The Story of Nyx: A Snowflake in The Wind

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8: Kinda Valentine's Day Special
Chapter 9
Chapter 9: Alternate Ending (Sadder)
Epilogue

Chapter 1

The Story of Nyx: Love of Snowdrop

“Hoo-hoo”, hooted an owl as a clock struck 11 o’clock. The library of Ponyville and official library-manor of Princess Twilight stood silent, only the occasional turning of parchment and cricket hums to break the silence. The only light in the room was a soft horn light silently dancing. There in the center sat a small black alicorn filly reading her book. She had violet hair and opal eyes that sat behind a pair of round purple glasses. A turquoise headband held back her hair and a small vest hid the wings underneath. She was reading “Nyx of the Night” a story that was very dear to Nyx, for her mother had named her after its main character. Silently she read until a small creak caused her head to snap to the door.

“Hello?” Nyx called hoping to hear a response. A sigh could be heard from behind the door. The door opened fully revealing a lavender Alicorn levitating a large object with a tarp on it. It was Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Equestria. Twilight looked down to her daughter.

“Nyx I thought you’d be in bed already!” said Twilight her motherly instinct kicking in, “It’s really late and you have school tomorrow!” She levitated the large object to the side hoping Nyx would ignore it. Unfortunately for her fate had another plan. Nyx took heed of the object immediately.

“What’s that?” she asked her pointing out the object. Twilight sighed.

“Nyx can we save this for tomorrow? I’ve just carried that thing all the way from Saddle Arabia and I want to go sleep.” Nyx however wasn’t persuaded. She jumped up from her seat to go look at the tarped object. A lavender wing appeared however blocking her path. “No is no, Nyx!” Twilight said.

“Oh please Mommy?” she pleaded giving her mother a pouty look. Twilight shook her head.

“Oh no-no-no, don’t give me the pouty filly face”. Nyx pouted more until her mother groaned.

“Oh-Oh fine! But don’t touch it!” She warned moving her wing and walking towards the object. Nyx jumped and cheered for joy.

“YES!”

“Shhhh!” said Twilight, “Ponies are trying to sleep”. Nyx hopped behind her mother and moved towards the large object. With one mighty pull of her magic the dusty sheet flew off what it covered.

“Ahek!-ahek!” coughed Twilight and Nyx. Once the dust settled Nyx could clearly see what stood before her. In front of her stood a large dark mirror with a skull engraved in the top. Nyx took a nervous step back.

“He-he” giggled Twilight, “There’s nothing to be afraid of Nyx, it’s safe.” Nyx stood straight and looked at the large mirror. Soon curiosity took hold of her. She reached her hoof towards the large mirror in an attempt to touch it. Twilight took action and lightly batted Nyx’s hoof away.

“Ow! What was that for?” Nyx asked rubbing her hoof.

“I said ‘No touching’” she replied.

“Yeah-yeah” grumbled Nyx still rubbing her hoof, “So what is it?”

“This Nyx is an Avernus”, said Twilight with an in-a-matter-of-fact tone. Nyx stared at her mother.

“And Aveng-what?” She asked.

“An Avernus. It’s a special artifact from Pre-Celestial times! It is said to allow the user the ability to enter the Elysian Fields!”

she replied. Nyx blinked her eyes several times.

“The what?!” she asked. Twilight slouched a bit at Nyx’s response.

“The Elysian Fields, Nyx. That’s the Faustic afterlife.” She said. Nyx’s eyes widened before she ran to a shelf in the library. “What are you looking for Nyx?” Twilight asked. Nyx managed to pull a small book out of the shelf.

“I’ve heard that word, Faust”, replied Nyx plopping the book on the floor and turning the pages. She landed on a picture of a large white alicorn with long red hair with a quill and inkwell as a cutie mark. “Faust is said to be the creator of Equestria and god of Harmony and Creation!” Twilight smiled.

“Good job Nyx! I’m glad to see you’ve taken in some of the more advanced books.” Twilight praised, “Now as I was saying it is said all who go through life with kindness and harmony shall be gifted a place in the fields. This is an extremely powerful magical artifact that when used correctly can allow us to speak to them! Hundreds of long dead historical beings! We could talk to Star Swirl the Bearded, or Clover the Clever! We might be able to call on Celestia’s Parents!” While Twilight began to ramble on all the educational possibilities ,Nyx turned to the tall mirror once more. She placed a hoof on the mirror, the ice cold surface of the glass sending shivers down her spine. Without turning to her mother she asked

“How does it work?” .Nyx stared at the large engraved skull on the top of the mirror, curiosity calling out to her. Twilight stopped rambling and sighed without turning around.

“I don’t know really. The merchant I got this from said it would require a large amount of magic sent into that engraving for it to work. The issue is I don’t know if that’s a large amount for a unicorn or an alicorn. I’ll be running tests tomorrow.”-Twilight yawned-“Come on Nyx, let’s hit the hay,” Twilight turned around and headed towards the stairs, Nyx's eyes hadn’t left the mirror.

“I’m coming mommy. Let me just… put these books away.”, Nyx replied. Twilight sleepily nodded ok and headed upstairs to her bed. Nyx stared at her reflection in the mirror a moment. Then an idea came to Nyx. A horrible, irresponsible, absolutely Cutie Mark Crusader material idea. She wanted to go through. She turned her head to see her mother already upstairs in bed. She charged up her horn and sent a small burst of blue magic into the engraving. The indentation slowly filled with blue energy. When the engraving was fully filled a light shined out of the mirror. Nyx slowly moved her hoof across the surface of the mirror and saw how it rippled with her touch. Nyx smiled.

“Well mommy, the portal needs a large amount of magic for a Unicorn ”, Nyx whispered in an attempt to not wake up her mother. She took a quick glance to see that Twilight was not coming back downstairs. She touched the mirror again seeing it ripple before sticking her whole hoof through. The rest of her body followed and she was gone with a flash that filled the whole tree and even shone a bit outside. Twilight had not awoken.

Chapter 2

I own nothing!

A huge flash filled the endless black void. When the light cleared a new object floated in the darkness. A large portal stood present next to a floating filly. Nyx flipped and turned in dizziness pushing her hooves up against her temples. When she stopped turning she shook her head and looked around. Only darkness.

“Hello?” Nyx called, but only her own echo answered in the distance, “Hello?!” she called again. Suddenly she started turning again. Stupid zero gravity. She flailed her hooves in vain to try to get herself to stay at rest. With her magic she pulled off her vest and used her wings to steady herself. Well in the almost losing balance every 4 seconds way. She did a quick overview of her surroundings and decided something.

“Well I have no idea where I am.” She said blankly with a look of disinterest, “What is this place? Doesn’t look like the afterlife to me.” Nyx turned her head back towards the portal. “I wonder if Mom knows?” she asked herself. Suddenly she froze. She thought she heard something. She craned her neck to the opposite direction of the mirror portal, and listened. She floated silently for several moments before slowly turning her head back toward the portal. Then she heard it again. Her eyes widened and she snapped her head back towards the opposite direction. “Crying?” she thought. She listened to the crying a bit longer, “Is anypony out there!?” Nopony answered.

“Please… help…” a small voice echoed. Nyx did not hesitate, but sprang into action, doing what she needed to do.

“Hold on! I’m on my way!” she yelled in the darkness. Nyx pushed away from the mirror and began failingly pushing herself forward before using her wings. “Need. To. Get. Rainbow’s. Help. Learning. How. To. Fly. Mom’s. Lessons. are… never mind.” She thought while gliding in the direction of the crying. After what felt like hours of moving through the expansive darkness she stopped when she saw a shape. It appeared to be a light blue pony off in the distance. “Who could that be?” Nyx thought.

“Hello!?” she yelled with a hoof up to her muzzle. No response, just more crying. Nyx wouldn’t blame the pony, being stuck in a place like this. Nyx pushed onwards. The closer she got the farther and farther she got from the portal. Soon she was about 50 meters away from the pony and the portal was lost from sight. Nyx could tell more about the other pony now. She was a Pegasus filly about her age with a pale blue coat and curly bluish-white mane. She couldn’t quite see her face but Nyx knew there would be tears there. Nyx continued on towards the filly.

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Nyx stopped right behind the filly and looked at her seeing tear bubbles just float away. Nyx took in a deep breath and built up some courage.

“Uh… hello?” Nyx asked. The filly gasped and turned around towards Nyx, fear in her face as she heard the unexpected voice. “Can just one pony not- ugh -never mind. Hi! I’m Nyx!” Nyx raised her hoof in a hoof shake manner. The other filly continued to look in Nyx’s direction unsure on what to do. She snorted in several times and wiped her tears. Hesitantly she lifted her hoof up to Nyx.

“I’m… Snowdrop ” she said looking down at the mention of her name. Nyx raised an eyebrow through her glasses.

“What did you say?” she asked. The filly almost pulled back her hoof.

“I said I’m…Snowdrop" she said again.

“I can’t hear you!” Nyx said in a sing-song voice.

The filly giggled. “I’m…Snowdrop” she said. Nyx raised an eyebrow. Again.

“Snowdrop? Where have I… never mind. Listen, where are we?” Nyx asked. Tears began to form on Snowdrop’s eyes again. Nyx began panicking. “Please don’t cry!” Nyx held one hoof in the other but that only caused her to float off slightly. Snowdrop wiped her face with her front hoof.

“No-no it’s… fine” Snowdrop said looking down now. She sniffled up her tears and said, “I think it’s time I stopped… c-crying”. Nyx looked at her with concern, Snowdrop smile warmly. “This is the place my mom used to call Limbo. Nyx listened intently. “It is said to be the place between the Fields and Tartarus; just some leftover void…” Snowdrop dropped back into her depression.

Nyx looked deeply into Snowdrop’s morose face before smiling. “Hey, cheer up! I know the way out of here! Come on there’s a portal not far from he-“. Before Nyx could finish her sentence Snowdrop snapped her head up.

“You know a way out!?” Snowdrop asked exitedly. Nyx was about to nod but decided not to.

“Yeah... It’s just a little while down that w-“. Nyx was cut off as Snowdrop somehow managed to jump and grab onto Nyx’s body in a tight hug causing Nyx to blush profoundly. “Wh-What are you-“. Nyx sighed and decided not to further question Snowdrop’s actions. No she was rather content with just attempting to “swim” back to the portal. After a few moments of swinging her hooves Nyx sighed. “Hey um Snowdrop…”

Snowdrop peeked her head over Nyx’s. “Yes?”

“Could you um… get off my back for a second? I need to get something.”

Snowdrop was confused for a moment, “Alright” Snowdrop proceeded to let go of Nyx’s back. Nyx pulled off her vest which she had put back on earlier. A small hum of magic could be heard.

Snowdrop blinked several times. “Oh so you’re a unicorn?”

Nyx rolled her eyes slightly. “Kinda...”. Nyx unfolded her wings and flapped them several times.

Snowdrop gasped. “Wings? And a horn? Are you-“

“An alicorn? Yeah. I was kinda trying to keep that part secret.” Nyx said in an embarrassed fashion. She took a hold of Snowdrop’s hoof albeit with a little surprise from the hoof holdee.

“Are you related to the princesses? How long have I been gone?” asked Snowdrop.

Nyx cringed a little. “I’m related to a princess. Kinda.”-Nyx began gliding towards the general direction of the portal-“As for how long you’ve been gone, I don’t know really. When did you, uh… die?”

Snowdrop’s face tightened a bit but she didn’t show signs of crying. Nyx spoke up. “It’s ok you don’t have to tell-“.

“No- no I’m fine” said Snowdrop albeit a little quieter, “I… died a few years after Luna… became her.” Nyx stopped suddenly startling Snowdrop.

“You we’re there when Luna became Nightmare Moon! That was over-!“ Nyx caught her words before they left her mouth, “Uh…”-Nyx racked her mind-”10 years ago”.

Snowdrop almost looked relieved. “Only ten years ago? It feels like I’ve been here for almost a thousand!”

“It’s been more than that Snowdrop” thought Nyx as she went gliding in the direction of the portal, “I betterkeep that a secret for now.”

“How were things while I’ve been gone? Has uh… Luna came back?”

Nyx frowned. “Uh… yeah. She’s back.”

Snowdrop smiled, “Good.” Nyx felt weird. Envious almost. She shook it off as the place messing with her head. The portal soon reached her sight.

“Hey I can see the portal up ahead!” said Nyx. Snowdrop squeezed Nyx’s hoof… somehow. “Ask Mom how hooves work.” She muttered.

Snowdrop giggled. “Why do you do that?”

Nyx turned her head towards Snowdrop. “Do what?”

She giggled again this time causing Nyx to blush. “Talking to yourself.”

Nyx felt slightly embarrassed. “Was I saying that out loud?”

“Yeah.” Snowdrop replied. Silence separated the two for several seconds. “So where do you come from Nyx?”

Nyx hesitated for a second. “I was raised in Ponyville. I live with my mom, Twilight and my brother, Spike at the Ponyville library.”

“Ponyville? Where's that?” she replied.

“She really did live that long ago. Almost everypony knows Ponyville. Most of the food for Canterlot comes from there!” Nyx thought. She saw the portal a good 50 meters away which made her smile.

“There it is Snowdrop! The way home!” Snowdrop gripped Nyx’s hoof again.

“Home…” Snowdrop said. Nyx stopped just short of the portal and stuck a hoof in to check it’s… portalness. When she was satisfied she grabbed Snowdrop’s hoof and pulled her near the portal, she then put herself halfway through.

“Come on Snowdrop” said Nyx. Snowdrop smiled and lifted her hoof; Years of isolation was about to end in one swift le-.

“DING!” The noise rang out as Snowdrop’s hoof came in contact with the portal, like a rock on glass would. Snowdrop lifted her hoof and touched another part of the portal, the same solid glass feeling. Snowdrop backed away from the mirror slightly. (Well as well as someone in zero gravity could back up)

“No…” said the pain stricken Snowdrop, a single tear rolling down her cheek.

Nyx began panicking. “Wait! Snowdrop we can fix this! I’ll just get the princesses or something. We can still get you out!” Snowdrop didn’t listen. Snowdrop just floated there staring into what she believed was going to be means of her salvation. Instead it was just a taunt from real life, she should have known she couldn't get out this easily. Nyx sat halfway through the portal panicking. All of a sudden an idea came to Nyx. She realized what she had to do. Nyx turned towards the portal before looking back a Snowdrop.

“I’ll be back. Even if I have to go through Tartarus and back, I will be back”. Nyx then dived into the portal fully. A flash of light filled the void taking the portal with it when it dissipated. An echo rang out.

“I promise…”

All that remained was a crying blue filly.

Chapter 3

I own nothing!

The world flashed in front of Nyx's eyes, dazing her. The library was dark and spinning. Nyx stumbled for a moment before steadying herself. Her mind was racing at a thousand miles per hour. Images of Snowdrop flashed through her mind. A huge migraine shot through her head and horn. Nyx proceeded to rub her temples with her hooves causing her to collapse chest first onto the ground. She sat up tremblingly and began to trot towards the stairs before placing her hoof on the first step.

“NYX!” screamed a voice at the door. Nyx flinched horribly. She turned her neck towards to the voice which source became apparent. Twilight ran up to Nyx and wrapped her hooves around her daughter’s body tightly.

“Nyx, where have you been!? I woke up this morning and you weren’t here or at Applebloom’s or Sweetie Belle’s! I had Rainbow Dash search the whole Everfree! Celestia knows all the letters I’ve sent and-and-and. Where have you been!?” Twilight’s concerned words sped at the speed of an angry Lupus. The extremely loud and fast words did not help Nyx’s pounding head. She shivered in pain in her mother’s hooves. Twilight noticed Nyx's discomfort. She was clearly exhausted and in pain., “Uh… let’s-let’s get you to bed.”

Twilight lifted Nyx from the stairs and carried her up to her bed. She passed over the bed and lifted up the blanket placing Nyx underneath its embrace. Twilight lightly kissed her daughter’s forehead as the grandfather clock rang 5 o’clock. “I don’t know where you went Nyx”- she turned to the door-“But I need to find out.”

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“Dinnnggg Donnngggg!” the clock strikes 7. Nyx opened her eyes to see the moon gently rising over the horizon out through the window. She raises her head and wiped her face with her hooves. She pushed herself up and looked at the room around her. The window had a warm breeze flowing through a crack and a light leaked through the door. Nyx turned to the bed post where a small note was tacked. She lifted the small note and read it.

Nyx, I have gone out to inform Ponyville of your reappearance. Do not leave this tree young lady! We have a lot to talk about.

Nyx gulped slowly. A light tapping noise could be heard from the window. Nyx turned towards it to see the wobbling head of Applebloom.

“Nyx! Could you le’ me an’ the girls in?” she said wobbling back and forth. Nyx jumped out of bed and opened the window. She pulled in Applebloom and soon after the form of Scootaloo hovered into view. She was flapping her wings like a hummingbird barely keeping in place. A small weak aura helped her slightly. Scootaloo jumped in and breathed out.

“Few! Those lessons with Rainbow have been working!” exclaimed Scootaloo.

“Wha’ you expect? She jus’ let you learn yourself after the Equestria games?” said Applebloom.

“Forgetting someone?” called Sweetie Belle from the outside. Nyx proceeded to levitate Sweetie Belle through the window, “Thank you” she said.

“No time for thank you’s, where’ve you been Nyx?! I saw Rainbow Dash go out with the Weather team to the Everfree to look for you! Twilight’s was in a complete mess and I heard the princesses were coming!”

A twang of guilt hit Nyx. “Did I cause all this? Heck Discord would be proud!”

“Then all of the sudden your mom says you’re okay and calls off the whole thing!” said Sweetie Belle. Nyx looked up at the trio.

“Can you girls keep a secret?” The other members of the CMC looked slightly worried.

“Course we can, right girls?” said Applebloom.

“Yeah!” said Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo in unison.

“Pinkie promise?” replied Nyx.

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye” the CMC said in unison following the movements.

“FOREVER!” a voice rang out. Scootaloo flinched slightly.

“I still don’t get how she does that” said Scootaloo.

“Best not to question it” said Nyx as she walked towards the door. The CMC followed as they trudged down the steps. Nyx pulled the tarp off the mirror still next to the door. A few moments passed before Nyx continued.

“I… I was here.” Nyx said staring at the skull engraving. The CMC just looked confused.

“You were… staring at a mirror?” said Sweetie Belle. Nyx shook her head.

“You were hiding behind the mirror?” said Scootaloo. Nyx shook her head again.

“I wasinside the mirror” she said. The CMC deadpanned. Nyx turned towards them, “The mirror is a portal. To a… a… I’m not sure what it was really.” Scootaloo’s eyes switched in between Sweetie Belle and Applebloom. “That’s where you girls come in. I need help. We need to find out about a pony named Snowdrop.”

“Why is it that you need to know about that Pony, Nyx?” questioned Scootaloo. Nyx turned towards the other members of the CMC.

“Because when I was in that ‘Avernus’ thing, the mirror, I met her”. A look of shock spread through the others.

“You met her?!” said Scootaloo. Sweetie Belle started to look nervous.

Nyx nodded, “Yes, and she’s stuck in wherever it is I ended up. I need to know about here so I could help her get out.”

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle remained quiet and shuffled their hooves slightly. Applebloom however stepped forward. “Ah wanna help!”

“Yeah me too!” said Scootaloo stepping forward as well.

“And me!” said Sweetie Belle. Nyx smiled brightly.

“Cutie Mark Crusader Researchers? “said Scootaloo with a smile.

“Let’s do it!” said Nyx.

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADER RESEACRHERS YAY!” they all said in unison.

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As it turned out Cutie Mark Crusader Researcher turned out not to be as much fun as the CMC had originally hoped. It mostly consisted of looking at dusty old tomes that were filled with boring old ponies that did something like vanquish a world eater or saved the world from a huge meteor by making the planet intangible. Only Nyx and Sweetie Belle kept their interest level up. While Applebloom looked for the book with the most pictures, Scootaloo attempted to hover as high as possible to try to retrieve books. Nyx flipped through three or four tomes at a time.

“This is getting boring! Can’t we learn about this Snowdrop pony by asking your mom?” said Scootaloo slightly hovering.

Nyx sighed and closed a book, “I know this is boring for you guys; if you want to go you ca-“

“I found something!” called Sweetie Belle. Applebloom sighed deeply.

“Sweetie Belle, if this is another article about ‘Snowflake’, we don’t wanna hear it. I read too many newspaper articles about that behemoth!” she said. Sweetie Belle shook her head. She weakly levitated an old tome over to Nyx. Nyx picked up the book and read its contents out loud.

18 December 61 AN (After Nightmare)

On the Year 458 AD (After Discord) the events of the Spring Sunrise festival took a strange turn of events when a blind Pegasus filly named Snowdrop presented a crystallized “star” as her gift towards the arrival of spring. This ‘star’ was a carved ice crystal. Despite its unusual circumstances the now dubbed “snowflake” has become a new part of Equestria’s Ecological cycle as a means of calming the harsh winter storms and to show the true beauty of winter. While the young filly died shortly after the Nightmare incident a monument to her diligence and creativity nowstands within the currently in progress Canterlot Castle.

Nyx smiled after finishing the last sentence. No sooner as she shut the book did the front door start to giggle as was somepony was trying to open it.

“Crud! Your mom’s here!” whisper-yelled Scootaloo. Sweetie Belle began to panic and Applebloom looked for a non-existent exit. Nyx grabbed the book off the table and began trotting quickly towards the stairs.

“Come on girls! Hide upstairs!” whisper-yelled Nyx. The other members of the CMC high tailed it up the steps with her. When they entered her room Nyx placed the book in her bag and turned to the still panicking CMC, “Quick! Hide underneath the bed!”

“What! But it’s dusty and dark down there!” said Sweetie Belle.

“No time for arguing!” said Scootaloo as she grabbed Applebloom and Sweetie Belle by the collar and popped underneath the bed with them.

“Nyx? Sweetie, are you in bed?” called Twilight from the outside. Nyx panicked and jumped into bed, covering herself in the sheet. No sooner did Twilight enter the front door with her horn light.

“Nyx?” questioned Twilight walking up the stairs, “Are you ok?” Nyx shook her head from the bed. She was turned away from Twilight.

“Are you sure you are ok Nyx? You came in pretty hurt. I really think we should call Nurse Red Heart to check you.”

Nyx shook her head again, “I’m fine” she said weakly.

Twilight sighed, “Alright Nyx, sleep well.” Twilight left the room and headed down the stairs and then into the basement. Once Nyx knew she was gone she got out of bed slowly and revealed the CMC from under the bed.

“Come on out guys.”

The CMC crawled out from under the bed albeit Sweetie Belle at a slightly faster rate. She wasn’t lying; the underside of Twilight’s bed was dusty. And spidery.While Scootaloo attempted to pull Sweetie of her spider induced trance, Applebloom talked with Nyx.

“Listen Nyx, I’ma gonna take Sweetie over to her house with Scootaloo” Applebloom whispered, “If you need anything don’t hesitate askin’.”

“Thanks Applebloom. Listen; try to keep my mom calm if I disappear again alright?” Nyx whispered back.

“What! Again!? Nyx you’re not going to go back there, are you?” whispered Scootaloo leaving Sweetie Belle for a second. Nyx nodded in confirmation.

Scootaloo sighed, “Alright. But try not to let your mom freak out the whole town if you can.” Nyx nodded. Scootaloo headed towards the window with Sweetie Belle partially on her back.

“And one last thing Nyx!” she said turning towards her with her hooves on the window sill.

“Yeah?”

“I hope you help that mare-friend of yours.” Scootaloo jumped out the window laughing in hilarity while Nyx blushed furiously.

Applebloom sighed.“Uh Nyx , a little help?” she said with Sweetie Belle holding tightly on her back. Nyx’s horn glowed and Applebloom was lifted out the window and gently down to the road below. Nyx sighed in frustration at Scootaloo’s comment. She trotted to bed and pulled herself under the covers. Hopefully she could get some sleep before she headed back in.

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“Dinnnggg Donnngggg!” the clock strikes 12 as 11’s hour ends. Twilight decided to sleep early tonight after all the stress from the day before. Nyx waited for Twilight’s breathing to regulate before she crawled out of bed. Luckily Spike was in Canterlot with Peewee. Phoenix social meeting with Philomena or something. Nyx slowly crept down to the main room of the library in an attempt to not wake up Twilight. Finally she approached the device of her… friend’s... imprisonment. The Avernus. In her saddlebag was the book containing lore about Snowdrop (Nyx later discovered it was written by a ‘Meredith S.F.S. Sims’). She charged up her horn and sent a good amount of magic into the mirror.

“Alright, Snowdrop Liberation Take Two”, she said before diving head first into the mirror. The trip this time around was far harsher than the flash and appearance of the last visit, this one was far more volatile. Nyx flew through a spinning red vortex of … stuff. Timey-Whimey stuff. A large blue object shot past Nyx at one point along with a very strange pony with a scraggly brown mane. Finally she reached her destination in a flash. When the bright light died around her she turned around to hopefully see the form of Snowdrop. Granted she saw her, just not where she was originally. Over in the distance she saw Snowdrop.

“Ugh! How’d she end up over there!” complained Nyx. Nyx began the tiring process of kicking and flailing herself in the direction she needed to go. As she got closer Nyx noticed some things.

“She’s curled up like I found her again. That can’t be good.” Nyx thought, “There are even tears floating around her! How long was I gone for her?”

Nyx was soon about twenty meters away from her. “Her mane is sticking out! And are those… feathers? Has she been molting?”

Finally Nyx was right behind Snowdrop (Again). Nyx thought about nudging Snowdrop, but decided against it.

“Uh… Snowdrop?” she asked. Snowdrop tensed up slightly and turned slowly towards her.

“N-Nyx?” Snowdrop said. No gasp, no sudden turning, just… questioning.

“Yeah Snowdrop! It’s me, Nyx!” she exclaimed. Snowdrop didn’t respond. Nyx stared worriedly at Snowdrop’s face. Her eyes were bloodshot. “Listen Snowdrop, I’m sorry. There was nothing I could do! I had to-“. Nyx was interrupted by Snowdrop as she tackled in her in a tight hug.

She held on to her as tight as she could. “I forgive you.” She said, “Just… tell me when you leave.” Nyx blushed slightly, luckily Snowdrop couldn’t see it. Soon Snowdrop let go of of her bone crushing hug.

“I read up on you while I was gone!” Nyx said pulling out the large tome that described the events of the Spring Sunrise Festival. “I have to say what you did was amazing! You created the Snowflake! I learned about that in school! You’ve done so much for Equestria!”

Snowdrop giggled. “Yeah I guess I have” she said half-heartedly.

“She looks tired…” thought Nyx, “How long have I been gone? For you at least.”

Snowdrop frowned slightly. “It’s been about four hours Nyx. Why?”

Nyx gulped silently. “Nothing.”

Snowdrop smiled and [air]scooted over to Nyx side. She nuzzled her head up to Nyx’s shoulder and yawned slightly. Nyx blushed furiously (again).

“I can go if you want-“ Nyx started to say.

“No! Uh… I mean could you uh… stay for the night?”

If Nyx’s blush wasn’t red as Big Macintosh before it sure was now.

“I...uh... I. Um… Sure?” Nyx stuttered. Snowdrop nuzzled in Nyx’s side pushing her into a lying position. Snowdrop wrapped her hooves around Nyx’s side and fell into a calm sleep, probably the first one she has had in ages. Nyx sighed. “Let’s hope I can get you out of here Snowdrop, Let’s hope.”

Chapter 4

I own nothing!

The moon steadily moved behind Canterlot castle in a slow crawl. The many ponies of the city slept in their beds with no knowledge of the events happening around them. Princess Luna stood questioningly on the balcony of the castle, worriedly looking over her citizens. She sighed.

“There, there Princess Woona...” slithered a voice through the night. Luna flinched in reaction. “What could ever be the problem?”

Luna turned to face the source of the voice, Discord. “What are you doing awake at this time Discord?” she said. Discord laughed and stepped into the moonlight.

“Why, I’m just awake in my favorite time of day. Is that a crime?” he said with a smug grin. Luna sighed and turned her head towards the city below again.

“I feel a disturbance. Like old memories being pulled from under me.”

Discord raised an eyebrow before laughing, “A disturbance? You sound like a character from a book!” Discord slithered closer. Luna glared at him.

“Sheesh! Fine, I got it. Leave the wall alone!” Discord noticed the look of concern still on Luna’s face. “Ugh. Friendship! Curse it all!”

“Listen, Lulu. If this ‘disturbance’ is bothering you so much, why don’t you go check it out.”

Luna turned to Discord, her face just a few inches from his. She glared then pushed her face closer.

“There are times when even a god should not interfere.” Luna turned from the flabbergasted Discord and walked towards the door. “Good night Discord.”

Discord stood there for a few more seconds before grinning. “A very good night indeed.” He teleported off.

¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥

Nyx’s eyes opened to darkness. Well, not complete darkness, more like mostly darkness with a little light blue puff in the bottom of her vision. When Nyx’s eyes focused she noticed the predicament she was in. Through the ‘night’ somehow Snowdrop had rolled over onto Nyx and into a… cuddling position. Nyx’s body heat rose exponentially.

“How did we get like this?” Nyx thought. She slowly tried escaping the grasp of Snowdrop without awakening her. Luckily for Nyx, Snowdrop was a heavy sleeper. After she had escaped the unholy cuddle of Snowdrop, Nyx pulled out a book from her saddle bag and set it by Snowdrop’s body, ‘Nyx of the Night’. “Sleep tight, Snowdrop” she said before heading in the direction of the portal.

“What is this? Why do I feel like I got Parasprites in my stomach?” Nyx thought. An image of Snowdrop’s petite form flashed through Nyx’s mind. “Every time I think of her! What’s going on with me?” Nyx stopped in front of the swirling portal and turned back glancing towards the sleeping form of Snowdrop floating in the distance. “Let’s just hope I can get back here soon.”

Nyx jumped into the large portal.

¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥

The swirling vortex did not appear this time to Nyx. Instead a quick flash and hardwood floor greeted her sight. The library was dark and quiet and Nyx was half expecting her mom to yell at her again.

“Dinnnggg Donnngggg!” the clock struck 1 A.M from the room above. Nyx turned to see Twilight still asleep in bed.

“An hour? It’s only been an hour? But last time it was—“. Nyx’s pondering was cut short by some mumbling from Twilight. Nyx slowly walked up the steps and slid carefully under the cover of her mother’s bed. A few silent moments pass by.

“Bed doesn't feel as nice as zero gravity cuddle.”

¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥

The sun steadily rose over the Ponyville library. It was a Saturday so the prospect of waking early wasn’t exactly appealing to most fillies; unfortunately, Nyx didn’t really have a choice. She stood near the table looking through an old book with a red cover and dusty title she couldn’t read due to it being faded away

“The Elysian fields is said to hold the souls of those who live their life with harmony and kindness. Only the dead may enter–“

“And only the immortal may leave” said a voice that surprised Nyx. She turned to see her mother looking at her with a concerned expression, “I’ve read that book four times, Nyx. And I don’t think you should just yet.” Twilight levitated the book away from Nyx’s hooves.

“But–but–but.”

“No buts, young lady.” Twilight replied, “There are things in this book I’d rather you not read at your age.” Twilight placed the book on the highest shelf while Nyx watched the book being taken from her reach. “Nyx I want you to tell me where you went two nights ago.”

Nyx’s eyes grew wide as she realized she hadn’t made up an excuse to tell to Twilight. “I, Uh… I-I-I was at Twist’s!”

Twilight glared suspiciously at Nyx. “Then why didn’t you go to school?”

Sweat beaded down Nyx face as she laugh falsely. “I uh… didn’t want to see Diamond Tiara today?”

Twilight stared at Nyx again for a few more seconds. Nyx began to wonder if she wouldn’t believe her.

“Alright then,” she said. Nyx breathed a sigh of relief, “You’re still grounded for sneaking out and skipping school though.”

Nyx really didn’t care. “I was going to spend all week in the library anyways. I’m more concerned with helping my… friend, than missing some crusading” she thought. She faked a whine of sadness and continued her research.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Twilight stood at the turn of the cellar stairs watching Nyx carefully. “What is she up to?”she thought eyeing Nyx carefully. Nyx had several books surrounding her, most of which Twilight could name by the sight of it. “Legends of Faust, Origin of Tesertillio, Necrophilia and You!No, wait, she put that last book back. Tartarus Breaker, and… Tails of the Immortal?What is Nyx reading into?”

“It is said Faust created 5 worlds. The first world became static and fell apart with time. The second world became what is Equus today. Tartarus and the Elysian Fields for those who did wrong and right. And finally a limbo that she decided was cruel and then destroyed it.” Nyx said quietly from the other room.

Twilight listened carefully. “Origin of the Land?” she thought. “Why is she-”

"Hey, Twilight!” somepony yelled from behind. Twilight jumped in surprise and accidentally started tumbling down the stairs with her mystery assailant. Right before she lost sight of Nyx, Twilight saw her still reading her book, not noticing the noise. After she finished tumbling, Twilight stood up, groaning in pain. Twilight turned to see her mystery attacker.

“Pinkie Pie‽” Twilight exclaimed. Pinkie was bouncing hysterically.

“Hey, Twilight! So listen. I was at Sugarcube Corner making treats when all of a sudden I had a twitchy tail, A floppy ear, an itchy knee and a eye flutter! So I realized that something bad was going to happen if I didn’t stop some spying! So I raced all around town looking for someone who was spying! I went to Rarity’s and Applejack’s and then I thought Rainbow Dash was doing it! But then I remembered she was at Cloudsdale for the week. But then I remembered you lost Nyx the other night, So I rushed here and saw you spying on Nyx so I came and surprised you to try to get to to stop! Then we tumbled down the stairs and you said ‘Pinkie Pie‽’ and I started to explain everything that happened and then. And then. Oh then we’re here!” Pinkie droned on and on while Twilight tried the wrap her head around what she was saying.

“Pinkie Sense”, she thought in conclusion, “If something warrants Pinkie to leave her job to warn meabout it, then is has to be important.” Twilight raised her head to thank Pinkie but she had vanished. “Pinkie?”

¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥

“These books are getting annoying!”, Nyx thought to herself, closing another book about Faust. “Twelve books on Faust making that– that– Tesertillion place. And not one book on what it is!” Nyx groaned in frustration. She walked over to the shelf to put the book back. Right before she did, however, Nyx stopped and noticed something in the shelf. “What’s this?” Nyx proceeded to pull a thin book that was wedged into a slot in the wall.

The Gates to the Fields and All In Between

By: Dread Sombra

“Sombra? Like King Sombra? Why doesMom have a book by him?” Nyx thought. The book was about a centimeter thick with a black leather cover. The material made Nyx cringe. Leather had been illegal in Equestria for almost a thousand years. The leather was cracked and hard as if it was damaged by water and dried. “Yup, definitely King Sombra.” Nyx thought. A small note was scribbled in the front.

To those who find this book

Do not open it if you value

your sanity…

“What could he have written to have this much warning to stop ponies from reading it?” Nyx wondered. “ I really shouldn't read it.” Images of Snowdrop flashed through Nyx’s mind. Images of her crying and molting followed. Nyx’s resolve was reenergized. “For Snowdrop.” she whispered. Nyx opened the book to the first page.

Tartarus-synonymous to ‘Hell’ - A place of pure torment and endless fire that only the darkest souls are banished to. Few immortals have braved the trek in and returned alive; Mostof which returned mad and lost of spirit. Faust is said to have created the prison to store only the worst beings of pure evil.Despite the need for it’s existence faust always viewed it’s existence as cruel, a necessary evil.

“One page‽ You write one page for an the entire place‽” exclaimed Nyx disappointed in Sombra’s writing skills. “Let’s see if he writes better in the next entry.” She flipped the page.

TheElysian Fields-synonymous to ‘Heaven’ - A land of peace and harmony where those who have lived lives of balance and kindness reside. Neither living nor Immortal may enter this plane. They may only watch from secluded positions of glass. Here resides the home of Faust where it is said the seed for the Tree of Harmony originated. Faust watches her many children from here.

“ This book is probably a hundred pages! With The Fields and Tartarus already gone what’s left?” Nyx skipped to the middle of the book. There she saw the horrors the note described. Horrors so… horrible that they could not be recollected in a piece of literature. “Sweet Celestia!” Nyx exclaimed, dropping the book in fright causing it to flip to the front page again. Nyx fell back on her haunches. “Who would ever put that in a book‽” Nyx called in disgust. After a moment of nausea, Nyx stood back up and continued on to the third page hoping not to see some of the horrible content from earlier. She was in luck, it was an entry.

Tesertillio-synonymous to ‘Purgatory’ or ‘Limbo’ -When Faust had created The Fields and Tartarus she had intended them to be within close proximity with each other. However she separated them with a void. This void was to be used as a place for those who had done no good nor wrong. However she cast it off as cruel and stopped its use for eternity.It is said, though, that Spirits may still getlost there on their way to The Fields.

Nyx stared at the creepy picture provided. It was a creature Nyx had never seen before. She cast aside her fears and continued on reading, glad that Sombra had written more this time.

The souls of Tesertillio have escaped on many occasions. While it is rare the spirits may be liberated by the combined workof an immortal and a Fruit of Harmony.

“A Fruit of Harmony?” Nyx thought.

There are those few spirits who choose to wander the mortal world as apparitions. Butmost of the time when they are released, they leave at once and then pass on to their place in the afterlife.

“Pass on…” Nyx thought worryingly, “So if I save Snowdrop she’ll— pass on.” Nyx’s mind was racing again. Her few memories of Snowdrop rotated in her mind. Her encounters and her feelings—

“No. No, I can’t let my emotions get in the way of helping Snowdrop. I promised I’d always protect ponies and that’s exactly what I’ll do.” Nyx shut the book and placed it back into the sliver in the wall. She levitated the other books back and let her mind wander.

“Nyx… I mean could you uh… stay for the night?”

The memory of Snowdrop reared its head again. A blush spread across Nyx’s face. “Why? Why do I keep feeling this way…”

Chapter 5

I own nothing!

Sunday

The clock from upstairs chimed out 5 P.M. Nyx had decided to take a break from her research and instead relax for the rest of the day. Working herself to death wasn't going to help Snowdrop. Nyx sat on her bed reading through the book Sweetie Belle found on Snowdrop. Her mind bounced between the image the book described and the small petite form of Snowdrop from her memory. A blush faded in and out of her face.

“What Is this that I keep feeling?”, she thought. Nyx sighed and closed the book in front her. She pulled it to her chest and laid back, staring at the ceiling. “I’ve never felt this way. Why do I keep blushing?” Nyx turned to the window to see the sun still sitting in the sky. “Maybe… I should get help. Maybe I should ask somepony about this..”

Nyx sat up from her bed and placed the book down. “Yeah. I’ll get somepony to help.” Nyx thought walking down the stairs. “Who could help me though?” Nyx thought vigorously. A magic lightbulb appeared above her head in a flash, “Rarity! Rarity is always talking about relationships and emotions. I am sure she would know a lot about this.”

Nyx excitedly ran towards the door but then suddenly stopped. “Mom said to not leave the tree unless it’s an emergency.” Nyx thought for a moment. Perhaps it could wait. But then she thought of the way she blushed, the way her breath shortened whenever she thought of Snowdrop. The feeling of growing faint, the feeling of parasprites fluttering about in her stomach. No, she could no longer ignore this. She needed to understand what was happening to her“Well it isan emergency. I’m having…anemotional emergency.”

Nyx used her magic to open the door and carefully sneaked outside. Twilight was at a meeting at Town Hall but Nyx wanted to be extra careful. Nyx saw the path to the Carousel Boutique in her mind. A right at Sugarcube Corner. Past Town Hall and then over the bridge. It was going to be a treacherous journey (or at least it seemed so in Nyx’s mind), but she knew she needed to do it. Nyx walked the distance to the Town Hall in a matter of minutes. Nyx looked around the corner of a home to see her mother talking with the Mayor, Ivory Scroll. When her mother turned around, so that she was now facing in the direction away from where Nyx had to cross, Nyx took the opportunity and sprinted to the other side towards the bridge. Nyx quickly trotted across the bridge, keeping her head down and trying to look as small and unnoticeable as possible. She looked over to Carousel Boutique to ensure the coast was clear, and then closed the distance to the shop in a few quick bounds

“Alright let’s do this.” Nyx said to herself, building up her courage. She opened the door and heard the bell ringing out.

“A moment darling!” said Rarity from the other room. Nyx browsed the room in all its exquisiteness. The boutique hadn't changed that much in the years that Nyx had known it. Dresses lined the walls with Rarity’s modeling station taking pride of place in the center. Over on the side a small spool of rainbow thread sat in a glass case. An old memento from the Safe of Harmony. Nyx still couldn't believe what her mother had told her was in the box in the end.

“Now how may I help you— Ah Nyx! What brings you here today?” Rarity said in her posh voice. Nyx smiled upon seeing Rarity who she considered an honorary Aunt of sorts.

“Hi, Rarity. I was um… wondering if you… could um.. help me.” Rarity’s smile transformed into an expression of compassionate, almost motherly concern.

“Help? Well of course I will do my best to help you in anyway that I am able to. Tell me, what precisely do you need my assistance with Dear?” Rarity said.

Nyx shuffled her front right hoof. “I've been… having these… feelings.” Nyx blushed. Rarity smiled warmly.

“Come over here darling.” Rarity said. Rarity walked over and sat down on the model stand, patting a spot next to her for Nyx to sit on. Nyx trotted over to Rarity’s side.

“It’s weird, I keep feeling these strange sensations. Like parasprites in my stomach. My heart starts to race and my face feels really warm.” Nyx explained, as Rarity listened carefully.

Rarity smiled in growing realization of what Nyx was going through. “Oh Nyx. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you. All these new feelings, as strange and overwhelming as they may seem are completely normal. You're just growing up in a way.”

Nyx furrowed her brow at Rarity. “Growing up? How?”

Rarity smiled again, “Oh Nyx, isn't it obvious? The rapid heart beat. The sweats, the nervousness the rush of blood to the head.The parasprites in the tummy! All the symptoms!” Rarity sighed, a nostalgic, almost dreamy look on her face..

Nyx was confused by Rarity’s tone and reaction. “Umm..I really don’t know what you mean!” Nyx said.

Rarity smiled at Nyx’s obliviousness, “Why Nyx you're feeling something that many colts and fillies feel for the first time at your age.” Confusion remained etched upon Nyx’s face. “Darling, you are feeling the emotion of romantic love!”

Nyx blanched. “L-love?” she sputtered out, barely choking out each letter.

“Oh why yes Nyx! Love! Your rapid heartbeat, parasprites in the stomach. Oh it’s obvious! You have a crush! Daresay It might be the beginning of an actual Love affair! “ Rarity seemed so enchanted by it all that Nyx half expected Rarity to spontaneously lift off and float around the store like a bubble.

Rarity beamed at Nyx. “So tell me ... Who’s the lucky colt?”. Nyx suddenly found the texture of the floorboards really really interesting. She stared at the floor for some time.

Rarity stopped smiling. She looked at Nyx with a look that adults only use when they need to say something truly important to children, “Nyx, I would like you to know , that if this pony you are infatuated with is a filly then that is perfectly okay .”

Nyx was lost in thought, “Love? Am I- ‘Gulp’ -in love?”. A single tear rolled down Nyx’s cheek as she reminded herself of Snowdrop’s fate. To either remain stuck in limbo, or to pass on to her permanent place in the afterlife. Nyx trembled as she separated herself from Rarity.

Rarity was truly worried now, “Nyx? What’s wrong? You can tell me.”

“I am. I can’t deny it. I love her. I DO love her! I love her so much.” Nyx thought, a few small tears now rolling down her face. ”Her voice, her thoughts, everything about her makes me feel so warm, so whole.”

“Ra-Rarity? Could you p-please keep this a s-secret?” she said.

Rarity almost looked shocked. “Why of course Nyx! A true lady must never reveal another pony’s intimate feelings . You have my word. On my honor this stays between us. And us alone.”

Nyx nodded slightly. She pulled herself fully away from Rarity’s side and hopped off the model stand, albeit slightly trembling.

“ I want you to keep something else a secret as well” Nyx said softly, in a gasping voice that threatened to devolve into sobs. “Please, please don’t tell anyone, not even my mother, that I came to see you today.”

Rarity’s expressions were riding an emotional rollercoaster today, with her face now deathly worried about Nyx’s health. “Nyx! Whatever is the problem?!”.

Nyx stopped, “Please… Just leave it alone.” . And with that Nyx turned away from Rarity and bolted out of the the front door in a full gallop, leaving Rarity standing in a bewildered daze.

“Nyx!?” Rarity yelled in the distance. Nyx just ignored her and kept running.

“Why-Why-Why! Why love? Why her?” Nyx thought galloping blindly through the street.

“Hey!” yelled somepony she had almost ran into.

“Watch it!” yelled another. The more ponies around her the more she felt trapped. Nyx needed to get away. She started running head first through the crowd.

“Woah!”

“Holy-”

“What the-?”

“My Cabbages!”

Nyx finally left the crowded area. She looked up to see the library just 20 meters away. “I just want this to stop. I want it all to go away!”. Nyx rushed through the front door. The room was dark but Nyx didn’t care, it was better that way. Her tears were less visible that way. Nyx ran upstairs and threw herself on her bed, beginning to cry.

“Why! WHY! Why me? Love? Why did i have to fall in love with her? I just wanted to save her! I just wanted to keep her safe and protect her!” Nyx laid there and cried. She cried and cried and cried.

Her last statement got her thinking though. “But… But isn’t that the same in a way?” Nyx pulled herself up and sniffed up her tears for a second. “I wanted to keep her safe… to protect her… to make sure she was happy. Isn’t that what ponies do for those they love?”

Countless bedtime stories from the years before came to her mind. “Yeah... I guess it is.” Nyx hopped off the bed and slowly walked to the door and out to the staircase. She trotted down the stairs and looked at the mirror in the corner. “And even if I can’t…bewith her, I can still protect her! It is my duty isn’t it? What my Cutie Mark means? That I am to be the shield for the ponies I love? Even if they can’t love me back? Even if by protecting them, I send them on, away from me, to where I cannot follow? Yes.” Nyx mused to herself When you truly love someone, you place their happiness over your own.”Their happiness becomes your happiness” That is what mother says. I can't leave Snowdrop in that cold place. Alone. I have to help her!Nyx pulled a book off the shelf. “Even if it takes me the rest of my life I will save her!”

Nyx opened the book and began reading. “For Snowdrop.”

Chapter 6

I own nothing!

Nyx had failed. Not in helping Snowdrop. Just on finding out what a "Fruit of Harmony" is. She had stayed up all night trying to figure it out. Now it was Monday morning and the clock had just sang out 8 o'clock. Nyx groggily shifted in her bed.

"Five more minutes, mommy." She pulled her head from under her covers and looked at the clock. A look of horror grew from her face. "I'm late."

Nyx threw off her covers and jumped to the door. She slid down the handrails and landed on the bottom. "I'm late!" she screamed, grabbing her saddlebag and running out the door. "What are we even doing today?" she thought barreling down the street. She took a sharp turn by the bridge to the Carousel Boutique. "Oh right! We're taking a trip to Sweet Apple Acres!"

Nyx jetted past city hall. "Who organizes a field trip on a Monday?" Nyx approached the entrance to Sweet Apple Acres. In the distance stood the class with Mrs.Cheerilee as she looked down on a clipboard. "I can still make it!"

Nyx ran faster and faster until she was but a few meters behind the rest. In one final swoop, Nyx leaped and glided through the air for the final few steps.

" Nyx?" Cheerilee called out the attendance roll.

Nyx raised a hoof over the others. "Here!"

Cheerilee smiled and looked back down on the roster "Silver Spoon?" No pony raised a hoof or said anything. Cheerilee raised an eyebrow. "Diamond Tiara?" Again nothing. "Both Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara, not here?”

Whispers filled the group.

“I heard they were hiding at Sugar cube corner.”

“Well I heard they went into the everfree.”

“You're both wrong I heard they were cuddling by the library”

That last comment got the colt several stare’s. It also ended the whispering.

Back with Nyx, the CMC stood by her as she caught her breath. “Nyx!” Scootaloo whisper-yelled, “Where were you?”

“Slept. Late. Research.” she panted out. Nyx’s breathing regulated. “I’ve been trying to figure out this ‘Fruit of Harmony’ stuff.

“Fruit of Harmony?” asked Sweetie Belle.

“I don’t know much myself. It’s like it doesn’t even exist.”

“Maybe it don’t exist!” said Applebloom.

Nyx shook her head. “No, I’m sure it does. Even though I could only find 1 source on it, The pony who wrote the book was...trustworthy. There’s also too much detail on it.”

Cheerilee’s voice then suddenly cut through. “Attention! Attention everypony!”

“We’ll talk about this later” said Scootaloo

“Alright class! Today we are here at Sweet Apple Acres—”

“Where I’ live!” shouted Applebloom jumping into the air.

“Um. Yes, Home of Applebloom. We are here to learn about the growth patterns and autonomy of trees!” continued Cheerilee,

“Come along everypony. We’re going to start without—”

“Now wait just a darn-tootin second!” called a voice from inside the Orchard. An orange mare with a stenson walked up to the class.

“Now did a’ll think you’d start without me” said the mare. “Sorry for the holdup Mrs. Cheerilee, I had a problem with a little yellow bat.”

“It’s quite alright Applejack” said Cheerilee with a nod. She turned to the group, “Alright everypony. Let us explore the wonderful world of trees!”

In the back Nyx groaned slightly, “Well, there goes a whole day of research. At least i’m learning something.”

¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥

“This tree here is called Blossom Bloom” said Applejack. It had been a good 4 hours since the trip started. The entire time however was spent with Applejack rambling on the names and stories of Every. Single. Tree. The group was tired and thirsty and even Cheerilee’s resolve began to die out. Nyx hadn’t really enjoyed the trip. She just followed along and thought about the Fruit of Harmony. Granted her mind did fall on the subject of a certain blue filly once or twice.

“Now this here tree is named Blossom Forth. She is right in her ripening stage.” Applejack said patting the large tree, “This tree grew from a single seed from another tree named Bloomberg”

“Big Sis, I know you feel the need to tell us abou’ every escapade you had with every tree out here, bu’ you are boring the class to death” said Applebloom from the back. Nyx looked up and paid attention for some reason unknown to her.

Applejack frowned at Applebloom. “Like hush you, talking sass to your big' sis in front of your teacher!”

“Hey i’m only tellin’ the truth.” Applebloom called back.

“Girls could we please calm-”Cheerilee said trying to defuse the situation.

“Don’t you back talk me. Besides”-Applejack bucked Blossom Forth with her right hind leg, causing a single apple to fall out and land in Applejack’s hoof- ”How else is anypony gonna know about the fruit from this here tree?”

An idea hit Nyx like lightning. A small light bulb appeared above her ear. “Bingo.” she whispered. The connecting of dots filled Nyx’s head as she began to rethink the “Fruit of Harmony” issue. Finally she realized the full implications of the idea. “Oh. That’s a bad idea. Not even a bad one, a CRAZY one. But you know what they say. It’s so crazy it might just work.”

¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥

Nyx leaped through the front door of the library. The clock from upstairs could barely be heard, but it singing out 4 o’clock was distinguishable. Nyx didn't care for the time though.

“Mom said she’ll be back from meetings late tonightso this is the time to take my chance.” Nyx said grabbing a few books off the shelves and placing them in her saddlebag. “It’s been so obvious. A ‘Fruit of Harmony’! A normal fruit comes from a tree or bush. So a Fruit of Harmony would come from the Tree of Harmony!”

Nyx pulled on her saddle bag from the table and walked to the mirror. “I should probably see Snowdrop again before…” She turned back towards the room and looked over it one more time. “I really hope I can do this.”

Nyx charged up her horn and sent a small amount of magic into the skull engraving. She tapped her hoof on the mirror to check it’s... portal-ness. Nyx turned around again almost suspicious of her surroundings. When she was satisfied that the room was cleared she leaped straight through.

Unlike in her previous ventures to Limbo this one was quite different. The vortex surrounding her was blood red with black lightning shooting in random intervals. There was no brown pony with the blue box this time. Only these… creatures. They shot past Nyx at unbelievable speeds though a few chugged along more slowly. They were a pure white with deep black sockets where eyes should have gone. They were the creatures from Sombra’s book. Nyx was too shocked to react to the scene before her. A single spirit took notice of nyx and curled around her. Nyx however was too scared to speak, she could only look into it’s pure black eyes.

The creature looked at Nyx cocking its head, as if reading a confusing part of a book. The creature suddenly froze. A voice rang out from it’s empty holes. “Freeeee ussss.”

Almost instantly the other spirits took heed. “Freeee ussss.” said another. Then a third one joined. then a fourth. More and more adding to the mix. “Freeee ussss. Freeee ussss. Freeee usss”

“NO! Stop! Help me! Anyone!” Nyx finally yelled. the spirits continued.

“Freeee ussss. Freeee ussss. FREEEE USSS!” the spirits chanted.

Unbeknownst to the spirits and Nyx, Nyx’s horn began to spark an light opal color. Nyx covered her face with her hooves. “No! Leave me alon-”

Nyx stopped mid sentence. Her hooves lowered as she opened her eyes revealing that they now glowed a stark white. Nyx wings shot up from behind her as her Cutie mark began to glow. “I. Said. Leave. Me. ALONE!” A blast of light from Nyx’s horn blasted out banishing the spirits in the process. When all the spirits had disappeared Nyx’s energy began to die down. Her eyes returned to normal and her Cutie mark stopped glowing. When the remainder of the power died down Nyx untensed.

“Ugh… What happened?” Nyx opened her eyes and looked around. “What? Who…” Nyx turned towards the direction she was traveling. “I better keep going…”. The flow of the vortex carried Nyx onward.

¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥

The endless darkness of limbo was broken for several seconds as a large crimson flash shone through it. When the ominous light dimmed down, a large portal took it’s place. Despite Nyx’s tiredness she trudged on and viewed her surroundings. Nyx turned to see Snowdrop some distance away, around 40 meters. Nyx smiled.

“Hey! Snowdrop!” Nyx called. Snowdrop didn’t move. Nyx began to worry. “What’s wrong with her?” Nyx began the tedious process of flailing her way to Snowdrop. After all the times before, however, this time it was much easier. Nyx floated behind Snowdrop and observed her. She wasn’t disheveled or messy. She wasn’t crying or laughing, she was just… there. Her back was turned towards from Nyx as she laid there in silence.

“Uh… Snowdrop?” Nyx said. Snowdrop didn’t move. “Snowdrop?” she said again lightly shaking her. “Come on Snowdrop, Wake up!” she said shaking her more heavily. Nyx moved to the other side and took at look at her face. Snowdrop’s face was drawing a blank. She just stared into the void. She was breathing slowly but steadily.

“Leave.”

Nyx was shocked. “What?” Snowdrop turned away from Nyx. Nyx began to turn to her face again but Snowdrop just moved gain. Nyx sighed. “Snowdrop what happened?”.

A long silence followed. “Three weeks.”

“What?” Nyx said not understanding. Snowdrop turned her head to her slightly.

“Three weeks. You’ve been gone for three weeks!” Snowdrop said beginning to yell. “All these 3 weeks I wondered where you were!” Nyx couldn’t respond.

“All the time before was bad.” - Snowdrop turned fully to Nyx - “But when you came and left it was much worse. Like it was just another trick!” - Snowdrop began to fall into tears - “I’ve never felt more alone! I couldn’t take it anymore! I only felt whole when you were here. I felt like every time you left a piece of me was being ripped out!” Snowdrop was fully crying now her eyes shut tight.

“I did this.” Nyx thought in realization. “I did this to her. I didn't mean to but I did. But I’ve got to fix this” Nyx got closer to Snowdrop and tried wrapping her hooves around her in a hug.

Snowdrop pushed her away. “Please just go.”

Nyx couldn’t just stop. This time she forced her hooves onto her shoulders. She wrapped her legs around her sides and hugged her weakly. “Please don’t cry. Please.” She pleaded weakly. “I don’t want to see you hurt like this, I can’t stand it..”

Snowdrop’s tears didn’t stop however.

“Please stop crying. Every time you cry I can’t handle it. It’s like someone is tearing out a piece of me! Please. Don’t cry.”

Snowdrop’s tears continued for a few more seconds before they stopped. Snowdrop looked up into Nyx’s eyes, a slight blush on her face. “R-really? You-you feel the same way? ”

Nyx didn’t even take a second to respond, “Yes! I can’t stand it when you cry. It’s like everything doesn’t even matter. I promise I’ll help you get out soon.”

Snowdrop smiled weakly before nuzzling her head into Nyx’s chest. “T-thank you. Don’t ever leave me for that long.”

Nyx thought for several seconds. “I promise Snowdrop. I promise I’ll get you out of here too.” Nyx separated herself from Snowdrop. “And I think I figured out the way how.” Nyx turned away from Snowdrop and fished through her saddle bag before pulling out the small book from earlier. “I found this book. It’s about this place!”

Snowdrop looked, interested in the small book. “What does it say”

Nyx carefully skipping to the third page making sure not to see some of the ‘Not safe for fillies’ content. “According to this line” - Nyx pointed the line in question - “Spirits from limbo can be freed with help from an immortal and something called a ‘Fruit of Harmony’. If I can get one of these Fruits I can free you!”

Snowdrop looked extra excited. “Really?!” she cheered flying slightly into the air. “This is great! I can finally leave!- Wait! What about an immortal part?”

“Forgetting something?” Nyx said flapping her wings and smiling.

Snowdrop giggled, “Oh yeah.”

Nyx’s smile disappeared for a second. “Snowdrop… This means that i have to go again. I’ll be able to get you back next time but for you I'm not sure how long it’ll be.”

Snowdrop’s smile shrunk slightly. “It’s okay. I think I can handle it this time. I know this time that you're trying your best to save me. To help me” Snowdrop nuzzled up to Nyx causing Nyx to blush. “Just… Don’t take as long.” Snowdrop was fully cuddling now.

Nyx just laid there not caring. “I think I’ll… stay for the night,” she said. Snowdrop smiled with her eyes closed.

“Good night.”

“Good night, Dear Nyx”

Chapter 7

I own nothing!

Far up in the mountains stood Canterlot Castle. It was late afternoon and the sun would set soon. Through the chaos of daily life in the Canterlot Castle, like the daily rants of Prince Blueblood or one of Discords many shenanigans, there in the center slept the princess of the night, Luna. But today she wasn’t having the best of sleep. She turned and flipped in her bed. She, the Princess of the night and dreams was having a nightmare.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There was nothing but Fog. Black, black fog. Luna stumbled through the chaotic void in confusion. Occasionally a silent strike of lightning would break the darkness.

“What is this place?” she asked herself. Luna attempted to fly but failed spectacularly. She rubbed her head from the fall and took a look around. “Hello?!” she called out. A few silent moments past.

“Heheheheha!” A deep laugh reverberated through the thick fog.

Luna turned around frantically. “Who goes there!?”

The laughing died down. A voice however filled its place. “Oh, I think you know whoI am.” the voice said.

Luna turned around to the source of the voice. Lo and behold, there stood an alicorn. This alicorn was as tall as Luna, with black fur and dark blue armor. It was someone Luna knew very well.

“Nightmare Moon?!” Luna exclaimed charging her horn in anger. “Why are you here!?”

Nightmare Moon maniacally giggled. “Oh Luna did you think I would face you without proper means of protection?” she said tauntingly. A strand of Nightmare Moon’s hair pulled something from the Darkness. It was a small blue filly. It was someone precious to Luna’s past. Snowdrop. “Now, why don't we all calm down, Lulu”

Luna dissipated her horns charge. She looked over to the form of Snowdrop. She was conscious, but just barely. She was desperately trying to push away the tight grip of Nightmare Moon. “So you are the disturbance I have felt!” Luna yelled. “Disturbing the souls of the dead? Ones who should have gone on to the Fields?”

Nightmare Moon smirked. “What? Me? No no little Lulu, this is far from my doing.” She said tauntingly. “I just wanted to show you” - Nightmare Moon carried Snowdrop forwards - “The one pony you hurt the most. The one that you abandoned. The one that’s been tortured every day since then.”

Snowdrop coughed several times, “Luna… Help. Me,”

“So what do you have to say-?”

Nightmare Moon was interrupted by a large flash of light and noise. While Nightmare Moon had given her victory ramble Luna had grown extremely angry. Now she had let loose, Royal Canterlot Voice style.

“YOU DARE COME UPON MY DOMAIN? IN A REALM OF MY CONTROL!” Luna screamed rising from her spot on the ground. Nightmare Moon stood there in shock of Luna’s outburst. “I HAVE BEEN TORTURED ENOUGH BY YOUR EVIL, BY YOUR LEGACY! NOW IS THE TIME I TAKE BACK MY PLACE! WHERE I AM GOD!”

A large sphere of black and white energy grew above Luna’s horn. In one huge sweeping motion she blasted the sphere towards Nightmare Moon. At that point Nightmare Moon broke from her shock induced trance and lifted a shield, her face still filled with the expression of confusion at Luna’s outburst. When the blast however reached the shield it didn't stop dead in its tracks and dissipate, instead it continued to push against the large shield. Cracks then began to form in her defense.

“No.” Nightmare Moon called out frantically. The shield then gave in fully. “NNNOOOO!”

Luna’s blast vaporized Nightmare Moon instantly, leaving nothing. Not even the armor remained. Luna wiped a bit of sweat off her brow before walking over to where the Nightmare had stood. In the crater however laid the form of Snowdrop. Luna ran to her side and attempted tend to her. Luna knelt by her side and carefully attempted to pick her up.

“Dear Snowdrop, please don’t go.” Luna cooed.

The form of Snowdrop attempted to croak out words. “Th-th-than” At that point Snowdrop stopped. Her breathing ceased and her eyes closed. Luna could only stare as it happened.

“Please! Don’t go, Snowdrop! You can’t die again! Don’t go!” Luna screamed. Tears dripped from her eyes and fell to ground. “P-please. Don’t go. N-not again.”

¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥

Operation Harmony Fruit was officially in action. After the mandatory… cuddle, Nyx had left the sleepy filly for the day. When she finally got to the portal, she was transported home and saw only five minutes had past. With her things packed she strung her saddle bag on her back and began her journey. Nyx snuck out of the library and towards the Everfree. After sneaking past Sugarcube Corner she sprinted towards the entrance to the Everfree. There she stood by Fluttershy’s Cottage. She didn’t need to worry about Fluttershy; she was at Canterlot helping Discord with another infection of Green skin disease.

"Well, here we go, I guess this is it." Nyx thought to herself. Her mind was racing through a maze of conflicting emotions. Hope, fear, anxiety, and determination. She had a feeling of apprehension for the dangers that were an unfortunate part of the journey into the Everfree. And the ever approaching bittersweet realization that the closer she got to freeing Snowdrop, the closer Snowdrop’s departure from Nyx's life approached. It was amazing how quickly Snowdrop had become such a large part of her life. And now, if she succeeded, she would have to send Snowdrop onto the Fields. Where Immortals like Nyx could not follow.

A common misconception is that Immortals had conquered death, tamed it. But instead the reverse is true. Immortals themselves were controlled by death. For while two mortals who fall in love may be assured that one day they shall be reunited in the Fields, an immortal has a far worse heartache. Trapped in the temporary and secular world of Equestria, Immortals could hold very few ponies dear. For if an Immortal fell in love with a mortal, the mortal’s death became a final separation. Immortals hadn’t conquered death, They simply let death take everyone else. Despite this Nyx had a duty. She promised herself that she would protect ponies, Especially ones she loved. Nyx readied herself. "This will be far from easy. But hopefully everything goes according to plan."” Nyx began to walk into the entrance of the Everfree.

The foliage had begun to calm down over the years, beginning to return to the standard in Equestria. Celestia had said it was the effect of the Tree of Harmony starting to take back the forest.

“Maybe the forest will become safe in a few years.” Nyx thought walking through the path. The sun was slowly dipping under the tree horizon, It would probably only be up for another half an hour.

Nyx walked for some time before reaching a divide in the road. To the right lead to Zecora’s while the left led onwards.

A low rumbling began however, shaking the ground violently, almost causing Nyx to fall over. “What the hay is going!?” Nyx exclaimed. The rumbling soon stopped. She looked through the foliage above but saw no sign of where the mini-earthquake had come from. When no aftershock came, Nyx breathed a sigh of relief. “What was that?” she thought, “There’s something out here. Something different. Random earthquakes aren't exactly part of the Everfree.” Nyx considered heading back, but then she remembered what she was here for, who she was here for. Nyx trudged on. She hoped this would go better than it started.

¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥

Nyx had trudged for a good hour through the Everfree. The sun had already set so the only light in the forest was Nyx’s horn. Passing the sludge lake was a bit hard, with that alligator skeleton in the way and all. The deeper and deeper Nyx walked into the forest the creepier and more dangerous it got. Soon Nyx had reached an area where nearly all the trees were black and covered in thorns.

“What’s wrong with these trees?” Nyx asked herself rubbing her hoof against the bark with its rubber like qualities. A rustling from behind caught Nyx’s attention. When she turned to the source however nothing was there. Another rustling made Nyx turn the opposite way. Again nothing. When she began to walk again however she tripped over something. Nyx turned her head to see vines beginning to wrap around her hooves. She attempted to kick them off but then they tightened around her hind and front legs. “Hey! Let me go!”

The vines however ignored her and proceeded to lift her off the ground, legs up. Nyx pulled against the vines but they were too strong. Nyx stopped struggled and further observed the vines. There black and tough with metal like thorns all over them. Nyx gasped as she realized what the vines were.

“Plunder vines?!” she exclaimed. Several more vines from the sides of the pathway began to move. “What are these doing here?” Several more vines came from the path and wrapped around her torso, their thorns digging into her side. Nyx attempted to charge up her horn but other vines came in and broke her concentration by wrapping around her horn. More and more vines began to wrap around Nyx before her body was almost unviewable. Underneath the vines, Nyx’s mind was racing. “Where did Plunder vines come from?! Those were destroyed over a year ago!” The vines began to pull tighter choking Nyx.

“These things are- Gagh! - choking me” She thought, “I need to get out of -Ack!- this! If I die nopony can save -Geh! - SNOWDROP!” with that last thought a small portion of Nyx’s magic bursted out and weakened the vines’ grip. Nyx proceeded to use her hoof to push up against the wall of the cocoon that had formed. “I won’t be done here. I’m got to finish this!”

Nyx’s horn charged up and sent a small opal blast of energy towards the one side of the small, but like a strong magic pen laser on paper it only helped to cause a bit of smoke to form. “A simple energy beam, it’s got to work. Come on…” Nyx’s beam grew in power as a small light filled the chamber. Nyx ignored this however and after a few second successfully cut through vines.

“Yes!” she exclaimed. Nyx began turning her head causing the beam to cut other parts of the vine. When the beam had cut a majority of the vines that entangled Nyx she sent a small blast to blow off the top of the cocoon. Nyx proceeded to squirm out of the entanglement and to pop out. The moment she was free she shakily took to the air.

Nyx had often said she needed proper flying lessons, she wasn’t joking earlier, she was a bad flyer. As Nightmare Moon she had flown well enough but that knowledge left her along with all of Moon’s power. Almost immediately she collided with tree nearest to the vines. Nyx in a leap of fear glided to the next tree over and then the next. She looked back to see the vines slowly begin to crawl back into the forest. Waiting for their next victim.

“I’ll deal with that later. Right now I gotta continue on.” Nyx glided to the ground and continued on walking, what she hadn’t noticed is that her Cutie mark at that point has stopped glowing.

¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥

Nyx was beginning to worry. It had been hours and she still wasn’t close to the Tree of Harmony. “The tree is right behind the old castle! It took like, half an hour for me and mom to get there when we went to research the Safe of Harmony!” She exclaimed stopping in her tracks. Nyx fell back on her haunches and sighed. “A single path and I still get lost. That’s got to be a record. “

Nyx sat there for a few minutes and contemplated her situation. She was currently in the extremely dangerous Everfree forest in an attempt to retrieve a fruit from a magic tree to save a filly that’s been dead for over a thousand years while having to deal with her growing crush on said filly.

“Yup. Sounds just as crazy inside as it is outside” she said. A low buzzing began to enter the hearing range of Nyx’s ears. Nyx lifted her head and turned to the left and right. Nothing. The buzzing began to increase in volume. Nyx stood up and looked all around for the source of the noise. It was if it were omnipresent. Nyx attempted to ignore the noise, but soon it reached an irritating level. She pulled out two books from her bag and attempted to cover her ears but it was useless. Finally Nyx succeeded in a weak shield spell providing some protection from the noise. Nyx looked around again and still didn't see the source of the noise.

“What the hay is that?!” She questioned. Nyx couldn't answer her question as the earthquake from earlier returned. This time in full force knocking Nyx to the ground. When the shaking stopped, Nyx opened her eyes to the sight something over the tree line. Over in the distance a large multi-colored mass stood. The source of noise.

“Parasprites?!” she shouted, “What are all these parasprites doing here!” Nyx diverted from the path and shot through the tree line. About forty feet in, Nyx reached a large clearing. A swarm of parasprites towered over her, nearly 20 feet tall. The clearing was filled with a few half eaten tree stumps and the occasional fish carcass. “What’s going on with the parasprites? Why are there so many of them? Don’t they have any predators?”

Before Nyx could continue asking these inquiring questions, however, a small group of the bugs broke away from the group. There were a good thirty of them. The parasprites began to dive bomb towards Nyx, luckily she noticed and ran away just in time. “Gah!” - Nyx began running in the opposite direction - “I gotta get out of here before I become bug food!”

Nyx bolted back into the tree line taking a sharp turn to the right before entering causing the parasprites to be lodged into a tree trunk. Nyx skidded to a stop. She slowly sneaked back to the tree line and observed the giant swarm. The congregation of them was so thick that Nyx couldn't even see to the other side of it. The hundreds of colours were almost psychedelic in nature.

“I can’t just leave these here. If they head towards Ponyville it could be a disaster!“ she thought, “But what could I do? It’s not like I have a marching band in my bag, and I can’t just run in and disperse them, they’ll turn me into a late night snack!”

Nyx observed the swarm before an idea came to her, “Maybe I don’t have to run in to disperse them. Maybe I can just scare them.” Nyx charged up her horn and sent a small blast into the swarm. The blast exploded midair and sent out a loud boom and shockwave. A few parasprites flew off but most ignored the loud noise. Nyx growled in frustration before sending out several other blasts into the swarm. Nothing. “What could keep those things here after a Clever Combustion spell? Those things are used as fireworks!” Nyx thought. “Maybe I can distract them?” Nyx ran out of the woods and began waving a hoof in the air. “Hey! Dumb bugs! Bet you can’t catch me!” She yelled before running towards the trees.

Several dozen of the bugs took heed and separated from the group. “It’s not a lot, but it’s a start.” Nyx thought. Nyx stopped just short of the trees and quickly turned towards the stampede of bugs. Nyx charged up her horn sent another ‘Clever Combustion’ beam towards the parasprites. The cloud of bugs however opened an opening for the beam to pass through harmlessly.

“Oh, Horse-apples!” Nyx called before running head first into the forest. The small swarm elected to return to the large group. Nyx peaked her head out of a bush to view the swarm. “Well, that was pointless!” Nyx thought, “Why can’t these things just teleport away!” A spark of inspiration hit Nyx. “Teleport! That’s it! I’ll just teleport the parasprites—wait… I’ve never teleported before.”

Nyx looked up at the huge swarm. She furrowed her brow. “Even then I've got to try.” she thought with determination. Nyx climbed from the bush and stood in front of the swarm. “All right just do what the books say”, Nyx searched her mind for what she had read up on teleportation spells, “Alright, there are three main types of Teleportation spells. Clover the Clever’s version is a level three spell and is the easiest but it can only teleport me, so that no good. Gandhay’s version only level two but is impossible without an Arcane construct on the other side, so unless I dump these things on Canterlot, that won’t work either. All I've got left is Dumblehooves’ version, It’s a level six spell with two subclass spells so it’s the hardest one, but that’s all I can do” Nyx widened her legs and let a small amount of raw magic into her horn.

“Step 1. Concentrate on your destination. My old castle is good, there’s nothing there for these things to eat so they should just disperse. Step 2. Concentrate on your target.” Nyx store strainingly at the swarm, attempting to capture each detail. “Alright that g-good. Step 3. Use your magic to force the objects to be moved together.” Nyx closed her mind and began straining her magic. A small aura began to form around the swarm. However as soon as the aura formed, it vanished in a pop. Nyx collapsed to the ground panting heavily in tiredness. “No good” she thought. Nyx stood up, albeit shakingly. “Come on I've got to do this.”

“Step 1. Concentrate on where you want to go.” The old Nightmare castle appeared to Nyx’s mind.

“Step 2. Concentrate on what’s gonna teleport.” The swarm’s image stood in the Nyx’s mind.

“Step 3.Use your magic to push them together.” Nyx began to feel extreme exhaustion as her aura much stronger this time began to section off the swarm into different bubbles.

“Yes!” she thought. Unfortunately at this point her concentration was broken and the aura collapsed before tearing apart, leaving only a few pieces of magic fabric that quickly dissolved. At that point Nyx collapsed on her side in exhaustion. “Why -pant- won’t -pant- it -pant- work!” Nyx said exasperated. Nyx head was spinning in pain. Images of the destruction caused by parasprites spun with garbled memories.

The bush she was born in. Her first day of school. Saving her mom from death. Hearth Warming in Canterlot. The mirror to Limbo. Snowdrop.

“I know this time that you're trying your best…” The voice of Snowdrop rang through Nyx’s mind, “...to save me. To help me.”

Meeting Snowdrop. Bringing her to the portal. Nyx’s visits. The times Nyx comforted her. The nights together.

“It-it’s g-got to w-work” Nyx said slowly getting to her hooves. Her exhaustion was explicitly obvious; it showed in the way she stood up. Her legs wobbled worse then Pinkie on a sugar high. “It’s g-got to. I've g-got to try!”

Nyx stood tall, steadying herself, and closed her eyes tight. The world fell silent, leaving Nyx to her thoughts.

“Concentrate on your destination”, a crystal clear image of the castle appeared to Nyx.

“Concentrate onthe objects to be moved”, the swarm stood silent in her mind. A dim light shined through her eyes lids. Nyx ignored it.

“Force them together with magic…” With that thought Nyx opened her eyes to view her work. The swarm was contained in a deep opal aura, that segmented cutting off each part of the swarm from the other. The dim light from seconds ago began to glow brighter but Nyx continued to ignore it.

“Finally, use your magic to push the targetto the destination.” A section of swarm disappeared in a flash of opal. Then another. Soon two or three of them began to disappear. Finally only one section remained. It contained a single small parasprite that had a look of confusion on its face. Before it could say ‘buzz’ the bug disappeared in a flash. “Y-yes.” Nyx thought before she began to stumble to her right side. She was panting heavily and had a pounding pain in her horn. After a few moments Nyx noticed something. A glowing.

“W-what?” Nyx turned to her flank. There she saw her Cutie mark. Glowing. It gave off an opal glow in a strong shine. The light seemed to dance up and down like the Crystal Empire’s Aurora Borealis. “What’s going on? Why is my C-cutie mark glowing? Didn’t I see this earlier! At the vines!” Before Nyx could finish thinking, her Cutie mark stopped glowing. It was if all the light had been sucked in by a miniature black hole.

“W-what!?” Nyx wheezed, tapping her flank repeatedly, in an attempt to get it started again. “This is just getting crazy! Glowing Cutie marks and random earthquakes! Did Discord go sleep chaos-ing!” Nyx turned her head forward again. However she probably shouldn’t have. Where the parasprites had been, all there remained was a bloody mess. And not in the Trottingham manner. There in that forest clearing was the rotten and half eaten corpse of a manticore. It was bloody and had most of its limbs missing but it was definitely a Manticore. Unless of course a dragon, a lion, and a giant scorpion, all died in the same spot in the forest. “Ugh—I’m going to be sick.”

Nyx turned her head to view the rest of the clearing. It was mostly empty with only a few bushes rustling in the wind. When the wind stopped however, the bushes continued to shake lightly. A few small forms began to exit out from the bushes’ edge. Nyx was startled by the sudden movement and charged up her horn, although her magic was very weak. When the creatures fully crawled out however, Nyx lowered the charge of her horn. It was just a few forest animals. A few rabbits, some mice, and even a squirrel. Despite a look of fear on their faces Nyx could see one emotion. Loss. The message they transmitted was clear.

“This… This was where your home was? Wasn’t it?” Nyx said weakly. The animals stood there frozen although a few nodded slowly, it was like they understood her. “Well we can’t have that! Can we?!” Nyx turned to the half eaten manticore. A small weak and puttering charge surrounded her horn. “Alright transmutation spells, transmutation spells, what do I know! We have Star Swirl’s Degree six transmutation ruins. Those won’t work without chalk or the ruin design. We’ve got Dr. Sidrat’s Level one Transmutation Jujitsu. I need fingers for that so… yeah. Oh! Tier Xi’s Level three Thaumaturgic Transmutation! That’ll work. That’s going to take a bit more out of me though…” Nyx looked over to the animals by the bushes, with their deep dark eyes and helpless expressions. “Ugh… The things I do for love.” A small beam of white and green energy shot from Nyx’s horn. The beam split into its two individual colors and began to intertwine the corpse. Slowly the Manticore corpse began to morph and change, soon it seemed to begin to blend in with the ground itself. When Nyx’s horn energy cut out the corpse was gone. All that remained was a large lump in the ground with a few rocks and a log next to it. Nyx fell back on her haunches panting as the few animals cheerfully ran up to their new home. “I c-can’t k-keep doing this. I’m g-going to c-cause myself to p-pass out. What’s next! Am I gonna fight a d-dragon!”

No sooner did Nyx finish that thought before the ground began to shake again. The animals ran into the log Nyx had transmutated for protection. This time the earth shook far more violently. “N-n-n-Not a-a-a-again!” Nyx yelled. The violent shaking threw Nyx to the ground. Nyx closed her eyes tight and placed her hooves over her head in defense. Nyx heard several branches fall to ground. And even a tree or two. When the shaking stopped Nyx slowly got up. She removed her hooves from her head and sat up on her haunches. Finally Nyx opened her eyes and surveyed the damage. A few trees had been uprooted and debris was everywhere. A looming shape was evident over the tree tops. It was a deep blue shape, almost unnoticeable if not for the several glowing spots on the shape’s body.

“Wait… Large, Blue, Glowing spots. That can’t be… No, It can’t-” Nyx’s frantic chain of thoughts was cut off however by a short tremor only lasting a second or two. The shape by the tree tops began to move. It began to change shape. No, it began to rise. The form stood up, slowly and groggily, but fast enough so it remained intimidating. Piles of dirt and dust slid down the form’s back as if it were partially underground. Two appendages, arms, rose from the creatures sides and stretched out. Finally a head moved up slowly, smacking its lips in sleepiness. The creature’s identity was now obvious.

“A-an U-ursa M-major” Nyx breathed out in fear. She feared it would be her last.

Chapter 8: Kinda Valentine's Day Special

I only nothing

“Ursa. Ursa. Ursa. It’s an Ursa. Ursa Major. I’m dead. Snowdrop’s dead. But she’s alive-dead. I’m dead-dead. Absolutely dead. Dead to the point that I’ve died, came back, and died again.” Nyx’s thought process wasn’t exactly on the most positive note. It probably shouldn’t be. Facing down a 165 yard tall space bear with little to no magic due to mass teleportation is reason to be unoptimistic. The Ursa stuck it’s nose in the air and sniffed in several times. Mid-sniff however the Ursa paused, stopping to take in a long deep breath. When the Ursa finished it turned towards the clearing that Nyx stood. The Ursa stared directly at Nyx’s body. “Maybe… Maybe it’ll ignore me?

The opened it’s mouth and roared, “GRAAAAAGGGHHHHHH!!!”

“Guess not!” Nyx turned away and tried to run but stumbled in exhaustion. She lifted her self and trudged quickly to the treeline opposite the Ursa. Just in time however did the Ursa swung it’s claw and cut the tree next to where Nyx had stood leaving a splintered tree stump. “The Ursa must have killed that Manticore! It certainly could’ve done it!”

Nyx rounded a corner as the Ursa barreled through the trees. Dozens of trees began to fall and separate as the monster chased the small black filly. Nyx looked around and saw a hole in the ground. “Left by some animal probably.” Nyx took no leisure diving into the opening. Nyx panted heavily as the Ursa caught up and stopped by where she had hidden. The Ursa raised it’s head and let out a loud roar in frustration.

Nyx tried to silence her panting. “I’ve-Got-To-Stop-This-Thing-From-Chasing-ME!”She thought. Nyx attempted to charge up her horn but to no avail. “C-come on…” Nyx tried again this time a small spark being let out. The effort, however, caused Nyx to cough up blood in a small amount. A small drop of blood remained on the side of her lips. “T-that’s no g-good. I can’t c-cast any magic. T-there’s nothing I c-can do.”

The Ursa outside let out another loud roar of anger. It swiped it’s arm and knocked down over a dozen more trees. “GRRRROOOOAAARRRRR!!!”

“It’s only a matter of time before that thing finds me. Immortal or not, I won’t survive being eaten alive.” The ground shook violently with each step the Ursa took. “At least I know where the earthquakes were coming from.”

Several more steps followed, “Am I doomed? There’s no way I can fight that thing. I can’t teleport and I can’t sneak away, it’ll smell me from kilometer away!” The Ursa looked dangerously close to where Nyx hid. “I give up!I’m stuck here until it finds me. I’m doomed. Snowdrop’s going to be locked away forever.” The thought of Snowdrop made Nyx cringe.“Why’d I even come here! What? So I could be her knight in shining armor?” Several second passed “So I could be close to her... But now, thanks to mybig plans, I’m stuck in the middle of the Everfree forest with a Hoofball field and a halftall monster looking to make me It’s late night snack!” Nyx’s tired body slumped in exhaustion and loss of purpose.

“I should just wait here… If I’m lucky it’ll b-bite me in the head first.” Nyx laid against the dirt floor. Her head clear now. No thoughts, no regrets, just the feeling of relief. Relief that it’s finally going to be over. This roller coaster of emotions and challenges. and just as Nyx fell fully into her hole of despair a small thought creeped into her mind.

“I think it’s time I stopped… c-crying”

“What?” Nyx said looking around.

“Are you related to the princesses?”

Nyx’s first meeting with Snowdrop began to play in her head.

“Why do you do that?”

Nyx turned her head towards Snowdrop. “Do what?”

She giggled again this time causing Nyx to blush. “Talking to yourself.”

Nyx remembered that moment, It was one of the first time’s her feeling began to be planted, soon growing to love she felt now. More fragments began to pour in.

“So where do you come from Nyx?”

Nyx hesitated for a second. “I was raised in Ponyville.”

More memoried began to pour into Nyx’s mind, as if to remind her what she had lost. “No…” Nyx said, “Not what I lost. These are… What I’m going to lose… What I’m going to lose if I give up!”

A final memory waltzed into Nyx’s mind.

“I know this time that you're trying your best to save me. To help me.”

“I have to k-keep going.” She said weakly. Nyx shakily stood up on all four hooves. She wiped the blood from her mouth and climbed from the hole. She looked up and saw the large Ursa looking the other way.

“Because there’s one magic that more powerful than anything. More potent than Chaos and more amorphous than changeling magic.” The Ursa turned around and eyed Nyx. It let out a loud roar.

"GRRROOOAARRR!”

“And that magic! Is the Magic of love!” Nyx took a quick sprint at a 45 degree angle of the ursa. As soon as Nyx had ran, the Ursa took off after her, Thankfully the trees slowed it down.

Nyx rounded a corner losing Ursa as she sprinted through. Her running was cut short however as she tripped on a large hard object. Nyx got up to see where she had over a large flat rock. A small cut was present on her back hoof, with a small spatter of blood on the edge. Nyx began to trudge again, but stopped after a few feet. A small idea came to Nyx. She ran back to the large rock and observed it’s characteristics. It was large and flat, and was dry enough to draw on it.

“Perfect” She thought. Nyx lifted a hoof and wiped the blood from her mouth. A streak later and Nyx was confident in her ability to draw rune. Rune Magic wasn’t exactly Nyx’s forte. It required a small amount of magic but unless you memorized the whole process you just carried around a big book of runes to draw. Thankfully during her time as Nightmare Moon, Spell Nexus had looked into the subject. The common marker in these spells was chalk, blood however was an worthier substitute.

A large circle was contained in a slightly smaller circle, with a large heart shape taking up the entire space. Lines crist and crossed along the empty spaces with a large diamond shape in the middle. Markers dotted the space in between the two circles. Nyx cringed several times as she wiped her hind legs of blood to use. The Ursa was trashing and rampaging over in the distance, Nyx knew however that it was a matter of time before came back around; Since it was in the direction of Ponyville Nyx couldn’t run. New marks filled the the border of the circles, a final mark was placed in the bottom underneath the star. Finally the circle was done. Nyx wiped a bit of sweat off her brow. Just in time too, for the Ursa had made it close to Nyx at that point. Nyx rose up her head and began charging up her horn. Her horn sputtered in resistance forcing Nyx to stop and cough up more blood.

“Come on…” Nyx thought attempt to charge her horn again. “Work. Work.” After several seconds her horn sputtered to life, albeit very weakly. “Yes!” Nyx called almost hopping into the air.

Just as Nyx said that The Ursa turned in her direction following the path of the noise. Nyx took heed of this and sent a charge into the star in the center. Slowly the symbol began to shine weakly in the center slowly spreading towards the edge. Just as the Ursa came across the tree line the Rune exploded in a blast of light. Nyx closed her eyes and covered her head. After several seconds a new sound called Nyx from her protected state. It was Breathing. Nyx uncovered her head and looked at the scene around her. Rather than being on the ground about to become Ursa chow, Nyx was in the Air. Nyx looked across to see a large and annoyed Ursa standing on it’s hind legs. Nyx looked where she was and realized where she was. She wasn’t flying, she was standing.

Nyx was standing on a giant Ursa shoulder. This Ursa was only about 135 yrd tall and was a far paler shade of purple. It was still just as fierce. The Ursa Nyx was on had another quality; A large pink bow was sitting on her Ursa’s head, It’s lips were also a slightly redder shade. Nyx had summoned a physical illusion of a Female Ursa.

“Whoa!” Nyx called out, amazed at her work. This Ursa was shorter, paler, and looked scrawny and sick. It was still an Ursa. Nyx lifted and Ursa to try to touch the Ursa’s neck, her hoof however simply passed through. “It’s only partially Physical.” Nyx said. She looked down the Ursa’s arm to look at it’s fists, “Hopefully it’s Physical in other parts too.”

The other Ursa was twiddling his fingers all this time. It stood opposite the Female Ursa staring it down, his eyes like a predator, ready to kill. Nyx face-hoofed in realization, “Ursa’s are territorial creatures! And now I’ve made an illusion of another right in front of it!”

The Male Ursa got down on all fours and growled in anger. To Nyx’s surprise her Ursa braced itself and began to growl itself.

“Whoa!” Nyx thought being pushed and moved across her Ursa’s shoulder as it moved. “Calm down Ursy! Heel!”

The Ursa took no heed and lowered herself into a crouched position. Nyx looked down the Ursa’s back and took her chance, jumping off and sliding down the Female Ursa’s back. Nyx slid down until she landed in the top of a tree. The two Ursa stared each other down in hatred. The Male Ursa scratched the ground with a paw while the Female brought her arms to where them where just above her sides. Several more seconds of growling exploded into conflict as the Male began to charge towards the Female Ursa. The Female braced herself for impact. The Male lept at the 100 yrd mark and flew to attempt to collide with the Female. The Female was startled as the Male lept forward, almost in slow motion. Several milliseconds of cold fear and adrenaline lead the Female to close her eyes, bracing for the collision. The seconds passed and no collision happened. The Female Ursa opened a signal eye and looked around, The Male Ursa had vanished. After opening the second eye the adrenaline left her system and she noticed a feeling in her stomach. She looked down and saw the Male bear lovingly wrapping her arms around her waist. You could practically see the hearts leaving his head.

“Yes!” yelled the small voice of Nyx, drowned out in the purrs of affection. Nyx was waving her hooves in celeration in the tree she had landed. The idea had gone according to plan. "The Male Ursa was completely dealt with, now all I’ve got to do is sneak-”

“GRRROOAAARRRR!” The Female Ursa roared in anger. This didn’t cause the Male to flinch. The Female grabbed onto the Male by her neck fur and lifted him into air. The Male was too infatuated to care. In one sweeping motion the Female swung a fist straight into The Male’s face throwing him back several hundred feet. Dozens of Trees were crushed in the collision, a dirt crater stood with the Male Ursa’s Body. The Male lifted itself up a look of confusion on his face. He began to trudge back but was caught in surprise by the Female rushing in to nail him in the gut causing him to crash into a cliff face. The Male growled in anger this time pulling himself from the rocky edge.

“RRRROOOOAAARRRR!” It roared back its arms reared back. The Male began rushing towards the Female as she braced from impact. The two collided in spectacular display of debris as the Female kicked up dirt from being pushing into the ground. The two were gripping hand as they pushed against each other the Male slowly winning due to the size advantage. The Female however was smarter as it quickly let itself fall back and allow the Male to fall with her. The Female quickly sidestepped and let go of the Male. Now on his left she kicked her leg forward causing the Ursa to lose balance and fall to the ground. The Female came forward and brought her foot down quickly down on the Ursa’s back.

Over in the distance Nyx watching intently, She needed to stay near the rune for it to continue working, even if she could leave she probably would've stayed just the watch the battle of epic proportions. The Male turned so it’s back was to the ground and grabbed ahold of the Female’s foot. He rolled over causing the Female to fall unexpectedly. The Male got up quickly and took hold of the Female again and lifted her above his head throwing her against the ground. The Female rolled into a crouching position and pushed itself to leap at the Male. She collided midair and forcing the Male to the ground with her on top. The Female slashed at the Male’s face. The Male then reached up and grabbed the Female’s paw twisting in causing her to screech in pain. He reared his paw back and punched the Female straight in the nose. The Female covered her nose and fell back a few steps. The Male got up and began to rush the Female. The Female dropped her arms from her face crouched down stretching out her leg, tripping the Male in mid run. The Female tried to slash at the Male but he blocked with his arm and pushed away the Female. The Male got to his feet and stared down the female. He rushed her but she was ready sidestepping the behemoth. She grabbed onto his arm and swung him into the cliff face dazing him. The Female trudged up to the Male and picked him up by his neck fur. She proceeded to begin smashing him against the cliff face repeatedly keeping him in a daze. The cliff face began to crumble as the Female Ursa smashed the Male repeatedly. Blood stains began to flow like a river into the tree line. Finally the Female threw the Male onto the ground, his back to the cliff. She won, the Male was unconscious. The Female brought her arms up and looked up at the sky.

“GROOAAARRR!” The Female roared. From where her arms started she began to crumble, the spell was beginning to collapse. From her outstretched arms to her legs she began to t crumble into particles of dust. The Female’s grumbles echo as the her feet disappeared into particles of light.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nyx stood dumbfounded and amazed at the scene that had taken place in front of her. The two Ursas had fought valiantly but her’s came out on top. Nyx slid out of the tree and began to walk to the nearby cliff where the Male Ursa lied. A river of blood was right. Streams of it flowed slowly from the Ursa’s back it’s viscosity almost gagging. Nyx observed the damage she had done against it.

“Even with this damage the Ursa should survive.” Nyx thought. “Not even other Ursa’s can kill one of these. The Parasprites should leave it alone since it’s alive.” Nyx looked up to the Ursa’s head and saw the purple star shape on it’s forehead. At least it should have been purple. Instead it was a glowly opal. The glowing caught Nyx by surprise. She looked down just in time to see her Cutie Mark stop glowing.

“Stupid Mark.” Nyx muttered. She turned her head back up to the Ursa’s. It glowed brighter, after several seconds a blob began to detach from it. Soon a full chunk of shapeless goop jumped off the Ursa’s face.

“What.” Nyx said. The Ursa’s mark stopped glowing as the mark began to morph into a sphere. “What!”

The sphere lowered down before stopping in front of Nyx.

“W-what…” She muttered looking at the perfect opal orb. The orb jumped front right in front of Nyx to inside Nyx. That’s right the orb flew into Nyx.

“I-I-I-” Nyx’s stuttered speech was cut as her head shot up and her eyes glowed a pure white. As Nyx remained in this state parts of her began to heal. Her cuts closed up and face was cleaned of blood. When her eyes stopped glowing, Nyx was perfectly clean. Her body was re energized Nyx’s face was filled with complete and utter confusion. No words, just confusion.

“This is just getting annoying!” Nyx yelled waving her hooves in the air. “Just things! Things! They-just-happen! I’ve just absorbed part of a Star bear! After I beat it… with another Star bear! It’s like this whole trip has just been written by somepony who has no idea what he’s doing!”

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Somewhere in an alternate universe a young author shuddered.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Nyx looked up at the Ursa’s unconscious body. She noticed how detailed the stars were on the Ursa. “I… I know an Ursa is a star bear… but it’s not a Literal star bear is it?”A twinkle of a few stars confirmed her suspicions. “Huh… I guess I’m more connected to Luna then I thought.” Nyx powered up her horn, it glowed steadily.

“I guess that’s where that energy went.” Nyx said. “I wonder…”

“Step 1. Concentrate on you destination.” The Tree of Harmony.

“Step 2. Concentrate on your target.” Herself.

“Step 3. Gather your target.” An aura formed around Nyx.

“Step 4. Use your magic to move you target to your destination.” Nyx disappeared in flash, leaving that area of the forest in a dead silence.

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Far away in a canyon in the Everfree...

The Tree of Harmony was a rare and beautiful sight. It’s harmonic radiance lit up the whole area in a stunning white and blue light, leaving the feeling of comfort and rest. The tree itself stood resolute in the center of the canyon, surrounded by several pits and craters. A few leftovers from the Safe of Harmony arc. The tree was a crystal blue with several colorful gem in it’s branches. The canyon wasn’t silent, a calm hum from the tree filled the air, not too quiet to not be noticed, but not too loud to be annoying. This calm scene however was rudely interrupted by a loud flash of light and a screaming filly. Nyx was still new to teleportation so she had ended up teleporting to above the tree, about 10 feet to be exact.

“Ow.” was all Nyx could say. She shakily got up and looked at the tree, it radiance bringing a smile to Nyx’s face. “Finally.”

Nyx ran up to the tree and placed her hooves on the trunk, looking eagerly at the branches. The tree stood resolute. Nyx frowned.

“Uh… how does this work?” she said.

Chapter 9

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Chapter 9: Alternate Ending (Sadder)

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Epilogue

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