Chapter Four: Old Wounds

It was nighttime when the two had returned home from the Everfree Forest. Thousands of stars stained the night sky, and Luna's moon had now begun illuminating the dark sky. Everypony was asleep in their beds, as it was already nearing midnight. Aqua and Twilight approached Golden Oaks in exhaustion. He opened the door faintly as Twilight drifted off, resting her head on Aqua's shoulder, and he noticed the bags formed under her eyes. He heard the creak of the door opening, and a nudge of his shoulder aroused Twilight from her dreary state. She blushed as she wearily stumbled inside as he closed the door behind him.

"Ugggghhh, I am so tired!" Twilight said with a groan as she dropped her saddlebag to the floor with nary a care in Equestria. Aqua couldn't help but feel the wrath of the Sandmare taking hold of his spirit, and he fought the urge to fall to the floor and sleep. The library was deathly silent; no sounds from the animals or Spike to be heard.

Aqua held a hoof to his yawning mouth. Almost on cue, Twilight yawned right after, smacking her lips groggily before she wobbled over to the stairs. A sudden obstacle nabbed at her front left leg, and she put up no fight to it. Crashing to the floor, Twilight cursed under her breath as she thumped against the floor. Her impact dislodged a loose book from the shelf behind her. Eyes widening, Aqua reached out with his hoof and the book flew back onto the shelf as if nothing happened.

"Oh for Pete sake. Is...Is this a book? Did I seriously trip over a book?" Twilight rubbed her temple with a huff. She noticed a large mass of books were scattered along the floor of the library. Aqua held back a playful smirk at the mare.

"Afraid so," He answered, examining the book as soon as Twilight facehoofed the floor in agitation.

"'Dragon Scale Shining,' How to make those dragon scales sparkle," Aqua studied the cover and tagline of the novel before trotting over to the correct shelf of the book. The unicorn's ears perked as she heard the book title, and her head shot up in attention.

"Something tells me a little dragon's been busy," Twilight affirmed. She twisted her neck over to the basement door to see it slightly ajar, and a knowing frown creeped upon her face. "I'll deal with this in the morning. I'm going to bed," The lavender pony began walking up the stairs with Aqua. As he followed her up the stairs, he noticed the tired sway in the mare's step. The living room was dark and empty, and a glitter from Twilight's horn illuminated a candle sitting on the table. Twilight drifted over to the table and leaned against it.

"It's been crazy the last few days, huh?" Twilight asked.

"It certainly has. I'm not sure how longer it'll take for another Changeling strike," Aqua said as he hung his robe on a nearby coat rack.

"Right now, I just want to go to bed," Twilight said as she walked up the stairs to the bedroom loft above. With a yawn, she plopped down on the bed with a thud, rolling herself into the crescent moon and sun bedsheets. Aqua let his tunic fall to the floor and laid down with her. Her eyes drooped as her fatigue wore her down.

"Good night, Aqua," Twilight snuggled him in her forehooves happily, half-lidded eyes and kissing him on the lips.

"Good night," Aqua returned the kiss as she soon after passed out in their hold. Hearing her soft snores beginning to surface, he snuggled deeper into her embrace and fell asleep in suit.

Twilight woke up from her slumber, hooved stretched out with a crackle sound. She smacked her lips softly as she turned on her side, seeing the space where Aqua laid empty. With a smile, she let out a yawn and tip-hooved over to the edge of the loft, seeing Aqua standing in front of the stove, and an pleasant grin remained plastered on her face.

"Good morning!" Twilight beamed. Aqua turned his head to see the chipper unicorn grinning ear to ear at him. He gave a smile in return as he nodded.

"Good morning, Twilight. Did you sleep well?" Aqua asked.

"Oooh yeah, like a filly. Be back in a second," Twilight answered, and blowing a kiss to him, she merrily descended from the stairs to the bathroom. Aqua heard a delightful hum uttered from the mare; tilting her head side to side in rhythm. Grinning, he turned back to the stove and flipped the spatula he was tending to with a delicate grasp. His ears perked at the noise of the tiny waddles ascending up the stairs from the library room. Turning his head, Aqua felt a bit of a smirk grow on the edge of his lip. A refreshed purple dragon walked into the living room with a spring in his step, almost swaying in glee.

"Good morning, Spike," Aqua greeted. "How have you been?"

"I've been alright. You guys were gone a little longer than I thought you would," Spike answered as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, "The girls are all concerned about you both."

"Really? Well, think of it as you go to a warzone Fillydelphia and end up having to go through the Everfree Forest to get home. Then replace you with me and Twilight," Aqua said in dismay.

Spike tilted his head in confusion, "But why were gone so long? I thought you and her were sent there to stop the fighting,"

"Well the fighting took it's toll, I can tell you that. The Changelings pretty much won, and it turns out they swapped our chariot drivers, so we had to get home ourselves," Aqua answered.

"Oh gosh, sounds like you've been through alot," Spike said sypathetically. Aqua was about to speak before he heard hoofsteps returning up the stairs, and saw Twilight trotting to him.

"I'm back. Good morning, Spike. I missed you so much," Twilight said as she nuzzled against her faithful assistant's cheek.

"I missed you too," Spike hugged Twilight's leg with a grateful smile. "I'm just glad you're alright," Aqua grinned as he turned his attention back to the stove. Breaking away from the embrace, Twilight stood proudly next to him.

"Speaking of alright, I wonder how the girls are doing. They must be worried sick about us," Twilight

"Is everything ready, Aqua?" she asked. She then heard a loud ringing from the stove.

"I assume it is now," Aqua answered as he turned off the cooking timer. Steam wafted from the pan he was holding as Twilight levitated plates from the counter rack onto the table beside her.

"Do you guys want anything while I'm up?" Spike asked.

"Actually, some drinks would be nice. Thank you," Aqua suggested. Spike saluted as he opened the fridge and pulled out a carton.

"Orange juice?" Twilight offered.

"Oh goodness, no. That juice is sour and disgusting! I wouldn't drink that for the life of me!" Aqua answered.

"Suit yourself," Twilight giggled as she levitated another carton from the fridge. "I guess you're stuck with milk, then," With a roll of his eyes, he accepted the carton and poured it into his cup.

"So what are we having?" Twilight asked. From behind, Aqua cupped his hooves around her eyes.

"That is a surprise. Now close your eyes," Aqua ordered.

"Aqua, I already know you're cooking something. I can smell the steam coming off the pot," Twilight answered in a deadpan voice.

"Keep them closed," Aqua pressed. Twilight groaned softly as she closed her eyes. He then levitated his pans over to the table, and emptied it onto her plate. Twilight felt a wonderful smell now assaulting her snout, and was tempted to open her eyes.

"Ok, open them," Aqua said as he sat at the opposite side of the table with his plate full. Twilight opened her eyes on cue and went wide-eyed. A stack of pancakes accompanied by a side of eggs and toast filled the large plate. Her stomach growled in hunger as her mouth watered in anticipation.

"You made all this?" Twilight asked in amazement.

"Yes. We were stuck in Fillydelphia and the Everfree Forest for who knows how long, so I assumed you were starving at this point. So then this happened," Aqua answered, sipping at his drink.

"It's lovely, thank you. It must've taken you forever to prepare this," Twilight noted as she began dipping syrup on her stack.

"It's no trouble for you, Twilight. I'd always do this if you wanted. Spike usually has his claws full with his assistant duties, after all," Aqua remarked in pleasure as Twilight made a face. The kind of face Aqua was familar with; the one she would have when a long forgotten thought strolled into her mind.

"Ahh, that's right. Spike?" Twilight called forth, and her scaly assistant returned to her side.

"Yes, Twilight?" Spike asked.

"Do you remember the list of chores I gave you to fulfill while Aqua and I were off in Fillydelphia to supervise the invasion?" Twilight asked. Spike pulled a massive parchment list from behind as he read off the chores.

"Of course I do, Twi. Spike, make sure you organize the bookshelves starting from M to Z, dust off the bookshelves from A to L, feed Owlowiscious and Goliath, and make sure the water in Aqua's hot tub doesn't overheat," Spike recited off the list, earning a raised eyebrow from Aqua.

"You do like your water exactly at 102 degrees," Twilight pointed out with a smirk as Aqua's face turned slightly red.

"Well yes, it's a comfortable temperature. In any case Spike, did you do exactly what my list told you about properly caring for Goliath?" Aqua asked.

"What list?" Spike asked back, and Aqua's eyes spiked out in alarm.

"The list I gave you right before I left. The one marked Spike, read this note carefully!, with extra meaning on carefully. What did you do with it?"

"I gave it to Owlowiscious to hold while I was busy baking a gem cake after I dusted the bookshelves. He must've got ripped it up when I wasn't looking, I swear!" Spike answered in defense. Twilight whistled her horned owl over to her hoof as Aqua's fork hit the plate in silence.

"Owlowiscious, did you do anything to the note Spike gave you?" Twilight asked as she petted the owl's head. The horned owl hooed at her, and she shrugged at Aqua.

"He's saying that Spike never followed the note," Aqua translated.

"Spike!" Twilight scolded as Aqua seethed to himself.

"I-I thought taking care of Goliath would be like Owlowiscious. I mean, they're both birds, right?" Spike stammered.

"Spike. The note said that Goliath was due for a preening of her feathers, because she was having difficulty flying with her wings being unbalanced lately. Did you even let her out on her nightly flight like I told you? You know how much the cool fall air relaxes her!" Aqua lectured.

"To be fair, I was a little distracted with my gem cake," Spike reasoned.

"To hay with the gem cake! You know how much Goliath means to me!" Aqua scolded. Twilight put a comforting hoof on his shoulder.

"Aqua please, calm down, you're getting yourself worked up."

"He forgot to take care of Owlowiscious too, you know. What, did you think he'd just scoop up the nearest mouse that enters the library? Oh wait, no there wouldn't, because this library is spotless!" Spike was now sitting down with his arms wrapped around his legs, watching the ordeal unfold. Twilight scoffed.

"Just calm down, Aqua. Breath," Twilight eased, rubbing the stallion's back in an attempt to sooth him. "Everything's gonna be fine." Twilight shifted her gaze over to Spike. "You, young dragon, are not off the hook about this. You really should take more responsibility when me and Aqua aren't around here."

With that, Spike reared up, and he felt his throat become tight with a flame inside his mouth. Opening his mouth, a grene flame shot out, materializing into a rolled up scroll, dropping onto the table before them.

"What is that, a letter?" Aqua asked.

"It's a letter from Princess Celestia," Twilight levitated the now opened scroll to her eyes, and she squinted as she read. "Dear my faithful student, Twilight Sparkle, and my dear friend Master Aqua Blue. In case you have not received the previous letters, I am asking you two to report to Canterlot for an emergency meeting. Please arrive when you are ready, but time is very crucial. Your loving mentor, Princess Celestia,

"In case we haven't received? What's this all about, Spike?" Aqua asked.

"Ugh, I've been getting letters for the past two days! That's what I was trying to say, I was getting backed up with letters from the Princess, and none of you were around. I needed a way to relax since I had to finish my chores, so I was in Aqua's hot tub when I got it done," Spike explained. Aqua hung his head on Twilight's shoulder in dispair.

"He even used my hot tub!" Aqua cried as Twilght patted his back.

"That you should've mentioned right away, Spike," Twilight said as Aqua rose from her shoulder.

"If we're going to Canterlot, we may as well pack up right away. We'd hate to keep the Princess waiting. Spike, write a note to Celestia of our travel issue first, so she understands our lateness," Aqua instructed.

"Yes sir!" Spike saluted as he took a parchment out and began writing.

"Um, while we're on the subject Aqua, I have to ask something," Twilight said.

"Sure, what is it?" Aqua asked.

"With everything crazy going on, I forgot to ask. How did you end up in the mirror pool?" An instant shock overtook Aqua's face, as if he had remembered it just suddenly. He dropped his fork to the floor silently as his eyes went blank.

"T-That's when after I left Absoline's hut. I fought a few Timberwolves while I was out, and then I got attacked." Aqua shakily described.

"Who was it?" Twilight pressed on.

"Queen Chrysalis. It was Queen Chrysalis," Aqua answered. Twilight's pupils turned to pinpricks as she spat out a torrent of milk. Fear overtook her features as she suddenly grabbed Aqua's shoulders.

"What?! You never told me anything about Queen Chrysalis attacking you! No wonder you were almost dead outside the pool when I found you!" Twilight ranted.

"I was worried about you at the moment! I was just happy you were ok!" Aqua defended.

"That's not important right now! Chrysalis. Attacked. You," Twilight enunciated with a poke to his chest. "She could've drained the love out of you if she wanted to!"

"She didn't...before I passed out I heard her talking to somepony. It sounded like she was talking to--" before Aqua could finish, a flash of light infiltrated his mind, and a menacing pair of red eyes overshadowed him. Shock got the best of him, and he froze silent.

"What? Who?! Who was she talking about?!" Twilight hollered as she shook Aqua to alert him. Aqua pushed away from her grasp.

"I-I don't know! I can't remember who!" Aqua stammered as the veil of shock began to wear off on him. With a sigh, he dropped back into his chair as his heart rate returned to normal. Twilight's left ear twitched slightly before she calmed herself down.

"This is bad. We need to report this to Celestia immediately. I suggest we leave now," Twilight said as she finished the rest of her meal. Aqua followed suit before Twilight keeled over as she began falling down the stairs. Female pained grunts followed by male pained grunts ensued until dual crashes echoed downstairs.

"Spike! You forgot to put that book away!" Twilight and Aqua yelled up from the bottom of the stairs. Spike innocently whistled as he dumped the empty dishes into the sink and tiptoed up the stairs.

Galloping out of the library, Twilight and Aqua set off for the train station. A rainbow trailed across the sky, tearing a cloud straight in half. Before Twilight reached the train station, Aqua suddenly stopped her.

"What's wrong, Aqua?" she asked as he looked up at the sky. His eyes squinted in the direction of the rainbow trail, and in a panic, Force pushed her out of the way. Before she could protest, that same rainbow trail struck where Twilight had stood. Twilight coughed as dust rose from the impromptu landing with the dirt road, and she wobbled back over to Aqua. He swept his forehead in relief as the mare sprawled on the ground twitched.

"What the hay was that?" Twilight asked as she shook her head to fix her vision.

"I think that would be Rainbow Dash right there," Aqua gestured towards the rainbow pegasus before offering a hoof up to the downed mare. Rainbow stood on all fours again when her raspy voice spoke.

"You guys! You're finally back! Gosh, we've been so worried about you! Where the heck have you been?!" Rainbow hollered as she clung to Twilight.

"We were just in the Everfree Forest after our chariot in Fillydelphia turned out to be a Changeling ambush," Twilight explained.

"Long story short, we had to go through the forest back to Ponyville...isn't this a déjà vu moment?" Aqua added.

"Whoa wait! Changelings?! Those bug things that sacked Canterlot at your brother's wedding?!" Rainbow asked.

"Yes! Aqua got attacked by Chrysalis after he got mauled by a Manticore!" Twilight answered.

"Mauled is going a bit overboard, isn't it?" Aqua defended. As they trotted to the train, they were now approached by the rest of the group as Rainbow waved them over. Each of them wore expressions of both relief and worry. Rarity was the first to speak.

"Twilight, darling! And dear Aqua! My word, we've been worried to death about you two! Wherever have you been?"

"Relax Rarity, we were just stranded in the Everfree Forest for a while after our chariot turned out to be a trap."

"That's right! You were both in Fillydephia for days! Was it that bad?" Rainbow asked.

"Horrible. Lots of Changelings fighting, just terrible," Twilight answered.

"Why couldn't we come? We could've rainbow nuked them with the Elements!" Rainbow Dash groaned.

"It was just Changelings, and Aqua's the one with the lightsaber here," Twilight reasoned.

"W-Where are you off to so suddenly?" Fluttershy asked.

"We've received a letter from Princess Celestia telling us to meet her in Canterlot on an important issue, most likely concerning the Changeling invasions. And I think we'd hate to keep her waiting any longer, so if you'll excuse us, ladies," Aqua said as he and Twilight made for the train station. Suddenly, Rainbow Dash sped in front of them and blocked their way.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! If she's going, we're coming too! Right, girls?" Rainbow pumped her chest with pride.

"You don't know what could happen while we're in Canterlot. There could be a surprise invasion for all we know!" Aqua protested.

"Now hold it right there, darling," Rarity interrupted. "Twilight is our friend, and we are going to stick by her, no matter what we have to face, we shall do it together."

"Besides, who knows what y'all would do all alone in Canterlot?" Applejack joked as Aqua and Twilight both blushed fiercely.

"Plus, I heard there's a special on gingerbread mares in the Canterlot bakery! We so gotta get some!" Pinkie Pie said in her usual enthusiasm and bounce in her step with the spring sound effect.

"Come on Aqua, they really want to come, and we could use a little company," Twilight suggested as Aqua crossed his forehooves in thought.

"I'll meditate on it," Aqua said stiffly.

"Please?" Twilight asked, now fluttering her eyelids in front of him. Aqua opened an eye and his expression faltered slightly. Twilight then pulled out the big guns.

"Pretty please?" Twilight practically begged as she tempted Aqua with her quivering lip and puppy dog eyes. Aqua struggled to stay strong, but he inevitably cracked under the pressure.

"Alright, alright. Fine, they can come with us," Aqua sighed as he walked up to the stallion behind the counter.

"How may I help you?" the stallion asked.

"Seven tickets to Canterlot, please," Aqua said as he slid nine bits across the counter. The stallion levitated the tickets to the group as they all took their leave into the train. As Aqua entered the train behind Twilight, he noticed she was now tickling his chin with her tail. He held back a laugh as he walked into the train car with her and the others.

The train ride so far had been a bit uncomfortable for the group. Due to the recent Changeling attacks, bumps in the road of the train tracks were more than to be expected. Twilight sat close to Aqua as he stared out the window, taking in the view of the purple mountains they were now about to tunnel through. The others had kept themselves busy with their idle conversations with each other. Twilight surpressed a yawn as she leaned inwards towards him lovingly. Aqua put a hoof around her shoulder and pulled her into his grasp. They smiled at each other and leaned in to kiss. A bump in the road followed by a loud screech interrupted their embrace as the train came to a halt.

"Well, we're here. Welcome to Canterlot," Aqua said in a tender voice as he and her rubbed noses before Twilight planted her lips against his, taking him by surprise.

"Alright darlings, now let's go see what the Princess has in store for us," Rarity said as she walked out the door of the train car. The rest followed as a squad of royal guards approached them.

"Twilight Sparkle. We've been waiting for you," a guard said.

"Thank you, guards. Come on girls, the Princess awaits us!" Twilight said as she and Aqua raced towards the castle, moving aside the dozens of crowding ponies among the streets. The hustle and bustle of business stands, common ponies chatting to each other, it all brought memories of home to Twilight. Aqua walked alongside her with her spring in her step as they soon enough reached the castle doors. Tipping their heads to the guards, they walked over the bridge of the castle and into the interior. Celestia was sitting on her throne when she saw the group arrive.

"Hello, my little ponies. I've been expecting you," Celestia greeted as the seven ponies bowed to her.

"We would've gotten here sooner if it weren't for our chariot in Fillydelphia being hi-jacked by Changelings," Twilight stated.

"I knew something was amiss when I did not immediately receive a letter in response." Celestia said.

"We were lost in the Everfree, my Princess. And we have dire news to inform you of," Aqua followed.

"And what is that, my friend?" Celestia said.

"I regret to inform you that Queen Chrysalis is indeed directly related to the Changeling invasions across Equestria." Celestia's knowing smile turned to a frown as Aqua matched Twilight's face.

"And that's not all. It looks like she's not alone. I tried asking him, but Aqua just...froze up like he was under a trance. What was that all about, anyway?" Twilight added.

"I don't know, Twilight. All I know is she's working with someone. That's all she told me before I woke up in the mirror pool. That's all I know, ok?" Aqua said in defense.

"And that is something we shall deal with later. Right now we have an important matter to discuss. Did you say the mirror pool?" Celestia asked.

"Yes. Why?" Aqua asked.

"I have called you here to debate on whether or not we use the mirror pool," Celestia answered.

"...To do what, exactly?" Twilight asked.

"To create an army of soldiers who will assist us in fighting off the Changelings. As you can tell by the recent Fillydelphia invasion, our royal guard troops are severely outnumbered, and we are lacking in resources needed to train new recruits, as well as dwindling time on this war," Celestia explained.

"But an army? Princess, don't you think creating an army for Equestria seems against our beliefs? Even against the morals of the Jedi?" Aqua questioned.

"This is a crisis, Master Aqua. We are at war with the Changelings, and if we don't utilize the mirror pool, we will lose this war. Also, Chrysalis has her own army of Changelings, and we are in desperate need of a counter to her forces. You are willing to put aside such rigid beliefs aside for the greater good, don't you?" Celestia responded, flashing her trademark smile. The smile that could turn a crowd to her favor in any direction. Aqua turned to Twilight, who nodded her head in agreement with Celestia.

"I suppose an army could be of need of our country. But who exactly will we use as a test subject?" Aqua asked. Suddenly, Pinkie Pie shot up between the two and flailed her hoof up to raise attention.

"Ooh, ooh! Ooh, ooh, ooooh! Pick me! I can be a test subject! Let me, let me!" Pinkie begged.

"No!" Twilight and Aqua shouted in unison, levitating her away from them.

"If we're creating an army based off a test subject, might I suggest we clone Big Mactintosh?" Aqua suggested.

"Y'all mean ya wanna clone mah big brother for an army?" Applejack asked.

"Well...sure," Twilight answered, "I mean, you have to admit Big Macintosh is stronger than the average Earth pony."

"Even so, ah'm not so sure we should be just using mah brother," Applejack countered.

"Then why don't we use Twilight and Rainbow Dash as our unicorn and pegasi subjects?" Aqua suggested.

"Are you sure that's a good idea, Aqua?" Twilight asked.

"We must try, at the very least, for Equestria's sake," Aqua answered.

"Big Mac troopers with wings and horns. Yeah, this is gonna work out just fine," Rainbow noted. Celestia put a hoof to her chin in thought, and a smile crossed her face.

"Then it is settled! Tomorrow, we shall begin cloning our army, and as soon as we have a sufficient amount of soldiers, we can launch an attack on the Changeling Kingdom!" Celestia said. As soon as her sentence was finished, a scream was heard outside. The group rushed towards the balcony to see the sight unfold. Aqua's eyes widened as he saw it. As if resurrected from the dead, the blood red stallion Sith known as Darth Wrath had appeared from behind a column, and was now fending off a few royal guards.

"I'll handle this," Aqua said as Twilight glanced at him with worry. He unstrapped his lightsaber from his tunic belt and leaped from the balcony, wings shot out in momentum. He dropped to the ground without a sound to face Wrath with his back turned. He snarled as his head turned sideways, his red-rimmed eyes staring harsh daggers at him. To Aqua, age had not been kind to him; noticable by the sharp, jagged horns that seemed to grow from his head, and the black robes that clung to him.

"When I cut you in half, I should've aimed for your neck instead of your legs," Aqua said. Wrath sneered at him in fury as he charged at him, blade poised for the head. Aqua preempted his attack with a charge of his own, ending in a bladelock between the two. Seconds heated on by as the two stood their ground, with Aqua now towering over the Sith with his saber over the red blade. Taking a slash at the right blade, Aqua leaped above the dazed stallion and slashed harder at the blade, forcing him to stumble backwards. Seizing his enemy, he threw him down onto the hard cobblestone ground, only for the blood red stallion to swipe his back hoof across Aqua's legs, taking him down with him. Aqua rolled to the side to avoid a scarlet blade piercing through him, and shot his blue blade with enough force to throw the Sith's saber aside.

Wrath growled in anger as he attempted to ram his horned head into Aqua, only for his horns to be severed off by the Jedi's sword. Continuing the battle across the city street, Wrath peered over to the balcony and smirked sadistically. As Aqua was distracted, Wrath bumped the hilt of his saber against his forehead, temporarily stunning him. Wrath galloped to the castle, and Aqua raced after him, and tackled him hard to the ground as the Sith's head scraped against the cobble.

Raising their blades, Aqua and Wrath squared off once more. They simultaneously slashed at one other with their blades clashing against each other. He slashed for the right blade, and Wrath sidestepped and attempted to stab him, only to have Aqua fiercely kick him in the waist, stunning him. Sneering, Wrath jumped upon the balcony the group had been standing on, and Aqua followed immediately after. Wrath leaped over a low swipe to the legs, and they locked their blades one final time before...

SLASH!

Gritting his teeth, he drew Wrath back and crossed with the hilt of his double bladed saber, bisecting it in two, and Wrath struggled not to fall off the side of the balcony from the force of the swipe. Grabbing him by his hooves, Aqua turned and flung the Sith across the sky, straight into a pillar. Twilight watched in utter surprise as Aqua deactivated his saber, and took the two red blades as he sped towards him in a burst of speed. Wrath's back smashed against the side of the pillar when Aqua came at him, and before he could fall to the ground, Aqua cleaved through both of his shoulders with both of his sabers, and was effectively nailed into the column by the hilts of the swords. He feebly pushed Aqua off of him as sparks flew from the burning holes in his shoulders, stabbing through the veins as he slowly lowered his head, resigning himself to his fate. Aqua wordlessly mourned, and turned his back on him, returning to the castle. A husk of a Changeling appeared in Wrath's place as Aqua flew up to the balcony in melancholy.

"Are you ok, Aqua?!" Twilight asked as she lunged for him in worry.

"I'm fine, Twilight. But...I don't think Wrath's going anywhere for a while," Aqua said, his tone nerved. He sighed as Twilight nuzzled him in relief.

"Well, I suppose the meeting should be adjourned until tomorrow. Until then, I wish you all a fond goodnight, my little ponies," Celestia regarded Aqua with a praising nod before she turned her back, with the group bowing to her. As Aqua began to leave, Twilight tugged at his hoof.

"Aqua, wait. I want to show you something," Twilight said.

"Sure Twilight, what is it?" Aqua said before Twilight put her hoof in front of him.

"Oop, oop, oop. Keep your eyes closed. It's a surprise," Twilight whispered as she led Aqua out of the castle. Moments passed before Twilight told him to open them, and Aqua's jaw dropped to see an ivory tower before them. Twilight beamed happily before she put a hoof around his shoulder and walked up the spiral staircase. Opening the sapphire doors, Twilight silently welcomed him to her former home.

"Wow. Is this your old home before you lived in Ponyville?" Aqua asked. Twilight giggled in response.

"It sure is. What do you think of it?" she asked.

"It's beautiful, so fancy and lavish," Aqua said as he glanced at the living room. Twilight, as if she was in a hurry, almost rushed Aqua with her upstairs. They stood and stared at the twin bookshelved hugging the walls with a massive hourglass making the centerpiece. Aqua marveled as Twilight led him to the bedroom.

"I suppose we should getting ready for bed. What say you?" Aqua asked.

"Absolutely," Twilight said with a bit of lust in her voice. She tugged at his robe with her teeth, as if she were silently begging for it to come off. Complying, Aqua dropped his tunic and followed her onto the bed. A giggle escaped Twilight's mouth as she laid close to him. The two kissed each other's lips before they snuggled together. The two laughed quietly as they came closer, and with a wisp of magenta magic, the lights went out from the room. It was quiet in the room for a time, until moans of pleasure broke the silence.

The Everfree Forest was dark and quiet, full of evil and fear unknown to any pony who dared to trek it's path. Out of any corner, monsters big and small of unimaginable malice could appear and harm you. The forks in the road were enough to ensnare anypony in its grasp forever more.

What was currently walking through these woods was far more dark and evil than the forest was. King Sombra's mere presence in the forest in turn caused much of the plant life to physically decay from his influence. His face, hidden from the tousled black cloak, was shrouded with a purple haze coming from his green eyes. A twisted smile cracked upon his muzzle as he came closer to his destination. He slowly came upon a hollowed out tree, decorated with mysterious potions and liquors hanging from ropes from the branches, as if to ward off evil spirits. Sombra merely pushed a bottle back and heard it clank against the others. He noticed the horned masks of several animals, and reveled in the memory of slaying each and every one of those the masks represented. He shrouded himself in the shadow of the tree as a figure stepped out from the doorway.

Zecora had saw Sombra since he had been walking a mere hundred feet away, and had readied herself for his arrival. She exited the tree armed with a pointed staff.

"Spirit of dark, begone! Your business here is done," Zecora warned as she eased towards the shadows. She was nerved to hear the warped chuckle coming from the shrouds.

"My business here has just begun, fair zebra. You'll be surprised to know what I seek," Sombra moaned as his black silky mane seemed to flow from the inky blackness. Zecora held her staff up to defend herself.

"Now, calm yourself, zebra. I wish not to harm you unless you have provoked me. I come for the amulet," Sombra said.

"The amulet is not here. And it appears your travel here has ended up blear," Zecora tested. Sombra's brow furrowed as he sneaked right through her lie. Sombra held a hoof out, and without even touching it, Zecora's staff instantly snapped in two pieces, and he flung the helpless zebra across the bark.

"You will show me the amulet personally, or die where you stand," Sombra warned as he held her tight in his invisible hold. Zecora struggled to break free, but the dark lord clung her to his will without mercy.

"I will not show you. Gone from this land, and gone from it, you too," Zecora choked as Sombra tightened his grip. Sombra simply answered with this.

"That will be my decision now," Sombra said with a flick of his wrist, throwing Zecora hard against a nearby tree. He blasted away at front of the tree with a burst of dark magic, and crept inside. Bottles from all the shelves crashed to the floor as the demonic unicorn searched, and as he knocked over a nearby caudron, he reached for the bed and ripped away at it's foundation. In his vivid red aura, he came across a small chest. Grinning with it, his horn flickered an even brighter scarlet as the locked chest opened in his grip, unveiling what he had been searching long for. Surges of red lights glared from the interior. A Force storm waned from Sombra's hooves, washing over the broken hut and flinging debris around, shattering furniture in two as he laughed maniacally. He exited the hut with the Alicorn Amult wrapped around his neck, glowing bright red in sync with his blood red eyes in a green shroud. He bitterly regarded Zecora as he slowly trotted from the clearing.

"The Dark Side is now completely with me. For I...am...Darth Sombra," Sombra croaked in pleasure as his menacing laughter continued as he marched from the outskirts of the Everfree Forest.