Canterlot castle, south tower; 12:30pm

"I wonder if Star Shield has woken up. Sometimes I swear he's just too stubborn to realize that he can't push himself so much." Cadence sighed as she walked down the hallways to check on Star after leaving him sleeping. She got to his door and saw there was red lights emanating as she sensed something evil inside. She opened the door and rushed in only to freeze in place at the sight before her. Star Shield was in the center of the room screaming in agony. His body was surrounded a dark aura as his coat turned jet black, his mane changed from blue and white to a black and blood red spiked mane, his teeth sharpened, and his usual blue eyes became bright red slitted eyes. However, his body wouldn't remain and kept alternating between his normal and darker look as he looked towards the door at Cadence with sadness. "I'm sorry..." He breathed the words out before collapsing. Cadence ran over to him and saw his body return to normal. His breathing was slow but steady so she knew he was unconscious but stable. Her horn lit up as she picked his body up and laid him down on his bed before leaving to alert the doctor and tell Celestia what happened.

3 months later...

Doctor...when will he wake up?" Asked the concerned princess of the sun as she held Star's hoof, hoping he'd wake up. His body was attached to an assortment of machines with the only sound in the room being the beep of the heart monitor.

"I don't know Princess Celestia... His vitals appear fine now but whatever he was struck with is having an unknown effect on his body."

"...will he survive..?"

"Yes...it's hard for me to believe but it appears his body is fighting back whatever is harming him. In time, he should awake from his comatose state."

"Alright, thank you doctor."

"You're welcome your highness" He walked out of the room. Twilight and Cadence came in.
"Princess...Is Star going to be okay?" Asked the young unicorn. She had always loved it when he would stay up with her or how he would protect her any time she was scared.

Cadence missed his playful attitude as well as the things he'd always do just to try to make her smile. And he always told her one thing that made her happy, that no matter what he'd always love her and protect her. Seeing him in so much pain three months ago though made her feel like crying so much but she wanted to be strong for Twilight.

She was so wrapped in her thoughts, she didn't notice that Twilight and Spike were on Star's bed beside him. It wasn't until Celestia spoke that she broke away from her thoughts. "Twilight... What are you doing?" Asked the princess of the sun curiously.

"I'm keeping him safe like he did with me." Star's body seemed to respond as the electricity dissipated and moved to the other side of the bed and stood beside celestia. She noticed how celestia gripped Star's hoof, not wanting to let go. "Auntie, he'll be okay. He's always gotten himself hurt doing something dangerous"/p

"Yes I know but Cadence...This is different from those moments. I lost my sister a thousand years ago because I wasn't there for her and I almost lost him too by sending Luna away and letting the darkness get to him...and now here I am again, seeing Star in what could be the last time as his usual self."

"Don't lose hope.. We both know he's a fighter when something threatens the lives of Equestria. He'll come through,I know he will...he just has to.."

"You're right...we must keep our hopes up and have faith that Star will wake up."

"And until then we'll keep him safe by staying with him. Now why don't you go and we'll stay here with Star Shield. Then in the night, you can watch over him."

"Thank you Cadence,if anything happens to Star don't hesitate to tell me." Celestia walked over to the door and glanced at Star's body one last time before opening the door and leaving, closing the door behind her as she walked away. Cadence got up and laid on the bed with star,resting her head on his chest. She could still feel the darkness within him but the beating of his heart calmed her. Soon, they fell asleep with Twilight and Spike on his left and Cadence on his right.

Meanwhile in Star's mind...

Two ponies were in the midst of battle, colliding with a loud boom as they matched blow for blow. One a white alicorn with a light blue aura while the other was a black alicorn with a red aura. The battle had been going on since Star had gone unconscious and neither seemed to be able to get the upper hand as they stood a few feet away from each other, glaring at one another.

"Give it up Star Shield, you're too weak to remain in control of our body!"The dark alicorn exclaimed as his aura illuminated more.

"I'll never give up Night Blade! I'm not going to allow you to hurt anypony! Not while I'm around!" Star shouted as his aura brightened.

Night growled and charged forward, Star did the same and were about to collide...until their bodies were held by a pair of claws. It was a dragon and probably at least 40', he had a white body,blue spikes down his back and tail, a light blue underbelly, and his eyes were sapphire blue. He spread his white wings on display for all to see under was icy blue. It spoke in a calm yet threatening voice. "Enough with the fighting both of you. You will get nowhere whether you like it or not. Now enough of the constant combat because our body is in enough damage without you both nearly tearing it up."

"OUR BODY?!" They exclaimed in surprise.

He let them go and stood on his four claws as he looked at the two ponies."Yes,our body...now then, Star stand down. As for you, I suggest you back off Night Blade and return to where you came which is within Star's darkness. If Star Shield refuses to let you take over then he won't do it whether you want it or not. Unless you would rather try your luck against me,just go peacefully."

"Bring it on dragon, I'll take you down and then I'll get rid of Star as well to forever control our body." Night Blade smiled and lit up his horn as a red ball with black lightning around began to form at the tip of his horn. The ball increased in size until it was as large as the dragon himself. The dragon stared unamused as Star Shield watched from the sidelines. It was baffling to see the dragon act so bored when he knows that he's the target.

"You asked for it dragon, I'll show you to stay out of my way!" He shouted as he launched the energy ball towards the dragon. The dragon smiled and stood up. As soon as it was within reach, he caught the energy ball with his claws, trying not to laugh as he saw the surprised look on Night's face.

"As I said before, you should have just returned where you belong peacefully...now it's my turn..." He held the energy ball and threw it back towards night as his spikes glowed. Night dodged his own attack and prepared himself as the explosion from his attempt was heard."Let's see if you can handle my attack arrogant pony." He put his claws together as a white ball of energy with blue lightning around it formed between them, increasing in diameter until it was a tenth of his size. Then put his claws forward and launched his attack towards night but not as a ball but as an energy beam. Night attempted to fight back with a counterattack but he was soon enveloped in the dragon's attack. He screamed in pain before it was over and he wasn't seen any longer. Star gulped nervously as he saw only some smoke coming from where Night Blade was.

"You have no need to worry about ending up like him." Said the dragon sensing Star's concern./p

"Is he...gone?"

"For the moment... But be warned that he'll come back Star. Night will return and he will attempt to take over your body over and over. The constant struggle won't end until one of you parishes or you somehow get along. Especially in eight years on the day of the summer sun celebration, Night will be able to succeed in taking your body over. "

"Alright...but why in eight years on the summer sun celebration?"

"That's simple Star Shield... The mare you saw banished to the moon that unleashed Night Blade to the world for the first time...as far as you know... will be returning to finish what she started." He muttered part of what he said knowing Star had no knowledge of his past before ending up with Celestia and Luna.

"So..you mean...Luna is going to come back?!" Star said happily as his wings fluttered in excitement. He couldn't believe that after so long,he'd see his best friend once more.

"Not exactly Star." The Alicorn slumped down in hopelessness as he felt his dream of seeing Luna again be crushed. "At least not in the way you know her. She will be returning but as Nightmare moon not as Luna."

"Nightmare moon? But what about Luna?" Star inquired in disappointment, he didn't want Nightmare moon, he wanted Luna, the princess of the night and his best friend.

The dragon sighed in annoyance. The drake felt he was talking to a child but he couldn't blame the pony for the ignorance. "Nightmare moon is Luna but she's what Night Blade is for you. Nightmare moon, the dark side of the moon if you would." Star rolled his eyes at the statement the dragon made. "Nonetheless, if you are to stand a chance against Night Blade and others like him that only wish to harm the citizens of equestria...then you must learn to control the power you and I have and perhaps build up your body to contain your power without the use of suppressors."

"Okay...how do I do that?"

"By training: learn to control your magic by practicing spells while developing new ones, increase your speed with wing workouts, and build up strength by doing strenuous activities. You will need to do all three for without one, you will not benefit from our power. Finally, you will need to learn to tap into me to help stabilize yourself when your output surpasses the capacity of your body."

"Star took mental notes of what he needed to do. "Once I can do all this...will I be able to change between pony and dragon at will?" The dragon nodded.

"Yes you will but be careful when changing forms. After all, it does require a moderate amount of magic and you might accidentally damage property or somepony when you're my size out in equestria."

Star thought for a moment before grinning. "Well can I use magic?" The dragon nodded. "Is it through the claws or mouth?" He nodded again meaning he could do it from both. "And if I were to cast a spell on myself, would it work in your dragon form?"

"Considering we are bonded I suppose it could be possible...why do you ask?" The dragon asked curious as to what this pony had in mind.

"You'll find out soon um...I just remembered... You never told me what your name was mister dragon."

"You may call me Nova."

"Alright, thank you for your help and for the information."

"One last thing before you wake up...I'll give you one week to spend with your loved ones then at midnight of the final day, you are to head to the everfree forest to begin your training, no exception."

Star felt glum to have to leave so suddenly but he knew he had to. "Alright Nova...but before I go, I want to ask you about how you ended up in me and what you know about me."

"I understand your curiosity and I will tell you what you want to know Star Shield once we're in the everfree forest...including the events of what happened to your parents."

"Alright, hopefully I can take it all. Thank you, see you again." The dragon extended his claw and Star shook it with his hoof as everything faded into black.

He awoke with a groan as his eye took in the moonlight shining through the room. As his eyes adjusted, he noticed a large silhouette on his bed. His movements woke it up as he attempted to sit up.

"Star Shield...is it really you?" Said a soft voice he knew all too well. He turned his head to gaze into her light magenta eyes which were tearing up.

He leaned closer and nuzzled her cheek."Yes Tia, it's me...who else would I be?" She responded with an almost suffocating hug as she let out her sobs into his shoulder.

"Oh Star,I thought I lost you again! I thought you'd never wake up and that you would be lost in the dark forever!"He wrapped his left wing over her,being careful to not disturb the machines attached to him as he tried to calm her down. "Celestia...I'll never get lost in the darkness.. I promised you I wouldn't let it consume me without a fight. That day when I looked into your eyes and saw the sadness and pain in them as well as the harm I caused you along with the city...it made me realize that I didn't want to become that again and I intend to prevent that from happening." Her sobs were slowly stopping so he continued. "No matter what happens...I will be with you in spirit and heart to always protect you. I love you Celestia and I love Equestria and there's no way I will ever become that monster again without fighting the hardest possible." She let go slightly, making it more comfortable for Star as he whispered in her ear. "I will protect you with my life Tia and if any ever do...I'll make them regret it. For Equestria and for you along with everypony I care about, I will always be its protector."

"Thank you...thank you so much Star..."

"Anytime Celestia..." She let go as she wiped her tears and smiled."I know Cadence, Twilight, and Spike will be happy to know you're awake."

"Spike? The baby dragon that is with Twilight... Why would he be happy to hear about my recovery?"

"Star...you may not have noticed,but Spike looks up to you. He considers you to be his role model for how you're friendly towards most ponies and how you risk your own life to protect your loved ones."

"I don't understand...How would he know any of that? He and I have barely actually spent any time in a room together."

"Well Cadence was telling some stories to Twilight that I had told her years ago about how you had helped me and Luna defeat King sombra, the time you had prevented King Talos of the griffin kingdom from invading Equestria, and some of the other heroics you've been doing around Canterlot and throughout Equestria. Spike was with them and after hearing those things... He really took a shine to you Star."

"I suppose I should be flattered...I'll make sure to speak with the young drake in private so we may get to know one another better."

"That's very sweet Star. Tomorrow, we'll get rid of these things and we can spend time together in the gardens." He nodded and accepted her offer of spending the day with her. It had been centuries since they've actually spent quality time with each other. "Great, then it's a date."

"A date huh? Since when have we been dating?"

She blushed and looked away. It was odd for her to act like this. Star reached over with his hoof and turned her back to look at him."Tia, what is going on? You always used to try to tease me about how I avoided you saying that I was doing it because I had a crush on you. Yet, now you seem to look away and avoid looking me in the eye..."

Her ears drooped down as she spoke quietly, "that's because I'm afraid."

"Afraid of what Tia? Did somepony threaten you?"

"No, it's not that. It's more personal...it's about us."

"What about us Celestia?"

"Well... We've known each other for a long time and I know we're good friends but...lately I've been feeling so weird around you Star Shield. At first I thought maybe it was just because of your attitude or I was just ill. However, every time I needed you, you have always been there. You have been my shoulder to cry on during Luna's banishment and even when you were mad at me or were being a cold,detached stallion and tried to stay away from me, you never let anypony harm me...you always defended me. You even faced an army to protect me, though I was terrified you would destroy the planet by your magic. Over the years, I always felt strange whenever you held me, as if whenever I was close to you, I felt completely safe and protected...now I realize why." She looked at him directly and placed her hoof on his chest. "I don't want to be just friends anymore Star, nor do I just want us to be guard and I want is...I want to be your marefriend..."