//-------------------------------------------------------// Mooncloud. -by Mooncloud- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// embrace the darkness //-------------------------------------------------------// embrace the darkness “What are we going to do?” said twilight in a dead worried voice. Commander reeflock looked at her with his golden-yellow eyes. “We'll barricade the museum, this will be our stand. Blacklead, you and Thunder have to barricade the northern flank. Sidewing, you and Purpleflame are going to barricade the western flank. Dodge, you and I will barricade the eastern flank.” With that the night guards started to move heavy furniture and debris in front of the doors and windows. Twilight called out. “Pinkie, go to the top of the museum and look if Celestia’s guards are approaching. Rainbow, assist Flutterschy with her work, Luna must survive at all costs.” Pinkie bounced happily away and rainbow raced the doors out to help Fluttershy save princes Luna. Twilight heard nearing hoof steps, she looked over and saw Mooncloud walk up to her. “Can’t you still move your hind legs?” Twilight tried to stand up but her hind legs didn’t respond. “I, I think it’s permanent.” Twilight’s eyes filled with tears, knowing that she will never walk again. “Celectia attacked me on a very unstable moment, it’s a miracle I’m still alive. I could have been killed by being attacked in the fabrics of time and space.” She cried out. She tossed her font legs around Mooncloud’s neck while sobbing along. Mooncloud rubbing with a comforting hoof over her back, trying to calm her. “We have been through a lot Twi, the both of us together. We fought king nighthoof, we defeated the changeling army. You and your friends have overcome so much.” “But how are we supposed to win now the nightmare has returned and taken control of Celestia, she’s the most powerful being in Equestria. She almost killed me, Appeljack and Luna. “Not all hope is lost yet.” “Commander, all flanks are barricaded now.” “Very well, everyone prepare for battle.” The night guards scattered over the room, some of them took off with their bat-like wings. The commander walked over to Twilight and Mooncloud. “Do you have any power left?” Mooncloud looked up. “After the attack of Celectia and the transportation of Luna, I don’t know how much I have left.” “I don’t ask more from you than you can give, I only ask to protect princes Luna.” “I will.” “Good.” Commander Reeflock turned and walked back to the rest of Luna’s night guards. Mooncloud laid down and put his head to rest on his front hooves. “There is one thing I fear more than losing you Twi.” Twilight looked up. “What?” “Showing what power lies within me.” “You showed that a lot, think back to the action in the past. You used your powers a lot back then, why are you afraid of showing it now?” “I’m not afraid of showing those powers Twi, I’m afraid of showing the power I haven't used yet.” Twilight looked puzzled. “What kind of powers?” “I have always used a positive energy source. The power a haven’t used depend on a negative energy source.” Rainbow Dash flew back into the room. “Guys, Luna is awake, but she’s not capable of mending her horn. She needs help with that.” Everyone looked over at Twilight. “But I’m in no way capable of doing such thing, mending a horn takes a lot of energy and requires a high level of concentration. I’m not strong enough now, I need time to gain back my strength. Mooncloud stood up. “I'll do it.” Everyone exchanged looks, even Twilight. “Really?” “I have to do something that hasn’t ever been done before, but in theory it should be possible.” “Well? What are we waiting for. The sooner Luna can use her horn again the sooner she can heal herself.” Rainbow flew back through the hallway and leads Mooncloud to Flutterschy and Luna. “Where is Twilight?” asked Fluttershy. “Is she ok?” “Twilight told me she isn't strong enough yet, but Mooncloud has a theory that maybe could work.” Flutterschy looked concerned between Luna and Mooncloud. “Will it hurt her?” “I don’t know, it has never been done before.” “Can't we wait a little until twilight isn’t tired anymore or Luna is a little stronger?” “F, Flutterschy.” “Luna?” Fluttershy ran up to Luna an placed a ear over her muzzle. “We don’t have time to wait, it must be done now.” Rainbow Dash hovered over Flutterschy. “What she say?” “She wants us to do it now.” Fluttershy looked over at Mooncloud. “You will be gentle, won't you?” “I’ shall try.” Rainbow Dash flew out the door. “I better let you concentrate.” Flutterschy followed Rainbow’s action and was on her way out when Mooncloud called her back. “Flutterschy, you have to stay here, I need assistance while I’m doing this.” “Oh, okay.” She trotted back and took place next to Luna. “You have to hold the horn in place while I try to mend it.” She looked back at Luna. “Are you sure?” Luna nodded weakly. With that, she carefully took Luna’s horn in her mouth and held it precisely over the remaining base on Luna’s head. Mooncloud’s eyes lit up with a soft blue light. He placed both front hooves around Luna’s horn and they began to change shape and color. This was not the first time Flutterschy saw this, he had don this every time they were in danger or needed serious help. Normally he changed into a device that could transport them or in some sort of weapon or defense. But this was something she has never seen before. His hooves bended around the broken horn and formed a cylinder-like shape. There was a pulsing blue light escaping from little groves and grates. The pulsing light reminded Fluttershy of the time Mooncloud smashed through the wooden doors in the Canterlot castle. Those doors weighed over ten tons each and he drove right through it, like they were not even there. My god, those doors flew over a hundred feet before they hit the ground. He had to use an incredible amount of power. “This might take a couple of minutes.” Fluttershy was snapped back to reality. “Oh, okay.” Rainbow Dash kept trotting in circles which made Twilight very nervous. “Can you please stop that?” “Hey! I can't help it, Mooncloud is busy doing some strange untested healing thing and the only thing we can do is wait until he’s done or Celestia’s guards start to attack.” “I know Rainbow, but this isn’t helping either.” “I hate these situations, they are so boring.” Rainbow Dash took off and landed next to Twilight with a sign. She looked over at Pinkie Pie who had come down from the museums roof and was now chatting away with one of Luna’s night guards. “So you pony’s drink blood?” “Yes.” “O, o, is it animal blood or pony blood?” “If they’re annoying enough we go for pony blood.” “So, for you ponies it tastes good right?” “No, in fact, we drink it only to survive and luckily we don’t need a lot.” “Ow, poor you, o! I know, maybe we can make it taste better. What do you think about banana milkshake with blood syrup, or blood cocktails, do you think that would work? Every recipe is to save with some sugar.” “Pinkie stop!” Twilight had turned green. “I cant take it, that’s nauseating.” “I hope I don’t interrupt anything, I’m not interrupting anything right?” “Fluttershy! Did it work, did Mooncloud mend Luna’s horn?” “Yes, he did a great job. Luna wanted to say something to Mooncloud before we were allowed to enter again.” Everyone raised a eyebrow. “Why?” “I don’t now, but she sad it was very important.” “Well in that case we don’t have a choice I guess.” “Twilight?” “Yes Flutterschy?” “I think that maybe, Mooncloud can help you. With your legs I mean.” “I don’t think that even the most powerful magical being can heal my legs. Nervous systems are very complex and delicate, it's way more difficult than mending a horn.” “Mooncloud didn’t use magic to mend the horn, he never used magic to do any of his transformations. He uses another energy source, so maybe he can help you.” Mooncloud walked into the room. “Luna wants everyone into the hospital wing, she has something important to say.” Mooncloud walked over to Twilight and scooped her up. “Pinkie can you get Applejack?” “Okie dokie.” Pinkie happily bounced over to Applejack and helped her to her hooves. She supported Applejack while everyone walked to the medical wing. They all gathered around Luna’s bed, patiently waiting for what she had to say. “There is no hope if we stay here, you al have to leave me behind. The elements are Equestria’s last change.” Everyone looked at each other, unsure what to think but Mooncloud was the first to speak. “No.” Luna weakly fought back. “Please don’t make this any harder, there is no hope for me. Go, and stop Celestia. If you stay here you all will die.” “There is still hope for you Luna. We can defend the museum.” Mooncloud’s head lowered a little. “I only hope that I don’t have to use my negative powers.” Luna turned over and looked straight into mooncloud’s eyes. “you’re saying that you never used your power to their full potential?” “I have two kinds of powers, one that uses’ positive energy and one that uses negative energy. I have never reached my limit while using my positive power and I have never used my negative power at all.” “How come?” “My negative powers are way stronger than the positive power. I’m afraid that I will become a threat to Eqeustria if i ever use them.” “And why have you never used the positive to its maximum?” “Because I have never charged enough energy to reach my limits.” “Energy, what kind of energy?” “I can charge myself with electricity, aura, gemstones, magic, sunlight and if necessary cosmetic energy.” “Which one is the most power full to charge with?” “The cosmetic energy but to do that I need to go into space. There is not enough time for that. I need a closer place to charge.” Twilight who still was laying on Mooncloud's back interrupted. “You said that you can charge with gemstones.” “Yes.” “Does it mater which gemstones they are?” “All gemstones with magical qualities. The more power there is stored within them the better.” Luna and twilight looked at each other for a few moments and by the looks of it they were thinking the same. “Are you sure Twilight?” “We don’t have much choice.” “Mooncloud you have to listen carefully. Deep in the Everfree forest there is an ancient tomb. In the center of the tomb is a room where a rare gem is hidden. It has unknown powers and abilities. We have concealed it for thousands of years. If it would ever fall in the hooves of an evil pony’s it's possible it could be used in a manner that neither I nor Celestia can overpower it.” “So you want me to find the tomb and charge myself with the gem that could have more power than Celestia?” “The future of Eqeustria depends on it. The tomb lies two hundred miles north of the castle ruins.” Mooncloud looked at Luna, then at Twilight. It looked like he didn’t want to leave. “Pinkie, make Applejack comfortable on one of the beds.” Applejack looked at Mooncloud with a combined look of concern and fear. “Well, what in tar-nation are you planning on doing with me?” “If I want to get that gem I have to leave you with as much as possible defends. So I’m gone speed up you’re healing process.” “You know I don’t trust machines.” “You don’t have to fear, this will be painless.” Everyone looked how Mooncloud walked next to Applejack who was now laying down on one of the bed’s. Mooncloud’s eyes lit up in the same blue light as before and placed two hooves on her back. “Aaah! That’s cold.” “Please hold still.” “What are you doing?” “I’m restoring the damaged skin cells of your burn wounds.” Everyone but Luna looked in how the burn wounds of Applejack disappeared. Mooncloud fell back to four hooves and turned to the others. “I have to go now.” With that being said he ran through the room and jumped out the window. Everyone that was left in the room looked in horror at the window where Mooncloud had jumped out of. Rainbow Dash raced to the window but stopped just outside. “You guys have to come and see this.” Who could walk went to the window and looked outside. In the moonlight they could see something fly away. “Is that Mooncloud? I never saw him transform into something that can fly.” “Well maybe that’s something he never used before out of concern, if he hit someone while flying like this he could cause serious injuries.” “Lets just hope he’s back in time.” A couple of minutes later a little light danced over one of the hills. “Oh, look, look, look.” Pinkie was bouncing in excitement. “What do you see miss Pinkie.” Commander Reeflock walked next to Pinkie. “Over there, do you see that little light, what do you think it is? A firefly?” “No, it's Celestia’s guards and not a little amount. There is probably enough to cal it a army.” “How are we supposed to stop an army?” “We have to keep them back until Mooncloud is back. Sidewing, go scout. Blacklead, teleport to storage site E5 and take all the explosive potions. Purpleflame, Dodge, you two cover the towers, if anyone approaches, sound alarm.” Rainbow Dash hovered in front of a window, peering outside. “Hey Twi, didn’t you mentions once that there lay’s some old armor in the basement?” “That’s right, I completely forgot about that. Its the armor of legendary Warriors, some of them are enchanted.” “Perfect because we are going to have our hooves full.” Applejack was carrying Twilight to the basement door. “Twi, as of when can Mooncloud perform healing magic?” “It isn’t magic he uses’ AJ, he used some of his energy to restore your burned skin cells.” “Let me just tell you that, what he did there felt mighty weird.” “Yea, sometimes it is, especially now. That healing and the mending of Luna’s horn was something I thought was out of his capabilities.” “Well, I’m still thankful for what he did.” “You better tell him that when he comes back.” Twilight’s own words made her silent. What if he didn’t come back? “Don’t worry about that Twi, I’m one hundred percent sure he will come back.” “How do you know that for sure?” “Because your Mooncloud didn’t give up on anything, just like you and I’m confident he won’t fail if you are involved.” “What do you mean?” Pinkie bounced around Appeljack and Twilight. “Oh don’t be silly, we all know you two love each other. For how long were you planning to keep it a secret anyway?” “How did you guys find out?” “For that you have to thank Rainbow Dash here.” Twilight looked over at Rainbow Dash who was hovering above. “What? Like I could oversee you two kissing each other in the fields near the farm. I mean you two were in the wide open, every pesasy was able to see you two.” Twilight was blushing red when she found out the way Rainbow Dash had discovered that. “Twilight, you’re so adorable when you blush.” “Pinkie!” “Sorry to interrupt but how are we going to get in? it's locked.” “There is a key under that empty display.” “How in the hay do you now that?” “Believe it or not but I do come here often.” Applejack got the key and opened the door. Everyone walked down the dark stairs into the basement. “Can’t we get some light in here?” Twilight’s horn sparked to live and gave a soft purple glow. In font of them stood several armored manikins, representing the now dead owners of the armor. “Wow.” “which ones should we take?” Twilight looked at her friends and then at the armored manikins. “Applejack, you should take the armor of daring Katrina. She was a brave worrior and was well known as the Earth’s ponies’ protector. Rainbow, you should take the armor of Lightning Daisy, she was well known for her speed and air combat skills back, in her time. Pinkie I think you should take the armor of Lilly Catch, you really suit her agility. And for you Fluttershy, Invisible Flora our also known as the forest worrior. She basically lived in the woods and protected the wildlife in it. She stopped many poachers.” The four of them started to strip the manikins of the armor and suited up. Fluttershy was the first to break the silence. “How about you Twilight?” “Yeah Twi, shouldn’t you have some armor as well?” “Why? I won’t be able the fight anyway.” “At least you will have some protection, who know what will happen.” Everyone looked at Twilight with pleading eyes. “Fine, than I want the armor of Christine. She was the wise one.” Fluttershy and Applejack helped Twilight with her armor and than they carried her back upstairs. When they met up with commander Reeflock the sight outside had changed, a lot. “O my god, look how many there are! I can’t even throw a party big enough for that many ponies.” “Twi that armor gives us some protection but how do we prevent being overrun by that army?” Everyone was waiting for Twilight to give an answer but instead the answer came from Flutterschy. “I, I think I might know someone that can help us.” No one could believe Fluttershy knew someone that could help. “Who? “Discord.” “What? Discord? How can Discord help us? He is the creature of chaos.” “I know but he has changed a lot. I think I can convince him to help us.” “Really, you now how our last encounter went, right?” “I know is wasn’t the smoothest ride but this is not the time to let the past get in our way.” “Fluttershy is right, we need to get every bit of help we can. There is just one problem, how are we gonna get Discord here?” “I stayed in touch with him and I know how to get him here.” “Really? How?” Fluttershy opened a window and howled into the dark night sky. “Hooooooooooooooo.” “And he is going to hear that?” A cloud emerged from the floor and expanded. Before anyone could react the cloud exploded and revealed a creature made out of a lot of other creatures. It ran over to Fluttershy and hugged her thigh. “Oh Futtershy its been sooooooo long since we seen each other.” “Its nice to see you to Discord.” “Oh the rest is here too, a complete reunion.” Discord snapped with his fingers and everyone got teleported around a table. The table was decked for a luxurious thee drink. Discord was wearing a black suit and had circular glasses on. “Now, to what do I owe this honor?” “Discord, where actually not in a situation for a thee party.” “Well, that explains the armor.” Discord silenced all of a sudden and narrowed his eyes. “Are you planning to put me into stone again?” “NO, no, we really need your help.” “And why is that?” Twilight interrupted the conversation. “Because the nightmare has returned.” “The nightmare? I though you killed it before I broke free?” “We all though that but now its back and stronger than ever before.” “What do you mean?” “It has taken control of Celestia's body.” Discord’s chaotic and playful behavior dropped. “I hope that was a prank.” Twilight remained silent. Discord looked over at Fluttershy. “I have caused some trouble in the past, maybe I have something to make up.” “So you’re in?” “Yes, I will assist in battle but if it’s Celestia we’re speaking of, then is Luna?” “She is in the hospital wing.” “All alone by herself?” “The night guards are keeping her company.” “Why is she in the hospital wing?” “You better see for yourself.” Discord raised a eyebrow when he saw Applejack carrying Twilight. “AJ, why are you carrying Twilight?” “Well euhm, she, she is…” “My hind legs are paralyzed.” “What happened?” “She encountered Celestia in some sort of other dimension.” “My goodness, even I would never have done such a thing.” The doors of the medical wing opened as the five ponies and Discord entered. “What is he doing here?” “Easy commander, he means no harm.” “Is that Celestia’s work as well? Did she attack her own sister?” “My sister has no control over the actions. The nightmare has locked her away in her own body.” “This is going to be one hell of a fight.” “Euhm, Discord? She was in far worse condition when we found her, if Mooncloud didn’t mend her horn, she would look like a ragdoll.” “Mooncloud mended her horn? How did he do that? Where is he anyway?” “He is of into the Everfree forest. There is a gemstone that will give him more power so he can deal with the nightmare.” “Well I guess the plan is to hold back that army outside until his return?” “That’s the only thing that we can think of.” “How about the elements?” “Celestia knows where the elements are, if we try to take them than we walk right in a trap.” Discord snapped his fingers and he reappeared in a set of armor. “If I join the battle I think its not a bad idea to blend in with the group, right?” “Of course.” “So let me think… we have Discord on our side, someone else we can ask for help?” Discord leaned over. ‘I think I know someone. How about Spike? He has grown to be a bigger dragon now.” “Of course, how did I forget about Spike?” Twilight floated a scroll and quill over and scribbled quietly something on it before teleporting it away. “With luck, he might still get here before the guards attack.” “Sorry for asking but where is Rarity?” “Rarity is captured by commander Shieldbanner.” “That’s not going to help.” “We know but there’s no way we can free her now.” The next hour was spent at coordinating a defense strategy against the army outside. As time ticked by, the army grew. At a sudden point it would have been fair to say that every guard of Equestria was at the front line. “There is no way where gonna fight that back.” “We just need to keep them away from Luna until Mooncloud is here.” “Well he should hurry.” A moment of silence fell. “We better take our positions before they commence attack.” Everyone stood outside. Applejack, Futtershy, Rainbow Dash, Commander Reeflock, Thunder, Dodge, Purpleflame, Blacklead, Sidewing and Pinkie Pie stood in a strait line in front of the building with Discord right behind them. “I hope I’m not to late?” “Spike?” It looked like he had appeared out of thin air. “Wow look how big he got.” “Care to join the fight?” Two jets of smoke shot out of Spike’s nose. “Definitely.” The ground started to rumble. Everyone saw a wave of guards roll over the hill and storm straight towards them. Commander Reeflock screamed. “CHARGE!” Everyone sprinted forwards. Rainbow Dash shot in the air, Discord teleported, the night guards vaporized into black smoke, spike ran over the grass like a wild animal, Applejack shot forwards and ran like he had never done before. The two groups collided with each other. Everyone fought furiously but then the special armor showed its special enchantment. By the way the guards bounced away when Pinkie hit them it looked like she was made out of rubber, Applejack that was already strong, even for a earth pony, fought with the power of ten. Rainbow Dash didn’t fight, she plowed through the guards like it’s nothing and Fluttershy had the strength of a bear. Discord’s mind was on a race when he zapped the one weird contraption after the anther to hold the army back. Spike followed Rainbow Dash's example by using his body as a living badgering ram. Between the storming army, blue clouds puffed up at random places. The night guards picked fights on random location, confusing the army. Even with the amazing fight they put up, it wasn’t good enough. Small groups made it through the defenses. Fluttershy was the first to notice when she saw several groups run towards the museum. For the second time she howled, but this time she was howling like a wolf. The edge if the Everfree forest lit up in small green and yellow dots. A variety of normal en timber wolfs ran out the Everfree forest attacking every guard that made it trough the defenses, completely blocking the way for the attacking army. Things were looking up, until ten minutes later. Commander Shieldbanner had establish a team of unicorns to take every resistant down. The group stood in a formation en shot multiple beams into the air that a little later rolled back down. The magic pressed everyone flat on the ground, allowing the guards to take them as prisoners. Everyone except the night guards where captured. They had vaporize into smoke and flown to the museum to protect the Princes of the night. This was bad, they had lost. The nightmare would kill them al and than there will be no power in Equestria to stop her. The whole group was been escorted to the nightmare until every guard pointed there noses into the air when a rumble could be heard. Everyone was searching the sky, even the nightmare and commander Shieldbanner but no one could find anything. Boom! Something had fallen from the sky, right in frond of the prisoners and had left a crater. Before the dust could settle a large object erupted out the cloud. A large long metallic devise on wheels stood in frond of Fluttershy and the rest. Two doors swung open and multiple lasers shot towards them. Before anyone could react had the lasers burned through the shackles and freed everyone. “Get in.” That voice, you could recognize it everywhere, no matter what shape. Mooncloud, he had made it and now…. the nightmare was in serious trouble. In a split second had everyone jumped into Mooncloud and the doors had swung shut. The hole iron construction kicked to live when a deafening roar started to rumbled. two black plumes shot upwards and the whole thing started to move. It quickly got up to speed, storming out of the army and towards the museum where Luna still was being protected by her loyal night guards. Mooncloud locked the wheels and slides sideways over the grass until he had spun a hundred eighty degree’s and skidded to a hold. The doors swung back open and a group pony’s jumped out. Not everyone was out of Mooncloud yet but he roared madly. The wheels spun and tore the grass out the ground and send it sky high. Spike fell when Mooncloud lanced forwards. He drove in a large arc and created a thick line of fire to block off the guard army. The army tried to make a hole in the wall of fire but failed at every attempt. They tried shields, put it out with water or debris but it was no use. Every time the flames where dead they just ignited again. The only way to reach the other side was to teleport in small groups but then they would be to vulnerable. Mooncloud stood right in frond of his own defense. He had secured the aria, now he had to fight off the army. Mooncloud began to shift shape. He banded and twisted, parts poked out and smelted away in the rest of the contraption. The army slowly took several steps back when they saw a huge black structure towered above the flames. Mooncloud had transformed into the biggest thing anyone had ever seen him. A giant black truck stood on four wheels in front of the fire, about half the high of the museum they where protecting. The pony’s could feel vibrations when a deep rumble overtook the noise of the raging fire. After a couple of seconds the rumble changed into a deafening roar. Mooncloud rolled forwards through his own firry defends. The hole army ran for there lives when the colossal truck powered towards them. “Stay put, hold your positions, get back to your positions.” Commander Shieldbanner screamed as loud as he could but he could barely hear his own voice over the screams of the terrified guards and the truck that climb up the hill towards him. Two magenta eyes looked out one of the windows to what was happening. She was agitated at first when she saw Mooncloud had made it just in time but was now completely dazzled to see what power Mooncloud held. The army had disappeared over the hill and Twilight screamed in delight. Her horn started to glow and a little later she teleported out side of the museum. The strain of Celestia’s magical attack had made it imposable for her to teleport all the way to Mooncloud. In fact she was so tired that she was unable to use her magic again to teleport. The only thing she still could do was drag herself on her forelegs. Shieldbanner had not given up yet. Determination burned in his eyes. He was making a large detour to reach the museum. It didn’t madder how long it would take him to get there but he would not let them win. Everyone was celebrating the victory. Even the night guards had shown up. Everyone except Twilight, Luna and Mooncould. Mooncloud had transformed back but had his eyes locked on the night sky. Applejack walked over to him. “What’s the matter? Aren’t you glad the fight is over?” Mooncloud transformed one of his legs into a big sledge-hammer and spun around, hitting a big bolder just before it could crush Appeljack. “What in tar-nation?” A wave of rocks came walling from the sky, threatening to crush everyone. Mooncloud was quick to react, his eyes lit up in a brilliant blue and spread around his entire body. A blue bubble swell and covered everyone, even the whole museum behind them. No one could believe it, Mooncloud had made a huge force field. The wave of rocks smashed themselves to gravel and dust against the force field. Commander Reeflock looked around but saw nothing. “Who’s attacking?” Mooncloud looked over with concern. “I think I have the pleasure to fight Celestia herself.” No one had expected that the nightmare would come here, No one accept Mooncloud. He stepped out of the force field and was greeted by a bright sphere of light. “You, what do you think you’re doing?” “Being the true light in darkness.” Moonclouds skin covered itself with iron and took the shape of a harness. Not any harness, a powered harness, over the hole thing ran stripes and dots of blue light. “You fool, there is no power in Equestria that can stop me.” Mooncloud responded by shooting a steel cable into the light sphere, causing it to dim at first but eventually it faltered completely, reveling Celestia under the control of the nightmare. “How dare you to touch me?” The nightmare took to the sky, trying to free herself from the cable, but before she could succeed mooncloud send a powerful electric charge through it, electrocuting the nightmare. She was in utter pain and fell from the sky. Ones on the ground she tore the cable free and stood up. “You will pay for this.” The nightmare’s horn glowed and a engulfing jet of fire took Mooncloud by surprise. “You weak creatures can’t stand a chance against me.” As a reword for her motivating speeds she was hit on the chin by the ground itself. The jet was disordered and mooncloud took his shot. He transformed into a very well known vehicle. His all terrain rescue vehicle. Mooncloud charged the nightmare but she simply dodged him. To her amuse he charged her again and just like the previous time she dodged. The stood ready for the third time, looking how Mooncloud charged towards her. She did the same thing like the previous times but this time, Mooncloud had her. One of the wheels locked, digging in the ground and swinging mooncloud around, hitting the nightmare with his full side. The nightmare skidded over the grass and coming to a hold just in frond of Moonclouds force field, which gave her the idea to make her own. A second sphere formed and captures the nightmare inside. Ones the yellow sphere was settled the nightmare laughed. “What are you going to do now?” Mooncloud abandoned his all terrain rescue vehicle and took the shape of the first vehicle he used. The long truck stood intimidating in the nightmares sight. “Well, I’m waiting, has your mother never told you its inappropriate to let a lady wait?” Mooncloud just stood there, not reacting at all. Eventually he came to life, starting his engine, and smashing himself into his first gear. He floored it, rushing towards the nightmare. “Come to mama.” The nightmare tossed all her strength into her shield, and waited on the moment that Mooncloud would crush himself into her shield. Mooncloud just powered on, faster and faster until he was just a few meter from the nightmares shield. All of a sudden, his front changes, a spiked grill slid around the grid. It looked a bit like the front grill of a steam train, but it was pulsing a blue electric light. Small electrical lightning crackled along his side. No one knew what to do, nor what to think. What would happen when Mooncloud hit the shield? Would that be the end? Time slowed down, you could literal countdown the centimeters mooncloud was away from the shield. And then, when he finality touched the shield, something that no one expected happened. Mooncloud broke through the shield like it was nothing, he just chattered it. The nightmare was completely taken by surprise and was hit head-on by a speeding Mooncloud. Mooncloud drove on and bashed through the other side of the shield. This looked like a one hit maneuver but Mooncloud had other idea’s. He made a slide adjustment in his heading and lined up his rear. The two doors swung open and reveled a charger canon. The night sky lit up in a blue aura when the nightmare was struck by a giant beam. Everything wend quiet, only the steady stream of a river nearby could be heard. Mooncloud had transformed back to his normal self and had his eyes fixed on the smoking crater he had made. Seconds ticked by without a sign of life. Mooncloud gradually walked closer until he stood on the edge of the crater. The ground erupted and Mooncloud was swallowed was a combination of fire and molten rock. A blackened nightmare rose out the crater half smiling and half crying. “Did you think I was that easy to defeat?” Behind her the gained shield faltered. A moment of silence hang over the hill. “I guess it doesn’t matter anymore.” The nightmare looked towards the museum and spotted the night guards with the rest of the pony’s, looking in horror. “This is going to be so much fun.” The nightmare flew towards the group with a sadistic smile on her face. Author's Note first of all, sorry for the trange start. is't my first story that a ever put on-line and i'm also dutch and did realy my best to write this story. i have been having a hard time getthing feedback so feel free to comment. hope you all enjoy it. special tanks to my friend Cameron who pre-readed it. //-------------------------------------------------------// It wasn't that easy. //-------------------------------------------------------// It wasn't that easy. The nightmare was about half way when something grabbed her hind leg and started to burn it. She screamed in pain and looked in disbelieve when she saw a red hot glowing chain around her leg, that ran back to the pool of lave she had created. She flapped her wings furiously, trying to break free but is was no use. The chain was pulling her in, closer and closer to the lava. The heat was unbearable, the hot air burned in her lungs and stung in her eyes. The chain stopped pulling in and came to a hold. The blue shield that just moments ago disappeared reappeared. Slowly something rises out the lave, it glowed like the chain did. Rainbow Dash had took of in to the air to see what was going on and screamed in delight and disbelieve. “It’s Mooncloud, he just survived that freaking lava, so awesome!” “Rainbow, this is anything except awesome, he’s still in danger.” By the time Applejack and Rainbow Dash were done arguing they looked back and could see Mooncloud still red glowing slowly raise into the air. “How did you survive that? “Underestimating your enemies is a big mistake.” Mooncloud transformed a leg and started shooting. From a distance it sounded like a bunch of small explosion. The nightmare took a couple of hits before she had a shield up. The nightmare’s wound’s closed and seemed to heal in hardly seconds. Mooncloud knew, if he wants to defeat the nightmare he had to bring out the big guns. Mooncloud changed once more, this time in a hovering chunk of metal with to disks rotating at dazzling speed. Even as Mooncloud wasn’t shooting, it sounded like so. An even rhythm of bangs echoed through the night. Small light flashes flickered when heavy bangs overtook the soft rhythm of the spinning disks. With every impact the shield of the nightmare arced but held. Until Mooncloud shot something else. A larger tube-like object detonated on the shield causing it to implode and sending the nightmare straight to the ground. Mooncloud went in pursuit and took his normal shape back, but quickly created his armor. The nightmare shot forwards and graded mooncloud by the head, dragging him over the ground leaving a deep trial. Mooncloud freed himself by sending a electrical charge through the nightmare’s bobby. Both rolled to a halt but Mooncloud was the first to get back up and took the opportunity. In the blink of a eye was Mooncloud on top of the nightmare, delivering a series of well coordinated hits. Regardless of the beats, the nightmare had somehow managed to charge a spell and fired it. First Mooncloud was hit two storey’s high and was then greeted by a wave of ice cold air. The nightmare laughed when a block of ice fell out the air. “If I have learned one thing in this fight, than it’s to not leave you alive.” The nightmare moved closer to the ice raising a hove and striking down. On impact the ice explodes outwards, like a huge amount of air was compressed inside. The chards of ice acting like glass, cutting into everything they met. The nightmare backpedaled and fell over. The cuts that run over the front side of her body healed within seconds. The nightmare got up and looked over at Mooncloud, who was steaming like a train. Mooncloud and the nightmare went hove to hove, without magic or transformations. Like barbarians they fought, giving each other a equal amount of hits. Every time the nightmare hit, she dented the armor of Mooncloud and every time Mooncloud hit the nightmare, the wound healed in seconds. It went back and forwards until Mooncloud delivered two hits to the head, monetarily unbalancing the nightmare. Mooncloud shot forwards, grabbing the nightmare and smashing her on the ground, creating a imprint on the grass. Next Mooncloud climbed on the nightmare, holding her down. She furiously trashed, trying to kick Mooncloud of her but it was no use. Mooncloud raised his hove behind his head and brought it back down with to force of a bomb going of, pressing the head of the nightmare deeper in the ground with each hit. Every time Mooncloud brought his hove down he screamed. “THIS ONE IS FOR LUNA.” Boom! “FOR APPLEJACK.” Boom! “FOR TWILIGHT.” Boom! The nightmares skull crushed under the immense pressure of Mooncloud’s hits. Somehow, despite the terrible pain, the nightmare had charged het horn and blasted Mooncloud of her. While her skull kitted back to getter and her brushed face retook it’s shape looked the nightmare around, hoping to find Mooncloud before he could attack her by surprise. Moments went by without a sign of Mooncloud. “Where is he?” Bleep, bleep, bleep. The nightmare looked under her, seeing a couple of white packs, wired up to each other. “What is that?” “C4.” Boom! A flaming explosion knocked the nightmare of her senses, leaving a smoking crater. “I’m done with you.” The nightmare’s horn flashed and Mooncloud got caught inside a small red sphere. Just as Mooncloud was going to hit the sphere he and the red sphere disappeared. “Now with that out of the way, lets see how my dear sister is, hahaha.” The nightmare looked at the shield and waited. After a few minute’s he couldn’t bear it anymore and flew to the foot of the shield. “Why is this shield not down yet? He should have died minutes ago. Only alicorns can survive in space.” “That’s because you don’t know Mooncloud.” Everyone turned around and saw a purple unicorn crawl on her forelegs. “Twilight? What in the hay are you doing out here? You’re supposed to stay with Luna.” “I’m sorry, I just got exited when a saw Mooncloud was back.” “You need to be more careful in this situations.” “I know. It just got the better of me.” “Whatever, if this shield doesn’t go down by itself, than I will bring it down.” The nightmare charged her horn and blasted a veracity of magical beams against the shield. With every hit the shield waved, absorbing the high velocity of magic. She changed tactic, switching to a constant beam, trying to brake through. The shield arced inwards but held steady. The nightmare stopped, looking in defeat and breathing heavily. “If I can’t get in, then I will force you all to come out.” Everyone looked confused but after a little while they knew what was going on. The air inside the shield was heating up. “Lets see how long it takes to make you all scream.” The nightmare was looking in full delight how it became hotter and hotter. Sweat was pearling on the foreheads of most of the pony’s. Applejack looked at Twilight who was having trouble breathing. “Is this how it’s going to end? Being cooked to dead?” “I don’t…. know.” BANG! The heat stopped to rise and everyone was looking at a spectacular show of up flaying dirt, rock and everything ells that was hidden underground. It looked like a meteor had crashed right in front if everyone. “Was that one of those space rock you told us about?” “That was not a meteor or asteroid. That was Mooncloud.” Sure enough, the first thing that was visible through the smoke was the shape of Mooncloud. “What does it take to crush a worm like you?” “I don’t know…. maybe one of these.” Two cylinder-like devises slide out Mooncloud’s armor, each having six holes in them. They both fired and turned to the next hole, repeating the poses for six times. Mooncloud was waiting for the dust to settle. Several vines grew out the ground, swirling around Mooncloud’s legs and pulling him down. “What the?” A rock triple the size of Mooncloud fell out the sky, burying him. The nightmare landed beside the rock, inspecting it. “Are we done now?” “No.” The ground under her fell way, revealing a huge vertical running tube. The nightmare was quick to respond, giving a couple of flaps with her wings. She hovered above the darkness. “Did you really think I was going to fall in there? Four steel chains erupted out the dark tube, each grabbing around a leg of the nightmare. Steel chains where not the only things that came out the darkness. The nightmare had just enough time to bring up a shield before she was bombarded by rockets, bullets and grenades. The nightmare had to do something fast, she could only hold this for a very short moment. She focused her magic on the ground around the hole, making it move. The hole closed and for some reason the steel chains released the nightmare. She landed and began to charged a spell. She waited, spell charged and ready to be fired. A spot of grass began to rise, giving way to a big drill that was attached to a indescribable vehicle on tracks. It transformed into Mooncloud who was trying to locate the nightmare. When he saw her it was to late, he tried to make a shield but was to slow. He was hit right in the chest by the biggest beam a the fist yet. In the eyes of twilight everything became black and white. She was watching how Mooncloud was being beaten up and tortured to dead. She couldn’t do anything , she felt so powerless. There had to be something that she could do. A flickering in Mooncloud’s shield broke Twilight out her trance. “Guy’s, that shield is not gonna keep up for much longer. Commander, we need al those explosive potions, as soon as the shield falls you bomb her like the stars are falling from the heavens.” The commander of the night guards vaporized into dark smoke, shortly followed by his comrades. “Rainbow Dash, when the bombing is done you need to deliver a rainbow nuke. Applejack I want you to buck her like it’s the biggest apple tree in Eqeustria. Pinkie, distract her if necessary. Discord, be ready to teleport everyone back if something goes wrong. Spike, you have to hold her down. Fluttershy, you’re gone have to bring out the big gun.” “What?” “The stare.” Everyone was ready. Applejack and Spike both stood in sprint positions. Rainbow Dash looked like she was about to explode of the tension but was so focused that she probable just could sense who was around her. Fluttershy stood between Discord and Pinkie Pie and a group of smoke clouds hoverd in formation on the edge of the shield. The nightmare had finally stopped her attack and was looking pleased with the results. It was difficult to see because of the color of his coat but he was probable badly burned. His hole body smoked. He lay on his side, trying to keep the shield up. It flickered and again and again. But eventfully it fell. “Looks like our mighty warrior has failed.” She stepped closer, preparing a spell to finish him of. A big cloud of blue smoke hovered overhead, dropping a couple dozen bottles filled with explosive liquids. The bottles explode when they hit the ground, surprising the nightmare when she was swallowed out of sight. A whistle ringed through the air when a cyan Pegasus with a rainbow colored mane and tail came storming down. A rainbow colored mushroom cloud rose up words when Rainbow Dash delivered her rainbow nuke. The nightmare, completely knocked of her senses tried to stand up but was greetings by a pair of hind hooves from an orange farm pony, giving the hardest apple-buck he had in het live. The jaw hung dislocated on her head, slowly pulling itself back to its originals position. Spike jumped into the air and performed a cannonball dive. The impact was strong enough to crack the ribcage of the nightmare, momentarily paralyzing her. Spike used all his weight, which was a lot more than that of a pony, holding the nightmare down. She tried to brake free but it became a lot more difficult when Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rainbow Dash joined. Fluttershy walked to the head of the nightmare, drawing her attention. She stopped trying to escape when she was trapped in the stare. Mooncloud had found strength to stand again and had walked over to the now vulnerable nightmare. “Get of her.” “Are you crazy? If we let her go she will tear us apart.” “I need to get the nightmare out of Celstia’s body. Now get of.” Everyone except Spike let go of the nightmare, still holding on to her. “Spike, I know that your angry on the nightmare but if you don’t let go you will be electrocuted in the progress.” “Are you treating me?” “Spike I need to separate Celestia and the nightmare before Fluttershy runs out of time.” Just as Spike finally let go of the nightmare had Fluttershy hit her psygisch limit and beyond. The nightmare kicked back to life, noticing that she was no-longer held down. She got up, just in time seeing Spike ready to deliver a hit from his clawed fist. She dodged, striking back with a hove sending Spike flying back. A big grin spread across her face when she saw Spike could not get back up. But as fast as the grin had appeared it disappeared. Two iron rods stabbed the nightmare back to the ground, making her scream in surprise and horror. Mooncloud was back in the game, big time. He send about a ten thousand volts trough her body. The nightmare cramped up, not enable to move a muscle on her command. A black smoke hung over the White coat of Celestia’s body, slowly growing bigger. The smoke triad to get back in the alicorn’s body. Then Mooncloud pulled one of the iron rods out her body, doubling the volts in the other one. the iron rod that Mooncloud had pulled out split in three, changing from iron to a combination of gold, copper, and a very rare mineral gemtonium, all reinforced with carbon. It had Moonclouds aura around it but it was mixed with a stream if white and black. Mooncloud stabbed it back in Celestia’s body but it didn’t wound her. Instead it passed trough her like is wasn’t even there. He pulled it back out and in everyone’s surprise a black pony came with it. Mooncloud stopped electrocuting Celestia and turned to the new pony in question. Applejack was the first to speak. “Who in the hay is that?” “That is the nightmare.” The nightmare vaporized back to smoke and tried to go back to Celestia’s body but Mooncloud was a step ahead. Mooncloud pointed a leg to the running smoke, but his leg was no longer a leg. It had changed to some sort of vacuum cleaner that only seemed to suck the black smoke in. The smoke struggled, trying to escape from the special vacuum cleaner but slowly and truly the smoke disappeared in it. Everyone was running to Mooncloud, ready to congratulate him and throw a party. As there approached they suddenly skidded to a halt. Mooncloud dropped through his legs, moaning in pain. Rainbow Dash was the first to arrive. “What wrong?” Mooncloud didn’t answer her, instead he rolled on his back, eyes squeezed shut. Applejack was the second to arrive, just in time to see Mooncloud slam a hove in the ground, leaving a imprint several inches deep. “O my gosh, he’s fighting the nightmare.” “Oh no, this is bad. If the nightmare takes over Mooncloud’s body, then who’s gonna stop him. And if we don’t stop him, then it won’t end well and then I cant throw a awesome victory party with balloons and streamers and awesome music from Vinyl and Octavia and lots of cake and candy aaaand my favorite game pin the tail on the pony.” “Pinkie that’s not helping.” “Come on Mooncloud, fight it. I know you can, you have to. Think about what would happing if she wins, what would happen to Twilight.” That was it, Mooncloud shouted into the night sky, trembling in sweat. He coughed, and again and a other time, until he spit out a flat, circular gray gemstone out. Mooncloud lay silent on the grass, chest heaving rapidly up and down. Rainbow Dash examment the gemstone and noticed that it gray color constantly changed. “Is that the nightmare?” Mooncloud nodded, still out of breath. “Well, did we win?” “Yeah, we did.” “Mooncoud, you are so awesome. I’m jealous of Twilight.” “So, she told you guys than.” “Not really, we saw you two kiss in the fields.” “Oh, never mind then. How is Celestia?” “I don’t now. I think that Fluttershy would be the best to examine her.” Fluttershy flew over to Celestia while Applejack and Rainbow Dash helped Mooncloud on his hooves. “She’s alive, but unconscious. We need to get her inside.” “You think you got something left.” “Maybe enough for a cart, but you guys gone have to pull it.” Mooncloud changed into a steel framed cart with wooden wheels and a soft floor. The floor lowered itself, making it easier for Applejack and Rainbow Dash to lift Celestia onto the cart. Fluttershy, stayed by Celestia’s side, making sure that she remained stable. The floor raised while Applejack and Rainbow Dash strapped themselves into the harnesses to pull the cart. Half of the night guards melted out of the Dark night sky, taking escorting position. “Where’s the other half?” Doge moved closer pointing a hove to the museum. “The rest is guarding princes Luna.” A little further, a purple armored unicorn watched the escort draw closer. The gears in her head where spinning, puzzling were Mooncloud could be. The only solution she could come up with was that he was to tired to do any self-propelled stuff and was now been pulled as a cart. Which was possible for Mooncloud, he could do many greater things like that. She was waiting silently, waving to Applejack when she had noticed her. Applejack was doing something weird, she wasn’t waving, it looked more like pointing to something. A cold chill run down her back when she heard a sword being undrawn. She turned and saw Commander Shieldbanner stand behind her. “You will not take her as your prisoner.” Before Twilight could reply struck Commander Shieldbanner. The sword struck home, precisely aimed between two plats of Twillght’s armor. Shieldbanner released the sword, leaving it behind it Twilight chest. “This is for your crimes against Eqeustria.” He looked down on Twilight who was slowly sinking trough her only two working legs. “You’re a fool. It’s a shame that you’re the captain of the royal guards. You stood right next to the greatest evil and you didn’t even notice.” Shieldbanner pouched her over and retrieved his sword, sliding it back in it’s holster. His ears perked up when he heard a familiar rumble. He started to run, he was no match for Mooncloud. He needed a plan. Rainbow Dash was the first to arrive at Twilight, lost in the panic she flew past her crashing into the museum wall. Mooncloud was the second to arrive, rolling to a halt when he transformed back. He tore the leather straps holding the armor together apart, revealing the stabbing wound in her chest. His hooves glowed bright blue when he placed them on top of the wound. Blood ran out Twilight mouth and poured out her chest. She was losing it and she knew. The feeling in her front legs was gone, she couldn’t breath, she was cold. She raised a hove to Mooncloud’s chest, drawing his attention. “I, I love… you.” Her hove dropped, the violent magenta color in her eyes going dim. “Twilight, NO.” Mooncloud’s blue glow intensified, pouring everything he had in the effort. His head throbbed, his legs cramped, his nose started to bleed. The hole in Twilight chest was gone, but she was still a lifeless body. Mooncloud’s front hooves coated into metal, placing them on top of her chest. Every time Mooncloud send a charge into Twilight’s body, it tensed up and fell slack again. “come on, COME ON. Twilight, you can do It, come back, please.” Mooncloud ignored the screams from his body, pleading him to stop. He used energy he didn’t have, distorting his own body. Someone placed a hove in his shoulder. Mooncloud looked and saw Celestia stand behind him. Wounded from the battle with tears in her eyes. “It’s no use, she’s gone.” Mooncloud grabbed Twilight, pulling her in a tight hug, running a gentle hove over her now cold cheek. Everyone was crying, Celestia and Luna, who just had been brought out by her night guard and even Rainbow Dash, THE pony who never cried was among them. Mooncloud wanted to cry too but something was holding him back. He felt his pain and sadness fade. Dark clouds gathered above, blocking out the moon and stars. Several lightning strike thundered trough the darkness. Celestia draw Luna’s attention, pointing at Mooncloud. He sat motionless, staring in front of him, not showing any emotion. Twilight slowly fell out of his grip. His beautiful blue eyes changed poisoning green. The dark clouds from above spiraled down, engulfing Mooncloud. Luna knew what this meant. “RUN.” But is was to late. The black clouds vanished into nothingness, revealing a tall black winged unicorn with green broken lines running over his entire body. Mooncloud had changed into a alicorn, a giant black alicorn, even bigger than Celstria. It looked to everyone with it’s green intimidating glowing eyes. Fluttershy slowly walked forwards, standing triad in the dark alicorn’s sight. “Mooncloud? Is that you?” A answer came, only it came not from the alicorn in front of them, it came from the sky it self. It was low, like the rumble of one of his engine’s he recalls as v8’s. “Yes.” “Oh, ok. Are you ok? You look different and you have been trough a lot this night.” “I am not ok. I have been hurt in to many ways.” “We know, we saw it all.” “You all have no idea what I been trough in all these years of loyal service. Every time I take a hit, regardless of my state, the pain is inedible. Every time a plowed the roads during the winter, I felt my body freeze. Every time a delivered emergency supplies to a town hit by disaster a felt the strain. The transports of wounded, the rescues in the storms, every time it hurts. My transformation, my being hurts. It always has. And despites my effort, all the pain I have been trough, this is my reword.” The black aliconr lowered hit head, looking at the cold body of Twilight. “I tortured myself to many times and why? I tell you why. I only wanted to keep this world from turning upside down, so that the one’s I cared and loved could live a happy live. I asked nothing in return, I only wanted to see Twilight happy, I wanted to see her smile, knowing that she was happy with me.” The words where cutting in everyone hearts, even Celestia and Luna felt it. Celestia had the feeling that she had to speak, in hopes she could calm Mooncloud before something bad happens. “We all are hurt, we all are feeling the pain of the lost from Twilight.” Mooncloud’s voice had been emotionless for so far but the words of Celestia had triggered something in his head making his voice threatening. “Do not think you can feel my pain, no one can feel my pain. Look at Twilight, LOOK AT HER. She was the most powerful, smartest, beautiful, caring, loving unicorn I could ever imagine. She was a healthy, strong, young mare just a minute ago and now she it reduced to a ragdoll.” Two rings came into existing, dropping before Twilight. ‘I loved her, she was the one I cared the most for, at night I guarded her in my sleep, I made sure that she was safe, even when I was gone, she just had to push a button to let me know she was in trouble.” Mooncloud looked at the rings. “I crafted them from my very soul, with all the love, passion and care I felt for Twilight. I was going to go on one knee, I wanted to marry her.” No one could say a word, every one except Fluttershy. “We are still here, we will help you, we all will.” Mooncloud stayed quiet, the lightning increased, turning green. The wind picked up, making a hole in the storm cloud cover, revealing the moon. “I sacrificed my life, my body, my very soul for this world. AND ALL I GET IN RETURN IS THIS. THIS WORLD HAS FAILED ME, THIS WORLD IS NOT WORTHY ME. IT WILL PAY.” The moon turned green. “What are you doing?” “I will destroy this world.” “If you don’t stop right now, than we will be forced to stop you.” “FOOLS.” Discord appeared in the middle of the group only long enough to know he was there and zapped away with everyone except Mooncloud. A huge explosion flattened the landscape, tearing tree’s out the ground and demolishing the museum. High on a mountain a flash of orange light reflected on the white snow. Four pony’s, two alicorn’s, a dragon, the night guards, a monstrosity made of different animals and the lifeless body of Twilight Sparkle fell on a patch of grass. “Well, I say that was just in time. Don’t you guys think?” “Discord what was that suppose to mean?” Discord pointed in the distant. From this point you could see Canterlot, Manhatten the Everfree forest and Ponyville. Where the museum was suppose to be, there was a big flat aria. A black circle spread across the surface, cutting in the edge of the Everfree forest and just stopping on the outskirts of Ponyville. “I think our friend is a little angry.” Celestia looked at the green moon. Her eyes widened when she saw it grew bigger. “He’s drawing the moon closer.” “Do you guys feel that to?” The ground trembled, several rocks tumbled down, casing avalanches to roll down the mountains around them. A big crack pierced its way trough the land below. Big tornado’s descended, uprooting tree’s and tearing houses from its foundation The ocean rose, swallowing the land and drawing near. “What is going on?” “NOOOOO.” Luna was crying, burying her face in her hooves. “He’s using my moon to destroy or world, my moon.” “There will be time to cry later sister. But now we must stop him. Everyone depends on us.” “You’re right, no one used MY moon to harm.” Luna’s horn flared to live, determination and fury burning in her eyes. Celestia’s horn joined Luna’s, combining there power, trying to take control over the moon, Luna’s moon. They did there best but they where still weakened. The moon kept descending. Celestia looked at everyone that stood around her. “If we can’t take control over the moon with magic than were gone have to do it the hard way.” Mooncloud still stood on the exact same place as he first appeared. Overseeing the destruction he was causing. Four armored pony’s teleported in plane view of it. “Mooncloud you stop this now.” No reaction. “Mooncloud, were meaning it.” Still no reaction. Rainbow took of, only stopping inches away from Mooncloud’s face. “For pete’s sake, snap out if it.” Rainbow Dash smashed a hoof across Mooncloud’s face. “If this is the way you want it, fine.” Rainbow Dash rushed trough the air, crash landing after getting a punch in the chest. “Now you crossed the line partner.” Applejack stormed forwards, dogging a hove from Mooncloud, sliding underneath him rearing up and delivering her perfected family brand. “Applebuck.” Applejack fought tears back, when she hit Mooncloud it felt like his skin was made out of rock. She bucked again but Mooncloud was to fast, sending Applejack flying. With a ruff landing and a couple of roles she came to a hold, not far from were Rainbow Dash laid. “You big meany.” Pinkie Pie pulled a big sledgehammer out her mane and swung down, hitting Mooncloud’s head. She prepared for a second hit but noticed that there was something wrong. She looked at the hammer and saw that she now only held a stick in her hooves. The rest of the hammer lay shattered on the ground. Pinkie was quick to react, somehow she managed to bring up her party-canon. She changed the setting. Leaving its original mark, she turned the button from birthday party passing big party, extreme party, party overhauled, most super awesome amazing party of a life time and finally stopping at emergency super weapon against great evil. She pulled the trigger. Mooncloud was not planning to find out what would come out the barrel, so he placed a hove in the canon, blocking it. Pinkie Pie’s party canon exploded, making Pinkie a smoking piece of debris. Graffiti pulled her back down, slamming her on the ground and sliding to a halt juts in front of Rainbow Dash hooves. While everyone had been fighting, had the princesses been storing astonishing amounts of magic in there horns. “Sister are you ready.” “I’m ready.” Luna was the weakest of the two, she always has been. But this time she felt it, she was going to be stronger than her sister. The fury that was burning trough her was acting as a turbo fuel. “Now!” The two sisters released the stored magic in a huge beam. The one of Celestia was a summer morning orange and the one of Luna had the color of a wintery clear night sky, lit up by the moon and billions of stars. Like Luna had felt, her beam was the strongest of the two. The two beams spiraled around eats other, traveling tread to there target. Mooncloud had slid several meters back but stood unharmed. The combined attack of the two princesses had taken him by surprise but that couldn’t bother him, the attack had given away there location. Within seconds he had fired back. Two beams, one black, the other poison green, spiraled along. Hitting the ground, right between the Celestia and Luna. The explosion that followed had knocked both the princesses out. Mooncloud was keeping a eye on the smoke in the distents when a yellow Pegasus dove in his view. Fluttershy hovered strait in front his eyes and gave him the stare. Fluttershy found herself in complete darkness. This had never happen before when she gave the stare. “First time you’re in a zone like this?” “Who is there?” The poising green eyes and lines of Mooncloud came into view. “You’re the second pony to ever enter this zone.” “What is this?” “You could consider this as a neutral zone. Nothing exist here, only the two of us now.” A moving image popped up, like a television screen. Fluttershy locked her eyes on it, seeing how the world was being torn apart. “Stop this.” “Why? Tel me, why would I, everything a have every done was for noting. I’m left in the dirt, with no one that cares.” “And for that you’re gonna destroy our world?” “Yes, after al the pain I have been trough, yes. Every time a past my limit, my body was left in pain for weeks. I wasn’t living Fluttershy, I was dying, for years a have been dying. For years a was suffering a dead that just wouldn’t end. And now the only reason a was still going, my only sores of relieve is gone.” “Why have you never told us?” “Because no one could help me. My powers aren’t a gift, there a curse.” Fluttershy walked up to Mooncloud placing a hove on his chest. “She still is here Mooncloud, in here.” “Don’t bring me that nonsense, she is not in my heart anymore. When a soul leaves his body it becomes a part of cosmetic stream.” “Than do you not believe that the one who past away leave something behind, other than a body.” “A hole in my heart.” “She united us. The friendship between us is still here. She made the most powerful friendship’s every created. Her support in our dreams, hopes and goals are indescribable. She was there for al of us.” “are you trying to make my pain worse.” “Don’t you feel it, even though she dead, she’s still watching over us. She still cares about you.” With that she had broke the barrier of Mooncloud’s negative energy. The dark alicorn screamed, like it was fighting with itself. But Fluttershy saw more, she saw Mooncloud brake free. Blue light pierced the dark coat, cutting it apart. The alicorn that stood in frond of Fluttershy exploded. Fluttershy was back in the normal world, that still was being torn to pieces. A night sky silhouette landed in front of her. “How dare you to use my moon to bring harm.” Luna kicked the dark alicorn square in the chest. To her surprise it shattered like glass. Luna looked past the shattered body and saw Mooncloud in his normal form, lying on the ground. “What is this?” “Luna stop.” She looked back, seeing Fluttershy fly over to Mooncloud. “He broke free.” “Of what?” “Himself.” She carefully held his head in her hooves, trying to wake him up. With a jump his eyes opened, taking in the side around him. She saw princes Luna ready to deliver a couple hits but more imported the ground that was ripping open and the countless tornados. He finally looked up seeing the moon drawing closer. This was his work and he knew. He lifted his head out Fluttershy’s hooves proceeding to stand up. Slowly rising to his hooves, wobbling by doing so. He felt weak, tired ad broken, not to forget he was wounded. If he wanted to save the world and save Twilight’s friends he had to do something. “Fluttershy, Luna please stand back.” “And why would I?” A Blue light enveloped around Mooncloud’s body. Melting away into a flat disk on the ground. In sections he climbed up, forming a thin, high tower. A high pinched noise gave the signal to Luna to run away. She grabbed Fluttershy and took of. A flame spit out the tower, melting the dirt and rock beneath it. The large tower lost contact with the ground, braking free of gravity. Applejack was being shacked awake by Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. “Come on AJ, wake up already.” “What’s going on?” Between the two she could see a thin object leaving a trail of smoke. She pointed at it. “Is that Mooncloud?” “Don’t care, we need to get out of here.” Rainbow dash took Pinkie Pie and flew away, Applejack in pursuit. She grinded to a hold when she learned why Rainbow Dash was carrying Pinkie Pie. There where stuck on a big island, surrounded by a wide cliff. “Don’t fail me now.” While she backed of she quickly send a prayer and went for it. Digging her hooves in the ground and taking of. She hit her top speed running to the edge. At the very last moment the jumped, stretching forwards. On her belly she landed on the other side, hind legs dangling over the abyss. “AJ, what in Eqeustria’s name are you doing?” “I wasn’t going to wait for you slowpoke.” “Hey! Who are you calling a slowpoke?” Luna and Fluttershy landed not far from them. Fluttershy trembling from what just happen. “Everyone alright?” “Apart from being knocker out and a few brushes, where aright.” Discord puffed in, holding Celestia, still unconscious in his arms. “I think she still needs a little to come back. Mind me asking, were is he going?” As soon he asked the question a bright flash a light illuminated on the surface of the Moon. When they looked up everyone could see a big orange dot on the moons surface. “He’s pushing my moon back, I feel it.” As they where looking, the moon slowly grew smaller. A few hours has past now. Fluttershy had been busy attending to everyone’s wounds. Rainbow Dash had to stay a few days on the ground, what was really the last thing she wanted. For Applejack it was the same story, she was advice to not apple-buck for the coming days. Meanwhile had Discord gone back to the mountains to retrieve Twilight’s body. In that last hours many tears had been spilled. Even from Celestia. Luna on the other hand had been staring in her night sky. She had more than one’s confirmed that her Moon was back in its original position. Now she was waiting for two things. For her night guards to return with Commander Shieldbanner or for a sign of Mooncloud. She hoped that her night guard would make quick work tracking the commander down and bringing him to her. No one knows how Mooncloud would react when he saw the murderer of his loved one. Luna screamed. “Over there.” “What do you see sister?” “Its Mooncloud.” “Are you sure? I can only see your stars.” “I know my star very well and I don’t recall me placing one there.” What Celestia assumed to be a star grew out to be indeed Mooncloud. Although he was still easily mistakable for a meteor. With a great spectacle he flew over head, crashing in the hills just a couple minutes away. Discord grabbed Fluttershy and teleported away. A thick black smoke cloud trailed upwards. The big crater was surrounded by a sea of flames. In the middle lay Mooncloud, blacker that ever. His cutiemark’s where invisible just like his whit mane and tail. Discord zapped in sight, only a few meters from Mooncloud. Fluttershy punched her out of Discord grip and running over, checking for a heartbeat. She found one but it was very weak and worryingly slow. “Fluttershy?” “I’m here Mooncloud, I’m here.” “Bring me to Twilight, please.” His voice barely a whisper. “Discord, bring us to the others.” With a simple snap of his finger he teleported the three over. Within the first second was every one gasping in horror by seeing in what state Mooncloud was. In the meantime had Fluttershy asked to Spike to bring Twilight’s body to Mooncloud. Spike had grabbed Twilight and placed her gently next to Mooncloud. Everyone watched silently to the two. Mooncloud raised one of his burned legs, placing it on Twilight’s chest. “I love you to.” He pulled his leg back and closed his eyes. A small spark arced from his chest to Twilight’s. Everyone was nailed to the ground when they saw Mooncloud starting to flake. The wind Picked up, caring the flakes with them. In les than a minute his hole body was gone, not even a skeleton was left behind. Only Twilight’s body was left behind, that al of a sudden started to glow the same color blue as Moonclouds eyes were. The blue glow slowly fainted to a purple one. Eventfully it died out. Fluttershy ran over, pressing a hove against her chest. “She’s alive.” She could feel her heart pound and see her chest rise and fall indicating she was breathing. Its been a month sins the events of the nightmare and Mooncloud. In the first few days had Twilight stayed in the Canterlot Castle’s medical wing where she had shed many tears. Everyone had come by fiving each there individual story. Even Celestia, Luna and her night guards who had still failed to find Shieldbanner and surprisingly Discord. A lot of things have been discussed, like how it was possible that the nightmare had taken control of Celestia and how Mooncloud had brought her back to life after she’s been dead for more than a hour. A lot of thing where left unanswered. Why Mooncloud’s body had flaked away like that? And why couldn’t they find Shieldbanner? But for the rest of that month had Twilight only come outside the library for the ceremony in honor of Mooncloud. During the ceremony had Twilight constantly been crying. The big photo of him hanging on the side of the castle combine with his favorite music where a real torture. It didn’t stop with a ceremony. In Manehatten they had made a bid statue of him being a airship. It referred back to the event when Manehatten was hit by a major out of control snowstorm. The town was in desperate need of food and medical supplies. By the bad conditions it could have taken weeks to transport everything. But thanks to Mooncloud they had everything within the next day. He had transported 25 tons worth of necessary supplies in one trip trough stormy condition. In Canterlot they had thorn open the mane road and replaced it by a big plaza were Moonclouds cutiemark was represented. The two shields one holding a sun, the other holding a moon, became a major project in the busy city. At night the Moon and sun would glow. Twilight had one’s visit it. It just was like she remembered it. Two shield, one holding a sun in it and the other holding a Moon. Every town and city did something. Mostly because Mooncloud was well know for his action’s. Applesoola named there new apple orchard after him. Cloudsdale, Hoofington and Fillydelphia also kept it on a statue. And for Ponyville, they broke down the old fountain and build a new one. The mane base was tiled with the two shields that became a icon and on top of that stood Mooncloud in his al terrain rescue vehicle. Everyone in town knew him the best in that state. So yeah, hole Eqeustria was making memorials. Twilight on the other hove couldn’t been bothered with it. The only pony’s that had visited her in that month where her best friends and Princes Celestia, Lune and Cadence with her brother Shining Armor and at last her parents. Everyone that you would expect except for one colt. He and a couple friend where big fans of Mooncloud’s action’s. They had made a special book for her. Filed with al the great thing he had done, everyone he had saved and al his know transformations. That was pretty much the only book she had read in the hole month. She had locked herself away with al of her pain and sadness. The only thing she did was cry and stare at a pare of ring. Moonclouds craftsmanship was the only real thing she still had of him. She could read the emotions of Mooncloud on it. It hurt her looking at it. She was heartbroken and alone for a month now. She did have the support of her friend, which by the way had talked her into doing something fun today. Twilight didn’t look forwards to it, in fact he had to be on her way ten minutes ago. A nock on the door pulled Twilight’s eyes from the gemstones that represented the eye color’s of her and Mooncloud. She somehow expected her friends to show up if she didn’t. They probably would drag her outside if they had to. When she opened the door she wasn’t greeted by one of her friend but by a black coated stallion with white mane an tail with a black stripe in it. And on his flanks where two shields. “Mooncloud?” The stallion that she assumed was Mooncloud stepped forwards grabbing onto her and puling her in a tight hug. Twilight answered the hug by Puling Mooncloud in a deep passive kiss. End.