Chapters Wha...? Where am I? What am I? Who am I?
You say as you look around to see only shadows mixed with strange lights.
"Finally! Took me forever but I have finally made you." You hear as you look around to find the voice.
What am I? Who are you?
You say again
"You, my creation, are a thought, an idea, a striving goal, an realization. You are not real and at the same time you are! And to your second question I am Discord, spirit of chaos, disharmony and much to what other ponies think, balance."
That makes no sense.
"They said that I could not do it. that my godly powers were not meant for it but damn! Thanks to you I just proved them wrong! Now I am not doing to bore you with my life so why don't you turn around for a sec?"
You turn to see many different multi-colored spheres floating at eye level with you behind you. Each one has some kind of moving image in them. You come to terms that if you were to count them that you would not stop until you fade out, never to see the real world.
What are these? They look out of place.
"That's be cause they are you smart cookie you! These are every possible choice you could make including to annoy the piss out of me right now!
Now, soon I will release you in a host of your choosing but first let me show you your meaning, other than entertaining me of course." says the voice as three different orbs, one blue, one red and one purple, float towards you. "Look into the red one." says the voice.
What if I don't want to?
"Do you have a choice on the matter?"
You shake your "head" be for looking at the red one.
You look into the red one to see ponies running in the streets, cowering in fear or dead as a figure draped in shadows walks down the street with a evil grin on its mouth. "You could be the thing the land of equestria should fear. An evil tyrant with no regard for life. The path of the Villain. Now look to the blue one."
Fine, fine.
You turn you "head" to the blue orb to see ponies running to great the figure covered in light as the figure has a caring smile on its mouth and is helping out from saving them from shadows to helping a colt to his feet. "You could be the greatest hero equestria could ever hope for, protecting even the most Annoying ponies *cough* prince blueblood *cough*. The path of the Hero. Now for my least favorite, turn to the purple one."
Why is it your least favorite?
"Because it is so boring !"
You look at the purple one to see that no one is paying the figure mind save the occasional hello and the figure wears no smile of any kind again save when somepony greets it. "And then you have the nobody. Ponies don't love you unless you are in a relationship but they don't hate you ether. You are just there making subtle changes to their every day life that they don't notice. The path of the Background."
What does that have to do with me?
"Every thing. I will give you a life to control. When you take control you will not remember what is happening right now but your choices you make while you are in your host could make one of those happen. But before I give you a body I have one more gift for you. A power."
What kind of power?
"The kind that is useful now SHUT UP!"
The orbs fade out are are replaced by three different orbs, a white one, a yellow one and a green one. "You have a choice right now between these three. Look into the yellow one."
You look to see a figure with a group of ponies behind it all looking like they would follow the figure to the death. "You could be a great leader."
What does that have to do with power?
You get no response so you look to the green one to see a figure chatting with ponies looking like they were just about to harm the figure before the go their separate ways "You could be an inspiring diplomat."
Knowing that the voice was not going to respond to your question you look to the final white orb to see a figure surrounded but not looking afraid before it wisps out a sword and defeats all of the enemies. "Or you could be a legendary warrior. The choice it yours"
How are these powers? They are just-
"Talents? Knacks for a hobby? skills? They are just as much powers as they are skills. A leader could lead an army into battle and even if they know they will die the would be happy it was alongside their leader. A diplomat could talk their way out of anything from being robed to having to get out of bed and a warrior would always have a way to defend them self's and any allies they have. Now make your choice before I kill you and make a different you."
Didn't you say it took you forever to make me so won't it be a bed idea to kill me?
"Good thing you don't have the power of diplomacy yet or I might have been persuaded by you. Now pick one before you fade out."
And if I don't want to?
"I will kill you in the most painful way possible."
What about that race called the Thestral?
"What is it with you thoughts and picking the rare races?! First we have one of the alicorn princesses then a changling then a unicorn crystal pony and don't even get me started on tereck!"
I thought you said I was you first thought?
"You are. You are my first thought with a choice of its path. The first with the chance to not fail in its goal. Well, I was prepared for what ever race you picked and now for your choice of host, Dark Spark, Blood Rend, and Moonlight." You see three illusions appear in front of you, one a Therstal mare and the others stallions.
"You have a choice. The mare here is Dark Spark. As you can see, she is all black and her mane is a dark blue with a dark gray streak and her head mane is braided. She was force to kill her parents in order for them to let her out into the world where her love is. She could not find him and found out that he had been killed when he was forced into the griffon military in a war against equesteria. So she does what she thinks he would have wanted her to do and trained her body and mind. While not strong, her skill with her wing blades are unmatched by even the gods I would assume. She is currently morning her lose on a mountain on the day she meet him. Now on to Blood Rend." Says discord as he points to the deep maroon stallion with a blood red mane.
"This one is fun! He was having a normal day with his pegasus marefriend when a gust of wind knocked them both out of the sky and caused her to impale her self on his fangs. Now when blood gets into a bat ponies moth they begin to have a physical adiction to blood. So he is an out cast to the thestral and is only allowed to shops owned by one to get special tablets that act like a blood substitute. Thanks to this he had to live on the streets where he learned how to fight the hard way. He is the opposite of Dark Spark in combat, relying more on strength than skill to take out his opponents with his long sword he made from scraps. He is currently sleeping in a swatters home, hoping one of them are willing to share some food. Now for Moonlight, the most interesting of then all."
"He is a strange one I'll give him that, with his gray coat, almost metallic silver mane and piercing bright, almost glowing purple eyes. He has trained to master himself since he could walk and some how can wield a chain scythe, his preferred weapon. He has had every thing he wanted given to him but unless it was a replacement to a broken chain scythe, he refused anything he did not earn. He eventually slipped away from his noble family with his personal scythe, one he could summon to himself by saying 'Ventus', and some bits to buy a home when he finds a place to call home. He is currently hiding from bandits that want him for ransom. I don't know why, his strength and skill are in between both Dark Spark's and Blood Rend's.
Moonlight seems like the best choice. The only history he has to over come is himself and the bandits for some reason.
"Splendid choice! Now to pick your goal!"
I thought I was the goal?
"But then what are you?"
A thought-
"Right you are! but a thought with no point gets wasted. so I have two and you get no choice in the matter, save for how you get to it. You could Live a quite life after your adventures or you could rule a kingdom. how you do it is up to you hell, you could even found your own empire but those are your two options, and I'll let you decide as you travel, Moonlight."
Why did you call me that?
"Because that is who you are now. Oh and readers, this will soon become a third person fic but we only hear the thoughts of Moonlight."
Who the hell are you talking to?
"That does not matter, what matters now is getting you into Moonlight. Please don't fail like Sombra and the others thoughts that I, Discord created please."
"What am I going to do now!" said Moonlight as he brushed his mane out of his face so he could see. "Those bandits are everywhere! Heck, they are guarding the pond I was going to meditate and bath in!" Calm down. he thought Lets look at this logically. They are all earth ponies so no need to worry about being spotted from above, you are in a tree so they would have to hear you talking to yourself to see you plus you are a Thestral so you by default have a stealth advantage. You could easily pick them off one by one give how far apart they are from each other or you could wait them out. you also could charge in there by there lack of skill judging by how they are holding their weapons. But which to do and should you leave survivors or kill them all? They might have families, but do I even care?
The honorable Moonlit death
Ok, picking them off seems like the best idea but I will leave some alive. I am not some murderer, at least not yet. I don't know what the future holds in store for me. And unlike these cowards, I will let them have the honor of first strike. Thought Moonlight as he stepped out onto a branch where he could be seen.
Though he could not see it, when the bandits turned his was his stature made some of them back away in fear with the moon lighting up his metallic hair, his fangs shining in the full moons light and his strange purple eyes glowing their weird and frightening glow. The Pegasus bandit who he mistook for a earth pony thanks to one of its wings missing fired and arrow at him. As the arrow flew, Moonlight saw it in slow motion and right before it impaled him he smiled and whispered the one word that would mean the archers death, "Ventus." The chain scythe appeared right in time and caught the arrow in one of the links in the chain. One or two bandits ran way at this alone and Moonlight used the distraction of the deserters to hide again.
Sneaking up behind archer in another tree, Moonlight cleared his mind for the feat he was about to perform and for his first pony kill he could remember. Taking a breath, he threw one of the ends of his scythe in front of the archer and at the last second, twisted the chain and pulled with all his strength. The scythe impaled its self into the chest of the archer as the archer was pulled up into the tree where Moonlight finished off the grounded Pegasus with a swift strike to the neck. The disappearance of their archer and apparent leader caused even more fear in their ranks. Since that did not scare then all off Moonlight once again revealed him self behind the group and with the moon behind him and his wings spread out he said "Why do you not run? Is it fear holding you down? maybe since your leader is dead you need an order. Begone, leave me alone and tell this to others who will chase me. The Moonlit reaper will not always have mercy."
The bravest of them stood forward with its sword shaking but pointed at me "W-why should w-we obey you!" Moonlight giggled and just said "Would you rather die?" and held his chain scythe as if he was going to attack again, causing more to flee and again using that to his advantage, hid. He counted three bandits left, all facing the same direction. This will be to easy. He thought as he landed behind the first two and with a swift but effective strike stabbed both ends into their backs, sadly alerting the final one.
Moonlight tried but failed to pull his scythe free and knew that by the time he did pull it out he would be dead. As the bandit took a swing with its sword at him, Moonlight prepared to do something most of us readers would think could only be done in movies. He did a back flip over the first slash and did a back roll to get into a proper fighting stance. Before Moonlight could say 'Ventus' however the bandit was on him again desperate to kill Moonlight before the same happened to him. Moonlight caught the ponies sword arm in the air and as the pony thought he had won he saw the smile on Moonlight's face. "Ventus." was the last word the bandit heard before a scythe was stabled into its chest, spewing blood on to the grass below on the forest floor. "I am sorry that I could not make your death swifter. You were a fine warrior and may Luna guide your soul to your fellow brothers above." said Moonlight as he saw the life fade from the bandits eyes.
The next morning...
"Yawn! Man, got to stop having nightmares or Luna will inform my family of my location. Well, that's what I get from running away from the highest noble Lunar family. I have to deal with the princess if get too many nightmares. Well, I should probably hurry over to that town, what was it called again? Oh right, Ponyville before I drive my self insane by talking to myself. I just hope I did not forget any thing important about it. Although I have the feeling if I don't remember something, I will be pretty much bucked."
"Oh...right! That is the town that lady Luna goes to often and is the town that the elements resi-crap. Well that blows up that idea. But I need to restock and lay low somewhere!" Moonlight yells before getting on his knees "If I persist like this, I will die. I need a place to hide and rest. Hell, if I do it for a while maybe my family will think I'm dead and stop searching. I just hope that I find a place soon." What were the other towns near by? Moonlight thought as he pulled out a map So here is Ponyville. The only town that is near by would be here, Coatson. And from what I heard, it is the perfect place to hide for the wrong reasons.
One Hour Later...
Coatson. A marvelous town if you like ruins, crime in broad daylight, intercourse in public, murder and other nasty things. Police, what are you talking about? Even the princesses won't touch this place for good reason. They fear that their guards would be killed and afterwards, do I need to say more? You only come here to hide or to get away with any crime. You have bits, you better have a weapon at the ready. The only rule is to not buck with the Black Whispers gang and you can know that they are near by a single song that you hear in your head.
Moonlight arrived at the edge of town to have knifes pressed against his neck until he summoned his weapon and showed then he had nothing that would "ruin" their way of life. As he continued, he had to force himself not to kill ponies for all the dishonorable acts that were happening around him. He felt a hoof on his shoulder and as he turned around he saw a hooded figure. Before he could say something the figure said in a mare's voice "You don't like the acts happening around you, at least not yet. I can give you a place to stay for now, on one condition. You must not give into temptation under my roof." "How did you know?" Moonlight responded. "Your face is easy to read. Come to the trapdoor next to the church of Hasbro if you want to get away from the crime here." said the figure as it disappeared leading Moonlight to believe it was a unicorn.
After recovering from the talk, Moonlight continued to walk when he was pushed onto the ground. "So, you are the one who killed my boys." said the pony above Moonlight as he heard the dreaded song that tells him who is talking above him. "Ventus!" Moonlight yells as he takes to the sky's. "Come on!" says the leader of the Black Whispers "You think I would be without guards that include Pegasi? Really?" Two pegasus grab Moonlights arms causing him to drop his chain scythe. "Ventus!" Moonlight says again as he felt the scythe on his wings allowing him to stab both of the pegasus in the back. Moonlight says to the leader "And you think that two are sufficient to kill me? really?" The leader chuckled "You misunderstand me. I knew they were going to die and I come not to kill you but to invite you into the Dark Whispers." "They don't seem as good as ponies make them out to be." "You have never fought my elite, only my grunts. Come to the pub called The Rutted Maid if you are interested in the power we can offer you." With that the leader walked away, 10 or so guards following soon after.
After all day of searching (and fighting off thefts), Moonlight found that there was no place for an outsider to stay (With their bits safe) other than the two offers he was given, but which one?
The light of a unknown friend
Realizing that coming clean would be better in the long run, Moonlight said "Moonlight. My name is Moonlight." Autumn gasped and said "I don't-you must be not telling the truth. How did you get your cutie mark?!" Moonlight sighed and looked at his mark with pride, with its chain scythe wrapped around a forge. "I got it when I was playing at the castle armory. The forge master fell asleep and left the tools and metal out to be handled. I was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. After two hours I was still at work on the forge when the master woke up and saw me but he knew the look on my face as concentration mixed with determination. When I was done five hours had passed and the spoils were both my cutie mark and the blade that now belongs to lady Luna, Brightened Darkness."
When Moonlight was finished with his tale, he noticed two things. First he was not tied down and second, Autumn was in tears. "Moonlight!" She cried as she hugged him in a grip that would put Pinkie Pie to shame. "I missed you! Your family told me you had died that day five years ago!" Then she paused and gasped before, to Moonlights blessing, released him and looked into his eyes. What ever she saw made her start to cry again "You don't remember me, do you? And you family probably used that to keep me, a commoner. away from my best friend." Moonlight not knowing what to do he tried to comfort the mare. "Well, I can't say that I remember you or what happened five years ago, but maybe we can try to rebuild our friendship." sticking out his hoof, Moonlight said "Hi. I'm Moonlight of the 2nd lunar house. What to be friends?" Autumn smiled before having a look in her eyes that said that he did good. Taking his hoof, Autumn said "I'm Autumn Wind and I would love to be your friend."
(Follower gained: Autumn Wind)
"Wait, lady Luna is coming here, you probably ran away from a noble house, you are the craftier of her may I say amazing blade...crap. I need to find a way to get you out sooner than later. Oh and do you still have that scythe you and I made together?." Now knowing why he could summon it at will, Moonlight nodded before saying "Ventus." "Good. it would have made it harder to try to get you out and get you a weapon at the same time. Aqua. Terra." When Autumn said the last two words a bow and a quiver with seemingly thousands of arrows appeared on her. Before leaving she said "I will forge the records or try to start a riot. The records could, hopefully, make them thing we have already checked you while the riot would distract them. Ether way, it will not happen this late in the day with it being 11:00 pm but I want to know which you could handle better."
The light runs to the light
"Why don't we do both and burn down the brothel as well as the record house?" Moonlight suggested "Hmm, I'll try but it will be difficult and don't worry, I will explain everything when we are away from this town and the lunar agents. And promise me we will never come here again." responded Autumn "Don't worry, I have no intention to be returning here." "Good. Now get your rest, I don't want you to hurt your self because your tired." Confused why Autumn cared so much about him, Moonlight took her advise and got some sleep...
In Moonlights Dream Realm...
Moonlight was a twelve year old and was running to something in the distance with two other figures behind him. All he could tell was one was an unicorn and the other looked like his brother with his blackish purple coat and glowing green eyes and normal brown mane. As they reached the object, it started to glow a blinding white light but the trio were unaffected and walked up to it. Right before Moonlight touched it he heard a scream and both the figure and his brother disappeared like smoke. Everything started to crumble around him before he was impaled in the back by a sword he had created, a sword he had called Brightened Darkness.
The Next Day In The Real World
Waking up with a start, Moonlight slowly calmed himself down. "It was just a dream. no pony would impale you with that sword after all, it belongs to lady Luna." "What are you talking about?" asked Autumn in a motherly tone "Ah! Don't sneak up on me!" yelled Moonlight "That's my job!" on the verge of a giggling fit, Autumn said "Well, its all set. I have the back of both buildings covered in lighter fluid and matches at each location and with one word in this here radio, the riot will start in give or take one minute. And if it fails and shit hits the fan, my arrows are prepped and ready. I'll let them bring you food before we start." "You are strangely calm about this plan." "You do not know how much I cried when I was told you were dead. I now want pay back to your family for years of grief. They lied to a spec-ops agent and me of all ponies. I have no remorse for what we are about to do. I hate this town anyways."
the gears slowly turned in Moonlights head when he caught what she had said. "Yes I am spec-ops. How else do you think lady Luna could come here safely?" Autumn said. it's almost like she can read my mind! thought Moonlight as a guard walked in with some bread, cheese and water. After he had left and Moonlight was finished with his food, Autumn picked up her radio and said "The night falls." Autumn looked at Moonlight and said "It's time. follow me and what ever you do, do NOT look directly into any glowing crystals on walls. One look and it will know everything about you down to what you ate and what time you went to the bathroom." "That is ... disturbing." "Tell me about it." Autumn said with annoyance in her voice. something told Moonlight that he did not want to know why they annoyed her so.
They reached the records with no problems save the guards running around in a cluster buck. That all ended the moment Autumn lit the match. "OK it's burning. now we need to get out of here before the guards show up." They turned around to see guards starting to run to the fire in the distance. "Crapola." said Moonlight as he pulled Autumn behind a dumpster with Moonlight facing the building. The guards looked frantically as the fire continued to grow and Moonlight started to burn. Suppressing the need to scream in pain, Moonlight stayed still on the burning hot metal gutter to keep hidden and to keep it from touching Autumn. The guards left quickly to settle the riot. Autumn sighed "That was a close why do I smell flesh... oh god!" Autumn yelled as she pulled Moonlight off the metal "Moonlight you fool! Don't ever do that! not for me or anypony!" Well, at least I knows she cares. thought Moonlight as he got up "I'm sorry. Now before you try to worry about my burn, it was where a scar was so it does not matter. What does matter is doing the tack at hand. Now, we are going to burn the brothel then high tailing it out of here. That reminds me, do you have a plan of where to stay when we leave." Autumn hesitantly nodded "Good. now to burn more of this corrupted town full of dishonorable fools."
If Moonlight was to say that burning down that brothel was terrible or boring, he would be lying. He enjoyed every second of watching that building burn. After killing the two 'guards' by the gates and running into the forest, Moonlight felt more alive then he had in his entire life as far as he knew.
"So, where do you plan on us staying? Judging by the location of the moon, we have all day to travel so no rush." said Moonlight as soon as the two felt they were not being followed. "You might not like it but its the only place that I know of that we can stay at. it even has a few homes for sale far from the main town." said Autumn "Ah come on! How bad could it be?" "Bad." "Hey, as long it isn't Coatson I think we're good." "OK then, Ponyville." Moonlight looked at her dumb struck before erupting into a giggling fit "Oh, nice one! Seriously what town!" 'Ponyville. I have a friend by the name of Rainbow Dash who lives there." "So, not only are we going to the third worse place for me to go to but until I buy a home I might be living with one of the element's?" "The element of loyalty. If I say you are my friend and you become friends with her Celestia her self could be at that door and that Pegasus would not move a inch between you and her."
Moonlight sighed in defeat, not being the best with arguments that don't involve fighting. "Moonlight then realises the one thing he is missing and starts to worry. "Umm, Autumn" he said "you would not happen to have my bag of bits would you?"
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The Light, The Wind, The Element and The Memories
"Did you check the bag I gave you?" said Autumn as she found a place to lay down. Moonlight face hoofed as he checked the bag to find his bits. He also noticed his scythe and Autumn guessed his question before he could ask it "You want to know why you did not feel you scythe's in the bag. that bag has a prototype enchantment that is dubbed the uninspired name of Holding. So yes, it is named after that stupid RPG we used to play as kids, Bag of Holding." "OK but if we played Ponyfinder, How come I do not remember you? I think I deserve a explanation." Moonlight responded with a tone scared even himself. Sighing, Autumn gestured for Moonlight to sit down. "Now, I only know my side" Began Autumn "So the only way is to use a spell to use my memories to awaken yours. But you need to trust me when I say I am not placing thoughts or memories. That magic is impossible for one and two, something like that could take away the pony I knew and lo-... let's just get this done with." Moonlight could have sworn she was about to say something near the end but he never was one to dwell on that stuff.
Autumn put her horn on Moonlight's head and before he could
Memory
5 Years Ago, 30 Minutes Until Nightmare's Return
Outside the House of Aurora
"Come on Moonlight!" Said a 13 year old Autumn. "Remember that today the stars will bring Nightmare back and we need to find and activate the artifact for Nightmare to release lady Luna!" "When have you been a wimp Moonie?" Said Moonlight's brother, Lulin. "Come on! If you are mastering the forge AND an chain scythe, you can do a little adventuring with your shield-colt brother and bow-filly marefriend, we will be hero's!" Both blushing, Moonlight and Autumn looked at each other before joining in on Lulin's laughter. "OK,OK. I'll come with but if we do not find it, we turn back. All we know is that is is held in the caves bellow Canterlot so be wary for traps." Moonlight said once he could breath. "Moonlight, Moonlight, Moonlight. It is in a cave. who would put traps in a cave?" resorted Lulin. "Well," Autumn said "who's up for a little adventure?" before the trio trotted off in full galop wispering, "Glow eyed trio princess rescuer's yay!".
Memory
5 Years Ago, 10 Minutes Until Nightmare's Return
The Caves of the New Moons
"OK, we have arrived my brother and possible future sister. Now, I will take point but that does not mean you two get to make out behind my back. We have a princess to save and all." said Lulin. How he knew what they were planing to do was beyond Moonlight so he took the back. "Remember Moonlight, The back is just as important as the front. While we fight off whatever, Autumn can open fire with out worry of being surrounded. Autumn, Keep an eye out for any thing above us. While Moonie and I are defending you we can not fly so it is your job to be our eyes in the sky. Now lets move out!" Ordered Lulin. He always was the leader of our little band. thought Moonlight.
Memory
5 Years Ago, 5 Minutes Until Nightmare's Return
Walking down the corridors of the cave were starting to take its toll on the party until the trio can across an door with a single being standing in front of the door in a strange armor and a great sword. "Do not pass. As the only human left I have been given the duty to guard these chambers." Said the being in a gruff voice "Unless given reason, I will not leave my post save to kill intruders, no matter the age or race. Turn back now. I do not wish for the blood of children to be on my hands." Autumn stepped forward "Did you not hear me child. Leave or I will kill you." "Unless given reason." Autumn responded in a even voice but Moonlight could see she was ready to hide."What?" "You said you would let us pass if given reason. I have multiple reasons why you could, no Should let us pass." "And pray, do tell?" "First, you could not take us all on. A great sword, though powerful and long, is slow while we have a defender, and archer and an fast attack. maybe one or two of us would die but at least one would pass. plus you underestimate our skill and strength by looking at age. We have taken down masters together." Nice bluff Autumn
"Next, we have a noble cause. We want into the chamber to save our patron goddess and second princess, lady Luna. We do not with to do anything else. We will leave after and never return to this cave. And finally, you need to live the rest of your life in peace. I can tell by you mane sticking out of your helmet that you are about 50 to 60 Years old" "52" "and you should live the rest of your life outside as your final days draw closer. You mentioned you are the last of your race and I do not think you want your race to be forgotten from history. Tell somepony about your people and help them remember." Though he could not see it, Moonlight knew the man was crying. Autumn had a way with words and dare I think it, it is her most powerful tool. The man looked at Autumn and Lulin before resting his eyes on Moonlight. Pointing to Autumn and Lulin, it said "You two may proceed. I have one last test for this one." before blocking the path for Moonlight only. Looking back to Moonlight, The two saw him motion for them to go on. As they were about to pass though the door the man took his sword and started to swing it at Autumn.
The world started to move in slow motion for Moonlight, seeing the wind being cut as his Wind was about to have the same happen to her. "VENTUS!" Moonlight yelled as he dove in front on the blade, chain stretched out and wings flared "YOU WILL NOT TAKE THE THINGS I CARE ABOUT! NOT WHILE I STAND HERE ALIVE AND BREATHING!" yelled Moonlight as he took the hit. The man thought Moonlight was dead until he look down at his sword to see a gray blur running up it unharmed "YOU BASTARD! COWARD! DISHONORABLE FOOL! LETTING SOMEPONY PASS SO YOU CAN STAB THEM IN THE BACK! NO MORE!" Moonlight yelled before he was backhanded into one of the walls. "You pass." Was all the man said before shattering his sword ageist a rock and walking to the entrance of the cave. "Come back here!" "Moonlight stop!" Autumn yelled "It's done. He can't harm us. He broke his weapon." Said Autumn as she ran and hugged Moonlight "It's over." Moonlight started to cry "I-I almost lost you, both of you to him." "But you didn't. Come on, lets finish what we started, together."
Memory
30 Seconds Until Nightmare's Return
The Artifact's Chamber
The artifact was a multi colored orb floating on a staff. "It's...pretty." said Autumn. As the trio entered. "So," said Lunil "how do we activate it?" All three faced hoof simultaneously as it was the one thing none of them had researched in their months of planing. before the three of them could leave the orb started to glow a blinding light. The trio unaffected by this started to walk towards the orb then they were covered in darkness with an evil laugh echoing of the walls "Well, what do we have here?" said the voice with a feminine tone "Show your self!" yelled Lunil. "Very well, I shall grant your last wish, my subject." With those last two words all the darkness retreated to show the very thing they were trying to prevent, Nightmare Moon. Nightmare spoke "Hmm, two of the second Lunar house and one of a common house but raised by a low ranking lunar house. Well, we do not need two males. Brightened Darkness!" she said as she summoned the sword Moonlight had made. "Besides, a blade smith is far more useful then an singer." she said. Before Moonlight could do anything, Nightmare Moon cut off Lunil's head in a single swipe. "NO!" Yelled Moonlight as he watched his beloved older brother, the one that would poke fun at him, the one who would bandage his cuts as a kid, the one that stuck with him though thick or thin, the one who would sing the most heart wrenching songs, the one that loved him die.
Nightmare Moon look at Autumn "I did not notice you were a unicorn. Well, I'm going to have to make you different from others of your race." She said as she cast a spell on both of them to keep the two from moving as she laid Autumn on the floor with the blood pooling. Nightmare then proceeded to burn a rune into Autumn's horn. Both Autumn's screams of pain and Moonlight's screams of anguish rebounded off the walls. When the rune was complete, Autumn was mentally and physically broken with her eyes showing no sign of life nor the spark Moonlight had grown to love "Now, for the final one." said Nightmare Moon as she started to trot over to Moonlight. "Ventus abstulerunt a belua domus mea" Moonlight said as his chain scythe appeared on Autumn, wrapped around her and disappeared taking Autumn with it. Nightmare saw this and spoke to Moonlight "Saving you friend over your self. How lovely to see that you are willing to die." "Not today I'm not." said Moonlight as he did the one mistake no warrior should. He turned his back to her and before he could run he felt the cold steel pierce his back and saw Brightened Darkness sticking out from his chest. "Such a shame to kill a master blade smith. but I have to go take care of the elements. Have a nice afterlife, my student, Faded Starlight." "My...name...is...Moonlight."
Present Time
As Autumn pulled back she again spoke before Moonlight could ask "You survived because after I had realized what had happened I got my family to come with me to save you. After that, well you know the rest. With the trauma plus you family denying my right to see you, you forgot all about me." Autumn then looked at Moonlight to see him shivering. "That explains the nightmares. They were just broken memories. Autumn, I am sorry I have not seen you for 5 years but I need to think before we get back to the relationship we once had. For now, lets head to Ponyville. The sooner I know that our safe house is safe the sooner I can rest." Autumn looked hesitantly at Moonlight, knowing the pain he felt back then he had just relived. The death of Lunil was hard on her and she had 5 years to cope with it. Moonlight just thought one thing as they hiked to Ponyville Lunil was our leader, Autumn our diplomat and I the guardian. Some guardian I am.
As they hiked on, they began to see the edge of Ponyville come into view. Autumn looked up to see the new castle and simply remarked "Well, that's new." Suddenly a loud explosion could be heard before a rainbow appeared out of no where. out of instinct both Autumn and moonlight took cover before Autumn remembered what it was. "Come on. That was my friend Rainbow Dash and what we just felt and saw was her sonic rainboom." A pony did THAT? thought Moonlight as he ran after Autumn to catch up. When he finally caught up (Not wanting to take flight due to the uncertainty of somepony watching him) he saw a cyan Pegasus with a rainbow mane in the center of a grassy field. "That, was, AWESOME! I hope somepony saw that awesomeness that was me, Rainbow Dash!" Autumn stepped into the clearing, saying "Oh yah, somepony saw you and it was pretty awesome." The pegasus turned to see Autumn "Autumn! Autumn Wind?! Man, why didn't you tell me you were in town? I haven't seen you in like, 3 months!" "Well, this was not a planed visit but I was hoping you would let a friend of mine crash at your place until he can by his own house." "I'll have to see him, more so since he is a stallion. You know what they did to me that one time I visited Coatson." "I know, I saved you remember? Well one sec. Moonlight! You can come out now!"
Still being shy to the mare that held his fate, Moonlight slowly walked out of the shadows. Moonlight could have sworn he heard one of the mares (Probably both) give a low whistle. Rainbow Dash started to circle him before she looked him strait in they eyes and knew what laid within. "Slim, strong, powerful wings, trained yet calm and scared." said Rainbow "The only way to tell it for you to race me, the fastest flyer in Equestria! The path is around the edge of the feild until you get to the dead tree there. then you take a loop in the everfree forest before coming strait here! I'll let you have a warm up lap."
Rainbow watched Moonlight fly and was impressed by his flying. He started at what Rainbow guessed was His full speed before going strait past the tree like it wasn't even there. during the loop she saw him have a weapon of some kind and used it to swing around a tree without losing speed before shattering his earlier speed, nearing rainboom speeds before reaching the finish line. "That. Was. AWESOME!" Rainbow shouted "I don't even need to race you if you teach me the trick you did in the everfree!" Moonlight just nodded before showing his scythe. "Wait. Your telling me that you used THAT?" Moonlight nodded before saying "I could teach you but I see you more of a wing-blade wielder then a chain scythe. I could also make you one if you know where a forge is nearby." "Will it be that BORING color most weapons are?" Moonlight smiled as both of the girls saw a spark in his eye "Unlike most smiths where they do not know how to make a weapon have a soul, I do. Here, let me demonstrate. Here, hold on to my scythe real fast." He said before handing his scythe to Rainbow "Ventus." The scythe warped out of Rainbow's hoofs and back into Moonlight's "The reason most do not make soul weapons is because the weapon can only be summoned by the master. If the master has died, the weapon will lose its color and be a normal weapon. In fact, you know Luna's weapon? I made it when I was 10 years old."
"Yah, yah" Said Rainbow even though she was obviously interested "Lets just show you where you'll be crashing. But if you see a pink pony, I want you to hide. She will assume that we are dating plus your new so she will start SO many parties. I like getting wasted on spiked cider but not that much!" Moonlight nodded before following Rainbow to her cloud home. "Don't worry about me Moonie." Autumn said after him "I'm just going to see if my home here is still here. Maybe take a nap." As she said that last like both of the mares started to chuckle, as if a memory was made by them by napping.
The Light and the Unknown
To say Rainbows house was nice would be an understatement. A lovely outside and a amazing interior, Rainbow made sure her house was top notch. Hell thought Moonlight Despite her bashful and messy nature it is surprisingly clean. "Now," Rainbow said "one test before I can allow you to sleep here. How are the best flyers in Equestria?"
"Easy, the Wonder Bolts."
"Best book?"
"Daring do."
"Best drink?"
"Though I had to sneak it, Sweet Apple Acres apple cider."
"Final question, who will be the next Wonder Bolt?"
"After careful observation, I would place a good bet you. You are fast, daring and are the only one to be able to do a sonic rainboom. It would be natural for you to join."
"Congrats, you passed." Rainbow said with a smile on her face "Since I do not have a guest room, you will have to sleep on the couch but later today I'll give you a tour. Well, I have work so I'll see you later." Rainbow said as she started for the door. Before she left though, Rainbow paused. "How old are you?" she asked Moonlight.
"17 why?"
"Well, you are legally not allowed to own a home until you are 18. When is your birthday?"
"Now that I think about it, next Sunday."
"Good. Well, Autumn is outside for you. And knowing her, I wouldn't keep her waiting."
Walking outside after Rainbow, Moonlight gasped when he saw Autumn. Her crimson main was pulled back into a ponytail and her white coat practically shined in the sunlight. Her tail was groomed so well that it looked metallic of how it shined. Her slight grin made Moonlight's heart melt.
"Well, are you going to come down or are you going to keep staring?" Autumn said with a knowing smile on her face.
Shaking himself out of it, Moonlight flew down to Autumn. "So," Moonlight said when he landed "what do you what to do?"
"Well," Autumn responded "I want to go to Sugar Cube Corner but a pony lives and works there that will put a dent in you plans to lay low, besides being a party pony."
"Who?"
"The element of laughter, Pinkie Pie."
"Well..."
"... its to risky. But tell you what? We can go for a stroll. I know you wanted to go to sugar cube-" Moonlight said when his mouth was covered by one of Autumns hooves. He looked up to see her smiling.
"That was what I wanted to hear. Risking yourself over a sweet treat would have been stupid." she said "And besides, you know I prefer walks over sitting down."
With a chuckle the couple started down the path...
Many Hours Later...
After a day of walking, small talk, hiding from pinkie (which is harder than it looks) and laughter, Moonlight and Autumn finally decided to rest under a tree to look at the stars. Moonlight started to have his mind drift as he thought Why is it that Lady Luna can't enter my dreams? Because you don't dream. Why is it that they have not told Rainbow about me? Because they fear you. And what about that that theory I read? The one about the cutiemark- Moonlights thoughts were interrupted when Autumn leaned into Moonlight. "Its almost like the old days. Sitting under a tree, stars glittering the sky, and you worrying about something but never sharing it." Autumn said said as she sighed "You haven't changed a bit. A new scar, new skills but the same personality. So, what were you thinking about?"
Moonlight thought for a moment before responding "What did those camera systems find out about you?"
Autumn sighed before saying "I could lie to you but you would catch me. OK, OK. They found out my heat cycle."
"Your what?"
"My heat cycle."
"still can't hear you."
"Sigh. They found out my heat cycle. You can guess what the pervs tried and failed to do. And no, I will not tell you who they are. Knowing you, you would go and kill them."
Moonlight and Autumn turned their attention to the stars as Autumn started to drift off. Moonlight just stayed her ever watchful guardian I will never let them harm you. To you, Autumn Wind, I give you my soul. Do with it as you wish, but accept this gift for I will never leave your side again. Thought Moonlight before he heard a voice sounding like Autumn's in his head. I accept this gift and return it with my own. You didn't think I would feel the same silly? I love you Moonlight. Goodnight. Autumn looked down to see that Autumn was passed out with her hooves around him and a smile on her face. Sighing, realizing he could not get up with out waking her up, he wrapped his wings around them both as he to drifted to sleep. As he fell asleep, the stars and moon shined brighter than they ever have before...
Meanwhile in Canterlot...
Luna had just finished her nightly run when she noticed the moon and stars were too bright. She tried to dim them a little bit but found that she could control them but not their glow. How-who could have done this? It's... beautiful.
The next morning...
Moonlight awoke from his slumber feeling warmer than he should have for sleeping outside. He then noticed the crimson mane on his chest and last nights events can to him. He sighed and lightly nudged Autumn awake. Autumn mumbled "Just one more hour." before Moonlight chuckle woke her up. "Morning Moonlight" she said with a blush starting to form on her face.
"Good morning, Autumn. Nice dreams?" Moonlight responded, already knowing the answer.
"Uh.. Oh I mean yes! Perfect sleep! No dreams about you and I under this tree doing things!"
"You know, for a diplomat, you are a horrible lair."
"OK laugh it up."
"OK, I will. Hahahaha!"
After the two were done laughing their bums off, they decided to go home (or in Moonlights case, Rainbows home) to eat. After explaining to Rainbow Dash where he was last night with leaving out some details Rainbow gave him a propitiation. "OK Moonlight, I know I was told not to tell anypony about you but I went braging of how I saw this bat pony doing awesome moves and summoning a weapon out of nowhere. One of my friends is interested in magic and wants to know how you summoned you weapon being a bat pony and all."
"Who?"
"Princess Twilight Sparkle."
... Ah bucken A Rainbow! "Rainbow, knowing her if I talk to her she will want to know my name, send it to Celestia who will show Lady Luna who will come and try to get me."
"Which is why I told her next week."
"How does that make a difference?"
"You become and adult Sunday and it is Saturday... Buck! Pinkie will know it is you birthday!"
"How-"
"Don't question Pinkie Pie! And if not her then her coltfriend, Cheese will if he is in town! Buck, we did not think this though!"
"So what do I do?"
"Well you have three options. One, wait till tomorrow and run like hell out of town. Two, get out of town today or three, stay for the party and get caught. Though, I am not sure weather or not they can take you back since you will be technically an adult."
Buck my life.
I chose... combat! normal pony with a single hit. You also know when you are out matched as you are with the voice.
"Not what I would have picked but unlike you I did not get a choice in the matter."
Can we get this over with already? I'm suddenly itching for a fight!
"All in due time but since going though the long route of making you make your self down to the smallest cell, I have nine options for you to choice from!"
Man, could you just give me a avatar creator program or something like that?
"I could but then the god Hasbro would banish me from the series."
... What....the... buck was that.
You hear discord whisper "Why is it only pinkie and I know that we are a cartoon and nopony will take us for granted?" You start to tell why he is the spirit of chaos by the amount of sense he puts into what he says or lack there of.
As you start search for a way out three more orbs appear in front of you.
Really? What is it with you and the number three?
"I am going to ignore that comment for now but you have yet another choice my little play thing. Look into the first, cyan one."
You figure that arguing would be pointless and look into it to see three Pegusus flying at great speeds. "A Pegusus. Mind you for each of the races of pony you will have three choices but the peguses are fast flyers, like a bug. On to the next one, the pink orb."
You look into the next orb to see three unicorn casting spells, some of them seaming to be hoofmade. "A unicorn. Intelligent and well equipped magic users thou they are useless if the horn I'd broken or cut off. Time for the last orb, the leaf green one."
You look into the last one to see earth ponies doing everything from bucking trees to smashing bolders "The earth ponies. Strong and durable, I've seen one smashed into the ground by a elder dragon and stand back it to fight. But are completly useless when battleing the supernatural. Well what do you want to be, my little numb skull!"
The light of the darkness
The Dark Whispers would probably kill me for my family secrets and out in the stars in a place like this is likely to get me killed so that leaves that hooded mare I meet earlier. I just hope that it is not worse than the other two. Thought Moonlight as he started for the church of Hasbro. When he got there, finding the trapdoor was not hard as it was just behind some vines from the ruined church. Opening up the door, Moonlight walked into the darkness. Quickly thanking himself for his race's natural night vision, Moonlight look around to see only a blank corridor. Walking on, he began to hear noise, noise that sounded like running around. Prepared to fight if it came down to it, Moonlight did not break his stride and walked on until he open yet another door to find a empty but lit up room. "Now!" is all Moonlight heard before he was hit in the back of the head by the hilt of a sword and blacking out.
? Time Later...
Coming to, Moonlight shook his head to get the sleep from his eyes. "Oh, your awake." said the voice from the figure. Looking up Moonlight's eyes were greeted by the sight of a unicorn mare. She had a white coat and a deep crimson mane. Her eyes were a bright, ocean blue that , like Moonlights eyes, seemed to glow. Her horn is what struck her as different to Moonlight for it had a rune burned on it that he swears he had seen before but cold not remember from where. "I am sorry about hit to the head. The ones on guard were not informed that you could be showing up and if I hadn't showed up you would be dead right now." "May I ask, who are you?" Moonlight asked. The mare chuckled before saying "My name is Autumn Wind but please call me Autumn. And before you ask, the reason I brought you here is to see if you are the one who some how has blocked lady Luna from your dreams. The only thing we know is that it is a Thestral. So Luna will be arriving in three days time to check herself." Just my luck Moonlight thought First I get attacked, then I get invited by my attackers and now lady Luna is- wait, did she just call Luna by 'lady' like most Thestral? "First I need to know your name so we can document this event. We wouldn't want to get you again after we have checked you."
"First I have to ask you two questions." stated Moonlight "First, why did you refer to the princess as 'lady'? And second, have we meet before today? You seem very familiar." sighing, Autumn said "I was raised in a Thestral family as the only unicorn ever born by a Therstral so of course I see lady Luna above Celestia like all Therstral. I can not say for the last one until I know your name."
