Chap 18

Twilight opened the door at the top of the stairs, and saw the two princesses looking back at them. “Princess!” Twilight cried out as she ran over to Princess Celestia and nuzzled her. “My prized student!” “How did you defeat Sol Lune?” Luna asked shocked. “The darkness left him after we used Tiger’s Elements of friendship,” Pinkie Pie jumped up and down as Twilight unlocked the cells. “What about your own?” Celestia asked surprised. “…The Darkness has them,” Twilight winced. “But we’ll get em back for sure you can count on it!” Rainbow Dash pitched in. “I can feel the presence of a great hatred sister..” Luna cut into the conversation. “So it has happened…” Celestia bit her lower lip. “Umm.. if you don’t mind me asking, what has?” Fluttershy asked. “We’ll explain on the way!” Celestia started for the door, “hurry! We must get the Sun and the Moon in their respectable positions!” “I am right behind you sister!” Luna followed behind. “I wonder how Tiger and Apple Jack are fairing?” Rarity asked as she followed Twilight. “They should be alright…I hope”.

---Throne Room---

“Ugh..” Sol Lune collapsed to the ground. “Tig stop this!” Apple Jack cried out with tears in her eyes. “…” Tiger stood before Sol Lune with his front hooves raised ready to stomp him into oblivion. “He cannot hear you,” Lunar Flare laughed yet again. “Then Ah’ll MAKE HIM!” Apple Jack rushed towards Tiger. Tiger disappeared with the shadows and appeared behind Apple Jack. He was about to bring the sword down on her when somewhere deep at the back of his mind told him to stop. He closed his eyes tightly and shook his head, only to open his eyes to Apple Jack’s eyes. “Ah know yer in there Tig..” she leaned in and wrapped her arms around his neck into a close hug. “…” Tiger seemed to wince, the warmth was pushing back the darkness. “You will not mess up my plans!” Lunar Flare roared as he spun the dark substance around his hooves and launched them at Apple Jack, hitting her in the back over and over. “Ah… Ah can take it!” Apple Jack winced in pain. Tiger shook his head as if pleading for Apple Jack to move. “As long as Ah’m with ya Tig.. Ah feel like I can do anything,” she smiled weakly as she felt her legs give way. “NO!” Sol Lune yelled. “…” Tiger watched as Apple Jack fell to the floor. “A…A…Apple Jack..” Tiger’s voice came out raspy. “Wake up you FOAL!” Sol Lune yelled, “you’re love is fighting with all her might and you are just STANDING THERE!” Tiger Dusk turned his head to Sol Lune as tears fell from his eyes. His face had an expression. “VERY WELL YOU USELESS PONIES!” Lunar Flare screamed as he flew across the floor and rammed his hoof into Tiger’s chest. “AHHHHHHHHHH!” Tiger felt as if a claw was reaching and tearing something from inside. “I’LL DO IT MYSELF!” Lunar Flare seemed to be drawing all the darkness from Tiger. Sol Lune struggled to stand, but could not, his fight with Tiger had proven to be too much for him. “Now, it is MINE!” Lunar Flare laughed as wings flew from his back. He flapped them powerfully and left the room with a thunderous crash through the ceiling. “Tiger!” Sol Lune called out as he tried to drag himself over to his friend who was sitting next to Apple Jack in almost a catatonic state. “…Apple Jack” Tiger whispered. His orange color had returned to his body, but his mane had turned pure white along with his cutie mark. Sol Lune had made it over. He checked Apple Jack’s pulse and looked up at Tiger, “She’s alive!” “!” Tiger stared at Sol Lune. Tiger leaned closer to Apple Jack. “…I’m so sorry,” he whispered and kissed her. “Yer always appologizin Tig,” Apple Jack let out a soft laugh. “Apple Jack!” Tiger held her close. Tears falling freely from his eyes down his cheeks as he felt Apple Jack’s arms wrap around him as well. “What are we going to do?” Sol Lune asked after the two had their reunion. “He’s taken…whatever it was he wanted from me,” Tiger realized he felt as if something was missing. “We gotta stop him!” Apple Jack tried to stand up but started to fall again, this time Tiger was there to catch her. “I don’t think any of us are in any position to move,” Tiger said quietly. “That is why I am here Tiger Dusk,” a soft moon beam seemed to shine in from the hole that Lunar Flare and left in the ceiling. “You are… Princess Luna!” Tiger had turned his attention towards the door way. “Yes my night child,” Luna walked forward. “How are the others?” Apple Jack asked. “They are with my sister right now. She is trying to bring the sun in, but as it is only the moon seems to be able to shine in at the moment,” Luna looked worriedly at the sky. “Ugh, if I could only get up!” Sol Lune gritted his teeth. “I’m so pathetic,” Tiger closed his eyes tightly. “And why do you say that child?” Luna asked as she got closer. They noticed for the first time that she was in her full Ailcorn size. She was almost as tall as Celestia. “I am a mistake, somehow I knew something was strange about me, ever since I was little,” Tiger started, “and I tried to make the best of it…but even in the end I went and messed it all up, and in the process the one I love got hurt”, Tiger looked sadly at Apple Jack, who frowned back at him. “Are ya done feelin sorry for yourself?” Apple Jack huffed. “Huh?” Tiger looked back. “So what if ya messed up? We all make mistakes, it’s what ya take from em that makes ya that makes ya so much more,” Apple Jack lifted an eyebrow, “and ya weren’t that strange as a little colt, ya were jus a little clumsy and a little lazy” she giggled. “Hey…” Tiger started. “Such a beautiful flower has bloomed even in the midst of night,” Luna smiled. “Huh?” Apple Jack asked. “Friendship is one thing my little pony… but love is something much deeper. It is as beautiful as a blossoming flower,” Luna explained and then asked, “what are your wishes?” Tiger looked at Apple Jack, then at Sol Lune. The looks they gave him was the answer he had in mind as well. “I wish to protect Equestria, so that I may be able to watch sun sets with my love Apple Jack, and to be able to catch up with my best friend Sol Lune” Tiger answered. “Very well,” Luna smiled as she opened her wings which were a dark ink blue. They were filled with stars as far as the eye could see. It was as if she carried the night sky inside of her wings. A gentle moon light started to sparkle from her wings towards the group. It was so gentle and warm. They felt their bruises and scratches starting to go away. “…Thank you princess,” Tiger said with gratitude in his voice. “Tiger, just remember one thing,” Luna looked at him in the eye with warning. “Don’t let him confuse you with hatred, you have the element of love in your heart,” Luna smiled. “Love,” Tiger repeated. “It’s what I gave you,” Luna smiled, “and Apple Jack, please… look after him? He still has a lot to learn from the looks of it,” “Sure thing Princess,” Apple Jack tipped her hat. “You have my gratitude Princess,” Sol Lune bowed. “I shall take my leave then… I must help my sister,” Luna retracted her wings and left the group. “Were do you think he went?” Sol Lune asked. Tiger’s eyes went wide for a second. “Tig?” Apple Jack looked at him. “I can think of one place…” Tiger Dusk motioned for them to follow him, “PonyVille”.