Dark Secrets

You haven’t failed until you quit trying.

-Fang, Maximum Ride

Cyburst was still atop his sandstone mountain when he heard shuffling coming from down below. Cyburst tensed up, and looked down the mountain.

Just Werewolves passing by.

Cyburst heaved a sigh of relief. They were downwind of him and couldn’t pick up his scent. Cyburst looked at them. Werewolves usually only clump together if they’re hunting something. He looked at where they were headed. It seemed to be a castle that hadn’t been there for a while. He didn’t recognise it from any map he’d seen, but his maps were a little out of date.

“I wonder....” Cyburst said aloud, “Phoenix?”

“...Yes?..”  Phoenix thought groggily.

“We’re transforming.” Cyburst said.

“...Now?..” Phoenix asked.

“No, in fifteen minutes.” Cyburst said sarcastically, “OF COURSE NOW!”

“...Alright. Alright...” Phoenix said, wide awake. “... I’m ready...”

“Here we go!” Cyburst said, “50%, RELEASE!”

Cyburst and Phoenix transformed, of course, but they didn’t realize how much noise they actually created by yelling. A few of the Werewolves looked up and spotted them and started to ascend the mountain at an amazing pace. The only advantage Cyburst had was flight and camouflage. He decided the latter was more useful at the moment.

When Cyburst finally got away from the Werewolves, who had a habit of tracking him with his scent now that they were upwind of him, He looked at the castle. It was just a little lighter than the night itself. Most of the light for the castle came from many black flamed-candles. It looked very gothic for a castle in this pretty pink world, but that must be why it was built so quickly, so it wouldn’t be judged. Not removing his camouflage spell, Cyburst flew into an open window near the top of the tallest spire. It contained nothing but books. He assumed it was the library. Finding nothing of interest, Cyburst walked down a nearby stairwell. It lead him to the main dining hall which didn’t have anybody in it either.

‘How could any castle be so empty?’’ Cyburst thought, ‘ It’s rather daunting.’

“...It seems that this castle belongs to the Princess...” Phoenix thought.

“Who? Celestia?” Cyburst asked

“...No, the other one...” Phoenix thought back.

“Luna’s castle? It does fit her description, being a darker place than Canterlot Castle.” Cyburst thought.

‘Still, if it is Luna’s castle, where are all her followers?’ Cyburst thought.

As if on que, something shifted  somewhere in the next room. Cyburst opened a door to find an empty hallway. Another sound was emitted from a nearby door. Cyburst crept up to the closed door, disabling his camouflage spell. Cyburst put one of his hand onto Silverbolt’s hilt. He put his other hand onto the door and yanked it open to find...

Nothing.

Cyburst unsheathed his sword. The only thing worse than an enemy is an enemy you couldn’t see. he inspected every nook and cranny to find that nopony was there. No traps had been placed. No tubes of flammable liquid covered the ground. Only a bed and a chair were in the room. Cyburst sighed. He placed Silverbolt on the chair and lie down on the bed. It fit his extended form perfectly, like it was made for him.

‘Did somepony guide me here?’ Cyburst thought, ‘does somepony want me to stay here in secret?’

‘Yes, Cyburst. I need your help.’ A voice said.

Cyburst picked up Silverbolt, “Who’s there?!”

‘You cannot see me. Nor can anyone else.’ The voice said, ‘I’m contacting you through the night.’

“Who are you?!” Cyburst shouted.

A faint shimmer could be made out from the corner from Cyburst’s eyes, but when he turned to look at it, it disappeared.

‘I’m the ruler of this Castle.’ the Voice said, calmer than before.

“Luna?” Cyburst said.

‘Yes. You don’t have to talk, I can hear your thoughts.’ The night princess said.

‘Oh, okay. What do you want me to do? And what’s in it for me?’ Cyburst thought.

‘I’ve been watching your moves since that fateful day when your wife was...’ Luna said.

‘How do you know about that?! I was the only survivor in that!’ Cyburst thought angerly.

‘No, you weren’t, but that’s not important. I still need you to do something.’ Luna said.

‘What’s. In. It. For. ME!’ Cyburst thought.

‘Anything. Anything you’d ever wish for.’ Luna said,

‘The only thing I’d wish for you cannot grant.’ Cyburst thought

‘Will you just hear me out?!’ Luna shouted, ‘There isn’t much time!’

‘...Fine, what do you want me to do?’ Cyburst thought.

‘Okay, our spies have reported that the leaders of the Solar Empire are going to send a full scale assault at us. We’ll be able to hold them back, but this will continue forever if we don’t do anything about the leaders themselves.’ Luna said.

‘So what is it you want me to do?’ Cyburst thought.

‘This isn’t easy for me to say, but unless somepony takes out Celestia, we might lose the war.’ Luna said, her voice cracking on the last word.

‘So, you want me to kill...no, Murder Celestia?!’  Cyburst thought.

‘I know it’s harsh, but you can back-’ Luna tried to say,

‘I’ll do it.’ Cyburst thought.

‘...What?’ Luna said.

‘I said I’d do it.’ Cyburst thought.

‘Just like that?’ Luna asked,

‘Just like that.’ Cyburst thought, ‘This shouldn’t be a surprise to you. If you actually have been watching me, you’d know that’s been my plan all along.’

‘I know, just.. I didn’t think it’d be that easy.’ Luna said, visibly relieved about his answer, ‘Your mission starts tomorrow. Be ready.’

‘Hopefully I will.’ Cyburst thought.

Cyburst waited for any other words, but none came. The shimmers in his eyes had also disappeared. Cyburst had forgotten he’d been holding Silverbolt. He put it down and got back in the bed.

‘Phoenix, I hope you heard all that, because that’s what’s going to happen tomorrow.’ Cyburst thought with his head on the perfectly sized pillow.

“...Why are we doing this?..” Phoenix said.

Cyburst smiled

“Why not. FOR THE NEW LUNAR REPUBLIC!”