Chapters Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Chapter 3: From The Flames
Twilight Sparkle was one of the first to arrive at the scene, she had not given up her pursuit of the jet, taking her high above the Diamond Dog fields. She touched down just north of the crash site, and it was horrific. Half the east orchid was ablaze, most of the wreckage was obscured by towering black smoke.
Almost all of Ponyville’s residents we’re turning up, some were carried buckets filled with water, some others were brought makeshift fire beaters.
Amongst the crowd of active ponies, Twilight noticed one that was strangely still. It was Rainbow Dash, she was sitting slumped on the road running by the orchid, looking utterly deflated. Twilight moved alongside her and lay a comforting wing other her shoulder.
“Twilight” Spike held up some parchment “Celestia needs to be told”
Twilight and all around her stared at the point. All they could see was smoke, flames, and bits of wreckage, then a shadow, which turned into a pony shaped silhouette, moving in the heart of the inferno.
The figure started moving towards them but was clearly in distress. As it gingerly finding a path through the burning wreckage and splintered apple trees. It was moving on three hoofs, its front right being held up.
Fluttershy and nurse Redheart particle jumped to his aid, and with the help of Dr Horse’s levitation spell, moved him away from the flames and smoke to where the alicorn could breath and the medical team could start their work.
Chapter 4: Not Unwelcomed
Author's Note
Please note that the events here are tacking place on an alternative earth to our own' Places may' be represent by alternative place names and land masses
Chapter 4: Not Unwelcomed
Well, that was unexpected. On yet another move from one museum to another, one dusty cabernet to another, this was an unexpected turn of events’ but not an unwelcome one.
Her mind could not help but cast back to her glorious days of freedom and power. To the days over a millennium ago, when she reigned with an iron fist. When her influence spread darkness and fear to every tribe and kingdom that lay in her path. Many lands fell into her fold, and those who resisted were crushed without mercy. For decades, she conquered lands from the frozen north, down to the shores of the central sea.
In the grand ocean to the west lay a series of islands, whose inhabitants continued to resist her will, and drove back the darkness from their skies. She left those short sighted fools to some of her lesser generals, eager to prove themselves. They failed, vanquished every time. Sent back every time bringing nothing but humiliation to her very name, a humiliation that they paid in blood. Clearly, she would have to deal with these upstarts herself.
On the largest island in the center, she landed her force. An overwhelming army of enslaved mortals. The force they had mustered against her barely numbered a quarter of her forces size, and though they held the high ground this would be an easy victory. Yet it was here that her downfall began.
A young man stepped forth from their ranks and challenged her directly. This unknown man in azure, who she cared not to learn his name, had united the multiple tribes together and driven back her night, dared challenge her.
It soon became apparent that he knew as much about magic as she did. All of her a spells were counted by his, and it soon developed down to sword fight. What she did not realize though was a very grounds she stood upon was a trap. Magic infused runes had been carved into stones, then hide in the marshy field where they attended to do battle.
At the right moment, the runes glowed’ and magical chains shot of the stones surface, wrapping tight around her host's body. A beautiful young maiden by the name of Permafrost with hair of obsidian and a skin of ice blue but a will of glass. Years of mental and even physical abuse by her father, mother & the lord she was betrothed to’ had made her easy prey for this temptress.
But soon it would matter not, for the young man who had done battle with her approached. Lightning up runes in the palms of his hands, he walked towards her. As like before battle, he goaded her, calling her a demon. She preferred the title ‘Dark Goddess’ if you please.
He placed his right palm on my host's forehead, she recalls a pulse of magic surged through Permafrost’s body.
The man then reached into a pouch on his belt and pulled out a small obelisk of smooth granite. Seeing what was coming’ the purple cloud squirmed and cursed.
The chains then retracted back into the granite runes, pulling her with it. With a last defiant scream, the indigo clue disappeared into the obelisk turning it black like obsidian, the runes going silent. She tried to immediately break out but was prevented by a clever series of magical seals placed upon the obelisk
This made her blood boil. Despite now being entombed in stone, she was still able to see all around her.
And here she stayed for centuries to come, surrounded by rock and darkness, and one regret. In all this time, all she desired, apart from her freedom, was the name of the one who put her there, so that she may curse it.
Then with little warning, she was dug up by some clueless construction workers, laying foundations for a hotel. The obelisk was passed from the hands of one mortal to the next, until eventually, it ended up in a glass cabinet of a museum.
Then came a transfer to yet another museum, this one was on the island where she was entombed, the humiliation. She was wrapped in foam and stuffed into a wooden crate, and placed in the belly of an iron bird, which soon took to the skies.
And as sudden and quick as this strange magic had appeared, it was gone, replaced by a large abundance of stable magic.
She internally grinned. Abundant magic, weakened seals, new and the potential new lands for her new empire. She started going giddy at the thought, this feeling was fuelled further by the panic and chaos of the humans above in their new forms.
The impact was the most vicious force she had ever felt. Her crate was smashed into splinters, the wrapped around foam burnt away instantly.
Well that was unexpected , she thought But not unwelcome .
Traveling without a hosts body was not a pleasant experience for one of her kin, and in an unknown world like this, it could be potentially dangerous. So she decided to lay in wait, in ambush for a new host. It didn't need to be anything major’ a fox, a rabbit ,even a mouse would do. It would be enough, as long as she could see this world and learn of it.
Chapter 5: Midnight Awakes
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. In the shade of Ponyville Town Hall, two alicorn princesses were deep in conversation about the events of the past three days.
Twilight Sparkle, flanked by Starlight Glimmer and Mayor Mare, had finished giving a detailed report of the events that had lead to the crash.
Twilight went to protest at this notion but released that her mentor's wisdom was right’ and just nodded.
“Princess Twilight!!” Came a voice across the plaza, cutting off Mayor Mare.
Celestia grinned, with a small amount pride swelling in her heart. Oh, how her faithful student had grown. Unfolding her wings, she took off behind Twilight into the welcoming blue skies in search for Midnight.
Midnight was resting in the shade a large tree in blossom, situated on a small rise in the ground.
And he ended up here, in the shade of this pink tree. From here he had a perfect vantage point of what was generating the smoke, the crash site. Most of the fire had burnt itself out with only a couple of patches still smouldering. The plane was almost unrecognisable as such with only the tail and the remaining engine was somewhat intact, the rest was of it was a mass of broken and twisted debris.
“There you are,” Came a voice.
Foxtrot was taller than Midnight by a couple of inches and was of slender build.
Midnight looked up to see a large mass of bright pink hair’ attached to it was a very energetic pony.
“So’ erm…” Midnight started. “Where are we?”
Foxtrot watched Midnight carefully. He was getting agitated, holding his head trying to remember.
“A pleasure to meet you, Midnight Snow,” Came the majestic voice of Celestia.
All through the explanation, Midnight was slowly nodding his woozy head, trying to process the information.
“How am I doing this?” Midnight asked eventually.
Again Midnight wasn’t paying full attention. His mind was abuzz with activity. Memories of the event of three days ago were finally falling into place but there was one thing he still didn’t know.
Picking through the wreckage of a destroyed passenger plane is never an easy task. A task made harder if one did not know what they were picking through.
As soon as his hoof touched the stone obelisk, runes carved in its surface suddenly glow white as Nightmare Moon broke the last of the seals holding her inside. Before Steel Wall could react, an indigo cloud shot out of the glowing runes straight at him and entered his being through his mouth and nostrils.
Nightmare Moon let out a sinister smile through Steel Wall’s lips. She’d been waiting patiently for over a day and a half for the right moment. After the raging fires finally died down, that ponies started to wonder amongst the wreckage. She mused at the sight of a society inhabited by intelligent ponies. Several came close enough for to latch onto but they were never alone. Somepony would have noticed her taking control of one of their kin and she wanted to keep her existence secret, for now.
Chapter 9: The Sad Heights
Chapter 9: The Sad Heights
A small procession of ponies made their way towards White Apple Barn. With Twilight Sparkle at its head, it consisted of her mentor Princess Celestia, flanked by the royal guard Foxtrot and Nurse Redheart.
“Applejack,” Twilight called.
Twilight looked other her shoulder to see Celestia and the others had reached the barn doors.
White Apple Barn had been converted into a makeshift morgue. The ponies grimaced at the sight before them, shifting uncomfortably on their hoofs, except one. Midnight Snow just stared off into the distance.
The alicorn was a beautiful mare with a coat of ice blue and a mane of black with golden tips.
Midnight lifted his head a little looking straight ahead and started speaking words he had known since he was a young child.
“Me, princess Celestia!” Foxtrot said surprised’ standing in Ponyville’s Town Hall.
It had been five days since their visit to the temporary morgue at White Apple Barn. The clean up operation of the east orchid was now in full swing, the wreckage was being sent piece by piece to a research facility outside of Canterlot in rail carts. Plans were even being drawn up to remove and replace the orchids soil, as there were fears of contamination.
“Me, princess Celestia!” the surprised Foxtrot said.
“Now I can’t force this position on you, but I'm at a loss to think of any other pony who would be suitable for this role,”
Midnight Snow sat in the shade of the tree he had found himself in nine days prior when he had gone on a wonder from Pontville hospital.
On the same day that Foxtrot became Midnight’s officially chaperone, Dr Twinstar brought a problem to Celestia’s attention. The spells keeping the inside of White Apple Barn refrigerated was starting to wane and proving troublesome to keep it going. The Dr stated plainly that it would soon fail and in the heat of summer, it wouldn’t be long before things got unpleasant in the barn.
“It's not usual to find somepony up this late.” Came a voice wafting in gently with the cool night air.
There was a moment of silence after this last remark.
A hoof shaking his shoulder snapped him back to reality.
Luna started walking away, making a mental note to recommend Midnight gets therapy when she next see’s Celestia. However knowing her sister, she would already be on it. The thought made her smile.This feeling’ where have I felt this before.
She sensed me! Nightmare Moon thought inside Steel wall. She sensed me! She had been careful not to be detected. Her magical presence was suppressed’ and anything she did that not fit in with Steel Wall’s character was passed off as stress from being at the crash site.Who was she?
The locomotive shut off steam and glided towards the station. It was surprisingly smooth and gentle throughout the journey, thanks to its experienced engine crew.
Midnight Snow was released from the hospital a week after the memorial service. He was originally meant to stay in Ponyville, but being so close to the crash site was not advised by Dr Horse, fearing Midnight would have more flashbacks. And when Foxtrot became his chaperone, it was decided that Midnight should stay with her.
Midnight adjusted these bags before getting off the carriage seat. He helped Foxtrot get her luggage off the overhead rack and carried them off the train.
Foxtrot froze for a second, this question when Midnight was well within earshot couldn’t have been more ill-timed.
Foxtrot and Midnight wandered down the street that her house was located, overloaded with shopping and luggage. They went to three other stalls in the market and the same questions were asked. Were you at Ponyville? Are the rumours true? Who’s your friend?
“May I ask a question,” Midnight said’ wanting to end the silence. “Do ponies belong to clubs or gangs? Cause everyone has tattoos on their flanks.”
Chapter 13: Patience
So that's who she was Thought Nightmare Moon.
So Princess Luna was her name she pondered. And she was the former host of Nightmare Moon?!? .
Interesting She mussed. Very interesting.
The second was that the ponies or at least the ones who wrote this book, didn’t truly know what the Nightmare Moon of this world was. They believed that it was Luna being corrupted by her own evil desires and did not release that it was being of its own. Their ignorance of what she was’ was itself an advantage. After all, how do fight an enemy you don’t even know is there.
Third, was the real threat posed by the Elements of Harmony and the bearers who wielded them. With the ability to exorcise her from a host, she could not take them lightly. As by evidence presented to her, the Nightmare Moon of this world had been destroyed by them.
Steel wall closed the book and looked up around the library. Where was the best place to find my answers she mused.
A satisfying grin twisted its way onto Steel Wall’s lips.This looks promising She giggled internally. Now’ how to get inside…. Definitely wiping that off her face. Never mind She thought. Tomorrows another day. If there was one thing that she had learned during her imprisonment, was patience.
Chapter 14: Midnight At Dawn
Foxtrot was stirred from her sleep by a low noise coming from another room. She lifted her yawning head upright and turned to look at the clock hanging on the wall. It was almost dawn.
“Oh dear,” Foxtrot whispered aloud. “You're still at that crash site’ even now.”
“In my homeland of Westhumberland’ which is basically a series of rocks in a bleak ocean,” Midnight rambled. “Centuries ago, they used to believe that when someone passes away, that their soul finds its way to place where they can watch over us. A place they called ’The Sad Heights’. It's no longer a commonly held belief.”
Midnight felt Foxtrot’s hoof on his forehead, turning his attention to her. Her impassioned eyes, staring deep into him.
Chapter 15: Nineteen Moons
The huge double doors to a conference in Canterlot castle swung open in a grand, almost silent ark. Foxtrot now in uniform, walked through alongside Midnight Snow. The male alicorn gazed around the room. It was beautifully decorated with tapestries, chandeliers and stained glass windows. At the centre of the marble floor was a round table with padded seats. Already at the table was the princesses Celestia and Twilight, who stood up when they entered.
Midnight and Foxtrot took to their seats, facing opposite the princesses. Once seated, the slight tension in the air was lifted.
“It could still mean nothing,” Celestia interjected, feeling their guests concern growing. “But we have to wait and see if the portal opens on the next time it was scheduled to do so.”
Midnight did not acknowledge this, just continued to rub his brow.
Celestia pointed to the courtyard below. There’ Midnight was sitting defeated on the floor’ had his eyes tightly clenched shut’ trying to keep a scream of sheer utter frustration from escaping himself.
Author's Note
As of the time of writing' there is no strict definition of the length of time a 'Moon' is. I would reason that it would be similar to a 'Lunar Month' (around 30 days).
Chapter 17: Late Night Reading
Steel Wall slid a book on arcane spells back onto the shelf from where it had been taken. It had been nearly two moons since the time he had first been back in the city of Canterlot, returning with Steel Wall’s company. And Nightmare Moon was wasting no more time tonight.
After a while, she noticed a window of absence between shifts when it would be possible to enter unnoticed. But the window only lasted an hour, so her search through the collection was slow. Despite this hurdle, she was content on what she had found, mostly various spells that would prove most useful when her conquest began. If her conquest begins...
She used Steel Wall to pull out another book, this one on arcane items. There was still half an hour left in tonight's window to read up on as much as she could get. There was one spell high on her list to learn.
“What are you doing here?” Came a stern voice from behind Steel Wall.Whys she here’ and now Nightmare Moon cursed inside, turning Steel Wall to face the voice. It was the smug faced librarian that she had to deal with nearly every day. So often that she came to learn her name, Neat Shelves.
Nightmare Moon internal took a deep sigh of relief. She hadn’t used that trick for over a thousand years and that was on humans. She wasn’t sure if it would even work on a pony but it seems they are just as susceptible to it as her last prey were.I wonder how long she’ll walk until the smugness is wiped from her face Nightmare Moon playfully mused. Or until her hooves turn to stumps. The Alicorn amulet She read to herself. Interesting.
Chapter 18: Blessed Beard
Midnight Snow placed a hoof on the white door to the N.o. 6 laboratory of the Canterlot Research Building. Taking a deep breath, Midnight mentally prepared himself.
Midnight swung the door open, then stuck his head into the room.
Midnight smiled. Blessed Beard was a professor of archaeology and his enthusiasm at this discovery was contagious.
A knock on the door drew their attention to it opening. The ever stern-faced Dr. Twinstar entered the room and looked directly at the professor.
Dr. Twinstar was in charge of the of the research and categorising of the wreckage of the aircraft that crashed in Ponyville. Since becoming Blessed Beard’s student, she had come to him nearly every day with some piece of scrap, on which was some writing that her translation spell couldn’t decipher and needed Midnight to translate.
From his arrival in Equestria, Midnight had to learn stuff that only the younger fillies and foals had trouble with. Magic had come naturally to him, but picking up stuff with his bare hooves was more difficult. Even now, handling the broken obelisk took a fair amount of concentration.
She picked up the pieces of the obelisk with her magic and headed out the door. Stopping halfway down the corridor, she levitated the pieces in front of her.This is no replica She mused. The integral patterns along the obelisks edges were actually runes, an ancient form of magic long since usurped in Equestrian by more modern forms of casting.But for what? Nightmare Moon? But that was part of princess Luna, wasn’t it? And wasn’t that part of her destroyed by the Elements of Harmony? There's a second Nightmare Moon! She had hold herself back from shouting it out loud.
Chapter 19: late Birthday
Another x on the calendar marked off another day. Over a hundred days were marked off, hundreds more remained. Midnight put down the pencil and trotted back to the stove. It was his turn to cook tonight, carrot and coriander soup. He stirred the pot several times, releasing an inviting aroma into the room.
The sound of the front door swinging open drew his eyes away from the pot. Foxtrot in her guard uniform stepped in soaking from head to hoof. Taking off her helmet and restoring her mane and coat colours to their natural state, Midnight trotted up and offered her a towel. She gave a warming smile and took the towel in her magic. Midnight returned to the pot and took it off the stove.
“So how old are you now?” She asked’ taking another spoonful.
“what's this?” Midnight asked, trying to read the label.
Midnight glanced up at the clock, its hands chiming round to even in the evening. He took another swig from his glass and turns his eyes back to Foxtrot. They were sitting on her couch in front of the fireplace.
Midnight smiled at Foxtrot’s antics, who was now trying to refill her glass. As she continued to miss, Midnight’s gaze drifted onto a photo sitting on the mantle piece. It was of Foxtrot when she was a filly, standing next to a royal guard.Well I’m going nowhere tonight He thought. Still’ there are worse places to be stuck.
Chapter 21: To Trap A Nightmare
Chapter 21: To Trap A Nightmare
How could I have been so foolish She screamed internally.
I can't believe I left it there Nightmare Moon continued to berate herself. I should have stamped it into dust' if not at least taken it with me.
Once within reach of the saddle bags, she stopped Steel Wall. Making him take a good long sweeping glance. Again Nightmare Moon found nothing amiss and was tempted to use her magical presence to confirm this but she feared that may trigger a magic based trap.I wonder if I overestimated their caperbilites She mused. Willing Steel Wall's movement, she reached for the closest obelisk piece.Runes!!! She screamed inside. Ancient runes had indeed been marked in the thick layer of dust on the floor, hidden in plain sight.
Nightmare Moon was on the verge of panic, like then all those years ago she could feel her very essence being exercised from her host.If I were to apply some pressure here She reasoned to herself.
Dr. Twinstar looked up in time to see the fractures cover the last of the obelisks surface.
And there it was, for the briefest moment there was a look on Twinstar's face. So fleeting that many lesser mortals would miss it but not Nightmare Moon. She knew that look. Revulsion.
Nightmare Moon grin shown through her host's lips.This Twinstar has a temper She cackled inside. And is a ranter at that. Interesting. Tell Me More Twinstar.
Twinstar with her back up against the wall, studied the face of Nightmare Moon's host. Trying to keep her quickened breath in check.You still got it Nightmare Moon She grinned maniacally.
Chapter 22: Echo Whisky
Man these bags are heavy. Midnight Snow was slogging back to the cottage he shared with Foxtrot. His tailor made saddle bags were filled to the brim with many goods from Hoofly market.Strange He pondered. I thought she was on duty today.
Several paces behind Foxtrot, he watched her turn off the cobbled street and into a grassy field, sectioned off with a low cut evergreen hedge.
I shouldn’t be here Midnight told himself. This is meant to be a private moment.
And here they stayed for a long time, neither aware that they were being watched.
Chapter 23: A Heated Mistake
Dr. Twinstar had marched herself all the way back to Canteralot, where she stopped in the middle of a square.Calm yourself Twinstar She berated herself. Foxtrot has always been a complete….
Her thought process was interrupted by the sight of a certain Royal guard earth pony, Steel Wall.Nightmare Moon!! Twinstar screamed internally. What's she up to? She quickly gave chase to the stallion, who was not trying to be evasive. After a short time, he turned off the bustling streets into a building she did not expect for.The Canteralot library? Twinstar pondered. Of course’ knowledge is power.
"Why," She asked approaching him, not caring about being silent.
Steel Wall rocked back his sea,’ grinning maniacally. “Was that the question’ Twinstar?”
Twinstar nodded. This statement confirmed in her mind the belief that Luna was not fit to rule.
Twinstar smiled, readjusted her glasses. Believing she now had the upper hoof.
Nightmare Moon slowly closed the book and turned to face her, the menacing grin returning. “Care to finish that statement, or would you like me to go into your mind and wrench it out?”
Chapter 24: Late Night Raid
Steel Wall looked up at the full moon hanging high above the city of Canteralot, lighting it up in a haunting glow.The night is glorious Thought Nightmare Moon. And soon’ it will be eternal.
It had been over two moons since her last talk with Twinstar in the library and she let slip the existence of the underground vaults, hidden deep under the castle. And oh my, had she been busy.
Let's see what your hiding’ Celestia. And what have we here? She giggled inside.
At the bottom of the spiral stairs was a short corridor, leading to gleaming metal door. Here, two of Luna’s guards stood sentry. One unicorn mare and one pegasus stallion, both in deep purple armour and brandishing spears. Both on alert when they heard the door high above them open. Hoof steps echoed down the staircase’ slowly yet methodically towards them.
Before either of them could react, Steel Wall brought his right hoof up and slammed it into the back of the unicorn’s head, ramming the mare headfirst into the stone wall. With his partner taken out, the pegasus tried to bring his weapon to bear on Steel Wall but his attacker swung his right hoof back and swatted the spear down the corridor. Before the pegasus could do anything else, Steel Wall violently thrust his left into his gut, forcing the air from his lungs. Now winded, the stallion collapsed to his knees, trying to recover his breath. Steel Wall raised his right hoof and brought it slamming down into the side of the guards head, and he went down too.
“The Night Guards,” Nightmare Moon said openly, now that no-pony could hear her voice. “You pathetic fools deserve not this title.”
She continued to stare at the door until she noticed the other thing absent from it, a door frame.
The inside of the vault was enormous. Multiple caverns lit by glowing crystals and separated by large marble pillars supporting the roof of smooth rock. Nightmare Moon’s eye shined through Steel Wall’s. The amount of knowledge contained here made the Princess Collection at the Canterlot Library, look insignificant. Rows upon rows of shelves containing hundreds of books, scrolls and manuscripts, along with multiple pedestals housing many unusual items.Focus now’ Nightmare She told herself. You don’t have long until the guards wake up. It looks real enough She thought. Only one way to know for sure .
“Oh, how I have missed this power,” Nightmare giggled in her own voice. “I’m going to enjoy this.”
Squeezing himself back through the door, Nightmare Moon suddenly became aware of a new pony in the corridor where she had left the two knocked out guards. A magenta unicorn was waiting patiently for her.
“I’m not here to stop you,” Twinstar answered calmly. “I’m here to help you.”
“Why should I accept you into my service, Twinstar,” Nightmare asked’ bemused by her impertinence.How should I handle this Nightmare pondered. It is true that it is still not the time to seize control, many things still had to be done. However, this could be advantageous.
Chapter 25: Truths At Sunset
Chapter 25: Truths At Sunset
Princess Celestia sat upon her throne, finally finishing off the last of today's paperwork. She rested back in her throne and sighed.
Foxtrot took her helmet into her magic and started walking by the princesses side.
There was a period of silence, while Foxtrot pondered her answer, drawing small circles in the good with her hoof.
“Yes, princess, and thank you,” Foxtrot replied’ as Celestia smiled and unfolded her wings.
Chapter 26: Good Evening, My Queen
Twinstar walked along the many rows of books that were in the collection of Canterlot Library. Using her magic, she pulled a random book off the of one of the shelves without stopping. It didn’t matter to her which book or what it was about, it just had to be a big one. Ahead of her was a reading table, sitting at it was the stallion host of Nightmare Moon.
“If you would indulge, my queen,” Twinstar began. “But what would one need with rose petals?”An illegal concoction Twinstar thought. How very you, Nightmare moon.
Steel Wall gestured a hoof to himself, pointing up and down his being.
Twinstar took all this in and nodded, a possible solution cropping up in her mind's eye.
Chapter 27: Please Don't Go
Foxtrot watched Midnight whilst clearing up the dining table. He was doing his daily ritual of marking off the days until the Crystal Mirror was due to reopen. As she finished wiping down the table, the words of Celestia echoed in her mind. It had only been a day since her conversation with the princess the day before and now seemed as good a moment to bring up the subject.
“She wants to talk to me,” Foxtrot said unbelievingly. “She never wants to talk to me…”
“From what little I know of her, Twinstar is not the kind that who cares about personal affairs,” Midnight commented, not ending the silence that fallen on them.
Midnight went quiet’ and looked up at the calendar. With less than four moons to go, and he had given it little thought.
The air in the room went still, as this realisation caused both of them to look away blushing slightly.
Chapter 28: Mother & Daughter
Chapter 28: Mother & Daughter
Foxtrot looked up at the building at the building that she once called home. It was an unremarkable structure, easily lost amongst the grand architecture of Canterlot. To Foxtrot however, it was a place filled with fond memories for when she was a filly. This was the house where she grew up, with many happy times with her father. Not so with her mother. Foxtrot could not recall any memory of her that she could describe as ‘happy’. If truth were told, Foxtrot could not give a satisfactory answer to why she here. She owed her mother nothing, especially after being cut off after defining her by entering the royal guard.
She raised a hoof and tapped on the door, which opened gently. It was unlocked, which raised some suspicions from Foxtrot. Pushing the door wide open, she called out for her mother. When no reply came, she moved into the main room of the building.
“What are you doing here?”Midnight did that!?! Foxtrot thought. No. No, something dosesn't fit right with that.
“So you found a way to promoted then,” Twinstar remarked, which caused Foxtrot to stop and look back at her. “Landing yourself an alicorn and all.”
Foxtrot’s rant was brought to an abrupt halt one of the most unnatural sounds she had ever heard. Twinstar was laughing, wholeheartedly. It's took her a few moments to regain her composure.
She stared menacingly into Foxtrot’s, who eyes were overflowing with tears. Twinstar watched her daughter turn and flee out the door without saying another word.
The front door to the cottage swung wildly open, banging against the near wall. Foxtrot raced in, leaving the door ajar and bolted for her bedroom.
The sound of movement from the main room pricked Foxtrot’s ears. Lifting her head out of the bed covers, she looked through her window. It was now late now evening and the sun had long been set by Celestia. She turned to face her bedroom door. “Midnight?”He’s not here Her ears dropped. I really need him, now.
Foxtrot let out a disgruntled groan and moved over to the fireplace. Kneeling down, she flipped over the fallen frame and inspected the damaged glass.
As Foxtrot wept, she did not notice the stallion that had silently entered the cottage and walked up behind her. Her ears caught the strange noise he started to make. “Midnight.”
Midnight Snow slowly walked through Hoofly, tired and confused. He’d spent most the day at the Canterlot’s grand station, waiting for Professor Blessed Beard.
It was at this moment that he noticed Stonie the old griffon waving him over to his stall, which he had just finished packing up for the day.
Midnight stormed into the cottage to see Steel Wall still collapsed on the floor with Foxtrot now standing, at least he thought it was Foxtrot. Her coat had turned a darker shade, turning almost violet. Her mane and tail were something to behold. Hundreds of tiny stars, twinkling in emerald tinged cosmos that flowed and pulsated as if it were a life of its own.
Still in her magic, Midnight was suddenly thrust back into the wall with such force that broke through it. He then flew across the street and into the adjacent cottage and smashed into it so violently that the building partly collapsed, much to the horror of the family who had just vacated it.
Chapter 30: Farewell, Princess Celestia
On the balcony of Central Tower of Canterlot castle, Nightmare Moon appeared out of nowhere in the blink of an eye. She looked around herself, unsure of her footing. The teleportation spell was new to her and her knowledge of its after-effects was second-hand information.
Princess Celestia was fast asleep on her round bed at the centre of the room. Illuminated by moonlight and embers from rooms fireplace, the alicorn looked to Nightmare Moon as a glistening prize upon a pedestal. She let a sinister smile spread across her face as she moved through the blinds, casting a menacing shadow over the sleeping princess.
About half way round came a moment that made Nightmare Moon freeze on the spot. A smouldering log moved in the fireplace, making a notable noise. Her eyes darted from the fire to the sleeping princess and released she was standing right between them.Now!
Nightmare Moon flung her head back, her horn glowing bright. Magic infused the runes and they floated off the floor in a ghostly fashion. As expected, Celestia awoke immediately. As she sat upright in her bed, chains of magic shot out of the runes and raped tightly around Celestia, pinning her in place. She managed to crane her neck around enough to see her attacker. Her eyes widened dramatically, as she made out features of the mare silhouetted against the full moon.
This goaded Celestia into attacking. In a moment she finally knew what Nightmare Moon was, how she had corrupted Luna and what she as now doing to Foxtrot.
This action had only lasted a few seconds, leaving the guards dumbfounded. Seeing their magic have no effect and with a new rage in their hearts, they lowered their spears and charged. Without even looking, Nightmare Moon ripped the spears out of their magical grasp with her own, before using them to pin the guards against the far wall in a choke hold.
Chapter 31: Darkness And Light
Foxtrot sat alone in her new world, with nothing but her thoughts and a name. A godless void of darkness with no features except for this one pony and nothing more. Even her memories were strangely absent.
It was then that her surroundings changed. A circle of light slowly emerged from the inky darkness. Foxtrot only noticed it when it got to its brightest. In an infant like way, she shifted away from it whilst captivated by it, “Hello?”
Foxtrot reared back from the circle, shock and sadness consuming her. Also, the feeling of being sick to her stomach. Convinced that she had just witnessed a pony die. She felt something warm and wet roll down her cheeks. Prodding them with her hoof, she released that she was crying. Tears, for a pony she could not name.
Steel Wall watched the goods train pull away with gathering speed. The cargo it was carrying had been dumped beside the tracks. In their place were the residents of hoofly, evacuating the town.
Steel wall for the first time in over a year had control of his body. Having awoken soon after Nightmare Moon’s departure, he emerged from the remains Foxtrot’s cottage. After calming several residents down, he aided a group digging through the remains of another cottage. Trapped under a heavy wooden beam was the unconscious form of Midnight Snow. Steel Wall was able to free him with ease, bringing audible gasps from the crowd. His saddlebags had been blown off, revealing him to be an alicorn. Which came as a surprise to the ones there, seeing a wing and a stump on a unicorn.
Steel Wall had not been complacent whilst imprisoned in his own body. Whilst continuing to retake control of his body, he was able to maintain a good element of awareness of the world around him. He was quietly able to watch Nightmare Moon’s plotting and soon learned of her plans.
Chapter 32: Welcome Home, Luna
Princess Luna swooped in low over the battlements of Canterlot castle. They were empty, none of her guards were to be seen. Luna then flew up to Celestia’s bedchamber, stationed her up above Canterlot. Finding her sister absent, Luna glided back down and made her way to the throne room, all the while calling for her. Using her magic to swing open doors, Luna flew through the connecting corridors and into the throne room. Like Celestia’s bedchamber and the castle battlements, they were empty and dark. All the torches in the castle had been snuffed out.
The princess was doing her usual night patrol when she grew uneasy. It was a feeling she had been getting on and off for several moons. A sense foreboding and a presence of something elusive, and yet very familiar. Luna turned her gaze to her night sky, and it was then she saw it. Ancient runes etched onto her moon, followed by a silhouette of a mare. Luna was stunned. Somepony had just been banished to the moon, almost certainly by her sister. But who, and why? This question caused her to return to Canterlot.
Luna called out to Celestia again and gained no reply. Making her way out of the throne room, she made her way cautiously into the main bailey. Here, at last, she saw a guard, standing alone in the open with its head down.
“Do not flatter yourself, Luna!” Nightmare Moon snapped. “I am a goddess of the night, and choose you to be my host.”
Luna unfolded her wings and took to the sky. In a flash of rage, she fired a beam of magic at Nightmare Moon. She barely lifted an eyebrow, as a shield spell enveloped her and absorbed the attack. As the spell dissipated, Luna came under attack from multiple directions. Various attack spells from separate sources, which Luna dogged with swift grace.
Luna took to the night sky. Her attempt to flee made Nightmare Moon giggle, as she wielded her magic into life. Capture runes hidden around the bailey lit up and shot out magical chains at Luna. The night princess, however, shielded herself in magic, which swirled around her like a powerful storm. The chains impaled themselves into the shield but were immediately shredded by its fierce rotation. Nightmare Moon’s eyes widen at this sight, her trap had failed and Luna was now ascending, “Seize Her!!!
Her fall was a faint, pulling up at the last second. Keeping low, she re-entered the keep. Flying and galloping through the maze of corridors and staircases, Luna launched herself out a north facing window, sending shards of stained glass to the ground below. She managed to get over the battlements before any of the guards could respond. The air was alive with magic, as the guards tried to down Luna. Like before, she dodged all but one of the attacks, scorching her chest. Luna grimaced but bared it and kept flying. She chanced a glance over her shoulder to see several pegasi giving chase.
Racing through the mountains, the lead she had made on them had all but evaporated and her original plan wasn’t working. Luna had been racing towards the peaks of the mountains, before pulling away at the last moment. At first, it was catching them out, buying Luna distance on them. But they quickly wised up to her trick and begun reducing the gap between them.
Luna, however, was in a bad way. Her wing and chest were in severe pain, and it wouldn’t be long before she would have to stop flying. She wanted to get to Ponyville and link up with Twilight Sparkle but that wasn’t going to happen. Nightmare Moon and her guards lay between them, and the pain was getting unbearable.
“Did you stop Foxtrot?” Came a voice from behind her. Luna turned to see the train behind her. The wagons were packed with ponies now lit up by her magic. All bearing faces of fear and desperation.
Chapter 33: Change Of Plan
Nightmare Moon let out an annoyed grunt as she stood upon the castle battlements. The moon had been pulled suddenly from the by Luna, and the sun had not been raised in its place, leaving the land in cold darkness. She let up her horn and stared up at the mountains that the night princess had escaped into. Nightmare Moon could no longer sense her presence and had to assume that she had given her pegesi the slip. However, these same guards now stood between Luna and Ponyville. A town she needed to move against immediately.
Nightmare Moon stared at their unmoving forms and their unblinking indigo eyes, and pondered for a short time. She then moved up to the 1st company's leader, "You!! Take your company and go into the city. Bring its citizens here into the castle and do not let them leave."
The small brainwashed army of Nightmare Moon surged towards the clearly undefended town. Despite it being little past midday, the land was still in complete darkness. Riding in Luna's chariot, Nightmare Moon watched her forces race to their assigned targets. As for herself, she and a small group of pegesi headed for Twilight's castle.
Nightmare Moon was taken aback by these reports, and her mind began to race.
As the guard led them towards the location, Nightmare Moon could see a large contingent of her guards on the outskirts of the town, gathered in a large circle. Tired of walking and wanting answers, she teleported over to the circle's edge. Moving forwards, the guards parted in her path. Coming to the centre, she now could see more clearly the situation.
She sighed at this, before looking past him towards the others, "Is that your position as well?"
The dark mare turned away and wandered around small circles, clearly processing the turn of events. Her plans were coming undone. Two princesses had escaped her clutches, on without even a fight. Now news of here return was being spread faster than she would have liked. She was losing control.
Chapter 34: On The Horizon
A large crowd had gathered at the Crystal Empire’s rail station, as word of a train containing refugees quickly spread. Soon word reached the central palace and its occupants came out to investigate.
Luna did so, recanting her entire day. It was an astonishing story to those who heard it. From the moment she saw the image of the mare in the moon, to her forced landing on the train. It was only then that twilight noticed the burn marks on Luna’s dark coat.
Stonie then turned to Cadence, “Your highness, I have a message from a Steel Wall, one of the royal guards.”
Nightmare Moon slumped back in Celestia’s throne with an exhausted sigh. It had been four days since her attack on Ponyville. Four days since Twilight and the bearers of the Elements of Harmony had inadvertently eluded her. On her return to Canterlot, news that Luna had given her pegasi guards the slip had only fuelled her rage. A rage that was increased and somewhat quelled when she reached the walls of Canterlot castle. Does in Canterlot had all been brought into the castle as commanded but Hoofly’s residents had mostly escaped by train, and several that had been captured alerted the residents of Canterlot of Nightmare Moon as they were brought into the grounds of the castle.
Nightmare Moon rubbed her temples with a hoof as she heard the great doors to throne room open.
Nightmare Moon nodded and then turned to the handful of sentries in the room, “Guards, leave us!”
Nightmare Moon opened her eyes, getting adjusted after the bright magic, “Did it work?”Oh, I’m going to enjoy theses Nightmare Moon mused. But not as much as the power .
This smile was quickly removed by a hoof harshly smashing her across the face. The shock of this sent Twinstar sprawling on her side, the taste of blood in my mouth, “M…m…my Queen!?!”
Author's Note
Apologies for the delay, I have been unwell recently
Chapter 37: Incoming
Twilight’s eyes widened almost as much as her smile upon seeing the mare on the floor above, “Sunset!”
The storm continued to ravage to wastes the hillside all the while Rainbow Dash and Soarin climbed it. Reaching the summit, the pair took a moment to recover their breath.
“Well, thats a certainly a…..bold plan,” Sunset responded. Twilight had just filled her in on the events of the last year and a half, of Nightmare Moon's return and the fall of Canterlot. Then of the plan that they had come up with.
A grim sensation gripped everyone firmly, even drawing a large gulp from Fluttershy. Only Luna kept a somewhat stern look on her face, “She’s inadvertently forced our hand.”
“Um.. What about you, Midnight?” Fluttershy asked gently. “Will you go back to your world, to your home?”
Chapter 38: Best Laid Plans
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Chapter 39: No Safe Haven
“Are you alright?” Twilight asked Starlight Glimmer, who was dusting herself off.
“Hey!” Glimmer called as loudly as she dared. “You made it.”
“Aaaah! Oww!!A tunnel!?! Twilight thought.
Foxtrot Lay limply on the ground which like the world around her, was was a dark godless void. All sense of time had long since been lost, with it almost all of her remaining memories. She was no longer being tormented by Nightmare Moon. Either with bad memories or windows of the outside world.
“Foxtrot!”
Twilight raced down the narrow rocky tunnel, her glowing horn lighting the way. She checked again over her shoulder to make sure the others were still with her. They were, horns glowing just as brightly.
Glimmer flopped against the stone, rubbing her eyes, “Now what do we do?”
“Twilight, I know the promise of knowledge is very alluring,” Glimmer butted in. “But there's an insane alicorn above us, who has our friends and is wishes to bring an eternal night to Equestria. We need to focus here.”
Nothing happened.
“Where the hell am I now?”
“Death would not stop your mother from embarrassing you with such compliments.”
“If you know of Nightmare Moon’s return, then you should know why I'm here,” Midnight said firmly. “If nothing is done, then hundreds of lives will surely be lost. Either from her imitate revenge or when she plunges Equestria into eternal night. Formidable, you once defeated her all does centuries ago. I need your help. I need to know how to defeat her.”
Midnight nodded thoughtfully, “Can you teach me this craft?”
“Formidable, tell me straight!” Midnight firmly stated. “Can I learn this method of defeating her in the time that I have?”
“So, yeah…. I ended up brainwashing the entire school,” Sunset Shimmer Explained, rubbing the back of her neck. “But Twilight managed to get me to see reason and well, here I am now.”
Twilight’s eyes lit up, “Spike!!”
“We do,” Midnight Snow answered calmly. His sudden reappearance behind the, caused them to jump.
Chapter 41: Duel In The Dying Storm
Nightmare Moon stared up at the palace that here army had all but conquered. She let out an audible sigh as she turned back to the indigo eyed guard standing before, “Find something to use as a battering ram and break that door down. I want that filly, alive and unharmed!”Well, there's the price of unwavering loyalty She groaned internally. No initiative whatsoever.
Nightmare Moon’s mocking came to halt with the sound of a bang coming from the tunnel that Twilight was hiding in. A dust cloud had been kicked up obscuring the tunnels entrance. Nightmare Moon checked her forces that were present. She only had a handful of guards that were free to aid her but they should be enough she thought to deal with Twilight’s entourage, while she could deal with Twilight herself.
Midnight unfolded his wings in a threatening posture, stretching out wide his good right wing and his left stump. The sight of the latter drew more giggles from Nightmare Moon but they did not last.
High up in the central palace, Flash Sentry pushed his back hard against the chest of draws that he and Soarin were using to barricade the door. From behind this door, came another bang as ponies attempted to break it down.
A sound like thunder reverberated through the room. The ponies all exchanged confused glances. Dash and Spitfire then began gingerly sliding the wardrobe to one side enough to get a view of the outside world.
“Newbie, stop!!” Spitfire shouted, as two more forms darted past her and out the window. “Flash! Soarin!! Get back here NOW!!
Nightmare Moon glided through the snow falling in torrents from high above. The winds were abating but still strong enough to cause her problems.A rune!! She screamed internally. He’s even using his technic, how!?!
Nightmare Moon fired a series of snapshot bolts at him whilst she levelled herself but they didn’t find their target. He was flying low to the frozen wastes, using what cover there was to avoid her lightning.
Nightmare Moon smiled at this low move just pulled by her opponent and watched him come about and charged at her, his hoof glowing again.
Chapter 42: Into Darkness
Luna watched Twilight and the others in the sky above, keeping the guard's attention on themselves. She was shivering uncontrollably, having spent hours chained to the cold stone causeway. She was also covered in a layer of freshly fallen snow, adding to her discomfort. She peered over shoulder at the others who were in the same predicament.
Her gaze was drawn back to the snowstorm outside the city, as flashes of lightning illuminated the sky. She was just in time to see this far horizon light up in a hellish red, accompanied by an ear-piercing sound of an explosion. It drew everyponys attention. Bringing an end to the ariel duels and the breaking down of the shield bubble. All eyes were trained on the snowstorm as the red glow died away, yet more lightning crackled.
From the spot the bolt had originated came the dark form of Nightmare Moon. She glided gracefully to the ground, landing just shy of the causeway. Wings outstretched and as intimidating as ever. Her sparkling mane was swirling above her, crackling like a miniature thunderstorm.
Nightmare Moon strode forward, building up a powerful bolt in her mane, “You will DIE!!!”
For the second time in a day, Midnight Snow found himself in another strange world. While the last one was a strange shimmering land of white light, this was a dark murky place of dark purples, black, and indigo. There was no floor to walk on, and he found himself floating. It was a depressing and unsettling place to be, and midnight was traveling right into the heart of it.
“Midnight!!!”
She smiled gleefully at him as he grimaced from the pain. He grabbed the tendril with his free hoof and tried to pull it out. It instead was torn apart, leaving a small piece inside Midnight which quickly merged into his form.
Snowflakes came gliding down all around Luna, as she squinted at the blinding mass that was Midnight Snow and Nightmare Moon. She couldn’t make out either of them or the shield bubble they were in.
“Hey!” Rainbow Dash called from up high, propping up one of the dizzy guards. “What going on down there? They're all coming round!”
The light suddenly ended. From what was its epicentre, the figure of Nightmare Moon appeared to stand tall while Midnight Snow was hurled back. Sliding on the stone on his side and coming to rest in front of Twilight Sparkle’ his sweat steaming in the cold air. She asked him if he was alright but Midnight did not answer. Instead, he rolled himself onto his hooves and sat upright, his concentration back from he had come from.
A stunned silence came over all the souls in the city. No-pony dared move, except that was for the near exhausted Midnight Snow. He was moving towards the slumped figure of Foxtrot. Still lying on the ground, her body reverting to the form before she was taken as a host. When it was done, the only evidence that of had remained of Nightmare Moon’s being here was her alicorn Wings and the blood moon cutie mark.
Midnight was grabbing his chest around his heart, discomfort swelling on his face. His entire being then flashed gold and recoiled away from the others in pain.
“How do we stop it?” Twilight asked expectantly.
Chapter 44: Bearers Of Bad News
Fresh snow crumpled under Sunset Shimmer’s hooves. She looked up at the blue sky above, showing little evidence of the storm that had engulfed the land three days ago. She peered over her shoulder at Twilight and Spike, wrapped in sufficient winter garments.
“Yeah, that sounds about right,” Spike said pretending to understand and fooling no-pony.
Celestia was the one to break the embrace, looking up at the Crystal Mirror, “It is time.”
Dusk was quickly approaching The Crystal Empire. Celestia, however, found herself at the cities hospital. Wanting to visit its residents before putting the sun to bed. She acknowledged the bow of a nurse before being shown to the main ward.
Celestia nodded and then noticed another pony approach. It was Hoofly’s doctor, Healing Touch. One of the few evacuees who volunteered to stay in the Crystal Empire instead of being moved on to Rainbow Falls. She stood before her and bowed, “Your highness.”
Foxtrot stared blankly at her bedcovers, trying to recall and make sense of the last couple of weeks. Celestia gently knocked on the door before opening it and sticking her head around to look inside, “Foxtrot, may I come in?”
Chapter 45: Good Question
The carriage swayed gently as the train made its way towards Ponyville. Amongst its passengers were Twilight Sparkle and Spike. Both were glum at the prospect of returning home. Tales of Ponyville being set to the torch had been murmured amongst the ponies of Canterlot, which inevitably was heard by Twilight and her friends. Guards that had been under Nightmare Moon’s spell confirmed these rumours to be true. Adding more misery to the already depressing month.
“We’re coming up on Ponyville now,” Spike said, peering inquisitively out the window. Twilight sighed and slowly sat upright. She dared a peek out over Spike’s head, as the train cleared the last of the trees that obscured their view of the town.
Instead of going straight back home, the two wandered around Ponyville. Looking for the area affected by the fire but yet they found nothing.
In a blink of an eye and with no warning, Twilight and Spike found themselves on a brightly light stage. Each behind a podium with their names written on them. The backstage had the words ‘Guess Who’ written in bright yellow lights
“And you rebuilt Ponyville?” Twilight asked.
With a flick of his fingers, Discord teleported all of them to the entrance of Twilights castle. She and Spike eagerly inspected their home.
“DISCORD!!!”
Steel Wall stood before the large doors to the grand hall of Canterlot Castle. It was a place he had been many times before while on sentry duty but today was very different.
He took in a deep breath as the doors to the hall were opened, with Steel Wall’s name being announced out loud.
As one, the honour guard turned to face the princesses with and an echo of attention.
The princesses returned the salute with a slight bow of the head. Steel wall slotted himself beside Shining Armour, as the princesses strode past, the guards bowing as they passed.
High up in the central palace of the Crystal Empire, Foxtrot stood dangerously close to the edge. Staring down at the sparkling city below as the sun started to set.
Cadence, with her fears, confirmed, choose her next words carefully, “Why is this?”
Foxtrot now averted from her gaze.
Chapter 1: Strange Sounds
Author's Note
This is my first Fanfic. So please be kind if I get any facts or wording wrong' would welcome constructive feedback
Chapter 1: Strange Sounds
It was a pleasant day in Ponyville. The sun was out' a gentle breeze, an all round enjoyable day. All the towns the residents were out enjoying the brilliant sunshine, all except for those deep inside a crystalline castle at one end of town. Their Rarity was searching the halls and many rooms of the castle, searching for Twilight Sparkle. No doubt she had her head buried in a book as she normal. As Rarity moved deeper into the castle, she became aware of strange noises emanating from one of the deepest rooms of the castle. As she approached its door’ the strange sounds suddenly stop. Pressing an ear against the door, Rarity could clearly Twilight speaking to Spike.
Rarity flung the door in flamboyant style, catching the attention of all in the room.
“Good morning Rarity,” Twilight chirped as silence returned to the room.
The Crystal Mirror eventually calmed downed back to its normal state.
Spike and the three ponies started backing away from the mirror and towards the door.
And there it stayed, hanging ominously’ high above Ponyville. Twilight stared up at the swirling mass in awe and growing fear. Many aspects of it were very unnerving, least of all was the fact that it cast no shadow on the ground.
At Canterlot High, things had taken a turn for the worst. Sunset Shimmer and the others watched helplessly, as the first stages of a major disaster unfolded before them.
Foxtrot and Midnight walked through the castle gates' towards the hustle and bustle of Canterlot city.
Once they were several steps outside the gates' Midnight turned to Foxtrot.
"Maniac!?!" He said.
Midnight then dodged a playful slap from Foxtrot but backed into another royal guard. Midnight immediately turned and apologised to the guardspony, who looked like he was about to fly into a blind rage. However, the guard regained his composure with a deep breath.
Why is he so familiar? Nightmare Moon thought.I have more pressing things to find out.
Chapter 20: Bating A Demon
Dr. Twinstar walked into the training courtyard of Canterlot Castle and looked across at the line of guards on parade. She checked her saddlebags on her back and in particular the two pieces of the broken obelisk on each side of her, deliberately clear for all to see.
But like normal, she had a plan. After going through reports on the crash site cleanup operation and took note of the ponies involved. Twinstar had a hunch that Luna and Nightmare Moon were not one and the same, and Nightmare Moon in whatever form it took had infected one of the aforementioned ponies.So She thought. Let's see who bites.
Chapter 36: Through The Storm
Deep in the ice wastes of the north, a mighty door slowly opened in gradual shoves. The door was sealing the entrance to a deep cave, buried in the side of a nameless mountain. Squeezing through the gap created, a pony stepped into the swirling tempest that had taken hold
The icy wind prickled painfully against the few exposed patches on Rainbow Dash’s skin. She pulled down scarf that was covering her muzzle, letting out a large frosted breath. Even in all her winter clothing, the cold was unbearable.
When the storm that was now upon them was fist spotted, Candace ordered that the refugees from Hoofly be moved on. With the storm and the real of the city becoming a battleground, she could not guarantee their safety. Many of them were too exhausted to argue and agreed to depart for safer lands. Some elected to stay behind, either to clear space on the overcrowded train or believed they could somehow help in the anticipated battle.
“See anything?” Soarin asked, squinting at the plains below.
High up in the central palace, Midnight Snow stared at the unrelenting storm in the far distance. Candace had declared it the worst storm that had ever struck the empire. Rumours abounded that Nightmare Moon was somehow behind it.
Out the corner of his eye, Midnight saw the doors to a balcony open, allowing a gust of cold enter. It was princess Luna, being assisted by Applejack and Fluttershy. The wounds to her chest had still not healed completely and it was not easy for her to move about.
The sound of the library doors opening brought the conversation to an end, as Spike entered the room, “Hey guys! I think we got something!”
“Err… Meaning?” Applejack asked, completely lost.
“Excuse me, Princess Candace, Captain,”
Chapter 47: Moonlight Snow (Final Chapter)
On a snow-covered hillside on the outskirts of the Crystal Empire, Foxtrot made her way slowly made her way to its summit. It was a pleasant winters day with only a gentle breeze wafting her red scarf about.
It was almost five year since that fateful day. Much had changed and yet her surrounding were not.
Such thoughts of the past and her uncertain future were driven from Foxtrot’s mind, as her silent contemplation was broken the soft sound of laughter.
Pricks of cold across her skin drew Foxtrot’s attention skywards. A fresh batch of snow had begun descending on a north breeze.
