Chapters Chapter Zero
"Why is there No (Good) Queen in Equestria?
What if I told you there was. What if i told you she stands guard where no pony else can. Keeping Equestria safe day in and night out. What would you call her? Would her name be? What would she even look like, and What would she do to see the world she left behind.
Could one little slip up over the course of one thousand years alone change the fate of the would, or could it simply be a drip in the ocean of events to fallow.
~~~~ Two Thousand years ago (unknown Location)~~~~
"Celestia ......" A fallen alicorn queen lay beaten and scared, calling for her eldest daughter. "Celestia its safe now, Come here."
Celestia no bigger then twilight, stumbled in from behind a broken castle pillar. Holding a little blue alicorn foul in her magic. Runing to her mothers side sobbing."M....Mommie...Why did he do this."
"He is not a bad pony Celestia, It is simply who he is."(cough)"I have to go now." the queens body started to break down in to what can only be described as starlight.(cough)" your brother is just to powerful. He can not be allowed to run free. I need you to be my big girl now..... Take care of Luna. You are queen now. I have to watch over your brother." Her body almost fully consumed. she kept a smile on her face the hole time.
"No Mommy.."(Yelling)"Why? Where are you going?"(sobbing)"....you cant die...."
"I'm not dying, I have to guard your brother....I..." The queens body was almost all gone now." I love you and will always be watching over you. Be safe, grow healthy and protect your sister and Equestria..."
At this point there was nothing left a disembodied voice and a young sobbing Celestia clutching a small blue alicorn foul. The now queen of Equestria had lost her brother her mother and given literally the weight of the world on her shoulders.
But you know her story the ups the downs, but how did everything get so bad in in a short amount of time?
~~~~~~one thousand years ago~~~~~~~~
Imagine the deepest darkest pits of tartars. Do you have it? good. Now go past it, Somewhere forgotten in time lost to the ages. There an alabaster white alicorn with an flowing red mane sits in silence. The same deafening silence it has been for the last thousand year.
"......Its Her birthday today....Luna I wonder what kind of princess you've become I hope you and Celestia are getting along well."
"...." A Smaller alicorn Colt, Coat as black as the deepest night and a mane that seamed to be a moving portrait of a black hole swallowing up the star's. lay in the corner of the room silent as he has for the last thousand year's.
"You're sister, I know they miss you." (or at least Celestia I don't know if she would tell Luna about you. )she thought to herself.
"...."
"If you would just talk to me. I could teach you to balance your power."
"...."
"You are not a bad pony, In fact you're power is necessary for balance in Equestria. Please Just talk to me."
"...."
(sigh)"Very well, But I think I can be with them in a small way now." She whisperers The former queen of Equestria lit her horn as little as she could as to try not to draw the attention of the other occupant. opening a portal to outside world she lets a drip of what can only be described as liquid magic fall into her hooves.
One eye, That looks as tho an eight pointed star was shoved into his face ,creeks open. A mischievous smile from this dark alicorn horn is set a glow.
~~~~ 5 mins earlier (cloud castle lower stratosphere )~~~~
In a castle forged of clouds. Too high for any Pegasus to fly too sister's celebrate a birthday alone and in peace as it has been for the last thousand years. but this birthday would be one to change the coarse of history.
"Tia come on I want you to see what i can do now." Luna now 1000 years older has just received her cutie mark. Today is her first day on the job as princess of the night. "Tia come on were going to be late."
"Calm down Luna there's still 10 minutes left before you have to raise the moon." Celestia almost fully mature now. Although longer still has a solid pink mane and tale.
Stepping out onto the cloud surface in to the open light. Celestia and Luna prepared to do what they do best. Celestia charges her horn to lower to sun and Luna the same to raise the moon. As they go about there duties in assistance with the horde or unicorns on the ground. The ponies of Equestria are unaware of the existence of the princesses. This is how it had to be for now.
"Good job, Luna." Celestia said as she patted a panting Luna atop her head. "It will get easier over time."
"I hope so, Tia" Looking over the edge of the clouds Luna smiles. "Look Tia, There all going to sleep I bet there going to dream of magic sheep." She giggles looking over the edge."Tia, I'm So happy I hope things never change."
"But Why?".......A wispier looms in Luna mind.
"hu?"
"But why......Why Do they look so happy and play when the sun is out and not when the moon. The moon you worked so hard to show every pony?"
Luna Still looking over the edge of the cloud smile erased from her muzzle replaced now with a look if concern and confusion. "Why....is that?"
"Luna?" Calestia asked.
~~~~~Back In tartars (1 min prior)~~~~~
The portal ready to go, The former queen smiles at the liquid magic in her hooves. That has now taken a uni-pony shape."Go Look over my daughters help them and guide then where I can not." With That the former queen gently blows at the pony shaped magic so that it may travel to her daughters. At the last second a dark mass about the same size rushes past the queens muzzle into the portal. A flash flash of concern and confusion rushed across her mussel. Looking to the only other occupant of her current location. "What did you do!"
"Just wanted to make thing a little more interesting for my sisters....."then the black alicon fell silent once more.
"Celestia,Luna please be safe Starswarl will be there to help guide you."
"....hump..."
"What ever you have done you will lose."
"Mother.....This is not a game of winners and losers..........It's Just a game."
"......oh Murphy....."
After that moment Equestria would be changed forever.
What do Nightmares fear? {Rewright}
CH.1 What do Nightmares fear?
The doors of the throne room burst open. "Princess Celestia!" a pink alicorn yelled franticly, "It's getting worse, I don't think we have much more time."
Shock and fear fell over Celestia's face."Buy as much time as you can, I will not loose her again. I will send for Twilight. We will need her help if things get out of hoof."
Cadence, fully understanding, nods and leave the throne room to return to Luna's room.
" I will have to employ an old method of getting ahold of her. I just hope he is with her somewhere close."
With a quill an paper Celestia starts to wright:
My dearest Twilight,
It is of the upmost importance that you get to Canterlot at once....
**********Back in pony Ville **********
"Twilight!? Twilight?!" Spike was looking and yelling franticly through the castle halls looking for Twilight. W
here else would she be but the library.
"Spike!?" Twilight asked. It Has been many years since they lived together. Years ago Spike out grew his childish love affair with rarity and moved on to others more his speed and age. For some time he tried dating other dragons, but soon realized he was more pony than dragon, at least on the inside. After several hit or miss dates with fillies in Ponyville the one that stole his heart was Sweetie Bell, the sister of his childhood love. It took time for every pony to realize this was not just a young fling. It was even more shocking when Sweetie Bell got pregnant. No pony could believe it was even possible, it had never been done before. But there she was, Gem Song, a lavender coted pony/dragon hybrid. If not for her scaly mane and tale and her hooves having claws on them, she looked to be an ordinary earth pony.
It took a long time for everypony to except that this unspoken taboo had happened. The adults, excluding Twilight and friends , shunned the couple. Gem dealt with a lot of bullying in school. Although over time most would come to accept her and her parents all the same.
Spike now lived in town with his wife, Sweetie Bell, and Gem. He had grown over the years, not into a giant rampaging dragon, but into a taller more defined version of himself. He was now at eye height with Twilight. Not to say Twilight had not grown in to her alicorn embodiment with a longer horn, longer legs and a slimed out figure.
"Spike, what are you doing here? Where's Sweetie Bell?"
"She's at home with Scootaloo. Don't worry I'm not going to just leave my 7 month pregnant wife alone. Scootaloo has been helping a lot. There's not really much for me to do other than take care of Gem and the house."
With her concern subsided she asked "What had you in such a panic to find me?"
"Oh yeah" snapping back as to why he was here in the first place " I got a letter from the Princess." Holding out a scroll. Twlight used her magic to take the letter from him. Twilight had a look of utter confusion. Ever since Spike moved out Celestia always sent a messenger hawk if she needed to get ahold of her.
"What did it say?" Spike had not read it because ironically the letters sent thru him where not often for him.
Twilights face went from confusion to fear to down right panic in a matter of seconds. Leaping to her hoofs Twilight bolted for the door. "I'm sorry Spike but I have to go, I have to get to Canterlot right away."
"What's going on?" Spike keeping up with Twilight as they ran through the halls of the castle."Is there something wrong with the princesses at the castle in Canterlot?"
"The princess said that she needs me in Canterlot immediately. All I know is that it has something to do with Nightmare Moon returning."
"What!? Nightmare Moon?!" Spike stopped in his tracks. "We need to get the elements..... Wait we don't have the element's of harmony anymore. What are we going to do?" panicking Spike thought of the only thing he could. " We need to get every one together and come up with a plan."
"Spike we can't, The princess said in her letter "I don't want to cause an unnecessary panic. The situation is under control for now. We would like your help in resolving things in order to prevent the return of Nightmare Moon."
"I don't know Twilight, I still think we should at least warn everypony."
"All we will succeed in doing is putting everyone in a panic. Besides, Rainbow dash is still in recovery from her training accident, Applejack is prepping for apple bucking season, Pinky Pie is still on her laugh-a-palooza tour with Cheese Sandwich, Rarity is in Las Pegasus for her fashion show, Flutter Shy is 8 months pregnant, and Discord is not going to let her out of his sight.
Heavy in thought Twilight was right Spike thought of how things had changed over the years." hmm, I guess your right well then I'm coming with you."
This caught Twilight off guard. now standing at the door of her castle " haaaa, very well but you have to tell Sweetie Bell where we are going and tell her there nothing to worry about. we don't need her worrying her self in to labor."
the two shard a laugh then went there separate ways.
"I'll Meet you at the train station asap."
Spike knew it was not his wife he had to worry about if gem found out he was going to see the princess with out her she would b feurios.
He knew if Nightmare moon was involved this could be dangerous but he couldn't tell them that. All he need to do is in form his wife and avoid his daughter. easy right?
*****45 mins later at the train station*****
"Where is he ?" the purple alicorn was talking to her self drawing in attention from by stander.
"The Train to canterlot will be leaving in 10 min's". The anointments was well received by every pony within ear shot. Twilight wanted to white for Spike. But she had to be on this train.
"TWILIGHT!, TWILIGHT I'm Here" Spike came running around the corner with hast.
"Spike, Thank Celestia you made it, now lets get going." twilight turned to get on the train when spike stopped her.
Spike looking guilty. like he just had gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar tried to speak. "All ready to go Twilight," the dragon bit his lower lip. "Only one small problem".
Twilight stopped in her steps, "Problem?, What kind of problem?"
The shamed dragon turned his head as not to look Twilight in the eye. " Well I Told Sweetie bell I was going to see the princess and that nothing was wrong so......"
"Grandma Twilight!"
Catching Twilight off guard a lavender Drakony jumped to lock her hooves in an embrace only a child could muster.
No one actually knew why gem called Twilight Grandma. Spike Never referred to her as him mother and as far as anypony knew no one had told her otherwise. Secretly Twilight Loved it thou.
"Spike Why is Gem Here" Trying not to sound like she did not want to see her Granddaughter but still sound concerned at the same time.
"Well I told Sweetie Bell There was nothing to worry about and gem wants to meet the princesses so here we are" Spike Still not making eye contact"
"It's ok Grandma Twilight I will behave really well I promise"
Knowing she her self did not know if there was actually any danger to avoid and she just like Spike could not say no to that sweet little smile. In a sigh of defeat Twilight Gave in. " Very well but you have to do exactly as we say no fussing. deal?"
The little filly got up on her hunches "Cross My Heart Hope to fly stick a cupcake in my eye".
knowing the filly would likely still be a filly twilight and Spike looked at each other with a look That said ("Yeah right....We are going to have to keep an eye on her").
"The train To Canterlot Is now leaving all adored"
Twilight looked at the conductor giving him a nod then back at Spike and Gem. "Well That's us lets get going."
"Yeah train ride, I Love trains daddy. "
"This is going to be a long trip." Spike already looking tired
One energetic little filly and a long train ride later Twilight, Spike And Gem arrived in Canterlot. Now its was time to make there way to the castle and the princesses.
"Twilight!" an orange Pegasus was making his way to the small group.
"Flash!" Twilight took off fly off to meet him mid air. Hovering in the air embracing each other and make out in an unfiltered expression of P.D.A . Since Twilight and flash got marred flash rotates in his guard duties from home in Pony Ville and Canterlot as the current captain of the royal guard.
Twilight and Flash broke away from there embrace looking into each other. Then Twilight remembered they were not alone looking down at Spike and Gem. Embarrassed twilight and flash hovered down to the ground.
"Grandpa Flash"
"Gem What are you doing here?"
"I came to see the princess"
Flash took a second to look at Twilight in a moment of confusion. "Princess?"
"Ah yeah princess Celestia sent a message that she wanted to see me."
"yes I know that's why I am here when I herd you were coming I wanted to see you in fallow me."
Making there way to the castle Twilight had to ask.
"Flash do you know what's going on what's wrong with Luna ....." flash put his hoof over Twilights mouth.
"I am sorry but not here the princesses will explain."
Making there way thru the castle they were not heading to the throne room as Twilight had thought. they made there way to a room in the Sothern tower with a moon crest on the door.
Stopping at the door flash spoke. "Twilight, Spike please make your way inside the princesses will be waiting for you. "Flash looked at Spike trying to convers with his eye's ( you do not want her in there). hoping Spike got the message. Flash looked to Gem. "Gem how about me and you go see if we can find some ice cream I'll bet I can even find some rubies to go with it.?"
Gem did not look a she was even the slightest bit interested in ice cream. "But I wanted to meet the princess."
There it was again flash had caught what none of the others had. Gem was a smart girl she knew including Twilight there was 3 other princesses But She crept saying princess as in one in particular but maybe it was just a slip of the tongue.
"Now Gem me and Twilight have work to do I told you that at home." Spike had to put on daddy mode as to sway any arguments from the little filly.
"sigh.......ok daddy" Looking at Flash now. "I want a lot of rubies and sapphires too."
"ha ha ok I'll see what I can find for yah, lets see if we can find some of your dads old secret stashes"
With those two on there way to find treats for Gem, Twilight and Spike made there way in to the room before them. what they saw upon entering was concerning, confusing and scary to say the least. Celestia and cadence standing over a passed out Luna on her bed. as they entered the room and approached the 3 at the bed. Twilight and Spike took notice of Luna. when they got in the room Spike closed to door behind them making the others apparent to there presence.
Celestia and Cadence noticed them and Cadence made her way to twilight. "Twilight thank you for coming.
"But Cadence why are you here and where's Shining Armor?
"Shining Armor is still in the crystal empire there been some problems as to who my father might be, But that's for another time. Right now I need you and Spike to Prep Your selves for this."
" For what?"
"Well......"
"Cadence She's wakening up." Celestia spoke with a mix of concern and hope in her voice.
Cadence did not react immediateinstead looked back at Twilight and Spike. "Don't freak out everything is under control........Kind of"
Her words did not reassure them. But They chose not to question it and made their way to the end of Luna's Bed.
Luna sat up in her bed at this point she still looked like the same old Luna. Then as anyone would do she yawning revealing half of her teeth sharp, one eye slit as a predator focusing in on its prey.
Twilight and Spike Panicking at first "Nightmare Moon!" Twilight taking notice of the look of sadness on Luna's face at there reaction and taking note that no one else was freaking out. Looking to Celestia for an explanation. "What's going on? Why is Luna Turning Back into Nightmare Moon after all these years?"
Spike Still in freak out making It hard for Twilight To Concentrate. "Ahhhhhh!!!!!! We Have to get out of here, We have to warn everyone, what do we do? We don't have the elements of harmony and .......omg Gem! Gem is in the castle we have to get back to Pony Ville and panic there not here panic at home yes...."
"SPIKE!!!" Twilight got his attention now
Spike only now noticed he was floating dew to Twilights Magic grasping him.
"Lets hear out the princesses before we decide to panic." With Spike calm Now She put him Down looking back at Celestia " Please continue princess."
"Thank you Twilight so as you may or may not know Luna and I Recently returned from an extended trip to Saddle Arabia. We were called to help with a monster causing nightmares to come to life and with Luna's abilities to filter nightmares out of dreams we had a lot of work cut out for us. 3 weeks in is when things started to get bad we had yet to find the monster and Luna was getting over whelmed with the demand but oddly enough she was getting better at it. she was getting stronger at first I thought this was great. Then I saw the first sign of Nightmare Moon. she started to like the fear she took from the pony's so much so she started to cause some just to take it. After we defeated with the monster. we returned to Canterlot but Luna had locked herself in this room because well. I'll let her explain the rest. Luna are you up to explain why you wanted them to come?"
"WHAT!" Twilight and spike yelled in unison
"But princess I thought you sent for us." Twilight Not understanding the situation anymore.
"I did twilight but only because Luna insisted on it. She says your to only one who maybe able to save her from herself."
"We are sorry to mislead you Twilight sparkle." Luna spoke with a raspy echoed voice she Was obviously fighting to stay in control. "Let us explain why we needed you. When we take away the fear and nightmares from the pony of Equestria. We do not simply get rid of them we take them into our self. It makes us strong as long as they can be controlled but there is an artifact that helps when we have to much power it turns the raw emotions in to what you know as moon dust."
Twilight was somewhat lost trying to take everything in at once. "So you need this artifact to stop Nightmare moon from returning?
"Yes it is the only thing outside of this room that can help"
"There's still something's I don't understand one Why didn't you send Celestia or one of the royal guard or even just go get it your self?"
"We do not trust in ore self to make the journey and stay in control. This room is actually a prison of our own designee as long as our power remains evil we will be put to sleep in an endless nightmare so as not to cause harm to any pony else, like last time."
"I see and two why haven't anyone asked why Spike and Gem are here?"
Celestia and Cadence looked at each other in a moment of (oh yeah). But Luna sat there and smiled then she spoke softly. "So she was able to make it."
"What!?" Spike spoke out of concern for his daughters involvement in this crisis. "What do you mean she was able to make to make it you knew she was coming.?"
Looking to give the fearful father an explanation that would set his mind at ease she spoke softly. "We have not been completely truthful with you, you see........."
(BANG)....someone was banging at the door (BANG - BANG). The door flung open and in came a lavender flash bolting past Twilight, Spike, Celestia and cadence tumbling on to the bed only to be stopped by Luna's hoof's. When everyone realized it was Gem the first thought was ("This is bad, She's going to cry and scream in fear") But What then herd next was so unexpected it took Celestia and Cadence a moment to processes.
"Hahahaha.......Princess Luna I Made it See I Told you I would get my daddy to bring me along"
"You did indeed young one but we think everyone else here is confused and we believe your father is still afraid of us."
Gem looked back at her dad who was standing in shock with his mouth hung open. "Daddy your not being mean to Luna are you?"
"Me?...Her but She's......Gem what's going on please explain."
"Princess Luna asked me to come along to help her she said I was the only one she could ask for help and she's my best friend."
That line caught everyone off guard spike had to ask. "how do you even know the princess?"
This is where we cut in you see Spike. When Gem Was dealing with the bullying at school she got a lot of nightmares about it. We helped her get thru them and have been talking every night since. But this is not why we asked her to come. We need her to..."before she could finish talking Luna collapsed into her bed barley keeping conscious. "Go to appaloosa look for anyone named Moonshard. They are the only ones who will be in the town find one of them tell them what is going on." Slipping in and out of consciousness Luna was Trying her best to finish talking before passing out. "You must take Gem With you They will not help you without her. My children can be so stubborn. one last thing you must tell them this first to get where you need to go ("there is a fallen star here looking for a home"). only then will they know we sent you personally." With Those last words Luna passes out."
"Don't worry don't worry princess we will get the moon stone I promise Right daddy" Gem looked at her dad for an answer.
"Well I guess theres only one thing left to do"
"What's That daddy?"
"No one tells Sweetie Bell"
"haha ok daddy"
Calestia standing at Luna's bedside. Twilight Makes her way to talk. " Princess Calestia do you happen to know why Princess Luna said Her Children?
"No but I think you will soon find out. This time it is not equestria in danger this a request from me to you twilight. Please do what you have to get the moonstone and get back if it is the artifact I think it is only she can use it. so u have to get back before she sleeps forever.
"We Will princess."
From All Walks of life
"Ha hahaha" Spike was laughing so hard he almost fell out of his seat on the train.
"So your not mad at me daddy?" Gem looked upon her father as an angle. then at Twilight " Your not mad are you Grandma Twilight ?"
" Spike its Not That funny." Twilight was held her hoof to her face." No Gem sweetie I'm not Mad at you."
"Oh come on Twilight. Flash got locked in a pantry by a 9 year old. I find that funny."
After leaving the princesses, it Occurred to everypony that Flash was supposed to Keep an eye on Gem. Gem admitted to tricking Flash into a pantry closet because she was "afraid of the dark". Flash was not too upset with her thou. After explaining every thing They stayed the night and left for Appaloosa first thing in the morning in search for somepony named Moonshard. It Would Take an entire days ride to make it there.
Mare's and gentle colts we will reach out destination of Appaloosa in 10 hours.
"Ahh....It has been some time since we visited Appaloosa, hu spike?"
"Yeah the last time we were there was before you were born gem, I wonder how Braeburn is doing."
"Daddy who is Braeburn?"
Spike was about to answer her question. Before he could he was interrupted by a loud scream. "ponies of car 9, we have a message for you there is something you need to know about your destination." The unicorn that spoke for the group of 8 looked a little off. His grey mane looked as if it had not been washed in some time. His companions did not look much better all of them looked dressed for the desert climate, but they looked as though they had not seen a bath in months.
"my name is Purebred and we are here to inform and locate the abominations that have been traveling to Appaloosa.
("Abominations?") twilight thought to her self.
"These abominations are the unholy hybrids that have been poisoning by other species other tarnishing the pony blood line. My associates and i seek to purify the unclean.
the other 7 ponies with Purebred started checking the passengers. The first was a group of 6 scared ponies they did not up a fuss.
Twilight could not simply sit and watch as this happened. Not only because her own Granddaughter was a hybrid but Equestria was a safe haven to all species not only ponies. Maybe if she reveled her self to be a princess she could avoid a fight That would put the passengers in harms way. So she would have to be patient, the leader seems to be the only unicorn of the group. He would pose he most threat.
5 rows in it seemed they had not found any other's they were looking for but they were drawing ever closer to Twilight, Spike and gem. " we thank you for cooperating with us. Your doing the right thing." They made it to a young stallion who was traveling with a foul no older then 4.
"This is not right !" the stallion stood and yelled.
Purebred who had been simply been watching over the search up to this point trotted to the young stallion. " Do you think think we are the enemy?" 3 other stallions came to Purebreds aid. "We are trying to preserve the future of our species." Purebred looked past the stallion on to the young mare. "Restrain him" 2 of the stallions grabbed the now immobilize stallion. "Young lady what is your name?"
"TAKE IT OFF I SAID!" one of the other stallions with the group was having trouble with a passenger under a cloak. "I SAID TAKE OFF THE HOOD." the passenger did not comply. The stallion lunged at the passenger who was by the look of her mussel was a mare, Simply kicked the stallion away sending him flying, This caught purebreds attention. Trotting over to the seen of the commotion. "what is going on here you fools can't handle a single mare." Purebred lit his horn shooting a white aura at the mare she made no move to get out of the way or escape. pure bred removed the mare's hood reveling a black coat and green maned mare. Then she smiled.
In a low raspy tone she spoke. "You fools will never find Star town?"
For what ever reason this caught Purebreds attention. " Who are you!?"
The still floating and restrain mare burst into green flames reveling her self to be.
"A changeling !" twilight yelled over the crowd. But some thing was off. Her mane her body, no holes and a full mane still barring the webbed wings and bug like feathers. Twilight's yell must have caught her attention as well but not only to her but she made notice of spike and gem as well. Meeting eyes with Twilight she winked. As the changeling charged her horn and in a flash they were all gone. Purebred and the others.
"Twilight what was a changeling doing here" spike asked
"I don't know spike, but what ever it is it can't be good. I'm going to check the other passenger to make sure everyone's OK.
~~~~~~~~~~10 hours later at Appaloosa train station ~~~~~~~~~~
"Well at least the rest of the train ride was uneventful." Spike said with relief in his voice.
"Yes but there no time to relax now, We have to find This (MOONSHARD)."
Trotting thru Appaloosa, Twilight, spike asked every pony they saw. but no pony seemed to know anyone but the name Moonshard.
"Twilight!....Twilight!" That over excited country voice could not be mistaken.
"Breaburn!" Twilight caught sight of Breaburn as he was approaching.
"I knew it had to be you, Word travels quick when a princess is in town. What brings you to this side of Equestria?"
"Well........"
"Daddy i'm hungry" Gem interrupted.
"Well get you something to eat soon honey, be patient for daddy, OK?"
Breaburn took notice of the small foul calling spike daddy. Then looked back at twilight who was about to continue her explanation as to why they were here. But Breaburn put a hoof to her mouth and shook his head with the oddest smile on his face. "Go down the the street 2 blocks to the right a bar named cherry pit, Tell the Bartender. his name is Last Call. Tell him who your looking for." With that Breaburn took his leave no explanation or reason as to why.
Twilight, Spike and gem made there way to the bar upon entering the place was oddly clean for a bar. But they payed no mind as Twilight, Spike and gem made there way to the bar something came to Spikes Mind. Ponyville was used to having a dragon in town so some shops had come accustomed to selling gems in there menu. But this was way out in the country. Gem could eat hay, oats and other greens but wanting to be like daddy she had grown accustomed to eating gems.
"Gem sweaty, your going to have to have greens in till we get home, OK sweaty?"
"Are you going to be eating them too daddy?"
"Yes"
"Then its OK daddy"
("Child logic") Spike thought to himself.
Twilight was the first to make it to the bar. "Excuse me Sir" getting the attention of the bar tender. "Would you happen to be Last Call?"
"Why yes i am you highness, How can i help you?"
"We are looking for some pony."
"Well i know a lot of ponies your highness your going to have to be a little more specific then that."
"Well I don't know there first name but the last name is Moonshard." The bar tender noticeably twitched at the mention of that name.
"Humm, Cant say i know any pony buy that name, sorry."
"Really? Well thanks anyway we will have to keep on looking."
Spike was helping gem up to the bar. When Twilight told him the bar tender did not know this Moonshard pony. "Ah I see now." Twilight and spike did not know who the bar tender was talking to. When they turned back to see, He was was giving gem a bole of sapphires from behind the bar. Then he turned his attention to Twilight and Spike. "Up stairs third door on the right is a guest room. sorry there's only one bed.
Twilight and Spike as confused as ever each for there own reasons. but before they could ask.
"He wont be here in till morning. Even then i cant guarantee he will talk to you."
Spike and Twilight didn't know what to make of today but this was the only lead they had on saving princess Luna. Gem was just happy she did not have to eat greens. and off to bed they went.
~~~~~~The next morning ~~~~~~~
"Mister Call sir, Can i have some juice and more sapphires?" gem was well rested and riled up as always.
"Good morning, Last Call." twilight said "When will Moonshard be here?"
Turning his head to look a a booth the the corner of the room. "He's here, but he wont be awake for Seville hours."
"that's him?" Twilight took notice of a clocked figure sleeping in the booth. "he'll have to wake up now, This cant wait."
"that won't go well and your going to want that dragon with you as well."
Was this going to get violent. That he thought Spike would be Extra protection?
"I have to try" Twilight ignored Last Call's warning. trotted over to the clocked pony. "Excuse me are you Moonshard by chance?" A twitch came from under the cloak.
"My name is Twilight sparkle and i Need your help." No movement. "I was sent by princess Luna." another Twitch. This time the pony spoke in a half asleep voice.
"Cant help you come back........never."
Twilight was getting upset she did not have time for this. " look you Princess Luna is in trouble and she said you could help. so help us, help her." Twilight was noticeably yelling at this point."
Spike Had come down from the room and had a few sapphires himself before joining Twilight after she started yelling.
"Twilight is everything OK?" spike asked
The clocked pony made no movement. Then Gem joined them "Daddy can we go get some candy?" This time the clocked pony made a sniffing sound with out removing his hood he spoke.
"You young Drakony what is your name?"
None of them knew who the clocked stranger was talking to. " Daughter of dragons and ponies........what is your name?"
"Her name is Gem.....Gem song, Why?" twilight took to a defensive stance. remembering the incident on the train. and not wanting to take any chances.
"Gem Song What a lovely name" He said in a softer voice then before. "Why are you here?"
Twilight lashed out in irritation. "I told you Princess Luna needs help!"
No Movement he simply repeated him self "why are you here?"
Now Twilight was getting really upset. "I told......" spike stooped her from blowing up again in the middle of the bar.
"Twilight remember what Princess Luna said."
Twilight had forgotten all together. "There is a fallen star here looking for a home."
The cloaked pony finally moved arching his back to stretch out and removed his hood. Twilight and spike were frozen in fear buy what they saw. Gem on the other has screamed."AHHHHHHHH! oh wow your just like flame charge. Do u Know him ?" This caught everyone off guard. Even the previously cloaked pony, Who was now giggling uncontrollably. "What?"Gem said confused.
"Gem Sweaty, are you saying you know him?"
"No. But I know someone like him. Princess Luna let me play with him before in my dreams."
Before Twilight, Spike and Gem stood not a pony well not fully he looked to be a wolf in a ponies body. A gray coat all but his ears witch were brown his mane had streaks of blue and green. They could only amuse his tale if he even had one was the same and when he stretched we're those wings.
"Hay Call Let Me Get another hard cider." Moonshard called out. " To answer your question Gem, Flame charge is my nephew. As for you too you can stop staring at any time."
"Sorry its just I've never seen any pony like you." Twilight said "If you don't mind me asking what are you?"
"I am a hybrid like little Gem here, by the way where is her mother?"
Spike caught this question. "She's back home, she was to pregnant to come"
"A second child and you haven't come to us before you must live in a nice place. Even here i can only come to this bar. Sad i know but the drink is good."
Twilight did not want to seem rude but Time was not on there side, At best they only had a few days left to save Luna. " I'm sorry to interrupt but we were sent here to find some thing to save Princess Luna from slipping into an endless nightmare."
"I herd you the first time look right now there's nothing i can do you'll have to come back at around 6pm. before we can do anything, but i suggest you get more sleep before then your going to need it.
"Time is not on our side every second counts." twilight made sure her point was herd.
"I understand that but there is nothing we can do while the sun is up."
They did not understand what he meant but even spike could see the sadness and concern in his crimson red eyes.
"Very well we will be back at 6:pm." twilight said turning to go back to the room. "One last thing before we go what is your name?"
The wolf/pony looked up from his newly refilled drink. "Keba........Keba Moonshard ."
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. 