Night Terrors

I recommend setting that last song on repeat.

What was once a decent day spent in the company of her friends quickly turned into a minor logistical nightmare. Twilight stared at the stack of paper in front of her, looks of trepidation crossing her face as she read on and on; those looks being mirrored on her friends' face's as well. The papers in question were not for any wrong doing or taxes, but for trying to help a stallion who recently came into town. Said stallion was currently in a meeting with Mayor Mare. While he had a rather unique skill set, he was not trained in any formal degree that could be proven and as such was being considered a liability for the town in case something were to happen to him. And among the more distressing facts that were available to Twilight was the was his latest meeting, those had begun two days after he initially showed up in town with Twilight and her friends. Its been a week at this point. Even with the backing of the Princesses and some funding from the crown to help find a place to live...Morgue is going to have to do SOMETHING for bits. Fighting wont cut it, I don't think the town needs a 'blood-sport' arena. thought Twilight.

Since Morgue had come into town a just over a week prior he had been disappearing come nightfall, nopony sure where he was going, not even Pinkie. And to make matters worse, nopony knew what he was doing for food, seeing as the various stall owners and ponies working the grocers hadn't seen him at all; the bankers in town also said they hadn't seen him. It was like Morgue was only in town everyday long enough to say he was there. And while it was enough for the terms set by Chrysalis (barely), Morgue wasn't actively participating in anything the town had going on. Pinkie hadn't even gotten a chance to throw a party for him yet, he asked her to hold off on it until he had a place to host it.

Which led to the girl's current problem. The paper work they had was oddly enough the entirety of documentation the Princesses had sent down so the town records could be updated so the next census later that year would be accurate. Morgue had talked to the Princesses and Queen Chrysalis at length after his story was done. While he was still in Canterlot, he was a guest of the crown. No exception would be made for his stay in Equestria. However the sheer amount of things he had told the three mares in charge of his 'punishment' had boggled the mind. His scholastic knowledge was actually very large, if poorly remembered if the papers were anything to go by; collegeic level at least. And his recounts confirmed that by his own admissions of going to a local college and being unable to pay for the final year or so he had needed for his general studies degree. His knowledge of taxes and similar financial skills might have even being on par with an accountant if they weren't so filled with holes not unlike the every day citizen.

His own vocation was off the table, seeing as most ponies didn't really enjoy fighting at all. He apparently had some experience as a 'handy man' since he had maintained his apartment before he had been married. He had minor mechanical skills from keeping a 'car' running for years. Caring for foals was something he admitted to knowing how to deal with since he was a father at one point. As she and her friends looked through the massive missive (Spike was currently still recovering, the warning note he had gotten being the only thing keeping him from being sick was welcomed after what had happened with Discord), Twilight couldn't help but think one disturbing thought There isn't anything here in town I can think of to give him as a job idea. Horse-apples, I don't even know if he has a cutie mark.

Morgue was never sen out of his odd attire, citing he had social mores he wasn't going to break simply to fit in, along with the whole image of his scars causing a panic. While it was obvious he didn't care about other's thoughts on the matter, he was reluctant to scar foals, saying it wasn't worth the effort to try and rectify the situation should that be the case. I just don't get what he can do....

====================

“This is going to be our last meeting Ser Morgan,” started Mayor Mare, “since your information was added to the town archives; everything appears to be in order. I honestly don't understand the Princesses' take on your situation or why they are helping you do this, but I can say it will be an interesting endeavor at the least.”

“Yeah, well it was the only thing I could think of that might work as far as a job might go for me. My prior...occupation...was considered undesirable to say the least. I have to ask, what does Ser mean anyway?”

“Did Princess Celstia or Princess Luna not explain what it meant or its significance?”

“Not that I can recall. They would always giggle and tell me to ask either you or one of your townsponies what it meant.”

“It is an old title, not quite out of use, but certainly not common. It was a old title gifted to a Knight of the Court, slightly above a landed knight. However, recipients of said title were outside of the Court's politicking and structure. They were purely noteworthy individuals that had been given the title so they could function as militaristic advisers and teachers.”

“Neat, so I take it you had to look it up recently as well?”

“Yes, ever since Twilight and her friends had sealed Discord in stone again, they also revived that title. One of the perks of that title is a tax break after all.” Mayor Mare laughed as she explained. “Since the title was given to them, Applejack is actually one of the only ones to regularly use her breaks and the like, with Rarity and Fluttershy being the others. Nopony knows why Fluttershy uses her breaks, but the results have been interesting, she paid for an extension on her house that way.”

“So, all of that extra stuff aside, I can get the land I need for the area I want to build on? It's that easy?”

“Only if the land isn't already claimed, which by this point we would have found out about.”

“Alright, what do I need to sign and where is it?” Morgue asked as he started to get off of the floor he had been sitting on. Ever since he had started meeting with the mayor, his size had taken less and less getting used to. While he was still tall, he was no longer as heavily built; he now appeared almost emaciated. When Mayor Mare had asked about that one aspect of his build, he had explained as best as he could, which had settled her mind enough to get down to business. His plan was simple- he was going to help train some of the Royal Guard as well as a few of the Changeling Centurions. Not many or often, as he had told the Diarchy and Chrysalis that his own training was long and intense, but enough that the result should speak for themselves. When he had presented the three rulers with this idea he had also mentioned one thing that caught their attention “Just because I am willing to train some of your soldiers doesn't mean I am going to make them into something that can be used against me should I lose my mind. Now, that being said, my main goal is to actually give you lot some means of dealing with me should that happen. I might be as cold and callus as the next sociopath, but I wasn't always this bad. I WILL NOT hurt a child if I can help it for example.

“The guard I want to train is going to need to number less than forty. I have never actually taught anyone or been in that kind of leadership position before. This will be a learning experience for all of us.”

“So why even bother then?”

“Luna, you should know as a fighter you don't just sit there. You train, you work, you build muscle, so on and so forth. This is as much for me as it is them. And since you lot seem bent to try and fix your relations between you nations as fast as possible, I figured it never hurt to have a few soldiers who knew each other in case some things went downhill. It actually worked for a few countries back home.”

“So we should let you take no more than forty of our guards and soldiers, have you alter their training, and pay you for this service?”

“Yes Chrysi. And just to try and sell the idea a little more, once these guards are trained, they can train more of your troops, in ways that make it faster and more effective. One of the big reasons I want more experienced guards is so I don't need to start from the ground up. I am going to be writing a new book for your training regimen as is. I asked about payment because ain't nobody do shit like this for free. I need a way to support myself.”

“And fighting is off the table, as you have no doubt been made aware of by now. We will let you know about using our soldiers as guinea pigs, however you can begin looking into the concept of a school for self defense. There are a multitude of self-defense schools in the lands all over the world. You could surely make a name for yourself in that field.”

“That's all I can ask for Sunbutt. A chance.”

Nikolai Morgan was going to teach some of the various members of the Royal Guard and Changeling Centurions how to fight as he did as both a fail safe should he go (more) insane and to show just how advanced his world's fighting techniques were. He was going to be paid a fair sum for his efforts. The one big issue was where, since he was going to be located in Ponyville. A new building set up for just such a task would draw attention he didn't want in the town proper. The three rulers had dubiously accepted his plan for income, and understood his reservations about where he was to do it. The three mares had decided to help him with funding, but that was all. It would be up to him and the various ponies he would work with to figure out much, since he had asked for those the leaders had at their disposal as teachers they could spare. Five days later they had a list of names ready for him. The list was much smaller than the forty names he said he would feel comfortable with as his maximum. There were a total of 16 individuals on it- twelve ponies of the Guard and 4 Centurions. The split of types of ponies ended up being even, much to his surprise.

Nikolai had spent the better portion of a day reading up on his new students, even though that word didn't feel right to him. The twelve ponies of the Royal Guard were an mixed bunch, what with their numbers being evenly split down the types of ponies. With the four Changelings all he got was some basics and a name, but it would have to be enough. The names on the lists made him think some of the members coming this way were related, but since he had no clue if they were and how pony families worked for naming their kids for that matter.

The list for the Royal Guard came back into view as he scanned it for the umpteenth time. His small camp outside of the town was quiet except for the crackle of the fire he had going next to him. The smoke from the cigarette in his mouth was spiraling up and out of sight, blue in the darkness of the area. His small pile of bedding was already laid out for him to go to sleep. The only reason he was reading this list again was he wanted to be sure he had the names and descriptions of his new...whatever-they-were down. Oddly enough the Guard detachment was listed by rank while the Changeling one was not. Looking back to his list, Nikolai took one last glance at the names on it.

Onyx Gust, Earth pony
Male, Age- 40, Eyes- Green, Coat- Grey black, Mane/tail- Red and Yellow
Cutie Mark- Dust-devil with black rocks inside
Rank- Major

Peppermint Spice, Unicorn pony
Female, Age- 39, Eyes- Hazel, Coat- Orange, Mane/tail- Brown(graying)
Cutie Mark- Hard peppermint candy surrounded by fire in a spiritualistic fashion.
Rank- Captain

River Eyes, Earth pony
Female, Age- 18, Eyes- Amethyst, Coat- Brown, Mane/tail- Silver
Cutie Mark- A cats-eye symbol made from running water.
Rank- Captain

Wintersong, Pegasus pony
Male, Age- 31, Eyes- White/Grey (appears blind), Coat- Green, mane/tail- White
Cutie Mark- A snoflake in the form of a sixty-fourth note.
Rank- Lieutenant

Ivory Fire, Pagasus pony
Female, Age- 26, Eyes- Brown, Coat- Yellow, Mane/tail- Black
Cutie Mark- White fires in a double helix pattern
Rank- Lieutenant

Swift Bolt, Earth pony
Male, Age- 25, Eyes- Yellow, Coat- White, Mane/tail- Strawberry blond
Cutie Mark- Hoof with lightning shooting off into ground
Rank- Lieutenant

Water Lilly, Unicorn pony
Female, Age-38, Eyes-Sky-blue, Coat- Ochre, Mane/tail- Blond
Cutie Mark- A Water Lilly made of will-o-the-wisps.
Rank- Sergeant (Battlemage)

Platinum Chaser, Pegasus pony
Female, Age- 29, Eyes- Neon Red, Coat- Black, Mane/tail- Spikey Blue and Yellow
Cutie Mark- Bronzed wing on upstroke
Rank- Sergeant (Windcaller)

Moonlight Hunter, Unicorn pony
Male, Age- 26, Eyes- Grey, Coat- Black, Mane/tail- Grey
Cutie Mark- Full Moon set behind a bow and spear (crossed)
Rank- Gunnery Sergeant

Lightning Steps, Pegasus pony
Female, Age- 19, Eyes- Brown, Coat- Rose red, Mane/tail- Fuchsia
Cutie Mark- Thunderhead clouds
Rank- Sergeant

Lightning Mist, Earth pony
Male, Age- 30, Eyes- Blue, Coat- Brown, Mane/tail- Silver
Cutie Mark- Blue fog bank shaped like a pony
Rank- Sergeant (Master, currently under observation for jokes, temporary demotion pending results of investigation)

Jade Spark, Unicorn pony
Male, Age- 45, Eyes- Sapphire Blue, Coat- Jade Green, Mane/tail- Dark Green and White
Cutie Mark- Grey background, fire with jade sparks and flames.
Rank- Colossus (Line-mage)

Due to the constraints you placed upon the selection criteria these ponies are the only ones We as their leaders believe are up to the tasks you might ask of them. As you requested, their files are being sent along with them so you do not build any bias towards any member of any of Our branches. The attached document lists the ranks and meanings of each with-in the Royal Guard.

The list for the Changelings was barely more than a scrap piece of paper with names, and a date for when they would arrive. It was the same day as the Royal Guard No doubt they planned that. Looking back at the small scrap of paper, he noticed one thing. Names and that's all. I wonder...was she expecting me to out them? I wouldn't put it past Chrysalis.

Sparklink, Male

Winterstrike, Female

Flameleaf, Female

Scrollbolt, Male

Will arrive upon the Summer Solstice.

So, in his makeshift campsite, Nikolai rolled onto his back and waited with his forelimbs crossed under his head; for both the new day and whatever it brought with it. The stars overhead gleamed and shone, the majesty of the heavens laid out. Shooting stars shot across his vision as he watched. The crackle of the fire chasing any of the night's chill away, he felt content. How long has it been since I just sat and watched the world go by? Months or years?

The sense of contentment lasted longer and longer, and Nikolai's eyes began to close. However, as he was doing so, he heard a gasp. His left eye cracked open, and he saw the three younger ponies from before. The three, sisters and adopted little sister of the mares he was supposed to be 'learning' from, just looked at him. He looked over to the road he was near, and saw a scooter with a cart behind it. Musing about it, he felt that the fire and his own tiredness kept him from hearing the younger pegasus' buzz that marked her being near on that deathtrap and he had seen enough reports with the pictures of what these three got up to while waiting for mayor mare that it wasn't as funny as it could have been (it was better in his own cynical view of comedy). “Can I help you three?”

“Uh, why are ya out here mistah? Shouldn't you be with somepony right now? Or at least headin' home?” asked the little yellow filly, Apple Bloom recalled Nikolai rather abruptly. His answer was to lay back down.

“Just waitin'. Nothin' more.”

“For what? There is only a few things this far out of town. The old Hitch home is near here, but it hasn't been lived in in nearly a decade.” said the foal he remembered was called Sweetie Belle.

“Let's just say, it ain't goin' to be rundown long.”

“So, you are just going to move in there? What are you going to do for bits?” asked the last of the three.

“Scootaloo! Don't put him on the spot like that. Just because ain't nopony really seen him for nearly two weeks doesn't mean that he needs to be put out like this.” scolded Apple Bloom.

“Honestly? It's alright, I have been making plans for a job and where I am gonna live. It just took some time. Got some folks comin' in around the solstice. Can you three tell me when that is supposed to be anyway?”

“About five days from now.” answered Sweetie Belle after a few moments talk with the others. That was a bit of a surprise. He figured it was a few months or so off from the letters. Guess I need to get a calender.

“Well, could you lot let your sisters know I will be by the day after tomorrow? I guess I need to explain a few things sooner rather than later.”

“Okay, anything else?”

“Nah, I can take care of the rest.”

“Goodnight!” with that the three left him to the silence of the night and his thoughts. The crackle of the fire was all that could be heard long into the night, even his soft snores weren't too loud.

====================

In Canterlot within the castle of the Royal Sisters, Luna sat and thought on the deal she and her sister as well as the leader of the Changelings had struck. The stallion, Nikolai Morgan as he named himself, was an enigma. A fighter seemingly displaced from his fights, a father and husband who had lost it all and been consumed by revenge by his own words, a mortal who claimed to have died and fought along side gods. That was a tall tale by any stretch, but odder things had happened to her and her sister. While very few used the Night court, those who did were of the more intelligent sort. While her sister had to deal with the various nobles, Luna had to deal with actual grievances that seemed to matter. A string of robberies here. A spree of muggings there. Housing hither and yon seemed to be the case for malcontents and those she would have called seditious only a thousand years hence. Still Luna tried to hold to the example set by her sister, it wouldn't do for the two to start fighting over something that petty.

Tonight, however, was a night to her self. While she didn't have to maintain a waking consciousness for her duties as watcher of dreams, Luna preferred to be awake. It allowed her to do more with what time she had, help more of her ponies when they sought her aid. Tonight, however, seemed to bode ill. Methinks the Elements might need a visit to calm their nerves. Celly never did explain to young Twilight or her friends what the situation had become before she sent off Ser Morgan. As she thought that, she started to enter her sister's dream, to ask if that was something she should do. Even from here, she could sense the bearer's of the Elements dreams. They were at the least troubled.

The landscape she entered after finding her sister's dream was odd. A land that was a riot of color and yet devoid of it at the same time. “What manner of sorcery is this?”

“It is not sorcery, Luna; but technology,” started her sister, walking calmly to her from around the corner of a building to continue, “the lights you see are made of various gasses suspended in a tube made of glass. Electricity is then run through special caps fitted at the end to make the gasses change states of activity. The colors we see are the result. Truly, Morgan's world is unique.”

“Was this among the things you decided to keep to yourself?”

“No, but I wanted to indulge my curiosity before I asked you to help show this to the others. But such matters as the Star City Red Light District can wait. As young Nikolai said, 'The Lowwer Red isn't for everyone.' and that case he was right. The sheer depravity I can imagine is nowhere near his descriptions.”

“A place of revelry then? Odd, there should be more activity.”

“Luna I wouldn't look-” Luna turned to a building with several large crosses over the door and trotted over to look in. When she did, her wings shot out and she stiffened. Her sister's warning was just a tad too late to stop her. Shaking her head, Celestia pulled her sister out of the store aimed at mature individuals and tried to get her attention. “Luna, come now, pull yourself together. It isn't anything we haven't tried ourselves.”

“True, but that doesn't make it any less...provocative.” she replied when she finally got her wits back after a moment. She then shook her head and then remembered why she had sought out her sister. “I was wondering if you had any reasons for not explaining the situation with Ser Morgan to your pupil. I feel a great disturbance from the vicinity of Ponyville.”

“I received a letter from Twilight today, shortly before bed. She is worried, but only because Nikolai hasn't been seen in town. There has been no word of anything that would warrant such a large disturbance in your dream realm.”

“That is most odd, I have to ask, would you join me in checking. Even if I am wrong, you should be of great help should I need it.”

“Of course, and before we depart, have you heard from Chrysalis?”

“Yes. She sent her Centurions off on the second to last trains from their points of origins. This will be settled in six days or so.”

“Good, let us be off.” With that final bit of business done, the diarchs left the red light district behind them. Jumping from dream to dream was never easy. Especially when Chrysalis started to send out a pulse, obviously tracking and attempting to join them. Stopping to gather her and exchange tense if polite pleasantries was but the work of minutes. As the three closed on the dreams of Ponyville, the non-existent air seemed to thicken.

“What is this sheer malice?”

“I have no idea. That does not bode well.”

“Ladies, we might have a problem. I can feel the emotion of what ever is causing this. This is a dream memory.” Chrysalis' proclamation scared the rulers. A dream that turned into a nightmare was bad enough, Luna stepped in before psychological trauma was inflicted. What this seemed to be was worse, something beyond even that. Quickly the three found the dream of Twilight and entered. The massive library she was in brought them to chuckle.

“So like to her to envision such a space.” mused Celestia. They found the young mare in a sun-nook, reading. Seeing nothing amiss, they quickly got her attention. “Twilight, has anything occurred to cause nightmares in Ponyville?”

“No, not that I am aware of,” her response tinged with worry. She looked over to Luna. “Is anyopny you can think of having this nightmare?”

“This is beyond a nightmare, young Sparkle. This is almost a full blown Night Terror.” gravely stated Luna. Twilight mentioned her friends might know more and so the the three became four as they started to search for the source of the disturbance. Luna was worried, the feelings she had were getting worse and Chrysalis said the same; whatever was coming, it had yet to arrive.

The rest of the girls seemed to know nothing about this, until they got to Applejack.

“Ah don't know anypony who would be feelin' this down,” she started, “But Apple Bloom and her friends found Morgue outside of the old Hitch place.”

With that news delivered, Luna started to broaden her search. While the dream realm was not fully a copy of the waking world, it was very close. With directions from the girls, they quickly found the house she mentioned. Pinkie, standing off to the side, looked to the road to town. She saw a large black cloud getting bigger as she watched. “Uh...I think I found it...”

The cloud was almost to Ponyville and was still growing. Luna was shocked, as were the rest of the group. Now that they had seen it, they were flabbergasted as to how they had missed it. Quickly the group of ten, Spike having joined as they left Twilight's dream to speed things along, moved to the cloud's center. A temporary campsite was what awaited them. Laying on his side was the stallion of the hour. The cloud was pouring out from him, and from nowhere else nearby.

“We must go into his dreams and stop this madness.” stated Luna, slipping back into the older Equestrian she used when she truly started to get stressed. “My friends, you must wait here, should this go badly you do not wish to be caught in what this foulness can become.”

“WHOA! We aren't about to let you deal with that all by yourself!” yelled Rainbow, terrified at something that could make even the Princess of Dreams leery. However, she felt it was wrong to subject her to whatever was in there alone.

“I agree, you shouldn't have to do this alone.” stated Rarity, nodding along and moving up to Rainbow's side. The rest of their friends moved up to their sides and nodded. Luna looked over to the other rulers. They had not taken their eyes from the could. They subtlety shook their heads.

“I cannot take you. Should the worst happen, it shan't be pleasant. A Terror is not to be trifled with.”

“Princess, you know we respect you and your wishes, but in this case-” started Twilight when all of the mares and the young dragon heard the sound of glass breaking. Luna's head snapped to the cloud and as she watched, horror began to overtake her features.

“It is too late now, we must move. HURRY.” And with that last exclamation, the group found itself flying into the maelstrom that the cloud was becoming. Everything was a riot of color and sound for a few moments. Then it got quiet, deathly so. Looking around the group was shocked to see a large black expanse. “Tis is odd, it is like the dream has changed scenes, like a play. If so, where-”

The ground erupted, large buildings of impossible size flying up and up until they touched the sky itself. The plaza they were in was huge, easily the size of any in Manehattan if not larger by a considerable margin. In the distance, they could see a park. Moving to the sides of the plaza, since standing in a road was a great way to get yourself hurt, they began to discuss their next move. Luna was furious with herself.

“This bodes of tidings most evil. I should never have brought you seven with us. Now you are in danger as well.”

“P-princess Luna, what do you mean?”

“Ser Fluttershy,” hearing her title caused the mare to squeak, “A Night Terror is no mere nightmare. It is a vile dream almost as real as the waking world itself. Lesser terrors are common amongst the younger ponies and beings of this world, and many adults have them as well. But they are merely vivid nightmares. THIS is the start of a problem, that left unchecked could eventually enter the waking world in physical form. And to enlighten you further, this is how Nightmare Moon began life, my own dreams birthed the demon that I became.”

With that sobering thought now on the table, the group looked around themselves again after taking a moment to collect their thoughts silently. The plaza was now cleaned and filled to the brim with chairs set in neat rows and a raised platform at the end. The various platforms near them weren't decorated but plain and empty, seemingly waiting for cameras of some description to be setup on them; even though they were over one hundred lengths from the podium mounted on the platform. The girls looked around in awe, the change was drastic. Chrysalis looked about nervously, feeling a imminent sense of dread that grew with each passing moment. Celestia and Luna looked about warily as if expecting an attack. After some time had passed, the group looked to each other again, with Applejack asking a question at the front of all of their minds.

“So, if this is supposed to be so terrifying, where is the terror?”

“I know...not...” began Luna, only to stop as she saw the crowds that lined the plaza and were seated. The dais on the podium had beings on it. The sense of foreboding and a weight she couldn't place settled upon her withers between her wings. She could see many of the strange bipedal beings that had little fur on their bodies except their heads and maybe the faces on ones she could conceivably call male. There were nearly two-and-a-half thousand as far as she could count; though the true number must have been greater.

Twilight was caught up in viewing the odd contraptions that some of the beings had set up, watching as they talked looking at the podium and at the glass in the front of the devices. The sounds, though muted, were there if unintelligible. Pinkie was the first to notice something off however.

“Um, why are there three open seats near the front?”

Looking the group made their way to the front of the crowd, passing through the various shades as they walked forward. Once they were within a few lengths of the seats, their view was blocked by a large male, rushing to the dais. Once he was gone the seats were filled, with shades so crisp, the group felt like they could touch them. They could also understand them, unlike the others.

“Honey, why are you being so fidgety?”

“You know I hate this suit,” said the male, shocking the others. It began to dawn on them where they were. Fluttershy's hooves flew to her mouth with a low, “no...”,

“It feels like its trying to choke me.”

“You should go back and get it re-done then!” said the female, with a light and airy laugh.Her gazed drifted down to her lap, where an young girl rested. “Just because you feel no need to get remeasured for a suit doesn't mean you can't trust me to make up for your lack of fashion sense.”

“True, but that is why you will always outshine me, Amelia.”

“I love you you goof.”

“I know, I love you more than anything-”

“DADDY! What about me?” piped up the little one in her mother's lap. She looked very sad at his last comment.

“Of course I love you, angel. Just because I love your mommy so much doesn't mean I don't love you Jess, or your sister. Speaking of- where is she?”

“Oh! She found that boy she likes from school, he's like this many that way!” she said, holding up her arm and showing off a hand with five fingers, pointing towards the group of mares near them.

“Please, say this isn't...” breathed Celestia.

“Mom! Dad! Jim is here with his folks too!” squealed a young girl, older than the other.

“Samantha Morgan! What have I told you about running off?” sternly asked the father figure.

“To give any trouble makers your name and phone number?” Samantha replied looking very put out.

“Maybe, but really you should have told us rather than disappearing on us. We are in the Big Apple after all. I don't want to tear this place down looking for you.”

“Honey, please, let her meet her friend without acting like a stereotype. Besides, I watched her run off to talk to him and could see her the entire time.” Amelia replied before the husband at her side could respond. She then pointed over his shoulder to a place only three rows and a few seats over, where a family sat, the young male a blush on his face as Samantha waved back to him.

“Man, everyone in school is going to be so jealous that I got to see this in person.”

“Sam, stop and sit down. The presentation will be starting soon.” said the male, moving so that his daughter was between him and his wife. The group had no illusions at that point. They were seeing Nikolai and his family, most likely on the most saddening day of his life. Quickly looking to each other and holding their gaze, briefly, they looked back. The scene was quiet, and a female stood at the podium. She was in a very nice dress suit, with an odd piece of lace in a loop over her barel as far as Rarity was concerned. The lace was very nice black with blue edges. She then began to speak before anything more jumped out at the group.

Today we are gathered here in the great city of New York to do several things.“ One of those things is not to celebrate, but morn. We all know of the war that ravaged the islands and coastal regions of our world. Just five over years ago, we had First Contact. An event so unprecedented as to be thought a joke at this point. As it was said by Arthur C. Clarke, 'Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.' On that day just over a half decade back, we learned the truth. We are not alone in the cosmos. And instead of coming with warning or a greeting, our neighbors of the stars came with fire. Fire in their hearts and in their hands. Much did they put to the torch.

But we were not about to let those invaders do as they wished. Not unanswered. The men and women of the various military's around the world found themselves hard pressed to hold back the tide, let alone turn it. There is no shame in that fact, for they were able to hold just long enough for the world to get behind them and make a real effort to fight back. Heros and Villains alike fought with us, some little more than children.

In our hour of greatest need, they fought back. They took the fight to the Fin as they fought in our oceans and seas. As they stormed our lands from the water. We learned again of Atlantis as we watched the city burning under the waters in which it rested.

Lives were lost, that is a fact of both war and life. And yet, having met with many of the individuals that fought in some fashion or another during my life, I can say that without a shadow of a doubt that they fought not for a need, but a WANT to ensure we were free. For the villains it was keeping their pond their own; or in rare cases a place NOT on fire. The heros fought as they did following their own codes and rules they each had. But one fact remains- they FOUGHT.

Our soldiers gave blood, sweat, tears, and bodies for them to rally. And by the grace of God on high, they took it,” Taking a moment to let her words sink in, the woman looked down at the screen in her podium before continuing, “But in the end, we came to realize one thing. Even though we were truly united for the first time in historical memory like that, we were losing. A sad fact is we were losing the war for our freedom and livelihoods.

“Then the V'asori came. Like angels from heaven did they descend upon pillars of fire. They turned the tide. They drove the monsters we were coming to fear away, back into the black of space.

“They stood shoulder to shoulder with us. They endured as we had. We traded, learned, bartered, came to trust one another. Much of our rebuilt civilization was thanks to them. Without our kindly saviors we might not be here now. Yet that is not why we are gathered here today. We are here to thank those that fell, both soldiers and super beings who fought and those who fell who were merely trying to live their lives.” With that the crowd, already quiet, went silent and all that could be heard was wind blowing. The woman at the podium was quiet, head lowered. The group was still unmoving, afraid that some random movement would set this moment off like a powder keg. They knew of the story's end and had heard little from the stallion about it. Now they were there, living it as he relived it in a Night Terror.

“Today, one of our greatest heros, Champion, graces us with his visit. It will be brief. While he is here to pay his respects; he too has a job to do. I bid you welcome Earth's mightiest hero!” the roar that rang out was only muffled by the fact the shades were never loud to begin with. The mares watched as Amelia winced and lifted a hand to her ear, all while yelling just as loud as her daughters. Nikolai was indifferent to the noise, looking to the sky above the podium.

“Honey, why are you looking up there!?”

“Look UP and you'll see!” He replied to his wife's question.

When she did, so did the group. Their jaws dropped. A being in a white and blue jumpsuit was hovering overhead, arms crossed over his chest. He was powerfully built, and would have been intimidating if it weren't for the fact his face was covered in a smile that his eyes mirrored. His blue black hair whipping around his head, he shot toward the ground. Just before he hit, he stopped and hovered a moment before touching down lightly on the dais. The distance he covered was shocking and as fast as he had done it, no damage was caused in the area. Rainbow knew speed and knew what that kind of speed that distance took to cross. The fact this Champion was able to cross it in seconds, and at no damage to the surroundings no less, terrified her.

“I won't be long, folks. I am here to wish my condolences to all of you who have lost someone or many someones to this trying time. If I could I would meet with everyone of you. It is only right I try to do so, this just feels too impersonal to me. But I have limited time, our work is only beginning if we wish to make this a better world. If it weren't for the lives laid down just a few months back, we would be unable to even have this moment to reflect and give our thanks to those who made it possible. Please, give our esteemed guest the welcome he deserves. Our V'asori friend here today is going to give us his own short speech before we get to party, a wake to be remembered for all those who will never be forgotten.” The man's voice was not as deep as the group was expecting. It was almost melodic. The figure that took his place among quiet applause was well built, covered in a immaculate suit. He was not quite as tall as the super-being he shook hands with, but still a little larger than average based on whet the mares could see. He had pale blue skin, a small singular lock of hair braided in front of he left ear, and most notably lack of a nose. He motioned for quiet.

“Friends, I am here today to relay a message. That message is one of peace...” the crowd began to get loud again, but Nikolai and Amelia looked at each other sharply.

“This won't be good.”

“No, no it won't.” he replied. He started to scan the crowd, looking for a way out. Near the front it would be obvious if they left early, but they weren't in the front rows near the podium. They were offset just to the side. They were also near the edge. They could make a break for it if things started to get ugly.

“Mom? Dad? What's wrong?” asked Sam.

“Honey, what he just said was not a good thing, he also hasn't said or done anything in the last minute. We might have to leave early if things get ugly.”

“O-okay Daddy.” That phrase brought the parents' subtle search for a way out to a sudden halt. They slowly looked at each other. Sam hardly ever called him that, just had by the way they acted. She was terrified of how they were acting. But their instincts were screaming if their faces were anything to go by.

“Hun, I hope I am being paranoid, but I really think this man means to do bad things.”

“Why daddy?”

“Angel, I have no idea. I am just your daddy, alright? I will take care of you.”

“Promise?”

“Yeah.”

“Pinkie promise?” this last question brought a sharp intake of breath from the seven individuals from Ponyville. The young girl was holding out her hand, the last finger on it held out as the rest were clenched. Nikolai grinned and held his own finger out, and gripped hers.

“I Pinkie promise. Now just watch the speeches, I have no idea how you like watching them.”

“That's easy, they use a lot of big words I don't know yet!” she said with a smile, her fear seemingly gone. The eyes of the mares weren't on the touching scene in front of them however, they were on the one pink mare in their group who was turning grayer and whose mane was straitening. Celestia and the other rulers were the only ones to catch his next line.

“I swear, you get that from your mother, I KNOW I ain't got a lick of good brains in my head.” he said that with a smile. The crowd was finally dying down.

“As I was saying, a message of peace; but not one for any of you. Begin the assault commander.” The last portion of that statement caused the crowd to gasp. Champion was instantly in front of the V'asori, only to be flung through the air as a loud whirring noise came from from a odd box held in the now hostile male's hand. “Save yourself or save them? What will it be Champion of the Alpha Force?” with that the figure seemed to flicker and disappear. In it's place was a metal skeleton that dropped to the ground with a clang.

Champion was lying on the ground, hardly moving, with a smoking hole in his chest, opposite the capital C on his outfit. The crowd was going insane, a minor stampede erupting form the chaos. As the crow thinned in front of Nikolai's family, the girls all ran forward. Seeing as the memory stayed nearby, they came to realize one thing. The youngest Morgan girl had gone forward as well.

“Come on Mistah Champ-e-on. Get up. My daddy is a champ-e-on as well, and he never lays down with out a good fight. Please get up.” They all heard Nikolai's cry of alarm as he found his daughter. He had run up, several men laid out on the ground between him and his wife and other child.

“DON'T RUN OFF LIKE THAT! Now come on! We have to leave!”

“Daddy, he's hurt. Look.”

“What? What do-” he question died in his throat. The hole in Champion's chest was bad enough. The BLOOD he was leaking was new. He never bled as far as Nikolai was aware, not from something that small. Champion moaned and opened his eyes with a shudder.

“Damn, that smarts.”

“Can you move man?”

“What are you-!?” the question quickly devolved into a coughing fit. Champion was in no shape to move on his own, that was obvious to Nikolai even considering his lack of medical training.

“Come on, I got ya; let's get you to a hospital.” He said while reaching down to him up and carry him. Nikolai put him on his back when he felt the man's weight settle and gave an oomph.

“Hehehe, daddy's giving him a piggy back ride!”

"Samantha, walk beside me and hold on to my pants. Don't you let go. The crowd, while thinned, was coming back. Something was driving them back. “Jessica, I need you to come here baby; come on.” Amelia picked her daughter up as her husband stood with the Earth's mightiest hero on his back, looking dazed and confused while shaking his head. Now the group from Equestria was aware of something new.

Screams.

The crowd was screaming. Not like before either. This was a raw primal scream. A scream of fear.

“Mommy? Why is everyone coming back this way?”

“Honey!”

“I know, this bastard is heavy!”

“Daddy! You said a bad word!”

“Bastard, shit, fuck, hell, damn, whore, and more!” he swore as he finally made it to his feet, the grin on his face was a goofy one, his wife chuckling at his antics, his daughters laughing. Together the family began running as fast as they could to the edge of the plaza. There weren't many people between them and the edge. They saw what was causing the screams this time. Robotic men, pipes, tubing and all were coming out of the shadows. They weren't silent either. Their hands held blasters, which were spitting death into the crowd.

“Sorry bud, but this is my family I got to keep in mind here.” grunted Nikolai as he turned his back on the approaching host. The blasts hit the Champion's back, and oddly enough did nothing but almost unbalance the man carrying him. It was as if the Champion wasn't hit at all, even his suit was intact and unblemished.

“Its fine.”

“Okay then-” Nikolai's head snapped to the side as he looked the Champion in the eye. The man smirked, followed quickly by putting a pained grimace on. What happened next etched itself in the minds if the group as they watched. This hero, wounded and bloodied, forced himself off of Nikolai and brutally dispatched the robots. Only, instead of oil or any other substance like it, blood flew when he hit them.

“My god are those people?” asked Amelia with horror in her voice.

“Move, come on, MOVE!” yelled Nikolai as he grabbed Sam and started to run out of the area. Unfortunately it had to be back towards the platform. As they got close, the area was filled with the sounds of a odd machine. Looking up the three rulers saw the craft flying in high and fast, and were just in time to see a beam of red lance out and BURN everything it touched. The devastation from it was appalling. The roadway they stood on had become molten rock, and the bodies of those not burned away entirely were burnt to a crisp. The cries of terror redoubled at the new threat.

The Champion flew back faster than anything the girls had seen yet, windows shattering from the forces at play. Twilight saw mach cones behind the figure as he flew at the craft. Nine. Nine cones, nine times the speed of sound. Twilight's only though was just how fast he was. The beams of light coming from his eyes as he flew were a moot point. The craft dodged and swooped around. Lining up again as the Champion tried to deal with everything at once. And had what happened next not occurred, he might have done it.

Nikolai and his family huddled in the lee of the platform, his body between his wife's and his children under her. The robots were closing in, and he was yelling over the commotion to be heard.

“I won't let go, you hear me!? I WONT LET GO!”

“DADDY!” cried out twin voices.

“HONEY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?”

As he stood to cover more of them, his family could only cry out in fear. The craft was coming back, firing it's odd weapon again. This time it was heading towards the Champion and they were in it's path. His head snapped down and quickly back up. His face set in a snarl, he flew into the beam, firing his own as he hit. For a moment his pushed back the beam of his enemy's attack. Then the unthinkable happened.

The craft broke all laws of physics and shot BACKWARD into the sky, broadening the beam. This forced the Champion into the air, higher and higher to keep the beam contained. Then his eyes failed him, he had to blink. And the light hit him as he opened them again.

The pained scream was heard all over the field. Twilight saw one of the strange devices pointed at the scene, dropped to the ground and pointed almost perfectly to capture it. Her eyes were brought back to the horror over head. The Champion's body was slowly being reduced to ash before her eyes.

“By the stars, when does this madness end?” whispered Chrysalis, quiet until now.

“Only when it has run it's course.” said Celestia in a quivering voice, a tear leaking from her eye. This was an act of heroism that she had seldom had a chance to see, and like the other times it hurt far more to watch. Emotional pain was often times worse than physical. And Chrysalis was feeling all of it right now. Even were they still enemy's, Celestia wouldn't wish this upon her.

The area was now bathed in fragmented beams of red light slowly growing. The family in the middle of all of this, the only ones left in this area, huddled in the ever shrinking eye of the storm.

“I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU ALL!” cried Nikolai as the beams came closer.

“DADDY!” cried his daughters, clutching their parents tighter as they tried to go smaller in what space they had left.

“WE'VE GOT YOU, GIRLS; WE'VE GOT YOU, JUST HOLD ON, WE CAN DO THIS!” Amelia yelled over the storm and chaos. Champion's howls of pain were getting louder, but never once did he try to run. He in fact flew into the beam even more, shielding the lives of those below even as he was slowly being blasted apart. The air itself was on fire by now. And still Nikolai held on immediately between his family and the storm.

The platform was long gone, his clothes burning away. His back was blistering and melting. The buildings nearby were exploding as the beam finally reached them. Shards of rock found his back and sliced it open like blades. His head flew back in a roar of pain, exposing his face, eyes closed, to the elements around him.

His wife cried out in pain as the beams started to reach her. She shielded her children as much as she could, but the beams became one large red wall of death. The whole family was covered in red as they huddled with each other.

And then all was white.

The aftermath was rather subdued all things considered. The mountains of rubble were everywhere, as was the molten rock of buildings and the road. A rumbling was heard, and as the mares watched, Nikolai threw a large section of a whole building off of his back, still hunched over.

Panting in pain, he looked around at the hellscape around himself. Shaking his head he looked down. Tears streaming down his face, he knelt down. The mares closed in and saw a heart wrenching sight. His family was still there, intact and not moving, eyes closed.

“No, not after all of that; please no...” whispered Rainbow of all the mares, tears flowing freely as she watched.

“Amelia? Sam? Jes? Come on, we need to move. Girls?” as he said that he finally touched them. He tried to pick them up, only for them to start to disintegrate into ash as he stood. “No...please...NO!” was all that left his mouth as they slowly flew away on the wind, whipping around him before they were gone forever. The ash of his family marring his cheeks and face did little to hide his tears among the blood from his wounds. A cry of pure loss came from his throat. He fell to his knees and looked up. They were smiling. was all Pinkie could think of watching the scene. She turned to ask the others if they saw, but her voice died in her mouth.

Fluttershy was on the ground watching from her side, her legs and wings twitching from trying to go to him and help him in her own way. Applejack had fallen to her haunches and was just staring straight ahead. Rarity was sobbing into Rainbow's neck. Rainbow Dash was looking on with a vacant expression on her face holding their friend loosely. Twilight had seemed to have shut down. Celestia was quaking with repressed sobs. Luna was aghast and speechless. Chrysalis was crying quietly, head down. Spike, poor Spike, was shaking like a leaf, eyes wide and horrified, pupils dilated. “No; this is worse than any marega. This is a horror story like the ones I'm not supposed to read.”

A sound reached them. It slowly snapped the group out of it's stupor. A being, well over seven feet in height crested a ridge, it's hide a dark color. It's head was vaguely shaped like a shark's, with the fin even. It's small black eyes looked out and widened at the sight of Nikolai. It reached up to it's bandoleer and grabbed a weapon. The bandoleer held many small objects and a large assortment of raw meat hanging from hooks. “+I GOT A LIVE ONE!+” it called out, over it's shoulder.

Nikolai's head whipped around and his cry of pain became one of rage, he stood and lifted the section of the building he had thrown off of himself. Hefting it over head, the man ran at the Fin, who began to back peddle in fear. “+SUPER, HE IS A SUPER!+” and with that last uttered cry as the only warning the others with it got, Nikolai hit. Everything faded quickly to the sounds of death being raised over the hill.

=============================

The glade returned and the group dropped to it's knees, releasing a collective breath. They were shocked to their core. That was no mere Night Terror. That was a living memory of his past.

“I would appreciate it if you didn't come in my head.” said the stallion. The mare's and dragon looked at him. His head was off the ground and looking at them. “My memories are my own. Stay out.” And then the world seemed to fold in on itself. Luna gasped,

“No, why is he waking up now!?”

“Maybe because it is morning sister. Or maybe he is done sleeping for the night,” turning to Twilight and her friends, Celestia continued, “I will come to Ponyville in six days. Please keep this to yourselves until then. Chrysalis spoke up.

“I can come too, if any of you wish to talk. After what we saw tonight, I will MAKE time for it. Stars know, we all could use a good group therapy session.”

“A comforting thought. Worry not, I will attempt to give you pleasant dreams for the remainder of your rest.” said Luna as the group began to fade and leaving Luna alone.

“What else do you have in your head and heart Ser Morgan? As far as I care, you earned your title that day with your actions, I have no doubts about you being a hero. Not a villain as you claim to be...”

============================

“A man can't get a good nap around here,” muttered Nikolai as he rolled over and stocked his fire. Grunting, he tried to go back to sleep, whatever dreams he had had long gone from his mind as he awoke. “Hope I can actually sleep this time, I want to be rested for tomorrow. Lord knows I am going to need it for them.”

Author's Note

I am going to give y'all three guesses as to where i was crying from this (I forgot how much his back story hurt.)

and as a side note, the character i came up with for a later game with this same gm took this kinda backstory to 11. and was tied into everyone else's (not by choice)

any thoughts on this chapter?
next one should really move the plot forward.

Now to kill off some xeno scum in xcom 2 to make myself feel better.