Darkest Days, Brightest Nights

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Chapter 2: Months and Years-‡—————————-——————————‡-

Oct, 1000th Year of Celestia's Reign.

It was nightmare night, and Luna stood before a crowd of cowering ponies. She had tried hard to convince them that she meant them no harm. She had even taken a quick speech lesson from one of Twilight Sparkles' friends. Yet for some reason, despite her demonstrations of friendliness, and use of a proper public voice, they were all still terrified of her.

A slight movement to one side drew her gaze. A hooded figure was speaking in hushed tones with a small brown-and-cream mottled colt dressed as a pirate. When he finished whatever he was saying, the mysterious stallion looked up and held Luna's gaze with his strikingly blue eyes. She blinked, and he was gone.

The little colt cautiously walked up to her. Then he surprised her by telling her, with his cute trottingham accent, that they liked it when she scared them, and they didn't want her to get rid of Nightmare Night. For the rest of the night, she enjoyed playing games, and scaring ponies. But for all her fun, she couldn't help but think about Noctus. It had been him hadn't it? He was looking out for her. He had known that she was unhappy, and sent the colt to cheer her up.

Meanwhile, Noctus sat on a bench some five meters away, snacking out of a bowl of candy. The princess would never see him unless he wanted her to. But right now, he just wanted to watch her have fun. So he did. And indeed, the fun had been doubled.

Aug, 1005th Year of Celestia's Reign.

Noctus was once again in Ponyville. Luna spent a lot of time there, so Noctus decided that it was a good place to make camp between outings. He was on his way out of town to his camp just inside the Everfree after a quick shopping trip when he noticed and extremely dark blue alicorn that looked a bit like Luna, standing in a field. He kept walking. Then he stopped as what he had just seen sunk in.

He backtracked and walked over to the strange alicorn, who raised his head as Noctus approached. They looked at each other for almost a whole minute before either spoke. Eventually the alicorn said, "Yes, I'm an alicorn. Do you want to touch me?"

"Uh... what?"

"Everypony always asks to touch me. It's kind of creepy."

"Right... well I definitely don't want to touch you."

"Well that's good."

Another couple seconds of awkward silence before Noctus spoke again. "Soo... what're you doing out here."

"I was going to practice my bladecasting."

"I see. I was heading back to my camp, but this is just too good an opportunity. I suggest we spar."

"Well, I'd say yes, but I'm not sure you could keep up."

"I bested Celestia in blade combat."

"I bested Celestia and Luna in magical combat."

"I... am not even going to ask. But I point out that magical combat is usually just a battle of pure strength."

"Alright, true. Let's see what you can do." A blade of pure darkness materialized beside the Alicorn.

"That is... impressive."

"I call it Terminus."

Noctus assembled his blade from the lunar steel shards stored in his bag. "Eclipse."

"You use a physical blade?"

"Unicorns aren't powerful enough to summon a magical blade. However, Eclipse does make use of some magic." The edges of the dark lunar steel sprang to life with solid moonlight.

"And how does one come across something like that?"

"A gift from Celestia."

"She gave you a gift!? Most times I see her, she tries to kill me with fire!"

"What did you do to warrant that?"

"I'm still trying to figure that one out."

"Well, shall we?"

"Allons-y."

They began to circle each other. The alicorn's blade slowly moved down to his foreleg as though he were physically holding it in his hoof. Noctus noted that. With no warning, the Alicorn jumped forward and nearly took his head off. Noctus dodged backwards and took a swing at the alicorn's legs. He also dodged backwards. Noctus made use of the extra space between them to move his blade so he was copying the alicorn's style.

This time, Noctus moved first. He stabbed, and the alicorn deflected the blade to the side before swiftly executing an underhoof strike upwards. Sparks were sent flying as Eclipse caught the opposing blade and forced it into the ground. With a flourish, the alicorn pulled Terminus back and over his head just quickly enough to catch Noctus' sudden downward strike. They both pulled back, then swung from their respective sides as hard as they could. The blades rebounded, sending both combatants skidding away from each other.

While they paused for breath, another alicorn approached from the direction of the town. This one Noctus knew. When he bowed to her, it was more out of courtesy than social requirement. "Lady Sparkle! Good to see you again! I'm not even going to ask about the wings."

"Right..." She turned to the blue alicorn. "Who's this?"

"Ah dunno..."

"Mhm." She turned back to Noctus. "And did he tell you his name?"

"No. I don't believe he did."

Twilight shook her head. "Ugh! Stallions... Introduce yourselves for Luna's sake!"

"I would appreciate if you didn't use my Princess's name like that."

The lavender alicorn raised an eyebrow. "your princess?"

"It's just a figure of speech."

Dusk interjected, "It's a Lunar Guard thing, actually."

"That it is."

"I've never seen you in the Guard."

"You wouldn't have."

Twilight was starting to look a little suspicious. "Yeah... I think you should go about the introductions. Now."

The two stallions looked at each other. Noctus nodded to the alicorn. "You first. She doesn't recognize me yet so I'd like to know your name in case I need to run."

"Opacare Stellata, Imperator of the Lunar Guard. You can call me Dusk."

"A high title indeed. I am Dominus Noctus Decimus, Summa Dator Tenebrarum of the Lunar Guard. Call me Noctus."

"That isn't a real position."

"Not one your Princess you let you know about anyway."

Now Twilight butted in again. "Oh I remember you now! Celestia introduced us in Canterlot over five years ago! Hey wait a minute, you're supposed to be-"

"Exactly. I'm dead. Nopony must know I was here. In fact, I'd better be safe and leave now."

"You can't go! Luna is coming and she'll be happy to see you!"

"Luna is coming!? Now I've REALLY got to go. Seeya!" Noctus then disappeared in a flash of darkness.

Almost immediately, Luna herself appeared in a second flash. "Why are you both staring at an empty field?"

Twilight jumped and then ran over to the Princess. "He was here!"

Dusk began walking towards them at a much more controlled pace. "Twilight! He kind of specified that he didn't want anypony to know he was alive, and he took off at the mere mention of Luna. Besides, it might not have even really been him. It was probably some random pony who was good with a blade and decided it would be cool to have the fake title of 'Summa Dator Tenebrarum.'"

Luna's eyes widened. "No... It can't be. There was only one High Darkbringer ever created."

Twilight gave Dusk an 'I told you so' look. "Would he by any chance be named Dominus Noctus Decimus?"

Luna looked at the place where Noctus had been standing mere seconds ago, clearly attempting to trace his teleport. "I missed him again... he's always so close, but I never catch him."

That was the first time either of the other two alicorns had seen the Princess cry since the day she had been reunited with her sister. Dusk passed her a small piece of paper. "I think he meant this for you."

Luna read the note aloud.

"'Mea Filia Reginae,

Ego vivo pro vestri nocte, et percutitis a tenebris. Mea vita, pro vobis.

Your inuise vindicatis, Noctus Decimus. Luna nos custodit.'"

She gently folded the note and closed her eyes. "I always shall, my faithful student." Then she vanished.

The remaining two alicorns stood alone in the field. Dusk wrapped a wing around Twilight and looked down at her. "So what's the deal with this Noctus guy?"

"The legends say-"

"Woahwoahwoah waitasecond. This dude has his own legends? Damn... Why didn't you mention that when he first told us his name?" Twilight's only response was to grin mischievously. "Fine. Be that way."

"Yes, well, as I was telling you, the legends say that he was trained since foalhood to be Luna's student once she returned from the moon. However, for some unknown personal reason, Luna refused him and he left Canterlot. Later on, he named himself Luna's 'High Darkbringer', sort of a secret bodyguard, stopping assassination attempts before they could happen. One day, when a high ranking general who was planning to assassinate Luna was found dead, along with five other conspirators, Luna decided to confirm Noctus' self-proclaimed title. Though, while some say it was out of respect, others believe that it was out of regret for her past decision. Either way, it is undisputed that he is the best bladecaster in the known world, and none, not even Celestia herself, could beat him. He supposedly died soon after receiving his title."

Dec, 1005th Year of Celestia's Reign.

For the last couple years, the Winter moon festival had coincided with the Hearth's Warming celebration. Just as Celestia did during the Summer Sun Celebration, Luna raised the moon in front of a huge crowd. This year, the celebration was taking place at home in Canterlot. With the supposed death of Noctus, there was a sudden increase in assassination attempts so Dusk had been called in for security.

After the moon had been raised, Luna made sure to spend a long time navigating through the crowd. An assassination attempt was almost assured during this stage of the ceremonies so she wanted to give Dusk plenty of time to root the assassins out. It was unnecessary though. Since she normally did this part quickly, the assassins were rushed. Dusk spotted one of them slip a knife to another. He moved towards them and prepared to discard his disguise. He was stopped by the side of a dark metal blade that tapped his chest. From behind him, a voice said, "I'd like to handle them."

Dusk returned to the Princess. "You may want to watch this. Noctus asked me to let him handle the assassins. I think he's planning to make a show out of it."

"He always tries to impress me. He should know by now that he doesn't need to."

"Have you told him that?"

"Not exactly..."

"Do you want him to come home?"

"Yes."

"Then once he's done, tell him."

"I... can't."

"If you don't, I will."

A small group of ponies ran out of the crowd surrounding them, all of them holding knives or swords. One of them stepped forward. "Princess! Your illegitimate rule is at an end! Celestia's light shall be the the only light!"

Luna was unimpressed. "Don't you know that my sister frowns upon this kind of behavior?"

"She doesn't know what's good for her now, but she'll realize it once you have stopped influencing her."

"I see. So there is no chance of diplomacy?"

"None."

"In that case... Oh Noctus, my Darkbringer! Now would be an excellent time to miraculously return from the dead and make a dramatic entrance~!" Dusk nearly laughed at her singsong voice.

Meanwhile, Noctus took her advice, so when he answered, though he remained unseen, his voice rang loud throughout the crowd and seemed to come from everywhere at once. "A fine recommendation, my Princess." A couple of the assassins looked about ready to run. "This is Dominus Noctus Decimus, Summa Dator Tenebrarum of the Lunar Guard. Drop your weapons and surrender, or I will retaliate with lethal force." Three of them complied. "Dusk Star, will you please escort the intelligent ones out of the area."

Dusk dropped his disguise, and two more assassins dropped their weapons. "Uh, no. I wanna stay here and see those guys get owned. Here, how 'bout this." He dragged the surrendered assassins over to him and encased them in a magical field.

Without any sound, light, or visible movement, Noctus was suddenly just standing directly beside Dusk. "Yes, that will be fine."

He removed his cloak and tossed it to Dusk, who inadvertently caught it with his face. He threw it back, looking mildly annoyed. "What am I, your coat hanger?"

"About as useful as one."

"Is that a challenge?"

"Maybe."

"Let's do it then."

"The four on the right?"

They glanced at the remaining assassins. Most of them looked like they were getting tired of waiting for an attack, the others looked terrified. "Easy. I'll refrain from using magic so it's fair. Swords don't count by the way."

"Swords plural?"

A blade of darkness appeared on either side of Dusk. Another two assassins ran over and dived into Dusk's magical field. The rest seemed to be getting bored. Both of the blades floated over to hover in front of Noctus. "Alpha and Omega."

"Alpha and Omega. Very original."

"Naw, but it sounds awesome."

Dusk's blades returned to their usual positions. Noctus decided to use Celestia's combat style for this battle. While the assassins were still not paying attention, the two bladecasters ran forward. The lead assassin had just enough time to shout to his allies before he was forced to defend himself. Dusk caught the blade of one assassin with Alpha, and then killed his attacker with a stab through the neck with Omega. Meanwhile, Noctus was in a bladelock with one of the more skilled assassins. After a few seconds of contact, Eclipse's solid moonlight edge shattered the opposing blade and cleaved the assassin in half. With no warning, he proceeded to flip around and shear the head off of another assassin who had been preparing to attack from behind.

During that time, Dusk had taken out two more, leaving the lead assassin alone against him. The now whole again Terminus was rapidly spinning in Dusk's hoof. "Please don't surrender."

"I would never surrender to you, heretic!"

"Fantastic!" Terminus froze and broke into it's seperate pieces.

The assassin's eyes widened as they flew towards him. "I changed my mind! I surrend-" He was cut off as thirty shards of magical black fire drove themselves through him from all sides.

Dusk turned away from the fallen assassin just in time to see Noctus pull his sword out of the last of their opponents. "I win!"

"You had two swords"

"You should get another one."

"No unicorn can use that kind of magic."

"Alicorn"

"Exactly. you had an advantage."

Luna joined them. "You both fought well."

Noctus bowed. "Thank you, my Princess."

"I'd like you to come with us, Noctus."

"You know I can't do that."

Dusk put a wrapped a foreleg around Noctus' neck. "Noctus my buddy, you're an idiot."

"I don't follow."

"How about this, you come with us, the two of you have a nice little chat, and if you still decide you want to leave, I will personally teleport you to a location of your choosing."

Noctus sighed and looked between Dusk and Luna. "Very well."

When they arrived at the castle, Noctus noticed that Celestia was outright glaring at Dusk as they passed her in a hallway. When they arrived at the door to Luna's chambers, Dusk chose to wait outside.

Noctus went and sat down in the chair that had been his favorite five years ago. It hadn't been moved since the day he had left. He also noticed his old abacus sitting beside Luna's on the vanity. "You kept that thing?" He asked, motioning towards it.

"Of course."

"Why?"

"Sentimental value."

"Huh?"

"I don't think you understand how much I regretted sending you away. My sister told me I would, but I didn't believe her. Once you were gone though, I realized that she was right. I missed you more than I can describe. You were the first pony to welcome me home, just like you wanted to be."

"Well then why did you send me away!?" Noctus looked about ready to cry.

"You were kind to me. The only pony who was. I liked you, and that scared me. I'd never been shown kindness before, and I thought that if I tried to befriend you, I would just end up driving you away. So I made you leave before that friendship could even start. I thought that I could spare myself the pain of losing you if we simply never became friends in the first place." She lowered her head. "I was wrong."

"We all make mistakes sometimes, Luna."

"Myself more than most. Somehow, I thought I could help us both by denying you what you had always wanted. It was the exact opposite. Your dreams were crushed, and... Do you know what I did when I thought you had been killed? I cried for a week. I thought that I had thrown you out and gotten you killed."

"I'm sorry. That was my fault."

"No. You wouldn't have even been in a position where you would have to fake your own death if I hadn't have been so stupid."

"That's not true. This was always my destiny. I was always meant to be alone."

"You're wrong. I did this to you. You were meant to always be that energetic, curious young stallion, ever amazed by a simple black fire candle."

Noctus stood, walked over to Luna, and pressed himself against her side. "That's not who I am anymore, but I'll always strive to make you happy."

A single tear fell from Luna's eye. "Then come home. I always try to look happy in public, but the reality is, I'm lonely. All the time. I don't want to be alone anymore."

"You're never alone. Even when I wasn't close physically, I was always with you. Even so, you felt like I was gone. I am going to make sure that you never feel alone again. I am going to stay by your side forever."

"Thank you, but however much I may wish otherwise, you won't live forever. I don't want to lose you again."

"Dusk and Twilight?"

"Sorry but, you're nowhere near as powerful as them. More skilled perhaps, but not more powerful. A natural transformation isn't an option. There is another way, but... I don't think that it'll ever happen."

"Still. I will be with you until my last breath."

"I wouldn't want it any other way."

And then they kissed. Noctus leaned into it at first, and then suddenly pulled away. "Wow. I've honestly never thought of you in that way... well maybe a bit when I was younger. I'm not entirely certain what I think, but... I liked it?"

"Me too. When I said that I liked you, I didn't mean it in the way you thought I did."

"All the way back then? So... when I spent the last five years trying to avoid you or pretending to be dead, you... Luna, I'm so sorry."

"Let's just pretend that none of that happened. And look on the bright side, now that second option for becoming an alicorn is possible."

"Huh? All it required was that you and I... wait a minute. That can't be how it works. Something like that would require some sort of ceremony, like a..." A massive grin slowly crept onto his face. "Oh I get it now. Selene Moon, will you marry me?"

"It would be a dream come true."

They kissed once again. "Hey, if that's how it works, why isn't Shining Armor an alicorn?"

"Cadence isn't a full alicorn, and lacks earth pony strength. She's more like a winged unicorn."

"Oh. That makes sense."

Then they left the room. Dusk was still standing guard outside. "Well you two look happy. I guess your little chat went well."

Noctus was still grinning. "We're getting married."

"Oh okay. I guess I just dozed off for a few years. So it's, what, one-thousand-ten now? I must have looked like an idiot, sleeping upright here for five years. I always assumed alicorns had some strange sleep patterns."

"Yeah. And during that time, we used you as a coat hanger."

"Well that wasn't very nice."

"You're an idiot."

"Nope. Just love screwing with you. Honestly though, good for you. All it took was five minutes and the ship set sail seewhatIdidthere...? With the... shipping...?" Luna and Noctus were giving him strange looks. "Nevermind... So you're sure it was only five minutes?" They both nodded. "Horseapples. I owe Twilight fifty bits. Anyways, It's good that you two are together, rather than Luna and a certain guard-captain. That means that a lot of ponies are no longer going to die! Of course it could also mean that many more will die instead. Now that there's an OC involved, I have no way to tell. Of course, I'll still occasionally get glimpses of the future. For instance, at some point in time, the three of us will be attending an epic party where you'll discover that I'm indirectly from stalliongrad! Oh wait... I just told you that. Welp, I think I just broke time."

Noctus was confused. So much so, that all he could manage was a fairly unintelligent, "Wat?"

Dusk looked at Luna, who was in turn, looking everywhere but Dusk. "You never told him where I'm from?"

"It would be preferable if nopony knew."

"Oh. Well do you remember that one time when I owned the living crap out of Celestia in ponyville?"

Luna facehoofed. "Unfortunately, yes. The repairs cost a fortune."

"Well it's a good thing she started tossing fireballs when she did, cause I was about to tell everypony at the party!"

Noctus was rapidly blinking. "Okay. I am clearly missing something here."

Dusk allowed Luna to return to examining the ceiling. "What would you like to know first? Who I am, or the story of Celestia's beatdown? By the way, don't let her know that I call it that, even though that's exactly what it was."

"Um... Celestia's... *ahem* beatdown?"

"'Kay, so. Through some sequence of events, Celestia came to blame me for Twilight's near death, and became dead set on murdering me. To death. So one day, night actually, I was at a party in ponyville, when Celestia walks in and starts yelling at me. We yelled at each other until the building almost cracked in half. Then she said something about me burning, and started chucking fireballs all over that damned place! After the top floor of the building, thankfully empty at the time, was reduced to ash, we agreed that whoever lost had to pay for the repairs."

"Which, judging from Luna's statement just now, wasn't you."

"Correct. But just wait 'til you hear how I beat her! It was totally humiliating! So after a few minutes of epic god-battle, she throws this freakishly massive fireball at me. I caught it, laced it with black fire, then doubled the thing's velocity and threw it back. She ended up going straight through some poor pony's house, then Luna showed up and dragged her sorry flank back home."

"Incredible as that is, I thought you said once that you beat Celestia and Luna at the same time."

Both Luna and Dusk looked like they'd rather be anyplace else now. "Yeah... that was the time Twilight almost died..."

He trailed off, and Luna finished for him. "Just don't ever, ever bring that night up in front of my sister if you don't want to end up banished to the surface of the sun for the next millennium."

Deciding that it would be best to avoid continuing with that subject, Noctus asked, "So who are you really?"

"I'm a trans-dimensional being with knowledge about most possible timelines! Also, in my home dimension, this world is part of a story!"

"So why did you say that you can no longer tell the future again?"

"You're an OC. Which means you aren't part of the original story. Hold on... actually, I might have been wrong about the whole no longer being able to see the future thing..."

"Why would that be?"

"Well, you're not just anyone's OC. You're my OC."

Luna stared directly at Dusk. "Please tell me you didn't."

"Well I may have dabbled a hoof in writing. And Noctus may have been one of my protagonists." For the first time in a long time, Noctus looked legitimately afraid. "Hey! It's not that bad! I take good care of my protagonists, and actually, they're usually overpowered as crap. That's why you're unbeatable at bladecasting, and I'm the most powerful pony in the universe! Yeah that's right, I wrote Dusk Star as who I'd be if I were ever plucked from my own dimension and thrown into this one! Which is actually exactly what happened... suspicious..."

Luna scowled at him. "And here I thought Rainbow Dash was the most egotistical pony in the world... You realize that my sister is a twelve out of ten on the unicorn power scale right?"

"I'm a twenty."

"By Faust, Dusk! You could rip the planet in two by willing it so! Not that I am complaining, but why do you even take orders from me?"

"I'll only follow orders that aren't stupid, but I follow the rest and refrain from mass murder because I swore an oath to you, I'm extremely kind, and I'm equally as lazy. Heh... Twilight was once worried I might try to take over the planet. I assuaged her fears by telling her, 'even if I can, I wouldn't want to conquer the world. I'm far to lazy for that.' Anyways, I never use combat magic just in case of any planet ripping."

"Still... by Faust..."

"Lauren."

"Pardon?"

"Faust. Her full name is Lauren Faust."

"Thank you, Dusk. Swearing by a higher power is obviously far more satisfying when you're on first name basis with her, and that definitely wasn't sarcasm at all."

"Yeah? Well at least you've got a higher power to swear by. What do I say? 'Oh my me?'"

"Point taken."

"Sooo... when are you going to tell Celestia?"

"I was thinking we could go do that now."

"Well, I'm out."

"Don't want to say hello?"

"Nope. I'd rather be that one thing that's the opposite of dead."

"I suppose you're right. She may have an... adverse reaction to our announcement."

"In that case, I think I'll wait just outside her chambers to ensure Noctus doesn't get first-hoof experience in any sun-banishing."

"If she takes it that badly, I don't see what you could do."

"Twenty out of ten."

"Alright."

"So how did she take it?"

"Well, she's no longer convinced that I'm attempting to get Noctus powerful enough to replace her."

"She's getting awfully paranoid. I told you this would happen." Suddenly Dusk stiffened and stared blankly ahead. "In seven years time, the sun shall set. So will begin the revolution of the night, and the first war of the new age, raging across the lands of three great kingdoms."

"You aren't just messing with me again are you?"

"Nope. It was like the first time, but with less coma-ing. Of course, I may have dramaticized the wording a bit."

"Make sure you don't tell my sister. She may not react well to the mention of a 'revolution of the night.'"

"Well I'd say that in seven years, she's going to find out. See if you can prepare without letting her get too paranoid about it."

"You as well. Take extra precautions. Make sure that when the time comes, Twilight will be safe."

"Same goes for you and Noctus, Sel."

"If you call me that again, I will personally remove your wings."

"Sure. Whatever you say, Sel."

Dec, 1010th Year of Celestia's Reign.

A year later, Noctus and Luna had gotten married. Noctus was now a full fledged alicorn. Dusk and Twilight had gotten married a year later. Over the years, Celestia had grown more and more paranoid. All of Equestria's borders had been closed, and relations with the Griffin Empire had quickly turned sour. Now, a year before some supposed world altering event, Noctus and Dusk were walking through the royal gardens. "So, Dusk. Just in case we all die next year, you feel like telling me the whole story of how we arrived at this situation?"

"Well I don't see how it could hurt, and I'm sure some mysterious third person narrator can fill in the parts I don't know. It was about six years ago. Soon before we first met..."