Equinox of Ashes, by Ferrum Requiem.

    Luna checked back, eyeing the empty ornate doors to the throne room. She sighed, satisfied that her Student had escaped safely.

   She turned to her next problem, her sister. Luna still could hardly believe Tia was planning something dark, even less that she was tainted in any way. She was the Sun, pure, kind and worth every pain.

   Even with all the horrible things that plagued the Kingdom, the Ponyville Collector, the animal attacks, the dark beasts that she encountered and how what Starswirl foretold may actually be unfolding, her Tia was the light that will save the land. She had to be.

   Celestia smiled at her.

   "Ah, hello, little sister. I have been expecting you."

   She eyed at the unconscious guards surrounding Luna. "I see now how soft the Palace guard have become. I thank you for showing me this."

   Luna stood straight up, staring at her sister. "Tia, is it true, what I hear? Have you planned to take over the Kingdom?"

   Celestia tilted her head. "How can I take what I already have?"

   "But, martial law? You must see reason, Sister!"

   Luna walked to the foot of the throne, furious at her sister's order. "We rule together, Sun and Moon as one. You cannot just decree of a whim!"

   "Oh, but never forget, I must do what is required."

   Celestia, resting on her throne, smirked at her dear little sister.

   "And yet the land flees towards my Sun and shuns your Moon, like always."

   She tilted her head. "How maddening it must be for you, to never know true love or respect?"

   Luna recoiled hardly able to believe her ears. "Tia, why are you doing this?"

   Celestia pouted. "Little sister, surely you know why by now? The scar on your nose tells it."

   Her scar, it was hardly noticeable, but present. One of the dark beasts gave it to her with a sharp blade at the old fort.

   "This is wrong. You must stop."

   Celestia laughed to herself almost under her breath. "I would not have my land burn. I expected you of all would agree this demands such measures."

   Luna swiped her hoof to the side. "Celestia, have you gone mad?!"

   Celestia grinned, her mouth suddenly filled with rows of sharp fangs. "I am the Sun, the light to the darkness, the answer to the night."

  "I am the night! I protect our subjects from the dark, not you!"

   Luna inhaled to catch herself. "Unite with me, as we always have. We can stop this together, right now!"

   Celestia's flowing mane burst into a flame of one colour. "I have no need of your night, little Sister. We have both seen what the corruption can do and the taint has long scared you."

   "Celestia-"

   "Celestia is not here."

   Her mane flared upwards and her eyes turned serpentine. "I have been Solar Flare for over one thousand years."

   Luna took a few steps back, attempting to reject what she was hearing. "No, tis a lie!"

   "Lying is a distasteful way to convince. I tell you the truth, Luna. Your sister could not bear the truth, nor what needed to be done."

   Solar Flare rolled her eyes. "She locked herself away for weeks, crying her eyes out like a foal."

   Luna remembered that day, the end of a bloody war, nearly a million dead, the land still aflame. Even then her Tia, her light in the dark, cried for her despite what she had become, a true monster. The last moment she saw her Tia flashed through her mind, like it was moments ago.

  She wanted so badly to say one thing, just one thing before she left. Thank you.

  Solar Flare laughed. "The great and pure Celestia even went mad and lost her will to live. I had to step in, or the land would have fallen with her."

   Luna would not suffer such a day again. She stomped her fore hoof down. "The land is falling now! Help me and we can stop it!"

   "You cannot help anypony, as you are beyond help yourself."

   "What?"

   Solar Flare sighed. "The main reason behind Celestia's madness? Simple, she lost the one thing she truly cared for, her one and only sister, forever."

   "That is outrageous! I yet stand before you!"

    "Yes, that is precisely the problem."

   She tilted her head. "What happened to you is permanent. You will forever bear the corruption of Nightmare Moon and will always remain a grave threat."

   "Then why release me from imprisonment? Why rescue me if I am such a threat?"

   "Rescue?"

   Solar Flare just blinked at Luna, then laughed. "My dear little sister, I did not rescue you. I merely needed a question answered."

   "Question? What question?"

   "Oh, very well, I will explain."

   The Empress cleared her throat. "Celestia knew about the corruption, even before you turned into Nightmare Moon. Sombra, the Changelings, were all descendants of that corruption from a long forgotten time, long before us, Sister."

   "But-"

   "Do not interrupt me. After your imprisonment and Celestia's madness, I spent the last thousand years planning for the corruption's inevitable return. I needed to know more of what I was dealing with, so, I made up a little legend."

   Luna gaped.

   Solar Flare snickered. "The Mare on the Moon, a foal's tale really, but it did the trick. I learned much about the effects of the corruption and how to avoid it thanks to you, Sister."

   "Oh, Tia, you have been clever."

   Luna shook her head. "Do you not see that you have been yourself corrupted? Therefore, we are both doomed!"

   "Ah, but the Sun casts no shadow. It is pure, incorruptible."

   She smiled. "As my Sun sheds its light upon the dark, so must it bear its light to your corrupted Moon."

   "No...." Luna grimaced in heart break. It was happening all over again.

   Luna wondered how it all came to this. It has only been one year after her return to her beloved Equestria. She made new friends and despite how she thought it impossible her subjects even started loving her again.

   She even found a best friend in her Student, Argyle, a legendary and rather odd creature, a Human. Now, an all to familiar shadow is being cast and her world was about to end again, for a second time.

   "Oh, do not fret little one. You have always been a simple means to an end. Your presence has not brought harm nor ruin to my Empire."

   "Sister...please, don't give in."

   Solar Flare laughed. "Perhaps one time she could have heard you. Sadly, her shattered mind has long since lost any part of what it once was. I am all that remains. Only I can hear your prayers and I am afraid I will not be answering them."

   "Luna, we must escape. She is lost-"

   "I love you, Tia! Fight it, do not let it control you!"

   Solar Flare shook her head. "Futile, foalish, sad, even if she could hear you, you really think she would listen? You were the one who killed her. Why would she hold nothing but contempt for every beat of your black heart?"

   Streams flowing down her cheeks, Luna's eyes flared, dark colored magic welled around her. "Release my sister now, Monster!"

   Solar Flare waved her fore hoof in the air. "Solar Guard, bring me the head of my heretic sister. Cut low, would you kindly? I may yet have use for her."

   "Yes, Empress!"

   Ten guards in black armour with golden trimming poured from the outer edges of the throne room, surrounding Luna, hoof blades poised. Their eyes coloured a slight red with serpentine pupils, this shocked Luna. Celestia's personal guard had started changing like the Lunar guard had with Nightmare Moon.

   Some trotted around her in a circle while the others closed in.

   Luna was powerful, but Nightmare Moon was the warrior. Two Solar guards closed in and swiped. She dodged and cast a spell at one. The guard dodged it with unnatural speed.

   "They are fast and strong. This will not be easy without killing them."

   "No, no killing!" Luna flashed out of the ambush and was set upon by three more out of nowhere.

   Surprised by the sudden attack, Luna barely dodged three fatal blows and sprinted away with three fresh cuts.

   "Well they certainly do not mind killing you."

   Luna cast a fire spell sending a wall of flames just over her height across the room, separating half of the guard's numbers to opposite sides. She turned as three charged her, with two staying behind.

   "Fighting these puppets is pointless. Strike at the heart, Luna!"

   Solar Flare sat relaxed on her throne, obviously enjoying the show.

   Luna gritted her teeth and flashed passed the three guards, then four more guards ambushed her when she emerged. Pushing past each one, she barely avoided fatal blow after blow, each attempt getting harder than the last. Nasty gashes and cuts bled all over her in the process.

   Luna jumped over the last two and took to the air, horn charging. "This is all your fault!"

   "Enough." Solar Flare's eyes flickered, the air around Luna exploded.

   Luna flew back tumbling end over end. She landed rolling and after hitting her head hard on the marble floor, she finally slid to a stop. Blue and black spots cluttered her vision. Her head hurt. She was suddenly tired, so tired.  

   Luna's vision blurred while she rasped to herself, "At least Argyle is safe...."

   She blacked out to nefarious laughter and Nightmare Moon's pleading to get back up.

   Flashing, a fresh breeze chilled my face as I fell onto hard stone. I felt all the stiches in my left arm rip at once. I yelled in shocked anguish, as my arm started bleeding like a stuck pig again.

   My yells and grunts of pain echoed in the distance. Slowly pulling myself up right, I saw many caves dotting a huge white cliff face.

   "Rambling Rock Ridge?" I quickly chose one and limped towards it.

   Once inside, I settled down on the moist rock floor, clenching the deep gash in my left arm while gasping from the pain.

   "Damn it!"

   I grunted through gritting teeth, "You got this Argyle, come on, just like Luna taught you."

   I tried calming myself and my rapid breathing, then painfully put a hand on my arm and focused a healing spell.

   Voices and echoes stirred in my cloudy mind, then came the shame, pain, confusion, anger.

   "We were totally played."

   I sighed.

   "And I couldn't stop it, damn it!"

   I wiped my tears away. "Just, damn it."

   I closed my tired eyes, admonishing myself as my thoughts filled with worry about Luna and how she stood up to her sister. She even fought her guards to protect me.

   She said she was right behind me.

   I ran what happened through my mind, again and again. I had no choice, but it still felt like I abandoned her.

   My left arm throbbed, legs ached, mouth dry as bone. My whole body was a bloody mess.

   I sank into the wall hoping for the spell to take effect. "This has really gotten out of hand."

   A whispering wind gust through the cave.

   "You knew the truth."

   My senses jolted me awake. "What?"

   "You were told. You knew, yet denied."

    "Who's there?!"

    I wondered if the cave was really talking or if I lost my mind. Fear, anger, pain, with the things that happened in that day alone, insanity would hardly be a surprise.

   "You know your truth, but are afraid to give in."

   "Show yourself!" I swiped my eyes side to side. To no avail I tried seeing just what was talking.

   "Truth breaks men, shatters nations, is the essence of madness."

   I had heard those whispers from somewhere before, but I drew blanks on where.

   "Who are you?"

   Faint laughter echoed close, almost as if it was right next to me, but nothing was there.

   "Who are you?"

   It did not seem hostile whatever it was. It finally donned on me. I remembered the whispers. "I asked first, just like last time."

   "Would you like to know?"

   "Know what?"

   The cave was silent. I sat there glowing hand over my bleeding arm, listening for — whatever it was — to say something.

   Its consistently vague nature was wearing on my nerves. "Look, you've been pestering me for weeks. What do you want?"

   The gust came again and with it a cold chill. My eyes widened. I knew that stabbing cold.

   A dark shadow cast over my left side out of nowhere. Before I could react, it put its ice cold hand over my eyes. I suddenly needed so desperately to sleep.

   As darkness took my vision and my senses, a whisper echoed in my ears. "Truth."

   Excited. I rarely ever got to stay home alone. My parents were pretty protective at times. They even had a hard time leaving for the store without my little sister and me. That day I had house all to myself, not only for the first time ever, but for a full week. Excited.

   Sometimes, I played my favorite board game Risk. Since I did not have many friends, I played against myself.

   I found it strangely comforting, like I was always finding new ways to best myself. Every turn was a new experience, a new challenge.

   Even as a kid I considered it fun. Consequently, my family always teased me saying it was weird, a strange way to pass the time. It never bothered me. I took the words weird, or strange, as complements.

   After subjugating continents and the resulting world domination, I heard something strange upstairs. I payed little attention to the noise after I grabbed my white IPod and scrolled through songs, then I decided to clean up the board game and make myself something to eat.

   My IPod was pretty much a musical library, years worth of song collecting.

   After putting away the board game and after finishing my Chop Suey, I went to the kitchen and was going to make some stir fry, when I heard quick little thumps above then a soft chuckle of a child.

   The thumps sounded like my little sister playing around in her room, when you heard her little feet battering on the floor.

   I thought about grabbing a knife and investigating, yet, I desided against the knife.

   No, if I need a deadly weapon, I'll just get my pistol.

   I made my way up the stairs. The noises sounding on and off, but grew louder with each step up.

   At the last step up, I faced the upstairs hallway. The noise stopped. I investigated every room, but found nothing amiss.

   I frowned. "Just what the hell is-"

   "This way."

   Feeling cold breath patter on my neck, I spun around thinking my sister had stayed behind to prank me, but I only faced an empty hallway.

   I had watched ghost hunters before and always thought they were scam artists, but that sent a soul freezing chill down my spine.

  "Over here."

   I turned left. It was coming from the stairs. "Sis? Did you stay behind again you little ninja you?"

   I smiled walking after it and turned the corner to face the stairwell, expecting my little sister.

    I saw instead a strange girl standing on the very top stair facing me.

   She was covered from head to toe in blots of dirty black and red stains. Her torn dirty dress was covered in a dull crimson and filth black in splotches. Her hair's natural dark colour was staind a blood red and the ends were matted in dirt and a reddish paste.

   "Hello, um, Miss?"

   She remained still and silent as the dead.

   "Are you hurt? Do you need help?" Still, she gave no answer.

   I took a step forward, curiosity fueling my drive.

   She remained still and ever silent. I had to at least know her name. "What's your name?"

   I had finished my second step towards her and knelt down to her level.

   She tilted her head.

   "That is not important."

   Something about that little girl's voice was odd. "I expected you to be far more...imposing."

   She raised her head exposing those unnatural eyes. The pupils were the normal black, yet the irises glowed a crimson red.

   Those eyes surprised me. "Your eyes, how-"

   "Yes, yes, they glow, I am aware. Now you're coming with me. I am to take you home." She lifted her dirty little hand palm up at me.

   I eyed it with my eye brow up. Smiling, I was humored by the cheeky little one before me.

   "Listen, your parents must be very worried about you."

   I got up. "Tell me your name and I'll call them."

   The girl sighed. "This world's misery has put me in a very good mood. Please do not spoil it for me."

   That sounded strange coming from a little girl. "World's misery?"

   Thinking perhaps calling the police a better choice, I turned and walked to get my cell phone charging in my room. Once I turned the corner, the little girl stood just by my door with a not so happy look.

   "How-how did?" I pointed back to where she stood confused and a little freaked.

   "See here, I asked nicely. I have to return with you alive. However, no physical condition was preferred."

   I realized that was no normal girl, if it was really a girl at all.

   The girl smiled and raised her hand again. "Run again and I will break both your legs and arms. Like I said, I am in a good mood. Wither you are complying or screaming, I will enjoy every moment."

   "Alright, I just need to get something. Hold on." I grabbed the door knob then slowly entered my room, while shutting and slowly locking it behind me.

   I heard a knock on the door. "Truly? You think wood and cast brass can stop me?"

    "Where's my Tokarev and phone?"

   I searched for what I thought were going to be my two saving graces.

   "There's my pistol."

   I darted over to my bed's left side to grab it.

   "Now, where's-"

   I froze when I smelled something smoky. Smoke started bellowing through the top and side gaps in my door.

   "Smoke, but that's not right."  

   I started coughing.

   "Holy hell, fire!"

   It was suddenly harder to breathe. "But, how? She's just a girl."

   Force with a wave of blistering heat swirling behind it blew open my door. The typhoon of flames began consuming my outer bed room, while the girl crept along towards me at a sloths pace.

   "Still think I am but a girl?"

    I Gasped at the sight and ran for my room window.

   "Hopefulness is it? Good, that is a useful talent." She grinned viciously.

   I desperately tried to unlock the window's latch.

   "Why must you hold to such trifles? You cannot escape. I suppose it a mortal thing. Then that insinuates the ponies will trifle as well."

   She shrugged her arms.

   "I digress, it is all in vain anyway."

   She flicked her wrist and the inferno raised in response, consuming nearly my whole room.

   It flooded around her and myself blocking the window and my hopes for escape. "For all will ash and sunder!"

   My heart was pounding in my throat, instincts taking over. I was not ready to face death head on.

   "Stay back!"

   I leveled my pistol at her. "I will shoot!"

   It looked at me unimpressed. "Argyle, I am disappointed in you."

   How she knew my name was the last shove. The situation was officially FUBAR.

  With the inferno raging in from all angles, she surged forward at me with a blank expression. "Argyle Orion, It is time to welcome you back home."

   As I pulled on the trigger while screaming, the world stopped like god hit the pause button.

   Before the girl and the inferno heartbeats away could consume me, the world went dark. I sank into it knowingly, yet forgeting time. I felt like a viscus liquid stretching through a sieve. I was flying without moving, yet I covered more distance it seemed then logicly, or humanly, possible.

   I saw a light drawing me in, it was so warm and so...beautiful.