Inheritance of the moon

A lone black figure drifted towards one of Canterlot's towers, it's outline hard to see against the night sky as it glided past night patrol as if unseen. With barely a sound the figure landed on a balcony just beside a large telescope pointed towards the heavens. "This cannot be, we are yet prepared for such a confrontation, nary a month has past since our return..." Throwing back the hood of the cloak she wore Luna's full body would manifest beginning with her flowing mane. "Why has it...our hatred taken such measures?" The doors to her chambers flew open as she spoke aloud, as were orders there was not a servant or guard in her room, no all that awaited her were drawings and maps of the stars above. For the last few weeks all Luna had done was work on the stars, making changes here, tweaking there, and so on, no she'd hardly even eaten so absorbed into her work. "Maybe our dear sister can help in this? She does have a student she aents on quests after all, this Twilight Sparkle." Another little pile in the corner would be a stack of rolled scrolls which appeared untouched since they'd been placed. "No...perhaps we have a better idea..." Strolling towards a small orb within a small box, cushioned by a black velvet linning, Luna would wave her horn just above it. "Dearest Midnight...I think thou shall have the strength where we lack..."

The mist within the black orb began to swirl and pulsate as a murky image began to appear, over a few minutes the murky image would become clearer and clearer revealing Midnight. Through the orb she saw Midnight staring at the lake, or rather the reflection of the moon on the lake. Scattered around him books were laying about, each and every one of them open to a different page, each of which was some form of magic. "He is awake and studying at the same time of night, why I believe I am surprised." To study was one thing, boring as it got and alone, but to do so by moon light? Luna felt touched even if it wasn't done for her, what she saw below was some pony enjoying her night. "Thou are the right choice for the task."

A tingling made it's way down Midnight's back, starting with his mane to his tail. Perking his head up he would look around, the current book of interest fell to the ground with a light thud. "All right...who's there?" And he most certainly felt someone watching him right then and he had to be ready to flee, the Everfree Forest rarely took visitors kindly. Indeed he was in Everfree forest, Midnight didn't need anypony finding out that he didn't really know magic and that he preferred doing practing at night as it seemed to ease the learning process. With a light sigh he'd sigh the books he was using would start to float back into his saddle packs, study session was over for tonight. "And I was on to something too." Muttering as he took off from the small lake, aware he was still being watched but by who and from where escaped him.

Hatred, for that's what she was, flew through the air with little worry. This night would be her night to prove herself to the shadows and darkness who's powers she craved. "Mine...After tonight their power will be mine!" Her path took her over the Everfree forest and her very presence made the forest darker. "Oh I wonder who my first victim shall be, some pony stupid enough to be out so late perhaps? Some pony who's powerful would make this all the sweeter..." A tingle ran through the shadowy things spine, causing a dark grin to cross her lips. "And I have found him." Adjusting her flight Hatred would angle downwards towards the poor black colt running through Everfree, dumb colt should have known better.

Dropping from the sky she'd land mere paces behind the poor whelp who slid to a halt...was there a glow to his eyes? Nevermind it made no difference to Hatred as hatred was brought to any and all. "Pathetic whelp tremble before me and I may let you live, flee and your death is assured." Now while she tried to sound all dark and evil it quite frankly didn't come out that way, it may have been in a seductive tone the voice was very clearly Fluttershy's. "Now fall to your knees!"

For Midnight who hadn't quite met the quiet pony he didn't know how to make this out, from what Spike had told him Fluttershy was for all purposes quiet and avoided conflict. This...whatever it was didn't seem that way. "No...I uh..don't think so actually.." A buzz went over his fur as he recalled a familiar feeling, it was that of the energy that kept Luna bound within herself. Wait how did he know that? "What do you want?" Moving his legs in a more defensive stance he was ready to fight if he needed to, beneath his coat no pony would guess but he was in peak condition for a unicorn possibly even better from all the years of travel and good diet.

"Well now you think you can fight me? Me? You're kidding right? I want nothing more than to spread hatred, pure and simple hatred. Should a few colts die in the process so be it." Hatred had no fear, no in fact she seemed to enjoy this banter. The colt was not the purple unicorn that stripped Nightmare Moon, that had been the work of the elements. The mare knelt her head down and focused on a spell...and focused some more...and...she was a pegasus not an alicorn! Spells wouldn't come that easy in this form, no matter she still had the shadows around her and wings. "So be it..." Leaping into the air she made to strike Midnight with all four of her hooves. Another problem with Fluttershy, which hadn't been so apparent before, was her frail build and lack of muscles.

Midnight dodged as expected, the start of Hatred's attack was too slow and the follow up didn't have enough force to give it a chance to hit. On the other hoof the tip of Midnight's horn was beginning to glow, water began to lift from the leaves, the ground, and...even the sky. "I don't know who you are and really I don't care." The glow of his eyes intensified, the moon wasn't full but it's strength syphoned off into Midnight, the orbs of water increased in size before being launched at the mare who was only just recovering from the failed attack. Timing was everything and Midnight's was right on time, five orbs of water struck the mare knocking her back. "Mom forgive me for that, but I'm protecting myself." While Midnight's mother hadn't taught him much about magic she had taught him right and wrong, one of the biggest wrongs were to hit mares! "Know what now I'm going to feel bad."

Soaked and thrashed Hatred stood up, she had made a bad choice in forms! This body...this weak weak body of hers was truly fit for nothing other than being kind and gentle, the though made her spit. "You! This is not the last you have seen of me! I assure you I will end your miserable existence!" Trying to exend her wings to fly the water had hit just hard enough and in the right spot to make it impossible to fly! "Ugh!" The water was already beginning to form again so she fled, already beginning to deform into the clump of hatred she truely was. "I'll be back!"

Watching as Midnight walked away, head low as if he was deep in thought, Luna did her best to not cheer. Instead she settled on clopping a hoof on the ground and smiling. "Most impressive Midnight, most impressive indeed." Luna had never thought to be impressed but the way Midnight handled the situation seemed to be enough. "Brave and creative, we had thought such qualities did not mesh so well." Turning from the orb the cloak she wore would vanish, it was almost time for lunch and the princess of night had to be presentable for even the cooks.

(( before anyone starts thinking I hate fluttershy it's the opposite, she's one of my favorites in the series. Definately in the top eight. The fragmented Fluttershy conflict wasn't intended to be a long fight, expect worse when Midnight fight's Rarity or even...the dreaded pinkie pie! DUN DUN DUN! ))