A Dream Amongst a Nightmareby Lirex ThePrinceBronyChaptersExplanations Lonliness and LaughterFriendly Meetings... And Bad.I'm Innocent!First EncountersAm I in a Dream... Or a NightmareExplanations Explanations Lirex slowly opened and closed his eyes; he started to hear a frequent beep. He groaned, as he slowly tried to open his eyes, hearing a slightly fast paced voice. "You think he'll wake up! You think he'll know where he is!" Another voice lashed at the previous one, "Pinkie, calm down" Lirex tried moving his hoof, but it was jerked back by a metal restraint. His eyes opened, revealing three ponies. "I think he's awaking up Dash" Another voice said. "Wh-Who are you?" Lirex asked, as the characters came into focus. Seeing three figures, one was purple with a flat mane and tail, the second was a rainbow maned pony, the third was a pink, puffy pony. He looked down at his side, seeing himself in hoofcuffs around each of his front hooves; he was wearing a hospital gown as well. The beep continued, as Lirex looked over, seeing the source of the noise being a heart monitor. He realized he was in a hospital. "Where am I, and who are you three?" "Well I'm Twilight, this is Rainbow Dash, and this is Pinkie Pie." The unicorn stated proudly, "And Rainbow Dash here believes you are a spy for Nightmare Moon?" Lirex shook his head, "What? I'm not a spy. Last thing I remember is plummeting from the Moon down here." Twilight looked a bit confused,” So you are from the Moon?" "Born and raised, aren't you three some of the Elements of Harmony, mother talked about you six a lot. It was fun to listen to the stories on how you destroyed Discord," Rainbow Dash smiled broadly, as Twilight responded, "Yes, it is true. But are you the son of Nightmare Moon, or Princess Luna?" Lirex swallowed hard, he sighed deeply, "Yes... And I wish not to be imprisoned for it" Twilight looked confused, but the chuckled softly, "Oh no, Lirex. It's fine. I don't believe Celestia will imprison you for your mother's mistakes." Lirex suddenly rose up from the accusation, but was pulled back by the metal restraints, looking at Twilight hatefully. "My mother did not make a mistake. She didn't deserve to be banished." Twilight looked at Lirex in shock of the sudden venom in his voice. "Well... Celestia had a reason to banish her." She said defending herself. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie stood there awkwardly as they looked at Lirex. He looked over at Rainbow Dash, and then laid back down. Lirex stared at the ceiling, shaking his head. Rainbow Dash trotted over to his side, "Hey... Um…" He didn't bother looking at her, he had nothing to say. "Are you really the son of Luna?" she looked at him, a bit worried. He sighed, "Ya know. I don't know WHAT to think anymore." She tilted her head to the side, "Well. That would make you a Prince, wouldn't it?" He nodded, "I guess..." The doors opened as Twilight walked in with The Doctor. Lirex just stared at the ceiling. "How are you feeling Lirex?" The Doctor walked over to him, and checked his heart monitor. "Good... I suppose." Lirex shrugged. "Well, you only have minor injuries; you should be outta here by later today." He nodded. The Doctor looked at him, undoing his hoofcuffs, "Do you have anypony to stay with?" "I'm not one for being with somepony, right now anyway, and I just crash landed from the moon. So... No." He said sarcastically. Twilight walked to his other side, "You could stay with me, if you'd like. It would be so fascinating to interview the son of Princess Luna." He sighed and nodded, Okay... I suppose I could." The Doctor smiled, "Alright. Well your vitals are stable and you look okay. So I will have you transported to the front desk, and Twilight will sign you out." "Okay. Sounds good." Twilight smiled and went over and sat down. He started to fall asleep, as the doors busted open again and a couple nurses came in with a wheelchair and put him in it. They pushed him into the lobby as Twilight followed closely. Twilight walked up to the front desk, as Pinkie and Rainbow Dash walked out of the hospital. She signed Lirex out as the nurses helped him out of the wheelchair. He got up and followed Twilight out. She looked at him and smiled. "So. Whatcha wanna know about Ponyville?" "Well. This might sound mean, but I just want to get some rest. Okay?" She nodded, "Okay that's fine. I have some business around town to do, and some studies." They arrived at her house and library. She showed him in as he went straight for the couch and laid down, as a small dragon walked up to Twilight. "Who is that?" He asked. "That's our new house guest, Lirex, son of Princess Luna. I'm going out for a bit, be nice." Spike smiled. "Okay then." Twilight grabbed her saddlebag and walked out, as Spike walked over beside Lirex. "Hmm..." "What?" Lirex looked at him as the dragon walked upstairs. "Oh nothing." He chuckled. Lirex just brushed it off and began to sleep. He began to dream, being the son of the Alicorn who could go into pony's dreams; he didn't really have much time for his own. So this was a type of delicacy for him to dream from his own mind. He fell asleep soundly... As there was a sudden knock at the door. Lonliness and LaughterTwilight walked around town looking at all the ponies doing their daily routine, Rosebud putting out fresh roses from her cart, Applejack setting up her apple stand along with her sister, Applebloom. She smiled and walked into Sugarcube Corner as Pinkie happily jumped to the counter and smiled brightly. "Hey Twili!" She giggled and looked at her friend. "Hey there Pinkie" "What can I get ya!?" Twilight thought for a moment and chuckled lightly, "Well…How about some fresh vanilla cupcakes." "Commin' right up!" Pinkie said, running into the kitchen and started to put ingredients making the batter, "Hey Twi, what do you think about that new pony in town?" Twilight scratched her head with a hoof and shrugged, "I'm not sure, I just hope when I take him to Celestia that she doesn't think that we are trying to help Nightmare Moon." Pinkie giggled, "We've defeated Nightmare Moon a long time ago, don't you remember?" Twilight nodded and then giggled, "Well, yes I do but still-" "You like him don't you Twili?" Pinkie stared at her friend with an accusing gaze. Twilight took a second, slightly confused and offended by the question, "What! No." "Oh, c'mon. You do, I mean it's nothing to be embarrassed about Twi. I mean he's the son of Princess Luna. Let's just hope that he isn't like Blueblood, because then Rarity would have a real bad time getting along with him." Twilight shook her head and smiled. "Yeah, That was pretty funny. Alright, well I gotta go, I will be back for the treats tomorrow morning." Pinkie nodded as she poured the batter into a pan. "Okie Dokie Lokie." Twilight walked out of the shop and looked around the town, she was just glad only her close friends knew about Lirex. Or else there would most likely be an angry riot at her door. She trotted past the Carousel Boutique as she heard a giant, loud crash. Twilight gasped and burst into the boutique, "Rarity! Are you alright?" It was dark and slightly dusty, and she knew that Rarity didn't keep things dusty or dark. She slowly ascended the stairs, hearing light sobbing, "Rares?" "G-Go... Away I'm not in the mood for visitors..." A shaking voice said from Rarity's door. Twilight went to the door and knocked, "Are you alright?" She turned the knob and gasped again seeing the condition of her friend's room. Looking around the room the unicorn saw her white furred friend face down on a pillow, crying. She slowly trotted over and patted Rarity's back, "What happened here?" Rarity sighed and lifted her head from the pillow, dried tears tracing her face. "I-I don't want to talk about it Twi..." Twilight helped her friend sit on the edge of the bed and then sat by her, with a concerned look. "Please tell me Rare." Rarity sniffled and nodded, "Okay... Well. While I was out today, I just had seen other ponies with somepony special... And I realized I didn't have a special somepony... Nopony to tell me he loves me." "Your sister loves you-" Rarity quickly shot back, "But that's not enough!" She got up and walked over to her window. Twilight walked to her side, "Rarity?" "What!" She cried. "Is there anything I could do to help?" Rarity shook her head and walked around her room, glass, wood, and wallpaper cracking at her hooves. "It's so unfair. I mean, AJ has Carmel, Fluttershy has Big Mac, and RD has Soarin... But who do I have...?" She looked down and sighed, "I guess I was just meant to be alone." Twilight ran to her and picked her chin up, "No. You will find somepony, you should. Just because everypony has their special somepony doesn't mean you should quit dating others." "Yeah but-" "But nothing. A stallion would be honored to have you in their arms." Twilight smiled reassuringly. "Oh Twi," Rarity shook her head. "You will find somepony, I just know it." Twilight and her friend shared a warm, embracing hug for a couple minutes. Then she helped her to clean up her room, together. As Twilight began to leave Rarity gave Twilight something, "Give this to Lirex." She smiled warmly as she put a medium sized gem in Twilight's hoof. Twilight nodded and trotted home. __________________ She arrived at the door, hearing laughing, upon opening she saw Spike spew milk from his mouth as Lirex and him rolled on the floor laughing. "What's going on?" She asked confused. Spike caught his breath and stumbled over to her, as Lirex's laugh dimmed down to a light chuckle. "Well. I challenged Lirex to a laughing match to see you can hold milk in their mouth the longest while the other tells funny things." Lirex nodded and got up, "Yeah, wanna join Twi?" She blushed quickly and shook her head, "Oh... I'm not sure." "C'mon Twi." Spike pulled her over and poured her a glass of milk. "Okay... But you’re gonna pay for the milk." She timidly held the glass and drank some as she nodded, ready. "Okay Lirex, let's do this." Spike chuckled as he grabbed both of his cheeks as they make a smacking sound, he moved them away from each other then back, seeming like his face was morphing. Twilight quickly spewed the milk and giggled, as she blushed. Lirex smiled and poured himself a glass, "I bet ya won't make me laugh this time." As he drank the whole glass and held it in his mouth, Twilight picked up a feather with her magic, and slowly rubbed it under his hoof. He chuckled under his breath, as Twilight tickled faster; he quickly spewed the milk and laughed. Spike, Twilight, and Lirex all fell to the floor laughing their heads off, as Twilight rolled over to Lirex's side, and blushed as soon as she noticed he had his hoof under her. "Heh, sorry Twi." He smiled friendly. She shrugged and sighed happily as she leaned on him, "It's fine,” Friendly Meetings... And Bad.Twilight slowly woke up from her deep sleep from last night, she looked around, seeing Lirex and Spike passed out on the floor. "Hm, They must of stayed up playing that silly game." She thought as she smiled, giggling slightly. She walked down her stairs and stretched her legs and hooves, yawning softly. "Wow, I really had fun last night with those two." Twilight glanced at her saddlebag, seeing the gem Rarity had given to her to give to Lirex. "Oh no, I forgot. I will have to wake him." She groaned and went upstairs, laying by Lirex, she nuzzled his neck. He groaned, turning over. She shook her head and tapped his back with her hoof, "Psst, Lirex. Wake up, I want to give you something." "Hmmm..." Lirex slowly opened his eyes, rubbing them as he shook his head, trying to wake up. "W-What?" Twilight held out the gem to Lirex closely. Lirex stared at her hoof for a moment, trying to distinguish what it was. "Rarity told me to give it to you," Twilight spoke gently as she gained a light blush from the statement. "You mean that white unicorn you sent for me to show me around town?" Lirex now held the precious stone in his hooves carefully, tilting his head as well. "Yes. Why?" "I have to thank her! Now!" He jetted out of the room, with the stone in his maw. He ran outside, slamming the door behind him. Spike sighed and walked over to Twilight slowly, "What's his problem?" "Not sure... But I hope Rare is expecting visitors." _____________________ Lirex ran through the streets of Ponyville, looking for Rarity anxiously. He saw her entering her boutique as he ran up to her quickly and knocked on the door. "Hey, Rarity." He panted and laid in front of the door, as the white unicorn answered the door. "Oh, hello darling. Why are you panting?" Rarity asked, raising an eyebrow. "Oh well, I came to see you." Lirex said happily, as a small blush came across Rarity's cheeks, "To thank you for the gem." He held the moonstone up to her as she giggled gently. "It's no big deal, really." Lirex shook his head, "Of course it is. You don't know how much this means to me." Rarity opened the door wider, letting the pegasi in. "How so darling?" "Mother gave me one on my birthday a couple years ago." He looked down slightly, "But I lost it... Anyway, I can't stop thanking you for this. It means a lot." He hugged her softly, still smiling brightly. "Well, I appreciate your thanks, Lirex." She hugged him back, as her blush slowly dissipated. "Okay, well. I don't wanna bother you much longer, I know you're busy." He said as he turned the handle of the door to leave, Rarity caught his hoof before he could open the door. Lirex looked at her hoof and then back at her. "Um... Actually, I'm not too busy. Couldn't you stay, Li?" Rarity said, her blush darkening once again. "Oh, yeah, of course Miss Rarity." "Just call me Rarity dear." "Okay." Lirex wandered around the boutique for a moment as Rarity thought. "Oh... My. A Prince is in your home Rarity. And a nice one, don’t screw this up for yourself Rare." She nodded and went to his side, 'What do you think?" "I think this place is beautiful, more than the moon." He smiled kindly and continued to look around. Rarity shrugged it off with a light giggle, "No, not possible. You're too nice." "It is. Could you show me where you make the clothing?" Rarity nodded quickly, her horn glowing, levitating a manikin over to both of them, a tux wrapped around its body. "That's cool." Lirex examined it, trotting around it slowly. "Why thank you dear." Rarity smiled and levitated over a ruler and her glasses, measuring the suit again. Lirex glanced at the stairs for a brief moment, seeing a little white filly, he walked over to the base of the stairs and looked up to her. "Well hello there little one" "Oh... Um... Hello." She began to descend the stairs as Rarity waltzed over. "Lirex, meet Sweetie Bell, Sweetie meet Lirex." Sweetie timidly smiled as Lirex smiled back, "N-Nice to meet you sir." "Likewise, Sweetie" "Hey Rarity" Sweetie looked over at her sister. "Yes?" "Could I go with AB and Scoot to the clubhouse tonight?" "Well sure. That would be fine, as long as you three stay out of trouble." Sweetie squealed and smiled brightly running upstairs quickly, "Thank you sis, and don't worry." "So, Lirex. Did it get lonely up there on the Moon?" Rarity asked, shuffling her hoof with her measuring tape, as she adjusted her glasses. "Well, kinda. Not too much though." He shook her head at the question and looked over at Rarity. Lirex looked up at the clock, seeing it was eleven o'clock. "Oh my, I have to go. See ya Rarity." Before Rarity could say anything, he gave her cheek a light peck and walked out of the boutique, heading to Twilight's. ____________ Lirex knocked on the door of the library and walked inside. "Twi? Spike?" He slightly shouted around the house, a small dragon walked out of the kitchen. "Hey. Twilight went to do something, so how did Rarity's go?" Spike said walking back into the kitchen, as Lirex followed him. "Pretty well I guess. How's your morning been so far?" Spike shrugged and went over to the oven. "Pretty normal really" "Alright " He smiled at the dragon and sat down. Suddenly there was a knock on the door, "Who could that be?" Spike sighed again and walked over to the door, Lirex looking around the kitchen, watching. He gasped, opening the door. "Y-Y-Your h-highness!" Lirex's eyes shot open and he went dead still, hearing those two words. Oh... No." I'm Innocent!As Spike opened the door, two broad, tall royal guards stormed in, with Princess Celestia. Spike just froze as they all saw Lirex and grabbed him, pinning him to the ground. "Lirex Stargaze, you will come with us." They both said simultaneously. He struggled and squirmed as they took him out of the house, Spike couldn't do anything, they were ten times his size. Celestia, without saying a word walked out with the guards and their prisoner, flying away on the chariot. Twilight walked in and looked around the house, seeing Spike shocked, "Spike, what's wrong?" "T-They... Took… Lirex" Spike shivered, pointing at the chariot flying away in the sunlight. Twilight then gasped and watched the carriage fly off, "Is that-" Spike nodded and ran to her side, "We have to get to Canterlot, who knows what she will do to him." She put Spike on her back, her horn glowing brighter and brighter, finally transporting them to their destination. They both saw the guards dragging the white pegasi on the ground, towards the dungeon. "Lirex!" Twilight shouted to him as she tried to get passed the guard wall, quickly getting pushed back by them. "We're sorry Miss Twilight, but this is none of your concern." One of them stated, stalely. "What do you mean 'none of my concern'? He's my friend. Let him go." "No." The guard stated again, pushing her back once more. Lirex glanced over to her, slightly sad, but he shook his head and stared down as he was dragged across the brick walkway. Twilight managed to get into the castle, running to the court room, she then propped her ear up against the doors, hearing shouting, and protesting. "So, you have been sent down by my sister, no?" "I mean nopony any harm, your highness-" "That wasn't the question!" Twilight peeked through the door, seeing Lirex getting hoof-punched by one of the guards, standing near him. "Answer the question." Lirex spit on the guard, "How dare you punch a Prince." His eyes slowly turned blood-red as he chuckled lightly. The guard punched him again and again, Celestia held up a hoof, making him stop. "Now, Lirex, why did my sister send you?" She looked at him closely; he began shaking his head, not responding. The guard once more kicked him in the maw, making it bleed; Lirex licked the trickle of blood off his nose, smiling deviously. "Why should I tell you? Why should I tell the only person who doesn't love or care for her own siblings" Lirex protested with deadly venom in his voice. The guard groaned and knocked the stallion to the ground, whispering, however Twilight couldn't hear what he said. She thought to herself, on the verge of tears, seeing what they were doing to this Prince. C'mon Li... Just answer the question. Suddenly she heard a voice in her head, as if it was Lirex, You don't understand... I can't... it’s for the sake of everypony's safety... The Princess got up from her throne, slowly and elegantly, walking towards him, he quivered from her form. She got up to him and looked in his eyes deeply, and menacing. "You shouldn't have come here, Prince of Night. You have made a big mistake." Lirex shivered, shaking his head, "No. You, your majesty, have made the mistake." The guards in the room and Celestia gasped as they all saw Lirex's hooves turning black, the cuffs melting off his fur. His wings flared upward hitting the guard, knocking him out instantly. Twilight gasped again, bursting through the door, but before she could get close to him she and Celestia were both shot back by a dark aura blast. Twilight groaned as Spike went to her side, everypony looking where Lirex was. She knew what she was looking at was no longer the stallion she had met before. His eyes blood shot and red, his fur coal-black, orange aura wisped around him. She looked at his wings, seeing they no longer had feathers, but metal and leather. Also, Lirex began talking in a dark, deep voice that seemed to fill the room. "Puny Princess, you could never end the Night. It is a part of life and power. We are that Power." He chuckled as he flapped his wings a couple times, "We are Spikor Stargaze, Lord of Shadows. We will take Equestria from you and your puny subjects." His ears perked up, as three guards ran at him with their horns draw towards him. The middle of this creature's mane poked up, finally revealing a horn with a broken end, as he shot a red, bubbly beam towards them. "Hah!" He laughed at them as they fell to defeat. Spikor then walked towards the door, seeing a purple unicorn still lying down, he tilting his head and he walked towards her. "Hm. Hello Twilight. Please stand back, my revenge is not with you, my dear." He said, sincerely. Twilight was totally surprised at him as his toned changed when he spoke to her, right then she knew Lirex was still there, and how she could stop whatever this thing was. First Encounters"Lirex, Lirex!" Luna called for her son amongst her moon fortress. A white Pegasus with a blonde mane, with black tips on his mane, and a headphone cutie mark, walked behind her. "Yes Mother?" He responded. "Ah, my son. Come, sit." Luna sat down on a bench that overlooked her moon fortress and some of the Earth she once ruled. Lirex sat down next to his mother. "What is it?" Lirex asked a bit concerned. His mother answered slightly disturbed, "Son... It is time for you to know something." "What is it, is something wrong?" Lirex asked, slightly leaning on his mother. "I used to be ruler over that place way over there..." She pointed a hoof to the far away planet. "Really..? What happened?" "I was... Let's... Say. Taken off track. However, we are having this conversation be aside I believe in you to do something for me." "Anything." Lirex hugged Luna. "You must let me send you away... If you don't do soon you will see me in a form I do not want you to see... It's a curse I hope you haven't inherited." A tear rolled down Luna's face, she wiped the tear away with a hoof. "I cannot have you be up in this dark waste of space any longer... It will ruin you son." Lirex cried slightly, knowing what was coming next. He had no father, and soon, no mother. He knew that it was for his best interest... Therefore he would do his best. Lirex slowly got up. "When will we begin… Mother?" Luna started to see he son cry, she suddenly got up and wrapped her wings around him. "Lirex... You and I will be forever connected. Just hold on son..." Luna's horn started to glow slowly. "We will see each other soon, my son. And we will join your father, soon enough..." A dark blue aura glowed around Lirex. "I love you mom." Lirex cried as the dark aura grew brighter. "I love you too, Lirex." Luna leaned down as she put her head next to her son's. Lirex slowly started to become translucent; Luna backed up and sobbed a bit. The white Pegasus slowly dissipated. ______________________ Rainbow Dash was doing some of her tricks, practicing for the Wonderbolts. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie are cheering her on. Rainbow Dash smiled broadly, smiling at her own gloating. She heard a loud thunder crack, which threw her off balance; she fell through a couple clouds, before getting her balance back. She flew back down to her friends. "Did you guys hear that?" Rainbow Dash asked Pinkie. She didn't ask Fluttershy, she clearly heard it, because she was crouched down with both of her hooves over her face. Pinkie smiled, "Yeah it was exciting!" "It was bucking frightening for me." Rainbow Dash laughed, looking up in the sky. "What the…?" Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, and Fluttershy all saw a big black cloud show up, they saw lightening and heard thunder crack several times. “Um… That's not normal..." Fluttershy stated, timidly. "Ya think." Rainbow Dash said still staring at the cloud. Suddenly Rainbow Dash saw a bright light with gold streams heading straight for them. "DUCK!" Rainbow Dash yelled, pushing all of them out of the way. "Where?" Pinkie Pie excitingly asked. The bright light crashed directly into the dirt road in front of Rainbow Dash and her friends. As the mix of dust and smoke cleared, Rainbow Dash saw a pony laying down, passed out, on the ground. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, and Fluttershy all saw the same pony at the same time. They said simultaneously, "Oh my Celestia!" They all ran to the downed pony, upon closer inspection they saw it was a Pegasi. It groaned slightly. "Are you alright?" Rainbow Dash asked, worried. Fluttershy went into the crater that this Pegasus created and stood next to him. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie followed. Rainbow Dash leaned over the white Pegasus, noticing he had a blond mane with black tips and a headphone cutie mark. "That was quite a crash landing, there buddy." Rainbow Dash put on her best smile, she actually started to start to think that this pony was a little cute. "Uhhh..." It groaned. It tried to open one eye, but then closed. "I think he's a stallion..." Fluttershy thought. Rainbow Dash shrugged and blushed, "I-I ain't checkin' …so be my guest." She stuck her tongue out. Fluttershy slowly tried to help him up, "A little h-help here." Pinkie and Rainbow Dash both helped Fluttershy get this new found stallion off the ground and out of the crater. All of the sudden, the pegasus’s wings widened and his eyes shot open as he flew off the hooves out of the three volunteers, getting into a defense stance a couple inches away. "Who are you and where the buck am I?!" He asked frightened. Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow. "Well I'm Rainbow Dash, this is Pinkie.-" "Hi!" Pinkie responded excitedly. And this is Fluttershy." Fluttershy blushed slightly, "H-hello." "And you're in Ponyville." Rainbow Dash smiled bit the frown was turned down when the Pegasi quickly responded. "Wha-What happened to the Moon!?" He asked. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy were all confused at this Pegasus. "The Moon?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Don't screw with me. Wait... You’re Rainbow Dash." The white Pegasi recognized her. "How in Equestria do you know me?" "Mother talked about you three and a couple others..." He said, letting his guard down. "Whaaaaa?" Pinkie raised an eyebrow. "Hold up. The moon… ‘Mother’… us six." Rainbow Dash recollected. She suddenly tackled him to the ground. He tried to fight back but couldn't. Rainbow Dash started to yell at him, "Your one of Luna's spies! Aren't you?" He smiled, suddenly overpowering Rainbow Dash and jumped up, flapping his wings staying in the air. Fluttershy and Pinkie looked at each other still confused. "She and any of her collaborators aren't allowed back in Equestria!" Rainbow Dash flew up to the pegasus's height. "We'll I am Lirex Stargaze, son of Nightmare Moon." Lirex blasted off suddenly, leaving a trail of white and gold streams behind. Rainbow Dash blasted after him, leaving a rainbow behind her. "Get back here!" Rainbow Dash shouted at Lirex. He ignored her as he avoided several clouds in his path. Rainbow Dash was amazed at how fast this Pegasus could fly, and she thought she could fly fast. Nopony ever out-flew her. But there's one for everything. Suddenly, the white Pegasus was struck by a dark lightning bolt, jetting from a nearby cloud. Lirex landed right in front of Fluttershy, and Pinkie. Rainbow Dash flew back down beside him, and sighed. "Celestia has some explaining to do." Am I in a Dream... Or a NightmareLirex stayed laid down on the couch as he winced his eyes closed, continuing to hear the knock. Finally, Spike went to the door and opened it. "Oh…h-hey there Rarity." He blushed intensively. Lirex didn't bother waking up, nopony was more important than him and trying to get some sleep. The guest started to speak, "Hello. What's your name, darling?" Lirex grunted, and sighed, "It's Lirex. Now, can I just get some sleep?" Lirex didn't open his eyes. He just didn't give a care for what the pony had to say. "Well, I'm Rarity. Twilight, which I believed you met, told me to show you around Ponyville." He just turned over and groaned as Spike stepped in. "Uh, Rares, he's pretty tired. You can come back tomorrow though, heh heh." Spike smiled, and led her out. As he closed the door Lirex turned back around as Spike looked at him. "What the heck was that?" "What was what?" Lirex opened his eyes slightly. "You’re the son of Princess Luna, and you crashed landed from the moon. If I were you, I'd get some ponies on my side." "Well, you’re not me. So… goodnight." "It's the middle of the day-" "It's always night for me. Now shut up." He turned back around and fell asleep. "Hey-" Spike was interrupted by a snore let out by the Pegasi. ________ It was dark, not the type of blackish dark, it was a type of purplish hue type darkness. Lirex tried weaving through the darkness but soon tripped over something as he face-planted into the ground. He heard a laugh, "Well, I see you've finally gotten into your dream state” Lirex could not pinpoint the location but didn't really have to as a pony walked up to him; he was about Lirex's height and build. Their movements of their muscles were the same, however there were slight differences. Whereas Lirex's wings were of feather and bone, the figures were smelted metal and leather. Lirex's eyes were purple; the figures eyes were a type of lava-red color. He had black fur, with occasional orange stripes around him, as Lirex examined the character he saw a horn with a broken tip. "W-Who a-are you?" Lirex asked hesitantly "Very good question," He finally helped Lirex off the ground, "I am Spikor, Lord of Shadows." "Hm... Never heard of you..." Lirex thought for a moment. "I know you haven't... Because you are me, and I am you." Lirex tried to speak but couldn't at what this, thing, had just said. He finally got hold of his words, "W-What did you just say?" Spikor sighed, "I am Spikor, son of Nightmare Moon, born of shadows." "But... That makes no sense, I am the son of her-" Spikor cut Lirex off, "You are Luna's son. I am Nightmare Moon's son." "But that would mean..." He nodded, "I am your 'Nightmare Moon', so to speak." Lirex gasped slightly at hearing what this strange but familiar pony had said. He did not believe on word, and he didn't want to, but this creature walked and talked like him. "Could this be... My Nightmare form?" Lirex thought. Spikor nodded, "Yes I am your Nightmare..." Lirex's eyes widened, "You can read my thoughts?" Spikor nodded. "And w-why are you telling me this? Why are you coming out to see me now?" Spikor held up a hoof, stopping the questions, "Our mothers are battling for superiority. And Nightmare Moon will win over Luna and soon fly down to Equestria and take over Celestia's throne. It seems like your new found 'friends' would not like you if you were on her side. So, you won't be you when you help mother, you'll be me." Lirex backed up a little bit as Spikor smiled, revealing dagger like fangs protruding out of his black maw, "B-But why should I help you?" "Because, it will happen one way or the other." Spikor started to walk to him as Lirex held up his hooves and Spikor started to bite them. ___ "No.. No! NO!" Lirex panted heavily as he shot from the couch but was drawn back by a lavender hoof. "Lirex!" Lirex took in what had just happened and panted as he looked over to a familiar lavender unicorn. "W-What happened?" Lirex gulped, catching his breath. "You had a nightmare. It must have been bad; you were thrashing all over the couch." Twilight frowned a bit. "Oh... S-Sorry Twilight." "Don't be." She petted his mane gently and put her hoof up to his forehead, "Spike, get me an icepack." Spike, who was at the foot of the couch, ran into the kitchen. Lirex then thought about the dream, "It was so real... Could Spikor be me evil side, like Nightmare Moon is to mother... Is mother coming back for revenge?" He let out a sad sigh and closed his eyes; at this point he had more questions than answers.
Explanations Explanations Lirex slowly opened and closed his eyes; he started to hear a frequent beep. He groaned, as he slowly tried to open his eyes, hearing a slightly fast paced voice. "You think he'll wake up! You think he'll know where he is!" Another voice lashed at the previous one, "Pinkie, calm down" Lirex tried moving his hoof, but it was jerked back by a metal restraint. His eyes opened, revealing three ponies. "I think he's awaking up Dash" Another voice said. "Wh-Who are you?" Lirex asked, as the characters came into focus. Seeing three figures, one was purple with a flat mane and tail, the second was a rainbow maned pony, the third was a pink, puffy pony. He looked down at his side, seeing himself in hoofcuffs around each of his front hooves; he was wearing a hospital gown as well. The beep continued, as Lirex looked over, seeing the source of the noise being a heart monitor. He realized he was in a hospital. "Where am I, and who are you three?" "Well I'm Twilight, this is Rainbow Dash, and this is Pinkie Pie." The unicorn stated proudly, "And Rainbow Dash here believes you are a spy for Nightmare Moon?" Lirex shook his head, "What? I'm not a spy. Last thing I remember is plummeting from the Moon down here." Twilight looked a bit confused,” So you are from the Moon?" "Born and raised, aren't you three some of the Elements of Harmony, mother talked about you six a lot. It was fun to listen to the stories on how you destroyed Discord," Rainbow Dash smiled broadly, as Twilight responded, "Yes, it is true. But are you the son of Nightmare Moon, or Princess Luna?" Lirex swallowed hard, he sighed deeply, "Yes... And I wish not to be imprisoned for it" Twilight looked confused, but the chuckled softly, "Oh no, Lirex. It's fine. I don't believe Celestia will imprison you for your mother's mistakes." Lirex suddenly rose up from the accusation, but was pulled back by the metal restraints, looking at Twilight hatefully. "My mother did not make a mistake. She didn't deserve to be banished." Twilight looked at Lirex in shock of the sudden venom in his voice. "Well... Celestia had a reason to banish her." She said defending herself. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie stood there awkwardly as they looked at Lirex. He looked over at Rainbow Dash, and then laid back down. Lirex stared at the ceiling, shaking his head. Rainbow Dash trotted over to his side, "Hey... Um…" He didn't bother looking at her, he had nothing to say. "Are you really the son of Luna?" she looked at him, a bit worried. He sighed, "Ya know. I don't know WHAT to think anymore." She tilted her head to the side, "Well. That would make you a Prince, wouldn't it?" He nodded, "I guess..." The doors opened as Twilight walked in with The Doctor. Lirex just stared at the ceiling. "How are you feeling Lirex?" The Doctor walked over to him, and checked his heart monitor. "Good... I suppose." Lirex shrugged. "Well, you only have minor injuries; you should be outta here by later today." He nodded. The Doctor looked at him, undoing his hoofcuffs, "Do you have anypony to stay with?" "I'm not one for being with somepony, right now anyway, and I just crash landed from the moon. So... No." He said sarcastically. Twilight walked to his other side, "You could stay with me, if you'd like. It would be so fascinating to interview the son of Princess Luna." He sighed and nodded, Okay... I suppose I could." The Doctor smiled, "Alright. Well your vitals are stable and you look okay. So I will have you transported to the front desk, and Twilight will sign you out." "Okay. Sounds good." Twilight smiled and went over and sat down. He started to fall asleep, as the doors busted open again and a couple nurses came in with a wheelchair and put him in it. They pushed him into the lobby as Twilight followed closely. Twilight walked up to the front desk, as Pinkie and Rainbow Dash walked out of the hospital. She signed Lirex out as the nurses helped him out of the wheelchair. He got up and followed Twilight out. She looked at him and smiled. "So. Whatcha wanna know about Ponyville?" "Well. This might sound mean, but I just want to get some rest. Okay?" She nodded, "Okay that's fine. I have some business around town to do, and some studies." They arrived at her house and library. She showed him in as he went straight for the couch and laid down, as a small dragon walked up to Twilight. "Who is that?" He asked. "That's our new house guest, Lirex, son of Princess Luna. I'm going out for a bit, be nice." Spike smiled. "Okay then." Twilight grabbed her saddlebag and walked out, as Spike walked over beside Lirex. "Hmm..." "What?" Lirex looked at him as the dragon walked upstairs. "Oh nothing." He chuckled. Lirex just brushed it off and began to sleep. He began to dream, being the son of the Alicorn who could go into pony's dreams; he didn't really have much time for his own. So this was a type of delicacy for him to dream from his own mind. He fell asleep soundly... As there was a sudden knock at the door.
Lonliness and LaughterTwilight walked around town looking at all the ponies doing their daily routine, Rosebud putting out fresh roses from her cart, Applejack setting up her apple stand along with her sister, Applebloom. She smiled and walked into Sugarcube Corner as Pinkie happily jumped to the counter and smiled brightly. "Hey Twili!" She giggled and looked at her friend. "Hey there Pinkie" "What can I get ya!?" Twilight thought for a moment and chuckled lightly, "Well…How about some fresh vanilla cupcakes." "Commin' right up!" Pinkie said, running into the kitchen and started to put ingredients making the batter, "Hey Twi, what do you think about that new pony in town?" Twilight scratched her head with a hoof and shrugged, "I'm not sure, I just hope when I take him to Celestia that she doesn't think that we are trying to help Nightmare Moon." Pinkie giggled, "We've defeated Nightmare Moon a long time ago, don't you remember?" Twilight nodded and then giggled, "Well, yes I do but still-" "You like him don't you Twili?" Pinkie stared at her friend with an accusing gaze. Twilight took a second, slightly confused and offended by the question, "What! No." "Oh, c'mon. You do, I mean it's nothing to be embarrassed about Twi. I mean he's the son of Princess Luna. Let's just hope that he isn't like Blueblood, because then Rarity would have a real bad time getting along with him." Twilight shook her head and smiled. "Yeah, That was pretty funny. Alright, well I gotta go, I will be back for the treats tomorrow morning." Pinkie nodded as she poured the batter into a pan. "Okie Dokie Lokie." Twilight walked out of the shop and looked around the town, she was just glad only her close friends knew about Lirex. Or else there would most likely be an angry riot at her door. She trotted past the Carousel Boutique as she heard a giant, loud crash. Twilight gasped and burst into the boutique, "Rarity! Are you alright?" It was dark and slightly dusty, and she knew that Rarity didn't keep things dusty or dark. She slowly ascended the stairs, hearing light sobbing, "Rares?" "G-Go... Away I'm not in the mood for visitors..." A shaking voice said from Rarity's door. Twilight went to the door and knocked, "Are you alright?" She turned the knob and gasped again seeing the condition of her friend's room. Looking around the room the unicorn saw her white furred friend face down on a pillow, crying. She slowly trotted over and patted Rarity's back, "What happened here?" Rarity sighed and lifted her head from the pillow, dried tears tracing her face. "I-I don't want to talk about it Twi..." Twilight helped her friend sit on the edge of the bed and then sat by her, with a concerned look. "Please tell me Rare." Rarity sniffled and nodded, "Okay... Well. While I was out today, I just had seen other ponies with somepony special... And I realized I didn't have a special somepony... Nopony to tell me he loves me." "Your sister loves you-" Rarity quickly shot back, "But that's not enough!" She got up and walked over to her window. Twilight walked to her side, "Rarity?" "What!" She cried. "Is there anything I could do to help?" Rarity shook her head and walked around her room, glass, wood, and wallpaper cracking at her hooves. "It's so unfair. I mean, AJ has Carmel, Fluttershy has Big Mac, and RD has Soarin... But who do I have...?" She looked down and sighed, "I guess I was just meant to be alone." Twilight ran to her and picked her chin up, "No. You will find somepony, you should. Just because everypony has their special somepony doesn't mean you should quit dating others." "Yeah but-" "But nothing. A stallion would be honored to have you in their arms." Twilight smiled reassuringly. "Oh Twi," Rarity shook her head. "You will find somepony, I just know it." Twilight and her friend shared a warm, embracing hug for a couple minutes. Then she helped her to clean up her room, together. As Twilight began to leave Rarity gave Twilight something, "Give this to Lirex." She smiled warmly as she put a medium sized gem in Twilight's hoof. Twilight nodded and trotted home. __________________ She arrived at the door, hearing laughing, upon opening she saw Spike spew milk from his mouth as Lirex and him rolled on the floor laughing. "What's going on?" She asked confused. Spike caught his breath and stumbled over to her, as Lirex's laugh dimmed down to a light chuckle. "Well. I challenged Lirex to a laughing match to see you can hold milk in their mouth the longest while the other tells funny things." Lirex nodded and got up, "Yeah, wanna join Twi?" She blushed quickly and shook her head, "Oh... I'm not sure." "C'mon Twi." Spike pulled her over and poured her a glass of milk. "Okay... But you’re gonna pay for the milk." She timidly held the glass and drank some as she nodded, ready. "Okay Lirex, let's do this." Spike chuckled as he grabbed both of his cheeks as they make a smacking sound, he moved them away from each other then back, seeming like his face was morphing. Twilight quickly spewed the milk and giggled, as she blushed. Lirex smiled and poured himself a glass, "I bet ya won't make me laugh this time." As he drank the whole glass and held it in his mouth, Twilight picked up a feather with her magic, and slowly rubbed it under his hoof. He chuckled under his breath, as Twilight tickled faster; he quickly spewed the milk and laughed. Spike, Twilight, and Lirex all fell to the floor laughing their heads off, as Twilight rolled over to Lirex's side, and blushed as soon as she noticed he had his hoof under her. "Heh, sorry Twi." He smiled friendly. She shrugged and sighed happily as she leaned on him, "It's fine,”
Friendly Meetings... And Bad.Twilight slowly woke up from her deep sleep from last night, she looked around, seeing Lirex and Spike passed out on the floor. "Hm, They must of stayed up playing that silly game." She thought as she smiled, giggling slightly. She walked down her stairs and stretched her legs and hooves, yawning softly. "Wow, I really had fun last night with those two." Twilight glanced at her saddlebag, seeing the gem Rarity had given to her to give to Lirex. "Oh no, I forgot. I will have to wake him." She groaned and went upstairs, laying by Lirex, she nuzzled his neck. He groaned, turning over. She shook her head and tapped his back with her hoof, "Psst, Lirex. Wake up, I want to give you something." "Hmmm..." Lirex slowly opened his eyes, rubbing them as he shook his head, trying to wake up. "W-What?" Twilight held out the gem to Lirex closely. Lirex stared at her hoof for a moment, trying to distinguish what it was. "Rarity told me to give it to you," Twilight spoke gently as she gained a light blush from the statement. "You mean that white unicorn you sent for me to show me around town?" Lirex now held the precious stone in his hooves carefully, tilting his head as well. "Yes. Why?" "I have to thank her! Now!" He jetted out of the room, with the stone in his maw. He ran outside, slamming the door behind him. Spike sighed and walked over to Twilight slowly, "What's his problem?" "Not sure... But I hope Rare is expecting visitors." _____________________ Lirex ran through the streets of Ponyville, looking for Rarity anxiously. He saw her entering her boutique as he ran up to her quickly and knocked on the door. "Hey, Rarity." He panted and laid in front of the door, as the white unicorn answered the door. "Oh, hello darling. Why are you panting?" Rarity asked, raising an eyebrow. "Oh well, I came to see you." Lirex said happily, as a small blush came across Rarity's cheeks, "To thank you for the gem." He held the moonstone up to her as she giggled gently. "It's no big deal, really." Lirex shook his head, "Of course it is. You don't know how much this means to me." Rarity opened the door wider, letting the pegasi in. "How so darling?" "Mother gave me one on my birthday a couple years ago." He looked down slightly, "But I lost it... Anyway, I can't stop thanking you for this. It means a lot." He hugged her softly, still smiling brightly. "Well, I appreciate your thanks, Lirex." She hugged him back, as her blush slowly dissipated. "Okay, well. I don't wanna bother you much longer, I know you're busy." He said as he turned the handle of the door to leave, Rarity caught his hoof before he could open the door. Lirex looked at her hoof and then back at her. "Um... Actually, I'm not too busy. Couldn't you stay, Li?" Rarity said, her blush darkening once again. "Oh, yeah, of course Miss Rarity." "Just call me Rarity dear." "Okay." Lirex wandered around the boutique for a moment as Rarity thought. "Oh... My. A Prince is in your home Rarity. And a nice one, don’t screw this up for yourself Rare." She nodded and went to his side, 'What do you think?" "I think this place is beautiful, more than the moon." He smiled kindly and continued to look around. Rarity shrugged it off with a light giggle, "No, not possible. You're too nice." "It is. Could you show me where you make the clothing?" Rarity nodded quickly, her horn glowing, levitating a manikin over to both of them, a tux wrapped around its body. "That's cool." Lirex examined it, trotting around it slowly. "Why thank you dear." Rarity smiled and levitated over a ruler and her glasses, measuring the suit again. Lirex glanced at the stairs for a brief moment, seeing a little white filly, he walked over to the base of the stairs and looked up to her. "Well hello there little one" "Oh... Um... Hello." She began to descend the stairs as Rarity waltzed over. "Lirex, meet Sweetie Bell, Sweetie meet Lirex." Sweetie timidly smiled as Lirex smiled back, "N-Nice to meet you sir." "Likewise, Sweetie" "Hey Rarity" Sweetie looked over at her sister. "Yes?" "Could I go with AB and Scoot to the clubhouse tonight?" "Well sure. That would be fine, as long as you three stay out of trouble." Sweetie squealed and smiled brightly running upstairs quickly, "Thank you sis, and don't worry." "So, Lirex. Did it get lonely up there on the Moon?" Rarity asked, shuffling her hoof with her measuring tape, as she adjusted her glasses. "Well, kinda. Not too much though." He shook her head at the question and looked over at Rarity. Lirex looked up at the clock, seeing it was eleven o'clock. "Oh my, I have to go. See ya Rarity." Before Rarity could say anything, he gave her cheek a light peck and walked out of the boutique, heading to Twilight's. ____________ Lirex knocked on the door of the library and walked inside. "Twi? Spike?" He slightly shouted around the house, a small dragon walked out of the kitchen. "Hey. Twilight went to do something, so how did Rarity's go?" Spike said walking back into the kitchen, as Lirex followed him. "Pretty well I guess. How's your morning been so far?" Spike shrugged and went over to the oven. "Pretty normal really" "Alright " He smiled at the dragon and sat down. Suddenly there was a knock on the door, "Who could that be?" Spike sighed again and walked over to the door, Lirex looking around the kitchen, watching. He gasped, opening the door. "Y-Y-Your h-highness!" Lirex's eyes shot open and he went dead still, hearing those two words. Oh... No."
I'm Innocent!As Spike opened the door, two broad, tall royal guards stormed in, with Princess Celestia. Spike just froze as they all saw Lirex and grabbed him, pinning him to the ground. "Lirex Stargaze, you will come with us." They both said simultaneously. He struggled and squirmed as they took him out of the house, Spike couldn't do anything, they were ten times his size. Celestia, without saying a word walked out with the guards and their prisoner, flying away on the chariot. Twilight walked in and looked around the house, seeing Spike shocked, "Spike, what's wrong?" "T-They... Took… Lirex" Spike shivered, pointing at the chariot flying away in the sunlight. Twilight then gasped and watched the carriage fly off, "Is that-" Spike nodded and ran to her side, "We have to get to Canterlot, who knows what she will do to him." She put Spike on her back, her horn glowing brighter and brighter, finally transporting them to their destination. They both saw the guards dragging the white pegasi on the ground, towards the dungeon. "Lirex!" Twilight shouted to him as she tried to get passed the guard wall, quickly getting pushed back by them. "We're sorry Miss Twilight, but this is none of your concern." One of them stated, stalely. "What do you mean 'none of my concern'? He's my friend. Let him go." "No." The guard stated again, pushing her back once more. Lirex glanced over to her, slightly sad, but he shook his head and stared down as he was dragged across the brick walkway. Twilight managed to get into the castle, running to the court room, she then propped her ear up against the doors, hearing shouting, and protesting. "So, you have been sent down by my sister, no?" "I mean nopony any harm, your highness-" "That wasn't the question!" Twilight peeked through the door, seeing Lirex getting hoof-punched by one of the guards, standing near him. "Answer the question." Lirex spit on the guard, "How dare you punch a Prince." His eyes slowly turned blood-red as he chuckled lightly. The guard punched him again and again, Celestia held up a hoof, making him stop. "Now, Lirex, why did my sister send you?" She looked at him closely; he began shaking his head, not responding. The guard once more kicked him in the maw, making it bleed; Lirex licked the trickle of blood off his nose, smiling deviously. "Why should I tell you? Why should I tell the only person who doesn't love or care for her own siblings" Lirex protested with deadly venom in his voice. The guard groaned and knocked the stallion to the ground, whispering, however Twilight couldn't hear what he said. She thought to herself, on the verge of tears, seeing what they were doing to this Prince. C'mon Li... Just answer the question. Suddenly she heard a voice in her head, as if it was Lirex, You don't understand... I can't... it’s for the sake of everypony's safety... The Princess got up from her throne, slowly and elegantly, walking towards him, he quivered from her form. She got up to him and looked in his eyes deeply, and menacing. "You shouldn't have come here, Prince of Night. You have made a big mistake." Lirex shivered, shaking his head, "No. You, your majesty, have made the mistake." The guards in the room and Celestia gasped as they all saw Lirex's hooves turning black, the cuffs melting off his fur. His wings flared upward hitting the guard, knocking him out instantly. Twilight gasped again, bursting through the door, but before she could get close to him she and Celestia were both shot back by a dark aura blast. Twilight groaned as Spike went to her side, everypony looking where Lirex was. She knew what she was looking at was no longer the stallion she had met before. His eyes blood shot and red, his fur coal-black, orange aura wisped around him. She looked at his wings, seeing they no longer had feathers, but metal and leather. Also, Lirex began talking in a dark, deep voice that seemed to fill the room. "Puny Princess, you could never end the Night. It is a part of life and power. We are that Power." He chuckled as he flapped his wings a couple times, "We are Spikor Stargaze, Lord of Shadows. We will take Equestria from you and your puny subjects." His ears perked up, as three guards ran at him with their horns draw towards him. The middle of this creature's mane poked up, finally revealing a horn with a broken end, as he shot a red, bubbly beam towards them. "Hah!" He laughed at them as they fell to defeat. Spikor then walked towards the door, seeing a purple unicorn still lying down, he tilting his head and he walked towards her. "Hm. Hello Twilight. Please stand back, my revenge is not with you, my dear." He said, sincerely. Twilight was totally surprised at him as his toned changed when he spoke to her, right then she knew Lirex was still there, and how she could stop whatever this thing was.
First Encounters"Lirex, Lirex!" Luna called for her son amongst her moon fortress. A white Pegasus with a blonde mane, with black tips on his mane, and a headphone cutie mark, walked behind her. "Yes Mother?" He responded. "Ah, my son. Come, sit." Luna sat down on a bench that overlooked her moon fortress and some of the Earth she once ruled. Lirex sat down next to his mother. "What is it?" Lirex asked a bit concerned. His mother answered slightly disturbed, "Son... It is time for you to know something." "What is it, is something wrong?" Lirex asked, slightly leaning on his mother. "I used to be ruler over that place way over there..." She pointed a hoof to the far away planet. "Really..? What happened?" "I was... Let's... Say. Taken off track. However, we are having this conversation be aside I believe in you to do something for me." "Anything." Lirex hugged Luna. "You must let me send you away... If you don't do soon you will see me in a form I do not want you to see... It's a curse I hope you haven't inherited." A tear rolled down Luna's face, she wiped the tear away with a hoof. "I cannot have you be up in this dark waste of space any longer... It will ruin you son." Lirex cried slightly, knowing what was coming next. He had no father, and soon, no mother. He knew that it was for his best interest... Therefore he would do his best. Lirex slowly got up. "When will we begin… Mother?" Luna started to see he son cry, she suddenly got up and wrapped her wings around him. "Lirex... You and I will be forever connected. Just hold on son..." Luna's horn started to glow slowly. "We will see each other soon, my son. And we will join your father, soon enough..." A dark blue aura glowed around Lirex. "I love you mom." Lirex cried as the dark aura grew brighter. "I love you too, Lirex." Luna leaned down as she put her head next to her son's. Lirex slowly started to become translucent; Luna backed up and sobbed a bit. The white Pegasus slowly dissipated. ______________________ Rainbow Dash was doing some of her tricks, practicing for the Wonderbolts. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie are cheering her on. Rainbow Dash smiled broadly, smiling at her own gloating. She heard a loud thunder crack, which threw her off balance; she fell through a couple clouds, before getting her balance back. She flew back down to her friends. "Did you guys hear that?" Rainbow Dash asked Pinkie. She didn't ask Fluttershy, she clearly heard it, because she was crouched down with both of her hooves over her face. Pinkie smiled, "Yeah it was exciting!" "It was bucking frightening for me." Rainbow Dash laughed, looking up in the sky. "What the…?" Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, and Fluttershy all saw a big black cloud show up, they saw lightening and heard thunder crack several times. “Um… That's not normal..." Fluttershy stated, timidly. "Ya think." Rainbow Dash said still staring at the cloud. Suddenly Rainbow Dash saw a bright light with gold streams heading straight for them. "DUCK!" Rainbow Dash yelled, pushing all of them out of the way. "Where?" Pinkie Pie excitingly asked. The bright light crashed directly into the dirt road in front of Rainbow Dash and her friends. As the mix of dust and smoke cleared, Rainbow Dash saw a pony laying down, passed out, on the ground. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, and Fluttershy all saw the same pony at the same time. They said simultaneously, "Oh my Celestia!" They all ran to the downed pony, upon closer inspection they saw it was a Pegasi. It groaned slightly. "Are you alright?" Rainbow Dash asked, worried. Fluttershy went into the crater that this Pegasus created and stood next to him. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie followed. Rainbow Dash leaned over the white Pegasus, noticing he had a blond mane with black tips and a headphone cutie mark. "That was quite a crash landing, there buddy." Rainbow Dash put on her best smile, she actually started to start to think that this pony was a little cute. "Uhhh..." It groaned. It tried to open one eye, but then closed. "I think he's a stallion..." Fluttershy thought. Rainbow Dash shrugged and blushed, "I-I ain't checkin' …so be my guest." She stuck her tongue out. Fluttershy slowly tried to help him up, "A little h-help here." Pinkie and Rainbow Dash both helped Fluttershy get this new found stallion off the ground and out of the crater. All of the sudden, the pegasus’s wings widened and his eyes shot open as he flew off the hooves out of the three volunteers, getting into a defense stance a couple inches away. "Who are you and where the buck am I?!" He asked frightened. Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow. "Well I'm Rainbow Dash, this is Pinkie.-" "Hi!" Pinkie responded excitedly. And this is Fluttershy." Fluttershy blushed slightly, "H-hello." "And you're in Ponyville." Rainbow Dash smiled bit the frown was turned down when the Pegasi quickly responded. "Wha-What happened to the Moon!?" He asked. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy were all confused at this Pegasus. "The Moon?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Don't screw with me. Wait... You’re Rainbow Dash." The white Pegasi recognized her. "How in Equestria do you know me?" "Mother talked about you three and a couple others..." He said, letting his guard down. "Whaaaaa?" Pinkie raised an eyebrow. "Hold up. The moon… ‘Mother’… us six." Rainbow Dash recollected. She suddenly tackled him to the ground. He tried to fight back but couldn't. Rainbow Dash started to yell at him, "Your one of Luna's spies! Aren't you?" He smiled, suddenly overpowering Rainbow Dash and jumped up, flapping his wings staying in the air. Fluttershy and Pinkie looked at each other still confused. "She and any of her collaborators aren't allowed back in Equestria!" Rainbow Dash flew up to the pegasus's height. "We'll I am Lirex Stargaze, son of Nightmare Moon." Lirex blasted off suddenly, leaving a trail of white and gold streams behind. Rainbow Dash blasted after him, leaving a rainbow behind her. "Get back here!" Rainbow Dash shouted at Lirex. He ignored her as he avoided several clouds in his path. Rainbow Dash was amazed at how fast this Pegasus could fly, and she thought she could fly fast. Nopony ever out-flew her. But there's one for everything. Suddenly, the white Pegasus was struck by a dark lightning bolt, jetting from a nearby cloud. Lirex landed right in front of Fluttershy, and Pinkie. Rainbow Dash flew back down beside him, and sighed. "Celestia has some explaining to do."
Am I in a Dream... Or a NightmareLirex stayed laid down on the couch as he winced his eyes closed, continuing to hear the knock. Finally, Spike went to the door and opened it. "Oh…h-hey there Rarity." He blushed intensively. Lirex didn't bother waking up, nopony was more important than him and trying to get some sleep. The guest started to speak, "Hello. What's your name, darling?" Lirex grunted, and sighed, "It's Lirex. Now, can I just get some sleep?" Lirex didn't open his eyes. He just didn't give a care for what the pony had to say. "Well, I'm Rarity. Twilight, which I believed you met, told me to show you around Ponyville." He just turned over and groaned as Spike stepped in. "Uh, Rares, he's pretty tired. You can come back tomorrow though, heh heh." Spike smiled, and led her out. As he closed the door Lirex turned back around as Spike looked at him. "What the heck was that?" "What was what?" Lirex opened his eyes slightly. "You’re the son of Princess Luna, and you crashed landed from the moon. If I were you, I'd get some ponies on my side." "Well, you’re not me. So… goodnight." "It's the middle of the day-" "It's always night for me. Now shut up." He turned back around and fell asleep. "Hey-" Spike was interrupted by a snore let out by the Pegasi. ________ It was dark, not the type of blackish dark, it was a type of purplish hue type darkness. Lirex tried weaving through the darkness but soon tripped over something as he face-planted into the ground. He heard a laugh, "Well, I see you've finally gotten into your dream state” Lirex could not pinpoint the location but didn't really have to as a pony walked up to him; he was about Lirex's height and build. Their movements of their muscles were the same, however there were slight differences. Whereas Lirex's wings were of feather and bone, the figures were smelted metal and leather. Lirex's eyes were purple; the figures eyes were a type of lava-red color. He had black fur, with occasional orange stripes around him, as Lirex examined the character he saw a horn with a broken tip. "W-Who a-are you?" Lirex asked hesitantly "Very good question," He finally helped Lirex off the ground, "I am Spikor, Lord of Shadows." "Hm... Never heard of you..." Lirex thought for a moment. "I know you haven't... Because you are me, and I am you." Lirex tried to speak but couldn't at what this, thing, had just said. He finally got hold of his words, "W-What did you just say?" Spikor sighed, "I am Spikor, son of Nightmare Moon, born of shadows." "But... That makes no sense, I am the son of her-" Spikor cut Lirex off, "You are Luna's son. I am Nightmare Moon's son." "But that would mean..." He nodded, "I am your 'Nightmare Moon', so to speak." Lirex gasped slightly at hearing what this strange but familiar pony had said. He did not believe on word, and he didn't want to, but this creature walked and talked like him. "Could this be... My Nightmare form?" Lirex thought. Spikor nodded, "Yes I am your Nightmare..." Lirex's eyes widened, "You can read my thoughts?" Spikor nodded. "And w-why are you telling me this? Why are you coming out to see me now?" Spikor held up a hoof, stopping the questions, "Our mothers are battling for superiority. And Nightmare Moon will win over Luna and soon fly down to Equestria and take over Celestia's throne. It seems like your new found 'friends' would not like you if you were on her side. So, you won't be you when you help mother, you'll be me." Lirex backed up a little bit as Spikor smiled, revealing dagger like fangs protruding out of his black maw, "B-But why should I help you?" "Because, it will happen one way or the other." Spikor started to walk to him as Lirex held up his hooves and Spikor started to bite them. ___ "No.. No! NO!" Lirex panted heavily as he shot from the couch but was drawn back by a lavender hoof. "Lirex!" Lirex took in what had just happened and panted as he looked over to a familiar lavender unicorn. "W-What happened?" Lirex gulped, catching his breath. "You had a nightmare. It must have been bad; you were thrashing all over the couch." Twilight frowned a bit. "Oh... S-Sorry Twilight." "Don't be." She petted his mane gently and put her hoof up to his forehead, "Spike, get me an icepack." Spike, who was at the foot of the couch, ran into the kitchen. Lirex then thought about the dream, "It was so real... Could Spikor be me evil side, like Nightmare Moon is to mother... Is mother coming back for revenge?" He let out a sad sigh and closed his eyes; at this point he had more questions than answers.
