~Star's balcony, 7am, one day left till departure~

Star was up and feeling refreshed as his two lovely mares slept peacefully in his bed snuggled up to a bed he placed to substitute his body. He lowered the moon and slowly raised the sun, seeing as it rose above the horizon. The sounds of chirping birds, the view of Canterlot, and the rising sun...it all helped Star Shield feel very peaceful and at ease. He knew that this was the very last day he'd stay until he left but he knew he'd come back sooner or later. He couldn't explain what made him think that but he just had a gut feeling he'd see those he cared for again from his young friend Twilight Sparkle to his marefriends, Princesses Celestia and Cadence.

As he finished with the raising of the sun, he raised his right front hoof, noticing a discharge of energy that were probably side effects of the imperfect combination of what he and Nova did yesterday. It also served as a reminder that the reason was going was to perfect it as well as control the abilities that come along with having such combined power. One bad mistake and he could end up clearing half the castle or worse...and he certainly didn't want to hurt anypony or cause trouble when he could avoid it. He looked back over inside his room at the two sleeping mares, knowing this would be the last time but he knew he'd never forget about them. His large white wings spread open and he leaped off the balcony, flying over the city and the castle. As it was early morning, nopony was up yet and those few that were most likely remained indoors.

However, just outside the train station, he noticed a grey pony carrying a dark blue suitcase on its back. Upon closer look, Star saw it was his brother going inside so he dove down to find out where he was going.

"Cloud!"

The pegasus stopped and turned, smiling and waving him hello, "Morning Star Shield, what are you doing here?"

Star's wings tucked into the sides of Hus body and he walked towards the pegasus. "I could ask you the same thing. What are you doing at the train station and with a suitcase no less?"

"I'm leaving to go visit my mother in Ponyville. She wanted me to come today so I'm taking the first train."

"But do you really have to go now? Can't you stay just until tomorrow or at least tonight?"

Cloud shook his head and frowned, "I'm sorry brother but I have to go today. I promised mom I'd go today. After all, ever since my dad passed away, she's been wanting me to come and make sure I'm alright. I know you'll probably be gone by the time I return but at least we had one last adventure together even if it was more of a rescue mission than something for fun."

"If you must go then alright but I'm coming with you. I would like to have at least one last moment with you brother."

"Well, the train arrives in ten minutes and knowing how others would react to you being you know what, I suggest you go put on some clothes or armor. Something that'll cover your wings so you can join me. I'll be at the platform waiting for the train so don't take long."

"Don't worry, I'll be quick I promise. See you soon Cloud." Star spread his wings and took off at high speed back to his castle. He landed shortly after on his balcony and headed inside his bedroom where he found the room empty. He suspected they went down for breakfast so he quickly levitated a paper and quill while he put on the silver horseshoes and chestplate armor. He wrote that he was leaving with his brother to Ponyville but he'd back in time for the gala.

He grabbed his longsword which was in its holster leaning on the wall and placed it on his back. Then left the note on his bed when he noticed the armor was banged and had some bloodsplatter from the fight with Crimson. However, he had no time to change or give to the blacksmith for repair. He quickly slipped his wings through the slots on the back which made it possible for him to retract his wings from sight and to expose his wings when needed, then flew back to the train station.

As he got near, he heard the loud whistle of a train and saw it begin to chug off. He knew he had to catch so he flew higher for a few hundred feet then dove down towards the train, tucking in his wings to increase his speed, quickly approaching the back of the train. Although he had caught the train, he couldn't slow down. He tried as hard as he could, only managing to slow down at the last second. He crashed into the last passenger car which was luckily empty and stood up, he had broken the roof of the car and there were some broken seats but other than that, the car and the rest of the train seemed fine.

A small wooden door that was used to walk through different cars opened to show Cloud Zapper with the conductor looking panicked. Star smiled nervously and waved, "Told you I would make it..."

"Well you certainly did make a big entrance in doing so brother." Said Cloud in disbelief as he stared behind his brother at the large gaping hole in the ceiling as the wind howled. The conductor passed out from seeing the damage and the pony that crashed onto the train.

Star closed the door and Cloud picked up the unconscious conductor, placing him on an empty bench. Once the conductor was placed safely on the bench, the brothers sat on two benches that faced each other, both sitting by the window as they stared at each other.

"So Star Shield, are you nervous about tonight?" The pegasus asked curiously.

"Nervousness may be one of many emotions I'm feeling. I have a mixture of good and bad feelings. Good because I have you and others that care for me...but, on the other hand, I will be leaving you all behind and I'm not even sure if anyone will care if I come back."

Cloud let out a light chuckle causing Star to look at him perplexed. "Do you find my situation amusing Cloud?"

Cloud shook his head, "No but you're worrying about nothing Star Shield. Do you think Princess Celestia would forget about you or stop caring about you? That I would do that?"

"Well no but..."

"But nothing Star, you know we're going to miss you. Me, the princesses, Twilight, and everypony else will miss you and will be happy to see you return...well almost everypony. Can't say Prince Blueblood will be missing you all that much."

Star smiled, "Yeah but that's because he knows I'm better than him in every way without the obnoxious attitude he has. He's lucky I haven't sent him into a coma."

Cloud laughed, "I'm sure the guards would appreciate it if you did. Then he'd actually be quiet for once."

Star joined in the laughter as they discussed how they'd make the snobby prince look ridiculous and later on what they would want to do in Ponyville.

~Sometime later~

The brothers were sitting quietly as they admired the view of the green grass, the flower meadows and the mountains far the train neared its destination of Ponyville, the train rumbled and shook causing both ponies to look away from the view. The train shook more violent and before either pony could ask what was happening, the ponies slammed into the walls suddenly as the train lifted off the rails and rolled multiple times until it settled on its side into an empty field. The force of the impact caused everyone on the train to suffer injuries of varying degrees with most being knocked unconscious.

~Cloud Zapper's POV~

After I slammed into the train, everything went black...I'm not sure how long it was since I blacked out or what caused the train to crash in the first place but right now, I just had to get out. I stood up and noticed only a bench or two managed to remain in place, the rest had been tossed and destroyed, the windows were smashed, and I was the only one in the wrecked train car. I looked over my body, finding pieces of glass all over my body, my left wing had been dislocated and simply hung limply by my side. I touched my forehead and felt blood flowing down, no doubt I had a head wound as well. With my one good wing and my hooves, I managed to climb out but I was wondering where everypony else was or where my brother was. He was with me before but now, he seemed to be gone. I looked around and very large hooded pony carrying something white and red on its back...wait, that's Star Shield. I used my hooves to run as fast as I could.

"Hey! Stop! Who are you? Leave my brother alone?!" I yelled as I came near him. I saw it grin, not even a normal grin, it looked sick and evil. It gave me all the more motivation to get my brother away from him. I jumped, ready to tackle him down...only to miss it. I was surprised and turned back only to see that grin again...this time much closer and with a purple glow above.

'This is going to hurt...' I thought before I felt myself being blasted away with a beam of dark purple magic straight into the train, the force pushing me clear through the train. I couldn't feel much as I flew through the train, then again that was probably because I may be on the verge of going unconscious. I eventually stopped and looked up at the sun, disappointed with myself for not being able to save Star Shield. I lifted my head, my vision was fading, and the last thing I heard were faint yells and blurry visions of ponies before my body couldn't handle much more and everything turned black once more.

'I'm sorry I let you down Star Shield... '

~An unknown amount of time later, Star's POV~

I groaned as I began to wake up, I found myself chained to the floor of an enormous area without my armor, restraints or weapons. It was very dark, only able to see a few feet in front of me. I tried to use my magic to shed some light around me in order to see better but I was unable to. The chain connected from the ground to a neck brace I had been placed around my neck. It was a magic cancelling brace but the chain itself seemed easy enough to break with my strength. Whoever did this was either naive of my strength or they weren't going to hold me long.

The sudden brightness of white lights blinded my vision temporarily. When I regained my vision I was able to see stones of different sizes scattered across a wide large area. The space appeared easily large enough for aerial and ground combat. Large walls surrounded the area with rows of flat stone benches lined up all around me, signs of wear and tear were visible but overall the place seemed in good condition. It was easy to see that this was a large arena. One that may have held sporting events in older times and I guess one of the ones that would be participating would be me.

My ears heard the sound of metal jangling and I looked to the other side of me to see a metal cage door being raised up. A creature stepped out with similar features to a pony except he had holes of varying sizes on his hooves, his coat was black, his eyes were bright people as if it was controlled and his overall appearance appeared insectlike to me. It was a changeling, but as I began to look closer at it, I noticed it was very slim and had signs of bruising on various parts of his body.

In the middle of the field, a dark purple ball showed up suddenly, stirring any loose sand and rocks to fly around him. In place of the ball came a large pony with enormous wings, a long horn, a long flowing purple and black flame like mane and tail with piercing red eyes. Shocked and angry to say, I knew the new pony and so did the others in my mind who had been mere observers until now.

'It can't be!'

'There's no way that's him!'

"Father.." I whispered silently. The one who I had wanted to be like...the one I had later fought to the death...and he was standing here before me looking as strong as ever. It just couldn't be possible. I had ended his life long ago or at least I thought I did.

My father looked at me and smiled, "Hello son or should I say Prince Star? I hope you missed me because I certainly missed you. I can't wait to catch up for our time apart but for now, I think I'll let you get acquainted with your new friend." He turned to the changeling and I could tell he no longer had a smile as his voice was cold and angry when he spoke to it. "Give him a very nice welcome." It nodded and hissed at my father.

The brace came free when my father disappeared meaning I was free to move though now I had an opponent to defeat. I had nothing to hold back my power but then again, I knew my father was going to monitor this so might as well show him how much strength I have compared to the last time. My horn glowed brightly full of magic, my wings spread as I readied myself to launch myself forward. The changeling mimicking my actions hissing and glaring at me.

'Are you ready for this, Star Shield?'

'I'm ready Nova, you ready for this Night Blade?'

'To show off and scare that blasted alicorn with my overwhelming power? You can bet I'm raring to go!'

'Heh alright then, we go on 3...1...'

'...2..'

'..3..!'