The Light Side of the Moon

by Black sun and white mist

Rating: teen
Tags: Shining Armor, Pinkie Pie, Slice of Life, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Cheese Sandwich, Alternate Universe, Nightmare Moon, Romance
Length: 15347

Cheese Sandwich captures corrupted Pinkie Pie in an Alternate Universe ruled by Nightmare Moon in an attempt to find his purpose in life again.

One year ago. That's when everything went wrong. It was the day when the sun never rose and unhappiness took the land by storm. The Elements of Harmony didn't turn Nightmare Moon back into Luna. Instead, the bearers were turned into (mental) copies of Nightmare Moon. The bearers help the tyrant rule with an iron hoof.

Cheese Sandwich is just a regular old party pony. Well, he was. Parties are now outlawed and any pony caught having a party will immediately be put to death. Without parties, Cheese loses his purpose in life and seeks another place to find his destiny again. He accidentally stumbles upon the infamous rebel group called The Cult of the Sun. Cheese sees opportunity and becomes a nightmare hunter. Unfortunately, Cheese's first catch is one of the tyrant's most trusted advisors. Pinkamena Diane Pie.
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I'd like to thank scoots2 for getting me into CheesePie. I owe you one! This is a CheesePie story. There are no other ships.

Published 2014-09-23 05:20:04 UTC
Last updated 2015-08-15 18:15:50 UTC

Prologue

One year ago...

Nightmare Moon wasn't having the best night. Celestia had been easy to defeat. Too bad that wasn't so for a purple unicorn and her five friends. When they had arrived at the castle, Nightmare took the elements. That dumb purple unicorn followed Nightmare and tried to ignite the elements with the so called 'spark.' When that didn't work, Nightmare smashed the element orbs to pieces. Then the purple unicorn's friends came and suddenly the elements appeared on their necks; the purple one had a crown surrounding hers. Right now, the ponies seemed to be floating in air. A big smile formed on the purple unicorn's face and her eyes were glowing a bright white light.

Nightmare started to growl but was cut short when a menacing rainbow came up from the six new bearers and struck down Nightmare Moon. Nightmare screamed. Pain flowed throughout her alicorn body. Tears came rolling down Nightmare's face as she began to realize she was being forced out of her body. She wept in the few seconds she had left but then something happened. Nightmare didn't feel pain anymore. It was replaced by a warm feeling inside her. Suddenly she felt like she could stand up to anything in the world and win.

Nightmare Moon pushed the rainbow back as far as she could. The bearers had shock all over their faces. Even the purple one seemed confused. Nightmare Moon could see a mix of doubt on their faces. Nightmare Moon sent them a menacing smile. Perfect. She gave the rainbow one last push. The rainbow seemed to have bounced off Nightmare and took on a black coloring. The elements gasped before the dark rainbow hit them. Screams of agony and Nightmare's fit of laughter was all that could be heard.

The bearers fell to ground with a loud thump. Nightmare Moon walked over to the bodies. She poked the white one with her hoof and grinned. She had won! The black alicorn bounced around the room like an excited filly before she saw something that shocked her. The bodies of the element bearers were standing. Shock was replaced by fear as Nightmare took a step back from the elements.

All at once, the bearers raised their heads. They opened their eyes and Nightmare Moon saw something she hadn't seen before. All the bearers had irises like hers (except for the color). Five of the elements had their Element of Harmony embedded in their chests. Except the purple one. Her crown-thingy seemed to have melted onto her head. They all wore the same manic grin on their faces. Nightmare turned around immediately to escape. She spread her wings, but before she took to the sky, she heard a voice from behind her.

"Where are you going our queen?" the voice asked. Nightmare moved her head around to see who had said that. The voice came from the purple ringleader.

"What?" Nightmare growled folding her wings.

"Don't leave us," the yellow one pleaded. "Why would you leave your children?"

"Children?" Nightmare asked curiously.

"You made us in your image," the orange one with the stetson declared. "But we will never be as great as you." Now Nightmare Moon was scared. They were tricking her, right? A blue aura surrounded her horn and the bearers. She picked them up in her magic but they didn't protest. In fact, they looked almost comforted. Nightmare cast a truth spell on the ponies. This spell only worked for yes and no questions. She could only use one question so she had to make it worth it. Nightmare thought for a moment and asked her one question.

"Are you telling the truth?" Nightmare asked using her most queen-like voice. It was a simple question but it always worked.

"Yes," all six of them responded. Nightmare blinked. Surely they were lying but the truth spell always worked. That meant they were telling the truth. Nightmare grinned. She kept them in her aura and took to the sky. This was going to be fun.

Cheese Sandwich was in Canterlot throwing the best Summer Sun Celebration he'd ever thrown. Granted, it was the only one but it was still supertastic! Cheese looked at the clock. Only one minute 'till the sun rose. It's showtime. Cheese stepped up to the stage (which he had miraculously built in little time) with Boneless the rubber chicken.

"All right every pony!" Cheese said into his microphone. "It's almost time for our good Princess Celestia to lower the moon and bring up the summer sun!" Everypony cheered. "Let's start counting down!"

"5, 4, 3, 2 ,1," every pony cheered. "Yay!" Cheese turned around to look at the sun but it wasn't up yet. Maybe he had gotten the time wrong. He looked at his wristwatch. It was exactly the time for the sun to be up. Maybe the Princess was late? Was this planned? Cheese turned to the large crowd behind him. They stood silently with their jaws down. Even the royal guards that watched over the party were shocked. Cheese knew that this couldn't be a plan. Cheese stood there looking up at the sky and waited. The crowd did too. They stood there for what seemed like hours.

Eventually, Cheese Sandwich told everybody to go home. He hated to end a party but this was one of those rare times when he had to. All the guests left still in shock. After they left, the tall stallion looked at his wristwatch. It had been a hour since the sun was supposed to come up. Cheese began to worry and, by the looks of it, the guards were too. His Cheesy Sense was picking up a lot and he could feel tons of magic coming from the Everfree forest. To ward off the horrible feeling of sadness, worry, and magical overload, he began to clean up his party. The remaining guards joined in. Cheese took one last look at the dark sky only to find a figure in the distance coming at him fast. He squinted but didn't really need to because the figure knocked right into him seconds later.

The guards ran over to help him and the stranger up. Cheese rubbed his head and opened his eyes. He found a beaten up royal guard when he opened them. The guard was burned and, by the looks of it, tired. Cheese jumped up and walked over to the pegasus royal guard.

"Nightmare… stop… eternal night!" the guard huffed before slipping into the embrace of unconsciousness. Cheese turned his head to one side confused. Nightmare? Eternal night? What? Suddenly, a cackle filled the air. A tall alicorn clad in armor stood on one of the balconies of Canterlot castle. Cheese knew who it was from the fairytales he had heard as a young colt. It was the Mare in the Moon, Nightmare Moon. This wasn't possible! Thinks the stallion who could pull anything just from the air his mind thought.

"Listen here you foals," Nightmare Moon announced. "I am your new queen and you will bow down to me or there will be consequences."

"Like what?" Cheese thought out loud. He immediately covered his mouth but the damage was already done. Cheese Sandwich tried to run away but was picked up in the tyrant's aura. He struggled for a moment until he was face to face with the Queen of Nightmares. Cheese's eyes spotted something behind her or rather six somethings. Two unicorns, two pegasi, and two earth ponies stood behind Nightmare Moon. They were smiling like a party was going on and all their eyes were slits like Nightmare Moon's. Nightmare turned his head back to face her. He heard a loud crack in his neck and pain immediately started.

"What's your name?" the nightmare demanded.

"Cheese Sandwich," he managed to squeak out.

"What a strange name," Nightmare commented. "You must be bullied a lot." Sometimes that was true but Cheese didn't want any pony to know that.

"No," he lied. Nightmare narrowed her eyes. She obviously saw through his poor lie.

"What a pathetic little lie," Nightmare growled. "No pony lies to me!" Cheese felt a spell being cast upon him.

"Did you get bullied?" she asked once again. Cheese couldn't help but tell her the truth.

"I get bullied a lot," he told her. His eyes widened. Why had he said that? Nightmare smiled. She used the most advanced truth spell she knew on this one because the situation called for it.

"What are the things you love most?" she asked finally.

"Parties and my rubber chicken Boneless," Cheese responded pointing to the rubber chicken on his back. Nightmare shot a spell at Boneless and he instantly disintegrated.

"NO!" Cheese cried in pain. Tears fell from his eyes.

"You want more you say?" Nightmare taunted. "I'll give you more. Parties are now and forever forbidden and anyone who disobeys this law will meet the same fate as his little chicken friend." Nightmare Moon put Cheese down. He was shivering and he had a look of pure fear and pain in his eyes. The Canterlot ponies looked on in horror. That alicorn was the real deal.

"Be gone!" Nightmare said with a wave from her hoof. All the Canterlot residents ran to their homes and the remaining ponies (namely tourists) were arrested by Nightmare's six cohorts. All except for Cheese Sandwich. They left him shivering on the ground crying. This was the beginning of the end.

Author's Note

Constructive criticism is welcomed (no cursing please). I'm quite new to writing MLP stories on this website or any website for that matter. I hope you'll stay with me throughout the course of this story. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Dead leaves rustled as Cheese Sandwich's hooves came upon them. His dark poncho and hat made him sink into the night. Cheese lowered his head as he entered the famous Everfree forest. From the stories he had heard, it was the most quiet and secluded part of Equestria. The forest had magical properties. Nothing had wilted in it despite the lack of sunlight. That was great for Cheese; he loved nature and peace. Ever since the Nightmare Moon incident about a year ago, things weren't the same. After what he loved most was destroyed, Cheese spiraled into deep depression. Cheese tried everything he could to get rid of the sadness. His efforts were fruitless. Without parties, he couldn't be happy and he couldn't just get another Boneless. All party supplies had been seized and burned a few days after Nightmare Moon rose to power. Besides, no ordinary rubber chicken could take Boneless' place. The rubber chicken was a gift after all. A gift from a particular pink filly who helped him gain his cutiemark. It's not like his cutiemark was worth anything anymore. No more laughter or fun made his talent utterly useless.

His Cheesy Sense was always off-the-charts. At first, it was painful but had slowly eased to an aching in his leg. Cheese limped into a clearing with a single stump in the middle. He sat down on the stump and put his hooves on his face to think. Deep thinking was bad for a depressed pony like he was. Sometimes, though, it felt good to think. He thought about how that single night in his life had changed him forever. The whirr of machinery whipped him out of his thoughts. Cheese looked around to find the source of the noise. He looked around the clearing with his eyes and ears. The sound seemed to be coming from under him. Suddenly, it popped open and Cheese fell into a hole. There was darkness.

Cheese couldn't tell if his eyes were closed or if it just was plain dark. Suddenly, an image popped in front of him. It was the little pink filly he had met all those years ago. Cheese remembered how he developed his first crush on the mare even though he didn't know her. Cheese reached his forelegs out to hug the filly but every time he tried, she would poof farther from his reach. He cried out to her. Cheese broke into a sprint to try and catch up to her. When he tried, he fell into a black abyss.

Cheese woke up in a cold sweat. The first thing that came into his mind was one question. 'What was that dream about?' He hadn't thought about that stuff in a while. Weird. The next thing he thought was 'Who the heck is this?' A stallion with electric blue hair, an eyepatch, and a shield cutiemark was right in his face. Cheese was in a steel room with a long window on one of the walls. He was tied in chains. Cheese started to sweat after the stallion wouldn't look away.

"What!?" Cheese Sandwich finally exclaimed after a few uncomfortable minutes.

"What do you mean 'what'?" a different stallion said as he walked into the room. "You know why you're here."

"No," Cheese responded. "I don't."

"Why you little..." the stallion growled. He then jumped over the table and grabbed the front of Cheese's shirt.

"Cow Spots, stop!" the stallion with the blue mane told the other stallion. "Leave." Cow Spots turned and left with a humph! Cheese couldn't take it anymore.

"Cow Spots?!" Cheese laughed. It hurt so much but it was worth it. He hadn't laughed in so long. The blue-maned stallion glared at Cheese with his one eye. Cheese immediately stopped. This stallion meant business.

"State your name," the one-eyed stallion commanded.

"Oh, um…" Cheese wondered because he forgot his name for a moment. "Cheese Sandwich!"

"What kind of codename is that?"

"It's not a codename."

"You're lying."

"No I'm not!" Cheese retorted. The one-eyed stallion motioned a nervous looking unicorn into the room.

"Perform the spell," the stallion told the unicorn. Light flowed from the unicorn's horn. Cheese felt a spell being put over him. One that felt all too familiar. "Now, what's your name?"

"Cheese Sandwich," Cheese blurted.

"Were you sent by Nightmare Moon?"

"No."

"Do you know how you found us?"

"No." The white stallion nodded toward the unicorn. The unicorn scampered out of the room.

"My name is Shining Armor," the white stallion told Cheese.

"Nice… to… meet…you?" Cheese responded questioningly. Shining Armor lit his horn, untied Cheese's chains, and motioned his hoof to the door. Cheese ran out to find a room filled with engravings of one thing: the sun. Shining Armor walked out from behind him.

"Follow me," Shining Armor said. Cheese startled and followed the stallion. Shining Armor led him down a long hall (also filled with the sun images) and entered a large room. In the room were ponies running around doing their jobs. Cheese looked up to find a large mural of the sun on its dome-shaped roof. This room was… great! Cheese smiled. A smile was also something he hadn't done in a while. Shining Armor stood next to him with a quiet smile on his face.

"Welcome to the Cult of the Sun," Shining remarked. Cheese turned towards Shining Armor.

"What's the Cult of the Sun?" Cheese asked.

"The Cult of the Sun is a rebellion… excuse me… organization that is devoted to bringing back the day and taking down Nightmare Moon," Shining told Cheese. "I'm its founding member."

"Why'd you start it?" Cheese asked.

"I began this organization because I lost two important things to me: my sister and my lover," Shining answered. Now Cheese didn't think his two things were important. Cheese didn't know how Shining Armor lost them but Cheese didn't push further.

"I want to join," Cheese asked.

"Are you positive?" Shining asked surprised. Surely this skinny stallion with a cheese accordion cutiemark didn't want to join a hardcore rebel group?

"I want to join," Cheese demanded.

"Okay," Shining shrugged. Shining picked up some papers and shuffled through them. "We have an opening as a nightmare hunter. We're running short."

"What's a nightmare hunter?" Cheese asked.

"You ask too many questions," Shining remarked. "A nightmare hunter is somepony who goes and catches Nightmare Moon's creatures and army members."

"Oh."

"Do you want the job?"

"I guess so…" Cheese said digging his hoof into the ground.

"Your training begins at 8 a.m. in the training room over there" Shining pointed to a door. "Don't be late." Shining walked out of the large room briskly. Cheese glanced at the clock. 8 a.m. was only five minutes away.

"Oh no…"

Pinkamena glared at the idiot pony who expected the Queen to let his wife out of jail.

"I don't care about your wife," the Queen said firmly. "My word is final."

"I know," the stallion reasoned, "but I need the love of my life back. Please!" The stallion looked around the room into the eyes of the Queen's advisors. It was obvious he was trying to get sympathy from them. Pinkamena let her eyes darken. When the stallion looked into her eyes, he took a step back. Pinkamena grinned. It was great to see the fear on his face.

"MY WORD IS FINAL," the Queen shouted. "Get him out of my sight." The guards ran up and gripped his legs. The stallion struggled for a while but finally broke free.

"Let my wife go!" he yelled. The stallion lunged at the Queen. Pinkamena stood up to stop him but the stallion was already caught in a purple aura. He was turned toward Nightmare Moon's chief advisor.

"Should I dispose of him my Queen?" Twilight Sparkle asked.

"No," Nightmare told Twilight. "He deserves something special." Nightmare Moon took the stallion in her magical aura and turned him so that he was looking into the turquoise slits of Nightmare's eyes. The nightmare laughed and threw him to the ground. The stallion was wheezing.

"His wife gets five more years in jail," the Queen told the guards, "and take him to the Isolation Dungeons."

Before the stallion left he yelled one thing. "You'll be sorry!" Pinkamena heard the Queen scoff.

"That's what they all say," the Queen laughed. Pinkamena sat back down disappointed. She always wanted to be able to give out the punishments. Pinkamena couldn't deny her Queen though.

"Is that the last one for today?" the air strike general, Rainbow Dash, asked in her most commanding voice.

"Yes," the Queen replied simply. The Queen stood up and walked out of the room with political papers in her magic. Twilight Sparkle quickly followed.

"Kiss-up," Pinkamena muttered. She hated working with that purple unicorn every night.

"Like you don't, Butt-kisser," ground attack general, Applejack, replied. Pinkamena narrowed her slitted eyes.

"It's called rising up in rank," Pinkamena growled.

"Please," the countess, Rarity, told her. "You are hopelessly lost. That makes sense as you are the former Element of Laughter." Everypony laughed. Rarity had a smirk on her face.

"I hate you," Pinkamena spat.

"We hate you too," Rainbow Dash retorted. The ponies in the room laughed again and walked out. Pinkamena growled loudly. She hated them with the light of a thousand moons. Pinkamena hated it when they teased her about her former self. Why did her old self she have to be so peppy? She walked into the castle's hallway towards the hospital at the far end. Medic Fluttershy is what it said on the door in front of Pinkamena. She stepped in to find a yellow pegasus mare treating the Canterlot forces.

"Good evening Pinkie!" Fluttershy smiled. Fluttershy was the only one who ever called Pinkamena by her old name and the only bearer who never went to political meetings. This outburst had unfortunately caused a chorus of laughter from the local army. Pinkamena glared at them and they instantly quieted.

"Good evening Fluttershy," Pinkamena told her back. Fluttershy gave the dark pink pony a hug before flying off to the next patient. Fluttershy was the only one of the Queen's advisors that Pinkamena didn't hate.

"What's been going on?" Fluttershy asked.

"Oh you know," Pinkamena started, "same old, same old."

"They were teasing you again weren't they?" Fluttershy asked with concern.

"You know they were," Pinkamena told her.

"I'm sorry Pinkie," Fluttershy apologized.

"Don't apologize," Pinkamena snapped. "It's just tough love." Fluttershy shrank down to the floor. Pinkamena wanted to comfort her and tell her it was ok. She pushed that thought back. Pinkamena was supposed to be the general of the elite spy team for pete's sake! She needed to stay tough. The door slammed open. One of Pinkamena's scouts stood there. The scout's name was Ditzy Doo but her codename was 'Derpy Hooves'. Derpy was stationed in Ponyville to spy on the residents in case of a revolt. The scout seemed unsuspicious due to her strangely crossed eyes. She was the perfect spy.

"Ma'am," Derpy said saluting to Pinkamena.

"At ease," Pinkamena told Derpy. Derpy relaxed and pulled out an important looking letter. She hoofed it to Pinkamena for her to read. The letter was enthralling. It had all the information that Pinkamena was looking for. She gave a nod to Derpy. Derpy smiled and flew off into the night sky.

"Interesting news, Pinkie?" Fluttershy asked looking over Pinkamena's shoulder.

"Oh, it's something," Pinkamena grinned. The letter contained intel; apparently the Cult of the Sun's hideout had been found. Pinkamena wanted to take this mission for herself. She could leave in just a week to find them! Excitement flowed through her body. She finally could sate her thirst for justice. She would do her Queen proud.

Author's Note

I was so excited, I finished this in about two hours. Hehe.

Chapter 2

"You sure he's ready?" Shining Armor asked the nightmare hunter training boss, Crying Night .

"He'll be fine," Crying Night responded. They both glanced at Cheese. The orange stallion was fumbling around with the weapons. Shining winced.

"He could die out there, you know?" Shining reminded the trainer. "Most likely from himself with all those weapons."

"We'll just give him some catching equipment and send him off on his merry way," Crying Night. "I promise not to give him any weapons." Shining rubbed his chin in thought.

"All right," Shining said. "Just watch him and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

"Doing something stupid is probably his cutiemark," Crying Night mumbled. Shining shot him a glare. "I'm just tellin' the truth!"

"Just watch," Shining ordered.

"Yes, sir!" Crying Night said saluting. Shining seemed satisfied enough. The white stallion walked out of the doorway. Immediately after he left, Crying Night smirked. He was going to have fun.

"So you're going to help me with my first catch?" Cheese asked popping up out of nowhere by the trainer.

"Gah!" Crying Night exclaimed. "How many times have I told you not to do that?"

"Uh…12," Cheese shrugged. "...today."

"Just don't do it again," Crying Night scolded for the 13th time. "And in answer to your first question, yes, I will help you." Cheese smiled. He had taken a liking to the nightmare trainer. Too bad the trainer didn't return the favor. "We start right now."

"Great," Cheese commented trying to contain his excitement.

"Here's some catching equipment and a knife." Crying Night told Cheese as he handed him the gear. "Let's roll." The two ponies exited the hideout (Cheese still had trouble finding his way out because he was so new.)

"The Everfree forest is great for finding monsters," Crying Night remarked. "Let's set-up the trap." Crying Night ran a long cord from one tree to another. He then laid a Sun Disk on the ground and turned it on. "You see kid, the monster will trip over the rope, land on the Sun Disk, and get utterly immobilized by the Sun Disk's stunning ability."

"Cool," Cheese commented. Cheese's body language screamed nervousness and excitement. It was a strange mix of emotions in Crying Night's opinion.

"Don't be so nervous, kid," Crying Night slapped Cheese's back.

"Nervous? What makes you think I'm nervous?" Cheese stuttered.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's your body language or the fact that you're sweating pools?"

"Heh"

"I was nervous on my first hunt too," Crying told Cheese. "You'll get used to it."

"I sure hope so."

After a few minutes of silence, Crying finally said something, "I, er, have to go to the... bathroom! Yeah bathroom... Stay here and don't move."

"Ok," Cheese responded without taking his eyes off of the trap.

"I'll just... be going," Crying Night stuttered. Crying ran through some bushes to get back to the stump entrance of the hideout. Let's just see how he does with real-life nightmare hunting. Crying laughed hard at the thought of Cheese coming back all rustled and a bit traumatized. Shining would be so mad at him but Crying would do anything for a good laugh. It was just so boring in the hideout.

Cheese began to worry after Crying Night didn't come back for a while but he couldn't go and find the trainer because Crying told him to stay still. Cheese couldn't disobey the trainer so he just sat there staring at the trap. After a few hours or so, Cheese's eyes began to droop. He hadn't slept much the past week because of all the training. Maybe he should take a little nap. Cheese dozed off into dreamland.

Cheese was pulled out of his dreams when he heard a buzzing sound. Cheese squealed with delight. That meant the trap had been tripped. Crying Night would be so proud. He hopped over the bush he was hiding behind. To his surprise, a pony laid in front of Cheese. A mare for that matter and a pink one too. Her body was skinny and her coat seemed almost faded. Her straight mane and tail were a darker pink in comparison with her body. Cheese was confused. Sun Disks were only set off when they sensed evil. How could this mare be evil?

As Cheese neared the mare, he could hear her cursing under her breath. So, that wasn't quite evil. He would be cursing too if he got stunned. Cheese reached over and touched the mare's shoulder. The cursing stopped abruptly. He turned the pink mare over and found what truly made her evil. Her blue slitted eyes and jewel in her chest identified her. She was part of the Nightmare Army and ranked highly too. Only the top ranks of the Nightmare Army got jewels in their chests. The mare's eyes grew dark but she didn't say a word.

Cheese got excited. His first catch was a doozy. Cheese laid the mare on the ground and took a step back. He reached from behind the bushes to get a metal cube. He turned it on, threw it by the mare, and the cube instantly transformed into a glowing blue cage. Cheese threw a ball at the mare and chains wrapped all around her body and stripped her of the stuff she carried. The stun should wear off soon enough but she still wouldn't be able to get out. Cheese took a look at the pink mare's gear. He had no idea what any of it did but he'd bring it along anyway. The mare struggled in the chains.

"It's no use trying to escape," Cheese told the mare. The stun seemed to have lost its effects and just in time too. Cheese barely noticed her jewel light up a dark green. A shot of lightning came out of the jewel and it just barely missed Cheese.

"Whoa," Cheese exclaimed noticing the burnt marks to the side of him. "You are a prize!" Can all of the ponies with chest jewels do that too? Oh wow! Cheese took a strap and weaved it around the bars of the cage and his body. He then proceeded to start pulling the cage to the stump.

"Oops," Cheese said embarrassed. "Almost forgot." He took a piece of cloth and wrapped it around the mare's eyes. "We wouldn't want you to see where the hideout was now would we?"

Cheese walked through the halls of the hideout confidently. Sure, he drew the stares of passing ponies but he was proud of his catch. He was about to walk into the room that connected to Shining Armor's office until he heard a familiar voice.

"I dropped that sucker," Crying Night boasted to a pegasus stallion unaware of the eavesdropping Cheese Sandwich. "I can't wait to see the look on his face when he comes back!"

"That was a smart move," the other pegasus remarked. "Did you see how skinny he was? He couldn't last a day."

"I know," Crying Night sighed. "Shining Armor made me take him in."

"And what about his ridiculous name?" the pegasus asked already knowing the answer.

"Cheese Sandwich is quite a weird name and I've heard some weird names," Crying admitted. Cheese couldn't believe what he was hearing. A mix of emotions went through him. First sadness, then anger, then disappointment. Finally, Cheese decided to show off his prize. He moved the blindfold off of the mare's face and to her mouth. He also removed a little of the chains exposing her chest jewel. Standing up tall, Cheese walked into the room. The two stallion's conversation ended immediately and as he passed by, their jaws dropped. With a humph and a flick of his tail Cheese slammed the door to Shining's office.

Shining Armor had mountains of paper on his desk. Shining's focus was completely on a important piece of paper.

"Yes?" Shining asked irritated.

"You won't believe what I caught today sir!" Cheese enthusiastically said.

Shining sighed. "I don't have time for this Cheese. I just got word in that Nightmare Moon's top spy is on their way. The spy could be walking among us now and we wouldn't even know it."

"Oh, but please?" Cheese pleaded. Shining made a quick glance at Cheese's catch, then back to his papers, and then back to Cheese's catch. Shining's eyes grew wide but quickly turned into a dark glare directed at the pink mare Cheese caught. The mare returned the favor.

"Long time, no see," Shining Armor growled as he used his magic to take off the cloth from the mare's mouth. "Come to apologize?" The pink mare spat at Shining's hooves.

"You've met this pony before?" Cheese asked confused.

"Yes I have," Shining turned to Cheese. "She's the one who took my sister and my love. She's also one of Nightmare Moon's lackeys. Isn't that right, Pinkie Pie?"

"Don't call me that," the pink mare growled. "You know better than to trifle with me! I should have executed you when I got the chance!" The pink mare's jewel lit up green and it shot a beam at Shining. Shining easily dodged it.

"And yet you didn't," Shining taunted. "Letting me go was a mistake. I will be your downfall!" Shining slammed one of his forelegs into the mare's face. Cheese stood watching in horror as Shining struck more blows.

"Shining stop!" Cheese yelled finally. Cheese stepped in front of Shining Armor to stop him. Shining took a step back with a tear running down his face.

"Take this mare to the infirmary," Shining instructed covering his face, "And put a magic-blocking collar on her." Cheese immediately obeyed and ran out of the room with the pink mare. Shining sat back down and rubbed his good eye. You'll get your chance he thought.

Pinkamena struggled in her chains. She fired blast after blast from her jewel. Nothing seemed to work. Pinkamena mentally kicked herself for getting into this situation. In her haste, she failed to recognize the trip wire and the Sun Disk. It embarrassed her even more that a new nightmare hunter caught her. Pinkamena fired more blasts to get her anger out. She finally had to give up because her elemental magic was drained. Finally, the stallion who had captured her entered the room with a nervous looking pony in scrubs. Pinkamena had heard armor-butt say his name was Cheese. Cheese was carrying a metal collar in his hooves.

"Hi Pinkie!" Cheese said enthusiastically. "I'm Cheese!" Pinkamena said nothing in return. She didn't want to give up any information after all. "This doctor here will treat your injuries."

"What caused her injuries?" the doctor asked.

"Um," Cheese droned. "She fell?" The doctor looked at him suspiciously but didn't push any further.

"Put on the collar first, Mr.Sandwich," the doctor ordered. Ahah! Pinkamena got his last name. Now she could make sure the skinny stallion was punished as soon as she escaped.

"Ok," Cheese responded simply. He reached over to put the collar on Pinkamena's neck. Pinkamena reached deep into her magic reserves. She found just enough to send a distress signal to the other bearers. Fluttershy was probably the only one who would care but that was enough. Her jewel glowed a faint green. The doctor saw this and took a step back but Cheese continued to put the collar on her neck. Her jewel immediately stopped glowing and Pinkamena felt weak. All her magic was now blocked. It felt like a kick to the stomach. She really hoped the others got the signal. Pinkamena was so worn out that she didn't pay any mind to the doctor checking her injuries. Darkness ate at her eyes and Pinkamena slipped into unconsciousness.

Applejack was walking down the corridor to her daily political meeting. Rainbow Dash was flying by her side.

"'Ah haven't seen Pinkamena in a while," Applejack commented. "Do ya think she left?"

"Maybe," Rainbow Dash responded in her gravelly voice. "Who cares anyway?" Applejack lit up her chest jewel and sent her a message. "We need her for the plan idiot!"Applejack berated Rainbow. Rainbow Dash only rolled her eyes and sighed. Rainbow's jewel lit up to reply. "I know. I just wish we didn't!"Rainbow retorted. Applejack stopped abruptly and glared with her green slitted eyes at Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash did the same. Their faces almost touched. It lasted for minutes until their jewels lit up. It was a distress signal. From Pinkamena.

"Oh crud," Rainbow said. Applejack broke into a quick run towards the throne room while Rainbow Dash flew. They slammed the doors open to find that Twilight Sparkle was already there giving the news to the Queen, Nightmare Moon.

"We need to find her," Twilight explained to the Queen quickly.

"Did she tell you where her location was?" the Queen asked.

"No my Queen," Twilight responded.

"That's unfortunate," the Queen muttered. "We need to find Pinkamena right away! We need her to infiltrate the Griffon Kingdom with her excellent spy skills!" The Queen walked out of the throne room, barely noticing Rainbow and Applejack. After she left Fluttershy entered along with a very tired looking Rarity.

We need to find her!" Rarity hissed through her jewel.

"I hope she's ok," Fluttershy worried.

"I really don't care for her," Rainbow Dash said, "But we need her for the plan!"

"We've been working on the plan for months!" Applejack complained. "All our hard work, gone!"

"Quiet every pony," Twilight spat. "Stop cluttering up my element with all your complaining! We'll find her. Meet me at 12 a.m. in the castle's library."

"Why do you get to choose the spot to meet?" Rainbow Dash complained. Twilight glared at Rainbow.

12 a.m. in the castle library," Twilight growled. "Be there."Twilight swished her tail as she left the room. All the other bearers took one last look at each other and went their separate ways. All the bearers were mad at Twilight but Fluttershy wasn't. How could she be mad when her best friend was missing? Worry and fear waltzed about her mind. "Please be ok,"Fluttershy thought to herself.

Author's Note

I thought of the idea that they could communicate through their elements because they're all connected. And some of them call them jewels because they like it better then element. All that aside, I'm excited about this chapter. It was fun writing about Shining Armor losing control. Hope you all like it! Questions? Constructive Criticism? Or just chatting? Comment!

Chapter 3

With a loud clang, Pinkamena's cell door slid open. Pinkamena looked up to find the accursed stallion who had captured her standing there.

"I see you're awake, Pinkie," the stallion who's name was 'Cheese' said. Pinkamena growled.

"My name is Pinkamena," Pinkamena muttered with her head on her makeshift pillow.

"Oops," Cheese exclaimed. "Sorry Pinkamena." Pinkamena returned to her sulking on her bed. After a few uncomfortable minutes of Cheese standing there, Pinkamena grew irritated.

"What is it that you want?" Pinkamena snapped at Cheese. Cheese took a step back from her outburst. Pinkamena grinned at the show of fear but her satisfaction quickly left. She remembered that her death was to come soon. After all, she had been there a week and nothing had happened to her yet. Not even one negotiation. That fool Shining Armor probably sent Cheese to deliver her to execution.

"I…um…came to…show you around the hideout," Cheese stammered. Nervousness was plastered all over his face.

"Why?" Pinkamena asked suspiciously.

"Uh…"

Earlier...

"Cheese Sandwich!" Shining yelled. "Get in here!" Cheese scrambled into the office wondering why Shining Armor had called him.

"Yes, sir?" Cheese asked frightened. He was still in a state of shock after he saw what Shining Armor did to the mare known as 'Pinkie'.

"I would like to apologize for what I did to that mare," Shining said reluctantly. "What I did was wrong and a young colt like you shouldn't have seen that." Cheese heard an added in, "Even though she deserved it,"from Shining.

"I have to go to nightmare hunter training," Cheese said quickly. He ran to the door but it slammed shut. Cheese turned around back to Shining.

"You don't have training anymore," Shining stated simply.

"Why not?" Cheese asked disappointed. "Did I get cut?"

"No," Shining said. "I want you to try something different." Cheese cocked his head in confusion. "I want you to make friends with your catch."

"No thank you," Cheese said shaking his head. "I'm not ready to handle her and she kinda scares me."

"I didn't ask you a question," Shining told him. "By making friends with her, she'll give out important pieces of information about Nightmare Moon and her plans for the future. You seem like the type of pony who can make friends with any pony."

"But," Cheese explained, "I haven't been able to make a friend in about a year. I'm out of practice."

"I believe you're the pony for this task," Shining said. "Your cutiemark obviously represents something happy. If you make her happy and get some information, you'll be doing all of Equestria good." Cheese looked into Shining's one eye.

"Yes," Cheese sighed. "I'll do it but it doesn't feel right."

"I'm telling you it's the right thing to do," Shining ordered. Shining used his magic to open the door once again. "Now get to it." Cheese shambled out of the door with his head lowered. Shining sighed and slid back into his chair. He should have felt awful about something like this but he knew it was right. Eventually, the pink monster would find out about Shining's plan but not until he got all the information he needed. He will crush the pink menace's psyche and relish in his revenge. He'd even get his chance at Nightmare Moon's weak spot. All Shining had to do was wait.

"Is any pony there?" Pinkamena said waving her hoof in front of Cheese's face. He had been staring into space for the past five minutes and Pinkamena wanted him to answer her question.

"Huh?" Cheese said absently.

"I said wake up doofus!" Pinkamena exclaimed. Cheese snapped out of it with a start.

"Sorry," he apologized. "What was the question again?"

"Why do you want to give me a tour of the Cult of the Sun's hideout?" Pinkamena growled irritated. "Don't you realize I'm dangerous or are you just plain stupid?"

"I thought you needed to get out of this dusty room," Cheese answered, "And I think I'm a tad insane." Pinkamena felt something in her heart area. What was it? Was that… laughter? Pinkamena was horrified at the idea. She tugged at her magic-blocking collar awkwardly.

"No," Pinkamena told him. "I don't want to." She thought that a walk through her enemies' hideout was a great idea. The problem was the stallion who asked. He made Pinkamena feel laughter. She had to stay far away from him.

"Oh," Cheese responded poking his hoof at the ground. "Ok."

"Now leave," Pinkamena demanded. Cheese walked out of her cell and shut the door, leaving Pinkamena with her thoughts.

Cheese felt bad about how Pinkamena had reacted to his request. Shining Armor would feel disappointed. At least Cheese tried, right? Now he wouldn't have to be near that grouchy mare anymore. He was pleased by this but a thought quickly zoomed into his head. Cheese needed to do this. It wasn't just for Shining Armor or even for Equestria. It was for Pinkamena. Cheese was going to make her laugh even if it killed him. It probably would but he didn't care. For the first time in a year, he had a purpose. Cheese walked down the long steel hallway with a wide smile on his face. The ponies he passed by looked at him with confusion.

Author's Note

Sorry that this chapter isn't of its usual length. It took me a while on how I was going to present the idea and it turned out short. Oh well. I would also like to thank all the people that favorited and/or liked my story. You rock guys! Expect another chapter soon!

Chapter 4

It was dinnertime at the hideout and Cheese Sandwich was as hungry as a horse. Due to the limited supply of food, the Cult of the Sun gave out very little food. The Cult's scouts would send down what little food they could scavenge and it usually wasn't very much. Crops don't grow well under moonlight. However, the cooks always seemed to find a way to make the food delicious and filling. The food had to be filling because they only got to eat every few days.
Unfortunately, Cheese wasn't here to eat. He was here on a mission. A mission to gain Pinkamena's trust. Cheese had tried numerous attempts to get closer to her. All of his tries had been fruitless. It always ended in either a growl or something being thrown at him. Cheese decided he was going a bit too big with the trust stuff. Smaller was what was needed. He looked down at his small lunch. A carrot, some bread, and a cupcake. Cheese didn't want to miss the chance to eat the rare delicacy of a dessert but sacrifices must be made.
He walked into the containment center of the hideout. Cheese quickly stuffed the food into an air pocket in his curly mane.
"Good night, Everdawn!" Cheese exclaimed to the light orange secretary pony. "Just here for my nightly visit." She only grunted. Everdawn was used to seeing him and she didn't care anymore that the lanky orange stallion walked right in. Cheese casually strolled past Everdawn's desk.
Cheese looked up at the different hall numbers. The Cult of the Sun had ten hallways for the cells of the convicts and creatures they had captured. Cheese walked past the nine halls and ended up at Pinkamena's hall. Hall number 0. This hall was reserved for the most dangerous nightmares and was restricted to everypony except for a few select guards and the ponies who had permission from the higher ranks.
Cheese flashed a smile at one of the stone-like guards. The guard didn't even blink. Cheese sighed. He'd have to work on the guards sometime but this wasn't the time. Creatures of all sorts growled as Cheese walked by. Cheese was used to the enraged creatures. He was proud that didn't even flinch anymore.
With a sharp turn, Cheese headed for the Element containers. Apparently, the Cult of the Sun had the cells built to "accommodate" ponies like Pinkamena. He stepped up to Pinkamena's sliding steel door but before he could open it, he found Pinkamena's meal with a note."To be given to Prisoner 839." Cheese thought it was silly to give a real pony a number. Why couldn't they just call the criminal ponies by their real names? That would sure make them happier.

Pinkamena's meal consisted of gray, bubbling...stuff. Cheese leaned down to sniff the foul looking stuff. It smelled as bad as it looked. Cheese crinkled his nose and took a step back. Was this even real food? Cheese picked up the note and cocked his head to the side. Suddenly, the most brilliant idea appeared in his head. Cheese grinned and took out a pencil from his tail (no pony knows how he can store it like that). This idea was sure to give Pinkamena a push into trusting him.

Pinkamena stared at the ceiling and sighed. She was so hungry. When was that wretched food going to get here? Without turning her head, Pinkamena heard her steel door open, something being slid her way, and the immediate closing of her steel door again. All of it happened in a matter of seconds. Pinkamena moved her head to the side to find her tray of food. Due to the lack of light in the room, she had to squint to see it. What she found was not the usual bubbly stuff but a carrot, bread, and something that was strange. It was a cupcake. Cupcakes were illegal in Equestria because they were party related. How did the Cult acquire such a thing and why was all this good food being given to her?
Pinkamena rose from her bed and headed towards the tray. As she got closer, she discovered a note. It was standing on its edges. Pinkamena saw her name printed on the front in the most beautiful mouth writing she had ever seen. She picked up the note and threw it on her bed. She gobbled down the carrot and bread until only the cupcake was left.
Pinkamena glared at the icing-covered atrocity. It was against all of her morals to eat such a thing. She nosed it to set it off to the side so it could rot but in the process, she got a whiff of the cupcake. Pinkamena reared back and covered her nose. It smelled...good. Pinkamena was expecting it to smell like the garbage it was supposed to be. She sniffed at it and decided it would be best to eat it. For research, of course. Pinkamena snorted. She sounded like that stupid purple unicorn back at the castle.

She devoured the cupcake in mere seconds. Pinkamena wiped the icing off of her face. Cupcakes were better than she had been told. Once her fellow elements came and rescued her, she would have to talk to the Queen about bringing back cupcakes. Pinkamena plopped back down onto her bed and patted her stomach, satisfied but still wondering about why her enemies had showed her such kindness. She took the tray note and set it to the side. Her eyes drooped and she soon fell into a peaceful sleep. Unbeknownst to her, the jewel on her chest glowed a soft blue.

Cheese smiled as he watched Pinkamena eat on the security camera screen. Once she finished, Cheese turned around and silently headed towards the door not wanting to wake up the guards. Once Cheese was out, he released a deep sigh. Pinkamena actually ate the illegal dessert he had given her. It was too bad that she didn't read the note he'd included, but it was still nice to see Pinkamena eating his food.
"She actually kinda looks cute when she's eating,"Cheese thought affectionately. His eyes widened when he realized what he had thought. Cheese shook his head wondering where in the wide world of Equestria it had come from. Oh well. It didn't matter. What mattered was that he successfully took his first step towards his end goal.

Cheese walked into his dorm. Most of the stallions in the dorm were sleeping so Cheese quietly slinked into his room. He walked over to his table and ran a hoof through his hair. The food Pinkamena should have originally ate sat on the table in front of Cheese. With a deep breath, Cheese plunged his face into the foul 'food' and began to suck down the fluid. Gasping for air, he lifted his head up after he sucked most of it down. Cheese heard a growl coming from his stomach and realized that maybe it wasn't the best idea to drink the 'food'. Cheese headed for his sink groaning. He looked into his mirror to find that his eyes had bags under them and he was practically green. Cheese hobbled over to his bed and passed out.

"He's got food poisoning all right," a doctor said to Shining Armor. Shining was hunched over Cheese's bed. Cheese himself was groaning with pain. Cheese didn't appear for training so Shining had come to get him. To Shining's dismay, Cheese was the poster colt for sickness.
"How could he have gotten it?" Shining thought aloud. "All of our cooks check the food before it goes out."
"I don't know," the doctor replied, "but it definitely is food poisoning."
"Is he going to be okay?" Shining asked concerned. The doctor turned to him and saw something written on Shining's face that the doctor had never seen on him before. Worry.
"He just needs some bed rest," the doctor told Shining confidently. Shining nodded and the doctor took it as a sign that his job was done. Shining listened to the doctor's echoing footsteps as he walked away. Cheese groaned once more. Shining rubbed Cheese's arm. Cheese seemed to relax considerably. Shining didn't know what it was about the lanky stallion but Shining had taken a liking to Cheese. He began to think of Cheese as a brother. It was strange because Shining hadn't known Cheese for very long but something felt right to trust Cheese. Shining knew that Cheese wouldn't let him down. Especially with his mission.
Shining turned to walk out the door but not without one last glance at the sick pony. The white stallion felt something he hadn't for a year. Love and happiness. Shining walked out and put on a silent smile.

Author's Note

After putting Shining in a villainous light, I thought that I should show him as something more than a revenge-bent psychopath. Eh. I think I like villain Shining better. Oh well. Constructive criticism is welcomed as always!

Chapter 5

Pinkamena yawned loudly. She just slept the best she had in a year. "Better check the scout reports,"Pinkamena thought blankly. Then, realization hit her like a rock. A sigh escaped her mouth as she remembered that she was stuck in a cold cell. Her early night routine had not yet been broken, even after a week-and-a-half in this wretched place. Her stay wasn't made better thanks to the stallion, named Cheese Sandwich, who kept on bothering her. Every time, she turned the persistent stallion down. He came every night but didn't come yesterday. It struck Pinkamena as odd.

Pinkamena rolled over her bed to get to the floor. She heard a crackling sound from under her. Reaching a hoof behind her back, Pinkamena found the paper from last night's meal. She ran a hoof over the delicate mouth-writing. There was something written in the folded piece of paper. It caught Pinkamena's eye. She ran her eyes over the writing.

Hi Pinkamena! My name's Cheese Sandwich (if you don't already know). I'm that pony who comes and keeps you company!

I hope you don't think I'm harassing you or anything so I thought I'd take a step back to gaining your trust and friendship. You may have received an unusual meal compared to your typical pris... I mean short-staying room meal. This meal is a little gift from me. That's what friends do after all. I hope my kindness has at least inspired you because you haven't been the peppiest pony. Heh. Anyway, enjoy your meal!

-Cheese Sandwich

Friendship? Kindness? What a joke! Pinkamena snorted. Friendship is just another way of seducing ponies. What kind of pony does that lanky stallion think she is? Why need friendship and kindness when you have the magic of ten unicorns and nice, strong hooves? Pinkamena threw an uppercut into the air for practice. "Still got it,"Pinkamena thought shining her hooves with her elbow. Missing a week of fight training really took its toll but her skills hadn't changed in the period of time she was contained. If she couldn't use her magic, she'd punch and kick her way out.

Pinkamena walked towards her steel doors. With newfound confidence, she punched at the steel bars. It made a loud clang and a small dent appeared. She smirked and threw a barrage of jabs at one steel bar. Eventually, the steel gave way to Pinkamena's strength. She turned her attention to another one of the bars and continued the punches. One by one, each bar broke. A hole was left in the door. Pinkamena stepped through the door.

Pinkamena gave a hearty maniacal laugh as her hooves touched the floor outside of her prison. She then broke into a a quick trot. She followed the signs to get out of the so called 'containment center'. A loud alarm rang in her ear. So, they found she had escaped, huh? Pinkamena smirked. If they wanted a chase, she'd give a chase.

Everdawn lifted up a quill with her magic and began to scribble down notes on the prisoner's conditions. Prisoner 1- Secure. Prisoner 2- Secure. Prisoner...As she was writing them down, a whirlwind of pink swept past her desk. Everdawn looked down the hall and gasped. She turned her chair around and slammed a red button. An alarm rang out. Prisoner 839- Escaped.Everdawn chewed on her hooves. That menace, Pinkamena, had escaped.

Pinkamena raced towards the Cult of the Sun's hideout exit, knocking down everything in her way. Ponies, equipment, it didn't matter. She had to get out. Her ears were filled with the screams of ponies, the hooves of the guards chasing her, and the ringing siren. Pinkamena wanted to cover her ears but that was not her top priority.

The guards were catching up fast. Pinkamena slowed to a screeching halt. The guards continued on. The guards turned around when they passed the escaped convict but it was too late. Pinkamena bucked them with her hind legs as hard as she could. She sent them tumbling into the walls. Each had an injury of some kind.

The ladder to the surface came into view and Pinkamena's heart leaped for joy. She was so close to freedom. So close to the comfort of her Queen. So close to once again feel magic course throughout her. Pinkamena was snapped out of her daydream when she felt a sudden stinging sensation in her withers. Suddenly, she felt so drowsy. No! She had to escape but sleep seemed like a better idea. Pinkamena fell to the floor with a soft thud. Darkness ate at her eyes as she slipped into unconsciousness. The last thing she saw was a white figure standing in front of her.

Shining Armor shook his head at the sight of sleeping Pinkamena. As expected, she escaped. Shining knew that those steel bars wouldn't hold her but he was ever so bored of life in the underground. He craved excitement. That and he wanted the chance to catch the horrible pink pony for himself. Through all of this, he still wasn't satisfied. More revenge was the answer to sate his thirst but he needed to wait. After all, his brilliant plan was in motion. At the end of all this, he'd get justice for his lost sister and lover.

Shining pulled a heart locket necklace hidden in his white fur. He clicked it opened and a single tear ran out of his good eye. In the locket was two pictures: one of his sister and one of his love. "I miss you Twily and Cadance,"Shining thought, gripping the locket. I'll bring justice for both of you. Shining's mind drifted.

One year ago...

Shining raced down the Canterlot Castle corridor. The sun had not risen and it had been an hour. Something was wrong. As captain of the Royal Guard, he tried not to freak out in order to put on a good show for his subordinates. "Everything's fine, Shining,"Shining Armor thought. "Maybe she's just late. I hope Twily's ok."Oh, who was he kidding. Princess Celestia was never ever late and even if she was sometimes late, it wouldn't take this long but he really was scared for his little sister. Twily meant everything to him and if anything happened to her, he wouldn't forgive himself.

Shining reached the high balcony in front of the Canterlot Castle, ready to speak to the citizens of Equestria. Shining took a glance down quickly and saw one of his guards lying on the ground by two other guards and a lanky stallion. Then, he heard a whistling sound from the air. He saw six ponies and one large, dark figure coming at him at high speed. Shining took a few quick steps back. The unknown ponies landed with a crack. Shining's eyes widened. No. It couldn't be...but it was. It was the Mare in the Moon, Nightmare Moon.

Shining always thought that she was just an old legend, something to get foals to bed at night, but no. She was real. The six ponies she had with her stood behind her. Shining squinted and found familiar highlights and a lavender coat.

"Twily!" Shining yelled. "Run!" The pony he yelled at turned around but it was not Twilight. She had the same coat and mane but her eyes were just slits and a crown seemed to have melted onto her head. Her crown's jewel powered up. The other ponies standing by her turned around when it lit up. Unlike un-Twilight, they had chest jewels instead of the jewel un-Twilight had on her head. All of them had slits for eyes and their jewels were glowing as well.

Luckily, Nightmare Moon hadn't turned around and was still addressing the ponies below. Shining was met with a large pain in his chest as the six evil ponies blasted him with their magic. Shining fell to the ground. He looked up to find un-Twilight standing there with an evil grin and a devious glint in her slitted eyes.

"What... are you?" Shining managed to mutter.

"You don't remember me," un-Twilight sneered, "brother?"

"You're...not my sister," Shining sputtered. An orange pony had a hoof on Shining's back and frankly, it was getting hard to breath.

"Not anymore." un-Twilight responded. Un-Twilight lifted her head and slashed her unicorn horn at Shining's face....

Shining snapped out of his memories when he heard hoofsteps behind him. He turned to find one of his most trusted guards. Time Turner was his name but he used Dr. Whooves out in the field. He and Shining shared the fact that the ones they loved were lost. Dr. Whooves' wife went to Nightmare's side and his daughter was sent into hiding. From what Shining had heard, his wife was a scout stationed in, or close to, the local town of Ponyville. Dr. Whooves wanted his wife back so he joined the Cult of the Sun as a fighter and guard but Shining had no intention of getting the doctor's wife back. Shining thought Nightmare Moon and the nightmare army had to pay for what they did. He'd still have his daughter after Shining's plan, after all and when the time came, Dr. Whooves would make the right decision. Shining was sure of that.

"Sir," Dr. Whooves saluted. Shining gave him a slight nod and the doctor relaxed. "What shall we do with the prisoner?"

"Have her thrown into one of the specialty cages," Shining ordered. "And when I mean thrown, I mean thrown." Dr. Whooves saluted and took Pinkamena up on his shoulders.

Shining watched the doctor take the pink prisoner down the hall. As soon as the doctor was no longer in sight, Shining cracked a small grin. Now, he had to go yell at Cheese and the security guards for not keeping an eye on her. While he took no pleasure in scolding Cheese for what Shining had done on purpose, sacrifices must be made. Shining started to walk down the stallion's dormitory hallway.

Cheese sniffed at a blue flower he had found in the Everfree forest. It looked beautiful and he thought Pinkamena should have it today. If she liked it, there was a whole grove up on the surface so Cheese would have an endless supply. Just one more thing to get Pinkamena closer to being his friend. Cheese's ears twitched as he heard the familiar hoofsteps of the Cult of the Sun's leader. Cheese quickly stashed the blue flower in his hair and turned around with a beaming smile on his face. Shining Armor took a step back from Cheese's display but quickly shook it off.

"Good early-night, Cheese," Shining told Cheese casually. Cheese rose an eyebrow. Shining never acted like this. There must be something wrong.

"Is there something the matter?" Cheese asked cocking his head.

"Oh," Shining told him with a wave of his hoof. "It's nothing really. Except for the fact that Pinkamena escaped." Cheese's eyes widened. That was definitely something to be worried about.

"Did she get out?" Cheese asked. Concern was painted on his face.

"Out of the cell, yes," Shining responded. "Out of the hideout, no."

"So, everything's alright?" Cheese asked cautiously. It was a risky question to ask a stallion like Shining Armor. Ask it in the wrong way, get yelled at. Ask it in the right way... well, Cheese never experienced that before.

"No!" Shining scolded. "You were supposed to be watching her and you're down here heading to the kitchen!" Cheese winced.

"I was going to check on her after a stop in the kitchen," Cheese explained. "Cheesy swear."

"So you were headed for the kitchen," Shining said victorious.

"I...I," Cheese mumbled. This was getting uncomfortable.

"'I' nothing," Shining growled. "You need to go down there right now. As for your punishment, you'll be helping the ponies Pinkamena hurt during her escape along with finding bits to pay for broken equipment." This was bad. He didn't mind helping ponies but he was flat out broke. Plus, Cheese needed to go to the kitchen for Pinkamena's food. Food poisoning wasn't fun so Cheese figured he just wouldn't eat that night.

"But," Cheese stuttered.

"NOW!" Shining ordered pointing his hoof in the direction of the containment center. Cheese jumped and scampered to the containment center. "Oh and her new cell's down at the far end of hallway zero!"

Cheese finally got to Pinkamena's cell panting, He had no idea that hallway 0 was so long but he finally got to Pinkamena. Cheese scanned her new room. Instead of steel bars, it had glowing blue bars. Pinkamena's room was made out of thick stone and a bed was in the corner. There was also a hole but Cheese didn't understand its purpose.

He turned his gaze down to find a sleeping Pinkamena on the floor. She looked beaten and bruised. Cheese looked around for the keys to her cell but found none. Instead, he found a transparent red button. He pushed the red button out of curiosity. Suddenly, a beam of light came out of the transparent button. It got Cheese's eye and Cheese immediately closed his eye. What was this?

Retina scan complete. Now initiating voice scan.

The button pulsed red and a microphone popped out of one of the panels in the walls. A claw was holding it up. Cheese jumped in fright.

"Gah!" Cheese exclaimed.

"Gah!" accepted. Please enter.

The glowing blue bars went down and Cheese stepped through. As soon as all four of his hooves touched the ground, the bars went up again. Cheese only shrugged. Wasn't the weirdest thing he ever saw. He turned his thoughts to Pinkamena. She looked like she was having a nightmare. Cheese patted her shoulder to try and calm her down. It had little effect. Cheese suddenly remembered the flower he got for her. He pulled it out of his curly mane and stuck it in Pinkamena's mane. Cheese smiled warmly. He turned around to go back out.

Once the bars were up again, Cheese couldn't help but stare at Pinkamena. She looked so cute when she was sleeping. Cheese scrunched his nose. What was up with these thoughts lately? He quickly made the decision to just ignore such thoughts. He only thought of Pinkamena as a new friend. The thought would go away, right?

Pinkamena ran through a dark forest. Her Queen was in sight but every time Pinkamena got close, her Queen would just go farther. She panted hard and eventually, she had to sit down. "I'm sorry I disappointed you my queen,"Pinkamena thought with her eyes closed. She could almost hear her Queen's voice now.

Pinkamena woke up drenched in sweat. That dream truly was something. Usually, she loved nightmares. This time, though, the nightmare was bad. A sudden pain in her chest tugged her out of her thoughts. She clutched her chest but the pain didn't go away. It spread to her arms and legs. Soon, it was throughout her body. She looked down to assess the damage.

Pinkamena gasped. Her body was covered in bruises and cuts. How did she get these? Then, her memories came flooding back. She had escaped but eventually was caught by a certain white pony. Pinkamena had a hunch about who it was. At least the Cult of the Sun was fine enough to treat her concussion but now they were acting like the scum they were.

Another thought came to her mind. Her room was different. Instead of steel walls, there was stone. By knocking on the stone, Pinkamena could tell that it was thick. Her bed had been reduced in size and she didn't even have a bathroom anymore. Just a hole.

The last thing that caught her attention was the new cell bars. They were glowing a bright blue. Pinkamena poked one but got an unpleasant surprise. She was shocked. What felt like an hour later, Pinkamena was released from the volts and landed on the stone floor. She rubbed her back and immediately felt the pain the electricity had caused. Pinkamena winced. It hurt so badly.

Through all the pain, she spotted a blue plant. It was a magnificent flower and it was Pinkamena's favorite color. She winced through the pain as she reached to pick it up. She sniffed it and caught a pleasant aroma. She stopped when she realized it was probably from Cheese. She started to rip the flower apart but had second thoughts because one, it hurt to do so and two, it truly was a beautiful flower. She still ripped it to shreds.

After demolishing the flower, Pinkamena's eyes started to droop. She felt tired once again. She fell back onto the ground. The ground seemed comfortable at the moment. Pinkamena drifted back off to sleep.

Author's Note

So, after a few long days of writing and one day off for a loved one's birthday, I finished this chapter. It is my longest so far and hopefully, the chapters will get longer and better. Hmmm? What's that? Shining's a jerk? Yep. I made him revenge-bent because of what happened the night Nightmare Moon came. You want to hear more of his past? Soon, my readers, soon. Oh and I have something for you guys. Trivia! Trivia question: What is the blue plant Cheese found? It's pretty easy but if you don't know, I'll reveal it next chapter. Speculate away! Constructive criticism is welcome in my domain, as always.

Chapter 7

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 6

Moonlight shined down on the sky city of Cloudsdale. A once magnificent city, Cloudsdale was now a wasteland. Garbage littered the streets and there was usually no pony around, but tonight a mare was out and about. Her orange coat and purple mane was covered in a thick layer of dirt and garbage from her endeavor for food. It was all worth it though. The food wasn't for the orange mare. It was for the little foal she called sister. The orange pegasus carried her sister everywhere. It was for the foal's protection. Foals were taken away to join the nightmare army. That wasn't going to happen with this mare's sister.

The orange pegasus mare jumped when she heard a wail from inside her saddlebags. Quickly realizing it was her sister, the orange pegasus coddled the foal to quiet her down. The orange pegasus took out a bottle and stuck it in the foal's mouth.

"It's ok," the orange pegasus cooed. "Scootaloo is here." Scootaloo smiled warmly at her sister. Then, Scootaloo's wings tingled and she knew exactly what it was. Her wings were completely useless flying but they could sense magic better than any pegasus. As the tingling became an agonizing pain, Scootaloo ran into a nearby alley and ducked into the shadows. Tears fell from Scootaloo's eyes as the pain got worse and worse. Through her blurred eyes, she could see an electric, purple light emitting from just outside of the alley she was in.

Just like that, the light burst out and Scootaloo's wings felt no more pain from the powerful magic. She wiped the tears from her eyes to see what the magical light produced. There, stood five mares. Two unicorns, two pegasi, and an earth pony stood there. Scootaloo recognized them as old residents of Ponyville and the newcomer who visited a year ago when the night became eternal. To Scootaloo's delight, Rainbow Dash was among them. Rainbow Dash was Scootaloo's idol or her old one anyway. When Nightmare took over, Rainbow Dash and five others disappeared. Scootaloo decided to move back to Cloudsdale since there was nothing left for her in Ponyville. Scootaloo was relieved to see Rainbow safe.

Something was off about Rainbow and her friends, though. Upon closer inspection, Scootaloo found that each of the five had jewels on their bodies. Scootaloo knew that the jewels meant they were high in the ranks of the nightmare army but that didn't mean they were beyond evil. Scootaloo flinched when she looked into the eyes of each of the ponies. They had cat-like irises just like Nightmare Moon's. Scootaloo still didn't think of them as pure evil. She knew Rainbow Dash was as good as can be and if she wasn't evil, neither were the others. Scootaloo perked up her ears to listen in on the conversation they were having.

"Why can't we just let Nightmare do it?" the mare Scootaloo recognized as Rarity complained.

"Because if she looks into Pinkamena's dreams too closely, she'll find out about the plan," the purple unicorn, Twilight Sparkle, explained. "We have to find Pinkamena first."

"I'm...kind of tired myself," the yellow pegasus, Fluttershy, whispered.

"You be quiet," the orange earth pony, Applejack, snapped. "You're the only one who knew and didn't care to tell us!" Fluttershy pawed at the ground. Rainbow Dash laughed.

"Poor Fluttershy," Rainbow mocked. "You need to learn how to buck-up and I know how." Rainbow Dash spun around and slashed at Fluttershy with her wings. Scootaloo heard a scream and saw that Fluttershy had a cut in her cheek. The others laughed and Scootaloo watched in horror. "Evil,"Scootaloo thought, "Pure evil." Scootaloo turned around to run but accidentally bumped into a trash can. It made a clanging sound and the conversation behind Scootaloo, stopped.

Scootaloo could feel magic wrap around her. She tried to break free but it was no use. Scootaloo closed her eyes and waited for her fate. When nothing happened, Scootaloo cracked open an eye to find her face-to-face with Rainbow Dash. A green glow was coming out of her lightning bolt shaped chest jewel.

"Lookie what we have here, girls," Rainbow Dash said darkly. "A little runt." All five of the ponies' eyes were narrowed. Even Fluttershy's gaze darkened.

"Rainbow. Please," Scootaloo begged.

"Please what?" Applejack snapped. "Do you know what we do to eavesdropping foals?"

"Wh-what?" Scootaloo whimpered.

"To the dungeons," Twilight said. Scootaloo squeaked. She couldn't go to the dungeons. How would she care for her sister? Out of true coincidence, a cry came from under Scootaloo's wings. The five ponies realized what it was and grinned.

"I have a better idea," Rainbow said. Rainbow took Scootaloo's sister in her magic and handed her to Fluttershy. Fluttershy took her. Tears formed in Scootaloo's eyes.

"Looks like we have a crier," Rarity sneered. "I think we need to teach her how to buck-up as well." Rainbow nodded and flew off with Scootaloo still in her magic. They reached the edge of Cloudsdale. Rainbow flew to the ground and lifted Scootaloo over the edge. Scootaloo shivered in fright as she looked at the ground below.

"I seem to remember that you can't fly," Rainbow commented.

"Please," Scootaloo cried. "No." Scootaloo looked into Rainbow's eyes but found no sympathy. Rainbow's jewel stopped glowing and Scootaloo went plummeting down. Rainbow turned back around and flew off to join her cohorts. Scootaloo fell at high speed. She tried to use her wings to lower the speed but it was a fruitless attempt. Fortunately, she could see a lake and aimed for that. Scootaloo reached the lake with a big splash. It took a few minutes but Scootaloo dragged herself out. She was sprawled out on the ground. A thought came to her mind

"I'm going to get my sister back," Scootaloo breathed, "no matter what it takes. I will end the tyranny of Nightmare Moon. Watch out Rainbow Dash."

Cheese groaned when he rose out of bed. Tonight, he felt considerably more tired. When his hooves touched the floor, Cheese staggered. The sudden weight threw him off balance. With a few stumbles, Cheese managed to reach his bathroom sink. Cheese glanced into the mirror and gasped at what he saw. Two large horns came out of the side of his head. Cheese's muzzle was much larger and his eyes were huge. He couldn't even see the whites of his eyes. Cheese took a step back to look at the rest of his body. His stomach almost touched the floor and brown covered parts of his coat. The once bushy tail on his rump was now long with a brown tuft at the end. Cheese looked at his hooves. They were much like a goat's or a...a cow's. Cheese was a cow. Cheese tried to scream but it came out as a deep 'moo'.

He covered his mouth and wondered how this could have happened. It was either a master prank or he really was a cow. Quickly grabbing his bed sheet and covering his entire body, he ran into the hallway outside his room. Cheese bumped into multiple items and/or ponies because he had his face covered. A faint scream rang through the hall and Cheese stopped. It sounded like Pinkamena's. Cheese shook his head and continued on to find Shining Armor.

Pinkamena trotted through the dark halls of Canterlot Castle. She had no idea why she was running or how she got there but she knew she had to keep running. Hoofsteps could be heard behind Pinkamena. They were solid and slow but the hooves seemed to keep up with Pinkamena. The hall came to an end and Pinkamena swiveled around to find a tall, dark figure. "Shining Armor,"Pinkamena thought venomously. Pinkamena reached into her magic reserves but when she pulled at the source, it fought back. Pinkamena became confused and then a light flashed from her neck. She looked down to find a magic-blocking collar.

"I don't need magic," Pinkamena yelled at the unicorn. "I have hooves!" Pinkamena lunged at Shining but he dodged. Pinkamena felt something pound her back and she fell into the void. She heard a voice from above cackling with glee.

Pinkamena twisted around in her bed. She couldn't get a wink of sleep. Eventually, she gave up trying and stepped out of bed. She shivered when her hooves touched the cold, stone floor. When she opened her eyes, she found her eyesight all blurry. She had to squint to find the puddle in the corner of her cell. A dripping sound from the ceiling confirmed her location. Pinkamena dipped her hooves in the earthy water and wiped her face. Her eyesight was still terrible even after she washed. Through her poor eyesight, she could see a large, pink blob in the puddle.

She leaned in closer to find that it was her own reflection. Her mane was curled with a big forelock and something was incredibly wrong with her eyes. They were large ovals and not their usual slits. Pinkamena felt around for her tail. With one touch, she could tell that her tail was like her mane. Her jaw dropped. She screeched as loud as she could. Pinkamena looked like her old, fun-loving self. Not only that, but now she no longer had the eyes that made ponies recoil in fright. She started to hyperventilate. Over and over she thought, "No. No. No. No."

Shining Armor lazily looked through scouting reports from the nightmare army. It was always the same but this time, Shining found something interesting. Apparently, Nightmare was planning on attacking the griffon kingdom and she was going to fight herself. The report stated that it would happen a few months from now but opportunity still stood. The griffons were a proud race who fought their battles head on. Shining knew it was a fruitless tactic and the griffon kingdom would eventually succumb to the nightmare army. Nightmare would be weakened after the battle...that was when Shining could strike. Sure, it would be easier to take over while she was gone fighting. The problem was that Nightmare would find out, stay in the griffon kingdom to recuperate, and come back as fresh as a daisy. The Cult of the Sun's army wouldn't be able to take the sheer might of Nightmare's power so it seemed logical to do it when she least expected it.

A loud knock pounded on his office door. Shining used his magic to open the door. A cloaked figure ran into the office quickly and Shining jumped back. His horn lit up, ready to attack. He shot a disintegrating spell at the figure and the cloak instantly disappeared. There stood a cow that looked a lot like Cheese.

"May I help you?" Shining asked confused. He powered down his horn because cows weren't exactly threatening.

"I neeeeddd your help," the cow mooed/squeaked. "Sorry for my voice buuutttt this is an emergency, Shining."

"How do you know my name?" Shining asked.

"It's me," the cow said through a strained voice. "Cheeseeee Sandwich." Shining moved closer to inspect the cow.

"Prove it," Shining said simply.

"Uh...," the cow muttered. "Oh!" The cow pointed to his flank. Shining took a look and saw the same accordion cutiemark Cheese had. He rubbed the cutiemark to confirm its authenticity. It was indeed real.

"How did this happen?" Shining asked rubbing his forehead. "That's what I don't get."

"I reallllllyyyy don't know," Cheese mooed. "I came to youuuu to find out."

"Please don't talk anymore," Shining told Cheese. "Your voice is like nails to a chalkboard." Cheese nodded solemnly. Another knock on the door got Shining's attention. "You better hide." Cheese looked around for a place to hide. He dove behind Shining's desk and broke a lamp in the process. With a sigh, Shining opened the door. Two guards stood there with a cage on their backs. They threw it down. A stunned Pinkamena sat in the cage, her eyes staring into space. Shining noticed her curly hair and wide, non-slitted eyes.

"There's something wrong with this one," one of the guards reported.

"It didn't respond when we brought its food," the other guard said. "We figured that we'd bring it to you."

"You were right to do so," Shining nodded. "You may leave." The guards turned and slammed the door. "You can come out, Cheese."

"Did you hear hoooowwww they were speaking about her?" Cheese growled not-so-frightingly. Shining noticed his hair bristling. "She's not an 'it'. She's a poooony like us!"

"You mean like me," Shining corrected. "You're not a pony anymore." Cheese shuffled his feet. "Beside's, 'it' is more fitting and it seems you're not the only one having trouble today."

"Do you knoooowwww what happened?" Cheese asked, his gaze growing lighter.

"It most have been something you either ate, drank, or touched." Shining listed. "Pinkamena may have experienced the same thing." Cheese looked over to the pink lump in the cage. He realized that she looked kind of like a filly he saw once...

"I didn't realllllyy touch anything out-of-the-ordinary," Cheese told Shining. "Just a blue flower that I gave to Pinkamena."

"I knew it was you," Pinkamena spat, coming out of her trance. "I tore it apart." Shining could see that Cheese was surprised but the cow quickly regained his composure.

"So the blue flower," Shining reasoned, "it was something you both touched. Where did you get it, Cheese?"

"From a patch of it in Everfree," Cheese told Shining. "I waannnttted to give it toooooo her as a gift."

"Poison Joke," Shining said.

"Poison what?" Pinkamena asked with her forelegs crossed.

"Poison Joke," Shining Armor confirmed. "Like poison oak but this plant plays pranks on ponies who touch it. I don't know if there's a cure but if there is one, there is a zebra shaman here in Everfree who knows it. You need to find her."

"And how are we going to do that?" Pinkamena growled accusingly. "I can barely see and by the sound of it, Cheese is having a hard time moving. Even talking sounds challenging for him." Shining looked over at Cheese and noticed that the once-pony was looking tired.

"I'll give you a map," Shining told her, trying not to pound her. "You and Cheese will go together. You will be handcuffed so there is no way to escape. Cheese will use his eyesight and you will use your muscles to drag him along. Am I clear?" Cheese gave a little nod but Pinkamena wasn't going so easily.

"I don't want to lug him around!" Pinkamena protested. "And what makes you think I won't escape?"

"Cheese may be at a loss right now but you need the cure just as much as he does," Shining told her. "And when you're cured, I believe Cheese and the zebra will keep you from escaping." Pinkamena huffed. As much as she wanted to kill him, she had to admit he was right. A shaman could easily overtake her with magic and even if she did escape, she would just be arrested for looking like 'too much fun' before she ever reached Canterlot.

"Hmph," Pinkamena snorted. Shining smiled victoriously.

"I'll call for a wagon."

Pinkamena sweated profusely as she pulled the wagon up a hill. It wasn't made easier when she couldn't see and her curls kept swatting at her face. It also didn't help that she was pulling a Nightmare-forsaken cow! She was also handcuffed to the aforementioned cow. She felt that she couldn't sink any lower.

"This is the worst," Pinkamena said gritting her teeth. Cheese only glanced up from the map he was looking at. "Why did you have to pick that stupid plant from this stupid forest?"

"It waassss a gift," Cheese argued.

"What did I say about talking?" Pinkamena snapped. Cheese sighed and continued to read his map. Pinkamena glared at the ground. She was disappointed by Cheese's lack of fear at her. Curse this puffy hair and wide eyes! This 'Poison Joke' was going to be set on fire once Pinkamena got home. Pinkamena didn't understand why the flower existed. Armor-butt explained but she tuned him out. It was hard to listen to a more annoying voice than cow-Cheese's. What she heard was "blah, blah, blah, cheese comes from cows" and "blah, blah, blah, this makes you angry". Darn right it made her angry!

She reached the top of the hill panting. Pinkamena fell to the ground and a pool of sweat formed under her. Wind blew through her mane. Her eyes were adjusting to the sudden switch in pupil size. That scared Pinkamena a bit. Getting used to this eyesight was just the first step to becoming Laughter again. Cheese cleared his throat.

"I'm going. I'm going!" Pinkamena exclaimed. "Jeez." She stood up to walk again but felt a sharp pain in her legs. Her legs buckled and she fell to the ground. She couldn't move. Pinkamena groaned. Unfortunately, a low growl came from a bush next to Pinkamena. It was probably a nightmare creature. Pinkamena could deal with it easily.

The creature walked out of the bush. It was a large dog-looking animal with big rippling muscles. "Just a werewolf,"Pinkamena sighed relieved. Werewolves were a creation Nightmare made out of her hate for laughter. Puppies made ponies laugh so, naturally, Nightmare turned them into beasts and sent them all over Equestria. It was a clunky idea since it was Nightmare's first creature transformation. It still worked though. Pinkamena looked into the slitted eyes of the nightmare creature.

"I, Pinkamena Diane Pie, head of the nightmare spy division, order you to leave at once," Pinkamena ordered. The werewolf cocked its head to the side and looked at Pinkamena with a "Are you serious?" face. The mutant dog formed a growl in its throat.

"Are you deaf?" Pinkamena scrunched her nose. "I said leave!" The werewolf dropped on all fours and paused. Pinkamena knew what was coming next. It was obvious that the wolf didn't recognize her. Her magic was blocked so identifying her by that was out and she didn't have the trademark nightmare eyes. She couldn't move or do anything to stop it. Pinkamena closed her eyes to ready herself for her fate. The wolf pounced but failed to notice the cow in the wagon. Cheese quickly stood up and snapped his hoof out. The wolf hit the hoof and stumbled backwards. Realizing that it was hit by something else, the wolf turned his attention to Cheese. Cheese walked out of the wagon and stood defensively in front of Pinkamena. Pinkamena opened her eyes to find Cheese protecting her from the threat.

The werewolf advanced on Cheese. It tried to pounce on the cow but it was too late. Cheese ducked under the attack. The werewolf fell to the ground. It got up but before it could turn around, Cheese bucked the wolf hard in the back and sent it flying. That seemed to do the trick because after a few long minutes, the wolf didn't come back. Cheese nodded, satisfied then fell to the ground. Pinkamena got up and limped to Cheese. She pushed him back into the wagon. Pinkamena felt something twinge in her chest. It was the same feeling she felt towards Fluttershy. Respect. It was just a little twinge but Pinkamena still felt it and she was fine with that. After that event, Cheese deserved that reward. Just a little, not a lot. Not many ponies could obtain such a great prize. Pinkamena glanced back at Cheese. She took the map in her mouth and continued to the zebra shaman's hut.

The zebra shaman sat atop her balancing stick. This was a great way to meditate. The loud sound of her door being slammed against the wall knocked her off her stick. The zebra looked to find the source of the interruption and saw a pink mare with dark pink curls walk in with a wagon behind her.

"Are you Zecora?" the pink one asked.

"Who are you?" Zecora asked. "You are some pony new."

"I'm Pinkamena and we need something from you,"the pink one said.

"We?" Zecora asked confused. "In my home there isn't three." Pinkamena gestured towards the inside of her wagon. Zecora looked in to find an orange cow.

"Do you know a cure for a plant called Poison Joke?" Pinkamena asked in her most polite voice. It sickened her to be nice but it was needed to get what she wanted.

"That is a cure I can do," Zecora told her. "I will mix up a cure for you. Though all of this comes with a fee. Otherwise you won't get anything from me."

"Stop talking in rhyme!" Pinkamena growled irritated. "What do you want?"

"I want you to not yell," Zecora said. "I only want to know what put you under this spell."

"Spell?" Pinkamena asked confused. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Will you mix a cure now?" Zecora sighed.

"Alright," Zecora surrendered. "I won't put up a fight." Zecora took down a multitude of elixirs from her shelf. A hour later or so, Zecora told Pinkamena to get into her cauldron. Pinkamena was skeptical but did it anyway. It was uncomfortable with her arm sticking out so she wouldn't rip Cheese's arm off. When she was done with the bath, she had her beautiful, straight hair and her amazing slitted eyes.

"A nightmare," Zecora remarked. "Now I see why you don't want to share." Pinkamena glanced at Zecora then pushed the the cauldron over. The content's spilled all over Zecora's clean floor. Pinkamena took a deep breath and pushed her wagon over with all her might. The orange cow fell to the floor into the spilled cure. In a matter of minutes, the cow turned into a lanky stallion with chocolate brown curls. Zecora was surprised. Even she didn't know that the Joke could do that much damage.

"We're leaving now," Pinkamena said swishing her tail. She tugged at the cuffs, dumped Cheese into the wagon, and put the wagon strap around her body. Pinkamena continued to walk out with the still unconscious stallion.

"You're welcome!" Zecora yelled out the door. "Lot's of selfish ponies and then some." Zecora picked up her balancing stick again and continued to meditate.

Author's Note

I wanted to convey something with the mane six sisters and start with a point of view I've never shown before. I also wanted to show the progress that Twilight and others are doing on finding Pinkie. Scootaloo is going all out for justice (not the Shining Armor justice, though). Anyway, I want to congratulate scoots2 for correctly answering my trivia question. Scoots2 was also the only who tried and I decided to put Scootaloo in here as sorta like a prize. Made it easier to choose between sisters as well. Kudos to you. Poison joke effects are hard to write. It was hard to think of things for Cheese that weren't already taken. I thought it be pretty energy draining if I was to be suddenly turned into a cow. My philosophy.

I'm integrating more and more characters into the story. Zecora was especially hard to write with her rhymes and such. It was also kind of fun. Also, 4,000 words. Forget my last chapter, this one blows it way out of proportion. Ideas just keep coming and coming. Get hyped!

Constructive criticism is welcomed, as always (yes, I'm gonna keep saying that).