The Chronicles of Equui Lumen Noxxus

It was bright and sunny, with fields as far as the eye could see to the south, and woods filled to the brim with life and vibrant plants and trees, just to the north. Birds flew overhead, chirping little melodies as they went; nearby, the gentle babble of water could be heard of a stream running through the fields, as clouds gently floated overhead, puffy and soft-looking. A cool breeze gently caressed the land, making waves in the grass, on an otherwise pleasant day. Not too hot, but not cold either; perfect weather to be outside. And in the middle of one of the fields stood a wagon. A house on wheels, as it were, beautifully adorned with intricate decorations and vibrant colors of blues and purples. Inside, a simple and small desk, big enough to just fit some paper, a pen, and an inkwell. In one corner, a small stove, cast iron, with a small chimney poking out the roof. And finally a bed with a small chest at the foot of it, occupied by a black and white unicorn. Equui-Nox.

He shifted slightly, rolling over to face the open window by the desk, as light poured in and a gentle breeze beckoned him outside. His eyes slowly opened, as a yawn escaped his lips, before slowly slipping the covers off, and sitting upright on his bed. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes with a hoof, and stretched his legs out before reaching for the floor for his clothes. A simple getup, he wore a long-sleeved white shirt, with a very dark-brown leather vest (almost black-looking). His hat of choice, a brown top hat with a few feathers sticking out, one of which doubled as a quill. And around his neck, he hung his goggles. Crafted and customized by himself, they had small monocle magnifying glasses of varying colors on the right side that he could flip into place if he needed to read small print, or work on delicate and intricate items. Finally, his boots, tall ones that went halfway up his legs, and were steel-toed; they weren't lace-up, but rather, strapped boots.

He took a few steps toward the door out the back of his carriage, and opened the door. Bright, warm light poured into the wagon, as scents of grass, flowers, and trees wafted in. It would very soon be Summer, and tonight would be the Summer Sun Celebration; which meant ponies from all over Ponyville would be at town hall, celebrating the raising of the sun, marking the first day of Summer.

Taking a step out, he felt the soft grass beneath his front hooves slowly depress as he put his full weight down. Taking a few steps, he walked around the wagon, looking around at the land surrounding him, watching as birds flew overhead, as critters rustled through the grass, and as bears in the distance foraged for berries at the edge of the wood. He knew he was dreaming, but sometimes he marveled at just how well he could design them, as if his mind took painstaking detailed accounts of everything in the real world, and recreated them here in his dreams. As he stood there taking in he sights and smells, he looked in the direction of a small stream, which could be heard in the distance. Slowly, he made his way in the direction of it, giving himself time to think.

'Its been two years since my death...my faked death...and two years since I've seen everypony...'

he thought to himself.

'I have to be careful...if I get discovered...well...that causes bigger issues than trying to find this fallen light. I wish I hadn't discovered it...yet...I just know that what I discovered was important...I feel like there will come a time, when what I have learned will need to be used...but hopefully to help, and not harm. As much as it is a burden to carry this secret, I would rather suffer it alone, than risk it in the wrong hands, and causing pain and suffering.'

He watched as a Raven flies overhead, and out of sight. Looking back towards the woods, he sees a lone timber-wolf looking out from the edge of he wood, before slipping back inside to presumably rejoin with his herd.

'There is just too much at stake...I had to leave Sweet Apple Acres long ago. If I didn't, someone could have come looking for me there, and could have hurt Applejack, Big Mac, Granny Smith...or worse...little Apple Bloom. As good of a blacksmith as I was, I had to leave. I just had to...'

He finally arrived at the small stream of water, and peering in, he watched as several fish swam by. Across the stream in front of him, he watched as a magpie poked it's head out of the tall grass, and took a sip of the water, before pulling it's head back and rustling through the grass. Equui-Nox huffed quietly and looked toward the wood. Surveying the edge, he saw the bears had finished snacking on berries, and were now retreating back into the woods. In addition, a two wolves were now playing near the edge of the wood, tumbling and tussling as they played with each other.  But then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw something dart through the tall grass. Something dark, and something that was definitely not supposed to be in his dream. He slowly walked in the direction of it's movement, watching as it weaved it's way through the grass. Suddenly it stopped, and seemed to notice that Equui-Nox was watching. Immediately, it darted towards he edge of he wood. Equui-Nox sprang into a full-out bolt after it.

Racing through he grass, he grew concerned an confused. Nothing happens in his dream without his approval...but yet...he sensed whatever this thing was, was foreign. He couldn't control it, and it seemed to have a mind of it's own. Closer and closer grew the edge of the wood, yet despite how fast he galloped, he could not catch up with whatever this thing was. In the distance, what seemed like thunder rang out, very faint and far away, but Equui-Nox didn't notice. Nor did he notice the thing he had chased stopped moving when it got to he edge of the wood. He galloped right past it, heading straight into he woods, when, about 30 yards in, he stopped, and listened. The occasional rustle of the leaves, and the creak of the trunks of the trees as they swayed was all that could be heard. The shadow was nowhere to be seen, but yet, little to his knowledge, it was right behind him. He took a few more steps forward, his ears flicking back and forth, listening for any sounds of movement. When suddenly, a cold, chilling voice could be heard behind him,

"Equui-Nox...you let your guard down."

He whipped around to come face to face with none other than Nightmare Moon, standing tall before him. He staggered backwards, barely managing to utter a word, but only a few incomprehensible utterances.

"You know what tonight brings...yes?"

He continued to scoot backwards, trying to put a little space between him and her. He thought back to his days of fillyhood, thinking about the old ponies tales. He remembered faintly the story of how Nightmare Moon became, and her foretold return after a thousand years banish- 'Wait...no...it can't be...that would mean...' he gulped and replied,

"The end of your thousand-year banishment."

"Mmm-hmm. And, it also means that I can finally cast an eternal night, and plunge Equestria into eternal darkness."

"You'll return on the night that both yours and Celestia's powers are equal..."

"My, you are one smart pony...now, tell me, being that tonight is the one night that our powers are equal before the beginning of Summer, where hers become stronger, what would that mean for a battle between us?"

"You would both be evenly matched...and she would win by causing the battle to last overnight, until the sunrise, and the dawn of the next day, where she became strong-..."

He gulped, for he knew what was coming next. He slowly began to back up, Nightmare Moon slowly following him.

"So then...I take that you didn't finish because you now know why I came here, don't you?"

Equui-Nox said nothing, but continued to back up further.

"Euui-Nox, I can make you a deal...all you have to do is-"

Equui-Nox took off in a bolt, galloping deeper into the Everfree woods. The sky was growing darker, and the wind was picking up. A drop of rain came down and landed on his nose. His mind was fighting for control of the weather. He felt the ground rumble, at the same time as a lightning strike crashed overhead. 'I'm in too deep of a sleep...if I can just hold out long enough...the world will collapse and the dream will end.' he chanced a glance backwards. At first, he saw nothing, and thought hat perhaps Nightmare Moon had disappeared, but then, he noticed movement as a shadow zig-zagged between the trees. She wasn't giving up yet. Not until he told her what he had fought to keep a secret for so long. Ahead, he saw a clearing, a path through the forest. He concentrated and formed a clone of himself beside him in his dream. As they neared the path, the clone split up and went right, while the real Equui-Nox veered left. He looked back to see the shadow veer right, following he clone. He sighed in relief and continued to gallop off down he path. If he was right, this would bring him right out to the Castle of the Twin Sisters (or Two Alicorns, depending on who you asked). Hopefully he could hide out there since at some point, Nightmare Moon would realize she was following his clone.

He passed over a rope bridge, an finally made it to the tall doors of the castle. With the glow of his horn, he flung them open, closing them behind him as he galloped in, and barring the door with a massive oak beam. He muttered a few spells as the castle was cloaked in a protective shield. He sat down, finally, out of breath as he collected his conscious. The ground rumbled once again, an indication of the destabilizing dream. Outside, the wind had picked up as rain began to pour down in a deafening roar, thunder crackling and flashes of light illuminating the stain-glass windows. Using his magic, he levitated a torch off he wall, and lit it, setting it down by his feet. The ground rumbled once more, and everything was quiet. But suddenly, he felt the air getting colder, and something getting closer, as a voice that seeme to come from everywhere said, "Equui-Nox...just tell me...and I won't hurt any of your friends or family. I promise." he doubted that, but remained silent, "I can spare you and your family...I know you care for them. Even though I was on the moon for a thousand years, I can sill see ponies dreams. You used to dream so much about the Apple family. They treated you like family...adopted you...fed you...educated you...provided for you...and all you wanted to do, was protect them when you discovered your talent. I understand that, hence why I am here to offer you a deal..."

He felt like he could feel her breaths falling gently on his ears, despite her being nowhere to be seen, as her voice whispered into them,

"...relight your forge...rekindle the smoldering embers...craft for me the strongest, and most powerful armor, such that I may defeat Celestia, and become the ruler of Equestria, harkening eternal night, and I shall spare your family, and perhaps, even make them respected as royals."

Equui-Nox looked towards the barred castle door and stared at it, thinking in his mind what to do. He knew that she could be lying...and if he did make her armor that amplified her magical abilities, what then? His purpose would be served, and he would be rewarded with imprisonment for life...there is no way she would let him live freely knowing that he knew how to overpower her, or the weaknesses to her armor. But if he didn't help her, and she still won over Celestia...that would certainly also be doom for him and for the Apple Family. But he couldn't allow her to bring eternal night...perhaps there was still time to hinder her return...weaken her somehow...but he needed to escape.

"I cannot and will not help you, it would break my promise to protect what I know." he turned around and galloped deeper into he castle; he could hear her behind him, banging at the door to the castle, "EQUUI-NOX!!" he didn't even look back, as he galloped down a hall, and ended up in the dimly-lit throne room.

Before him stood two thrones, the fabled thrones of the Alicorn Sisters, Luna and Celestia. Their beautifully adorned and decorated thrones featuring their respective cutie marks, the Moon and the Sun, emblazoned at the top of each throne. Equui-Nox slowly walked up to the thrones, and knelt before them, bowing in respect, as another vibration shook the ground, a piece if the ceiling falling down an landing behind him. He did not flinch. In or out of dreams, he had great respect for Celestia, and her rule of the land, even in absence of Princess Luna.

"Equui-Nox...rise."

A sweet and gentle voice, filled with love, and compassion...Luna's voice. It caught him off guard as he stood at attention, and looked up to see, emerging from the shadows, princess Luna herself. He took another deep bow, "Princess..." he looked up again, to see her smiling. She spoke gently, and when she did, it was almost like a lullaby, floating out and around him, "Equui-Nox, thine loyalty to the throne, even in times of peril, is something to be admired. Your courage against Nightmare Moon, even moreso."

The ground shook again, this time the foundation of the floor cracked a little, as yet another piece of stone fell from the ceiling, this time letting rain pour in through it's hole, the heavy pitter-patter of the rain hitting the floor not but a few feet away. Luna walked down the steps from the throne, growing close to Equui-Nox. He could feel his heart pounding wildly, as his body tensed, straightening his posture a little. He worked up the courage to ask, "A-Are you a incarnation of my dream...or are you actually..." she slowly walked past him, motioning him to follow, "Tell me what thy eyes see. And what does thine heart tell you?" he followed her as she began to walk towards the halls, "I see...well...you, and my heart says it's you..." she looked back at him as they began walking down the hall, smiling "Then surely you can trust it is me." but before she turned her head back forwards to pay attention, Equui-Nox thought he saw a tall pony dash down a corridor at the end of the hall. Luna then looked forward and said, "These very walls...it hath been many years since I hath been here. If it hath not been for my sister, I would still be here perhaps." Equui-Nox thought he felt a bit of resentment in her words, but she moved on once again, as they neared the end of the hall, entering into the main hall, where he had run from earlier, "Equui-Nox...Nightmare Moon seeks your aid...it is best you..."help" her." she stopped in the middle of the hall, and faced him, "Use this scroll to put an end to this. This will free me from her mind." from out of nowhere, she conjured a scroll, and levitated it towards Equui-Nox, "As soon as you read it, it will be engrained into your mind, and you shall remember it. It contains information in powerful enchantments and runes that will, when she puts the armor on, free me from her body."

Equui-Nox used his horn and levitated it toward him, and just as he was about to open it, a bright light flooded the room as a booming voice as loud as the Sun was bright, echoed through the room, "EQUUI-NOX...DO NOT READ THAT SCROLL!" the light dimmed to reveal Princess Celestia standing, in her full radiant glory, naught but a few feet away from them, "Equui-Nox, think! This cannot be the real Luna! If it were so easy as to free her from Nightmare Moon's body, would I have not done the same?" Equui-Nox immediately went to bow before the Princess, but was stopped as Luna stuck a hoof out, ushering Equui-Nox behind her, "Sister, it is I...I am truly trying to help him, can thou not see th-" Celestia paid no heed to Luna, although gave her a vicious stare, focusing her words to Equui-Nox, "This is a trick Equui-Nox, Nightmare Moon has control over dreams...she is manipulating you, and trying to force her will upon you. Most likely, that scroll will force you to mindlessly work for her." the world shook, as parts of the floor around them gave way, revealing a dark void beneath them, where bits and parts of the dream were sucked into a black hole.

The dream was collapsing quickly, assuming there were actually three ponies in this dream, Nightmare Moon, Celestia, and himself, it would not last much longer. Bits and pieces of the castle around him crumbled and fell away into the void. Luna's temper seemed to turn for the worse as her horn began to glow, preparing to launch a spell, "Sister, if thou should'st intend to never see me return, then I must sto-," Celestia yelled angrily and immediately charged up her horn, launching a powerful attack against Luna, who quickly launched up into the air to dodge it, and fire in return, "HOW DARE YOU IMPERSONATE MY SISTER!" Celestia side-stepped it and moved closer to Equui-Nox and said to him while fending off Luna's attacks, "Equui-Nox, please, you have to trust me...I don't know how much longer I can stand this...I am not used to Dream Magic like my sister or Nightmare Moon...it's taking most of my willpower to stay in this dream...a lengthy fight may mean I will disappear, and you will be on your own to fend her off. You have to believe me, this isn't Luna!" Equui-Nox stared at the scroll he was still levitating next to him, and then to Celestia and Luna. He walked over to the edge of the platform, which floated above the black hole destroying the world around them. He levitated the scroll over the edge, and hesitated...what if it really was Luna? He turned to look back at the two sisters fighting, Celestia clearly in distress as she tried to avoid most of the attacks, rather than face them, as if she really was struggling to hold herself together in this dream. He looked once more to the black hole, and let go of the scroll, before leaning over the edge and plummeting towards the end of the dream. As he fell, he could see Luna's eyes go wide, and immediately she darted down to race after him, hoping to catch him, or the scroll, or both, but not before Celestia jumped over as well, and tucked her wings to speedily make her way towards him, letting loose a bolt of magic and hitting Luna. As they fell, Equui-Nox closed his eyes and relaxed, but before long, he could feel two hooves wrap around his body, and wings wrap around him protectively shortly thereafter. Celestia spoke softly into his ear, "When you awake, you must fight her...push Nightmare Moon out of your mind, Equui-Nox. I believe in you." and with that, they hit the black hole.