I: Seems Like Bad News

Stranger Than Night

Written By: Luminous Daze

Chapter One: Seems Like Bad News

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Rain splattered harshly against the stained glass windows. Every time a boom of thunder reigned out throughout the castle, I would cringe. As a human with no understanding of magic, a year in this world and I have yet to understand how or why ponies could control things like clouds or the weather itself. One of my oldest friends in Equestria, Twilight Sparkle, once had to explain it to me when she realized I was afraid of the thunder. I had even asked why they would even need thunder and lightning if they could control it, but said something along the lines that magic built up in the air, and the lightning would discharge the magical pockets in the sky. While her explanation didn't really calm my fears, I would always force myself to stay still to make her think it had helped.

While I never overreacted to the thunder, I couldn't help but dig my nails into the palm of my hands, and want to dart under one of the tables. I asked Twilight how likely it was for someone to get struck by lightning, but her answer was lower than point zero two percent. However, if it was going to happen, you would have no warning. There would just suddenly be a bolt that would be so powerful that it would cut through the sky and singe whatever it hit.

BOOM~! The sky outside lit up almost as if it was day again, every single stained glass window shaking vigorously. Something of a loud yelp sounded through the halls, before I could realize it was me who had made that embarrassing sound, I was already under one of the tables in the castle halls. The table wasn't anything special, mostly for decor and usually had flowers, or some sort of decorative vase on top. This one was no different, and luckily the tablecloth draped all the way to the floor and blocked out the light from the lightning outside.

Forcing my face into my knees, I stayed squatted into a tiny ball. My brown lengthy hair falling past my ears and caressing my arms. My milky brown eyes being tightly squeezed shut.

“Sayuri?” came the smooth and velvety voice of an alicorn mare.

“Dreamy Mist?” I questioned quickly, jerking my head up to see two teal eyes shining in the dark. The tablecloth on the table being gently lifted in a white aura of magic.

The mare stepped under the table, locking her eyes with mine. Ever since I had been in Equestria, Dreamy Mist had been one of my best friends. Celestia had been reforming villains left and right, and Dreamy Mist was one of her more successful cases, despite Luna's unease with the mare. It made sense too once I realized Dreamy Mist was once a villain named Nightmare Moon. A darkness that had been formed in Luna's mind from her jealousy, hatred, and most of all, loneliness. It was a bit shocking that somepony born of such darkness, could be formed into this kind, and playful princess; Dreamy Mist.

Sitting quietly for a moment, I couldn't help but stare at my friend. She shared in some of Luna's features, which had probably helped me believe that she was born from her. Dreamy looked almost identical to Luna except for her color pallet. Her coat was a soft black. While her mane was a light toned purple, almost blue. Her cutiemark resembled Luna's as well, but instead of a moon, three z's were there.

“I knew you were scared of thunderstorms, but I've never seen you hide like this before. Is it really that bad?” Dreamy stated as her eyes illuminated the darkness.

For a moment I tried to mouth a few words, but my jaw snapped shut as another boom of thunder rang out, burrowing my face back into my legs. As the hall quieted down once more, Dreamy scooted over to my side. I lightly flinched as a wing draped across my back.

“I wasn't always afraid of thunder, in fact, I used to love watching it in the sky.” I suddenly stated, not daring to raise my face from my legs.

“What happened for you to be so afraid now, then?” Dreamy softly asked, her hoof gently tucking strands of hair behind my ear.

Slowly raising up my head, I averted my eyes away from her, “I sort of... lied about... not being sure how I ended up here...”

Dreamy's ears flickered, pulling away slightly, but her wing stayed snug around my back, “Why would you lie? Is it something bad?”

For a moment I couldn't help but lean into her body, luckily the storm seemed to be settling, and the booms were bearable, “Back in my world, magic and talking... ponies weren't a thing. Storms happen on their own, and I was enjoying sitting on my porch. I really loved sitting outside in the rain, but then a cloud came rolling in. I could see lightning, but I just watched it for a moment. It wasn't making the normal sound, it almost sounded like it was... laughing!”

“L-laughing?” Dreamy stuttered, and she started shaking slightly, and her wing tightened around my back.

“Plus the lightning was... a bit green looking. Two large green orbs were in the middle of the cloud, almost like they were eyes. Two red irises glancing back and forth as if searching for something. I tried to get up to run, but when the cloud looked to me, I froze in place. I thought I was crazy, but after coming to Equestria, and seeing all the magical things and species, I know now that it was real.”

“Sombra...” Dreamy Mist whispered.

I jerked my head over, my eyes wide, “Sombra, you know what it was?”

Dreamy merely nodded, letting out a sigh, “I was told of all the villains that Twilight and her friends had defeated. Sombra is one of them. He has a hard time keeping physical form and often travels in a mist, or in your case, a cloud. He has menacing red eyes, which usually shine green while he is using his powers. We thought he was defeated, but... I suppose not...”

Glancing down to my hands, I froze, “but... what did he want with me?”

My friend seemed to ignore my question as she asked one of her own, “What happened next?”

I pulled away from Dreamy Mist's wing, locking my eyes with hers, “Well... It's a bit blurry after that. I was hit by a bolt of lightning. My entire body was set aflame it felt like. Electricity seemed to travel up and down repeatedly, it was easiest the most pain I had ever felt.”

“And that's why you are afraid... I don't blame you. Even from only listening to your tale, I'm going to be wary of storms myself.” Dreamy closed her eyes for a moment, before they slowly cracked, “I'm guessing you passed out from the pain?”

Nodding, I closed my eyes for a moment. Letting out a sigh, I looked to Dreamy once more, “When I awoke, I was in the Crystal Empire, with Cadence sitting by my bed.”

“And you freaked out and punched her.” Dreamy Mist snickered.

My cheeks burned, remembering the rather dark purple bruise around her eye. Luckily magic healed it in a matter of hours, but after I realized these pastel colored ponies were friendly, regret hastily took hold, “Cadence was so understanding... Apparently I talk in my sleep sometimes, so she knew I was intelligent long before I ever woke up. She said she could sense I was just scared. I still feel bad about that...”

“Don't be, Cadence gets a good laugh every time somepony brings it up.”

I couldn't stop myself from grinning at that. I knew it was true, several times Cadence came to the castle, somepony would bring it up and her instant reaction would be to smile or outright laugh. Still not sure if she's just being nice, or actually found it amusing. Not sure how anyone could find being punched in the face amusing.

“We do need to tell Celestia about this. I'm sorry if you wanted to keep this quiet, but I...”

My hands waved in front of me, shaking my head, “No, it's alright! I understand completely, but...” I paused, a frown making its way onto my face, “I-is Sombra really this dangerous? I mean... am I going to get in trouble for keeping it a secret?”

“No, Celestia is understanding, and I'm sure there wont be any repercussions against you for simply being afraid or not being sure of what you saw.”

“Hmm... I suppose you're right.” I smiled, chuckling softly.

“Besides, it's been a year, and Sombra hasn't been seen.” Dreamy giggled, raising the tablecloth in her aura, “Now, would you like to join me for some tea, or would you like to play fort a little longer?”

Despite the smile tugging at my face, I forced it into a frown and crossed my arms, “And here I thought we were having fun in fort Dreamy Sayuri!?”

Another giggle escaped Dreamy's lips as she stated, “Maybe some other time we can make a REAL fort.”

I quickly laughed as she stuck her tongue out at me as I crawled out and stood up. We almost started to walk down the hall before another boom shot through the halls, but I only barely flinched. Dreamy saw this, smiling as she draped a wing around my back, “Feel better now that you know what that cloud was?”

I paused, frowning, “W-well... no... I'm still afraid, but it's not the lightning specifically...”

Dreamy fell silent, sharing my frown. I could only guess what she was thinking, I glanced out the window along with my friend, 'I hope no one gets hurt because I couldn't speak up... Sombra seems like bad news...'

Author's Note

Well here is chapter one of Stranger Than Night. Thought I'd try my hoof at writing this random idea. Though, I think this story is at least decent, and maybe you readers think so too? lol

Anyway, I'll definitely continue. I know it takes at least a few chapters to really get invested in something, but I'd really enjoy hearing from everypony.