Lightning only laid in bed, he kept staring at the stars, he felt odd. Like he never existed until now. He looked around the room, there was nothing special about it. He noticed a couple books open, they were about Equestrian history.

"...no one's gonna notice I was up..." he snuck over to the books and began reading, it was hard for him to see. He noticed a burnt out candle, and relit it, then he began reading, for a while, his expressions kept changing, from happy, to sad, to angry, and even confused. He had read how war had always been a part of Equestria's history, but it was mostly peaceful nowadays.

Lightning stumbled onto a page about Stardust, for some reason, her name and picture seemed extremely familiar to him. He read each word with intense focus. He discovered that she was an Oracle. One that had fallen for a honorable knight, but his name wasn't mentioned. She had done a pilgrimage at the impressive age of 9, she blessed every city and town in Equestria with song and prayers. And when she became 16 years old, she was to lead a church, but her untimely death led to its closure.

"Stardust... why do you seem so familiar? I don't..." Lightning felt a pain in his head, for a second, he saw Hawk crushed by the house that a family was in, he shook his head and gasped.

"What was that...? Who was that... he seemed familiar too." Lightning decided to step outside and get some air. He sat at the porch and looked at the world below, he was in awe.

He could hear faint arguing.

"Mother?! What in all the world made you do something so foolish?!" Celestia snapped at Luna.

"Simply going up to him and saying "you're my pupil" wasn't enough! He wouldn't change if I... I had to. Whether you trust me or not, I made the decision, and that's all."

The room went silent.

"I hope it goes how you want... I want nothing to do with this." Celestia sternly warned. She stormed off to her room, leaving her sister alone.

Luna went outside and shook her head. She noticed Lightning up below. He was staring at the world, how pretty it looked at night.

"Did I make the right choice...?"

For a while, Lightning just watched the world, but he began getting tired and started heading inside.

"Hello...?" A faint voice said.

"Huh?" Lightning spun around and looked. He didn't see anyone around, Luna kept watching, curious as to what the voice was.

A glowing orb flew in front of Lightning and stayed in place, in front of him.

"Wow... what are you?" Lightning asked, trying to touch the orb.

"I am a friend, Lightning, and I need your help." The orb flew around him.

"Me? What can... I do? I... don't recall anything." This was true, he was surprised he could remember to breathe. The orb went into his heart and he waited. Luna watched, wondering what was happening. Suddenly, Lightning only looked up and froze, he could remember names, part of his childhood, everything except that night. He remembered fighting trees with a stick when he was younger.

"I've done you a favor, young one. Now will you help me?" The orb flew out of his forehead and he looked down, eyes closed. He felt stress simply melt away, his memories were back, but something wasn't right. He felt like he was missing something.

"Back away from him!" Luna flew down between them. Her wings spread.

"Mom... I..." he started.

"...I see... Luna, I need his help tomorrow. He is to visit a resident here in Canterlot, it's not too far away, you'll be able to watch, so there won't be a need to worry." The orb only levitated in place. Luna only looked at it.

"If it's a trap and you hurt him... I'll-"

"Relax, princess. He won't get hurt." But Luna wasnt going to be able to. It was odd, she felt such a strong need to protect Lightning. Why?

"Don't I get a say? I'm the one being asked..." Lightning tried pointing out.

"Of course... I apologize." Luna said, standing aside.

"Miss... um... orb? Who am I seeing and why?" Lightning asked, his eyebrow raised. He wanted to know more.

"I... oh, how do I explain this? I don't know who it is, but all I know is I'm supposed to ask for your aid, Lightning. I know I want to know who I was, and you're my only hope of ever finding out. Please, won't you help me? I'll keep you safe. I promise."

Lightning looked at the stars in thought, Luna and the orb watching him, wondering what he'd decide on.

But in his head, Lightning heard a voice.

"Do it. Your curiosity is peaked, no? Don't be a fool. Accept it."

What and who was that? Lightning felt concerned.

"Alright. I'll help. I'll meet this pony tomorrow. But remember, you promised my mother. You would keep an eye on me." The orb agreed and followed him inside.

"Just be careful, Lightning, we don't know what's going on here." Luna again mentioned with worry.

Lightning went to Luna and hugged her.

"It's ok, mom... I'll be fine..."

She could feel a mix of emotions. At one point, this was a horrible monster wanting to destroy the world, but what she was hugging was a child that she wanted nothing more than to protect at all costs.

"Of course, good luck." She left the room before she tried to beg any further.

Lightning noticed a light on the ground. He looked and saw that the sun was starting to rise.

"In a couple hours, Lightning. Be prepared and wait for me outside. I have a couple things to go handle." Without another word, the orb vanished.

Lightning looked at the sunrise and felt strange.

As if something like this was his destiny.

A couple hours later...

Lightning sat outside waiting, while he was, he stared at the scenery, the world truly was beautiful. How come he didn't remember anything? Everything felt so foreign.

Suddenly, he gasped and jerked his head up, he felt a horrible pain in his head.

"Hear me, weak one, ignore that pathetic glow stick and aid ME. Do so and you'll remember everything you wish to. Don't... hmph. Don't if you wish, but when I return, your death will be first. This, I swear."

Lightning opened his eyes and wiped the tears away, the pain gone, but he began to get nervous, what was that? And why did it threaten him?

"I'm here, Lightning! Sorry for taking so- hey... are you... crying?"

Lightning wiped the tears away and shook his head.

"Sorry... something in my eye..." he didn't want to lie, but who'd believe him?

"It's alright... you sure you want to go?" She thought how unfair she was, and wouldn't hate him.

"I want to help. Lead the way."

"Heh heh... lets see how this plays out..." the voice again said.

What Lightning didn't realize is that it was the monster deep inside his heart. The same one that killed the 5 a long time ago.

The whole walk was silent. Lightning followed the orb with his head hanging. He felt torn. Listen to the orb or the voice inside? He was afraid of the pain that could be afflicted by either.

At last, they reached their destination, it was an average home, but with marks along the walls, made by a sword. Then some destroyed training dummies. Lightning felt like someone who knew how to fight lived here. He gulped and looked at the orb.

"Go ahead... knock. I'm with you."

He gulped one more time and knocked at the door.

It felt like he was waiting forever for an answer, until finally, the door opened and a familiar pony stood at the doorway.

"Oh goody. Another kid here to prank me? Atleast YOU have the balls to stay and own up to it. Go ahead and come trash the rest of my crap, I don't care." He went and sat in a chair.

"Wait wait... I'm not here to destroy your stuff... I didn't even do anything!" Lightning said, defending himself.

It got quiet. So quiet, Lightning felt like bolting.

"...come over here to the light, boy. Let me see something."

Lightning looked at the orb.

"It's ok... go on."

Lightning stood in the light as instructed. The stallion slowly circled him, constantly "hmm" -ing.

"Son of a... it is you... never did I think I'd see your demonic little ass again. What, wanted to kill me too?"

Lightning began backing up, but cornered himself.

"Take a chill, kid. I see Celestia meant it when she said she'd help you... do you remember anything from that night?"

Lightning looked down and shook his head.

"I don't know what you're talking about..." he looked around and grabbed a sword. Fear in his heart.

"Put that down, kid. I can see you aren't the same little beast... but I sense something familiar about you..."

Lightning dropped the sword. He watched Silas go to a chair and sit.

"How long have I missed my friends because of you? You may be different now, but I'll never forget what you did..."

Lightning watched him drink some kind of alcohol.

"I keep hoping this stuff might kill me someday." The tired stallion said.

Suddenly, it clicked, Lightning saw the faces of his friends and remembered their names.

"...Stardust..."

In an instant, Silas pinned Lightning to the ground, a blade at his neck.

"DONT YOU MUTTER THAT NAME!"

The room went quiet fast. Silas stared at the horrified young stallion, but saw a chance for revenge.

"Why shouldn't I kill you, huh? Why shouldn't I give you the same treatment you gave my best friends?"

The orb flew over and hit Silas in the head.

"Silas! Stop this right now!"

Silas slowly looked up, he dropped the knife, the flat part landed on Lightning's neck and he shook it off.

"I know that voice... Star? Is... that you?" Silas felt tears go down his cheeks.

"It is, Silas. I finally remember... I don't have time to watch this. I have two days before my spirit disappears. I know how to bring everyone back, but I need your help and Lightning's. Please... if you care, help me. Us."

Silas looked down with his eyes closed. How he had missed hearing her voice.

He got off of Lightning and nodded.

"Whatever you want, Stardust. I miss you guys horribly."

Lightning got up and kept a distance.

"But do we really need the child that did you guys in?" Silas asked, destroying all the alcohol he had. Relieved that there's a chance for his friends to return at last.

"We do, Silas. I'm sorry you don't like it, but I absolutely need his help. I only hope I can count on yours. You've always been there for me. For us."

Silas nodded and closed his eyes and kept silent for a moment, before looking at Lightning.

"You may not be the same monster, but I'm watching you, any funny business..." he warned and began grabbing his things.

"Lightning, we have to go to the castle of Luna and Celestia, the old one. Can you help us get there?" Lightning looked down. How could he possibly know? He had never been there, and yet, he knew exactly where to look.

"I can. I'll help you. But how do we save your friends?"

Stardust kept silent for a moment. What she was about to say went against everything she stood for.

"We use Black magic, it's incredibly risky."

Silas walked over, a creeped out look on his face.

"Star, Black magic? You became an oracle to ban that sort of thing! And now you wish to use it? It means our friends come become the living undead if it goes wrong!"

"I know that, Silas! But what choice do we have? I have seen how things are before I came here, my mother is a hermit. She never speaks anymore, and my father died. I want to come back! I'm scared to pass, Silas..."

The orb began to slowly float away.

"I'm scared... there are so many things I can do... how can I if I'm in heaven? I don't care if things are bad on this world, I want to live!"

Silas only stared at her and chuckled. She only wanted to live the life taken from her.

"I'll help you, Stardust!" Lightning hopped with a smile.

"I guess we can try..." Silas said. Something was bothering him.

A while later, the 3 were traveling, Silas lagged behind, he kept watching the ground.

"Lightning? Can I tell you a secret?" Stardust went over to the young stallion.

"Sure, what is it?" Lightning kept walking, watching her float around.

"I know Silas is down... before I died. Me and him were caught by Mac. Silas confessed his love for me. I didn't forget. I just knew Mac had a horrible attitude and stayed with him. I don't know why. I have to ask a horrible favor. Help me..."

It got quiet for a moment.

"...help me keep Mac away. I... love Silas too. He's done so much for me. I've watched him suffer for years, no more. Never again."

The young stallion had an eyebrow raised and his head tilted. How was he gonna do that?

"You guys ok? What's with the mumbling?" Silas asked.

"Nothing, Silas. I'm just glad there's a chance to see you all again. It really makes me happy." She said, flying around him.

An hour later, they reached the old castle. The doors were sealed shut.

"How do we get inside?" Silas wondered.

"...!" Suddenly, Lightning had trouble standing and his vision blurry, he could hear the little monster's voice.

"Yes... with her help, I'll hitch a ride and destroy them all... I will lend you my power. Betray me and I'll kill you."

Lightning shook his head and looked at the lock. The directions in his head were clear. He raised a hoof at the lock, and with a thought, electricity shot and destroyed the lock.

"In, you. I'm so close to freedom."

Lightning had no choice to listen for now.

"Ok, boys, follow me!"

While walking, Lightning replayed everything up to this point to help understand. (The readers too.)

He had finally regained his memory and knew he had caused many deaths long ago. Knowing he was responsible, he decided to make amends. But somehow, the demon inside had awoken and forced Lightning on and off to help him return or his life was forfeit. Silas had a nasty meeting with Lightning and almost killed him, but with powerful magic, a spiritual form of Stardust came and helped. She told the two that with the power of Black Magic, her and her friends could live again, but the catch is that they could be undead. It was a 50/50 chance. And lastly, Stardust remembered how horrible being with Mac was, she asked for Lightning's help in keeping him away from her, as she loved Silas.

Lightning opened his eyes and looked up. Stardust was skimming through book spines, reading the titles. Silas was helping her.

"When they find it, take over and bring me back."

"I won't." Suddenly, Lightning felt a horrible pain that drove him to the ground.

"You better, or that's the last feeling you'll remember.

A few minutes passed, then, a couple of hours.

"I found it!" Stardust pointed out.

"I'll help ya, Star." Silas went over to her and got the book out. It at all, didn't look friendly.

"Now we flip through the pages. The page is in here somewhere."

Lightning nervously watched, when Star found the page, she took a breath.

"Now! Do it now!" The demon screeched.

"I said I won't. Didn't you hear me?" Suddenly, the pain came rushing back, but Lightning stood tall. The other two were focused on the spell, but he was having a battle with his inner demon.

"You... dare r-resist me?!" He made the pain to an unbearable level, but Lightning had an idea. He gave in and passed out. He used a trick that allowed him to enter his own mind. He saw the dark little monster.

It was dead quiet inside.

"This is even better. If I kill you here, I can take over."

Lightning felt something awaken inside. Pure bravery.

"See, there's your problem. "If". Can you do it? We're the same. Your power can't kill me." Lightning said, a confident smirk on his face.

"I may be young, small, even. But with the power of hatred and sorrow, I can end you. I will love up to my father's expectations... where you have failed miserably."

The demon shot a bolt of electricity at Lightning but the stallion jumped out of the way. Thanks to said monster, he created a shield out of electricity for himself.

"You're pathetic, you need a fake mother to fill that empty hole in your head? In your heart? Is that what you want? To be told what to do? Freedom is all that matters!"

Lightning kept dodging the shots and flew over him, he got close enough to slap him with the shield.

"YOU are the pathetic one! Luna isn't my mother, you're right. But she cares like one. So until a day comes where I'm no longer loved or needed, I'll never abandon her! Love and hope are what keeps a family together! She's not blood related, but we care for each other!"

The Demon realized that shooting at him wouldn't work, and conjured a sword. He charged at Lightning and swung, but the stallion was quick and flipped over him, he quickly threw his shield and knocked the little monster down.

"Our father is a brilliant King! King Sombra! Did you forget he kept you and cared?" The demon once again tried stabbing Lightning but missed.

"Of course not. But I'll never forget all the times I've been a called a mistake and disappointment either. Sombra maybe my father, I may be his son, but we aren't related in anyway. I'll fight for this world, the world I love! You, abomination, won't get to see the end of this day!"

Both of them had blades out and emerged, they had taken a few hits from each other, after a while, they stood glaring, panting and unable to fight.

"Sombra will kill you all... and I hope he makes you suffer."

Lightning walked over to the young pony and stared at him.

"Show me how dark your heart is, Lightning... go ahead and end me."

Lightning tossed his sword aside and shook his head.

"I won't. You lost. Now, you're gonna work with me. Killing isn't the answer...

The young pony only shook his head. Was he wrong the whole time?

"Y...you're right, Lightning. How could father be so ignorant? I surrender to you."

Lightning hugged the young pony, and slowly, he began breaking apart by glowing particles, his eyes closed and a tear down his cheek.

"Keep doing good, I will be watching." The young pony said before vanishing entirely.

Alone, Lightning felt lost. The darkness in his body was overcome with passion and feeling. He was truly normal. He could see that horrible night in his head. And closed his eyes.

"I will... I'm sorry."

Meanwhile, outside of his mind..

Silas shook Lightning and ran out of the room, the spell went horribly wrong.

"Lightning! We need help! Now!"

So very wrong.

Author Note: that's the end for this chapter, I admit, even I got confused by it, but tried to do better. Sorry if it doesn't look like it. The next chapter is the last one. If anyone has been reading, I hope you've been enjoying so far, if not, I'm sorry. I'll do better in the future.

I'll see you all next time.