All alone

Midnight awoke to the soft light light of dawn shining through his open window with a rather head splitting headache. The memories it him like a ton of bricks. He turned to see that even though Luna was gone most likely taking a shower from the events of last night, Dawn Star was still lying there looking so peaceful without a care in the world. Midnight crawled next to her and wrapped a foreleg around her.

He lay there for what seemed like hours simply admiring her prefect figure and how she looked so beautiful in the light of day.  He felt something lean against him chest and looked down to see Dawn Star laying her head on his chest with a beautiful smile as her violet and blue hair curved slightly to cover one of her beautiful hypnotic red eyes.

She scooted closer to him and leaned in and kissed her softly. As he retreated she pulled him closer. Midnight wrapped his hooves around her waist. Then there was a knock at the door but they were to engrossed in their special moment to even notice. The wood creaked and Celestia walked in.

"Good Morning Mid..." Celestia froze

Dawn Star disconnected with Midnight the moment she saw Celestia and her eyes widened.

"Whats wrong Dawn" Midnight said as he ran his hoof through he hair

"Look behind you" she whispered

Midnight turned his head and his jaw dropped

"..." Silence

"What the..." Celestia began

"Celly" Midnight nearly shouted "What the buck knock first!"

"Midnight" She began with a still shocked expression on her face "Can i talk you out outside for a moment"

Midnight slipped out of his bed and into the hall where Celestia turned on him

"What in Tartus are you doing!" Celestia screamed "Love and war don't mix!"

"I'm living for once in my life" Midnight responded

Celestia sighed she had to admit he had spent of of his young life in the castle with really no other friends other than the staff it got lonely at times.s

"Very will" She said with a sigh "But be warned as of this day forth you must be more careful if your enemies ever find out who you truly love the consequences shall be grim you also cannot tell her as she may interfere"

"I understand" Midnight said suddenly realizing his mistake

"Now with that out of the way i must speak to you about more important matters" Celestia said "There has been talks of a war between the nation of Equestria and the Griffin Kingdom i need you to travel there and poke around a bit be warned this is no simulation the danger you shall be facing are real the consequences are real the deaths of innocents shall be real do not fail me understood"

"Yes" Midnight said "Why have things been so chaotic lately" Midnight asked

Midnight noticed that something seemed to click in Celestia's mind.

"Whats wrong?" He asked reading the expression on her face

"N...Nothing" She studdered

Midnight could tell she was lying just by looking at the expression on her face.

"I know somethings bothering you" Midnight said "Honestly you taught me yourself "

"Curse my educational skills" She mumbled under her breathe "I must check on something come with me"

"As you wish" Midnight responded

He was lead out of the castle and into the gardens where he was lead to a statue of a very strange creature.It looked like mix up of all different types of creatures. Celestia was looking over the statue closely. She suddenly gasped causing Midnight to turn his attention to her.

"Its cracked" She said in horror

"So its just an old statue" Midnight said

"You fool" Celestia said "This is no ordinary statue about a few millennia ago this creature wrecked havoc in Equestria and had to be stopped by my and my sister a few months ago he broke free and attacked again only to be stopped by the elements of harmony"

"He doesn't look so tough" Midnight said boldly "In fact for the most part he's just ugly" He said with a chuckle

"Midnight take this seriously if he breaks loose" Celestia began

"If he breaks loose he's going to wish he hadn't" Midnight interrupted

"Midnight get this through your incredibly thick head you are not immortal you always think you can beat anypony with strength but its not always like that urgh you just like Chrysalis you don't think!"

"..." Midnight punched a hoof directly through a stone wall behind him

" Midnight i..." Celestia began her words fell on deaf ears he looked up and his normal platinum eyes turned blood red and for a moment his coat turned black

"Don't ever compare me to her. She was a failure and a disgrace. I thought i was better" He said a faux smile crossing his face "But apparently i'm worse" He said turning away

" I didn't think it would come out like that" Celestia began

"Thats just it" Midnight said "When you think you sugarcoat or exaggerate things but when you don't you say what you actually feel as truthfully as possible" Midnight said

" IT's not like that" Celestia countered

"SAVE IT!" Midnight shouted "ITS EXACTLY LIKE THAT YOU SAID IT YOURSELF! I'M JUST LIKE THAT EVIL BITCH HUH? FINE I KNOW WHEN I'M NOT WANTED" Midnight shouted with such fury it nearly sent Celestia flying

Midnight's disguise dropped for the first time in years and Celestia looked at his true face then in a flash of green light he was gone leaving behind green flames in a perfect circle

"Wow" a voice came from behind. Celestia turned to see her sister standing there with  shocked look on her face "thou hast how thy say bucked up bad

Celestia glared at her

" Alright i understand thou art not in the mood" Luna said trotting off

She was right Celestia had really done it this time.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Midnight walked along the desolate path of the mountain thinking over the events of this past 3 months having taken back over his regular disguise.

"So much pain,so much hatred, so lonely, and for what! To be called a failure" He shouted as he punched a hole through the rock

"A disgrace!" He said punching another hole "

"Just a weakling unfit to walk the on the same DIRT" shouted one last time before punching a hole in the landscape again unintentionally causing the rock to fall away and reveal a cave

As he walked by it he felt something grab him by the neck and yanked him into the cave. He found himself pinned against the wall in total darkness except a pair of green eyes staring at him. He gave it a powerful kick to the side of the face sending it flying backwards.

As it barely breached the light for a brief moment he could see a pure black covering that didn't quite look like a coat more like...chitin. A living changeling? No that's impossible they were all killed. But if i escaped who's to say another didn't either.

The kick made the creature release its grip on him and he fell to the floor seeing that they were equal in height, It lunged for him knocking him to the ground. He felt the thing bite him indicated by the dull numb feeling on his shoulder. He gave it a strong kick sending it flying into a wall and he heard a crack and a high pitched scream.

horn gave of a soft glow as he walked towards the creature. His suspensions where soon confirmed as the light washed over the creature revealing another changeling although this one was female in contrast to Midnight. It suddenly jumped and lunged for his throat bearing gleaming fangs but Midnight struck her in the chest with his hoof another crack ringing out as she slammed into the rock.

He raised his hoof in anger to vanquish her when she began to cry. Crying the expression of sorrow not for monsters but for sentient beings things with a conscience things that could change. He would receive a stern talk form Celestia but he thought that just maybe he could let her live as long as she didn't threaten Equestria the moment she did she was gone from the country and world alike.

"No please" It said

"Your lucky i'm not a pony" he spat hatefully a green flame rushing over his whole body transforming him back into his regular self " I would have killed you already"

He heard a sign of relieve "Thank goodness i didn't think i would ever see anyling else again" it said

"Come with me" Midnight said beckoning her to follow

"i can't move" she said

"Fall behind your left behind!" Midnight shouted angrily making the changeling shrink back

"p..please don't go" It said it's eyes tearing up again

"fine" Midnight said trotting back over and grabbing her hoof.

Green flames engulfed them as they disappeared and they reappeared inside the castle unfortunately in the passing of two guard patrols.

"Halt" Shining Armor said coming to the front of the patrol

Midnight simply didn't have the time for this "shut it shiny i'm not in the mood"

"He said halt" one said bringing the spear within reaching distance

Green flames washed over him as he transformed back into Midnight Fury and looked down at the spear pointed at him. The guard suddenly realized what a huge mistake he just made a bit to late as Midnight kicked the spear backwards and hit him in the gut rather painfully.

"Anypony else? no? Thats what i thought" Midnight said walking off with the changeling

"Where are we going" It asked

"The throne room" Midnight responded

A chill ran up his spine. He rationalized it way the hive mind relaying her messages of fear as Midnight pushed over the door. To his relieve the room was empty execpt for Celestia looking rather surprised to see him. Upon looking at the other changeling she leaped a great distance from her throne right in front of her. Midnight stucj out a hood cutting her off. They glared at each other.

"Why?" Celestia asked

"Come let us talk" He said as the pair whispered to each other while pacing

"No bucking way" She heard Celestia say sending yet another chill up her spine "Why'd you even bring that thing here"

"i found her inside a cave after she tried to kill me i sorta accidentally broke her leg and i couldn't just leave her to die" Midnight reasoned

"She's a danger" Celestia countered

"I'm not going to let you just kill her" Midnight said

"Remember your place" Celestia said her eyes narrowing

" Remember that i don't need you with what you've already taught me i'm assassin in my own right besides we could use her" Midnight said

"Explain" Celestia asked

"The way i see it its just twice the firepower" Midnight said persuasively "and for those stealth missions if they should... well you know she could come in and eliminate the evidence and even if she is caught no one will suspect Equestria will be connected to a changeling its the perfect cover up all we need is someone to teach her" Midnight explained

"That won't be a problem oh Blackheart" Celestia called out

"Blackheart died in the dragon attack" Midnight said sorrowfully

"Who don called my name" Blackheart said with a strange accent swing down from the supporting structures

Midnight beamed and ran to give Blackheart a noggie "Dude where have you been i thought you were dead!"

"Didn't i tell you i'm the spirit of Death i'm somewhere between immortal and mortal cause even though i'm alive i am the spirit of death so i'm also dead its a very strange condition i might add" Blackheart explained causing Midnight's jaw to drop

"so who will i be teaching Celestia" Blackheart asked when he noticed the changeling sitting over in the corner "Well well well another changeling lets get started" Blackheart said cracking his neck

"uh she hasn't passed the ritual yet" Celestia interrupted

"When will she be ready" Blackheart asked

"Soon" Midnight interrupted "cause we're going now"

"Go get Luna Blackheart" Celestia said and Blackheart vanished into the scaffolding

" I'll be departing now" Midnight said "send the other one when she is ready" as he vanished in a circle of green light

"Do you need an escort to the border" Celestia asked

"No i'll be fine" Midnight said

"Take this" Celestia said levitating a bag to him

"What is it" Midnight asked

"A weapon pack just incase"

Midnight nodded

She looked out the window to see Midnight riding on the back of a...dragon?!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

"Thank you Snow Winged Hunter" Midnight said preparing to jump "Your help shall not be forgotten"

"We shall see young changeling now go" Snow said "do you need help getting down?"

"I got it" Midnight said as he jumped the wind quickly blowing him to the side as he fell

Midnihgt put his hooves to his sides and fell faster a green flame washed over him and he gave himself wings which quickly made him slow his descent into a glide. With another flash of green he landed with a slight slide to the side as he brushed a bit of dirt out of his coat with his hoof and began a slow walk towards a distant villiage.

As he reached the villiage and as he began to walk through it he could see the locals starring at him but he took no mind to it.  He kept his gaze to the ground a few yarrds infront of him. He saw 2 pair of claws cut off his path and trotted around them only to see the same pair cut him off again.

:Midnight was about to lose it but he kept him cool.

"Don't start anything" He thought to himself "Just pretend you don't see them and everything will be fine"

He proceeded to walk around them but where cut off once more. He sighed and tried to go around the other way. He looked up to see a rather imtimidating looking griffen standing in front of him.

"Who are you?" He asked "We don't get many visitors here?"

Midnight heard no threat and responded kindly "Just passing through" He lied " I got to get past the capital by sun up"

"Oh really" He said squinting " and why would that be"

Midnight became slightly annoyed " Listen as far as i'm concerned i don't know you number one and number two i don't see a badge so i gotta go" He said turning to walk around him when he stepped into his way once more

"Oh so you think your all bad huh?" He said with an imtidating grin

"Listen i don't want any trouble" Midnight said as a last warrning

"Too late you already found it squirt" It said knocking him back into a cart

"Thats it!" Midnight shouted and teleported a few yards back

The griffen charged him and he stood paiently waiting for the right time to strike. He saw it and as the griffen leaped he grapped him by the throught in a telekentic grip.

"What the..?!"

"I'm going to enjoy this..." Midnight said forcing the griffen to land and forcing him to his knees

Midnight slid on his bracer with the hidden blade and approached the griffen he readied the blade and was poised to strike but he didn't. He tilted his hoof backwards and the blade retracted. He gave one kick to the griffens face and sent him to the ground.

"Why didn't you kill me?" He asked

"Cause your not worth it" Midnight said walking away and not one soul dared to stop him

He could hear them whispering amongst themselves. "What just happened" "Whatever he is he's certianly not a pony". He grinned when he heard that. True he wasn't but as long as they were stupid enough to belive it what diffrence did it make?

________________________________________________________________________________________________

He entered a small bar and sat at the table just barely noticing a few glances.

"What'll it be?" The bartender asked her claws slightly clicking against the wood

"Ehh surprise me.." Midnight responded

The bartender disappeared for a moment and came back with a glass full on a yellowish liquid

"How much? Midnight asked

"On the house" the bartender replied

"Really?" Midnight asked

"You bet" She replied

"Taste it then" Midnight said

"What?"

"Take a sip" Midnight replied

"Your smarter than you look" he replied dumping the liquid

"What brings you around these parts Midnight?" She asked

"How do you know my name?" Midnight asked

That's when Midnight looked up and saw that the bartender's eyes were a light green color.

"So they let you out of training early?" Midnight asked

"Early?" the faux griffin said "It took 3 months"

Midnight's eyes widened in surprise "It's only been a day"

"Really?" She asked Midnight nodded

"What have you heard around?" Midnight inquired

"Not much just bits and pieces" she responded "Although there have been talks of tension between them and a dig site a short bit down south that's being disputed. They harbor an incredible resentment for those pony creatures i could feel the hatred soar when you walked in tread lightly my brother"

"I'll be back with more information don't go anywhere" Midnight said as he turned to leave

"Hold up" She said grabbing his shoulders as her claws dug in slightly "By order of Celestia you are to assassinate the Griffin king's second in command General Talon show them they are not untouchable" she whispered to him handing him a folded piece of parchment

"It shall be done" Midnight said walking out the door and into the streets that had grown dark with the fall of night

Midnight found a secluded alleyway to read the parchment. He scanned over the document multiple times making notes of all enter and exit places. He trotted for a while looking for signs of his home when he finally saw it. A bakery labeled on the map and directly across from it he found the home of General Talon and two large griffins guarding the door armed to the teeth.

He took another look at the document and located his point of entry a window on the third floor with a padded rug on the inside which would make for a perfect muffler. He make his way around the building  and jumped up to the first window and slowly scaled the building until he reached the third floor. He slowly used his magic to open the window and stop any sound. He slowly crawled inside and a slight green light came over him as he assumed his changeling eyes so that he could see.

He opened the door slowly cautious of any creaking. He stopped for a moment shortly heard the soft creak of wood. Midnight's horn lit up as he cast the spell and quickly jumped upwards sticking to the ceiling. He also used another spell to muffle the sound. He used his telekinesis to knock over a small vase which shattered with a loud crash. A door flew open and out came a fully armored griffin a sword at her side and she was clutching a rather impressively large dagger.

Midnight dropped down and latched on the the griffins neck and she began to struggle with him. Midnight slipped his dagger out of his saddle bag and stabbed the griffin directly through the center of her upper back. She fell to the ground with a loud thud and looked up to see her attacker was a pony.

"You little" she said between coughs of blood "You will regret this we will burn your country and sow the forsaken land with salt"

Midnight laughed as green flames dramatically flickered over him and his horn lit up so that the griffin could see his face.

"I'm no pony" he said showing the sharp jagged fangs

"A changeling you shall all fall the same" She said hatefully

"Sorry" Midnight said "The ponies beat you to it" Midnight said rather dramatically

"Wha...What!" The griffin said utterly dumbfounded

"That's right everyling dead well almost everyling" He said

Midnight had grown tired of his little act and took out his dagger once more.

"Game over" Midnight said stabbing the blade through the metal directly into the griffin's chest. The blade came out covered in warm red blood slightly dripping.

surprisingly the griffin smiled " A game well played...get him!" She shouted and Midnight found himself hurled out of the window that shattered with a crash.

He found himself outside on the street and found dozens of armed griffins outside surrounding him. The griffin flew down from the house helped by her guards.

"You thought i wouldn't have back up how stupid do you think i am" She said watching  as the circle began to close in

"Very you should know that cornered animals.." He began "Are always the most dangerous!" He said in a low growling voice

Midnight's horn glew and suddenly to glowing swords appeared next to him. He charged them with furious strength. He cut with fury and rage as the army of griffins was slowly ripped apart. He saw the blood begin to run free through the streets and it only fueled his fiery rage.

An entire group rushed and managed to overwhelm him knocking him to the ground . He looked up and saw more coming in he knew very well he couldn't defeat them all even with the god powers locked within him. He saw a flicker in the corner of his eye and dodged a sword that dug into the ground with such force that could have cut him in half.

They charged and managed to disarm and restrain him. He channeled all of his left over energy into his horn and took a deep breath. The wind began to pick up as his entire body lit up in an almost blinding light. The griffins retreated slightly as the wind began to become stronger and stronger.

A strange aura began to surround and circle him making a sphere around him. He felt the magical force build within him. He roared with enough force to make the sky churn and crackle with lightning. It sounded like that of a manticore, with the agility of a timberwolf, and the undying strength of the dragons and sounded like that of a lion.

The force of the magic sudden reversed itself as the griffins were inescapably draw into the now tornado of power.

"Let the world hear me as i give this commandant, the mountains shake, and time itself bend to my will" He began opening his now fiery eyes "Hear me creatures of this world, as i give this commandant onto thee, thy shall obey for it is my will neigh my command...YIELD!"  He shouted as the sphere collapsed in and exploded in a fury of fire and lightning.

The griffins fell from the sky like rain most dead and other crawling away blood pouring from them. He sought out General Talons and quickly found her inside an alley dying curled up in her last moment.

"What do you want" She spat hatefully

"You remind me of my mother" Midnight said kicking her over so that she laid on her back "Defiant until the bitter end"

Midnight could see the life leaving her "Requiescat in pace" he said as she died closing her eyes

He began to walk away from the crater when he felt an in imaginable surge of fatigue hit him. He fell over unable to move. He suddenly realized his mistake. He had packed all of his magical and physical energy into the attack that he didn't have any of either to make an escape. He tried to shout for his dragon friend yet it was no use he couldn't even move. He heard the fast clicks of claws rushing upon him and he knew it was over.

Then he heard hoofsteps rushing even faster. He heard a loud bang as the griffins were sent flying backwards and slammed into a building as a all to familiar changeling slid down into the crater

"We have to go now!" She said trying to get Midnight to him feet

"Can't....move" he chocked out

A green ring of magic surrounded and engulfed them and suddenly they vanished.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

The two slowly made their way through Canterlot careful o not let even a inch of their changeling bodies show. They were to weak to use their magic for the moment. They make there way too the castle and looked up at the guards who didn't bother to stop them

"Midnight!" a voice shouted as a white stallion came running down the stair

"What is it I'm seriously not in the mood!" Midnight said

"Princess Celestia must speak with you"

Midnight cleared his throat "Suddenly I feel better tell the Princess i will be right up"

As Midnight entered the room he could immediately tell something was up from the combined smells of fear,hatred, and disappointment . Celestia was staring out of the window fixated on the horizon to the north.

"Come over here Midnight" Celestia said

"Yes Princess?" Midnight said

"Look" Celestia said pointing a hoof towards the horizon Midnight could see little moving dots a horde of them moving towards the capital

"Griffin's?" Midnight asked

"Yes" Celestia said

"How did they know?" Midnight said

"His spies followed you here!" Celestia said in anger throwing Midnight half way across the room

"Then we have no choice do we?" Midnight asked

"No" Celestia said

"Will this be easy" Midnight asked

"Not at all" Celestia answered

"Will there be civilian casualties" Midnight asked

"Likely" Celestia responded

"Will we survive?" Midnight asked

"...."

"...."

" I...don't know" Celestia attmitted