Lightbringer (Rewrite in the works!)by Solar FiredawnChaptersGenesisDoubtObscurityUnseenTensionParallelGenesisAuthor's Note Hope everyone is doing OK and is having a decent day! I love you all! Thanks to Afillyated for editing! Genesis The Cosmos. Expansive and infinite. Such a thing to us equines, has terrified us yet, at the very same time, intrigued us for centuries. Perhaps even millennia. It hides many secrets, ones I am very keen on finding. No amount of space is too far. However I fear straying too far from Equus may put my...subjects in danger. Yes, they have the mane six, but they can’t scour the entire planet in less than a minute. I leave them be for the most part. Though they have no idea I exist. I always knew exactly how to do that. Be seen only when I wanted to be seen. My name is Solar Firedawn. You don’t know me, but I do, indeed, know you. You see, I am capable of many things. One of those is flying several times...the speed of light. I am knowledgeable in any spell that has existed. It is what happens when you are over three thousand years old. I am currently in the expanse flying about one hundred thousand Mach towards Equus. Don’t worry. I have done this many times before. I will arrive in around... Five seconds. Four. Three. Two. One... The clouds immediately engulf my entire being. Refreshing I must say. I slow my descent and land in a flowery field. I look up and see a small town. About a five minute walk I suppose. “This must be Ponyville. Excellent. I’ve landed in the right place.” *** At this moment, we finally see Solar’s entire physical form. An alicorn, around 4”9 on all fours. His coat has the strange texture of ash, also sharing its color as well. A straight red tail with black streaking from the middle and a mane that is different shades of orange can be seen. He exudes a mysterious aura around him. Scars on his sides, faded memories of battles long ago plague his otherwise pristine coat. He starts making his way to the quaint town but then realizes something. “Being an alicorn is sure to turn heads. Hmm. I have an idea. Given it’s still early in the morning, there shouldn’t be too many ponies that take note of me.” Solar’s horn glows a brilliant and blinding orange. A low droning noise can be heard as his physical properties change and warp. The light fades away, leaving a gray pegasus in its wake. “This should work.” Satisfied with the spell’s effects, he continues towards the town and begins his way towards a train station. Things seem to have changed since his last visit decades ago. He steps onto the platform and finds a map of Ponyville on a wall next to a window where a dark brown earth pony stallion can be seen sleeping. “Excuse me sir?” Solar whispers. “Wha- who’s speaking?” Solar lets out a soft chuckle. “Just passing through here. I do have a question however. Is this map by chance...current?” The stallion leans forward a bit and looks at the map. “Yeah. If current means last year then this is what you are looking for.” “I may be able to make it work. And the price of tickets if I may ask?” The stallion gives Solar a questioning glance. “Ya from around here?” “No sir. I am from Cloudsdale, just visiting...” Solar begins to panic, thinking of what to say. “Family?” Solar lets out a sigh of relief. “Yep. Anyone here for you? Just curious.” “Got a wife who goes by the name Rosemary. My advice? Stay single!” Solar and the stallion shared a brief laugh. After they compose themselves, the stallion extends a hoof across the counter. “Speedy Ticket. Yours?” Solar flashed a friendly smile. “Solar Firedawn. Pleasure to meet you.” “Likewise. Not very many pegasi here in Ponyville but it is still a welcome sight. Though I must say, interesting name for a pegasus. I kind of like it though!” Solar looks away briefly in embarrassment. “Speedy Ticket huh? Seems somewhat binding to just a particular job. No offence mind you.” The stallion gives a hearty laugh. “Yeah I thought the same thing. Us earth ponies tend to have more routine in our lives.” Solar looks around and finally realizes... He has places to be. “I deeply apologize, but I must get going. Nice meeting you Speedy!” “Likewise Mr. Firedawn!” Solar waves at the stallion as he departs. Heading for the place he has been dreading the most. Twilight’s library. Not a far walk. Closer to the edge of town actually. That just made the foreboding feeling a bit more troublesome.While on his way, Solar notices a small purple figure a little ways away. It slowly walks toward Solar with its mouth agape. It becomes clearer and turns out to be a baby dragon. “You’re an alicorn?” “Excuse me? Solar reaches for his head and feels his horn there. He also takes note that his wings are present. He must have lost too much focus on the spell and it probably failed. “Yes. I am. How do I put this? I am on my way to Twilight’s library. I need to speak with her.” “Well, first off, who are you? “I am Solar Firedawn. And you? “Spike.” Solar offers a hoof and Spike hesitantly shakes it. “I was on my way to Rarity’s. I’ll take you to Twilight on the way there.” Solar accepts and they soon find themselves at the library’s front door. Spike looks back at Solar.”Wait here. I’ll get her” “Very well.” Spike walks in and Solar hears a female voice from within. “So much for staying anonymous.” “Spike. There are no gray alicorns. Only the Princesses are alicorns. In all of Equestria!” “Twilight! He is RIGHT there!” A grumble can be heard and Solar still hasn’t stepped inside, despite the open door. “I am sorry but the library is-” She stops talking for a moment upon seeing Solar, an alicorn, standing at her front door. Just another day in Ponyville. “closed” Spike takes a nervous glance at the both of them and walks off. “Yeah I’ll catch you two later!” Solar stares back and takes a deep breath, and offers a simple greeting. “Hello Twilight.” Twilight takes a step back as her eyes widen in surprise. “You were actually serious.” Solar flinches as she hops away. He then looks back at Twilight, worried about his decision to come clean. Twilight’s expression is one of shock. “Ok. Who are you? And why are you here?” “I am Solar Firedawn. I come from a group known as Lightbringers, responsible for protecting worlds that need it. That being said, your own world, Equus, may soon have...unsavory events occuring in the coming months. Possibly years. My purpose is to stop that from happening. I know you don’t trust me Twilight, but I am here for the good of everypony. Twilight shakes off her shock and has a neutral expression on her form. “I see. Wouldn’t be the first time we’ve been in danger. Why should I trust you?” Solar shakes his head. "I won't force you to trust anything Twilight. It's your own choice. The only things I can ask is that you give me a chance. She steps aside and lets Solar inside. He gratefully accepts and walks in. Solar looks around, briefly noticing the simple furnishing, other than the numerous books and tomes on shelves. “Impressive Twi.” Twilight flinches. “Don’t call me that. Close friends call me by that name” “Very well Twilight.” She goes to a desk and gestures across from her. “Have a seat.’ Solar obeys and asks a question that can change at least how the rest of the day goes. “Where do I begin?” “Well, how about how you know my name?” Solar knew that was coming. He was going to very possibly burn a bridge before it even existed. “I know you Twilight. But you don’t know me. Twilight tilts her head in confusion. How could only one of us know the other?” “It’s quite complicated. You see, I’ve been watching you and everypony else. Just not as me.” After Solar says this, he shuts his eyes and concentrates on the image of Twilight. His ashy coat smoothens and starts to turn purple. His mane and tail soon follow. Before Twilight fully understands what is going on, she is looking at a clone of herself. Twilight seems a bit shaken by the answer. “How did you do that??” Solar gives a light scoff. “As I said. It’s complicated..” Twilight nods. How do I know you aren’t a Changeling? Solar scratches his chin briefly. “You don’t. I won’t force you to trust anything Twi. That isn’t who I am. You may just have to, if I may, take a leap of faith.” Solar notices his slip-up. “OH! Sorry Twilight. I said “Twi” again.” Twilight gives a soft chuckle. “It’s OK Solar. If you want, you can stay here for the night and we’ll cover more of this tomorrow. Sound like a deal?” He smiles a little bit which felt like the first genuine smile that day. “Deal.” “Alrighty. Sorry but all I have is the couch.” Twilight says with a slight frown on her face. “Don’t worry Twilight. I’ve dealt with far worse. I really don’t need to sleep anyway. I’ll humor you though.” “Well, It is what friends are for isn’t it?” Solar seems a little stunned. “Friends? I don’t even have a heart. I don’t bleed” Twilight laughs once more. Heartily this time. “Solar. For someone thousands of years old, you sure have much to learn. Solar smirks “Oh really?” Twilight smiles even more. “Oh yes. REALLY. Anyways. We should get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day to say the least.” “What makes you say that?” “Well you aren’t going to just stay holed up here are you?” Solar furiously shakes his head “Absolutely not. I have a feeling you have friends who will want to know I am here I take it?” Twilight nods sternly. “You got it Solar.” She gets up from her seat and heads up the stairs to her bed. Solar stops her for a moment. “You sure are taking my morphing thing pretty well I notice. Oh. Ponyfeathers.” Twilight falls onto the floor laughing. “I was-” Solar gives an unamused glance as he morphs back to his former self and crosses his forelegs. “Was what?” Twilight gathers herself a bit, “I was waiting for you to notice. You were about to turn in for the night like that!” Solar rolls his eyes. “Hahaha. Laugh it up.” Twilight finds herself able to breathe again. “If you had any idea how many weird things that happen here, you would come to find out, you are actually one of the more minor things to happen here.” Solar has a look of slight disbelief. “Riiiiight. Ok then. I’ll see you tomorrow Twi.” Twilight offers a warm smile. Feeling much better now that the initial shock has long since dissipated. “G’night Solar.” DoubtAuthor's Note Hey y'all! Thanks for checking this out! Enjoy. Thanks to Afillyated for editing! Doubt Morning approached before Solar knew it. He made his way up the stairs and saw Twilight’s bed empty. He notices a note on the nightstand addressed to him. “Morning Solar. I know you don’t actually sleep so I can only hope that you are well rested by sunrise. Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. Simply gathering my friends so that they can get used to you as a group. Take this time to gather yourself. They are very nice. Well, most of them are. Rainbow Dash might be a bit...brash. She’ll warm up to you eventually. See you soon! Sincerely, Twilight P.S, Feel free to read whatever you want! Just be absolutely sure you put them where you found them. Otherwise, I’ll be having you sorting books for an entire week. Now that I think about it, that probably wouldn’t be a very hard thing for you would it? Anyway, for real this time, see you soon. “She seems very excited about her friends meeting me. I really don’t know if I should be flattered, or straight up terrified. Nonsense, I’m just being paranoid, Right?” A look of confusion flashes on his face. Solar laughs to himself. “There you go again, talking to yourself. You old fart”. The library is far different during the day. It’s quiet, but in a peaceful way. Warm rays of the sun bring comfort to the library’s sole resident. Solar makes his way to the front door, taking a deep breath and looks back at the empty library. “To new times ahead. Here goes nothing.” He steps through and shuts the door behind him. *** “Are ya really goin’ ta trust him so fast Twi? This random alicorn of all things just… whatever he did to actually get here, just shows up!” Applejack, wearing her trademark stetson hat, was flabbergasted at the news Twilight brought them. All of them were. A rainbow maned pegasus spoke up. “I disagree with AJ. We haven’t even met him! We always give everypony a chance to prove themselves. Right guys?” “I hope he isn’t a meanie! We have had way too many of those lately!” Said Pinkie, hopping in place as she usually does. Rarity chimed in with her own thoughts.“Well, I am on the fence. We should get to know him more before just openly trusting him. Though by what Twilight has said about him, he seems rather dashing.” Twilight rolled her eyes. “Then that settles it.” If you four want to meet him, he’s at the library. Oh and Rarity? Where is Spike?” The white coated unicorn had a look of confusion on her face. “Isn’t he at the library with Solar darling?” Twilight shook her head. She begins to pace back and forth in front of the group. “No. He wasn’t there when I left. I thought he was still here with you! You know what? Dash? If you don’t mind, can you go and see if you can find Spike?” The rainbow maned pegasus nodded.” You got it Twi. I’ll find the little guy. Don’t worry.” She gives Twilight a half hug and flies up the stairs and out of Rarity’s bedroom window. Twilight turns back to the group. “Alright. You three still want to head back to the library?” The party of four nodded and they made their way out, unaware of the possibility that they were being watched. *** The four strolled through town, ponies going about their business giving them passing glances. Twilight couldn’t keep Spike out of her mind. What if something had happened to him? She didn’t want to think about the worst thing that could happen. She had her friends at least, they have gotten her this far. She allowed a small smile on her face, glad of having such close companions. “Be safe Spike. We’ll find you.” She muttered to herself. They continued their short walk, only to be interrupted by the pink pony bouncing in front of them. “What is it pinkie?” Pinkie pointed a hoof towards somepony at Sugarcube Corner. “Who is that?” She gasped. “NEW PONY!” Pinkie darted off towards the unfortunate target of her fast paced jumping. Twilight and the other three ran after her and yelled her name in unison. But they were too late. “PINKIE!” *** Solar was talking to Mrs. And Mr. Cake only to hear someone yelling at him. “NEW PONY!” Solar’s eyes went wide. “Uh miss?” Pinkie kept charging at him. He slowly started taking a few steps back “You are going a little fast!” He turned tail and ran. “Nope! Not going out like this! Not today!” Mrs. Cake yelled after him. “That is Pinkie Pie! No matter how fast you run she’ll find a way to catch you!” Her and Mr. Cake start to laugh at Solar’s expense. Solar stopped his running to get his bearings. He listened and could barely hear the Cakes’ laughter. Before he knew it he heard a voice behind him. “HI!” Solar shrieked as Pinkie jumped on him and pinned him to the ground. “Pinkie! Off!” Ordered Twilight. Pinkie gets off of Solar with a saddened look on her face. He looks back at her with a slightly angered look.Twilight glares at Solar and motions for him to follow. Solar follows her to the back of Sugarcube Corner. *** I can’t believe him! I told him to stay in the library, yet he can’t even seem to do that. “Just what are you doing here?” “I-” “Is everything ok Miss Sparkle? Is this stallion bothering you?” I look behind me and see three royal guards approaching. I, under no circumstances can let them find out about Solar. Hay! I hardly know anything about him! “Oh no! We are fine! We were just heading back to my library!” The guard looks at me and then Solar. “Alright. If he causes any trouble, I will be forced to take action, Miss Sparkle.” “Understood Sir. Good day!” The guard walks off and I turn my attention to the girls. “Get the rest of the mane 6. We have something to discuss. We’ll be at the library.” They give their brief goodbyes and me and Solar start our walk back home. *** Solar is the first to break the silence. “Want me to teleport us there?” Twilight shoots him an unamused look. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?” He notices her horn. “Oh. Stupid question.” Twilight stops and Solar keeps walking only to notice she isn’t next to him. She wants to get to the bottom of all this. “Why do you keep doing that?” “Doing what? Walking?” He asks, knowing the real answer. “NO! That! Acting like everything is fine! Here you are! A bucking ALICORN, and you are just strutting around Ponyville as if nothing is amiss!” Twilight takes a deep breath to calm herself. “I am sorry. Didn’t mean to raise my voice, but I NEED to know. What is it you are hiding?” Solar bows his head and looks at Twilight, silently pleading for her to stop asking. “Twilight. Some things should never be known. If they ever see the light of day, lives can be changed. I will be very blunt with you Twilight.” He shut his eyes and returned to the body of an alicorn. “You don’t want to know what this soul is hiding.” He spread his wings, ready to take off. Twilight didn’t know what to feel. She felt...empty. Something isn’t right. “Solar, think about what you are doing!” Solar looked around him. Many ponies were gathering around in shock at the spectacle. “Oh no. No no no. This isn’t happening.” He looked back at Twilight. “I’m sorry.” And with that, he sped off into the clouds, and out of sight. The crowd of ponies looked to Twilight, hoping for an answer. A mare with a scroll for a cutie mark approached Twilight. “Twilight. You know who needs to hear about this” Twilight nodded solemnly. “Yes Mayor, I know. We all do. It’s just something I haven’t thought of possibly happening.” The mayor nods and addresses the ponies around her and Twilight. “Alright. Show’s over. I’ll be working closely with Twilight to be sure everything is fine.” That being said, the crowd begins to disperse. The Mayor turns to Twilight. “What is going on Miss Sparkle? Who was that?” Twilight scoffs. “Follow me” She and the Mayor finish the walk to the library and head inside. Twilight offers the mayor tea but the Mayor politely declines and they sit across from each other. “So, Mayor. I know you have many questions so ask away. No point in hiding it any longer. What do you want to know?” The mayor sat in thought for a few moments before she spoke up. “Who was that?” A simple question really. Twilight was expecting this to come up. “That was Solar Firedawn, Mayor. He says that he is a Lightbringer.” The Mayor sat confused. “Light-bringer?” Twilight nodded. “A being that protects any planet that needs protection. When he first came here, he said he was here because he believes that our world may be in danger. He never did say what however. Another thing worth mentioning…” The mayor leaned in a bit. “What is worth mentioning?” Twilight’s brow begins to sweat. Should she tell the Mayor that Solar can impersonate others? After a few moments she makes her decision. “You need to promise what I am about to tell you stays in this room. Between us.” The Mayor’s eyes narrowed. “What is it Twilight?” Twilight sweats a bit more. What is the worst that can happen? “Solar can shapeshift.” There it is. All the tension Twilight felt suddenly dissipated. She was relieved, but the storm may have yet to come. The Mayor didn’t say anything. She wasn’t angry but she obviously had nothing to be happy about. Neutral was the best way to describe it. “May I ask a question Twilight?” Twilight exhaled. If only a little bit. “What is it, Mayor?” The Mayor looked at the floor of the library and let out a soft sigh. “Do you trust him, Twilight?” Does Twilight trust him? They had known each other for a day and some change at the most. He hasn’t necessarily acted hostile…yet. But he hasn’t acted otherwise either. If there is one thing she already learned about Solar is that nothing is black & white with him. Something she doesn’t really believe. Until now. “I want to Mayor. I really do. It’s just that we don’t know each other. Really at all.” The Mayor’s posture straightened. Her eyes narrowed further almost to pinpricks. “I can expect that letter will be written to the Princesses correct?” Twilight nodded. “Soon Mayor. Very soon.” Twilight knew it had to be done. Regardless of what may happen to Solar directly. For whatever reason, she had a feeling he could probably outrun if not overpower both of the Princesses should he need to. She had to be very careful with this. The situation was undeniably delicate. The Mayor got up and shook Twilight’s hoof and left the library. “Good day Twilight.” Twilight sat alone, the silence deafening. She can hear the crickets and the rest of the night’s ambience echoing around. A startling thought crossed her mind. “SPIKE!” *** Spike was surrounded in darkness. He couldn’t see anything. He felt concrete on his back. He got on his feet and looked around. It seemed he was in a cave, water dripping around him. A distant waterfall can be heard but not seen. He starts walking forwards. It’s the only thing he can do. He keeps walking until he bumps into something, or what he discovered when he looked up, somepony right in front of him. The pony cast a light spell and Spike was able to see the charcoal black stallion from the side. “So-Solar?” Spike was terrified. Who was this? What is going on? He can hear a menacing guttural chuckle coming from the stallion. When he spoke, his voice reverberated off the cave’s walls. “No little dragon.” The stallion slowly turned his head towards Spike, grining. “Not Solar. Rather an abandoned unwanted side of him.” Solar was motionless, Too terrified to move. “Who are you?” The stallion grinned even more, revealing pearly white teeth. “You’ll find out soon. For now, RUN.” Spike didn’t need to be told twice. He ran deep into the cave as fast as his little legs could ever possibly hope to carry him. He can hear the stallion’s laughter as if he was right behind him. He stopped running when the laughing ceased. “Twilight, where are you?” ObscurityAuthor's Note Finally here with chapter 3! Sorry about the wait. Hopefully it is at least somewhat worth it. This chapter is however not yet edited, but should be fine for the most part. Obscurity “Twilight, darling. You can’t assume the worst has happened to him.” Twilight panicked. She hasn’t seen Spike since he left Rarity’s. Dash’s aerial search didn’t bring anything up either, making things worse. No one knew of his whereabouts. Rarity along with the other girls were at AJ’s farm house at Sweet Apple Acres. The cowpony volunteered to look for him, which Twilight eagerly accepted, but her friends had decided to stick with Twilight in the event she tried to do anything...brash. They were sitting in the house’s living room when they heard a knock at the front door. Dash got up from next to Pinkie and answered it. She looked back at Twilight with a neutral look on her face. “It’s him.” Twilight and her friends knew who it was. Twilight abruptly got up and went to the door. There, she saw Solar, standing there with a glum expression. He seemed unable to look at her. “Hey Twilight.” She was flabbergasted, and a spark of anger made itself known. “After... Everything that has happened, Spike is nowhere to be found”, she steps out of the doorway and takes a step closer to Solar. “Twilight, don’t.” Dash warns. “Leave it.” Twilight turns back to Solar, who takes a step back from the maddened mare. “The moment you show up. And the best thing you have to say is ‘Hey’? Do you really have nothing to say for yourself?” Solar had a look of...something. Something Twilight wasn’t able to fully determine. She took a deep breath and put a hoof on Solar, who merely flinched in response. “Solar, look at me. I apologize for my outburst, but you need to put yourself in my hooves. Spike is...a son to me. What would you do if he was suddenly missing at the exact time someone new, who nopony has any idea even existed, shows up?” Solar was quiet. He didn’t really know what to say. What would he do? He thinks about Twilight’s question. He looks up to see the aforementioned mare looking back at him with a disappointed expression. He knows what he would do. He takes a deep, cleansing breath and speaks up for what he believes is the first time since he showed back up. “I know who has Spike. But you may not like the answer.” Twilight looks behind her at Rainbow Dash and Rarity, who is sitting on the couch with a dreamy look on her face. Twilight rolls her eyes and looks back at Solar.. “Fine. But you better make clear what is happening. Regardless of if I may like the answer.” Solar straightened up upon hearing this and nodded. “You have my word Twilight.” Twilight beckoned Solar to come inside and he took a glance around. The inside of the farmhouse was cozy. Pictures taken from long ago, spanning generations can be seen on the mantle of the fireplace, dormant and waiting for the first glimmers of winter. Solar walks over and takes a seat as Twilight makes her way to the front door. She looks over to Rarity with a stern composure. “Make sure he doesn’t go anywhere. I have no doubt he can do anything we can imagine. If he poses a threat to you or any of the other girls when she comes back, you get your Element and I will get the others.” Solar, appalled, stood up. “Really Twilight? Really? What can I do to prove that I am not him? Does nothing-” Solar stopped speaking when he noticed his unintentional slip up. Rarity spoke up, a hint of suspicion in her voice. “Darling, who is ‘he’?” Solar sighed and put a hoof to his head. “Rarity, I really don’t want to go through this.” Twilight stepped back into the room and briskly walked over to Solar, fuming. “You really think you will be able to hide anything from us? Do you?” She shouted. Solar, defending himself, yelled back. “I absolutely do! I can hide EVERYTHING about me from Celestia herself if I wanted to! I am only here to help. I’m not Dark Eclipse!” His eyes began to glow a brighter orange, igniting with fury. “Ever since I have arrived here, ALL OF YOU have been PESTERING me!” Twilight was in shock. She has never known anypony could be this angered before she made the mistake of disturbing Luna in her slumber. She tries to calm Solar down, but he brushes her off. “LEAVE...ME...ALONE!” Twilight watched Solar’s horn glow as he began to teleport, and then proceeded to do something that shocked everypony in the room. She walked up to Solar and hugged him. His eyes darkened and he stopped his ranting, motionless. What seemed like minutes later, he looked down at Twilight with a tear threatening to fall. They stood there in the middle of the room and eventually, Solar couldn’t hold it in anymore. Twilight held him harder and eventually her friends joined them, aiding his comfort. The group broke up and they gave Twilight and Solar space. Pinkie was the first to speak up. “Solar? Who is Dark Eclipse?” Solar looked at Pinkie and then Dash who only nodded, cementing his place to finally explain a bit more of what could possibly be going on. “How do I put this?” Solar took a seat on the rug in the middle of the circle of girls. “Dark Eclipse is, for lack of a better way to put it, myself. Yet, he also isn’t me. He is the darker side of me, if you will. Where I may be kind and sacrifice my own well being for others, he wants nothing but the entire globe…” Solar stopped for a moment before he started up again. “Tartarus, he more than likely wants to take over the entire galaxy for himself. Pure evil.” He finished his statement with a look of slight fear. Twilight took the reins of the conversation. “How evil are we talking about?” Solar looked at Twilight, raising an eyebrow. “Do you really want to know?” Twilight and her friends tense up a bit. Solar scoffed, “You thought King Sombra was bad? You thought what you just saw from me was scary? You’ve yet to see him. You see, the thing is, you don’t find him. He finds you. I’m not trying to scare all of you. I am just telling the truth. I don’t even know where he is, but he also doesn’t know where I am. Yet.” Solar paused for a moment. He seemed confident. “And he won’t get to you without getting through me first. We are equals after all.” He stood up, but not before Dash got his attention. “Solar, I don’t know about the rest of us, but…” She looked at Twilight, Rarity and Pinkie, who were interested in what more could be said, but were getting skittish. They were beginning to second guess Solar and his actions. He was hiding something. Possibly something that would change their outlook on him forever. “But I am willing to give you a chance. You seem like a pretty cool guy.” She said with a smile. “Likewise Dash. Same can be said for the rest of you, though Applejack and Fluttershy aren’t here right now - by the way, where is Fluttershy?” Rarity gave a soft chuckle. “Well darling, she wasn’t very keen on meeting an ‘Alicorn from worlds unknown’. She sure is missing out if I may add.” She said with a wink. The others had a laugh at this, where Solar only smirked, not missing a beat. “Rarity, you do realize I am just over three thousand years old, correct?” Rarity nodded with a blush. “I am aware of the tricks.” Rarity donned a mischievous grin. “My dear, is that a challenge?” She said while batting eyelashes. Solar didn’t notice, since he was making his way to the door. “I won’t keep you all any longer.” Twilight and her friends made their way to him so that they could see him off. Twilight looked at him and wasn’t entirely sure what to say. How do you tell somepony you have just met to do something for you that they would do for someone more than just an acquaintance? “Solar?” About to walk out the door, Solar looks to his right and finds Twilight standing there. “Yes Twi?” “Are you going to-” Solar interrupts her. “Look for Spike? Absolutely. And I won’t stop until I find him.” He looks to the others. “I promise. And if you don’t believe me on that promise. . . Well, I will be laughing at you when I bring him back.” Pinkie speaks up. “Why would we not believe you?” “None of you would be the first to doubt me. I haven’t always been like this. The girls had confused looks on their faces. “What is that supposed to mean?” asked Twilight. Solar didn’t give an answer. He walked out the door and flew off at an extreme speed, nowhere in sight, leaving the group with more questions than answers. *** Applejack returns to Sweet Apple Acres and reunites with her friends, though from the looks of it, the meeting with Solar, if you can call it that, was bittersweet. Honestly, Applejack thought this was some elaborate prank. She had expected this from Pinkie but surely not from the rest of her friends. The Mane 6 were outside in the orchard, since Granny Smith came back from the market and fell fast asleep. “Let me get this straight.” Started Applejack, her expression suspicious and confused, “Our good ol’ Alicorn friend has a ‘dark’ side that can possibly match him in whatever it is y’all call yer fancy magic.” “Arcane amplitude. Yes. What is weird is he was fine one moment and then the next, he just...flew off.” “What did you do Twilight?” inquired AJ Rarity came to Twilight’s defense. “Now now darling, let’s not go accusing each other. Solar is...something else I’ll admit. All of us don’t understand who, or what he is. But Twilight asked what should have been a simple question. Applejack leaned forward with an eyebrow raised. “Which was what?” Twilight answers. “It wasn’t just a simple question. After Solar said he’d look for Spike, Pinkie asked ‘Why wouldn’t we believe you?’, he didn’t say anything and that’s when he left. Again. Somewhere along there he said ‘He wasn’t always like this. I really don’t know what that means and it is frightening.But maybe somewhere.” Twilight grins. Her friends collectively groan. Here she goes again. Another spiel. “I can find that.” UnseenAuthor's Note Sorry for the delay! Been under the weather lately. Darn cold. Stay safe and see ya around! Unseen 3,000 years ago Lightfield was booming with activity. Everyone had places to go, ponies to meet, life was perfect. The city of crystal was eerily similar to the Crystal Empire. Crystal spires reached into the dark abyss, giving the city an ethereal look. Expansive, sprawling and magnificent. The beings that were told of Lightfield’s existence by a Lightbringer, wish they could visit the city in all of its glory. The economy, bustling. Crime? Nonexistent. A society unachievable by many, yet dreamed of by all. They had a societal hierarchy as well. Sentinel Lightbringers were the leaders of the small species. They handled the city’s most pressing problems. The Sentinels were the oldest, Stellaria being 4,128 years old and her husband Orion being 3,759 years of age. They have two children of their own. Cryo Lunardawn, an energetic, likable, dark blue Thestralien filly with a dark blue mane and tail, and cyan crystalline eyes that glimmer in the dark, a symbol of the tranquility of the Night. At eight years of age, she is two years younger than her fiery-tempered yet kind brother, Solar Firedawn. The little colt’s coat is gray, and he sports a red and orange mane and tail. His eyes are also a bright orange, a fragment of the Sun’s ferocity. The Prime Lightbringers were plentiful. They were responsible for carrying out the Sentinels’ orders, as long as they were lawful. The thing that makes them quite interesting is that there are always exactly ninety-nine Primes. This is the way it began and eventually cemented itself into tradition. The mysterious otherworldly beings have existed long before Equus even had been given its name by its pony inhabitants. The Lightbringers dwelled on moons of other planets for millenia. Only a few hundred years ago, however, they had collectively moved to where Lightfield is now, on Luna’s moon itself. All was well for hundreds of years after. Until the darkness came. Starkillers, hellbent on sapping every bit of magic that they can get their hooves on, discovered Lightfield and its inhabitants. It first started with a scout every now and then. Said scout, taking the skin of an everyday Starborn, would observe, sometimes talking with the moon’s children. Then, things began to escalate. Foalnappings, murders that the Starborn knew, wasn’t one of their own. The Prime Lightbringers began questioning, in the event that one of their own was committing genocide. Before they too, lost their lives. With no other option, Stellaria, respected and revered by the others, did one thing they thought she would never do. She took her husband Orion, and her two children, and fled. Feeling betrayed by their Leader’s actions, the remaining Lightbringers scattered into the universe, never to be heard from again. *** Stellaria looks back at the city one last time. Tears fall from her eyes like rain from a leaf. She feels hopeless and broken similar to that of a glass shattered on the floor that will never hold joy again. She risks a glance to her children, they are crying, sharing her pain and loss. They cannot be heard, the vacuum of space taking away their voices. She wanted a life for them that would be impossible, a sun, so close and so far in parallel. If she and her spouse, alongside their children, stopped flying towards Equus, the Starkillers would surely catch on. Though her worries would prove useless, as the Starkillers have become busy chasing down the fleeing Lightbringers. She looks to her right and sees Orion gliding beside her, with both of their children on his back, since they were still too young to fly. He looks back at her, a small, saddened smile gracing his features. “Don’t worry Stelly. We are going to be fine. We are well ahead of them.” Stellaria grimaces. She doesn't believe her husband. “We are going to be fine. But what about our subjects? Those who we were sworn to protect? Now they are at the mercy of cruel, soulless beings. We call them Starkillers for a reason, Ori. We have betrayed them, our species will be nothing but lost in the river of time.” Orion shakes his head, questioning if they had done the right thing. They did what any parent would have done. They saved their children, but at what cost? Any chance of their kind, having a future? Risking the protection of the multiverse? Deep down, he was hurting and torn between family and their former friends. “We did what we had to do. There is no going back Stelly. We will have to live with the consequences and face them head on. The actions themselves aren’t the sins. It is what we do afterwards that matters in the end.” He noticed his wife being in a state he has never seen her in before. The usual spark of life in her, faded by the events that had transpired. more than likely faring worse than even himself. They are getting closer to the planet of Equus and begin flapping their wings as its gravity begins to take hold of their forms. Stellaria guides them to Equus’ surface, a feather riding the wind. Stellaria sees her son. His face shows sorrow and defeat. He’s been crying, the crystals the only remnants of his innocence. Stellaria, crestfallen, yet unwilling to show the fading of the light inside her, walks to her son and daughter. “We need to go. Far away from here.” Stellaria hesitates, “You aren’t safe with us. The two of you are far too powerful for the Starkillers to capture. We can’t risk it.” She gestures with a forehoof towards a forest a little ways away. “See that tree over there? It has no leaves. Me and your Father did that in the event something happened to our home. We never knew we would have to actually hide the two of you however. Her childrens’ eyes widen, the size of platters. They had just escaped and here their mother was sending them out on their own. Orion approaches his wife. “I agree with you Stelly, but surely there is another way for us to keep them safe. Maybe find someone who is willing to look after them?” Stellaria shakes her head. “No. Suppose that someone would use them for nefarious purposes. I don’t trust them.” Her husband wasn’t having any of it. His son and daughter wouldn’t be able to survive on their own. He firmly believed it. Until Solar surprised both him and his wife. “Dad, we’ll be fine. I can take care of Cryo! I’ll be strong for us!” Solar almost seemed enthusiastic about the idea. Cryo frowned, a raincloud dampening her mood. She didn’t seem convinced by his daft proposal. “Solar! What is making you think of such a thing? What if we get hurt? What if mom and dad get hurt? What will we do then?” Solar was confident. He wanted to show his little sister that he was strong. He could take care of themselves, right? HIs parents looked at him with uncertainty. “What made you so suddenly confident Sunny?” Said Stellaria, her eyebrow raised. “You did! You believe in us, so why shouldn’t I believe in Cryo and I?” Stellaria couldn’t help but chuckle. Despite everything that had happened, her little family is what has kept her from going on a rampage across the universe. Orion soon joined in, all the way up until the four of them were openly laughing. A ray of light piercing the ever growing darkness. Orion crouches down to his kids’ level. “Tell me. Do you believe in each other?” Solar and Cryo look at each other, almost as if they were searching for a weakness. Not finding any, according to their young naive minds, they turn back to their father, Cryo being the first to speak, jumping repeatedly, much to Stellaria’s amusement. “I do dad. Solar is strong! Nothing can take him down!” If Solar could blush, he would have, not used to such praise by his sister. Stellaria, happy that her children were able to believe in each other, yet could see why her husband was hesitant to leave them to fend for themselves while they were trying to gather any surviving Lightbringers that they could actually find. “Do you two really think you can do this?” asked Stellaria, her head tilted in concern. Her children nod enthusiastically, cementing Stellaria’s wish of them being there for each other. Orion speaks up, being strangely quiet. He stamps a foreleg in agitation, not completely willing to go with the impromptu plan. Stellaria notices this and walks over to him, placing a hoof on his shoulder, cooling his frayed nerves. “Are you really sure about this Stelly? We aren’t entirely sure there aren’t any Starkillers waiting for us.” “That is where we come in Ori. It’s simple. When we depart, we make sure that no one enters the atmosphere afterwards.” Orion lets out a breath. “I guess it’s a plan Stelly.” He turns to Solar and Cryo, their features showing impatience. “Well my little stars, take care of each other.” Stellaria coos, a sad smile gracing her face, knowing it may be a very long time before she sees her children again. Orion trots up to Solar. “Take care of your sister Son.” He ruffles Solar’s mane, making the colt giggle, his chest puffed in confidence and pride. “I will Dad! I will be like you one day!” Orion chuckles. “You will be better than me one day, Solar.” His son gasps in disbelief. “That isn’t possible! No one is stronger than you.” Orion casts a sideways glance to his wife, eliciting an affectionate snicker. “Well…” Orion and Stellaria come up to Cryo. “Same goes for you. My beautiful nebula, says Orion. Stellaria gives her one last parting embrace, neither party knowing if it will be the last. The parents spread their wings, ready to depart from Equus. They give a final farewell to their children, and take off. “Come on Cry!” Solar leads his sister who protests but he doesn’t listen. She takes off after him, briefly forgetting her troubles. It was just her and her brother running through a field. They keep trotting until they reach the edge of the forest and eventually, the tree that Stellaria pointed out earlier. Cryo was the one who found it first, her brother too busy frolicking with the forest critters. “Solar!” She reprimanded. “You sure are acting like the little brother! Get in the cave.” Solar sticks his tongue out at her. Cryo only shakes her head in response, but her brother at the moment seems so innocent, a newborn foal seeing its mother for the first time. Solar makes his way to her, making his typical remark Cryo has heard many times before from him in jest. “You’re no fun sis.” “You think dad wouldn’t laugh that his ‘Strong, handsome colt’ was playing with critters?” Solar looks away, embarrassed, but nuzzles his sister lovingly. “Love you Cryo.” “I’ll love you more when you get in the cave.” Solar bumps into her playfully. “You wouldn’t.” “You’re right. I wouldn’t.” As she says this, the two young Lightbringers feel an explosion from high above. They look up in confusion, eyes glossed over. Then it hits them. Cryo glances at her brother, a tear threatening to make its way down, surprising her she had any left. “Solar, you don’t think that is what I thought it was…” “I don’t know Cryo. Sounds like it may have been a sonic boom. Either our parents are back, or…” Cryo knew what he was going to say. “Starkillers” Solar’s eyes widened. His pupils, glowing orange with heat, pierce the oncoming night. From above the forest canopy, they hear a voice that doesn’t belong to their parents. They were discovered. The cave lies forgotten, abandoned. A puppy cries outside the door of their minds. “Cryo! Run! I will lead the Starkiller away!” “Are you insane! You aren’t doing that!” “We have no choice! Go!” With a storm of emotions tearing at her, Cryo runs deep into the forest, leaving her brother in the past. Solar shouts as loud as he can, beckoning whoever it is, whatever it is, to follow him. A cat being tempted to chase its prey. “Over here! Come on!” Big mistake. As Solar gets back to the edge of the tree, an alicorn lands directly in front of him. Solar can only look at it with terror. The cat knows what’s going to happen. Or does it? As the alicorn leaps at him, the alicorn vanishes. A moment passes and Solar hears a scream from deep in the forest. His sister’s scream. “Sister!” Present day Solar’s eyes flash open, glowing orange, the fury of the sun boiling inside. He never should have been so naive. What was he thinking? Did he honestly think that a Starkiller wouldn’t employ anything and everything possible, just to gain the upper hand? No. It happened 3,000 years ago. The past is the past. His thoughts drift away to Twilight’s assistant, Spike. “Wait a minute, we never went into that cave. If Dark Eclipse is indirectly a part of me, that means…” His horn abruptly lights up. “Spike!” TensionAuthor's Note Hey again! Maybe things are picking up! Enjoy! Tension I have to get there. I will find you Spike. If you have harmed him in any way, Dark Eclipse, I promise you. I will be your undoing. This is between you, and me. None of these innocents have anything to do with this war of ours. We have ignited it, a flame to a peaceful homestead. You have taken everyone, and everything from me. I shall repay the favor. *** The scenery that Solar could see passing beneath him was peaceful. Mountains, valleys, rivers. The various sights of it all, however, did little to ease his mind. Rain pelted him from the heavens above, crying, knowing of the possible outcome that may come to the troubled Lightbringer. The flame persisted, fighting back, unwavering and unrelenting, spurred on by the misfortune, guilt and pain of a past that has become nearly unbearable to even the strongest of wills. Solar grimaced and seethed. What if he was too late. He shook the thought off, a tear threatening to make itself known. Now wasn’t the time. He needed to be strong. For Spike. For Twilight. For himself. He stops flying forward. Hovering. Solar looks down and sees the very tree he stood before on that fateful day. He utters a few words. Silent as a whisper, a candle testing the dark, wishing Dark Eclipse can hear him. “Once more, we meet again.” He lands at the mouth of the cave and ventures forward. Darkness makes itself known to him, daring the traveler to progress. Solar, unphased, ignites his horn, and his very being. Anger inside, manifests into a dangerous concoction. A force to be reckoned with. The light from his body pierces the darkness, screaming in untamed fury, beautiful yet deadly. Solar’s eyes soon glow on their own. This time when he speaks, his voice carries the power of the lava falls of Hell. “Dark Eclipse. I know you are here. Stop being a coward and meet an old friend. You know who I am. I have spoken this before. I always find my enemy.” “And I will always find you. Across this or any universe. You can’t escape me Solar.” Solar looks ahead of him and basking in his own body’s glow, can see his darker, abandoned self. A foal’s toy, left to rot in time. Dark Eclipse’s pure jet black coat caused the light to dance around him. An overconfident, knowing smirk graces his features. He slowly walks towards his light counterpart. Each hoofstep echoing through the belly of the cave. Solar doesn’t back up and eventually comes to find his snout inches away from his sovereign. “Whatever is the matter Sunny boy? Didn’t come by to say hello? I am hurt by your negligence.” Sneered Dark. Solar wasn’t going to have any of it. His eyes flared in the dark as he stamped a forehoof, unleashing flames around the limb. “Stop beating around the star, Dark Eclipse. You know why I have arrived here.” He takes yet another menacing step towards Dark, their muzzles nearly touching. “Where. Is. Spike?” Dark would never admit that a chill found its way down his spine. Even though he was evil, he wasn’t foolish. He knew what Solar was capable of. He smiles innocently, making Solar even angrier. Dark would pay for it moments later. Solar unveils an earth shattering cry, making the heavens themselves quiver in fear. He then rushes forward, intent on pinning the Starkiller, only to pin air underneath him. Whipping himself around, he sees nothing but blackness. The only thing left is the small amount of hopeless light exuding from him, and silence. “Bucking coward! Quite typical of you Eclipse! Run while you can!” The cave’s walls tremble at his shouting. An earthquake plucking at a home’s foundations. He listens intently. Something isn’t right, yet he can’t place it. He starts his search for Spike by going deeper into the cave. Nothing can be seen by the naked eye for what seemed like miles, the darkness beckoning Solar to come deeper into its cold unforgiving clutches. His body walks itself forward, leaving his aged yet youthful mind to think idly. Several questions make themselves known. Far more than answers. Why did Dark Eclipse flee? He never has done that before. Dark has a history of antagonizing Solar and playing with his emotions every chance he gets. Why stop now? Why go after Spike? The little dragon was quite sweet based on the small amount of time Solar has seen the dragon for himself. He can’t help but think some things just don’t add up. He keeps a brisk yet measured trot forward. Something catches his ears. Crying. Solar knew who it was. “Spike! Spike! Are you here?” The sniffling stops. Solar keeps moving forward, nearly running so fast he begins to almost achieve tripping over his own hooves. He had to see him. To not know this wasn’t another one of Dark’s cruel tricks. “Solar?” The aforementioned stops and cranes his neck to get a bearing on where the voice is coming from. “Spike! Just stay put! I am coming to get you.” “I have no choice but to stay put!” Yelled Spike. Something about his voice was rubbing Solar the wrong way. He keeps running deeper into the cave and a leak of light greets him up ahead to the right. He slows down and enters the chamber. What he sees angers him once more. A volcano, threatening to erupt and destroy the town near it. Spike is tied to a stake with Dark Eclipse off to its side. Solar’s voice darkens. His fury is about to boil over. What Dark is doing is despicable. Solar rears and stands on his hind legs, making him even taller than he already is. A blink of fear flashes across Dark’s features. “Leave the child out of this Dark!” That is all Solar says before he flicks his right foreleg off to his side, and a flaming longsword manifests, its hilt wrapped around his hoof. “I am warning you Dark…” Solar’s head tilts forward. Dark stands motionless. He hadn’t thought this through. How is Solar capable of complete conjuration magic? Most Lightbringers never learn of the art up until late in their life. Solar is still very young. Dark takes a step back. Barely noticeable yet discovered by Solar. The stallion laughs. A dark chuckle that many of Solar’s enemies have heard before their…untimely demise. Dark Eclipse wasn’t going to die today as he teleports well away from the piercing, threatening gaze of Solar. He looks at Spike who is cowering in terror of what he just witnessed. Solar softens his gaze, returns to all fours and slightly crouches, trying to perform the opposite. To look as small as possible. “Spike. You will be fine. I am not going to hurt you. I’m here to take you home. Back to Twilight and the girls. Please. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.” Solar uses his magic and unbinds the poor dragon. Spike didn’t fully trust him, but he did just come and save his life from whoever or whatever that was. That counted for something. He makes his way to Solar and to the stallion’s surprise, gives him a comforting embrace, making Solar’s anger die down. Just a bit, not unfounded by Spike. “Thanks for coming for me, big guy.” Spike said with a small smile. Solar returned a small laugh. Rain clouds parting to let the sunshine through. Solar smirked. “Big guy huh? I see you already came up with a nickname for me.” Spike looked away, embarrassed, but opted to stay silent. “Come on Spike. Let’s get you home.” Solar crouched down and helped the dragon onto his back. *** Twilight couldn’t keep her mind from raging with sinister thoughts. She had left for her library so that she would be able to have some peace and quiet. What if something happened to Spike? Tartarus, what would she do if Solar had disappeared? Turned? None of these questions helped her crippling mental well being. A knock at her door saved her from her perilous thoughts. “Come in.” The library’s entrance opened and a light blue, rainbow maned pegasus mare graced the room and Twilight with her presence. Twilight internally sighed, wishing it was a gray stallion with a purple dragon. “Hey Twi.” Dash cautiously approached Twilight, the determination and life she had in her eyes more faded than normal. She cared for Twilight deeply, and it hurt her almost physically seeing her frazzled like this. Twilight looked at her, her eyes bloodshot from her sadness. The dam didn’t exist. The water behind it dried up. “He- He’ll be back. Right?” Rainbow shook her head. “I can’t say for sure. We can only hope that he and Spike are alright. “You mean us I believe?” Twilight and Dash looked to the front door and saw Solar with Spike on his back. Twilight got up and levitated Spike over to her. “Spike! You’re alright! Thank Celestia! Actually…” Twilight turns to Solar, tears poking at her eyesight. “Thank you. I don’t know how I can ever repay you.” “Well Twilight, I don’t do it to be recognized. Nor to be paid. I do it because of what I stand for. Solar looks to Dash. “Did you kick Dark’s flank?” Said Dash mischievously, unknowing of what had actually happened. Solar frowned slightly, but then smiled. “No. But I surely made him…defecate himself.” Spike and Twilight simply chuckled and Dash fell to the floor rolling in laughter. “She is still like a little filly, isn’t she?” “Hey! I’m right here!” Dash countered, unamused but still smirking. “That is kind of the point, Dash.” Said Twilight, making the pegasus stick her tongue out. “What now, Solar?” The stallion furrowed his brow in thought, the cogs of his mind turning in sync. A well oiled machine taken care of by its engineer. “Things have only begun Twilight. The fate of Existence still hangs in the balance. This was only a small victory. We have won the battle, but have barely started the war.” Solar turns back and makes his way out the door. “Solar?” He turns around and glances at the mare. “Yes, Twilight?” A sad yet joyed smile graces her, a beautiful sight to behold. A glass put together again. “Thank you.” “Anytime Twilight.” Dash spoke up. “Where are you off to now?” “Hmm. Going to meditate for a while. Keeps my magic strong and my mind clear. I will be back tomorrow.” Twilight had a stern look. “I’ll hold you to that.” Solar snickered. “Or what Twi?” She smiled. “I’ll send Dash after you.” Solar gave a faux pass of worry. “Oh no! Not Dash!” He stopped for a moment. “Trust me. I would love to race you at some point. Show you what real speed looks like.” Dash shot up in the air. “Oh yeah, old stallion?” Twilight gasped. “Dash!” Solar cackled, unphased by her mild insult. “I can’t get mad at the truth. Isn’t that right little filly?” Dash’s eyes narrowed as she got in Solar’s face, though he didn’t even flinch. He just glared back. A candle, unyielding to one’s night vision. “Oh, you are on!” “I suppose I can use the exercise. After You Dashie” Said Solar, grinning. He looked at Twilight who simply shrugged. “Why are you looking at me? Show her how it’s done.” Dash floated to the ground, stunned at her friend’s betrayal. “Twilight! What the hay?” Spike laughed at her expense. “Good one Twi!” He gave Twi a hoof-claw bump. “I guess we’ll see you two later?” Solar asked Twilight, a brow cocked. “You will. Remember. Be back tomorrow. We can’t have you more exposed than you already are. Solar sighed, but understood. He was simply frustrated that he had to be hidden. Maybe it was a sign of weakness. Something he felt he couldn’t afford with Dark on his tail. “Until next time, Twi. You as well Spike.” He said, a friendly aura around him. A flower, being pollinated by an entire hive. He held the door open for Dash and they departed. *** “You know what happens to those who work against Dark Eclipse’s wishes, correct?” An alicorn mare with a dark red coat and mane asked a gray coated alicorn mare with red highlights. “Yes Crimson Cosmos. You tell me that every single day. Why?” The gray mare stepped closer. “Because you seem to be losing faith in us. I have to fix that. It’s my job, Shadow Star. Dark Eclipse told me to give you something to be sure that would happen, sister.” She said the last part as if her saying it normally would be her undoing. Shadow was always the one favored by her parents. And here is Shadow once more doubting the Starkillers. Why must she doubt and screw up everything? She was tired of it. She swung and smacked Shadow across the face. An action that speaks very loudly with very many words. Shadow couldn’t even feel the area that was hit. “Next time sister, it will be your horn.” Crimson uttered a cruel lifeless, soulless laugh that would send shivers down Sombra himself. Shadow, couldn’t speak. She was afraid to. She walked out of the building that Crimson was staying in. The ruins of a city, long lost to time. A symbol of their conquest. Something tugged at Shadow about it. Things just didn’t feel right any longer. She had to do something… But what? A Starkiller without magic almost means certain death. “I will have my vengeance soon…sister." ParallelAuthor's Note Hey again everyone! HAPPY BELATED NEW YEAR'S! Take care. Parallel Dark Eclipse looks on from the vacuum of space. Solar couldn’t have made executing his plan any easier. “Well, well, well, Solar. You will never get rid of me. You don’t have the heart to. You need me. Without me, you don’t exist. Without you, I don’t exist. Complete opposites attract. Why can you not see that?” Dark Eclipse furrows his brow and looks over what is around him. The cosmos, expansive. Infinite yet always ending. Planets, stars, novas and everything in between. Nothing is out of his reach. He smiles, showing the planet of Equus his glistening teeth. He knows what he has to do. He will show them the truth of what the Lightbringers stand for. Not their lies. He hums at the thought of the Lightbringers bowing down to him. “Soon Solar. Very soon, you will learn to fear me. You just showed me your weakness. It’s in my friend’s namesake.” Dark Eclipse looks to his left at the stallion. His strongest Starkiller, Corrupted Night. His coat is nearly pitch black with a hint of blue. An ocean with only the moonlight to illuminate the body. Corrupt’s eyes are the strangest as they were black pupils, with the cornea being blood red, an orange iris surrounding said pupil. “Show Solar what happens when he refuses to see the truth. Also, see if you can… encourage Princess Luna to help us in our endeavor. Corrupt tilts his head in confusion, unsure as to what Luna has to do with their “plan”. “What do you plan on doing with Luna, Master?” Dark glares at his subordinate. Had he not made it clear that he was the one who came up with their actions and plans? “Are you questioning my tactics, Nighty?” Corrupt swallows the pit that was warning him to keep his mouth shut. “I would never think of such a thing, Dark.” “Excellent. Then you know what you need to do. Off you go.” Corrupt nods. “I will make sure it is done..” With that, he sped off towards Equus’s surface. *** Solar and Dash were doing everything that their bodies would allow them to do in a desperate effort to best their opponent. After they had agreed Solar wouldn’t use magic of course. Dash is slowly but surely catching up, much to Solar’s amusement. “Think you got what it takes to beat me Dash? I can slow down for you if you would like.” Dash smirks, confidence billowing. “How fast can you really go, Sunny boy?” Solar scoffs beside her, their race becoming a memory of the past, a remnant of time. “Finally came up with a pet name I see. How endearing. You really want to see just how fast I could go? You may be the fastest flier in Equus, but I very well could be one of the fastest things in the multiverse.” Solar’s grin widends and his eyes narrowed as he wills his horn to reappear, causing Dash to look on in shock. An orange aura appears around his form, glowing ever brighter. A sun making its fury known. The next thing that Dash saw made her question her very eyes. Solar launches into the distance only to be seen again seconds later, an amber ring left in his wake. “What you just saw Dash, was not teleportation, but me flying. By using magic to propel-” He isn’t able to finish as he and Dash hear a loud bang in the distance, Solar’s eyes widening as he realizes what he had done. “Solar? What was that?” The stallion grimaced. “Something that Twilight would have trouble understanding.” “Which is?” “I just ripped the fabric of reality. Which means somewhere, a portal to another dimension may have appeared. Dash, speaking of her, go get Twilight. Who knows what may be on the other side. I need to find this gateway.” Dash nods without another word and speeds off, leaving Solar to find the result of what was supposed to be an innocent stunt, and wondering why Dash was so unphased by what had transpired. *** “Come on Sunny! It’s gonna be fun! Just me and you, off to Zephyr Heights to spend a few days together. Meet new ponies and all!” Said Izzy. Her playful and energetic self elicits an amused giggle from her marefriend, who is jumping around the armchair Sunny is sitting on. “I don’t know Izzy. I would love to. But don’t you worry about what other ponies may think about a unicorn and earth pony being in love? I’m not sure if they are ready for that.” Izzy’s smile falters a bit. A small cloud blocking the sun’s warmth. “Sun, who cares about what they think? They don’t need to be ready for you. I’m ready for you.” Izzy walks up to the armchair and nuzzles Sunny, who nuzzles back, before Sunny surprises her marefriend when she gives her a quick peck on the lips. “How’s that for being ready?” Izzy isn’t able to make a response. Not before her and Sunny hear a whooshing sound come from the upper floor of Sunny’s home. It wasn’t loud, rather almost silent. “You hear that Sunny?” She shakes her head. “No. What is it?” Izzy motions for her to follow onto the platform elevator. What Sunny sees next baffles her, leaving her speechless. “Um, Sunny? What is that?” What looks like a circle can be seen next to the window. The strangest thing about it is that the sound is coming from its location, as well as something that could be seen on the other side. Almost as if it was a second window, To someplace else that neither of the ponies had ever seen before. “Is this a portal?” Asks Sunny to no one in particular. Izzy shrugged. “If it is, then where do you think it goes?” Said Izzy. She inhales sharply. “Or maybe when it goes?” Sunny shot her marefriend a look of confusion? When? What could she possibly be talking about? “What? Are you ok? Since when can a portal go to a different time? Magic has only very recently come back to Equestria. LOOK! Is that…what I think it is?” Izzy’s gaze snapped to what was inside the portal’s sight. What looked like a gray unicorn with wings could be seen doing something that was unbeknownst to the young couple, it’s back turned to them. She couldn’t help but want to get closer. Was she hallucinating? Was this really all a dream her wild mind came up with? “Izzy, I wouldn’t get too close. You don’t know what this pony is capable of.” Warned Sunny. She is starting to sweat. Her heart begins to beat faster. Something doesn’t feel right. Izzy keeps getting closer then stops. Her eyes widen upon realizing what they are looking at. “ALICORN!” Whoever it is on the other side heard them. The alicorn’s ears perked up and its head turned to the right. An orange eye lazily glancing at them before narrowing, almost in panic. Izzy keeps trotting forward, and to Sunny’s chagrin, jumps into the portal, tackling the poor alicorn. “IZZY!” Sunny scoffs. Left with no choice, she jumps through the portal in pursuit. *** It’s been a while since Solar has managed to do this before. Yes, he can open portals to other locations on the same planet he’s on, but it is almost impossible for him to make a portal to a completely different dimension. Especially if he’s never been to said dimension. As he concentrates, trying to find the correct spell to safely close the portal, he hears a faint voice coming from the portal. He can’t place what the voice is saying. Maybe he is hearing things. “What?” Solar looks to his right and his jaw drops. An orange coated earth pony and a light pink coated unicorn. The unicorn, far too excited for his liking. Panicked, he tries to find the spell in his mind even faster, but only has a few seconds to do so before he feels a weight bear down onto him, promptly dragging them down together. “What the buck! What are you doing?” Shouted Solar, too startled to completely understand what is going on, other than the fact he had ruptured the timeline by letting foreigners into a different dimension. He had to think fast, however he then heard screaming from above. Solar looks up and sees the earth pony falling fast. The ground coming to meet her far too fast. A monster with its claws outstretched. He catches the mare with his magic and glides down with her unicorn friend in his hooves. His anger flares, bubbling from the surface. But he manages to quell it in time. He did do this himself after all. “Right. I know I opened the portal by mistake. But what have you two done?” The two ponies had nothing to say but one thing that made Solar facehoof. “Umm… hi?” “Really? That’s it? Let me put things in perspective for the two of you. Me opening the portal on its own, does nothing to the timeline. Now, on the other hoof, two entirely foreign ponies coming through said portal? That can become a disaster.” Solar was doing everything he can to not full on shout at the ponies. But he couldn’t help but wonder what they were thinking. “I’m very sorry for my friend Izzy here. She is as sweet as can be. Even if she is a little impulsive.” Izzy sticks her tongue out at the other mare, though as much as Sunny and Izzy knew, it wasn’t malicious. Just strange. “I am Sunny. You already know Izzy.” Sunny offers a hoof to Solar, who smiles a bit. At least they are polite. “Solar Firedawn. Before we move on any further, where are you two from?” He was somewhat afraid of the answer. What if his fears were confirmed and they were from another timeline? He should have been more careful. “I am from Bridlewood! Sunny here is from Maretime Bay.” Solar grimaced, they were from nowhere around here. “Celestia damn it. Okay. Whatever you two do, do not, and I mean do not tell me anything about where you are from. Not ponies, locations, nothing. Got it?” Sunny adds something else that would have made Solar’s blood chill if he had any. “Celestia’s alive? She’s been…gone for millenia.” “Yeah. As well as Luna and Twilight along with the Mane 6. They are legends!” Solar’s left eye began to twitch. Things just went from bad…to worse. Not only are they from a different timeline, they are from the future. His flank was going to be chewed out by somepony. Now that he thinks about it, that thought doesn’t sound completely right. “That doesn’t make sense.” Solar looks up from the ground at the two mares. His expression bears concern about the fact that two universes have just collided. “All the ponies you just mentioned are alive. You effectively time traveled.” Solar’s voice begins to tremble. A leaf struggling to hang on in the pouring rain. “You two are coming with me. Or are there more of you?” “Not that I know of Mr. Firedawn.” Answered Sunny. Solar smiled a bit. A lone ray of sunshine piercing the rain clouds. *** Twilight is in front of a chalkboard filled with absolutely nothing. It is driving her insane. Why is Solar here? How did he get here? She is in the midst of thought when she hears Dash’s voice from the front door. “Hey Twilight? Solar wants me to come and get you for something.” Twilight gets up and sighs. Again. What is it about him that just doesn’t sit right with her? She canters up to the door and opens it. Dash waiting patiently. If doing circles mid-air can be considered patient. “Did he say what it was?” Dash shakes her head. “Nope. I am just the messenger. Want to walk or you want me to carry you?” Twilight lightly blushes. “I think I’ll just teleport us there. Where is he at?” “He may be near the Everfree Forest. I think.” “You don’t know for certain. Right. Grab on.” Dash and Twilight huddle together and Twilight concentrates. In a brilliant flash of purple light, the pair find themselves where Dash said Solar may be. Near the edge of the Everfree Forest. “He isn’t here.” Twilight separates from Dash. Dash takes off and looks from above, but Twilight feels a strange sensation make itself known. She hears a voice echo from within her very mind. “Looking for someone?” Twilight gasps and looks to one of the trees and sees a dark blue coated stallion. His eyes, unnatural enough to send shivers down her spine. Their malevolent red gaze, threatening. Something is very wrong. “Dash, come here!” The stallion slowly starts to make his way. Creeping closer. “What’s wrong Twi? Too scared of being alone?” “DASH!” Twilight starts to step back. “Who are you and what do you want?” “Ah. That is very simple Twilight. Luna.” His pupils glow a vibrant red. Twilight shrieks in fear and runs. A foal running from a nightmare. Give. Me. Luna. “Leave her alone!” Dash shouts from behind the stallion. Her voice startles the stallion and he vanishes from sight. Leaving Dash and Twi speechless. “What is happening, Twilight?” “Nothing good. We need to get Solar and after him, the Princesses.” Dash frowns and walks over to Twilight. “Did you not just hear him? He’s trying to get to Luna.” Twilight sighs. “What do you want to do, Dash? Just sit and wait for everything that we know of to be in danger? I don’t know about you but I am starting to somewhat believe what Solar is saying. The whole ‘war above’ and all that mess. You want to take the chance of not being prepared for what just might come?” Rainbow scoffs and gets closer to Twilight, frustrated by Twilight’s recklessness. “No. Of course not! But I also don’t want to run blindly into something we know nothing about!” “That’s pretty smart thinking coming from you!” Twilight realizes what she just said. “Dash. I am so sorry-” “No. You’re right. I am getting mad at you about something I do myself sometimes. Be reckless. If you are willing to trust him, I’ll do the same.” Dash shrugs. “I’m sorry too. So… Want to keep looking for your coltfriend?” Dash teases. A mischievous smirk on her face. Twilight blushing as a result. “He isn’t my coltfriend! But yes. We probably should. Given he doesn’t find us first.” “Well, he was here before I left to get you. I am surprised you didn’t notice the literal ring of fire in the sky. Too busy reading?” Dash says with a chuckle. Twilight looks away bashfully, but stays silent. “No surprise there. C’mon. Let’s go. We’ve been standing around for too long.” The pair look along the edge of the forest. What seems like the entire day passes, the monotony threatening to make itself known, yet Solar is nowhere to be found. “Are you sure you have thought of looking in town?” Dash facehooves. “No.” “That explains why we still haven’t found him.” “Found who?” In the midst of their conversation, the pair failed to realize that they had just passed Fluttershy’s house. The yellow pegasus can be seen along with Solar and two ponies Twilight never met before in the cottage’s front yard. “There you guys are!” Exclaimed Twilight. “We’ve been looking all over for you! Who are these ponies?” Solar lets out a soft exhale.” This is going to be confusing, but you are going to have to bear with me. I’ve done something I wish I didn’t do.” Twilight’s eyes narrow. “Which is?” Solar turns to Fluttershy. “May we discuss this inside?” Fluttershy nods and the group make their way into her home. *** Luna could tell something is wrong about her cosmos. Her normally pristine night tries to whisper secrets even itself doesn’t know. Luna hears Celestia’s hoof falls behind her. “Everything alright, Lulu?” Luna doesn’t respond. Leaving Celestia to wonder what is going through her sister’s head. Celestia puts a hoof on Luna’s shoulder. “Luna?” Luna’s head snaps to the left. Reptilian, turquoise irises greet her own pink eyes.
GenesisAuthor's Note Hope everyone is doing OK and is having a decent day! I love you all! Thanks to Afillyated for editing! Genesis The Cosmos. Expansive and infinite. Such a thing to us equines, has terrified us yet, at the very same time, intrigued us for centuries. Perhaps even millennia. It hides many secrets, ones I am very keen on finding. No amount of space is too far. However I fear straying too far from Equus may put my...subjects in danger. Yes, they have the mane six, but they can’t scour the entire planet in less than a minute. I leave them be for the most part. Though they have no idea I exist. I always knew exactly how to do that. Be seen only when I wanted to be seen. My name is Solar Firedawn. You don’t know me, but I do, indeed, know you. You see, I am capable of many things. One of those is flying several times...the speed of light. I am knowledgeable in any spell that has existed. It is what happens when you are over three thousand years old. I am currently in the expanse flying about one hundred thousand Mach towards Equus. Don’t worry. I have done this many times before. I will arrive in around... Five seconds. Four. Three. Two. One... The clouds immediately engulf my entire being. Refreshing I must say. I slow my descent and land in a flowery field. I look up and see a small town. About a five minute walk I suppose. “This must be Ponyville. Excellent. I’ve landed in the right place.” *** At this moment, we finally see Solar’s entire physical form. An alicorn, around 4”9 on all fours. His coat has the strange texture of ash, also sharing its color as well. A straight red tail with black streaking from the middle and a mane that is different shades of orange can be seen. He exudes a mysterious aura around him. Scars on his sides, faded memories of battles long ago plague his otherwise pristine coat. He starts making his way to the quaint town but then realizes something. “Being an alicorn is sure to turn heads. Hmm. I have an idea. Given it’s still early in the morning, there shouldn’t be too many ponies that take note of me.” Solar’s horn glows a brilliant and blinding orange. A low droning noise can be heard as his physical properties change and warp. The light fades away, leaving a gray pegasus in its wake. “This should work.” Satisfied with the spell’s effects, he continues towards the town and begins his way towards a train station. Things seem to have changed since his last visit decades ago. He steps onto the platform and finds a map of Ponyville on a wall next to a window where a dark brown earth pony stallion can be seen sleeping. “Excuse me sir?” Solar whispers. “Wha- who’s speaking?” Solar lets out a soft chuckle. “Just passing through here. I do have a question however. Is this map by chance...current?” The stallion leans forward a bit and looks at the map. “Yeah. If current means last year then this is what you are looking for.” “I may be able to make it work. And the price of tickets if I may ask?” The stallion gives Solar a questioning glance. “Ya from around here?” “No sir. I am from Cloudsdale, just visiting...” Solar begins to panic, thinking of what to say. “Family?” Solar lets out a sigh of relief. “Yep. Anyone here for you? Just curious.” “Got a wife who goes by the name Rosemary. My advice? Stay single!” Solar and the stallion shared a brief laugh. After they compose themselves, the stallion extends a hoof across the counter. “Speedy Ticket. Yours?” Solar flashed a friendly smile. “Solar Firedawn. Pleasure to meet you.” “Likewise. Not very many pegasi here in Ponyville but it is still a welcome sight. Though I must say, interesting name for a pegasus. I kind of like it though!” Solar looks away briefly in embarrassment. “Speedy Ticket huh? Seems somewhat binding to just a particular job. No offence mind you.” The stallion gives a hearty laugh. “Yeah I thought the same thing. Us earth ponies tend to have more routine in our lives.” Solar looks around and finally realizes... He has places to be. “I deeply apologize, but I must get going. Nice meeting you Speedy!” “Likewise Mr. Firedawn!” Solar waves at the stallion as he departs. Heading for the place he has been dreading the most. Twilight’s library. Not a far walk. Closer to the edge of town actually. That just made the foreboding feeling a bit more troublesome.While on his way, Solar notices a small purple figure a little ways away. It slowly walks toward Solar with its mouth agape. It becomes clearer and turns out to be a baby dragon. “You’re an alicorn?” “Excuse me? Solar reaches for his head and feels his horn there. He also takes note that his wings are present. He must have lost too much focus on the spell and it probably failed. “Yes. I am. How do I put this? I am on my way to Twilight’s library. I need to speak with her.” “Well, first off, who are you? “I am Solar Firedawn. And you? “Spike.” Solar offers a hoof and Spike hesitantly shakes it. “I was on my way to Rarity’s. I’ll take you to Twilight on the way there.” Solar accepts and they soon find themselves at the library’s front door. Spike looks back at Solar.”Wait here. I’ll get her” “Very well.” Spike walks in and Solar hears a female voice from within. “So much for staying anonymous.” “Spike. There are no gray alicorns. Only the Princesses are alicorns. In all of Equestria!” “Twilight! He is RIGHT there!” A grumble can be heard and Solar still hasn’t stepped inside, despite the open door. “I am sorry but the library is-” She stops talking for a moment upon seeing Solar, an alicorn, standing at her front door. Just another day in Ponyville. “closed” Spike takes a nervous glance at the both of them and walks off. “Yeah I’ll catch you two later!” Solar stares back and takes a deep breath, and offers a simple greeting. “Hello Twilight.” Twilight takes a step back as her eyes widen in surprise. “You were actually serious.” Solar flinches as she hops away. He then looks back at Twilight, worried about his decision to come clean. Twilight’s expression is one of shock. “Ok. Who are you? And why are you here?” “I am Solar Firedawn. I come from a group known as Lightbringers, responsible for protecting worlds that need it. That being said, your own world, Equus, may soon have...unsavory events occuring in the coming months. Possibly years. My purpose is to stop that from happening. I know you don’t trust me Twilight, but I am here for the good of everypony. Twilight shakes off her shock and has a neutral expression on her form. “I see. Wouldn’t be the first time we’ve been in danger. Why should I trust you?” Solar shakes his head. "I won't force you to trust anything Twilight. It's your own choice. The only things I can ask is that you give me a chance. She steps aside and lets Solar inside. He gratefully accepts and walks in. Solar looks around, briefly noticing the simple furnishing, other than the numerous books and tomes on shelves. “Impressive Twi.” Twilight flinches. “Don’t call me that. Close friends call me by that name” “Very well Twilight.” She goes to a desk and gestures across from her. “Have a seat.’ Solar obeys and asks a question that can change at least how the rest of the day goes. “Where do I begin?” “Well, how about how you know my name?” Solar knew that was coming. He was going to very possibly burn a bridge before it even existed. “I know you Twilight. But you don’t know me. Twilight tilts her head in confusion. How could only one of us know the other?” “It’s quite complicated. You see, I’ve been watching you and everypony else. Just not as me.” After Solar says this, he shuts his eyes and concentrates on the image of Twilight. His ashy coat smoothens and starts to turn purple. His mane and tail soon follow. Before Twilight fully understands what is going on, she is looking at a clone of herself. Twilight seems a bit shaken by the answer. “How did you do that??” Solar gives a light scoff. “As I said. It’s complicated..” Twilight nods. How do I know you aren’t a Changeling? Solar scratches his chin briefly. “You don’t. I won’t force you to trust anything Twi. That isn’t who I am. You may just have to, if I may, take a leap of faith.” Solar notices his slip-up. “OH! Sorry Twilight. I said “Twi” again.” Twilight gives a soft chuckle. “It’s OK Solar. If you want, you can stay here for the night and we’ll cover more of this tomorrow. Sound like a deal?” He smiles a little bit which felt like the first genuine smile that day. “Deal.” “Alrighty. Sorry but all I have is the couch.” Twilight says with a slight frown on her face. “Don’t worry Twilight. I’ve dealt with far worse. I really don’t need to sleep anyway. I’ll humor you though.” “Well, It is what friends are for isn’t it?” Solar seems a little stunned. “Friends? I don’t even have a heart. I don’t bleed” Twilight laughs once more. Heartily this time. “Solar. For someone thousands of years old, you sure have much to learn. Solar smirks “Oh really?” Twilight smiles even more. “Oh yes. REALLY. Anyways. We should get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day to say the least.” “What makes you say that?” “Well you aren’t going to just stay holed up here are you?” Solar furiously shakes his head “Absolutely not. I have a feeling you have friends who will want to know I am here I take it?” Twilight nods sternly. “You got it Solar.” She gets up from her seat and heads up the stairs to her bed. Solar stops her for a moment. “You sure are taking my morphing thing pretty well I notice. Oh. Ponyfeathers.” Twilight falls onto the floor laughing. “I was-” Solar gives an unamused glance as he morphs back to his former self and crosses his forelegs. “Was what?” Twilight gathers herself a bit, “I was waiting for you to notice. You were about to turn in for the night like that!” Solar rolls his eyes. “Hahaha. Laugh it up.” Twilight finds herself able to breathe again. “If you had any idea how many weird things that happen here, you would come to find out, you are actually one of the more minor things to happen here.” Solar has a look of slight disbelief. “Riiiiight. Ok then. I’ll see you tomorrow Twi.” Twilight offers a warm smile. Feeling much better now that the initial shock has long since dissipated. “G’night Solar.”
DoubtAuthor's Note Hey y'all! Thanks for checking this out! Enjoy. Thanks to Afillyated for editing! Doubt Morning approached before Solar knew it. He made his way up the stairs and saw Twilight’s bed empty. He notices a note on the nightstand addressed to him. “Morning Solar. I know you don’t actually sleep so I can only hope that you are well rested by sunrise. Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. Simply gathering my friends so that they can get used to you as a group. Take this time to gather yourself. They are very nice. Well, most of them are. Rainbow Dash might be a bit...brash. She’ll warm up to you eventually. See you soon! Sincerely, Twilight P.S, Feel free to read whatever you want! Just be absolutely sure you put them where you found them. Otherwise, I’ll be having you sorting books for an entire week. Now that I think about it, that probably wouldn’t be a very hard thing for you would it? Anyway, for real this time, see you soon. “She seems very excited about her friends meeting me. I really don’t know if I should be flattered, or straight up terrified. Nonsense, I’m just being paranoid, Right?” A look of confusion flashes on his face. Solar laughs to himself. “There you go again, talking to yourself. You old fart”. The library is far different during the day. It’s quiet, but in a peaceful way. Warm rays of the sun bring comfort to the library’s sole resident. Solar makes his way to the front door, taking a deep breath and looks back at the empty library. “To new times ahead. Here goes nothing.” He steps through and shuts the door behind him. *** “Are ya really goin’ ta trust him so fast Twi? This random alicorn of all things just… whatever he did to actually get here, just shows up!” Applejack, wearing her trademark stetson hat, was flabbergasted at the news Twilight brought them. All of them were. A rainbow maned pegasus spoke up. “I disagree with AJ. We haven’t even met him! We always give everypony a chance to prove themselves. Right guys?” “I hope he isn’t a meanie! We have had way too many of those lately!” Said Pinkie, hopping in place as she usually does. Rarity chimed in with her own thoughts.“Well, I am on the fence. We should get to know him more before just openly trusting him. Though by what Twilight has said about him, he seems rather dashing.” Twilight rolled her eyes. “Then that settles it.” If you four want to meet him, he’s at the library. Oh and Rarity? Where is Spike?” The white coated unicorn had a look of confusion on her face. “Isn’t he at the library with Solar darling?” Twilight shook her head. She begins to pace back and forth in front of the group. “No. He wasn’t there when I left. I thought he was still here with you! You know what? Dash? If you don’t mind, can you go and see if you can find Spike?” The rainbow maned pegasus nodded.” You got it Twi. I’ll find the little guy. Don’t worry.” She gives Twilight a half hug and flies up the stairs and out of Rarity’s bedroom window. Twilight turns back to the group. “Alright. You three still want to head back to the library?” The party of four nodded and they made their way out, unaware of the possibility that they were being watched. *** The four strolled through town, ponies going about their business giving them passing glances. Twilight couldn’t keep Spike out of her mind. What if something had happened to him? She didn’t want to think about the worst thing that could happen. She had her friends at least, they have gotten her this far. She allowed a small smile on her face, glad of having such close companions. “Be safe Spike. We’ll find you.” She muttered to herself. They continued their short walk, only to be interrupted by the pink pony bouncing in front of them. “What is it pinkie?” Pinkie pointed a hoof towards somepony at Sugarcube Corner. “Who is that?” She gasped. “NEW PONY!” Pinkie darted off towards the unfortunate target of her fast paced jumping. Twilight and the other three ran after her and yelled her name in unison. But they were too late. “PINKIE!” *** Solar was talking to Mrs. And Mr. Cake only to hear someone yelling at him. “NEW PONY!” Solar’s eyes went wide. “Uh miss?” Pinkie kept charging at him. He slowly started taking a few steps back “You are going a little fast!” He turned tail and ran. “Nope! Not going out like this! Not today!” Mrs. Cake yelled after him. “That is Pinkie Pie! No matter how fast you run she’ll find a way to catch you!” Her and Mr. Cake start to laugh at Solar’s expense. Solar stopped his running to get his bearings. He listened and could barely hear the Cakes’ laughter. Before he knew it he heard a voice behind him. “HI!” Solar shrieked as Pinkie jumped on him and pinned him to the ground. “Pinkie! Off!” Ordered Twilight. Pinkie gets off of Solar with a saddened look on her face. He looks back at her with a slightly angered look.Twilight glares at Solar and motions for him to follow. Solar follows her to the back of Sugarcube Corner. *** I can’t believe him! I told him to stay in the library, yet he can’t even seem to do that. “Just what are you doing here?” “I-” “Is everything ok Miss Sparkle? Is this stallion bothering you?” I look behind me and see three royal guards approaching. I, under no circumstances can let them find out about Solar. Hay! I hardly know anything about him! “Oh no! We are fine! We were just heading back to my library!” The guard looks at me and then Solar. “Alright. If he causes any trouble, I will be forced to take action, Miss Sparkle.” “Understood Sir. Good day!” The guard walks off and I turn my attention to the girls. “Get the rest of the mane 6. We have something to discuss. We’ll be at the library.” They give their brief goodbyes and me and Solar start our walk back home. *** Solar is the first to break the silence. “Want me to teleport us there?” Twilight shoots him an unamused look. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?” He notices her horn. “Oh. Stupid question.” Twilight stops and Solar keeps walking only to notice she isn’t next to him. She wants to get to the bottom of all this. “Why do you keep doing that?” “Doing what? Walking?” He asks, knowing the real answer. “NO! That! Acting like everything is fine! Here you are! A bucking ALICORN, and you are just strutting around Ponyville as if nothing is amiss!” Twilight takes a deep breath to calm herself. “I am sorry. Didn’t mean to raise my voice, but I NEED to know. What is it you are hiding?” Solar bows his head and looks at Twilight, silently pleading for her to stop asking. “Twilight. Some things should never be known. If they ever see the light of day, lives can be changed. I will be very blunt with you Twilight.” He shut his eyes and returned to the body of an alicorn. “You don’t want to know what this soul is hiding.” He spread his wings, ready to take off. Twilight didn’t know what to feel. She felt...empty. Something isn’t right. “Solar, think about what you are doing!” Solar looked around him. Many ponies were gathering around in shock at the spectacle. “Oh no. No no no. This isn’t happening.” He looked back at Twilight. “I’m sorry.” And with that, he sped off into the clouds, and out of sight. The crowd of ponies looked to Twilight, hoping for an answer. A mare with a scroll for a cutie mark approached Twilight. “Twilight. You know who needs to hear about this” Twilight nodded solemnly. “Yes Mayor, I know. We all do. It’s just something I haven’t thought of possibly happening.” The mayor nods and addresses the ponies around her and Twilight. “Alright. Show’s over. I’ll be working closely with Twilight to be sure everything is fine.” That being said, the crowd begins to disperse. The Mayor turns to Twilight. “What is going on Miss Sparkle? Who was that?” Twilight scoffs. “Follow me” She and the Mayor finish the walk to the library and head inside. Twilight offers the mayor tea but the Mayor politely declines and they sit across from each other. “So, Mayor. I know you have many questions so ask away. No point in hiding it any longer. What do you want to know?” The mayor sat in thought for a few moments before she spoke up. “Who was that?” A simple question really. Twilight was expecting this to come up. “That was Solar Firedawn, Mayor. He says that he is a Lightbringer.” The Mayor sat confused. “Light-bringer?” Twilight nodded. “A being that protects any planet that needs protection. When he first came here, he said he was here because he believes that our world may be in danger. He never did say what however. Another thing worth mentioning…” The mayor leaned in a bit. “What is worth mentioning?” Twilight’s brow begins to sweat. Should she tell the Mayor that Solar can impersonate others? After a few moments she makes her decision. “You need to promise what I am about to tell you stays in this room. Between us.” The Mayor’s eyes narrowed. “What is it Twilight?” Twilight sweats a bit more. What is the worst that can happen? “Solar can shapeshift.” There it is. All the tension Twilight felt suddenly dissipated. She was relieved, but the storm may have yet to come. The Mayor didn’t say anything. She wasn’t angry but she obviously had nothing to be happy about. Neutral was the best way to describe it. “May I ask a question Twilight?” Twilight exhaled. If only a little bit. “What is it, Mayor?” The Mayor looked at the floor of the library and let out a soft sigh. “Do you trust him, Twilight?” Does Twilight trust him? They had known each other for a day and some change at the most. He hasn’t necessarily acted hostile…yet. But he hasn’t acted otherwise either. If there is one thing she already learned about Solar is that nothing is black & white with him. Something she doesn’t really believe. Until now. “I want to Mayor. I really do. It’s just that we don’t know each other. Really at all.” The Mayor’s posture straightened. Her eyes narrowed further almost to pinpricks. “I can expect that letter will be written to the Princesses correct?” Twilight nodded. “Soon Mayor. Very soon.” Twilight knew it had to be done. Regardless of what may happen to Solar directly. For whatever reason, she had a feeling he could probably outrun if not overpower both of the Princesses should he need to. She had to be very careful with this. The situation was undeniably delicate. The Mayor got up and shook Twilight’s hoof and left the library. “Good day Twilight.” Twilight sat alone, the silence deafening. She can hear the crickets and the rest of the night’s ambience echoing around. A startling thought crossed her mind. “SPIKE!” *** Spike was surrounded in darkness. He couldn’t see anything. He felt concrete on his back. He got on his feet and looked around. It seemed he was in a cave, water dripping around him. A distant waterfall can be heard but not seen. He starts walking forwards. It’s the only thing he can do. He keeps walking until he bumps into something, or what he discovered when he looked up, somepony right in front of him. The pony cast a light spell and Spike was able to see the charcoal black stallion from the side. “So-Solar?” Spike was terrified. Who was this? What is going on? He can hear a menacing guttural chuckle coming from the stallion. When he spoke, his voice reverberated off the cave’s walls. “No little dragon.” The stallion slowly turned his head towards Spike, grining. “Not Solar. Rather an abandoned unwanted side of him.” Solar was motionless, Too terrified to move. “Who are you?” The stallion grinned even more, revealing pearly white teeth. “You’ll find out soon. For now, RUN.” Spike didn’t need to be told twice. He ran deep into the cave as fast as his little legs could ever possibly hope to carry him. He can hear the stallion’s laughter as if he was right behind him. He stopped running when the laughing ceased. “Twilight, where are you?”
ObscurityAuthor's Note Finally here with chapter 3! Sorry about the wait. Hopefully it is at least somewhat worth it. This chapter is however not yet edited, but should be fine for the most part. Obscurity “Twilight, darling. You can’t assume the worst has happened to him.” Twilight panicked. She hasn’t seen Spike since he left Rarity’s. Dash’s aerial search didn’t bring anything up either, making things worse. No one knew of his whereabouts. Rarity along with the other girls were at AJ’s farm house at Sweet Apple Acres. The cowpony volunteered to look for him, which Twilight eagerly accepted, but her friends had decided to stick with Twilight in the event she tried to do anything...brash. They were sitting in the house’s living room when they heard a knock at the front door. Dash got up from next to Pinkie and answered it. She looked back at Twilight with a neutral look on her face. “It’s him.” Twilight and her friends knew who it was. Twilight abruptly got up and went to the door. There, she saw Solar, standing there with a glum expression. He seemed unable to look at her. “Hey Twilight.” She was flabbergasted, and a spark of anger made itself known. “After... Everything that has happened, Spike is nowhere to be found”, she steps out of the doorway and takes a step closer to Solar. “Twilight, don’t.” Dash warns. “Leave it.” Twilight turns back to Solar, who takes a step back from the maddened mare. “The moment you show up. And the best thing you have to say is ‘Hey’? Do you really have nothing to say for yourself?” Solar had a look of...something. Something Twilight wasn’t able to fully determine. She took a deep breath and put a hoof on Solar, who merely flinched in response. “Solar, look at me. I apologize for my outburst, but you need to put yourself in my hooves. Spike is...a son to me. What would you do if he was suddenly missing at the exact time someone new, who nopony has any idea even existed, shows up?” Solar was quiet. He didn’t really know what to say. What would he do? He thinks about Twilight’s question. He looks up to see the aforementioned mare looking back at him with a disappointed expression. He knows what he would do. He takes a deep, cleansing breath and speaks up for what he believes is the first time since he showed back up. “I know who has Spike. But you may not like the answer.” Twilight looks behind her at Rainbow Dash and Rarity, who is sitting on the couch with a dreamy look on her face. Twilight rolls her eyes and looks back at Solar.. “Fine. But you better make clear what is happening. Regardless of if I may like the answer.” Solar straightened up upon hearing this and nodded. “You have my word Twilight.” Twilight beckoned Solar to come inside and he took a glance around. The inside of the farmhouse was cozy. Pictures taken from long ago, spanning generations can be seen on the mantle of the fireplace, dormant and waiting for the first glimmers of winter. Solar walks over and takes a seat as Twilight makes her way to the front door. She looks over to Rarity with a stern composure. “Make sure he doesn’t go anywhere. I have no doubt he can do anything we can imagine. If he poses a threat to you or any of the other girls when she comes back, you get your Element and I will get the others.” Solar, appalled, stood up. “Really Twilight? Really? What can I do to prove that I am not him? Does nothing-” Solar stopped speaking when he noticed his unintentional slip up. Rarity spoke up, a hint of suspicion in her voice. “Darling, who is ‘he’?” Solar sighed and put a hoof to his head. “Rarity, I really don’t want to go through this.” Twilight stepped back into the room and briskly walked over to Solar, fuming. “You really think you will be able to hide anything from us? Do you?” She shouted. Solar, defending himself, yelled back. “I absolutely do! I can hide EVERYTHING about me from Celestia herself if I wanted to! I am only here to help. I’m not Dark Eclipse!” His eyes began to glow a brighter orange, igniting with fury. “Ever since I have arrived here, ALL OF YOU have been PESTERING me!” Twilight was in shock. She has never known anypony could be this angered before she made the mistake of disturbing Luna in her slumber. She tries to calm Solar down, but he brushes her off. “LEAVE...ME...ALONE!” Twilight watched Solar’s horn glow as he began to teleport, and then proceeded to do something that shocked everypony in the room. She walked up to Solar and hugged him. His eyes darkened and he stopped his ranting, motionless. What seemed like minutes later, he looked down at Twilight with a tear threatening to fall. They stood there in the middle of the room and eventually, Solar couldn’t hold it in anymore. Twilight held him harder and eventually her friends joined them, aiding his comfort. The group broke up and they gave Twilight and Solar space. Pinkie was the first to speak up. “Solar? Who is Dark Eclipse?” Solar looked at Pinkie and then Dash who only nodded, cementing his place to finally explain a bit more of what could possibly be going on. “How do I put this?” Solar took a seat on the rug in the middle of the circle of girls. “Dark Eclipse is, for lack of a better way to put it, myself. Yet, he also isn’t me. He is the darker side of me, if you will. Where I may be kind and sacrifice my own well being for others, he wants nothing but the entire globe…” Solar stopped for a moment before he started up again. “Tartarus, he more than likely wants to take over the entire galaxy for himself. Pure evil.” He finished his statement with a look of slight fear. Twilight took the reins of the conversation. “How evil are we talking about?” Solar looked at Twilight, raising an eyebrow. “Do you really want to know?” Twilight and her friends tense up a bit. Solar scoffed, “You thought King Sombra was bad? You thought what you just saw from me was scary? You’ve yet to see him. You see, the thing is, you don’t find him. He finds you. I’m not trying to scare all of you. I am just telling the truth. I don’t even know where he is, but he also doesn’t know where I am. Yet.” Solar paused for a moment. He seemed confident. “And he won’t get to you without getting through me first. We are equals after all.” He stood up, but not before Dash got his attention. “Solar, I don’t know about the rest of us, but…” She looked at Twilight, Rarity and Pinkie, who were interested in what more could be said, but were getting skittish. They were beginning to second guess Solar and his actions. He was hiding something. Possibly something that would change their outlook on him forever. “But I am willing to give you a chance. You seem like a pretty cool guy.” She said with a smile. “Likewise Dash. Same can be said for the rest of you, though Applejack and Fluttershy aren’t here right now - by the way, where is Fluttershy?” Rarity gave a soft chuckle. “Well darling, she wasn’t very keen on meeting an ‘Alicorn from worlds unknown’. She sure is missing out if I may add.” She said with a wink. The others had a laugh at this, where Solar only smirked, not missing a beat. “Rarity, you do realize I am just over three thousand years old, correct?” Rarity nodded with a blush. “I am aware of the tricks.” Rarity donned a mischievous grin. “My dear, is that a challenge?” She said while batting eyelashes. Solar didn’t notice, since he was making his way to the door. “I won’t keep you all any longer.” Twilight and her friends made their way to him so that they could see him off. Twilight looked at him and wasn’t entirely sure what to say. How do you tell somepony you have just met to do something for you that they would do for someone more than just an acquaintance? “Solar?” About to walk out the door, Solar looks to his right and finds Twilight standing there. “Yes Twi?” “Are you going to-” Solar interrupts her. “Look for Spike? Absolutely. And I won’t stop until I find him.” He looks to the others. “I promise. And if you don’t believe me on that promise. . . Well, I will be laughing at you when I bring him back.” Pinkie speaks up. “Why would we not believe you?” “None of you would be the first to doubt me. I haven’t always been like this. The girls had confused looks on their faces. “What is that supposed to mean?” asked Twilight. Solar didn’t give an answer. He walked out the door and flew off at an extreme speed, nowhere in sight, leaving the group with more questions than answers. *** Applejack returns to Sweet Apple Acres and reunites with her friends, though from the looks of it, the meeting with Solar, if you can call it that, was bittersweet. Honestly, Applejack thought this was some elaborate prank. She had expected this from Pinkie but surely not from the rest of her friends. The Mane 6 were outside in the orchard, since Granny Smith came back from the market and fell fast asleep. “Let me get this straight.” Started Applejack, her expression suspicious and confused, “Our good ol’ Alicorn friend has a ‘dark’ side that can possibly match him in whatever it is y’all call yer fancy magic.” “Arcane amplitude. Yes. What is weird is he was fine one moment and then the next, he just...flew off.” “What did you do Twilight?” inquired AJ Rarity came to Twilight’s defense. “Now now darling, let’s not go accusing each other. Solar is...something else I’ll admit. All of us don’t understand who, or what he is. But Twilight asked what should have been a simple question. Applejack leaned forward with an eyebrow raised. “Which was what?” Twilight answers. “It wasn’t just a simple question. After Solar said he’d look for Spike, Pinkie asked ‘Why wouldn’t we believe you?’, he didn’t say anything and that’s when he left. Again. Somewhere along there he said ‘He wasn’t always like this. I really don’t know what that means and it is frightening.But maybe somewhere.” Twilight grins. Her friends collectively groan. Here she goes again. Another spiel. “I can find that.”
UnseenAuthor's Note Sorry for the delay! Been under the weather lately. Darn cold. Stay safe and see ya around! Unseen 3,000 years ago Lightfield was booming with activity. Everyone had places to go, ponies to meet, life was perfect. The city of crystal was eerily similar to the Crystal Empire. Crystal spires reached into the dark abyss, giving the city an ethereal look. Expansive, sprawling and magnificent. The beings that were told of Lightfield’s existence by a Lightbringer, wish they could visit the city in all of its glory. The economy, bustling. Crime? Nonexistent. A society unachievable by many, yet dreamed of by all. They had a societal hierarchy as well. Sentinel Lightbringers were the leaders of the small species. They handled the city’s most pressing problems. The Sentinels were the oldest, Stellaria being 4,128 years old and her husband Orion being 3,759 years of age. They have two children of their own. Cryo Lunardawn, an energetic, likable, dark blue Thestralien filly with a dark blue mane and tail, and cyan crystalline eyes that glimmer in the dark, a symbol of the tranquility of the Night. At eight years of age, she is two years younger than her fiery-tempered yet kind brother, Solar Firedawn. The little colt’s coat is gray, and he sports a red and orange mane and tail. His eyes are also a bright orange, a fragment of the Sun’s ferocity. The Prime Lightbringers were plentiful. They were responsible for carrying out the Sentinels’ orders, as long as they were lawful. The thing that makes them quite interesting is that there are always exactly ninety-nine Primes. This is the way it began and eventually cemented itself into tradition. The mysterious otherworldly beings have existed long before Equus even had been given its name by its pony inhabitants. The Lightbringers dwelled on moons of other planets for millenia. Only a few hundred years ago, however, they had collectively moved to where Lightfield is now, on Luna’s moon itself. All was well for hundreds of years after. Until the darkness came. Starkillers, hellbent on sapping every bit of magic that they can get their hooves on, discovered Lightfield and its inhabitants. It first started with a scout every now and then. Said scout, taking the skin of an everyday Starborn, would observe, sometimes talking with the moon’s children. Then, things began to escalate. Foalnappings, murders that the Starborn knew, wasn’t one of their own. The Prime Lightbringers began questioning, in the event that one of their own was committing genocide. Before they too, lost their lives. With no other option, Stellaria, respected and revered by the others, did one thing they thought she would never do. She took her husband Orion, and her two children, and fled. Feeling betrayed by their Leader’s actions, the remaining Lightbringers scattered into the universe, never to be heard from again. *** Stellaria looks back at the city one last time. Tears fall from her eyes like rain from a leaf. She feels hopeless and broken similar to that of a glass shattered on the floor that will never hold joy again. She risks a glance to her children, they are crying, sharing her pain and loss. They cannot be heard, the vacuum of space taking away their voices. She wanted a life for them that would be impossible, a sun, so close and so far in parallel. If she and her spouse, alongside their children, stopped flying towards Equus, the Starkillers would surely catch on. Though her worries would prove useless, as the Starkillers have become busy chasing down the fleeing Lightbringers. She looks to her right and sees Orion gliding beside her, with both of their children on his back, since they were still too young to fly. He looks back at her, a small, saddened smile gracing his features. “Don’t worry Stelly. We are going to be fine. We are well ahead of them.” Stellaria grimaces. She doesn't believe her husband. “We are going to be fine. But what about our subjects? Those who we were sworn to protect? Now they are at the mercy of cruel, soulless beings. We call them Starkillers for a reason, Ori. We have betrayed them, our species will be nothing but lost in the river of time.” Orion shakes his head, questioning if they had done the right thing. They did what any parent would have done. They saved their children, but at what cost? Any chance of their kind, having a future? Risking the protection of the multiverse? Deep down, he was hurting and torn between family and their former friends. “We did what we had to do. There is no going back Stelly. We will have to live with the consequences and face them head on. The actions themselves aren’t the sins. It is what we do afterwards that matters in the end.” He noticed his wife being in a state he has never seen her in before. The usual spark of life in her, faded by the events that had transpired. more than likely faring worse than even himself. They are getting closer to the planet of Equus and begin flapping their wings as its gravity begins to take hold of their forms. Stellaria guides them to Equus’ surface, a feather riding the wind. Stellaria sees her son. His face shows sorrow and defeat. He’s been crying, the crystals the only remnants of his innocence. Stellaria, crestfallen, yet unwilling to show the fading of the light inside her, walks to her son and daughter. “We need to go. Far away from here.” Stellaria hesitates, “You aren’t safe with us. The two of you are far too powerful for the Starkillers to capture. We can’t risk it.” She gestures with a forehoof towards a forest a little ways away. “See that tree over there? It has no leaves. Me and your Father did that in the event something happened to our home. We never knew we would have to actually hide the two of you however. Her childrens’ eyes widen, the size of platters. They had just escaped and here their mother was sending them out on their own. Orion approaches his wife. “I agree with you Stelly, but surely there is another way for us to keep them safe. Maybe find someone who is willing to look after them?” Stellaria shakes her head. “No. Suppose that someone would use them for nefarious purposes. I don’t trust them.” Her husband wasn’t having any of it. His son and daughter wouldn’t be able to survive on their own. He firmly believed it. Until Solar surprised both him and his wife. “Dad, we’ll be fine. I can take care of Cryo! I’ll be strong for us!” Solar almost seemed enthusiastic about the idea. Cryo frowned, a raincloud dampening her mood. She didn’t seem convinced by his daft proposal. “Solar! What is making you think of such a thing? What if we get hurt? What if mom and dad get hurt? What will we do then?” Solar was confident. He wanted to show his little sister that he was strong. He could take care of themselves, right? HIs parents looked at him with uncertainty. “What made you so suddenly confident Sunny?” Said Stellaria, her eyebrow raised. “You did! You believe in us, so why shouldn’t I believe in Cryo and I?” Stellaria couldn’t help but chuckle. Despite everything that had happened, her little family is what has kept her from going on a rampage across the universe. Orion soon joined in, all the way up until the four of them were openly laughing. A ray of light piercing the ever growing darkness. Orion crouches down to his kids’ level. “Tell me. Do you believe in each other?” Solar and Cryo look at each other, almost as if they were searching for a weakness. Not finding any, according to their young naive minds, they turn back to their father, Cryo being the first to speak, jumping repeatedly, much to Stellaria’s amusement. “I do dad. Solar is strong! Nothing can take him down!” If Solar could blush, he would have, not used to such praise by his sister. Stellaria, happy that her children were able to believe in each other, yet could see why her husband was hesitant to leave them to fend for themselves while they were trying to gather any surviving Lightbringers that they could actually find. “Do you two really think you can do this?” asked Stellaria, her head tilted in concern. Her children nod enthusiastically, cementing Stellaria’s wish of them being there for each other. Orion speaks up, being strangely quiet. He stamps a foreleg in agitation, not completely willing to go with the impromptu plan. Stellaria notices this and walks over to him, placing a hoof on his shoulder, cooling his frayed nerves. “Are you really sure about this Stelly? We aren’t entirely sure there aren’t any Starkillers waiting for us.” “That is where we come in Ori. It’s simple. When we depart, we make sure that no one enters the atmosphere afterwards.” Orion lets out a breath. “I guess it’s a plan Stelly.” He turns to Solar and Cryo, their features showing impatience. “Well my little stars, take care of each other.” Stellaria coos, a sad smile gracing her face, knowing it may be a very long time before she sees her children again. Orion trots up to Solar. “Take care of your sister Son.” He ruffles Solar’s mane, making the colt giggle, his chest puffed in confidence and pride. “I will Dad! I will be like you one day!” Orion chuckles. “You will be better than me one day, Solar.” His son gasps in disbelief. “That isn’t possible! No one is stronger than you.” Orion casts a sideways glance to his wife, eliciting an affectionate snicker. “Well…” Orion and Stellaria come up to Cryo. “Same goes for you. My beautiful nebula, says Orion. Stellaria gives her one last parting embrace, neither party knowing if it will be the last. The parents spread their wings, ready to depart from Equus. They give a final farewell to their children, and take off. “Come on Cry!” Solar leads his sister who protests but he doesn’t listen. She takes off after him, briefly forgetting her troubles. It was just her and her brother running through a field. They keep trotting until they reach the edge of the forest and eventually, the tree that Stellaria pointed out earlier. Cryo was the one who found it first, her brother too busy frolicking with the forest critters. “Solar!” She reprimanded. “You sure are acting like the little brother! Get in the cave.” Solar sticks his tongue out at her. Cryo only shakes her head in response, but her brother at the moment seems so innocent, a newborn foal seeing its mother for the first time. Solar makes his way to her, making his typical remark Cryo has heard many times before from him in jest. “You’re no fun sis.” “You think dad wouldn’t laugh that his ‘Strong, handsome colt’ was playing with critters?” Solar looks away, embarrassed, but nuzzles his sister lovingly. “Love you Cryo.” “I’ll love you more when you get in the cave.” Solar bumps into her playfully. “You wouldn’t.” “You’re right. I wouldn’t.” As she says this, the two young Lightbringers feel an explosion from high above. They look up in confusion, eyes glossed over. Then it hits them. Cryo glances at her brother, a tear threatening to make its way down, surprising her she had any left. “Solar, you don’t think that is what I thought it was…” “I don’t know Cryo. Sounds like it may have been a sonic boom. Either our parents are back, or…” Cryo knew what he was going to say. “Starkillers” Solar’s eyes widened. His pupils, glowing orange with heat, pierce the oncoming night. From above the forest canopy, they hear a voice that doesn’t belong to their parents. They were discovered. The cave lies forgotten, abandoned. A puppy cries outside the door of their minds. “Cryo! Run! I will lead the Starkiller away!” “Are you insane! You aren’t doing that!” “We have no choice! Go!” With a storm of emotions tearing at her, Cryo runs deep into the forest, leaving her brother in the past. Solar shouts as loud as he can, beckoning whoever it is, whatever it is, to follow him. A cat being tempted to chase its prey. “Over here! Come on!” Big mistake. As Solar gets back to the edge of the tree, an alicorn lands directly in front of him. Solar can only look at it with terror. The cat knows what’s going to happen. Or does it? As the alicorn leaps at him, the alicorn vanishes. A moment passes and Solar hears a scream from deep in the forest. His sister’s scream. “Sister!” Present day Solar’s eyes flash open, glowing orange, the fury of the sun boiling inside. He never should have been so naive. What was he thinking? Did he honestly think that a Starkiller wouldn’t employ anything and everything possible, just to gain the upper hand? No. It happened 3,000 years ago. The past is the past. His thoughts drift away to Twilight’s assistant, Spike. “Wait a minute, we never went into that cave. If Dark Eclipse is indirectly a part of me, that means…” His horn abruptly lights up. “Spike!”
TensionAuthor's Note Hey again! Maybe things are picking up! Enjoy! Tension I have to get there. I will find you Spike. If you have harmed him in any way, Dark Eclipse, I promise you. I will be your undoing. This is between you, and me. None of these innocents have anything to do with this war of ours. We have ignited it, a flame to a peaceful homestead. You have taken everyone, and everything from me. I shall repay the favor. *** The scenery that Solar could see passing beneath him was peaceful. Mountains, valleys, rivers. The various sights of it all, however, did little to ease his mind. Rain pelted him from the heavens above, crying, knowing of the possible outcome that may come to the troubled Lightbringer. The flame persisted, fighting back, unwavering and unrelenting, spurred on by the misfortune, guilt and pain of a past that has become nearly unbearable to even the strongest of wills. Solar grimaced and seethed. What if he was too late. He shook the thought off, a tear threatening to make itself known. Now wasn’t the time. He needed to be strong. For Spike. For Twilight. For himself. He stops flying forward. Hovering. Solar looks down and sees the very tree he stood before on that fateful day. He utters a few words. Silent as a whisper, a candle testing the dark, wishing Dark Eclipse can hear him. “Once more, we meet again.” He lands at the mouth of the cave and ventures forward. Darkness makes itself known to him, daring the traveler to progress. Solar, unphased, ignites his horn, and his very being. Anger inside, manifests into a dangerous concoction. A force to be reckoned with. The light from his body pierces the darkness, screaming in untamed fury, beautiful yet deadly. Solar’s eyes soon glow on their own. This time when he speaks, his voice carries the power of the lava falls of Hell. “Dark Eclipse. I know you are here. Stop being a coward and meet an old friend. You know who I am. I have spoken this before. I always find my enemy.” “And I will always find you. Across this or any universe. You can’t escape me Solar.” Solar looks ahead of him and basking in his own body’s glow, can see his darker, abandoned self. A foal’s toy, left to rot in time. Dark Eclipse’s pure jet black coat caused the light to dance around him. An overconfident, knowing smirk graces his features. He slowly walks towards his light counterpart. Each hoofstep echoing through the belly of the cave. Solar doesn’t back up and eventually comes to find his snout inches away from his sovereign. “Whatever is the matter Sunny boy? Didn’t come by to say hello? I am hurt by your negligence.” Sneered Dark. Solar wasn’t going to have any of it. His eyes flared in the dark as he stamped a forehoof, unleashing flames around the limb. “Stop beating around the star, Dark Eclipse. You know why I have arrived here.” He takes yet another menacing step towards Dark, their muzzles nearly touching. “Where. Is. Spike?” Dark would never admit that a chill found its way down his spine. Even though he was evil, he wasn’t foolish. He knew what Solar was capable of. He smiles innocently, making Solar even angrier. Dark would pay for it moments later. Solar unveils an earth shattering cry, making the heavens themselves quiver in fear. He then rushes forward, intent on pinning the Starkiller, only to pin air underneath him. Whipping himself around, he sees nothing but blackness. The only thing left is the small amount of hopeless light exuding from him, and silence. “Bucking coward! Quite typical of you Eclipse! Run while you can!” The cave’s walls tremble at his shouting. An earthquake plucking at a home’s foundations. He listens intently. Something isn’t right, yet he can’t place it. He starts his search for Spike by going deeper into the cave. Nothing can be seen by the naked eye for what seemed like miles, the darkness beckoning Solar to come deeper into its cold unforgiving clutches. His body walks itself forward, leaving his aged yet youthful mind to think idly. Several questions make themselves known. Far more than answers. Why did Dark Eclipse flee? He never has done that before. Dark has a history of antagonizing Solar and playing with his emotions every chance he gets. Why stop now? Why go after Spike? The little dragon was quite sweet based on the small amount of time Solar has seen the dragon for himself. He can’t help but think some things just don’t add up. He keeps a brisk yet measured trot forward. Something catches his ears. Crying. Solar knew who it was. “Spike! Spike! Are you here?” The sniffling stops. Solar keeps moving forward, nearly running so fast he begins to almost achieve tripping over his own hooves. He had to see him. To not know this wasn’t another one of Dark’s cruel tricks. “Solar?” The aforementioned stops and cranes his neck to get a bearing on where the voice is coming from. “Spike! Just stay put! I am coming to get you.” “I have no choice but to stay put!” Yelled Spike. Something about his voice was rubbing Solar the wrong way. He keeps running deeper into the cave and a leak of light greets him up ahead to the right. He slows down and enters the chamber. What he sees angers him once more. A volcano, threatening to erupt and destroy the town near it. Spike is tied to a stake with Dark Eclipse off to its side. Solar’s voice darkens. His fury is about to boil over. What Dark is doing is despicable. Solar rears and stands on his hind legs, making him even taller than he already is. A blink of fear flashes across Dark’s features. “Leave the child out of this Dark!” That is all Solar says before he flicks his right foreleg off to his side, and a flaming longsword manifests, its hilt wrapped around his hoof. “I am warning you Dark…” Solar’s head tilts forward. Dark stands motionless. He hadn’t thought this through. How is Solar capable of complete conjuration magic? Most Lightbringers never learn of the art up until late in their life. Solar is still very young. Dark takes a step back. Barely noticeable yet discovered by Solar. The stallion laughs. A dark chuckle that many of Solar’s enemies have heard before their…untimely demise. Dark Eclipse wasn’t going to die today as he teleports well away from the piercing, threatening gaze of Solar. He looks at Spike who is cowering in terror of what he just witnessed. Solar softens his gaze, returns to all fours and slightly crouches, trying to perform the opposite. To look as small as possible. “Spike. You will be fine. I am not going to hurt you. I’m here to take you home. Back to Twilight and the girls. Please. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.” Solar uses his magic and unbinds the poor dragon. Spike didn’t fully trust him, but he did just come and save his life from whoever or whatever that was. That counted for something. He makes his way to Solar and to the stallion’s surprise, gives him a comforting embrace, making Solar’s anger die down. Just a bit, not unfounded by Spike. “Thanks for coming for me, big guy.” Spike said with a small smile. Solar returned a small laugh. Rain clouds parting to let the sunshine through. Solar smirked. “Big guy huh? I see you already came up with a nickname for me.” Spike looked away, embarrassed, but opted to stay silent. “Come on Spike. Let’s get you home.” Solar crouched down and helped the dragon onto his back. *** Twilight couldn’t keep her mind from raging with sinister thoughts. She had left for her library so that she would be able to have some peace and quiet. What if something happened to Spike? Tartarus, what would she do if Solar had disappeared? Turned? None of these questions helped her crippling mental well being. A knock at her door saved her from her perilous thoughts. “Come in.” The library’s entrance opened and a light blue, rainbow maned pegasus mare graced the room and Twilight with her presence. Twilight internally sighed, wishing it was a gray stallion with a purple dragon. “Hey Twi.” Dash cautiously approached Twilight, the determination and life she had in her eyes more faded than normal. She cared for Twilight deeply, and it hurt her almost physically seeing her frazzled like this. Twilight looked at her, her eyes bloodshot from her sadness. The dam didn’t exist. The water behind it dried up. “He- He’ll be back. Right?” Rainbow shook her head. “I can’t say for sure. We can only hope that he and Spike are alright. “You mean us I believe?” Twilight and Dash looked to the front door and saw Solar with Spike on his back. Twilight got up and levitated Spike over to her. “Spike! You’re alright! Thank Celestia! Actually…” Twilight turns to Solar, tears poking at her eyesight. “Thank you. I don’t know how I can ever repay you.” “Well Twilight, I don’t do it to be recognized. Nor to be paid. I do it because of what I stand for. Solar looks to Dash. “Did you kick Dark’s flank?” Said Dash mischievously, unknowing of what had actually happened. Solar frowned slightly, but then smiled. “No. But I surely made him…defecate himself.” Spike and Twilight simply chuckled and Dash fell to the floor rolling in laughter. “She is still like a little filly, isn’t she?” “Hey! I’m right here!” Dash countered, unamused but still smirking. “That is kind of the point, Dash.” Said Twilight, making the pegasus stick her tongue out. “What now, Solar?” The stallion furrowed his brow in thought, the cogs of his mind turning in sync. A well oiled machine taken care of by its engineer. “Things have only begun Twilight. The fate of Existence still hangs in the balance. This was only a small victory. We have won the battle, but have barely started the war.” Solar turns back and makes his way out the door. “Solar?” He turns around and glances at the mare. “Yes, Twilight?” A sad yet joyed smile graces her, a beautiful sight to behold. A glass put together again. “Thank you.” “Anytime Twilight.” Dash spoke up. “Where are you off to now?” “Hmm. Going to meditate for a while. Keeps my magic strong and my mind clear. I will be back tomorrow.” Twilight had a stern look. “I’ll hold you to that.” Solar snickered. “Or what Twi?” She smiled. “I’ll send Dash after you.” Solar gave a faux pass of worry. “Oh no! Not Dash!” He stopped for a moment. “Trust me. I would love to race you at some point. Show you what real speed looks like.” Dash shot up in the air. “Oh yeah, old stallion?” Twilight gasped. “Dash!” Solar cackled, unphased by her mild insult. “I can’t get mad at the truth. Isn’t that right little filly?” Dash’s eyes narrowed as she got in Solar’s face, though he didn’t even flinch. He just glared back. A candle, unyielding to one’s night vision. “Oh, you are on!” “I suppose I can use the exercise. After You Dashie” Said Solar, grinning. He looked at Twilight who simply shrugged. “Why are you looking at me? Show her how it’s done.” Dash floated to the ground, stunned at her friend’s betrayal. “Twilight! What the hay?” Spike laughed at her expense. “Good one Twi!” He gave Twi a hoof-claw bump. “I guess we’ll see you two later?” Solar asked Twilight, a brow cocked. “You will. Remember. Be back tomorrow. We can’t have you more exposed than you already are. Solar sighed, but understood. He was simply frustrated that he had to be hidden. Maybe it was a sign of weakness. Something he felt he couldn’t afford with Dark on his tail. “Until next time, Twi. You as well Spike.” He said, a friendly aura around him. A flower, being pollinated by an entire hive. He held the door open for Dash and they departed. *** “You know what happens to those who work against Dark Eclipse’s wishes, correct?” An alicorn mare with a dark red coat and mane asked a gray coated alicorn mare with red highlights. “Yes Crimson Cosmos. You tell me that every single day. Why?” The gray mare stepped closer. “Because you seem to be losing faith in us. I have to fix that. It’s my job, Shadow Star. Dark Eclipse told me to give you something to be sure that would happen, sister.” She said the last part as if her saying it normally would be her undoing. Shadow was always the one favored by her parents. And here is Shadow once more doubting the Starkillers. Why must she doubt and screw up everything? She was tired of it. She swung and smacked Shadow across the face. An action that speaks very loudly with very many words. Shadow couldn’t even feel the area that was hit. “Next time sister, it will be your horn.” Crimson uttered a cruel lifeless, soulless laugh that would send shivers down Sombra himself. Shadow, couldn’t speak. She was afraid to. She walked out of the building that Crimson was staying in. The ruins of a city, long lost to time. A symbol of their conquest. Something tugged at Shadow about it. Things just didn’t feel right any longer. She had to do something… But what? A Starkiller without magic almost means certain death. “I will have my vengeance soon…sister."
ParallelAuthor's Note Hey again everyone! HAPPY BELATED NEW YEAR'S! Take care. Parallel Dark Eclipse looks on from the vacuum of space. Solar couldn’t have made executing his plan any easier. “Well, well, well, Solar. You will never get rid of me. You don’t have the heart to. You need me. Without me, you don’t exist. Without you, I don’t exist. Complete opposites attract. Why can you not see that?” Dark Eclipse furrows his brow and looks over what is around him. The cosmos, expansive. Infinite yet always ending. Planets, stars, novas and everything in between. Nothing is out of his reach. He smiles, showing the planet of Equus his glistening teeth. He knows what he has to do. He will show them the truth of what the Lightbringers stand for. Not their lies. He hums at the thought of the Lightbringers bowing down to him. “Soon Solar. Very soon, you will learn to fear me. You just showed me your weakness. It’s in my friend’s namesake.” Dark Eclipse looks to his left at the stallion. His strongest Starkiller, Corrupted Night. His coat is nearly pitch black with a hint of blue. An ocean with only the moonlight to illuminate the body. Corrupt’s eyes are the strangest as they were black pupils, with the cornea being blood red, an orange iris surrounding said pupil. “Show Solar what happens when he refuses to see the truth. Also, see if you can… encourage Princess Luna to help us in our endeavor. Corrupt tilts his head in confusion, unsure as to what Luna has to do with their “plan”. “What do you plan on doing with Luna, Master?” Dark glares at his subordinate. Had he not made it clear that he was the one who came up with their actions and plans? “Are you questioning my tactics, Nighty?” Corrupt swallows the pit that was warning him to keep his mouth shut. “I would never think of such a thing, Dark.” “Excellent. Then you know what you need to do. Off you go.” Corrupt nods. “I will make sure it is done..” With that, he sped off towards Equus’s surface. *** Solar and Dash were doing everything that their bodies would allow them to do in a desperate effort to best their opponent. After they had agreed Solar wouldn’t use magic of course. Dash is slowly but surely catching up, much to Solar’s amusement. “Think you got what it takes to beat me Dash? I can slow down for you if you would like.” Dash smirks, confidence billowing. “How fast can you really go, Sunny boy?” Solar scoffs beside her, their race becoming a memory of the past, a remnant of time. “Finally came up with a pet name I see. How endearing. You really want to see just how fast I could go? You may be the fastest flier in Equus, but I very well could be one of the fastest things in the multiverse.” Solar’s grin widends and his eyes narrowed as he wills his horn to reappear, causing Dash to look on in shock. An orange aura appears around his form, glowing ever brighter. A sun making its fury known. The next thing that Dash saw made her question her very eyes. Solar launches into the distance only to be seen again seconds later, an amber ring left in his wake. “What you just saw Dash, was not teleportation, but me flying. By using magic to propel-” He isn’t able to finish as he and Dash hear a loud bang in the distance, Solar’s eyes widening as he realizes what he had done. “Solar? What was that?” The stallion grimaced. “Something that Twilight would have trouble understanding.” “Which is?” “I just ripped the fabric of reality. Which means somewhere, a portal to another dimension may have appeared. Dash, speaking of her, go get Twilight. Who knows what may be on the other side. I need to find this gateway.” Dash nods without another word and speeds off, leaving Solar to find the result of what was supposed to be an innocent stunt, and wondering why Dash was so unphased by what had transpired. *** “Come on Sunny! It’s gonna be fun! Just me and you, off to Zephyr Heights to spend a few days together. Meet new ponies and all!” Said Izzy. Her playful and energetic self elicits an amused giggle from her marefriend, who is jumping around the armchair Sunny is sitting on. “I don’t know Izzy. I would love to. But don’t you worry about what other ponies may think about a unicorn and earth pony being in love? I’m not sure if they are ready for that.” Izzy’s smile falters a bit. A small cloud blocking the sun’s warmth. “Sun, who cares about what they think? They don’t need to be ready for you. I’m ready for you.” Izzy walks up to the armchair and nuzzles Sunny, who nuzzles back, before Sunny surprises her marefriend when she gives her a quick peck on the lips. “How’s that for being ready?” Izzy isn’t able to make a response. Not before her and Sunny hear a whooshing sound come from the upper floor of Sunny’s home. It wasn’t loud, rather almost silent. “You hear that Sunny?” She shakes her head. “No. What is it?” Izzy motions for her to follow onto the platform elevator. What Sunny sees next baffles her, leaving her speechless. “Um, Sunny? What is that?” What looks like a circle can be seen next to the window. The strangest thing about it is that the sound is coming from its location, as well as something that could be seen on the other side. Almost as if it was a second window, To someplace else that neither of the ponies had ever seen before. “Is this a portal?” Asks Sunny to no one in particular. Izzy shrugged. “If it is, then where do you think it goes?” Said Izzy. She inhales sharply. “Or maybe when it goes?” Sunny shot her marefriend a look of confusion? When? What could she possibly be talking about? “What? Are you ok? Since when can a portal go to a different time? Magic has only very recently come back to Equestria. LOOK! Is that…what I think it is?” Izzy’s gaze snapped to what was inside the portal’s sight. What looked like a gray unicorn with wings could be seen doing something that was unbeknownst to the young couple, it’s back turned to them. She couldn’t help but want to get closer. Was she hallucinating? Was this really all a dream her wild mind came up with? “Izzy, I wouldn’t get too close. You don’t know what this pony is capable of.” Warned Sunny. She is starting to sweat. Her heart begins to beat faster. Something doesn’t feel right. Izzy keeps getting closer then stops. Her eyes widen upon realizing what they are looking at. “ALICORN!” Whoever it is on the other side heard them. The alicorn’s ears perked up and its head turned to the right. An orange eye lazily glancing at them before narrowing, almost in panic. Izzy keeps trotting forward, and to Sunny’s chagrin, jumps into the portal, tackling the poor alicorn. “IZZY!” Sunny scoffs. Left with no choice, she jumps through the portal in pursuit. *** It’s been a while since Solar has managed to do this before. Yes, he can open portals to other locations on the same planet he’s on, but it is almost impossible for him to make a portal to a completely different dimension. Especially if he’s never been to said dimension. As he concentrates, trying to find the correct spell to safely close the portal, he hears a faint voice coming from the portal. He can’t place what the voice is saying. Maybe he is hearing things. “What?” Solar looks to his right and his jaw drops. An orange coated earth pony and a light pink coated unicorn. The unicorn, far too excited for his liking. Panicked, he tries to find the spell in his mind even faster, but only has a few seconds to do so before he feels a weight bear down onto him, promptly dragging them down together. “What the buck! What are you doing?” Shouted Solar, too startled to completely understand what is going on, other than the fact he had ruptured the timeline by letting foreigners into a different dimension. He had to think fast, however he then heard screaming from above. Solar looks up and sees the earth pony falling fast. The ground coming to meet her far too fast. A monster with its claws outstretched. He catches the mare with his magic and glides down with her unicorn friend in his hooves. His anger flares, bubbling from the surface. But he manages to quell it in time. He did do this himself after all. “Right. I know I opened the portal by mistake. But what have you two done?” The two ponies had nothing to say but one thing that made Solar facehoof. “Umm… hi?” “Really? That’s it? Let me put things in perspective for the two of you. Me opening the portal on its own, does nothing to the timeline. Now, on the other hoof, two entirely foreign ponies coming through said portal? That can become a disaster.” Solar was doing everything he can to not full on shout at the ponies. But he couldn’t help but wonder what they were thinking. “I’m very sorry for my friend Izzy here. She is as sweet as can be. Even if she is a little impulsive.” Izzy sticks her tongue out at the other mare, though as much as Sunny and Izzy knew, it wasn’t malicious. Just strange. “I am Sunny. You already know Izzy.” Sunny offers a hoof to Solar, who smiles a bit. At least they are polite. “Solar Firedawn. Before we move on any further, where are you two from?” He was somewhat afraid of the answer. What if his fears were confirmed and they were from another timeline? He should have been more careful. “I am from Bridlewood! Sunny here is from Maretime Bay.” Solar grimaced, they were from nowhere around here. “Celestia damn it. Okay. Whatever you two do, do not, and I mean do not tell me anything about where you are from. Not ponies, locations, nothing. Got it?” Sunny adds something else that would have made Solar’s blood chill if he had any. “Celestia’s alive? She’s been…gone for millenia.” “Yeah. As well as Luna and Twilight along with the Mane 6. They are legends!” Solar’s left eye began to twitch. Things just went from bad…to worse. Not only are they from a different timeline, they are from the future. His flank was going to be chewed out by somepony. Now that he thinks about it, that thought doesn’t sound completely right. “That doesn’t make sense.” Solar looks up from the ground at the two mares. His expression bears concern about the fact that two universes have just collided. “All the ponies you just mentioned are alive. You effectively time traveled.” Solar’s voice begins to tremble. A leaf struggling to hang on in the pouring rain. “You two are coming with me. Or are there more of you?” “Not that I know of Mr. Firedawn.” Answered Sunny. Solar smiled a bit. A lone ray of sunshine piercing the rain clouds. *** Twilight is in front of a chalkboard filled with absolutely nothing. It is driving her insane. Why is Solar here? How did he get here? She is in the midst of thought when she hears Dash’s voice from the front door. “Hey Twilight? Solar wants me to come and get you for something.” Twilight gets up and sighs. Again. What is it about him that just doesn’t sit right with her? She canters up to the door and opens it. Dash waiting patiently. If doing circles mid-air can be considered patient. “Did he say what it was?” Dash shakes her head. “Nope. I am just the messenger. Want to walk or you want me to carry you?” Twilight lightly blushes. “I think I’ll just teleport us there. Where is he at?” “He may be near the Everfree Forest. I think.” “You don’t know for certain. Right. Grab on.” Dash and Twilight huddle together and Twilight concentrates. In a brilliant flash of purple light, the pair find themselves where Dash said Solar may be. Near the edge of the Everfree Forest. “He isn’t here.” Twilight separates from Dash. Dash takes off and looks from above, but Twilight feels a strange sensation make itself known. She hears a voice echo from within her very mind. “Looking for someone?” Twilight gasps and looks to one of the trees and sees a dark blue coated stallion. His eyes, unnatural enough to send shivers down her spine. Their malevolent red gaze, threatening. Something is very wrong. “Dash, come here!” The stallion slowly starts to make his way. Creeping closer. “What’s wrong Twi? Too scared of being alone?” “DASH!” Twilight starts to step back. “Who are you and what do you want?” “Ah. That is very simple Twilight. Luna.” His pupils glow a vibrant red. Twilight shrieks in fear and runs. A foal running from a nightmare. Give. Me. Luna. “Leave her alone!” Dash shouts from behind the stallion. Her voice startles the stallion and he vanishes from sight. Leaving Dash and Twi speechless. “What is happening, Twilight?” “Nothing good. We need to get Solar and after him, the Princesses.” Dash frowns and walks over to Twilight. “Did you not just hear him? He’s trying to get to Luna.” Twilight sighs. “What do you want to do, Dash? Just sit and wait for everything that we know of to be in danger? I don’t know about you but I am starting to somewhat believe what Solar is saying. The whole ‘war above’ and all that mess. You want to take the chance of not being prepared for what just might come?” Rainbow scoffs and gets closer to Twilight, frustrated by Twilight’s recklessness. “No. Of course not! But I also don’t want to run blindly into something we know nothing about!” “That’s pretty smart thinking coming from you!” Twilight realizes what she just said. “Dash. I am so sorry-” “No. You’re right. I am getting mad at you about something I do myself sometimes. Be reckless. If you are willing to trust him, I’ll do the same.” Dash shrugs. “I’m sorry too. So… Want to keep looking for your coltfriend?” Dash teases. A mischievous smirk on her face. Twilight blushing as a result. “He isn’t my coltfriend! But yes. We probably should. Given he doesn’t find us first.” “Well, he was here before I left to get you. I am surprised you didn’t notice the literal ring of fire in the sky. Too busy reading?” Dash says with a chuckle. Twilight looks away bashfully, but stays silent. “No surprise there. C’mon. Let’s go. We’ve been standing around for too long.” The pair look along the edge of the forest. What seems like the entire day passes, the monotony threatening to make itself known, yet Solar is nowhere to be found. “Are you sure you have thought of looking in town?” Dash facehooves. “No.” “That explains why we still haven’t found him.” “Found who?” In the midst of their conversation, the pair failed to realize that they had just passed Fluttershy’s house. The yellow pegasus can be seen along with Solar and two ponies Twilight never met before in the cottage’s front yard. “There you guys are!” Exclaimed Twilight. “We’ve been looking all over for you! Who are these ponies?” Solar lets out a soft exhale.” This is going to be confusing, but you are going to have to bear with me. I’ve done something I wish I didn’t do.” Twilight’s eyes narrow. “Which is?” Solar turns to Fluttershy. “May we discuss this inside?” Fluttershy nods and the group make their way into her home. *** Luna could tell something is wrong about her cosmos. Her normally pristine night tries to whisper secrets even itself doesn’t know. Luna hears Celestia’s hoof falls behind her. “Everything alright, Lulu?” Luna doesn’t respond. Leaving Celestia to wonder what is going through her sister’s head. Celestia puts a hoof on Luna’s shoulder. “Luna?” Luna’s head snaps to the left. Reptilian, turquoise irises greet her own pink eyes.
