Night's Lament

They all felt small within the library, the huge bookshelves, like towering obelisks around them. Swift trotted ahead happily, the two fillies following behind his cloak, only grazing the orange light coming from the lantern he carried.

"My family has run this library for ages.", he said proudly as they moved. They came to a halt by a ladder and he put the lantern in his mouth, beginning to climb.

"He sure loves his books.", Starlight whispered to Night, drawing a few giggles from the two of them. He heard and looked down at them, poking a tongue out.

"Hey... We all do.", he said as he began to tap books. "Mystery, tragedy... Ancient texts... We have them all!", he announced happily. "Philosophy, History, Science.", he continued to drone, expressing his vast interest in his father’s work. "Mathematics, Biographies, Astronomy and Constellations.", Night’s ears perked and she trotted to the ladder.

"Astronomy?", she asked with interest. He nodded and took out a large leather bound book.

"Yeah, do you want it?", he asked. Night nodded eagerly and took the book, blowing across its surface and sent a swarm of dust out into the air around them. "Is that what your cutie mark is?", he asked as he looked at her flank, his purple eyes glowing brightly from atop the ladder.

"I dunno... I only got it recently.", she mumbled as she opened the book, a heavy creak of paper was heard by the trio, the pages yellow with decay. She looked over the book and smiled gently. "The elder wants me to find out what it means to me.", she said.

Starlight shrugged gently, clearly not interested. Swift slid down the ladder and hopped over to Night. "Ooh! My dad helps ponies with that, I can help if you want!", he said excitedly.

Night smiled softly and nodded happily. "I'll need all the help I can get... Starlight? Want to help?", she asked.

Starlight shrugged and looked up the ladder. "I'm more interested in seeing some of the other books.", she admitted, staring up at the tall bookshelves.

Night frowned and nodded. "Okay… Just don't go to far.”

"Be careful!", Swift warned. "A ghost might get you.", he said with a smirk, Starlight stuck her tongue out as she began to climb the ladder.

Night and Swift grinned at each other and looked down to the book. "Let's get started.", he said as he began to flick through the old book.

"So this is the new bug spray is it?", Blaze asked as he looked over rough sketches of the new back mounted weapon. "Will it do what I want?”, he asked the Doctor.

The doctor nodded, his light yellow mane flicking over his red coat. He was a Pegasus... A wounded one at that, one of his wings missing and replaced with a metal skeleton tucked neatly by his side. "It'll get rid of the threat quickly and effectively yes.", he said as he scanned over his drawings. "I hope that we can end this conflict soon, the crimes they committed, they have to pay.", the Doctor mumbled to Blaze.

Blazes smile grew and he looked up at him. "We are very close my friend, patience will make our victory oh so sweeter.", he sighed as he turned around and began to trot away from the Doctor, singing a sweet song. "It don't mean a thing, if you ain't got that sweiinnggg."

Swift continued to flick over the pages, looking at the pictures, comparing them to Nights cutie mark. Starlight sat by the ladder, a lantern next to her as she read an old tome.

"Orion... No... Cancer... No.", he said as he flicked through constellations. "I've seen it before... Ahh! Here it is!", he said as he put his hoof onto the page, pointing to a familiar constellation. "The Vela Constellation.", he said proudly as he scanned the page curiously.

Night sat there, looking at him with excitement. "So... What does my cutie mark mean?", she asked.

"Vela... Means sails... Like the sails of a ship?", he said in confusion. "You found yours by looking at the stars right?"

She nodded. "Yeah... Why?"

He shrugged and continued reading. "Story says that the sails represented the sails on a boat that... A stallion built for Luna to show his devotion, asking for protection for his family as they travelled...”, he said as he read on. "He was blessed and turned into the Vela constellation as he led his family to safety to show all travelers that he would take their struggles and protect them."

Night looked at him, unimpressed. "So... I'm a flappy bit of fabric?", she asked, no longer interested. "How is that related to stars or anything important?", she asked loudly.

Swift smiled and shrugged. "Maybe you'll build a boat... Or take some ponies’ struggles?", he suggested with a smug smile.

She pushed him away with a hoof. "Yeah yeah... I'm sure.”, she said as she stood up, pushing the book away with a hoof.

"One shouldn't push a book away so carelessly.", a low voice rung from behind her, causing her to yelp loudly, spinning around and finding herself face to face with a large stallion with dull blue eyes, his body adorning the same cloak that Swift wore. Night gulped nervously and slowly backed away, bumping into the now standing Swift. He smiled at the small filly's reaction, his eyes lowering to Swift.

"D-dad!", Swift said in surprise. "I... You finished working!", hepointed out, backing away as well.

The stallion slowly followed them, his hooves clacking against the ground heavily. "Yes... I was unaware we had visitors.", he growled gently as he eyed the children.

Swifts' ears flicked back and he lowered his head gently, his father coming right up to him. "Dad... I didn't mean to.", he began, but was immediately cut off by his father.

"You know the rules.", he said firmly, grabbing the book. "You both have to reshelf the whole library.", he said, a neutral expression on his face.

Night’s ears dropped and she groaned in unison with Swift. "But it will take us years to do that!", she complained.

"Exactly!", he responded simply with a laugh.

Night glanced to her side, looking at Swift nervously. "Where did Starlight go?”, she asked. He shrugged, the stallion looking at the two.

"Who?", he asked before his voice was drowned out by a low and unearthly groan. He raised a brow and looked around in confusion. "Who's there?!", he called out, facing away from the children.

A long series of squeaks came from a lantern as it swung on the wall in the distance. He spun around and gulped, staring at the lantern, hoof steps sounding in all directions.

Night and Swift were side by side, having the same reaction he did. "G-ghosts?", Night asked the two of them.

"There are no such things.", he said in a nervous breath as he paced around. A book slid slowly from its shelf and hit the ground with a sickening thud, causing Swifts’ father to jump nervously, turning to face the noises as they came. The groan continued and the hoof steps grew louder and louder. A sense of realization soon hit Night and she smiled when she realized who it was.

The stallion gulped, biting his cheek as the hoof steps stopped and all that was left was a hollow echo of silence, his heart pounding heavily. He turned around, looking into the darkness and a small face looked back up at him.

"Boo!", Starlight yelled loudly.

The stallion shuddered and jumped on the spot before turning tail and skidding away with a terrified yell, running off into the darkness.

They all broke out into laughter instantly, Starlight falling to the ground and banging against the floor as the trio reveled in their victory.

"You're terrible!", Swift laughed.

"Hey! I-I had you ready to turn round as well!", she argued back tiredly, sitting up with a few last giggles.

"You really are the worst.", Night laughed in agreement with Swift, both greeted with Starlight’s stuck out tongue.

"He was joking you know!", Swift laughed out.

"So was I!”, she rebutted as she climbed to her hooves, pulling Night up from the ground.

"We better go.", Night said with a sigh, looking into the direction of where Swifts’ dad travelled. "I'd be angry if I got scared like that.", the trio nodded in agreement.

"Wait... Where did we come in?", Starlight asked, her voice echoing further into the ancient library.

"Banana split for my baby! And a glass of plain water for me!", Blaze sung loudly and happily as he trotted back into his dark basement. Tyl hung from the wall still, barely conscious, his fur matted with blood. "Good mooorning!", Blaze sang as he moved up to Tyl.
"I completely forgot about you!" He said with a laugh, tapping his chest hard. "I thought I killed you days ago... Hell! Boulder thought you ran away!", he continued to laugh.

Tyl let out a grumble and opened his eyes lazily, staring at him. Blaze moved right up close, his sapphire blue eyes staring down into Tyls. "Go... To... Hell...”, he panted painfully.

"Gladly!", he sang happily. "I'll meet you there along with every other one of your forgotten kind.", he scowled, his mood changing entirely.

"Y-you're crazy....", Tyl spat out. Blaze grinned again and pulled a knife from the nearby table, pressing it to Tyls neck.

"Crazy is best.", he whispered, his nose pressed to Tyls as they stared each other down. "Crazy has kept me alive... You... Eh... Not so much.", he whispered as he pressed down on the knife, feeling it slice the flesh and crunch the throat inwards, blood spewing through the wound and Tyl beginning to gargle on blood coming from his mouth. Blaze smiled wide as he stared into his eyes, watching the life slowly drain from them.

"Have fun! Be safe! Don't die!... Oh... Wait.", he sang with a smug smile, watching Tyl fall limp, blood pouring out of his mouth and throat.

With one last final act he shoved the knife deep into the bat pony's chest, hearing another crunch as the knife cracked the sternum of the mutilated pony.

"The doctor says that it'll be ready in two days... Really Blaze what the fuck!", Savant called over to him, watching the fiery unicorn pull the knife down, the skin splitting in a smooth fashion as a series of organs and a flurry of blood poured out over Blazes chest and sloshing onto the floor.

"What?", he asked with a shrug.

The trio were all covered in dust, even on their dark coats they looked a few shades darker as they trotted out of the library. They were all smiling wide as they came out. Night looked back to the large library door, shivering, feeling as if the "ghosts" were following her out.

Starlight coughed gently, wiping the dust off of herself. "We better get cleaned up.", she mumbled as she curled her leather wings, flapping them once, letting dust fly in all directions.

They nodded in agreement and began to scurry through the tunnels. "Wanna go to the hot pools?", Swift asked eagerly, his purple eyes glowing brightly in the dark cave.

Night nodded eagerly and looked to Starlight hopefully. "You going to come?" She asked. She was greeted with a shake of the filly's head.

"I go there to relax, not clean, that's gross.", she said, sticking her tongue out as they entered one of the many large caverns, small flickerings of light entering their vision.

Night pouted and nudged her. "Come on! It’ll be fun!", but the filly continued to shake her head.

"Sorry Night, my parents wanted me home as well... It's kind of... Urgent.", she said with a sheepish smile.

With a sigh Night nodded gently. "Okay... You're coming to my rite... Right?", she asked, smirking at the small mistake she had made.

"Of course! I wouldn't miss it even if Luna came back!", she said happily as she trotted away. "Catch you two later!"

"Bye!", Swift and Night called in unison, both glancing to each other and giving out a soft laugh.

"So... The hot pools?", he suggested again.

"Sure... Why not?", she replied happily as the two trotted away, darting off into another tunnel.

"How come I never see you around?", Night asked curiously as she trotted by his side, looking to him.

He smirked and looked back. "Books mainly... Helping out in the library and stuff... The only time I usually get out is when everypony is sleeping.", he smiled. "It's nice... Quiet and I have the whole colony to myself."

Night giggled. "So you're a traditional bat pony?", she asked with a grin.

He nodded. "The ones when Luna was here? Yeah... I was always fascinated by their sleeping patterns of all things.", he chuckled. "But they lived by the moon... It just made sense to me."

"So... Are you tired right now?", she asked.

"Hey bedtime isn't for another hour!", he stated with a slight whine.

"It’s eleven in the morning Swift...", she smiled.

"And? My dad won't know...”, he smirked back as they were greeted by the orange hazed light of the hot pools, steam clouding their vision, ponies lay in the pools, sighing as they held onto the edge, letting the steam flow through them. "It's nice when no pony is here.", he smiled. "You can get any pool you want."

Most pools were taken by relaxing ponies, couples and a few families but they found one pool amongst the large cavern and they both stared into it reluctantly, the murky water letting off a haze of steam. Swift sighed and took his black cloak off, gulping as he looked into the water. "Who goes first?", he asked.

"Nope! Not me.", she said shaking her head.

"C'mon it's just hot water!"

"That's the point! It's too hot!"

"I'll push you in.", he threatened with a smirk.

"Not before I push you in!", she threatened back before they locked hooves, pushing against each other to try and get an advantage. They thrashed side to side as they tip toed around the very edge of the pools, both of them giggling as they teetered at the edge.

Swift seized his chance and pulled to the side, her weight being forced over the edge and she fell with a yelp. Swift smiled wide as he heard her fall but it soon vanished as he realized he was being dragged in with her, both of them splashing loudly into the water.

Night rose up and panted heavily, her mane heavy and dripping with water as it covered half of her face. Swift came up soon after, laughing, the same effect on him, his deep blue mane shielded his purple eyes. Night smirked and lowered down, getting a mouthful of the steamy water before shooting a stream at him.

Swift held up his hooves in defense, as if blocking flames with a shield. The two laughed and exchanged small splashes before sitting calmly in the pool, Night Watch pulling her mane back over her shoulder, watching him curiously as he swirled his hoof in the water.

"How come you don't go to school?", she asked curiously. "I never see you there."

"My dad teaches me, we have all the books that any kid could need.", he smiled before it turned to a frown. "But it would've been nice to get some friends... It gets kind of lonely." He mumbled softly.

Night copied his frown, nodding gently. "It must've been.”

He shrugged. "Doesn't matter, I've got you and Starlight!", he said with a grin. "You two are fun."

She smiled back at him. "So are you Swift."

"We can’t come up with more conventional means?", the doctor asked as he worked on the new invention, the table he worked on was covered in scrap metal, cogs, empty mint packs. "I mean... Fire is poetic and all, purity by fire and all that but... It's a bit inhumane don't you think?"

"Nonsense! We can get them all quickly and we won't spend days hunting them down.", Blaze called as he looked at the blueprints on the far wall. "Remember what happened last time we tried it conventionally? Five days and a wing you won't get back."

"True... “He mumbled quietly.” I just wonder if what we're doing is right...", he spoke up, a bit of nervousness in his voice.

Blaze raised a brow and turned around. "You think that our cause is unjust?", he asked as he moved up to him, the doctor shuddering a bit.

"I mean... W-what if we're wrong?"

"We're not.", Blaze replied with a sly smile. "They're hiding for a reason... Guilt is a powerful tool to us, they should feel guilty for the war that they started."

"Right... Yes of course.", he replied as he worked, Blaze with a hoof on his shoulder, still covered in blood. "Please... I cannot work when being touched.", he choked out nervously.

Blaze laughed and began to trot away. "Then work! And work quickly, I want them gone before I can say 'Luna is back' "

They had been in the pools longer than either of them had expected, they could feel themselves begin to prune. Night sat up and groaned as she stopped relaxing. "Swift?", she asked as she rubbed her eyes.

He grunted and opened an eye. "Y-yeah?", he replied.

"We should get out... "

He sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Yeah... It’s getting late anyways...”

"It's Twelve Thirty...", she mumbled with a grin.

"Yup! Way too late!", he said as he climbed out of the pool, his body dripping with water, the steam sustaining the intense heat of the water for a few moments. He grabbed his cloak and slipped it on, drying his mane with the hood. Night was out, lazily trotting over to him.

"Let me walk you home."

"Huh? Aren't I supposed to say that to the mare?", he asked, eliciting a giggle from her.

"Yes but its not late for me... I don't want you passing out in a tunnel.", she grinned. "Come on.", she said giving him a tired nudge.

"Fine.", he sighed with a light blush on his cheeks. "But I walk you home tomorrow night, after your rite."

She nodded. "Deal.", she grinned, letting her wings out and letting the water drip off of them.

They dried off as best they could, walking around the steamy before making their way into the now cool tunnels, the easy breeze like a blast of fresh air.

Night gave a gasp as it hit her and she moved on beside Swift who shivered gently. "Always the worst part...", he muttered with a smile. "Walking back home when you're already warm.", he continued, leaning into her gently to share their body warmth.

Night blushed gently and smiled. "Y-yeah... T-though I usually just share the warmth with my mum.", she noted, looking to him as they went on, keeping to the right as they passed an intersection, one way to the caverns and the other to the library.

"Hey... I had a lot of fun today." He said as they saw the large door to the library. "Maybe we can do this again sometime?", he asked hopefully.

"Yeah sure... Maybe at my Rite..."

He blushed and stood by the door awkwardly. "I was thinking more... Just us two but...", his words creating and equal embarrassment on her cheeks. "I-I'll see you later.", he said quickly, flashing a quick smile before rushing off inside, leaving Night by herself, staring at the door.

A smile grew on her face and she giggled gently, turning around and practically bouncing away from the ancient room.

"Why are you so giddy today?", her mother asked as she entered the house, her blush intensifying.

"Nothing... Just... Uh... Excited for tomorrow.", she quickly said, jumping onto the couch, Crescent quickly trotting over and sitting by her side.

"I'm sure you are...”, she grinned, watching Nights small glances at her.

"W-what?", she asked nervously after a long silence enveloped them.

"Oh nothing... You're just a bit red today.", she giggled, prodding her cheeks. "Colt got your fancy?", she asked jokingly, Night immediately tensing up and looking at her shocked.

"What!? N-no... Colts are gross..." She protested weakly.

"Oh! So it is a colt!?", she teased.

"Muuum!", she whined with embarrassment.

Crescent lay down on the couch, grabbing Night around the neck and pulling her on top of her. "So... Who is he?", she giggled.

Night looked away, lying on her stomach. "No one...”, she mumbled.

Crescent sighed and put her back on the couch before trotting to her own room. "Midnight! Night likes a boy and I need your help finding out!", she called to Nights father as she opened the door.

Midnight was sitting on the bed, clad in his armor and sharpening his spear, looking up with a neutral expression. "Gladly...", he growled as he got up with his weapon and began to trot towards the door.

"Wait! Stop!", Night yelled, running over. "Don't hurt him."

"I’m not going to hurt him Night... I’m gonna kill him.", he joked, keeping a serious face to tease the filly.

Night shook her head and pushed against his hooves, trying to stop him. "No! He's done nothing wrong!"

"Except grabbing my daughter’s attention.", he said back, grinning soon after. "Calm down... I’m not going to do anything... But if he comes asking for your hoof..."

"They're fillies..”, Crescent mumbled.

"Hey... Didn't stop me from trying." He smiled back. "And anyways... We have a rite to prepare for... Not go hunting for the colt that likes my little troublemaker.", he grinned.

Night sighed in relief and fell at his hooves. "Thank you.", she mumbled up to him.

"I'll see you both later... Got a few hours on guard." He sighed. "Stay out of trouble.", he grinned down to Night who stuck a tongue back out at him playfully.

"See you later." Crescent said, giving his cheek a quick kiss. "And remember that we have some... Planning to do tonight.", she said glancing down at Night.

"I'll be out of your way.", Night grinned.

"That's a first...", Midnight muttered with a smile.

One day later

It was late afternoon, Night hadn't done much all day, she couldn't find Starlight all day and Swift wasn't anywhere to be found in the huge abyss of a library... She was bored for the whole day, doing nothing but drawing silly pictures and helping her mother cook.

"Hold still.", her mother repeated again as Night squirmed a bit, standing on old fabric. Her mother had a bowl of white paint in her hooves and was painting Nights body, her hooves covered in delicate swirls of paint, curling and moving up her legs. The paint shape curved at the base of her hooves and towards the top, like a snails shell. The outlines of her wings were done in white as well as down the bones underneath the stretched lengths. Her cutie mark was circled and intertwined with the rest of the length of markings. Crescent began to paint up her neck delicately, leaving two straight lines up to her jaw line which spread off into smaller curls, like plants growing up her neck.

It was traditional, the paint was supposed to represent the moons light and was used when one got their cutie mark. It was a representation of them growing up, Luna recognizing their accomplishments and was used to signal the next stage in their life... It used to be real moonlight but with Luna gone they had to improvise.

"There... You look beautiful.", she smiled softly, Night blushing at her words.

"Thanks.", she whispered softly. Her mother had gotten up and was grabbing some small things from her room.

"You sound nervous." She commented.

She was right. Night gulped and nodded. "I... I just don't want to mess up.", she mumbled. "I don't even know what to do!" She complained nervously and was immediately greeted with a laugh.

"You're meant to have fun, it's to show that you're growing up and are allowed more privileges in the colony.", she smiled, trotting over with a small box. "Here... I got you something.", she said, opening it.

The box was laced with soft black fabric and in the center was a chain, connected to an almost glowing silver Crescent Moon. Night’s eyes widened as she looked at it. "It's traditional... And I always liked the idea." She smiled, taking it out and unclipping it, wrapping it around Nights neck. "Made from moonstone and dipped in stars... That was the story." She grinned, clipping it on and letting it dangle around Nights neck. "It's a very special necklace Night... Look after it."

"I will." She said with a soft smile. "Why is it so special?", she asked

"Well, every little filly gets one at their rite... So did I, your father even the Elder.", she continued with a smile. "It signifies your life and your connection to Luna, your family, friends and your colony.", she said as she began to pack away the paint. "It's to always remind you of who you are and the value we all have to the colony... Every pony is important and the Rite is the most important celebration we have.", she kissed her forehead gently. "So when you look at this and your mother and father are all old and wrinkly, you'll remember all the fun times we had."

Night nodded gently as she stared down at the shining silver, running a hoof along it.

"Never lose it Night... You only get one.", she smiled.

Night moved in and gave her mum a tight hug. "Thanks mum... I'll always wear it."

"It’s time... Come, let's go.", Crescent said, pushing Night along, making their way out into the caverns... Completely empty with a stone silence.

"Where is everypony?", she asked in amazement.

"Waiting for you." She giggled.

Night gulped and continued trotting along, their hoof steps echoing loudly through the cave. It felt empty and lifeless, Night shuddered at the uncomfortable feeling but pressed on, soon being confronted with the stairs up to the Sepulcher.

They began to ascend, the stairs seemed to stretch on forever and the flames slowly began to change color, the way they did the closer you got to the Sepulcher. Her mother merely smiled at the filly and Night felt discomforted, the silence ringing all around her before she heard a low drumming at the peak of the stairs, beating in time with her heart. It got louder and louder, pounding against the huge ancient doors of the building, a guard at either side, smirking as she arrived. Night looked back to her mother as they approached either side of her.

She merely gave a nod and Night carried on, the doors opening and the drumming clear as day. She trotted in, lines of ponies either side of the room, all looking to her while others beat the drums loudly. The guards led her to the center of the room the doors creaking loudly before slamming shut, the room falling silent.

Night gasped softly and looked around at the many eyes around her... Starlight and Swift nowhere to be seen. There was a large table at the top of the stairs in the Sepulcher, overlooking the whole chamber, the elder sitting and looking grimly down to him, several empty chairs sat either side of her.

"Night Vela Watch.", she said as she stood, her voice echoing around the room, Night shuffling awkwardly in her painted fur, the silver necklace dangling by her chest. "Do you accept the fact of your Rite and the challenges that come with it?", she asked.

Night shuddered and gulped, not knowing about any challenges. "Y-yes...", she stuttered out.

"And do you accept the responsibility of being recognized as a talented individual?"

"Yes...", she stuttered out again. The room fell silent, all eyes on Night, and the elder staring her down.

"We will then have you take the oath….", she mumbled. "But first… Let's party...” She said, struggling on the words with a grin before the whole room cheered loudly, the two guards lifting her up onto their backs as the drumming began again.

Night yelped and a few heads popped out from behind the chairs of the table, Swift, Starlight, her mother and father as several more instruments came through, ponies blowing air through them, creating a loud and bouncy song.

The guards began to spin around gently, smiling wide as Night began to laugh, the room stamping their hooves happily as a dance suddenly broke out in the center of the room.

"Never make me say that again.", the elder whispered to Crescent, causing her to laugh.

Night jumped off of the guards and let them go have fun as Swift and Starlight ran up to her excitedly.

"You looked terrified!", Starlight giggled, Swift blushing awkwardly, looking at Night in awe.

"I was!", she laughed back, the three pulling into a group hug.

"You look really pretty Night!" Starlight said.

Swift nodded gently before mumbling. "Y-yeah..."

"Thanks...", she whispered to them before pulling away.

"Come on! We need to enjoy ourselves!", Starlight said happily as she pulled the two of them away.

Midnight shared the same expression as the Elder, grim and judgemental. Crescent laughed at the two. "Lighten up you two... It’s just a party."

"She should be learning about Luna and history and... Everything importa...”, he was cut off by a kiss from Crescent.

"Calm down.", she whispered to him.

"She's right... You need to calm down... I'm so old my face just sags... It's tiring to smile." The elder surprisingly joked, causing Midnight to go wide eyed and Crescent to laugh out loudly. "I'm not just an old prude."

Midnight remained unhappy, frowning heavily. "Hey... What's wrong?", Crescent asked.

"I haven't heard from my brother in a long time... I sent a party to go to Hollow shades but they haven't returned yet." He sighed running a hoof on the rim of a cup.

Crescent rubbed his back and nuzzled his neck. "He went to go see a mare you know?" She whispered. Midnight tensed and looked back to her.

“I know... But he's been gone far too long now.”

“You didn't hear it from me… But I heard he was planning on marrying her.”, she grinned wide, “He wanted it to be a surprise.”

Midnight smiled gently, sitting back and watching the crowd dance happily, his daughter laughing happily. "That bastard.” He chuckled.

"I fucking love ice cream!" Blaze said as he put another spoon of chocolate ice cream into his mouth. He was back in his basement, the decapitated head of Tyl by him, and a spoon of ice cream in his mouth too. "Don't you?" He asked as he moved the jaw up and down. "Fuck yeah!", he said moving Tyl’s jaw up and down in a mocking manner.

A knock was heard at the open door, Savant shivering at the sight. "You really are fucked up in the head."

"That's why you're the therapist!", he said happily as he got up. "What is it?"

"We're ready to begin tests.", he said plainly, looking at the decapitated head. "Please get another pass time." He said painfully.

Blaze waved a hoof, dismissing it as he trotted out of the basement. "Take me to the weapon!"

"The doctor is outside waiting."

"Excellent!", he said in a cliché evil genius voice before he climbed up the stars. The building was actually quite cozy, a small cottage out just past Canterlot, small pot plants lining the windows, floral furniture lying around.

He pushed open the door of outside and smelled the crisp air. "Smells good...", he sighed as the smell of fuel hit his nose. "Doctor! Good to see you!", he chimed as he trotted over, the doctor wearing the harness that supported the flame thrower over his shoulder.

"Yes... You too... We're ready to test... Loaded it up with something my supplier called dragon fire elixir.", he said as he looked at a tree stump, standing in the green meadow, darkened by the night sky.

"Love it!", Blaze said as he sat down, eating more of his ice cream. "Proceed.", he said gesturing to the trunk.

The doctor nodded and looked at it, the muzzle facing the trunk as well. It was quite the work of art, two saddlebag like fuel tanks sat on either side of him, linked to the main part of the weapon, a small flame at the end of it. The trigger mechanism was connected to a small rope by his face. He gripped it with his teeth and pulled, instantly flames spewed out quickly, the stump enveloped in it.

Blaze smiled wide, not noticing his ice cream melting as he watched the trunk. The doctor stopped, releasing the rope. A black scorch mark splayed across the ground, the stump no longer existent, like a large scar upon the green landscape.

"Fuck what happened to my ice cream!"

Food had already been served at the party, the head table having individual meals for each of Nights family and her two friends, tables with a large selection dotted the Sepulcher floor as ponies trotted on by, taking what they wanted from the selection of fruit, vegetable and wine.

Midnight had spotted Swift and was staring at him blankly from across the table. "Hey... Stop staring." Crescent whispered into his ear.

"Can't... This colony is too small and he could be my son in law.", he murmured back.

"They're fillies...", she repeated to him.

"Like I said... Didn't stop me...”, he smirked back to her

Night laughed and ate with her friends as they exchanged jokes and talked, Night looking down at the many markings that covered her body, remarkably similar to the ones around the pillars. Ponies seemed to be enjoying themselves, the music continuing to play.

"Hey I'm going to try and get some wine... You want?"M Starlight asked with a grin. Both ponies shook their heads.

"It's bad for you.", Swift said quietly.

"They're enjoying it.", Starlight stated as she pointed to a pair of bat ponies stumbling and laughing loudly.

Night rolled her eyes. "We're fine... Good luck not getting noticed.", she laughed as Starlight jumped off her seat and trotted away, sticking out her tongue at them.

An awkward silence consumed both Night and Swift, both looking down at their meals, scratching their hooves.

Swift sighed and looked to Night. "Night... Thanks for inviting me here...”, he said with a small smile. "I don't have many friends but... It means a lot.", he said with a frown.

She smiled at him, the marking on her face stretching a bit. "It's alright.... I'm just glad you came.", she said, nudging him.

Night looked back out to the crowd of ponies, Starlight being glared at by a guard as she moved away from the wine barrels. Swift took a deep breath and moved close, giving Night a quick kiss on the cheek.

"I'm gonna kill him.", Midnight said simply as he began to get up, Crescent glared at him, a hoof pulling on his hoof.

"Move from this seat and you'll sleep on the couch for the next week.", she whispered
.

He growled and sat down.

Night blushed heavily and looked to him who shared her blush. "S-sorry... I... I just...", he stuttered, unsure on what to say.

"Y-you like me?", she asked back with a small smile.

"W-well yeah... You're... You're the prettiest filly I know...”, he said with a sheepish smile. "D-do you like me?", he asked awkwardly.

Night giggled and blushed, looking away. "I-I do...", she said with a smile, a grin growing on his face.

Their scene was soon broken up as the Elder stood and stamped her hoof on the table loudly. "Please... It is time for Night to say her oath.", she said, looking to Night. "Night follow me...” She said as she trotted off of the main steps and down to the crowd, a hole forming so she could pass. She made her way to the balcony and waited for Night to arrive. "You will say your oath under Luna's moon and from then on... You'll be more than just a filly.", she stated.

Night gulped and looked at the door, the whole room had formed a semi-circle around them. "Come... We must...”, she ended her sentence as she opened the door, a blazing red light showering through the door. "No... It can't be...”, she whispered as she opened the door and looked up to the moon, it was red... A bloodied red. She gulped heavily and heard the multitude of gasps and mumbles behind her. "Everyone get inside!", she announced loudly. "No pony is to come out of the caverns until I say.", she turned and glared at the moon.

"What about my oath?", Night asked.

"Not now... Later...", she said softly, leaning on the edge of the balcony. Night sighed and trotted off with the rest of the crowd.

"Luna help us all...", she whispered to herself.