Cosmos and Galaxia: The Birth of a Kingdom (MLP AU)

Chapter 25: The Bargain of Shadows

         The grand hall of Canterlot Castle was colder than usual as Cosmos, Galaxia, and Vega stood waiting. Their faces were stoic, masking the unease that gnawed at each of them. Today, they would face Nocturnus—a former adversary whose return had stirred memories of past conflicts. The decision to meet with him, to negotiate with the ruler who had once tried to claim Equestria for himself, weighed heavily on their hearts.

A swirling portal of dark mist appeared at the far end of the room, signaling the arrival of Nocturnus. The mist twisted and coiled, slowly revealing the tall, imposing figure of the Shadow King. His black coat gleamed under the hall's dim light, and his silver armor bore the scars of countless battles. His sharp eyes, framed by a flowing mane of midnight, took in the sight of the rulers before him with a cold, calculating gaze.

Nocturnus' lips curled into a smirk as he approached the trio. "It seems you've finally seen the value of an alliance with me."

Vega's eyes narrowed, but she kept her composure. "You're not here for smug remarks, Nocturnus. We need your help, and you know that."

He chuckled darkly, his voice smooth as silk. "Ah, but I wouldn't have come otherwise, Vega. I understand the stakes." He turned to Cosmos and Galaxia, his gaze sharp. "Nightshade is a threat to all of us. If you want to stop him, you'll need my expertise in shadow magic and my knowledge of his domain."

Cosmos stepped forward, his tone measured. "That's why we asked you here. But before we move forward, we need to know what you want in return."

Nocturnus tilted his head, his expression amused. "Straight to business. Very well, then." His eyes glinted as he made his demands. "I have two conditions. First, I want full pardon for my past actions—no more shackles, no more dungeons. I want to walk free from the shadows and regain my status."

Cosmos exchanged a glance with Galaxia, his brow furrowed. They had anticipated this, though the idea of fully pardoning Nocturnus was a bitter pill to swallow. His past crimes, his betrayal, and his hunger for power had led to great suffering. Could they truly set all that aside in exchange for his assistance?

"And your second demand?" Galaxia asked, her voice calm but tense.

Nocturnus' smirk widened. "I want political power in Canterlot's government. Not just a token position, but real influence. I want a seat at the table when decisions are made, and I want the authority to shape the kingdom's future."

The air in the room grew thick with tension. Vega's hand tightened on the hilt of her sword, her eyes flashing with anger. "You want to control Canterlot from within? After everything you've done? That's outrageous!"

Nocturnus raised an eyebrow, unfazed by Vega's outburst. "I'm offering you a chance to stop Nightshade before he destroys everything. You'll need more than just magic to defeat him—you'll need strategy, cunning, and knowledge of the shadow realm. Without me, you'll be fighting a war you can't win."

Cosmos' jaw clenched as he weighed the options. They were backed into a corner. The safety of Canterlot, of all of Equestria, depended on defeating Nightshade, and Nocturnus held the key to that victory. But the price he was asking—freedom and power—was steep. Too steep.

Galaxia broke the silence, her voice steady and diplomatic. "If we agree to your terms, what guarantees do we have that you won't use your power against us once Nightshade is defeated?"

Nocturnus' smile faded, replaced by a more serious expression. "I have no interest in ruling Canterlot by force anymore. What I want is influence—legitimate influence. Power through diplomacy, not conquest. If I betray your trust, I'll lose everything, and I know that well."

Cosmos exchanged another glance with Galaxia. There was truth in Nocturnus' words. His power grab in the past had cost him dearly, and perhaps he had learned from those mistakes. But trusting him fully, even under these circumstances, was a risk.

Vega, however, remained unconvinced. "And what if we refuse your demands? Will you turn your back on Equestria and let Nightshade destroy us all?"

Nocturnus' eyes hardened. "I would never let my own lands fall to ruin. But without me, you'll never defeat Nightshade in his realm. And he will come for you again. When he does, you'll be weaker, and he'll be stronger. I'm offering you a chance to end this once and for all. Refuse, and you'll be signing your own defeat."

The room fell into silence once more. The decision loomed like a shadow over them.

Cosmos finally broke the silence, his voice firm. "We will grant you the pardon you seek, and you will have a role in Canterlot's government. But understand this: your power will be checked by the council, and any betrayal will not be tolerated. You'll have influence, but not control."

Nocturnus' smirk returned, though it was more subdued this time. "I accept those terms. I'll play by your rules, for now."

Galaxia stepped forward, her eyes locked with Nocturnus'. "Then it's agreed. You'll help us defeat Nightshade, and in return, you'll have your freedom and your seat at the table. But remember this: we will be watching you closely."

Nocturnus inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

With the agreement in place, preparations began immediately. Nocturnus, true to his word, began sharing his knowledge of Nightshade's realm and the shadow magic that would be necessary to breach it. He explained the intricacies of Nightshade's defenses, his weaknesses, and the dark prince's twisted ambition.

In return, Cosmos and Galaxia granted him access to Canterlot's council meetings, giving him a voice in political decisions. Though Vega remained wary, she agreed to the arrangement, knowing that Nocturnus' help was crucial to their success.

As the days passed, the uneasy alliance between Canterlot's rulers and the Shadow King grew stronger, though it was always tinged with mistrust. Nocturnus, for his part, remained enigmatic, his true intentions never fully revealed. But for now, he seemed content to play the role of advisor, biding his time as the forces of Canterlot prepared for the final confrontation with Nightshade.  

One evening, as Cosmos and Galaxia sat together in their private chambers, they reflected on the pact they had made.

"Do you think we've made the right choice?" Galaxia asked softly, her gaze distant.

Cosmos sighed, his expression conflicted. "I don't know. But we had no other option. Without Nocturnus, we wouldn't stand a chance against Nightshade. We've bought ourselves time, and we'll have to watch him carefully."

Galaxia nodded, though uncertainty still lingered in her heart. "I just hope we haven't invited a new danger into our kingdom."

Cosmos placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We'll face whatever comes together. And when Nightshade returns, we'll be ready."