"Favor?" Dusk and Rune asked.

"Yes." Midnight answered. "I will tell you our story, if you promise me."

"Promise what?" Rune asked.

"Promise me that you will take me with you." Midnight asked.

"What?" Dusk asked. "Why?"

"I want to see the world outside this castle." Midnight answered. "I have always lived in the Children's hidden kingdom. I want to see the outside world."

"Sure." Rune agreed. "I'll bring you with me."

"You promise?" Midnight's grey eyes sparkled as if being promised a new toy.

"Of course." Rune smiled. "Provided you answer our questions, starting with telling us everything about the Children of the Night."

"You really think this is a good idea?" Dusk whispered to Rune.

"I see no problem. It's like foalsitting." Rune whispered back and then looked at Midnight. "Do we have a deal?"

"Agreed." Midnight smiled, her horn lit a light black color, igniting several torches that lined the far back wall and eventually surrounded the entire room. "I will have to start from the beginning."

___________________________________________________________________________________________

After the meeting, Bru went to his own chambers and spent the last couple hours pacing back and forth.

"What is your plan Calligraphy?" Bru asked himself aloud. "And you Nightwing, you're only a Councillor because of your services. You've never spoken up at any meeting."

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in." Bru said, trying to relax enough to hold a conversation.

A yellow pegasi mare with a wavy pinkish purple mane walked in, accompanied by an older looking green earth stallion with no hair but a darker green beard. Both ponies were wearing Councillor cloaks.

"Comet, Greene." Bru greeted his fellow Councillors. "What brings you two here."

"We were wondering how you were." Comet said, her voice sounded as sweet as honey but you could almost hear a faint wiff of cruelty.

"I was certain that you were to win over the Council." Greene stated, stroking his beard.

"And I would of." Bru agreed. "But-"

"But it seems Calligraphy and Nightwing had a plan as well." Comet stated. "It seems we cannot continue our own plans."

"Nothing changes." Bru stated. "That foolish foal, that Dawn Rune agreed to the Trial."

"Oh yes." Greene nodded. "And I'm assuming you will be fair."

"He doesn't know the Trials." Comet said. "And the challenge is between you and him. So show him what a real Trial looks like."

"My dear Comet." Bru teased a bit. "You're not suggesting I kill this boy?"

"Oh no." Comet teased back. "Maybe a severe maiming or a few broken parts, draw out his suffering."

"And then we begin our plan." Bru stated.

"And should you lose?" Greene asked, trying to remain respectful.

"I never lose, especially not to a child." Bru. "Now leave me!"

Comet and Green bowed, then the three ponies placed their hooves upon their chest. "May the Goddess bless our actions...Amen."

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Back in Midnight's chambers, Dusk and Rune waited somewhat eagerly for Midnight to tell her story.

"Over a thousand years ago." Midnight began. "Equestria was ruled over by a dark figure. A creature made up of various animal parts. We called it, "The Beast." but then the two Princesses Celestia and Luna defeated The Beast, turning it to stone."

"I've heard that story." Rune nodded.

"The devastation left by The Beast was dire, all ponies were in a state of disharmony." Midnight's horn lit up and the surrounding walls that contained almost hieroglyphics of the events, came to life. "The eldest sister, Celestia, took power over the Sun and gave new light to the world. And the younger, Luna-"

"Raised the Moon and gave the ponies night." Dusk interrupted. "But then Princess Luna became jealous of Princess Celestia and later became Nightmare Moon."

"Yes." Midnight's tones became sorrowful. "But there is more to that. You see, there were some ponies who loved the Night and they worshiped Luna more so than Celestia. And Luna asked that she and Celestia rule two kingdoms as allies instead of a singular kingdom where she felt weaker."

"But Celestia refused?" Dusk asked, a little skeptical that Celestia would say no.

"She had her reasons." Midnight stated. The first being that a divided Equestria in its still fragile state would not of held. The second is the vast majority of those who worshiped Luna were orphans, homeless, and other poverty stricken ponies."

"Why did only those ponies worship Luna?" Rune asked.

"Those who had homes, or power gathered to Celestia for support or at least a way to stay in power." Midnight expressed her disgust in politics with that statement. "But those of us who gathered to Luna were given hope, we had nothing but the night sky and the stars and the Moon our mother provided."

"So what happened." Rune asked.

"It was on a clear night, when Luna came and gathered every pony who held her in honor." Midnight said with joy. "She took us, hundreds of us in number and brought us here. She built the castle with her magic and summoned the Great Owl to be our guardian."

"But then she left?" Dusk asked.

"Luna told us that her disappearance would cause more harm than good." Midnight answered. "So she left one pony in charge, giving that pony the powers of the Moon. Power equal to that of Luna herself. That pony became-"

"The Oracle." Rune answered as if he already knew the answer.

"Yes." Midnight smiled. "I am the tenth generation Oracle. Every Oracle must find a successor who is pure. The Oracle must never receive a cutie mark, as their duty is to the Goddess Luna only."

"But why?" Rune asked.

"Luna told the first Oracle that we are to wait until the day when we are to reveal ourselves." Midnight answered. "But over the centuries, there have been many different interpretations of when that time is."

"Yeah, that pony Bru wants to wage war." Dusk mentioned.

"Yes, but he is not as terrible as he seems." Midnight defended gently. "Bru has been a patriot and defender of the Children as far back as I can remember. But I feel he is going to lose his ways."

"So what is this Trial of the Moon I'll be taking?" Rune had to ask.

"It is one of the most sacred traditions of the Children." Midnight explained. "You have to show your devotion to the Children and the Goddess. Only those who have the best intention for the Children and have the most respect for the Children and the Goddess shall succeed. But you have to be careful."

"Why?" Rune had to ask.

"Those who fail may be banished from the Children or even perish." Midnight said gravely, she then grabbed Rune's arm like a child wanting something. "You cannot take this challenge, you promised to take me with you."

"You make it sound like I'll lose." Rune laughed.

"If you face Bru, you will." Midnight said, but then a spark went off in her head. "I know, I can help."

"What can you do?" Dusk asked.

"I can have the challenge change." Midnight suggested. "I cannot revoke the challenge but I can allow Rune to choose his challenge. This way he can live and keep his promise."

"You can do that?!" Dusk was amazed.

"Of course." Midnight spoke proudly but still a bit childish. "The Oracle's word is law, I can decide how things are to be."

"That's amazing." Dusk complimented. "We'll take the help."

Before Midnight could answer, there was a knock on the door. Opening the door was one of Midnight's guard ponies.

"Oracle." The pony bowed. "It is time to retire."

"So soon?!" Midnight's tone became one of pride and nobility. It appears she doesn't show her childish side to even her guards. "Very well. Bring our guests back to Councillor Calligraphy's chambers."

"Yes Oracle." The guard bowed again. "This way please."

After Dusk and Rune were escorted out, Midnight was alone.

"I pray the Goddess watch you." Midnight prayed, but then she felt a sharp pain strike the back of her head. Her mind became blank and her eyes looked like empty holes spewing darkness. "ThE tImE hAs CoMe!" Midnight was experiencing a vision, a vision of what future was about to come. Her voice sounded like nine other ponies were speaking at the same time with her. "ThE dArKnEsS sHaLl FlY.! tHe MoOn ShAlL qUaKe! TeArS sHaLl FaLl! aNd ThE cHiLdReN sHaLl SiNg!"

After Midnight's vision ended, she was in a cold sweat and her face was contorting in fear. The images she saw, she could never describe. Looking back at the large wall of the Children's history, Midnight's horn lit and a hidden section was illuminated. Carved images of the Moon falling upon the screaming images of ponies and towns.

"I fear the time is soon upon us." Midnight prayed again. "Goddess, watch over us."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

The next day, or night...it's hard to tell time in a place where it's always night, Rune was escorted by guards to a large arena-like structure. Looking up at the stands, Rune saw the Children, none of them were wearing robes. He could see Derpy waving playfully at him with a smile. Next to her, Rune saw Lotus Blossom and Aloe, the two earth ponies who run the Ponyville Spa. And he could've sworn he glanced and saw one pony who was still cloaked, but he then blinked and the pony was gone. Looking to the other side, Rune saw the Council, all of them wearing their cloaks but their hoods were off. He saw Calligraphy and Nightwing were sitting close and Dusk was besides them.

"Children of the Night." Greene announced loudly. "Before you all stands a pony who has been issued the Trial of the Moon." He then pointed towards Midnight, who had her own booth. "by the grace of the Oracle, this outsider is granted a favor. He is allowed to choose his challenge and his opponent. Now Dawn Rune. What shall you choose?"

Rune didn't give it much thought. "Single combat!" He announced.

Dusk let out a small sigh of relief. "Good." He told herself. "Rune will pick an easy opponent."

"Oh no." Calligraphy responded. "Rune will do something reckless and stupid."

"Let's hope he actually makes a smart choice for once." Nightwing added.

"Single combat is accepted." Greene announced. "And who shall be your opponent?"

"I challenge..." Rune didn't need to pause, he just wanted to add dramatic effect. "Councillor Bru Tality!"

The entire arena let out a shocked expression. Everypony, spectator, Councillor, even Midnight was shocked by Rune's reckless choice.

"He was handed every opportunity to succeed." Nightwing was grinding his teeth in anger. "And the bitch is committing suicide."

"Councillor Bru?" Greene looked over towards Bru. "Do you accept this challenge?"

Bru didn't need to say anything, he rose from his seat and jumped out of his chair, landing only a few feet from Rune. The entire crowd was in an almost uproar. Some were screaming the unfairness of the match, while others said that Rune deserved it. Leaving his cloak behind, Rune got a good look at his opponent. Bru was build almost like Big Mac back in Ponyville. He was toned with muscle. His cutie mark were two axes back to back. Despite his calm and stone cold expression, Bru could almost die laughing in his head. From the first moment he looked at Rune, there was this annoying sensation in the back of his head and it was annoying him.

"You made the last mistake of your life." Bru spoke out, making sure only Rune heard him.

"The match shall begin in one moment!" Greene announced. "Engage the Trial!"

The walls surrounding the interior of the arena around Rune and Bru began to glow a teal blue. Above the two ponies, a transparent, small dome slowly crystallized.

"What's going on?" Dusk asked Calligraphy.

"They're using that Trial." Calligraphy answered to the confused Dusk.

"What she means is.." Nightwing answered. "Inside the arena where those two are fighting, they environment is changing to make the fight a little more balanced. Both Rune and Bru are fighting under the same conditions."

"Conditions?" Dusk asked. "What conditions?"

"Low gravity." Calligraphy answered.

Back int he arena, Rune was already feeling the effects of the environment. His body felt lighter, as if he would float away.

"Let the Trial..." Greene announced. "BEGIN!"

Rune blinked, that's all he did...blinked. And that blink was enough time for Bru to jump at Rune and bring his rear leg and strike the side of Rune's head, sending Rune flying across the arena and smacked hard against the hard stone wall.

"Ohhhhh!!!!" Greene announced, doing the play by play. "It seems the Trial is already over. Councillor Bru has shown his devotion to the Children!"

"RUNE!!" Dusk, Calligraphy, and Nightwing shouted.

Midnight couldn't show her concern but in her head she was crying. 'Stupid! Stupid!' She thought to herself. 'You promised to take me with you!'

'And I'm gonna keep it.' Midnight heard Rune's voice in her head.

"Councillor Bru!!" Comet shouted, pointing at Rune.

Bru turned around and saw that that wasn't Rune who's body was against the wall. It was a Rune sized wooden puppet with the words "Psyche!" carved on the chest.

"A fake?!" Bru was rather upset, looking around for the real Rune.

"Phew." Calligraphy, Nightwing, Dusk, and even Midnight sighed in relief.

The wooden puppet arched its head down and disintegrated into saw dust and vanished. Bru turned his head and in the course of a blink of his eye, he felt the pressure of Rune's leg against his face. But there was a difference. Unlike Bru, Rune couldn't even get Bru to budge.

"This was your second mistake." Bru growled, grabbing Rune's legs and swinging him down, crashing to the ground.

Rune coughed up a bit of blood as his back struck the ground hard. Nothing was broken, but it did hurt a lot. Without skipping a beat, Bru raised his leg again and brought it down in the form of an axe kick on Rune's stomach. The arena itself let off a little shake. Rune was in a lot of pain but was able to bring himself to raise his own leg and kick Bru in his lower jaw. This, unlike his first kick, actually worked, Bru was shot up into the air and due to the lack of gravity, he stayed floating. The entire crowd was cheering and roaring in excitement over the match. The Council and even Midnight remained silent as they watched closely.

"Why did that kick work and the first one didn't?" Dusk asked.

"Because of the lack of gravity." Calligraphy answered. "Rune kicking at Bru while he was on the ground had no force to it, but when Rune's back was pressed against the ground, and Bru's wasn't, the kick had enough force to send him flying."

"But it won't last." Nightwing added. "Because of the low gravity, their physical attacks are greatly reduced. That's the only reason Rune survived that slam and axe kick."

"It seems this kid is decent." Greene complimented to the Council, trying to appear neutral.

"You forget Councillor Greene." Comet added, playing along but showing her support over Bru. "Bru has yet to show his magic."

Bru, who originally wanted to end the match quickly, but after getting kicked in the muzzle, despite that it didn't hurt, still pissed him off. Kinda floating and slowly descending back down, Bru ignited his horn which was a black color with a light teal hints along it. Aiming at Rune, Bru took a deep breath. Rune simply stood there and watched, waiting for Bru to fire.

"GET OUT OF THE WAY YOU MORON!!!!!" Nightwing shouted.

"Too late." Comet smiled.

Bru's horn didn't shoot a small blast, but didn't fire off a large blast. The shot of magic that erupted from his horn looked like an orb, roughly the size of a large ball. Rune didn't even have time to let out a sigh of relief before the orb exploded into hundreds of orbs, no bigger than marbles but shot out in every direction that was facing Rune. Raining down on him at an accelerated rate, Rune didn't have the time to dodge.

"It seems you were correct Councillor Comet." Greene complimented.

Comet was about to respond but looked at the arena and her eyes widened with shock. Everypony in the room was just shocked. Dusk, Calligraphy, and Nightwing looked at where Rune was. Dusk didn't see much of a problem, but Calligraphy and Nightwing were still as shocked as the rest. Before Bru, who finally touched the ground, was Rune but he was now in his "Nightmare" Form. Bru's expression was not shock but one of pure disgust.

"Sacrilegious!! Blasphemy!!" What is this insult!!!?" Bru shouted in anger and disgust.

'Afraid that you're going to lose?' Rune spoke in Bru's head.

'Mind reader?!' Bru immediately thought, for some reason he couldn't move.

"What's happening?" Dusk asked Calligraphy.

"You know Rune can read minds right?" Calligraphy asked.

"Yes." Dusk answered. "It's a spell right?"

"No." Calligraphy answered. "Well technically it is but it isn't. Every unicorn has their own abilities that are magic based and are unique to each unicorn. Rune wrote to me that you can retain the knowledge of any spell you learn and you can learn new spells faster than others. It isn't a spell that you cast but a magic that is always active." She then let out a sigh of discomfort. "Bru's, unfortunately, is that his magic can become amplified by his negative emotions."

"So that's why he never smiles?" Nightwing commented. "So why did he stop?"

"Rune is trying to get into Bru's mind." Calligraphy answered. "So now Bru is focusing solely on keeping Rune out of his head. "Normally Bru is a hard to read, and tight minded pony. But because he lost his composure and Rune being in that form, his magic is amplified enough to get into Bru's head."

'You..will..get...out..!!!' Bru was focusing his magic on pushing Rune out.

'Not...yet..' Rune knew it would be difficult to stay in Bru's head. He was amazed his idea even worked.

"It seems that boy is good." Greene commented to his fellow councilors.

"It's only some cheap trick, not true magic." Comet scoffed.

"Don't be so sure." Nightwing interrupted, pointing behind Bru. "That kid might be smarter than we thought."

It didn't take Comet much time to see what Nightwing was talking about.

"BRU, IT'S A FAKE!!!!" Comet shouted pointing behind Bru.

That brief moment of distraction was enough for Rune to separate himself from Bru's mind. Bru turned his head to see Rune was right behind him. In his peripheral vision, Bru saw the Rune in front of him scatter like a shadow.

"Another fake!?" Bru growled through his teeth.

Rune didn't answer, he only smiled; but Bru couldn't see the smile in that form. Rune ignited his horn in a blur of orange and blue. Bru tried to move but his body was stiff.

'That little!' Bru thought, just as Rune's horn blasted a large burst of his orange/blue magic at his back. The force sent Bru flying across the room and the impact shock the arena.

Bru didn't skip a beat and blasted a teal colored stream, almost like a straight laser line at Rune. Rune jumped back and blasted at the beam, causing it to explode prematurely. The explosion's force sent Rune against the nearby wall. Rune, not skipping a beat either, gathered as much strength as he could to his legs. Kicking off as hard as he could, Rune bounced off the wall and with no real air resistance, due to the low gravity, Rune's momentum was greatly increased.

"That won't work!" Bru shouted, igniting his horn again, a light grey color. Countless, small, light grey scales appeared and formed together in front of Bru in the form of a slightly curved shield. Rune, unable to stop, turned his body and put as much magic as he could into his hooves.

"He's gonna smash the shield with his hooves?!" Dusk commented in surprise.

Calligraphy and Nightwing said nothing, only watched at the edge of their seats. Rune's hooves slammed down hard on the shield. The pain that shot through Rune's body was almost unbearable. Nothing was broken but given the pain, it might as well of been.

"He lucked out again." Calligraphy noted. "If he didn't put magic behind that kick, his legs would've shattered."

"I win boy." Bru said, igniting his horn, but his horn's light died down when he saw Rune do what he never would of thought of.

Rune took his head and began bashing it hard against the shield, shaking it a bit with each impact.

"So you're trying to break your skull?!" Bru mocked. "You could never brea-"

It was faint but Bru was speechless. Looking at Rune, he saw that the same spot Rune was skull bashing was forming a small crack. Bru only shouted loudly as his horn reignited.

"YOU THINK YOU CAN WIN!?" The light was getting bigger and brighter. "I AM THE FUTURE OF THE CHILDREN, NOT YOU!!!!''

Bru blasted his magic and the shot shattered the shield into grey shards, leaving Rune, who was now powered down, floating in the air. But the attack just missed Rune. To the audience, though, it would appear that the attack struck Rune.

"Rune?!" Dusk, Calligraphy, and Nightwing said aloud in concern.

"I win." Bru said, seeing Rune slowly float to the ground. Believing he has won, Bru walked over to Rune. Both Bru and Rune's bodies were covered in bruises, scrapes and cuts. "I shall lead the Children to glory. NOT YOU!"

To his shock, Bru saw the point of Rune's horn aimed at his face, only mere inches away. Bru's eyes slowly looked down and saw Rune's mocking smile.

"Got ya." Rune said, suddenly unleashing the remainder of his magic at point-blank range at Bru's face.

There was no time to dodge or do a counter spell, Bru and Rune took the full impact of that attack, sending Rune against the ground, but Bru against the ceiling. When any smoke or dust was cleared away, the audience was in shock, surprise, awe, basically every possible emotion anypony could feel in this situation. Bru's body landed to the ground to a soft thud but he wouldn't move. The illuminated walls died down and the crowd remained silent.

"The walls stopped." Dusk stated.

"The walls would only deactivate if one of them was unconscious." Calligraphy answered.

"Or dead." Nightwing added.

"Somepony send a judge!" Greene shouted. 'There's no way that boy could win.'

A few guards came running into the arena and checked both Bru and Rune over.

"And what do the judges say?" Greene asked.

One of the guards whispered in a Councillor's ears and he almost fell over in shock. That Councillor whispered in Greene's ear. Greene's composure was possibly the most humorous, his green beard almost turned white. Gathering his composure, Green spoke to the crowd.

"Children of the Night! The Trial of the Moon is over!" Green announced to the now roaring crowd. "The victory is....Dawn...Rune!"

Everypony almost fell out of their seats.

"There's no way!" Comet said in disbelief. "There's no way Bru could've-"

But she was cut off by the sight of Bru being carried off on a stretcher, while Rune slowly eased himself to a standing position. It was obvious he was in some lingering pain. Comet immediately sat back in her seat. As Green continued his announcement.

"Dawn Rune!" Greene continued. "You have passed your trial. So now you shall choose the path the Children shall follow. And for your efforts and victory, it is the will of the Council to bestow you the honor of our ranks, you are now one of the Children of the Night!"

The crowd creamed and shouted with applause. Calligraphy, Dusk, and Nightwing were clapping their hooves loudly. Rune didn't answer, he only raised his two hooves in victory, then fell on his back. Guards ran in with another stretcher to bring Rune out of the arena.

"Now what happens?" Dusk asked and he, Nightwing and Calligraphy left the arena to see Rune.

"When Rune recovers, or at least wakes up." Calligraphy explained. "He will propose a plan to the Council and the Oracle."

"I can't believe he beat a pony like that." Dusk noted.

"He took a gamble." Nightwing explained. "After he floated down to the ground, he pretended to be defeated. Bru always like to see the look of his defeated enemy's eyes when they lost. But in this case, Rune shot all the magic he had left before Bru could protect himself. It was a gamble but that idiot is rather lucky."

"Let's hurry to him." Calligraphy said. "When he wakes, I want to smack him for being so stupid."

The three ponies picked up the pace along the hall. Back in the arena, all but Greene and Comet remained. Comet was still frozen in shock at what she saw.

"I am sorry Comet." Greene said. "But now we must do as the Trial and Oracle dictates. Rune shall decide our fate."

Greene left Comet alone. With nopony around, nopony saw a few tears leave Comet's angry eyes. "Cowards. I refuse to accept this." She then thought of Bru. "And I know you do too."

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

It was hours later when Bru awoke in his private chambers, he felt a heavy pain on his chest and head but what's more was the shame and humiliation his mind felt. Getting out of bed, he looked himself over in the nearby mirror, only a few scraps and bruises but all but he could still see Rune's stupid face in the mirror mocking him. With a swift punch of the hoof, the mirror of was shattered. The slight pain in his bleeding hoof paled in comparison to his anger.

"I refuse to accept this." Bru said to himself. "I will not let out kingdom fall and our legacy die over the choice of an outsider!"

"We agree." A voice came from the shadows. Out of a dark corner, Comet walked out. "We agree with your choice Bru. An outside has no right to determine the Children's destiny. We shall stand by your side."

"Gather all that you can." Bru ordered.

"We saw the eyes of the Children as you battled that fool." Comet bowed. "More than a third have already taken your side before it ended. But after your loss, few of the Children will follow. More than half of the Council is speaking against your plans to save face."

"Then those few are of the chosen." Bru lit his horn, and using magic, the wounds around his body were healed. "Be sure to capture Midnight. We need the Oracle alive...for now."

"And the remaining Children?" Comet asked.

"They have surrendered their pride as Children in favor of a stranger." Bru answered coldly, he angry eyes reflected in the shattered mirror shard along the floor. "They deserve to rot."

Comet bowed and vanished into the dark corner.

"The time has come." Bru said to himself, looking out the window of his chambers, the fake sky glistened over the kingdom. "Ask not the sun why she sets, Why she shrouds her light away, Or why she hides her glowing gaze, When night turns crimson gold to grey."

Bru ignited his horn and all the light in the room gathered to a single point in the room. Tapping his horn on the stone wall, the section of the wall melted away in the form of a doorway.

With no hesitation or fear, or even caution, Bru walked down the stone corridor, his horn as his only light. "For silent falls the guilty sun, As day to dark does turn, One simple truth she dare not speak:, Her light can only blind and burn."

His walk was short, he reached the end of the corridor with was another stone wall. Tapping his horn in several specific places, the stone melted away, revealing a small room with countless scrolls, charts, maps, books, and candles. In the center of the room was a set of armor, one adorned with black crystals and barbed thorns.

Bru grabbed hold of the helmet, a crown made of black crystal horns and thorns, placing it upon his head. "No mercy for the guilty, Bring down their lying sun, Blood so silver black by night, Upon their faces pale white."

Now fully armored, Bru made his way to the far end of the room. There, he heard the sounds of countless other ponies. Looking out, Bru stood atop a small ledge, looking down to see his forces, less than maybe a hundred of the Children have come, all dressed for war. Weapons held, horns ignited, battle cries shouting Bru's name with honor. "Cruel moon, bring the end, The dawn will never rise again."

Author's Notes:

For those unfamiliar with Bru Tality's little hymn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLMvyX5yqXI&index=2&list=PLJb0w6TwfuClmQ71VEbcx_B09kl6tYFKs