Nightmare Free Equestria

After the burst of anger at the sight of Princess Cadence and the proclamation to execute Queen Chrysalis, Princess Luna had started walking through the halls. There had been no particular destination in mind. Just a desire to step away from the situation and let herself regain control of her emotions once more.

As she walked, she let her gaze wander, looking at all the ponies that she passed and that passed her. There were so many.

It was heartbreaking.

None the ponies she was meeting lived in this underground place originally. All that she met were at best from Canterlot but fled here during the changeling attack, or at worst refugees that had been fortunate to escape Ponyville and the surrounding area when Discord had returned. In either case they were ponies that had lost their homes. The lucky ones, at least, still had some members of their families.

How bad would it have been if I had succeeded? she thought as she watched them. If she had managed to succeed either time, the world would have been trapped in darkness. Would the ponies have fled to safety like this? Would they have dared to stand up to her?

Luna gave her head a shake. No time to consider that. It was all moot now. Besides, there were more important matters to tend to. Twilight Sparkle had a good idea on who she wanted to go with her into the Everfree Forest and help find The Elements of Harmony. Princess Luna was not so fortunate. She did not know most of the ponies that were here, and aside from Trixie, had not decided who she wished to take with her for her part of the plan. In retrospect, it probably would have been better to ask for suggestions from Twilight or Trixie.

Music reached the princess's ears. A single instrument, something in the string section with a lower pitch. The player was quite talented. It was somewhat odd to hear such wonderful music in a place like as this.

Princess Luna found her way to what looked like the mess hall. There were a great number of ponies sitting along tables. Many of them were eating, some were talking, a few were playing games, but most were watching a stage.

Standing on it was the familiar form of a light grey coated earth pony mare with a dark grey mane and tail as well as a purple treble clef on her flanks. She was standing on her hind legs. One foreleg was holding the neck of a cello as the other held the bow.

Princess Luna watched the musician play, listening to the music. She moved to keep out of the way of most of the ponies as she found a spot. She listened to the song and watched mare as she finished her performance. As soon as the music stopped, a pink pony with a poofy pink mane and tail popped up on stage.

"Thank you Octavia," the pink mare said, "for that super-duper-wonderfully awesome performance." There was a round of hooves stomping as Octavia gave a bow of her head in acknowledgement. Taking the cello with her, she moved off the stage as the pink pony was announcing the next show.

Princess Luna held up a hoof, waving it slightly. Once she had Octavia's attention, Luna motioned for the grey mare to come sit down. Octavia did so, moving to take up a position at the other side of the table.

"You are the pony that was in Canterlot with young Pipsqueak," Luna stated.

"Yes...Princess?"

No one had actually asked her that since her arrival. Most had just called her Princess Luna by default.

"Perhaps for now, just Luna will suffice," Luna decided. "You are a very talented musician."

"Thank you," Octavia said with a smile.

"And a surprisingly capable fighter," Luna added, raising an eyebrow. "More so for a musician from a very aristocratic background such as yourself."

"My father insisted I learn how to defend myself," Octavia explained. "'There shall be dangers in life,' he told me, 'and help shall not always be available. As such one must learn self-reliance and combat. Plus learning so helped improve my balance when and strength."

"Do you know if tea is still available?" Luna asked, looking around. "There is a matter I wish to discuss, and doing so over tea would be preferable."

"Here you go," a voice said. The two looked to see the pink pony from earlier standing beside them with a tray. On it was a teapot with steam rising from the spout, two cups with saucer, a bowl with sugar, another with cream, and a pair of tea cakes. As soon as the tray was set down, the pink mare had vanished.

"I still cannot figure out how she is capable of doing such things," Octavia said as she poured a small amount of cream into her cup.

"I have met a version of her in my world," Luna said. "The most common response is to simply accept the matter as a part of who she is, as attempting to properly comprehend the capabilities can be quite dangerous. I believe the exact quote is "that's just Pinkie Pie.'"

Octavia looked off in the direction the pink pony had gone, considering for a moment. She then returned her attention to the tea, pouring the steaming hot beverage into the cup.

"I suppose that will have to suffice," she finally said. "What do you wish to speak on Pri-...Luna?"

Luna poured her own tea, adding a bit of cream and sugar. She lifted the cup, taking a small sip of the beverage. She then turned to look at the pony across from her and started to speak.

"I am unaware if word had been spread, but a plan has been considered to hopefully put an end to Discord and potentially revert him to his imprisoned state. Should this work, it shall give us one less threat to worry about and possibly a way to help stop the changelings in Canterlot.

"Twilight Sparkle shall be taking a group of five ponies with her into The Everfree Forest. They are going to seek out a powerful artifact which was used to defeat Discord before. She is already seeking out her recruits and working on a strategy. Part of the plan is that Discord will have to be kept preoccupied until Twilight's team can complete her request. I shall be leading the decoy team. For this, I will be needing some ponies to go with me.

"It is all strictly voluntary. I do not know what all we shall be facing in a direct confrontation with Discord, and I will not force any pony to aid me. That being said, I would like you to accompany me. You have shown yourself to a highly adept combatant. It is also possible that your musical talents may also be beneficial."

"My music?" Octavia asked. "How so?"

"While I would be pleased if we were able to subdue Discord without aid, our primary objective is more to keep him preoccupied and unable to prevent the quest. In addition, we are facing an opponent with rather unconventional capabilities. As such, it is probable that we shall find ourselves relying on unique and unconventional methods of combat."

Luna finished her tea and set the cup down. She looked at the grey mare across the table from her, who was currently sipping her own tea.

"I shall give you time to consider," Luna said as she moved to get up.

"No need." Octavia set her cup down and looked at her. "If it means helping others and brings us closer to saving the town that I now call home..." she looked up at the ceiling, but it was a safe guess that she was thinking about what was above it, "then I cannot in good conscience decline. If you believe that I shall be of use, than I shall do my best to assist in this battle."

"Wonderful," Luna said with a grin. "Now, I shall leave you to enjoy the rest of your tea and seek out others."

"If I may ask, who all has been recruited?"

"I have just started. As such it is currently only yourself and Trixie. If you have any recommendations, I am willing to entertain them."

"Actually," Octavia grinned, "I believe I know a few ponies that would be willing and quite useful."

"Excellent." Luna moved to sit at the table. "When we are finished, you must take me to them."