“And right after they kissed, they shot off! Actually out flying Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie Pie said, bouncing around while her eyes wide with surprise.

“Really now?” Celestia said, giggling a bit, placing a hoof over her muzzle. “Sounds like things finally got going for those two.”

“Finally? Princess, pardon me, but are ya sayin’ ya knew this woulda happened?” Applejack asked, raising an eyebrow.

Celestia gave a nod, smiling. “Of course, my little pony. I saw it before even Princess Cadence knew. While it was small at the beginning, it was still there.” She said, giggling even more at the thought. “Though, the two of them wouldn’t push it that far…”

“Princess… If I may, where did you find this pony? All I want to know, is how he was able to out fly me.” Rainbow Dash asked, respectfully as she could.

Celestia looked at the cyan pegasus, smiling at her. “That, Rainbow Dash, is a secret. Something that I cannot say.” She answered, smiling a bit more. “All I can say, is that he was bred for war.”

“That gentlecolt is a War Horse? I say, he isn’t what I expected.” Rarity said, placing a hoof over her muzzle. “He is so gentle, kind, while also disciplined and stern. Not violent, like most War Horses.

“That is because Night Claw grew up the opposite of such an environment, while also trained to be the best. He was forced to live quite a cruel, and unforgiving, life.” Celestia said, trying to hide what she can from them. “This is to be expected, and his recommendations are from the best one could offer. If Twilight was ever attacked, those attackers will be… Most regretful of their decision.”

"What do y-you mean, Princess?” Fluttershy asked, curious to the statement.

“You all remember the changeling incident, and how many were there, yes?” Celestia asked, the five of them nodding. “The amount of them you fought, were great yet…. Do you think that was enough to stop the entire Royal Guard of Canterlot?” The group suddenly realized what the Princess was saying, she smiled after seeing this. “That’s right… Night Claw fought off more than two hundred Changelings, on his own.”

The five jaws just dropped, the information being unbelievable. “Wait, if he was here during the wedding that means he wasn’t on assignment and could have seen Twilight… But why didn’t he?” Rarity asked, the others nodding at the question.

Celestia sighed, before smiling. “He was a shadow guarding Canterlot, not allowed to let any pony know he was here. Not even Twilight was allowed to know.” She answered, the group nodding. “It’s also a guarded secret, Twilight cannot know about this. I am trusting you five with this information.”

“We understand, Princess.” The five said, together.

It was then, when the doors flew open, Twilight on Night Claw’s back. “Princess! We have a problem!” Twilight said, her voice shaken from what had just happened.

Celestia narrowed her eyes, nodding. “What is it, Twilight?” She asked, rushing up to the two of them, noticing how winded Night Claw was. “Did something happen?”

“It’s Sombra!” Twilight blurted out, getting down from Night Claw’s back, looking to see if he was alright for a moment, and then returning her attention to Celestia. “He’s in Canterlot… Somewhere, but we don’t know where.”

“How do you know this? There have been no reports of his magic being sensed here.” Celestia asked, concerned starting to grow within her, while the mane five surrounded Twilight, looking for Sombra.

“That arrogant bastard actually told us, using an illusion to attack Twilight and me.” Night Claw said, once he had caught his breath. “We flew back, the moment we had a chance.”

“Guards! Evacuate the city! I don’t want them-“ Celestia shouted, before getting interrupted the moment Night Claw caught a scent.

“Too late, Princess…” He growled, spreading both wings, and taking a protective stance in front of Twilight. “He’s already here.”

A dark laugh echoed through the throne room, making the group take a defensive circle, some Royal Guards joining them. “That one guard is going to be annoying.” The voice said, the group trying to find its source. “I’ll be sure to kill him, as well.”

“Show yourself, Sombra!”Celestia demanded, none of the group allowed their guard to drop. Night Claw’s body became tense, his combat senses going into over drive.

“If you wish.” Sombra’s voice echoed, the doors suddenly began to shake, then explode open with dark magic! Celestia quickly shielded the group, protecting them from shattered debris. When the smoke cleared, Sombra was standing at the entrance, a wide, fanged, grin plastered on his face. “Hello, everypony, miss me?” He asked.

“Guards! Arrest him!” Celestia ordered, the guards rushing in to overwhelm Sombra. Pegasi guards from above, and unicorn guards charging in form the front.

“How adorable, they think we’re on the same level.” Sombra smirked, before unleashing a wave of dark magic. The guards were sent flying back, slamming into the walls, and some even crashing through the glass. “Anything else you wish to try, Celestia?” He asked, looking around the throne room.

“Stay behind me, everypony!” Celestia said, preparing her magic to blast Sombra back. “I will handle this myself.”

“Oh, Celestia, don’t you remember what happened the last time we fought one on one?” Sombra taunted, charging his own magic. “If memory serves, you ended up stuck in a nightmare spell.”

“It will be different this time, Sombra.” Celestia said, unleashing her magic, Sombra doing the same. When the two types of magic collided, it caused a flash of light. Night Claw quickly used his wings to shield the Mane Six’s eyes.

Their powers held against each other, and seemed like it would a draw. “Hm… You have gotten somewhat stronger, Celestia. But you are still without your sister.” Sombra said, his eyes suddenly glowing a sickly green. “Time I end this between us!” With that, Sombra’s spell became stronger and over powered Celestia! Within seconds, the Princess was blast into the wall.

“Princess!” The Mane Six screamed, rushing over to her.

“You six should be more concerned-“ Sombra stopped himself, when Night Claw stepped in his way.

“Should take your own advice, before speaking.” The stallion said, taking an aggressive stance. “There’s more than one threat to you, in here.”

“Ah, the abnormal guardian… I have to admit, it surprised me that Celestia would keep something so deadly… Please, don’t disappoint me!” Sombra said, before the two charged each other, their armor clanking the moment of collision. Though, Sombra was sent sliding back, due to Night Claw’s surprising strength. He smirked, recovering before a wing swipe from his opponent. “A killer’s instinct, surprising speed, and superiror strength? I must ask, why waste your time with those weaker ponies? With your abilities, you can still have Twilight, if you joined me. It would be the least I could do.”

Night Claw suddenly charged him Sombra again, who dodged only to have his cape cut in half by the stallion’s bladed wings. “Your temptations fall on deaf ears, Sombra… I fight for reasons you’ll never understand.” He said, staring the dark unicorn down.

Sombra just gave him a bored look, shrugging his shoulders. “I tried…” His horn suddenly started to glow a black color. Black crystals explode from the ground, Night Claw flew up and dodged them, but only to be side hit by another set of black crystals! “Figure you would try that. I remember how fast you are, so I decided to stay one step ahead.” He said, Night Claw slamming into a column, letting out a cry of pain.

“Oh no, Night Claw!” Twilight yelled, rushing over to the fallen stallion’s side. “Please tell me you’re alright.” She asked, her voice in a panic.

Night Claw slowly tried to stand up… “Y-Yeah… Nothing I haven’t shrugged off before.” He grunted, falling back down.

“Don’t move… I think you may have taken a blow directly to your spine.” Twilight said, placing a hoof on his shoulder, looking for any obvious injuries. “It make take a few moments before your body can move properly again.”

“Excuse me… Forget about something?” Twilight turned around, to see Sombra walking towards them. “Seriously, I hope you weren’t thinking I’ll-“

“Hey, forget about us, too, Sombra!” Rainbow Dash said, making the dark unicorn look at the other five elements with a raised brow. They all looked ready to fight.” Get awy from them before we-“ A large black crystal sent them flying away.

“Seriously, side-kicks should really know their places.” Sombra said, turning back to face Twilight and Night Claw. “Now then, where were we?”

Twilight’s horn started to glow with magic. “Me about to wipe the floor with you!” She said, before firing a blast of magic at him.

Sombra simply moved out of the way, allowing it to blow a hole in the ceiling. “Really? Tell me, ‘Princess’ Twilight, if Celestia could not beat me…” His eyes suddenly flared green. “What chance do you have!?”

Twilight suddenly felt herself shrinking in his gaze, being overwhelmed with sheer fear. “H-He’s right… What am I going to do?” She thought, staring up at the dark unicorn.

A voice suddenly whispered in her thoughts. “Are you scared, Twilight?” Time suddenly halted for Twilight.

Twilight was hiding under her sheets, not wanting to come out of her room. Today was Nightmare Night, and it was especially scary for her. “Twilight, honey, come on out. No one is going to hurt you, dear.” Her mother called out.

“No! I’m not coming out!” She shouted, curling up more under the sheets. “I’m not going out tonight!” Twilight muttered, her body starting to shake.

A voice suddenly spoke up, from above her. “Are you scared, Twilight?”

This caused the filly to throw her blankets off, and look up. Hanging from the ceiling, she saw the large silhouette of her only real friend, at the time, Xeron! She slowly looked down at her bed, frowning. “Y-Yes…”Twilight whispered, not wanting him to look at her face.

The Night Raptor jumped down, and walked over to her. “What is there to be afraid of, Twilight? You have me with you all the time.” He asked, tilting his head.

“T-That’s different! There are Monsters outside, lots of them!” She said, looking up at him. “A-And then there is Nightmare Moon!” Twilight looked back at her bed. “Plus, you’re a Night Lord… You aren’t afraid of anything.”

Xeron just looked at her for a moment, rubbing the breather of his helmet, in thought. That was when he suddenly had an idea. “Well then, how about you take the Night Lord’s Oath of Protection?” He asked.

“The what?” Twilight looked up at him, her interest peaked.

Xeron gave a nod. “It’s an oath for those under the Night Lord’s watch. When spoken, in a time of fear, they’ll summon a Night Lord to protect them.” He lied, before going further into explanation. “It also makes the Oathtaker a Night Lord, for a short period of time. So, they will be part of our Legion.”

Twilight’s eyes were full of excitement. “Can we try it? Please! Please! Pleeeeease!” She repeated, making Xeron laugh a little, nodding.

“Yes, now calm down.” Xeron said, Twilight nodding and stood up completely straight on her bed. “Now, take your token, and stand tall.” Twilight did as she was instructed.

Twilight smiled at the memory, before she stood tall again. Sombra began to laugh, smiling. “What? Accepted your fate?” He asked, tilting his head at the brave stance she was taking.

“No… I just remembered a spell that’ll defeat you.” Twilight said, taking the token around her neck, closing both eyes. Sombra raised an eyebrow, amused at this meager attempt of hope.

The wind swirled around Twilight, with each word she spoke. Sombra smirked, when the wind died down and nothing happened. “Is that all? Cute, but seems it was for naught.” He said, still holding his smirk.

Twilight looked around, looking at the token after. “I-I don’t understand… He said it would summon a Night Lord to protect the Oathtaker.” She said, confused.

“Seems like your spell was a dud, ‘Princess’.” Sombra said, moving closer to them. Twilight closed her eyes, not believing the spell didn’t work.

“Nothing happened….” Twilight turned to see Night Claw, standing back up, sounds of bones popping with each movement. “Because it isn’t finished yet.”

“Oh? And what do you know about this spell, guardian?” Sombra asked, watching the stallion approach.

“The spell calls forth a being born on the sunless world, where evil and corruption runs rampant. The son to a god of vengeance, the Lord of Terror. It is the being sworn to destroy evil by any means, or way.” Night Claw said, moving between Twilight and Sombra.

“There is no such place in Equestria, or earth for that matter.” Sombra said, starting to become uneasy about the stallion.

Twilight looked at Night Claw, confused. “Night, h-how did you know that?” She asked, remembering that the book had something similar to the explanation.

“Who said they were from earth?” Night Claw asked, before he looked back at Twilight, frowning. “I’m sorry, Twilight… I would have loved a normal life with you. But, I have made my decision.” He looked back at Sombra, glaring at the dark unicorn.

“W-What are you talking about, N-Night?” She asked, not beliving what she was hearing.

Night Claw only responded with a statement, which made Twilight’s heart drop. “There is no such thing as the Night Guards, or a male alicorn stallion named ‘Night Haunter’.” He didn’t give her a chance to ask any more questions, though she was now able to piece it all together.

Night Claw closed his eyes, then the wind suddenly picked up again. When the stallion reopened his them, both eyes were glowing blood red, no sign of his irises or pupils. “In Midnight Clad!” The moment he finished, a magic circle appeared under his hooves and sent a blast of red energy around him!

Those within the throne room, except for Twilight, were pushed back by the sudden burst of magical power. “W-What is going on!?” Sombra demanded, trying to resist the push.

“Don’t you get it, Sombra?” Celestia said, weakly, her body pinned to the wall. “You threatened the one thing he loved more than anything else… For that.” She watched, as Night Claw started to grow bigger, the bones within his body cracking, along with popping, and stood on his back hooves. “He is willing to let out the Demon inside, just to protect her.”

Twilight’s eyes were wide, in shock, as she pieced the last of it all together. “His size…” Night Claw now stood eight feet tall. “The fact he could fly faster than Rainbow Dash…” His wings twisted and molded into a bat winged jump pack. “The fact his body could resist so much damage.” His fur was replaced by bulky armor. “The fact he could appear anywhere…” His hooves were replaced with razor sharp claws and talons. “The fact he had no problems seeing in the dark.” Night Claw’s head molded into the helmet of a Night Lord Raptor. “The fact he could hear so well…” A pair of bat wings appeared on his helmet, and shoulder plates. “His cutie mark and coat color…”

The light disappeared, revealing the midnight blue juggernaut, lightning bolts and images of death painted on to it, and bore the Night Lord’s insignia on his left shoulder… Where Night Claw once stood. Everypony just stared at him, in pure awe, never seeing the likes of this being before. His helmet visor being a black color. “W-Who is that? W-What happened to Night Claw?” Rarity asked, unable to take her eyes off the bipedal warrior.

“A-Ah think… That there IS Night Claw!” Applejack pointed out.

Rainbow Dash shook her head, blinking a few times. “I-Impossible, Night Claw looked cool… T-This guy.” She looked at his armor, which was adorned with bones and skulls of his victims. “Is actually terrifying.”

“What are you looking at, my little ponies… Is the true nature of Night Claw.” The five looked at Celestia, who just looked at the behemoth. “An avatar of both Fear and War… A being breed for nothing but conquest.”

“W-W-Who is he?” Fluttershy managed to ask, feeling an overwhelming amount of fear, while Celestia didn’t answer. She left that to another.

Twilight’s eyes were flowing with tears, unable to stop them at the site in front of her. When Sombra took a step forward, she suddenly found herself screaming a single name, through her tears. “Xeron!!!!” The five staring at him in shock.