celestia said tying to hold back the tears in her own mask of pain.

The monster grinned viciously down on her seeming to feed on Celestia's misery and pain. "I'll be waiting.~"

"Somepony- anypony, please, help me...."

Author's Note

Hello everybody. Yeah, I know this chapter would be a bit of a pain for those who have went ahead and read the previous book, but I decided to make it brief toward the end. Feedback is welcomed too. Until next chapter.....