"Oh come on now, your acting silly!” course I was acting silly...I was about to meet your folks! I pulled on the collar that was around my neck, why the hell did Rarity have to make something like this for me!? I mean really, since the day, which was yesterday my sisters told everyone that I was now a prince, much like her nephew who I found out was Prince Blue Blood, hell I found out that even Shiny Armour wife was related to me...man, I even had more family then I thought! Anyway, back to what I was wearing now.

"Brandon you can not go to her mother's and father's home looking like...that!” my friend brought her hoof and pointed it to me, I had went back to wearing the first clothing I had wore, I mean it was hot out today so I was going to wear shorts of course. I crossed my arms over my brown shirt chest, the skull that was made up of other things easily seen on my shirt, sure I would've changed that shirt before going, but really, I was keeping the shorts on...or so I thought. "It is a good thing I made this for you!” she then made her way over into the other room, Devon was on the sofa sleeping like a log, a leg on the floor while the other on the back as he snored loudly. I then looked to Twilight and asked.

"Do I snore?” she only laughed and shook her head.

"Well Brandon, I do hope you are a better prince then that Blue Blood,” I think I heard a soft growl from her. "So high and mighty of himself, caring more of himself...” as I heard her rant on more, I asked Twilight, who told me about what happened between the two. I gulped when I heard that SHE got pissed off at him, would've been cool to see that's for sure. "Here it is! Doesn't it look so amazing and smashing and dashing at the same time!?” looking over, I saw what seemed to be a black long cloak, the bottom would reach down to my waist, the arms toward my wrist as white cuffs were seen around each on...okay thinking about it I can't really explain what this suit look liked...all I know is now, it was very...very hot looking.

Still playing with the collar I felt Twilight put a hoof on my hand and push it down as she gave me a look.

"Why are you so worried?' she asked me. "You've fought Dark Beasts and Darkness as well as other things that could kill you, and you're worried about my family?” I only shrugged my shoulders slightly.

"Maybe it's because I've never been to a girl's family house before?” Canterlot was a grand city, I've never really took the time to look at it before, since I was always inside the castle studying, so this was the first time I truly got a glimpse of the place. Hell event he inside of the houses was just as grand as the outside. Soon the sight of plates and cups and even a teapot were seen coming in from another room, surrounded by a light as I knew was magic by now. The one wielding the magic was her mother, her coat seemed to be grey, at least to me, her hair and tail much like Twilight's in a way the color being of her own coat as well as Twilight's. Her eyes a light blue her Cutie Mark being of three blue stars. After setting the plates on the table, I watched her father came in next. His coat was a deep blue, maybe navy in a way, showing a yellow curved moved and a much smaller one in it. His hair was a darker shade of blue as well as his tail styled in a way I haven't seen anyone but old movies. I didn't say anything, waiting to see what they would say as I crossed my hands over each other and looked down slightly as I heard Twilight's mother laugh.

"Dear, you do not have to be worried about how we would react to you!” I looked up slightly to see the mother and father both laugh. "As long as our daughter is happy, we are too!”

"Yes, do not worry son,” her father spoke while sitting next to his wife. "As long as she is happy, we are as well.” I smiled and nodded my head slightly, it was the first time someone called me son, and well for the first time ever, it didn't make me want to claw my own ear out. As ii watched as Twilight's mother poured tea into the cups, once filled and passed each of us a cup, I thanked her as I placed the cup on the small plate and held it in my hand as she then asked.

"Twilight dear, where is that small baby dragon, Spike was his name? He was here when I left to get the tea.”

"Oh he went out to find some gems, even though he has one that can never be truly eaten until gone, he wishes for other ones with other tastes; as he said.” Gemstones had other flavours, heh, learn something everyday I guess. He was still a little pissy about Devon staying with Rarity, I told him many times already that they weren't doing anything at all, that maybe there might be a chance, but as he said, 'until Rarity is my girl I won't like that human being anywhere near her!'. Dear god...

Smiling to myself at the thought, I turned to Twilight who smiled back, leaning on me a bit as she took her cup with her magic and lifted it up to take a sip, I did the same as I then heard a small giggle from her mother.

"So when am I having grand-children?” I chocked on the hot liquid in my throat as well as Twilight as we splattered and coughed, the father laughing loudly as the mother only smiled.

"Mom really; while we're drinking? We've could've chocked!” I banged my chest a bit to get some of the stuff out from my windpipe as her mother giggled some more.

"I am sorry, but I just have to know will I be getting any grand-children!” I placed the cup and plate on the table as I watched as Twilight face blushed with embarrassment.

"Dear they only just been together for a few months, let them be.” the blue pony spoke out as I sighed softly as he then looked to me. "ButBrandon, what of your family, would they approve of this?” at the mention of my family I looked both down and away as I felt Twilight shift from my side.

"Father, don't...this is a touchy subject for...”

"Its fine,” I told Twilight looking at her. "If we are to be together, they should know a bit of me...more then what you told them I'm sure.” The two adults looked to me with wary and concern looks as I sighed and straightened up. "I bet you are wondering where I got this scar from?” I just noticed, that these two hadn't called me 'prince' since I got here, I was glad don't get me wrong, I mean Everypony other then them outside was calling me prince, well beside my friends of course.

"Did you get that from battle when trying to save my daughter from this Darkness?” asked her mother as I shook my head slowly.

"No...It was from my father.” The looks they gave me, I could tell what they were thinking. So for the next while, I told them about what my life was like, Twilight had heard much of it before, but some things I kept to myself, I let out as well. Though they could not see the scars anymore, I told them about how I had them and how I had gotten them, even going as far as telling them how my father acted and what he did to my mother...even about him killing her. When my tale was done no one said anything, at last Twilight's mother came up to me, and got on her hind legs and pulled me into a deep and tightly hug. I was surprised by this as she placed her head on my cheek as I did nothing at all.

"No matter what happensBrandon,” she whispered to me. "Know this, you are our family now.”

"”What?” I asked as she pulled away.

"Twilight told us while you went to freshen yourself up, how you wish to marry her one day, if that is the case, then you are pretty much family!” she looked from me to Twilight and then back to me. "If you ever need anything, you promise to ask me or my husband, do you understand?” I smiled as she hugged me once more, this time I wrapped my arms around her as well and whispered.

"Yes Ma'am,”

After that we spoke much of how we were doing, how I felt mostly about Twilight as I answered truthfully on the case, just then, when I was about to get up to help pass out the food, the sound of a loud horn bellowed throughout the city.

"What's that?” I asked in shocked as Twilight's father stood up.

"The city's alarm...the city is being attacked!” I felt my blood race at once, Darkness...he was going to try and take the city! I looked outside and I was right, high in the sky, many black winged beasts flew in the sky, darkening the brightly light morning. It was a good thing I brought my sword with me this time as I went to the wall to grab it, knowing my long robe like shirt would slow me down, I took it off, showing off a simple black jersey tee. Taking only the sword out and placing the sheath on the wall once more I looked to Twilight. She knew what I was about to say at once, nodding as she went to her mother's and father's side.

"The guards that came with us will stay here and make sure you are all safe,” I told them as I watched as each of them nod, I was about to leave when I heard Twilight.

"Be carefulBrandon.” I smiled and turned to her, taking my left hand, putting two fingers on my forehead in a salute and thrust it out.

"Aren't I always?”

As I left the house, I found fifteen of my guards waiting outside as they stood at attention at once.

"Prince Brandon!” they saluted with their right hoofs. I had no time to remind them not to call me that as I started giving out orders; I told them that until I found a suitable captain, that I would be acting captain, since Shiny Armour did teach me how to be when I was Moon's guard captain.

"You six,” I call out pointing to the far left as they moved up toward me. "I need you to stay here and keep the lives inside safe do you understand?”

"Yes Prince!” they cried at once as they all took areas around the home.

"The rest of you, follow me toward the princesses castle double time!” I started to run off toward the castle, as they followed me from the air. Looking outward at the sky, I watched as they gained closer and closer, I no doubt had ten minuets tops as ponies young and old, beside that of the guards ran off for their homes to be safe. Once reaching the castle, I noticed Celestia, Luna, Moon, and Shiny Armour in his captain armour speaking to one another as Luna spoke up.

"How many of those Dark Soaring are there?” I heard her ask as I ran up, my guards behind me as they stayed behind, Celestia looked over and nodded to me as I stood beside the captain of the guards as he gave his answer.

"Fifty Princess Luna,” he answered as I looked to him in slight shock. "Also there are Dark Beasts riding on them for a ground attack, so a hundred in total, as well as Darkness, we saw him leading the charge, but he seems to have disappeared.”

"He might be trying to go after Twilight,” Moon clued in as we all looked to each other and nodded slightly.

"I have six guards watching the place right now,” I answered up. "No doubt more will be needed.

"Yes no doubt, I shall send more in a moment. Will you be fighting as wellBrandon?” I nodded my head while I brought my sword up a bit.

"Whenever Darkness attacks, I'll be there to fight him back!”

"Then you will need your armour then Brandon,” Moon spoke as her horn glowed softly, covering my body with blackness before I found myself wearing the captain suit she had giving me, the spikes on my legs now at my elbows to that I didn't fall.

"Thanks,” I told her as she nodded. "Will you three be inside the castle where it is safe?”

"Chrysalis told us that Darkness is planning on releasing Discord for his stone prison,” she answered as I looked at her again in shock. "If he fails to get Twilight for the moment, then he will no doubt switch to come after him, the three of us will stay here and make sure that does not happen.”

"And I'm guessing we wouldn't be able to convince Discord to fight along side us like we did with Chrysalis?” I asked as my older sister shook her head. "Damn.”

"Here they come!”

Turning our heads as I slammed my hand on the ring I was given, making the shield come out at once, I noticed the large black flying beast fly straight in the air, looking much like dragons without legs or arms, only the wings. A Dark Beast jumping off each of their backs as they ran toward the main castle doors as my sister made their way in and closed, locking the door with their magic. Roaring out I charged forward, flipping one over with my shield as I slashed three on the head, making them disappear like all the other times. I noticed that each of the guards had something different about their wings. Along side the spines of the wings, thin blades were seen as they slashed with their wings to cut off the heads of their foes. Good, easier now that they could slash their heads off!

"Brandon!” I heard Shiny call out to me as I looked over to see him running toward his family home, I nodded to him as I too followed close behind, letting my shield go back into a ring. As two more Dark Beats came to us, Shiny Armour used his magic to throw them up and away, all of a sudden a thundering boom was heard as we stopped for a moment to see a large crater a few feet away from us; the clouds covering up whatever made it as we looked to each other.

"Ten bits says that whatever made that could fuck us over.” I answered as a bellowing roar was heard, looking over we saw what seemed to be a larger version of the Dark Beast, but this one was covered in metal head to toe, with a large sword in it hand. "Yup...so fucked over...” As we backed away I held up my sword as I looked to him. "Shiny, you go to your family home, I'll take care of tin face here!”

"You sure you can handle him?”

"I got it, now go, go!” he nodded and took off again as I looked back. "At least I hope so.”

The large Dark Beast charged as I backed away and jumped to the side as it slid past me, bringing the large sword up and swinging at me as I ducked and rolled away, using my magic, I lifted up a large boulder and threw it at its head, a loud cling was heard as a dent was left on the head. Oh well, a dent was better then no dent I guess...wait...Ohhh just got an idea! Sticking my blade in the dirt I watched as the Dark Beast raced after me, I lifted both of my hands up as they glowed with my magic, more boulders and rocks floated around me as I grinned, thrusting my hands forward as they were flung at the beast, hitting it in the head many times. It stumbled backwards as I grinned, hearing a loud snap as the helm came off, putting my plan into action, I took my sword and ran after it, as it went for the kick, I jumped, landed on the leg, jumped up toward the head, and stabbed it right in the middle of the eyes. At once, the roaring stopped, the body went limp as it dropped its blade. I jumped off at once as it fell onto its back. Man, for something that big...sure was easy to kill. Hearing more explosions all around, I gulped as I then knew more of those things were coming, and not a lot of guards were Unicorns, of fuck...a thrill scream took me out of my thought, Twilight! Running back toward her families home, I skidded to a stop as I watched as Darkness, the brother of Moon lifted Shiny with his magic, and threw him aside.

He was in bad shape, even though I was away from him for only a few moments, Darkness took care of him like he was just a child. Armour broken in different places, his white coat tainted with red blood as Twilight and her family came around him as Darkness just laughed. Even my guards were knocked out all around; I think maybe one of them even dead.

"Hey, jackass the ass licker!” Darkness shot his head toward me, his eyes burning red with anger as he locked eyes with me.

"You!” he snarled as I made my way toward Twilight's family and stood before them, sword out and ready to fight. That's when I noticed that even Spike was there, he was even bleeding! Was he trying to fight off Darkness too? "I should've guessed that you were truly Eclipse, now I'll enjoy killing you even more!”

"Heh, what makes you think you can kill me ass wipe?” I spoke with a grin. "I've grown stronger, that last time I was weak because of all the magic I did, but I'll fully good now!” he growled softly as I only smiled, truth was, I didn't really think I could hold him off that long, I hope long enough for anyone to come and...

"Head shot!” I blinked and looked behind him to see something jump on a lifted piece of ground, as I looked up  to see who it was...it was Devon?! He slammed his right fist on top of Darkness head who howled in pain as he did a small front flip as he landed before me. "Oh yeah, you gotta love that flashy entries!” looking at him, I noticed that he had these iron sliver gloves on his hands, and judging by how Darkness was howling in pain, they could really do some damage, he had the same thing on his feet as well. Wait a second...

"Devon?! What the bloody hell are you doing here?” I saw Spike grumble as he stood up, or tried to as he went over toward Twilight and fell on his side as Twilight went to help with his wounds.

"Oh, Rarity wanted to go shopping so I came along with her, got these cool things made too!” he punched and kicked at the air. "What I don't get is why...”

"HEY!” we all looked over to see Darkness face all filled with rage. "YOU BASTARD!”

"Ohhh...he's pissed...” I spoke as he was glaring hard atDevon.

"So what are you doing?!” He asked with a deep growl.

            "What am I doing?” askedDevontilting his head to the side.

            "What are you doing?!” Darkness asked again.

            "Nothing much,”

            "Thwarting my plans?!”

            "Thwarting you plans?”

            "Are you?!”Devondidn't say anything for a while as he thought about it until he grinned with his eyes closed.

            "Yes!” I saw Darkness right eye twitched then as I just looked toDevonwith shock.

            "I'm gonna fucking kill you! But first I'm going to...”

            "Does he always get like this when he's pissed?”Devonasked me while looking at me as I just blinked, how the fuck was he so claim?! "I mean really...”

            "Human didn't you hear me I said...”

            "Darkness!”Devonyelled looking at him. "Please...I'm talking to my friends...”

            "Oh...” Darkness answered looking claim for a moment. "Sorry I guess I...WAIT! What am I saying sorry you no good piece of...”

            "Hold that thought,” he held a finger up as he looked to Spike. "Hey Spike, we're friends right?” the small dragon just glared at him while giving him the middle...nail?

            "Fuck off!”

            "See the best of friends!”Devonanswered with a grin. I faceplamed myself...oh...dear...god...

            "AGH!” Darkness screamed as he started to charge at us as I got ready, but before I could make a spell, the dark Alicorn was thrown by another spell down the street. I turned to see Moon flying down and landed before us.

            "Moon!” I cried running up to her. "What are you doing here?!”

            "I thought that maybe you could use some help...though I was shocked when I noticed him charging just then, I mean, I saw the thing while I was flying over.” I nodded my head as I looked back atDevon, who was now helping with the wounded as Twilight and her mother and father went to their other family member Shiny Amour. Looking over, I noticed Darkness slowly getting up as I looked to Moon, and then to everyone else. Going over to Twilight as Moon made her way to Darkness to hold him off I hoped, I got down on one knee as she looked to me.

            "You're staying to fight...aren't you?” I only nodded my head slightly as she looked up at me, her eyes filled with fear as I brought my hand down my shirt and pulled out the necklace Spike had given me, I placed it around her neck and then held her close.

            "Devon, you think you can lift Shiny Armour?” I asked standing up asDevoncame over and nodded.

            "Piece of cake, where to?”

            "Go to the castle, no doubt Celestia and Luna would've made some sort of protection to keep the Dark Beasts out.”Devonnodded and was about to go past me when I grabbed his arm. He looked to me as I gave him a side way glance. "Keep them safe,” I whispered to him. "They are the only family I have left.” For once, I sawDevongive me a look that I knew he wasn't going to make a sort of joke; that he knew the full extent of what I was saying. Sharply nodding his head, he picked up the guard captain, as his guards and my own made their way to the castle.

            Running over to help Moon, I stood beside her as Darkness got up, huffing and puffing in pure rage as he bared his teeth at us.

            "First, you betray me!” he roared out toward his sister. "And now you fight along side the very ones who destroyed you?!”

            "What I did, was wrong,” she answered. "I understand this now; the world can not always be clouded in the night, no matter how much I may wish it. The world needs to be in balance, and that is my purpose in life now, to make sure that this balance.” Darkness only growled softly as he got ready as well as me. But Moon brought her leg before me. "No,” she told me. "This is a fight between us Brandon, do not interfere.”

            "But Moon...”

            "This is something I must do,” she turned to me. "You go with the others, be safe.” She nodded to me as I took a step back, closing my eyes I nodded and turn and ran. Looking back once to see them fly into the air, their horns glowing, as their battle began.

            I soon made it back to the castle, as I thought, Celestia and Luna had indeed made a barrier, I watched as some of the Dark Beast would charge at it, only to be shocked and flung backwards. Sneaking around so I would not have to fight, I made it though; kinda felt like walking though water in a way. It took a while with all the ponies from the city that was inside the castle, but I soon found Twilight. Going over, she came to me and held me close as I did to her.Devonwas with Rarity, saying something to help claim her down as Spike also tried to help. It was the first time he was being nice to the dark skin human. Shiny Armour was alright, that much I was glad for, Candace was beside him, using her magic as Twilight also helped to heal his wounds. I was about to look around to see if anything else needed to be doing, when a thundering quake caused the ground to rumble. Screaming was heard as many fell to the ground,Devonfell face first as well as Spike as I dug my sword to the ground to keep myself up. Soon it was done, going toward the door, I found that a smoke as high as the buildings were seen. Coming from where I left Moon. Soon, seeing something fly in the air, I tried to see what it was, and when the Alicorn landed just outside the barrier; my heart fell; for standing there now, a large grin on his bloody face, was Darkness.

            "Brandon!” he cried out as I flinched. "You're next you hear me!” he kicked something that went though the shield, looking down; my rage grew as I saw that it was Moon's helmet, full of blood on the inside. Looking up at him, I started to walk forward, but was stopped when I felt a heavy hoof on my shoulder. Looking over, I saw that it was Celestia, she gave me a look, and I knew that went along the lines of, 'don't even try'.

            "He wants me,” I told her as I turned to Darkness. "I have to fight him.

            "No, you WANT to fight him.” I didn't say anything.

            "This has to end now!” I told her after a while. "And I will end it!” I shot my head back to Darkness as my arms shook with pure rage, first he tries to kidnap my lover, and then he tries to take over the world and now this! I noticed a thin black flow of fire grow from my blade, magic no doubt, but at the time I really didn't care what it was.  But...I knew she was right, we were safe in here, and as much as I would love to knock his teeth in, the safety of the others came first. Taking a deep breath, I slowly turned and made my way back to the others with Celestia right behind me, I heard Darkness laugh slightly before he answered.

            "That's it, walk away, just like you did to let your father kill your mother!” I stopped dead in my tracks. I was looking down so no one could see the shame I was feeling for letting Moon die, and me almost getting myself killed now. But when he spoke about my mother and father, two things went though my mind, how did he know; and how dear he?!  I snapped then or at least that's what I remembered, turning and screaming I ran after him, and I heard everyone call out to me as they tried to stop me; jumping up in the air, blade in the air as I went to slash at his head. At that moment I didn't care what happened to me, all I cared, was seeing his blood. I saw his smile grew wider as he then brought his left hoof out, which was glowing a deep blood red as he punched me hard in the gut. I felt my chest snap, breaking my rip cage as I cried out, his hoof exploded, sending me to the nearest building as I was smashed though the windows; soon, darkness came all around me.

            When my eyes opened, I felt no pain, in fact I felt nothing. Looking down at myself, I saw that I wore grey clothing, was I...dead?

            "No, you're not dead, not yet.”  I looked around, and when I turned all the way around, I saw that Moon was floating before me. "You are just hanging on between the world of the living and the dead.”

            "And you?” I asked, as I blinked slightly. She nodded her head.

            "I have passed, yes, I do not know how, but I have passed, and now you are almost like me.”

            "Almost?” I asked as she sighed and shook her head.

            "I shouldn't be surprised that you would do something like that, but I can help you.”

            "How?” she floated before me as she looked into me, deep within my eyes as I took a slight step back.

            "I shall give you the power that will allow you to revert back into a Alicorn, like before, but the power that you had, it will only last a little while. You must fight fast and hard to pull Darkness away. For after the time runs out, you will grow weaker, not to the point of being knocked out, but your body will shrink, your human body won't, but the Alicorn body will.” She gave me another look. "This may hurt...are you ready?”

            "What will happen to you?” I asked slightly worried about her. She only smiled.

            "I'll be fine...now...relaxed...”

(Twilight's POV)

            No...Brandon...he wasn't getting up, he wasn't fighting back...was he...n...no! I fell toward the ground as tears streamed down my face, he was gone, Darkness had won! I could hear him laughing as I looked up, I saw him looking right at me as I watched as my teacher and her sister came before me. Darkness was about to say something, when the sound of a low rumble was heard where Brandon was. Was...was he still alive? The rumble on the inside of the building was thrown out at a force I had never seen before. The rocks that were now on fire with black magic slammed into many of the Dark Beast, Darkness covered himself with his wings as he was flung back a bit, he growled, and looked toward where the building was now smoking, and started to back away as the sound of clopping was heard. As the smoke settled, a large Alicorn was standing there, as I knew from what Brandon called himself as Eclipse, still as large as I remembered, I noticed that he looked a lot different now. Before his coat was a deep black, like Moon, but now, it was pure white, even pure then Celestia because how she had a hint of pink in her coat. His hair a lot longer and did not cling to his neck, but flowed a bit, looking almost like his black hair when he was human, only longer. His eyes reminded both green and red, but no scar was seen over his left eye; his eyes showing of both claim and boredom. The guards that he wore on his legs were a deep black, the spikes on each sticking out, his tail somewhat long, and the tip just brushing on the ground, spiked just like his mane. Even his Cutie Mark had changed a bit; a way I did not know was possible. It still held the mark of the sun and the moon, but the sun did not have its rays. On the left side looked like a crescent moon with darker spots on the edges, and darker for the rest of the half. On the sun side, he bore eagle wings still, but now on the moon side, what seemed to be Luna's guard's bat like wings. In front of the wings were six stars that seemed to tinkle; the same blade going though the middle, the hilt being a deep black, the blade a shiny sliver. His gaze came to me, his green eye looking at me as I tried to hold back my tears; he slowly looked toward Darkness as he took a step forward.

            "You wanted a fight?” he asked, his voice deep as he spread out his wings and then glared hard at Darkness. "Then bring it!”