The Wings of Nightmares

Red stood on the hill overlooking the crumbling fort. The wind whipped his mane and tail to his left side as the sun set at his back. This place held many memories for the old warhorse. It was over thirty years ago when he had charged the gates of this place, sword held high. He had survived that day, a hero to the kingdom. His eye had changed to a dull gray after the healers returned its sight to him. The scar would remain till the end of his days, but he liked it.

He trotted down to the gate of the fallen stronghold, overgrown with moss and vines. They held it for two more years before leaving it to nature. He was given the post of captain of the fort and honored for his bravery in the battle, but something still didn't sit well with him. Something was off about this whole place, even now after the war had passed and Luna was back in her rightful place next to her sister, at peace from the darkness that held her.

Something moved inside the courtyard just as he stepped into the archway of vines. It dashed into the core of the building, looking like a snake of mist and shadow. Red was just about to go after it when something else got his attention, a small purple blur darted between his legs. It was a young dragon named Spike who belonged to one of the ponies in Ponyville. A town three days from here. Spike clung and hid behind his leg. His childlike fear surfacing and shaking Red's legs as he held tight while Red was contemplating why the little dragon would come here.

The little dragon looked up at him, “Wha-what was that?”

“Just a shadow of the past. Why have you followed me little one?”

Spike looked around, but saw nothing more. He stepped out from under Red and stood as tall as he could.

“You have been summoned by princess Twilight.” he said handing a scroll over to him. “Both her and the other princesses would like to see you as soon as possible.”

Red looked down at the dragon, confused, as Spike unfurled the scroll. He cleared his throat and read the princesses short letter out loud.

“Dear Redmoon,

We hope this finds you in good health, but due to unforeseen events, we ask for your

presence in Canterlot, post hast. Have Spike send a letter the moment you

leave so we may prepare a proper escort and lodgings for your arrival.

Safe travels,

Princess Twilight Sparkle”

“Spike, what is this about?” Red asked, taking the letter Spike was handing him.

“I don't know, but can we get out of here? It gives me the creeps.”

Red set the letter down and looked around at the crumbling fort. Its power still radiated evil, making any that entered its halls tremble or suffer nightmares, most times both. He turned and started back for his home calling for Spike to follow, lest he get lost along the way. They walked a short time and stopped for the night. Red set the logs for a fire and had spike light them.

“Why were you at that place, Red?” Spike asked tentatively.

“I do it every five years, as both remembrance and penitence, for the war that ripped the land in two.”

“Wait, a war?”

“Yes, Spike. I was just sixteen when I was placed into the field. The war was against a group that gained an influx of members. They called themselves the New Lunar Republic.” Red looked up at the stars that were starting to appear in the just forming night sky.

“Why haven't I ever heard about this?”

“Celestia thought it best to leave it out of the open public's view. Something about in sighting a panic in the populaces.” Red fought back some of the bloodier memories of that war that he was called to. “Lets talk of other things, little Spike.”

“Like what?” he piped up nervously.

“Do you remember anything about why the princesses want me to come to them?”

“Luna wasn't feeling well, something about not being able to sleep. But Celestia was worried about something else that Twilight was talking about.” Spike replied.

“So something to do with magic that has them in a tizzy.” Red chuckled at his little jab at the princesses.

Spike chuckled nervously, his eyes darting about like something was out to get him this night.

“Fear not, Spike, the princesses do have a scene of hummer that even I get to laugh at.” Red retorted to the jumpy little dragon.

“That's not it, something's out there watching us.....” he trailed off.

“Sleep little one, I shall watch over you till the sun rises.”

“What about you?”

“I'll be fine.”

Spike didn't argue on this one and curled up next to the fire, falling to sleep almost instantly. Red watched the steady rise and fall of he breathing for a short time before getting up. He walked back to the fallen fort and moved into the courtyard. There he stood, as if to challenge the curs of the place to face him.

The fort it's self seemed to accept his challenge as it's door creaked open. A figure stepped into the courtyard to face the war pony. It stood a little taller than Red and was in the guise of an alicorn, holding its head high as gazed at him. Its body seemed composed of darkness and stars, twinkling and shining as it moved across the courtyard.

The alicorn walked up to him and stopped. It seemed to gaze into his soul as it moved around him. It spoke in a voice that seemed to come from all around him.

Who are you to stand before the Queen of the dark sky and not kneel? You, who stopped my body from breaking through to this world, but not my power. Kneel before your true Queen, tiny mortal, and I will spare you.

Red smirked at the being, “Shut up and get out here, Misty.”

The mist alicorn shifted and lost some of its size as it turned into a small black pony-like insect. Misty Dew, the changeling, stood before him with a cheeky grin on her face. She was much shorter than Red, at his towering sixteen hands, standing at just under twelve. Her thick chitin was black as night and her eyes seemed to glow with blue light as she giggled up at him.

“How'd you know it was me?” she asked.

“Nightmare was much bigger, you always have a problem getting the size right with your shifts. Nice mist snake though.”

She scoffed at this and glared at him.

“So did you bring it, Scar face?”

Red looked at her and cocked an eyebrow. “Just wait, the others will be coming in short order.”

She sighed, “Thirty years is a long time for that gift of yours, you sure the others are still alive?”

He simply nodded and looked off into the darkness.

They waited only a few minuets until someone else came through the broken archway. Soon many ponies stood and milled about the courtyard. Red climbed up onto a stone that stood slightly above everypony else. Many of his friends chatted with each other as they waited for their gift, one that was promised long ago.

“Friends,” Red called out to the mob before him. “Thank you all for coming. It has been many years since we gathered in this spot, not as friends but as soldiers. You have waited long enough for this so I wont delay any longer.”

He jumped down and pushed through the ponies to a stone covered with a red cloth. He stood beside it and turned to look at his friends gathered before him.

“Over thirty years ago, we charged this place. We kicked in the door to protect all we held dear. Six-hundred against ten-thousand. We fought and we won, kicking Nightmare Moon back to her hole on the moon! We even held the Fort as the enemy was hunted down and stomped out. Still something held this place in its grip, not letting the dead leave. We have found a way to fix this.”

Taking the cloth in his teeth he pulled it free, reviling what was underneath. A large black stone monolith faced the crowd. Upon the face was a large plaque with a carved picture of charging ponies into battle. Just below that was writing that read “To The Fallen, Glory To The Dead”. Under that was a list of names.

Every pony looked at this plaque and waited for an explanation. Red looked out at his crowd with sadness in his gaze.

“Hey Red, this is all well and good for those that died that day, but what about us?” Misty asked.

“Hey, I'm on this plaque.” one of them shouted.

Soon all of the mob flooded to the stone, looking to see if their name was on it. Everypony there was on it. Most laughed thinking it was a joke, but some got mad.

Misty walked up to Red looking confused. “What's going on, Captain?”

Red's eyes began to tear up as he spoke to the gathered.

“Every name on this plaque is dead, they fought and died to save the world from Nightmare Moon on that day. She did something to the land. It keep you here, but with no memory of your death.”

He looked up at the shocked faces. “I spoke to Luna about what happened and why I could see you when no pony else could. Nightmare Moon, just before the spell back lashed, cast a curse upon me that backfired just as the spell to summon her ruptured. It hit the land instead of me, latching onto the dead and dying as their souls left their body. On that day I lost my eye, and seeing death was my part of this curse.”

“It took Luna a long time to make something to fix what she did to you. She placed it into the stone that stands before you. Its magic will and  has already begun to canceled out the curse.”

Red looked out to the crowd.

“You served under me even in death. You are all my friends, my comrades, my family. I will remember every mission I worked with you on, every late night I spent talking with you, every single guard shift I stood with you. Even in death, my friends, you gave your service to your country.”

Red began to cry as he looked at their faces.

“Two weeks ago this stone was placed here to honor the dead, to honor you. You who served so faithfully. You, who fell in that battle. My friends. Be Free.”

Everypony looked on in shock as Red hung his head and cried for them. The crowd began to realize the truth and feel the magic holding them there finally wane. Many moved to comfort him in his sorrow, but this only made his emotions worse.  Slowly, one by one, they faded into nothingness, passing into the afterlife. Each wished Red the best, a long life and many happy memories, but he only responded with a tiny sob as the disappeared.

Soon only Misty remained.

“Why, Red?” she pleaded, tears filling her glowing eyes.

“You have remained far too long, my friend. You should have moved on by now.” he said as he nuzzled her face with his. “You will hold a very special place in my heart, Misty. You loved me as more than a friend, even though I never returned those feelings. So now I feel I should say this, though it is unfortunate it has taken me till now to actually tell you. I love you, Misty Dew. I always have and always will.”

Misty looked up in surprise at his words. She had wanted to hear those words since they first started working together. She had fallen in love with him, even abandoned  her hive just to be with him over the years. Even if it was just because of her death that she had left, it still hurt to leave the hive mind and become an individual.

“I don't want to go, I'm scared.”

“Be brave, little one. You are never alone.”

Misty smiled up at him as she faded into blackness. Before she vanished, she closed her eyes and mouthed “Don't cry, I love you. Thank you, for everything.”

At that Red turned, head hung low, and walked back to the camp where he had left Spike. As he left the grounds of the fort he turned once more, trying to stand as tall as he could out of respect for them.

“May you rest in peace, my friends.”