A Really Unexpected Reunion

Chapters

One - A Motherly Reunion With the Past
Two - Catching Up
Three - Once a Crusader, Always a Crusader Part One
Four - Schoolhouse Apples Part One
Five - Schoolhouse Apples Part Two

One - A Motherly Reunion With the Past

----A Motherly Reunion With the Past----

As the town of Ponyville slept, a mare crept into the peacefully resting town. Not with the intentions of stealing, but just to adjust to the massive changes. She hasn't been to this quaint town in decades. So she's bound to run into a few surprises. As she slowly walked through the cobblestone streets, a sense of nostalgia crept into her mind. She remembers when the town was being swarmed by Ursas, Scorpios, Lupi, Cerberi, and Hydras. How she saved the town and redeemed her past from her previous title of "monster" to "hero". Hello again, Ponyville. she thought with a smile on her face. The warm evening air blew gently through her lavender mane and along her jet-black coat. When she reached the town square, one thing caught her emerald green eyes. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. This was among the surprises she was going to encounter: the Castle of Friendship. She flew to the large crystalline palace's doors and opened it with her magic.

Her mouth dropped more as she took in the sights of the inside. It was elegant. So elegant that it could give the Canterlot Castle a run for it's money. The moon light beamed through the windows and glistened through the crystal walls, giving it a soft feel. This was entirely new to her. She slowly walked through the hall and noticed something that made her nostalgia elevate as if it were an elevator. On the banners above, she saw it: the cutie mark of her adoptive mother, Twilight Sparkle. She smiled widely. But there was one question in her mind: what happened to let her have such an elegant edifice? She heard hoof-steps behind her and knew that she had to hide. So she willed her body to break down into a soft blue cloud and she hid above one of the banners.

The pony she heard was a guard. His horn was glowing and he was using it to make a beam of light for his patrols. She now wondered: why are there guards in here? Multiple questions arose from that one. But there was one thing she needed to do: ask. So she came down and materialized. The guard jumped as he felt her hoof tap his shoulder. "Excuse me," she began, "What is this building."

"Why, m'lady," he began in his Ponish (British) accent, "This is the Castle of Friendship. Wait, who're you?"

"My name is Nyx." she answered.

"Well Miss Nyx," he continued, "The public library is closed between ten at night and six in the morning."

"I was unaware." she admitted. "Well, do you know where you keep the records? It's been decades since I've been here."

"Right this way, ma'am." he finished as he escorted her down the hall. She took in the view as they walked past the windows. Nostalgia spiked more as she saw Fluttershy's cottage and Sweet Apple Acres. She smiled as memories came back to her in full swing. They walked some more until they reached a descending spiral staircase lit by torches. "Right down there, miss." he concluded as he levitated a key. "Door's probably locked. Here you go." She grabbed the key and nodded.

"Thank you, sir." she smiled.

"Not a problem, ma'am." he saluted then was off.

She descended the staircase and was greeted by a door. She used her magic to inset the key into the keyhole and turned it. The lock clicked, signaling to her that she was free to enter. She opened the door with her magic and walked in. On the other side were a few bookcases filled with scrolls and books. She sighed heavily. "This is going to be a long night." she heaved. With that, she sat at a desk and one-by-one, she read each book and scroll.

The sun came up on a brilliant day in Equestria. Princess Twilight woke up and stretched with a yawn. Beside her was her husband, Flash Sentry, who snores lightly. She giggled as she saw one of his hooves twitch as he snored. With a slight nudge, he snorted and sat straight up. "Wha-! Huh?" he wondered as he blinked. "Oh. Morning."

"Morning." she smiled as she climbed out of the bed. She stretch her aching limbs once again then proceeded to a room beside theirs. With a turn of the knob, she opened the door. Inside, an orange pegasus lay in her bed, sleeping soundly. "Star? Time to get up." she announce a she nudged the body.

"Nooooo......" she groaned. "Too tired...."

"Star. Come on. I thought you were going to help Del with getting the apples again." she continued as she nudged her daughter again.

"Ugghhh......FINE...." Star groaned as she sat up. Twilight stifled a giggle as she saw the unkempt state her mane was in. "Yours doesn't look any better." Starburst pointed out with a smirk.

Twilight looked up and slammed a hoof into her face. That was the one thing she forgot: to brush her mane. Star and Twilight shared a small laugh. "Get fixed up and then wake up your brother." Twilight instructed. "It's his turn to fix breakfast."

"Alright." Star yawned with a stretch. Twilight proceeded through the halls as she held a brush in her magic that tidied her mane. She walked with a smile on her face as the warm sunlight woke her body. Nothing beats a summer day in Ponyville. Nothing. She proceeded down the hall and to the staircase that led to the public records. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she knew something was off. The door was slightly ajar and a candle's light shone through the crack. The door creaked as she nudged it open.

A wave of fear brushed over her as she saw the state of the room. Every scroll and book were open and unrolled and sprawled around the room. But there was one thing she noticed, nothing was burned or stolen. Fear changed into confusion. But she was caught off-guard when the door slammed and the candle went out. Her horn glowed and illuminated a small area around her. "W-Who's there?" she called out in the darkness.

"What do you call someone you haven't seen in a while?" a voice asked.

"A distant friend or relative." she answered as she looked around the room.

"Who has a coat like ravens and eyes like emeralds?" the voice questioned again.

"I-I don't know." she answered as her body shook.

Then she felt hooves cover her eyes and she yelped. Her ears perked as she felt the steady breathing of another pony. "Who has a sweet mother like you?" the pony asked.

Twilight teleported away and ignited the candles in the room. Her eyes widened, her jaw dropped, and a tear streamed down her cheek. The pony smile softly as Twilight's mouth curved upwards. "Hi, mom." Nyx greeted. "Long time."

"Same here." Twilight smiled as she embrace her long-lost step-child.

Author's Note

Nyx belongs to Pen Stroke.
All others belong to Kilala.
My Little Pony is copyright to Hasbro.
Please do not steal.
All Rights Reserved.

If you haven't already, read Past Sins by Pen Stroke to know more about Twilight's and Nyx's relationship. Trust me. It is sad but at the same time adorable. It's a great read! So I really recommend reading that to know more back story or you'll just be like "WTF?" with everything Nyx related in this fanfiction.

With the reuniting of past "mother and child", there's going to be a lot of catching up to do. But how is Nyx going to react to what has happened over the decades of her absence? Found out more in chapter Two - Catching Up

Until next time!

-TheNightShade

P.S. I'm going to start that copyright thing from now on.

Two - Catching Up

----Catching Up----

Flash Sentry looked around the castle for his wife, calling out to her occasionally. Then, he encountered a patrolling guard. "Lieutenant Colonel." he started. The Lt. Col. stopped and saluted. "Yes, Captain?" the guard asked.

"Have you seen my wife?" Flash asked.

"I think I saw her going down to the records room." he answered.

"Thank you, continue your patrol." Flash finished as he saluted back. The guard turned and went in the opposite direction of Flash's path.

Flash descended the stairs to the room. On the other side of the door, he could hear the voice of twilight and another pony, idly chatting about his marriage. He nudged the door open and the conversation halted. In addition to the conversation, a few scrolls and books floated in the air. "Is this the Flash Sentry you were talking about?" Nyx questioned.

"Yes." Twilight nodded as the scrolls and books continued to fly into the bookshelves.

"Twi?" Flash started as he pointed a hoof towards Nyx. "Who's that?"

"Flash." Twilight started, "This my be a little weird but this is my adopted daughter, Nyx."

"Hello." Nyx smiled.

"Twilight? A word." Flash requested. He and Twilight exited the room and closed the door.

Twilight knew that there was confusion and anger pent up inside her husband. He paced a little as he conjured what to say. He stopped and looked towards Twilight. "First," he started, "Is she really your daughter."

"Yes. Princess Celestia let me sign the legal documents." she replied.

"Second," he continued, "Is she Nightmare Moon?" Twilight saw this question coming from a mile away.

"WAS Nightmare Moon." Twilight corrected. "She was conjured from a spell a cult made that was intended to resurrect Nightmare. But it failed and she was the product." Twilight paused as memories came back while Flash waited for her to finish. "For months I had to keep her a secret." she continued. "Only my friend and the Crusaders knew about her secret. But then the cult came back and revealed that they were working in Canterlot and Ponyville. That's when......that's when they finished the spell."

"What happened next?" Flash asked, wanting more answers.

"She cast Celestia to the sun and Luna to the moon. Then brought a night eternal. But after she brought eternal night, she saw the wrong of her ways and resumed the day-to-night cycle." Twilight informed. "Then she rid of the infection that plagued the cult and in the process, destroying a part of her and injuring herself badly. But she had enough magic to let Celestia and Luna come back. That's when they decided to let me keep her. As a daughter."

"Third," Flash announced, "Why did you keep it a secret? From me. From your family."

"I didn't want you to know." Twilight admitted. "But now that you see her, guess we'll have to introduce her to the others."

"What others?" Nyx asked.

Her sudden appearance caused Flash to jump a little. "Nyx," Twilight started, "The "others" we were referring to were our children."

"Children? Plural?" Nyx asked. "You have children?"

"Yes." Flash nodded as his heart beat calmly. "We are about to sit down for breakfast. I think we have enough room for one more."

"No thank-" Nyx's response was cut off by the low growl of her stomach.

"This way." Twilight smiled as she led Nyx up the stairs.

Starburst and her brother, Night Light Jr., sat at the table while they waited for their parents. "Where are they?" Night asked.

"I don't know." Starburst replied with a sigh. "But I'm hungry." Then the door opened and they looked to see who was entering. It was their parents.

"There you are." Starburst groaned.

"Sorry we took so long." Twilight apologized.

"Don't worry about it." Night shooed the apology.

"Let's eat then." Flash declared.

After eating in silence for a few minutes, Nyx materialized undetected and began to eat. "So," Nyx began, "Starburst and Night Light?" Both of them jumped as they finally saw the mare.

"Night Light JUNIOR." Twilight corrected with a smile.

"Who is she? When did she get here?" Starburst asked.

"Nighty, Star, this is my ADOPTED daughter, Nyx." Twilight announced.

"Hello." Nyx greeted with a smile. Then came a torrent of questions that Twilight answered with ease. They were simple but similar to Flash's.

After explaining, Twilight had an idea. "How about you go from pony to pony to get more caught up?" Twilight proposed.

"Sounds like a plan." Nyx agreed.

"Who do you want to start with?" Twilight asked.

"How about the other Crusaders?" Nyx replied.

"How about the FORMER Crusaders?" Twilight corrected.

"They have their cutie marks?" Nyx questioned with a wide smile.

"Yes." Twilight nodded. "But it's going to a little difficult."

"How so?"

"Well," Twilight began, "Scootaloo is a race pony and Sweetie Belle is a professional singer."

"Ah." Nyx nodded. "So then I'll start with Applebloom then."

"Alright." Twilight nodded. After they finished breakfast, Nyx said her goodbye's and left in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres.

Author's Note

Now semi-caught up with everything, Nyx has a few thoughts of what's happened. The next few days will add up to almost two months of going from friend to friend, princess to princess, to catch up with events. Good and bad. During this catching up, she'll become friends with their children.

Find out how it goes in Chapter Three - {Once a Crusader, Always a Crusader Part One!

-TheNightShade

Three - Once a Crusader, Always a Crusader Part One

----Once a Crusader, Always a Crusader Part One----

Nyx walked along the streets on a pleasant summer morning, her nostalgia going head-over-hoof with every turn of the head or every movement of the eye. Over the decade or so of her absence, things certainly have changed. Heck, even Mayor Mare stepped down and let somepony else have a turn as Mayor. It's going to be a little weird calling her "Mayor Mare" while there is a new mayor. Nyx let her thoughts wander too much and she bumped into another pony, causing both of them to stumble to the ground. During the transaction, her hairband came loose and fall to the ground. "Ah'm so sorry!" the pony apologized. "Ah should've watched where Ah was goin'."

"I should have as well." Nyx apologized back as the pony helped her to her hooves.

"Here's your band." the pony continued. Nyx now saw that the pony was a mare, one that she vaguely remembers. "Applebloom?" Nyx wondered.

"That's mah name!" Applebloom agreed. "What's your's?"

"Do you really not remember me, old friend?" Nyx wondered.

"Can't say that Ah do." she admitted. With a small chuckle, Nyx closed her eyes and fixed her band back on her head. Applebloom looked at her in confusion with a tilted head. After tying the band, Nyx smiled and opened her eyes. Realization started to strike Applebloom like lightning. "Wait just a darned second." Applebloom started. "Is that really you Nyx?"

"Yes it is!" Nyx answered. She fell back again, only because Applebloom tackled her in a big hug. "It's been forever since Ah've seen ya!" she announced.

"I.....could tell...." Nyx strained. Applebloom certainly has gotten stronger in her absence was a thought that entered her mind. From a small filly who could barely kick a tree's worth of apples down to a full-grown mare, it's quite a big change. After a few seconds of oxygen deprivation, Applebloom released her grip off of her long-forgotten friend.

Nyx took a few minutes to gain back some oxygen before continuing their conversation. "So," Nyx started, "I hear that Scootaloo is a racer and Sweetie Belle is a singer."

"And they're married with their own children." Applebloom added as they started to head in Applebloom's original direction.

"Oh really?" Nyx wondered.

"Darned tootin'!" Applebloom confirmed. "Same here as well!"

"Congratulations." Nyx nodded. "So who was it?"

"How about Ah keep that a secret until we reach my place?" Applebloom offered.

"Still living in Sweet Apple Acres?" Nyx wondered.

"Ah am but my husband and Ah still wanted a house inside Ponyville cause Sweet Apple Acres is relatively low on housin' space." she explained.

"I could tell." Nyx chuckled. "Seems like your family keeps on growing."

"You don't say." Applebloom chuckled.

After a quick lunch, another lengthy walk, and a finished conversation, they finally reach Applebloom's house inside Ponyville. With a nudge of the door, Applebloom and Nyx walked in. The cool air from the air conditioner ran along Nyx's fur and cause a small shiver when she stepped in. She didn't realize how hot it was outside until she stepped into a house. Applebloom set her saddlebags on the counter and brought out various items: a pouch of bits, a bundle of grapes, a bag of apples, some marshmallows, and a recipe book. While this was going on, Nyx decided to walk around the house. To her surprise, the interior was remodeled to look like it was at Sweet Apple Acres. "You want anything, Nyx?" Applebloom asked as Nyx finished her self-tour of the house.

"You know," Nyx started as she walked into the kitchen, "It's been a while since I've had a bottle of Cider." Just the mere mentioning of the Apple family's signature Apple Cider made her mouth water.

"There's some in the fridge. Third shelf." Applebloom explained as she started to mix some ingredients in a boiling pot. With a smile, Nyx opened the fridge and, just like Applebloom said, there were about ten bottles of unopened Apple Family Apple Cider. She levitated one out and popped the top. A chill went down her spine when she took her first gulp it what feels like forever. "Where have ya been all this time?" Applebloom wondered.

"Just going from place to place." Nyx answered before taking another gulp and earning another shiver. "All I did was explore Equestria. Some of the towns even threw a welcome party despite my previous...boo-boos, as Rarity would put it."

"That's a surprise." Applebloom nodded before covering the pot. "Seeing as thought you also brought eternal night for a few weeks."

"It was a surprise to me as well." Nyx agreed before finishing the bottle.

Then the door opened and Nyx heard two sets of hooves as the ponies entered. Their conversation stopped as they got near the living room. "Something smells good!" one pony called out, referring to dinner. The voice was recognizable, despite being slightly, like by a hair, deeper. But it was one the Nyx knew.

"Pipsqueak?" Nyx wondered as she joined the ponies in the living room.

"By Celestia!" Pip smiled as he stood. "If it isn't Nyx! So good to see you!"

"Same to you!" Nyx replied as the hugged each other.

"How long have you been in Ponyville?" he asked.

"One night and a full day."

"Where did you sleep?"

"The public records room in the Castle."

"Twilight must've been happy to see you."

"Oh she was." Nyx nodded. "Now Applebloom told me about your child."

"Ah, yes. Api!" Pip called out to the other pony. "Come here!"

"Comin'!" Api called back.

The pony who came up to her was about her shin's height. But what made Nyx chuckle was the fact that she had completely identical features from both Applebloom and Pipsqueak. To list, she had the mane and tail, both color, except for a darker red highlight, and style. She even had one of Applebloom's bows around the base of her tail. She also had a few brown spots on her fur just like Pip. "She certainly is your child." Nyx chuckled lightly before stretching a hoof out. "Hello, Api. I'm Nyx. I grew up with your parents."

"Hello, Nyx." she greeted back with a shake of her hoof. "What's with your eyes?" Nyx winced a little and realized what she was referring to. But nonetheless, she had to answer.

"You may not believe it but I am," Nyx started and realized her mistake, "WAS Nightmare Moon. Long story."

"OOOOhhhh!" Api replied with a look of interest. "I want to know how you were Nightmare Moon. If you don't mind that is."

"It'll have to wait until after dinner, Api." Applebloom stated. "Dinner's ready."

Over the delicious meal of homemade hay fries and spaghetti, Nyx explained to Applebloom and Pip her adventures through Equestria. She told how most of the towns completely ignored her as if she were a regular pony and how some threw her a welcome party and even a birthday party for her. But she also explained that they were not like Pinkie's in anyway in the fact that they were simple. After they ate, Nyx and Api sat in the living room as Nyx told her he story, both good and bad parts, from start to finish. To much of her surprise, Api was rather interested. Once she finished her story, she knew by the moonlight coming in from the window that it was time for her to rest. Applebloom offered her the bed in the guest room but she declined.

After everyone was in bed, Nyx's nostalgia spike kept her up. After looking over Applebloom's bookshelf, she found a photo album. Nyx knew that Applebloom wouldn't mind if she looked through it. She got back on the couch and and opened it. the first picture was a family photo of just Applebloom, Pip, and Api. With each page, she smiled. From cover to cover, she kept a grin. Knowing that her friend had found a great happiness in her life. She let out a small yawn and levitated the book back to its place back on the shelf. After looking out the window and basking a little in Luna's moon, she lowered her head and closed her eyes.

She knew that it's going to be interesting catching up with the past.

Author's Note

The reason why it says part one is that, well, you've probably guessed it by now, I'm doing each part for each Crusader. INCLUDING Babs. But the Babs part will be my own addition to the Kilalaverse because SOMEONE (coughcoughKilalacoughcough) didn't bother to put in Babs. It will also be a hint at a future fanfic. I'll also reference a few other K-verse related fanfics.

With Applebloom down, Nyx knows that she'll have to put the other three on hold until she's done in Ponyville. She's in for a few more surprises down this "road of enlightenment".

Stay tuned for Chapter Four - Schoolhouse Apples Part One!

-TheNightShade

Four - Schoolhouse Apples Part One

----Schoolhouse Apples Part One----

Nyx sat underneath a tree that was just outside of Ponyville's schoolhouse. She looked at the building and smiled a little as she saw that it was just how she remembered it. But that smile soon turned away as she remembered Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara. Speaking of which, Nyx couldn't help but to think that she needed to see them to see if they changed at all. She was ripped from her thoughts as she saw the pony she was wanting to see. Inside was her old teacher, Cheerilee. She couldn't help but to smile. Yes indeed, she didn't change since she left for her adventure. Nyx stood and strolled to the front, making sure to look through the window to see if she was still preoccupied with getting ready for the upcoming school year. After cracking open the door quietly, Nyx dissolved and worked her way to behind the teacher.

After resurfacing, Nyx covered Cheeilee's eyes, earning a small yelp from her. "Nice to see you're busy as always." Nyx commented into her ear. Cheeilee's ear shot up and she broke free of Nyx's jump-scare.

"Nyx! Is that really you?" she inquired with a smile.

"Nice to know you still remember me!" Nyx replied with a smile in return.

"Ooohhh! It's so good to see you!" Cheerilee cheered as she hugged Nyx.

"Same to you!" she commented back.

"What brings you here?" Cheerilee questioned as they broke the embrace.

"Just wanted to stop and say 'hi' and to say I'm going to be in town for a few weeks." Nyx informed. "Plus, I hear you're an Apple now."

"Let me guess, you saw Applebloom?"

"Yeah. she said that I needed to see you." Nyx nodded. After a few more minutes of idle chatter, the door opened and caused all chatter to evaporate into the air. "Is it just me or is that Nyx Ah'm seein'?" the pony wondered rhetorically.

"Nice to see you again, Big Mac." Nyx greeted with a shared hoof-bump.

"Oh, Nyx." Cheerliee started as if she remembered something. "Remember when I mentioned earlier about me being married."

"Shut up!" Nyx replied with wide eyes. "You and Mac are married?"

"Surprise!" Cheerilee giggled. "Want to meet the other?"

"And a child!" Nyx replied. "Things certainly HAVE changed!" They continued their conversation as they walked to the property Nyx thought she would never see again. "Something's different." Nyx noted as she looked over Sweet Apple Acres.

"You mean the cherry orchard we added?" Mac replied. "That's actually where we're headed."

"I thought I'd never see the day that Sweet Apple Acres starts to grow something other than apples." Nyx chuckled.

When they arrived, Nyx spotted a cherry-colored mare running from tree to tree, kicking them and sending them down to the baskets below. After a few minutes, the mare wiped beads of sweat from her forehead. "Hey, June!" Big Mac called out to her. "C'mere for a sec!"

"Comin'!" she called back.

"Nyx this is Red June." Cheerliee introduced.

"Howdy there!" June greeted with an outstretched hoof.

"Hi." Nyx smiled as she shook her hoof.

"So, old friend of ma and pa?" June questioned as she wiped some more sweat.

"I was actually and old student of Cheerilee's." Nyx explained.

"And an alicorn?" June wondered as she walked around Nyx.

"Yeah."

"I thought there were only four." June pointed out.

"I've been travelling a while." Nyx explained as June looked up to her face.

"Are you Nightmare Moon?" she questioned.

"WAS Nightmare Moon." Nyx corrected.

"I'm going to go help fix up dinner. June, why don't you introduce Nyx to Del?" Cheerilee offered. "Then get cleaned up."

"Yes, ma'am!" June nodded. "C'mon, Del's workin' the western orchard." While they walked, Nyx's nostalgia peaked as she remembered she would come here to help Applejack and Big Mac when she was younger. Nyx couldn't help but to smile. "Aunt Applejack never mentioned you." June pointed out.

"It's a long story." Nyx explained, trying to avoid another long telling. They halted when they heard a tree fall. They galloped over to where it fell and there was an orange-colored stallion with a wide grin laughing a little at the turquoise-colored.......what ever he is. "What the hay just happened!?" June questioned.

"Turquoise here knocked over the tree with a single kick!" the stallion announced. The whatever-he-is, now named Turquoise, blushed a little and rubbed a leg.

"Holy smokes!" June exclaimed. While this conversation was going on, Nyx stared in confusion at Turquoise. This didn't go unnoticed. "Um...hi." T greeted. "I'm Turquoise Blitz." He stertched out a hoof that had claws. CLAWS!

"I'm Nyx." she greeted back and leaving his hoof untouched. Then Nyx began to pace around his body, analyzing everything. "What are you?" she wondered.

"I-I'm a dragon-pony hybrid." he explained. "Or kirin."

"I've never heard of a dragon and pony mating before!" Nyx admitted.

"Yeah." he sighed as he rubbed the back of his head. "It's just me and my sister right now."

"Not to be rude or anythin'," June spoke up, "But this is my cousin, Golden Delicious. Del, Nyx. Nyx, Del."

"Nice to meet ya!" Del greeted.

"Hey." Nyx greeted back. "By the shade of yellow you are I bet your mother is Applejack."

"How'd ya know?" Del questioned.

"Lucky guess." Nyx shrugged.

"C'mon, dinner's almost ready." June announced. "Dibs on the shower!" With that, June ran off.

"Oh no ya don't!" Del called out as he chased her. Nyx smiled as she flew behind them.

Five - Schoolhouse Apples Part Two

----Schoolhouse Apples Part Two----

Del and June continued their race through the orchard with a spectating Nyx above them, a smile still on her lips. Ultimately, Del was the first to enter their house, earning a small chiding from the voice she identified as Applejack. After a graceful landing at the door, she lifted her hoof to knock but the door swung open and Applejack stared in awe at the mare in front of her. "By Celestia's flowing mane! Look how much you've grown, Nyx!" Applejack commented.

"Nice to see you, again, Applejack." Nyx smiled as they shared a strong hug.

"And so strong, too!" Applejack added. "Oh, what am I doing? Come on in!" Applejack moved from the doorway and let Nyx stroll in. Nyx noted in her mind that the house had not changed one bit since her absence. Applejack moved passed her and entered the kitchen where Nyx's nose caught the scent of dinner. She moved towards it and poked her head around the corner where she saw Caramel and Cheerilee working together to make the meal. Then she saw the transaction of Caramel's lips meeting Applejack's. "That's a shocker." she joked.

Caramel jumped slightly. "Now who's this?" he wondered.

"I'm not sure you remember but this is Nyx." Applejack greeted.

"Nyx...Nyx...Nyx..." Caramel repeated. "Wasn't she Nightmare Moon?" Nyx winced at the mention of her former name.

"Yes." Applejack answered sternly as she kicked Caramel in the shin.

"Dinner's- I mean, soup's on!" Cheerilee announced. The ponies grabbed their dinner and sat in the living room, seeing that they didn't have an extra spot at their table for Nyx. "So where've you been all these years?" Applejack wondered.

"Oh, travelling." Nyx answered nonchalantly. "Though it did surprise me."

"How so?" Applejack wondered as she took a bite of her apple cobbler (not her cousin). Nyx explained how the towns and cities treated her as if she were a regular pony and that her past had never happened. This surprised Applejack a lot. Seeing the fact that she did bring eternal night for a few weeks before righting her wrongs.

Once the "kids," which were Del, June, and Api, were sent to bed, for they had chores to do, the other ponies decided to talk about more "adult" things while downing some Hard Apple Cider. Nyx was the first to get tipsy after seven bottles. They told jokes and stories that were viewed as "uncouth" to Rarity. "How is....how is....Rarity?" Nyx slurred as she set down her mug.

"She's fine." Applejack replied. "I think she's pretty used to being a mother 'n all since she has two children."

"No....kidding." Nyx chuckled drunkenly.

"I think that's enough for you, sugar cube." Applejack laughed as she stripped the bottle from Nyx. Nyx pouted, but she didn't protest. "Wanna know something?" Applejack wondered as she finished her tenth mug.

"Yeah.....?" Nyx replied, suppressing a hiccup. Then things took a turn to sadness.

"Before I had Del, I went through a rough depression." Applejack started.

"W-Why?"

"Do you know what 'infertility' is, Nyx?" Applejack wondered. Nyx's heart sank at the mention. Applejack was the healthiest mare she's known, how was she infertile? Applejack took advantage of Nyx's silence to press on.

"The doctors said that I was indefinitely infertile. Meaning that I would be able to have children for as long as I lived." Applejack paused to wipe a surfacing tear. "But then there was one doctor who explained to me that infertility works in one of two ways. One-" She lifted a hoof. "It was affected by something psychological or two-" She lifted the other. "It was genetic." Applejack paused again.

"He told me that the surgery was thirteen hundred. But explained that I didn't need to worry about that."

"How so?" Nyx wondered.

"He told me that my eggs were only 'inactive,' not dead." Applejack explained. "So I sought out what it was that was causing this psychological hurdle. I soon found that it was the fact that I avoided my parent's graves since their burial." An unnerving silence blessed the room as Nyx processed it. "After I did so, few weeks later, I found out that I was pregnant." Applejack concluded.

"That's a sad note to end on." Nyx chuckled, trying to liven up the atmosphere in the room.

"Oh, jeez." Cheerilee groaned as she looked at the clock. "Is it that later already? Well I think we need to sleep because some of us have jobs in the morning."

Everypony, save for Nyx, said their 'good-nights' and retreated to wherever their beds were. Applejack offered Nyx the guest room but she declined it. Nyx laid down on the couch and looked out the window. She never knew that Applejack went through so much pain to have her first child, save for the labor. Nyx closed her eyes and drifted into the realm of dreams, hoping to get a visit from Luna.

Author's Note

What will happen later during her "path of enlightenment"? Find out in the next chapter: Purifying a Gem!
(Obvious Sparity meeting chapter)
-Night Shade