Warning! The following text contains mature themes, and other subject matter that some people may find offensive. Reader Discretion is strongly advised.

Now have we seen this light for the last time

They're turning back the clock and we won't survive

On just hope this time

They slowly break us down from the inside

And force a way of life we don't recognize

And free will has died

We take our breath for the last time

We'll give it one more cry before they burn a hole

In our hearts again

We saw it coming, this Black Parade when will it end

Oh you and I both know, this Black Parade on fear depends

We can fight it but we can't pretend...

“I have met many beings and heard the words of their wisest... you have the most potential. Do not cast that aside. Ensure I do not have to return...”

Twilight bolted awake as the final words of The Creature passed through her dreams. She rubbed her ageing eyes as she looked at her clock. It was six in the morning, far too early to do much, but she was already awake.

Getting some coffee from the kitchen of her home, Twilight looked around and reflected on her life. It had been nearly fifteen years since she had heard the teachings of the large being that slaughtered her entire race, then revived it again after being impressed by her patience and humility.

Twilight Sparkle was no longer a student of Princess Celestia. She had surpassed all of her former mentor's expectations, and was now granted authority to train other unicorns to use their powers. She had even taken on an apprentice of her own...

“Master?” came a tired voice from upstairs.

Chuckling at her apprentice's insistence on calling her such an intimidating term, Twilight turned to the cream coloured unicorn coming down the stairs.

Fourteen year-old Pumpkin Cake had had a rather rough childhood. Her unstable powers during her infancy had maimed her parents. Though they recovered with only minor lasting injuries, Princess Celestia had deemed Pumpkin too dangerous to be left unchecked. She had been enrolled into Celestia's school where she could be closely monitored. Shortly after leaving Celestia's tutelage, Twilight offered to teach her personally. Pumpkin had been living with her in Canterlot ever since.

“What is it?” Twilight asked, “Did I wake you?”

Pumpkin shook her head, her very long, orange hair flicking back and forth, “I've been awake for two hours. Can't sleep.”

Stepping over to the couch, Twilight pulled Pumpkin into a one-armed hug. The young girl had become something of a daughter to her over the years. While she still saw her actual parents from time to time, Pumpkin made it clear she trusted Twilight more than anyone else. Twilight had been the only one willing to allow such a dangerously powerful child into her home. While she had grown a strong control over her abilities, the stigma of her early childhood followed her around wherever she went.

“Tell me the story of the Val'Kyr, Master,” Pumpkin asked as she sat with Twilight on the couch.

Twilight smiled as she sipped her coffee, keeping the mug aloft with her magic.

“Legends say that the Val'Kyr are the predators of the Gods themselves,” Twilight said, reciting both the actual legend, and what she knew to be the truth from memory, “Fierce warriors, powerful magicians, and revered leaders. The Val'Kyr were bred for battle and lived by their weapons.”

Pumpkin nuzzled up to Twilight as she listened.

“But underneath all of that lay patient, calm, and wise mystics. The Val'Kyr understood the very origins of life itself, something that even the most powerful unicorns could never hope to study. Even in the heat of battle, Val'Kyr were always willing to speak and share their wisdom. All a pony would have to do is listen.”

“Have you ever met a Val'Kyr, Master?” Pumpkin asked. She knew the answer, but loved hearing it all the same.

“Yes,” Twilight said, “And in five mere minutes, she taught me a very valuable lesson.”

“What lesson?”

“That we are gifted with something that many races only dream about,” Twilight replied, “And that kind of gift deserves to be treated with respect.”

This was the very lesson that Twilight wrote in her final letter to Princess Celestia. It was the lesson that surprised the Princess, and also led her to tell Twilight that she had no more to teach her. Nobody in Equestria could remember the Creature's attack but Twilight. She had thought it a dream until she noticed the star the Creature had snuffed out was no longer in the sky.

Ever since that day, Twilight and noticed several other stars missing from the night sky. She took the Creature's words to heart and assumed that other worlds were dying.

She took a gaze at the picture on the end table. It was of her with her old friends. Nowadays, Twilight only still had contact with Fluttershy, and that was only because she had moved to Canterlot with her and started an adoption agency for lost and abandoned animals.

Rainbow Dash had become Captain of the Wonderbolts. While Twilight still saw her race, Rainbow was far too busy to make time for her friends. Twilight accepted that, and was still at every local race, cheering her on.

Rarity's boutique went out of business several years ago, and she was given a job designing the  ceremonial armour the Guards wore during special events. She enjoyed it very much, and found that metalwork was allowing her to flex a new creative muscle.

Applejack and Big Macintosh were still running their apple farm. Applebloom had discovered a talent for writing, and became the most famous novelist in the country. Before you even ask, no she still hasn't gotten her cutie mark. But she had long since ceased to care.

Pinkie Pie took over running the bakery after the Cake's were crippled by their daughter. However, the store was broken into one night. They found Pinkie behind the counter the next morning, the word “SMILE” sliced into her back.

The Princess had every guard search for the culprit. But Pumpkin got to him first. All they found of the killer was a red smear in the dirt.

Twilight had scolded Pumpkin for such a brutal act of violence. She told her apprentice that revenge and fury were not something to succumb to. Twilight was not naive though. She knew how much Pinkie meant to Pumpkin and her brother. But Twilight felt it when she lost control. It was fearsome, to say the least.

Twilight broke free of her thoughts to look down and notice that Pumpkin had fallen asleep with her head in her lap. She smiled, and used her magic to levitate her upstairs and tucked her into bed. She yawned as she headed downstairs, and stopped dead in her tracks when she noticed the tall figure standing by the window.

Fifteen years, and Twilight could recognize her as clear as day. The Creature was standing in her home, looking distastefully at the first inkling of a sunrise.

“As I said, I never cared for the daylight,” she said in her calm voice, “The night is far more peaceful. A time where the world's silence tells stories of it's beauty.”

“I know Princess Luna would be flattered to hear that,” Twilight replied. Despite her initial surprise, she knew the Creature could be reasoned with.

“The Xoroth?” The Creature asked, “Yes, I suppose so.”

“Why do you call Luna a Xoroth?”

“Xoroths, or Xorothians as they are sometimes called, are mystical steeds with dark, yet enchanting powers. Your Princess is one, though the name is not used by many worlds. The term died out eons ago. Now her kind take the name Alicorn, along with the other.”

“Does Princess Celestia's kind have an old name that isn't used anymore?”

“God.”

Twilight had never heard this term before, “What is a God?”

“God was a slang term for Deities. One took the name for herself. Me and my Master had the unfortunate job of putting an end to her. She was... dangerous.”

“Really?”

“Unfortunately, she allied herself with some mortals to fight my kind. They did not survive.”

Twilight bowed her head. She did not like hearing about the destruction of an entire race.

“Do no be mistaken, child,” The Creature added, “We do not enjoy what we do. We do it because we must.”

“I understand.”

“You are the first and only to do so.”

The Creature stepped away from the window and took a seat on Twilight's couch. Twilight joined her.

“I heard the story you told to your apprentice,” She said, “I am grateful. My kind do not have pleasant legends. We are painted as brutal and psychotic by many civilizations.”

Throughout her entire time being there, The Creature had not looked directly at Twilight once. She had the hood of her cloak pulled over her face, her armour replaced by cloth robes. Her eyes wandered to the sword at her belt. She had seen the blade slice easily through solid stone and metal like they were paper. She was amazed at such a strong material.

“Please... I have to know... can you tell me how I can prevent my home from dying?”

The Creature finally looked at her and smiled.

“You already have, my child,” she said, “Your wisdom has influenced many over the last decade. I've seen you share your lessons with others, and I've seen them take your words to heart. You have taken an unwell child into your home, and raised her as your own. And you have not permitted yourself to be plagued by desires for revenge. I know how much your friend's death must have hurt you.”

She was right. While Twilight remained stoic for Pumpkin's sake, Pinkie's death had shaken her to her very core. Pumpkin's slaughter of her killer meant they could not do any kind of investigation to get a single motive.

But she realized that if there was anyone who wouldn't want her to ever be sad, it was Pinkie.

“...Master...”

Twilight whipped around to see Pumpkin stumbling downstairs. She turned back to The Creature, but she was gone. She had vanished. In getting wrapped up in conversation, she had forgotten to ask her name.

Pumpkin rubbed a hoof against her eyes. She blinked for a moment before looking directly at Twilight.

“Sweetheart, I thought you were sleeping,” she said, levitating some food and utensils around the kitchen, knowing that it was time for breakfast.

“I heard your voice,” Pumpkin replied, “Who were you talking to?”

“I... um...”

“Me.”

The Creature stepped out of the shadows from behind them and finally showed herself to the young unicorn. Pumpkin panicked and shot a blast of energy from her horn towards the strange being.

The Creature held out a hand and caught the energy, weighing it in her hands, “You are strong, young one. But control over your emotions would benefit you, greatly.”

Twilight was speechless. The Creature's reaction to Pumpkin's sudden attack was so quick and reserved. Even the Princesses were able to be caught off guard.

Pumpkin arched her back and lowered her head, glaring at the tall woman. The Creature merely laughed.

“Calm yourself, young one. I mean you and your Master no harm.”

“It's alright, Pumpkin,” Twilight replied, setting a hoof on Pumpkin's shoulder, “This is my friend... um...”

“Lord Ascentia,” The Creature said, finishing Twilight's sentence for her.

“Lord?”

“A high rank among my kind,” Ascentia explained, “My mentor was a Lord, and my ruler is even higher.”

“It reminds me of a book I read,” Twilight replied, pulling one off the book shelf, “Here it is. Star Ponies: Warriors of the Ancient Equestria.”

“There are many civilizations with similar stories,” Ascentia added, “We... alter our titles to suit the ones we find interesting.”

Pumpkin lowered her guard. If Twilight trusted her, then so did she.

“Why are you here, anyway?” Twilight asked, “I thought I was to ensure you never returned.”

“Things never play out as one would hope,” Ascentia replied, waving her hand and closing the curtains to block the morning light, “I may have spared your world, but my superiors have other ideas.”

Ascentia gestured to the sofa, and Twilight and Pumpkin took a seat. The ageing Val'Kyr  pulled up a tiny stool and took a seat. The race of this planet was as every bit as small as she remembered it. The two unicorns in front of her barely came above her shin. And the house she stood in could not yield to her much larger size. Disregarding her distracting thoughts, she looked to the two, and took a deep breath.

“My Masters were... unhappy with my decision to let this world live.”

Pumpkin could not believe what she just heard, but Twilight simply nodded.

“They made it clear to me that judgement was not my position. I was not trained to ask questions.”

“Really?”

“Of course not,” Ascentia snapped, “My mentor taught me everything he knew of critical thinking and morality. He also taught me that he fought to free the universe from the grip of deitei. My Masters have forgotten that.”

Twilight soaked everything in, keeping her panic under control. One Val'Kyr had been able to destroy everything. She hated to think what more of them could do. Her worst fear was realized with Ascentia's next words.

“They have commanded that a battalion of warriors be sent to finish the job. Warriors hand trained by Lord Ryder himself.”

“Lord Ryder?”

“My mentor,” Ascentia explained, “A fierce warrior, but it sickens me to think what they have done with his teachings. It is an insult to his memory.”

Twilight wanted to ask what Lord Ryder's teaching's were. But there was no time.

“We must warn the Princess,” she said quickly, “As soon as possible.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Ascentia replied, “Lead the way.”

She vanished and they heard a loud thump outside as her feet hit the ground. Pumpkin looked to Twilight with an uneasy expression.

“Master... are you sure about this?”

“Yes Pumpkin, I would be very stupid to not take her words seriously,” she said, “And please stop calling me 'Master'!”

Twilight, Pumpkin, Ascentia and Fluttershy all stepped into the throne room of Canterlot Tower. Twilight and seen Fluttershy on her way, and requested she join them. Fluttershy couldn't say no to her. They all approached the throne and the three ponies bowed low to the ground. Ascentia on the other hand clasped her hands and bent slightly at the waist.

Princess Celestia took notice of this kind of bow, It was not out of recognition of her status as Leader of Equestria. It was out of courtesy. It was very clear to her that the tall creature before her thought of her as an equal. While it was cause for curiosity in Celestia, Luna was livid.

“Thou shalt show us proper respect, outlander,” she said slowly and venomously.

Ascentia paid no attention to her, “Your Royal Highness (that's better, thought Celestia) it is with great urgency that I stand before you today.”

“Just who are you? I've never seen your kind before,” Celestia asked.

Ascentia knew this to be a lie. Celestia's facial expression showed a mix of curiosity and concern. Twilight had taught about mythical beings to the students at her school several times a year. And Val'Kyr came up every year.

“My kind predate even the oldest of your legends,” Ascentia replied, “Your pupil here speaks of us frequently.”

“A Val'Kyr,” Celestia nodded, “Yes, I recognize your robes.”

“I am here on a matter of great importance,” Ascentia continued, “The most powerful of my kind threaten your home. Their twisted interpretations of the man who taught me are far too despicable to allow them to continue with their plans.”

“We are the Sun and Moon Princesses,” Luna replied, her eyes narrowed to near slits, “We raise the celestial bodies across the sky! We shall dispatch anypony who opposes us!”

Ascentia's expression became flat and bored. She lifted a hand, and made a motion of spinning a giant wheel. The sun and moon spun across the sky in rapid succession, causing two months worth of cycles to pass in a mere eight seconds.

“Telekinesis is a simple power,” Ascentia replied, “The weight of the objects can be easily ignored with little training. It is the first thing we are taught.”

“HERETIC!” Luna bellowed, before launching a blast of energy at the tall woman.

Ascentia caught the blast with her hand, and slowly closed it, suppressing it's energy into nothingness.

“I am not here to fight you,” Ascentia replied, “If you wish your world destroyed, so be it. I will no longer waste my breath.”

Ascentia turned and strode towards the door at the end of the throne room. The door was ripped off it's hinges and thrown aside as she left. Twilight looked shocked, and her and Pumpkin turned to look angrily at Luna.

Luna was about to scold them, when she realized that Celestia was looking at her in the same way.

“Sister, we must speak in private,” Celestia said calmly, “Permit me to speak alone with Twilight and her friends, and wait for me in the Waning Chambers.”

Luna said nothing and left them alone. Celestia turned to Twilight, who had a foreleg around Fluttershy, who was trembling from the sudden attack.

“Please forgive my sister,” the Princess said humbly, “She is rather apprehensive of outlanders.”

“That's the understatement of the century,” Pumpkin said snidely.

Twilight glared at her before turning to the Princess with a calm expression, “Princess, what should I do?”

“You brought that creature here Twilight,” Celestia explained, “Go and ensure she does not leave. If what she says is true, we will need help.”

Twilight turned and ran out of the throne room.

“Pumpkin,” Celestia turned to Pumpkin, who bowed, “You and Fluttershy will call for a gathering of our guards, arch-mages and anyone else you think may provide any input we can trust. Do not return until you are finished.”

Twilight ran across Canterlot as fast as she could, trying to find anywhere Ascentia might have gone. She turned into a chapel usually reserved for weddings, and found her sitting bow legged at the altar.

“I was looking everywhere for you!”

Ascentia opened one eye and turned around, “Ah, Twilight. Come, sit with me.”

Twilight thought sitting would be a waste of time, but she complied. She approached her and planted her rump onto the floor beside her.

“Close your eyes.”

Twilight rolled her eyes before closing them, “I need to talk to you.”

“All in good time,” Ascentia replied, “First, clear your mind and focus.”

“On what?”

“On... everything. The sky, the stars, and everything in the distance you cannot see.”

Twilight was very confused. She had learned much over the years, but this made no sense, “How am I supposed to focus on something that cannot be seen?”

“Look beyond the physical world,” Ascentia continued, “Allow your mind to roam where your eyes cannot, and tell me what you see.”

Twilight took a deep breath, and settled her racing heart. She reached out with her mind and looked as far as she could. She could see outer space, the stars in the distance. She closed her mind's eyes and tried to let her brain see for them.

A bright light opened up in the depths of space, floating somewhere near a planet that was blackened and burnt. It seemed that life on that planet had died long ago. She pushed forward and tried to see inside the light. A massive city opened up to her, with large towers and fortresses. The architecture had a black and white aesthetic, with a strong liking of spires, spikes and archways. The entire city seemed to be one large, interconnected fortress.

“Go to the tallest spire. Near the top.”

Twilight floated over to the tallest point in the city, a large spire covered in ice from being so high up. She saw a beautiful woman, the same species as Ascentia sitting on a simple throne, talking to armoured  creatures.

“My lord,” one of them said, “The deception of Ryder's apprentice cannot be tolerated!”

The woman pointed to the others, silently asking for their input.

“The amount of energy put forth to heal such a primitive and reckless planet cannot go unnoticed,” a second one said, “Such a brash display of strength could attract the attention of Sirak or Linaria.”

“Sirak and Linaria are long defeated,” the woman replied, “It will be a long time before they can regenerate.”

“It has been four hundred thousand years!” the first creature replied, “Linaria is a powerful deity, and Sirak was trained by Athena herself! I doubt they are still vulnerable.”

“You would have me authorize the slaughter of billions of sentient creatures, just so Ascentia can remain invisible to our own enemies?”

The woman brushed her long, brown hair out of her eyes, glaring at her Val'Kyr.

“My lord, with all due respect, we are too vulnerable to risk another assault like the previous one. A doomed world suddenly regenerating itself? It's never been done! They are likely to suspect something.”

“What of this child she told us about?” A third Val'Kyr asked, “The one who opened herself up to a Val'Kyr's wisdom?”

“One promising specimen is not enough to allow a planet to continue eating life from the universe!” The first Val'Kyr replied.

“The universe, Xebre?” the woman asked, “I thought your concern was for the arrival of our enemies?”

Xebre hesitated before speaking, “Eh... they are one in the same!”

“Do not play stupid with me,” the woman replied, “I know you despise Ascentia's decision to spare the world in question. I know you lust for blood.”

“My Lord, I have made my orders. We will strike against Pulthera and it's orbiting planets,” the second Val'Kyr replied, “Without the approval of her lordship if we must.”

“You cannot destroy an entire solar system,” the woman snarled, “Not because of one planet.”

The Val'Kyr and Xebre turned and left, “Watch me.”

Twilight felt herself being pulled backwards and she was sitting in the temple with Ascentia again. The tall woman looked down at her as if asking a question.

“Well?”

“It's really going to happen, isn't it?” Twilight asked, “They're going to kill us all!”

“Sadly, I-” she was cut off when a loud explosion sounded outside.

The two rushed outside to see a swarm of twisted creatures sprinting towards the city from the distance.

“Run! Find the others!” Ascentia shouted, drawing her blade, “Get somewhere safe!”

Twilight ran as fast as she could, looking over her shoulder once to see Ascentia firing electricity from her palms into the advancing swarm. She used her powers to amplify her speed, becoming a blur through the streets.

Upon reaching the palace, she encountered something that made her heart stop. Pumpkin was had four of the twisted creatures advancing on her. The snarling unicorn was trying to fend them off, but they were surprisingly resistant to her powers. Twilight teleported to her side, then both of them vanished. The two fell onto the floor of the throne room, where Celestia and Luna were in a heated argument.

“We cannot surrender our rule to this outlander!” Luna shouted in her signature loud voice.

“We are not surrendering anything,” Celestia replied calmly, “We are merely accepting the help of a new ally. You must know how important allies are to a wise ruler.”

“Princess!” Twilight yelled, “They're here!”

The two alicorns turned to look at her, a bewildered look in their eyes.

“Ascentia was right! We're under attack!”

Celestia looked shocked. She was not expecting such a sudden attack. Before she could take an action, Ascentia fell to the throne room floor out of nowhere.

“We must flee,” she panted, “There are too many of them. It's urgent that I make contact with my lord.”

Ascentia stood to her feet and brushed her robes off as she caught her breath.

“How are you going to get that far?” Twilight asked.

“I have the ability to fly and teleport long distances,” Ascentia replied, “But there is a complication.”

She turned to Princess Celestia.

“Your Highness, under the circumstances, I suggest you come to the Earthen Galaxy with me.”

“I appreciate your concern, outlander,” Celestia replied, “But I must stay here with my ponies.”

“They will kill you if you stay.”

“THEY WOULDN'T DARE!” Luna bellowed.

(A/N: Hooray! Phantom Menace references are relevant again!)

“The Val'Kyr care nothing for the lives of your ponies,” Ascentia replied, “They will keep them alive as long as they are not a threat. You on the other hand are a prime target. Kill the ruler and the rest will lose the will to live.”

“I can certainly handle them,” Celestia replied, looking to Twilight for her obvious support.

Twilight shrunk down a bit, “Princess... Ascentia has been here before. She came to kill us all fifteen years ago. She slaughtered you and Luna with ease.”

Celestia's shocked expression returned, “How is this possible? I still stand here!”

“She was impressed by my wisdom... and healed Equestria,” Twilight replied, “She restored life to everypony and wiped their memories.”

Celestia had to sit down. She knew Twilight would never lie to her. Luna on the other hand was not so trusting.

“These are foul lies!” she snapped, “Nothing could overpower Canterlot's royalty.”

Ascentia flexed two fingers and Luna was forced into a low bow.

“What trickery is this!” Luna spat.

“We have no time for your arrogance,” Ascentia replied, making a sharp hand movement and silencing the dark princess, “Your Highness, I must insist that you come with me, though I will not force you to do so.”

Celestia pondered Ascentia's words, as well as her actions. If what she said was true, then her departure could buy her ponies time... time they would need. If she stayed, she would most certainly be killed... but she was willing to risk it.

Before she could speak however, Ascentia spoke again.

“Bear in mind that even in victory, the death of you and your sister would mean the end of this world's day and night cycle. I've been educated on your mythology.”

“Princess, she wants to help us,” Twilight spoke up, “But she needs you to help her.”

“An envoy to my lord would certainly speak magnitudes,” Ascentia added.

“Very well,” Celestia replied, “I will go.”

“Good,” Ascentia replied, “Let us depart then.”

“What should we do?” Pumpkin asked, finally speaking up.

“You three are coming with me. You, your master, and the yellow one who hasn't said a word all day.”

All eyes turned to Fluttershy, who shrank down from the attention. She had become far more self confident, but she found Ascentia frightening.

“There will be time for proper introductions later,” Ascentia said, waving down Fluttershy's attempts to speak up.

Channelling her energy, a large ring appeared around all of them. Twilight looked down to see an odd grouping of symbols under her hooves. It appeared to be a five point star with a different symbol at each point: a moon and star, two crossed triangles, something that looked like a sideways X, a pair of wings, and a sword. The circle wasn't visible very long before she felt the similar sensation of teleportation, and all of them vanished.

Freed from Ascentia's powers, Luna stood up and looked around.

“So... I get to stay here in the line of fire?”

A voice rang through her head, “As an ancient race used to say: Life's a bitch, ain't it?” Next Chapter: Illumination Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 45 Minutes