A look back at our past can help us remember what made us who we are today…

Chapter 28: Past

(P.O.V. Soler)

Soler sat there, watching Luna sleep peacefully, as he had done for the past two days. None of his friends had tried to contact him, nor visit, since the argument he and Shadow had when they were there. Celestia returned every once in awhile to check on them, but could never stay long since she had to raise the sun and the moon once more. When she did come by, she didn't say much to him, sensing that something was going on and not wanting to disturb his thinking. Soler sighed and stood up, taking a outside. It was strangely gloomy today, and since he learned that pegasi control the weather in Equestria, it was weird that it wasn't sunny.

Guess everyone's due for some rain, he figured.

"Why is it that those I care for always get hurt because of me?" He asked no one. He looked back at Luna, which made his heart hurt, just like every other time he did, his guilt continued growing. "It's all my fault that you're in here, Luna. And I'm so sorry for it." He noticed the Chaos Emerald Shadow left behind, and walked over to pick it up. Once in his hands, he felt the same surge of power he always did when he held one. This time, however, it didn't give him the rush that he enjoyed, he felt nothing at all. Soler walked back over to Luna and sat down next to her, staring at the emerald.

"I can have all this power, but still get those around me hurt, or worse." He added. The white hedgehog looked at Luna, then closed his eyes as he placed his head next to hers.

Please Luna, be okay and forgive me. He thought as a tear rolled down his face. Soler didn't see that Luna's horn and the Chaos Emerald both started glowing. The dim glow grew in size until the light covered the entire area.

(P.O.V. none, Twilight's Castle)

It was gloomy in Ponyville, a sudden rain covering the small town. Sonic looked out a window, watching the rainfall.

"Man, it's raining cats and dog out there." He noted. Rainbow walked up next to him and took view of the rain as well.

"Yeah, it's coming down out there."

"Did you know about this storm coming in?" Sonic asked. She shook her head.

"Nope. I don't remember getting any notices about a storm from the weather team."

"Maybe the storm was on short notice?" He asked. She just shrugged in response. The group had all come into the library before the storm hit. Applejack and Knuckles were playing cards, Tails was reading a book with Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie were discussing something, and Twilight was writing on some documents as Spike napped beside to her. Shadow was in the map room, gazing over it as he'd done the past few days. Sonic and plopped down on a nearby bean bag chair.

"Man, today is so boring." He said aloud. Rainbow flew over to him and lied down right next to him.

"Yeah. The rain is a total buzzkill." She said as she snuggled up next to him.

"Well, what do you expect? It's rain." Knuckles stated without looking up from his game.

"Yeah, but it doesn't have to be so gloomy."

"Well tough luck, hedgehog. How are you beating me?" Knuckles said in exasperation. AJ chuckled.

"It's called 'skill,' partner. And I believe that's game." She said prompting a groan from the echidna.

"Best four out of five." He responded. She nodded, and they set up another game.

"Well I hope it lets up soon." Fluttershy said.

"I'm sure it'll clear up sooner or later." Tails replied.

"Yes, this rain is bad for business. And I'm just glad I was able to get Sweetie Bell to school before it hit. I hate to get my mane wet." Rarity exclaimed.

"Yeah, I was glad to get Scoots there before it hit too." Rainbow added.

"Same here with Apple Bloom." Applejack added.

"Well let's not let this rain keep our spirits down and let's party!" Pinkie said.

"Pinkie, as much as I like your enthusiasm, I don't think we have anything to party about. Especially with all that's happened." Sonic replied, emphasizing the last part. Everyone briefly stopped what they were doing, all thinking the same thing.

"Sonic, have you been able to talk to Shadow?" Fluttershy asked. Sonic shook his head.

"Nope. Haven't been able to get much, if anything, outta him besides his signature glare." Sonic sighed, "If Soler were here, he'd find someway to get some words out of him." Mentioning Soler didn't help the mood. Sonic wrapped an arm around Rainbow when started shifting.

"How's Twilight been?" She asked so the others couldn't hear.

"She's quieter than normal since we came back from the hospital. She's tried talking to Shadow, but to no avail. I think it might be getting to her." He whispered back. The pony-in discussion was busy writing on some documents and signing papers. She hadn't spoken since they had all gotten together, her mind too clouded with thoughts, and her heart full of emotions. Just then, the hedgehog-in-question walked into the room, taking everyone by surprise. Everyone ceased what they were doing and looked up at him.

"Shadow?" Twilight said. He didn't say anything, but he looked like he had something on his mind. He sighed and opened his mouth, but was cut off by the sudden sound of hooves running down the hall. They turned to see Starlight, drenched with rain, and her face panicked.

"Starlight, what's wrong?" Twilight asked.

"Guys, we've got a problem!" She shouted.

(P.O.V. Soler)

Soler opened his eyes, no longer in the hospital anymore. Instead, he was in a castle.

"Well this ain't the hospital anymore." He said, also realizing that he didn't have the Chaos Emerald anymore. "Welp, that seems to be the theme of the story. Might as well look around." He stood and walked around for a bit, and noticed that this castle didn't look like Celestia's castle in Canterlot. It looked a little more rustic than the newer castles he'd seen. He then strolled into what he thought was the throne room, and disbelief fell over him. There were two thrones at the end, behind which were two banners, one bearing a pearl alicorn and the sun, the other toting a sable alicorn and the moon.

"This can't be right. These banners are in Celestia and Luna's old castle, and that place looked like it had been a warzone. Plus, it looked ancient, while this place still looks new." He said with awe, when a thought came to mind, "Am I-" Soler began to hear crying. He went to investigate.

He followed the sounds of sobbing through the corridors, trying his best to not get lost like he did the first time he was in the castle. He eventually came upon a cracked door, light shining through, as did the crying noises. He slowly crept up to the door and peeked in. Soler saw a little filly, crying in front of a fireplace. The filly pegasus had darkish blue fur along with a lighter blue mane. He silently made his way inside the room, and inched towards the little filly, who felt familiar to him. As he got closer, he noticed that she had a horn on her head, as well as a crescent moon cutie mark. He knew who she was and his thoughts from before were confirmed. He was in the past. Filly Luna was crying, which broke his heart.

"Hey, don't cry, Luna. It'll be alright." He said in a soothing voice. He slowly crouched down to her level. "It's okay. I'm here for you." He was about to touch her mane, but right when was going to, he heard the door open up, causing them to look up. In the doorway was a white alicorn with a pink mane. She looked older than was surprised that her mane used to be one color. Celestia saw the crying Luna, but didn't seem to notice Soler.

"Luna, what's wrong?" She asked as she walked in. Luna stopped crying, instead continuing her sniffling.

"It's nothing, Tia." Luna replied in a higher-pitched voice. Celestia then walked straight through Soler, much to his surprise.

"It doesn't seem like nothing." She said, sitting down next her and wrapping a wing around her, "Now please tell me what's wrong, sister." Luna looked up to her sister and her warming eyes.

"I'm scared." She said, much to both Celestia's and Soler's surprise.

"What are you scared of?"

"I'm scared of raising the moon by myself. I know that I'm going to have to start raising it by myself soon, and I see you raise it and make it look easy. I mean, when I attempted to raise it by myself in the past, I always had to have you help me." She revealed. Celestia brought Luna into an affectionate hug that she accepted.

"Dear sister, it's okay to be a little afraid. I was afraid to raise the sun and moon by myself too, but that didn't mean I didn't have help, much like you do. Luna, I'll always be here to help you, whenever you need it." Celestia said soothingly.

"You mean it?"

"I mean it." She responded with a smile. Luna smiled brightly and went back in for a hug.

"I love you, Tia." She said. Celestia smiled.

"And I love you, Luna." Soler watched the entirety of the touching scene, his heart, warmed. Then the room seem to get shrink as the scene started to further itself from him, until everything around him was white.

(P.O.V. none, Ponyville)

The rain poured down as Sonic and friends ran through the rain.

Dammit! Why did he have to pop up now? Sonic brooded as he ran with the others. It was only a few moments ago that they were all sitting in the castle library when Starlight burst in, panicked.

"Guys, we've got a problem!" She had shouted. Everyone looked at her with surprise, concerned.

"Alright, Starlight. Just calm down and tell us what's going on." Twilight said to her pupil. Starlight caught her breath before speaking.

"Neo, he's been spotted outside of Ponyville." She almost gasped as she said it. At the sound of No's name, everyone instantly rose up simultaneously.

"Neo's outside of Ponyville? What's he doing." Shadow asked her.

"I don't know. I was just in the area coming back when I spotted him floating in the air, looking over Ponyville. He didn't move or anything, but I wasn't going to take any chances, so I ran back here as fast as I could to tell you guys." She finished. Everyone bore stunned expressions after finding out that he wasn't attacking.

"What's that Neo up to now?" AJ said.

"I don't know, but him being here isn't a good sign." Knuckles added, adding to uncertainty of his presence meant, though Sonic and Shadow both had the same face. They knew.

"He's here to finish things." Sonic remarked, taking everyone by surprise.

"What do you mean by 'finish things?'" RD asked.

"He's ready to settle everything that's been building up to this point. It's the final bout between us and Neo." Shadow responded.

"Final battle? As in-"

"This will decide whether we live or die." Shadow added when Fluttershy spoke. His remark shook the girls with the knowledge that if they went to fight Neo, it was for keeps. The guys took notice of this and seemed to share a collective thought.

"Look girls, we're grateful for all you guys have done for us up till now. But we can't ask you guys to risk your lives more than you already have to beat Neo. So we understand if you don't want to come into this final fight with us." Sonic said as he, Tails, and Knuckles joined Shadow by the doorway. The girls all displayed a sort of heaviness that had never existed before. They looked at the guys, and could see that their minds were set and ready to give everything to win, even their lives. The guys could see how this sudden choice was affecting them, and so decided to get on with the final fight, until a hoof on Sonic's shoulder stopped him. He turned around to Rainbow staring at him intently.

"We've been through Hades and back since Neo showed up. He's toyed with us, and even broken some of us. But thanks to you guys, we were able to rebuild ourselves up better than we've been before. So if you think that we're going to just sit back and let you guys fight this fight by yourself, Neo won't be the only thing you have to worry about." She declared confidently. The other girls felt Rainbow's words and conviction swelled into their hearts as they all stood and walked to the doorway. Sonic and the guys smirked, taking note of their newfound confidence, Shadow simply observed. For some reason, Twilight was the only one who saw Shadow's silent watch, and sensed that he didn't want them to come. This only made her feel more confident, gaining a sense of approval from the hedgehog.

"If we're done talking, we need to get moving." Shadow commented, reinstating the grim reality of the situation. They opened the front doors, and were faced with a raging storm. Everyone stood together as the last bits of courage formed within them, steadying their minds.

"Let's go." Sonic said, and everyone walked out except for Rarity, prompting looks from the others.

"What's wrong?" Tails asked.

"Well you see, darling, I want to stop Neo as much as you do, but this rain will just ruin my mane." She protested. They all deadpanned at the prissy pony. Applejack sighed and walked behind Rarity.

"Listen Rarity, I understand ya don't want to get your mane wet and all, but-" She stopped and pushed Rarity into the storm, causing her to shriek. "We got a job to do, and look, you're already wet." Rarity just glared at the smugly grinning pony as she rejoined the group. Twilight stopped and turned back to Starlight.

"Starlight, I want you to stay behind and get a message to Celestia, telling her to contact Soler. We might need his help." She said before the group charged into the storm.

After running through pouring rain that shows no signs of stopping, they reached the outskirts of Ponyville. Neo stood there, clearly waiting to meet them. The group entered battle stances once they saw him. Neo looked at them and chuckled.

"So, you've finally arrived."

(P.O.V Soler)

All he could see was white until he closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he saw he was back in the same castle.

"Hmm, doesn't look like much has changed. Maybe I've gone a bit later in time?" He questioned aloud. He decided to walk around to see if he could find anyone. He was going through a corridor when he started to hear voices.

"Luna, please."

"No sister! You do not understand what I'm going through." Soler followed the voices until he came upon a room. He looked in and found Luna and Celestia arguing. Luna looked much like what she does in the present, as did Celestia, though her mane and tail were still pink.

"Luna, I want to understand. Please just explain it to me." Celestia pleaded.

"When you raise the sun everyday, our subjects bask in its glow. They rejoice and have fun while under you're sunlight. But when I raise the moon, they all go to sleep and don't see the beauty of the moon and stars I bring out every night. Everyone loves Celestia, while no one notices Luna." She spat, hurt in her voice. Celestia looked at her sister, pained at hearing her troubles. She tried to comfort her, but Luna pushed her away angrily. "I don't need your pity, sister." The darkness in her tone took both Soler and Celestia by surprise.

"Luna, I-"

"No! I don't know why I tried to explain this to you since you'd never understand. Just get out." She said, looking away from Celestia. Celestia tried to say something else, but Luna cut her off. "I said, LEAVE!" She used her magic to push Celestia out and slammed the door. Soler remained in the room as he gaped at Luna, having never seen her so furious and hurt before. It made him wish he could comfort her. Luna stared at the door for a few moments before turning away and looking out the window.

"The only way I'll get them to appreciate the night is if I take matters into my own hands. But I won't be able to do it with that wretched Celestia around." She said, then she burst out into a maniacal laughter in a voice far different from her own. "I know exactly what to do about her. And once she's out of the way they'll all see the beauty of an eternal night." Going into another fit of maniacal laughter. Soler closed his eyes as everything dissipated into white again

What is it that I have to see? He wondered, once again opening his eyes, back in the same castle. This time, though, it looked like a fight was going on, evidenced by holes in the building and parts of it crumbling. Then, he felt the entire place rumble, and heard something that sounded like a blast.

"Man, all hell's broke loose here." He said. The castle rumbled again and more of the stones fragmented and dropped down. Soler took off in search of the cause of the rumblings. He soon found himself in what appeared to be the throne room, though the ceiling was holed, and the overall area a battle scar itself. He was about to walk further in but came to a stop when a random blast of magic struck down right before him. He glanced up and saw Celestia flying back into the room through one of the ceiling's holes, blasting at something. She dived out the way of an attack, and then another being entered the room. Soler instantly recognized the being as Nightmare Moon. She and Celestia were battling with all they had, flying about while firing blasts of magic he'd never seen. As they fought, Soler looked outside and his eyes widened.

The moon was eclipsing the sun!

"So this is what she meant by 'eternal night.'" He commented. His thoughts were interrupted Celestia collapsed with a thud, six gem stones lying around her.

"Finally, the mighty Celestia has fallen." Nightmare said as she hovered above her. Celestia looked at Nightmare and noticed the gems around her.

"Luna, please. I don't want to fight you, sister." She pleaded. Nightmare laughed at her.

"Poor Celestia, Luna is no more. Now there is only night! And it's time to get rid of you." She stated, charging her horn. Celestia looked at the scattered gems, and the gems all levitated as her horn lit up. The gems started to circle before her, around the purple gem as a rainbow trail formed in their spinning. Nightmare failed to notice this in her headlong charge. The gems' glows brightened. Once they were at their brightest, Soler saw a tear roll down Celestia's face.

"I'm sorry, Luna." She whispered as she released her attack, shocking Nightmare. Nightmare screamed in agony as the attack struck her, Celestia giving everything to maintain it. The attack's brightness forced Soler to shield his eyes. Once the light had faded, he took a peek and saw that Nightmare wasn't there anymore, and Celestia's mane and tail were multi-colored again. She was passed out on the ground.

Guess the attack took everything outta her, Soler noted, taking a look outside, growing alarmed when he saw the moon. The moon looked like it had the head of a horned mare in it. Once he saw the moon, the scene started to whiten once more again, and so he closed his eyes. When Soler opened them again, he saw that he was looking at a planet this time.

"Wow, wonder what place is?" He said. He looked around and could see that the surface he stood on was white, and had plenty of craters, the vastness of space surrounding him. "Well it's a good thing I can breath in space, else I'd be dead." Soler began to walk around the new scene, slowly realizing it to be the moon. He continued to walk, and eventually heard a voice.

"Damn that Celestia, sending me to the moon." He heard a familiar voice. He looked into a crater near by and saw Nightmare Moon pacing around, highly upset. "I will get my revenge on you, Celestia. And I will take over Equestria, if it's the last thing I do! Your little spell won't last forever, and when it dies, I'll make sure you die!"

"Man, I thought only Egghead liked to monologue." Soler remarked. He watched Nightmare continue to shout, full of rage. Soler didn't know what to think seeing Luna like this, like someone he didn't even know.

Everything should've changed by now, Soler wondered, seeing how the scene had yet to whiten. He pointless waited for the scene to change. He knew that it hadn't changed because Nightmare had ceased her shouting, and was doing something else. He didn't care much for what she was doing, since she didn't even know he was there, or interact with him. So he slid down the outside of the crater and just sat there, looking at what he now knew was Equestria. The planet looked much like Mobius to him, making him a little homesick.

"I've only been here a few minutes, and I'm already feeling the loneliness. I couldn't imagine staying here for a thousand years." He muttered. Those minutes turned into what felt like hours as the solitude slowly overtook him. His knees were to his chest, and he put his head down. He didn't know how long he was sitting there, since there was no sound in space, and the silence was deafening. It seemed like days were passing by, but then he heard something he never would've expected. He heard sniffling.

Soler lifted his head and looked over to see Luna, in her normal state, sitting beside him. She was weakly crying as she stared at the planet. He didn't need her to say anything to understand what she was feeling. Being up here, alone, just looking at her home and unable to return. It could ruin anyone's mindset, which made him feel sad for Luna. He was about to reach over and touch her, when the scene started to whiten again.

This time, instead of the scene remaining white and moving to another memory, multiple memories started to pass by him. There was one of Nightmare Moon being stopped by Twilight and her friends. Then, there was another of Luna scaring some kids. Yet another image passed by of her stopping some creature with the residents of Ponyville. All the while, the voices and things said passed by with the images. He looked on and watched how much Luna had changed into the mare she is today, warming him inside. Then the memories stopped at one, a more recent one. It was when he and Luna had first met and enjoyed the night sky together. He smiled, remembering the night and how nervous he acted.

He watched the scene replay as it had that night, bringing back sweet memories for him. It was about the time when they were going to separate and Luna was about to fly off. She said her good-byes and flew off, leaving him there. Soler thought the memory would end right there, but it didn't, and continued following Luna back to her room. Luna watched as the moon set and the sun rise, a smile on her face.

"I think I might like that hedgehog." She said to herself. Right after, the scene switched, and then memories of the time the two had spent together flashed by. The times they would write letters to each other, times when they joked with each other, and times when they would sit and enjoy each others' company. Several emotions swirled in Soler, watching all these memories, making him more confident in his feeling for the Princess.

Then, the memories stopped at the most recent thing they both went through, the fight with Nightmare Moon. Soler clenched his fists at having to see the memory. It replayed just like it did that night, all the way til he beat Nightmare Moon. He was holding Luna again, talking to her, only he was in his semi-dark form. The same conversation brought about a growth in his guilt, when he noticed something that he didn't the first time it happened. The look in Luna's eyes wasn't that of resentment towards him, but of relief and slight happiness. And she was glad to have him back, with a smile he didn't notice the first time around. The scene then blanked, remaining so this time. His head swirled with new thoughts and emotions.

"So she wasn't-"

"Upset with you? No, I wasn't." He heard a voice say. He turned and found Luna standing there, smiling at him. He looked at her, but he couldn't meet her eyes,

"Luna, I'm sorry for-"

"You needn't apologize, Soler. I know it wasn't your fault."

"But it is my fault, if I had never gotten you involved, then-"

"Then, I would've gotten myself involved, anyway." She said as she walked up to him. He looked at her, surprised by her words. She placed a hoof on his cheek, and he put his hands over it, holding it there. "I don't blame you, Soler, just like no one else does. You did all you could to protect me, much like your friends do. Now you need to wake up and go to their aid. It's time to finish things with Neo." Soler let go of her hoof and nodded as calmly as Luna spoke.

"You're right. Thanks." He said. She smiled and inclined her head.

"Now make me a promise before you leave. Promise to come back alive, no matter what, and stop that Neo." She said as she started to fade.

"I promise I'll come back." He said. She grinned as she dwindled away completely, and everything went black.

Soler opened his eyes, back in the hospital beside Luna again. He could hear rain pouring down as the storm finally came in. He stood and looked out the window and at the raging storm, knowing that he had a destiny to meet out there. The doors to the room burst open, and a guard entered.

"Soler, I have a message from Princess-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I'll be on my way over there shortly." He said with renewed spirit. He picked up the Emerald and looked at Luna. "Don't worry, Luna. I'll be back soon." He bent down and kissed her forehead, something he wasn't expecting to do, but which felt natural.

"And that's a promise." Soler continued out the door and made his way to the first floor of the hospital. He opened the doors leading outside and saw the storm in full effect.

Hang on, guys. I'm on my way. And with that last thought, Soler boomed out of the hospital.

(P.O.V. none, Ponyville)

The group of heroes stood together, prepared to fight Neo.

"Well we didn't want to keep you waiting. That would've been just rude." Sonic mocked.

"You still have that annoying smart mouth of yours. It's going to be fun shutting it up for good." Neo retorted.

"As if. We've beaten you before, and we can do it again." Sonic replied. Neo chuckled at his remark.

"Yes, you did defeat me once before. I underestimated you and your little friends' powers, which led to my downfall. But things have changed this time. I have a new power, unlike last time, which will destroy you." He said. Sonic only snickered and shook his head.

"Yeah, all the power in the world can't beat us, Neo. And you know why? Because we stand and fight together! You fight alone, and that'll always be your downfall!" Sonic proclaimed, his words bringing courage to his friends. Neo laughed at the hedgehog's words.

"Yes, maybe in the past that would be true, but things are different now." Neo proceeded to outstretch his fingers and shoot small projectiles into the ground. He shot out a massive number of them, scattering around the field. The group was confused, wondering what was going to happen and what to do. Then, each of the small objects started to move, growing in size, then developing limbs. They watched in shock as each one of the small projectiles quickly became Neo clones. They were exact replicas of the robot, though entirely silver and blue. Each clone's eyes lit up in unison with a glowing red, activated. Neo laughed at the looks on their faces. "So, still think you have any hope of a chance against me?" The group looked at the mini army before them, their spirits being shaken.

"NEO!" A voice shouted seeming to shatter the tension. With a boom, something burst through the group of Neo clones, towards the group. Once it broke through, the being stopped in front of them, its back turned to them. All of their spirits rose at the sight before them.

"Soler!" Twilight shouted. Soler gave Neo a death glare, but upon hearing his name, he stopped and gave his friends a thumbs up with a smile.

"Hey. Sorry I'm late, guys. Couldn't let you guys start the party without me." He said.

"Well it's better late than never, hedgehog." Knuckles added.

"Yeah, you know, I had things on my mind." He replied, looking back at Neo.

"Shadow…" Soler started.

"Save it for later." Shadow responded. Soler smirked and turning his attention back on Neo. Neo seemed to brighten up, seeing his old foe once again.

"I didn't think you'd be coming with your little princess being where she is." He mocked. Soler kept his cool and smirked.

"Yeah? Well I got a job to do, ya know, and that comes first. So let's make this quick." He said. Neo only chuckled.

"I agree." The army seemed to respond to his words as all prepared for battle, clone army and the heroic team alike. Then behind them, they heard a warning siren coming from the town, telling the residents to stay indoors.

"Hey! Listen up, guys. This might be the last thing you hear me say." Soler called, gaining the group's attention. "I know when we first met, we didn't all meet eye-to-eye, but we worked together from that place, and look at how far we've come! Standing together as a team! And I wouldn't want anyone else by my side." His words brought confidence and courage to their hearts.

"Now this might well be our last fight. But no matter what, we can't let Neo win this battle, for if we lose this fight, not only will it be the end of us, but all of Equestria as we know it. And I won't let that happen, just like I know you guys won't either. So my last words to you, no matter what happens, we don't break this line! We stand together, until the end!" He shouted, and then the group charged into the final battle.

This is the start of the last battle of this arc. Welp, these last few chapters will be longer than usual. It's been a long road, but this is it, the last battle. Check out my other works, I think you guys might like one of the chapters I put up. And if you don't check it out, I'm going to ask the same question I asked there. What do you guys imagine Luna (the Hedgehog) looks like? There's no wrong answers here, just me being curious on what you guys think she looks like before the reveal. Anyway, this is Solerwolf… OUT!