It had been a very eventful week with Mystogan returning from the dead. He and his lover were reunited, along with all of his friends and even put back in command of his unit once more.. Yes, all seemed happy and well again. If the fact of the matter wasn’t that they were still in a war with Nightshade and her kingdom. But now with Mystogan in the guard once more, things were a bit more on the brighter side. Celestia was especially happy he had returned. It had made this rough time increasingly more bearable Fall was approaching once more, the once green leaves and luscious gardens now changing to their beautiful fall colors. From green to all kinds of yellows, browns and oranges. It was late in the afternoon, near the time that Celestia was supposed to lower the sun. Mystogan leaned against the railing with both hands, staring down at the city below. He was deep in thought, his eyes misting over as he was thinking about all the events that he had been informed about since his long absence.

With what the girls told me...we lost so many of our soldiers because of these shadow ponies. Nightshade has been relentless, knowing that Tia was in such a fragile state of mind. I will not allow this to go unpunished...

He squeezed the cement railing firmly, he was extremely angry with Nightshade and what she had done to Celestia. Taking away the being she loved above all else besides her sister. If anypony saw his face right now, they could see the intent to murder another. And not just another, Nightshade. He wanted her suffering to be unlike any other. t o know the pain of losing another that is dear to them. Suddenly he felt a pair of arms wrap around him lovingly, his snaps his head in the direction with that same look on his face, giving Celestia a bit of a fright.

“M-Myst? Are you alright my love?”

He quickly shakes his head to bring himself out of his thoughts.

“Y-yeah Tia...sorry. Just all the things I have heard that Nightshade has put you and the whole kingdom through, it’s...infuriating. She will not be getting away with this..”

“Myst, I know how you feel, believe me I do. What she did was unforgivable, even though you are here once more, she still caused not only me heartache, but everyone else who held you dear. All I ask...is that you don’t do anything irrational. I don’t want to lose you again.”

“Don’t worry Tia, I will not be leaving this world, your side ever again. I will remain your soulmate and lover even beyond time itself. I promise you.”

“I know Mystogan..now that we are forever bound. You and I share immortality. But that doesn’t mean we are invincible. Just...please be careful.”

For a good while, they stayed in each other’s arms, enveloping themselves in their wings as well. Until Celestia reluctantly pulled away and kissed him gently.

“Dinner will be ready soon. I trust your shift is nearly done?”

“Mhmm, I will be there just in time. Then we can spend the evening together. Which I have been looking forward to all day.”

“As have I...as have I.”

She said as she made her way to the sun tower, getting ready to lower the sun. Once she was out of sight, Mystogan’s face shifted to what it was once more. Suddenly, he spots Luna coming around the corner, she eyed him intently, walking up to him

“Myst...I have come to deliver a message from my other self. She wishes to speak with you about...something. What it is, she will not tell me. Just be ready to have a visit from her in your dreams.”

“Very well. Thanks Lulu.”

He said as he kept his gaze out of view, sliding his hood back onto his head and begins walking on

“Mystogan..do not let the bloodlust fester in your heart. Please do not make my sister grieve anymore than she already had in your absence.”

Mystogan remained silent as he walked on, vanishing out of Luna’s line of sight.

“Whatever you are planning...you better make sure he doesn’t die in it’s process.”

Luna whispered to herself, that familiar voice appearing in her mind.

Oh, do not worry your pretty little head, I know you want to see that bitch suffer just as much as he does. I know things even you do not Luna. I may be part of you, but I hold knowledge of my own. I care for Tia just as much as you do.

The voice echoed in her mind and rang true. She did want to see Nightshade suffer so very much. She would hear out Nightmare Moon’s plan once it was out in the open between her and Mystogan later that night.

--Midnight, Dream Realm--

As Mystogan’s physical form slept, his dream self wandered the darkened forest which eventually came to an opening with a lake in the middle. Instead of the moon being white, it was a dark blue, but still shone brightly in the night sky. Mystogan stops as he sees a figure sitting on one of the rocks in front of the lake.

“You wanted to see me, Nightmare Moon?”

The alicorn smiles seductively and stands up, walking over to him with a sway of her hips. She was built like Celestia, but she had a bit more muscle to ehr form, and those slitted eyes that could pierce through one’s soul.

“I did my dear Mystogan. It is good to finally meet you in person. Even more amazing that you have returned from the dead. A feat not many could accomplish. But I am not here to talk about that. Oh no, I have a plan that will both satisfy your bloodlust and vengeance for sweet Tia.”

She said as she vanished and appeared behind him, pressing her full breasts against his back. As she begins to speak.

“You see, Nightshade wasn’t always the way she was. She was just a simple alicorn who ruled over a kingdom like Tia does. But here is the juicy bit. She had a lover of her own. Can you guess who that being might be?”

Mystogan simply shrugged. Nightmare Moon smiled wickedly.

“Corvus De Animus. The scythe wielding raven.”

Mystogan quickly recalls Celestia telling him about this being briefly, but didn’t go into detail.

“You see Mystogan...Corvus was her lover until his untimely death at the hands of King Sombra. But before that, he and Nightshade were destined to become eternal lovers just as you and Tia have become. They knew each other from childhood and grew up together. Corvus was brought to Nightshade’s kingdom by her parents. As they had never seen such a creature roam their lands before. And seeing that the child had no family to speak of, they took him in and raised him as one of their own. Now Corvus, having become the adopted son of royalty wasn’t smiled upon by the nobles. They would always curse him, throw things at him. But in the midst of it all, there was always one filly who would be there for him in his time of distress.”

“Nightshade…”

Mystogan plainly said. Nightmare Moon nodding and wrapping her arms around his torso and leaning in more.

“You are correct Mystogan. They spent every waking minute with each other that they could. They both had their own duties to attend to sure, but when they were together, they did everything together. They were inseparable. But as fate would have it...their love for one another would not get the chance to blossom. Corvus soon became an outcast to the kingdom. As you know, a raven is an omen of misfortune. And as he became a full adult, the suspicion began to rise. The kingdom urged its rulers to be rid of the creature. Eventually, his adoptive parents did indeed turn on him and sent him into exile. Leaving Nightshade without a say in the matter. This is when her descent into darkness began. She hated her family for disowning the one she loved above all others. And when her rule finally came, she shared her suffering with her subjects. But then as if that wasn’t enough, after many years he returns to her. The lovers have a reunion, but only to have it cut short by King Sombra himself. That’s right. She experienced what Tia was forced to by her hand. To have their loved one taken away right before them…”

“What are you suggesting Nightmare Moon?”

“Oh come now Mystogan. You are a smart young stallion. You know exactly what I am proposing.”

“You want me to become a phantom assassin that claims her life in her moment of weakness?”

Nightmare grins wickedly again with a dark chuckle.

“Close my dear, very close. But I don’t want you to kill her, at least not so quickly oh no. I want you to torture her. You are a carbon copy of Corvus De Animus. I want you to appear before her. Act as a phantom of her past that has come to haunt her. Make her feel the pain of loss and sadness, before giving her the merciful escape...and you, being the loving and caring raven she grew to love...obliged her request, only to find out that you are in fact the very one she ordered to be disposed of to break my sister’s heart. Be our reaper, Mystogan...our phantom assassin. Let the vengeance that festers in your heart have what it desires. Only then will it truly vanish after it has had what it desires.”

She said as she brings her hands up to caress his wings gently, a soft sigh escaping her lips.

“Yes...remind her of her pain...but also open another wound, the have the face of her beloved staring down upon her as she is being slowly destroyed by that very same face.”

“That is enough, Nightmare Moon!”

Luna shouted as she landed in front of them both with a glare in her eyes.

“You are exploiting the monster inside of Mystogan so shamelessly, knowing he will not hesitate to do such awful things!”

Nightmare Moon smile and walks over to Luna and wraps her arms around her.

“But Lulu...this will be the ultimate revenge, you and I both know it is what we and he craves. Do not interfere with this plan.”

“Lulu..she is right. This has to be done. It is...divine retribution. I will carry out this plan in full force. Tia will not know anything of this. I plan to keep her from knowing simply because I know she will not allow it. But I am doing this for her and myself, but mostly for her. Just because Nightshade had to suffer, doesn’t mean Tia had to. Nightmare, I will carry out this deed.”

She smiled widely and winks over to him.

“Good boy. You will be doing not only Tia, but me and little Lulu here a favor as well. Now go...become our Raven Of Vengeance. Make that bitch pay for what she has done to us, and our people.”

“Mystogan...you do this, there is no turning back…”

“I know this Luna...call me a hypocrite if you must, but I am doing this for Tia. I know she won’t approve of it, but at this point, my bloodlust and hatred for Nightshade is outweighing my mind right now. And what I feel I am doing is truly right. I will leave as soon as I wake from this dream. If Tia asks about me, tell her I have...gone to take care of some business outside the kingdom, and tell her I said I love her.”

And with that, the dream fades to white, ending fully.

Author's Notes:

I know, short chapter, but things are about to get a whole lot more darker from this point on We are coming into the last few chapters of this story. And I hope you will all stay along for the ride. Be ready, the dark corners of my mind are about to be exposed.

Like and share.

May the darkness grant you peace.