The Nightbringer Saga

The Beginning of Trials

Rain soaked Ponyville as a lone pony walked the damp streets. He wore a simple brown jacket with a white scarf and an old brown hat adorned with two gears. His jet black mane was plastered to his dull brown body while his tail slung water as it whipped about. Though soaked to the bone, he cared little as he pulled his cart which held a large chest wrapped in chains. Two young ponies ran across the wet street splashing in every puddle they came to. They immediately stopped when they came to the new pony, starring in a mix of fear and curiosity. The pony paid them no mind as he walked on. Lightning flashed overhead causing the young ponies to jump and run to a nearby home. The rain soaked pony on the other hand never flinched as he continued his trek.

Twilight Sparkle paced nervously around the main floor of her Ponyville home. Her mind raced with everything regarding Nightbringer and Celestia, the Dream Realm and the Nightmare Zone, and so much more. In an attempt to understand as much as possible, she had searched through every book she could in her library home, the Canterlot library, even the library of the Crystal Empire. But no matter where she looked or what she looked through, there was nothing about the Dream Realm, Nightbringer, or even Nova. It was as though none of it existed.

For a moment she considered the possibility that some pony had erased everything regarding Nova and the Dream Realm. Given that Celestia had told lies and kept secrets, it was possible that she had erased the information. Shame for her actions would provide a logical motive plus she would have been capable of doing so given her power and position. Twilight shook her head to dispel this notion, not wanting to think any less of her former teacher than she already did. Why would any pony, even Celestia, erase all of that information anyways even out of shame?

She changed her thoughts towards the journey to recover the Elements of Harmony and the books holding Nightbringer’s power. Her biggest concern was the decision to stop Nightbringer or help him. He was evil and needed to be stopped but all the secrets that Celestia had kept as well the things Nightbringer had told Twilight collided and made the choice difficult.

“I don’t even know what’s right and what’s not anymore,” she said in her worry.

Spike looked down from a bookshelf at his friend. He wanted to help but found no words of comfort or support and kept silent. The little dragon had, more or less, always been left out or stayed away from these epic battles against ancient enemies, which suited him fine. But this time the battle had had such an impact on Twilight that she was spiraling down into a place he could not understand nor go. He decided to try something and began climbing down to comfort his friend in any way possible, even if it only lifted her spirit a little. Before he reached the bottom of the ladder, he saw Twilight freeze as a blank stare came over her.

Twilight looked around at the darkness that surrounded her. Shadows glided overhead and swirled slowly around the young princess. The dark power that surrounded her reminded her of when she met Nightbringer the first time in the Nightmare Zone. Her suspicions were confirmed when she saw the dark stallion himself.

“You!” she cried with anger in her voice.

Nightbringer ignored her as though she were not there. He simply stared ahead with rage filled eyes.

“I knew you were foolish Celestia, but never did I think you would betray me like this.”

Twilight stood confused at this statement. What was going on? Did he believe that Celestia had sent Twilight here or that Celestia herself was here?

The dark stallion continued. “You may have sealed me here for now my dear sister but your magic will not hold forever. My power has been scattered to ensure that I can still execute my plan. I can wait dear sister. One day you will have to answer to me, Nightbringer!”

A second later, Twilight felt as though she was being pulled away from the scene. Everything stretched as she flew backwards clambering to stay and see more. She wanted to know what this scene was and why she was seeing it.

“Twilight!”

Hearing Spike calling out snapped Twilight back to reality. She looked around to see that she was back in the library with Spike standing in front of her waving a claw in front of her face.

“Twilight, are you okay?” the little dragon asked. “You spaced out for a bit there.”

Twilight shook her head to dispel the vision for a moment. “I’m alright. I’m going to lie down for a bit and try and rest.”

As she headed up for her bed, Spike tried to say something, give some words of encouragement, but again failed to conjure such thoughts. He had no idea what the young princess was going through and was forced to sit on the sidelines as his friend went through this horrible ordeal alone.

It took Twilight nearly half an hour to fall asleep. The thoughts of everything that had had happened, was happening, and the hundreds of questions left unanswered left her tossing and turning until the sheer mental exhaustion took its toll.

Twilight.

The voice called from inside the young princess’s head. It was distant but something about it was strangely familiar. She looked around to see a sea of grey nothing.

Twilight.

The voice called again as Twilight searched for the one calling her. She began to remember the event right after her last encounter with Nightbringer. This was the sea of nothing that she ended up in after the tragic event.

“Who are you? What do you want? What is going on here?” Confusion and frustration filled the young princess as she struggled to comprehend what was happening.

Fret not young alicorn princess. All things happen at a set time for a specific reason. The time will come to know who I am but that time is not yet right.

“I need to know something, anything,” Twilight said as tears began to build in her eyes. “There is so much that is happening and so much that I don’t understand. I am lost and confused. I need help.”

The tears welling in her eyes overflowed and rolled down her cheeks. Her mind was a storm of confusion which she could only ride hoping that it would not destroy her. Whoever was talking to her had to be able to tell her something to bring some semblance of sanity back.

You have been drawn into a battle between dark and light. A battle that has been raging for a long time. You are to be the one to end this struggle.

Twilight recalled Nightbringer telling her that she would bring balance back to magic. Hearing this now, she felt the weight of responsibility for ending a potentially endless battle.

“Why me? Why am I the one to do this?”

It is your connection to magic. You have been gifted with a connection to magic that no other pony before has had. Nightbringer had mentioned her potential for greatness, but she had denied it. But now she truly wondered what her role in all of this was supposed to be. All of this was still confusing and she needed some direct answers.

“I had a vision earlier of Nightbringer. What was that?”

With the imbalance and lack of harmony of magic, the Dream Realm, and consequently the Nightmare Zone, are leaking. What you saw was a glimpse into the past. Your connection to magic and the Dream Realm allowed you to access this vision and it is that same connection that allows you to speak to me now.

Twilight considered the vision realizing that it was a vision of the moment right after Nova was banished by Celestia.

As you journey, you will continue to see visions. These will answer some of the questions that you have.

“Journey?” she said absentmindedly.

You must go and retrieve the Elements of Harmony and the books containing Nightbringer’s dark powers. But remember you must choose what path you will take once you have recovered each.

“Where do I start and how will I know what the right path is?”

Time is short and you must go.

The sea of grey began to swirl giving Twilight the same feeling of being pulled away that she had when she saw the vision of Nightbringer. She struggled to stay, desperate for more answers.

“Wait! Don’t go! Please!”

Farewell young princess. You will find your answers along the way. We shall meet again.

Twilight continued to struggle until she found herself on the floor of her bedroom. She looked around seeing that all was in place and real. Light peered into the room from the window. Twilight wondered how long she had slept as she made her way back to the main floor. Once in the main hall, her spirit was lifted at the sight of her friends. She rushed to them welcoming their presence.

“I’m glad to see you all.”

“Are you doin’ alright sugar cube?” Applejack asked.

“Spike told us you were feeling just awful and we came to help in any way we can,” said Rarity.

Twilight smiled at her friends’ compassion. “Do you remember all that dark stuff that happened?”

“Yeah,” said Rainbow Dash, “what about it?”

“It’s time you knew what we are up against.”

Twilight told them about the events in Canterlot after they got separated. She went on to explain how the Elements of Harmony and Nightbringer’s power were now scattered and the need to retrieve them.

“All of Equestria is at stake here. I need your help to do this.”

“No problem,” Rainbow exclaimed. “Anything you need, we are there for you sister.”

“Thanks you guys,” Twilight said as tears of joy filled her eyes.

Knowing that her friends were there to help made fulfilling her destiny that much easier. But with so many unanswered questions, there was no way of knowing what the journey would be like and where it would lead. Twilight’s biggest fear was that her friends may not be able to provide the answer on what path to take once she retrieved the Elements and the books. She had to hope that she would make the right choice when the time came. One thing was sure, she needed her friends now more than ever. She knew that they would never betray or abandon her.

As Twilight and her friends made final preparations for their journey, Twilight tried to figure out where they should start. Without any idea where any of the Elements of Harmony or the books were, she needed to find some lead to help her find a starting location. With everything set and ready, the six friends headed off.

“So where do ya suppose we start looking?” asked Applejack.

“I figure we should head to Canterlot and talk to Princess Celestia,” Twilight answered. “She should be able to help us figure out where each element and book is. After that we’ll just head towards whichever one is closer.”

“Alrighty then, let’s go!” Pinkie Pie shouted.

Twilight turned to Spike. “You should stay here Spike.”

“But why? If you’re going then I’m going too,” the little dragon protested.

“I’m sorry but this one is going to be far too dangerous. It would be best if you stayed.”

“But-”

“Spike. You can keep an eye on Ponyville while we’re gone can’t you?”

Spike thought for a moment then relented. “Fine. But make sure you stay safe.”

“I will.” Twilight patted her friend on the head before she and the others headed for the train station.

The six ponies were not halfway to the station before they saw a new pony looking around for something or some pony. He was dull brown with jet black hair. On his flank was the mark of two white, six-sided dice. He looked over at the ponies and started making his way towards them.

“Excuse me,” he asked, “I am trying to find…”

He stopped short when he looked at Twilight. A look of rage and loathing came over his face as he stared at the young princess. Despise seethed from his eyes.

“You!” he said with a hiss. “Why are you here?”

From the moment they saw him, Twilight had a strange feeling she had seen him somewhere before yet she could not remember where or when. His rage and anger towards her only made things more difficult in figuring out why he seemed so familiar.

“Now what’s the big idea goin’ off on our friend like that?” Applejack demanded, determined to defend her friend.

“Yeah. What’s your problem?” Rainbow Dash jumped in.

The pony ignored the two, continuing to stare in wrath at Twilight. Despite the rage that fumed from him, Twilight could tell that there were other emotions at work. The emotions of jealousy and betrayal seeped out as he gritted his teeth.

“Who are you?” she asked.

“Why am I not surprised that you forgot me?” The anger seething from him was so raw that it was practically visible. “All your special talents, your special training, and now royal duties. But I have never forgotten you, not for one minute.”

“Twilight, dear, who is this ruffian?” Rarity asked.

Still unable to remember, Twilight moved on instead of answering. “Why are you here?”

“I was sent to help a pony out on an important mission. I never thought that pony would turn out to be you.”

Guilt overcame the young princess as she struggled to remember the pony. But she continued her questions. “Was it Princess Celestia that sent you?”

“She asked for my help, but she was not the one who sent me.”

Curiosity crept into Twilight’s mind. If Celestia was not the one to send him, then who? There was no pony else that she could think of that would send some pony to help. She teased the possibility that Discord had sent him, but that made little sense.

“Who sent you and why?” she asked.

“I was sent to help you find some magical items,” the pony explained, ignoring Twilight’s question of who sent him. “Magical items such as the Elements of Harmony.”

“How do you know about the Elements of Harmony?” There was no way that this pony knew about the Elements unless the one who sent him told him about them. Who was he and who sent him? “Who exactly are you?”

The pony let out a sigh as a look of sorrow and regret came over him for a mere second before his anger returned and he answered. “You can call me Gambler. Every pony else does.”

The name didn’t help Twilight any in recalling who he was and how she could possibly know him. Despite that, she could still see the look of betrayal in his eyes. She could even see loneliness that he must have gone through in his life. Loneliness that she knew all too well as of late.

“Why do we need your help anyways, huh?” Rainbow demanded, igniting more anger in Gambler.

“Because, I am the only pony that can track magical items. I know how to find your Elements of Harmony. Do you?” Gambler said causing Rainbow to back down. “I am only here to help you find the items you need and then I am leaving.”

The friends thought for a moment, unsure if they could tolerate him for too long before agreeing to his terms. Despite the truce, Twilight was unsure how well her and her friends’ friendship would hold while Gambler was with them. The mystery surrounding him made her wonder if he could be trusted. She needed to remember who he was and make amends. With their new member, the friends allowed Gambler to gather some things for the journey before setting off. Twilight’s mission to restore balance to Equestria had just become much harder.