Chapters What Remains III: Cracked Sky
Rising Acolyte
Alistair stood silently along the outer edge of the circular library chamber, the electric blue haze from the room’s center aura giving him a menacing glow to his already fair skin. The custom designed black cloak was pressed impeccably at all angles without even the slightest wrinkle in the swooping garment he wore.
Another cloaked figure stood a few paces away, this one a decrepit looking stallion with fur so white he appeared near translucent against the blue gaze. The hood of his garment was pulled over the top of his head with only a ghostly pale snout poking out. He flipped back and forth through what appeared to be another one of his spell tomes, not quite realizing the boy’s presence.
“Master Silver Eclipse,” Alistair greeted flatly. “Do you have a moment?”
The stallion turned around and smiled warmly. “Of course, my friend. I am always willing to speak with our most important of acolytes.”
Alistair nodded and took a few steps forward. “I hope the hour isn’t too intrusive for you. I haven’t been able to find the time to meet with you during the day.”
The stallion waved the notion aside. “Oh, it is no problem at all. I normally stay up well past midnight. There’s a certain charm to the evening’s pull and I always feel so empowered when I know the sun has finally been set. But even then, you have the most justified of reasons, with your special assignment taking up the majority of your free time.”
He nodded. “That’s true. Attending to the daily round of incantations does put a bit of a dapper on my energy. Even sleeping seems to wear me out these days.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing a good break in routine couldn’t solve. A drowsy wizard is the most dangerous one of them all and I would hope you’d feel comfortable to inform anypony if you ever begin to slip.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m not as shaky around the other members as I used to be.”
Silver Eclipse chuckled. “That’s not what Shale said concerning your recent antics with Grit Granger earlier in the week.”
“I will admit he’s a menacing looking pony, especially with those big shoulders and the glass eye. It takes a little getting used to seeing him every day down in the catering hall.”
“And I’m sure you will. But…what did you wish to ask me again?”
“This,” Alistair said as he brandished a manila folder and promptly handed it to Silver Eclipse. The old colt gave it a confused glance and looked back to him.
“And what does that happen to be?”
“My proposal on how to successfully fulfill what the Queen requested. I believe you’ll find all the important details to be in order.”
“May I read it?”
“Of course.”
Eclipse flipped through the several sheets of paper contained within the binding while mumbling unintelligibly to himself. Bringing a worried hoof to his forehead, he handed the folder back to Alistair.
“My goodness, this is truly something you have in these pages. Air galleys, breech cannons, firebombs, you even have a list of battle meditation spells to be cast.”
“Is something wrong with them?”
“No, no, no. It’s just…this is all so big. I never anticipated having to plan battle schematics, especially with airships. And yet here you are doing it all on your own.”
“I had books to reference on top of Shale’s assistance while writing them.”
The colt shook his head. “I’ve known that mare for years and she still finds ways to impress. Just when it seems like she’s reached her limit, there she goes learning how to do something else. I remember on a mission to Stalliongrad she—”
“Is something wrong with the plans?” Alistair interrupted with a touch of disdain. “You seem hesitant on something.”
“I guess you can say I am,” Eclipse sighed. “This operation you’re proposing is something bigger than I ever thought the Night Lords would have to deal with. All throughout our existence it’s been minor strikes, little cloak-and-dagger games when the situation called for it.”
“I never set forward to make an army out of the members we have. But it’s been in these past five years with all the shenanigans throughout Equestria our numbers just keep on swelling. I’m not opposed to using larger group tactics now that we actually have the ability to use them, but something tells me we shouldn’t.”
Alistair raised a queried eyebrow. “Does that really qualify as a just reason not to utilize the resources available to us?”
“No, it’s not. And you can call me an old fool if you wish but sometimes trusting your senses plays off better in the long run. I’ve seen victory snatched right out from under us, just when it seemed we we’re in our finest hour, and I sincerely do not wish to see it happen again.”
“Is it at all denoted that the order to raze Canterlot is from the Queen herself? I am her Voice after all.”
The colt solemnly shook his head. “I can’t disagree with that. Her will is my will, and the will of everypony else in the Night Lords. But a full scale attack on the capital instead of simply revealing herself? It just seems so…odd.”
“Master Eclipse,” Alistair said with a friendly grin as he placed a hand on the stallion’s shoulder, “do not fret. The Queen will have her hoof in the climatic battle. With Celestia and Twilight Sparkle dead their will be no pony able to hold the crippled nation together. Equestria shall fall, and in its ashes our New Order will rise.”
He thought about this for a few moments and slowly looked to his wrinkled white hooves. “Perhaps I am looking at this from a too cautious light. I’ve experienced both are failures and successes. And just when it seems like we’re finally going to have our way it’s me who’s faltering away from his duties.”
Eclipse turned to Alistair and placed his own hoof against the human’s chest, looking to Alistair meekly. “I am an old stallion, Alistair, much older than nature ever intended. The spells of enhancing ones life force can only function for so long. The Night Lords, the originals from over millennia ago, knew how to contain the bond much longer than I was ever taught. I’m not a death’s door let me be clear, but I believe three hundred years is long enough to be running every minute detail in the Order.”
“Master Eclipse, what are you saying?”
“What I’m saying is that I don’t believe I can adequately undertake an operation of this magnitude. My hesitance would only serve to get in the way of what’s important. The Queen needs able-bodied youngsters to carry out her wishes, not battered old geezers like myself.”
He patted Alistair on the shoulder and smiled. “Which is why I hereby appoint you Director of Operations for the mission to Canterlot.”
“Master Eclipse?” the boy said with widened eyes. “Are you serious?”
“Most definitely. You show promise, Alistair. Not just in the coveted spells that lie within your mind but in the tact that show when executing an assignment. Your skill is only matched by your enthusiasm to succeed. That in of itself is the true qualities for a leader.”
Alistair bowed his head graciously. “I’m most appreciative, Master Eclipse. I never dreamed that such a leadership position would ever be offered to me.”
Eclipse frowned. “Yes, you haven’t been in the Order as long as most, but I believe that elevating the human who brought the proper version of our Queen into this world should be elevated to a role of at least minor importance. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“I couldn’t have put it better myself.”
“Wonderful. Will I be seeing down in the practice room for morning training or do you still have to attend to the Queen’s incantations?”
Alistair nodded. “Unfortunately, yes. She seems to be nearing some semblance of a physical form but I don’t want to overstep my pace at the merging spell.”
“I’m glad you wouldn’t. Goodnight Alistair.”
“As to you, Master Eclipse.”
And with that, the two quietly departed.
What Remains III: Cracked Sky
Alistair held back a yawn as he shuffled through the sprawling stacks of paper draped across the plain work desk within his chambers. He’d been offered a larger workspace ever since the Queen’s return for a more suitable place to continue his work but he found a certain charm in the almost dungeon-like setting.
You really should learn to prioritize yourself better, he mentally scolded himself. You spend weeks writing out the attack proposal and yet forget where you put the maps tied in with those plans. Have you ever considered a binder? Or at least a folder?
“No,” he said aloud as he held the clutch of parchment maps triumphantly in the air. Finally letting out the yawn, he sluggishly leaned back in his chair and sighed.
It had been a grueling week of near nonstop discussions, training, and of course his daily rounds of “incantations” among the Queen’s physical aura. He’d been doing his best to stay on top of it all, but even in the mid morning he already was feeling the pull of fatigue against his body.
Rubbing his chin, he leaned back further in his chair and attempted to shut his eyes.
Maybe I’ll just try sneak in a few extra minutes while nothing’s going on. Celestia knows you deserve it. And besides, it’s not like anypony’s—
“Sleeping on the job?” called a familiar and musing female voice.
Jolting his eyes open, he nearly fell out of his seat as he craned around to see an earth-pony mare with gray fur and a muted lavender mane standing in the doorway.
“You know,” the mare continued with a sly grin, “most ponies at least close the door when their trying to squeeze in a little cat nap, just thought you should know.”
He couldn’t help but grin at the sarcasm. “Hello, Shale. Nice to see you and your insurmountable charm are up this early.”
She brought a hoof to her chest in feigned shock. “Was that an insult? I am dearly wounded.”
“Good, now you know how I feel every time we have a conversation longer than twelve seconds. Cherish it.”
She laughed and stepped inside. “Come on, I’m not that bad.”
“Oh, yes. You certainly are. It’s charming, don’t get me wrong, but…your wit does show itself pretty frequently.”
She shrugged. “That’s alright with me. I only typically use it on you or Pen. And he’s my little brother so he’s definitely coped with it longer than you have. Count yourself lucky.”
He nodded in moderate surprise. “Really. I’d think you’d share your special talents with everypony else in the Night Lords. Would bring a nice level of positivity to things around here.”
“It’s nothing,” she said with a wave of her hoof. “We’re always supposed to be focused on what’s important. Besides, if I tried to act like myself around everypony else—” she stopped herself a moment and shook her head. “Never mind, it doesn’t matter. What’s going on with you?”
He sighed. “Just feeling a bit a drained is all. I don’t think I’ve ever worked this hard before, even back in External Affairs I had a little breathing room. But this? I barely have enough time to eat, better yet sleep.”
“Did Silver Eclipse put you up to it? I can talk to him if you want.”
Alistair shook his head. “No, I’m fine. The work schedule was my glorious idea. Yes, I’m not the most comfortable I’ve ever been, but the incantations with the Queen must come first. Everything depends on it.”
“True, it’s quite vital, but I really don’t think you should be running yourself into the ground like this. With what you’re in charge of it’d best if your mind was running at one hundred percent instead of just barely chugging by. Like just said, everything depends on it.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ve gone through much worse than just a little sleep deprivation. And considering that this is all temporary I can certainly make it up once her physical presence is completed.”
Shale sighed dismally. “Just promise me you’ll at least try to look after yourself?”
“Of course I will,” he said with a cheerful smile. “I’m still remembering to bathe…most of the time.”
She giggled at this and stepped a bit closer to where he stood, closer than he’d typically feel comfortable with. “It’s nice to see a sense of humor finally shaping up around you. If I didn’t know better I’d say that you’re maturing.”
He rose from his seat and took a few steps towards the doorway, away from her. “I wouldn’t say that. I think it teeters on just the general comfort level. It’s taken a little practice but I’m starting to feel an actual place when I’m around here. Certainly not like how things were in External Affairs.”
“Didn’t you have any friends there?”
“Not really. I was so devastated after everything that happened with Twilight I didn’t really want to connect with anypony else around there. I mean, I talked with Pen every now and again but never any real conversation between us. Things felt so flat all time.”
She took a few steps closer to him. “Do you still feel that way?”
“I’m reminded of it whenever I look back but I don’t get the same vibe as I used to. Things have changed and although I typically dislike that it is a better situation.”
Shale took a few more steps even closer, her snout practically touching his much smaller human nose. She smiled gently. “I’m happy to hear that things are shaping up for you, especially now that the Queen is nearing her return. I hope I’ve been accommodating enough.”
He stiffly shook his head. “Oh yes, you have been. And I’m appreciative of it. But, I’ve got to go attend to the Queen so…see you later!”
Alistair was just about to turn towards the door when he felt Shale reach out and lock her hooves around him in a sudden embrace. “Keep up the good work, Alistair; we’re all counting on you.”
She was right up to him, her fur rubbing against the parts of his arms that weren’t covered in the black over shirt he wore during off hours. Her grip was tight against his torso and he could feel the heat of her body against his own. Her eyes were shut tightly in a far-off bliss that displayed a level of attachment he hadn’t seen before.
He couldn’t feel a certain aura emulating off her physical self the longer she held onto him, and it wasn’t the feeling he’d gotten from her typically. He’d acknowledged their friendship as one of substance long ago…but this? This felt like something beyond that, far beyond it.
The how and why of the moment didn’t much matter at the moment, however, he couldn’t help but wonder how long this had been formulating within her. He’d never noticed a special look in her eyes when she’d looked upon him. Not even a few minutes earlier had he expected anything above what they typically experienced.
Did he feel the same way? Did he feel anything period? He’d never been able to decipher his own age back in the Realm of Solitude but that didn’t quite throw out the notion of love out the window. Why was he even thinking about this? What the hell was even going on? The entire ordeal only seemed to be a minute’s length but he could feel a mild distortion coming into his perspective.
He paused for a moment and looked to Shale with a blank expression on his face, not quite sure what to do with the situation. Patting her awkwardly on the shoulder, he gently broke away from her grasp and exited the room, an edge of surrealism following him out the door.
What Remains III: Cracked Sky
Luna was awoken by the sudden presence of another individual within her vicinity. She made the attempt to turn her body towards the source but was once again reminded she could do no such thing. She was trapped.
An electric force field of some sort surrounded her on all sides, forming a transparent shell around her that hold the majority of her body in place, with the minor exception of her head being allowed to move freely.
Her drowsy mind reminded her of the one and only person who could be within the hexagonal chamber that contained her prison and with this recollection she could feel the dust of her slumber quickly dissipate as all attention was focused on the captor.
“Young Alistair,” she confirmed tunelessly, “here to perform thou usual cycle of leaching?”
The human approached the magical construct and stared up from where she was suspended just a few feet off the ground. He inspected her with calm, unmoving eyes. Shaking his head, he moved to another corner of the room and sat with his back to her.
Raising his palms to the air, his eyes were shut in deep concentration as his body began to absorb the ambient energy that was harvested through Luna’s own natural reserves. It did not pain or discomfort her; however the mere thought of even of a fraction of the divine power she and her sister shared being stolen sent shivers down her spine.
“You do not have to act in this manner,” she stated calmly. “Thou free will still holds true. These dissenting ponies have no stranglehold over mind or matter. What has been started can always be reversed. I understand the pain that you’ve experienced and I can see the allure that evil brings with its promises.”
The boy did not respond.
“It seems to give one the power to move mountains and part seas, the ability to step over the bounds that have held society together. But I must tell you that that is simply untrue. You are chained by your own dark side, restricted to the connections and bonds that make you special as a person. You become a selfish, mindless drone, cut off from those who truly matter.”
Alistair continued the ritual.
“I have seen inside your mind. I know the weight you carry. Sadness, rejection, hate. They are mere emotions yet they have twisted you away from the light. You are not a part of the evil these ‘Night Lords’ claim to be associated with. You are still the starry eyed child that Twilight Sparkle found beyond her doorstep. You can always come home.”
A response was not uttered and Luna couldn’t help but grow irritated.
“Your plan will not remove how you feel.”
His eyes flashed open but he did not turn to face her. “Oh. And why do you think that?”
“Because I too attempted what you are preparing. I let my anger rule my judgments and nearly murdered my own sister in the process. When I returned, I still hadn’t learned that it was I who was at fault. The power of the Elements overcame my inner demons and thankfully I was saved. And what you don’t appear to realize is that there is in unconquerable force that will overwhelm you as well.”
He frowned. “You overestimate the ability of your sister and her lackeys. My attack will be swift and deadly. The rest of Equestria will have no idea what happened until it’s too late.”
“That is exactly what I told myself years ago.”
A small grin formed across Alistair’s face as he rose to his feet and approached the imprisoned Luna. “Then perhaps you are not familiar with my recent endeavors in the powers you have oh so graciously granted to me? Surely you have felt the terror that is slowly beginning to consume Equestria. It is your special skill after all.”
“Nightmares,” Luna said with a growl, “a devious method of chaos. You have taken a fragile experience of the mind and turned them into nothing but a meaningless weapon.”
“Ah, but an effective weapon, don’t you agree? Fear grips all who have experienced its pull. The afflicted ponies are unable to rest without horrid visions of my own design plaguing their thoughts. And the longer this occurs, the weaker they are to the destruction I will bring.”
“Although I wished to specifically affect the Sun Guard with these terrors your power is not an easy one to control. I’ve had to settle with a randomized count of the afflicted. Civilians unfortunately have been included in this but the effects are only temporary. When victory is definite the sickness will be lifted.”
“And do thou truly believe such an act is possible with such minute control of thy magic?”
Alistair frowned. “I grow stronger every day. The process has been painful and I have felt exhaustion weigh me down greatly but I will overcome it. Anything can be mastered.”
“It will not be enough to stop the inevitable.”
Alistair chuckled. “And you think I don’t know this? Unlike you I have numbers, technology and tactics on my side. With my swarm of air galleys I have specifically planned out—”
“—how to simply get revenge upon Twilight Sparkle,” Luna finished ruefully. “All this talk of deposing my sister is nothing but drivel. You care not for this cult’s insane doctrines; you’re only using it as an opportunity to sate your wounded heart. Admit it; this is how you truly feel.”
“I’ll admit nothing to the likes of you,” he said with a scowl. “You are in no position to belittle me. I am in complete control of this situation.”
A wry smile stretched across Luna’s face. “Ah, and yet you evade the question. Should I take this as a confirmation?”
“I am not the weak child you imply me to be…”
“And you are not the emotionless creature you want to be either. I can sense the good in you Alistair, it cries out to me like a stranded soul. Don’t repress what you truly carry in your heart. It only damages you further.”
A fire began to grow in Alistair’s eyes. “And what do you know of how I feel, what I’ve experienced? Have you lost someone you cared about most to something that was out of your hands? Watch them press on as somepony entirely different from the one you loved, like a shattered reflection? This isn’t the same as mere jealously that struck you. I’m content to never be in the position she finds herself in. But I will not forgot the perfect life she tossed away simply to serve her master.”
“Here you are, a detached stone-cold deity trying to lecture me on emotions and friendships. But I don’t think you’ve every truly associated or even cared about what you find in me or any other pony. The population of Equestria is toys to your ruling elite. If any of you truly cared about the magic of friendship is much as you claim I wouldn’t be here right now.”
“No one was ever there to help me. I had to rely on myself to pull through when I had nobody. I was alone in this world as I was in the one I lived in previously. So no, I’m going to stop this when I’m so close, and I’m not going to be persuaded any further by the likes of you. You’re no compassionate bearer of love; you’re an apathetic sidekick trying to make up for your past failures. And I will not stand here and be told off by a hypocrite.”
Luna sighed. “Then it will be my sister’s might instead of reason that will turn you away from darkness. Such is the nature of things.”
Alistair snorted. “We’ll see about that. Good day, Princess of the Night.”
What Remains III: Cracked Sky
“—while negotiations in the Vile Stretch seem to be reaching a some what more cordial standing. This is mostly in part to the notion of heftier taxation of their trade sectors being abandoned to use a majority of the local taxes towards the construction of several civil facilities the South Eastern ponies were attempting to construct on their own.
While this is still leaves the general attitude between the two factions on a lighter note than what has been the status quo, opportunities to equalize the level of diplomacy to its original standing are of course still possible.
On a major note, the level of information I’m being passed as of this time is certainly lower than the normal level of sensitive pieces of interests that pass through my office. Efficiency around here is still dropping as more and more employees are calling in sick due to the plague’s outbreak.
At this rate, it may just be the other embedded agents that will still be functioning, considering the rate of absences we’re receiving. Never the less, we are still operating at our fullest capacity and await any orders given from Crescent Isle or even the Queen herself.
-Agent Pen Press”
He didn’t even bother editing the damn sheet of paper as he briskly tossed it into a desk drawer. His report was lacking from the normal level of class he gave to his weekly check-ins but the recent situation in Canterlot was making things a bit more difficult for his concentration.
Be thankful you can’t become one of those raving lunatics. Instead, you just have to watch it all unfold before you.
He rolled his eyes. Like that’s any better.
The Nightmare Plague, as it was being called by the media, was an oddity of an illness that had hit Canterlot and every where else in Equestria just a few weeks back. Symptoms claimed to be just frequent night terrors, but the sleep deprivation the afflicted suffered from introduced a whole new gauntlet of discomforting effects.
Tremors, aching muscles, loss of memory, and recently, hallucinations seemed to only complicate the situation for aid workers everywhere. Not only was discovering how the disease was transmitted and where it came from on their plate, but dealing with mildly insane patients that got worse day after day made the job a lot more complicated.
And I already know the answer. This isn’t any conventional disease, it’s deliberate. Fueled by magic and set forward by the Queen’s magic. No doubt influenced by either Silver Eclipse or Alistair. I wonder how long it’ll take them to figure this out.
He shook his head. Not quick enough. They’ll being played like a violin, just how Shale predicted.
His old sister, Shale, was the acting commander of the agents within the Night Lords, administering and overseeing all operations the wing undertook ever since the previous commander, Blackletter, was executed from all operations…permanently.
Pen had even heard of the organization till he’d been able to land the job at External Affairs. He still remembered the odd conversation he’d had with Shale when she revealed who she’d been working for since her time in university. It hadn’t completely thrown him off balance, she’d always been the secretive type when they were growing up, so the fact she was a high-ranking member of a secret society fit her personality well.
She’d said that his sensitive position in Equestria’s diplomatic machine would prove invaluable for the Night Lord’s goals and practically begged him to join their ranks after she’d revealed their identity to him. He’d reluctantly accepted, never quite getting into full swing with their silly doctrines and ideologies. He recognized Equestria wasn’t perfect but was killing Celestia and summoning an alternate version of Luna really quite necessary?
The answer was no and he knew it. Something like that was much too bold for its own good. Besides, people had been trying to topple Equestria for years, and how many times had it work? None.
Rising from his chair, he ran a hoof through his peach colored mane and began towards his appointment for the day, administrator Ash Leaf. The grizzled politician’s office was on the building’s third floor so he had a little walk ahead of him. He used that time to make a few more observations for his report. A little extra detail never hurt.
“Ughh, Monday’s make me so drowsy,” complained one mare to another while he passed down the third hallway.
“I know,” said the other, “and all this talk about the plague just makes things so stressful, even if you don’t have it.”
“Well, my neighbor, Five Star, she has it and so far things are looking good for her.”
“Really? I thought their brain starts melting right when they get it.”
“No, no, no, that’s later. And then they grow fangs.”
Pen rounded another corner and began up the first flight of stairs. A lone stallion was standing in the stairwell, mumbling to himself.
“I’m fine…just fine…I’ll be alright…I just need to…relax…yeah…relax…that’s it…relax.”
Pen moved up the next flight of stairs and passed into the third floor hallway. A stallion was speaking on one of the nearby payphones.
“Is Thistle still in pain?” he paused as the other line responded. “No…ok I will…I’ll pick some up after work, I know it’s her favorite…ok, that’s good…I love you too honey…later, but the report’s still being…yes…”
Pen strode down the hall, stopping at the plain looking door marked as Ash Leaf’s office. Clearing his throat, he broke into character.
“Administrator?” he called out in a tone much more skittish and wimpy than he actually sounded. “I’m here for our two o’clock meeting. Sir?” He gave a few knocks against the door. “Sir?”
No answer.
Waiting a few more moments, he opened the door himself and stopped at the scene before him.
The room was a disaster. Papers and other office supplies were scattered all around the floor while several wooden chairs lay smashed to splinters. The Administrator’s book shelf had been toppled to the ground while his long mahogany desk had several impact marks from a blunt object.
And standing among the chaos, eyes wild and dilated with a disheveled green mane and matted grey fur, was Administrator Ash Leaf. He did not seem to notice Pen’s quiet entry and instead was more focused on his rapid mumblings and jittering body.
“Can see it, can see it all. The moon, the stars, the kingdom! They speak to me, with mouths, but invisible mouths that can’t be heard to the normal ears. But I can hear it, I was chosen. You chose me. I chose you. Choices.”
Pen slowly shut the door and readied his senses for the unexpected. Taking a few steps forward, he called out in his normal voice: “Administrator?”
Ash Leaf’s head spun around frantically to face him, and, upon recognizing him, his expression suddenly formed into one of greeting and warmth. He strode towards Pen and shook his hoof rapidly.
“Ambassador Al-Salad, it is so nice to see you finally. How was your trip from Saddle Arabia?”
Before he could answer, Ash Leaf embraced him cheerily with his left hoof. “I’m sorry for our trade proposals to your capital coming in so degraded. We here in Equestria are so used to having regularly sealed letters instead of packaged ones to protect from the wind. How foolish of me!” He broke off into a fit of laughter, nearly buckling over from how funny the joke was to him.
Regaining himself, he smiled back at Pen. “Ah, but you’ve had a long journey. Please, sit anywhere you like. I have plenty of seats.”
Pen pursed his lip. “Sir?” he said back in character, “it’s just me, Pen Press. I’m here for our two o’clock meeting just like you asked.”
Ash looked back to him with blank eyes. “E-Excuse me?”
“The meeting, about windmills in the Badlands.”
He continued to eye Pen with a look of utter confusion but then shakily began to nod his head. “Yes…that’s why I called you…yes.”
“Sir?”
“Yes…”
“Is everything all right?”
“Alright? I’ve never felt better! I’m as light as a school foal, as giddy as a feather. I haven’t felt this energized since…ever!” He began to hum a tune to himself while doing a little jib around the room.
Watching his boss’s erratic and hyper-active movements, Pen’s eyebrows narrowed. He’s certainly lost it. I wonder how long he’s been hiding how serious his condition has gotten. The old pony shouldn’t have been let out of his house, better yet be in charge of External Affairs.
I should probably inform somepony of this. Just need to ask him something.
“Administrator?” he said back in his own voice. “Could I ask you something?”
Ash Leaf froze in place and immediately stopped his dance. Craning his head around to face him, he gave Pen the same wild look he had on earlier. “Y-Y-Yessssss?”
“You mentioned something earlier, a kingdom, a moon, being chosen. Is these at all related or is it just—”
Before he could finish Ash Leaf charged towards him and collapsed at his feet. He attempted to get back up but only squirmed along the carpeted floor. Still, he was able to respond.
“They are all related to one another. My sights of the future scream to me when I close my eyes. I see a moon, larger than a city hanging at half mast over the horizon. I see airships hovering over the heads of unsuspecting ponies. And I see a city, a shining monument to Equestria, burning.”
Pen knelt down to look the mad pony in the eyes. “What city is burning?”
“The Crystal Empire and the ponies in it. Those are what burns.”
“And how long have you been seeing these visions?”
“S-Soon I have. Just this morning or perhaps last night. That is when I saw it .”
“And have others?”
“I don’t know I’ve listened to others, the ones on the street. They are a crazy lot up until the Sun Guards cart them away to the hospitals. But they haven’t come for me, I’m free. Ponies understand me and my position. I’m too important to be locked away, have too important of a message to tell. And…you listened to it!”
He broke into another cackling fit of laughter and began to roll across the floor with tears streaming down his face. Taking a few steps back, Pen promptly left the room and slammed the door behind him.
“Security!” he called down the hallway. “We have a situation in here!”
What Remains III: Cracked Sky
Princess Twilight Sparkle walked past the massive purple banners adorning the Canterlot Castle throne room, the towering vertical stained glass windows further adding to the magnitude that was contained within the chamber.
She followed the red procession rug that led up to the golden throne with a solemn gravity she only held in the gravest of situations. But just as she approached the foot of the mighty throne of Equestria, she spotted the pony of interest she’d been asked to meet with.
“Twilight Sparkle,” echoed Princess Celestia’s voice near one of the decorated glass murals off to the throne’s right. “It is good to see you once again.”
“Likewise, Princess,” she replied in a quieted tone as she approached where Celestia stood. “It gets more and more welcoming to meet with a friend as these days progress.”
Celestia nodded, her attention fixed on the vague art depicted. “Friendship shines brightest in the darkest of times, my student. And these are dark times indeed.”
Twilight sighed. “It seems like that’s the only way things have been going these past years. Nightmare Moon, Discord, Chrysalis, Sombra,Tirek, and now this .”
“Are you troubled, Twilight?”
“I think I am. So much has happened in such a small interval of time, it’s all getting pretty hectic. If I’m not combing clues as to where he might be, I’m doing what I can to keep some semblance of peace around Canterlot.” She grimaced. “I’m spending too much time here. I should back in my kingdom, overseeing my other responsibilities.”
“And you are,” Celestia said as she placed a gentle hoof upon her shoulder. “Never have I been more proud of how you’ve been handling yourself. But I’ll admit, it does seem that misfortune is befalling Equestria more than it has before in recent times.”
“Is that why you wanted to speak with me, Princess?”
“Yes,” Celestia said behind a pursed lip, “I…worry for my people’s safety. I worry for the well being of my sister—wherever she may be. And I worry for what is to come if we do not locate this shadowy menace and defeat them.”
“This is about Alistair, isn’t it?” Twilight said quietly.
“I don’t mean to be hurtful but I have my assumptions, Twilight. The circumstances point to his involvement, one cannot deny this. And although I’m not denoting the light I know is still present within him, for now, he is a threat us.”
Twilight weakly nodded. “I know, and I have trouble reminding myself of that some days. Even when he said those hurtful things, poured his emotions to somepony he knew he could trust, I still remember the look he had on his face. An expression between desperation and loss.” She sobbed lightly. “He looked that way the first time we met, as strangers to one another.”
“I-I apologize if I touched upon something too sensitive. I thought…”
“No…no, it’s fine. We need to discuss the reality of the situation. I can’t sit here and convince myself he’s innocent when I know more than anypony else that he is helping whoever the heck these ponies are. My feelings don’t take priority over the safety of Equestria and its citizens.”
Twilight took a deep breath and moved a few paces away from Celestia, toward another abstract glass painting. “I think there’s a correlation between Luna’s disappearance and the emergence of the Nightmare Plague. The timing was almost perfect with one another and Luna’s power of the realm of dreams only serves to confirm this.”
“The tome that was taken during the firebombing had several detailed outlines on how to trap and ensnare anypony in a number of ways. I doubt it in itself contained enough knowledge to contain the likes of your sister, but if this group is as talented as they seem, then they certainly have other arcane texts to assist them.”
“Were you able to deduce all of this, my student?”
She shrugged. “It’s my job at this point. And what I can do to make up for the actions I’ve indirectly caused. If I’d just caught on to how he was feeling back then…”
She paused and looked back to Celestia. “He is a damaged heart, Princess, a lost soul in desperate need of friendship. He is not the evil monster he’s trying to emulate. I can bring him back to the light; I just need to speak with him one more time. The investigation must continue if we are ever to locate him.”
Celestia sighed. “It has been difficult enough keeping his supposed involvement away from public knowledge. I believe what you say about his true feelings but the media would not be quick to forgive the single human of the generation causing this kind of havoc.”
“It’s not his fault.”
“That is where some ponies would disagree with you. He has endured through several troubling experiences but that does not excuse his actions. He still has a conscious and can still think for himself. In the end, he will be held accountable.”
“You make it seem like he’s already guilty.”
“And most would say he is if they knew what we’ve been hiding. We cannot cast away justice simply because one has an emotional connection to the accused. Order would not be upheld if we simply allowed the dangerous to walk among us.”
Twilight frowned. “That’s what we did with Discord.”
“Th-That was different,” the Princess stammered in reply. “He can be a useful ally to the ponies of Equestria. His mastery of magic can easily be deterred from his past fixations of chaos and shaped to accommodate the true morals of friendship and harmony.”
“You’re forgetting that he betrayed us with Tirek and withheld important information during the plunderseed incident.” She paused and looked toward Celestia skeptically. “Is this just because your sister’s in danger or is their legitimate reasoning in your hostility towards him?”
Celestia opened her mouth to reply and promptly shut it. Nervously swallowing, she hung her head shamefully.
“I would be lying to say that the stress of the situation is not getting to me. My sister’s safety means everything to me and I would not want to see any harm come to her that I could prevent. I took her for granted when we were together originally; never quite catching the subtle hints she was slowly descending into darkness.”
Celestia turned to Twilight and smiled gently. “Quite similar to the situation with you and Alistair it seems. It appears we are more similar to each other than we realized.”
Twilight returned the weak smile. “I guess you’re right, Princess. And it appears we have the same way of coping with it: a heightened sense of attachment and responsibility to those we believe we have hurt.”
“There is no shame in this. It is the right thing to due in correcting past mistakes, especially when they could have been avoided.”
Twilight merely nodded at this, but felt like belting out in confirmation at the simple statement. Never had she felt something to be truer in her entire life, especially when the guilt was present.
What Remains III: Cracked Sky
The screeching of metal and hissing of electrical sparks was all that Alistair could hear as he trotted through the Crescent Fortress’s foundries. Several air destroyers, suspended upright by massive metal dry-dock supports, were in the process of being constructed. Ponies left and right labored away in their respective tasks of welding, bolting, hammering, and other general forms of maintenance to the machines of war.
It was amazing that such a chamber could fit within the small archipelago of the Crescent Isle, underground or not. But it seemed the Night Lords of old had used their considerable wealth (as well as current member’s amassed fortunes) to ingeniously craft such an efficient wonder.
The boy trotted steadily through the frenzy of working ponies. His brisk pace and stern expression made step out of his way but for others he simply pushed past. He got more than his fair share of dirty insults from his fellow Night Lords but he refrained from any direct retaliation.
It bothered him none the less, the specific lack of respect from those he commanded. He’d been given full reign over the operation by Silver Eclipse himself and the power he slowly attained from the imprisoned Princess Luna only gave him more influence over the collective’s goals.
And yet many still saw him as an interloper. His sudden and rapid progression into the higher ranks of the Night Lords had surprised many, and the fact that he was a human child infuriated others. His age was one thing but his race played a larger role in the objectors’ minds.
Alistair’s presence as the lone human in the current generation of Equestria served as a wondrous sign of good luck to the organization’s goals but the positives stopped there, because he was just that, a sign of good luck, a symbol. He wasn’t supposed to actually command forces, only inspire them with his rarity.
The injustice stung him greatly. He’d been leading the Lords into believing that, through his understanding of realm travel, he was fusing Luna with a mirror version of herself that had remained Nightmare Moon. And even that ruse hadn’t convinced the hardheaded ponies he was more than just an object to be observed. He’d show them, he’d show them soon enough.
“Alistair!” called a gruff voice from behind him. “Mr. Alistair!”
He turned to see a stallion engineer, adorned in greasy grey coveralls, waving to him further down the assembly line.
“Over here!”
He marched over to the pony and briefly bowed. “Foreman Leatherneck, I presume?”
“Yessir, you wished to talk with me about the destroyers?”
Alistair nodded. “Yes. I’d like to know of the progress you’ve made thus far, just to get a better perspective of when to time the assault.”
The stallion scratched his mane. “Well…most of the hulls have had their frames completed we just need to fill in the spaces that aren’t covered by their skeletons. The cannons you requested have already been finished, we just needed to do some modifications to the ordinance rifles we already had.”
“The balloon’s canvasses still need to be modified to hold enough lifting gas to keep the ship maneuverable in the air and the sails as well needs to be at least tripled in size to accommodate such a craft.”
Alistair scratched his chin. “So in summary, how long until you believe they’ll be operational?”
Leatherneck nervously gulped. “Y-You have to understand that these things take time. I mean, the conversions between the air galleys we have to something this big is something even the most skilled of technicians would have trouble developing a project of this scope. These things take time.”
The human eyed him with a glacially calm gaze. “So what I gather from the aversion to my question is a date far from our projected time of attack. Need I remind of this mission’s importance, decreed directly from our Queen?”
“W-Well yes, I understand that…”
“Then why are you arguing with reason? You have your orders and are expected to follow them.”
“W-Why can’t we just use the galleys we already have instead? T-They’re the most effective ships we have in the arsenal and I’m sure we’d be able to—”
“—Get shot out of the sky,” Alistair finished. “No matter how well we’ll be able to avert Sun Guard attention from Canterlot there will no doubt be a patrol of at least a few dreadnaughts patrolling the skies. If we are to last even a second against that kind of fire power than we must outclass them in everyway imaginable.”
“I know it doesn’t seem like it but the Equestrian Army is more effective than it leads on to be. Despite the incompetence of the government they serve the Sun Guard is extremely effective at what they do. Not only do they have numbers over us but as well the resources to construct whatever they need to counter even our strongest of offense.”
Leatherneck opened his mouth speak but Alistair raised a palm to stop him. “I want these ships done by the end of this month, Leatherneck. Our destiny rests on their success and neither I nor the other Night Lords wish to wait any longer for our moment of triumph. We deserve it.”
“Umm…y-yes, sir,” stammered the increasingly frightened pony. “We’ll have everything up and running by the date you mentioned.”
“I would hope so, for you and your worker’s sake. I do not wish to make threats but I must say I am not responsible for the actions of those who outrank me. They are very quite impatient.”
“Of course…”
“Good day, foreman Leatherneck.”
Around that same time, in a much different chamber within the Crescent Fortress, slept the mortal commander of the entire shadowy group. Silver Eclipse, with his face still shadowed by the black hood he always had pulled down to conceal his face, slept heartily in his modest chambers.
His advanced age, somewhere nearing in the centuries with the assistance of several revitalization spells, left him with a frail and weakened body that was starting to show its level of wear. But for now he didn’t dare worry about his own health for he was experiencing a most wondrous dream.
He found himself standing among the bustling streets of Canterlot. A dark blue sky hung over the metropolis with a crescent moon hanging mightily above. Ponies of all shapes and sizes moved around him in positive fervor that was quite rare for the typically gaudy and stuck up capitol. Everypony seemed happy and Eclipse knew just why.
All he had to do was look upon every storefront, every lamppost, every billboard and know what brought salvation to the deprived ponies of Equestria. Queen Luna, her silhouetted eyes poking out from the banners and posters planted all about, surrounded by a deep shade of blue that nearly matched the nebula-like sky.
The Night Lords had succeeded. Celestia and Twilight Sparkle were dead and the ponies of Equestria greeted their new ruler with open hooves. They’d seen the weaknesses of their nation exploited on all fronts and had submitted to the stronger security offered by Luna’s rightful reign.
Letting out a peaceful sigh, he felt a wave of relaxation hit him as dreamy content filled his veins. He shut his eyes in bliss. He hadn’t felt this young in quite awhile and even though it wasn’t real at the moment he knew it soon would be.
Perfect…everything was perfect…and then he saw her.
At the other side of the street she stood, ignored by the passing crowds and slowly approaching Eclipse with a calm intensity. His happiness quickly changed to awe. No sooner than his eyes had widened in wild surprise was he already on one foreleg, bowing to his Dark Queen.
“My Queen,” he said through a steadied voice, “I am blessed to be in your presence.”
She did not respond but simply regarded him as he kneeled before her.
“To what honor do I owe this immense pleasure to speak with one as mighty as you?” He continued. “Words cannot describe the honor that I feel.”
Still no response.
“Is something wrong, My Queen?”
Her face did not break composure as she finally spoke. “Are you the one referred to as Grandmaster Silver Eclipse of the Night Lords?”
He looked up at her in confusion. “Of course I am, My Queen. Didn’t you know this already?”
“Rise then.”
Eclipse did as he was told. But as he got a better look at who he was speaking to, he could feel the color drain from his already pale fur. “You’re not the one I serve!” he exclaimed in horror. “You’re the broken reflection, the mindless lackey to your sister!”
Princess Luna regarded him coldly. “I would not say I am mindless to the wishes of my sister. But even she would strike down one as twisted and evil as yourself.”
“What do you want with me, pretender?” he sneered. “Can’t you see I’m living the future, the future the real you will create?”
“You are mistaken then, Silver Eclipse, for you are living nothing but a delusion that holds no chance in coming true. I have come to warn you of this.”
“Save your lies for somepony who will believe them, witch. They will not work on me. I know of your true fate.”
Luna raised a queried eyebrow. “Oh, and what does that happen to be?”
“Why, your metamorphosis of course, the fusing between the Luna of this realm and the one of another. In that union a perfect representation of your true self shall be created, and with it, a perfect Equestria.”
“Then I have something to inform you of, Eclipse. Involving certain…insubordination within your ranks.”
She then proceeded to tell Eclipse everything that was really going on with Alistair. The daily power siphoning, the intended vagueness of Luna’s orders, and the lack of tangible progress in the ‘real’ Luna’s return.
Eclipse had been resistant and even hostile as she explained the complicated tale. But farther and farther the story progressed, his snow white ears slumped in disappointment and defeat. Once she was done, the old stallion was at a loss of words.
“He lied to me…” Eclipse dismally. “I did so much to ensure he was sincere and even then he was able to get past it. How could I have been so foolish…”
Luna placed a comforting hoof on the stallion’s shoulder. “There is still time to stop the human’s treachery. You are a good pony, Silver Eclipse. But the evil Alistair wishes to wrought cannot by accomplished. Your criticisms of Equestria hold truth and I ensure changes will be made. But for now, you must stop this menace.”
He didn’t even need time to think as he nodded in agreement. “I will. It will need to be in a secluded location, when he least expects it. He holds sway over several of our members and an open conflict between us could paint me as the aggressor in a power struggle. This needs to be done quietly.”
“I wish the best of luck,” Luna said as the dream’s scene began to fade to white. “I will be watching over you the best I can. But for now, plan you attack wisely. You will have only one chance.”
He attempted to voice his thanks to the Princess but she had already disappeared from his view. A moment later the entire vision had faded away into nothing, leaving a black void of darkness as he tumbled back into regular sleep.
He’d been informed of a conspiracy taking place right under his snout but for now he’d have to play things calmly, wait for his window of opportunity to reveal itself and strike swiftly. Just as Luna had said, he only had one shot at this. He would have to make it count. Otherwise…all of Equestria was doomed.
What Remains III: Cracked Sky
[Cancellation and Unwritten Chapters]
Letter from the Author
After much consideration and hesitance on the topic I've decided to entirely cancel Cracked Sky and put the Alistair series on hold.
A multitude of reasons contributed to this course of action such as other projects, lack of interest, unexplained negative feedback (I can't get better if you don't tell me why), unneeded stress and just general boredom. Writing has always been an enjoyed passion of mine but the format that this site presents it in really does suck out a large majority of the fun involved, making the process of writing these stories more of a job than a pastime.
I'm not sure if I'm entirely resigning from writing pony on this site but as of now I really want to get out if it all for awhile and actually focus on projects I can enjoy without worry of user feedback. It was a great time while it lasted but I really can't take this much anymore.
That being said, the initial concept for Cracked Sky was really fun to plan out, and thus, I'd like to provide a synopsis on what was supposed to happen as the story continued. Enjoy!
Summary
While writing out a covert message to all active Night Lord agents to begin recording Equestrian troop movements, Alistair is approached by Shale Press that evening. She continues making romantic advances towards him which he finally openly questions. She explains that she's always felt something special for him and that he shouldn't be uncomfortable with her attraction. Unsure with this but not quite knowing what to make of this, he hesitantly accepts her reasoning.
Meanwhile, Pen observes as the Nightmare Plague worsens in Canterlot and sees the eventual Sun Guard lock-down of the city and others in Equestria. While attempting to deliver a field report to other sleeper agents, he is nearly arrested by a Sun Guard for breaking the nation-wide curfew. At that moment, a group of ponies, finally driven to madness by the Plague attack the Guard, allowing Pen to escape.
Back at the Crescent Fortress, Alistair, Shale, and the rest of the higher-ranking Night Lord Wizards go over the final preparations for the strike at Canterlot. Silver Eclipse is strangely absent from the group but others quickly dismiss it as nothing.
After the meeting Alistair returns to the anti-chamber where Luna is being held to siphon one last dose of her power in preparation for the attack. However, when he arrives he finds Silver Eclipse waiting for him. The old colt reveals the Luna had informed him of his true motives of revenge instead of the dissolution of Equestria and that he has been turned back to the light by Luna's revelation. Now seeing Alistair as a threat, Silver Eclipse attacks him.
The two exchange blows until Silver Eclipse gets the upper hand. Nearing defeat and giving in to his anger, Alistair telepathically throws him into the force field containing Luna, mortally wounding him. They share one last moment together with Eclipse telling him he still has a chance to let go of his anger and that he always wished the best for him. With these last words he dies in Alistair's hands.
Grief stricken and in shock, Alistair further embraces his hate and begins to feel a growing darkness within himself. Luna claims he's reaching a point of no return but he visualizes it as a power that rival even Celestia herself.
Now, with everything in place, the order is given to fly the fleet of Air Destroyers to the Crystal Empire and await further instructions. Shale Press opts to stay with the auxiliary force but hands him a covert letter to read once the battle has been won. She then kisses him suddenly which he finally half accepts and begins to feel legitimate love towards Shale.
As the attack force nears the Crystal Empire, while making very clear of their approach through random attacks on the surface, Celestia orders a massive counter force to intercept them over the arctic kingdom. However, when the Equestrian Airships arrive they find the entire Night Lord fleet has disappeared without a trace.
In reality, Alistair casts a 'shroud appearance' spell over the entirety of the fleet with Luna's stolen magic enhancing the duration and potency. Now invisible to the Sun Guard, they continue unseen to a lightly-defended Canterlot and begin bombarding the city. Pen observes the attack from his home and decides to not join the Night Lord attack, unsure how about who exactly will win.
Understanding her old friend has finally revealed himself, Twilight Sparkle takes command of the remains of Canterlot's Sun Guard engages the Night Lord fleet head on while Celestia stays behind to protect the city's inhabitants. While the battle unfolds, Twilight sneaks aboard Alistair's capital ship attempts to covertly subdue him. Sensing her arrival, he knocks onto the ship's deck and challenges her to open combat, finally granting him his long awaited chance at revenge.
Using Luna's powers and his own dark magic, Alistair is easily able to engage Twilight, painfully toying with her in glee. As she begins to lose hope, Luna, mysteriously released from her imprisonment by an unseen figure, calls out to her weakly through her magic. She explains that Alistair still is a good soul and simply needs to remember the friendship and enjoyment he felt before he lost hope in life.
Charging at him, Twilight uses the combined effort of her own Element of Harmony and Luna's magic to cause Alistair to remember his past life before his descent into darkness. Overwhelmed with happiness and sorrow, Alistair quietly embraces Twilight while begging for forgiveness.
As this happens, Twilight notices that the Night Lord warships begin to retreat from Canterlot while the Night Lords on Alistair's ship abandon it. Confused but not deterred, she comforts a sobbing Alistair and promises that everything will be fine.
