Chapter 26

Forgiveness

One by one, the Guards sent by Twilight returned with the items she had requested; six large maps of Equestria and it’s surrounding territories, a few dozen blank scrolls, six wells of ink and six sturdy quills to record her findings. Now, along with Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie, they were prepared to interview their subjects.

“Alright, is everypony ready?” the lavender mare asked, each of her friends giving a positive response in turn. “Alright, everypony take a scroll, a quill and an inkwell. After you each grab a guard, we’ll go and interrogate the Killjoys one by one.” The five friends looked at their leader, then at each other, Applejack choosing to be the first to voice her opinion.

“Beggin’ yer pardon, Twi, but is it really such a good idea to have let those critters go walk around the palace like they are? I mean, they DID kinda, ya know... try to kill us.” Twilight nodded in understanding, raising a hoof to her orange friend.

“Duly noted, AJ. But remember; they are all being escorted by Royal Guards right now. Plus, Crash’s wings are bound, and Klok- I mean, Heartspring’s, Burn’s and Tumbler’s-”

“Carousal.” Pinkie quickly interjected with a sad look. “Her real name is Carousel.”

“Right. Heartspring’s, Burn’s and ‘Carousel’s’ horns are all under a silence spell, disabling their magical abilities. They should be harmless. And besides, the way they all seemed so... sad before...” Twilight levitated the supplies to her friends before taking her own. “... I think hurting anypony else is the last thing on any of their minds.”

With that final thought, each of the Elements headed out with their Royal Guard escorts, trotting through the palace to find their selected prisoners. Due to Luna and Celestia’s damaged horns, the extended night gave the usually bright and lovely palace a air of foreboding none of them were used to. Splitting in the main hallway, the six searched in the darkness for their targets. One mare, though, didn’t have to search for long. Her target was in a place she had spent a great deal of her fillyhood, a place she knew very well. Twilight, at the moment, was already standing at the doors of her old personal tower, the current home of all her old school books, and the location of the Killjoy’s leader, Klokwerk.

“Heartspring Gears? She called in a timid tone. The bronze-coated earth pony turned away from the window, facing her as she approached. The stallion still wore the same sorrowful expression he had back in he Guard’s infirmary, the power restricting spell weighing over his unusually powerful earth-pony aura. ‘No doubt the result of his developing it by using that artificial horn.’ Twilight thought, smiling warmly at the melancholy pony. “H-hello, there. I’ve come to, um... well...”

“To interrogate me? Yes, I was expecting as much.” As Heartspring approached, Twilight paused in place, her Guard escort stepping slightly in front of her as a shield. A gentle hoof to his shoulder told the armored pony his diligence was appreciated, though not necessary. “I was just looking around your tower, Miss Sparkle. To think, you’ve studied and practically memorized all these books in your apprenticeship with the Princess.” Twilight raised an eyebrow, slowly approaching her subject.

“You know about my studying under Princess Celestia, then?” she asked, causing Heartspring to answer with a warm smile.

“Miss Sparkle, though I may be a few years older than you, I’m not ashamed to admit that... you’re something of a role model to me.” Twilight almost lost her hoofing as the two of them walked casually through the stacks of books and scrolls around the room, stopping in front of the large window overlooking the Royal Gardens.

“A role model? Wow... I didn’t realize I was so famous, just being Celestia’s faithful student.” she said, blushing slightly. “By the way, you can just call me Twilight. All my friends do.”

“Well... thank you. I must say, I’m surprised to hear you’d actually even consider calling me a... a friend.” he said, sounding genuinely surprised.

“Come on now, Mr. Gears. It doesn’t take a magical savant to see that Bedlam was using those horrible ‘shade’ creatures of his to control you and your friends. If we had met earlier under different circumstances, I think there’s a good chance we could have been great friends, given both our apparent interest in the various intellectual pursuits.” The doctor smiled at Twilight, her kind words bringing both feelings of comfort and regret to the scholarly stallion.

“Well, thank you, Twilight. By the way, feel free to call me Heartspring. My other friends always had. That is to say, my friends before my... indiscretions.” Walking away towards one of the many bookshelves, Heartspring’s false horn gave a weak bronze glow. Slowly, one of the books he had been reading prior to Twilight’s arrival floated off a nearby stack, rising up to the shelve he found it one. Slowly, it slid back into place, the older pony giving a depressed sigh. “Tell me, Twilight; you said you think if we had met before this madness with Bedlam, you and I had a chance to be real, true friends, based on our intellectual pursuits and interest. Do you think that would still be true... if I were still merely a simple earth pony?”

“What? Of course we still could have been friends!” Twilight responded, a little shocked by the question. Strolling over to him, she placed a hoof on his shoulder, patting lightly. “Heartspring, I’m not a specist. I don’t judge my friends on if they’re earth ponies or pegasi, or any other type of creature, for that matter. What makes you think I would do that with you?”

“Because there are many other ponies that would.” Heartspring gave her a sideways glance, the hurt evident in his eye as he spoke flatly. “When I was younger, my father fell from one of the clock towers he was repairing. He had a harness on, of course, but the fall still managed to break one of his legs. It was so bad, my mother and I were afraid he may lose it...” he said, looking out the large window before him, a smile slowly returning to his face. “It took quite a lot of hoping and waiting, but the ponies at Canterlot General finally came out of the back room and told us everything would be fine. They had managed to save his leg, and he would be right as rain in no time.

“I was so impressed with their work, from that day on, I decided to pour all my energy into becoming a doctor. A real, honest-to-goodness healer, who could swoop in and save ponies from their woes so they could go back to living their lives again. Unfortunately...” Sitting on his haunches, Heartspring raised his forelegs before him, looking over his front hooves. “THESE... were all I had to work with. My father tried to dissuade me from my chosen path, ever reminding me of the advantages unicorns had in the medical field. From internal imaging spells to being able to measure and monitor vital signs in every form through measuring humours in the pony body, he constantly tried to steer me from my dream of studying medicine and helping others. To him, it was nothing more than a fantasy.” Looking back at his bare side, Heartspring sighed and shook his head, his blank flank reminding him of his failure, causing him to quickly look away.

“I well passed the age when I should have received my cutie mark, leading to no end of ridicule from my classmates. Eventually, I was able to leave school entirely, finishing out my studies of engineering and mechanical design under my father’s direct supervision. However, I never abandoned my dream of becoming a doctor, no matter what the cost.”

“Is that how you..?” Twilight asked, sheepishly pointing a hoof at Heartspring’s false horn. The older pony chuckled, nodding as he made the horn glow with a small channeling of magic.

“There’s an old family saying amongst the Gears: A pony cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.’ If my inability to use magic would impede my dream of becoming a doctor, then I would have to find a way to remove that handicap and gain that ability.” Heartspring waved a hoof at the vast collection of books on the walls, grinning as he looked over them with a tender look in his eye. “The medical branch of the Canterlot Public Library became my second home. After my duties at my father’s shop were complete for the day, I would run there and study every book on the anatomies of all three pony tribes. The things I learned there... Eventually, I managed to find a way to access the same parts of an earth pony’s brain via prosthetic appliance that a unicorn’s natural horn would tap into. I had all the theory down, every variable accounted for. That’s about the time... I met Bedlam.

“He appeared to me in the library one day as a normal, everyday earth pony. He actually listened to my ideas, found them groundbreaking, in fact. Our first meeting left me energized to continue my research, no matter WHAT my father said. Every day after that, I grew more and more distant from my family, reacting with anger and outbursts with every new argument or attempt to avert me from my studies. Eventually, I stopped going home from the library. I went so far as to hide in different section and read all night alone, taking notes and drawing diagrams by candlelight. It was about that time that Bedlam came back.

“He told me he would help me, that he could use the information I discovered to turn ME into the first magic using earth pony in the world. By that time, I was too far gone to refuse. So obsessed was I with proving my theory that I barely thought anything when he finally raveled himself to me for the monster he really was. Using the notes and instructions I gave him, that monster was able to successfully implant a permanent crystal horn in the area of my brain that unicorns use to focus magic.” Twilights’ jaw dropped, looking over Heartspring’s horn. The weak aura emanating from the false material seemed hollow and stale, now that she actually had a moment to carefully analyze it.

“So... you can never take it out, then?” she asked, her companion shaking his head in response.

“Never. For all intents and purposes, I AM a unicorn, now. My false wings, just like the Iron Mares, were an invention that Bedlam and I created together from pirated technology he took from other conquered dimensions. They hooked into my back, tapping into my spine near the muscles and bones needed to support a pony’s weight. They operated on signals from my horn, giving me flight comparable to almost any pegasus.” Shifting his shoulders, Heartspring winced slightly as he arched his back. “I can already feel the holes they hooked into closing from all the healing spells the Guards used on me. Almost like the holes in pierced ears would close after being left alone for a while.”

“Wow... these are all some really amazing discoveries, Heartspring.” Twilight said, levitating a quill and parchment behind her. “I’m going to want to discuss this all with you further, for sure. Only, for now, do you think you might be able to get down to the task at hoof.” The stallion stood up, bowing slightly to Twilight as he gave her a slight smile.

“Of course, Lady Twilight. I’ll help you in anyway I can.” Sitting on her haunches before him, Twilight dipped her quill in a nearby inkwell before touching it to the parchment.

“Alright. Tell me everything you know about Bedlam.”

***

“Trust me, Rarity. If these two try anything, I’ll buck them both right through the closest wall before they can blink.” Rainbow Dash hovered above Rarity as they approached the Grand Hall, their Royal Guard protector close at hoof. Usually, this massive dining area would be used either as a site for a great feast or state dinner, when it wasn’t being prepared to house the next Canterlot Garden Party or Grand Galloping Gala. Today, though, it was the temporary retreat for two sorrowful, lonely souls. Specifically, the Killjoy pair, Crash and Burn.

“I hope it doesn’t come to that, Rainbow. They all seemed quite a match for Trixie and the others when we were retrieving our Elements in the battle.” Rarity answered, using her magic to slide open the massive door to the Hall.

“Trust me, ladies: you’ll have no trouble out of either of us.” As soon a the door opened, the two mares shrieked, leaping into each other’s forelegs as they were greeted by a large dark figure. Standing before them was the Crash, the massive black-coated, white maned pegasus stallion wearing a shocked expression all his own at their sudden fright. “Oh! I’m sorry.” he said, bowing slightly. “I heard your hoofsteps outside and was coming to open the door for you. I guess you’re here to interrogate us, then?” Rainbow and Rarity looked at each other, the looked back to Crash, simultaneously shaking their heads. At that, the stallion opened the door wide, allowing them and their Guard escort inside.

The three entered after Crash, the Guard stopping at the entrance to leave the two Element bearers to do their work. Together the friends followed the first half of their study into to the large, empty room, finding their second subject sitting quietly in the center of the hall. The white-coated, black maned mare remained silent as they approached, not even noticing their hoofsteps. Oblivious, Burn sat quietly, looking out at the large empty dance floor before her. She let out an audible sigh as she let her head hang low before her.

“Sis... we have visitors.” Crash announced, causing the smaller, lighter pony to turn to face them. Immediately, Rarity picked up on the certain look in her eyes. By the redness and puffiness, it was crystal clear to the fashionista that Burn had been crying.

“Oh... hello Lady Rarity, Lady Rainbow Dash. I’m...” She paused, quickly turning her head to wipe her eyes before continuing. “... I’m Ivory. Pleased to meet you. Well...  formally meet you, that is.” she said, extending a hoof. Rainbow tilted her head at the mare, looking at her in confusion.

“Wait... ‘Ivory?’ I thought your name was Burn.” Ivory winced at that name, her brother walking over and placing a hoof on her shoulder.

“Please, Miladies. Her name really IS Ivory. And my real name is Onyx. ‘Crash’ and ‘Burn’ were names given to us by Bedlam, even before he made us a part of his Killjoys team. Please, I think I speak for my sister when I ask you don’t call us those names anymore.” Rarity’s jaw dropped, Rainbow reaching up to close her mouth again as they looked together at the unicorn mare quietly sniffling.

“Well, alright Onyx and Ivory.” Rainbow finally said, raising an eye at Rarity. Instantly, the unicorn levitated the quill and scroll before her, ready to note down anything relevant to finding Bedlam. “Let’s get right down to it, then: when and where did you meet Bedlam, and why did you ever THINK it was a good idea to team up with him?” she said, forelegs folded as she tried her best to pull off the ‘bad Guard’ routine. The siblings seems unimpressed as Ivory took a breath to begin.

“Well, first of all, we’re both from Baltimare. Secondly, we’re only half-brother and sister. Same father, different mothers. Our father was an earth pony, and a terrible mareanizer. From what we hear, he would spend all the money he made as a Guard on hard cider and impressing young, impressionable mares. Eventually though, his cavorting caught up with him, in the form of my brother and I.” Onyx strolled away from the group, his sister following close behind. Dash and Rarity trotted behind as the two stopped near the bandstand, Onyx turning to them as he sat on the stage.

“Our mothers found each other as they tried to track down our dad. Surprisingly, they became pretty close friends while still carrying us. By the time they learned all they could about him from each other, he was long gone. Transferred out to some Celestia-forsaken corner of the country because of excessive fighting with his fellow Guards.” The large stallion rolled his eyes, looking away as he continued. “Our moms tried their best to track him down, but apparently he was on some secret project or something.”

“Wait just a moment, deary.” Rarity said, pointing a hoof at the two. “You said that you had the same father, but different mothers. If that’s true, how do you two look so alike?”

“Because our father had a rare black and white pinto pattern to his coat, that’s how. Black and white splotches, even in his mane.” Ivory stated. Satisfied with the answer, Rarity jotted the fact down on her scroll as Onyx continued.

“Both our mothers decided it would be unfair to hide us from each other. From an early age, they never kept the truth from either of us that we were siblings. Sure, they made up some tale about our father ‘having so much love to give, he made two wonderful foals with two wonderful mares.’ For the most part, we bought it, thinking he’d eventually come back and we’d be one big happy family. The stories we would hear about stallions starting herds in outlying areas of Equestria gave us hope it would come to pass, some day.” Rainbow smiled as the two ponies seemed to be warming up to her and Rarity. Looking at Ivory, she decided to press their questioning a bit further.

“So, it sounds like your moms were making the best out of a bad situation. So how did you meet Bedlam? What went wrong that joining up with him seemed good by comparison?” she asked. Ivory sighed, handing her head as she looked up at the two Elements.

“Everypony else. Even in a city as big as Baltimare, rumors still fly. If were weren’t hearing about how our moms were fillyfoolers, we were hearing how they were cheap tail-lifters. More often than not, we found ourselves in the principals office at school from fighting. And to top it all off, we both took after our father in another regard: we both looked different, but had more than our fair share of earth pony blood in us.” Rarity finished jotting that last part on the parchment, pointing a hoof absentmindedly at Ivory.

“What do you mean, ‘earth pony blood?’ How was that an issue?” she asked, dipping the quill in the ink well once more.

“I mean, even though I’m a unicorn, the earth pony side of my heritage is dominant. All my life, I was a weak magic user. Earth pony magic is internal, connected to the earth itself. I found channeling and focusing my energies nearly impossible.” Ivory said sadly, Onyx deciding to jump in.

“And could you imagine trying to fly with thick earth pony bones, Miss Dash? I was the latest flyer in my class, not to mention the slowest and least agile. Believe me, it was not fun.” The two friends looked at each other in surprise. The very traits that made these two siblings such formidable foes as the Killjoys made their life growing up almost unbearable. Suddenly, their reasons for joining with that monster seemed much more clear. The large pegasus looked back at his blank backside, his sister doing the same. “Defending each other and our mothers left little time for trying to find our cutie marks. The Wonderbolts aren’t really looking for blank-flanks who are constantly getting kicked out of school.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa... The Wonderbolts?” Dash asked, giving him a quizzical look. “You... want to get into... the Wonderbolts?”

“Of course I do!” Onyx retorted, ears perking as his voice rose. Quickly, the stallion recoiled back to his lowly state. “Well... I DID want to get into the Wonderbolts. This whole mess, not to mention trying to kill two of the members pretty much flushed those chances.”

“Well, it didn’t do too well for my modeling career, either. My face is more likely to appear on a wanted poster than any reputable fashion magazine.” Ivory added, causing Rarity’s eyes open wide.

“A model?! Dearie, with your coat and mane color so perfectly contrasting each other, there’s no reason you still couldn’t be.” Ivory scoffed at the Element of Generosity, tilting her head slightly.

“Please, Miss Rarity. What could you possibly know about the world of fashion?” Rainbow snickered from behind her hooves as Rarity’s eyes narrowed, staring down the younger unicorn.

“Apparently, these two don’t know who they’re talking to, do they, Rears?” Rainbow laughed, placing a hoof on her friend’s shoulder.

“Apparently. Onyx? Ivory?” Rarity said, stepping up to the siblings, placing her forelegs around the shoulder’s of the two. “It appears we all have MUCH to talk about tonight.”

***

“C’mon, girl! Ugh! Tain’t nothin’ to worry about!” AJ grunted, pushing Fluttershy from behind with the help of a Guard. The butter-yellow pegasus kept her four hooves firmly planted, however, resisting every inch of progress the two ponies tried to make with her. For being so usually weak and timid, the gentle mare could be downright stone-like when she didn’t want to go somewhere or do something. Such was the case right now, as she found herself being pushed through the Royal Garden to interview the direwolf, Grimdark. Her expertise with animals seemed to make her the most likely candidate to reach the as-of-yet silent canine, currently sequestered somewhere in the dark of the surrounding animal reserve. Applejack panted hard, trying to keep her lasso around her neck as she continued to shove her friend. “Dang, girl! You gotta try ta work with me, here! Just get in there and talk to the critter!”

“But I c-c-can’t, Applejack! I can’t just go in there and talk to that great big, giant, nasty, drooling, clawing, blood-thirsty monster wolf! H-he’ll-” Fluttershy stuttered, only to be cut off by the Guard behind her.

“He’ll do nothing, Lady Fluttershy. He hasn’t done much of anything at all since he asked to come here.” the Guard stated, relaxing his pushing against the mare’s backside. “Actually, if you want my opinion, I think he’s rather...” The large stallion thought for a moment, as if searching for the right words to use. “... He seems kind of sad.” At that, Fluttershy stopped resisting, stepping out of the way as AJ stumbled forward, catching herself as her friend turned toward the guard.

“He’s... sad? That great big monster wolf is sad?” Shy asked.

“Indeed, Lady Fluttershy. He hasn’t spoken or eaten anything since his defeat. We need somepony with your skills to try to get him to open up about his recruitment and perhaps where Bedlam is holding up.” the Guard added, Fluttershy seeming to steady her resolve.

“... alright. I’ll go.” With that, Fluttershy marched forward, a look of resolve in her eye. “I... I don’t really want to, but if there’s a critter in need... I guess I can lend a hoof.” she stated, looking down slightly. “... even though he’s still scary.”

“I’ll be right there with ya all the time, ‘Shy.” AJ stated, tipping her hat to her friend. “I’ll be sure to hog-tie that sucker the first time he shows any signs of causin’ trouble.” she said as she adjusted the lasso wrapped lightly around her neck. Swallowing her fear, Fluttershy slowly walked forward with her Applejack at her side, the two not having any trouble finding their target.

Coming to a clearing the in the reserve, the pair found Grimdark, curled up quietly under the pale moonlight with his back to them. Small birds, chipmunks and squirrels passed around him quietly, seeming not to notice, or even be bothered by the large predator in their midst. Timidly, Fluttershy cleared her throat, retreating slightly behind her large pink mane as she addressed the large beast.

“Um... excuses me, M-M-Mr. Grimdark?” she said, barely above a whisper. “My f-friend Applejack and I were wondering, i-if it’s not too much trouble, that is, and only if you would be so kind to-”

“Oh, fer ponysakes!” AJ finally let out, her yellow friends jumping back slightly at her outburst. “Hi there, big critter. I’m Applejack, this is Fluttershy, and we need to talk to ya about that crazy Bedlam fella you’ve been workin’ for. So c’mon, now. Get on up and start talkin.’” Applejack poked Grimdark in the side with her hoof, hoping it was enough to get his attention. Instead, the touch, given with the same force she’d use to play around with her little sister, caused the massive canine to jump, yelping loudly as he curled up tighter. The two ponies jumped back as their Guard escort moved forward, ready for danger as smaller woodland critters flew and ran in all directions from the sudden noise. Fluttershy, however, threw up both of her wings, stepping forward between AJ and the Guard as she cautiously moved forward.

“Oh, you poor thing... did that hurt?” she asked, gently caressing his side with the primary feathers. Grimdark winced at the touch, holding himself tense before slowly relaxing into her gentle strokes. “It’s alright, it’s alright... nopony is going to hurt you. All we wan to do is just sit for a while and talk. Do you... do you think you can do that for us?” Her tone was soft and welcoming, almost motherly as she laid down beside the large mound of fur and muscle. The Guard and AJ simply watched in silence as their captive slowly shuffled, rolling over till he lay on his belly. It was then that Fluttershy finally realized the awesome size of the creature.

Being a dire wolf, Grimdark was easily the scariest creature she had ever spoken to. His head and muzzle were massive, and could easily devour the little pony in all of two quick bites. Any one of his pis paws were large enough to hold down a full grown pony with ease. A swish of his tail could swat pegasi from the sky, sending them reeling. In spite of all this, the beast known as Grimdark remained timid and placid, quietly looking up at the butter-yellow mare with fear.

“I...” Grimdark quietly started, averting his eyes to a dark corner of the clearing. “I... ate bunnies.” The statement was quick and quiet, yet strong enough to register with both Applejack and Fluttershy. AJ raised an eyebrow at the bluntness of the remark, her pegasus companion actively cringing in recoil.

“W-well... Shy started. “y-you ARE a wolf, after all. That’s something to be expected.”

“No... it doesn’t stop there.” Grim answered back, placing her forepaws over his eyes. “I also ate squirrels, and chipmunks and racoons and...” Once again, Grimdark curled up, turning his face away from the pair of ponies. “And all kinds of other creatures, too...” Fluttershy shrank back from the canine, bumping into AJ as she did. The farmmare placed a hoof on her friends shoulder, giving her a reassuring pat, encouraging her to try to reach out to the forlorn creature. Carefully, the frightened mare put on a weak smile, stretching a wing out and caressing Grimdark’s side once more.

“Well... like I said, you are a wolf. That’s... that’s to be expected.” Keeping his face hidden, Grimdark shook his head, a quiet whine escaping from his throat.

“No... you don’t understand. I didn’t want to...” he whimpered, a shudder running through his massive form. “I never wanted to eat any little creatures...” The large wolf seemed truly distraught, puzzling the two ponies standing before him.

“Hold on a sec, there. I thought that Bedlam fella said you been kicked out of your pack because of your appetite.” she said, scratching her head with a hoof. Fluttershy didn’t seem to have any misgivings about his sadness, immediately changing into the roll of care giver and healer that earned herself her Element.

“Oh, you poor widdle puppy-wuppy.” the pegasus said, moving front of Grimdark and laying down to face him. Slowly, the huge wolf looked up from his paws and into the wide, gentle eyes of the mare. “It’s OK, now. You’re not in trouble, and I’m not going to hurt you. Just tell me and my friend here all about it, sweetie.” Applejack laid down beside her friend, giving her own warm smile to their subject. Reaching forward, the orange farmmare gently placed a hoof atop of his paw. Calmed by the gentle gestures, Grimdark straightened himself up and started to talk.

“Well... my pack originally came from the Frozen North, beyond the Crystal Mountains. From there, I heard we migrated south, following the rivers to Neighagra Falls to the Everfree Forest, then the Bad Lands. From then on, we’ve been fighting with the buffalo tribes over territory.” Slowly but surely, Grimdark’s mood began to improve, a slight hint of pride even appearing in his voice as he spoke of his fellow direwolves. “That’s the story my mother and father told me and my brood brothers and sisters; power and strength, becoming the greatest creatures to ever roam the planes. Or... so I’ve been told.”

“When you’ re a little pup, you don’t question your parents much, especially when it comes to something as simple as your food. Father would run off with the rest of the pack males in he morning, and by night fall, would return with food. I remember how my brothers and sisters would fight over every little bit. I was the biggest of my siblings, so I was usually the one to capture the most for myself. Eventually, I grew big enough to go with my father and the rest and search for food. ‘Keep en eye out for any small creatures, son.’ he told me. I’ve seen bunnies around our territory before, along with mice, badgers and all other little critters. I always thought they were kind of... cute. I never thought anything more about them. In my ignorance, I believed the presence of smaller animals meant they’d lead us to our source of food. I found out just how wrong I was...

“Scouting ahead my party, I found a small bunny in a clearing. The little thing was sniffing the ground, digging a little near the base of a tree. I took a step forward, alerting it to my presence. Immediately, it ran away, heading out of the clearing away from me. I watched as it hopped away... and right into the waiting jaws of a pair of my fellow scavengers. They...” Grimdark closed his eyes tightly, turning away from the two ponies as he gritted his teeth. “... they ripped it apart. And what’s worse... they thanked me for the help. I... I was horrified.”

“But... I don’t get it.” AJ interrupted, still regarding the wolf with sympathy. “Y’all didn’t know you was eatin’ critters all that time before you went on a hunt?” Grimdark cringed, shaking his head slowly.

“I understand you ponies know very little about my race. Well, one of the few things I can tell you is that direwolves are not known for their intelligence. Living in isolated packs, we barely have a verbal language, let alone a central kind of written one. It was only by living with Heartspring, Onyx, Ivory and Carousal in the last year or so that I learned to talk as good as I am now.” Fluttershy and Applejack looked at each other in confusion, the names he mentioned not ringing any bells.

“Um... I’m sorry, but... who are those creatures?” Shy asked, stroking his paw. Grimdark’s ears perked, realizing he needed to elaborate a little.

“That’s Klokwerk, Crash, Burn and Tumbler. Bedlam had them take new names to keep themselves secret and make them more dedicated to his cause.” The ends of the canine’s mouth almost showed the beginnings of a smile, before quickly vanishing once more. “My real name IS Grimdark, by the way. Bedlam thought it was ‘just cool enough to work.’ His words, not mine.”

“I spent the rest of my first hunt stumbling through the brush and tall grass making as much noise as possible without giving myself away. My teammates occasionally did manage to catch a rabbit or other creatures, though, in spite of my efforts to scare the game away. After a while, the hunt was finished, and the first rabbit I assisted in capturing was given to me from the meager haul. Shakily, I took it and left the pack den, telling everywolf else I wanted to eat in private. I was barely able to hold the poor thing to get carry it away far enough so they could not see me bury it. I know I should have just loved being so big and strong; fighting to become the Alpha, leading the hunts and capturing and eating anything in our way. But...” Grim closed his eyes, fighting back the swell of sadness and shame inside him. Gently, he could feel a hoof stroke his cheek, the butter-yellow mare it belonged to giving him an understanding smile.

“You didn’t want any of that if it meant you’d have to hurt other creatures.” Grimdark’s eyes closed tight again, the wolf nodding quickly in response.

“I didn’t want to hurt anything! Why should those little critters have to die, just so my pack could live? That just wasn’t fair...” he cried, his head falling to the floor between the two mares as his paws fell once again over his face. “I even got drug along on a few more hunts, just for training. They were all horrible failures. This time, if I didn’t catch it, I didn’t get to eat. That was fine be me. I wasn’t responsible for killing any creatures that way. But it did mean I wouldn’t last long in the pack. Wolves that can’t keep up with prey and help support the pack got left behind.

“My siblings moved on, either finding mates or leaving to start their own packs. My mother was already expecting a new litter from my father. So, weak and slowing the pack down, anyway... I was forced out. They all moved on, letting me know in no uncertain terms that I was no longer wanted. It’s one thing to be neglected and ignored, it’s another to be chased out by paw and fang for not coming back from a hunt with a carcass in your teeth.”

“How horrible!” Fluttershy exclaimed, her shock still barely registering barely above a normal speaking voice. “Your own pack turned on you because you wouldn’t hunt anymore? That’s terrible, Grimdark. How... how did you survive away from your pack?”

“Barely.” he replied, sighing deeply. “With no other option left to me, I headed out into the nearby Hayseed Swamp, alone. With no desire to hut prey, and little experience with it even if I wanted to, eating animals was not an option. Thankfully, the area was rich with all kinds of plants I’ve never seen before. From a distance, I watched the native animals forage and gather food for themselves. I learned by watching them how fruits were ripe, where to dig for root vegetables, which berries were tasty and which would make me sick. I made that swamp my home. Eventually, even the little critters there wouldn’t even run from me, in spite of how big I grew from eating an all vegetarian diet.”

“Now, wait just an apple-buckin’ minute.” AJ said, tilting her head to the side. “You mean to tell me that you grew up as big as you are now from little more than a pup, JUST by eatin’ fruits and veggies?” The wolf shrugged, giving a quick chuckle as he shifted his weight on the ground.

“I’m as surprised as you are. I’ve never seen another direwolf as large as I am now. If it was the diet itself, or something special in the fruit, I can’t say. I was just glad I found a way to survive without hurting anything. Even the native animals started to get used to me after a while. They didn’t get too close since, you know... I AM kinda big and scary. But they didn’t run like they used to. I even dug up carrots and other veggies and shared with them from time to time. It was a peaceful, quiet life. However... after a while, I started to grow unhappy. I missed my pack. Being around others of my own kind wasn’t always easy, but I still had fond memories of my brothers and sisters. Playing, wrestling, racing around the den... It was right around that time that I first met Bedlam.

“He just appeared to me one day, in the forest. The strangest thing I ever seen, so of course, I was weary about approaching him. However, when he created a whole feast for me and the rest of the forest creatures out of literally nothing, I figured I should give him a chance. Immediately, he struck up a conversation, asking me about my life and how I got to where I was. With my limited knowledge of speech, I explained to him my being driven out of the pack and how I found the forest. He then told me...” Grimdark paused a moment, a look of anger flashing across his face from the memory. “... he told me he knew how I felt. He said he knew I was lonely, and how I wanted to go home and that he could help, so...”

“And you believed him.” AJ said, shaking her head. “You didn’t have no experience dealin’ with critters like him, so when he said all that, you believed him.” Grimdark nodded, growling slightly under his breath. In spite of the intimidating sound, Fluttershy sat still, her hooves resting on Grim’s paw.

“He told me if I joined him, he would not only show my old pack how big and powerful I’ve become, but he’d show the whole world just how great the direwolves were. After that... the rest, as they say, is ugly history.” Grimdark looked away again, turning his gaze skyward at the early morning sky. The stars still shown bright, despite it being mid morning. “He made me feel like I needed to punish the world, and everypony and everything in it. I started eating little critters again, and didn’t care how badly I hurt them. I suppose I deserve all the punishment Equestria can give me. The stars know I deserve it.” Closing his eyes, Grim expected the two ponies to get up and walk away in disgust. He expected them to order the Guards to have him escorted to the dungeon beneath the palace. What he didn’t expect was to feel two pair of forehooves wrap around his large, furry neck.

“I’m... I’m so sorry there, Grim. I had no idea yer life was so hard.” AJ said, her words half-muffled by the wolf’s fur. “I thought you was just some monster Bedlam got a hold of. I... I had no idea.”

“Don’t worry, Grimmy.” Fluttershy said, the cute pet name making him raise an eyebrow. “Nopony will ever hurt you or make you act like a naughty wolfie again. Me and my friends won’t let them!” Her words rang through Grimdark’s mind for a moment, their true meaning penetrating his thoughts. The large canine suddenly found himself moving instinctively, reaching for the two mares with his forelegs. Slowly, ever so slowly, he brought his forelegs up and wrapped them around the mares, snuggling his face into both of their coats. For the first time since his freeing, the wolf felt a new sensation flow over him. For the first time, Grimdark felt safe.

“... thank you... both of you...”

***

High atop one of the highest towers of the palace, Carousal looked down on the dark city of Canterlot. With her hindlegs hanging down through the posts of the balcony, she rested her forehead on the railing, feeling sorry for herself. The unicorn mare looked over her matted coat for a moment, flatter in some places than others from her tight jester costume, torn off just a short while ago. Right now, the memories of her deeds as Tumbler rang loud in her mind, bringing sadness, fear and shame to the little pony as she sensed a single figure climbing the stairs behind her. She didn’t even need to look back to see who it was. She had been expecting her.

“Hello, Pinkie.” she said flatly, her gaze never shifting from the homes and buildings below. The quiet clopping hooves came to a stop as Pinkie came up at her side, sitting down so her hindlegs hung through the posts as well. She sat silent beside Carousal for a second before the light green mare spoke again. “Remember when we first learned to sit like this at Lady Limelight’s school for Performing Ponies?” Pinkie giggles weakly, slowly kicking out both hind legs.

“Yeah... we thought it was so uncomfortable. I’ve only ever seen one other mare sit like this; my candymaker friend’s marefriend back in Ponyville. She went to Lady Limelight’s school to learn to play the lyre. She get weird looks, too.” The two shared a small laugh, the humor quickly dying as they looked away from each other, staring at the ground. For a moment, the two sat silently, unsure how to proceed until they both reached the only conclusion that made sense.

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry.”

For a moment, Tumbler stared in shock at her old friend’s words. Pinkie remained silent, as though she was expecting, or perhaps, quietly begging for forgiveness.

“Pinkie... what in the world are you sorry for?” Carousal asked. “I was the one that was fighting for Bedlam. I was the one that helped him gather his supplies and information from Canterlot. I-” Carousal froze, the words getting caught as she realized his horrible they tasted in her mouth. “... I nearly killed you...”

“And I let it all happen, Carol.” Pinkie quickly leaned towards her old friend, throwing her forelegs around her as she sniffled into her shoulder. Though still feeling like she didn’t deserve the affection, the former Killjoy reached up and returned the hug, a lump forming in her throat as her eyes started to water. “I never meant to make you feel like I wasn’t your friend! I never wanted to make it seem like I was upstaging you! You were... you were my first real friend, outside my sisters back home...” Pinkie Pie said, squeezing a little tighter as she trembled against her friend. “... I never wanted to hurt you...”

For a long while, the two mares remained like that; wrapped in each others embrace, softly crying into each other’s coats as years of pain and regret pored out of them both. The pain of the cold, lonely night in the hollow halls of Bedlam’s castle seemed to slowly fade as she once again found herself in the warm embrace of her dear friend. After a few minutes, Carousal composed herself enough to pull away from the embrace. Sitting with her hoof still wrapped around Pinkie’s, the pink party mare though now was a good enough time to start her conversation.

“Carol...” she started, using the playful nickname she gave her back in school. “... what happened after you left school? How did you get caught up with that monster?” The unicorn mare took a breath, feeling almost reluctant to recall the events that brought her into the service of the beast.

“After I left the final recital, I galloped back to my room. I barely was composed enough to pack all my private things and get out of there before anypony came to find me. That same night, I left to go back to Applewood. I just wanted to leave that school behind me. The school, and you.” Carol paused again, feeling a lump form in her throat. “Oh, Celestial... I really hated you, Pinkie. I hated you, for nothing...” A gentle hoof on her shoulder helped ease the growing feeling of guilt before it took over Carousal once again. The jester mare reached up, touching her hoof to Pinkie’s before continuing. “Once I got home, my parents immediately put me to work. My parents weren’t like yours, Pinkie. They were against me leaving to find a profession before I got my cutie mark, and the events at the school only strengthened their feelings.

“I went to work in my father’s restaurant, bussing tables and taking orders. I even swept the floors and took coats for ponies, just to make my hours so I could pay my parents back. They felt that all the money they spent on Lady Limelight’s was owed back to them, since I had no cutie mark OR degree to show for it. You know the funniest thing, though? My father’s restaurant had a piano and stage. On holidays and special occasions, he’d hire a band or performer for the night. But no matter what, he would never even consider me for a show.

“Before I knew it, more than a year went by. I all but paid back my parents for the money they spent, and I was starting to get my own life in order. Aside from singing in the shower or dancing around my room, I didn’t preform at all. I just didn’t have the heart to, anymore. I almost forgot about you and the school, until one day... one day, when I opened the paper:

‘Elements of Harmony Defeat Nightmare Moon.’

All the anger and bitterness rose up in me again. That day at the final exam, thinking you upstaged me on purpose... I had to leave again. Right then and there, I went home, took all my money and left that same night. I... I didn’t even know where I was going. I just knew I wanted to be away from everypony and everything. That’s about the time Bedlam decided to enter the picture...

“I decided to finally pay you a visit, Pinkie. I wanted to give you the piece of my mind I was too angry to that night we last seen each other. Somewhere on the road between Ghastly Gorge and Ponyville, he found me. I was terrified at first; this... THING appearing before me, using magic I never seen before. But then, he started talking to me. He said he knew about my final exam, being upstaged. He...” Carol cringed, her words turning to ash in her moth as she tried to speak them. “...he said he hated you just as much as I did.” The jester mare paused again, the uncomfortable feeling of guilt swelling in her throat. Pinkie rubbed her hoof, waiting patiently for her friend to continue.

“It didn’t take much for him to convince me to turn on you. To turn on everypony, really. He said... said I could have my revenge, and that he could make everything alright again. And like a foal, when he said he could make all my dreams come true... I believed him.” Carousal looked Pinkie in the eyes, her own still red from crying half a lifetime’s worth of regret. She turned, placing her hooves on the partymare’s shoulders. “I was wrong, Pinkie. So very, very wrong. Bedlam doesn’t make dreams come true... only nightmares.”

***

***BBZZZZ***

“Ow.”

***BBZZZZ***

“Ow.”

***BBZZZZ***

“... bucking ow.”

Nightmare lazily looked through her bars over at Midnight as he continually touched the tip of his hoof against the electrified bars of his cage. The constant throwing of himself against them had ended about an hour ago with the human-turned-stallion finally realizing he couldn’t break the iron bars. After coming to that seemingly obvious conclusion, he decided to try another option. That option, being of course, trying to bend them with his bare hooves. That also proved futile, however, the pain of being shocked proving too intense for the warrior to hold on for more than a moment or two. Finally, having run out of ideas and energy, the pegacorn pony was now passing the time by giving himself mild electric shocks by prodding the bars with his hoof, seemingly to jolt his mental abilities into thinking up another plan to get back to Luna. Well... at least that’s the only reasoning Nightmare could come to for the action.

“Will you PLEASE stop doing that? The smell of singed fur and hoof if starting to get to me.” the trapped goddess asked, the feeling of being impressed with his tenacity having faded well away. Midnight only continued tapping the bars, his forehoof almost completely numb by now to the constant shocking.

***BBZZZZ***

“Can’t do that, NMM.” he said, the nickname he gave her causing her to roll her eyes in annoyance. “If what you say is true, and Luna really loves me, then I owe it to her to break out of here and let her tell me herself, face to face.” He continued tapping the bar before him, the feeling in his forelimbs reminding him somewhat of the pins and needles one might feel if they slept on them the wrong way. Raising an eyebrow, the dark mare looked up to the crystal powering the dissuasive measure, the glow from it growing and fading with each tap Midnight gave his cage.

“Well, we’re stuck here till Bedlam returns, anyway. Could you just stop enough for me to fall to sleep, then? The constant brightening and dimming of the energy crystal is keeping me awake, not to mention all your cursing.” Midnight went to reach for the bars once more, pausing his hoof in mid-air as his dungeon-mate’s words registered in his head.

“No... it can’t have been that simple... all this time..?” he muttered, catching the attention of Nightmare.

“What are you talking about now, Midnight? What can’t be that simple?”

“Nightmare... what would you say if I told you I think I figured out his to get out of here?” he asked, coaxing a scoff from the mare.

“Really? Oh, please. I’ve tried everything to get out of this cell since he placed me in it. I might be able to squeeze through the bars, if this blasted voltage wasn’t so high, that is. It’s knocked me out every time. Bedlam punished me for trying more than once for my efforts.” she said, shaking her head.

“Yeah, yeah. You told me that already. But let me ask you; how does that crystal work?” Midnight motioned to the large crystal hanging from the ceiling by a chain.

“That?” Nightmare asked. “That’s a simple magic energy storage crystal. Bedlam’s been feeding my ethereal energy into it, using it to power the electric shocks to my cage. He uses the same type of crystals for his Iron Mare toys, too, albeit much smaller versions.” Nightmare pointed a hoof to her horn, directing Midnight’s attention to the magical ring Bedlam placed there the day he captured her. “He constantly siphons my magic to power that and all his other crystals, stripping me of my goddess powers. Thank the maker he hasn’t been here in more than a day. I almost feel healthy again.”

“Nightmare... could you touch the bars of your cage for me?” Midnight asked, the mare’s eyes flying open wide at the request.

“WHAT?! Absolutely NOT! I’m not going to-”

“Please, Nightmare! Just a simple touch, like I’ve been doing, that’s all.” he pleaded, giving her his own version of puppy-dog eyes. “I think I can get us both out of here, but I need your help, especially if he let your power restore itself without bringing it into check.”

“Oh... fine. But just for a moment!” the goddess said, reluctantly. Slowly, she closed her eyes and cringed as she rose her hoof. Gently, she touched the tip of her hoof to the bars, creating sparks as the energy that crackled into her limb, causing her to withdraw. Midnight watched as the light emanating from the crystal overhead faltered, then returned to it’s normal glow.

“There. Satisfied?” the black mare asked through gritted teeth.

“Could you do it again, only longer?” With that request, Nightmare shot up to her hooves, glaring at the stallion with wings flared.

“If you think I’m going to be doing this all daaaaaAAAHHH!!!” Both of the alicorn’s wings touched the sides of her cage, immediately making her regret losing control for that moment. “Oh, DAMN IT! Look what you made me do!” Again, Midnight watched as the crystal’s light faltered, even dimmer this time as it’s power was used.

“Excellent! Oh, this is just what we need! Nightmare! NIGHTMARE! I know how to get us out of here!” he said as she rubbed her sore wings with her hooves. “Did you mean what you said before? About being able to slip through the bars if the charge didn’t make you pull back or pass out every time?” Nightmare shot him an angry look, clicking her tongue at the question.

“Of course, little pony. What reason would I have to lie about that, in this situation? But the charge is too strong.” Midnight smiled at her, chuckling slightly as a plan finally started to form in his mind.

“Well, if what you say is true, and that crystal over our heads is some sort of magical battery, then I’ve been draining it all morning trying to break this cage. Not only that, but the dimming of it’s glow every time one of us touches the bars tells me one thing; that charge between cages weakens whenever a shock takes place!” Midnight quickly wrapped his forehooves on the cage floor in excitement, his chuckle turning into a loud ‘Ha-HA!!!’ “And your sure you can fit through those bars then, Nightmare?” Again, the alicorn nodded, confusion setting in as Midnight’s plan became clearer by the minute. “Then I have just one more request of you.” Midnight sat on his haunches and stuck his forelegs through the bars of the cage, turning and smiling at the dark mare one last time. “Tell Luna, when you see her... that her champion loves her, too.”

Nightmare watched in silent shock as Midnight leaned forward and gave the bars of his cell a full, tight embrace. Instantly, the room lit up with the spark of electricity as an almost deafening crackle drowned out the scream of pain from the stallion. As the glow of the crystal above them dimmed to near darkness, the pegacorn somehow found the strength to shout.

“N-N-N-N-NIGHTMARE! G-G-Get out of here! Go!!! WARN C-C-C-CANTERLOT!!!” Midnight screamed, barely audible through the raging current running through his body. Quickly regaining her composure, the black alicorn sprang up against the bars of her own cage. As expected, the rush of energy was instant and unforgiving, filling Nightmare as soon as she touched the metal. However, the mare noticed something different this time. Of course it was present, painful and deterring as it ever was. But this time, Nightmare found that it was not nearly as painful as it was before.

‘By the stars, he was right!’ she thought, pushing harder as she turned sideways, squeezing her head and shoulders through the bars. Sucking in her breath, she managed to get her barrel through, as well. Another quick twist and one more moment of pain later, her rump and hind legs made it through as well, the pain of squeezing through the searing bars causing her to collapse on the floor. Hearing the thud of Nightmare hitting the stone ground, Midnight released his embrace of the bars, falling back into his cage. Panting, the stallion lay there, hurting and spent of all energy.

‘...well...’ he thought, his heavy breathing the only sound he could hear over the ringing in his ears. ‘... at least Nightmare got out... maybe she’ll actually bring back help... if she doesn’t just run off, that is...’

The sudden sizzle of electricity caused the already pained pony to jump to his hooves again. This time, though, the surge was not from his bars. Looking to the source of the sound, Midnight found the cable connecting his cage to the crystal laying on the ground, small sparks flickering from the tip in the dark dungeon. A quick black mass fell from above him, a pair of glowing teal eyes staring back at him through the bars.

“I can’t tell you how GREAT it feels to FLY AGAIN!!!” Nightmare roared, stretching her wings out as high and wide as they could go as she reared up on two legs. “I’ve been stuck in that cage by monster for almost a YEAR! This feels absolutely GLORIOUS!” Midnight watched as the mare pranced and trotted around the dungeon like a little filly. The stories he heard of the dark, evil Nightmare Moon certainly didn’t match the creature parading before him now. “Oh, Midnight! I can’t believe that plan worked! You’re a genius.” Landing on all fours again, the alicorn reached her forehooves around the bars of Midnight’s cage. Amazingly, the cage didn’t react to her touch. Instead, Nightmare gave a wicked grin as she leaned forward, bending the bars wide enough for Midnight to fit through.

“Well?” she asked, reaching out a hoof to the bewildered pony. “I have no place telling Luna that you love her. You’re just going to have to stallion up, come with me and tell her yourself.” Though still hurting and very spent, Midnight smiled at the mare, causing her to blush slightly through her dark fur.

“Nightmare, you big softie.” he said, taking her hoof as she helped him out of his cage. Carefully, he reached up, removing the enchanted ring from her horn, once again enabling her magic.

“Yes, well... now, I think you owe me a favor.” Nightmare said, helping Midnight remove his own magic-canceling ring.

“Oh, yeah? And what’s that, Dark Princess?” Nightmare sat on her haunches for a moment, rubbing her one foreleg with a hoof.

“Could... you be with me when I apologize to Luna? Even if she hates me, even if she never wants to see me again or wants to kill me, I still want to apologize for all I’ve done to her. I owe her at least that much.” Midnight smiled warmly at the pony before him. Back at the palace, he heard stories about her rage and cruelty. Princess Luna spoke in hushed tones about the evils done by this monster that called herself ‘Nightmare Moon.’ But now, free at last after months of being held captive and hurt by Bedlam, this Nightmare and the one he heard tales about couldn’t seem further apart.

“Of course, Moony. Anything you like.” Straightening himself, Midnight turned to find his dark-coated companion staring blankly right into his face, eyes half-closed as she focused her gaze into his very soul.

“Thank you. And by the way: NEVER call me ‘Moony’ again.”

***

In the dark of her bed chambers, Luna waited for the collective results of the Element’s findings. They had been questioning the individual members of the Killjoys for almost three hours now, seeking some way to travel to or track Bedlam. Hopefully, Luna wished, the Elements managed to pry the location of Bedlam’s lair out of one of them. As a gentle hoof knocked at the door to her bed chamber, the night princess knew she would have the answer she sought soon.

“Enter.” Luna called, standing up off her bed to meet the caller. A tiny wave of excitement swelled up in her chest as she watched the six Elements slowly trot inside. “Well girls, did you find out anything? Do you know where Bedlam’s hiding?” she asked, fighting to keep her wings from flaring from anticipation. Soon, though, the thrill of rushing off to find Midnight was crushed by the despaired looks on her friends’ faces.

“Unfortunately Princess, that’s the one thing we didn’t manage to get.” Twilight said sadly, bringing any plan to rescue Luna’s champion to a quick end. “He never showed them a way to get there physically. He always teleported them there from wherever they were in Equestria.” Luna stammered for a moment, looking over the tired and sad faces of her friends, each of them unable to look their princess in the eye.

“Well... well, what did they tell you, then? Surely there had to be something of significance discovered by the interrogations.” Luna asked again, trying hard to hide her immense disappointment while still giving their time and effort some value.

“Unfortunately, though we didn’t learn how to find Bedlam... we learned something much worse.” Rarity said, stepping up beside Twilight. “It seems that, for lack of a few social skills and unresolved issues, the Killjoys are, for lack of a better word, ‘normal.’” The rest of the Elements murmured in agreement, nodding at the confused princess.

“It appears, Princess,” Twilight continued. “that Bedlam chose each of them because they were at the their most vulnerable, feeding on their feeling of being misunderstood.”

“Or lost.” Rainbow added.

“Or lonely.” Fluttershy said.

“Or angry.” Pinkie finished, with a shudder. Luna’s shoulders slumped as she looked over her friends, all hope draining from her in an instant.

“So... you never found out how they contacted Bedlam or... or how they traveled to his headquarters?” she asked once more, already knowing the answer but still not fully accepting it.

“I’m afraid so. Apparently, the knowledge of how to reach Bedlam vanished with those ‘Nightshades’ Bedlam possessed them with. We’re just going to have to find another way to get to his hideout.” Twilight’s words cut like the sharpest Guard’s spear through Luna’s heart, the idea of their last and only hope of find Midnight going up in smoke. Turning, the night princess looked out through the balcony doors of her bedchamber. Her moon still hung high in the sky, the blanket of night still pulled over the land of Equestria due to her damaged horn.

‘This was just as it was when the Nightmare took me over.’ she thought, the memory causing a knot in her chest. “Alright, then. We’ll just have to explore other options, then.” The Elements stood there in shock for a moment, Luna’s words catching them by surprise.

“But Luna... what other options do we have?” Twilight asked, somewhat cautiously.

“Don’t worry, Twilight. All of you can go and rest for now. There’s something.... I need to look into.”

***

Heartspring stood on the main street of Floodgate Market, just inside the walls of Canterlot City Proper. The streets were abandoned, devoid of life and any signs of his Killjoy’s earlier attack as he looked around, wondering exactly how he had gotten there. A moment ago, he was sitting in Lady Twilight’s old personal tower, surrounded by her books as he lazily browsed through the pages of some old, arcane tome. The next moment, he was here, alone in the vast, empty street at the beginning of the main body of Canterlot.

“Um... hello? Is anypony there?” he called, down the street leading to the palace. When nopony answered, he called out once more. “HELLO? Is somepony there?!”

“Hello, Heartspring.” The sudden voice behind him made the earth pony spin around in surprise, his eyes focusing on a blurry blue image slowly moving from the city gated towards him. The stallion took a few steps back, keeping himself guarded until the image took a definite shape, eventually changing into the form of Princess Luna.

“P-Princess Luna? What’s going on? Where am I?” he asked, bowing slightly, though still quite confused. Looking to the princess for answers, however, only lead to a newly found feeling of dread, a look of sadness on her beautiful face.

“You are in a dream, my dear Heartspring.” she said, much to his surprise. “Right now, you’re sleeping peacefully in the old tower Twilight Sparkle used to study in while she was under my sister’s direct instruction. I brought you here because I need something from you.” Taking a step forward, Luna’s sad eyes gazed deep into his, a haunting feeling of dread washing over him as she approached. “Tell me; Being not only the leader of his Killjoys, but his first recruit, were you given the means to contact him if necessary?” Heartspring reached a hoof up and scratched his head at the odd question. Twilight MUST have informed the Princesses of their positions and responsibilities to Bedlam by now.

“Well... yes, Princess. He gave me, Miss Ivory and Miss Carousal a spell to contact him. My memory of it is a little foggy, but I remember it involved a reflective surface.” Heartspring wondered quietly for a moment, the memory of the exact intricacies of the spell sketchy at best. “There was also some way the mirror could be used as a portal, but... I’m afraid I can’t remember the exact parameters needed to execute it.” Luna sighed as she closed her eyes, shaking her head at his response.

“Well, then... I suppose I have my work cut out for me.” Luna’s wings flared as her eyes shot open, the bright white glow from them startling the stallion before her. Heartspring took a step backwards to retreat, only to find the stone ground behind him as soft as quicksand. Turning his head, he could see his hind legs sunk in as deep as his fetlocks, and still sinking. His desperate attempts to pull them out only sinking them in deeper. In another vain attempt to free himself, he braced his forehooves against the pavement in an attempt to drag himself forward. Unfortunately, this action was met with the same results, his hooves sinking deep into the ground.

“What?! Pr-Princess Luna! What’s happening?! What are y-” Heartspring looked up from his entrapment to find himself face to face with the princess, only this time, she seemed like an entirely different entity. Her normally flowing blue and stary mane was black as coal and devoid of it’s usual stars. Heartspring’s words froze in his throat as he watched the beautiful image of the Princess of the Night twist and morph into a fluttering, living shadow, the cold glowing eyes being all that remained. The last sounds he heard before the world went black we Luna’s sad attempt at an apology.

“Heartspring... forgive me... for what I must do.”

***

Luna felt terrible. No. More than terrible. Luna felt sick. Sick and disgusted, by her own deeds. Not since her time taken by the Nightmare had she done the painful and tortuous act of breaking into somepony’s mind. It mattered not that he was a former member of a team sent to destroy Canterlot. It didn’t even matter that the spells she cast on him would all but ensure he would have no memory of the ordeal. Aside from waking up and not feeling completely rested, Heartspring would suffer no ill effects from the Mind Break. That fact, however, was of little consolation when she was preforming the task. The screams of a stallion literally having his mind and memories torn apart and rummaged through were not something one just forgets.

Now, sitting alongside the large raised pool in the Royal Gardens of Canterlot Palace, Luna steadied herself. The spell the Killjoys had used to contact Bedlam was buried deep by the nightshade demons Bedlam had possessed them with, leaving the spell out of reach, but not forgotten. With it retrieved, the Night Princess could cast it and, with a little luck, pass through into Bedlam’s castle. Readying herself, Luna looked out across the old pool; about three yards in diameter and only as deep as a pony’s barrel. In the warmer months, the pony-made structure would serve as a koi pond for fish brought from the far eastern fox kingdom of Kitsune. For now, though, it would more than do to act as a portal she could easily pass through. According to Heartspring’s memories, any reflective surface would be used to communicate with Bedlam, but only water could be used as a portal to reach his stronghold. Taking one last moment to ready herself, she began channeling energy into her still-damaged horn to perform the spell.

“What exactly do you think you’re doing?” a gentle, yet firm voice call from behind her. Luna froze, immediately knowing she had been caught. “I felt your presence in the ethereal plane as I tried focusing my power into the healing of my horn. I knew energy like that could only come from your traveling into the dream lands.”

“Don’t try to stop me, sister. This is something that needs to be done.” Luna said, keeping her eyes on the pool. She didn’t know how Celestia had found her, and at the moment, she didn’t care. At the moment, she was too worried about not being able to perform the spell to be concerned with building an argument to whatever Celestia would use to talk her out of it.

“Who said we were here to stop you?” a second voice from behind Luna finally caused the princess to turn, finding a rainbow-colored pegasus hovering beside her sister, wearing her golden necklace. Looking around her, she noticed the other five of her friends from Ponyville, each wearing their Element as they smiled at her.

“As soon as I sensed your old power, it was easy to put two and two together. You went into one of the Killjoy’s dreams and found a way to contact Bedlam, haven’t you?” Celestia asked with a sly grin. Luna smiled nervously, shuffling a forehoof in the dirt before her.

“I...I didn’t want you to try and stop me. I need to get Midnight back.” Luna looked over her friends with sad eyes, the thought of her champion facing that terrible monster alone causing a lump in her chest. “He’s done so much for Equestria... for me... I have to get him back.”

“Actually, Princess...” Twilight said, approaching Luna and placing a hoof on her shoulder. “WE have to get him back. I might be Celestia’s ‘Faithful Student,’ but Midnight Blaze is OUR Faithful Student. Considering we all taught him the best of what we know, we just wouldn’t be very good teachers if we didn’t try to save him.” Luna looked over the five other ponies present, each smiling and ready to lend a hoof for their friend. The younger sister chuckled lightly to herself, fighting back tears of joy at the amazing heart her friends were showing by their determination to help her.

“Very well.” Luna finally said, turning back around to the garden pond. “Everypony, stay close. I’m opening the portal.” In an instant, Celestia, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Twilight had gathered around Luna, watching as her horn began to glow with a dark blue light. “Let’s get our friend back.” The area around them seemed to grow darker as a beam of energy shot from Luna’s horn, hitting the center of the water. From there, a ripple of energy bubbled outward, turning the almost black water into a churning prism of color. The eight mares watched as the colors morphed and turned, taking shape and finally becoming something recognizable.

Before them in the pool appeared the ruins of an old, dark castle foyer. All round the scene were broken pieces of art and furniture, rotten from years of neglect. Torn curtains on hanging rods lay limp before broken stained-glass windows and countless cobwebs. Everypony remained speechless as the looked over the silent scene displayed before them.

“BOO!!!”

A large, monstrous face appeared in the dark of the pool’s image, eyes bright with fire as it’s teeth glistened in the dim light. The eight mares peering into the pool recoiled in fear, screaming out in surprise as the beast fell backwards on his haunches in mad laughter.

“Oh, you should have seen your faces! If looks could kill!” Bedlam laughed, mocking the Elements and Princesses as they readied themselves around the pool.

“Bedlam! No more jokes, you horrible creature!” Celestia shouted towards him, her brow furrowed in anger. “We’ve captured your soldiers and discovered your lair! Now, we’re ORDERING you to release Midnight Blaze and surrender!” From the dark of the ruined hall, the chaos lord looked up at his foes with pouting eyes. Slowly, he crawled closer, grinning at the each mare as he approached.

“Please, Princess. You make it sound like you finding the way to my castle is the END of my fun.” The centaur-like beast folded his arms, raising an eyebrow suggestively at the goddesses.

“Of course it’s the end!” Luna countered. “You base is compromised, you’re surrounded and the Elements are ready to wipe you from the surface of Equestria. Give up now while you still have the chance. It’s your only option.” Bedlam paused a moment, placing one of his clawed hands over his mouth as it twisted into a smile. Slowly, he started to snicker, then laugh, then break into outright hysterics at Luna’s words.

“Oh, that’s HILARIOUS! You silly little equinoids, thinking your somehow have the upper-hoof on me!” Luna, Celestia and the Elements all readied themselves and gritted teeth at the laughing monster, watching as his joyous expression turned from happiness to a sly, evil grin. “My dear little ponies... I’m only just getting started.” Bedlam lowered his head as he extended his arms outward towards the mares, clawed fingers splayed outwards. Slowly, the image of him and the castle rippled across the water, blurring his shape and startling the ponies watching. As the water grew more violent, the eight watching from the supposed safety of the garden started to notice something curious beneath their hooves; the ground vibrating around the pool. Everypony present started to carefully back away as the waters churned and bubbled, the vibrations growing until, to the entire group’s surprise, the stone walls of the pool shattered, causing the waters to spill out around their hooves.

“What?! W-What just happened?” Fluttershy asked, raising a forehoof out of the water around her fetlocks.

“I’m... not sure. Was this some sort of attack?” Rarity answered, though unsure of her own words as she looked to Twilight, hoping for an answer.

“Maybe Bedlam thought this wold scare us away.” the purple mare stated. Twilight went to take a step forward, only to find her hooves stuck in the water. “W-what? Girls, something-aaaAAAHHH!!” Twilight shrieked as she felt something grip tightly around her hooves, a familiar face appearing in the water in front of her.

“C’mon in, ladies; THE WATER’S FINE!”

All at once, the mares screamed as dozens upon dozens of monstrous arms, all replicas of Bedlam’s, shot up from the water surrounding them. In an instant, their clawed hands gripped legs, wings, tails and horns, immobilizing the eight as they started to pull the down into the dark water. Try as they might, Bedlam had them all in his clutches, tugging one mare at a time under the water and out of sight until only Luna remained.

“Your foalish love of that pathetic creature, Midnight, will be the downfall of your world, Princess.” Bedlam’s image once again mocked from the water, his toothy smile shining in the dim light of the garden. “But don’t worry; before I completely obliterate this dimension, I’ll be sure to let all of it’s inhabitants know they have YOU to thank for it’s destruction!” With one final, powerful pull, Luna was drug beneath the water. As the last of her screams faded in the dark of the night, the water spilled from the destroyed moon pool went still once more.

***

In the dark of his throne room, Lord Behemoth rested his heavy head on his fist. It took a loud tantrum and the physically throwing out of several of his subjects before his court was finally cleared. All morning long, he was besieged by dragons demanding a reason why the sun had not rose yet, and he was getting quite annoyed at repeating the reason. The princesses were merely sick, he said, nothing more. For some dragons, this excuse was enough. For some, though, a more... to-the-point answer was needed. THAT answer was the reason for his moment of silence. It was now, in this brief  peace that his fellow god, Veloc decided to pay him a visit.

“Behemoth... Behemoth, are you there...?” The ghostly voice of the younger griffin god became clearer as Behemoth levitated the polished crystal ball floated from the corner of the room. Bringing it to a stop in front of his throne, the huge dragon sat up straight again, smiling at his brother deity.

“Hello, Veloc. Are you having as much trouble keeping your subjects calm as I’m having?” the reptile asked. Veloc shook his multi-colored crest to straighten his feathers back, giving out an exasperated sigh.

“You have no idea, Big B. I’m sure our other brother and sister gods across the world are having the same trouble. But, at the moment, that’s not what I want to discuss.” Instantly, Behemoth knew the reason for his little brother’s calling. Knowingly, he nodded as he wrapped his clawed fingers against the armrest of his throne.

“Celestia and Luna.”

“Luna, especially.” Veloc added. “Cadence seemed more than ready to fight when I contacted her earlier, though she was warned not to. She’s a good girl; she’ll keep out of it. However...” Veloc left the sentence hanging giving Behemoth a sideways glance through the crystal.

“However...?”

“However, I’m not so inclined to behave.” Behemoth leaned forward in his throne, looking deep into the viewing crystal at his brother god.

“Veloc! Are you implying that you plan on intervening in our sisters’ affairs?”

“Oh, of COURSE I do!” the griffin answered. “Those two are sweethearts, but much too proud to ask for help. I already have three hundred of my finest rangers, mages and paladins ready to fly at a moments notice.” The massive dragon reclined in his throne again, shaking his head at his fellow god in annoyance.

“Veloc... I really can’t believe you, brother. Planning on going out and starting a fight with one of the most powerful foes our world has ever seen...”

“Now, hold on just a moment, Behemoth-” the griffon king started, only to be cut off mid sentence.

“... and you didn’t think to invite me!!!” Behemoth let out a boisterous laugh, clapping his clawed hands together with a thunderous boom. “Shame on you, brother. Do you know how long it’ll take me to gather at least a dozen of my most powerful dragon knights for a mission like that?!” The griffin joined his brother in a good laugh, having almost been taken by sly joke.

“Oh, I say about... ten minutes, give or take. Besides, didn’t you say you wanted a crack at another draconequus after missing out on Discord?” The dragon smiled and stood up from his seat, standing on his hind legs as he flared out his mighty wings and stretched his forelegs to the sky.

“Indeed I did. It’s settled, then; we’ll both meet up in Equestria and begin our search for high levels of magic, there.” Veloc bounded up out of his own seat in the crystal ball still floating before Behemoth, grabbing a large lance from beside his throne. Just before the crystal flicker and the image faded, Behemoth could make out his fellow god roaring in delight.

“Let’s go then, brother, and shake the pillars of the heavens themselves!!!”