Project Midnight Book Two-Betrayal

Luna and Celestia sat in their private quarters with the doors locked and the curtains closed. A small crystal laid in the center of the room.

"Begin transmission." At the sound of Celestias voice the crystal shot out a beam of light revealing a small image of a lab and a very familiar scientist.

"Ah Princess Celestia and Luna! To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Good to see you again Gene." Celestia replied with a friendly smile.

"It's about Midnight. I'm sure you heard about the incident two days ago?"

"Ah yes, I read about that."

"Then you know that Midnight assaulted one of the thieves by making him see his darkest fear."

"Indeed. His powers are starting to mature and much faster than anticipated."

"What do you mean?" Luna asked as Gene fixed his glasses.

"Midnights' powers were not supposed to have manifested until he was at least twenty." Gene began tapping his chin, puzzled by the sudden development in the young princes abilities.

"Tell me. Did he go through any traumatic events as an infant?" That's when it hit them. The princesses told Gene of the incident with The Pure Ones and the foal napping which was all Gene needed to hear.

"That explains it then. His powers must've gone through an accelerated growth spurt during the course of events. But what puzzles me is that he knew of his powers and how to use them."

"You think he knows about....where he came from?" Luna feared the worst after remembering that she had been hiding the truth from Midnight all these years. He wasn't born, he was made.

"I doubt it. I think somepony else discovered his abilities and helped to hone his skills."

"Death Stroke." Celestia realized, knowing he was an expert in espionage as wall as assassinations. Luna then explained that Midnight also showed an incredible development in strength along with using his sonar to map out the city. A feat that took most bat ponies years to develop.

"I guess the captains training was more effective than I thought. Keep me updated on further developments will you? OH! And I sent my gift in the mail, it should arrive by tonight. Bye! Blip!" The feed cut off as the sisters reopened the curtains and drapes, wincing a bit from the sudden burst of light through the window.

"Well we better make preparations. Tonight's a big night!" Celestia said with glee, clapping her hands.

"Sigh I still can't believe it. My little Nidra is growing up."

Today was Princess Nidras eighth birtday. All of the castle staff were up and about, preparing everything for the party. Little Nidra was getting excited from seeing the decorations being hung and the aroma of pastries cooking in the kitchen and leading the chefs was Pinkie Pies daughter; Cotton Candy.

Cotton was much like her mother. Bouncy, hyper and VERY friendly! She darted around the kitchen in a pink blur, helping the other chefs left and right while in the ball room. Princess Starburst; Princess Twilights daughter and her friend Prism Bolt were zooming all over the place hanging streamers and other festive decor.

"Hey there Nidra!" She called out, swooping down for a hug.

"MMM!!"

"Good to see you again Nidra. Like what you see?"

"Uh huh! this is gonna be the best party EVER!"

"I hope so. Cotton convinced my folks into getting me to help!" Prism complained as he got tangled in the remaining streamers, crashing to the ground with a loud thud.

"Remind me again. Why am I doing this?" He asked Starburst, still struggling to get loose.

"The fancy food and all the cider you can drink?"

"Ah."

"Let me help you with that." In one quick tug, Starburst freed Prism from his self made trap before hanging the remaining streamers in one go. Giving a smug grin as Nidra applauded.

"Show off."

"Like you're one to talk!"

"Okay you two simmer down." Rainbow Dash and Twilight had just arrived with the others, carrying a few presents for the party.

"Those for me?"

"You bet. But you only get to open them at the party~!" Pinkie teased. Booping the little princess on her nose.

Later that evening, the party was in full swing. Twilight sat with the other princesses while their children mingled in the crowd, among them was Starbursts favorite cousin; Prince Valiant Heart of the Crystal Empire and his girlfriend; Red June.

"VALIANT!!"

"Hey Starburst." The prince greeted his cousin with a big hug before following her to where the others were seated. At the table was Golden Delicious; Applejacks only son followed by Cotton Candy's sisters Sugar Rush and Cloudy and finally Anthea; Daughter of Fluttershy.

"The gang's all here!"

"Eeyup." Golden said with a smile, trying to impersonate his uncle Big Mac, the girls only facepalmed themselves while Prism tried to stifle a chuckle before noticing one pony was missing.

"Hey wait a second. Where's Midnight?"

"Must be out on another patrol. My Uncle Nova says he does this often." Valiant said as he grabbed a small cupcake.

"Weird. I thought you princes were a bunch of partying playboys."

"Like you?" A voice came from behind. It was Crystal Clarity and her little brother Turquoise Blitz.

"Hey!" Prism growled while Starburst slipped her friend a high five.

Just then, The guards at the entrance began to salute the next guest. Midnight had arrived dressed in a full tuxedo and was escorting Créme into the room. Many of the party guests began whispering among themselves, with most of the discussion being about their rumored relationship.

"BIG BROTHER!!" Nidra shouted at the top of her lungs, running into her big brothers arms.

"Hey sis!"

"I thought you weren't coming." Nidra said sounding worried.

"Hey. There's no way I'd miss my baby sisters party! Now wipe that sad look off, I brought you a present~." He showed Nidra a small box which she snatched in anticipation before giving him a big hug. The crowd found this adorable.

"Aww~!"

Midnight joined the rest of his family, still carrying Nidra. Luna gave her son a quick peck to the cheek before taking her daughter back, with all the guests gathered Luna tapped a wine glass to give her announcement.

"I want to thank you all for coming to my daughter Nidras party. It is an honor to have such good friends and family gathered here and Nidra my child. I wish you nothing but happiness."

"Thanks mommy!" Nidra snuggled her mother as crowd applauded Lunas speech when out of nowhere a green haired mare dressed as a clown came rolling in on a unicycle juggling bowling pins.

"HEY HEY HEY! You kiddies ready to laugh?" The clown asked aloud as the children began to gather around her. Nova however was suspicious and noticed Cotton Candy was looking confused. Something wasn't right.

"Now where's the birthday girl?" The clown asked looking around before spotting the princess in her chair.

"Ah there she is! You wanna see a magic trick?"

"Yes please!" Nidra quickly answered.

"Alright I'm going to make you RRRIIIP!! Disappear!"

"AHHHH!!!!!" Nidra shrieked at the mare before her. It was the Mane-iac!

"MANE-IAC?!? I thought that freak was from your dads comic books!"

"How did you know about that?" Claire asked Prism before returning her attention to the situation at hand.

The crowd gasped in horror as the princess was nabbed by a large lock of green hair. Mane-iac then used a smoke bomb hidden in her hand to make an escape, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

"NIDRA?!? NIDRA!!!" Luna shouted as she looked around for signs of a trail.

"SEARCH THE GROUNDS!! LOCK DOWN EVERY GATE!!" Nova ordered his men as they scrambled around the castle before noticing Midnight was gone.

"Midnight? Son!!"

Mane-iac had taken Nidra to the castle throne room knowing the guards would be too busy searching the grounds for her.

"Stop squirming you little brat!! You'll behave if you know what's good for you!" She threatened the princess, looking her in the eye as if she was gonna kill her.

"LET ME GO YOU MEANIE!!! WHACK!!" Nidra kicked the Mane-iac in the face, forcing her to let go.

"You got some fire in you kid. I hate that!"

"Then you're really gonna hate me!!"

"Huh? KER-PLOW!!!" Midnight had snuck behind her, sucker punching her clear across the room as Nidra ducked behind one of his wings.

"Nidra go get mom and dad!"

"But what about you?"

"I'll be fine! now go! hurry!!"

Nidra did as she was told and made a dash for the exit while Mane-iac stared down the prince. Enraged from his sneak attack.

"You'll pay for that boy..." She growled as her hair began to slither around the room like swarm of snakes.

"CRUNCH! Bring it..."

End of Part 4