Lions, Tigers and.... Ponies?!

(Author's note: Just so that you're able to tell whether either the original Night Pride or the Displaced versions of the team members are talking, the original team will have colored text while the Displaced will be black: Pallo Ares Minerva Venus)

The four cats looked at the small bear in shock. “Okay… anyone else find it weird that *Orson*, Courtney's bear is here in the flesh?!” Carlos asked.

Orson gave the tiger a confused look. “Ares, what are you talking about? You do realize Joey is worried sick about the four of you?”

“Wait, Joey? As in Joey Price?” Alexandra asked, her blood running cold.

Orson’s confused look deepened. “Yes, that Joey. Did you guys hit your heads or something when you vanished?”

“When we van-” Katelyn suddenly winced as a voice suddenly rang in her head. *Orson? How… how are you here?The Panther’s eyes widened as she heard Minerva's voice. Judging from the reactions of the others, they were also hearing the voices of the actual Night Pride. Well, at least we know that we aren'tturning into the characters in our minds, they’re somehow part of us!* She thought.

The four then shimmered before spectral versions of themselves seperated from their bodies and stood next to them. “Orson, it’s good to see you again.” Ares said with a grin.

Orson's eyes widened in shock. “Ares? If that's you, then who are these four?” He asked, pointing his sword at the human turned cats.

“We… used to be humans, but after buying masks of these guys at a convention,” Viktor nodded to the spectral forms of the Night Pride, “We found ourselves here in Equestria.”

“What's a convention?” Ares asked with a confused look on his face.

“And what's Equestria?” Minerva asked.

Carlos facepawed. “You four should know about Equestria by now, you’re part of us!” He said, giving the four a deadpan look.

Just as Ares was about to retort, Shield Breaker entered the room only to stop and look in shock at the group gathered in the room. *Oh… crap….* Alexandra thought.

“W….who are you?” The mare asked, her voice shaking.

“Orson… Pallo, Ares, Minerva and Venus… this is Captain Shield Breaker, Shield Breaker, this is Orson and the original Night Pride.”

Orson gave Shield Breaker a guarded look. “Huh, and I thought I only saw unicorns in the Stuffed Animal Kingdom…” he muttered.

“It’s not just unicorns here. There's also Pegasi and Earth Ponies and two Alicorns.” Carlos said, earning a confused look from Orson.

“What's an Alicorn?” he asked.

“They’re the rulers here.” Pallo said. “While we couldn't interact, we could still watch through the eyes of these four.”

Orson cocked an eyebrow before saying, “If that's all, the reason I'm here is because the Beasties had vanished from our universe completely. We didn't know where they were until I found this world by accident. And I heard the fight between these four and those monsters, so we now know that they're here, by why is the question…”

Carlos growled, “Same thing as always, to kidnap the kids here. We just rescued four earlier today.”

Orson's eyes narrowed. “And you four stopped the Beasties from taking them from Valthraax? I'm impressed, for four humans, you did exactly what the Pride would have done.”

“Well, we pretty much *are* the Pride.” Viktor chuckled.

“That begs the question though, how *did you turn into us?” Venus asked. “The last thing I remember was talking to Joey then… nothing.*”

Katelyn sighed, “Honestly, I have no idea. Whatever that Merchant did, he made it so that we were turned into who we were dressed up as.” She said before turning to Shield Breaker and asking, “Was there something you needed to ask us?”

Shield Breaker shook herself out of her shock and replied, “ Princess Luna would like to speak with you four. I'm to escort you to her room.”

Viktor nodded, “We’ll be with you in a minute.” He turned to the five stuffed animals. “If you’ll excuse us, we’re needed for something.”

Orson smirked, “I’ll keep in touch.”  He said before he pulled out a scroll and chanted “Eene Meene Myne Mo**!” A portal then opened up and just as he started to walk through to his universe, he turned and said, “I’ll let King Bear know about what's going on here.” With that, he vanished through the portal, which closed with a pop.

The Night Pride then walked towards their doubles before shimmering and vanishing as they got close to the four. *Let's get this over with…* Katelyn heard Minerva mutter.

Somehow, this is something I'm never gonna get used to…. Katelyn thought as the four followed Shield Breaker out of their room to a torch lit corridor. After a few minutes of walking, they stopped at a set of dark blue doors overlaid with silver with the symbol of a moon etched on the front.

For a princess, she goes all out with the interior design!Ares remarked. Carlos rolled his eyes.

Of course she does, she’s royalty! I didn't see you commenting that to Joey when you were showing him the castle! Carlos retorted.

How… how did you know about that?!Ares asked in surprise

Memories, duh… 

Ares chuckled as Shield Breaker knocked on the door.

“Enter…” Luna's voice rang out from her room, but it sounded tired.

The four entered the room to see Luna lying on her bed, her usually flowing blue mane now hanging down limp by her side of her neck. *Geez, what happened to her?* Carlos thought in shock.

“Your highness, you wanted to speak with us?” Viktor asked, concern in his eyes.

Luna nodded tiredly. “Indeed, I heard that your mission earlier was a success.”

The four nodded before Carlos asked, “What.. what made you so exhausted, if I may ask?”

Luna sighed. “I… I was fighting my own personal demons… and nearly succumbed to them...”

The four gave the Alicorn sympathetic looks. “We all know what it's like to fight our personal demons…” Viktor said. “And the best way we do that is to either comfort each other or find some way to cheer us up.”

 Carlos then remembered a song from a band back on Earth called Black Veil Brides, and as the song played in his head, he began to sing the lyrics, the other three joining in as they heard the song.

(Bold - All four \ Italics - Carlos)

Huh, In the end as you fade into the night…(Whoa…)

Who will tell the story of your life?

In the end, as my soul's laid to rest, what is left of my body?

Or am I just a shell?....

And I have fought, and with flesh and blood I commanded an army!

Through it all, I have given my heart for a moment of glory! (I gave it all…)

In the end as you fade into the night…(Whoa!)

Who will tell the story of your life? (Whoa!)

And who will remember your last goodbye? (Whoa!)

'Cause it’s the end and I'm not afraid, not afraid to die!

I'm not afraid, not afraid to die!

Born a saint, but with every sin I still want to be holy….

I will live again…

Who we are, isn't how we live, we are more than our bodies!

If I fall, I will rise back up and relive my glory!

Luna sat on her bed, her eyes wide as she heard the four sing.

In the end as you fade into the night (Whoa!)

Who will tell the story of your life? (Whoa!)

And who will remember your last goodbye? (Whoa!)

'Cause it’s the end and I'm not afraid, not afraid to die!

In the end as you fade into the night (Whoa!)

Who will tell the story of your life? (Whoa!)

And who will remember your last goodbye? (Whoa!)

'Cause it’s the end and I'm not afraid, not afraid to die!

Who will remember this last goodbye? (Whoa!)

'Cause it’s the end and I'm not afraid, not afraid to die!

I'm not afraid, not afraid to die!

Not afraid, I'm not afraid to die!

As they finished the song, Luna shakily got off her bed and trotted over to the four, looking at them in amazement all the while. “In all my years ruling Equestria, I have never heard a song like the one you hath sung…” she said. “And I have sung only once or twice!”

Carlos flattened his ears in embarrassment. “It's just a song from back on Earth… there was another song that would have been more appropriate, but this song ended up popping in my head.” he said.

“Nonetheless, it… very well describes my struggles.” Luna said.

“Was there another reason you wanted us?” Viktor asked.

“Yes. I need you four to stop these creatures from taking the foals of Equestria, both filly and colt. From what you have told us, they strike at night. Therefore, we need to make sure that they are stopped before they take anypony.”

“The problem is that we can't guard the entirety of Equestria's children.” Alexandra said, frowning. “We would be too spread out.”

Luna gently smiled. “You wouldn't be working alone, I have a private unit of Thestrals that can help you, they're led by Lieutenant Night Slicer.”

What is it with the names here?* Ares asked, *Seriously, Shield Breaker? Night Slicer? They sound like names from one of those cartoons Joey watches!

Not the time to talk it about right now…. Carlos said.

Luna noticed the annoyed look on the tiger’s face before she suddenly sensed four other presences inside the Night Pride.

Her horn glowed as she glared at the four. “You may have tried to take me over once, but I will not fall to you again!” She growled angrily.

The four cats tensed as Luna went into attack mode. “Luna, what are you talking about?! We never even attacked you once!” Carlos said.

Oh no… she must have sensed me and the others!*Ares said, *Whatever happened to her, something must've tried to possess her! She thinks we're back to finish the job!

Carlos's eyes widened as Ares said this. “Luna, wait!” He shouted, but was too late as the Alicorn unleashed a powerful blast that sent the four flying out of the room.

“Oy…. Anyone get the license plate of that truck?” Katelyn groaned, putting a paw over her head. She then yelped as another bolt of magic flew past her and impacted the wall behind her.

Shield Breaker was hunkered nearby under a suit of armor, watching with wide eyes at what was happening.

Okay, enough is enough! I'm not letting you be used as target practice!Ares growled.

The four then shimmered before the spectral versions of themselves seperated and walked over to Luna, who looked on in shock.

“What in Faust's name…?!” She whispered.

Carlos then spoke up, “Luna, meet the original Night Pride: Pallo, Ares, Minerva and Venus.”

The four cats bowed their heads in respect. “It's… an honor meeting you, your highness.” Pallo said. “I'm sorry if we caused you some distress.”

“It's… not your fault.” Luna sighed. “I thought you were the manifestation of my anger and hatred trying to take me over again… please forgive me for making such a error…”

The four cats chuckled. “No hard feelings held.” Ares said.

Luna then looked at Minerva, a curious look on her face. “How… how are you part of these four?” She asked.

Minerva rolled her eyes. “I don't really know, I’m just a passenger.” she said.

Katelyn facepawed at that.

Venus chuckled, “Don't mind Minerva, she thinks sarcasm is a sporting event.”

Whoa, deja vu… Carlos thought.

Luna blinked then gave a small smile. “So I see.” She said.

“As for your offer, we’ll think it over but rest assured we will do our best to try and protect the children here.” Viktor said.

“You also have our support. We’ll try and show these young ones how it's done.” Pallo said with a smirk.

“Oh can it grandpa!” Carlos joked, making the others laugh.

“We’ll let you know tomorrow morning what our answer is.” Viktor continued.

Luna nodded. “Very well, I bid thee goodnight…” For a brief second, pain and anger flashed through her eyes.

Both prides nodded before the original pride vanished back into the four human turned cats.

As Luna walked back to her room, she felt her face start to get wet. Blinking, she rushed back into her room and slammed the doors shut.

Damn… she must be really upset about being in her sister's shadow…*  Carlos thought as the four headed to their room. *I just really hope things don't come to a head….

I wouldn't worry about it right now…* Ares said, but his tone sounded worried. *It's probably nothing…

I hope so… Carlos replied.

Unbeknownst to him, he and the other three were about to be involved in one of the most deadliest fights Equestria had ever seen, and things… would never be the same for them...