The Sleepless Horse

"It think it's about time you told us the whole story on this guy." Rainbow Dash spoke up, getting Luna's attention.

"Oh, yes...you see Rainbow Dash he and I were...very close when we were younger..." she replied, choosing her words carefully.

"WHAT!?" She exclaimed in disbelief, "You mean you actually went out with a creep like him?"

"He wasn't always the way you see him as now, he used to be very sweet and compassionate with a large circle of friends...he was also the first Element of Loyalty we knew about."

"LOYAL!?" She repeated, "HIM?"

"Let me finish; he used to be athletic and competitive just like you-as I was, only while he remained loyal to his friends, right when he needed him most-they all abandoned him, his friends were not only Pegasi, but Unicorns and Earth Ponies as well, but after they refused to offer him their aid, he became isolated, and paranoid trusting nopony...not even me." she added sadly.

"Eventually our love was shattered once I learned of his plans to enslave the Unicorns and Earth Ponies...and when I refused to help him carry out such a horrifying task he was furious-calling me a traitor like all of the rest of his friends and telling me he never wanted to see me again-and while heartbroken, I sought the council of my elder sister who thought it best to give him some time to cool off."

"So what happened?" pressed Rainbow Dash.

"It wasn't until a few years later, that I learned he was practicing the darkest of magics..."

"Wait, I thought only unicorns and Alicorns could use magic?" she asked, confused.

"Usually, yes-but, there are ways around this even those who weren't born as unicorns still have that magically blood running through their veins, passed down from generation to generation-but it usually only gets awakened under extreme circumstances, he tried to force it through sacrificing live ponies..." she explained.

"That's horrible!" Dash gasped.

"Yes, and unfortunately it only increased his thirst for power as he became a powerful tyrant-so powerful was his hatred that even my attempts to appeal to his better nature failed, and that's when I was left no choice but to use force to get him to see reason, however his dark rituals and capacity for hatred made him more powerful than I possibly could have fathomed...I nearly lost my life that day-and I would have had Celestia not stepped in and saved me."

"But, why does he hate Unicorns and Earth Ponies so much?"

"I believe it is because he still feels betrayed by his friends, who were ponies of those species and since he could not exact revenge upon them in their lifetime, he's decided to target everyone else and spread his hate, which is why he wants you." she replied.

"Me?" Dash repeated, "Why?"

"It's because only through love can he break the seal that keeps him imprisoned here, my sister and I thought it best to give him an opportunity for a second chance instead of completely destroying him-actually it was more at my request than anything else...your attitude, your loyalty, your impressive speed and aerial feats are so much like him, I can scarcely believe it-but, he's found a loophole-if he can corrupt you just as he was and get you to fall in love with him, then he will be freed to oppress all of Equestria once again."

"That's not gonna happen..." Dash replied, sticking her tongue out like she'd just eaten a cupcake with worms in it for a second time.

"I have faith in you, Rainbow Dash-but, I though it best to know what you are up against...if you wish I can take care of Scootaloo when she awakens." she suggested.

"I...don't know..."

"I assure you, I am more than capable of protecting her from anything that comes this why-it shames me to admit this but-I fear I do not have the emotional capacity to face him again..."

"Alright," said Dash reluctantly, "I'll be back for ya in a bit. Okay, kiddo?"

Scootaloo just nodded weekly as Rainbow Dash ran a hoof through her mane once more.

Turning around, she broke into a gallop before spreading out her wings and soaring through the night sky.