The Meaning of Loyalty

Prologue

Ghosts of the Past

I remember it...

The long bright days…

The long cool nights…

When all was in harmony…

Stepping off that train one cool wintery morning was like taking a dip in a tub full of hot water, then leaping out of it suddenly. The chill would have been enough to make me retreat behind my thick warm cloak. Had I not been a Pegasus and been completely used to the cold winter chill. Besides, being immune to those sorts of things was my deal. Names Dash by the way, Rainbow dash, leader of the Ponyvile Weather team if you didn’t know already. Princess Luna summoned me personally, kind of like that thing Princess Celestia does with Twilight Sparkle.

Although the snow piled all around me, signs of its departure were in the air. The sun cast its melting heat down upon the Canterlot streets, beginning its long cycle of ceremonious banishment to the frozen liquid, until another season when it would dominate the land once again.

But I paid the melting snow no heed, or the other ponies of the streets either as I made my way towards the Castle, where no doubt Princess Luna was awaiting my arrival. This is definitely kind of creepy Rainbow Dash, I mean. Since when does a Princess, Princess Luna for that matter, who barely even knows you, suddenly summon you to Canterlot with an urgent request. I mean, Twilight does that sort of thing all the time with Princess Celestia, but why me?

While my thoughts continued a journey of their own, i found herself flying almost directly into a unicorn traveling down the street, lost in thoughts of its own and nearly not noticing the multicolor maned Pegasus flying right into it. “Sorry about that sir, I’m in a bit of a hurry. The Princess has summoned me to the Castle, and I don’t have much time to talk. Later!” and with that, i gave the stranger no more time, blasting down the street towards the castle, now looming before them in all its early morning glory.

The Unicorn simply watcher me go, studying me with inquisitive eyes behind the thick ebony green cloak which covered nearly its entire body, save for the tip of its muzzle, the horn, and the bottoms of its hooves. Anyone who observed it for long enough would learn that it bore charcoal grey skin, horseshoes with emblazoned designs upon them, and last but not even close to least, piercing blue eyes which glowed almost like a bio luminescent plant in pitch dark. It watcher me go, a thin grin creeping across its face in confirmation, Why yes indeed Rainbow Dash, you are indeed late for a summons. A summons which has awaited you for a thousand years!

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“Thank you for coming so fast Rainbow Dash, we have been expecting you.”

After dismissing the guards, the Princess made sure that every spell she had placed upon the room was intact, and then turned to her guest, taking on herself a very serious pose. “Rainbow Dash, as I am sure you are wondering why you are here, and why we have summoned you.”

i nodded, “that’s Right. Don’t get me wrong, it’s totally awesome to be called to the castle by the Princess. But why me, I mean OK, so I’m famous and all that, but this was very sudden, and having the night guards summon me in the middle of the day was strange to say the least.”

Princess Luna grinned lightly, pausing to let a laugh loose before continuing. “Famous? If by that you mean well known, i would have to disagree. I asked my Sister about you because I know she would remember your name. But if by famous you mean a hero destined to bear the element of Loyalty, then yes, I could agree with that line of reasoning.”

i chuckled half heatedly, clearly trying to show that i agreed with the Princess, even though the comment had struck my ego head on. “Well then, if not because of that, then why am I here?”

Luna paused, letting her grin fade before parading over to one of her huge wardrobes, a small bit of magic opening it effortlessly. Then, she began mumbling a long list of words, most which i had never heard of. And the others, things she had heard Twilight mention on occasion when using magic. The Princess must be casting a spell or something like that. But if this involves magic, then why isn’t Twilight here? What do I have to do with the magical arts? Yeah sure Twilight goes on about how a Pegasus has natural magical weather changing abilities. But I can’t control those, at least, not on a whim like Twilight can with her magic.

“OK Rainbow Dash, come hither.”

Slowly, and with careful step, a feat i found harder than most would, Being fast all the time and such, i took a position beside the Princess, who know held a glowing sphere aloft, revealing a passageway which had been hidden behind the wardrobe. Or perhaps the wall behind the wardrobe, i found it hard to tell which one it had been as the wardrobe seemed almost seamless to the walls.

The passageway went downward, a flight of stairs leading into the darkness which would have been useable had Luna not held her aura aloft lighting the way. Alas, Luna gave me no time to contemplate, moving at once down the steps and into the darkness. “Princess, Wait up for me!” suddenly, i found herself rushing down the flight of stairs, only to bump into the Princess a few hundred yards down.

Luna was not amused, “do watch where you’re going Rainbow Dash, and keep to the ground beside me, very easy to get lost when all is dark.” I paused, “but don’t we have the-“ as if answering her question, the door they had preceded from closed shut, blotting out all night save for Luna’s Aura.

Luna gave me a smirk of amusement, “like we said, stay close to our side.” i decided at that point that continuing any arguing with the Princess was pointless, as she clearly seemed to know where we were going, and what we would most likely encounter. So instead, i began asking more important questions, the ones that hung closer to my mind.

“Princess, you never really did tell me why I was summoned here, or where exactly were going-“

“Rainbow Dash, enough!”

i quickly shut up; completely caught off guard by the Princess’ sharp change in tone and anger. After a few moments of silence, Luna sighed. “Forgive our harsh tone, but concentration is required for us to safely make it to our desired destination. Your questions, though harmless in asking, are ill timed. I shall answer your questions at a less crucial point. But for now, stay silent and follow my lead.”

i also decided at that point not to get on the Princess’ bad side.

Twilight had said things about Celestia changing tone suddenly; I guess that’s just a thing with Princess and Royalty or something.

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How long we traversed those dark and quiet tunnels, i didn’t know. At earlier points i had made it a chore to keep track of it, but after awhile, i lost count and gave up. Finally, when it felt like we had traveled across Equestria and back, Luna began talking. “A long time ago, before either I or my sister ruled; there was a group of ponies who sought to bring justice and wisdom to the dark world of Equestria. They were four when they started, all unicorns. But as time grew on, many more joined their ranks. Their mission: to find a ruler who was both just and wise who would lead Equestria. Our ancestors existed at this time, but they had not yet taken up the mantle of leadership and claimed deity over Equestria as of yet. This group called themselves, the Order of Night and Day. Many different creatures soon joined them, and as their numbers grew, they soon realized that their mission was fated to be more difficult than previously imagined.”

A droplet landed upon my nose, causing me to flinch suddenly and look up. With the dim light of the aura i could make out the faint outlines of the ceiling above myself, and the walls about them. In all, i guessed the hall way to be big enough to allow passage to things far greater in size than even an Alicorn.“As their search continued, they soon despaired, would there be no being great and wise enough to lead Equestria. Was their mission doomed to fail?”

Luna turned a sharp right, leading us down a hallway now barely big enough to allow Luna passage. But after leaning her head down, we continued. “It was in this moment, this time of their greatest doubt. That one young amongst them, a unicorn named Morning Sun, offered up himself to journey into the last place on Equestria unsearched… the desolation.”

i flinched. i had never heard about such a place except in stories told to her long ago. This Desolation was supposed to be a place far away, a place where the sun rarely shined and the moon failed to cast its light. A place where dark things dwelt and cruel creatures twisted by lack of light grew and thrived.

Princess Luna Continued onward, "At first, this plan was dismissed as foolish and pointless. How could a great ruler that would lead Equestria in peace live in such a dark and cruel place? But Morning would not be denied, so sure of the ruler they sought was there that he left without permission. He was never heard from again.”

i Gasped, “Never?” Luna nodded, “yes Rainbow Dash, never… or so they thought.”

Luna paused, her horn suddenly glowing very bright as the aura vanished. After a few moments of this, Luna whispered something under her breath, and a stone doorway slowly rolled aside, the moonlight replacing the aura that Luna had cast previously. “We are here at last. It has been many ages since I last stepped foot here Rainbow Dash, but only recently did you.”

As i looked around for signs to something i recognized, i noticed ruined walls before us, and it dawned on me where we were. The ruins of Nightmare Moon’s castle, deep within the Ever free Forest; but that was one long trek for a place so nearby. And why are we here? Is Princess Luna looking for something, or is she hiding a secret that she won’t tell me.

i watched the Princess continue forward, almost oblivious to my presence as if she was mentally somewhere else. Every stone, every wall, every hinge and every broken window she paused to observe, looking absentminded as her gaze never left the sky. if i hadn't known better, i would have thought that the Princess was mourning someone, or something.

She looks so broken. But isn’t this Nightmare Moons castle and Not Luna’s? Or is she still nightmare moon and just never told anyone! “Princess what’s the matter? You look like you’ve lost someone close.”

Luna sighed, turning to give me a full stare. A look of deep thought had come upon the Princess’ face, and she no longer seemed to bear the uncertain timid stare she had seen her with so often. “Yes Rainbow Dash, I have lost something dear to me, or should I say… someone; which is why I have brought you here.” Luna continued her slow trot onwards, further and further into the heart of the ruined monolith as we neared the throne room. i too had flashbacks, of an encounter not long ago when i and five others whom i knew well had charged into these very ruins, where i had denied the invitation of the shadow bolts to abandon my friends. And together, we had vanquished Nightmare Moon.

Or so we had thought. Has Luna really changed? She seems so different once we came here again, “Princess, there is something I have to ask.”

Luna turned; a downcast expression permeated her face. “You want to know whether or not I have changed, or if the dark being you fought here is still active and in control.”

i shuddered, she read my mind like I had already asked the question. Really creepy I got to say, “Um… yeah; I mean no offense, I’m not really good at this whole royal thing, but it was nagging me and I kind of wanted to know.”

Luna grinned lightly, “no Rainbow Dash, Nightmare Moon is gone, she vanished when you defeated her right here in this very chamber, and I am very grateful for that. That is part of why I brought you here in the first place.”

I took that moment to glance around. Sure enough, we were standing in the same throne room where the six bearers of harmony had defeated Nightmare Moon, and released Princess Luna, the same one who now stood before me. i could see the resemblances, the dark colors, the glowing blue mane, the big blue eyes, the huge expanse of her two huge wings which she now let flap freely. And when Luna Spoke again, her tone changed from its calm and distant voice, to a deep Royal Equestrian proclaiming voice wrought with intent and certainty. “Guard yourself Rainbow Dash, there are dark things amidst. and while it is true that you and your companions defeated Nightmare moon and freed me, Nightmare Moon was not completely vanquished.”

i grimaced, “but wait then, if Nightmare Moon wasn’t defeated completely, where is she?” Luna turned to the crumbled throne before them, the same place i Remembered where Nightmare Moon had stood when me and my friends had unleashed the elements upon her. the angles of her eyebrows sharpening in a v pattern. “the physical form of Nightmare Moon was me, Princess Luna. But her Spirit resides within these walls, the same fortress she cruelly commanded for over a hundred years during the war. Even now, I feel her presence, beckoning me back. She haunts my dreams, curses my thoughts. Until the Spirit of Nightmare Moon is defeated, I shall know no peace. Will you help me in this?”

i nodded vigorously, making it clear that i was all in, “I’m with you Princess! But if you want to defeat Nightmare Moon again, don’t we need all the elements? Why just me?”

All in all, at that moment, i saw past shadows stand upon that pedestal, creeping upon the Princess and threatening to blot out the image that i had come to know so well. They shouted to her, tempting her with powers and control that she had possessed before in the past, free of any other sibling to control her. “Join us” they would whisper “join us and take back the power that is rightfully yours, but has been taken from you!”

But the Princes did not falter, nor did she cower, but instead raised her horn high over her head, energy sparking from it with a fury from the likes i had never seen before, and shouted, “Curse me no more demons of my past! I am Loyal to Equestria and my duty as Princess of the night alone. I desire no power greater than the power to rule justly and with wisdom. Your power does not control me anymore, accursed devil. And to prove it, see now the Very Element of Loyalty stands before you as well. You can curse me, but you cannot defeat us when i fight with Loyalty guiding me. Here Rainbow Dash, take your element and stand with me! Show them the power of Loyalty!”

Suddenly, and completely without warning, i found the necklace which held my Element appear before me, its lightning jewel glimmering slightly in the dim light. Whoa! I thought Celestia had those locked up! Princess Luna must have taken mine.

Taking the necklace, i donned it, feeling the power it held and the confidence it brought. i also realized that,unlike last time, i felt a power that i could not contain, its aura leaking out from the very edges of my essence like a steam rising from a chimney. It’s even more powerful than before! Did Princess Luna super charge it or something? I don’t remember being this charged when we fought Nightmare moon. or maybe im delving deeper into what the Element of Loyalty can do.

Unable to hold back, i spread forth my wings, energy surging from them in all directions with a blinding light that i couldn’t bare to look directly at. They looked thrice as big as before as well, as if the very energy i was outputting was causing them to expand and grow far beyond their original size, yet with no extra effort to use them.

Princess Luna as well unfurled her wings, spreading them wide and unleashed the full brilliance of her beauty, a beauty i could not match. The aura was so bright, yet it was a strange brightness, a brightness brought on not by the insertion of light, but by the removal of darkness.

so much power... if i hadn't controlled my element before this point i might already have exploded! "Guard Yourself Rainbow Dash, they assail us! hold nothing back, but do not stray far from me, our power is tenfold when we are together."

And she was true, whenever i moved more than ten feet from Luna's side, i felt my power vanish in a staggering amount. but as long as i stayed within ten feet of her, which was literally my wingtip touching hers, i felt nothing. Together, these strange shadows began to strike out at us, moving fast and weaving about as much as possible. a few times i feared they would have caught me and separated me from Luna, but every time they got close, Luna would warn me of their approach, and i would react accordingly. she Honestly seemed to see everything a moment before it happened, which made defending myself far easier.

The Shadows never stopped chanting their temptations at us, some of them at me, mostly at Luna. i would be lying right now if i said that there arguments weren't tempting. offering everything i wanted and more. fame, fortune, recognition, The Wonderbolts. NO! to lead the wonder bolts. i could have it all with this power. and only Luna is the one keeping me from using it freely. These are but a few of the tempting thoughts which went through my mind.

but somehow, standing there with that immense energy surging through me, those dreams seemed less important. don't get me wrong, i didn't stop wanting them, and i doubt i ever would. but somehow, i think the Voice of Loyalty won over in the end, or maybe it was Princess Luna endlessly encouraging my every strike, praising my every move and bolstering my every action. it kind of felt like when i had turned down t he Shadow Bolts offer. it was what i had wanted... or close enough. but somehow, i had that feeling that, even though it was what i WANTED to do, it wasn't the RIGHT thing to do, and that's what i wanted in the end. and Standing Beside Luna, feeling the power of being a team, it reminded me when me and my other five friends unleashed our elements down upon Nightmare Moon. we were a team, six moving like one goddess of immense power. and i got to say, even though i had yet to get to know the Princess well enough. we made one heck of a team.it must be my Element, how else would i be able to feel and move so in tune with Luna and she with me. this power stems from our ability of teamwork. so as long as we work together, we can't loose!

the battle lasted for a long time. i cannot remember exactly how long, but it was no five minute cake walk at Sugar Cube Corner with Pinkie Pie. every attempt the shadows made at us, weather it be verbal or physical, we stood against them as one. when they struck at me, Luna smote them with a force i feared, and rightfully so. i would not want to be there one moment, then disintegrated with an infernal lunar rage. and im pretty sure that, even if the Shadows didn't feel, they still felt that.

Finally, when it was clear that they were outmaneuvered and out-powered. cowering and shrinking behind every corner they could find that would blot out the light, the Shadows began rapidly fleeing in any direction they could.. Some of them escaped, vanishing with threats of revenge which in all honesty sounded more like quivering complaints from a foal. some of them, however, could not escape, and upon making contact with the ever precise strike Luna and i made, vanished with piercing screams of despair.

Then at last, when only two remained, one of them leapt at me, spraying smoke in all directions and screaming as loud as it could. i feigned back, covering myself with one of my massive Celestial wings to block the onslaught. i felt it, the freezing bites its attacks felt on my wings, hewing and breaking anything it could.

this is what it feels like when im this powerful?!?! geese, its a good thing i have the element of Loyalty on my side, i don't think i could have taken that normally. But then, just as soon as the biting pain had begun, it stopped, the screeching replaced by a fading howl of anger which gradually faded away. Only one remained, starring down both an agitated me with one sore and scratched up wing, and a very infuriated Luna.

Luna turned to face it, the edges of her eyes blazing with intense blue energy like the energy that even now covered her wings and her body in a brilliant aura of pure power. And when she spoke, it was with the full Canterlot voice, the FULL, Canterlot voice. not the voiced she shouted at the Nightmare night festival which could turn most strong stallions cold with fear. not the voice she uses when she curses someone or something that agitates her.

no... this was the "im going to explode and wipe you out of existence so hard you and everything within a mile of your current location will crumble with dread at my wrath", Canterlot voice.

for that moment, i saw a glimmer of evil in her rage, the shadow of Nightmare moon appearing in my mind. she can't kill in anger, otherwise this will solve nothing at all. she's got to know that, right? "Princess Luna, Stop! think what your doing before you act."

Luna spun about to face me, still breathing heavily with energy raging from the sides of her eyes. "THEY SHALL PAY RAINBOW DASH! DO NOT DEFY ME IN THIS! THEY WILL FEEL AGONY!"

I flinched at her tone, even with all the element of Loyalties power and more her voice was still dominating, and being the equivalent of a goddess, i wasn't really surprised. but i wouldn't stop now, not when she needed clear thinking the most. "Yes, they have to pay and pay good. but don't do it with vengeance in mind. do it because you have to! you won't solve anything with blind anger, and the ghosts we just killed will come back to haunt you again! do it because your the Princess of the Night, and there evil jerks who gotta pay, keep your cool!"

Princess Luna paused, breathing in and outward fast and loud, glancing between me and the Shadow who was still scanning the area for a method of escape. i could see the gears spinning in her head again as the searing blackness coming from her body slowly cool down.

Finally, she sighed, the energy in her eyes fading slowly. "your right... im not thinking strait. I've forgotten why i came here in the first place. to be rid of my anger and vengeance. to be rid of the past." Luna turned, the power slowly receding as her form returned to its original calmer appearance. "we shall defeat him together, so neither he, nor any like him shall curse anyone again. and we will do it for the better of Equestria, not me."

I Smiled, letting the energy i had received slowly recede back into the Element of Loyalty from whence i had drawn it, my physical form shrinking and changing back to my normal Pegasus form. i felt feeble suddenly, weak as i no longer held power i could not fathom. but somehow, i was not scared of this Shadow, who had done anything but shrink in appearance. now, after the damage i had dished out, it seemed more pathetic than ever. "i don't fear you creature. ultimate power and what i personally want can never take the place of my friends, and my duty to stand by their side. so what if i don't know Princess Luna well. big deal, we can fix that, which is more than i can say for you when we wipe the floor with your dead body! you won't be keeping the Princess from ruling Equestria the right way anymore!"

The creature hissed, barring its fangs and flashing its claws. But before it fled, it paused, and laughed, its voice changing tone to fit one i had never heard. But Luna definitely had, i could tell by the response she gave. “HA HA HA HA HA HA!! THIS IS NOT OVER PRINCESS LUNA, IT’S NEVER OVER! WE SHALL FOREVER EXIST; YOU CANNOT DEFEAT US FOREVER, NEVER! YOU THINK YOU HAVE VANQUISHED US? AS LONG AS YOU EXIST, AND THE DRIVE FOR HATRED EXISTS, WE SHALL NEVER FADE! AND YOU! BEARER OF LOYALTY! YOU THINK YOU CAN IGNORE ME? YOU THINK THE TEMPTATIONS I BRING WILL FADE BECAUSE YOU CAN SIMPLY DEFEAT ME FOR THE RIGHT REASONS? I AM FEAR, I AM DEATH, I OWN THE NIGHT! FEEL THE FALSE SENSE OF ASSURED VICTORY IN YOUR PETTY LOYALTY. IN THE END, YOU WILL CRUMBLE BENEATH THE WEIGHT OF YOUR FAILURE TODAY.”

the shadow then shifted form, taking one of a pony, a Unicorn to be exact. The hues and colors were a distorted mess, but what i could make out was the basic colors and defining facial features. It was black or more so a dark grey which was a cruel looking hue or at least it appeared so by the creature’s description of whoever this unicorn was. It bore no wings, but instead a short, sharp ended horn lay atop its head with unparalleled smoothness, this Rainbow Dash was sure of. Its eyes were a mess of smoke and wispy shapes, but the color was unmistakable. They were blue or more so a hue of ebony blue, both red and blue amongst the same two eyes fighting for control in a never ending swirl which was its guise. Other than that, i could make nothing out of it, but by just glancing at Luna, the horrified look on her face told me that she knew all too well who the creature was depicting. “AND DON'T WORRY PRINCESS … WE SHALL RETURN, AND WHEN WE DO, WE SHALL FULFILL OUR DUTIES, JUST AS YOU CURSED US TO DO A THOUSAND YEARS AGO! WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN”

Luna Frowned sharply, throwing her power with as much force as she could muster of force in all directions, creating a shock wave that rivaled a Sonic Rain boom. The being made no attempt to flee, but instead continued to repeat the last part of its statement until it vanished into nothingness. “WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN...we have not forgotten...”

i stood completely still, unsure how to react to what had just conspired. OK... WHAT WAS THAT? Luna seems to know more than me, but dear Celestia, whatever those things were, that was some hard core fighting. were they ghosts of past demons, or were they creatures with the most disgusting appearance I've ever seen.

“Princess… what in Equestria were those things?” i exclaimed, making sure to give my voice the most confused tone i could.

For a while, Luna said nothing, only starred at something lying on the ground before them, a crumpled mess of what appeared to me as a pile of fabrics or maybe clothing.

“Princess?”

Finally, Luna looked up, the scrap held closely to her by her magic, now lessened. When she spoke, her voice wavered with a mixture of many things. Fear, Anger, anguish, horror, and what caught me the hardest… dread.

“We must leave this place at once, we did what we came to do, and once again, I am in your debt Rainbow Dash. Those dark shadows of what I once was will harm no one again i think. But tell no one of the events that have conspired here, this must reside between you and me, and no one else. Not even the others bearers of Harmony must know, not until I say.” i nodded quickly, adding an “I promise Princess” to the end.

This made The Princess lighten up, closing her wings and straighten up her mane. “Good, once again I thank you Rainbow Dash; I do not believe I could have defeated them all had I not the power of the element of loyalty beside me. And fear not, my last strike was not in anger, but in haste to silence his words.”

i grinned, “Good to hear we did it in the end. but what did he mean by "we have not forgotten? what hasn't he forgotten? or more so, who hasn't forgotten?"

Princess Luna slumped, as if my question had brought upon her a burden she found hard to bear. "after how you aided me Rainbow Dash, i think you have earned the right to know more. but not here, and not know. these are things i would wish not to utter except in the privacy of my own room where i fear no one to hear."

I shrugged, "that's OK, you don't have to tell me know. and Princess, i had another question."

Princess Luna glanced at me, the grin creeping back upon her face, "so many of them it seems. go ahead."

I nodded, "about the story, with the group trying to find a ruler for Equestria?" Princes Luna nodded, "what about it?"

i paused to think how to ask my question, then glanced away. "well... i was wondering if you would tell me how it continues."

for the first few moments i didn't hear any response. but when my response came, it didn't come just in words. Before i knew it, Princess Luna had stepped forward, and covered me with one of her wings, still fairly large even in her normal size.

"of course i will. but why hesitate? do you not find the comfort to ask me?"

I gulped. oh no, i can't out and tell her im nervous around her! she would tell me that there's nothing to worry about. but... I've never had the feeling of free speech when i am around Celestia. so why is Princess Luna different?

"um... its nothing really, just a bit tired, and my wing is sore after that wound."

Luna took one look at my scratched up wing and gasped. "Oh dear, how utterly inconsiderate of me. you can't be left like that. no doubt the shadow infected your wounds. don't move."

I opened my mouth to argue, but closed it sharply when Luna went to work. the First Sensations i felt were pain, a jarring pain as if someone was grabbing my wing and twisting it all about. but that only lasted for a moment. after that, i felt nothing, as if my wing was still asleep after a long sleep.

"uh... thank you Princess."

Luna sighed, spreading her wings and lifting upward. "you are very welcome Rainbow Dash. an call me Luna, i insist it."

as i watched her go, i couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence, like some barrier had just been smashed away.

wow... Princess Luna is nothing like her Sister. maybe i can speak freely around her. maybe this is what Twilight feels when she can take her worries to Celestia. someone who is willing to hear you out regardless...

and as i had that thought, a smile escaped my mouth, i could get used to that.

I spread forth my wings, now much smaller as they usually were. but i could till faintly feel the effects of the Element of Loyalty, fueling me on as i dashed away. Likewise, i could see Princess Luna in the distance as she made her way back to Canterlot. the Element of Harmony safely had been given back to her. i didn't mind it, after all, being a princess with such power and all, she's probably much more capable to handle it when not in use. "i would probably loose it in the mess that is my house. but i can't help but wonder why me. she says it was because this was a job for Loyalty, but if that's the case, i hope that whatever we did face doesn't come back again, if it takes a Princess and someone like me to defeat them. but i can't shake the feeling that this somehow isn't over, not after what just happened."

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As the pony and the Alicorn spread forth their wings and took to the sky, they left behind the dark ruins, now a bit more ruined. but amongst them, things still moved. A dark shadow creeped once more upon the ground; its power had been challenged, and for that moment, it had been vanquished, and this did not please it, not one bit. Although it did not at that point contain the ability of speech, if looks could kill, it would have smashed everyone in Canterlot with its rage.

Princess Luna! She thinks the elements alone can stop us. She is a fool, just like when she lost her power to those foolish ponies. Such might, such ability, thrown away!

The shadow crept across the grass; any shrubbery it floated across shriveled and died as it passed by. Through the ruins it crept, up stairways and through broken archways, past broken banners and sundered armor long lost to a kingdom thought destroyed. But we are not destroyed; we have only been cast down. My power has never been more, and when I can once again take my true form, the fool Luna will be vanquished forever, and the night will last forever!

It stopped suddenly affront a courtyard, many statues residing amongst its ruined paths. Some of them bore the resemblances of mighty warriors, of pegasi with unfurled bat like wings spears in hand shouting out into the nothingness. Others like twisted councilors, a scroll in hoof and another placed across marble chins with twisted contorted grins of evil intent. Yet others still were like generals of great valor, depicted in full armor charging into the fray for the last time...

Yet time had had its last laugh upon the monuments, and many of them lay in indistinguishable ruin, arms missing, wings torn and lying crumbled on the broken ground, heads dismembered and missing with no trace of their whereabouts to be found. The shadow shook with rage at these insults.

This was once a great nation, ruled by a great and powerful leader, but now, through the tyranny and blood lust of another, no more. it sickens me to the core to see it like this. and so i bear it no more. But fear not fallen warriors, your deaths were not in vain, for soon, the chosen shall rise from the rubble, and once again bring about eternal night, a night where the strong will flourish and the weak be sundered upon the ground. Where true wisdom and knowledge can be appreciated, and the valorous ponies of old will once again be remembered for what they truly are, valorous!

The shadow crept onward, passing many statues by as it searched for one in particular. Finally, it stopped in front of a pair of particular statues. The first one was an unmistakable depiction of Nightmare moon, clad full in armor and crown with wings spread wide in a defiant challenge to all who would face her. However, time had not been kind, and the right wing had crumbled off, along with a hind section.

Such a beautiful image, scorned by the ones who bring not but treachery. You shall be placed once more upon your throne Queen Nightmare Moon!

The statue to her right was in a condition unharmed by time even in the slightest, a rare sight indeed amongst the gallery of fallen beings. It was hard to distinguish at first the meaning of this statue, for it seemed to bear resemblances to all kinds of a leader. It bore both a thin tunic, and heavy armor depicted of the finest quality, the thick adorned cloak chiseled flowing behind as the figure stood right hind hoof forward and left placed behind it in a bracing position. In one hoof the pony held an unfurled scroll, the writing upon it hidden from sight, and in the other, a short rod, raising it forward as if proclaiming some great act of which no doubt the statue bore accurate air to do so.

Chief Adviser Black List, yours was the wisdom that lead our great nation from the beginning, and up to the very last sword did you fight with your tongue. But then… you betrayed everything for this! Such wisdom… wasted. May you rot forever!

Then, the Shadow turned other of the two standing beside Nightmare moon. One of them was the statue of a strong and proud warrior, spear in one hoof and shield in the other, his wings arched upward like hands held up to the sky. He bore full armor of the strongest kind, but the expression he bore could not be guessed as his head was crushed before the statue.

At last, General Crescent Glory, you were by far the mightiest of all warriors amongst the Queens command. Never to be forgotten. The time is right, Arise General, you are needed once more.

The Shadow floated upward, disappearing once it made contact with the Statue, and for a moment nothing conspired, the sun continued its rise into the sky like any other day. But presently, the crumbled remains of the statue rose from their earthly grave, and floated upward to once again reside upon the head from whence they came. The statue then began smoking, a thick black residue creeping from every crack it possessed until they too vanished. Colors began creeping along the surface like fire to a paper, until finally, it hardened, the shadow leaking out of the bottom like paint being washed from a wall. So vibrant were the colors that one might mistake it for the real general Glory were the statue not so tall, or retain its rocky texture. The Statue shuddered, and then crumbled, the sunlight creeping downward where all that remained was rubble.

The shadow it cast began to move, rising from the ground in the exact likeness of the statue that had stood before it moments before, but of accurate pony size. It bore the spear in one hoof, and shield in the other, a dark and hardened stare made its expression. With a defiant shout, the General raised his spear, his voice booming throughout the courtyard.

“Arise Fallen Warriors, arise and serve me once more! For Queen and Kingdom, Arise!” then taking the spear, the General Rammed it into the ground, the echoing shock wave a cheap imitation of force compared to the shock wave which Princess Luna had issued not an hour earlier.

Moments passed and no reply came. The General stood there, holding his gritted teeth and stern gaze as he awaited something to conspire. At last, the shadows amongst all the statues began rising from their cold earthly places, taking part in a ritual similar to that that had brought the General forth. All of them, except the Statue that depicted Blacklist, and the Queen. All others rose from their stony slumber, and raising hooves aloft, shouted, “All Hail the Lunar Kingdom, All Hail our proud Queen Nightmare Moon!”

General Glory turned to one particular Mare, a vain looking unicorn who bore a long flowing crimson red tunic with pieces of armor in key places of defense, a long staff in her right hoof, and a black book in the other.

“To my side Head Enchantress Blood Ivy, I require your council once more.”

The Enchantress strode forward, all parting ways and kneeling in her wake. She simply grinned, a devilish grin like the sort a dragon gives its prey before devouring them. When she at least stood before the General, she kneeled before him, lowering her head. “I live to serve the Lunar Kingdom General, how my power might be a service to you.”

General Glory nodded lightly, “arise BloodIvy, and arise all of you from your prisons of stone! No longer shall we slumber in darkness while our kingdom falls to ruin! Our Queen still rests within that statue. We must acquire the correct means to awaken her. For then and only then will we truly be reborn!” The General scanned the crowd of warriors now gathered before him. Although their numbers were few as the statues were to the true numbers of the Kingdoms former glory, they would grow.

The Queens royal guard, her advisers save one and all the arch mages stand before us, a formidable force already. But we will require an army if we are to retake that which is rightfully ours. And by the place of the sun in the sky I assume the Summer Sun Festival is not far off, not far off at all. Action must be taken immediately if we are to prevail. “Warriors of the Lunar Kingdom, Wise Advisers and Powerful Mages of the only True Queen of the Night; We are powerful, as we always have been. but if we are to become powerful enough to once again take back what is ours, we must obtain allies. Already the gears of war grind in Equestria. And it is my sworn oath to all of you, i make it again. Before the sun shall rise on the next Summer Sun Festival three days time from now, we will have resurrected our Fallen Queen, and once more placed her upon the throne which she was so wrongfully cast from! Any who bear not the will to continue, and then return once more to the stone from whence you were summoned, back to the grave from whence you were buried. for only the most determined and loyal of all the Queens men should continue forth."

the General grinned, pacing back and forth amongst the ponies who had formed up around him. each one he could name by heart, and every battle he had fought with them in it. he could name the military career of every royal guard, the true length of political power each tactician and advisers held (regardless if they say it different), and most importantly, he himself could stand atop the rest and say with a strait face that he held the drive and vigor to lead them all.

proud warriors all, all contributed to our cause till the end in their own way. i am honored to call them my soldiers. and soon, so to will my queen. "But I know you all, the battles we have faced, the bloodshed, our blood! But no more. Now, the Tyrant Celestia holds what is rightfully ours, and we will take it back. Who stands with me, who stands by our glorious Queen Nightmare Moon?”

His speech was met with thunderous roars of approval, the guards raising their spears and bashed them against their shields, flapping their wings to kick up the dust with their clamor. The mages struck the ends of their stave's on the ground in ceremonious rhythm, humming and enchanting already the spell of war.

BloodIvy stood beside him, nodding in approval, "they are ready to follow your lead my General, wherever that may go."

The General grinned, and i wouldn't have it any other way "very well. gather what resources you can find from stores long hidden. prepare, for we march within the hour."

but unknown to him or anyone else there, a dark shadow watched from behind him, grinning with devilish intent and success. Yes, arise my fallen warriors, arise and reawaken me from my slumber. For once I too am awoken, no one, no bearers of Harmony, no Princess of the sunlight nor poser to my throne will stop us from taking back what is mine!