Author's Notes:

Okay so I'm not too sure you guys will like the rest of the chapter after the timeskip so I will tell you this. You can throw ideas my way through the comments or pm, or you can rewrite the chapter from that point on yourself and if it turns out to be a good replacement for what I got I'll swap out my version for yours and make sure to give you the credit because I ain't going to be one of those asshole's that steals someone elses ideas and work and NOT give them credit. Otherwise I hope you enjoy and keep on reading and liking my stories.

"Ember, Hyperion, wake up, we're here, we're at the Crystal Empire!" Diamond yelled out excitedly as she tried to get the two up. From what I can feel, Ember was stirring awake but it seemed Hyperion was being a bit more stubborn as I hear her grumbling something incoherent. "Come on Hyperion! Get up!" I chuckled at her antics before darkness overtook my vision. It lasted for a second before my sight returned to me and I noticed that the ground was getting closer and closer rather rapidly and I could hear a loud noise coming from somewhere around me.

"D.. Dar.... Pull..... Uh..." I heard through the haze that seemed to have taken over my mind. I looked around trying to figure out what was going on. I looked towards the girls and saw that they were clinging onto my back and seemed to be saying something to me. Seeing to expression of their face told me something was wrong and it was only then that I noticed that I can feel my dark magic concentrated around my head and my senses feeling much less foggy. "Dark Heart Pull Up!!!" I finally heard Hyperion yell out as my mind finally realizes that I'm falling. Remembering the situation I found myself in beforehand with my fight with my Fratamantus I got into a diving position and held it till the last possible moment before spreading out my wings, slingshotting myself back up towards the sky, making sure to use my magic to keep the others securely on my back. I level out soon after since I didn't need to be up all that high and the remaining kinetic energy being used to boost my forward momentum as I sped towards the border of the Crystal Empire.

"Dark Heart what just happened?" I heard Diamond asked but I didn't respond as it seemed darkness was threatening to eclipse my sight once again but I wasn't about to risk the girls safety so I flew low to the ground to minimize the impact should I fall unconscious before we make it. "Dark Heart! Land and take a break, you've pushed yourself too far!" Diamond tried to reason with me but yet I still didn't listen.

"She's right Dark Heart, the Crystal Empire is right there, just stop and rest, I'm sure the border guards have seen us by now! You don't need to keep this up any more!" Hyperion jumped in with Ember's whimpering being heard as well but it was already too late as we crossed the barrier that protects the Crystal Empire and I no longer had the strength to sustain flight and crashed into the ground with darkness overtaking most of my vision now. I shakily lift up my head to see where the others were at and spotted them just a few feet away from me looking fine besides a few bruises, scratches, and I'm sure I could add a couple of bumps in there as well. I very much doubt I'm as well off as they are though since my dragon form deactivated the moment I passed through the barrier.

YOU DUMBASS, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING PUSHING YOURSELF THAT HARD! I winced as my head was throbbing and her yelling at me didn't make it any better.

I got to agree with her on this one buddy, it's never smart to push yourself like this considering the type of enemies you got and are going to make. What would you do if Spirit showed up now? I sighed at that knowing that they were right but let my excitement of almost being home get the best of me and not realize that my body was giving out on me, even so I still digress since as the old saying goes, no pain no gain.

Yeah yeah, I know but if you really think that I'm gonna be like this for long then you're dead wrong. I told them as I tried to stand up with minor success as I could only get up to my knees before my body seemed to refuse putting in anymore effort to actually standing up.

You were saying?

Like I said, I won't be like this for long. I decided to just sitting up on the ground and letting my energy come back to me, after all can't rely on my magic for everything. I sat there staring down at the ground before my view was blocked by Ember as she appeared before me and started nuzzling and licking me as I laugh and try to get her to back off a bit. Took a few minutes to accomplish but when I did my smile quickly faded because I saw amber streak going down the side of her face, and they were fresh.

"Oh Ember, come here." I said as I opened up my arms for her which she accepted without hesitation, burying her head into the crook of my neck. I hold her with arm while the other rubs her back as I whisper apologies into her ear and letting her know that I was fine. I had momentarily forgotten that Hyperion and Diamond were here until I felt two sets of arm wrap around me and her and looked up to find them looking at me, looking down in Hyperion's case since it seemed she decided to change back to her original size. Diamond was looking at me with worry and relieve in her eyes, while Hyperion's expression showed annoyance but the same worry and relieve was there as well, something made more apparent when she lightly hit me on top of the head.

"You idiot what did I tell you about doing shit like that." She scolded me in a soft tone as she rested her head atop of mine.

"I just got you Dark Heart, I don't want to lose you so soon." Diamond sobbed out as she pressed her forehead against the side of my head.

"I know girls and I'm sorry. I guess I let my excitement get to me there." I said jokingly, which earned me small chuckles from them as Diamond bobbed me on the head this time.

"Well I hope that excitement of yours doesn't cause us any other issues." Diamond's hand brushed over my groin when she said excitement which caused me to squirm a little.

"You tease." I groaned out as she gave me a wink with Hyperion shaking her head at our antics along with laughter from somepony else. We quickly turned towards the source of the sound when we realized we weren't alone anymore.

"While I am the princess of love and wouldn't mind the show I don't think my subjects all feel the same." Cadance stated with an amused expression as several of her guards were with her along with Shining Armor. Some, including Shining himself, had blushes showing while others seemed eager for us to continue. I also spotted a couple that seemed disgusted by the scene and from what I was feeling it seems these ponies are racist and detest interspecies couplings, they quickly turned the other way when I shot them a subtle but still intimidating glare. The four of us got up, the girls helping me stand up as I was still to weak to do so myself, and Cadance's expression quickly went from amused to concerned. "Are you going to be okay Dark Heart?"

"Yeah I'll be fine, I just need to rest a bit and I'll be back to full strength in no time." I said, waving off the medics that were trying to check up on me. "But if you don't mind I would like to get a train back to Canterlot as soon as possible, I'm sure is anxious to meet Diamond and have us all back home safe and sound." Cadance agreed to get us transportation within the hour and suggested that we stop by somewhere to warm up and grab a bite to eat while we wait, which we agreed to.

We all ate some nice warm meals, and had the pleasure of introducing Diamond to the dessert menu that the Crystal Empire had to offer as well as some meals with meat in them as well, and we soon found ourselves in the royal cabin on the. . .Friendship Express *bleh* about twenty minutes away from the empire after having said bye to Cadance and Shining Armor as well as thanking them for their help.

I was just laying in one of the seats found in the cabin relaxing as I felt my body healing itself as my energy came back to me when I heard one of the girls call out to me. "What was that Hyperion?" I asked as I sat up to look at them.

"I asked you how did you get your wings?"

"Truthfully, I'm not sure. As you can see I only have them while in my 'Darkness Form' so the only guess I can make at the moment is that my dark magic had something to do with it. I haven't really looked into it and don't plan on it, at least not yet."

"And why is that?"

"I'm fucking exhausted." This caused all three them of them to stare at me with deadpanned expressions as I smirked at them but I wasn't lying, I'm too damn tired from this little adventure and now I can allow myself to rest, kind of thinking of sleeping in tomorrow too and I never want to sleep in.

"Are you serious, you just grew wings, with the knowledge of how to fly already implanted in your head, and you're not going to bother looking into it because you're tired?" Diamond asked as she stared at me with her hands on her hips.

"Eeyup, no point in looking into it if my head is not in the game." I stated nonchalantly as I laid back down on the seat and closing my eyes as I try to enter my own little world. That was something that didn't last as my eyes shot open as something pounced on me and caused me to let a 'oof' before Ember once again took up my view.

*Arf* was all I got from her as I looked at her with a questioning look while she laid on top of me with her tail wagging and her leafy tongue hanging out her mouth like an excited puppy.

"What do you want girl?" I asked her which got me another *Arf* before she laid her head down and shifted herself around a bit to get into a comfortable position. I rolled my eyes as it was easy to figure out that she wanted to cuddle. I swear I should have just named you Cuddles, or the Cuddle Monster or something else along those lines. I thought to myself as I caught the other the glaring at the TImberwolve. I sighed as I wrapped my arms around Ember who let out a small 'coo' as I stroked her back, not minding the feeling of the hardwood that makes up her body structure or worrying about getting splinters. I saw the gazes of the girls soften at the sight and went off to do their own things as they seemed to have decided to let us be. I looked at Ember's calm face and smiled softly as I looked at the first friend I made when I was finally freed. Our meeting may not have been ideal but I'm glad it happened either way, and I'm sure so is she. Foe to friend in almost an instant and we're already so close, inseparable even, I just wish I could understand her better sometimes. Hmmmmm, maybe, just maybe. I thought to myself as an idea popped into my head before I closed my eyes and let Ember's warmth lull me to sleep.

"Dark Heart, Sweety, wake up." A familiar voice said in a singsong tone as I was aroused from my slumber. Everything was bleary at first when I opened my eyes and saw a midnight blue blob in front of me. Didn't take too long to figure out who it was even with my vision so unfocused and I smiled up at her. "Hey there Luna, guess we finally made it back to Canterlot." I said as I reached up trying to bring her into a hug as my sight was still trying to bring itself into focus. I managed to land my hand on her cheek before I felt a stinging pain on my face which caused my eyes to widen and instantly bring itself into focus as I was now looking up at a teary eyed, angry Luna who was now standing up with her arms crossed under her breasts. I sat up and looked around to find a sheepish looking Diamond Sky and Hyperion, Ember sitting right next to me on the ground with her ears pinned to the of her head, and Celestia standing behind her sister, shaking her in what seems like annoyance.

I stand up from my seat, finally taking a glance out the window to find that it was late afternoon, early evening, before looking back at my angry marefriend. I sigh once again since it's pretty obvious why she's mad at me, "Look Luna, I know why you're mad but please let me explain my reasons for-" I was cut off as she slapped me again, this time on the other cheek. "Okay I deserved that."

"Damn right you did, do you have any idea how worried I was for you!? How worried my sister, Sun Spear, Cheerilee, and Pinkie Pie were!? What about Brick Builder and Dazzling Gem, you're their hero Dark Heart, how do you think they would have felt if something had happened to you?" Luna shouted as all I could do was stand there and look towards the floor with shame written all over my face. I honestly hadn't thought of how anypony would react to being what had happened on our mission to save Diamond. I was more worried about the three that were with me and even then I tried to do everything on my own as I tried to help them get through this without too much hassle for them without them knowing. Should have known better since if Hyperion and Ember reacted the way they did when they were there to witness it happen, then the other's reactions weren't really going to be any better from hearing about it, even if we all returned safe and sound. I mean nevermind the fact that I took one of Spirit's javelins to the gut for Fluttershy when I was released, that was when they didn't know about the capabilities of my dark magic and what kind of damage I could take. Now they do and hearing how I almost died a couple of times and how far I pushed myself to pull of everything I did during that trip, I'm in for it when everypony else hears about this.

Yeah, you are, especially since they're all outside waiting for Luna to finish chewing you out and drag your butt to the castle where they'll continue thoroughly chewing you out the rest of the way. I was filled with dread upon hearing what Nova said, even more so a Luna grabbed my wrist and started dragging me outside with others following suit.

"Come on everypony" Luna said as she dragged me past them, though I was still able to see the looks of hurt and disappointment that were clear as day. Nopony said a word during the brief trip up to the castle and into the throneroom, where Celestia told everypony there, including the guards, to leave. Once they were gone was when the shitstorm hit as they started yelling at me about how stupid I was, asked if I was suicidal, and how hurt or disappointed they were. This went on for quite a bit with me staring down at the ground the whole time, ashamed that I've put through this.

"Dark Heart," I looked up at Celestia when I heard call out my name as everybody went silent. " What was going through your head when you decided to take on the burden of carrying Hyperion and Ember just save yourself a few days worth of travel? Why ignore them when they told you to stop and rest? What was going through your head when you decided to sacrifice yourself to act as a distraction for Fratamantus and his army? And what were you thinking of pulling all the stunts you did that drove such fears into the hearts of the three that were counting on you to keep them safe as much as you were on counting of them to keep yourself save?" Celestia asked as everybody looked at me expectedly and I could only sigh as I knew the answer and it wasn't a very good one, in fact I wouldn't doubt if I lost the love and respect of everypony here once I uttered it but I won't bring myself to lie to them either.

"Because I wanted to." Came my response. I stood there waiting to see if everyone would say anything but when they didn't I continued to elaborate. "Everything I've done on the trip was something I wanted to do. I took Hyperion's and Ember's opinions into account whenever I asked for it but in the end it was all what I wanted to do. My plan to break out Diamond was something I wanted to do without second thoughts and I told Hyperion and Ember as though it was a part of something I may have came up with but it was never really thought out." I pause for a moment to catch my breath before continuing on "It was never a plan seeing as though plans could be changed and discussed but that wasn't the case here although it had sounded like it but it was nothing more than me simply letting them know what I wanted to do and I didn't care what they had to say about it. I wanted to fight every single one of those bastards, I wanted to kill them and that's what I had done as they came at me with everything they had. I didn't care that they were in the castle as I drove some of the windigoes into its walls and turned them into paste or that a few stray shots of magic at destroyed sections of the place. The prove of all this lies with now as I describe one of the various ways I ripped them apart in front of Brick and Dazzling here and I can't really say anything else but I'm sorry that I couldn't control my impulses all that well." I finished as they all stared at me with looks of shock, hurt, or anger while Brick and Dazzling looked terrified as Cheerilee held onto them while she glared at me, not that I blame her.

Luna finally disengaged herself from the crowd and walked up to me looking furious. I opened my mouth to say something to her but before I could utter a sound she sent as magically enhanced punch to my face and sent me flying across the room until my back hit the wall by the throne room doors. I still wasn't at full strength yet so it took me a bit longer than it should have to get back onto my feet. When I did I looked at Luna and saw her on the ground, panting rather heavily, my guess is from not only to exhaustion from the punch, but also to emotional turmoil she must be going through, something that was cemented by the small droplets I saw fall from her face.

Ears pinned to the top of my head I got up and tried walking over to her but was stopped by a golden barrier that blocked off the area around the door from the rest of the room. "There is still much to be discussed but I think it'd be in everypony's best interest if you left." Celestia said maliciously as she called for the guards that were standing right outside the door. "Take Dark Heart to one of the guest and have a guards posted outside his room where he will stay until we call for him." She had ordered as one roughly grabbed me by the arm and started dragging me out the room.

We made the trip there in tense silence as I followed my escorts to the room that Celestia had assigned for me. When we got there I was shocked to find that is actually one of the guest rooms in the castle instead of some kind of special prison cell so I guess I felt a tiny bit better about how things might turn out but not by very much. I moved into the room without prompting from the guards and sat on the bed with my head in my hands as my elbows rested on my knees. I have no doubt that Nova and Shadow are trying to say something to me but I'm in no mood to listen to anything they got to say to say to me at the moment. I sat there, feeling like the biggest bastard in the world, for awhile before drowsiness comes over me and I climb into bed to get some more sleep and hopefully give me the strength to deal with what is to come.

I was woken up by somepony shaking me and sat up when it seems they weren't going to stop until they knew I was awake. I looked out the window to see that the night had fallen over Equestria and it was most likely late into the night. I then looked towards the pony that had woke me but noticed nopony there, that is until I looked lower and spotted Brick and Dazzling looking up at me. "Hey you two, what's up?" I asked them with in a low tone as I smiled sadly down at them.

"C-can we sleep with you Uncle Dark Heart?" Dazzling asked as I became confused.

"Why would you want to sleep with me?"

"We had a nightmare and are too scared to go back to sleep by ourselves." Brick answered though it isn't what I had meant but I'm not going to blame two foals to understand what I meant.

"They wanted to sleep with you because the nightmare they had was about losing you and so they want to be as close to you as possible to make sure they don't lose you like they lost their parents." I heard Cheerilee say from the open door. By the look she was giving me, she's still mad at me but at the same time she wasn't about to deny the foals their source of comfort in this whole situation I started.

I nod at her before looking at the foals. "Alright, you two can sleep in bed with me if you want." They smile up at me before wordlessly climbing up on the bed and laying down on either side of me with Dazzling on my left and Brick my right. I lie down so that I can pull the blanket over them and rubs their backs to help them relax. It doesn't take long before they're all snuggled up against me and asleep while Cheerilee was watching from the door the whole time. Knowing that she wants to talk I place a silencing barrier around the foals ears before gesturing for her to come over.

"You know we're all very pissed at you for what you said back there right?" I sighed before nodding at her, not to shocked that she actually sweared considering. "Seriously though, what were you thinking? Did you really not care about anything while you off on your mission?" Cheerilee fumed as I just iie back staring at the ceiling.

"Yeah, I really didn't care about much of anything while I was off trying to save Diamond. Yes I did tell Hyperion and Ember that I did care about them, which I do, and wanted Hyperion to be a part of my herd but other than moments like that and some more I really didn't care and the worse part is I don't why." I answered in a very tired tone that to me made me sound exactly like my true age.

"What do you mean you don't know why?" She asked as she sat down on the bed and grabbed ahold of my hand, running her thumb over it with concern having replaced her anger, not completely but it was the dominating emotion.

*Sigh* "I just don't know Cheerilee. All I do know is that the moment the three of us walked outside and into the Desolate Fields I just stopped caring about anything and felt that way until we got back to the Crystal Empire." She gave me an appraising look at that.

"I would say it has something to do with the fields themselves but then why didn't you care about saying some of the things you said earlier around these two?" She asked as she gestured towards the two foals cuddling into me.

"I couldn't really tell you that either but I do know that thinking about killing all those Windigoes didn't make me feel anything, no remorse, no satisfaction, no anything." That seemed to make her think a bit more and seemed like she was gluing pieces to the puzzle together in her mind. Ponies can give credit to geniuses like Twilight and many others famous scholars and such known throughout Equestria today and write off Cheerilee because she's 'just a school teacher' but somethings you don't need to be a genius to figure out things others can't and she was demonstrating right now as it seemed she figured out something as she got wide-eyed and snapped her head towards me.

"Do you know any legends, stories, or anything else about the Desolate Fields and why their called that, maybe even creatures that may reside there besides the Windigoes?"

"No, why?"

"Then I'll have to go speak with the princesses and Diamond Sky to see if they know anything." She said out loud to herself before speaking to me. "Dark Heart, I think there may be something in the Desolate Fields that may explain why you're feeling this way because the Dark Heart me and everypony else has come to know just doesn't stop simply caring just like that. I'm going to look into it and tell the others my theory and if I find anything I'll be sure to tell you, but if not, well you may want to look into your dark magic some more to see if it's doing anything to you." I thought about that for a moment before looking up at her and nodding my head in agreement, telling her I would look into, most likely having Nova and Shadow help, to see if anything was wrong with my dark magic while she looked into the history of the Desolate Fields. Not much was known about it in the first place besides it being home to the Windigoes and snow storms cold enough to freeze those unfortunate enough to be caught out in it in an instant.

As I was thinking more about the fields and about my trip there to find anything that may have gone unnoticed beforehand, I hadn't noticed Cheerilee moving until I felt something warm and soft against my cheek. I was stunned at first that it was Cheerilee who was doing it, but then that changed soon as I felt the warm in both my cheeks intensify. She withdrew her lips from my face and, thanks to her warm breath hitting the side of face, felt her move up towards my ear. "That's more of the Dark Heart I've come to know." She said in a seductive as she came around to stare me in the face as I looked at her in shock. She giggle at my expression as she gave a warm smile.

I grew out of my shock quickly when she started to get up and grabbed her arm before she could get up. "Cheerilee, how long have you-" I was cut off as she placed a finger over my mouth.

"I hadn't realized it until a little while after you had left when Princess Luna had told us where you three had ran off to. I had already liked you as my friend and grew to care about you a great deal, especially after you went out of way to help my niece and nephew and gave my sister and brother-in-law a proper burial, but I never actually thought I had fallen in love with you as well until I thought about all of the things that could happen to you while you were out there and felt my heartache as I thought about you dying. I'm not quite ready to act on those feelings just yet but I still wanted you to at least know about them so things don't become too weird around us." I had to chuckle when I heard that last part and she did too knowing why I was laughing.

"That's alright Cheerilee, I understand completely and if you want we could go on a few casual outings with Brick and Dazzling, get more comfortable with the idea of us potentially being together as more than just friends without going on a date exactly."

"That's sounds great Dark Heart and I'm sure those two will be ecstatic about us taking them to the park and going swimming as they get to spend more time with you, we could even invite Luna, Hyperion, and Diamond too since you're planning to be in a herd and I can get to know them better too." She said, excited at the idea.

Hehe, well then after we get through with trying to figure out why I seem to suddenly lack emotions towards some things we can set up a day to do all this on." I suggested to which she nodded to before she leaned over to give me another kiss on the cheek and I still couldn't help but blush.

"Good night Dark Heart and have sweet dreams." She said before giving Dazzling and Brick a kiss on the forehead as she rubbed them of the head. "And take care of these two, they've had it pretty rough since that day and you being there for them have really helped lessen the impact of it all." She said as she looked down sadly at the little filly and colt who refused to let go of me.

"Don't worry about them Cheerilee, I'll guard them with my life if I have to."

"I know you will, good night." She said, smiling warmly at me before getting up and walking towards the door.

"Good night Cheerilee." I called out to her before she shut the door and I released the silencing spell from the two's ears. I settle down as I wrap my arms around them and hug them close to me, keeping them close to me so that no danger will ever befall them ever again. I'll protect you and everypony else I care about with my life, of that I swear. I thought before falling asleep again.