The following day had come with quite a start for the royal family. Celestia had just raised the sun when a guard burst into her room, causing her to gasp out in surprise. The guard stood there for a second as he panted, trying to find his breath before speaking. Celestia noticed the urgency in his eyes, speaking as her face contorted into that of pure determination.

“Lead the way.”

The guard gave a nod as he rushed out of the room, Celestia hot on his hooves as they both bolted down the corridor. After a solid two minutes of galloping, they arrived in the war room where her sister Luna and Midnight were already sitting, waiting for her to arrive.

“I’m sorry to say that there is no time for pleasantries. We have urgent news from Horseshoe Bay.” One of the guards stated as he took his helmet off and placed it onto the table alongside a very large magical map.

“It turns out that our plan to have the dirigible that was carrying the Twilight Princess was uncovered by her, before she ended up taking every life on the sky ship, piloting it, and crashing it into the clock tower within Horseshoe Bay. I have no idea how she managed to get there a day ahead of schedule, but she is wreaking havoc there now. We have a few platoons there currently but they are facing massive casualties. We need to send reinforcements as soon as possible.” He stated as he began to point a hoof at the map and bringing up a more detailed view of Horseshoe Bay.

“What kind of ETA are we looking at before the other platoons arrive?” Midnight asked as his mane and tail began to grow a deeper red, his fury toward the attacker already starting to peak.

“ETA would be around five hours your majesty.” The guard stated as he measured the distance on the map.

“Not good enough. Get three platoons of the Elite Guard and have them meet me at the rally point in front of the castle. I’ll teleport them myself.” He stated as his horn began to glow brightly, after a few seconds, three clones of himself appeared just behind him. The three gave a knowing nod as they exited the room with haste, heading to the rally point.

“Midnight, do you think it wise to use so much magic so quickly? What if...” Celestia was cut off as he gave her a slight glare.

“There is no time to argue about this. The longer we delay sending more reinforcements to that small city, the more time the Twilight Princess has to wipe out more lives. We don’t have the leisure in waiting. Besides, I’m already prepared for this event. I will be sending multiple clones along with the platoons and a second batch of clones that are already on site waiting for instructions. They are in defensive mode currently and will be aiding the guard in the attack by protecting them until they run out of magic.”

“Night, how much magic have you already used? You know that you can’t continue on with this strain unto your being. You know what will happen.” Luna stated in worry as everyone watched him sigh.

“I know the precautions I need to take, and I have a hoofful of potions left to aid me in my ability to fight and use magic. I am saddened to say that I only have ten left, but I know that this fight will not require all of them. I have already commissioned more potions from Zecora, although this time, it didn’t require a wing.” He chuckled slightly flaring his wings out once before folding them back to his sides.

“Very well, what will be the plan for Canterlot and Ponyville?” Celestia asked as she looked up to the dark Alicorn.

“I already have several clones dispatched around the city, along with Ponyville. They will be using Shining Armor’s shield spell to ward off any attacks for a short time. I have also sent word to the Crystal Empire asking for assistance and further reinforcements. Luna has dispatched half of her Night Guard as well for an ambush strike against the attacker just outside of Horseshoe Bay. I have also upgraded the spells being used on their armor and weapons over time so that they will be far more durable and lethal against an attacking force.” He stated with a slight sigh.

“Night... how long has this been going on? I can’t honestly believe that you’ve done all of this within a day.” Celestia asked in worry.

“Love, I have been working on the guards’ armor since I was freed from my stone prison. I have been secretly using seventy percent of my total power a day one a single guard’s armor and weapon ever since then. Every day minus a few days to recuperate, and before start arguing about it, I was only looking out for everypony; including our children.” He stated with a slight glare as Celestia gave one of her own.

“Very well, we shall discuss that at a later time. Until then however, let us continue with our current plans.”

After another hour of discussion, the members of the royal court along with several platoons of Elite Guard, and six of Midnight’s clones were all standing just outside the castle gates in the middle of the street. Many ponies had come out of their homes and businesses to see what all the commotion was about, standing to the side of the street and listening carefully.

“Alright everypony, listen up!” Midnight shouted out in the royal whee. “I have dispatched two clones for each platoon. You will be teleported to just outside of Horseshoe Bay by roughly a thousand meters. Once you all arrive, one of the clones from each platoon will immediately begin attacking the Twilight Princess. They will have used up most of their magic with the teleport, so do not expect more than maybe a few minutes of preparation time before attacking. I want you to attack with lethal force. If you find an opening to kill this being, take it, because she will stop at nothing in order to kill you and everypony in Equestria. Is that understood?” Midnight finished off by hearing a resounding ‘Yes Sir!’ from everypony within each platoon.

“Good, now get ready. Teleportation will commence in exactly thirty seconds.” He shouted one final time as three of his clones’ horns began to gain in illumination, readying themselves for a massive teleportation of an entire platoon of ponies halfway across the nation.

After the thirty seconds was up, each clone spoke out quickly. “Brace yourself for teleportation.” They each shouted as a blinding flash erupted from each of them.

As each member of the royal court looked to the street once again, no guard was in sight. Each and every guard had been teleported successfully.

“Opening a telepathic link to each clone.” Midnight stated quickly as he closed his eyes for a moment, his horn giving off a soft glow.

“Clone three reporting. Situation is dire, there have been massive casualties across the entire bay, and it appears that the enemy is holding hostages all around her.” The clone stated through the link for a moment. "It appears that she has separated the foals and adults into individual groups."

Silence... deafening silence... it seemed to last forever before a scream was heard.

"She just... absorbed a pony into something on her wrists. Sir, what are your orders?" The clone asked through the link before more screams were heard, then whimpering and crying before the clone began to speak again.

"Sir... every adult pony... they're gone... they were all absorbed into the Princess." Came the shuddering words of one of the clones.

"I don't care how you do it, but you need to save those foals under any circumstance. If you have to obliterate the entire city to do it, then you had better do it. Is that understood?" Midnight growled through the link.

"Understood, Sir." The clone stated before the link cut off.

At this very moment, Celestia, as well as many other ponies were watching Midnight as he spoke through the magical telepathic link. With each passing second, his demeanor began to slowly shift into a more frightening posture. His mane and tail steadily growing a deeper shade of red until it became as black as his coat. His eyes were closed tightly as he spoke out to the clone, his words falling out of his mouth with indescribable hatred.

The moment would have continued had it not been for Celestia noticing something that she hoped she would never see again within her lifetime. At the corners of Midnights eyes, a purple mist began to develop slowly, spreading out further and further from his eyes. Celestia took in a soft gasp upon seeing this, knowing what was about to occur had she not intervened.

"MIDNIGHT!" She shouted out causing his eyes to shoot open in surprise, revealing that his pupil and iris had turn to a deep red, while the whites of his eyes had turned to a bright green. Those colors quickly reverted back to normal though as Celestia managed to break his train of thought. Using her magic, she quickly pulled the dark Alicorn to her, wrapping her forehooves and wings around him and causing him to stare wide eyed for a moment at her as he felt her shake a little.

"Tia? What's wrong?" He asked as he gently pressed her away for a moment and looked into her eyes.

"Night, I want you to promise me something." She began; he nodded hesitantly before she continued. "Whatever happens, promise me that you will not let your anger and hatred determine your actions. Don't let them consume you... for if you do, I fear that something dire will happen."

The dark Alicorn gave a heavy sigh as he pulled the Sun Goddess back to him, hugging her gently before speaking softly into her ear.

"Tia, as much as I want to promise you that, you know what I am, what I'm like, and what my actions will be. You know that I will stop at nothing to ensure the safety of this planet. Even if that means I let myself become consumed in hate. You, our foals, the others, and everypony on this planet mean more to me than anything in existence, and I will stop at nothing to keep all of that safe from harm." He said with a sigh. "For now though, we need to get ready for the coming battle. Prepare the castle and Ponyville for battle. I have a bad feeling about what is about to happen in Horseshoe Bay.”

Author's Notes:

Edited by ReFro