The Shadow of Everfree Forest

Celestia sat at her study reading going over the next days proceedings. A loud poof broke her concentration as a scroll with a wax seal with the symbol of Princess Cadance’s cutie mark. Celestia had been waiting for word form Shining armor and Cadance since they left 2 days ago. Breaking the seal she opened the parchment and began to read.

“Dear Celestia

I write to give news of the happenings on our journey we have found that indeed the crystal empire has returned.. Shining Armor and I were the only ones to make it to the city before a dark wall of shadow that i can only assume to be King Sombra began to attack.

The guards that arrived with us gallantly held him back just long enough for me to put up the barrier. Shining Armor is staying strong but he blames himself. Please give our regards to their families.”

Celestia inhaled sharply at the news of the loss of some of her guard at the hooves of Sombra. Sombra had indeed returned and already she was going to have to write letters that were going to devastate ten families who would never see their father, brother, lover ever again. Closing her eyes she fought back the heartache and focused again on the letter.

“I have put up a barrier keeping him at bay, though I do not know how long I can hold out against him. I can feel him even know probing the barrier. Please send help as quickly as you can.”

Yours truly,

Princess Cadance

Putting the scroll down, lifting a quill and blank scroll to send to Twilight to order her and the elements when Luna burst into her study.

“Luna?” Celestia said surprised at the sudden entry of her sister. Luna closed the doors behind her then turned to Celestia.

“Sister I have a captive, who was trying to jump between pony dreams.” she said quickly. Celestia frowned in confusion.

“How can that be?” she asked.

“He claims to be the offspring of the shadow and a pony.” She said darkly, then finished.

“He calls himself Nightmare Darkness.” Celestias eyes shifted back and forth slightly as she tried to put the name somewhere.

“Nightmare Darkness, Where have I…” she paused as she began to search the scrolls that Twilight had been sending her. As she pulled another one scroll out she looked at it seeing the name in the print.

“Here, Twilight mentioned getting to know a stallion pegesus by that name who has lived in the everfree forest.” she said re-reading the report. Luna walked over to her sister and read it slightly over her sister's shoulder. She was uncomfortable that a stallion was living in such a place. Luna stepped back and frowned in thought. Looking at Celestia she spoke.

“Come with me sister, so we may better judge this stallions intentions.”

Luna’s horn glowed as Celestia joined her sisters side to go to the dream realm. The pair walked onto the barren landscape with a lone cage, inside a solitary figure locked in place by chains.

Celestia closed the distance as Luna stayed behind her sister. He raised his head causing the chains to jingle, he didn't look at Celestia, he looked at Luna. Luna shifted uncomfortably by the piercing eyes of the stallion.

“Nightmare Darkness I take it.” Celestia said behind a stoic mask. Nightmare  shifted his gaze to her. She had to admit his eyes held power though weather malevolent or not was overshadowed by an overbearing sadness. Celestia looked at Luna and nodded a silent understanding between them. Luna slow to comply removed the bindings holding him in place as the cage scattered like smoke to the wind.

Nightmare Spread his wings and stretched out his aching muscles.

“I am Nightmare Darkness, Princess Celestia, but for the reason I am here is much more perilous. The one who inhabits my body is a danger far more serious.” he said looking at Luna as she would know everything about the creature they were dealing with. Luna looked uncomfortable, but then frowned.

“How can that be, when the shadow overtook my body I still could control it, it never had such control.” Luna interjected frowning.   Nightmare nodded, understanding.

“Princess Luna you speak the truth. But you were not born from its own essence, But I who was born from him in part because of a host pony, is the perfect embodiment for his influence.” he said. Celestia and Luna looked at each other. Celestia looked at him again.

“The shadow was sealed into the moon along with Nightmare Moon. How is it that its offspring stands before me, and all the while Nightmare Moon was still in the moon? What pony would take the seed of shadow?” she asked Luna walked beside her looking at him wanting to know. He didn't quite know himself but had an idea, and probably Luna did to.

“The only way I could exist I can only assume is that his essence along with the host at the current time escaped and had enough power to create myself under the moon. So I believe I may be the offspring of the combined magic of the Shadow and Nightmare Moon.” the air shimmered as Lunas hold on the plain slipped. Celestia looked visibly shaken as her jaw opened with a silent gape.

“Are you saying i am the pony that…” she trailed off.  That gave time for Celestia to recover.

“You claim to be the son of Luna and the Shadow!” she seemed delirious.  Nightmare did not  say anything.

“No!” exclaimed Luna as her horn glowed.

“You speak lies!.” she spread her wings as he let go a beam of energy directed at him. His eyes became the size of pinpricks as he tried to jump out of the way, not fast enough as the beam of energy slammed into his body burning and throwing him like a ragdoll across the landscape. Nightmares fight or flight kicked in and began to escape. Spreading his wings he began to quickly fly away from the enraged alicorn who gave chase.

“Luna DONT!” Celestia yelled after her following her.

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Shining Armor entered the crystal throne room where Cadance’s eyes drooped as her horn glowed as she help the barrier in place. She didn't realize he was there till he kissed her cheek softly making her look up and smiled softly.

“What have you find out?” she asked. Shining Armor shook his head sadly.

“The crystal ponies have no idea what's happened but only feel that...its still one thousand years ago. They are happy that Sombra is not in charge but they still walk around as if ghosts of a dead city.” he said frowning

“We need to find out what happened here, there has to be something we can do. I sent Celestia a message so she will send help soon i hope.” she said hanging her head. Shining Armor nuzzled her neck as she leaned into him sighing.

“I know its hard, but you're doing great just hold on a little longer.”  Shining Armor assured her.  She only looked to him with a small smile. Shining looked out of the window at the barrier that stood between them and a force of undeniable power.  ‘Twilight i hope you come.’  he said to himself.