Prologue Part 1- Eternal Night?
The feeling of being cold was the first thought that crossed my mind.
…
I then pondered how one could feel cold when they’re dead.
…
Or for that matter, think at all.
…
I guess I’m not dead.
“Correct.”
I opened my eyes (which I should not have), sat up (in a body that shouldn’t exist… you get the point), and looked around for the source of the voice.
A figure stood in front of me. Its black cloak hid its face in shadow and billowed along the ground from an unfelt breeze. The scythe it held was fucking massive, and gleamed like polished silver and obsidian.
“But I should be dead. I got hit by a drunk driver on my motorcycle.” Looking over my body I noticed that I was indeed not flattened by a truck but instead had gained muscle, height and new… armor?
After taking in my new look for a few moments, I stood and looked at the menacing figure. “So what makes me so special that Death comes to see me?”
Death chuckled lightly and removed his hood and the face I never expected smiled at me. “I only look like Burt Reynolds. If you see my real face, your soul would shatter.” The cloak morphed into a suit and the scythe disappeared. Death walked behind a bar that wasn’t there before, and proceeded to pour a couple of drinks.
I walked to the bar and waited for him to answer my question. The drink he slid me was a simple double shot of scotch. “So you gonna answer my question?” I took a sip of the scotch.
“Yes, as soon as you finish that 64 year old Macallan.” I nearly spat out the alcohol in surprise, but doing so would be a sin against the exquisite and expensive liquid in my throat. I stared at the glass and admired the taste and aroma of the fine liquor. A genuine smile spread across my face as I downed the rest, setting the now empty glass on the bar which disappeared instantly afterword.
“You are the singularity. The only one in the infinity that is the multi-verse. I have decided to try something new, instead of just reincarnating you and giving you a new life in a new world with nothing but a blank slate.”
My eyebrow quirked and a plethora of questions screamed across my mind, but I decided to stay silent and allow Burt to explain.
“Your most recent life was spent on what could be considered the central hub of the Multi-verse. This world is able to receive visions of the other worlds through any outlet for fiction. Be it a TV show, Movie, video game or book. You’ve been watching real events from other worlds, gleaned and interpreted by the minds and imaginations of other humans.”
Made sense…
Sort of
“Basically there is a real universe that contains the Halo series?”
“Basically.”
“Cool.”
“As a singularity, you only existed in one verse at a time, instead of in all at the same time like everyone else. Your past lives included some of the verses that you have seen, read about or played in first hand.”
“Ah… that would explain the dragon scale armor I’m currently wearing… yet, it’s different. I almost looks reploidish.”
“Exactly. I can basically took Skyrim’s Dragon scale armor and crossed it with Zero from Megaman X. You’re genetic heritage is a little different though. You’re long red hair, lean muscle structure and short stature comes from Kenshin Himura, you’re enhancements come from the Spartan augmentation surgeries. Though you’re still on the small side at around 6’2” where as a normal Spartan is upwards of 7 foot.”
I again looked over my new body and armor. I was impressed with my lineage and I didn’t mind be shorter than a normal Spartan. “I still look caucasian though… Kenshin was Japanese.”
“You want that changed?”
“No, I’m good. I was just wandering if you did it on purpose.”
Burt chuckled once more and continued, “You have the muscle memory, reaction times and experiences of your past lives as well. You are dragonborn and can speak in the language of dragons. You are the second son of Kenshin and Kaoru Himura and mastered the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu sword art. You trained and fought alongside Spartan John-117 and even helped him throughout his campaign. And you trained and fought alongside X, Zero and Axl, achieving the distinguished rank of SA Class Hunter.”
Burt turned to face me. The seriousness of the look he gave me wiped the fanboy smile from my face. “I’m about to send you to a world you already know about and could easily change the future of. However, I will allow you to only bend history if you feel it necessary. Your Thu’umm is incomplete and so there are dragonwalls throughout the land. Your weapons are also hidden and scattered around the globe, even some that come from other verses. It must be this way so you aren’t overpowered in this world. And you can die.”
I simply nodded, my mind was close to overload at this point so I couldn’t manage much else. Only one question burned in my mind as Burt’s suit returned to its billowing cloak form and the scythe reappeared in his hand.
“So where are you sending me?”
Replacing his hood, Death glided over to me, with the hint of a smile on what I could only perceive as a skull beneath the cowl.
“You’ll soon see for yourself my friend.”
His scythe sliced me in two before I could react and my body faded from that plane of existence.
“I hope to not see you for quite some time.”
********************************************************************************************************************************************
The feeling of being cold was the first thought that crossed my mind.
…
I then pondered how one could feel cold when they’re dead.
…
Or for that matter, think at all.
…
I guess I’m not dead.
I opened my eyes and beheld a dark forest. Through the semi-dense canopy I noticed the full moon was at its apex in the sky. I stood from the forest floor and proceeded to dust myself off. Spotting a ruined castle in the distance, I decided it was better than nowhere for shelter and headed towards it. After nearly tripping over the local flora, I activated the visor and mask of my helmet to prevent walking into further trip hazards in the dark forest.
After a short fifteen minute trek, the front of the ruins stood before me and I switched my visor from night-vision to thermal-scope. Picking up a singular source of heat within the ruins, I smiled and began making my way to the upper levels of the castle. Along the way stood a sculpture with 5 five orbs set upon it. I passed it without a second glance and continued toward the heat source.
As I drew closer, I heard a soft feminine voice conversing… with itself? Dropping to a crouch, I slowly crept towards an open door, leading to what I could only assume to be the throne room. Dropping my Thermal-scope, I peered into the room and my eyes widened behind my visor.
The… woman was a sleek ebony beauty; Full lips, gorgeous eyes, seven inch long onyx horn, ample bust and posterior, large wings and legs that seemed to go on forever. She stood at 5'7"... Six foot even if you count the horn. 'A Goddess if I ever saw…'
'Wait...'
'I have seen her before.'
My mind clicked as it put the pieces together. 'This is Nightmare Moon. I’m in the My Little Pony universe. And she's Anthropomorphic...'
'Cool.' a fanboy smile spread along my features as images of all the ponies I liked from the show, all of a sudden had amazing tits...
'Bad brain... No. Heel.' I attempted to reign in my overactive imagination. However Nightmare's armor, while functional, left enough exposed that it was not helping.
“Please don’t hurt them Nightmare, they won’t accept us if you only force your will upon them.”
My ears perked up at the voice exuding from Nightmare’s mouth, it sounded too young and gentle to be…
“Quiet foal. We must make the ponies of this world appreciate our glorious night. Whether they like it or not.”
'Ah… so Luna is still alive and able to communicate…'
...
'And I can change history.'
I stood, ensuring that I was mostly concealed in shadow, and pushed on the door. It creaked open just as I wanted it to, drawing the attention of the dark Alicorn. “WHO DARES INTRUDE UPON THE QUEEN OF THE NIGHT?” The Royal Canterlot Voice was used, but the volume was toned down for what I assume was an attempt to remain concealed from a certain group of ponies who were no doubt on their way to stop her plans.
I slowly entered the chamber, the metallic thud of my boots was slow and purposeful as I strode toward the mare. At about halfway across, her wings flared in an attempt to intimidate me and I dropped to one knee, bowing before her. “I come before you, O Queen of the Night, a simple warrior whom only wishes to protect you.”
Nightmare’s eyes widened in surprise, then fell in anger, “Thou wouldst dare believe that we of all ponies need protection?”
“Nay. Yet I offer my services nonetheless. I only wish to see you live.”
…
“You speak as if I will soon perish.”
“The Elements will soon arrive and they will attempt to forever purge you from this plane of existence. However, I would like nothing more than to see that this does not come to pass.”
“Those foalish ponies will die should they attempt to confront me. So your services will not be required. However, I may be willing to give you a position in my personal guard after this is over.”
“As honorable as that would be your highness, I must insist that you simply hear me out.”
I stood and strode closer toward her; she took a step back at the sudden and unexpected defiance.
A soft voice spoke from the mare before me as I walked closer, “Please Nightmare, hear him out.” “I said quiet you silly filly.”
I stopped only a few feet from her and I noticed something at the corner of my eyes. Nightmare’s reflection in the remaining glass of the broken window was not the same as the black beauty before me. Instead a young, fearful, dark blue mare looked at me with pleading eyes.
“I suggest you listen to Luna on this, Nightmare."
"How do you know of our former self?"
"How I know can be explained later. Things have changed since your exile. Ponies stay up late or even all through the night. No one fears the night anymore, save for the young and the ignorant.”
The Alicorn stared at me with suspicion, doubt, intrigue and… hope?
“The Elements of Harmony are the greatest source of power in the world and they obey the will of their bearer or bearers. When your sister used them on you one thousand years ago, she wanted you to live and her subjects to be safe, thus you were only banished. She truly believed you could be redeemed. I however believe otherwise.”
Nightmare and Luna now shared a confused expression and I chuckled inwardly at the uncanny similarities between them.
“I believe that your redemption is possible and that you can be separated from one another. If we can convince the Element Bearers to save you instead of obliterating Nightmare all together, then you can both work with Celestia to rule Equestria.”
As she contemplated my words, Luna seemed to speak and plead with Nightmare, who appeared to respond in kind. Though I could not hear a damn thing either one said to the other, I figured she had cast a mute spell.
"Are these only honeyed words from a forked silver tongue? Or do you speak truth?" Her gaze fell upon me once again.
"I vow on my own grave that what I have told you is truth. If my word rings hollow, then I will gladly forfeit my life."
'Again'
Voices were heard from the chamber with the Elements Sculpture.
“It seems they have arrived, I would choose quickly your highness’. I will attempt to change their minds about destroying you… but you must agree to rescind the eternal night.”
She hesitated, a look of fear crossed her face as she looked upon her reflection. Luna smiled and nodded, though she too was fearful.
"You will protect us?"
"I will."
“Very well.”
“Good. I suggest you teleport their leader and the Elements here. Play the part of the villain at first and introduce me… I will talk her down. Trust me.” I strode to her side and traced the outline of her jaw, sending a shiver through her body, “I will protect you... both of you.” I walked toward a shaded area of the throne room and nodded.
Her obsidian horn glowed a dark blue and a flash of light erupted in the middle of the room revealing a lavender unicorn, wearing what could only be called bookworm clothes, with a confused look and five stone orbs around her. From her kneeling position, I estimated her to be at about five foot even... 5'3" with the horn, in excellent shape, cute face, bright intelligent eyes and a few feminine curves in the right places.
Nightmare Moon stood upon the dias, floated the stone orbs to her side and stared down at the frightened unicorn before her.
“You've done well to make it all the way here to my palace. However, you have one final challenge before you." She swept an arm towards where I stood in the shadows. "You must defeat my champion.”
I strode menacingly out of the shadows and approached the terrified Unicorn, stopping only mere inches from her. The smirk on Nightmare's face was perfect, everything was falling into place for the "evil" villain and soon the heroine would die. 'Now that's good acting.' I looked down at the frightened mare, opened the mask of my helmet and smiled; flashing my canines in the process.
“Good evening Twilight Sparkle.”
Author's Note
Comment, Like, Fav, Critique, tell me what you do or don't like about it. Please don't just tell me it sucks... tell me why it sucks.
Thanks.. enjoy!!
Alsi... anyone who wants to draw a good cover art for this story is welcome to do so. If I like it I'll put it up and give credit where its due.
Prologue Part 2- New Beginnings
Confusion- Adjective: being perplexed or disconcerted.
Petrified- Verb: to confound with fear, amazement, or awe.
Fear- Verb: to have a reverential awe of; to be afraid or apprehensive.
Hopelessness- Adjective: having no expectation of good or success.
The definitions of these words were all that Twilight could think about. They were what she felt at this exact moment with the Nightmare Moon's Champion standing before her. Never before had she felt these feeling as strongly as she did at this moment.
She had been afraid when she nearly fell off a cliff, was surrounded by ghostly trees, faced a manticore, blocked by a sea dragon and even crossing a rotting rope bridge. She was stunned by how the other girls had each handled the situations differently and to this day was still amazed at the awesome power of her teacher and mentor.
But this was not like any of those scenarios. Here she was truly confused at what was happening, completely petrified by the armored creature before her and fearful that she would not live much longer.
After being suddenly teleported to this new chamber, she was feeling the effects of vertigo. Then she watched as the elements were taken from her by Nightmare Moon and she began to lose what little hope she had left. But the being before her, guttered that last ember of hope into oblivion. It even had the arrogance to greet her in a kind manner before inevitably ending her life.
Then, it smiled. It's slightly pronounced canines were enough to make her empty her bowels and bladder if they weren't stricken by the same petrified state the rest of her body was experiencing. In fact, she only just realized she was still breathing... hyperventilating actually. Her eyes widened as it reached a had toward her and she knew her end was nigh. She closed her eyes tightly, bracing for the pain as the hand... gently began to lift her to her hooves?
She cracked an eye open to look at the creature before her. Its red visor had disappeared and she could clearly see its.. his eyes. Whatever this champion was, it was male. Once she had her hooves under her, he kept a hand near to steady her in case she fell. He then stepped back and removed his helm and once again smiled at her.
"Why haven't you killed me yet?" she was truly confused at this turn of events. Glancing at Nightmare Moon confused her even more as she saw not a look of anger but one of regret and loneliness.
"Neither of us said you would face me in combat. She only said you have to defeat me. However, I believe we can come to an agreement. One where all ten of us come out winners."
"Ten of us? There's only three ponies here?" Twilight watched as the... what was he? A hairless ape? But he has such a long mane and those eyes. They're like looking at a summer meadow.
"The ten of us include you, PInkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Nightmare Moon, Princess Luna, Princess Celestia and myself... though I'm not a pony." Now she was even more confused. "How do you know all of our names? Who's Princess Luna? How's Princess Celestia apart of this? And who are YOU?"
He smiled again, turned and bowed to the dark Alicorn. "Forgive me for not giving my name before, your grace." He stood again and for a moment, seemed to consider something. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Razgriz Alduin Himura and I am a Human."
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Nightmare's eyes widened at his introduction. 'A HUMAN? How is this possible Luna? They were only myth and legend before Celestia and I were born?' 'We know not how Razgriz came to be here, but I still trust him. I can see it in his eyes, he is here to help us Moon.'
The unicorn mare,Twilight, seemed just as stunned as she, for her mouth was wide open. Nightmare's ears perked up as her champion... HER champion began to speak again.
"I'm here to negotiate for the life of Nightmare Moon. She has agreed to rescind the eternal night and work with the current ruling body of Equestria under a probational status until such time as she is deemed fit to rule as an equal part of said ruling body." Nightmare was still trying to wrap her head around the legalese, when Twilight's eyes narrowed and her demeanor darkened.
"She's tried to kill the six of us tonight, she did something to Princess Celestia and she's EVIL!!" As Twilight screamed the last word, Nightmare could only hang her head in shame. Her actions a millennium ago and today had most definitely not been the right course of action. But she had been filled with jealousy and rage at her subjects complete disregard for her beautiful night. Only when Razgriz had opened her eyes to what her actions had wrought upon the ponies and how time had changed their view of the night, had she stepped back to she the monster she had become... the monster she had turned Luna into.
'Luna... can you ever forgive me? I have only wronged you and made you feared and misunderstood by the ponies you wished to protect and serve. I did not want this to happen... I even separated us from our sister for so long. I know I do not deserve your forgiveness--'
'Of course I forgive you Moon. You and I were one and the same and we both made those decisions together. I am as much to blame as anypony. It is I who must ask your forgiveness Moon.' Nightmare smiled. 'How could I not forgive myself?'
She waited for Razgriz to continue, "Her actions against you, the Princess and the ponies of old were wrong and harmful. However, she has seen the error of her ways and only wants to be given a chance to live and be forgiven. She has already been banished for a millenia, Twilight. A thousand years away from your family is a long time. Put yourself in Celestia's shoes, would you want Shining Armor killed after he was banished for a long time just because he threatened the land one time?"
"What does my brother being used in such a highly unlikely hypothetical scenario have to do with Princess Celestia?"
"Because Nightmare Moon is Princess Luna... Celestia's little sister." Nightmare at this point was beyond shocked. Razgriz's knowledge about Twilight's apparent family was astounding, but to use it in order to get her to empathize with her was pure genius. It seemed that Twilight was shell-shocked that she was even thinking about destroying the sister of the Princess.
Twilight turned to Nightmare, "Is this true? Your the Princess' sister?"
Nightmare lowered her shoulders and sighed, "When the stars released me from my prison, I wanted revenge and immediately sought out my older sister. I was expecting to fight her as we had before she banished me... however, she didn't make a move against me. In fact, she only said one thing before, in my haste, I banished her to the sun. She said to me, with tears in her eyes, 'Welcome back Luna. I've missed you.' "
Tears she had been holding back began to slowly fall at those words. Then the floodgates opened and she openly sobbed as she sank to her knees. Her horn lit and the Elements floated back to Twilight, wrapped in a light blue aura. Twilight looked at the Elements before her, then back to the Alicorn mare. This was Nightmare Moon? This crying pony before her was an all-powerful being... with feelings? And NOT evil?
Razgriz walked over to Nightmare, laid a hand upon her shoulder and squeezed. She leaned into him, bringing the hand to her cheek as she continued crying. As Twilight watched the touching scene before her, she turned upon hearing the sound of her friends coming to find her, calling her name to see if she would respond that she was safe.
Twilight stiffened at the thought and feelings that she had just experienced and her eyes widened in her epiphany. 'My friends... I have friends. I think of them as friends.' She turned to the elements and poured her magic into them. The stone orbs, glowing with the same lavender aura as her horn, levitated from the floor and floated to the entrance of the room.
Five mares burst into the throne room to a sight they did not expect. Twilight stood confidently and their enemy was being comforted by a mysterious newcomer. Their looks of relief upon seeing their friend alive and unharmed, were soon replaced with those of confusion.
Twilight smiled at her friends and turned back to the situation at hand. She gave the alicorn mare a deeper look, seeing her for what she truly was; a scared young mare forced into an unwanted situation... and a formerly malevolent force that had just begun to experience the same feelings she had just gone through. The realization that one has friends.
"Well then, let's do this girls. Stand aside Razgriz, I've come to a decision." Razgriz however stood his ground and stared hard at Twilight, waiting for judgement to be passed and poised to react as necessary. "Choose wisely Twilight Sparkle. Your decision here will effect the future in ways that even I can not possibly fathom."
"I understand exactly why there are only five elements here. The stone orbs are nothing but exactly that... stone." She then shattered the stones into several fragments with her magic. The other girls gasped, thinking that their only chance to defeat the enemy was now gone. "The Elements will always exist, as the Spirit's of the Elements of Harmony, are right Here!" Twilight's horn lit once more and the stone shards began to whirl above the heads of the confused mares behind her.
"Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of... Honesty." A few of the shards glowed orange and began to orbit the orange earth pony.
"Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of... Kindness." Shards with a pink aura began to orbit the shy pegasus.
"Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of... Laughter. Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift, represents the spirit of... Generosity. And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own hearts desire, represents the spirit of Loyalty."
The remaining shards began to glow blue, purple and red and began their orbit around the remaining three. "The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge she threw at us tonight."
Nightmare stood, with a little help from the human, "But you still don't have the sixth element.... did the spark not work?"
"Oh it did. A different kind of spark." She turned to face her friends properly, "I felt it the very moment when I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you. The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all, are my friends."
A burst of light shone above Twilight, as a sixth stone orb descended toward her. "And when those elements are ignited by the spark, that resides within the heart us all, it creates the sixth element. The Element... of Magic!" All six mares were lifted into the air by the magic of the Elements. The shards combining and reforming into five necklaces and a tiara.
Razgriz stood before the Alicorn he'd sworn to protect and as one, the six mares spoke,"THE ONE KNOWN AS NIGHTMARE MOON WILL NOW BE JUDGED BY WE, THE ELEMENTS OF HARMONY. STAND ASIDE, HUMAN. HER JUDGEMENT IS NIGH." Razgriz stared hard at the six mares who floated before him. He then reached behind him and took Nightmare's hand in his own.
"I will not stand down without guarantee that she will live, separate from Luna and free to make her own decisions. If there is no guarantee, I will accept whatever punishment is in store for her."
The mares floated silently and he felt a squeeze from the sleek alicorn mare. He squeezed back to reassure her. Then, Twilight's eyes opened and pure white light shone from them just before twin rainbows spiraled up from behind them, combined and paused in mid-air, prepared to strike.
"VERY WELL. PREPARE FOR JUDGEMENT AND MAY FAUST WATCH OVER YOU." The rainbow descended and engulfed the human and alicorn in a twister of rainbow magic. No sound escaped them as Nightmare embraced Razgriz for what she thought would be her final moments.
************************************************************************************************
After the blinding light show finally diminished, Twilight and her friends were slowly waking up from what felt like a small hangover. Using the Elements had drained their bodies of the natural magic within them, but the feeling was rapidly receding.
"Ugh, my head"
"Everypony ok?"
"Oh thank goodness!"
"Why Rarity, its so lovely."
"I know. I'll never part with it again."
As the girls then began to examine their necklaces and tiara, they noticed that each element looked just like the bearers Cutie Mark. "Gee Twilight, I thought you was just spouting a lot of hooey. But I reckon we really do represent the elements of friendship"
"Indeed you do." The sun began to rise in the east, it's light pouring into the room. And as it rose fully above the horizon, a flash erupted within the chamber. As the light faded, in its place stood a tall white alicorn in full golden regalia. Twilight was immediately at the princess' side, elated at see her mentor safe and unharmed.
"Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student, I knew you could do it."
"But, you told me it was all an old ponies tale. If it weren't for Razgriz's intervention, we may have done something terrible today."
"Speaking of that..." Celestia turned and strode to the dias, where a young blue alicorn was just waking up... naked.
Upon seeing her nakedness, Luna attempted to hide her young pert breasts and nubile body, while at the same time trying to back away from the approaching alicorn. In her haste, she didn't notice she backed into something until she felt some sort of material being draped around her small frame. She whipped her head around to see Razgriz, slightly singed and smoking all over, putting a cape around her shoulders. Behind him, singed and smoking, lay a dark figure that was also covered by a cape.
Luna turned to her sister,"Princess Luna. It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this. Time to put our differences behind us, we were meant to rule together, little sister." All the girls save Twilight gasped, "Sister?"
"Will you accept my friendship?" All the girls leaned forward, waiting for Luna's reply, Pinkie leaning just a little to far.
"I'm so sorry. I missed you so much big sister." She ran and embraced the white alicorn, who returned the hug in kind. "I missed you too."
As the two sister continued their hug, a slight groan was heard from behind the human. Razgriz turned to kneel and check on the dark form laying upon the dias. He reached down and lifted the black alicorn mare to a sitting position, ensuring that the cape continued to cover her body.
"Oh... my everything."
"Can you stand?"
"I never thought it would hurt so much to have a body of my own."
"I'm just glad it worked."
The princess approached the pair of them as Razgriz assisted Nightmare to her hooves and Celestia patiently waited for their attention. Once she was steady, Nightmare turned from the human and addressed the royal sisters.
"You stand accused of crimes against Equestria. Treason, rebellion, corruption and threatening the balance of the world." Celestia's voice was firm and powerful. She was ready to do what she must should the need arise. Luna was looking on with apprehension and hope.
"I do not deny that I have committed these crimes and I will gladly serve whatever punishment you decide upon. But if I may speak in my defense?"
Celestia's eyes narrowed and was about to deny her, when Luna took hold of her hand, "Please sister. Let her speak."
She looked into her sister's eyes for a moment, then sighed and nodded to the ebony alicorn.
"I have seen the error of my ways. I will do all I can to show that I am a changed mare. I'm willing to sacrifice everything, including my life in order to prove that I am no longer the malevolent bitch I was a thousand years ago." Nightmare stared into the eyes of Celestia as she spoke. Her eyes showed no fear or hate. Only resignation and pride. "So I ask of you, royal sisters of Equestria. Spare me, that I might live... to be with my friend." She turned her head to look at the armored man beside her and smiled.
Celestia watched in fascination. The scene before was not what she'd expected at all. "Twilight Sparkle."
Twilight stiffened and immediately came to her mentor's side. "Yes Princess?"
"What made you decide to only separate Nightmare Moon from Luna instead of destroying her?"
"Razgriz pointed out that, at the time, she was your sister. And I saw she had truly changed in the few hours since her return. I couldn't destroy such a new friendship... especially since I just began mine."
Celestia nodded and faced Nightmare Moon once more. "Nightmare Moon. You have been found guilty of your crimes through confession. We, the Royal Pony Sisters, shall now pass judgement over you."
Celestia placed an arm around Luna and walked over to a corner with her sister. As they conversed in silence, Celestia having cast a mute spell, Razgriz turned to Nightmare, "Whatever the decision, I want you to know that I will not abandon you. I promised to protect you... I will keep that promise."
She gazed into his hazel eyes, his long red hair stirring slightly with the light draft in the room, "I know. And thank you, my friend."
The pair turned as the sister's returned and their hands slid together, each one squeezing the other firmly in silent support. The six mares stood off to the side, trying to take in every possible detail and waiting in high anticipation.
"Nightmare Moon," Celestia and Luna spoke as one authoritative voice, "We haze decided... that you shall live."
The alicorn and human both released a breath neither realized they were holding, as relief washed over them.
The sisters' horns lit and magic surrounded the surprised alicorn. As she was engulfed in a sphere of blue and golden magic, lifting her from the floor, only a silhouette of the mare inside could be seen. The magic drew in the surrounding air, making Razgriz to take a step back.
The magic whirled around faster and faster and brightened to a blinding level, forcing him to throw up and arm to protect his eyes. In a flash, it ended, leaving the ebony mare standing once more... but something was missing.
"As a unicorn."
Nightmare turned her head only to see that her wings were gone. Her horn was a few inches shorter and she felt her magic reserves lessened as well. Her mane was now a solid royal blue and its ethereal nature was no longer present. Her cutie mark had changed as well. Instead of a crescent moon in a field of stars, there was a black circle in a field of stars. She looked at Razgriz, who was staring at her in amazement and noticed that her eyes were now only slightly catlike and still the same shade of turquoise as before.
"Well... I certainly did not expect this... but I am just happy to be alive." She faced the sisters once more, "Thank you, for sparing my life." She bowed in respect and thanks to her rulers.
Celestia smiled, then turned to face the one remaining anomaly. "May we have your name, sir?" Razgriz turned and bowed to the princesses. "I am Razgriz Alduin Himura, your highness. And I wish to thank you as well... for sparing her life."
"I should be the one thanking you, Razgriz. For you have helped to save two lives tonight, when I thought only one could be spared. Tell us," Celestia stiffened, her muscles poised to react and her eyes bore into his, "What are your intentions now? Why are you here? And How are you here?"
"Yeah, we wanna know too!"
"Rainbow's righ'. I reckon y'all better spill the beans bout'cha self."
"I must admit darling, I too am quite curious about you."
"STORYTIIIIIIIIIIME!!!!!"
"Um.. I'd like to know as well... if that's ok."
All eyes turned to the human with great anticipation. "Ladies, ladies, there will be time for my back story another day. For now I think we should focus on the joyous occasion of Luna's return. However, I will say that my intentions are my own and that they will not harm this land nor its people. As to why I'm here, I'll just have to see for myself because even I'm not sure. And for how I got here... You'll just have to ask Death when you see him."
All the mares in the room were shocked at his last comment. Celestia though seemed pleased enough with his answers and visibly relaxed... a little.
Before anyone else could say anything, Pinkie piped up, "Hey! Do you know what this calls for?" She took a deep breath, but before she could continue, Razgriz put a finger upon her lips.
"Hold that thought, Pinkie Pie." He walked over and whispered something into Nightmare's ear. Her eyes widened and she nodded her head.
"I agree. Princesses," she once again bowed to them, "I believe my time as Nightmare Moon has come to an end. From now on, with your permission, I'd like to go by a new name."
The princesses looked at one another and smiled. "What name would you choose for yourself."
"Nu Moon."
"Very well. As the sovereigns of Equestria, we hereby grant you, Nu Moon and Razgriz Alduin Himura, citizenship in Equestria."
Cheers of jubilation and smiles abounded at the news and Nu Moon hugged her human friend. "Now, let us all return to Ponyville." Celestia's horn began to glow and they all came in close to the alabaster princess.
At the height of the spell, Razgriz turned to Pinkie, "Ok Pinkie... you were saying?"
A flash of light and their surroundings changed from castle ruins to a library, " A PARTY!!!"
Author's Note
Alright... this chapter is done and I'm already working on the next one. Thanks to all who liked and fav'd and for all the constructive critiquing.
The pic was for referencing what I imagine Celestia to be wearing.... not entirely look like... I too, notice the lack of hands in the pic so don't mention it... please.
And, the Images of Luna and Nightmare are NSFW.
Also... please don't kill me for what I did to Nu Moon... this is my story... if you don't like it... you can leave...
Once again, anyone willing to make cover art and or fanart of Nu Moon... you're welcome to share with me.
Thanks and enjoy.