Angel of Nature: Guidance
Chapter 6: Return of a Princess

Laughter from Nightmare Moon and screams from all other ponies are what filled the room, however one voice, Mayor Mare's, was heard above all others as she pointed a hoof at Nightmare Moon.

"Seize her!" She yelled, "Only she knows where the Princess is!"

Two Pegasus guards that were present launched into action, flying full speed at Nightmare Moon, seemingly fearless. However, Nightmare Moon was prepared for them, her night sky mane billowing about and holding them back.

As quick as she appeared, she turned into a mist and flew out of the building, Rainbow Dash in hot pursuit. Everfree would have chased after as well, but he had other plans and while it would include going after Nightmare Moon, it was how he was going to go about it.

He noticed that Twilight had slipped away, presumably back to the treehouse library and it would seem that the other girls, Rainbow most likely included, had gone after her. Everfree wouldn't be surprised if they questioned her throughly, perhaps she would learn something in the process.

He slipped out of the building and started heading out of town. After crossing the bridge at the edge of town, moving past where he met Fluttershy, Everfree soon came face to face with the infamous Everfree Forest which he found ironic, considering it was named after him.

Although, from what he had heard, the forest is in complete chaos, clouds move on their own and animals fend for themselves. Apparently it's not 'natural', but Everfree was Nature itself and he would be damned if Nature here would stop him, even if such Nature was beyond his control.

With a steel resolve, he strided in confidently despite still being in the form of Unicorn. It was a spine chilling place to be in, especially at night but the silver Unicorn was going to endure it if it meant bringing back the Princess.

Or even two of them...maybe even preserving life in the process.

Every minute and every hoof clop grated on Everfree's nerves, but it soon ended, for better or worse the Angel did not know. The path opened into a small clearing and seconds later the whole clearing went extremely dark, the trees around him lighting up in contorted faces of horror.

Everfree's heart was beating rapid and he forced his eyes closed, taking a few steadying breaths before opening his eyes again, staring directly at each of the faces before speaking up in a soft voice.

"Spirits of the Everfree Forest, leave this place and let it be in peace. You need not terrify those that move through here."

A deep chuckle echoed throughout the clearing causing Everfree to begin looking around to isolate the source of the laugh. It was hard to see anything with the clearing being darker than what it was but he was fairly certain he knew who it was.

"You seriously think there are spirits here? Spirits do not exist here, it is the simple will of life that controls this forest. You of all beings should know that...Everfree."

"Any forest has spirits that guides it through its actions, whether for ill or good. I wouldn't expect you to know however Nightmare Moon." Everfree countered.

From directly in front of him appeared a large mare, standing several feet taller than him and could be identified as an Alicorn with her wings and large, long horn. She was clad in what could only be described as armour, covering most of her body.

"And, pray tell, what makes you so sure of that?"

Everfree shrugged. "Simple, you and Princess Luna are that of the Night, I am Nature itself and am linked with Nature anywhere. I know what and what doesn't exist."

"I am of the Night! Not Luna!" Nightmare Moon growled.

"Oh? And how long has Luna reigned over the Night while you slowly manifested? How long while you slowly consumed her and twisted her emotions? Why not simply rid yourself from her body and start anew in another or your own?"

"I would of if I could have but I was restricted, restrained within Luna so I did the next best thing, I locked her within her body and now the Night is mine and always mine!"

"You realise the Spirits of the Harmony will come looking for you, to put an end to you? I can give you life anew and somewhere away from here. You need only release Luna's body back to her and promise never to bother Equestria again."

Silence, absolute and complete silence lapsed between the two as Nightmare Moon went deep into thinking, considering the Angel's proposal. If what he was saying was true, she could have her own body and most likely her own land to rule, land that would forever be shrouded in night.

However, before she could reply, there was something within her that alerted her but it wasn't anything to do with Everfree, it was to do with her creations she had made to drive back any pony that attempted to reach the castle deep within the forest.

"We'll continue this another time."

She had barely finished before turning into a mist, floating away at a rapid speed towards the castle, growling internally and cursing herself for not having set up better defences than what she had.

Everfree had been chasing after almost straight after she started floating away, having a fair idea of where she was going and what had triggered her response. He just hoped he could get there in time to stop any drastic harm.

To both the Harmony Spirits and Nightmare Moon.

It took him over ten minutes, after passing a tamed Manticore and calmed serpent, but the Castle of the Royal Sisters finally came into view. A bridge, which Everfree assumed was not tied earlier, was tied at the other end but looked rather unstable, nonetheless, he crossed hurriedly.

Everfree paused momentarily as he looked back at the bridge he just crossed. His mind also flickered back to the tamed manticore that he had passed. That was none of his doing, neither was the calmed serpent. Someponys were ahead of him, someponys were now in the castle.

Flashes of light from the tallest tower drew Everfree's attention and he ran towards it. The sounds of a struggle greeted his ears as he barrelled up the tallest tower of the castle, hearing Twilight's final words about the Spirits of the Elements of Harmony being present with her, her friends, friends she had recently discovered.

Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash.

A bright flash came forth just as Everfree entered the room where all were. Nightmare Moon at the far end of the room and the six mares near him, all their backs towards him and all hovering in the air as the power of the Elements took their course.

Acting quickly, Everfree closed his eyes and lit up his horn, muttering a small sentence under his breath.

"Spirits and Elements of Harmony, be fair on Nightmare Moon for she knew not what she had done. Give her over to me and I'll see her away from here."

The room shook as magic flooded the entire room, Nightmare Moon's cry of defeat echoing throughout the room as she tried desperately to bat away the Elements power that rained down on her.

White light exploded throughout the room as everypony was knocked backwards, making all collapse onto their stomach. Groans of protest ran from each mare as they made sure everypony was alright, quickly complementing each other on their necklaces and Twilight's crown once positive everypony was fine.

Everfree groaned as he got to his hooves and swayed slightly when he felt a lingering presence in his mind. He smiled when he realised his prayer had been answered. Nightmare Moon lay dormant within his mind, safe and sound.

His Angelic Essence would essentially keep her at rest and kept her contained until he released her from within himself.

"Silver? What are you doing here?"

Everfree glanced up to see all six mares looking at him in confusion and he himself was starting to have troubles coming up with some kind of explanation. Thankfully one wouldn't be needed for his hide was saved...this time at least.

"I told him to do an investigation of the forest."

All eyes turned the far end of the room and to a window where the sun could be seen rising up over the horizon but standing there in all her beauty and grace was Princess Celestia, a large smile across her face, showing how proud she was.

"Princess Celestia!"

All six mares bowed down, giving their respect to the Princess before Twilight got up and rushed over, leaning up and nuzzling the Princess with her returning it, much like a mother does with a young foal.

Princess Celestia and Everfree found that both their gazes were locked once again as either one of them tried to determine what to say next. Never before had the Angel of Nature found himself so speechless before and so many times.

"Were you able to find what I ask you to look for?"

Everfree nodded, getting the underlying message that Princess Celestia had sent him. She was basically asking if Nightmare Moon was contained, safe and sound. With a light tap of his head and small smile, Everfree replied.

"It's all up here, ready to take home."

Princess Celestia smiled and nodded. "You may go do that then."

With a bow of his head, Everfree turned about and exited the room, descending the stairs quickly as well as being forgotten about by all mares in the room he was just in when they come to the realisation of another discovery.

Everfree knew that Princess Luna was free of Nightmare Moon once again, but he had another task of his own that he had to complete. Making sure there was no-one around, the Angel shifted back into his natural form, his two majestic wings spreading wide and proud.

With a simple incantation muttered under his breath, eyes closed and arms spread, Everfree willed himself back to the place he consider to be his true home.

The Garden of Tranquility.

It was here that Everfree created a separate space that he believed Nightmare Moon would love to be apart of and live. A land of eternal darkness where she could live with other nocturnal creatures and perhaps he could 'create' a few new species for her, pony-like, so that she wasn't alone.

With the landscape set, Everfree reached within himself and guided out the presence in his mind, a light forming in front of him as he gently set it on the ground where the light disappeared to reveal Nightmare Moon, still as she was when defeated by Harmony.

She stirred almost as soon as she was settled on the ground. Her eyes flitted open, head rising up off the ground and glancing around, to get a bearing of where she was, confusion filling her eyes.

"This your new home, a place of everlasting night."

Nightmare Moon looked over to Everfree, taking in his natural form for the first time before switching her gaze back to the surrounding landscape. She could hardly believe that the Angel had been true to his word.

"All for me?" She asked with uncertainty.

Everfree nodded, a smile gliding across his lips. "Yes, and we change it suit you further if you wish."

Author's Note

Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna are now two completely separate beings, Nightmare Moon now being provided with her domain for not only her protection, but so that she may have her wish an everlasting night.

There is still more to come so keep reading to find out how Everfree's journey turns out and as always, don't forget to leave a comment to let me know how I did!

~ShadowfireAngel