Darkness Rises

A beam of pure darkness landed inches just where Twilight stood and penetrated the snow. She used her wings to take to the skies and retaliate with a magic beam of her own. Light saw this and casted a dark shield in front of him. What Twilight didn’t know was that the shield parried her attack and went straight back towards her. Her eyes widened beyond belief. Her own magic struck her painfully in the chest, making her plummet towards the ground. Pain coursed throughout her body as she landed hard in the freezing snow.

“Twilight!” Spike screamed as he used his wings to fly quickly to her now unconscious body. Only to be held in place by a black aura. He struggled to break free but knowing what this thing could do, he knew it was no use.

“Spike, no! Let him go monster!” Rarity demanded while trying to distract it with her magic only to have a tentacle grasp her throat.

It’s so simple, just one little squeeze and Light could end her life here. He mentally chuckled at this, it’s surprising how weak these ponies actually are without the elements of harmony to aid them.

Still, he admired their indefatigable fighting spirit, it reminded him of himself. He has heard many good things from them, how they have maintained the peace in Equestria for so long. Well, that’s all about to change now.

A sudden burst of purple magic struck the tentacle causing it to dissipate. Allowing Rarity to free herself and Rainbow Dash to give a swift but powerful kick across the shadow monster’s face. Rainbow was hoping this would be the distraction they needed.

Thankfully Spike was able to move freely and reunite with Twilight who was recovering briefly from the recent attack.

Applejack ran up to Twilight along with Pinkie pie. “Twilight, ah don’t know what happened to Fluttershy she might have just hightailed it outta here. But we need to leave right now, there’s no way we can take this thing on.”

Twilight nodded in agreement and looked at Pinkie. “Pinkie Pie, go find out where Fluttershy went, I think I have an idea that just might work.” She said while having a flashback to the time she went inside the Pony of Shadows itself and confronted Stygian inside.

“You can count on me Twilight!” She replied happily and ran off into a nearby forest to start her search. Meanwhile, Rainbow was taunting Light to keep him distracted.

Applejack looked at Twilight in concern. “What are you goin to do Twi?” She asked.

“Just trust me. If I don’t come come back in five minutes... run.”

Without waiting any longer for any protest ,she took flight and headed right for its chest. Relief washed over her as she has indeed entered the same darkness that engulfed Stygian. Now to find whoever was unfortunate enough to go down this dark path.

She used her horn to cast a bright purple light around her, feeling a sense of deja vu in the process. The princess of friendship walked slowly with extreme caution ever deeper into the shadows. Finally she has found what looked to be a lone figure sitting perfectly still with its back turned. She couldn’t make out this pony’s features, only that it appeared to be a stallion with white fur, a medium length black mane and tail.

She didn’t know why but a certain flashback suddenly entered her mind. It was a happy memory of when she was a little filly peacefully admiring the morning sun. Then that’s when she met him for the first time.

“L-light?” There was excitement in her voice, but also terrible fear. The figure’s head instantly perked up and slowly turned its head. It was then that Twilight recoiled in horror at what she was seeing.

It showed the face of her father. Gory, disfigured and bloody. His amber eyes were missing from his face, there were only empty sockets with blood pouring from them. She didn’t want to believe this was real, it was all in her head.

“Twilight? Sweetie? I-I can’t see anything, where are you honey? Please help me!” The voice of her father said desperately. Tears started falling from her eyes, she just wanted to close her eyes hoping this vision will end.

She felt a presence behind her so she immediately turned her head to find her mother laying on the floor without any limbs. The skin was practically melting from her face as she looked up at Twilight weakly and smiled.

“This isn’t your fault, you couldn’t have know this would happen. But... promise me that in the end you will do what’s right. I love you... Twilight.” Her body slowly dissolved into a horrid bloody pool on the floor.

Canterlot suddenly appeared all around her but the place was far from peaceful. Buildings were in ruins, fire bathing every inch of the structures. Screams were heard throughout the city as dead bodies littered the bloodied earth.

She couldn’t take it anymore, fear has taken hold of her mind. She could feel her sanity slowly draining away, she was on the verge to madness. The shadows were closing in on her.

Twilight looked up one last time only to finally find the one pony she dreaded to lay her eyes on. She knew those emerald green eyes very well.

Light was standing a short distance away, observing the distressed princess sprawled across the floor in front of him. He found joy in her suffering but he could not bring himself to smile. Something itched at the back of his mind. Was it guilt? Satisfaction? Or maybe... something else.

”You know what must be done Light, send her down into the void. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Light nodded and began to cast a spell that the darkness taught him just after receiving his power. Sure it may be a simple teleportation spell but it’s purpose is far more sinister.

Just as he was about to use it a bright blinding light shined throughout the shadows. Almost as if a blazing star has started plummeting to the ground. Light could barely make out what looked like two shapes approaching him.

“Stop this now Light!” Ah, so she actually came. He recognized Celestia’s demanding royal canterlot voice almost immediately. She even brought her sister Princess Luna, which makes things more complicated.

The two royal sisters landed between Light and Twilight, Celestia immediately went to comfort her student. Luna gave Light a death glare while assuming a defensive stance. It seems she still hasn’t forgiven him for what happened months ago. Well, the feeling is mutual Luna.

“Shh... it’s okay Twilight I’m here now, I’m going to get you out of here.” Celestia said to Twilight in a very soothing tone that instantly calmed her stressful state. Celestia turned towards her former student and gave him a look of disappointment and regret.

“Whatever you’re doing Light, stop... please. I want to help you, come back to Canterlot and I promise no harm will come to you.” A spark of rage ignited deep within Light’s soul.

She dare promise me that which she has broken years ago?! He said to himself, he could feel his power boiling inside him just waiting to be released. Red started to engulf his vision, his breathing became rapid. Luna was the first to notice this.

“Sister, something is wrong with him. I think we need to go.” She said while slowly backing away to regroup with her sister. Celestia eyes widened upon realization at what she just said to her former student and tried her best to attempt to calm him down.

“Light, I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. I should’ve been more caring towards you, but my selfishness got the better of me.” She picked herself up and slowly walked up to him. “I beg you, come back to the light.”

He wanted to believe her, he really did. But years of torment from the rest of society made him think differently. After all he went through with his teacher, the one being that inspired him to push on despite his problems. In the end, she turned her back on him.

And now... his parents are dead.

Darkness ripped through his body, swallowing him whole. He let out a scream of pure agony and rage. Celestia wasted no time, she ran towards Twilight, grabbed her, and used her magic to safely teleport herself and Twilight a safe distance away from the mountain. Luna proceeded to do the same thing but before she could, a dark tentacle quickly wrapped around her hoof. Her eyes widened when she realized that her magic wasn't working. Somehow the thing latched onto her cancelled her magic entirely.

”You belong to me Luna!”

The vision of a burning Canterlot was still showing throughout the darkness. Only this time... Luna could see it. For the first time in a very long time, Luna was truly terrified.

”Hahaha! This will work. You know what to do Light. Let’s give her a very warm welcome shall we?”

Luna could see a sinister smile form on the shadowy figures lips. She knew what was coming.

“Light! No!” No amount of begging could change his mind, none at all.

Without hesitation his tentacle pulled the princess of the night down deep into the bottomless sea of the abyss. Her screams were the last thing he heard before he began his journey home.

On the outside, the main six who now regrouped including Celestia witnessed in horror as the Pony of Shadows’ figure slowly crawled it’s way back into the cracks. Back to the hell from which it spawned. They could all hear Luna’s screams fade ever so slowly deep into the ground. With the cracks closed up, it’s like nothing has ever happened. All was silent once more. But not for long.

“LUNA!”

Light could hear the cries of Luna’s sister from above as the shadows welcomed him once more.

Soothing to his ears, but in the end... unbearable.