A New Beginning 2

Chapters

The return of the Changlings
Problems Follow
Where Am I?

The return of the Changlings

Chapter 1

“Don’t call me that.” John demanded. “Mah name is John.”
“Oh yes, that’s right. You think you have a say in what you are. How pleasant.” John eyes turned black. Sparks of lightning ran up and down the blade of his sword.
“Now it’s time ah take you down.” John stated as he rushed to him. In an instant he pulled out a potion from his thick blue cloak and threw it to the ground. With that a swirling portal grew out of the stone, sucking John in. “AH WILL GET YOU YET ARAK’ARAHM!! JUST YOU WAIT!!”
“I plan on it Soulslayer.” He chuckled menacingly as the portal closed and John was once again sucked into a black oblivion.

Lightning crashed against the land across Equestria and thunder boomed and shook the very foundations of Canterlot. Rain pounded heavily against the golden tiles making up the city of the sun goddess. Not even a storm such as this could dim the ever so magnificent glory that stood against the earth shaking storm. John sat upright instantly at one of the nearer lightning strikes. Whether it was the lightning that woke him up or the dream, he really didn’t know, or care at moment. All he knew is that almost every night he would have one; a dream from his hellish past. Even on occasion a dream before the cataclysm, with him and Elizabeth sitting around a fire with their families all laughing and sharing stories. Amazing how, what he thought would never end, ended almost instantaneously.
Raking a hand through his shaggy black hair; as to brush it out of his face, he slowly slid out of bed and got dress in his dark blue, custom made Wranglers and black turtle neck, thanks to Rarity’s generosity. And a pair of custom all purpose combat boot.
He smiled as he put them on, it reminded him of his only friends since the end of his whole world. He sighed and made his way to the balcony of his luxurious room to where the storm was. Remembering them often made his gut churn, he hadn’t been able to see them ever since his battle with Arak’arahm. Princess Celestia had kept a close eye on him since he absorbed the Elements.
Countless tests had been made and yet no results, and every time they come up with nothing he asked if he can go see his friends. But the answer is always the same. “No, there are still many different tests we can try.” That was two months ago and they still say the same thing. If he stayed here much longer, he may just go crazy. Only his six friends, Celestia, and Luna knew about his past. Luna only had a little time to talk with him, which was honestly the only thing keeping him from jumping off the ledge. But Celestia, she didn’t seem like she cared at all what he needed.
Standing outside John smiled as the hundreds of drops soaked themselves into his hair. There was just something about the rain that soothed him, he was happy it was raining tonight, it always seemed to make him forget of his nightmares. If that’s what he could call them. He remembered his little encounter with the all famous Nightmare Moon. For all he knew, she was the one doing this to him. Digging through his mind, finding out all about him.
There was a knocking at his door.
“Come in.” He called, but not too loud since it was still night. The door began to open with a quiet, rusty grind, then closed with a small clank. He knew who it was however, it was the princess of the night, Princess Luna. She had often visited him at night, seeing he was usually the only one up with her who wasn’t afraid to talk to her. Her bad reputation, being possessed by the nightmare and all has kept her from socially interacting with her fellow ponies.
“Hello Luna.” John spoke as she began to make her way by his side. “Quite the storm we’re having.”
“Yes it is.” She replied, a slight smile at her lips. She sighed and continued, “Another nightmare?” John looked down at his still shaking hands and nodded.
“They just keep on repeating themselves. And they’ve been getting worse.” He smacked the concrete in frustration. “Ah’ve been stuck in this room for two months. Ah need ta get out of here.” He suddenly switched the subject. “Ah’m not even allowed to see Twilight and the others anymore. They’re mah only friends beside yerself. And ah miss them.”
Luna looked at him sympathetically and place one of her hooves on his shoulder. “You know you’re not staying here forever. Celestia just needs you here in case there are any changes.” John looked at her with a blank stare.
“Ya, and if there is ever a change ah can write to her about it and send it through Spike. Remember, instant messaging?” He walked calmly over to a wood bench off to his right and sat down on it. “It’s not like ah’m goin’ ta go anywhere. Ah’ve got nowhere else to go except for Ponyville. That’s mah home now. If Celestia will ever let me have one.”
“I’ll go talk to her.”
“What?” John raised his brow and looked at her. “You’d do that fer me?”
“Yes, and like you said, we are friend. Farewell for now.” She nodded her head and took off without another word. The sudden departure left John staring after her for a few minutes, until he too, eventually went back to his bed.

~*~*~*~*~*~

There was a rapping at the door. John didn’t hear it at first, but eventually that soft rap turned into a pounding that shook dust loose from the ceiling. John bounced up out of bed and hurriedly put on his clothes. Usually in story book, someone in a castle wouldn’t wear jeans or black turtlenecks. That’s why he felt like he was from the future. The pounding began again, this time threatening to knock down the door.
“Coming!” John hollered as he tied his boots and grabbed his sword. After months of deciding, John found it would be more comfortable if his sword was sheathed across his back. It gave him more maneuverability, plus it made it easier to run. Not to mention if he was caught by surprise he could perform a powerful down stroke while unsheathing his weapon.
John rushed to the door and opened it. He found two of Celestia’s royal guards standing outside of his room. It was hard to tell if they were in a hurry or angry, because, of course, their features never changed from their usual expressions.
“Princess Celestia would like to see you.” The guard on the right stated. “Please follow us.” Not only were their features boring, but also their voices. If Equestria was more technologically advanced, he could have mistaken them for robots. Not that he knew much about robots or cyborgs. Just what little he learned from the Terminator.
Many things had raced through his mind on his journey to the throne room. Such as, whether or not Celestia had another test for him to perform, and what the test would be. They soon came upon a pair of large, oak double doors with the sun and moon engrained on either one. One represented the goddess of the night, Princess Luna, and the other, the goddess of the day, Princess Celestia.
“Here we are.” His escorts said as they pushed the doors inward for him to enter. They led to a grand throne room, empty of course except for two throne on the far end. One was smaller than the other however, and both were decorated in different colors. The smaller one was a dark blue, and the larger, and golden yellow. And you could only guess who sat in each of them. There she was, Celestia in all her golden glory, upon a throne that seem made up pure sunlight. With her head held high and a blank stare she looked at John as he approached. Before when he was all knew to the royal procedure, her stare made him feel uncomfortable, but, so far he had been the only one to have ever matched it. Seven years of a living hell could out way a thousand years of peace and happiness.
Though, what always seem to brighten up his day was Luna, who sat in a smaller throne of blackness right beside her older sister. She pulled her sights from the window she had been staring out of to smile at him as he grew closer. Whenever Celestia saw that look in her eye, seemed to be the only time she showed emotion in public. She would glare at John and try to ignore what was going on. Perhaps it was because of his background. All Celestia knew about him was that he was a killer of beast of unimaginable proportion. Not to mention what had happened with the Elements. She probably was annoyed that she didn't know what was going on.
John stopped not fifteen paces from where the royal alicorn sisters sat, an knelt down on the ground in a the fashion that knights would to royalty in his world. There was a moment of awkward silence, it drug on longer than usual however.
"Rise." Celestia said with a smooth silky voice, layered with irritation. John did so, standing stock still as a soldier in the presence of his commander.
"You summoned me yer highness?" He was tough that that was what you were suppose to say. He was still a bit rusty when it came to talking, but manners had been drilled into him since he could walk.
"Yes, I did." She repositioned herself on her seat. "I've heard that you've been having nightmares?" John brought his eyes to meet Luna's, who pretended to take interest in something else.
"Yes." John answered, bringing his eyes to meet Celestia's once again. "Every night." Her eyes never moved or wavered, she just kept her god-like expression on him, never letting him know what she was thinking about.
"You are excused. We will discuss this during breakfast. You may wait for us in the dining hall." John bowed stiffly and turned to walk out the door.
Well that was short. Ah'd have expected a test or a punishment if that. When John reached the large double doors, he grabbed on to two massive iron rings, and with strength to rival a Manticore, and built up frustration, he pulled the doors open, causing the room to shake and roar. It was enough to shock Celestia out of her own thoughts about him. She glowered at him once more as she watched him leave down the hall.
"Celestia?" Luna quietly asked. "What's the matter? I haven't seen you like this for a long time." Celestia seemed annoyed by her question. But answered it as plainly as she had talked to John.
"Because there something familiar about him." she still stared at the doors John had left through.
"Familiar?"
"I think I knew what he was when we first met him. But..." she sighed. "I just have a bad feeling about him."
Luna looked toward the door as well. "That doesn't mean you have to treat him like an outcast. He has friends, dear sister. One of which is your student." Luna stood up and began to walk towards the doors, but paused. "And those friends are all he has in this world." she continued down the bright red carpet until she disappeared out of sight, leaving Celestia to think of what her sister had just said.
Maybe she's right. Celestia thought to herself. Maybe I have been too hard on him. With no real proof that he's harmful. Celestia stood up began to pace left and right. Should I let him go? What risk are there? I suppose he's fine. He had been with my little ponies for quite a few days. She stopped abruptly and looked out the window towards Ponyville. That's it! I'll let him go back to Ponyville. Twilight will be able to keep tabs on him for me. Quickly, but still professional-like, Celestia rushed out of the throne room and made her way toward the dining hall.

~*~*~*~*~*~

There was much food lined up on along the table. Too much for two alicorns and a human. Why was all this food here, and what was keeping Celestia and Luna. It wasn't like them to keep him waiting this long. It had been hours since his meeting with Celestia, and he was starving. God only knew what she would say if he started eating before they arrived. And that brought back the painful realization that, he was trapped here. Held against his will. He could escape at any time, but Celestia would just send her guards out to get him and really lock him up. John head thumped to the table, causing his plate and some of the food to vibrate. What was he going to do? He almost wished he could go back to his planet. Almost.
There was a loud thump as the doors at the foot of the table closed. John lifted his head to see who it was, and what he saw nearly shocked him to death. Standing there, in a row, smiling at him, were his he six friends. Twilight, with her reading glasses and books in her saddle bag. Rarity, in a sparkling dress. Fluttershy, with her warm, welcoming smile. Rainbow Dash, with her wings spread out and a grin from ear to ear. Pinkie Pie with her party cannon; which she fired and showered him with confetti. And last of all, Applejack, dressed up in her boots, hat, and chaps. That's strange, that's the outfit she said Rarity made her for the Gala. And that she'd only wear on special occasions. Well, I suppose this is a special occasion.
"Holy crap!" John exclaimed, stumbling as he stood up. "Ah can't believe ya gals are here." they all began to giggle and raced over to him. Fluttershy was the first however, ramming into him with tears streaming down her cheeks as she gave him a giant hug.
"I missed you so much." Applejack began to fidget when she came to a dead halt in front of them. Something was up with her today. This wasn't the Applejack he knew. Definitely not dressed like that.
"Ah missed ya too Fluttershy." John hugged her back then set her down on the ground. He crouched so he was eye to eye with the rest of his friends, but they all knocked him down and gave him a group hug; except for Applejack. This wasn't like her at all. John looked at her sympathetically, which only caused her to blush and turn away. A slight smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He knew what was going on. He had seen that same exact look before, and it wasn't all that different from Elizabeth's. The rest of the ponies broke their group hug and stepped away so he could get up. He looked back at AJ. Ah'll have ta talk to her alone when ah get the chance. Ah can't go startin' relationships here. Ah like her, ah really do...but... ah'm not a pony. If there was anyway ah could become a pony, ah'd do it.
"What are ya'll doin' here?" John asked, tearing his attention from Applejack.
"Celestia sent me a letter telling us to come up to Canterlot. She said it was urgent." Twilight answered. The rest of them nodded their heads in agreement. "She didn't tell you?" John shook his head.
"Well, I see she prepared a huge breakfast. Obviously she had this planned out." Fluttershy commented.
"She didn't act like it." John muttered under his breath.
"Well what are we waiting for?" Dash interrupted. "Let's eat. I'm starving."
"Rainbow dear, you're always starving." Rarity said as she trotted gracefully over to one of the wooden, high backed chairs that circled the table. "And besides, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna aren't here yet are they?"
"No." Rainbow Dash said grumpily as she folded her forelegs and sat down beside her in a matching chair. John chuckled and went to go sit down in his seat at the end of the table, unfortunately next to where Celestia sat. He leaned on the table and began rubbing his eyes.
"Hey John?" It was Applejack. She was walking over to him and sat down in the chair next to him. "Is everythin' alright. Ya don't look so good."
"It nothin'. Just really tired that's all." He rested his hands on the tabletop and stared blankly ahead of himself for a while, most likely thinking about something.
"Uh...John?" John turned to look at her, his eye tired and his features worn.
"AJ, really ah'm fine." He smiled at her, and she smiled back, leaning over to embrace him.
"Ah missed ya John. Ever since the fight, Celestia hasn't let us here ta visit ya." She squeezed him tighter. "Ah've only ever come to sell apples. But never allowed in the palace." A single tear dripped down her cheek, and John wiped it off. "Ah don't know why she's got ya cooped up like this."
"Neither do ah." He lightly stroked her mane. Ah can't bring it up yet. We're not entirely alone yet. They broke their hold and slightly blushed as they turned to see their friends looking at them while they smiled. They quickly turned a faced their plates, hoping Celestia would walk through the door so they could forget this embarrassing moment. Obviously they knew about their feeling toward each other. This is going to be hard on her when I tell her.
"So, when do you think the Princess's will get here?" Asked Rainbow.
"Well, so far ah've been sittin' here for over two hours waitin'." John answered, still hiding his embarrassment. Twilight gave him a worried look.
"A few hours?" she said, looking toward the dining hall doors. Just then, Celestia walked through them, she too with a look of concern on her divine features. Everyone looked at her.
"Where's Luna?" Fluttershy asked timidly. She glanced about the room, and noticed that Celestia began to stare at her. Not the type of stare that you knew she was thinking, but the type of stare she usually gave John. Fluttershy shied away behind her hair and quickly fluttered to Johns side, who was already up and out of his chair.
"Excuse me?" John said angrily, though he didn't show it very much. He stroked Fluttershy's mane to reassure her. What was wrong with her? She's worse than she usually is. She know stared daggers into him, and John did the same, even more so. Celestia's eyes began to widen and she looked away, retreating out the door and down the hall. Everypony looked at each other in confusion.
"What was that all about?" Pinkie Pie remarked, a big, bubbly smile on her face.
"Ah'm gonna go talk ta her." John said as he walked across the room.
"Not without me your not." Twilight interjected. "I'm her closest friend, you'll need me along."
"Ah don't need anyone along." he stated, grinding his teeth together while his fists shook as he clenched them. Twilight immediately backed away after noticing his sudden outward expressed emotion. Twilight didn't want to get in the middle of this, but she also didn't want a god on god battle to break loose. Celestia looked as if she were going to strike Fluttershy down for just being there, and John looked as if he would throw her across Equestria. This wasn't good. She looked back at her friends, her face pleading for help as John exited the room and down the hall Celestia had just gone. All five of her friends stood up and trotted over to her side.
"Now that is no way to act." Rarity put in, flicking her hair with a hoof. "Do you think we should follow him?"
"I don't want to." Fluttershy squeaked, still hiding behind thick pink locks. "I-I'll just stay here."
"Don't worry sugar." Applejack went over and nuzzled her. "Ah'm sure John won't do anythin' he'd regret."
"It's not John I'm worried about." Fluttershy whispered.

Problems Follow

2: Problems Follow

“Celestia?” John shouted as he burst through the throne room doors. They cracked and splintered as they slammed against the stone wall, also cracking them upon impact. He strode into the room, fists clenched into tight balls, but he stopped. There were blood streaks all over the tile floor, however, whatever it happened to be spelling he could read from his angle.
“Celestia?” he said in a softer, quieter tone as he proceeded into the room, being careful not to step on any of the blood. She wasn’t anywhere to be seen, the room appeared empty except for him, the blood, and the two thrones sitting at the far back. He stopped in the middle of the room, thinking of different possibilities of what, or might have happened. But that’s when he heard a shaky sigh coming from somewhere behind the thrones. He looked over, unsure of which one it was coming from.
“Celestia?” John had repeated, stalking closer and closer to the source of the noise. There was another whimper, and this time he was sure which one it was coming from. He slowly circled around Celestia’s throne until he began to see a gleaming white coat.
“Oh Celestia.” John whispered as he finally saw her entirely. She was sitting there, her head rested on her hooves, the fur on her cheeks soaked from her tears, and her usually perfect mane was a mess. John slowly walked closer to her, and then sat down beside her, leaning against the back of her throne. Almost immediately after sitting, Celestia moved her head and sat it down on his lap, almost like his horses back on earth. He smiled at the memory, but pushed away and focused on the matters at hand. Gently setting his hand down upon her royal head, he began to stroke her ratty mane. He had never seen her torn up like this. And he could only guess what had happened. Luna was gone.
“Celestia.” John said sensitively. “What exactly happened?”
“It was the Changelings.” She breathed. “They impersonated the guards and took us by surprise.” She shuddered and sniffed. “They knocked me out. And so easily, I couldn’t protect her. They just beat her and took her away.” She began to sob again, her tears soaking his jeans. He sighed, still stroking her mane, and closed his eyes.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“What do ya thinks takin’ him so long?” asked AJ as she pace back and forth, her shacks rustling as she did. All her other friends were seated at the dining table, staring down at their food, each deep in thought. Even Pinkie Pie seemed to be mellower as well. Obviously the situation had gotten to everyone. Eventually Rarity returned to reality, and answered her.
“I don’t know Applejack.” Was all she said, until she went back to staring at her plate.
“Well, maybe we should go check on him.” AJ suggested, looking from the door and back to her friends, which she was surprised were all gawking at her. “What?”
“You must be crazy to suggest such a thing.” Twilight Exclaimed.
“Ya. A God versus…whatever John is. Who knows what’ll happen.” Rainbow put in.
“Ah don't care what he is or what might happen." AJ snapped, causing her friends to recoil in surprise. "He's our friend, hay they're both our friends. Twilight's most of all." They all cast their eyes down, ashamed of what they thought of John. "So, if ya'll don't mind ah'm gonna go help a friend. And like that she was gone, trotting down the long hallway toward where she thought John and Celestia had gone. The rest of the mane six looked at each other.
"Well, we can't let her go on by herself now can we?" Rarity said, fluffing her mane and trotting out the door as well. She paused, and looked back. "Well, aren't you coming." She said finally, then continued, the rest followed suit.
"Well, where do ya think they went?" Asked Rainbow as she flew circles around the group as they ran. "I mean... we are in a castle, and castle are really big."
"This is just like the time we had to find him before that big fat meany came." Pinkie Pie stated as she bounced, instead of trotted down the halls.
"Ya, sure but he was following Celestia. Where would Celestia go." Asked Fluttershy, still hiding behind her hair, giving her pursuit after Celestia a second thought. "Twilight?"
"There are only two places she'd go if she were that upset." Why was she upset? "Either her throne room, or her bedchambers."
"Which one are we closest to deary?" Rarity said as she effortlessly trotted.
"The throne room, here follow me."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Applejack came up to the large double doors leading to the throne room. They stood menacingly high, almost evil like, but that was probably because of what she thought lay on the other side. A torn up room with either John, or Celestia in pieces on the ground. Before she had met John she had never had thoughts like that. In fact, she had never known about death until he killed the manticore with his 'gun'. She shuddered at the thought, but she had to go in if she were to see what really had happened. He hoped both of them were still alive. Before opening the massive doors, they were slightly ajar and where shattered all the way up to the top, though they still held together well enough. Taking a deep shaky breath, she pushed the doors open. They swung slowly until the tapped the walls that were cracked too, then fell of their hinges and clattered to the ground. She looked at them in shock, she hadn't expected that to happen. She slowly tore her eyes from the doors, afraid of what she might see, but what she saw nearly made her pass out. There was blood all over the floor, streaks of it and puddles here and there. Whose blood was it? Celestia... John? Her eyes darted wildly around the room, looking for John or Celestia, she found none. Wait! Her gaze drifted over the thrones, and behind Celestia's larger one was a shoulder, a human shoulder. AJ gasped, he wasn't moving.
”John!" she shouted, galloping towards him. "John! Are ya alright. John!" She was almost to him, but he still didn't move. She skidded to a halt on the other side of the throne. Sitting there, was Celestia and John. Celestia was a mess, her mane was tangled and her coat was scruffy. She had her head in John's lap, who gently stroked her mane. Taking another look showed AJ that Celestia had been crying. She was still sniffling, but she was asleep now. Slowly John looked up at her, their eyes met.
"John, Celestia, AJ?" Shouted Twilight as she and four other ponies entered the room. Immediately afterward they heard four gasps.
"Go tell them it's alright and to be quiet." John asked in a near whisper. AJ hesitated for a moment, the reluctantly she went.
"Oh AJ. You're alright." Twilight breathed. "I thought..." she was cut short by AJ.
"Shhh. Somethin's happened. Follow but no gasps or shoutin'." Each of her friends looked at each other in confusion, but followed none-the-less.
As they rounded the throne it was difficult not to gasp. At first the sight would have been terrifying. Twilight assumed Celestia was dead and John was holding her because he was sorry, but after realizing she was still breathing, Twi let out a sigh of relief.
"John?” she began.
"Twilight." He interrupted her. "Ah need ya to go to the library and find anythin' ya can on Changelings." He looked up at her with a look in his eye that said he was ready to kill. "While you do that ah want the rest of ya to gather supplies. Food, tent, etc. And while ya do that, ah'm gonna carry Celestia to her bed. Ah'll meet ya all at the library." A black mist engulfed Celestia, and she began to float, still asleep with tears staining her cheeks.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Celestia driffted slowly through who chamber doors. Making no sound as she floated in the air, and following close behind was John, who stared at the stone floor, deep in thought. He was pulled out of thought when he bumped into the footboard of Celestia's large round bed. He appeared quite startle, surprised that he was in the royal chambers of the alicorn goddess. His gaze moved to the hovering form of the sun goddess. He cocked his head slightly and sighed. Her breathing was shallow, which showed she was still sound asleep. He rounded the bed and carefully set her down, levitating the covers out of the way as he did so. He looked at her face, her features still bearing sadness and pain for the loss of her sister, even after she had gotten her back. He'd heard the stories of Nightmare Moon. But there was also still more untold.
"John." Celestia whispered only moments after John pulled the covers over her. Slowly he turned and kneeled down beside her. He eyes cracked open, but only a sliver. He sighed heavily and continued. "I'm sorry I've kept you locked up for so long. I was just afraid of what you might do if I let you go, especially with your new-found power. But maybe I was wrong. Luna trusts you with all her heart, and I suppose I should too." She smiled weakly at him. "Keep my student and her friends safe please. And if you can..." she paused and began to whimper again. "...please bring my Luna back." That was all she said before tears began to form and she fell back into a deep slumber.
John soaked the information up as he stood, but he didn't move. He stood there and stared at the princess, contemplating the event that had occurred and wallowed in memories of the past. Why was it so hard to forget his past and deal with what was going on in the present? Maybe because the present reminded him of that past. He sighed and bent over to pull the covers up to Celestia's muzzle. He smiled down at her, and whispered in her ear.
"Ah'll bring her back." And kissed her on the forehead. He didn't really know what had caused him to do that, it just seemed right somehow. His way of showing comfort to one of his friends, whether or not they lock you up and such. He turned and began to walk out the door and closed it behind him. All the bad had always followed him. Whether he was in one point in the universe or the other. Maybe everyone would be a lot safer if he just left. He placed his hand on the door and leaned on it. Maybe it was all his fault. Pushing the thought aside he quickly made his way down the hall he had just come, to the royal library where he hoped his friends would be.
There were many turns to get the library and any new-comer would have gotten lost in the maze of halls and doorways. But had walked the halls many times, and knew exactly where everything was. The library doors where almost as grand as the throne room's. It was fitting however, since it contained he largest collection of books in Equestria. John pushed on the doors and was welcomed with the empty isle of books. He was slightly disappointed, he had hoped the rest of his friends would have been here. Especially Twilight since she was suppose to be digging up whatever she could about Changelings. He walked in further and looked around. It was just dark room void of life. The torches weren't even lit, which was strange all by itself since their suppose to be lit from morning till night and longer. His eyes narrowed in suspicion.
BANG!! Engulfed in darkness John turned around, a sword of flaming fire. Startled he looked down at it. It looked just like his sword, with the symbols, but the hilt however, was a shining gold.
"What the hell is this?" He'd never done anything like this before, so how was he able to do it? His sword lit up the area around him quite a bit, casting a golden glow overt the walls and books behind him. Just then a cold gust of wind rushed by, threatening to blow him over. And following after it was a deep laughter he recognized.
"Why John. I see you learned a new trick." It said as a black fog circled around his feet and covered the sword, plunging him into darkness again. "Now, where did you learn something like that? Oh let me guess. It just magically happened. Probably the Element of Harmony." John's eyes darted to his sword, which he couldn't see. But could still feel it along with the cold black tendrils of the Nightmare creeping up his arm. It sent a cold chill up it and he struggled to keep himself from trying to shake it off.
"Like ah know." He spat. "Not like ah've done anythin' with them." He surged his dark power into the sword, but something stopped it. He pushed harder and harder, but nothing happened. Giving up he dropped his arm in exhaustion. What was wrong? Why wasn't his power working?
"Haha. Simply pathetic." Once again the he could feel the darkness snaking up his arm. "You can't use your magic on me. I control you." The laughs were in his head now. "You can't use your Element or your own magic anymore." It laughed again. "Now that the princess has full faith and trust in you, why miss the opportunity take the body everyone cares about." John could almost see it smiling in his mind. The black, helmeted face of the Nightmare, just as she had appeared during the Summer Sun Celebration. His sword extinguishing, John clutched at the sides of his head, threatening to rip out his hair.
"Get...out...of...my...head!" John screamed just before he heard one last hideous laughter, and then finally was plunged into a dark dead world.

Where Am I?

Chapter 3: Where Am I?

AJ and her other friends galloped down the castle halls. They had bundles of camping supplies on their backs, and they bounced as they ran. However, Fluttershy didn't carry anything, she just followed behind, struggling to keep up.
"He Twi, which way to the Library?"Asked Rainbow, who had a sack of food dangling beneath her as she flew.
"Just down this hall." She answered, exhaustion evident on her face. "We're almost there."
Within moments the group came a stop at the large double doors of the library. They were huge, almost bigger than the throne room doors. Everyone looked up in awe, except Twilight, who had seen them often whenever she came. A purple aura began to envelope her horn, and soon after it covered the door handles. Nothing happened as she tugged at it though.
"What's wrong Twi?" asked AJ, and walked up beside the dumbfounded unicorn. She was looking at the door, wide-eyed.
"There's something keeping it closed, but it's some sort of magic." She was still staring at the door, almost as if she were trying to stare a hole through it.
"Is there any other way in?" Fluttershy squeaked.
"Nope." Twilight stated. "The only way in are these doors. There aren't even any windows." After that, everyone began staring at the doors. What was going on behind them? Who had barred their entrance?
"Can't ya try somethin' else?" Applejack said, switching her gaze between the doors and her. "Where's John? He might be able to get us in." She gulped. Not unless he was trapped in there.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"What happened?" John groaned. He was lying in down on something cold and hard. How did he get here? Why couldn't he see anything? He reached up and felt his face and gasped. Where was his mask? Why didn't he have his gear on? He began to panic, but soon realized that he could still breath just fine. His breaths slowed down, and he slowly got to his feet. After getting up he began to feel in his pockets for his flashlight, but couldn't find it anywhere.
"Fuck!" he cursed aloud. "Where the hell is mah stuff?" His voice echoed through the abyss of his inky black prison. Ah could use mah power. What! No! What am ah thinkin'. Ah promised her. Hell! A shiver swept though him. It was cold in here. He began rubbing his hands together without thinking about it. What was he suppose to do? Die in here? Wait. He could hear a conversation going on somewhere in the distance. But it was muffled and he couldn't quite make out the words. Who could be talking. Everyone was dead. Unless...
John started walking in the direction he thought the voices were coming from. The closer he got the more he could make out the word. They were feminine, talking about how to get in, and where was John. Where was John? They knew who he was. Immediately he walked right into a wooden wall. He held his nose with one hand and felt the object with the other. After a bit of searching he found that it wasn't a wall, but a door, a very large door. He tried pushing on it, but it wouldn't budge. However there was something strange about it. There seemed to be something surging through it, a magic of some-sort. But not Arak'Arahm's power. Did this mean there was something else out there, some other foe that had teamed up with his enemy? Or had he obtained a new power? Something to finish John off? If this was a barrier, there was no way to pass it without John using his power. With one final, hopeful push on the door, John sighed. It wasn't going to open until the magic was dispelled.
John place his palm on the door and willed his black magic into the door. Weaving in-between the spell, unlacing the magic in the barrier. He vaguely remembered doing something like this before. But not in the same way. But he never did anything like this in the wastes. If that was where he was at anymore. Pushing the feeling beside, he continued on tearing and untying the threads of magic. He was nearly halfway done when he was forced, flying through the air and into another object. What was that? John groaned and returned to his feet. That was it, he wasn't going to get anywhere if he couldn't see anything. John opened his left palm upward and channeled his power to create a small flame in the center. It lit up a small circle around him, and then he found out where he was. Looking behind him where he landed, was a crushed shelf with books scattered across the floor. He was in a library. He picked one of them up and turned it over in his hand. On the binding it read, "Pony Magic and It's Birthplace". Pony Magic? What kind of book is this? What kind of library is this? Tossing the book aside John walked back to the door and felt for the bindings again.
"Shit!" The bindings had mended themselves. If he were to try to un-weave them again, he would be blasted backwards again, which meant he'd have to exert a lot of magic at once and tear it clean open. But what about the people on the other side. What would happen to them. They had fallen silent, most likely from the booming of his blast. What if they weren't actual people? What if it was just a movie or a tape, playing itself, teasing him and making him think there were people still alive. He decided to just go with it, just in case there were actually people.
"Hey!" He shouted through the door. "You're goin' ta need ta back up away from the door alright." He waited for what seemed like an eternity. But eventually there was a reply back, which lifted his spirits.
"Ok, were out of the way." A smile spread across his face. There were living, breathing people. Not just dust and ash in the wind. He backed up a few steps and channeled all his power into his hands. His hands began to tingle as the built up magic tried to get out. Eventually it succeeded, and it began forming a black fog coming from his palms and falling to the floor at his feet. It darkened again since his fire was put out, but even the black of his magic put off a little light. To balls of black and blue magic formed, one in each hand. He held them at shoulder level on both sides of him and closed his eyes. He may resent his power, but that doesn't mean he doesn't know how to use it. He opened his eyes and as quickly as he did so he slammed the two balls of magic together and created a ray of pure blue light. It impacted the door, but the barrier didn't break. He pushed more and more of his black magic into the ray until it became the size of a small car. The door began to glow red, until the door itself lit up part of the library. Whatever this power was, his magic wasn't enough to break it. But if he were to get out, he needed to break the barrier.
Such a use of pure magic, not in the form of a spell, but pure magic, could drain any wielder quickly. John could already feel his power fading away as he pushed on an on at the door. How wasn't his power enough? But suddenly there was a flow of something else inside of him. Something clean, light. It wasn't the blackness that haunted him but...purity. He felt warm inside. It was strange, he had never felt it before. The warmth flowed with his magic, down through his warms and into his hands. It started building up, and then...
The blackness turned into a pure white, it rang, increasing in pitch as it tore at the door and the barrier. It lit up the library, he could see clear to the ceiling and down the walls on either side of him. He watched the doors, surprised at the sudden burst of power. The red glow on the door turned into a holy white and it cracked where the beam impacted. And then...
BOOM!
The doors shot forward and crashed against the brick walls behind it, shattering it to splinters. They smoked a white mist as did the doorframe. John covered his eyes as dust fell from the high ceiling, blanketing him and the floor in ancient dust. After it cleared he walked out, he could still hear the fain echoes from the explosion and... He looked around, looking for the people who had talked to him. The air was still full of dust and smoke, so it was difficult to see anything.
"Hello?" he began. He could see outlines in the dust, but they didn't resemble a human, more like large dogs, or small horses. Something tugged at him in his mind, a faint memory. But he didn't remember seeing creatures like this. There was a purple aura at the base of one of the creatures heads, and right after was a swift wind that got rid of the dust. He just stood there and stared. Standing before him, just over half his height, were six ponies. All pastel colored. Two unicorns, two pegasi, and two normal ponies.
"Oh John!" Spoke the white with the purple mane. "What in Celestia's name happened?"
"Ya."The orange one. "And who locked ya in?" They all began to approached him, worry on their equine faces. What the hell were these things? And how did they know who he was?
John reached for his pistol instinctively, but didn't find. His next reaction was to grab his sword, which he didn't have either. Why would he go weaponless?
"Who the hell are ya?" John demanded. Anger and fear in his eyes. The unicorns could wield magic, which meant they either worked for Arak'Arahm, or they were someone else's pets. John began to glow with his new-found power. All the blackness flushed from his system from that blow. He felt warm, he felt...happy. He didn't want to let go of it. But it also felt as if it would swoop him away.
"What do mean by that?" asked the cyan pegasus, who was hovering above the rest of them. She had a tomb-boyish voice, and was giving him 'the eye'. "You know who we are?" John looked at them incredulously, unsure of what he was witnessing. Or experiencing. The purple one began to cock her head at him, they all were.
"John? What is that?" She pointed with a hoof at his arm, which was engulfed by the same white as the ray he shot at the doors. "And...how did you blast down those doors. That was a spell I've never seen before." She began to stare off into space.
"John? Are you ok?" it was the yellow pegasus. Again that tickling in the back of his mind returned. As if he'd seen her before. "John?" Everything began to spin and the voices of all the ponies swarmed him. "Oh my! John! We need to get him to the clinic! Quickly!" Everything began to fade away. The sights, the sounds, and his overwhelming power. Soon John was again, in a dark dead world.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Don't call me that." John demanded. "Mah name is John."
"Oh yes, that's right. You think you have a say in what you are. How pleasant." John eyes turned black. Sparks of lightning ran up and down the blade of his sword.
"Now it's time ah take you down." John stated as he rushed to him. In an instant he pulled out a potion from his thick blue cloak and threw it to the ground. With that a swirling portal grew out of the stone, sucking John in. "AHH WILL GET YOU YET ARAK'ARAHM!! JUST YOU WAIT!!"
"I plan on it Soulslayer." He chuckled menacingly as the portal closed and John was once again sucked into a black oblivion.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Ahhh!" John screamed. He hopped to his feet, his clothes were still on and he was covered in sweat. He raked his hands through his hair, pushing it back into place. He looked around, desperate for his weapons. Anything to give him comfort. But then he realized he wasn't where he should have been. He was in some sort of chamber. He squatted down, keeping low in case anything came in through the door or the balcony window. He began recalling event before he passed out. What had caused him to do that. And what question remained. Who were those ponies and how did they know him?
There were voices behind the door, as well as the flickering of a fire. They were talking about him. And they seemed worried. Why would they be worried for him? Except he only remembered seeing six ponies. But he could hear a seventh voice.
"Now tell me exactly what happened." Asked a soothing, wise voice.
"Well, first off, John had told us to gather supplies for a trip and as much knowledge on the Changelings as possible. When we arrived at the library the doors were barred shut with a magical barrier. I couldn't open it. A short while later John shouts from inside telling us to get back. And after that there was this white light and he was out. The barrier broken and all. But he didn't remember who we were. He was almost frightened of us." He recognized the voice. It was the purple unicorn.
"Ya. And that look in his eyes." It was the orange one talking now. She had the same accent as him. "It was the same look ah saw when we were memory walkin' with him. Just before the battle with Arak'Arahm."
What battle? What was she talking about? His head began to hurt again. He could feel a heart beat in his forehead. All this sounded so familiar. Yet it never happened. What were these ponies talking about? The soothing voice began to speak again.
"Well, I can't exactly say how it happened. But I'd say he's suffering from amnesia."
"Amnesia!" the other six shouted in unison.
"But he's suppose to go save Luna and kick some Changeling butt." Shouted the blue pegasus.
"And he's our friend." It was the yellow pegasus.
"Ya ya. He's our friend too."
That was it. They seemed nice enough, giving him a bed and such. But he needed answers. And he needed them now. He crept over to the door and stood behind it. Taking a deep breath he pulled it open and was covered in the warm glow of the firelight. No one noticed he was there. The door was oiled recently and everyone was facing the fire. He looked over clear to the left, and lying down a bunch of pillows was the new voice he had heard. She was at least twice the size of the other ponies. Very nearly the size of a normal horse. But she was unique. She had both a horn and wings. Suddenly a word popped in his head. 'Alicorn'. He just stood there as they continued on with their conversation.
"What are we gonna do if we can't get Luna back? And how are we gonna get John's memory back?" Spoke the orange one again. Though she couldn't see him, but he could see her eyes. And there was a strange look in them. One he had seen a long time ago. If he did...lose his memory...and they were supposedly his friends. What relationship did he have with her.
"John. Your awake." It was the alicorn who spoke. He quickly snapped his head to face her. Her eyes bore into him. Studying him.Then he noticed that the rest of them were also staring at them. Almost –cautious-like. As if he were unstable. He narrowed his gaze and eyed every one of them, causing them to gulp and shy away from his stare. If they were friends, they sure didn't act like it.
"Ya.Now...if ya don't mind. Ah'd like a few questions answered." He folded his arms and turned his attention back to the alicorn.
"Hey!" shouted the purple one. "That's no way to talk to the princess." John just gave her a blank stare, almost making her regret her choice of words. Well, I guess he did have that effect on things. Scaring them so. Ever since that night, nothing wanted anything to do with him. Unless Arak'Arahm gave specific orders to. But even then the monsters were unsure.
"Now what would you like answered?" The alicorn asked.
"First ah want ta know yer names."
"I'm Celestia. This is my student Twilight Sparkle." Every name sent a twitch through John's mind. These names were familiar. But he'd never heard them before! Maybe he did have amnesia. Why can't I remember?!"Is there anything else you'd like to know?"
"How ah got here?"
"You got here through a portal three months ago." Twilight answered. "Arak'Arahm sent you hear and we found you."
"So Arak'Arahm is the reason ah'm here." John was deep in thought. "Ah need ta get back. Or else ah might lose him forever."
"Hehe." It was Applejack who spoke next. "John. You killed Arak'Arahm 'bout a week after ya got here. He's dead. We all saw it." John stood there and gawked at her, mouth agape. He had killed that murderer and didn't even remember it. That's what pissed him off the most. He had been waiting for the moment to kill that bastard for years and... well he did... but he didn't remember! "John? Are ya alright?" John's attention was snapped back to her, and he slowly nodded, not bothering to close his mouth.
"Ok, ok." John breathed. "At least he's dead right? Even if ah don't remember a god damned thing he's still dead." John leaned against the wall for support, but as he did so Applejack jumped up to brace him, and led him over to her pillow. There must have been something between us if she's given up her seat fer me. Damn it what have I missed?"Last thing ah suppose. Can't really think of anythin' else but... How the hell did ah blow down that door. Ah mean... there was no way that was mah magic. First ah'm feeling corruption and hate, disease if anythin' and then, somethin' else." His eyes widened as he tried to recall the sensation. "It felt like life. Pure life, almost felt... divine in a way. If ya believe in all that god and goddess shit ah suppose." He spaced off and began rambling. "Ah can still feel a hint of the death, but ah can't access it. Almost like it's a far off memory. But now..." He reached a hand forward and summoned a ball of pure white light. I glowed intensely, causing all the ponies to have to shield their eyes. "... all ah have is this. Ah mean it's a nice change and all, but it's still strange how it happened now of all times." Everyone looked at each other, then back at John, though it was Celestia who spoke.
"That magic you have. Is actually our world's most powerful magic. During your battle with Arak'Arahm, you absorbed incredible power from six of Equestria's oldest relics in history. I don't even know how or who forged them. But somehow they linked with you, and now you have the ability to command them." Celestia closed her eyes and collected her thoughts. "I don't know how you can. It's suppose to take six ponies to wield them. Each one representing the Elements." She began pointing at the ponies as she listed them off. "Kindness, Honesty, Generosity, Loyalty, Laughter, and Magic. These ponies you see before you were the previous wielders." She looked at him again with that studying eye. What is she thinkin'?
“Ok.” John said slowly. He looked at each of the ponies, and they looked back at him with sorrowful eyes. “So…” he chuckled “so ah know all ya’ll? And we were all friends? Wow.” He almost fell backwards but quickly caught himself. Applejack was sitting next to him, and offered a hoof to help him. He took it up kindly. “Then, what’s happened recently?” He swept his gaze over them again, but his sights landed on Celestia. Her head was down and she was almost to the point of crying.
“Celestia? What happened?” He picked himself up and walked over to her to sit down. He may not remember what they went through together, but for some reason he felt sorry for her, almost as if he already knew what had happened. He rested his hand on her main then wrapped his arms around her neck and brought her into a hug. This time however, tears did form and began streaming down her face and dripped onto his pants.
“The Changelings took Luna.” Twilight began. Her head was cast down in grief. “She’s Princess Celestia’s sister, and also the princess of the night.”
“So, who are these Changelings?” John asked, now stroking Celestia’s mane.
“Here Before you lost your memory you told me to gather as much information as possible on them.” She eyed her friends and continued. “Changelings are a type of shape shifters. We actually had a brief encounter with them not too long before you arrived. During my brother’s wedding we had word of some suspicious activity going on outside of the castle. My brother put up a force-field to keep Canterlot safe. But unfortunately the leader of the Changelings kidnapped my brother’s fiancé and changed into her.” She repositioned herself on her pillow. “You see, Changelings take the form of some ponies loved one, and feed off that love. However, long story short, my brother and his fiancé’s love was so strong that it got rid of every Changeling that had gotten inside.”
“So, really they could be anyone in the Castle?” John asked.
“Yes they could.”
John looked down at Celestia, who had regained some of her regality and was now sitting up, still leaning on John however.
"Do ya have a way to find out who a Changeling or not?" John said, eyeing each of the ponies just in case. "Don't need ta be trustin' anyone we don't need ta." This caused everyone to look around wearily. Were they all really ponies, or could one of them be a Changeling?
"It doesn't say anything in the book, but maybe you could use the Elements to see if any of us are one." Twilight suggested. "I mean, you're the only one who can use them for your own use. The bearers of the Element could only use them once on a powerful enemy, and not for their own purposes. But you, you can do whatever you want with them. If we were stuck in that room and all we had were the Elements to get us out, the Elements wouldn't have done anything to help us."
"Well ah guess ah can try. But ah'm not sure how ta use this power, so it may not work." John first started with Rarity, who was sitting on the opposite side Celestia was on. He placed his hand on her forehead, her soft mane brushed up against his skin and gave him goose bumps. Well ah can rule out hallucinations. John sent his new power toward his arm, he didn't know what form the power was suppose to be in or even if it could. The power reached his fingertips and everyone could see the glow they produced. Slowly it traveled into Rarity's head and down through her whole body. She shuddered at the feeling and sighed as it left her.
"Ah don't know if ah did the right thing, but I know she's a pony." John looked a Twilight. "However ah don't even know what a Changeling is suppose look like." He looked at the others. "Well, whose next?"
"Ooh, ooh, ooh. Pick me pick me!" shouted Pinkie Pie who was already bouncing up and down, shaking her hoof in the air as if to answer a question. John rose his brow and using a hand gesture, told her to come to him.
As John checked each of the ponies, he could feel a sort of connection with them. He felt as if a different part of him connected with each of them. As well, each time he'd get a fuzzy feeling in him. He felt warm, safe, and welcomed. Especially with Applejack, who stared into his eyes during the whole process. He'd have to know what they had together before.
"Alright. Ah suppose that 'bout finishes it." He stood up. "Yer all ponies. But we're gonna have ta do this periodically, just in case there's a switch in the future." Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.
"Well," Celestia sniffed. "I need to get going. There's a whole line of ponies waiting for me." She gave him a hopeful look, then exited through the doors behind her. Leaving the rest of them in awkward silence. John looked around, taking in the room, which he had failed to do earlier because of the ponies. It was fairly large, larger than the room he slept in. A round bed sat against the far wall, opposite of the fire. Bookshelves and pictures dotted the walls and an oak table sat next to the fire. Atop it sat ink wells, parchment and quills. He swept his gaze across the room once more, but came to a stop on Applejack. She was staring at him, but didn't seem to notice he was looking at her. Probably lost in thought. Should I say something to her?
"What's wrong John?" asked Fluttershy, who came and fluttered beside him. She sat down on the pillow and looked into his eyes. What! Do ah have some sort of relationship with all of them!? "You seem kind of worried...but you don't have to tell me if you don't want to." Her voice became small and she shied away from him, trying to hide behind her pink locks. He had a sudden urge to hug her and comfort her, but he had done that enough all ready. Plus it didn't seem right to, but it also did. Ah'm gonna go fucking crazy, that's what's gonna happen.
"No. Just kinda crazy that's all." He spoke softly, his deep voice sending chills down Fluttershy's spine. However, he didn't notice that Applejack had tuned in on their conversation. "Everything is wrong. Ah don't think ah'll handle it. Not rememberin'." Fluttershy looked at him, and snuggled up against him, and John wrapped his arm around her. He looked at Applejack, whose eyes narrowed and cheeks were red.
"Ah'm gonna go hit the hay gals." AJ spoke, and stomped out the doors , leaving everyone staring after her. Then they all looked at John and Fluttershy, but gave Fluttershy a disappointed look. So there is somethin' between us.
"Ah'm gonna go to. Ah need a breath of fresh air anyhow." John stood up, and walked out the door, but paused when he turned the corner.
"Fluttershy, you know how much Applejack likes John." Rarity said. "Just because he doesn't remember doesn't' mean you can take advantage like that."
"I know I know." Fluttershy squeaked. "It's just...oh never mind."
"No, what is that you were going to tell us." Rainbow demanded. "C'mon, spit it out."
"I...I...." There was a long pause. "I like John too. It's just, he's so nice and kind. It kind of hard not to. And it's not only me. I think Princess Luna likes him too."
"And how would you know this?" Twilight accused.
"Well, a few weeks ago, at night of course, Luna came to my cabin. She wanted to discuss what kind of species of animals were alive. You know, since she's been gone so long. Anyways, John popped into the conversation. I was the first to bring it up, and when I did."
"Go on." Rarity said. "Tell us more." She sounded eager to hear the rest.
"She got this sort of...dreamy look in her eyes every time I mentioned his name. And she'd smile too." Fluttershy hesitated. "And she asked me if anypony was...close to John."
Everyone gasped. But John had heard enough. He didn't really wanted to hear that. It was just a necessity to find out what was going on. But this he didn't expect. The Princess of the night, was in love with him, Fluttershy was too. But everyone expected he to be with AJ. John pounded his fist against the wall in frustration. Why did this have to happen? Why couldn't he remember? He looked around to make sure no one heard. And made his way to the gardens. Maybe he could he some piece of mind.