The Black Eyes of the Nightmare

The six mares look at each other, worried. Princess Celestia is basically demanding to see the Moon Fox, but she's in the hospital. Fluttershy lowers her head, feeling depressed for getting caught. She starts to cry.

"Fluttershy," says Spike. He approaches her, trying to catch a glimpse of her face, covered by her own yellow hooves.

"I never wanted to make her mad," sobs Fluttershy.

"It's not your fault," says Rainbow Dash. "Besides, the Princess won't punish you, so she probably forgives ya."

"Fluttershy," interrupts Twilight Sparkle. "It's okay. Despite disobeying orders, you helped us make friends with the Fox." Fluttershy cries a little less and sports a little smile. "I'll have to admit. Perhaps staying away from her was not the right thing to do."

"We tried to kill her with those petty Elements," says Rarity, feeling hostile. "Like she was another dark force."

"At least we know she's not," says Fluttershy, feeling happier. "Now, how are we gonna get Moon Fox out of the hospital for tomorrow night?"

Twilight looks away, thinking. "Maybe Zecora has something for quick recovery."

                                                                      *                           *                              *

Celestia's sun sets on the day after. Moon Fox is still in bed, but she's awake now. With one of her tails, she is carrying an open book, leaning back and enjoying the story. Her roommate, a teenage colt with a messy mane, is in a full body cast. Moon Fox turns to him, flashing those blue eyes at him. The colt stares back.

"So what happened to you?" asks Moon Fox.

"Uh, I kinda fell three stories," answers the colt. Moon Fox detects little to no fear in his voice. "What about you?"

The colt's voice is slightly raspy and sounds undeveloped. "It's nothing, I just...got smashed by an Ursa."

"Woah. How are you even alive?"

"Because I don't go down without a fight."

"Damn, I bet you're strong."

"Yeah," says Moon Fox as she smiles.

Suddenly, Twilight Sparkle and Spike enter the room. Moon Fox tosses the book aside.

"Oh, hi guys!" she says quickly.

"Hey, Moon Fox," answers Spike. "Uh, you gotta see this." Spike takes out the letter Celestia sent. Moon Fox using one of her tails to grab and it carries it to reading. She reads quietly, as her friends wat for her reaction. She places the letter aside with her eyes wide open.

"My God..." she mutters.

"Yeah, we're kinda worried," says Spike.

"I don't understand. Why does your Princess want to see me?"

"Maybe she's tired of not knowing about you. To be honest, she still doesn't know that you're good," says Twilight.

"Well, if she wants me, then I guess I'll go. One problem, though..."

Twilight giggles. "Don't worry. I got that covered." She uses her magic to present a vial to Moon Fox. It's small, containing a green, glowing liquid.

"Is that some sort of healing potion?" asks Moon Fox.

"Yup. I asked Zecora for one yesterday. It should fix you right up." The Moon Fox grabs the vial and carefully pulls the cork out. She swigs down the entire potion without hesitation and smacks her lips, judging its taste. "Um, how do you feel?"

"I'm not feeling anything, but I can't put my claw on what the flavor is, I think it's-"

A strong surge of adrenaline rushes throughout the body of the Moon Fox. Her body starts squirming, but she clenches her hands into fists and jumps out of bed. Wearing the long shirts the hospital gives to the patients, Twilight can see her legs, bipedal, yet resembling hind legs. The robes cover so much.

"I feel great!" shouts Moon Fox. "This Zecora sure has some brewing skills."

"Now you can go see the Princess, " says Twilight. "But, one thing..."

"What is it?"

"Please behave."

Moon Fox shifts her attention to her robes, scattered on a chair and table next to her bed. She turns back to Twilight and says, "Your princess lives in that city on the mountains, right?"

"Yeah."

"I can fly over there easily, but I need someone to come."

"Why? Princess Celestia only invited you."

"I need someone to vouch for me. I have a hunch that she won't trust a demon like me."

"Just..." Twilight lowers her head. "...be careful."

                                                                      *                           *                              *

The Moon Fox's eyes turn black as the last shred of light diminishes from the sky. The wind brushes past her and Fluttershy. Fluttershy is nowhere near as good a flyer as the Moon Fox, so she's being piggybacked. She holds her tightly, afraid to fall off, even though she has wings to save herself with.

"Can't we just take the train?" suggest Fluttershy, worried.

"Too slow," responds Moon Fox. Her eyes are fixed on the beautiful city of Canterlot. She is both anxious and anticipant about meeting the head of Equestria. "I can slow down a bit if you're scared, I guess..."

"Thanks. So, why did you ask me to come, above the rest?"

"Because you're the one who knows me best."

"But Twilight has logic. She can put up a good argument."

"I know, but I trust you the most, Fluttershy. If I'm going to get on your princess' good side, I'm gonna need your voice. She may fear me or hate me. I'm not sure."

The Moon Fox speeds up the flying a little, making her seven tails zigzag through the night's wind. The moon is rising, so it must be Princess Luna's work.

"Princess Celestia's gonna be mad at me. I know it," says Fluttershy.

"If she gives off the slightest bit of hostility toward you, any hope of building a peaceful relationship with her is gone."

The Moon Fox lands on one of the Royal Palace's balconies. Fluttershy crawls off her back, feeling good to be on solid ground again. Moon Fox looks around and notices and entrance into the palace. She walks slowly toward it. Fluttershy follows, still worried. Moon Fox's footsteps echo through the long hallway, or at least the clicking sound of her toenails. Fluttershy's footsteps echo easily, her clops are much louder. Moon Fox keeps looking around for Princess Celestia, but notices a familar, dark blue pony emerging from another hallway. Princess Luna sees the Moon Fox and Fluttershy, looking a bit surprised.

"What are thou doing here?" she asks.

"Your sister invited us," answers Moon Fox. "For dinner."

"Odd. Maybe she wished to surprise me with you as guests. Come close, please." Moon Fox approaches. Luna waves a hoof toward her, gesturing to lend her an ear. "My sister's been acting strange lately," she mutters into Moon Fox's ear, "and she talks how she wants to, well, get rid of you. I do not think thou aren't so bad, but please. Do not set her off."

"I don't plan on doing anything stupid."

"By the way, did thou cause that explosion?"

"An Ursa Major showed, destroyed a few buildings, and beat the crap out of me. What other choice did I have?"

"Fair enough. I believe my sister is waiting in the dining hall. Oh, greetings Fluttershy."

"Hi," answers Fluttershy, lowering her head.

"Seems like thou and Moon Fox got along quite well."

"Yeah."

"Okay, follow me."

And so, Fluttershy and the Moon Fox follow Princess Luna. After a while, they reach the dining hall, an elegant, long room, crowded by one long table. Princess Celestia finally sees the Moon Fox with her own eyes. She is sitting at the end of one table, staring deep at her black eyes. Moon Fox crosses her arms and says, "Hello, Princess."

"Hello, Moon Fox," responds Celestia. Her tone sounds normal. "Have a seat. All of you."

Moon Fox slowly walks toward the goddess. Celestia's eyes will not come off of her. Even with her rainbow mane blocking her view at times, it's still locked. This makes the Moon Fox slightly uncomfortable. She takes a seat next to Celestia. Princess Luna takes a seat on her other side, while Fluttershy sits next to the Moon Fox.

"Fluttershy? Why did you come here?" asks Celestia, curiously.

"Moon Fox asked me to," she answers quietly.

"And why is that?"

"Because she doesn't think you can trust her."

"Well, you're sorta right. Moon Fox? In case you don't known, my name is Princess Celestia, and I rule all of Equestria."

"I've heard about you. Ponies wouldn't shut up about it," says the Moon Fox humorously. This makes Fluttershy giggle a little.

"You also must be aware that there's still mass hysteria about you. It eased down a little because you haven't shown any sign on intolerance, but then..."

"You saw the explosion, didn't you?"

"Who hasn't? How do you explain that?"

"I had to kill an Ursa Major."

"Why did you kill one?"

"Princess, it rampaged through Ponyville and put me in a hospital."

"So you were, protecting Ponyville."

"Yes."

"It's true," adds Fluttershy. "Princess Celestia, we all used to be afraid of her, but she showed to us that she is not a monster, and I'm also sorry about going into the Everfree Forest when I wasn't supposed to. I just had to help her, somehow."

"So you appeared in the forest, resisted the Elements, met Fluttershy, made friends with her friends, then saved Ponyville from an Ursa Major attack?" says Princess Celestia.

"That sums it up," answers the Moon Fox. "Princess, do you want me dead?"

This leaves Celestia speechless. She looks at her sister, figuratively crying for help, but Luna only glares at her. "Perhaps it;s better if we discussed this AFTER dinner," she suggests.

"Yes. Let's eat," agrees Celestia nervously.

The table is full of bowls and dishes of mashed potatoes, apple pie, cherry pie, corncobs, and salads. "Moon Fox, I hope thou eats like others do."

"Oh, I eat," answers Moon Fox. "A lot, actually."

The three ponies and the fox dig in. Not a single word is exchanged among them. Celestia eats calmly, but she judges the rest as eating like pigs. Not exactly, though. They're just eating faster than her, but Celestia now questions to herself, why she let the horrid Moon Fox into her very home, and why she's the only who feels troubled about it. The reason is not because of what the Moon Fox can do, but the question of who's really under control. It doesn't take long before plates are empty, while bellies are full.

"Compliments to the chef, Celestia," says Moon Fox.

"Uh, thank you," replies Celestia.

"So, do you hate me or something?"

"Well, you've been getting some negative feedback," begins Celestia, feeling a bit of implosive anger. "But what do the people of Ponyville think of you?"

"They love me for saving their town. Afraid at first, but yeah."

"That's good. At least you're not scaring people anymore, but I don't exactly want you dead. I'd never think of anypony as that. Well, there's Discord and the Changeling Queen, but not you. Look, the reason why Invited you here is to finally know who you are and where you came from. I want to assure all of Equestria if you're a threat or not."

"As you wish. My name, like you know, is the Moon Fox, I'm a unique type of an anthropomorphic creature, and I came from a world that is plunged into warfare, but Celestia, there's something you don't realize."

"And what would that be?"

"You're mad." Celestia's eyes widen instantly. She gets off her seat and nears her face close to Moon Fox's glaring.

"And why would you say that?"

"I can read your face like a book, Princess," starts Moon Fox. "I know why you're so worried about me, but you shouldn't. I can destroy mountains and villages, but take note that the only thing I killed since I arrived in Equestria was a bigass bear who wanted to destroy Ponyville. I don't abuse my power, and neither do you. But you're still mad at me..."

"Moon Fox, please stop," says Fluttershy, worried. Celestia is just speechless.

"You want me out of here, Celestia, and not because of my behavior." Moon Fox's black eyes melt into Celestia's as she gets up and locks them. "You're angry, Celestia, because you're afraid, afraid of the possibility that I am not your subordinate, that I am your equal, or worse, your conqueror."

Absolute silence. Fluttershy and Princess are jaw-dropped. Same goes for Princess Celestia. No one dares to speak a word, because the Moon Fox talked to the Princess in a way no one has before.

"You're right," says Celestia, softly. "I'm just so frustrated that it makes scream. The problem is, if I let out my anger, it could be catastrophic. You're a wise creature, Moon Fox. I appreciate what you said."

"If you're angry, I have just the thing to take care of that," says Moon Fox as she taps a claw on her jaw.

"What is it?"

"As an adventurer, I get frustrated at times, but then I start venting it out through my fists, rather than my mouth. Fighting is always a good way to exhaust that anger."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that we should go to the middle of a wasteland and fight," says Moon Fox, deviously. "Come on, Celestia. Show me who's boss..."

"Wait, are you asking ME to fight you just for sport?"

"Moon Fox, are you crazy?" shouts Fluttershy.

"I probably am, Fluttershy," says the Moon Fox.

"Moon Fox, how old are you anyway?" asks Princess Celestia.

"A thousand, but does it matter?"

"Well, no offense, but you're acting really foolish by challenging me."

"Come on, Celestia!" says Moon Fox, deviously. "Make me pay for trespassing, for plunging your kingdom into panic!"

"Moon Fox, I can't punish you unless you did something wrong, but you haven't."

"Then why won't you fight me?" asks Moon Fox.

Princess Celestia glares at the Moon Fox's black eyes and spreads her wings, attempting to look intimidating. "Because my power can hurt innocent ponies, and it's my responsibility to contain it. I will NOT fight you just for thrill!"

"But don't you wanna who's stronger? Wanna know once and for all?"

"Yes," answers Celestia, "but if it means losing control of myself, then it's not worth finding out."

"In that case, I really don't see how you could be the ruler"

"How dare you!" shouts Celestia, causing the room to shake. Fluttershy lowers her head in fear, while Luna only watches. "I am Princess Celestia! I rule Equestria with my sister because we are strong, and we protect those who can't defend themselves. Ruling for eternity is an overbearing responsibility, and you let that mouth of yours run, letting out such ridiculous words. I am frustrated just thinking about you, Moon Fox! Stronger or not, you're in my kingdom, and I am your ruler! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"

Moon Fox looks around, seeing cracks growing on the walls. Instead of being worried, she is fascinated. She hears Celestia's heavy breathing. "Princess," she replies, sweetly. "I'm only trying to help you. You're getting furious, and we need to let it out somehow. Don't get the wrong idea. I can tell you're incredibly strong, and it excites me just thinking about it. You have to fight me, Celestia. Get that anger out."

"But what about Equestria? What about my ponies?"

"Let's go find a wasteland or something, where every living thing is too far away to stuck in the crossfire," says Moon Fox. "If you fight me with all you got, that anger will go away."

Princess Celestia stares deeply at Moon Fox's black eyes. "Fine, then. Tomorrow, you'll be nothing but a punching bag to me. You asked for it, Moon Fox. I hope you're happy."