Chapter 15

“Dim Hope.”

“The darkness is here and will never let you go.”

Princess Luna woke in her cell she felt the rush of fear go through her.

She looked through the bars of her cell.

Princess Celestia stood there looking at her with cold eyes Princess Luna then rushed to the cell door.

She then said “It’s you I can’t believe it.”

Princess Celestia then said, “You think I came to free you? I only came here to stop Abyss and I did.”

Princess Luna then said “What are you talking about stop messing around let’s go home?”

Princess Celestia then said, “Look at yourself Luna your turning into a monster.”

Princess Luna looked at herself and could see green flames spouting from her hooves shadows were coming from her horn.

She then said “It’s not my fault this is my destiny I was chosen to raise the moon.”

Princess Celestia then said, “I know that’s why you have to stay here away from me and Canterlot you cannot return.”

Princess Luna then said, “You mean I’m going to have live the rest of eternity here without any pony?”

Princess Celestia then said “No pony is even going to miss you do you honestly believe they care about you?”

Princess Luna then said, “Why are you saying these things.”

Princess Celestia then said, “Because they’re the truth.”

Princess Luna then looked up then said, “You’re forgetting about North Star, Obsidian, Core, Shade, Lance, and Pine. They care about me they helped us both if you’ve forgotten.”

Princess Celestia then said, “It’s not up to them. I’m making this decision for the benefit of Equestria if you want to honor our mother’s wishes to rule then you have to sacrifice your freedom for the security for the pony race.”

Princess Luna starred at her then said “what about you? what are you sacrificing?”

Princess Celestia then said, “Nothing, I’m sorry that this destiny was placed upon you. The wards will still be placed when I leave, but when I leave this cell door will be opened.”

Princess Celestia then left then Princess Luna shouted, “Get back here!”

She tried to blast the cell doors but her spell back fired then the whole room enveloped in green flame then the cell door opened then Princess Luna rushed out she went up the stairs and entered a room. Here she found a single large room where she found abyss he was on the ground with Necro.

She then saw North Star he then said, “You’re here too?”

Princess Luna then said, “What’s happening to you?”

He looked over then she saw North Star in the shadows staring at the corpses he then said, “Sucks doesn’t it. The same thing is happening to you. After Abyss and Necro were destroyed Chaos is taking the advantage he’s possessing us Luna.”

She then said, “You’re here with me as well then.”

North Star then trotted to the back of the room with a single window.

Then Princess Luna saw that his coat was now a scaly black and red flames were pouring from his left eye and his mane was a now a red flame along with his tale and his eyes were a blood red.

He then said, “Were in the same pit together I truly am sorry.”

Princess Luna then said, “It’s not your fault North Star. But there has to be way to reverse this.”

North Star then said, “No there’s not I tried. “

Princess Luna then said, “Where did my sister go?”

North Star pointed to the window then Luna flew out into the sky then she saw the sphere of red covering the entire tower. The sun was setting in the west and then she saw Pine right outside the sphere she went forward to the ward.

Then she said “Pine can you hear me.”

He looks up and nods then Princess Luna laughs then she said, “I’m so glad you’re here."

Pine then said, “I never told you ….”

Princess Luna held up her right hoof then Pine held up his to the magic sphere.

Then Princess Luna said, “I know. I also have the same feelings but right now this isn’t the time.”

Pine said, “I know this is good bye Luna, Celestia told me what happened and we have to accept reality... I’m leaving and you’re never going to see me again.”

As Pine flew away Princess Luna watched then everything turned black.

Then Princess Luna said “this isn’t real! this isn’t real!”

The shadows covered everything then a voice echoed “Luna why do you resist my power. I am giving the chance to avoid this fate the fate of North Star’s impediments your own desolation. You can prevent it all.”

Princess Luna then said “no what you showed me were lies nothing but lies! You cannot force me down the path of darkness I won’t bend.”

Then the shadows replied, “You think I don’t speak from experience? You think this is Abyss? No, I am Omega the first Alicorn to practice dark magic the first Alicorn to control the moon. The power within you was once mine and I went through the same ordeal. Night after night, every Alicorn slept and every Alicorn could care less about me. However, that was not the reason I abandoned my destiny. The truth is I saw their weakness and watched as they were using their magic for their own pride. We built cities that stretched hundreds of miles we built a civilization that would of nerve ended and we were at peace. However, we trapped ourselves in our own world not caring about any other specious and I tried to convince Alpha but of course, she told me we were not gods we should not decide the fates of other races until they are ready to acknowledge us. Therefore, I left and secretly watched the ponies far in the north. They were crueler before we arrived they were ruled by kings and queens who constantly battled for power ruling over each other without mercy or care and prejudice between all three races ran high. I saw the facts and concluded that their kind could never accept peace never could understand how to live in harmony with their free will intact so I accepted Alpha’s words and decided to act on them. I created my own magic studying arts most would consider dark magic. I quickly learned how to sustain my soul and for hundreds of years I grew more powerful. Then I decided that the only way to keep the pony race from their evil was through only one method, enslaving every sentient mind on this world. With my perfect mind and soul there would never be war never be death never be suffering my way would of lead to true peace. However, Alpha saw it as an abomination. The thousand-year war began between the Alicorns who agreed with me and those who followed Alpha, which eventually lead to my destruction and the creation of the elements of harmony. Luna I am offering you the same power the power to enslave the pony race through your own will and you will be able to accomplish where I failed. All I ask is for you to receive my power.”

Princess Luna looked up then said, “I will never allow you to do that. I have watched a pony almost burned alive and learned that he was forced to kill his own brother. He saw his entire village burn and  yet he still fights yet he still continues to defend Equestira some of us have hard destinies some of us have long dark roads of pain and suffering but there’s a light at the end of every tunnel there’s always hope and you can never take that from me.”

Omega then said “You will break I will make sure of it.”

Princess Luna was still in her cell when she woke Necro was outside.

She then said, “How do I know this is real.”

Necro then said, “It’s just going to get worst if you keep on resisting him.”  

Princess Luna spat “For the last few days he’s been at it playing these mind games. He’s figuring out I’m not going to just give in.”

Necro smirked then said “Who exactly, Abyss or Omega?”

Princess Luna then said, “They’re the same pony to me.”

Necro then said, “I’m actually surprised you made it this long.”

The opening of the doors echoed through the cells then the clopping of hooves striking the cold wet stone echoed as well and became louder as the hoof steps came closer. As Abyss entered the hall, Necro got up.

Then Abyss said, “You were talking to her again.”

Necro then said, “It’s not like she’s going to escape.”

Abyss then grasps his head and groans, “We don’t have time.”

Abyss stopped then turned to Luna then said, “You denied my master’s offer?”

Princess Luna stood up then said, “I will never succumb to your evil. You got that.”

Abyss then opened the cell doors with his power then he said, “You want to leave? You want to continue being a pawn?”

Princess  Luna then said “Seems to me your worse than a pawn your just a sack for Omega to walk around in. You’re not even really alive.”

Abyss then said, “If you defeat me in combat tonight if you can just suppress me I’ll lower the wards and you will be set free.”  

Princess Luna then said, “You’re serious?”

Abyss turned then said, “Holding you hostage to me would have no use.”

Necro got up then said, “You swore to me I will have her and her sister.”

Abyss slammed Necro against the stone floor then he screamed as he held himself down.

Abyss then said, “I could just lift that Alicorn amulet from your neck and kill you now instead if that’s what you prefer. Now stay down and shut up.”

Abyss then turned to Princess Luna then said,  “Luna this will be an official duel like in the days of old my offer is that if I win you will be forced to have taste of Omega’s power he won’t touch your should  but some of his power will be given to you and you will still be under my power.”

Princess Luna then said, “If I win I leave and you will be forced to leave the lands of Equestria for the rest for eternity on the pain of death.”

Abyss then said, “The deal is struck, raise the moon then met me at the top of the tower.”

He then trots back up the steps then  as she followed him she was lead through the main room of the tower she starred and trotted around then she flew opened the window and saw the mass horde of undead all just standing doing nothing not even breathing. She rose above the tower with her horn glowing as the sunset and the moon rose. Abyss was on the top of the tower she then flew down and she then landed across from him.

She then said, “Now would you mind releasing me?”

Abyss’s horn glowed then said “Done, but the shield stays in place.”

Then a circle of green fire enveloped the tower.

He then said, “The rules are simple knock the other pony out of the ring or kill the other pony.”

Luna then said, “I’m ready.”

Abyss then said “Alright then.”

Luna attacks then she tried to blast him with a powerful bolt of magic. Abyss jumps then his left mark glows and shield of dark energy enveloped him then he tries to slam Luna downward with the sphere. Luna flies upward still within the boundaries of the circle she then banks left and tries to attack using a giant ray of energy. However, Abyss’s sphere took the energy that Luna shot and stopped the attack. After that, he summoned the power of his right mark. He then teleports forward then Luna flies back and then she sees him and she then rain down’s a d rain of fire. Abyss teleports back ward and lands back on the tower’s edge as Luna sends a wave of rock to try to knock him off balance Abyss then protects himself with a powerful shield made of light and dark energy. He then teleports upward and then teleports by her then slams her with energy and into the tower’s top. However, she blocks most of the attack using her raw energy as a small shield to prevent the attacks from actually landing. She then flips backward then kick him with her hind legs sending him into the circle’s edge he barley teleports in time to get back into the circle before flying out. Abyss then with his stranger power pushes Luna to the edge using his invisible force; she stops herself from being sent out of the ring of fire using the power of her horn to absorb the attack.

Abyss then said, “You have studied hard since we last fought.”

Luna then said, “You’ve seen nothing yet.”

She flies into the air then as her horn glowed, she summoned a ray of powerful magic she then with her horn blasted the center of the tower causing it to blast away. Then Abyss using his shield stops the attack but it cracks and his spell shield breaks then as he flies backward he barley has time to teleport before being pushed into the flames. He then teleports in the crater then Luna flew over him and sends down a rain of lightning and fire.

She then shouts, “Die traitor!”

She then slams the center of the tower with all her might on top of Abyss who breaks and falls through and into the room below. She flies over his broken body then his eyes opened and his pupils were now omega symbols he jumps forward slams her into the wall then blasts her with a powerful force of energy she blasts through the side of the tower then she realized she was now outside of the circle.

Abyss then said, “We won.”

He takes a part of the green energy from his body and it entered Luna she screams as it envelops her.

He then said “You almost killed me in fact I did die, the thing is Omega brought me back forgot to mention that trick.”

Then she screamed as she kicked and tried to get away but it held her down.

In tears she shouted “I won’t succumb I will never succumb!”

Abyss then said, “You will and it’s going to hurt.”

Princess Celestia watched the moonrise and she could feel in her heart the ache for her sister.

North Star had Orthoptera set her down in a small clearing of trees.

Orthoptera  then said, “Were almost there. The tower is just ahead.”

North Star then said, “Princess Celestia its best if we attacked in the morning, fighting at night would be too risky."

Princess Celestia then said, “It’s not like we have a choice.”

As they set up bedrolls.

Silver beard then said, “So who will take the first watch tonight?”

North Star turned to Princess Celestia who was still starring at the moon.

Then North Star went up to her then said, “Are you doing okay?”

She then sighed and said, “I’m fine it’s just that his is the first time in over one hundred years I’ve been away from my sister every day that passes is torture.”

North Star sat next to her then said, “I know that apologizes won’t fix anything, but I’m truly sorry.”

Princess Celestia shakes her head then said, “It’s not your fault. Luna would feel horrible if she learned a pony died for her. It is just that… Every pony and Alicorn before us had a choice they were able to choose their own destinies. We were given ours, told what to do, how to do it, why we have to do it. We accepted it we learned fought understood everything but one thing we have not faced and I fear will be the greatest challenge, is going to be loneliness. “

North Star then said, “What do you mean?”

Princess Celestia then said, “Luna is going to have to raise the moon every night for the next hundred more like the next thousand years. I’m just realizing how is she going to get through it?”

North Star then said, “You know when I was burned and Luna saved my life by flying non-stop to get me to Canterlot I thought I was going to die but she kept on pushing me telling me that I wasn’t that I was going to make it. Luna is powerful and has a strong will; you know that better than I do. You can’t give up on her.”

Princess Celestia swallowed then said, “I shouldn’t be asking this but what if she turns evil what if she succumbs to Omega’s power?”

North Star starred into the forest remembering standing over his brother’s dead body in tears.

Then North Star then said, “Do whatever you have to but don’t kill her it will haunt you for the rest of your life.”

Princess Celestia turned then said “Maybe it’s me who should be apologizing to you all this time and I  ... I know what happened to your village.”

North star then said” That is not your fault either you know who is to blame for all of this? It is not a pony or a powerful Alicorn its hopelessness.”

Princess Celestia turned then said, “What do you mean?”

North Star turned to her then said, “My brother gave up on our village because he thought we were holding him back and he succumbed to darkness. King Sombra lost hope the day he turned into a monster to enslave every pony. Abyss lost hope in the pony race altogether. They all went through their own pain we all have but it’s those who can get pass the pain and turn it into something good they’re heroes and do you know who they are?”

Princess Celestia shakes her head then he said, “It’s every pony in Equestria. I am serious if they gave up on me if they decided to accept king Sombra’s terms we would all be slaves right now but they did not. They continued to pull together every pony every mother who cared for their fillies while their fathers were at war, every tailor who made our clothes. Every black smith who made our weapons, every earth pony that shipped us food and supplies every Pegasus who continued to make weather they didn’t lose hope because they see something that I see and that is a world where we can have hope and peace.”

Princess Celestia then said, “I would like to see that to one day. I just have to keep going.”

North Star then said, “Sorry I guess I went on a rant there.”

Princess Celestia shakes her head then said “No your right we have to keep going for every pony for my sister and I have to have faith in her I cannot lose hope.”

North Star smiled then said, “You should get some sleep I’ll keep the first night’s watch."

She smiles then goes back to the camp. Then North Star sits on the forest floor and stares into the night sky with the moon sailing overhead.

Princess Luna wakes and she was on top of the tower.

The tower was rebuilt the stone was in its place as if a battle never took place.

She then said “What did you do to me?”

Abyss then said, “I placed the wards over your horn but if you survive you will never be the same."

She swore then she saw strange lights in the far distance loud explosions of flame then she saw the giant beast.

She then said, “It’s huge.”

Abyss then said, “He’s magma the lord of the dragons who have sworn their service to me. They should have taken Celestia and killed North Star but it seems some pony has decided to take the initiative to stop them. That also means my assassins failed.”

Princess Luna got up then said “Feeling bummed your plans are falling apart?”

Abyss then said, “Just watch if that dragon starts flying over that forest that means every pony across there trying to protect you and your sister is dead I want you to feel their deaths I want you to feel them die holding the hope that you two have."

Luna then said, “I bet they’ll kill your rouge dragon.”

Abyss then said, “We will see.”

Next Chapter: chapter 16 Pine's flame part 2 Estimated time remaining: 4 Hours, 28 Minutes