The Return of the Night

Canterlot was gleaming in all of its natural glory with the sun standing high and proud above it. The ponies were in perfect harmony and the palace guards were all at ease, never knowing that a long forgotten past was coming to meet them that day. Sitting on her throne Celestia's  stomach was filled with breezies due to her constant worrying about her sister. Luna had been gone for nearly a week, and had not sent any messages as to where her search had led her.  She was also a bit shocked that nopony had really asked about Luna's absence. When Celestia had told her court that night court would be canceled for an undetermined amount of time nopony had even seemed sad. Some even looked happy, because they wouldn't have to work late.

She was pulled out of her contemplation when the court announcer, Loud Mouth, shouted, "Ferry Flight and Nimbus Rider your highness" The mare spoke so loud that the glass windows had a small crack in them every time she spoke ,but luckily Celestia had found a spell that caused them to fix themselves over time. Unfortunately the same could not be said for her ears which were still ringing by the time the two aforementioned ponies entered the room.

The first to enter was a faded red pegasus stallion with a rich blond mane that was styled into a low pompadour. He wore a brown aviator's jacket that did not bare any insignia or medals, leaving it plain and simple. His cutie mark was of a golden cloud flying in swirly pattern around his flank. The stallions head was raised high and his walk was full of swagger, but it was not enough to overtake the concern that bled through his facade and painted his face like thick make-up. The overzealous smile he was wearing did nothing either.

The mare that followed behind him did not try to hide her distress, and it was painfully obvious by the hurried steps she took that she wanted to be anywhere, but inside the throne room at that moment. She was a very trim pegasus and her wings were being pulled tighter to her barrel with every hoof-fall in what was an obvious effort to make herself shrink from Celestia's gaze. Her fur was vibrant green and her mane fell down her face in white flowing curls. Her flank was decorated by a rosy red pegasus wing inside of a circle.

As they came to a stop in front of Celestia the red stallion took a step to the right unveiling the mare behind him. "I am Nimblus Sider .... No I am Nimbler Minder.... No No I am Nimbus Rider your majesty " he said smiling hard to cover up his botching of his own name. His voice was a high-class bass that carried throughout the room nicely.

The mare stood like she was caught in the stare of a cockatrice for a long time, and only when Nimbus waved his hand in front of her face did she speak.  Her accent was Fillydelphian as she said, "I'm Ferry Flight your highness" Then she moved slightly closer to Nimbus, and whispered a soft "Thank you"

Celestia was surprised by these actions, because normally her little ponies were quite happy to see her, not  scared out of their manes. She knew that she had to find out what was making them so nervous. Celestia turned to them and spoke in the tone of a motherly figure said, "Hello Mr. Rider and Mrs. Flight how might I be of service".

Nimbus smile faded slowly as he said, "Um.. Your highness we have come to ask you..

He didn't get a chance to finish because Ferry blurted out, "Did you send Princess Luna back to the moon?" The mare then began to hyperventilate, but luckily Nimbus quickly started to fan her with his wings.

"Sorry, your highness, she gets a bit worked-up sometimes, but worry not she'll be fine in a minute." He quickly calmed the mare down with practiced wing flaps and the quick hushes to slow her breathing. He was true to his word, and the mare was right as rain in a minute looking no worse for wear.

"Now like I was saying Princess....." Nimbus stopped as he looked at Celestia's face to see that her warm smile had morphed into a shocked opened mouth stare.

Clesetia looked like she had been struck, to have two of her subjects believe that she would be even think of doing such a thing again, was beyond belief. When she had banished her sister, Celestia had been in such a state that she hadn't been able to sit on the throne for over ten years. Celestia swore to herself by the most sacred of desert's, her angel food cake, that such a thing would never happen again. Never again would her kingdom be on the verge of a civil war due to her inaction, nor would her room be filled with tear soaked cake dishes.

Celestia was pulled out of this line of thought when Ferry Flight said, "Maybe we should get some water"

With a couple of hasty blinks and a rather deep breath Celestia began to handle the situation, though her voice was filled with concern, "No, my dear ponies. Princess Luna is merely on a personal mission." The look of relief on their face's was instant and Ferry lifted her hooves in celebration. This exaggerated  response would have been normal, after all many ponies in Equestria are very expressive in emotional circumstances, but this response caused the mare's wings to unfurl revealing quite a sight.

"You're a Sooty!" Celestia blurted in surprise and curiosity. The insides of Ferry's wings were a shiny white that when unfurled made the mare look like she had dim spotlights attached to her wings. Sooties were well known for their long distance flying abilities, but were extraordinarily rare in modern Equestria, even Celestia herself had not seen one in over a century.

Ferry Flight's wings snapped closed at the word 'Sooty' leaving the room slightly darker as she did. Then the pony began to chew on the inside of her cheek as she mumbled "Yes, your highness"

"I haven't seen a pegasus of your pedigree in years. Its nice to see a species from the past that isn't dangerous." Celestia said  trying to lighten the nervous air Ferry was suddenly giving off. Something seemed off about Ferry Flight for some reason, but Celestia did not want to press the mare.

Ferry gave a light chuckle as she said, "Yeah, you don't see many of us any more, but can we bring the topic back to Princess Luna."

"Of course" Celestia was glad to switch the topic not wanting to upset one of her subjects, "What is your relation to Lulu" Silently hoping Luna had taken her advice.

Nimbus spoke first "Well, we are her chariot pullers...", Nimbus then glanced at Ferry, "and if I may be so forward were her friends." He then felt relief to finally not get interrupted by his compatriot.

Only years of dealing with many a foreign delegate and the prudish ponies of her own court kept Celestia form running down the steps of her throne, and giving the pair a warm hearted hug. Luna had made friends, and Celestia was in utter bliss at the thought that Luna was finally branching out to their subjects again. She was beginning to worry that the only friends Luna had were twilight's circle, and the little foals and fillies she helped with nightmares. Now these two ponies were coming up to her, and telling her this news she couldn't wait to get to know them better.

"How did you meet......" It was Celestia's turn to be interrupted as a swirling vortex of blue magic opened behind Ferry and Nimbus.

Knowing that color of magic by heart, Celestia flew off of her throne and landed near it expecting Luna to pop out at any minute. Instead a dark gray hoof popped out and lightly struck her on the muzzle. Celestia's head snapped back in shock

"Luna I think you messed up my hoof just hit something squishy", A childish voice said.

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"I'll need to get a lot of pudding" Waith stated matter-of-factly, and began to step away form the table.

Ripper who knew his brother better than anyone else was simply dumbfounded by this statement, "After all the things we've heard over the past three day's that's all you have to say?"

"Yes" , he said as he continued to stroll away now mumbling  an old Zebrian song, "Jambo... Nzuri sana"

Luna simply chuckled at the pair noting that the two hadn't changed much since she had last seen them. In fact, since the brothers had cleaned themselves up, from their monstrous appearance before, they looked like their old selves . They had both long since  taken off their gear and cloaks, and Ripper had removed his bandanna in favor of wearing his helm.

When the Ripper had finally noticed it sitting on the small desk next to the cauldron he had been pulled to it like a diamond-dog to gems. The helm still fit smoothly onto his bald head, and its black plumage seemed to stand straighter as it settled on him. Then he had gazed up at it with proud eyes, while Luna and Waith simply smiled. The only thing that had remained on Ripper since their initial meeting was his mask, and now that they were alone Luna was going to find out why.

"Ripper why are you still wearing that mask?" Luna asked politely

After removing his helm a thick aura of sadness rolled off of Ripper and into the room, "I was hopping that you wouldn't ask about it." Ripper then chuckled a little, "Yeah, that was too much to hope for..", with that he started to unbuckle the straps behind his head.

Click... Click... went each clasp and as the last one clicked the mask fell off his muzzle.

A small tear rolled down his muzzle as he showed the princess his face. Three long deep scars ran the length of the right side of his muzzle, and without the mask his face looked crooked. The scars were not grotesque rather looked they  healed, and gave him an aged look. Luna was about to say exactly that, until Ripper opened his mouth, revealing that some of his teeth were missing including one of his fangs.

"The accident that made us immortal heals all wounds and returns us to normal in a couple of days time. Missing limbs, crushed organs, and even our heads will grow back given enough time. But unfortunately the magic of the spell can't heal what was broken before it was cast hence my smashed appearance."

"My princess I understand if you don't want me now. I mean I am barely half a thresal now but , "  He then placed his helm back onto his head and said, "If you'll have me I will fight for you until my body breaks and my soul is taken to the beyond."

Luna stared at the thresal before her and smiled , "Ripper I would never abandon you because of your looks, and besides I think your scars are handsome and I'm sure you must be quite the mare slayer."

Ripper's tears dried and his laugh filled the room, "Waith!! I just got hit on by the Princess"

Luna facehoofed at hearing his teasing, but she couldn't help but chuckle when Waith walked in laughing with muzzle coated with flies and blood pudding.

"I was not 'hitting on you' my little thresal, and Waith I thought you were going to get some blood pudding not eat it" Luna said trying to change the topic of the conversation.

"Well you see my princess I had to taste test it first, and I did manage to bring enough for the trip." Waith answered quickly , and placed the bag of pudding on the table. "Gilgross really out did herself when she tried out this new recipe."

Then as he glanced at the pair at the table his mouth opened in shock, and joyously shouted, "Brother you've taken off your mask!!!" This exclamation was followed by a textbook tackle that even professional hoofball players would have been envious of.  "I didn't think you'd ever take off that eerie thing." The thresal then snuggled into his brothers chest, while Luna smiled nostalgically at their affection.

"Yeah I did... now get off of me and wash your muzzle your getting my chest fur dirty " Ripper stated while lightly pushing Waith off of him.

Waith got off at Ripper's prodding, "Sorry about that, it's just that I haven't seen your face in a long time." Then Waith wrapped one arm around his brother's barrel and said, "You look good brother".  Then he walked over to the sink and started washing his face.

As the thresal returned to the table Luna lighly coughed into her hoof, " Modern Equestria is a lot different than when I last shared the throne with my sister. The technological advancements and magical improvements in just the two years that I've been back are astounding. Celestia's student Twilight Sparkle was able to finish the spell that not even Starswirl the Bearded could, and ascended to the rank of princess at only twenty. Are you sure you can adjust quickly."

"Yes, but we will need to read some history books and become familiar with the modern rules. You may have caught us up to speed with some of the more modern head lines, but I would like to see how the nation evolved in our absence " Ripper answered. Then his tone darkened a little, "And if it is at all possible could we not see her,"

"Who?" Luna asked in confusion

"The clueless sun butt known as Celestia", Waith replied just as his brother. His voice missing its usual charm.

Luna mouth hung open for in shock at the disrespect her sister was being shown by two of he closest friends, "My sister is my equal in all things, and you will show her some respect. What happened that made you dislike her so much" Over the past few days Luna had noticed the boys body language whenever her sister was mentioned. The rolling of eye's nor the grinding of teeth had escaped her notice.

"We don't dislike her we hate her!", Ripper shouted as he rose from his seat, "My dear Princess one dislike's a cold shower early in the morning, one dislikes having a headache, and one dislikes having to be stuck in one place for to long."

Waith grabbed both of their cloaks, from the racks before going to stand by his brother's side, "But one hates nearly freezing to death, one hates being smashed in the face with a war-hammer, and one hates being chained to a wall for a solid month."

As both brothers slid their cloaks on they spoke in unison, "And as much as one hates the one that does these thing to that one ...." The brother's teeth clenched at the painful memories as they hissed, "What one really and truly hates is the one that stands by while the one torments the other one"

Waith slightly cringed and looked sick as they finished, "Brother we spoke in unison.... I feel dirty"

"I as well lets not do that again" Ripper said looking equally disgusted.

Luna sat back completely confused, "What was that?"

"Sorry me and Waith tend to get a bit cryptic sometimes." Ripper said.

"Yeah, living this long has kind of messed with us a bit." Waith said taking over the conversation," Service to say, Princess Luna, your sister sat back and watched while a lot of terrible things happened to not only the Night Guard, but the whole of Equestria. Also it seems that she hasn't told you about any of it."

Whats and Whys populated Luna's mind and they ran rampant like wildfire. What hadn't her sister told her? What could have happened after her banishment that could have resulted in this? What happened to Rippers face and his fang. Why hadn't her sister prevented it. Why did she sit on her throne and watch as this happened to them and to their nation. Why couldn't things just be as they were. All these questions ran around in her mind chasing answers, they could not catch for they were not there.

Fear struck her as she asked her friends a question she never thought she'd ever ask, "If I bring you back will you try to kill Celestia." Her face tilted downward in fear and sadness"

Ripper spoke his voice firm, but somber, "If you were still trapped on the moon...." His voice caught in his throat before saying, "Yes, we would try to kill Celestia" Both Ripper and Waith walked around the table, and placed a hoof on the underside of Luna's chin. As Ripper spoke they both lifted her head up, "But we love you and we would never hurt you by killing her. We wish to bring you happiness and joy for all of our days. We wish to guard and protect you with our lives against all evil. We wish to go home and be a family again my princess, but we cannot do that with Celestia in our faces reminding us of the path that led us here. So can we just go home and deal with this another day."

Luna looked into their green slitted eyes and saw that although Rippers voice was level both of them were filled to the brim with fear. Fear for what her response might be, and fear for her heart. For they felt that with every word they spoke hurt her even more.

To crush that fear Luna wrapped her hooves around them, drawing them close, in order to give each a light kiss on the forehead. " You are my guardians, and even after a thousand years your still my guardians." A swirling blue portal opened infront of them. "Lets go home."

"Ooh me first" Waith said he said grabbing their sunglasses and tossing Ripper's his before placing them on his muzzle.

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"Will you just go on. " Ripper said pushing his brother into the portal, and  quickly following behind him.

As their rear legs left the portal both thresals stumbled and fell. Luna had placed the portal a little to far off of the ground, and the brother's weren't expecting such a steep drop into Equestria. They hit the ground so hard that it wouldn't take much imagination for a casual observer to see tiny bats flying above their heads.

Celestia's mind slightly cracked as she looked with recognition upon the thresals. The shadowy black helm, the white trimmed glasses, and the leathery wings, dark as sin, brought forth tragic memories long buried. Luckily Celestia had faced a lot of horrible monster's from her past in recent years , and while she was not unnerved by their presence, she managed to remain calm and speak.

"Ripper and Waith. Blood Brothers I welcome you back from your banishment" Celestia's voice was level and cold like a judge's tone when speaking to a criminal. "Where is my sister?"

No answer came came as the brother's hearts turned black with rage at the sight of the Princess. Her words fell on deaf ears as feral hisses escaped their muzzles. Their wings flared and their heads snapped back and forth like wild dogs as they stepped forward. Had it not been for a dark blue blur whizzing past them, the two would have attacked Celestia for sure.

The blur had pushed the two aside as it whizzed past them, and as they regained their bearings it spoke in the voice of Luna

"Do you forget your promises so easily now", she scolded them hoping to snap them back to themselves, "If you hurt my sister you will be hurting me."

The two became aware of the situation and dread spread across their features. The two looked upon their Princess, the one they had chosen to protect, and were shocked for Luna was ready to defend Celestia, the one they had sworn to kill.

The pair let loose a devilish scream that put Loud Mouth to shame.  All the windows in the throne room cracked and all the animals in the royal garden began to howl and screech. Ripper and Waith began to fly around the the room their faces a mix of terrible pain and confusion. The  palace guard opened the doors and were instantly bowled over by the thresals as they flew out.

Both Luna and Celestia looked at each other before yelling to the guards,"After them"

Nimbus was at a loss for words, but Ferry made up for that by excitedly repeating the words, "Thresals are so cool!"

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"Ripper we're doing a cliche" Waith said as he scooted beside his brother. The were hanging upside down from the rafter's somewhere in the castle. It was the only place with an unguarded door that they had found, and it looked to be some statue room for the posh ponies of Equestria. Large busts of various stallions and mares lined each wall in stunning symmetrical order stretching down the hall.

"I know, but at least it helped to clear our heads." Ripper answered. "We're up to our necks in horse apples this time"

"Yeah, Luna might banish us for what we did..... Sheep I don't know if I can take being banished by her", Waith said sullenly

"Me either" Ripper stated before jumping down and landing silently on the ground. Waith followed and together they started to walk down the hall. It felt strangely good to hear the clops of their hooves on the palace floor. Waith even started to a little dance, bonding around the hall  way.

"Be careful or you'll break something!" Ripper shouted at him.

Waith paid him no mind and continued dancing until, as though guided by fate, his hoof tapped a particularly large statue of a stallion sending it teetering. Both brothers rushed to stop it, and barely manged to stop it from breaking. As they situated it back into position Waith said, "Hey, is this who I think it is" anger raising in his throat

Ripper took one look at the face and instantly knew why for right before him, immortalized in stone, was a demon. Right before them with his devil-grin was Prince Sun Ichor.

The bronze captured his image perfectly. An overly large spiral of a horn jutted out from his fore-head perfectly splitting his mane in two.  His ears laid down on either side of his head, and a rose sat perfectly in his flawless teeth. His eye's were as smug as a fox's and his muzzle was pristine.

"Yeah, without a doubt it's him" Ripper said ," And now we have something to work off our frustrations on"

He took a few steps away from the statue , "Waith toss that thing over here i need to knock the dust off of this helm"

Waith picked it up off the pedestal with a grunt before chucking it a Ripper with all of his strength. Ripper reared up onto his hind legs and tipped his head back. Then at precisely the right moment he whipped his whole body forward slamming his head directly into the statue . The statue broke into two pieces in an explosion of bronze and heat.

"That was more fun than I thought it would be." Ripper said his head lightly bleeding.

Waith noticed and chuckled a little, "Looks like your out of practice"

"Yeah, well you go nearly a thousand years without your knives and then tell me how good you are with them." Ripper said dabbing his hoof a the leaking blood. He then sucked his hoof clean before repeating the process.

"Eww brother that's your own blood"

"Yeah, well I'm not letting you....." Ripper started before a feminine scream tore through the hall

They both turned to see none other than Prince Sun Ichor standing a few paces from them , with a squad of guards standing in a protective semi- circle around him. Their swords were drawn, and ready as they sized up the two intruders. But by the looks of uneasy confusion, it was easy to see that they had know idea what they were dealing with.

"What happened to my statue" was all the prince said.