Author'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."