Light in the Dark

Chapters

Chapter 1 - Return
Chapter 2 - Forest
Chapter 3 - Darkness

Chapter 1 - Return

In the past, many battles have appeared, but none of them were more bloody than the 'Dark Battle'.

Two thousand soldiers, most of them being Pegasuses, Earth Ponies and Unicorns, under the command of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, co-rulers of Equestria fought against the creature that wore the name Sokkarr, an entity that could dangered the whole world. No one knew where he came from. The Royal Sisters fought him but they could not stand against the might of the Demon.

Wielding a wicked weapon and using powerful unknown magic, Sokkarr challenged the sisters into a dual. Locked in the battle, the alicorns didn't have a chance against Sokkarr. Their magic was useless, their weapons couldn't land a blow on his body. It was like he was playing with them.

When the princesses couldn't fight anymore, instead of finishing them, Sokkarr let them live and left them not before promising the rulers of Equestria, that he will return someday and then nothing will stand on his way to do this.

After that Sokkarr wasn't heard or saw in Equestria from there. Some say that he is hiding, waiting for his return but others say that he returned to his place where he came from. Many years have passed since this dreaded event and many have forgotten about this battle, only a few remembered the dreaded Demon Sokkarr.

Twilight let out a sigh and closed the book with her hoof, which was describing the history of Equestria. The book itself was called 'Battles of Equestria' and was placed in Royal Archives. Being the Princess Faithful Student had the benefits.

Before she was sent by Celestia herself to stop Nightmare Moon, an alicorn that wanted to cast Eternal Night over Equestria, she was studying the history of many races like Griffons, Minotaur's, Dragons. In every book, there was one word that appeared in every one of them, 'Sokkarr'. This name raised too many questions.

Even after she read the 'Battles of Equestria' it answered a few questions and the new one appeared. It gave Twilight quite a headache. She tried to solve his history but she made a little progress.

Taking a few deep breaths, she looked at the forest below her. Currently, Twilight with her best assistant and brother Spike was transported through the chariot by two Pegasuses that were members of the Royal Guard.

Spike saw Twilight face and put his hand on her. "Are you alright Twilight?"

Returning to reality, she turned towards him. "Hm? Yeah, I'm fine." She said with a smile.

"Are you sure? You look like that since we left the Canterlot." Spike said uncertainly.

"Yeah, it just... This 'Sokkarr' is a big mystery. He appears in every book that tells about the history of Griffons, Minotaurs, Dragons, and even Equestria! But none of them contains information about him himself. I searched every part of Archives and nothing! It drives me insane!" Twilight exclaimed to Spike.

"It's okay Twilight." Spike patted her. "I'm sure that you will what you need in the library when we will land."

Twilight smiled at his words. "Thanks, Spike. I have the same hope as you." Twilight put the book back to her bag. She turned around her head and saw that they are close to their destination.

Under the Everfree Forest, there was a system of caverns deep under the ground. Practically, the only creatures living there are Diamond Dogs, but even they didn't explore them fully. They passed wide the one entrance that leads to another system of caves, right under the Canterlot itself.

The reason for that was when they tried to pass the entrance, they smelled a stench of death and they could swear they heard a mad like laughter that echoed through the caves, making them scared for their lives.

In their, nothing has been living. There was only silence. In one of the chambers, there was a purple crystal, that looked like it was growing from the ground itself. Its glows were menacing and the crystal was pulsing with energy. Suddenly the cracks started to appear all over the crystal and black flames started to leak from them. It shared into million pieces and they looked like they were floating in the air. A purple vortex opened suddenly from it and a dark shadow went through it. When it formed itself, the shadow had the one set of the eyes and his left had a pupil while the other didn't. His maw was a set of red teeth that shred flesh and they were shaped into a smile. His hands were long and ended with dark, sharp claws. Black flames were seeping from his entire form, making them look like they were part of him.

The shadow looked over his surroundings with his eyes. His smile widened when he recognized where he was. "It seems that this place didn't change at all." He said in a deep and dark voice. He looked at the crystal and waved his hand, closing the portal and the crystal return to his normal form. "I think that is a good moment to summon my servants." With the snap of his claws, more crystal started to grow from the ground and it formed a circle. The entrance to the chamber was sealed with crystal stalagmites. Shortly after that, at the circle appeared black portal and from it, black grey stone creatures appeared. They were wearing damaged rugs and their eyes were glowing with white purple light. Their jaws had a set of grey teeth and they had a pair of hands.

The shadow looked at his servants. "Guard this chamber interior and report to me if someone will appear." He said to them and they nodded. After that, he flew up and transpassed the stone of the caverns. He soon has appeared again in the forest that he knew. 'Looks like this place didn't change at all too. That's good.' He thought.

Suddenly he heard a rattle from the bushes from his left side. A pack of wood creatures that looked like wolfs and with green eyes, jumped from them. The entity has recognized them as Timberwolves, one of inhabits of the forest. One of them was bigger and more intimidating from the rest of his pack. It was their leader. All of them have kneeled before their true master.

"Lord Sokkarr, we have waited for your return." The leader said in the voice that sounded like a growl to the others that couldn't understand Timberwolves' language.

"Rise." All wolves have to stand up. "You have served me very well, even I departed from you, but your faith in me has been rewarded."

The leader looked at Sokkarr. "What will you gonna do now, my Lord?" He asked him.

"I will gonna see how the Ponyville and its inhabitants have been doing during my absence. Has something interesting happened before?" Sokkarr asked the leader.

"Yes. There was a chariot that flew by the forest, leading by the Royal Guards. On it, there was a lavender unicorn and a small purple dragon with her. They were flying to Ponyville." TImberwolf informant his master.

"A lavender unicorn and a whelp with her? Hmm." Sokkarr though for the moment. 'That can't be a coincidence. That unicorn is probably Celestia Faithful Student. She must send her to stop Luna from reappearing. But if that's the case I need to see her myself.' After deciding what to do next, he looked at his wolfs and said. "Go and secure the main path from the entrance to the forest to The Castle of Two Sisters. I need to check on this unicorn and if my suspicions are correct, she will have a big role to play."

"As you wish, Lord Sokkarr." The Timberwolves have run deeper into the forest, leaving Sokkarr alone. He turned in the opposite direction. Crawling across the land, he found himself at the edge of the forest. He reformed again and saw the village. Many colorful anthro ponies have been minding their own business. He looked across them, searching for the lavender mare when suddenly, a chariot has landed and from it, a purple young drake and lavender mare, the one that he wanted to see, left the chariot and started heading deeper into the town.

Deciding to follow them, he started to walk towards. Normally, everypony would saw him, but when he was in his current form, no mortal could saw him without detecting his presence through magic. He looked closely at the lavender mare. Her mane and tail were purple with one red streak.

'Interesting student has Celestia chosen. I wonder what happened that she became her student.' Sokkarr used his telepathic abilities and he was shocked when he saw her memories. He shook his head and frown. 'Incredible! Her magic flare caused by her attempts to hatch a dragon egg, awakened in her powerful magic. She could be the most powerful unicorn that I ever encountered in my life. I wonder what the cutie mark has.' Looking at her flank, Voldar saw one big pink star and six smaller around it. He looked closer at it and then he realized what kind of Cutie Mark is it.

'No way! That Cutie Mark represents Magic! But... if that's the truth...' The realization hit him like a brick. 'She represents that Element. That settles it. She's too importanted to be ignored. Her rule must be fulfilled if Luna has to be ''free''. But she can't do that alone.' Sokkarr sighed. 'I will look into that later. Now I will see what's her purpose here.' Voldar looked at Twilight and followed her on every step that she made.

Twilight and Spike went to the Town Hall after the ponies of Ponyville throw party for the new ponies that come. Sokkarr saw that Twilight rather wanted to read a book about 'the Elements of Harmony' than anticipated at the party. It was by pink named Pinkie Pie's idea to do that and her friends, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity and Applejack agreed to do it. It was near the time where Princess Celestia raises the sun.

Sokkarr was standing between the ponies and they didn't saw him. It was thanks to his current form. When he's a shadow, anypony can't see him. He will appear in front of them when he's like to do that.

Currently, he was watching a balcony, where Fluttershy was leading the choir of birds and soon, Mayor Mare announced the opening of the Summer Sun Celebration. Sokkarr and Twilight turned to the moon and saw that sign of Nightmare Moon disappeared. Sokkarr smiled widened while Twilight became worried.

Shortly the Mayor announced the appearance of Celestia but she showed up. Instead of her, a blue fog started to appear on the balcony and Nightmare Moon came from it. Her mane was made of fog with stars in it and her coat was black as night. Her eyes were dragon slides and she was wearing blue light armor. Sokkarr turned to Twilight who had a worried face on her.

'Now we will see what are you made of, Twilight.' Sokkarr thought as his grin widened even more from ear to ear.

Chapter 2 - Forest

After Nightmare Moon's speech about bringing eternal night, the Mayor ordered the guards to catch her but they failed. She turned into fog and fled while everypony panicked. Sokkarr immediately flew after her. Soon he found himself near the Castle of Two Sisters, abandoned and ruined by the flow of time. After trespassing the halls of the castle, Sokkarr found Luna in the room where the Elements of Harmony resided. Luna was looking at the Elements.

Sokkarr looked at the decayed walls of the room and sighed, remembering to do something about it. "I must say that the show you pulled back there was something that I wasn't expecting from you, Luna."

Nightmare Moon turned around at him. She giggled before saying, "You're the one to talk. I saw you hiding between ponies like a spectator who's watching a movie."

Sokkarr slightly chuckled. "You know me, Luna. I am who I am. A shadow, a monster, a Demon. Those titles were earned by me as time passed. I didn't choose them, it was those that called me like that."

"And most of them are lies," Nightmare Moon sadly said. "We both know who you are. No matter how many sins will you commit, no matter what you will do, you will be always our friend, to the end of time."

Sokkarr was slightly surprised by Moon's words but he didn't show her that. "You're right." Sokkarr laughed softly. "I guess that I forget about my 'funny bone' back there." He joked before chuckling.

Nightmare Moon laughed at his joke and after calming herself, she hugged Sokkarr. "It's good to see you again Sokkarr. I waited for that moment for so long."

"I know Luna. You know that I always keep my promises." Sokkarr said in a soft voice before releasing his grip on her. "Now that we had our moment, it seems that those six ponies entered the forest."

"How do you know that?" asked Moon.

"Because I sensed their magical present when they entered the forest." explained Sokkarr and continued "I guess that they want to find Elements of Harmony and use them on you, Luna."

"I see." Nightmare thought about it for a moment about them. "Did you see them? Who are they?"

"Yes, I did. The group contained two unicorns, two pegasuses, and two earth ponies. The orange pony was Applejack, the blue one was Rainbow Dash, the buttermilk pegasus Fluttershy, the pink party pony Pinkie Pie, the white unicorn Rarity and the lavender mare named Twilight Sparkle if I guess right."

Nightmare's eyes widened at the last name that Sokkarr said. "Did... did you just said Twilight?!"

Sokkarr saw her reaction and frowned. "I know that you want to tell me and yes, It is her."

"How can be sure of that?"

"I have scanned her mind with my magic and saw her memories. When they will cross the bridge, their way to the Elements will be clear. Twilight will know how to summon the last Element,"

"But, even with that in mind, they have to be tested. You, from all ponies, should know that don't you Luna? I know that may be hard for you, but we need to be sure that the Elements will be in the right hoofs," Sokkarr placed his hand on her shoulder. "Can I trust you in that?"

Nightmare thought about it, knowing what Sokkarr meant. She let out a heavy sigh. "Yes. But Sokkarr, please. Don't interfere until they used them on me. Got it?"

"Aye, aye captain!" Sokkarr saluted before her and turned into black fog and disappeared into the shadows.

Nightmare Moon giggled. I forget he can be funny. She fought as her body turned into mist and went through the window towards the mane 6.

Sokkarr watched with curiosity as Nightmare Moon set traps on the group of mares. With every step, with every challenge they overcome, he started to see that they been represented the very aspects of the Elements of Harmony.

The first one was when Nightmare destroyed the cliff where they been standing at. Applejack told Twilight to trust her when she dropped her and was caught by Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. It was an aspect of Honesty.

The second challenge was angered manticore. Sokkarr thought that Luna went a little too far with this but he shrugged it. He watched as mares fought against the beast until Fluttershy stopped them. Instead of being eaten by the beast, she helped manticore and showed the next aspect. The aspect of Kindness.

The next obstacle that was placed by Nightmare Moon was a dark part of the forest. She used her magic to transform the trees into an evil looking like sculptures. Everypony started to scream when they saw them, except Pinkie Pie who just laughed at them and started to sign. Sokkarr didn't saw that coming. Soon everypony joined her and every tree returned to the normal state. That was a clear representation of the aspect of Laughter.

After that, they tried to cross the river but the Sea Serpent was upset about his mustache and his tail was making the river bypassable. His mustache was the work of Nightmare Moon from what Sokkarr could guess. Rarity saw that and using one of the serpent scales, she cut off her tail and using magic, Rarity connected to his mustache. That allowed the group with the Sea Serpent's help to proceed forward. That act from Rarity side surprised Sokkarr. Only a few ponies could do something like she did. That was a clear aspect of Generosity.

When they were nearly at their destination, they discovered that the bridge to the castle was destroyed and the only pony who could repair it was Rainbow Dash. She flew across and started to tie the ropes of the bridge when suddenly the voice that belonged to Nightmare Moon speak to Dash. From the fog, three pegasuses approached her. They claimed that they belonged to the group named Shadowbolts, similar to the Wonderbolts. They offered her place amongst them but Dash ditched their offer and help her friends. What she did was a pure aspect of Loyalty.

The last challenge was when Twilight's friend called her when Nightmare Moon 'destroyed' Elements of Harmony, a 'spark' awakened in her. The spark of friendship. With that, Twilight told Nightmare Moon what she and her friends went through to get this far. With that, the final Element appeared, the Element of Magic.

The fragments of Elements gathered around the group and formed jewels, in Twilight's case the crown, and a rainbow beam hit Nightmare Moon and suddenly white light burst out in the castle. Sokkarr was behind one of the columns when that happened. Soon the light died and looked from the column, seeing them admire their new accessories. Then Celestia appeared before them, Twilight approached her mentor and hugged her. Sokkarr decided that was the best moment to act as he merged into the shadows.

'Time to begin.' Sokkarr thought while he chuckled.

As the scene went forward when Luna, now weakened by the Elements and reverted to her younger self, accepted her friendship. Pinkie Pie from all of this started to cry with the river of tears coming out her eyes and she stopped.

"Hey! Do you know what we should? We should throw a party!" Pinkie exclaimed happily.

"I think that is a good idea." Rainbow Dash agreed.

"That's a wonderful idea, miss Pinkie Pie," Luna said before looking at her sister. "However there is someone that will arrive shortly."

Celestia raised her eyebrow. "And who's might be Luna?"

"She meant me, Celestia." Said suddenly the voice, causing everypony, expect Luna, to be caught off guard. Everything started to turn dark and even the light of the sun couldn't pierce the blackness that surrounded them. The shadows started to gather from every spot they could and started to form a figure beside them. It was black and very tall, even higher than Celestia. From his shoulders, one spike at which one was growing out. His arms were long and ended with sharp and skinny claws. His face had a set of red glowing teeth shaped into the wicked grin and two eyes, where his left only contained the pupil. It looked like a dot with a circle around it.

"I must say it's the shame that you have forgotten about me," The creature smile widened. "Celestia."

The mane six didn't know what to do. They feel nervous, some of them even scared about this... thing. If the worse would come, they could use the Elements to defeat him. But there was the risk that the thing could dodge it and use it against them.

"No response? No words? Heh. I forgot how ponies can be scared of the new and strange people like me." The shadow said laughing.

"What' so funny?!" Rainbow Dash snapped at him.

"The funny thing is that you are acting like a pony who is scared for his life. Especially you Fluttershy." He pointed his claw at the yellow pegasus. "Your name is fitting for your personality, my dear."

"And how do you her name?" Applejack asked.

"You see... I have been watching you, all of you. I know each one of you. Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack. I watched how you manage to defeat every obstacle on your way here. I must say admit that you surprised me positively." He said while started to circles around them. "And you managed to awake the Elements from their deep slumber. You have impressed me."

Twilight was starting to feel embarrassed. "Thank you... I guess." She said and shook her head. "But who are you and what do you want?"

The shadow darkly chuckled. "I was wondering when you will gonna ask me that. My name is Sokkarr. And your next words will decide whoever I'm your friend... or your enemy." Sokkarr warned her, smiling at her and her friends.

"Sokkarr?" Twilight said and started to remember that she heard his name somewhere else. She put two on two and realized who he is in reality.

Sokkarr saw that and couldn't help but laugh at that. "Oh! You seem to realize something my little star. And I know what is it!"

Rarity looked at her friend. "What is talking about Twilight?" She asked her and saw that she was started to shake, not from the cold but the fear.

Sokkarr laughed maniacally at what was happening. "It seems that I was forgotten by many. If that's the case, then allow me to fill you in. Many years ago, during a war against a Griffon Empire, when the princesses nearly defeat the Griffins they were near to take their capital, the Griffonstone. But they have been stopped by the demon, who challenged Celestia and Luna to battle him alone. The rules were simple. If he would win, they should leave the Griffins alone, but if they would win they could claim it. Unfortunately for them, the Demon was too much for the Princesses. Before he left them, he promised them that he will return to the Equestria one day."

The beares looked shocked and surprised at the same time. The first one who awakened from it was Rainbow Dash. "How do you know about this?! There's no way that they would be defeated." She shouted.

"Ah agree with you Dash!" Applejack agreed. The rest of the mares nodded expect Twilight.

Sokkarr chuckled yet again. "That is simple my dear." He said before disappearing in the puff of black flames and reappeared before Applejack which surprised her. He looked at her eyes and saw fear in them. "Because I AM him! I am the Demon that left this world thus leaving it in the hands of the rulers of it!" He exclaimed at them and looked with his eyes at Celestia and Luna. "After all, they know I don't lie to anyone, right Celestia?" The Demon asked her. The mares looked at their rulers with worried and curious eyes.

"Princess Celestia..." Started Twilight. "Is he saying the truth?" She asked her mentor. Celestia cleared her through and looked at her sister before looking back at her student.

"He's saying the truth Twilight. As much I hate to admit it, he isn't lying." The princess said in a slightly shaky tone. "I was afraid that day would come."

"I always keep my promises, Celestia. I'm not the type of guy who lies to somepony. I'm not like that." Sokkarr said.

"I know," Celestia said with a hint of fear. "Now that you have returned Sokkarr, what will gonna do?" She asked the demon.

He rubbed his neck with his claw. "Well... for the starters I will gonna take a look at the town more closely since I didn't have a chance to do that and after that, I don't know." He crossed his hands over his chest and looked at Luna. "For starters, your sister should rest a bit. The best place of what I could think would be Twilight" Sokkarr said. "For now we should go back to Ponyville. I bet the ponies are worried about us." He chuckled and turned to the doors and the rest of the group followed him shortly.

Before they left the forest, Sokkarr decided to change his form. He stopped walking and focused, transforming himself shocking the mane 6. His flames died out and shadows sank into him, revealing his new body. He was now wearing a spiky armor with the cloak around his armored legs. His hands were covered with the same armor and they were ended with claws. His face changed too. From his head, dark grey hair was growing out and his eyes had white screla and purple eyes.

He looked at the surprised mares and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry about that," Sokkarr said with now more friendly voice. "Didn't mean to scare you."

The group felt relief and everyone continue to walk. Sokkarr knew that was the beginning of something new and something that was delayed for a very long time.

Author's Note

What does Sokkarr planning for everypony and what are his gains from it? Stay tuned for another chapter!

(You probably saw that I edited the first chapter. I was debating if I wanted to keep a pony like appearances of characters or their anthropomorphic versions. After some time I decided that their appearance will remain as in the show. It was quite a pickle if you ask me.)

Chapter 3 - Darkness

When they have arrived in Ponyville, Pinkie Pie threw a party for Sokar and Luna. The citizens were curious about the new and unknown person. During the party, Sokar and Luna enjoyed the fun and had a fair share of laughter. It was something that would leave memories in their minds. After the party was over Celestia announce that her sister will remain in Ponyville until further notice. Twilight lead Luna and Sokkarr to her library and introduce them to Spike. The little guy nearly fainted a second time. They laughed when that happened.

Twilight took Luna to her new room and after that, the princess said that she wanted to rest. After leaving Luna's room, Twilight headed downstairs. She rubbed her forehead with her hoof and let out a sigh of relief.

"What a day," Twilight said. "First, we have helped Luna and now we have a Demon that returned. I guess nothing will surprise me now."

"You would be surprised, my dear." Twilight raised her head at the source of the voice and saw Sokkarr, sitting at the ceiling, reading a book in his hands.

"What are you doing?" Twilight asked him.

"What? Can't a man read a book in the library?" He answered her flatly.

"It doesn't explain why are you sitting at the ceiling." The mare said.

"One of my habits. I have read many books in my life." He jumped off and landed on the floor. "Many would say that I'm a bookworm by now." The purple aura engulfed the book and levitated to the bookshelf. "You would know what is like by now if you know what I mean."

"I know what you mean."

"Hm." Sokkarr took a glance at the lavender mare. "You look like you have lots of things on your mind."

"I'm all right. It just... many things have happened quickly, and it's hard to get used to." Twilight explained to him.

"It's understandable given the circumstances. But don't worry, my friend. Go with the flow and you will find peace." The Demon said to her with a smirk on his face.

Twilight slightly smiled at his words. "Thanks, Sokkarr. I think I needed that. Can I ask you a few questions?"

"What you need to know?"

"The magic you used is strange to me. I saw nothing like that in my life. The books don't contain any information about it." Twilight explained to him.

Sokkarr was waiting for this moment. He knew that Twilight would ask him such a question. It would make his job much easier to do.

He crossed his hands behind him and said, "Knowledge about the magic I've been using still exists in the books and scrolls. But they have been kept hidden or Celestia has locked them in her vault, where no one would gain access to them."

Twilight looked surprised by this. "What kind of magic you talking about?"

The Demon grin widened. "Dark Magic. It's a shame that its arts were forgotten and Celestia decided to keep the knowledge about it under the lock."

"Dark Magic?!" Twilight said, nearly shouting.

Sokkarr chuckled. "From your tone, I guess you hear about it."

"Well..." Twilight put her hoof on her shoulder. "I indeed heard about Dark Magic, but I thought that was a rumor."

That picked Sokkarr curiosity. "And where did you hear this rumor if I may ask?"

"Ponies said that Luna became Nightmare Moon using Dark Magic. That her jealousy and anger caused her to rebel against her sister, forcing her to banish Luna to the moon." She said.

Sokkarr let out a quiet growl. "I should expect that those nobles would come up with something to justify their own words."

"What are you talking about?"

"That rumor is nothing but a cover for the nobles who are greed and afraid to tell their ruler the truth in her face!" Sokkarr said furiously and his eyes glowed with purple light. "Luna used Dark Magic that's true, but the true reason for her banishment was because of the nobles. In the past, they wanted to overthrow Luna and even killed her to ensure that their plans would be safe!"

"What?! How do you know about this?" Twilight exclaimed, shocked about this.

"From the moment the sisters became co-rulers, I watched ignorant and greedy nobles plotting against Luna, and Celestia didn't know about it. I don't blame her for that, but she should do something about it. And I will talk to her about it." Sokkarr said.

"But... if that true... they will try to do it again," Twilight said, worried about her mentor and Princess Luna. "We have to do something."

Sokkarr chuckled. "Don't worry, my friend." He kneeled and place his hand on her shoulder. "I promise you that no hair will fall from her head."

"You promise?"

"I promise. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye. Pinkie Pie has said something like that." Sokkarr said. "Also, I would give you a proposition Twilight."

"What kind of proposition?" She asked him.

"The chance to learn Dark Magic. I see in you the potential to become the greatest and the most powerful pony that lived in this world. Your cutie mark represents magic and I mean any magic. Light magic, Dark Magic, even Chaos Magic, or any kind of magic would be at your command but first, you need to learn them. Celestia taught you only Light magic because she thinks that you will fall, but she's wrong. You can gain power and knowledge beyond mortal understanding. So what will you say? Are you going to accept my offer?" He reached his hand towards her.

Many things have started to run in Twilight's mind. She never was stopping herself from learning new spells, and now Sokkarr is allowing her to teach her unknown magic. When she was younger, knowledge was sinking into her like a sponge. It was a very tempting offer, one that Twilight couldn't decline.

"I accept." She said to him and shook his hand. Sokkarr smile at this.

"Excellent! You have made the right choice. You won't regret this, I promise." He said enthusiastically. "Now, excuse me but I have to take a look into the Archives. I want to know how things went under my absence."

He stood up and left Twilight alone in her library and started to head towards the Canterlot. He knew that in the Archives would be some hidden artifacts of Dark Magic. Black flames engulfed him and he teleported to the royal library. He looked around the place until he found what he was seeking. A steel door, locked by Celestia magic seals. He focused his magic and sensed that behind the gates that were sealed, was powerful Dark Magic signatures.

But before he would proceed further, Sokkarr decided to visit Celestia. He knew that she would be in her chambers at this time. He teleported yet again and he found himself before the doors to Celestia's room. He knocked three times before opening them. When he entered he saw Celestia sitting, reading lists, and drinking a cup of tea.

"Oh! Sokkarr you have surprised me." She said.

"Sorry about that. Didn't mean to. Can I talk with you?" The Demon asked her.

"Of course. I was finishing the reading of those lists." She ignited her horn and the lists disappeared from the table. Sokkarr walked and sit. "Now, what is important that you wanted to tell me."

"Well... it's the matter of the nobles. I think you should already know that." He said to her in a serious tone.

She sighed. "I was afraid that you would say that. They have been a pain in my and Luna's flank for a very long time. And because of them, I lost my sister." Celestia said, remembering what they tried to do.

"I think they would want to pull the same trick before but it's only the suspicion." Sokkarr sighed and crossed his hand. "There is another matter that I wanted to discuss with you, Celestia."

"And that would be?"

"I left Equis because it wasn't ready. It wasn't ready for me. You know already what I talking about. I saw that you wanted harmony and order in this world, but too much of it has started to affect the balance of this world. The balance between light and darkness. This has too much light and that started to upset the balance." Sokkarr explained. "That's is why I have returned. To make things right. When you banished your sister, the balance has returned, only for some time. Under your rule, you have united many kingdoms and brought pace through the Equestria, an accomplishment that I respect, but even the true order can tip off the balance of the world. Your rule has brought prosperity to the ponies, but they became stagnant and weak. At least Discord knew about it." Sokkarr sighed.

Celestia's eyes widened when she heard the name of the god of chaos. "You know him?!"

"Meet him a few years ago before I left." Sokkarr shrugged his shoulders. "He knew that you and your sister have upset the balance between the order and chaos. He failed to realize that he was too upsetting the balance. His arrogance was his downfall in the end, as he stands in your Royal Gardens as the statue." He pointed with his thumb at the balcony.

He shook his head and continued. "Returning to the main topic, I wanted to tell you something. It's about your student, Twilight Sparkle."

The Solar princess frowned her eyebrows at this. "What do you want to tell me?"

"You realize that she has the cutie mark that represents Magic, right? I saw that you reached her only Light magic. Which makes me think. Are you afraid that she will fall into the darkness like your sister if she will learn how to control the darkness? Or will she left you like your previous student?" The Demon asked her and saw the shock in her eyes. "Surprised? You shouldn't be. You forget that I watched everything that was happening in the Equestria. She had the potential of becoming a powerful unicorn, but you have restrained and now look at what has happened. She has left you, leaving you again alone in your life until Twilight came. Your loneliness, your anger... there still in your heart, Celestia." He smirked. "You told me once that the alicorns are pure. That they can't be tainted by the dark. How you were wrong about this, my friend. Even the gods have darkness inside their hearts. Yours is no exception. You kept bottle up in you, but one day or another the darkness inside you will consume you, just like your sister." He ended with a wide grin on his face.

Sokkarr words cut through the princess like the butterknife. He was right. There was darkness inside her heart. It was small, but still there and was slowly growing with every passing year of her rule. After her sister was banished to the moon, she alone ruled the Equestria for over one thousand years. Back there she was alone and blamed herself for what happened. Anger, guilt, wrath was slowly eating her heart from the inside out. She fought against it, but Sokkarr knew one could resist the darkness in their heart for some time. She found temporary peace when her previous student was still learning the magic under her wing. But when she left her mentor, the darkness came back with doubled power. Celestia nearly filled in it. But she found the new strength to fight when Twilight Sparkle came into her life. She found a new purpose in her life.

Sokkarr saw in her the realization, an inner struggle was inside her heart. He stood up and headed forward the doors. When he opened, he looked at the princess and said, "Think about it, Celestia. Take your time, because it's what you need right now." He left the room and headed down the hall, bypassing some Royal Guards. He heard whispering to each other, so he stopped and focused on what they were talking about.

"Is that him?" The first guard asked his friend.

"I think so. The folks say that he's a friend of princesses." He answered his fellow guard.

"Tch. Like I would believe that. I bet he's just want to buy their trust and backstab them. Not on my watch." He said proudly, stopping his hoofs at the ground. Sokkarr quietly laughter at this.

"You know that I can hear both of you~" They turned towards Sokkarr who looked at them through his shoulder with his eye glowing maliciously. They could feel the killer intent from him, both of them felt like they were watched by the devil himself. He chuckled and left them alone.

He entered the Archives yet again and picked up a few books that pick his interests. He sited down at the chair and placed the books at his desk. He picked the first of the stack, it was colored in red and was named "Creatures of Equestria". He opened it. A few minutes have passed and he read most of the book that he picked.

Suddenly he heard the sound of hoofs behind him. He turned around and saw Celestia herself, which made him curious as he raised his eyebrow. "What's brings you here, your majesty?" He asked.

"I... wanted to talk with you." She said with hesitation. She sat at the chair beside him.

Sokkarr could already guess where this was going. "About what?"

"About what you said earlier. That... you are right." She said sadly. "Eons of loneliness, anger towards the nobles, the guilt of the past. I was able to keep myself in check for a long time. But... it's like you said... it's only a matter of time before I lose control and I will hurt those who are dear to me." Celestia's head fell in sorrow. He felt pity for her, even he saw this similar scene over and over again.

"That is why I wanted to ask you something." Sokkarr raised his eyebrows hearing that. "You said that you wanted to Twilight Dark Magic and I can already guess she accept your offer, is that right?" He nodded his head. "Then I ask you to teach me Dark Magic as well."

Sokkarr's eyes slightly widened. Even he was ready for something like that, he was still surprised.

"That is something I wasn't expecting from you, Celestia. But I feel that is something more than just gain control over yourself, right?"

Celestia sighed. "You got me there. When I and my sister became co-rulers of Equestria, we have to manage the economy, military, and technological progress of our country. The nobles were doing things for their gain, while I was approving or disapproving of their requests. Sometimes I felt like was a puppet and they were pulling the strings."

"So you want to show them that you are somepony that they should be afraid of?" He asked with a grin on his face.

"Something like that... I'm fed up with their arrogance. And want to prove to them that they shouldn't be so selfish." Celestia answered him.

"Heh. I would like to see that. They would be running like the chickens without their heads! That would be something!" Sokkarr exclaimed and started to laugh. Celestia joined him after and for some time they laugh until they finally calmed down themselves. Sokkarr has just remembered something.

"There is still one issue here." Celestia looked at him.

"What you mean?"

"Your sister. Back at the party, I sensed that some of her powers are sealed, like the Elements have not only purified her but also they stripped of some of her power." He explained to her.

"What? But why did this happened?!" She asked him.

"My guess is that was a safety lock that would prevent Luna to succumb to the darkness. But that has caused an imbalance in her heart."

"Is there something that we can do?"

"Hm... The quickest way to do that would be to teach her Dark Magic. It would react at her darkness and would cause it to return all of the strength that she lost."

"Or we would simply wait until she regains her strength over time."

"You catch on quick. In my opinion, I would choose the first one. I know that your sister can be stubborn and she's very cautious." Sokkarr explained.

"Well..." Celestia rubbed her neck in embarrassment. "I guess that has to do with a few pranks that have caused that."

Sokkarr held his laughter from hearing that. "Really? And what would that be?"

"I have used the marker to paint her face or I throw a bucket with cold water at her..." She giggled innocently. The Demon burst with laughter and hold his sides very tightly which make her confused. "What?"

"I never thought that you would be a prankster, Celestia!" Sokkarr said laughing.

"You're not angry at me?"

"Why should I be? What you have done was moonless!" He said.

Celestia facehoofed herself and groaned. "I should know that you would make puns too..."

"Says the pony that likes to make pranks but hates puns." He commented. "In my opinion, you lack a part of the funny bone."

Celestia resisted the urge to hit Sokkarr with her hoof as she let out an irritated sigh. "I remember now why I hate you Sokkarr."

"Ohhh. I love you too Celestia." He snickered. "I wonder what Twilight and Luna are doing right now..."

"I guess that they are talking with each other," Princess said. "Any way you wanted to say something?"

"Heh. Funny you said that." He said, crossing hands over his chest. "I wanted to ask you for permission for opening the vault. You know which one."

"I was afraid that you would say that," Celestia said as she raised from her chair and walked to the locked wing of the Archives, Sokkarr followed her shortly. "In the past, there were many ponies that would use this power for their gain. We couldn't allow that, so we put the artifacts and the books in a safe place."

"And no one has tried to steal it?" Sokkarr asked the princess, raising his eyebrow.

"No. Over time, many have forgotten about them, thanks, Faust. We didn't dare to use them. Many of them have brought innocent creatures into madness. I hope what you doing." Celestia sighed.

Soon they have stood before the vault. Celestia's horn flashed in yellow light and soon the seals have been broken. The doors have opened before them, revealing stairs leading down. Sokkarr went first, Celestia behind him. The air in this place was very cold and was very dark. Sokkarr summoned a ball of purple light that inlighted their path before them. After some time they reached the bottom of the vault. Sokkarr saw several artifacts in the pedestals and bookcases, standing next to the walls of the cave.

Sokkarr let out a whistle from his mouth. "That's a very big collection, Celestia! I never knew that you were a type of collector!" He said to her.

"I don't know if I should feel amused or flattered." She said to him.

"Both... I guess." He shrugged his shoulders. "Now then... let's see what treasures have in here." Sokkarr walked between the pedestals until he saw a purple crystal in one of them. He walked closer to get a better view and to him, the crystal looked familiar. He turned to Celestia and asked her, "That crystal is interesting. What is it?"

"It's called "The Crystal of Corruption". It was created by the mad dragon queen Fyghyl during the war with dragons that waged years ago. The crystal itself was crafted, using the rituals and pure Dark Magic. When used, it can increase the user's magic and strength of his body but it comes with a terrible price. The crystal can corrupt the user's mind, transforming him into the beast that the only goal is to acquire more power and even conquer the whole world." Celestia explained to him.

"Hm... Mind if I put it into a different, safer place. It's not the first that I encountered something like this. I could even do something about affecting one's mind." Sokkarr requested.

"If you think that you can do that, then I go ahead." Sokkarr snapped his fingers and a small portal opened beneath the crystal making sink into it. The portal was closed shortly after that.

Looking at the books on the bookshelves he saw that they were mostly focused on demon magic, necromancy, blood magic, chaos magic, etc.

"That's some serious magic you acquired Celestia. I thought that you destroyed these," he said to her. "Most of them are very rich with knowledge. One that can be used for good."

"True but due to the nature of the Dark Magic, many have succumbed to Evil," she explained to him. "I hoped that would never happen again."

"Magic itself isn't evil. You decide what will do with it," he said to her. "Those who use Dark Magic didn't mean that they were always bad. There's always an exception."

"I suppose that's true..." she said.

Sokkarr took the books that were the most interesting for him. Then he opened his portal and put them in it and closed it. Celestia was practically surprised and curious at the same time. He was opening the portals whenever he liked and with only thought alone. She knew that teleportation for most unicorns is making them tired and could cause their horns to burned out. Only a few could master it, including her teacher.

"If you are curious where I put them I'll answer to you. Pocket dimension. A spell that allows me to store things inside my pocket. With it, I can feel safe that no one would steal them from me." Sokkarr answered, making Celestia's eyes brow raise in curiosity.

After Sokar was done, he turned towards Celestia. "That's all my dear. Now I'll be on my way." He snapped his fingers, opening the portal behind him. Before he entered, he turned his head last time. "I'll talk to you later, princess." And with that, he left her alone. Celestia turned around to leave the vault, closing the door behind.