... was that...

... destroyed everything...

...can't wait...

... not safe...

...kill...

YOU WILL NEVER HAVE CONTROL, GIVE IN TO THE VOID.

DON'T GIVE UP NOW; FIGHT!

Murmurs. They sound so distant, barely within my ability to hear. Fear filled, scared, worried, concern all seamlessly pointed towards me. I can't blame them really. What we were doing was reckless, but necessary. There should be something out there able to answer me. Keep me in check. I guess Damian is that thing. I can see why she wanted him to receive training now.

How long have I been out? A day? A week? A few hours? My arms still burn from the spells, so it couldn't be that long. My back is stiff, so I must still be on the ground. I can't open my eyes. I'm too tired to do so. I can sleep a bit longer, not like I really have a choice.

... how did...

...we can't...

... to be around...

... kill...

JUST RELAX. DON'T DO ANYTHING. THE VOID WILL BE THERE FOR YOU, IT'S ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU.

MILES! THIS ISN'T YOU, YOU DON'T GIVE UP. FIGHT HARDER!

I don't feel good, which is strange; usually when I change, I feel better. The weight gets released from my chest and I... just feel better. Not this time. The pressure is still there, a damned constant reminder. I did start to change, right? I remember that much. Writhing in pain right after Damian and I finished our training. I started it... but... if I'm thinking this clearly, then why haven't I woken yet?

... not ready...

... we can...

... anytime now...

... just wake up...

SHH... IT'LL ALL BE OVER SOON. GIVE IN TO THE VOID.

IT'LL ALL BE OVER SOON. FIGHT FOR IT!

I open my eyes slowly. I'm in the living room, laying on the ground. I take a few deep breaths before sitting up and taking in my surroundings. All of the Spartans, the girls, Big Mac, Trixie, Butterscotch, E'Claire, Shadow and Spike are here. It's the middle of the night and they're all asleep. I smile to Shadow as she shuffles in her sleep and reach out to stroke her mane... but stop.

My hand. My magic is flaring, with the lines going just around my wrist. Confused, I try to shake off the magic, but no matter how hard I shake, the white flames continue to burn. I check my other hand to find it burning as well.

"I'm dying." I mutter as I stare at my flaring hands. I scoot back until my back is against the wall, where I try to keep a hold of myself. I'm... I'm dying, now. I can't believe it, what happened to a year!? I'm suppose to have at least six more months before this started! How.... what... why...

"Daddy?" Shadow mutters as she lifts her head and looks at me. "You woke up."

"Y-yeah." I say, somewhat in a trance. She picks herself up off the recliner and walks over to me, where she nestles herself into my lap.

"I was worried. You've been asleep for four days, what happened?" She asks sleepily.

I try to answer her, but choke as I begin to tear up. I've know this was going to happen... but now that it's facing me... I don't want to die. What do I have to give to stop this. There's too much here for me now for me to go. Can't I.. isn't there... why?

"Twilight said... she said that this is... it. Is that true?" She asks as she looks up to me, eyes beginning to tear up. I move to hug her, but stop when I realize I would burn her. I CAN'T EVEN HUG HER! She's starting to cry and I can't fucking comfort her!

"I'm so sorry," I mutter as I break down. "I shouldn't have gotten close to you. I should have stayed away. I should have..."

"No!" She yells as she stands and wraps her arms around my neck, tears flowing freely down her face . "No... who would have been my daddy then! Nopony else would have been as nice as you were! I don't want anypony else, I want Daddy! Please, don't go! Please, I'll do anything, just don't go! I'll mine gems! I'll buck apples, please Daddy! Please don't die!" She yells, waking everyone as she sobs into my neck and holds me tightly.

"I'm so sorry." I whisper to her as I wrap my arms around her, being sure to keep my hands as far from her as possible.

"Daddy." She mutters as she buries stops begging and continues her sobbing. I try my best to comfort her to the best of my abilities, rubbing my arms against her, but... it doesn't help. I look to everyone and try to find someone able to help, knowing all too well that there isn't anything anyone could do.

"Miles." E'Claire says quietly as she and Butterscotch approach me. "With your permission, we'd like to watch over Shadow."

"*sniff* y-yeah. Yeah, that... I'd appreciate that," I say as I hold her a bit tighter. "Just... take good care of her, you know. "

"We will..."

"Keep her out of mines and away from spiders..."

"We know..."

"Don't let her forget Lantern Light either. Get her started in school, make sure she studies hard, watch..."

"Miles." Butterscotch cuts me off. "We will do everything and more for her. You don't need to worry. Whenever you're ready, we will be waiting by the Mico platform to Moosden." I nod to her and try to get control over myself as everyone in the room starts to sadden. Many openly cry while a few try to keep strong, wiping tears away and holding stiff upper lips. E'Claire walks over to us and gives me a soft kiss on the forehead, dropping a few tears on my cheeks as she tries to hold it together.

"Thank you, Miles. You've.... I'm a better mare because of you. I promise to do everything possible to make Shadow happy. She won't forget you." I nod to her as well as the two of them leave the room. I take a few deep breaths as I look back to everyone else.

"Can... can you gives us a minute, please. I... I want to..."

"We'll be out front," Twilight tells me as she takes her leave.

"Captain," Storm says with a salute as he follows after Twilight.

"Master," Spike says, duplicating Storms' action.

"Captain. Scoots sends her regards as well. And... we'll be there. When it... we'll be there," Rainbow Dash says quietly.

"Captain," Big Mac states simply.

"Like Rainbow said, we'll be there for you." Fluttershy says peaceably before leaving with Big Mac.

"Captain. Don't worry about the Spartans either. We'll keep going.... you taught us well." Night Fury tells me before moving on. He wasn't crying, but I can tell he was fighting hard.

"Captain." True Will offers with a neutral expression before leaving. Pfft, even with my death he fight emotion. It's.... comforting.

"Captain!" Dust Devil wails as she comply loses it before me. True Will comes back and has to carry her out, shaking his head along the way.

"Miles..." Trixie starts but chokes immediately. "I... uh... well... you..."

"I know." I tell her. I allow her to plant a simple kiss on my forehead before she heads upstairs.

"Miles, darling," Rarity says as she walks up to me. "Anything you need to, whenever, you just ask. We're here for you and we'll do our best to make it... I'm sorry..."

"It's alright," I say as I lean my head against Shadows. She started to calm down a bit now, so I begin to rub my chin against her head in an attempt to help comfort her. "I understand."

"Oh... Miles..." She turns and walks out, bickering about her tears ruining her eye liner. Rarity wouldn't expect anything less.

"Pinkie, you're hair’s flat." I point out as she walks up to me.

"Well... I'm not feeling poofy right now. You're not smiling, neither is Shadow or anypony.... oh, TB! Why did you have to make this sad!" She says before running out of the room. Pinkie, still Pinkie.

"Miles... ah..."

"How was the date with Hammer?" I ask with a slight chuckle. She laughs as well before giving me a kiss on the forehead. She leaves with her hat off, trying to cover the tears on her face. With everyone out of the room I take a few deep breathes as I continue to try to soothe Shadow.

"Daddy."

"Shadow... I know this is going to hurt. It's going to hurt a lot. But... goodbye."

"No! I don't want to say it!" she says as she shakes her head.

"Goodbye Shadow. You may not have been my blood, but you were my daughter."

"Take me with you, please! I don't want to lose anymore family! Why does this have to happen? Daddy!" She sobs, digging her hooves into my shoulders as she holds me tighter.

"I love you."

"*sniff* I love you too Daddy. G-goodbye," I lose my composure, breaking down with her as we hold each other tightly. Time flies by as we hold one another, our sobs turning silent as we face the realization of my fate. Death... death wins I guess. I hear the back door slowly open and look over to see E'Claire peering in from the kitchen dining room. I look down to Shadow to see her asleep in my arms, cheeks stained with tears.

"OK... take her, please." I whisper to her, getting a slow nod. Before she takes her, I give her one final kiss on the forehead and bid her farewell.

"Miles.... I... we... you are the greatest pony I know. You may be leaving, but your name will last much longer. Goodbye, Miles Eremita," E'Claire tells me before lifting Shadow onto her back, and leaves.

Alone. I hold my knees against my chest as the feeling of complete solitude takes over. At this rate... I can't even calculate how long I have. One day. One week. Five minutes, it's unknown to me. What's next? What do I do now? Is it even worth it to go to Emerald City anymore? If I go to the cities, I'll only speed things up... maybe that'll be for the best though. Forget the world; forget everything. I have one goal now, finding where this path my friends laid goes. I push myself off the ground and march straight to the front yard, where I find everyone waiting.

"Miles! We're ready to go, now. Give the word and we'll march to hell and back." Rainbow says as the others stand with her. I look to all of them and smile, wiping the final tear from my eyes.

"Alright. One last adventure before the void. But, not tonight. I want to spend this last night with Luna." I tell them, getting slow nods from all of them.

"We understand." Twilight says as she steps towards me. "We will be here at sunrise, packed and ready. Now go see your wife," I nod to her and head back inside, still smiling to myself for some reason.

I make it to Canterlot from the Mico platforms and head straight to the courtroom. The night guards see me and stare at my hands, unsure of what's going on. When I make it to the giant marble court room doors I take a moment to gather myself before heading in.

The room is silent. Two guards stand by the empty throne as moonlight fills the rest of the room. I walk in and stop halfway when I realize she isn't here. The guard on the right walks up to me and hesitates, due to my hands.

"Where is Luna?" I ask, still looking at the empty throne.

"I'm sorry sir, but she isn't here. She went on business to the Griffin Colonies two days ago. She won't be back for another three days." The guard tells me. "Do you wish to leave a message for her?"

"Yes... but I shall take care of that. Thank you." I turn and walk out, the feeling of being alone returning. This... this is probably be for the best. She won't have to see me like this. Her last image of me will be of me at my best. No pain. No reminder. Just us being happy. I walk to her tower and enter her room, the guards holding the door open for me.

The curtains surrounding her bed are waving from the gentle breeze coming from the open balcony doors. Moonlight illuminates the room and somehow puts me at ease. I walk to the center of the room where I close my eyes and inhale. Her scent is here. It's cool in here as well. It's... peaceful.

For the first time since I've awoken, I actually feel at peace. I can feel something from within force me out to the balcony. I take my time getting there, but when I do, I can only sigh peaceably. It's a full moon. I stare out at the massive satellite and feel it begin to affect me. I can do this. One last adventure. One last run against time. I've got my friends. I've still have some time left, we can do this. With a confident sigh, I head back inside and head for Lunas dresser, where I pull out her phone. I record a message for her and set in on top.

I spend the night here as well, taking in her scent from her sheets. My last peaceful night, I want it to be as close to her as possible.

OK. Here we go, time for stuff to speed up. I decided to cut this chapter short, it just felt right. The rest of the chapters will be as long as the prior ones, so give me some time for them. Also, OC's will be adding and dropping like crazy now. If you wish to post one, now is the time to do it. Don't wait, you'll miss out.

Brony on!