Flyte

Chapters

Chapter 2: My old friend the rumor mill
Chapter 3: That's what friends are for
Chapter 4: surprise surprise
Chapter 5: Tears
Chapter 6: Kindred spirits
Chapter 7: Friends even before we met
Chapter 8: Stoop to their level
Chapter 9: Loyalty
Chapter 10: Where were you?
Chapter 11: Family and Friends
Chapter 13: Draic
Chapter 14: An end and a beginning
Chapter 15: The monster within
Chapter 16: Worlds away
Chapter 17: War of words
Chapter 18: Crossroads
Chapter 19: Fight and Flyte
Chapter 20: Gray fire
Chapter 21: Learning to live again
Epilogue: The long road
Preview: The field of rites
Chapter 1: Me myself and I...My best friend
Chapter 12: Sometimes, ends do justify the means

Chapter 2: My old friend the rumor mill

You might be asking yourself; how is this possible? how does this guy have bat wings?

Simple really, my father was a unicorn and my mother was a dragon. Now, since these are two different types of species, you are now asking yourself; how is that even possible?

Again I have to say, simple; An amniomorphic spell. My father and my mother wanted a child so bad that they used a spell to shape me within my mother's womb.

Now, here is an interesting fact; a dragon lays eggs. A foal MUST be birthed. My father told me that my mother died from Abdominal Shock, obvioulsy her body couldn't handle my birth.

I was born amidst a pool of my mother's blood and my father's tears.

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For the first time in a while I slept soundly. A sweet dream of nothingness. Feeling the sun on my face as I came up from my slumber. With my eyes still closed, I rose from the bench and arched my back while flaring my wings.

I heard a large gasp and I snapped my eyes open......to be faced with a crowd of shocked ponies. Instinctively I snapped my wings to my side in fright. Surrounding the bench were a group of Bucks and Mares staring at me in apprehension.

I heard murmuring as they started talking amongst themselves. I was still in shock when suddenly, I heard loud snoring from my right. I looked over to see an orange filly my age sleeping on her back, her left hoof dangling over the edge of the bench and her right hoof rubbing her stomach. I smiled and asked, momentarily forgetting my surroundings.

"Who's the kid?"

I realized my error as the murmurs grew. Suddenly two large stallions wearing blue police uniforms made their way to the head of the crowd and towards me.

"Hey kid, mind if we speak with you?" Asked one, his voice faltering as he stared into my eyes. For my part I just shrugged and said "lead the way."

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Scootaloo dreamed of dragons. She dreamt that she was flying amongst them. Scootaloo had always admired dragons, everypony else hated them claiming that they were horrid creatures. Scootaloo saw them as majestic creatures, capable of utter destruction yet not doing so. Keeping to themselves as they lived through the years.

She awoke to the crowd their murmurs were now a dull hum, words running into each other. However she did make out some whispers.

Did she really sleep with....with that thing?

I knew she was trouble! No wonder her parents left her.

I heard he paid her to sleep with him.

Scootaloo heard all of this but by now she was used to it. She arched her back and yawned as she dispelled her sleepiness. The crowd was also dispersing, eager to get on with their individual days. She jumped off the bench and made her way to school.

On her way there she ran into a group of colts.

"Hey Scootaloo! We heard you were sleeping with a mutt!" Shouted one, his name was glutton. She felt her face heat up as she blushed.

"Haha! Told you that she slept with him! I heard my mother's friend say that he paid her!" Shouted another, his name was candied apple.

They started singing a risque song about scotaloo in a tree. Scootaloo for her part just ran past them and sighed.

Ponies had gossiped about her behind her back for as long as she could remember. They gossiped about everything about her, from her tomboyish attitude to her sleeping habits, to her personality.

She had become numb to it over the years and now smiled when she caught the whispers. As she approached the schoolhouse she could hear others talking about her in harsh whispers.

She smiled a bit to herself as she thought

My friend the rumor mill, how good it is to see you again.

Chapter 3: That's what friends are for

As I followed the police stallion in front, I heard other ponies whispering as we passed by. The station was located at the other end of the open market and boy were there alot of ponies out at this time of day.

Another interesting fact: Dragons have super-enhanced hearing. I through some cosmic hiccup, I got most of their super-pony senses. This includes taste, smell, touch, strength, and speed. I could hear everything they said.

But you know something? I stopped caring a long, long time ago. It's funny, I'm so numb now, inside I mean.

You know how everypony is supposed to feel emotion? How they're supposed to feel sympathy or anger or fear? I feel none of those. I was bored and a bit annoyed as we progressed, not so much by the chatter but by how long it took.

So naturally, I decided to entertain myself. I took a deep breath, willing my flamatory glands active. After I felt the fire heating my inside, I let loose a huge burp.

I smiled a little as the police turned around with fright in their faces. I chuckled a bit. "Why the long faces?" I said as their faces dropped in shock, there was still traces of fire in the air after the massive explosion. They began to speed up the pace, one of the two walked behind me in case I did anything funny. I sighed, this was going to be a long day.

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Scootalo walked through the halls of the schoolhosue, all the other foals parted as she passed by. She heard whispers and chuckles.

I never thought she was an easy filly, guess I was wrong.

She heard from a group of 7 colts as she approached her class. Suddenly, a familar light purple pony with a single white stripe running the length of her hair appeared in her path.

"Well, well well. I always knew you were uncouth but this is just so below you! She spoke, emphasizing her words.

Scootaloo had a quick temper, maybe it was because of all those years defending herself from various allegations.

"Hey! I wanted to see the stars! I thought he was a pillow!" Scotaloo blatantly lied. Suddenly she heard a familiar southern accent pipe up from behind her "Yea! And she can sleep with whoever she darn well wants!" Said Applebloom taking a defensive stance in front of her, her golden eyes gleaming with anger.

"Thanks Apple- wait what?" She said, stopping herself mid sentence. Applebloom turned around and blushed, unsure of what to do. Another familiar voice spoke up in her absence. "Well Rarity told me that it's okay to be whatever you want to be." Squeaked Sweetie Belle.

Scootaloo turned around, disbelief and hurt in her eyes. "You two honestly believed those rumors?" She asked, not trying to conceal the hurt in her voice. "You know what? Don't answer that! I don't want to hear it!" She said, running off to her next class, behind her she could hear more whispers and Applebloom's calling.

Guess that's what friends are for. She thought abysmally as she opened the door to Ms. Cherilee's math class.

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I was finally escorted to the station after a good 30 minute walk. The two large stallions had locked me in what I assumed was the interrogation room. I just sat there, drumming my hoof against the table, after what I assumed was two minutes, a beige stallion with a steel gray mane walked into the room. She had small rounded triangular glasses and a scroll wrapped in a purple ribbon for a cutie mark. She took a seat across from me. I had closed my eyes in psuedo-sleep, trying to gain a bit of energy for the upcoming......you know I had no idea what was going to happen.

She just sat there and stared at me for a minute before talking. "Hello there little colt! My name is Mayor Mare! I welcome you warmly to-" She was cut off as I burst out laughing. "What seems so funny?" She asked puzzled and a bit annoyed at my outburst.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know what's pushing us to the ground harder; gravity or irony." I said, smirking at her.

As I expected, she glared at me. "Now why in Equestria was that so funny to you?" She asked trying to sound stern. I wasn't having any of it.

"Look lady, as much as I appreciate you sending your goons over there" I said pointing to the tinted window behind her "I would really just like to go grab something to eat and get on with my life." I finished, getting up and making my way over to the door.

"Wait! Where are your parents young stallion?!" She called out angrily behind me. Instantly I felt a malicious fire make it's way into my heart.

"My parents hmm? Let's see, my mother was a dragon who died during childbirth, my father is a raging alcoholic who never bothered to take care of me and tries to beat me on a daily basis." I said moving slowly in her direction. She was much taller than I was but she seemed scared of me, like I was a demon. I smiled as she seemed to quiver for a moment.

"W-well that seems like an awful life." That was what sent me over the edge.

"Awful? No, that's not awful." I said, venom practically dripping from my words.

"Having to fend off your very father? That's not awful, getting stared at and snickered at like some sort of exotic animal? That's not awful at all!" I said by now I had jumped up on the table and was staring the beige mare down, she started whimpering but I wasn't going to relent, not now. "Having to perfrorm side show acts like an animal, that's not awful." I said pausing again, by now she was covering her head with her hooves.

I smiled a bit as I finished. "What's awful is that I have to deal with it every.singe.day." I enunciated every word. I was tired, I expected to feel confident, powerful but all I felt was tired.

She saw me slump on the table and smiled a kind motherly smile. "It's okay little one, your safe now. We'll get you a nice family and you can talk to me anytime your feeling down." She said, cooing and cuddling me.

I just sat there, hollow inside after exhausting myself. After a little she walked out calling over her shoulder "your free to go now!" Before she left the room I asked the one question on my mind. "Why are you doing this for me?"

She stopped and looked back "because that's what friends are for." She said nodding on her way out.

My mind was a mess, I needed out, the walls seemed to close in on my as my mind and heart raced with new feeling and new thoughts. I tore out of the station as fast as my supernatural legs could carry me....which for a dragon/pony hybrid was pretty fast.

As soon as I cleared the doors, I jumped into a flying leap and extended my wings. After a little while i picked up a wind and started beating my wings, sending small waves of air down on the nearby bushes and trees. I closed my eyes as I beat harder and harder. I did that for a little while until I felt the wind whip through my mane. Suddenly, my mind was at ease as I opened my eyes to the beautiful scenery around me. Above was endless azure blue sky, below me dotted houses, roads, and farmland.

Whenever I was feeling horrible I just ascended until I was high up in the air. Before my father had become the monster he was he had laughed and called it my own special mediation.

I just called it Flyte

Chapter 4: surprise surprise

Flyte was my own personal meditation. I would just stay up in the windless air for hours and hours on end. Thanks to this my wings grew large and powerful. Hey, if I'm gonna have em, might as well train em. I repeatedly dive bombed the ground only to flare my wings and ride back up on my draft. I did this with practiced ease, knowing what my altitude was, how long it would take to hit the ground. That sort of stuff. I decided I might as well check up on the schoolhouse. It made sense, the Mayor said that since she was going to find a family, they were going to probably send me to school. I saw the large gingerbread seeming building in the distance which I assumed was the school. I couldn't describe it even if I tried, the color was a much faded red and it only seemed to be pained on the roof and the front. The rest was decorated in crazy colors, it had a crows nest at the very peak which I decided to perch in for the time being.

I silently glided down into the small canopy, I was a little surprised to see that a bell had already all the room. Smiling a little I walked away from the nest and out onto the main roof area and took a nap, the sun was making me sleepy.

I awoke when the school bell starting ringing. It was bad from the ground, it was worse on the roof, the sound resounded through my skull in a dull ache as I was roughly dragged from my sleep. I looked around before realizing where I was. looking down, I saw multiple fillies and colts running out of the schoolhouse. I smiled a bit to myself as I saw them run around and play. I knew that I was too old, not by age but by world wisdom. I watched them like an old buck would gaze at an old picture of himself if he was younger. I was so distracted by the sight that I didn't notice a little orange filly walking dejectedly out of the school, every step heavy with depression.

I noticed her as the crowd grew quiet, whispering as she passed . I allowed myself a wide grin as I shot down next to her in one powerful move.

"Hello again little missy" I said.

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Scootaloo hadn't noticed anything, she had been so lost in thought not just then but throughout the entire day. Her mind going back to the hallway incident. Walking out of the school was a relief and a curse. One one hand she got to see her friends throughout the day uninterrupted, the downside was that it was the only reason anypony else even bothered to hang with her other than Sweetie and Applebloom.

She heard wings beat right next to her and a gasp from the conglomerate of foals, she didn't notice the sun being blocked by two giant dark wings until the owner spoke.

"Hello again little missy." He said, scootaloo jumped two feet in the air with the aid of her wings. "Y-y-you!" She stammered pointing a hoof at him. He just snickered a bit. She took a good long look at him. He had a shining green mane with a fudge brown coat. He had large black wings that seemed to block out the sun, on top of that he also had these beautiful blue eyes that seemed to glisten. She cocked her head to the side.

Now that she thought about it, he wasn't chubby like the rest of the kids. He seemed sleek, his face was angled with high cheekbones and an elongated snout.

"Just like the princesses." She found herself thinking. He must have noticed her starting as he suddenly stopped walking with her and struck a pose, his head high in the air and his chest puffed proudly. He had his wings flared as he cackled. "Like what you see?" He said gesturing to his body.

She could tell that she was going to like him. "Hmmm....depends on where I'm looking cuz this" she said pointing at the general area of his face "is NOT something for the faint of heart." She finished bursting into laughter. He must have also found this funny because he started rolling around in the dirt laughing his head off.

"Ya know, for a little filly your pretty funny." He said, whipping a tear away with a hoof. She just smiled and continued walking. He followed soon after. They began chatting a little, nothing special just small stuff like weather and family and stuff. Suddenly they were interrupted as the stallion stood perfectly still. His nose and ears flaring. "What's wrong?" She asked, sensing the apprehension. Suddenly he rolled backwards as a familiar Rainbow Mane shot out from the bushes to the left.

"Darn, and I almost had you too." Said Rainbow, untangling herself from a nearby hedge. Scootaloo saw the stallion raise an eyebrow and laugh a little. "And why might that be miss?" He asked, his nose and wings were still flared imposingly.

Rainbow looked up at the towering wings with a mixture of shock and awe, a smile dawning on her face. "Man was it a good idea adopting you!" She said, not even attempting to hide the excitement.

Scootaloo had turned cold inside after hearing that.

"Well now, surprise surprise." He said his voice dropping dangerously.

Chapter 5: Tears

So yea. Here I was, not even a day in what I had found out is Ponyville. A single buckin day and 1: I've met the legendary Rainbow Dash, 2: She wants to adopt me, 3: what's going through my mind "WHAT?"

So, as politely as I could without being rude, I replied after my snide comment. "So please explain to me, IN DETAIL why you want to adopt me seeing as how you don't know me. She smiled as she began.

"Well I saw you flying around in the air for like hours! So I thought that you were a really good flyer like myself!" She said, closing her eyes and pointing a hoof to herself flamboyantly. I just stared at her, to shocked to begin to form any real thoughts about this situation. "So I went over to Mayor Mare's office and asked who you were. She said you were a new runaway/ orphan. Naturally, since were kindred spirits I decided to pay you a visit, but once I heard that you were like a dragon/pony I just thought to myself.-"

I stopped listening about then and glanced behind her to see scootaloo's face show utter despair, longing and, pain.

She took it like any homeless fangirl hearing her favorite Flyer was taking in a colt purely because of his features. She ran.

I watched her go as a pit dropped in my stomach, my mind went reeling as my heart ached. I had just lost my only friend, the only pony who hadn't run away in fear.....other than RD.

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Scootaloo felt her heart tear in two as Rainbow announced she was taking in the colt. Everypony in Ponyville knew that Scotaloo was homeless, that she worshipped Rainbow like a little brother worshipped his older brother. Everypony knew how Rainbow paid absolutely no attention to her. She ran until she arrived at the CMC's clubhouse. She ran inside and shoved the door closed.

Her mind was flooded with grief. It was like a fire burning through any sense of reason she had.

"Why, why, why, why, why,why."

She thought over and over again as she curled up in a corner and cried.

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The rest of the day passed in a blur for me. All I remembered was Rainbow showing me the local sights of Ponyville. The spa, the library, the local bakery, a high end clothing boutique, and a small cottage at the outskirts. The sun was going down as we flew up to her cloud house. It was an immense two-storey structure with a fountain outside. She showed me too my room, saying that she would 'show me around' in the morning.

As soon as she closed the door I did something that I recognized only later in my life was a coping mechanism. I autimatically made my way up the side of my bedroom, yes....up the wall....as in vertical. My tail did something weird as well.

Another fun fact about me: My individual hair fibers can harden and bond with other hair fibers creating a solid tail like a dragon's.

I latched out and dug my tail into a jutting cloud piece and hung upside down like a bat while surrounding myself to think. I had been holding it off because usually when something this big comes my way my mind fights. It's kind of like a boxing match.

In corner number 1: Ladies and gentlemen weighing in at Decision Making and Reasoning! MMMMYYYYY Analytical side!

In the other corner: Weighing in at Emotions and justifications! MMMYYYYY Irrational side!

Now I want a good clean fight you two!

fight!

I smiled at the notion as soon as thoughts started flowing through my head.

You already have a father! Screamed my irrational side.

Yes but he was abusive and a monster. Calmly retorted my Analytical side.

But this is a mare that you don't know! Said my irrational side, his voice straining in anxiety.

She's an element of harmony though, and the element of Loyalty at that. Smugly replied my Analytical side.

But she just randomly picked you out because your a hybrid! She just thought you were cool! Like some sort of pet! Shouted Illogical. For his name he made a pretty valid point. Wait a minute I'm naming them? Wow, I really am crazy.

"Low blow!" Shouted the imaginary Referee in my head.

Most ponies look at each other from that point of view. Replied Analytical, his voice icy.

But you still love your father. Said Illogical, his....my voice returning to normal.

That last thought threw my train of thought over the edge. It crashed and burned. Yes he was a monster, yes he abused me, yes he put me through spartan-eque training telling me that I 'needed to be stronger if I needed to survive.' Yes he treated me like an unwanted pet.

"I just wanted to feel loved, I just wanted him to accept me." I whispered, voicing my thought. I felt hot tears falling down my cheek as I choked back my sobs. "I was just born this way! Why doesn't he see that?" I whispered to myself, I just felt like talking it out. I cried into the night, eventually being overcome with sleep. My exhausted form dangling from the ceiling via tail.

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Scootaloo spent an hour crying in the treehouse. Eventually her tears and grief ran out, quickly replaced by an emptiness.

Well, she'll do what she wants to do.

She thought coldly to herself. She got up and stretched, hearing pops as her bones and cartilage snapped back into place. She made her way over to a seemingly random spot in the hardwood floor of the treehouse. She tapped on it with her hoof, hearing a hollow reverberation. She had put a couple things in a false bottom during the Clubhouse's renovations.

She smiled as she smacked it with her hooves a couple times, enough for the latch underneath to give way. She felt around until her hoof closed on a familiar object.

She smiled sadly as she pulled out a picture of her mother. It showed her posing with Rainbow Dash during her years in the Junior Speedsters flight camp.

Scootaloo smiled upon the absurdity of it.

"Heya mom, it's me again." She said, affectionately touching the part of the picture where her mother was. In the photo her mom had put a claw around RD, her beak open in laughter, her brown coat was shining in the sunlight.

That's right people.......it's Gilda

"Been a while hasn't it?" She said to the picture.

Chapter 6: Kindred spirits

(A/N: Huh! I didn't really expect y'all to like this story so much! In the words of the sacred heavy; "MANY THANKS!")

I had a strange dream that night. I dreamt that I was in a dark place, I couldn't describe it if I tried. Hay I'm still gonna try, it was like the dead of the night, not a sound to be heard. Suddenly a voice boomed through the darkness.

Hello little one.

Now, on top of the fact that I was under a lot of emotional stress at the moment, I had to deal with a possible dangerous entity in my mind.

"WHAT THE BUCK?" I screamed trying to scrabble away. The dragon merely chuckled at the sight and continued.

I know, your asking yourself; why is there a dragon in my- wait a minute you know I'm in your dreams?!?

He asked, apparently he could also read my mind. I quickly got up from my place on the floor. "Well yeah, ponies have constantly tried getting in my head with telepathic spells. Something about me being a 'rare specimen'." I said grinning, happy to have caught the mammoth off guard.

Oh! And to answer your second question i'm not really surprised about seeing a dragon in my dreams." I said, this drew a look of bemusement from the dragon.

Well, there goes my element of surprise. Moving on to business I am your guardian.

He said clapping his front claws together. I decided to humor him, "oh? And where have you been all my life?"

Watching over you from the shadows. I've been sort of your guiding light, showing you an exit that you overlooked, making a bouncer stumble on his tux, that sort of thing.

Said the dragon, articulation with his mouth and claws. I however was not buying it.

"Give me one example." I said, crossing my hooves over my chest and eyeing him warily. He started rattling off a list.

Remember the first time your father came home in a drunken rage? I was the voice in the back of your head urging you to change the lock before he could come home.

"Hmm yeah, good thing I did that, otherwise I would be a bloodstain on the carpet." I said chuckling.

And that other time when you were running away from a bakery? I was the voice that shouted 'into the dumpster!'.

He continued. I still wasn't buying it. "I also distinctly remember the baker running back down the alleyway and whooping my flank." I said unamused, it had hurt BAD.

The dragon gave a nervous chuckle. Not my best advice, I admit.

He said, rising up on his back legs to rub the back of head with his front legs. In that instance, I saw how large he really was. Unable to hide my surprise I whistled. "Now how the hay are you hiding that hulking mass in my head?" I asked, craning my head to look up at him.

He sighed. Look kiddo, this is kinda getting off topic, the real reason I brought you here was to show you something. He said in obvious aggravation. I just shrugged, "lead the way." I said gesturing with my hooves, that last line got me interested.

Suddenly the whole view shifted, one minute I was looking up at the dragon, the next I was looking at a little filly holding a photo. I looked around, the dragon/guardian was nowhere in sight. I felt myself move behind the orange filly and I saw what she saw.

It was a picture of a griffon and Rainbow Dash, from the looks if it I guessed it was when they were still young. I saw the filly gingerly reach out and touch the griffon and whisper "hey mom." My jaw would have dropped then and there if I had a jaw.

I heard the dragon's baritone voice rumble.

You are not alone.

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I woke up with a shock, momentarily forgetting my surroundings before my ever loving mind kicked in. The sky had just turned a lighter shade of black, guessing by this sign I would say it was the pre-dawn hours. My mind was abuzz with activity. Suddenly, the wheels and cogs in my head began spinning and clanking. Now, I have to explain something. When one loses a loved one, then that pony will usually cling to the next best thing; their best friend. From the looks of it, RD looked like the Griffon's best friend and from the statement of the filly, I guessed that she had chosen to cling to RD after whatever happened to her mother.

I decided to pursue that development at another time, if there was a time that I needed Flyte it was now.

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Scootaloo sighed as she remembered her mother. She was still young when she had given birth. She remembered the way she laughed and the way she looked in the sunlight, like a goddess or princess/warrior of a long lost kingdom.

Little known fact: Ponies and Griffons are in fact able to interbreed since they both originate from the Sphinx. The genetic variation is next to nothing.

Largely known fact: A Griffon and Pony usually don't fall in love

Scootaloo sighed as she trotted over to the wall slowly sliding down and leaning back as she remembered her mother.

FLASHBACK

Scootaloo was still just a little newborn when her mother still took care of her. She remembered one summer's day when they were just lazing around in an abandoned warehouse that they called home. Gilda was busy lulling little Scootaloo to sleep. Gilda was we call a single mother. Scootaloo was what we call 'a one night stand gone wrong'. Needless to say Gilda had been left by Scootalo's biological father and it was Gilda's job to feed them both. It was easier for her to feed Scootaloo since she was a pony, ponies eat grass and greens so Scootaloo had been weaned off milk that Gilda had stolen from connivence stores until she could eat chewed up grass. Gilda however needed meat and that required hunting. So by the age of 17, Gilda had to become responsible enough to take care Scootaloo and herself. This meant putting Scoots to bed at a reasonable time, which was now.

As they sat there together mother and daughter, Gilda began to sing.

Scootaloo remembered the look on her mother's face as she sang. She remembered that her mother had sung an old Griffon's war song. Gilda's face contorted as she sang into a mask of grief and rage.

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Scootaloo swayed a little to the music playing in her head as she remembered her beautiful mother, nopony understood the pain she had been going through, nopony that is other than her own flesh and blood.

Scootaloo decided to pay a sort of homage to her mother. She went over to the trap door leading to the CMC clubhouse's roof. Once there she shrieked a bald eagle's call. Gilda had taught it to her when she was 5, her vocal cords were able to handle the frequency because of her parental lineage. Scootaloo stayed up on the roof for a while, shrieking into the night. Before she decided to go in, she heard an answering call, a dragon's forlorn call.

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I soared through the night air, doing flips and turns and rolls and corkscrews all in an effort to clear my mind. It was in vain as all I could feel was a sense of disgust and anger and sadness.

How can Rainbow Dash not notice her pain?!? It's so obvious!

I thought over and over to myself, suddenly I heard an eagle's call in the stretching dark it sounded to sad and so forlorn. I listened for a while, awe and inspiration growing inside of me. Finally when it died, I took a deep, deep breath willing my ribcage to expand until it felt like I was bursting.

I roared into the empty night and in that roar I carried a single message.

You are not alone.

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And in the night sky, two kindred spirits called

Agony felt through the years surging through them all

And as the two screamed their pain through the air,

A bond forged of kinship was beheld then and there

For through strife, through, burden, through pain, through grief,

Two misfit spirits found a little reprieve

Chapter 7: Friends even before we met

(A/N: Sorry for taking so long on that update. I was having writer's block, nothing a shot of AMP couldn't fix but still. Anyway i'm gonna be on a roll since i'm on winter break! So watch out for multiple chapter releases!)

I traded off calls with the Griffon for a while, I knew it was a Griffon because the shrieks were accompanied with a throaty growl usually associated with a lion. It went on for what I assumed was thirty minutes, eventually my wings grew tired from the levitation so I bid farewell to the new found friend with a large burst of white fire. I'll explain later. As I made my way to RD's cloud house I felt a wet sensation against my back, after landing in my bedroom via window, I turned my head to see that there was green solution trailing off my coat. I decided to let the shading come off on it's own, let my natural mane color shine since I'm going to be starting over in this town anyway. Since I didn't want to get my mane wet, I crawled back up the wall and slept like a bat for as long as I could. I had very pleasant dreams.

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Scootaloo was happy but tired as she traded calls with the dragon, it lustrous bellows sweeping over the land as it boomed it's song. She was about to give a final call when she saw a large plume of white fire, signaling the end. She smiled as she curled up on the roof, not bothering to head back down to sleep.

Maybe tomorrow'll be good to me for once.

And with that she let the dream world surface in place of her conscious.

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"WOW! SOOOO COOOOOL!!!" Shouted a voice from below me, internally I groaned as I unwrapped my wings and descended, doing an aeon roll to shift my vision and flight path. I landed a few feet away from a surprised Rainbow Dash, her wings fluttering up as she squealed at my maneuvers. "Morning Dash." I said flatly. It seems like I unplugged a cork because as soon as I addressed her she started going off about how cool I was and how it was going to be so awesome when she showed me to her friends. I just made my way past the still gushing mare to what I assumed was the kitchen. "RAINBOW! WANT BREAKFAST??" I shouted, she was still upstairs spewing to the space I had been. I heard rustling of feathers as she raced down, "yeah sure! Oh! I know! I can make haycakes!" She said reaching into a cloud cupboard and pulling out a box of hay-quicks. I sighed as I fetched a pot and put it on the burner, setting it too hot. She gasped "OH MY GOSH! YOU KNOW HOW TO COOK?!? THIS IS LIKE, THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE!" She screamed as I made spiced scramble hay with olive oil. I was surprised this was here since she didn't seem like the type that took care of herself, but I wasn't asking.

She was still gushing when I set the food and plates, still gushing when I finished, still gushing when I shouted from the front door "I"M GOIN TO SCHOOL! SEE YA LATER!" And with that I flew down over to the large red schoolhouse, eager to meet a certain sunset orange filly.

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Scootaloo was smiling and humming as she made her way down from the roof and over to the schoolhouse which was actually only a couple miles from the secluded part of Sweet Apple Acres where the clubhouse was. She was glad that she didn't run into any ponies. As she turned onto Golden Delicious lane, a path leading right up to the schoolhouse door a klick or two from the Clubhouse, she heard a familiar southern accent shout. "Hey! Scootaloo! Wait up!" Shouted Applebloom as she raced to catch up with her friend. "Wow! what happened to yer wings?" She said gazing to her flank in shock as she trotted side by side with Scootaloo.

Scootaloo just giggled as she extended her newly enlarged wings, they had miraculously grown over night and now covered her still blank flank. "I dunno! I just felt my wings were tired when I woke up, and when I looked back these babies were here!" She said, extending her still tender wings. She winced as they bit a sharp retort from the sudden movement. She heard Applebloom laugh a little from the look on her face.

A silent pause ensued for a little while, Scotaloo knew what she was going to ask, she had already forgiven both Sweetie Belle and Applebloom for it. "Look scoots, I-" She was interrupted as Scootaloo put a hoof to her mouth. "It's okay Applebloom, I know you guys were just looking out for me." She said, her voice growing soft as a tear made it's way to her eye.

Applebloom's eyes just softened and she hugged Scootaloo, who returned the gesture with as much ferocity as her tired body could muster. Eventually the duo ran into Sweetie Belle and they repeated the process. Sweetie Belle though took after the drama queen side of Rarity, she practically cried her eyes out when apologizing. As the newly amended trio made their way to school, they traded jokes and stories. Everything was right between them so everything was right in Scootaloo's world.

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Mayor Mare had talked with me a little over the phone about school, telling me how fun it is and how if anyone bothered me about my 'defect' that to tell her and she would talk with Principal. For the most part I just listened and offered the occasional yes or grunt in my case. So here I was, first day of school and I was looking like a mess. Since the green dye I had used to color my mane was now turning back into liquid, it gelled my mane backwards as it hardened in the cold morning wind. My coat was also a mess seeing as how I had just made Breakfast and tore out of there. As I neared the building, I could see small dots of color which I assumed where the the other foals making their way inside. I knew what was going to happen, as soon as I touched down they would start whispering and snickering. Then again, if I paid any attention to anything anypony ever said behind my back, I wouldn't be me.

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Scootaloo had just taken her seat in Ms. Cherrilie's Equestrian Literature class when the door burst open and the one colt she didn't want to see sauntered in the room, eyes closed. She groaned, why? Celetia's sake the day was going so well too! She silently cursed as Cheerilee joyously introduced him. Class! I want you all to meet- she was interrupted as he snaked his head in a swift motion to the right as a spitball narrowly missed him. His eyes flew open as he glared at the class, staring down the perpetrator. The class as well as Ms. Cherrilee, his eyes were burning pieces of sapphire in his head.

Beautiful

Scootaloo thought as she gazed into the pits of the azure blue. She didn't think it like a lover gazing into his loved one's eyes. She thought it like a hiker would gaze upon the sunrise peaking over the blue mountain horizon. He turned his gaze from left to right and then his eyes fell upon her's.

In those two pits she saw something that deeply disturbed her. She saw a pleading and anger, kindness and coldness. She saw years that he shouldn't have experienced, strangely though, she also saw a fire. In that single moment the sum of all his experiences formed into a single thought.

Yes I'm a monster and I'm proud of it.

She smiled at him, and she saw a tug at the left corner of his face. Maybe he's not so bad after all She thought.

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I walked into the room using sonar to guide me. Yes, dragon's can use sonar as well, just another trait passed unto me by my mother. I heard the teacher and conglomerate of foals whisper. Instantly I felt a cold spike of fear run down the right side of my head, I shifted my head to the right as I heard a projectile wiz over my ear. I opened my eyes, furious and trying to find the mule who decided it was a good idea.

My eyes were not attuned to the sheer color spectrum. It was like looking at a Rainbow in the light, every foal there was a completely different color, it was like something you would see in an art gallery, shifting colors as the foals and fillies shifted in their seats. I cast my eyes around, taking in all that the classroom had to offer until my eyes fell on a little filly sitting in front of the class. Her eyes were a warm violet. What they told was anything but.

Yes I hear you talking about me, And I don't care.

They practically shouted. I felt myself instinctively try to smile as my brain told it to step off. I heard the teacher clear her throat again. "Okay then! Ummm....you can take a seat....over there!" She said as she searched the classroom for an empty seat. Like some astronomical sign, the only seat that was open was the one right next to the orange and amethyst filly.

We might be friends before we've properly met.

An abstract part of my brain shouted, the other part of my brain quickly proceeded to metaphysically slap it upside the head.

This might not be so bad after all.

Said a more sensible side of my brain as I made my way over to the seat, still staring at the filly.

Chapter 8: Stoop to their level

The teacher whom I was told was a Ms. Cherilee was going on about poems and how majestic and yada yada. I wasn't paying attention, right now I was busy watching the orange and purple filly next to me. She seemed to have changed a bit, her wings had grown longer as well as her limbs. On top of that she had small claws forming on her hooves and her body seemed to have become a bit more angled and aerodynamic. I watched her for a little while via peripheral vision. It was warm out and apparently the school house didn't have indoor cooling. I sighed as I felt sweat on my face.

45 minutes and 3 classes later we heard the midday bell signaling lunch break. I sighed, I had no idea where lunch was, I was hungry and I had to dodge several more spit bullets by an unknown assailant that seemingly shared all of my classes. As I got up and stretched my back and only my back I heard a boisterous voice call. "Hey wanna grab some lunch together?" I looked at the owner after i heard satisfying pops from my back. I relied with a shrug of my head. "Sure! by the way, where is the lunch room anyway?" I asked, trying to pile on more information now so I wouldn't have to ask later. The filly giggled a bit and started walking away, motioning for me to follow. I just shrugged and walked after the tomboyish filly.

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Scootaloo watched the colt out of the corner of her eye. He was just a tad taller than most other colts but he was much different in comparison. The other colts for starters, didn't have large leathery dragon wings for one. She shifter her gaze to look at his midsection. He had a look of hidden power to him as he shifted restlessly in his seat. She noticed while looking up, that his mane had seemingly bled out. She remembered the other day when they first met, back then he had a stunning emerald green mane. Now it seemed like it was seeping away, being replaced instead by gleaming silver. The hair around his head was already showing the silver underneath but the thick of his mane was an mixture of silver and green. It had a look of natural beauty as the green streaked through the silver. It complemented his dark brown coat and blue eyes rather nicely.

She found her thoughts wandering as she was suddenly snapped back to reality by the bell. She quickly got up from her seat, gathering what little courage she had. She nonchalantly made her way up to him and asked, surprisingly he replied rather quickly. his eyes still bore into her so she quickly turned away and made him follow as she sought out both Sweetie Belle and Applebloom. She found the duo complaining outside of Ms. Strict's algebra class.

"Ah jus don't get it! Why in the name of Celestia would we ever need to learn how to divide years by income rate?" Complained Applebloom, illustrating with her hooves. She was quickly tapped in the side by Sweetie Belle who had spotted the duo approaching through the bustle of foals and fillies. "Hey Scootaloo! Who's the guy?" Asked Sweetie, eyeing the strange colt quietly, he just have her a lopsided grin as he started introducing himself. "Hello ladies! My name is-"

He was cut off as Scootaloo cut in. "He's a new friend I made! I was just inviting him for lunch!" She said, her voice brimming with excitement. "Hey! Do you have a cutie mark?" Asked Applebloom, quickly changing the course of the conversation.

He seemed to wince as his ears flopped to the sides of his head. "Actually no I don't have one." He said she could see that he was half expecting the trio to start laughing. Instead, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo gave him smiles that broke the laws of physics as they shouted in unison.

"[GASP!] NEITHER DO WE! MAYBE YOU COULD JOIN US! THEN WE'D BE THE CUTIE MARK QUARTET!

CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS QUARTET! YAY!" They shouted completely unaware of their surroundings, it had become instinctive to the trio.

He winced after they were done. Scootaloo thought that maybe they had scared him off when he gave a big smile and shouted. "Really? I can join?!? YAY!" He said, returning their shouts. The quartet's celebration was cut short as they heard a sneering voice call out.

"Well welll welll, if it isn't the Cutie Dorks!" Sneered hot iron. He was a jet black colt with a steaming hammer for a cutie mark. The quartet heard snickers, Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo all cringed as they knew what was coming. Already they heard the snickers from the gathering crowd of ponies. The strange colt by their side just stared at the newcomer with an impassive face.

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I felt me heart grow cold as I stared at the black colt now making his way over to where we were standing. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the Sweetie Belle and Applebloom start shuddering while Scootaloo glared at the new arrival.

"Hey Cutie Dorks! You should keep it down! Me and my friends are trying to get some lunch!" He shouted, his ego and bravado growing minute by minute as he continued verbally assaulting the trio. For some reason he was ignoring me which was a bad idea and i'll tell you all why later.

"Leave us alone Iron! I already paid you our lunch money for the week." Said Scootaloo, her voice quivering a little as the taller colt started moving into her personal space, staring down at her. "If you don't I-I'll tell Ms. Cherilee!" She said, her voice was now shaking almost as much as her body. The offending colt laughed harshly. "You know you won't or else I'll beat you like I did before." He said, smacking his fore hooves together to prove his point. I heard a gasp as Applebloom spoke, I rotated my head. Sweetie Belle was holding her hooves to her mouth, shock in her eyes. Applebloom had an expression of extreme worry. "Scootaloo, is that true?" She asked softy, moving closer to her friend.

Scootaloo cringed, she didn't want her friends to find out. She sighed as she began explaining. "Iron said that if I paid him triple the lunch money, he would leave us alone." She said, her voice tearing.

By now I was past the point of caring, the only thoughts running through my mind were cold calculating thoughts. For example;

1.I wonder how far he'll fly if I throw him.

Is there anything I could use as a sword?
I wonder how hard I'll have to bend him before his bones break.

Cold fury couldn't do the anger I felt justice. I watched like a hawk watching his prey, waiting for an opportune moment.

Let me explain something before I start describing what happened then and there.

My father, however monstrous he was, trained me like a spartan. He forced me into death fights on a daily basis and taught me how to wield a sword, staff, and any type of weapon and weapon variant used by the royal equestrian army. On top of that, he would never feed me so I had to steal food on a daily basis, he told me that this taught me how to be stealthy and he was right. AND STILL on top of that he would make me run mile after mile after mile, do push-up after push up.

The only explanation he offered was that he was 'getting me ready'. Due to his training, I became stronger, faster, sneakier than any citizen should be during a non-war time period. I had also killed before but that's a story for another time.

Back to the present.

I watched, silently tensing my legs as I sensed the stand off reaching an apex. Applebloom watched in horror as the colt sneered and smacked Scootaloo, sending her flying into a nearby door. 2 other colts made their way out of the large crowd that had gathered, making their way over to Sweetie Belle and Applebloom. I started moving towards them as I heard him call out.

"You forgot to pay us so it's time fore the punishment!" he shouted, punching Scootaloo in the side, she remained quiet.

I ran into the first colt, a large dark yellow colt. He had a piece of plywood with a nail sticking through it for a cutie mark. I grabbed him with one fore hoof. My draconic strength as well as what my father put me though made him feel like paperweight as I threw him against a locker nonchalantly. I felt my mane become warmer and warmer. I reached the second colt who was much smaller but still larger than the two fillies. He was velvet blue with a rag for a cutie mark. I tapped him on the shoulder as he reared up, intent on bringing his hooves down on Applebloom as she cowered in a corner. He whirled around to face me, only to be indented into the wall courtesy of my punch. I then made my way over to the dark colt still punching and bucking Scootaloo. I heated up my flamatory glands and breathed a lick of black fire onto his mane. I then pulled him off Scootaloo and pinned him a few feet off the ground against a locker. He struggled and squirmed for a bit before remembering the black fire which was now burning his tail.

I hissed into his ear.

"Hurt my friends and I will kill you." I said as calmly as I could which was pretty calm.

"Better yet, If I see you hurt anypony, anypony at all I. Will. Kill you" I said again, enunciating every word.

Now let me tell you something. Nothing scares anypony more than a calm killer. And that was what I was at the moment.

I saw the fear, then anger pass over his features as he smirked, still paying no attention to the fire now engulfing his back.

"My papa's gonna get you first though." He said, snorting in satisfaction. That was when I decided to show him the full scope of my wrath.

Now I can breathe two different types of flame. 1 is white fire which won't hurt anything I don't want to hurt. If it comes in contact with skin the bearer will only feel a cool sensation like a chilly breeze. 2. Blackfire is fire a raging inferno that will consume anything and everything it touches.

On top of that it burns and hurts like Luna.

He screamed as I breathed more blackfire into his face. He squirmed even more now as he tried to get free. I dropped him and watching him squirm on the floor. The crowd frozen to place by the shock of what was occurring. I watched him squirm for a bit before I decided he had suffered enough. I breathed extinguishing white fire onto him.

An interesting fact is that my white fire acts like a healing spell. Repairing muscle, bone, and skin it comes in contact with. I watched as the black flames engulfing him transformed into white ones, healing him. After another minute he could be seen still squirming and crying on the floor. The flames had left him so everypony could see him tearing up and crying. I quietly made my way right next to him. He looked at me, the fear evident in his eyes.

"M-m-m-m-m-my p-p-p-papa's gonna get you! He's gonna get you real good!" He shouted, tearing out of there like he had seen a demon. Heh, he was right on the demon part.

After my adrenaline stopped pumping I looked around at all the scared faces staring at me with shock, disgust and fear.

I sighed. I couldn't believe myself. I had stooped to their level.

I had stooped to my father' level.

Chapter 9: Loyalty

(A/N: If your wondering, YES I don't have anything better to do. That doesn't mean I don't have a life it just means I'm bored as fuck)

I stood there as the crow silently began part, for ponies who've seen something as ungodly as this they sure were taking it well. I heard sobbing and angry shouting in the distance, knowing what was coming next I closed my eyes. I heard the heavy hoofall of the principal as he made his way over my location. I could see the crowd parting in the narrow hallway as his huge form lumbered in. Behind him, I saw the little snot that was Iron sneering. The stallion had a look of pure fury on his face as he towered over me. "Come with me this instant." He said, turning and leaving as suddenly as he arrived. I sighed and began moving when I was stopped by Scootaloo nuzzling my side. I looked down a little surprised and when I did, she kissed me right on the nose. for a moment we locked eyes and then I heard the bellow of the principal as he called for me to get a move on. I smirked a little bit, now relieved.

Thanks to that little show of affection, I felt like I could handle anything that came my way. I felt like a warrior charging the enemy, ready for the fight.

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Obsidian's roaring laugh echoed throughout the walls of the the empty space he was in. Whipping a tear away from his eyes, he smiled sadly. This little pony reminded him of himself when he was younger. He felt a new presence as he continued watching the events unfold through the colt's eyes.

Well now! who do we have here?

He asked, looking down at a rather large male Griffon. The griffon was smiling from cheek to cheek. The dragon felt his jaw drop.

Ralus? Is that really you? He asked Incredulously. The Griffon shook his head in a yes fashion while still grinning.

HA HA! Obsidian! Never in all my years would I have ever thought to run into you!

Said the golden griffon, flying up to hug his long time friend.

Now what in the name of the Draconic Elder's are you doing in this boy's physique? Asked the happy yet confused dragon. Ralus's smile just seemed to grow larger.

Well see, after I died I opted for the guardian program! And so they stuck me with a little filly and pretty much said 'good luck!' So! Here I am!

Said the Griffon spreading his front claws. The midnight black dragon chuckled.

So your the guardian of little Scootaloo hmm?

Taunted the dragon. The Griffon laughed, it had been ages since he had seen his good friend. The dragon in death was as large and majestic as he was in life. After a good moment of laughing the dragon cleared his throat.

So then I guess this means that the boy and your Scootaloo are connected ey?

Asked the dragon cautiously, Ralus was a noble soul but he was a hothead and had plenty of triggers that sent him into random fits of rage. Ralus for his part just smiled again.

Aye! Oh! Your boys getting too far away from Scootaloo! I'll see you later than!

Shouted Ralus as he withdrew from the colt's subconscious. Obsidian sighed happily as he continued to watch the events unfold via his charge's eyes.

With Ralus here things are about to get VERY interesting. He thought with a smirk.

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Scootaloo had watched this colt save her and all she could do was just sit there and watch. She felt that she owed him something, she couldn't explain it to herself but when she saw the principal thundering down the hallway and the colt's tension and apprehension. A voice just boomed in her head Go on! Get him! she couldn't explain it even if she tried. She nuzzled him gently along his side, her heart on fire as he turned to see her. Quickly to hide the blush starting to form on her face, she gave him a kiss on nose their eyes meeting and mutual feelings passing from one to the other.

Afte the colt left she sat there with the in a daze with the biggest grin on her face. She heard Applebloom whistle as she waved a hoof in front of her and call her name repeatedly. She saw Sweetie Belle put a hoof to her shoulder and shake her head. She snapped out of her daze when Sweetie Belle shouted, "RAINBOW DASH IS COMING!" Scootaloo jumped a foot in the air, smacked her head on the ceiling and floated down. Both Sweetie Belle and Applebloom who had been snickering while she jumped in the air, were now rolling on the ground laughing. Scootaloo glared at them as her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "Hey! It's not like I like-like him!" She said offended. This just prompted harder laughter from the duo who were now rolling on the floor. Suddenly she got an evil little idea.

"Applebloom, I've seen the way you look at Twist." Said Scootaloo dangerously. This instantly stopped laughter from Applebloom and spurred Sweetie Belle into a fit of snorting laughter. Scootaloo turned to Sweetie Belle and said, "and I've seen the way you look at. They were both glaring at her now. "THAT"S NOT FUNNY!" They both simultaneously shouted. Applebloom out of embarrassment and Sweetie Belle out of outrage. The trio made their way over to the lunch hall, Applebloom blushing, Scootaloo laughing, and Sweetie Belle pissed.

"Looks like I got the last laugh!" She said tauntingly. Sweetie Belle just shook her head while Applebloom snorted.

==============================================================================

Any previous happiness I had felt after Scootaloo's little outburst was quickly covered by a sea of frustration, irritation, and sarcastic humor. The principal sitting opposite of me was saying something about the founding of the school and how it stood for learning and had loyalty to it's students.

"And I simply will not stand for violence in my halls! Especially by a ruffian like you!" He bellowed, his face turning redder than a tomato.

That's what she said! Shouted the illogical side of my brain. Logical came and metaphysically smacked it upside the head. I smiled at the notion which in hindsight probably wasn't the best choice of facial expressions. It was like an explosion

"HAVE YOU BEEN LISTENING TO A WORD I'VE SAID SO FAR?!?" He screamed, my mane was momentarily blown back from the headwind that was his scream. I decided to answer truthfully after all, honesty is a virtue right?

"Ya lost me when you started talking." I said in all honesty, that day I found out in fact that honesty is NOT a virtue especially when one is faced with the blatant truth.

He started screaming incomprehensibly and started throwing random objects around the room. Barely dodging a jade vase, I took that as my cue to leave. As I closed the door the principal quieted down, obviously tired from his last outburst. I met the perpetrator outside as he snickered. "I bet my pops got you good!" He said in a very cliche sort of manner. So I decided to play a little trick on him. I faked being scared and answered him like he expected.

"Y-y-yeah your pop's sure does have one hay of a voice." I said rubbing the back of my head with my hoof. Inside I was giddy. "H-he said he wanted to see you." I faked cringing, the colt took the bait hook line and sinker. Walking inside into a nightmare.

I ran away laughing hard. Inside my head, my logical self had face hoofed so hard his face indented. My illogical side however, was going "oooohhh!"

========================================================================

Scootaloo saw the colt tearing down the hallway with a big smile plastered on his face. She was completely confused until she heard the royal rage of the Principal. The quartet started laughing as the principal made his way over, steam literally billowing from his ears. "I'M GOING TO CALL YOUR PARENTS!" He screamed at the fillies and colt who were now rolling around laughing, their pumpkin soup special forgotten.

He stormed out in a fit of rage, knocking over a lunch table near the door. Scootaloo was the first to recover.

"Oh man" She said whipping a tear away. "We are so screwed." They all looked at each other and burst out laughing again.

=========================================================================

"Righty then." Said Applejack sighing to contain her anger. "Ya called us over because these here kids are misbehavin, I'm gettin this right so far right?" Said Applejack still holding a hoof to her throbbing head. The principal who was now cowering behind the desk as the quartet grinned from ear to ear, little halo's surrounding their heads.

"And you called us over because there was a fight involving them. That was a very sensible choice I agree." Interjected Rarity who had her eyes closed and was rubbing her temples with a forehoof. The two mare's were trying desperately from blowing up at the nimrod in front of them. Rainbow Dash however was not having it.

"NOW WHY IN THE HAY ARE YOU BLAMING OUR KIDS FOR SOMETHING YOUR KID STARTED? THAT'S BLATANT NEPOTISM!" She shouted, the principal whimpered as he tried hiding behind her mane. Rarity and Applejack exploded too.

"Why in tarnation are you blamin him fur defendin Scootaloo? Take some dagnab responsibility for yur kid's actions!" Shouted Applejack in her southern drawl. "I must agree! I have seen Iron on some occasion and he walks about like he owns the place! And you good sir have done nothing to stop him! Instead of following the rules that you so strictly enforced with others you let what he does on a daily basis slide past you!" Screamed Rarity.

"And on top of that my son was trying to protect the rest of the CMC!" Screamed Rainbow. She out of the three mares were furious. Applejack saw the colt stop smiling and look up to her with shock on his face and a tear in his eye.

"Come now Sweetie Belle! We're leaving this garish school!" Said Rarity, turning on a dime and huffing as she walked out. Sweetie Belle soon followed,still smiling from ear to ear. "I couldn't agree more! C'mon Applebloom! Best we be hittin' the road." Said Applejack who unlike Rarity, waited for her sister. Scootaloo sighed, this was the part she hated.

Rainbow Dash, not one to be outdone called out. "C'mon Kiddos! It's obvious we're not wanted here. And yes that means you too Scootaloo!" Said Dash flying out of the window.

Yes Scootaloo hated this part, when all her friends and their- wait what? Scootaloo looked up at the spot Rainbow had been with confusion in her eyes. The colt next to her had regained his smile and just said, "Welcome to the family".

She took a deep breath and screamed. "YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYY!"

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Contrary to popular belief, Scootaloo did in fact know how to fly and she had no trouble keeping up with Rainbow Dash. "Wow scoots! I had no idea you were this good a flyer!" Said Rainbow Dash doing a large barrel roll around the trio as they made their way over to her cloud house. "Well I do go around all day on my scooter and flying is like walking to me!" Said Scootaloo she just couldn't get rid of the silly grin that was plastered on her face. Scootaloo heard large steady beats as the fudge brown colt caught up to the two. He lazily flapped his wings as he started humming a wordless tune. Scootaloo didn't care for the moment, she was feeling on top of the world as she soared next to her idol.

Later that day, the trio celebrated Scootaloo's induction with a vegan noodle lasagna, courtesy of the resident chef. The colt watched as the two mare's eyes popped out at his culinary masterpiece. "Fis iv dewisous!" Said Rainbow, cheeks full of food. He smiled as he idly toyed with his food. The three joked and laughed and for the first time, the colt thought

So this is what a family should feel like.

=======================================================

However laid back Rainbow Dash appeared to be, she was actually rather strict on bedtimes, putting the two to sleep at around 8:00.

Rainbow Dash's house was pretty big, but most of the rooms were filled with wonderbolt's collectables. Thanks to that, the two foals were stuck in the same room for the night, not that either one of them minded.

Scootaloo shifted in the bed, the colt next to her had already fallen asleep evident by his rythmic beating. She smiled as she remembered the night they had met, his beating heart had lulled her to sleep. She focused on it now, but she couldn't get the satisfactory result. She then heard the colt groan as he rolled over.

"Buck." was all he said. She muffled a giggle. "Can't sleep?" She asked. He just shifted to face her, his cerulean eyes sending shivers down her spine.

=============================

I sighed as I tried explaining it to the filly. I don't know, I just felt comfortable around her. "I...I hate having to use my strength like that." I started I felt my heart heat up as I began to explain what had been eating me up.

"I hate having to use my flame's like that! Ever since my father made me use weapons I've hated it and myself." I said, using my hooves to animate my angst.

"My father once told me that 'Might made Right'. I've always hated that saying because well.....I'm a dragon hybrid!" said again. This was going nowhere and it looked like the filly was getting more and more confused by the second.

I let out an agitated sigh. "What I'm trying to say is that I hate fighting, and I hate myself for stooping to the level of those bullies even if it was for a good cause." I looked away, unable to bear her expression.

She smiled as she brought my face around with her front hooves. "It's okay, truth be told I would have stood up to him long ago but he said that he was going to hurt my friends so I decided to go with it. I might not look it, but I'm pretty strong!" Said scootaloo, her voice lighting up my cold heart. She seemed so cheerful, so carefree, she was like the light in the dark for me.

I sighed, my mind at ease and my body at rest. "Thank you." I whispered cuddling her. She replied in kind and we drifted off to sleep together.

However, the pleasantries didn't continue into my dreams. I awoke in a dark room, a single light fixture was the only light source. I heard a familiar voice, one that sent waves of fury through my soul.

"Nightshade, it's been a while." It spoke in a baritone voice. The owner was just outside the reach of the light but I already knew who it was.

For a moment, I felt the urge to kill him right on the spot.

"Hello Father." I said with as much venom as a cottonmouth.

Chapter 10: Where were you?

Obsidian found himself rudely shoved into a dream. He looked around to find himself strapped into a large straight backed chair. He flexed his claws and found that he couldn't move at all. Trying to stifle the growing panic, he looked around trying to get his bearings. Suddenly he heard hooves hitting steel as another pony entered what he supposed was a room. A light was flicked on temporarily blinding the massive dragon. As he blinked trying to clear the dark spots from his vision, he found himself staring down upon a road weary gray stallion, his beard was large and filled with stars.

Obsidian was a dragon feared in song and story. He was a warrior who fought in the Windigo wars and who was a decorated veteran of the United Draconian Force. He had seen things that would make Basilisks curl up and cry themselves to sleep in a corner. He felt a cold shudder slither it's way down his spine.

Starswirl, what brings you here? The dragon kept his voice neutral. Starswirl The Bearded had been a magnificent magician once upon a time. That was before his wife died. He saw Starswirl sigh. "Cut the bull Sidian, I know you hate me, hay I hate me." Said Starswirl using his magic to unbind the restraints holding the massive dragon back. As soon as he did, Obsidian lunged at him faster than a sparrow in a jetstream.

Is that so? Give me one good reason I shouldn't tear your spiritual self to pieces.

The dragon growled carefully applying pressure to the once great stallion. Starswirl sighed, "I just want to apologize. That's all." He said, Obsidian heard it in his voice then. He knew that the warlock had been broken, he probably gave after Nightshade ran away.

Obsidian let go abruptly, letting the stallion fall on his face.

Why are you here Starswirl? If your looking to get Nights back then your out of luck. Said the dragon flatly, crossing arms. Starswirl just laughed a sharp two note 'hah'.

"I know, I....I just wanted to say that I'm sorry." He said, trying to keep his voice level and failing. Obsidian felt a pang run through his heart, but then quickly shook it away.

Fine. You get 40 minutes nothing more nothing less and If you do decide to try anything funny, I will make sure the last dream you have is the last. Growled the dragon.

Starswirl just nodded, his eyes were twin pieces of white glass, no soul in sight. Obsidian left the space and reentered Night's physique. He was content to watch.

========================================================

So here he was, staring at his son. Starswirl thought back on his birth and the years he had spent taking care of him. He knew that his son's hate was a long time coming, but that didn't make the pain any easier to handle.

His son snapped into the dream space he created, for a moment confused. He saw a look of pure rage cross his draconic features as he gazed upon the one pony he least wanted to see.

Hello Father. Hissed the smaller colt. His dark brown pegasus. Starswirl cringed at the venom, it was painful. He gulped and began but was interrupted.

=================================

I knew he wanted to apologize, I could see it in his eyes. The way they cringed in fear as I spoke, the way he seemed to shrink. I saw his adam's apple bob as he began to speak, I wasn't having any of it though.

"Tell me pops, what brings you here?" I asked pretending to be happy and surprised. I watched him grimace and open his mouth, I wasn't in the mood for some sappy sorry excuse for the pain he put me through. I held up a hoof, signaling for him to stop.

"Tell me daddy, Where were you?" I asked, he knew exactly what I meant.

"You used to be so happy, so kind, so gently, so loving, where did you go?" I was now struggling to keep my voice even, immense anger and sadness coursing through me veins.

"I know, I know you put me through all of that because you wanted me to be stronger, more independent. I know." I said, my mind was made up. I was going to forgive him, but I was going to make hims suffer like I did.

"Where were you when I was crying for food and water?"

"I-" He tried responding but was soon cut off, I felt my emotions rise and wash over me as I raised my voice.

"Where were you when I was cold and alone, sleeping in a dumpster because you left our house doors locked?"

"Where were you when I found out I could breathe fire?!? I was so happy! I wanted to show you! MY OWN FATHER!" I shouted, letting the anger and despair of years wash over me, erasing all sentient thought and reason.

"WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I WAS COCKFIGHTING FOR FOOD AND MONEY?!? WHERE WERE YOU ALL THOSE TIMES I HAD TO FIGHT FOR MY LIFE!?!?!? Celestia DAMMIT I'M YOUR SON!?!"

I screamed, my voice halfway between roaring and crying. He was standing there, eyes closed and a single tear running down his face, his mouth was quivering. After a full 5 minutes he spoke.

"I....I....I thought..that it was for the best that you were....strong and....independent. I'm sorry, I didn't want to lose you like I lost her." He said, his voice shaking and cracking audibly.

"I'm so, so, so sorry. Night, You deserved much better than me. I'm so sorry." He was just repeating himself. I just snorted.

"What? Not going to lecture me? Not going to tell me that I'll understand everything you've done for me when I'm older? You RAGING PISS DRUNK ALCOHOLIC!?!" I shouted, often a night he would go out and drink, coming out drunk and angry. He would beat me for hours on end. I smiled as I remembered him training me in the art of self defense. Subsequently, I used it against him when he came home one night. I ended up breaking his two front hooves and breaking his nose when I punched him. He would train me like an animal, telling me to work harder better faster stronger. He never showed love to me after we started training. That was when I was 5.

"I know what I did was.....evil." He said, his struggled to find the right words to euthanize what he did. I didn't care, I was too tired. I just felt empty inside, like my mind had stopped working and my heart had stopped beating. I just wanted sleep. I vaguely heard him talking.

"I guess... I was hoping against hope that you would forgive me. Just.......just know that I'm so sorry for what I've done." He said. I saw the sad broken stallion in front of me, I knew what I had to do.

Looking back, I knew it was the right thing to do. I walked around the table and hugged him. I...I felt happy. Even though he mistreated me, I just felt happy sitting there hugging him. He stiffened for a moment and hugged me back. We could both feel unspoken bonds flowing and reconnecting, bonds severed throughout the years. I felt myself slipping in consciousness as I felt the sunlight. He smiled at me as he held me away, looking me over.

"I never realized, I never realized how much you grew! All these years, I just wish I could see you grow up. I just wish I could be there to see you off in you marriage endeavors." He said laughingly. I noticed that his form was disappearing, growing transparent.

"Wait! Where are you going?" I asked, my hand now falling through him. He smiled sadly.

"I died two days ago, I just couldn't handle you leaving me I guess. I...I'm doing the most selfish thing a pony could ever do and I'm sorry." He said shedding another single tear. I just smiled.

"Don't be, we've made amends right? Don't worry, all is well. You are forgiven." I said my hooves over my chest.

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Starswirl had lived a long, long, long, long time. He had seen his fair share of wonders and horrors. He had experienced the joys of love, and the pain of loss. He looked own upon his son as he rose into the air, his conscious slipping away as his soul demanded rest.

Before he left, he spoke one last legacy, passing it down from mother to son.

"You are house Drah, never forget that. Oh! And you asked me where I was this entire time. To that I say I was right beside you, in mind and in spirit and I will always be right beside you." Starswirl said holding his son's head with his fading hooves. Nightshade had a small smile on his face, tears streaming down his face.

"Goodbye son, I..and always will love you." He said feeling himself slipping away into the great unknown.

============================================================================================

I woke up after he said those words, for some reason I felt strangely at peace. Smiling, I quietly made my way out of the bed I was sharing with Scootaloo and opened the bedroom door, careful not to wake her. I made my way downstairs, looking through the various doors until I found what I was looking for; a large stick that could serve as a staff.

I quietly tiptoed my way out the front door and into the morning light. There I closed my eyes and began spinning the large stick like a master would. Using my forehooves to guide it into a perfect circle, the momentum of the staff was doing most of the work as I rolled it off various pieces of my body. It was like I could hear a song being played as I danced.

In the distance, a dove watched me as it ascended the heights of the world, confident of it's destination.

Chapter 11: Family and Friends

( A/N:Chekov's gun is about to go off in a few chapters so look out!)

Obsidian watched Nightshade as he danced with the staff in the early morning sunlight. The child was mourning the passing of his father the only way he could, through training. The dragon watched from his ethereal place in the boy's physique as he danced on his hind legs, letting the staff dance around him like a partner, ducking weaving and twisting in an intricate dance. Obsidian felt a longing in his heart.

It's been so long since he was at peace. He thought as the colt finished his dance by sweeping the stick out in a wide arc in front of him, then holding in in front of him vertically. He stood there for a moment before gently laying it down and bowing to it. The gesture struck a place in his heart as he watched the colt a little longer before slipping out of subconscious, there were forces brewing and everypony and creature would need all the peace they could get.

The dragon metaphysically into the house, in the physical world he took the form of a black mist. He slithered quietly up the stairs and into the bedroom Night had previously occupied, the second denizen was still asleep snoring like a bulldozer. He entered her mind to find Ralus, the spiritual guardian of the little filly standing there, obviously expecting him.

Obsidian! Good your here! I think it's about time we made our way to the meeting, we're already behind schedule as it is! Said the agitated Griffon.

Why are you so jumpy Ralus? It's just a yearly meeting, you know how it goes, checking up on how good a job we as the guardian spirits are doing. Said the massive dragon, amused at the Griffon's anxious state.

No! I'm not scared of the meeting! Of course not! Why would I be? Asked the griffon defensively. Because you haven't exactly, 'done a good job'. Said the dragon flatly. The Griffon sighed but shook his head. Sidian, I'm not worried about the meeting, gods know that the Elders are going to have a field day with my performance. What's starting to worry me is your ward. He said conjuring an image of Nightshade.

The dragon raised an eyebrow. You've seen plenty of hybrids in your day! Why are you so worried about this one? Asked the dragon genuinely perplexed and a bit worried. When Ralus got a bad feeling you ran, no questions asked.

What's wrong with him? Asked the dragon growing more and more concerned by the minute. The Griffon paused,

Did his father ever teach him how to the flow?

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Now, before we continue, let me explain YET another thing. There are two types of supernatural forces that rule over the lands of Equestria. There is magic, and there is the flow. Magic is power flowing through certain subspecies. It is inner chi focused through will and study of different spells.

The flow is raw natural power that flows through every being. Since most of you already have your own definitions of magic, I'm going to just skip describing it and try describing the flow. The flow is.....it is the serenity that you feel when staring at a wide expanse of ocean for the first time. It is peace within the soul and awe and power. My father taught me how to shape the flow and channel it through sheer force of will. Thanks to this, I could basically do any and everything a unicorn could do and more.

For example, I could summon anything at will. All I had to do was concentrate on the image and mutter gibberish. That's the problem about the flow, it was a metaphysical river of power. To access it though, one must speak it into the physical plain. I have learned from experience NEVER to do it in public, you WILL get strange stares and be sent to a mental hospital, don't ask how I know this just...don't do it.

After I was done practicing, with weapons I decided to practice my mind. I sat down and looked at the staff for a moment and closed my eyes.

===================================================================

Scootaloo got up much earlier than she had wanted, glancing at the nearby clock, she groaned as it flashed 7:30. She threw off the sheets and went over to the window, she looked at the sunrise with a smile. A sudden movement in her peripheral vision caught her attention. She gazed down to see the fudge brown colt turned black against the start practicing with a large stick about twice his height. She watched him twist it and turn it, spinning it behind his back, around his neck and in between his wings. He was on his hindlegs, using his enormous black wings to balance his weight. She lost track of time watching him spin and smack invisible enemies, he slowed down and brought the pole up vertically like a knight holding his sword and he stuck it into the cloud, bowing to it.

She made her way downstairs to meet up with him when she yet another sight that astounded her. During the time she took to get downstairs, he had sat down and was going something that probably would have exploded Twilight's head. He was muttering in complete gibberish, the next thing she knew the stick was flying through the air swinging and turning. Finally it settled on the top of his head and started to spin. She watched in complete silence for a few minutes before they were both interrupted by a fillish squeal.

"OH MY GOSH! You know how to do neigh-jutsu?!?" Asked an excited Rainbow Dash appearing right at the edge of the cloud lawn. The colt lost his concentration and the stick went flying straight up, still spinning in a helicopter like fashion. Scootaloo started laughing at the colt's surprise. Rainbow however, was not going to her in peace. She turned and the magenta ring around her eyes all but disappeared as the they widened.

"SCOOTALOO! YOUR FACE!" Shouted Rainbow Dash tackling her. The colt started snickering at the scene in front of him. "When did you- how did you-." Said Rainbow tearing up. She suddenly dragged both Scootaloo and Nightshade over to one spot on the lawn and held both their faces.

Nightshade had grown a spot of scales on his face during the night, not much but enough to make him look awesome. Scootaloo's face had elongated a bit further and she had grown a little bit as well. In addition to that her miniature claws were developing nicely, they were already sharp as Scootaloo dug into Rainbow's flesh trying to get away. It was like getting pricked with a rounded rock, it hurt but it wouldn't pierce. The cobalt mare started crying in a loud messy fashion.

"They [sniff] they grow up so fast!" She said to nopony in particular. Scootaloo spoke up, "well we are being raised by the world's fastest pony!" She said, this drew a hearty chuckle from Nightshade and further wailing from Rainbow Dash. Scootaloo felt Rainbow tighten her grip on the two as she cried even more so. Scoots looked over to see Nightshade trying and failing to get rid of her. She didn't want to know how a pony with enough strength to throw somepony across a hallway couldn't break out of his own mother's grip.

"Rainbow that's enough! Need air!" He shouted, his face turning purple. She quickly let go and started apologizing. Scootaloo was snickering quietly while he regained his breath. In the middle of Rainbow's apology her stomach boomed, drowning out all noise. Nightshade just face hoofed. "What? I get hungry when I apologize!" Said Dash defensively, this drew laughter from Nightshade and harder laughter from Scootaloo. "Well then shouldn't we make our way inside?" He asked pointing his hooves at the door. Scootaloo nodded while Rainbow flew in at top speak shouting "dibs on food!" Scootaloo and Nightshade made her way next to her "sometimes It feels like I'm raising her!" He said while face hoofing.

Scootaloo snickered, family life definitely was interesting.

Inside, Night started cooking up some grilled apricot with a spritz of mint when suddenly he heard a gasp come from the dining room where Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo were seated.

"OH MY GOSH! I JUST REMEMBERED THAT TODAY IS SATURDAY! I HAVE GOT TO INTRODUCE YOU TO MY FRIENDS!" She shouted as Night levitated their food into the dining room. "Now Rainbow, eat your veggies then we can go." He said sternly, inside he was laughing at the strange turn of events.

Rainbow pouted "Aww! Can't I just eat while I fly?" She asked, her voice growing whiney. Scootaloo couldn't help it, she started snickering a bit. Night just lowered his eyes in a deadpan stare. "No buts young lady finish your food and then we go!" He said shoving the plate in front of her. She turned her head away snorting. "No! You can't make me!" He said in her whiney foalish voice.

Night had a look of disbelief on his face. "Are you serious??" Was all he said. Rainbow stuck her tongue out at him and started flying around the house shouting "you'll have to catch me first!" She had severely underestimated Night's agility as he turned on a dime and ran full tilt right into her, pinning her on the ground. She tried getting up but she had also underestimated his strength as he held her down.

"You will eat your fruits!" He said levitating a piece of apricot on a fork over to her. She struggled more and started shaking her head left to right shouting "no! No no no no!" Like a little foal. He sighed as he shoved the piece into her mouth. She tried spitting it back out but the fork blocked her from doing so she started chewing. Her eyes grew wide at the flavor and in a new burst of strength, she threw night off and raced over to her plate, finishing it in 10 seconds flat.

Scootaloo was now pounding the table as her she laughed so hard her vocals cords ceased to work. She was silent laughing for at least 10 minutes before pulling herself together. "Y-y-you two are a comedy goldmine!" She said whipping multiple tears from both eyes. NIght rolled his eyes as he finished his fruit. Rainbow pipped up from her place at the table.

"Now that we're all done eating can we PLEASE get going?" She asked impatiently. Night let out a huge sigh as he followed her out the door.

"First stop is Applejack! Last one to get there is a rotten dragon's egg!" She shouted taking flight. Scootaloo soon followed, not too fond of being called a rotten dragon for the next week and a half.

Night just watched them fly for a moment before silently ticking down from 10.

10....

9....

8....

7...

6...

5...

4...

3...

2...

1...

He took off at one, a cocky grin on his face.

=============================================

Scootaloo raced hard to keep up with Rainbow Dash, they were both pushing the sound barrier as they raced towards Sweet Apple Acres; home of the Apple family and subsequently, the home of their business. As they saw the first Apple trees on the horizon, they heard a boom from behind them. The two mares turned to see Night race past them, twin contrails of white and black fire trailing behind him. In turn, this prompted Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo to push and break the sound barriers as well. Rainbow Dash had her trademark rainbow following her while Scootaloo had a trail of pure sunlight. The two eventually caught up with Night and the family made their way through towards the first stop of the day.

A beautiful mixture of Rainbow, Fire, and Gold paving the azure blue sky.

Applejack looked up from her work as she heard the tell-tale roaring of Rainbow Dash overhead. Tilting her Texas 10 gallon, she looked up to see the three landing or in this case crash landing into a tree not 10 feet from her. She pulled her hat down to cover her eyes from the resulting debris. She heard laughter as the three shook the dirt and leaves off of their manes.

"Howdy y'all! What brings ya here to the Acres?" She asked after the dust cloud from their coats had settled. Rainbow Dash spoke first, "hey Applejack! I just wanted you two meet my two kids!" She said, beaming as she pointed to where Scootaloo and Nightshade who at the moment was shaking his head in a disapproving manor. Applejack laughed at the site. "Now I wonder who's raising who." She said jokingly, the two foals started laughing and soon Applejack joined in. "Hey! That's not funny!" Said a very cross Rainbow Dash, "sorry sugarcube it's just that I never ever thought I'd see the day you'd have kids." Said Applejack still getting over her laughing fit. Rainbow visibly brightened.

"Well I saw him flying through the air and I thought to myself, oh my gosh! Rainbow that Colt is so awesome you just gotta have him! And so I decided to adopt him!" She said, Nightshade facehoofed so hard he left and indent. Scootaloo however was crying a bit, her voice quavered "what about me?" she said in a small voice. Rainbow probably did the most motherly and completely non-Rainbow Dash thing right then. She trotted over to Scootaloo and hugged her.

"I adopted you because I saw you sleeping on the park bench. Scoots why didn't you tell me earlier? I could have adopted you before!" She said nuzzling the still smaller albeit growing filly. "Aww that's might nice of you Rainbow." Said Applejack tearing a bit at the scene in front of her. She decided to change the subject before it got too emotional. "So then, I do believe I owe you an thanks for saving Applebloom. I had no idea this was going on, that boy deserves more of a flank whopping than he got." Said Applejack tilting her hat towards Night who was waving his hoof and smiling sheepishly. "Aww it was nothing, wouldn't anypony have done the same thing?" He asked trying to take attention off of himself. Applejack's expression turned to stone at that. "No, not everypony would have done it, I recon your a mighty fine feller for a colt." She said, switching back to her warm self.

"Alrighty then! Last one to the Library is a squash!" shouted Rainbow, taking off and leaving everypony in the dust...literally and figuratively. Scootaloo whooped and jumped into the air after her mother. "RAINBOW! SCOOTALOO! GET BACK HERE OR I WILL GROUND YOU BOTH TILL NEXT HEARTH WARMING!" He called after the two figures who were just dots in the sky now. Night sighed, "sorry for that Applejack, I hope I'll get to see you soon!" He called taking to the air in three powerful strokes of his wings. "Mighty nice meeting you!" Shouted Applejack back as she watched the colt catch up to the rest of his family. She chuckled as she saw a black dot bump a spectral dot, sending it spiraling downwards for a bit before it regained it's bearings. "Never thought I'd see the day a grown mare had less sense than a colt." She muttered to herself while walking back to her work.

Twilight smiled to herself as she sorting the lat of the new books she ordered from New Mare City. Suddenly she heard yelling and grunting right outside the library. Curious, she opened the door to find an odd sight; It was Rainbow Dash straining to fly straight up while a dark brown colt was holding her tail with his teeth, he was levitating off the ground a couple feet and Scootaloo was holding his midsection as they both had a tug of war with the cerulean mare. Suddenly he flared his wings outward and down. Twilight gasped as she saw his wings, they were black, veiny and devoid of feathers exactly like a dragons. The sudden sound must have startled the trio because the colt let go and stumbled backwards, toppling both himself and Scootaloo. Rainbow Dash shot straight up in the air and did an almost 90 degree turn into Twilight's bedroom via balcony window. Scootaloo was the first to untangle herself from the pile, rubbing the back of her head with a fore hoof. "Ugh, Rainbow come out this instant young lady!" Called the almost black colt, his voice like booming thunder.

"Umm, excuse me may I help you two?" Asked Twilight in an almost Fluttershy like fashion. A familiar voice behind her squeaked. "Sorry miss, we just need to get our mom back." He said, opening his eyes and stunning Twilight further.

"Umm...Twilight? Are you okay?" Asked a small voice behind her, snapping her attention back to the present. Just then, Rainbow appeared behind both Twilight and Fluttershy "hey guys! c'mon in!" She said to the two who were still standing outside.

The colt sighed, "we have to wait for permission! Rainbow where are you manners?" He asked genuinely perplexed and a bit incredulous. "Never had em." She responded with a mischievous smirk. This just drew a bigger sigh, "sorry miss but, may we come in?" He asked, right at that instance, Twilight heard a familiar Royal Voice gasp and a clatter of armor as they were surrounded by Royal Guards

"Put you hooves where we can see them!" Shouted a royal guard stallion, pointing a shoulder lance at the smaller colt's neck.

The colt only sighed and said; "here we go again".

Chapter 13: Draic

(A/N: Chekov's gun firing in 1 chapter! Also I was listening to this song )

I smiled as I saw the 15 magically invisible guards pop into existence around both Celestia and I. "I will not take no for an answer young buck." She said sternly as the guards enclosed us in a tight circle.

Crackshot snored lightly at his position on top of Sugarcube corner 15 feet from the meeting place. He was a dark brown unicorn and latest addition to the Ponyville Police Force. He acted as negotiator and tactical sniper at times. He was a dark brown unicorn that had just recently moved from Appleoosa with his two kids. Right now he sat with his custom 44. Caliber sniper on the roof acting as a back up plan in things got too messy. He snapped awake just as he heard the gasp after the target got up from his position on the ground. He scrambled a bit and used his magic to place the 44. in his grip using magic. The gun was specially modified to fire .75 caliber bullets and man was it large. The trigger was a rectangle with an intricately carved rose on it, courtesy of his late wife who died right before he and his two kids had moved. As he got to position, a familiar feeling of colt calculation made it's way through his brain as he zeroed on on the target's head. His special talent dealt with guns, specifically revolvers which is why he had two Colt King Cobra's crossing each other for a cutie mark. He kept his communication spell open in case of any orders. Sitting there on the roof invisible to almost all courtesy of the giant frilly decorations, he awaited for trouble that he could feel welling up.

=========================

I didn't give a damn if it was the very Princess of Equestria herself which it currently was; I was not going to be taken from my family, not if I could help it. I saw the royal guards saunter up, laughing condescendingly.

"Are you crazy kid? Do you know who your dealing with? I highly suggest you come with the princess before we have to get....serious." Said who I guessed was the company leader. I smiled. "Well I've fought manticores, hydras,dragons,basilisks, pony gangs who've wanted to skin me, oh and the occasional assasin so I think I can handle the Equestrian Royal Guard." I finished, smiling slightly as I saw the reaction my statement caused. "So we have a rebel, and a liar." He spat back, this made me stiffen. "I may be a thief but I am no liar." I said as my tone dropped dangerously. I mentally smacked myself in the head.

Horseapples Nightmare your boasting again! Didn't you say you hated prideful ponies? Questioned Mr. Logical (yes I had taken to naming them.)

Mr. Illogical, acting quite foalishly responded he started it!. I let them argue it out as I focused on the task at hand. I heard a yell behind me as one of the encircling guards decided to take a chance and ran at me. I smiled a little as I shook my head.

Amateurs I thought as I turned faster than physically possible, meeting the opposing stallion with a hoof to the face that sent him a good 50 feet back BEFORE he started skidding to a stop. As soon as I dispatched that guard, another two flanked me from opposite sides which was a bad idea. I waited patiently until they were right on top of me until i ducked low to the ground and kicked upwards with my hindlegs right into their faces, sending both of them skyward in opposite directions.

By now I was entering battle frenzy mode, this meant that I was growing faster and stronger as I let my emotions take over my thoughts and body. I felt anger coursing through me as raced over to a group of 3 guards who were still in surprise at my skill. With a sweeping motion of my back legs, I caught them off guard. As they started falling to the ground, I assaulted them with a barrage of punches barely visible to the naked eye. I lost count but I assumed that each guard took at least 6 hits before I sent them flying with an powerful backlash from my wings. I noticed a smell of burning wood in the air as I dodged attacks from 4 other airborne guardsmen. I sent out a strong concussery spell using the flow which sent the 4 back a good 10 feet. I looked at my hoofs to find that they were on fire.

Okay thats not accurately descrbing it, they were fire. The flames seemed to move and crackle as I waved my hoof in front of my face. I gingerly touched my mane and brought a thick clump of it to my face, finding that it had been transformed into a white blazing inferno. I quickly looked around, panic starting to overcome me. I spotted my reflection in a nearby puddle.

I was shocked and awed at the sight. My coat had been transformed into a seething mass of black fire that resembled a pony, it looked like I was bathed in fire. My mane was crackling and blazing on top of my head as it contrasted the black with a white. Even staring at this otherworldly sight, the one feature that struck me the most were my eyes. They were like twin shards of electric blue. The normal cobalt with reptile pupils had been transformed into twin pieces of light blue fire in my head. They had two trails of blue rising into the sky. I smiled a wide smile, revealing rows and rows of razor sharp teeth.

Willing myself calm after I saw the remaining five guards quaking in their armor, I felt my anger subside as well as the flames that were by body. I saw myself in the mirror as I slowly began to reform into a colt and not a blazing fire demon. I turned back to look at the mass conglomerate.

===========================================================

Crackshot saw the skill in which the colt had taken out the Royal Guard. He wasn't going to take any chances, as soon as the colt regained his ponyish form, he fired. The bullet recoil was immense as it race through the barrel. He saw the look in the colt's eyes as the bullet designated for his brain eagerly flew to it's destination.

==================================

I felt a tickle at the front of my head as I saw for the first time, the sniper sitting atop Sugar Cube Corner. I saw him fire but in slow time, the muzzle flare seemed to expand so slowly as the bullet left the chamber. I found myself strangely calm as the bullet whizzed through the air. It was then that a long hidden part of me awakened as the bullet neared it's destination.

Vebren I softly whispered.

Right then I felt an anger like a maelstrom course through my vains like never before. I let out an earth shattering roar that actually destroyed the fountain behind Celestia, I closed my eyes as I roared, letting the long stream of non-words out through that one raw expression of emotion.

I was still roaring when I opened my eyes to find that the bullet had stopped literally RIGHT in front of my eyes. It was still spinning as it battled the sheer force of the scream. I felt the rage redouble and I actually found it in me to scream louder, sending the bullet flying back at the same speed it came. After a full minute, I stopped.

It was then that I discovered two things; 1. I hadn't been speaking gibberish, I had been speaking Draic, the old language of power held only by the dragons. 2. Everypony was staring at me with fear in their eyes.

It was like a waterballon had burst inside of me. I felt immense sadness as I watched them stare at me. I began to cry right then and there. Crying for what I had done, and crying for what I had become.

I had become the very thing my father trained me be and what I had strived so hard not to become.

I became a monster.

(A/N: Search up dragon tongue on google and it's the first result. It's not Skyrim Dragon Tounge but the word is force. Also seriously does anyone know how to upload this to Equestria Daily?)

Chapter 14: An end and a beginning

(A/N: I think I'm gonna write a few more chapters before I submit this to EQ Daily. Also Chekov's gun firing in 3...2.....1.)

Obsidian stood shocked before the council. "Obsidian! This wasn't supposed to happen for another 10 years! Explain yourself!" Shouted the eldest dragon of the conjoined Draic/Griffic council.

I..I don't know what happened sir. It seems like the wheels of fate are spinning faster than I expected. Said Obsidian. They were in the middle of judging his performance via memories when there was a rumble in the hall of spirits.

Obsidian! Who was the colt's dragon mother! Whispered Ralus to his side, the scarred and muscular griffon had driven many a dark nightmare to the ground groveling. He stood shaking slightly as he brushed against Obsidian, his fur and feathers lightly touching the dragon's scales. Obsidian gulped.

His mother was Leviathan, my daughter. Said the dragon, immense sadness overwhelming him. He heard the head dragon sigh, "Obsidian I've known you a long time. Go old friend and see what you can do. Ralus that includes you." Said the large beige dragon sitting at the head of the round table which was the centerpiece of the hall of spirits. Ralus blinked a few times why me sir? He asked completely confused. The old griffon sitting to the left of the head dragon let out a frustrated groan. "Ralus you're the guardian spirit of the filly closest to him, it's your job to see the filly through her life unharmed lest we see his ungodly anger. Ralus understood immediately, his commander's attitude returned as he offered a sharp salute before disappearing in a plume of golden smoke. Obsidian sighed as he too disappeared in a puff of black smoke.

After the two spirits left, the large beige dragon whose name was Bazilus rubbed his temple with a claw. "Do you really think that child is a monster?" Asked Romulous the griffon to his left. "There is no doubt in my mind Romulous, you saw what he was like! How the fury overtook his body and encased him in the flames." Responded the dragon who was suddenly overcome with a strong sense of foreboding. "We must be vigilant, gods know what he's capable of.

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Well, after I finished crying my sorry flank off. I got up and proceeded to the nearest royal guardstallion. It was the first one I had sent flying with a punch. I snorted a lick of white fire onto my hoof and gently rubbed it across his face. Before this treatment, the stallion was out cold in the dirt. Afterwards, he jumped to attention in Confucian, looking down to where I was still rubbing white fire to his underside didn't help his him one bit. "Wha? Who? Why?" He asked, before he could finish i interjected. "Just focus on the feel-good sensation and don't try to dwell in it too much." I said, thankfully he complied. I made my rounds healing all the bruised and battered guards. The townsponies had now broken out into murmuring and whispering as I finished healing up the last of the 4 stallions I had beaten the living hay out of. After I was done, they all assembled around the princess in a defensive position, it was like a wall of pure white muscle. She had also snapped out of her stupor and was looking at me with apprehension. "I really think you need to see somepony."

"I concur." I said, following her while the town whispered. As I left with my head hung low, I heard two mares scream shouting. Looking behind, I saw two royalguardsbucks holding onto them as they struggled in midair. Saddened by this sight, I looked back at them with tears in my eyes. "Don't worry you two! I'll be back before you know it!" I then turned to Princess Celestia who was smiling, the apprehension visible in her eyes. "Come hell or high water."

And with that I left again. "Like a ghost, never staying in one place for too long." I mused to myself, snorting cockily. "This ghost is here to stay though, THIS however is just an end to the beginning." I thought to myself, I wasn't going to give up on my family or friends I know they wouldn't either.

(A/N: Sorry for taking so long, to answer some of your questions I did indeed have a plan for this story but then this huge wave of writer's block hit so I was stranded. Anyway I'm back on track! And with another chapter on the way!)

Chapter 15: The monster within

(A/N: finally decided which path i'm taking for the story, took out the whole thing with the angel and shit besides just watch and see.)

Celestia watched the young dragon pony fighting the guards. "How long has he been going Celestia?" Asked Aquillus, one of the two head guards. "For about 5 hours straight." She replied, her jaw still on the floor.

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They left Ponyville around 3:00 p.m arriving at Canterlot at 4:00 p.m, of course as soon as the entourage of guards an Princess arrived in the teaming city that drew a ring of attention. They walked through the busling streets seeing as how the air was busy with pegasi and the ground nearly impossible to traverse because of all the unicorns and earth ponies wandering around.

Celestia watched the growing crowd of nobles as they first bowed, then shrank back in fear of her charge. Glancing over she found Nightshade not even bothered about the sudden turn of events while she herself struggled to maintain her composure at the sudden hostility displayed by the ponies. "Aren't you the least bit angered by them? At all?" She finally asked as they reached the confines of the royal castle's outer wall. "Nah, comes with the looks." He said, not even bothering to make eye contact, his voice displaying his complete lack of care. Celestia just shrugged. "I guess if he doesn't mind it neither should I." She thought calmly as they made their way to the psychiatrist.

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For some reason I found I was really really hungry. I don't know when it started, but I just felt so hungry. As we passed through the streets of canterlot I heard whispers as the nobles looked at me in shock and disgust, I merely shrugged them off. I mean, after a while you get used to it. As we made our way to the giant golden gates surrounding the perimeter of the castle, the princess looked at me and asked "Aren't you the least bit angered?" It was then that I looked into her huge amethyst eyes and heard something, something called in the recesses of my mind.

hungry

It spoke in a voice so deep that a chasm would be jealous. For a moment I felt a trickle of fear run down my spine, I forced myself to answer her in my normal nonchalant tone, only this time I was careful not to make eye contact again. We continued on in silence, passing through the courtyards, inner gates, and then finally the halls. "Now I know you might not want to talk about it but....just answer the stallion's questions and don't be afraid." She offered, we were currently standing outside of a room that was decorated with white wood coated in red paint. I just smiled and inhaled deeply as the princess and I walked in.

Inside, I found myself in a large semi-circular room with a large single paned window staring straight at me. The furniture was very minimally for such a large room, it was decorated with one red velvet couch and one dark oak wood stool, which was currently occupied by a large grey stallion with a grey and white mane. I raised my hoof in greeting and he did the same, adjusting the rectangular glasses adorning his nose. "Now questions take it easy on him, he's had quite a hard time." Spoke Princess Celestia, closing the door as she walked out the room.

Did I ever tell you I hated psychiatrists? Over my years traveling around Equestria with my father, various ponies had me locked up and 'evaluated' by many a shrink. Thanks to all those encounters, I was well versed in circular conversation.

"So, what's your name?" Asked the grey pony, his name was questions right?

"Name's Nighshade. Questions right?" I asked unsure, he nodded in reply. Scribbling on a notebook with a quill he was levitating with magic.

"So I understand that you did quite a number on those guards." He started, I just shrugged. He gave me a confused look before continuing.

"Why exactly did you do that? And then you healed them. Now I know the princess wants me to talk to you about your past but still! That was a good flank whooping you gave them!" He shouted, barely containing his excitement. I shifted my head to look at him. "Well yeah, they had it coming." I answered curtly. He continued scribbling, faust knew what he was writing.

"So then, why did you do it?" He asked, I just shrugged.

"Cuz I wanted to."

"Why did you want to?"

"Cuz the princess was annoying me."

"The princess of Equestria was....annoying you?" He asked, barely hiding his confusion. Again I shrugged.

"And you took your anger out on the Princess?"

"Eeyup."

"Why?"

"Cuz I wanted to."

"[angry sigh] Why did you want to?"

"Cuz she was annoying me." I replied, I heard a frustrated grunt and allowed the tiniest of smiles to show on my face. "I'll be back in a minute." He said, I watched him leave. Pft hah! Shouted both halves of my brain (mr. Illogical/logical) they both bro-hoofed.

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Celetia sat patiently on a blue velvet couch right outside the room. She was sipping some tea when Questions burst angrily through the door sighing loudly. "I see he isn't the most open pony around." She said in a slightly amused tone. To this Questions sighed and took out a bagged bottle alcohol. This elicited a raised eyebrow from Celestia. "I didn't know you drank." Surprised at the stallion sitting next to her. After several moments of gulping, he pulled the bottle from his lips with a satisfied "Ahh." He looked at her with still rational, non diluted eyes.

"Celestia, get him tired. I can't talk to him with his defenses raised like this. Some physical activity should do it, anyway bring him back after a hard days work and try talking to him." Said Questions, having known him for awhile Celestia took his advice on this one. "Alright, I'll have him train with the guards for now." She said, walking into the room where the colt was lightly napping.

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Celestia walked in and directed the colt to the training gardens where the castle guard was busy doing push ups, jousting and general stuff. "Now please try to get along and behave, I'll pick you up in a bit." She said, walking off to attend princess stuff I guessed.

As soon as she left the garden grew quiet, all the guards were looking at me and I at them. "You know, it's creepy that you all look the exact same." I said, noticing that all the guards had white coats and blue eyes. Their manes were hidden by their armor so I couldn't see if there was any actual difference. Suddenly, 5 stallions stepped forward from the line that had formed. "Hey you! Wanna spar?" Asked the one in the middle, I looked into his eyes and noticed that they had a sparkle of fear. I took my time deciding if I should or shouldn't.

hungry

Gah! That damn voice! Spoke both sides of my brain. I shook my head trying to dispel it. I was still feeling inexplicably hungry. Deciding that some sparring would take my mind off of that voice, I gladly accepted their challenge.

Present

Celestia quickly shook her head trying to snap out of her daze. The colt dodged 5 castle guards as the punched, bucked, and nipped all in a futile attempt to hurt the colt. He danced back avoiding hits and kicks, jumping and sailing over some of the guards who were paying less attention. She watched as he ducked, jumped, danced, and parried all in attempt of evasion. "Guards!" she called out, in the blink of an eye the royal guards snapped into a single file line leaving a dazed Nightshade staring at them and trying to figure out how they suddenly went from right in front of him to his left.

She eyed for a while before turning her attention to Nightshade who was still wearing a confused look. "Come Nightshade we have much to discuss." She said, giving him a warm smile. He switched from confused to laconic in a second and nodded, following her into the castle.

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Hungry

Spoke the voice again, this time I couldn't ignore it, I was too tired from the sparring. I had instantly recognized the five guards by the looks in their eyes. They were the 5 that had stood there quaking in their horeshoes while I had beaten the living tar out of their comrades. We 'danced' a bit, I lost track of time as I took it upon myself to not inflict a single hit upon them. After a while I heard Princess Celestia and well.....you all know what happened. So now we were currently in her bedroom, on her bed.....no we were not doing that! GET YOUR MINDS OUT OF THE GUTTER.

This time I couldn't look away from her eyes. "Nightshade I know your going through alot but I just want you to talk to me! I know that I as well as your family are here for you!" She said, I however wasn't listening all I could hear was;

hungry, hungry, hungry

I was too tired, I just gave in to it and allowed conscious to fade into black.

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Celestia stared in horror as Nightshade's reptilian eyes moved, the slits turned from vertical to horizontal and.....opened. The slits expanded until she was staring at twin pieces of black inside his head. She couldn't look away even as he opened his mouth impossibly wide. It was just those big, cold, lifeless eyes that kept her riveted.

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"Sister! Sister! Open up!" Luna shouted as he banged on the door to Celestia's private quarters, She felt apprehension and fear worming it's way through her as silence answered her calls. Fearing for her sister, she used her magic to open to doors, gasping at the site that greeted her.

There, sitting on her bed, was Celestia. Luna saw large rivers of golden light leaving her eyes and slack jawed mouth and transfer itself into the dragon colt. It in turn seemed to be sucking the light into itself. Luna had seen these things before, they were rare back in the old days when she was around.

"Guards! Guards! Come quickly! It's an Pomunculus!" She called, the thing turned it's attention away from her sister who collapsed on her bed. It fixed it's stare onto luna and said in a grave chilled voice.

I'm so, so hungry Luna. Won't you feed me?

(Pomunculus; Homunculus in pony speak.)

Chapter 16: Worlds away

(A/N: Sorry I haven't been updating my stories regularly, the batman calls to me and I can't help but listen)

Ahem. I only found this out later when I talked with Luna but well.....remember when I said that my father used the amniomorphic spell to shape me in my mother's womb? Turns out that he also bound with me with a necromantic reanimation spell as a back up in case the fetus (me) wasn't able to support itself due to the binding of genes, cartilage, muscle, and all that jazz.

Okay so to skip the really complex stuff, I wasn't a dragon, I wasn't a pony....forget that I wasn't even technically alive.

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Luna stared at the monster, now enclosed within salt and grain circle. It stared back, a twisted smile on it's face. "Princess Luminescence...what shall we do about this?" Asked Biggs he was the second Captain of Celestia's personal battalion within the royal guard. She sighed, "send a letter to Twilight's friends as well as his family. This is going to be a very long night." She said, her voice tired. She couldn't believe herself, a dark being such as this going completely unnoticed right underneath her nose.

Now I have to explain something, the princesses are as different as night and day in many different ways. An example of such magical spheres of influence. This is all highly intellectual speak for their magic is different. Celestia is well versed in light magic; telekinesis, elemental magic, and tracking magic basically the practical kind. Luna however, specializes in divination, hypnosis, and necromancy. The impractical and deadlier magic. As you can imagine this leads to each sister gaining different attributes, celestia could sense if a pony was happy, or if the elements of nature or harmony were in trouble or being activated. That is to name a few of her talents. Luna however could sense whether there was a dark presence of any non-living or threatening being. I at the moment fell under the former category.

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Scootaloo twisted and turned in her bed, not able to get comfortable in the least bit. In the other room she could hear Rainbow going through the exact same pain. Finally she gave up and got out of bed. Quietly she made her way over to the window and opened it careful not to make a sound. After she was done checking to see if Rainbow was up or not, she glided down to the front cloud lawn of the cloud home.

"Why? Why can't I sleep? And more importantly, why can't I get rid of this feeling?" She thought to herself as she absently watched the night sky, too observed in her own thoughts to care. She put a hoof to her heart, trying to figure out what it was trying to tell her. It was like....it was like she couldn't sleep without him anymore. They had spent only a week together as a family but already she couldn't sleep without him.

"Is it because of his heart? How warm....and rhythmic....and stoic...and strong it is." She thought, pain filling her heart. She took a deep sighing breath.

"It's only been one night but why do I miss him so much?" She thought hanging her head in despair. It was then that she was joined by a familiar cornflower blue mare.

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Twilight had just finished watching 'Marey Shelly's; Frankenpony' when she heard Spike burp. "Now I wonder what that could be about." She said making her way to the bedroom..only to discover a scared and wide eyed spike sitting on the floor. "Spike? Spike?!? What's wrong with you?" She asked shaking the baby dragon with a hoof. He snapped out of his stupor and started shaking her with his claws.

"Twilight bad, bad bad news from Luna! I-I- here you read it." He said handing her the letter with one arm draped dramatically over his eyes. Rolling her eyes she TK'd the scroll over to her face and began mentally reading it, skimming the words with her eyes.

Dear Twilight Sparkel,

I regret to inform you that Nightshade's mental as well as physical condition has taken a turn for the worse. I walked into my sister's bedroom to find that he had transformed into a Pomunculus. I fear that I require the elements of harmony as well as the colt's family be assembled. They might take this news hard but please inform them to prepare to lose a son.

Regretfully yours, Princess Luminescence.

She reread it just to be sure. "S-S-Spike....call Pinkie and tell her to call the girls and Scootaloo over....this....I...I need a minute." She said suddenly feeling a dizzy spell work it's way up from the recesses of her mind. Spike simply saluted and ran as fast as his little legs could carry him, intent in delivering his message.

Now, I have to explain something to you. A Pomunculus is....well... a fully formed, fully growing individual which posses a dual soul. Okay this might sound weird but bear with me. When a pony is born, a designated soul passes from The Flow into the fetus and grows alongside the body. A Pomunculus forms when a fetus is born due to black magic, this causes the fetus to form and develop and grow and become a living, breathing body with no soul. When this happens it becomes a beast, devouring other's souls through their eyes and mouths.

Now, these non-souls are actually souls within themselves. They have no official name but I just like calling them 'darkhearts'. When my father created me, he used the best in spells to drag my soul through the cross-roads of fate, dragging it through the dimensions into ours, submersing it into The Flow to make it usable, and shoving it into my body. Now, since this wasn't supposed to happen technically, Mother Nature did what it was supposed to do. It sent a darkheart along with my soul. Yup people that's right, I was born with another soul inside me.

Now then, back to the story.

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Scootaloo sat there and watched the stars as they rolled by. "Hey Scoots, couldn't sleep either?" Asked Rainbow surprising her. "R-R-Rainbow Dash! I'm sorry I just couldn't sleep and-" She was cut off as Rainbow put a hoof to her lips. It was then that Scootaloo saw the pain and sadness in her adoptive mother's eyes. RD took a deep shuddering breath. "You know....when I adopted Night....I saw him flying along in the sky and I couldn't help but think that he looked so lonely." She started, drawing Scootaloo closer to her, Scootaloo was just sitting there listening.

"I...I always wanted a little one of my own....but I could never find the one...the one that was right for me." She began, looking down and smiling a warm motherly smile at Scootaloo who just started back in silence. "I remember when I first saw him, he was just sitting there curled up on the roof sleeping. I felt so calm and right looking at him...I just couldn't wait another moment I flew straight to the mayor's office and ordered the form right then and there." She said, at this the two mares shared a giggle.

"Which is what brought me to you Scoots." She said, giving a little squeeze to the filly cradled in her legs and wings. "I had always kept my eyes on you ya know? I....I Scoots I can't see you could forgive me for just ignoring you like that. Scoots you mean so much to me!" She said bringing the little filly up to her, staring at her right in the eyes. "Scoots, I couldn't ever say what I love about you...I just love you I love everything about you my little filly and don't let anypony tell you different. I love both of you like my own flesh and blood, don't you two ever, ever forget that." She said, by now the two where in silent hysterics, clinging to each other as they cried.

Which wasn't long enough as they were soon interrupted by a familiar pink mare popping out of the clouds.

"Scoots, RD. No time to talk hurry to Twilight's now, It's about Nightshade." She got out before she was swept up by two very powerful cerulean wings. "Woooooooooooww!" Pinkie shouted in excitement and fear as she raced along the trees of Ponyville, Scootaloo wasn't very far behind as the trio raced over to the Treehouse that was the library.

"Twilight Darling you simply must explain why you've gathered us here tonight! I can't possibly see why this couldn't wait until morning!" Said Rarity in usual dramatic fashion. "Rare I really think you should-" Tried Applejack who was trying to intervene but failing miserably. "I mean a midnight sleepover is nice and whatnot but a lady needs her beauty sleep!" She said completely ignoring the farm mare. "Um, Rarity, I really think you should listen-" Spoke Fluttershy in her nearly whispering volume which was quickly over topped by Rarity's louder one. "If you this is an emergency like you say it is then I would suggest it wait until morning-"

Twilight had tried talking to Rarity but she kept blocking her at every opportunity. Now on every other day everypony would ignore it but this wasn't every other day, and hearing Rarity say that it could wait till morning was the straw that broke the Camel's back.

"NIGHTSHADE IS GOING TO DIE!" She shouted, right as Rainbow, Pinkie, And Scootaloo burst into the room.

Everypony was silent as Rainbow did her best impression of a fish, her mouth opening and closing but not a sound coming out. Twilight subconsciously triggered her group-teleportation spell she had been mentally preparing up until that point. So the whole group of 7 ponies and a baby dragon was stunned and further shocked when they appeared in Princess Celestia's bedroom and found the sun princess passed out on her bed. The Princess of the Night had a brief look of surprise of confusion that quickly passed through her. "My....my little ponies....I-" She started but was quickly interrupted by Rainbow Dash who bore down on her with the fury of a maelstrom.

"WHAT THE HAY ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!? WHAT IS THIS ABOUT MY SON?!? ANSWER ME DAMMIT! WHAT'S WRONG WITH HIM? WHAT DID YOU PONIES DO TO HIM?!?" She shouted.

Luna had been expecting this, as soon as Rainbow was done, she slowly moved aside to show them their worst nightmares.

Chapter 17: War of words

Obsidian watched from the metaphysical plain as the thing took over Night's mind and soul. He could feel the malice radiating from that thing that sat in the salt and grain circle. "I might be a bit too late. He thought to himself as he closed his eyes and reentered Night's mind.

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Rarity was the first to speak after several seconds of uninterrupted silence. "Darling! Thank goodness your alright! It's not like I had any doubt that you were fine it's just-"

"Would you shut up you over pampered white mammy. " It said in a tone devoid of any compassion. "Excuse me?!?" Shouted Rarity in rage, she stormed up to the smiling creature but was quickly stopped by a hoof on her shoulder, courtesy of Princess Luna. "Stop Rarity, he's luring you." She said pointing at the now slightly blurred salty circle.

"Tsk, and I thought I could appeal to your jaded sigh." It smirked a little as he watched the ponies distress over the bipolar turn. "Darling! I cannot believe you! And here I thought you were such a nice and honest young lad-" began Rarity

"Oh shut it Rarity.....everypony has their little secrets." He said narrowing his soulless black eyes, his grin expanding into a sinister toothy smile.

The thing laughed as it saw the shock slowly spread around the room.

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"Ugh...where am I?" Asked Night as he woke up. ""O herro dere!" chimed a familiar voice off to his left. "What the hay? Mr. Illogical? He asked slightly unsettled. "Wait a minute how are you here? What the-" realization suddenly dawned on him as he faced the grey and black stallion. "You probably already know this since it IS your brain but well.....your inside your own head." Spoke a relatively calm Mr. Logical as he finished scrambling up from a manhole that had appeared in front of Night just a millisecond before.

"Wait, wait wait a minute, how am I INSIDE my own mind?" He asked, to this Mr. Illogical suddenly drew a grim expression. "We must go deeper!" He said to nopony in particular. "What? You know what, never mind." He said as he quickly switched his attention over to the green and white stallion that was Mr. Logical.

"Well through some royal buck up in the workings of your inner mind and soul you are now here." During the conversation the stallion had somehow gotten a pair of rectangular eyeglasses that he now adjusted with a hoof.

"Thanks for that OH SO ENLIGHTENING explanation." He deadpanned fixing the peeved stallion with a half lidded stare. This drew a sigh from Mr. Logical as he took off the eye ware and started at Night with emerald green eyes.

"Okay see it's like this. You have a guardian spirit that resides in your psyche and looks over you, guiding your every move and watching over you." Spoke the stallion, quickly being interrupted by a raised hoof courtesy of Night.

"Yeah we've met it was a giant black dragon which brings me to my next question, why is my guardian a dragon?" He asked that particular detail had been bothering him for awhile.

Well that is because all dragonlings have guardian spirits that reside within their minds. Since your part dragon somepony up there" he said gesturing to the heavens with his left front hoof "decided to stick you with one so bingo you have a guardian." Said Illogical from his place in the air, during the conversation with Logical he had somehow managed to become a pegasus and was now lazily floating over the two ground bound ponies.

"Okay so there are plenty things wrong with that; 1. How do I know that I had a guardian spirit-" he was interrupted as the green stallion put a hoof to his lips. "Look, there are somethings that you know but at the same time don't know. "Take for example genetic memory, dragons have it which means that since you inherited dragon cells you too must have it. Now see you knew this but at the same time didn't know this." Mr. Illogical replied as he drifted overhead casting shade onto the two below. "For the sake of our conjoined sanity I'll put it this way; the two you call Mr. Logical and Mr. Illogical are actually your conscious and subconscious. Said Logical, again adjusting his glasses yet again.

"Okay now that makes much more sense actually." Said Night, suddenly he began shivering violently as the temperature dropped. "Why is it so cold, and for that matter why are we on a tropical island?" He asked finally noticing his surroundings. The three stallions were currently on a small island that was apparently floating in the sky, sand and palm trees littered the area as Night got up from his place on the ground and started walking around. Suddenly they all felt a tremor as pieces of the island began falling off into a black abyss that was located below. "Why the hay are we having an earthquake? And why is it freezing?" Night asked shouting.

"The island is your mind's way of creating a meeting point where your waking self and other selves can meet! How else are we gonna show your waking self your inner workings? The temperature represents your control over your own mind and soul which is dropping because your CURRENTLY BEING EATEN FROM THE INSIDE OUT BY A DARKHEART!!! " Shouted Logical as he scrambled away from the now disintegrating edges of landmass. "Oh shit! What do I do?!?" He called back as the small strip of land still holding began collapsing underneath them.

You go out and meet the darkheart and convince him to go back to wherever he came from! Called Illogical as the ground holding the two earth bound ponies finally gave way making them free fall into the blackness below. Night shouted one last thing as he was swallowed by the darkness. "THAT'S CRAZY!" He said before blacking out.

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Scootaloo had been quiet during the whole exchange with Rarity but now she spoke up. "Your not Nightshade, there is no way he's so rude there is no way that he can do such a cruel thing." She said making her way to the front of the group. "No Scoots! It's too dangerous!" Shouted Rainbow as she grabbed Scootaloo and dragged her back into the safety of the other ponies now standing a few feet away from the offending creature.

"Oh? Since when did you ever care about danger? Oh right, it was after you adopted me." Spoke the darkheart putting a venomous touch on the last word. "Now wait just a minute there! I love scootaloo like my own daughter! Which is far more than I can ever say for you!" She spat back now riled up. "Hold on mom! It's tricking you!" Spoke Scootaloo struggling in Rainbow's protective embrace.

"Oh dear Scootaloo how disillusioned you are. Tell me, how painful was it to find yourself crying alone in the dark? Crying to a mother that had abandoned you?" Leered the thing, it watched as rage and hate contorted on the filly's face.

It had in happened exactly as the stallion described. One day Gilda just up and left Scootaloo crying in the warehouse. She remembered crying for days and days, finally a passing couple had taken her in. They had proved to be quite the demented duo, torturing Scootaloo both mentally and verbally. "SHUT UP! YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!" She shouted back, all thoughts of saving the stallion lost in rage and pain.

"HAHAHA! What's wrong?!? Have I hit a sore spot?" The thing shouted in mad glee, it's time was coming and it knew it.

"SHUT UP!" She was now crying.

"I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU I HATE YOU I HATE YOU!" She called back as she ran down the hall in tears.

The thing chuckled as the grain circle enclosing it suddenly exploded in hellish black fire.

"Stupid stupid ponies, you've just sealed your Fate."

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"Ugh, where am I now?" Asked Nightshade as he awoke for the second time in an even stranger place. He found himself drifting in the abyss, darkness stretched out in all directions both up and down.

Dear boy your in your own mind! Albeit in a much darker section. Said a gravely and cold voice from behind him. He turned around to find himself face to face with his complete opposite.

The stallion was like him in almost every way. He was the same height, had the same hair, he even had the same three dragon scales on his face. The difference however was in the mane and coat. Nightshade had a deep dark chestnut brown coat whereas this pony had an albino white coat. Nighhshade had a silvery gray/white mane and this colt had a night black one. The big difference however, was the eyes. Nightshade had shining blue parietal eyes while this colt had.....black where his eyes should have been.

"Nightshade! Thank the gods I found you!" Called a massive black dragon which had just landed from seemingly nowhere, Night didn't know how he saw the dragon in the dark but he didn't question it.

"Be carful boy! This thing is just using your body as a means to an end!" Said the dragon taking a defensive position in front of Nightshade, his wings displaced as he let off a warning growl.

"Am I?" Replied the creature in an almost bored tone. "Look, I could have killed you and taken your body any time I had wanted in the past years but I didn't, in fact I chose to stay and stand by you. Now during all that time I watched you suffer under the hooves of cruel ponies who only used you. I couldn't help but think that I could have helped if you'd have let me. " It said, it's voice becoming sympathetic.

"I don't need your help though, I'm fine now. I've got a family that loves me and father that's forgiven me." Night said, his voice even as he watched the thing.

"Oh I know all about your daddy. It's your family that I point my hooves at." It said, his voice betraying anger.

"Lier! His family loves him and you know it!" Shouted the dragon, preparing for any incoming attacks.

"Really? Because I don't think so." A memory clouded Night's vision. It was the speech Rainbow had given to Scootaloo.

"Scoots I love you like my own daughter." Said the ghostly image of Rainbow as it hugged the little filly. Of course the darkheart had edited the memory once it had come across it in the flow. Memories tended to blend in that river and sometimes somepony could fish one out that wasn't theirs.

"She was just talking with her daughter!" Reasoned the dragon, aware that the seeds of doubt had already taken hold within the dragon colt.

"What about me?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Another image showed Rainbow hugging Scootaloo in a protective embrace.

"I love Scootaloo like my own daughter! Which is far more than I can say for you!" The image said, sending a mixture of shock, pain, and fear through the colt.

No! She was talking to the darkheart not you Nightshade!" The dragon's pleas fell on deaf ears.

"She never loved me, did she?" He asked, his voice growing as cold as his body became numb.

"No she never did love you, she always thought you were like a pet. She thought it was cool to adopt you." Spat the creature as it circled Nightshade like a shark would circle it's prey. How it had gotten past Obsidian he didn't know. "However I can fix all of that for you, if you give me your body I can give you immense power, enough to right the wrongs those mares have brought upon you." It whispered, assured of it's catch.

"Now wait just a minute there! I thought you said that you hated power and those who wielded it for their own good!" Roared the dragon bringing Nightshade's focus back to him.

"Your right." The colt replied dreamily.

"I thought you said that you loved them like a family! They showed you kindness and love and accepted you and this is how you repay them?!? By dominating them with sheer power?!?" Roared the dragon, he saw the colt slowly snapping out of his stupor. The darkheart saw this to and quickly reinserted itself into the conversation.

"But all that love was just a fake wasn't it? They accepted you because you were like a trophy." It hissed.

"I highly doubt that the filly would sleep in the same bed if she saw you as a trophy!" Countered the dragon.

"I can give you everything you ever wanted, everything you've ever dreamed of and I can get rid of these impostors that pose as your 'loving family'." It spat trying to win over the colt.

"What is all the power in the world if it can't bring happiness?!?" Countered the dragon yet again, his voice rising in anger.

The darkheart saw the colt emerging from the stupor as it was confronted by it's own morals. It was then that it played it's trump card.

"I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU I HATE YOU I HATE YOU!" Screamed Scootaloo in yet another edited memory imposed by the darkheart.

"Now what loving family will ever say that to one of it's members?" He asked in a mocking tone.

Nightshade who had been listening eagerly to each argument felt his heart freeze instantly as his mind replayed those last three words over and over again. He barely heard Obsidian shout in rage and pain as the darkheart used it's razor sharp teeth to rip out the dragon's jugulars.

"I can make it go away, all of it. All you need to do is submit." it whispered in his ear.

"Don't...do it...Nightshade." The dragon gurgled through it's own blood as it said it's dying words.

"Please...make it go away." He replied brokenly. He had held hope that maybe....maybe that one filly whom he most cared for would see the good in him but no.

"It shall be done." Said the creature using it's sharpened teeth to rip out Nightshade's throat. Gaining full access to the colt's soul.

Nightshade died within his own mind which in turn resulted his form to die and be reanimated by the darkheart. The darkheart could now use it's full power since the only thing acting as a barrier was the colt's living presence. The thing laughed in mad glee as it sent a burst of raw necromorphic power through the circle enclosing it. Smiling at the ponies distress he mocked them.

"Stupid stupid ponies, you've just sealed your Fate." It said as the mane 6, Luna, and Biggs recoiled in fear.

After all these years it was in control and it loved it.

(A/N: Yes I killed him, is there a problem?)

Chapter 18: Crossroads

Wake child. Hear my voice and rise from death again.

I felt myself warming up. I really can't describe it any other way, I just started feeling warm. Opening my eyes I saw that I was lying on the side of a road at a T shaped junction.

Wake child, it is not your time yet.

The I looked around and saw the two roads one of which was paved with gold, the other was hardened earth. As I looked down each road I saw that the black road stretched until in the horizon fire lit the sky. Frightened by this, I turned to the other road and found that I was staring at white in the horizon.

Here child. Follow my voice.

It whispered again. "Where are you?" I asked, the ground was flat with not plants and trees in sight.

I am here, I was always right here.

It whispered as a giant glowing white dragon descended from the heavens. In that one moment everything within me connected, I just felt right looking at the majestic dragon flap it's wings as it descended.

"Mom." I said through tears.

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"This is not fun! Not fun at all!" Shouted Pinkie as she was pulled from the ground. The room had broken into pandemonium after Nightshade fell.

"Run my little ponies! You may run but you cannot hide!" Shouted the Darkheart gleefully. It levitated Pinkie in front of it, staring at her for a good few seconds before throwing her using TK across the room. She smacked into a pillar with a sickening thud and fell silent.

"PINKIE! NO!" Shouted Rainbow as she saw her dearest friend thrown like a rag doll. "You little asshole!" She screamed dive bombing the walking nightmare. It laughed as it side stepped her and grabbed her wings, twisting them with the savage joy of hearing them snap underneath his hooves.

"Oh so sorry! Did I break your plaything? Here! I'll buy you a new one!" It said walking over to Fluttershy who had frozen in fear. She started backing away as it came closer and closer. Finally growing bored, he lunged over to her and jumped on her back grabbing both wings. He started pulling and pulling, feeling the joints popping out of place. "Oh what fun it is to ride a pony crazed with pain~." It sang as it pulled and pulled electing screams from the poor mare as she desperately tried to buck off the little demon. "YOU GET OFF HER THIS INSTANT!" Shouted Luna as she cast a ball of pure light at the two, just barely missing fluttershy as the ball impacted the thing's face.

"I guess some ponies like it rough!" It said as it lunged over to Princess Luna, as soon as it got close enough, she stepped to the side to the side to reveal Applejack already in Applebucking position. The look of glee evaporated from it's face as Applejack smashing into his face with her back legs hard enough to split an oak tree in half.

It flew across the room and tumbled for a little while before smacking into the bedpost. "Is it dead?" Asked Rarity as she peaked from behind a sofa. The group of ponies excluding Scootaloo who had fled before slowly started circling the thing. Rainbow Dash being the bravest of the group went right up to it. Suddenly it snapped it's limp head up and fixed her with a gaze.

"Surprise!" It shouted in the spectral mare's face momentarily disorienting her.

"You really thought that would kill me?" It asked questioning the group. "No! But this will!" Said Twilight who had been hiding alongside Rarity for a different reason. She stepped out revealing a blazing purple ball of magic that she thrust towards the creature, lighting it on fire in a beautiful purple light. She watched as it's form crumbled and disintegrated from the heat and flames. "Thank gods that's over." Said Fluttershy nursing her injured wings. Nopony noticed the ashes swirling and reconstructing until they heard it's voice.

"Again I ask, did you really think that would kill me?"

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I sat down on the cold earth, too overcome with emotion to even begin to talk.

"It's okay my child. I know everything, I've been watching you all your life." She said in a soft tone. By the way my mother was HUGE. She was called Leviathan for a reason. She was a large marble white dragon with feathery wings for once. Her horns curled at the base but straightened out near the tip giving them a strange look of symmetry. "Where do I begin?" I asked more to myself than to her.

She simply leaned down and nuzzled me with her huge draic muzzle. This was the last straw for me, I began sobbing uncontrollably.

"Sshh child, hush and be at peace." She cooed, I didn't care at all at that moment. For once in my life I had felt the warm embrace of a mother holding her son. Finally after a good long period of crying I pushed her away.

"If you've been watching me this entire time then you know. I.....I'm not a child anymore. I've....I've seen things....and I've done things." I said as memories of my misdeeds flooded my mind. "Mom I'm not gonna lie to you I have a lot of blood on my hooves." My voice was barely above a whisper but my heart felt lower.

"None of it was your fault."

"Not even the other children I had to fight for food?"

"It wasn't your fault."

"Not even that pregnant mare I stole from?"

"It wasn't your fault."

"How? How can you forgive me? I....I can't even begin to forgive myself." I said, memories of theft and murder filled my mind.

"There is nothing I could say that is harsher than what you've said to yourself. Besides, you only stole and you've lived by your code." She said her tone shifting from motherly to iron.

"Through your hardships you've overcome all, everything the world threw at you, you shrugged it off and kept walking. There is nothing that could make me prouder. As a mother, and as a dragon. She said puffing out her chest and smiling at me.

"Mom, stealing isn't the only sin I've committed." I said, not able to look her in the eyes.

I remembered when I was in in Trottingrad, again my father had left me passed out in a dark alleyway. By this time I was used to it. "Could at least leave me someplace not so cold." I muttered as I grabbed a couple sticks and threw them into a nearby dumpster, lighting it on fire with my breath. It was the dead of winter when we arrived, apparently he had 'business' in the city that he had to attend to. That left my, myself, and I alone until he came back. After a while the sky grew dark as Celestia lowered the sun and raised the moon.

It had been a few hours later when they arrived. It was a couple of teenagers drunk off of some sort of liquor. They roused me from my sleep when the head of the group accidentally doused my fire with his vomit. "Hey! What was that for?" I asked irritated.

"Looky here boys! We got us a hobo! I think we could use him for a little bit of fun!" Taunted the gangly cream colored unicorn stallion who was acting as the propagator. "L-L-Look, you don't want to do this." I said backing away from the encroaching group of drunkards. There were 6 of them, all male. I wasn't so scared of what they would do to me as what I might end up doing to them.

"Oh what are you going to do? Pee on me?" The cream colored one asked again. I remembered his eyes, the sickly light blue stared back at me. The rest of the memory was a blur, all I could remember was screams and blood. So much blood.

"You cannot keep blaming yourself, they have moved on. You should too. "

She took my chin with one of her claws and rotated it upwards so I was forced to look into her eyes.

"I know..I know." I sighed.

"Nightshade my son, right now you are at the crossroads of hell and heaven. In life you were a noble pony with a trail of misdeeds. What I'm trying to say is you can either choose to go to hell or heaven." She finished, I could tell there was something more so I asked.

"Wait why would I want to go to hell? And hold a minute where is my family?" I asked suddenly aware of their absence. She sighed and touched me with a claw, as soon as it made contact memories seeped into my mind. She showed me the whole conversation that Scootaloo had with Rainbow Dash and the whole conversation that the Darkheart had with the group.

"It lied to me." I said my jaws agape as I watched it attack my friends and family.

=========================================================================================

"Mom! Guys! Is everything alright in there?" Called Scootaloo as she made her way back to the room, her eyes were bloodshot and she hadn't even bothered to wipe off the tear streaks. The voice she most dreaded replied back as she opened the door.

"No. Nothing will ever be alright again." Said the Darkheart as it watched her face turn into a mask of horror. All around the room was scattered the mane 6, Luna was suspended in midair clutching her throat, Biggs was pinned against the wall by his wings.

"Come now my little pony, it's time you joined them." It cackled. The room was filled with a sudden golden light as Ralus exploded into action.

"YOU'LL HAVE TO GET THROUGH ME FIRST!" Shouted the immense griffon as he lunged from his place in the Scootaloo's psyche.

The Griffon lashed out with his front claws as he leapt into action. The darkheart moved with surprising agility and jumped back just barely. Seasoned through years of claw to claw the warrior followed up his lunge with a roll and struck again, this time slicing the thing across the face.

"HAH! Got you where I want you!" It shouted as it prepared to suck out his soul. The griffon saw it coming and punched the thing in the face while leaping back, making sure he didn't get caught in any counter attack.

"Well well, seems like somepony around here actually does have some common sense." It leered spitting out blood and teeth.

"And this pony is gonna kick your flank!" He shouted going for another lunge.

===============================================================================================

"Ralus is a seasoned fighter but he will not be able to hold out long against that thing. I fear it is just toying with him." She spoke as the mother and son watched it unfold.

"I..I didn't know....oh gods Rainbow Scootaloo I'm so sorry." I whispered as I watched the fight.

"Don't fret young one, there is still hope." She said, to this I looked up at her.

"There is a portal that reconnects to the world of the living. It is through there that you can leave this purgatory."

"Great! Why didn't you tell me sooner?" I asked, she fixed me with a worried stare.

"That is because it is in the bowels of hell." Her voice was filled with worry. I just shrugged.

"Alright so it's that blackened road over there?" I asked pointing in the general direction. I heard her sigh.

"That is correct be wary though, the road to hell is filled with many a lost soul." Her tone was grave. I flew up to her eyes so that I could give her a piercing gaze.

"I promised them that I would be there for them through hell or high water. I'm not one to back down." She smiled at this.

"I'm guessing I can't convince you otherwise?" Her tone was mocking but light. I laughed a little as I turned away. "Nope, nopony has ever managed to convince me otherwise when I have my mind said on something." I replied laughingly.

"And mom? Sorry for killing you." I said almost as an afternote. I heard her laugh.

"Giving birth to you was the best thing I ever did, in life and in death." Her voice barely reached me as I sped off towards the fiery horizon.

===============================================================================================

The pony and griffon traded furious blows for a while, Ralus using a hit and run strategy while the thing just sat there and countered. Scootaloo could see that the griffon was loosing though, his attacks were becoming less and less precise and his movement became sluggish.

"Damn, I really should've worked out." He wheezed as he finally stopped moving.

"Done yet? Yes? Good." It said, lunging with power that nopony thought it had. As soon as it was close enough it shifted positions within the air so that it it's hind legs were in front and the rest of the body followed. Scootaloo saw the griffon recoil and be struck with a powerful drop kick. She saw him fly across the room and embed in the opposite wall.

"And then there was one." It laughed menacingly as it slowly encroached upon Scootaloo. "Wait! You'll have to get through us first." Said Rainbow hooping in front of Scootaloo blocking the thing's path.

The rest of the mane 6 followed as they took up defensive positions, even Princess Luna had gotten free and was now amongst the lesser ponies as the group glowered at the creature who was currently laughing it's head off.

"Well isn't this nice? Friends to the very end." It said rolling around on the floor laughing.

========================================================================================

"That thing is going to pay BIG TIME." I roared above the wind as I approached hell. I was sort of surprised when it took the form of a giant fortified castle with demons guarding the batteries. The demons in question were large bipedal bald monkeys with fur skin loins and nothing else. I roared as I dove, homing in one one demon in particular who hadn't yet seen me.

As I approached, it must have noticed the whistling wind or something because it turned to look at me with a mixture of fear and surprise as I tackled it, sending both of us careening into the courtyard below at a breakneck velocity.

"You will tell me where the portal to the mortal world is located!" I shouted in it's face. The thing was shivering as we descended.

"Okay Okay! It's located three levels down from here right below here!" It shouted in fear. I smiled asI let go of it and flared my wings, watching it scream as it fell to it's death. "Well that makes things much easier then." I said as I flew straight up in the air, gaining immense altitude thanks to my supernatural wings. As I ascended I kept track of the ground below me as a sort of barometer as the ground grew smaller and smaller and the air grew colder I counted down.

"5....4....3....2....1!" I shouted to myself as I thrust myself downwards with every single inch of willpower. I flapped my wings faster and faster as I felt the sound barrier push back against the immense force. I saw the ground reaching up to meet me as I descended faster and faster, to any bystander it would look like I was playing an insane game of chicken with the earth. I felt my ears pop as I broke the sound barrier smirking I thrust out both forehooves as the ground approached.

As soon as I broke through the floor of the castle I felt my jaws drop. Underneath the castle was an IMMENSE circular cave. Looking around I could see that there were 9 levels to it. "Ah buck this." I said going faster, I saw everything blur as I raced towards a giant white light in the ground. As I flew closer and closer I saw that hell was falling away into blackness, the very cave shook with an earthquake.

I weaved and ducked and barrel rolled to avoid the falling rubble as I went faster and faster the white light rose to greet me as I felt it's warm embrace wrap around my very being.

======================================================================================

"Hurk! What the hay!?!?" Shouted the thing as it stopped in it's tracks, a white light started beating from it's heart.

"No! No,no,no,no no! This can't be happening!" It roared as the light expanded, eventually engulfing it's whole body.

"Princess Luna! What's happening?" Asked a confused and terrified Twilight Sparkle looking up towards the towering alicorn for guidance.

Luna was an experienced black magic expert and she replied only one with such experience knew how to. "I have absolutely no idea little one." She said as her jaw dropped. This went against everything that was written in the books. A darkheart was a black soul born when a pony tries to play Faust. What was happening now was a very intricate divination spell that repels all dark beings from one's body.

"But the darkheart should have already consumed his soul! This makes no sense!" She mentally screamed as she watched the scene unfold.

The group of ponies watched as the darkheart convulsed and......split in two. The darkheart flew back as two took the place of one.

"Wait a minute! Thats Nightshade!" Shouted Scootaloo as she waved and pointed to the pony closest to them. They all saw she was correct as he opened his eyes, they were reptilian and azure.

They watched him get up and walk over to the other pony and pick it up. "So let me get this straight, you broke my mom's wings, almost hurt my sister, and nearly killed everypony in this room. Stop me if I'm wrong here, YOU did all this correct?" Asked Nightshade, everypony in the room could practically hear the anger steaming from his words.

"Bingo! Ya finally get that I was lying ey?" It asked non-chalantly, everypony in the room could see that the thing was up a serious creek.

"So then, what are you going to do to me?" It asked feigning fear.

"I'm going to make you wish you were never born." Replied Nightshade smiling gently as he smashed it's head into the wall and drop kicked it out the window.

"[sniff] My little badass, Obsidian would be so proud." Cried Ralus as the sounds of ass kicking could be heard.

Chapter 19: Fight and Flyte

"C'mon pops! You fell asleep! There's nothin to it!" Tried Fireblaze as he walked with his father. "I know but I shouldn't have kiddo." Sighed his father ruffling his son's mane just a bit. Crackshot had been taken to the police headquarters in Canterlot for his 'act of stupidity' as the chief called it.

"Well can we at least stop by Pony Joe's before we go home? I heard they had the best donuts!" Asked an eager Fireblaze. Crackshot looked down at the smaller colt. Fireblaze was his teenage son who had moved with him to ponyville. His son was an earth pony but that hadn't stopped him from using his father's guns. After he had gotten into his dad's cache he had gone wild, using cans and other household items as targets and if Crackshot said so himself he was a pretty damn good shot. "Alright kiddo go nuts on em' my treat." He said to the glee of his son."Heck yeah! I'm gonna eat till donuts come outta mah eyes!" The colt shouted slipping into his Appleosian accent. Crackshot watched his cream colored son sprint off around the corner. "Are you sure it was a good idea to let him eat donuts?" Asked his daughter who upon hearing of her father's case insisted on accompanying him. "It's alright Starlight, it's about time I let the boy have his fun." He said looking into his daughter's golden eyes.

Starlight harvest was his younger daughter who had come along with her father and brother from Appleosa. She was a dark velvety turquoise and looked startlingly almost like her mother with her red and green mane. "Pops! C'mon check it out I found something!" Called Fireblaze from around the corner.

It was about then that the trio heard a resounding BOOM.

================================================================================================

I threw the darkheart out of the window, following it shortly as it descended faster and faster. I smiled as I saw it flail, fear evident in it's eyes. I urged myself to go faster and faster until I was right next to the thing, as I matched it's speed I wrapped my legs around it so we took on a pile driver position. It flailed as it tried desperately to get away.

I felt it's skull give as it smashed into the ground. Now before I go any further I gotta tell you a little something about Canterlot. Since it's the governmental head for the nation of Equestria it is quite a busy place, almost as busy as Manehattan. This in turn means that there are large groups of ponies at any given time of day.

This could also mean dead of night which it was currently.

As we slammed down into the ground hard enough to leave a small crater, I heard screams from the crowd of ponies which were surrounding us. I heard the screams, but I couldn't hear any individual noises. We had crashed right smack dab in the middle of Canterlot's Grand Bazzar. "Well shit, this couldn't get any better." I said as the dust from our collision began to subside.

"Hahaha! You've seriously underestimated me haven't you?!?" It called from the debris, suddenly a high-pitch scream pierced the night.

"Alright kiddos stay close to me!" Called Crackshot as the dust cloud engulfed the, instinctively he reared back on two legs and grabbed his modified python from it's holster on his right flank. "Wow that was awesome pops....say...where is Starlight?" Asked Fireblaze as he huddled next to his father.

They heard her scream as the dust cloud finally settled. Crackshot felt his heart grow cold as he beheld a sight not even his worst nightmare could compete against.

Starlight was suspended in the air by her throat, a colt covered in shadows was suspending her without any effort via a hoof.

"Now nopony make a move or else the little lady gets it!" The thing called in a stereotyped Appleosian accent.

==========================================================================================

I had a way then, losing it all on my own.

"Ugh what happened?" Asked Celestia waking up from her place on the bed. After Nightshade and Darkheart exited the room, everypony ran to the window to behold the spectacle. "Sister what is happening, where is Nightshade?" Asked the Solar Alicorn as she approached the still form of her sister and the mane 6 which were currently staring out the now broken window. "I...I....take a look for yourself sister." Said the Night Princess stepping aside to show the spectacle bellow.

Celestia beheld a sight she hadn't seen for 300 years. In the city underneath was Nightshade, his head low as he growled at the enemy before him. A shadowy colt almost exactly like him was suspending a little filly in the air with a tendril of darkness. "Oh Faust." Was all she could get out as the group watched the standoff below. Well, the all the group....minus a certain orange filly.

Scootaloo walked over to the now coughing griffon leaned against the wall. "I've seen you before....in my dreams." She said, for some reason she was strangely at ease around the large scar ridden thing. It looked gave her a wry smile, promptly coughing due to the sheer effort.

"Yeah well...I am your guardian spirit.....well was your guardian spirit." Said Ralus, coughing up more blood. "I think that thing did a number on me." He said, poking places that had bone bits clearly piercing through flesh but not piercing through skin.

Scootaloo looked on, feeling strangely apathetic. "Wait why is a griffon my guardian angel?" She asked more confused than shocked or saddened. He gave her a questioning glance. "Well a griffon was your mother." He responded in a flat tone.

"And you're able to die?" She asked tipping her head to the side. "Well when I jumped out of your brain I could die...which I am currently doing." He replied trying to make light of the situation.

"If your my guardian spirit....where have you been all my life?" She asked still confused. He chuckled a bit before raising a shaky leg and tapping Scootaloo's forehead. "I was that little voice in the back of your head." He replied.

In that short contact time he had done two things. Not only had he tried to prove a point, he also flooded the little filly's head with memories and knowledge. He had poured all the knowledge of the conjoined council of griffon/dragons and what they did. After a moment the little filly stumbled back a bit as her brain struggled to accommodate all the new knowledge.

"So....you were looking out for me my entire life?" She asked after another minute or two of silence. Ralus nodded. "Yessire, I've been looking out for you, watching your back and all that junk." He finished waving a dismissive claw. As soon as he finished the gesture he coughed, spasms rocked his body.

"Listen good little filly, I'm about to pass on but before I do, I'm gonna need to teach you how to defend yourself." He said motioning for her to come closer, the little filly was still a bit cautious but by now largely saddened.

"You know...your mother Gilda? She was my great great great great granddaughter." Said the griffon as he coughed again, his voice growing weaker and weaker.

"Such a wise little filly...I only wish I could stick around to see you grow." He said giving her a sad smile. "Before I go, I'm going to give you a little present. Happy birthday Scootaloo." Said the griffon as he tapped her forehead again.

His voice grew distant as the memories took over. Memories of training, of fighting, maneuvers and weapons knowledge all flooded into her head.

"Why are you doing this?" She asked through pained gasps as the memories surged through her head like headaches. "In case you need to protect yourself...I won't always be there." His faint voice called.

Memories of magic, elemental and supernatural. "I was a really lousy guardian...I

"Ahh Gilda...she was always my favorite......Scootaloo I'm sorry she walked out on you like that...I tried convincing her to stay but she was so scared." Continued the Griffon, his voice taking a sad tone. Scootaloo had lost her fear of the giant bird and now promptly made her way over to the dying griffon, giving it a hug she smiled at his surprised expression. "Hey don't look so down, I already forgave her anyway." She said trying to put the creature at ease.

It smiled as it patted her head. "Atta girl, be good ya here?" It asked, she could already see the light fading from it's eyes. Giving it another hug she leaned in close and whispered "I promise." It just smiled and exhaled for the last time.

The memories were still flowing at this point, finishing moves and such. The little filly's brain couldn't handle it...so it just shut down.

===============================================================================================

The standoff continued with Starlight still in the air. "Now if you don't want to lose your little girl I suggest you put that thing away." It said motioning to the sharpshooter who begrudgingly put the gun back in it's holster. "As for you....I dunno just take your own life." It said waving a dismissive hoof in the air as it eyed Nightshade. "Faust damn you." He growled back.

It was then the three heard a griffon's war cry in the night air.

"Where am I?" Asked Scootaloo, she sat up as the seagulls started crying. "What? Why? Am I on a beach?" She asked as she looked around. "Wow! I really am on a beach!" Cried the filly as she ran towards the ocean. "Aye lass, I'm afraid you are." Said a familiar voice filled with sadness. Scootaloo turned around to find the same griffon behind her, his eyes betrayed his sadness.

She felt a dull throb in the back of her head, wincing and instinctively while putting a hoof to her head. "Ow, what did you do to me anyway?" She asked giving the griffon a peeved glare. "I gave you all my knowledge, everything I ever knew on fighting....on self defense." He paused a little feeling uncomfortable under the filly's stare.

"So why did you do it? Your right here aren't you?" She asked, he just shook his head. "Scootaloo, I'm here to say my last goodbye to you. Right now both you and I are in purgatory, the line of Life and Death." He said using a claw to draw a line in the sand.

"You are on the side of life. I made sure of that." He said pointing at her and puffing out his chest. "Okay so what about you? What why are you on the death side? Aren't you already dead since your a guardian angel?" She asked he let out an agitated sigh.

"There are some things in this world that can kill an angel. That thing within Nightshade was one of them." He paused again before giving the filly an intense stare. "Listen Scootaloo, that thing is doesn't have an official name, that boy calls it a darkheart. It is an all consuming monster that will eat you. Be wary young one."

Scootaloo understood immediately as an image of a 'darkheart' flashed in her mind's eye. "Why did you put these memories in my head? And why did you ask me about my mother?" She asked him. He sighed a deep sigh.

"Scootaloo......you...you can't even begin to imagine how sorry I am. I shirked my duties as a guardian. Yes I was that little voice in your head but every time I spoke I hurt you." He spoke in a broken tone. He hadn't felt this sad since his wife died at the hands of a zebra assassin.

"It's okay! I forgive you!" She pipped up, a smile on her face. That did it for Ralus, the griffon began crying.

"How, how can you forgive me?" He asked through his tears.

"I can because I can! It's no point holding a grudge over things in the past. I've already forgiven everypony who has ever wronged me in the past. Like I always say it's better to look to the future for better than wallow in the past for worse." Her tone had gone into warm as she talked. The giant griffon began chuckling as he cried.

"You've never said that." He said, his laughter growing as his tears subsided. "And anyway why did you give me all this knowledge on fighting? It's not like i'm not gonna use it." The filly grumbled, Ralus let out a nervous two note laughter.

"Heh, I wasn't really thinking." He said, this prompted a facehoof from Scootaloo. "Well might as well try and use it." She said.

Scootaloo readied herself, digging her hooves in the ground. "Umm....what are you doing?" Asked Ralus. "I'm gonna try a flying leap kick!" She said as he lunged forward and tried aligning herself in mid air to the memory of a pony doing the same thing. She failed miserably as she couldn't contort herself in mid air, she ended up catching a foot in the sand and falling face first.

"Haha! You need to practice that first! I only gave you the memory!" Chuckled Ralus as he gave Scootaloo a helping claw. "Well I can't" she said suddenly remembering. "I have a friend that needs help and I gotta help him!" She said suddenly remembering Nightshade. "No need to fret little one. We have all the time in the world here. This place is ageless, a thousand years here could equal a second in real time." He said putting her at ease.

"Well...what are we waiting for?" She asked again grinning. He smirked back. "Alright but now is not the time." His face suddenly took a note of gravity. Scootaloo your friend is in trouble. He said as he pressed a claw to her forehead.

He granted her access to the raging white water torrent that was the flow. He showed her how the darkheart had resided within Nightshade, had twisted his heart and corrupted him.

Scootaloo could feel intense rage bubbling from the depths of her being as Ralus let go. "Help him Scootaloo

His voice disappeared as she snapped back to conscious. She saw, everything. Everything the Darkheart did to him, all those years of pain it fed on. She let out a griffon's war cry as she ran and leaped out of the window, intent on tackling the dark thing.

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"Go cry me a river....actually go cry me a river and drown in it!" Said the darkheart, by now the filly wrapped in shadows had passed out. "Let mah daughter go ya here?!?" Shouted the stallion as he held his python steady.

Suddenly a shriek pierced the night as a familiar orange form leapt out of the broken window of the royal tower.

About three things happened in that instant; 1. Scootaloo successfully bombarded the Darkheart. 2. It let go of the filly and split into three shadowy figures as it tried to dodge the filly. 3. Nightshade took to Flyte yet again, this time not for fun but for battle.

Chapter 20: Gray fire

(A/N: I admit that last chapter wasn't the best of my works but I'm back! And hopefully over my writer's block! Anyway I also wanted you guys to check out my other story called 'musical interpretation' mainly because I need some feedback on it. Either way, thanks for sticking with me this long! And have a chapter! You've earned it!)

Seeing his chance, Crackshot quickly made his way over to where his daughter lay unconscious. "Oh no no no no!" He whispered as he rushed over to the little filly and preformed CPR on her, pumping her chest with his whooves and pushing air down her throat via mouth to mouth. "C'mon Star! C'mon! Breath Faust dammit!" He shouted as tears stung his eyes. After several minutes of this, he felt his son's hoof on his shoulder. "Dad, you did all you could for her." He spoke, Crackshot turned to see his son also crying.

Suddenly the two heard coughing as Starlight came back from the brink. "[cough] D-dad! I met mom! I met mommy! She..she said to tell you that....it's alright." Said the little filly after she finished her coughing fit. "Oh thank the holy celestial body your alright." He whispered as he hugged his daughter.

"Woooowee! Would ya look at that!" Said his son drawing both father and daughter's attention to the scene of contest.

==========================================================================================

I watched as Scootaloo battled the three demons below. Her moves were those only a master would know but she moved like a novice, not used to fighting at all. I dove in countless times using a hit and run strategy to distract them as Scootaloo punched, kicked and twisted around. She was clumsy, so much so in fact that a casual swipe from one of the thing's claws drew a bloody line across her stomach as she reared back on her hindlegs to dodge another doppleganger's blow.

That...basically did it for me. I ran in screaming with the fury of hell. The firs tone I grabbed and threw him into the air, incinerating him with a white fireball the sun would be jealous of. The second one I dove into, grabbing his head and running it along the shop fronts until it was a bloody streak on the walls, not that it bled really. The blood in questions were just watery forms of shadow that seemed to drip off of the creatures. The last one Scootaloo dispatched with a powerful buck to the chest, sending it into a brick wall where it lay there immobile. "EAT IT YOU SHADY MOTHERBUCKER!" I shouted in glee.

Looking back on it I realized that was probably a bad idea as it started laughing.

The Darkheart expected this, it expected the hostage situation to breakdown. "You and I both know that it's going to take a lot more than that to put me down for good!" It exclaimed from it's place in the wall as it suddenly thrust out a shadowy tendril that became a javelin. It hurdled it towards Scootaloo who was still panting from the stress and adrenaline rush a fight demanded. As it zoomed towards her an unlikely rainbow blur took it's place as it's destination.

"NOOOO!" screamed Rainbow Dash as she leapt into action, racing from the still broken window and knocking Scootaloo out of the way of the approaching projectile. She felt a sharp pain in the lower area of her back as it. "Now listen here Scootaloo, don't you dare cry over me." She whispered fiercely, already the pain had dulled as she began to feel sleepy. The filly underneath her couldn't believe that her mother had acted as an Equine shield. "Mom no please no no no no no!" Repeated the filly in vain. She could already see that the dark matter had pierced through her back. "No Scootaloo, don't cry over me." Were Rainbow Dash's last words as she slipped.

Scootaloo was too shocked to even begin to feel sad.

==================================================================================================

I saw it all. I saw the thing shoot out a javelin I was too slow to stop it as it careened towards the only other pony that I felt something for. I was too slow to stop it as Rainbow Dash.

I was too slow.

Damn that thing for taking away all I ever had again.

As these thoughts raced through me I felt an anger fueled with pain and despair work it's way through me.

I let it all out, not only the pain I felt now but the pain I had harbored within me. There were only two thoughts that entered my brain before I lost it.

"Avenge her"

The sheer love for Rainbow coupled with the hate I felt for that thing lent me strength as a fire so hot it steamed off my very skin grew within my heart. I let out everything I was feeling in one rage fueled shout that spoke truer than any voice.

"RRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" I could feel the very air ripple as I screamed out my heart.

The Darkheart turned it's attention to me as I proceeded forward. "You have taken my mothers and my father. YOU WILL NOT TAKE MY SISTER!" The anger was evident in my voice and it looked at me with a smug grin. I only vaguely realized that it was growing and growing and growing until it was just a shadowy tornado taller than the very castle itself.

"And what are you going to do about it?" It asked in a sarcastic voice that seemed to come from everywhere.

"I'm going to make you wish you were never born." I replied as I smiled a cheshire smile.

===============================================================================================

"Princess Celestia! We're here don't worry!" Shouted Aquillus as he blasted down the doors of the solar princess's bedroom with a whole company of guards. "I'm afraid your a bit late captain." Replied the Princess not bothering to take her eyes off of the scene before her. "And why might that be?" He said miffed as he flew over to the window to see what held the princess's attention. What he saw made his jaw drop so hard it crashed thorough the marble floor.

Although he would never admit it, he was one of the 5 guards who had quaked in their shoes as Nightshade decimated their ranks. He was also one of the stallions who challenged him to a fight in the courtyards when the princess wasn't looking.

"How did I ever think I could beat that?" He wondered as he stared at the black colt standing against the maelstrom that was the darkheart. He watched it as it was slowly encased in black, then white, and then finally gray fire. He watched as he shot into the center of the maelstrom almost faster than the the naked eye, all that signaled him moving was a trail of fire.

================================================================================================

I shot off into the center of the maelstrom, knowing exactly what I had to do. As I entered the maelstrom I heard the voice of my father and my mother Leviathan shout in unison.

"Incinerate it."

Smiling, I closed my eyes and let my body drop through the windy funnel until I found myself at the bottom which was touching the ground. I took the deepest breath I could muster, my lungs felt like popping and my vision blurred.

FWOOSH!

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Celestia watched as a monstrous pillar of grey flames erupted from the center of the tornado, making it lose control and disappear all together. She watched as the Darkheart took the form of a colt and burned in the center of the pillar until there was nothing left. The plume of fire expanded into the night sky. It was so huge and hot that the remaining glass around the broken window melted as well as the stone and even the cured wood of the huge doors burst into flames. The only thing saving the bedroom from being completely engulfed in flames was the fact that Celestia had put a powerful anti-flamatory spell in the center of the room that emanated protection. Everypony else had shielded their eyes as the fire engulfed everything, only she could see the source.

A glowing grey colt making a small 0 aperture with his mouth fueled the flames. This continued for a good 20 minutes before the enormous pillar subsided and then evaporated into the night air. She quickly clapped her hooves together and put on to her head.

"Faust have mercy on us all." She whispered an old prayer.

=================================================================================================

I returned to conscious thought after my anger fueled rampage. I heard sniffling as I looked over to my sister. She in turn was cradling the lifeless body of Rainbow Dash who had acted as an Equine shield. "She...she's gone." She said through her tears. I made my way over to her and put a hoof to her shoulder. "No, no she isn't" I said, knowing that there was one last thing that needed to be done.

========================================================================================

Scootaloo watched as Nightshade took her mother's head from her hooves and then began chanting.

"confn spical ekess udoka woari sepa." He said over and over and over again.

Rainbow Dash's dead body began to float in the air as a blue aura surrounded it, the wound on her back healing and vanishing altogether. She watched as he took a lick of white fire from his open mouth and wash her body in it. "What are you doing!?!" She screamed, she had seen what his fires could do to a pony. Suddenly Rainbow Dash began coughing as black mist poured from her mouth. "What....where...Scootaloo? Nightshade?" Asked a weak Rainbow Dash.

Scootaloo was at a complete loss for words as she hugged the revived mare. The black mist started swirling and forming the shape of a pony.

"Who dares take a soul from me?" It asked in a dead voice as it took the form of a fully grown stallion with burning blue eyes and a giant scythe on his back. "I do, and if you think your getting her back you've got another thing coming." Said Night as he took a protective stance around Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash.

Death had been guiding the young mare's soul up to the heights of heaven when a voice tugged at her and called her back. He followed, amused by the sudden unnatural disturbance. He wasn't expecting the dragon/colt when he arrived.

"Your the little one who fought through Hell to get back to life. Aren't you?" He asked still amused. "Sure am." He replied curtly staring dead into the supernatural ghoul's eyes.

"If you think your going to take my mother back then you have another thing coming." He spoke again with grim determination.

"And what might that be?" He asked, still bemused that a little one would stand up to a force as might as him.

"Well for starters your going to have to deal with me." Spoke a new voice only death could hear. The voice belonged to Starswirl the Bearded as he appeared from behind the colt. He locked gazes with death. "And me." Said a giant white dragon descending from the heavens. Death sighed.

"Fine, keep her." It said smiling at the family, the dead and living ones. "You've earned her back" It said as it disappeared.

"What was that all about?" Rasped Rainbow Dash weakly, Scootaloo hugged her again. "Nothing mom, just know that your home for good." Whispered the little filly with a smile plastered on her face.

"Is there any room for me?" Asked Nightshade as he stood over the two, Scootaloo turned to him and opened her arms. He gladly accepted as the family reunited, never to separate again.

"Don't worry you two, I'm home for good." Whispered Nightshade to the two, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo only responded by tightening their grips.

Chapter 21: Learning to live again

4 hours later~

Celestia looked at the dragon colt, he stared back. "What in the name of the holy Faust was that?" She asked him, kneading her temple with a hoof to offset the coming headache. "I'm sorry, it won't happen again." He replied in an even tone, staring right back at the monarch.

Celestia knew when stallions lied, they always had a tell. A twitch of the eyebrow, a small smile at the corner of their lips, the biggest tell of them all though was the aversion of the eyes.

The colt stared back at her. She sighed, exhausted. "Whatever i'm feeling, he must be feeling at least 10x that." She mused as she gave him a stern yet thoughtful look.

"Can I take your word on that?" She asked him, it was a simple question but her eyes held the true value of it. They asked can you be trusted?

He wordlessly bowed to the monarch, something she thought would never happen. "Celestia I promise you I will never lose control EVER again. I'd rather die than hurt my anypony." He replied, his voice holding all the sincerity one would expect of a knight and a gentle-colt.

Celestia stared into those eyes. They were years to young to hold the sadness and strength that lay within. "Can I trust you?" She whispered barely audible, the only reason he heard her was because she had requested a private meeting with just the two of them.

"Yes." He replied curtly. They continued to stare for a few more minutes before she sighed and closed her eyes, breaking the silence.

"I trust you, go now, your family needs you." She said waving him away with one hoof. He gave a curt not and made his way out.

Before he walked out he suddenly stopped and looked at her. "I'm sorry Celestia, I know you were just trying to help." He ran back and gave her a hug, taking the sun princess by surprise.

"Thank you." He said over and over as he shook while hugging the sun monarch. She just sat there in his hooves completely shocked, one minute he was a raging storm capable of destroying the deadliest of demons, the next he was just like any other colt. "It's fine, it's all fine now." She said cooing and stroking his mane as she calmed the hysterical colt.

He pulled away after a minute and stared at her with tear stained eyes, she in turn gave him a motherly smile. "Go young one, your family needs you." She said ushering him to the door. "Thanks again." He shouted over his shoulder as he ran down the hallway. She watched him retreat in the hallways, silently she was having a war in her mind.

"He couldn't possibly be the one, he's just a colt!" Shaking her head one last time she made her way to her sister's bedroom after the incident.

===========================================================================================

"He should be back by now." Paced Rainbow back and forth in their small suite within the caste, the rest of her friends had already left for the night. "Chill mom, he'll be back." Replied a rather calm Scootaloo as she eyed the door warily, suddenly the duo heard hoofsteps against the marble.

And like the first rain after a drought, Nightshade flung the doors open, grinning from ear to ear. "Hey you two! I'm ba-" he was cut off as two beings moved faster than any known equine as the bulldozed him through the ground in an iron maiden of a hug.

"Don't you EVER do that to either of us again!" Shouted Rainbow Dash as she buried her face in his coat, crying her eyes out. "D-d-do you know how worried we were?" Asked Scootaloo as she fixed him with her best sad puppy eyes, which needless to say melted his heart.

"I'm sorry you two, I'm so sorry." He said embracing the two mares in both hooves and wings. The second time that night the family was united in tears and as they cried, they found themselves smiling.

=================================================================================================

~3 weeks later~

"Are you absolutely sure that SKYDIVING is a good idea Scootaloo?" Asked an apprehensive Starlight Harvest as the CMC with the addition of Starlight Harvest and Nightshade looked down from their place in the hot air ballon that Twilight had lent them.

"Relax guys it's easy!" She replied as she by the earthern ponies on a nearby cloud. "I seriously don't know about this." Said Sweetie Belle as she looked over the side of the ballon and gulped as she did, the ground was a long way down. "Don't worry girls! I'll be here to look over you!" chirped Twilight from her place at the back giving the younger foals a reassuring smile. Applebloom took an unsteady breath and closed her eyes, putting her forehoof through the ring that pulled the parachute.

"Alright girls on tha count of three!"

"One!"

"Two!"

"Three!"

Starlight Harvest, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom dove off the side of the ballon doing what any normal, non-pegasus pony would do; they screamed their little heads off as they jumped out.

Nightshade peered from the edge of the ballon and.......there! Three parachutes deployed, he looked over to the second flight-capable pony with them. "Scootaloo! Your turn!" He shouted, the orange filly just gulped. "Do I really have to?" She asked, not bothering to mask the fear in her voice. He gave her an incredulous stare before settling on an answer. "Eeyup." He said in laconic Big Red fashion.

Scootaloo sighed before standing up on her hind legs and.......jumping.

He smiled as he saw her flail on her way down. "Wait a minute....why is she flailing?" He asked himself. "Twilight! Pull the balloon down! I'm going after Scootaloo!" He shouted as he jumped out of the balloon and rocketed down.

Nearing the panicking filly, he saw that she had entangled her wings within the release cord on the parachute. "Scootaloo! For Celestia's sake why did you get a parachute?!? Your a pegasus for crying out loud!" He shouted over the roaring wind. "I'm sorry! I just wanted to go with the theme!" She shouted back, tears in her eyes as she struggled frantically, he swore as he saw the ground coming up fast.

"Hold on Scoots I gotcha!" He said to the filly as he struggled to get a grip on her, they were too close to the earth now to untangle her. Quickly he wracked his brain for a solution he found one....albeit a weird one. "Scootaloo cover your ears!" He said as he held the filly in his forehooves, Scootaloo complied while also covering her eyes with her ears.

(Can't say it wasn't going to happen.)

Taking a deep breath, he mentally groaned.

"FUS RO DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

He shouted, the sheer force of the shout fought against the terminal velocity they had achieved creating an air cushion. "You can stop now!" Shouted Scootaloo, even though she had her ears closed the shout was still deafening.

At the hot air ballon, Twilight was freaking out. "Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh! Hold on you guys!" She shouted as she fired off what she thought was an air cushion spell. "There all better!" She said as she closed her eyes and dusted off her hooves in satisfaction.

Interesting think happened then and there, as Nightshade continued to roar, the air force pushing the two beings downwards were no more, now there was only the force of the shout that kept them suspended in mid air. This is interesting because the force was so great that it sent the two flying through the forest.

Now back to the Twilight spell. She thought it was an air cushion spell designed to make an air cloud appear underneath a falling pony so that instead of the ground they impacted a much softer surface.

That day, due to a crazy schedule with the upcoming talent show, Twilight had accidentally mixed the air cushion spell with a binding spell that was to be used on some of the costume stitchings and sets.

The details of said stunt entailed.

"Watch out! Your gonna hit the-" Scootaloo was cut off as the duo crashed into an old maplewood tree, covering the duo in sap. "Well at least that sap is good for something." She said, right then they were hit by a binding spell Twilight was so sure was the other spell.

This had an unintended side affect; It turned Scootaloo+Nightshade+A Huge old Maple Tree+ Tons of sap= A giant ball of sap and ponies.

"Bout time y'all showed up! Ah was beginning to get worried-" Started Applebloom before she saw the giant ball of golden. "Here we go again." She rolled her eyes as the ball passed over both her and Sweetie Belle trapping them as it spun and spun.

"Now what in tarnation are you doin?!?" She screamed as she spun around and around due to the ball. "It was Scoots's fault!" Shouted Nightshade as he passed within hearing range. "Was not!" She countered. "Was too!" He retorted. "Guys! What happened!" Shouted Starlight Harvest as she too was caught.

"It was her fault!"

"It was his fault!"

They shouted in unison.

"GUYS!" Shouted Sweetie Belle as she pointed a hoof to a steeply curved rock outcropping that looked suspicously like a.....ramp.

"Oh Faust no." Groaned Nightshade closing his eyes as they approached the inevitable.

=================================================================================================

"Ah'm tellin ya Rainbow after Nightshade and Starlight joined the CMC things have gotten perdy quiet around here." Said the farm mare as she put a couple apples in a bag for the spectral maned mare. "Yeah I know! He's a really low maintenance kid and he keeps Scoots in check when I'm out." she puffed out her chest proudly but just as quickly deflated. "I just wish I could see him smile some more." She said in a thoughtful tone.

"Yeah that kids pretty quiet, ya know he never did tell any of us how he came to be." She said reflecting on Nightshade's sudden appearance in the small town.

"I kinda wanted to get them their favorite apples, you know for being such good kids." She said blushing a little. "I just can't believe it, Rainbow Dash a mother? I woulda laughed at anypony back then but now?" She said laughing. "Hey I'm good at everything I do! Mothering included!" She said crossly. All of a sudden Applejack's expression switched from happy to mortified.

She pulled the rainbow mare behind the stand shouting "INCOMING!"

Right then and there the giant ball of sap impacted the center of Ponyville and splashed warm gooey sap all over everything.

"Woooowe! Remind me never ta take Scootaloo's suggestions seriously." Said Applebloom as she dizzily made her way out of the remnants.

"I second that." Said Sweetie as she freed herself from a nearby wall the explosion had pinned her to. "Though I have a question, when have any of our quests ever ended in anything else but tree sap?" Asked Starlight as she crawled out of a hole in a nearby building holding her head with a hoof.

Despite the sheer mess of things Rainbow and Applejack had to laugh at the sheer absurdity. "Oh man! That's priceless! A giant, a giant sap ball!" Said Rainbow before breaking out in a fit of laughter.

The two mares heard another voice then, a scratchy male's laughter emanating from the mass of sap. Surprised, Rainbow made her way over and unearthed a laughing Nightshade.

"Oh man, Sweet Celestia." He got out before he collapsed on the ground rolling about in laughter. Despite herself Rainbow had to smile "Seems he's learning how to act like a colt his age again." She thought to herself as she watched him roll back and forth clutching his stomach.

The mess could wait, this was more precious.

Epilogue: The long road

~1 Week Later~

"Now remember kids! The talent show will be later tonight at 7 P.M sharp!" Chirped Cheeriliee as the dismissal bell rang. Nightshade gulped as he felt a sense of apprehension build up. He made his way out of the main hallway and regrouped with the rest of the CMC.

"I think our plan will work perfectly!" Said Scootaloo beaming, Sweetie Belle gave the filly a 'I don't think so' look before rolling her eyes. "Hey girls! What are you guys planning on doing?" He asked as he approached the group of four. "Well we were gonna do a song like we did before!" Said Sweetie Belle eager to explain. "I dunno about all this, I mean we only had about a week to practice." Said Starlight still fidgeting, he just gave the three a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, you three will be fine." He said trying to ease the stressed fillies.

It was that time of the year again. The school's annual talent show rolled around and the CMC had signed up each and every one of their members....Nightshade included. Although he resisted at first, he wanted to try something out. "Say girls, for the talent show, mind if I do it my way?" He asked cautiously, the three fillies didn't even look up from their heated debate/whispers. "Yeah sure." Replied Sweetie Belle, he laughed at his insecurity and their complete dismissal. "Alrighty then! See you girls at the talent show!" He said as he flew back to his shared cloud house.

===============================================

"I'm home!" He called as he opened the front door, silence greeted him in response. He ran upstairs and checked a nearby clock to see what time it was. "Whew! Good thing it's still 3!" He exclaimed as he ran back downstairs. "I think I know exactly what I'm gonna do for the talent show." He felt excitement grow and also....a sense of foreboding and sadness.

He recalled an old song as he sat down at the dining room table, a paper before him and a pencil in his muzzle.

Staring, at the blank page before you! Open up a dirty window! Release your inhibitions!

He started humming as he wrote.

"Welcome everypony to the 34th annual talent show! I hope you've brought your excitement with you because we have quite the act for you all!" Chirped Cheerilee from a microphone on the stage.

"Oh boy! I can't wait to see what they have in store!" Said a rather happy Twilight Sparkle as she sat with her friends. "Ah hope the cutie mark crusaders have sumthin lined up fer tonight." Said Applejack next to her. Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash giggled at what the three did last year. "Yes I hope that tonight they will be as entertaining as ever!" Hummed Rarity in a sing-song voice, eager to see them.

"Oh this should be exciting." Said an imperial and familiar voice behind the mane 6. Fluttershy squeaked and hid behind Twilight as Celestia descended from the sky. "P-P-P Princess!" She stuttered in utter horror. Celestia just giggled. "Don't worry my faithful student, I am only here to watch!" She said in a reassuring tone. "Well okay then." Replied Twilight as she flattened her ears and blushed, ashamed to have not made accommodations for the Princess of the Day.

"Now on with the show!" Said Cheerilee from the stage, and so the show began.

The acts seemed to pass by quickly, they ranged from impressive to hilarious, from awe-inspiring to rip-roaring laughter. Celestia practically snorted from laughter when Snips accidentally let the bunny for the Snips and Snails hat trick got away. "Oh my this is quite nice." She said happily. Twilight sighed in relief.

"Hello again everypony! Thank you again for showing up to the talent show!" Cheerillee said taking the stage after Pipsqueaks rendition of 'silent nights.'

"We have two more performances left in the night! There are only two left but you know what they say! They always leave the best for last! Give it up for the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" She said ushering in the CMC.

The curtains raised and Sweetie Belle began playing the bass.

"Feel Good."

Said Scootaloo.

(Feel Good Inc. Gorillaz)

==============================================================================

Nightshade nervously tapped his hoof against the floor as he watched from the wings as the crowd gawked in awe at the CMC's performance of 'Feel Good Inc.' by the Ponizz. He heard roaring laughter as they quickly trotted offstage and Cheerilee took the stand again.

"Good job out there!" He congratulated them as they came back stage. "Whew! I never thought we'd pull it off!" Exclaimed Starlight Harvest, she had sung the rap part of the song. "That was awesome! I can't believe your such a good rapper!" He exclaimed giving the little filly a hoof-five.

"Next up everypony is our final act for the night. His name is Nightshade! The um....peculiar colt from umm......" Cheerilee started stuttering and pausing as she looked for some sort of sign from the technicians or anypony. Nightshade smiled as he started making his way onstage, butterflies fluttering in his stomach, suddenly he felt hooves grip his back. He turned in surprise to find Scootaloo on his back hugging him something fierce. "Good lu- uh break a leg!" She said grinning sheepishly as she dismounted. He just smiled at her, "thanks Scoots" he said making his way up, the butterflies gone and replaced by a sense of eagerness.

"Heya! Sorry bout that Ms. Cheerilee!" I said relieving the obviously stressed teacher, she turned to me with a look of gratitude mouthing a silent thank you.

"Hey everypony! How are you all doing tonight? Lemme guess, tired and wanting to go home eh?" I asked, this got a few chuckles from the crowd. I cleared my throat. "Alright so I won't waste too much of your time." I said taking out the piece of paper from earlier. I looked at it with a critical eye now, at first I thought it was a good idea but now......buck it.

"Eh, whatever." I said tossing the paper non-chalantly. "Okay so what i'm gonna do for you all is a bit of beat poetry. I picked it up when I lived in Bucklin for a while." I heard a whistle from the crowd which was now making uneasy ripples.

I took a deep breath and relaxed, all the muscles both mental and physical. "I call it the long road ahead." I said clearing my throat, the crowd was dead quiet as I started.

By no means have I ever had it easy in this life. Life ain't always rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes you can't just kiss and make up. Sometimes the scars run to deep, sometimes apologies come too late. Years to late.

The long road yawns before me. I've walked it until my hooves are raw. I've walked it until my fetlocks are sore and swollen and bruised. I've walked it through snow and sleet and wind and rain. I've walked it through tears and pain. I never knew a mother and my father was more the devil himself than a father.

And I've continued walking. I've walked all my life, I've continued walking. I've walked when I've nothing but an empty heart and a moth ridden cloak. I've walked it through the haze of hunger and thirst. I've fought for my life more times than I care to remember on that road. I've had to beg and plead.

I've spent my whole life walking. I've spent my whole life running. My will forged within the flames of my ever turning soul. Never to rest, never to know peace.

I had closed my eyes during my tale. Opening them I saw the wide eyes of the audience staring back at me. Some of the ponies closest to the stage had tears in there eyes.

I was born not of this world. I wasn't supposed to exist. I am a rag doll monster given birth to in a pool of my mother's blood. I've been ridiculed, ostracized, I've taken it all.

I've walked that road, hell I've been forced onto it. That thing is my only friend and companion. The only thing set in stone in my life was that gravely dirty road, each mile marker ticking off another mile added.

I stopped again and shifted my speech.

Pegasus wings are light and fluffy, they are strong and soft. They represent the innocence that those ponies carry as they live their lives in the daylight.

My wings are steel. I have walked and I have fought. I have robbed and I have wept. I have killed and I have grieved. I've paid for my sins in blood. My innocence is long gone, lost on that road. But in it's place is a hardened steel forged from the hellfire and brimstone.

I have paid for my sins and I have been forgiven. I have faced my worst fears and triumphs. I AM A DRAGON PONY AND I AM PROUD OF IT!

I finished stomping my hooves down. My voice was raw from my powerful recanting. "That's my story." I said, my soft voice could be heard through the night. It seemed like even the crickets had stopped chirping. I started walking off stage when I heard it.

Clap

At first it was one set of hooves. I curiously went back on to see who it was. It was Rainbow Dash with tears in her eyes, clapping.

It was as if a dam had been broken. All of a sudden roaring applause and hooting calls could be heard throughout ponyville and probably Manehattan. I smiled a bit, tears threatening to take over. I took a bow and walked offstage.

"Wow......just....wow." Said Applebloom with tears in her eyes. All of a sudden they gold rushed me, I was swept off my hooves as they hugged the living crap out of me. "I'm so sorry Night! If only we had known!" Said Sweetie Belle through tears. I just smiled and laughed a bit, easing the still crying fillies off of me.

"Girls! It's alright! I've forgiven myself and that's all that counts!" I said giving her a reassuring smile.

"Well......[sniff] I don't know about everypony else but I just want to go give that colt a hug!" Said Ms. Cheerillee from the stage. I heard a roar from the crowd and I felt my stomach drop. "Wait what?" I asked, suddenly Sweetie Belle, Starlight Harvest, Applebloom, and Scootaloo went after me like wolves to meat. "Wait a what? Wow there! AAAHH!" I screamed as they carried me out to the stage and threw me overboard into the waiting hooves of the crowd.

I was hugged like a little filly would hug her new favorite toy. Some ponies hugged me while crying, some just gave me a pat. The mane 6 just hugged the shit out of me. I started laughing and crying on the spot.

"All those years." I said looking up at the stars. I touched a hoof to my lip and raised it to the sky.

"Peace for you my son, may you never find war." Said Starswirl as he touched a hoof to his lip and pointed it downwards. "Peace my child, live long and prosper." Said Leviathan as she did the same.

"Stay strong" Said Obsidian as he did raised a claw to his chest.

"Never back down" Said Ralus as he did a full on salute.

Luna looked out from her balcony in Canterlot.

A voice in the back of her head cried out weak and quietly.

hungry

Preview: The field of rites

(A/N: Finally! Gearing up to kick off!)

"C'mon you lot!" Crackshot screamed encouragement as the troops finally reached the distress beacon, all around the path were the dead and broken bodies of comrades and Darkhearts.

GO CRACKSHOT! I'LL HOLD THEM OFF! GET WORD TO THE REST OF THE ARMY!

Crackshot grimaced as his last moments with Nightshade played in his head, the colt cutting down Darkheart after Darkheart as he held the line.

"A scouting party vs. A whole enemy encampment." He muttered bitterly, their group had only been 30 when they stumbled across the thousands. It had been a slaughterhosue, most if not all the men had been killed, the few remaining had retreated to a Depression and were holding the encroaching things at bay with musket and small arms fire.

FAUST DAMMIT CRACKSHOT! GET YOUR ASS MOVING!

He lowered his head in shame. How could he leave him like that? With only a hoofull of men? How could he leave them like that?

"PUSH ON YOU MONGRELS!" He cried, half out of anger for himself, half out of fear. The legion of stallions he was guiding came across the the cliff face just above the battlefield.

"Here! Stop here!" He motioned for them, whispering quietly to those closest to him. Instantly the surging waves of stallions and mares stopped and crouched low.

Crackshot himself inched up the bluff until he had a clear sight of the field below him. And what he saw made his jaw drop.

Graves

Thousands of them. As far as the eye could see. And a single dot in the middle.

(I'd suggest playing this now.)

With wonder in his eyes, Crackshot slid down the bluff until he himself was one amongst the graves.

He moved amongst them with wonder, each held an inscription. But in a different language. Something not even remotely Equestrian. But he understood them for some reason. He moved up to one, and the words seemed to shift on the stone itself.

Here lies Arthur Glow. The best blacksmith in Prance

Moving from grave to grave he gazed in awe. "Who could have done this?" He asked himself.

Shaking his head, he made his way over to the dot he had seen earlier. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be a pony.

"Hey! You out there! Can you here me?" He asked waving his hoof, the figure got up and moved towards him.

"Hello! Do you know what happened-" he cut himself off as the telltale features of the dragon colt came into view. There was something different about him though.

"Nightshade! I thought you were dead! Hey what- Nightshade? Where are you going?" He asked the colt as Nightshade passed right through him.

Curiously, he followed the hybrid until they came upon an unmarked grave.

"What are you doing?" Continued Crackshot, this didn't seem like the colt he knew, not at all.

Nightshade turned to him and gave him a small smile before reaching a hoof up to his mouth. Even though his view was constricted, Crackshot saw the smatter of flame he produced.

"Seriously, what are you doing?" He questioned again, apprehension growing.

Nightshade merely placed his hoof on unmarked grave, and the strangest thing happened.

Crackshot watched in amazement as the grey flames raced along the exterior, they curved and banked oddly as they took shapes. Squares, rectangles, circles, lines. He watched in amazement as they formed words.

He turned to the colt and finally, something in him registered.

He was completely grey

From head to hoof, Nightshade had lost all color from his coat and mane. What was once a dark, almost brownie coat was now cloudy sky grey. The same went for his once emerald green mane.

"Nightshade. What happened here?" He asked gently.

The colt didn't reply, he merely kept his hoof on the gravestone even after the flames ceased to move. And even though he lowered his head.

Crackshot saw a single tear drip onto the black and burned ground.

Coming (hopefully) soon. Fyre

Chapter 1: Me myself and I...My best friend

I walked through the night, shivering as it penetrated my bones. I looked back at the very reason i was out here.

My wings stared back at me. Yes I was a Pegasus but unlike every other Pegasus, I had bat's wings. They were red, large, and twice my body size. Because of this I was the first one in my class to fly, everypony in my class shunned me. They claimed I was spooky. I squeezed them to my body to dispel some of the cold and kept walking.

Ever since I was little ponies have shunned me. Was it because of my beautiful emerald mane? No. Was it because of my azure blue snake eyes? .....Yes but that's not the point. The reason everypony was so scared of me as because I had Bat's wings. Strange huh? Yeah I know.

[sigh] I'm talking to myself again.

I think it went well. My father kicked me out for the 7 time, claiming that I was a monster. We always get back together after a while. We always do and do you know why? Because I remind him of his wife.

I never knew my mother, she died while giving birth to me. That left me and my father. He always came looking for me after he got drunk. Claiming that I meant oh so much to him. Like hay I do.

And here I am... still talking to myself.

I shuddered as I pulled my wings closer. Good news was that I was getting used to the cold. I felt a thrill pass through my spine as I saw shapes in the horizon. It was pitch black but......I'm sort of nocturnal, I can see things even though it's dark out. Hay the moon and stars could go out and I'd still be able to see Canterlot a mile away.

.........And I'm still talking to myself. I sighed out of relief and exhaustion, the town was getting closer and closer. Soon I was making my way through the deserted town square. I practically screamed in relief when I saw a bench. I ran to it and leapt up on it, making sure my wings weren't underneath me. Soon I was in my perfect position. I let the sleep plaguing the back of my mind finally overcome me.

=============================================================================

Scootaloo couldn't sleep. For one, she had gotten kicked out of the tree she was in on account of an angry owl. She grumbled obscenities at the offending creature as she made her way across the Promenade. Suddenly she saw a strange sight. Sprawled out on a bench was what appeared to be a colt her age. He had a beautiful green mane that had a bit of dirt on it.

Must be newly homeless. She said trotting up to the strange colt. He was sleeping on her bench, the one she always kept as a back up plan if the tree was taken. She shrugged.

Eh, free heater.

She thought, jumping up and next to the colt, she settled down after padding the cold wood for a little bit. She sighed a little, the stallion moved as she closed her eyes. She felt him move and encompass them in his wings. Sleep evaded her for while so she focused on his heartbeat, it was a powerful rhythmic beating. Two note and beautiful. She listened to it for a while before feeling the ever elusive sleep shrouding her thoughts. The last thought running through her head was,

Warm.

Chapter 12: Sometimes, ends do justify the means

(A/N: Does anyone know how to upload this to E Daily? Because I do not. And on another note HOW THE BUCK IS THIS A 4.5 STORY????....I *sniff* never thought you all would like it so much)

I sighed as the Royal Guard Stallion finished tying the hoof-cuffs around my legs, binding my movement. The white pegasus gave me a glare and rudely shoved me away from the tree library.

"Now hold on a second sir!" Shouted Twilight getting in the way, "what makes you think that you can just take our friend here away?" I saw him wither a little under her fury, feeling a bit of pity I answered for myself. "Well he's taking me away to see Princess Celestia, she's kinda been hunting me all across Equestria for some time now, every since I-"

"WHAT?!?" She shouted cutting me off. "I know my mentor and she would never do something like that! Now I need to go talk to her. Lead the way sir." She said, moving from shock to outrage in a scary change of moods. The stallion shivered for a bit before setting off at a brisk pace. I meandered behind him rather slowly due to my restraints. I suddenly felt a soft wing drape itself over my back from my right. "It's gonna be okay, Twilight here is Celestia's prized pupil. If anypony can clear this misunderstanding it's her." Whispered Scotaloo next to him, offering him a small smile. He gave her a sad smile. "I don't think she can clear this up though." I whispered back, we didn't talk for the rest of the way. Apparently the Princess had chosen the Ponyville market Square right next to a fountain. There she sat, sipping a cup of tea as she eyed our troupe warily. Apparently both Rarity and Fluttershy had been staying over at Twilight's when we interrupted so they tagged along. We met Applejack selling apples, once she saw my predicament she begrudgingly followed the guard as we progressed onto our destination.

After the mane 6 had joined us, the guard had gotten wary and ordered them to stay back no less than 5 feet. I could hear every word they whispered thanks to my draconic hearing.

"It's not fair! Why would Celestia want to see him? She probably doesn't even know him!" Whispered Rainbow fiercely. "Well she probably wants to see him because he did something! She doesn't do these things for no reason Rainbow!" He heard Twilight whisper back, trying to salvage some respect for the princess's decision of arresting a colt. "Ah jus, don't get it! And that colt is a might fine feller to! I jus can't see why the princess would want to lock em up." Mused Applejack. "Darling we have to stay calm on the matter! We must respect Celestia's decision. Twilight's right she doesn't do these things on a whim Rainbow." Rebutted Rarity. I heard incomprehensible murmuring from I assumed was Fluttershy. "Oh! Are we having a surprise party?!?" Shouted Pinkie appearing from a bush. The troupe recoiled in fright of the party pony who soon joined her friends, but not before assaulting me.

"Oh! Who are you? I've never seen you around here! Oh! I know! I should throw you a surprise party! Wait, why are you in hoof-cuffs? Oh well! My names Pinkie Pie! Nice meeting you! See you at the party!" She said in one breath, bouncing off humming a wordless tune. The Stallion in front of me looked at her in complete confucian. "What? How? When?" He asked scratching his head. "Dude, there are some things better left unexplained." I said flatly urging him to move on with still bound fore hooves. We made our way to the still waiting princess uninterrupted after that. Good news was the guard had let Scootaloo stay by my side which gave me some measure of comfort. Her wing was so soft and strong, I could feel the muscle tense and relax shifting it's position as we walked.

"Sup P.C" I said when we neared the Princess who rose to meet us. "Nightshade." She curtly replied back. Looking past me, she smiled at the rest of the mane 5 (Pinkie was nowhere to be found). "Good Morning everypony." She said warmly. Dash was the first to speak. "Why the hay have you arrested my son?" Asked Rainbow furious. This prompted Celestia to raise her eyebrow. "Arrested? I did nothing of the sort. I just asked my guardsmen to escort him to me, apparently somepony got a little overzealous." She said glaring down at the shivering stallion. "S-sorry Princess, won't happen again." He muttered unlocking my restraints. As he turned to leave, I gave him a pat on the shoulder and a warm smile telling him all was forgiven.

Celetia sighed, she couldn't figure this colt out. "So Nightshade, I think you know why I'm here." She said tiredly. "Eeyup. And I told you I'm still not gonna say sorry." I said, this drew a look of confucian from the group of friends and loud murmurs from the crowd that had gathered due to Celestia's very presence. "Why though? Every other time you've committed a crime you've always payed back the victim in some way. Why have you not payed Prince Blueblood back yet?" She asked like everypony knew what type of crime I had committed.

"What the hay?" Shouted Rainbow over the growing murmurs of the citizens of Ponyville. Celestia sighed as she began to explain. "A little over 7 years ago when Nightshade was 5 he crashed Prince BlueBlood's sweet 16 birthday party and ate grand 3 tier Tiramisu cake and drank the 10 gallon punch bowl all by himself. He then outran the guards and escaped enraging all members of the royal house and launching a three year ponyhunt." She said quickly explaining the situation. There was a collective gasp as the news sunk in.

Rainbow Dash burst out laughing "that's my boy!" She said whipping away tears of laughter. She was quickly silenced by a hoof upside the head courtesy of Applejack. "Ya stole? From Blueblood? Mighty commendable but ya know stealing is against the law!" Said Applejack scoldingly. Nightshade just sat in the dirt eyes closed. Celestia mused after she was done. "I looked into his criminal record after that, it seemed he had stolen food before but he always repaid the victim with either community service of bits to cover the price of the food. I can't understand why you never repaid the BlueBloods."

She said tilting her head slightly as she rubbed her chin with a hoof. Nightshade sighed quite loudly.

===============================================================

I never believed in taking things that belonged to other people. I always believed in earning things for yourself. That's why I've always repaid what I've taken, always. The Blueblood's however were a special case however. I decided to explain as myself to them. Starting from the very beginning, why I stole in the first place.

"Have you ever been hungry Celestia?" I asked, my voice nice and even, the crowd hushed as soon as I began to talk. "I'm not talking about; 'oh it's lunchtime' I'm hungry, it's not 'man that was some hard work I did!' hungry, it's not 'I feel bored with my life' hungry." I said my voice keeping the steadily growing anger well hidden.

"I'm talking about stomach turning inside out, acid burning our walls, moaning and rolling around in the dirt hungry." I said, the bleached Alicorn was staring at me with wide eyes. I could feel my voice growing bitter as I remembered all those days I stayed out on the sidewalk begging for food.

"Have you ever been thirst Celestia?" I asked again. "I-" she began but I was having none of it. She wanted an explanation and I was giving it to her. "I'm talking about searing throat, drinking your own saliva and piss to get something in your stomach." I said, my voice was now fully bitter and full of anger as I remembered the days I spent in the wild doing just that.

"No, of course you haven't! Your a royal pony who's had everything she'd ever wanted." My voice was now full of anger and hate.

Calm down! It was just the life she was born with! Urged my Logical Side.

No way Jose! It's time these uptight prissy ponies learned the truth. Shouted my Illogical Side.

I decided to listen to my Logical Side for once. "I'm telling you this because I wanted you to know why I stole, and why I've always given back. I never wanted to steal but it was the only way to survive another day. I hate to admit it but sometimes ends justify the means." I said, my voice returning to normal.

The crowd was quiet for a minute, it was really eerie which was why I was glad when Celesita cleared her throat. "Well, I...I don't know what to say. I think that that's a horrible way to live....you might want to talk to somepony about it." She said. This struck me funny, not sarcastic, but seriously funny because it was true. "Look Celestia, I know that I do have scars, I do have anger issues but their part of me." I said trying to find a way to put it.

"My scars are like experiences, they keep me going sometimes with the fire of anger and pain. Sometimes when I'm wallowing in my miser I think to myself you've faced worse. They allow me to connect to other ponies still trying to get over their grief and I can relate to them because I've felt the same pain! The pain of watching ponies pass by you as you lie in the gutter, too weak to move. The pain of your parent yelling how much of a failure you are! My pain keeps me working harder, better, faster, and stronger. It makes me the best pony that I can possibly strive to become! It's what keeps me from becoming a sad sack of wailing flesh. It makes me a better pony because I know how painful it is! I know what it's like! And I will work to stop it when I can!" I said, my voice growing louder and stronger with each word. After I finished there was a silence in the crowd. I cleared my throat.

"Now, the Blueblood's were a different case as to why I never paid them back." I said bringing the crowd's attention back to the felony at hand. "Yes I stole from them the food the ONLY reason for that was I hadn't eaten or drank anything in 3 days and I was on the verge of dying. During those three years I ran from the police, I saved enough bits to pay them back. So naturally, I went up to their residence and snuck in." I got incredulous stares from the 5 mares behind me. "What? Do you honestly think they would let me in?" I asked, I had a point I was still a shaggy un-groomed homeless pony back then.

"So I snuck into their living room and threw the bag of bits on to floor and apologized my heart out. And you know what they said to me?" I asked questioningly, looking directly into Celestia's distraught eyes.

"They said keep your filthy self away from us!" I said imitating a highly polished Manehattan accent. "So I took the bits with me and ran out of there faster than a pony in red during the running of the bulls." I said jokingly, this drew a couple of chuckles from the otherwise quiet crowd.

Celestia spoke with a deadpan voice now.

"I still think you should talk to somepony."

"And I'm telling you I'm not gonna talk with a shrink." I replied equally flat.

"Should too."

"Should not."

"Should too."

"Should not"

"Should too!" She shouted. I sighed and got up.

"Make me."