Author's Note

Alright, putting the finishing touches on this one before bed, let me know how I messed up and I’ll likely fix them after work tomorrow.

Oh, and I’m only sort of late for this one, go me!

The Mistress and the Princess

Waking up was a bit of a trip, because it became apparent that the black mist had some hallucinogenic effects. That's the only way I could be seated here in front of High Arch after remembering having an odd conversation with one 'Mistress of Nightmares'. Looking around the office, it was oddly spartan, I'd figured Arch to be more of an expensive things everywhere type of cult leader. The pony in question just continued the hard gaze she'd been giving me since I awoke.

"And you say you found him in the Wolf Tunnel?"

"Indeed, Priestess. He had the figurine in his hand, but the pedestal resonated after we replaced it, and we ran a scan to make sure nothing had happened."

"Everything points towards a human getting confused and lost, then grabbing something shiny. However, I get the feeling there's something more to this human. What did the scans on him return?"

"Nothing that we could trace towards him not being one of ours, though his vitals are all off. We think it might be a side-effect of the water."

Man, this trip is fucking weird, wish they'd sober me up with water or magic or something.

You're not tripping, you insolent fool, they're currently discussing whether or not to keep you around or err on the side of caution and just kill you now.

Wait... That's not what the voice in my head usually sounds like...

That's because I'm the new voice in your soul.

You mean I haven't been tripping? You're some Shadow Mistress and these bastards want to kill me?

Indeed. You're not very bright, are you? Before I could tell the invasive bitch to shut up, the pony behind me spoke up again.

"As to our options, I can dispose of him tonight, though I do think this one appears to be your type."

Arch gave me what I assume was supposed to be a predatory smile, though the mouth full of molars blunted the effect. "You know, I think you're right. Put him with the others."

"Come."

That's all the warning I got before the bastard starts yanking on my robes with magic. We exit the esteemed Priestess' office and proceed back down some more identical corridors, though a look back confirms that she does get a special marking for her door in the form of a stylized sun. Probably Celestia's mark.

We eventually enter another room, one with some humans in it, with the a few males that are almost not ugly in a few cages by themselves, and a bigger cage against the back wall with a couple of females in it. If they weren't practically animals and I had a few shots in me, I might have thought them pretty. Then I was pushed unceremoniously into a cage myself, and with the click of a lock I was left to the company of a group of semi-intelligent humanoids.

So, was being caught apart of your plan?

And that new and weird voice in my head. That was actually the entirety of the plan. Get in, get caught, find dirt, get out. Nice and simple.

That's a terrible plan. At least I've figured out how to make magic work through you.

So what's causing problems? Getting old and rusty? I could practically see the disdain from my new imaginary voice.

No, it turns out your flesh doesn't conduct magic very well, and without a horn I had no way of focusing my magic to get anything done. However, it turns out your bones conduct magic very efficiently for some reason. She explained smugly.

So point my finger at the thing to magic, and you'll do this rest?

That's a very simple way to put it, but I suppose it's not technically wrong...

So, wanna get us out of here? I inquire as I point at the lock. Instead of replying, she just zaps the lock open as all of my hair stands on end. Fucking hell! Is it going to feel like I shoved a fork in a plugin every time you use magic? The smoke curling off my arm confirming that it actually did zap the shit out of me.

Probably, don't be such a foal about it, that wasn't even a powerful spell.

So anything that would defend me would just fry me, I thought having an immortal guardian demon would make stupid strong. I grumbled as we began to search the room for clues.

There was nothing under the bed, under the mattress, in the nightstand or the wardrobe. The practically empty wardrobe actually bothered me, something seemed off with the measurements, so a closer look seemed warranted. In this case that meant poking the entirety of the thing over the course of five or so minutes, but my patience was rewarded as a knot in the bottom of it popped out to reveal a false bottom. With a smile I hooked my finger and yanked, revealing the secret cache of documents. They looked like some kind of business documents, so I stashed them in my robe and consulted my new benefactor of darkness.

So... Any chance you can get us out of here? Preferably in one piece.

I don't believe I can teleport you, but I know the way out.

Good enough, just point me in the right direction. She snorted at that, but fuck her, it's a figure of speech!

Somehow she'd managed to navigate the place and put us back into the gardens, maybe she had spirit vision or something, though there were a few close calls on the way. The worst one being when I came across a pair of priestesses that tried to drag me into some side room. I thought I'd caught a musky smell, but it didn't matter since Werda took things into my own hands and zapped their tails together. It was hilarious and I would have stayed longer, but humans aren't supposed to laugh and they'd figure out I did it at some point. Shit still hurt like hell though, but I knew it was coming this time. Going in a straight line through the woods was a skill I picked up back home, so getting out of the gardens was pretty easy, and all I had to do now was make my way back to the Spindle. It took bout an hour, but I was rewarded with the ring of the bell as I walked into the shop, and Frost was there to greet me.

"Jack! You made it! How many mares did you fuck this time?" She asked with a shit-eating grin.

Walking around the counter, I pull out the marker board she keeps there. Zero, it's not like I go out of my way to fuck every mare I come across! She gave me a look at that, but I ignored it to continue. Oh, and I have the soul of some nightmare goddess or something in me now

"That's got to be the stupidest thing I've ever heard."

But it's true.

"Uh huh, are you sure that's not just you going crazy?"

Hey, can you give her a zap? I ask my favorite soul partner.

If you insist.

Sweet, thanks. Very low voltage though, she's about half metal. I reply as I point my finger at my favorite mare. A quick jolt and both of our hair is standing on end while I felt like I stuck a battery to my tongue.

"Jack... You really weren't joking, where you?" She looked rather worried, and hilariously poofy.

Nope. She seems pretty nice so far, she's helped me out. Also, apparently her soul is bound to mine, which means she can use magic through me. Though the stronger it is the more it shocks me, the unlocking spell she used earlier zapped the shit out of me.

"How do you constantly get into stuff like this?"

I have no idea, so instead of an giving an explanation I don't have, can I get some food?

"Yeah, go get yourself something to eat, I still have to keep an eye on the front." The mare replied with a tired smile as I went to raid her kitchen.

Frosty had apparently gotten a letter to Kemo, so the morning after I'd returned we were having a nice breakfast of omelettes I’d made to mark the special occasion.

I really need to explore the market, should be some fun new spices to try out.

Indeed, the memories that you're pulling up are making me envious.

I stopped for a second, blinking. You taste and feel what I do?

Only when I want to.

Weird.

"You okay over there?" Ke'mot asked as she cut another slice of her omelette off.

Was I spacing out? It's hard to tell when you're talking with the voice in your head that, apparently, can also latch on to your senses.

"Yeah, we're going to need to talk about that. I know you told Frost that it's benevolent, but I'm going to have to put my hoof down on this one. I can't trust it, and since it's inside you, I can't trust you."

Harsh, but understandable. What's the plan on fixing that?

"I'm afraid that if you're telling the truth, then the only one I trust to check this out is Princess Luna herself." The mare told me, looking as apologetic as I could expect from the ranger.

With a sigh, I reply. I understand, the creatures of the night here have a reason to not trust voices in their heads, after all.

And why is that?

Because Luna was corrupted by 'The Nightmare' at some point and became Nightmare Moon. Then tried to dethrone her sister and make the night last eternally. It didn't particularly end well for her or the thestrals from what I've heard.

"So how long are you both going to be gone this time?" Our pegasus friend asked. "I've gotten used to having you both around, it's definitely made my life interesting."

"Shouldn't be for more than a few days tops. Most ponies rarely go to Princess Luna for problems, so the few that do rarely have to wait long."

So we're leaving after breakfast I take it?

"Yes." After that short affirmative, we continued finishing our meal, though Frosty was looking down at the thought of me being gone again.

Thanks for letting me have some breakfast Frosty, you're the best. I write out after we finish up, giving her a bear hug to show my gratitude.

"Let me down!" The mare squeaked, completely caught off guard. Or maybe it was from the bone-crushing hug. Letting her down, I give her a huge smile.

"It'll be a nice vacation for him, Canterlot's a sight to behold, and unfortunately we have a train to catch."

"Well I hope you two have a nice trip, just try not to lose him to somepony again!"

Kemo just gave her a small smirk as she walked towards the door, while I waved with both arms and a goofy smile, giving us the sound of laughter as we exited the shop.

A few hours of train rides and being collared later, we were in sight of Canterlot itself. And holy shit it was sparkly as fuck. The mystery as to why the church had a hard-on for marble was solved, at the very least.

Hey, Werda, delve through my memories and tell me if I'm mistaken, or if this city looks like they glued Minas Tirith to the side of a mountain.

If I'm looking into the correct memories, then you're not completely wrong, there is indeed a resemblance.

The memories should have some ghosts and dark dudes in cloaks and midgets with rings associated with it.

Then I was looking into the correct memories.

The train whistle cut our conversation short, we had already arrived at the station. Kemo waited for the rush to thin out before giving my leash a light tug to get me to follow her. The streets of Canterlot were immaculate, everything clean and polished to a such a shine that I was squinting half of the time, and I'm sure my nocturnal friend was probably in agony, even if she was being stoic about it. So while we traversed to the castle, I didn't get to see many of the sights, but at least I didn't have to worry about not acting like a 'human'. Before long we were at the gates of the castle itself, and being stopped by the guards.

"Halt. Identification is required to bring humans into the castle." The first guard commanded as he and his twin blocked the entrance.

"Lunar Guard Ke'mot Can'gal, here to bring a report to the Princess of the Night." Kemo told the guard as she pulled out a silver crescent moon pendant.

I'd never actually seen it before, just the glint of the chain around her neck and the few times she's flashed it to guards in Manehattan to get her point across. The guards gave her a polite nod as they moved aside, and we entered not-Minas Tirith. It was pretty fantastic, it felt like an old castle but warmer, and all sorts of art, and more seemed to just keep coming as we passed some ponies putting another stained glass mural together. Entering a small side passage, we walked until everything became darker, the bright reds being replaced by deep blues, and the gold by silver. It didn’t take an expert on aesthetic design to figure out we were now entering the section of the castle that belonged to the Princess of the Night, and the moon replacing the sun motifs certainly was a big hint. Another break from the passage lead us to a hall guarded by a pair of thestrals in plate armor, who upon seeing us, gave a rigid salute.

“At ease.” Was all my guide said as she walked past them into the main room of the barracks. It was a large place, with a long fire pit running down the center and wood tables spread about at random, a few with batponies out of armor sitting at them with food or drinks. Passing them all, we went through yet another passageway of doors, but it appeared we’d come to our destination as she opened one and motioned me into the small room. It wasn’t a fancy room, just the basics, but it was clean and serviceable.

“Alright, set the evidence you found on the desk while I go set up a private meeting with the Princess. Don’t wander off, it shouldn’t take long.” Ke’mot told me as she made her way back out of the door, shutting it behind her as I waved goodbye.

So before we talk to the Princess who came back to a nation of slavery, is there anything you need to tell me?

I do not believe so, no, but you seemed to be concerned that I’m going to get us killed.

That’s the blunt way to put it, yes. From what little I know, you seem to be some sort of ancient power that deals in nightmares, while the Princess we’re about to meet has a job criteria that basically seems to be summed up as “destroy things that go bump in the night.” Which I think might include you.

It’s possible, but if she’s reasonable we shouldn’t have a problem, especially since I’m relatively powerless while our souls are bonded.

Right, hope the pretty princess pony of the night is reasonable, just like the rest of this place.

Do not worry, even as we are I’m sure I can defend us.

That’s... actually reassuring, thank you.

You’re welcome. As for your fears that I’ll corrupt your soul, that shouldn’t happen since you seem to have an interestingly strong soul. It’s, admittedly, not useful for much, but it’s a good trait to have.

Awesome. Oh, and let’s try and not let the Princess know that I’m not a neanderthal, I’m sure she’s a nice pretty princess pony, but I don’t feel like testing my luck if Kemo doesn’t tell her.

I shall do that, though I do believe your fears are unfounded.

Thanks for that, I just feel like being paranoid is the safer route here.

The door opened to reveal my favorite batpony, who was motioning for me to follow her. So down the yellow brick road we went, except we were already at the castle, because metaphors. At some point we ended up near some windows, which revealed that most of the day was gone, the sun sitting low in the sky creating a beautiful sunset. I didn’t get to appreciate it for long, because soon we hit the main hallway that stretches straight to the throne room itself.

“The Princess is awaiting you.” The guard told us, stomping a hoof, the sound causing the doors to slowly open.

Walking down the surprisingly short carpet to the thrones, my company stops and gives Luna a salute while I stand there like an idiot.

“She knows about you.”

Well fuck. I give her one of those one knee, fist on the ground bow things you see in fantasy movies.

“At ease. Now, I’m not going to ask for the full story, just give me a summary of the relevant parts.” Princess Luna commanded.

“I’ve come across this human, Jack, who befell some magic and was dragged across the Blind Eternities. Since we can communicate, I’ve had him helping me look into the Thieves Guild. However, after following one of our leads, he claims to have come into contact with a stone that held the soul of an ancient being. I deemed it necessary for you to look into the matter, as ignoring it could be catastrophic.”

“This could be grave news indeed. Please step forward Jack.”

She asked nicely, and choices were slim anyway, so I approached the dais. I knew the Princesses were probably bigger, due to being alicorns or whatever they’re called, but this one could look me in the eye. It would have been a nice change, if the dais didn’t give her a foot or so on me.

“Alright, now hold still and don’t fight it. I can’t promise it won’t be painful, but it shouldn’t be more than slightly irritating.” I was told in a sincere voice.

Giving her a thumbs up, she wrapped me in a blue aura. The hairs standing on end thing was getting old, and I was pretty sure I saw a few sparks. Needless to say, it was unpleasant.

“I’m sorry that you’re physiology doesn’t agree, but I should now be able to hear any thoughts you project into your mind.”

So now you’re reading my mind. Yay. Anything showing up on the Magic Radar?

“There is some dark magic mixed in with your soul, and a knot of chaos magic in your chest.”

The ‘dark’ magic you are sensing would be me. I am Werda, Mistress of Nightmares.

“That is a bold and dangerous claim, for nightmares are my sworn enemies.”

They only do as much harm as you let them. When kept in check, they keep ponies from straying too far,
for they feed on their fears, while reminding them some things need to be feared. When I was still with form, I shepherded them and used them to help ponies understand the fears they were hiding from themselves, helping them come to terms with them.

“If they are harmless, how was I corrupted into Nightmare Moon?” Princess Luna demanded with a glare.

I did not say they were harmless, only as harmful as you allow them. I’m sure in my absence many of them became willful, seeking to shape both the ethereal and physical realms. Werda replied calmly.

“Can you control them?”

I can not, for no one can control fear itself. I can only keep them in line, guiding them towards those most deserving.

“This is truly an unfortunate situation, for I do not wish to let you go free, but I can not remove you from this human, who I will not imprison due to sheer chance.”

If it eases your mind, Princess, this body is not conducive to using my magic. I can dream walk, but any powers that affect my environment put stress on Jack’s body, and his death would not end well for me.

“It does indeed ease my mind, but I fear this decision is too much for me to handle on my own.” At this, the Princess turned to the Guard who had been watching the ordeal with a silent vigil. “Please return with them shortly after dawn, so that me and my sister may reach a consensus as to what shall be down. Fare thee well, my loyal subjects.”

And with that dismissal I was herded out of the throne room and back to barracks. There was nothing to be said as we got ready for bed, so as the lights were shuttered I curled up on the blanket nest that was my bed and drifted off to sleep.