The Duality of Souls

by imgonaeatarat

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other, Alternate Universe, Human, Nightmare Moon
Length: 19790

Something cannot be created from nothing, and something cannot be made nothing. There is always a fragment left behind in either thought or physical being. If one tries to make another being ceass to exist, they will surely look for revenge.

Something cannot be created from nothing, and something cannot be made nothing. There is always a fragment left behind, be it either thought or, physical being. A memory of what it used to be, or a surviving piece. What would you do if others tried to erase you from existence? Most would be angry, most would take steps to ensure it can't happen, and some look for revenge.

A small story I have had in my head for a while. Now, to see if I can articulate thoughts and ideas into an enjoyable time for others. Also I am unable to make a decent description to save my life. :twilightblush:

This is rated teen but may become mature due to language or events in the future.

Published 2016-02-11 10:10:02 UTC
Last updated 2016-10-23 17:15:44 UTC

Chapter 1: The Gathering

A memory, one from a time many years ago now. One she has relived many times and holds nothing but contempt for. The rise and ultimate fall of her power, her strength, her will, even her body. The day those accursed mares dared cross her and attempted to erase her from existence. The day the Elements of Harmony were recovered and used to strip her of the lunar princess' body. How could she, Nightmare Moon, be overpowered and torn asunder by 6 mere civilians and some trinkets! This was the thought she had every time she saw that memory, until the day came where she saw the self imposed "Lord of Chaos" himself fall to these same elements.

She watched on, naught but a fragment of her former self unable to interact more than a whisper still she watched on. Watching the Changeling attack on Canterlot, the return of the Crystal Empire and King Sombra with it, and the destruction and ever hunger for magic of Tirek. It was when she watched the element bearers lose their marks and individual abilities to another unicorn magi, this Starlight Glimmer, that she came to an idea.

First however, she would need to gather as much strength possible to call upon her soon to be allies. It would take time for her to gather the necessary energy required, but she has already been watching for several years, what more was but a few months?

~**~

"Thanks for coming Discord" Fluttershy smiled "I had such a good time."

"Think nothing of it my dear, same time next week?" Discord asked.

"Oh of course, I will have some biscuits prepared to go with some tea." The shy pegasus softly declared.

After the small exchange of goodbyes Discord left the small cottage. As he was about to teleport back to his home, if you could call it that, he stopped. Something was happening in the old castle that sits in the Everfree, something that was pulling on many magical strings. Not being one to ignore something new and possibly fun he changed his destination and vanished at the snap of his claw.

Thinking that it may have been the newly crowned Princess of magic testing a new spell, he checked in the library, the dungeon, the organ room, and any other he thought she may have been hoping to pull a fast one on her. He however was able to find nothing.

It wasn't until he was about to leave that the feeling came back, the warp of magical energy of something that didn't exactly belong, something he had felt before but was encased in stone during the time. The warped energy was closer now that he was in the castle, he was able to feel it coming from the old throne room.

Popping into existence in the old room he felt the energy moving around. Around and around it went before he felt it stop behind him, then it started to speak taking the form of a specter. Looking much like she does when she moves as a shadow, but with her draconic eyes glowing from the billowing cloud that was her current body.

"Honestly these foals are completely foolish to trust you so readily after what you did to them, it is even almost just as foolish for you to continue to converse with the same mares who imprisoned you once before."

Discord only chuckled before turning to the voice. "Well well well, if it isn't, oh what does pinkie call you again, oh right, black snooty!"

"I have no time for your games trickster. I instead have a proposition for you if you are interested."

Discord attempted to touch Nightmare but his hands only went through her "body". "An ethereal body? Ohh this should be fun! Can you take over another's body?"

"I fail to see how that is relevant to this discussion Discord." Nightmare said with irritation laced in her voice. "I require your aid and with it I will be able to take down those accursed elements!"

"I still can't believe I am relying on these inferior beings for assistance." She thought to herself. Discord was the final piece in her plan she had yet to obtain. Sombra and Chrysalis were both easy to convince, the former she gained his help by reviving him through his severed horn. The changeling queen, after her defeat at Canterlot, was desperate and would do anything to get back to power. Starlight Glimmer was probably the most willing out of all of them. After all, this was a way to hurt the element of magic, Twilight Sparkle. Starlight was happy to help the nightmare in any possible way.

Tirek proved to be the most challenging to get so far due to being trapped in Tartarus, but just like the others, once he learned who the target was and what Nightmare wanted to do, he joined with her. Discord however would pose the most difficult of all of them to convince as he was not only the lord of chaos, but also most likely still held contempt for Tirek's betrayal. It was this that Nightmare was debating eternally when Discord disappeared. Looking around it wasn't until he was playing with her ethereal body that she noticed where he was.

"Yikes, lots of smoke up in here" He stated waving at what normally would be her hair. "You must be thinking too hard there snooty! Must be quite the plan for all of this."

Moving away from the being Nightmare was less than pleased. "I am not here to play games Discord, are you interested or not?"

With a tap of his jaw he stated. "Hmm, alright then smokestack, what is your plan?"

Finally getting to the core of what she wished to discuss, Nightmare transitioned to the most problematic portion of her plan. "First, before anything else, are you able to work with Tirek? Not for him, but with him?"

With this single question Discord stopped moving and looked directly into the eyes of the specter.

"You plan better be good Nightmare" He stated with much malice in his voice. His care free nature all but evaporated. "If you think this is funny, I will show you the true meaning of chaos."

It was with this that the nightmare no longer saw Discord the trickster, but the Lord of Chaos, and the terrifying beast that he was. Such a change in demeanor almost left her stunned, his personality changing from one extreme to another, almost like that of flipping a coin.

"I assure you that I am not joking and require you to be able to work with him. Each of us in our little group is able to see the negative aspects of another being. It is this ability that I wish to use. Currently there is Tirek, Chrysalis, Sombra, a mare who goes by the name of Starlight Glimmer, and myself. You are the only one left that we need."

Giving her a hard stare the draconequus waved a claw to her. "Speak your plan, if I feel that it is worth my time. For your sake, it better be."

With this statement Nightmare continued. "Very well, if you have not yet noticed there are six of us total, one to match each element. I plan to use your ability to warp space, along with another's newly found ability to travel through time, to go to a world where the beings are not so colorful in spirit and nature as the ponies of this word are. Where in a world of black and white, they are grey. I have seen through the leylines of reality and have found what I was looking for. I believe they may have already captured your attention as they are also chaotic in nature."

"You speak of humans." Discord stated with wide eyes. "Alright then nighty, what do you wish to do with them? You should know that I have been watching them for some time now. They are capable of both being paragons of virtue, while also committing atrocious acts of which are most vile."

Noticing that the chaos lord was seemingly along with the idea she continued. "Each element bearer stands for a different type of virtue, something that you and I are very well aware of. It is the humans nature that I wish to capitalize on. I wish to abduct six of them, one of each that their heart is more of a specific renegade type. A truly selfish person for generosity to be an example."

With this the draconequus was starting to put things together. "I think I understand where you are going with this. You wish for Chrysalis, a being who eats love to find a selfish human, Tirek being the king of betraying to find a disloyal one, and Sombra the tyrant to find an aggressive one. So that would be generosity, loyalty, and kindness each." He had been counting each one on a different claw. "I know of this Starfall Glitter, or however you say her name. You wish for her to find a liar like herself to combat honesty. I can only assume you wish for me to find someone who has a twisted sense of laughter. This only leaves you, Nightmare Moon. Who are you looking for to combat magic. You should already know that humans do not inherently posses it."

"I wish to find a human whose heart is filled with betrayal and anger, one that would go against the flow, one who knows how to tear relations apart, one that can help destroy the so called "magic of friendship". It is with this being that I plan to take as my new vessel as the anger in their heart will make them easy to control."

"Give me a moment to think."

After several minutes Discord agreed to help her on the condition that he only help them find the poor unsuspecting humans, pick one out to be his proxy, and bring them back to Equestria. After that the six gathered and began preparations for their departure.

~**~

"This is so God Damn BORING! Why the hell did I agree to come to church in the first place. With a groan the young man slouched in the pew receiving a swift smack across the back of his head from his mother.

"Relyks sit straight and quit whining. I finally managed to get both you and your sister here today so be respectful in the house of the lord."

"Relyks quit staying up all night and get up in the morning, Relyks get your butt up and come to church, Relyks sit straight and quit whining. He thought in a mocking tone. Not many would be willing to hit the man other than family or close friends as he was anything but small. Towering at a 6'3" and being 280 lbs with only a little roundness on him, most avoided him due his stature alone. Along with near waist length hair and despite only being 24 having what his friends called his "Lumberjack beard" people were, to put it quite bluntly, intimidated by him.

The sermon continued for a length of time and he was beginning to grow lethargic due to his boredom. But unlike most suspect, the calmness that a church holds would soon be lost quite swiftly. Relyks was staring at the clock counting down the minutes until they could leave. He had other things he wanted to do. Several of his friends had disappeared and he was one of the few still looking after months of no progress. He would deny it but past his hard exterior and sarcastic nature was a soft core. He had few friends but those he did he saw like family.

"Hey ma, I will be right back I have to use the re-" A crash and a flash of light interrupted him as he was going to get up. He looked to the source of the commotion when his eyes widened not being able to believe what they were seeing. In front on him was not only his missing friends, all being held in some sort of floating spheres, but also 6 villains from a show that he watched from time to time.

Looking at each one he recognized them all. Mentally taking note that each of them seemed to be paired with a sphere, all except Nightmare Moon.

"Alright them snooty, are you sure your little champion is here, I am getting bored of all this." Discord said while floating circles around his sphere it appearing to be holding one of the young man's missing friends.

"Yes." Replied the nightmare. "I can feel the anger radiating off one of them here. It is only a question of which one."

With this Discord took the stand having donned a cowboy hat and boots to match. "Alright now ya here! This is Smokey, and I am the Bandit. One of ya is sum-one who we be lookin fer." At this Discord snapped his claw and while the hat and boots vanished, they were replaced with reading glasses and a notepad. "Lets see here. Are any of you feeling angry, hurt, possibly betrayed? Maybe even feeling a little butt busted, bum frustrated, or anally annihilated?"

At his words nobody in the chapel moved and all was silent until a small voice could be heard.

"-that really discord?" With how silent it was the girl might as well have yelled it out.

"Ah so my reputation proceeds me! Unfortunately I do not have much time but I think for you miss I can make an exception." With that Discord used his magic and the girl floated up and over to them frozen in shock.

Relyks was flabbergasted to say the least as it was his sister whom was singled out. With wide eyes he stared, waiting to see if his little sister was in danger, and knowing whom the six before him were let him know it was a real possibility. With this he slowly lowered his arm to his pocket.

"Well miss snooty, is this the one you are looking for?" Discord asked levitating the frightened girl in front of the specter.

"No she is not. just toss her aside we don't need her"

"Well then mind if I take her? I think I could do with a good feeding." The changeling queen asked.

"Do with her what you will, it matters little to me." Nightmare Moon stated before passing the girl to the queen, or would have if not for the speck of silver that flew through her ghostly form. Looking behind her the 6 villains could see a knife embedded in the wall behind Nightmare Moon.

Standing with his arm stretched out was Relyks. Panting and with sharp eyes he looked at them and charged without hesitation, growling out. "Give. Them. Back!"

Chrysalis, forgetting for a moment that these were not the kind ponies she was so used to, but the aggressive and lethal humans, failed to notice the man as she was transfixed on the knife until his fist collided with her chitin body. Wasting no time Relyks pulled his sister away and pushed her behind him, locking eyes with Nightmare Moon as she said three simple words that caused his blood to freeze in his veins.

"There you are."

Author's Note

So this is the first piece of fanfiction that I have made. I have had this idea in my mind for some time and now finally have at least the beginning fleshed out. If there are any issues or errors please let me know and I will be sure to fix them.

Chapter 2: Wait, run that by me again

"I'm sorry, but could you run that by me again? I could have sworn that you said you have Nightmare Moon captured." Even after millennia of ruling, Celestia was still held speechless at times.

"I agree dear sister for I stand before you, not the monster that inhabited my body. Explain yourself human."

"Oh come on! I have already explained it three times now! What is so hard to understand that her plan backfired, and now she is stuck in a body she has no control over, this is getting ridiculous!"

Relyks was less than pleased with his current predicament. He was busy arguing with the royal sisters, an event he never thought possible. Even though he was agitated and engaged in a conversation, he was unable to help but look around from time to time. He had seen the castle on TV when he would watch "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic", however the pastel colors and brief images seen on the small screen could not compare to the sights around him now.

White marble took the floors, so clean they were that you could see your reflection. Large spires seemingly made of a similar material shot above his head, helping hold the roof which towered over him by at least 20 feet. Banners lined the walls, each bearing some sort of sigil or emblem with an image of the two royal sisters. Lush crimson carpet was placed under his feet that stretched down the halls. Yet the sight of the castle paled in comparison to the visage of the royalty standing before him.

White with flecks of pink in her fur was the first thing he noticed about Celestia. Luna held a royal blue to her coat. While Relyks had always been a fan of Luna's personality watching the show, he was stunned the first time he laid eyes on the sisters. Having known what they looked like he thought he was prepared, however he didn't expect their faces to hold such emotion, to look almost human to him.

Rubbing a hand down his face, Relyks decided to try again. "Alright look, lets just start over from the beginning, alright? While you may find it amusing to play 20 questions all day, I get tired of repeating myself... again."

~**~

A few hours earlier.

She had found him, the human filled with anger that would soon play her new host and weapon. "There you are"

Relyks paused. "I'm sorry, come again? Have we met before, or am I just having a stroke?" He asked incredulously.

He was already running on adrenaline and trying to process everything happening before him at once. Mind working at a mile a minute, trying to figure out why she would be looking for him. He was also trying to figure out why he wasn't freaking out more at seeing living representations of a TV shows villains.

"Ohh yes, young one. I have been looking for som-" Nightmare Moon began to say before being interrupted. "Yea darlin, thats great and all, but here is the catch. You threatened my sister, and appear to be the ones who kidnapped my friends. This is something I don't take very kindly to. Also, for the record, why isn't anyone helping me up here?" He asked turning his head to view the plethora of other people in the chapel with him.

It was like looking at a 3D picture in person. Every man, woman, and child was frozen in place. Quickly looking to his sister he noticed that she too looked like the rest, frozen in place with a hand mark on her shoulder from when he grabbed her just moments ago. Quickly looking back to the characters who seemed to share a palate of colors to choose from, he noticed that the light violet mare before him, Starlight Glimmer if he recalled correctly, seemed to have a glow coming from her horn. Having put 2+2 together, he lunged for her attempting to cancel out whatever magic she was channeling. With his fist raised he made it a couple of steps away from her before finding himself unable to move.

"Now now young man, you should learn to respect others and not just attack them blindly." Nightmare said in a mocking tone.

"Let me go you bitch before I shove her head up your ass and make you her new horn you stupid c-" It was with a swift strike to the head from Sombra that he stopped in his rant dazed. Getting hit in the head hurts, anyone could tell you that. Getting hit in the head by a hoof? That was something else entirely.

"Yes, you will indeed work for what I have planned. Your anger makes you weak and easy to control." Nightmare said with a chuckle. "But for now I believe it is time we made our way back, and you my little friend," She said moving over to the man, head still swimming from the blow. "You are going to be coming with me!"

With these final words that Discord snapped his claws and the twelve of them, Sombra, Chrysalis, Discord, Starlight, Tirek, Nightmare, and the now six captured humans vanished.

~**~

It was like moving through a kaleidoscope, when he was able to see straight again, Relyks could see colors and images flash by him in a blur. Some of the images looking to be from his past, while others looked to be from Equestria. In the end however he was unable to make anything out until a single black dot appeared off in the distance. As it grew closer to him he was able to make out the appearance of Nightmare Moon. Getting ready for some type of fight he put his arms up in front of him, but before he could do anything, her form collapsed and sped up in a blur of what appeared to be a piece of the night sky. Not expecting the sudden increase in speed he was caught off guard when the nightmare flew through his arms, and disappearing inside his chest.

White pain flared through his body, his insides feeling like they were being constricted and compressed. Holding a hand to his chest he proceeded to try and breath while continuing to float through the aether he was currently in. Suddenly to contrast with the pain inside of him, a deep fury rose within him. It was with this that he finally understood what it was the nightmare was doing to him. Knowing that it took the lunar princess by using her jealousy and anger, he realized that it was attempting to have him loose control over his emotions.

"Hmm what do we have here, ah I see. You feel this anger in your heart due to your father? How interesting." It was when he realized the voice was in his head that he felt fear, something that the nightmare wanted as it would make him even easier to take over. "I feel it is time that you joined me here in your mindscape. No sense in delaying the inevitable."

With those final words she forcibly ripped Relyks' conscious mind away from the waking world, and pulled him to herself. Unknown to Relyks, Nightmare Moon was a master of a different type of magic, one that was made forbidden in times before Luna's exile. Soul magic. While she may have pulled his consciousness to her, she pulled it into the portion of the mind where the soul could take form. It was known as the soul vault. It was here that she planned to trap the man and leave him so she could take his place.

The soul takes the form of how the being sees themselves. If one truly believes they are really a reincarnated chihuahua, then that is how they would appear. While Relyks looked like he normally does, Nightmare Moon once again took form as she once did when in possession of the lunar princess' body. The Soul vault when not being tampered with looked like a black abyss. One would be standing and could feel something solid under their feet, however they would be unable to tell where the floor ended and the endless expanse began.

It was here that she made her grave mistake. Believing to be in control, once the man was fully present she moved closer and attempted to restrain him. However, she did the one thing that she shouldn't have, she underestimated human tenacity and fury. Relyks would sooner see himself destroyed with Nightmare than let his body become a puppet. As she drew closer to him his hand shot out and grabbed her by the horn. In a realm where the soul is laid bare, he was able to glimpse into her thoughts, just as she was able to look into his.

He saw things he didn't understand, spells that his mind was not prepared to try and comprehend. He was however able to gleam that since this was his body, and he was not yet trapped, that he had the most control over the events that were to take place.

"You wanted me to be angry huh? Well then I will show you angry!" Just as he could see into her thoughts, she could see into his. Shortly after his statement, she found that he had learned what it was he could do here, what he could do to her here, and that it was too late for her.

Ethereal chains shot out of the ether and wrapped themselves around Nightmare's body pinning her to the non-perceivable ground. Thinking of ways to make her suffer while locking her in place, he began to think of all sorts of weapons and locks. He had her pulled down by the chains, several holding each wing spread apart so she could not use them. A thin spike found it's way being embedded in her horn from the tip to the base. Not knowing if this would stop her magic, he was hoping his gamble would pay off. After securing her in place he had a cage form around her, being wider than usual it was short and gave no room for movement.

Once all was said and done did he finally let go of her horn. "You may think that you have won this day boy, but remember that I am still here, and while I may be currently disabled I still hold more power than you could hope to contain. The more you let your anger cloud your judgement and control you, the more vulnerable you will be. Mark my words, your body is MINE!" Relyks looked down at his new captive, a cold anger continuing to burn in his chest. He could feel her stoking the fires, trying to make him loose control.

"Well then moony, I guess I better be careful then huh, and you better get comfortable. I have a feeling that you and I are going to be stuck like this for a long time." With this he turned around and left, his mind returning to the forefront of his body.

When he was once again both awake and in control, he noticed that the swirling colors had stopped and that he was laying on something hard, felt like stone of some sort. Taking note of his surroundings he stood and looked around, everything looking to still be in a blur.

"-said halt!" Realizing that someone was talking to him he turned around to confront the voice directly. Upon doing so he noticed several things, first and foremost was that he was surrounded by equine guards. Each wearing golden or obsidian armor, each bearing either the symbol of the sun, or the symbol of the moon. The two types of guards looked to be very different from each other, but there was one thing they currently had in common, and that was they were all pointing spears at Relyks. He also noticed that while still being in a tall room, he was no longer in the chapel where he once was. Finally he saw the two royal pony sisters, both garbed in armor and wielding weapons themselves. Celestia held what looked to be a claymore in her magic, while Luna interestingly enough looked to be wielding a scythe. Once he finally took note of just how much trouble he was in, he said the first thing that came to mind.

"So uh, Nightmare Moon is now trapped. You can thank me later for that."

~**~

"And now we are here." Finally finishing his story for the umpteenth time, he noticed that he had obtained new listeners during his story. Said listeners being the bearers of harmony themselves. "Huh, I keep missing things until they are right in my face. I must not be rolling my perception check well or something." He thought with bemusement. "Or it could just be the fact that you aren't very bright. I would bet my bits on that." Nightmare said. "Oh and just so you are aware, just because I may be contained doesn't mean I am gone." He could hear the grin in her voice, knowing that she was going to do everything in her power to drive him crazy.

"Oh just SHUT UP already!"

"Um, nopony but you said anything." Was the response from the purple unicorn in front of him.

With a pause Relyks could only sigh in frustration. "Great, now they think I am cra-" He paused, once again noticing something he should have seen earlier. "wait. If Glimmer helped bring us here, this should be after season five." "Why do you six have the Elements of Harmony?"

Chapter 3: The Bearers of Disharmony Pt. 1

All of the ponies in the room looked at the man as he asked his question, expressions ranging from shocked, to annoyance, and alarm. After having a moment to digest the specific words used the prismatic pony few up and stopped right in front of him.

"What does it matter to you huh, and how do you even know what these are?"

"Look skittles, as much as they may say to "taste the rainbow," I don't really like you being right in my face so if you could just back up a bit there, that would be appreciated."

"Okay first off, ew. Second, what did you call me!?" With a glare she got even closer to him, looking like she was about to fight him.

"Okay first off," Relyks repeated mockingly. "You must be very light to be able to fly, I can only assume that your bones are hollow like a birds. You want to throw down right here and now? Fine, I will snap you like a twig over my leg if you don't back off right now! Second, why the hell does bluey over there keep glaring at me!? I may have been missing certain details since I woke up, but this is something that I had noticed since the beginning!"

With a finger he pointed to the lunar princess in question, a glare seemingly stuck on her face as her eyes narrowed at the confrontation.

"And another thing, what in the 9 hells did I ever do to all of you to warrant such hostility? It has been nothing but question after question in this little here "interrogation" with all of you. I don't care what others may say about you. All of you ponies are xenophobic jack wagons, with maybe the exception of maybe Fluttershy, and yes I do know all of your names. each of you can shove this whole situation up your-" Now even if someone is academically smart, this does not mean they are socially. It was here that Relyks came to the sudden and unwanted reality that he had probably gone too far when the lunar princess finally snapped. "ENOUGH! I princess Luna, will not stand here any longer as you and your cohorts continue to bring strife and chaos here! Even if you truly are not the nightmare but the being standing in front of us, we will not believe a word from you for even a moment that you are not an agent of that monster! Now you will answer our questions and help put a stop to this madness!"

On a normal day for Relyks, he would have backed down and and waited things out before he continued to argue his case. Unfortunately this was not a normal day for him, far from it in fact. Having what he could only describe as a phantom constantly trying to push him over the edge didn't help either.

"Look at her, she thinks she is going to make you succumb to her will. You didn't put up with that from me, why should you with her?"Egging him on in this fashion, with Relyks now being unable to think his way through without another voice giving their opinion, he snapped back.

"Oh so just because she possessed me, I am now her slave? Her puppet? I would have thought that you of all peo-ponies," He caught his word, trying to use the proper vernacular. "in this room you would understand my plight here and be willing to help me be rid of her. Instead you stand there all high and mighty trying to force me to submit to you! You your royal highness can go screw off to parts unknown. Oh wait, you already did that didn't you when you were stuck on your little moon for a thousand years, And for the record, you can shut your damn mouth!"

While he said that last part to the nightmare, it was not received that way by the others in the room with him. With his statement the room went silent to the point where you could hear a pin drop. All eyes were on the human and the princess, not knowing if one or the other was about to throw the first blow. There comes a time in every man's life where they learn the hard way, what to and what not to say to a woman, be they human, pony, or otherwise. This was one such moment where Relyks is reminded of that lesson he learned all those years ago. It was when he was no longer able to feel the ground under his feet, and that everything he saw was just a large expanse of blue, that he was reminded as he sailed through the air, a large hole where a window used to be in the castle.

"I have to hand it to you boy. Never have I ever seen such a being that was so unafraid of an alicorn that they would openly disrespect and even insult one to such a degree to their face. I have to admit I am surprised." With that confession from Nightmare he hit the ground, immediately grateful that they were on the first floor of the castle. However, with Nightmare continuing to push him, as well as now having been attacked, to put it simply there was a misfire in his brain as he stood up and began to walk back over to his assailant, intending to do some damage.

"Oh so now that you actually have someone talk back to you, you get offended and decide the best way to get rid of it is to try and hurt them? Fine princess, you want to do this so damn much, lets go!" With his final words he went from a slow walk to a sprint. Running at Luna he raised his arm, summoning all his strength intending to knock her out on the first swing. It wasn't until Luna's sister, Celestia, stepped in and said something to him that made him not only stop his advance, but also make him stop completely.

"If you truly are not with the Nightmare, then why are you beginning to look like her?"

Seconds had gone by after she had said this, his form frozen in place. He was not able to easily notice due to not having a mirror, but he did note that the hair on the right side of his face felt... incorrect. Taking a lock of it he saw that while it was still brown on the left side of his head, the right had taken on a look similar to Luna's. Racing to the nearest reflective object he could find, which happened to be a guards shield that had been discarded earlier, he saw that his right eye was no longer brown as it should have been, but was instead cyan with a draconic pupil. mouth falling open at the sight he also felt that the teeth on the right side were also sharper, less flat.

With the physical changes that he could see, he was then able to feel that he was already slipping. Nightmare Moon was using her power to break from her cage, and assume control. This was her plan all along was the thought that kept running through his mind as nothing else mattered any longer.

He proceeded to try and knock some sense back into himself, literally, with the shield as he bashed it on his own head. Seeing him act in such a way shocked the shy pegasus enough to where she felt like she had to voice her thoughts. "Shouldn't we stop him? He could hurt himself doing that." Looking at her friend she saw that they were all watching with different expressions. Twilight looked angry with the way he was speaking to her mentor and friends, and Rainbow Dash looked ready to attack. Pinkie looked conflicted, probably between meeting a new pony, or in this case person, and his attitude, and Rarity was stuck between disgusted with his actions, and enthralled with his attire.

Finally looking at her orange friend she saw the farmer looked to be contemplating something "Ah don't reckon we will have to worry about that, he looks to be simmerin down on his own." Was the reply from Applejack. She had yet to move from her spot, as while the human before her may have been throwing a tantrum, the thing that had her attention was she could not sense any deceit from him.

Feeling his anger subside as he took it out on himself, he was able to pull together long enough to try and be cordial. "I feel that I should apologize. I am normally not this easily angered, or have this loose of control over myself. Not only do I owe an apology for my actions and now seemingly bipolar nature, I also owe you Luna one. I said things that I should not have. I have had a long day and it has tired me out both physically and emotionally." To say the ponies in the room were surprised with his apology would be an understatement.

Relyks decided to take advantage of the moment of silence that was happening. Looking around he saw that some of their expressions had changed. While there was still the annoyance, anger, and shock from everything happening, he saw a new one that he himself wasn't expecting. Upon Fluttershy's face was none of these emotions, but instead pity, and it was directed at him. Due to the shame of his earlier display he was unable to withstand it, looking away from the shy pegasus.

Collecting his thoughts he continued. "I have been looking for a few friends who went missing. I have been looking for weeks for them and all of a sudden they appear, captives to some of your own previous enemies. Now I am consistently berated and taunted by the very same one who brought me here and attempted to make me her slip on puppet. Needless to say, it has been a difficult time for me, though understandably after everything that I have done within the last few minutes, I understand if you neither believe me nor care."

With no hesitation it was Celestia who responded to him. "I can only guess the inner turmoil you are going through if what you claim is true. That being said, we have questions of our own. If you work with us, I can assure you that we will be willing to work with you as well."

Luna, still angry about what happened, was quick to argue against this. "You cannot be serious sister, this is the same human who just moments ago was showing physical traits of the nightmare!"

Before Relyks could go to defend himself it was Applejack that did it for him. "Pard'n me for speaking for him, but ah believe him."

Looking aghast, Luna could only stare at the farmer. "Ah have been payin attention to what he said and how he said it. At this point, I have been unable to detect any lies coming from him, unlike his friend."

"Friend? You mean that I am not the only one here?" With the word "friend" having been said, Relyks clung on with all hope that he had found them.

Calmly like none of the fighting ever occurred, Celestia was the one who decided to speak up. "No you are not, you are the last one to both arrive and to wake up, but we can get to that later. I know that you said you know all of our names, however I will introduce myself anyways. I am Princess Celestia, co ruler with my sister Princess Luna, what is your name?"

"My name? It's..." He trailed off, wondering if he should give them his real name, or an alias. Looking to Applejack, and how she came to his aid earlier, he decided to return the favor by not making her, or himself, to be a liar.

"My name is Relyks your highness, I am just a normal guy who is easy to anger, and like I said earlier, I have had one hell of a day." He stated before giving a slight bow.

"It is nice to meet you Relyks, welcome to Equestria, and to Canterlot Castle. Your friends are all in the other room, if you would be so kind as to follow me, I will guide you."

Turning to leave Celestia's horn lit up as the door opened by itself. Calmly following the solar diarch, Relyks began to keep a constant watch over his own emotions.

"Congratulations for noticing before it was too late, try not to slip up anymore my little human" Responding to Nightmare Moon, Relyks only had a single thought. "You caught me when I was emotionally compromised, something that doesn't happen often. Don't think it will be so easy in the future."

Nightmare responded with what almost sounded like a purr "If you were to fall so easily now it would be disappointment. I wouldn't have it any other way"

Chapter 4: The Bearers of Disharmony Pt. 2

The nine of them, being Celestia, Luna, Relyks, and the Bearers of Harmony, walked through the halls of Canterlot Castle. Relyks was astounded with the aesthetics and architecture around him. The castle was grand in size, and a very busy workplace. If one looked they would be able to see the different maids hired into the castle staff cleaning each room. Everything was spotless despite the impressive size. In short, the building was magnificent. From the glances he was able to collect from the windows let Relyks know that he was a decent ways into the castle when he came to.

They continued to walk for a few minutes before reaching a set of doors. Stopping there, Celestia lit her horn and her magic could be seen surrounding the doorway.

"Right through here all five of your friends are gathered. Once we are all prepared I would like to ask all of you some questions."

Nodding his head to the princess he waited for her to open the doors. He paused before taking a step, a question on his mind. "She said five friends? I only know of three. Who else could have come through?"

It looked like a normal room or office, he figured he was in the throne room when he woke up. Upon entering he immediately spotted his three missing friends and ran up to them.

"Walter, Richard, Peter, you are all okay!"

"Thank you, master of the obvious. Anything else that everyone can see that you wish to discuss?" Was the only response he received. Peter always had a twisted sense of humor, thinking that making fun of others, or someone else's pain was amusing.

"Ah yes good old Peter, still being sarcastic as hell. You can go and screw yourself." Sometimes Relyks didn't understand why he called these guys his friends. Biting back the rest of his irritation, Relyks moved on to address the other two next to Peter.

"Do you guys know what happened to you?"

Not wanting to have to listen to Relyks and Peter argue again, the man named Walter decided speak. "No. Last I knew I was on my computer playing games when this insectoid style of a horse, that honestly looked like something from that gay ass show of yours, appeared and spat something at me. Next thing I know is that I am waking up next to these two with a spear being pointed at me." Walter wasn't terrible to be around, he was however conceited and thought that everything revolved around him. He even went on at times that he wished his brothers weren't around so he could just have more stuff for himself. It went unnoticed that the lunar and solar diarchs were listening on their conversation.

"Right, and those two? Who are... is that Katherine?" Confused as to why she was brought he only had one choice if he wanted direct answers currently. "Why is she here? Nightmare, I know you can hear me. You responded to my thoughts before." Waiting for an answer the only thing he received was silence. "Of course, the one time I want you to talk you decide to hold your tongue."

"I choose to withhold the answer from you boy because I desire to see you squirm and writhe in anger. Why would I willingly help you? You must truly be a bigger fool than I originally took you for."

With that biting remark Relyks decided to try once more and continue to ignore anything Nightmare said.

"I am glad to see that you are finally reunited with your friends. Please all of you come gather around so we may talk. Now Relyks, I do believe you agreed to answer some questions for us, did you not?" He nodded back to her and waved his hand in a "continue" gesture.

"Now there must be a reason that all of you were gathered. Relyks, you seem to know these four, what about him?" Pointing to the final man in the room, Celestia stood waiting for a response. When one did not come quickly she looked questioningly at him, confused over the glare he was giving the other man. "Is there an issue Relyks?"

"No there is not. Just more questions instead of answers. Yes, I know him. That is Craig, Peter's older brother, and someone whom we never wished to see again." With the mentioning of the other man's name, Peter, Walter, and Richard, had sour looks upon their faces.

"Well if it makes you feel any better, we believe we know how you all came here. We believe that the remains of Nightmare Moon, which now rests inside of you, the changeling queen Chrysalis, and Discord are to blame since he broke free just a few months ago. It is with this information we also think we may know of a way to get you home. My student Twilight here has been tasked to find a way to send you home." Looking to see relief on their faces, and thinking they would not be around for too long, Celestia was confused that while she did see relief on most faces, it was the horrified expression on Relyks' face that concerned her.

"You don't look happy about this news, does something trouble you?" While she attempted to sound like her sister, she failed to hold the bite back from her voice.

After a few moments of thinking, and a few glances his way, Relyks was finally able to get his thoughts together. "You said that Discord broke out a few months ago?"

"Indeed this is correct. Twilight and her friends here were able to return him to stone. He once again sits within the castle gardens. Why do you ask?"

Relyks could only stare at Celestia as she said these words. Things just didn't make any sense for him. If this is just passed the season 2 finale, things didn't add up.

"Oi, Relyks. We are all now in this pretty little world that you oh so love to watch, don't you have anything useful for us to know, or are you just going to stand there like a moron with your mouth open?" Richard was not the kindest of people, even at the best of times, but Relyks still came around to his place once in a while. Once you have known a few guys for 10+ years, sometimes you tend to ignore the little things that bother you, even if you have already fought over them before.

"Richard, I know that you are just a little bundle of joy, but if you don't stop talking and being an ass, I may just have to do something about it. I will make this simple, I am not in the mood for your shit right now, so sit down and shut up." Wanting to always annoy the ever easily irritated Relyks, Peter was about to cut in and start arguing himself. Once he saw that Relyks' eye changed from brown, to cyan, back to brown within his statement, he decided that something was indeed wrong and that Relyks truly was not in the mood for it.

"Ugh, do all of you have to be so uncouth and constantly curse all the time? It is unnecessary and downright barbaric." All eyes locked onto Rarity as she spoke. With a new target located, Peter decided to do what he loved most. Annoying others.

"Oh that is nothing, I have plenty of other words I could use. After all there is hell, damn, ass, c-" A swift slap made its way across the back of his head. The source seemed to be coming from Relyks as both Walter, and Richard stared at him. All eyes were on Relyks as an ethereal wisp of hair was pulled back after hitting the other man.

With strained features, Relyks said he was unable to answer questions, asked to be left alone, and walked out of the room. "Did I just get slapped by glowing hair? What the fu-" With a slam of the doors, Peter's remark was cut short.

"I don't think being around your friends is such a good idea. Plus with all this stress you are gaining, and the recent bombshell that you got from dear old Celestia" She stated the name with much hatred you don't seem to be doing too good. I suggest letting go. You will never have to worry about them upsetting you again. You won't have to worry about anything."

The thought of not having to worry about anything sounded appealing to Relyks, more than he would like to admit. He decided to wander the halls and grounds of the castle, hoping that a walk will do him well to get things back in order and maintain some semblance of control.

~**~

He didn't know how long he was walking. It felt like minutes to his stressed mind, but he figured it was probably close to an hour. His irritation still grating on him he continued to try and think things through.

"I can't believe those guys! Peter is such a jackass, thinking he is so damn funny all the time. His brother Craig is here for some unknown reason as well. I don't want to deal with that betraying jerk. Richard is just being himself, which isn't really a good thing since he is a jerk all the time, and Walter just wants to go back I am sure so he can play on his stupid computer. I swear that guy is so... selfish... wait. Peter thinks he is funny when he is laughing at someone, Craig is a disloyal waste of space, Richard is just an ass all the time, and Walter is selfish. Laughter, loyalty, kindness, and generosity... oh shit."

"Aw, caught on did you? Never you mind anyhow, it is too late to stop anything. All of you are here and they won't be able to send you home. Better get used to this, because you boy, are in it for the long run." With a dark laugh, Nightmare left him alone with that thought, with him having figured out why they were there, but unable to do anything about it.

~**~

During the time that Relyks was wandering the castle, Celestia, Luna, Twilight, and her friends continued to converse with the other humans. While concerned that he was wandering on his own, Luna knew what the nightmare was doing to the man. Instead of confronting him and making things worse, she instead had one of her guard tail him.

"No, seriously, was I just hit by floating hair or is it just me?" Peter, still confused as to what happened continued to ask the same question as before with the same success for an answer, none.

"Well, while your friend is once again out, I would like to ask a different question to all of you, especially to you Richard." Twilight, tired of just standing around while her and her friends just watched, couldn't handle it anymore. "You mentioned something about a "pretty little world he likes to watch", could you clarify on this?"

"Oh I would love to, as long as you stay over there purple-corn." Twilight, wasn't terribly pleased with the name, however she decided it wasn't worth it if watching the altercation between both Richard and Relyks told her anything.

"He watches a TV show called "My Little Pony". A gay show meant for little girls and not grown men. In this show I can only guess that all of you are in it. Relyks probably knows more of what is going on that he is letting on. I would talk to him for more answers. I would be careful though, some of those "Bronies" like to think about sex with you little creatures. He might be one of them too since he watches the show." It was a good thing that Relyks was not here during this part of the conversation as he may have tried to kill the man for the insult.

Celestia and Luna had already questioned the 5 humans in front of them before Relyks woke up. Despite their attempt and the attempt made by Twilight and her friends to once again ask questions, they spent the better part of the hour going over information they already knew and before long they decided to call it a night.

"It is getting late and my sister and I have other duties to attend to. You are all welcome to spend the night at the castle. Tomorrow we will figure out where to go from there." As Celestia said this she had some of the castle staff show the 5 humans to their rooms. Rainbow Dash and Applejack decided to turn in for the night as well while pinkie made her way to the kitchens. Fluttershy left to walk the castle gardens and Rarity followed her leaving just Celestia, Luna, and Twilight in the room. Once the princesses had finished changing the day to night they decided to brainstorm a little.

"I am still concerned about the reaction we received from Relyks. The others looked to be happy while he looked mortified. I remember what it was like to house the nightmare well. It is trying to worsen things for him, of this I am sure." Luna had a sour look as she said this, the memory being unpleasant, while Twilight tapped her chin with her hoof. "He asked something earlier that was odd. We mentioned Discord to him and he knew who that was. The odd part of his question wasn't the fact of who it was about, but more that he asked when it happened. Why would that be important to him as he only just arrived?"

"I am as unsure about that as you are my dear pupil. Do you have any thoughts as to why Luna?"

"I do not sister, however we could as him directly. He is standing outside, I can feel the nightmare within him."

As she said this a knock was heard on the door to the room. With a quick reply of "Enter" from Celestia, Relyks walked in. Looking much calmer than before he approached the three beings in this world he knew could either help "save" him, or condemn them all. Hoping for the former of the two possibilities he stopped in front of them.

"I believe I have an idea as to what Nightmare Moon's plan is, or at least part of it."

"Please, enlighten us what that beast has planned human." Once again, Luna was more vicious in her response than intended.

"I believe that the others and myself are supposed to represent some sort of opposite to Twilight and her friends, some sort of Bearers of Disharmony."

All three of the ponies in the room looked at him like he grew a second head. His statement being outrageous, but also possible.

"Is there anything else you know of?"

"No, I wouldn't even know for a certainty if Nightmare didn't let slip a confirmation of this. It was just an idea to begin with. Celestia, there is something I would like to ask."

"What is it?"

"Do you know of a way to travel through time?"

Chapter 5: Lunar Dreams

Too much has happened too fast. Everything felt like it was going a mile a minute. Magical surges were reported within the everfree, then there were these new visitors that they received. That last one, Relyks, seemed to be unstable, becoming angry at the slightest provocation. Twilight was dumbfounded by the sheer tenacity he had when he tried to attack Luna. While it was understandable that he was stressed, with Nightmare Moon apparently being inside of him, he was in control so why was he so angry?

Thoughts like this kept running through her mind. The intellectual in her trying to piece together all of the details that happened. She was happy that her friends were with her, but they themselves were also in the dark. After all, if both Celestia and Luna didn't have all the answeres, what hope would six normal mares?

Walking through the castle library, Twilight was researching answers to Relyks' final question that he himself asked. "Do you know of a way to travel through time?" While she did know a spell, she only cast it once and it only lasted for a few moments.

Chrysalis' name was used yesterday while they were all discussing what to do. She had hoped to never see or hear anything from or about that creature ever again, being trapped below Canterlot during the wedding a few days ago still fresh in her mind.

Twilight was a common sight within the royal library, having lived in one of its wings when she was being tutored before leaving to Ponyville. She had already perused its contents multiple times, and read a good portion of its books to boot. Normally being back here would bring enjoyment, and a good way to keep her distracted. She however already had a lot on her mind as it was.

Going around and around with an internal debate of, why he asked that question, to where did they come from, why were they brought here, and finally the biggest question in her mind. How did this Relyks know all of them? She suspected that most of these questions were in the minds of all of them, her friends, mentor, and probably even the other five humans. No, she knew that Relyks was also asking at least some of these questions, having seen him earlier, still awake, in the library himself, looking at a book, quickly going through a couple pages before becoming agitated, and place it back before leaving, a guard following him to make sure he didn't cause trouble.

They were all an enigma, seemingly unable to properly get along, yet they called each other "friend". Taking notes, leaving parchment and quills everywhere, Twilight was startled when she was approached by her mentor, the motherly voice easily recognizable to the mare.

"Hello Twilight, what are you still doing awake? Doing some research on our new arrivals?"

Twilight could only huff in annoyance at her own answer. "Yes princess, I have been thinking about time travel and what it could mean, but for every answer I get, every book I read, all I get is more questions. Is there anything you could tell me about all of this? We already know all about Chrysalis and her Changelings, and we made sure that Discord was still encased in stone. Nightmare Moon however, the actual phantom that took root in Princess Luna's heart remains mostly a mystery. I want to ask her about it but..." Trailing off Celestia was able to piece together Twilight's reasons for being hesitant.

"The scar left by the nightmare is indeed deep for my sister. There are things about it that she hasn't told, even to me."

With Celestia's confession that Luna has kept everything close to the heart regarding the nightmare, Twilight once again wondered if it was okay to even ask such insensitive questions regarding such a personal subject. "I know asking her about it so openly would be insensitive and rude, I don't want to upset her."

Celestia nodded in understanding. "While it is true that such questions will only upset my sister, she indeed is the only one who truly knows the nightmare. Having been bonded to her for a thousand years left her plenty of time to get to know it." Wishing to change the subject for the moment, she brought up one of the other questions on the unicorn's mind. "Tell me, my faithful student, Relyks brought up that he believes they were chosen to represent disharmony. What do you think of this?"

Twilight tapped her chin with her hoof in thought. "Well, I noticed that while they claim to be friends, most of them don't seem to truly get along with each other. From what I have been able to gather from our short interaction with the humans, the one called Richard seemed to be very rude, and that Peter has what I can only describe as a twisted sense of humor. How anypony can find insulting another to be funny is despicable. Under this light, they seem to be the perfect opposites to both Kindness and Laughter."

Once again Celestia nodded, agreeing with her. "I only have ideas at the moment of what to do with all of them, what do you think we should do?" To say that Twilight was flabbergasted would be an understatement, never expecting somepony like Celestia to not know what to do, leaving her with a shocked expression that only amused the solar princess further. "Yes Twilight, even I don't always have all the answers. That is part of ruling a kingdom, making the best judgement possible with what information that you have. Even then I don't always make the best decision. After all, look at what happened yesterday, I gathered them all together in a room and proceeded to question them despite the scene that took place between Relyks and my own sister just minutes prior."

Blushing in embarrassment, she finally collected herself to answer her mentor, making a mental note reminding her that even Celestia is humble. "Well princess, if each of them is supposed to represent disharmony, I think the best thing to do would be to try and teach them the true magic of friendship. To teach them what true harmony is. Fluttershy could teach Richard what it is like to truly be kind, and Pinkie Pie could teach Peter what it is like to truly laugh from the heart, at nopony's expense."

"I think that is a wonderful idea Twilight, I could not agree more."

Beginning to form a plan of what to do with the humans, Twilight began thinking of which human to pair with which friend of her's. Going back into thought of their personalities and the powers that brought them to Equestria, she began to again wonder how they arrived, and why.

Getting lost in thought, it was once again Celestia that brought her out, knowing the expression on her student's face. "Come Twilight, it is late, I will walk you back to your room."

Looking at the clock, Twilight realized that it was close to three in the morning. Following her mentor out of the library she had one final question, though the answer to this one she figured she would be able to obtain tonight.

"I didn't notice how late it had gotten. You are of course right princess, though would you be willing to answer just one question for me?"

Celestia just looked at her student with a loving gaze. "Of course Twilight, you are always welcome to ask me anything."

"Why are you up so late tonight, don't you have to be up in a few hours?"

Celestia could only chuckle at the obvious question placed before her. "I am afraid that I am up for the same reasons as you my student. I myself have been pondering over the events that transpired today."

With that question answered the two walked the rest of the way in silence, Twilight simply enjoying the company of the princess until they reached Twilight's room.

"Thank you for walking me back princess, I am happy I was able to spend some time with you."

'You as well my student, pleasant dreams."

With their goodbyes being said, Twilight trotted over to the large bed, making sure to avoid stepping on her little assistant sleeping in his basket, and proceeded to try and sleep herself.

~**~

Traveling through the dreamscape was nothing new to Luna, having spent so many years helping her ponies thwart off nightmares. Tonight was a little different though, she was wishing to gleam whatever information she could on the humans. For the most part they were very normal, if not a little strange for her due to the different species.

Only a few things stood out for her while she was observing each human. The one named Craig seemed to have dark dreams about others getting hurt and him being the one to stand on top. The female, Katherine, looked to be having dreams that were of a, personal persuasion. The humans Walter, Richard, and Peter were having normal dreams where things didn't make sense and they were just along for the ride.

She went along like this for the majority of the night, helping quell the fears and nightmares of her ponies, putting off having to view Nightmare Moon for as long as she could. The six mares, the very ones who saved her from the nightmare, were having a few of their own. Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash all seemed to have normal dreams that night, not all that different that usual. While Twilight looked to still be awake, it was Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy that were having a difficult time.

Pinkie Pie's personal nightmare that night was about the humans, to no surprise to herself. The dream taking on a grey hue, not unlike when Discord affected each of them. A nightmare of where her friends are acting just like the humans, rude and angry. Fluttershy seemed to be having a nightmare of a different nature. The pegasus, being kind to her core, her nightmares were not about the humans doing anything specific, but about what happened to cause the humans to be so detestable in nature.

With practiced ease, Luna helped disperse the dreams that were plaguing the two mares. Having dealt with all she could for the moment, she finally looked for the final human whom she had yet to meet that night. With the others she was careful as she had no way of knowing how they would react to her presence. A previous encounter with a minotaur that visited once ended poorly when she entered its dreams, the minotaur not being pleased that another entered its mind without their permission.

It was when she approached the final one, Relyks that things were truly different. Having saved him for last she noticed that he didn't seem to dream, he did however still have a "door" or "portal" into his mind as if he was dreaming. Instead of being able to glimpse what the dream was about by looking at it from outside, his dream took on a shadow like quality. No doubt influenced by the nightmare.

Once she entered into the human's mind, any thought she had that he was working for the nightmare was dispersed. Seeing the two of them, she saw they were not even yelling at each other, but screaming. Nightmare wanting to be let free, and Relyks wanting to be rid of her. She saw the nightmare in what looked to be a cage of sorts, chains holding her down even further inside. What truly convinced her of the human's sincerity when he said he didn't work for her, was the large spikes sticking out of each of the nightmare's limbs, each one holding it in place. Some limbs such as the wings even had two spikes, each one looking painfully placed and barbed to discourage any form of movement.

"I don't give two shits what you want! You forced your way into my life, literally, proceed to kidnap my friends, threaten my sister, and try to possess my body. Why would I ever let something like you do what you wanted? What is your major malfunction?!?"

"You human, are but an insect to me. Do you ever think about what an ant wants to do, if it wishes to be interfered with? No, you do not, you don't think about things because it is just an insect!"

"Oh yea? I have only known you for a day and I already can't stand you. If I am the insect then you must be nothing more than a germ because look at you! You are trapped within my mind, within the confines of my very soul. You have no power here!"

"It is only a matter of time before you break human! In only one day you already began to crack, almost becoming mine! Mark my words, you will fall to me!"

"The day I fall to you, you pompous, poor excuse for a creature, is the day that my will breaks, the day my spirit shatters! News flash beotch, that day is not happening any time soon!"

The arguments continued like this for some time, both sides arguing their same points over and over again, only changing the way they said it, and the insults used. Neither of the two either noticing, or caring that Luna was watching this.

The lunar princess, having seen all she cared to and not wishing to get any closer to the nightmare, left the man's mind and exited from the dreamscape. With morning soon approaching she had only one thing on her mind. In the morning she has new information for her sister about this, and thinking that maybe it was time to come clean, to explain just what it is like to be possessed by the nightmare. She herself went through tartarus and back because of that monster, and she would never wish it upon her worst enemy.

She vowed that she would do what she could to help the human, to keep the nightmare at bay.

Chapter 6: Of Gardens and Statues

Earlier that night

As Fluttershy and Rarity made their way though the corridors of the castle, while neither of them voiced it, both of them were disturbed by what they heard earlier. There was mention of some sort of show, a "My Little Pony" as they recalled and apparently people watched it. There was no denying that once Relyks woke up he had already known their names and began to use them without prompting.

While it was indeed bothering them both, it was Fluttershy whom everything seemed to affect the most. As they entered the gardens Rarity had noticed that her friend was troubled. "Is everything alright dear? You seem to be a little shaken, if nothing else." With concern in her eyes she decided to put her own issues and thoughts on hold to help her friend.

"Oh, I am just thinking about what happened earlier. He seemed to be so mad, so angry. While it may have scared me that he may try to hurt somepony, there must be a reason for it. His heart must truly be hurting to just act like that." Rarity could only smile, reminded why Fluttershy was the bearer of Kindness. Even when she is scared and afraid, she is still thinking about the well being of others.

The gardens, just like the castle, was a sight to behold. Just as the castle was, the gardens were well kept and constantly maintained. Flowers bloomed along the paths, all arranged by size, color, and type. It was here that the two mares liked to walk when they were in Canterlot, and they were troubled. The flora (and fauna for Fluttershy) was relaxing for them.

"The way he and his friends treated each one another as well, what kind of world do they come from where that is normal? Where you claim to be friends with someone and then make fun of them. It's just so sad."

Rarity, knowing that Fluttershy was hurting inside, pulled her into a hug. "Well darling, I can only guess as to what type of world those... men, come from. It is sweet of you though, that you care about others, even others you don't know. It really makes me proud to be able to call you my friend."

With the reassuring words from Rarity, she smiled and returned the embrace. The two continued to walk, eventually reaching the statue garden. All sorts of statues stood here, some being ponies of old, paragons of what they stood for, and others were of Equestria's greatest enemies. It was when they approached one such statue that their conversation took on a different tone.

"I have to say, the events with this creature we experienced were truly dreadful. Opal still acts up once in a while and has ever since."

"Oh I completely understand. All of my animal friends were so scared with everything that happened. Angel Bunny was really upset after Discord was sealed away again. He didn't appreciate what happened."

"Yes, well I think it would be a good idea to let Twilight know that this... brute... is still here. At least that way she will have some piece of mind."

"But wouldn't the princess have already checked to make sure he was still here?"

"Oh I am certain that they have, however you know Twilight. She may be brilliant at times, but sometimes she lets things get out of control, thinking things are happening that really aren't." With a pause she looked at Fluttershy. "Is something wrong?"

Eyes downcast, fluttershy spoke quietly. "I feel bad for the way we treated her just a few days ago. Ever since Twilight was worried about her friendship reports, and caused the problems with her Smarty Pants doll, we have all thought that same way, that sometimes her paranoia gets the better of her. Then comes a day where she says somepony is acting strange, tries to convince us, and none of us believe her. I remember her face clearly when she confronted the false Cadance. She looked destroyed when all of us, including Princess Celestia and her own brother walked out on her."

Being reminded of the slight they made with their friend helped Rarity to understand why Fluttershy was quietly going along with anything Twilight said all day. "I understand what you mean dear, I also feel that we should do something for her. Something to help say that we are sorry. Maybe we can have a girls night or something, what do you think?"

The two continued to make plans, to make things up to their friend as they walked. Had they not been so distracted, their hearts low due to the discussion, they may have noticed the slight glow to Discords statue. They may have noticed that cracks and chips that were in the base of the statue were closing, almost like time was being rewound.

~**~

Despite what others may say, Pinkie was methodical in what she did and did think things through. She was also highly perceptive and able to read the situation well. While others may have thought she was random, that wasn't always the case. At least not in her mind.

The bubblegum pink mare was walking through the halls of the castle. Normally chipper and excited, she would be bouncing. Today though left her feeling conflicted. She met new ponies, or in this case people, and was super duper excited to meet them! However things don't always go to plan, especially when the new ponies in town are mean, rude, and angry. She decided to try and make things better the only way she knew how, by throwing a party. With a game plan in motion she made her way to the kitchens to cook up some cakes. Quietly singing the whole time to try and cheer others up and keep her own spirits up.

"Come on every pony smile, smile, smile. Fill my heart up with sunshine, sunshine. All I really need's a smile, smile, smile. From these happy friends of mine!"

Making her way to the rooms where the humans were staying, with snacks and cakes aplenty, she found that most of them were together. This put a small damper on her plan but she would try and do what she could right now. Knocking on the door to the room she was greeted by the sight of Richard. "What do you want pinkie?"

*Gasp* "You know my name? Thats super duperrific! You must be psychic or something. I brought snacks, I thought you might enjoy them. Normally I would throw a party for everypony, well not that your a pony, I just said everypony because that is what everypony says, but I was told it would be a bad idea to do that right now. So instead here I am, with cake and snacks just looking to say hi!"

Inside a voice could be heard. "Who the hell is making all that noise out there!?" "Don't worry about it Peter, just shut up and stay quiet. Look, I didn't know your name, I was calling you pinkie because you are pink."

"Oh that's okay, I still brought snacks for everyone!"

"Oh for the love of god just let the girl in already!" Disgruntled the man caved. "Alright, fine she is your problem then!" Turning around Richard walked away leaving the door open. Pinkie made her way inside and saw that most of the humans in the room seemed to be avoiding each other, while one was already asleep. The air in the room gave the impression that they were not talking to one another and were instead just laying about, trying to ignore the situation they were in.

"Like I told Richie here," Getting a small "I will show you Richie if I ever hear you call me that again" from the man. "I brought snacks and cake for all of you! Now I know it's not much but I hope that I we can all be friends."

"Well thanks, I guess." Was the only reply she received.

"Now I know it is late and I have your other friend to find, so I will say goodnight to all of you. Goodnight!" With a wave she made her way out, never hearing the insulting muttering from Richard as she left.

She continued to walk the halls, asking a guard if they knew where Relyks was. Each of the humans was assigned a guard to keep an eye on them. This made locating the man much easier than it would have been normally. She quickly found him as he was leaving the library, a look of annoyance seemingly stuck on his face. Knowing that type of look and remembering the mood he was in earlier, Pinkie decided to instead follow him and wait for him to begin to relax.

She had followed him for the better part of half an hour before he found his way to the castle grounds. She saw him stop in front of a tree where he sat and leaned against it, the cool night air seeming to help calm his nerves. She gave him a couple more minutes before she quietly approached, nodding to the guard as she walked by him. She sat next to him, not moving or saying anything and instead decided to wait for him to make the first move.

"Hello Pinkie, how can I help you?" His voice calm and quiet, showing that the mare made the correct choice in waiting.

"I wanted to come say hi, and to give you this. You were asleep on the ground for most of the day, and angry for the rest. I thought you might like a snack." Lifting a cupcake to him she handed it over. Slowly he took it, observing the mare and trying to understand her.

"I appreciate the offer, though I apologize for I am not good company tonight. but still I thank you." Holding the small pastry in his hand he took a bite. It was indeed delicious, though a little to sweet for his personal taste, he ate it.

"While you may not be the best company tonight, you are the one who looks like he needs someone to just talk to." As she sat her voice took a more serious tone than most have ever heard come from her. "I remember Nightmare Moon well, after all it was the same night that I became friends with Twilight. At the time I remember calling her "Black Snooty" though that was me mostly being passive aggressive to her, to tell her that she was being mean. I can only assume what you are going through. If you ever want somepony to talk to, I am always here."

Not expecting the tone coming from the mare beside him, her first few words still sung in his head. This little pony, one whom people all over called random within the fandom, was speaking to him, trying to help comfort him by just being nearby. He remembered the episode where her friends found her file cabinet with details on every residence, from their birthdays, to their likes and dislikes. It was that same episode that let him know that she always did things with purpose.

"Thank you Pinkamena, you don't know how much it means to me that you are willing to just sit here and keep me company." While she couldn't see it since she wasn't looking, his hands began to shake.

"I am happy to help in any way that I can, be it for a joke, for a party, or even for a shoulder to cry on."

His chest started to tremble along with his hands, with him unable to stop it. The day proving to be too much for him to bear any longer. After a few minutes of just silence he only asked a simple question. "Pinkie, would it be alright if I gave you a hug?"

Without answering she pulled him into an embrace. With that final action the dam broke.

That night, in the arms of one whom he hoped to call a friend one day, he fell asleep crying.

Chapter 7: A Choice Given

In the early hours of the morning Walter could be seen wandering the halls of the castle. To most he would appear to be wandering aimlessly, though he was attempting, however poorly, to memorize the layout and remember where each room was. While not intending to, his walk took him close to the royal suite. Noticing guards stationed outside a few of the rooms in the hall, he figured those were rooms that were off limits, at least to him and his kind. Deciding to keep walking and choosing to ignore those rooms, he walked past a door with a sigil of the sun on it as Celestia came out.

"Oh, good morning Walter, was there something you needed?"

With a raised eyebrow he returned the greeting. "Good morning your highness, I was just wandering the halls, trying to understand how your castle is laid out."

Celestia could only chuckle, as most would just ask a guard for directions. "Well have you by chance been able to figure out where the dining room is?" He only shook his head in response. "Well I am about to make my way there for some breakfast, you are welcome to join me if you would like."

A growl from his stomach helped answer the question for her "Sounds good to me."

As the two began to walk together, Celestia was watching the man closely. Ever since she met these humans, this one seemed to be the most flippant and nonchalant of them all, looking like he didn't care for much. They walked in silence the entire way, neither of them bothering to say anything, both simply enjoying the morning light seeping in through the windows.

They soon arrived at the dining room and made their way to the long table, its size and design made for being able to sit many guests. Taking note of all who are present, Walter saw that both Katherine and Luna arrived before them. Celestia sat next to her sister while Walter decided to sit a few seats away, not wanting to be terribly close to them, but close enough that he could actively engage in conversation should the need arise and not be rude.

"Luna, good morning. I trust your night was well?"

"Good morning sister. There were a few nightmares and the occasional odd dream." She looked at the man, noting he was quietly watched them. "There was one dream that was... different, but it has since passed."

"Oh? Is it something that we should be concerned with?" The thought of the Princess of Dreams finding a dream that was strange even unto her making the solar diarch slightly nervous.

"I am uncertain as it does pertain to our... other guest, however everything looks to be okay since this morning."

Walter could almost feel the venom that Luna had for this other guest by the way she spoke of it. Deciding it wasn't worth bothering with whatever they were talking about, he grabbed some of the food that was already placed on the table in front of him. "Why are they so worried over dreams? Who even cares what someone else dreams. God damn magical pony land bull shit..."

Normally Walter was detached from most things as he just didn't care, however just like his friends he himself was high strung and irritated over recent events. Being of average height and build he was able to handle himself fairly well, but the events that led to him being in Equestria only upset him further. Having always been able to take care of himself, he felt powerless to the powers at play that brought him here.

He looked over at Katherine and couldn't even begin to understand why she was here. "Okay, Richard, Peter, and Relyks I understand as we all know each other. Hell even Craig makes sense being Peter's brother, but why the hell is Katherine here? A few of us may know her, but only as acquaintances at best.

Whatever peace was in the room was broken when the doors opened and the arguing between Craig and his brother Peter could be heard. "I don't give a shit about what you think, you are an ass and if you died everyone would be happy!" Needless to say the ponies standing behind them were shocked, never thinking that two brothers would speak like this to each other.

"Yea? Well you are a whinny little shit who doesn't do anything with his life but play video games. Everyone would be happy if I died? I would be happy if you were never born!"

Silence fell over the room as the two men were quickly trapped in a purple bubble being created by the irate purple alicorn. "Ugh finally! These two have been fighting all morning and I am sick of it."

The two in the bubble didn't even seem to care as they could be seen still arguing even from where Walter was sitting. "Retards. Because it is such a good idea to fight like idiots in front of royalty that could have us executed at a moments notice. If they get us in trouble, I am claiming that I don't know either of them.

"I am so sorry princess! I didn't think they would keep acting like this in front of you. I thought they would have some common decency, but clearly I was mistaken." Twilight stated looking ashamed.

"Do not worry yourself my pupil. You cannot be responsible for the actions taken by others, especially others who are not native to this land. I will have the guards escort them back to their room where they can continue their conversation in privacy."

Walter could not believe it. Here he was thinking that things were about to get a whole lot worse for them, then all of a sudden this princess just sends the two to their rooms as if they were just misbehaving children. Deciding that he had enough, he chose to return to the room himself, not even bothering to excuse himself as he left.

Making his way back, he pulled out an envelope that was placed in his pocket sometime during his transfer to this strange land. Bearing a black looking crown as the crest that held the letter closed, there were no other markings to indicate whom it may have come from. Making his way to his room, he saw that he had a guard following him and quickly put the letter back in his pocket. He figured that they all had guards watching everything they did and he didn't want any other being, pony or otherwise, going through his things or interfering with his business.

After several twists and turns in the castle and many minutes later, he finally found the room they were given. He made his way to the attached bathroom so he could be alone as the two brothers were still going at it. "All right, lets see who our mystery admirer is"

He took the letter out of his pocket and opened it. Closed it. Then opened it again. Doing this several times before finally giving up. "Who the hell gives someone a letter, that is nothing but scribbles. Is this their written language? Am I seriously going to have to learn how to read this shit?"

Putting the letter back in his pocket he left the bathroom and went back into the hallway. "This is going to be a pain in the ass."

~**~

Peter could only grumble as he walked back to the dining hall. After getting lost, asking for directions, and getting lost again he finally found his way there around what he could only guess was noon. Peter was tall, very tall, and had long hair to go with it. He didn't like to get into fights, however he would argue all day if he could. Sometimes just arguing with someone will really get them steamed, and that always makes him laugh.

When he entered the room he saw that Katherine was still here and that Richard had arrived. He didn't really know Katherine other than she was Richard's sister in law. Making his way over to Richard he sat down and hoped that there would be lunch served as he was hungry. He hadn't eaten in a couple days now and it was beginning to hurt.

"Ugh, do you know if they are going to serve food in this place? Seriously, I would just go to the kitchen myself if I knew where it was. This is a freaking castle, it's not like they won't have anything to spare."

"I don't know. I got here a little bit earlier but the table looked like this and the ponies all were leaving." Richard was pretty average height himself, but he unlike Peter was round and had quite the belly to him.

"Do you know if Relyks knows whats going on and how to go home?" Richard looked at Peter in silence for a minute at his question.

"That creature? Yea he probably knows exactly what is going on, after all you saw him yesterday. He looked like a god damn monster. I wouldn't be surprised if he begged some demon a chance to come here to magical pony land."

Now Peter may have found the suffering of others to be amusing, however he did still think of Relyks as a friend. "You and I both know that the thing he was turning into, the thing that he is dealing with, looked nothing like the pony or that weird ass chimera that yanked both of us. I was awake when we were captured and I saw him when we were in that church. He didn't try to reason or bargain with that black horse in the silver armor. He threw a damn knife at it, blade first. You should probably remember that before you push him off the deep end, I think he might actually snap if pushed to far right now."

With a sigh Richard gave in and relented. "You are right I saw it too, I am just pissed off at this whole situation we are in."

"I understand man, I totally get ya, but do be careful around him. I have seen him angry before, absolutely livid even. Never before have I ever seen him so... unstable though. Did you notice that his eye was twitching?"

The other man could only laugh. "Haha I though that he looked like he was tweaking on some really bad shit for a minute."

With that last statement all humans gathered, Katherine included, shared a quick laugh.

With the atmosphere in the room having been lifted, Peter had only one thought on his mind that he felt he needed to share.

"But seriously... is there any food?"

~**~

Things were not going his way. He had missed getting some food, had to listen to his stupid brother prattle on and on, and was now lost in the castle. He would have asked one of the guards he saw standing around, or the ones that were watching him, but he was to prideful.

Craig was a little shorter than most, but was built like a twig, not unlike his brother who looked like a walking stick. As he was walking through the halls he saw Relyks through a window, apparently asleep under a tree. Things were weird enough for him sure, but the odd partial transformation the other man did yesterday was really strange.

Standing there for a few minutes, he thought about a conversation he had with the centaur thing before it brought him here.

"So you want me to just do everything I can to piss everyone off? Why would I want to do that, and why would I want to do it for you?" With a quick chuckle he received his reply. "Because I have the ability to steal magic. You do this for me and I will give you enough magic to make you a god to your own people. How does that sound?"

The thought of magic, actual magic was truly a tempting one, and all he had to do was make sure to piss everyone off as much as he could? Looking back at Relyks he could only chuckle to himself. "Well my friend, what would you do if you had the ability to become a god?"

Author's Note

So I am trying to slow things down and flesh things out a little more. For the few of you who took the time to read all of my rambling, please let me know what you think.

Chapter 8: Culture Shock

It was close to evening by the time Relyks woke. While others would say that he looked peaceful while asleep, he would be quick to remind them that the ground is not comfortable. With several pops coming from his neck, back, and other various joints, he took note of his surroundings, seeing that he really was in fact in Equestria.

"And here I was hoping it was some sort of fever dream." With a dejected sigh he made his way through the gardens back to the castle.

With it being late in the day, the castle was quieting down and getting ready for the night. Relyks took advantage of the silence as he walked alone in the halls, using the time to think to himself. Thinking of how he got here, trying to figure out why he is here, and how to deal with the nagging spirit in his mind. It wasn't until he noticed that everything around him was still silent that he realized the Nightmare was being quiet. Deciding not to question his sudden fortune, he continued his way through the castle, only being stopped when he would venture to places being guarded where he did not have access.

He continued to quietly walk around for another hour before coming across the residential wing of the castle. Nothing struck out to him about the many doors that aligned the halls in front of him. Curious as to where the halls led he continued to venture forward and up several flights of stairs. He had finally reached the top when his curiosity was quickly dying out, seeing a large ornate door with a sun etched into it. He stopped in front of the door, seeing that it was partially open and that there were no guards around with an incredulous look upon his face.

Are you kidding me!? Not only is this part of the castle seemingly empty, there are no guards, not even on the bedroom doors to royalty? Who the hell thought that this was smart!? He continued to stand there for several seconds, staring at what he believed to be complete idiocy, until he heard a familiar voice. "Is it really that difficult to understand? How else do you think I was able to overthrow Celestia so easily the last time I was here." The way she said it was more of a statement then a question.

Choosing not to reply to Nightmare's comments, Relyks crept forward till he was next to the door, voices quietly talking on the other side. Looking in through the slight opening that was present, he saw both Celestia and one of her guards speaking at a desk.

"-to each of the humans while they are here. So far they have not proven to be overly hostile, but a couple of them have shown to be a little nasty at times, spouting threats and the like. Though they do not seem to follow through with them."

"I see, tell me what have your guards found about each of them in the short time they have been here?"

"Well your highness, other than their names there is not a whole lot we have been able to learn. Katherine seems to have stayed quiet and reserved the entire time she has been here. Both Peter and Richard had a slight run with the element of laughter during the night, Richard proving to be verbally hostile while Peter seemed somewhat indifferent."

"What exactly do you mean by verbally hostile?" Needless to say, Celestia did not exactly like what she was hearing.

"He gave idle threats, the sort of thing that shows the pony, or person in this case, is full of hot air."

Having her concerns put to rest, Celestia decided to continue. "What of the other three that are here?"

"Well ma'am, Walter has spent the last several hours in the library. From what he has been asking for, it looks like he does not understand our written language and is trying to adapt, and Craig has been lounging since breakfast."

"Hah, they have tabs on you 24 hours of the day." Without missing a beat, Relyks quietly responded "Well who's fault do you think that is?" Receiving a huff of indignation as a response, Relyks went back to listening to the report.

"The final one, Relyks, was resting under a tree in the gardens after a quiet conversation with Pinkie Pie. He was until recently still sleeping. Due to him sleeping through the day and apparently being up during the nights, we assigned him lunar guards instead for now. He has since then been wandering the castle, until he made his way here."

Eyes widening Relyks could only finish the thought of "Oh shit" before tensing and turning around to run away, only to run face first into the open leather wings of a lunar guard, two more right behind the first. Trying to fight back and run away, he fell over before making the first stride, his legs being confined within shackles. Looking up at the guard who's wing he was caught in, he saw a toothy grin before hearing the apparent mare quietly state, "Gotcha."

Hearing the scuffle outside her door, Celestia used her magic to fully open the doors, allowing the guards and the restrained human enter the room. Once he was inside, the man quit struggling and resigned to his fate.

"Hahaha, what an imbecile you are to be caught like that." With an angry grunt he yelled back at her. "Well it's not like you noticed them either you dumb horse!" His response was only silence. "Yea that is what I thought." Relyks could feel the grin that Nightmare would have if she could. "But that's the thing, you didn't think that."

A look of horror came over his face as he looked at the other ponies in the room. "That was out loud... wasn't it." With a stern gaze, Celestia had him placed in front of her. "I believe you and I should have a lengthy conversation. We are going to discuss who you are, what you plan to do here, what you know, and what the meaning of whorse is here boy." Despite being an adult man, he felt like a child in front of this being before him.

~**~

The Lunar guard is more laid back personality wise than the Solar guard, at least while on duty. They are seen less as they only patrol during the night. This doesn't mean they are any less capable or less disciplined, but they do work differently than their solar brethren. That being said, Nightingale was coming to the conclusion that having this being as her charge will prove most entertaining. She and her two fellow guards had been tailing Relyks, much to his obliviousness, and she took mental note that despite his size, the being before her could walk the castle walls almost silently without trying.

They continued to track him through the halls as he wandered, slowly making their way to the solar diarch's chambers. She sent word ahead to where their charge was heading. She noticed that the guards that were supposed to be stationed there were in fact missing, presumably in the room speaking with Celestia if the voices heard were anything to go by.

She watched with rapt curiosity as Relyks came to a complete stop and began listening to the conversation taking place inside the room. Deciding to make her move she had her two fellow guards fall beside her and slowly crept up on the unsuspecting human, waiting for the right moment to strike.

The conversation in the room began speaking about Relyks directly, and once the statement ended with "Until he made his way here." and she noticed his body become alert and tense up to flee, she opened her wings fully intending on catching the human before he could go anywhere, and that is exactly what happened. With a wide grin on her face she simply stated, "Gotcha."

Now he sits in front of Celestia, with a look of alarm on his face seeing how angry she looked. With an irritated sigh Celestia spoke. "Lets just begin with exactly why you thought it smart or polite to call either me or one of the guards a whorse."

A look of confusion came across his face at this statement. "But that is what all of you are, while most of you are smaller than what I am used to, you are in fact a horse as far as I am concerned."

With this Celestia narrowed her eyes. "And what exactly do you think a whorse is?"

Becoming worried at how angry the powerful being in front of him was, Relyks began to panic, alarm filling his entire being as he could swear the room was getting hotter. "Basically a pony but larger? About as tall as you, mindless animals from where I am from? Beasts of burden? I don't know how to properly answer that!"

Through the entire exchange taking place, Relyks could hear the nightmare within him laughing, the intensity of it growing each time he opened his mouth.

A look of sudden realization came across Celestia's face, deciding to confirm her thoughts she continued to press for answers. "Tell me then human, does this "beast" as you put it sleep around with others for monetary gain?"

Like a slap to the face Relyks understood why she was getting angry at the thought of being called a horse, or more specifically a whorse. An equine pun to a completely different word for him. "I think you are speaking of a prostitute, otherwise also known as a whore. I can tell you that I was not calling anyone that type of name."

Celestia let her anger subside slightly. "Alright then, unless the word dumb means something else where you are from, want to clarify why you chose to call somepony dumb? While not as nasty of as the other word was, it is still impolite."

"Your highness, if I may?" Nightingale spoke, receiving a nod in confirmation. "He spoke as if replying to another, I don't think he was speaking to me, my fellow guards, or you your highness. I think he was speaking with the nightmare that possesses him."

With a sigh Celestia could see the logic behind the guardsmare. Before she could continue to speak Luna walked into the room. "Sister, it is late should you not be in bed at this hour?"

Looking at the clock everyone, pony and human included, saw that it was almost midnight. "My sister is right, it is indeed late and has been a long day for some of us. We will continue this at a later time when we are refreshed." Nightingale could feel the tension leave his body as he relaxed.

With the conversation over Luna looked to her guard. "Major Nightingale, if you would please, escort sir Relyks here to the rest of his kind. Also please release his restraints." Giving a slight bow, she and her two fellow guards made their way out of the room.

~**~

The walk back was silent, more than Relyks would have liked. Other than the little spat earlier Nightmare has been unusually quiet, and the guards around him were not speaking. This normally wouldn't be a problem for him, but recent events had him on alert and a little paranoid. Things stayed like this before he was left in front of a door. Entering the room the guards left him as the door shut. Looking around he saw that all six of them were together again.

Peter noticing the haunted look upon his friends face decided to attract attention to it. "Dude, you look like you just went through the ringer. What happened?"

With a look of incredulity, Relyks simply replied, "Dude... no matter what you do, never call Celestia a horse."

Author's Note

Well, out of the frying pan at least.

Please leave a comment if you enjoyed this or some constructive criticism.

Chapter 9: That one chapter with exposition

The next morning the group of humans were called to a meeting room. As they filed in it could be seen that both Luna and Celestia were present along with the six element bearers. Two new additions were present with an alabaster unicorn next to a pink alicorn. Relyks immediately recognized them, however the same could not be said for the other 5 humans standing next to him.

"I am pleased that you all decided to join us today as we were unable to yesterday. Before we begin I would like to introduce both my niece and her husband whom you have not had the chance to meet yet. Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, otherwise known as Cadance, and Captain Shining Armor."

While Cadance smiled and greeted everyone happily, her husband on the other hand, (or would it be hoof in this case?) was stoic in expression, though a few of the humans could feel him sizing them up. After introductions went around Celestia continued.

"Now as I am sure that you all may have questions of your own, there are a couple that we ourselves have that we would like to address."

The response received was a groan from Craig. "Ugh... really!? Haven't we already done this song and dance? I thought you already asked your questions, multiple times none the less!"

Not caring for the tone being used and still being the captain of the guard, Shining did not appreciate the disrespect being used. "You will watch your tone around Princess Celestia.

"Oh yea? And what are you going to do about it if I don't? Get candy ass over there to help you jump up your own ass? Because for the record, I don't deal with bastards!"

Needless to say, Shinning took exception to that. He took a step forward taking a slight crouch.

"Who do you think you are human! You forget you are in the presence of Royalty! You will be respectful and do as you are told! If I say watch your tone around the princess, you watch your tone. If I say address each royal with their title, you better address them properly! If I say kneel before her majesty, YOU BETTER KNEEL!"

"Okay. Thats is pony. I am going to show you how to kne-"

Quick to shut up their companion, Richard, Walter and Peter pinned Craig and gagged him till he quieted down. Deciding to play damage control Relyks chimed in.

"I do apologize for his behavior, though if we are going to be told what to do while we are here, then I would like to point out to you captain two facts. First, we hold no loyalty to you or your country, the laws that you uphold do not quite affect us in the same manner as it would your average citizen as we are not from your lands. Secondly, and I mean no disrespect when I say this, where we are from, the country we live in, we do not have any form of monarchy nor patriarchy but instead a democracy. We grew up where everyone is supposed and I stress supposed to be equal and are taught as such. Therefore we do not bow to any man or woman, or pony in this case as we are a proud people. While I respect the positions that all of you are in, I do not see any of you to be my betters, I see you all as equals, as another intelligent being with thoughts and feelings. Due to this if we do not receive proper respect that should be given to all, we ourselves will not give it... Craig notwithstanding."

Everyone in the room both pony and human alike stared at Relyks for the blunt response he had given. Silence permeated throughout the room with no pony or human saying anything. Relyks kept his face passive while internally he was beginning to squirm as he was not used to having all of the attention on him in such a fashion. Finally the silence was broken not by Celestia or Shining Armor, but Luna herself as she grinned and turned to her sister.

"I think I like this one."

With the silence broken Relyks turned to his companions and saw that they were all still staring at him.

"What?"

Richard looked at him incredulously. "Seriously? Since when have you ever been able to talk like that?"

Relyks folded his arms. "Just because I may be a little hot headed and not a diplomat doesn't mean I don't know how to be diplomatic in my advances."

"No, I have lived with you for years dude." He pointed at him. "I have never heard you speak like that before." Walter responded.

Deciding to ignore there remarks Relyks turned back to Celestia. "So princess, you had some questions did you not?"

Having been addressed, Celestia snapped out of her confusion first. Staring slightly as the man's face was not showing much expression, though his eyes betrayed his emotions.

"He may not be a diplomat, but He knows how to move and sound like one. "Well first and foremost there is a question that I need answered. How did you so quickly come to the conclusion of these so called 'Elements of Disharmony'?"

Relyks rubbed his eyes with an annoyed sigh. "Because. It's too easy. To better explain, you said that the others I arrived with answered your questions as well as they could about our world corrrect?" With a nod he continued. "Well part of that world would happen to be a form of media called 'My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic'. Some of that media comes in the form of stories. This situation, the one we are in right now, it is so cliche with the fans of MLP that it hurts. It is over done and over used. Honestly it's disappointing that "Villains" are so unoriginal that they came up with this crap."

Celestia could only blink when he started laughing. "You find this amusing?"

He calmed down with a chuckle. "The only way this would be even more cliche is if one of us happens to be some wondrously never before heard of seventh element with a wack name never seen before, usually something like protection or whatsit, then that person becomes super popular, gets all of the gir-mares," He corrected himself. "Then becomes some sort of over powered "Hero" and saves the day... You don't have a hidden seventh element, do you?" He asked with a look of dread on his face.

"No. I can assure you that there are no extra elements. There are exactly six. No more, no less."

"So let me get this straight, you don't know if you can trust us but then turn around and give us information about your magical macguffins? Also 'Relyks', you yourself have a wack ass name, or did you forget? I mean it has only been a couple of days." Richard accused.

Relyks Bristled. "You know full well the answer to that question."

Luna spoke up before things got out of control again. "In regards to the elements, they represent what we try to uphold in our country. Therefore their existence is public knowledge."

Anything further said wasn't heard as Relyks had tuned out becoming distracted. "I have to admit I absolutely love how you speak to these royals. You don't care what they think of you do you? No. You yourself are too proud aren't you.

"And the other shoe drops. I was hoping that you were just a bad fever dream."

"Well did you forget? I am a Nightmare." She purred.

"Oh god, that was just bad even for you."

"You set yourself up for it boy."

Unknown to him the conversation continued. "Now hold on here a bit. I thought you said your name was Relyks?" Applejack spoke, not pleased she was possibly lied to.

"In a way it is his name, he just has a bad habit of saying it wrong or putting the letters in the wrong order." Walter spoke in the other man's defense.

The meeting went better than how it had began. After Relyks had made his position known, the royals that were present decided to indulge him, for the moment at least.

"So Relyks." Celestia called. "In these other stories you mentioned, what exactly did my character do with someone like you?"

He rubbed his chin thinking. "Well usually we would be divided to live with Twilight and her friends, in hopes that we would be "turned" or something of that nature. Why?"

Relyks looked at Celestia, her response a mischievous smile.

~**~

Craig was sitting in front of Relyks, holding his sides as he pointed and laughed at his fellow man. "Oh my god dude, she played you good!"

"Sonofabitch." Our esteemed human could only look at the shrinking sight of Canterlot from the window of a train as they traveled away, knowing that Trollestia existed.

Author's Note

I really didn't like this chapter that much. I had a hell of a time deciding what to do, and even then I still didn't like how it turned up. Because of this it is a little shorter than usual.

But now that it is out of the way, we can continue!