City by the Blue Sea Part II

After two days of hard work and organization things were beginning to settle back into the norm for North Bay. That is not to say things were normal, but the citizens of the city were trying to get on with their lives. Which was difficult given all the changes. There were patrols of Lunar Republic soldiers everywhere, and even the city guard was under close watch. This had been a city that was happy before, so there may have been those who would be upset by what was happening. Not to mention an occupation took a toll on business, upsetting the merchants, and the ships were not allowed to leave harbor, upsetting the sailors.

Nevertheless, Nightmare Moon and Masque Raid were well aware they were upsetting ponies, and they did their best to make up for it. Namely, they did not rely on using the business’ supplies, and sought to use primarily what the gryphons had brought. What they did take from businesses was paid for by the Silver-seas family, and Masque had ordered that the soldiers try to be kind to the civilians. Finally, though they could not do it yet for a lack of stone, Nightmare had organized plans to repair the seaside wall of the Poor District. Which would provide jobs, and then protection from drowning for those down on their luck.

So, the citizens of North Bay, though slightly fearful and upset, remained quiet. No. They were not the trouble. The city guard and the gryphons were the trouble. Until the new regime could be secured in the city, the city guard had been disarmed. They were still allowed to perform their duties, but they were allowed no weapons. Which had their higher-ups in a fit, only worsened by their wounded pride.

The gryphons, on the other hoof, were obedient to their own commander, Nightmare Moon, and Masque Raid. Yet they commonly clashed with the Republic soldiers. Not more than angry yelling thanks to the competence of commanding officers, but fights did come close to breaking out at times. It had not started out that way, though. Initially things had been fine.

However, when the gryphons were told Twilight was of equal authority to their commander, Legirus, they had been furious. Nightmare Moon they could accept because, while they did not believe in her divinity, they knew of her power. Twilight, however, was a mortal mare. Moreso, she was a slave, and therefore of low standing in even pony society. The final nail in the coffin had been the sight of her sword. The commander she’d taken it from was shamed among them for having been defeated by a female, but the blade was still a rapier. It still was a sign of authority among them as a kind of officer’s weapon, and to see it at the side of a mare? It infuriated them.

They did not listen to Twilight Sparkle unless she forced them to, something that aggravated and drained her, and they were constantly clashing with the normal soldiers since most of them looked up to her. This put the higher ranking gryphons and ponies on alert to break up any fight between foolish soldiers who couldn’t let things go.

As of this moment, Nightmare Moon was sitting on a rather plush cushion in the Silver-seas’ estate den with her ward and servant sitting beside her a little less comfortably despite being on an equally comfortable cushion.

Across from them were Duke Silver Sails and Duchess Salt Wind, but they were not the only ones present. No. This was a meeting for the whole Silver-seas family. All of their children were present as well.

Lord Silver Cutter was their firstborn son, and the chosen heir to the family. Like his father his coat was saffron, but his mane and his tail were white instead of silver. His eyes were brown, and his cutie mark was a ship sailing straight through a stormy sea.

Lady Silver Light was the second eldest and quite beautiful. Her body was the off white of bone, and her mane and tail were pure silver like her father’s. Her eyes were serene pools of blue, but her cutie mark stood out oddly against this all as an orb of fire. Something she had inherited from her mother. Whose cutie mark was a vortex of wind, indicating their talents in the elemental field of magic.

Also present were the fourth and fifth born of the family. The twins Lady Silver Spark and Lady Silver Flash. Both were almost exactly alike in appearance. Their bodies were the pale purple of their father and brother, and their manes and tails were the dark blue of their mother. Even their cutie marks were similar, as they both showed two theatre masks. One was happy, and the other sad. The difference was that the colors of the masks were opposing. The only other way to tell between them was their eyes. Silver Spark’s left eye was blue, and her right was brown. Silver Flash’s left was brown, and her right was blue.

The only individual not present in the family of unicorns was the third born, Lord Silver Pot, and Nightmare Moon made note of this. “I don’t think my brother is coming, Father.” Silver Cutter took the chance to point out, an undercurrent joy barely detectable beneath his formal tone.

“I will not waste time on fools. If he is not showing, then he is not worthy to know what we say here.” The Alicorn stated matter-of-factly. “We begin without him.”

The only response she received was a sigh from the Duke. After a moment further he asked, “So what is it you wish to discuss, your highness?”

Nightmare did not bother correcting him on his manner of address because it was pointless. There were more important things to discuss. “The matter is that you and your family know North Bay best of anyone. You know its layout, its people, and its ships. You know who to sell to, and how to manage trade and plan voyages. You know who is untrustworthy and who isn’t. Most importantly, your citizens are mostly happy under your rule. For these reasons, I believe it can be arranged for you to stay in your position of power.” She explained.

The family was quiet once more. This time, Lady Silver Light broke the silence, “That is…certainly a generous offer. But unorthodox.”

“Yes. If you intended to leave us in power why attack in the first place?” Lord Silver Cutter wondered.

“Because, your allegiance was to the Celestial Empire, and I am tearing it down. By taking your city you are no longer supplying the rest of the Empire. Furthermore, you can’t be called on for aid by the military this way. However, I said that I believe it can be arranged. I did not say it would be. You should know as well as I that things are not so simple in politics.” The Former Empress answered.

“So what are the conditions under which we can maintain our position?” Silver Sails asked contemplatively.

“The Lunar Republic has yet to establish a proper governmental plan. We don’t have much time yet. The war needs to be our main focus, but its name is not a decoration. There shall be no monarchy, and chances are that there shall be no nobility. You will have to have new titles, and it can not be guaranteed that rulership of North Bay shall always be within your family.” Nightmare revealed.

The idea did not sit well with the noble family. “So your offer is only temporary.” Salt Wind pointed out.

“Not quite.” Twilight interjected, drawing surprised eyes that made her uncomfortable. “Master…only said there would be no guarantee, but even if someone else takes over rulership there’s nothing saying you can’t get it back. We’re not taking your wealth either. Everything you own but the city would still be yours, including this estate. You could still live in wealth and happiness, and you could establish yourselves as well respected individuals. Which would aid you in keeping power.”

Nightmare gave a small smile of pride to her servant at the comment. She had taught the young mare nothing of politics, but it seemed that Twilight was able to reason some things out for herself.

After another moment of contemplative silence Silver Sails wondered, “I suppose there will be restrictions on what we can and cannot do?”

“Until we have secured control of the land, yes. Your city strives on trade, so we cannot completely cut off sea travel. Which means, you’ll be allowed to continue business, so long as it does not benefit the Empire. You will have to treat all citizens of North Bay with respect, and not take advantage of the less fortunate. You will also have to keep strict watch on the City Guard for any loyalists or individuals with overly hurt pride. Once the Lunar Republic controls Equestria, these restrictions will be removed, but naturally any new laws passed in regards to what you can and cannot do must be obeyed instead. And I will assure you of this now, so that the biggest issue is out of the way. There will be laws regarding fair treatment and representation of the common pony.” The Former-Empress explained.

“Unacceptable!” Came a new voice, as the door opened.

All eyes turned to see the third born child of the Silver-seas family. Lord Silver Pot was a slightly portly stallion with a sand-colored coat, and a silver mane, tail, and rather characteristic moustache and goatee combo. However, if one were to get close enough they would see blue roots. Indicating silver was not its natural color. His eyes were brown, and his cutie mark was a silver pot with a wine bottle in it. “Simply unacceptable!” He continued. “If they are treated equal to those of high standing how will they know their place?”

Nightmare Moon glared, as the arrogant young lord marched over to a cushion next to her ward and sat down. Twilight shifted uncomfortably away from him, and the Alicorn subtly shifted over in a minor attempt to comfort her servant. “They will know their place, and you will know yours.” She warned with a dangerous look in her half-lidded eyes.

Unfortunately, Lord Silver Pot either did not pick up on this, or he ignored it. “I personally don’t see the point of treating them any better. They are well enough off.” He insisted.

“Of course you wouldn’t.” Lord Silver Cutter jabbed.

Before the two could start fighting Nightmare interrupted, “It is not a matter of whether you see it or not. I see it, and that is all that matters. It matters even less if you don’t see it than if your whole family did not. You aren’t even their heir, and when the Republic is fully established while that will not matter I highly doubt that I will see you in power. Make no further mistake. Your family is not in any position to negotiate. You will accept our terms, or you will cease to have control over North Bay.”

Silver Pot took the hint and shut up, but he appeared quite upset at having been berated by the alicorn. As he lapsed into his silence his eyes fell on Twilight, and, though the Former-Empress did not notice, they lit up.

Nightmare had turned her attention back to Duke Silver Sails, as the aged noble sighed, “I apologize for his behavior, your highness. We--”

The head of the Silver-seas family was interrupted, as Twilight yelped loudly and fell back. Nightmare’s reaction was immediate, and the ebony alicorn stood over her servant protectively in an instant. Her legs blocked Silver Pot from Twilight, and she glared at the foolish lord with as much fury as she could muster. The stallion trembled in fear at the look. “What did you do?” She seethed.

“N…nothing of consequence. She’s just a servant, after all.” Silver Pot said, quivering at the sudden change in attitude.

“He reached under her.” Both the twins answered with scowls of their own.

“Do you know who you just touched? THAT is my APPRENTICE!” The Former Empress declared, as her eyes glowed with fury. “She is MORE important and MORE valuable than you can ever dream! You shall count in your blessings that I am merciful and leave now! If I so much as see you again you will regret it! If you ever touch my apprentice in such a manner again then death shall seem a beautiful maiden that rejects you even as you beg for her! Go.”

The young lord shivered for a moment before coming to his senses, and quickly bolted out of the room as fast as he could. The threat to her precious servant dealt with, Nightmare Moon sat back down, and pulled her shivering ward close. She could feel that tingle in the back of her mind again that told her something was wrong with Twilight. None of the Silver-seas family dared to move or speak, as the alicorn tended to the young mare. “Shh…It’s alright, Twilight. I’m here.” She said softly.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

“You should knock before coming in.” Ardent Fervor said, not looking up from the map he was staring at.

“Apologies, Legatus, but it seems your door has been replaced by a tent flap.” Crimson Dawn replied.

The grey gelding looked up at the praetorian in annoyance. Most praetorians maintained stoic attitudes when not in their compound at the Royal Pony Sisters’ Castle, but this one and her companion tended to be smartasses every now and then. He supposed it was better than them completely letting loose. When he’d left his meeting with the Prefect, which left a sour taste in his mouth, he had seen the two praetorians now in his company cheering quite loudly at the sodomizing of the soldiers he’d brought as guards. To say the religious earth pony was pleased to have them would be a lie.

Crimson Dawn was a red pegasus with a pink mane and tail that had streak of purple in them. Her eyes were oddly pink as well, and he cutie mark was simply a dagger.

The other praetorian amongst Ardent’s troops was her mate. An orange unicorn mare with a green mane and tail that also had a purple streak through them called True Shot. True Shot’s cutie mark was an arrow and a bolt crossed over each other, and her eyes were green.

“What is it that you wanted to say, Imagnifer?” The Legatus Legionis asked professionally.

“I just wanted you to know that a large troop of royal guards were spotted on their way to North Bay. It seems likely that The Legate sent them back up Zahav.” The Praetorian answered.

Ardent Fervor hummed to himself at the information. Discussion with Empress Celestia and Legate Artillerus had continued for several weeks after Legatus Rough Cut’s failure to retake Stalliongrad. The Legate and Ardent had seen eye to eye for once, and felt that the delay was unnecessary and dangerous. A week ago they’d received a letter from North Bay that informed them the Lunar Republic had been spotted near the port-city.

That had snapped the Empress and the other Legatus Legionis out of it at last, and they had finally begun acting. Lord Zahav was leading all four of his legions to blockade the border between the Platinum Duchy and the Silver-Seas Duchy. Legatus Rough Cut had been assigned with guarding Equestria’s southern borders in case anyone was feeling opportunistic, a subtle insult for her failure. Meanwhile Legatus Path Finder was still at the Everfree Forest, and continuing to help Legate Artillerus co-ordinate the defense.

Ardent Fervor had been dispatched to do as he saw fit, much like Zahav, but he had different plans from assisting the Empire. Even if he was intending to do otherwise Crimson Dawn and True Shot were here on orders from the Prefect to make sure he kept his word. “They probably aren’t meant to be reinforcements. They’re likely supposed to pass the barricade, and attempt to take back Stalliongrad.” He said. “At any rate. It shouldn’t affect us. We’ll continue as planned.”

“Understood.” Crimson Dawn replied professionally. “Though I have a question, why this city?”

“It’ll disturb Zahav. He’ll react, and, as a result, his blockade will weaken.” Ardent answered, as he turned back to the map.

“Are you sure it’s not something else? Something more personal?” Crimson wondered.

“Perhaps.” Ardent answered shortly.

“A bit vindictive for a missionary.” The Praetorian commented.

“Forgiveness is not among the tenets of Harmony.” The Legatus returned.

“No, but kindness is.” The red mare pointed out.

“And what makes you think I won’t be kind?” The gelding wondered.

“Few religious ponies are.” Crimson Dawn stated.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight Sparkle walked through the streets of North Bay with her head down. The event this morning in the meeting with the Silver-seas had thrown her whole day off, and the warm night air helped her to clear her head. She didn’t like thinking about what happened…She hated Flagstone. The fat slob’s arrogance dripped off of him like slime off a slug. She doubted he knew what it was like to go one day without a full three meals. For that matter she doubted he could even defend himself. He was a PATHETIC SACK OF--

The unicorn caught herself panting, and shook her head. She’d gotten too caught up in her thoughts. It wasn’t healthy to focus on that incident, much like how it wasn’t healthy to think about that bitch. In truth, what had happened this morning frightened her. Thank goodness her master had been there, but the ebony alicorn confused her. Such open comforting, as holding her in front of nobility? It was very odd, and then Nightmare Moon had said something that confused her. Her master had called her an apprentice. That made no sense. The Alicorn had indeed been training her, but she was Nightmare’s slave. Actually….Now that she thought about, Twilight realized her master had not referred to her as a slave in a very long time. Not since they left the Everfree all those months ago. Being an apprentice was still something new, though. The whole subject was confusing really, and Twilight found herself having trouble figuring it out.

“Excuse me, ma’am.” A stallion said.

The young lavender mare snapped out of her thoughts, and turned to the voice in surprise to find two city guards. “Could you follow us?” The one who had spoke before asked.

Twilight narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. These two did not seem harsh, and their tone was kind enough. Still, something felt wrong about them. Though that may simply be suspicion given Twilight and her troops had been slaughtering them not but two days before. “What for?” She asked cautiously.

The guard hesitated before answering, “Our…commanding officer would like to speak with you. It’s important.”

“To the Bastion then?” Twilight queried.

“Yes.” The other guard said.

The unicorn thought for a moment. The Bastion was under heavy watch, so if anything were to happen that she couldn’t handle it would make enough to commotion that her soldiers would come to her aid. Both these guards were earth ponies as well. She would have no trouble handling herself. “Alright then. Lead on.” She agreed, gesturing with a forehoof.

The city guards nodded and took the lead.

Travel to the Bastion was uneventful. Along the way there were a few guards, soldiers, and civilians, but no one spoke or stopped. When they finally arrived Twilight found that the fortress was a large and formidable structure that had clearly been designed to instill fear. Growing up on the streets, however, she had learnt that fear wasn’t enough to stop those who were determined or desperate enough. It just made them smarter. Still, Twilight could not help but feel a sense of foreboding as they entered in the city guard headquarters.

She followed along patiently, however, as the guards lead her through courtyard and into the building. At the end of a second floor hallway they stopped before a door, and one of the guards knocked. “What?” Came an agitated stallion’s voice from the other side. “I was just about to head to go join my family, so unless it’s something important then piss off.”

“Sir, we found someone that might fit the ‘special request.’” Her other escort answered.

Twilight quirked a brow at that. This was feeling suspicious now, and her street-honed instincts told her to flee. She would wait, however, and see what this was about.

“What?! Really? Thank Celestia we finally found something after all these months! Bring her in!” The voice from the other side of the door responded.

Twilight couldn’t help but snarl at the use of that name, and so she followed the guards into the office in agitation. Inside the office was a grey earth stallion sitting at desk. He appeared tired but elated. “Is this her?” He asked.

“Yes, Captain Iron Rod, sir!” Both of the guards answered.

The stallion stood up, and walked around his desk to inspect her. The unicorn was uncertain why, but she felt bile rise in her throat at the Captain’s close proximity. “She looks like she has an attitude, but that can be worked out easily enough. Now, the most important part, turn around.” He said.

“What?” Twilight blurted in confusion.

Iron Rod frowned, and forcibly jerked her around. Lifting up the side of her cloak, he chuckled, “Yep. That’s a star alright. Lord Silver Pot ought to be pleased, and if she survives then she could make a good tail-lifter for the Officer’s Club.”

Twilight’s eyes were wide. The reason she was brought here? This close proximity, and the way she was being treated? Her blood ran cold. The earth fell away beneath her, and something deep inside snapped.

She simply focused, and the next thing that Iron Rod knew was that the guards that brought her had been grinded to a fine red paste all over the office, exploded from the inside with nothing more than telekinesis. The young unicorn turned her blood spattered face to the Captain with a cold look in her eyes, and he stumbled back in fear. He fell over onto his back, and panicked in the vulnerable position. “What is the Officer’s Club?” She asked simply, her words dropping like lead.

“W-what?” Iron Rod blurted out.

Twilight snatched him up in her magic, and threw against his desk hard enough to break it. He hit the back wall with a cry of pain, as his torturer repeated, “What is the Officer’s Club?”

“Okay! Okay! It’s a restaurant!” He answered.

Bullshit. The guard captain screamed, as two of his teeth were slowly pulled out. He began to cry one they were out, and blood poured from the openings that were left behind. “The restaurant’s a cover! It’s a whorehouse for the wealthy and prominent! The tail-lifters are all slaves! Please! Please let me go! I-I’m not in charge!” He begged, his words slurring through the thick crimson and the missing teeth.

“Who is in charge?” Twilight asked simply.

“I-I won’t say!” He defied, but only received the removed teeth being shot into his gut.

He wailed, and blood began to pour from his stomach. “My wife!” He howled. “My wife, Sharp Edge!”

“Where is she?” Twilight questioned next.

“At the Officer’s Club! All of the family is! We were supposed to be having a meeting about what to do since the siege!” Iron Rod answered immediately.

The young unicorn turned, and began to walk out. Her questions were finished, and she had a goal. First, however, she was not yet done with this scumbag, and she grabbed the bleeding worm with her magic to bring him along.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Raven walked through the woods silently beside Zig Zag. The young gryphoness’ golden eyes darted every which way to be certain they were safe, sight being an advantage she possessed over her male. When they had arrived back here in North Bay they had the surprise of finding the pony military had occupied it. The young near-black-grey chimera would have assumed this were normal were it not for the reaction of her companions. Lobo had warned them to stay back at the forest near the city while he investigated. Zig Zag, however, had something more important on his mind than staying hidden.

The young earth colt was still a marvel to her. He was so much more colorful than gryphons were naturally, the only exception being those that dyed their feathers. His eyes were bright green with freckles underneath, and his coat was light blue with a few spots of black. His mane and tail were dark blue and rather messy. There were several differences that set him apart from his own kind as well. Half his right ear was gone, and he was still a blank flank with the exception of a nasty scar on his left hip. Most strikingly, however, he had four teeth in his mouth that he’d filed down to sharp points.

Both of the two were, of course, armed and armored. How could they not be after what they’d been through? They both wore gryphon crafted leather armor, and Zig Zag’s even had iron in a few parts. They were also well armed with various daggers that they had grown accustomed to using, some of which were hidden on their bodies. The young earth pony also sported an odd adaptation of wolf weaponry in that his boots were tipped short blades, resembling the gauntlet weapons The Pack was known for.

What the blue colt had wanted was to go to the mass grave hill that North Bay had nearby, and be with his mother for a bit. He wanted to go alone, but even as odd as the concept of a male mourning a female was to her Raven wouldn’t leave him. He meant too much to her to let him go alone somewhere they didn’t know was safe, especially after their escape from Crown Peak in Feliniss.

However, ever since they’d arrived in this place he’d been acting differently. He was quiet, upset, and focused. It hurt her to see the energetic friendly colt she’d fallen for acting like this, and she deeply hoped they would not be here long. She wanted her Zig Zag back.

As they neared the break in the tree line, the gryphoness spotted something in the distance. There was someone up ahead. No, wait…There were two individuals, likely ponies, and though she could not hear it clearly yet it sounded like one of them was panicking. “Hold on, Zig Zag…Something’s going on out there.” She warned.

The young earth pony slowed up, and began to stalk quietly like his adoptive father had taught him. Raven wasn’t quite as good at it as he, but she was a predator all the same. Which meant she was indeed capable of sneaking similarly.

Carefully the two of them proceeded up the to edge of the forest, and hid in the brush to listen and watch. After a moment the young colt jerked forward, and Raven grabbed him by reflex, careful not to sink her talons in. “That’s Iron Rod!” He seethed. “Let me go! He’s one of the ones that killed my mom!”

“No!” Raven squawked back quietly. “We don’t know who that is with him. They could be dangerous, and Lobo told us to stay hidden!”

Zig Zag stopped struggling, but he appeared upset with her. The gryphoness frowned as best she could with a beak. She didn’t want to make her love angry with her, but she wasn’t going to let him do something stupid. Cautiously she let him go, and he thankfully stayed. The two of them then focused on what was going on out in the field.

“Please, I’ve told you everything you wanted. Let me go.” Iron Rod begged.

The other pony, a unicorn, did not answer, and merely continue to dig into the ground with their magic. “I promise. I’ll change! It was all because of Sharp Edge! I didn’t have any choice really! Just spare me! PLEASE!” The guard captain sobbed and pleaded.

“No.” The digging unicorn responded.

Raven shivered at the answer. It was so final and simple, and there was a cold emptiness in the unicorn’s tone that scared her worse than any male gryphon had. Only now did she realize the digging pony was a mare as well. She had nothing to really judge it by since the only ponies besides her love that she’d seen were from a distance.

The mare ceased pulling dirt out, and picked up Iron Rod in her magic. “Wait! What are you doing?!” He panicked.

The unicorn did not answer, and merely dropped him into the hole. She then took a large piece of wood roughly the same size as the pit from her side, and lowered it in as well. Iron Rod began screaming in terror, as he was buried alive.

Without warning, Zig Zag bolted for the unicorn, and Raven cursed under her breath before taking off after him. She was slower than him on the ground, however, and had no chance at catching him before they were noticed. “What are you doing?!” The young colt yelled.

Raven was by his side as fast as she could be, and stood next to him, ready to defend her male. The cloaked lavender unicorn stared at them indifferently. “Taking out the trash.” She answered with the same coldness she’d spoken to Iron Rod with. “More efficient this way. It doesn’t pile up. The worms will eat it.”

The gryphoness was disturbed by this casual attitude. She’d seen more than her share of horrible individuals, but no one so callous as to speak of another as nothing more than garbage in a literal sense. “Who are you?” She asked sharply.

The unicorn looked at her in the eye, a cold fury in the mare’s own. “Twilight Sparkle.” She answered. “You’re not with the Rapture soldiers.”

Raven’s eyes widened at the mention of the gryphon kingdom. What were they doing here? “What? No.” She responded dumbly.

“Why did you bury him alive?” Zig Zag interrupted. “I came back to this city to find him. To kill him.”

Twilight turned to the colt and answered, “I was in his office being analyzed for potential in the Officer’s Club. I think I had the right to self-defense.”

“Since when does self-defense mean bury alive?” Raven thought, as she glared at the unicorn.

The feeling that they shouldn’t be anywhere near her was growing worse. Like they were standing before a predator much higher up the food chain than themselves. This mare was dangerous, and a large potential threat to her beloved. Zig Zag seemed to relax some at the lavender pony’s explanation, though. “I guess it’s fine then.” He reluctantly admitted. “But I still wanted him.”

Twilight Sparkle evidently didn’t care for his opinion, and turned to walk away. “Wait, where are you going?” The earth pony asked.

“To kill everyone at the Officer’s Club.” The unicorn answered bluntly.

“I’m coming with you.” Zig Zag stated.

“No. You’re a foal of what? Thirteen? I won’t be responsible for you.” Twilight denied, as she walked away.

“We’re fourteen!” The earth pony corrected, but was completely ignored by the purple mare.

Growling in annoyance, he followed against this stranger’s wishes, and Raven was forced to do so as well. “Zig Zag, we shouldn’t be involved in this. It’s dangerous, and Lobo told us to wait.” She attempted to convince her male.

“No.” The colt answered with steel in his voice. “These are the ponies responsible for what happened to my mother and me. I won’t let them all be killed by someone else.”

“If you insist on coming I won’t watch your back.” Twilight stated, as they approached the city.

Raven’s feathers bristled at the statement. “Like he would need your help anyway.” She grumbled.

This mare might be one of those accursed unicorns she heard so much about, but the gryphoness was not going to let Zig Zag be looked down on by her. Agitatedly, Raven grit her beak. She did not like where this was going.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Nightmare Moon’s steps came quickly, and she made no attempt to hide that she was in a rush. That feeling in the back of her head that warned her of her ward’s state was acting up again. Perhaps it was because more time had passed, or perhaps it was because of her growing closeness with her servant. Regardless, she could say without a doubt that the feeling was worse than ever. The imaginary sensation was so intense that it almost hurt. Twilight NEEDED her, and the Alicorn would not abandon her apprentice.

After casting a spell to locate the unicorn, the Former-Empress found her servant was outside the city walls, and she’d been rushing here ever since. Yet as she walked her thoughts were interrupted. Her battle senses were had been rehoned over her time in the Republic, and though not quite up to what they once were yet Nightmare knew when she was being watched. She could feel eyes on her.

The Alicorn turned, and her eyes gazed over the environment. The night was hers, and nothing could hide from her in it. She could see as clearly in this dim lighting as in the day. It was more difficult than usual, but she managed to make out a black shape keeping a low profile near the trees a ways off from her. She frowned. She did not have time for this, but if she was being spied upon it needed to be addressed.

With a short flare of dark blue from her horn she yanked the shape towards her, intending to let it slam into the ground at her hooves. Surprisingly, however, the being managed to recover, and land on its feet. Nightmare Moon’s brows raised at the sight before her. It was a pitch black wolf, but it was barely shorter than her. Normally wolves were only a head taller than ponies at five feet, but this one was at least six, likely more. “And what are you doing here wolf? Come to see how we fare since you abandoned us? You will not find easy prey.” She warned, as she narrowed her eyes.

“Abandoning implies I was on your side to begin with. I may have been a unwilling servant for a time, but I am no longer a slave to you ponies. Nor shall I ever be again.” The wolf growled.

Nightmare was curious at the odd reply, but she did not have time to waste. That feeling in her head was growing worse. “Whatever your reasons for being here you will leave, or you shall contend with me.” She commanded.

The wolf growled again, and his body tensed. “No pony has beat me yet.” He stated.

Evidently, the wolf did not know who he was dealing with and lunged forward. Nightmare Moon nimbly evaded him and glared at the fool. She was still recovering some from her work on the storm, and though she had power to spare it would be wise not to waste it. Especially if Twilight was in trouble. So, she would have to fall back on her arkanai.

The wolf began to prowl around her, but she stood still and ready. With a minor spark of her horn her reflexes and agility were increased. Her opponent struck at her left flank without knowing this advantage, and she rapidly rotated around to avoid him. With her own front to his side now, she punched a forehoof into him hard, and released a minor numbness spell through it to slow him down. The alicorn then extended a field of energy from her horn, and swung her head down at her foe.

Surprisingly, the wolf was still able to dodge away, and escaped with only a large yet shallow cut. Nightmare Moon took advantage of the situation to reverse roles. She began to calmly prowl around her opponent for a weakness with her energy blade still extended, and he followed her, keeping his front always to her and growling warningly. “I’ll admit, you’re impressive, but you are a fool. I admire the tenacity it takes to fight me, but the night is my domain. To challenge me now is death certain.” She stated.

“The night belongs to no one. All manner of creatures use it.” The wolf snarled.

Nightmare Moon scowled. The night was hers, and it showed it by bending to her every will. “Who are you, pup?” She asked, asserting her age.

“My name is Lobo, and I was never a pup.” Her opponent answered, and swept his claws at the Alicorn’s hooves.

The Former-Empress barely reacted in time, her other spells having worn off, and reared up. Lobo attempted to lunge for her belly, but with a single beat of her great wings a gust of wing blew him back just enough to fall short. It was then Nightmare came down, and slammed her forehooves onto her foe’s shoulders. She did more than pin him, though. She released another spell through her hooves, one meant to shake the immediate ground. The wolf’s entire body rattled painfully as bones cracked within, and this combined with Nightmare’s weight shattered his shoulder blades. The black mare then quickly thrusted her horn down quickly to end things.

Unexpectedly, her energized horn scraped against something impossibly strong, and was redirected into making a long bloody gash in Lobo’s back. The Former-Empress dispelled the energy around her horn in surprise, but, even as he howled in pain, the wolf attempted to latch his mouth around her neck now that it was close to him.

Nightmare jumped and glided back a distance out of reflex, and began to study her opponent again. When she noticed what went wrong, she had to resist slamming her own forehoof into her face. Lobo was wearing a thick collar made of, or covered by, mythril. The lunar steel had naturally repelled her attack due to its incredible strength, but she’d still managed to tear a small chunk of the metal off.

Before the Former-empress could reorganize herself the full moon’s light shined down upon the great black wolf, an obscuring cloud having moved out of the way. Nightmare’s brows raised in surprise, as he became white. The gashes along his back and side sealed up, and shortly he was standing again as if his shoulders were not in many pieces and his bones were not cracked. “I told you.” He said with a grin. “Many creatures use the night.”

The Alicorn frowned. Her moon was healing him somehow. That should not have been possible. Wolves did not possess any magic, and certainly nothing like this should even exist outside of flesh binding. Wait, was this wolf flesh bound? How was that possible? Only the praetorians, her, and her sister knew how to do it. It mattered not. She would not allow him the chance to use his power again. “And you are proven a fool again for revealing your gain. I told you, the night is my domain.” She responded.

The ruler of the night had enough of this. She’d wasted too much time already. She would waste no more. Focusing, the stars began to black out one by one until the moon was the only light in the sky, and then even it darkened. Cast into shadow, it could provide no light, and the land knew only all consuming darkness. Nightmare closed her eyes, so their glow would not give away her position. Then, before Lobo could flee, she extended her senses out with magic and found him. She focused solely on him to keep track of her opponent, and then she began to cast her spells.

A large spike of earth shot up from below the unsuspecting wolf, and a few of his teeth broke from the impact to his jaw. He was thrown into the air by the force, and landed on his back. Pain suddenly shot through his body, and he writhed and howled in agony over the attack to his nervous system. The spell ceased abruptly, and light returned to the world.

The moon, however, was blocked by thick clouds that would take a long time to move. Nightmare Moon was standing over the prone wolf, and she did not give him time to react. She reached into him with her telekinesis, and broke his rib cage inward. As he cried out in pain, the Alicorn switched her attention to his organs, and began to squeeze them tightly together, compacting them. “Empress, stop!” A voice shouted.

Nightmare paused in her assault, and jammed her hoof into Lobo’s broken ribs to keep him subdued with pain. Certain the wolf could try nothing now, the Alicorn turned her attention behind her to find a large group of praetorians. “What are you doing here?” She asked cautiously.

The leader, a female unicorn, answered, “We were sent here by the Prefect to assist you, AND to see about possibly gaining Lobo’s allegiance for your cause.”

“You know this wolf?” Nightmare queried.

“Yes. Please, your majesty, allow us a chance to explain.” The praetorian answered.

Nightmare hesitated, but removed her hoof from Lobo. “I am an empress no longer.” She corrected, and concentrated on her night once more.

The clouds slowly peeled away, and the full moon’s light shined on the wolf. He became white again, and as he healed the Alicorn took a chance to sigh. She shouldn’t have done that little stunt earlier. It had drained her. Even if she was trying not to show it. The bigger issue, however, was that the tingling in her head had yet to go away, and it seemed like she wouldn’t be able to get to her servant in time now. “I’m sorry, Twilight.” She whispered.

When she turned her attention back to Lobo, she realized he was up and ready, if winded. “Follow me.” She ordered, and began to head back to North Bay.

She didn’t need to say what would happen if he attempted something. He may be a fool, but he was smart enough to know.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight marched quickly through the streets of the Elite District, single-minded in her goal. Not even the darkening of the sky earlier had managed to make her so much as think of anything else. She had merely lit her horn, and continued resolutely until the light returned. All along, those two she had met earlier followed her towards the Officer’s Club.

When the building finally came into sight the unicorn scowled. It was a beautiful three story structure decorated with the finest colors and materials, but with enough moderation to not seem tacky or ugly. Yet to Twilight it was an eyesore. She wouldn’t burn this place down, too much trouble keeping the flames contained, but she wished she would.

The young mare proceeded through the mahogany door inside, and though she did not look to see if the colt and gryphoness were following she held the door open with her magic until she heard them step inside. Within, it was more beautiful than the outside, and the building smelt of delicious foods from the kitchen in the back. Twilight’s eyes narrowed. This place was a cover. She did not know this, but she knew what she had been told by Iron Rod. If he had lied, the unicorn was not in a state to care. She was here now, and she had every intent of punishing those here.

Around them it was clear to see business was bad. There was no one in the restaurant besides the staff, who were eyeing them oddly. Twilight did make note that there were a few guards around. Which seemed unnecessary for what this place was disguised as. Then again, they did call it a club, and these guards were most certainly not city employed. They looked burlier and nastier than your typical city guard. No, they were members of the Officer’s Club staff.

A pegasus waiter approached and asked, “Do you have an appointment, ma’am?”

“No.” Twilight answered coldly, but the mare speaking to her did not seem to pick up on her tone.

“Well, that’s alright. I don’t think I’ve seen you around before. What’s your name and connections?” The waiter wondered.

“Twilight Sparkle.” The young unicorn answered, and pulled out her sword with her telekinesis.

Before anyone else could react, the blade cut halfway through the waiter’s skull, and was calmly pulled out to be transferred to Twilight’s mouth. As she bit down on the handle, freeing her horn for spell casting, the waiters and barkeeper screamed in terror, but the lavender mare headed them off before the could flee to the kitchen by teleporting.

The barkeeper and a waiter were unable to stop in time to avoid her, and she stabbed one in the throat while snapping the other’s neck telekinetically. “What’s going on?!” A voice cried from behind her.

She turned around quickly, and impaled her rapier on a chef’s skull. Unfortunately her blade ended up stuck in the door chef had come through, and, try as she might, Twilight did not have the strength to pull it out. Hoofsteps from behind alerted her to someone approaching, and she dodged into the kitchen in time to avoid a large earth pony guard that had come after her.

Inside the kitchen the chefs watched with confusion and fear, as Twilight turned to confront the guard. He pulled her sword out of the door, and charged after her with it. The unicorn quickly backed up past several stoves, and used her magic to cause the fire to leap out of them. Several chefs were set on fire, causing them to run away screaming, but the guard ducked down to avoid the attack.

Twilight took advantage of this, and ran to the other side of the kitchen before he could rise. She quickly grabbed several knives in her magic, and waited for him to charge around the corner. The moment he did so she threw her knives at him. Several bounced off his armor, but three found their home in his face.

The guard fell to the ground, dead, and Twilight walked over to his corpse calmly as before the fight to take her sword back.

Looking around, she could see the rest of the chefs had fled, and promptly exited the kitchen. She reentered the dinning room to find the earth colt and gryphoness finishing off the last guard. Seeing this, she sheathed her blade, and proceeded to the stairs at back of the Officer’s Club. “Did you let the chefs or waiters get out?” She asked, as she tried to decided whether she wanted to clear out the upper stories or whatever was below.

“Yes.” The gryphoness answered in agitated tone.

Twilight brushed it off. “You shouldn’t have. Chances are they knew exactly what was going on up here.” She admonished.

“That doesn’t make killing them right.” The earth colt said.

“Right and fair are two different things.” Twilight responded. “You two head upstairs. I’m going to see what’s below.”

Without a further word, the lavender unicorn descended the stairs. At the bottom she came to a locked door. Frowning, she decided not to waste time trying to crack the lock. She summoned up the hatred that was coursing through her being at the moment, and shot a large ball of fire from her horn that tore right though the door and into the room beyond.

Inside was a small room with another door that had also been broken by her spell and two guards. The two of them were coughing and hacking at the smoke that trailed behind the fire ball. With ease, Twilight snapped their necks magically while they were distracted, and proceeded past the second ruined door, keeping her lips tight until she was in the next room to avoid inhaling the smoke.

The next room was a rather lavish one, and there were many stallions and mares about that were dressed provocatively. Twilight snarled. She was surprised to feel nothing for these prisoner-whores who were now cowering before her. “Leave.” She commanded.

Scared for their lives, the tail-lifters of the Officer’s Club began to quickly flee behind her, intent on making their escape before she started something. As they ran screaming one of the doors burst open, and two stallions rushed out. One was a unicorn wearing city guard armor. His coat was brown. His mane and tail were white. His eyes were grey, and his cutie mark was an iron helmet. The other was an entirely brown earth pony with grey eyes, and he possessed an iron boot for a cutie mark. Both of the stallions looked remarkably similar to Iron Rod, so these must have been his sons.

They turned their attention to her with a glare, and from behind them emerged two noble looking unicorn mares with looks just as cruel. One of them was young, and the other was at least middle-aged. Iron Rod’s daughter and wife. “Who are you?!” Asked the mare that must’ve been Sharp Edge, who looked ready to kill for the loss of all the whores.

Twilight did not choose to answer, nor did she give a chance for her foes to think. In an instant she had teleported before younger unarmed stallion, and drew her sword to cut off his head. However, his older brother acted quickly, and easily blocked the inexperienced blow with his own sword.

The young mare recoiled from the impact of blade on blade, and quickly summoned a shield to act preemptively. This turned out to be the right choice, as Sharp Edge’s daughter had launched a ball of magical energy at her. Twilight’s shield easily withstood this, and the group of four began to flee.

The lavender unicorn dropped her shield to chase, but a pain suddenly shot through her left foreleg. Twilight fell with a short scream, her sword clanging to the ground, and the illusion faded. Iron Rod’s family had not fled. It was merely a simple spell that tricked her. The younger stallion stood with a snarl on his face, and was holding his brother’s sword in Twilight’s foreleg.

“You have a lot of nerve.” Sharp Edge spat, as she stepped up to the lavender unicorn.

She stepped on the young mare’s horn, and Twilight screamed in pain at the feeling emanating from the sensitive bone. “Velvet Rope, go check upstairs. Iron Helm, help restrain her. Iron Boot, stay as you are.” Sharp Edge ordered.

The younger mare nodded and hurried towards the stairs. The older stallion conjured magical restraints to keep her pinned, and the younger one grew a slightly sadistic smile. “Who do you think you are, coming in here to try to ruin my business?” Sharp Edge snarled. “My FAMILY’S business?! Do you know how many generations have run this place? This club is nearly as old as the city itself, and I’ll be damned if I let some stuck up little cunt like you wander in here and ruin it!”

Hoofsteps came, as Velvet Rope returned. “Mom, it’s a disaster up there. She slaughtered everyone!” She reported.

“Really?” Sharp Edge wondered angrily before turning her attention back to Twilight. “Well, that’s a shame. You’re good enough looking to be a tail-lifter here, but I think I’m going to have to enjoy myself rather than let our customers have you. Boot, cut that thing off!”

Happily, the young earth pony jerked back on the sword, and painfully pulled it out. Only to slam it back in. Twilight screamed in agony, and Iron Boot repeated the action. The blade cracked against her bone, and tears of pain leapt to her eyes. Slowly, the sadistic young stallion hacked his way through her bone and the tissue beyond. When he was through her whole left foreleg below the knee had been severed.

The lavender mare’s blood poured out over the floor, and she continued to cry hot angry tears. It was the only thing she could do for all the pain she felt. “You really need to sharpen your sword, bro. If I had to actually fight with this thing I’d be dead.” Iron Boot commented, as he hoofed the sword back over.

Helm merely grunted, not looking pleased. “Can I go next, Mom? Please?” Velvet Rope asked excitedly.

“Go right ahead honey.” Sharp Edge agreed.

Promptly, electricity began to course through Twilight’s body, and the young mare screamed and writhed in agony. No! She couldn’t die here! Not like this! Not when these wastes of flesh hadn’t paid! Not when there were others out there that needed to die! She deserved better! She deserved justice! She deserved vengeance!

Though she did not know it, Twilight’s eyes lit up with a white glow. Her horn sparked, even through the pain, but it was far from normal. Her usual lavender colored magic had colors obscuring it. Black bubbled and slid, and red crackled along her horn. Sharp Edge, and her children backed up fearfully at the realization the pain they were causing wasn’t stopping the magic.

Shortly, the lavender mare’ blood began to boil, and a clawed hand shot up from it. Other hands and forms began to rise, as Twilight’s magic worked to create something from her blood and emotions. Before long, three massive bipedal beings stood in the room, and the blood faded into their bodies.

One of the creatures looked similar to an earth mare, but she was grotesque. She stood at an equal height with her sisters at twelve feet. Instead of hooves she had hands and elongated feet. Her skin seemed to be missing, or it was a film so thing it could be seen through perfectly. Which left her muscles exposed. Bones stuck up through them at odd angles, and some were twisted and malformed. Her eyes were completely white, and she seemed to possess a third arm that was undergrown. Finally, she was muscular beyond reason.

The second one resembled a unicorn, but she looked to be made of white marble. She was slim and almost beautiful, but other factors about her destroyed that image. Her eyes were completely missing, and she had long sharp dangerous claws on her feet and all of her many hands. She had so many hands because she a large mass of arms growing from her back, all of varying sizes.

The last creature looked like a pegasus. She had only two arms, unlike her sisters, but they were far too long, her hands hanging below her knees. Her teeth were sharp and cruel, and her face was more akin to a wolf than a pony. With the exception that her ears were massive and slightly rounded. Her wings were not feathery, but instead they were leathery nets, like a bat’s. Her eyes were black, and her muscles were stringy and bulgy in places while nonexistent in others.

Sharp Edge’s family stared with horror at the three entities before them, and as her magic faded Twilight managed to crawl to her hooves, blood still pouring from the hole where her hoof used to be. She picked her sword off the ground and sheathed it. Then she glared at the family. Though she did not know how she had done it, she was not bothered by these beings she’d created. She’d made them, so they would serve her. That much, she was certain. “What’s the matter?” She panted angrily. “Out of words? No more insults? Well, I have some. Restrain them!”

Immediately, her creations shot forward with surprising speed. Sharp Edge and Velvet Rope attempted to cast some sort of spell, but the unicorn creature’s horn was shrouded in black. Their magic failed them, as the creature’s magic impossibly managed to disable their own. The unicorn beast snatched each of them up by the throat, and only held back its strength enough not to break their necks.

The earth beast quickly tackled Iron Helm beneath its crushing weight, and, not missing a beat, ripped his horn from his head. As the stallion wailed in pain, his opponent stood, and lifted him up by the mane.

Iron Boot attempted to flee between the legs of the pegasus beast, but it was even faster than its sisters. It jammed its clawed hands into his back the moment he was close enough. He screamed loudly, as the claws were removed. No longer pinned to the floor, the prone earth pony was kicked over to Twilight by the pegasus beast.

Shortly, the other two creations brought over the rest of the criminal family, and pinned them before the lavender mare. She glared down at them. Not with the cold anger of before, but with the full fury of her hatred. “Pathetic.” She snarled, and limped over to Iron Helm. “Let’s start with you. Are you afraid of me?”

The hornless unicorn gasped in pain. A large portion of his forehead had been ripped away with the horn, and brain and bone were both now visible. He was incapable of answering her anymore, now just babbling nonsense. The very air in the room was now disrupting his thought process. There was no satisfaction to be had here. “Crush him.” She ordered.

The earth beast immediately stood, and stomped the guard into jelly. Twilight watched, unblinking even a blood splattered onto her, until he was nothing but mush and grime. When the oldest sibling was done the unicorn limped over to Iron Boot. “Are you afraid of me?” She asked again.

“Y...ye...yes.” The young stallion whimpered and sniffed.

“Good. Then you’re smart. Do you know why I’m here?” She wondered.

“N…No.” Iron Boot answered.

“Because you’re scum. You’ve taken advantage of ponies for too long. Put them through horrible things. I am merely paying you back as best I can.” Twilight explained.

“Wh…what are you going to do to me?” The young earth pony asked.

Twilight did not answer but merely ordered, “Give him a slow death.”

The pegasus beast complied, and jammed one of her claws into his back. Iron Boot gasped in pain, as his torturer slowly worked her claw towards his heart. “No! PLEASE, STOP!” Sharp Edge begged, but it was useless.

Iron Boot began to cough up blood, as his heart was finally pierced. He gasped, cried, and when he could take no more he fell limp. Satisfied with his death, Twilight turned her attention to Sharp Edge and Velvet Rope. “You’re heartless!” The former growled.

“So are you.” The lavender mare responded. “After all, you killed your own daughter.”

“What are you--” Sharp Edge began, but was cut off as darkness surrounded her body.

“M-mom?” Velvet asked tearfully.

The unicorn beast let the older mare up, and its magic forced her to walk over to Velvet. Against her will, she crouched down, and jammed her horn into Velvet Rope’s eye socket, stabbing straight into her brain. The magic dropped away, and Sharp Edge fell to her stomach crying. The older mare manically tried to remove her horn from her daughter’s body. After a few moments she finally succeeded, and fell onto her haunches. Quietly, with tears running down her face, she stared into Velvet Rope’s face. Which was frozen in fear. Her daughter’s blood ran down her own face, and the middle-aged unicorn began to take short panicked breaths that quickly turned into shrill screams. She’d broken. Her world was destroyed. There was nothing more to be had from her. Coldly, Twilight’s magic wrapped around Sharp Edge’s neck, and she snapped it, abruptly cutting off the screams.

Twilight stood still for a long while after that. She felt nothing. Her hatred and anger had no more targets, and the emotions they had pushed out of the way did not return in anyway. She did not feel proud or satisfied with what had happened. How could she? This was a massacre. She merely felt empty. Empty and tired.

The unicorn’s eyes drooped, but her attention was called back to her creations when the unicorn beast spoke in concern, “Master, you are bleeding.”

Its voice was barely understandable it sounded so odd. “Huh? Oh.” She responded dumbly, as she looked to her stump. Blood was indeed still pouring from it, and it was only adding to her exhaustion.

There was a loud snapping sound, and she once more looked to the unicorn beast. It had ripped the hand from its primary left arm. It reached down, and Twilight did not fight as the new limb was pressed against her foreleg. Darkness surround the hand, and it balled into a fist. At the same time Twilight’s flesh and the stone fused together. Her blood began to flow through the organic tissue inside the hand, and it became a part of her.

The lavender unicorn stood a little awkwardly on it. The hand being a fist helped, as it was similar to a hoof. However, the new addition was too large, and it bent at the wrist to make up for this. Which created an awkward balance that made Twilight feel as if she had three hind legs. Complaining was the last thing on her mind, however. “Thank you.” She said.

“You’re welcome.” All three of her creations spoke.

Normally, the first thing on her mind would be to ask what the creatures were, but right now all she could think of was her bed in the Silver-seas’ Estate. “Go through this entire place after I leave. Make sure no one’s left. If there is…Get them out safely. Should you find any patrons...kill them. Then you can do whatever you want.” She ordered tiredly.

The creatures looked at each other in confusion but answered, “As you wish, master.”

Satisfied with their response, she proceeded back up the stairs. She found the gryphoness and earth colt sitting on the bottom of the flight that lead to the second floor, evidently finished with the upper floors, and frowned. Then there were these two. She didn’t even know their names. They were practically children, and she’d dragged them into this. She still only felt tired. “Hey.” She called, interrupting their conversation.

They looked at her, and what they thought of her appearance was evident in their horrified faces. She probably looked like a monster. Covered in blood and gore. One of her limbs now vastly different. She was panting, and undoubtedly her exhaustion was apparent in her features. “You don’t have to, but if you want someplace safe to sleep then follow me.” She offered, and turned to leave.

After a moment, she heard steps behind her, and knew the two were coming.

The trip back to the estate was quiet. No one spoke. When they arrived, the soldiers guarding the entrance were clearly sickened themselves, but they did not stop their commander. No one would’ve. Twilight guided the gryphoness and colt to a spare room, and then made her way to her own. As she laid down on her bed, however, she would not find the sleep she needed. She could not after this night.

Author's Note

Well, here it is everyone. The chapter I've most wanted to write for months now. I'm sure you can see why. I got to say, writing a rampage is fun. Both for the violence, and the change that such a situation forces a character to go through. Yes, Sparky has some major evolutions to go through because of this. And for those who think this came out of nowhere, I've showcased Twilight's anger issues several times by now, and, more importantly, it only takes so much stress of the right kind to cause a psychotic break. Am I saying Sparky's insane? No. That's not what I mean at all.

To clarify what happened with the creatures, it was that Twilight's hatred and rage combined with her overwhelming magical strength, which reached its peak in her desperate situation, and used the life source of her blood to create three spirits. Not summon. Create. The only other spirits to ever exist in the mortal realm at this point are Discord and Lobo (Go read True Black already). The latter was summoned recently, and the former was created by the consistent chaos and destruction of all the species of Eden over centuries. I hope that gives an idea to just how powerful Twilight will be once she's mastered all her skills. Also, the three spirits Twilight made are based on beings from a real world mythology. Guess who, and I'll give you an imaginary cookie.

Now, if you're wondering what happened to Zig Zag and Raven, or what Nightmare's conversation with the praetorians was about? Those will be appearing only in True Black. As they primarily pertain to that story, and have little significance to this one. At any rate, tell me what you think, and don't expect next chapter to come so quickly. I have to figure out what to happen in that one yet.

Oh...I just broke 10,000 words in one chapter. WOOOOO! HIT THE PARTY MUSIC PINKIE!