The Night Mare: Risen

by InkCrescent

Rating: everyone
Tags: Adventure, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other
Length: 12371

When a terrible danger threatens Ink Crescent's existence and the beautiful city of Cantelot, the alicorn may have to face a new challenge on her own.

Ink Crescent is born to the Trottingham unicorn mare, Midnight Ink, and the Los Pegasus pegasus stallion, Silent Moon. She is an alicorn, but must hide her wings. She is apprenticed to Princess Luna, and must find her way through the world as an alicorn -- and a normal unicorn. When a terrible danger threatens her existence and the beautiful city of Canterlot that has now become her home, Selene -- renamed by Princess Luna, as a sort of nickname -- must now move to Ponyville under the name Ink Crescent and live as a normal pony. But when she meets Bright Sky, a pony very similiar to her, and in the same kind of predicament, will she really have to face this new challenge alone?

Published 2015-03-13 04:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2015-03-13 04:20:02 UTC

1: Prologue

A dark cornflower blue pony narrowed her brilliant cyan eyes as she gazed around the Everfree Forest. She quickly draped a night-black cloak over her body and started toward her destination: The Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. It was in ruins now, from when Nightmare Moon attacked Celestia over a thousand years ago.

The pony stared around the ruins, blinking in shock. The ruins looked like as though they had been fixed up a bit. The pony shrugged and continued into the castle, walking catiously.

There may be someone else in here, she told herself.

It was a crazy idea. Who in the world would venture into these dark ruins in the middle of the night?

"Ow!"

A sharp call sounded from the library-where the pony was heading. She turned the corner and caught sight of a white coat. She scowled, knowing someone else was there.

"Just focus on finding the Journal, Selene," she told herself.

Selene stared around the library. The book she was looking for was a special one that contained spells of pure and dark magic that not even Star Swirl the Bearded knew. She knew it was somewhere in this library and she had to find it-and fast, especially if that other pony was looking for the same book. She snorted at this. The only ones who knew of the book were Princess Luna and herself.

"Hello?" the same voice called. "Is somepony there?"

Selene flinched. What she needed was to stay unseen as she searched for the Journal of Empress Lucena.

Selene had travelled all the way from Canterlot on hoof to reach the Everfree, just to find this book. She had promised Luna she would return before the third sunrise after she left. She didn't dare fly back to Canterlot; not when no pony except for the three princesses knew of her wings that made her an alicorn. She had been born that way, her mother Midnight Ink being a unicorn from Trottingham and her father Silent Moon being a pegasus from Los Pegasus. Selene had spent her first few years in Trottingham before her parents took her to Canterlot Academy. She stayed there for years, rooming with Lemony Gems and Princess Cadance. A few years later, she presented herself to Princess Celestia and the newly reformed Princess Luna. Both were shocked by her appearance -- she could've been Nightmare Moon's smaller twin, for pony's sake! She had the eyes, the wings, the horn, the eye color, coat color, mane color plus surrounding aura. She even had the same magic aura. Selene was taken under Luna's wing. On her twentieth birthday, they realized she had a gift -- the gift of the Siren's Song. Only the Sirens had been able to sing it perfectly and on-key. But for some reason, it seemed, Selene was able to do it. It wasn't until one night when she was helping Luna raise the moon and the stars, all whilst humming to herself, when she earned her Cutie Mark: a crescent moon with a treble clef in it. Most ponies earn their Cutie Marks at a young age. At Canterlot Academy, she had been teased about her blank flank, but now she was one the most powerful "unicorns" anyone had ever seen.

Selene ducked her head as she heard hoof steps nearby. Please, she willed silently, don't notice me. I'm not here. I'm merely a shadow.

The pony passed by her, covered in a night-black cloak, oblivious to the pony that was pressed against the wall only a few feet from her.

Selene let out a silent sigh of relief and raised her head a bit, trying to get a better look at the other pony. Instead, a podium caught her eye. On this podium was the Journal of Empress Lucena.

Selene gasped and instantly started quietly toward it. As she neared, her horn lit a brilliant cyan and she raised the book, drawing back part of her own cloak to reveal a saddle bag with a treble clef latch on it.

"Hey!" a voice called.

Selene whipped her head around, glaring daggers at the other pony, who had her eyes narrowed.

"That's my book!"

Biting back a retort, Selene tucked the book into her saddle bags and made a run for it. The entrance was so close --

The other pony bowled into her and Selene could hear the thud of saddle bags as the other pony's bag skidded across the castle library's floor. Rubbing her head and blinking the dizzyness away, Selene turned to face her enemy and simply gasped.

The pony's wings were unfurled and her horn was lit a pale pink. "Oh, no!" The pony let out a groan and quickly folded her wings, picking up her saddle bags with her magic and turning to face Selene. "So -- Nightmare Moon?" There was a note of shock in the pony's voice.

Too late, Selene realized the hood of her cloak had fallen off. "No!" she snapped. "Why in all of Equestria would you think that I'm Nightmare Moon? I don't even have wings!" At this, Selene shuffled her wings uncomfortably. They ached from not being used in so long.

"B-but you look so -- so much like her!" the pony stuttered.

"I'm Ink Crescent," Selene said. She wasn't lying. Selene was the name given to her by Luna, as a kind of nickname, but her real name was Ink Crescent, given to her by Midnight Ink and Silent Moon. "And you are" -- she paused, looking the white pony over -- "an alicorn?" She sounded skeptical.

"What?" The pony scoffed. "No! I'm Bright Sky. As far as you know, I'm a normal unicorn."

"Uh-huh," Selene muttered, skeptically. "How do you expect to hide your wings when I have the book, huh? Not so smart now, are you, princess?"

Bright Sky groaned. "I'm not a princess! I don't even come from Equestria!"

"Ah," Selene mused, sitting up, "an outsider."

"Exactly. So, you understand why I need the book!" Bright Sky let out a sigh of relief and held out her hoof, as though expecting Selene to just put the book into her possession.

"Oh!" Selene feigned surprise. "Oh. Yeah, no. I need this book more than you do, missy, so I'm going to keep it. I need it for reasons that aren't your business," she added, sharply, when Bright Sky opened her mouth to say more. She laughed, pulling her hood back over her head. "If I were you, alicorn, I'd forget you even met me. I'd be a dangerous enemy to have, Sky."

"It's Bright Sky!" Bright Sky snapped, her voice threateningly low.

Selene only stood up and smirked. "Right. Of course it is." Her horn lit a brilliant cyan once more and she teleported outside the castle, glancing up to see Bright Sky rush to the balcony's edge. "Have a good night!" she called over her shoulder. "Ha!" Selene turned and began to gallop into the night, calling one last hate-filled word over her shoulder.

"Princess."

2: The Birthday

Crescent entered the Dining Hall of Canterlot Castle, the smell of breakfast drawing her closer.

"Good morning, Princess," Raven, Princess Celestia's assistant, addressed her, bowing. "Breakfast is ready."

"Thank you, Raven," Crescent replied as she walked past Raven. "And, you know, you don't have to call me that."

Other than Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadance, all the servants in Canterlot Castle knew of the alicorn Selene, or Ink Crescent, Princess Luna's student. Cadance was going to finally introduce Crescent to her husband, Shining Armor, who, Crescent had learned, was Princess Twilight Sparkle's older brother.

"But, Princess, it is tradition. You are an alicorn. You are royalty," Raven replied.

Crescent stopped walking, sighed, and turned to face Raven. "Yes, I may be partially royalty, Raven, but you forget that I am just also a simple mare from Trottingham, born from non-royal parents. And I am proud of that. Besides, you're my friend."

Raven looked as though she was about to say something when the doors opened and Princess Celestia entered, Princess Luna right behind her.

"Ah, Selene," Luna said, as she passed her student, "happy birthday."

Right. Crescent closed her eyes and turned back to the table. She opened them again and took her seat.

"Raven, have any court meetings or everyday meetings cancelled," Celestia told her assistant. "Today is about Ink Crescent -- Selene -- so we should spend the day doing things she wants to do."

"Uh . . . " Crescent hesitated, but Raven was already gone to send letters to the representatives of the Crystal Empire and to the mayors of Ponyville, Appleloosa, and Los Pegasus. "Is that really neccessary?" Crescent stammered, turning to face the ruler of Equestria. "Those are such important meetings, Princess."

"Of course it's neccessary! We cannot be in meetings on your birthday, just like Celestia cancels her meetings on my birthday or her own birthday," Luna demanded.

"Right. Of course," Crescent murmured.

"So, what would you like to do today?" Luna asked, taking a bite of her daisy sandwich.

Celestia set down her bran muffin and wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Luna, we could -- "

Luna shot her sister a look, cutting her off.

"Never mind that," Celestia said, waving a hoof dismissively. "I shall contact Princess Cadance and Shining Armor. Maybe if they aren't too busy -- "

"Letters for Ink Crescent!"

Crescent perked her head up as she heard her name. The royal mail pony flew in, four letters in hoof. "Oh, thank you," Crescent murmured to the mailpony.

The pale blue pegasus nodded and smiled. "Happy birthday, Princess" -- she winced -- "Crescent!" she corrected herself.

"Thank you very much, Blue Daisy." Crescent set the letters on the table as the Princess' official mail pony flew out of the room. "I wonder who they're from," she murmured, half to herself.

"Well, open them!" Luna said, excitement rising in her voice.

"Uh . . . " Crescent hesitated as she read who the first one was from: Princess Cadance. "Cadance sent me a letter, I have a letter from my dad, one from my mom, and the last one is from . . . " Crescent let her voice trail off and stared blankly at the last envelope. "Twilight Sparkle?"

"Ah, Twilight Sparkle. A studious pony, loves her friends," Celestia said.

"Why did I get a letter from her? I never met the princess!" Crescent protested.

"Read the one from Cadance, dear," Celestia said. "She may have something nice to say."

Crescent blinked at the envelope from Twilight Sparkle, before putting it at the bottom of the pile and opening the one from Princess Cadance.

"Dear Crescent,

Happy birthday! Shining Armor and I were wondering if you would like to stay with us in the Crystal Empire for the week. We are sorry we cannot come for your birthday, but you are welcome to come anytime.

Sincerely, Cadance."

"How sweet," Crescent mused. "Maybe I will go."

Luna exchanged a nervous look with Celestia as Crescent picked up the letter from her parents.

"Dear beloved daughter,

Happy birthday, dear. We love you. Your father has been called to a conference in Los Pegasus for the next week, but I hope he comes home soon. We may be able to come for your birthday- -- yes, to Canterlot! You'll receive this on your birthday, which means that your father's conference is over. He'll be writing a seperate letter, but we are both here, writing this letter now. We hope to see you in the Crystal Empire or Ponyville or Canterlot.

With love, Midnight Ink."

"How thoughtful?" Luna muttered, her gaze on her now empty breakfast plate. "You have a very loving mother. Do you remember our mother, Lucena, Celestia?"

"Yes," Celestia replied, solemnly. "She protected us from Chrysalis, remember?"

"Yes."

"Wait." Crescent now had their full attention. "Empress Lucena? Queen Chrysalis? What?"

"When we were little, the Chaos Bringers attacked and our parents asked for an alliance with the Western Insect Kingdom. There was something wrong with Princess Chrysalis of the kingdom. She was madly in love with someone and when Lucena approached her, she hurt our mother, so we had no alliance with her," Luna muttered.

"Anyway," Celestia interrupted, before her sister could say anymore, "we must not dwell in the past, Luna. I have a feeling Crescent must get back to her studies?"

Luna blinked and looked about to protest before she blinked again and slowly processed what her sister had just said. "Oh! Yes. Come along, Selene. We have much to talk about today."

Crescent blinked, confused. Obediently and silently, she followed her teacher upstairs, straight towards the library.

Once locked inside the library, Luna turned to Crescent.

"Did you find it?" she demanded.

"The Journal?" Crescent replied. "Of course! There was another pony there, but I easily evaded her and got the book without a problem." It's best for me to not tell her that the pony was an alicorn.

"Good." Luna sighed. "I have a gift for you. For this, you'll need to read Twilight's letter."

"Why?" Crescent asked, stepping back as Luna teleported the last two letters to her.

"It's important!" Luna snapped. She sighed, calming herself. "It's an important letter. You have to read it and do exactly what it says tonight. I'm sorry, but I cannot explain anything else. Celestia, Cadance, Shining Armor, your parents, and I will wait for you tonight at dusk in here." With that, she teleported out of sight, leaving Crescent to reluctantly read the letter from Twilight Sparkle.

3: The Letter

Crescent stared in shock at the letter and reread it again, muttering to herself as she did.

"Dear Ink Crescent,

Princess Luna tells me you are a wonderful student at Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. I would love to meet you and possibly help you out. If you need it that is. I would love for you to stay in Ponyville for the next few months. Please, consider this offer and if you'll come, then pack tonight.

Signed, Princess Twilight Sparkle."

"Will you?"

Crescent jumped as Luna stepped from the entryway. "What?"

"Will you go to Ponyville? It's safer there," Luna said. "Canterlot is becoming less safe. Celestia, Discord, and I have sensed magic differences in the air. Dark magic roams the world. Please, will you go? We only want you to be safe."

"Safe?" Crescent was shaking. "B-but -- Canterlot has become my home, Princess Luna!"

"I know. And I promise you can return once the danger's passed," Luna replied, calmly. "It's only for a few months."

Crescent took a deep breath and drew herself to her full height. "You will know my decision at dusk." Without daring to meet her teacher's eye, she trotted past her and straight to her room at the end of the hall.
~~~
Crescent checked her list once again. "Quills, check. Scrolls, check. Journal, check. The Journal of Empress Lucena, check," she muttered to herself. She sighed, putting her saddle bags carefully over her wings, before draping her cloak over herself once again. She checked her mane -- which was always in one large brilliant phthalo blue braid that reached the floor with a grayish blue persian aura surrounding it -- before pulling her hood over her head, shadowing her face.

"Time to go," a soft voice said from the entrance.

Crescent whirled around. "Mother!"

Midnight Ink smiled, walking forward to stand in front of her daughter. "Ink Crescent, look at you. About to set off on a mission," she whispered. She leaned forward, pulling Ink Crescent into a hug. "Stay safe, my beloved daughter. The princesses have allowed me to come and get you. We must hurry. No one can see you leaving. They will suspect something."

"Right, of course," Crescent murmured. She pulled away from her mother and followed her down the steps.

"Crescent." Cadance was the first to draw her into a hug when she reached the library. "I'll miss you." She sighed, wiping a tear from her eye, and pulled out a small gift. "Here. It's a little something from Shining Armor and I. Only use it in the most dire of circumstances."

Crescent gratefully took the letter and the gift, tucking them into her saddle bags before turning to her father. He was crying, tears dripping from his cheeks. "Father," she murmured, hugging him. "Are you crying?"

"I assume Midnight Ink already gave you your present," he said, sniffling.

"You seeing me off is gift enough," Crescent murmured in reply.

"That's sweet," Silent Moon whispered. He pulled something out from under his wing: a letter. "I wrote you a special song. Only sing it when you want to remember me."

"Why would I ever forget you?" Crescent whispered, but gratefully took the letter, placing it carefully in her saddle bags. She turned to Luna and Celestia.

Celestia had tears brimming in her eyes, but she stood tall and gazed at Crescent with determination and trust in her eyes as well.

Luna had lit her horn a brilliant cyan and was walking toward Crescent. "Celestia and I bestow upon you possibly the greatest gift we could ever give," Luna began. She paused, glancing at Celestia, her eyes also brimming with tears.

Celestia gave her a small nod and lit her horn a pale golden and, with both the alicorns' magic, a beautiful pinkish-golden light -- the color of dawn and dusk, the two moments in the day when the day and night touched -- began to wrap around Crescent. "The Gift of the Siren's Gem. Not only will you spread your song, Crescent, but you can now spread peace throughout Equestria. But you must remember -- "

" -- that you are not connected to your Gem like the Sirens were connected to theirs. If yours breaks, you can still sing," Luna finished for her.

Crescent felt a new kind of magic energy flow through her; it was peaceful, but this one also had a ferocity to it -- a burning sensation. Touching her chest, she felt a gem; it was a gem shaped exactly like the ones the Sirens had that she had seen in pictures. Looking down, she realized it was not red, but a brilliant cyan, like her eyes.

Giving everypony one last hug, and telling Luna and Celestia thank you, Crescent began her trek toward Ponyville.
~~~
Crescent stared up at the large, crystalized tree that was Princess Twilight Sparkle's castle.

"Eh," she muttered. "I've seen better." She rolled her eyes and knocked on the door. She'd barely even been here for a thirty minutes and she was already complaining. Just keep it casual.

"Oh, hi!"

A small purple-and-green dragon was standing in the doorway.

Crescent scowled for a moment then smiled. "Hello, there. I'm Ink Crescent. Is Princess Twilight here? My -- uh -- friend requested that I talk to her."

"Yeah," the dragon replied. "Twilight?" He leaned back a bit as he called for the purple alicorn.

"What is it, Spike? Who's at the door, sugarcube?" A country-accented orange earth pony walked over to the door, blinked, then mumbled something inaudible. "Twi? You have a guest."

"Really? Oh, is it that Ink Crescent pony that Princess Luna was talking about? Let her in!" Twilight's voice sounded distant. "Bring her to the library."

"Okay!" Spike called. He stepped aside, as did the orange pony, and motioned with his hand for her to come in. "Come on in, Ink Crescent."

"Thanks," Crescent muttered. As soon as she stepped into the castle, she felt crystal beneath her hooves. Who makes their floor out of crystal? she thought. Other than Cadance.

"Welcome, sugarcube. Ah'm Applejack. If you'd kindly follow me to this 'ere library, you'll see the Princess of Friendship at work with four of her five friends," the country pony said, smiling.

"Honestly, Applejack, I don't think she needs a tour. She just needs to speak to Princess Twilight." A purple-maned white pony with a Manehattan accent trotted toward the library door, her horn lighting up a light blue as she opened the door a bit more. "Just come in, dear. I am Rarity," she added, tossing her fancy-styled mane.

"Yep. That's Rarity, Rainbow Dash," -- Applejack pointed with her hoof to a blue pegasus with a rainbow-colored mane, who waved a hoof -- "Pinkie Pie, who will be throwing you a Welcome-to-Ponyville Party" -- she pointed to a pink pony who was blowing up a balloon, her pink mane poofier than possibly any mane Crescent had ever seen -- "and that is Fluttershy." The last pony was a yellow pegasus with a pink mane who was petting a bunny.

"We're so pleased you made it!" Fluttershy smiled.

"How's it going?" Rainbow Dash seemed a bit distracted.

Rarity and Applejack, however, paid full attention to Crescent, as did Pinkie Pie -- sort of.

"So, do you want a themed party? I've got it! Nightmare Moon themed!" Pinkie gasped. "Yeah. Because, you know, you look a lot like her."

"What Pinkie means, dear, is that you have a wonderful look. I love your mane," Rarity interrupted, before Pinkie could say anything anymore. "You simply must come to Carousel Boutique sometime!"

"Thank you?" Crescent replied.

"Hi! I'm sorry, but I got a reply from Princess Luna, saying that this unicorn was -- oh! You must be Ink Crescent." Twilight held out her hoof and Crescent reluctantly shook it.

"Yeah. I'm Ink Crescent," she said. "Princess Luna told me to see you to get some help finding a hotel room and a job."

"I know! You should work at Sugarcube Corner with me!" Pinkie shouted.

"I can't assist you right now, I'm afraid," Twilight replied, ignoring Pinkie's crazy shouting. "I'll have Spirit Shadow Moon show you around, though."

Spirit Shadow Moon? Crescent wondered. Who's that?

"She works at the Hay Burger and is a wonderful cook. Her orange smoothies are simply divine!" Rarity explained, as if she had read Crescent's thoughts.

"It is her special talent," Applejack said, putting a hoof to her chin thoughtfully. "That reminds me." She turned to Crescent. "What's your special talent, sugarcube?"

"Mine?" Crescent asked. She shifted uncomfortably, putting a hoof to her chest as she felt the gem. "Well, it's -- uh -- "

"We understand if you don't want to talk about it," Fluttershy said. She could tell Crescent was uncomfortable.

"Thank you." Crescent looked around. "So, where can I find this Spirit Shadow Moon?"

5: The Luncheon

Tuesday came, swift and easy. Crescent trotted into the Hay Burger, ready for her second day of work. She had told Spirit about the luncheon and Spirit had been shocked. They had never done something like that when a new pony arrived in Ponyville -- not with the four princesses of Equestria and the prince of the Crystal Empire, anyway.

"Oh, good!" Spirit exclaimed. "You're here!" She was standing over a sink on the kitchen, washing dishes with her magic.

Crescent nodded and lit her horn, picking up her apron and draping over herself.

A dark gray bat-pony with harlequin eyes and a dark cerulean mane and tail -- Knight Shields -- was standing at the counter, trying to calm down a mob of angry customers. "Crescent!" he called. "Thank Celestia you're here! Think you could help me out?"

"Sorry, Knight. It looks like you're having too much fun already. Wouldn't want to take that from you!" Crescent replied, smiling. "Besides, it's my turn to do the dishes and Spirit's turn to take orders." She trotted over to the sink and took the sponge with her magic from Spirit's orange magic aura. "I'll take over here, Spirit."

"Thanks," Spirit said, smiling. She trotted past her brother.

"Hey, sis! Can you take over here?" Knight Shields asked.

Spirit laughed. "Nope. I'm a waitress and I doubt you could pull off as a waitress. You don't make a very convincing mare." She smirked.

Crescent laughed. If only the luncheon wasn't at the same time tomorrow.
~~~
Princess Celestia sat regally as Crescent entered Sugarcube Corner. She quickly gave Bright Sky a pointed look and rubbed her horn, which still hurt from when the book had hit it on Monday.

Sitting on the opposite side of Princess Celestia as Bright Sky did, next to Princess Luna, Crescent stared around. Twilight, Cadance, Shining Armor, and all of Twilight's friends had attended and the Cakes were standing in the kitchen doorway, prepared to bring the food out.

"I assume you two know each other," Celestia murmured to Crescent.

"You could think that," Crescent muttered.

"Ah." Celestia rose to her hooves. "We are gathered here today to welcome these two new ponies to Ponyville -- Bright Sky and Ink Crescent. I am sure they will benefit your lovely town, Ms. Mayor" -- Crescent blinked as she noticed the mayor of Ponyville at the opposite end of the table -- "and I have a feeling they are very . . . special." Celestia winked at Crescent.

Sure. Special.

As if on cue, the Cakes suddenly disappeared into the kitchen and Celestia announced, "You may now eat!"
~~~
Crescent trotted toward the Fair Hills Hotel. She was so full from the luncheon; she had probably eaten too much of the Apple family's delicious apple fritters or apple pie. She knew it had been something with apples in it that she had loved.

"Hi!"

Crescent groaned as she recognized Bright Sky's voice and turned to glare daggers at her.

"Okay!" Bright Sky said. "I get it! Look, I know we got off on the wrong hoof, but I'm trying to befriend everypony I meet, so I'd just like to go out on a limb here and say this. How about we start over?"

"How about you go away?" Crescent snapped.

"Why are you so pessimistic?" Bright Sky groaned. "Okay. Please, call me Sky."

"Call me Crescent," Crescent muttered. "Now, will you go away?"

"I'm not done!" Sky exclaimed. "I have some questions for you."

"Fine." Crescent sighed, turning to face her. "Let's get this over with. Shoot."

"Okay, here I go." Sky took a deep breath. "Why do you need the Journal of Empress Lucena? Why was it marked on page thirty-one, the page for hiding wings? What was that wink from Princess Celestia about? Why -- "

Crescent cut Sky off. "Look, princess," she said, through clenched teeth, "slow down. One, it's none of your business. Two, it's also none of your business. And three, why do you even care? That is for me to know and me alone! You can't just say, "Let's start over," and expect me to answer every single question you have for me! I barely even know you. You know nothing about me or my life, so just leave me alone, got it? Understand? Am I clear?"

"Crystal," Sky squeaked.

"Thank you!" Crescent turned away and trotted off, before lighting her horn and teleporting off into her hotel room. "I cannot believe her!"

Crescent sighed, laying down on her bed, feeling the spell on her wings wear off. She shuffled her wings, happy to have them back.

If I don't answer those questions, she'll keep pestering me, won't she? Crescent rose to her hooves, trotting over to her mirror and shuffling her wings, unfolding them for a moment. They even looked like Nightmare Moon's wings. She quickly folded them and sighed again.

If I can't answer the questions directly, I can show her the answers, can't I?

Crescent trotted over to her closed window and gazed out toward the Everfree.

"If I do that," she murmured, aloud, "I'm going to need some back up."
~~~
Crescent sighed, continuing to sweep the floor of the Hay Burger.

"Thank you for eating at the Hay Burger. We hope you come again," Knight said, as he hoofed a unicorn couple their change. "Good luck to you two," he added, looking at the colt.

The colt nodded, smiling, but the mare ignored it and trotted toward the exit.

Crescent glanced up as the bell rang. It was after hours and that couple had been the last ponies for the day. She gasped as Sky entered and facehoofed, turning away. She leaned the broom against the wall and trotted over to Spirit. "Can you please take care of her?" she asked, through clenched teeth.

"Uh . . . sure," Spirit replied, hoofing her the sponge.

Crescent gritted her teeth and began to scrub the leftover dishes that Spirit hadn't gotten to.

"Hello!" Spirit said, approaching Sky's table.

"I'm sorry!" Sky apologized. "I know you're supposed to be closed, but I haven't had a good hay burger since I left my parents' home, so . . . " Her voice trailed off.

"Not a problem, dear!" Spirit took a small notepad and a quill out of her apron pocket. "What would you like?"

"I'd love a hay burger! Thanks. Oh -- and some straw fries." Sky smiled, while Crescent rolled her eyes and scrubbed at the plate harder. Sky glanced in her direction before turning her attention back to Spirit. "That'd be great!"

"Alrighty. I'll have my brother bring that right out for you." Spirit turned away from Sky. "Knight! Get cooking!" She pointed with a hoof to the kitchen.

Knight nodded and trotted past Crescent. "You and that Sky pony don't seem to particularly like each other."

"We aren't exactly friends," Crescent replied.

Spirit was talking to Sky when Crescent heard Sky begin to say, "Well, you see, there was this book -- "

Instantly, Crescent threw the sponge she was using at Sky's head. The unicorn looked in her direction and Crescent made a motion that told Sky, "Don't you dare."

"Crescent!" Spirit shot her a look, but Crescent simply rolled her eyes and tore off her apron, hanging it on the hook.

"I'm going for a walk." She opened the doors, the bell ringing, and slammed it behind her. She trotted quickly toward the Everfree Forest, determined to get there. She heard hoof steps behind her, but didn't dare look back. She slowed to a walk. "Good. You're here."

"That's a first," Sky muttered. "Where are you going?"

"For a walk. Did you not hear me?" Crescent asked, keeping her gaze on the ground.

"Yes, I heard you, but . . . " Sky faltered. "Why are we going to the Everfree?"

"You'll see," Crescent said. "All your annoying questions will be answered." She lit her horn a brilliant cyan and cast the reversal spell for the dark magic spell she had cast earlier to hide her wings. As soon as they were deep into the Everfree, she stretched out her wings, checking for aches or pains. She heard Sky gasp.

"You do have wings," the white pony stammered.

Crescent folded her wings and turned to face her. "Happy now? Now, you have all the answers to your questions. Come on." She turned away again, stretching her wings out again, ready to fly.

"Um," Sky mumbled. "My wings? They never reappear until the end of the day."

Crescent facehoofed. How did she forget? She turned to face Sky and lit her horn a brilliant cyan. Performing the reversal spell again, she and Sky watched as the white alicorn's wings reappeared.

"Now, come on." Crescent flew into the air -- something she hadn't done in a long time. To feel the wind on her face and her mane again was wonderful. She smiled. "Woohoo!" she called out, folding her wings halfway, diving straight for the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters.

"Wait up!" Sky called. She followed more slowly, as if a little shaky on her wings after not using them for a while. She landed next to Crescent on the balcony. "Why are we here?"

"Shh!" Crescent snapped. She trotted cautiously into the castle library, gazing around. "Luna! Celestia!" she called out in a whisper. "Are you here?"

"We are here, Selene." Luna stepped into the library and Celestia followed suit.

"Selene?" Sky asked.

"Bright Sky," Celestia mused. "I knew there was something about you."

Sky looked embarrassed and she folded her wings. "Yeah . . . " she muttered. "Alicorn!" she said, raising a wing a bit.

"So, we see," Luna said, before her sister could say more.

"Oh! Your Highnesses!" Sky quickly bowed, but Crescent trotted past her and stood in front of Luna.

"There's no need for that, Sky. You're an equal. You're royalty," Crescent said.

"Royalty? Princess?" Sky asked, her eyes widening. "Oh, no! I'm just a simple -- er -- alicorn from outside of Equestria. I mean, I'm not royalty like you, Crescent, and I don't even know why -- "

"I'm not a princess either," Crescent interrupted her. "I was born as an alicorn -- "

"And seemingly part Siren," Celestia added, raising an eyebrow and shooting Crescent a look.

Sky blinked, obviously confused.

" -- to a unicorn from Trottingham and a pegasus from Los Pegasus," Crescent finished, ignoring Celestia. "Midnight Ink, the author, and Silent Moon, the business pony."

"Siren?" Sky asked. "What does she mean Siren?"

Crescent put a hoof on her Siren's Gem and looked at Luna. "Can you explain it to us, please?" she asked.

Luna took a step forward. "Crescent is the only pony who can sing the Siren's Song on-key other than the Sirens themselves. For her birthday this year, Celestia and I gave her a Siren's Gem. She spreads peaceful song throughout the land."

"A Siren's Gem?" Sky questioned. She peered at the gem on Crescent's chest. "Wow."

"Ready, sister?" Luna asked, looking at Celestia.

Celestia nodded and lit her horn.

Luna did the same, and a pinkish-orange mist began to seep from the walls of the castle, drawn to Crescent's gem as though it were a magnet. Sky blinked disbelievingly.

Crescent put a hoof to her gem again as Luna and Celestia finished. "Refreshing," she murmured.

"What was that?" Sky asked, blinking.

"I haven't fully gained control of refreshing my Gem myself -- I can do that through song and it takes any peaceful magic from the surrounding air, but not from the ponies -- so, Luna and Celestia do that," Crescent explained.

"You'd better get going," Celestia interrupted. "Spirit will be looking for you."

"Right. Of course." Crescent shook herself out and turned toward the balcony, unfolding her wings.

"You know," Sky said, walking to her side and unfolding her own wings, "your wings even look like Nightmare Moon's wings. Are you sure you two aren't related?"

Crescent rolled her eyes. "Shut it, Sky. Just -- don't."

"No, I'm serious. Any connections?" Sky persisted.

"Sky." Crescent's voice had a warning tone in it as they took off.

"Okay, okay! I'll stop," Sky promised.

Crescent laughed. "Thank you."

6: Another Plan

Crescent entered the Hay Burger. "We're back!"

She and Sky had paused at the edge of the Everfree to perform the dark spell once more before continuing to the Hay Burger.

"I assume you're friends now?" Spirit asked, placing a hoof on the counter.

"You could say that," Crescent muttered. She turned to Sky. "I'm still ticked off that you broke into my hotel room, though, Sky."

"You broke into her hotel room?" Knight Shields asked, walking out to join his sister at the counter. "Why would you do that?"

Sky opened her mouth and glanced at Crescent.

Crescent quickly shook her head. Don't. Please, Sky, or I swear...

"We" -- Sky hesitated -- "I accidentally teleported to the wrong room, but I was so interested with her stuff, so I stayed for a bit and it looked like I was . . . " Her voice trailed off.

"Uh-huh," Spirit said. She opened a Pony Beat magazine. "Well, we're closed and your shift is off. See you later, Crescent -- and . . . Bright Sky."

Crescent turned away and opened the door, glad the day was finally over.

"Can . . . " Sky sounded hesitant. "Can we talk?" she asked.

Crescent blinked. "Sure." She tilted her head toward the Everfree. "In there?"

Sky glanced at the sky. It was almost dusk. "Don't you think it'd be better if we -- " she began, but Crescent cut her off.

"You aren't scared of the night, are you?" she asked. "Some call me the Night Mare. Mainly just Luna and Celestia and Cadance, because I would stay up into late hours of the night and early hours of the morning, singing to myself."

"I'd love to hear one of your songs!" Sky exclaimed, as the two ponies made their way to the Everfree. "So," she began, "you're friends with Cadance, right?"

Crescent blinked, but nodded.

"Well, I'd love to get to spend more time with her, but she lives in the Crystal Empire and -- " Sky stopped talking as Crescent held up a hoof.

"On my birthday, she did invite me to stay in the Crystal Empire for a week," Crescent said. "I'm sure I can ask her if we can still make that arrangement."

"Really? That'd be great!" Sky smiled. "But I want to do something for you. I learned you like singing not very long ago, but I was already thinking I could maybe help you get a singing gig at the Town Hall."

Crescent's eyes widened in shock. "On stage?" she asked, bewildered. "Sky, that's nice and all, but I-I can't sing on a stage! Not in front of everypony. I sing from the shadows, taking in and emitting positive energy. If I get up on a stage, it will not be pretty."

"You? You have stage fright?" Sky asked, disbelief clear in her voice.

"Yes," Crescent said. "I may be a good singer but that doesn't mean I like to sing in front of everypony! You didn't schedule it yet, did you?"

"No!" Sky replied. "And now I know not to."

"Good. I'll send Cadance a letter saying I'd love to visit with her and I'll be bringing a friend." Crescent took a deep breath to calm herself down. "We'll leave on Monday."

Sky nodded and trotted happily in the direction of the Everfree. "We should do some reading together. Besides, in the Castle of the Two Pony Sisters, we can show our wings and not get caught!"

Crescent shrugged. "Why not? It couldn't hurt," she said. "Let's go!"
~~~
Crescent closed the spellbook. "Did you know there's a spell for summoning a dragon?" she asked Bright Sky, who was lying her back, her wings folded, gazing up with disbelieving eyes at a different spellbook.

"Seriously? Why would you want to summon a dragon?" Sky rolled over so that she was sitting up. "Isn't that a bit dangerous?"

"Exactly!" Crescent exclaimed.

"So, I still have yet to hear one of your songs," Sky said. She gave out two loud fake coughs. "Hint, hint!"

"Not now," Crescent said. Her voice sounded fearful. She shuffled her wings uncertainly, staring at the ground in front of her hooves. She was lying on a cushion they had found in the library, while Sky flew around, laughing happily and picking up seemingly any book she found.

"Oh, come on!" Sky persisted. "I want to hear a song! Oh! Maybe the Siren's Song?"

Crescent shuddered. That song did something to ponies. It calmed them down so much they forgot all about what they were doing. If it was heard too much, it seemed to brainwash them, making them forget everything. Clearing her throat, Crescent picked up a book from the top of her stack of books by the cushion.

"Okay," Sky said. "Or not. I get it. So, you do this a lot? Stay up late into the night reading and writing? You should work for the Ponyville Express -- you know, the local newspaper."

"Eh. Maybe. Fire Quill and Ink Shine -- they don't seem to want any help," Crescent said.

"Oh, please! You'd be great at being the one to write short stories for it." Sky's voice was full of encouragement.

"No," Crescent said, more firmly, raising her head. She stared at the wall. "I'm a pony of song, not writing. Besides, for me to become an author -- it was just a stupid dream."

Sky gasped at this and teleported right in front of her. "For you to dream of becoming an author isn't stupid! That'd be like me saying flying and magic are stupid! And I'm an alicorn, not an earth pony! Can't you be a musician and a writer?"

"If only it were possible." Crescent turned her attention to the window, where the moon shone through. "My mother always wanted me to be a writer, but my father wanted me to be a music pony. You know, become a record label or something. Maybe some day sign someone to a record deal -- someone as great as Sapphire Shores or something. He was angry when my mother sent me to Canterlot Academy, but finally decided it was for the best, you know?" Her voice had become softer as she gazed at the night sky.

"My dad and my mom were sad when I left, too." Sky trotted over to the window and waved with a hoof for Crescent to join her. "I had to leave my little brother. We aren't even from Equestria!"

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Oh." Crescent sighed. "Everyone -- Twilight and her friends, the Cakes, Ms. Mayor -- they believe I'm just a regular unicorn from Trottingham who attended Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. They think I was sent here by Princess Celestia to study more. But I wasn't." She turned her intelligent brilliant cyan eyes on Sky.

"You . . . " Sky hesitated. "You weren't? Why were you sent here?"

"That is . . . " Crescent sighed. "Confidential."

"My parents sent me here because they want me to see the world. But maybe," she added, hope rising in her voice, "I was sent here for a bigger reason. I met you -- another alicorn with the power to charm ponies with her songs. Maybe we're supposed to help out in some way. Or help each other out."

"Charm ponies?" Crescent laughed. "I'm not a full Siren, Sky. I only help them remain calm. If I see two fighting ponies or an angry crowd, I'll hum just a bit and that will be enough to get them to stop arguing," Crescent murmured. "There is a problem, though," she added, her voice barely over a whisper. "I technically rid myself of all my positive energy. That's why I'm so pessimistic, as you said."

"What was your name back in Canterlot? Selena?" Sky asked.

"Selene," Crescent corrected her. "I never lied to you about my name. To the princesses, I am Selene. To every pony else, I'm just" -- she sighed -- "just Ink Crescent."

Sky blinked. "Just Ink Crescent? I guess that makes me Just Bright Sky, huh?" She sat down.

"I guess so, yeah," Crescent muttered. She knew she sounded bored and dull, but she didn't care. "Something -- " She stopped herself. I promised Luna I wouldn't tell . . . she thought.

And, yet . . .

Had she promised?

Crescent looked at Sky, who was blinking expectantly at her. "Something threatened Canterlot, Sky. That's become like my home, but Luna and Celestia wanted me to be safe. That's why they sent me here."

"A threat?" Sky sounded shocked. "That's horrible! What can we do?"

"Go to Canterlot. I'll arrange a meeting with Cadance, but tell her that we cannot travel so far in fear of my -- our -- secrets being revealed," Crescent said. "I'll tell her we'll come to Canterlot. We're going to find out what this threat is and who made it -- no matter what it costs."

"No matter what?" Sky asked. "Even if we get banished to Tartarus for life?"

Crescent narrowed her eyes.

"No matter what it costs."

7: Hook, Line, and Sinker

Crescent stared down at the letter she was writing. All she had written was, "Dear Cadance," and then had been stuck on how to begin it.

"Dear Cadance," she murmured to herself, "we were hoping -- no."

The door to her suite creaked open, and Sky popped her head in. "How's the letter coming?" Excitement flashed in her eyes.

"Not good," Crescent sighed. "Look." She held up the letter with her magic, and Sky read it, then stepped back a pace and blinked.

"Interesting . . . start?" Sky asked, wincing a bit at her comment.

"Yeah," Crescent scoffed. "Interesting." She sighed, setting down the letter and the quill, and standing up. "Maybe I just need some fresh air."

"Maybe you should just wait. We can go another time," Sky suggested.

"No!" Crescent snapped. "You wanted to meet Cadance, and I'll make sure you do." She sighed again. "Maybe I just need some fresh air," she repeated. "Or a lot of fresh air."

"I assume by fresh air you mean the Everfree?" Sky asked, dread ringing clear in her voice.

"You have gotten to know me so well," Crescent replied. She cast the spell, hiding her wings, and opened her hotel room door. But as soon as she did, she jumped back in surprise. Twilight stood in the doorway, smiling.

"Good. You're both here." Twilight entered. "I got a letter from Princess Cadance, and it was directed to someone named Selene, but I read it anyway." Twilight sighed, turning to face them. "Do either of you know a Selene?"

Crescent exchanged a look with Sky, before clearing her throat. "Actually, yes. She's my -- er -- cousin. I met Cadance when I attended Canterlot Academy, and now, my sister goes to Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorn. I guess Cadance sent it to the wrong pony."

"So," Twilight said slowly, "the letter was directed to you?"

"My -- uh -- cousin's not here, so I guess it was." Crescent smiled at her, hoping that the princess bought it.

"Well," Twilight replied uncertainly, hoofing her the letter, "here you go, I guess. I never knew Cadance knew you. I remember she knew my brother."

"Thank you." Crescent dipped her head to the princess, and watched as she disappeared down the hall, before she closed the door and turned to Sky, the letter in her hoof. She slowly picked it up with her magic and stared at it.

"Well?" Sky asked, excitement buzzing in her voice. "Read it!"

Crescent took a deep breath.

"Dear Selene,

Do you remember that letter that I sent you on your birthday? Well, the offer still stands."

"What offer?" Sky interrupted. "That invitation to the Crystal -- "

"Shush!" Crescent snapped.

"You can still come to the Crystal Empire this week and stay a few days, if you want.

Sincerely, and with sisterly love, Cadance."

"Is she serious?" Sky asked. Her eyes widened as Crescent nodded. "Can we go?"

"Definitely. I told you I'd schedule us a trip no matter what, but I guess we don't have to schedule much. We leave Monday," Crescent confirmed. She set the letter down, and picked up a scroll and quill. "I'll write to her now."

"Cadance,

I remember the letter that you sent me on my birthday. I'm glad your offer still stands, for we -- Sky and I -- would love to come. But we must protect my secret, and Sky's, for she is also an alicorn. We will travel to Canterlot on Monday and stay a few days, to catch up with Luna and Celestia, then we will finish the journey to the Crystal Empire. I can't express my excitement, and I'm sure Sky is just as excited, if not more so. We will see you within the week.

Crescent."

9: Trouble Approaches

"Now, the library holds the best storage of books ever!" Crescent explained as they walked. "But the Star Swirl the Bearded wing has absolutely amazing spells and scrolls and books of all kind. And there's this one of book on Sirens -- The Complete History of the Sirens -- and it'll explain everything to you about what my Gem can really do."

"I was wondering," Sky murmured.

"Don't worry; we won't be looking at just that. We can look at all kinds of spellbooks. I'm sure there are some spells you'd like to try out," Crescent said.

"Really? I heard there was a spell that helped you travel back in time!" Sky exclaimed. "Oh! That reminds me. I was wondering if you could maybe tell me about your past sometime. I mean, I'd love to hear about what it was like for you to be a young alicorn in Trottingham. It must've been pretty hard."

"It was." Crescent knew her voice was guarded. "I will, but you have to tell me your past as an alicorn outside of Equestria."

"Deal!" Sky beamed.

Crescent blinked as the wind howled in the distance. She glanced out the window. "That sounds like a pretty dangerous storm," she murmured.

"Yeah." Sky glanced up at the clouds and rain. "It's odd. I thought it never rained it Canterlot."

"It rains in Canterlot, I assure you," Crescent replied. "But they do seem kind of rare."

Sky glanced at the candles as they flickered and went out.

Crescent blinked. "What was that?"

"It was probably . . . " Sky hesitated. "Nothing."

"But -- " Crescent began. Storms were rare in Canterlot, and for the candles in the hall to go out just as the wind had howled -- that was kind of scary. "The threat!" Crescent gasped. "It must be coming!"

"I still think -- Whoa!" Sky was cut off as Crescent lifted her with her magic and galloped down the hall. "Is this necessary?" Sky asked as Crescent set her down. She glanced up. "The Star Swirl the Bearded wing?"

"It may have something on storms in Canterlot," Crescent explained.

Sky looked skeptical, but her expression changed as an icy breeze blew through the castle. "Crescent," she asked, her voice low, "what is going on?"
~~~
Crescent sighed, tossing another book on the floor. "Nothing! How can the great Star Swirl the Bearded never have documented storms in Canterlot?"

"Uh . . . because they're rare!" Sky replied, matter-of-factly. "Besides, I think the storm is passing."

Outside, the wind had died down, but Crescent wasn't convinced.

That wasn't just a storm. Something happened . . . Crescent glanced around. "Celestia! Luna! I haven't seen them since this morning!"

"Oh, no. You don't think the threat . . . " Sky abruptly trailed off.

"No," Crescent replied. "It -- it couldn't."

"Well, maybe," Sky murmured.

"Don't think like that!" Crescent snapped. She wouldn't believe that this threat took the princesses.

"Ya in here, Crescent?"

"Hey, isn't that Applejack?" Sky asked cautiously.

"Yes. They're here?" Crescent asked. Panic gripped her. "We have to get out of here!"

"I heard they were staying here while on their way to the Crystal Empire for the Faire," came Rarity's voice.

Crescent glanced around. "Hide!" she hissed to Sky.

"There's no where to hide!" Sky whispered back.

"I think I see someone!" Rainbow Dash called. "Princess Luna? Princess Cadance? Is that you?" As the blue pegasus flew into the room, she stopped and stared in shock at Sky and Crescent. The four others trailed in after her, and stopped and stared, their eyes wide and jaws gaping.

"Dang it," Sky muttered. "We are in so much trouble."

10: Secrets Revealed

"What the -- huh?" Rainbow Dash stuttered. "What in the world is this? Fake wings?"

"Uh . . . " Crescent began. "Well, it's not really -- "

"Did you find them?"

Spirit Shadow Moon and Winter Cloud entered after them, and blinked in shock at the sight of Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy. Then they turned their eyes on Crescent and Sky.

Sky cringed. "Winter, Spirit, we were just -- "

Hurt flashed in their eyes. "You lied to us?" Winter Cloud asked. "Why would you -- "

"It wasn't like that!" Crescent snapped. "A threat was made against Canterlot and I was sent by Princess Luna -- my teacher -- and Princess Celestia to Ponyville to stay safe. Something wants my magic, but we don't know what or who it is. Sky was sent to find the same book I was after, and we met in the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. We steered clear of each other until we met again in Ponyville at the luncheon."

"A threat?" Rainbow Dash flew forward. "Who is it? We can take them with the Elements of Harmony."

"Except, sugarcube, we don't have our sixth Element -- magic," Applejack added, sadly. "Twi's missing. Spike stayed behind to see if she might show up, and the poor fella was so sad."

"Yes. Poor Spikey-Wikey," Rarity murmured.

"We all need to stay here," Sky said. She took a step forward. "Ignore the wings. Ignore the fact that Crescent could be Nightmare Moon" -- Crescent flattened her ears in annoyance -- "and stick together. We have to find the princesses."

"The princesses? I thought only Twilight went missing," Pinkie put in. She didn't seem her usual, hyper self.

"No. The candles in the hall went out," Crescent explained, "and we haven't seen Luna or Celestia at all. Not since this morning. We've been searching this Star Swirl wing for hours. He had absolutely nothing on storms."

"There are never any -- or many -- storms in Canterlot, dear," Rarity said. "Let's just all get settled. We can figure this out in the morning."
~~~
"Crescent! Wake up!"

Crescent pushed Winter Cloud away. "What?" she asked, climbing out of her bed.

"It's Sky. We can't find her," Winter said.

"She might be in the Star Swirl wing," Crescent suggested.

"We checked. She wasn't there, but we found this letter. It's from someone named A," Winter said, hoofing Crescent a letter.

"That stands for anonymous," Rarity added.

Crescent stared in surprise at the letter.

"Crescent,

I believe you have something of mine. I want that Siren magic you possess. If you want your precious princesses to live, you'll do as I say. Come to the Crystal Empire. I'll be waiting.

- A."

Crescent dragged her gaze from the letter to the ponies surrounding her: Rainbow Dash looked shocked, Applejack looked rather angry, Rarity blinked a few times, Pinkie slowly ate a cupcake, Fluttershy looked fearful, Spirit glared down at the floor, and Winter looked worried.

"I have to go after her." Crescent broke away from the group first.

"Are you nuts, sugarcube? What in tarnation could ya possibly do to stop this Cristall? The Elements would work better," Applejack offered.

"Well it looks like you're missing an Element, and I have an actual plan," Crescent snapped back. "I won't bring anything. All I need is my Gem."

"I'm sorry," Rarity interrupted. "Your what?"

"My Siren's Gem." Crescent turned to face them. "And I'll need all of your help. You five will get the princesses. Make sure to get Twlight first. That way, if needed, you can use the Elements. Spirit and Winter will get Sky. I'm sure a unicorn with magic and a pegasus with flight will be able to get her. I'll start to deal with Cristall. Sky won't have enough magic to last her. Cristall wants a Siren, she'll get one."

"Twi told us about the Sirens. How can you be a Siren?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I'm not a full Siren," Crescent explained. "I have the gift of the Siren's Song, which is something only the Sirens could sing perfectly. I use my Gem to spread positive magic. But with a little bit of dark magic . . . "

"Oh, no!" Spirit interrupted. "You were all the dark magic I felt near your hotel suite."

"That was only for the days. It was a spell that lasted twenty-four hours, just to hide my wings," Crescent replied. "But, yes. Yes, I was. As was Sky."

"Are we all ready?" Applejack asked, glancing around.

Everypony nodded.

"Well, then," Rainbow Dash said, narrowing her eyes, "let's go save Sky."

11: The Attack

The skies above the Crystal Empire was filled with clouds. Crescent glanced around. Beside her, Spirit fidgeted, and Winter Cloud stared at the ground.

"I could've sworn that just yesterday, we trashed that dirtbag, Tirek," Rainbow said. "And now, we're saving somepony we barely know, plus all four of the princesses. Without Twilight! Is anypony else feeling this is kind of weird?"

Fluttershy slowly raised a hoof. "I am. It's scary." She shuddered.

"Hey! We dealt with Nightmare Moon, Discord, Tirek, and King Sombra. We can get through this, sugarcube," Applejack reassured her.

"The Crystal Faire is ruined," Rarity murmured.

"She must be in the castle," Spirit whispered.

"Probably," Winter said.

"Just stay quiet," Crescent whispered back to them. "We're close."

As they opened the doors of the castle, a crystal pony smiled. "So you came?" she asked, tossing her lush purple mane. She got to her hooves. Her mane and tail were purple, her coat was a pale blue, and her eyes were light blue.

"Cristall, I presume," Rarity snapped.

"Oh, no. I am merely her assistant. Amethyst," the pony replied. "Cristall is upstairs." She glanced at Crescent and then at her Gem. "I assume you're Crescent. Why would you send another pony in your place and then come?"

"I didn't send her! She got the letter and went herself," Crescent replied.

"Ah." Amethyst turned away. "Follow me."

As they reached the top of the stairs, Amethyst called out to a crystal pony unicorn. "Cristall, Crescent came."

"Good." Cristall turned around, narrowing her gray eyes. Her coat was a pale blue-gray, and her mane was a dark blue.

"Wow," Rarity muttered. "So . . . fashion forward?"

Cristall rolled her eyes. "Shut it, Manehatten!" she snapped.

Rarity gaped, glaring at Cristall. "Well, I -- "

"Just go find Twilight," Crescent whispered to them. "I already know the spell. I'll be fine."

Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash headed off in one direction, their Elements around their necks. Spirt Shadow Moon and Winter Cloud snuck away in the other direction.

Crescent lit her horn, performing the spell that turned her Gem from blue to red. For a moment, she rocked on her hooves, surprised by the shock of positive magic that seemed to have left her.

"Really? Trying to defeat dark magic with dark magic? I only want your Siren magic. It won't harm you at all," Cristall said. She lit her horn, firing at Crescent.

Crescent dodged. "Oh, I think it would. But it won't happen." Just as she was about to sing the Siren's Song, she heard Winter call to her.

"We found Sky, but we can't move her!" the white pegasus called.

"That's right. She's encased in unbreakable crystal." Cristall smiled as though she had accomplished the greatest thing in history, and Crescent rolled her eyes. She turned toward the encasement, where she Sky banging on the crystal with one hoof, and yelling something. Waves of music erupted from Crescent, surprising her as it hit the crystal, shattering it.

Crescent turned triumphantly to Cristall. "You were saying?" she sneered.

Sky instantly flew out, heading over to Crescent. "What are you doing here?" she asked. "You're in danger!"

"Saving your idiotic tail!" Crescent flashed back. "You shouldn't go after an unknown enemy."

"Look out!"

Spirit's call came too late, and one of Cristall's beams of magic hit Crescent. Crescent gasped as she was knocked back.

"Crescent!" Sky gasped. "Okay, that's it! You've crossed the line, Cristall. You can mess with me, but not my friends!" she snarled.

"I'm so scared of a pony that was trapped in crystal," Cristall sneered.

Crescent placed a hoof on the crystal encasement that surrounded her. Spirit raced over, Winter on her tail.

"Can't you do what you did with Sky's and break it?" Spirit called. Winter nodded encouragingly.

Crescent shook her head. "I can already feel it draining my magic. Besides," she added, looking toward where Sky was trash-talking Cristall and shooting at her, "Sky's got this."

12: Decisions, Decisions

Sky knocked Cristall back with a blast of dark magic.

"Don't you know that dark magic never defeats dark magic?" Cristall sneered.

Sky narrowed her eyes. "I know. This is just round one." She glanced over her shoulder where Crescent was, watching her with narrowed her eyes, one hoof on the crystal.

"Your friend there is being drained of all her magic," Cristall said, triumph in her voice. "Soon, her magic -- alicorn and Siren -- will be mine."

Sky blinked. Didn't this unicorn know anything? She looked back at Cristall, looking over her shoulder to see Rarity, Pinkie, Rainbow, Applejack, and Fluttershy helping Twilight onto her hooves.

They got her! Sky thought. She can use her Element now!

"Hey, Cristall!" Rainbow called, as Twilight shook off the affects of the crystal. "Haven't you learned anything?"

"What?" Cristall looked shocked, and she narrowed her eyes. "How did you -- "

"Now, Sky!" Crescent called. "Hit her with a spell of dark magic. It'll weaken her!"

Sky did as she was told, just as Cristall turned to face her. Cristall slid back in shock, staring at Sky. Crescent tapped the crystal encasement with one hoof, and it shattered.

"Never underestimate the power of dark magic," Crescent snapped.

Across the room, Twilight and her friends were in formation, and they blasted Cristall.

"That is the brightest rainbow I have ever seen," Crescent commented. "Actually, possibly the only bright rainbow I've ever seen."

Twilight and her friends dropped to their hooves. Cristall lay on the floor, unconscious. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadance appeared.

"Selene." Cadance rushed forward, giving Crescent a hug. "You're all safe." She turned to Twilight. "Thank you again, girls."

"Wait." Twilight stepped forward. "You said Selene was your cousin. And I thought you were a unicorn."

"I'm not. I had to lie, because I had to keep my identity a secret," Crescent replied, dipping her head.

"This certainly was a very interesting experience," Winter pointed out. "We'd better head back to Ponyville though." She glanced at Sky and Crescent, sadness in her eyes. "I guess you'll be staying in Canterlot."

"Are you kidding?" Sky asked. "Other than where my parents live, I like Ponyville. I'll be staying. But . . . " She looked at Crescent. Please stay, she pleaded silently.

"Well . . . " Crescent glanced at Luna.

"It is your decision, not ours, Selene," Luna murmured.

"Right. Of course." Crescent took a deep breath, closing her eyes. Sky knew she could feel everypony's eyes on her. "I don't know. I've always lived in Canterlot with Luna, and . . . " Her voice trailed off. "But the last few months . . . " Her voice trailed away again, looking at Spirit and Sky. She took another deep breath. "I know my decision."

"Well?" Sky leaned forward.

Crescent walked forward, to the center of the room. "I'm staying in Ponyville, but I will stay in touch, Luna." She walked toward Luna, bowing, before giving her a hug.

"We will miss you, Selene," Luna murmured. "But now it is time for you all to return. Cristall is no longer a threat."

"She was a powerful unicorn," Cadance said, as guards entered, taking away Cristall.

"But that's in the past." Sky sighed. "Now," she said, "we look forward."

4: The Plan

Crescent had spent the rest of the day looking for a hotel until she and Spirit Shadow Moon had finally found one: the Fair Hills Hotel, owned by a pegasus named Merriweather. She had purchased a room, which Spirit had chipped in on.

Finally in her room, Crescent sighed and took off her cloak. She filled her wall shelves with books, scrolls, her journal, jars of ink, and a tin can of quills. Lastly, she pulled out the Journal of Empress Lucena. She had already marked the page she needed: page thirty-one. This was the page with a spell that would hide her wings and size for approximately twenty-four hours -- a full day. If she kept her normal size -- she was the same size as Princess Luna -- someone would suspect something.

Crescent quickly performed the spell, sending out a blast of dark magic. I hope no one felt that, she thought to herself. Placing the book carefully on her nightstand next to her bed, Crescent faced the mirror.

She looked the same. Same mane color and style -- a large, thick braided mane and tail -- and the same unicorn's horn and coat color. As she turned, Crescent gasped as she noticed her bare back -- no wings. It was unusual for her to not have her wings. It was something she wasn't used to after twenty-one years with wings. She shook herself out and blinked as she heard a knock on her door.

"Are you getting settled?" Spirit asked, through the door.

"Yes, I'm fine." Crescent trotted over to the door and opened it, smiling at her new-found friend. "Hello, Spirit."

"Crescent. I see you're settled," Spirit added, noticing the walls shelves filled with books, scrolls, jars of ink, and the tin can of quills. "Surprisingly enough, you aren't the only new pony in town. I just heard that Winter Cloud -- that white pegasus with the cyan blue mane -- is showing a new pony named Bright Sky around town. She'll have the hotel room next to yours."

"Bright Sky?" Crescent froze, feeling her blood chill.

"You've heard of her? She was sent by Princess Celestia to see Princess Twilight. Crazy, right?" Spirit asked.

"Awesome," Crescent muttered. "So. When do I start work at the Hay Burger?"

The Hay Burger was a family business for Spirit and her brother, Knight Shields, a dark gray bat-pony -- like their father Dark Armor -- with harlequin eyes and a dark cerulean mane and tail. Spirit was an orange unicorn with a brown mane and tail, much like their mother Moon Dusk.

"Monday," Spirit replied. She led the way down the hall. "Come on. Twilight wants to see you and Bright Sky about something and told Winter Cloud and I to take you to her after getting your hotel rooms."

"Great," Crescent muttered under her breath. "Let's go."
~~~
"I'm glad you're both here," Twilight said, as Bright Sky and Winter Cloud entered the library. "Spirit, Winter Cloud, you two may go."

Spirit nodded and the pegasus Winter Cloud followed her out the door.

"You!" Bright Sky gasped as soon as she saw Crescent. "Ink Crescent, or something. You stole my book!"

"It wasn't yours!" Crescent shot back.

"Oh!" Twilight laughed nervously. "So . . . you two know each other? That's great." She could sense the tension between the two of them.

"Yes. We do." Bright Sky turned to face the princess. "Princess." She bowed her head.

"Uh," Twilight said, laughing nervously. "Yeah."

Crescent noticed Bright Sky's wings beneath her saddle bag and raised an eyebrow, before turning to the princess. "Thank you for inviting us, Princess Twilight," she said, bowing her head. She raised her head and blinked. "Why, exactly, are we here?"

"There's a luncheon on Wednesday that Pinkie Pie is planning. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Cadance, Prince Shining Armor, and I will be there, plus all my friends -- Pinkie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy -- and the Cakes -- Cup Cake and Carrot Cake -- as well. It's a Welcome-to-Ponyville luncheon for you two," Twilight explained, smiling. "You two are to meet me at Carousel Boutique where Rarity will give you a quick makeover and then we shall go and see the princesses."

"That sounds amazing!" Bright Sky gasped.

Crescent inwardly rolled her eyes. "Yes," she said aloud. "Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful."
~~~
"Wednesday. It's this Wednesday, Talon!"

Crescent blinked as she trotted down the hall toward her room. In her hotel room, she heard Bright Sky complaining.

"And that unicorn has the book! I doubt she actually needs it. Why would a unicorn need that book?" Bright Sky continued.

For reasons that are none of your business, Bright Sky, Crescent thought.

"Good thing I found it."

Crescent froze. What? Cold horror spread through her from the tip of her horn to the end of her tail. She has the book? Instantly, she burst into her room, anger surging through her. "Hey, Bright Sky!"

The white alicorn spun around and Crescent noticed her wings were missing.

Crescent smirked. "That's my book!"

In a panic and a flash of light, Bright Sky had teleported out of the room, taking the book with her.

"Hey!" Crescent yelled. "Get back here! Give me my book back!"

The book appeared in the air above her head, falling directly on her horn.

"Ow!" Crescent gritted her teeth as pain seared through her horn and she hesitantly checked the see if any of the leylines were broken. Luckily, they weren't. She sighed, placing the book back on her nightstand. "Ponies these days! No respect for privacy."

It would be a long week.

8: Canterlot

The train pulled to a stop.

"Canterlot!" Sky gasped. "I've only been here once, but I didn't get a chance to see the whole city."

"It is a marvelous city." Crescent shuffled her wings beneath her saddle bags. It would be best to keep them out until she and Sky got to the suite.

"It's Princess Celestia and Princess Luna!" a sudden voice called.

"They actually came?" Sky sounded like she didn't believe it, but turned to face where the pony was pointing.

"Yeah. I told them to meet us here," Crescent explained.

"Shouldn't we bow?" Sky whispered to her.

"No worries."

"Okay."

"Excuse me. Oh! I am so sorry. Please. Excuse me." Raven made her way toward Sky and Crescent before halting in front of them and dipping her head. "Welcome, Bright Sky." She looked at Crescent. "Prin -- I mean, Ink Crescent."

"This is Raven," Crescent told Sky. "She's Princess Celestia's assistant, and will be our tour guide for the few days we'll be in Canterlot. She will assist in anyway possible."

"Starting with your luggage." Raven leaned forward, picking up Sky's suitcase with her magic.

"Oh -- you don't have to," Sky assured her.

"Let us help you," Crescent suggested.

Raven nodded, looking a little taken aback by what Sky had said. "Thank you, Ink Cescent. Please. Follow me."
~~~
Sky stared around their suite in amazement. "This is incredible!" she breathed.

Crescent nodded, looking around.

"We only wanted the best for Ink Crescent and her friend." Celestia walked in, Luna behind her. "But the threat still remains." Her eyes darkened. "You cannot stay here for long."

"We'll only be here a few days, I promise," Crescent replied. "About two more days, and then we'll be on our way to the Crystal Empire for the next few weeks."

"Can I get a tour of the castle?" Sky asked excitedly.

"Selene -- Ink Crescent -- knows every inch of this castle. I'm sure she'd love to show you around herself," Luna explained.

"I do know most of this castle. I explored it on those nights when I stayed up and sang," Crescent replied. She brushed the ground with one hoof in embarrassment. "It's a very special castle." She glanced toward the stained glass windows.

"Yes," Celestia murmured. "Special." She shook her head a bit, clearing her throat. "We'll leave you two to get settled."

"Thank you," Sky said. "Where should we go first?" she added as Celestia and Luna left.

"I was thinking of going to the castle library. That's where I always went to study. Plus, I think you need to be shown the books on Sirens," Crescent replied. "And the guards know me. I can have my wings out when I'm inside, and so can you." She smiled, picking up her scroll with the spell. "We should keep this with us."

"Agreed." Sky nodded. She narrowed her eyes. "Let's go."

13: Epilogue

Ink Crescent sighed as she sat down at a table in the Hay Burger. It had been one of the busiest work days at the Hay Burger today.

"So." Bright Sky slid into the seat in front of her. "I want to know about your past. How did you even become Luna's apprentice? You promised you'd tell me."

Crescent scowled at her. "And you promised to tell me about what it was like to live in a village outside of Equestria. And, yet, you haven't, so I guess we're both in the same boat," she snapped.

"Please?" Sky asked. There was a pleading look in her eyes.

"I'd like to hear it, too!" Spirit Shadow Moon called from where she was cleaning off the tables. "It must've been interesting growing up as an alicorn."

Crescent sighed. She remembered how upset Spirit had been when she had found Crescent was an alicorn. Spirit hadn't talked to her for at least one or two weeks after they defeated Cristall, but Crescent had still been happy that she could walk around without having to use dark magic every day.

Knight Shields trotted over. "Orange smoothies, ladies? Courtesy of Spirit Shadow Moon." He slid the smoothies onto the table.

"Thank you!" Sky beamed.

Spirit walked over, looking at Crescent. "Will you tell us?" she asked.

"Fine," Crescent groaned. "But you" -- she gave Sky a pointed look -- "have to tell us your past when I'm done."

"Agreed!" Sky replied, nodding her head. "Hey, Knight! We're going to need some popcorn! This should be good."

Crescent scowled at her, before starting her story. "It all started when I was a filly. And, trust me, this is going to be rather . . . dark." Crescent glanced at wach of them. "It's not for the lighthearted."

Spirit leaned forward eagerly, while Knight continued sweeping. Sky blinked expectantly.

"It started on the best day of my life," Crescent began. "Or so I thought."