Conclave of the Clairetti

Chapters

[Prologue]
Humble Openings
Destiny Awaits
Luna's Advance
The Next Day
War Is Near
Canter Of War
Beginning Paths
Middle Journey
Those Of Voodoo
Battles And Mysteries
Changed Loyalties
Plans To Be Made

[Prologue]

The Sun finally set, leaving little light save for what remained on the horizon, a thin, calming orange glow out in the distance. But this isn’t what calmed the hearts of the ponies; it was the growing night, and birth of that moment’s moonlight. The night, the true source of safety, of peace, was approaching to take it’s rightful spot in fate, and all could sense it. Here, in this time, the sub-conscious mind can relax. Here, in the night, you finally have the will to sleep, after all that you have suffered through the day.

The day is an irritant, a lie. It clouds the mind of feelings from the body, replacing truth with logical thought, which is and has always been flawed in some form. The day is the realm of the conscious mind, allowing one to take full control of your bodies. What ponies do not realize, is that they are only half a pony. All that you do, say, and know is owned and negotionized by your conscious mind, and your sub-conscious mind. The sub-conscious mind speaks to you through feelings, and knows far more than you do. The sub-conscious mind is connected to fate, to nature, and is home to truth. For centuries, it has guided the lives of ponies, and caused much harmony, and peace throughout the land, even though occasionally bad times roll in. It is our sub-conscious mind that allows us to feel emotion. Love, Peace, Friendship, are all emotions that come from your sub-conscious mind. Hate, Jealousy, and Greed where once good emotions, until your conscious mind twisted them into evil things.

The Night, the Moon, the Stars, are the true sources of peace. The Day, the Sun, and the Blue Sky, all nullify your ability to be influenced by your sub-conscious mind, and allow complete superiority over your sub-conscious mind. By living through the day, you murder half of yourself, in the name of science. A piece of you that wants to live just as much as you do, is continuously smothered and destroyed with almost little effort, every day you wake up to the sun.

You feel the pain of this, but you feel it so often you forget what the alternative feels like, until you cease to feel it entirely. Why can you sleep better during the night after a long hard day? Why do foals find it hard to sleep long though the night? Why is there an imminent sense of peace that you feel during the night? This is all because of one truth, the day is a lie. The sky was made to block the stars, the sun to outshine the moon, and it’s princess to be more loved than the former.

The Solar Kingdom, a land of “light” and “love”, is the realm of Celestia, the princess of the Day. In her kingdom, she knows of the truth, of War, Contentions, and Heart Breaks. She also knows how much these hurt, and wants to protect all of pony kind from such horrible feelings. She created a haven, a counterfeit land meant to hide all of the bad of this world, and let the ponies grow up in forever goodness and light. But this noble kingdom in which she has built has a dark side. It’s simply wrong. Even Celestia herself goes crazy from all the light, and she herself finds it painful to live in her Day.

The Lunar Republic, a land of true Light, of true Love, is the realm of Luna, the princess of the Night. She is the younger sister of Celestia, and has seen the rise and fall of her beloved sister into the realm of Day that she had created for herself. Luna knows the truth, about the pain of her world, but she does not hide it because she knows that it is the truth, and the sub-conscious mind rejoices at the truth. In her realm, the conscious and sub-conscious minds live together in harmony, living as a single being, and experiencing the true meanings of Life. The citizens of the Lunar Republic exist in a state of happiness. Even though they may face hard times, and see the darker side of life, they have so much more to live for than the citizens of the day. Their world, is more real.

In the Solar Kingdom, ponies live blindly to the worship of the sun. True, there are those that have found Nightlike peace within the Solar Kingdom, but only if they have discovered the Magic of Friendship. Luna allows the Elements of Harmony to reside in the Solar Kingdom, because she knows that without it, the ponies that live there would truly be lost. The Everfree Forest, once a long time ago being the territory of the Lunar Republic, was a gift to the Solar Kingdom because the Tree of Harmony grew there. This great act of selflessness was a gift from the Night, to the Day. Because of that gift, both kingdoms have lived in relative peace, but war is approaching again. Will the Lunar Republic finally be able to liberate the citizens of the Day, or will the truth be lost forever? Subjugated to a world of lies, where the sub-conscious mind is dead?

***

Meanwhile within the Lunar Republic, a race called the Clairetti live in secret and service. This race of pony has all grey coats, and blond manes and tails. They also have wings, which is why they are commonly mistaken as Pegasi. The Clairetti are a cursed race, burdened with the power to destroy all that they touch. Through generations of learning and honing, the Clairetti have discovered how to control this power, and become fierce warriors. The Clairetti have taken the mantle as Equestria’s silent guardians; even the princesses’ knowledge of their existence is very limited. Through a complex line of different Branches, they exist far and wide, but are very few in numbers. Alone, they can stop invasions, but together, they can accomplish feats only an Alicorn could otherwise do. This race is hurt, in pain. They live with the burden of solitude, and can never grow attached to others, or else they too would become destroyed. The Clairetti could have easily become evil, owners of their own Empire that would be dreaded by all that sought to destroy them, and they were for a time. It was one very special Alicorn who showed them the way of light, the Alicorn known as Queen Galaxia, the mother of Celestia and Luna, and the creator of the land known today as Equestria. She had told them that their power was to be a gift, a way to protect the land in ways only they could accomplish. With the great power and courage of the Clairetti, turned to good, they continue till this day to protect the land, working in such secretiveness that not even the Clairetti themselves know all that they have done.

***

Double meanwhile within the Solar Kingdom (and a bit within the Clairetti ranks), a member of the Clairetti has lost her way. She had stumbled into the Solar Republic as a young filly, but never found her way back. The Clairetti had found her though, but refused to venture into the Solar Republic, of fear of not only being discovered, but of falling into the Day Light trap known to be set for those coming out of the Everfree Forest. An effort to retrieve their lost filly was abandoned, but much regretted. This filly’s name was Derpy, and may she one day find her way back to the Night. Much sorrow and regret, for the one whom they had all loved.

Humble Openings

Written

Travis Montgomery

Chapter 1: Humble Openings

The sun now truly did set, leaving none of the orange haze that had previously existed. Drapney stared up at the stars as soon as she could when there was no solar interruption. It is said that the stars will serve those of a pure heart, like when they free'd Luna from her thousand year old prison. Drapney starred at them desperately, hopping that they would chose to serve her, and then she would have the power to not only take Derpy back, but to overthrow the entire Solar Kingdom. But it was all just a myth, in truth, no one knew how Luna got out of that prison, but it was always nice to have hope, it made you feel alive, like you existed.

Draighholl, a Zebra friend of Drapney's, climbed out from the cave to spy on Drapney. This wasn't anything new to his eyes. He would constantly find her dreaming or praying for something or other. One day, it would be to find direction, and another, it would be to safeguard Derpy. Draighholl was familiar with the sight of Drapney hoping, but he never thought much of it.

"Outside already are you?" Draighholl motioned with a turn of the head to the sky. "The stars are beautiful tonight".

"They're just about as luminescent as last night" Drapney stated matter-of-factly.

"That may be so, but not many people study them as you do", Drapney smirked at the remark.

"I do spend a lot of time hoping in unfulfillable dreams that only waste everypony's time."

"You know that's not true Drapney, all of us wish for something out of our reach to happen, and most times it does happen."

"Most times doesn't sound good odds to me." Drapney finally turned to face Draighholl, "do you know what it's like to lose someone you love?"

"Drapney, you know I do"

"Then why do you not sit here and hope with me?" This question caught Draighholl off guard, for he never had considered it himself.

"Well, Drapney. It's… because…" Draighholl found it hard to gather the courage to effectively answer this question. "I've lost faith Drapney, I know that there is no way to bring her back"

"So I am just a foolish dreamer after all"

"But that doesn't mean you should give up Drapney, don't follow my example, actual do something about the Tyranny of the Day"

"Draighholl, I never said I was giving up, I'm just against the odds. Why would I ever abandon my sister in that cursed realm?"

"You wouldn't Drapney, we both know that."

There was then a moment of silence, no words were spoken for a long while as Draighholl made preparations for their next meal. Draighholl strolled through the forest to gather firewood, knowing very well what danger lay ahead of them, and what they were planing on attempting. Just beyond the next mountain that could be clearly seen from where they stood, lay the Groulgs, a race of massive, highly territorial creatures that are known to be brutal, and merciless. The Groulgs had unwisely chosen to settle near an entrance of a Clairetti Branch, and despite all warnings, they refused to relocate, and even threatened for war. The Clairetti accepted their plea for war, and had sent Drapney to fight for them. One Clairetti verses an entire battalion of Groulgs. Drapney wasn't even the best warrior they had available, but they believed that she was beyond adequate. Although the Groulgs may be fierce, and strong warriors, one thing was for certain, the Clairetti were stronger.

Now this location Drapney was headed to wasn't the main camp of the Groulgs, but only a look out. There were a good amount of soldiers posted guard though, good enough that if they all were defeated by one Clairetti, it would scare the rest of the enemy forces into submission.

Drapney had brought Draighholl along as an assistant, but in truth, she needed a friend. Draighholl, like Drapney, is haunted with the pain of losing somepony to the Day. That long lost pony for Draighholl, had been his lover, the one that was to be with him forever. She was a gem, a sorcerer, an expert voodooist, and the best thing that had ever happened to him. Far beyond in the land of Kuulla, they were to be married. It is natural for one Zebra to venture far away from home in order to study other lands and/or peoples of another, and to simply feel alive in the new environment. This great venture is encouraged by the Elders, and is a part of the marital ceremony. If two lovers can live five years apart from each other, and still be in love when they return, then they were meant to be together, to traverse the world and their native land forever. It was in this ceremony when Draighholl's fiancé left on her five year journey, but she never returned. Fear had struck the entire tribe, fear that she had died, but that didn't stop Draighholl. Draighholl, regardless of what the Elders had told him, ventured out into the direction he last saw his lover traveling in. He searched for many months, asking anyone friendly enough to tell him where she may have gone. It wasn't until he met somepony named Daring Doo, who had briefly traveled with the female Zebra, was he able to learn that his future wife had gone into the Everfree Forest. Draighholl had charged head first into the Everfree forest, unknowing the exchange it had between the Day and the Night. He knew something was terribly wrong, because he felt weird. His weird feeling wasn't due to a mix of emotions, but rather a lack of emotions. Charging out of the Everfree Forest about as quickly as he had gone in, Draighholl spewed tears down his face, and left a trail of moist dots of dirt in his trail. Where had she gone? Was she alright? He had seriously doubted it.

Ashamed, and broken, Draighholl never returned to the land of Kuulla, living in self-banishment and exile until he had found his wife, thus fulfilling the great duty he had signed away to when she had first left.

It didn't take long for him to find Drapney, an equally as broken being who was in need of comfort as much as he was. They become close friends, and they promised each other never to leave one another until they had both found their loved ones, and where able once again to live life as intended.

***

Luna stood on her porch in her castle, high within in mountains of Prevalence. She gazed deep into the distance, the moonlight dancing on her mane as is slowly flowed through the air with unearthly movement. The night was her realm, and she had guarded it just as well as any princess should. But uneasiness had settled within her. The magic of the Night had been weakening, the Day get progressively stronger, and was now strong enough to be considered a major problem within her Kingdom. Talk had spread across her domain that the Day has lately been preparing for war once again, and this time Luna didn't believe she could stop her sister from finally over running the Night, and bringing eternal Day. A feeling in her heart told her that this time unlike the last should be taken with extreme caution. Something was different about the Day, and it wasn't for the good of the Night. It was in moments like these where Luna truly worried about the safety of her little ponies; not many things can match up to the pain she felt for losing her sister then the loss of her subjects, the ones who had been so diligent in following her, and even though they had gone through ruff times, they never consented to join the Day, where pain and suffering is supposedly non-existent.

She looked down upon her subjects from high above on the porch. They walked calmly, soundlessly. It seemed that for this immediate moment, nothing would harm them, but she felt that in the blink of an eye, a war could explode, and she needed to be ready for anything. Luna then walked back into her chambers, the furniture looking just as it had when she last walked in. The drapes flowed with a movement to rival that of Luna’s mane, the carpet beneath her feet swirling into an array of different hues of blue, until it reached the center. Luna’s bed lay perfectly made; the pillows still propped up and untouched. She hadn’t slept in days, but it didn’t affect her as much as it would have if she lived in the day. In the Night, you are tired less often, and sleep more soundly. Luna, being the princess of the Night, rarely ever sleeps, and even more so when she was in her Nightmare Moon form. Nightmare Moon had been a gift, a blessing from the stars. The stars, that one fateful night, had destroyed the boundaries between the conscious and sub-conscious minds. In that form, she could never be harmed, never fatigue, and prance around with untold abilities. This was all possible because in Nightmare Moon form, she was a dark mist, an entity that exists within whatever she creates. Now tell me, how do you defeat a Magical Mist that is strengthened with the power of the universe? You can’t. This is why Celestia resorted to banishing Luna to the moon, because she was incapable of defeating her sister while in that form. Nightmare Moon, the embodiment of the Dark Side of the Moon, is stronger than Celestia, and is Luna’s main weapon against major threats such as the Solar Kingdom. Luna, the embodiment of the Light Side of the Moon, rules over her kingdom with peace and love. Nightmare moon, the sub-conscious mind of Luna, lives in harmony with Luna, to the point where they don’t have to share the same body, but can live in their own forms at separate times.

“Luna” Nightmare Moon spoke from inside the thoughts of Luna, “You worry too much about the future”.

“You feel it too Nightmare Moon” Luna said out load, not worrying if anypony was listening, “Do you think we can defend ourselves from the Solar Kingdom this time?”

“Always. The Night is too strong and pure to be destroyed. This fear that what we feel is actually directed towards something else, not the Solar Kingdom”. Luna trusted the words of Nightmare Moon, but her heart couldn’t shake the feeling.

“Then what can it be Nightmare?”

“I agree that this feeling originates from the Solar Kingdom, but I have a deeper feeling that it doesn’t regard Celestia. Thus, whatever grave danger you think is coming, wouldn’t come from Celestia”. Nightmare Moon stated, nailing Luna. The true source of her sickening feelings was the thought of facing her sister again, and after Nightmare’s counsel, Luna began to finally relax, but then quickly tensed up again.

“Then who or what in the Solar Kingdom could raise this much alarm within us?”

“I don’t know Luna, but that’s the source of my worries. Whatever it is, you do need to relax. The stress you’re emanating is painful”

“Sorry Nightmare, if only cousin was here, she would be able to help”

“Curse the Day, they took over her kingdom swiftly and without mercy, we didn’t even have time to warn her”

“Poor Cadence didn’t even know what hit her” Luna said almost sadly. In a flick of a second and a flash of light, Luna turned into Nightmare Moon.

“I know how much you love her Luna, but one day I will kill Celestia” Nightmare said with a grave tone, turning her head to look out the wide French doors, “Unless she turns her back on her silly crusade that has caused so much pain”

“Please Nightmare, don’t speak such things concerning my sister” Luna now speaking as the voice in the Nightmare’s head.

“She killed Shaddow Sun, my sister. And you expect me to forgive her so eaisily?”

“I agree that there is much Celestia has done that we both wish could be taken back, but we can’t change that. I’m sorry about your loss though, I’m truly sorry.”

Nightmare Moon turned back around to look at the mirror, her darker frame standing boldly as she marveled once again at her form that she had only recently been able to behold, after being freed from the place known as Luna’s sub-conscious mind. They were now able to live together like no other pony could, and they both enjoyed it that way.

Lightly walking back towards the porch, Nightmare Moon took a turn look into the distance, the moonlight dancing on her mane as it flowed through the air. Her expression looked just as Luna’s had moments earlier, she now assuming the royal duties as Luna slept within her. ‘Don’t worry, my dear Luna, I will protect them for now’ she seemed to think within her head.

Destiny Awaits

Chapter 2: Destiny Awaits

Deep within the boundaries of Ponyville, a certain pink pony’s sences started tingling again, except not for a physical danger, more like a mental danger. Something was invading her mind again, trying to pry itself into her head, but she wouldn’t let that happen She assumed it was normal, because she had been feeling it her whole life. She also was certain that whatever it was, was the source of her occasional twitching’s.

Pinkie Pie succeeded in diverting the mental evasion, and perked back up to her happy self. “Teeheehee Ha Ha, you silly mind clouder you.” She said with a bright smile on her face. These things happened to her more when it was night time for some reason, but again, it never bothered her. Pinkie was just about to prance around again as she always does, when she realized how exhausted she was. Keeping the mental evasion under check had taken more energy than the last one had, interestingly enough. Instead of hopping around during the night like she usually does, trying to figure what fun thing she could do the next day, she decided to sleep in her bed. Trotting over to her bed with a headache worse than it had been in the past, she continued to smile happily, almost unaware of the pain. Now in her bed, Pinkie could sense it. The headaches where going to get a whole lot worse.

Pinkie then calmly fell asleep, a smile still plastered on her face.

***

Voodoo, a magical power that only an Earth Pony is born with, is a very mysterious, unknown power. This is only true, because a single Voodooist is born once every other generation at random. Voodoo, many millennia ago, was the soul source of protection and military might for the Earth Ponies, and thus the reason why they survived against all odds without the powers of flight and magic. Voodoo may be considered magical, but it is no form of magic whatsoever, but more like the powers of fate and nature combined into a single vessel. There are many imitators out there, those who either pretend, or use a minor version of Voodoo that has to be learned, not acquired. There is only one true Voodooist, and it influences the life of the user indefinitely. The first Voodooist ever in existence was Discord, but he figured out how to become immortal, and thus has out lived any other voodooist to be born. Discord's immortality is what eventually drove him insane, and he decided to use his power to entertaining himself, and plunge Equestria in an age of disharmony. Since Voodoo isn’t magic, it cannot be detected by magic, or else the trait would be smothered out before the poor foal even made it to a month old. Races of all kinds, especially Unicorns, feared those with the true Voodoo power. Voodoo being the only thing magic cannot handle, has led the Unicorn race to segregate themselves away from the Earth Ponies with great distance, and thus the prejudice between them was created. That prejudice lasted until the first Hearth’s Warming Eve, when the knowledge of Voodooism had long been lost, or else the prejudice would have survived.

No one knows where Voodoo began, or how it exists today, but one thing is for sure, it cannot be studied. Within ancient records of Voodooism that have long since been destroyed, it said that Voodooism, like the power the Clairetti possess, was a gift from Queen Galaxia, bestowed by the Stars. It was meant to safeguard Earth Ponies with a force that couldn’t be matched, because it wasn’t magic. Voodoo goes against nature some would say, but it isn’t, infact, Voodoo is the ability to literally change the realms of reality, inorder to do what you want. Discord is the true master of Voodoo, but one slowly will rise above his abilities. And that’s why she was still here, in the Everyfree Forest.

Zecora stood in her enchanted home that kept her safe from the influences of the day, while she worked on a potion to once again enchant her cloak with the same power so she could roam freely. Zecora was supposed to become the wife of another Zebra about fifteen years ago, but she had been influenced to enter the Everfree Forest. Being a follower to the Night ways, in listening to your heart, she knew she wouldn’t return home and soon found out why. The Forest was enduring it’s own battle between Night and Day, and she had walked right into the cross fire. The hut and her cloak where the only things that kept her protected from the day, but she knew that it was a risk worth taking to live in the Everfree Forest. She had discovered a Pink mare with strange abilities. The next true Voodooist hopped around in bliss before her. Feeling fate guide her with her heart, Zecora decided to stay in the Forest, and watch over this poor brainwashed Pony, and one day bring her to the Night, where she belonged.

Zecora, being the only one to even come close to a 50th of the true power of Voodoo, was the only one eligible to watch over the Pink mare’s growth, and as a shadow in the distance, she did just that. There was so much she wanted to tell Pinkie, but if she did, it could mentally destroy the poor pony. She had to wait, and continue waiting she did.

***

Morning arose quickly for Pinkie Pie, the sun was already up. 'What could that nap have been, an hour?' she thought, then laughed about it, 'oh well'. Pinkie then jumped out of bed and rushed outside to say good morning to everypony. Everypony else shared happy smiles and hellos as she passed, which did little less then make her day amazing. Pinkie then went about her day, like visiting Sugar Cube corner, hiking around Ponyville, visiting Sugar Cube Corner again, then visit Sugar Cube corner. Pinkie was actually on her way home when she saw somepony in the distance she hadn't said hello to yet. 'Strange, I thought I knew everypony'. She then began to walk in that direction to fulfill her duty as number one happy maker in Equestria, but the pony she was heading towards looked awfully unfamiliar.

***

Twilight Sparkle ran down the road in Canterlot, quickly trying to make it to the library where Spike supposedly was waiting for her. She had read something while sitting around outside about the Elements of Harmony, and she wanted to know if there was more info on it she could acquire. Unfortunately, she was interrupted by a group of three ponies who were inviting her to a party somewhere.

“Oh, sorry girls, I’ve got a lot of studying to catch up on” she politely refused, then put a sheepish smile on her face to see if the ponies would just walk away and leave her alone. She didn’t wait to see their reactions when she was off running again. She was mainly focused on the Elements as she finally approached the door to the library. She hurried in when no sooner she started to call out Spike’s name; unaware that she had just knocked him flat onto the ground with the force of the door flying open, the present he was previously holding now stuck to his tail. Twilight finally realized what had happened, but because she was too focused on the Elements, she continued on her way to the main deck. "Quick, find me that old book of predictions and prophesies", she said, when she just now realized the gift Spike was holding. "What's that for?"

"Well, it was a gift for Moon Dancer, but…" Spike was saying until he was interrupted,

"Oh Spike, you know we don't have time for that sort of thing" Twilight said strictly,

"But we're on a break" Spike asserted. Twilight didn't seem to hear him as she lit up her horn with magic and started to pull books off the shelves. Her frustration caught ahold of her when she screamed out for Spike again, but he already had the book in his hands. Twilight yanked it from his hands, but he fell with the book to the floor. Twilight continued not to care as she smiled in delight after "finding" the book. She then brought the book to a pedestal and started flipping through it. "Elements, elements, E, E, E, aaha, Elements of Harmony", she was thinking out load, "See Mare in the Moon?" she questioned as she read it. Spike wasn't to certain about what Twilight said, saying that it was an old ponies tale. Twilight again didn't seem to be listening as she flipped through yet another book to read about the Mare in the Moon. She then started reading what the book said about the Mare in the Moon and about the prophecy and such, when she decided that it was important to tell the Princess about her findings. Ordering Spike to make a note to the Princess, Twilight told spike to write exactly what she said, but he then got stuck on the word 'Precipice' and Twilight had to waste some time to tell Spike what to write instead. After the note was finally written, Twilight then had to convince Spike to actually send it, 'Really, I have to tell you why you should send it?" Twilight must have been thinking as Spike was giving his objections. The message was finally sent, but Spike continued to doubt Twilight, and they both exchanged why the other was wrong. When the reply finally arrived, Spike commenced to reading it.

"ehhem" clearing his throwght, "My dearest and most faithful student, Twilight, you know that I value your diligence, and that I trust you completely, but you simply must stop reading those tufty old books!." Twilight gasped at the reply. Spike continued to read, "My dear Twilight, there is more to a young Pony's life than studying. So I'm sending you supervise the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration in this years location, Ponyville. And, I have an even more essential task for you to complete, make some friends." Twilight continued to groan at the thought.

Twilight was soon on her way to Ponyville, thanks to some royal transportation, when she asked Spike to re-read the letter again to make sure she heard it right. Sure enough, she was to supervise the preparations of the Summer Sun Celebration and make some friends; she continued to groan.

"Look on the bright side" Spike said lightheartedly, "the Princess arranged for you to stay in a library, doesn't that make you happy?"

"Yes, yes it does! You know why? Because I'm right. I'll check on the preparations as fast as I can then return to the library to find some proof of Nightmare Moon's return" Twilight said, her mind still on the Mare in the Moon.

"Then, when will you make friends like the Princess said?" Spike asked.

"She said to check on preparations, I am her student, and I will do my royal duty, but the fate of Equestria does not rest on me making friends. The coach then landed onto the ground and both Twilight and Spike hopped out. Twilight made a quick note to thank the drivers, then set off about her duties.

"Maybe the ponies in Ponyville have interesting things to talk about." Spike said as a random Pink mare started to walk towards them. She then stopped in front of them as if she was trying to get a better look at them, "common Twilight, just try" Spike asserted, trying really hard to show Twilight other things to do in life.

Twilight wasn't so sure, but she did let out an "Um, hello?" When the Pink mare shot up into the air and gasped with a gasped nopony had ever seen before, then dart off into the other direction. "Well that was interesting alright," Twilight said sarcastically, then started to walk off.

Twilight was now on her way to check on the preparations for the Celebration, and made her first stop at Sweet Apple Acres, where somepony known as Apple Jack was supposed to be taking care of the food. They arrived shortly to the farm when they saw an Orange pony with cowboy hat run towards a tree, buck it, and let all of the attached apples fall into a basket. It was quite impressive to think that she hit the tree with enough force to actually knock down all the apples. Twilight reluctantly sighed and started to walk over to the Orange Earth Pony.

"Good afternoon, My name is Twilight Sparkle…", Twilight didn't even have time to finish when the Orange mare grabbed her hoof and start shaking it like she had just met the mayor or something.

"Well, howdy-doo, Miss Twilight, a pleasure makin’ your acquaintance. I’m Apple Jack. We here at Sweet Apple Acres sure do like making new friends!” Apple Jack said with almost as much enthusiasm as the Pink mare from earlier.

“Friends? Actually, I…” Twilight was nervously trying to say when the Orange pony interrupted her again/

“So, what can I do ya for?” Apple Jack stated with a wink. Twilight cleared her throat,

“Well, I am in fact here to supervise preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. And you’re in charge of the food?”

“We sure as sugar are! Would you care to sample some?” AJ offered,

“As long as it doesn’t take too long…” Twilight began to say but was again interrupted. ‘This orange pony should learn some manners.’ The orange pony was already ringing a bell when no sooner had a heard of ponies come out to the call. AJ screamed something the Twilight didn’t really care about, but in a blink she noticed she was surrounded by ponies sitting infront of a table. AJ poped up right next to her somehow with more than a grin on her face.

“Now, why don’t I introduce y’all to the Apple family?”

“Thanks, but I really need to hurry…”

“This here’s Apple Fritter. Apple Bumpkin. Red Gala. Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apples…”

Twilight heard the names being said, but she was more surprised with the mountain of food pilling up in front of her. Were they bringing everything out that one single moment? She didn’t need to see it all.

“Up’n’attem Granny Smith, we got guests.”

“Who, wha? I’m up, here I come, ahm comin’” The old crinkly pony said as she got herself out of her rocking chair. The orange mare then turned back to Twilight,

“Why, I’d say you’re already part of the family!”, Twilight spit out whatever was in her mouth at the time,

“Hahaha, Okay, well, I can see the food situation is handled, so we’ll be on our way.”

“Aren’t you gonna stay for brunch?” Some little filly said with a near tearful face,

“Sorry, but we have an awful lot to do.” After she said that, the disappointment in everpony’s face was unmistakable. “…fine” she reluctantly said, and was rewarded with a bolt of cheers.

A ho-down and three courses of food later, Twilight was finally heading away from Sweet Apple Acres, stuffed full with pie. She regretted it, yeah, but at least she was out of the crazy hole. She was now heading to her next stop, somepony names Rainbow Dash was supposed to clear the weather for the day, and judging from all the clouds still in the sky, she wasn’t doing a very good job. Right after that thought, she was crushed by a blueish, rainbow like blur that sent her into the mud. She assumed it was another pony, just because of the way she was yelling at her when she came down. The rainbow maned Pegasus stood back up, also covered in mud.

“heheha, Uh, ‘scuse me?, hehe” she said with a sheepish laughter, “He, Lemme help you”, the Pegasus then flew off, got a cloud, and let it rain on Twilight inorder to get the mud out. Twilight was soaking wet when Rainbow finished. “Oops, I guess I overdid it. Um, uh, how about this?” she said, then started flying laps around Twilight in an attempt to dry her. “My very own patented Rain-Blow Dry! No no. Don’t thank me. You’re quite welcome”. She then finally looked up and saw that Twilight’s mane had poofed into a huge purple ball. Rainbow then started to laugh really hard. Spike turned to see what had happened and he too fell to the floor in laughter.

“Let me guess, you’re Rainbow Dash.”

“The one and only. Why, you heard of me?”

“I heard you were supposed to be keeping the sky clear,” Twilight sighed, “I’m Twilight Sparkle, and the Princess sent me to check on the weather.”

“Yeah, yeah, that’ll be a snap. I’ll do it in a jiffy, just as soon as I’m done practicing.”

“Practicing for what?”

“The Wonderbolts!” Rainbow said enthusiastically, “They’re gonna perform at the Celebration tomorrow, and I’m gonna show’em my stuff!”

“The Wonderbolts?”

“Yep”

“The most talented flyers in all of Equestria?”

“That’s them!”

“Pfft! Please. They’d never accept a Pegasus who can’t even keep the sky clear for one measly day.” Twilight said mater of factly, but with a tinge of 'pride killer' in it.

“Hey, I could clear this sky in ten, seconds, flat.”

“Prove it”

Rainbow Dash was appalled by the challenge and the obvious doubt that came for this sad, sad newcomer. In a flash she flew off into the sky, punching and smashing through as many clouds as she can. The amazement on Twilight’s face only seemed to grow bigger and bigger as she realized the Rainbow might actually clear the sky in ten seconds. Which, she did, and that alone left Twilight in a gaze.

“What’d I say? Ten. Seconds. Flat.” She said, pride obviously plastering itself all over her face, “I’d never leave Ponyville hanging”, she started to chuckle some more, “You’re a laugh Twilight Sparkle, I can’t wait to hang out some more.” Then she flew off into the distance.

“Wow, she’s amazing!” Spike remarked.

***

Twilight finally made it to the front door of the library. She had spent a long, long day making sure all of the preparations were secure and ready to go, and she had met some strange ponies along the way. The next stop she made after meeting with Rainbow Dash took her to the city hall where somepony named Rarity was decorating. Spike had looked entranced, but that didn’t seem to bother her. What was disturbing was that Rarity had actually been trying to dress her up and fix her hair and stuff. Not to say it didn’t work, but that was a lot of personal space she didn’t want invaded. After that, she made it to a nature cottage somewhere near the forest where a pony named Flutter Shy was supposed to be preparing for music demonstrations. She did find Flutter Shy, but her name nailed her personality; Flutter Shy was the most Shy Pony Twilight had ever met.

The Baby yellow pegasus didn't say much of anything until she got a glimpse at Spike, then she exploded and wanted to know "everything" about him. She kept walking with them all the way back to the library, so much that, in fact, she was still trailing them as they made it to the door.

"…and that's the story of my whole life, well, up until today. Do you wanna hear about today?" Spike said, still going on about himself,

"Oh, yes, please" Flutter Shy said, then Twilight intervened before she could get more annoyed,

"I am so sorry, how did we get here so fast? This is where I'm staying while in Ponyville and my poor baby dragon needs his sleep."

"No I don't-WHOA", Twilight had knocked him off of her back,

"Aww, wook at dat, he's so sweep he can't even keep his widdle bawance" She said with a sheepish smile.

"Poor thing" Flutter Shy said while scooping Spike off of the ground, "you simply must get into bed…", Flutter Shy was interrupted when Twilight pulled Spike from her arms and pushed her out from the library.

"Yes, yes, we'll get right on that. Well, g'night" Twilight said before quickly closing the door. The library was dark, but she was relieved.

"Huh, rude much?" Spike said.

"Sorry Spike, but I have to convince the Princess that Nightmare Moon is coming, and we're running out of time. I just need to be alone so I can study without a bunch of Crazy ponies trying to make friends all the time. Now, where's the light?" No sooner had Twilight said that when the lights flicked on and a huge parade of colors and ponies screamed out 'SURPRISE!'. The Pink mare from earlier came out and gave her own solo surprise then began to introduce herself.

"Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie, and I threw this party just for you! Were you surprised? Were ya? Were ya? Huh huh huh?" Twilight wasn't amused at all,

"Very surprised. Libraries are supposed to be quite." She said bowing her head down in disappointment. She thought she was finally done for the day.

"Well, that's silly! What kind of welcome party would this be if it were quiet? I mean, duh, bo-ring! Y'see, I saw you when you first got here, remember? You were all "hello" and I was all [deep gasp], remember? Y'see I've never saw you before that means you're new, 'cause I know everypony, and I mean everypony in Ponyville!" Twilight still wasn't amused as pinkie went on and on, by this point, she had tuned out the pink pony entirely. Twilight made it over to the drinks table and started to pour Hot Sauce into a glass and didn't notice it was Hot Sauce. Pinkie went on, "And now you have lots and lots of friends!". At that moment, the other ponies she had met that day popped up behind her, and she realized that she was drinking Hot Sauce. Twilight's face started to swell up in heat and she ran off to the bathroom.

"Are you all right sugarcube?" The orange mare said asked,

"Aww, she's so happy she's crying!" Pinkie remarked.

Not to much time later (actually sever hours later), Spike walked into the bedroom where Twilight was hiding. "Hey Twilight! Pinkie Pie's starting 'pin the tail on the pony'! Wanna play?",

"No! All the ponies in this town are crazy! Do you know what time it is?!"

"It's the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration. Everypony has to stay up, or they'll miss the Princess rise the Sun! You really should lighten up Twilight, it's a party!"

Twilight was even more annoyed, now that Spike was supporting this madness. She turned back around in her bed. "Ugh, here I thought I'd have time to learn about the Elements of Harmony but, silly me, all this ridiculous friend-making has kept me from it!", she plopped down, trying to block out everything that happened that day. She was looking right out the window when the annoyance seemed to fade away, a minor gift from the moon that allowed her some form of piece, but the poor lavender pony was quickly consumed with the thoughts of a conscious mind, and she started to worry about the prophecy. "Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about everlasting night. I hope the Princess was right… I hope it really is an old ponytale…".

Spike re-entered through the door, "C'mon Twilight, it's time to watch the sunrise!".

***

Meanwhile, back when Twilight Sparkle had just woken up that very same day that brought her to Ponyville, Nightmare Moon stood waiting, still guarding the night. The sun was about to arise, and it was time to awake Luna. Nightmare felt it, the moon that night, it was more powerful that night than it had been any other night, and something told her that it would be in it's peak power tomorrow. Nightmare was eager to awake Luna.

"Luna" She said calmly at first, "Luna" She said with a little more aggression, "LUNA!" She finally said, waking up Luna.

"What, what's going on, is something wrong?" Luna said within Nightmare, concern could be registered from the tone of her voice.

"No, everything is fine, in fact, it's better than fine. I can't believe we have forgotten, but guess what day this is?"

"Saturday?"

"Yes. And do you know what tomorrow is?"

"Sunday?"

"Yes! The Tenth Millennial Sunday! When the Moon is finally dominant over the Sun for another 10,000 years!" Nightmare said with little more than just excitement, she said it with craftiness, a plan had struck into her thoughts. Luna didn't respond for about three minutes while Nightmare waited for her to say something, but she did respond,

"Is it ready? Are we able to Reap the Moon yet?"

"That spell has been in place for 10,000 years, since when we were first born. Mother gave Celestia the Sun so she could protect the land during the day, and gave us the Moon to protect it in the Night, but remember that she gave us something more. She gave us the Mare on the Moon, a reminder that one day we will be promised power beyond that of the Sun, but could only be acquired on the tenth millennium. A gift to make us stronger than the Sun! Sister, do you know what this means?! We will finally be able to overthrow Celestia's reign on the Day, and free pony kind once and for all!" Nightmare's excitement that she had been suppressing for the past 1,000 years finally came out of her this single moment. "Do you think she saw this day coming, and prepared us for it!?" It was Luna's turn to be excited,

"So it is! Tonight, Mother's star's will award us the long held power, and we will be able to bring back balance to this world!", Luna then calmed down, and was at peace with herself. With a flick of a second and a flash of light, Nightmare Moon turned into Princess Luna, and now the brighter colored, more refined Princess stood on the terrace, not Nightmare. Luna had her eyes closed, her mouth formed with respect, not a smile. She looked up at the stars. "Mother, I wish you could be here to tell us today was truly the day."

~~~~~~~~~~

(A flash back to many, many years ago, back when Luna was only a filly)

Luna walked down the halls of the home castle, she was summoned by her mother into the master chambers, where the God of Light dwelled herself. It was strange, because usually she and Celestia were called together in meetings like this. Regardless, Luna stepped into the Master Chambers. Queen Galaxia was looking out the large window that overlooked the Universe, Her Realm. She turned around to see Luna, love sprung into her eyes for the little filly.

"Luna" she said with a calm, motherly voice that would send spears of calmness down anypony's spine if they where there to hear it, "come here". Luna obeyed, and gently walked over to Galaxia.

"What is it Mother?"

"Fate has been kind enough to show me the future, and I've seen something in yours".

"Really? What is it?" Luna said, excitement filling her like a fountain.

"You know that your older sister is to be the guardian of the world I send you to right?"

"Mhmm" Luna replied with a cute little nod.

"We'll, Luna, it seems that she will lose her way one day."

"Why?"

"Hm" Galaxia hymned with a smile, "That won't matter right now, the only thing I need to tell you, is that you, in time, will become that land's protector, and take the place of your sister until I return."

"Wow! Really? Thank you Mother." Luna said with a blissful smile, but then a question entered her face, "why can't I be the guardian princess right then?"

"My Dearest Luna, I would love that for you very much, but you still have much to learn, much growing up to do. When you have finally grown into a full grown mare, you will be ready."

"But that will take forever" Luna said with some distress.

"Ha ha ha" Galaxia openly laughed, "It won't feel as long when you're all grown, just give it time, you'll see". Luna didn't really perk up from the remark, but she accepted it, "Now run along Luna, I have to speak with your sister",

"Okay Mommy" Luna said, then trotted out of the room. Galaxia stood there, sadness filled her face. She knew that one day Celestia would disown her, that she would try to fight her, but she had to let reality take its place, not fate. It has been wrong before, but only once. She needed to at least give Celestia a chance, and that's all it would take.

Celestia was older than Luna by about 1,000 years, and likewise, had 1,000 years more experience. Galaxia chose Celestia to be her main student, and learn the ways of the Universe. Because of that, Celestia matured quickly, and grew powerful, powerful enough to be given a star of her own, but she wasn't even close to the power that was required to govern 4,037.6 Trillion stars and still have enough power left over to continue creating them, forever and ever. Galaxia had much hope in Celestia, and wondered if she would one day become as strong as she was. But the vision she had crushed that dream, so she let it out of her mind.

Celestia walked into the room shortly after Luna had left. She was about as big as a normal pony, except she had wings. "You called me Mother?".

"Yes, my dear Celestia", Galaxia still had a very motherly tone, full of love. Brightness entered back into her face as she saw her child slowly approach. She loved Celestia so much. "There was something I wanted to tell you." Celestia rightfully took her place before Galaxia and awaited what wisdom she was about to bestow upon her. "You know that I have appointed you as guardian over the world that you shall inhabit, but there is something else I have need for you to hear. 8,000 years after I place you on that world, the role of guardian will be switched from you, to Luna."

"Why is this so Mother?" Celestia inquired, her thoughts still pure. Celestia was like Twilight, always eager to learn.

"Do not be discouraged my dear Celestia, it is only to allow Luna to experience all that you have, so then you both together can learn and grow".

"I understand Mother, and I think that it is the best coarse of action. I would hate to know that I would never be as great as my sister as well if it where the other way around".

"I knew you would Celestia. Just remember, when that day comes, you must willingly step down from the throne, so you can move on with your training, and continue to learn."

"I will Mother."

"That is all Celestia. I love you very much"

"I love you to Mother".

Celestia and Galaxia exchanged hugs, and Celestia walked out of the Master Chamber. Galaxia knew that Celestia in that fateful day would not give up the throne that easily, quick to forget her Mother's will. When her little fillies go down into the world, they will lose all memory of ever being with Galaxia. 'Just remember, you won't be able to remember me, but evidences of my existence will be all around you, you just have to look for it', Galaxia remembers telling her children. The time they will spend without her must be lived Without Her; she can help them from afar, but that time of their lives will be vital to their progression, and it must remain that way. Galaxia still remembers the time when she lived on a planet, surrounded by friends and family, and she remembers that her mother couldn't be there either. Galaxia's mother now lived in a different dimension, permanently separated from Galaxia, but they both rule their universes as almighty, glorified beings. Galaxia at times wishes she could see her mother, but she knew it was impossible. If Fate wanted it, he would bring them together again, but they both checked, and no where was it written.

(End of flashback)

~~~~~~~~~~

(Back to Luna)

Luna diverted her attention away from the sky. "So what was your plan Nightmare?"

"That we finally make our move on the Day, and take our place as rulers of the land."

"Celestia won't simply allow it, what are we to do with her?" Luna still missed her sister very much, the thought of hurting her never would sit well in her heart.

"We hold the powers of the moon, an eternal sleep should do it" Nightmare suggested, aware that they couldn't kill Celestia, Luna otherwise wouldn't allow it.

"Okay, Nightmare, but who's going to do it?"

"If you would like Luna, I could do it. I know that in the face of Celestia, you may not have the strength to do anything to her at all, and risk our element of surprise."

"You would do that for me?"

"Of corse I would, all will be fine Luna, I promise"

"And you won't hurt her?"

"Not at all"

Luna waited a bit, "Thank you Nightmare, I don't know what I could do without you."

"Conform to Celestia's Day I suppose", they both laughed about it.

"Well, Nightmare, let us prepare for the day when the Night will last forever, like it was when this world created."

"We first must travel to the boarder, owe should not waste a single second when the lives of all those ponies could be freed"

"For them"

"For Their Children"

They then said this next part in unison, "For Equestria!"

Luna jumped off of the terrace and flew forward towards the Solar Kingdom, her wings flying through the air with might, and majesty. The citizens below did nothing more than marvel at their princess as she flew past. Slowly gaining speed, Luna rushed off into the horizon, carrying with her a purpose, a divine mission that had been bestowed upon her long ago, to fulfill her duties as the rightful ruler of Equestria.

Luna's Advance

Chapter 3: Luna's Advance

It took an entire day, but Luna finally made it to the Everfree Forest. With a thud to the ground, Princess Luna landed at the border between the Lunar Republic and that great and mysterious forest. From here on, they will travel by foot, until they reached the other side.

The sun was setting, it literally taking from sun up to sun down for them to get as far as they did, but they weren’t done yet. For half of the Night, or about eight hours, they will travel from one end of the forest to the other, keeping up as much stealth as possible in order to maintain their element of surprise.

“Well, we’re here Nightmare, this is the Everfree Forest”, Luna said.

“Fantastic, let us continue, the day is nearing an end.” Out on the horizon, the Moon slowly crept up the sky. It was barely visible, considering that the sun was still in the sky. But in no time at all, the Moon will take its place in the sky, where it shall remain forever, and yield no more to the Sun.

Luna was filled with duty, courage, and will, to where she ran into the Everfree Forest unafraid, and un-waning. Luna passed by trees, stepped over tall grasses, and slowly grew in speed the more the Moon arose in the sky. In not very much time, when the Moon finally began to show of its luminance, Luna was running/gliding with the speed that she flew with. If she had been flying right now, she would rival Rainbow Dash in shire speed.

Only a few hours later, Luna had traversed the extent of the entire Everfree Forest, and only stopped briefly when they had made it to the boarder. From a distance, she could watch, and wait for the right moment to strike.

“Nightmare, it’s time you take over.”

“Of coarse Luna, leave this night to me, all will be well when Celestia is defeated, and the sun doesn’t rise.” Then, with a flick of a second, and a flash of light, Luna turned into Nightmare Moon. The taller, all black mare now stood proud, her fangs showing in a grin. “All in due time Celestia, all in due time” She said, waiting for the final cycle of night and day to end, and begin an era of eternal night.

A feeling had brought them to the outskirts of Ponyville, Luna had been following the influence that her sister had left. Celestia was here in this small town, and they will be ready when the time was ripe.

After some time later, the sun was peak to rise, the night almost ending. Nightmare took one quick look at the moon; it was stronger than any other night it had ever been. Now looking at the sky, four stars started to move towards the moon; one from the East, one from the South, another from the West, and one from the North. They were moving slowly, but it was the final countdown till eternal night. And, it was her signal.

Nightmare Moon turned into the ghostly mist she is well known to be, and darted right into Ponyville. She moved quickly, trying to find Celestia.

She zoomed past one building, than another, and another, following the feeling of Celestia’s presence until she found the city hall. Celestia, she felt, was in that tower. Nightmare Moon then flew up to the roof, and very slightly peeked through the window. Celestia was there, waiting, she was about to get ready to open the door and walk out through a curtain, but Nightmare waited for the stars to reach the moon. Nightmare starred at the Moon, the stars creeping ever so slowly towards the big, round, glowing piece of heaven floating above her head. Then, finally, the stars reached the moon, and the Mare in the Moon disappeared. Immediately, Nightmare was filled with such incredible power, that her heart almost exploded from the overwhelming feeling. But it didn't stop there; Nightmare's body kept getting filled with heavenly power, so much that it threatened to tear her skin apart. Her mouth crept into a smile that had never been seen on her's or Luna's face, her eyes starting to glow brightly into the sky. When the power was finished transferring to her from the moon, Nightmare's body glowed with a bright light briefly, and then it seeped back into her body. She felt dense, but weightless. Power surged through her like a mighty lightning storm, but didn't destroy her body. She vibrated slightly, but only because her body was trying to get used to this power. 'Is this what Celestia feels?' she thought to herself, 'no, because we are now stronger than Celestia!', she continued to think in her head.

Then with no time wasted at all, her eyes simply curved into the direction of the window while a very large grin crept onto her face. Within the amount of time it takes to blink, she bolted into the building. Celestia was unaware of what had hit her; her mind was simply to slow, and couldn't register at all what had happened. She was knocked to the floor, knocked out briefly from the impact of Nightmare crashing into her skull.

"For Shaddow Sun!" Nightmare said in a whisper, then crouched her head towards the direction of the solar princess with anger, and lit her horn. The spell she casted put Celestia into some kind of a vegetable state, where she was alive, but consciously was not there. An eternal sleep. She then casted a second spell, one to lock her away into another realm where she will never be seen again. Victorious, Nightmare laughed with glory. "I have done it!".

Looking around very briefly, she noticed that there was a celebration going on, and Celestia was supposed to make an appearance. "Well, might as well make an entrance" Nightmare stated.

All could feel it, a feeling of "discomfort", but it was actually the unfamiliar comfort that bothered them. The ponies of the Solar Kingdom had never felt this feeling, and they feared it. Nightmare assumed they would get used to it, and accept this freedom she had given them.

The ponies where free; free to once again commune with their sub-conscious mind. The sun was defeated, and the night had rightfully taken its place. Peace will reign forever… or shall it?

***

(Before Celestia's defeat, when the moon still had the form of a mare on its face, the Summer Sun Celebration about to start)

Celestia paced and waited, in five minutes she would walk out of the curtain to an army of screaming ponies. She was well loved in the Solar Kingdom.

Yes, Celestia had gotten Twilight's warning about the prophecy, but that prophecy was made a small tribe who, back then, foolishly worshiped Queen Galaxia. There was no Galaxia! Because if there was, Celestia wouldn't feel all the pain she feels. She was supposed to be Galaxia's favorite, but in a time of most need, she was abandoned. Celestia on that day decided that one cannot rely on another being. If she was to be the guardian of this world, and protect it, she would do it her own way.

Thus was the commenced the pre-war between Luna and Celestia, where arguments were the form of weapon. Celestia tried to convince Luna that Galaxia doesn't exist, and that they needed to create their own haven for ponies. Luna disagreed with the plan Celestia presented, for it would entail that they brainwash the lives of their precious ponies. "To protect them! Do you want them to get hurt?!" Celestia petitioned,

"Of corse not sister! But we can't do that! It would be an act of evil!"

"No, it would free them from strife, from pain, and you consider that to be evil!"

"Yes! What would Mother say?"

"Mother? We don't have a mother!"

"Galaxia, you don't remember Galaxia?!"

And thus would be their arguments for many days, until Luna had to separate herself from Celestia and create a haven of truth. A war began between them over territory, and it ended with the Everfree Forest. Luna had enchanted it to be free of both influences, a force of its own, a liberated landscape, and Celestia feared what she might find there, what Luna was hiding. Many years later, Luna allowed Celestia to have the Everfree Forest, as a peace offering, but it continued to fight any form of influence, and was immune to the Day.

Celestia, in short, abandoned Galaxia, and rebelled against her already set plan. Celestia decided to make her own salvation, and disregard all that she had learned that 'came' from Galaxia. She made the Day, an enchantment to separate the conscious mind from the sub-conscious mind, and make logic the master of her world. Thus was born a very unaware, but safe world. The ponies still felt emotions, but they were created by their conscious mind. Celestia herself became victim to her own enchantment, a side effect she was willing to take. But she had gone the extra mile, and took the effort to actually destroy her sub-conscious mind, thus the death of Shaddow Sun that Nightmare mentions every once in a while.

Celstia disregarded Twilight's notion when it was presented, believing so solely that she had one that fateful day and banished Luna to the moon forever by using the Elements of Harmony. Luna, in their final battle, had somehow freed her sub-conscious mind, and used it as a weapon. But no matter, Luna was gone, and she could go on towards taking over the rest of the planet in her Day, if it wasn't for that Forest.

The Elements can be used by anyone who is in harmony within themselves. Celestia, after banishing Luna, could not use the elements ever again, forever disconnected from their power. She then banished them to the Everfree forest where she would never have to look at them again.

It was almost time, the curtain will open, and the ceremony will begin. Only a few seconds left… when Nightmare came rushing through the window and attacked Celestia. As like before, Celestia knew nothing of her assault, she was hit too fast.

***

(Again, back before Celestia was attacked, the sun about to raise)

Twilight made it to the City Hall along with all the other ponies, the sun was about to be raised.

"Isn't this exciting? Are you excited, 'cause I'm excited, I've never been so excited-- well, except for that time that I saw you walking into town and I went [deep gasp] but I mean really, who can top that?" Pinkie Pie said enthusiastically. The birds started singing with Flutter Shy as their chorister in a big harmony of sounds to welcome Mayor Mare into the room. The spot light trailed all the way down to the ground floor where the Mayor stood,

"Fillies and Gentlecolts" She opened, "as Mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!" All the ponies in the building started cheering. "In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year!" As the Mayor continued in her introduction, Twilight glanced up at the Moon. She saw four stars touch the moon and then the Mare on the Moon disappeared! A sickening feeling entered her as she waited for what may come next. "And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria, Princess Celestia!" The birds started singing and Rarity pulled the curtain open, but Celestia wasn't there!

Everypony looked confused, what was happening? "Stay calm every pony, there must be a reasonable explanation" the Mayor stated,

"Ooh! I love guessing games! Is she hiding?" Pinkie Pie said as she started to bend her head in different directions, supposedly looking for Celestia.

Rarity came back out from behind the curtain with bad news, "She's gone" she said with some surprise. The other ponies gasped.

"Ooh, she's good" Pinkie said, then screamed at the sight of a mysterious fog begin to form. All the other ponies looked at it in fear as well.

"Oh no" Twilight whispered, and then the fog formed into the one pony capable of defeating Celestia, "Nightmare Moon" Twilight still said, terrified that the prophecy was true, but was sad that the Princess had not listened to her. All the other ponies starred in fear.

"Oh my beloved subjects, it's been so long since I've seen your precious, little, sun loving, faces" She said with emphasis, her hatred for Celestia hadn't died out yet, and she unwillingly was sounding cruel to the ponies she had liberated.

"What did you do with our Princess!" Rainbow said when she started to fly away, but Apple Jack stopped her mid flight by biting onto her tail. Nightmare only laughed,

"Why? am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?" Nightmare said,

"Ooh Ooh! More guessing games! Um, Hokey Smokes! How about… Queen Meanie! No! Black Snooty, Black Snooty!" Pinkie began to say, but was cut off by Apple Jack shoving an apple into her mouth.

"Does my crown no longer count now that I've been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?" Nightmare continued to speak, but was cut off by Twilight with a fearless

"I did, and I know who you are. You're the Mare in the Moon, Nightmare Moon". All the ponies gasped some more.

"Well well well, somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I am here." Nightmare said hopefully.

"You're here to…" Twilight shied down. Nightmare began to laugh some more, somepony who actually believed that this day would come.

"Remember this day little ponies, for it was your last" Nightmare said, trying to give good news, "From this moment forth, the Night, will last, forever! HAHAHAHAHA!" Nightmare laughed, happiness was filling her to the rim, and she thought the other ponies would be excited as well, but they seemed to be so frightened. Regardless, Nightmare's mane and tail began to swirl with power, shooting bolts of lightning from the center. Nightmare truly was powerful.

"Seise her! Only she knows where the Princess is!" Mayor Mare ordered, and the Royal Guard took action. Nightmare was a little surprised at the notion,

"Stand back ye fools!" She said. She couldn't believe that these ponies actually thought that she was their enemy. With little effort (she didn't even have to light her horn), she sent bolts of thunder into the soldier's path. It knocked them back with a force they had never felt before, this being the first time they had to face against a real foe. Nightmare then realized what really was going on, the ponies loathed her, and they wouldn't stand for her to be their leader. 'Damn Celestia, what have you done to these ponies?'. She turned back into a mist and bolted out the door.

"Come back here!" Rainbow said, flying after but shopped because she realized that Nightmare was faster than her. "Night time, forever?" Rainbow said, not sure about her feelings on the thought. The Night was trying to free her mind, and it made her calm, but the Day was still strong within her, so she didn't like the night. She then noticed Twilight her out of the building full sprint, "Where's she going".

Twilight rushed into the Library and quickly put Spike to bed, she was about to do something no pony should ever try. Twilight started rushing through as minay books in the library as she could, looking for something, anything on the Elements of Harmony. "Elements, elements, elements! Ugh! How can I stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?"

Rainbow had somehow snuck into the library and was now confronting Twilight, " And just what are the Elements of Harmony? And how do you know about Nightmare Moon, huh? Are you a spy?" Apple Jack dragged Rainbow Dash to the floor.

"Simmer down, Sally. She ain't no spy. But she sure knows what's going on." The other ponies Twilight met that day were all approaching slowly, "Don't you, Twilight?" Apple Jack said,

"I read all about the prediction on Nightmare Moon. Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only thing that can stop her. but I don't know what they are, where to find them; I don't even know what they do!"

"The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide" Pinkie read off a title of a book on the shelf. Twilight bumped her right out of the way,

"How did you find that?"

"It was under 'E'!" Pinkie said, bouncing around happily.

"Oh." Twilight said, they flipped the book open. "There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty and Loyalty. The sixth is a complete mystery. It said, the last known location of the five elements was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters. It is located in what is now the Everfree Forest".

"The Everfree Forest!" The other ponies said in fear. Little did they know that Nightmare Moon was outside their window, listening in at their conversation. Nightmare rushed off into the Forest to find the Elements. If she could get them first, then the night truly would last forever. The Elements where the only thing that, even after her great advancement in power, could defeat her.

The six ponies made it to the entrance of the forest, but where almost to afraid to go in, well, except Pinkie Pie.

"Whee! Let's go!" The pink mare said,

"Not so fast" Twilight intervened, "Look, I appreciate the offer, but I'd really rather so this on my own."

"No can do, sugarcube. We sure ain't let tin' any friend of ours go into that creepy place alone. We're stickin' to you like caramel on a candy apple." All the other ponies agreed with a nod and continued on trotting into the Forest.

"Especially if there's candy apples in there. What? Those things are good." Pinkie said, a little behind the group, but continued on anyway. Twilight looked at them with amazement. First off, they thought she was their friend, and second, they would actually risk their lives for her. Twilight began to like them a little more then she had. Over head, the stars stated to twinkle with delight, Galaxia was pleased with Nightmare's actions.

"So have any of you been in here before?" Twilight asked as they walked through the forest.

"Oh heavens no. Just look at it, it's dreadful" Rarity replied,

"And it ain't natural. Folk say it don't work the same as Equestria." (Little did they know that the Forest was the most natural thing they had ever seen in their entire lives).

"What's that supposed to mean?" Twilight asked,

"Nopony knows" Rainbow started to say with a creepy voice, "You know why?"

"Rainbow, quit it." Apple Jack said unamused. Nightmare was just passing by when she saw the six colorful ponies on their quest to stop her, so she took a quick turn to stop them. She could have destroyed them, her magic was beyond powerful enough, but they were her subjects, they were ponies she was trying to free, why then would she permanently harm them like that? She had to stop them anyhow. So, Nightmare phased into the cliff side and prepared to bring it down.

"'cause every pony who's ever come in" she said, creeping around near the floor, "has never, come, out!", right as Rainbow said that, Nightmare destroyed the cliff side and sent four of the six ponies down to the ground, the other two simply flew because they where pegasi.

As the ponies went down, they screamed in fear. "Flutter Shy! Quick! Rainbow said as they both rushed down to save the other ponies.

Rainbow dash picked up Pinkie Pie, Flutter Shy got ahold of Rarity's tail, and Apple Jack bit onto a root, but Twilight was still falling down to the cliff's edge. Twilight was just barely hanging on, half of her body hanging over the edge, when Apple Jack slid down to help her. "Hold on! I'ma comin'" she said as she went down to help Twilight.

"She grabbed onto the lavender mare's hooves and tried to pull her up, but she wasn't strong enough. After a while, Apple Jack told Twilight to let go.

"Are you crazy!" Twilight said,

"No I ain't, I promise you'll be safe."

"That's not true!" Twilight said.

"Now listen here. What I'm sayin' to you is the honest truth. Let go, and you'll be safe." The Night pried into Twilight's heart, and allowed her to know that everything was going to be alright. Twilight's sub-conscious mind was starting to awaken, as where with the other ponies.

Twilight did let go, but screamed the whole way down to the bottom. She luckily was caught by Rainbow and Flutter Shy, and was gently brought to the ground. Trust was built between them. Flutter Shy though started wobbling a bit,

"Sorry girls. i'm not used to holding anything more than a bunny or two" She said, but succeeded in bringing Twilight back to the ground.

Nightmare saw the outcome, and rushed to solve it with something else. She decided to anger a Manticore, and let it loose on the ponies. If she knew anything about day dwellers, they would just run away, and not actually get hurt.

"And once Pinkie Pie and Rarity were saved, whoosh... me and Flutter Shy loopdee looped around and WHAM! Caught you in the nick of time" Rainbow Dash stated.

"Yes, Rainbow, I was there, and I'm very grateful, but we gotta…" She was caught off by the sight of the Manticore. It roared in their direction. "We gotta get passed him" Twilight said,

The Manticore then jumped into the air and attempted to smack the daylight out of rarity, when she ducked under it's fist and flipped around to buck him square in the face.

"Take that you ruffian!" Rarity said victoriously, but the Manticore only got even more angry and roared directly in her face. It ruined Rarity's hair style, and that alone sent her off running. Flutter Shy tried to tell them to wait, but she was too quiet.

The Manticore chased after Rarity, but Apple Jack hoped onto it's back. "Yee Haw, get along little dogie" Apple Jack said, riding the back of the manticore as if it were a bull. Fluttershy once again told them to wait, but she was still to quiet to be heard. The manticore succeeded in throwing Apple Jack of it's back though.

Rainbow dash then whooshed in and started flying laps around the manticore. Flutter Shy told them to wait again, except she was a little louder, just not loud enough to be heard still. The manticore timed it just right to knock Rainbow away with it's scorpion tail.

They all then started to charge at the manticore, when Flutter Shy jumped into their way and screamed, "Wait!", and they all stopped. Flutter Shy then approached the manticore. It was about to attack her, but she calmed it down by showing that she was gentle. The manticore melted into her hooves, and showed her a stick that was stuck in it's paw. Flutter Shy then very kindly yanked it out, and the manticore picked her up and started yelling at her.

"Fluttershy!" The othe five ponies said, but soon discovered it was ok because the manticore was actually licking Fluttershy's face.

"Hehehe, Aw you're just a little ol' baby kitty, aren't you? Yes you are, yes you are." She said nicely. All the other ponies felt a little safer as well, and continued to walk passed the manticore.

"How did you know about the thorn?" Twilight asked,

"I didn't. Sometimes we all just need to be shown a little kindness". Twilight melted from the statement, and continued to walk with a good feeling in her heart. She was starting to really like these ponies.

Nightmare Moon saw the whole thing, she being the stick in the manticore's paw. She was both happy and distraught at what had happened. First of all, the ponies proved that the Night was starting to influence them, because they actually stood up to the manticore instead of run away from it. As great as it was to see them break off from the influences of the Day, they continued on their quest to defeat her, and she couldn't allow it!

Later, somewhere deeper into the forest.

"My eyes need a rest from all this icky muck." Soon after Rarity said that, they walked into a dense expanse of trees that blocked out the moonlight, "Well, I didn't mean that literally".

"The ancient ruin could be right in front of our faces and we wouldn't even know it." Twilight stated,

The ponies started bumping into each other as they walked through the darkness. Nightmare took the advantage of the dark space in order to control the trees. Maybe if they wouldn't run from danger, they would run from spooky things. So, Nightmare entered into the trees, and tried to make them look as scary as possible.

The first to notice was Fluttershy, who screamed at the sight of the tree. As the others realized what was going on, they too also screamed. But then, Pinkie Pie came along, and was simply laughing at it.

"Pinkie, what are you doing, run!" Twilight said,

"Oh girls, don't you see?", Pinkie started to sing a song, dance around, and the more she did it, the more the ponies felt relaxed. Eventually they all were laughing at the "Ghosties" and were walking right through the forest as if the spooky trees weren't there.

Nightmare continued to be impressed, but she started to panic as to what she was going to do about these ponies. Looking ahead for ideas, she found a raging river that the ponies wouldn't be able to cross anyway. 'HA'. Nightmare then went about heading to her old home, the Elements must be destroyed.

Nightmare made it to the castle, finally, but then she heard one of the ponies behind speak loud enough that she could here,

"There it is, the ancient ruins, we made it girls!" Twilight Sparkle said, her tone muffled out in the distance. Nightmare's spine tingled with the realization that the ponies had somehow crossed the river, and made it all the way to the castle. The bridge was broken, yes, but there where two pegasi that could just fly down and fix the bridge, so she had to think of something. Then finally, and idea entered her head. Judging form the cyan pegasus's personality, she was probably a Jock that dreamed about being in a professional sport. Since her cutie mark was a lightning bolt, she assumed that the blueish pegasus liked to fly, and fly fast. Maybe, just maybe, she could convince her to abandon her friends, for the sake of fame. Nightmare waited on the other side of the canyon to see what happens

Like she predicted, the rainbow maned pegasus flew down and grabbed the other end of the bridge. She then flew up to the other side where she was waiting for him.

"Rainbow" Nightmare said in a mysterious tone.

"Huh, who's there?" Rainbow Dash said,

"Rainbow" Nightmare continues to say. Rainbow Dash stopd up in a fighting pose,

"I ain't scared of you, show yourself!" She said,

"We've been eagerly awaiting the best flyer in all of Equestria" Nightmare said. Rainbow looked confused,

"Who?"

"Why you, of coarse"

"Really?! I mean, yeah, me. Hey, you wouldn't mind telling the Wonderbolts that would ya? 'Cus, I've been trying to get into that group like, forever." As Nightmare predicted, Rainbow was dreaming of becoming a first class flyer, and she knew exactly how to react to that. Nightmare then transformed into a group of three Shaddowbolts, in order to act as if she was a rival team against the Wonderbolts.

"No Rainbow Dash, we want you to join us" Nightmare said, then ran out from behind the fog to present herself, or selves, "The Shaddowbolts. We are the greatest Airial Team in the Everfree Forest, and soon we will be the greatest in all Equestria. But first, we need a captain." Rainbow luckily perked up from the supposed invitation, like she predicted, "The most magnificent"

"Yep"

"The swiftest"

"Yes"

"Bravest flyer in all the land"

"Yes, it's all true" Rainbow was visually really happy. Good.

"We need, you" she whispered in her ear.

"WOHOO, sign me up!" Rainbow said happily and hopped into the air. This pleased Nightmare. "Just let me tie this bridge first, then we have a deal. PANICK TIME.

"No! It's them or us." Nightmare said desperately, hoping that all she had said worked.

"Rainbow! What's taking so long?!" Twilight yelled from across the cliff. Twilight then saw the Shaddowbolts from across the way, and Nightmare moved the fog back into place to conceal them. "Rainbow, don't listen to them" Her voice was muffled so they couldn't hear.

"Well?" Nightmare pushed. Rainbow Dash looked very conflicted,

"You" she said. Nightmare believed she had one, at least against the first pegasus. "Thank you, for the offer I mean" Rainbow corrected. Nightmare's heart sunk. These ponies must not get the Elements! "I'm afraid that I'll have to say no" Rainbow finished as she tied the bridge, and flew back across the way.

'What to do! What to do!' Nightmare thought. She couldn't destroy the bridge, because the ponies would be on it by that time. She couldn't push them back herself, because that would cause physical pain to them, and she refused to even think about doing that. There was only one option, quickly get to the Elements first, and destroy them. She entered the castle shortly enough, but flew right passed the actual elements, thinking that it was just decor for the main entrance.

But in the other room, she could hear them cheering, and moving what sounded like heavy blocks. Had they found them already?! Or did they know where they were before hand?! Nomatter, she had to get to the elements, and do it fast.

"Come on y'all, she needs to concentrate" Apply Jack said, herding the other ponies out the door while Twilight attempted to cast the spell she was thinking of. The Elements lay in front of her in a circle.

Nightmare moved in quickly, and creating a light tornado out of her power, she picked up the Elements, they now being in her possession, not the pony's. Twilight was slow to realize what was going on until she finally looked up.

"Ah!" She screamed as the wind sped up.

"Twilight!" The other ponies screamed with concern from outside.

Right when the other ponies finally made it inside, Nightmare Moon vanished with the elements. Twilight had jumped up at Nightmare when it happened, and they transported to a far off tower within the castle. Nightmare had the Elements floating around her.

"Hahaha" Nightmare laughed, more bolts of lightning shocked around her. Twilight gasped, but bent down to prepare for a charge at Nightmare. "You're kidding. You're kidding right." 'Enough of this, you will not get the Elements!' she thought, then charged at Twilight to parry whatever it was Twilight was thinking about doing. The lavender unicorn lit her horn was she ran after Nightmare. When they were about to crash into each other, Twilight teleported from where she was, to back over next to the Elements. Twilight then quickly tried to light a spark with her horn. Nightmare, with a speed she had never traveled with before, darted towards the Elements. Twilight had just made an electric current that not only pushed her back, but succeeded in bouncing from one Element to another. Nightmare stood in it's presence with fear. "No! No!" she said in a panic, but then the Elements stopped powering up, and went as limp as they had been only moments ago.

"But, where's the sixth element!" Twilight said, her turn to painc.

"Hahehe, Aha ha, Hahahahaha!" Nightmare laughed. 'This is your chance, destroy them now!' she told herself, then stood up high, and brought her hooves down with a force that broke all of the Elements into shards. Pleased that she was now safe, Nightmare basked in her victory. "You little foal! Thinking you could defeat me!" Twilight backed down with defeat, "Now you will never see your princess, or your precious sun. The Night, will last, forever! HAHAHAHA!" Nightmare said, in order to repeat herself from before, still thinking that it was good news to the ears of a Day dweller.

Twilight started to hear her friends walk up from the stairs, and then a spark lit into her eyes, and she realized that she had not yet lost. "You think you can destroy the Elements of Harmony just like that? Well, you're wrong, because the spirits of the Elements of Harmony are right here." Twilight said as the other ponies stepped to her side.

"What?" Nightmare said with disbelief as the Elements started to float up off the ground by themselves, still in broken shards. Nightmare began to fear exceedingly.

"Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of… Honesty!" Twilight said, and then the shards of the Element of Honesty flew is and floated around Applejack. "Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of… Kindness!" Twilight continued to do this with each of the other elements, revealing next Laughter, then Generosity, then Loyalty, until they all had elements floating around them. Nightmare was slightly hopeful, because they didn't have yet the sixth element. "The spirits of these five ponies got us through ever thing you threw at us."

"You still didn't have the sixth element! The spark didn't work!" Nightmare stated, still afraid of what might happen.

"But it did, a different kind of spark" Twilight said, then turned to see her new friends. "I realized it the very moment on how happy I was to hear you. To see you. How much I cared about you. The spark ignited inside me, when I realized that you all, are my friends!" Twilight said as she turned back to face Nightmare Moon, but then the sixth element, the Element of Magic, magically appeared above twilight, and floated down to her. A bright light emanated from their direction, enough that Nightmare had to shield her eyes. "You see, Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the… the spark, that resides in the heart of us all, it created the sixth element: The Element of Magic!" Nightmare Moon ultimately was in terror, but she couldn't help but feel slightly sympathetic that those ponies had discovered one of the strongest magics of all, the Magic of Friendship. Because of that connection, it won't matter what the Day may try to do to them, they will be completely unaffected, and able to live their lives freely with their sub-conscious minds. If all else failed today, these six ponies alone would be free from the curses of the Day. But again, Nightmare was ultimately terrified.

The Elements then formed into the shapes of each pony's cutie mark, and attached itself onto their necks. Twilight's though, formed itself into a crown, and placed itself on her head. As this was happening, the Elements charged up with power, then shot a rainbow of color into the air, then back down towards Nightmare Moon. It hit it's target.

"Nooooo! NOOOO!" Nightmare screamed. She felt herself be torn apart, the pain of it too powerful to bear. Something was being pulled out of her body, and it was… it was… Luna! Luna was being pulled out from her body! When Luna was fully out of Nightmare, now standing with as much pain as Nightmare. Then with a force to rival any blast of a canon, Luna was shot into the room, while Nightmare was shot in the opposite direction out through the window, and somewhere into the Everfree Forest. The power she had received from the Mare in the Moon was separated evenly between her and Luna, and now both only had a half of the power given to them. Nightmare, now without a conscious mind to help filter her emotions, felt a hatred that has never, nor ever will be, surpassed by any hatred felt from the past, and the future. Nightmare became epitome of no-self-control.

Luna, nearly unconscious, remained on the floor. Because their power had been separated in half, they didn't have the strength to keep running the spells Nightmare put on Celestia, and thus, the Princess of the Sun was free. Celestia now knew what it was that attacked her, and she also knew how she had escaped.

"Ugh, my head" Rainbow Dash said, the cyan pegasus's mind was now being invaded by the Day, but the Element of Loyalty kept her protected.

"Everypony okay?" Applejack asked.

"Oh Thank Goodness." Rarity said, talking about her tail. She had cut it off earlier, and it was now grown back.

"Why Rarity, it's so lovely." Fluttershy said, talking about Rarity's necklace.

"I know! I'll never part with it again." Rarity said, still talking about her tail.

"No, Your necklace. It looks just like your cutiemark."

"What? ooh. So does yours." Rarity pointed back,

"Look at mine! Look at mine!" Pinkie said enthusiastically.

"Aw yeah" Rainbow said, now looking at her necklace.

"Gee, Twilight! I thought you were just spoutin' a lot of hooey, but I reckon we really do represent the Elements of Friendship." Applejack told Twilight.

"Indeed you do" Celestia interrupted, everypony gasped at the sight of their Princess, then bowed before her. Celestia also raised the sun, once again defying the plan Galaxia had previously set forth. "Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student. I knew you could do it.

"But… you told me it was all an old pony tale." Twilight stated

"I told you that you needed to make some friends, nothing more. I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return and I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her, but you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart. Now if only another will as well." Celestia said, filling their minds with lies. Celestia didn't see the signs, she didn't know Twilight would use the Elements, and she didn't know Friendship was so powerful. But the ponies believed it, and loved her for it. "Princess Luna!" Celestia said in order to awake her. Luna looked up and immediately, fear struck into her, and it hit her hard. But she couldn't do anything, Celestia was using her Day in order to cloud her mind, and put her under the same spell she had every pony else on. Without a sub-conscious to protect her, she was helpless to keep it from happening. Luna's fear was fulfilled, as she slowly was transformed into a Day Dweller. Celestia, while invading Luna's mind, found the part of Luna that really missed her sister, and Celestia nurtured that feeling. "It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this. Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister."

"Sister?" The mane six said in shock.

"Will you accept my friendship?" Celestia said, keeping her attention on Luna. Celestia's spell was finally complete, and Luna jumped into her arms.

"I'm so sorry! I missed you so much, big sister!" Luna said, happy that she once again can live with her sister.

"I've missed you, too."

Pinkie Pie somehow found a hanky and was crying at the touching moment, "Hey, you know what this calls for? A party!"

***

Nightmare Moon awoke on the ground, hurt, but still alive. The Sun was raised high in the sky. She then remembered what happened, and screamed out for Luna, but nothing happened. Many emotions ran through her in that moment: Intense fear, hatred, and sorrow. Without a conscious mind, Nightmare was now subject to feel powerful emotions, and have little control over them. But, likewise, she is now immune to the influences of the Day, because she has no conscious mind to corrupt. Luna on the other hand, is lost forever, she being immune to the influences of the Night, because she has no sub-conscious mind to talk to. Nightmare wanted to go back to Ponyville, and finally kill Celestia. But she held back, because now that Luna was a Day Dweller, the Day was officially stronger than the Night. Nightmare barely had as much power as Celestia, but so did Luna, and Nightmare couldn't fight against both Celestia and Luna. And ontop of that, the Elements of Harmony were well and active. She could do nothing.

"DAMN YOU CELESTIA!" Nightmare Moon screamed as these thoughts went through her mind, and tears ran down her face.

The Next Day

Chapter 4: The Next Day

The fire was burnt out, it's ashes lay cold on the ground. Last night had been strangely long, but the sun eventually did rise.

Drapney and Draighholl where long gone. They were half way up the mountain when the sun finally arose, and were nearing their destination. The Groulgs were aware of today, and would be waiting for them at the top of the mountain. Drapney was wearing her war suit, which consisted of golden shoes, hind leg plates, a small helmet that barely covered the back of her neck, some golden plates that lined the top edge of her wing, a just as golden piece of cloth that covered her mouth, and a sword with a handle as long as the blade. Light armor like this was common among the Clairetti. They had decided that since they can destroy all that they touch, it is better to wear light armor, so then they can touch more things in a shorter amount of time. Combined with their wings, this has made the Clairetti swift, and mighty warriors. They have pegasus style fighting techniques unique to them, but with the destructive power of an angry giant.

Drapney stopped in her tracks, stopping Draighholl from advancing. "This is far enough".

"Are you sure Drapney?" Draighholl said in protest.

"Yes, any closer and you risk everything"

"Are you sure you don't want me to attend with you any farther?"

Drapney turned her head to look at Draighholl, "Please, remain here" she said, then continued walking away while Draighholl stayed behind.

"Good luck Drapney"

"I'm not the one who needs it".

Drapney approached the top of the mountain, she heard drums beat in the not so far distance. The Groulgs were ready for her, but it sure didn't matter. Finally at the top of the mountain, Drapney entered into an opening through the trees, and double the amount of estimated Groulgs were standing around, waiting. Apparently they had called for reinforcements, to ensure a steady victory over todays battle. The Groulgs all huddled around four massive drums, all in different sizes. The leader of the outpost commanded them to stop pounding the drums and to turn and face their visitor. The Groulgs were tall, broad beings with large muscles. They each either carried a Sword, War Hammer, or War Axe. Two horns protruded from their heads, and they wore thick battle armor. These Groulgs resembled Minotaurs, except with straight legs and flat faces; infact, before declaring war with the Clairetti, they were at war with the Minotaurs. That war ended in a treaty, but the two races still hate each other.

Drapney stood alone in front of them.

"Where is the rest of your battalion Pony?" The apparent commander from the middle asked, his voice deep, and threatening.

"I am all that has come"

"Don't insult us! Where are they? In the forest?"

"No, I am all there is"

"HA!, HA HA HA HA HA!" The master Groulg laughed, and the others laughed with him,

"Oh how wrong your masters were to send a single vessel. They insult our strength."

"You insult ours by thinking that bringing more warriors would make a difference". The Groulgs grew quiet at the comment Drapney had made.

Walking out in front of the crowd, the Master Groulg approached. "I am going to wear your hide as a trophy when we invade your homeland" he said, pointing a finger at Drapney.

"If you can get it off my back"

"You are weak! We will skin you alive!"

"Then prove it! We fight one on one." Drapney said, crouching in a position ready for the battle.

The Master Groulg spread a menacing grin, "I accept your offer" he said, then removed his shirt, showing off his massive muscles, and unsheathed his curved sword. Drapney unsheathed hers.

The Master Groulg charged straight ahead after Drapney. Drapney, with a flap of her wings, soared up into the air.

"Coward!" The Groulg screamed as he bent down, grabbed a nicely sized stone, and threw it up at Drapney. Drapney tipped out of the way and bolted down towards the Groulg, her sword in her mouth. The Groulg parried the strike with his own blade, but the force of their swords hitting each other had cause him to almost lose grip on his sword. Drapney landed on the ground with a loud thud, the ground exploding around her to make a medium sized crater. In one fluid motion, Drapney flipped the sword in her mouth so that it pointed the other direction, and twisted her body to slash at the Groulg. The Groulg barely spun around fast enough to block, and almost lost his grip on the sword again; he then realized that this pegasus wasn't as weak as they had all thought, and he gripped his sword tighter. Drapney wasn't finished with her assault, and she hopped back to gain some distance, then jumped back towards the Groulg, flapping her wings only once to gain momentum. The Groulg succeeded in blocking, but his sword dented in the spot he blocked with, and the force of the impact pushed him back slightly. Drapney continued on the offensive, and she bent down to make a sweep at the Groulg with her rear left leg. The Groulg was still reacting to the force of being pushed back when the collision of Drapney's leg hit his leg. What resulted was a shattered leg for the Groulg. He bent down in pain right as Drapney jumped in the air to strike him in the side of his face with her other rear hoof. A direct hit broke his jaw, and he rolled away to escape whatever the pegasus might have in store for him next.

Drapney didn't pursue, she wanted the Groulg to get back up before she finished him. The Groulg quickly stood again, crouching slightly in the direction on his broken leg. He unsheathed his other sword, and charged at Drapney once again. He swung his swords with wide, quick, powerful strokes, but he couldn't lay a hand on Drapney. Every which way, she would dodge his attacks. Drapney then found an opening between the Groulg's two swords that led up to his chin, and she took it. With a strike of her front right hoof, she broke the Groulg's chin, and sent him stammering back. Drapney walked forward, and every time she got close enough, would strike the Groulg in the chest, sending a small shock wave through his body with each hit. The Groulg swung with all his might with his right hand to destroy the grey pegasus, but she stopped the motion with her hoof and hitting upward with as much force as she could muster without ripping off the Groulg's arm, broke the Groulg's arm in a direction an arm should never bend. Screaming in pain, the Groulg tried to get away, but Drapney continued to play with him. "I'll make an example of you" was all Drapney said, before she jumped up, spun around with the sword still in her mouth, and decapitated the Groulg. Blood splattered everywhere with the impact.

Drapney walked over to the head, picked it up, and threw it at the other Groulgs; it stopped in front of them, where they all could see. Many where shocked at the sight, and many where afraid. Most surrendered to the other side of the opening within the trees and dropped their weapons, at mercy to what Drapney would bestow upon them, but those who didn't surrender where angered, and all drew their weapons, and attacked Drapney. Yelling and charging, they closed the ground between them and Drapney. All Drapney did in response, was charge forward, picking up dirt with each step she took. With precision, when she and the other Groulgs met together, she jumped passed one Groulg just enough to cut into his neck with her blade, sending more blood out into the mob. One after one, she cut through necks, chests, limbs… all with the song of screams of pain from her victims. Drapney had simply played with their leader, but she now ran through what was left of their forces without mercy, and without mistake. As more and more Groulgs fell, more and more Groulgs surrendered. One of the Groulgs was clutching at his side and kneeling on the floor, it being deeply cut open from one of Drapney's strikes. Drapney remained in a pose that suggested that whoever would approach, would be in as much pain as the Groulg clutching his side behind her. Blood dripped down her sword, and stained her armor. The look in her eyes suggested death, and it alone was enough to keep the remaining Groulgs from advancing. One Groulg attacked at full sprint, raising his sword up high in the air. When he brought it down, Drapney parried it with her blade, then in a blink of an eye, shifted her sword into a forward position, and stabbed right though the Groulg's chest. The shock wave broke whatever bones were located in his upper torso, and the Groulg fell backwards onto the ground, the sword sliding out of him as he fell. The remaining Groulgs all kneeled onto the ground, and surrendered to Drapney. About one third of all the troops that were at that outpost to fight against Drapney had died, two thirds remained kneeled on the group with their weapons thrown far out of reach.

Drapney sheathed her weapon, "I am only one soldier within the Clairetti forces, and all of you have surrendered to just me." She said, the look of death exiting her eyes, and she once again took the identity of a harmless pony. She removed the golden cloth that covered her mouth, which was also stained with blood. "Go among your people, your generals, your gods, and tell them what you have seen today. You are free to go." She finished, then walked away back into the forest. The Groulgs dared not move until she was long out of sight. When they believed all was clear, they ran away down the other side of the mountain, leaving their weapons behind. All that went through their head was the thought of being followed by the Clairetti, and that fear powered every step they took, every breath they made, all the way down to the base on the other side of the mountain.

The war was over.

***

Pinkie's headaches continued, and they were getting worse. It all started the night before Twilight Sparkle came to town, and every five hours or so, she would get another one. This happens every six months or so, so it wasn't any big deal. Except, it stopped during the elongated night of Nightmare Moon's reign. When Celestia rose the Sun again after they had defeated Nightmare Moon, she felt the worst headache she ever felt. It was enough to make her cry, but she's not one to cry, and stayed happy and bouncy for her friends. Reguardless, she's all better now, and bouncing around as she usually does.

"How's every pony doin'!" she would say as she bounced up and down the road.

"Hi Pinkie Pie!" They would say back.

Pinkie surely was a happy mare.

She decided to go head to Sugar Cube corner. Yesterday was her day off, but she had to go to work now. She trotted inside, her eyes closed in bliss, and her mouth in a smile. "Good morning Mr. & Mrs Cake!"

"Why good morning Pinkie!" Mrs. Cake replied,

"Hey Pinkie, me and the Mrs. have to make some deliveries this morning on over to Los Pegasus. We'll be gone for a while, do you think you can hold it down here while were gone?" Mr. Cake asked.

"Certainly!" Pinkie said with a smile.

"Oh thank you Pinkie!" Mrs. Cake said, "We'll be back as soon as we can."

"Okey Dokey Lokey!" Pinkie was still smiling.

"Alrighty then" Mr. Cake intervened, "We've got to go know, the train's about to leave."

"Oh dear! Bye Pinkie" Mrs. Cake realized they where almost late.

"Bye Mr. & Mrs. Cake! Haaave FUN!" Pinkie said.

Pinkie kept her smile up until Mr. & Mrs. Cake where out of sight. When Pinkie believed the ghost to be clear, she flipped the OPEN sign to CLOSED and rushed off to the Library. The smile had left her face. Pinkie quickly rushed into the Library; Twilight wasn't there for whatever reason, but it was good enough for her. Pinkie perceived that Twilight would return back into the building in exactly 13 minutes and 34 Seconds. She had time. Pinkie rushed around looking for a book on headaches. She thought the headaches were natural until now, when it strangely disappeared during the Moon, but came back during the Sun. What was wrong with her?

Pinkie succeeded in finding several books about headaches, and preceded to read through them. The first book was about Headache Management, which she thought could be helpful for the future, but not right now. The second book was about how to deal with headaches using acupuncture. "Eee, that would hurt!" She said, then moved on to the next book. The third book was about different types of headaches that were caused by different things. Pinkie was excited about this one, but the only thing it had about the Sun where Migraines acquired by a powerful beam of light shining through your eyes. Pinkie for a while thought that she was just having a migraine that day, because the sun was up again. But she let that thought out of her mind, because why hadn't she got this before? There where multiple accessions when she looked at the sun, but nothing happened. So it wasn't migraines. Pinkie opened the forth and last book. "Correlation Between Headaches and Thinking Hard" was the title. Pinkie didn't even bother to read further. Pinkie decided to wait for Twilight to come home, maybe she knew what was wrong.

Pinkie looked at the clock, only a minute and 20 seconds had gone by. Pinkie decided to keep searching until Twilight returned. Pinkie skimmed through book titles: Pain Care, The Power Of Your Brain, Medical Magic, Music & Brainwaves, The Five Sences: A Reference Guide… none of these book would suffice. Pinkie then decided to just sit and wait. Pinkie found it hard to sit in one place, it was like watching paint dry! Out of boredom, she would sing a song, dance around, scoot on the floor, and then an idea hit her; why don't I just go to Twilight? Pinkie Perked up again, and rushed out of the building. She found Twilight carrying groceries when she crashed into her, sending the merchandise all over the place.

"Oh, sorry Twilight" Pinkie said.

"Ugh, it's fine Pinkie" Twilight said, getting back up and gathering her groceries with her magic.

"Hey I just had a question" Pinkie said bobbing up and down.

"Sure Pinkie, what is it?"

"Well, y'see, I've been having these really bad headaches, but they stopped all of a sudden when Nightmare Moon kept the Moon raised."

"That's nice Pinkie"

"Yeah but, the worst one I ever had came when Celestia raised the sun. Do you know what caused it?"

"It was probably just a migraine, ponies get it all the time when they're stressed or unhealthy."

"But I was just in your library and read all about it, and I don't think that's it".

Twilight stopped walking, "You know, I had a strange headache when Celestia raised the Sun too"

"You did?!"

"Yeah, but it wasn't that bad, I shook it off easily" Twilight continued walking,

"But my headache made me want to cry"

"I think you're over reacting a bit, headaches are normal"

"But not the way I have headaches Twilight. It happens every six months or so when they start. Then every five hours for the next week they get stronger and stronger, until they just stop. The night before you came was when they started, but they strangely stopped when Nightmare Moon attacked, but than had the worst one ever when Celestia raised the sun, and that's never happened before?"

Twilight stopped again, thinking. "Why don't you come over to the library with me, and we can see what's wrong."

"[gasp] Thank you Twilight!"

Twilight Sparkle walked while Pinkie hopped all the way to the library.When they arrived, Pinkie's books about headaches lay randomly on the floor. Twilight seemed a little surprised; where was Spike? Oh well, he should be fine.

"Right this way Pinkie" Twilight said walking into the next section of the library. "So, when do these headaches accrue?"

"Once ever five hours throughout a week, and once every six months between weeks."

"And yesterday was strange because?"

"Well, it was only the third day of headaches, and they all stopped. When Celestia raised the sun, I got one that was a doosey."

Twilight was rummaging through the Medical Magics book, and found the section on headaches to see if what Pinkie had was magical. There is a medical disability with Vamponies that give them intense headaches whenever they look at daylight, but there was no known cure. "Does your headaches happen during the day only?"

"No, they last through the night as well"

"Hmm". Twilight kept searching. There is a spell that stops the pain of a headache, as the book said, but the project was abandoned due to brain damage. Twilight kept looking, but nothing came up. She then switched over to another book. She skimmed over a book called Supernaturals, and didn't think twice to pick it up. Pinkie starred at that book; for some reason, she felt that it was important. Twilight then came back. "I'm sorry Pinkie, I can't seem to find anything. You've got something no pony else has. I'm going to be a little busy, but if you could come back later tonight, I would love to study what you have and see if I can't figure it out."

"Thanks Twilight!" Pinkie said happily. "Hey, can I borrow that book up there" Pinkie said pointing at the green book on the shelf.

"Oh, that things. I don't know Pinkie, it's only filled with facts about ghosts and witchcraft, thus the name Supernaturals"

"Please, pretty pretty please."

"Well, alright, but I don't think you'll find anything about headaches in there."

"WOO HOO, Thanks!" Pinkie said with a bounce. She quickly ran over to the shelf, grabbed the green book, and ran back out the door. Pinkie then darted across the courtyard and into her home, which was actually an attachment to Sugar Cube Corner, but it was her house anyway. Pinkie threw open the book. Turns out it wasn't filled with scary monsters, but with natural remedies. Pinkie flipped open to the part about headaches. It had different plant combinations, meditations, and social exercises all for meditation. She was starting to feel really disappointed until she got to the final page about headaches.

"Have strange periodic headaches that seem to get worse over time then disappear?" The book said. Pinkie's attention drew straight to the book, "Then you must see Zecora".

"Who's Zecora?" Pinkie said aloud, no pony around to hear her. She then flipped over to the front to find the author, and discovered that it was actually written by this pony named Zecora! Like all books, there was an address to where the author lived, and it said Zecora lived in the Everfree Forest? "Why that's strange, who would want to live there?"

The book also gave direction on how to get to Zecora's, all you had to do was follow a trail that breached off to her house. Pinkie decided to go. She put on a pack and shoved the book into it. Walking out of her home with a smile on her face as she passed by the other ponies, she eventually made it all the way to the entrance of the forest. Pinkie gulped down whatever fear was inside of her, and started trotting off into the forest. It didn't take too long, but she did succeed in finding the hut. It sure was a creepy thing. It took all of her courage to approach the hut, and when she got close enough, she knocked on the door. Her legs started shivering. The door slowly creeped open, and the pony inside looked out the crack of the door. When she saw who it was, her eyes widened and she flung the rest of the door open. 'What kind of pony is that!?' Pinkie thought.

"Why Pinkie Pie!" Zecora said surprised, "What brings you to my hive?"

"You know who I am?" Pinkie said tilting her head to the side with confusion.

"Please, please come in. We must speak together as kin" Pinkie remained confused, and walked inside. It was kind of funny that Zecora spoke in rhymes. "So, why have you come, or where you just out to roam?"

"No no, here." Pinkie pulled out the green book. Zecora showed recognition to it's covers. She then flipped open to the part that described her headaches. "It says here that I needed to see you, so, here I am!" Pinkie said with a smile.

"Guntal(god) Raahn(an action you make) Alarme(Alarmed)!"

"What?"

"It means to acknowledge the gods, my dear friend of pony odds"

"oh. Well, can you help me?"

"Indeed I can. I already have a plan"

"Oh goodie! What is it?"

"First you must submit yourself to my teachings, and learn all that I have without leaving."

"Well, alright."

"Second, you must leave Ponyville, for only then will you be healed"

"Wait, leave Ponyville? But what about my friends?"

"Your friendship is strong, I give you that, but if you do not accept these conditions, the pain will come back."

"I think I can deal with the pain for my friends, I won't leave them."

"Pinkie, what awaits you is destiny, not anarchy. This is the next step in your life, a step you must be brave enough to take through strife"

"I won't leave my friends… what's your name again?"

"Zecora"

"Thanks. I won't leave my friends Zecora, so no thanks"

"But Pinkie" Pinkie Pie was already heading through the door, "Pinkie, Wait!". Zecora through on her cloak and ran outside the door, "You're a voodooist Pinkie, one of legend I'm thinking!"

Pinkie stopped walking. "A what?"

"A voodooist, descending from the land of Arcamist".

"I'm a Pie, we come from the rock valleys, not Arcamist"

"The land where Voodoo originates is Arcamist, a line of genealogy is sure to be a long list"

"Why then didn't my parents tell me this, hmm?"

"Because Voodoo is a mysterious sort, knowledge they have about such things are short"

"I don't believe you" Started to say a little distressed, she not knowing war Voodoo is, or what it does.

"You twitchings are evidence enough, so is your headaches, your intuition, your physics bluffs. You are special, because no pony else has the power you entail."

"How did you know about my twitchings?"

"Because every Voodooist has them, without it they would be as useless as phlegm"

"I still can't leave my friends"

"Please, fate has brought you here to me"

Pinkie continued walking away. She made it all the way back to the library and placed the book back on the shelf, then went back to Sugar Cube Corner to open the store. Pinkie now sat there behind the front desk, a multitude of yummy treats rested inside the glass case in front of her, and some donuts where in the oven. Pinkie's headaches started up again.

***

She woke up. Drool stretched from her face down onto he pillow, and she slowly wiped it away. Her blonde mane was messy, and a quick stroke of a brush rightly fixed the problem. 'I'm sure craving a muffin right now' she slowly thought in her mind, emphasis on "muffin". She then scooted off of her bed, and walked downstairs to the kitchen. She opened her cupboards with anticipation, her crossed eyes and happy smile familiar to most, but she was all out of muffins. Her face bent into a frown, but slightly perked back up when she remembered that her paycheck had just come in that morning. She then ran on outside and opened her mailbox, and sure enough, there was a sack of bits with a note on it. She then grabbed the note and it read, "Good job at work these past two weeks, you only broke one lamp this time, that's a new record! Of corse the price for the lamp was cut from your payment, but I put it back as a bonus for doing a good job at deliveries! -Enjoy your bits, signed, your Boss". The grey pegasus excitedly grabbed the sack of bits, and flew off to Sugar Cube Corner. She started to sing a song in her head about muffins as she approached the store. She tried really hard to land right, but still crashed through the door.

"What was that?" Pinkie said, coming out from the back after removing the donuts from the oven. "Oh, hi Derpy! What can I get for you today?"

"Well, I just got my paycheck, and I wanted to spend it on Muffins!" Derpy said, excited when she said the word Muffins.

"Sure! How many do you want?"

"You mean I can have as many as I want?" Derpy said, her excitement at a peak.

"No silly, you have to pay for them."

"Oh", Derpy then dumped out all of her bits, a total of 120 lay sprawled on the counter. "How many will this buy?"

"Now Derpy, we talked about this, you shouldn't spend ALL of you bits on muffins, what if you need something else in the next two weeks?"

"Your right, but, I really want a lot of muffins"

"No, no, Derpy. I won't accept all of this money, take some back then we can make an exchange."

"but..."

"The Pink has spoken" Pinkie said with a laugh, "Take back 30 of those bits and I'll give enough muffins for 90".

"Oh, alright." Derpy reluctantly said, and put exactly 30 bits back in her sack. Pinkie then ran off and got out a tray of muffins. Each muffin costs 4 bits, so Pinkie gave Derpy 23 instead of 22 muffins to make up for the extra 2 bits Derpy was missing. Pinkie put them all in a small wagon made exclusively for Derpy, and gathered up the 90 bits. "Thank you!" Derpy said,

"Welcome!" Pinkie said with a smile.

Derpy went home, and as soon as she was home, she grabbed one of her muffins, and started to nibble on it, her face bright and happy. She looked so cute!

War Is Near

Chapter 5: War Is Near

Drapney met with Draighholl on the other side of the Mountain, her armor still stained with blood.

"Oh sweet goddesses, are you alright?!" Draighholl said with concern, obviously noticing all the blood.

"Don't worry Draighholl, this isn't my blood" Drapney replied, removing the pieces of armor from her body. She was tired, but only slightly.

"We need to wash the blood off of these" Draighholl stated, his concernern leaving his mind. He only mourned for those whom Drapney had slain. "Did you kill them all?"

"No, most surrendered. I tried to keep casualties at a minimum."

"The blood doesn't seem to think so"

"I was moving fast, their veins just exploded when I hit them." Drapney then realized what Draighholl was trying to say, "Look, if I didn't do this now, many more would have died when they finally decide to attack. The others won't be as forgiving."

"But death. I knew that it was coming, but now that it happened, I'm not so sure about it".

"I could've broken all of their bones and left them alive, but that wouldn't be enough to convince them."

"How do you know?"

"Because they are the Groulgs, a race that respects strength and death rates. If I didn't kill them, they would think that we are weak, and decide to go to war. Then what Draihholl? I did what I needed to do"

"How many exactly did you kill"

"One third of their forces"

Draighholl seemed relatively content with that answer. "What do you plan on doing now?"

"Return home"

"And?"

"There will be no war for a long time Draighholl, I'm going to begin looking for my sister"

Draighholl grinned slightly, "You know he's not going to let you go."

"But I have to try, if I don't, how could I live with myself?"

"It will be a long journey"

"One I am willing to take"

"You will find dangers along the way. We are far, far from the boarder"

"Too far, I've strayed to far away from Derpy, and it's time I make the treck back."

Draighholl was pleased by her answer. "I understand, I would never be able to look at my reflection if I didn't try to bring Zecora back"

"Exactly" Drapney said, placing the crimson stained pieces of armor into a bag, and carried them down the mountain. Draighholl followed, and no words were said.

They finally made it down to the foot of the maintain, where surprisingly, three Clairetti officials were waiting. Their golden armor was similar to Drapney's, but each suit was uniquely different. The one in the middle's helmet covered his entire head, and had a blue star etched in the top, indicating that he was among the special forces. He alone approached Drapney, his golden face mask hid his expression.

"Drapney of House Falkren" The Clairetti official opened, his voice sounding deep through the helmet.

"I am she" Drapney replied. Draighholl was behind her, but the other Clairetti didn't seem to mind his presence.

"We are here to receive a report on your progress" The Clairetti official continued,

"Allied Casualties, none. Enemy Casualties, 1/3. They called for reinforcements, but it made no difference. The remainder surrendered and retreated. Mission is a success." Drapney formally answered his question.

"Go" The Clairetti official commanded, turning a head towards the Clairetti on the left. The chosen Clairetti flew away into the distance back to what looked like home base, probably to tell them what Drapney just said. "There is more. You are to accompany us to the North as a replacement, to spy on the Groulg forces, and confirm their defeat."

Drapney's heart sank at the notice, she really wanted to go on with her quest, but orders are orders, and she will obey them. "I accept this notion" she said without hesitation.

"We are to embark on this mission. Effective immediately. My personal notion requests that we leave the Zebra."

Drapney turned to Draighholl, "Do you mind?"

"Not at all" Draighholl replied, "I'll travel back to home base. You be safe out there"

"I will Draighholl. Goodbye for now"

"Bye" He said, then continued onward to walk pass the other Clairetti, and onward towards the East Clairetti HQ. The other Clairetti didn't turn their heads as he walked bye.

"Suit up, we leave immediately." The Clairetti ordered. Drapney romped her pack and efficiently pulled out the armor that lay inside. The other Clairetti noticed that it was covered with blood, but didn't seem to care. It actually made their fellow Clairetti look surprisingly threatening, which may be useful later. Drapney finished putting her suit on.

Each Clairetti customizes their own suit of armor, as long as it's golden. The other two Clairetti before her now were focused on medium strength armor, making them less agile then she was, but in every sense, they were still just as deadly. Drapney's light armor attire grew unknown attention from the other Clairetti. It was normal that a female would wear light armor, but Drapney barely wore anything. All she wore was the wing guards, a small helmet, and shoes. No chest plate, back plate, or legging armor, well, except for her back legs. They also noticed that her sword was unique, because it had a protracted handle that allowed for easier handling, as well as balanced weight distribution. With that in mind, they knew that Drapney focused on speed and agility, which many Claietti did, but Drapney was exceptionally unique. The most unique part about her costume was the golden cloth she placed around her face, which the lesser Clairetti took into consideration as a good idea for a light armor idea, considering that cloth was practically weightless. The non-official Clairetti felt attracted to Drapney, but didn't present any of those feelings in order to maintain a professional look.

Now knowing that Drapney was ready, the Official Clairetti continued orders. "We leave now" He said, then flew up into the air. Drapney and the other guy followed, and they shifted to fly northward. The wind blew through the cracks in their armor, giving them a wonderful chill that excited them. Clairetti loved flying. As they flew, the Official Clairetti slowed to be right next to Drapney.

"My name is Bagod. I am an emergency squad leader, and have been assigned you and him" he said making a motion towards the other Clairetti, "I am to be in command of you two until either one of you is relieved from my duty. You are to obey my orders as commanded when I give them to you. Is that clear?"

"Yes Sir"

"Good. As you where." He finished, and flew up back to the front of the trio.

Drapney wasn't disturbed by the strict confrontation she just had with Bagod, it was protocol for an officer to first introduce himself, second, state his position and authority, and then third, give his expectations. He was also supposed to declare what their mission was, but he had already previously done that. Drapney was certain that he gave his starting group a similar talk before they left to pick her up. So thus, all was well. The Clairetti are very military oriented, and it constantly annoyed Drapney. Everything had to be under protocol, and everything needed to be uniform. But as a Clairetti, Drapney grew used to it. The Clairetti allowed much room for individualism, but in a war zone, you better do everything perfectly of face consequences. Drapney personally didn't understand why they needed such recision, considering that they were a fierce enough force without it, but it did make them that much more threatening.

Two hours later, they touched down for a break near a pool of water.

"We will rest here for a bit, rehydrate yourselves" Bagod stated.

Drapney and the other Clairetti removed whatever piece of armor covered their faces and took a drink form the pool of water. The other Clairetti raised his head first.

"Hi, my name's Povnik. I just thought I should introduce myself while we had time."

Drapney raised her head from the pool. "Hi, I'm Drapney"

"So I've heard" Povnik said with a grin.

"From House Falkren huh?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Just trying to make small talk."

"Well, it was nice to meet you Povnik"

"Same here"

"Are you finished?" Bagod asked,

"What's his problem anyway?" Povnik said quietly to Drapney,

"He's our commanding officer Povnik, show a little respect." Drapney remarked as she walked past him.

Povnik obviously didn't hit it off well with her, and he was bothered by that. They reapplied their face masks and lined in front of Bagod. He was the first to fly off, and they followed. Thus continued their journey.

They flew for the final hour of distance before landing again. Now back on the ground, hidden in a groove of trees, Bagod turned to give his next order. "We are nearing the Groulg headquarters. Keep low, stay quiet, we will travel on foot for the rest of the distance" Drapney and Povnik nodded in understanding.

They then ran through the forest, barely making a sound. Not very much time passed when Bagod stopped their pace. He then made signs with his hoof to stealthily travel to the East of where they stood, where they could find a better entrance point. Apparently the Groulg liked to clear entire openings of trees to build a base, or outpost, or whatever. Probably so they could see their enemy coming. Bagod succeeded in finding a sufficient advance point, but only allowed Povnik go in that direction. Apperently he wanted them to enter in three different directions, get as much info as possible, then return back to the forest; but he was going to chose the advance points. With a motion of his hoof, he ordered Drapney to follow him. After he found a second sufficient advance point, he ordered Drapney to go that direction. He himself kept going to find a third point where he could advance. Drapney, obeying orders, swiftly and quietly advanced from the forest into the base. It was quite a large settlement, maybe a town of some sorts. She succeeded in entering the town without being spotted, and stuck to weaving through alley ways. This was a town, because it was to big to be a military base, and random Groulg citizens were walking around. Drapney found a storage house somewhere and decided to make it her retreat point, in case something bad happened. Surely, Povnik also had such a place planned out, and as for Bagod, she didn't know if he had found a good advancement point yet. Her goal was the town center, where the military personal where supposed to be. She climbed to the top of a roof in order to get a better look, and while she was up there, she could see the town center clear as day. It was indicated by a tower in the middle, constructed of stone. She also noticed Povnik out in the distance, apparently doing the same as she was. No sign of Bagod was noticeable. Drapney then traveled on the rooftops headed towards the center. She almost made it to the central tower, but there was a moat of open space that stretched from the building she was standing on, and all the way to the middle tower. She couldn't reach the tower without being spotted.

She began circling the tower to find a good advancement point. It took a while, but she found one. There was a sewer that went under the building just big enough for her to fit in, but she would need to time it just right in order to not be seen by any of the Groulgs. She waited for the right moment, then bam! She bolted off of the roof right towards the sewer entrance. With a kick of her hoof, she busted the bars open, and slid inside. She hopped no one would notice. Making it with six seconds to spare before the next Groulg came across that way, Drapney was in. Drapney found that sewer led only to waste areas, and thus the stench was strong, but she continued onward. She found one of the tunnels leading to a bathroom and she went up it. Kicking the bars open again, Drapney slid inside the bathroom, no one was around to hear her. She then stealthily exited the bathroom, looking around corners and using her ears to distinguish wither she was safe or not. Before long, she made it up level by level to the top. Not many people seemed to be in the building at all, maybe the sliders haven't returned yet, and they beat them to it. Just as this thought went through her mind, Povnik came around the corner. He gestured that he didn't know what was going on. Apparently he hadn't found anything either. 'Is it possible they we're looking in the wrong spot?' Drapney thought, then turned away from Povnik to look out a window. Sure enough, a window was found, and she peered out of it. She was right, they were looking in the wrong place. The Groulg battalion and some Groulg leaders were walking down a road away from the central tower. Drapney motioned for Povnik to look out the window. He did as was told, and nodded at the understanding of what Drapney was trying to show him. They then mentally agreed to advance. They waited until the time was right, and jumped out of the window onto the adjacent roof. Now moving together, they traveled from roof to roof, following the group of Groulg Officials. The Groulgs then entered into a large building which apparently was their command base for this town. Drapney and Povnik worked together to find a good entrance point, which was easy, considering that the command building was right next to the surrounding buildings. They simply jumped through a window that was located somewhere on the building, and continued to travel through the building. They stopped briefly, due to finding the meeting room. Assuming different positions, they got ready to hear whatever conversation was emanating from the room.

"How was our success at the War Initiate Outpost?" One of the Groulgs asked,"Are we ready for war?"

"I highly advise against that counselor, we lost at that battle"

"What do you mean lost?"

"We were defeated, by one pony."

"One pony?"

"Yes, we have plenty of witnesses to agree with my statement."

One by one, about six Groulgs Drapney had allowed to live entered the room. "It's all true, the Clairetti sent only one unit, and that single unit cut through a third of our forces" The Groulg said with fear. "If that was just one, imagine what a whole army could do to us?"

"Did you kill that single pony?"

"No, the rest of us were spared, so we could retreat."

The Master Groulg stood from his seat, unsheathed his weapon, and walked up to the first Groulg that failed in the battle. With a swing of his arm, he cut the poor Groulg's throat open, it now dieing on the floor. "You are weak" he said as he killed the next Groulg, "Pathetic excuses as warriors" then killed the next, "so much you can't defeat a single pony?!" then the next. "And you retreated?! You didn't fight till the end!" and the next. The last of the six Groulgs stood in terror when the Master Groulg got to him. "If what you said is true, then you don't deserve to live!" He said, then killed the last Groulg. The other head Groulgs sat in shock.

"Sir, it wasn't their fault"

"I gave them reinforcements, I gave them General Groddier, and they failed to eliminate ONE Pony?! Where is General Groddeir anyway, he's supposed to be in this meeting!"

"He's dead sir. According to the survivors, he was the first one the pony slayed. They said she toyed with him, like a snake who traps a mouse."

The Master Groulg sat hard in his chair. He didn't believe anything they were telling him. "But it was just, one, pony"

"No sir, it was a Clairetti"

The Master Groulg sat and thought for a bit. "How are we going to tell Zod that his brother died?"

The other Groulg leaders sat in silence, none of them wanting to vaulenteer.

"Is all that you have said true?" The Master Groulg asked for the last time.

"We have a glut of witnesses to prove it"

"But Groddier was one of our best, and he was toyed with?"

"Like a doll"

The Master Groulg stood from his chair. "We must not allow ourselves to go to war with the Clairetti race, least we ourselves become extinct" Apparently, learning that a general he highly respected was defeated in battle by one Clairetti was enough for him to change his mind about continuing on with war. "I will go to Zod"

The group then raised from their seats and left the room. Povnik felt relieved, like a mission accomplish kind of relief. But Drapney gave a look from her eyes suggesting that they were't done yet. They now had to follow the Master Groulg to this Zod guy and listen in on their conversation. Leaving the building the way they came in, Drapney and Povnik trailed the Master Groulg all the way back to the Central Tower. They both made it back into the building with ease, and quickly searched the building in search of the Master Groulg to see where he went. Apparently, there where six other meetings just like the one they listened to, because there were five other Groulgs plus the one they followed that were all walking in a line. Being as stealthy as they could, they followed the Groulg officials. They saw them all enter in what looked like a janitor's closet, but was actually an entrance to a flight of stairs that meant under the building. Drapney began searching for another route to take, because if they went down the same path, they surely would be caught.

Drapney chose the sewers again, and broke her way into the tight tunnels. Povnik followed due to lack of a better idea. They then came to a fork, but Bagod met them on the other fork, so now all three where reunited together. Bagod motioned to follow him through the tunnels, and then allowed him to pass. Turns out that the sewer had an entrance right under where they were having the meeting, and Bagod decided it was best that they remain in the tunnel while they listen in on the Groulg's conversation.

"Chief Zod" one of the leaders spoke as they approached the apparent master of the whole race, "we have come with a verdict of advice"

"Speak" Zod said with a deep voice.

"We should not go to war with the Clairetti" Someone else stated.

"Explain" Zod ordered.

"At the battle, we had increased reinforcements, and elite warriors. We even sent your brother, Groddier, to ensure that the battle would be one. The enemy sent only one, sparsely armored soldier."

"Then mock our strength, that is enough to declare war!"

"My great Chief, there is more. That single enemy unit cut through one third of our forces and the rest retreated in fear. The single enemy unit was a force not to be reckoned with, and it was only one!"

"Oh how weak we truly must be if we cannot defeat a single pony counselors!"

"We have many witnesses that advise against going to war with the Clairetti Race, your Majesty"

"I refuse to believe that a single enemy unit crippled our forces in such a way. Stories like those only come in Legend!"

"Then sir, the Clairetti are Legends."

"How many casualties exactly?"

"50 dead"

"No wounded?"

"The enemy didn't make mistakes like that your majesty".

"Get out of my sight! Come back when you have the truth about the battle!" The Chief said, turning away from the sight of the other Groulgs so he wouldn't have to see them for another second.

"Sir, there's more." The Groulg Drapney and Povnik were trailing interrupted. "It's about your Brother, Groddier. He's dead"

The Chief grew silent and slowly turned back around. "By the Clairetti?"

"Yes, my Chief."

The Chief remained quiet. It was a while until he spoke again, but he did speak. "Did he die a warrior's death?"

"Toyed with, your Majesty. He was a plaything in the hands of the enemy unit, in order to be made an example to the other forces."

The Chief gripped onto something with anger. "My brother? Died a fool's death!?"

"Yes, my Chief."

"Proper burial!?"

"Abandoned in the field."

The Chief unsheathed his sword, walked over to the Groulg that gave him the bad news, then stabbed him in the gut. The Groulg dropped to the floor dead. 'How ironic' Drapney thought. The Chief then looked up at the others, who shied from his view. "Today, we march to the Clairetti homeland, and destroy them all! All their women! All their children! We will show no mercy! Prepare ALL of the forces, either we go extinct, or they!"

"Sir, please, we shouldn't…:

"I just gave you an order! You'd be wise to follow it!"

The other Groulgs nodded in understanding and hastily left the basement. Bagod motioned for them to leave the tunnels as soon as possible. Povnik, Drapney, then Bagod exited the sewer entrance and ran for the nearest exit, they no longer worried about stealth. Povnik broke right through a stone wall and continued running at ground level, Drapney and Bagod rushing behind them. When they where out in the open, they flew off into the sky. Many Groulgs where frightened when they saw them break through the wall, and many soldiers tried to chase after them, but being unable to fly, they couldn't do anything. Drapney, Povnik, and Bagod all flew as fast as they could to the South East, where the Homeland would be located, being the bearers of bad news.

Word spread quickly through the Groulg town that three Clairetti spies had been in their territory, and the Groulg counselors were very worried about what information the Clairetti may have acquired. Little did they know, the Clairetti spies had received all of their information.

***

Drapney and the crew hadn't stopped the entire way there, and made it back to the Homeland in three and a half hours. The land, once a barren desert, was now a beautiful valley with green grasses, tall trees, and gorgeous flowers. It was all engulfed by two cliff/hill faces that stretched all the way from the entrance to behind the fortress, it wrapping around the land like a U. Within the U, there would be little pockets of area the would be made into different things, like a training ground or a market place. The landscape was a symbol of self control, a triumph of Clairetti power. The Clairetti would destroy all that they touch, but generation after generation had learned to be gentle, and to demonstrate their newly acquired skills, they made a paradise out of their desert. Most building remained under ground in dug out caves, but some surface structures remained, like the Clairetti Monument, which was a Female Clairetti Pony, dressed in wavy cloth, standing upright, and holding a spear. It was a statue of the first Clairetti to learn to control her abilities, and her lessons are used in teachings today. Some joke that Drapney's sword was the broken end of the actual spear, but truth was, Drapney had designed it after that spear in order to show respect to the historical hero.

The squadron landed softly onto the ground, other Clairetti around them going about their normal day to day business. Bagod and the others headed straight for the Command Center, the largest surface building the Clairetti had constructed. It was a fortress, another land mark of Clairetti Triumph over their curse. It, as well as the statue, where the only permanent constructions the Clairetti had made, trying to keep a low profile, and strike fear into their enemies at the same time. The gates lay wide open, and the trio walked right inside. Finding the House Counsel where they should be, waiting in the meeting room, the trio approached the table in the middle.

"Report" One of the counsel members commanded.

Bagod took the role as messenger, "The Groulg forces are angered at a loss of a valued member, and march even now to attack us here, at the Homeland"

"Estimated arrival?"

"Information unavailable sir."

"Thank you commander, you and your team are relieved of duty from the given missions. You three are to join the Ranks and prepare for war when the Groulg forces arrive."

Bagod bowed his head and crossed his upper right leg across his chest, the signature sign of respect given by all Clairetti. He then turned and left, Drapney and Povnik followed behind him.

When they exited the building, they parted ways, possibly never to see each other again. Drapney went to the Waterfall to wash the blood from her armor. Clairetti mothers were there with their foals, gathering water, or bathing them. Drapney approached with her bloodied armor, and began to wash it.

"Wow, you must've had a lot of fun" One of the mothers approached,

"heh, don't kid Lanlon, I know you hate seeing blood on a soldier's armor."

"Indeed I do, so how many did you kill today? Ten? Fifteen?"

"Fifty"

"Oh wow! Fifty! Is that a new record?"

"Yes, and I'm not proud of it."

"And that's why I like you Drapney, you mourn for those you slay."

Drapney smiled a bit, "Thanks Lan"

"No problem. So what's it going to be? Are we going to war?"

"Yes, they will be here soon to kill us all, or so they'll try"

"Wait, they're coming now?"

Drapney looked up at Lanlon, "Hide your children inside"

Lanlon looked a little scared, but she knew everything would be fine. They were the Clairetti after all. "So, the testing battle didn't convince them to stop?"

"No, it simply made them angry"

"We're not in any real danger are we? I mean, the battle went well right?"

"Oh of corse" Drapney said with a forced smile on her face, "I was the only one in the test battle, and I scared their forces away. There isn't any real danger, just numbers. It is possible that they run past our initial forces and here into the main courtyard. That's why I say you should hide your children. They won't win against us though, all will be well."

"Whatever you say Drapney, I trust your judgement"

Drapney finished washing off her armor, given that she didn't have much armor to wash anyway. "Well alright, I have to report to the front. War is about to start and all"

"Goodluck" Lanlon said,

"I'm not the one who needs it" Drapney replied as she walked towards the Gathering of the Forces, the set location when all available soldiers go and wait for orders, which conveniently is located at the front of the Homeland, so incase you were given no orders whatsoever, so would just stand there and keep any enemy forces from entering the Homeland. It was a good strategy. Since it's creation, no enemy has made into the Homeland.

Drapney walked into the crowd of about 2000 Clairetti. Normally, there would only be about 500, but the threat of someone attacking the Homeland encouraged many Clairetti from the far reaches of the world to come and aid in the assault. Victory was nigh, who could defeat them now?

The crowd waited for orders, or for the sight of the Groulgs.

***

The Chief of the Groulgs sat in prayer. He was reaching out to the Spirit of Chaos for aid, understanding that the Clairetti would be no easy task to overcome.

"Please, Spirit of Chaos, my beloved brother was slain by a Clairetti! He died a Fools Death, and was left on the battlefield to rot! I want revenge, and I am sure you can sympathize with that. Allow us, the Groulgs, to be your saints, and bring Chaos to where you yourself cannot be. Bless us with the power to defeat the Clairetti, for revenge, and for mayhem! Make them beg beneath our heels! And then squash them with no mercy!" The Chief's prayer was strong, and the Spirit of Chaos appeared to him in person. Discord stood in the Chief's midst.

"Hm hm hmm" Discord laughed maniacally, "So, your Majesty," Discord said with a sarcastic smile and a mock bow, "you are in need of my power I hear?"

"The Spirit of Chaos" The Chief said in amazement, he couldn't believe that their god actually showed himself to him.

"I have heard more than the prayers of you, your majesty, but many of your people pray to me as well."

"So they do, we are honored by your presence!"

"Mm, yes, well. I am willing to give you what you want, for a price that only you can pay."

"Yes my lord, anything!"

"Oh, it's nothing special, just a single glass of water"

The Chief looked confused. "All you ask is for one glass of water, my lord?"

"Yes, that is all that I require"

"My lord, we will give you a hundred glasses of water!"

"You are too kind, but I only ask for one."

"In the name of Chaos, we shall do as you ask." The Chief said, bowing before Discord.

"Now as for your victory." Discord made a motion with his paw and summoned a staff. The staff was decorated with a multitude of snakes curled around it. "This is the Medusa Staff, it can only be used once. Speak the spell engraved on the pole, and watch as your enemies stand helpless to do anything. Oh, and be sure to make sure that the snakes are pointed at your enemies."

"We will not fail now, my lord. We are forever grateful for this gift."

"You must return that staff to my possession after it has been used. And remember, I want that glass of water"

"You will have your Staff, and your Water when the battle is finished my lord"

"Good" Discord said, then disappeared out of the presence of the Chief. The Chief clutched onto the staff.

"We will not fail now." The Chief said.

Discord reappeared in his castle, everything within being subject to one thing or another that Discord has done to it. Discord laughed, and laughed, then laughed harder. He looked at a picture on the wall of a red and black centaur standing upright. The engraving beneath the picture read 'Tirek, The God of Hatered'. "My Dearest Master, I am a step closer to your freedom." Discord said, a sickening smile creeping into his face.

Canter Of War

Chapter 6: Canter Of War

It was the next day, the Moon barely setting in the sky while the sun came back over the horizon. The Clairetti Warriors were awake now, ready and waiting for the Groulg forces. All throughout the night they took shifts of sleep, and were rested for whatever may come today. They all stood in attention, their gazes not leaving the horizon on the top of the distant hill. The Groulg will walk on top of the hill soon and probably start their attack from that position. A small group of three Clairetti were ordered to wait on that hill and announce when the Groulg forces had arrived. Drapney was one of the many Clairetti that remained in the back, ready for a fight.

Before long, the three lookout Clairetti blew their horns, signaling that the enemy was in sight, and they returned to the main gathering of warriors. They all waited in anticipation. Then, the Groulg Forces peaked over the hill. They remained as a single file line on the hill, and just stood there. Then with a roar, they charged down the hill and towards the Homeland. That single file line apparently was hiding a massive group of Groulg warriors, because they kept coming, and coming. From a flight crew, they estimated that there where about 5,000 or so Groulgs. Good, each Clairetti only had to kill two or three, and that would be easy enough.

They all stood still, motionless, and drew out their weapons. Everywhere, Clairetti where equipping themselves with swords, spears, knives, chains, and other forms of light weight weapons. Clairetti weapons were a coveted sort by many races and kingdoms because of their dexterity and weight. They where ideal weapons. Some would say that they were made by the Dwarfs. Well, they practically were. The Clairetti long ago were at war with the Dwarfs, but the war ended abruptly out of respect for each other. The Dwarfs, now long time allies and friends to the Clairetti, offered their techniques in smithing and taught the Claitetti how to make weapons as well as they could. The Clairetti in return taught the Dwarfs fighting techniques that matched with their already existing fighting style, and improved the Dwarfs overall military strength. Once every five years, the Dwarfs and Clairetti would take turns hosting a banquet in each other's honor. There is dancing, singing, laughing, good food from both cultures, and games also from both cultures. Most of the two races would mingle between each other during all of this, creating a large and diverse community of friendship. Infact, a lot of Clairetti design their weapons with Dwarven markings, and visa versa.

Bringing the attention back to the battle, the Clairetti remained unmoved, ready to strike at the first Groulg that tried to enter the Homeland. The distance between the two forces grew smaller, and smaller. The Groulg Chief stood on top of the hill, holding the staff up high. He spoke the spell engraved on the staff before his Groulg Forces made it to the Clairetti.

"Fac Simile Calculuc (Latin for 'make a similar thing stone')" The Chief screamed as loudly as he could, and the eyes on the snakes started to glow. When they where bight enough, it shot out a wave of invisible energy that latched itself onto the Clairetti Soldiers. The magic entirely engulfed the Clairetti, and kept them from moving. The Clairetti where stuck, unable to move, as if they where made of stone. Five seconds after the spell was cast, the Groulgs made it to the Clairetti forces, and running through the Clairetti ranks, slashed down any Clairetti that just so happened to be in their way. Thus began the Great Clairetti Purge.

Decapitated heads, stabbed chests, removed limbs, all where some of the horrors the Clairetti had to face, and they were incapable of doing anything about it. Cries of pain would scream out, wails of fear would be heard. The Clairetti were being slaughtered, and nothing could be done. The Clairetti fought hard against the spell, trying as hard as they could to possible break it and destroy the Groulg Forces, but they usually were too late.

Drapney realized what was happening, and she fought against the spell with all her might, just trying to move. Nothing was happening, nothing at all. 'Dear Galaxia Help Us!' was the thought that went through her head. She fought, and fought, but couldn't move. A Groulg with a very large hammer was approaching, crushing the bones of his victims as he walked through her comrades. One Clairetti begged to surrender, but was met with the end of the hammer to her head. One thing was certain, the Groulgs will show no mercy.

Drapney then fought at the spell harder than she was earlier; it was struggle for life. The Groulg approached her next, and when he got close enough, raised his hammer to strike Drapney. Drapney's eyes showed visible fear, she didn't know what to do. She thought about all of those who would die after she did, all of the children that would never grow old. Time seemed to slow down as the hammer came down towards her head, it being the longest half a second she ever would live. In this protracted amount of time, her life flew passed her eyes, and she saw everything she had done, or hadn't done. She saw Derpy, DERPY! Drapney then fought with all the strength she had, no way was she going to die now and never get a chance see Derpy! The Hammer was about halfway from its starting point to her head, when she broke the spell. It shattered around her, and in a fourth of a second, she had cut through the Groulg with so much force that his torso exploded into a messy cannon of red, blood splattering on Clairetti both dead and alive about fifty feet away. Drapney was free! She then tried to break through the magic field that trapped her comrades, but she couldn't free them without killing them herself, due to the amount of force required. Drapney, alone, went against the Groulg Forces. Moving as fast as she could, she attacked many Groulgs. It took them a while to notice that she was free, and they turn their attention on her. The Groulg on the other side of the gathering were still knocking through stunned Clairetti, but all of the Groulg on her side of the gathering focused on trying to kill her. She had indirectly saved those around her by diverting the enemy's attention. Hundreds came to intercept Drapney, but none could touch her. Drapney fought with the might of ten Clairetti, her mind set on Derpy. One after another, the Groulgs fell by her sword, some were stabbed, others were slashed, but what they all had in common was a part of their body missing, it being exploded by the impact of Drapney's sword. Drapney looked like a blur as she cut through Groulg forces, she being able to kill two Groulgs peer second. Just like before, many Groulgs began to retreat away from Drapney, fear of their destruction overcame their blood lust to destroy. Drapney noticed very briefly out in the distance that another Clairetti had escaped the spell, and like her, was cutting through hundreds of Groulgs.

Drapney turned her attention back to the Groulgs she was dealing with, fear visibly entering their bodies as she continued her assault.

The Chief looked down into the crowd, pleased with their progress, but he saw that three Clairetti had escaped the spell, and his heart sank. He then unsheathed his sword and charged down the hill, the Seven Elite following behind him. The Seven Elite used to be the Eight Elite before Groddier died, but they where the most elite of the Groulg forces, and had done amazing feats within war in the past. The Chief and the Seven Elite made it to the Clairetti, running past hundreds of already dead warriors. Drapney was near the back, meaning that the majority of Clairetti had died before she escaped the spell. The Chief headed towards Drapney, the Seven Elite following his path. Drapney had just finished killing the last normal Groulg that dared challenge her, and most of the Groulgs were running away from her, right past their Chief. The Chief made it to Drapney and began his assault with a powerful swing of his sword. Drapney dodged it easily, flipped over his head, and stabbed her sword through his skull. The Chief saw every moment of it, the dodge, the jump, the flip, it happened so quickly that all he could do was watch as he realized his imminent death. It was in that moment that he realized in full what it was his counselors were trying to tell him, but he had chosen to ignore them. The Chief learned a valuable lesson, but would only know it for the final second of life he had to live.The Chief fell just as easily and quickly as had the other Groulg had. Drapney, as she fell back down to the ground, yanked the Chief's head to the ground, creating a thud as he landed on his back. She then removed her sword from his head.

Drapney didn't know she had just killed the Chief, or that she was about to face the Seven Elite, but it mattered little to her. What the Groulgs did was unforgivable, that they actually tried to win this war without ever fighting a single Clairetti. An intelligent tactic, yes, but a move only a coward would make, certainly. As Drapney fell from behind the Chief after stabbing through his skull, one of the Seven tried to slice at her, but she blocked it by shifting her wing guard into the right position. With a spin of her hoof so she could face her opposers, Drapney lunged forward to attack the first of the Seven. He parried her attack, but the force of the blow not only shattered his sword into shards, but knocked him back far enough that Drapney would have enough time to fight and kill two others of the Seven, then come back to him. And that's what she did. After knocking back the first guy, she flapped her wings to propel herself to the right, and she twisted around to stab the Groulg in the back. He didn't have enough time to react, and was already on the ground in pain, and almost dead. Using the sword stuck in the other guy's back for support, she lifted herself over the top of her latest victim, pulled the sword back out as she came up, then swung for an overhead attack. The target Groulg thought that Drapney would come around from behind his fallen comrade, and not form above. So he was easily struck down, and din't even know what happened. Drapney then hopped away from the now Five Elite, and watched as they ran after her. When the first one was close enough, Drapney stomped on the ground and sent such a powerful shockwave through the ground that the first Groulg tripped and fell. Drapney positioned her sword in the right position so that the Groulg would fall on her blade, and sure enough, he did. With a flick of her neck, she tossed the Groulg to the side and removed the sword for his chest, then waited for one of the Four Elite to approach. One did, and Drapney threw her sword right into his chest, a move that none of them had anticipated. Drapney then flew forward with blinding speed, and crushed her front hooves into the next Groulg's chest. A ripple went through his body that caused all of his internal organs and most of his veins to burst. Drapney then spun around and kicked the Groulg in the head, creating a dent in his face that smashed half his skull in. The two Elite Groulgs in front of her stopped their full sprint approach, and carefully planned out what to do next. Drapney flipped back away from them and unsheathed her blade from the poor Groulg's chest, then sprinted towards the other Groulgs. One ran away while the other tried to attack. Drapney jumped and spun like a drill. The opposing Groulg thrusted his sword upward at the right moment to intercept the charging Clairetti and end her life once a for all, but Drapney opened up her wings, tilted the sword out of the way with her wing armor, and stabbed the Groulg straight through the neck, breaking his spine and nearly ripping off his head. The Groulg Drapney originally pushed back when the battle started saw all that had happened, and ran away from the scene. Two of the Seven Elite survived, but where trying to get as far away as possible. Other Groulgs out in the initial battle witnessed what had happened, and they retreated as well.

Drapney turned to see the town and find out if any of the Groulgs had made it there. Yes, they had, and they were holding the children's heads as trophies. She was filled with hatred, with sadness, with a sickening feeling that made her want to die, and she used those feeling to charge head on at the remaining Groulgs. Her and four other Clairetti Warriors had survived, and they strove forward at full speed to destroy the Groulgs that had made it past their defenses. But they were too late. All of the citizens, the foals, everypony out within the Homeland was dead. The poor people back in the Homeland were also caught by the trap, and they themselves were Helpless to do anything. The Mothers with enough willpower to break free from the spell in order to save their children did some damage, but without efficient weaponry, or combat training, they were cut down too. The Groulgs cheered at their victory, and waited for the remaining five Clairetti to make it back inside the Homeland so they could finish them off. Little did they know, they had angered the Clairetti Warriors so much that they would not live to see the next five minutes. Drapney as well as the other Clairetti made it into the Homeland, and began to destroy any and all Groulgs that came into their sight. The remaining Groulgs tried to fight back, they tried to defeat the enemies in front of them. How hard was it to defeat only five Clairetti? It was a hell of a difficult task.

Drapney went from one Groulg, to another Groulg, without hesitation, without mercy. All of her thoughts on trying to preserve as many lives as she could escaped her, and she was def to their cries for mercy. About 2,700 Groulgs had made it passed their defenses, meaning that it took as long as it did to destroy only 1,000 Groulgs, the remaining 1,300 retreated due to fear. The five Clairetti kept pushing the Groulgs farther and farther back into the Homeland. Since there were cliffs on both sides of the land, the Groulgs had to resort to locking themselves in the Command Center, the mighty fortress that they thought they had won.

Drapney and the rest of the crew succeeded in destroying a collective of 500 or so Groulgs, and pushed the rest into the fortress. Being creatures of flight, the Clairetti easily gained access to the inside of the the fortress, where 2,200 Groulgs where waiting in fear, their pride long gone after they saw how the angered Clairetti slaughtered their men. They had their weapons at the ready, but did it matter? They where all gonna die, and they knew it. The five Clairetti zoomed downward into the crowd of Groulgs, making visible splatters of blood shoot up where everyone could see, right where they landed.

Hour later, the Groulgs where dead. The Land was scattered with dead bodies, painted with blood. Drapney stood on top of the wall of the fortress, and looked out into the distance. All she saw was a crimson sea, made up of Groulgs, and Clairetti. Everything was quiet, not even the wind would blow. Drapney's body was painted red, not a single piece of gold or grey showed out from beneath her suit. The other four surviving Clairetti walked quietly with respect, counting and gathering their lost ones. Drapney flew down to the ground floor, and another Clairetti approached her.

"No one survived, we are all that's left." She said, sorrow in her words.

"How many?"Drapney asked, sorrow also being said through her words.'

"We haven't finished counting, but there is a good chase of over 3,000"

They both remained quiet, then walked on past each other. Drapney walked into a cave home, where a family or two would live. The place wasn't as red with blood, but there where still dead mares and foals laying around the place. Drapney couldn't hold it in any longer, and she broke down and cried.

One of the remaining Clairetti gathered the others for a meeting. They went to the counsel room of the fortress, which was free of blood, because no pony was in it to die. Out of the twenty seats that were set up, each for a different head of a house, only five were taken up. Drapney, now able to take a better look at the other Clairetti, noticed that Bagod was among them. The one who called the meeting together was Jyrial, a well known General that would stay behind at the Homeland and train new troops to join their ranks.

"Death counts show that we lost 2,187 warriors, 1,340 mothers and foals, creating a total of 3,527 casualties. The enemy gained 3,098 casualties. We are the only five survivors of the Homeland. Because of Ancestral Tradition, we have become a clan. War Bound as it is to be called." Jyrial stated, giving a report on what was going on. He continued to explain what they were going to do next. "Introduce yourselves. Your name and house, and position please".

The first to respond was Bagod, "Bagod, of House Kilgrad. I am an emergency squad leader."

Then somepony else went next. "Hiltwing, of House Havren. I am a third class infantry unit." Third Class was pretty prestigious, considering there are only three classes. The Classes are the most elite squadrons that are sent to on the most high stakes missions. It takes a lot to get accepted into any of the classes, but they are not ordered by how good they are. First class was the best, proven by performance, Second Class was the least best, also proven by performance, and Third class is in the middle, Proven by performance. Over the years, the different classes do change, due to a change in members. Being accepted into a Class is an honor, but you must be ready to give up your life for the well-being of the war front, and never live a normal life ever again. That alone is another reason why the Classes are so respected, because they put aside things such as wants and dreams and spend the rest of their military carrier in service to the war effort, all in order to protect Clairetti Citizens, as well as the innocence of other races.

Drapney went next, "Drapney, of House Falkren. I am a Blacklight unit" The Blacklights are Clairetti who focus on agility, stealth, and precision. They, not in the strictest of senses, are the Ninjas of the Clairetti race. Imagine if a Ninja tried to take a Warrior's place, these are the Blacklights.

Then the next Clairetti went, "My name is Remedy, of House Lighthill. I am a Bruta Unit" House Lighthill is known to be peacekeepers, caretakers. They are motivated by the well being of others around them. A Bruta Unit is nothing more than a permanent sentry, a guard as some would say. Without a doubt, Remedy was one of the few soldiers that stayed behind within the Homeland just in case some Groulg forces made it inside. Being form house Lighthill, and being a Bruta unit, Drapney assumed that Remedy was a very protective of others, and fought as the final defense between the enemy and their children, and chose to be that final defense because she believes that it is the most important of battle fronts. Most likely, she was able to escape the spell because she couldn't bear the thought of all of those children dying. In the end, she had failed.

"and I am Jyrial, of House Clauda. I am a General and Instructor of the Clairetti military." Jyrial said, finishing up the introductions. "Jyrial Clauda, Bagod Kilgrad, Hiltwing Havren, Drapney Falkren, Remedy Lighthill, we are now united, and shall be known as House Caranae (Elvish for Red Sea), the 21st organized House, and I, Jyrial Clauda, as the Head. This is a binding contract, of tradition passed down through the ages. All other Houses have been created under similar circumstances, and it is our duty to band together, and create this one. Surender your life, and your honor, to this House. If you accept tradition, and accept these terms, throw your weapons onto the table, to symbolize your acceptance."

All five of them threw their weapons on the table. House Caranae in that very moment had become an official house, all that was left to do was inform the other Houses, and create a symbol.

[House Caranae Symbol, as agreed to by members of House Caranae: The five circles represent the five Houses, they are connected together to symbolise unity, and the lines coming off of each one represents the blood they shed and saw be shed.]

***

Nightmare Moon part walked part crawled out of the Everfree Forest, tears still visibly on her face. She, now being out of the forest, looked up at the sun. It was unnatural, what thing in nature looks so perfectly round, or perfectly tinted to be a smooth shade of a single color. Same for the blue sky, how can something be a single shade of one color? Fake, it was all fake! Nightmare stopped her hoof onto the ground and made the nearby trees shake.

Nightmare got her bearings back, and began heading off towards her castle. She would need to relocate somewhere else, because Luna knew the location of that castle, and thus Nightmare couldn't stay there. The heat of the sun hit her as she walked as far of a distance as she could manage. She would try to use her wings for cover, then a tree, then anything she could get her hands on. It had taken Luna all day to fly from the castle to the Everfree forest, Nightmare realized, so at the pace she was going, she wouldn't get to the castle anytime soon. She needed time to heal, to regain her strength, and that required the aid of others. Nightmare changed her path to arrive at what she was certain was the nearest village. It took her about two hours, but she found a ban of wondering zebras in tents, not a town. Out of options, she went to that group of zebras. The zebras had seen her coming, and prepared for whatever she might do, both on a good will perspective, and a military perspective. Not many had seen Nightmare Moon, but they sure saw enough Luna. How she was going to convince them that she was Luna would be a trick, but maybe they would be willing to help an Alicorn anyway.

Nightmare made it in front of their apparent leader, and began to converse with him. "Hello, my Zebra friends."

"Good evening, what brings you here traveler?" The Zebra said.

"I'm in need of help. I am weak, and won't be able to make it back to my castle in the state I am in."

"You say you are trying to return to your castle, which castle may that be?"

"The castle within the Mountains of Prevalence"

The Zebra thought about of this a bit. "Ins't that Princess Luna's castle?"

"Yes it is."

"Why are you trying to get to the Princess' castle?"

"To gather my things and depart from it, not to return for a very long time."

The Zebra wasn't so sure, "You sure look too hurt to be visiting the Princess, what has happened to you?"

Luna almost teared up, and it took all of her strength not to show it in front of her subjects. It sure was hard to manage ones emotions now that you didn't have a conscious mind. "Are you familiar with the Tenth Millennial Sunday?"

"Indeed, but it was supposed to be yesterday. The prophecy is flawed, for the night was longer than usual, but the day did rise."

"Well it wasn't supposed to! It was all their fault!" Nightmare let out an angry scream and the Zebra took a step back. Nightmare calmed herself, "I'm so sorry. I was there, between the struggle that night. Eternal night was supposed to be fulfilled that day as Luna became the guardian of all the land, but six average ponies changed the course of fate by using the Elements of Harmony. I was defeated."

"I am sorry about the loss… and your name is"

"Nightmare Moon"

Nightmare now had their full attention, like what she said raised familiarity.

"You are Nightmare Moon?" said with some surprise.

"Yes. I am" Nightmare said with a little confusion as to what was going on. The Zebras then bowed before her.

"Your Majesty, you are material of legend passed down from each generation among all the other prophecies." The Zebra in front of her said as he stood back up. "We have wayted for your arrival since the prophecy was first created."

Nightmare was a little surprised. "What prophecy told you of my arrival?"

"It is one unique to our kind your majesty. A wise, powerful sage long ago saw a vision into the future, and all the things he saw, he told us. Each individual prophecy was concerning the great war between Day and Night, and the different signs of it's fulfillment. One of those signs being the arrival of one named Nightmare Moon. You and Luna are different beings, but the same person. The prophecy didn't make sense to us, but what we do know is that you are royalty as related to Luna."

Nightmare was impressed, not even she knew there was a prophecy concerning her directly. "Can you help me?"

"Of corse my Princess." The Zebra said, walking back into the camp to gather different materials. Nightmare followed behind her. The other Zebras lifted from their bows at this point, and went about the rest of their activities. The Zebra Nightmare was following went inside a tent, and she decided to stay outside. When he came out, he was holding a crate of different items. "My name is Pentano by the way, sorry I couldn't rightfully introduce myself at your arrival."

"I appreciate your kindness Pentano". The Zebra then started rooming things from the box. The first he got out was a small case of what looked like white cream, then a grinding stone, then some herbs. He first opened the case of white cream and applied some to the places on Nightmare Moon that looked damaged, such as bruises. After rubbing in the cream, the soreness from the bruises went away, and it relaxed Nightmare somewhat. The Zebra then grinded the herbs on the stone into a paste, then scooped it with a leaf.

"Eat this, though I warn you about the taste" The Zebra said, handing it to Nightmare.

"What is it?" She inquired,

"Something to regulate your body systems, so you can heal quickly" Nightmare shoved it into her mouth and swallowed quickly, the bitter fast got the better of her and she tried to spit the taste out.

"Why would you give me that!" Nightmare said, trying to force the taste from her mouth. The Zebra then handed her an apple and she gratefully took it, and quickly ate it. It helped, but the after taste remained.

"All you need now is to rest Princess, you are free to stay here for the night if you will"

"Thank you my faithful subject, I am grateful for your patronage at this time."

"It shall always be my pleasure your Majesty" He said with a bow. When he rose back up, he looked out at the other Zebras, "Someone, pitch another tent and furnish it with the extra sleeping mat". Two Zebras moved to the request and started to pitch the tent near all the other ones.

Nightmare bowed her head slightly at the Zebra, "Again, thank you."

"Always, Princess"

When the tent was set up, Nightmare crawled into it, layer herself on top of the sleeping mat, which was nothing more that a woven mat of leaves to keep the dirt off ones back, and tried to fall asleep. She was physically and mentally tired, and needed her rest.

Beginning Paths

Chapter 7: Beginning Paths

Pinkie sat around most of the day, thinking about the words she heard from Zecora. Pinke had known there was strange things about her all along, like her Pinkie Sense, or the fact that she can defy what she learned in Physics class. Gravity meant nothing to her, neither did momentum, or the laws of the universe. She could do whatever she wanted, but never went around abusing that ability, or even testing it's limits. She just does what she does, and she hurts no pony for it.

But, something kept calling her to Zecora, and she had to fight it off, and remove that thought from her mind. She would spend so much time trying to fight with her feelings that lately she wasn't paying attention to the normal things in life, like sell that milkshake to that guy for two bits.

"Come on Miss, are you gonna take my bits or not?"

Pinkie came out of daze and looked up at the customer, "Oh, sorry! Silly me" Pinkie said, and took the two bits, "Thanks for comin'!" The Stallion walked away with a huff, and didn't bother to say thank you. Pinkie then flipped the OPEN sign to CLOSE and walked back on over to the library, first to return the book, and second to see if Twilight was ready to begin testing.

Pinkie approached the library, but it suddenly exploded with some kind of pink liquid. Pinkie ran inside to see what happened.

"Twilight, are you alright?"

"Yeah!" A voice from down in the basement yelled, "Make sure you never mix Dragon saliva with bubble gum extract!"

Pinkie looked a little confused, "Why were you doing that?" She said as Twilight came up the stairs,

"For Science!" Twilight said with a blissful smile, "Why else?"

Okay? "Well I was wondering if you were ready to start!" Pinkie said with a hop and a smile,

"Sure Pinkie" Twilight said, running off to record something on a piece of paper.

"So, what are we going to do first? Wait for a headache to appear?" Pinkie said, she was just kidding.

"MmmHmm"

"Wait, really?"

"Sure"

Twilight obviously wasn't paying attention, she was busy with a bunch of maschines, dials, and thingamajigs to notice what what Pinkie was saying.

"Twilight!" Pinkie said to get her attention.

"What?!" Twilight was startled. "Oh, sorry Pinkie." Twilight turned her attention back to Pinkie, "What did you want?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to get started"

"Well, actually, I was researching what it could possibly be after you left, but I couldn't figure it out. I'm afraid that I will only be able to study you while you're having a headache, because other than that, I don't know what to do. Sorry Pinkie"

Pinkie lost only a small amount of her excitement, "Oh, well, thanks anyway Twilight."

"You're welcome Pinkie" Twilight said, turning her attention back onto Science. Pinkie left the building.

A strong feeling enticed her to return to Zecora, but she didn't want to leave her friends. Maybe she could work out a deal with Zecora. Pinkie decided to go back. Trotting up to the entrance of the Everfree Forest, Pinkie took a deep gulp, bound together her courage, and ventured back into the Forest. Like last time, it didn't take her long to find Zecora's hut, and she walked up to knock on the door. She was just about to put her hoof on the door when somepony from behind her spoke up,

"Whom ever you are looking for, is nowhere beyond that door" Pinkie was startled and abruptly turned around. It was Zecora.

"Oh, hehe, you scared me" Pinkie said with a laugh. Zecora smiled.

"Why have you returned, is there something from what I said that you've learned?"

"Look, I think that I should learn whatever you have to teach me, but I also think I shouldn't leave my friends. I came to make a deal."

"A compromise I presume, is the thing you seek to bloom"

"Yeah! That. So, I will listen to you, and learn from you, but I still get to see my friends."

Zecora, didn't look very pleased. "A danger lies in the world of Day, escape it you must, I pray"

"We will do what I suggested, or we have no deal." Pinkie said, trying to be assertive.

Zecora looked conflicted within herself, but she agreed with Pinkie, "Okay, Pinkie, diverting your opinion is not easy. Accept your conditions I do, to teach, and uplift you." she said, submissive to Pinkie's demands.

"Really?" Pinkie said with surprise, "Thank you!" she said with excitement.

"Now, we must begin, enter into me house, and learn what I have within." Pinkie turned around and opened the door to Zecora's hut, and entered inside. Pinkie didn't fell much different, because the Elements of Harmony helped block out the Day, but it did seems safer indie Zecora's hut. The hut made more of a safe Haven from the Day then did the Elements, mainly because the Elements have to fight against a more powerful influence from the Day. The Forest itself is a haven from the day, but not by much. It works as a maintainer, if you came from the Day, you will remain in the Day, but if you came from the Night, you will remain in the Night. Neither influences of Day or Night is dominantly powerful in that forest, but the Day has a slight advantage. If you stay in the Everfree Forest unprotected for too long, you will become a Day Dweller.

Pinkie was a little freaked out at the creepy trinkets on the walls, but she didn't want to be rude. Zecora walked over to her boiling pot. She was cooking up the potion that will protect one from the day, the same potion she applies to her home, and to her cloak periodically. "I first will cure your headaches" Zecora said, mixing some kind of blue powder into the pot, "drinking this potion, is all it takes". Zecora grabbed a tiny glass bottle, about the length and width of ones finger, and filled it with the potion. "Drink this, and your pains will be healed. Drink it at the peak of your next headache, and it's provement will be sealed." Zecora attached a string to the bottle, and gave it to Pinkie. Pinkie took it, and wrapped it around her neck, it dangling in front of her. "Test it soon, I hope, for only then will we continue our lope"

Pinkie thanked Zecora and walked back outside. She headed home to Ponyville. Pinkie looked at the bottle around her neck with curiosity, would it actually work? Pinkie decided she should wait for the next headache, then test the potion.

When arriving in Ponyville, Pinkie headed strait for Sugar Cube Corner. She was supposed to be keeping the shop open.

***

Drapney walked through the Homeland, it still painted with blood like it was just yesterday. It hadn't rained yet, so she shouldn't expect as much, but she really wanted that battle to be a dream. She walked into the market area, where Clairetti would buy and sell goods. Death was littered here too, and it was sickening. The bodies where still being placed into bags where they will be carried to the sea, and sailing out exactly fifty miles from the shore, will be thrown into the ocean to be forgotten, yet at the same time, remembered with each glimpse of the vast blueness that made up the East Ocean.

Here, in the market place, the bodies where still laying on the ground, they haven't been moved yet. Drapney walked over to what used to be a smithing furnace, but was now stained by blood from the smith, who just so happened to be laying an top of the now warm coals. Drapney turned away, the smith was a good friend, a kid person to all. He was a teacher, a warrior, a skilled smith, but most of all, a father. Drapney looked across the way, and her legs bucked beneath her. She ran to his side, blood spilling from his neck. He was dead, like the others, and that was that.

"Draighholl" Drapney whispered, tears filling in her eyes. More sadness, more hatred, more of everything filled in her heart, and she wanted badly to have turned back time and slay the Chief and his counselors when she had the chance. "This wasn't supposed to happen Draighholl!" She said with anger, "You were supposed to reunite with you wife and live happily ever after!" tears began to run down her face. "You were my best friend, and you just had to go off and die like this? How could you! I need you!" Drapney dropped her head into Draighholl's chest, and her tears began to soak into fur.

Drapney barrier him right there. She dug a hole about six feet deep, five feet long, and four feet wide, then pushed Draighholl into it. It was an overly big hole, but she didn't want to have to drag him back out to dig it bigger. Two of the other four Clairetti stopped to watch the three hour ceremony, their emotions swelling with each scoop of dirt that was shoveled, and sometimes tried to help her, but Drapney would refuse the help. She felt like this was something she needed to do alone, in respect for her friend.

When she finished filling the hole, the other Clairetti had gathered around. All five of them stood in a circle around this one grave, their heads bowed in sorrow and respect. They hadn't known Draighholl, but they saw the effort Drapney had put in making that grave, and they all joined in. Jyrial was the first to bring his head up.

"This is what needs to be done" He said, his voice full of meaning. "Dig out the rest of this are of the field, six feet deep like this grave, and our fallen ones will be laid to rest here, not in the sea."

The others didn't say a word, they just acted. Three grabbed shovels and started digging, while two went out to re-gather the bodies and bring them to the edge of the one huge grave.

In the distance, somepony was approaching. They were as far as the entrance to the Homeland, but everypony could see them. It was a group of seven Clairetti, probably transfers, but they had obviously come expecting the same Homeland they had seen their whole lives growing up. The look on their faces was visible from where Drapney stood, and she flew over to them. Getting a closer look, she was right, the seven new Clairetti couldn't believe what they saw. Drapney had taken off her armor, so she came to them as a plain Clairetti, her grey coat and her blonde hair being all that was visible. The other Clairetti looked at her carefully, they were waiting for an explanation of what had happened.

"The battle was won, but at great loss." Drapney said as she turned to face to carnage that lay on the ground. Most of the Clairetti race was slain here at this battle, all that remained was the remote groups of Clairetti scattered across the planet. Most had responded to the call for war when the threat was made against the Homeland. Only a handful of groups as small as the one that stood in front of Drapney remained. At most, maybe only 100 Clairetti remained.

"And the innocents?" Which is what many Clairetti referred the non-warriors as.

"Gone"

The seven bowed their head in sorrow, some began to tear up. Drapney began to walk back to the grave site, and the others followed her. When they arrived at the grave site, and saw what was going on, most pitched in, but others needed time to mourn, and wondered around the complex. Drapney understood.

When nighttime had fallen, they had succeeded in digging up the rest of the market place, but still had yet to place the bodies. The seven new arrivals learned that Drapney, Jyrial, Bagod, Hiltwing, and Remedy had created a new House, and they supported it. A dispute was made wither the seven should be allowed to join, but the verdict was against them. All but four of the twelve Clairetti agreed that House Caranae should be made up of actual descendants from those who had fought in the battle that ruined their Homeland, who had seen the horrors. The seven had only seen the aftermath, and could never truly know what it was like to actually be in that battle. Those who were in favor of allowing the seven to join where three of the seven, and Remedy.

The next day, all twelve of them finished placing the bodies in the graves, and they were now working on filling the hole they had made. When that was finished, the seven gave their goodbyes, and said that they where going to tell the other Houses what had happened. House Caranae thanked them, and they went their ways.

"We never will leave this land will we? It's too symbolic to our name." Hiltwing pointed out.

"I think you're right" Bagod replied, "Caranae means Red Sea, so how can we leave the red sea that birthed us?"

Jyrial joined in the conversation, "Staying here will be harmful to our minds. The thought of death will be to strong here."

"But we can't just leave that easily" Hiltwing added,

"What you suggest is living a life of sadness. I propose that this place will become a House Caranae landmark. Like in house Falkren, we will make treks to this place, but we will not live here." Jyrial suggested, the other two nodded in agreement. Jyrial then found Drapney and Remedy talking with each other, the only two mares in their House. That later may become a problem, but not now. Traditionally, members of different Houses are very pureblooded in the way they think, and a mare from one House can only marry a stallion from that same House, and visa versa. This idea is well accepted, because if not, there would be no meaning in being a member of a House. One would be a member of two, and or three, or even all 21 depending on which generation you are. You wouldn't be truly home anywhere. The same clan marriage law is highly accepted by all Clairetti, and is supported by all of the Heads. It is a part of their culture that makes them unique, that if you are a member of a House, you are a direct descendant of a certain group of ancestors.

Because of this, Remedy and Drapney where destined to marry one of the three stallions, and Jyrial as the presiding Head would probably give up that privilege to Hiltwing and Bagod. Whither they were in love or not, they would have to have foals, for the sake of their House. All houses start about this small, and all go through this problem. It won't be until the third generation when they can concern themselves with a luxury such as love.

Jyrial flew down to the two mares, "We have agreed on a verdict about something"

"Oh? What is it?" Remedy asked,

"This land is not to be our home, but a landmark. We shall make trips here like House Falkren, and we will dwell somewhere else."

Drapney agreed with the idea. Previously being a member of House Falkren, she knew what Jyrial was talking about.

House Falkren was created right after the treaty between the Dwarfs and the Clairetti was formed. The Clairetti representatives that met with the Dwarfs decided that to honor, and celebrate that great day, they would form themselves as a House. The meeting between the Dwarfs and the Clairetti took place in the Dwarven city known till this day as Falkren, and thus the representatives named themselves House Falkren, to yet again honor their treaty with the Dwarfs. For a long time afterwards, House Falkren was the main host of the Semi-Decadal Celebration every five years that would bring multitudes of Dwarfs and Clairetti together.

Because of the symbolism that the city Falkren provides for House Falkren, every member of that House will make the journey all the way to Falkren at least once in their lives. Drapney herself has gone twice with her fellow House members, and they where always met with kindness and treated like guests of honor. Likewise, Dwarfs that live in Falkren would make the trek to visit House Falkren, and the Clairetti would treat them with kindness and like guests of honor. The relationship between the Dwarfs and the Clairetti is certainly beautiful.

House Caranae, after finishing filling the graves, said their final goodbyes, and departed from the Homeland. Together, they will go in search for a place they can call theirs, but first, they must visit the five Houses which they were a part of, and finalize the transition from whatever House they were born in, to House Caranae. The first stop, it being the closest, was House Kilgrad, Bagod's House. House Kilgrad was named after the original house owner. Sir Kilgrad was a mighty warrior, but he was even scarier as a strategist. Sir Kilgrad went to war alone against an army of skeleton ponies, controlled by a dark sorceress. Kilgrad formed and trained his own attack team of eight Clairetti, and they alone defeated the dead army, and didn't lose a single soldier. The victory was a result of extensive planing, and training, which he mastered at both. In the end, Kilgrad and his group of eight banded together to form House Kilgrad, in honor of their mighty leader, and their victory over a powerful enemy.

House Kilgrad made a land near the Homeland as their home, they wanting to be near their roots, because Kilgrad, before creating House Kilgrad, was a member of House Clairetti, the first House in which all other Clairetti are descendants from, thus why their race is named Clairetti. Miss Clairetti is the pony which the statue monument is supposed to be of, but others think that Miss Clairetti was the first mare of their race, the Eve to their Adam. Who exactly is Miss Clairetti cannot be confirmed, because no records of her exists.

It took about two hours of traveling, but they made it to House Kilgrad. It was a wooden structure within a lush forest, like a small fortress with long walls and some lookout towers along the way. It was closed off by one gate, and they stood in front of that gate now. House Caranae's armor was still stained with blood as they approached, they never thought to clean it when they left. This later will become another tradition of House Caranae, where they splatter red paint that looks like blood all over their armor and keep it like that for a whole week. At the end of the week, they will wash the paint off. But that tradition hadn't been created yet. House Caranae was met by a group of House Kilgrad members, some even recognized Bagod.

"Is that you Bagod? What happened to you?" They asked, looking up and down his armor.

Bagod told them about the battle, and about House Caranae. The other House Kilgrad members bowed in respect, and led Bagod into the wooden facility that consisted of their home. Drapney and the others waited outside until Bagod was finished. Forty minutes later, Bagod came back out. He had a medallion fashioned around his neck, it containing the symbol of House Kilgrad.

[House Kilgrad Symbol, as agreed to by members of House Kilgrad. The circle symbolizes the dark sorceress, the X represents that the eradicated her, and the arrows pointing down represent that they sent her back to the underworld.]

House Caranae didn't ask why he was given it, they didn't need to. It was a parting gift from the current Head of House Kilgrad, and due to it's design and quality, was probably the medallion that the House owner wore.

They then headed off into the direction of House Havren. House Havren was named such, because the group that founded it were masters of using Ravens for a tactical advantage. Because of the Ravens, which they trained to not only fight, but to gather information, they where able to rid that area of the land from corruption. The Raven masters created a heaven of truth and justice, where anypony can be free from lies, and deceit. They named their House, Havren, to represent the heaven they made, and the ravens they used. Till this day, House Havren specializes in using ravens, but Hiltwing obviously did follow that path in his training. It took longer to travel to this location, and after all they had done that day, it was starting to get dark. The land occupied by House Havren consisted of a single stone tower that led into tunnel up to the top of the hill, where it otherwise is unreachable unless you fly. Members from House Havren sounded a horn at their approach. Visitors don't come to House Havren often, so it was a big deal to them. House Havren was a smaller house, most Blacklights and Spies come from this House, thanks to their use of shadows and their signature ravens. About half of House Havren came to greet House Caranae as they approached, they already knowing what had happened. Apparently, House Havren was the first place the seven visited when they left, and the members of House Havren had already mourned for the Homeland. They accepted Hiltwing into their numbers as they led him through the tunnel. Again, the other House Caranae members waited outside.

Drapney knew that her House would be next, because they currently weren't far from Dwarf territory. Looking up at the tower, Drapney noticed the House Havren symbol carved above the door way.

[House Havren Symbol, as agreed to members of House Havren. The V shape represents the beak of the raven, and the diamond above the circle represents feathers. The circle represents that the raven serves the user, and the user is incomplete without the raven.]

When Hiltwing returned, he said that he was officially a House Caranae member, and that they could rest there for the night. Drapney, as well as the others, retreated into the tower and climbed up the tunnel leading to the top of the hill. They were accompanied by other members of Havren, and soon where in the main stone structure known as The Nest, the home of all Havren members. House Caranae was showed to a guest room, and there they laid their heads to rest. They didn't say a word. None needed to be said. They will first have to deal with their depression before they can socially be a House. House Havren respected their space, and they didn't ask questions. House Havren was mysterious and dark anyway, and it added to the almost haunted feel of their House.

Middle Journey

Chapter 8: Middle Journey

When the sun arose, so did House Caranae. Each of the five where off doing something else, wether washing their armor, or helping out with the daily chores. House Havren enjoyed having them around, because with a little more extra hands, things got done quicker. First off, they had to feed the ravens, then clean their cages, prepare breakfast. Hiltwing was used to this routine, and was able to efficiently accomplish the different chores, but the rest of House Caranae had more or less of a problem.

Drapney and Remedy helped out in the kitchen. They where making some kind of stew with fish in it. Which fish, she wasn't sure. Clairetti, like the Pegasi, enjoy eating sea food, and they would commonly include it in many recipes. Because of so many similarities between the Pegasi and the Clairetti, it is commonly accepted that their two races are closely related somehow. The only real difference is that the Clairetti all inherit the same color traits, and are stronger than Pegasi. Infact, just to add on their similarities, both cultures traditionally celebrate the art of war, although most of the Pegasi race is trapped in the Day, and thus do not focus on war anymore. There is, however, a small concentration of Pegasi outside of the Day, and they live in the floating city called Skyhook. Cloudsdale used to be their capitol before the Day struck, but Celestia's reign changed that. There are far more Pegasi in Equestria than out, but it's nice to know at least some escaped and now live their free life in the Lunar Republic.

The Clairetti would pay minor attention to the Day, because they knew it hadn't moved for the past 1,000 years since it's birth, but at the same time, if it were ever to expand, they'd need to be careful. The Clairetti support Luna, and the Lunar Republic; they respect it as the leading government on this side of the world, but it usually did it's own thing, and left the other nations to do their will. The Lunar Republic never has to go to war with other nations within it's territory, because all other nations know that they guard them from foreign threats like the Day, and they leave them be. Its a beautiful trade off that says "We will protect you and this entire land from the dictates of our own will. If you leave be, to do our work, we will leave you with yours." All the other nations, including the war torn, brutal ones, have some form of respect for the Lunar Republic. Luna serves not only her people, but them as well. And besides, she and Celestia are gods, and who would want to get in the middle of that kind of madness? Not to be mistaken, the Lunar Republic does have it's own designated territory, but they claim to protect all that stretches to the Sea.

The stew was ready, and Drapney called for everyone to gather for breakfast. They did, and every Clairetti within ears range came running. The pots where set down on the tables, and they would scoop their own bull fills freely. After making friends with those from House Havran, the Clairetti in House Caranae began to feel better about themselves, and heal from the emotional wounds they acquired. Friendship was magically changing their hearts, but they weren't exactly cured just yet.

After breakfast, they said their goodbyes, and departed away from House Havren.

After a long morning's travel, they made it to their next stop of House Clauda, home to Jyrial. It, like many Clairetti outposts that are scattered across the planet, was mainly underground. There were four entrances to the underground fascility, all blocked off by large wooden doors. House Clauda was located in the middle of a short grass valley that stretched in ever direction for probably 200,000ft. Because of how level House Clauda was with the ground, many travelers would simply pass by it, if it weren't for the flags that flew at every entrance with their House Symbol on it.

[House Clauda Symbol, as agreed to by members of House Clauda. The central oval represents the valley. The two circles represent the two battles that took place on the valley. The rectangle between both circles represents that they were only devided by time.]

Outpost Clauda, as it was called, was the original name of that underground facility. No one really knows why it was called Outpost Clauda, they don't even know if it was called Outpost Clauda when it was created. All they knew was that the only readable word they could find in the entire building was somepony's name Clauda, and they stuck with the name. Outpost Clauda was an ancient, abandoned outpost the Clairetti had built long back in their starting days, when King Solwein wanted to make Clairetti influence worldwide. The valley was said to be the place where Miss Clairetti had her legendary battle against Tirek, and using magic unknown to all, banished him into a realm where he could not escape, where he remains till this day. Most ponies think that the legend of Tirek is just that, a legend, and many refuse to accept it as actual history. Did that battle actually occur? We may never know.

An expedition was organized to find this valley, and many searched, but could not find it. It wasn't until a band of six Clairetti came out to this location to fight the what is now known as the final battle against the Dwarfs, when they stumbled upon the historical outpost, and realized the importance of the valley they stood in. It was more than a mere discovery that bound them together, it was the battle. The battle was the last one fought against the Dwarfs, and then started a long reign of good will between their races that continues till this day. It was the symbolism on how the battle they fought caused peace, and how the battle Miss Clairetti fought caused peace, that they felt connected to her in a way that can hardly be explained. They then banded together as war bound, and created House Clauda.

Jyrial didn't knock when approaching the door, he just simply opened it and walked in. The other members of House Caranae once again waited outside. Jyrial didn't bother to close the door behind him as he ventured further and further into the underground facility. When he came back out, he gave a nod, and they where on their way. Jyrial explained that the Head's wife was deathly ill, and all Clairetti within the building gathered around her to help, so they apologize for not greeting them at the door like the other Houses had done. There was only about six Clairetti total in the building anyway, most of them had responded to the call to protect the Homeland, meaning most of them were dead.

They then headed to House Falkren, they being so close to Dwarven boarder. When they arrived, Drapney started to have a sickening feeling in her stomach. Last month, she remembered, she was supposed to come back and find a suitor, and continue the growth of her House. All the other mares attended the ceremony, all except Drapney. Wether most of the mare actually got married didn't matter, most of them usually don't anyway. They then walked into another forest, but this one had wilder trees, and larger spaces in-between the trees then did the forest they walked through when visiting House Kilgrad. House Falkren was built as an underground facility like House Clauda, except with more beauty, and sturdier architecture. There was only one entrance to the building, and it was a large circular wooden door that leg into an equally as large walkway that stretched down into the main building. The House Falkren symbol was etched into the wooden door, it being cut in half down the middle by the doors. Drapney walked up to the door, and pushed it aside, then walked in. Unlike Jyrial, she closed the door behind her. She turned around to look down the ever so familiar hallway. It was all made of stone, and different designs were carved into almost every tile. The Dwarfs came by often to renovate the place, and they would decorate it with symbols, characters, and designs unique to the. Glass windows let in light from high near the celine, and it made the hallway look fresh and new. Some of the green leaves outside would reflect little specks of green light through the windows, and it added to the already light greenish color that was visibly noticeable in the floor, as if it where a thin carpet.

[House Falkren Symbol, as agreed to by members of House Falkren. The two circles represent the Clairetti and the Dwarfs, and both circles are connected to symbolize unity.]

Drapney walked down the hallway and to the double wooden doors that lay at the end of it. When she opened the door, the main corridor was as beautiful as the hallway. Light from windows shining in, and a light green ting touched the air, and made it seem clean, natural. Clairetti from House Falkren were walking around to who knows where, probably just going about their day, but they were interrupted by the sight of an old friend.

"Drapney?" One of them called out,

"Is that Drapney?" Another said,

"It is Drapney!" The first Clairetti to speak up said as he approached her. "How has it been?"

"Nothing good Jace" Drapney said, happiness obviously not present in her face, "I need to talk with father".

"Umm, I'm not sure that's a good idea Draps, he's, moody" Jace replied to what Drapney said, other Clairetti gathering around to get a better look at their friend that they all knew and loved.

"Why is that?" Drapney asked, little changed in her expression.

"Well, you weren't here last month, and he's worried that you never would return. All I'm saying is, if you go to him, he won't be happy."

"Well, better now than later." Drapney started to walk off,

"Whoa, wait. Why are you going so fast? Stay and visit for a while, catch up.

"I can't, people are waiting for me outside"

"Invite them in silly." Jace said with a smile, "Hey Corraz! There's someone at the door!"

"No! No. Just, stop, this isn't a visit, and I'm not staying for long."

"Wh- why not? We've missed you." Drapney's fellow House mates all nodded in agreement.

"You can't just walk in here and expect to leave just like that without giving a proper visit" Somepony else said. Drapney then gave them all a look that suggested that what she was trying to do was above greetings, and that it was important that they leave her alone and allow her to see the Head. They all stopped chattering, and allowed Drapney to pass. something was wrong, they could feel it, but they dare not ask. It seemed to personal to ask.

Drapney walked up to the Head's office, her father's office. He will be angry when he sees her, but her mission was above even him. She was a member of a new House now, and there was nothing her father could do about it. She then gently pushed the door open, and walked inside. Her father looked up to see who it was, and his eyes widened when he got a good look at his visitor. Drapney quietly closed the door behind her.

"Drapney" The Falkren Head said with a whisper,

"Hello dad." Drapney replied to her father's surprised look. His voice started to sound stern, like he usually does.

"Where have you been for the past month? Each day after the Ceremony I said to myself that 'Today she'll come' and when you don't, I wake up the next day and say the same thing."

"It's nice to see you too." She said, taking a seat in front of her father's desk.

"You should be ashamed, a few stallions where interested in your hoof in marriage and you wouldn't even show up, for a whole month!" His voice slowly escalated, "I welcome you back, but you are going to find a suitor today, I will not waist another day waiting for you to make a decision. I was lenient with you for the past two years, and now it's time for you to chose."

"I can't father." Drapney's eyes were cold, and un-yielding.

Drapney's father's face turned a light red with anger, "What did you say?"

"I said I can't, so I won't."

"You don't realize what it is I actually said to you, do you? What I said wasn't a suggestion you should consider, it was an order, a punishment for being a month late."

"Father, I have something to say…"

"No, you have nothing to say, you'll do as I say."

"No, I won't"

"Yes, you will, or so help me…"

"Father, I can't" Drapney's voice started to escalate as well,

"I am your Father! And Head of this House! And as long as you are a member of this House I ha…"

"I'm not a member of this House anymore!" She said, cutting off her father, but he stopped talking.

"What?" He said, the anger in his voice beginning to leave. Drapney calmed down to,

"I'm here for a parting meeting. I'm no longer a member of House Falkren."

Drapney's father looked very surprised, "Why? What happened?"

Drapney then went on to explain everything, the battle, House Caranae, the grave, everything. The more and more she spoke, the more and more her father's expression dropped from one of sadness, to one of sadness. "Father, I am a member of House Caranae, and thus cannot marry someone from this House, like I told you."

There was five minutes of silence, and then her father stood from his chair. He walked over to Drapney, motioned for her to stand, and gave her a large, loving hug. "We will miss you, my princess."

"I know you will father." She said, tears began to run down their faces.

When they let go, Drapney turned and headed for the door. When she opened it, a group of about three Clairetti toppled over into the room. They were listening in on their conversation.

"So, you're leaving us for good this time?" Jace asked, some tears swelling up in his eyes.

Drapney just continued walking, she didn't even look back to see Jace for the last time. She was finished here, and the sooner she could break away from House Falkren, the sooner she could thrive in House Caranae, where she now belonged. She thought of Derpy, and how no longer being under her fathers control, she would have an easier time going about on her quest Westward towards Equestria. The other House Falkren members looked at Drapney as she walked by, some tried to say hello, but she would ignore them and keep walking. It wasn't like she hated her old House or anything, it's the fact that she was still trying to recover from the death of her dearest friend, Draighholl. Drapney walked back up the entrance hallway, and out through the door, her comrades patiently waiting for her. She gave them a nod, and they went on their way.

The final stop was at House Lighthill. It will take a long time to make it there on foot, because House Lighthill was located in the arctic regions of the North, near what used to be the lone standing Crystal Empire. Like stated before, House Lighthill is focused on goodwill, and serving others. Many become Bruta units for no small reason. House Lighthill, before it was a House, was simply a secret organization called Lighthill. Located onto of a hill, operation Lighthill worked to free as many King Sombra slaves from his tyranny as possible. They worked hard to accomplish this, and they succeeded in freeing over 200 slaves. Their operation ended when Luna and Celestia overthrew the king, and returned the Empire's rule back to it's rightful owner, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. The Crystal Empire was saved, but the Clairetti at Lighthill refused to leave, they wanting to make sure that the Crystal Ponies were in the right hands. They then banned together to create House Lighthill. Unfortunately, the Crystal Empire is once again controlled with tyranny, thanks to Celestia, and Lighthill fulfills their duty as the Crystal Empire's silent guardians and saves the Crystal Ponies by bringing them to the Night. Their only threat is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, but they have done well at hiding beneath her noticement. Most Crystal Ponies that were saved by House Lighthill still live at the Lighthill premises, making House Lighthill a very unique House, because it shares it's space with another race.

I took the rest of the day and all night, but House Caranae finally made it to House Lighthill, where they received the warmest greeting from both Clairetti and Crystal Ponies alike. Remedy smiled at the familiarity of goodwill House Lighthill provided, and smiled even more when she saw some of her friends. They allowed all the other Caranae members in as Remedy talked with the Head of her House, in order to get out of the cold. Remedy in about thirty minutes came back, and she begged that they stayed there and rest, because they had been walking the whole day. Jyrial agreed, and allowed the rest of the House to stay for the day until they had enough energy to move on. The House Lighthill symbol could be seen above the doorway.

[House Lighthill Symbol, as agreed to by member of House Lighthill. The big circle represents the hill, and the line and diamond fixed on top of it represents light. The smaller circle represents the Crystal Empire. The overall symbol means that there is hope out in the distance for the Crystal Empire, thus the size difference.]

Within their visit, many conversations about what had happened to the Homeland had began and ended. Everypony wanted to know how bad it was, and what they could do to help. Unless they turned back time, they couldn't do anything. What House Caranae currently was suffering through required time, not aid. After a the day had ended, Remedy showed them to a guest room, and they all rested nicely, warm, and relaxed. Tomorrow they will travel south east, all the way to the shore where it wasn't so cold.

***

Nighmare Moon awoke from her floor mat, her wounds didn't hurt as much. She poked her head out of the tent to discover that the Zebras were making gumbo. She had never had gumbo before, then again, she had never had a real reason to eat food ever, she was always inside Luna when they'd eat. Nightmare noticed that she was feeling awfully hungry, and the smell of the different seasonings in the gumbo made her stomach growl in anticipation.

"Good morning Princess" Pentano, the Zebra who helped her the night before, said. "Care for some gumbo?"

"Mmm, I will" Nightmare said, crawling out of the tent. The Zebras handed her a bowl and filled it with the liquidy flavorful goodness that came from the pot. Nightmare gently sat down and ate it while the other Zebras filled their bowls. It was delicious.

Nightmare was finished with her bowl when she realized that she'd better get back on her way, she's doing no good for the war effort just sitting there. She had to leave, but she wanted to give something to the Zebras in return, but she didn't know what that thing could possibly be, she had nothing to give. But then she thought of something, a horn, that when blowed on, she will come to their aid. Only to be used once.

Nightmare, using her magic, formed a small, smooth musical horn, and decorated it to look special. The Zebras watched as she created this piece of art she held in her magical grasp. Nightmare then enchanted it so when it is blown into, she would hear it, no matter how far away she was. "Here" She says, and passes it to Pentano, "It is a gift from me, a thank you for all that you have done. Blow into only in a time of need, and I will come to your aid. This spell shall only work once, until I reactivate it myself."

The Zebras bowed before her, never before had they been given a gift from a god. Pentano accepted the gift, it was still glowing with Nightmare's magic even after she had let go. "A gift we shall not abuse, your Majesty."

Nightmare bowed her head before Pentano, and then flew off into the sky. The Zebras beneath her gasped in awe as she flew away.

The wind blew through her mane as she flew, and it felt good. The wind crashing into her body, the adrenaline of speed, the feeling of flying, it overwhelmed her. It's not like she hadn't flown before, it's just that she wasn't held back from a conscious mind anymore. She could feel powerful feelings, and everything felt stronger, more alive to her. Nightmare smiled with the same bliss she had felt when she was filled with power from the moon, and she cherished that feeling. She kept gaining more and more speed, as if she was going steadily faster with each flap of her wings. In a much shorter time it took for Luna to fly the distance from the castle to Equestria, Nightmare made it to the castle. She landed hard on the balcony, and almost made it crack. The amount of wind she blew into the building when she landed was strong enough to adjust nearly everything in the room. Nightmare then walked into the building, and headed out into the hallway after crossing through her room. She walked down hallways, scaled stairs, climbed down stars, until she found the door she was looking for. It was a locked vault, much similar to the one Celestia had. Nightmare inserted her horn into the hole, lit her horn with magic, and watched as the vault door opened up for her. When it was open, all she found was dark grey, almost black, and red amulet with an Alicorn fixed on the top of it. It was one of six Elements of Chaos. Like the Elements of Harmony, the Elements of Chaos were created about the same time, and were meant to by a more powerful version of the Elements of Harmony. All it took in order to use them, was a person with a strong enough will power to could control the Elements of Chaos. That designated person was Discord, and the Elements of Chaos turned him into a psychopath, and he took the title as Spirit of Chaos. Luna then hid away all of the Elements of Chaos, and waited for the right person to arise that could control them. The power of the Elements, like their names, are opposites. The Elements of Harmony speaks to and influences one's sub-conscious mind, and brings out peace with you. The Elements of Chaos, unlike the Elements of Harmony, speak to and influence the Conscious mind, making conscious desires swell within you. It makes the conscious mind more powerful than the sub-conscious mind. Nightmare, though, doesn't have a conscious mind. She is incorruptible from the Elements of Chaos, and plans to use them as her final resort against Celestia. Chaos verses Harmony.

Nightmare latched the amulet to her neck, and she felt it curse through her body, looking for her conscious mind. All she did was laugh as she felt the amulet's frustration with not finding what it was looking for. Nightmare then turned to the wall to test it. Her horn glowed a delicious red, and she sent a beam of red energy from her horn to the wall. The beam of red energy was more powerful than she had anticipated, because she blasted a hole right through it. Nightmare then used her thunder magic again, creating a fog of dark clouds swirling around her and shot lighting from them. The thunder was more powerful than before, because it made the castle shake, as if in pain. Nightmare smiled widely, she may have found something that would make up for the power she lost from separating with Luna. As a final test, Nightmare Moon flew outside a window, and above the castle. She charged her horn and eyes with as much power as she could reasonably hold, then let it all out as a wave of red energy. The result was a blast so big and powerful, that it blaster a hole the size of her room through the whole building. But it didn't stop there; Nightmare tilted her head in different directions, and the beam followed, and destroyed everything it touched. The Alicorn Amulet does wonders for Earth Ponies, Unicorns, and Pegasi alike, making them as strong as an Alicorn, but when it is equipped to an already powerful Alicorn, it's almost as powerful as the Elements of Harmony… almost. Nightmare starred out into the distance, she had a feeling where the other Elements of Chaos were located. Maybe the Alicorn Amulet was telling her. A overly pleased feeling entered Nightmares face, and she flew off into the distance to follow the feeling.

The castle behind her was destroyed. Nightmare currently, with the Alicorn Amulet, was strong enough to comfortably face Celestia, but she still had to think about Luna, and the Elements of Harmony. So, Nightmare went on a quest to find the other Elements of Chaos. Maybe Discord knew where they were.

Those Of Voodoo

Chapter 9: Those Of Voodoo

Pinkie started to have a headache, a minor one, but it counted. She popped open the potion bottle to see if it would work, and dumped the contents into her mouth. She waited, and waited, and waited, but nothing was happening. "Well this is pooey, at least I didn't pay for it." Pinkie said, but then her headache increased in strength to the point like it was when Celestia raised the Sun late, and Pinkie, without anyone around to hear her in the house, screamed in pain as she grabbed at her head. But the headache didn't stop there, it kept getting worse, until she couldn't bear it anymore. Her eyes began to tear because of pain, and she rolled on the floor unable to do anything. "JUST MAKE IT STOP!" Pinkie screamed out. She wanted it to stop, she really did, and she focused on that feeling. When she focused on wanting the pain to stop, it did. With a pop Pinkie can swear she heard, her head become free of the intense pain. Nothing felt so good to her ever, the feeling like your brain is bleeding and ripping itself apart, then be calmed like it was packaged in a cool, fluffy cloud. Pinkie sighed with more than just relief, but with bliss. The feeling was better than anything she had felt before, and she showed that in her face. She was relaxed, so relaxed, that she fell asleep, right there on the floor.

She woke up to nothing but white. All around her, there was nothing but white. There was no floor, no walls, no building. Nothing. Just a blank space of nothing. Something appeared out of the corner of her eye, and it was Zecora's hut. 'Huh? That wasn't there before.' Pinkie thought. Zecora opened the door and walked out, then the hut disappeared back into the white nothingness, and the only thing that remained was them two.

"What's going on? What did you give me?" Pinkie wanted answers. Her hair was flat, indicating that she lost her overly happy profile.

"Listen, and try to understand. I lied to you, Pinkie, so you would be better prepared to take my hand."

"Why?" Pinkie started to cry, "why would you do that to me?"

"So you can learn. YOU stopped the pain, and that should be your concern"

"What do you mean?"

"My potion made the pain worse, so then you could defeat it at the source"

"Stop rhyming and start making sense!" Pinkie demanded, she was anything but happy right now.

Zecora gave a blank stare, "I can't Pinkie, a curse has got ahold of me"

"What is wrong with you? Curses? Voodoo? You're a crazy pony!"

"Now look here Pinkie, for I know what you are thinking. I did not poison you for my own self gain, but to help you bloom, and make your feelings tame."

"What the hoof is that supposed to mean?"

"You have powers beyond comprehension, if you master it, you will teach this world a valuable lesson."

"I'm done with your games Zecora, just tell me whats going on" She said desperately.

"Why tell you, when I can show you" Zecora said, taking some green powder from a pouch, and threw it into the air.

When the dust settled, it formed into a perfect landscape of a field, with a single tree in the middle. Everything felt real, the grass on Pinkie's hooves, the smell of nature. It was as if they had just teleported somewhere. Pinkie looked at the tree, and saw somepony sitting there, beneath it, thinking. The Pony was waiting for someone, but Pinkie didn't know who. The Pony sitting under the tree was all grey, except for her blonde mane and tail. It reminded her of Derpy back home. Then, out of nowhere, a strange looking creature appeared in front of the tree. It was an oddly tall creature, with a right hand as a lion paw, a left hand as an eagle clam. It had a deer's and a ram's horn on it's head, a white beard like a goat, a head of a pony, a tail of a serpent, a bat wing, a pegasus wing. This creature sure was strange. He approached the pony that looked like Derpy, and the pony stood up from the tree. Zecora motioned Pinkie to get closer to the two beings out in the distance. Out of curiosity, Pinkie walked forward until she could hear what they were saying,

"You want me to do what?" The pony said,

"Get yourself unstuck from the tree when I put you in it." The strange looking creature said,

"But, what if I can't do it?" The pony asked,

"Well then, Clairetti, I will leave you there until you do" He said with a smile, and started laughing, "that would be so funny! Ha Ha HA!" 'So, the pony's name was Clairetti.' Pinkie thought.

"Well, alright then" Clairetti said, and the strange creature smiled some more. With a snap of his fingers, the pony was stuck in the tree.

"Wait, What?" Pinkie said aloud, the creatures in front of her didn't hear what she said. The pony was stuck in the tree from her gut, half of her was sticking out one side, and the other half poked out of the other. She was literally stuck IN the tree. The pony struggled and kicked, trying to see if she could wiggle herself out.

"Ha ha ha ho ho hooOOOoo" The strange looking creature laughed, wiping a tear of laughter from his face. "No Clairetti, no, you're doing it wrong." He said then teleported in front of the pony to get a better look at her. "You're supposed to imagine yourself out of the tree, then throw a little will power into that thought, remember?" The tall creature extended the use of the word 'remember' like he was trying to be sarcastic with her.

"Yeah yeah, I remember." She said, no longer struggling in the tree. She closed her eyes, and focused on being out of the tree. Her body began to jolt to the right, then to the left. After enough tries, she teleported herself out of the tree. When she opened her eyes, she looked so happy, "Oh my gosh! I did it!"

"Hm Hm, you certainly did"

Pinkie's mouth dropped, then turned to Zecora. "That never actually happened did it?"

"Indeed it did, now let us move on, there is more to be tended" Zecora said, with another flick of green dust, the landscape changed from a field to a cliff face. They were standing right in front of the wall of rock, and Pinkie looked around. She saw the same people from the other vision, there was that grey pony, and that strange creature.

"Go through this wall, and come out at the top" The awkward looking creature said,

"Sure" The pony replied. She then walked strait through the cliff, then in about ten second later, popped up at the top, phasing through the ground. "That was easy!" the pony said from way up high, "why don't you make me do something hard?"

"As you wish!" The creature called back, "Turn me into a bunch of butterflies"

The pony up at top of the cliff barely had to think about what she was doing. With a stomp of her hoof to the ground, the strange looking creature turned into an army of butterflies. The butterflies flew up to the pony and reformed back into the strange creature. Pinkie couldn't hear what they were saying, but she saw the grey pony hug the strange looking creature.

"This is called Voodoo" Zecora interrupted, "Soon, you will learn what they do."

Pinkie turned to Zecora, "But why the headache?"

"So you could make a breakthrough, for it was the first time you controlled Voodoo". Pinkie thought about how hard she was thinking about making the headache stop, and the strange creature who appeared to be a teacher had said something about that.

"But, I will never go through walls like that" Pinkie said, pointing a hoof at the cliff.

"It will be easy for you, for that pony was not born with Voodoo"

"She wasn't?"

"Voodoo was given to her, by that creature you see as a her teacher"

"But, why is he so weird looking?"

"Weird, HA, I am not weird, you're weird." Discord said, he was now standing next to Pinkie and Zecora, but Zecora's eyes widened.

"How did you know?! You devilish foe?!" Zecora said, absolutely shocked that the Discord was able to join their dream, let alone find them.

"Master, who are you talking to?" The pony asked, standing next to him.

He didn't pay attention to her. "Oh, no worries to you, this is still a dream" Discord said, "I got a feeling that this moment in time would be watched, and I am just here to talk to you. You see, I don't actually know you're here, but I can still sense you. Weird isn't it?" Discord said with a laugh. Zecora stuck out her hoof into Discord, and sure enough, a part of him crumbled into green dust, then reformed. "Now, I'm sensing your name starts with a Z. Hmm, Zanna, Zanara, Zecorna, Oh, I got it, Zecora isn't it" He tilts his head towards Zecora. 'How did he know this would happen in order to plan for it thousands of years in the future?' Zecora thought. "Well, anyway, I sense you to be a mock Voodooist Zecora, and that is quite shameful" He said waving a finger back and forth. He then turned to Pinkie Pie, "And your name is… Pinie Lie, Pieynky Sky, Ahh, Pinkie Pie! Oooh, I like that name. Anyway, no matter how far into the future you may be, I'll still be around, and if you want a real teacher, find me. Zecora here won't be able to help you the same way as I can." Discord then made some sunglasses appear, and put them on. "Just a thought". The dream then disintegrated into green dust.

"Heed not a word he says, for evil is his heart, and mischief he sheds"

"How did he know we were here?"

"Voodoo is mysterious and powerful, how he knew we would see him here, I do not know." She then grabbed another handful of green powder and shook it around. The landscape turned into a dirt covered, dark valley. The sky was black, thunder roared, and all that could be seen was that same grey pony named Clairetti, and a black and red centaur.

"HA HA HA HA" The centaur's laugh was powerful, and scary, "You think, you can defeat me! Alone?! You must be a fool!"

"Yes Tirek! But I know that I am stronger than you!"

"Don't make me laugh!" His remark was sharp,

The grey pony was dressed in wavy cloths, and she held a spear. She charged at the centaur, and the centaur in turn charged at her. The centaur activated something that looked like the Elements of Harmony, only they were dark, and Pinkie felt no good feelings coming from them. The ground under them shook as the evil Elements charged their power, and aimed whatever form of destruction and pain was imminent at the pony. A blast of energy strong enough to destroy anything sent its way over to the pony, and in a split second, she teleported behind the centaur. She then jabbed with her spear, but the evil Elements protected him, and sent the pony's spear flying away. The centaur turned with a laugh, and made a giant axe appear into his hands. He swung it down with all of his might, but the pony turned into a pool of water, the remolded under the centaur. She came up with massive force, enough to send anypony flying through the air, but not this centaur. All he did was laugh more, and he moved out of the way and tried to crush the pony.

Pinkie could feel it, the hatred, the darkness, the evil that emanated off of this one creature. It made her sick.

The centaur finally succeeded in landing a hit, and that was all it took. The grey pony was so hurt, she didn't move. With a maniacal laugh, the centaur approached his prey, the Elements of darkness swirling around him, and he prepared to end the pony's life.

"no" Pinkie said quietly first, "No" she said a little louder, "No!" a little louder, "NO!" She said the loudest, and then she ran towards the battle.

"There is nothing you can do! I've seen this time and time again, and she always loose"

Pinkie didn't listen, and she ran right in front of the centaur, trying to stand in-between his power, and the poor pony behind her. The Elements of darkness that swirled around the centaur crawled up to the top of his axe as he lifted it up in the air. Everything felt so real, and no matter what, she wasn't going to let anything hurt that pony.

Zecora watched, waiting for the axe to fall right through Pinkie, and cause an explosion of power that would destroy anything, as she had seen it played out time and time again. But Pinkie just stood there.

The centaur then brought the axe down, it flying so quickly with power. A shock wave that started from Pinkie and exploded across the entire valley and beyond engulfed the entire scene, and in that very moment, the centaur's axe stopped.

Zecora's eyes widened with unbelief, and she tried to take down the scene by throwing more dust around, but nothing happened. She then stomped on the ground with her hoof. It was dirt, real dirt. Zecora looked at Pinkie with fear. An invisible field kept the axe from coming down, even the Elements of Chaos were having trouble moving. Pinkie had her eyes closed.

"What Is This!?" The centaur screamed, and the grey pony from behind Pinkie looked up. She saw Pinkie, and even her eyes widened. The grey pony was so surprised, she didn't move. This unknown ally had popped out of nowhere.

Pinkie then opened her eyes. They were glowing white, the symbol of absolute power. Pinkie then ripped the Elements of Chaos from the centaur's control, and threw them so far away that they disappeared in the distance as they fell before anypony could see them hit the ground. Pinkie then summoned a portal beneath the centaur's feet that sucked at him like a black hole. The centaur grabbed onto the edge of reality, screaming curses at Pinkie. Pinkie only looked down at him with wrath, and she raised her front hooves into the air, and slammed them down. When that happened, the centaur was forced into the portal, as if he had just been pushed with the force of an explosion focused only on him. Pinkie then closed the portal, and the shock wave that engulfed the land zoomed back to Pinkie, turning everything back to green dust as it approached her. Finally it reached Pinkie, and everything was back to the plain white, but her eyes were still glowing, and she collapsed to the floor. Her body twitched and jerked; she was having a seizure.

Zecora ran to her, but didn't know what to do. This had never happened before. Pinkie after a while went limp, and the glowing white power in her eyes faded. Zecora then cut the dream off.

Zecora woke back up in her hut. She threw on her cloak, gathered a few items, then ran as fast as she could to Ponyville. She made it quickly, and ran around asking anypony she ran into first if they knew where Pinkie Pie was. They all pointed at Sugar Cube Corner, and she ran that direction. Busting through the door, she saw nothing. She then ran to the back in the kitchen, and still, nothing. She ran to the house part of the store, and there she found Pinkie laying on the floor. Zecora immediately began throwing open different bottles and elixirs and made Pinkie eat them. She also cast a few spells around Pinkie. Then, with a croak, Pinkie coughed, indicating that she was alive. Zecora wiped the sweat from her brow, and she went to get Pinkie some water. She returned with the water and handed it to Pinkie. Pinkie barely drank, Zecora practically had to force it down her throat, just like the medicines. All that mattered right then, was that Pinkie was okay.

Zecora took some time to find out what happened. She had seen that historical scene a thousand times, how the grey pony was defeated, and the centaur went on with his reign of terror. What she didn't know was how exactly was he defeated, but she only assumed it had something to do with the Princesses. They had gone back in time, they were there, they were physically there, and Pinkie had changed the course of history forever. Zecora replayed the memory again with the green dust to see if anything had changed, and sure enough, instead of the centaur winning, a particularly pink pony appeared out of nowhere, stopped the axe, then banish him into a pit to who knows where, then disappear just as quickly as she had appeared. History was changed, that grey pony lived. How powerful is Pinkie that she was able to turn the memory into a reality, stop Tirek with little effort, and still bring them back to the dream state. Pinkie not only had traveled back in time, but she had teleported Zecora with her.

Zecora feared Pinkie Pie, nothing should be allowed to have that much potential power. Not even Discord has the power to travel back in time, nor to even defeat Tirek. Tirek was Discord's master, and likewise, Tirek was stronger than Discord. But it was because of the Elements of Chaos that made him so strong. A spell later was discovered that enabled somepony to go back in time, but for only a small moment, and only once.

Zecora was sitting next to Pinkie in the hospital.

***

Nightmare Moon approached what looked like an abandoned castle, it falling apart in places, but she knew who occupied it. Discord. Discord, some think, is a statue that rests in Celestia's castle, but the truth is, that statue is a charm, something that keeps Discord from entering Celestia's "perfect" world. Although, he is free in the world of the Night, and dwell here, he does. Discord must have known Nightmare was coming, because the one and only Spirit of Chaos simply knows any and all life forms within his influence. But Nightmare came to visit him, for a reason he may already know, but that didn't matter very much.

Nightmare didn't even bother to knock on the door, she just walked in. The castle looked worse on the inside than it did the outside, and Nightmare found herself stepping over things. She found what was a throne room, and she assumed Discord would be there. She opened the door, and Discord was there taking a shower.

"Holly Celestia! Don't you nock?!" Discord said, putting a towel around himself. Nightmare smirked at the joke.

"That's funny Discord" Discord the appeared above her head,

"You think so? I try so hard" Discord said, being his usually goofy self. Most of the time, he's just trying to make people laugh, but if you're not careful, he will ruin your life. He's not the Spirit of Chaos for no small reason.

"Do you know why I've come?"

Discord was drying himself with the towel, "Does it have something to do with revenge on Celestia?"

"Yes, it does."

"You know, Nightmare, not that I hate seeing your beautiful face, but it's been a while since I've seen Luna, do you mind if I have this wonderful conversation with her?"

Nightmare felt really hurt at the remark, not because of Discord, but because of Celestia. Celestia took her other half away, and it hurt every time someone mentioned her. "Me and Luna are, separated."

"Ohh" Discord said a little frustrated, "Are you two not talking to each other anymore or something?" He tried to pry.

"Celestia has got her!" Nightmare said in anger, "She gone! Ripped out of my body!"

Discord back down from his curiosity, "Oh, that kind of separated. Ah, well, Celestia will be Celestia, and there's nothing we can do about it."

"But I can"

"Oh ho really?" Discord said with a laugh, "You are half a Goddess and you expect to face against a whole and a half Goddess? If that's how you want to die, and by die I mean get banished to a realm with no escape, then that's a good way to do it."

"I need the Elements of Chaos"

Discord was quiet, but only for a second, he can't go long without saying something, that's just his character. "That's my Nightmare!" He said with excitement. "Now that's a plan worth abandoning!"

"Why?" Nightmare said a little strictly,

"No need to be stiff princess, it's just that, I don't have them anymore, ever since I was banished from Equestria."

"You don't need to have them, I just want to know where they are."

"Like I said princess, it's a lost cause" Discord said, floating away and making an echo with his voice, just doing more goofy Discord stuff.

"I already have one" Nightmare said, pulling out the Alicorn Amulet. Discord drew his attention to it,

"And where did you get that, may I ask?"

"It's been locked away in my castle, since you were banished from Equestria."

"Then why do you need me?"

Nightmare was slightly confused, "I don't understand what you could possibly mean."

"Oh, it's quite simple really. I don't know where the Elements are, but that necklace does. It will find the other Elements for you."

"How do I make it work?"

"It will just naturally tell your… oh wait, you don't have a conscious mind. Ha ha ha Hoo hoo heh" Nightmare became angry at the joke Discord just pulled and she jumped at him with the intention of doing harm to him.

She flew right through Discord, "Now now princess, it's just a joke. But honestly, I've been trying to tell you it's a lost cause."

"Some help you were." Nightmare said, starting to walk away.

"Now, you could just give me the Alicorn Amulet and I'll go find the Elements for you."

Nightmare was purely made of sub-conscious thought, and she can receive strong impressions, and perceive series of events. Dicord knew where the Elements were, but wasn't telling her so that he could get his hands on the Alicorn Amulet. That's why he took so much interest into it when she first brought it out.

"You lied to me," she said, turning around,

"Who? Mua?" Discord said, putting his paw hand over his heart.

"You know where the Elements are, but are just not telling me."

"DOW!" Discord said putting a hand on his face, "You got me!"

"Why is everything a game with you?"

"Because we're immortal Nightmare, we have the ability to make everything a game."

"Not when you're about to be banished somewhere with no return."

"Nightmare, learn this lesson for me please: There is always a way to return." Nightmare was done wasting time, she didn't want to be in Discord's presence for much longer.

"Where are the Elements Discord?"

"Alright fine! I'll tell you, but I'll only tell you my way." Nightmare rolled her eyes. "But first, can I have a tiny glass of water?"

Nightmare created a glass of water with her magic and handed it to Discord. "There, now what where you going to tell me."

"Nothing!" Discord said, then disappeared.

'I should've known this would be a waste of my time' And Nightmare began searching the building for something valuable. The only thing still in perfect condition was the picture of Tirek on the wall. Nightmare grinned and aimed her horn at the picture

Discord took the glass of water and placed it on a shelf. He then checked "Alicorn" off of his list. He was now still waiting on the Groulg glass, and he will be a little closer to his goal. Something activated his Chaos Sense (his version of the Pinkie Sense), and he rushed as fast as he could back to the throne room before Nightmare could do any damage.

"NO STOP!" Discord said, he saw Nightmare's horn pointed at the picture of Tirek.

"I see right through your games Discord! Where are the Elements!"

"Do you really want to play this game with me? Because you will regret it" This was the first time Nightmare had ever heard Discord's voice to be grave with a real warning.

"Try me Discord!"

Discord then teleported them both to the top of a mountain somewhere, and Discord used his power to remove very large block of the mountain off in spinning motions, making an unstable, tornado like mountain instead of a sturdy one like it's supposed to be. The next thing he did to the mountain was separate it into a ton of small boulders, barely big enough for one to stand on. Nightmare fought to keep her balance, and discord simply stood there. He had picked the place, and the setting. This was a duel.

Discord launched first by throwing some of the boulder sized rocks at Nightmare's head. Nightmare turned into a fog like mist, and disappeared into billions of tiny scattered particles. No two particles made it within two feet of each other; Nightmare spread herself really thin. She knew that this place was another one of Discord's games, he was trying to keep her away from his precious picture. Nightmare, as an invisible mist, floated off into the distance, back towards Discord's castle. She felt happy when she turned around and noticed that discord was still looking for her somewhere in the mountain rubble that was spinning around. Nightmare decided to leave behind a single shadow clone, in order to keep Discord occupied with the thought that she was still there.

It didn't take Nightmare long to make it back to Discord's castle, and she floated right back into the throne room. She wasn't going to harm the picture just yet, just hold it for ransom. She then formed only her head, and using her horn, she picked up the picture, and teleported it somewhere that only she knew where. In about a second after she did that, Discord teleported back to his castle, his Chaos Sense apparently tingling again, and he panicked when coming back to his castle. Nightmare quickly spread her body thin again, and thus couldn't be seen, or detected. Discord stared at the blank spot on the wall where his picture used to be.

"Hm hm hm hm hm ha ha ha Ha Ha HA HA HA" He slowly laughed more hysterically as time went on. He then sent a shock wave through the chamber that shook the building. He was angry.

Nightmare projected her voice from all directions so Discord wouldn't know exactly where she was. "I said I can see right through your games Discord, and I'm not up for playing games."

"Alright Nightmare, alright, you win this time, give me back my picture."

"Just make another one with your powers, why do you need this one?"

"Because it's an original! Now give it back!" Discord spat, he was rabid.

"I want those Elements Discord. Give them to me, and you can have your picture back" Discord didn't answer for a long time.

"You are a great manipulator Nightmare, almost as great as me" Discord said with a sigh, but Nightmare knew it was a forced sigh.

She didn't reply

It took him a while, but Discord gave up the Elements. He summoned all five that he had; the first thing he did after his master's defeat was curse his student to destroy all that she touched, and the second thing he did was go around and retrieve what Elements of Chaos he could find. They were powerless without the Alicorn Amulet, like how the Elements of Harmony are powerless without the Element of Magic. Discord set the Elements down on the floor, and waited for Nightmare to retrieve them. Nightmare created a shadow clone, and sent it out to pick up the Elements. It was smart, because Discord couldn't attack it. It wasn't Nightmare herself, so if he was planing a sneak attack, it wouldn't work. Nightmare then formed only her head again so she could use magic, and she brought back Discord's picture, and set it gently back on the wall. Once it was on the wall, she quickly disintegrated again, and left without a word. Discord never moved from the standing position he was in when he arrived. His head remained tilted down, and his shoulders up high. He didn't laugh, or even try to smile.

Discord silently noted in his head to stay away from Nightmare Moon, she being the only creature alive who can outsmart him. And thus she is more dangerous than the Elements of Chaos she had come for.

***

Twilight was studying, like she always does. She was able to order a bunch of newly discovered books a bunch of archeologists found in a cave, and she wanted to see them first. As far as she knew, not even Celestia knew of the books yet, but she would tell her all about them. That box with the old books in it had arrived that morning, and Twilight was already looking through them.

"Very interesting" she said as she took notes on something she found, well, interesting.

A book lay in the pile that she was about to look at, a brand new book of prophecies. She liked the one she already had, but maybe this new one had things in it that she hadn't seen yet, and she was eager to flip the pages open. She read through as many prophecies as possible, some having already come true, and yet to come. Twilight barely skimmed over a prophecy that told about the Era Of The Sun, and she hadn't even realized it was about Celestia, until she saw her name written

"Wait, what?" Twilight remarked as she read back over the text in more careful detail this time. She spoke aloud as she read, even though it was a hard read, it was written in old pony times, which means the language spoken was also olden pony, "Yea, there will come to pass a time where the Goddess of the Sun shall forsake the Universe. And when that day shall come, behold, the fates will be angered, and will seek the downfall of Celestia. Yea, in this time only, the Night shall be blessed, and the Day shall be cursed. Yea, many will rise up against the devil that is known as the Sun, as the Day, but they shall all fail. Such is the fate of all, but one. And she will be the savior, and defeat the Day. Woe unto those who follow the Day, for they are blinded, not by their will, but by the will of the Day. Blessed are those in the Night, for they are the chosen and free ones." Twilight finished reading, "Wow, I hope that day never comes. I should tell Celestia about it" Twilight said, and jotted it down on her list of things to tell Celestia. But something felt very wrong, like as if that prophecy was coming true right now. 'No, it couldn't, Celestia isn't evil' Twilight reasoned with herself, but the feeling of uneasiness remained. The Elements of Harmony worked hard to help Twilight realize the truth, as well as all the other ponies.

The rest of that day, that single prophecy in particular stood out to her. It kept her interested to the point that she felt that she needed to tell her friends. Twilight decided that she will go around and gather everpony, but while she was out, she couldn't find them. Rarity wasn't at the Boutique, Ranbow wasn't anywhere at all, Fluttershy wasn't at her cottage, and Pinkie Pie wasn't at Sugar Cube Corner. Twilight was about to go check out Sweet apple acres and see if Apple Jack was there, but she finally saw Rainbow Dash flying towards her. Rainbow looked frustrated.

"Yo Egg-head! What are you doing here!?" Rainbow said, she sounded frustrated too.

"I'm trying to find Apple Jack, everypony seems to be missing, I just found you right now."

"Well duh! We're all at the Hospital."

"Oh, what happened?"

"It's Pinkie Pie, she's hurt! Why haven't you showed up yet?"

Twilight's eyes widened, "What!? Pinkie's hurt!? Why didn't anypony tell me?"

Rainbow eased up a bit, apparently the Egg-head didn't know what was going on. "Common, hurry up!" Rainbow said, flying back to the Hospital.

Twilight ran as fast as she could. When she finally got to the Hospital building, she was out of breath, but that was ok with her. She hurried into the building, and the nurses pointed her to Pinkie. When she got there, Pinkie wasn't looking very good. Her hair was flat, she wasn't smiling, and it seemed as if she was in a daze. All of the other ponies were there next to her side.

"What, happened?" Twilight asked,

"The Doctors aren't sure. They say it may be caused because of over craziness, but I reckon that's a whole lotta hooey. Who here's ever heard of somepony bein' too crazy?" Appljack replied.

Twilight looked with concern. Did this have something to do with her headaches? The doctors came back in.

"We're sorry girls, but we have run every test possible, and we can't seem to find out what happened. It's a complete mystery."

"Who brought her in?" Twilight asked,

"A Zebra, though she wouldn't give us her name." Zecora was already long gone before any of Pinkie's friends arrived.

Twilight scratched her chin. "Does anypony know a Zebra that lives in Ponyville?"

They all replied with a harmony of Nuh uh's and nope's, and Twilight continued to be confused. Well, everypony was here to hear about the prophecy, but now probably isn't the beast time. They all put a hoof on Pinkie's shoulder from time to time, she laying in bed asleep, or something like that. Twilight felt bad, she couldn't take her eyes away from Pinkie. Something was strange about this pink pony, and it wasn't just her overly happy mood.

Battles And Mysteries

Chapter 10: Battles And Mysteries

The Sun, it felt warm of Drapney's back as they flew. House Caranae had been flying for a long time for that effect to happen, and their wings were getting tired. Jyrial pointed to the ground and they all sailed down to the floor. They landed near a small lurch of trees that randomly was set between the arctic north and the Pinewood forests that bordered it. They were on the edge of the Tree Line, and much larger trees could be seen in the distance. Hiltwing ran off to find some water, and the rest of them relaxed, removing their armor. Jyrial climbed up the nearest hill, and looked out into the distance; he was planning on where they should go next. Drapney looked over at Bagod and Remedy. They all had thought it, but none of them ever asked. How did you get out of the spell? The answer probably would be along the lines of "We struggled hard enough", but so many Clairetti didn't escape. So, what made them five so special?

"Hey, Remedy" Drapney reached out, Remedy had just removed her helmet, freeing her face to the cool wind. It had been about a week since the battle, so they all felt good enough about talking that it didn't make it awkward to say anything. "How did you escape the spell?"

Remedy looked a little surprised at the question, but not that surprising, because she herself had been wondering the same question about everybody. "It was the Innocents. I thought about the children around me, dying, and I couldn't bear it." Remedy's eyes started to get wet, but she wasn't crying. "I broke out of the spell to save them, but I was already too late." As Drapney thought, Remedy was a House Lighthill Bruta unit, so that would mean that she was kind hearted, and fought for the wellbeing of others. Remedy fought for the children, an honorable reason to fight. "Well, how about you?" Remedy asked.

Drapney started to tear up at the question. "It was my sister. A long time ago, when she was a foal, she got herself lost in Equestria. I swore that I would find her, that I would bring her back, but I haven't had a chance yet. I wasn't just going to let a spell keep me from that mission, and I broke out. She'll be 20 this year, almost old enough to drink." Drapney said with a tear running down her face and a smirk in her mouth. "I haven't seen her in 15 years"

Remedy moved in closer to comfort Drapney, "I'm sorry". It's one thing to see helpless children die, and another to lose a sister. Both are absolutely horrible.

Bagod's expression was blank. "I got out with will power. Nothing went through my mind, but surviving to see another day." Bagod is one of the military types, and a strong one. Jyrial would probably give them the same story, on how he broke out because he was strong enough to break out, and maybe Hiltwing would say the same thing, but they weren't certain for sure. The Clairetti respect a will full person, because it means that they have learned to control their curse better than anyone else. Now whether they use it wisely or not is up to them; to be gentle, or brutal. Jyrial returned from the hill. He didn't sit, and he didn't take off his armor. He was tense,

"A flying pack of Corvuses are coming" Jyrial said. Bagod, Drapney, and Remedy all through their armor back on and got ready to fight. A Corvus, like an Ursa, is a constellation. A Corvus is a large black crow, and the constellation it is born from twinkles within it’s body, just like the Ursa do. All constellations are like that, and because they are made of magic, they can only be harmed by magic. The Clairetti are an exception, even though they perform physical attacks, their destructive power is a controlled curse, and curses are made from magic. Thus, whatever the Clairetti had, it was magical, and thus could harm constellations. Constellations, for that reason, are feared by non-magical creatures such as Pegasi and Satyrs, because they cannot harm them. Constellations are also much larger than the physical versions of what they're imitating. Corvuses had about the wingspan of 20 pegasi, and thus are formidable enemies against Dragons, but then again, so are the Clairetti.

"How many are there?" Bagod asked,

"A lot" Jyrial replied, and Bagod in response equipped himself with magic infused knives. Each knife freezes the area around it when it hits something, and thus it is used strategically to either limit a large opponent's movement, or to keep objects from moving. Bagod obviously was going to use them as weapons, and he sure had a lot of them. Remedy ran after Hiltwing to warn him, and Drapney got ready as well. Her sword wouldn't do anything to the Corvuses, so she left it there on the floor to eliminate unnecessary weight. All but Bagod will be fighting by hand, so it was going to take a lot of power to kill these things. They were going to do this the old fashioned way, the way of nature, of the wild. One creature’s strength against another’s.

Jyrial herded them into the trees. He thought that maybe the Corvuses won't see them and fly on by, so then they could attack them from behind. They knew they were going to have to fight, because Hiltwing and Remedy were still out in the open, and in danger. They waited there in the trees, and listened as the screeching got louder and louder as the Corvuses got closer. Then, they saw them, the Corvuses come flying overhead, and luckily, didn't seem to see them. There must of been about a hundred of them. The screeching, squeaking, and whatever noise a Corvus would make got very loud as they found Hiltwing and Remedy, they doomed down to attack them. Jyrial waited for the right moment, and then gave the signal to move.

Bagod, Jyrial, and Drapney all darted up into the air and towards the Corvuses. Jyrial got to the first one, and crashing into it gut, sent the Corvus higher into the air. It's screams weren't heard by the others. Drapney flew above a Corvus and slammed into its back, bringing the Corvus down to the ground. Bagod flew in front of a Corvus and threw one of his knives into its eye, then lunged into the bird's skull. Jyrial, huh in the air, was giving his victim a serious of kicks and pouches that all made the Corvus scream with pain, until he finally knocked it down with an overhead struck and sent the poor bird to the ground. Drapney was doing the same, except she was beating it deeper and deeper into the ground. Bagod had succeeded in getting his Corvus to the ground, and struck with impressive might. The three of them were done taking out the Corvuses they had chosen, and flew off to take on another.

Hiltwing and Remedy had seen the massive group of Corvuses fly down to attack, and dodged out of the way so that either their attackers beaks would crash into the ground, or force the bird to pull up. Each time a Corvus would get into arms reach, they would slam their fists into its head, and cause the bird to retreat with pain. Having the ability to destroy all that you touch, and then focus that ability to become stronger, lead to a lot of hurt for the Corvuses.

To truly represent the power of a Clairetti, allow me to give an example. What if you let gravity drop your hand down on a table? If that table was made of wood, you would break the table in half. Now imagine punching that same table. The area you pouched at would turn into dust while the table broke into more than one piece. Now imagine focusing that power through years of training, where when you punch the table you not only turn some of it into dust and shatter it into shards, but you crack the floor beneath you as well. That is half the power of a Clairetti, because if they would let a hoof fall onto a table from gravity, the table wouldn't break in half, it would shatter into pieces, and the area where the hoof landed would turn to dust, just like if you would punch a table from the example earlier. Clairetti destroy what they touch, which is why the children aren't allowed to touch anything but the ground until the learn to stop making small craters in the dirt from where they walk.

The Clairetti don't directly control this power, because you can't control a curse. They just simply touch things almost as gently as a Breezie, and get along that way. Thus, when a Corvus is getting hit with that much power, it feels the pain, but it cannot die. In order to win, the Corvuses must willingly retreat.

Bagod flew up into the air again and threw several knives in different directions, all hitting separate Corvus. It succeeded in only getting their attention, which Bagod was looking for. The five Corvuses he had hit came at him full speed, screeching and squawking their way towards him. With a curve to the side and a flip, Bagod dodged the first Corvus and knocked it square in the jaw. The next Corvus struck him hard in the side with its beak as it flew by, but Bagod simply thrashed his elbow into the poor bird's beak and used the momentum of thrashing his arm to spin him around and kick the top of the bird's head with his back hoof. The other three Corvuses had flown right past him, and he flew off to attack them.

Drapney was busy taking out her next victim while all of that was happening. She grabbed ahold of a Corvus' tail feathers, spun around, and sent it flying into the ground. Before the Corvus had gotten back up, Drapney crashed right into it, and dug it further into the ground. Dust flew up around them from the impact, and Drapney flew away to continue fighting. The Corvus crawled out of the shallow hole and tried to fly away, but stuck to crawling, because it hurt to much to fly.

The group made it to about where Hiltwing and Remedy where fighting on the ground, except they were in the air. The remaining Corvuses realized that they had aerial foes, and moved to regain supremacy in the air. Hiltwing and Remedy joined the air fight when the Corvuses turned away their attention, and zoomed quickly towards the closest Corvus.

Jyrial was pursuing a Corvus, when another Corvus grabbed him in its claws. The bird flew down next to the ground and half drug, half shoved Jyrial into the dirt, making a visible path through the ground of where they had been. Jyrial steadied his feet on the ground when he got a chance, and pushed up at the Corvus' feet, digging himself deeper into the ground, but stoping the bird's forward momentum. Jyrial then jumped from the spot, still having the bird's feet in his grasp. The bird fell forward due to balance problems, and Jyrial allowed it to fall. When the bird was to the side of him, he kicked it in the chest, sending it flying to his right several yards away, and didn't bother to watch as it fell all the way to the floor.

Remedy waited in position as a Corvus charged at her, pointing its beak into her direction. When it was close enough, she grabbed the beak with her hooves, twisted upward bringing the beak with her, and kicked the bird's neck while it was twisted in a weird position. A Corvus came up behind Remedy and struck its beak into her head. Remedy fell to the floor a little dazed. She looked up in time to see the Corvus come crashing down on her, and peck at her body. She rolled out of the way for the first few strikes, but was hit in the side by the bird's beak, then again, and again as she laid on the ground in pain. She then made a quick back roll and kicked the bird's beak as it came down for another attack. The bird shook its head in pain and focused back on Remedy. It flapped once to gain momentum as it charged at Remedy, and Remedy did the same. They were both gliding through the air, only a few feet above the ground, and Remedy come out the winner. She had simply pouched the Corvus in the face when they collided, and a ripple of power went through them both. The ripple in Remedy wasn't strong enough to cause pain, more like what would happen at a sudden stop, but the ripple that went through the Corvus sent pain into its whole body. Remedy had succeeded in cracking the Corvus' beak, and watched as it flew with a white light and slowly healed itself. The Corvus flew away. Remedy looked down at her side. She was bleeding.

The bulk of the Corvuses retreated, and flew off back in their original migration pattern. Only three Corvuses stayed to fight, but soon backed off and joined the rest of their group when they found that they were outnumbered. Jyrial, Drapney, Bagod, and Hiltwing all waited until the Corvuses were surely gone. They were breathing heavily; the battle had took a lot out of them. Five Clairetti hit as hard as they could against 100 Constellations, all in order to encourage them to retreat. It surely worked, considering that the Corvuses where now gone. The five of them then got a chance to relax, and they glided back down to the floor.

“I spotted some water over there” Hiltwing stated, lightening up the mood and pointing in some direction off somewhere.

“Good” Jyrial said as he started heading towards the direction Hiltwing pointed them in, the others shortly followed.

They found a small creek that had more plant life growing around it than did anything else, and they tilted their heads into it to take a drink. Drapney was the first to lift her head from the water, and she sat down to rest. It didn’t take long for the others to join in. After a while when they were generally rested and could fly again, Jyrial ordered that they move on, and they all did. Jumping high into the air, the five of them headed back down their flight path, trying to reach the sea.

** **

The night had taken over the outside, and Twilight crawled into her bed. She found it hard to sleep, because she was so worried about Pinkie. It reminded her of when she exploded with power that one time as a filly, and she had similar side effects, but not enough to send her to the hospital, and it surely was detectable. Everypony knew what had happened to her, but nopony knew what was wrong with Pinkie. Twilight tried really hard to understand what it was exactly that had affected Pinkie, but nothing came up, not even in her books. Tomorrow, she will go to Celestia, and see if she knew what it was. Celestia knew everything, so she had no doubts.

Twilight turned in her bead and closed her eyes, but she still couldn’t fall asleep. She will lay awake until the morning, worrying about Pinkie.

** **

The sun arose, and birds outside were tweeting. Guess Fluttershy was up early enough to wake them. Twilight groaned, she didn’t sleep at all last night, and she was sure it was going to bite her in the flank later, but not now, now was time set aside for Celestia.

Twilight was soon out of bed and was waiting for the next train to Canterlot down at the station. The tracks started vibrating, and a thundering noise arose in the distance; the train was on time. It screeched to stop in the right position to allow the ponies coming from somewhere else to get off, and the ponies that are leaving to get on. Twilight entered the train car and sat down on the seats across from Lyra Heartstrings. She was sitting in a slightly awkward position, but not too strange. Twilight had seen her in worse.

“So, heading to Canterlot?” Lyra opened,

“Yeah”

“Family or Buisness?” Twilight noted that Lyra was trying very hard to be friendly right now, so she humored her.

“Both”

“Ooh, bad call. Never do business with family. I hear it causes bad luck.” Twilight chuckled,

“Ha, there’s no such thing as bad luck, just an unfortunate line of events. Logically, there is no such thing as luck.”

“That’s not what I learned growing up. My mommy always said that ‘If magic is real, so are the other supernatural things in this world’”

“Well, Magic is measurable; it can be studied scientifically, so thus it is not supernatural.” Twilight said, getting into her lecture mood.

“Oh, I forgot you Day dwellers were so dull.”

Twilight looked at Lyra with confusion, “Wait, what did you call me?”

“No matter. Bye!” She said, then ran off out of the train. Twilight followed.

“Wait, come back!” She said, chasing after the mint colored unicorn. Lyra almost turned a corner, but turned to look at Twilight. She giggled, and then continued onward around the corner right as Twilight caught up to her. When Twilight zoomed around the corner, Lyra was gone. “Over here!” Lyra said, she was now standing behind Twilight.

“Wait, how’d you…” Twilight tried to say, but Lyra had already ran off again.

Up and down, giggle after giggle, Lyra lead the lavender unicorn into the Everfree Forest, and disappeared into the trees. Twilight was out of breath, but she looked everywhere for the strange unicorn. She eventually found her sitting next to a pool of water in a concave between four hills. Twilight ran down next to Lyra.

“Please don’t go!” She said as she approached Lyra. Lyra put a hoof to her mouth, signaling Twilight to remain quiet.

“The Grove of Truth” Lyra whispered, pointing a hoof towards the pool of water, “Look into it”

Twilight bowed her head and stared into the water, but her mind was on Lyra. She quickly lifted her head to see Lyra again and say something, but Lyra was already gone. She had disappeared. Twilight looked back down into the pool, and watched as something started moving. A bulge came floating up from the water, and grew until it formed a ghost like being, still connected to the pool of water.

“What do you seek?” The pool of water spoke to her, speaking in a deep, daunting tone, but not threatening.

Twilight thought hard about what it was she wanted to say, but remembered about Pinkie. “I want to know what happened to my friend, Pinkie Pie”

The water being the warped into an image, and Twilight starred at it, watching as it formed a memory, a moving picture. She saw Pinkie with a Zebra she had never seen before, and they were standing next to a cliff face. But then, the Zebra sprinkled some kind of green dust everywhere, and the landscape turned into a scary, dark relm, where thunder and black clouds were home. A red and black centaur stood in the center, in front of a pony that oddly looked like Derpy.

Twilight’s eyes glowed a satisfying blue as the vision went through her head. She saw everything, from the transformation of the landscape, to when Pinkie burst with power she had never seen before.

“Your friend’s condition is caused upon something you have yet to understand” the water being said, “nor could ever understand, unless you break yourself from the Day”.

Twilight remembered that earlier she was called a Day Dweller. What does that mean? “I have been called a Day Dweller, is this related to your advice concerning the Day?”

“Indeed, for as far as you believe it to be true.”

“What is a Day Dweller?”

The water spun around into another form, and presented the picture of a city, filled with Ponies. “Behold, the Day Dwellers.”

Twilight only recognized a normal ponies, but something had to be special with them in order to be given a separate title other than “Normal”.

“Those look like any ordinary pony, what makes them different?”

“They are trapped in their consciousness. They live a false life, free from the influences of the sub-conscious mind. They are victims of Princess Celestia.”

Victims? Celestia has no “Victims”, she is the good and wise ruler of all of Equestria!

“They are anything but victims! Celestia is a good, kind, loving ruler, not an maker of evil deeds! What thing has she done to cause the need of the word ‘victim’?!”

The water started to recede, and disappear. “Only those with an open mind may see the truth” It said, over, and over again until it soaked entirely again, it’s voice becoming less and less audible, until it was barely an echo of a whisper.

“Wait, stop, don’t go.” Twilight said, “I have so many questions.” But the water fully receded. The Grove of Truth was gone, hidden away somewhere far off for somepony else to find. Twilight may never see it again. She turned around, disappointed at herself for losing her cool with the creepy pond. As she looked up, she saw Lyra.

“Those of the Day listen not to truth, but to reason. A chance to know all you had wanted to know, is now gone.” Lyra said with a displeased look on her face.

Twilight jumped at the opportunity to talk to Lyra, “Please, tell me what’s going on?”

Lyra laughed, “Now that the Grove is gone, you want me to tell you?”

“Well, yes” Twilight said, matter-of-factly,

“Well I won’t tell you” Lyra said, folding her hooves together over her chest and making a hmph sound.

“Look, I’m ready to learn now. See?”

“Arrogance is your mistake Twilight, you think you know all, or have the ability to know all. Humble yourself first, then come to me.”

“But I am!” Twilight said with some frustration, then realized how prideful she sounded. Lyra gave her a strange look that seemed to say “Oh really?” and Twilight accepted it.

“I will leave you with a warning Twilight, and this is for your own good. Be wary of Celestia.” She said, then walked away, moving large leaved from a plant behind her out of the way.

“Wait, hold on.” Twilight said rushing towards the leaves. When she pushed the leaves aside, Lyra was gone.

Changed Loyalties

Chapter 11: Changed Loyalties

Nightmare Moon, disguised as a dark cloud in the sky, spied on Luna from way up high in the sky. Nightmare had to be carful how she approached. If she did anything wrong, it could be the last chance she'd have at bringing balance to the world. The part of the battle she was worried about was the information gathering. Day and night, she will watch Celestia and Luna go about their daily tasks, and try to find when is the best moment to strike. Celestia seemed to go to bed after the sun went down, and Luna takes over, but Nightmare didn't actually know what Celestia did after Luna takes over. For all she knew, Celestia could just be taking a break, and living her life, like reading a book or dealing with other royal duties.

Speaking of royal duties, Nightmare should be looking after her kingdom. Even though they wouldn't recognize her. She would have to at least protect them. That thought never crossed Nightmare's mind as she peered at Luna, trying to mold a plan. Nightmare's current goal was to reconnect herself with Luna, but exactly how, she didn't know. The Elements Of Harmony obey the dictates of the conscious mind, which is why when the six colorful ponies tried to banish her, it separated her from Luna, because they only wanted to banish Nightmare, and Nightmare alone. The Elements Of Chaos obey the dictates of the sub-conscious mind, which is why it is said to corrupt the user, because the sub-conscious mind becomes stronger than the conscious mind, and will execute it's desires. That was the true difference between the Elements of Chaos, and the Elements of Harmony. Another requirement is that the user or users of the Elements of Harmony must be in harmony with themselves, thus that is why those Elements were called Harmony. The Elements of Chaos, likewise, need to be controlled by a hurt, lost user. It was rightfully named Chaos, because it requires chaos to control them. The Elements of Harmony and the Elements of Chaos are equal in power, and so when a user of one fights a user of the other, the battle turns into a contest of wits, not sire power. It's like a chess game, where neither you nor your opponent has the immediate advantage, but depending how you play your pieces, you still can win. But if Nightmare got ahold of Luna and re-achieved the full power of the Moon, with the Elements of Chaos, she might just have that immediate advantage that will win her the battle against the Elements of Harmony.

Nightmare waited long throughout the night, Luna only walked back into the castle twice all night long, and Celestia had come out to her once. This proved the Celestia barely slept, so she wasn't sure what to do about that. Maybe she could somehow get Luna to come to her, but exactly how was a mystery.

The sun peeked over the horizon. Soon, the weather ponies will be up and try to move her out of the sky in order to achieve their goal of a clear sky. To her advantage, there where other clouds in the sky in random places just like her, so it won't seem peculiar that she was up in the sky. Nightmare decided to wait until the weather ponies cast their magic to move her out of the sky. Besides, she looked like a rain cloud, and they wouldn't want that.

Nightmare watched as Luna and Celestia changed spots, and Celestia now stood out on the porch to watch the land. Luna will either continue the work Celestia wasn't able to finish, or will go to bed. It didn't matter to Nightmare at this point, because soon, she will be herded out of Canterlot. Like she expected, she found a group of Unicorns point up at the different clouds, and one by one, the clouds were caught by an aura of magic, and moved out of the way. Nightmare made herself loose so that she would be easily manipulated by the magic the unicorns shortly would cast. In ten seconds from when the cloud nearest to her was moved out of the way, she was caught by some unicorn's magic, and moved out of the way. Nightmare watched the castle shrink in her view, and then turned to see where she was going. Cloudsdale, they were taking her in the direction of Cloudsdale. Nightmare always wondered what they did with the rogue clouds. What Nightmare was curious of was how did the weather ponies have this much range on their magic to do this, and then she looked down. Below her, and below all the other clouds, the unicorns were following their clouds all the way to Cloudsdale. Shortly, Cloudsdale came into view, it's factories working endlessly, and pegasi everywhere hustling around to get things done. A group of pegasi intercepted the clouds from the unicorns and waved them off, then the unicorns gathered together and started to head back to Canterlot, laughing and talking with one another. The system was beautiful, the ponies here lived in harmony with each other, and lived happily. Nightmare would support this country's peace, if it wash't because they were brainwashed. It made Nightmare's heart ache. At least in her realm, ponies experience happiness and peace like the ponies here do, but her ponies are ready to fight a war if the call is needed, and doesn't rely on her abilities only.

The pegasi pushed Nightmare into a vacuum that went inside the facility, and Nightmare materialized as soon as nopony could see her. She hid behind and inside other clouds as they went through inspection, and were cleared to go on with the rest of the weathering system. Nightmare found a hole somewhere she could slip through, turned into a ghostly mist, then creeped into the hole. It led her to the outside, and she was free to fly away. She was about to do so, but some pegasi were approaching from around the corner. Nightmare turned back into a cloud, but this time spread herself thin enough that she couldn't visually be seen. The pegasi flew right past her, and were outside fixing the hole in the wall. Nightmare floated out into the distance, and materialized when she was far enough. Nightmare then flew off into the direction of her castle. If Luna was still in Canterlot after all that had happened since the Tenth Millennial sunday, she wouldn't ever go back the castle in the Mountains of Prevalence. Nightmare could claim it as home again.

After flying much distance, Nightmare made it too the castle. The citizens were a little worried about Luna, because they hadn't seen her in a long time. Nightmare landed on the porch she would often stand on to look out into the distance and protect her land, and three Night Guards were waiting in the Princess Chambers. These were among the elites of their army, the equivalent to the Royal Guards for Celestia. They had bat wings, thin black eyerises like a serpent, and their eye color was either yellow, green, or red. The tips of their ears had little extensions of fur. Tiny, but visible fangs protruded from their mouths, but can extend to a threatening size when in battle. They were Vamponies, descendants from the original race, and lethal. Their armor was either purple or dark blue, their coats grey, all a color combination in order to hide them easier in the night. Among them was a mare named Night Watch, Luna's private guard, and her favorite. Night Watch visually was different, she having hot pink eyes instead of red ones.

The Night Guards without hesitation attacked Nightmare Moon. They drew their weapons quickly and efficiently, as if they didn't draw their weapons at all, but were holding them the whole time. One Night Guard had a Sword, another had a dagger, and Night Watch had her spear, an interesting weapon that curved outward like a crescent moon, and the actual blade sticking out from the middle of the arch. Nightmare lit her eyes with power and began defending herself from her attackers. They came from all directions, and attacked at different distances. Nightmare would summon a force field somewhere to block the strike of a weapon, use her armor that she also summoned to block another weapon, and use power to push back one of the guards so she could pay more attention to the other two. She couldn't help but be proud of the Night Guards, because they were giving her a chalenge, given that she wasn't trying to kill them, but they were hard to defend against. Night Watch stopped her attacks and starred at Nightmare, almost in shock, as the other two Guards continued their assault.

"Stop" She said lightly, and then she said it again but louder. The Night Guards backed down, but still had their guard up. Night Watch approached Nightmare. "Why do you have Luna's cutie mark?" She said, and the other two guards looked at Nightmare's hind legs, and they began to wonder the same thing.

Nightmare looked up with confusion at the sudden halt on her attackers, "Me and Luna are the same, which is why we share the same cutie mark."

Night Watch didn't understand, "What do you mean?".

"I am Luna's Sub-Conscious mind, set free." Night Watch was aware about the relationship between conscious and sub-conscious mind, considering she was a saint to the ways of the Night, but she also knew that the sub-conscious mind was something that resided inside a pony, not outside. But she did remember Luna talking to her about something like that, how she was able to talk to her sub-conscious mind, but Night Watch didn't think she meant in person.

"That makes no sense, the sub-conscious mind resides within somepony, not outside, so what are you?"

"My situation in unique Night Watch" Night Watch perked up her attention, she hadn't told Nightmare her name yet, "it was a gift from the stars. The barrier that separates the conscious mind from the sub-conscious mind was destroyed between me and Luna. We are the same, but separate. My name, is Nightmare Moon."

Night Watch nodded in understanding, she had heard Luna refer to her sub-conscious mind as Nightmare Moon in their conversations, and now it all clicked in her head. Nightmare Moon was Luna's sub-conscious mind, and because of the power of Galaxia, she was free like any normal pony.

"But, wound't Luna cease to be affected by your influence?" Night Watch asked. Nightmare frowned mostly in sadness, but she was also angry.

"We used to share a body, being able to change who was controlling it at a moments will. She still guided me with logic, and I still guided her with feeling; until recently." Nightmare's feelings of dread were coming back. She had no control over her emotions, or how strong she felt them. If she didn't get Luna back inside of her, she might hurt somepony someday if she ever went out of control, and she didn't want that.

"What happened?" Night Watch asked.

"The Elements of Harmony tore us apart. Luna currently is a slave to the day, and I stand here before you now."

The Guards gasped at the news, and Night Watch looked conflicted. She was trying to be angry and sad at the same time, like Nightmare Moon was. She had spent her whole career protecting Luna, and the day she is given a break from duty, is the day that she fails.

"So you, Nightmare, are the only ruler we have?" Night Watch said with a tear running down her face. She wasn't upset that Nightmare is now their rightful ruler, she was sad about Luna's unfortunate fate.

Nightmare nodded her head, answering Night Watch's question. "But I am plotting how to bring Luna back." Nightmare said, walking past the guards, "I may need your help".

Nightmare walked down the hall way in the castle, the three Night Guards followed closely behind her. Nightmare exited the main entrance and out into the court yard that lay in front of the castle. The ponies were out and about in the light of day. Night Guards and Pegasi alike were moving dark rain clouds into position to hide the sun and the blue sky, and somewhat return their land to the darkened state that the night would bring them, but it would't ever come close.

Citizens of the Lunar Republic stared at Nightmare as she walked through the streets. Nightmare was heading to the announcement pedestal in the middle of the town. The pedestal was used for multiple meetings, celebrations, and anything that required a gathering to proceed. Even the foals played on it occasionally as the unicorns practiced using their magic by creating a playground. The unicorns would change the form of the playground as the foals would play on it, making game creating easy, and fun. It was a great activity that the unicorns did for the kids as a service project, and it is actually required that they aid in the event at least once to graduate from the magic academy Luna had allowed to be built in her kingdom.

Luna was known as a protector, and allowed any race to do whatever they wanted throughout the land. Unicorns were among the first to migrate near her castle, but each race here in her kingdom have their own leaders, and their own government. All creatures within the Lunar Republic love Luna though, and recognized her as their ultimate ruler. Even the political leaders of the other races view Luna as their superior. The only property she truly owns is the castle, but the entire land, near and far, is under her protection. She could've lived alone in the Mountains of Prevalence, but other races settled near her, and have created few cities in her honor. The Lunar Republic was a name the races had created, and placed Luna at the top as their leader. All of the royal powers Luna has was given to her by the Lunar Republic, and Luna exercises those powers daily as she watches over the land.

Nightmare Moon stepped onto the platform, and the three Night Guards stood next to her. The other ponies approached, but they were fearful.

"My dearest ponies" Nightmare started with, "I am Nightmare Moon, the sub-conscious mind of Princess Luna. I understand that you are worried for the well being of your Princess, and I am sorry to announce that she is no longer with us at this moment." The ponies started to murmur among themselves. "I was within Luna, me and her were the same, and we talked with each other. The stars allowed that to be possible, and severed the barrier between us. But behold, the Tenth Millennial Sunday had come, and as you have seen, the Mare on the Moon is gone. The power was transferred into Luna and I, and we began to create the eternal night, and attacked Celestia. But the Elements of Harmony ripped us apart, to where we are separate beings now. I stand here before you now, safe, but Luna has become a victim of the Day" All the ponies gasped. Their worst fears had come true. It is better that Luna die then become a slave to the Day.

"No!" Someone from the crowd yelled, and the rest of them roared in a clamor of anger and sorrow for their poor Princess.

"I am the only Princess you have now to lead you." Nightmare said, and the other ponies returned their attention onto her, "and I will do everything in my power to bring Luna back home. She is my other half, more of a sister to me than any pony else in this world, and I will not rest until I have her back. We will have Luna back." The ponies cheered with the promise. Appointed representatives of each race approached Luna. The Vampony leader, the Unicorn High Mage, Commander Windblast of the Pegasi, Halweigh the Griffon, and Chancellor Earth Bud of the Earth Ponies all bowed before Nightmare.

The Unicorn spoke to Nightmare, "We surrender ourselves, and our loyalties to you, Princess." He then lifted his head to look Nightmare in the eyes, "Please, bring Luna home."

Nightmare bowed herself before them, "It is my duty" she said, accepting the job they had given her, but she had given it to herself before this meeting anyway. All this formally had proved was that the Lunar Republic citizens supported her, and now they will follow and obey her as if she was Luna.

The Kingdom is now hers, as well as Luna's. They now were both equally recognized rulers of the land, and had the same jurisdictional powers as one another. Nightmare Moon was accepted as Royalty, even though she already was. She, as much as Luna, is responsible for the creation of the Lunar Republic, but the ponies had never acknowledged her, until now.

***

Pinkie woke up in the hospital. She starred up at a mint colored unicorn she had met briefly, but had seen around Ponyville often. The unicorn smiled at her, when she awoke. Pinkie sat up slowly, and looked around the room, Rainbow Dash and Rarity were asleep on the floor next to her. 'The sun is out, why aren't they awake?' Pinkie thought.

"Good morning Pinkie" The mint colored unicorn said,

"Uuggh" Pinkie groaned, "What happened?" she said.

"Your forgot to control your emotions, nothing big." Lyra said with a smile, "It happens to all of us at least once."

"Where's Zecora?" Pinkie asked,

"Oh, her? She's out in her cabin, I think. She's coming back later today when your friends are gone." Pinkie tried to shake Rainbow to wake up, but Rainbow continued to calmly breath in and out. "Hehe, they won't wake up until we leave silly" Lyra said,

"What do you mean by that? And why did you say leave?" Pinkie asked, her head still aching from the event,

"There's someone I want you to meet!" Lyra said with excitement, "You'll love him! Common, let's go!" She said, grabbing onto Pinkie's arm. Pinkie yanked her arm out of Lyra's grasp.

"I don't want to go anywhere, I want to star here with my friends." Pinkie's hair was still flat.

"Well, I guess we could stay, but I've been waiting all night long for this. Are you sure we can't go now? You can come back."

Pinkie thought about it, "Well, alright I guess." She said.

"Perfect!" Lyra said, grabbed onto Pinkie, and ran through the wall with her. They went right through the wall without any harm, without a scratch, as if the wall didn't exist. They were on the third floor, and fell to the bottom. Pinkie screamed on the way down, and Lyra laughed. The landed on the ground upright without getting hurt either.

"What was that!" Pinkie screamed, "Who are you?"

Lyra drug Pinkie as she ran with incredible speed right into the Everfree Forest. They made it to the creepy forest when Pinkie finished asking the question, and they were flying through the forest with the same speed.

"I'm one of Voodoo, like you!" Lyra said, excitement swelling up inside of her with every ten feet they traveled. They then disappeared in a burst of speed, a sonic boom erupting from where they stood. In twenty seconds, they were out the other side of the forest, the trees parting into an open clearing the same way the forest near Ponyville ended. But Lyra didn't stop there, she kept going on and on to no place Pinkie knew of.

Pinkie, in her entire life, had never left Equestria. She had never been on the other side of the Everfree Forest, and curiosity took over her want to go back home. She looked around as she and Lyra zoomed past everything, and she could barely get a god glimpse of anything. Pinkie didn't know what was going on, but she did know one thing, she felt calmer, more relaxed like she did the night of Nightmare's attack. What was this difference she was feeling, and why did it feel so good?

Lyra stopped abruptly in front of a castle after about fifteen minutes. The castle was short, but long. It had a single tower in the middle, and interesting architecture all around. The only castles she had ever seen were Celestia's castle, and the one they had fought Nightmare Moon in somewhere in the Everfree Forest. Lyra lazily walked inside the Castle, and motioned for Pinkie to follow. Pinkie assumed that she might as well, they did come all this way to meet this one person Lyra was so excited to introduce Pinkie to. They walked through multiple hallways and corridors until they made it to the throne room. Lyra pushed the door open, and above the throne chair, rested a picture of a Red and Black centaur, the same one Pinkie has seen in her vision with Zecora. Discord appeared behind them, and they didn't even know it.

"And who, pray tell, is that?" Discord said,

Pinkie was startled and jumped to the side. Lyra laughed.

"That's Pinkie Pie." Lyra said, trotting over to the frightened pink puff of bouncy happiness, er, used to be happy.

Discord starred at Pinkie, "Where have I seen you before?"

Pinkie looked up at Discord, and her eyes widened at the sight. "H-he's, real?" Pinkie asked,

A lightbulb in Discord's head then turned on, "Ah, yes, you're that Voodooist I sensed a long, long time ago now aren't you?" Discord asked, his interest coming to a peak.

Pinkie didn't know how to respond. "Um, yeah, I think."

"How, how did you see the past? Or are you going to?" Discord said, floating above Pinkie,

"Uh, um. I, I already did, I saw you with, with…" Pinkie was trying to put her thoughts in order, "I saw you with a grey pegasus, and you said that Zecora was a fake, and that I should find you instead."

"Yes! I remember now!" Discord said, "And what did Zecora say?"

"She said that you were evil, and that I shouldn't listen to you."

"Hmm, I figured. Where is this Zecora now?"

"I don't know, we think she's in her hut in the Everfree Forest."

"And who's we?"

"Me and Pinkie sir" Lyra stepped in,

"Oh, excuse me Lyra, I forgot about you." Discord said floating over to her. "It's been a while since I've seen your face, what have you been doing?"

"I've been watching Pinkie here." Lyra said, pointing a hoof towards Pinkie Pie.

"Did you know I sensed her almost 6000 years ago?"

"No… how could you sense someone who wouldn't be born in 6000 years?"

"Time watching my dear Lyra, they watched me as I trained Clairetti, and I sensed them standing there, even though they never would actually be there."

"That's incredible master! Do you think I would ever become that powerful?"

"We will see, Clairetti was my finest disciple yet, until she betrayed me. You wouldn't betray me would you Lyra?"

"No, never, I said I will stay by you forever, and I meant it."

"Indeed you did, but you can't blame me for wondering."

Discord then turned back to Pinkie, "This is Lyra, my disciple for the past 4000 years." Discord said, as if trying to introduce them, even thought they already knew each other.

"4000 years?!" Pinkie said with surprise.

"Yes, 4000 years. I have taught her the gift of immortality, Pinkie, something the grey pegasus wasn't able to learn because she abandoned me." Discord said, shifting his voice like he was trying to get Pinkie's sympathy. He exaggerated his sadness. "I just wanted a friend to be around forever, and she couldn't even give me that."

"That's sad, I'm sorry."

"Now I have Lyra, and she helps me get my friend back." Discord then went silent for a while, then turned back to Pinkie. "Have you thought about my offer, to train under me instead of Zecora?" Discord said, growing more interest in what Pinkie might say.

"Well." Pinkie's heart told her no. Discord bore Chaos, and Pinkie represented an Element of Harmony. "I've decided no, I don't want to train with you."

"Oh pooyey!" Discord said, throwing his arms in the air. "You could become immortal Pinkie." He said with his back turned away from her.

"I'll pass, thanks."

"Wait! Discord offered you power and you refused him?" Lyra looked confused. "You need to train with Discord."

"Yeah!" Discord replied.

"Why?" Pinkie asked.

"Because, that's just what you do when Discord offers you something. Look, he's not evil, I've known him for 4000 years, I should know."

Pinkie just stepped away towards the door, "No, I think I'm good." She said, trying to laugh, but now succeeding.

Discord gave a look of un-approval. "You mean, you're not staying here with me?"

"No" Pinkie replied. She started to leave, but Discord stood in her way.

"But you can't leave now, you haven't even had some cake yet" He said, making a delicious looking chocolate cake appear in his hands.

"I said no, now please let me go." Pinkie said.

"You will not leave!" Discord said, then with him powers he pushed Pinkie into the far wall next to the painting.

Pinkie tried really, really hard to get out of Discord's grasp. Discord walked slowly towards her. Pinkie struggled, and tried to move, but it wasn't working.

"Pinkie, imagine yourself escaping, and focus on that thought" Lyra said, speaking into Pinkie's mind so that only Pinkie could hear.

Pinkie did as told, and she focused as hard as she could to get out of Discord's trap. Then, with a slip, Pinkie phased through the wall, free from Discord.

Discord came flying through the wall as well, and was a little glad to see that Pinkie hadn't run off. He then used is abilities to raise Pinkie from the floor and into the air. "You think it's so easy to escape me now do you Pinkie Pie" Discord said,

Pinkie then thought really hard about shoving Discord away from her with just power, and after a while, Discord laughs at Pinkie's effort. He then through Pinkie to the floor, and Pinkie slowly stood up. She was caught in another wave of power that kept her from moving at all.

"You foolish girl" Discord said,

Pinkie thought about phasing though the floor, considering that that was something she figured out how to do, and it happened. Pinkie slipped through the floor and into the room below. She then ran away from where she stood, and off into the next room. Discord followed her, and caught up with ease. Pinkie ran and ran, but no matter what corner she turned, Discord was there waiting for her. Pinkie started to get really stressed, closed her eyes, and imagined she would disappear. When she opened her eyes, she couldn't see her hooves, and almost let out a squeal of surprise. Discord came around the corner, and looked confused. He then looked right at Pinkie and smiled. Discord ran in and snatched pinkie from the ground, and she materialized back into view.

"I sensed you 6000 years ago, you think you can hide from me like that?"

Pinkie then thought harder about pushing Discord back like she did before, and this time, she actually did. Discord went flying into the next wall, and Pinkie ran away. She phased through one wall, then another, then turned right, and then phased through yet another wall. She kept at this until she was outside. Pinkie then started to run away into the distance. She turned her head to look back at the castle, and didn't see Discord come after her.

"You sure are a slow pony now aren't you" Lyra said, running backwards in front of Pinkie so she could talk to her face to face. When Pinkie looked ahead and at Lyra, she drug her hooves into the ground and stopped running. Lyra stopped at the same time.

"Go away!" Pinkie said, running towards Lyra in an attempt to phase right through her, but Lyra kept pace. Ever direction Pinkie ran, Lyra followed, all backwards, like as if she was mirroring Pinkie's moves.

"Now now, don't be mad at me, Discord is the one that tried to kill you. He hates having Voodoo competitors."

"I don't want this, leave me alone!"

"You can't change the fact that you are Voodoo Pinkie, it's a fate you must accept." Lyra changed from being the pony that joked around too much to the pony that was wise beyond her years, like she was with Twilight before disappearing. "You either learn from Discord and learn how to win against him, or you die right now."

Pinkie stopped running around, "Win against Discord?"

"Why do you think I brought you here? To feed you to Discord? No, it was so you can become as strong as him." Pinkie breathed heavily in and out, "Wha- what do you mean?"

Discord in the distance could be seen approaching, and he was approaching fast. He was weaving through the air like a snake would if it could fly.

"Discord has only had two disciples in the past, a pegasus named Clairetti, and Me. All the others he has destroyed. He used to not be that way, it only started about 2000 years ago when he used the Elements of Chaos."

"The Element's of What?!"

Lyra looked over Pinkie's shoulder, and saw that Discord was almost on them. Pinkie wasn't aware of Discord's approach.

"I just wanted you to grow strong, but I guess I'd have to train you myself." She said, pushing Pinkie out of the way with her hoof. Pinkie turned around to see what Lyra was looking at, and saw Discord right as he made it within punching distance of lyra. Lyra, using her Voodoo powers, stopped Discord cold. Discord's body collapsed inward from the impact, and Lyra thrust that same power she used to stop him, forward, pushing Discord away. Discord looked up, shock and sadness filled his eyes.

"I trained you!"

"And you tried to plunge this world into darkness! I know why Clairetti left you! Because you ceased to be a saint to the old ways, but decided to destroy this world's beauty instead!"

"And you stood by me, the whole way!" Discord said, a tear exiting his eyes. He loves Lyra like a daughter, and he felt the same way about Clairetti.

"No, I fed off of your knowledge, your teachings, until I was strong enough to face you."

"I stopped training you 3000 years ago, I said that any progression you made from then on will be your own! Why did you stay with me?"

Lyra smiled, "For the right moment"

Discord grimaced in anger and lunged after Lyra. Lyra waited for Discord to strike, and when he was close enough, she focused a lot of power into striking Discord with invisible force. Discord teleported behind Lyra at the right moment, and was about to eliminate his old student once and for all, if it wasn't for Pinkie.

Pinkie used her own power to thrust just as much power into her attack as Lyra had with hers, and Discord fell to the ground in pain. Lyra Twisted around and folded the earth like a sheet onto Discord, burying him into the ground. Discord phased through the earth, and launched a shock wave of power in all directions that pushed back Pinkie and Lyra. Pinkie flew back, but Lyra stood still, as if nothing happened. Lyra then disappeared in a burst of speed, and tried to kick into Discord's head, but she phased right through Discord, and Discord turned around to grab onto Lyra's leg. When he did, Lyra phased through him, and then separated their space between themselves. The battle couldn't be won with physical attacks, so supernatural ones were required. Discord summoned a large black box. It was made entirely out of black steel, and was decorated with swirls and designs unique to itself. The box was fashioned with a key pad on the top. The box looked ancient. Discord pushed a series of buttons on the top, and the blue dot on the top of the box turned red.

Discord presented a sickening smile, and opened the box. When he did, and irresistible force pulled on Lyra, and she started to be drug towards the box. No matter how much power she put into standing still, the box wouldn't let loose on it's grip, and continued to drag Lyra anyway. Lyra left a trail dug through the dirt where she was being dragged, and she tried to get away. She couldn't close the box with her power, and she couldn't attack Discord.

Discord's grin widened, "Pandora's Box" is all he said.

Lyra then lit her horn with magic, and used her unicorn given abilities to lift the ground around the box up into the air, carrying the box with it, and threw it out into the distance. It drug Lyra with it, and she went flying too. Lyra and the box landed somewhere out in the distance, and Discord teleported near her

"Ha Ha Ha, Ho ho." Discord laughed, "You fool, you think you can escape the Pandora's Box that easily. If it was that easy, nothing would be stuck inside it now would it?" Lyra's terror began to swell as she was being pulled towards the box, she now being only three feet away from it's mouth.

Pinkie Pie then teleported next to the box, and closed the lid before Discord knew she was even right there. Lyra stopped being pulled towards the box.

"Why you!" Discord screamed and attacked Pinkie with a stream of fire. "That box won't open for another 100 years!"

Pinkie crumbled into a ball, expecting to be hurt by the fire, but Lyra was using her abilities to make the fire phase right through Pinkie. Lyra then teleported the fire she was phasing through Pinkie, and put it back into Discord's face. Discord wasn't expecting that to happen, and he screamed in pain as the fire burned into his head. Discord quickly started letting the fire phase through him. Normally, he would just heal, but that fire was made from Voodoo, and wound's made by Voodoo cannot be healed with anything except natural healing capabilities your body has, not even more Voodoo.

Discord grasped at his face, and blasted an invisible force at Lyra. Lyra jumped out of the way, and the ground she was standing on exploded into a crater from the invisible force. Discord was blinded, and was shooting random forces of power in random directions.

"Run Pinkie! Run!" Lyra said, running into the direction of the Everfree Forest as quickly as she had been when they got there. Pinkie started to run, but wasn't running fast enough. Lyra came back, grabbed onto Pinkie's arm, then dashed away into the distance, the scene of Discord kneeling on the ground clutching his face was quickly disappearing behind them, and sooner then Pinkie anticipated, they couldn't see Discord anymore. Pinkie and Lyra continued onward for the fifteen minute and twenty second trip back into Ponyville.

Trees, mountains, and hills of all shapes and sizes flew past them as Lyra ran. Before long, they made it into the Everfree Forest. Pinkie's vision became blurred as they ran past hundreds of trees a second, until they finally made it into Ponyville. Lyra ran right up to hospital and ran up the side of the building. They made it up onto the roof, and Lyra settled Pinkie right there where they stopped.

"We're safe here Pinkie, Discord can't come into the Day" Lyra said trying to reassure Pinkie, but she was anything but reassured.

"Wha-wh-what's going on?!" Pinkie asked, she was so afraid. It's weird, because she didn't feel afraid earlier before, it all started when they made it to the Everfree Forest, and she started consciously think about what happened, not feel about what happened. When she followed her feelings, she knew Discord couldn't win, but here in the Day, she didn't know what would happen. Lyra was unaffected by the Day, she learned how to use her Voodoo abilities to keep the Day out of her head, and it had worked, for the one thousand years she lived in Equestria.

"Everything is fine Pinkie just…" Lyra didn't have time to tell Pinkie what to do, and decided to lock away Pinkie's memories about what happened instead. Pinkie's eyes turned white as Lyra hid the memories about what happened deep within her mind. When Lyra was finished, she whispered into Pinkie's ear, "We can talk later." Lyra then disappeared right as the door to the roof opened, and Pinkie's eyes went back to normal.

"Hey! I found her!" the pony on the roof said, screaming back into the building. A group of five other ponies ran up onto the roof, and Pinkie turned to see them.

"What are you doing up here Pinkie?!" Twilight asked, she came running as soon as she heard Pinkie was missing.

Pinkie looked around in confusion, and her hair sprang back up into a curly, goofy mess. "I have no idea" She said with an exaggerated shake of her head, a bright smile, and a laugh; but then her hair fell flat again and she collapsed onto the ground. Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and two nurse ponies all came running to her side to bring Pinkie back into the building.

Plans To Be Made

Chapter 12: Plans To Be Made

Jyrial looked at the horizon, the gleam of the sun light bouncing off of his eyes, making them glow unusually bright. They had stopped once again, but to settle down and make a camp. Nearing the edge of the seashore, House Caranae is sure to run into something worse than those Covuses they had fought. Especially on the actual shore, who knows what might appear. A Hydra? A Sea Serpent? Whatever it was, House Caranae would have to eradicate it before permanently settling in their location of choice.

The other ponies had started up a fire, and were huddling around it to keep warm. They may be out of the arctic regions, but it was still got very cold during the night. Jyrial had planned on making it to the seashore, then migrate south until the weather was suitable. Luckily for them, the actual beach fronts didn't begin until far south. In their immediate region, the shore is dominated with cliff faces that drop into the sea, as if the land was cut in half, and separated across the globe. That theory is said to be true, considering that the next great continent across the sea has a cliff face almost parallel to the one on this continent.

When they made it to the sea, Jyrial also had planned that they would create their barracks in the cliff, hanging over the edge facing the sea. It will require the ability of flight to reach them, and luckily, that aided in their base's security. Of corse, one could repel down the cliff face and still reach it, but House Caranae would see them coming, and probably knock them into the water and the sharp rocks below, if that ever happened.

The sun fully set in the sky, leaving nothing but the stars and the moon bright and high in the sky. It was a calming sight, a peaceful essence that floated throughout the night and comforted all who would feel it. Jyrial let out a sigh, he hand't relaxed since the destruction of the Homeland. He was too busy watching over his House members, and keeping them safe, and alive. Jyrial was doing his duty as Head of House, and he was doing a good job. Ever since he joined the academy, Jyrial had grown a huge respect for the Heads who looked after their members, and didn't abuse their commanding powers to get control of more. There was some corruption in the Clairetti ranks, but not much. Though all corruption in the Clairetti ranks has been minor, and haven't permanently damaged the normal functions of things, all Clairetti are wary for what could happen if someone evil does come along, and try to change how the Clairetti have lived for centuries. Most wouldn't allow it, but it's always safe to be cautious. Jyrial, wanted to be a non-corruptible Head, and he only appointed himself as leader because he wanted to make sure that someone like him was in charge. He didn't take his position for granted, and worked very hard to make sure that everypony was safe and well.

Jyrial lazily walked over to the other ponies and layer beside them. Hiltwing fell asleep, Drapney and Remedy were talking, and Bagod was wide awake, keeping watch. Jyrial smiled, for he knew that their House, House Caranae, will be very strong, and very successful. They will rival the mighty Houses like Kilgrad, Tasland, and Clairetti, not out of pure military might, but out of individual strength. Each pony that lay in front of him had strong wills, because they escaped a spell; and with a strong will, one can do anything. Because they all had strong wills, they would give birth to children with strong wills, and their children's children, and create a whole House of incorruptible, mighty warriors.

Bagod came back to the group and sat next to Jyrial.

"So, you think you're up to the task as Head?" Bagod asked, "If you don't mind me asking."

Jyrial turned his head towards Bagod. He sensed that Bagod felt skeptical about him, which should be expected by at least one of his members. "I do. I believe that this House needs a good start, someone who is not only willing, but is able to lead them."

"And what makes you think you can lead us?"

Jyrial let out a small sigh. "I have trained over two hundred Clairetti, and have stopped three attempts of corrupt conduct, without recognition. I think that one should do the right thing because it is right, not because it will make them famous."

"You may say that now Jyrial, but what will you do when the House is threatened and we have a sure chance at dying. If we are offered life, but at the expense of doing something wrong, what will you do."

Jyrial quickly thought it over. If he said that he would defend their honor, Bagod would be suspicious that all he is trying to do is tell them what they want to hear. If he says that he would conform, then Bagod will know that he has a weak will, but Jyrial knew that he had anything but a weak will. So, Jyrial went with the most correct answer to the question. "I guess we'll find out when it happens."

Bagod huffed, and started to walk away, but turned around to speak to Jyrial for the last time that night. "I am concerned about the well-being of them three." He said pointing a hoof over at Hiltwing, Drapney, and Remedy. "If I find even one justifiable reason to remove you as Head, I will not hesitate to do so."

"Only if you promise" Jyrial replied, "The last thing I would want is to become corrupt, or unfit for duty. If that ever is the case, then please, overthrow me."

Bagod lowered his skepticism at the comment, and walked away thinking about what Jyrial said. Bagod would find out soon enough that Jyrial means to lead them, and lead them well, but he had to make sure first. Jyrial respected Bagod's concern, but knew that he wouldn't cause a problem for their House, and soon, Bagod will realize that.

Jyrial turned his attention back to his group in front of him while Bagod went back to patrolling. In the morning, they will make it to the shore, and will be able to begin truly building their House. Their home.

***

Luna walked through the halls of Canterlot. The majority of the city was a large castle, and secret passageways connected everywhere to everything, except for private homes and stores other ponies had built. Luna was trying to make it to the library before it was her time to watch over the kingdom. Celestia, her beloved sister, had been so kind as to allow her to still rule over the Night, and give her the same royal powers as she did. Luna counseled with Celestia that they should go back to their original castle, and bring all of the Lunar Republic citizens over to the Day, but Celestia spoke against it, saying that she didn't want to risk the fact that the Day Spell might not work in Night territory, and her and Luna would be subject to pain. Luna agreed to stay in the Day until they found a sure way to retrieve the Night Dwellers. Which is why she was heading to the library in the first place. Luna was going to conduct research to see if she could find a perfect way to convert the Night Dwellers into Day Dwellers, and will give the plan to Celestia as a gift on her birthday that was coming up soon.

Luna walked through a door that opened her up to the library, and she was overcome with the sight f hundreds of books. Celestia said that her faithful student used to spend a lot of time in here, and learned all she was seeking, so Luna was certain she would find something about the Day Spell, and make it stronger. Even though Celestia supported the existence of libraries, she didn't exactly spend time studying in them. Celestia was always either performing royal duties, or relaxing, and nothing else, so Luna decided she could de everything that Celestia wasn't doing.

Looking up and down the shelves, she found a book about the mind, and flipped it open. It contained content about brain waves, thinking types, and other stuff about the mind, like the book had said. Nothing was contained in it about the Day Spell, and Luna moved on to another book.

There were no records about the Day Spell, it being a project that was conducted and perfected by Celestia herself, and thus no records of it where made. Celestia would't allow any records of it to exist either, because she wouldn't want her precious ponies to know that they were being brainwashed, and that their curiosity would lead them to the Night, and then they would experience pain. So, Luna found nothing about the day spell.

Defeated in her quest, Luna reported back up to her and Celestia's chambers, where Celestia was waiting for her. Luna slowly opened the door, and Celestia was standing on the porch, gazing out into the distance, then through her telescope. "You can rest now my sister." Luna said as she moved closer towards Celestia, "I will guard the night."

"Thank you Luna" Celestia said, allowing Luna to walk past her, and take her place as guard of Equestria. "But I will not be resting tonight."

"Why do you do this sister, you haven't slept since I've returned."

"I have important matters to deal with, something has been bothering me."

"Well, I hope you solve whatever problems you come across sister."

Celestia smiled at Luna, "Thank you, I appreciate your concern."

"Always my sister" Luna said, smiling,

Celestia exited the room and headed down the hall way, closing the door behind her. Luna turned her attention back towards the land, and watched carefully as her subjects slept through the night, as they should. The Day is weaker during the Night, thanks to the moon, and the ponies needed to sleep through it so they could stay safe.

A series of dark clouds doted the sky, but not as many as the previous night.

***

Nightmare Moon decided to take a different approach in her spying tactics. She didn't want to risk moving in to close, but she had no choice, if she was to get the info she wanted. She formed herself into a dark mist, and spread herself thin enough to be invisible like she had so often in the past. Celestia might be able to sense her, but it was a risk she was willing to take. Nightmare decided to test her theory, and moved in next to Luna. If she was discovered, she would just summon the Elements and try to mold herself with Luna before things got out of hand, but if she wasn't caught, she would be able to move on with her mission of spying on Celestia.

Luckily, to Nightmare's joy, she floated right past Luna undetected, and floating into Celestia's chambers. It was a nice room, with furnishings, and color patterns that livened up the space and gave it character. Nightmare briefly looked back at Luna, and all she saw was a focused Alicorn starring out into the distance, like she used to do at their own castle.

The double doors to the Princess' chambers where not air tight, so Nightmare simply slipped in the crack between the two doors and into the hallway. Nightmare floated down the hallway and down the stairs to the main section of the castle. Multiple doors parted into multiple directions, and Nightmare separated herself into equally as many parts, and traveled through each door at the same time. The best way to look for Celestia was to go every which way.

I didn’t take too long, but one of Nightmare’s cloud parts found a light green, pink, and blue tail turn a corner, and the other invisible clouds rushed in that direction while the leading cloud ventured onward towards Celestia. The cloud was quickly met by the other clouds, and once again became a full Nightmare Moon, well, not really. She was still an invisible cloud. Nightmare floated around the corner and starred right into Celestia’s back. Celestia didn’t seem to notice she was there, so she approached closer, careful not to arise any suspicions. Celestia walked through a door, and Nightmare followed. When she made it to the other side, she saw a hollowed out room, a large rotunda that Nightmare remembered to be where Celestia and Luna used to practice spell casting. The sight of the designs carved into the walls and ceilings brought back memories, and Nightmare marveled that the room was still in the shape it was in. Nightmare only could guess what Celestia was planning in here.

Celestia sighed, and lit her horn with magic. She then started gathering an impressive amount of power in the tip of her horn, all until it started to glow a very bright whitish yellow. Celestia continued, and the amount of power she was creating formed into a small orb on her horn. The orb grew larger until it was too big for Celestia’s horn to carry, and she lifted the orb from her head, and levitated it in the middle of the room. Celestia kept feeding it power, making it grow larger and larger. Nightmare watched closely to see what would happen, keeping a close eye on Celestia. The orb kept getting bigger. It now was the size in diameter as Celestia is in length. It kept growing. Slowly, the orb continued its pursuit of size, and it looked like a small sun to Nightmare. A small sun.

Nightmare gasped at the realization that this spell is what Celetia used to trap the Day Dwellers, the spell that brainwashes them day by day. Did she have to make a new one every time just to keep the spell running? It mattered little, because whatever Celestia was doing, it was not for the sake of Good. The orb grew larger.

The mere size of the orb no was eight Celestias in diameter, and Celestia showed no sign of changing her pace on the orb. Eventually, the orb got so big, that no matter how far back Celestia paced backwards, the orb still was able to cover the tip of Celestia’s horn. She continued. Nightmare was now spread all over the walls, keeping as far away from the gigantic ball of light as possible. Did Celestia intent to engulf the entire room? That suspicious was confirmed when not even Nightmare could keep herself from touching the small sun in front of her, and she too was engulfed with the blinding light. Something pulsed in the small sun, and Celestia let down her horn, she now being inside the ball of blinding light. This must signify that Celestia was finished creating the small sun, and that the sun was now stable. Celestia was exhausted, but continued on with the second part of her spell. Nightmare floated inside of the orb, trapped in its light, but she was conscious, and so was Celestia, so it seemed that something like this wasn’t physically threatening… well, not to her at least.

Celestia walked to the center of the room and light her horn once again. Nightmare could barely see where she was in the light. It was too bright, and made it hard to use the sense of sight. Nightmare conformed to using her other senses to find Celestia, and discovered that she was in the center of the room. Celestia a spark fly through her horn, and another pulse went through the small sun, warping it like a ripple and going back to normal. Celestia then walked towards the edge of the sun, but continued walking onward to even outside of the orb. ‘Why didn’t she run into a wall?’ Nightmare thought, and tried to leave the orb of light. She left the orb just as easily as Celestia did, and she found herself in a vast valley, filled with green grass, blossoming trees, and floating clouds. It was supposed to be night time, but it was as bright as day. No sun could be seen in the sky, as well as no moon. The actual sky, which was supposed to be a light blue while in daylight, was a milky yellow. What was this place?

Celestia breathed in the fresh air, and her face looked as if she was enjoying it. Nightmare felt no bliss whatsoever, and wondered why Celestia seemed to be so happy. But then, Celestia laid onto the grass closed her eyes like she was trying to fall asleep. Nightmare floated high into the air, and looked out as far as she could see. Nothing but green valley stretched forever onward in all directions, as if no trees, or hills even existed. Nightmare turned around, and the glowing orb was still sitting there, completely still, an unmoved. Nightmare flew up into the air even higher, and tried to reach high enough into the sky that she would see the sky. She flew as fast as she possibly could while as an invisible mist, but after a long, long while, nothing seemed to happen. Nightmare floated back down to the floor, and when she was arrived, Celestia was gone.

Nightmare didn’t panic, because she knew Celestia had to be somewhere, the orb was still there. Looking over around the horizon, she found a lump in the distance, and flew towards it. It turned out that that orb was Celestia, as Nightmare guessed, but she was focusing on something with her eyes closed. Nightmare watched closely at Celestia, and waited for her to do something. Celestia then lit her horn with power, and opened her white glowing eyes, and started to make the ground shake. A bulge began to rise from the ground and grew to a descent size. The grass remained unbroken while she did this. When the now existing hill was large enough, Celestia let down her power, and moved on to another spot. Nightmare almost spat in disgust as she saw Celestia play god, creating a hill here, and hill there, and a grove of trees over somewhere else. What was this place supposed to be? A play pin for Celestia’s stress? Or was it meant for something even worse than that?

Nightmare Moon waited for Celestia to finish her project for that night and walk back for the glowing orb, and it seemed like it was taking forever. Eventually, Celestia did make her way back to the glowing orb, and started powering up her horn. Nightmare floated into it as well, and waited for Celestia to take them home. Celestia let out a spark of power that made the orb ripple like it was made of water, and started to dispel the giant orb of light. The orb condensed smaller and smaller back into Celestia’s horn until it once again didn’t exist, making the room feel comparatively dark. Celestia then let out a sigh and started walking for the door; Nightmare had already slipped through the cracks of the door and was long gone at that point, and Celestia never once thought that she might have been watched.

Nightmare quickly weaved around walls and into cracks, trying very stealthily to make it back outside and float away. Like she had planned, she made it outside, and floated off into the sky. It was still night time, but not for long. If Celestia abandoned her project, that must mean she was close to raising the sun. Nightmare, as soon as she was behind a cloud for cover, turned into a cloud like shape and floated away some distance so Luna wouldn’t spot movement. Like Nightmare predicted, the sun arose shortly after she turned into a cloud, and the weather unicorns had awaken to clear the sky of clouds.

Just like the previous day, Nightmare Moon was smuggled off to Cloudsdale and put into the processing conveyor belt. She escaped in a similar hole in the wall as before, and floated away into the distance. When She made it far enough, Nightmare materialized herself back into her full form and flew away. Tomorrow would be different, now that Nightmare knew what Celestia did during the night. With Celestia gone and Luna completely vaulnerable, she would be able to make her assault the following night. Nightmare grinned with pleasure. Soon, she would free Luna from Celestia, and she knew exactly how she was going to do it.