Nyx and the Nightmareby jbwjrChaptersDreams (revised)Spirits (revised)Memories (revised)Magic TrainingDream WalkingThe Moon and Silver[Optional] The Timekeepers WatchMagic Training 2Knights and The Night CultTruths and liesThe Nightmare's secretsDreams (revised)Midnight, March 10th 2013, 7 months after The Long Night The Golden Oaks Library, Ponyville. Inside, one owl, one dragon named spike, a unicorn named Twilight Sparkle and it's newest resident Nyx Nightmare Sparkle were all sound asleep. Nyx was and as far as most ponies where concerned still was Nightmare Moon incarnate, a year ago she had over thrown the royal sisters and ruled for about over a month before abdicating her thrown. Shortly after she had defended Ponyville from everything the nearby Everfree forest could throw at Ponyville as well and got injured in the possess, and after some coxing from her Mother Twilight sparkle she released the Royal sisters and they in turn showed her mercy. Other the rest of that year she had slowly rebuild the filly image of herself rather then dark ruler she and the Cult of Nightmare Moon had built up. Still there had been a few bumps in the road, her first Nightmare Night had been a bit awkward with everyone not telling her what it was about not to mention those young ponies trying to kill her. They clamed "You all under her spell," which wasn't true, she had survived that by a hairs breath. Then came Christmas time, when she had met both her Aunt Cadance and Uncle Shiny. That had not gone over too well at first but in the end things worked out and she was happily accepted buy both of them. New years eve had been more fun, Ponyville was still lined with Christmas lights. Despite this, Luna's night sky was outshining any of the light displays. The firework show that night was met with much anticipation and was the most beautiful thing Nyx had ever seen. Her Mother Twilight Sparkle, brother spike and even Luna had sat by her that night, she felt so happy with the various designs and colors overhead, curled up with her mother with spike munching on popcorn and gems. It was one of the highpoints of her short life. Such unpleasant and equally happy memories where a distance thought as she pleasantly dreamed, when she was awakened by a faint sound. After tossing the covers back she groggily decides to investigate. Failing to wake her mother, she slowly makes her way down the winding staircase.... and what she sees sends chills down her spine, for sitting on a couch by the fire was the familiar form of Nightmare Moon. She appeared to be huming some sort of tune, Nyx gasped at the mare as she spotted her. "Hmmhmmhmm huh? Oh Nyx, did I wake you?" Nightmare Moon Replied looking up from her book at Nyx, her heart racing in panic did the sensible thing, fainting right on the wood floor and hoped she would go away. _______________________________________________________ NightMare Moon sighed getting up from her book "Well that went as well as I could have expected" and moves Nyx over to the couch with her magic. "Ok what am I going to say to her when she wakes up let's see, Hi Nyx I'm..., no that won't work. Mabye if I try to show her I'm not a threat? That might work, but how can I do that?" As she ponders this Nyx slowly woke up, before she can move, Moon grabs her and says "Look, I know your scared right now. Please just... calm down ok. I just want to talk." She put Nyx down and they started the process of trying to reach out to each other. Slowly taking in her situation Nyx said "Ok WHO are you, and What are you doing here?" In response Nightmare said "Well I guess you can call me Nightmare Moon, Moon if you wish to shorten it and I 'was' just siting here reading a book. And you?" There was dead silence as the two stare at each other awkwardly, after about a minute or two Nyx brakes the ice "I was just had having a nice dream when I hear a noise and came to find you here. And you are Nightmare....Moon...." she doesn't finish as she quickly Dashes up the stairs an teleport into the bedroom above. "Twilight!, Twilight Wake up please!" She desperately tries to shake Twilight awake but nothing seemed to work. Nightmare raced up the stairs after her and into the room, she found the Nyx desperately trying to wake her mother, "Nyx she's not real its just an illusion," she told Nyx, having next to no effect. Suddenly a small white tendril pops out of Nyx's horn and goes into Twilights forehead, Nightmare Moon stared at the feat of dream magic as she whispers "Did she just do that?" Twilight bolted upright and turned to Nyx looking very tired. "Nyx, what's the matter?" Twilight asks rubbing her eyes as Nyx points at Nightmare Moon, fear written on both there faces. Nightmare quickly says "Twilight just go back to sleep, I'm not here to hurt her I swear," Twilight blinks a few times then laughs before saying, "HAHA, good one Luna, good joke." For a moment Nightmare pauses "Why didn't I think of that option earlier!" she thought, then decides better then to lie to Twilight "Sorry to disappoint you Ms. Sparkle, but this is anything but a joke," then quickly zaps Twilight sending her back to dreamland before she can react, she then glares at Nyx, dragging her back downstairs. "What the Hell was that about?! Are you trying to..." she paused lowering her voice "Well suppose you do want me gone, but still your could have asked!" Moon shouted, very annoyed at Nyx, who just stared at the floor, "Go away...please." she said curling on the couch. Nightmare sighs "Ok, this is getting me no where," she thought "I'm just as surprised as you are really, I never expected to actually meet you." Nyx didn't move, thinking of what might win her over, Nightmare Moon then got an idea "Wait here," she went into the kitchen and wiped up a few bowls of Nyx's favorite food, she returned and placed it in front of her, "Can we start over? I want to be your friend, its funny to think I of all mares am your guardian angel, as far as I'm aware". She had chosen Twilights approach. Nyx's attention peaked at her words and she barely contained herself "Wait you, my guardian angel, HAHAHA, that's a good one!" she bursts into laughter. "Alright you got me there, but I may as well be. I did save you last Night mare Night after all." Moon said making a halo appear for added effect. After a minute or so of Nyx's laughing, she calmed down and they started slowly warming up to each other by chatting, "So feel better?" Moon asked, Nyx nodded slightly "I still don't trust you." "I don't expect your to, not completely. How's the soup?" Nyx garbed a spoon and took a sip, her eyes widened "Just like Mom makes it," she continued to eat, "I thought you'd like that, eat first we'll talk later." She too, indulging in her culinary creation. The bowls where cleaned in about 20 minutes, at Which point Nyx again asked "So what do you want, Nightmare Moon?" "Your help of course, but I can get into that another time. Right now I want to get to know you, I've been watching you ever since you where created." Nyx nodded "So can I call you Moon? You name is a mouthful ya know?" "I said you could already," Moon replied, the two alicorns started to talk about there perspectives on various events, Nightmare Night, Hearths warming, the Summer Sun festival, among others. "So you said I can call you Nightmare Moon? Who are you then?" Moon shrugged "Given my current looks I can't think of a more fitting name. Also if it comforts you a bit more, your dreaming." "So your not real? That's a relief." Nyx said not really thinking, "That's harsh Nyx, you wound me. No I'm quite real I'm afraid." To prove it she tried to walk through a wall, she pressed her hoof against in and it stayed firm "See? I'm just as much a constant here as you are." Nyx nodded, accepting this fact. Moon returned to her seat "So I know you have no reason to trust me but... Friends?" she extended her hoof, "I don't know I mean... If your who you say you are... UGH Why is my life so complicated!" Nyx kicked the table in front of her. She sighed then took a breath "Can we just... hold off on the friends thing? Just for now." Moon nodded and the two sat in silence. Moon broke the silence, "Nyx, why do you hate me so much? Beside the obvious I mean." The filly turned away a moment, then as if she had known Moon for a while said "Do I really need to tell you? Luna, Twilight, and even me and Celestia. Your hurt people, I don't want to hurt anyone, let alone be associated with someone like you." Moon understood this well, Nyx was hated by most of Equestria, at least that's what she had gathered from her prospective, still that same anger and resentment usually turned to pity and forgiveness. Realizing she had zoned out for a moment she shook her head "Sorry you lost me at 'someone like you', did I miss something?" Nyx shook her head "Good." she paused to think of what to say, then said "Well Nyx, like it or not we're stuck together now. To what extent I don't know but, I want to show you I'm more then you've seen and heard." As she spoke, the air between them was relived of tension when... BANG The door to the library was blasted apart and Nyx teleported herself upstairs as Nightmare Moon dove for cover behind the couch, Then the very last voice she wanted to hear booms through the white void, "NIGHTMARE MOON, COME OUT AND FACE ME!!!!" Luna walked slowly in horn at the ready, a small white flag greeted her from behind the couch. Luna commanded the mare to reveal herself, Moon pops her head up and says "Luna for all that my life is worth, DON'T KILL ME!", Nightmares voice slowly rising in panic. Luna eyed the mare but turned her attention to Nyx, "Nyx are you ok?" Luna asks called to the filly, "I'm ok, You wouldn't happen to know anything about her would you?" Nyx reply's from upstairs pointing at the black alicorn in the room as she came down, Moon slowly came out from her way from improvised shield. Luna holds held twin scimitars to the black alicorn and looks her over, "Who are you?" "Nightmare Moon from your perspective." Moon replied, "You don't feel like my counterpart, nor do you seem like a creature of the dream realm," and makes a mental check list: black coat check, blue ethereal mane check, twin crescent cutie mark check, fangs...no, must have retracted them. Ok so what is she then? Maybe she was just a little rusty, but she knew this mare wasn't normal. "Luna, why are you here?" Moon asked raising her blade defensively, "I was sent here to stop you from hurting this little filly." "The thought never crossed my mind, I just found myself here and..." "LIES!" Luna yelled lunging forward, Moon stepped to the side "Nyx, would you kindly recreate Ponyville for us?" She asked blocking a blow form Luna. The filly closed her eyes and concentrated, the white void slowly formed a image of the town beyond, Moon flew out the door into the sky above "I don't want to fight Luna! But you give me no choice!" Moon dived down to meet Luna's charge, they clashed before parting "Your holding back, why?" Luna asked "Because I don't want to hurt you. I will defend myself however if I must." The two clanked blades a few times before Luna pinned Moon to the ground with her shadow "Huh? Haha, and I thought you gave up shadow magic?" Moon walked out of the shadows like it was nothing "But you fight the Queen of Nightmares, REMEMBER!" Nightmare Moon struck her with a fear spell to end the fight quickly, Luna dropped like a stone to the pavement, Moon catching her in her magic grip. "Celestia no...I thought you loved me... NO, DON'T SEND ME AWAYYYYYY!!!" Luna muttered her eyes blackened, "That's enough of that," Moon released the spell, Luna's eyes returning to normal, and she slowly rose to her feet, "How typical of you Nightmare Moon." Said mare produced a pair of necklaces "Perhaps these jewels will convince you of my intentions," she levitates a pair of necklaces of a sun and moon out of her mane and Luna's jaw drops. How those are...but, but her thought turns to words "Where did you get those!?" Luna says as she steps forward, only to bump into the black rapier Nightmare moon was holding in her magic. "I've had them I left Emblem, I don't know why though." Nyx looks at the necklace's confused and asks "Do these have some significance I'm missing here?" Moon put them back in her mane "I'll keep them for the moment, I promise I'll return them to you in time." Luna quickly recovers, sheathing her blades and starts to leave, as she reaches the Moon she leaves a warning to her new acquaintance "Well I don't know who you are or what game your playing. but you harm this filly and I will be the last thing you see, understand?" Nightmare nods saying "I expected as much, I however have nothing to fear form you, my dear little Luna. Good evening to you." As Luna takes her leave Nightmare walks back inside and over to a shelf and pulls out a book, "Nyx I know you doubt I'm real or that I'm anything good, however here's a book for you to prove other wise and one other thing," Nyx takes the book and asks what that is, her answer is "When you wake for breakfast ask your mother if she knows a man named Alan Wake ok?" Nyx nods and goes off to her bed leaving the mare to herself, "Huh I wonder how Twilight will react to my presence, plus I still have to teach Nyx her 'special powers' well that last part shouldn't be too hard, after all we are the same," she takes a sip of wine from a glass that had been siting on a table on the ground floor, she takes a look in a mirror "Hm out with the old," she looks up to Nyx's room, lets her hair down it becoming solid, her cutie mark disappears "And in with the new long live the Queen". _________________________________________________ In the morning Nyx rolled out of bed to the smell of fresh pancakes and the sound of her Mothers voice in her ears "Nyx, breakfast if ready!", She pushed back the warm covers and rolled out of bed, She made her bed like good little filly, before leaving her room she took a look at her home town, Ponyville. The little town near the capital of Canterlot was small, simple and peaceful, most of the time. The town had accepting of her quite quickly, certainly faster then she expected, though she suspected that her friends had something to do with it. She proceeded out of her room and down the stairs, the dream from last night still on her mind, "I really need to tell Twilight about that one, she'll get a kick out of it, or panic more likely." Before going to the kitchen she went to wash up in the bathroom, conveniently located mid-way down the short stairway. The bathroom was rather simple and all the better for it: a tub with a shower curtain sat next to the back wall, a toilet and sink sat a few feet apart form each other and a single window sat on the far end, a wooden cross bar in it along with the glass for added support. Nyx brushed her teeth like her mother had taught her, then took a quick show which still managed to steam up the mirror, as she bathed however she could hear a faint voice, she stopped to water to listen... nothing. She waited again, still nothing, Shrugging she dried herself with a quick spell Twilight had taught her and hurried downstairs. Upon entering the kitchen she to find her mother, Twilight Sparkle carrying some plates. "Good Morning sleepyhead, I made some pancakes for us," Twilight said moving over to the table. Nyx smiled "Good morning mom. Man I had the weirdest dream last night." she sat down, grabbed a plate of pancakes and started to dig into the fluffy delight before her. She looked up at her mother, the most precious thing in her young life, Nyx knew for certain that whatever the future would hold, Twilight would always love her. As she her thoughts drifted, she remembers her dream from last night, she filed it for later and grabbed the maple syrup "Ahh Maple syrup, classic". When Twilight starts taking the dishes to the sink she decides to ask "Hay Mom can I ask you something?" "What is it Nyx?" Twilight asks. "Do you know a man named Alan Wake?" Every plate hitting the floor shattering to bits. Spirits (revised)Do you know a man named Alan Wake?, the question echoed in Twilight's mind as she slowly turned her head, "There is NO WAY she can know about that or him." "Nyx, honey where did you hear that name?" She asked clearly disturbed. "In my dream last night you see...," Nyx trails off thinking of what to say next, She hear a voice "Psst Nyx can you hear me?" Nyx stood up straight at the voice, "Moon is that you?", she asked mentally back, finding Nightmare Moon was not physically present, she had thought Moon was just part of her dreams. "of course,I told you I was real. It's nice to be able to talk to you outside of dreams, so how is... oh I see..." Moon manifests herself, Nyx saw she was a slightly transparent mass of blue dust that formed into a pony, then she looked at Twilight a moment, then said "Well you going to talk to her or not?" Nyx pushed back her chair and started picking up the shattered bits of plate "Let's clean this up first. Then we can talk." Twilight nodded but kept staring at Nyx the entire time, a worried expression on her face. The pair moved to the living room where they sat down on the same couch form Nyx's dream. She started going into what had happened the previous evening, "So you woke up and found Nightmare Moon right where we're sitting?" Nyx nodded "And she wanted to be friends?" Another nod was Nyx's answer "Ok... I vaguely recall her zapping me, but...it was just a dream right? You just imagined it all." "But mom I can hear her, she just spoke to me like minutes ago, am I crazy?" Twilight put her hoof on her daughter's shoulder "I believe you Nyx, but can you prove it?" "Quick show her the book," Nyx told Twilight to give her a moment, then goes to retrieve the book from her room. The problem was, she had no idea where it was. Nyx walks into her room and looks around, from the door her bed is neatly made next to it a small bookshelf fully stocked of course, a mirror off to the right near the window, a vanity desk off to the right and finally next to the mirror her old Nightmare Armor still spotless as ever. "It's most likely under your pillow Nyx," Moon said, thinking logically, Nyx quickly finds the book and inspects it, "Creeping Darkness, huh, sounds like a horror story". "You could say that, did I mention it's based on real events?" Nightmare comments then looks at the armor stand "Why do you keep this, if you don't mind me asking?" she asks, Nyx ponders the question before saying "It's... a reminder of what I was and what I could become". "Really? Hmm, wise beyond your years if you ask me. Now lets get downstairs before your mother goes 'Lesson Zero' on us". Suddenly a voice shouts "I HEARD THAT!" Pinkie Pie pops out of a small potted plant on the bedside table, "That's my job," she then proceeds to slowly sink back into the pot with a smile, "Ok let's just go, I wonder how she does that?" Nightmare says slightly panicked. "It's Pinkie Pie don't question it" Nyx said following the confused Mare giggling. ________________________________________________________________ Nyx came down to find Twilight pacing the ground floor of their tree home, she looks up and asks "Ok, you said you wanted to show me something?" Nyx shows her the book, the cover itself was as black as her coat. with a colorful picture of Twilight standing in front of the shadows of her friends, the night sky and Nightmare Moon in the back ground. She stairs at the book then notices the author "Alan wake, published by Pen Stroke? hmm never heard of him," Moon snickered at that before asking Nyx, "Mind if I take over a moment? It's been some time since I've spoken to her." Nyx nervously looks at her before telling her "Don't try anything funny, She's scared as is." after which Nyx's head flicks to the ceiling and her eye flicker to blue. Twilight who had been flipping through the book, thus not noticing her daughters conversation, now stares at her daughter in complete parental panicked silence, then hears the voice of the one mare she didn't want to hear come out of that mouth, "Hello Twilight, it's been some time." Moon greets Twilight she starts to slowly step backwords, "Now now, clam down. Nyx is perfectly safe," to prove it she released Nyx asking her to say something, anything "Mom it's ok, relax," Nyx say's before Moon takes over again, Twilight stops dead and growls lighting her horn "WHO aRe you?" Rolling the r. "Long story short do you not recall back in Emblem that a basket washed up on shore? If so you remember I wrote telling you I'd be back. Well I am although not I quite like expected, her I am. Don't worry about Nyx she's perfectly safe from any harm I could cause her." Twilight recalled the moment and tried to speak Twilight not believing her commands "Release my daughter, NOW!" "Then how are we to talk face to face Miss Sparkle?" Moon replied, Twilight calmed "I know a way," she walked over to her desk and brought out some paper along with some blue dust in a bottle, "You can write on this, this dust is supposed to let spirits right on paper, supposed to anyway." To test is Twilight asked a few simple questions "Who are you, what do you want and why are you here?" The dust on the paper started to form words "Nightmare Moon, as far as I'm aware. I simply wish to introduce myself to you at the moment, and why I'm here? I do not know myself Twilight, I appear to have just been drawn to Nyx it would seem." Moon then asked a question of her own "Can you see me Twilight?" "No I can't see you at all." Twilight says to the paper turning to Nyx, who said in own voice said "She's right next to me Twilight. Give me a minute." she proceeded to have another private conversation with Moon. "What'd you have in mind to fix this?", "Oh ya know just a little something that should be hehe, enlightening," Nyx thinks for a few minute then gaps "OH HELL NO! I. am. Not doing that AGAIN. Even if I was not the one that did it in the first place," Twilight was about to ask what she said but decided against it, Nyx glared at Nightmare Moon who stares at her perplexed, she settles on "Well you got a better idea? Besides this is not the same I promise on my life, well what's left of it." "What's it do this time, tell me now." "It will grant her 1: The ability to see me, 2:She can see in the dark with 'those' eyes which are not purely cosmetic this time, and lastly since its a wisp of your magic her, magic powerful as it is will have a deeper well to draw from, oh if you don't mind I suggest you make this one special in that Twilight can also do this to others, ya know just so she understands it." Nyx nods and turns to her mother, "Ok twilight hold still, I promise this wont hurt, I hope," "Well your the vote of confidence clearly" Nightmare thinks as Nyx takes a slow breath, then lighting her horn summons a small ball of magic, she breaths into it and it turns dark purple. it then sprouts wings and floats toward twilight and bumps at her mouth. "What you want me to open my mouth?" Twilight asks raising an eyebrow, the wisp nods so Twilight does just that then, the familiar feeling of Nightmare Moon's blessing washes over her, a feeling of drowning "AGH No, Agh aaaa..." , "Relax Mrs. Sparkle!" Moon commands mentally "OK that hurt" Twilight redundantly states recovering from the pain, "Well you were trying to resist it there, my apology's Mrs. Sparkle" Moon says now visible to Twilight and boy did her eyes get even wider, "Oh, my, Faust, you really are... I...i, UGh," she groaned, her mind unable to process what she saw, she facehooves and says "I think I should ask Rarity for a drink." slowly coming to terms with her present reality, she sat on the couch which she had originally stored in the basement, it was a nice touch to the libraries décor. ____________________________________________________________ After a Twilight calmed down a bit she proceeds to ask questions "Ok, just to make sure your who I think you are, 2 things: 1 did I not find you hiding under the covers of a bed in a castle and you were left there by Nightmare Moon? And 2 did you... kill me?" Nyx turns her head and look at Nightmare Moon with pleading eyes, "Yes on both accounts Twilight, although technically at the time that wasn't 'this' me," "You... you killed my mother?" Nyx asked quivering, "Yes and then died in order to save her from it. And then I came back in order to thwart Nexus's plan, but here we are." "Well now that I know you're the 'Real McCoy' why have you chosen to reveal your self now and not sooner?" Twilight Questioned. "That's an easy one, getting your sprit intertwined with another is very disorienting, in fact I had to do some catching up by going through Nyx's memories up till the Cult got ahold of her. Even so I chose to keep to myself for Nyx's sake, I saw no reason to remove her in place of myself. By the way both of you, that Blessing you dealt with before was not something I came up with, well 'this me' anyway," "Right, so Luna didn't remove you last night why?," "So your the little snitch that sent her at me!" Twilight flinched, "Don't get me wrong I'm more then a little pissed about that," Moon yelled, but she calmed, "But at the same time it was to be expected, I used a spell to subdue her, then after showing her some trinkets she just left. I'm sorry for blasting you last night the less who know of me the better right now." "Alright, so anything else I should know?," Twilight said not acknowledging the apology. "Just one thing, the blessing does have one thing you might find a little... disconcerting at first, to put it simply each blessing has a minor consciousness, it purpose is to protect you from mental attacks like say the Changelings mind control or worse come to worse Nyx or myself become the Mare your familiar with, also they will, well, 'mold' themselves to you so in a sense you might end up talking to yourself, literally," as if on cue a form appears next to Twilight that has teal slit eyes, black coat, no cutie mark or other features. "Um hello?" Twilight asks confussed, "Hello Twilight," it says back in a monotone voice. "So you are? I mean what should I call you?" it thought for a moment "I don't know, that's up to you, but I suppose Star would do," "Star huh, you are this consciousness she spoke of?", it nods "Ok Star, I take it you got that from ether my cutie mark or my love of star gazing," "You could say that, don't worry fore I shall not interfere in your life in anyway unless you permit it. As Mrs. Moon just stated I will most likely not look like this next time you see me, most likely I'll be a unicorn similar to yourself with a few differences like my voice. Also I may have a similar mark to yours, what exactly is unclear." Twilight nods and the presumed 'spirit' vanishes visually into her, she sighs "Well that's going to need getting used to, huh ok Nyx lets get you ready for school, I'm gonna go do some research on this and probably go see if Pinkie or AJ has any cider left," Nyx turns her head having started for he room, "Careful mom you don't ever drink, sept that cheep cider at Hearths Warming," "I know honey sorry I, I just need to relax a bit," Twilight states sadness written on her face. ________________________________________________________ As Nyx went off to school Twilight Decided to test her new "Mental companion". She called on "It" "Star you there?" It appeared, "Yes Twilight?" it's voice at changed to that a female "I see your adjusting quickly. I like that, but take your time if you must. Now I wanted to ask you a few questions, if that's ok?" The pony nods "I will answer as much as I can Miss Sparkle, but first off it's worth saying we are like....Children in the sense that we learn from you as you learn and experience things." Twilight nods and continues. She sat on the couch with star across from her, she picked up a clipboard and asked "So Star What do you consider yourself? Are you a Spirit? a separate consciousness?" Star thought a bit "I am... a conscious being, but I have no true body, a ghost then for lake of better words." Twilight takes notes "Ok and if I may ask, What do you think of Nightmare Moon, do even know who she is?" Star nods "I, that is to say 'We' as whole think..." "Wait you just said 'as a whole' why?" "Because Miss Sparkle I am just one of many blessing consciousness', we are all the same being, technically. The blessing at first has no life in it, however as it matures we come to exist, in short while the Blessing is 'alive' it uses us to reach out and see the world, not that it doesn't though you of course but...It's complicated." Twilight Look almost terrified "Relax Miss Sparkle, The blessing itself is symbiotic and not harmful what so ever, we simply exist as a by product. You see as the blessing evolves as Nyx will tell you some of them fought back but, Nightmare Moon and Nyx are our masters and can control us, but not if we don't want them to. Do we see them as mothers? I guess you could put it that way." Again Twilight writes this down. "So do you Seek one another," Star looked confused "You know mating?" Star almost looks horrified, then blushed "No" she says quickly, "No need for such things you see." Twilight now goes for more cosmetic questions "So how do you change your appearance, and why do you model your selves after your hosts?" Star says the living feel more comfortable talking to themselves or rather there own species then a just a voice, "That's creepy, just my option, Right well you answered the why, not the how." "Think of changeling magic, its built into are form, we can shift into any form we please if we wanted to, still we model after are hosts so they are more comfortable with us." Many more notes later and Twilight decides to test some theory's "You said you are like Children? Does that mean you only know what your host knows?" Star nods and adds "We can exchange information as we wish, so for example I could tell you that your brother is talking to some of the guards in Canterlot right now." curiosity peaked Twilight asks a question in thought "You want to know how many bullets J.J keeps in his coat? A odd request and the answers is "I don't know I can't see into his protected pockets. We are not omni point Twilight, we only know what we are shared, say you had sex with someone, do you really want all of us to know that?" Blushing, Twilight nods continuing to write notes. "Ok so if I understand this right you can do, basically what your host can right? how about we try some magic, my trick list should do," Twenty minutes pass as Star preforms each trick flawlessly, "Impressive, you model your skill after me as well?" he shakes his head "For the sake of protecting you, we share are combined knowledge of magic among other things, I could tell you how to take apart and put back together a firearm blindfolded which you had no experience with other then seeing it for instance." Twilight says she'd test that later. "Since I plan on getting a drink at Sugercube Corner, maybe I'll test you on the way sound good?" Star smirks with a "Bring it on." before that though Twilight tried a few more tests "Ok I'm going to ask you for a book and you have to find it, sound fun?" "Ask away mistress," Twilight flinches, finding it uncomfortable to be called as a mistress, then thinks of a book "Find me.... the first volume of Celestia famous speeches, uncensored version." Star walks over to the nonfiction section, looks under C and slides his hoof along the shelf "Here it is," he floats the book in front of Twilight who nods Approvingly, "Alright find me... the list of the arcane elements latest version," Star finds it with ease to the point he sits back down and just pulls it out of the shelf with her magic. four books later Twilight is satisfied and Star actually looks a little board "So you do have feeling and emotions." Star frowns "That hurts miss Sparkle, still you could have asked." "Action speaks louder then words as they say." Twilight said, Star nods in agreement. "Just so I know you are a girl right?" Star pauses a moment then Twilight sees her body shift a little bones and organs clearly moving into and out of place "That looks painful," seconds later Star start to look like a more defined pony and smiles "It's not, it comes natural to us, I could turn into that drake of yours if you like, or..." she grins mischievously "The Stallion of your dreams?" Twilight swore if she could change color she would be red "Why I oughta....Ya know what I'll let that slid nice to visualize what I'm looking for in life right?" Star nods in agreement. Twilight then tells her to disappear and she would head out for town. _____________________________________________________________ Twilight grabbed her saddle bag and leaves the library, she decides to take the scenic route, Ponyville was the quite little town she had rolled into a few years ago, even so she greeted a few ponies she passed on the way. "You can hear me right?" she asks Star testing her mental thought, "Hard not to given I'm in your head," Twilight then tests Stars knowledge, she thinks of her friends and asks if Star can name them "Miss Sparkle were not stupid, we know some things by heart even if you don't want us to. Still Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Rarity, you also had or still have Minuette, Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine, Moon Dancer and Lyra Heartstrings if I recall for friends" Twilight was stunned, "Very good my faithful student." she paused "Wow I sound like Celestia." She then made a turn and spotted the school in the distance "Who teaches there and how many children are in it? Oh you can show yourself now since where alone." Star appeared and had copied Twilight's coat and having pink hair manifests and says "A Miss Cheerilee and give or take 20 or so students." Twilight then points in the direction of Nightstone castle and asks "Do you know....Which cell I stayed in?" Star says the very last cell, then is asked how many windows the thrown room has "8, maybe more. We don't know everything, why would we archive something like that?" "Archive?" Twilight asks puzzled by the choice of words. "Lets just say we live in are own little world Twilight, keeps us sane ya know, the inside of ones mind is rather, 'dull' after a while." Twilight finds this new revelation to be absolutely fascinating, "Well let's go to Sugercube Corner, you will have to tell me about this world some time." Twilight walks though town with Star at her side and took in the tranquility of the little town, ponies going about the day, chatting each other up, foals running though the streets playing various games, others chatting about whatever kids talked about, and others reading books, reminding her of her own youth "Not the social type are you?" Twilight shakes her head "Only since I came to Ponyville. Books where my friends, I had my family but that was about it." Star then states a tried and true set of words "Not everything can be learned from Books Twilight, trust me we of all ponies would know that all to well, are world slowly builds itself and we draw from our hosts, in some ways we are smarter then even Celestia, that says a lot, but like ponies if we don't know something we will learn from are own experience, like say a river, build a bridge but if we don't know that we would try logical methods to get around it." Star goes on and on about how they gather information and put it to use. Twilight walks into an ally to have Star disappear only to get jumped by with a knife, "Hand over your bits sweetheart, capsh?" Star just looks at him "Go fuck yourself and your mother," she swats the knife aside, imbedding it in the wall and jabs her horn into the guys throat, he coughs and clutches his neck, "Stop you'll kill him!" Twilight says pulling Star back "He'll be fine, just a flesh wound. I probably didn't hit his vocal cords, probably. Are you ok Miss Sparkle?" Twilight looks at the thug, he wasn't going anywhere, she leans out of the ally and calls for a policemen, a militia guard comes over and Twilight gives him the sum of situation, "Thank you Mam, He'll be taken care of, have a nice day," he drags the poor stallion off still dripping blood. Star disappears and apologizes for her actions "Well now let's go get that drink shall we?" Twilight heads off to Surgercube Corner in even more of drink then ever. Memories (revised)Ponyville Schoolhouse 8:30 Am Ahh Ponyville schoolhouse, such a sweet little place, I was currently siting behind the assistant desk in the cornor waiting for class to begin, "Cheerilee what's on today schedule?" I asked staring into my pocket watch mirror, lets see: off-black coat check, hidden wings check, hidden fangs, pointed horn check, well all here, "We are doing some art, history and tests today J.J.," "I see good just checking, I feel like today is going to be very interesting," Cheerilee walks to the door and looks out "Well everyone should be arriving soon still better check those test scores again." I really hated paper work. _________________________________________________________ Ponyville Nyx walked to school that day with nervous step, she was pondering Nightmare Moon's sudden appearance and couldn't make it heads or tails of it. Soon her friends met up with her as per usual "Hey Nyx you ok?" The CMC, consisting of 1 Applebloom, Applejacks younger sister, 2 Sweetie Belle, Rarity's younger sister and 3 Scootaloo, Rainbow's adopted sister. They were Nyx's oldest friends fell in step with her. She nodded but kept silent "So Sweetie bell, got anything good for the school paper?" Appleboom asked, "No not much, just some of Rarities lasts fashions, and you?" "The orchard is the save as ever, not even a flux in market prices. Anything on your end Scoots?" "Rainbow dash got into the wonderbolt reserves, that is so sick!" Nyx remembered that day, Pinkie stayed glued to her mailbox for at least 3 days straight. Then there was the Tornado, Rainbow handing in her resignation out of protest, good times those where. At this point Moon made her presence know "You can talk to me like this you know, so these are your friends?" Nyx flinched a little but kept going "Yes, some of them." as they drew closer to the school Twist joined them "Hi girls, candy cane?" "Do you always carry candy canes around with you?" Sweetie asked taking the offered treat, "Everyone likes candy canes, right?" Nyx turned and levitated the mint, red and white striped crook in her magic, "You so sweet Twist, just like your candy." the candy mare blushed at the comment. Suddenly a green flash happened to there right, "Hmm, delicious." said a blue haired, green eyed, dark green pony said "Flitter, is that you?" another green flash, revealed a young Changeling nymph "Boo!" The fillies stick out there toughs, blowing raspberries "Hehe, sorry couldn't resist." "Flitter your as scary as Fluttershy, still good effort" Nyx said, Flitter and her parents where the only "known" changeling family in Ponyville, at least officially, there where others but they where only known to the mayor as well as the Princesses. She had helped save Nyx's life the on her first Nightmare Night. Ever since she had been friends with the girls and the former Princess, for whatever reason she was currently feeding of the girls secretly, Nyx was the only one who ever seemed to notice the effect "Flitter, I can what your doing." she said side staring at her, "What I missed breakfast. Besides your friendship always taste so good." and there she went going into a emotional bliss again, Nyx bopped her to snap her out of it "You who, Equestria to Flitter." "Aww and it was just getting good that time." she frowned, "I thought you weren't supposed to do that?" the Nymph shrugged "It's not as bad as it was before, its just a little buzz." Moon was looking over the little ling form horn to hoof "This one is quite the little mischief-maker now isn't she?" Nyx giggled "yep, we have her change into all sorts of people and get a good laugh out of it. we even did Silver Spoon once and OH I wish you could have seen Diamond Tiara's face!" Speaking of the little she-devil "Hello Blank flanks, mark less as ever I see." Moon turned "Nice to meet you too you little bitch," Nyx giggled "What's so funny Nighty? Did your mommy finally take your nightlight away?" Moon made a random cloud drop a lighting bolt on her "OW!, who did that!" everyone shrugged "I'm telling daddy!" she ran off the could still on her heels. Silver Spoon, who had watched the whole affair said "Ok seriously, who did that?" everyone whistled innocently "We did nothing, nature just hates her." "At least its not raining.", Moon bowed mockingly "your wish is my command" "AAAAH MY DRESS IS RUINED!" Nyx and her friends burst into laughter "Oh man, Nyx please tell us that was your fault! HAHAHA" Nyx shook her head "Nope, Karma, its a cruel mistress." Silver wisely equipped herself with umbrella that attached to her saddle bag, "Well I better go rescue the deva in distress, see you in school blank flanks." She said that so nicely that the girls paused, "Did she just... complement us?" "I would hardly call that a compliment, but she is clearly a good pony. You have stayed my wrath Miss spoon." Moon said sensing Diamonds friend was far nicer then she was, the girls picked themselves off the ground and continued to school Nyx kindly chastising Moon for ruining Diamonds day, she ignored the filly from laughing too much. _________________________________________________________ 30 minutes later Nyx took her seat and greeted her every faithful former guard captain, her personal guard no less, Mare walked over to him and said "Hay captain nice to see you again, huh? Yah she knows, no Twilight did not take it very well and possibly might be drowning her stress in cider. yah, yah I know but it wasn't intentional, alright I'll keep an eye on her too ok," she walks back over to Nyx, "So what's his story not that don't already know it, I was 'watching' after all hehe". "Hay, he may love me but he knows I'm just a kid, besides it's more a father thing then a lover", soon Cheerilee silenced the class and began speaking, "Good morning class, today we are going to take a look at some history and art that depicts it", most of the class grown much to my own amusement. "Hay, just be glad we not looking up are own family history's, oh ho ho the things I could tell," I say getting the class to laugh a little, "Like what?" Applebloom asks. "Well lets see, hum oh, your family happens to have some iou's it still needs to pay!" Bloom stairs wide eyed "HAHAHA got ya, seriously though you all might actually like this, lets see what do we got in here," I reach into the top left draw of my desk, the same draw I kept my 45 dual action revolver just in case, "Ah here we are History, subjects: Ponyville, Equestira, and subject of choice by students, well that should be interesting." Cheerilee soon started talking about various artists over the years, some less known then others, even Nyx started to doze off a little, noticing this she brought out the projector and started putting painting slides up on the board. the first picture was a sky scape on a moonlit night, the second a portrait of Celestia and Luna when they where younger, "Where you get that one Mrs. Cheerliee?" Nyx asks, "The Princesses gave it to me for the class, I was just as surprised as all of you," Cheerilee replies. "AWWWW Luna is so Cute", Flitter, the classes resident changeling says, everypony present busts a gut at that. The next picture much to everyone's surprise was Luna with a small changeling, "Is that a nymph with princess Luna?" Flitter asks puzzled, "I... I know her" Nyx says stumbling on her words. Suddenly Nyx's eye go white and she falls into a flash back. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nyx's flashback, over 1000 years ago "You think you found an ally in darkness? Do you know the power you were granted? The same I was born into, where do you think the shadows go to hide from the light? Just who do you think stands against them every night." Nightmare rants to King Sombra before pining him to the wall with his own scythe. "What are you?!!" Sombra asks, "I...am a Nightmare" Sombra's head is removed from his shoulders, blood staining the floor as his body falls and his former head rolls to the floor. "You again?" Nightmare turns around to face a full grown Changeling Queen, "Oh it's you again well maybe this time..." "STOP TALKING!" The queen shouts cutting her off suddenly the castle starts to shake, "shit, (she grabs Celestia) we need to go NOW!" the trio make there way out of the castle just as the whole place disappears before there eyes. They land on a nearby hill and Nightmare starts to fade, "Next time we meet you won't be so lucky" she says. "Nither will you demon of dreams," the Queen flys off just as Celestia wakes up. end of flashback ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nyx returns to reality to find herself on the floor surrounded by everyone, "You ok Nyx? You faded out there for a moment," her Human in pony form friend asked looking her over, after making sure she was in good health everyone goes back to there seats. Flitter looks at Nyx and says "You know the Queen of queens?", Nyx dazed asks "What Queen and Who is she?", "You where muttering in your... whatever that was, she is the Queen of Queens as in the VERY FIRST changeling to exist," I butt in "Actually Flitter that's not entirely true, ya see she is the first of modern changelings the changelings of old where a lot different, and no affiance uglier/scarier" "None taken," "To be fair Chrysalis and the other queens can trace themselves to her, but there were other changlings before then, they however were different, they were the result of discord or if Chrysalis's story has any merit they crawled out of some magic pool as the result of a carnivorous plant eating a fly or something like that," on that note we get back to the lesson with Nyx taking a step outside for some air. After 5 minutes I join Nyx on the school steps, "Hay, you ok kiddo?" giving her a caring smile, "Ya I guess so, just a little freaked out," she replies slightly depressed, I put a hoof on her shoulder "Ya I saw that too, I think your latest acquaintance has something to do with that, I should know, she's been with me since Embalm about a year or so ago," "You never did tell me that story, care to share it?" "Nyx trust me, you don't want to hear it, long story short I feel like Alan sent me there to provide a little background help, and well if you read the book she gave you, you'll know the rest" "Did she really kill my mother?", I nod and mention every bone in her was broken, "Mind if I just go home Captain?" "Sure, go ahead Cheerilee will send your work over later ok", she slowly walks saddened, so I escort her home then get back to my job. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Meanwhile Twilight headed to Sugercube Corner in hopes of finding something to down her thoughts with, preferable Pinkie Pie but, she supposed ice cream would do or cider. Stepping inside I came as no surprise that the Cakes and Pinkie where nowhere to be seen, a few ponies where seated at various tables, Twilight chose the one in the far corner, sitting down she waited a few mins while pondering her thoughts, "Ok Twilight lets think about this Nightmare Moon is apparently possessing MY daughter and she has blessed me, ok any side effects so far, no. any hatred for Celestia, no. well so far so good". At this point Pinkie rocketed out of the kitchen like the place was on fire, "Hay Twlight (! she stands straight) what are you doing sitting in the corner?" Twilight looks up and groans slightly "Ugh, you don't want to know, you still got any cider left, the good stuff," Pinkie looks at he friend concerned "That bad huh, well I'm sure I got a bottle or two around here somewhere, apple or grain?" "AJ always had the good stuff all be it nothing strong, I'v no intention of getting drunk today", Pinkie zooms in and out of the back room and pours Twilight a glass, "So whats got you so glum? Nyx do something bad again?" "No but your close," Twilight replies "Ho ho, does it have something to do with a ghost?", "Yes" "Does it have something to do with Nightie? Oh Twilight you got nothing to worry about she's as harmless as Celestia in the morning", Twilight raises an eyebrow "Has she ever seen Celestia in the morning?" "Nightie? you mean you knew about her and never thought to tell me?!" borderline rage shifting, prompting Pinkie to grab the fire extinguisher from her mane, "I thought J.J told you? She's been there since well what happened in Emblem, remember that emerald we all got?" "Ya, turned out it was in pieces and...", a light bulb pops above Twilight's head as she says "It was a soul crystal?!!! How did I not notice, how did the princesses not notice?!!!" "Probably because she was with him the whole time, something about keeping a balance, she turned herself into a crystal attached her soul to one bit and various bits of her life to the others" "I guess that makes sense, no soul no magic to notice, I wonder if she...wait Pinkie didn't Nightmare Moon 'die' back there except her, her...oh. my. CELESTIA!" Twilight downs the glass then falls to the floor, shivering "Oh this isn't happening, this is not happening," Pinkie quickly hugs Twilight for all she was worth, "Don't worry Twilight, oh keep the bottle, on the house, given its been what a year or so since then if she wanted to kill us she would have, and hey she was on Nyx's side though the whole 'I will make the night eternal' thing last summer," Twilgiht gets up "Thank you Pinkie I better go see how Nyx is doing", as she starts to walk out the door Pinkie tosses her a spyglass "Take that you'll need it," 'wink' and then both go about there business. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 20 minutes later Nyx is walking slowly down one of the roads of Ponyville after I left her, thinking about the flashback "Why did that happen and more importantly does it mean anything." "Perhaps I did not think this though very well," Moon says frowning at Nyx, Nyx looks up at her "Oh I forgot you were there, how so?" "If it wasn't obvious you and I 'should' share the same memories, however because Luna took yours, more accurately locked them away in your mind and through away the key I suspect my presence may be bringing them back to you, therefor I suggest you meditate a bit or sleep and we can go dig them up if you wish," "But Luna said she took my memories because they were not mine?" "Nyx, sorry to say this but you ARE Nightmare Moon, well in appearance at least, all I can say is that you and I have a lot in common, that said Luna only wiped your memory and copied it to herself, not that I blame her she did have a big hole to fill there," "So I still have them but I don't remember them?" "Exactly and I appear along with certain things like the photo will trigger them, if we go dream hunting for them we can uncover them quickly with no risk of you losing it, that said it will most likely be very unpleasant what yo- I did back then," "Maybe let me sleep on it," Moon nods then points out Twilight running up the road. Twilight was trotting up the road to Ponyville's school house when she spotted Nyx Oh dear I hope she's ok she runs up to her kicking up some dust in the process and says "Nyx what are you doing here shouldn't you be in school? You ok honey?" Nyx didn't respond and just stares into the dirt. "Its me Twilight, Cheerilee was showing slides in class and Nyx had a flashback to... well King Sombra's death, and its not the worst thing in her repressed memory but its still not pleasant to say the least," Nightmare speaks as Twilight cuddles Nyx to cheer her up. "Nyx are you gonna be ok?" Twilight asks concerned after drying Nyx's tears, "Ya I'll be ok, just need to think," Nyx replies as they walk, "Hey um, how about we stop by the castle for a bit there still some books in the library I still need to gather," for some reason Nyx didn't reject the idea and smiles, "Sure may as well clear the place out since no one goes there, well except J.J and his cavalrymen," Nightmare raises and eyebrow "He still has his cavalry? I thought the humans had some quote 'modern' military power?" "They do, its just he thinks it's more appropriate around us Equestrians, and yes, he sees the irony in it, quote 'slave' horses around free horses", bursting into laughter Nightmare says "Ha, well the shadow cavalry certainly had a reputation from what I'v seen of him, still what would he want with your castle?" "Oh that, he said he wanted to keep the place in shape, he's the caretaker of the castle, even got it from the mayor though a loophole." "That being?" "Apparently he put a ring on Nyx's horn and got her to name him king, hehe not that he was serious about it." Twilight explains, "It was a power play as he put it, plus he could keep a closer eye on me without any suspicion on his part." Nyx says, "Cleaver boy that one, no wonder I picked him to have the part of the emerald with my soul." "Speaking of which are you still attached to that thing?" Twilight asks thinking back to what Pinkie Pie said. "No just your daughter apparently, witch reminds me since we're going to Nightstone how about I teach Nyx a few tricks, her magic may be a bit weak but I can fix that," Twilight and Nyx share a look, but agree and head off to the castle. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nightstone castle 9:45 Am After a short walk out to the outskirts of Ponyville's quarry Nyx and Twilight stair upon the latest addition to Ponyville, Nightstone Castle. Nyx normally avoided the place like the plague, given all the sad or painful memories the castle held for her. Twilight took one look at the gatehouse and gulped, recalling how she was to be hanged for stabbing her daughter, as they approached closer, they where surprised to there surprise not completely abandoned. "Hold it!", shouts a guard in black armor, holding a sword with the same color blade, "Who are you guys?" Twilight asks nervously. "You take your job too seriously Hawkeye," said one of the soldiers at the gate, "Can't be too carful in are line of work Snow Bell," he turns to Nyx and Twilight. "Who are you?" Twilight looks like Celestia just gave her an F on her report card, "And who may I ask are you sir?" Nyx joins in "Don't I know you guys from somewhere....! Hey, aren't you, some of those people J.J recruited? You always were the odd balls," Snow Bell spoke up "Hahaha, well that's are former queen alright, you must be Twilight, err sorry if any of us treated you too badly, appearances ya know," "None taken and.....," Twilight just now noticed that the ponies aren't wearing any armor, "Your... your all..," Snow Bell puts a hoof to Twilights mouth, "Go on say it, you'll feel better," Twilight borderline yells "CHANGLINGS?!!!" "Yes, how perceptive of you Miss Sparkle, we belong to 'The Night Queen', as she is called by other changeling queens, Nyx she would be our second Queen, don't worry she's a friend to all of Equestira". At this point Hawkeye asks a mental question "Have either of you seen anyone in black coats lately?" Nyx and Twilight are taken back by hearing that unvoiced question, "Oh For the love of Luna am I forgot to mention the mental network didn't I? Nightmare sounds off in frustration, "Ok, before anything else happens what else have you failed to mention?", "Ok first: yes, you now have telepathy similar to a changeling hivemind but because are minds don't work that way its more like a radio implanted in your head, second and lastly while everyone who's blessed is interconnected, the structure is like a military a officer commands those under them in a sub net of this hivemind" "Ok recap, 1 night vision, 2 a magic boot based on ones ability to use it, 3, a mental companion for protection from outside influences, 4 telepathy on a Changeling hive scale, yes?" Nightmare nods then goes quiet. After a quick explanation and some experimentation witch determined that there were 10 changelings in the castle, 2 at the gate, and the rest where scattered through out the castle, Twilight and Nyx started to talk about their time at the castle and the a memory or two popped up, namely the Changelings bringing Twilight a slice of cake or 2 and J.J comforting Nyx and her both. After making there way to the library they started looking though some of the history books to see if Nyx had any more flashbacks, "So Nyx, Nightmare anything that might help with what happened earlier?" "Twilight there's nothing you can do about what happened, but maybe we can bring back more of Nyx's memory, say oh I don't know Nightmare and the Moon?" Twilight quickly do to the lack of books find a copy of it and hands it to Nyx, she starts to read it when, "Oh my head, Twigh...," she passes out into another flashback. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nyx's flashback 1000 year ago "And that princess will be ME!" the Sun is Eclipsed and Luna slowly levitates into the air, "What? This is... oh no, not this anything but this," Nyx thinks, unable to do anything but watch. Luna is engulfed in shadow and turns into Nightmare Moon, "Sister it is your duty to lower the moon!" Celestia pleads, "No my only Duty is to Destroy you!" Nightmare proclaims before launching herself at her sister. The two exchange spells and fly round and round the castle, Celestia is eventually struck, sent crashing though a stone roof and into the hall that holds the Elements of Harmony. At that moment a streak of green flies at the fallen goddess "MOTHER!!!" It shrieks sending Nightmare tumbling to the ground landing on balcony, the streak landing nearby. "I warned you Nightmare, Now you will PAY!" A changeling stands before Nightmare Moon who laughs at the threat, "HAHAHA you fool! Are you really so cold as to kill your own mother!? I think not, I have no quarrel with ye, leave and you will be spared my wrath," "Four words, OVER. MY. DEAD. BODY!" the two clash with blades, Nightmare's sword a long black one edged blade with a aura around it, against a shorter but still long black dual edged sword with a cross guard, Clang, Clang, sparks fly as the blades clash. After ten minutes Nightmare lands a few hits to the Changelings abdomen, a scare on her face and cuts one of her hoofs off at the lower leg, "Give in you can't win!", the changeling stairs with cold dead eyes at the Nightmare, "Our Queen!" suddenly six other changelings appear and surround the queen, "I told you to stay back," "We aren't leaving you to die are Queen," she smiles at that "Loyal as ever" she whispers then glares at Nightmare Moon again "Fine you win this time but next time we meet I will not show you any kindness or mercy," the seven insectoids disappear in emerald flames, Nightmare sighs then almost keels over for a moment "DAME, she is powerful, I guess I underestimated love yet again, no matter," she flies up to confront Celestia who had since risen back to the skies. All there power is poured into there latest clash but Nightmare is overwhelmed by the Elements of Harmony and banished "AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Nightmare screamsas the world fades. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nightstone castle 10:00 am Nyx wakes in one of the castle bed rooms screaming "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH," Twilight bolts to her fast enough to give rainbow a run for her money, "Nyx, Nyx calm down your ok, your ok," she says as she cuddles her daughter closely. "Mama, I'm scared." she weeps into Twilights coat. "I am SO Sorry Nyx that was...painful watch," tears fall from Nightmare Moons eyes as she recalls those moments, she fades away to her little cornor of her present host "To think she is still alive after all these years, Luna will be thrilled," "Still poor Nyx I really need to help her on this one, but what can I do? Maybe teach her how to dreamwalk?" such questions go though her own mind and she leaves Twilight and Nyx to comfort one another. Magic TrainingNightstone Castle 10:20 AM After about half an hour, Nightmare reappeared before Twilight and Nyx. Come stop your crying It will be alright Just take my hand Hold it tight Nightmare finds Twilight singing to Nyx, that song always did cheer us up now didn't it Nyx she smiles. I will protect you From all around you I will be here Don't you cry Nyx stops crying a bit, wiping her eyes. For one so small, You seem so strong My arms will hold you, Keep you safe and warm This bond between us Can't be broken I will be here Don't you cry Nightmare starts to join in, quietly singing along with Twilight. 'Cause you'll be in my heart Yes, you'll be in my heart From this day on Now and forever more You'll be in my heart No matter what they say You'll be here in my heart, always Nyx starts to reminisce about her time as Nightmare Moon and joins in as well. Why can't they understand the way we feel? They just don't trust what they can't explain I know we're different but deep inside us We're not that different at all And you'll be in my heart Yes, you'll be in my heart From this day on Now and forever more Nightmare makes herself know by raising her voice so they can hear. With her magic the room around them fades as images of the Nyx's reign pop up all around them, depicting various times Spell Nexus and Nyx argued. Don't listen to them 'Cause what do they know We need each other To have, to hold. They'll see in time I know When destiny calls you You must be strong I may not be with you But you've got to hold on They'll see in time I know We'll show them together The trio continue to sing for several minutes, the ever present Changelings slowly gather to feed on the merriment. (all 3 ponies) 'Cause you'll be in my heart Yes, you'll be in my heart, I'll be there from this day on, Now and forever more Oh, you'll be in my heart No matter what they say, I'll be with you You'll be here in my heart, I'll be there, always Always I'll be with you, always and always Just look over your shoulder Just look over your shoulder Just look over your shoulder I'll be there always. The room returns to normal and everypony cracks up in happy endued laughter, then Nightmare turns her head and says "Are you all just going to stand there like perverts, or do you not have work to do?" Rapid hoof beats are heard as the Changelings scatter, "He he, they never stop do they?" Mare says more a statement then a question, more laughter ensues. The 3 poines make there way to the dinning room, which was quite empty given the lack of staff in the castle these days, still they grabbed some food out of the pantry and made some daffodil sandwiches and small salads. For some reason, Twilight makes Nightmare a set as well only to realize hay wait she's a ghost, at which point she turns to see Nyx and Moon laughing a little, "Don't worry Twilight it's the thought that counts. Besides a little cut and I can gladly 'live' again," Nightmare then grabs a small knife out of a drawer and make the slightest cut on Nyx's front right hoof, the blood covers the blade then drops to the floor slowly forming an outline. The cut on Nyx's hoof self heals, the perks of being a princess as the blood pool slowly turns black and forms a 3d shape. A few minutes later Nightmare Moon is sitting on the floor in front of them, Nyx couldn't resist the punch line "Welcome back Mrs. Moon, we missed you", Nightmare snorts and that and the three make there way to the table. The dinning room as to be expected was quite large the table it self having forty to sixty seats, the changelings had also gathered for lunch having a verity of dishes from soup to sandwiches, to various meats, namely fish. As they sit, Twilight raises a obvious question "So does this mean your back from the dead now?", Moon responds "No it's only temporary I'm afraid, a few days if I so wish it, but not permanent life," is Nightmares reply. Nyx starts to devour her sandwich and asks "So what exactly do you want to teach me?" Moon pauses before saying "Well... namely those powers of yours you're so afraid of, I wish to teach you how to use them should you ever need to," "And believe me you will in time" she says to herself before continuing, "Anyway there are some that are... I won't beat around the bush, darker then others but they have there good purposes, for example that lightning spell of yours," Nyx nods but her eyes show she's understandably nervous. "Is this seat taken?" a changeling with artic blue eyes asks, "Oh, go ahead sit, we're all friends here right?" Moon says taking a swig of some apple juice. Nyx looks at the Changeling's dish and asks "What is that if I may ask?", "Its clam chowder want to try some?" Twilight's eye fall to the changeling and she says "Um, we are herbivores." The changeling responds "Oh, where are my manners I'm Radiant Hope nice to meet you. As for your diet you can eat meat you just prefer plants" Nyx decides to try a bite and her eyes widen a bit "Wow, you know this isn't so bad, can't say I'd have it all the time but its nice." Radiant Hope nods and returns to her meal, at this point if only to get that thought off her mind, Twilight decides to try out her mental communication to get used to it. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ponyville schoolhouse I had just finished up looking over the student submitted subjects for there history lessons, "Well these are certainly a colorful bunch aren't they hehehe", I chuckle to myself. Cheerilee also had finished going through her portion of the submissions, "Well that looks like everything, you can head home now J.J. and thanks for helping me on such short notice," "Any time Cheerilee I love kids." I reply with a smile. After gathering my bag I step outside and take a deep breath, "Ahhh what a lovely afternoon, well time to stretch my legs." I transform to my normal human self and stretch, "Oh, ahh, man I am never gonna get used to that, better check up on the castle before I retire home." As I make my way there I bump into Fluttershy walking with some ducks, "Hey Shy and my, my those little ones are just adorable," Fluttershy turns greets me and continues on her way, "Hay J.J can you hear me ok?" says the mental voice of Twilight, ""Loud and clear as crystal Twilight, I heard about this morning, you gonna be ok or do I need to..", she cuts me off "No, no I can take this, I've dealt with worse". She also mentions Nyx having tried some seafood, "Ya you can try some if ya like Twilight, I know the horses in Iceland eat fish in the winter", "I'll pass thank you maybe some other time." I mentally nod and tell her I'm heading to Nightstone before I head to my home on the edge of Ponyville, she mentions the Changelings and I tell her they were given to me by as they referred to her "The Night Queen" to help deal with Nyx, thankfully that intention was unnecessary. "Ok so she really a friend of ours?", she asks "I don't know truthfully, I mean she is loyal to Luna and to a lesser extent Celestia so yes, but at the same time she is a changeling after all, still she saved me and men's lives back when the nobles thought it was good idea to go after the changelings, well you know how that went, can't say I'm that proud of it", I reply, she mentally nods in understanding and mentions Nyx's training, "She's really gonna teach her that stuff? Ok, but be careful Twilight, some of that stuff is not necessarily good for Nyx and some might require you to 'assist' them, just given you a heads up," again she nods and cuts the connection, "Be gentle Nightmare she is still a child after all" I silently pray, sprouting a pair of wings to quicken my pace. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nightstone Castle Throne room 10:30 Am After lunch Twilight, Nyx and Nightmare Moon made there way to the throne room of the castle. The castle itself hadn't changed much in the months since everypony vacated the premises, a blue carpet ran and wound its way though halls separating hoof from cold stone, various pictures hung in places on the walls, some new while others were from the original art décor. The throne room doors were as spotless as ever, the only change to them seemed to be Nightmare's symbol was replaced with a detailed image of Nyx's cutie mark. As the three ponies walk into said room they find they are not the only ones present in the room. Standing by the thrones Spell Nexus a dark blue unicorn with gray-white hair is looking over a few piles of notes, Twilight is the first to speak "Nexus? What are you doing here?" Nexus looks up and stares at them a few moments "huh oh! Hi miss Sparkle what brings you here?" he responds clearly surprised, "Oh Nyx and I were hoping to do a little training Nexus, nice to see you again by the way." Nightmare says as Nexus freezes up, "WHA!", he takes a moment to catch his breath "I. AM. never going to get used to you I swear.", Nyx surprised by his reaction asks "You knew about her?" he nods saying he had seen her before but J.J had been the one to bring her to his attention. "So what are you doing here anyway?" Twilight asks again, "I'm just going over some of the various projects we were working on a few months ago, just to see if I can get them to work. The plants that grow at night could be useful in places that have long nights or little sunlight." Nexus replies showing the formulas they had tried, "Well I'll get out of your mane then, a desk would be useful anyway," he picks up the stakes of papers and trots out, "The third door on the right is empty, bye Nexus," Moon hollers as he rounds the corner. "Ok so should I step out or something?" Twilight asks feeling out of place in the room, "No, not at all Mrs. Sparkle, if you wish join in I'm sure you can learn some of these yourself, given you can channel the former King Sombra's magic." Twilight straitens up "That was a one time thing, besides Why could I possibly need that for this?" Nightmare looks around a moment as if expecting something to be there "Well it depends on one's affinity with magic, Nyx and myself can use dark magic's with no side effects do to are natural affinity, you would be able to do that same to a point simple do to you bearing the element of magic, which is nothing to sneeze at," "Anyway Nyx to start with how about you get your magic flowing, just stand still and meditate for moment or two." Nyx plants her hooves slightly apart closes, her eyes and makes a slight humming noise, shortly there after her hair starts to slowly but surely become ethereal again, Twilight, transfixed by this soon smiles That's my little girl she thinks. "Good that's better, now what to start with something simple I suppose" Moon then turns and summons a box full of bits, grabs ten coins and tosses them in the air, she then lets loose a arc of lighting that strikes every coin, "To quote Atlas 'an't nothing better then a fistful of lightning' handy for more then giving others a well deserved shock," Nyx tries a smaller feat by throwing five coins and after three or so attempts pulls it off, Twilight even has a go, the first time she miry throws the coins in the air, then after seeing if she can summon the lighting tries again, she strikes every coin, "Your good mom" Nyx comments, "Thanks you Nyx, just need to get your eye in". "OK that was easy enough now lets try something a little harder," Moon proceeds to shuts some of the curtains on the large windows "Ok try to get across the room with touching or crossing the light," both Twilight and Nyx tilt there heads to the side "Ok, so how do we do that?" Nyx asks stumped, "Simple Nyx shadow stepping, not truly dark magic but it does incorporate it to hide you", Moon then demonstrates by walking into the first shadow then disappears only to reappear in the next shadow on the other side of the room and repeats till she is at the throne, "The advantage to this, as opposed to teleporting, is it doesn't give away your position, that said its shorter range and can only really work in low light or say an ally in the mid day sun, less your really good at it." Nyx tries but has some trouble at first, she disappears but its only like an invisibility cloak, then she somehow teleports to the ceiling fluttering down with her wings, "I'm sorry but that was funny," Moon says barely suppressing a laugh. Twilight gives it a shot and does well for the most part though she still leaves a slight glow when she vanishes, "You can do it Nyx just take it slow," she says encouragingly, Nyx then tries standing in the shadow at first then moving and finally starts to get it, jumping from shadow to shadow, after doing this four times in a row without fail they move on. "Alright now for something Twilight might be able to do easily, you remember that weapon forming spell right?", "Of course, why?" she asks, "Well remember that sword J.J. gave you when everything was said and done, well try summoning it." Twilight lights her horn and a few minutes pass, suddenly a sheathed sword pops up on her back, she draws it revealing a rather well made sword, the blade had a slight purple tint to it and Nyx's cutie mark engraved above the guard, "I still don't have an explanation for the cutie mark thing," Moon says admiring the blade, "Well that was simple, I always was wondering if he put that on it, still it should glow violet when you 'light' it," "How?" Twilight asks, "Oh just strike it against the ground for now that should do it," she does this and surprisingly it works, the blade starts giving off a violet aura. Nyx for some reason Tries to summon her sword and is partially successful in the fact but gets a smaller blade a little over a foot big, "Well at least I can still call on it if I need it" she says smiling proudly. Moon has them summon various weapons from knives to spears to firearms, fully loaded firearms, at which point they call it before someone gets accidently shot. "Ok, now this is where we start to get to the good stuff, may as well start with the worse of the many right?" Nyx just shrugs and Twilight glares at Moon questioning her honesty. "Ok Twilight would you mind... volunteering for this?" Moon asks nervously, "Ok, before I say anything what is the worst that could happen?", Twilight questions "Do you really want to know?" Twilight nods "Alright for this at least worse comes to worse Nyx will be... stuck to you if you will, don't worry both I and the powers that be can easily fix that should that be an issue". "Ok so how do I do this, also what is it?" Nyx asks slightly excited, "If I told you its name you'd refuse to do it off that alone, don't worry because this has its good uses like I said, now try to imagine yourself as water, Twilight slowly approach Nyx, then Nyx all you have to do is touch your mother, throw yourself at her if you wish", Nyx again mediates making a humming noise, Twilight slowly walks over to Nyx then stops gasping. What Twilight see she swears will haunt her dreams, Nyx's hair had become dark tendrils coming and she appeared to be liquefying. "Ny... Ny... Nyx what... what is happening?!!" she stutters clearly scared, Nyx opens her eyes and looks at her mother "Trust me Twilight Sparkle, I... am familiar with this," Twilight officially goes into panic mode SHE NEVER CALLS ME THAT!! she suddenly feels Nyx touch her and she looks down at the bright smiling face of her foal, "Mom your ok, we're going to be fine", Twilight hugs her daughter tightly only to see her melt away, she looks down at her hooves and sees them slowly turn black, looking to her back same thing, she gives Nightmare Moon the WORST death glare she can come up with, and slowly starts looking like Nightmare herself, "Twilight calm down before you hurt yourself! tell me though how do you feel?", Twilight puzzled by her response says "Well... like I'm being hugged all over my body and I got this weird feeling in my head," "Mom can you hear me?" Twilight's eyes fly open, "GET ME A MIRROR!" Moon quickly obliges summoning one out of fear for what Twilight would do if she didn't, Twilight freezes instantly. "Is, is that me? wow I look like, like..." "Like a nightmare," Twilight simply nods to Nyx's voice as Moon finally finds the courage to speak "I call this bounding, its a symbiotic form of possession, in this way Twilight, you should have all of Nyx's power as well as your own and Nyx in a word 'feeds' off of you," again Twilight glares at her "Don't give me that look its nothing serious, just ya know if you eat something she tastes it as well, as you might expect she can influence and control you if she wanted to, speaking of witch try speaking Nyx", a voice mixed of Nyx and Twilight says "Like this.. Oh this is weird very weird," As Twilight starts to feel very uneasy, Nyx takes the rains "err, mom you ok?" The voice then switches to Twilights "Ya, just this is highly unsettling, can we stop please, I'm about ready to breakdown here." Twilight feels Nyx hug her as she 'slides' off body Its purple coat returning, Nyx in question forming up right in front of her. After the two have a comfort moment Moon speaks again "Well on that note that seems like enough for today, if you ever want to try learning some more well we can always come here after school," she then fades away into Nyx's mane and disappears, now alone Twilight speaks up "Well, That is a experience I don't want to go though again anytime soon, still if you need help with it I guess I can help you," Nyx nods "Thank you, I'm surprised I can cover you completely like that," Moon adds her two cents "Well she is your mother after all, still that is a good sign that you can, if necessary you can control anyone, we can cover that later, anyhow I'm sorry if you are feeling violated Twilight but well, that was one of those things I was worried about", Twilight responds saying she was just uncomfortable, and they head home for the evening. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nightstone Castle 4:30Pm I finished my inspection of the castle then met Twilight and Nyx at the gates, "Heading home ladies? Sure you don't want to stay the night?" Twilight laughs saying "Thank you but I think we have had are fun for the day." As we walk home Nyx asks "Hay J.J um, do you what do you think of Moon?" I scratch my chin, "Well she hasn't lied to us yet and well, she an't Nightmare Moon. Apart from that I really don't think of her much these days, she's cute, mischievous and she is protective of those she holds dear. That just about sums it up, huh sounds familiar now don't it." she nods in response then asks her "I take it you'll want to teach me 'dream walking'?", "Only if you really want to, besides we kinda need Luna's help, not to mention permission for that. Well we don't but would make it easier," Moon replies. "Well anyway girls if ya feel like star gazing I'll be taking up watch tonight," Nyx sounds surprised "I thought you always did that?", "I don't do it every night I just got a feeling something might be going down soon," I reply pulling a lantern from my coat, "How many pockets do you have in that thing?" Twilight asks, "Magic Twilight, I took a few lessons from Rarity and Fluttershy, and made this thing out of magic threads, which have a high resistance to spells and makes it very enchantable, in my case some dampening spells to help make it bullet proof, not that it wasn't already given the threads in question where made stronger with the infused magic, but bullets still pack a punch. The other one is well, I got plenty of space in this thing, dare I say it would not surprise me if Pinkie pops out of it one of these days," I was kidding about that last one but Pinkie was Pinkie, still its not like I didn't have inside pockets but the space in them was magically deeper then they appeared, nothing crazy but I could still put a full length checkbook in a pocket the size of a coin purse. Once I got them home like any good gentleman I left to go grab some things from my house, get a few hours sleep and more importantly check my mail for anything suspicious. Spike had just started dinner when Twilight and Nyx came in, "Are you sure your ok Mom," "Yes Nyx I just need some time ok," Nyx nuzzles her mother affectionately before going off to bathe. Twilight for her part plops down in on a sofa in the library and grabs a book about spirits and possessions and how to get rid of them, "Hay Twilight where have you two been?", Twilight looks up from her book, "Oh we where just trying out some new spells." Twilight half lies, "Really? Ok also Cheerilee dropped off Nyx's assignment about 3 hours ago, some history work or something." Twilight for her part nods and continues reading till Dinner is served, While waiting Nightmare Moon pops up beside her "I'm sorry ok, I didn't mean to...," "DON'T talk to me" Twilight cuts her off "I know you had no intention of scaring us, but WARN ME next time you do something like that OK!", Moon just nods and says "Fair enough still, I do apologize, sorry mo..." she stops short "Nevermind, I'll make sure your not haunted by that image anytime soon if that helps," Twilight considers this a moment, agrees and then goes to bathe herself. After washing up the two sit down to a Dinner of potato soup with saltines (crackers) and some hay patties. At around 5 pm then clean the plates, brush there teeth and after killing some time go off to sleep wishing each other a goodnight. Dream WalkingTuesday March 12th 1Am Moon stayed cooped up in her little corner of Nyx's mind she sighs "Well, I don't think that was the best idea I ever had, but that is saying a lot given I Possessed Luna before. I should probably go check on her or Tia... WHAT! Why would I do that Tia would Kill me, HARD!" The more she thinks about it the more she decides to teach Nyx the basics of dream walking after all. She walked over to the 'door' to her 'room' and stepped out into the halls of Nyx's mind, These days it was rather quite although she did help Nyx by dealing with any lingering influence of her former self, not that it was an issue but one can never be too carful. She proceded down the hall and up a short stair case "Ah here we are," she says to no one as she walks into a sphere representing Nyx's dream, she pauses a moment to remember "Oh right I need to go check on Twilight," She opens a portal into the Dream scape and walks a short road to Twilights dream "Oh...dear... Well better do as I promised or Frost help me if Luna catches me" She enters the 'window' into Twilights dream. As she steps into the dream space she finds herself in Nightstone castle, no surprise really. She walks a bit observing her surroundings, "Nothing bad so far but, wait for it," "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" Twilight's scream carries in the halls, "Yep she is that way", Moon makes progress toward Twilight's location, the thrown room she suspects. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Meanwhile at Canterlot Castle Celestia was just heading to bed when she is summoned by her sister to discuss something. She meets her sister in her chambers, a bedroom themed after her, the bed was large enough to hold 2 or 3 of herself with a vanity mirror in from of it by the far wall. Luna sat by the fire on a pillow, the balcony doors to the right of the bed where open, letting in a lovely moon light. Celestia takes a lays by her sister and asks "Sister is something the matter?" "quite Tia, yesterday we encountered... A unknown creature in are duty over the dream realm." Celestia raises an eyebrow "Unknown you say, how so?" Luna is slow to answer raising her sister's concern, "Well... don't be alarmed but we... I believe this creature may be...," She sighs deeply before looking Celestia straight in the face "The Nightmare." Celestia's eyes go wide "No" she breathes, "Tia, that's just it, This Nightmare does not feel or act like The Mare in the Moon, it even has are necklaces are parents gave us," That got Celestia's attention "What? That's not possible we keep them in are bedside tables. What do you make of this Mare?" Luna's response is conflicted "Well first off: she is inhabiting Nyx, this does not surprise us given her history, second she was fearful of me at first, but after a few minutes of questioning she became very defensive, she expected me to harm her and clamed if I did so she would defend herself, indicating she is more then a mire illusion of Nyx's dream," Celestia nods as Luna continues "Her appearance is as you would expect that of Nightmare Moon, however her actions are that of Nyx if you will," again Celestia nods "There for I am conflicted as to what to think or make of the situation. Sister do you think she is a threat or... dare we say a... friend?" Celestia thinks this information over a moment, "Luna as your sister it is my job to protect you. Therefor I will accompany you this Night to meet this 'Mare' if she acts the same toward me then we shall let it rest, if she proves hostile then I'm sure you can over come her in your own domain," "But sister you do not posses..." Celestia cuts Luna off "I can not influence dreams like you Luna, I can however Navigate the World of Dreams and protect myself if necessary, I defeated Nightmare Moon once in such a fashion, if necessary I will do it again." Luna questions her sister about what exactly she can do, before finally nodding in agreement "Fair enough Tia, we shall depart as soon as my court is done, best you get some sleep before then, Pleasant dreams Sister," Luna Exits the room and heads for the throne room. Celestia for her part stares at the portrait of the 2 of them over the fireplace, I fear I may regret this but I must protect my little ponies, my sister included among them she thinks to herself before heading to bed writing the conversation down in her Diary. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Twilights dream Nightmare Moon continues her way toward the Throne having gotten lost in her own castle no less, "How I can get lost in here I have no idea, note to myself bring a map next time or better yet a dream compass." On the plus side she did manage to find the plans to the Castle, and after a quick look over she arrived at the throne room doors. "Get Back! Stay AWAY FROM ME!" Twilight screams as she scampers away from a very evil looking glob of Nyx, "But mom I just want to HUG you," Nightmare smiles slightly, Turns into her mist form and silently reforms behind the black cloud and clears her throat, Said cloud turns only to get face full of moonlight causing it to vanish screaming in agony, "Twilight are you ok?" Moon says in sweet voice. Twilight Looks up from her curled ball to see Moon standing over her, she smiles "Has anyone ever told you, you look a lot like my daughter from when she...Ya know tried to bring eternal night down on us ha ha ha", she laughs getting to her feet. Nightmare for her part smiles saying "Is it that obvious to you? Your smarter then I took you for." Twilight nods "Well given you said you where from Emblem, I assume your...Nyx? I mean Nightmare was not completely killed back there now was she," every moment she stares at Nightmare the more she confirms her theory. "Well...your not entirely wrong, you see..." A ripple cascades through the dream scape causing 'Nyx' then stands up straight "Oh no, not them anything but them," panicking she puts on her guise again and disappears into Twilights shadow "I'm not here ok." Twilight was just about to ask who she was hiding from when Celestia and Luna walk though the doors, "Luna are you sure she's here?", "Positive sister there is no denying her magic signature," Feeling out of place Twilight makes herself know "Um, What are you two doing here?" Celestia freezes like a foal with there hoof in the cookie jar, "Oh my apologize Twilight, We where just looking for a friend of ours," "Friend? I find that hard to believe" Moon says from her hiding spot. "A friend you say what he or she look like?" Twilight says playing it cool. "Nightmare Moon, female, hard to miss," Luna rattles off, "Hmm Can't say I've see her, maybe you should try...huh I've no idea how to finish that sentence," Moon laughs a little seeing Twilight completely stumped, "Wait... Tia do you feel that, its very subtle but its there," Celestia closes her eyes and sees the Dream though magic, "Yes I feel it now...," "Twilight RUN!," Twilight pops off some magic fireworks before teleporting though the door and booking it. "AFTER HER SISTER!", Luna shouts spinning and zooming after her, Celesta simply Teleports. "huhuhuhu, I think we lost them," Twilight says catching her breath, she suddenly hears hoof steps as Celesta calmly walks around the corner "Twilight COME OUT NOW! your only making this worse," Twilight having ducked behind a vase gulps "What do we do?" Twilight asks Mare mentally "Running is never a good idea I've come to realize, let me do the talking ok, I need to think", Twilight steps out into the all her eye clearly teal slits "Princess Celestia" she bows, Celestia clearly not impressed "Leave her, I will not let you harm my student," Moon obeys, forming shortly afterwards "Your no fun I wouldn't think to harm her given my current position." Celestia gives a cold stare at Moon "You best be honest Nightmare Moon, this is not a good first impression," Moon raises her head, returns the stare and rebukes "I will not be intimidated 'TIA'!" , Celestia blinks, nods and gives in ever so slight annoyance "I have no reason to show you my kindness," she pauses thinks and starts again "Moon is it? forgive me, I mean you no harm, I mearly wish to speak with thy." "I find that hard to believe, and if I don't satisfy you?" "Then I will remove you to the best of my abilities" "Then you best take your business else where, your sister can't take me you even less so...Still why are you here anyway?" "To determine your ability to be civil." Moon opens a nearby door and motions for her to fallow, Twilight having nothing better to do fallows. Luna joins them shortly after and Twilight summons some Tea into existence. "So tell me how long have you been... hiding?" Celesta starts after taking a sip, "Not long as J.J. will tell you we have been hiding since the Emblem incident, I saved your necks back there if you recall.", Celestia nods "So Who or What if you will are you?" "I... Good question that does not have a straight answer, on one hand I'm Nightmare Moon, but I differ from her so much I may as well be called something else," Luna joins the conversation "What are your intentions spirit?" "I thought I told you Luna, I have no intention of screwing you, Tia, Nyx or Twilight over in anyway, My ONLY intention if I had to think of one it to permanently remove my past self from existing." Luna gasps "HUH?!...What... did you...just say?" "You heard me right, there are, counting myself 2 Nightmare Moons, you have me, the leader of the 'rogue' 'Blackcoats' as J.J. dubbed them, and then there's... screw it, the real Nightmare which I have no information on. That said I know how to get rid of her, sort of" "How? TELL ME!" Luna starts shaking Mare furiously, Celestia separates the two. "Luna I admire your enthusiasm but the only way would be to... have us contact each other, we are the same person after all so... we should fuse or be able to 'absorb' each other the magic ritual that gave us Nyx should do just that with a few tweaks." "Wouldn't that siphon spell I know work just as well?" "No, for we are more then just magic given life." Celestia speaks "Ok that is nice to know, however this is about you, so how about I make this easy for you." "What you have in mind?" "Simple, I will tell you 5 words and you responded with the first one that comes to mind sound fair?" "Lay'em on me." "Dream," "Nightmare" "Ponies," "Mortals" "Luna," "Fool" "Hey!," Luna interjects, "Luna there are worse words I can use for that." Luna Nods understandingly, still gives Moon a short glare. "Snowdrop," "Victim" "Ok last word, Nyx," Moon has to think about it for a moment then blushes "Well... Sister." That last one made everyone blink and stare a few minutes. "Nyx... a sister? That's very sweet of you Moon," Twilight says "Thanks Twily, I guess she is in one sense, ya know products of Nightmare Moons shenanigans." Luna takes this moment to speak "Well, I think we're done here, come sister, and Moon, be careful ok." "Hay Luna, mind if I... take Nyx for a walk show her the ropes? You could use a hand after all." Luna pauses raises and eyebrow "Hmm well, sure go ahead just don't do anything stupid ok?" Moon agrees then turns to Celestia "Well what you think of me Princess?", "You are...unique to say the least, I and my sister will monitor you further but, you are free to do as you please." Moon, nods wishes them farewell and then has Twilight fallow her to Nyx's Dream. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nyx's Dream Nyx was currently dreaming about a lovely night with her mother, star gazing to be specific. Twilight and Nightmare Moon Make there way up the fake rolling hills of Ponyville. Nyx upon taking Notice takes a pause only to see the Twilight she was spending time with disappear, "Oh dear, I hope I wasn't interrupting anything?" Nyx recovers "No not at all, soooo...Dream?" the pair nod, "Ok so what do you want at this fine hour of the night?" "I wished to teach you dream walking Nyx, you might enjoy it." Moon responds. Twilight for her part keeps staring between Nightmare Moon and her daughter, Hmm can it be? she thinks observing the pair. "You can teach that?" Nyx asks excited, "But of course, you only really need to know some mental spells and what not to do it...We however are an exception, I have Luna's permission so how about we don't waste it." Nyx hops around like a school girl "YES, yesyesyesyes, I always wanted to ask Luna to teach me but I figured she never had the time," "Well she is a busy mare after all, now come let us begin shall we." Twilight bid them good dreams and left, before doing so Nightmare gave her what appeared to be a miniature sun that would according to her "Keep the nightmares at bay for the night," Twilight asks as an afterthought "Can you really take on both of them Moon?" "Probably not but I will not be intimidated by them Twilight, besides Luna is the only one I'm concerned with." Twilight leaves in a flash of light, then had Nyx becomes aware of her dream state in full, "Your familiar with lucid dreaming yes?", "I've heard of it, but no." Nightmare then instructs Nyx to look around and find differentials between her dream and the real world as she knew it. Nyx flips her head left and right finding too many hills, the town was too small or the distance was wrong she couldn't tell and lastly the lack of Nightstone castle itself. The world around her goes into silence and freezes, "Good, now try to imagine various things, I don't care what it is." Nyx ends up making the CMC's treehouse grow out of the ground and the castle constructs itself from rocks in the quarry south of Ponyville, "Is that Pinkie Pie up there?" Moon looks up "Damn that mare how does she even do that?!", "Huh oh hi everypony did I make a wrong turn again," Mrs. Pie pulls a map from her mane and looks it over, "PINKIE PIE GET DOWN HER RIGHT NOW YOUNG LADY!" Mare shouts causing pinkie to fall from the stars and into a lake full of cotton candy. "Nice catch Nyx," she says climbing out of the lake "Thank you," Nyx replies waving to Pinkie. "Ok time for some fun stuff, try... oh I don't know turning Pinkie into a snail or maybe a bird." Pinkie Pie soon is turned into a puddle of goo "Hay look I'm the Smooze," Pinkie laughs it off as Nyx keels over in laughter, "Nyx how the devil do you know about that?" Nightmare asks genuinely concerned "Read it in a book once, some old history book of ancient creatures," puzzled Moon takes a quick library trip by flying into the fake tree library, she returns moments later nodding, "Ok now lets try manipulating the world itself, do whatever you wish, and also keep in mind we will be doing this to others, I'll help you with that but there minds will resist you." Nyx tries shifting everything around her from the sky, to the scenery and even herself, after what feels like hours she takes a breather, "Your doing well Nyx, still it's no real test less we try manipulating someone else's dreams, your friends perhaps, Silver Spoon, Diamond Tiara?" PLEASE pick Diamond Tiara, Nyx look up at her and thinks a moment, "How about Silver Spoon, I want so see if she is really like Diamond Tiara?" Moon nods and opens a door to the dream road, Pinkie also quickly disappears as Moon sends her back to her own dream. Upon stepping through the door Nyx lost her breath in awe "WOW....this...is beautiful," "It is isn't it, come this way," Moon beckoned Nyx fallowing her closely, a few doors down they find a door with Silver Spoons cutie mark on it, "Does every door look like this?" "No, I just made it more obvious, Don't worry it's easy to find your way here just fallow your...um instincts I guess, I kinda forgot how that works." The pair make there way inside going blinded a moment. they find themselves in Silver Spoons home, a slight above average home, with 2 floors, 1 bathroom and 2 bedrooms, a small kitchen down stairs and a living room. Nyx more curious then knowing where to go picked the door on the left cracking it open finding Silver and Diamond playing what appeared to be with Blocks of some sort, Legos maybe? "Well we found her now we watch and wait," Moon Whispers. Soon Silver looks up to Diamond "So what did you want to talk about?" she asks "Oh nothing just that I'm leaving you.", Silver looks up "What? Why?" "I've got to move out of this town too many black flanks ya know, besides you like them." "What? Well yeah but not like, like them," "See you later Silver, I'll write to you." Diamond then walks out of the room and vanishes, Silver for her part brakes down and cries "Silver? You do know she would never do that even for a dumb reason like that right?", Nyx says walking in and puts a hoof on her shoulder. Silver looks up "Huh what are you doing here Nyx?" "Comforting you, are you really that worried about Diamond leaving you?", she nods. "Ok, well try making other friends, the CMC for instance, me, anypony." "Does Diamond still hate you?" Silver asks wiping her tears. "You mean over her father? No, I kinda saved her Neck in Baltimore from some thugs, do you? about your mom?" "No, you had nothing to do with that right?" No is Nyx's reply, "Just so ya know, your dreaming so lets cheer you up a little," Nyx then makes Sugercube Corner appear with a cake for her and Silver to share. "What the... did you just...," "Yes, I know its a bit jarring, sorry," Nyx says apologetic about the sudden scene change, "Nyx...sorry just give me a minute ok." said taking in her surroundings. After she felt more comfortable "Ok, Silver...look we don't have to be friends but...," Silver cuts a slice of cake, "It's quite alright Nyx, I don't have any grudge over what happened with the Children of Nightmare, you did have nothing to do with that right?" Nyx nods in return grabbing a slice of cake, "So what do you want and how did you get here?" Silver asks questioningly "Practicing dream walking obviously, for some reason you where my first thought." "I see, well may I ask why you picked me?" "I was curious about you and Diamond Tiara's relationship, I guess...I mean you two are different if you look close enough," "Really? Well I'm not cruel like her if that's what you...", Nyx cuts her off "No I mean, unlike her you actually can be nice when you want to be." Silver smirks slightly "You noticed that huh? Well thanks, the CMC have pretty much labeled me with Diamonds face," the two making some small talk about school and the CMC, Nyx eventually pops the question "So maybe we can be friends?" "You think so?" "Well as I said before, you can be kind when you want to be, hell you fessed up long before Tiara ever would have When you two left me in the Everfree! I just hope she doesn't regret her attitude some day," Silver then bursts out laughing, "OH she will eventually, I'm surprised she hasn't been run out of town on rail, or worse, Pinkie Pie if you get what I'm saying," Nyx knowing how a Pinkie Promise works, knew dame well what that meant "Oh... I would never wish that on her, still how about we start small, just you and me talking here and maybe in a few days we start in the real world?" Silver Spoon tilts her head in thought, "Hmm, baby steps? Ok sounds good, but... just between us ok, I doubt the CMC will just change it's tune over me that easily." Nyx nods in agreement. The two continue to chat a bit and eventually finish the cake. "Eh hem, Nyx it's time for us to go ok..." Moon says finally stepping out of the shadows, Silver brake the world sprint record diving under the table, "Huh? Oh Silver Spoon come on its ok," "Are you out of your mind she's..." she says scared. "Not Nightmare Moon, well the one we all know and fear," Silver pokes her head out and gets a basic rundown of who this mysterious mare is. "So your...Nyx as Nightmare Moon?" "Something like that, I know its confusing but, Nyx is as different from Nightmare Moon as it gets, only her eyes and coat match The Mare in the Moon if you haven't noticed" looking between the two Silver nods in agreement "There's always tomorrow Nyx," Nyx bids Silver farewell and the two appear to be getting along, privately anyway, Nyx returns to her own dream and says "That was fun we should do that again some time," "We got all night Nyx, so how about we go find your friends." Taking a walk down the starlight road Nyx suddenly finds herself asks "Hay...Moon aren't you a Nightmare?" Moon looks over at Nyx, the scowl on her face quickly disappearing "I won't deny it, I was," "So what are you know?" "A guardian of dreams for lack of better words." Nyx and Nightmare Moon soon arrive at a set of 3 doors, "Huh? odd why are these three arranged as such?" Moon says taking note of the 3 doors being huddled together. "They are having such a similar dream they are sharing that dream," a voice says walking up to the pairs right, "Oh Luna good evening, so a shared dream huh? this will be interesting, wait...that energy, oh dear." Moon says slowly opening the door, the dream seems perfectly safe so her, Luna and Nyx walk in and while Luna flies to the moon, Nyx and Moon take there seats in a crowd. On the stage in front of them Sweetie belle Is singing some unknown song, as the audio slowly, comes into focus she's found to be singing "Homeland" by Kenny Rogers, "Interesting choice," Nyx says swinging to the beat. Applebloom was behind the curtain making sure the scenery was all in place, Scootaloo meanwhile was flouting around moving the lights above the stage, everything seemed to be going well, "Nyx keep your eyes open, there is a nightmare in here somewhere," Nyx nods, and looks about, the sky, no Luna is up there, the crowd, can't see, wait did that shadow just move... Nyx Moves from her seat and slowly makes her way to the stage, the faceless pony starts the heckle Sweetie, and the crowd slowly joins in, "HAY! Leave her alone she's grate!" Nyx yells, her voice bordering the Royal Canterlot voice but not quite, "Nyx? you made it!" the CMC quickly surround Nyx as she gets up on stage and hug her, "GET OFF THE STAGE, YOU SUCK, I WANT MY MONEY BACK!" the crowd yells among other things, "Hmm tough crowd, well girls lets knock'em dead shall we," "How?" Applebloom asks "Just add a little magic," Nyx says as Sweetie starts her Next song "Everything or Nothing" from James Bonds Nightfire. As Sweetie sings, Nyx applies her magic causing a illusionary field to appear above the stage, this field plays out a "video" to the song. The crowd goes wild and any of the hecklers vanish before Nyx's eyes, "Good work your highness" Moon says smiling from the seats. after 3 minutes the song ends and the crowd disperses, "Thanks Nyx your a life saver," Sweetie says breathing a sigh or two of relief "Your welcome guys, say what are you doing anyway?" The three fillies look at each other, and in sync say "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS TRAVALING PREFORMERS, YAY!" Nyx after fixing her hair from the hurricane of voices says "Well from what mom tells me that's one thing you three could do, well I think my work is done here, Moon lets go shall we," As Moon makes herself noticeable Applebloom asks the obvious question "Hay who's that filly?" Nyx looks back to see Moon had indeed turned herself into a filly, indigo hair, dark blue coat, and a half moon for cutie mark. "O this is... Moon, SilverMoon", "Silver?" the crusaders ask "The moon is silver as well as moonlight," Moon says quickly. Saying good by to there friends they return to the starlight road. They return and Luna leads them to a black door, with green linings. "This is...Flitter if I'm not mistaken," Nyx comments admiring the detail of the door, "Yes and I suggest you stay here, its not pleasant in there," Luna says opening the door, "Flitter is a changeling yes? Mind if I come with you Luna I always wanted to meet one" Luna nods as Moon steps through the door with her. Flitter at present was having one hell of a night, that meaning she was currently running like hell thought the streets of Ponyville with the whole town on her tail. "What the hell could have caused this?" Moon says giving Luna a sideways look, "My sister may have offered all the hidden changelings mercy but that does not mean the populace has, a shame really." Moon nods and quietly moves above the mass of ponies. Flitter end up cornered in an ally and the ponies slowly creep in on her "TOUCH HER AND YOU WILL FEEL THE WRATH OF THE CROWN!" the ponies look up and are blown away as Nightmare Moon slams down in front of them, wings spread, steam coming of her snout and hair fully ablaze, the crowd backs off a moment, then charges at her "Even in dreams their fools" Moon says to herself firing a stun blast that knocks everypony to the side, the civilians pose no challenge but behind them are royal guards, led by Shining armor surprisingly enough "Stand down Captain I won't tolerate insubordination," "Do you even know what she has been up to your highness, she's a SPY!" "Tisk tisk, what else is new," Luna plops down behind the guards and tapes Shining on the shoulder "Captain consider yourself discharged," she says before clocking him square in the face. "Ok Nyx, you can come in now," Luna hollers to the sky, Nyx pops in gliding to Flitters side. "You ok Flitter?" Nyx ask, said changeling starts hugging Nyx to death "Agk...air, air!" "Sorry, thank you Nyx thank you" the two elder ponies, look at each other then shrug in a "I don't get it roll with it" fashion as the two chat up each other. "So I'm dreaming all this...Gezz I must be nervous," "Pray tell what Miss Flitter," Luna asks "Well...feeding and...this dream isn't entirely false," "Who do you work for then?" Moon asks putting a hoof on her shoulder, "There's a queen in the Everfree she has been offering sanctuary to the queenless or those that left there queen for one reason or another, namely Chrysalises changelings." Nyx having little understanding of Changelings asks "So that bad? I mean if she's in the Everfree surely she is friendly yes?" Flitter confirms that question and "Bad? No she is the one queen that everyone will come crawling to for help and she will offer it, however recently she has been having thoughts that have gotten the wrath of the changeling swarm for much higher queens," Luna nods "I will not let the come to pass, come Tartarus and the horse's of Armageddon I will stand by her." Flitter feels comforted but says "Equestira alone wont save her your highness, there's A LOT of changelings out there more then even the crystal empire can withstand," "We shall see when it comes to that Flitter, my powers over the darkness have yet to leave me, I will not hesitate to use them under the right circumstances." at this point Nyx changes the subject "Ok enough doom and gloom, Flitter do you... want to talk for a bit? I'd like to know more about your kind and if possible this queen, given you are so protective of your queens." Flitter considers this and then to all present surprise the world goes from Ponyville to a small black room with some blue lights on the wall, "Well I'd better get back to my job, good luck you three," Luna walks though the door and vanishes. "So flitter what can you tell me?" Nyx starts "Ask and you will know" Flitter responds, "Ok lets start small, do changelings have families? I know you do but, like real families?" Flitter pauses and them calls for a bit of food, a changeling hovers in and lays some crystals and a salad on the table between the two, Moon also gets one as she lay on the corner, "Well depends on the hive and the queen for that matter, independent changelings do have families yes, however more often then not in hives the family usefully doesn't get to know each other," Nyx causes a chalkboard to appear and draws a generic changeling on it "Ok how about you explain the anatomy of a changeling," Flitter starts rambling on about said subject as Moon tunes it out. 2 hours later Nyx asks about the hives and role of the queens, "The queens as you would expect are the leaders of hives, hives is just the generic term ponies came up with for where changelings make there homes, The queens typically help with 'breeding' by laying massive amounts of eggs but its not unheard of to have live births among large numbers of changelings. Now in times of war, the queen is the undisputed commander of that particular swarm, a swarm is a large group changelings..." "Like what happened at Canterlot?" "Yes, only because there where variously hives involved with that, just some random changelings mixed with Chrysalis's hive." "Eh Hem, sorry to cut this short Nyx but I think we should go get some sleep." Nyx asks why given they where asleep "You don't get as much rest when you dream walk as you would just sleeping, no sense in stressing your mind too much right? still we always have tomorrow night." the Two bid Flitter farewell, and head for there own dreams. "Now Nyx you might want to wright down what you've learned and ask Flitter in the morning, that way you learn things with others" Nyx asks for some clarity and Moon explains that with a bit of mental magic you can learn things collectively with other ponies. "Is there anything more to Dream walking?" "Yes there's a lot more too it, fighting real nightmares for one and teaching lessons to others for another," "Well see you tomorrow Nightmare Moon," Nyx says wondering off into her dreams, Moon herself returning to watch over Twilight's "Well looks like we made a new friend, then again J.J. did make her his little informant on Diamond. I wonder if that actually uncovered anything?" Moon then walks into Twilights dreams and the night rolls by. The Moon and SilverMarch 13th 9 Am It had been a few days since Nightmare Moon had stepped into Nyx's life. Nyx and Twilight had so far tolerated Nightmare Moons presence, however Twilight had told her daughter to be weary of Nightmare Moon and decided to test her. Nyx also decided to take the opportunity to make friends with Silver Spoon like she promised, how she was going to that was anyone's guess. Still since the filly had made contact with Silver in her dreams, she had been of a pain for everypony. Diamond had also received a visit from Nyx but she kept her distance because you thought Diamond might reject her instantly, she saw that Diamond wanted to be a nice pony, but her parents weren't really helping in that regard, Her mother Spoiled Rich (Nyx found that name strangely ominous) was president of the Ponyville school board, and her father Filthy Rich tried but seemed to not be up to the task of making his daughter happy. Nyx had left her a note however and Diamond seemed to get the message, but she wasn't sure. At the moment she was just about to leave for school when Twilight called for her from the kitchen. Nyx walked through the doorway and asked what her mother wanted, "Nyx, could me stay with me for a while, I'd like to.....get to know her better if that's alright." Nyx pinged Moon who was still asleep in her mind, "Huh? Oh sorry Nyx, did you need something?" Nyx smiled outwardly "Twilight wants to know if you could stay here with her for while?" Moon's ghost looked surprised "Does she now? Alight just don't get into trouble my dear." Moon walked over to Twilight and smiled "Morning Twilight, so what do you want with me?" Twilight offered her breakfast "Well I wanted to get to know you, your phycology, your personality, your motives. your...." "I get it Twilight, Why though?" Twilight informed her that she found it very suspicious that she was drastically different from what she was before, "Fair enough, shall I go lie down on the couch or finish your breakfast." Twilight offered her hoof, "Eat your going to want to," drawing a bit of blood Moon's body formed and she sat down at the table. The food was a simple serving of eggs and some bacon, "Is that real bacon or baconnaise?" Twilight stated it was real bacon "I don't mind a bit of meat in my life, I've always tried adding a little to see if enjoyed it, thought its only in small amounts for balanced diet." Moon took a bit and the crunch was quite audible "Crunchy, might want to take it off the burning earlier next time." Twilight returned to the table and started asking questions "So tell me, what was Luna like back then?" The question caught Nightmare Moon of guard, she coughed on the bacon a moment before grabbing a drink "cough-cough Give me moment," Moon straightened herself out before giving an answer, "Well, Nightmare Night was the closest she's gotten to that old personality of hers. She and Tia where rather more mischievous and fun loving then you have seen." they both moved on to there scrambled eggs, "I suppose you want me to tell you that I am not Nightmare Moon and I had nothing to do with Luna?" she said in-between gulps, Twilight stayed quite till she finished her plate, "Well if that is the result of my tests, then I want to know what changed." Moon finished her plate moments later and helped Twilight wash them out of courtesy. They then both moved to the man room of the tree library with 3 of pillows set out for them, one for Twilight and 2 for Moon if she needed it. They sat across from each other, Twilight had a clipboard with a list of questions and projector. Moon sat down and stretched a little "Well ask away, Element of Magic." Twilight started by handing her a paper of her own with a quill, "Fill this out if you would, just a personal information page." Moon filled in her name, her age which she wrote "Centuries", sex female, she was an alicorn and added in the comment section "This seems very unnecessary Miss Twilight Sparkle". Twilight pressed on and started actually asking questions "Alright with that out of the way, let's see just what you remember. Can you name me and my friends along with are Elements?" Moon thought for moment, "Your are Twilight Sparkle Element of Magic and Personal student of the long reigning Princess Celestia, who's sister Princess Luna returned recently. You have 5 friends, Applejack, Element of Honesty and a hardworking farm mare of the Apple family. Rainbow Dash, Element of Loyalty and she aspires to be a wonderbolt and is captain of the Ponyville weather team, She also enjoys pranks. Pinkie Pie, Element of Laughter and she is the best party ponies know to pony kind or in Ponyville at least. She lives in Surgercube Corner with the cakes who have two little babies, a unicorn and pegasus. Rarity, Element of Generosity and Ponyville's resident tailor and self-proclaimed fashinista, she lives at Carousel Boutique with her little sister Sweetie Belle. Lastly there is Fluttershy, Element of Kindness and she lives in a cottage by the Everfree forest, she is also very....timid I believe is a good word to describe her." Twilight started at her checklist the pencil tip broken as she gasped "Impressive, now how about some of the events surrounding Nightmare Moon, you know, Luna's return, what happened in Emblem and other such events." Nightmare Moon frowned "Very well, Let's see I appeared just as mayor mare Announced Princess Celestia and you shouted to everyone who I was, the royal guard tried to arrest me but couldn't get close, I disappeared moments later and waited for you to lead me to the elements of harmony, am I right so far?" Twilight nodded and had her continue "Alright you and your impromptu friends went off into the Everfree forest where I tried to stop all of you one way or another, First I caused a cliff to fall out from under you and AJ convinced you to let go and you where caught by your pegasi friends, second I was a thorn in manticore's paw, you tried to fight it but Fluttershy took a more passive approach, she took the poor thing by the paw and removed the thorn, it let you pass while it licked Fluttershy like a puppy. Next I tried to scare you, frankly that was perhaps your most pathetic moment, I've seen funhouses scarier then that. Anyway Pinkie Pie broke into song 'giggle at the ghosties' if I recall, you laughed causing the trees to turn to normal, then I fled causing the serpent in the river to loss his mustache, Rarity gave up her tail and he helped you across. Finally before you confronted me, Rainbow flew across the gorge surrounding the only Everfree castle, she was going to attach the rope when 3 Shadow bolts appeared offering her a chance to join in exchange for leaving you all stranded. She declined and fixed the bridge, leaving you to deal with me. If you don't mind, I would rather not go over that again." When Twilight asked her about Emblem Moon stayed silent, "Forgive me Twilight but I can't seem to recall, refresh my memory." Twilight looked suspicious "You seriously can't remember kidnapping Celestia and Luna, my friends or attacking us with the Taken or ANYTHING?" she said raising her voice, "Now that you mention it yes, my mind seems to go fuzzy whenever I go to that part, I do recall you finding me in a bed under the lake however and everything that happened after that. Including.....your death, sorry about that." Twilight appreciated the apology "You also sent me a note remember, it was attached to basket with fragments of crystal in it." Moon explained they where her way to escape while bringing herself back to life, "As I recall you called me Nyx, would have been a little odd to have two of them don't you think?" Twilight had a delayed reaction to that statement "Yes that would be....wait.....I did didn't I. Guess that's why I named Nyx like I did." Twilight then proceeded to fire up the projector and started putting pictures on it, "Alright I'm going to show you a serious of pictures and your going to tell me the first thing that comes to mind." The first picture was one of the royal sisters, "Anything then, well.....fear, sadness, pity." the second picture was one of fillies "Children, cute, foals. What where you expecting food?" Twilight rubbed her neck sheepishly "Well, I had to test that." Moon stuck out her tongue blowing raspberries. The third picture was one of Nyx, Moon visibly frowned "The childhood I'll never have, such a lucky girl don't you think?" "More then you know," Twilight replied smiling at he photo, she showed Moon 3 more photos consisting of her and her friends, a picture some pony had snapped of Nightmare Moon and lastly a picture of Elements of harmony, Moon in turn told Twilight: That her and her friends where the Element bearers, a gift not to be taken lightly, with the Nightmare photo she made a remark about Luna having grown us since them and lastly That the elements where capable of grate things, both good and bad. With that Twilight turned off the projector and looked at her results sheet, "Well, your certainly different from what I would have expected, not that I ever got the chance to interview Nightmare Moon." "Nor do you want to, take my word for it," Moon said while thinking "Did she really not notice what I said about the bed earlier? Silly Twilight." Twilight told her she was free to go, but wished to talk later, to get her side of the story regarding Nightmare Moon. _____________________________________________________________ Ponyville schoolhouse 9:30Am Nyx was enjoying todays lesson, it was about astronomy Cheerilee and her teaching assistant J.J putting on a lovely presentation with a 3'd magic hologram. While she had taken notes about various constellations and phases of the moon, the rest of the class seemed less interested in such things. Diamond raised her hoof "Yes Diamond?" Cheerilee asked, "Cheerilee, if Luna can paint the sky to her will, who's to say that was the sky really looks like." Yet another strange point from the rich girl, Nyx politely answered her question "DT, Luna many be able to paint the night however she pleases, but that does not mean she has the freedom to create whatever she wants, She always puts the constellations in the same place with occasional shifts, based of the position of the planet. As a result she took up painting and from what I've read she can paint true works of art." Moon popped into Nyx's mind just in time to hear Diamond say "Whatever you say Nightmare Moon," a mock bow accompanying it. Cheerilee was about to chastise her about mocking Nyx but said filly held her hoof up, much to the teachers surprise "It's alright Cheerilee, I'm used to it. Besides I like it." "WHAT!" the whole class said stunned, Diamond Tiara especially "You...like me teasing you?" Nyx nodded, "I take it more as a reminder then a insult anymore. Really Diamond, do you think I want to go back to being that pony, do you?" the class leaned in on Diamond excepting answer, "Um...um... OF COURSE NOT! Why ANY pony would want that is beyond even my comprehension. what are you all looking at?" the class retracted there gaze and focused on the lesson. Moon commented on Nyx's exchange "A duel worthy of princess, can't say I even liked her myself." Nyx nodded in acknowledgement. The lesson went on about the history of telescopes and famous astronomers when the recess bell rang, he class piled out onto the play ground and Nyx and her friends sat down a the picnic table. Nyx and her friends the founders of the CMC consisting of Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, she was just about to start a conversation when "Mind of I join you fillies?" the group turned to source of the voice, A black unicorn filly with blue eyes "Moon? How did you....sure have a seat." the little pony climbed up on the bench "So Nyx these are your friends?" "Yes, these are my first and best friends, Twist included among that short list. Silvermoon let me introduce Applebloom," "How ya doing?" Applebloom greeted "Sweetie Belle," "Hi there." Sweetie Belle said "And Scootaloo." "Are you Nyx's cousin?" Asked the pegasus, to which she replied "No, she's new to Ponyville, from Canterlot." The fillies nod shaking hooves with the new girl "So you go to school here?" they asked sharing portions of there lunch with her, she happily took the pieces of there PB and J and said "No I don't go to school I....home school, yes I'm home schooled by my Mom." That was true to some extent. They then started like usually talking about what sort of crusading they where doing later in the day, "Is this what they normally do Nyx?" Moon whispered to her, "Yes, every day like clockwork if they have time." "NYX!" shouted the voice of Diamond Tiara the stamping of her hooves clearly in Nyx's ears "You just had to embarrass me didn't you!" Nyx shrugs it off "You do that enough by yourself." "Oooohhh BURN!" her friends cooed, "Well Don't think I won't get you for that, I will....what's this?" Nyx had shoved a piece of paper in her face, "I overheard your father talking about your homework yesterday, this should help." Diamond looked over the parchment, formulas and diagrams of math and science and few trivia questions on less know topics, "Well....thank you, maybe I'll feed it to my dog." she walked away Silver standing in place next to her, "Um....ya what she said, we can meet up later Sugercube corner?" Nyx nodded and the silver pony walked off to join her companion, Nyx turned her attention back to her friends "So What where you saying?" "We where going to try some more crusading later, we where going to try.....what did we agree on girls?" "Stunts, forestry and helping Cheerilee with something, can't remember what though." Moon spoke up "Girl you do realize trying everything under the sun will be not only a long road but quite the painful not to mention potentially lethal one." The fillies listen to her wise words "Don't you....have a way to narrow down the list? besides what you already tried." the CMC shook there heads "No we just try whatever comes to mind and go for it, good method as any." the secretly alicorn filly turns to Nyx and mouths "You got work to do," She giggles "Yeah I tend to bail them out of trouble a lot, its part of the fun." 30 minutes later the bell rang and class resumed. _______________________________________ Ponyvill schoolhouse 2Pm The final bell of the day rang and everypony headed home, Nyx accompanied the CMC like normal, however she told them she would meet them later and went to have a chat with her old Captain. at 3:30 she left a smile on her face and new pocket watch in her magic, Moon had left her to her own devices for a while "So where are we going now?" Nyx told her they would meet the CMC in Sweet Apple Acores, "The club house is there and there's plenty of trees so, what better place to try forestry." they had a few miles to go so they struck up a conversation to pass time, "So Nyx, what are you like these days?" Moon started, "What do you mean?" "I know what you are but not who you are my child." Nyx made a 'O' and said "Well I take care of my friends when they get in trouble. Equestria is slowly but surely accepting me for who I am, the daughter of Twilight Sparkle, not who I was, the reincarnation of Nightmare Moon. How about you?" Moon really didn't have much to say, simply saying "Well I'm dead so what's there to tell, other then your mother has killed me not once but thrice, well that last time was me killing my self to save her, still can't say I didn't enjoy killing her." "Can we please not bring that up, I don't want to imagine what you described." Nyx asked not liking where this was going, "Alright Nyx, so do you have any....rules so to speak that you live by?" Moon got a better response "Well, don't hurt anyone that doesn't need to be hurt, I still got a bit of temper form....well you know. As for rules....oh you mean principles. No I have none out of the ordinary to speak of, other then in regard to my past." at that Nyx frowned not liking to think about her reign "Don't be sad Nyx, you had nothing to do with that.....I did." Nyx look up at the Alicorn "Think about it, what did you do exactly? sit in your room and cry from what I saw, Jay Werner and Spell Nexus did most of the work, but that was from his prospective." Nyx said she had Made a few rounds of the castle double checking her subordinates work, "I raised the sun didn't I?" "True and that was the straw that brock Nexus's back, J.J shepherded your mother away but she returned none the less, I guess she just couldn't leave her baby girl now could she." Nyx was now smiling now that they where talking about the brighter moments, "Ya that surprised me the most, the fact the J.J openly admitted her freed her was responsible for her 'release' was the best part, Nexus straight up demanded his head roll, I decided otherwise because he had been nothing but loyal to me, me not Nightmare Moon. He would even sit on the wall some times and play to tune for me, be it a fiddle or guitar." The two kept talking about Nyx's reign finished with Nyx saying "How every girl wants to be a princess is a mystery I will never figure out." Moon giggled "A little girl vs. a woman's perspective on life is quite different, we all believe in fairy tales once in our lives." pretty soon they arrived at Sweet Apple Acores and since the treehouse was the only structure for miles, found there friends with ease. Nyx walked up the ramp and into the treehouse, the wood softly creaking under her hooves, her friends plus Twist, welcomed her in and the meeting came to order, Applebloom banged the gabble 3 times "Greetings crusaders, On todays Cutiemark list we have stunts, forestry and.....Nyx what was that last thing?" "We where going to help Cheerilee move some science stuff for next weeks class. Now which of the three are we going to start with?" Sweetie Belle stood up "Well, since we're here in a apple orchard surely there's some trees to take care of and plant around here." Applebloom shook her head "Sadly not as much as you think, we might be able to up root some trees to send else where though." Twist suggested finding Applejack and asking, Applebloom had thought ahead however and made a copy of a list of trees, Nyx however had to leave "Sorry girls I just remembered I got to meet somepony at Sugercube corner. I'll meet you later." "Ok but don't take too long." They sped off into the distance and Nyx made her way to Sugercube corner. The gingerbread themed bakery was charming as ever, "Is that building actually made of gingerbread?" Moon asked admiring the architecture "If it was, I'm sure Pinkie would have eaten it by now." Nyx looked around trying to spot Silver Spoon but she was no where to be found, As she walked in Pinkie greeted her like usual in her super hyper way "Hi Nyx, looking for your new friend?" "Yes I...wait who do you know that?" "Because she's over there silly, I'll get the cake." and she sped off into the kitchen, the saloon style doors swinging back and forth. Nyx moved over to a table in the corner Silver was sitting there under a large sun hat, which being she was indoors stuck out like a sore thumb, Nyx sat next to her and cleared her throat, "eh-hem, Silver Spoon I presume?" the filly nodded "Nyx, I feel very uncomfortable right now, is she here?" Nyx looked confused "Moon" Nyx frowned a moment but nodded honestly, "I'll leave you be if she wants." Nyx felt the mare fade, "she's gone." Silver let out a sigh of relief and struck up a conversation about Diamond "She did thank you for the note earlier, anyway do you think you could....straight out her mother some time?" "I'm not Nightmare Moon, Silver Spoon. Why would you want me to do such a thing anyway?" Silver explained it was Spoiled Rich that was the problem "You set her straight Diamond gets off every ones back, the CMC included." The thought of a world with a nice Diamond Tiara was tempting but "No Silver, it will sort itself out I'm sure of it." Pinkie plopped a small cake with the words "New Bestest Friends" written on it, "Thanks Pinkie here," Silver put 15 bits on the table "Keep your money silly on the house." Nyx giggled "How this place is still in business I'll never know." the 3 laughed "Oh ho ho, its my charming personality and the cakes cooking, they go the monopoly of Ponyville's baked goods. Home made not withstanding." the pink pony then turned to wall "And for you miss Moon?" Nyx's eyes nearly fell out of her face and he turned quick to see Moon fully disappear, "How did you...." "Oh I can see ghosts too, J.J isn't the only one with a death connection." the pony bounced off leaving the two fillies considering interning the ball of insanity that was Pinkie Pie. The cake was delicious, a lovely and fluffy chocolate flavor with M&M and other toping through out, The two ponies left Silver dropping her head to hide from a assumedly waiting Diamond Tiara. The two ponies walked down the street toward Silver Spoons home, in comparison to Diamond Tiaras mansion it was an eye sore, It was a simple all be it upscale home for Ponyville, "Mom I'm home!" Silver announced, her parents Silver Dollar and Doubloon Where a wealthy couple, Dollar was a banker while Doubloon was stay at home mom, she was making lunch for her daughter "In here dear, I made you some....Oh, I didn't know you where bringing company, who's....." she stopped and went wide eyed at Nyx. Nyx on the other hand frowned and lowered her head, "So your Nyx right?" the filly nodded "Well, I would like to apologize for any teasing or harm my daughter has brought on you, Diamond Tiara is such a bad influence." Nyx raised her head to face her "Oh...its ok, she never really did anything to me or my friends, mostly it was just a 'follow the lead' relationship. Besides, she gave up sooner then Diamond ever would have I'm sure." The 3 sat down for a mid afternoon lunch of biscuits and cheese, then the fillies tucked away in Silver Spoons bedroom, surprisingly simple for such a wealthy family, the most outlandish thing in the room was a vanity mirror with at least 8 drawers and the bed looked more comfortable then Nyx's. Doubloon followed and asked "So what do you think our little slice of heaven?" "Humble, certainly more then Diamond ever will be. Still she has the potential to be good its just....her parents." Silver's Mom nodded "Yep those two are by far the worst parents I've ever seen, dare I say your moms sister in law would make a better mother?" the two fillies laughed at the image of Cadance caring for Diamond Tiara, "Well, I wouldn't go that far, at least she isn't a tyrant like me" Nyx said without thinking, Silver put a hoof on her shoulder to comfort her as she looked sad "Nyx that wasn't you. You'll never be her I know it" Nyx asked her how "Simple you cared." Nyx blinked "Ugh....look you flipping raised the Sun, that in itself is a contradiction to all Nightmare Moon stands for, also.....Well anyone that can apologize to Diamond Tiara when she SOOOO earned ALL of that was said about her, THAT takes the kindness of a true, just ruler...." Silver blushed putting her hoof to her mouth as she corrected her mistake "err pony I mean." Doubloon left the pair saying if Nyx ever wanted to come by she was welcome to, "Miss Doubloon?" "Yes?" she asked stopping abruptly "Um, what do you think of me if you don't mind me asking?" the mother smiled "My little Silver Shilling is lucky to have you for a friend." Silver blushed "Mom! Your embarrassing me...." Moon suddenly appeared "By any chance related to Silver shilling the accountant?" Doubloon turned and didn't even flinch "Accountant? Oh you must mean my husband, yes he has a Shilling in his tree, but that was AGES ago, like 1000 years or so." Moon smiled "Then perhaps your luckier then you think, I know a Silver Shilling that served as Luna's finance aid back then, they were.....close if you catch my drift." the Mother blushed "Not in front of the kids, tell me Nightmare what ever happened to the children of the night?" The alicorn shrugged "I know as much as you do about them, Luna would know more but I don't think she likes to speak of them." the two went down stairs to talk while Nyx and Silver worked on there homework. __________________________________________ March 13th 4pm Silver and Nyx had finished there work with flying colors, Nyx's attention to detail and Silvers ability to shorten the long winded parts made there papers on the constellations a breeze. The two had just packed their work and had started of all things playing a game of life with Nightmare Moon, who found the game surprisingly true to life, saying it told the tale of the "Real Equestrian dream" they where just finishing and Moon was about to win "Come on dice give me 6" the dice rolled and...2 "Welp there goes my money to the grand kids." Silver surprisingly rolled and bought the small country ranch instead of the mansion, "That's very humble of you Silver." "I don't really like the idea of living the high life, and My name implies the high life." the two giggled, "Well I'd love to stay and chat but I need to go see the girls. See ya later Silver." silver grabbed Nyx's tail "Um....mind if I come with you, just don't say anything, please?" she protruded her lower lip and presented her beg face "Must...resist....cuteness! Of course you can, come along now." the two packed up the game and after silver kissed her mom goodbye they headed out to where the CMC usually gathered. Upon arriving at there destination, well... the CMC where know for 1 of 2 things, there ingenuity and there straight up stupidity, this was both. They had set up a ramp, a fire hoop and Nyx could swear that she saw a few cans of hair spray attached to Scootaloo's scooter "On a scale of 1 to 10 this is a 12 on the 'this will totally go wrong' scale" Nyx commented Silver and Nightmare Moon nodding in response. Applebloom walked up the pair "Oh, hay Nyx, who's your friend?" Silver had worn a dress and large hat for the occasion, "Silver bells, I...was in the church choir." Bloom shrugged and turned "What do you think? Scootaloo will rush down the ramp and when she takes to the air, the cans will ignite and send her flying though the air, landing on the mattress over there..." Sweetie Bell stood next to the mattress waving to them from far off in the distance, Bloom holding arrow to point her out "I'm ready!" her voice echoed. Scootaloo appeared at the top of the ramp, "20 bits says she lands in the river." Nyx checked her purse, "Your on." Scootaloo shouted as she rolled down the ramp "Tell Rainbow Dash I love her!", she flew through the hoop and spontaneously rocketed off into the sky, Sweetie stated running with the mattress to catch her. unfortunately they forgot to compensate for the added thrust of their home made rockets, Scootaloo zoom down the ramp and Bloom lit the hoop, as she passed through it the cans ignited sending her flying through the air, Sweetie bell ran backwards the catch her. As Silver Spoon and Nyx admired there apparent success Silver said "You smell something burning?" Nyx turned to see Applebloom with a flame where her hair should be "Well that went well....what?", not wanting to alarm her friend she summoned a small rain cloud and after climbing on top of it, hopped on it like they where playing hopscotch dousing both the fire and her friend with a cold shower "Um thanks I guess, let go see if their ok". Meanwhile Sweetie had indeed caught Scootaloo, the pegasus and scooter had landed square on the mattress waking Sweetie in head upon landing causing her to hit the ground and drop the mattress and Scootaloo continued onward into a tree. Nyx, Bloom and Silver ran over to there friends, Bloom grabbed Sweetie Belle while Nyx and Silver went after Scoots. Scootaloo was perched in a tree her scooter destroyed beyond recognition, "Please don't fall, she can't fly." "Your joking!" Silver yelled in panicked disbelief, As if accepting her challenge the filly slipped off the branch falling at least 30 feet to the ground "Moon catch her!" No sooner had Nyx commanded that did a blue shroud of mist fly out of her and curled around the dazed pegasus, she brought her to the ground and Nyx quickly examined her, "Oh thank god she's ok...." she said a groan in her voice and smiled at the cloud next to her, Silver turned around to see Bloom and Sweetie Belle who looked to have quite the bop on the head, "Lets get you girls to doctor ok." she suggested, Nyx put Scoots on her back and Bloom carried Sweetie the hospital to be safe. The docs said they should be okay in a few days and sent the pair on there way, "Nyx, that was so cool what you did back there," "That wasn't me, Moon did that." she replied not wanting to take credit for her effort "Well guess she isn't all bad after all, well I've had enough adventure for one day so see ya around." The girl trotted off to her home and Nyx did the same, on the way she stopped by her friends homes to inform them of their sisters conditions. __________________________________________________ March 14th 2pm The next day went by quickly, The CMC stayed home from there injuries so after School ended, Nyx walked home alone. she got home and got straight to her homework, Moon offered to help and sat next to her, "So what do we have this time?" Looking over the small stack of papers, they had a few math questions, some history questions and some writing. The writing Nyx had down flat along with the math, history however she was grateful she lived in a library, "Ok so... Ponyville was founded by what race? Earth ponies. What's one of the oldest building in Ponyville? the...apple family orchard?" she looked at Moon and she nodded "Granny Smith got her name for a reason you know." Moon said trying to think of just how old Granny was, "You feel like a little picnic under the stars later?" Nyx asked her ghostly companion "Why? not like I'll enjoy it as much as you will." Nyx asked her again "Sure, I take it you want to test me?" Nyx eyed her work "I wanted to take a different approach to my mother." Moon nodded and faded away leaving Nyx to finish her work and plan. At around 6 o'clock Nyx headed out with a basket of food and blanket, She picked a spot on a hill over looking Ponyville, a single tree providing some shade. She spread the blanket and put the various dishes in there proper places according to Rarity. She rang a little bell for Nightmare to appear, "You summoned me. My this is a lovely spread Nyx, I didn't know you cared." Nyx smiled at her compliment as she sat opposite of her, this picnic included sandwiches, celery soup, cheese or cheese spread, crackers and for desert some pudding. Nyx started with the sandwiches which had the option of PB&J or a mix of vegetables with fish bits, Nyx when with the PB&J while Moon feeling more adventurous tried the fish bits, "Hmm, not bad." and made herself a Fish, tomato and lettuce sandwich. After the first few sandwiches Nyx produced a notepad, "So you want to start now or..." "Ask away Princess." Nyx flipped through her mother's notes, "Well, what are you exactly? a ghost, a figment of my imagination, a...." "A spirit of Nightmares, or a dream demon if you wish." Nyx wrote that down, "So why did you come me specifically? Surely you could have come to any pony?" Moon nodded "True, but who better to come to then myself." Only seconds later to realize what she just said, Nyx however didn't suspect a thing, "True, I can't see anyone but me helping you." She grabbed a bowl of soup, "Like your soup? Its my favorite." "I know, god forbid you die Twilight will leave some on your grave I'm sure." "That's...dark." Nyx glanced at her notepad "So Moon, is there anything you haven't told me? I mean anything." Moon looked nervous "There are a few things I've yet to devolve, still nothing serious." She lied. Nyx seemed sense as such, but ignored it and continued eating. Time ticked by and eventually they ran out of crackers to dip, Nyx passed out the pudding and asked "So what was Luna like back in the day? If you can remember?" Moon nodded "Oh she and her sister where so playful back then, There castle is just full of all sorts of passages, slides, even a pit in the floor or two. That little changeling she crated was so cute... then Celestia for the better took her away, Luna was so sad I even I felt it. I felt so bad when... I...She... you know." She looed down at the two pudding in front of her, "Those two will never be the same." Nyx gave her some sympathy "I know I don't think I will either." "Nyx what happened with you and what happened with them is different, not every wound heals, even with 1000 years to think about it." Moon looked up at the sun, "But enough of my sorrow, you where saying?" Nyx turned she couldn't tell if Moon was being serious or not, still she at least seemed to care, "Well, I know Tia said banishment is simply like taking a long nap but... surely there's more too it then that?" The question was not aimed at Nightmare Moon, it was more a question of her own curiosity, "Luna and I had a good long fight after our banishment, still I kept her company while whatever I had turned into went wild. She even managed to get into Celestia's dreams! Still she even hit Celestia where it hurt, her sister... take a guess how that turned out?" Moon said a grin writing on her face, "She lost big time I'm guessing?" "Bingo, and that would also explain the Nightmare Forces Rarity remembers if she ever told you that story." Nyx nodded and recalled the tale, "Yep that was my last through of the dice against the forces of darkness, that's when I realized I couldn't fight it on my own. That was after the 'emblem incident' so my power still extends to this world, in more ways then one." Nyx did recall the small detail of J.J having the shard that contained Moons consciousness "How did you do that if may ask?" Moon explained the dream world was infinite "Basically I can be anywhere but the dream realm can take me anywhere." Nyx accepted that for what it was. By the tick of the sun, it had been an hour at least and the sun had begun to set. Nyx and Moon sat there enjoying the moment, "Do you know why ponies treasure the sun?" she asked Nyx laying next to her "The warmth of the sun so they don't starve?" Moon giggled at the attempt "Hmmhmhm that's one of them yes, but what does it symbolize, think about that." Nyx need no explanation "Hope. Even in the darkest depths of the Everfree, the light of the sun is a comforting friend, wonder if Celestia see's it that way?" "Well the Sun and Moon do 'speak' to them in there own way, I'm surprised you don't know that." "They didn't like me shoving there bearers in them like that. You could say their warming up to me." Pinkie did a drum solo "HAHAHA good one, so any more questions before we go home?" Nyx looked over her note pad, she had some questions left but decided to ask just one, "Moon, I'll be honest Twilights worried I'll become you, That your influencing me, should she be?" Moon looked a little pissed but calmed herself before answering, "I'm only going to say this once Nyx, You and I despite our similarities are two different ponies. You will never become Nightmare moon and you never were." Nyx had heard this before "How would you know? Everyone keeps saying that but I don't believe, but I..." Moon eyed the filly "Because you lack something I have and something I lack, you destroys that part of you that was controlling Nexus. I don't know what that was but I KNOW, not suspect, but know it can't control you." Nyx was surprised "What do you think it was?" "Nothing good I can tell you that much, I suspect it may have been the darker parts of Nightmare Moon, obviously. But also, your ambition, your maturity really." Nyx looked confused "My maturity?" "How many times did J.J find you locked in your room, shutting yourself away from everyone and crying? Your a child Nyx, even after your transformation you where still a kid. You locked yourself away because you where sad, you hid from your mother because you where afraid of her, you even relented to release the royal sisters because you where worried about what they would do to you, That one I get and don't blame you for however the rest shows your child like mind." Nyx thought back to her time as the ruler of Equestria, she could see what Moon meant "So what's your ambition? Surely you have one?" "I want to live again Nyx, to truly live." "But aren't you alive right now?" Nyx asked stating the obvious "No, this form...let me give you a riddle, I bleed but I have no heart, I eat but never hunger nor thirst, I can be harmed but feel no pain. What am I?" Nyx considered the riddle "A...zombie?" Moon nodded "Yes, now as for what you have that I lack, there are many thing but the most important is something to care for." "You mean Twilight." Nyx interjected, "The main thing yes. Twilight is the reason you suffered as well as rose to the be the pony you are now, never forget that. Count your blessings and treasure her Nyx, most ponies...would not be so forgiving. Even in death never forget what she did for you understand?" Nyx nodded but asked "What's with you and death today?" "Everything dies Nyx, even the "immortal" sisters will die eventually. Plus I think I'm familiar with death by now." with that part out of the way Nyx said "You still haven't answered my question." Moon brought up Diamond Tiara "Personally, I'll believe it when I see it for her being nice. What you did for her in Baltimare however was the finale nail in the coffin for Nightmare Moon. You may not like to use that power Nyx, but its a blessing you shouldn't ignore. You went out of your way to protect her, and after all she did too you, You do realize she's the reason the cult found you in the first place right?" Moon mentioned the lightning bolt that shot into the air when Nyx had gotten lost in forest, "Ohhh, that... Even so, I took her father from her, that was more then enough payback. So any more examples?" "Just one, mercy. Both in the defense of Ponyville and Diamond you simply knocked them out or scared them off respectively. Don't tell me your afraid of blood are you?" Nyx shook her head "If I can help it, no pony has to die." Moon nodded "That is a another difference between us, though it can get you killed through hesitation, Baltimare proved otherwise." Nyx then said " So you lack something to hold on to, something to hold you back?" Moon nodded "But I do have a ambition, to show everyone I'm not who I was. To make Twilight proud, to..." moon interrupted "You already made her proud by being her daughter. Parents love there children forever Nyx, its a love without end despite what you may think otherwise." As the sun started to drop Moon said one last piece "Now, its not impossible to become the Mare in the Moon, but from what I've seen not even I could make you. You have a live to live, Friends to help you and a mother who will die before giving up on you Nyx. Never forget that and you won't go wrong, this I promise you." she got up and stretched "So have I satisfied you?" Nyx nodded and together they gathered the plates and folded the blanket. As they walked down the hill, Moon was feeling happy but at the same time worried for Nyx, she had lied to her and failed to mention her condition, she had to tell her soon, "Nyx could we go to the Everfree castle in a few days, there's something I need to show you there." Nyx was intrigued "Sure we can do that, what do you want to show me?" "A memory, and...something I don't feel comfortable telling you. Its better if I show you." Nyx took that and made Moon promise, When she got home Twilight was reading a book by candle light. She reported her findings and they compared notes "So she is hiding something, guess you'll find out soon enough. So what do you think?" Nyx said to her mother "I don't see why your so worried, if there was something wrong, she would tell me right?" Twilight put her hooves together "If that's your judgment who am I to argue, just be careful ok honey. I don't want to loss you." Nyx promised she would and went to get ready for bed, Twilight for her part checked over her own notes with Nyx's "What are you hiding Nyx? I know your worried about something, but what." Leaving the issue for another day, Twilight joined her daughter in preparing for good nights rest, her theory about Nightmare Moon gaining more ground by the minute. [Optional] The Timekeepers WatchWednesday March 13th 2PM My home in Ponyville My house was a small log cabin on the edge of town similar to Fluttershy's place, the cabin had a front porch, four rooms on the first floor and three on the second. I was siting in my living room the fire crackling away as I cleaned my revolvers, knock-knock "Who could that be?" "Come in," cautiously I picked up my pocket derringer expecting some unfriendly company, "It's just me J.J." I place the little pistol on the table and Nyx, walks in and takes a set on the couch I'm also sitting on. "So what brings you here my little princess? come to hear your only protector talk your ears off?" Nyx giggle at my question "No no, I kind of realized we don't know each other that well," I raise an eyebrow "Really? Well come to think of it, we didn't talk much now did we. So what you want to know?" Nyx thinks a moment "Well some people have told me your more then human, what does that mean exactly?" Ooooh she went with that question? "Well that does not have a straight answer...shall I start small?" she nods "Ok...first off I'm well, your familiar with vampires and werewolves right?" she nods "Well apart from two other things, I am what I call a Bloodwolf, in short what happens when you combine the two." Nyx looks at me funny "Why do I find the hard to believe?" "If you can't believe that you'll never believe the rest of what I have to say, still I suppose I should show you right?" I pop out my fangs and gently pull one out, another quickly taking its place, "hold still," "Ow" I pricked her hoof with it and she watches as it fills with blood "Wow that's so cool," "Not the response I was expecting but you are in good company" I then get up, walk around the table and pause a moment before shifting into a wolf, a black coat with blue eye to be exact, a little bigger then a pony "You have no idea how long it took me to do get this down" Nyx stares at me eye wide "Ok... is that all?" "I'm surprised you haven't asked how I got this way, well in short lets just say things have changed on Earth and Kin the past few years, I had a few unfortunate encounters, still I'm still alive so that's good right?" When Nyx asks if I knew who turned me into a vampire, figuring I got my wolf form from a actual wolf, I told her I got it from a pair of vampire sisters ironically named Nightmare Moon and Solar Flare, I told her they had no connation to Equestira. "So J.J. any benefit or cons?" "Yes, my senses are superhuman obviously, well my hearing, smell and sight at least, I can even dodge bullets, though that's more luck then anything I'm not quiet that quick, its more a time spell that triggers with my reaction, I can walk around with heavy things no problem but there are limits, for example I can carry around Celestia for instance but not a cart full of iron." "Are you calling Celestia fat?" I grin "If I had a bit for every time I've told her she is fine on weight and her figure is perfect for a horse her size," Nyx giggles at the image of me measuring Celestia like that, "and lastly I'm tougher then most, I can't tell you how many times I've been shot up and at least walked with a limp like I was barely hurt, all be it passing out from blood loss." I continue with the downsides. "Now as for cons well I do need to drink blood every once in a while but it can be left for a long time, I go hunting as a wolf to help with that and to keep my skills up, but unlike when first had it I... I'm in control of what I'm doing, I just go after rabbits and such Don't tell Fluttershy I don't need that crazy mare lecturing me" Nyx again laughs at my expense, "That's not funny Nyx Has Twilight ever told you about the Grand Galloping Gala? Take that and multiply that a few lvls, SHE WILL END ME!" Nyx swears not to tell on me and I finish by saying that naturally those that find out are ether weary of me or shun me, till they get to know me of course. Nyx then asks what I meant by the two other things "Well, the first is one I got very recently, I...have royal changeling in my blood," I I turn back into my human form and grin nervously, her response is what I expected, "YOU WHAT?!" Nyx looks like she's about to bolt out the door "Relax, I'm not one of them, thank god, but it was a necessary evil for me and some of my men." "Your men? Where you in a war or something?" Nyx inquires "Yes your aunt and uncle's wedding got crashed by Queen Chrysalis back then, after we got done cleaning up that mess, the nobles thought it would be a good idea to go invade the changeling homeland, not the smartest thing they've done." "Wouldn't Celestia and Luna overrule such a decision?" "They where out voted to say the least, I was asked to tag along and hello with security since changelings cant imitate humans very well, get this my troops and I end up stumbling onto the only changelings with guns! presumably stolen of course." "What happened?" "Well my guys where getting shot up so with a little help from Miss Moon and that bounding spell she's teaching you, I got there queen to come out of hiding and fought her personally, I lost, from what I've been told she took me and any wounded that weren't going to make it back to the base to her hive and she healed us, naturally she needed to give us some Changeling DNA, for the pods to work, but she gave all of us the Royal stuff, Don't tell Twilight if you don't mind, I don't need the guard kicking in my door anytime soon, Then again Luna would pay my bail," The image of that makes us both smile a little. "Anything else on the matter?" "I'm the Ambassador to of that queen, but she has yet to give me any work. As the Changelings you met refer to 'the night queen' I know her name and well lets just say you two have a history." Nyx then notices my tone of voice "Is she still alive?", "Yes if I recall she is currently helping Cadance and Shining with there philological trauma. Don't tell them that she will show herself when she's ready" Nyx nods in agreement. Nyx inquires what I can do and I tell her I can naturally sense changelings, feed on others emotions, unnecessary as it was less I wanted some more power behind me, that and I was now fluent in mental chit chat and the changeling language saying that it is quite hard to learn. "What's the last thing?" she asks Oh boy she is never going to believe this one I take a breath "Nyx, lets just say I work for higher powers, and well I guess I can try to explain it" I explain that about 6 years ago a group calling itself the KND caused a world wide rebellion of children and Teen alike, somehow in all the caos I was put in charge of the Americans "How did it go?" Nyx asks, "I'm getting to that, anyway according to reports some mysterious man was going around handing out magical items in my case a sword" "Who was it?" "The Devil himself if it wasn't obvious, I even pointed it out to him and he just smirked telling me I could do whatever I wanted with the blade long as I paid up, I chose to keep my people alive, and it worked out apart from me dying in the last stand in Florida." "Then how are you still here?", "Second chance, that said I had a score to settle, so well you can imagine what happened" "You kill'em?" she questions "Redeemed him being a better word, therefor I was stuck with his job for time but my heart couldn't take it, no one can, before you ask not much has change he's still doing what he was, though I suspect it's even worse." I take a breath "Now as for working for a higher power, I'm what you would call a Timekeeper" When Nyx asks what that means I tell her that basically I keep the time stream in order, "For example much as it pains me, the whole thing with the cult or the changeling invasion of Canterlot happening just as it should, not for lack of trying to circumvent it, also ya know that pocket watch I have, Its special," "Special?" she raises a brow, "In case you don't know, time travel does exist though magic and eventually though science, I can look though time, walk though it if I wish and even go to other world if I want, I don't do the last one very often I just view them out of curiosity," "So your an angel?" I nod my head and pop out my wings "Take note their black Nyx, but yes I'd like to think so," Nyx gets that inquisitive look I knew she got from Twilight "Ok so you can do miracles and stuff?" "There are rules but yes, though I tend to get around them with the whole 'deal with the devil' thing, I promise I never do anything bad to people with it, just ya know they don't live up to there end they loss what they got, hell I've given out some for no charge at times given their circumstances. Well with a few exceptions, that said before you ask I do have my little place with my heavenly or hellish pals depending on your point of view," "How'd you get that?" she asks "Came with the wings, there's not that much to it, but I've built it up over the years, not a bad place actually long as you don't mind living a second life." Nyx comments she'd rather not go there anytime soon, but appreciates the offer. "And what about you Nyx all I really knew about you had to do with the cult." Nyx mentions I forgot to mention what Kin was "A second Earth me and some elemental mages made after The KND alliance left earth on ships that would not think wouldn't work, thanks Treasure Planet." I sit down and Nyx thinks a moment "Well, what's there to say I 'was' the 'Queen' of Equestira and you where my Royal Protector, I got My mother Twilight Sparkle, My uncle Shiny and Aunt Cadance, my brother Spike and Luna my adopted sister," does she know Prince Shining Armor and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza are her aunt and uncle? guess not. "When did that happen?" I ask surprised. "It didn't officially, but don't you agree?" I nod and have her continue "Well there's those 'protectors' that keep following me, not complaining since they do there jobs better then the royal guards." I laugh at that, thinking back to Baltimare how the guard couldn't track her, yet I and 3 changelings manage to keep a constant eye on her even at a distance and the best part no one suspected a thing. "And well I'm a member with of CMC, Cutie Mark Crusaders, my best and first friends are the founders: Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, recently I even started to get along with Silver Spoon. By the way is she some spy for you?" "Only for Diamond Tiara, Nyx, I despise her as much at everyone else." I pour a glass for Nyx thinking we might be here a while "So I recently learned your in Canterlot Politics Any particular reason?" she takes a drink and pauses "Wine?", "No just that cheap crap they serve kids grape juice more then anything, Its perfectly fine for you to drink." I quickly change subject "Well, remember I said we invaded the changeling homeland, well when I got back for my service and valor in facing down a queen no less I got quote the "honorary" title of prince of Freeport, the Human trade town on the coast, ya know that place that sent you a note saying they declared themselves independent from your Equestira and defiantly raised mini suns just to rub it in." Nyx laughed at that "OOOh don't remind me, they all talk and would fall if they weren't so useful to me you know," "Nyx you don't know what cornered humans will do." I say half heartedly. After a few minutes of having some juice and sandwiches Nyx asks "I don't suppose you can give me a watch like that can you?" I rub my chin "I could...long as you don't miss use it, like taking glimpses in the future and going crazy over it," I walk over to a draw and pull out a black pocket watch, decorated with a pair of wings, some deep purple engraving and Nyx's cutie mark on it, I hand it to her and say "Now for the record these are blood coded so no one but you can use it." I pick up the fang full of blood and do a quick binding spell, Nyx take the watch in her magic and flips it open, inside is a beautiful blue backing to silver numbers and hands "lovely, thanks 'honey'," "Don't even go there sweetheart you will regret it." We burst into laughter, "HaHAhA...seriously though, I feel more like your father to be honest, anyway consider that a birthday gift, 'princess'," Nyx giggles at my teasing but it cheers her up, "Would you even have ya know, settled down with me if things were different," I think a moment "probably not I mean, I probably would have but not much." Nyx and I were quite close during the Eternal Night, I was the only one who seemed to get her after all. "Oh Nyx one thing, ya know those protectors?" she nods "Well...'sigh' I'm going to tell you something no one can know ok?" she nods again "Your protectors are... more then that, ya see while I do care about your safety the 'Night Colt' as Nexus and I came up with for lack of a better name also is...a organization with a independent army and spy ring protecting Equestira from both itself and foreign threats," "You serious?" she asks, I nod "We haven't done anything other then get everyone together and gather some info," "That's bad how?" I tell her the fact that I am basically raising an army under the Princesses noses was the bad part, that said I planed on telling the Princesses at some point, "How are you building the army?" I told her that the Princesses had put me in charge of training the militia's of Equestira and to teach them how to use firearms. after giving the finer details of the Night Colt Nyx asks "So how does this thing work?" "You set the date, think of a few details like say what Sweetie Belle had for breakfast this morning and hit the button, you will be transported to a mental image of that place and the scene will play out, simply hit the button again or think about leaving and you will return to the normal world." she actually gives it a shot and takes my example, seconds later "She had pancakes and some milk," I tell her to ask her later if that's true. "Oh Nyx one thing that keep forgetting about is I'm one of many blessed by a dragon, Kin due to the abundance of magic, had all sorts of creature, you name it its probably there. Once when me and some guys where out hunting a dragon or rather a dragon family that had been apparently terrorizing some locals. I bravely walk into the cave myself to scout it out and surprise I find a female and her eggs and a few young," When Nyx asked about the father "He left to find some where to hide. here let me show you," the world shifts around us. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Kin, The Appalachian mountains 5 years ago Anyway naturally I'm cautious but I am not one to blindly strike at something that can kill, meaning if its not gonna kill me don't hit it, the dragon leans down toward me, snorts and says "Are you to kill us Knight?" It wasn't uncommon for dragons to speak so I put my sword away, "No not yet anyway, so this your...family?" she nods returning to her mound of gold, "Um would it be dumb if asked what it is with dragons and treasure? I can think of plenty of reasons but...nevermind, I hear you've been harassing the Towns around here?" The dragon looks at me funny "What? No we have never done such things, ok maybe a few fattened animals but... we haven't done anything out of the ordinary have we?" taking a look around I notice the bones of cows, swine and the like, the young dragons crowd around me and sniff, growl and a few show off they can breath fire. "They like you Knight," the dragon compliments, at this point I cast Cateye so I can actually see her "Hmm lets see, purple scales, at least give or take 6 to 8 stories tall," she breaths on a chandler hanging from the ceiling "Colored fire? ok magic dragon?" she nods "Yes we are the kind you Humans like to keep around...a shame we are nothing but pets or tools to you." "Such is life my dear, my condolences, still you sure you did noting but a few animal thefts, I don't see the problem." the mob that was following me suddenly bursts in and starts yelling "KILL THE BEAST, GRAB THE TREASURE!" I pull my blade and spin around facing the mob "Do you mind I'm trying to have a civil conversation here." They drag in the head of the father and I quickly duck as the people around it are incinerated in seconds "YOU MURDERERS WHY DO YOU KILL US SO!" her young gather around her and she gets ready to fight, the governor of the land walks forward clapping his hand slowly "Mr. Werner I would think a spellsword like yourself would be able to handle this, I guess I was wrong," knowing where this was going I cut him off "Save your breath for court ARREST HIM!" the mob doesn't move, "I said ARREST HIM!", "Sir I have more sway over these people then you could ever have, besides we are quiet poor, gold is good motivation", I take a breath pop out my wings and my sword glows in a holy light "Then see you in hell you traitor!" he shoots me but the bullet bounces off my armor harmlessly and he get cut from the waist up dropping, the rest of the mob charges at me but some of them quickly change there minds and wait outside, after maybe an hour of fighting things settle down, "What is your name Knight?" the dragon asks clutching a wound "Jay Werner, J.J. if you wish" I kneel "I grant you this blessing as a token of my thanks, tell me are the people down there really so poor?" she breaths on me a blue flame that seeps into my body, "Well I some perhaps but I don't know." "Then you can help yourself to that pile over there, generosity is rare among dragons, it must be earned," I suddenly get a flash of insight "WAIT A MINUTE ARNT YOU...an't you one those royal dragons?" I say this since she seemed different in the fact she had swords hidden under her wings and armor she had summoned presumably during the melee, "Yes and I will take your name to the high dragons so they may know you helped me, perhaps we can live in peace after all," "Don't count on it lass but you all might live longer." she has her lings pile on her back and a Massive chest appears taking most of the gold and jewels, she leaves and I pass out the gold to those that needed it. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ present "What I didn't know at the time was what that actually gave me, I can turn into a dragon a big one too before you ask, it also explains why I don't use my lighter that much. I can also turn my skin into scales with helps with the elements and what not, not to mention fire." Nyx asks "how do you forget something like that?" "Easy I don't use my Bloodwolf or Dragon ability outside of fighting, my breath can be explained as fire magic as well so I forget most of the time." At this point a knocking sound is herd and my Horse Black Beauty asks me "Can you introduce me to her master, please?" I laugh a little and have Nyx fallow me outside to small stable I build for my faithful companion. Beauty is my alicorn shire turned warhorse, I was shocked to find out she was one but then again I figured they existed when you have pegasus riders and mages with unicorn mounts. At the moment she was out grazing with her horn and wings tucked away wherever they go to, "Hello Nyx," She says bowing her head, "I can understand you?" one thing I will never get is the shock that Equestrians can understand horses when they are horses, "You are equine are you not, hehe its nice to meet you as your are at last your highness." Nyx bows a little and chats her up about herself "So wait your a shire? what is that?" "I'm a work horse as such I can pull quiet a lot of weight, still J.J. found me and took me under his wing he is such a nice boy too." I blush "aw shucks your too kind," "Anyway when the inevitable war's between the various Kin herds took place, I proved myself, J.J. always took care of me and I, in return took care of him. The look on his face when I sported wings and a horn when we took a leap of faith off a cliff is one thing that will stick with me till I die, if I die that is." Nyx does a spit take "Your an Alicorn?" Giving the Nyx the story of us running from some enemy cavalry we jumped off a cliff to jump a rather large gap and failing, only to have wings nearly knock me off my saddle as I grip her mane like mad cat and we fly off into the moonlight. "So J.J. what is she like, alicornic speaking I mean," "She is... huh, well she's like Cadance as far as I'm aware." Cadance for those that don't know, used to be pegasus, "So she's immortal like you?", "I never said I was Nyx, truth be told there is no such thing as immortality, what's worse it's more a curse then a blessing pardon the pun." "Meaning?" Nyx asks questioningly, "Asks Celestia, she's lived more then millennium, imagine how many people she's gotten to known and how many funerals she's attended" "oooow," Nyx says lightly depressed "Beauty and I can die just as much as anyone, that said it's not permanent rather annoyingly, simply put I can die yes, but sadly due to my job and previous actions I cant 'die' give me some time I will pull myself together, beauty is the same way that said if she ever wishes to leave me she can, sad as that will be.", "Master, I will never leave you, at least not till you find another worth successor." I tear up a little thanking Beauty and head back inside to cry a little. Nyx talked up Beauty a few more minutes and came back inside to comfort me, "You ok Captain?" I wipe my face "Nyx, the fighting I've been through has shown me just how precious life is, best not to waste it. One should not have to though war to see this, to be fair I had a idea of what life meant but it takes war to really drive that nail home ya know." she hugs my leg and I take her in my arms a moment, like a puppy, "Thanks Nyx I needed that." the two of us return to the living room and talk about what I was doing during Her reign. "So J.J. what did you do to "try" to circumvent the cult?", "Well lets see I had at least 16 snipers surrounding the ritual site just in case it actually worked, I myself aiming for you with pair of six irons. Also as you recall I was eyeing the recruits with Shining armor and nearly fell over form the Blessing pulling at me." She asks what I meant by pulling, "Nyx, thanks to Moon I was immune to Nightmares control, she was my blessing after all, but that didn't mean the blessing still tried to screw with me, a few times I got massive headache from it." She nods, "You might also not remember this because she knocked you out, I...I tried to kill Tia, if necessary anyway. I lost, got knocked out and Moon of all things told her she was playing right into "her", rather your hands, she didn't believe her. lastly while you where wondering around the castle knocking everyone out cold I was siting with her watching a map of the palace and the guards yellow dots and staff drop one by one, she knew you where coming Nyx, I told to leave if she wished call her sister something, she calmly told me to make myself scares and asked something of me." "What's that?" Nyx asks "in her exact words "Protect the innocent, all of them" she was talking about you, the cult and everyone else, I think she figured out something I didn't, at the time being you would never be nightmare moon, that or the blessing obviously." my eyes soften a little "That said Nyx that little I swear my life to you bullcrap I did, I meant it, I will keep you safe till you can take care of yourself, hence why I asked Twilight if I could, that and I was the only one trying to get the populace to like you. It worked too." At about 3:30pm Nyx gets up to leave "Thanks for the watch J.J. its lovely, and be careful ok, I don't want you to die over little old me," I grin "I'm trying Nyx, still worse comes to worse I can just say I was investigating some suspicious activity and the Cult just recruits from the Militia so no big deal. If that don't work you can vouch for me." Nyx walks out the door closing it with her magic, I breath "That our little girl now ant it Twilight," I say to no one other then Nightmare Moon sitting in that mental space of hers, "Why do you play the father anyway?" she asks, "Someone has to make sure she doesn't get into trouble while Twilights busy, besides with luck she may just take that royal position after all." I sit back down and get back to cleaning my guns, smiling at the pictures of Nyx and Twilight having fun from before the Cult found her, Long live the Queen. Magic Training 2Friday March 15th Noon A few days pass and Silver and Nyx become secret friends in dreams at least, Nightmare Moon helped Nyx hone her dream walking and practice her powers, Twilight having volunteered 2 more times as Nyx's "victim" so she could learn more about her influence and help her host. I on the other hand had decided to teach Twilight how to fight with her sword, should her magic ever be restricted or none existent. Toward the end of our 3rd session together while her and I were cleaning up, a letter pops out of the air and floats to the top of the desk in the sparring hall, "A letter from who?" I say picking it up Spell Nexus, for Captain Werner, nervously I open and start the read it. Dear J.J. I need to have a word with you at once about "The Family" also it would appear the Princesses have gotten a hold of one of your plans, you might need to come to Canterlot to explain that one away. Ether way I'd like you to stop by if possible, I hear Nyx is doing well with Miss Moon, Twilight inquired about her from me. If you read this I look forward to seeing you soon Sincerly Spell Nexus Well I wonder what could he want, and for god sakes I read these things. "Twilight I need to head off to Canterlot for a moment, how about you head home for today or go get Nyx." "Sure, but how are you going to get there so quickly?" i grin and point at the floor, "A teleport spell obviously, such conveniences of magic, before you ask this is engraved in every place the old cult has been, so I can go from here to the Crystal Empire or Canterlot and what not at any time if i wish," she naturally asks if the princess knew and I told her yes, "Only the former cultist can even use them Twilight, its wired into the blessing ya know, before you ask, there is residual magic from the blessing, hence everyone's memory being a bit fuzzy, still a small trace will inevitably stick with them that has no effect" I say slipping on my coat, hat and heading to the a circle in the middle of the floor. One Teleport and emerald flash later I find myself in Nexus's manor Ow...ok I really need to get used to that stretching a bit, i walk up the stairs to his study where he is waiting for me. I stick my fedora on the coat rake "So which of my plans did they find?" "Operation Phoenix" a Voice says behind me. My hairs stand on end, I spin pushing at whoever was behind me, pulling my pistol and getting a shot off, only to hear it plink against something metal. As I finish turning I find Celesta standing there a gasp, "Oops" recovering i yell "JESUS CELESTIA! HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO SNEAK UP ON ME!" I stick my gun in its holster and straighten myself out "Sorry J.J. I thought he told you I'd be here." she says apologetically. "Operations Phoenix huh, well not much point in it now, less Canterlot mysteriously falls one of these days." Celestia asks what it was about "In short my way of taking down Nyx the hard way while keeping her alive, also did I ever apologize for trying to kill you when you where taking Nyx from Twilight," "I thought we agreed never to bring that up, and what you did for Equestira was more then enough compensation." I nod, "So who gave you this bit of information?" "Lord Moloch the III, the current head of the Gentry Society," "A millennium and only the third son?" I ask, she tells me the family abandoned the name after a unfortunate incident "Isn't that the same guy and people that...." Celestia Explodes in clearly suppressed rage "YES THE SAME ONE THAT CONDEMED MY SISTER TO THE NIGHTMARE!, ," Ears ringing I say "Ow my ears...How are they still around, didn't you uproot them or something," Celestia is slow to respond "I... Slaughtered them, the only ones left where the children and there mothers, who I gave a very strict warning to." I stare into her face "You did what... I find that hard to believe, Mind if I see it for myself" she nods slowly and warns me it's not her brightest moment, I pull out my Pocket Watch which did more then just tell time but show it as well, I set the date clicked the button and the world shifted. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1000 years ago I find myself on one of the castle balconies, below me is Celestia and gathering of ponies, "So far so good" as my hearing returns I start to pick up on what Celestia is saying, "...Today my little ponies I called you here to give you a 'gift' for you troubles," yeah even I wouldn't buy that but then again I don't worship that women like a god. The apparent head of the Knights steps forward, "Your majesty I'm sure lord Moloch would love to be here, I Firestar come in his place," Celesta smiles "Would your children and there mothers please come on this stage," The various foals and there accompanying mares slowly make there way though the crowd, as they move I take note of Celestia's body language "dame she is pissed" I check my watch "No wonder this is only a couple days after her sister was banished....Oh shit Tia NO!" I come to realize what she's about to do and grip the railing and start futilely praying I'm wrong. Once all the mares and children are on stage Celestia asks "Now I know of your...worship of me, if any of you had nothing to do with those ponyies please leave, I wouldn't want those not worth to receive this 'just' reward," how in there executioners name did that not get that hint, even the guard start to hide themselves sensing there princesses displeasure. At this point I notice the night guard had taken residence on the roof and wherever they could get a view. I decided to ask one of them whats going on so I pop myself into existence and tap one of them, he looks at me a moment "I'm not from here, what going on if may ask?" the guard looks me over then I show him a ring Luna gave me as present once, satisfied he says "These traitors execution, there so gullible aren't they?" I nod and hop back down to the balcony and disappear from there prospective. After five minutes When Firestar stepped up to Celestia and whispers "Give them there prize, Goddess of war" he then flees to the far corner of the courtyard, Celestia summons a flaming highlander sword and closes her eye moment, her mane goes taught then bursts into flames and her eye are crimson red Hello Solar Flare I mutter to myself nodding in approve, the crowd starts to back up only to find the gates locked and bared, Celestia's voice starts out as a cold tone then rage, "You have forgotten that the 'goddess' you worship can just as easily forsake you, THIS IS YOUR REWARD FOR TEARING DAMING MY FAMILEY! SEE YOU IN TARTAROUS!" the young and women on stage are trapped in a shield of gold, the guy that stepped guy that stepped into Firestars place gets his head removed flying off to the left from the swing, The Flaming Goddess then slowly makes her way though the crowd cursing them, those that fight back easy surcome to the heat if not her blade, or there skulls being crushed under her hoof, Jesus Christ this is...I don't even know what to think here uphauled I take swig of my flask and duck down behind the railing listing to the sounds of cold blooded murder. After about 20 minutes pass I look over and dame near vomit at what I see, I've seen people chewed by dragons, sucked dry by vampires and even cleaved in twine among other things, but good lord the courtyard was crimson everywhere you looked, the walls, the grass, even Celestia was covered in blood her legs up to her knees seemingly. The ground had puddles in places and the foals had there mothers shakingly shielding them as Celestia slowly makes her way over to the pristine stage. "Consider this a warning for your children, if you EVER cross my sister when she returns or myself again I will NOT hesitate to execute you as well UNDERSTAND!" she delivers before her form returns to normal, the blood still flowing off her highlander. The mares nod and I hear a child say though tears "You...(sniff) YOUR A MONSTER!" Celestia sighs "Yes child, that I am... please in the future find it in your heart to forgive me. My sister was precious to me and I would give anything to have her back, my own life included" I look over to find Firestar weeping, I guessed he had a lot of friends among them, the world shifts again as I return to the present. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Present, Nexus Manor Canterlot I drop to my knees in shock, my watch tumbling to floor, I give Celestia that 1000 yard stare "You....You... AND THEY THINK NIGHTMARE MOON WAS SCAREY, WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU CELESTIA!!!!" I screech, slowly trying to gain any sense of reason. Celestia hangs her head in shame "Are you going to kill me? Am I not what you expected now my Prince?" Oh right I forgot she made me a prince after the invasion of the Changeling homeland, "It's...Not out of the question Celestia, fortunately you'd get off with temporary insanity by loss of a loved one." I say rising to my feet, "What did you see?" Nexus asks, I look at him and he immediately shuts up "That bad? Well Just so you know that is all she needed to know, less of course you wish to inform her of your...side projects," I take a drink of my flask again "You can go Tia, you do trust me don't you?", "You are an ambassador of your own people and what you have done in service to the crown has some nobles green with envy, I may question you Mr. Werner but I do trust you to have the best of intentions." she teleport out as causing me to become far more comfortable. "Nexus how's the Night Colt coming along, Are the cashes still intact? Have they been cleansed of the Blessing?" Nexus for his part stares at the fireplace " All the cashes of arms are accounted for and those changeling friends of yours have made slow progress, Also I considered your offer and I accept, however for now I would just like to be 'a friend of the family' as you put it, the others have given there opinions and when it comes to Protecting Nyx from harm they agree, the other part however is what there divided on." Ah yes the Night Colt, quite possibly the worst or most questionable decision I've made in Equestira yet, at first it was just getting the gang back together to help keep Nyx safe, however the more I thought about it, I realized the need for a "Those that watch the watchers" organization, What the colt managed to get away with was the main reason I considered it, It took some time but the cultists eventually agreed, and last I checked the books we had give or take fifty, one hundred members consisting of the 3 race's of pony, humans and friendly changelings. "What are they divided on?" I ask, "A lot of them don't like the Royals not being in on it, even more so is the possibly of over throwing them at some point," "Nexus that last part will never happen ok, its just a 'what if' ya know. As for the Princesses not knowing, don't worry I plan on telling them at some point, I'm just a little...hesitant, that break in wouldn't help are case ya know" Technically the only bad thing we did was brake into a armory full of cult weapons, but that was on the notion that they would be stolen and I had asked Luna for the best course of action, she told me given what was to do as I saw fit. Nexus nods and turn to look at the portrait on the wall "For the Queen then Captain Werner?" I light the pipe I kept in my pocket and grin, "For Equestria." I turn and teleport back to Ponyville. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ponyville Schoolhouse Lunch and recess had just started so every filly and colt poured out on to the playground, Nyx and the CMC took up there usual seats on the table. "So Nyx you feel like crusading later?" "Oh sure girls, I just need to go by the castle for a bit of studying," "Studying? for what?" Sweetie Belle asks, Nyx tells her its some magic she's trying to learn. "Hay girl how about we try getting are cutie marks in Castle Cleaning?" Nyx has J.J.'s voice pop up in her head "NO ALL OF MY NO! sorry for easdroping but I was just seeing what you where up to," Nyx responses with a mental nod and speaks "Girls maybe you can help me with my studying, some of this stuff requires others to work," the three filly look at each other, "Sure, we'll help ya, so what kind of stuff you looking into?" Nyx pauses to find the right words "Well...I'm looking into some spells that change things and some mind magic, nothing serious of course just some medical stuff," Nyx half lies, Moon had her working on the blessing magic and some Detection spell for changelings, she also was looking into some spells to help her friends in there crusading, if only to keep them safe. Silver soon joins them "Um mind if I sit here?" Scootaloo eyes her suspiciously "Sure there's plenty of room." Nyx says scooting over a little, "Thanks, so what are you all up to any luck with your crusading or the same old jig?", "Jig? Oh you mean gig ya same old story, we trying something and it goes straight to crap" Sweetie Belle says biting into her vegie nuggets, "Not gonna lie I thought about doing a running comedy on your success, not to be mean but you got to admit it's funny." The girl look at each other then whisper to each other a moment "Sure, we could use some humility, besides it would help get the Cutie Mark Crusaiders out there." Silver Spoon writes a quick note and looks at Nyx "So...um you said you wanted to talk about something?" Nyx puts down her lunch and says "Yes I was wondering of you would...like be apart of something bigger, assuming J.J. hasn't done it already?" Silver questions her further "I don't feel comfortable speaking in public about the details, I'm simple asking you and my friends here if you want to...help with some 'off-hand' work." When asked what that entailed Nyx simply wanted everyone to keep there eyes and ears open for anything suspicious, everyone nods and agrees to follow Nyx to the castle later. Friday 2pm The bell rings and Cheerilee says goodbye to everypony, Nyx and her entourage minus Silver for obvious reasons made there way to the castle. the same changelings greet them and too Nyx's surprise they weren't disguised "Say why do go around 'naked' I guess?" Hawkeye answers "Well, at a distance we look like guards and even then we don't need the guard arresting us, not that they no we're here." Silver soon joins them having taken a different rout, they make there way to the throne room. Nightmare Moon is patiently waiting for them, "Well hello everypony, I didn't expect a small audience," Silver freezes in place, "N-N-N Nightmare Moon ugh...." she faints, Nyx politely deposits her on couch in to the side, "So what's on todays agenda Moon?" summoning a list said mare goes down it "Hmm did that, no not that we did that yesterday, No defiantly not, AH here we are temporary blessings, ranged blessings and transformation." the CMC try to dart out the door only to have it slam them in the face "Girls calm down ok," Moon says turning on her angelic voice "Do you really think Nyx would do something harmful to you at this point?" they shake there heads "I didn't think so, now here have some candy for your troubles" bags of candy drop from the ceiling full of chocolate, peanut butter cups and some lollipops among others. the lesson starts as the girls line up and Nyx takes a moment to wake Silver and give some explanation for Nightmare's presence, "So wait she came to you in a dream and now she's manifesting herself? You really are crazy you know that," Nyx response with a "Tell me about it" look and Moon starts to speak "Ok Nyx start by forming a blessing like normal but keep it in your mouth this time," Nyx does as she's told, "Ok now spit it at them," Nyx lets out 3 wads of spit, looking like black goo which hits the CMC in the chest "um is that stuff...moving?" Sweetie asks nervously, no sooner said then done they blessing move to the back of there heads and disappears, the CMC stand ridged eye green "Yes your highness?" they say in unison, "Ok that's just creepy, call me Nyx ok," "Yes Nyx" still creepy "Ok good Nyx now remove it you do remember how right?", "Its not gonna hurt me is it?" "Nyx its your own magic why would it?" point taken Nyx tosses a taf of her ethereal mane at them causing them to become normal "huh what happen?" Apple Bloom says groggy, "Just blessed give it a moment," 2 seconds later they remember what they said "WOH, trippy right?" Scootaloo says before hitting the floor. about 5 minutes later everyone decides to take a brake and grabs lunch, "So Nyx what was that 'part of something bigger you where talking about' earlier?" "Well I was thinking about the group J.J. has keeping an eye on things, I want to help him, how about you all join our...oh forget it cult, gang, whatever works for you." The four talk about it among themselves, eventually Silver is the first to speak "So what's the catch? And any reason we should? Not that I don't trust you its just...well do I need to say it." Nyx nods knowing what she means "Well you can see in the dark for one, and well you can talk to each other with some practice form anywhere, that has many uses I'd rather not mention. The catch is small, your eyes will turn green like before and well, you may or may not call me queen or something of that nature at first, I haven't perfected it yet, other wise just report to J.J. or leave your report on his desk in his office." she explains that I had a little spy ring going on meant to uncover Changelings and other such threats to Equestira. The CMC willingly agree treating it as a joke Nyx asks my opinion on the matter "Well, I am so going to regret this but do it, it will at least keep them out of trouble" the connection ends and Nyx gives recites some script she clearly memorized and the CMC agree to it, it was just about not abusing there power, don't betray the cult and to take responsibly for there actions, ya know normal stuff. Nyx builds up a blessing for the three and lets it go, the wisps of magic floats to their mouths and soon they get that familiar feeling, "Ugh, Nyx you really need to make that not suck at the start" Scootaloo cringes then the 3 of them go back to being drilled zombies, "Um Moon are they supposed to do that?" "Oh, opps you might want to take the power down a bit that should fix it." Rolling her eyes Nyx drains them a bit and turns the energy into little dust piles, "It goes without saying but the young need less of a kick in there heads" Moon says apologizing to Nyx for not mentioning that earlier, "Um Silver you don't mind if we borrow you for a bit do you," she walks nervously forward and Nyx says "This blessing will only be tempory since I know you want to think on it, it should were off in say an hour or so," Nyx conjures up a Smaller wisp that was a slight tint of white "Here your eyes won't change with this," silver takes it pops it in her mouth like a piece of candy and after a minute or so bows "Thank you my quee....Nyx sorry you do really need to work on that." Nyx nods and asks if some of the other CMC would like to help, The founders say said they'd ask but no promises were made. At around 3pm Nightmare has Nyx get ready for something special "Ok Nyx this one is something I suggest you KEEP under wraps or your mother will flambé my hide!" Nyx nods and asks her to continue "Well I'll tell you a secret, you can...restore you magic maturity back to what you where Nyx, it's rather simple really just channel your magic and focus on something, be it rage, love ect. give it a whirl," Nyx plants he feet to the floor, closes her eyes, and lets her magic flow, like before her mane turns ethereal, unlike before just like in her flashback black wisps form around her and she eventually gets surrounded by a black ball of magic. a moment later a grate flash and boom is heard as the balls brakes apart. Twilight and myself end up asking "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST DO?!!!" Mare responds "Calm down and Just some magic build up no need to panic." Not buying it, I pop in a few seconds later and STARE gob smacked at Nyx, grown to full height her mane flowing over her shoulder, her horn gone from a point to a sharp spear tip, and her majestic wings in full bloom, "Holy, Sweet, Goddesses, Your gorgeous my Queen." I bow slightly a habit I formed as gentleman. Nyx opens her eyes "What is it with you and chasing alicorn?" only to find her mature voice reaching her ears, "Wow I did it! I really did it!" she does a few flips in the air, "Yes good job, now I subject you Undo IT before your mother Kills us both," I say peering out the door. Nyx Terrified by the idea of her mother seeing her in her present state looks at Mare for an answer "Really? just meditate a bit, you will eventually be able to do it at will and without the fancy effects minus the magic signature," Luna suddenly pops into my head and I'm pulled into a mental space for the conversation "Should I dare ask what that was?" "Just magic experimentation no need to panic" sweating bullets hoping she'd buy that, "Really, you have said that a lot, now what happened?" "shit not good" I say to myself, "Do you not recall some of those spells that have to do with magic capacity or the like?" she nods "That happened, I was curious what that spell would do and well somepony bothered to test it, we're good I will give you anything don't tell Twilight, its that bad," taking the hint Luna nods and goes tells her sister to nothing is amiss. Returning to real world Twilight darts around the corner, I glance over my shoulder to find Nyx having split herself into 10 clones "Are you sure that's enough for...that big of a bang?" She nods pointing to the ceiling "Oh that will do" there where 100 or so Nyx bats hanging from said ceiling. Twilight bolts in the door and Looks around "What Happened? Ok which one of you is the real Nyx?" she said flustered from the amount of daughters in the room, Nyx detaches herself from the ceiling and floats down "Um hi mom, sorry about the mess new trick didn't go quite as planed well, hehehe" Twilight Eyed her daughter then takes note of the chitterling bats above "Well I am impressed my dear, your magic is coming along nicely," Moon joins in "Twilight it was just a burst of magic from the spell I asked her to try, it will take some time and few more of those to get rid of it." the various Nyx's plot down and slowly start to phase into Nyx her mane growing as a result, eventually her mane was full grown but other wise Twilight was clueless "Magic capacity spell?" she asks "Yes, it would help with some of the more enduring tricks," after questioning, more like interrogating Mare on her honesty Twilight goes to grab some books from the library, Nyx for her part goes back to how she looked before "I really need to get this down, thanks guys" she says out of breath, I slump against the wall and say "Warn us next time you do that ok, do you even know how that feels though the Mind Net?" she shrugs "Ugh nevermind, while we are on the subject, remember that watch I gave you as a late birthday gift? well if you haven't tried it yet what may seem like hours is only a few seconds, also the Mind conversations work in the same way less your busy, in which case a 'ghost' follows you. in witch case it happens in real time obviously." Nyx eventually undoes her transformation and nearly faints "Uuugh...I don't feel so good," Moon grabs Nyx and holds her "Easy kid just breath. Girls go home where done for today," Moon summons Radiant Hope and takes Nyx to the medical wing The 4 fillies in toe. Unnoticed by even the eagle eyed guards, a pony with a spy glass had seen everything and had been for the past couple days. In the Medical wing Nyx is put on a soft bed and Radiant has a look at her. "Please tell me I didn't just kill her doctor," Moon says with worry in her voice, Radiant looks up "What did you do earlier we all felt that spurt of energy?" "Magic maturity, its something unique to her given the circumstances of her 'birth' and all that," Twilight was unfortunately within earshot and she was pissed "You did WHAT! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW DANGEROUS THAT IS!!" Moon turns to address her "You don't even know how it works! I would never do something to Nyx that would kill her, this was unexpected," she turns to the Radiant Hope again "She is magically drained and her body is in complete shook, she'll have to stay the night and possibly more, I subject you don't try that again any time soon." Twilight continue to fume at Nightmare Moon "How could you do something so stupid without telling me, I could have HELPED make sure this didn't happen," "Twilight, shut. up." Moon stares at her "You, I suspect where the reason, She didn't want you to see her like that and I dought you would have approved of half the things I've to teach her," " When Nyx gets better YOU had better crawl back into whatever hole you crawled out of or I will see to your exorcism" "YOU HAVE NO RIGHT!" "SHES MY DOUGHTER!", Twilight suddenly finds herself trapped in Moon's magic and is brought to her face "Don't argue with someone who can snap you like a twig Twilight Sparkle." the alicorn threatens. Twilight fearlessly says "Do it! Prove your the Mare In the Moon NIGHTMARE!" Moon simply throws her to the other side of room where she skids across the floor, "Tempting but no, Twilight to be honest all you need to know right know is there are things in this world and the next that want your daughter dead. I have no intention on letting that happen she is the child I will never be, if it means I must play the devil then, TO TARTURAS I WILL PLAY THE DEVIL DAMIT!" her Royal voice coming into play. Twilight less rage and more motherly concern says "Leave, just go back to wherever you came from for a while, girls go home and get some rest I want to examine you all in the morning ok?" Silver says that her's will wear off by then but agrees and the girls go home. Twilight pulls out a cot and sits by her child, "Mrs. Sparkle um, mind if I ask you something?" Radiant asks. Twilight sighs and listens "Do you know what has become of King Sombra?" Dead she replies, "Oh...I thought as much, poor boy he was such a nice child, if only he hadn't known his destiny," Twilight raises an eyebrow "What's your name Changeling?" "Radiant Hope, I know you've heard of me, Sombra's journal if I'm not mistaken." Twilight freaks a little how she knew about that and asks "How... How old are you Miss Hope?" "I stopped counting years ago but I believe I'm 1016 give or taken a few years.", Twilight demands an explanation immediately "Are Queens name is Antumbra. She is referred to as the Night Queen, because she is Luna's heir, well her creation at least and daughter." "What...did you just say?" Twilight says speechless. "You heard me correctly, she even got to know who the prior ruler of the Crystal Empire was, even helped her," When Twilight asks Who that was, "Princess Amore, the present Ruler's Princess Cadance's... cousin or sister I believe, anyway our Queen was imprisoned by Sombra but was freed when the Sisters came for him, Luna sadly but probably for the best not recognizing her, before she was imprisoned she and her hive were smuggling slaves and the like out of the empire and helping any resistance to Sombra's power." She goes on to explain that Antumbra offered them a place in the hive so they could wait out the return of the empire, they all accepted without a second thought, "a couple hundred years ago she and us rebirthed ourselves, basically we get new bodies and the like, in her case she would transfer herself from body to body, even I don't know how she did it, I'm guessing she died and was reborn in that sense, she even went to school with your brother and his lover hehe," "Really I'm sure he'd love to hear that, and you guys?" "We got similar treatment but we simply where supplied with a healthy supply of love so we lived longer, we did age of course and rebirthed only once, in this case are bodies were made youthful though healing, she said she added some special resin to our healing pods, probably some healing herbs and strong love , like Cadance's for example," "how long ago was this 'rebirth'?" Twilight asks clearly concerned "Oh, sorry I hope I didn't give you the wrong impression, that was oh maybe 300 year ago. We where doing are part to repay her kindness and we all eventually over did it, we can make are own love so we don't need to feed, but we worked so hard and gave so much are bodies just couldn't keep up." When Twilight inquires what that means taking notes Hope explains that her and her fellow Crystal converts where special in the sense they were changelings that were meant to be changed back, unlike normal converts they still had there emotions and everything so they didn't have to feed but did so to save there fellow Lings the trouble of finding food. they go on for hours about the subject, Twilight falls asleep in the coat, Radiant throws a blanket over Twilight, taking a small bit of love from her, apologizing for it and wishing her a good night. Knights and The Night CultFriday 5pm Canterlot Lord Moloch's estate A pony made his way to the study to meet the Lord of the estate, Solaris Moloch, "Sir, a Mr. Midnight Firestar to see you my lord," a butler announces "Let him in," the Lord says getting up from his chair, he looked in the mirror, He had inherited the original Lord Moloch's looks bone white coat, fiery hair and red eyes. Firestar a pegasus with black hair, red eyes and a dark blue coat, the 6th in his lineage walks in "Nice to see you again my lord, I hope it wasn't too much of inconvenience to meet." Moloch says it was no trouble and has him take a seat "So what do you have to report Star?", "Did you feel that power earlier? It was...That girl Miss Twilight adopted, it appears Nightmare Moon has been teaching her things, what I have no idea, but one thing I know is she is blessing other again, and today she attempted to mature herself" Moloch nods "You don't say has these blessed been any different?" No is his answer, "I'll have a word with That her protector in Ponyville, I fear the Knights of Ra may have already gotten on her trail," Star looks surprised "I thought you were there leader?" the Lord smiles "My family cut ties with them centuries ago, I told Celestia that myself when I gave her Mr. Werner's plans of invading Canterlot." Firestar smiles "I don't trust that man, do you?" Moloch says "I respect him, he is not like other nobles in this Kingdom and he is honest to your face. As I said, I will speak with him myself, who is the current head of the Knights of Ra, I hear your a member?" Star sweats a little "I only joined because I... well it gave me hope when Nightmare Moon took over ok, I have to agree with you they're nuts, but the Knights have changed in 1000 years sir." For the record the Firestars were adopted into the Moloch's after Celestia passed judgment on the other knights his father having informed the women of Celestia's plan and convinces said mare to spare them, only to commit suicide to escape the shame the family would come under, his family served the Moloch's ever since. "How have they changed?" "There's two groups, the first is your traditional Knights who want Luna gone or at least removed form power, the rest are simply worshiping and protecting Celestia for what she is, they call themselves the Dawn Guard to distinguish themselves and wear a sun pin that is half set and rose, meant to represent they are the beginning and end of the day's we cherish." Moloch smiles "So they did take the advice of our predecessors, thank the sun. Thank you Star keep a eye on her ok, if need be let J.J. in on your presence." Midnight chats up his childhood friend, then leaves, Solaris calls his butter "Inform my guards that I will make a trip to Ponyville in the morning, four should subvice," "Yes sir." the butler goes to inform the staff. He looks in the mirror again "I will not fall into temptation like you granddad I will build a better name for our family and those that suffered because of your antics" He throws a log on the fire and heads for bed. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Meanwhile in the Canterlot Mountains A large group of Ponies can be found praying in a Temple tucked into the mountains, they all bow before a Giant golden Statue of Celestia and chant prayers to the sun. At the head of the gathering is a unicorn in purple robes, reminiscent of Princess platinum, with some gold trim, another pony walks up to him, wearing a dark red suit, "High Priest, The Nightmare Child is subverting the citizens of Ponyville," he says quietly "Are you certain? How?" "I don't know sir, but Nightmare Moon has been see...UGH" The Priest grabs him "WHAT! WHY WAS I NOT TOLD THIS! Is Princess Luna aware of this?" The stallion Nods "Stupid whore of the Moon, does she not see what she is allowing? Thank you for telling me this Crystal I will inform Celestia myself," "That's just it Sir she knows this as well," The priest cant believe his ears, "I see, fool do you not know what she is capable of? Lady Crystal have are friends keep an eye on them, I'll have some of our associates take care of the matter." Lady Crystal not to be confused with Crystal of the Crystal Empire, nods and starts to leave "Surely you know your precious goddess is not what you believe, if she allows such things to happen under her watch?" "Don't insult HER in this house of worship Crystal, she will come to her senses at soon, with '2' goddesses and a child to be she has plenty to be weary of," " 'Prince' Werner is also a questionable decision I highly disapprove of." Crystal snorts at this only to say "It is merely an form of flattery you know those too are enthralled with each other just as much as he is with Luna, not that they will say as such." The Priest glares at him knowing full well that she would then addresses a mare standing to his right "Have the knights in Ponyville watch and wait to 'take care of' that hell spawn, she will NEVER see the throne she has been promised," "Yes, High Priest Phoenix." Phoenix was Unicorn, an undertaker by profession, his crimson eyes stare into the Statues ruby eyes "This is worse then I thought, That Child should be DEAD!, or banished for her crimes." he pulls his hood back to reveal a black coat and golden hair, "Perhaps like a phoenix we will rise from the ashes," he lets out a dark chuckle, then continues his prayers. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ponyville Saturday March 16th 10am Nyx slowly stirs from her slumber finding herself in a unfamiliar room, glancing to her right, Twilight is sleeping soundly in a cot, a changeling standing over her smiling, "Huh? Oh your awake, can I get you anything?" Radiant Hope says in love voice as to not wake Twilight "Um...some applejuice and some pancakes sound good, we have those?" Radiant nods "The kitchen is always trying new things and I'm sure we got some lying around somewhere. Should I...wake her?" Nyx shakes her head and Radiant goes off to the kitchen. Twilight shortly wakes and smiles as her daughter looks down at her "Morning Nyx, how are you feeling?" she sits up and leans close to Nyx "Ugh I think I need a couple days of rest maybe, you want pancakes?" Twilight nods and Nyx signals Radiant to make that 2 stacks of pancakes. the Dinning hall Upon walking into the Dinning hall Twilight was surprised with the number of ponies present, Nyx stood on her back and looked around, "I think there all in the Ponyville militia," Twilight looks over her shoulder at her "Remind me why we suddenly have those?" A pegasus in familiar uniform lands by the pair "Not all of us Nyx, nice to meet you and Twilight again" Twilight recognizes her immediately "Spitfire? What are you doing here?" Spitfire grabs a bottle off the table and says "Firearms training, the princesses put J.J. in charge of the Militia training around here, as far as I'm aware he's the commander of the civilian Soldiers. Anyway he offers training to anyone looking for some trigger time so I'm here to see if the Wonderbolts could benefit," Nyx raises a eyebrow "Really? Well I think you might need a extra pair of wings for that. I've tried holding guns myself, its a little hard without hands ya know?" Spit fire nods saying she had just gotten some time in "I got a good score but I can do better, Rainbow is about to get her turn if your interested." At this point Radiant hope pops out of the kitchen through a pair of swinging doors a 2 stacks of 4 pancakes with maple syrup in a small pitcher between the two plates "Oh your highness I see your well, follow me," Spitfire look at Twilight puzzled "Did she just say..." "Yep they do that, must be still getting over the cult. That or they love Nyx too much." Twilights joke causes the whole place to fill with laughter with Nyx in toe fallows radiant to a open seat. As they eat Twilight naturally asks why everypony was at the castle "Didn't you get the memo? After the changeling invasion, Celestia made some Polices to help track down any changelings in hiding, as well as help with the military strength." Twilight looks at the ceiling thinking a moment, "Oh right, I hate that policy to be honest, I mean the guard is what 600 stallions and mares." Radiant mentions that the Changelings number in the thousands and total around a few hundred thousand give or take. The troops around her look at her horrified, "Calm down that's only if they actually worked together as a whole." Everyone goes back to eating, Nyx asks why the guard is learning to use firearms, "Well now that we have the industrial capacity to make them in sufficient numbers we are just trying to catch up with the Griffins really," Nyx then asks a odd question "How do we even hold those things?" staring at her hoof closely for an answer, "Its some universal thing with pony hoofs, you sort of have hands but not a precise apparently." They continue eating for 10 minutes and then head out to the courtyard to see what's up. Out in the courtyard they find a makeshift firing range, some ponies running laps and other ponies sparring with swords or spears, some also fighting with bayoneted guns. the track was made with chalk on the ground, the firing range had some pop up targets that had a pony sized alicorn on them, presumably for universal reasons. There where 8 lanes evenly spaced with four pop up targets at 50, 100, 150 and 300 yards/meters (their more or less interchangeable). Rainbow Dash was easy to spot with her trademarked rainbow maned she was holding a rifle, from what Twilight could tell it was a M1 Garand, a American classic, looking to her left she spots J.J. in his pony form, A Black haired, Hazel eyed, with a off black coat Alicorn the size of Nightmare Moon, normally anyway right now he was the size of an average pony. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ "Hay J.J. what's going on?" she asks, I turn my head "Weapons Training, fun stuff I must admit, that said its not going as good as it could but what did I expect from a bunch of fingerless being like yourself, no offence," She waves it off saying that is an accurate statement, "Dang it! this thing must be broken." I get up and walk over to Dash, "Mind if I take a look lass?" she hands me gun "I think the sights are off I can't hit the same spot twice." I look the thing over admiring the craftsmanship, then point it at the little rest on the ground to stare down the sights, "Hmm, seems fine to me let me see here," I lay down just as she did and take aim at 100 meters, take a breath and pop four shots to the head "WOW! That was So AWSOME Sir." "Practice makes perfect Rainbow, besides your to hyped up to shoot straight." I say grinning at her smugly, "WHAT?! that makes no sense," I told her as simply as I could that your breathing and heart rate effect your aim, "Twilight can probably aim better then you," "Oh you did not just go there, Bring it" Dash Challenges her ego bruised. I call Twilight over and she takes aim I point to the target, she lays down and delivers three shots a long the left wing and one to the flank, PING cant beat that sound, "Not bad Twilight, your pulling the gun to the right though." Twilight pops a clip in the rifle and hands it to dash, Twilight tells her to take a few breaths slowly then pull the trigger as fast as possible in next few seconds, taking her advice she lands two shots to each wing and a fifth to the heart, "Dame girl you lethal, still try doing that while your flying then i'll be impressed" I say flipping my own rifle off my shoulder and sticking my CoN(Children of Nightmare) cult bayonet on the end of it, "How about I see how good you are with the knife in your pocket," her and I walk over to a nearby empty circle and start stabbing at each other, first to draw blood lost. Nyx for her part Walked over to a chest full of arms, rifles, smgs, pistols and a shotgun or two, she picked up a small two barreled pistol and looked it over, "hmm this is a..." she grabs a book from the stack nearby "A derringer, a pocket pistol, used for personal defense, easily concealable, notorious for use in old west gambling halls" She actually walks over to her mother asks if she could try her luck, Twilight nods and nervously watches Nyx take aim, one trigger pull later the target had a new pair of holes in its chest "Nice shot given that was across a typical room of the time," A changeling comments walking to her, "Who are you?" Nyx asks surprised, "Polar Wind, a scholar by trade, I know more about these arms then most here," Nyx chats him up about his past before hearing "AAHHH, Gezz Dash are you trying to kill me...ow, ow that gonna scar a little" J.J. applies some healing magic to a wound across his face, "Sorry! Got a little carried away there," "And that children is why you don't play with knives, still that's what the armors for right, I'm gonna go sit down a moment" he shakes her hoof and goes to sit in the a chair. Suddenly one of the soldiers watching the gate yells "Sir there's someone here to see you." rolling his eye he walks outside to greet them. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Who could it be I wonder walking though the gate to be met by 5 stallions, one clearly a noble and the other his protection, "Can I help you sir?" he bows slightly "Nice to meet you Captain Werner, that is what they call you right?" I tell him its more a nickname so yes, "Well I am Solaris Moloch and wish to discuss some...sensitive matters with you." This is ether going to really good or really bad I think to myself motioning him to follow, we pull into a side room with a table plated with bread, cheese and bottle of wine, apparently someone was expecting someone, siting down I ask "Moloch huh? I cant tell you how much I want to clock you for what happened with Luna, then again I assume you know what happened with Celestia as well?" he nods, "Good, my condolences by the way, I'm all one for cold blooded murder when its called for but that was...Nightmarish to say the least." He takes a bit of cheese "Well J.J. as everyone calls you, you needn't worry about the Knight of Ra from me, my family cut ties with them after the Massacre, still I serve a faction that...still loves the sun but does not hold dear old Tia on such a high pedestal," I nod in return and question him about the Knights, "Well they Believe Celestia is a goddess and Luna is to quote my predecessor "A tail lifting whore" harsh to say the least, tell me do you hold Nyx in such a regard?", "No I don't, And it pains me to say this but... speaking form experience here, Celestia and Luna are goddesses, "demi gods" anyway, alicornhood not withstanding." When asked what that mean I give him the definition, "Well sir, I am the leader of the Dawn guard, a faction of the Knight of Ra that cares not for the worship as I said before, we simply wish to serve Equestira" "Meaning?" "I won't beat around the bush Sire I know about your "Night Cult" the ashes of Nightmare Moons followers" I freeze a moment and take him in, Doesn't seem like the type to oppose such a thing, him be direct then "Well I will not confirm or deny that statement, suppose I say yes?" "Being defensive? That does not vote well, well first I would ask what you actually do Captain?" "Simple really, those that care, myself included keep an eye on Nyx, no one suspects a thing. The other and real reason for this "cult" as you say is to make sure such subterfuge like the Children of Nightmare does not happen again, that said we keep an eye on everyone, for Equestira's sake." He looks concerned a moment then puts he forehooves together, "I take it that's a bit exaggerated?" I nod saying its only really the government, diplomats and otherwise just keeping a eye open, "I see, smart man Captain." When I ask why he came he says "I wish to offer you aid, the Dawn guard is as you would expect vulnerable and we were looking for allies," I smile "Well what are the terms should we agree to this alliance?" he pulls a scroll form his coat "To summarize, we will gladly join with YOU, since you simply have a better set up and we will do as you ask, as long as it doesn't go against the code, we live by," "Code? I know what you mean but please, elaborate" He explains that as far as he's concerned Celestia and Luna are the Highest authority and are the final call on everything. Should we act against them in anyway without reason then he would quickly inform them of said actions and withdraw his help. "I see, forgive me for sounding evil but you would probably never make it to them one way or another, Also let me tell you a secret, sometimes for the grater good you must play the devil, traitor in this case," He nods understanding. "So do you agree?" he asks I scratch my chin "How many we talking here?" "100 or so, the Knight for obvious reasons aren't popular these days, speaking of which are you aware of the Knight of Selena? They are the lunar equivalent to the Ra's", "I've heard of them in passing yes, they disbanded shortly after Luna was banished, However they recently reformed since her return, I declined a invitation to join them because I will not be forced to one side of the coin so to speak. The sisters keep each other in check, Luna is the war mare of the two while Celestia is the diplomat for example." I sign and so does he, and after making a copy for the archive he puts it back in his coat, "Thank you sir you wont regret this", "I need bodies more then anything at this point, plus if your really that buddied with Celestia's supporters that will provide some balance here, meet me here this evening at around say 5pm the Selena's will be here to discuss a similar deal." He says he'd be there, leaves and I head back to the court yard. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Nyx and Twilight made there way out of the quarry where the castle stood and into town, meeting Silver Spoon soon after "Hay Silver Spoon" she greets, "Oh h-hay Nyx Sleep well?" Nyx nods and asks how she slept "Fine thank you, anyway I suppose you want to know how the whole blessing went? Well I'm fine fare as I can tell, but...can you please not do that again, to me anyway, too many bad memories." Silver lowers her head and frowns. Nyx puts a hoof on shoulder and embraces a hug "I'm sorry Silver I should have asked, still hold still a moment," Nyx then released her hair and does a though search of Silvers body, Twilight then does a magical scan of her body and nods to Nyx "There all done, have a nice day Silver." Twilight and Nyx head home to there little library Where Spike and Owlowiscious waited there return. As they walk various ponies keep there eyes pealed on them, others ask why they spent the night at the castle, though they couldn't shake the feeling of being watched it wasn't unordinary in Ponyville. Rainbow Dash flies overhead and says "Hay Twilight you want to grab a drink with me and girls later?" Twilight thinks about it "Sure Witch place? There not many bars in Ponyville." Dash Tells her she thought about going to the Stagecoach Inn, they had good food and some of the Best moonshine in Ponyville, "Stagecoach? isn't that the little place J.J. opened for the traveling merchants after he moved to Ponyville?", Dash shrugs "All I know is the place is up there with 'The Boot' and the 'Horn and Wings tavern'." Twilight looks at Nyx, who gives her encouraging look "Say Rainbow, mind if Nyx comes along? Someone needs to make sure we don't drop in the street after all," Dash looks questioningly at Twilight a moment "Sure I see no reason why not, see ya at seven," she flies off to her weather patrol duties. "Are you sure that's a good idea mom?" Nyx asks as they continue though town "Nyx something has to keep me from going overboard I think having you out with the girls and I would be nice, maybe they'll invite the CMC as well make it a family outing." The pair make it to the library and freshen up, "I think I'll go check on girl, need to make sure their not praising my name now," Nyx says heading out again, "Oh, that's right I need to check on them too, I'll come with you. I need to help Applejack anyway." With that the pair head to Sweet Apple Acres. Sweet Apple Acres March 16th 10:30AM The ever present forest of apple trees meet the mother/daughter pair as they came to the Apple family home, Nyx headed off the clubhouse where the CMC usually gathered, Twilight headed into the barn to find Applejack rolling some barrels out of the cellar. "Hay AJ, need a hand?", Applejack stood the barrel up and wiped her brow, "Whew, Hay Twiliy, sure help get these barrels of cider out of the cellar, I got a buyer lined up and don't want to keep'em waitin. Sooner the better he said." Twilight descends into the Cellar, the cellar itself was what she expected, stone walls, some wood beams to hold the ground up, and barrels of cider and apples. she picks up 3 or 4 in her magic and hoists one on her back, only to struggle up the stairs, "Woah now Sugercube, I'll take that one," Applejack takes the barrel off her back, "Right always was better with my magic, Say Rainbow wants to go out for drinks later you want to come?" AJ puts the barrel with the others "Sure, maybe I can finally show her she cant hold her liquor like me," Twilight pauses "You drink?" AJ turns "I got to make sure this Hard cider is good somehow, but no, not much life just gets stressful ya know." Twilight nods then adds "I thought it would be nice to bring Nyx and the sisters along, make it a nice outing." Applejack smiles a little "You know, I think that's a good idea." the too load the barrels in the cart and AJ takes stock "4, 12, 24, 30 that's all of them." When Twilight asks who bought them she says "That inn near the road out of town, said they were a bit short on Apple product and asked for a few drinks." "It strong?" Twilight asks, "sort of, want a taste?" AJ sticks a tap in a spare barrel and hands Twilight a small glass, she takes a sip "Hmm, fruity, with hardly any water", AJ tips her hat "Ya its not what I usually make but its nice to know how. By the way you might want to take a look at Applebloom, she's been a bit odd since yesterday." Twilight asks how, "Well she's been acting a little odd and this morning I noticed her eye turn green a moment, you wouldn't know anything about that would you?" Twilight considers telling AJ about Nightmare Moon then immediately banishes the thought that would not end well she thinks coming to excuse "Nyx was trying a new spell, it was supposed to give her Night vision but, I don't think it worked too well." she lies, AJ stares at Twilight a moment "Really? Well she did say something like that." on that note Twilight excuses herself to go check on said filly. Cutie Mark Crusaders clubhouse Nyx walked up the ramp and into the clubhouse, to find the CMC in semi circle talking about something "Do you think we should, I mean Nyx is are boss right?" Applebloom says, "No I think we can, we just need to find out how." Scootaloo says, Sweetie Belle is the last to speak "I don't think we should go messing with this, its...scary, plus what if we, ya know start another mad cult that tried to take her away?" Nyx had heard enough "Eh-Hem! I think I've heard enough out of you 3, come her NOW." she commands and they obey. Nyx morphs her hair and starts doing a little tinkering, "lets see snip this, lower that, remove this." taking a look at the blessing's matrix, she tweak it slowly but surely. After locking a few things and lowering the power lvl by draining it, "There that better." the 3 groan "Ugh...What? Oh thanks Nyx what where we talking about?", "If I had to guess blessing others, which I didn't even give you the ability to do," she says a bit of authority in her voice, Moon pops up behind her as a ghost "My, My, My aren't you the ambitious little bunch." the girls huddle together in fear, and Nyx turns her head "Moon your scaring them." she says flatly. Moon retracts her fangs and her eyes soften, "Girls are you ok?" The three recount there experiences the previous day, "I see, well try talking without moving your lips a moment," she then starts privately specking to Nyx "What did you do if I may ask?," "I took a look at the your blessing in detail and reduced it to a simpler form, I'll unlock things for them as we go, also I guess I REALLY need to turn down the power on foals, apparently they were talking about my glory all night." Moon having already heard that nods "I think it might be their just not taking it well, you might want to come up with something yourself. Still I'll have a look and keep a eye on them." she then disappears and Nyx starts talking again "So girls you want to go out with your sisters tonight? Twilight thought it would be a good idea to invite us." She tells them about Dash's plan for the Stagecoach Inn and tells the girls it would be a good idea to spend some group time with everyone, they agree and start talking about crusading again "So what are we gonna do till then?", Sweetie Bell subjects looking into exploring there new abilities and Applebloom subjects trying to build a flying machine, Scootaloo shrugs and looks at Nyx, "Well why not both? I could help you get used to your Blessings and maybe we can do something constructive together." Applebloom then says "What about the rest of the club do you think we can... bring them into this little group of yours?" Nyx thinks about it and says she would Make sure they would be ok before going any further. After finding a appropriate spot to build this flying machine, Nyx finally asks the obvious question "So what do we need for this thing?" Applebloom hands her a quill and parchment "Well, lets see we need: 300 wood planks, 300 nails or screws, 20 glass sheets, 500 pounds of solar sail cloth, 16 windmill blades and a few hundred pegasi or Alicorn feathers," just hearing that list and writing it down, Nyx pings J.J. for some help, transitioning to mental room"Hay J.J. take a look at this." I take a look at the list and fall into a spontaneously appearing chair, "Why the hell would you need that much of anything?" she mentions the flying machine, "I see, well it was ether that or a pillow factory, give me a moment," I brake out a calculator and do the math, "$CACHING$" dame that's a pretty penny, "Well good news and bad news, good news I know where to get the feathers and the bad news this is going to cost ya, BIG!" Nyx floats to the table and stares at the calculator, "WOW, Applebloom get in here," no sooner said then done Applebloom appears, "Huh? Where am I?" Nyx quickly answers "Mental chat room, look at this!" she shows her the cost "20,579.99 bits! Hmm maybe if we make it a bit smaller, drop half the nails, the wood by 100 and the cloth by 200." one number crunch later "Well, 10,500.99 bits, that's better, but where are you going to get the money for that?" I ask questioningly, Only to get the little kid pout face. HURRRRG! my heart, "Stop that!" I actually zap her with a small bolt of lighting, "OW, HAY!" she says rubbing her flank, "You could have just asked ya know." "You would have said no," Applebloom replies, "Well, if I subtract the feather donations it only adds up to 4,359.99 not including tax which ups it by a few hundred so give or take 4,500, Oh and you forgot the generators to store the magic, I think I know a guy" "You'll cover that?" Nyx asks questioningly "The perks of being a government official, more money then ya ever need. Now as for the feathers I happen to know, Celesta, Luna, Cadance and myself have a few boxes full of preened feathers, will they do?" (If your wondering why we have boxes full of our own feathers just sitting around, simple spare quills.) Applebloom nods, "Good I'll have them bring them over." the conversation ends and the real world appears. "Nyx that's a bit jarring" Applebloom says, taking some measurements, "Sorry, I thought you should know just how much we're putting into this." Nyx then looks around a moment and then tries looking through AB's eyes "Huh? why do I feel...and its gone," "Just me trying one of the powers, and testing the connections between us" Nyx quickly says not to feel awkward, "Really, well ok, that felt, weird, like I was buying for eyesight a moment." Nyx nods and then turns to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo "Scootaloo you got to hardware store, Sweetie have Rarity see if she can get some of that cloth I'll take care of the glass," the four fillies then huddle together and say "ready?, ready, alright everypony LETS DO THIS!" the 4 split and Queue the montage! (these songs seem appropriate as any Hearts as Strong as Horses Raise This Barn Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now) Sweetie belle, convinces Rarity to get some of the sail cloth, saying it might make good dress in the summer heat, Scootaloo motors to hardware store and when asked what she needed it for "I think we're building a boat" Nyx heads over the Castle and picks up some freshly made glass, and Applebloom drums up the CMC to help, soon Nyx, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Twist, Featherweight, Button Mash, Rumble, Flitter, and a surprise filly named Moon, gather round the pile of supplies, "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS SHIP BUILDERS YAY!!!" they chant before getting to work. The earth ponies start on the base of the ship, the unicorns start stitching the sails together, and the pegasi start putting the wings two large together, eventually the whole school and even the town turns up to lend a hand, "Come on Everypony grab a hammer or Needle," Applebloom says from her raised platform. Twilight directs the ponies to there stations, AJ is sawing with Rainbow, Fluttershy and Rarity are sowing, Pinkie is passing out refreshments, the rest of the town puts up supports for the ship so I doesn't roll and Nyx, helps her mother with a birds eye view. as the ship takes shape, an old sailor pony donates his anchor, Berry punch crafts some barrels out of spare wood along with Frosty mugs and J.J, Flitter and the local changelings multitask, Radiant Hope helping with any splinters and what not that happened while the others put the smaller parts together. Nyx had gotten plenty of practice with the mind magic even getting the 3 crusaders to work in sync. Saturday March 16 5:30pm After hours of work the ship just needed a few finishing touches. the railings where installed, the masts where lowered in, the magic capacitors where put in place, and the glass was installed. The sails were ever so carefully rung on the mast crossbeams and the anchor and chain where wrapped around the anchor wheel. as the ships wheel was installed along with the rudder, and the wings attached to the side, every pony whips their heads with damp cloths and admire there work. "So what are you gonna call it, assuming it works," Twilight says admiring the sight in the late day sun, "We didn't think that far, Nyx how about you do it." Nyx look at the ship for a moment asks what they where goanna paint it "Hmm how about a mix of color a little red there a little purple there some black there." Nyx decides to work on that later, "Lets see if she flies first, Want to help me fire her up Mom," Twilight lights up with glee, and her daughter along with her light there horns to give the ship a jump start and the pegasi give a strong breeze, the ship creaks a little but the fan blades slowly start to spin, the sails are unfurled and they light up in the light of the setting sun and rising moon, the wings slowly start flapping to get the ship off the ground. The ship with a length of 40 feet and a beam of 20 feet the little cutter was a sight to behold, Nyx throws ropes over the side and the crusaders climb aboard along with Twilights friends, "Well, well it actually works. IT WORKS!!!" they scream into the heavens, Nyx summons a trunk full of pirate wear and passes it around, "lets take her for a spin shall we," Nyx says taking the wheel "AYE, AYE CAPTAIN!" the little ponies scatter across the ship, two head up to the crows nest, six head to the bow and the remaining 8 hit both sides of the ship. the ship sails around Ponyville 3 times as they take in the view, Twilight even spies Celestia and Luna waving to them in distance through a spyglass, she waves back. "Nyx bring her back over Ponyville," She does so, "This is so cool, we can fly anywhere with this thing" Scootaloo says hovering in the air form excitement, "You know it squirt." rainbow comments rubbing her hair, Twilight leans against her daughter steering the ship gently, "I love you Nyx," "I love you to Mom." everypony awwws at this, AJ looks at her wrist watch "HOLY APPLE SAUCE! Were gonna be late for dinner" every pony looks at there time pieces and comes to the same conclusion, Nyx skillfully takes the ship over Ponyville dropping off every filly, then Twilight takes the wheel and brings them to the Stagecoach Inn. Meanwhile at Night Stone Castle I had left at about 4:30 to get to a meeting of the Night cult and its new friends. at the castle I dress in my black generals coat, some military boots and matching blue pants, behind the throne room was a small room with a round table with a map of Equestira on it, and chairs surrounding it. around the table I find Nexus and Filthy Rich, the Cult Garrison leaders when I'm not around Solaris and Firestar was sitting to there left, A Green eyed, Emerald haired, dark coated unicorn mare along with Radiant Hope sat to there right, curious I ping her "What are you doing here my Queen?" The pony looks at me "So you can tell me apart, Well I am one of your allies am I not?" I nod and she is engulfed in emerald flames, revealing a Changeling queen, surprisingly, she had Pegasus wings along with the usual gossamer wings, a solid bladed horn and normal eyes, otherwise the typical image of a Changeling queen, well side form some slime signs of fur on her chitin, "Antumbra, I'm honored to have you here...I'm doing it again aren't I?" she nods Dame changeling genes, why must I butt kiss her when both of us could care less! "Eh-hem well who's left?" Nexus mentions the representatives form the Selena's have yet to arrive. Minutes later 2 ponies step through the door, dressed in deep blue and silver robes, one unicorn and a thestral sit down in the remaining seats. "Ok you all know why your here right? just for clarity sake" I begin, eyeing everyone, they nod, "Right well what are your names you two, cant say I got them." the unicorn and thestral say they are Starlight and Knightwind. I put my hands together elbows on the table"Ok, well I hope my acquaintance and other present company discourages you," Knightwind is the first to speak, turned out to be a stallion "Well, first off are group has nothing in common with the Knights of Ra, the bastards." Solaris nods in agreement, "Anyway, That's not to say that we didn't but these days we are only concerned with Luna's safety and Equestira's nightly prosperity." Starlight a mare puts a paper on the table and I read down it, "da, da, da yes, yes, not much different from his offer really," I say pointing at Solaris, "So what can you offer us hmm?" she asks me the same question, "All I can really offer is... Well I got connections and am very close with the diarchy, and of course whatever the cult has at its disposal I will gladly share within reason." She returns the offer "I can offer you are members and I'm some Thestral would make fine addition to your group, we also have... Connections of are own, not to mention plenty of knowledge exclusive to are ranks" I sign the paper copy it and hand it back to her. "All right and what of you Solaris?" I ask, "The Dawn Guard can give as I said before there numbers and are friends in the government certainly help, a side effect of the people we came from. We also can help keep the guard off your back given some friends in the military, but don't count on it. Lastly we can offer you are own set of knowledge," he turns to Starlight "Potions, blueprints and the like?" she nods. Antumbra speaks "Well sorry to say this but some of your members are probably at least some of my children, still with that said I, we rather can offer you the best spies in the business, a little love is all we ask, or at least some understanding." Knight asks "Why should we trust you, your highness?" Antumbra's eyes flash anger a moment before taking a breath "Let me put it this way, None of my lings have replaced anyone, less they allowed them too, most of them live peaceful lives with many ponies and in turn have been hidden from the changeling hunts and political bullshit. Also... don't go spreading this around but my Mother is Princess Luna." They all look at her and I sigh "Its true Luna told me that herself." Quickly changing the subject Nexus speaks "The Cult only really consists of Canterlot and Ponyville at moment but we wish to expand into various other cities and even countries if possible, We have an open door policy so anyone that hears of the cult simple needs to ask and we will give you shot. the work is voluntary of course those we do get some funding from the Royal's for various fronts all legal of course." Starlight asks about if someone wishes to leave, "We strip them of there Blessing and give some a few bits for there troubles, a parting gift if you will, that said they carry a small glass eye with there blessing in it if they wish to re join, it looks like a simple piece of jewelry, kind of like the pins you wear. The process is painless of course, though you might feel a bit drained as a result." Starlight suddenly looks at Antumbra and say "Hay, I know you, aren't you Prince Shining Armor's and Princess Cadance's psychiatrist?" "Yes what of it?" a record needle flies off the record, A collective what erupts as I laugh at there surprise "Are you really that surprised, that said Cadance knows here to be friendly so even is she gets busted no harm done, right?" "Only if it her Captain, Shining would murder me straight up," Strangely I invite her to the dinner at the inn later "Sure I should check on Twilight anyway." Rich asks a random question "How's my daughter getting along with Nyx J.J. if you don't mind?" "Same as usual Rich, I can't say I care sorry." He nods knowing how much of pain his child can be. After negotiating for an hour on how to do things and what each of us would be responsible for, I check my watch "Oh Dear I really need to get going, we're done her anyway, So what should we call this Alliance, if I may the Twilight order sounds good," Looking to each other they nod in agreement, "Good, Antumbra grab your bag we're hitting the town." everyone heads off and I quickly mention the teleported on the floor. Stagecoach Inn The Stagecoach Inn was a nice little place for the townsfolk and traveling merchants, a full bar, good food, some rooms upstairs, a fireplace to keep it warm in the winter and a stage for live show among other things. there where 8 tables with 8 chairs each and 10 booths along the wall. Antumbra and I pop in in the middle of floor with 2 pool tables to are left, I pop behind the bar and Antumbra heads into the kitchen to fire up the stove. 20 minutes later a ship touches down outside, the Mane 6 and there young ones hope off and enter, "Alright Solider boy set us up a few rounds, it party time!" Pinkie announces to no one, Antumbra comes out of the back and sits at the bar, "stoves all light and ready J.J. the staff is late...again," I nod and grab a bottle of love that looks like reddish wine and give it to her so she blends in. "Antumbra what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Cadance?" Twilight asks getting a look at the Unicorn, "Oh, Twilight nice to see a patient again, Cadance had me take a few days, give her some space. How are you holding up Mrs. Sparkle?" Twilight says she's doing well, and introduces Nyx, So this is what's left of the infamous Nightmare Moon, How the mighty have fallen, for the better in this case "So your the little devil that kept us on the run those last few mouths, I'm honored Princess," Nyx rolls her eyes "Oh, no not you too..." the two burst into laughter, and start chatting. Rainbow, AJ, and Pinkie sit down at a long table and say "Break out the GOOD stuff friend, these two got a score to settle," Putting on the fancy bartender routine I say "You better hope your kids can get you home then," I open a trap door in the floor and pulled out some of Luna's trade mark moonshine (Well made A LOT of money off that particular drink, Luna cut me a share because I dared to sell it. It was considered a drug because of how addicting it was due to the smooth taste, not that that stopped the royals from making and drinking it.) and place the small barrel in form of them, "Cheers ladies! try not to die on me alright? I got enough graves out back already," A bad joke but a serious one. Twilight Nyx and CMC sit around another table, Antumbra having nothing better to do goes to cook in the kitchen, she pokes her head out "Want anything Twilight? kids?" Twilight glances at the menu "How about that, what was it called Loverbirds stew sounds nice to start, you girls?" The CMC order some pizza pie to split and Nyx orders a Dish called Night Chicken. I decide to head to the kitchen myself to give The old Queen a hand, only to my surprise she's multitasking like a pro, "Dame girl where'd you learn to do that?" I ask, words escaping me, "Hehe did you think I'm not skilled with a civil kitchen, my many converts taught me well, plus it pays to be a queen when it comes to multitasking," "Right well just let me know when it's ready," I walk back out to hear Nyx ask "Hay J.J. how about you play us a good old song, liven up the place a little?" I nod and head for the stage, flipping open a case and grabbing a guitar I step up to the mic and Start playing "Forever and ever amen", some other patrons that walk in start swaying along while Nyx hopes up on stage and starts singing along. You may think that I'm talking foolish You've heard that I'm wild and I'm free You may wonder how I can promise you now This love, that I feel for you, always will be You're not just time that I'm killing I'm no longer one of those guys As sure as I live this love that I give Is gonna be yours until the day that I die – oh, baby I'm gonna love you forever, forever and ever, amen As long as old men sit and talk about the weather As long as old women sit and talk about old men If you wonder how long I'll be faithful I'll be happy to tell you again I'm gonna love you forever and ever, forever and ever, amen They say that time takes it's toll on a body Makes the young girls brown hair turn grey But honey, I don't care, I ain't in love with your hair And if it all fell out, well, I'd love you anyway They say that time can play tricks on a memory, make people forget things they knew. well, it's easy to see it's happening to me I've already forgotten every woman but you – oh, darling I'm gonna love you forever, forever and ever, amen As long as old men sit and talk about the weather As long as old women sit and talk about old men If you wonder how long I'll be faithful well, just listen to how this song ends I'm gonna love you forever and ever, forever and ever, amen I'm gonna love you forever and ever, forever and ever, forever and ever, forever and ever, amen The crowd claps and cheers, we bow and I head back behind the bar throwing liquor, beer, and wine down the ever filling bar. Antumbra bring out the orders a few minutes later and hands it to the girls "careful dear, its hot." Nyx cuts into her chicken a little, takes a bit "Hmm, whats on this anyway?" "hmm some black pepper and some night flowers coted in flower. hence the color." Nyx nods and says its good, dipping it in some random dip. The crusaders cut there pie in slices and dig in, as Twilight takes a sip of her soap she freezes a moment "...What is that...magic?" "Oh its just a old pony trick I know, come to think of it...the Crystal Empire should have such things in it library, maybe we should go look some time." When twilight asks if the taste was any different, she shakes her head, "No I can't do that if I tried." she then grabs her bottle and heads back to the kitchen. the Night flies by and Fluttershy and rarity end up taking the CMC home after AJ and Rainbow drop form alcohol, Pinkie for reasons science will never understand still standing perky as ever, "Pinkie if I didn't know any better you are immune to drunkenness." she slowly turns "Oh what did you say, ugh y are dar dree of u" smiling "You've had quite enough for tonight, come on little girl, lets get you to bed" I scoop her up in my arms and she starts sleeping like a baby, I take her upstairs and put her to bed, "Sleep well Pinkie, you Wall braking Bundle of Joy." 'click' I walk back down stairs and see the place is clearing out "Hmm, 'checks clock' my my is it that time already." I Tell Antumbra to finish up and I slip out of my bartender get up to my watchmen cloths, Twilight pays the bill and takes Nyx home, no sooner do they leave then a Changeling bursts in the front door "BOSSSSS!" he crashes into the bar, "What the hell got you in tizzy?" "The.. The... There here the Knights!" I grab a Thomason out of the bar shelves, "Where are they?" "I don't know but I'm guessing there here for Nyx." enough said I take off into the night Antumbra right on my heels. Twilight and Nyx where walking down the cobble stone streets of Ponyville chatting about what they would do tomorrow, Twilight slightly intoxicated but had her faculties intact. Suddenly they bump into a some ponies, "Oh sorry didn't see your there," she says "No problem Mrs. sparkle," Twilight tried to walk past the stallion only to be blocked, two more stallions walk up behind them, "Mrs. Sparkle give us your daughter, you can go home." "Why?" Twilight questions "Hand her over." "Answer my questions!" Twilight shouts, "We know what she's been up too and wish to discuss it as such." Twilight goes into a fighting stance "Bullshit, put one hoof on my daughter I'll rip it off!." Nyx was hiding under her mother when the Stallion says "Then your not necessary," he says, Nyx suddenly feels a liquid fall on head, licks it only to taste blood NO! she gets from under Twilight "Nyx...RUN!" POP POP POP POP 4 bullets hit Twilight in the side as Nyx runs down an ally way "NIGHTMARE HELP ME!!!!!" she screams into her mind. "NIGHTMARE HELP ME!!!!!" The whole dame cult leaps out of bed and grabs whatever they have handy, soon the whole town of Ponyville is swarming with half dressed ponies searching for Nyx, I myself included "Nyx Where are you?! What's going on?" She tells me and I get SOoo oh pissed "THEY DID WHAT! give me a moment." I pop into an ally and hit the mental plane, finding my way to Celestia's dream, in this case a dream about a day with her sister "CELESTA!!!" she turns "J.J. care to join us?", I slap her "Wake up TIA! Sorry to disturb your slumber but you student just got stabbed in Ponyville and daughter's in trouble" Celestia's eye light UP with rage, "Who!" she says coldly "The Knights I suspect but currently unknown, hurry!" I leave and Celestia Jumps out of bed grabs her gear and calls on her sister. Meanwhile in the ally Nyx is hiding behind some boxes, "Where is she? There is no way out Nightmare Come on out and play." He taunts Suddenly he is grabbed "WHA....I....cant....move" Nightmare Moon appears out of the shadows and said coldly in her unmistakable voice "You JUST PISSED OFF THE WRONG DEMON PAL!" she shoves her sword down his throat and out his chest, then grabbing the other knight and drinking him blood dry "Ahhh, that's the stuff, the blood of traitors." She turns to see Nyx who grabs her leg "Help..'sniff' help Twilight," Moon looks out to see Twilights bleeding corpse "Ok, you run out and Deeply Bound with her, I mean literally possess her and replace her with you, it will keep her alive, trust me I know form experience" Moon steps out "COME GET ME YOU FUCKING WHORESONS! FACE THE DEVIL WHICH YOU CREATED!" the knights throw themselves at her, she grabs them with her mane braking there necks, cuts there heads off blood pooling around them, she even grabs a few and drinks there blood, (Sorry to brake your emersion but no she is not a vampire yet, she needs it to live.) She then launches into the air and summons a storm of magic, and crashes down as giant Black Firebird. I find Nyx and tell her to duck, the four guards round Twilight get gunned down in the "RATATATAT" of my Chicago typewriter, (a drum mag of 100 rounds if you were wondering) "A pity this typewriter only writes in blood and brass" and them I look up to see this giant black phoenix over head "OH SHIT!!!" and dive on top of Nyx and Twilight my angel wings popping out and surrounding us. Black fire and massive flare of flame go on around us, after ten minutes I stand up "OW, that FUCKING hurt, ugh...thank god these things are fire proof." I look around to see fifty burned to crisp bodies while still having color to them. Nightmare Moon with a fiery mane and glowing eyes land nearby, "Are you ok, Captain, Nyx?" "Are you?" I say leveling my gun on her, she looks at herself "Oh...I'm ok, I think," she grabs a guy that ran up behind me and he gets consumed by his own shadow. Nyx meanwhile bounds with her Mother, the black liquid flipping the knife onto the street, and popping the bullets out of the wounds, slowly encasing her mother "Nyx your so soft and warm...like...like a..zzzz" Twilight says delirious. Once Nyx fully takes over her mother's body, it spontaneously grows a pair of black wings, "That's not ominous or anything," I whisper to Nightmare Moon, who nods in agreement. "Mom...Mom can you hear me?!" "Nyx she's lost a lot of blood just let her rest, here drink this." I bend down and have her drink a healing potion, "Ugh thank you...ugh yeah there's the alcohol she had earlier." Finding ourselves surrounded by 10 guys I turn to Nightmare Moon with a grin "Do it you black hearted hell raiser." She starts a chant as I spin around spraying bullets in every direction pulling a second tommy gun out of my coat. Moon then shouts "Come my brethren of Nightmares, destroy the saints of the SUN!" dark tendrils appear along with shadow ponies, they slaughter the moral soldier there weapons going right though there armor, and the ones that flee get cut down, bodies being consumed by shadows. I turn into my Alicorn form and she leans on me, "Easy girl just lean on me and don't look." Nightmare Moon walks beside us as the shadow soldiers forming a wall around us. As we advance the Cult slowly gathers around us as well, "Captain what the hell was that?!" Nexus asks firing his 1911 45. into a earth pony jumping off a roof, I point to Nightmare Moon "She did that," enough said. Proper Etiquette his butler carrying a shotgun walks in front, "And my I ask who these guy are sir?" I Look at him "The fallen is all you need to know or want to," he nods going back to firing his gun. Antumbra now in her Queen form is flying around with her Elite guard of praetorians downing any pegasi and there lighting. The converts come up behind us and form rank, "Emerald squad reporting sir!" Radiant Hope says tending to Twilights wounds, Suddenly a Huge flock of thestrals brake form the clouds "DEFEND THE CIVILIANs, BRING THESE TRAITORS TO ME!" Antumbra's voice can be heard echoing over the city, "Well I see she isn't afraid to throw her weight around," Next I see Celestia dive out of the clouds as ball a flame With Luna and her guards in the distance "Is that where changelings got that magic dive from?" Antumbra said it influenced it. POP POP, Chet-chet, BANG, RATTATTATA, CRUNCH The sound of gunfire and clanging steel and breaking bones is everywhere, "God how many are there?" "I guess they weren't leaving it to the locals" Nightmare says launching some lighting bolts at some unicorns. Nyx leans harder on me "Ugn....I don't think I...." "Don't even go there Nyx," I say kissing her a moment while blindly firing my Thomson's at things in my peripheral vision "Get on my back if you must, but you are NOT dying tonight or Twilight" with some renewed strange she pulls a pocket pistol out of her hair, a p99 to be precise "When did you...nevermind just shoot." I hear Celestia cursing in the distance over the gun fire and laugh Man she is PISSED, than again it is Twilight we're talking about, A thunderous BOOM is hear fallowed by whistling sound, the cannons from the castle fire into the streets of Ponyville "Can you even see what your shooting at?" I ask the gunners "we have are comrades and the changelings for that sir." rolling my eyes at that I spot the Golden Oaks Library in the distance, "Just a few more yards" another 10 men stand between us, "GIVE IT UP NIGHTMARE!" I don't even flinch "I'll let god sort us out," I bath them in Dragon fire, blue fire to be accurate, they scream in pain but live incapacitated, "Take up positions around the Library no one gets in but the Princess's or are allies" Nightmare instructs to her shadow troops, "Hay Moon, where are the Blackcoats?" she says there sniping all over the town, fair enough. I after getting Nyx inside I turn to look at where we just came from and grip my cross "Lord, Frost please protect them, they need it." I walk inside and lock the door. Inside the library, Nyx/Twilight lays on her side on the couch and I start working on her wounds while Moon goes to check the upper floors, "Thank god these aren't hollow points or this would be a pain to work with." a doctors bag I carried with me all the time, having been a field medic, I slowly remove the bullets whens there a knock at the door, I pull and cock my revolver "Open it slowly or I'm blowing your head off!" I command, Celestia walks in slowly full armor and sword a flame, "Twilight..." she spots Twilight covered head to toe in black, even her eyes were slits "No..." "Celestia...relax...She's ok," Celestia takes some comfort but not much in Nyx's voice then glares daggers at Nightmare Moon as she comes downstairs, who also had her armor and sword "What?" she asks staring back, "You did this didn't you?" "Oh boy here we go" I mutter focusing on the task at hand. "I did nothing Tia, they attacked us," "You are the one that attracted there attention." "You knew they would do this! YOU NEARLY GOT My STUDENT KILLED!" "There dead and the living are waiting outside for you Celestia your not needed here." "You coward, not even willing to live up to your own actions?" Nightmare Moon glares back at Celestia, she is PISSSED "Says the Mare that ABANDONED AND SHUNNED HER ONLY FAMILY!" Celestia response calling her responsible for that but Nightmare hit back hard "YOU ARE EQUETRIAS ALL PERFECT RULER??? MY ASS!!!" Celestia tries to respond but she keeps going "Oh let me count the ways Tia, you not once but THRICE had you sisters black heart nearly doom all of Equestira, YOU sent your STUDENT to oppose the KING of shadows, not even sending your sister to aid here in one of the MOST IMPORTENT cities in all of Equestira AND you got your fat ASS handed to you by a INSECT no less!" "But..." Celestia tries to say, "CAPTAIN ARMORS LOVE OR NOT, NO CHANGELING CAN STAND UP TO FULL GROWN ALICORN, SHOW SOME BACKBONE!!!!" she gets up in Celestia face "Oh wait that's right YOU DONT HAVE ONE!!! I DAME NEAR KILLED YOU AND WOULD HAVE WITHOUT THE ELEMENTS TO BAIL YOU OUT, I Had to Save you from the DARKNESS, Luna who is younger, and now less powerful then MURDERED THAT CHANGELING BITCH SINGLE HANDED WITH HER OWN MAGIC, even if she called on what was left of mine, YOU Celestia may have proven you can rule BUT as a SISTER you have failed YOU ARE WEAK, INFIERIOUR AND CLUELESS" "SILENCE!!!" Celestia royally caws registering a 5,5 on a rector scale somewhere. "I WILL NOT BE TALKED DOWN TO BY A LOWLY PARSITE LIKE YOU DEMON OF THE MOON!!!" it was Nightmares to feel scared "I had to SUFFER 1000 years of guilt and pain for what YOU did to my sister, I had to rule this nation and PROTECT EVERYPONY from all that would appose us! AND YOU WANT TO KNOW THE WORST PART?!!!" the power physically drops out of Celestia her mane going back to solid pink hair "Your right....." Twilight now with some semblance of sanity "NO....your wrong Celestia don't let her..." "She IS right Twilght....as a Ruler I have proven myself more then capable but as a sister I have failed in EVERY way possible, my sister ignored, you, put in danger more then I can count, I was dropped in one beam by a changeling Queen, she is right your brothers love or not I should have put up more of a fight." I turn around "Will you two take your BITCHING else were! I just trying keep your precious little girl form dying here!" Moon calms down and puts a hoof on Celestia shoulder, "Your student is in good hands, lets go drink to her health, Horn and Wing Tavern? We need to talk anyway." Celestia takes a breath "Yes that does sound nice." the ponies consumed by shadows are found outside the Library "Your orders our Queen?" "Help the rest of the Night cult round up your comrades then come back here with them, Luna will take them form there." they scatter in every direction, and Celestia asks "Shadow possession?" Moon nods, and they make there way to tavern across town. Truths and liesPonyville March 16th 9pm Celestia and Nightmare Moon slowly make there way to the Horn and Wing Tavern, picking off the Knights of Ra they come across. Making there way down Sugercoat St. Celestia asks a odd question "So what was that all about before?" Moon pulls her sword out of dead mare that had thrown herself at her "Meaning?" "Did Luna really kill Chrysalis?" Moon pauses "Almost, she beat her to death only to have a friendly face drain Chrysalis of her power, Luna shortly left after that." Celestia then asks "Was that you who summoned that Phoenix during the Royal Wedding, kind of hard to miss form my point of view," Moon smiles "Yep a pity Amore had to ruin that little stunt." Celestia does recall that holy presence before her human companion got tossed out the window, Clang, "Awh" she cuts through another soldier "How many of these guys are there?" she asks to no one in particular "Meh, probably started with about 120 or so, should be down to give or take half that number," When asked how she knows this "I got a few agents in the Knights of Ra, Celestia so I know at least a little about them." she rattles off about there worship, a few locations, and more importantly there numbers. "That many? Are there really that many that hate my sister?" Celestia sighs a little "Well her absence for a millennium and Nyx's antics didn't help that, still its less hate and more like preference, most of them even respect Luna, its the diehards we need to worry about, out of the couple thousand a minority of about 300 or so are the ones you want dead." Antumbra flies down to them and says "Your majesty the enemy are if full retreat and...." she stops looking at Nightmare Moon "And?" she asks. Antumbra puts her lips next to Moons ear "If you bring ANY harm that little filly her mother and mentor will be the least of your problems." she whispers threateningly then turns to Celestia "I suppose I should leave before anyone starts asking questions?" Celestia nods thanking the Queen for her assistance and They continue in silence picking off a few stragglers with stun spells. Things start to quiet down about an hour later, "Well looks like they lost, or retreated I don't care really." Moon says as the Horn and Wing tavern comes into view, as they approach the door, Celestia holds her hoof in front of Moon then knocks, "Come in we got plenty of room." Frosty Mugs, says from behind the bar. The pair of alicorns walk slowly across the room, revealing it to be turned into a make shift field hospital and shelter for those wanting nothing to do with the now dispelled chaos outside, "Well this is something straight out of a movie, or book" Moon says taking in the wounded, "Is it over yet? And how can I serve your Majesties" Frosty Says grabbing a pair of glasses, Celestia informs him of the quite outside and orders, "Tall, strong, and comforting, we have much to discuss," Celestia says plopping some bits on the bar. Frosty pours them some crimson whiskey and goes around to check on everyone. "So you first Tia?" Moon starts the conversation taking a drink. "Where do I start, What are you really?" "What do you think I am?" moon blinks curious about her answer, "I think your a demon that possessed my sister, no thanks to Sombra and my own actions," no surprise there. "I prefer Sprit if you don't mind, I haven't done anything bad now have I?" Celestia nods point taken. "Is there anything I should know about you?" Moon pauses putting her drink down "There's some things I need to tell you, like that I lied to you a few days back, about Nightmare Moon. but I'll get to that." "Right, well, besides that?" "Only that I will end anyone you included that harms Nyx, I need her....just like she needs me...." Moon drops her head frowning, her hair covering her face. "What is that supposed to mean?" Celestia asks, "You'd kill me if you knew." Celestia grins taking a drink "Try me, I've learned to trust you." Moon look her in eye, then goes back to her drink, tears forming in her eyes "Celestia let me ask you something, do....do you know or fear death?" Celestia blinks surprised "Immortality shows you how precious and short life truly is, as for fearing death? You nearly put me in the ground twice now, so yes I do, though less then my subjects behind me sadly." the two continuous to drink, pouring form the bottle, "Well, let me tell you my future, at best, Nyx will take me in, thus the end of the Nightmare forever, at worst, well you know what happens." Celestia frowns "The future is not set in stone my fellow goddess, But what makes you say such things?" "Celestia, I...Nightmare Moon, IS me....or she was, Look it complicated but basically, the Nightmare that died by in Emblem, she wants to be whole again, I'm safe given I'm dead but she will come for Nyx. I can keep her at bay but not forever, that's why I'm teaching Nyx what I am. one way or another we are going to face each other, and I pray I loss." Celestia gets serious "I see...and I take it you want me to keep quite about it?" Moon nods "That's not the only thing I have to tell, but I'm keeping that to myself. Tell your sister if you must, but that's it got it? Oh and Celestia," "Yes?" "Don't worry about Twilight, its not her time, and that is a long time coming ha, ha."Celestia nods "To Twilight?" she raises her glass, "To Nyx," they clang there drinks and proceed to finish the bottle. Location unknown "Wake up, wake up my little pony....Twilight!" Twilight bolts upright "I'm up!" she turns to see a glowing white alicorn with red hair, "Your not Celestia...Who are you....and where am I?" she stagers taking a look around. "The afterlife, my home to be precise." The alicorn says, "Am I...." "No, just drifting out of consciousness, Your daughter is very good at what she is doing to you." Twilight looks down to see her black body, "You got a mirror?" she is presented with one, "Nyx?....Baby are you....ok?" "She can't hear you Mrs. sparkle, she's sleeping." Twilight turns to the left to see a transparent Nyx sleeping next to her, "You feeling better?" Twilight nods then turns back to the Alicorn "And you are?" the alicorn sits down in front of nearby desk a typewriter a top it "Lauren Faust, to you a goddess, I do hear your prayers after all." Twilight starts to bow "Don't I hate when ponies and people alike find themselves inferior to me, true as that may be, I consider everyone equal, we are in death after all." Twilight gets up and notices her wings "When did I get these?" she flaps them a few times to find that they work, "A result of Nyx's 'bounding' with you so deeply, they will disappear when she releases you." Twilight now gets a better view of the room they are in, white but not overwhelmingly bright walls surround them, the desk is across from a chest on the other side of the room, the bed she awoke on was behind her. "So why are we having this conversation?" Twilight asks watching Faust work, "You have been having trouble with Nightmare Moon have you not?" Twilight looks at her "Well yaeh she NIGHTMARE MOON of course I have problems with her!", Faust sighs "Don't forsake her Twilight she had done more then you know, she is troubled by something that no medicine can cure, as you may have guessed Celestia and Luna are some of my blessed children, alicorns are rare for a reason, you must prove yourself, Celestia and Luna persevered with their mastery of Sun and Moon and defeated discord, Cadance her love. Nightmare Moon is what you would call a 'Bastard' child of mine, still if your present situation is anything, she was meant to be something more." When Twilight asks what Nightmare Moon was for, the answer is not was she expected "Well as her name would imply she has to do with dreams, Luna filled that roll but Nightmare Moon was the original, she was....corrupted by what I don't know." Faust sighs continuing to type, "How can you not know?" Twilight now worriedly asks, "I am not all knowing Twilight, there are things even I can not foresee." Nyx suddenly rouses herself smacking her lips a few times "What... where are we?" Twilight turns "Welcome to the afterlife apparently, don't worry we're not dead." Nyx gives a "I knew that" look then turns to Faust "Tell me....Am I....you know," Nyx lowers her head sadly "Nyx look at me, beauty is only skin deep you are the Daughter of the element of magic, just as she will surpass her mentor you will surpass her" When Nyx bring up the point about being adopted "Have you not looked at your hair my dear, that is enough of Twilights blood can influence you appearance, well what does that make her?" Nyx looks at her mother, "I...never really thought about that." is Twilight's response. "So what was it you where saying about Moon?" Nyx asks, Faust sighs "I can not say, she wishes to keep it hidden so only she will tell you. You will learn in time child, for now all I can say is beware the true Nightmare." Nyx nods respecting Nightmare Moons privacy, "Well its been fun but I think you should go, Captain Werner is getting worried about you." the world goes white and they find themselves back in the library. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Twilight gets up and looks down, Nyx still attached to her, "Honey don't you think you can come off now?" "Not yet still healing your bullet wounds." Twilight walks into the kitchen to make some late dinner grabbing some ice-cream, "Say where did Nexus and the Changelings and Proper Educate go?" "Nexus and Educate are upstairs asleep by the feels, probably for the best, The Changelings I suspect probably went back into the fight" with that out of the way she returns to library common room. Back in the common room, she finds her friends had just walked into the library from the sudden rainstorm, "Rainbow did we really need this weather? The night has been depressing enough as is." Rarity complains drying herself, "You want to wake up tomorrow to find the town coated in blood among other things?" the blue Pegasus returns. Applejack with a bag full of medical supplies plops down by the fire, Fluttershy taking note of Twilight "OH, twilight are you ok, we heard you were attacked," Nyx takes this moment to speak "How's the good Captain?" the pegasus motions with her head to a sleeping human with cuts and a few patched holes in his coat and a half empty bottle of medical whiskey in one hand. "Thank god he's ok... Oh, sorry Twilight" Nyx fades and Twilight continues where she left off "I'm ok Fluttershy, as you can see Nyx saved my life." Twilight motions with her hoof, everypony stares long and hard at Twilights black coat and wings, "Nyx...did that to you?" Fluttershy asks, "Awesome!" Rainbow says getting bad looks from everyone, she lands on the floor shamed. "Well, I at least your dressed for funeral!" Pinkie says popping in, Nyx hits her with weak bolt to show how funny that was, "Owww, what black is a traditional funeral attire." the five ponies start asking questions and Twilight quiets them, one at a time she answers slowly. At the end of this flurry of questions AJ does a quick summary "So, let me get this straight, Nyx is covering you from the neck down healing your wounds and is....in your blood? creepy if you ask me, and she is able to talk though you? fair enough." Nyx makes a quick comment on how the blood thing was just to heal the wounds quicker. "Hay Nyx, now's a good a time as any to try out my blessing powers," Twilight states realizing everypony is here, "Careful Mom last thing we need is elemental zombies" Nyx warns but allows, "Girls would you mind if I....Tried something on you?" "What is it suger?" AJ asks, "Well, just a blessing spell, nothing to worry about, I need to try it some time right?" AJ raises an eyebrow "You have no idea what your doing do you?" a nope is her answer, "What's the worst that could happen? I mean its only....Wait this isn't like last time is it?" Rainbow says eyeing Twilight, "It's...not the same, you might even get some use from it." one huddle discussion later, "The worst that could happen?" AJ says suspiciously. "You all become mind slaved zombies...hehehe" "Could be worse, we could BE zombies." Rainbow steps forward, Twilight blows some smoke in her face and she eyes dilate a moment, "ugh...Twilight what you do...to..." she bows, "My queen." "Hold on I got this" Nyx does a goes to do a few tweaks only to get hit by something "Ow what?" she then remembers the Elements of Harmony protect there bearers, "Oh, right, be gentle with it." she slowly worms her way to the blessing "Ok what's the problem this time...ok Twilight drain it a little," Twilight does that and Rainbows eye flicker a few times, she then looks at Twilight angrily "Don't ever do this again if you can help it." she walks over to a corner to fume. Twilight then tries Applejack and Pinkie Pie, both stare a moment scrunching there eyes shut, "This is new, what about you AJ?" "Ugh...my head hurts, mind if I go take a nap?" Twilight offers her the couch as Nyx helps ease AJ's pain, Pinkie meanwhile starts poking Nyx about how cool the Mind net was. "Pinkie can you please stop, that hurts, at least your adapting well." Pinkie immediately hits the hay by passing out by J.J., Fluttershy is next and "How do you feel?" Fluttershy stares for only a moment then puts her hooves over her heart "Comforted and... warm." Twilight nods and Nyx says to her "I hope the Elements aren't messing with them, then again yours didn't put up a fight at all...odd now that I think about it." Twilight says it was simply a matter of trust between them and heads off to bed, "Wait, we should probably make sure Celesta and Moon got home safe." "Twilight I'm not going to ask about her drinking habits but she'll be fine, she has her worst enemy to protect her, who's gonna mess with that?" "That is the exact reason I'm worried." Twilight slips out of the dim lit room and goes off to find the two possibly drunken alicorns. Twilight did have reason to worry, said alicorns had just finished there 5th bottle of crimson whisky and a split bottle of spiced rum. "HaHha, he actually fell for that, what a idut, HIC, o dat was a good one, did I ever tell you about the look on Sombra's face when I iced him?" "No you didn't in fact you never came to my birthday party, why would you HIC, do that to a pour old mare like me." Yeah....Not good, still all things considered they where still sober, more or less, Moon pops some more bits on the bar, "So frosty tele me why are you so nice to us...I mean shuld ad we have gone home by now?" "Well you alicorns certainly know how to hold your liquor you are no exception miss Moon, still probably best if you called it a night don't you?" Moon asks for some ghost peppers and bits one, "YOW!!! HOT HOT, HOT!!!" takeing a few gulps of the bottle of black wine she bought, she taps Celestia on the shoulder, "Come sister, lets get you home." Celestia finishes her drink and takes a smaller bit of the pepper, "AWW, HOT!!" and takes a sip of some sweet milk frosty had handed them, "How much?" Moon asks the barkeep as Celestia wonders to the door her own sister having had a few victory drinks as well, "Let's see, yes carry the 2, 300 bits" "Ouch, curse my drinking mates, her, this should cover it." she puts a pair of silver earrings on the bar, "Those are worth 800 minimum, quite the beauties aren't they?" Frosty eyes the earrings closely, "Where did you get something like this, you can keep them there that much of a treasure." the earrings in question belonged to Luna's family and by extension Celestia's (They are sisters but there family's never did see eye to eye ya fallow me? Besides there parents of course) "Alright long as ya don't mind your bits black," she plops them down and he looks them over, "Fine by me they were minted in the same way after all." the 3 alicorns stumble into the street heading for the Library. The Tune of My Little Pony could be heard for blocks sang from the slightly tipsy barber shop trio that consisted of Luna, Celestia and Nightmare Moon, Twilight on the other hoof found it quite useful, finding the 3 with ease "Are you drunk? again?" Moon looks up "Lil bit" she tries to squint her hoof to visually show it, "Right, well come on there plenty of room back home," Twilight takes her mentor by over her shoulder and Moon takes Luna, "Moon have I ever told you how I missed you?" Luna says clearly drunker then the others, "No and personally I never thought you did." "Well, I did, I loved are little chats about everypony, why where they so dum eh? why did they have to sleep, surely someone had to be up in the night to keb watch over de stock no?" Moon just nods as Luna rattles on about mares of the night. "And why does everyone blame you? I was the one da HIC, blocked out the sun... I was the da Made you what you are...does that make me your mother?" Moon freezes in place a moment, "What? Oh hell No! Not in the traditional sense anyway, still you gave me physical form so...that's something right?" Luna nods, "Ya know I like you...you, your a good pony, anyone that says otherwise is ether Drunk or blind...I will...will...What were we talking about?" Everypony brakes out laughing "Luna sadly since your the drunk one that sentence is a contradiction," "I'm not drunk! Your eyes are funny, why are they slits anyway....they kind of look like..." "Say it and I will put you down for nap!" Moon snaps covering Luna's mouth, "I'd ask if I didn't already know...eww" Nyx comments from the safety of Twilights mind, Twilight herself giggling at Moon's expense, they deposit Luna and Celestia in the spare bedroom together, the two clinging to each other for warms "What I wouldn't give for picture of this, there sOOo cute together" Twilight scolds her Daughter for such a thought only to turn around and say "That's not very nice Nyx, besides, its better if you paint it." quite laughter ensues as the 2 head for bed. March 17th Sunday morning Having sobered up the Princesses decide to follow Twilight to church that morning, the small stone building having beautiful glass windows and a red carpet down the middle with about 14 or some benches on each side, "We wish... we hope... we dream... we pray. By the princesses' rule, light our way." a congregation of ponies chants as they walk in. "Oh, hello everypony, I hope you don't mind the mess, we had a lot of cleaning to do after last night." I said a black robe around my normal dressings, "Your a priest J.J?", "No but I like speaking, I got these years ago from some old guy that wanted to pass them to someone, I always was the spiritual type when needed." Nyx at this point lets Twilight go and forms on the floor, "Man you have no idea how good that feels at times," she says slight history form her long period of bounding, "You ok my little princess?" Moon, Celestia and Luna all take a seat next to each other, the Elements taking seats in front of them, Nyx Next to Twilight, "When this is over we need talk Mare," Nyx messages, "Fine, I have some things to confess anyway, hopefully Faust wont smite me." Nyx recalling the conversation from last night, droughts such a thing. Some ponies walk in some looking more hurt from the fight last night then others, many still wearing there trademark pins, one mare in particular takes a seat next to Nyx, "You ok miss, you seem in pain." the mare looks down at Nyx, "just a flesh wound, lost a knife fight ya know..urg, I'll be fine child of the Night," Nyx looks around a moment noticing the camaraderie of all the former enemies that just hours ago where cutting each others throats. She turns to the mare "Let me have a look, please?" she even puts on the pout face, the mare unbuttons her suday best and has Nyx inspect her chest "Here this should help, you like the rest over there should see a doctor." Nyx snaps a bone back in place causing the mare to flinch hard, but still she thanks Nyx and gets back to worship. Moon leans on Celestia whispering "Psst, what's with everyone treating last night like its another day at the office?" Even Celestia had no answer, "Perhaps they see it as pointless after the fact, think about it, all of Ponyville accepts Nyx for who she is, the rest of Equestira on the other hand, that's hit and miss." Filthy Rich walks up behind them "Repenting for your sins Mrs. Moon?" he asks, Moon returning the greeting with "Your money not buying you happiness?" he smiles at the comeback and sits. The service itself it not much different from a Christian service, (as in generic Christianity none specifically, so use your imagination.) probably because they where so similar apart from the ponies obviously, As a joke I put "Awful Beautiful Life" on the record player, Despite the inward groaning on a few faces, everyone gets up and sings to it, if only because of the irony of what most did last night. The service when by without a hitch, if only a few ponies questioning Nightmare Moons, unholy presence in there eyes, the only response they get out of her is "If your goddess wants me dead let her kill me in do time, or I would be dead already." everypony fills out of the church and the royals fly off to Canterlot, "So, you wanted to talk Nyx?" Moon says slightly curious "Yes, but here, publicly I mean...I know there's something going on with you, I want to know ok. I want to help you." With Twilight in tow they head out of Ponyville and into the surrounding hills, finding a Willow tree they cut inside, "This should do. So Talk, what is it your hiding from me, us?" Moon frowns "She told you didn't she?" a nod confirms a yes, Moon sighs "If I tell you it will only get worse, please try to understand, I want to tell you...but if I do, Well you probably can guess what happens." Nyx presses forward "I know but can at least tell me why then? surely there is a reason for it?" Moon stays silent, Twilight tries a different approach "Nightmare Moon, listen I...know what your doing, but please why...why is 'she' after Nyx?" Moons eyes widen in horror, "You know...dame...Its nothing you can solve Twilight, I should know, you've tried." she points to the watch Nyx has in her vest pocket, Twilight having some knowledge of time spells, nods "So, what do we need to do?" "You can't be serious?" "I am quite serious, now what can we do?" Nightmare Moon thinks a moment "What can you do? Well you can start by digging around for ritual spells, the one that brought us Nyx is the best bet but I suppose any will do, of that nature of course, or a fusion spell now that think about it." Twilight armed with this new information, heads home to do some research, Nyx meanwhile stays and continues to ask questions, "So Who are you, truthfully who?" "You I suppose, the only difference your a child, and I...am a ghost of an old mare." "Not true, your just as alive as me, sort of...for the moment anyway, if I can be saved, so can you, and I will be DAMED if I don't keep that promise." Moon looks at Nyx a sad expression on her face "Even if you have to die? If so you are truly my equal, Queen of the night." Nyx recites her dying words "As long as there is breath in my lung, I will continue to protect ponies. That includes the likes of you Nightmare Moon." Tears, tears are all that Nyx hears as Moon drops to ground and cries, "sniff" "sniff" "Blessed thee child, perhaps...perhaps their is hope after all, I wont get my hopes up but... 'sniff' its comforting." Moon gets back up wiping the tears off her face "How about we go to the Everfree castle, there is a lot of history we need to catch up on." Everfree forest Antumbra's hive outpost Antumbra walks the halls of her subterranean, Hive, quite the nice place over all, the walls had some indication of where to go, plenty of space to expand, and the best part, no pony would ever find it since none ever venture into the Everfree, less there looking for trouble. "My Queen the Nightmare has been spotted with the child," a scout reports from the shadowy bushes of the Everfree, "Keep watch I want her every move known" Antumbra orders, her children always did as they were told, but weren't unknown to do as they saw fit, a habit of being more free then most changelings. She descends a few levels to where she held her prisoners and sighs "Can't call myself much different when I employ the same methods as my enemies...a necessary evil for us really." she starts to wish she had the crystal heart or something like it, "!" wait, Didn't Amore give me one...the Emerald heart, yes...THATS IT! she calls on her historians "Scribes, record keepers look through are records for the Emerald heart, or some reference to a heart" "Yes your highness" Antumbra smiles at a trapped Chrysalis through a crystal ball, said Changeling having been defeated not once but twice by Twilight sparkle "And who said who would be the death of are race hmm? still I need to free her, assuming she doesn't free herself, maybe diplomacy and blunt diplomacy at that would do...hmm I'll have to think on that. Ugh...right lay eggs first, Then I should head back to my favorite couple, hope Candace hasn't lost it seeing my converts as they truly are," she buzzes off to the nursery to do just that, happy laying 30 new children to add to her swarm, then heads catches the next train to the Crystal Empire. Golden Oaks library Dear Spell Nexus I know this is probably a bad time but I...need your expertise in some research, since you are well aware of Nightmare Moon's presence I will assume you are aware of her troubles and desires, well I wish to aid her. I know crazy right, Me helping Nightmare moon, I feel nuts just saying it, still any information you can provide on advanced use of magic in rituals, summoning's and well whatever you used to give life to Nyx, I welcome it. I don't trust her don't get me wrong, but don't want her to suffer, worse yet whatever has come to her my harm Nyx. that is what I am chiefly concerned with and why I wish to aid her, we're making a deal with the devil here, but maybe like Nyx a angel under all that black. Sincerely your acquaintance Twilight Sparkle "That should be all spike send it." Twilight wraps up and Spike her trusty purple drake sands it off to Canterlot, She then returns to her studies as pile after pile of books both about Nightmare Moon, Luna and what advanced magic she had on hand. "aright lets see, summoning, summoning rituals....this looks good, now fusion ritual and.....hmm this might work," No sooner had she found something, theirs a knock at the door, Knock-Knock "Ugh....who could that be?" opening the door Spell Nexus walks in, notes and books aplenty, "You rang Mrs. Sparkle?" he says with a smile, "Oh, right I think I found something that would work," Twilight shows him the spell, "Your thinking to small Twilight, we are talking about bringing someone back from the dead, its harder then it looks not to mention quite the investment." Ignoring that last bit Twilight just says "You going to help or not?" Spell Nexus gives her a strange look "Aren't you forgetting something Twilight, the spirit lurking over her?" "How do you know?" "Who says I did?....It shows Twilight, I saw it in her eyes last night, fear, power, it was there, there is something else I feel I need to tell you," "What?" "If Nyx and her ever 'Bound' as you put it, I fear one of them will disappear. they are parts of the same puzzle after all." When Twilight asks what that means Nexus explains that Nyx while is living, she is not a complete being, not that she needed the part that's missing but its there, "So your saying my Daughter is not truly my daughter?", "What I'm saying Mrs. Sparkle is that because Nyx didn't take in the 'thing' that was controlling me, we find ourselves in this situation, I asked Miss Moon about it once." "Right lets get to work, there's plenty of provisions in the kitchen if you need them." with that they both literally and metaphorically hit the books. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Meanwhile back in the Everfree "Moon I think we're being watched," Nyx says taking in the surroundings, "It's just the changelings and wildlife, nothing to fear." Moon reassures her, eying her peripheral vision, "How do you know? This place is feared for a reason." Moon looks down at Nyx "Have you forgotten the fact that you brought the wrath of us down on them, they KNOW us, the changelings meanwhile are simply keeping watch for there hive, I think there's one here somewhere or they wouldn't be here." Nyx nods processing the logic, "Ya know this place isn't so bad, dare I say it has a beauty all its own." the strange shadows and lighting certainly made for a lovely portrait, "Discord is the reason this place is like this, I know his power all too well, still if the sisters thought they undid everything he did, there wrong, still what happened here isn't coming out to play anytime soon." When Nyx asks if they should tell them, "Its too late to stop it now, all we can do is wait, besides there is something in this forest I want to show you, hop on." Moon drops to her knees and Nyx climbs her wing, the two then zoom though the forest Moon skillfully dodging a stray branch or two. The pair soon find themselves at a familiar rickety bridge that had seen better days, "Now where is..... ah ha there's the stairs." looking to left a stair case lead down into the canyon surrounding the castle, "what's down there?" Moon looks at Nyx with a smile "Something special I need to get something from, but it wont recognize me you see." Moon flies down into the canyon and slowly walks into a cave, soon they come across a glowing light, and in turn a crystal tree, "Wow, what is this place?" Nyx says in aw, "The birthplace of the Elements that your mother and friends now bear." Suddenly crystals pop out of the ground, "You still won't accept me will you Harmony? I understand. Nyx see if you can get closer." Nyx flutter down from her back, and slowly approaches the tree, "child.....of the night" "Did you hear that?" Nyx asks searching for the source "It can't speak like you can Nyx, just open your ears, and listen." Nyx slowly approaches the tree and drops to her knees her head in her hooves, "Odd, child what are you?" Nyx realizes the wind around her is speaking to her "Nyx, Nyx Nightmare Sparkle, daughter of Twilight Sparkle, bearer of the element of Magic, Student of Princess Celestia, Sister to...." "We know this child, and you are?" "Nyx, Nightmare Moons reincarnation....does that make me like her?" Nyx asks tilting her head toward Moon, "Hmm No you look like her...but you do not feel like her....yes, and we see you have proven yourself to be as well, perhaps....." the wind dies a moment and Nyx inspects the tree closely, she Notices 6 holes in the crystal bark, Hay wait the elements could fit in those holes, and are those the princesses cute marks? she looks at the star in the center and sees a small branch grow above it, soon a shield forms and flouts down in front of Nyx, "for me?" the wind somehow gives a nod, the moment Nyx touches it she feels empowered "protection, my she serve you well child of the night." the shild turns into a crow that pops onto Nyx's head, "Sorry but I'm no princess" as if in response the crown turns into a neckless Moon having noticed this says "Personally the crown suits you better, but I suppose it will return to that form if you wish it." The two leave the cave and as Nyx looks up at Moon she notices something's different "Hay Moon, have your eyes always been blue?" Surprised Moon has Nyx show her in her pocket watch mirror, "That's new....Oh dear, I hope that doesn't mean what I think it does, let get moving." she refuses to say anything further and they head into the old crumbling ruins of the Royal pony sisters castle. As they move into the castle the two take in the sights, "To think we caused all this." Nyx says taking note of the various holes in the ceiling, "Not all of it Nyx, most of this was from the passing of time since Celestia went from here to Canterlot and never came back, strange don't you think that she left he elements here." The Throne room with a throne for each sister was had a hole in roof from where they flew away, the glass still destroyed, the red carpet none existent, "So this is where...I, we fell?", "Yep right at the top of those stairs, But that's not why I brought you here. For now I just want get to know you or rather you want to get to know me, That and I have something I need to confess, but its better if I showed you." Nyx knows she's in for another possible gruesome flashback, but agrees. The two make there way to library "Here we are, there is bound to be some knowledge in here we can use," Nyx takes note of the dust "Maybe we can clean this place up a little, dust it off maybe," Moon finds the idea a bit tedious but likes it, the two then sit down and dive into the library's contents of ancient books. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Canterlot Castle 1:00pm Spell Nexus Having teleported to Canterlot to seek some advice from Celestia, nervously made his way though the castle to parlor he knew where he could find the Royal sisters, or sister if Luna was still in bed. Bad memories of what happened about year ago, stuck to the front of his mind, even so he finds Celestia sipping some Tea, by the scent, something from Saddle Arabia he guessed, "Princess can we talk?" he asks bowing, "Spell Nexus you know how much I hate bowing, of course what's on your mind my little pony?" Celestia asks pouring a second cup and handing him a seat. he takes a deep breath, clearly depressed still Celestia offers him some encouragement "Is Moon still getting to you sire?" by teasing him, "WHAT! How do you.....nevermind not important, and yes she is, happy Sunbutt?" "Feel better?" she returns, laughing off her nickname. "A little, anyway I need your wisdom on something have a look at this," he shows her some notes and book he brought with him, "It talks about 'the original 3 magics' what are they?" Celestia for her part stare at the notes closely Well well, they survived after all "Nexus what I'm about to tell you very few know of, tell me does this ritual involve an alicorn?" a yes is his replay "Then tell me what are the magics of an alicorn?" "The wings for flight and control of the weather, unicorn horn and magic is self-explanatory, and the strength and endurance of earth ponies along with possible magic with plants right?" "Plants? If you mean there gardening skills then no, what most ponies don't know is that earth ponies do have magic, just not in the traditional sense," When Nexus asks if she is referring to alchemy she shakes her head "A long time ago, Earth ponies possessed magic similar to Unicorn magic except it was more...natural based rather then arcane, for example they could grow plants almost simultaneously and they would blossom in seconds, but also they had there own arsenal of combat spells among others. Sadly the last bastion of this magic was lost in the crystal empire 1000 years ago, and even now that it has returned they don't seem to remember it." Nexus asks "So what am I or rather me and Twilight to do then?" "Twilights helping you? Excellent, Nexus give this to her, I want her to go to the empire and find any and all evidence to Earth pony magic. I happen to recall the tomb of the founders might hold the key to unlocking it, it wont be easy however, they are natural cautious of any but earth ponies or there own kind." "There own kind princess? Are they really so different?" Celestia frowns "They along with a few unicorn and pegasi sympathizers went to where the Crystal Empire now stands, to get away from the unicorns and pegasi that seemed to control them, not like before but you can imagine. The ponies discovered that they had Crystal magic as well as Earth magic, basically if its natural or in the earth they can manipulate it. The crystal heart is there crowning achievement and from what I heard they made more then one, one they gave to a changeling, how I wish I had met her, and the other was buried with the 3 founders in the tomb, to honor them of course. sadly I have no idea where that is." Nexus takes the letter and premises to deliver it, "But Princess, I've been told you ran into a changeling queen when you confronted Sombra? surely that was the changeling you speak of," He immediately regrets being specific when Celestia asks "Who said it was queen?" "Your sister, if you recall J.J asked her once." buying the excuse Celestia calms "Well do you know that she is....related to Luna?" Its Nexus's turn to look stunned, "Excuse me?" "I know my niece when I see her, she came during the royal wedding, disguised as Luna's with Nightmares eyes, not many know how she looked back then, myself aside she is the only one I know that would." "So wait, your sister has a changeling for...." he looks around "A daughter?" Celestia nods, "I know she's alive If Captain Warner's little show at the award ceremony after the war was anything to go by, also Luna has been very perky lately, and when she...fell I recall something or rather someone scream 'Mother' before she was knocked out of sight." Nexus thanks her for the information but before he leaves he asks "If she just dropped in to say hi would you be surprised?" "More then I dare to admit, and if you bump into her, tell her I miss her just as much as her mother. Good luck Nexus and with luck I just might be able to stick it to some of those more elitist snobs I call nobles." Nexus laughs remembering why he didn't do politics, the two part an Luna comes out of the curtains "You knew?" "But of course Luna it didn't help that she kept close to me while you where away. Besides she left a note, before she left my castle staff years ago, having been satisfied that I would not end my life over you." Luna smiles and looks to the forest she is still closer then you'd like Tia. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Meanwhile elsewhere in Canterlot Much to my surprise I got a letter from a Mr. Lord Phoenix wishing to speak with me, that morning I hoped on a train to Canterlot and met him at a rather fancy resterant, or rather I was supposed to. When I showed up he was not there so I sit down and the waiter asks "Anything for sir?", "Hmm, just some wine, white wine, someone asked me here, must be running late." after about ten minutes he shows himself, "Forgive me MR. Werner, traffic you know." he says casually, "Right, so you want to chat or get straight to business?" His expression shows his surprise that I could read him that quickly, "Why not both, you see we clearly hate each other but perhaps for the wrong reasons." I give him a skeptical look, "Politics or 'shady' business?" I say taking a sip of wine, "Again both, from my prospective anyway, Tell what do you think of me? Don't hold back now, King of the Night." I glare at him, "Funny, still its true, since I married Nyx. What do I think of you? You are the head of the Knights of Ra, that worship Celestia's Butt far more then any healthy stallion or mare should. Also you are...intriguing since we're talking right now," He grins "like you don't? its hardly a secret you know, as for the second part where you expecting more?" taking a sip of wine. I blush "Guilty I admit, but who hasn't am I wrong? Surely you didn't call me here to just talk, then again since your drinking the same thing I am its not poisoned." He nods putting his hooves together "I recall you have a weird habit of riding to the middle of the battlefield and offering the enemy surrender, is this really so different?" Point taken I nod "So what do you want hmm? and if you don't mind being honest, did you order that attack in Ponyville?" he looks at me eyebrow raised, then takes a breath "I had nothing to do with anything in Ponyville, I ordered them to watch Nyx not kill or kidnapper her, I simply want to understand you Captain, just as you want to me." "So Ponyville was just you overzealous ponies becoming even more overzealous? sound about right?" he nods "What do you want to know, I mean, we both back a princess, future princess in my case if she chooses, we both lead large groups of ponies and in my case other things. We both are in the upper class, anything else?" He looks to window "Do you believe what you do is for the best, the right thing to do?" "You do know both Luna and Celestia used to be war horses right? that's only expiation I have for what I saw Tia do to your predecessors, she is still fit to rule due to emotional trauma at the time." I look at him a soft eyed look on my face "There's nothing good about war Mr. Phoenix, We all have are differences, still perhaps we can come to an arrangement?" He actually looks shocked "Arrangement?" I explain that since he has a beef with Nightmare Moon, not Nyx that once Nightmare Moon is free we could help keep an eye on her, "Are you mad? she should just die don't you agree?", "Sir, she is different from before I know so, Look she had the familiar Nightmare barring down on her, by the gods she will not go quietly, how about we...work together against a common foe, after that we can go kill each other later, sound good?" Phoenix laughed out loud "oh, oh Mr. Werner you are a riot, I agree but, you do realize Nyx isn't on my agenda, I've seen her in person myself, As you say she is not the Mare in the Moon we new. That does not mean I don't keep my eyes on her." Right, "cough, cough" bullshit "That would explain the Blackcoat's killing you, I have no authority over them less they let me, so I have no dought there watching us at the moment." I glance out the window, yep there their in shadows, "Thing is....Look the back and forth between us, it's getting old Phoenix, what are you after? Are you afraid of my quote "gang" or do you have something else in mind?" He glances at my watch slowly ticking on the table, "Look at it this way, we both have are personal agendas right? You wish to protect Equestira, so do I, we simply go about it are own way, You believe in equilibrium, and I see both Nyx and this Nightmare as a threat. Its not that am Zealous as you put it, just highly concerned Celestia's age is catching up with her actions, if you will." I nod finding Celestia's actions since I met her questionable at times "I think we're done here, good luck and my the best man win?" he shakes my hand "God have mercy on our souls, Captain." The two of us pay the bill and part ways, satisfied we understand each other. He is a zealot who cant see the pony behind Nyx's appearance or Luna for that matter, and I am the black knight of Nightmares court, a funny set of circumstances to be sure, such is the way the chips fall. out of the corner of my eye, I notice Luna slip into the shadows, Guess she heard everything, poor girl, I decided to head back to Ponyville to help Twilight. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Back in Ponyville Nexus for once was grateful for teleportation, having popped back into Twilights library in same spot he left, "Mrs. Sparkle I'm back!" he announces to wall of paper, "Over here, what did she say?" Twilight says sorting the papers aside, "Geez I forgot how much you love this kind of work, the good news is that I got and answer, the bad news is its not straight forward," Nexus gives the explanation Celestia gave him, "Earth pony magic huh? That makes sense given the massive increase in magic in alicorns, so do we know anyone that can do that?" "Mrs. Sparkle, no pony far as I'm aware even knows about this, other then the Crystal ponies that is, but even they clearly have no memory of their past. A pity Sombra is no longer with us, he seemed to know a thing or two." Twilight not sharing his sympathy sighs "Well lets wrap this up and see if we can find any references to earth magic, or crystal" Nexus compacts the notes into packets twirling them around himself, setting them aside, they start by looking at books that spoke of the Crystal Empire and other history books. As they speed read and flip though books, Nexus find a odd book, "What's this?" he find a old looking book with The crystal Royal family crest on it, "Twilight have you seen this book?" Twilight looks if over, "No, and by the looks its in a foreign language, maybe Radiant knows it." Nexus familiar with the Changelings agrees, the book in question looked almost brand new, it had 2 crystal hearts with gold lace, similar to Candance's cutie mark, the name of it being A black wolf among sheep, a changelings life "By the way did anyone tell you that there former Crystal ponies?" Twilight looks at him "You serious?" "Yes, she talked about King Sombra to me like he was an old friend, so yes, she is at least, the others well there less forth coming with that information." Twilight nods remembering to ask about that later, "Lets keep looking maybe we can find some old books about the Empire in here." the two dive back into there study session, now on a more focused field of study. The Nightmare's secretsRuins of the Royal sisters castle Sunday March 17th "Hey Moon forgive me for prying but what's it like on Moon?" the mare in turn, sputters slightly and look at Nyx with a hard glare, it softens "Well, Celestia told you how, you simply sleep, but when your not it is quite, lonely and insanity inducing, I was lucky I had Luna for company, I'd be lying if I said we were roommates. On the plus side your not completely cut from the world you can look down and see what the world is like if you feel like it." Nyx takes that comforting thought, then returns to the book, "Ya know, when ever I look back, I can't imagine coming back to find my mother dead, I would probably though myself off a cliff for just that." Moon nods in agreement, "Think how Luna feels, by the way what did Faust actually tell you?" "Just to be weary of the True Nightmare....You know what that means?" Moon nods, "Nyx there's something I need to show you here, I could tell you but its better if I show you, Its about her follow me," The two head into the castle halls passing various rooms, only to come to a pipe organ, "Here we are, now where did Tia leave that sheet music?" Moon goes to rummage though some of the scattered remnants of the castle, Nyx meanwhile looks at the organ "Does it work?", "Yes surprisingly enough, Ah ha here we are." Moon dusts off some music sheets and takes her seat at the organ, Nyx sits next to her, "Ready for another trip down memory lane?" "Is it going to be like last time?" "No just a lot more depressing, and if were lucky you just might get to meet Nightmare Moon, what's left of her." Moon press a few keys till she gets it right and starts humming a old tune, Nyx meanwhile spaces out as the world around the two falls away to another flashback, Moon grabs Nyx putts the organ on autoplay with her magic and brings the filly and herself to floor, "I'm right here with you Nyx." she to falls to the floor, coming to the same mental state Nyx is. Nightmare Moon and Nyx for her themselves in a familiar castle, "So where are we this time?" Nyx asks, "Shortly after Luna's banishment, Celestia should start any moment now." just as Moon stops speaking Celestia walks into the room, opens a book and starts to write, by the way she moves her pen its clearly her diary, and she is clearly distressed, she starts to sing, and says "Dear diary," the whole scene changes, Luna and Celestia stare at each other though a pane of glass, on one side the moon and space, the other Equestira and the sun over head. Celestia is writing in her diary at the moment while moving around the room. (Here some links if your unfamiliar with this song Luna's reply andLullaby for a Princess and finally Duet Version) I should've never done this. Please, Sister, why can't you just take me back. Please... Fate has been cruel and order unkind How can I have sent you away? How could I have hurt them this way? The blame was my own, My punishment's mine. The harmony's silent today. But into the stillness I'll bring you a song But into that stillness you brought me your song And I will your company keep With your voice my company kept Till your tired eyes and my lullabies For your tired eyes and sweet lullabies Have carried you softly to sleep In exile I pay you my debt The sisters stand apart for this as they continue there song. Once did a pony shone like the sun. Look out on her kingdom and sigh. She smiled and said, "Surely there is no pony so lovely and so well beloved as I." So great was her reign, so brilliant her glory, that long was the shadow she cast, Which fell dark upon the young sister she loved and grew only darker as days and nights passed Once did a pony who gleamed like the moon, Look out on her kingdom and sigh. Dejected she cried, “Surely there is no pony “Who loves me, or finds any love in my night.” So great was her pain, she rose in rebellion against those who cared for her most. She let the Nightmare fall on those she ruled and threatened to grip them in permanent cold Lully moon princess, goodnight sister mine Lully dear Tia, goodnight sister mine Rest now in moonlight's embrace Rest now in starlight's embrace Bear up my lullaby winds of the earth. Through cloud, and through sky, and through space Carry the peace and the coolness of night, and carry my sorrow in kind Luna, you're loved so much more than you know Tia, you loved me much more than I know Forgive me for being to blind Soon did that pony take notice that others, did not give her sister her due And neither had she loved her as she deserved, She watched as her sister's unhappiness grew But such is the way of the limelight, it sweetly takes hold of the mind of its host. And that foolish pony did nothing to stop, the destruction of one who had needed her most Celestia actually growls at herself as she says this, then Luna picks up Soon did her sister do what was demanded and gave to the moonlight her due, breaking the harmony, she saved her ponies, and banished her as a wise ruler must do But such is the weight of the crown we wear, sister, Duties we always uphold. May you forgive me that foolishness mine and live on with no burden upon your soul Lully moon princess, goodnight sister mine Lully dear Tia, goodnight sister mine Rest now in moonlight's embrace Rest now in starlight's embrace May this cool lullaby reach you in dreams and ease you your passage of days May my apologies find you this night and carry my sorrow in kind Luna, you're loved so much more than you know Tia, you loved me much more than I know May troubles be far from your mind And Forgive me for being so blind The thousand years before us Empty and forlorn I never imagined I'd face them on my own I never imagined we'd face them all alone May these sunless seasons swiftly pass I pray I love you, I miss you All these miles away May all your dreams be sweet tonight safe upon your bed of moonlight And know not of heartache, fear, nor gloom And when I dream, I'll fly away to meet you there soon Sleep...Sleep...Sleep... As the scene appears to fade a dark laugh is heard followed by "That's not what heard, listen" as Moon flairs her magic and Nyx hides under her, Luna turns into Nightmare Moon appears and starts singing her own tune. (Luna's Soliloquy) Fate has been cruel and order unkind,how could you have sent me away? I sit here and gaze into stillness alone, the darkness and silence pervade. But here in my prison, my thoughts they won't fade, of power and glory and praise. ]‘Till your blinded eyes, can see your own lies, The stars will recount my last days. Once was a pony whose moon shone so bright, the stars were in awe at its glow. She smiled and said, "Surely, there is no pony who'd dare be asleep through this marvellous show." Yet where were they all? Her subjects she never,Caught sight of once shadows did fall. Their laughter and joy was but a hopeless dream, Which grew into nightmares as sun rays charmed all. Wait now, sun princess, the night will arise, so keep not my moon in its place. Tia my judgement was not yours to give and soon now we'll both meet our fates. Carry my rage, oh you shadows of night and carry my sorrow in kind. Sister, your deed hurt much more than you know, the time for my vengeance is nigh. The beams of another cast brightly on others, whose love and affection it drew. And there that moon princess watched shunned by the world, As hate filled her heart and unhappiness grew. "Why don't they adore me?" she thought to herself, as the other had no right to boast And that selfish pony did nothing to stop, the destruction of I, who had needed her most. Wait now, sun princess, the night will arise, so keep not my moon in its place. Tia my judgement was not yours to give, and soon now we'll both meet our fates. Carry my rage, oh you shadows of night and carry my sorrow in kind Sister, your deed hurt much more than you know, may guilt plague you for your great crime. For the time of my vengeance is nigh. The years now before us, fearful and unknown. I never imagined, I'd face them on my own. May these thousand winters, Swiftly pass, I pray. My pain grows, I can't know, Are you still the same? May all your dreams be sweet tonight, Safe behind your veil of sunlight. You know not my sadness, pain, or care and as you dream, I'll break away and meet you there. Sleep... Reality slowly comes back to the pair of alicorns, A shadowy Nightmare Moon stands before them, "Hmhmhm, surely you are not so naïve to believe such lies," she says taking a more solid form of Nightmare Moon. "Really now Nyx did you think you could come here and not find me around? hmm?" the mare says slowly walking down some steps in front of the pair "GET. BACK!" Moon yells stepping up to the mare, "Or what Nyx, you going to hug me again, I don't think that will work this time." Nyx for her part suddenly get hit with a wave of realization, Is she saying...No I would have noticed, wouldn't I? Nyx quickly decides to try out her new toy but tries to get some information first "So Miss Mare Why are you here hmm?" the two look at her and side step to opposite sides of the room, "Because of what you have witnessed I can feel its right to revel myself to you, you see this mare and I have been having a little....shouting match in her mind." Moon stares her carefully looking for any sign of movement "And you Nightmare are the reason I exist period. Why couldn't you just go DIE in that lake and stay DEAD!" the Nightmare chuckles wickedly "Hmhmhm did you think freeing yourself would make it so I couldn't as well, you bet a little too much my dear so here we are." Nyx pops her head out to get a better look, the spiting image of Nightmare Moon, "And just who are you exactly?" Nightmare Moon looks at the filly "Pardon the pun, but your worst Nightmare!", "Not very threating when you hear it a million times." Nyx says unable to avoid the pun, "Still its true from both of your perspectives, you Nyx, KILLED me not once but twice, and I want my life back and YOU will give it to me." A voice in the distance is heard "Over my dead body, your bitch," out of the shadows a older Nyx appears, "UGH, you again? How?", "Did you think I'd abandon dear young Nyx, parasite?" (Ok just so this doesn't confuses any of you here's some color Nyx Moon Nightmare Moon Nightmare Nyx I guess that's what I'll call her.) "I don't need you to bail me out Nyx." Moons says slightly annoyed "Clearly you need me or you wouldn't have brought me out here would you?" NM. Nyx says proceeding to stand between the alicorns, "And you should be dead!", Nightmare laughs a little "Tell that to the Mare behind you, then again I suppose it would be a bit awkward to have two twin fillies with no explanation," she then says "I see that look in your eyes Nyx, is that really just dawning on you now? How sad really, you don't recognize yourself in mirror." Nyx for her part looks up at Moon hoping for an answer, said mare sighs "Dame you all." The crescents on her flank are joined by a winged shield, her hair turns purple and even forms normal hair, "Hello Nyx, meet yourself." she says defeated dropping to her knees, Nyx comforts her "Don't beat yourself up, Mom was suspicious the whole time, besides I'd know those eyes anywhere." Moon smiles and then the two "adults" in the room continue there shouting match, "What can you honestly do against me Nyx, your weak, depressed and not even supposed to be here!" Nm. Nyx replies hard "AND YOU don't know what power is! YOU are weak, YOU are pathetic, and YOU should not exist." She snorts steam out of her snout and pops off her magic into the air, revealing the room around them. The wasn't much to look at a few decrepit pictures from the passage of time, and a few fallen stones. Nyx and Moon deciding discretion is the better part of valor decide to step back and let the two alicorn have at it, said alicorns start to circle each other. The two light there horns and clash, "You think you know what power is YOU COULDN"T EVEN SAVE YOUR OWN MOTHER!" Nyx pulls off that classic girl voice "Oh, no she didn't" moving her hoof back and forth, "Oh really, says the mare that died, cold, alone and unloved! I had Twilight to grave for me, she even want so far as to defy her Mentor, TREASON no less to be with me again!" the two blast each other, NM. Nyx landing a blow, "THAT is the POWER of friendship and love, it can make you do things no mind control ever can!" lightning arcs from NM. Nyx's horn, Nightmare teleports and uppercuts her with her hoof, "Oh really, and did you forget WHAT I gave in order to achieve my goals, I gave EVERYTHING!" her voice sounding hollow, "Ya and look where that got you," a beam knocks the wind out of Nightmare Moon and she slumps against the wall, "I don't care what you and the Mare are up to, LEAVE. NYX. OUT OF THIS. Or Faust will be the least of your problems." she kicks some dust in her face before walking over to Nyx, the Nightmare disappearing in defeat, "You should not have done that Nightmare Moon, you need to be more careful." Moon, looks at her "Well your quite the dark hero Miss Nyx...Thank you, I didn't think she would be that bold." Nightmare Nyx, sighs "You have been warned, Nightmare, I suggest you don't, waste it." she looks up at the sky, "Good Evening to you both. and Nyx, Good luck." she winks and vanishes on the wind. The two Very quickly make there way out of castle, "You should see my castle, its quick nice this time of year," Moon remarks glancing over her shoulder "You have a castle?" Nyx asks, "Nightmare Castle, says it right on the tin now doesn't it." Moon stops for a second, "Nyx there is one other thing I need to show you, take a close look at me and feel ok?" Nyx does just take slightly confused "I don't feel....HUH?" feeling a slight bump in her barrel "Your....", "Pregnant? I know stunned me too." "So does that mean Luna is.." Moon covers her mouth "No, Luna and I may have shared the same body, but....well you figure it out." enough said, "So....does she know?" Moon shakes her head, "No but I suspect she will definitely feel it when ever I give birth, ya know that special mother daughter connection thing?" Nyx blushes "Ooooh, she is going to kill youuuuu, so who's the father?" Moon makes a neighing sound "Um, oh god what was his name....he was an accountant so...silver...ah Silver Shillings he was quite loyal to Luna, and regrettably me, can't say I regret it though." "But, that's so....wrong?" Nyx says less happy then before "Is it? Hardly when your present lover is possessed by a dark sprit, I was Luna for a time you know." Nyx shakes her head "Not what I meant, but that too is just not right to me, I meant the fact you have no problem dying WITH your child, surely you would want her to live at least?" Moon looks at Nyx "I do, but the sooner we end this the better you understand me? The child means nothing to me because you are more important to me, Nyx you don't know how lucky you are, you get to have a life, I didn't.", Nyx shakes her head "Lets just....go ok, I don't want to talk about this any more." she teleports back to town, "She did that without enhancing her magic, impressive, sigh I fucked up again didn't I?" as if her baby could answer. She teleports as well, wishing to skip the trip though the forest. Ponyville Library 7:00pm Nexus head off to bed having been tired out from the research into the Crystal Empire, Twilight meanwhile just kept on going, two cups of coffee next to her, with more to come he guessed. Nyx walks though the door head to the floor, Twilight turns "Oh, Nyx your back...What's the matter sweetie?" taking note of Nyx's depression. "I don't want to talk about it." She moves up the stairs and goes to her room. Moon walks in "Nyx, come back, I'm sorry I just....damit all to hell." Twilight turns looking at her "What happen, another memory?", Moon sighs "That's part of it I suspect, I'll let her give you the details when she's ready. I...I'm just... gonna go ok." She vanishes and Twilight sighs deeply "Guess this can wait, it will be better if Nyx cheers up." She calls on Star for second time since she met her "Star, what happened out there? Do you know?" the spectral pony forms in front of Twilight, her coat the same as Twilight if a few shades darker, the mane was pink with a violet strip, the opposite of Twilights, and her eyes where still slits but now where blue. "Miss Sparkle...I'm not sure I should tell you, its private you understand?" Twilight nods but presses anyway, "They met the True Nightmare, and Nyx learned something she wishes she hadn't about Miss Moon, You might want to speak to both of them in time, but for now go comfort your child." she vanishes and Twilight head us the spiraled stair case and slowly crakes open Nyx's door, "Honey, you ok? Do you want to talk about it?" Nyx waves Twilight off, she walks in and sits next to her "What happened Nyx did you have another....", "GO AWAY! I don't want talk about it!" Twilight takes note of the shield on Nyx's back, "What's this?" Twilight goes to touch it but, stops "Wait, that's.....Where did you get this?" Twilight asks Sensing the magic within the mysterious shield, "Its the element of protection, got it from the same place the princesses got the elements in the first place. That's not what's bothering me, It....has to do with 'her'," Twilight nods and leaves her daughter to herself, she sends a letter to Celestia about her the new Element and asks if it means anything, her response is surprising "Twilight, I know where Nyx got that shield, don't worry its perfectly safe and just shows what Nyx's you suspected her cutie mark means, However the fact that it exists is intriguing as it is troubling, the place where we found the Elements of harmony does not give things for just any pony, Keep an eye on Nyx see if she changes at all. On a final note, I know I can guess what's bothering Nyx, Nightmare Moon is the only one that knows for sure so you best ask her if you can. Your Mentor, Princess Celestia." Twilight couldn't make heads or tails of that letter, on one hand, the Element was a good thing, on the other hand it meant it had a purpose, of what was the question. She goes and tells Nyx she was planning for trip to the Crystal Empire for an assignment, hoping a change of scenery would cheer her up. Nyx smiles slightly before returning to her slum state, Twilight returns to the ground floor just has J.J. walks in, "Hay Twilight you still alive in here?" "I'm standing right there J.J." she says giggling. they sit down on the couch and Twilight tells him of recent events "Wait she what?...I see," Twilight then if he knows anything, "I could tell you but, I'm exactly chatty about this particular thing, Ask Moon, she knows," he says clearly wanting to tell her, "Is it a private matter?" He nods, "Personal?" another nod, "Well she isn't exactly forth coming, any advice?" He tosses his head a few times "Perhaps I should teach you some mental magic, the navigational part at least." Twilight looks nervous, "Is it safe? And for that matter Legal?" he nods "Luna may not like the idea, but its meant for medical purposes and interrogation, Given you have no criminal record and are 99% mentally sound I see no reason not to teach you.", "99%?" he reminds her of Lessons Zero, "Fair point, when do we start?", "Tomorrow, your mind must be tired from, all this studying." he then takes out a book on spirits and leaves, Twilight deciding to turn in earlier that night. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Next morning I met Twilight at her home she was quietly meditating in a circle of candles "Um? What did I walk into here?" She opens an eye "Meditation quiets the mind, it should help with what you wish to teach." she really does thing of everything doesn't she, "Right well, that takes care of step one, not for step two," I sit down on the couch "Right well, try to 'project' yourself in the mental world Twilight, it's similar to lucid dreaming, but requires more focus obviously." I pass out entering my mind and wait for Twilight in a void reminiscent of limbo, minutes pass She's taking her sweet time now isn't she? suddenly a wave comes over me and a purple light appears, quickly followed by Twilight, "Ugh...Did I do it?" she asks clearly exhausted, "Yes, try to relax save your strength, without fading of course." Twilight proceeds with a breathing exercise, when she looks recovered I proceed "So right, how do I explain this part....Now we, you rather....Hit me," Twilights question mark expression say it all "With your mind, your magic should translate just fine, just be careful ok, I'm quite potent you know." to even my surprise her psi attack hits harder then I thought, "OW! Why you little!" reflexively I hit her back and she flies into a mental wall of solid marble, "YOU OK?" I yell given the distance between us, "The wall broke my fall," she says popping up in from of me again, "Can't say I didn't warn you, now try to 'pick' into my mind a little, just poke at me softly, and imagine picking a lock, you know how that works right?" Twilight does just that and I walk behind a door to watch. The repeated banging was annoying but I was used to teaching others this so was to expected. Twilight manages to pick into some memories clearly feeling my watchful third eye, "Now what should I look into, hmm this looks safe," she taps a portrait of herself, and finds herself in her prison cell "Oh darn it this will not be pleasant," I walk down the stairs of the dungeon "Hay Twilight you still alive down here," Oh right, she remembers this this was right after Nyx through her in said cell, " its hopeless isn't it?", He stands in front of the cell "If that were true she'd be dead right now. Pray Twilight and believe me, we both know what she's like." My present self walks though the wall, "Um Twilight I admire your enthusiasm, but this is a weird choose of first memories." We return to the art gallery like hall, "So this is memory lane right?" she asks "Something like that, I replaced a few for you to check out, there are things you don't need to see, they also play like movies but I felt like going old school." we walk a few minutes and Twilight asks "So how does one navigate this world?" I smile "pretty straight forward, here's a book on subject," She takes a look in it, "Hmm, traps, protection, dangers, navigation, here we are, lets see....focus on your destination/target, if they deny you, you are left with ether stealth infiltration or brute force, the first option is recommended. simple enough," I suggest she study the combat section, just in case "It helps to be familiar with such things to protect yourself from changelings and the like, not to mention trying to do this without being out cold," Twilight summons a library around us, "I don't suppose it makes a good way to learn does it?" "I like how you think Twilight." the two of us go on for hours seemingly, checking my watch it was only one hour of real time "Think you can go have Nightmare Moon?" "I need to test my skills against someone with skill on the matter, that leaves....apart from you, Luna." yeah that won't end well I think, "That....is ballsy but the only option truthfully, good luck with that." Suddenly I remember something, "Oh Twilight, take this, it's a book on types of defenses you may encounter, we obviously can't keep an eye on are minds all the time so those that dwell in such a realm tend to have anonymous defenses," she takes the book and flips though it "static defenses, traps, offensive minions, defensive minions, Wow that's a lot!" I nod telling her its different for everypony but they fallow similar traits at the base level "For example Pinkie pie probably has very lethal party cannons while Rarity would have sowing needles, or Rainbow dash probably has storm clouds and fast minion while Applejack has sturdy, slower but stronger ones and hay ball walls for instance." That evening, Twilight tries out her new found Mental abilities, having practiced on various ponies in Ponyville Goes to take a crack at Luna's mind, only to decide her sister would be less of daunting challenge, she comes upon a VERY fancy door, gold trim, while with two suns on it, "Forgive me Princess but practice make perfect after all," she walks though easily enough, only to find Celestia mind to quite the fortress, "Huh? well cant turn back now right?" She starts to probe Celestia's mind for locks and traps, "Whoa, man Celestia's locked up tighter then the gates to Tartarous, why? no matter press forward." making some decoys of herself she walks forward the clones spotting traps for her without setting them off, "good thing I gave them a stealth barrier and enhanced detection. now lets see, where is that map?" she pulls out a map from her hair, the clones had wondered off in all directions for maximum scouting "Right I don't want to that way, I better avoid that....no that will take to long, look for secret passages, but what would they look like?" seeing a portrait of her sister Luna, she tries that, only to notice it watching her, "Creepy, well she knows I'm here at least, maybe she wont kill me for digging around about Nightmare Moon," Twilight suddenly senses a hostile presence coming up behind her, "Horse apples!" she runs down a hall and ducks behind a corner, finding herself in barrecks full of little Tia's "Ok be quite," she gets a closer look at them, and realizes there not attackers but sentries, "Maybe I can get them to show me around? risky but not worst idea." she gently wakes one of the sentries and it looks at her "Twilight Sparkle? why are you here?" it asks "Oh um, sorry to wake you, got a little lost," the sentry look at her funny "Really? I have my doughts, follow me please," Twilight follows the guard, then once they leave the barrecks, Twilight zaps it, it turns purple for a moment then black then back to purple, "Yes mistress?" it says bowing to Twilight "Take me the memories of anything to do with Nightmare Moon, please?" it nods and they proceed, "I noticed you turn black back there, should I be worried about that?" she asks on the way "Black? Luna should look into that, I'll inform her of....." the sentry turned guide taps Twilights map then mouths 'Run' Twilight doesn't skip a beat, and takes off as her new companion turns into a friary Phoenix, "TWILGIHT! STOP!" a commanding voice yelled. Twilight dove around the corner, "shit shit, shit! um, these should slow it down" she summons some random guards that toke a defensive stance only to shatter like glass form the phoenix, "TWILIGHT!" it yells again, Twilight glances at the map in the corner of her vision "Almost there," only to run smack into a wall. Cornered Twilight curls into a ball and prays, the fiery bird lands in front of here, and Celestia walks out from behind it "Oh dear, are you ok my student?" Twilight picks herself up off the floor "I am so dead aren't I?" her mentor smiles "Not at all, it been some time since someone has tried to attack me in such a way, though I take it you where looking for something?" Twilight gives the details of her plan, "I see, well you are wise, my sister does not tolerate such things, you would probably wake up with more then just a headache, more like a few new battle scares." Thanking her lucky stars Twilight asks if Celestia knew anything about Nightmare Moon she didn't already say, she shakes her head "Luna was always the better at psi magic, I can protect myself very well, but her ability over dreams make her especially skilled at this sort of thing. If you don't mind Twilight I would like to keep that to myself, its painful you understand right?" Twilight nods hugs her mentor and the Two part ways for the evening and Twilight does some more reading on the matter of mental combat. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Wednesday March 20th Noon A few days pass, Twilight plans for the Crystal Empire, Nyx Blesses the rest of the CMC, counting the founders she added seven more to there ranks: Dinky, Durpy's daughter. Twist. Silver Spoon, secretly of course, Flitter joined only to find the Blessing highly uncomfortable due to her being a changeling. Berry jam, Berry punches daughter. Rumble, and lastly Pipsqueak. Twilight meanwhile had learned quite bit about the ways of the mind. She even manages to challenge Luna, and lost but impressed her. at the moment she was walking though her daughters mind, "Now where is that door?" she passes her daughters door and considers looking into the matter, she passes it however giving her daughter some space, and turns the corner "Here we are" the door was dark wood, with purple trim and silver, Nightmare Moons head on one side, and Nyx's cutie mark on the other, she enters and immediately regrets it, Moon must have been expecting her because, she gets jumped by six guards "You shouldn't be here Twilight!" Moon yells, clearly going hands on with her mind "I want to know what's going on and you wont tell me! I've never seen Nyx this passive and I know you have something to do with it!" she gets up the guards back away, "Out of my way!" the guards are blown aside by the shout, Twilight summons her own soldiers, thirty surround her while twenty more rush forward setting off traps and other defenses, "Your good Twilight, I see you've taken lessons, Still you cant learn everything form books," Twilights body guards scatter and Twilight is forced to defend herself, only to come face to face with nightmare herself, "lets keep this simple shall we you win I tell you, I will you leave." Twilight nods pulling out her sword. Twilight makes the first move, thrusting her blade at Moon, she parries and lands a blow on Twilights back followed by summoning six spears and throws them at her, Twilight blocks each one and tosses a lighting bolt from above, hitting Moon in the leg as she jumps forward and dodges "Impressive," the world around them vanishes and a flat grass field appears in its place "Lets see that swordsmareship shall we?" the two clash, Twilight struggling under Moons superior strength, she tills the sword and beats Moon with the hilt of her sword, knocking a few teeth out and leaving a bruise. Moon flies back grinning then zooms forward knocking Twilight back a few hundred feet her horn driving into her side, in return Twilight teleports and tosses some knives at Moon, all three hitting her left wing, "UGH, DAME YOU!" Moon starts firing off rapid bolts of magic, Twilight dodges them skillfully and closes the distance, Moon with her swords longer reach swipes at Twilight, who drops to her barrel and thrust her sword into Moons chest, Moon stagers backwards and stares at her chest, "Hmm? dame...." she sighs heals them both and the scene shifts to a Nightmare's room. The room itself was rather humble but still could be called fancy, the walls a light midnight blue, a welcome mat where Twilight now stood indigo with teal letters, a chandelier of clear crystal hung from the ceiling, depicting the night sky. "Make your self at home Twilight, there's some snacks on the table," Moon says clearly angry and disappears though a door to what Twilight guessed a bedroom, she takes a seat on the purple couch and waits. Twenty minutes later Moon reappears "So What the Devil brought you here hmm? Is Nyx really that depressed?" Twilight nods "You where the last one with her so, what did you do or say? Not that I blame you but want to know." Moon sighs "Feel here Twilight," Twilight feels her abdomen, "Ya so what's....Oh....OOOh that's why? I'd think she'd be overjoyed?" Moon looks down "I told her we would come to a head at some point, despite the fact that, I'm dead she's still sympathetic," "So you don't care for your own child?" Moon shakes her head "Twilight form what I understand ether Nyx will take me in or I will take her in, if you follow me. Look I care about this child like any mother would, but...Nyx means more to me." Twilight changes the subject "How old is she?", "Oh, a few months at the most, not even what you would call a baby really." Twilight shakes her head "I would think someone as old as you would look into ways to circumvent such a clash. Sure there's a way?" Moon frowns "There is but to hell with it. Look if I don't fight Nyx the moment you revive me, I'll kill her you know that right? The worst part is that I better you this child would have her looks, I will not be subject to such a cruel sense of guilt Twilight. This is not pride, its begging for mercy!" Moon tears up "Now that I know how close the real Nightmare is to overcoming me, I....I just want this to end, to be happy as a part of Nyx if nothing else, I know that's sounds bad but its not, I am your daughter after all." she drops her magic, revealing a purple mane, blue eyes and her Twin crescents are joined by a kite shield like before, "I see, I thought as much." When Twilight asks why Moon was drinking with Celestia last week, she says "Just because I live doesn't mean 'it' a she rather I looked, is." Twilight nods slightly sadden by that peace of knowledge. Twilight then gets up and Hug her whispering in her ear "I will always be here for you, my baby girl, no matter what anyone says or what you do, Just look over your shoulder, I'll be there for you." Moon brakes down into a sobbing child "DAME YOU MAGIC WHY MUST YOU TORMENT ME! wabawawa" tears steam down her face, Twilight levitates some tissues and water over to the table between them, and sits opposite her. When Nightmare Moon eventually stops crying Twilight speaks "Your scared of death aren't you? Going back to the darkness right?" she nods "That wont happen, Faust misses you, why I have no idea but I'm not going to question it." Moon eyes open "Does she? well I was one of here first children I suppose, a fallen angel if you will," she wipes her face, "Thank you Twilight, how are we coming if you don't mind?" Twilight reports her findings "Earth pony magic huh? well no surprise there, life is never easy is it?" the two laugh about that then she turns to Twilight "Tell Nyx, tell her that....I'll try, I'll try to save this child but she have to promise me to do what she must understand." Twilight nods and leaves. She wakes to the sound of spike cooking and Nyx coming home from school, "How was your day Honey?" Nyx looks up "Good, We did some experiments today and the pinkie outfitted the ship with some Cannons, I also decided to name it the Dream seems fitting don't you think?" Twilight nods, "How Moon wanted me to tell you something," she takes a breath "She, wanted to tell you that she will try, but have to promise to do what you must when the time comes, ok?" Nyx eyes her mother, noticing her slightly exhausted hair style, "Sure, but she better keep her end," Nyx sing-songs into the kitchen, the three sit down and Nyx asks "So I heard from Luna, your going on a trip, can I come too?" Twilight smiles "Of course you can Nyx, were we're going your going to some fun, you and I need find some books talking about Earth pony magic, Celestia subjected The Crystal Empire, where your Aunt and Uncle live remember." Nyx nods recalling the name, "Well we got three days to pack and plan, so we better get started," They down there Lunch and the Mother Daughter pair rush into there rooms and go into Making lists and Planning mode, Moon observing though Nyx's eyes "That's, Are little girl Twilight." She even pops up to help Nyx pack, when Nyx takes note of her presence she stops "You sure you want me promise?" Moon looks at her "If you keep your promise I'll keep mine, Don't worry Nyx, you will have a sister I promise." Nyx asks one last question "Why where you drinking last night when your pregnant?", "Loophole, I'm alive yes, sadly that does not mean 'it' is, a she rather I look once," Nyx smiles at the prospect of a younger sister and goes back to packing, as if nothing happened earlier that week.
Dreams (revised)Midnight, March 10th 2013, 7 months after The Long Night The Golden Oaks Library, Ponyville. Inside, one owl, one dragon named spike, a unicorn named Twilight Sparkle and it's newest resident Nyx Nightmare Sparkle were all sound asleep. Nyx was and as far as most ponies where concerned still was Nightmare Moon incarnate, a year ago she had over thrown the royal sisters and ruled for about over a month before abdicating her thrown. Shortly after she had defended Ponyville from everything the nearby Everfree forest could throw at Ponyville as well and got injured in the possess, and after some coxing from her Mother Twilight sparkle she released the Royal sisters and they in turn showed her mercy. Other the rest of that year she had slowly rebuild the filly image of herself rather then dark ruler she and the Cult of Nightmare Moon had built up. Still there had been a few bumps in the road, her first Nightmare Night had been a bit awkward with everyone not telling her what it was about not to mention those young ponies trying to kill her. They clamed "You all under her spell," which wasn't true, she had survived that by a hairs breath. Then came Christmas time, when she had met both her Aunt Cadance and Uncle Shiny. That had not gone over too well at first but in the end things worked out and she was happily accepted buy both of them. New years eve had been more fun, Ponyville was still lined with Christmas lights. Despite this, Luna's night sky was outshining any of the light displays. The firework show that night was met with much anticipation and was the most beautiful thing Nyx had ever seen. Her Mother Twilight Sparkle, brother spike and even Luna had sat by her that night, she felt so happy with the various designs and colors overhead, curled up with her mother with spike munching on popcorn and gems. It was one of the highpoints of her short life. Such unpleasant and equally happy memories where a distance thought as she pleasantly dreamed, when she was awakened by a faint sound. After tossing the covers back she groggily decides to investigate. Failing to wake her mother, she slowly makes her way down the winding staircase.... and what she sees sends chills down her spine, for sitting on a couch by the fire was the familiar form of Nightmare Moon. She appeared to be huming some sort of tune, Nyx gasped at the mare as she spotted her. "Hmmhmmhmm huh? Oh Nyx, did I wake you?" Nightmare Moon Replied looking up from her book at Nyx, her heart racing in panic did the sensible thing, fainting right on the wood floor and hoped she would go away. _______________________________________________________ NightMare Moon sighed getting up from her book "Well that went as well as I could have expected" and moves Nyx over to the couch with her magic. "Ok what am I going to say to her when she wakes up let's see, Hi Nyx I'm..., no that won't work. Mabye if I try to show her I'm not a threat? That might work, but how can I do that?" As she ponders this Nyx slowly woke up, before she can move, Moon grabs her and says "Look, I know your scared right now. Please just... calm down ok. I just want to talk." She put Nyx down and they started the process of trying to reach out to each other. Slowly taking in her situation Nyx said "Ok WHO are you, and What are you doing here?" In response Nightmare said "Well I guess you can call me Nightmare Moon, Moon if you wish to shorten it and I 'was' just siting here reading a book. And you?" There was dead silence as the two stare at each other awkwardly, after about a minute or two Nyx brakes the ice "I was just had having a nice dream when I hear a noise and came to find you here. And you are Nightmare....Moon...." she doesn't finish as she quickly Dashes up the stairs an teleport into the bedroom above. "Twilight!, Twilight Wake up please!" She desperately tries to shake Twilight awake but nothing seemed to work. Nightmare raced up the stairs after her and into the room, she found the Nyx desperately trying to wake her mother, "Nyx she's not real its just an illusion," she told Nyx, having next to no effect. Suddenly a small white tendril pops out of Nyx's horn and goes into Twilights forehead, Nightmare Moon stared at the feat of dream magic as she whispers "Did she just do that?" Twilight bolted upright and turned to Nyx looking very tired. "Nyx, what's the matter?" Twilight asks rubbing her eyes as Nyx points at Nightmare Moon, fear written on both there faces. Nightmare quickly says "Twilight just go back to sleep, I'm not here to hurt her I swear," Twilight blinks a few times then laughs before saying, "HAHA, good one Luna, good joke." For a moment Nightmare pauses "Why didn't I think of that option earlier!" she thought, then decides better then to lie to Twilight "Sorry to disappoint you Ms. Sparkle, but this is anything but a joke," then quickly zaps Twilight sending her back to dreamland before she can react, she then glares at Nyx, dragging her back downstairs. "What the Hell was that about?! Are you trying to..." she paused lowering her voice "Well suppose you do want me gone, but still your could have asked!" Moon shouted, very annoyed at Nyx, who just stared at the floor, "Go away...please." she said curling on the couch. Nightmare sighs "Ok, this is getting me no where," she thought "I'm just as surprised as you are really, I never expected to actually meet you." Nyx didn't move, thinking of what might win her over, Nightmare Moon then got an idea "Wait here," she went into the kitchen and wiped up a few bowls of Nyx's favorite food, she returned and placed it in front of her, "Can we start over? I want to be your friend, its funny to think I of all mares am your guardian angel, as far as I'm aware". She had chosen Twilights approach. Nyx's attention peaked at her words and she barely contained herself "Wait you, my guardian angel, HAHAHA, that's a good one!" she bursts into laughter. "Alright you got me there, but I may as well be. I did save you last Night mare Night after all." Moon said making a halo appear for added effect. After a minute or so of Nyx's laughing, she calmed down and they started slowly warming up to each other by chatting, "So feel better?" Moon asked, Nyx nodded slightly "I still don't trust you." "I don't expect your to, not completely. How's the soup?" Nyx garbed a spoon and took a sip, her eyes widened "Just like Mom makes it," she continued to eat, "I thought you'd like that, eat first we'll talk later." She too, indulging in her culinary creation. The bowls where cleaned in about 20 minutes, at Which point Nyx again asked "So what do you want, Nightmare Moon?" "Your help of course, but I can get into that another time. Right now I want to get to know you, I've been watching you ever since you where created." Nyx nodded "So can I call you Moon? You name is a mouthful ya know?" "I said you could already," Moon replied, the two alicorns started to talk about there perspectives on various events, Nightmare Night, Hearths warming, the Summer Sun festival, among others. "So you said I can call you Nightmare Moon? Who are you then?" Moon shrugged "Given my current looks I can't think of a more fitting name. Also if it comforts you a bit more, your dreaming." "So your not real? That's a relief." Nyx said not really thinking, "That's harsh Nyx, you wound me. No I'm quite real I'm afraid." To prove it she tried to walk through a wall, she pressed her hoof against in and it stayed firm "See? I'm just as much a constant here as you are." Nyx nodded, accepting this fact. Moon returned to her seat "So I know you have no reason to trust me but... Friends?" she extended her hoof, "I don't know I mean... If your who you say you are... UGH Why is my life so complicated!" Nyx kicked the table in front of her. She sighed then took a breath "Can we just... hold off on the friends thing? Just for now." Moon nodded and the two sat in silence. Moon broke the silence, "Nyx, why do you hate me so much? Beside the obvious I mean." The filly turned away a moment, then as if she had known Moon for a while said "Do I really need to tell you? Luna, Twilight, and even me and Celestia. Your hurt people, I don't want to hurt anyone, let alone be associated with someone like you." Moon understood this well, Nyx was hated by most of Equestria, at least that's what she had gathered from her prospective, still that same anger and resentment usually turned to pity and forgiveness. Realizing she had zoned out for a moment she shook her head "Sorry you lost me at 'someone like you', did I miss something?" Nyx shook her head "Good." she paused to think of what to say, then said "Well Nyx, like it or not we're stuck together now. To what extent I don't know but, I want to show you I'm more then you've seen and heard." As she spoke, the air between them was relived of tension when... BANG The door to the library was blasted apart and Nyx teleported herself upstairs as Nightmare Moon dove for cover behind the couch, Then the very last voice she wanted to hear booms through the white void, "NIGHTMARE MOON, COME OUT AND FACE ME!!!!" Luna walked slowly in horn at the ready, a small white flag greeted her from behind the couch. Luna commanded the mare to reveal herself, Moon pops her head up and says "Luna for all that my life is worth, DON'T KILL ME!", Nightmares voice slowly rising in panic. Luna eyed the mare but turned her attention to Nyx, "Nyx are you ok?" Luna asks called to the filly, "I'm ok, You wouldn't happen to know anything about her would you?" Nyx reply's from upstairs pointing at the black alicorn in the room as she came down, Moon slowly came out from her way from improvised shield. Luna holds held twin scimitars to the black alicorn and looks her over, "Who are you?" "Nightmare Moon from your perspective." Moon replied, "You don't feel like my counterpart, nor do you seem like a creature of the dream realm," and makes a mental check list: black coat check, blue ethereal mane check, twin crescent cutie mark check, fangs...no, must have retracted them. Ok so what is she then? Maybe she was just a little rusty, but she knew this mare wasn't normal. "Luna, why are you here?" Moon asked raising her blade defensively, "I was sent here to stop you from hurting this little filly." "The thought never crossed my mind, I just found myself here and..." "LIES!" Luna yelled lunging forward, Moon stepped to the side "Nyx, would you kindly recreate Ponyville for us?" She asked blocking a blow form Luna. The filly closed her eyes and concentrated, the white void slowly formed a image of the town beyond, Moon flew out the door into the sky above "I don't want to fight Luna! But you give me no choice!" Moon dived down to meet Luna's charge, they clashed before parting "Your holding back, why?" Luna asked "Because I don't want to hurt you. I will defend myself however if I must." The two clanked blades a few times before Luna pinned Moon to the ground with her shadow "Huh? Haha, and I thought you gave up shadow magic?" Moon walked out of the shadows like it was nothing "But you fight the Queen of Nightmares, REMEMBER!" Nightmare Moon struck her with a fear spell to end the fight quickly, Luna dropped like a stone to the pavement, Moon catching her in her magic grip. "Celestia no...I thought you loved me... NO, DON'T SEND ME AWAYYYYYY!!!" Luna muttered her eyes blackened, "That's enough of that," Moon released the spell, Luna's eyes returning to normal, and she slowly rose to her feet, "How typical of you Nightmare Moon." Said mare produced a pair of necklaces "Perhaps these jewels will convince you of my intentions," she levitates a pair of necklaces of a sun and moon out of her mane and Luna's jaw drops. How those are...but, but her thought turns to words "Where did you get those!?" Luna says as she steps forward, only to bump into the black rapier Nightmare moon was holding in her magic. "I've had them I left Emblem, I don't know why though." Nyx looks at the necklace's confused and asks "Do these have some significance I'm missing here?" Moon put them back in her mane "I'll keep them for the moment, I promise I'll return them to you in time." Luna quickly recovers, sheathing her blades and starts to leave, as she reaches the Moon she leaves a warning to her new acquaintance "Well I don't know who you are or what game your playing. but you harm this filly and I will be the last thing you see, understand?" Nightmare nods saying "I expected as much, I however have nothing to fear form you, my dear little Luna. Good evening to you." As Luna takes her leave Nightmare walks back inside and over to a shelf and pulls out a book, "Nyx I know you doubt I'm real or that I'm anything good, however here's a book for you to prove other wise and one other thing," Nyx takes the book and asks what that is, her answer is "When you wake for breakfast ask your mother if she knows a man named Alan Wake ok?" Nyx nods and goes off to her bed leaving the mare to herself, "Huh I wonder how Twilight will react to my presence, plus I still have to teach Nyx her 'special powers' well that last part shouldn't be too hard, after all we are the same," she takes a sip of wine from a glass that had been siting on a table on the ground floor, she takes a look in a mirror "Hm out with the old," she looks up to Nyx's room, lets her hair down it becoming solid, her cutie mark disappears "And in with the new long live the Queen". _________________________________________________ In the morning Nyx rolled out of bed to the smell of fresh pancakes and the sound of her Mothers voice in her ears "Nyx, breakfast if ready!", She pushed back the warm covers and rolled out of bed, She made her bed like good little filly, before leaving her room she took a look at her home town, Ponyville. The little town near the capital of Canterlot was small, simple and peaceful, most of the time. The town had accepting of her quite quickly, certainly faster then she expected, though she suspected that her friends had something to do with it. She proceeded out of her room and down the stairs, the dream from last night still on her mind, "I really need to tell Twilight about that one, she'll get a kick out of it, or panic more likely." Before going to the kitchen she went to wash up in the bathroom, conveniently located mid-way down the short stairway. The bathroom was rather simple and all the better for it: a tub with a shower curtain sat next to the back wall, a toilet and sink sat a few feet apart form each other and a single window sat on the far end, a wooden cross bar in it along with the glass for added support. Nyx brushed her teeth like her mother had taught her, then took a quick show which still managed to steam up the mirror, as she bathed however she could hear a faint voice, she stopped to water to listen... nothing. She waited again, still nothing, Shrugging she dried herself with a quick spell Twilight had taught her and hurried downstairs. Upon entering the kitchen she to find her mother, Twilight Sparkle carrying some plates. "Good Morning sleepyhead, I made some pancakes for us," Twilight said moving over to the table. Nyx smiled "Good morning mom. Man I had the weirdest dream last night." she sat down, grabbed a plate of pancakes and started to dig into the fluffy delight before her. She looked up at her mother, the most precious thing in her young life, Nyx knew for certain that whatever the future would hold, Twilight would always love her. As she her thoughts drifted, she remembers her dream from last night, she filed it for later and grabbed the maple syrup "Ahh Maple syrup, classic". When Twilight starts taking the dishes to the sink she decides to ask "Hay Mom can I ask you something?" "What is it Nyx?" Twilight asks. "Do you know a man named Alan Wake?" Every plate hitting the floor shattering to bits.
Spirits (revised)Do you know a man named Alan Wake?, the question echoed in Twilight's mind as she slowly turned her head, "There is NO WAY she can know about that or him." "Nyx, honey where did you hear that name?" She asked clearly disturbed. "In my dream last night you see...," Nyx trails off thinking of what to say next, She hear a voice "Psst Nyx can you hear me?" Nyx stood up straight at the voice, "Moon is that you?", she asked mentally back, finding Nightmare Moon was not physically present, she had thought Moon was just part of her dreams. "of course,I told you I was real. It's nice to be able to talk to you outside of dreams, so how is... oh I see..." Moon manifests herself, Nyx saw she was a slightly transparent mass of blue dust that formed into a pony, then she looked at Twilight a moment, then said "Well you going to talk to her or not?" Nyx pushed back her chair and started picking up the shattered bits of plate "Let's clean this up first. Then we can talk." Twilight nodded but kept staring at Nyx the entire time, a worried expression on her face. The pair moved to the living room where they sat down on the same couch form Nyx's dream. She started going into what had happened the previous evening, "So you woke up and found Nightmare Moon right where we're sitting?" Nyx nodded "And she wanted to be friends?" Another nod was Nyx's answer "Ok... I vaguely recall her zapping me, but...it was just a dream right? You just imagined it all." "But mom I can hear her, she just spoke to me like minutes ago, am I crazy?" Twilight put her hoof on her daughter's shoulder "I believe you Nyx, but can you prove it?" "Quick show her the book," Nyx told Twilight to give her a moment, then goes to retrieve the book from her room. The problem was, she had no idea where it was. Nyx walks into her room and looks around, from the door her bed is neatly made next to it a small bookshelf fully stocked of course, a mirror off to the right near the window, a vanity desk off to the right and finally next to the mirror her old Nightmare Armor still spotless as ever. "It's most likely under your pillow Nyx," Moon said, thinking logically, Nyx quickly finds the book and inspects it, "Creeping Darkness, huh, sounds like a horror story". "You could say that, did I mention it's based on real events?" Nightmare comments then looks at the armor stand "Why do you keep this, if you don't mind me asking?" she asks, Nyx ponders the question before saying "It's... a reminder of what I was and what I could become". "Really? Hmm, wise beyond your years if you ask me. Now lets get downstairs before your mother goes 'Lesson Zero' on us". Suddenly a voice shouts "I HEARD THAT!" Pinkie Pie pops out of a small potted plant on the bedside table, "That's my job," she then proceeds to slowly sink back into the pot with a smile, "Ok let's just go, I wonder how she does that?" Nightmare says slightly panicked. "It's Pinkie Pie don't question it" Nyx said following the confused Mare giggling. ________________________________________________________________ Nyx came down to find Twilight pacing the ground floor of their tree home, she looks up and asks "Ok, you said you wanted to show me something?" Nyx shows her the book, the cover itself was as black as her coat. with a colorful picture of Twilight standing in front of the shadows of her friends, the night sky and Nightmare Moon in the back ground. She stairs at the book then notices the author "Alan wake, published by Pen Stroke? hmm never heard of him," Moon snickered at that before asking Nyx, "Mind if I take over a moment? It's been some time since I've spoken to her." Nyx nervously looks at her before telling her "Don't try anything funny, She's scared as is." after which Nyx's head flicks to the ceiling and her eye flicker to blue. Twilight who had been flipping through the book, thus not noticing her daughters conversation, now stares at her daughter in complete parental panicked silence, then hears the voice of the one mare she didn't want to hear come out of that mouth, "Hello Twilight, it's been some time." Moon greets Twilight she starts to slowly step backwords, "Now now, clam down. Nyx is perfectly safe," to prove it she released Nyx asking her to say something, anything "Mom it's ok, relax," Nyx say's before Moon takes over again, Twilight stops dead and growls lighting her horn "WHO aRe you?" Rolling the r. "Long story short do you not recall back in Emblem that a basket washed up on shore? If so you remember I wrote telling you I'd be back. Well I am although not I quite like expected, her I am. Don't worry about Nyx she's perfectly safe from any harm I could cause her." Twilight recalled the moment and tried to speak Twilight not believing her commands "Release my daughter, NOW!" "Then how are we to talk face to face Miss Sparkle?" Moon replied, Twilight calmed "I know a way," she walked over to her desk and brought out some paper along with some blue dust in a bottle, "You can write on this, this dust is supposed to let spirits right on paper, supposed to anyway." To test is Twilight asked a few simple questions "Who are you, what do you want and why are you here?" The dust on the paper started to form words "Nightmare Moon, as far as I'm aware. I simply wish to introduce myself to you at the moment, and why I'm here? I do not know myself Twilight, I appear to have just been drawn to Nyx it would seem." Moon then asked a question of her own "Can you see me Twilight?" "No I can't see you at all." Twilight says to the paper turning to Nyx, who said in own voice said "She's right next to me Twilight. Give me a minute." she proceeded to have another private conversation with Moon. "What'd you have in mind to fix this?", "Oh ya know just a little something that should be hehe, enlightening," Nyx thinks for a few minute then gaps "OH HELL NO! I. am. Not doing that AGAIN. Even if I was not the one that did it in the first place," Twilight was about to ask what she said but decided against it, Nyx glared at Nightmare Moon who stares at her perplexed, she settles on "Well you got a better idea? Besides this is not the same I promise on my life, well what's left of it." "What's it do this time, tell me now." "It will grant her 1: The ability to see me, 2:She can see in the dark with 'those' eyes which are not purely cosmetic this time, and lastly since its a wisp of your magic her, magic powerful as it is will have a deeper well to draw from, oh if you don't mind I suggest you make this one special in that Twilight can also do this to others, ya know just so she understands it." Nyx nods and turns to her mother, "Ok twilight hold still, I promise this wont hurt, I hope," "Well your the vote of confidence clearly" Nightmare thinks as Nyx takes a slow breath, then lighting her horn summons a small ball of magic, she breaths into it and it turns dark purple. it then sprouts wings and floats toward twilight and bumps at her mouth. "What you want me to open my mouth?" Twilight asks raising an eyebrow, the wisp nods so Twilight does just that then, the familiar feeling of Nightmare Moon's blessing washes over her, a feeling of drowning "AGH No, Agh aaaa..." , "Relax Mrs. Sparkle!" Moon commands mentally "OK that hurt" Twilight redundantly states recovering from the pain, "Well you were trying to resist it there, my apology's Mrs. Sparkle" Moon says now visible to Twilight and boy did her eyes get even wider, "Oh, my, Faust, you really are... I...i, UGh," she groaned, her mind unable to process what she saw, she facehooves and says "I think I should ask Rarity for a drink." slowly coming to terms with her present reality, she sat on the couch which she had originally stored in the basement, it was a nice touch to the libraries décor. ____________________________________________________________ After a Twilight calmed down a bit she proceeds to ask questions "Ok, just to make sure your who I think you are, 2 things: 1 did I not find you hiding under the covers of a bed in a castle and you were left there by Nightmare Moon? And 2 did you... kill me?" Nyx turns her head and look at Nightmare Moon with pleading eyes, "Yes on both accounts Twilight, although technically at the time that wasn't 'this' me," "You... you killed my mother?" Nyx asked quivering, "Yes and then died in order to save her from it. And then I came back in order to thwart Nexus's plan, but here we are." "Well now that I know you're the 'Real McCoy' why have you chosen to reveal your self now and not sooner?" Twilight Questioned. "That's an easy one, getting your sprit intertwined with another is very disorienting, in fact I had to do some catching up by going through Nyx's memories up till the Cult got ahold of her. Even so I chose to keep to myself for Nyx's sake, I saw no reason to remove her in place of myself. By the way both of you, that Blessing you dealt with before was not something I came up with, well 'this me' anyway," "Right, so Luna didn't remove you last night why?," "So your the little snitch that sent her at me!" Twilight flinched, "Don't get me wrong I'm more then a little pissed about that," Moon yelled, but she calmed, "But at the same time it was to be expected, I used a spell to subdue her, then after showing her some trinkets she just left. I'm sorry for blasting you last night the less who know of me the better right now." "Alright, so anything else I should know?," Twilight said not acknowledging the apology. "Just one thing, the blessing does have one thing you might find a little... disconcerting at first, to put it simply each blessing has a minor consciousness, it purpose is to protect you from mental attacks like say the Changelings mind control or worse come to worse Nyx or myself become the Mare your familiar with, also they will, well, 'mold' themselves to you so in a sense you might end up talking to yourself, literally," as if on cue a form appears next to Twilight that has teal slit eyes, black coat, no cutie mark or other features. "Um hello?" Twilight asks confussed, "Hello Twilight," it says back in a monotone voice. "So you are? I mean what should I call you?" it thought for a moment "I don't know, that's up to you, but I suppose Star would do," "Star huh, you are this consciousness she spoke of?", it nods "Ok Star, I take it you got that from ether my cutie mark or my love of star gazing," "You could say that, don't worry fore I shall not interfere in your life in anyway unless you permit it. As Mrs. Moon just stated I will most likely not look like this next time you see me, most likely I'll be a unicorn similar to yourself with a few differences like my voice. Also I may have a similar mark to yours, what exactly is unclear." Twilight nods and the presumed 'spirit' vanishes visually into her, she sighs "Well that's going to need getting used to, huh ok Nyx lets get you ready for school, I'm gonna go do some research on this and probably go see if Pinkie or AJ has any cider left," Nyx turns her head having started for he room, "Careful mom you don't ever drink, sept that cheep cider at Hearths Warming," "I know honey sorry I, I just need to relax a bit," Twilight states sadness written on her face. ________________________________________________________ As Nyx went off to school Twilight Decided to test her new "Mental companion". She called on "It" "Star you there?" It appeared, "Yes Twilight?" it's voice at changed to that a female "I see your adjusting quickly. I like that, but take your time if you must. Now I wanted to ask you a few questions, if that's ok?" The pony nods "I will answer as much as I can Miss Sparkle, but first off it's worth saying we are like....Children in the sense that we learn from you as you learn and experience things." Twilight nods and continues. She sat on the couch with star across from her, she picked up a clipboard and asked "So Star What do you consider yourself? Are you a Spirit? a separate consciousness?" Star thought a bit "I am... a conscious being, but I have no true body, a ghost then for lake of better words." Twilight takes notes "Ok and if I may ask, What do you think of Nightmare Moon, do even know who she is?" Star nods "I, that is to say 'We' as whole think..." "Wait you just said 'as a whole' why?" "Because Miss Sparkle I am just one of many blessing consciousness', we are all the same being, technically. The blessing at first has no life in it, however as it matures we come to exist, in short while the Blessing is 'alive' it uses us to reach out and see the world, not that it doesn't though you of course but...It's complicated." Twilight Look almost terrified "Relax Miss Sparkle, The blessing itself is symbiotic and not harmful what so ever, we simply exist as a by product. You see as the blessing evolves as Nyx will tell you some of them fought back but, Nightmare Moon and Nyx are our masters and can control us, but not if we don't want them to. Do we see them as mothers? I guess you could put it that way." Again Twilight writes this down. "So do you Seek one another," Star looked confused "You know mating?" Star almost looks horrified, then blushed "No" she says quickly, "No need for such things you see." Twilight now goes for more cosmetic questions "So how do you change your appearance, and why do you model your selves after your hosts?" Star says the living feel more comfortable talking to themselves or rather there own species then a just a voice, "That's creepy, just my option, Right well you answered the why, not the how." "Think of changeling magic, its built into are form, we can shift into any form we please if we wanted to, still we model after are hosts so they are more comfortable with us." Many more notes later and Twilight decides to test some theory's "You said you are like Children? Does that mean you only know what your host knows?" Star nods and adds "We can exchange information as we wish, so for example I could tell you that your brother is talking to some of the guards in Canterlot right now." curiosity peaked Twilight asks a question in thought "You want to know how many bullets J.J keeps in his coat? A odd request and the answers is "I don't know I can't see into his protected pockets. We are not omni point Twilight, we only know what we are shared, say you had sex with someone, do you really want all of us to know that?" Blushing, Twilight nods continuing to write notes. "Ok so if I understand this right you can do, basically what your host can right? how about we try some magic, my trick list should do," Twenty minutes pass as Star preforms each trick flawlessly, "Impressive, you model your skill after me as well?" he shakes his head "For the sake of protecting you, we share are combined knowledge of magic among other things, I could tell you how to take apart and put back together a firearm blindfolded which you had no experience with other then seeing it for instance." Twilight says she'd test that later. "Since I plan on getting a drink at Sugercube Corner, maybe I'll test you on the way sound good?" Star smirks with a "Bring it on." before that though Twilight tried a few more tests "Ok I'm going to ask you for a book and you have to find it, sound fun?" "Ask away mistress," Twilight flinches, finding it uncomfortable to be called as a mistress, then thinks of a book "Find me.... the first volume of Celestia famous speeches, uncensored version." Star walks over to the nonfiction section, looks under C and slides his hoof along the shelf "Here it is," he floats the book in front of Twilight who nods Approvingly, "Alright find me... the list of the arcane elements latest version," Star finds it with ease to the point he sits back down and just pulls it out of the shelf with her magic. four books later Twilight is satisfied and Star actually looks a little board "So you do have feeling and emotions." Star frowns "That hurts miss Sparkle, still you could have asked." "Action speaks louder then words as they say." Twilight said, Star nods in agreement. "Just so I know you are a girl right?" Star pauses a moment then Twilight sees her body shift a little bones and organs clearly moving into and out of place "That looks painful," seconds later Star start to look like a more defined pony and smiles "It's not, it comes natural to us, I could turn into that drake of yours if you like, or..." she grins mischievously "The Stallion of your dreams?" Twilight swore if she could change color she would be red "Why I oughta....Ya know what I'll let that slid nice to visualize what I'm looking for in life right?" Star nods in agreement. Twilight then tells her to disappear and she would head out for town. _____________________________________________________________ Twilight grabbed her saddle bag and leaves the library, she decides to take the scenic route, Ponyville was the quite little town she had rolled into a few years ago, even so she greeted a few ponies she passed on the way. "You can hear me right?" she asks Star testing her mental thought, "Hard not to given I'm in your head," Twilight then tests Stars knowledge, she thinks of her friends and asks if Star can name them "Miss Sparkle were not stupid, we know some things by heart even if you don't want us to. Still Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Rarity, you also had or still have Minuette, Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine, Moon Dancer and Lyra Heartstrings if I recall for friends" Twilight was stunned, "Very good my faithful student." she paused "Wow I sound like Celestia." She then made a turn and spotted the school in the distance "Who teaches there and how many children are in it? Oh you can show yourself now since where alone." Star appeared and had copied Twilight's coat and having pink hair manifests and says "A Miss Cheerilee and give or take 20 or so students." Twilight then points in the direction of Nightstone castle and asks "Do you know....Which cell I stayed in?" Star says the very last cell, then is asked how many windows the thrown room has "8, maybe more. We don't know everything, why would we archive something like that?" "Archive?" Twilight asks puzzled by the choice of words. "Lets just say we live in are own little world Twilight, keeps us sane ya know, the inside of ones mind is rather, 'dull' after a while." Twilight finds this new revelation to be absolutely fascinating, "Well let's go to Sugercube Corner, you will have to tell me about this world some time." Twilight walks though town with Star at her side and took in the tranquility of the little town, ponies going about the day, chatting each other up, foals running though the streets playing various games, others chatting about whatever kids talked about, and others reading books, reminding her of her own youth "Not the social type are you?" Twilight shakes her head "Only since I came to Ponyville. Books where my friends, I had my family but that was about it." Star then states a tried and true set of words "Not everything can be learned from Books Twilight, trust me we of all ponies would know that all to well, are world slowly builds itself and we draw from our hosts, in some ways we are smarter then even Celestia, that says a lot, but like ponies if we don't know something we will learn from are own experience, like say a river, build a bridge but if we don't know that we would try logical methods to get around it." Star goes on and on about how they gather information and put it to use. Twilight walks into an ally to have Star disappear only to get jumped by with a knife, "Hand over your bits sweetheart, capsh?" Star just looks at him "Go fuck yourself and your mother," she swats the knife aside, imbedding it in the wall and jabs her horn into the guys throat, he coughs and clutches his neck, "Stop you'll kill him!" Twilight says pulling Star back "He'll be fine, just a flesh wound. I probably didn't hit his vocal cords, probably. Are you ok Miss Sparkle?" Twilight looks at the thug, he wasn't going anywhere, she leans out of the ally and calls for a policemen, a militia guard comes over and Twilight gives him the sum of situation, "Thank you Mam, He'll be taken care of, have a nice day," he drags the poor stallion off still dripping blood. Star disappears and apologizes for her actions "Well now let's go get that drink shall we?" Twilight heads off to Surgercube Corner in even more of drink then ever.
Memories (revised)Ponyville Schoolhouse 8:30 Am Ahh Ponyville schoolhouse, such a sweet little place, I was currently siting behind the assistant desk in the cornor waiting for class to begin, "Cheerilee what's on today schedule?" I asked staring into my pocket watch mirror, lets see: off-black coat check, hidden wings check, hidden fangs, pointed horn check, well all here, "We are doing some art, history and tests today J.J.," "I see good just checking, I feel like today is going to be very interesting," Cheerilee walks to the door and looks out "Well everyone should be arriving soon still better check those test scores again." I really hated paper work. _________________________________________________________ Ponyville Nyx walked to school that day with nervous step, she was pondering Nightmare Moon's sudden appearance and couldn't make it heads or tails of it. Soon her friends met up with her as per usual "Hey Nyx you ok?" The CMC, consisting of 1 Applebloom, Applejacks younger sister, 2 Sweetie Belle, Rarity's younger sister and 3 Scootaloo, Rainbow's adopted sister. They were Nyx's oldest friends fell in step with her. She nodded but kept silent "So Sweetie bell, got anything good for the school paper?" Appleboom asked, "No not much, just some of Rarities lasts fashions, and you?" "The orchard is the save as ever, not even a flux in market prices. Anything on your end Scoots?" "Rainbow dash got into the wonderbolt reserves, that is so sick!" Nyx remembered that day, Pinkie stayed glued to her mailbox for at least 3 days straight. Then there was the Tornado, Rainbow handing in her resignation out of protest, good times those where. At this point Moon made her presence know "You can talk to me like this you know, so these are your friends?" Nyx flinched a little but kept going "Yes, some of them." as they drew closer to the school Twist joined them "Hi girls, candy cane?" "Do you always carry candy canes around with you?" Sweetie asked taking the offered treat, "Everyone likes candy canes, right?" Nyx turned and levitated the mint, red and white striped crook in her magic, "You so sweet Twist, just like your candy." the candy mare blushed at the comment. Suddenly a green flash happened to there right, "Hmm, delicious." said a blue haired, green eyed, dark green pony said "Flitter, is that you?" another green flash, revealed a young Changeling nymph "Boo!" The fillies stick out there toughs, blowing raspberries "Hehe, sorry couldn't resist." "Flitter your as scary as Fluttershy, still good effort" Nyx said, Flitter and her parents where the only "known" changeling family in Ponyville, at least officially, there where others but they where only known to the mayor as well as the Princesses. She had helped save Nyx's life the on her first Nightmare Night. Ever since she had been friends with the girls and the former Princess, for whatever reason she was currently feeding of the girls secretly, Nyx was the only one who ever seemed to notice the effect "Flitter, I can what your doing." she said side staring at her, "What I missed breakfast. Besides your friendship always taste so good." and there she went going into a emotional bliss again, Nyx bopped her to snap her out of it "You who, Equestria to Flitter." "Aww and it was just getting good that time." she frowned, "I thought you weren't supposed to do that?" the Nymph shrugged "It's not as bad as it was before, its just a little buzz." Moon was looking over the little ling form horn to hoof "This one is quite the little mischief-maker now isn't she?" Nyx giggled "yep, we have her change into all sorts of people and get a good laugh out of it. we even did Silver Spoon once and OH I wish you could have seen Diamond Tiara's face!" Speaking of the little she-devil "Hello Blank flanks, mark less as ever I see." Moon turned "Nice to meet you too you little bitch," Nyx giggled "What's so funny Nighty? Did your mommy finally take your nightlight away?" Moon made a random cloud drop a lighting bolt on her "OW!, who did that!" everyone shrugged "I'm telling daddy!" she ran off the could still on her heels. Silver Spoon, who had watched the whole affair said "Ok seriously, who did that?" everyone whistled innocently "We did nothing, nature just hates her." "At least its not raining.", Moon bowed mockingly "your wish is my command" "AAAAH MY DRESS IS RUINED!" Nyx and her friends burst into laughter "Oh man, Nyx please tell us that was your fault! HAHAHA" Nyx shook her head "Nope, Karma, its a cruel mistress." Silver wisely equipped herself with umbrella that attached to her saddle bag, "Well I better go rescue the deva in distress, see you in school blank flanks." She said that so nicely that the girls paused, "Did she just... complement us?" "I would hardly call that a compliment, but she is clearly a good pony. You have stayed my wrath Miss spoon." Moon said sensing Diamonds friend was far nicer then she was, the girls picked themselves off the ground and continued to school Nyx kindly chastising Moon for ruining Diamonds day, she ignored the filly from laughing too much. _________________________________________________________ 30 minutes later Nyx took her seat and greeted her every faithful former guard captain, her personal guard no less, Mare walked over to him and said "Hay captain nice to see you again, huh? Yah she knows, no Twilight did not take it very well and possibly might be drowning her stress in cider. yah, yah I know but it wasn't intentional, alright I'll keep an eye on her too ok," she walks back over to Nyx, "So what's his story not that don't already know it, I was 'watching' after all hehe". "Hay, he may love me but he knows I'm just a kid, besides it's more a father thing then a lover", soon Cheerilee silenced the class and began speaking, "Good morning class, today we are going to take a look at some history and art that depicts it", most of the class grown much to my own amusement. "Hay, just be glad we not looking up are own family history's, oh ho ho the things I could tell," I say getting the class to laugh a little, "Like what?" Applebloom asks. "Well lets see, hum oh, your family happens to have some iou's it still needs to pay!" Bloom stairs wide eyed "HAHAHA got ya, seriously though you all might actually like this, lets see what do we got in here," I reach into the top left draw of my desk, the same draw I kept my 45 dual action revolver just in case, "Ah here we are History, subjects: Ponyville, Equestira, and subject of choice by students, well that should be interesting." Cheerilee soon started talking about various artists over the years, some less known then others, even Nyx started to doze off a little, noticing this she brought out the projector and started putting painting slides up on the board. the first picture was a sky scape on a moonlit night, the second a portrait of Celestia and Luna when they where younger, "Where you get that one Mrs. Cheerliee?" Nyx asks, "The Princesses gave it to me for the class, I was just as surprised as all of you," Cheerilee replies. "AWWWW Luna is so Cute", Flitter, the classes resident changeling says, everypony present busts a gut at that. The next picture much to everyone's surprise was Luna with a small changeling, "Is that a nymph with princess Luna?" Flitter asks puzzled, "I... I know her" Nyx says stumbling on her words. Suddenly Nyx's eye go white and she falls into a flash back. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nyx's flashback, over 1000 years ago "You think you found an ally in darkness? Do you know the power you were granted? The same I was born into, where do you think the shadows go to hide from the light? Just who do you think stands against them every night." Nightmare rants to King Sombra before pining him to the wall with his own scythe. "What are you?!!" Sombra asks, "I...am a Nightmare" Sombra's head is removed from his shoulders, blood staining the floor as his body falls and his former head rolls to the floor. "You again?" Nightmare turns around to face a full grown Changeling Queen, "Oh it's you again well maybe this time..." "STOP TALKING!" The queen shouts cutting her off suddenly the castle starts to shake, "shit, (she grabs Celestia) we need to go NOW!" the trio make there way out of the castle just as the whole place disappears before there eyes. They land on a nearby hill and Nightmare starts to fade, "Next time we meet you won't be so lucky" she says. "Nither will you demon of dreams," the Queen flys off just as Celestia wakes up. end of flashback ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nyx returns to reality to find herself on the floor surrounded by everyone, "You ok Nyx? You faded out there for a moment," her Human in pony form friend asked looking her over, after making sure she was in good health everyone goes back to there seats. Flitter looks at Nyx and says "You know the Queen of queens?", Nyx dazed asks "What Queen and Who is she?", "You where muttering in your... whatever that was, she is the Queen of Queens as in the VERY FIRST changeling to exist," I butt in "Actually Flitter that's not entirely true, ya see she is the first of modern changelings the changelings of old where a lot different, and no affiance uglier/scarier" "None taken," "To be fair Chrysalis and the other queens can trace themselves to her, but there were other changlings before then, they however were different, they were the result of discord or if Chrysalis's story has any merit they crawled out of some magic pool as the result of a carnivorous plant eating a fly or something like that," on that note we get back to the lesson with Nyx taking a step outside for some air. After 5 minutes I join Nyx on the school steps, "Hay, you ok kiddo?" giving her a caring smile, "Ya I guess so, just a little freaked out," she replies slightly depressed, I put a hoof on her shoulder "Ya I saw that too, I think your latest acquaintance has something to do with that, I should know, she's been with me since Embalm about a year or so ago," "You never did tell me that story, care to share it?" "Nyx trust me, you don't want to hear it, long story short I feel like Alan sent me there to provide a little background help, and well if you read the book she gave you, you'll know the rest" "Did she really kill my mother?", I nod and mention every bone in her was broken, "Mind if I just go home Captain?" "Sure, go ahead Cheerilee will send your work over later ok", she slowly walks saddened, so I escort her home then get back to my job. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Meanwhile Twilight headed to Sugercube Corner in hopes of finding something to down her thoughts with, preferable Pinkie Pie but, she supposed ice cream would do or cider. Stepping inside I came as no surprise that the Cakes and Pinkie where nowhere to be seen, a few ponies where seated at various tables, Twilight chose the one in the far corner, sitting down she waited a few mins while pondering her thoughts, "Ok Twilight lets think about this Nightmare Moon is apparently possessing MY daughter and she has blessed me, ok any side effects so far, no. any hatred for Celestia, no. well so far so good". At this point Pinkie rocketed out of the kitchen like the place was on fire, "Hay Twlight (! she stands straight) what are you doing sitting in the corner?" Twilight looks up and groans slightly "Ugh, you don't want to know, you still got any cider left, the good stuff," Pinkie looks at he friend concerned "That bad huh, well I'm sure I got a bottle or two around here somewhere, apple or grain?" "AJ always had the good stuff all be it nothing strong, I'v no intention of getting drunk today", Pinkie zooms in and out of the back room and pours Twilight a glass, "So whats got you so glum? Nyx do something bad again?" "No but your close," Twilight replies "Ho ho, does it have something to do with a ghost?", "Yes" "Does it have something to do with Nightie? Oh Twilight you got nothing to worry about she's as harmless as Celestia in the morning", Twilight raises an eyebrow "Has she ever seen Celestia in the morning?" "Nightie? you mean you knew about her and never thought to tell me?!" borderline rage shifting, prompting Pinkie to grab the fire extinguisher from her mane, "I thought J.J told you? She's been there since well what happened in Emblem, remember that emerald we all got?" "Ya, turned out it was in pieces and...", a light bulb pops above Twilight's head as she says "It was a soul crystal?!!! How did I not notice, how did the princesses not notice?!!!" "Probably because she was with him the whole time, something about keeping a balance, she turned herself into a crystal attached her soul to one bit and various bits of her life to the others" "I guess that makes sense, no soul no magic to notice, I wonder if she...wait Pinkie didn't Nightmare Moon 'die' back there except her, her...oh. my. CELESTIA!" Twilight downs the glass then falls to the floor, shivering "Oh this isn't happening, this is not happening," Pinkie quickly hugs Twilight for all she was worth, "Don't worry Twilight, oh keep the bottle, on the house, given its been what a year or so since then if she wanted to kill us she would have, and hey she was on Nyx's side though the whole 'I will make the night eternal' thing last summer," Twilgiht gets up "Thank you Pinkie I better go see how Nyx is doing", as she starts to walk out the door Pinkie tosses her a spyglass "Take that you'll need it," 'wink' and then both go about there business. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 20 minutes later Nyx is walking slowly down one of the roads of Ponyville after I left her, thinking about the flashback "Why did that happen and more importantly does it mean anything." "Perhaps I did not think this though very well," Moon says frowning at Nyx, Nyx looks up at her "Oh I forgot you were there, how so?" "If it wasn't obvious you and I 'should' share the same memories, however because Luna took yours, more accurately locked them away in your mind and through away the key I suspect my presence may be bringing them back to you, therefor I suggest you meditate a bit or sleep and we can go dig them up if you wish," "But Luna said she took my memories because they were not mine?" "Nyx, sorry to say this but you ARE Nightmare Moon, well in appearance at least, all I can say is that you and I have a lot in common, that said Luna only wiped your memory and copied it to herself, not that I blame her she did have a big hole to fill there," "So I still have them but I don't remember them?" "Exactly and I appear along with certain things like the photo will trigger them, if we go dream hunting for them we can uncover them quickly with no risk of you losing it, that said it will most likely be very unpleasant what yo- I did back then," "Maybe let me sleep on it," Moon nods then points out Twilight running up the road. Twilight was trotting up the road to Ponyville's school house when she spotted Nyx Oh dear I hope she's ok she runs up to her kicking up some dust in the process and says "Nyx what are you doing here shouldn't you be in school? You ok honey?" Nyx didn't respond and just stares into the dirt. "Its me Twilight, Cheerilee was showing slides in class and Nyx had a flashback to... well King Sombra's death, and its not the worst thing in her repressed memory but its still not pleasant to say the least," Nightmare speaks as Twilight cuddles Nyx to cheer her up. "Nyx are you gonna be ok?" Twilight asks concerned after drying Nyx's tears, "Ya I'll be ok, just need to think," Nyx replies as they walk, "Hey um, how about we stop by the castle for a bit there still some books in the library I still need to gather," for some reason Nyx didn't reject the idea and smiles, "Sure may as well clear the place out since no one goes there, well except J.J and his cavalrymen," Nightmare raises and eyebrow "He still has his cavalry? I thought the humans had some quote 'modern' military power?" "They do, its just he thinks it's more appropriate around us Equestrians, and yes, he sees the irony in it, quote 'slave' horses around free horses", bursting into laughter Nightmare says "Ha, well the shadow cavalry certainly had a reputation from what I'v seen of him, still what would he want with your castle?" "Oh that, he said he wanted to keep the place in shape, he's the caretaker of the castle, even got it from the mayor though a loophole." "That being?" "Apparently he put a ring on Nyx's horn and got her to name him king, hehe not that he was serious about it." Twilight explains, "It was a power play as he put it, plus he could keep a closer eye on me without any suspicion on his part." Nyx says, "Cleaver boy that one, no wonder I picked him to have the part of the emerald with my soul." "Speaking of which are you still attached to that thing?" Twilight asks thinking back to what Pinkie Pie said. "No just your daughter apparently, witch reminds me since we're going to Nightstone how about I teach Nyx a few tricks, her magic may be a bit weak but I can fix that," Twilight and Nyx share a look, but agree and head off to the castle. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nightstone castle 9:45 Am After a short walk out to the outskirts of Ponyville's quarry Nyx and Twilight stair upon the latest addition to Ponyville, Nightstone Castle. Nyx normally avoided the place like the plague, given all the sad or painful memories the castle held for her. Twilight took one look at the gatehouse and gulped, recalling how she was to be hanged for stabbing her daughter, as they approached closer, they where surprised to there surprise not completely abandoned. "Hold it!", shouts a guard in black armor, holding a sword with the same color blade, "Who are you guys?" Twilight asks nervously. "You take your job too seriously Hawkeye," said one of the soldiers at the gate, "Can't be too carful in are line of work Snow Bell," he turns to Nyx and Twilight. "Who are you?" Twilight looks like Celestia just gave her an F on her report card, "And who may I ask are you sir?" Nyx joins in "Don't I know you guys from somewhere....! Hey, aren't you, some of those people J.J recruited? You always were the odd balls," Snow Bell spoke up "Hahaha, well that's are former queen alright, you must be Twilight, err sorry if any of us treated you too badly, appearances ya know," "None taken and.....," Twilight just now noticed that the ponies aren't wearing any armor, "Your... your all..," Snow Bell puts a hoof to Twilights mouth, "Go on say it, you'll feel better," Twilight borderline yells "CHANGLINGS?!!!" "Yes, how perceptive of you Miss Sparkle, we belong to 'The Night Queen', as she is called by other changeling queens, Nyx she would be our second Queen, don't worry she's a friend to all of Equestira". At this point Hawkeye asks a mental question "Have either of you seen anyone in black coats lately?" Nyx and Twilight are taken back by hearing that unvoiced question, "Oh For the love of Luna am I forgot to mention the mental network didn't I? Nightmare sounds off in frustration, "Ok, before anything else happens what else have you failed to mention?", "Ok first: yes, you now have telepathy similar to a changeling hivemind but because are minds don't work that way its more like a radio implanted in your head, second and lastly while everyone who's blessed is interconnected, the structure is like a military a officer commands those under them in a sub net of this hivemind" "Ok recap, 1 night vision, 2 a magic boot based on ones ability to use it, 3, a mental companion for protection from outside influences, 4 telepathy on a Changeling hive scale, yes?" Nightmare nods then goes quiet. After a quick explanation and some experimentation witch determined that there were 10 changelings in the castle, 2 at the gate, and the rest where scattered through out the castle, Twilight and Nyx started to talk about their time at the castle and the a memory or two popped up, namely the Changelings bringing Twilight a slice of cake or 2 and J.J comforting Nyx and her both. After making there way to the library they started looking though some of the history books to see if Nyx had any more flashbacks, "So Nyx, Nightmare anything that might help with what happened earlier?" "Twilight there's nothing you can do about what happened, but maybe we can bring back more of Nyx's memory, say oh I don't know Nightmare and the Moon?" Twilight quickly do to the lack of books find a copy of it and hands it to Nyx, she starts to read it when, "Oh my head, Twigh...," she passes out into another flashback. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nyx's flashback 1000 year ago "And that princess will be ME!" the Sun is Eclipsed and Luna slowly levitates into the air, "What? This is... oh no, not this anything but this," Nyx thinks, unable to do anything but watch. Luna is engulfed in shadow and turns into Nightmare Moon, "Sister it is your duty to lower the moon!" Celestia pleads, "No my only Duty is to Destroy you!" Nightmare proclaims before launching herself at her sister. The two exchange spells and fly round and round the castle, Celestia is eventually struck, sent crashing though a stone roof and into the hall that holds the Elements of Harmony. At that moment a streak of green flies at the fallen goddess "MOTHER!!!" It shrieks sending Nightmare tumbling to the ground landing on balcony, the streak landing nearby. "I warned you Nightmare, Now you will PAY!" A changeling stands before Nightmare Moon who laughs at the threat, "HAHAHA you fool! Are you really so cold as to kill your own mother!? I think not, I have no quarrel with ye, leave and you will be spared my wrath," "Four words, OVER. MY. DEAD. BODY!" the two clash with blades, Nightmare's sword a long black one edged blade with a aura around it, against a shorter but still long black dual edged sword with a cross guard, Clang, Clang, sparks fly as the blades clash. After ten minutes Nightmare lands a few hits to the Changelings abdomen, a scare on her face and cuts one of her hoofs off at the lower leg, "Give in you can't win!", the changeling stairs with cold dead eyes at the Nightmare, "Our Queen!" suddenly six other changelings appear and surround the queen, "I told you to stay back," "We aren't leaving you to die are Queen," she smiles at that "Loyal as ever" she whispers then glares at Nightmare Moon again "Fine you win this time but next time we meet I will not show you any kindness or mercy," the seven insectoids disappear in emerald flames, Nightmare sighs then almost keels over for a moment "DAME, she is powerful, I guess I underestimated love yet again, no matter," she flies up to confront Celestia who had since risen back to the skies. All there power is poured into there latest clash but Nightmare is overwhelmed by the Elements of Harmony and banished "AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Nightmare screamsas the world fades. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nightstone castle 10:00 am Nyx wakes in one of the castle bed rooms screaming "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH," Twilight bolts to her fast enough to give rainbow a run for her money, "Nyx, Nyx calm down your ok, your ok," she says as she cuddles her daughter closely. "Mama, I'm scared." she weeps into Twilights coat. "I am SO Sorry Nyx that was...painful watch," tears fall from Nightmare Moons eyes as she recalls those moments, she fades away to her little cornor of her present host "To think she is still alive after all these years, Luna will be thrilled," "Still poor Nyx I really need to help her on this one, but what can I do? Maybe teach her how to dreamwalk?" such questions go though her own mind and she leaves Twilight and Nyx to comfort one another.
Magic TrainingNightstone Castle 10:20 AM After about half an hour, Nightmare reappeared before Twilight and Nyx. Come stop your crying It will be alright Just take my hand Hold it tight Nightmare finds Twilight singing to Nyx, that song always did cheer us up now didn't it Nyx she smiles. I will protect you From all around you I will be here Don't you cry Nyx stops crying a bit, wiping her eyes. For one so small, You seem so strong My arms will hold you, Keep you safe and warm This bond between us Can't be broken I will be here Don't you cry Nightmare starts to join in, quietly singing along with Twilight. 'Cause you'll be in my heart Yes, you'll be in my heart From this day on Now and forever more You'll be in my heart No matter what they say You'll be here in my heart, always Nyx starts to reminisce about her time as Nightmare Moon and joins in as well. Why can't they understand the way we feel? They just don't trust what they can't explain I know we're different but deep inside us We're not that different at all And you'll be in my heart Yes, you'll be in my heart From this day on Now and forever more Nightmare makes herself know by raising her voice so they can hear. With her magic the room around them fades as images of the Nyx's reign pop up all around them, depicting various times Spell Nexus and Nyx argued. Don't listen to them 'Cause what do they know We need each other To have, to hold. They'll see in time I know When destiny calls you You must be strong I may not be with you But you've got to hold on They'll see in time I know We'll show them together The trio continue to sing for several minutes, the ever present Changelings slowly gather to feed on the merriment. (all 3 ponies) 'Cause you'll be in my heart Yes, you'll be in my heart, I'll be there from this day on, Now and forever more Oh, you'll be in my heart No matter what they say, I'll be with you You'll be here in my heart, I'll be there, always Always I'll be with you, always and always Just look over your shoulder Just look over your shoulder Just look over your shoulder I'll be there always. The room returns to normal and everypony cracks up in happy endued laughter, then Nightmare turns her head and says "Are you all just going to stand there like perverts, or do you not have work to do?" Rapid hoof beats are heard as the Changelings scatter, "He he, they never stop do they?" Mare says more a statement then a question, more laughter ensues. The 3 poines make there way to the dinning room, which was quite empty given the lack of staff in the castle these days, still they grabbed some food out of the pantry and made some daffodil sandwiches and small salads. For some reason, Twilight makes Nightmare a set as well only to realize hay wait she's a ghost, at which point she turns to see Nyx and Moon laughing a little, "Don't worry Twilight it's the thought that counts. Besides a little cut and I can gladly 'live' again," Nightmare then grabs a small knife out of a drawer and make the slightest cut on Nyx's front right hoof, the blood covers the blade then drops to the floor slowly forming an outline. The cut on Nyx's hoof self heals, the perks of being a princess as the blood pool slowly turns black and forms a 3d shape. A few minutes later Nightmare Moon is sitting on the floor in front of them, Nyx couldn't resist the punch line "Welcome back Mrs. Moon, we missed you", Nightmare snorts and that and the three make there way to the table. The dinning room as to be expected was quite large the table it self having forty to sixty seats, the changelings had also gathered for lunch having a verity of dishes from soup to sandwiches, to various meats, namely fish. As they sit, Twilight raises a obvious question "So does this mean your back from the dead now?", Moon responds "No it's only temporary I'm afraid, a few days if I so wish it, but not permanent life," is Nightmares reply. Nyx starts to devour her sandwich and asks "So what exactly do you want to teach me?" Moon pauses before saying "Well... namely those powers of yours you're so afraid of, I wish to teach you how to use them should you ever need to," "And believe me you will in time" she says to herself before continuing, "Anyway there are some that are... I won't beat around the bush, darker then others but they have there good purposes, for example that lightning spell of yours," Nyx nods but her eyes show she's understandably nervous. "Is this seat taken?" a changeling with artic blue eyes asks, "Oh, go ahead sit, we're all friends here right?" Moon says taking a swig of some apple juice. Nyx looks at the Changeling's dish and asks "What is that if I may ask?", "Its clam chowder want to try some?" Twilight's eye fall to the changeling and she says "Um, we are herbivores." The changeling responds "Oh, where are my manners I'm Radiant Hope nice to meet you. As for your diet you can eat meat you just prefer plants" Nyx decides to try a bite and her eyes widen a bit "Wow, you know this isn't so bad, can't say I'd have it all the time but its nice." Radiant Hope nods and returns to her meal, at this point if only to get that thought off her mind, Twilight decides to try out her mental communication to get used to it. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ponyville schoolhouse I had just finished up looking over the student submitted subjects for there history lessons, "Well these are certainly a colorful bunch aren't they hehehe", I chuckle to myself. Cheerilee also had finished going through her portion of the submissions, "Well that looks like everything, you can head home now J.J. and thanks for helping me on such short notice," "Any time Cheerilee I love kids." I reply with a smile. After gathering my bag I step outside and take a deep breath, "Ahhh what a lovely afternoon, well time to stretch my legs." I transform to my normal human self and stretch, "Oh, ahh, man I am never gonna get used to that, better check up on the castle before I retire home." As I make my way there I bump into Fluttershy walking with some ducks, "Hey Shy and my, my those little ones are just adorable," Fluttershy turns greets me and continues on her way, "Hay J.J can you hear me ok?" says the mental voice of Twilight, ""Loud and clear as crystal Twilight, I heard about this morning, you gonna be ok or do I need to..", she cuts me off "No, no I can take this, I've dealt with worse". She also mentions Nyx having tried some seafood, "Ya you can try some if ya like Twilight, I know the horses in Iceland eat fish in the winter", "I'll pass thank you maybe some other time." I mentally nod and tell her I'm heading to Nightstone before I head to my home on the edge of Ponyville, she mentions the Changelings and I tell her they were given to me by as they referred to her "The Night Queen" to help deal with Nyx, thankfully that intention was unnecessary. "Ok so she really a friend of ours?", she asks "I don't know truthfully, I mean she is loyal to Luna and to a lesser extent Celestia so yes, but at the same time she is a changeling after all, still she saved me and men's lives back when the nobles thought it was good idea to go after the changelings, well you know how that went, can't say I'm that proud of it", I reply, she mentally nods in understanding and mentions Nyx's training, "She's really gonna teach her that stuff? Ok, but be careful Twilight, some of that stuff is not necessarily good for Nyx and some might require you to 'assist' them, just given you a heads up," again she nods and cuts the connection, "Be gentle Nightmare she is still a child after all" I silently pray, sprouting a pair of wings to quicken my pace. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nightstone Castle Throne room 10:30 Am After lunch Twilight, Nyx and Nightmare Moon made there way to the throne room of the castle. The castle itself hadn't changed much in the months since everypony vacated the premises, a blue carpet ran and wound its way though halls separating hoof from cold stone, various pictures hung in places on the walls, some new while others were from the original art décor. The throne room doors were as spotless as ever, the only change to them seemed to be Nightmare's symbol was replaced with a detailed image of Nyx's cutie mark. As the three ponies walk into said room they find they are not the only ones present in the room. Standing by the thrones Spell Nexus a dark blue unicorn with gray-white hair is looking over a few piles of notes, Twilight is the first to speak "Nexus? What are you doing here?" Nexus looks up and stares at them a few moments "huh oh! Hi miss Sparkle what brings you here?" he responds clearly surprised, "Oh Nyx and I were hoping to do a little training Nexus, nice to see you again by the way." Nightmare says as Nexus freezes up, "WHA!", he takes a moment to catch his breath "I. AM. never going to get used to you I swear.", Nyx surprised by his reaction asks "You knew about her?" he nods saying he had seen her before but J.J had been the one to bring her to his attention. "So what are you doing here anyway?" Twilight asks again, "I'm just going over some of the various projects we were working on a few months ago, just to see if I can get them to work. The plants that grow at night could be useful in places that have long nights or little sunlight." Nexus replies showing the formulas they had tried, "Well I'll get out of your mane then, a desk would be useful anyway," he picks up the stakes of papers and trots out, "The third door on the right is empty, bye Nexus," Moon hollers as he rounds the corner. "Ok so should I step out or something?" Twilight asks feeling out of place in the room, "No, not at all Mrs. Sparkle, if you wish join in I'm sure you can learn some of these yourself, given you can channel the former King Sombra's magic." Twilight straitens up "That was a one time thing, besides Why could I possibly need that for this?" Nightmare looks around a moment as if expecting something to be there "Well it depends on one's affinity with magic, Nyx and myself can use dark magic's with no side effects do to are natural affinity, you would be able to do that same to a point simple do to you bearing the element of magic, which is nothing to sneeze at," "Anyway Nyx to start with how about you get your magic flowing, just stand still and meditate for moment or two." Nyx plants her hooves slightly apart closes, her eyes and makes a slight humming noise, shortly there after her hair starts to slowly but surely become ethereal again, Twilight, transfixed by this soon smiles That's my little girl she thinks. "Good that's better, now what to start with something simple I suppose" Moon then turns and summons a box full of bits, grabs ten coins and tosses them in the air, she then lets loose a arc of lighting that strikes every coin, "To quote Atlas 'an't nothing better then a fistful of lightning' handy for more then giving others a well deserved shock," Nyx tries a smaller feat by throwing five coins and after three or so attempts pulls it off, Twilight even has a go, the first time she miry throws the coins in the air, then after seeing if she can summon the lighting tries again, she strikes every coin, "Your good mom" Nyx comments, "Thanks you Nyx, just need to get your eye in". "OK that was easy enough now lets try something a little harder," Moon proceeds to shuts some of the curtains on the large windows "Ok try to get across the room with touching or crossing the light," both Twilight and Nyx tilt there heads to the side "Ok, so how do we do that?" Nyx asks stumped, "Simple Nyx shadow stepping, not truly dark magic but it does incorporate it to hide you", Moon then demonstrates by walking into the first shadow then disappears only to reappear in the next shadow on the other side of the room and repeats till she is at the throne, "The advantage to this, as opposed to teleporting, is it doesn't give away your position, that said its shorter range and can only really work in low light or say an ally in the mid day sun, less your really good at it." Nyx tries but has some trouble at first, she disappears but its only like an invisibility cloak, then she somehow teleports to the ceiling fluttering down with her wings, "I'm sorry but that was funny," Moon says barely suppressing a laugh. Twilight gives it a shot and does well for the most part though she still leaves a slight glow when she vanishes, "You can do it Nyx just take it slow," she says encouragingly, Nyx then tries standing in the shadow at first then moving and finally starts to get it, jumping from shadow to shadow, after doing this four times in a row without fail they move on. "Alright now for something Twilight might be able to do easily, you remember that weapon forming spell right?", "Of course, why?" she asks, "Well remember that sword J.J. gave you when everything was said and done, well try summoning it." Twilight lights her horn and a few minutes pass, suddenly a sheathed sword pops up on her back, she draws it revealing a rather well made sword, the blade had a slight purple tint to it and Nyx's cutie mark engraved above the guard, "I still don't have an explanation for the cutie mark thing," Moon says admiring the blade, "Well that was simple, I always was wondering if he put that on it, still it should glow violet when you 'light' it," "How?" Twilight asks, "Oh just strike it against the ground for now that should do it," she does this and surprisingly it works, the blade starts giving off a violet aura. Nyx for some reason Tries to summon her sword and is partially successful in the fact but gets a smaller blade a little over a foot big, "Well at least I can still call on it if I need it" she says smiling proudly. Moon has them summon various weapons from knives to spears to firearms, fully loaded firearms, at which point they call it before someone gets accidently shot. "Ok, now this is where we start to get to the good stuff, may as well start with the worse of the many right?" Nyx just shrugs and Twilight glares at Moon questioning her honesty. "Ok Twilight would you mind... volunteering for this?" Moon asks nervously, "Ok, before I say anything what is the worst that could happen?", Twilight questions "Do you really want to know?" Twilight nods "Alright for this at least worse comes to worse Nyx will be... stuck to you if you will, don't worry both I and the powers that be can easily fix that should that be an issue". "Ok so how do I do this, also what is it?" Nyx asks slightly excited, "If I told you its name you'd refuse to do it off that alone, don't worry because this has its good uses like I said, now try to imagine yourself as water, Twilight slowly approach Nyx, then Nyx all you have to do is touch your mother, throw yourself at her if you wish", Nyx again mediates making a humming noise, Twilight slowly walks over to Nyx then stops gasping. What Twilight see she swears will haunt her dreams, Nyx's hair had become dark tendrils coming and she appeared to be liquefying. "Ny... Ny... Nyx what... what is happening?!!" she stutters clearly scared, Nyx opens her eyes and looks at her mother "Trust me Twilight Sparkle, I... am familiar with this," Twilight officially goes into panic mode SHE NEVER CALLS ME THAT!! she suddenly feels Nyx touch her and she looks down at the bright smiling face of her foal, "Mom your ok, we're going to be fine", Twilight hugs her daughter tightly only to see her melt away, she looks down at her hooves and sees them slowly turn black, looking to her back same thing, she gives Nightmare Moon the WORST death glare she can come up with, and slowly starts looking like Nightmare herself, "Twilight calm down before you hurt yourself! tell me though how do you feel?", Twilight puzzled by her response says "Well... like I'm being hugged all over my body and I got this weird feeling in my head," "Mom can you hear me?" Twilight's eyes fly open, "GET ME A MIRROR!" Moon quickly obliges summoning one out of fear for what Twilight would do if she didn't, Twilight freezes instantly. "Is, is that me? wow I look like, like..." "Like a nightmare," Twilight simply nods to Nyx's voice as Moon finally finds the courage to speak "I call this bounding, its a symbiotic form of possession, in this way Twilight, you should have all of Nyx's power as well as your own and Nyx in a word 'feeds' off of you," again Twilight glares at her "Don't give me that look its nothing serious, just ya know if you eat something she tastes it as well, as you might expect she can influence and control you if she wanted to, speaking of witch try speaking Nyx", a voice mixed of Nyx and Twilight says "Like this.. Oh this is weird very weird," As Twilight starts to feel very uneasy, Nyx takes the rains "err, mom you ok?" The voice then switches to Twilights "Ya, just this is highly unsettling, can we stop please, I'm about ready to breakdown here." Twilight feels Nyx hug her as she 'slides' off body Its purple coat returning, Nyx in question forming up right in front of her. After the two have a comfort moment Moon speaks again "Well on that note that seems like enough for today, if you ever want to try learning some more well we can always come here after school," she then fades away into Nyx's mane and disappears, now alone Twilight speaks up "Well, That is a experience I don't want to go though again anytime soon, still if you need help with it I guess I can help you," Nyx nods "Thank you, I'm surprised I can cover you completely like that," Moon adds her two cents "Well she is your mother after all, still that is a good sign that you can, if necessary you can control anyone, we can cover that later, anyhow I'm sorry if you are feeling violated Twilight but well, that was one of those things I was worried about", Twilight responds saying she was just uncomfortable, and they head home for the evening. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nightstone Castle 4:30Pm I finished my inspection of the castle then met Twilight and Nyx at the gates, "Heading home ladies? Sure you don't want to stay the night?" Twilight laughs saying "Thank you but I think we have had are fun for the day." As we walk home Nyx asks "Hay J.J um, do you what do you think of Moon?" I scratch my chin, "Well she hasn't lied to us yet and well, she an't Nightmare Moon. Apart from that I really don't think of her much these days, she's cute, mischievous and she is protective of those she holds dear. That just about sums it up, huh sounds familiar now don't it." she nods in response then asks her "I take it you'll want to teach me 'dream walking'?", "Only if you really want to, besides we kinda need Luna's help, not to mention permission for that. Well we don't but would make it easier," Moon replies. "Well anyway girls if ya feel like star gazing I'll be taking up watch tonight," Nyx sounds surprised "I thought you always did that?", "I don't do it every night I just got a feeling something might be going down soon," I reply pulling a lantern from my coat, "How many pockets do you have in that thing?" Twilight asks, "Magic Twilight, I took a few lessons from Rarity and Fluttershy, and made this thing out of magic threads, which have a high resistance to spells and makes it very enchantable, in my case some dampening spells to help make it bullet proof, not that it wasn't already given the threads in question where made stronger with the infused magic, but bullets still pack a punch. The other one is well, I got plenty of space in this thing, dare I say it would not surprise me if Pinkie pops out of it one of these days," I was kidding about that last one but Pinkie was Pinkie, still its not like I didn't have inside pockets but the space in them was magically deeper then they appeared, nothing crazy but I could still put a full length checkbook in a pocket the size of a coin purse. Once I got them home like any good gentleman I left to go grab some things from my house, get a few hours sleep and more importantly check my mail for anything suspicious. Spike had just started dinner when Twilight and Nyx came in, "Are you sure your ok Mom," "Yes Nyx I just need some time ok," Nyx nuzzles her mother affectionately before going off to bathe. Twilight for her part plops down in on a sofa in the library and grabs a book about spirits and possessions and how to get rid of them, "Hay Twilight where have you two been?", Twilight looks up from her book, "Oh we where just trying out some new spells." Twilight half lies, "Really? Ok also Cheerilee dropped off Nyx's assignment about 3 hours ago, some history work or something." Twilight for her part nods and continues reading till Dinner is served, While waiting Nightmare Moon pops up beside her "I'm sorry ok, I didn't mean to...," "DON'T talk to me" Twilight cuts her off "I know you had no intention of scaring us, but WARN ME next time you do something like that OK!", Moon just nods and says "Fair enough still, I do apologize, sorry mo..." she stops short "Nevermind, I'll make sure your not haunted by that image anytime soon if that helps," Twilight considers this a moment, agrees and then goes to bathe herself. After washing up the two sit down to a Dinner of potato soup with saltines (crackers) and some hay patties. At around 5 pm then clean the plates, brush there teeth and after killing some time go off to sleep wishing each other a goodnight.
Dream WalkingTuesday March 12th 1Am Moon stayed cooped up in her little corner of Nyx's mind she sighs "Well, I don't think that was the best idea I ever had, but that is saying a lot given I Possessed Luna before. I should probably go check on her or Tia... WHAT! Why would I do that Tia would Kill me, HARD!" The more she thinks about it the more she decides to teach Nyx the basics of dream walking after all. She walked over to the 'door' to her 'room' and stepped out into the halls of Nyx's mind, These days it was rather quite although she did help Nyx by dealing with any lingering influence of her former self, not that it was an issue but one can never be too carful. She proceded down the hall and up a short stair case "Ah here we are," she says to no one as she walks into a sphere representing Nyx's dream, she pauses a moment to remember "Oh right I need to go check on Twilight," She opens a portal into the Dream scape and walks a short road to Twilights dream "Oh...dear... Well better do as I promised or Frost help me if Luna catches me" She enters the 'window' into Twilights dream. As she steps into the dream space she finds herself in Nightstone castle, no surprise really. She walks a bit observing her surroundings, "Nothing bad so far but, wait for it," "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" Twilight's scream carries in the halls, "Yep she is that way", Moon makes progress toward Twilight's location, the thrown room she suspects. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Meanwhile at Canterlot Castle Celestia was just heading to bed when she is summoned by her sister to discuss something. She meets her sister in her chambers, a bedroom themed after her, the bed was large enough to hold 2 or 3 of herself with a vanity mirror in from of it by the far wall. Luna sat by the fire on a pillow, the balcony doors to the right of the bed where open, letting in a lovely moon light. Celestia takes a lays by her sister and asks "Sister is something the matter?" "quite Tia, yesterday we encountered... A unknown creature in are duty over the dream realm." Celestia raises an eyebrow "Unknown you say, how so?" Luna is slow to answer raising her sister's concern, "Well... don't be alarmed but we... I believe this creature may be...," She sighs deeply before looking Celestia straight in the face "The Nightmare." Celestia's eyes go wide "No" she breathes, "Tia, that's just it, This Nightmare does not feel or act like The Mare in the Moon, it even has are necklaces are parents gave us," That got Celestia's attention "What? That's not possible we keep them in are bedside tables. What do you make of this Mare?" Luna's response is conflicted "Well first off: she is inhabiting Nyx, this does not surprise us given her history, second she was fearful of me at first, but after a few minutes of questioning she became very defensive, she expected me to harm her and clamed if I did so she would defend herself, indicating she is more then a mire illusion of Nyx's dream," Celestia nods as Luna continues "Her appearance is as you would expect that of Nightmare Moon, however her actions are that of Nyx if you will," again Celestia nods "There for I am conflicted as to what to think or make of the situation. Sister do you think she is a threat or... dare we say a... friend?" Celestia thinks this information over a moment, "Luna as your sister it is my job to protect you. Therefor I will accompany you this Night to meet this 'Mare' if she acts the same toward me then we shall let it rest, if she proves hostile then I'm sure you can over come her in your own domain," "But sister you do not posses..." Celestia cuts Luna off "I can not influence dreams like you Luna, I can however Navigate the World of Dreams and protect myself if necessary, I defeated Nightmare Moon once in such a fashion, if necessary I will do it again." Luna questions her sister about what exactly she can do, before finally nodding in agreement "Fair enough Tia, we shall depart as soon as my court is done, best you get some sleep before then, Pleasant dreams Sister," Luna Exits the room and heads for the throne room. Celestia for her part stares at the portrait of the 2 of them over the fireplace, I fear I may regret this but I must protect my little ponies, my sister included among them she thinks to herself before heading to bed writing the conversation down in her Diary. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Twilights dream Nightmare Moon continues her way toward the Throne having gotten lost in her own castle no less, "How I can get lost in here I have no idea, note to myself bring a map next time or better yet a dream compass." On the plus side she did manage to find the plans to the Castle, and after a quick look over she arrived at the throne room doors. "Get Back! Stay AWAY FROM ME!" Twilight screams as she scampers away from a very evil looking glob of Nyx, "But mom I just want to HUG you," Nightmare smiles slightly, Turns into her mist form and silently reforms behind the black cloud and clears her throat, Said cloud turns only to get face full of moonlight causing it to vanish screaming in agony, "Twilight are you ok?" Moon says in sweet voice. Twilight Looks up from her curled ball to see Moon standing over her, she smiles "Has anyone ever told you, you look a lot like my daughter from when she...Ya know tried to bring eternal night down on us ha ha ha", she laughs getting to her feet. Nightmare for her part smiles saying "Is it that obvious to you? Your smarter then I took you for." Twilight nods "Well given you said you where from Emblem, I assume your...Nyx? I mean Nightmare was not completely killed back there now was she," every moment she stares at Nightmare the more she confirms her theory. "Well...your not entirely wrong, you see..." A ripple cascades through the dream scape causing 'Nyx' then stands up straight "Oh no, not them anything but them," panicking she puts on her guise again and disappears into Twilights shadow "I'm not here ok." Twilight was just about to ask who she was hiding from when Celestia and Luna walk though the doors, "Luna are you sure she's here?", "Positive sister there is no denying her magic signature," Feeling out of place Twilight makes herself know "Um, What are you two doing here?" Celestia freezes like a foal with there hoof in the cookie jar, "Oh my apologize Twilight, We where just looking for a friend of ours," "Friend? I find that hard to believe" Moon says from her hiding spot. "A friend you say what he or she look like?" Twilight says playing it cool. "Nightmare Moon, female, hard to miss," Luna rattles off, "Hmm Can't say I've see her, maybe you should try...huh I've no idea how to finish that sentence," Moon laughs a little seeing Twilight completely stumped, "Wait... Tia do you feel that, its very subtle but its there," Celestia closes her eyes and sees the Dream though magic, "Yes I feel it now...," "Twilight RUN!," Twilight pops off some magic fireworks before teleporting though the door and booking it. "AFTER HER SISTER!", Luna shouts spinning and zooming after her, Celesta simply Teleports. "huhuhuhu, I think we lost them," Twilight says catching her breath, she suddenly hears hoof steps as Celesta calmly walks around the corner "Twilight COME OUT NOW! your only making this worse," Twilight having ducked behind a vase gulps "What do we do?" Twilight asks Mare mentally "Running is never a good idea I've come to realize, let me do the talking ok, I need to think", Twilight steps out into the all her eye clearly teal slits "Princess Celestia" she bows, Celestia clearly not impressed "Leave her, I will not let you harm my student," Moon obeys, forming shortly afterwards "Your no fun I wouldn't think to harm her given my current position." Celestia gives a cold stare at Moon "You best be honest Nightmare Moon, this is not a good first impression," Moon raises her head, returns the stare and rebukes "I will not be intimidated 'TIA'!" , Celestia blinks, nods and gives in ever so slight annoyance "I have no reason to show you my kindness," she pauses thinks and starts again "Moon is it? forgive me, I mean you no harm, I mearly wish to speak with thy." "I find that hard to believe, and if I don't satisfy you?" "Then I will remove you to the best of my abilities" "Then you best take your business else where, your sister can't take me you even less so...Still why are you here anyway?" "To determine your ability to be civil." Moon opens a nearby door and motions for her to fallow, Twilight having nothing better to do fallows. Luna joins them shortly after and Twilight summons some Tea into existence. "So tell me how long have you been... hiding?" Celesta starts after taking a sip, "Not long as J.J. will tell you we have been hiding since the Emblem incident, I saved your necks back there if you recall.", Celestia nods "So Who or What if you will are you?" "I... Good question that does not have a straight answer, on one hand I'm Nightmare Moon, but I differ from her so much I may as well be called something else," Luna joins the conversation "What are your intentions spirit?" "I thought I told you Luna, I have no intention of screwing you, Tia, Nyx or Twilight over in anyway, My ONLY intention if I had to think of one it to permanently remove my past self from existing." Luna gasps "HUH?!...What... did you...just say?" "You heard me right, there are, counting myself 2 Nightmare Moons, you have me, the leader of the 'rogue' 'Blackcoats' as J.J. dubbed them, and then there's... screw it, the real Nightmare which I have no information on. That said I know how to get rid of her, sort of" "How? TELL ME!" Luna starts shaking Mare furiously, Celestia separates the two. "Luna I admire your enthusiasm but the only way would be to... have us contact each other, we are the same person after all so... we should fuse or be able to 'absorb' each other the magic ritual that gave us Nyx should do just that with a few tweaks." "Wouldn't that siphon spell I know work just as well?" "No, for we are more then just magic given life." Celestia speaks "Ok that is nice to know, however this is about you, so how about I make this easy for you." "What you have in mind?" "Simple, I will tell you 5 words and you responded with the first one that comes to mind sound fair?" "Lay'em on me." "Dream," "Nightmare" "Ponies," "Mortals" "Luna," "Fool" "Hey!," Luna interjects, "Luna there are worse words I can use for that." Luna Nods understandingly, still gives Moon a short glare. "Snowdrop," "Victim" "Ok last word, Nyx," Moon has to think about it for a moment then blushes "Well... Sister." That last one made everyone blink and stare a few minutes. "Nyx... a sister? That's very sweet of you Moon," Twilight says "Thanks Twily, I guess she is in one sense, ya know products of Nightmare Moons shenanigans." Luna takes this moment to speak "Well, I think we're done here, come sister, and Moon, be careful ok." "Hay Luna, mind if I... take Nyx for a walk show her the ropes? You could use a hand after all." Luna pauses raises and eyebrow "Hmm well, sure go ahead just don't do anything stupid ok?" Moon agrees then turns to Celestia "Well what you think of me Princess?", "You are...unique to say the least, I and my sister will monitor you further but, you are free to do as you please." Moon, nods wishes them farewell and then has Twilight fallow her to Nyx's Dream. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nyx's Dream Nyx was currently dreaming about a lovely night with her mother, star gazing to be specific. Twilight and Nightmare Moon Make there way up the fake rolling hills of Ponyville. Nyx upon taking Notice takes a pause only to see the Twilight she was spending time with disappear, "Oh dear, I hope I wasn't interrupting anything?" Nyx recovers "No not at all, soooo...Dream?" the pair nod, "Ok so what do you want at this fine hour of the night?" "I wished to teach you dream walking Nyx, you might enjoy it." Moon responds. Twilight for her part keeps staring between Nightmare Moon and her daughter, Hmm can it be? she thinks observing the pair. "You can teach that?" Nyx asks excited, "But of course, you only really need to know some mental spells and what not to do it...We however are an exception, I have Luna's permission so how about we don't waste it." Nyx hops around like a school girl "YES, yesyesyesyes, I always wanted to ask Luna to teach me but I figured she never had the time," "Well she is a busy mare after all, now come let us begin shall we." Twilight bid them good dreams and left, before doing so Nightmare gave her what appeared to be a miniature sun that would according to her "Keep the nightmares at bay for the night," Twilight asks as an afterthought "Can you really take on both of them Moon?" "Probably not but I will not be intimidated by them Twilight, besides Luna is the only one I'm concerned with." Twilight leaves in a flash of light, then had Nyx becomes aware of her dream state in full, "Your familiar with lucid dreaming yes?", "I've heard of it, but no." Nightmare then instructs Nyx to look around and find differentials between her dream and the real world as she knew it. Nyx flips her head left and right finding too many hills, the town was too small or the distance was wrong she couldn't tell and lastly the lack of Nightstone castle itself. The world around her goes into silence and freezes, "Good, now try to imagine various things, I don't care what it is." Nyx ends up making the CMC's treehouse grow out of the ground and the castle constructs itself from rocks in the quarry south of Ponyville, "Is that Pinkie Pie up there?" Moon looks up "Damn that mare how does she even do that?!", "Huh oh hi everypony did I make a wrong turn again," Mrs. Pie pulls a map from her mane and looks it over, "PINKIE PIE GET DOWN HER RIGHT NOW YOUNG LADY!" Mare shouts causing pinkie to fall from the stars and into a lake full of cotton candy. "Nice catch Nyx," she says climbing out of the lake "Thank you," Nyx replies waving to Pinkie. "Ok time for some fun stuff, try... oh I don't know turning Pinkie into a snail or maybe a bird." Pinkie Pie soon is turned into a puddle of goo "Hay look I'm the Smooze," Pinkie laughs it off as Nyx keels over in laughter, "Nyx how the devil do you know about that?" Nightmare asks genuinely concerned "Read it in a book once, some old history book of ancient creatures," puzzled Moon takes a quick library trip by flying into the fake tree library, she returns moments later nodding, "Ok now lets try manipulating the world itself, do whatever you wish, and also keep in mind we will be doing this to others, I'll help you with that but there minds will resist you." Nyx tries shifting everything around her from the sky, to the scenery and even herself, after what feels like hours she takes a breather, "Your doing well Nyx, still it's no real test less we try manipulating someone else's dreams, your friends perhaps, Silver Spoon, Diamond Tiara?" PLEASE pick Diamond Tiara, Nyx look up at her and thinks a moment, "How about Silver Spoon, I want so see if she is really like Diamond Tiara?" Moon nods and opens a door to the dream road, Pinkie also quickly disappears as Moon sends her back to her own dream. Upon stepping through the door Nyx lost her breath in awe "WOW....this...is beautiful," "It is isn't it, come this way," Moon beckoned Nyx fallowing her closely, a few doors down they find a door with Silver Spoons cutie mark on it, "Does every door look like this?" "No, I just made it more obvious, Don't worry it's easy to find your way here just fallow your...um instincts I guess, I kinda forgot how that works." The pair make there way inside going blinded a moment. they find themselves in Silver Spoons home, a slight above average home, with 2 floors, 1 bathroom and 2 bedrooms, a small kitchen down stairs and a living room. Nyx more curious then knowing where to go picked the door on the left cracking it open finding Silver and Diamond playing what appeared to be with Blocks of some sort, Legos maybe? "Well we found her now we watch and wait," Moon Whispers. Soon Silver looks up to Diamond "So what did you want to talk about?" she asks "Oh nothing just that I'm leaving you.", Silver looks up "What? Why?" "I've got to move out of this town too many black flanks ya know, besides you like them." "What? Well yeah but not like, like them," "See you later Silver, I'll write to you." Diamond then walks out of the room and vanishes, Silver for her part brakes down and cries "Silver? You do know she would never do that even for a dumb reason like that right?", Nyx says walking in and puts a hoof on her shoulder. Silver looks up "Huh what are you doing here Nyx?" "Comforting you, are you really that worried about Diamond leaving you?", she nods. "Ok, well try making other friends, the CMC for instance, me, anypony." "Does Diamond still hate you?" Silver asks wiping her tears. "You mean over her father? No, I kinda saved her Neck in Baltimore from some thugs, do you? about your mom?" "No, you had nothing to do with that right?" No is Nyx's reply, "Just so ya know, your dreaming so lets cheer you up a little," Nyx then makes Sugercube Corner appear with a cake for her and Silver to share. "What the... did you just...," "Yes, I know its a bit jarring, sorry," Nyx says apologetic about the sudden scene change, "Nyx...sorry just give me a minute ok." said taking in her surroundings. After she felt more comfortable "Ok, Silver...look we don't have to be friends but...," Silver cuts a slice of cake, "It's quite alright Nyx, I don't have any grudge over what happened with the Children of Nightmare, you did have nothing to do with that right?" Nyx nods in return grabbing a slice of cake, "So what do you want and how did you get here?" Silver asks questioningly "Practicing dream walking obviously, for some reason you where my first thought." "I see, well may I ask why you picked me?" "I was curious about you and Diamond Tiara's relationship, I guess...I mean you two are different if you look close enough," "Really? Well I'm not cruel like her if that's what you...", Nyx cuts her off "No I mean, unlike her you actually can be nice when you want to be." Silver smirks slightly "You noticed that huh? Well thanks, the CMC have pretty much labeled me with Diamonds face," the two making some small talk about school and the CMC, Nyx eventually pops the question "So maybe we can be friends?" "You think so?" "Well as I said before, you can be kind when you want to be, hell you fessed up long before Tiara ever would have When you two left me in the Everfree! I just hope she doesn't regret her attitude some day," Silver then bursts out laughing, "OH she will eventually, I'm surprised she hasn't been run out of town on rail, or worse, Pinkie Pie if you get what I'm saying," Nyx knowing how a Pinkie Promise works, knew dame well what that meant "Oh... I would never wish that on her, still how about we start small, just you and me talking here and maybe in a few days we start in the real world?" Silver Spoon tilts her head in thought, "Hmm, baby steps? Ok sounds good, but... just between us ok, I doubt the CMC will just change it's tune over me that easily." Nyx nods in agreement. The two continue to chat a bit and eventually finish the cake. "Eh hem, Nyx it's time for us to go ok..." Moon says finally stepping out of the shadows, Silver brake the world sprint record diving under the table, "Huh? Oh Silver Spoon come on its ok," "Are you out of your mind she's..." she says scared. "Not Nightmare Moon, well the one we all know and fear," Silver pokes her head out and gets a basic rundown of who this mysterious mare is. "So your...Nyx as Nightmare Moon?" "Something like that, I know its confusing but, Nyx is as different from Nightmare Moon as it gets, only her eyes and coat match The Mare in the Moon if you haven't noticed" looking between the two Silver nods in agreement "There's always tomorrow Nyx," Nyx bids Silver farewell and the two appear to be getting along, privately anyway, Nyx returns to her own dream and says "That was fun we should do that again some time," "We got all night Nyx, so how about we go find your friends." Taking a walk down the starlight road Nyx suddenly finds herself asks "Hay...Moon aren't you a Nightmare?" Moon looks over at Nyx, the scowl on her face quickly disappearing "I won't deny it, I was," "So what are you know?" "A guardian of dreams for lack of better words." Nyx and Nightmare Moon soon arrive at a set of 3 doors, "Huh? odd why are these three arranged as such?" Moon says taking note of the 3 doors being huddled together. "They are having such a similar dream they are sharing that dream," a voice says walking up to the pairs right, "Oh Luna good evening, so a shared dream huh? this will be interesting, wait...that energy, oh dear." Moon says slowly opening the door, the dream seems perfectly safe so her, Luna and Nyx walk in and while Luna flies to the moon, Nyx and Moon take there seats in a crowd. On the stage in front of them Sweetie belle Is singing some unknown song, as the audio slowly, comes into focus she's found to be singing "Homeland" by Kenny Rogers, "Interesting choice," Nyx says swinging to the beat. Applebloom was behind the curtain making sure the scenery was all in place, Scootaloo meanwhile was flouting around moving the lights above the stage, everything seemed to be going well, "Nyx keep your eyes open, there is a nightmare in here somewhere," Nyx nods, and looks about, the sky, no Luna is up there, the crowd, can't see, wait did that shadow just move... Nyx Moves from her seat and slowly makes her way to the stage, the faceless pony starts the heckle Sweetie, and the crowd slowly joins in, "HAY! Leave her alone she's grate!" Nyx yells, her voice bordering the Royal Canterlot voice but not quite, "Nyx? you made it!" the CMC quickly surround Nyx as she gets up on stage and hug her, "GET OFF THE STAGE, YOU SUCK, I WANT MY MONEY BACK!" the crowd yells among other things, "Hmm tough crowd, well girls lets knock'em dead shall we," "How?" Applebloom asks "Just add a little magic," Nyx says as Sweetie starts her Next song "Everything or Nothing" from James Bonds Nightfire. As Sweetie sings, Nyx applies her magic causing a illusionary field to appear above the stage, this field plays out a "video" to the song. The crowd goes wild and any of the hecklers vanish before Nyx's eyes, "Good work your highness" Moon says smiling from the seats. after 3 minutes the song ends and the crowd disperses, "Thanks Nyx your a life saver," Sweetie says breathing a sigh or two of relief "Your welcome guys, say what are you doing anyway?" The three fillies look at each other, and in sync say "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS TRAVALING PREFORMERS, YAY!" Nyx after fixing her hair from the hurricane of voices says "Well from what mom tells me that's one thing you three could do, well I think my work is done here, Moon lets go shall we," As Moon makes herself noticeable Applebloom asks the obvious question "Hay who's that filly?" Nyx looks back to see Moon had indeed turned herself into a filly, indigo hair, dark blue coat, and a half moon for cutie mark. "O this is... Moon, SilverMoon", "Silver?" the crusaders ask "The moon is silver as well as moonlight," Moon says quickly. Saying good by to there friends they return to the starlight road. They return and Luna leads them to a black door, with green linings. "This is...Flitter if I'm not mistaken," Nyx comments admiring the detail of the door, "Yes and I suggest you stay here, its not pleasant in there," Luna says opening the door, "Flitter is a changeling yes? Mind if I come with you Luna I always wanted to meet one" Luna nods as Moon steps through the door with her. Flitter at present was having one hell of a night, that meaning she was currently running like hell thought the streets of Ponyville with the whole town on her tail. "What the hell could have caused this?" Moon says giving Luna a sideways look, "My sister may have offered all the hidden changelings mercy but that does not mean the populace has, a shame really." Moon nods and quietly moves above the mass of ponies. Flitter end up cornered in an ally and the ponies slowly creep in on her "TOUCH HER AND YOU WILL FEEL THE WRATH OF THE CROWN!" the ponies look up and are blown away as Nightmare Moon slams down in front of them, wings spread, steam coming of her snout and hair fully ablaze, the crowd backs off a moment, then charges at her "Even in dreams their fools" Moon says to herself firing a stun blast that knocks everypony to the side, the civilians pose no challenge but behind them are royal guards, led by Shining armor surprisingly enough "Stand down Captain I won't tolerate insubordination," "Do you even know what she has been up to your highness, she's a SPY!" "Tisk tisk, what else is new," Luna plops down behind the guards and tapes Shining on the shoulder "Captain consider yourself discharged," she says before clocking him square in the face. "Ok Nyx, you can come in now," Luna hollers to the sky, Nyx pops in gliding to Flitters side. "You ok Flitter?" Nyx ask, said changeling starts hugging Nyx to death "Agk...air, air!" "Sorry, thank you Nyx thank you" the two elder ponies, look at each other then shrug in a "I don't get it roll with it" fashion as the two chat up each other. "So I'm dreaming all this...Gezz I must be nervous," "Pray tell what Miss Flitter," Luna asks "Well...feeding and...this dream isn't entirely false," "Who do you work for then?" Moon asks putting a hoof on her shoulder, "There's a queen in the Everfree she has been offering sanctuary to the queenless or those that left there queen for one reason or another, namely Chrysalises changelings." Nyx having little understanding of Changelings asks "So that bad? I mean if she's in the Everfree surely she is friendly yes?" Flitter confirms that question and "Bad? No she is the one queen that everyone will come crawling to for help and she will offer it, however recently she has been having thoughts that have gotten the wrath of the changeling swarm for much higher queens," Luna nods "I will not let the come to pass, come Tartarus and the horse's of Armageddon I will stand by her." Flitter feels comforted but says "Equestira alone wont save her your highness, there's A LOT of changelings out there more then even the crystal empire can withstand," "We shall see when it comes to that Flitter, my powers over the darkness have yet to leave me, I will not hesitate to use them under the right circumstances." at this point Nyx changes the subject "Ok enough doom and gloom, Flitter do you... want to talk for a bit? I'd like to know more about your kind and if possible this queen, given you are so protective of your queens." Flitter considers this and then to all present surprise the world goes from Ponyville to a small black room with some blue lights on the wall, "Well I'd better get back to my job, good luck you three," Luna walks though the door and vanishes. "So flitter what can you tell me?" Nyx starts "Ask and you will know" Flitter responds, "Ok lets start small, do changelings have families? I know you do but, like real families?" Flitter pauses and them calls for a bit of food, a changeling hovers in and lays some crystals and a salad on the table between the two, Moon also gets one as she lay on the corner, "Well depends on the hive and the queen for that matter, independent changelings do have families yes, however more often then not in hives the family usefully doesn't get to know each other," Nyx causes a chalkboard to appear and draws a generic changeling on it "Ok how about you explain the anatomy of a changeling," Flitter starts rambling on about said subject as Moon tunes it out. 2 hours later Nyx asks about the hives and role of the queens, "The queens as you would expect are the leaders of hives, hives is just the generic term ponies came up with for where changelings make there homes, The queens typically help with 'breeding' by laying massive amounts of eggs but its not unheard of to have live births among large numbers of changelings. Now in times of war, the queen is the undisputed commander of that particular swarm, a swarm is a large group changelings..." "Like what happened at Canterlot?" "Yes, only because there where variously hives involved with that, just some random changelings mixed with Chrysalis's hive." "Eh Hem, sorry to cut this short Nyx but I think we should go get some sleep." Nyx asks why given they where asleep "You don't get as much rest when you dream walk as you would just sleeping, no sense in stressing your mind too much right? still we always have tomorrow night." the Two bid Flitter farewell, and head for there own dreams. "Now Nyx you might want to wright down what you've learned and ask Flitter in the morning, that way you learn things with others" Nyx asks for some clarity and Moon explains that with a bit of mental magic you can learn things collectively with other ponies. "Is there anything more to Dream walking?" "Yes there's a lot more too it, fighting real nightmares for one and teaching lessons to others for another," "Well see you tomorrow Nightmare Moon," Nyx says wondering off into her dreams, Moon herself returning to watch over Twilight's "Well looks like we made a new friend, then again J.J. did make her his little informant on Diamond. I wonder if that actually uncovered anything?" Moon then walks into Twilights dreams and the night rolls by.
The Moon and SilverMarch 13th 9 Am It had been a few days since Nightmare Moon had stepped into Nyx's life. Nyx and Twilight had so far tolerated Nightmare Moons presence, however Twilight had told her daughter to be weary of Nightmare Moon and decided to test her. Nyx also decided to take the opportunity to make friends with Silver Spoon like she promised, how she was going to that was anyone's guess. Still since the filly had made contact with Silver in her dreams, she had been of a pain for everypony. Diamond had also received a visit from Nyx but she kept her distance because you thought Diamond might reject her instantly, she saw that Diamond wanted to be a nice pony, but her parents weren't really helping in that regard, Her mother Spoiled Rich (Nyx found that name strangely ominous) was president of the Ponyville school board, and her father Filthy Rich tried but seemed to not be up to the task of making his daughter happy. Nyx had left her a note however and Diamond seemed to get the message, but she wasn't sure. At the moment she was just about to leave for school when Twilight called for her from the kitchen. Nyx walked through the doorway and asked what her mother wanted, "Nyx, could me stay with me for a while, I'd like to.....get to know her better if that's alright." Nyx pinged Moon who was still asleep in her mind, "Huh? Oh sorry Nyx, did you need something?" Nyx smiled outwardly "Twilight wants to know if you could stay here with her for while?" Moon's ghost looked surprised "Does she now? Alight just don't get into trouble my dear." Moon walked over to Twilight and smiled "Morning Twilight, so what do you want with me?" Twilight offered her breakfast "Well I wanted to get to know you, your phycology, your personality, your motives. your...." "I get it Twilight, Why though?" Twilight informed her that she found it very suspicious that she was drastically different from what she was before, "Fair enough, shall I go lie down on the couch or finish your breakfast." Twilight offered her hoof, "Eat your going to want to," drawing a bit of blood Moon's body formed and she sat down at the table. The food was a simple serving of eggs and some bacon, "Is that real bacon or baconnaise?" Twilight stated it was real bacon "I don't mind a bit of meat in my life, I've always tried adding a little to see if enjoyed it, thought its only in small amounts for balanced diet." Moon took a bit and the crunch was quite audible "Crunchy, might want to take it off the burning earlier next time." Twilight returned to the table and started asking questions "So tell me, what was Luna like back then?" The question caught Nightmare Moon of guard, she coughed on the bacon a moment before grabbing a drink "cough-cough Give me moment," Moon straightened herself out before giving an answer, "Well, Nightmare Night was the closest she's gotten to that old personality of hers. She and Tia where rather more mischievous and fun loving then you have seen." they both moved on to there scrambled eggs, "I suppose you want me to tell you that I am not Nightmare Moon and I had nothing to do with Luna?" she said in-between gulps, Twilight stayed quite till she finished her plate, "Well if that is the result of my tests, then I want to know what changed." Moon finished her plate moments later and helped Twilight wash them out of courtesy. They then both moved to the man room of the tree library with 3 of pillows set out for them, one for Twilight and 2 for Moon if she needed it. They sat across from each other, Twilight had a clipboard with a list of questions and projector. Moon sat down and stretched a little "Well ask away, Element of Magic." Twilight started by handing her a paper of her own with a quill, "Fill this out if you would, just a personal information page." Moon filled in her name, her age which she wrote "Centuries", sex female, she was an alicorn and added in the comment section "This seems very unnecessary Miss Twilight Sparkle". Twilight pressed on and started actually asking questions "Alright with that out of the way, let's see just what you remember. Can you name me and my friends along with are Elements?" Moon thought for moment, "Your are Twilight Sparkle Element of Magic and Personal student of the long reigning Princess Celestia, who's sister Princess Luna returned recently. You have 5 friends, Applejack, Element of Honesty and a hardworking farm mare of the Apple family. Rainbow Dash, Element of Loyalty and she aspires to be a wonderbolt and is captain of the Ponyville weather team, She also enjoys pranks. Pinkie Pie, Element of Laughter and she is the best party ponies know to pony kind or in Ponyville at least. She lives in Surgercube Corner with the cakes who have two little babies, a unicorn and pegasus. Rarity, Element of Generosity and Ponyville's resident tailor and self-proclaimed fashinista, she lives at Carousel Boutique with her little sister Sweetie Belle. Lastly there is Fluttershy, Element of Kindness and she lives in a cottage by the Everfree forest, she is also very....timid I believe is a good word to describe her." Twilight started at her checklist the pencil tip broken as she gasped "Impressive, now how about some of the events surrounding Nightmare Moon, you know, Luna's return, what happened in Emblem and other such events." Nightmare Moon frowned "Very well, Let's see I appeared just as mayor mare Announced Princess Celestia and you shouted to everyone who I was, the royal guard tried to arrest me but couldn't get close, I disappeared moments later and waited for you to lead me to the elements of harmony, am I right so far?" Twilight nodded and had her continue "Alright you and your impromptu friends went off into the Everfree forest where I tried to stop all of you one way or another, First I caused a cliff to fall out from under you and AJ convinced you to let go and you where caught by your pegasi friends, second I was a thorn in manticore's paw, you tried to fight it but Fluttershy took a more passive approach, she took the poor thing by the paw and removed the thorn, it let you pass while it licked Fluttershy like a puppy. Next I tried to scare you, frankly that was perhaps your most pathetic moment, I've seen funhouses scarier then that. Anyway Pinkie Pie broke into song 'giggle at the ghosties' if I recall, you laughed causing the trees to turn to normal, then I fled causing the serpent in the river to loss his mustache, Rarity gave up her tail and he helped you across. Finally before you confronted me, Rainbow flew across the gorge surrounding the only Everfree castle, she was going to attach the rope when 3 Shadow bolts appeared offering her a chance to join in exchange for leaving you all stranded. She declined and fixed the bridge, leaving you to deal with me. If you don't mind, I would rather not go over that again." When Twilight asked her about Emblem Moon stayed silent, "Forgive me Twilight but I can't seem to recall, refresh my memory." Twilight looked suspicious "You seriously can't remember kidnapping Celestia and Luna, my friends or attacking us with the Taken or ANYTHING?" she said raising her voice, "Now that you mention it yes, my mind seems to go fuzzy whenever I go to that part, I do recall you finding me in a bed under the lake however and everything that happened after that. Including.....your death, sorry about that." Twilight appreciated the apology "You also sent me a note remember, it was attached to basket with fragments of crystal in it." Moon explained they where her way to escape while bringing herself back to life, "As I recall you called me Nyx, would have been a little odd to have two of them don't you think?" Twilight had a delayed reaction to that statement "Yes that would be....wait.....I did didn't I. Guess that's why I named Nyx like I did." Twilight then proceeded to fire up the projector and started putting pictures on it, "Alright I'm going to show you a serious of pictures and your going to tell me the first thing that comes to mind." The first picture was one of the royal sisters, "Anything then, well.....fear, sadness, pity." the second picture was one of fillies "Children, cute, foals. What where you expecting food?" Twilight rubbed her neck sheepishly "Well, I had to test that." Moon stuck out her tongue blowing raspberries. The third picture was one of Nyx, Moon visibly frowned "The childhood I'll never have, such a lucky girl don't you think?" "More then you know," Twilight replied smiling at he photo, she showed Moon 3 more photos consisting of her and her friends, a picture some pony had snapped of Nightmare Moon and lastly a picture of Elements of harmony, Moon in turn told Twilight: That her and her friends where the Element bearers, a gift not to be taken lightly, with the Nightmare photo she made a remark about Luna having grown us since them and lastly That the elements where capable of grate things, both good and bad. With that Twilight turned off the projector and looked at her results sheet, "Well, your certainly different from what I would have expected, not that I ever got the chance to interview Nightmare Moon." "Nor do you want to, take my word for it," Moon said while thinking "Did she really not notice what I said about the bed earlier? Silly Twilight." Twilight told her she was free to go, but wished to talk later, to get her side of the story regarding Nightmare Moon. _____________________________________________________________ Ponyville schoolhouse 9:30Am Nyx was enjoying todays lesson, it was about astronomy Cheerilee and her teaching assistant J.J putting on a lovely presentation with a 3'd magic hologram. While she had taken notes about various constellations and phases of the moon, the rest of the class seemed less interested in such things. Diamond raised her hoof "Yes Diamond?" Cheerilee asked, "Cheerilee, if Luna can paint the sky to her will, who's to say that was the sky really looks like." Yet another strange point from the rich girl, Nyx politely answered her question "DT, Luna many be able to paint the night however she pleases, but that does not mean she has the freedom to create whatever she wants, She always puts the constellations in the same place with occasional shifts, based of the position of the planet. As a result she took up painting and from what I've read she can paint true works of art." Moon popped into Nyx's mind just in time to hear Diamond say "Whatever you say Nightmare Moon," a mock bow accompanying it. Cheerilee was about to chastise her about mocking Nyx but said filly held her hoof up, much to the teachers surprise "It's alright Cheerilee, I'm used to it. Besides I like it." "WHAT!" the whole class said stunned, Diamond Tiara especially "You...like me teasing you?" Nyx nodded, "I take it more as a reminder then a insult anymore. Really Diamond, do you think I want to go back to being that pony, do you?" the class leaned in on Diamond excepting answer, "Um...um... OF COURSE NOT! Why ANY pony would want that is beyond even my comprehension. what are you all looking at?" the class retracted there gaze and focused on the lesson. Moon commented on Nyx's exchange "A duel worthy of princess, can't say I even liked her myself." Nyx nodded in acknowledgement. The lesson went on about the history of telescopes and famous astronomers when the recess bell rang, he class piled out onto the play ground and Nyx and her friends sat down a the picnic table. Nyx and her friends the founders of the CMC consisting of Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, she was just about to start a conversation when "Mind of I join you fillies?" the group turned to source of the voice, A black unicorn filly with blue eyes "Moon? How did you....sure have a seat." the little pony climbed up on the bench "So Nyx these are your friends?" "Yes, these are my first and best friends, Twist included among that short list. Silvermoon let me introduce Applebloom," "How ya doing?" Applebloom greeted "Sweetie Belle," "Hi there." Sweetie Belle said "And Scootaloo." "Are you Nyx's cousin?" Asked the pegasus, to which she replied "No, she's new to Ponyville, from Canterlot." The fillies nod shaking hooves with the new girl "So you go to school here?" they asked sharing portions of there lunch with her, she happily took the pieces of there PB and J and said "No I don't go to school I....home school, yes I'm home schooled by my Mom." That was true to some extent. They then started like usually talking about what sort of crusading they where doing later in the day, "Is this what they normally do Nyx?" Moon whispered to her, "Yes, every day like clockwork if they have time." "NYX!" shouted the voice of Diamond Tiara the stamping of her hooves clearly in Nyx's ears "You just had to embarrass me didn't you!" Nyx shrugs it off "You do that enough by yourself." "Oooohhh BURN!" her friends cooed, "Well Don't think I won't get you for that, I will....what's this?" Nyx had shoved a piece of paper in her face, "I overheard your father talking about your homework yesterday, this should help." Diamond looked over the parchment, formulas and diagrams of math and science and few trivia questions on less know topics, "Well....thank you, maybe I'll feed it to my dog." she walked away Silver standing in place next to her, "Um....ya what she said, we can meet up later Sugercube corner?" Nyx nodded and the silver pony walked off to join her companion, Nyx turned her attention back to her friends "So What where you saying?" "We where going to try some more crusading later, we where going to try.....what did we agree on girls?" "Stunts, forestry and helping Cheerilee with something, can't remember what though." Moon spoke up "Girl you do realize trying everything under the sun will be not only a long road but quite the painful not to mention potentially lethal one." The fillies listen to her wise words "Don't you....have a way to narrow down the list? besides what you already tried." the CMC shook there heads "No we just try whatever comes to mind and go for it, good method as any." the secretly alicorn filly turns to Nyx and mouths "You got work to do," She giggles "Yeah I tend to bail them out of trouble a lot, its part of the fun." 30 minutes later the bell rang and class resumed. _______________________________________ Ponyvill schoolhouse 2Pm The final bell of the day rang and everypony headed home, Nyx accompanied the CMC like normal, however she told them she would meet them later and went to have a chat with her old Captain. at 3:30 she left a smile on her face and new pocket watch in her magic, Moon had left her to her own devices for a while "So where are we going now?" Nyx told her they would meet the CMC in Sweet Apple Acores, "The club house is there and there's plenty of trees so, what better place to try forestry." they had a few miles to go so they struck up a conversation to pass time, "So Nyx, what are you like these days?" Moon started, "What do you mean?" "I know what you are but not who you are my child." Nyx made a 'O' and said "Well I take care of my friends when they get in trouble. Equestria is slowly but surely accepting me for who I am, the daughter of Twilight Sparkle, not who I was, the reincarnation of Nightmare Moon. How about you?" Moon really didn't have much to say, simply saying "Well I'm dead so what's there to tell, other then your mother has killed me not once but thrice, well that last time was me killing my self to save her, still can't say I didn't enjoy killing her." "Can we please not bring that up, I don't want to imagine what you described." Nyx asked not liking where this was going, "Alright Nyx, so do you have any....rules so to speak that you live by?" Moon got a better response "Well, don't hurt anyone that doesn't need to be hurt, I still got a bit of temper form....well you know. As for rules....oh you mean principles. No I have none out of the ordinary to speak of, other then in regard to my past." at that Nyx frowned not liking to think about her reign "Don't be sad Nyx, you had nothing to do with that.....I did." Nyx look up at the Alicorn "Think about it, what did you do exactly? sit in your room and cry from what I saw, Jay Werner and Spell Nexus did most of the work, but that was from his prospective." Nyx said she had Made a few rounds of the castle double checking her subordinates work, "I raised the sun didn't I?" "True and that was the straw that brock Nexus's back, J.J shepherded your mother away but she returned none the less, I guess she just couldn't leave her baby girl now could she." Nyx was now smiling now that they where talking about the brighter moments, "Ya that surprised me the most, the fact the J.J openly admitted her freed her was responsible for her 'release' was the best part, Nexus straight up demanded his head roll, I decided otherwise because he had been nothing but loyal to me, me not Nightmare Moon. He would even sit on the wall some times and play to tune for me, be it a fiddle or guitar." The two kept talking about Nyx's reign finished with Nyx saying "How every girl wants to be a princess is a mystery I will never figure out." Moon giggled "A little girl vs. a woman's perspective on life is quite different, we all believe in fairy tales once in our lives." pretty soon they arrived at Sweet Apple Acores and since the treehouse was the only structure for miles, found there friends with ease. Nyx walked up the ramp and into the treehouse, the wood softly creaking under her hooves, her friends plus Twist, welcomed her in and the meeting came to order, Applebloom banged the gabble 3 times "Greetings crusaders, On todays Cutiemark list we have stunts, forestry and.....Nyx what was that last thing?" "We where going to help Cheerilee move some science stuff for next weeks class. Now which of the three are we going to start with?" Sweetie Belle stood up "Well, since we're here in a apple orchard surely there's some trees to take care of and plant around here." Applebloom shook her head "Sadly not as much as you think, we might be able to up root some trees to send else where though." Twist suggested finding Applejack and asking, Applebloom had thought ahead however and made a copy of a list of trees, Nyx however had to leave "Sorry girls I just remembered I got to meet somepony at Sugercube corner. I'll meet you later." "Ok but don't take too long." They sped off into the distance and Nyx made her way to Sugercube corner. The gingerbread themed bakery was charming as ever, "Is that building actually made of gingerbread?" Moon asked admiring the architecture "If it was, I'm sure Pinkie would have eaten it by now." Nyx looked around trying to spot Silver Spoon but she was no where to be found, As she walked in Pinkie greeted her like usual in her super hyper way "Hi Nyx, looking for your new friend?" "Yes I...wait who do you know that?" "Because she's over there silly, I'll get the cake." and she sped off into the kitchen, the saloon style doors swinging back and forth. Nyx moved over to a table in the corner Silver was sitting there under a large sun hat, which being she was indoors stuck out like a sore thumb, Nyx sat next to her and cleared her throat, "eh-hem, Silver Spoon I presume?" the filly nodded "Nyx, I feel very uncomfortable right now, is she here?" Nyx looked confused "Moon" Nyx frowned a moment but nodded honestly, "I'll leave you be if she wants." Nyx felt the mare fade, "she's gone." Silver let out a sigh of relief and struck up a conversation about Diamond "She did thank you for the note earlier, anyway do you think you could....straight out her mother some time?" "I'm not Nightmare Moon, Silver Spoon. Why would you want me to do such a thing anyway?" Silver explained it was Spoiled Rich that was the problem "You set her straight Diamond gets off every ones back, the CMC included." The thought of a world with a nice Diamond Tiara was tempting but "No Silver, it will sort itself out I'm sure of it." Pinkie plopped a small cake with the words "New Bestest Friends" written on it, "Thanks Pinkie here," Silver put 15 bits on the table "Keep your money silly on the house." Nyx giggled "How this place is still in business I'll never know." the 3 laughed "Oh ho ho, its my charming personality and the cakes cooking, they go the monopoly of Ponyville's baked goods. Home made not withstanding." the pink pony then turned to wall "And for you miss Moon?" Nyx's eyes nearly fell out of her face and he turned quick to see Moon fully disappear, "How did you...." "Oh I can see ghosts too, J.J isn't the only one with a death connection." the pony bounced off leaving the two fillies considering interning the ball of insanity that was Pinkie Pie. The cake was delicious, a lovely and fluffy chocolate flavor with M&M and other toping through out, The two ponies left Silver dropping her head to hide from a assumedly waiting Diamond Tiara. The two ponies walked down the street toward Silver Spoons home, in comparison to Diamond Tiaras mansion it was an eye sore, It was a simple all be it upscale home for Ponyville, "Mom I'm home!" Silver announced, her parents Silver Dollar and Doubloon Where a wealthy couple, Dollar was a banker while Doubloon was stay at home mom, she was making lunch for her daughter "In here dear, I made you some....Oh, I didn't know you where bringing company, who's....." she stopped and went wide eyed at Nyx. Nyx on the other hand frowned and lowered her head, "So your Nyx right?" the filly nodded "Well, I would like to apologize for any teasing or harm my daughter has brought on you, Diamond Tiara is such a bad influence." Nyx raised her head to face her "Oh...its ok, she never really did anything to me or my friends, mostly it was just a 'follow the lead' relationship. Besides, she gave up sooner then Diamond ever would have I'm sure." The 3 sat down for a mid afternoon lunch of biscuits and cheese, then the fillies tucked away in Silver Spoons bedroom, surprisingly simple for such a wealthy family, the most outlandish thing in the room was a vanity mirror with at least 8 drawers and the bed looked more comfortable then Nyx's. Doubloon followed and asked "So what do you think our little slice of heaven?" "Humble, certainly more then Diamond ever will be. Still she has the potential to be good its just....her parents." Silver's Mom nodded "Yep those two are by far the worst parents I've ever seen, dare I say your moms sister in law would make a better mother?" the two fillies laughed at the image of Cadance caring for Diamond Tiara, "Well, I wouldn't go that far, at least she isn't a tyrant like me" Nyx said without thinking, Silver put a hoof on her shoulder to comfort her as she looked sad "Nyx that wasn't you. You'll never be her I know it" Nyx asked her how "Simple you cared." Nyx blinked "Ugh....look you flipping raised the Sun, that in itself is a contradiction to all Nightmare Moon stands for, also.....Well anyone that can apologize to Diamond Tiara when she SOOOO earned ALL of that was said about her, THAT takes the kindness of a true, just ruler...." Silver blushed putting her hoof to her mouth as she corrected her mistake "err pony I mean." Doubloon left the pair saying if Nyx ever wanted to come by she was welcome to, "Miss Doubloon?" "Yes?" she asked stopping abruptly "Um, what do you think of me if you don't mind me asking?" the mother smiled "My little Silver Shilling is lucky to have you for a friend." Silver blushed "Mom! Your embarrassing me...." Moon suddenly appeared "By any chance related to Silver shilling the accountant?" Doubloon turned and didn't even flinch "Accountant? Oh you must mean my husband, yes he has a Shilling in his tree, but that was AGES ago, like 1000 years or so." Moon smiled "Then perhaps your luckier then you think, I know a Silver Shilling that served as Luna's finance aid back then, they were.....close if you catch my drift." the Mother blushed "Not in front of the kids, tell me Nightmare what ever happened to the children of the night?" The alicorn shrugged "I know as much as you do about them, Luna would know more but I don't think she likes to speak of them." the two went down stairs to talk while Nyx and Silver worked on there homework. __________________________________________ March 13th 4pm Silver and Nyx had finished there work with flying colors, Nyx's attention to detail and Silvers ability to shorten the long winded parts made there papers on the constellations a breeze. The two had just packed their work and had started of all things playing a game of life with Nightmare Moon, who found the game surprisingly true to life, saying it told the tale of the "Real Equestrian dream" they where just finishing and Moon was about to win "Come on dice give me 6" the dice rolled and...2 "Welp there goes my money to the grand kids." Silver surprisingly rolled and bought the small country ranch instead of the mansion, "That's very humble of you Silver." "I don't really like the idea of living the high life, and My name implies the high life." the two giggled, "Well I'd love to stay and chat but I need to go see the girls. See ya later Silver." silver grabbed Nyx's tail "Um....mind if I come with you, just don't say anything, please?" she protruded her lower lip and presented her beg face "Must...resist....cuteness! Of course you can, come along now." the two packed up the game and after silver kissed her mom goodbye they headed out to where the CMC usually gathered. Upon arriving at there destination, well... the CMC where know for 1 of 2 things, there ingenuity and there straight up stupidity, this was both. They had set up a ramp, a fire hoop and Nyx could swear that she saw a few cans of hair spray attached to Scootaloo's scooter "On a scale of 1 to 10 this is a 12 on the 'this will totally go wrong' scale" Nyx commented Silver and Nightmare Moon nodding in response. Applebloom walked up the pair "Oh, hay Nyx, who's your friend?" Silver had worn a dress and large hat for the occasion, "Silver bells, I...was in the church choir." Bloom shrugged and turned "What do you think? Scootaloo will rush down the ramp and when she takes to the air, the cans will ignite and send her flying though the air, landing on the mattress over there..." Sweetie Bell stood next to the mattress waving to them from far off in the distance, Bloom holding arrow to point her out "I'm ready!" her voice echoed. Scootaloo appeared at the top of the ramp, "20 bits says she lands in the river." Nyx checked her purse, "Your on." Scootaloo shouted as she rolled down the ramp "Tell Rainbow Dash I love her!", she flew through the hoop and spontaneously rocketed off into the sky, Sweetie stated running with the mattress to catch her. unfortunately they forgot to compensate for the added thrust of their home made rockets, Scootaloo zoom down the ramp and Bloom lit the hoop, as she passed through it the cans ignited sending her flying through the air, Sweetie bell ran backwards the catch her. As Silver Spoon and Nyx admired there apparent success Silver said "You smell something burning?" Nyx turned to see Applebloom with a flame where her hair should be "Well that went well....what?", not wanting to alarm her friend she summoned a small rain cloud and after climbing on top of it, hopped on it like they where playing hopscotch dousing both the fire and her friend with a cold shower "Um thanks I guess, let go see if their ok". Meanwhile Sweetie had indeed caught Scootaloo, the pegasus and scooter had landed square on the mattress waking Sweetie in head upon landing causing her to hit the ground and drop the mattress and Scootaloo continued onward into a tree. Nyx, Bloom and Silver ran over to there friends, Bloom grabbed Sweetie Belle while Nyx and Silver went after Scoots. Scootaloo was perched in a tree her scooter destroyed beyond recognition, "Please don't fall, she can't fly." "Your joking!" Silver yelled in panicked disbelief, As if accepting her challenge the filly slipped off the branch falling at least 30 feet to the ground "Moon catch her!" No sooner had Nyx commanded that did a blue shroud of mist fly out of her and curled around the dazed pegasus, she brought her to the ground and Nyx quickly examined her, "Oh thank god she's ok...." she said a groan in her voice and smiled at the cloud next to her, Silver turned around to see Bloom and Sweetie Belle who looked to have quite the bop on the head, "Lets get you girls to doctor ok." she suggested, Nyx put Scoots on her back and Bloom carried Sweetie the hospital to be safe. The docs said they should be okay in a few days and sent the pair on there way, "Nyx, that was so cool what you did back there," "That wasn't me, Moon did that." she replied not wanting to take credit for her effort "Well guess she isn't all bad after all, well I've had enough adventure for one day so see ya around." The girl trotted off to her home and Nyx did the same, on the way she stopped by her friends homes to inform them of their sisters conditions. __________________________________________________ March 14th 2pm The next day went by quickly, The CMC stayed home from there injuries so after School ended, Nyx walked home alone. she got home and got straight to her homework, Moon offered to help and sat next to her, "So what do we have this time?" Looking over the small stack of papers, they had a few math questions, some history questions and some writing. The writing Nyx had down flat along with the math, history however she was grateful she lived in a library, "Ok so... Ponyville was founded by what race? Earth ponies. What's one of the oldest building in Ponyville? the...apple family orchard?" she looked at Moon and she nodded "Granny Smith got her name for a reason you know." Moon said trying to think of just how old Granny was, "You feel like a little picnic under the stars later?" Nyx asked her ghostly companion "Why? not like I'll enjoy it as much as you will." Nyx asked her again "Sure, I take it you want to test me?" Nyx eyed her work "I wanted to take a different approach to my mother." Moon nodded and faded away leaving Nyx to finish her work and plan. At around 6 o'clock Nyx headed out with a basket of food and blanket, She picked a spot on a hill over looking Ponyville, a single tree providing some shade. She spread the blanket and put the various dishes in there proper places according to Rarity. She rang a little bell for Nightmare to appear, "You summoned me. My this is a lovely spread Nyx, I didn't know you cared." Nyx smiled at her compliment as she sat opposite of her, this picnic included sandwiches, celery soup, cheese or cheese spread, crackers and for desert some pudding. Nyx started with the sandwiches which had the option of PB&J or a mix of vegetables with fish bits, Nyx when with the PB&J while Moon feeling more adventurous tried the fish bits, "Hmm, not bad." and made herself a Fish, tomato and lettuce sandwich. After the first few sandwiches Nyx produced a notepad, "So you want to start now or..." "Ask away Princess." Nyx flipped through her mother's notes, "Well, what are you exactly? a ghost, a figment of my imagination, a...." "A spirit of Nightmares, or a dream demon if you wish." Nyx wrote that down, "So why did you come me specifically? Surely you could have come to any pony?" Moon nodded "True, but who better to come to then myself." Only seconds later to realize what she just said, Nyx however didn't suspect a thing, "True, I can't see anyone but me helping you." She grabbed a bowl of soup, "Like your soup? Its my favorite." "I know, god forbid you die Twilight will leave some on your grave I'm sure." "That's...dark." Nyx glanced at her notepad "So Moon, is there anything you haven't told me? I mean anything." Moon looked nervous "There are a few things I've yet to devolve, still nothing serious." She lied. Nyx seemed sense as such, but ignored it and continued eating. Time ticked by and eventually they ran out of crackers to dip, Nyx passed out the pudding and asked "So what was Luna like back in the day? If you can remember?" Moon nodded "Oh she and her sister where so playful back then, There castle is just full of all sorts of passages, slides, even a pit in the floor or two. That little changeling she crated was so cute... then Celestia for the better took her away, Luna was so sad I even I felt it. I felt so bad when... I...She... you know." She looed down at the two pudding in front of her, "Those two will never be the same." Nyx gave her some sympathy "I know I don't think I will either." "Nyx what happened with you and what happened with them is different, not every wound heals, even with 1000 years to think about it." Moon looked up at the sun, "But enough of my sorrow, you where saying?" Nyx turned she couldn't tell if Moon was being serious or not, still she at least seemed to care, "Well, I know Tia said banishment is simply like taking a long nap but... surely there's more too it then that?" The question was not aimed at Nightmare Moon, it was more a question of her own curiosity, "Luna and I had a good long fight after our banishment, still I kept her company while whatever I had turned into went wild. She even managed to get into Celestia's dreams! Still she even hit Celestia where it hurt, her sister... take a guess how that turned out?" Moon said a grin writing on her face, "She lost big time I'm guessing?" "Bingo, and that would also explain the Nightmare Forces Rarity remembers if she ever told you that story." Nyx nodded and recalled the tale, "Yep that was my last through of the dice against the forces of darkness, that's when I realized I couldn't fight it on my own. That was after the 'emblem incident' so my power still extends to this world, in more ways then one." Nyx did recall the small detail of J.J having the shard that contained Moons consciousness "How did you do that if may ask?" Moon explained the dream world was infinite "Basically I can be anywhere but the dream realm can take me anywhere." Nyx accepted that for what it was. By the tick of the sun, it had been an hour at least and the sun had begun to set. Nyx and Moon sat there enjoying the moment, "Do you know why ponies treasure the sun?" she asked Nyx laying next to her "The warmth of the sun so they don't starve?" Moon giggled at the attempt "Hmmhmhm that's one of them yes, but what does it symbolize, think about that." Nyx need no explanation "Hope. Even in the darkest depths of the Everfree, the light of the sun is a comforting friend, wonder if Celestia see's it that way?" "Well the Sun and Moon do 'speak' to them in there own way, I'm surprised you don't know that." "They didn't like me shoving there bearers in them like that. You could say their warming up to me." Pinkie did a drum solo "HAHAHA good one, so any more questions before we go home?" Nyx looked over her note pad, she had some questions left but decided to ask just one, "Moon, I'll be honest Twilights worried I'll become you, That your influencing me, should she be?" Moon looked a little pissed but calmed herself before answering, "I'm only going to say this once Nyx, You and I despite our similarities are two different ponies. You will never become Nightmare moon and you never were." Nyx had heard this before "How would you know? Everyone keeps saying that but I don't believe, but I..." Moon eyed the filly "Because you lack something I have and something I lack, you destroys that part of you that was controlling Nexus. I don't know what that was but I KNOW, not suspect, but know it can't control you." Nyx was surprised "What do you think it was?" "Nothing good I can tell you that much, I suspect it may have been the darker parts of Nightmare Moon, obviously. But also, your ambition, your maturity really." Nyx looked confused "My maturity?" "How many times did J.J find you locked in your room, shutting yourself away from everyone and crying? Your a child Nyx, even after your transformation you where still a kid. You locked yourself away because you where sad, you hid from your mother because you where afraid of her, you even relented to release the royal sisters because you where worried about what they would do to you, That one I get and don't blame you for however the rest shows your child like mind." Nyx thought back to her time as the ruler of Equestria, she could see what Moon meant "So what's your ambition? Surely you have one?" "I want to live again Nyx, to truly live." "But aren't you alive right now?" Nyx asked stating the obvious "No, this form...let me give you a riddle, I bleed but I have no heart, I eat but never hunger nor thirst, I can be harmed but feel no pain. What am I?" Nyx considered the riddle "A...zombie?" Moon nodded "Yes, now as for what you have that I lack, there are many thing but the most important is something to care for." "You mean Twilight." Nyx interjected, "The main thing yes. Twilight is the reason you suffered as well as rose to the be the pony you are now, never forget that. Count your blessings and treasure her Nyx, most ponies...would not be so forgiving. Even in death never forget what she did for you understand?" Nyx nodded but asked "What's with you and death today?" "Everything dies Nyx, even the "immortal" sisters will die eventually. Plus I think I'm familiar with death by now." with that part out of the way Nyx said "You still haven't answered my question." Moon brought up Diamond Tiara "Personally, I'll believe it when I see it for her being nice. What you did for her in Baltimare however was the finale nail in the coffin for Nightmare Moon. You may not like to use that power Nyx, but its a blessing you shouldn't ignore. You went out of your way to protect her, and after all she did too you, You do realize she's the reason the cult found you in the first place right?" Moon mentioned the lightning bolt that shot into the air when Nyx had gotten lost in forest, "Ohhh, that... Even so, I took her father from her, that was more then enough payback. So any more examples?" "Just one, mercy. Both in the defense of Ponyville and Diamond you simply knocked them out or scared them off respectively. Don't tell me your afraid of blood are you?" Nyx shook her head "If I can help it, no pony has to die." Moon nodded "That is a another difference between us, though it can get you killed through hesitation, Baltimare proved otherwise." Nyx then said " So you lack something to hold on to, something to hold you back?" Moon nodded "But I do have a ambition, to show everyone I'm not who I was. To make Twilight proud, to..." moon interrupted "You already made her proud by being her daughter. Parents love there children forever Nyx, its a love without end despite what you may think otherwise." As the sun started to drop Moon said one last piece "Now, its not impossible to become the Mare in the Moon, but from what I've seen not even I could make you. You have a live to live, Friends to help you and a mother who will die before giving up on you Nyx. Never forget that and you won't go wrong, this I promise you." she got up and stretched "So have I satisfied you?" Nyx nodded and together they gathered the plates and folded the blanket. As they walked down the hill, Moon was feeling happy but at the same time worried for Nyx, she had lied to her and failed to mention her condition, she had to tell her soon, "Nyx could we go to the Everfree castle in a few days, there's something I need to show you there." Nyx was intrigued "Sure we can do that, what do you want to show me?" "A memory, and...something I don't feel comfortable telling you. Its better if I show you." Nyx took that and made Moon promise, When she got home Twilight was reading a book by candle light. She reported her findings and they compared notes "So she is hiding something, guess you'll find out soon enough. So what do you think?" Nyx said to her mother "I don't see why your so worried, if there was something wrong, she would tell me right?" Twilight put her hooves together "If that's your judgment who am I to argue, just be careful ok honey. I don't want to loss you." Nyx promised she would and went to get ready for bed, Twilight for her part checked over her own notes with Nyx's "What are you hiding Nyx? I know your worried about something, but what." Leaving the issue for another day, Twilight joined her daughter in preparing for good nights rest, her theory about Nightmare Moon gaining more ground by the minute.
[Optional] The Timekeepers WatchWednesday March 13th 2PM My home in Ponyville My house was a small log cabin on the edge of town similar to Fluttershy's place, the cabin had a front porch, four rooms on the first floor and three on the second. I was siting in my living room the fire crackling away as I cleaned my revolvers, knock-knock "Who could that be?" "Come in," cautiously I picked up my pocket derringer expecting some unfriendly company, "It's just me J.J." I place the little pistol on the table and Nyx, walks in and takes a set on the couch I'm also sitting on. "So what brings you here my little princess? come to hear your only protector talk your ears off?" Nyx giggle at my question "No no, I kind of realized we don't know each other that well," I raise an eyebrow "Really? Well come to think of it, we didn't talk much now did we. So what you want to know?" Nyx thinks a moment "Well some people have told me your more then human, what does that mean exactly?" Ooooh she went with that question? "Well that does not have a straight answer...shall I start small?" she nods "Ok...first off I'm well, your familiar with vampires and werewolves right?" she nods "Well apart from two other things, I am what I call a Bloodwolf, in short what happens when you combine the two." Nyx looks at me funny "Why do I find the hard to believe?" "If you can't believe that you'll never believe the rest of what I have to say, still I suppose I should show you right?" I pop out my fangs and gently pull one out, another quickly taking its place, "hold still," "Ow" I pricked her hoof with it and she watches as it fills with blood "Wow that's so cool," "Not the response I was expecting but you are in good company" I then get up, walk around the table and pause a moment before shifting into a wolf, a black coat with blue eye to be exact, a little bigger then a pony "You have no idea how long it took me to do get this down" Nyx stares at me eye wide "Ok... is that all?" "I'm surprised you haven't asked how I got this way, well in short lets just say things have changed on Earth and Kin the past few years, I had a few unfortunate encounters, still I'm still alive so that's good right?" When Nyx asks if I knew who turned me into a vampire, figuring I got my wolf form from a actual wolf, I told her I got it from a pair of vampire sisters ironically named Nightmare Moon and Solar Flare, I told her they had no connation to Equestira. "So J.J. any benefit or cons?" "Yes, my senses are superhuman obviously, well my hearing, smell and sight at least, I can even dodge bullets, though that's more luck then anything I'm not quiet that quick, its more a time spell that triggers with my reaction, I can walk around with heavy things no problem but there are limits, for example I can carry around Celestia for instance but not a cart full of iron." "Are you calling Celestia fat?" I grin "If I had a bit for every time I've told her she is fine on weight and her figure is perfect for a horse her size," Nyx giggles at the image of me measuring Celestia like that, "and lastly I'm tougher then most, I can't tell you how many times I've been shot up and at least walked with a limp like I was barely hurt, all be it passing out from blood loss." I continue with the downsides. "Now as for cons well I do need to drink blood every once in a while but it can be left for a long time, I go hunting as a wolf to help with that and to keep my skills up, but unlike when first had it I... I'm in control of what I'm doing, I just go after rabbits and such Don't tell Fluttershy I don't need that crazy mare lecturing me" Nyx again laughs at my expense, "That's not funny Nyx Has Twilight ever told you about the Grand Galloping Gala? Take that and multiply that a few lvls, SHE WILL END ME!" Nyx swears not to tell on me and I finish by saying that naturally those that find out are ether weary of me or shun me, till they get to know me of course. Nyx then asks what I meant by the two other things "Well, the first is one I got very recently, I...have royal changeling in my blood," I I turn back into my human form and grin nervously, her response is what I expected, "YOU WHAT?!" Nyx looks like she's about to bolt out the door "Relax, I'm not one of them, thank god, but it was a necessary evil for me and some of my men." "Your men? Where you in a war or something?" Nyx inquires "Yes your aunt and uncle's wedding got crashed by Queen Chrysalis back then, after we got done cleaning up that mess, the nobles thought it would be a good idea to go invade the changeling homeland, not the smartest thing they've done." "Wouldn't Celestia and Luna overrule such a decision?" "They where out voted to say the least, I was asked to tag along and hello with security since changelings cant imitate humans very well, get this my troops and I end up stumbling onto the only changelings with guns! presumably stolen of course." "What happened?" "Well my guys where getting shot up so with a little help from Miss Moon and that bounding spell she's teaching you, I got there queen to come out of hiding and fought her personally, I lost, from what I've been told she took me and any wounded that weren't going to make it back to the base to her hive and she healed us, naturally she needed to give us some Changeling DNA, for the pods to work, but she gave all of us the Royal stuff, Don't tell Twilight if you don't mind, I don't need the guard kicking in my door anytime soon, Then again Luna would pay my bail," The image of that makes us both smile a little. "Anything else on the matter?" "I'm the Ambassador to of that queen, but she has yet to give me any work. As the Changelings you met refer to 'the night queen' I know her name and well lets just say you two have a history." Nyx then notices my tone of voice "Is she still alive?", "Yes if I recall she is currently helping Cadance and Shining with there philological trauma. Don't tell them that she will show herself when she's ready" Nyx nods in agreement. Nyx inquires what I can do and I tell her I can naturally sense changelings, feed on others emotions, unnecessary as it was less I wanted some more power behind me, that and I was now fluent in mental chit chat and the changeling language saying that it is quite hard to learn. "What's the last thing?" she asks Oh boy she is never going to believe this one I take a breath "Nyx, lets just say I work for higher powers, and well I guess I can try to explain it" I explain that about 6 years ago a group calling itself the KND caused a world wide rebellion of children and Teen alike, somehow in all the caos I was put in charge of the Americans "How did it go?" Nyx asks, "I'm getting to that, anyway according to reports some mysterious man was going around handing out magical items in my case a sword" "Who was it?" "The Devil himself if it wasn't obvious, I even pointed it out to him and he just smirked telling me I could do whatever I wanted with the blade long as I paid up, I chose to keep my people alive, and it worked out apart from me dying in the last stand in Florida." "Then how are you still here?", "Second chance, that said I had a score to settle, so well you can imagine what happened" "You kill'em?" she questions "Redeemed him being a better word, therefor I was stuck with his job for time but my heart couldn't take it, no one can, before you ask not much has change he's still doing what he was, though I suspect it's even worse." I take a breath "Now as for working for a higher power, I'm what you would call a Timekeeper" When Nyx asks what that means I tell her that basically I keep the time stream in order, "For example much as it pains me, the whole thing with the cult or the changeling invasion of Canterlot happening just as it should, not for lack of trying to circumvent it, also ya know that pocket watch I have, Its special," "Special?" she raises a brow, "In case you don't know, time travel does exist though magic and eventually though science, I can look though time, walk though it if I wish and even go to other world if I want, I don't do the last one very often I just view them out of curiosity," "So your an angel?" I nod my head and pop out my wings "Take note their black Nyx, but yes I'd like to think so," Nyx gets that inquisitive look I knew she got from Twilight "Ok so you can do miracles and stuff?" "There are rules but yes, though I tend to get around them with the whole 'deal with the devil' thing, I promise I never do anything bad to people with it, just ya know they don't live up to there end they loss what they got, hell I've given out some for no charge at times given their circumstances. Well with a few exceptions, that said before you ask I do have my little place with my heavenly or hellish pals depending on your point of view," "How'd you get that?" she asks "Came with the wings, there's not that much to it, but I've built it up over the years, not a bad place actually long as you don't mind living a second life." Nyx comments she'd rather not go there anytime soon, but appreciates the offer. "And what about you Nyx all I really knew about you had to do with the cult." Nyx mentions I forgot to mention what Kin was "A second Earth me and some elemental mages made after The KND alliance left earth on ships that would not think wouldn't work, thanks Treasure Planet." I sit down and Nyx thinks a moment "Well, what's there to say I 'was' the 'Queen' of Equestira and you where my Royal Protector, I got My mother Twilight Sparkle, My uncle Shiny and Aunt Cadance, my brother Spike and Luna my adopted sister," does she know Prince Shining Armor and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza are her aunt and uncle? guess not. "When did that happen?" I ask surprised. "It didn't officially, but don't you agree?" I nod and have her continue "Well there's those 'protectors' that keep following me, not complaining since they do there jobs better then the royal guards." I laugh at that, thinking back to Baltimare how the guard couldn't track her, yet I and 3 changelings manage to keep a constant eye on her even at a distance and the best part no one suspected a thing. "And well I'm a member with of CMC, Cutie Mark Crusaders, my best and first friends are the founders: Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, recently I even started to get along with Silver Spoon. By the way is she some spy for you?" "Only for Diamond Tiara, Nyx, I despise her as much at everyone else." I pour a glass for Nyx thinking we might be here a while "So I recently learned your in Canterlot Politics Any particular reason?" she takes a drink and pauses "Wine?", "No just that cheap crap they serve kids grape juice more then anything, Its perfectly fine for you to drink." I quickly change subject "Well, remember I said we invaded the changeling homeland, well when I got back for my service and valor in facing down a queen no less I got quote the "honorary" title of prince of Freeport, the Human trade town on the coast, ya know that place that sent you a note saying they declared themselves independent from your Equestira and defiantly raised mini suns just to rub it in." Nyx laughed at that "OOOh don't remind me, they all talk and would fall if they weren't so useful to me you know," "Nyx you don't know what cornered humans will do." I say half heartedly. After a few minutes of having some juice and sandwiches Nyx asks "I don't suppose you can give me a watch like that can you?" I rub my chin "I could...long as you don't miss use it, like taking glimpses in the future and going crazy over it," I walk over to a draw and pull out a black pocket watch, decorated with a pair of wings, some deep purple engraving and Nyx's cutie mark on it, I hand it to her and say "Now for the record these are blood coded so no one but you can use it." I pick up the fang full of blood and do a quick binding spell, Nyx take the watch in her magic and flips it open, inside is a beautiful blue backing to silver numbers and hands "lovely, thanks 'honey'," "Don't even go there sweetheart you will regret it." We burst into laughter, "HaHAhA...seriously though, I feel more like your father to be honest, anyway consider that a birthday gift, 'princess'," Nyx giggles at my teasing but it cheers her up, "Would you even have ya know, settled down with me if things were different," I think a moment "probably not I mean, I probably would have but not much." Nyx and I were quite close during the Eternal Night, I was the only one who seemed to get her after all. "Oh Nyx one thing, ya know those protectors?" she nods "Well...'sigh' I'm going to tell you something no one can know ok?" she nods again "Your protectors are... more then that, ya see while I do care about your safety the 'Night Colt' as Nexus and I came up with for lack of a better name also is...a organization with a independent army and spy ring protecting Equestira from both itself and foreign threats," "You serious?" she asks, I nod "We haven't done anything other then get everyone together and gather some info," "That's bad how?" I tell her the fact that I am basically raising an army under the Princesses noses was the bad part, that said I planed on telling the Princesses at some point, "How are you building the army?" I told her that the Princesses had put me in charge of training the militia's of Equestira and to teach them how to use firearms. after giving the finer details of the Night Colt Nyx asks "So how does this thing work?" "You set the date, think of a few details like say what Sweetie Belle had for breakfast this morning and hit the button, you will be transported to a mental image of that place and the scene will play out, simply hit the button again or think about leaving and you will return to the normal world." she actually gives it a shot and takes my example, seconds later "She had pancakes and some milk," I tell her to ask her later if that's true. "Oh Nyx one thing that keep forgetting about is I'm one of many blessed by a dragon, Kin due to the abundance of magic, had all sorts of creature, you name it its probably there. Once when me and some guys where out hunting a dragon or rather a dragon family that had been apparently terrorizing some locals. I bravely walk into the cave myself to scout it out and surprise I find a female and her eggs and a few young," When Nyx asked about the father "He left to find some where to hide. here let me show you," the world shifts around us. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Kin, The Appalachian mountains 5 years ago Anyway naturally I'm cautious but I am not one to blindly strike at something that can kill, meaning if its not gonna kill me don't hit it, the dragon leans down toward me, snorts and says "Are you to kill us Knight?" It wasn't uncommon for dragons to speak so I put my sword away, "No not yet anyway, so this your...family?" she nods returning to her mound of gold, "Um would it be dumb if asked what it is with dragons and treasure? I can think of plenty of reasons but...nevermind, I hear you've been harassing the Towns around here?" The dragon looks at me funny "What? No we have never done such things, ok maybe a few fattened animals but... we haven't done anything out of the ordinary have we?" taking a look around I notice the bones of cows, swine and the like, the young dragons crowd around me and sniff, growl and a few show off they can breath fire. "They like you Knight," the dragon compliments, at this point I cast Cateye so I can actually see her "Hmm lets see, purple scales, at least give or take 6 to 8 stories tall," she breaths on a chandler hanging from the ceiling "Colored fire? ok magic dragon?" she nods "Yes we are the kind you Humans like to keep around...a shame we are nothing but pets or tools to you." "Such is life my dear, my condolences, still you sure you did noting but a few animal thefts, I don't see the problem." the mob that was following me suddenly bursts in and starts yelling "KILL THE BEAST, GRAB THE TREASURE!" I pull my blade and spin around facing the mob "Do you mind I'm trying to have a civil conversation here." They drag in the head of the father and I quickly duck as the people around it are incinerated in seconds "YOU MURDERERS WHY DO YOU KILL US SO!" her young gather around her and she gets ready to fight, the governor of the land walks forward clapping his hand slowly "Mr. Werner I would think a spellsword like yourself would be able to handle this, I guess I was wrong," knowing where this was going I cut him off "Save your breath for court ARREST HIM!" the mob doesn't move, "I said ARREST HIM!", "Sir I have more sway over these people then you could ever have, besides we are quiet poor, gold is good motivation", I take a breath pop out my wings and my sword glows in a holy light "Then see you in hell you traitor!" he shoots me but the bullet bounces off my armor harmlessly and he get cut from the waist up dropping, the rest of the mob charges at me but some of them quickly change there minds and wait outside, after maybe an hour of fighting things settle down, "What is your name Knight?" the dragon asks clutching a wound "Jay Werner, J.J. if you wish" I kneel "I grant you this blessing as a token of my thanks, tell me are the people down there really so poor?" she breaths on me a blue flame that seeps into my body, "Well I some perhaps but I don't know." "Then you can help yourself to that pile over there, generosity is rare among dragons, it must be earned," I suddenly get a flash of insight "WAIT A MINUTE ARNT YOU...an't you one those royal dragons?" I say this since she seemed different in the fact she had swords hidden under her wings and armor she had summoned presumably during the melee, "Yes and I will take your name to the high dragons so they may know you helped me, perhaps we can live in peace after all," "Don't count on it lass but you all might live longer." she has her lings pile on her back and a Massive chest appears taking most of the gold and jewels, she leaves and I pass out the gold to those that needed it. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ present "What I didn't know at the time was what that actually gave me, I can turn into a dragon a big one too before you ask, it also explains why I don't use my lighter that much. I can also turn my skin into scales with helps with the elements and what not, not to mention fire." Nyx asks "how do you forget something like that?" "Easy I don't use my Bloodwolf or Dragon ability outside of fighting, my breath can be explained as fire magic as well so I forget most of the time." At this point a knocking sound is herd and my Horse Black Beauty asks me "Can you introduce me to her master, please?" I laugh a little and have Nyx fallow me outside to small stable I build for my faithful companion. Beauty is my alicorn shire turned warhorse, I was shocked to find out she was one but then again I figured they existed when you have pegasus riders and mages with unicorn mounts. At the moment she was out grazing with her horn and wings tucked away wherever they go to, "Hello Nyx," She says bowing her head, "I can understand you?" one thing I will never get is the shock that Equestrians can understand horses when they are horses, "You are equine are you not, hehe its nice to meet you as your are at last your highness." Nyx bows a little and chats her up about herself "So wait your a shire? what is that?" "I'm a work horse as such I can pull quiet a lot of weight, still J.J. found me and took me under his wing he is such a nice boy too." I blush "aw shucks your too kind," "Anyway when the inevitable war's between the various Kin herds took place, I proved myself, J.J. always took care of me and I, in return took care of him. The look on his face when I sported wings and a horn when we took a leap of faith off a cliff is one thing that will stick with me till I die, if I die that is." Nyx does a spit take "Your an Alicorn?" Giving the Nyx the story of us running from some enemy cavalry we jumped off a cliff to jump a rather large gap and failing, only to have wings nearly knock me off my saddle as I grip her mane like mad cat and we fly off into the moonlight. "So J.J. what is she like, alicornic speaking I mean," "She is... huh, well she's like Cadance as far as I'm aware." Cadance for those that don't know, used to be pegasus, "So she's immortal like you?", "I never said I was Nyx, truth be told there is no such thing as immortality, what's worse it's more a curse then a blessing pardon the pun." "Meaning?" Nyx asks questioningly, "Asks Celestia, she's lived more then millennium, imagine how many people she's gotten to known and how many funerals she's attended" "oooow," Nyx says lightly depressed "Beauty and I can die just as much as anyone, that said it's not permanent rather annoyingly, simply put I can die yes, but sadly due to my job and previous actions I cant 'die' give me some time I will pull myself together, beauty is the same way that said if she ever wishes to leave me she can, sad as that will be.", "Master, I will never leave you, at least not till you find another worth successor." I tear up a little thanking Beauty and head back inside to cry a little. Nyx talked up Beauty a few more minutes and came back inside to comfort me, "You ok Captain?" I wipe my face "Nyx, the fighting I've been through has shown me just how precious life is, best not to waste it. One should not have to though war to see this, to be fair I had a idea of what life meant but it takes war to really drive that nail home ya know." she hugs my leg and I take her in my arms a moment, like a puppy, "Thanks Nyx I needed that." the two of us return to the living room and talk about what I was doing during Her reign. "So J.J. what did you do to "try" to circumvent the cult?", "Well lets see I had at least 16 snipers surrounding the ritual site just in case it actually worked, I myself aiming for you with pair of six irons. Also as you recall I was eyeing the recruits with Shining armor and nearly fell over form the Blessing pulling at me." She asks what I meant by pulling, "Nyx, thanks to Moon I was immune to Nightmares control, she was my blessing after all, but that didn't mean the blessing still tried to screw with me, a few times I got massive headache from it." She nods, "You might also not remember this because she knocked you out, I...I tried to kill Tia, if necessary anyway. I lost, got knocked out and Moon of all things told her she was playing right into "her", rather your hands, she didn't believe her. lastly while you where wondering around the castle knocking everyone out cold I was siting with her watching a map of the palace and the guards yellow dots and staff drop one by one, she knew you where coming Nyx, I told to leave if she wished call her sister something, she calmly told me to make myself scares and asked something of me." "What's that?" Nyx asks "in her exact words "Protect the innocent, all of them" she was talking about you, the cult and everyone else, I think she figured out something I didn't, at the time being you would never be nightmare moon, that or the blessing obviously." my eyes soften a little "That said Nyx that little I swear my life to you bullcrap I did, I meant it, I will keep you safe till you can take care of yourself, hence why I asked Twilight if I could, that and I was the only one trying to get the populace to like you. It worked too." At about 3:30pm Nyx gets up to leave "Thanks for the watch J.J. its lovely, and be careful ok, I don't want you to die over little old me," I grin "I'm trying Nyx, still worse comes to worse I can just say I was investigating some suspicious activity and the Cult just recruits from the Militia so no big deal. If that don't work you can vouch for me." Nyx walks out the door closing it with her magic, I breath "That our little girl now ant it Twilight," I say to no one other then Nightmare Moon sitting in that mental space of hers, "Why do you play the father anyway?" she asks, "Someone has to make sure she doesn't get into trouble while Twilights busy, besides with luck she may just take that royal position after all." I sit back down and get back to cleaning my guns, smiling at the pictures of Nyx and Twilight having fun from before the Cult found her, Long live the Queen.
Magic Training 2Friday March 15th Noon A few days pass and Silver and Nyx become secret friends in dreams at least, Nightmare Moon helped Nyx hone her dream walking and practice her powers, Twilight having volunteered 2 more times as Nyx's "victim" so she could learn more about her influence and help her host. I on the other hand had decided to teach Twilight how to fight with her sword, should her magic ever be restricted or none existent. Toward the end of our 3rd session together while her and I were cleaning up, a letter pops out of the air and floats to the top of the desk in the sparring hall, "A letter from who?" I say picking it up Spell Nexus, for Captain Werner, nervously I open and start the read it. Dear J.J. I need to have a word with you at once about "The Family" also it would appear the Princesses have gotten a hold of one of your plans, you might need to come to Canterlot to explain that one away. Ether way I'd like you to stop by if possible, I hear Nyx is doing well with Miss Moon, Twilight inquired about her from me. If you read this I look forward to seeing you soon Sincerly Spell Nexus Well I wonder what could he want, and for god sakes I read these things. "Twilight I need to head off to Canterlot for a moment, how about you head home for today or go get Nyx." "Sure, but how are you going to get there so quickly?" i grin and point at the floor, "A teleport spell obviously, such conveniences of magic, before you ask this is engraved in every place the old cult has been, so I can go from here to the Crystal Empire or Canterlot and what not at any time if i wish," she naturally asks if the princess knew and I told her yes, "Only the former cultist can even use them Twilight, its wired into the blessing ya know, before you ask, there is residual magic from the blessing, hence everyone's memory being a bit fuzzy, still a small trace will inevitably stick with them that has no effect" I say slipping on my coat, hat and heading to the a circle in the middle of the floor. One Teleport and emerald flash later I find myself in Nexus's manor Ow...ok I really need to get used to that stretching a bit, i walk up the stairs to his study where he is waiting for me. I stick my fedora on the coat rake "So which of my plans did they find?" "Operation Phoenix" a Voice says behind me. My hairs stand on end, I spin pushing at whoever was behind me, pulling my pistol and getting a shot off, only to hear it plink against something metal. As I finish turning I find Celesta standing there a gasp, "Oops" recovering i yell "JESUS CELESTIA! HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO SNEAK UP ON ME!" I stick my gun in its holster and straighten myself out "Sorry J.J. I thought he told you I'd be here." she says apologetically. "Operations Phoenix huh, well not much point in it now, less Canterlot mysteriously falls one of these days." Celestia asks what it was about "In short my way of taking down Nyx the hard way while keeping her alive, also did I ever apologize for trying to kill you when you where taking Nyx from Twilight," "I thought we agreed never to bring that up, and what you did for Equestira was more then enough compensation." I nod, "So who gave you this bit of information?" "Lord Moloch the III, the current head of the Gentry Society," "A millennium and only the third son?" I ask, she tells me the family abandoned the name after a unfortunate incident "Isn't that the same guy and people that...." Celestia Explodes in clearly suppressed rage "YES THE SAME ONE THAT CONDEMED MY SISTER TO THE NIGHTMARE!, ," Ears ringing I say "Ow my ears...How are they still around, didn't you uproot them or something," Celestia is slow to respond "I... Slaughtered them, the only ones left where the children and there mothers, who I gave a very strict warning to." I stare into her face "You did what... I find that hard to believe, Mind if I see it for myself" she nods slowly and warns me it's not her brightest moment, I pull out my Pocket Watch which did more then just tell time but show it as well, I set the date clicked the button and the world shifted. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1000 years ago I find myself on one of the castle balconies, below me is Celestia and gathering of ponies, "So far so good" as my hearing returns I start to pick up on what Celestia is saying, "...Today my little ponies I called you here to give you a 'gift' for you troubles," yeah even I wouldn't buy that but then again I don't worship that women like a god. The apparent head of the Knights steps forward, "Your majesty I'm sure lord Moloch would love to be here, I Firestar come in his place," Celesta smiles "Would your children and there mothers please come on this stage," The various foals and there accompanying mares slowly make there way though the crowd, as they move I take note of Celestia's body language "dame she is pissed" I check my watch "No wonder this is only a couple days after her sister was banished....Oh shit Tia NO!" I come to realize what she's about to do and grip the railing and start futilely praying I'm wrong. Once all the mares and children are on stage Celestia asks "Now I know of your...worship of me, if any of you had nothing to do with those ponyies please leave, I wouldn't want those not worth to receive this 'just' reward," how in there executioners name did that not get that hint, even the guard start to hide themselves sensing there princesses displeasure. At this point I notice the night guard had taken residence on the roof and wherever they could get a view. I decided to ask one of them whats going on so I pop myself into existence and tap one of them, he looks at me a moment "I'm not from here, what going on if may ask?" the guard looks me over then I show him a ring Luna gave me as present once, satisfied he says "These traitors execution, there so gullible aren't they?" I nod and hop back down to the balcony and disappear from there prospective. After five minutes When Firestar stepped up to Celestia and whispers "Give them there prize, Goddess of war" he then flees to the far corner of the courtyard, Celestia summons a flaming highlander sword and closes her eye moment, her mane goes taught then bursts into flames and her eye are crimson red Hello Solar Flare I mutter to myself nodding in approve, the crowd starts to back up only to find the gates locked and bared, Celestia's voice starts out as a cold tone then rage, "You have forgotten that the 'goddess' you worship can just as easily forsake you, THIS IS YOUR REWARD FOR TEARING DAMING MY FAMILEY! SEE YOU IN TARTAROUS!" the young and women on stage are trapped in a shield of gold, the guy that stepped guy that stepped into Firestars place gets his head removed flying off to the left from the swing, The Flaming Goddess then slowly makes her way though the crowd cursing them, those that fight back easy surcome to the heat if not her blade, or there skulls being crushed under her hoof, Jesus Christ this is...I don't even know what to think here uphauled I take swig of my flask and duck down behind the railing listing to the sounds of cold blooded murder. After about 20 minutes pass I look over and dame near vomit at what I see, I've seen people chewed by dragons, sucked dry by vampires and even cleaved in twine among other things, but good lord the courtyard was crimson everywhere you looked, the walls, the grass, even Celestia was covered in blood her legs up to her knees seemingly. The ground had puddles in places and the foals had there mothers shakingly shielding them as Celestia slowly makes her way over to the pristine stage. "Consider this a warning for your children, if you EVER cross my sister when she returns or myself again I will NOT hesitate to execute you as well UNDERSTAND!" she delivers before her form returns to normal, the blood still flowing off her highlander. The mares nod and I hear a child say though tears "You...(sniff) YOUR A MONSTER!" Celestia sighs "Yes child, that I am... please in the future find it in your heart to forgive me. My sister was precious to me and I would give anything to have her back, my own life included" I look over to find Firestar weeping, I guessed he had a lot of friends among them, the world shifts again as I return to the present. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Present, Nexus Manor Canterlot I drop to my knees in shock, my watch tumbling to floor, I give Celestia that 1000 yard stare "You....You... AND THEY THINK NIGHTMARE MOON WAS SCAREY, WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU CELESTIA!!!!" I screech, slowly trying to gain any sense of reason. Celestia hangs her head in shame "Are you going to kill me? Am I not what you expected now my Prince?" Oh right I forgot she made me a prince after the invasion of the Changeling homeland, "It's...Not out of the question Celestia, fortunately you'd get off with temporary insanity by loss of a loved one." I say rising to my feet, "What did you see?" Nexus asks, I look at him and he immediately shuts up "That bad? Well Just so you know that is all she needed to know, less of course you wish to inform her of your...side projects," I take a drink of my flask again "You can go Tia, you do trust me don't you?", "You are an ambassador of your own people and what you have done in service to the crown has some nobles green with envy, I may question you Mr. Werner but I do trust you to have the best of intentions." she teleport out as causing me to become far more comfortable. "Nexus how's the Night Colt coming along, Are the cashes still intact? Have they been cleansed of the Blessing?" Nexus for his part stares at the fireplace " All the cashes of arms are accounted for and those changeling friends of yours have made slow progress, Also I considered your offer and I accept, however for now I would just like to be 'a friend of the family' as you put it, the others have given there opinions and when it comes to Protecting Nyx from harm they agree, the other part however is what there divided on." Ah yes the Night Colt, quite possibly the worst or most questionable decision I've made in Equestira yet, at first it was just getting the gang back together to help keep Nyx safe, however the more I thought about it, I realized the need for a "Those that watch the watchers" organization, What the colt managed to get away with was the main reason I considered it, It took some time but the cultists eventually agreed, and last I checked the books we had give or take fifty, one hundred members consisting of the 3 race's of pony, humans and friendly changelings. "What are they divided on?" I ask, "A lot of them don't like the Royals not being in on it, even more so is the possibly of over throwing them at some point," "Nexus that last part will never happen ok, its just a 'what if' ya know. As for the Princesses not knowing, don't worry I plan on telling them at some point, I'm just a little...hesitant, that break in wouldn't help are case ya know" Technically the only bad thing we did was brake into a armory full of cult weapons, but that was on the notion that they would be stolen and I had asked Luna for the best course of action, she told me given what was to do as I saw fit. Nexus nods and turn to look at the portrait on the wall "For the Queen then Captain Werner?" I light the pipe I kept in my pocket and grin, "For Equestria." I turn and teleport back to Ponyville. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ponyville Schoolhouse Lunch and recess had just started so every filly and colt poured out on to the playground, Nyx and the CMC took up there usual seats on the table. "So Nyx you feel like crusading later?" "Oh sure girls, I just need to go by the castle for a bit of studying," "Studying? for what?" Sweetie Belle asks, Nyx tells her its some magic she's trying to learn. "Hay girl how about we try getting are cutie marks in Castle Cleaning?" Nyx has J.J.'s voice pop up in her head "NO ALL OF MY NO! sorry for easdroping but I was just seeing what you where up to," Nyx responses with a mental nod and speaks "Girls maybe you can help me with my studying, some of this stuff requires others to work," the three filly look at each other, "Sure, we'll help ya, so what kind of stuff you looking into?" Nyx pauses to find the right words "Well...I'm looking into some spells that change things and some mind magic, nothing serious of course just some medical stuff," Nyx half lies, Moon had her working on the blessing magic and some Detection spell for changelings, she also was looking into some spells to help her friends in there crusading, if only to keep them safe. Silver soon joins them "Um mind if I sit here?" Scootaloo eyes her suspiciously "Sure there's plenty of room." Nyx says scooting over a little, "Thanks, so what are you all up to any luck with your crusading or the same old jig?", "Jig? Oh you mean gig ya same old story, we trying something and it goes straight to crap" Sweetie Belle says biting into her vegie nuggets, "Not gonna lie I thought about doing a running comedy on your success, not to be mean but you got to admit it's funny." The girl look at each other then whisper to each other a moment "Sure, we could use some humility, besides it would help get the Cutie Mark Crusaiders out there." Silver Spoon writes a quick note and looks at Nyx "So...um you said you wanted to talk about something?" Nyx puts down her lunch and says "Yes I was wondering of you would...like be apart of something bigger, assuming J.J. hasn't done it already?" Silver questions her further "I don't feel comfortable speaking in public about the details, I'm simple asking you and my friends here if you want to...help with some 'off-hand' work." When asked what that entailed Nyx simply wanted everyone to keep there eyes and ears open for anything suspicious, everyone nods and agrees to follow Nyx to the castle later. Friday 2pm The bell rings and Cheerilee says goodbye to everypony, Nyx and her entourage minus Silver for obvious reasons made there way to the castle. the same changelings greet them and too Nyx's surprise they weren't disguised "Say why do go around 'naked' I guess?" Hawkeye answers "Well, at a distance we look like guards and even then we don't need the guard arresting us, not that they no we're here." Silver soon joins them having taken a different rout, they make there way to the throne room. Nightmare Moon is patiently waiting for them, "Well hello everypony, I didn't expect a small audience," Silver freezes in place, "N-N-N Nightmare Moon ugh...." she faints, Nyx politely deposits her on couch in to the side, "So what's on todays agenda Moon?" summoning a list said mare goes down it "Hmm did that, no not that we did that yesterday, No defiantly not, AH here we are temporary blessings, ranged blessings and transformation." the CMC try to dart out the door only to have it slam them in the face "Girls calm down ok," Moon says turning on her angelic voice "Do you really think Nyx would do something harmful to you at this point?" they shake there heads "I didn't think so, now here have some candy for your troubles" bags of candy drop from the ceiling full of chocolate, peanut butter cups and some lollipops among others. the lesson starts as the girls line up and Nyx takes a moment to wake Silver and give some explanation for Nightmare's presence, "So wait she came to you in a dream and now she's manifesting herself? You really are crazy you know that," Nyx response with a "Tell me about it" look and Moon starts to speak "Ok Nyx start by forming a blessing like normal but keep it in your mouth this time," Nyx does as she's told, "Ok now spit it at them," Nyx lets out 3 wads of spit, looking like black goo which hits the CMC in the chest "um is that stuff...moving?" Sweetie asks nervously, no sooner said then done they blessing move to the back of there heads and disappears, the CMC stand ridged eye green "Yes your highness?" they say in unison, "Ok that's just creepy, call me Nyx ok," "Yes Nyx" still creepy "Ok good Nyx now remove it you do remember how right?", "Its not gonna hurt me is it?" "Nyx its your own magic why would it?" point taken Nyx tosses a taf of her ethereal mane at them causing them to become normal "huh what happen?" Apple Bloom says groggy, "Just blessed give it a moment," 2 seconds later they remember what they said "WOH, trippy right?" Scootaloo says before hitting the floor. about 5 minutes later everyone decides to take a brake and grabs lunch, "So Nyx what was that 'part of something bigger you where talking about' earlier?" "Well I was thinking about the group J.J. has keeping an eye on things, I want to help him, how about you all join our...oh forget it cult, gang, whatever works for you." The four talk about it among themselves, eventually Silver is the first to speak "So what's the catch? And any reason we should? Not that I don't trust you its just...well do I need to say it." Nyx nods knowing what she means "Well you can see in the dark for one, and well you can talk to each other with some practice form anywhere, that has many uses I'd rather not mention. The catch is small, your eyes will turn green like before and well, you may or may not call me queen or something of that nature at first, I haven't perfected it yet, other wise just report to J.J. or leave your report on his desk in his office." she explains that I had a little spy ring going on meant to uncover Changelings and other such threats to Equestira. The CMC willingly agree treating it as a joke Nyx asks my opinion on the matter "Well, I am so going to regret this but do it, it will at least keep them out of trouble" the connection ends and Nyx gives recites some script she clearly memorized and the CMC agree to it, it was just about not abusing there power, don't betray the cult and to take responsibly for there actions, ya know normal stuff. Nyx builds up a blessing for the three and lets it go, the wisps of magic floats to their mouths and soon they get that familiar feeling, "Ugh, Nyx you really need to make that not suck at the start" Scootaloo cringes then the 3 of them go back to being drilled zombies, "Um Moon are they supposed to do that?" "Oh, opps you might want to take the power down a bit that should fix it." Rolling her eyes Nyx drains them a bit and turns the energy into little dust piles, "It goes without saying but the young need less of a kick in there heads" Moon says apologizing to Nyx for not mentioning that earlier, "Um Silver you don't mind if we borrow you for a bit do you," she walks nervously forward and Nyx says "This blessing will only be tempory since I know you want to think on it, it should were off in say an hour or so," Nyx conjures up a Smaller wisp that was a slight tint of white "Here your eyes won't change with this," silver takes it pops it in her mouth like a piece of candy and after a minute or so bows "Thank you my quee....Nyx sorry you do really need to work on that." Nyx nods and asks if some of the other CMC would like to help, The founders say said they'd ask but no promises were made. At around 3pm Nightmare has Nyx get ready for something special "Ok Nyx this one is something I suggest you KEEP under wraps or your mother will flambé my hide!" Nyx nods and asks her to continue "Well I'll tell you a secret, you can...restore you magic maturity back to what you where Nyx, it's rather simple really just channel your magic and focus on something, be it rage, love ect. give it a whirl," Nyx plants he feet to the floor, closes her eyes, and lets her magic flow, like before her mane turns ethereal, unlike before just like in her flashback black wisps form around her and she eventually gets surrounded by a black ball of magic. a moment later a grate flash and boom is heard as the balls brakes apart. Twilight and myself end up asking "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST DO?!!!" Mare responds "Calm down and Just some magic build up no need to panic." Not buying it, I pop in a few seconds later and STARE gob smacked at Nyx, grown to full height her mane flowing over her shoulder, her horn gone from a point to a sharp spear tip, and her majestic wings in full bloom, "Holy, Sweet, Goddesses, Your gorgeous my Queen." I bow slightly a habit I formed as gentleman. Nyx opens her eyes "What is it with you and chasing alicorn?" only to find her mature voice reaching her ears, "Wow I did it! I really did it!" she does a few flips in the air, "Yes good job, now I subject you Undo IT before your mother Kills us both," I say peering out the door. Nyx Terrified by the idea of her mother seeing her in her present state looks at Mare for an answer "Really? just meditate a bit, you will eventually be able to do it at will and without the fancy effects minus the magic signature," Luna suddenly pops into my head and I'm pulled into a mental space for the conversation "Should I dare ask what that was?" "Just magic experimentation no need to panic" sweating bullets hoping she'd buy that, "Really, you have said that a lot, now what happened?" "shit not good" I say to myself, "Do you not recall some of those spells that have to do with magic capacity or the like?" she nods "That happened, I was curious what that spell would do and well somepony bothered to test it, we're good I will give you anything don't tell Twilight, its that bad," taking the hint Luna nods and goes tells her sister to nothing is amiss. Returning to real world Twilight darts around the corner, I glance over my shoulder to find Nyx having split herself into 10 clones "Are you sure that's enough for...that big of a bang?" She nods pointing to the ceiling "Oh that will do" there where 100 or so Nyx bats hanging from said ceiling. Twilight bolts in the door and Looks around "What Happened? Ok which one of you is the real Nyx?" she said flustered from the amount of daughters in the room, Nyx detaches herself from the ceiling and floats down "Um hi mom, sorry about the mess new trick didn't go quite as planed well, hehehe" Twilight Eyed her daughter then takes note of the chitterling bats above "Well I am impressed my dear, your magic is coming along nicely," Moon joins in "Twilight it was just a burst of magic from the spell I asked her to try, it will take some time and few more of those to get rid of it." the various Nyx's plot down and slowly start to phase into Nyx her mane growing as a result, eventually her mane was full grown but other wise Twilight was clueless "Magic capacity spell?" she asks "Yes, it would help with some of the more enduring tricks," after questioning, more like interrogating Mare on her honesty Twilight goes to grab some books from the library, Nyx for her part goes back to how she looked before "I really need to get this down, thanks guys" she says out of breath, I slump against the wall and say "Warn us next time you do that ok, do you even know how that feels though the Mind Net?" she shrugs "Ugh nevermind, while we are on the subject, remember that watch I gave you as a late birthday gift? well if you haven't tried it yet what may seem like hours is only a few seconds, also the Mind conversations work in the same way less your busy, in which case a 'ghost' follows you. in witch case it happens in real time obviously." Nyx eventually undoes her transformation and nearly faints "Uuugh...I don't feel so good," Moon grabs Nyx and holds her "Easy kid just breath. Girls go home where done for today," Moon summons Radiant Hope and takes Nyx to the medical wing The 4 fillies in toe. Unnoticed by even the eagle eyed guards, a pony with a spy glass had seen everything and had been for the past couple days. In the Medical wing Nyx is put on a soft bed and Radiant has a look at her. "Please tell me I didn't just kill her doctor," Moon says with worry in her voice, Radiant looks up "What did you do earlier we all felt that spurt of energy?" "Magic maturity, its something unique to her given the circumstances of her 'birth' and all that," Twilight was unfortunately within earshot and she was pissed "You did WHAT! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW DANGEROUS THAT IS!!" Moon turns to address her "You don't even know how it works! I would never do something to Nyx that would kill her, this was unexpected," she turns to the Radiant Hope again "She is magically drained and her body is in complete shook, she'll have to stay the night and possibly more, I subject you don't try that again any time soon." Twilight continue to fume at Nightmare Moon "How could you do something so stupid without telling me, I could have HELPED make sure this didn't happen," "Twilight, shut. up." Moon stares at her "You, I suspect where the reason, She didn't want you to see her like that and I dought you would have approved of half the things I've to teach her," " When Nyx gets better YOU had better crawl back into whatever hole you crawled out of or I will see to your exorcism" "YOU HAVE NO RIGHT!" "SHES MY DOUGHTER!", Twilight suddenly finds herself trapped in Moon's magic and is brought to her face "Don't argue with someone who can snap you like a twig Twilight Sparkle." the alicorn threatens. Twilight fearlessly says "Do it! Prove your the Mare In the Moon NIGHTMARE!" Moon simply throws her to the other side of room where she skids across the floor, "Tempting but no, Twilight to be honest all you need to know right know is there are things in this world and the next that want your daughter dead. I have no intention on letting that happen she is the child I will never be, if it means I must play the devil then, TO TARTURAS I WILL PLAY THE DEVIL DAMIT!" her Royal voice coming into play. Twilight less rage and more motherly concern says "Leave, just go back to wherever you came from for a while, girls go home and get some rest I want to examine you all in the morning ok?" Silver says that her's will wear off by then but agrees and the girls go home. Twilight pulls out a cot and sits by her child, "Mrs. Sparkle um, mind if I ask you something?" Radiant asks. Twilight sighs and listens "Do you know what has become of King Sombra?" Dead she replies, "Oh...I thought as much, poor boy he was such a nice child, if only he hadn't known his destiny," Twilight raises an eyebrow "What's your name Changeling?" "Radiant Hope, I know you've heard of me, Sombra's journal if I'm not mistaken." Twilight freaks a little how she knew about that and asks "How... How old are you Miss Hope?" "I stopped counting years ago but I believe I'm 1016 give or taken a few years.", Twilight demands an explanation immediately "Are Queens name is Antumbra. She is referred to as the Night Queen, because she is Luna's heir, well her creation at least and daughter." "What...did you just say?" Twilight says speechless. "You heard me correctly, she even got to know who the prior ruler of the Crystal Empire was, even helped her," When Twilight asks Who that was, "Princess Amore, the present Ruler's Princess Cadance's... cousin or sister I believe, anyway our Queen was imprisoned by Sombra but was freed when the Sisters came for him, Luna sadly but probably for the best not recognizing her, before she was imprisoned she and her hive were smuggling slaves and the like out of the empire and helping any resistance to Sombra's power." She goes on to explain that Antumbra offered them a place in the hive so they could wait out the return of the empire, they all accepted without a second thought, "a couple hundred years ago she and us rebirthed ourselves, basically we get new bodies and the like, in her case she would transfer herself from body to body, even I don't know how she did it, I'm guessing she died and was reborn in that sense, she even went to school with your brother and his lover hehe," "Really I'm sure he'd love to hear that, and you guys?" "We got similar treatment but we simply where supplied with a healthy supply of love so we lived longer, we did age of course and rebirthed only once, in this case are bodies were made youthful though healing, she said she added some special resin to our healing pods, probably some healing herbs and strong love , like Cadance's for example," "how long ago was this 'rebirth'?" Twilight asks clearly concerned "Oh, sorry I hope I didn't give you the wrong impression, that was oh maybe 300 year ago. We where doing are part to repay her kindness and we all eventually over did it, we can make are own love so we don't need to feed, but we worked so hard and gave so much are bodies just couldn't keep up." When Twilight inquires what that means taking notes Hope explains that her and her fellow Crystal converts where special in the sense they were changelings that were meant to be changed back, unlike normal converts they still had there emotions and everything so they didn't have to feed but did so to save there fellow Lings the trouble of finding food. they go on for hours about the subject, Twilight falls asleep in the coat, Radiant throws a blanket over Twilight, taking a small bit of love from her, apologizing for it and wishing her a good night.
Knights and The Night CultFriday 5pm Canterlot Lord Moloch's estate A pony made his way to the study to meet the Lord of the estate, Solaris Moloch, "Sir, a Mr. Midnight Firestar to see you my lord," a butler announces "Let him in," the Lord says getting up from his chair, he looked in the mirror, He had inherited the original Lord Moloch's looks bone white coat, fiery hair and red eyes. Firestar a pegasus with black hair, red eyes and a dark blue coat, the 6th in his lineage walks in "Nice to see you again my lord, I hope it wasn't too much of inconvenience to meet." Moloch says it was no trouble and has him take a seat "So what do you have to report Star?", "Did you feel that power earlier? It was...That girl Miss Twilight adopted, it appears Nightmare Moon has been teaching her things, what I have no idea, but one thing I know is she is blessing other again, and today she attempted to mature herself" Moloch nods "You don't say has these blessed been any different?" No is his answer, "I'll have a word with That her protector in Ponyville, I fear the Knights of Ra may have already gotten on her trail," Star looks surprised "I thought you were there leader?" the Lord smiles "My family cut ties with them centuries ago, I told Celestia that myself when I gave her Mr. Werner's plans of invading Canterlot." Firestar smiles "I don't trust that man, do you?" Moloch says "I respect him, he is not like other nobles in this Kingdom and he is honest to your face. As I said, I will speak with him myself, who is the current head of the Knights of Ra, I hear your a member?" Star sweats a little "I only joined because I... well it gave me hope when Nightmare Moon took over ok, I have to agree with you they're nuts, but the Knights have changed in 1000 years sir." For the record the Firestars were adopted into the Moloch's after Celestia passed judgment on the other knights his father having informed the women of Celestia's plan and convinces said mare to spare them, only to commit suicide to escape the shame the family would come under, his family served the Moloch's ever since. "How have they changed?" "There's two groups, the first is your traditional Knights who want Luna gone or at least removed form power, the rest are simply worshiping and protecting Celestia for what she is, they call themselves the Dawn Guard to distinguish themselves and wear a sun pin that is half set and rose, meant to represent they are the beginning and end of the day's we cherish." Moloch smiles "So they did take the advice of our predecessors, thank the sun. Thank you Star keep a eye on her ok, if need be let J.J. in on your presence." Midnight chats up his childhood friend, then leaves, Solaris calls his butter "Inform my guards that I will make a trip to Ponyville in the morning, four should subvice," "Yes sir." the butler goes to inform the staff. He looks in the mirror again "I will not fall into temptation like you granddad I will build a better name for our family and those that suffered because of your antics" He throws a log on the fire and heads for bed. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Meanwhile in the Canterlot Mountains A large group of Ponies can be found praying in a Temple tucked into the mountains, they all bow before a Giant golden Statue of Celestia and chant prayers to the sun. At the head of the gathering is a unicorn in purple robes, reminiscent of Princess platinum, with some gold trim, another pony walks up to him, wearing a dark red suit, "High Priest, The Nightmare Child is subverting the citizens of Ponyville," he says quietly "Are you certain? How?" "I don't know sir, but Nightmare Moon has been see...UGH" The Priest grabs him "WHAT! WHY WAS I NOT TOLD THIS! Is Princess Luna aware of this?" The stallion Nods "Stupid whore of the Moon, does she not see what she is allowing? Thank you for telling me this Crystal I will inform Celestia myself," "That's just it Sir she knows this as well," The priest cant believe his ears, "I see, fool do you not know what she is capable of? Lady Crystal have are friends keep an eye on them, I'll have some of our associates take care of the matter." Lady Crystal not to be confused with Crystal of the Crystal Empire, nods and starts to leave "Surely you know your precious goddess is not what you believe, if she allows such things to happen under her watch?" "Don't insult HER in this house of worship Crystal, she will come to her senses at soon, with '2' goddesses and a child to be she has plenty to be weary of," " 'Prince' Werner is also a questionable decision I highly disapprove of." Crystal snorts at this only to say "It is merely an form of flattery you know those too are enthralled with each other just as much as he is with Luna, not that they will say as such." The Priest glares at him knowing full well that she would then addresses a mare standing to his right "Have the knights in Ponyville watch and wait to 'take care of' that hell spawn, she will NEVER see the throne she has been promised," "Yes, High Priest Phoenix." Phoenix was Unicorn, an undertaker by profession, his crimson eyes stare into the Statues ruby eyes "This is worse then I thought, That Child should be DEAD!, or banished for her crimes." he pulls his hood back to reveal a black coat and golden hair, "Perhaps like a phoenix we will rise from the ashes," he lets out a dark chuckle, then continues his prayers. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ponyville Saturday March 16th 10am Nyx slowly stirs from her slumber finding herself in a unfamiliar room, glancing to her right, Twilight is sleeping soundly in a cot, a changeling standing over her smiling, "Huh? Oh your awake, can I get you anything?" Radiant Hope says in love voice as to not wake Twilight "Um...some applejuice and some pancakes sound good, we have those?" Radiant nods "The kitchen is always trying new things and I'm sure we got some lying around somewhere. Should I...wake her?" Nyx shakes her head and Radiant goes off to the kitchen. Twilight shortly wakes and smiles as her daughter looks down at her "Morning Nyx, how are you feeling?" she sits up and leans close to Nyx "Ugh I think I need a couple days of rest maybe, you want pancakes?" Twilight nods and Nyx signals Radiant to make that 2 stacks of pancakes. the Dinning hall Upon walking into the Dinning hall Twilight was surprised with the number of ponies present, Nyx stood on her back and looked around, "I think there all in the Ponyville militia," Twilight looks over her shoulder at her "Remind me why we suddenly have those?" A pegasus in familiar uniform lands by the pair "Not all of us Nyx, nice to meet you and Twilight again" Twilight recognizes her immediately "Spitfire? What are you doing here?" Spitfire grabs a bottle off the table and says "Firearms training, the princesses put J.J. in charge of the Militia training around here, as far as I'm aware he's the commander of the civilian Soldiers. Anyway he offers training to anyone looking for some trigger time so I'm here to see if the Wonderbolts could benefit," Nyx raises a eyebrow "Really? Well I think you might need a extra pair of wings for that. I've tried holding guns myself, its a little hard without hands ya know?" Spit fire nods saying she had just gotten some time in "I got a good score but I can do better, Rainbow is about to get her turn if your interested." At this point Radiant hope pops out of the kitchen through a pair of swinging doors a 2 stacks of 4 pancakes with maple syrup in a small pitcher between the two plates "Oh your highness I see your well, follow me," Spitfire look at Twilight puzzled "Did she just say..." "Yep they do that, must be still getting over the cult. That or they love Nyx too much." Twilights joke causes the whole place to fill with laughter with Nyx in toe fallows radiant to a open seat. As they eat Twilight naturally asks why everypony was at the castle "Didn't you get the memo? After the changeling invasion, Celestia made some Polices to help track down any changelings in hiding, as well as help with the military strength." Twilight looks at the ceiling thinking a moment, "Oh right, I hate that policy to be honest, I mean the guard is what 600 stallions and mares." Radiant mentions that the Changelings number in the thousands and total around a few hundred thousand give or take. The troops around her look at her horrified, "Calm down that's only if they actually worked together as a whole." Everyone goes back to eating, Nyx asks why the guard is learning to use firearms, "Well now that we have the industrial capacity to make them in sufficient numbers we are just trying to catch up with the Griffins really," Nyx then asks a odd question "How do we even hold those things?" staring at her hoof closely for an answer, "Its some universal thing with pony hoofs, you sort of have hands but not a precise apparently." They continue eating for 10 minutes and then head out to the courtyard to see what's up. Out in the courtyard they find a makeshift firing range, some ponies running laps and other ponies sparring with swords or spears, some also fighting with bayoneted guns. the track was made with chalk on the ground, the firing range had some pop up targets that had a pony sized alicorn on them, presumably for universal reasons. There where 8 lanes evenly spaced with four pop up targets at 50, 100, 150 and 300 yards/meters (their more or less interchangeable). Rainbow Dash was easy to spot with her trademarked rainbow maned she was holding a rifle, from what Twilight could tell it was a M1 Garand, a American classic, looking to her left she spots J.J. in his pony form, A Black haired, Hazel eyed, with a off black coat Alicorn the size of Nightmare Moon, normally anyway right now he was the size of an average pony. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ "Hay J.J. what's going on?" she asks, I turn my head "Weapons Training, fun stuff I must admit, that said its not going as good as it could but what did I expect from a bunch of fingerless being like yourself, no offence," She waves it off saying that is an accurate statement, "Dang it! this thing must be broken." I get up and walk over to Dash, "Mind if I take a look lass?" she hands me gun "I think the sights are off I can't hit the same spot twice." I look the thing over admiring the craftsmanship, then point it at the little rest on the ground to stare down the sights, "Hmm, seems fine to me let me see here," I lay down just as she did and take aim at 100 meters, take a breath and pop four shots to the head "WOW! That was So AWSOME Sir." "Practice makes perfect Rainbow, besides your to hyped up to shoot straight." I say grinning at her smugly, "WHAT?! that makes no sense," I told her as simply as I could that your breathing and heart rate effect your aim, "Twilight can probably aim better then you," "Oh you did not just go there, Bring it" Dash Challenges her ego bruised. I call Twilight over and she takes aim I point to the target, she lays down and delivers three shots a long the left wing and one to the flank, PING cant beat that sound, "Not bad Twilight, your pulling the gun to the right though." Twilight pops a clip in the rifle and hands it to dash, Twilight tells her to take a few breaths slowly then pull the trigger as fast as possible in next few seconds, taking her advice she lands two shots to each wing and a fifth to the heart, "Dame girl you lethal, still try doing that while your flying then i'll be impressed" I say flipping my own rifle off my shoulder and sticking my CoN(Children of Nightmare) cult bayonet on the end of it, "How about I see how good you are with the knife in your pocket," her and I walk over to a nearby empty circle and start stabbing at each other, first to draw blood lost. Nyx for her part Walked over to a chest full of arms, rifles, smgs, pistols and a shotgun or two, she picked up a small two barreled pistol and looked it over, "hmm this is a..." she grabs a book from the stack nearby "A derringer, a pocket pistol, used for personal defense, easily concealable, notorious for use in old west gambling halls" She actually walks over to her mother asks if she could try her luck, Twilight nods and nervously watches Nyx take aim, one trigger pull later the target had a new pair of holes in its chest "Nice shot given that was across a typical room of the time," A changeling comments walking to her, "Who are you?" Nyx asks surprised, "Polar Wind, a scholar by trade, I know more about these arms then most here," Nyx chats him up about his past before hearing "AAHHH, Gezz Dash are you trying to kill me...ow, ow that gonna scar a little" J.J. applies some healing magic to a wound across his face, "Sorry! Got a little carried away there," "And that children is why you don't play with knives, still that's what the armors for right, I'm gonna go sit down a moment" he shakes her hoof and goes to sit in the a chair. Suddenly one of the soldiers watching the gate yells "Sir there's someone here to see you." rolling his eye he walks outside to greet them. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Who could it be I wonder walking though the gate to be met by 5 stallions, one clearly a noble and the other his protection, "Can I help you sir?" he bows slightly "Nice to meet you Captain Werner, that is what they call you right?" I tell him its more a nickname so yes, "Well I am Solaris Moloch and wish to discuss some...sensitive matters with you." This is ether going to really good or really bad I think to myself motioning him to follow, we pull into a side room with a table plated with bread, cheese and bottle of wine, apparently someone was expecting someone, siting down I ask "Moloch huh? I cant tell you how much I want to clock you for what happened with Luna, then again I assume you know what happened with Celestia as well?" he nods, "Good, my condolences by the way, I'm all one for cold blooded murder when its called for but that was...Nightmarish to say the least." He takes a bit of cheese "Well J.J. as everyone calls you, you needn't worry about the Knight of Ra from me, my family cut ties with them after the Massacre, still I serve a faction that...still loves the sun but does not hold dear old Tia on such a high pedestal," I nod in return and question him about the Knights, "Well they Believe Celestia is a goddess and Luna is to quote my predecessor "A tail lifting whore" harsh to say the least, tell me do you hold Nyx in such a regard?", "No I don't, And it pains me to say this but... speaking form experience here, Celestia and Luna are goddesses, "demi gods" anyway, alicornhood not withstanding." When asked what that mean I give him the definition, "Well sir, I am the leader of the Dawn guard, a faction of the Knight of Ra that cares not for the worship as I said before, we simply wish to serve Equestira" "Meaning?" "I won't beat around the bush Sire I know about your "Night Cult" the ashes of Nightmare Moons followers" I freeze a moment and take him in, Doesn't seem like the type to oppose such a thing, him be direct then "Well I will not confirm or deny that statement, suppose I say yes?" "Being defensive? That does not vote well, well first I would ask what you actually do Captain?" "Simple really, those that care, myself included keep an eye on Nyx, no one suspects a thing. The other and real reason for this "cult" as you say is to make sure such subterfuge like the Children of Nightmare does not happen again, that said we keep an eye on everyone, for Equestira's sake." He looks concerned a moment then puts he forehooves together, "I take it that's a bit exaggerated?" I nod saying its only really the government, diplomats and otherwise just keeping a eye open, "I see, smart man Captain." When I ask why he came he says "I wish to offer you aid, the Dawn guard is as you would expect vulnerable and we were looking for allies," I smile "Well what are the terms should we agree to this alliance?" he pulls a scroll form his coat "To summarize, we will gladly join with YOU, since you simply have a better set up and we will do as you ask, as long as it doesn't go against the code, we live by," "Code? I know what you mean but please, elaborate" He explains that as far as he's concerned Celestia and Luna are the Highest authority and are the final call on everything. Should we act against them in anyway without reason then he would quickly inform them of said actions and withdraw his help. "I see, forgive me for sounding evil but you would probably never make it to them one way or another, Also let me tell you a secret, sometimes for the grater good you must play the devil, traitor in this case," He nods understanding. "So do you agree?" he asks I scratch my chin "How many we talking here?" "100 or so, the Knight for obvious reasons aren't popular these days, speaking of which are you aware of the Knight of Selena? They are the lunar equivalent to the Ra's", "I've heard of them in passing yes, they disbanded shortly after Luna was banished, However they recently reformed since her return, I declined a invitation to join them because I will not be forced to one side of the coin so to speak. The sisters keep each other in check, Luna is the war mare of the two while Celestia is the diplomat for example." I sign and so does he, and after making a copy for the archive he puts it back in his coat, "Thank you sir you wont regret this", "I need bodies more then anything at this point, plus if your really that buddied with Celestia's supporters that will provide some balance here, meet me here this evening at around say 5pm the Selena's will be here to discuss a similar deal." He says he'd be there, leaves and I head back to the court yard. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Nyx and Twilight made there way out of the quarry where the castle stood and into town, meeting Silver Spoon soon after "Hay Silver Spoon" she greets, "Oh h-hay Nyx Sleep well?" Nyx nods and asks how she slept "Fine thank you, anyway I suppose you want to know how the whole blessing went? Well I'm fine fare as I can tell, but...can you please not do that again, to me anyway, too many bad memories." Silver lowers her head and frowns. Nyx puts a hoof on shoulder and embraces a hug "I'm sorry Silver I should have asked, still hold still a moment," Nyx then released her hair and does a though search of Silvers body, Twilight then does a magical scan of her body and nods to Nyx "There all done, have a nice day Silver." Twilight and Nyx head home to there little library Where Spike and Owlowiscious waited there return. As they walk various ponies keep there eyes pealed on them, others ask why they spent the night at the castle, though they couldn't shake the feeling of being watched it wasn't unordinary in Ponyville. Rainbow Dash flies overhead and says "Hay Twilight you want to grab a drink with me and girls later?" Twilight thinks about it "Sure Witch place? There not many bars in Ponyville." Dash Tells her she thought about going to the Stagecoach Inn, they had good food and some of the Best moonshine in Ponyville, "Stagecoach? isn't that the little place J.J. opened for the traveling merchants after he moved to Ponyville?", Dash shrugs "All I know is the place is up there with 'The Boot' and the 'Horn and Wings tavern'." Twilight looks at Nyx, who gives her encouraging look "Say Rainbow, mind if Nyx comes along? Someone needs to make sure we don't drop in the street after all," Dash looks questioningly at Twilight a moment "Sure I see no reason why not, see ya at seven," she flies off to her weather patrol duties. "Are you sure that's a good idea mom?" Nyx asks as they continue though town "Nyx something has to keep me from going overboard I think having you out with the girls and I would be nice, maybe they'll invite the CMC as well make it a family outing." The pair make it to the library and freshen up, "I think I'll go check on girl, need to make sure their not praising my name now," Nyx says heading out again, "Oh, that's right I need to check on them too, I'll come with you. I need to help Applejack anyway." With that the pair head to Sweet Apple Acres. Sweet Apple Acres March 16th 10:30AM The ever present forest of apple trees meet the mother/daughter pair as they came to the Apple family home, Nyx headed off the clubhouse where the CMC usually gathered, Twilight headed into the barn to find Applejack rolling some barrels out of the cellar. "Hay AJ, need a hand?", Applejack stood the barrel up and wiped her brow, "Whew, Hay Twiliy, sure help get these barrels of cider out of the cellar, I got a buyer lined up and don't want to keep'em waitin. Sooner the better he said." Twilight descends into the Cellar, the cellar itself was what she expected, stone walls, some wood beams to hold the ground up, and barrels of cider and apples. she picks up 3 or 4 in her magic and hoists one on her back, only to struggle up the stairs, "Woah now Sugercube, I'll take that one," Applejack takes the barrel off her back, "Right always was better with my magic, Say Rainbow wants to go out for drinks later you want to come?" AJ puts the barrel with the others "Sure, maybe I can finally show her she cant hold her liquor like me," Twilight pauses "You drink?" AJ turns "I got to make sure this Hard cider is good somehow, but no, not much life just gets stressful ya know." Twilight nods then adds "I thought it would be nice to bring Nyx and the sisters along, make it a nice outing." Applejack smiles a little "You know, I think that's a good idea." the too load the barrels in the cart and AJ takes stock "4, 12, 24, 30 that's all of them." When Twilight asks who bought them she says "That inn near the road out of town, said they were a bit short on Apple product and asked for a few drinks." "It strong?" Twilight asks, "sort of, want a taste?" AJ sticks a tap in a spare barrel and hands Twilight a small glass, she takes a sip "Hmm, fruity, with hardly any water", AJ tips her hat "Ya its not what I usually make but its nice to know how. By the way you might want to take a look at Applebloom, she's been a bit odd since yesterday." Twilight asks how, "Well she's been acting a little odd and this morning I noticed her eye turn green a moment, you wouldn't know anything about that would you?" Twilight considers telling AJ about Nightmare Moon then immediately banishes the thought that would not end well she thinks coming to excuse "Nyx was trying a new spell, it was supposed to give her Night vision but, I don't think it worked too well." she lies, AJ stares at Twilight a moment "Really? Well she did say something like that." on that note Twilight excuses herself to go check on said filly. Cutie Mark Crusaders clubhouse Nyx walked up the ramp and into the clubhouse, to find the CMC in semi circle talking about something "Do you think we should, I mean Nyx is are boss right?" Applebloom says, "No I think we can, we just need to find out how." Scootaloo says, Sweetie Belle is the last to speak "I don't think we should go messing with this, its...scary, plus what if we, ya know start another mad cult that tried to take her away?" Nyx had heard enough "Eh-Hem! I think I've heard enough out of you 3, come her NOW." she commands and they obey. Nyx morphs her hair and starts doing a little tinkering, "lets see snip this, lower that, remove this." taking a look at the blessing's matrix, she tweak it slowly but surely. After locking a few things and lowering the power lvl by draining it, "There that better." the 3 groan "Ugh...What? Oh thanks Nyx what where we talking about?", "If I had to guess blessing others, which I didn't even give you the ability to do," she says a bit of authority in her voice, Moon pops up behind her as a ghost "My, My, My aren't you the ambitious little bunch." the girls huddle together in fear, and Nyx turns her head "Moon your scaring them." she says flatly. Moon retracts her fangs and her eyes soften, "Girls are you ok?" The three recount there experiences the previous day, "I see, well try talking without moving your lips a moment," she then starts privately specking to Nyx "What did you do if I may ask?," "I took a look at the your blessing in detail and reduced it to a simpler form, I'll unlock things for them as we go, also I guess I REALLY need to turn down the power on foals, apparently they were talking about my glory all night." Moon having already heard that nods "I think it might be their just not taking it well, you might want to come up with something yourself. Still I'll have a look and keep a eye on them." she then disappears and Nyx starts talking again "So girls you want to go out with your sisters tonight? Twilight thought it would be a good idea to invite us." She tells them about Dash's plan for the Stagecoach Inn and tells the girls it would be a good idea to spend some group time with everyone, they agree and start talking about crusading again "So what are we gonna do till then?", Sweetie Bell subjects looking into exploring there new abilities and Applebloom subjects trying to build a flying machine, Scootaloo shrugs and looks at Nyx, "Well why not both? I could help you get used to your Blessings and maybe we can do something constructive together." Applebloom then says "What about the rest of the club do you think we can... bring them into this little group of yours?" Nyx thinks about it and says she would Make sure they would be ok before going any further. After finding a appropriate spot to build this flying machine, Nyx finally asks the obvious question "So what do we need for this thing?" Applebloom hands her a quill and parchment "Well, lets see we need: 300 wood planks, 300 nails or screws, 20 glass sheets, 500 pounds of solar sail cloth, 16 windmill blades and a few hundred pegasi or Alicorn feathers," just hearing that list and writing it down, Nyx pings J.J. for some help, transitioning to mental room"Hay J.J. take a look at this." I take a look at the list and fall into a spontaneously appearing chair, "Why the hell would you need that much of anything?" she mentions the flying machine, "I see, well it was ether that or a pillow factory, give me a moment," I brake out a calculator and do the math, "$CACHING$" dame that's a pretty penny, "Well good news and bad news, good news I know where to get the feathers and the bad news this is going to cost ya, BIG!" Nyx floats to the table and stares at the calculator, "WOW, Applebloom get in here," no sooner said then done Applebloom appears, "Huh? Where am I?" Nyx quickly answers "Mental chat room, look at this!" she shows her the cost "20,579.99 bits! Hmm maybe if we make it a bit smaller, drop half the nails, the wood by 100 and the cloth by 200." one number crunch later "Well, 10,500.99 bits, that's better, but where are you going to get the money for that?" I ask questioningly, Only to get the little kid pout face. HURRRRG! my heart, "Stop that!" I actually zap her with a small bolt of lighting, "OW, HAY!" she says rubbing her flank, "You could have just asked ya know." "You would have said no," Applebloom replies, "Well, if I subtract the feather donations it only adds up to 4,359.99 not including tax which ups it by a few hundred so give or take 4,500, Oh and you forgot the generators to store the magic, I think I know a guy" "You'll cover that?" Nyx asks questioningly "The perks of being a government official, more money then ya ever need. Now as for the feathers I happen to know, Celesta, Luna, Cadance and myself have a few boxes full of preened feathers, will they do?" (If your wondering why we have boxes full of our own feathers just sitting around, simple spare quills.) Applebloom nods, "Good I'll have them bring them over." the conversation ends and the real world appears. "Nyx that's a bit jarring" Applebloom says, taking some measurements, "Sorry, I thought you should know just how much we're putting into this." Nyx then looks around a moment and then tries looking through AB's eyes "Huh? why do I feel...and its gone," "Just me trying one of the powers, and testing the connections between us" Nyx quickly says not to feel awkward, "Really, well ok, that felt, weird, like I was buying for eyesight a moment." Nyx nods and then turns to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo "Scootaloo you got to hardware store, Sweetie have Rarity see if she can get some of that cloth I'll take care of the glass," the four fillies then huddle together and say "ready?, ready, alright everypony LETS DO THIS!" the 4 split and Queue the montage! (these songs seem appropriate as any Hearts as Strong as Horses Raise This Barn Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now) Sweetie belle, convinces Rarity to get some of the sail cloth, saying it might make good dress in the summer heat, Scootaloo motors to hardware store and when asked what she needed it for "I think we're building a boat" Nyx heads over the Castle and picks up some freshly made glass, and Applebloom drums up the CMC to help, soon Nyx, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Twist, Featherweight, Button Mash, Rumble, Flitter, and a surprise filly named Moon, gather round the pile of supplies, "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS SHIP BUILDERS YAY!!!" they chant before getting to work. The earth ponies start on the base of the ship, the unicorns start stitching the sails together, and the pegasi start putting the wings two large together, eventually the whole school and even the town turns up to lend a hand, "Come on Everypony grab a hammer or Needle," Applebloom says from her raised platform. Twilight directs the ponies to there stations, AJ is sawing with Rainbow, Fluttershy and Rarity are sowing, Pinkie is passing out refreshments, the rest of the town puts up supports for the ship so I doesn't roll and Nyx, helps her mother with a birds eye view. as the ship takes shape, an old sailor pony donates his anchor, Berry punch crafts some barrels out of spare wood along with Frosty mugs and J.J, Flitter and the local changelings multitask, Radiant Hope helping with any splinters and what not that happened while the others put the smaller parts together. Nyx had gotten plenty of practice with the mind magic even getting the 3 crusaders to work in sync. Saturday March 16 5:30pm After hours of work the ship just needed a few finishing touches. the railings where installed, the masts where lowered in, the magic capacitors where put in place, and the glass was installed. The sails were ever so carefully rung on the mast crossbeams and the anchor and chain where wrapped around the anchor wheel. as the ships wheel was installed along with the rudder, and the wings attached to the side, every pony whips their heads with damp cloths and admire there work. "So what are you gonna call it, assuming it works," Twilight says admiring the sight in the late day sun, "We didn't think that far, Nyx how about you do it." Nyx look at the ship for a moment asks what they where goanna paint it "Hmm how about a mix of color a little red there a little purple there some black there." Nyx decides to work on that later, "Lets see if she flies first, Want to help me fire her up Mom," Twilight lights up with glee, and her daughter along with her light there horns to give the ship a jump start and the pegasi give a strong breeze, the ship creaks a little but the fan blades slowly start to spin, the sails are unfurled and they light up in the light of the setting sun and rising moon, the wings slowly start flapping to get the ship off the ground. The ship with a length of 40 feet and a beam of 20 feet the little cutter was a sight to behold, Nyx throws ropes over the side and the crusaders climb aboard along with Twilights friends, "Well, well it actually works. IT WORKS!!!" they scream into the heavens, Nyx summons a trunk full of pirate wear and passes it around, "lets take her for a spin shall we," Nyx says taking the wheel "AYE, AYE CAPTAIN!" the little ponies scatter across the ship, two head up to the crows nest, six head to the bow and the remaining 8 hit both sides of the ship. the ship sails around Ponyville 3 times as they take in the view, Twilight even spies Celestia and Luna waving to them in distance through a spyglass, she waves back. "Nyx bring her back over Ponyville," She does so, "This is so cool, we can fly anywhere with this thing" Scootaloo says hovering in the air form excitement, "You know it squirt." rainbow comments rubbing her hair, Twilight leans against her daughter steering the ship gently, "I love you Nyx," "I love you to Mom." everypony awwws at this, AJ looks at her wrist watch "HOLY APPLE SAUCE! Were gonna be late for dinner" every pony looks at there time pieces and comes to the same conclusion, Nyx skillfully takes the ship over Ponyville dropping off every filly, then Twilight takes the wheel and brings them to the Stagecoach Inn. Meanwhile at Night Stone Castle I had left at about 4:30 to get to a meeting of the Night cult and its new friends. at the castle I dress in my black generals coat, some military boots and matching blue pants, behind the throne room was a small room with a round table with a map of Equestira on it, and chairs surrounding it. around the table I find Nexus and Filthy Rich, the Cult Garrison leaders when I'm not around Solaris and Firestar was sitting to there left, A Green eyed, Emerald haired, dark coated unicorn mare along with Radiant Hope sat to there right, curious I ping her "What are you doing here my Queen?" The pony looks at me "So you can tell me apart, Well I am one of your allies am I not?" I nod and she is engulfed in emerald flames, revealing a Changeling queen, surprisingly, she had Pegasus wings along with the usual gossamer wings, a solid bladed horn and normal eyes, otherwise the typical image of a Changeling queen, well side form some slime signs of fur on her chitin, "Antumbra, I'm honored to have you here...I'm doing it again aren't I?" she nods Dame changeling genes, why must I butt kiss her when both of us could care less! "Eh-hem well who's left?" Nexus mentions the representatives form the Selena's have yet to arrive. Minutes later 2 ponies step through the door, dressed in deep blue and silver robes, one unicorn and a thestral sit down in the remaining seats. "Ok you all know why your here right? just for clarity sake" I begin, eyeing everyone, they nod, "Right well what are your names you two, cant say I got them." the unicorn and thestral say they are Starlight and Knightwind. I put my hands together elbows on the table"Ok, well I hope my acquaintance and other present company discourages you," Knightwind is the first to speak, turned out to be a stallion "Well, first off are group has nothing in common with the Knights of Ra, the bastards." Solaris nods in agreement, "Anyway, That's not to say that we didn't but these days we are only concerned with Luna's safety and Equestira's nightly prosperity." Starlight a mare puts a paper on the table and I read down it, "da, da, da yes, yes, not much different from his offer really," I say pointing at Solaris, "So what can you offer us hmm?" she asks me the same question, "All I can really offer is... Well I got connections and am very close with the diarchy, and of course whatever the cult has at its disposal I will gladly share within reason." She returns the offer "I can offer you are members and I'm some Thestral would make fine addition to your group, we also have... Connections of are own, not to mention plenty of knowledge exclusive to are ranks" I sign the paper copy it and hand it back to her. "All right and what of you Solaris?" I ask, "The Dawn Guard can give as I said before there numbers and are friends in the government certainly help, a side effect of the people we came from. We also can help keep the guard off your back given some friends in the military, but don't count on it. Lastly we can offer you are own set of knowledge," he turns to Starlight "Potions, blueprints and the like?" she nods. Antumbra speaks "Well sorry to say this but some of your members are probably at least some of my children, still with that said I, we rather can offer you the best spies in the business, a little love is all we ask, or at least some understanding." Knight asks "Why should we trust you, your highness?" Antumbra's eyes flash anger a moment before taking a breath "Let me put it this way, None of my lings have replaced anyone, less they allowed them too, most of them live peaceful lives with many ponies and in turn have been hidden from the changeling hunts and political bullshit. Also... don't go spreading this around but my Mother is Princess Luna." They all look at her and I sigh "Its true Luna told me that herself." Quickly changing the subject Nexus speaks "The Cult only really consists of Canterlot and Ponyville at moment but we wish to expand into various other cities and even countries if possible, We have an open door policy so anyone that hears of the cult simple needs to ask and we will give you shot. the work is voluntary of course those we do get some funding from the Royal's for various fronts all legal of course." Starlight asks about if someone wishes to leave, "We strip them of there Blessing and give some a few bits for there troubles, a parting gift if you will, that said they carry a small glass eye with there blessing in it if they wish to re join, it looks like a simple piece of jewelry, kind of like the pins you wear. The process is painless of course, though you might feel a bit drained as a result." Starlight suddenly looks at Antumbra and say "Hay, I know you, aren't you Prince Shining Armor's and Princess Cadance's psychiatrist?" "Yes what of it?" a record needle flies off the record, A collective what erupts as I laugh at there surprise "Are you really that surprised, that said Cadance knows here to be friendly so even is she gets busted no harm done, right?" "Only if it her Captain, Shining would murder me straight up," Strangely I invite her to the dinner at the inn later "Sure I should check on Twilight anyway." Rich asks a random question "How's my daughter getting along with Nyx J.J. if you don't mind?" "Same as usual Rich, I can't say I care sorry." He nods knowing how much of pain his child can be. After negotiating for an hour on how to do things and what each of us would be responsible for, I check my watch "Oh Dear I really need to get going, we're done her anyway, So what should we call this Alliance, if I may the Twilight order sounds good," Looking to each other they nod in agreement, "Good, Antumbra grab your bag we're hitting the town." everyone heads off and I quickly mention the teleported on the floor. Stagecoach Inn The Stagecoach Inn was a nice little place for the townsfolk and traveling merchants, a full bar, good food, some rooms upstairs, a fireplace to keep it warm in the winter and a stage for live show among other things. there where 8 tables with 8 chairs each and 10 booths along the wall. Antumbra and I pop in in the middle of floor with 2 pool tables to are left, I pop behind the bar and Antumbra heads into the kitchen to fire up the stove. 20 minutes later a ship touches down outside, the Mane 6 and there young ones hope off and enter, "Alright Solider boy set us up a few rounds, it party time!" Pinkie announces to no one, Antumbra comes out of the back and sits at the bar, "stoves all light and ready J.J. the staff is late...again," I nod and grab a bottle of love that looks like reddish wine and give it to her so she blends in. "Antumbra what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Cadance?" Twilight asks getting a look at the Unicorn, "Oh, Twilight nice to see a patient again, Cadance had me take a few days, give her some space. How are you holding up Mrs. Sparkle?" Twilight says she's doing well, and introduces Nyx, So this is what's left of the infamous Nightmare Moon, How the mighty have fallen, for the better in this case "So your the little devil that kept us on the run those last few mouths, I'm honored Princess," Nyx rolls her eyes "Oh, no not you too..." the two burst into laughter, and start chatting. Rainbow, AJ, and Pinkie sit down at a long table and say "Break out the GOOD stuff friend, these two got a score to settle," Putting on the fancy bartender routine I say "You better hope your kids can get you home then," I open a trap door in the floor and pulled out some of Luna's trade mark moonshine (Well made A LOT of money off that particular drink, Luna cut me a share because I dared to sell it. It was considered a drug because of how addicting it was due to the smooth taste, not that that stopped the royals from making and drinking it.) and place the small barrel in form of them, "Cheers ladies! try not to die on me alright? I got enough graves out back already," A bad joke but a serious one. Twilight Nyx and CMC sit around another table, Antumbra having nothing better to do goes to cook in the kitchen, she pokes her head out "Want anything Twilight? kids?" Twilight glances at the menu "How about that, what was it called Loverbirds stew sounds nice to start, you girls?" The CMC order some pizza pie to split and Nyx orders a Dish called Night Chicken. I decide to head to the kitchen myself to give The old Queen a hand, only to my surprise she's multitasking like a pro, "Dame girl where'd you learn to do that?" I ask, words escaping me, "Hehe did you think I'm not skilled with a civil kitchen, my many converts taught me well, plus it pays to be a queen when it comes to multitasking," "Right well just let me know when it's ready," I walk back out to hear Nyx ask "Hay J.J. how about you play us a good old song, liven up the place a little?" I nod and head for the stage, flipping open a case and grabbing a guitar I step up to the mic and Start playing "Forever and ever amen", some other patrons that walk in start swaying along while Nyx hopes up on stage and starts singing along. You may think that I'm talking foolish You've heard that I'm wild and I'm free You may wonder how I can promise you now This love, that I feel for you, always will be You're not just time that I'm killing I'm no longer one of those guys As sure as I live this love that I give Is gonna be yours until the day that I die – oh, baby I'm gonna love you forever, forever and ever, amen As long as old men sit and talk about the weather As long as old women sit and talk about old men If you wonder how long I'll be faithful I'll be happy to tell you again I'm gonna love you forever and ever, forever and ever, amen They say that time takes it's toll on a body Makes the young girls brown hair turn grey But honey, I don't care, I ain't in love with your hair And if it all fell out, well, I'd love you anyway They say that time can play tricks on a memory, make people forget things they knew. well, it's easy to see it's happening to me I've already forgotten every woman but you – oh, darling I'm gonna love you forever, forever and ever, amen As long as old men sit and talk about the weather As long as old women sit and talk about old men If you wonder how long I'll be faithful well, just listen to how this song ends I'm gonna love you forever and ever, forever and ever, amen I'm gonna love you forever and ever, forever and ever, forever and ever, forever and ever, amen The crowd claps and cheers, we bow and I head back behind the bar throwing liquor, beer, and wine down the ever filling bar. Antumbra bring out the orders a few minutes later and hands it to the girls "careful dear, its hot." Nyx cuts into her chicken a little, takes a bit "Hmm, whats on this anyway?" "hmm some black pepper and some night flowers coted in flower. hence the color." Nyx nods and says its good, dipping it in some random dip. The crusaders cut there pie in slices and dig in, as Twilight takes a sip of her soap she freezes a moment "...What is that...magic?" "Oh its just a old pony trick I know, come to think of it...the Crystal Empire should have such things in it library, maybe we should go look some time." When twilight asks if the taste was any different, she shakes her head, "No I can't do that if I tried." she then grabs her bottle and heads back to the kitchen. the Night flies by and Fluttershy and rarity end up taking the CMC home after AJ and Rainbow drop form alcohol, Pinkie for reasons science will never understand still standing perky as ever, "Pinkie if I didn't know any better you are immune to drunkenness." she slowly turns "Oh what did you say, ugh y are dar dree of u" smiling "You've had quite enough for tonight, come on little girl, lets get you to bed" I scoop her up in my arms and she starts sleeping like a baby, I take her upstairs and put her to bed, "Sleep well Pinkie, you Wall braking Bundle of Joy." 'click' I walk back down stairs and see the place is clearing out "Hmm, 'checks clock' my my is it that time already." I Tell Antumbra to finish up and I slip out of my bartender get up to my watchmen cloths, Twilight pays the bill and takes Nyx home, no sooner do they leave then a Changeling bursts in the front door "BOSSSSS!" he crashes into the bar, "What the hell got you in tizzy?" "The.. The... There here the Knights!" I grab a Thomason out of the bar shelves, "Where are they?" "I don't know but I'm guessing there here for Nyx." enough said I take off into the night Antumbra right on my heels. Twilight and Nyx where walking down the cobble stone streets of Ponyville chatting about what they would do tomorrow, Twilight slightly intoxicated but had her faculties intact. Suddenly they bump into a some ponies, "Oh sorry didn't see your there," she says "No problem Mrs. sparkle," Twilight tried to walk past the stallion only to be blocked, two more stallions walk up behind them, "Mrs. Sparkle give us your daughter, you can go home." "Why?" Twilight questions "Hand her over." "Answer my questions!" Twilight shouts, "We know what she's been up too and wish to discuss it as such." Twilight goes into a fighting stance "Bullshit, put one hoof on my daughter I'll rip it off!." Nyx was hiding under her mother when the Stallion says "Then your not necessary," he says, Nyx suddenly feels a liquid fall on head, licks it only to taste blood NO! she gets from under Twilight "Nyx...RUN!" POP POP POP POP 4 bullets hit Twilight in the side as Nyx runs down an ally way "NIGHTMARE HELP ME!!!!!" she screams into her mind. "NIGHTMARE HELP ME!!!!!" The whole dame cult leaps out of bed and grabs whatever they have handy, soon the whole town of Ponyville is swarming with half dressed ponies searching for Nyx, I myself included "Nyx Where are you?! What's going on?" She tells me and I get SOoo oh pissed "THEY DID WHAT! give me a moment." I pop into an ally and hit the mental plane, finding my way to Celestia's dream, in this case a dream about a day with her sister "CELESTA!!!" she turns "J.J. care to join us?", I slap her "Wake up TIA! Sorry to disturb your slumber but you student just got stabbed in Ponyville and daughter's in trouble" Celestia's eye light UP with rage, "Who!" she says coldly "The Knights I suspect but currently unknown, hurry!" I leave and Celestia Jumps out of bed grabs her gear and calls on her sister. Meanwhile in the ally Nyx is hiding behind some boxes, "Where is she? There is no way out Nightmare Come on out and play." He taunts Suddenly he is grabbed "WHA....I....cant....move" Nightmare Moon appears out of the shadows and said coldly in her unmistakable voice "You JUST PISSED OFF THE WRONG DEMON PAL!" she shoves her sword down his throat and out his chest, then grabbing the other knight and drinking him blood dry "Ahhh, that's the stuff, the blood of traitors." She turns to see Nyx who grabs her leg "Help..'sniff' help Twilight," Moon looks out to see Twilights bleeding corpse "Ok, you run out and Deeply Bound with her, I mean literally possess her and replace her with you, it will keep her alive, trust me I know form experience" Moon steps out "COME GET ME YOU FUCKING WHORESONS! FACE THE DEVIL WHICH YOU CREATED!" the knights throw themselves at her, she grabs them with her mane braking there necks, cuts there heads off blood pooling around them, she even grabs a few and drinks there blood, (Sorry to brake your emersion but no she is not a vampire yet, she needs it to live.) She then launches into the air and summons a storm of magic, and crashes down as giant Black Firebird. I find Nyx and tell her to duck, the four guards round Twilight get gunned down in the "RATATATAT" of my Chicago typewriter, (a drum mag of 100 rounds if you were wondering) "A pity this typewriter only writes in blood and brass" and them I look up to see this giant black phoenix over head "OH SHIT!!!" and dive on top of Nyx and Twilight my angel wings popping out and surrounding us. Black fire and massive flare of flame go on around us, after ten minutes I stand up "OW, that FUCKING hurt, ugh...thank god these things are fire proof." I look around to see fifty burned to crisp bodies while still having color to them. Nightmare Moon with a fiery mane and glowing eyes land nearby, "Are you ok, Captain, Nyx?" "Are you?" I say leveling my gun on her, she looks at herself "Oh...I'm ok, I think," she grabs a guy that ran up behind me and he gets consumed by his own shadow. Nyx meanwhile bounds with her Mother, the black liquid flipping the knife onto the street, and popping the bullets out of the wounds, slowly encasing her mother "Nyx your so soft and warm...like...like a..zzzz" Twilight says delirious. Once Nyx fully takes over her mother's body, it spontaneously grows a pair of black wings, "That's not ominous or anything," I whisper to Nightmare Moon, who nods in agreement. "Mom...Mom can you hear me?!" "Nyx she's lost a lot of blood just let her rest, here drink this." I bend down and have her drink a healing potion, "Ugh thank you...ugh yeah there's the alcohol she had earlier." Finding ourselves surrounded by 10 guys I turn to Nightmare Moon with a grin "Do it you black hearted hell raiser." She starts a chant as I spin around spraying bullets in every direction pulling a second tommy gun out of my coat. Moon then shouts "Come my brethren of Nightmares, destroy the saints of the SUN!" dark tendrils appear along with shadow ponies, they slaughter the moral soldier there weapons going right though there armor, and the ones that flee get cut down, bodies being consumed by shadows. I turn into my Alicorn form and she leans on me, "Easy girl just lean on me and don't look." Nightmare Moon walks beside us as the shadow soldiers forming a wall around us. As we advance the Cult slowly gathers around us as well, "Captain what the hell was that?!" Nexus asks firing his 1911 45. into a earth pony jumping off a roof, I point to Nightmare Moon "She did that," enough said. Proper Etiquette his butler carrying a shotgun walks in front, "And my I ask who these guy are sir?" I Look at him "The fallen is all you need to know or want to," he nods going back to firing his gun. Antumbra now in her Queen form is flying around with her Elite guard of praetorians downing any pegasi and there lighting. The converts come up behind us and form rank, "Emerald squad reporting sir!" Radiant Hope says tending to Twilights wounds, Suddenly a Huge flock of thestrals brake form the clouds "DEFEND THE CIVILIANs, BRING THESE TRAITORS TO ME!" Antumbra's voice can be heard echoing over the city, "Well I see she isn't afraid to throw her weight around," Next I see Celestia dive out of the clouds as ball a flame With Luna and her guards in the distance "Is that where changelings got that magic dive from?" Antumbra said it influenced it. POP POP, Chet-chet, BANG, RATTATTATA, CRUNCH The sound of gunfire and clanging steel and breaking bones is everywhere, "God how many are there?" "I guess they weren't leaving it to the locals" Nightmare says launching some lighting bolts at some unicorns. Nyx leans harder on me "Ugn....I don't think I...." "Don't even go there Nyx," I say kissing her a moment while blindly firing my Thomson's at things in my peripheral vision "Get on my back if you must, but you are NOT dying tonight or Twilight" with some renewed strange she pulls a pocket pistol out of her hair, a p99 to be precise "When did you...nevermind just shoot." I hear Celestia cursing in the distance over the gun fire and laugh Man she is PISSED, than again it is Twilight we're talking about, A thunderous BOOM is hear fallowed by whistling sound, the cannons from the castle fire into the streets of Ponyville "Can you even see what your shooting at?" I ask the gunners "we have are comrades and the changelings for that sir." rolling my eyes at that I spot the Golden Oaks Library in the distance, "Just a few more yards" another 10 men stand between us, "GIVE IT UP NIGHTMARE!" I don't even flinch "I'll let god sort us out," I bath them in Dragon fire, blue fire to be accurate, they scream in pain but live incapacitated, "Take up positions around the Library no one gets in but the Princess's or are allies" Nightmare instructs to her shadow troops, "Hay Moon, where are the Blackcoats?" she says there sniping all over the town, fair enough. I after getting Nyx inside I turn to look at where we just came from and grip my cross "Lord, Frost please protect them, they need it." I walk inside and lock the door. Inside the library, Nyx/Twilight lays on her side on the couch and I start working on her wounds while Moon goes to check the upper floors, "Thank god these aren't hollow points or this would be a pain to work with." a doctors bag I carried with me all the time, having been a field medic, I slowly remove the bullets whens there a knock at the door, I pull and cock my revolver "Open it slowly or I'm blowing your head off!" I command, Celestia walks in slowly full armor and sword a flame, "Twilight..." she spots Twilight covered head to toe in black, even her eyes were slits "No..." "Celestia...relax...She's ok," Celestia takes some comfort but not much in Nyx's voice then glares daggers at Nightmare Moon as she comes downstairs, who also had her armor and sword "What?" she asks staring back, "You did this didn't you?" "Oh boy here we go" I mutter focusing on the task at hand. "I did nothing Tia, they attacked us," "You are the one that attracted there attention." "You knew they would do this! YOU NEARLY GOT My STUDENT KILLED!" "There dead and the living are waiting outside for you Celestia your not needed here." "You coward, not even willing to live up to your own actions?" Nightmare Moon glares back at Celestia, she is PISSSED "Says the Mare that ABANDONED AND SHUNNED HER ONLY FAMILY!" Celestia response calling her responsible for that but Nightmare hit back hard "YOU ARE EQUETRIAS ALL PERFECT RULER??? MY ASS!!!" Celestia tries to respond but she keeps going "Oh let me count the ways Tia, you not once but THRICE had you sisters black heart nearly doom all of Equestira, YOU sent your STUDENT to oppose the KING of shadows, not even sending your sister to aid here in one of the MOST IMPORTENT cities in all of Equestira AND you got your fat ASS handed to you by a INSECT no less!" "But..." Celestia tries to say, "CAPTAIN ARMORS LOVE OR NOT, NO CHANGELING CAN STAND UP TO FULL GROWN ALICORN, SHOW SOME BACKBONE!!!!" she gets up in Celestia face "Oh wait that's right YOU DONT HAVE ONE!!! I DAME NEAR KILLED YOU AND WOULD HAVE WITHOUT THE ELEMENTS TO BAIL YOU OUT, I Had to Save you from the DARKNESS, Luna who is younger, and now less powerful then MURDERED THAT CHANGELING BITCH SINGLE HANDED WITH HER OWN MAGIC, even if she called on what was left of mine, YOU Celestia may have proven you can rule BUT as a SISTER you have failed YOU ARE WEAK, INFIERIOUR AND CLUELESS" "SILENCE!!!" Celestia royally caws registering a 5,5 on a rector scale somewhere. "I WILL NOT BE TALKED DOWN TO BY A LOWLY PARSITE LIKE YOU DEMON OF THE MOON!!!" it was Nightmares to feel scared "I had to SUFFER 1000 years of guilt and pain for what YOU did to my sister, I had to rule this nation and PROTECT EVERYPONY from all that would appose us! AND YOU WANT TO KNOW THE WORST PART?!!!" the power physically drops out of Celestia her mane going back to solid pink hair "Your right....." Twilight now with some semblance of sanity "NO....your wrong Celestia don't let her..." "She IS right Twilght....as a Ruler I have proven myself more then capable but as a sister I have failed in EVERY way possible, my sister ignored, you, put in danger more then I can count, I was dropped in one beam by a changeling Queen, she is right your brothers love or not I should have put up more of a fight." I turn around "Will you two take your BITCHING else were! I just trying keep your precious little girl form dying here!" Moon calms down and puts a hoof on Celestia shoulder, "Your student is in good hands, lets go drink to her health, Horn and Wing Tavern? We need to talk anyway." Celestia takes a breath "Yes that does sound nice." the ponies consumed by shadows are found outside the Library "Your orders our Queen?" "Help the rest of the Night cult round up your comrades then come back here with them, Luna will take them form there." they scatter in every direction, and Celestia asks "Shadow possession?" Moon nods, and they make there way to tavern across town.
Truths and liesPonyville March 16th 9pm Celestia and Nightmare Moon slowly make there way to the Horn and Wing Tavern, picking off the Knights of Ra they come across. Making there way down Sugercoat St. Celestia asks a odd question "So what was that all about before?" Moon pulls her sword out of dead mare that had thrown herself at her "Meaning?" "Did Luna really kill Chrysalis?" Moon pauses "Almost, she beat her to death only to have a friendly face drain Chrysalis of her power, Luna shortly left after that." Celestia then asks "Was that you who summoned that Phoenix during the Royal Wedding, kind of hard to miss form my point of view," Moon smiles "Yep a pity Amore had to ruin that little stunt." Celestia does recall that holy presence before her human companion got tossed out the window, Clang, "Awh" she cuts through another soldier "How many of these guys are there?" she asks to no one in particular "Meh, probably started with about 120 or so, should be down to give or take half that number," When asked how she knows this "I got a few agents in the Knights of Ra, Celestia so I know at least a little about them." she rattles off about there worship, a few locations, and more importantly there numbers. "That many? Are there really that many that hate my sister?" Celestia sighs a little "Well her absence for a millennium and Nyx's antics didn't help that, still its less hate and more like preference, most of them even respect Luna, its the diehards we need to worry about, out of the couple thousand a minority of about 300 or so are the ones you want dead." Antumbra flies down to them and says "Your majesty the enemy are if full retreat and...." she stops looking at Nightmare Moon "And?" she asks. Antumbra puts her lips next to Moons ear "If you bring ANY harm that little filly her mother and mentor will be the least of your problems." she whispers threateningly then turns to Celestia "I suppose I should leave before anyone starts asking questions?" Celestia nods thanking the Queen for her assistance and They continue in silence picking off a few stragglers with stun spells. Things start to quiet down about an hour later, "Well looks like they lost, or retreated I don't care really." Moon says as the Horn and Wing tavern comes into view, as they approach the door, Celestia holds her hoof in front of Moon then knocks, "Come in we got plenty of room." Frosty Mugs, says from behind the bar. The pair of alicorns walk slowly across the room, revealing it to be turned into a make shift field hospital and shelter for those wanting nothing to do with the now dispelled chaos outside, "Well this is something straight out of a movie, or book" Moon says taking in the wounded, "Is it over yet? And how can I serve your Majesties" Frosty Says grabbing a pair of glasses, Celestia informs him of the quite outside and orders, "Tall, strong, and comforting, we have much to discuss," Celestia says plopping some bits on the bar. Frosty pours them some crimson whiskey and goes around to check on everyone. "So you first Tia?" Moon starts the conversation taking a drink. "Where do I start, What are you really?" "What do you think I am?" moon blinks curious about her answer, "I think your a demon that possessed my sister, no thanks to Sombra and my own actions," no surprise there. "I prefer Sprit if you don't mind, I haven't done anything bad now have I?" Celestia nods point taken. "Is there anything I should know about you?" Moon pauses putting her drink down "There's some things I need to tell you, like that I lied to you a few days back, about Nightmare Moon. but I'll get to that." "Right, well, besides that?" "Only that I will end anyone you included that harms Nyx, I need her....just like she needs me...." Moon drops her head frowning, her hair covering her face. "What is that supposed to mean?" Celestia asks, "You'd kill me if you knew." Celestia grins taking a drink "Try me, I've learned to trust you." Moon look her in eye, then goes back to her drink, tears forming in her eyes "Celestia let me ask you something, do....do you know or fear death?" Celestia blinks surprised "Immortality shows you how precious and short life truly is, as for fearing death? You nearly put me in the ground twice now, so yes I do, though less then my subjects behind me sadly." the two continuous to drink, pouring form the bottle, "Well, let me tell you my future, at best, Nyx will take me in, thus the end of the Nightmare forever, at worst, well you know what happens." Celestia frowns "The future is not set in stone my fellow goddess, But what makes you say such things?" "Celestia, I...Nightmare Moon, IS me....or she was, Look it complicated but basically, the Nightmare that died by in Emblem, she wants to be whole again, I'm safe given I'm dead but she will come for Nyx. I can keep her at bay but not forever, that's why I'm teaching Nyx what I am. one way or another we are going to face each other, and I pray I loss." Celestia gets serious "I see...and I take it you want me to keep quite about it?" Moon nods "That's not the only thing I have to tell, but I'm keeping that to myself. Tell your sister if you must, but that's it got it? Oh and Celestia," "Yes?" "Don't worry about Twilight, its not her time, and that is a long time coming ha, ha."Celestia nods "To Twilight?" she raises her glass, "To Nyx," they clang there drinks and proceed to finish the bottle. Location unknown "Wake up, wake up my little pony....Twilight!" Twilight bolts upright "I'm up!" she turns to see a glowing white alicorn with red hair, "Your not Celestia...Who are you....and where am I?" she stagers taking a look around. "The afterlife, my home to be precise." The alicorn says, "Am I...." "No, just drifting out of consciousness, Your daughter is very good at what she is doing to you." Twilight looks down to see her black body, "You got a mirror?" she is presented with one, "Nyx?....Baby are you....ok?" "She can't hear you Mrs. sparkle, she's sleeping." Twilight turns to the left to see a transparent Nyx sleeping next to her, "You feeling better?" Twilight nods then turns back to the Alicorn "And you are?" the alicorn sits down in front of nearby desk a typewriter a top it "Lauren Faust, to you a goddess, I do hear your prayers after all." Twilight starts to bow "Don't I hate when ponies and people alike find themselves inferior to me, true as that may be, I consider everyone equal, we are in death after all." Twilight gets up and notices her wings "When did I get these?" she flaps them a few times to find that they work, "A result of Nyx's 'bounding' with you so deeply, they will disappear when she releases you." Twilight now gets a better view of the room they are in, white but not overwhelmingly bright walls surround them, the desk is across from a chest on the other side of the room, the bed she awoke on was behind her. "So why are we having this conversation?" Twilight asks watching Faust work, "You have been having trouble with Nightmare Moon have you not?" Twilight looks at her "Well yaeh she NIGHTMARE MOON of course I have problems with her!", Faust sighs "Don't forsake her Twilight she had done more then you know, she is troubled by something that no medicine can cure, as you may have guessed Celestia and Luna are some of my blessed children, alicorns are rare for a reason, you must prove yourself, Celestia and Luna persevered with their mastery of Sun and Moon and defeated discord, Cadance her love. Nightmare Moon is what you would call a 'Bastard' child of mine, still if your present situation is anything, she was meant to be something more." When Twilight asks what Nightmare Moon was for, the answer is not was she expected "Well as her name would imply she has to do with dreams, Luna filled that roll but Nightmare Moon was the original, she was....corrupted by what I don't know." Faust sighs continuing to type, "How can you not know?" Twilight now worriedly asks, "I am not all knowing Twilight, there are things even I can not foresee." Nyx suddenly rouses herself smacking her lips a few times "What... where are we?" Twilight turns "Welcome to the afterlife apparently, don't worry we're not dead." Nyx gives a "I knew that" look then turns to Faust "Tell me....Am I....you know," Nyx lowers her head sadly "Nyx look at me, beauty is only skin deep you are the Daughter of the element of magic, just as she will surpass her mentor you will surpass her" When Nyx bring up the point about being adopted "Have you not looked at your hair my dear, that is enough of Twilights blood can influence you appearance, well what does that make her?" Nyx looks at her mother, "I...never really thought about that." is Twilight's response. "So what was it you where saying about Moon?" Nyx asks, Faust sighs "I can not say, she wishes to keep it hidden so only she will tell you. You will learn in time child, for now all I can say is beware the true Nightmare." Nyx nods respecting Nightmare Moons privacy, "Well its been fun but I think you should go, Captain Werner is getting worried about you." the world goes white and they find themselves back in the library. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Twilight gets up and looks down, Nyx still attached to her, "Honey don't you think you can come off now?" "Not yet still healing your bullet wounds." Twilight walks into the kitchen to make some late dinner grabbing some ice-cream, "Say where did Nexus and the Changelings and Proper Educate go?" "Nexus and Educate are upstairs asleep by the feels, probably for the best, The Changelings I suspect probably went back into the fight" with that out of the way she returns to library common room. Back in the common room, she finds her friends had just walked into the library from the sudden rainstorm, "Rainbow did we really need this weather? The night has been depressing enough as is." Rarity complains drying herself, "You want to wake up tomorrow to find the town coated in blood among other things?" the blue Pegasus returns. Applejack with a bag full of medical supplies plops down by the fire, Fluttershy taking note of Twilight "OH, twilight are you ok, we heard you were attacked," Nyx takes this moment to speak "How's the good Captain?" the pegasus motions with her head to a sleeping human with cuts and a few patched holes in his coat and a half empty bottle of medical whiskey in one hand. "Thank god he's ok... Oh, sorry Twilight" Nyx fades and Twilight continues where she left off "I'm ok Fluttershy, as you can see Nyx saved my life." Twilight motions with her hoof, everypony stares long and hard at Twilights black coat and wings, "Nyx...did that to you?" Fluttershy asks, "Awesome!" Rainbow says getting bad looks from everyone, she lands on the floor shamed. "Well, I at least your dressed for funeral!" Pinkie says popping in, Nyx hits her with weak bolt to show how funny that was, "Owww, what black is a traditional funeral attire." the five ponies start asking questions and Twilight quiets them, one at a time she answers slowly. At the end of this flurry of questions AJ does a quick summary "So, let me get this straight, Nyx is covering you from the neck down healing your wounds and is....in your blood? creepy if you ask me, and she is able to talk though you? fair enough." Nyx makes a quick comment on how the blood thing was just to heal the wounds quicker. "Hay Nyx, now's a good a time as any to try out my blessing powers," Twilight states realizing everypony is here, "Careful Mom last thing we need is elemental zombies" Nyx warns but allows, "Girls would you mind if I....Tried something on you?" "What is it suger?" AJ asks, "Well, just a blessing spell, nothing to worry about, I need to try it some time right?" AJ raises an eyebrow "You have no idea what your doing do you?" a nope is her answer, "What's the worst that could happen? I mean its only....Wait this isn't like last time is it?" Rainbow says eyeing Twilight, "It's...not the same, you might even get some use from it." one huddle discussion later, "The worst that could happen?" AJ says suspiciously. "You all become mind slaved zombies...hehehe" "Could be worse, we could BE zombies." Rainbow steps forward, Twilight blows some smoke in her face and she eyes dilate a moment, "ugh...Twilight what you do...to..." she bows, "My queen." "Hold on I got this" Nyx does a goes to do a few tweaks only to get hit by something "Ow what?" she then remembers the Elements of Harmony protect there bearers, "Oh, right, be gentle with it." she slowly worms her way to the blessing "Ok what's the problem this time...ok Twilight drain it a little," Twilight does that and Rainbows eye flicker a few times, she then looks at Twilight angrily "Don't ever do this again if you can help it." she walks over to a corner to fume. Twilight then tries Applejack and Pinkie Pie, both stare a moment scrunching there eyes shut, "This is new, what about you AJ?" "Ugh...my head hurts, mind if I go take a nap?" Twilight offers her the couch as Nyx helps ease AJ's pain, Pinkie meanwhile starts poking Nyx about how cool the Mind net was. "Pinkie can you please stop, that hurts, at least your adapting well." Pinkie immediately hits the hay by passing out by J.J., Fluttershy is next and "How do you feel?" Fluttershy stares for only a moment then puts her hooves over her heart "Comforted and... warm." Twilight nods and Nyx says to her "I hope the Elements aren't messing with them, then again yours didn't put up a fight at all...odd now that I think about it." Twilight says it was simply a matter of trust between them and heads off to bed, "Wait, we should probably make sure Celesta and Moon got home safe." "Twilight I'm not going to ask about her drinking habits but she'll be fine, she has her worst enemy to protect her, who's gonna mess with that?" "That is the exact reason I'm worried." Twilight slips out of the dim lit room and goes off to find the two possibly drunken alicorns. Twilight did have reason to worry, said alicorns had just finished there 5th bottle of crimson whisky and a split bottle of spiced rum. "HaHha, he actually fell for that, what a idut, HIC, o dat was a good one, did I ever tell you about the look on Sombra's face when I iced him?" "No you didn't in fact you never came to my birthday party, why would you HIC, do that to a pour old mare like me." Yeah....Not good, still all things considered they where still sober, more or less, Moon pops some more bits on the bar, "So frosty tele me why are you so nice to us...I mean shuld ad we have gone home by now?" "Well you alicorns certainly know how to hold your liquor you are no exception miss Moon, still probably best if you called it a night don't you?" Moon asks for some ghost peppers and bits one, "YOW!!! HOT HOT, HOT!!!" takeing a few gulps of the bottle of black wine she bought, she taps Celestia on the shoulder, "Come sister, lets get you home." Celestia finishes her drink and takes a smaller bit of the pepper, "AWW, HOT!!" and takes a sip of some sweet milk frosty had handed them, "How much?" Moon asks the barkeep as Celestia wonders to the door her own sister having had a few victory drinks as well, "Let's see, yes carry the 2, 300 bits" "Ouch, curse my drinking mates, her, this should cover it." she puts a pair of silver earrings on the bar, "Those are worth 800 minimum, quite the beauties aren't they?" Frosty eyes the earrings closely, "Where did you get something like this, you can keep them there that much of a treasure." the earrings in question belonged to Luna's family and by extension Celestia's (They are sisters but there family's never did see eye to eye ya fallow me? Besides there parents of course) "Alright long as ya don't mind your bits black," she plops them down and he looks them over, "Fine by me they were minted in the same way after all." the 3 alicorns stumble into the street heading for the Library. The Tune of My Little Pony could be heard for blocks sang from the slightly tipsy barber shop trio that consisted of Luna, Celestia and Nightmare Moon, Twilight on the other hoof found it quite useful, finding the 3 with ease "Are you drunk? again?" Moon looks up "Lil bit" she tries to squint her hoof to visually show it, "Right, well come on there plenty of room back home," Twilight takes her mentor by over her shoulder and Moon takes Luna, "Moon have I ever told you how I missed you?" Luna says clearly drunker then the others, "No and personally I never thought you did." "Well, I did, I loved are little chats about everypony, why where they so dum eh? why did they have to sleep, surely someone had to be up in the night to keb watch over de stock no?" Moon just nods as Luna rattles on about mares of the night. "And why does everyone blame you? I was the one da HIC, blocked out the sun... I was the da Made you what you are...does that make me your mother?" Moon freezes in place a moment, "What? Oh hell No! Not in the traditional sense anyway, still you gave me physical form so...that's something right?" Luna nods, "Ya know I like you...you, your a good pony, anyone that says otherwise is ether Drunk or blind...I will...will...What were we talking about?" Everypony brakes out laughing "Luna sadly since your the drunk one that sentence is a contradiction," "I'm not drunk! Your eyes are funny, why are they slits anyway....they kind of look like..." "Say it and I will put you down for nap!" Moon snaps covering Luna's mouth, "I'd ask if I didn't already know...eww" Nyx comments from the safety of Twilights mind, Twilight herself giggling at Moon's expense, they deposit Luna and Celestia in the spare bedroom together, the two clinging to each other for warms "What I wouldn't give for picture of this, there sOOo cute together" Twilight scolds her Daughter for such a thought only to turn around and say "That's not very nice Nyx, besides, its better if you paint it." quite laughter ensues as the 2 head for bed. March 17th Sunday morning Having sobered up the Princesses decide to follow Twilight to church that morning, the small stone building having beautiful glass windows and a red carpet down the middle with about 14 or some benches on each side, "We wish... we hope... we dream... we pray. By the princesses' rule, light our way." a congregation of ponies chants as they walk in. "Oh, hello everypony, I hope you don't mind the mess, we had a lot of cleaning to do after last night." I said a black robe around my normal dressings, "Your a priest J.J?", "No but I like speaking, I got these years ago from some old guy that wanted to pass them to someone, I always was the spiritual type when needed." Nyx at this point lets Twilight go and forms on the floor, "Man you have no idea how good that feels at times," she says slight history form her long period of bounding, "You ok my little princess?" Moon, Celestia and Luna all take a seat next to each other, the Elements taking seats in front of them, Nyx Next to Twilight, "When this is over we need talk Mare," Nyx messages, "Fine, I have some things to confess anyway, hopefully Faust wont smite me." Nyx recalling the conversation from last night, droughts such a thing. Some ponies walk in some looking more hurt from the fight last night then others, many still wearing there trademark pins, one mare in particular takes a seat next to Nyx, "You ok miss, you seem in pain." the mare looks down at Nyx, "just a flesh wound, lost a knife fight ya know..urg, I'll be fine child of the Night," Nyx looks around a moment noticing the camaraderie of all the former enemies that just hours ago where cutting each others throats. She turns to the mare "Let me have a look, please?" she even puts on the pout face, the mare unbuttons her suday best and has Nyx inspect her chest "Here this should help, you like the rest over there should see a doctor." Nyx snaps a bone back in place causing the mare to flinch hard, but still she thanks Nyx and gets back to worship. Moon leans on Celestia whispering "Psst, what's with everyone treating last night like its another day at the office?" Even Celestia had no answer, "Perhaps they see it as pointless after the fact, think about it, all of Ponyville accepts Nyx for who she is, the rest of Equestira on the other hand, that's hit and miss." Filthy Rich walks up behind them "Repenting for your sins Mrs. Moon?" he asks, Moon returning the greeting with "Your money not buying you happiness?" he smiles at the comeback and sits. The service itself it not much different from a Christian service, (as in generic Christianity none specifically, so use your imagination.) probably because they where so similar apart from the ponies obviously, As a joke I put "Awful Beautiful Life" on the record player, Despite the inward groaning on a few faces, everyone gets up and sings to it, if only because of the irony of what most did last night. The service when by without a hitch, if only a few ponies questioning Nightmare Moons, unholy presence in there eyes, the only response they get out of her is "If your goddess wants me dead let her kill me in do time, or I would be dead already." everypony fills out of the church and the royals fly off to Canterlot, "So, you wanted to talk Nyx?" Moon says slightly curious "Yes, but here, publicly I mean...I know there's something going on with you, I want to know ok. I want to help you." With Twilight in tow they head out of Ponyville and into the surrounding hills, finding a Willow tree they cut inside, "This should do. So Talk, what is it your hiding from me, us?" Moon frowns "She told you didn't she?" a nod confirms a yes, Moon sighs "If I tell you it will only get worse, please try to understand, I want to tell you...but if I do, Well you probably can guess what happens." Nyx presses forward "I know but can at least tell me why then? surely there is a reason for it?" Moon stays silent, Twilight tries a different approach "Nightmare Moon, listen I...know what your doing, but please why...why is 'she' after Nyx?" Moons eyes widen in horror, "You know...dame...Its nothing you can solve Twilight, I should know, you've tried." she points to the watch Nyx has in her vest pocket, Twilight having some knowledge of time spells, nods "So, what do we need to do?" "You can't be serious?" "I am quite serious, now what can we do?" Nightmare Moon thinks a moment "What can you do? Well you can start by digging around for ritual spells, the one that brought us Nyx is the best bet but I suppose any will do, of that nature of course, or a fusion spell now that think about it." Twilight armed with this new information, heads home to do some research, Nyx meanwhile stays and continues to ask questions, "So Who are you, truthfully who?" "You I suppose, the only difference your a child, and I...am a ghost of an old mare." "Not true, your just as alive as me, sort of...for the moment anyway, if I can be saved, so can you, and I will be DAMED if I don't keep that promise." Moon looks at Nyx a sad expression on her face "Even if you have to die? If so you are truly my equal, Queen of the night." Nyx recites her dying words "As long as there is breath in my lung, I will continue to protect ponies. That includes the likes of you Nightmare Moon." Tears, tears are all that Nyx hears as Moon drops to ground and cries, "sniff" "sniff" "Blessed thee child, perhaps...perhaps their is hope after all, I wont get my hopes up but... 'sniff' its comforting." Moon gets back up wiping the tears off her face "How about we go to the Everfree castle, there is a lot of history we need to catch up on." Everfree forest Antumbra's hive outpost Antumbra walks the halls of her subterranean, Hive, quite the nice place over all, the walls had some indication of where to go, plenty of space to expand, and the best part, no pony would ever find it since none ever venture into the Everfree, less there looking for trouble. "My Queen the Nightmare has been spotted with the child," a scout reports from the shadowy bushes of the Everfree, "Keep watch I want her every move known" Antumbra orders, her children always did as they were told, but weren't unknown to do as they saw fit, a habit of being more free then most changelings. She descends a few levels to where she held her prisoners and sighs "Can't call myself much different when I employ the same methods as my enemies...a necessary evil for us really." she starts to wish she had the crystal heart or something like it, "!" wait, Didn't Amore give me one...the Emerald heart, yes...THATS IT! she calls on her historians "Scribes, record keepers look through are records for the Emerald heart, or some reference to a heart" "Yes your highness" Antumbra smiles at a trapped Chrysalis through a crystal ball, said Changeling having been defeated not once but twice by Twilight sparkle "And who said who would be the death of are race hmm? still I need to free her, assuming she doesn't free herself, maybe diplomacy and blunt diplomacy at that would do...hmm I'll have to think on that. Ugh...right lay eggs first, Then I should head back to my favorite couple, hope Candace hasn't lost it seeing my converts as they truly are," she buzzes off to the nursery to do just that, happy laying 30 new children to add to her swarm, then heads catches the next train to the Crystal Empire. Golden Oaks library Dear Spell Nexus I know this is probably a bad time but I...need your expertise in some research, since you are well aware of Nightmare Moon's presence I will assume you are aware of her troubles and desires, well I wish to aid her. I know crazy right, Me helping Nightmare moon, I feel nuts just saying it, still any information you can provide on advanced use of magic in rituals, summoning's and well whatever you used to give life to Nyx, I welcome it. I don't trust her don't get me wrong, but don't want her to suffer, worse yet whatever has come to her my harm Nyx. that is what I am chiefly concerned with and why I wish to aid her, we're making a deal with the devil here, but maybe like Nyx a angel under all that black. Sincerely your acquaintance Twilight Sparkle "That should be all spike send it." Twilight wraps up and Spike her trusty purple drake sands it off to Canterlot, She then returns to her studies as pile after pile of books both about Nightmare Moon, Luna and what advanced magic she had on hand. "aright lets see, summoning, summoning rituals....this looks good, now fusion ritual and.....hmm this might work," No sooner had she found something, theirs a knock at the door, Knock-Knock "Ugh....who could that be?" opening the door Spell Nexus walks in, notes and books aplenty, "You rang Mrs. Sparkle?" he says with a smile, "Oh, right I think I found something that would work," Twilight shows him the spell, "Your thinking to small Twilight, we are talking about bringing someone back from the dead, its harder then it looks not to mention quite the investment." Ignoring that last bit Twilight just says "You going to help or not?" Spell Nexus gives her a strange look "Aren't you forgetting something Twilight, the spirit lurking over her?" "How do you know?" "Who says I did?....It shows Twilight, I saw it in her eyes last night, fear, power, it was there, there is something else I feel I need to tell you," "What?" "If Nyx and her ever 'Bound' as you put it, I fear one of them will disappear. they are parts of the same puzzle after all." When Twilight asks what that means Nexus explains that Nyx while is living, she is not a complete being, not that she needed the part that's missing but its there, "So your saying my Daughter is not truly my daughter?", "What I'm saying Mrs. Sparkle is that because Nyx didn't take in the 'thing' that was controlling me, we find ourselves in this situation, I asked Miss Moon about it once." "Right lets get to work, there's plenty of provisions in the kitchen if you need them." with that they both literally and metaphorically hit the books. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Meanwhile back in the Everfree "Moon I think we're being watched," Nyx says taking in the surroundings, "It's just the changelings and wildlife, nothing to fear." Moon reassures her, eying her peripheral vision, "How do you know? This place is feared for a reason." Moon looks down at Nyx "Have you forgotten the fact that you brought the wrath of us down on them, they KNOW us, the changelings meanwhile are simply keeping watch for there hive, I think there's one here somewhere or they wouldn't be here." Nyx nods processing the logic, "Ya know this place isn't so bad, dare I say it has a beauty all its own." the strange shadows and lighting certainly made for a lovely portrait, "Discord is the reason this place is like this, I know his power all too well, still if the sisters thought they undid everything he did, there wrong, still what happened here isn't coming out to play anytime soon." When Nyx asks if they should tell them, "Its too late to stop it now, all we can do is wait, besides there is something in this forest I want to show you, hop on." Moon drops to her knees and Nyx climbs her wing, the two then zoom though the forest Moon skillfully dodging a stray branch or two. The pair soon find themselves at a familiar rickety bridge that had seen better days, "Now where is..... ah ha there's the stairs." looking to left a stair case lead down into the canyon surrounding the castle, "what's down there?" Moon looks at Nyx with a smile "Something special I need to get something from, but it wont recognize me you see." Moon flies down into the canyon and slowly walks into a cave, soon they come across a glowing light, and in turn a crystal tree, "Wow, what is this place?" Nyx says in aw, "The birthplace of the Elements that your mother and friends now bear." Suddenly crystals pop out of the ground, "You still won't accept me will you Harmony? I understand. Nyx see if you can get closer." Nyx flutter down from her back, and slowly approaches the tree, "child.....of the night" "Did you hear that?" Nyx asks searching for the source "It can't speak like you can Nyx, just open your ears, and listen." Nyx slowly approaches the tree and drops to her knees her head in her hooves, "Odd, child what are you?" Nyx realizes the wind around her is speaking to her "Nyx, Nyx Nightmare Sparkle, daughter of Twilight Sparkle, bearer of the element of Magic, Student of Princess Celestia, Sister to...." "We know this child, and you are?" "Nyx, Nightmare Moons reincarnation....does that make me like her?" Nyx asks tilting her head toward Moon, "Hmm No you look like her...but you do not feel like her....yes, and we see you have proven yourself to be as well, perhaps....." the wind dies a moment and Nyx inspects the tree closely, she Notices 6 holes in the crystal bark, Hay wait the elements could fit in those holes, and are those the princesses cute marks? she looks at the star in the center and sees a small branch grow above it, soon a shield forms and flouts down in front of Nyx, "for me?" the wind somehow gives a nod, the moment Nyx touches it she feels empowered "protection, my she serve you well child of the night." the shild turns into a crow that pops onto Nyx's head, "Sorry but I'm no princess" as if in response the crown turns into a neckless Moon having noticed this says "Personally the crown suits you better, but I suppose it will return to that form if you wish it." The two leave the cave and as Nyx looks up at Moon she notices something's different "Hay Moon, have your eyes always been blue?" Surprised Moon has Nyx show her in her pocket watch mirror, "That's new....Oh dear, I hope that doesn't mean what I think it does, let get moving." she refuses to say anything further and they head into the old crumbling ruins of the Royal pony sisters castle. As they move into the castle the two take in the sights, "To think we caused all this." Nyx says taking note of the various holes in the ceiling, "Not all of it Nyx, most of this was from the passing of time since Celestia went from here to Canterlot and never came back, strange don't you think that she left he elements here." The Throne room with a throne for each sister was had a hole in roof from where they flew away, the glass still destroyed, the red carpet none existent, "So this is where...I, we fell?", "Yep right at the top of those stairs, But that's not why I brought you here. For now I just want get to know you or rather you want to get to know me, That and I have something I need to confess, but its better if I showed you." Nyx knows she's in for another possible gruesome flashback, but agrees. The two make there way to library "Here we are, there is bound to be some knowledge in here we can use," Nyx takes note of the dust "Maybe we can clean this place up a little, dust it off maybe," Moon finds the idea a bit tedious but likes it, the two then sit down and dive into the library's contents of ancient books. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Canterlot Castle 1:00pm Spell Nexus Having teleported to Canterlot to seek some advice from Celestia, nervously made his way though the castle to parlor he knew where he could find the Royal sisters, or sister if Luna was still in bed. Bad memories of what happened about year ago, stuck to the front of his mind, even so he finds Celestia sipping some Tea, by the scent, something from Saddle Arabia he guessed, "Princess can we talk?" he asks bowing, "Spell Nexus you know how much I hate bowing, of course what's on your mind my little pony?" Celestia asks pouring a second cup and handing him a seat. he takes a deep breath, clearly depressed still Celestia offers him some encouragement "Is Moon still getting to you sire?" by teasing him, "WHAT! How do you.....nevermind not important, and yes she is, happy Sunbutt?" "Feel better?" she returns, laughing off her nickname. "A little, anyway I need your wisdom on something have a look at this," he shows her some notes and book he brought with him, "It talks about 'the original 3 magics' what are they?" Celestia for her part stare at the notes closely Well well, they survived after all "Nexus what I'm about to tell you very few know of, tell me does this ritual involve an alicorn?" a yes is his replay "Then tell me what are the magics of an alicorn?" "The wings for flight and control of the weather, unicorn horn and magic is self-explanatory, and the strength and endurance of earth ponies along with possible magic with plants right?" "Plants? If you mean there gardening skills then no, what most ponies don't know is that earth ponies do have magic, just not in the traditional sense," When Nexus asks if she is referring to alchemy she shakes her head "A long time ago, Earth ponies possessed magic similar to Unicorn magic except it was more...natural based rather then arcane, for example they could grow plants almost simultaneously and they would blossom in seconds, but also they had there own arsenal of combat spells among others. Sadly the last bastion of this magic was lost in the crystal empire 1000 years ago, and even now that it has returned they don't seem to remember it." Nexus asks "So what am I or rather me and Twilight to do then?" "Twilights helping you? Excellent, Nexus give this to her, I want her to go to the empire and find any and all evidence to Earth pony magic. I happen to recall the tomb of the founders might hold the key to unlocking it, it wont be easy however, they are natural cautious of any but earth ponies or there own kind." "There own kind princess? Are they really so different?" Celestia frowns "They along with a few unicorn and pegasi sympathizers went to where the Crystal Empire now stands, to get away from the unicorns and pegasi that seemed to control them, not like before but you can imagine. The ponies discovered that they had Crystal magic as well as Earth magic, basically if its natural or in the earth they can manipulate it. The crystal heart is there crowning achievement and from what I heard they made more then one, one they gave to a changeling, how I wish I had met her, and the other was buried with the 3 founders in the tomb, to honor them of course. sadly I have no idea where that is." Nexus takes the letter and premises to deliver it, "But Princess, I've been told you ran into a changeling queen when you confronted Sombra? surely that was the changeling you speak of," He immediately regrets being specific when Celestia asks "Who said it was queen?" "Your sister, if you recall J.J asked her once." buying the excuse Celestia calms "Well do you know that she is....related to Luna?" Its Nexus's turn to look stunned, "Excuse me?" "I know my niece when I see her, she came during the royal wedding, disguised as Luna's with Nightmares eyes, not many know how she looked back then, myself aside she is the only one I know that would." "So wait, your sister has a changeling for...." he looks around "A daughter?" Celestia nods, "I know she's alive If Captain Warner's little show at the award ceremony after the war was anything to go by, also Luna has been very perky lately, and when she...fell I recall something or rather someone scream 'Mother' before she was knocked out of sight." Nexus thanks her for the information but before he leaves he asks "If she just dropped in to say hi would you be surprised?" "More then I dare to admit, and if you bump into her, tell her I miss her just as much as her mother. Good luck Nexus and with luck I just might be able to stick it to some of those more elitist snobs I call nobles." Nexus laughs remembering why he didn't do politics, the two part an Luna comes out of the curtains "You knew?" "But of course Luna it didn't help that she kept close to me while you where away. Besides she left a note, before she left my castle staff years ago, having been satisfied that I would not end my life over you." Luna smiles and looks to the forest she is still closer then you'd like Tia. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Meanwhile elsewhere in Canterlot Much to my surprise I got a letter from a Mr. Lord Phoenix wishing to speak with me, that morning I hoped on a train to Canterlot and met him at a rather fancy resterant, or rather I was supposed to. When I showed up he was not there so I sit down and the waiter asks "Anything for sir?", "Hmm, just some wine, white wine, someone asked me here, must be running late." after about ten minutes he shows himself, "Forgive me MR. Werner, traffic you know." he says casually, "Right, so you want to chat or get straight to business?" His expression shows his surprise that I could read him that quickly, "Why not both, you see we clearly hate each other but perhaps for the wrong reasons." I give him a skeptical look, "Politics or 'shady' business?" I say taking a sip of wine, "Again both, from my prospective anyway, Tell what do you think of me? Don't hold back now, King of the Night." I glare at him, "Funny, still its true, since I married Nyx. What do I think of you? You are the head of the Knights of Ra, that worship Celestia's Butt far more then any healthy stallion or mare should. Also you are...intriguing since we're talking right now," He grins "like you don't? its hardly a secret you know, as for the second part where you expecting more?" taking a sip of wine. I blush "Guilty I admit, but who hasn't am I wrong? Surely you didn't call me here to just talk, then again since your drinking the same thing I am its not poisoned." He nods putting his hooves together "I recall you have a weird habit of riding to the middle of the battlefield and offering the enemy surrender, is this really so different?" Point taken I nod "So what do you want hmm? and if you don't mind being honest, did you order that attack in Ponyville?" he looks at me eyebrow raised, then takes a breath "I had nothing to do with anything in Ponyville, I ordered them to watch Nyx not kill or kidnapper her, I simply want to understand you Captain, just as you want to me." "So Ponyville was just you overzealous ponies becoming even more overzealous? sound about right?" he nods "What do you want to know, I mean, we both back a princess, future princess in my case if she chooses, we both lead large groups of ponies and in my case other things. We both are in the upper class, anything else?" He looks to window "Do you believe what you do is for the best, the right thing to do?" "You do know both Luna and Celestia used to be war horses right? that's only expiation I have for what I saw Tia do to your predecessors, she is still fit to rule due to emotional trauma at the time." I look at him a soft eyed look on my face "There's nothing good about war Mr. Phoenix, We all have are differences, still perhaps we can come to an arrangement?" He actually looks shocked "Arrangement?" I explain that since he has a beef with Nightmare Moon, not Nyx that once Nightmare Moon is free we could help keep an eye on her, "Are you mad? she should just die don't you agree?", "Sir, she is different from before I know so, Look she had the familiar Nightmare barring down on her, by the gods she will not go quietly, how about we...work together against a common foe, after that we can go kill each other later, sound good?" Phoenix laughed out loud "oh, oh Mr. Werner you are a riot, I agree but, you do realize Nyx isn't on my agenda, I've seen her in person myself, As you say she is not the Mare in the Moon we new. That does not mean I don't keep my eyes on her." Right, "cough, cough" bullshit "That would explain the Blackcoat's killing you, I have no authority over them less they let me, so I have no dought there watching us at the moment." I glance out the window, yep there their in shadows, "Thing is....Look the back and forth between us, it's getting old Phoenix, what are you after? Are you afraid of my quote "gang" or do you have something else in mind?" He glances at my watch slowly ticking on the table, "Look at it this way, we both have are personal agendas right? You wish to protect Equestira, so do I, we simply go about it are own way, You believe in equilibrium, and I see both Nyx and this Nightmare as a threat. Its not that am Zealous as you put it, just highly concerned Celestia's age is catching up with her actions, if you will." I nod finding Celestia's actions since I met her questionable at times "I think we're done here, good luck and my the best man win?" he shakes my hand "God have mercy on our souls, Captain." The two of us pay the bill and part ways, satisfied we understand each other. He is a zealot who cant see the pony behind Nyx's appearance or Luna for that matter, and I am the black knight of Nightmares court, a funny set of circumstances to be sure, such is the way the chips fall. out of the corner of my eye, I notice Luna slip into the shadows, Guess she heard everything, poor girl, I decided to head back to Ponyville to help Twilight. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Back in Ponyville Nexus for once was grateful for teleportation, having popped back into Twilights library in same spot he left, "Mrs. Sparkle I'm back!" he announces to wall of paper, "Over here, what did she say?" Twilight says sorting the papers aside, "Geez I forgot how much you love this kind of work, the good news is that I got and answer, the bad news is its not straight forward," Nexus gives the explanation Celestia gave him, "Earth pony magic huh? That makes sense given the massive increase in magic in alicorns, so do we know anyone that can do that?" "Mrs. Sparkle, no pony far as I'm aware even knows about this, other then the Crystal ponies that is, but even they clearly have no memory of their past. A pity Sombra is no longer with us, he seemed to know a thing or two." Twilight not sharing his sympathy sighs "Well lets wrap this up and see if we can find any references to earth magic, or crystal" Nexus compacts the notes into packets twirling them around himself, setting them aside, they start by looking at books that spoke of the Crystal Empire and other history books. As they speed read and flip though books, Nexus find a odd book, "What's this?" he find a old looking book with The crystal Royal family crest on it, "Twilight have you seen this book?" Twilight looks if over, "No, and by the looks its in a foreign language, maybe Radiant knows it." Nexus familiar with the Changelings agrees, the book in question looked almost brand new, it had 2 crystal hearts with gold lace, similar to Candance's cutie mark, the name of it being A black wolf among sheep, a changelings life "By the way did anyone tell you that there former Crystal ponies?" Twilight looks at him "You serious?" "Yes, she talked about King Sombra to me like he was an old friend, so yes, she is at least, the others well there less forth coming with that information." Twilight nods remembering to ask about that later, "Lets keep looking maybe we can find some old books about the Empire in here." the two dive back into there study session, now on a more focused field of study.
The Nightmare's secretsRuins of the Royal sisters castle Sunday March 17th "Hey Moon forgive me for prying but what's it like on Moon?" the mare in turn, sputters slightly and look at Nyx with a hard glare, it softens "Well, Celestia told you how, you simply sleep, but when your not it is quite, lonely and insanity inducing, I was lucky I had Luna for company, I'd be lying if I said we were roommates. On the plus side your not completely cut from the world you can look down and see what the world is like if you feel like it." Nyx takes that comforting thought, then returns to the book, "Ya know, when ever I look back, I can't imagine coming back to find my mother dead, I would probably though myself off a cliff for just that." Moon nods in agreement, "Think how Luna feels, by the way what did Faust actually tell you?" "Just to be weary of the True Nightmare....You know what that means?" Moon nods, "Nyx there's something I need to show you here, I could tell you but its better if I show you, Its about her follow me," The two head into the castle halls passing various rooms, only to come to a pipe organ, "Here we are, now where did Tia leave that sheet music?" Moon goes to rummage though some of the scattered remnants of the castle, Nyx meanwhile looks at the organ "Does it work?", "Yes surprisingly enough, Ah ha here we are." Moon dusts off some music sheets and takes her seat at the organ, Nyx sits next to her, "Ready for another trip down memory lane?" "Is it going to be like last time?" "No just a lot more depressing, and if were lucky you just might get to meet Nightmare Moon, what's left of her." Moon press a few keys till she gets it right and starts humming a old tune, Nyx meanwhile spaces out as the world around the two falls away to another flashback, Moon grabs Nyx putts the organ on autoplay with her magic and brings the filly and herself to floor, "I'm right here with you Nyx." she to falls to the floor, coming to the same mental state Nyx is. Nightmare Moon and Nyx for her themselves in a familiar castle, "So where are we this time?" Nyx asks, "Shortly after Luna's banishment, Celestia should start any moment now." just as Moon stops speaking Celestia walks into the room, opens a book and starts to write, by the way she moves her pen its clearly her diary, and she is clearly distressed, she starts to sing, and says "Dear diary," the whole scene changes, Luna and Celestia stare at each other though a pane of glass, on one side the moon and space, the other Equestira and the sun over head. Celestia is writing in her diary at the moment while moving around the room. (Here some links if your unfamiliar with this song Luna's reply andLullaby for a Princess and finally Duet Version) I should've never done this. Please, Sister, why can't you just take me back. Please... Fate has been cruel and order unkind How can I have sent you away? How could I have hurt them this way? The blame was my own, My punishment's mine. The harmony's silent today. But into the stillness I'll bring you a song But into that stillness you brought me your song And I will your company keep With your voice my company kept Till your tired eyes and my lullabies For your tired eyes and sweet lullabies Have carried you softly to sleep In exile I pay you my debt The sisters stand apart for this as they continue there song. Once did a pony shone like the sun. Look out on her kingdom and sigh. She smiled and said, "Surely there is no pony so lovely and so well beloved as I." So great was her reign, so brilliant her glory, that long was the shadow she cast, Which fell dark upon the young sister she loved and grew only darker as days and nights passed Once did a pony who gleamed like the moon, Look out on her kingdom and sigh. Dejected she cried, “Surely there is no pony “Who loves me, or finds any love in my night.” So great was her pain, she rose in rebellion against those who cared for her most. She let the Nightmare fall on those she ruled and threatened to grip them in permanent cold Lully moon princess, goodnight sister mine Lully dear Tia, goodnight sister mine Rest now in moonlight's embrace Rest now in starlight's embrace Bear up my lullaby winds of the earth. Through cloud, and through sky, and through space Carry the peace and the coolness of night, and carry my sorrow in kind Luna, you're loved so much more than you know Tia, you loved me much more than I know Forgive me for being to blind Soon did that pony take notice that others, did not give her sister her due And neither had she loved her as she deserved, She watched as her sister's unhappiness grew But such is the way of the limelight, it sweetly takes hold of the mind of its host. And that foolish pony did nothing to stop, the destruction of one who had needed her most Celestia actually growls at herself as she says this, then Luna picks up Soon did her sister do what was demanded and gave to the moonlight her due, breaking the harmony, she saved her ponies, and banished her as a wise ruler must do But such is the weight of the crown we wear, sister, Duties we always uphold. May you forgive me that foolishness mine and live on with no burden upon your soul Lully moon princess, goodnight sister mine Lully dear Tia, goodnight sister mine Rest now in moonlight's embrace Rest now in starlight's embrace May this cool lullaby reach you in dreams and ease you your passage of days May my apologies find you this night and carry my sorrow in kind Luna, you're loved so much more than you know Tia, you loved me much more than I know May troubles be far from your mind And Forgive me for being so blind The thousand years before us Empty and forlorn I never imagined I'd face them on my own I never imagined we'd face them all alone May these sunless seasons swiftly pass I pray I love you, I miss you All these miles away May all your dreams be sweet tonight safe upon your bed of moonlight And know not of heartache, fear, nor gloom And when I dream, I'll fly away to meet you there soon Sleep...Sleep...Sleep... As the scene appears to fade a dark laugh is heard followed by "That's not what heard, listen" as Moon flairs her magic and Nyx hides under her, Luna turns into Nightmare Moon appears and starts singing her own tune. (Luna's Soliloquy) Fate has been cruel and order unkind,how could you have sent me away? I sit here and gaze into stillness alone, the darkness and silence pervade. But here in my prison, my thoughts they won't fade, of power and glory and praise. ]‘Till your blinded eyes, can see your own lies, The stars will recount my last days. Once was a pony whose moon shone so bright, the stars were in awe at its glow. She smiled and said, "Surely, there is no pony who'd dare be asleep through this marvellous show." Yet where were they all? Her subjects she never,Caught sight of once shadows did fall. Their laughter and joy was but a hopeless dream, Which grew into nightmares as sun rays charmed all. Wait now, sun princess, the night will arise, so keep not my moon in its place. Tia my judgement was not yours to give and soon now we'll both meet our fates. Carry my rage, oh you shadows of night and carry my sorrow in kind. Sister, your deed hurt much more than you know, the time for my vengeance is nigh. The beams of another cast brightly on others, whose love and affection it drew. And there that moon princess watched shunned by the world, As hate filled her heart and unhappiness grew. "Why don't they adore me?" she thought to herself, as the other had no right to boast And that selfish pony did nothing to stop, the destruction of I, who had needed her most. Wait now, sun princess, the night will arise, so keep not my moon in its place. Tia my judgement was not yours to give, and soon now we'll both meet our fates. Carry my rage, oh you shadows of night and carry my sorrow in kind Sister, your deed hurt much more than you know, may guilt plague you for your great crime. For the time of my vengeance is nigh. The years now before us, fearful and unknown. I never imagined, I'd face them on my own. May these thousand winters, Swiftly pass, I pray. My pain grows, I can't know, Are you still the same? May all your dreams be sweet tonight, Safe behind your veil of sunlight. You know not my sadness, pain, or care and as you dream, I'll break away and meet you there. Sleep... Reality slowly comes back to the pair of alicorns, A shadowy Nightmare Moon stands before them, "Hmhmhm, surely you are not so naïve to believe such lies," she says taking a more solid form of Nightmare Moon. "Really now Nyx did you think you could come here and not find me around? hmm?" the mare says slowly walking down some steps in front of the pair "GET. BACK!" Moon yells stepping up to the mare, "Or what Nyx, you going to hug me again, I don't think that will work this time." Nyx for her part suddenly get hit with a wave of realization, Is she saying...No I would have noticed, wouldn't I? Nyx quickly decides to try out her new toy but tries to get some information first "So Miss Mare Why are you here hmm?" the two look at her and side step to opposite sides of the room, "Because of what you have witnessed I can feel its right to revel myself to you, you see this mare and I have been having a little....shouting match in her mind." Moon stares her carefully looking for any sign of movement "And you Nightmare are the reason I exist period. Why couldn't you just go DIE in that lake and stay DEAD!" the Nightmare chuckles wickedly "Hmhmhm did you think freeing yourself would make it so I couldn't as well, you bet a little too much my dear so here we are." Nyx pops her head out to get a better look, the spiting image of Nightmare Moon, "And just who are you exactly?" Nightmare Moon looks at the filly "Pardon the pun, but your worst Nightmare!", "Not very threating when you hear it a million times." Nyx says unable to avoid the pun, "Still its true from both of your perspectives, you Nyx, KILLED me not once but twice, and I want my life back and YOU will give it to me." A voice in the distance is heard "Over my dead body, your bitch," out of the shadows a older Nyx appears, "UGH, you again? How?", "Did you think I'd abandon dear young Nyx, parasite?" (Ok just so this doesn't confuses any of you here's some color Nyx Moon Nightmare Moon Nightmare Nyx I guess that's what I'll call her.) "I don't need you to bail me out Nyx." Moons says slightly annoyed "Clearly you need me or you wouldn't have brought me out here would you?" NM. Nyx says proceeding to stand between the alicorns, "And you should be dead!", Nightmare laughs a little "Tell that to the Mare behind you, then again I suppose it would be a bit awkward to have two twin fillies with no explanation," she then says "I see that look in your eyes Nyx, is that really just dawning on you now? How sad really, you don't recognize yourself in mirror." Nyx for her part looks up at Moon hoping for an answer, said mare sighs "Dame you all." The crescents on her flank are joined by a winged shield, her hair turns purple and even forms normal hair, "Hello Nyx, meet yourself." she says defeated dropping to her knees, Nyx comforts her "Don't beat yourself up, Mom was suspicious the whole time, besides I'd know those eyes anywhere." Moon smiles and then the two "adults" in the room continue there shouting match, "What can you honestly do against me Nyx, your weak, depressed and not even supposed to be here!" Nm. Nyx replies hard "AND YOU don't know what power is! YOU are weak, YOU are pathetic, and YOU should not exist." She snorts steam out of her snout and pops off her magic into the air, revealing the room around them. The wasn't much to look at a few decrepit pictures from the passage of time, and a few fallen stones. Nyx and Moon deciding discretion is the better part of valor decide to step back and let the two alicorn have at it, said alicorns start to circle each other. The two light there horns and clash, "You think you know what power is YOU COULDN"T EVEN SAVE YOUR OWN MOTHER!" Nyx pulls off that classic girl voice "Oh, no she didn't" moving her hoof back and forth, "Oh really, says the mare that died, cold, alone and unloved! I had Twilight to grave for me, she even want so far as to defy her Mentor, TREASON no less to be with me again!" the two blast each other, NM. Nyx landing a blow, "THAT is the POWER of friendship and love, it can make you do things no mind control ever can!" lightning arcs from NM. Nyx's horn, Nightmare teleports and uppercuts her with her hoof, "Oh really, and did you forget WHAT I gave in order to achieve my goals, I gave EVERYTHING!" her voice sounding hollow, "Ya and look where that got you," a beam knocks the wind out of Nightmare Moon and she slumps against the wall, "I don't care what you and the Mare are up to, LEAVE. NYX. OUT OF THIS. Or Faust will be the least of your problems." she kicks some dust in her face before walking over to Nyx, the Nightmare disappearing in defeat, "You should not have done that Nightmare Moon, you need to be more careful." Moon, looks at her "Well your quite the dark hero Miss Nyx...Thank you, I didn't think she would be that bold." Nightmare Nyx, sighs "You have been warned, Nightmare, I suggest you don't, waste it." she looks up at the sky, "Good Evening to you both. and Nyx, Good luck." she winks and vanishes on the wind. The two Very quickly make there way out of castle, "You should see my castle, its quick nice this time of year," Moon remarks glancing over her shoulder "You have a castle?" Nyx asks, "Nightmare Castle, says it right on the tin now doesn't it." Moon stops for a second, "Nyx there is one other thing I need to show you, take a close look at me and feel ok?" Nyx does just take slightly confused "I don't feel....HUH?" feeling a slight bump in her barrel "Your....", "Pregnant? I know stunned me too." "So does that mean Luna is.." Moon covers her mouth "No, Luna and I may have shared the same body, but....well you figure it out." enough said, "So....does she know?" Moon shakes her head, "No but I suspect she will definitely feel it when ever I give birth, ya know that special mother daughter connection thing?" Nyx blushes "Ooooh, she is going to kill youuuuu, so who's the father?" Moon makes a neighing sound "Um, oh god what was his name....he was an accountant so...silver...ah Silver Shillings he was quite loyal to Luna, and regrettably me, can't say I regret it though." "But, that's so....wrong?" Nyx says less happy then before "Is it? Hardly when your present lover is possessed by a dark sprit, I was Luna for a time you know." Nyx shakes her head "Not what I meant, but that too is just not right to me, I meant the fact you have no problem dying WITH your child, surely you would want her to live at least?" Moon looks at Nyx "I do, but the sooner we end this the better you understand me? The child means nothing to me because you are more important to me, Nyx you don't know how lucky you are, you get to have a life, I didn't.", Nyx shakes her head "Lets just....go ok, I don't want to talk about this any more." she teleports back to town, "She did that without enhancing her magic, impressive, sigh I fucked up again didn't I?" as if her baby could answer. She teleports as well, wishing to skip the trip though the forest. Ponyville Library 7:00pm Nexus head off to bed having been tired out from the research into the Crystal Empire, Twilight meanwhile just kept on going, two cups of coffee next to her, with more to come he guessed. Nyx walks though the door head to the floor, Twilight turns "Oh, Nyx your back...What's the matter sweetie?" taking note of Nyx's depression. "I don't want to talk about it." She moves up the stairs and goes to her room. Moon walks in "Nyx, come back, I'm sorry I just....damit all to hell." Twilight turns looking at her "What happen, another memory?", Moon sighs "That's part of it I suspect, I'll let her give you the details when she's ready. I...I'm just... gonna go ok." She vanishes and Twilight sighs deeply "Guess this can wait, it will be better if Nyx cheers up." She calls on Star for second time since she met her "Star, what happened out there? Do you know?" the spectral pony forms in front of Twilight, her coat the same as Twilight if a few shades darker, the mane was pink with a violet strip, the opposite of Twilights, and her eyes where still slits but now where blue. "Miss Sparkle...I'm not sure I should tell you, its private you understand?" Twilight nods but presses anyway, "They met the True Nightmare, and Nyx learned something she wishes she hadn't about Miss Moon, You might want to speak to both of them in time, but for now go comfort your child." she vanishes and Twilight head us the spiraled stair case and slowly crakes open Nyx's door, "Honey, you ok? Do you want to talk about it?" Nyx waves Twilight off, she walks in and sits next to her "What happened Nyx did you have another....", "GO AWAY! I don't want talk about it!" Twilight takes note of the shield on Nyx's back, "What's this?" Twilight goes to touch it but, stops "Wait, that's.....Where did you get this?" Twilight asks Sensing the magic within the mysterious shield, "Its the element of protection, got it from the same place the princesses got the elements in the first place. That's not what's bothering me, It....has to do with 'her'," Twilight nods and leaves her daughter to herself, she sends a letter to Celestia about her the new Element and asks if it means anything, her response is surprising "Twilight, I know where Nyx got that shield, don't worry its perfectly safe and just shows what Nyx's you suspected her cutie mark means, However the fact that it exists is intriguing as it is troubling, the place where we found the Elements of harmony does not give things for just any pony, Keep an eye on Nyx see if she changes at all. On a final note, I know I can guess what's bothering Nyx, Nightmare Moon is the only one that knows for sure so you best ask her if you can. Your Mentor, Princess Celestia." Twilight couldn't make heads or tails of that letter, on one hand, the Element was a good thing, on the other hand it meant it had a purpose, of what was the question. She goes and tells Nyx she was planning for trip to the Crystal Empire for an assignment, hoping a change of scenery would cheer her up. Nyx smiles slightly before returning to her slum state, Twilight returns to the ground floor just has J.J. walks in, "Hay Twilight you still alive in here?" "I'm standing right there J.J." she says giggling. they sit down on the couch and Twilight tells him of recent events "Wait she what?...I see," Twilight then if he knows anything, "I could tell you but, I'm exactly chatty about this particular thing, Ask Moon, she knows," he says clearly wanting to tell her, "Is it a private matter?" He nods, "Personal?" another nod, "Well she isn't exactly forth coming, any advice?" He tosses his head a few times "Perhaps I should teach you some mental magic, the navigational part at least." Twilight looks nervous, "Is it safe? And for that matter Legal?" he nods "Luna may not like the idea, but its meant for medical purposes and interrogation, Given you have no criminal record and are 99% mentally sound I see no reason not to teach you.", "99%?" he reminds her of Lessons Zero, "Fair point, when do we start?", "Tomorrow, your mind must be tired from, all this studying." he then takes out a book on spirits and leaves, Twilight deciding to turn in earlier that night. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Next morning I met Twilight at her home she was quietly meditating in a circle of candles "Um? What did I walk into here?" She opens an eye "Meditation quiets the mind, it should help with what you wish to teach." she really does thing of everything doesn't she, "Right well, that takes care of step one, not for step two," I sit down on the couch "Right well, try to 'project' yourself in the mental world Twilight, it's similar to lucid dreaming, but requires more focus obviously." I pass out entering my mind and wait for Twilight in a void reminiscent of limbo, minutes pass She's taking her sweet time now isn't she? suddenly a wave comes over me and a purple light appears, quickly followed by Twilight, "Ugh...Did I do it?" she asks clearly exhausted, "Yes, try to relax save your strength, without fading of course." Twilight proceeds with a breathing exercise, when she looks recovered I proceed "So right, how do I explain this part....Now we, you rather....Hit me," Twilights question mark expression say it all "With your mind, your magic should translate just fine, just be careful ok, I'm quite potent you know." to even my surprise her psi attack hits harder then I thought, "OW! Why you little!" reflexively I hit her back and she flies into a mental wall of solid marble, "YOU OK?" I yell given the distance between us, "The wall broke my fall," she says popping up in from of me again, "Can't say I didn't warn you, now try to 'pick' into my mind a little, just poke at me softly, and imagine picking a lock, you know how that works right?" Twilight does just that and I walk behind a door to watch. The repeated banging was annoying but I was used to teaching others this so was to expected. Twilight manages to pick into some memories clearly feeling my watchful third eye, "Now what should I look into, hmm this looks safe," she taps a portrait of herself, and finds herself in her prison cell "Oh darn it this will not be pleasant," I walk down the stairs of the dungeon "Hay Twilight you still alive down here," Oh right, she remembers this this was right after Nyx through her in said cell, " its hopeless isn't it?", He stands in front of the cell "If that were true she'd be dead right now. Pray Twilight and believe me, we both know what she's like." My present self walks though the wall, "Um Twilight I admire your enthusiasm, but this is a weird choose of first memories." We return to the art gallery like hall, "So this is memory lane right?" she asks "Something like that, I replaced a few for you to check out, there are things you don't need to see, they also play like movies but I felt like going old school." we walk a few minutes and Twilight asks "So how does one navigate this world?" I smile "pretty straight forward, here's a book on subject," She takes a look in it, "Hmm, traps, protection, dangers, navigation, here we are, lets see....focus on your destination/target, if they deny you, you are left with ether stealth infiltration or brute force, the first option is recommended. simple enough," I suggest she study the combat section, just in case "It helps to be familiar with such things to protect yourself from changelings and the like, not to mention trying to do this without being out cold," Twilight summons a library around us, "I don't suppose it makes a good way to learn does it?" "I like how you think Twilight." the two of us go on for hours seemingly, checking my watch it was only one hour of real time "Think you can go have Nightmare Moon?" "I need to test my skills against someone with skill on the matter, that leaves....apart from you, Luna." yeah that won't end well I think, "That....is ballsy but the only option truthfully, good luck with that." Suddenly I remember something, "Oh Twilight, take this, it's a book on types of defenses you may encounter, we obviously can't keep an eye on are minds all the time so those that dwell in such a realm tend to have anonymous defenses," she takes the book and flips though it "static defenses, traps, offensive minions, defensive minions, Wow that's a lot!" I nod telling her its different for everypony but they fallow similar traits at the base level "For example Pinkie pie probably has very lethal party cannons while Rarity would have sowing needles, or Rainbow dash probably has storm clouds and fast minion while Applejack has sturdy, slower but stronger ones and hay ball walls for instance." That evening, Twilight tries out her new found Mental abilities, having practiced on various ponies in Ponyville Goes to take a crack at Luna's mind, only to decide her sister would be less of daunting challenge, she comes upon a VERY fancy door, gold trim, while with two suns on it, "Forgive me Princess but practice make perfect after all," she walks though easily enough, only to find Celestia mind to quite the fortress, "Huh? well cant turn back now right?" She starts to probe Celestia's mind for locks and traps, "Whoa, man Celestia's locked up tighter then the gates to Tartarous, why? no matter press forward." making some decoys of herself she walks forward the clones spotting traps for her without setting them off, "good thing I gave them a stealth barrier and enhanced detection. now lets see, where is that map?" she pulls out a map from her hair, the clones had wondered off in all directions for maximum scouting "Right I don't want to that way, I better avoid that....no that will take to long, look for secret passages, but what would they look like?" seeing a portrait of her sister Luna, she tries that, only to notice it watching her, "Creepy, well she knows I'm here at least, maybe she wont kill me for digging around about Nightmare Moon," Twilight suddenly senses a hostile presence coming up behind her, "Horse apples!" she runs down a hall and ducks behind a corner, finding herself in barrecks full of little Tia's "Ok be quite," she gets a closer look at them, and realizes there not attackers but sentries, "Maybe I can get them to show me around? risky but not worst idea." she gently wakes one of the sentries and it looks at her "Twilight Sparkle? why are you here?" it asks "Oh um, sorry to wake you, got a little lost," the sentry look at her funny "Really? I have my doughts, follow me please," Twilight follows the guard, then once they leave the barrecks, Twilight zaps it, it turns purple for a moment then black then back to purple, "Yes mistress?" it says bowing to Twilight "Take me the memories of anything to do with Nightmare Moon, please?" it nods and they proceed, "I noticed you turn black back there, should I be worried about that?" she asks on the way "Black? Luna should look into that, I'll inform her of....." the sentry turned guide taps Twilights map then mouths 'Run' Twilight doesn't skip a beat, and takes off as her new companion turns into a friary Phoenix, "TWILGIHT! STOP!" a commanding voice yelled. Twilight dove around the corner, "shit shit, shit! um, these should slow it down" she summons some random guards that toke a defensive stance only to shatter like glass form the phoenix, "TWILIGHT!" it yells again, Twilight glances at the map in the corner of her vision "Almost there," only to run smack into a wall. Cornered Twilight curls into a ball and prays, the fiery bird lands in front of here, and Celestia walks out from behind it "Oh dear, are you ok my student?" Twilight picks herself up off the floor "I am so dead aren't I?" her mentor smiles "Not at all, it been some time since someone has tried to attack me in such a way, though I take it you where looking for something?" Twilight gives the details of her plan, "I see, well you are wise, my sister does not tolerate such things, you would probably wake up with more then just a headache, more like a few new battle scares." Thanking her lucky stars Twilight asks if Celestia knew anything about Nightmare Moon she didn't already say, she shakes her head "Luna was always the better at psi magic, I can protect myself very well, but her ability over dreams make her especially skilled at this sort of thing. If you don't mind Twilight I would like to keep that to myself, its painful you understand right?" Twilight nods hugs her mentor and the Two part ways for the evening and Twilight does some more reading on the matter of mental combat. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Wednesday March 20th Noon A few days pass, Twilight plans for the Crystal Empire, Nyx Blesses the rest of the CMC, counting the founders she added seven more to there ranks: Dinky, Durpy's daughter. Twist. Silver Spoon, secretly of course, Flitter joined only to find the Blessing highly uncomfortable due to her being a changeling. Berry jam, Berry punches daughter. Rumble, and lastly Pipsqueak. Twilight meanwhile had learned quite bit about the ways of the mind. She even manages to challenge Luna, and lost but impressed her. at the moment she was walking though her daughters mind, "Now where is that door?" she passes her daughters door and considers looking into the matter, she passes it however giving her daughter some space, and turns the corner "Here we are" the door was dark wood, with purple trim and silver, Nightmare Moons head on one side, and Nyx's cutie mark on the other, she enters and immediately regrets it, Moon must have been expecting her because, she gets jumped by six guards "You shouldn't be here Twilight!" Moon yells, clearly going hands on with her mind "I want to know what's going on and you wont tell me! I've never seen Nyx this passive and I know you have something to do with it!" she gets up the guards back away, "Out of my way!" the guards are blown aside by the shout, Twilight summons her own soldiers, thirty surround her while twenty more rush forward setting off traps and other defenses, "Your good Twilight, I see you've taken lessons, Still you cant learn everything form books," Twilights body guards scatter and Twilight is forced to defend herself, only to come face to face with nightmare herself, "lets keep this simple shall we you win I tell you, I will you leave." Twilight nods pulling out her sword. Twilight makes the first move, thrusting her blade at Moon, she parries and lands a blow on Twilights back followed by summoning six spears and throws them at her, Twilight blocks each one and tosses a lighting bolt from above, hitting Moon in the leg as she jumps forward and dodges "Impressive," the world around them vanishes and a flat grass field appears in its place "Lets see that swordsmareship shall we?" the two clash, Twilight struggling under Moons superior strength, she tills the sword and beats Moon with the hilt of her sword, knocking a few teeth out and leaving a bruise. Moon flies back grinning then zooms forward knocking Twilight back a few hundred feet her horn driving into her side, in return Twilight teleports and tosses some knives at Moon, all three hitting her left wing, "UGH, DAME YOU!" Moon starts firing off rapid bolts of magic, Twilight dodges them skillfully and closes the distance, Moon with her swords longer reach swipes at Twilight, who drops to her barrel and thrust her sword into Moons chest, Moon stagers backwards and stares at her chest, "Hmm? dame...." she sighs heals them both and the scene shifts to a Nightmare's room. The room itself was rather humble but still could be called fancy, the walls a light midnight blue, a welcome mat where Twilight now stood indigo with teal letters, a chandelier of clear crystal hung from the ceiling, depicting the night sky. "Make your self at home Twilight, there's some snacks on the table," Moon says clearly angry and disappears though a door to what Twilight guessed a bedroom, she takes a seat on the purple couch and waits. Twenty minutes later Moon reappears "So What the Devil brought you here hmm? Is Nyx really that depressed?" Twilight nods "You where the last one with her so, what did you do or say? Not that I blame you but want to know." Moon sighs "Feel here Twilight," Twilight feels her abdomen, "Ya so what's....Oh....OOOh that's why? I'd think she'd be overjoyed?" Moon looks down "I told her we would come to a head at some point, despite the fact that, I'm dead she's still sympathetic," "So you don't care for your own child?" Moon shakes her head "Twilight form what I understand ether Nyx will take me in or I will take her in, if you follow me. Look I care about this child like any mother would, but...Nyx means more to me." Twilight changes the subject "How old is she?", "Oh, a few months at the most, not even what you would call a baby really." Twilight shakes her head "I would think someone as old as you would look into ways to circumvent such a clash. Sure there's a way?" Moon frowns "There is but to hell with it. Look if I don't fight Nyx the moment you revive me, I'll kill her you know that right? The worst part is that I better you this child would have her looks, I will not be subject to such a cruel sense of guilt Twilight. This is not pride, its begging for mercy!" Moon tears up "Now that I know how close the real Nightmare is to overcoming me, I....I just want this to end, to be happy as a part of Nyx if nothing else, I know that's sounds bad but its not, I am your daughter after all." she drops her magic, revealing a purple mane, blue eyes and her Twin crescents are joined by a kite shield like before, "I see, I thought as much." When Twilight asks why Moon was drinking with Celestia last week, she says "Just because I live doesn't mean 'it' a she rather I looked, is." Twilight nods slightly sadden by that peace of knowledge. Twilight then gets up and Hug her whispering in her ear "I will always be here for you, my baby girl, no matter what anyone says or what you do, Just look over your shoulder, I'll be there for you." Moon brakes down into a sobbing child "DAME YOU MAGIC WHY MUST YOU TORMENT ME! wabawawa" tears steam down her face, Twilight levitates some tissues and water over to the table between them, and sits opposite her. When Nightmare Moon eventually stops crying Twilight speaks "Your scared of death aren't you? Going back to the darkness right?" she nods "That wont happen, Faust misses you, why I have no idea but I'm not going to question it." Moon eyes open "Does she? well I was one of here first children I suppose, a fallen angel if you will," she wipes her face, "Thank you Twilight, how are we coming if you don't mind?" Twilight reports her findings "Earth pony magic huh? well no surprise there, life is never easy is it?" the two laugh about that then she turns to Twilight "Tell Nyx, tell her that....I'll try, I'll try to save this child but she have to promise me to do what she must understand." Twilight nods and leaves. She wakes to the sound of spike cooking and Nyx coming home from school, "How was your day Honey?" Nyx looks up "Good, We did some experiments today and the pinkie outfitted the ship with some Cannons, I also decided to name it the Dream seems fitting don't you think?" Twilight nods, "How Moon wanted me to tell you something," she takes a breath "She, wanted to tell you that she will try, but have to promise to do what you must when the time comes, ok?" Nyx eyes her mother, noticing her slightly exhausted hair style, "Sure, but she better keep her end," Nyx sing-songs into the kitchen, the three sit down and Nyx asks "So I heard from Luna, your going on a trip, can I come too?" Twilight smiles "Of course you can Nyx, were we're going your going to some fun, you and I need find some books talking about Earth pony magic, Celestia subjected The Crystal Empire, where your Aunt and Uncle live remember." Nyx nods recalling the name, "Well we got three days to pack and plan, so we better get started," They down there Lunch and the Mother Daughter pair rush into there rooms and go into Making lists and Planning mode, Moon observing though Nyx's eyes "That's, Are little girl Twilight." She even pops up to help Nyx pack, when Nyx takes note of her presence she stops "You sure you want me promise?" Moon looks at her "If you keep your promise I'll keep mine, Don't worry Nyx, you will have a sister I promise." Nyx asks one last question "Why where you drinking last night when your pregnant?", "Loophole, I'm alive yes, sadly that does not mean 'it' is, a she rather I look once," Nyx smiles at the prospect of a younger sister and goes back to packing, as if nothing happened earlier that week.
