It was almost time, and Midnight was still unsure of what to do. He couldn’t sleep even with Twilight in his hooves. All he could do was think about the cave and the prophecy. Was he meant to be the rising darkness? He had already seen his dark side as well as hat it had been capable of, but the cave just proved that it wasn’t over. He also wondered if Sombra, Celestia or even Nova was thinking about the same thing. He decided to take a walk around the castle and teleported out of bed so as not to disturb Twilight.

Reappearing in the hallway in a flash of light and frost, Midnight walked without destination in mind, as it was too focused on the battle ahead.

"Why can’t I stop thinking about that stupid prophecy?" Midnight thought with a frustrated sigh.

Maybe because you keep worrying that you're the rising darkness.

Midnight gasped, having heard that voice in his head. He flared his horn and looked around, extending his sphere of influence to sense any nearby life-forces that did not belong in the castle.

"Who goes there?!"

Who do you think? the voice answered in his head again, this time sarcastically. It’s certainly not Pinkie Pie ...It’s Nova you idiot.

“What!!! where are you?!" Midnight flared his wings, extending the shadows beneath them into blades. "And how are you getting in my head?! Answer me, Faust-damn you!"

Relax, I'm not anywhere close to you. Physically speaking, of course. Look, remember the crystal I gave you? It doesn’t just enable communication, it sends a distress beacon to mine. It tells me if something is wrong with whoever holds the other crystal and it woke me up.

"Problem with your explanation - I'm not holding the crystal," Midnight said with a tone accusatory

Because Twilight answered it and we had a nice chat. When she noticed you weren't in bed with her, she got worried about you. I volunteered to speak with you, and she established a telepathic link between the crystal and you, so here I am. Let's talk so I can go back to sleep...

Somehow Midnight knew Nova was yawning.

“Is there anything you can’t do?” Midnight snarled.

Hmmm….I can’t sew but we're not here to talk about me... What's eating ya?

“Am I the only one involved who isn't worried about the prophecy?!" Midnight sniped. "The Rising darkness choosing one of us to turn Equestria into a nightmare!!!"

He sighed and sat on the floor, his back sliding down the wall as he looked down in sorrow.

"I just don't... I don't want to hurt anyone. Especially not Twilight. Not again..."

Look, we don't know each other all that well but I do know one thing you should do.

“What?”

Stop worrying because it hasn’t happened….Fate has plans for you and me and I can’t change any of that; neither can you. Enjoy life while you can...I know I will….and who knows maybe I might ask Luna out again.

“You really like her don’t you?” Midnight asked.

Yes but I haven’t seen her for a year now and she’s probably pissed off at me. But that’s beside the point you just have to let it happen….Whatever happens... will happen. If I do become the rising darkness and you are forced to kill me... As long as Luna and my sister are safe then that’s all that matters to me.

Midnight could just picture Nova smiling sadly before he asked, “You have a sister?”

Yes but this can wait until tomorrow. You need your rest, as do I. Seriously, I’m exhausted! Good talk, hope it helped….See ya then, and be sure to give it everything  you got because I don’t plan to hold back...

“Ha! I plan to; you’ll be out before I even begin to warm up.” Midnight said with smirk at the braggy tone of Nova's voice in his head.

Hmph you better…

Nova's voice disappeared completely from his mind, leaving Midnight with only his thoughts.

“I guess I should stop worrying, I mean it hasn’t happened yet but that doesn’t mean I can’t prepare.” Midnight said to himself out loud as he trotted back to his room to embrace slumber with the love of his live.

Luna’s Chamber

Today is the day

The sun was rising and the battle between Midnight and Nova was soon and she has yet to see Nova again after so long. Luna had mixed emotions of anger and happiness. Happy that she would see him again after a year and anger for leaving in the first place.

“Are you alright Luna?” Luna instantly turned around to see her sister Celestia enter the room.

“Yes I am fine.” Luna said as she turned away.

“Luna I can tell if something is bothering you. It’s okay to tell me” Celestia said with a reassuring smile. Luna smiled back.

“It’s just that Nova and Midnight are entering a battle to fulfill a prophecy and we can’t do anything to stop it.” Luna said. Even though it wasn’t entirely a lie. "What's the point in having all this power if we can't even use it.

“I fear for the future as well Luna but all we can do is wait….” She paused for a second as she saw a tear stream down Luna’s face.

Luna really does care for Nova.

“And if there is a way to prevent this we will find it.” Celestia said with a comforting smile

“Thank you sister.”

“Your welcome Luna.”

Midnight’s and Twilights room

“Well Twilight today is the day.” Midnight said.

“The others will arrive this afternoon and the train to Saddle Arabia leaves around 6:00 PM. But I say we should be there at five so we can catch it in time. I also made a list of possibilities that may happen during your battle with Nova.”  Twilight said as she wrote everything down with her lucky quill. Midnight only chuckled.

“You know it’s cute the way you think Twilight, even though it might be helpful, I think I can manage without your list.”

“I...I guess you're right but you can never be to sure….no offence but you do tend to get overconfident at times Midnight.” Twilight said with a light pink blush.

“What? I...don’t get overconfident….do I?” He asked.

“Yes you do and I have a huge list on it too.” She said as she pulled out a scroll from her saddlebag and unfolded, most of it hit the ground as it unfurled itself.  Midnight was shocked by how long the list was of HIS mistakes.

“Okay maybe I do….” Midnight said with a blush of his own.

“Well with that aside lets have breakfast with the princesses.”

“Alright.”

Soon the young couple left their room and headed towards the dinning area where Celestia, Luna, and Sombra were waiting for them.

“Good morning you two. Did you sleep well?” Celestia asked.

“Yes and thank you for letting us stay Princess Celestia.” Twilight said.

“It was my pleasure Twilight.” She said.

“Also I received a message from Skyress that she wanted to meet with all of us to talk things over for a bit.”

“Did she say when?” Midnight asked.

“She said that she’ll arrive this afternoon at two o clock.”

“Alright then, what do we do in the mean time?” Midnight asked.

“You Midnight will be studying on dragons until Skyress train arrives.” Sombra said.

“Well so much for a relaxing morning.” Midnight said as he groaned from exhaustion.

“I suggest you eat now Midnight because in an hour you will be studying on dragon anatomy.” Sombra said as he took a bite out of his loaf of bread.

“Okay I will but do I really need to study on dragons, I mean I was trained by a dragon and I even mastered dragon transformation. So why do I need to study?” Midnight asked.

“Twilight suggested it and I agree. It will help you in your battle with Nova” After hearing that Midnight only glared at Twilight as she smiled sheepishly.

Sigh

“How many books?” He asked.

“Hmm….I do believe it was 25 books.” Sombra said.

“You expect me to read twenty five books in a few hours?! There’s no way I can read twenty five books before she arrives.” Midnight shouted.

“Then I better get started Midnight.” Sombra said. Twilight, Luna, and even Celestia were giggling and Midnight only glared at them.

Four Hours later.

They said I had to read on dragon anatomy, but they didn’t say I couldn’t skim through them hehehe.

Soon the doors burst open to Midnights room, Thunderlane, Blueblood, Big Mac, and Soarin entered his room. Midnight had completely forgotten that they were coming.

“Midnight don’t tell me you actually plan on fighting that creep?” Thunderlane said with anger.

“Yes I do. There’s no way I’m backing down now, Nova was right this is something I have to do.” Midnight said.

“Well haystack we’ll fight with you.” Big Mac said as he placed a hoof on Thunder to calm him down.

“Yeah we’ll gang up on him, he won’t know what hit him.” Soarin said with a smirk.

“I’m not one for violence but when one pony messes with one of us, he messes with all of us.” Blueblood said.

“I’m sorry guys but you can’t.” Midnight said sorrowfully.

“What do ya mean?” Big Mac asked.

“Let me start from the beginning.”

Midnight soon explained the situation to them about the prophecy and why Nova was doing this in the first place. Their expressions were looks of confusion and sorrow all except Thunderlane.

“That’s why I need to fight him on my own and I don’t want any of you to get hurt.” Midnight said.

“LIES!!!” Soon everypony turned their attention towards Thunderlane who was boiling with rage.

“Why would I lie Thunder? you know me….” But Midnight never got to finish because Thunder interrupted him.

“THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEANT!!!” He shouted. “What I mean is that you actually believe in those lies that stupid mare told you!!!”

“She took us to the cave itself and Celestia and Luna were their with us as well. She wouldn’t make something up like that?” Midnight said questioning his friend.

“She probably used some weird magic or….something I don’t know but she’s obviously is messing with your head Midnight. Come on guys doesn’t any of this seem suspicious to you?!!!” He asked his friends, hoping they would agree.

“Now calm down Thunder, I don’t know if this is true or not but what I do know is that Midnight wouldn’t fall for something like that if it was fake.” Blueblood stated.

“He’s right I would have been able to tell if it was an illusion spell or not.”

“Well then it has to be an advance spell or something? I don’t trust Nova or whoever that mare was? He is obviously leading you all into a trap and what’s worse is that you're doing exactly what he wants you to do.” Thunderlane said with rage. Midnight has never seen this side of Thunder before. He was really worried about him but he refuses to listen to anypony.

“Her name is Skyress just to let you know and I still don’t trust Nova either Thunder but I promise nothing bad is going to happen.”

“Pfft fine…..lets just get to the train station.” He said as he stormed off to the train station.

Soon everypony except Sombra and the princesses were at the train station waiting for Skyress to arrive. Twilight informed them that they couldn’t come because they had a meeting with somepony.

“So Rainbow how are you feeling.” Twilight asked.

“Ten times better Twi You know besides those wing spasms and vomiting from yesterday. Other then that I feel like I can do anything now. Although I can’t wait to kick that jerks flank. He’ll wish he’d never messed with me.” She said with a smirk

“Rainbow I told that he only acted in self defense. If you and Thunder hadn’t attacked him then maybe you wouldn’t have ended up in the hospital.” Rarity commented as she received a glare from Rainbow.

“Look there's the train.” Pinkie Shouted with joy. The train made it’s stop and skyress soon stepped out wearing her mane differently and wore a bit of makeup that made her absolutely gorgeous. Next to her was an adorable little filly hiding behind her.

“Hello everypony.” She said with a soothing voice.

“I’m glad you could make it Skyress.” Midnight said as he shook her hoof.

“Wait, Wait, Wait….that’s Skyress?” Thunderlane asked as he stared in surprise

“I see you’ve told your......friends about me.” She said with a raised brow.

“Yeah they weren’t expecting you to look like this….”

“What Midnight means darling is that you look absolutely fabulous.” Rarity said. Soon everypony noticed the little filly next Skyress with a big grin on her face.

“Oh. My. GOSH!!!” She shouted with a ear piercing scream and instantly appeared next to Twilight.

“I can’t believe I’m meeting thee TWILIGHT SPARKLE AHH!!!” She said as she pulled a notebook out.

“CAN I HAVE AN AUTOGRAPH!!!!

“Now, now, Icebeam haven’t you heard of personal Space?”

That Voice...It couldn’t be?

Soon Everypony turned to see Nova Flame exiting the train, carrying a few bags on his back.

“What?” he asked. What nopony expected was that Thunderlane immediately charged at Nova. While he just stood there with a blank expression. But before Thunder could do anything he slapped across the face and sent flying into Big Mac.

“What is wrong with you?” Skyress said with a deadly glare at Thunder.

“Yeah nopony messes with my big brother and gets away with it.” The little filly said as she shot ice from her mouth and turned Thunder and Big Mac into an ice sculpture. Everypony even Skyress was a bit surprised by what Icebeam did to them.

“Alright unfreeze them Icebeam or no cookies for dessert.” Nova said with a glare.

“Alright.” Icebeam said shamefully.

“What just happened?” Twilight asked, fascinated by the little fillies gift.

“Well it’s like this….If she doesn’t listen then no dessert...come on ponies keep up.” Nova said with a smug look.

“That’s not what I meant.” Twilight said.

“Yes I know I’m just teasing all of you. Although don’t look surprise after all she does take after her mother.” Nova said.

“Alright I’m at a lost how the hay did she do that?” Applejack asked.

“Tell me what is the opposite of fire Applejack?” Nova asked.

“How did…”

“I know a lot of things but you didn’t answer my question.”

“Umm….Water.”

“Eeh close enough it’s ice she’s my opposite in the elemental sector. I am fire and she is ice,  she is also a pain in the flank when she DOESN’T LISTEN!!!” He said to make sure that his little sister could here.

“Your welcome.” Icebeam said with joy as she continued to thaw out Thunder and Big Mac.

“Anyways as for how we know about you is just like Midnight….We come from the Human world and we actually have a lot more knowledge about you then Midnight did when he first arrived.” Skyress said as she tried to help Icebeam.

“Okay Nova why are you here?” Midnight asked.

“What? I can’t come visit Canterlot when ever I want?” Nova said. The others didn’t believe him.

“Okay I’m here because I promised my sister that I would take to meet a Princess and in this case.....YOU! Twilight Sparkle. She’s a big fan of the four of you princesses…” Nova said with a chuckle.

After waiting for half an hour for Thunder and Big Mac to thaw out they had talked for a bit and discussed about where they would be heading. The girls had some questions and Nova answered truthfully to the best of his abilities.

“Okay I think I understand most of this but I have been meaning to ask you how did you do that?” Midnight asked.

“Hmm….did what?”

“How come we can’t use our magic to sense you….it’s like you don’t even exist?” Twilight asked.

“It’s a umm...how should I put this now?…..” He struggled to find the right words

“You mean you don’t know?” Rainbow asked.

“I do know but it’s complicated….You know what it’s called Insight.” He said finally.

“What?” Was all they could say.

“Midnight remember how I said that each of us guardians have special powers besides our elemental abilities?" Midnight only nodded in response. "Well Nova has the power of Insight….He can use magic like you but in different ways and let me add that he has done impressive things with that gift.” Skyress said. Nova just blushed at the complement.

“Hehehehehe I wouldn’t go that far Skyress….hehehe”

“Oh come on bro tell them what you did Pleaseeee?” Icebeam begged. Saying no to that face would be suicide.

“Well okay then It’s more like sensing magic and I don’t mean any scanning spells or anything like that, I mean feeling it. Magic is all around you and it’s power is limitless, endless even, it is a force that is not to be reckoned with and everypony has this power deep within them. It also applies to your natural senses such as smell, sight, hearing, and so on. All you need to do is unlock it.” Nova said.

“So that’s why we can’t sense you?” Twilight asked. “But that doesn’t make any sense?”

“Sometimes things aren’t meant to make sense Twilight.” Nova said with a chuckle which only made Twilight glare at him.

“W...why….did...you...do that...for?” Thunder asked as he shivered from the cold.

“I didn’t do anything, you can blame Skyress and Icebeam for that. Honestly if you’d think before you act then maybe things like this wouldn’t happen to you. Anyways are you alright Big Mac?” He asked.

“Ye...yes.” He said as Fluttershy rapped her wing around him to keep him warm.

“So do you like PARTIES?!!” Pinkie asked.

“YES!!!!” Icebeam said.

“ME TWO!!!” Pinkie said with a massive grin.

“No.” Nova said.

“WHAT?!!!” Everypony was surprised he said no.

“Not yet at least, you are forgetting we have some unfinished business Midnight.” He turned to him.

“Yeah I know. When does the train arrive anyways.”

“Soon” Skyress said. Thunderlane couldn’t stop looking at her and it made her feel uncomfortable. Nova soon noticed this came up to him and whispered.

"Don't bother trying Thunder she's stubborn when it comes to dating. A little advice try not to be too forward alright?" Nova said with a wink, which made Thunder feel uncomfortable for staring at her that way.

"The train will be here any second now so if there are any last minute questions I would ask now so we don’t worry about any later.” Nova said.

“Actually yes. How did you make that crystal? I mean that would take a lot of magical energy to make something as complex as that and you aren’t even a unicorn. So how did you do it?” Midnight asked.

“Where I’m from unicorns aren’t the only ones that can use magic. Also I use to be a blacksmith so inventing things to make lives easier is just a little hobby I do when I have free time. But being a Lieutenant during the war it has taken time away from what I’m really good at. Haven't made something like this in a very long time.”

“Wait, wait, wait, War? What war? I haven’t heard of any wars happening recently in Equestria.” Thunderlane said.

“That’s because I’m not from Equestria. I live in the land of Helios. It was much like Equestria in so many ways, HA!!! I remember it’s Lucius orange sky and clouds. The beautiful peach trees and tastiest peaches in all of Helios….it would have been traded across to Equestria if it wasn’t for the war.

But before any more questions could be asked they all heard the sound of the train arriving.

“I will answer the rest of your questions some other time, but for now we must make our way to Saddle Arabia.” Nova said as he boarded the train, followed by the others. But what nopony realized was that they were being watched by five hooded figures in the distance.

“Hehehehe it would be so easy to destroy them all in one spot right now.”

“Patience my friends we will get our revenge soon enough. But for now gather our troops we are heading to Saddle Arabia hehehehehehe.”

It was soon Dusk in Saddle Arabia and our young hero's soon arrived at their destination after a long train ride. It would have been silent if it wasn’t for Icebeam’s many many many questions and the long rambles from Pinkie Pie. If it lasted any longer Twilight's head would have exploded.

“Midnight you and I will be heading out into the desert to begin our battle soon. Let me know when you are ready.”

“Alright I’ll be join up with you soon Nova.”He said to Nova who simply nodded in response. He gave Twilight a goodbye kiss and promised to be back soon. When all was said and done Nova opened a portal and they both entered.

They soon ended up on a rocky landscape with lots of rock formations and tall pillars. Midnight figured that Nova knows this desert better then anypony so he has the home field advantage for now.

Okay all I have to do is buy time until Luna raises the moon and my powers should over power Nova's and I can end this quickly. But then again he does know this place better then anypony. I don't know why but I'm actually excited for some reason.

Nova soon flew atop of one of the pillars with a smirk, Midnight soon flew to an opposite pillar with a smirk of his own. They both were silent for a while until Nova broke the silence

“This is it Midnight. It’s time to see which one of us is the most powerful warrior in Equestria.”

“You know this isn’t exactly what I wanted to do on a weekend hehehehehe.”

“Hahahaha I was thinking the same thing Midnight.”

“Well then Lets have at it! No holding back.” Midnight said as blue aura surrounded his body.

“I wasn’t planning too.” Nova said as his mane ignited into flames and a red aura surrounded his body.

“Now that there's no more distractions…..IT’S TIME WE SETTLE THIS!!!!!” Nova said as he charged at Midnight with full force.

Midnight soon did the same thing and charged as well both clashing hooves against each other. Both of them were throwing punches back and forth but they blocked each others attacks. Midnight soon landed one blow across Nova’s face but was soon returned. Both of them sent crashing into rock formations.

Midnight armored his wings with solidified shadow and flew with full force at Nova as he was on the ground. But to his surprise Nova blocked his blades with the tip of his hooves, both ponies struggling to hold their position. Both appeared to be equally matched until Nova shoved Midnight's wing blades and head butted him, sending him flying, but at the last second he teleported safely on a pillar.

Nova's hoof began to glow and Midnight knew what he was up too and began to channel his magic to his own hoof as well. Soon the two leaped at each other again and both of their hooves clashed, causing a powerful shockwave to be felt all across Equestria.

Back at Canterlot.

“Did you feel that Sombra?”

“Yes Celestia dear, It has started.” He said with a bit of sweat dripping from his face.

“They have so much power…..it’s unreal.” Luna said.

Whatever the outcome I just hope Midnight can prevail against Nova.

End of Chapter.

Next Chapter: Round One Estimated time remaining: 24 Minutes