Light bled as my eyelids cracked open slightly, a brief moment of blindness catching me off guard as I tried to blink my vision back from the whiteness that conquered it. A few hushed whispers could be heard as my legs extended shakily before failing, only to be caught by a familiar coat.

"Easy now, NightSong."

I can't describe the relief I felt when Striders voice echoed softly by me, his frame supporting mine as I steadily got on my hooves. Flecks of my vision still remained absent but I could recognize the room I was in. The Supreme Chiefs office. The roof loomed above, the walls stacked with books and various scrolls as well as a few strategically placed armored mannequins that showed the pride of his war days. Sweet Insanity's laughter bounded around inside while it slowly faded as my consciousness returned fully and I showed Strider a quick smile to show that I was fine. His breath of relief brushed through my mane as he stepped away, hesitating for a moment about leaving me then walked to the Chiefs side. It took every effort to stand tall, to acknowledge that I was in the Chief's presence but I couldn't raise my hoof to salute him. It took all my concentration to stand on all fours. I could only imagine trying balancing on three would result in my face becoming intimate with the floor.

"Relax cadet. I don't expect you to be so formal right now. After all, you've been out for a few days. Save what energy you have for now."

A few days? It had only felt like a few minutes that I had been swimming in that void. I felt like sandpaper had replaced my throat and every swallow was like glass slicing down. Realizing now how thirsty I had become when I noticed the jug of water sitting on a nearby desk, my mouth instantly salivated at the sight. The Supreme Chief chuckled.

"Go on, it was left there for you. I dare say your mouth would be as dry as the San Palomino desert by now."

"Go on" were the only words I needed as I chugged down the entire jug, half of the water not even getting in my mouth as it ran down my throat and chest, leaving a large dark stain on the carpet beneath me. As the last drop of water fell, I placed the jug back on the table and knew the mess I had made. I could feel Striders half mortified glare on me but it was overlooked by the gentle one the Supreme Chief gave me. My voice failed as I tried to apologize but he didn't seem to care as he just waved a hoof at me flashing another gentle smile.

"Now that you've re-hydrated yourself, we have a few things to discuss, don't we? First of all, the incident that had occurred prior to your…episode. Several witnesses have spoken up saying that you had been the victim here, but there are a few that would say that you caused it. We've heard SteelBits…exaggerated side of the story now, what of yours?"

"All I wanted was to leave the arena before it got too crowded. I had been given a weapon that would suit my needs as a Pegasus given that I cannot hold a gun. Granted I broke the first law in having a sharpened weapon. That was why I wanted to go before anypony else was in there, to dull the blades. As I was leaving, SteelBit had blocked my path and held a gun to my head. All I did was push him off and try to walk away, before he shot at me. After that it's a bit fuzzy…but I'm sure that's when you had arrived, shortly after the shot."

"Yes. Upon examining you for any wounds, we did find the mark the bullet made near your ear. The doctor confirmed you were facing away from the gun when it was fired, as well as this falling off."

He opened a drawer and pulled out what seemed to be a white cloth before his magic held it up for me to see. It was the eye-patch I was previously wearing, covered in dust. My hoof raised itself to my left eye that was now exposed to every-pony, quickly scuffing my mane to cover it from view.

"Heterochromia Iridium. Though, not rare, it is uncommon to see. What is rare, however, is the fact that your right eye changes colour when enraged. Tell me, has this always been the case?"

His gaze found its way to Strider instead of me, and his head fell.

"Yes, it had happened twice before, when we first found her. We all thought it might had been a trick of the light the first time but the second time it was as clear as day. That's why we gave her that patch, we thought it may lessen its influence."

A charcoal pony emerged from the shadows of the corner. I hadn't even realized he was there until his form shifted.

"Gentlecolts. The poor thing is too exhausted to be bombarded with these questions. Perhaps we can resume this in the morning before her discharge."

"The Serpent is right. Cobalt? Could you please escort Miss Song here to her confinement? The one we discussed earlier."

Cobalt, suitably named for his striking blue coat, swung open the door and walked to my side, gently pressing me to walk with him. I knew this was going to happen, I wasn't going to get any special treatment and truthfully, I was thankful that I didn't.

An uncertainty overwhelmed all of me. Where exactly was this stallion taking me? To hell, where you belong. My insecurities lashed me as we walked down the corridors leading from the Chiefs office. Mind still in ruins, even though I knew why this was happening. Cobalt striding alongside me with a stern look on his face. He was never the stallion to present emotions. I knew this because he had been there from the beginning. He was a part of Striders unit when they had found me. He had always seemed to stay in the background, always overlooking everyone, hardly ever speaking except a few words now and then to Strider. Piercing rust coloured eyes were focused forward and before I knew it, we were standing in front of a small shelter, nearly halfway across the grounds in a secluded area. His magic shone as he pulled a key from a safe pocket in his armor, placed it in the lock and twisted it. The door opened with a squeak of the hinges and I slowly made my way in. The room was dark and dusty, obvious from the lack of use, but I wasn't expecting a five-star hotel suite. The bed was a bare plank of wood suspended like a shelf on a wall and the small window let in hardly any light. Well at least it's only for the night. My rump hit the ground as my back turned to the door, head hung low as it looked towards Cobalt.

"Thank you. I'm glad I at least have a friendly face to watch me, huh?"

A chuckle was caught in my throat that half turned into a sob. No, I have to be strong here, that's what a real guard would do. Accept their punishment with head held high. A shuffle of hooves sounded and the sound of the door closing echoed around me. Maybe I truly am alone. Tears began to fall until I felt the weight of a hoof gently rest on top of my head, slowly stroking my mane. As I glanced up, I saw Cobalt sitting next to me, his eyes forward in a stare. He was a part of Striders unit that was made up of 3 stallions. They had been the best of the best out of any year that had graduated from training to become part of the Guard. Strider, Cobalt and SolarBlitz. A few years after they had found me, SolarBlitz was send out on a solo mission…He never returned. No-pony was told what had happened. I don't think even Strider or Cobalt knew what happened, even after they spent weeks at a time searching for clues of his disappearance. The only thing they found was his scarf that he had worn on the day of his departure. Anything else was lost among the snow.

"He was planning on recruiting you into our unit, you know? Heh. He always kept a watchful eye on you, Strider did."

A voice as rusted as underused chains sounded and I almost couldn't hide my surprise. His chuckle was more of a cough.

"No doubt he's trying to talk the Chief into letting you stay here right now. Whether you'll be allowed to continue training is unknown."

"I guess I have to go. Just know this kid. You'll always be regarded as family to us. Ok? I'll be back later with some blankets."

His hoof pat my mane one last time as he left, the lock clicking behind him. Protocol. Anyone in solitary needs to be locked. Even if they are seen as family.

*I guess now is the time for that story huh?*

Her voice echoed in my mind and my mood instantly turned sour. I had forgotten about my cursed twin that lived inside. I didn't want anything to do with her. She was the whole reason I'm currently locked up

*I really have no intentions to harm you. As I have said, I am you. The part that died when Father had ruthlessly tried to change us. In reality you should have died along with me, it was luck that Father was too drunk to get any spell right.*

*He got two spells mixed up. One was meant to change you. The other to kill. His mind was intoxicated to the point he didn't know which he was doing. Perhaps that's how we survived.*

My head turned away, like she was a physical being standing next to me.

*Do you really loathe me that much? I was merely trying to protect you.*

Silence was all that answered her…

Night had fallen. Cobalt had already brought the blankets as promised and was stationed outside the door, which had been left open to allow the cooling breeze through the room. The jeers from the dining hall carried on the winds into my hold. Happy, laughing ponies that sat amongst their peers, most likely unaware of what was happening to one of their own… No…I wasn't one of them anymore. No matter what Strider had said to the Chief, nor what fate had decided for me, I couldn't stay.

I heard Cobalt's stomach from where I sat.

"Cobalt, go eat. You can't go into a night-shift without at least consuming something. I'll be fine."

"Hmm. You're right. But it is a bit stuffy in that room…. I know I'm not meant to do this but…. have one last walk around the training grounds. I know how much you use to like them as a filly, watching the colts practice with their weapons. I'll be back in 10. Just don't let anyone see you, ok?"

I smiled. It was nice to see Cobalt finally talk to me…even if it meant he may not see me again. I waited until he had gone from view, just in case anypony was watching him and slipped around the side, staying in the shadows as I made my way around the grounds. There wasn't much time. In my mind I apologized to Cobalt. Strider. Every-pony who might be effected by my actions tonight.

Instantly, I made my way to the Forge. That's where I guessed they had stored my weapons, and with any luck they would still be in one piece if Smith hasn't been ordered to meld them down by now. The smoke had mostly cleared from the days' work, making my job easier without the thick clouds hanging around to make me choke on every breath. Navigating my way around the assorted piles of rubble and scrap metal, I found myself near the incinerator. With a held breath, I looked at what remains might have been spared by the hungry flames. A few strands of leather that had been lucky enough to be out of reach of the fire made any hope of my weapon being still in one-piece plummet to the deepest crevice of the sea. Turning from the grave of the once weapon, I headed towards the back of the forge. There was one pony I needed to see before I ran out of time.

She sat next to a small window that allowed light to filter through, illuminating the golden coat that she had been blessed with. It was always a stunning sight to behold. The soft rays of the moon cast the gentlest of shadows over her and everything seemed to just gleam.

The sound of me clearing my throat startled her from whatever deep thought she had been in. Magenta eyes still slightly clouded over as the ghost of the thoughts vanished and a soothing smile danced across her lips. It was contagious as I felt my own spread lightly, barely curving. Sliding next to her, I allowed myself to lay down briefly, taking in the little time I had left here with her and the serenity that surrounded us. I hadn't noticed that I had closed my eyes until I heard the unmistakable sound of magic near my ears and a slight jiggle of what sounded like metal being suspended. Exhaling, I opened my eyes to the sight of my weapon being held just in front of me. My jaw hung dumbfounded, mind racing as how it was still intact.

"I heard what happened from Smith. He couldn't bear to melt down such a specially designed weapon. So he entrusted me to look after it. I think we both knew that you'd be back for it, regardless of what the Chief says."

It was as if Aki read my mind as I felt the weight of the cases as she placed them over my body, securing the straps. Her gaze met my own and she swiftly pulled me into an embrace, tightly wrapping her hooves around my neck and chest like she was trying to keep me as close as she could. My eyes betrayed me as the river of tears cascaded down, returning the embrace, drawing her own frame into me.

Reluctantly, I was the first to release the hold, doing my best to keep myself from just breaking down in front of the mare that I had known for so long.

"I will be back to get you. I just need to lay low for a while until things die down. No doubt they'll send scouts to find me, and every-pony knows my face here. I'll send word when I'm coming to get you."

"Heheh. Isn't this sweet. Two filly-foolers confessing their undying love before they die."

The teal stallion stepped out from behind the rumble. Muddy eyes glared at me was I tried to keep Aki behind me, protecting her from the crazed male that stood in the way of our exit. My teeth were bared as my wings brushed over the casings that hid beneath, prepared to cast out the knives if the need arise.

"SteelBit. You were banned from returning to the Guard, and in turn, from stepping hoof on these grounds. I am forced to ask you to leave before I have you escorted out."

"Oh. So the princess gets to stay? Doesn't surprise me with the amount of ass you've been kissing. What? Did you offer the old fart a bit of pleasure to assure your stay?"

Growls escaped my throat that I knew belonged to Sweet Insanity. I pushed them back, trying to keep control of her anger as well as my own. I can't risk a fight here, not with Aki here and in such an enclosed place.

"I will not repeat myself. Leave now or be faced with trespassing on Royal grounds."

Sweet Insanity was itching for control. Muscles in my wings were twitching as I could feel parts of me subsiding to her. Even if she had true intentions to help, now wouldn't be the best time.

"And miss out on this sweet piece that you've been keeping to yourself this whole time? Nah, I think I'll stay a little while longer. Maybe claim that golden delicious for myself. And you." A gun from a nearby table hovered towards him, opening the barrel to check that it was sufficiently loaded before cocking it and aiming it directly in the middle of my forehead. "Are just going to watch. Or shall I just burn you both. Heh. They both sound like good options, bang the goldie whilst her fillyfriend watches then ignite them."

A second gun found its way towards us, this time it was pressed against the back of Aki's skull, painfully forcing her forward out of my protection. Her body briefly swept against mine and I felt her trembling with each step. Eyes quickly scanned for a way out, a distraction, that was all that was needed. A hasty glance upwards gave me a sliver of hope.

"You're all talk Steel. What? Too much of a foal to challenge me one on one? Instead you hold me and an innocent mare at gun point. Tell me. How has that wound healed? Surely not enough for you to hold your magic for too long."

His growl was the sight I wanted as his anger boiled inside, my own smirk plastered against my lips. A chuckle sounded in me as Sweet Insanity released whatever hold she had on my body, mainly focusing on my right wing that was ready on the trigger to release my knives.

*You are horrible with taunts. I know you hate me, but we share the same loathing for this stallion. Let me help.*

There wasn't much of a choice as I heard SteelBit growl that he "should just kill me first" and I allowed Sweet Insanity to take control of my wing while I kept my focus on the brute. The sound of my chains being released was a pleasing melody as the knife hit its mark in the rope, sending the net and whatever it had been holding crashing down upon Steel. My legs moved with a quickened speed as I ran beside Aki, beckoning her to follow me as I set off into a gallop. We both knew the forge back to front as we weaved through the piles of junk that lay scattered everywhere. I let Aki take the lead in front as I knocked over a heap to my left, the echo of the clattering metal resonated through the silence, cutting it like a knife. Cursed words bellowed above the crash and the debris that had blocked that path was blasted in every direction, I quickly turned to face Aki, spreading my wings to protect her from the flying metal. Abruptly I pushed her behind a larger pile, turning in time to face the crazed stallion. Sweet Insanity had already taken control of both wings as they discharged the blades into their joints, spreading them in a defensive stance as I lowered my head to copy the rest of my body, eyes trained on the teal brute and his erratic movements. Slowly we circled each other, both waiting on the other to commence the first action.

It wasn't long before he took the first shot. I had been more focused on SteelBit that I hadn't noticed his slight shift in his gun position but I had felt my body move out of the bullets projector as it buried itself in the wall behind me. The deadly blades shot out from beside me, one slicing his side and another went towards the firearm. Unfortunately, he must have seen this as he bailed from its path, aiming his barrel towards my direction. A second to slow. Sweet Insanity had already changed my direction and was poised behind him and with another fury of blades send him sliding across the room with blood pooling from multiple open wounds. He staggered to his hooves and raised his gun once more, firing at me randomly, not caring about aiming for his target. A few managed to scrap rather deeply at my sides and flank as I ducked behind safety, fresh crimson liquid spilling from the bullets path. But it didn't matter. All I had to do was keep him away, keep him distracted so Aki could escape.

In a moment I had collected myself and bailed from behind my cover, sharpened steel sent with precision as they dug into his front leg, tripping him forwards as another coiled itself around his torso. One last bullet was fired from his gun and a horrifying scream ricocheted around me as I chucked the battered stallion aside, landing amongst the scraps.

Quickly, I ran over to Aki, her breaths staggered and teeth clenched in pain. The bullet had penetrated her chest and from the amount of blood that had begun pooling underneath, it had made an exit. My hooves slid gently beneath her head and held her there, her magenta eyes still glistened but the radiance that always shined was fading as a pained smile developed on her lips, a trickle of crimson leaked from her mouth filling my soul with dread that the metal death had made a pass through her lungs.

"NightSong?"

Ears shot up at the sound of her strained voice, tears had already found their way down my cheeks as I stared at her, words refused to form as she lifted her hoof to my face, brushing the wet stains which only produced more.

"Hey, don't cry. I'll be…. *cough*…. fine."

More blood came out as she spoke, both from her mouth and the bullet wound on her chest, eyelids fluttered trying to stay open. Her horn glowed dull as she tried to produce magic, trying to levitate a small box from the table towards us, only just making it before the last of her magic cut off making the box tumble into my flank. Using my tail, I swept it closer to Aki's head where I could easily reach it.

"I was hoping to give this to you before you left. Open it"

Resting her head gently into my lap, I picked up the item, only noticing then how much of her blood was already coated on my hooves, choking back a fresh wave of tears I opened the box.

A pendant rested inside, the design similar to the yin-yang symbol but the black and white swirls had been replaced with those of a sapphire blue and a deep garnet red completed with two small purple tanzanite stones. I couldn't help but stare at the beauty of it as Aki used her magic one final time to place it around my neck, the black cord it was on short enough that it didn't dangle past my sternum, the moonlight that crept in caught it and an array of colours spilt out around us.

It was too much as my cheeks became soaked, her hoof reached up again and this time I met her mid-way, holding her hoof as I pressed my face into it, tears uncontrollably fell. I could tell that her own eyes had filled and her smile quivered but still she held it there.

"It looks just as beautiful on you as I had imagined. But may I ask you for a favor?"

I brought my head up from her hoof, setting it down gently, at this point I didn't care how I looked to anypony, I only cared about the mare that was lying in front of me, desperately clinging to life.

"Anything."

"Could you bring me a blanket? It's a little cold tonight."

Words faltered in my throat as I placed her head tenderly on the ground, those gorgeous eyes that once shone with laughter and life now dull. Standing, I nodded and quickly looked everywhere for a blanket, or anything that would give her comfort.

Frantically I searched for something, but nothing was in sight, the knot in my gut grew tighter as I became more frenzied trying to find anything, liquid poured from my eyes with every passing second until I saw something caught in the window. It was a blanket similar to the one I use to sleep with whenever I was left at the forge when Strider had duties to tend to, it had been on one of those days that I had first met Aki.

Without a thought, I grabbed it from the window and flew straight back to where I had left Aki but in my rush to get back I had lost my way several times, my own mind played tricks on me, preventing me getting back. Part of me knew why.

And I soon found it to be true.

I found my way back, blanket held close to my chest as I landed and ran towards her. Any thoughts I had to speak were swept aside as I approached the now still figure of the mare I had grown with, played and shared everything with. I choked on the fresh cries that escaped my muzzle, hot tears fell like a waterfall as I collapsed in front of her. Her eyes had closed and the smile that I loved had finally left, replaced by a peaceful look that made it seem like she was only in a slumber.

*Even in death, she is still beautiful*

Sweet Insanity's voice echoed through my mind as I felt her lightly push my conscious aside, taking control of my body. For once I didn't fight back as she picked the blanket from the ground and quietly draped it over Aki's body, I could feel my legs shaking as she pulled it over the golden mares' head and the emotions that coursed through her own part of our shared soul, the same mourning that I had running through myself. Once she had finished, Sweet Insanity stepped back and willingly allowed my conscious to return. I couldn't help but stare at the form lying beneath the blanket, waiting for it to move or even heave with a breath. Minutes passed as I stared at her covered body, all my sorrow had left but what replaced it felt even worse, like a black hole had erupted inside of me and had swallowed any feeling I had left, even my tears had given up as my ducts ran dry. All I felt was nothing…All I was….Was nothing.

A sudden groan brought my mind back from the abyss that threatened to absorb me as my ears flicked back towards the sound. A rage quickly built up where the nothingness had resided and in an instance the blades were in my joints, one set had already been sent towards the sound. A cry of pain rung out as I turned to see SteelBit trying to drag himself along the ground, my blade dug deep into his hind leg as I recoiled it, I didn't realise how much force I put behind it until I saw the teal stallion sent flying into a stack of scrap metal, hearing more pained cries as the rusted instruments sliced into his already damaged and broken body. Muttered pleas of mercy hardly touched my ears as my chains moved again, another set of blades sent into his fore limbs and dangled him into the air like a puppet, oh how I wished I could just pull this brute apart right then, but no…that would be too merciful to him, I want him to feel the same pain I did while I held my dying friend.

Chains whipped and blades released him as he went tumbling once again, a sickening crack was heard as one of his hind legs joined the list of broken bones he had already received as well as his horn. Teal fur was mattered with crimson as well as his aqua mane, fear filled his eyes and emptied his bladder as he watched me approach, I could tell by the way he stared that I no longer held any expression on my face, as much as the rage burned my insides, not a flicker showed. The sounds of the chains slithering on the ground was like a deafening roar. I could hardly hear inside my own mind as they rose like snakes preparing to strike.

*NIGHT!*

Her screamed ricocheted through me and the chains halted the attack, retracting back into their home by my sides. The anger growled at the interruption but had sulked back as Sweet Insanity paid no heed to it, her voice resonating within.

*You do not need to do this. Enough blood has been spilt.*

"He killed Aki, I can't let him get out of this."

*I know.*

The anger had bubbled down and a fresh wave of sorrow covered it as Sweet Insanity had forced her way into control and at this point I realised that I had no mental strength left to fight her, all I could do was watch as she made her way to the cowering stallion, I could tell that both our eyes were glowing crimson by glances in reflective surfaces. SteelBit was reduced to a mumbling mess as Sweet Insanity stood over him, mudded greens turned wide at the sight of the mare standing over top of him as each word he produced stumbled over the last.

"Pppp…Please...N..NightSong, I-ii-ii didn't mmmm-mean it."

His pitiful mercy stuttering made my blood boil again and I could feel it happening with Sweet Insanity as well but she remained calm as she stared down at him, no words were spoken from our lips as he continued.

"I-i-ii-it wasn't m-mmy fault…..You shouldn't of moved. If you hadn't of dodged, she wouldn't have been hit."

That struck home.

I had barely the time to react to his statement when chains came soaring in from every angle digging into his skin to throw him into the air, each making their mark on his flesh, ripping and tearing in different parts until one stabbed him in the back of his neck, making him dangle in mid-air as another flew just under his chin and hovered there, pressed so close that a trail of blood had already begun falling down his neck as he swallowed hard...His saliva didn't make it down his throat.

Blood covered chains slithered back into the case that held them stationary as the teal body crashed to the floor, the new smile Sweet Insanity had given his bleed profusely under his chin as she spread our wings and took off into the night, then my mind blacked out.

A warmth swept my conscious as it stirred from the slumber it had put itself in, I tried to stretch but found my body unresponsive, a slight panic swept over me as I tried looking around, finding my vision filled with sunlight and various shades of green as leaves swayed in the breeze, the feeling of bark beneath my hooves indicated that we were perched on a branch high above the ground.

"You're finally awake"

The seductively harsh voice of Sweet Insanity sounded out in the open in a tired tone, tail brushing against the branch that she had found shelter on.

"I was worried for a moment you know? I might fight you for this body but we are still one. There is a strong urge to keep you safe. That's why I took his life from you, that's something I can deal with. But you? You're too fragile."

Too fragile…