private A Cultural Exchange 1x1 with Sherem

[Sherem 4,807]

Seeing that some of his words had effect on him, he proceed to now use his magic now to move the rapier inside the body of Midnight and and open a bigger wound through his body and armor.

Managing to turn the tables with this, it was his hoof was now pushing the neck of Midnight against the floor and he took the helmet and threw it out of the tower to see his face

"Are you angry? Does it hurt to feel how it runs through your blood? Boiling, burning inside? That's just fine, anger is another road to madness" he then whisper at his ear with his unsettling tone of voice "Let it fester inside you, let me show you a psychotic wonderland, that last comment, I told you that in the end all play my game willingly or not" he then stabbed him in the stomach as he moved his head out reach and prepared to give another.

But inside the mind of Sheoreth, sherem was struggling for control and was winning terrain quickly

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Sherem

No unicorn would tell you this, for obvious reasons, but horns do actually grow back. Slowly of course, and how much was removed would determine how long until said unicorn would be able to use magic effectively again. This is something Midnight had gathered over years of experience when it came to subduing unicorns who attacked him, if they were not dissuaded by the knock, nor the attempts at unconsciousness, then the horn came off. Not the whole thing mind you, just enough that they'd be without magic for a week or so, really let them think about what they had done.

When Midnight got stabbed deeper he was surprised at how quickly Sheoreth had regained control after having his horn knocked, and was further surprised when he pressed the advantage to remove his helmet. Nonetheless his face was set with determination as if carved from stone, his eyes had a misty glow to them, an effect of the exertion from his magics that didn't look wholly unlike the mists from Sombra's eyes.

It was when Sheoreth leaned in to whisper that he pressed his attack, gripping him by the neck with one hoof, and moving to slice the top inch and a half of his horn off with the bladed horseshoe of the other. "No anger, only disappointment." he whispered back into Sheoreth's ear.

The stab to his stomach hurt, but it wouldn't couldn't stop him now.

Having never experienced it for himself he wouldn't know how it felt to get a horn sliced, but from what he had heard it was more of a mental pain than anything else, so even if Sheoreth were ignoring the physical pains of his beatings, it was unlikely he would be able to ignore this one.

[Sherem 4,807]

As he was about to go for another stab, a magic impulse separated Midnight and Sheoreth and the latter was grabbing his head with one hoof, like he was in pain "NOT NOW YOU BASTARD, THIS IS MY FIGHT MY BODY!!!" he swing his sword around "LEAVE US ALONE WE ARE GETTING TO THE BEST PART!!!"

As he fought in his mind, he realized that Sherem was gaining control and the mind was switching over, and as he did he looked at Midnight and said while pointing with his hoof at him "THIS IS NOT OVER YOU BASTARD, NEXT TIME WE MEET I WILL DECORATE MY NEW THRONE WITH YOUR INSIDES!!" he screamed more going to the edge of the tower and soon the eyes turned from yellow and sharp to that of a pony of equestria and red.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Sherem

Midnight had not counted on being so repulsed, but was quick to regain his footing on the platform, he was about to charge forward when he saw the changes in the eyes, "And what is this? Another trick? I will not be fooled so easily."

Nonetheless, he did not press the advantage, just in case it had all in fact been a case of serious total possession. He took the time instead to remove the weapons still stuck inside him, tossing them out like Sheoreth had done with his helmet.

[Sherem 4,807]

Sherem looked at him, seeing how all events unfolded, he knew everything that Sheoreth did, every second of it and every hour. He felt that he had to set all things right, but his body was still sore and in pain and passed out on the middle of the edge of the tower with gravity pulling him to fall and he was unconscious.

While unconscious, visions of what he did 1000 years ago also the recent ones where like stones that weighed heavy on his mind, his consciousness, this would surely be more wood to the pyre of regrets and self loathing he already had.

He began to fall down, perhaps if he could die this time he could be spared of all the things of the past, and thus Sheoreth would not harm anypony ever again. 

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Sherem

There was a twinge of something in Midnight, regret? Perhaps more of an unsatisfied vengeance, but he couldn't let Sheoreth escape, or die before facing justice. This is the most obvious trap I've ever seen, I'll jump out of the tower and he'll just fly away, knock me off the tower while vulnerable.

Despite his hesitation and inner monologue, he rushed towards Sherem as soon as he started falling, using his magic to run down the side of the tower after his falling body. As soon as he caught up to him he would attempt to grab him before pulling back against the wall to slow their combined descent. They weighted too much together for him to make a complete stop, but he would be able to slow them enough that they wouldn't hit the ground too hard.

[Sherem 4,807]

The rapier that Midnight threw turned into a Big sword, while the rapier was dark and silver, the sword was golden and showed off the steel on the moonlight. They were both Alive, but the bad news was that it would remain night until both princesses could be out of the grip of the spell that Sheoreth put them into. 

Inside the mind of Sherem, more memories rushed into him, the days of his colthood, the two friends that where with him the entire time, the crystal heart, the words of princess amore and even so, his defeat at the hands of Sombra.

All was played like a memory, only to torment him

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Sherem

Unfortunately Midnight was not very capable at dispelling magic, nor was he at all aware that the princesses were magically unconscious.

Upon reaching the base of the tower he was able, finally to take a rest from the battle, it was clear to him that his opponent was quite unconscious at this point. Midnight would reach into his bags to start bandaging his own wounds, cleaning the punctures with a potion or two before covering them with a strip of clean cloth.

He'd find a potion he found sufficiently pungent, and opened it near the unconscious alicorn's nostrils, hopefully it would have the effect of smelling salts and wake him up.

[Sherem 4,807]

Sherem smell all of it opening his red eyes and yelling at the smell "By celestia!!! what is that!!?" he shook his head and then Looked at Midnight, and while he knew Midngiht fought against Sheoreth, he believed himself to be dead as well and so said "oh no! you're dead as well?!" he asked disappointed

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Sherem

Midnight remained cautious despite the alicorn's clearly changed personality from the one who had fought him. "Didn't think a crystal pony would use her name like that." He looked at the potion bottle, "It looks like a tincture of... ah, it's mane and tail straightener. Forgot it was in here."

4 hours ago, Sherem said:

"oh no! you're dead as well?!"

Midnight smirked, "I would have thought the afterlife filled with less pain, or involving a rebirth. Given neither of those are present, I'm afraid we've both survived. Whether that lasts I suppose depends on what you do. Care to explain what just happened?"

Now not exerting so much magic his eyes had returned to normal, they were noticeably smaller than those of a normal pony, but they looked the same when it came to coloration, his being a deep blue. Midnight would go to retrieve his helmet, pulling out the strap stowed within to hang it around his neck rather than putting it back on as he waited for Sherem's response.

[Sherem 4,807]

Sherem looked at him and then saw his hoofs and felt the pain of his body and said "oh, so we are not dead, at this point I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad one" he saw his sword and looking at it his mind composed a bit now, but now knowing he was alive he knew that things where not going to easy for him, but even more harder than before. He sighed and looked at Midnight "Seems you might get your answer to what the glyphs in my flank mean, but before we get to that story I have to put some stuff right again and Celestia willingly, I will have a chance to live another day"

He picked up the sword and made it disappear "Advisor Midnight, first of all I have to offer my apologies for what you just went through now" he knelt and lowered his head in shame "you shouldn't have been dragged into this madness at all"

 

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Sherem

Midnight looked down on Sherem's bowed head, and let him keep it there for a moment or so longer than was usual before signaling him to arise. "Indeed, this is something that should have been taken care of before I had to get involved. By your words it seems this isn't this first time this has happened? Tell me, did Celestia know?"

He had the sinking suspicion that she had, and like almost all the other issues she had encountered she had elected to ignore it until it became a real problem rather than dealing with it proactively.

He would wait for Sherem's response before he turned to leave, "Do what you must, but I cannot remain. Already I have risked much being here, and I should leave before my presence causes any issues or I be blamed for what has transpired."

[Sherem 4,807]

"I'm afraid is pretty much a long story, if you need to leave now it will have to be another time we meet each other my lord, but to give a short answer about Celestia, well I can only tell you she was there during the fall of the Crystal empire" he expanded his wings and went into the castle to begin his work to make some "amends" to the situation Sheoreth had caused.

He flew into the throne, but at the same time he had to wonder if that was the extent of the exchange program with Midnight, perhaps it was for the best since he ended up dragging him into something he clearly didn't want. 

 

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Sherem

Midnight would leave the way he had come, stealthily, returning in short order to Castle Archback, where he drafted and sent out the following letter:

Vice Guard Captain Sherem of Equestria,

Your presence has been requested at the Equis Global Council hosted at Castle Archback regarding a recent event in Canterlot, Equestria in which, according to our knowledge, you played a critical part. You are NOT under arrest, you are free to come or decline this summons.

Should you accept, the guard which delivered this letter to you will serve as your guide. Should you decline, simply state as much to the guard.

We look forward to your arrival,

~Gari, Lunar Order.

Midnight included a second page attached to the first official summons:

Sherem,

I had some time to think about our interaction as I returned to Archback. Provided you are willing, and given your reaction after our altercation I believe you are, there's a few things I'd like to try regarding your 'passenger'. If successful it could be life changing for you. If not there's nothing lost.

I know what it is like to be consumed by darkness, Sir and I have fought it before. If you don't accept the summons, at least respond to this so that we may continue our intercourse.

~Midnight

 

The letter was delivered to Sherem directly via a thestral, she was garbed similarly to those who served in the Lunar Guard, but the armor was a lighter shade, and instead of an eye at the front it bore the symbol of a diamond. If Sherem knew about thestral clans he would recognize the symbol as belonging to the Fastar Clan in the Shimmerwood Forest. The guard would wordlessly present the letter to Sherem, and await his response.

[Sherem 4,807]

After he read the letter, he knew he had to think it over, and since he was still in a "Vacation" he would not have to report any of this to the princesses. He indeed managed to make clear that it Was Sheoreth who was the one that orchestrated the events that happened at the city. But another part of him knew that this formal call would mean bad news as well, so if it was decided to give him an execution he would not object, and maybe just maybe the nightmare of sharing a body with a psychopath would finally come to an end.

He looked at the guard and asked "When are we departing?" as he prepared with only some basic stuff for a trip and his sword, and to make sure he was not going there for trouble he handed his sheathed sword to the guard that brought the letter.

Yet inside his head, he could hear him "So taking the easy way out? not surprised from you wussy"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Sherem

The guard was surprised when she was given the sword, but accepted it nonetheless. "I can take you as soon as you're ready. I presume you are apt at flight? It will be quite the trip otherwise."

As soon as Sherem indicated that he was ready the guard would lead the way. By air they would travel south west, crossing over the Everfree Forest towards Ponyville, eventually leaving Equestria entirely as they passed over the Shimmerwood Forest. There was a large collection of light in one part of the forest, which the guard flew a large arc around. When they had passed the lights in the forest Archback Mountain came into view, or more particularly the lights on the mountain became visible. 

Clearing the forest there was a level plain leading up to the base of the mountain, a river ran through it and all around the river was a bustling town with architecture similar to that of the zebra mainland, further the population there was almost entirely zebra.

There was a small gap between the end of the town and the start of the mountain, which as they drew closer it became more apparent that the whole mountain, or at least this side, was covered in buildings and creatures of all kinds moving about.

Ascending the mountain they eventually reached the castle gates, standing open before them. The guard who had been leading the way stopped to rest a bit. 

Midnight was waiting there for them to arrive. He would nod to Sherem, "I trust your arrival was without complications?"

Without his armor Midnight stood more refined, his coat, mane, and tail were brushed smooth, though a number of scars shone like comets on a starless sky on the first, and the last was long enough nearly to touch the ground.

(If sherem had any comments on the way feel free to put them first, quoting the relevant scenery and he'll get responses in kind. )

[Sherem 4,807]

Sherem never had the chance to make these kinds of Trips, the last one he had was when he left his birth home that was the empire, so he was marveled at most of the sights of the trip, but decided to remain silent during the trip, first to not be a bother to the mare that was taking the task of escorting him to Castle Archback. He looked at the guard as he took his sword with his seath and as he held it still sheathed, he bowed to Midnight and he said "It was an interesting view on the way, and if it was to be my last I guess I could not complain"

He offered his sword now at Midnight in his sheath making sure he was not here to cause trouble and as a formality as well "I have answered your calling, not expecting what will happen but I can already tell there will me some penance to carry from what happened"

He bowed even lower, after all he was just a soldier, tough an alicorn, a simple soldier in the presence of somepony with authority and he was to submit to the full judgment of the one who was troubled by his other side.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Sherem

Midnight looked surprised as Sherem offered the sword to him, and did not take the sword, instead pushing it back towards him as he motioned for him to rise. "I'm unaware exactly how they did things in the Crystal Empire, but I'm fairly certain such an action in Equestria signals complete surrender. Given your position, I don't think your plan is to defect or to signal Celestia's surrender."

He motioned for Sherem to follow him as he turned to enter the castle, "Nonetheless, your deference is appreciated, but hopefully unnecessary. Provided my assumptions are correct it is not you who owes penance, the question remaining being how we make the one responsible adequately pay."

Through the gates was a hallway extending to either side and a second pair of doors directly across from the main gates, which opened as Midnight approached, revealing a courtyard with the rest of the castle on the other side. The mountain rose up past the top of the walls to either side of the courtyard, indicating that most if not all of the castle had been carved out of the mountain rather than constructed. Two towers rose out of the main body of the castle, one glowing with the light of the setting sun, the other was dark, but had a sort of energy to it. In a way the dark castle seemed a stark contrast to Canterlot Castle.

In the midst of the courtyard were a number of creatures of all types, dressed in the garb of a number of cultures, and all of them watched as Midnight and Sherem walked by, hushed conversations among them were mostly about his being an alicorn than anything else, one notable snippet was the theory that he was some sort of male version of Celestia.

On the opposite side of the courtyard Midnight passed through another set of doors, leading to an audience chamber not wholly unlike the Canterlot throne room, just with seating more akin to a judge's courtroom. Midnight led on into one of the side rooms, which was more of a private meeting room, a central round table with two circles of chairs around it. The only thing really notable about the room was a ponnequin, dressed in formal attire, sat in a chair opposite the door.

At least, it looked like a ponnequin until the shadows started to move around it, eyes and a mouth forming out of the shadowy mass. "This is Slend, a trusted adviser of Sir and I, hopefully it will be able to help you." If Sherem had heard of them before it would be clear that Slend was a shadow specter, a shadowy creature which excelled in mental magic and manipulation. This one inhabiting what appeared to be a poneqquin designed for the purpose. If Sherem didn't know of them, then he'd have to ask.

 Slend gave a nod in greeting as it was introduced, it spoke with a deep, masculine voice, "I hope to be able to help, if not I then Sir will be more able."

Midnight motioned for Sherem to take a seat at the table as he took one of his own. "Is there anything you'd like to say? Some question you want to ask? Or should I begin explaining why I called you here?"

[Sherem 4,807]

Most of the time, Sherem was amazed and could not help but to admire the ingenuity of the ones that carved the castle into the mountain, as he looked around and analyzed the structure of the castle and the kingdom, his mind was already thinking on ways of defending it and even attacking it, like he was playing with and against the ones that build all this. But realizing that he was just a guest he decided to put those thoughts on hold for the moment.

As the other ponies that looked at him and gave him the whispers, although he could not hear them, he sighed because at least he knew that it wasn't any good for gossip between politics are just as problematic as useless.

He gave a small reverence to Slend and then turned to look at Midnight and sit leaving his sword on the table and then said "If this is going where I think is going, we are gonna need, or at least I'm gonna need a drink...." he didn't want to be a pest nor a bad guest, but his mind and spirit could not let him talk about Sheoreth without first numbing himself, the trauma of those endless days and nights in the empire wore him mentally pretty bad "Lots of Drinks actually, of the strongest kind you might have"

he tried to get out of his weak mental state and then said "I do have a few questions, but I feel is better I put them on hold just in case that today is indeed my last day, I feel I have no right to ask anything, except of course why did you summon me on the sanctity of your home?" he asked

 

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Sherem

At Sherem's request for drink, Midnight signaled to Slend, who stepped out of the room, presumably to fetch something. "Despite your stature as an alicorn, I don't think you could handle the strongest we have. Even our resident dragon finds it rather potent, but Slend will retrieve the next best that we can provide."

At Sherem's question, Midnight sighed. "The purpose of the summons is exactly that, to ensure that today won't be your last. Inasmuch as you are a danger to yourself and others, I can't in good conscience let you run free, the Council will not allow it. Which is why we're going to try and ensure that the damage you pose is minimal, if at all possible we will attempt to destroy, or at least subdue the madness that possesses you."

Slend returned with a large bottle of clear liquid, likely a vodka of some sort, and a shot glass of a glistening liquid, like a liquid diamond, which he passed to Midnight. "That said, we'd like to know more about this madness, again you are not obligated to speak, but the more we know the better able we will be to help you fight it."

[Sherem 4,807]

Sherem gave a melancholic smile at Midnight, charged of a mix of emotions, sadness, relief, anguish and even some hope. He waited that his host would allow him to drink as he looked out to the window on his left, he saw the kingdom that Midnight had under him, and could not help but ask how much was the weight of the responsibility and then looked back at him and said "Well that's why I ask for the most potent stuff you might have, remembering it is digging into something I wish it stay there, buried and never to be brought up, but I owe you this much and at least you should know the truth like Princess Luna and Celestia know"

He looked at his sword, unsheath it slightly to see the reflection of his eyes on it and then sheathed back again and leaving it on the table "Well at least I shall get started into the beginnings, get yourself comfortable, this is a loooong story and as we dive deep into it I will need to be more deep inside the drink so I can have some courage to talk about it, I know it sounds like a weakling, but this is how I am and there is nothing I can do to change it"

He got into a comfortable position on the chair and started to narrate his story to Midnight:

"It would be around 1018 years ago, I was a colt that lived with my parents on the crystal empire at that time, my father Dr. Janos and my Mother Snow Diamond, counselor to her highness Princess Amore, the ancestor of Princess Cadance, the actual ruler. At that time I was friends with two other ponies, important to the history of the Crystal Empire, a filly called Radiant Hope and a colt that we named...Sombra"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Sherem

Midnight would listen intently as Sherem spoke, holding back on his comments despite the questions that this tale presented, conflicting as they did with the assumptions he had held thusfar.

Hmm, friends with Sombra? Making them similar in age, and therefore his ascension even more impressive. Given a two year age margin that made him no older than 30 at the banishment, so only 25 or so when he took the throne. Or Sherem's not good with the exact years, forgivable of course.

If Amore is the ancestor of Cadenza, I suppose that legitimizes her claim to the throne, further indicating that either Amore and/or her descendency were banished/escaped when Sombra took control, leaving them out when stasis began. Not impossible, more than likely Celestia help the family close so that when the kindom returned she could install a monarch loyal to her rather than leave it up to chance.

This is of course completely contrary to what I was told, but I suppose the original accounts may have been biased.

Midnight nodded, "Do continue."

[Sherem 4,807]

Sherem was a bit amused by the situation, but he kept it all for himself in that regard and now took 3 straight shoots of the drink and continued

At that time we grew up pretty much close Sombra would see me as a friend considering he was alone and only with Radiant Hope, I never felt the need to mock him or bully him though I was stronger than him, instead I had found somewhat of a brother in him, but on the other hoof was Radiant Hope, if there was something that could break our friendship was that me and Sombra where head over hooves for her, she was our bond ponified, she was so beautiful you could think that it was young crush but only time would prove that I was indeed in love with her and so was Sombra, we both loved her.

One day, and this was the first mistake, we three went to see the crystal heart, the literal heart of the empire. There is a legend that says those with high attunement to magic they can see their future reflected on its surface, I don't know what Radiant and Sombra saw that shook things up. But when I looked in it I saw my destiny, as a brave captain of the royal guard, turned into a monster of shadows and madness. My destiny had been shown to me, and it was frightening.

Then there was an event we wanted to attend, the Crystal Faire, the one that restores the spirit of love and unity to the crystal empire so it would protect their inhabitants from harm. But something happened every time it was the date of the Faire. Sombra would feel sick and we could not go, we spent years and years like this, never able to see the Faire, and this went on for years and years.

The tale was clearly getting Sherem into a more depressive state, but he was firm on the promise to tell Midnight everything as he took 3 more shots. 

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Sherem

Midnight looked impressed, and a small bit concerned at how quickly Sherem was downing the drink.

Slend too was watching, in their own way, one 'eye' remained focused on Sherem himself, the other 'eye' following the glass as it moved. Their 'mouth' remained a faint, flat line throughout Sherem's story. Were it not for the movement of the eye following the glass Slend would appear perfectly still.

Midnight nodded, more interested than before, "Please, continue."

Has what he saw already passed? Of does it talk of some future yet to come? Already he has shadows and madness...

[Sherem 4,807]

He went for another 3 shots, and then he heard him "things are getting hot and hotter on your mind, ready to talk of the fun stuff?" Sherem didn't reply to Sheoreth and kept with his story as he kept drinking and trying to drown himself into the drink.

Years passed and it was the same, I was formally introduced into the royal guard and got my cutie mark, the sun you see here, at that time Princess Amore consider transfer me to the canterlot guard, thinking my destiny was with the sun guard, my time with Sombra and Radiant Hope became less and less frequent. One day, again at the Crystal Faire, we saw something that scared us really badly, we saw our friend Sombra crumble into pieces, he was in suffering and Radiant was desperate to heal him, I wasn't much help other than watch.and then, a miracle. With her powerful magic Radiant Hope put our friend back together, she was talented and powerful in the matter of healing magic but this was another level of incredible and as such she earned her cutie mark. This is where things go downhill.

The days passed, and we saw each other less, Radiant doing practices of healing around the empire and me working on the chain of command of the guard I was even ascended to alicorn status by the grace of Princess amore and both Radiant and Sombra where there to congratulate me. And one day a letter arrived, with me being transferred to the Sun guard and Radiant to become a student of both princesses. That day Sombra ran away, and we were both worried, and that night is where all went to tartarus. 

He was visibly getting more upset and instead of 3 he took 5 shots of the drink now. He was tipsy but not drunk, not yet but he continued.

That night we three realized what Sombra really was, an umbrum, and princess amore knew it. It was something that finally broke us apart, that night Sombra tried to steal the Crystal Heart and he was confronted by Princess Amore, and along with Radiant we ran to stop him. But we saw then how Sombra overpowered a princess and turned into onyx and broke her into hundreds of pieces. That night Sombra was no longer my friend and was "The king of all monsters" he was strong enough to initiate a rebellion all by his own and take over the power.

I did face him, hundreds of times and each time I lost, i tried to keep the power of the empire in control and then one fatal turn I sent Radiant to contact the princess Luna and Celestia to help us, but he still overpowered us. I saw that night all of my brothers in arms being destroyed by the one who was once my friend. Until I was left alone and defeated, then Sombra saw convenient to use me instead of destroy me.