The Nightmare Era

A/N: If events/terms in this fic are familiar it is because I was inspired by the Spoilers at the end of Dragon Age II, but this is in no way a crossover

Disclaimer: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic does not belong to me, but The Hub, Lauren Faust, Hasbro and registered subsidiaries. If you paid money to read this fanfic you have been ripped off.

Explanation of Terms
Chevalier: Earth Pony Knights who guard Equestria from the Dangers of Unicorn Magic.
Archangel: Pegasus Knights who are tasked with the duty to pursue and capture rogue Unicorns who resist the Enchanter System.
Enchanter: Unicorns who willingly surrender themselves to the rules of the Chevaliers.
Magister: Unicorns who resist the Enchanter System, but may or may not have evil intentions in either way.
Nightmare: Unicorns who because of Rage, Pride or other dark emotions become consumed by them.
Heretic: Any Unicorn not part of the Enchanters hunted by the Archangels

Equestria, Everfree Wilds, Lunar Castle Ruin.

Trixie was relieved when she finally reached the gates of the Lunar Castle, but was surprised to find it empty.

“Hello?” she asked looking around the empty courtyard. As she walked into the centre of the courtyard when she sensed something was wrong. She threw up her shield just as magic blasted her from all sides. She could hardly keep it up before a meek voice shouted, “S-s-stop!” Glad that she could lower her shields Trixie looked over to the doors of the Castle where a meek yellow Pegasus stood next to a refined white unicorn.

“Well,” began the Unicorn, “I haven't seen you in a while. Tell me” as she circled Trixie, “vanquish any Ursa Major lately?” she asked almost mockingly, “Or have the Chevaliers considered that proof you’re a Nightmare?” she finished giving Trixie a mocking glare

The Pegasus came up beside the Unicorn, half her face hidden behind her pink mane, “Rarity, she still needs our help.” she gave a shy smile to Trixie as she knew she meant no harm.

Sighing, Rarity stared into Trixie's eyes as if looking for something and nodded, “As always you're right Fluttershy, and I'm nothing if not generous. Now come darling, let's get you something to eat.” Bringing Trixie into the main hall of the castle, despite its ruined state many Unicorns seemed happy, 'then again anypony would be happy away from the Chevaliers' thought Trixie.

Rarity then guided Trixie to a makeshift fire where a modest dinner of grasses and berries were laid out. “Come now,” gestured Rarity at the spread, “Everypony needs to eat at some point.”

“So tell me,” asked Rarity, snapping Trixie out of her thoughts after their meagre meal was done, “Tell me what the 'Great and Powerful Trixie' doing wandering alone in the Wilds?”

“I you must know, Trixie is searching for the Rogue Magister you know as Twilight Sparkle.” as the words left Trixie felt a knife on her throat. It seems Fluttershy was well prepared.

“What. Do. You. Want. With. Twilight?” stressed Rarity, as Fluttershy pressed the knife closer to Trixie's neck.

Oddly calm Trixie replied, “If you kill me, then the Archangels will get to her first.”

A shadow came over the faces of Rarity and Fluttershy. “The Archangels are after her?” breathed Rarity. “Then we simply must help her! Now Trixie, darling, where is Twilight?”

However, Fluttershy was slightly nervous of the venture, “But Rarity, if she's being followed by the Archangels, then EVERYPONY will be out looking for her. It's too dangerous. That is... if... you...don't mind.”

“Then we must simply wear our best disguise won't we? Now Trixie where is Twilight?”

“She is currently in Hannoveraner looking for something to locate the Princess.”

“I see. Lyra!” Rarity called.

“Yes, Milady Magister?” asked the Mint Unicorn that came up to Rarity from her conversation with a Cream Earth Pony.

“I told you to stop calling me that, anyways take care of the castle. Tell Sweetie Belle when she returns from Zecora that I, Fluttershy and her,” pointing to Trixie, “have business in Hannoveraner.” Trixie frowned at the inflection Rarity place on her.

“As you wish Mi-Rarity.” Lyra Saluted.

“That's better.” patting Lyra on the cheek. Turning to Fluttershy and Trixie she led them to the back of the Castle to another set of Gates. “This road should take us straight to Hannoveraner and Twilight.” Nodding Fluttershy and Trixie followed Rarity done the long road to Hannoveraner.

Equestria, Manehattan, Princesses Neighbourhood

Rainbow was not happy. She wasn't happy because the Archangel High Council had ordered her to track down a Heretic in Manehattan before of pursuing Twilight to Hannoveraner. Looking to the sky Rainbow noticed the moon beginning to set on the horizon, though the sky did not change.

'Why I am I doing this? I'm a captain for Celestia's Sake!' She silently grumbled to herself as she oversaw her squads search of the street. Off to the side, the residents cowered fearful to speak against the authority of the feared Archangels.

“Remember, Search every house for the Heretic. Leave no avenue of escape!” She ordered watching her squad obey them without fail. As they approached one house however the street shook and the residents scattered as the house exploded sending three of her subordinates flying like rag dolls. From the smoke emerged the Heretic in question, however this pony had changed. His mane had transformed into one made of flames glowing as brightly as his eyes and all over his body glowed red veins denoting him a Nightmare of Fear, the most common.

“A Nightmare! Surround it! Don't let it escape.”Shouted Rainbow to her squad as they prepared their blade-edged wings for combat. The Nightmare whinnied against the Archangel Squad and threw a large fireball at Rainbow who dispersed it with her wings. Directing her squad silently she managed to take down the Nightmare in ten seconds flat. Smirking despite herself, Rainbow turned to one of her subordinates, “Sergeant,take note of the address and have the Chevaliers arrest the residents for harbouring a Heretic and Nightmare them meet us at the docks.” then Turning to the Crowd, “And if anypony is caught helping these fugitives, they WILL be arrested for harbouring and aiding known traitors!” The Sergeant saluted and dashed off to the Chevalier garrison to fulfil his mission.

“Be ready, Twilight Sparkle.” whispered Rainbow Dash as she made her way to the docks. “I'm coming to get you whether you like it or not.”

'I'm sure you are Rainbow Dash.' Whispered a voice through the wind, though only Rainbow heard it.

'Not you again,' Mentally groaned Rainbow as she continued to walk down the street towards the docks, 'Can't you bother someone else?'

'And miss all the fun?' asked the voice sounding hurt, 'I'm hurt Rainbow Dash, its as if you don't know me at all. It has only just begun.'

Equestria, Edge of the Everfree Wilds, Iron Hooves Fortress

“Stop right there Criminal Scum!” shouted the Chevaliers as they chased a happy Pink Pony in the Fortress Courtyard.

“Woo! I love prison parties! Then again I love any type of party! Bet you silly-willy-telly guards can't catch me! But if you did I'll make you the biggest, sweetest, most wonderfully-wonderful cupcake in the magical-fantastical-beautiful world you've ever seen!” Shouted the Pink Pony as she raced across the court towards the gates. She gasped when she a familiar Orange Earth Pony just about to leave the Fortress.

“Hey Applejack!” said farm pony heard her voice and shouted

“Pinkie! What in tar-nation are you doin' here?” However after seeing the Guards the Farm Pony dragged Pinkie as fast as she can to Sweet Apple Acres. “So tell me sugar why were the Chevaliers after you?”

“Oh nothing, I was just playing catch the pony prisoner with those nice guards back there. But they're not so nice, they keep shooting me with arrows and stones...wait ponies can't use bow and arrows, what are you up to up there typing away on your friend's computer?” Pinkie asked looking up at the sky eyeing it suspiciously.

“Uh, Pinkie, who are you talking to?” asked Applejack looking up to the sky.

“The author silly, he's not making sense in his writing right now.” Smiled Pinkie Pie.

Chalking it up to Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie she looked back to Ironhooves Fortress. “So what now? The Chevaliers will be after us...” even as she said this a squad of Chevaliers appeared in front of the two ponies. The Captain walked up to them and read their warrant.

“Applejack of Sweet Apple Acres, you are hereby charged with aiding and abetting a known fugitive one Pinkimena Diane Pie of the Pie Rock farm formerly of Ponyville charged with harbouring Heretics from the authorities. Surrender yourselves and you will be shown mercy.”

Seeing as they were surrounded, Applejack was tense waiting for one of them to make the first move, Pinkie on the other hand just laughed, “Silly Captain, I wasn't hiding them we were playing hide and seek when those meany-grumpy-bumpy old guards found us. They were really good, but they suck at races, they couldn't beat us to the Everfree Forest I mean re--.” Pinkie's rant was cut short, by Applejack putting her hoof over Pinkie's mouth before the situation got any worse. The Captain glared at them and gave the signal to arrest the two.

Seeing two of the guards come up behind her Applejack bucked them square in the face knocking them out instantly. Pinkie literally danced circles around the guards forcing them to stumble and knock into each other making fools of one of the most feared warriors in all of Equestria. Hearing the commotion from inside the farm Big Mac came and lent his considerable strength to the brawl, cracking a few skulls, but for each Chevalier felled or knocked out two more a emerged from the bush.

Seeing the situation become more and more desperate Applejack started to become tired when a deafening roar stopped every pony in their track. Turning to Dragon Mountain, everypony saw a medium purple dragon with green spikes perched on a nearby rocky outcrop (A/N: And you thought he was only a framing device didn't you? I bet you did.). Flying down it breathed green flames on to the Squad burning many alive and severely injuring others. The Captain shocked by the decimation of his subordinates ran off.

“You better git you yella bellied chicken!” Shouted Applejack before turning to Spike. “Thanks Spike I was beginning to think that we would be in serious trouble fer a second thar.”

“Aw it was nothing AJ, now come we must get you, Pinkie and your family out of here and into safety.”

“Ain't no way I'm abandoning the farm, Spike!” Stamping her foot on the ground.

“AJ, I think its best we leave, they'll be back you know that.” reasoned Spike.

“I said ain't no way I'm leaving Sweet Apple Acres, ya hear, Let them come! Right Big Mac?” she looked at Bic Mac while he looked to be considering it, “Ya can't be seriously thinkin' of runnin' away? Its our home we can't just up and leave it!”

“Eyup.” was all he answered with and before Applejack could argue further Spike intervened.

“If you stay here Sweet Apple Acre and yourselves will become just like the rest of Ponyville.”

Applejack looked conflicted but in the end gave in, “Alright, where did you have in mind Spike?”

The young Dragon smiled, “Hannoveraner.”

The Northern Marches

As the Moon rose again in its new eternal cycle three groups saw their sight of Hannoveraner.

The Apples and Pinkie Pie above on the back of a young Dragon.

A Archangel squad flying over the sea not noticing the dragon that flew high above them.

And Two Earth Ponies(Illusion Magic) and a Pegasus emerging from a dense forest.

Welcome to Hannoveraner the City of Secrets.