darkSpyro

"Smart decision." Arlon said shortly, before stopping. "Ideas, I swear to the gods if you-"

He didn't get to finish his sentence, as he appeared to be punched in the head by something unseen. Reeling, Arlon growled something unintelligible, flames curling around his muzzle as he staggered forwards.

"You idiot! Do you want us killed, you selfish brat?"

Fallen Star hears this and gathers the two within the shield as well. My eyes glint in the light, before I vanish and the other original me, Prince Astrello, collapses at their hooves. Cold sweat covers my entire body. Shadows surround me and among the shadows, stands Fallen Star. I gently pick, me, the little prince, up and lay me across my back. Turning to the others, I feel their discomfort. Conjuring separate shields around them, I remain within my own. Seeing something out of the corner of my eye, I lay the other me, Prince Astrello, beside them and move to shield him and the rest of you from harm. Lighting arks from my horn and blasts apart another window shattering more glass.

"Stay behind me, something is not right. I may be strong, but the other me, the little prince, Astrello, is not. We know not what awaits us beyond this threshold, but together, we can overcome it. However, we will need all of us, including my original self, Prince Astrello. I...I pause as the other me, begins to stir. Little prince, how are you feeling," I ask, gently stroking the original me with a hoof.

"I'm alright, just a little...Whoa, maybe I'm not alright. I feel so weak," I say, as the other me, Fallen Star helps me up.

"Well, we must find a safe place to rest, then we will gather our strength, until we are all ready, Fallen Star says, to me and the others. First we must find a good and secure place to do so."

This time, Arlon's reaction was near instantaneous, utilising Protocol's rune to shatter the shield with a burst of silver magic even as he still clutched his head in his hooves.

Wincing a little as the not-magic passed through his broken horn, taking with it the slightest sliver of his sanity, he straightened, forcing Ideas back with an angry hush.

"I may have lost Protocol," he snarled, though he still didn't turn back, "but I am still its god! Do not force my hand, runt," Arlon turned his head slightly, showing one of his silver eyes, "or you might just find yourself without your precious abilities, won't you? You want to fight me? I'd be happy to level the playing field."

"Don't try me, stranger. You have yet to see my full power and if you threaten me enough, my original self, Prince Astrello, shall fight you as well. Two alicorns against one is not at all in your favor. Even if he does not fight with me, no one has power over the shadows like I do. Your anger only makes me stronger, fool. Fighting me would be your downfall. To be truthful, quite frankly I really don't care what you want, my original self, my little prince, Astrello and his friends are all that matter. You and I will fight when the others are safe if you wish, but not before," my other self, Fallen Star says and without a second glance he creates a new shield and starts walking off.

Again, the shield cracked, and again, another tiny scrap of his sanity was lost to the aether. In the long term, Arlon considered the detriments to himself, before deciding that he could easily regain what he lost later on. Sanity was less important than his vitality, and even the memories he had come to hate.

"Anger? Perhaps, perhaps not. And what is a mere shadow when the very laws of reality were once mine to play with as I pleased?" Arlon paused, before letting out a long bark of laughter, continuing coldly. "Look. I don't care. Leave the others alone."

Muttering to himself, he added, "how did I end up as the reasonable one?"

--

In another place, the amorphous cloud of silver magic glanced back, its surface darkening. Its pursuers were close; it could feel them, lurking in the shadows, trying to keep it down. No. It couldn't allow it. It needed to find its other half. The hunger yearned inside of it; dark thoughts of conquest, which it couldn't have known was from centuries past.

The worlds must be ordered. They must be perfect. It couldn't allow anything less. It needed the power to restore balance.

"Protocol, stop." Science stepped out from between the trees, her snowy white wings outstretched as she approached it. "I'm trying to help!"

"Help?" Protocol's voice came out as a wintery wail, the shade shifting. "No... You can't be. I must restore order. I must make things perfect once more! I must restore order..."

And with that, the shade of Protocol cast itself into Tartarus, magic glinting behind it as it forced Niomedes back.

The shields around the others disappear, the other me, Fallen Star repairs my shield before continuing on. I don't care what Arlon is saying, or what he wants, all I care about is the original me, my little prince, Astrello and his friends. Currently this stranger is not any friend of mine, as he struck my original self, Astrello. Still all that matters is the safety of original me, Prince Astrello, as well as the others. This stranger can go jump in a deep lake for all I care. The original me, shakes my head at all of this. No one is going to hurt either of us, for we will protect one another.

Arlon took a deep breath, flicking his tail.

"Thousands of years old, and I'm acting like a teenager," he growled to himself. "Calm down, Announcer. Calm down. We can fix this."

"Fallen Star, I think we should give them time before I introduce you. Currently I am the only part of me that they know. When they are ready you can come out again and meet them, alright," the original me, Prince Astrello says to the other me, Fallen Star.

I, Fallen Star, nod and slowly vanish into the shadows surrounding me. There is so much that they don't know about me, but that is for another time. Right now, we have a quest that we are on and we will free Equestria. Standing before them again is my original self, the gentle prince, Astrello.

"Sorry if Fallen Star scared you all. He is terribly protective. He was all I had for a long time," I say, quietly before moving forward without another world.

'He's normal again.' Ideas still seemed troubled, pacing back and forth.

Define normal, Arlon replied stiffly, thinking private thoughts of wringing both alicorns' necks that he was stuck with. Maybe Ideas knew what he was thinking, seeing as he had punched the other mind? He was correct in believing that there would be retribution eventually.

Of the other, he didn't quite know how to describe Astrello, or the split-personality he'd named 'Fallen Star'.

'Well- um, less, uh, ax-crazy than before.'

"That was an intriguing experience I'd love to revisit again." Arlon said coldly, inclining his head. "Are we done with this little escapade?"

Arlon took a step back, his eyes narrowing slightly. Magic crackled around his antlers and broken horn, his wing stumps twitching, but otherwise he didn't attack. Watching Supercell fall, his draconic silver eyes met the mist's yellow.

'"Nightmares?"' Ideas faltered. 'Oh no. No, no no no...'

I appreciate the input, Arlon replied forcefully, really, I do. But if you don't shut up, now, that abomination won't be the only one you'll have to deal with.

To his relief, the fragment of his little brother's consciousness stayed quiet. Debating what to do that didn't involve his immediate departure, the Announcer opened his mouth.

"I suppose an introduction is in order, is it not?" Arlon's ear twitched, though his voice was calm. "It's against social ettiquette to conduct in such affairs as this, without a proper greeting and a 'hello'. Are we not civilised individuals, at the very least?"

'What are you doing?'

Stalling.

Arlon continued as if the mist hadn't spoken, though an arc of lightning lanced from his antlers, fending the arms back.

"'Defeat?' How presumptuous." Arlon cocked his head, one of his brows raised, a slight smirk alighting his figures. "I suppose I'll begin, then? Very well. My name is Arlon Invictus, the alicorn of Protocol, regent of Equestria, son of Music, et cetera, et cetera. Have you heard of me? My sister used to visit Celestia often. Then again, I'm not sure how much you know.

Pausing for a moment, taking a deep breath, "Nightmare Moon? I'm curious to know if you're the cause, or the by-product. You could consider me an equivalent, actually."

Starlight, so bright and brilliant that I seem invisible blankets my entire being. I lower my head and beams of the light spear through the mist. I am not afraid, well not really, but I remain strong for all that are with me, striding toward the great mist, with determination and resolve. As I see it effecting the others, it only strengthens my resolve. Every now and then a cascade of the starlight, streams forth from me, smashing hard into the mist.

Arlon chuckled.

"An effective strategy, and you can thank me for destroying the castle. My old apprentice thought it would do to force my people to abide by Order if he destroyed the Crystal Empire. Either way, that doesn't answer my question."

"Following my sister's ideals of curiosity, and nothing more." Arlon shrugged. "I have never known of a nightmare that lingered after its redemption. Though..."

Arlon looked away for a moment, his expression creased.

"Where did you come from, Ideas? Was it when the Elements split us apart? Or just a result if my relative instability that I believe you to just be a mere product of my intellect that took mind of its own?"

'I- I guess? What kind of question is that? We need to get out of here!'

"Does Wheatley have a part of me still- hm, I wonder."

Seeing Supercell thrashing about, or rather crying out in hersleep, I dive into the deep mist driving away all around me until I reach her. I trot over to her and pick her up before leaping out of the mist and laying her down beside me. I stand guard over her, not allowing the mist to approach her, as I continue to fight it.

Arlon staggered back, a half-completed yell forcing itself from his throat.

He saw a great, glittering mass of bronze and gold, fury-filled eyes the same colour as Niomedes' staring him down, as smoke unfurled from those vast jaws. A mistake had been made. One venture into mind control magic had gone horribly, horribly wrong.

His little sister, his little Niomedes, was crying, clutching her bleeding wing, hurt by the magical fallout caused by his idiotic mistake.

"Dad!" His own wings quivered as he backed away from Cave Invictus, king of the dragons, and father of Hyperborea's then-two kirin alicorns. "I didn't mean to! I'm sorry!

'Fight it!' Ideas' voice seemed distant. 'It's not real! Fight it!'

Arlon's eyes were fixed shut, though he was still standing, magic flickering along his antlers as an ancient pain seemed to echo along his forehead and withers, the old kirin quivering.

As a half-conscious effort, Arlon shot a stream of silvery flames at his adversary.

Dreams, or memories?

Pain. So much pain. Screaming, both his and his sisters.

"Nio... don't look, don't look..." How had he managed to bring up the words, when he couldn't remember anything else except the unrelenting pain.

Cave was yelling something; he couldn't tell what. Something red splattered the ground. He could still see Cave's teeth; tearing, biting, cruel. His wings, his wings that he'd known for the last sixty-odd years of his childhood, those dark feathers with the silver scales, on the ground, bloodied and near-unrecognisable.

Why were they on the ground?

He barely had time to react. He couldn't think straight. He staggered to his little hooves, and tried to run. Anything to get away. Anywhere. To find mother. To leave. Anything.

All he saw was one of those massive, hateful paws sweeping in for the hit.

-

It still hurt. Thousands of years later, it still hurt.

"I'm fine," Arlon hissed, cracking open his eyes. He swept away a few tears, staring back at the mist with a snarl. Straightening, he continued, "I'm fantastic. But you know what? Now, I'm angry."

Seeing Southern Star in danger, I quickly charge in, grabbing her gently by the hoof and leading her out of the mist. Returning to Supercell with Southern Star, I stand guard protecting both of them. I affectionately stroke Southern Star with a hoof to cam her and reassure her.

Arlon's expression twitched. "I believe the antithesis to the dark, the night, moon, whatever, is fire. Heat." he cocked his head, his draconian tail pushing Starsong back. "I've considered my chances. I quite like the odds, actually."

He paused for a moment, his dark mane flicking as he tapped a hoof to his chin in mock consideration. "I am Protocol itself, no? Every little rule, process, order and balance itself, is mine to call upon its power, as is my right. What is a mere fragment of a goddess' grief and anger to me?"

And with that, he attacked, flames curling around his muzzle as he lunged.

I glow brilliantly as I wage war with the mist. I will not allow it to touch, let alone reach my friends. My eyes glisten as the night sky in the light.

Arlon was caught unawares by the creature descending into the mist and rising up again, though he quickly recovered with a roll. The stubs of his wings twitching, as to dislodge the embers that clung to his non-existent feathers.

Seeing parts of the mist evaporate as his flames hit, Arlon smiled, his pointed teeth glinting as he shot forward once again, sparks flying around his antlers as he called upon the magic that once belonged to Twilight's castle.

Arlon frowned, having come to a similar conclusion.

But- wasn't it- how is the nightmare solid? Is there something in there? Arlon didn't have time to reflect more on his thoughts as the mist creature charged into him, knocking him back into the broken wall Starsong was hiding behind.

Coughing from the dust brought up on impact, Arlon winced in pain. A long cut stretched its way from his left shoulder down to his elbow, oozing silver blood, his arm having caught on some debris as he was knocked back.

Casting a strong protective light spell around the others, I rush over to Arlon. Seeing his wounds, my horn glows brilliantly as I heal him. Creating a wall of light around us as I work, I have a limited time to get him ready so the two of us can drive this mist away from here. Once that is done, we can rest and figure out where to go from there. Suddenly a glowing violet letter appears between myself and Arlon. I am far too focused on healing to notice it, but anyone that knows my closest friends, knows this is Midnight's magic.

Arlon watched the mist depart with a glare full of loathing, his tail flicking errantly as he turned his gaze to Astrello.

"Maybe you know this, maybe you don't." Arlon hissed, slowly climbing to his hooves. "I have lead armies. Not recently, no, some nineteen hundred years ago, but the important thing is that I have."

Checking the healed wound, he shook his head, choosing to ignore the blood that still clung to his coat.

"That was moronic, to get in the way like that. Between two giants? I have no doubt you're powerful, and... noble, but intelligence needs to step in every once and a while!" His draconic pupils were slitted in anger, before the alicorn closed his eyes with a heavy sigh. When he opened them, they were normal-sized again. Tossing back his mane, he turned his attention to the others. "But whatever, what's done is done. What's wrong with the grey pegasus?"

Arlon frowned. "Be thankful that the nightmares were only that; nightmares. Not real. Imaginary."

He turned around, heading for the bit of framing he had cut himself on. The edge shimmered a pale silver, glinting in the light.

"Can't leave that there, now can we?" he muttered to himself, summoning a handkerchief. Spitting into it, he set to work cleaning the metal. Returning his attention to the ponies, he added, "Anyway, we shouldn't tarry. It'll probably come back."

As soon as I am sure that Arlon is tended to I nod and my horn stops glowing. I lower the barrier and return to Supercell and Southern Star as well as the others with Arlon. The mist seems to have retreated for now, but I remain wary and alert. I watch over the others in silence, every now and then looking up at the sky, with tears in my eyes.

"It came from inside the castle," Arlon called back, eyes scrutinising the jagged metal to see if any blood remained, before turning his attention to any droplets that may have been on the ground. "Obviously, for those that would've come snooping. There'll be nothing worthwhile in there. Just a waste of time."

Ideas lingered tentatively. It didn't speak; Arlon didn't expect it to, after having used the stolen magic of Twilight's Castle to quite literally punch him in the head from the inside, but the fallen alicorn knew that his unwanted tenant was itching to say something.

Before he could form a snippy response to get Ideas to spit out whatever was on its mind, a tiny letter sparked into existance in front of him, a golden flame curling into nothing.

It was unsigned, unsealed, and the writing rushed, but he knew Niomedes' writing well enough to know that it belonged to her.

-

The shade reached Tartarus - I didn't know that it even could, being bereft of a body, but it did. It's coming.

I'm sorry. I'm doing everything I can.

I'm sorry.

Arlon's mane flickered slightly more than usual, a faint heat emanating from the black hair. Protocol escaping into Tartarus could go either way, he reasoned. Maybe it would be easier if his domain came to him, rather than the other way round.

Hearing Flash Photography's suggestion, he suppressed a snarky response, taking a deep breath to cool off his anger.

Either way, Arlon thought bitterly, Father will be visiting me in my dreams tonight regardless if it's brought on by nightmares incarnate.

"Find somewhere to hide, first." he stated, incinerating the letter. There was no need to reply. "I can keep watch. I don't really want to sleep."

A glowing violet scroll appears before me and I grab it. Opening it up I holding it up with magic, I read quietly to myself as we make our way toward Southern Star's abode. The letter is written in code as to prevent the enemy, the mist from deciphering it.

"No, I am far from alright," Arlon laughed, beginning to follow with a sweep of his tail, "and it seems that all of it is beyond my control. But let's not have that bring us down, shall we?"

Taking a bitter cast, he added in an undertone, "Ask a mare far more powerful than I'll ever be to do one thing... Gods, I hope it isn't going to be violent."

Arlon wandered about the library, frowning. It seemed eerily familiar, bar the mess and the improvised bed, but it was unmistakably his Twilight's. The same little details, the same ordering of the books on the shelves, both young alicorns had clearly followed the same vein.

I miss her, he found himself thinking, his ears flattening, plucking a random book from the shelf and flipping through the pages. Even though she tore me out of you with the Elements... I miss her.

'Not ours, though.' Ideas replied quietly. 'Not mine.'

It doesn't matter. It wouldn't feel right if I didn't do something to help... Groaning, Arlon put the book back where he found it. Swearing under his breath, he added, Damnit, I think Juliet really got through to me with her morality rants. Look how far I've fallen, to want to save the life of the one who stopped me from taking over Equestria again!