The Shadows Our Presences Cast

(Music plain. Office Building. Right after Dawn)

Compassion awoke to a loud explosion happening outside the building. She put on her mask and ran down the stairs to see guards running around and Script Follower running over with a panic look.

“What is going on!?!” Compassion roared as some of the ceiling fell down and shatter around her. Script look around in fear and rush to her side.

“One of the ambassador stole a bomb apple and activate in the sewers. We’ve didn’t vent and the whole plane…” Script started but cut off by another smaller explosion in the distance.

“What is the damage?’ Compassion asked, moving to side as several guards rush pass.

“The whole plane is crumbling and in about ten minutes, the magic won’t be stable enough to keep the pathway. We need to leave now.” Script said, heading to an exit.

“Did the plan work? Are all the ambassadors dead?” Compassion asked, holding Script back.

“Not really. A few escape into the portal.” Script said, shakily. Compassion smash a hole in the wall in angry.

“I won’t let it happen, not again.” Compassion mutter. “Who survive?”

“Rarity, Pinkie Pie…” Script started but was stop by Compassion placing a hoof on his mouth.

“Who reported that they escape?” Compassion asked. Script pointed to the left at a door.

“Fire Star. He in the other room being mended and is getting ready to be transported. We really need to leave.” Script said, motion to an exit. Compassion walk to the door and Script followed. They both see a doctor rush out while Fire Star got up from a bed. He saw who enter and try bowing but due to his left front leg and part of his side being banged up, he only hiss in slight pain.

“My holiness, I didn’t know you where here.” Fire said. Compassion walk over to him and study him closely.

“Tell me what happen.” Compassion asked. Fire galped and nodded.

“We corner a few of the ambassadors in front of the Gate and I was about to finish them off. But the explosion happen and it allow them to escape. I’m sorry, my holiness.” Fire said, still trying to bow and failing.

“Did he talk to any pony else?” Compassion turn to Script and he shook his head no. “Alright, Script. Take note. We shall report that these attackers had set up a bomb and killed Fire Star and his men.” Compassion said. A confuse look appeared on Fire Star face and before he could say anything, he felt a stabbing pain in his ribs. He look to see that Compassion had stab him in his chest. He coughed up some blood and fell to the ground, feeling the world slip away.

“But…But why?” He coughed out, spraying blood onto Compassion mask. She whip it off and look at down at the dying pony.

“Because every pony needs a martyr.” She said coldly, pulling the knife out, she turn to Script. “We need to get to the Delta Plain. The war has begun.”
(Twilight’s Plain. Crystal Palace. Dawn)

Luna watch as the strange pony drain another cup of tea before sighing heavily. Luna look around the dining room and out to the balcony that look over Crystal Palace before Swift started talking.

“You have no idea how thirsty it is to travel across plains.” Swift said, wiping the remaining of the tea off his lips.

“You still haven’t told us why you here or why you wanted to see me?” Luna asked, pouring another cup of tea and offer it to him. He shook his head and pull up his crate that was next to him. He open it with a kick and the top swing open, reveling inside a leg inside. It was black as night and seem to shine without any light source.

“I come to save your life and possibly every pony in this plain.” He said. “This leg is…” He was cut off when he felt something hit him hard in his throat. Swift was thrown into a wall and pinned down by some kind of force. He look to see Luna was using her magic to press him against the wall and didn’t look happy.

“Where did you get that metal?” Luna asked, walking over to him. Swift was struggling against it, slowly moving his right hoof towards his chest.

“What does it matter? I figure it was Nightmare Moon armor and you’re going to need it.” Swift grunted, feeling the pressure increase around his throat. He hit a switch on his vest. Suddenly, the magic was repeal off of Swift and he drop to the ground. “I don’t like being hold against my will.” Swift said. Luna try to cast another spell but it bounce of harmlessly, causing some kind of runes to glow off of Swift’s vest. “A couple of protection signs, in case of trouble. Now are you ready to listen?”

Luna stood irritated, then sat back down. “Fine, we’ll talk. But I’m want that removed from my sight.” She pointed to the box.

“I’m sorry but you need that.” Swift said, walking over to Luna. “You have a fight coming and you’re going to need all the help you can get.”

“Then talk to my sister. I’m done fighting whatever come out of that portal.” Luna said and turn to walk away. She trip when she felt something grab her left metal leg and pull her back to Swift. She pull back but the spell Swift was casting was strong and impossible to break. His armor was glowing. With one tug, the leg was rip clean off and leaving Luna on the ground. He lift the leg in the ground and started to rip it apart.

The leg snap in half and a gray ball was found in the middle of it. Swift wave a hoof and the ball was crush into dust.

“That was a bomb in your leg. When they send their assassins after you, all they have to do is hit your leg hard enough and then boom.” Swift said. He threw the broken leg to the side and stood over Luna. “You need to be ready to fight.”

“Why!?!” Luna shouted, getting into a sitting positon. “I fought before and was unable to stop the threat. Why not go to Twilight or my sister? Clearly, they are better fighters.”

“Do you not understand?” Swift asked, bring his box close to Luna. “Maybe if I show you.” He arch his back and the vest started to hum with energy. With a flash, Swift was suddenly casting a spell that hold several balls of energy. Each one of the show some kind of event happening, an event of battle or war. “This armor is just one of the many pieces of the puzzle of this war. A war that is raging on the planes and is now spilling onto your world. Do you not see where this leads?”

“War, pain, suffering and death seem to being made not just by my leader but by other. There is something going on and we are only seeing the beginning of it. I see this battle raged for far too long and now I have a chance to help stop. It going to take every pony to use what they have to win.”

“And I suppose to use that?” Luna pointed back at the crate. “Do you know what that means to me? It represent a 1000 years of the worst time of my life. I promise my sister I will never go down that road again.”

“But you can resist it.” Swift said, starting to cause the images to circle Luna. “My ponies have found this metal and weaponized it to the point where I fear for our safety. But you are the only pony I heard was able to remove it. Even when it completely encased you, you were able to be free.”

“It wasn’t my doing.” Luna said, trying to ignore the image floating around her. “Twilight and friends are the ones who purged me of that, not me. I’ was never strong enough to do that.”

“Your standing here, are you not?” Swift said, now changing the images to show several ponies in chains or on the ground dying. “Every pony that has come in contact with it and has try to remove it has either gone insane or died. You, on the other hoof, strive and survive. You don’t realize it but you dealt with one of the strongest forces I’ve ever know and survive. Not a lot of ponies can boast this.”

“But why risk it?” Luna asked. “So I was able to live without it but what if this cause me to go back or worst?”

“Because I know what is coming and how this armor works now.” Swift said, the images now turn to show faces of angry, rage and contempt. “The armor is able to be enhance by magic because it feds on the powerful magic the wearers got, the soul. It eat away at their sub-conscious and make it’s its own. Your thoughts and dreams become its own, turning them into their worst version. It basically a parasite and growing very fast. If we don’t stop what Compassion is planning, it soon going to have the perfect breeding ground. All that fear and hate, it will consume everything in its path. If you can use this.” He pointed to box. “We will be able to fight it back.”

“What if it does consume me?” Luna asked. Swift hit his vest and the images turn into to very real blades.

“I think I got that cover.” Swift said, allowing the multi-weapon form to twist in the air. “But you will do it. You are stronger than the rest and this will prove it.” Luna sighed and then nodded.

“Alright. Let do this.” Luna said. Swift pull the box forward and lift the leg with his spell and it float slowly to Luna. She galped and sweat form on her brow. “Are you sure about this?” She ask as the leg got closer. Swift wince.

“About ninety percent sure.” Swift said, then he snap the leg on to her. It seem to spontaneously become alive and the dark armor started to cover more of Luna body. As it reach her throat, she started to hyperventilate and her last thought as it cover her eyes was how she fail once again.
(Kappa Plain. Rebel Base.)

“How many did we lose?” Rebel bell asked, sitting in the front of a large table with a map of several different Equestria with flag sticking off of them. One mark: MUSIC PLAIN, was now cross out with a large X. Silver Back was on Rebel left while a stallion by the name Ice Walker was sitting on her right.

“We lost about five hundred but this finally got other to join our cause.” Ice said. “We need to move soon if we going to attack.”

“Alright, gather them out front.” Rebel Bell said. Ice left and Rebel look at her night armor necklace and thought how this had allow her to do so much more with her spells. She smiled and walk to a double door that lead to a balcony. As she step out, she heard the roar of her army cry in approval. She raise her hooves and signal to silent.

“My brothers, my sisters!” She called out, already casting a spell that allow her voice to be amplify. “Our time has come! The evil that is known as Compassion and her follower shall be wipe out without mercy. They killed innocence ponies by blowing up that Plain and attack us without provocation. The attempt on my life would have been deadly if not for the brave ponies who sacrifices themselves for the cause!”

“Let not let that go in vain!” Rebel shouted. “Let us march to the very front door of their temple and tear down the place brick by brick! We shall drag the one who would like to nothing more them make us into slave and beat the life out of them in their very streets! WE SHALL BE VICTORIOUS!” The army explode into insanity as cheers and cry of battle were sounded. “Now, who think we can’t be stop!?! Who think they can keep us from our destiny and command our fate!?!”

“They try to paint us as the enemy but we know what they did. We know the lengths they will go to stay in control and we will not stand for it any longer! WE have be force to watch as they rip our very worlds apart and slaughter our friends! I watch as they twisted the minds of my friends and made her into a poison. Well, I say, enough is ENOUGH!” The mob scream just as loud and Rebel look downright murderous.
“Tomorrow, we will them show why we are the ones in the right!” Rebel called and the army started marching to war tomorrow.
(Twilight’s Plain. Luna’s Mind.)

Luna awoke with a start as she look around to see that she still in the same room as before but now it was almost dusk. She look around to see that no other pony was around but she felt a present.

“In all the familiar places. Right, Luna?” A voice whisper from the balcony. She look over and gasp at what she saw. It was Nightmare Moon but her armor was blood red and her eyes seem to be completely black. She was sitting on the balcony, looking over the landscape below. Luna step out and saw how the whole world was on fire and the sky was charcoal black.

“This is your dream world, isn’t it?” Luna asked, walking to Nightmare Moon. “I’m having this nightmare again.”

“No, you’re not dreaming.” Nightmare said, getting up and facing Luna. “This is you right now.” She wave her hoof in the air and a small window open up. It showed Luna on the ground motionless. Luna’s face was painted with shock and Nightmare Moon chuckle. “I figure you remember. A minute out there is hours in here. The mind is a powerful thing.”

“I’m trap in here, again.” Luna whimper and Nightmare started to laugh like a mad pony.

“You see? This is why I’m so proud to say these next words.” Nightmare Moon lend in and whisper the next part. “I don’t need you anymore.” Luna look relieved but scared at the same time. “Oh come on. After all the quality time, you can tell me you didn’t hear it. The other voice joining my choir.”

“No, that not possible. You were destroy by Twilight.” Luna said and once again Nightmare let out a loud cackle.

“You think I’m bound by something as simple as one plane.” Nightmare Moon said, cracking her back and walking to the edge of the balcony. “I walk out of planes like you kind walk through doors. I lost you was like losing an old piece of armor, useless and broken. Don’t let that pony fool you, you are no stronger than any of the other ponies I’ve broken. Just tastier.”

Nightmare Moon suddenly open her wings and a chorus of screams filled the air. Luna try to cover her ears but it seem to bleed into her mind. Nightmare grab Luna by her mane and pull to stand. Luna saw the cruelest smile on her face as she brought a blade down. It slice across her face and Luna felt like fire was dancing across the cut. Luna crawled away and stood back up. She ran across the room and threw the door open only to see it lead right back to same place.

“You are in my world now.” Nightmare Moon said. She wave her hoof again and a mirror appear in the air. “Now, let look deep inside that mind of yours.” She pointed the mirror at Luna and Luna watch as the image of herself swirled. It turn to show a younger version of herself standing inside it, about five years old maybe a little older.

“When I grow up, I’m going to be just like mommy. I’m going to raise to sun and bring such happy memory to all the ponies of Equestria.” The small Luna said, her eyes glowing with hope.

“Aw, a young fowls dreams. They bring such the sweetest tears. Tell me, how much did it hurt to see your dreams go up in smoke when your sister got the job?” Nightmare Moon said, circling Luna now. “You were thrown into the darkness and then every pony was surprise that you found me. You were the sweetest victory I could have brought to my master and when I lose you five year ago, I was so disappointed.”

“Your master?” Luna asked.

“You think I’m the darkest thing you’ve face? Wait till you see what he’s got in store for your world.” Nightmare said. “He been pumping and priming the worlds around, making the victory that much sweeter. Can you imagen? Battlefields of ponies crying for a god or curse him is like a feast for him. But I’m rambling. The real reason I brought you here was to give you a chance to run.”

“What?” Luna asked.

“You heard me.” Nightmare said. “You can run. Leave them behind. I mean, what have they ever done for you, anyway?” She wave her hoof again and the image in the mirror change again. This time it show ponies running in fear and wearing costume. It switch again to show them hiding in the house at night. “All they ever did was mock you and hid from your stars. They never truly show the respect that you deserve. Even after what you sacrifice.”

The image change again and this time it show Luna as she was now, missing her leg and looking tired. “You always do what is best and they still treat you like you’re the monster. That you are the one that is unstable. I’m mean after that Tantabus business, how many time are they going to let you keep making mistake?”

“I’m mean that all you’re good for, Right?” Nightmare whisper into Luna ear, causing her to shiver. “All you do is mess up. Have to have some other pony clean up your mistake. Your sister, her students. Have you ever done anything right?”

“ENOUGH!” A voice shouted and Nightmare Moon jump back with a hiss. Luna look around to find where that voice came from. She look to see the mirror that Nightmare summon shatter and see herself walk out of it.

“You can’t be listening to this.” Mirror Luna said, lifting Luna up.

“But it true.” Luna mutter. “It all true. I’m always making mistake and I always causing trouble. What good am I?”

“When will you learn?” Mirror Luna asked. She turn Luna head to look at a mirror that was in front of them. It show the child Luna again, weeping in a corner. “Don’t you see what you are doing to yourself? You’re letting your past sin haunt you, even now. When will you ever forgive yourself for something out of your control?”

“But is wasn’t out of my control.” Luna said. “The Tantabus and Nightmare Moon were things I made.”

“Every pony make mistakes and some of them don’t get a chance to right wrongs. But you do. All you have to do is forgive yourself.” Mirror Luna said. A cackle was heard and suddenly they both look to see Nightmare Moon laughing in the corner.

“This is rich.” Nightmare said, walking to the two and was lending over Luna. “You think a pep talk from yourself will make it all better? She just worthless little worm who rather cry and moan then do anything of use.”

“SHUT UP.” Luna shouted and smash Nightmare Moon across the face with her hoof. Her mirror image fused with her and charged at Nightmare Moon. She summon her moon ax and started raining hit on Nightmare’s body. “I never deserve what I got! I did my duty! I did more than my duty! I only want to be loved! Who doesn’t!?!” Luna smashed Nightmare’s head into the wall and landed another hit. “All my sister did was talk about how I fail! I wasn’t the one that failed! She failed me, left me when I needed her most!”
Luna turn her weapon to a scythe and swing into Nightmare’s chest. Nightmare let out a startle gasp and Luna threw her against wall. “My sister couldn’t save and I didn’t deserve what I got! I didn’t deserve to go to the moon!”

Luna look at the broken body of Nightmare and breathe heavily. Nightmare’ eyes open suddenly and she shot back up. Her eyes were blood red and she was grinning evilly.

“You can’t escape me, Luna!” Nightmare Moon shouted. “And this is what you’re going to become! Another puppet for my master and you can’t escape it! You going to die and this is what you’re going to become!” Nightmare Moon suddenly faded and the world around fell away to darkness.
(Twilight’s Plane. Crystal Palace.)

Luna awoke with a start and got up. She turn to see Swift standing there, his weapon pointing directly at her.

“I’m fine.” Luna said, weaving the weapons away. “You would know if I was Nightmare Moon.”

“Had me afraid for a second. The armor seem to cover you for a bit but then disappeared.” Swift pointed to her new leg. Luna look down and saw that the black metal leg was there, not a hit of Nightmare Moon in it. It still had powerful magic but the whisper that once inhabit it were gone.

“Can I still used this to fight what coming?” Luna asked. “Because this is about to become bloody.”
(Delta Plain. The Temple of Empathy.)

“My lovely children.” Compassion said to her army, all dress in shiny golden armor and wearing face mask similar to hers. “Dark time has fallen on us. The monster know as Rebel and her heathen army have declare war. They bomb that Plain and killed your beloved Fire Star for pleasure. This is why we fight this sickness. They don’t want order, they breed on chaos. They rather have other suffer so they can be happy.”

“Well, my children.” Compassion pointed to the portal. “We shall march to their Plain and enforce order, enforce the law. We shall show them that we are not going without fighting for our belief. We will keep on fighting because we are the ones following the true path. WE follow the ways of the Warriors and WE will be the ones who succeed.”

“All we wanted was to have peace after we lose so much. But they refuse to give us that. They attack us when we just wanted to worship in our ways but they threw there stones and curse our names. THEY were the one who made us look like enemies to griffin, Yaks and dragons. But I say, we keep on. We must show that no matter happen, we will succeed because it is will to happen. WE were chosen by fate and no pony shall denied us that. WE are the only ones that is preventing all pony kind from falling in the darkness that has once cover this land. WE shall win.” The army bang the weapon together and Compassion smile under her mask

“Tomorrow, we will cross over to their plain and show them we are the ones who are right.” Compassion command and the army turn towards to the portal, preparing to go to war tomorrow.