Chapters The Calm Before the Storm
A grey stallion stood in front of Celestia’s throne who was shaking in fear. This pony has witnessed something very traumatic and the princess knows he's dying to share his story.
“Please, tell me what happened. You’re safe now.” Celestia said with such a soothing tone that instantly calmed the stallion. He took a deep breath.
“I-It was the abyss, it was so horrible. We... we tried to escape, but my friend sacrificed himself so I could make it out.” Tears were pouring out from his eyes.
“I tried to help him but the... things were getting closer and closer. So I just ran, faster than I ever had in my life. I dared not to look back, thankfully I made it out and immediately sealed the place up. Light would’ve wanted me to do that.”
Princess Celestia’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Your friend, you said his name was Light? She asked, dreading not to hear that name come from this terrified fellow Equestrian.
He nodded. “Yes your majesty, I’m sorry to tell you this but there’s no way he could’ve lived. I’m just extremely grateful that his kindness saved my life.”
Celestia’s heart stopped, her breathing became shallow, the whole world around her seemed to stop. Princess Luna examined her big sister closely, and what she saw worried her. She put a hoof on her shoulder.
“Sister, are you alright?” Luna asked. Celestia shook her head and got up to leave. “Forgive me I... I need a moment.” She looked towards the pony in front of her and smiled.
“Your welcome to stay here in the castle for as long as you need, one of my guards will escort you to a room. Don’t worry, you’re perfectly safe here. Please try to get some rest.”
He smiled gratefully and nodded. “Thank you your majesty.”
Not a moment sooner after she left the throne room she sat down and leaned her back against the wall. A single tear escaped her eye.
“Light.... no.” Was all the words that could escape the Princess before her cries echoed throughout the hallways.
The Abyss
Light’s emerald green eyes instantly opened, hideous groans and terrifying screams plagued the death ridden environment. Blackness consumed his vision with not one once of light to be seen.
“No...no...no! This can’t be real, it’s only a myth!” Light didn’t want to believe it but here it was, the beginning of the end. The darkest depths of the void itself. A nightmare turned reality.
He has entered the abyss.
Here he was, a weak terrified unicorn all alone. Put to the slaughter, awaiting his inevitable death. However, fear was soon overtaken by anger, anger turned into rage, and rage turned into madness.
The environment around him instantly responded to his troubled state. It was practically feeding off his fury. The shadows were calling to him, only two words could be heard through out the darkness.
”Release it.”
Light couldn’t hold it in any longer, he roared and released his hatred in the form of the darkest magic that any unicorn could create. This dark magic was more sinister than King Sombra’s and the shadows knew it.
This was its plan all along.
A dark crimson red bathed the darkness around Light, the whole place vibrated with such intensity. Light temporarily gained control of himself after noticing the violent tremors that have suddenly occurred.
His heart was racing and he quickly looked around for a way out. Unfortunately, knowing the abyss, there was never a way out.
After a few seconds a bright light blinded his vision, he shielded his eyes and prayed for a miracle. But his prayers were never answered, the light and the vibrations died down only to be replaced by a colossal portal.
Light regained his vision and his eyes widened in complete horror. What he saw next would change him for the rest of his life.
”I know what happened to you Light, such a tragedy. It’s time you get revenge, and I shall help you.”
Dark tendrils shot out from the portal and latched onto him. A piercing cold could be felt inside his chest, almost as if something has awakened inside him.
”Come, embrace your destiny.”
Not a moment later the tendrils pulled light into the portal, he closed his eyes, accepting his fate.
Canterlot castle
The throne room doors bursted open as the princess of friendship came running across the room with haste. “Princess Celestia! I came as soon as I got your letter.” She said as she stopped in front of the throne catching her breath.
Celestia smiled and walked up to her faithful student. “I’m glad you came in such a hurry, unfortunately I have some bad news, very bad news.”
Twilight did not like seeing the princess so worried. Whatever she was about to say was serious.
She sighed heavily. “I... I had a student Twilight, it was shortly after what happened with Sunset Shimmer. He was very unique compared to you two. His name was... is Light, and he has a gift.” Celestia paused for a moment as she examined her student who had a look of overwhelming curiosity.
“What was his gift Princess?” She asked, for some reason fear crept at the back of her mind.
The princess closed her eyes and took a deep breath, preparing for Twilight’s response.
“He is extremely gifted in dark magic.”
A long silence filled the throne room as Twilight’s eyes widened with her mouth agape.
“WHAT! Princess Celestia, you knew about this the whole time but you still made him your student?! Didn’t you know the risks?”
She nodded. “Indeed, I knew the risks very well, but I saw something in him. He was a very conflicted pony with darkness enveloping his heart. However, deep inside the void, there was a light. It was very faint but I knew it was there. I tried my best to light the spark so that it would shine brighter than the sun itself so his soul could be pure and maybe find peace. But something has happened to him, and that is where you come in my faithful student.”
Twilight gulped nervously but she stood tall and proud. “What do you need me to do?” She asked.
“Go to Shadow’s Rest, it’s up north to the Crystal mountains. Your map will show you exactly where it is.” Celestia gently placed a hoof on her student’s shoulder. “I fear I won’t know what will happen once your there. But please remember this Twilight, where you are going is one of the most evil and terrifying places in Equestria. Once you unlock that door to the cave, there is no turning back. If there is any trouble whatsoever, write to me and I will come immediately.” She took a deep breath and gave Twilight a warm hug.
“Please be careful Twilight, that place it’s... it’s not meant for ponies to enter. I fear Light may not have much time left. But I know you can save him, trust in yourself and your friends as I do. Good luck my faithful student.” She smiled as she released Twilight from her warm embrace.
“Me and my friends will save him Princess Celestia, I promise.” She said with impressive determination.
Indeed she has meant every word. But was she truly ready for what is to come? To enter such a place so vile, teeming with corruption. There was only one way to find out.
Only one thing is for certain, this was going to be her most challenging quest.
Light breathed heavily as his eyes shot open. The first thing he noticed was the unnatural cold air chilling his body. He looked at his surroundings but unsurprisingly there was nothing but darkness clouding his vision. He made an effort to pick his body up, groaning in pain in the process. It feels like the very life force got sucked out of his body, or perhaps... maybe that’s what that thing did.
As if on cue, Light sensed something approaching behind him so his horn gave off a crimson red hue and immediately turned and fired a bolt of dark energy towards it. Alas, this formless entity didn’t seemed fazed at all.
”Good, your reflexes are sharp. As for your power... impeccable.” Light felt like he should be proud of its words but all he could think of was something familiar about this creature. As if he has heard of it before from stories. Finally, it hit him.
“I know you, you’re the darkness that everypony was talking about! The same evil entity that controlled Stygian!” As he said his name the darkness wrapped a tendril around Light’s throat and squeezed ruthlessly.
”Do not speak that name! He was weak and pathetic! But you are different, you have the potential to be far more powerful than he could ever have been.” It released its grip from him making Light take very deep breaths of air. He rubbed his neck gently as he slowly got up to face this unnatural villain.
”We don't have much time, Celestia has sent her prized student to locate you. No doubt her friends will be by her side. It’s time I tell you why you’re here. For returning me back into this world, I offer you a gift.”
Light instantly knew this “gift” it was offering. Tempting, but he knew such evil power was not welcome in Equestria. What would Princess Celestia think about this?
The darkness recognized his hesitation so it attempted to push further. It knew exactly what to do.
“ I understand your pain and anger, such a shame. Tell me, why do you think they came in the first place?” It asked, causing Light to look up in complete shock.
“H-how do you know about that, you don’t know anything! What do you understand about my suffering?! You are just some ruthless abomination that just wants control and destruction!” At that moment his eyes changed bright red along with his horn.
“Well... I won’t let that happen. I. Shall. End you .”
Dark magic spewed forth from his horn radiating a red hue. His magic penetrated the dark figure allowing the magic to seep within it, causing the shadows to slowly dissipate. He expected to hear cries of pain coming from it, but the last thing he expected... was laughter.
”Hahahahah! Yesssssss!”
The darkness shot out its own beam of dark magic, but not to block Light’s attack. No, it went straight for his heart. And then, everything changed.
He gasped as he felt the cold power penetrate his heart, he looked on in horror at his white coat. His veins were slowly turning black, the evil corruption was spreading quickly throughout his body.
Then, he screamed.
Outskirts of Shadow’s Rest
“Are you sure this is the right way Twilight?” The small purple dragon asked as he continued to observe the map in his hands, brushing off some snow that landed on it.
However, Twilight did not hear Spike’s question, she was focused on the sudden shift of the temperature. Sure it was cold up in the crystal mountains, but this was different. Almost as if these very lands just died. Something wasn’t right.
After a couple of seconds of silence Spike looked up at her in concern. “You ok Twilight?” He asked.
She shook her head and looked at him, giving him a reassuring smile. “I’m fine Spike, I’m just worried is all.”
Pinkie Pie hopped joyfully besides them. “What’s there to be worried about? The snow is fun!”
Rainbow Dash sneered and rolled her eyes at Pinkie Pie’s childlike behavior. “What’s fun about going through freezing weather and heading to place that Celestia herself said was extremely dangerous?”
Applejack nodded at her words. “Ah agree with Twilight and Rainbow, don’t y'all think something seems wrong with this place?” She asked as she put a hoof to her hat to hold it steady from the violent winds.
“Yes darling besides the fact that we are freezing to death here, I must say the weather has gotten a bit gloomy.” Rarity held her light pink scarf close for some ounce of warmth.
As the group treaded carefully through violent weather, Twilight spotted something from the corner of her eye. She recognized it to be a cave. But not just any cave, she has found it. A black heavily chained up metal door.
She got the groups attention immediately and started making their way to the cave with haste. They all stopped a short distance away from the door, fear could be seen on each of their eyes. However Fluttershy’s fear got the best of her and she slowly backed away from it.
“I-I can’t do it! Who knows what could be in there, you all s-should go on without m-me.” She stuttered in horror, attempting to fly away only to be tackled by Rainbow Dash.
She pinned her against the cold rocky floor and gave her an annoyed look. “Are you crazy?! We only just got here, and you’re scared of a stupid door?!”
Not a moment sooner the door lit up causing everypony to slowly turn towards it. Bright red runes and writings covered the entire surface of the door. “Uhh you’re all seeing this right?” Spike asked, looking on with overwhelming curiosity and amazement.
No pony gave an answer, they were completely fixated on the doorway in front of them, Rainbow slowly got off of Fluttershy without looking away.
“This is it.” Twilight stated, she felt accomplished for finally reaching her destination, but she still knew that something was wrong.
Yes, indeed something was not right, in fact the very fate of Equestria is now at stake and they all have no idea. The gateway to hell itself is almost on the brink of becoming unleashed. The magically enchanted chains are the only thing keeping Equestria from entering an era of complete darkness. Pray they foolishly don’t attempt to open it.
“LETS OPEN IT!” Pinkie yelled excitedly at the top of her lungs and dashed straight for the chains.
“PINKIE PIE!” Everypony screamed.
As she put her hooves on the chains, she turned her head and gave a look of pure innocence. “What?”
The very ground beneath them shook violently, causing them to stumble to the cavern floor. “I-I swear I didn’t do do anything!” Pinkie cried out in shock.
As the ground continued to tremble uncontrollably, cracks started to form just outside the cave. Dark tendrils crept its way out from the cracks. Slowly coming together to merge into one giant figure. A figure that everypony knew very well, one they hoped to never see again.
There standing right in front of them was a towering monstrosity, it was none other than the nightmarish Pony of Shadows itself. Only this time the creature didn’t laugh, it only stared at them menacingly with its demonic red eyes.
Twilight looked as if she had seen a ghost, she would never have thought this thing would possibly return.
“No... no, that’s impossible .” She whispered to herself as panic flooded her mind. “What are we going to do ?”
Rage consumed his soul, never did he believe he would deserve what happened to him. Light thirsted for revenge, and he knew just where to start. He looked towards the pathetic creatures in front of him, he instantly recognized the light magenta fur from one of them. Twilight Sparkle.
”Ah, so it begins. Kill them all Light, let’s send the princesses and all of Equestria a message.”
Light let out a defiant roar so that all of Equestria could hear.
Darkness has returned.
The Night Shall Welcome the Night
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.
