The following day had arrived after Midnight had returned to himself in the fullest sense. Having recombined with his other half had shown everypony only a glimpse of what was to come. Although, when the dark Alicorn had lain down for the night, he would not find rest, as the hundred years of torment that his other half had experienced in Tartarus, would become his dreams for a short time.

Dreams of torment, death, rape, murder, countless different things that one could experience, all forced upon his darker half as he was helpless to prevent any of it. The stallion would wake for a short time, panting, and out of breath as he attempted to force the images from his mind. Never in his lifetime had he encountered such darkness, not even during his time at war.

Time, however, would give him the opportunity to take on all of those demons. giving him the ability to harden himself, emotionally, toward that pain that he had to endure. It could take days, weeks, months, even years, to get his mentality back in check so that he could return to himself to the fullest extent. But could he wait for that time? Could he really be able to handle such madness within his mind? Would it affect him in any way during the hours in which he was awake, or even while he was asleep? These questions plagued his mind as he continued to stare off into the distance, trying his best to come up with the answer.

"Equestria teh fangs, ya'll in there?" AJ pipped up as she waved a hoof in front of his face, snapping him back to reality as he blinked several times in surprise.

"Geez AJ, still won't stop with the fangs bit huh?" He sighed, giving her a playful nudge.

"Nah, ah think it suits ya, seeing as ya once was am omnivore at the time afore ya changed." She snickered. "But seeing them fangs onna pony is a might unsettlin, ya know?" She shuddered seeing him grin. "An the purple mist dun help none either. It reminds me a lot of Sombra when we defeated him all that time ago."

"Sombra? You mean that evil unicorn that took over the Crystal Empire before?" Midnight asked, getting a nod in return.

"Yea, that feller had purple mist coming up from his eyes, and fangs teh boot. But yer a might bigger than he was. Ah think he was bout the same size as Luna, an yer bigger than Celestia, and an Alicorn. Amongst other stuff." She smirked.

"Other stuff huh?" He inquired, cocking a brow toward the earth pony at his side as they continued to trot along from the farm toward town.

"Yep, Ya'll ain't trying teh kill us like he was. Or trying teh take over a kingdom and enslave ponies..... Or are ya?" She paused in her stride to place a hoof on her chin, narrowing her eyes toward the Alicorn accusingly.

Midnight just stood there for a moment as he watched her look him up and down for a solid ten seconds before he lowered his own head in a threatening manner. Turning toward her he took a step toward her, causing her eyes to go a little wide as she too, took a step backwards from him as he began to speak.

"And what if I am my little country love?" He grinned evilly. "What if I want to enslave a few ponies to do my bidding?" He paused as AJ took several more steps backward. "You know, like the time I won that bet with Twilight and made her dress up as a maid for a month." He snickered, causing AJ to groan out in annoyance before coming up to him and giving his shoulder a quick swat.

"What the hay ya dern idgit!? Ya'll got a bit stranger sense'o humor since ya got back tehgether with yer other half." She finished with a sigh, cocking a brow toward him as she then leaned up against him. "But ah still love ya." She chuckled. "So long as ya don't turn inteh Sombra that is."

"No worries there love, I'm just glad to be whole again." He paused as a thoughtful expression spread across his face. "But, you know what? I wonder if anything has happened to my magic since I became whole again..."

"I guess ya might wana speak with Twi on that one pardner." AJ smirked as they continued walking into town. "But right now, ya'll might wana talk teh Tia bout what we were talking about earlier."

"Really?" He trailed of giving a vote of exasperation. "I thought you were over the whole thing about my memories from the underworld possibly corrupting my tiny little mind."

AJ scrunched her face up for a moment as she socked him in the shoulder a little harder this time as she spoke.

"Now ya listen here! Ya'll er lucky ya done cast spells on meh to keep yer sorry keester from hurting me, otherwise ah might be in traction from that buck ya gave me last night from the nightmare ya had. So don't give me no lip mister! Ya'll er gonna see somepony bout those nightmares an yer memories or ahm gonna take it all personal like, unnerstand?" She huffed in her southern droll, only to make the Alicorn groan.

"Fine, but I won't like it."

"Ah know, an quit yer belly aching ya big baby, ya sound like we've all done spoiled ya rotten and left ya at home fer the weekend with nothing teh do but chores." She chuckled upon seeing his grumpy expression.

"But moooOOOOOoooooom!" He whined, stomping playfully in a pretend hissy fit. This only causing AJ to smirk as a soft chuckle left her.

"Ya'll want punished fer disobeying?" She began, only to pause as what she had just said left her wide open.

Midnight grinned from ear to ear as he began. "You know I wouldn't mind punishment from you my dear. All those whips and chains in the cellar, along with those leads and crops." He snickered upon seeing her turn a beat red.

"AWRIGHT AWRIGHT! Ya made yer point, now get yer tail outta here and talk teh Twi, Ah gots work teh do in town an ah don't need ya'll fussing about an making me all antsy." She stated quickly only to slap both hooves over her mouth as she stared silently at the Alicorn whom was puffing out his cheeks from trying to hold in a laugh.

"GET!" She shouted, swatting his flank as he took off, laughing so hard that his wings were now dragging the ground beside him.

XXX

It had't taken long for the dark Alicorn to make his way through the castle and find the Sun Goddess. However, upon arriving within her chambers, he would come to see her resting on some pillows on the balcony as his son was waving his foreloegs about wildly as he was talking about something with enough enthusiasm to make Pinkie jealous.

"And then I jumped up just in time for the guard to smash into the dirt where I was standing, then bucked his head into the mud!" Starlight proclaimed proudly as he emphasized each motion with exagerated hoof movements. Pausing for a moment as he saw his father coming through the bedroom and toward them, he turned to run toward him, only to stop dead in his tracks and run back out onto the balcony and hide behind the Sun Goddess.

Celestia raised her brows in surprise as she peeked around the corner and into her room to see the Dark Alicorn making his way toward them. Turning to her son she smiled, nosing him gently as she spoke.

"Star, it's only your father dear, you're safe. Please come out." She cooed reassuringly to him.

As Midnight made his way only the balcony, he turned to see his son peeking out from within Celestias tail, then duck back in slightly as he saw his father. Seeing his sons fear made his heart break a little, but it was understandable. His stature, stance, poise, and everything about his physical appearance was now, very intimidating. The purple mist that rose from his eyes, the golden regalia that rested on his frame, and the fangs that made him look far more like a predator than a pony. All of it basically screamed out 'Conqueror'.

The Alicorn would not falter though as he gave a non-toothy smile toward his son as he lay opposite from his wife. Clearing his throat softly to garner the colts attention, he began.

"Star, you do know who I am don't you?" He asked playfully.

"F-father... Yes... but you look so, scary." He squeaked out softly as he looked away. He had always been taught that, even if you're afraid of something, you must face those fears in time. If time would not allow it, then you would need to stand up and face them right then, whether you like the idea, or not.

"True, I may look a bit more intimidating now, but that doesn't mean I have changed into a bad pony." He reassured. "Now come over here and give this old stallion a hug. He sure missed his son, and would like to know that he is still loved." He chuckled, only to stop as he began to pout and speak in a shaky voice. "Unless you..... don't love your daddy no more." He mock cried a little, huffing slightly as a little whimper came out.

Celestia placed a hoof over her mouth to block the giggle that was trying desperately to make its way out. All the while, Starlight was rolling his eyes and making his way out of his mothers tail and over to his father. He paused just short of his fathers reach as he looked him up and down, rolled his eyes once more as his father gave a little more pleading whine, then leapt into the stallions arms to hug him tightly around the neck.

"Father, you're hopeless at times." Starlight giggled.

"Wonderful...." Midnight groaned as his son pulled away from him.

"What?" Star asked.

"You have your mothers sense of humor." He groaned once more, only to make them both giggle softly.

"And what is that supposed to mean, exactly?" Celestia quipped as she narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Oh, uh.... nothing dear." He snickered. "Anyway, change of subject." He chuckled as he clopped his forehooves together smiling nervously.

"I was told by a little birdy that you had some questions about my mental state since my recombining. What, exactly, did you have questions about?" Midnight asked as he stared quietly toward his wife.

"Starlight." Celestia began only to illicit a sigh from their son.

"I know, I know, go play, or do something, Daddy and I have something to discuss." He sighed as he leapt of the balcony, taking flight toward the barracks.

"Just like his father." Celestia smirked, giving her husband a sidelong glance.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" He chuckled, giving her a mock glare.

"That he is as stubborn as a mule and doesn't like to be told what to do. That, and he can take a hint before I can even get a sentence out to explain what to do." She giggled.

"Heh, glad to know you think so highly of me, love." He laughed.

"Back to the topic at hoof my dear. I did request your presence to talk to you about your mental state. As you're aware, Your other half had experience great hardship during his time in Tartarus. Having all of that pain and suffering placed within your beings mental state has made me quite worried. I am aware that your species before your transformation, was hardened to withstand great strife and mental torture. But that does not mean that I fully accept that fact, and will simply let you freely go along your way." She began.

"I worry that it may have scarred you, far worse than what you realize. I request that you let me take a look into your mind... fully." She hesitated upon seeing Midnights expression turn hard.

"No." He stated flatly.

"I am afraid that you do not have a choice in this matter my dear." She sighed. "I have waited patiently for your to show me your memories from the past, so that I can fully know who you are, and what to expect of you in the future. If not for me, then please, for our child, and your children to come." She smiled softly toward him, he giving a large huff as he glared toward her.

"No fair bringing the kids into this Tia. You know that I'd do anything for them, but this is low, even for you." He grumble.

"I know, and I am terribly sorry for asking this of you. But you must understand where I am coming from. I have dealt with so much in the past eons that I want to make sure that I can cope with your past as well, and to make sure that you can truly lead this kingdom when... my time comes."

"You sound as though you are planning of leaving this reality behind at some point love. Care to explain?" Midnight asked as he cocked a brow toward his wife.

"It will not be soon, but it will be within the next one hundred years. Please do not judge me on this decision my dear. It has been a long time coming, and I want to leave behind a seasoned stallion to take my place as the ruler of this nation. One that I know I can fully trust to take care of its citizens and the nations surround it."

"Wait, so you're saying you haven't trusted me all this time?" He exclaimed in surprise causing Celestia to glance around nervously for a moment.

"W-well... you know that I am overly cautious, and I do trust you. Just... not to lead the country... right now." She chuckled nervously thinking she may have seriously offended her husband, only to pause as he began to laugh.

"Heh, Tia, you know what... I don't blame you for being cautious. I mean, I am still just a baby in your eyes because of how wise you are." He chuckled as he shuffled closer to her, pressing his forehead to hers. "But you know what, I love you, and I trust you fully and unconditionally. So if you think seeing my past will help you in any way shape or form. Then I'll let you see them."

With that last sentence, a bright white light surrounded them, temporarily blinding them as they traversed into Midnights mind. Once their vision adjusted back to normal, the two looked to one another, both slightly nervous and excited to what was about to come.

"Memories." Midnight spoke, causing one side of the hallway to give out a loud click as the doors began to slide past them quickly, then slowly coming to a stop, leaving the memories door in front of them. Beside the door a little sign was placed giving instructions.

"Please give a date and time before opening the door." The sign states.

"Tia, are you sure you're ready for this? I don't want to relive all of these demons, but... for you... and our future, I will." He stated nervously, giving an audible gulp as he glanced back to the door for a moment before his vision returned to Celestia.

"I am sure my love." She smiled softly.

"All memories since birth, until now." She stated, only to cause an alarm to sound off quickly as the sign next to the door shone in red.

"Warning, reliving every memory could cause severe trauma to all beings present. If you wish to proceed, please open the door at your own risk."

"Tia? Last chance to stop." Midnight gulped, shaking slightly.

"No, this needs to be done." She stated as her horn began to glow, twisting the door knob and pulling the door open quickly.

The two paused as the stare silently into the void blackness of the room behind the door, waiting for the torrent of memories to be unleashed in a quick burst. But it didn't come in a burst, no.

*Loud groaning*

"Oh God! No!" Midnight stated as he back up against the opposite wall. "Not this! Not again!" He stated as he bolted down the corridor toward the end as fast as he could.

"Wait! Midnight! What are you talking... about..." She trailed off as the memory resurfaced of him being locked within hid subconscious. His screams of agony and torment now fresh within her own mind. She turned back to the feeling of something grabbing her foreleg. As she attempted to pull back though, it pulled her back, harder, and slowly toward the room.

"By the maker, what have I done?!" She screeched as she was pulled into the room and the door slammed shut behind her.