Dusk, Rune, and Calligraphy trotted along the stone streets, looking around, they saw other ponies just as cloaked as they were.

"So why the cloaks?" Rune asked.

"Some of the Children are uncomfortable revealing themselves until they are inside the castle." Calligraphy answered. "We are everywhere so some ponies may know each other in the other world."

"I do have a question." Dusk asked.

"Yes?" Calligraphy asked.

"What is that at the top of the tower." Dusk pointed to a strange object at the top of the castle's highest tower."

"That is the home of the Grand Owl." Calligraphy answered. "He is our guardian, our protector. But he hasn't made an appearance in over twenty years."

"Maybe somepony should check on him." Rune suggested, more interesting in seeing this Grand Owl.

"We cannot. It is sacrilegious to be within the Owl's presence before the Time." Calligraphy snapped.

"The Time?" Dusk and Rune asked at once.

"It is the Time when the Children no longer hide in the shadows and reveal ourselves to the world." Calligraphy said.

"Why wait?" Rune asked.

"Because the Oracle has not deemed it is time." Calligraphy answered. "I can't explain everything now, come on."

Rune couldn't continue his questions as he made his way with the rest into the castle. Looking around, Dusk and Rune noticed something else. Anypony who looked at Calligraphy gave a small bow of respect. What could this mean? The interior of the castle was lined with a strange stone that was dark in color. Suits of armor lined the halls, pillars in the shapes of alicorns, tapestries and banners were covered with the Children's insignia with the words "Praise the Goddess, our Mother." along them.

"What's that sound?" Rune asked, hearing what might be loud voiced at the end of the hall.

"It seems he's already starting trouble." Calligraphy sighed, picking up the pace. "Make sure to keep your hoods on."

The three ponies walked into the room, there was a massive stone in the shape of the Moon illuminating the room. There were seats and benches surrounding the room where a countless amount of hooded ponies sat. In the center of the room, a unicorn stallion with a dark blue, almost black coat. His mane was long and wavy, almost like a mane and were two colors; a dark orange with black highlights running along it. The rest of his body was covered by his cloak. Even his voice sounded like he felt superior. This stallion was debating with a panel consisting of almost a dozen other ponies, some young, some old. They were the only ones with their hoods off.

"Staying as we are is folly!" The unicorn protested. "How many centuries must we wait for the Time?"

"Councilor Bru." One of the older ponies spoke out. "We have survived these near thousand years is because we have remained hidden."

"That's right!" A younger pony added. "We cannot reveal ourselves until the Time is called. We would be slaughtered by the Sun Tyrant otherwise."

"Not unless we strike first." Bru suggested.

"Declare war? On the Sun Tyrant?!" Another old pony shuttered.

"The Children would be killed. We would become extinct." A fourth Councillor said. "We must stay with what Councillor Calligraphy suggested. We remain hidden in plain sight, until the Time."

"Calligraphy's plan would have us rot!" Bru shouted, but then looked over and saw Calligraphy, Dusk, and Rune walk in. "Councillor Calligraphy, we were just talking about you."

"Interesting." Calligraphy calmly responded. "You're usually shouting about me."

There was a small laughter amongst the other ponies. Bru didn't respond to that comment, he remained composed and calm. But this changed when he saw Dusk and Rune.

"Who are these?!" Bru demanded. "I've heard you brought two ponies with you. Explain yourself!"

"May I present Dawn Rune." Calligraphy gestured Rune to step forward. "Arch-Mage to the Goddess."

There were whispers amongst the cloaked Children. Some questioning whether Calligraphy was telling the truth.

"This is quite humorous Calligraphy." Bru laughed. "There hasn't been an Arch-Mage for nearly a thousand years, and you say this child is one."

"It's true." Rune stepped forward, making it up as he went along. "I have been blessed by the Goddess and bestowed the title of Arch-Mage."

Bru walked right up to Rune, staring him down, his height was easily taller than Rune. Rune could see his piercing yellow eyes almost mentally stabbing him. "This isn't a game boy! You are not of the Children and you have no right to be here."

"He speaks the truth!" A very familiar voice called out from besides the other Councillors.

Jumping down from the bench was another cloaked pony but Dusk and Rune almost fell over in surprise when they saw his face.

"Councillor Nightwing?!" Bru asked, unaware that Nightwing knew Dusk and Rune. "You've never spoken in debate. What changed your mind."

"You see that pony?" Nightwing pointed at Rune. "He speaks the truth. The Goddess has bestowed this pony the title of Arch-Mage." He then pointed to Dusk. "And the other has been blessed my the Goddess, being allowed to become the Arch-Mage's acolyte."

"A-a-acolyte?!" Dusk wanted to shout but knew that was a bad idea.

"You expect us to believe this?" Bru spoke loudly at Nightwing.

"Councillor Nightwing and Councillor Calligraphy have proven themselves loyal to the Children." A Councillor spoke up. "What reason do they have to lie now?"

"And Councillor Nightwing serves as guard captain to the Goddess." Another declared. "He would know if the Goddess has declared such a thing."

"Fine." Bru reluctantly accepted, turning back towards Dusk and Rune. "The Council has declared you Arch-Mage and Acolyte to the Goddess." He then turned back to the Council. "But there is the manner at hand."

"What about the Oracle?" Rune asked, before thinking. "What does the Oracle has to say about this?"

There was the deadest silence in the room. Even Bru's serious face contorted in shock. Rune looked back at Calligraphy who was just as shocked. He must of said something really important or really stupid.

"Very well." Bru composed himself, looking at the Council. "Bring the Oracle!"

There was silence again, everypony got on their hooves in a bow, their heads placed upon the stone ground. The Councillors bowed but not as deeply as the rest. Everypony was bowing in the same direction; towards the large door on the other side of the room. Dusk and Rune were the only ones who weren't bowing.

"Get down you two." Calligraphy ordered Dusk and Rune.

Dusk knelt quickly as to not accidentally offend. Rune slowly kneeled down but not as severe as the rest. He watched as the large doors slowly opened, a cold breezed flushed through the room. He saw a large silver platform with a large blue cushion upon it. This platform was being carried by four large black, Earth stallions. At the top of the platform, resting upon the cushion as the Oracle. At first glance, it looked like a foal, possibly a filly. But there was something very familiar about this Oracle.

"Holy-" Rune said to himself when he saw the Oracle.

"There's no way-" Dusk said as well, looking up.

As the Councillors rose, but the remaining ponies stayed in a bowing position, the older and possibly senior of the Councillors spoke up.

"Praise the Oracle!" The Councillor declared loudly. "Praise Midnight!"

The filly that sat upon the large cushion was a younger version of the Rune's alleged daughter Midnight. Except for her being completely younger than the one that appeared before, she had no cutie mark, nor a murderous look in her eyes. Dusk was shocked, after remembering what Midnight did to him and his friends, he didn't know what to think. Rune was hit just as hard, if not harder. He knew the Midnight thing was a fake, she wasn't real. A lie created by himself, Twilight, and Celestia; but there she was.

"Oracle?" Bru bowed towards Midnight again. "We seek your aid in a dire matter."

"You may speak." Midnight answered.

"The time has come for the Children to reveal themselves." Bru informed. "But most say we should remain in hiding."

"And your plan would have us be killed!" Calligraphy stepped forward, then bowed towards Midnight. "Oracle, Councillor's Bru's plan means engaging in war against Canterlot, if not all of Equestria."

"Maybe there's another way?" Rune spoke up, getting up and approaching Midnight, but didn't bow, to the shock of the crowd.

"You dare speak to the Oracle so casually?!" Bru shouted in anger and disgust.

"Maybe there's another way." Rune suggested, he was close enough to the platform, he could touch it. "What if the Children reveal themselves and become allies with Canterlot, not enemies?"

"Allies? With the Sun Tyrant?!" Bru stood up. "I will not tolerate more of this blasphemy! You are not of the Children, you do not know how long we have suffered!" He then looked at Calligraphy. "And you Calligraphy have broken our creed and brought outsiders who speak of our ruin."

"Councillor Bru." Midnight spoke up. "You are a patriot of the Children and I know your heart is in the right place. But this outsider's heart is equally in the right place. But both your plans are opposite. How can we establish a peaceful agreement?"

"Traditionally." Bru bowed towards Midnight, then looked at Rune. "I challenge this outsider to the sacred trial of the Moon."

There was a massive gasp of shock amongst the Children. Only Dusk and Rune were not following.

"Outsider, tomorrow at the rising of the Moon, we shall do battle." Bru flared his horn a dirty white color. "It will be you or I the Children follow boy. And I shall prevail."

"Councillor Bru!" Calligraphy shouted. "You cannot challenge Rune to the Trial, he is too young. I brought him here, the responsibility is mine to bear."

"The challenge has been given to the Outsider." An older looking Councillor answered. "Will you accept this challenge?"

"I will." Rune said almost immediately.

"Then the challenge shall be set to come in one days time." A Councillor swung a massive gavel down. "Dismissed!"

________________________________________________________________________________________________

It wasn't even two seconds after Dusk and Rune were brought to Calligraphy's office when she back hoofed Rune, sending him flying across the room.

"ARE YOU COMPLETELY INSANE!!!??" Calligraphy shouted. "Speaking like that so openly, and then to accept Bru's challenge?!!!"

"Seriously Rune!" Dusk joined in, but used his hooves to hold back Calligraphy as she was proceeding to kick Rune. "Do you always have to talk before thinking. Do you even have a brain in that head?!"

There was then a knock on the door.

"Come in." Calligraphy, now calmed down.

The door opened and Nightwing walked in.

"Any luck." Calligraphy asked.

"No." Nightwing shook his head. "There's no way to appeal to the Council. There are too many in favor of the Trial. And changing Bru's mind is impossible."

"I wanted to ask." Rune asked, sitting up, some blood and bruises from Calligraphy's beating on his face. "Who is that Bru pony and more importantly, why is Midnight here?"

"How do you know of Midnight?!" Nightwing asked. "She's never left the kingdom, how would you of known?"

"Well you see...." Rune then explained how he, Twilight, and Celestia created a massive illusion in an attempt to get Luna's inner Nightmare out of her. This explanation pissed off both Nightwing and Dusk.

"You mean I suffered all that and saw my friends hurt over a lie!?" Dusk grabbed Rune in anger. "Why would you lie to me like this?! Aren't we friends?!"

"Enough." Nightwing had to stay calm as he put his hoof on Dusk's shoulder. "I'm upset too, everypony in Canterlot was worried over the safety of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. But as Rune said, it was Celestia's idea and we have to trust her. I've worked in the guard long enough that even if the Princesses may do something behind our backs, they are only trying to do what is best for Equestria."

"I know, but I wish they told me about it." Dusk was still upset but he had to save his anger for another time.

"Now about Bru?" Rune asked. "What's his story?"

"His full name is Bru Tality." Calligraphy answered. "He is one of the thirteen Councillors along with myself and Nightwing. And he is known for his patriotism for the Children and his cruelty and hatred towards anypony else."

"So why does he want to engage in war?" Dusk asked. "And who's this Sun Tyrant?"

"I'm assuming this Sun Tyrant everypony was talking about is Princess Celestia." Rune guessed.

"Yes." Calligraphy answered. "It is tradition to never say her name publicly or to show her respects. There are less than a few Children who would say her name. Myself and Nightwing included."

"Why is that?" Rune and Dusk asked.

"Well you see.." Calligraphy was about to explain when there was another knock on the door. "Come in."

Much to the surprise of Dusk and Rune, Derpy Hooves walked into the room.

"Derpy?!" Dusk and Rune said in surprise. "You're one of the Children?!"

"Yes." Derpy smiled. "A few of the Children are from Ponyville. But that's not why I'm here. I have a message."

"So you're a mail pony even among the Children?" Rune joked.

"Yep." Derpy nodded and smiled. "But my message is, the Oracle has asked for both yours and Dusk's presence in her chambers. Immediately."

"Seriously?!" Nightwing said in surprise and confusion.

"This is a great opportunity." Calligraphy said. "Dusk can convince the Oracle not to allow this trial and Rune's life will be spared."

"Why can't I convince Midnight?" Rune asked.

"Because you have no respect for authority." Nightwing answered. "If you call her by her name so causally, your head will be on the floor. Dusk will do all the talking."

Derpy escorted Dusk and Rune to the chambers of the Oracle, located at the highest tower of the castle. The doors were easily the largest pair of doors either of the ponies have ever seen. It was made of a silver-like metal that couldn't be identified. Every constellation was present on this door in intricate detail.

"I'm guessing we go in." Rune joked.

"Yes." Derpy then backed away. "Only you two are allowed in."

Derpy then trotted off, leaving Dusk and Rune starring at the door.

"Well, let's see what happens." Rune said, slowly pushing on the door.

Despite its size, the door was light and easy to open. Opening the door, Dusk and Rune looked within and it was amazing. There was a completely transparent ceiling, where the fake Moon's light illuminates the room. Even the fake stars looked brighter. The room was very misty, like a light blanket of cool fog kissed Dusk and Rune's skin. Looking through the mist, both ponies saw how massive the room was; there were large stone monuments, each carved in the shape of giant ponies. In the center of the room was a large, almost pond sized pool of what looked like warm or hotter water. In the center of the pond was Midnight, sitting upon an island platform covered in massive cushions and bedding.

"Welcome." Midnight spoke aloud to Dusk and Rune. She then turned to her guards, roughly twenty or so heavily armed ponies. "You may leave."

The guards did not speak, they simply bowed and left the room. Leaving Midnight alone with Dusk and Rune.

"You may be wondering why I have called you here?" Midnight asked. "You may speak freely, we are alone."

"I do have a few questions." Rune asked, stepping forward, almost touching the water. "Who are you?"

"I am Midnight, tenth generation Oracle to the Moon Goddess, Princess Luna." Midnight answered. "Now I ask, who are you?"

"Dawn Rune, Arch-Mage to Princess Luna." Rune answered playing along. "Now who are the Children?"

"We are those who the Goddess saved from death." Midnight answered. "Why have you come?"

"Somepony tried to kill Princess Cel-" Dusk then stopped, not wanting to offend. "I mean the 'Sun Tyrant' and we want to know why."

"I have ordered no attempt on her life." Midnight answered.

"Maybe somepony went behind your back?" Rune asked.

"Possibly." Midnight answered. "But now, what do you hope to gain?"

"Gain?" Dusk didn't understand the question.

"I want to know more of the Children." Rune answered. "I want to hear everything."

Midnight couldn't help but let out a laugh, as if she has heard the funniest thing in her life.

"You have no other desires or goals?" Midnight asked. "You cam here, risking death or worse all for understanding?!"

"Pretty much." Rune shrugged.

Midnight couldn't help but let out another laugh, more like a giggle this time.

"Very well." Midnight grinned like a child given candy. "I will tell you everything, in exchange for a favor."