After That Fateful Night

Chapters

Chapter 2 - Delusions of Defiance
Chapter 3 - Concern for the Conceited
Chapter 4 - Assaulting Assassins Assemble
Chapter 5 - Obsidian Walls and Obedient Thralls
Chapter 6 - The Return of an Expired Exalted
Chapter 7 - Demonic Innocence and Harmonic Reverence
Chapter 8.1 - A Night of Pain and Pleasure (Clop-lite Version)
Chapter 8.2 - A Night of Pain and Pleasure
Chapter 9 - A Soldier's Solitude
Chapter 10 - Strategies for the Future
Chapter 11 - Battle Preparations
Chapter 12 - A Night Forever Changing
Chapter 13 - Fears and Acceptance
Chapter 15 - A Step Forward
Chapter 16 - Royal Pains and Loyal Gains
Chapter 17 - Darkness Looms
Chapter 18 - Fate's Desires
Chapter 19 - Rebirth and Recovery
Chapter 20 - Growth and Reunion
Chapter 21 - Tears and Joy
Chapter 22 - Rising Trouble
Chapter 23 - Memories and Milestones
Chapter 24 - Conspiracies and Contemplations
Chapter 25 - Unforeseeable Tragedy
Chapter 26 - Confessions and Renewed Hope
Chapter 27.1 - A Night of Relaxation (Clop-lite Version)
Chapter 27.2 - A Night of Relaxation
Chapter 28 - Dreams and Duties
Chapter 29 - A Not-so-silent Night
Chapter 31 - Respite and Disaster
Chapter 32.1 - Resolve and Regalement (Clop-lite Version)
Chapter 32.2 - Resolve and Regalement
Chapter 33 - Transition and Ascension
Chapter 34 - New Labor and Cruel Order
Chapter 35 - A Second Chance at Second Chances
Chapter 36.1 - Of Love and Warfare (Clop-lite Version)
Chapter 37 - Preamble
Chapter 38 - Addendum
Chapter 40 - Egregious Endeavours
Chapter 41 - The Impact of Tycha
Chapter 42 - Myriad Malaise
Chapter 43 - Ultimate Ultimatum
Chapter 44.1 - The Light Side of the Moon (Clop-lite Version)
Chapter 44.2 - The Light Side of the Moon
Chapter 45.1 - Heavy Burdens, Heavier Loads (Clop-lite Version)
Chapter 45.2 - Heavy Burdens, Heavier Loads
Chapter 46 - A Journey of One-Thousand Steps, Part 01
Chapter 47 - A Journey of One-Thousand Steps, Part 02
Chapter 48 - Recorded Reminiscences
Chapter 49 - Nacht der Unruhen
Chapter 50 - The Terror of Trepidation
Chapter 51 - Dancing Mad
Chapter 52 - What's Lost...
Chapter 54 - Foreplay (Clop-lite Version)
Chapter 54 - Foreplay
Chapter 1 - Severance and Servitude
Chapter 14 - Fear and Loathing
Chapter 30 - A Meeting, a Contract Formed
Chapter 36.2 - Of Love and Warfare
Chapter 39 - Tribulatory Training
Chapter 53 - ...May Never Be Found

Chapter 2 - Delusions of Defiance

Chapter 2 - Delusions of Defiance

Zune Twenty-First of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Thirty-Two Ante Meridian
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The shimmering moon gazed down upon the land of Equestria, filling the night with silvery light as a black form flew through the air blotting out a tiny portion of the sky. The land dashed by as Nightmare Moon glided on the strong currents of the summer air, guiding her across her kingdom. Her eyes scanned the surrounding landscape, taking in all the changes from her thousand year banishment. The lush green trees that used to cover the ground past the Everfree forest was now grassland and dotted with the houses of Ponyville. Mere hills that had once dotted the land had become huge mountains from the efforts of Celestia to add more beauty to the countryside. She could see another large forest aside from the Everfree not far from Ponyville. Whitetail Woods was still there, standing tall and proud like a sentinel guarding its masters.

She gazed off into the distance towards the Swayback Mountains blocking the horizon. The mountains stretched on for miles and marked the border between Equestria and the lands of the griffons. Her eyes continued to roam, taking in the sights, until she came upon a large clearing devoid of any life. The ground in a two mile radius was a cracked wasteland, the dead brown earth seeming to draw the life out of the air around it. There were signs upon the ground, small indentations alluding to once having held something massive upon its area. Nightmare Moon tucked her wings and began her drop to the earth, pulling them back out at the last moment and flapping powerfully to stop the momentum she had built up.

The ground crunched underneath her hooves as she alighted upon the hard dirt. Her eyes scanned the area once more, taking in her surroundings. Nothing was around her. Not a single living thing could be seen even around the borders of the destruction. Nightmare Moon frowned slightly, staring at the ground where one of her great temples used to be. She recalled the night that Celestia and herself had fought here. One of their first encounters after she had stilled the sun and held the moon high in the sky. The destruction the two wreaked across the land scarred it permanently, leaving only this large waste, having razed the temple and all surrounding life to the ground. The memories quickly faded as her head turned upwards, horn glowing. She brought her horn down to the ground and concentrated, calling upon her magic and focused it into one of her specialty spells. The air shimmered, rippling with the arcane magic, as she continued to pour herself into the spell. Soon, the magic began to take on form, coalescing into a small stone building directly in front of her. The ground shifted, bulging up around the black single story building, as the dirt was shoved to the surface and off to the sides, as she raised something from the depths of the earth.

The ground started to rumble as Nightmare Moon focused harder, ebony light spilling into the night around her as she pulled more magic from her inner reserves. She was still weak from her banishment, but this, she knew, could still be pulled off. The earth continue to shift, seeming to undulate around her, yet the building was entirely unaffected, acting like an anchor for the ground it was sitting upon. With a great burst of earthen debris, a loud crash could be heard as stone crashed into stone, shifting the building ever so slightly.

Nightmare Moon gasped and released her magic, it's job having been completed, and stepped up to her creation. It was small, barely twice her height and about the breadth of three sky chariots. Its door was shaped uniquely. Not the typical square or round opening you'd expect to see in Canterlot. It seemed to closely resemble a pony's head, missing only the ears. The door too was odd, its material a pure white, offsetting the blackness of the building it was attached to. The structure itself seemed plain. A simple square of black stone topped by a roof slanted at ninety degrees to allow rain to roll off. Nothing special on the outside. Her frown returned once again as she took in the sight.

"It would seem I'm still not up to my full abilities. A millennium on the moon has left me lacking," she muttered to herself, knowing that nothing was around to hear her. She took control of her magic once again and pushed the door open, its new hinges gliding effortlessly as it swung inward, revealing an empty room adorned with a mere two windows facing each other. One to the east, the other west. Moonlight spilled into the room from the windows, its light focused on a single point, a granite coffin resting in the dead center of the room. A crescent moon was carved into the lid of the coffin, the only decoration upon it.

Once again utilizing her magic, Nightmare Moon pushed the coffin away to reveal an opening below it, stairs leading down into the darkness. She stepped into the void and made her way down the corridor. It smelled of earth and still had traces of dirt from where she had raised it from the depths but the tunnel was mostly clean. She lowered her head slightly, the ceiling just a bit too low for her uncommon height, so as not to collide with the ceiling. Usually, Nightmare Moon would have taken on the form of her mane and sped down the stairs without worry of heights, but with Twilight still held captive within it, she could not do so without releasing her. Her bright turquoise dragonesque eyes glowed in the darkness, allowing her to see where others would not, and she soon came to the bottom of the flight. The cramped corridor opened into a vast room, torch sconces littering the walls every few feet so as to provide ample light when lit. The walls were adorned with grand tapestries, not a single sign of wear on them, depicting herself in her full glory. Four tables could be seen along the back wall, nothing extravagant, but still large enough to seat at least twenty ponies comfortably at each.

In the center of the of the room stood a dais upon which rested an ornate coffin of shining obsidian. Into the sides of the coffin, small runes were etched and glowing a faint blue, noticeable only due to the lack of light. The lid, a large slab of gold starmetal adorned with diamonds and emeralds, had a crescent moon symbol upon its surface as well, similar to the granite replica upstairs. Words were written above the moon: 'Light of night, Dark of day. Rest here, young one, until I say'. She remembered these words as the ones she had recited to her most faithful subject the night of her temple’s destruction. Here she had entombed the only pony that had followed her after Celestia began her assault upon Nightmare Moon's places of worship.

"Ohh how I wish to release you my servant, but, alas, I am not yet returned to my former glory. I do not yet have the strength to return you." She brought her magic back and sent it flying out in all directions, aiming the bursts at the sconces and igniting them with a cold blue flame. The room lit up and caused the golden lid to shimmer brightly, reflecting the light into a slight golden aura around it. With one last manipulation of her horn she lifted a diamond just above the incantation and brought it before her face. She furrowed her brow and sent a small surge of dark energy into it, fashioning it into a ring, tainting it a void black color. "This should prevent that foal from trying to use her magic to escape."

With a flick of her mane, Nightmare Moon released Twilight from her grasp, dropping her from the starry abyss to the cold stone floor with a dull thud. The lavender mare groaned, disoriented from the excessive use of her own magic and her trip in the astral mane. Taking the opportunity she had before her, Nightmare Moon slipped the black diamond ring onto Twilight's short blunt horn and enchanted it so as only she could remove it. Twilight gasped in shock and screamed as her head exploded into fiery pain, the ring burning her horn as it drained the magic from her. In a matter of seconds Twilight once again faded into unconsciousness and collapsed to the ground.

"Weak foal!" Nightmare Moon snapped as she kicked Twilight sharply in the ribs to reawaken her. The unicorn gasped in agony again and forced back tears, trying to ignore the throbbing of her horn and the new growing pain in her side as she regained consciousness. "I've known children to withstand the ring of binding better than you." Her words dripped with venom and a slight tinge of amusement. She enjoyed watching this once powerful pony reduced to tears before her.

Twilight struggled to her knees, fighting back the torment the ring was forcing upon her and raised her head, wincing as even the slightest movement sent shocking pain down her spine. She could remember reading about something similar to this in one of her books on pony anatomy. When a unicorn's horn is damaged or drained of magic, it is similar in levels of pain to that of having your leg broken. However, instead of being focused on a single spot like a broken leg, the horn is connected directly to the nervous system and can phantom the pain throughout the body. She grimaced, and drew in a deep breath as she attempted to rise to her hooves. Nightmare Moon immediately stomped her back to the ground eliciting another howl from the lavender unicorn.

"Know your place mortal! You shall not rise until I deem it is time for you to do so!" Nightmare Moon barked. "Do I make myself clear?" Twilight nodded slightly, incapable of moving her head any further lest she wish to bring more shocks from her horn. Nightmare Moon kicked her again. "You will answer me properly and address me as Queen Moon! Now try again!"

Twilight cried, tears streaming down her face while she looked up at the alicorn. "Y-yes.. Queen M-moon..." She broke down completely, sobs wracking her body as the pain completely overwhelmed her. Nightmare Moon only smiled menacingly and turned her head back to the casket. The only reason she had to be here was to return her champion to her, but, being incapable of doing so, Nightmare Moon had no reason to remain in this tomb. She turned her gaze back upon the disheveled wreck at her hooves, frowning with disdain.

"Rise, foal! It is time to leave this place so I can take my throne in your capital of Canterlot!" exclaimed the alicorn, shouting at the mass of tears.

"Yes, m-m-my Q-queen," Twilight stuttered out, struggling to regain her footing once more.

Nightmare Moon watched with stifled pleasure as the lavender unicorn rose to her hooves, legs wobbling underneath her. She once again reached out with her mane and engulfed Twilight in it before beginning her return ascent up towards the surface. She quickly reached ground level and strode out into the night once more, shutting the tomb's door behind her before concealing it with an illusionary spell to prevent any probing eyes from spotting it. After one final glance behind her, Nightmare Moon raised her wings then took off into the sky, soaring higher before angling herself for Royal Canterlot.

"Be ready for my return, foals. For any that oppose me will meet a terrible fate." She cackled again, her steady laughter filling the night air.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Twilight Sparkle was curled, suspended in the astral void of Nightmare Moon's mane, surrounded by nothing but the soft twinkling of stars, seemingly close yet untouchable. In this space she couldn't feel anything. Not the overwhelming pain that her horn once held nor the cold that she imagined space would be like, or, at least, what she figured this would feel like. She couldn't move, breathe, or speak, but she had no need to do any of these. This space inside Nightmare Moon's mane was like a cocoon protecting her from the needs and harshness of reality.

Even with the seeming safety of her existence here, Twilight was still in a state of panic inside her mind. Why can't I feel my body? What am I going to do now? Oh no... What's Nightmare Moon going to do with me? Thoughts swam through her head as she tried to consider her options as far as her situation went. I.... I'll probably have to do whatever... she wants. Her thoughts went dark as she pictured being strung up spread eagle on a wall, hot brands being pressed into her skin, then switched to another where she was hanging upside down from the ceiling, battered and cut and bruised from the lashings Nightmare Moon had inflicted upon her.

No! I can't think of stuff like this! I have to be strong. I'll... think of some way to escape.... Her head fogged once more as images of her short friendship with the five other mares slashed into her mind. The party at the library that she wished she hadn't missed, the first encounters with the five of them, the trek through the Everfree Forest where each of them had helped to make their way through, and Spike, her number one dragon assistant assisting in her survey of Ponyville's celebration decorations...

SPIKE! Twilight was panicking once again. Oh no! What is Spike going to do? He's going to be all alone! How will he get by? Ohhh what can I do? What can I do?! She soon recalled her first encounter with Fluttershy and how she had been so excited to meet the baby dragon. Twilight's troubled mind ease just slightly. Fluttershy will probably take care of him until I can get back... If I get back. Once more her thoughts went dark, bringing grim images of all her possible deaths to the surface. She sobbed internally slightly and tried to close off her thoughts, leaving her alone in the darkness around her.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Zune Twenty-First of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eleven Twenty-One Ante Meridian
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Nightmare Moon landed on the balcony of the great royal palace in Canterlot, or at least what she assumed was the palace due to its size compared to the rest of the city's buildings. Much had changed since her last visit here. What was once just a large city had now become the royal capital of Equestria and had expanded greatly as it continued to take in more and more occupants. One other great difference was present in the regal city. It now housed the Canterlot School for Gifted Unicorns, a school that, in her time, was located where the Everfree Forest now grows. She, however, cared not for these peasants' schools. She was after only the throne.

Stepping into the archway that opened into the palace from the balcony, Nightmare Moon surveyed the place. None of the torches had been lit, leaving the room dark. With her turquoise eyes, she surveyed the area. There were posh curtains surrounding the arch she had entered through and a large mirror directly across from it that reflected her image using just the faint moonlight spilling in from the archway and the room’s sole window. Towards the rear of the room was a large canopy bed, big enough to fit two of herself and across from that, on the other side of the room was a bookshelf lined with many thick volumes. The room seemed to lack any other decorations.

"I imagine this to be Celestia's room," the Queen of Night spoke. "It is rather dull for somepony of her standing...." Her voice carried in the darkness and reverberated off the walls. She hadn't tried to restrain her volume at all.

The door burst open as her voice faded and a veritable army of ponies, unicorns and pegasi, charged in swords and small blades in their mouths or floating in their magical aura. A rather tall, stocky unicorn stepped up to the front, a large broadsword floating in his grasp. He had a dark blue mane and a deep red coat, his cutie mark an image of a shield bearing Celestia's sun as its coat of arms. His rank allowed him the privilege of keeping his natural colors as opposed to the typical dark grey the unicorn's armor enchanted them to turn.

"I, Captain Aegis, demand you return the Princess at once. Failure to comply will result in force being used." His voice was firm and unwavering, a true model for guard ponies everywhere, but Nightmare Moon was not impressed.

"Do you not know who I am? You dare to oppose your Queen?" Her words came out haughty and indignant. She glared daggers at the captain who only stared back, his eyes stern and focused.

With a twitch of his head he signaled the group behind him to attack and attack they did. The pegasi and unicorns charged in, readying their blades in front of them and all attempted to strike at once. It was completely ineffective as she had simply raised a standard but powerful shield to repel any foreign objects. They all struck it and were thrown back, the energy sending them flying into each other. With a mad cackle, Nightmare Moon raised herself upon her hind legs, lowered the shield, and struck the ground with her fore-hooves. Lightning cracked in the air and seared five of the guards, killing them on the spot and leaving smoldering heaps as their flesh burned. It was at this moment, however, that Aegis made his move. Deftly avoiding the spell, he brought the blade he wielded down in an arch, hurdling towards Nightmare Moon's back. Barely noticing his movements, she had only enough time to grasp the blade with her own telekinesis, slowing the descent but not stopping it.

The blade sunk into her shoulder, piercing into her muscles. She howled in pain and fury as blood poured out of the wound and pooled on the floor. Snapping her head in the direction of the captain, she willed her magic into form and created her own blade out of the blood she had lost. The blood gathered and formed into a great red claymore, which was then swung in a giant arch around her, killing even more guards.

Aegis leaped back, dodging her swing and readying his blade once more. Nightmare Moon stood taller, glaring fiercely. "This is your last warning, demon. Return the Princess or be struck down." Aegis still stayed firm even after his allies had been killed, his resolve unwavering.

Nightmare Moon simply straightened herself and focused, levitating the blood sword directly in front of her. The stallion saw that she was not yielding and proceeded to continue his assault, swinging wide and curving his blade to attempt to clear her guard. His assault pressed on driving her back towards the wall that housed the mirror, all of his attacks parried by the shaped blood. As her flank pressed onto the cool stone, Nightmare Moon grinned menacingly and reached out with her magic. In a split second, Aegis had dropped his blade and was struggling against an invisible bond wrapped around his throat.

The air rippled lightly then a thin gleaming wire appeared, wrapped around the captain’s neck. His eyes widened in shock, realizing his fate was sealed. "You shall become an example, dear captain, to all the others who wish to oppose me. I may be weakened now, but I am far more powerful than any of you lone or together. I will admit that I hadn't expected to be... struck quite so easily, but nonetheless, your end shall mark the beginning of the reform."

Aegis steeled his face once more and stared her in the eyes, his violet to her turquoise. "I go with the blessings of our Princess Celestia..."

Nightmare Moon's face contorted in anger and she strengthened her magic, tightening the wire. It pierced slowly into his neck, drawing blood and making his face turn colors as the air was strangled out of him. With a final flash of power the wire sharpened and cleaved through the rest of his neck, separating head from body. Her features returned to normal and she surveyed the room. It had become covered in blood and the bodies of the slain.

"Not what I had planned, but this shall aid in my claim of the throne. With their captain gone they won't have the will to strike again." She turned to walk through the busted doors and took a step, only to slump in pain as her wound gushed blood. With a sharp hiss, Nightmare Moon righted herself and glared at the gash. Summoning her magic once more she closed the wound and mended the muscles, relieving the burning agony the captain's sword had inflicted. "How could I have forgotten such a thing? It matters not. I still have a throne room to conquer."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Zune Twenty-First of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Twelve Oh-Eight Post Meridian
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Twilight could hear the sounds of battle going on around her. Screams of fury, agony, and duty filling the space she floated in. Metal striking against magic and lightning crackling in the air. It all seemed so close yet so far. Just what is going on? Why am I hearing what's going on around me now when I couldn't before?

The stars around her began to shift and swirl, moving when they had previously been stationary. As they moved, so did the space they were floating in, parting slightly and revealing the world beyond. She could catch glimpses of swords swinging and spells being cast. The sightings slowly became more frequent and seemed to start lasting longer and longer each time even if only by a fraction of a second. That was when she started to feel the pain once again. It was dull and hardly noticeable but it was still returning. Whatever enchantments that held the mane space together were wavering and losing their numbing capabilities.

The need to breathe returned to her and she found herself struggling for air, only being able to suck oxygen into her lungs when the mane wavered, showing what was beyond. Her mind was beginning to fog from the lack of oxygen and her face started to tinge blue. Just as she was about to lose consciousness, the mane opened up completely and dropped her unceremoniously upon the ground. She inhaled sharply and sucked as much air into her lungs as she could, gasping as her head cleared. That's when she noticed it. All around her were the corpses of guards; pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies alike. Blood gathered in great pools on the ground and smoldering ashes littered the place. She barely held in her lunch as her eyes gazed around. She recognized it as the Royal Throne room by the grand throne, barely noticeable by the corpses laying across it.

Twilight's eyes fell on one final thing. A tall black alicorn, blood seeping out of multiple cuts and gashes, her coat burnt in areas, barely standing on her own legs. Her eyes narrowed, expecting to be killed like the rest, Twilight closed her eyes. When the attack didn't come she dared to open her eyes only to have them shoot open. The fear was quickly replaced with worry as Nightmare Moon sank to the ground, barely breathing.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Editor's Notes: Good, good. Small issues here and there. Confusing wording in the last paragraph etc. etc. However, *OCD kicks in to full gear* ellipses (or ...) don't count as end of sentence punctuation. If there is an ellipses at the end of a sentence, you must put the proper punctuation after it. They don't count as commas, either. Thank you for reading. Fantastic chapter, Peppy.

Chapter 3 - Concern for the Conceited

Chapter 3 - Concern for the Conceited

Zune Twenty-First of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Twelve Fifteen Post Meridian
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Twilight's pupils dilated the moment Nightmare Moon hit the floor, her breath coming in short pained gasps. The world came to a stand still while Twilight's mind rushed at a million miles a minute. Oh no she's hurt terribly what do I do? I've got to help her! What healing spells do I know? Ugh, that doesn't even matter since I have this ring on my horn. Ohhhhhhh what can I do?! I've got to find something to close those wounds! Then her thoughts turned, changing tone completely. Why should I help her? She banished Princess Celestia from Equestria and this could even be my chance to esca-

"NO!!" Twilight shook her head faster screaming aloud. "It doesn't matter what she's done. She may have killed countless ponies and brought an end to daylight..., but if I let her die here I would be no better than her! I will not abandon anypony no matter how evil they are!"

She steeled her nerves, avoiding the urge to look at the death around her and rushed over to Nightmare Moon's side, glancing over her wounds to figure out what would need immediate attention. I just wish I knew more about first aid. I'm not even sure I'll be able to wrap bandages without my magic.... Her eyes scanned the room, searching for anything that could be used to stop the bleeding, anything that could give her more time to run to the infirmary for medical supplies. Her eyes landed upon a tapestry hung above her mentor's throne, its lustrous white grabbing her attention. She ran to it and ripped it from the ceiling, caring not that it was most likely important to Princess Celestia. She rushed back to the alicorn's side and draped the fabric over her body then began to tuck it underneath her, slowly inching it under her body. She tried to avoid making contact with the wounds but it proved to be impossible. Her horn brushed one of the deeper gashes in Nightmare Moons stomach.

Nightmare Moon's eyes shot open and a surge of power emanated from her body. In a single second, she jumped to her hooves, grabbed Twilight in her telekinesis, and threw her across the room to collide with a mound of torn and mangled death. "DO NOT TOUCH ME YOU FOALS!" Her voice reverberated with fearsome clarity in the amphitheater of a throne room, bounding off the walls to create a powerful echo. As adrenaline continued to pump through her body, Nightmare Moon glanced over the wounds and, like before, concentrated on healing them. She willed the larger gashes to close and left the smaller ones to heal naturally. She knew she was too tired to recover fully with her magic.

Twilight Sparkle groaned falteringly as she tried to recover her breath after having it blown out of her from the impact. The pain from her horn, which had been temporarily dulled as she panicked and surged with adrenaline, combined with the new throbbing in her back dizzying her. Eventually her breathing slowed and her mind focused once more then shifted into a pool of rage. "Why did you do that!? I was trying to help you!" She shouted before she could even stop herself.

Nightmare Moon spun around to pierce the lavender unicorn with her eyes, causing her to shrink back. "I do not require help from you, worm." Her voice dripped with malice.

"You still didn't have to thr-" Her voice was cut off as magic wrapped around her throat and lifted her from the ground, bringing her to eye level with the fearsome black alicorn.

"I WILL NOT HAVE MY PET TALK BACK TO ME!" Her scream shook Twilight to her core. "I spared you only to use you however I please! If you will not listen to my orders then I shall end your pitiful life like the rest of the foals around you! Do I make myself clear?!" She tightened her grip on Twilight, emphasizing her point.

Twilight's face was masked with utter terror, tears spilling down her face as she gave the slightest nod. "Y-y-y-yes..., M-m-my Queen...." She gasped out, struggling for air.

Nightmare Moon released her grip dropping Twilight one more time to the cobbled floor, eliciting a pained grunt and gasp of air from the young unicorn. Turning her head to survey the carnage, Nightmare Moon frowned. "These guards are loyal to their princess but that does not matter. They would be utterly foalish to try and best me once again. Pet! On your feet! Show your Queen to a room befitting my status!"

Twilight struggled to stand, her legs shaking fiercely from the constant trauma she was receiving. She took a step, wincing when her hoof struck the floor and sent a jolt through her leg. Fearing more punishment, she pressed on, leading Nightmare Moon through the palace towards Princess Celestia's bed chambers. Nightmare Moon noticed the familiar halls she had traveled down heading to the throne room. "Stop. I do not wish to be in Celestia's chambers." She turned her neck and faced the arched window basking in the moonlight, the glow seeming to give her strength. "How do you know where her room is, by the way?"

Twilight froze, scared at what the alicorn would do to her if she found out she was Princess Celestia's personal protege. She had already experienced being brutally thrown from just trying to help her, she had no idea how Nightmare Moon would react to this. "I-I.... I'm her..." Her voice caught in her throat, unable to finish the sentence. The fear was too much.

"Ah..., I see. She always did like to keep the powerful ones at her side." Nightmare Moon snorted. "Student of the great Princess Celestia. That would explain quite a lot." She looked back at Twilight and saw her quaking quite visibly. "Did you think I would kill you for being student of my greatest enemy?" She laughed when the unicorn simply hung her head. "Hah! No, pet. That just makes keeping you for my own oh so much sweeter. To think I have her protege as my slave! My night couldn't get any better!" She chuckled then broke out into a full sinister laugh, the sound carrying through the empty halls.

Twilight still hung her head but began to walk down a hall to their left. "This.... This way is to my old r-room in the C-Canterlot Library, My Queen. It's the second biggest room..., next to Princess Celestia's." Her words were slow and pained, realization setting in. I have no idea how I'm going to make it through this. Celestia is gone forever.... I have no way of getting in contact with my friends.... I can't even use my magic.... Her eyes teared up once more and she began to sob quietly while leading Nightmare Moon through the winding halls. They reached the doors to the library in only a matter of minutes, the great wooden portal being the only thing between them and the great hall of books.

When Nightmare Moon opened the door with her magic Twilight immediately thought of the last time she had been here. Just a day ago she had been here with Spike trying to figure out about the alicorn standing before her. Now it all seemed pointless. She hadn't been able to defeat Nightmare Moon and now night ruled eternal. Her thoughts had distracted her and when she once again became aware of her surroundings, the Moon Queen and her were standing in her room. It was a rather spacious area through a door at the back of the library though nowhere near as large as Celestia's room. It was also furnished modestly. A simple dresser for clothes with a small mirror upon it for brushing one's mane sat against the left wall. A desk was set up under a stained glass window of the Sun Princess raising her celestial orb into the sky. The window faced east so as to catch the morning rays and dazzle the room's occupants at sunrise. The window would now be forever useless as there was no longer going to be another sunrise. A decent sized bed was placed in the furthest corner of the room so as to take up the least amount of area possible. It was large enough to fit Nightmare Moon comfortably but would leave little room for anything else. It was a four poster bed of mahogany and simple blue sheets were spread atop the mattress. They were one of Twilight's favorites, having gotten them from her mother when she had first been accepted to the school as the Princess' pupil.

Nightmare Moon scowled at the room. "Is this the best this hovel has to offer? I expected more from the home of my dear sister." She emphasized the word 'dear' as if it left a horrible taste in her mouth.

Twilight cringed at her words and shrunk back even further. "Y-yes my Queen. Princess Celestia's room is the only other bedroom in the palace. She.... She had this room built for me when I moved in...." The black alicorn arched an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Very well. If this is the only room then it will have to do. These sheets, however, will have to go."

She flared her horn and lifted the bedclothes from the mattress, readying to incinerate them with her magic when Twilight gasped in shock. "NO!" Twilight flinched back when she saw Nightmare Moon's cold stare turn to her. "I'm sorry, my Queen.... I.... I didn't mean to do that.... It's just.... It's just that those sheets mean a lot to me...." Her head hung low as she tried to shrink away from the alicorn.

Nightmare Moon snorted and threw the bundle at the lavender unicorn, knocking her over in surprise. "Very well. I shall grant you this as you will need something to keep you from freezing in the night. I cannot have you dying if you are to serve me. Know that Your Queen is not entirely without mercy." She turned back to the bed and conjured a large black silk sheet emblazoned with stars to resemble the night sky then turned back to Twilight, taking a step back in shock. The purple unicorn was smiling at her. Sad, but smiling. Her features turned, sickened by the thought of bringing somepony joy, especially one meant to be her slave. Her horn flashed again and great iron manacles appeared from the air to clamp around Twilight's fore-legs. They conjoined together through a ring on the floor that had been materialized along with the chains.

After hearing Twilight's sharp gasp from the manacles biting into her legs, Nightmare Moon grinned evilly and stepped onto her new bed. She shifted uncomfortably. This bed is too stiff. It matters not for tomorrow I shall begin construction on my new palace. Her head drooped across her front hooves, her eyes closing. It won't be long until I have a firm grip upon Equestria once more. She levitated the sheets she had conjured and draped them across her body, wincing ever so slightly when they touched her open wounds. I will finally have all I ever-

"Are you okay?" Twilight asked from across the room. Her interruption broke Nightmare Moon's train of thoughts, causing her to scowl down at the unicorn. "I'm.... I'm sorry, My Queen. I.... I just noticed you flinched when you placed the covers on yourself. I know the wounds haven't healed all th-"

"Silence." Nightmare Moon fumed. "I do not need pity from a worm such as yourself!" She absolutely hated when anypony showed any kind of worry for her. It made her feel weak. "You will silence yourself or else I will bring my fury down upon you as I did with the guards." Her voice was steady and emotionless. Twilight was once again terrified into silence, simply nodding her head to show she understood. "Know that we alicorn are far superior to your petty race of unicorns. Our bodies can withstand much more than the likes of yours." Once again, Nightmare Moon rested her head upon her hooves and closed her eyes. This time she didn't think of anything and just drifted off to sleep, leaving Twilight alone with her own thoughts.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Zune Twenty-First of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Two Eleven Post Meridian
|

After Nightmare Moon had gone to sleep, Twilight simply laid there, fighting back tears that she thought she had already cried out. In a single night, her life had been turned upside down and torn asunder, all by one failure just hours before. Or what she had assumed was hours before, since there was no longer a way for her to tell time. She gazed around her old room and new prison. Everything was just as she had left it. Not a single object out of place. She grabbed her blanket with her teeth and covered herself as best she could. She wasn't used to not using magic at all. She sighed but choked on a sob, her tears spilling once more. I.... I don't know what to do anymore. I hurt all over. The constant lack of sun has considerably cooled the air and as long as Nightmare Moon does nothing, it'll only get colder. Twilight curled up tighter in the blue sheet, wrapping herself tighter to block out all cold. As she breathed in, smelling the fabric, her thoughts turned to her family. I wonder how my parents are doing.... I.... I haven't talked to them in months. Not since our last break in school.... I hope they're doing okay through all this.

She finally calmed down. Thinking of her parents brought a small amount of comfort to her. Just enough to halt her crying and change her tears into soft sniffles. How did this all happen? How was Nightmare Moon able to resist the Elements like that? She closed her eyes, trying to envision the encounter between her friends and the black alicorn. She remembered calling the power of the Elements. Nightmare Moon had said something. "What did she say?" After the words had escaped her lips, Twilight gasped and clenched her mouth shut, glancing over at the alicorn. Still asleep. It's good I didn't say that louder. I don't wish to be hurt again....

Twilight thought harder, bringing the memory to the front of her mind. Think, Twilight, think! A realization dawned on her. She said that she wouldn't be caught off guard again. How would that help her? There isn't a way she'd be more powerful than the Elements of Harmony. They're the most powerful artifacts in existence! They control the most powerful spell known to ponies! Or are they? Her face dropped, figuring out how Nightmare Moon had done it. She.... She used the power of the stars to weaken the magic. Nightmare Moon had been in the moon for a thousand years. She's had ample time to absorb the energy of the stars to aid her. They even helped her escape from the moon. That black shield.... I should have noticed the power coming from it. Her head drooped in defeat.

She sighed one final time, resigning herself to her fate. We could have defeated her if we had had time to become attuned to the Elements. When Princess Celestia used the elements the first time, Nightmare Moon hadn't been expecting them and was caught by surprise. The Princess couldn't even control them to their fullest even with all her magical abilities. This time Nightmare Moon had been expecting them. The girls and I hadn't even known how to properly use the Elements. We just let them work themselves.... As her thought finished, Twilight felt sleep take hold of her. She gratefully slipped into a dreamless unconsciousness.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Zune Twenty-Second of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Five Forty-One Ante Meridian
|

Nightmare Moon woke, sleep drifting away like a wandering visitor, off to find its next adventure. She was immediately struck by how quiet it was. Not a single noise could be heard from the castle, not even a hint of the palace's caretakers. She knew that not even Celestia could run the entire palace on her own. "So where are all the working ponies?" muttered Nightmare Moon. She passed a look at the bundled form of her pet and knew how she would find out. She stood up and stepped off the bed, stretching her body and reveling in the cool air. Her wounds had healed overnight due to the amazing recovery abilities alicorns possess, but her magic was still not up to its former prowess.

The midnight mare stepped to the sleeping unicorn and kicked her with a hoof, jolting her awake. Twilight inhaled sharply, and clutched her ribs. She expected to be overcome with pain once more but was surprised at the gentleness of the strike. It was still painful, of course, but it wasn't unbearably so like all the other lashings. The throbbing of her horn had seemed to disappear as well. "Why are there not any peons attending to the castle? Where have they gone?" Nightmare Moon's voice echoed in Twilight's ears.

She too perked her ears, trying to catch a hint as to where all the attendants could be. Nothing. Not a single hoof-fall sounded in the entire range of her hearing. "I-I'm not sure, My Queen. Perhaps they are gathered outside the throne room waiting to be given orders? They are probably confused as to why it's still night...."

Nightmare Moon growled, agitated that she was not being waited on when she liked. "I must have construction started on my new palace to be built in the ruins of Mareland." She lowered her horn to touch the shackles locking Twilight to the floor, making them dissolve into the night. "Come slave. We will gather all of my subjects and give them their instructions, willing or not."

She turned and burst through the door, not even bothering the shut them behind her. Twilight followed close behind. Their steps echoed through the empty hallways as they made their way back through the castle to the site of Nightmare Moon's grisly battle with the royal guard. Upon arrival, the first thing the mares noticed was the distinct lack of death in the room. The bodies had all been carried off and the blood had been scrubbed from the floors, walls, and ceilings. Not a single speck of dirt or gore marred the visage of the room. The next thing they saw shocked them both. The mares and stallions of the royal palace staff were all bowed before the alicorn Queen, some out of duty, others out of habit, all in fear. A rather short mare near the front stood up from her bow and walked closer to Nightmare Moon and Twilight before bowing once more.

She looked up and smiled as sincerely as she could. "Welcome, Queen Moon. My name is Silent Brook, and, on behalf of the staff, I offer our assistance to you in any way we can accommodate you."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: Heya guys it's peppy again! Haha I was expecting to have this out like 7 hours ago, but my brain just wouldn't let me focus like i wanted it to. Well anyhooves, here it is! Chapter 3 hot and just off the press! Or whatever it is technically on. I must let you know. I started to hate Nightmare Moon a bit while writing this chapter. She's just big ole mean meanie pants, but she has to be because I say so and it just fits her so well! Also I really wanted to establish one of her biggest uhhh.... whatever that word is I'm looking for. Hehe been up too long. Well I'm off to bed! Can't wait to hear what you all have to say about it. On a side note, I don't have any pre-readers or anything so there are probably going to be some typos and stuff till i can read over it when I wake up. Don't kill me too hard for it! Night night and hope you enjoy! Peppy out!

Editor's Notes: Just fantastic, Peppy. But I'm not here to tell you how good it is. Sit down. Class is in session! Thoughts shouldn't be placed in apostrophes, they should be italicized. Same goes for yelled and emphasized words in dialogue that aren't reeeaaalllly loud (like Nightmare Moon's yelling). That's it for my complai- *cough cough* constructive criticism. See ya' next chapter.

Chapter 4 - Assaulting Assassins Assemble

Chapter 4 - Assaulting Assassins Assemble

Zune Twenty-Second of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Six Oh-Two Ante Meridian
|

Nightmare Moon eyed the mare before her, taking in all the details she could. The soft green mare was small, even for filly standards, standing at approximately half a head shorter than Twilight and half the weight. She wore her bright blue mane in a braid that she let hang off the side of her neck. Her tail was similarly braided. The feature Nightmare Moon took note of above all else were her eyes. They were a turquoise similar to her own and radiated with a kind warmth despite their owner's obvious fear. Her cutie mark depicted a swirl of water dotted with flowers. Nightmare Moon smiled, pleased at this new development.

"It would seem I had no need to search. Very well." She turned to address the congregation before her. "You have all volunteered yourself into my service and spared you and your families from suffering. It was a wise decision. I find myself curious though. How did you know it was I that had graced you with my presence? My pet here was the only foal to recognize me when I first restored myself to this world."

Silent Brook spoke up again. "Um.... It was me, Your Magnificence...." Her voice was still shaky, unsure of what Nightmare Moon might do should she change her mind. "I saw you when those royal guards attacked.... I panicked and ran.... When I came back you were gone so I had everypony help me clean."

Twilight watched Brook's facial features, taking in every emotional change that altered her expression. She noted the pride when Brook spoke that last sentence. She's trying to get in good graces while she-

Twilight's stomach grumbled quite audibly. Her eyes widened and she blushed, looking away from everypony else. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt...." She hid her face and cringed, expecting punishment. Once again, to her great relief, none came. She looked up at Nightmare Moon whose face was ecstatic.

"Ahhh...! It has been far too long since I have enjoyed the tastes of food." She turned to Silent Brook. "Summon the royal chef and have him prepare the most grand feast possible. I believe tonight shall be the night I announce my return to all of Equestria and there must be a banquet to match my glorious news. Until then have a light meal and the master artisan of Canterlot sent to the library's back room." Twilight's stomach growled once more, drawing her Queen's attention. Nightmare Moon's smile dropped into a scowl. "Have somepony bring my pet some food as well."

As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Nightmare Moon turned on her heels and began the return trip to the library, Twilight hot on her tail. Twilight's thoughts roamed, sorting through the events that had just transpired. I was not expecting the caretakers to devote themselves so quickly. I can see their need for change though. If what Silent Brook was saying is true, and they all cleaned the... guards out of the throne room, then they know that Nightmare Moon wouldn't hesitate to.... Her mind trailed off, not wanting to think the word. Now that I think about it, I think I've seen that mare before. Hmmm..., I wonder if we've met before today.

By the time Twilight had finished that line of thinking, the two had reach her old room turned Queen's chambers. This time Nightmare Moon didn't open the doors with her magic and Twilight ran face first into the sturdy wood because of her lack of focus. "Owwww...." The pain settled in her skull as a mild headache. Shaking it off, Twilight looked up at her Queen, only to find her staring back down at her expectantly. It instantly clicked in her mind what Nightmare Moon wanted. Twilight turned to the door and braced herself against it, pushing with as much strength as her tired body could muster. It opened slowly, creaking as she shoved the heavy doors out of the way. These doors were definitely meant to be opened by magic, she noted after falling to the floor when her weight shifted off the doors.

Nightmare Moon stepped past her, ignoring her completely, and strode to the bed. She lay upon the sheets, stomach down, and moved her astral tail to hang off the foot of the bed and waited patiently. When she did not hear the clopping of hooves coming up to her, Nightmare Moon spun her head and glared at the unicorn. "Your Queen demands your services! You are to massage my body and help me to relax."

Not wishing to incite her wrath, Twilight sparkle shot up and rushed to the bed. "Yes, My Queen!" Twilight was nervous. She had never given a massage before let alone receive one herself. I have no idea how to do this! She stared at the sleek body before her, taking in all the details, noting every muscle that twitched under the black hair. With a heavy gulp, Twilight raised her front hooves and gently brought them down upon Nightmare Moon's back, applying the slightest pressure. Well that's not entirely true.... Maybe I could follow the example of that one... Novel... I read a few years back. A light blush formed on her cheeks as she remembered exactly what kind of book it had been. NO! Nononononononono!! I will certainly not do EVERYTHING that book had in it. Just the.... Safer stuff.

Taking a deep breath, Twilight began to work, gently kneading Nightmare Moons back with her hooves, focusing first on her shoulders. She could feel the tense knots in her muscles even with her untrained hooves. She applied more pressure, rubbing the mare's back as she worked the muscles to relax. Nightmare Moon let out a noise that vaguely resembled a cats purr causing Twilight to smile slightly. At least it seems I'm not terrible at this. She slowly moved lower, massaging the middle of her back and then further down to her lower back, all the while twisting and kneading. As Twilight approached Nightmare Moon's flanks, she came to a halt, hesitating.

When the pleasure from the massage had abruptly ended, Nightmare Moon snorted in frustration. She spun her head back again and stared into Twilight's eyes, commanding her without words. Reluctantly, Twilight resumed massaging the alicorns flanks and rump, eliciting short gasps of pleasure as her Queen seemed to melt underneath her work. She may be a cruel tyrant, but Nightmare Moon does have a 'weakness' it would seem. She could now feel the heat coming from Nightmare Moon's body and responded to it by moving to her cutie marks. That was a mistake.

Nightmare Moon's horn flared to life instinctively and she lashed out with it, ensnaring Twilight in her magical grasp. Twilight choked, and tried to gasp for air. She hadn't been expecting to be grabbed and had been unable to get a good lung full of air. Just as she thought she would lose consciousness, Nightmare Moon released her, dropping Twilight to the hard floor like a rock. Nightmare Moon turned to the mare that was coughing and sputtering on the floor, clutching at her neck. "How dare you touch the cutie mark of Your Queen!? I should kill you for this!"

"PLEASE NO!" Twilight's face was once more covered in tears from a mixture of absolute terror and the effects of being strangled. "I didn't mean to do it! You were enjoying it so much...! I-I thought you would...!" She couldn't finish her sentence. The racking sobs preventing her from forming any more words.

Nightmare Moon continued to stare daggers at her until there was a knock at the door, drawing her attention. "Fine. I shall overlook this transgression seeing as you were merely trying to please your owner and Queen, but the next time will be your last." Her words pierced Twilight's clouded mind and she nodded in response. Nightmare Moon turned from the pathetic mess before her and opened the door with her magic to reveal Silent Brook carrying a large silver platter covered with many types of little sandwiches and salad. Beside her was a burly earth pony stallion with a pastel green coat and slightly darker mane. He had a cutie mark in the form of a blueprint. "Good. You have arrived. You will set the food on the bed and return to your regular duties. I shall speak with the artisan."

Silent Brook merely bowed slightly, performed as she had been told, and left, giving a slight worried glance at Twilight who had watched her the whole time. Nightmare Moon turned to the stallion, ignoring the food for now. "What is your name?"

"I-It's Marble, Your Majesty." He was visibly nervous.

"Just Marble?" He nodded. "Very well, Marble. I want you to head the planning and construction of my new palace. I want it to be more exquisite than anything known in the history of Equestria. And I want it built upon the ruins of my old temple at the site of old Mareland."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Zune Twenty-Second of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Seven Fifty One Post Meridian
|

Nightmare Moon sat at the head of a grand dining table, one of many in the royal dining hall of Canterlot Castle. Before her, spread across the expanse of hard wood, were sets of plates and dining utensils, laid out for use in the upcoming feast. She had invited the elite of each city to come and join her for the celebration of her return, a momentous event that would officially signify her reign as their returned queen.

The black alicorn watched with distaste as the upper class ponies began to file in. While she couldn't tell from where each pony had come from, she could easily discern the difference of their upbringing by the types of clothes they wore. She saw the rich clothes of the pompous snobs, the fine yet worn garments of the refined upper-middle class and even the occasional pony without clothes. They all bowed as they entered, paying respect to the Queen more out of obligation than actual reverence, and made their way to whichever seat they wished.

Nightmare Moon glanced to her right and saw Twilight sitting with her head lowered, avoiding the gazes of everypony around her. She smirked at the dejected unicorn before gazing about once more. The ponies were finally beginning to find their places and soon every seat was filled with the attendees. They murmured in hushed tones, nervous about the upcoming event as they had no particular knowledge of the lunar alicorn or her intents. They had been told this was to be a feast in the mare's honor, but were not given any details as to what would proceed.

Nightmare Moon stood, drawing the attention of everypony present in the room, and ignited her horn. "Mares and stallions of the high class, I welcome you as you join me to make official claim to the throne!" Her voice rang out through the hall, enhanced by her magic. "Tonight, I am announcing my return to Equestria and am declaring myself your Queen!" Gasps echoed as everypony listened to her words, the truth about the night finally coming to light. Celestia was gone. Replaced by this unknown alicorn. "I, Nightmare Moon, shall rule over you, my beloved subjects." The final words dripped with malice towards the ponies she considered nothing more than foals. "Now, I declare this feast begun! Let us eat as you bask in my glory!"

The doors behind her burst open and several ponies flooded out pushing carts laden with silver trays filled with a wide variety of foods. Nightmare watched as the ponies reluctantly filled their plates from the many dishes set before them, not trusting that their new queen had left their food untouched. The alicorn grinned at their hesitation, their fear filling her with immense satisfaction. This... is the beginning of something wonderful.... she thought before glancing back to the lavender unicorn. The mare had taken small portions of the various greens about her and was eating slowly, and perhaps a little clumsily because of her lack of magic, relishing the taste of the meal. Nightmare Moon scowled before bringing large heaps of the desserts and salads onto her plate, intent on enjoying herself and her subject's fear while she was able.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Weeks had passed since the feast. The order to have Nightmare Moon's palace built was sent out along with the announcement of her return to power in Equestria. Many foolhardy ponies, all loyal to Celestia, had tried to take her life only to have their existences snuffed out. With the help of Silent Brook and Twilight, Nightmare Moon had learned all of Equestria's new features, where each city was, the names of those cities, and the various mountains and forests that hadn't been there when she was banished. The palace was nearing completion, and, as the time passed by, Nightmare Moon had regained nearly all of her lost magic. Twilight had earned some trust from Nightmare Moon, and Silent Brook had been assigned as her head maid, overseeing everything that went on in the sun castle. Today the three were preparing to make the move to their new quarters in Nightmare Moon's Castle of the Night.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Twilight was running about the library's back room with a checklist in her mouth, organizing all the items she would be taking with her to the new palace. She spat the paper down on the ground and went over it for the fourth time. "Blanket...? Check. Saddlebags...? Check. Various reading materials...?" She looked back to her saddlebags and giggled at what she saw. Standing behind her was Silent Brook, staring dumbfounded as she watched the lavender unicorn go about her obsessive actions. Twilight stopped what she was doing and walked over to her. "You're going to catch flies if you leave your mouth hanging open like that." she teased.

The green mare merely smiled and blushed slightly before nuzzling Twilight. "You are quite the mare, Twilight. I don't think anypony else could make the nerd look be quite as adorable." This caused the lavender mare to blush in turn, her cheeks stinging with embarrassment. They both laughed. "I'll let you return to what you were doing. Our Queen would be quite displeased if we were too slow in packing our things for the journey." Silent Brook turned and left, swishing her tail along Twilight's nose as she did so, teasing her.

Twilight marveled at the mare before her, and wondered how she was lucky to have a friend such as her. She still didn't know anything about how to act around friends, but that did not stop her from embarrassing herself in front of Silent Brook. She tilted her head up, let her thoughts drift back to when she had first grown to find solace in the lime earth pony.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Twenty-two days ago:

Twilight sat alone in the darkness of the library's back room, swimming in pain from the beating Nightmare Moon had given her. She had tried to pleasure the Night Queen at her request and had failed miserably. A single misplacement of her horn brought forth the fury of the night, nearly crippling her with its sheer force. As she lay there, bleeding and cold, a knock sounded on the door followed by the creak of the door's hinges. A bright blue mane poked in and found Twilight huddled up on the corner, bleeding and covered in bruises. A gasp came from the pony as she rushed to Twilight's side, taking in all the damage. Twilight thought the pony had spoken, but she could not make out any words due to her inability to focus. The last thing she saw before passing out was the look of worry on Silent Brook's green face as she started to lift the lavender unicorn onto her back....

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightmare Moon stood in the middle of the Canterlot castle courtyard, watching as the pegasus ponies she had ordered to pull her carriage went about finishing all the preparations needed before their flight. She had been down here for nearly half an hour observing her subjects as they scurried about performing their duties. Something about watching worthless souls do such menial jobs brought her a slight joy. She loved it when the ponies did her bidding. Satisfied with the progress, the Moon Queen turned about and headed back into the castle, meandering her way past the crowds of ponies as they scampered out of her path. Every now and then, one of the fillies or colts would get too close so she would swiftly kick them to urge them to move faster. She laughed every time.

Nightmare Moon wasn't without her worries though. She could still remember all the times she had walked through this hall only to be attacked by a pony she thought had been just going about his job. The last such pony had done it in a large group of other ponies. He rushed in holding a freshly sharpened knife in his mouth and lunged at her. Just before the knife would have struck home in her neck, Twilight Sparkle had tackled the colt to the ground while taking a rather deep gash to her cheek. Nightmare Moon responded swiftly, incinerating the pegasus with a beam of moonlight she had refracted from one of the windows, displaying her true abilities. This act of the lavender unicorn earned her some respect and gratitude from the Moon Queen. The usual every-other-day attacks had seemingly ceased. It's now been five days since that last assassination attempt.

Nevertheless, Nightmare Moon continued her way back to the library, looking to have her stuff brought out to the sky carriage and to fetch her pet. She smirked again, eager to get to her new castle and begin the preparations for her minion’s recovery.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Twenty-one days ago:

When Twilight awoke, the first thing she noticed was that she wasn't in the back room of the library. She was laying on a soft white cot on the floor, covered in white blankets. She started to panic and searched the room frantically for any clues as to where she might be. A large bright poster of a pink mare wearing a nurse’s cap tending to a young filly gave her the answer she sought. This was the infirmary. As soon as she began to sit up in her bed a noise caught her attention. A slight cough as if somepony was clearing their throat. Twilight turned her head to the other side and saw the green mare sitting beside her, shaking her head to tell Twilight not to move. She obeyed after looking down dejectedly.

"You really should take it easy. You were hurt quite badly when I found you.... Umm...." Silent Brook tilted her head up to think.

"Twilight." Twilight smiled a little and relaxed a little more "My name is Twilight Sparkle."

"Twilight.... What a lovely name." Silent Brook didn't notice the slight tinge of red on the lavender mare's face. She looked off around the room, seeming to check for any eavesdroppers, then turned back to Twilight. "Ummm.... So why were you alone in there? If I hadn't found you, you would have been in quite the predicament."

Twilight blanched and hung her head, looking away in shame. "I.... I can't tell you.... Nightmare Moon would be furious.... Thank you for helping me though." She smiled at her savior as she said this. "It means a lot to me for somepony like you to come to my aid.... Everypony else is too scared of what she might do to them." Her smile turned to a frown. I just hope she doesn't hurt you....

"It was my pleasure. Besides, I've known of you for quite some time. I've been serving as one of Celestia's maids since I was just a little filly and I was there when you first moved into the castle as her student." Twilight smiled at the memory. It had been the happiest day of her life. "I've always admired you from afar, you know.... Watching you study and silently cheering when you'd master a new spell."

When Twilight turned to look at the mare she flinched back in surprise. During the few seconds that she had looked away, Silent Brook had moved in close, just inches away from Twilight's nose. "I- umm...." Twilight couldn't finish her sentence as the green mare closed the gap and locked her mouth on Twilight's, kissing her words away. Twilight couldn't move, bound by shock and the feeling of Silent Brooks lips on her own, but as the initial surprise wore off she pulled back quickly and fell off the cot onto the cold stone floor.

Silent Brook covered her face, a deep red blush coloring her cheeks. "I'm s-so sorry! I don't know what came over me!" Tears began to well up in her eyes as she stepped back further away from the lavender unicorn. "I'll.... I'll just go. I'm so sorry!"

Before she could even make it to the door, Twilight called out to her, "Wait! Uh..., wait, please." Her own face was a bright scarlet from the blood that had rushed to her head. "It's okay.... I was just surprised.... Nopony has ever had feelings for me before." Twilight's smile was genuine, radiating acceptance. "Just, next time, can we perhaps take it a little slower? I.... I don't want to rush into anything...."

Silent Brook's face lit up, joy swimming in her turquoise eyes. "Of course." she replied, moving back beside Twilight.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Twilight surveyed the library, taking in as many features as she could so as to imprint it into her mind. She had guessed that this would likely be the last she would ever see of her old home. Nightmare Moon was planning on razing the entire city as soon as her new palace and the town she was going to have built around it was completed. The books would be moved to the new library in Nightmare Moon's castle, but it just wouldn't be the same. With a final look back, Twilight made her way out of the library and into the hall where the Moon Queen was standing, waiting for her.

"I am finished, My Queen."

"Good. We shall make our way to the carriages where the head maid is currently waiting for us. We will be leaving as soon as our stuff is secured to the cargo carriage." Nightmare Moon was exuberant. She was going to be taking her place as Queen in her new castle and finally living in a room that fit her status. It was only a matter of time before she could begin her conquest of the surrounding nations.

They arrived at the courtyard swiftly, neither of them wanting to tarry and delay the departure. Silent Brook stood beside the sky-carriage they would be taking, watching for the pair to appear. As soon as her eyes met with the green mare's, Twilight lit up and she found herself smiling. Nightmare Moon took no heed, stepping into the opening of the carriage as Silent Brook bowed at her passing. Twilight handed her saddlebags off to a baggage colt, who set them in the cargo space, then stepped in after the Queen. Silent Brook followed after her and shut the door. The carriage was large, spacious enough for ten ponies of Twilight's size and perhaps four of the royal alicorn's. The seats were posh and comfy and the walls lined with soft cushions in case a passenger were to fall asleep. Nightmare Moon sat in the back of the carriage facing where the pegasi would be hitched and Twilight settled in opposite her with Silent Brook sitting just to Twilight's left. No words were spoken as the pegasus team were strapped into position and began the long journey to New Mareland.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Sixteen days earlier:

Nightmare Moon and Twilight were sleeping in the library's bedroom as they had for the past week, the alicorn on the bed and Twilight at the foot of the bed on the floor, the magical shackles about her fore-legs. Soft breathing escaped both of the ponies as they dreamt, warm under their blankets, the rise and fall of their chests being the only movement. Until the door creaked open.

The door glowed with a soft orange light and a similarly orange colt stepped through the crack he had made, closing the door silently behind him. He was a plain-looking pony with an orange mane and tail matching his fur. On his flank was a pair of twin tomatoes. He crept up to the bed, making almost no noise, and drew a shining knife from a sheathe on his right foreleg with his magic. The orange glow lit the room, casting shadows against the walls as he raised the dagger above Nightmare Moon's head. "THIS IS FOR MY FARM YOU VI-"

His shout was cut short by a pair of hooves connecting with his right shoulder, sending him skidding across the floor. The light from his horn had awoken Twilight, and, seeing him poised to kill the alicorn, she bucked him as hard as she could. "I won't let you kill anypony!"

The colt recovered quickly, but not quick enough to escape. Nightmare Moon had awoken at his scream for justice and now had him in her telekinetic grip, dangling him by the throat. "Did you think to murder me in my sleep? Insolent cur! I shall have you dropped from the balcony for your inso-"

"Please, Your Majesty! Don't kill him!" Twilight's plea stopped Nightmare Moon mid sentence. "I didn't save you from being assassinated just so you could kill him in return." Tears had welled up in her eyes, her face filled with anger.

The Moon Queen looked to the colt and dropped him to the floor. "Very well. I shall respect your wish this once since you have saved my life." Her attention focused once more on the gasping form at her feet. "Why were you here to kill me? Was it not for your... Princess?"

The colt glared daggers at her and responded through clenched teeth. "Your moon is slowly killing the plants all across Equestria! Without the sun all the crops will die and we'll all be left to starve!"

Nightmare Moon's features shifted as she took in his words. She had been gone so long that she had forgotten how the plants needed energy from the sun to sustain their life. "Ah, yes. I had forgotten that.... It would be quite the problem if all my subjects died. I'd no longer have anypony to worship me." She looked back down at him. "You may go this time. If you ever try this again, know that nothing my pet can say will spare you from your fate." Her words rang with malice, making the unicorn's composure falter. Without a single word, he dashed from the room, never to return.

"My Queen.... How do you propose to fix this? I... I've been quite worried about it myself."

"You shall see, my pet. You shall see."

After that night, Nightmare Moon had enchanted the moon, giving it similar qualities to the sun. During the previous daylight hours, the moon would give off heat and provide the plants with the solar energy needed for photosynthesis. At night, it would return to its previous nature.

That had been the first assassination attempt since Nightmare Moon's battle with the guards.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Ten days earlier:

Nightmare Moon sat upon her throne in the throne room with Twilight laying beside her, a slight gash on her shoulder. They both were watching the green earth pony before them, Nightmare Moon with a pleased look and Twilight with one of affection and pride. "You have done well to serve me, Silent Brook. You informed me of a possible attempt on my life and it came to pass. If not for you then my pet may have been killed. I shall compensate you for your loyalty to the throne by assigning you the role of head maid in my court. You will be overseeing all happenings in my royal palace in New Mareland after construction is complete and shall have a room of your own to do with as you so please. Know that it is a great honor I am bestowing upon you and that, should you continue your services as faithfully in times to come as you do now, you will be rewarded even more."

Silent Brook bowed, showing great respect for the black alicorn before her. Her Queen. "Thank you, Your Majesty. It brings me such joy to be able to serve you as such." She raised her head and smiled sincerely, casting a worried glance Twilight's way.

"That is all. You may now return to your duties." Nightmare Moon stood up and circled the room with her eyes, noting each of the ponies that served her in the castle as they began to go about their daily tasks once more. "Ah, wait. I would like something to eat delivered to my room. My pet deserves a reward as well for defending me for the second time."

The fourth assassination attempt had utterly failed. The assassin's death only angering the others more.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Eight days earlier:

A group of earth ponies gathered in a dining hall in the western wing of the Canterlot palace. The ponies were all part of the cleaning staff, assigned to clean this section of the castle. As soon as their superiors had sent them about their task, the group dispersed only to converge here, in this unused room. The assigned 'leader' of the group stepped forth and cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the rest of the assembled. He shook his black mane out of his pale white face before beginning. "As you all know, tonight we are going to strike a blow to Nightmare Moon in order to weaken her resolve. All previous attempts on her life have failed. We have lost many comrades to her power, but tonight, we shall inflict a lasting wound. Thanks to our new recruit here," he motioned to a green mare sitting in the back of the crowd, "we now have a plan. We are going to take out her favorite toy. The unicorn named Twilight Sparkle."

Nervous murmurs rose from the crowd, but everypony in attendance nodded in approval. They were uncomfortable with ending the life of somepony other than their hated enemy, but sacrifices would have to be made in order to accomplish their goal. "We shall wait for Twilight to be left alone and strike then. We'll need to be swift so only four of us will go. I will be going along with three volunteers. Who will be accompanying me?" The crowd conversed among themselves and came to a decision. Three ponies in the crowd raised their hooves. "Very well. You three come with me. We will wait until we have her to ourselves."

Twilight sighed, and looked around the library. Nightmare Moon had left her here after she had failed to please her once again. "At least this time I didn't slip up too bad..." Her face was still red from the encounter. She went about the library, searching for something to read in order to take her mind off of her current life when she heard a noise. It sounded like the clopping of hooves. She spun around, warmth spreading across her face as she expected to see Silent Brook coming into the library to visit her. Twilight always anticipated the visits from her new friend as she was the only thing currently bringing any happiness into her pitiful life.

What she saw turned her frown into a mask of fear.

Silent Brook dashed through the halls, searching for Nightmare Moon. She had heard news that some of the staff were going to try and kill Twilight in order to break the Moon Queen and needed to inform her immediately. Before it was too late. She found her sitting in the central dining hall, eating a cake made to please her. "YOUR MAJESTY! I'VE HEARD WORD OF ASSASSINS AIMING TO KILL TWILIGHT!" She skidded to a halt beside the Queen, not even bothering to bow. "Please! You have to go find her before they kill her!"

Nightmare Moon's face contorted into a mask of sheer rage. "THEY DARE TO TRY AND TAKE MY PET FROM ME?!" Her mane swirled above her, burning with primal fury. "THEY WILL TASTE FEAR THAT NO MORTAL HAS EVER KNOWN!" Nightmare Moon's eyes turned a light-consuming black as her horn burned. A flash of light and she was gone, off to kill all who would take anything from her.

The four stallions were gathered around Twilight's sob-stricken body. She was covered in bruises and cuts from the beatings they had inflicted upon her and her right eye was swollen shut. They were now discussing how they were going to end it.

The first earth pony frowned. "I think we should just kill her quickly.... It doesn't seem right to do this. We were only supposed to kill her in the first place...."

A larger pony to his right scoffed. "What would be the point of that? If we're going to kill somepony we might as well have fun while we're doing it!"

The third pony chimed in, "Why don't we have our way with her? It's not like Nightmare Moon knows of our plan and besides, it'll help to add fuel to the flame and relieve us. What do you think boss?"

The larger leader just grinned maliciously, his demeanor changing from when he had given the speech in the meeting room. "That's a great idea. I will be the first to go." He moved above Twilight and glared down at her. She was still crying her eyes out, but had given up trying to move. She knew this would be it.

Just before the stallion was ready, a blinding flash pierced the darkness of the room, burning the eyes of the four colts. Twilight had been spared, she already had her good eye closed, trying to block out what was to come. Nightmare Moon towered above the party, her astral mane whipping about her in an invisible hurricane. "YOU FOALS SHALL REGRET THE DAY YOU EVER CROSSED YOUR QUEEN!!" Lightning flashed from her mane, illuminating the terrified faces of the four before her. "FEAR THE WRATH OF THE MOON GODDESS AND BURN IN MY FURY!!"

A maelstrom of magic filled the room, lifting the four off the ground. They flailed and screamed as they were caught up in the spinning force of Nightmare Moon's mighty spell. As they continued to spin, the magic burst into a bright white flame, burning the air and igniting them. The fire danced around as it seared the flesh off their muscles, yet left the rest of their bodies intact, still alive. The force of the cyclone intensified and soon even their muscles and organs were ripped from their skeletons, spraying across the room and decorating it in a gruesome manner. The four continued to live, their screams tearing out of their skeletal frames. With a final burst of power, the ponies flew off towards the four walls, their organs, muscles, and skin returning to them, and crunched against the cold hard stone. They flattened from the sheer force, dying instantly on impact, their blood splattering like a new coat of paint.

Her fury sated, Nightmare Moon turned to the huddled mass on the floor, Twilight sobbing uncontrollably after what had happened to her and witnessing the horrible deaths of her four assailants. The Moon Queen lowered her head towards the unicorn only to have her flinch back. She frowned and simply brought forth her magic, healing the injuries Twilight had been given. "I do not allow others to break or otherwise bring harm to my possessions, you included. I shall be the only one to do with you as I please and if anypony wishes to believe otherwise then they too will meet the fate of those four." Nightmare Moon's voice was heavy and full of hatred, but it sounded somewhat comforting to Twilight.

"T-T-T-Thank y-you, My Q-Queen...." The lavender unicorn passed out just as Silent Brook entered her line of vision, a look of relief passing over her face.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Fourth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Twenty-Six Post Meridian
|

The sky carriage neared its destination, the outline of the Castle of the Night looming on the horizon. The unicorn and earth pony were asleep, curled up on the large cushion they were situated on, exhausted from the packing and supervising of the initial move. Nightmare Moon simply sat at the window, a smirk on her otherwise stoic face, as she watched the shadow grow closer and closer as her transportation drew nearer.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: Hey guys! Peppy again. Sorry this one took so long to come out! Work schedule changes and retarded sleep habits along with being easily distracted REALLY makes it difficult to do anything productive, but here it is! Chapter 4! Longer, better (hopefully) and filled with fun goodies! I quite enjoyed this chapter and hope you all do as well! Well I'm off to go to read the updated stories i need to then head off to bed! Let me know what you think in the comments (as you always do!)

Editor's Notes: Wonderful. Jekyll here. Don't have much to say for this one that I haven't already said. The addition of the feast scene makes this the first chapter breaking the six-thousand word mark. Yay. Enjoy the next chapter, everypony.

Chapter 5 - Obsidian Walls and Obedient Thralls

Chapter 5 - Obsidian Walls and Obedient Thralls

Septara Fourth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Thirty Ante Meridian
|

A knock on the door woke the baby dragon from his slumber. He stretched and yawned, his purple and green scales shimmering slightly in the moonlight. "I wasn't expecting any visitors at this hour. Well, I can never really tell what time it is anymore.... Ever since Twilight disappeared, I rarely do anything other than sleep or eat.... Without Twilight..."

Another set of knocks sounded on the door followed by a voice. "Spike, darling. Please let us in. We have much to talk about." Rarity's voice sang like a sweet bell in his darkness.

"I-I'm coming!" Spike quickened his pace, hurried to the door, and unlocked it. "I'm sorry. I guess I lost track of time...." Spike yawned again and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

"Oh, it's not a problem at all dear. We understand how you must be feeling. Twilight was practically your moth-" Rarity caught herself before going any further. "I'm sorry, Spike."

"Oh, it's okay. Well come on in everypony." he said as he stepped out of the doorway.

From the darkness, following Rarity, came four other ponies. Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy all made their ways into the lobby of Spike's library tree house and situated themselves in a circle around the table set in the center of the room. They all seemed tired and worn, as if sleep had been a stranger to them. Applejack was the first to speak up. "Now ah know y'all are tired of these meetings. We never seem ta git anything done, but tonight's different. Rainbow Dash and ah have been talkin'. It's been about a month since Nightmare Moon has appeared and we haven't heard a word from Twilight. Ah reckon she ain't doin' to good if'n she's even doin' at all... We don't know what that mare did to 'er."

Rainbow Dash stood up. "C'mon, AJ! You're dragging this on! Just get to the plan!"

"Hold yer apples Rainbow. Ah'm gettin' there. Now, as ah was sayin'. We don't rightly know how ta defeat Nightmare Moon since tha Elements o' Harmony didn't work, but I'm sure Twilight would know how ta beat her by now if she's still there. Before I continue, Rarity, has your friend learned anythin'? Does she know anythin' about Twilight?"

Rarity looked down. "I'm sorry, Applejack. I haven't heard from her in weeks. I have no idea if she's even okay." A tear welled up in her eye. "I shouldn't have even asked her to spy for us."

Fluttershy took this moment to speak up, albeit quietly. "Umm..., if I could say something...?" They all looked her way. "Eep...! Umm..., we could try and... sneak in there ourselves... I know it's dangerous, but... I'm sure Twilight would do the same for us..., even if we only knew her from that one night...." As she spoke, Fluttershy continued to shrink under the table away from the eyes of the other four.

"Now that's what I'm talking about! Way to go Fluttershy!" The rainbow pegasus had flown into the air and cheered Fluttershy.

"I'll help any way I can! I can't send letters or anything since Celestia was the only one that I knew how to send them to, but I'm small! I could sneak better than any of you!" Spike was leaning on the table, excited. "I really just want to know if Twilight's okay! If we can get her back then we can find out a way to stop Nightmare Moon!"

"Ah reckon that may work. We just hafta figure out the layout of that there new castle. Anypony have an idea? How 'bout you Pinkie Pie? You've been awfully quiet this whole time."

All eyes fell upon the pink pony. Her previously outrageous, cotton candy pink mane hung limply across her face. Her whole expression was downcast. "I'll help Spike. I can get us around the castle without anypony suspecting a thing." Her eye twitched. "I haven't thrown a party in weeks.... f we can find Twilight...." Her voice was rising in tone from the gloomy one she had been using, "We'll have something to celebrate!" Her eyes were lighting up, but didn't return to their full shine. Instead, they just dropped to the floor again. "If we can find her...."

"Now Y'all cheer up there, Sugarcube. Ah'm sure we'll find Twilight safe and sound and have her back here in a jiffy. Before we go off and start this, we're going to need a plan and some time to get ready. Ah say we wait another month," Spike stood up to interrupt but Applejack shushed him with a hoof. "Ah know y'all wanna see her back here now but listen. If we rush in there unprepared, Twilight ain't gonna be the only thing we're losin'. You've heard the stories about what happened the first night at Canterlot. Nightmare Moon won't hesitate to kill us like she did them guard ponies." The whole group shuddered at the thought.

"I'll see if I can get some information from my friend. She's quite skilled at her job so I doubt she's in any sort of trouble." Rarity flipped her mane out of her face. "As soon as we have word from her we should begin preparations. I believe we'll leave the plan up to you, Applejack dear." Everyone nodded.

"Right! Ah'll begin thinking of how we can get inside in the mean time. Everypony, and dragon, try and keep your hopes up. We'll save Twilight for sure! Now ya'll go home and get some sleep. Y'all look like ya need it." The group nodded and all went their separate ways, Rarity to her boutique, Pinkie to her home in Sugarcube Corner, Applejack to her farm, and Rainbow Dash to her home in the clouds. Fluttershy remained behind and watched Spike.

"Umm.... Are you going to be okay Spike? I know how hard this has been on you...." She flew over to him and placed a hoof on his head, comforting him.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Fluttershy.... Thank you."

"Oh, it's no problem at all. I'd hate to lose somepony as important to me as Twilight is to you. If you need anything don't be afraid to ask us.... We're all willing to help." Fluttershy's voice was calm and soothing, like a mother to her child.

Spike couldn't help but to cry. "I... I just miss her so much...." He grabbed Fluttershy's leg in a tight embrace causing the yellow pegasus to smile down at him.

"Shhh.... Shhh.... It's going to be okay...."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Forth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Thirty-One Post Meridian
|

The carriage carrying Nightmare Moon, Twilight and Silent Brook landed on a specially made strip just outside the front doors to the castle. The pegasus ponies pulling the carriage unhitched themselves and moved to the door leading to the cabin, opening it for the passengers. The black alicorn ducked her head and stepped out into the cool night air, basking in the moon's glory. She turned her gaze to the structure before her and beamed. "Ahhh, it's magnificent!" Her voice danced in the air, slightly dulled by the sound of construction.

The palace was huge, even though it was only partially finished. The entire structure was made of obsidian, mined from a series of volcanoes set in the Swayback Mountains. It gleamed in the moonlight, the moon's rays dancing across it and casting silvery light on its sleek features. There were multiple towers erected throughout the building, towering above the rest of the castle, all centered around a giant obelisk standing tall in the epicenter of the castle. Shining blue runes glowed in the darkness, casting eerie light on the structures around it. She turned her head to the left and frowned slightly. The left wing of the castle still wasn't completed. Scaffolding still stood around the unfinished walls with construction ponies tiring away under the scrutiny of their overseers to build the rest of the structure. Even if it was only half complete, the castle was simply amazing.

Twilight Sparkle and Silent Brook stepped out of the carriage, following Nightmare Moon, and gaped in awe. They hadn't expected the castle to be constructed so quickly and its beauty was intimidating. "It's... simply astounding!" Twilight could barely contain her excitement at being able to live in such a wonderful monument to pony engineering. She was practically shaking in anticipation.

Silent Brook, however, was all but excited. "I.... I don't like obsidian...." Her voice was barely a whisper, unheard by anything. She shook away her fears and stepped up beside Twilight, closer than she had planned, and brushed her flank. She jumped in surprise. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do that!"

Twilight looked at her in concern. "Are you all right?" She noticed the green mare's slight trembles. "My Queen, I think Silent...." Nightmare Moon was already walking ahead of them, making her way to the giant golden doors barring entrance to the castle. "Ah! Come on Brook! We're going to be left behind!" Twilight trotted quickly in order to catch up with the Moon Queen.

Silent Brook nodded weakly and caught up to the other two, once again sticking close by Twilight's side. Nightmare Moon reached the doors and pushed them open with her magic then stepped into the lobby of the castle. It was sparsely decorated due to the recent completion of this section, but still had tapestries depicting Nightmare Moon in her blue armor or her cutie mark hanging around the windows. Torches burning with magical fire lit the room from their sconces on the walls, illuminating the blackness around them. This square room branched off in three directions, one to the north, south and west. The western wall had another grand door painted red that Nightmare Moon made her way over to. She called upon her magic and pulled open the doors. Outside was the octagonal courtyard housing the obelisk, its glow lighting up the area. The area was empty save for the patches of flowers in each of the eight corners. The flowers themselves glowed with the same light of the runes, enchanted to mimic the light around them. A sweet smell wafted in from a breeze, making the trio's mouths water.

Turning on their heels, the group returned to the entrance and took the northern path, heading to the eastern wing. Just inside the door, a young colt was bowed, prostrate before the black alicorn. "My Queen, I am to be your guide for this evening and shall help you get acquainted with your new castle. I also humbly beg your forgiveness for the incomplete southern wing. We have had some... delays trying to finish it in time for your arrival that have simply prevented us from finishing."

"Delays? What has happened?" Nightmare Moon's voice showed a hint of anger.

"Well, Your Majesty, some of the workers are tired and are refusing to work. They believe that you are working them too hard and not letting them rest long enough. I, for one, think you are doing an excell-"

"Silence, foal! I do not care for your opinion! I only wish that my castle be finished. I shall go... bless the commoners with my presence tomorrow." She glared at him, causing him to shrink back under her stern eye. "Now, lead us to the dining room. I desire food for myself and my pet. Head maid!"

Silent Brook stepped in front of her and bowed. "Yes, My Queen?"

"Get yourself acquainted with the layout of the palace for I shall need you to keep my staff in check. You should also go and motivate the workers before I bring my wrath down upon them. Should they refuse, you will return to me at once and inform me. After your duties are complete, you may find yourself something to sate your hunger."

She bowed once more, "Yes, My Queen." Silent Brook returned the way they had come from and quickly made her way out of view.

"Now, servant. Take us to the dining hall." Nightmare Moon motioned Twilight with her head to follow closely before making her way behind the servant colt.

"Y-yes, Your Majesty. P-please, this way." He stood up quickly and almost dashed off down the hall before regaining his composure and assuming a brisk walk. They passed door after door and he labeled each one accordingly. "This door leads to the infirmary. It was one of the first rooms built due to the high probability of construction injuries. Down this hall to the left are the living quarters for the palace staff." They made a right turn at the fork, opposite the direction he had indicated. "Down this hall we have the kitchen and staff lavatory facilities along with the public restrooms. Public only to guests, of course. If you were to take this to the end and go out th-"

"I care not of the trivialities that compose your station. I only wish to know where I shall request services, eat and rest. I would also like to visit my throne room before I retire." Her gaze made the colt flinch back again.

Twilight gave him a look expressing her apologies. "Ahem! Uh, yes. This way, Your Majesty." He motioned down the hall opposite where he had told them the staff area was then started on his way. He stopped before a grand set of double red painted doors similar to the ones leading to the courtyard. "This is the dining hall. It is large enough to serve two-hundred. There is a smaller room to the rear in case you ever wish to dine in peace and through the metal doors is the kitchen. The head chef will be ready to take any order you wish. Would you like to dine now, or shall I show you your quarters and throne room?"

Nightmare Moon thought for a moment but was interrupted by a low gurgle from the mare beside her. "We shall dine now. Have the chef prepare a rose salad topped with ripe tomatoes for myself and a daisy sandwich for my pet here."

The servant colt bowed and made his way into the dining hall to carry out his orders. Twilight looked up at Nightmare Moon and smiled. "Thank you, Queen Moon."

Nightmare Moon scowled and stepped back away from the beaming unicorn. "Wipe that look off your face before I change my mind and have you starved." Twilight's face dropped in fear eliciting a cackle from the alicorn. "Ohoho, that's much better. Now follow me, I have something I must show you. I will soon be introducing you to my most faithful minion. She will be keeping watch over you when I cannot." Twilight tilted her head in confusion, but decided not to question her and simply followed behind her. "Now that it has come to my mind, we are going to have to dress you for your position now that my claim on Equestria has been solidified. Tomorrow I shall call for a dressmaker to fashion you a suitable outfit."

Nightmare Moon walked down the hallways, keeping her eye on the obelisk outside through the windows that ran along the walls before stopping at another red door, this one exactly like the one in the main lobby. She opened it with her magic and stepped forth into the cool air once more. With long strides that Twilight was having trouble matching, she came to the bottom of the obelisk. The base was large, roughly the width of two sky carriages and one and a half in length. The structure towered hundreds of feet into the sky, dwarfing the structures that made up the watch towers of the castle in comparison. She touched her horn to the glowing runes on the side and the entire thing shimmered, like a drop of water had fallen on the surface of a lake, sending ripples up its form. Nightmare Moon motioned Twilight inside then followed after the unicorn had disappeared from view, her tail the last thing to pass.

Inside, the place was even larger. Twilight stared at the marvel before her in awe. "There.... There's a garden in here!!" She ran around the place, marveling at how this could even be possible then noticed the most important detail. "What happened to the obelisk's walls!?"

"The obelisk is merely a facade meant to hide the true nature of what's inside. The exterior will seem solid to any that try to enter it without my permission, but it is not real. You could call this a compressed space. This is a place I created at the start of the construction to house the tomb of my faithful one. That building over there is where she currently rests." She motioned towards a small gray structure in the middle of the field of flowers. "In only a few more nights I will have the strength to once again return her to my side. That will truly be a most wondrous night."

Twilight stared at the gray tomb, transfixed. She could hear something coming from it, as if something inside were calling to her. "There's something immensely magical in there. I can feel it calling to me...."

"Yes, Moon Beam is quite the powerful being. Second only to myself." Nightmare Moon seemed proud of Moon Beam. "We shall return here soon. In the mean time, let us go to the dining hall. The food should be ready by now."

Twilight nodded and trotted alongside her mistress. She sounded so proud of whoever is inside that tomb. I wonder why she placed her there in the first place? She couldn't have known that Princess Celestia would defeat her, could she? No, that's not likely. She had said that the Princess had surprised her with the Elements. She smiled once again. I never thought I'd be so curious about Nightmare Moon's past.

The two had returned to where the servant colt had left them to place the food order and found him waiting on them. He bowed before opening the doors for them. "Your Majesty. My Lady. Your dinner is served."

They strode down the dining hall, in between two long tables, and observed the decorum around them. Long white banners hung from the walls with black crescent moons adorning the center of each. Around each moon was a group of six stars forming a perfect hexagon. They symbolized Nightmare Moon's release from her moon prison, a personal demand of the Moon Queen herself. The tables were made of mahogany with many groups of candles down the center of each. Chairs were lined up along both sides of the tables, fifty upon each side. Another table was situated at the rear of the room with a large throne-like seat behind it and two smaller seats on each side. The candle stands set atop this table were gold whereas the ones along the other two had been silver. Two trays of food were placed before the throne-chair and the seat to its left.

The ponies made their way to their respective seats, Nightmare Moon sitting first followed by Twilight. The black alicorn raised a fork from beside the tray with her magic and began to daintily eat the rose petals. Twilight was always astounded at how she ate. Her eating habits were the only thing that she had carried over from her previous life as a princess as far as she could tell. It seemed almost, feminine. Twilight was snapped out of her thoughts by her stomach, gurgling noisily at her. Giggling slightly, she bit off a piece of the sandwich from her tray and chewed. After not having magic to use to eat for a month, the purple unicorn had gotten quite used to not using utensils. She swallowed the bite of sandwich she had in her mouth and went in for another bite, savoring each morsel as if it were to be her last meal for a while.

Their meals finished, the two mares stood up and began the walk to the hallway, the servant colt soon joining them. He opened the doors once more for the alicorn and unicorn to pass through then motioned them further along their original path. "The throne room is situated on the far west side of the castle. If you would follow me, I shall lead you there then escort you to your rooms." After having been scolded before, the servant colt ignored the passing doors and hallways and simply led them to their destination.

Before the trio stood two massive doors of solid silver trimmed along the edges with gold. Giant crystal moons were embedded in the face of each, casting multicolored light across the hall from the glass dome that allowed the moon to shine upon them. The display dazzled Twilight and amused the Moon Queen. "Ahh, yes. This is quite wonderful. Now let us head inside and see what my throne is like." She threw open the doors with her magic and stepped through the threshold. The room before her was simply amazing. The walls held grand stained glass windows depicting her raising the moon and banishing the sun. One window, situated behind her throne, showed a scene of the Elements of Harmony's paragons laying in defeat in the ruins of the Royal Pony Sisters Castle. The six ponies were inaccurate but it hardly mattered to the black alicorn. She stepped across the soft maroon carpeting that softened the floor beneath her and moved to the object of her desire. The throne was enormous, easily large enough to seat something twice her size, and made of solid crystal. The seat was cushioned with a plush red pillow embedded into the bottom of the seat. The two leg rests were similarly cushioned along with the back of the throne. Ebony runes were etched around the lining of the back cushions and along the leg rests, enchanting it with a temperature spell to adjust the chairs coolness or warmth at the need of the user.

"Your Queen is pleased. Quite pleased. In fact, I shall allow the workers to return to their families for the remainder of this week for the service they have done me. I will have you inform them after you direct us to our chambers." Her face radiated the joy she was feeling from the wondrous room. "Let us be off now. I would like to retire for now and I have duties for my pet to perform." Twilight blushed, knowing exactly what Nightmare Moon was referring to, and hoped the serving colt wouldn't notice.

He didn't. "Yes, Your Majesty. Follow me and I will lead you to your room." He turned to leave and led them back the way they had come, then led them down a hall that they had previously ignored. The hall came to a spiral staircase that led to the upper levels of the castle, which, he explained, was where all the guest rooms were built. They continued up to the third level and exited at the top of the stairs into a hallway. Following the hall to a set of doors where, in the floors below, it had opened up into another hallway. These doors were made of the same obsidian as the rest of the castle, but had faint etchings marked into them. Gold handles were grabbed by Nightmare Moon and pulled open, revealing a bedroom the same size as the throne room below it. It could have easily fit a hundred ponies of Nightmare Moon's stature.

There were not any decorations adorning the walls, but the room was furnished well. Taking up nearly the entire left wall was a grand bookshelf lined with thousands of books from the Royal Library. On the opposite wall there was a dresser, large and stocked with various outfits for any occasion. Atop the dresser sat a vanity mirror, framed in gold, which reflected the room in its entirety. Beside the dresser was a desk topped with writing utensils and a bell used to magically call for whomever the ringer chose. The back of the room had a pair of glass doors that opened out to a balcony overlooking the land surrounding the castle which, in time, will become a city larger than even Canterlot. A rug lined with runes, enchanting it to mirror the phases of the moon so that at times it would appear completely black, at others white and most of the time, some form of crescent moon, had been positioned in the center of the room, upon which sat a grand canopy bed. It was crafted with the finest mahogany dyed ivory and had intricate carvings woven about the base and corner posts. The canopy was draped with a fine white silk that shimmered in the moonlight and upon the mattress sat a multitude of plush pillows and a thick, soft comforter. The bed itself was easily large enough to accommodate five Nightmare Moons comfortably.

The black alicorn was delighted. "You may leave now servant." She levitated him with her magic and practically threw him out the door and into the hallway, slamming the doors shut behind him. "Now, my pet. It is time to please your Queen." She lifted Twilight with her astral tail and crawled up onto the bed, displacing any pillows that got in her way. Gently setting the unicorn down beside her, Nightmare Moon kissed Twilight forcibly, deeply. She may not have any feelings for the unicorn, but a kiss was easily as pleasing as many other acts. She pulled away, Twilight's lips remaining parted as she breathed deeply. Nightmare Moon turned around in the bed, placing herself before Twilight, and then enchanted the doors to block all sounds. The lavender unicorn blushed, and performed her duties.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: Ahaha! Chapter five time! This one took longer than I had hoped it would. Work being a pain in the flank and all that. Well here you guys go! Now I know what y'all are thinking! "Peppy! I see you finally brought the elements into play! It's about time!" and "Oh that last scene was kinda spicy!" Yes and yes. In the future I may elaborate on what Nightmare Moon and Twilight do in one or a few of their.... pleasure sessions. There will be, for sure, more hints at such things. It IS a romance fic ain't it? What's a good romance without the stuff that comes afterwards (or in this case before)? Hmmm Maybe I should just make a secondary fic and have that be a racy cloppy filled fun time. What do you guys think? Also, you guys should know whats gonna happen next chapter! If you don't then I may have to doubt you. Just sayin. Anyways, have fun reading! Peppy out!

Editor's Notes: Dr.Jekyll here and I have to say, Nightmare Moon's fun times are made of win. Anywho, small adjustments here and there, the largest being changing the line, "A rug fashioned to mimic the full moon..." too, "A rug lined with runes, enchanting it to mirror the phases of the moon so that at times it would appear completely black, at others white and most of the time, some form of crescent moon...". Small (maybe not so small) things like that, I guess. Fun, fun chapter. Enjoy.

Chapter 6 - The Return of an Expired Exalted

Chapter 6 - The Return of an Expired Exalted

Septara Fifth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Seven Forty-Three Ante Meridian
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Nightmare Moon was the first to rouse from slumber, her glowing turquoise eyes illuminating the area around her head as she opened them. She'd slept well. Very well, in fact. The new bed had been wonderful and the sheets soft even if they had been mussed by the activities of the night before. A yawn escaped her mouth even as she tried to suppress it. As she began to stir to get out of the bed, her body brushed against something solid and warm beneath the sheets. Nightmare Moon lifted the blankets with her magic and took note of the lavender unicorn curled up beside her, magical cuffs hooking her hooves together to prevent any attempts at escape. Despite her annoyance at having to share the bed with somepony other than herself, she relaxed and allowed the mare to continue to rest.

Until a loud pounding could be heard at the door.

Nightmare Moon's ire flared at the intrusion and she ignited her horn, throwing the doors open with enough force to cause the pony knocking to tumble backwards, the rush of air pushing her from her stance. "What is so important as to wake me from slumber!?" Her voice boomed in the chamber, echoing off the walls. Twilight's head shot up at the noise and spun around, searching for assailants, the attack on her still troubling her mind.

Silent Brook flinched, backing away from the open door slightly before regaining her composure and bowing before the Queen.

"Your Highness, I was sent to ask if you would like to bathe. The serving ponies have been trained to draw water for Celestia in the morning for that is the time she usually washes. Do you wish for me to tell them that you do not want to bathe at the moment?" Nightmare Moon's features shifted. She had not had a bath in a millennium. She usually did not require one due to her magic cleansing her body as she slept, but the feel of the warm water was quite enticing.

Twilight turned her head and sniffed herself, flinching back and wrinkling her nose. I haven't had a bath in weeks... and I smell like Nightmare Moon. Her face flushed, but she shook it off. "My Queen. Would I be allowed to join you? Or perhaps bathe after you?" The alicorn spun her head to stare at Twilight. "You see..., I haven't bathed in weeks, and... however much I love having your... scent... on me, it would be rude not to bathe before being fitted by the dressmaker."

Nightmare Moon's features twisted in thought until she simply smirked. "Very well. You may join me." She redirected her attention to Silent Brook. "Send a messenger to search for a dressmaker in one of the nearby towns. I would like to have an outfit made for my pet."

The lime pony smiled and bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty. I have heard that there is an exceptional fashionista in the town of Ponyville which is only an hour flight from here. I'll have the messenger send your demands to her. The royal bath chambers are just down the hall past the branch to the stairs." With that, Silent Brook turned and left, heading to the worker's hall to fetch a pegasus.

Twilight looked to Nightmare Moon, who had already had her focus on the lavender mare. The alicorn's horn flashed and the shackles restraining Twilight disappeared. "Let us make our way to the bath chambers, pet. I would like for you to massage me once more as I relax in the water." Twilight nodded and stood, falling in line behind her Queen.

As they made their way through the dimly lit passageway, Twilight took note of something off about the Moon Queen. Her mane wasn't flowing in an intangible wind or speckled with stars. It simply hung to the side of her head, simple navy hair falling just below her shoulder. Her tail was behaving similarly. "My Queen. What happened to your mane and tail? Are they not made of magic?"

Nightmare Moon stopped and turned to Twilight, her face stoic and unreadable. "My mane and tail are the same as any other pony's except for my ability to make them become as the cosmos. It requires great magic to keep them sustained in their astral form and, since I shall require much magic in order to perform the ritual for Moon Beam, I shall be leaving them in their natural shape." She explained it so matter-of-factly. No hint of agitation or pride. "Is there something wrong with that? Do you have any objections you wish to voice?" Her tone was quickly changing from that of calm to ire.

Twilight responded swiftly. "No, My Queen! I was just curious since I haven't seen anything other than your starry mane. It is quite befitting you like this." She was quick to fill her words with praise. I do rather like it though, she thought. It makes her look less intimidating.

Nightmare Moon took the compliment well, her face filled with pride. "Yes, I enjoy my natural colors. However, the astral form is meant to inflict fear into the hearts of my subjects. I feel it does its job quite well." She spun back around and continued the short walk to the bath chambers, her mind swelling with pride.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Fifth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Thirty-Seven Ante Meridian
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Rarity was moving about her boutique, cloth and dresses floating about her as she toiled away to create the newest line of dresses that had been ordered. Fashion never sleeps even with eternal night reigning, it would seem. The past month had been just as busy now as it was before Nightmare Moon had claimed power. Maybe even more so with all of the nobles that would be lining up to kiss the new Queen's hooves.

Her thoughts were broken at the sound of a tapping at her door. Now who could this be? I wasn't expecting any visitors tonight and these dresses aren't due for another four days. The knocking sounded again, drawing her attention away from her inner ramblings. "Coming, dear. Just give me a moment to set my pieces in place." She moved the various utensils to their resting spots and set the bolts of cloth against the wall before trotting quickly up to the door. With a tug of her magic, the door opened to reveal a lean red pegasus stallion with a cropped yellow mane. "Welcome to the Carousel Boutique~ How may I assist you this fine evening?"

The pegasus didn't respond, instead, he pulled a roll of parchment from his saddlebags. Rarity broke the seal and read the note. Her eyes nearly burst from her skull. "Nightmare Moon wishes for me to have a dress crafted for her? Tonight?! How am I supposed to get there!? I don't have any means of-"

The stallion cut her off and motioned to a sky chariot behind him, hitched to a group of three pegasi with an opening that obviously belonged to the delivery pegasus. "You're going to be riding with us. Gather what you need and board the sky coach. You have five minutes."

"Well, I must say you are quite rude to demand such haste from a lady, but I digress. I wouldn't want to upset Queen Moon." She turned back into her shop and gathered several bolts of different colored cloth, sewing instruments, and a pony fitting statue. The objects floated behind her in her soft blue magical aura as she made her way out towards the awaiting carriage. I do wish I'd had enough time to tell everypony where I was going. Oh well, if I must be leaving right away then it cannot be helped. She boarded the carriage and arranged her luggage neatly in the roomy coach before resting herself on the soft seats. I do hope that she won't recognize me right away as one of the elements. Not moments after she had gotten herself situated, the pegasi took off into the air, pulling the transport and Rarity inside through the air towards the castle.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Setptara Fifth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Ten Fifty-Six Ante Meridian
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Nightmare Moon sat patiently in the throne room, her recently washed body gleaming in the torchlight, devoid of the typical blue armor she dons while not in the privacy of her chambers. She had been here for fifteen minutes staring at the only entrance to the room, awaiting the dressmaker Silent Brook had recommended to her. She wasn't due for another half hour, but Nightmare Moon had wanted to be waiting, prepared to get the clothing made as swiftly as possible. Her expectant eyes betrayed her stoic expression. Twilight sat beside her, watching the alicorn intently, curious as to why she wanted this dress made so badly. I wonder what kind of design she has in mind. Knowing Nightmare Moon, it's probably going to be something dark and menacing.... Her thoughts wandered as she imagined all sorts of evil looking dresses that she could possibly be forced to wear until her thoughts drifted. Maybe I could ask her some questions? We still have a while until the fashionista is scheduled to arrive. And....

"My Queen?" Nightmare Moon turned her head to acknowledge the unicorn. "Why do you seem so eager to have this dress made? It just seems like so much effort for your... pet...." She hesitated, knowing that the moment she called herself that, would be the moment she couldn't turn back. She had accepted this as inevitable. She no longer had any hopes of returning to her friends.

"However much I enjoy having you... dressed for any kind of service I need of you, but I cannot have you not look the part of my pet."

Twilight kept her focus on Nightmare Moon’s face. She could tell that wasn't the whole truth, but did not have the courage to speak up against it. She knew full well how that usually turned out. Nodding her head, Twilight turned her sight to the door in front of them and merely waited as they were doing before.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Fifth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eleven Oh-One Ante Meridian
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Rarity stepped out of the carriage and gathered her stuff then turned towards the structure before her. "Oh my, this place is really quite... intimidating. Nevertheless, I have a job to do." She began trotting to the front door. This will also be a great opportunity to get some information on the layout. When she reached the doors, they opened from the inside revealing a serving colt waiting for her to arrive.

"Welcome to My Queen's castle. I will be guiding you to the throne room where you will be meeting with Her Majesty. If you would follow me, she is expecting you." He stood and started towards the northern hallway, the door already open and waiting. Rarity followed quickly behind, trying to take in as much of the castle as she could while still maintaining the brisk pace at which the serving colt had set.

This place sure is large. It may even be bigger than the castle in Canterlot. To think that there is still another whole wing being added on to the southern side!

They reached the throne room doors in only minutes, having traversed the hallways without making any sort of detour or stop. "One moment please." The colt knocked on the metal and stepped through the doors after opening them just enough for him to slip inside. Rarity could hear conversation but couldn't decipher the words through the thin barrier. In a matter of minutes, the doors opened inwards revealing the current occupants to the white unicorn.

Rarity nearly fainted in disbelief. Before her very eyes sat Twilight Sparkle beside Nightmare Moon, fully intact and very much alive. It took all of her willpower to keep from simply rushing the alicorn in an attempt to rescue the lavender mare from her servitude. From what she could tell by the quick expansion of Twilight's eyes, the other unicorn was just as surprised to see her as well. Rarity stepped in and bowed, hiding her nervousness behind her business facade. "Thank you for allowing me to be graced with your presence, My Queen."

Nightmare Moon's thoughts churned. She knew she'd seen this unicorn before but couldn't quite place it. Her face seemed to just mix in with all of the other meaningless peons that made up her subjects. "Have I seen you somewhere before?"

Rarity fought to keep her composure, hiding her fear behind a smile. "We have not met before, Your Majesty. This is the first time I've laid eyes upon your exquisite form." Her lie and flattery seemed to appease Nightmare Moon's curiosity which allowed her to relax slightly. "Now I understand you wish for me to have a dress made for you? You, my dear, do seem like the kind of mare that would appreciate a good dress to help accentuate your natural beauty."

Nightmare Moon simply raised a hoof, silencing the fashionista. "However much I revel in flattery, the outfit is not for me. I want you to make an outfit to my liking for my pet." She motioned to Twilight beside her who had, in the time that Rarity had been talking, composed herself so as not to draw suspicion.

"Of course, Your Majesty." Rarity said, bowing. "I will do my best to make something befitting Your Highness'... pet." She winced at the word, not wishing to humiliate the lavender unicorn.

Nightmare Moon nodded and stood, motioning for the dressmaker to follow her and Twilight. "Excellent. Come this way and I shall tell you what I desire."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Fifth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eleven Forty-Eight Ante Meridian
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The black alicorn beamed at the sight before her. Twilight stood on a table in the private dining hall, her new outfit covering her body. If you could call it covering. The dress was a series of white silk sheets enchanted to be semi-sheer and draped across Twilight's flanks in a type of half-skirt. The sheets were held together by a band around the unicorn's waist and were held on her flanks by a smaller, similar band around her tail that lifted it into an arch. Soft slippers had been made for each of Twilight's hooves with lace straps tied halfway up her legs, little ribbons formed where they were tied. Finally, from the ring on her horn, hung two shimmering silk tassels that draped across her shoulders to connect with the waistband on the skirt. This was certainly not the dress that Twilight had in mind when she was envisioning what she thought Nightmare Moon had been crafting in her thoughts. This dress is so... embarrassing....

Rarity smiled, adding the last of the enchantments to the dress to make it sparkle slightly before stepping back. "This is quite a work of art if I may say. Quite a sensual uniform but very classy."

Nightmare Moon nodded her approval. "I am very pleased with your work, Rarity. I will pay you handsomely for your service. You can inquire with the serving colt outside to receive your dues."

Rarity bowed and made her way to the door. "Call on me again should you ever need my services. I would be more than happy to come and help." Her words were directed more towards Twilight, but the lavender mare took no notice as she tried not to die of embarrassment at being made to wear this on a day-to-day basis.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Fifth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Ten Eleven Post Meridian
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Twilight awoke to the sound of hooves clopping against stone outside the door to the Queen's chambers. Nightmare Moon had left for the night, leaving Twilight alone, shackled to the bed. She wasn't expecting anypony to come up here at this hour and she knew it couldn't have been the Queen. Nightmare Moon would have teleported herself into the room. She raised her head out from under the covers and focused her gaze on the door. The hoof-fall had stopped just outside and now she waited to see who was coming. The door opened and in stepped the lime green mare, her braided blue mane dangling down the side of her face.

"Silent Brook? What are you doing here? You know that you'll be severely punish if Nigh-" Silent Brook had closed the gap between her and Twilight swiftly before stopping the unicorn's words with a kiss. Twilight was shocked, unable to react. She had never expected anything like this to happen. The shock quickly wore however, and Twilight managed to pull herself away, sucking in air. "Wh-what was that!?"

Silent Brook flinched back and drooped her ears slightly. "I'm sorry! I don't know what came over me.... I heard that Nightmare Moon had left you alone here and I just had to come to you! I had to let you know how I felt about you before she returned."

Twilight took in her words, processing them, trying to figure out Silent Brook's intentions. A question formed in her mind. "But, why do you feel this way towards me? We've only known each other for about a month! How could-" Her words were cut off by a hoof from the earth pony.

"I've known you for quite some time Twilight Sparkle. I've known you since you were just a filly under Princess Celestia's care. I've been a servant girl in Canterlot Castle since I was young, just like my mother." Her eyes shone in the night like large turquoise gems, conveying her thoughts through her features. "I've always watched you from afar. As you studied, as you talked with the Princess, even as you slept...."

"But that still doesn't explain why you... feel the way you do for me." Twilight shook her head. It was too much to process. She had never been in a normal relationship before. Nopony had ever shown any interest in her except for Nightmare Moon, and Twilight was certain that the alicorn wanted her only for her previous relationship with Celestia.

"You don't seem to remember it, but I do. The day we first met was not long after your acceptance into Celestia's apprenticeship. I was crying under a tree in the Canterlot gardens. My pet dog had just died in a carriage accident.... You came up to me and set a book by my head and smiled saying, 'When I'm feeling down, I always look for a good book to read. They can help you find joy when everything seems wrong.' You set that book down and just walked away." Silent Brook was smiling, reminiscing.

Twilight frowned slightly. I don't remember doing anything like that, but if what she's saying is true, then I probably forgot it over the time I had spent with the Princess. I do tend to push out memories from when I wasn't around Celestia. Twilight smiled slightly, enough to reassure the lime pony. "I appreciate your sentiments, however surprising they may be. I don't think I can return them though. Nightmare Moon would be furious if she found out that I was meeting with you for anything other than what your duty entails."

Silent Brook simply shook her head and stepped back. "Don't worry Twilight, she'll never have to know. I'll only visit you when she's gone. Just think it over." Without giving the unicorn any more time to respond, the earth pony made her way back out into the hall, shutting the door behind her. Twilight was left with her thoughts until she drifted off to sleep, her dreams now filled with hope of freedom and, perhaps, love.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Sixth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Six Twenty Ante Meridian
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Nightmare Moon stood under the glowing light of the obelisk's runes, her blue armor clasped to her body. She had been waiting for this night to come since the moment she had returned from her imprisonment. Twilight Sparkle stood by her side as always, dressed in the outfit Rarity had made her, visibly nervous. Nightmare Moon once again touched her horn to the runes on the face of the obelisk, its form shimmering as it had before. The two mares stepped through the false wall and into the expansive garden inside. Twilight was still amazed at the interior of the structure and curious as to how plants were growing on the barren land. She didn't have time to find an answer to the questions as she was made to pick up her pace to keep up with Nightmare Moons longer strides.

The alicorn was moving faster than Twilight had ever seen. Nightmare Moon typically took slow, even steps as she walked through the halls of the castle, but this pace seemed almost rushed. They came to the door of the stone building in the center of the field and stopped. Nightmare Moon brought forth her magic and slid the door open, revealing the inside. Once the two had entered the building, Nightmare Moon once again summoned her magic and forced the granite sarcophagus out of the way, almost sending it through the wall in her haste. She must truly miss this pony if she is in this much of a hurry. I wonder what kind of horrible creature Nightmare Moon would employ. Visions of mutated ponies augmented with various parts of other creatures filled her head, making her shiver. Curse my overactive imagination.

The two rapidly descended the stairs that had been hidden by the coffin, Twilight nearly stumbling multiple times due to the lack of any form of light. At the bottom, they halted once more in front of an opening. They moved inside and, instantly, the torches on the walls flared to life, momentarily blinding Twilight. As her vision returned, she gasped, staring at the sarcophagus in the center of the room. It's obsidian body was covered in the same glowing runes that marked the obelisk and was covered by a golden slab of metal adorned with diamonds and emeralds.

As Nightmare Moon stepped nearer, the runes on the side of the coffin began to glow more intensely as if beckoning her. The alicorn came to a halt and rested her head on the coffin's lid. "I have returned, Moon Beam. Tonight is the night that we shall be reunited." With those words, she stepped back and focused her thoughts and closed her eyes. Her horn sparked to life, a black aura pulsing about it. The torches flickered and another aura surrounded the first, this one a lighter shade than the original. The runes on the sarcophagus began to pulsate, glowing then fading, as a third aura formed, this one a dark grey. Seconds flew by with nothing happening until Nightmare Moon opened her eyes. They had changed from the typical turquoise to a deep blood red, casting sinister light wherever they faced. A fourth granite-grey glow emanated from her horn as she lifted into the air without the use of her wings, the air around her becoming dense with accumulated magic. A fifth and final aura formed, sending hot white sparks into the air and moving the magical condensation around her body.

As she reached the apex of her power, Nightmare Moon's horn exploded in brilliant white light, shooting straight up through the ceiling before crashing down onto the coffin only moments later. The entire foundation of the underground structure shook as if the earth was trying to displace the ground around them. The beam of light pierced the starmetal lid, sending a great crack up its face, originating from the moon cutie mark. The lid exploded in a flash of golden light, from out of the blackness of what it had sealed, floated a black orb of energy slightly larger than Twilight, pulsating in the air. Nightmare Moon landed back on the ground, exhausted from the strain this great magic had placed on her, but still wearing a giant smile as she eagerly waited for what was coming.

The orb pulsed over and over, sending black waves through the room. The orb grew with each throb until it engulfed the dais that it had come from until it compacted into a tiny sphere. It stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity before it exploded with great force, nearly sending Twilight rocketing into the wall. As she recovered from the surprise explosion, she drew back in fear. A great shadow had filled the room, its size and shape mimicking that of an adolescent dragon. She continued to huddle further away as the shadow took form, its bulk filling the room. Then, it changed shape. The fear wore off and now she stared at the creature before her. She had no idea how to describe it....

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's notes: Haha! Cliffhangers! Ohhhhh I get some sort of sick sadistic pleasure out of leaving things off with cliffhangers like this. I must say though, I am quite the hypocrite as I, myself hate cliffhangers with a passion. Well regardless of how I feel that was chapter 6. Happy fun time right? Also Inb4 Silent Moon rage. With that I shall head to bed! Peppy out!

Chapter 7 - Demonic Innocence and Harmonic Reverence

Chapter 7 - Demonic Innocence and Harmonic Reverence

Septara Sixth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Six Thirty-Two Ante Meridian
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The creature before Twilight didn't seem to have any solid state. It twisted and pulsated as it floated in the air, but never took on anything resembling any creature she had seen before. It condensed into a tiny navy ball that twitched in the air, resonating to an inaudible tune. It bounced once as if being dribbled and piercing red eyes shot open, their sharp shape making the lavender unicorn recoil, her fear returning. The globular orb was no wider than Twilight's waist, but the hate that poured off of it could have easily frozen a lesser pony's heart in terror. No matter how hard she tried, the unicorn couldn't pull her eyes out of that stare, the creature's eyes piercing her soul.

The eyes narrowed to slits, their draconic pupils dilated, as it began to ooze through the darkness, growing ever closer to Twilight. The orb began to contract and expand, as if it was breathing, and, as soon as the creature was before Twilight's face, hot air burned her eyes with every contraction. The thing spoke, its voice deep and guttural, shaking the space around it, "Who are you that stands before My Queen instead of prostrating yourself in her presence?"

Twilight couldn't take any more. She dropped to the ground and covered her head with her hooves, very much expecting to be hurt, possibly even killed. Soft sobs escaped her body. Nightmare Moon stepped forth and laid a hoof upon the mass, smiling at it warmly. "That is enough, Moon Beam. I wish to see you as you truly are... It has been a thousand years since I've last laid eyes on you."

The creature turned to the alicorn and, immediately, the harsh eyes softened and closed. The orb sank to the stone floor and pooled into a blue shadow. It slowly began to take shape. First came the legs, short and close together, a quarter of Twilight's length. Next, the body was formed, tiny and smooth, the flank bare of any markings. The shadow continued to creep through the air, creating the pony's neck then shaped the head, a small horn protruding from its forehead. Time seemed to stand still as the pony's form wavered until its eyes shot open, large glowing red orbs staring up at Nightmare Moon. It blinked and shadowy smoke began to collect behind her and from her head, forming her mane and tail. It was just a foal.

The filly smiled and tackled Nightmare Moon's leg, hugging it close. "Ohh, Mommy! I missed you soooooo much!" The filly's voice rang like a chorus of bells through the air, a sharp contrast to the unholy sounds from before. "You have to promise me that you won't put me to sleep anymore, okay? It's dark and lonely in my dreams...." Moon Beam pushed her bottom lip out and made a pouting face. The black alicorn merely nodded and nuzzled the foal.

Twilight stood from where she had previously been and approached the two, her mouth hanging open as she tried to find words. Eventually, they came. "Your.... Your most loyal minion... is just a filly? How can she be nearly as powerful as you?!" Her mind was boggled. She couldn't grasp the logic of the situation.

As if on cue, the unicorn spun around to face Twilight, her wispy mane leaving trails of smoke in the air. Her face contorted in rage, those cute unassuming eyes morphing into the sharp trapezoids they were before. Her voice once more grew deep and raspy. "You doubt my abilities?!" The foals body twisted and began to grow, changing as she began to fill up the space of the room. Long leathery wings sprouted from her tiny back, both as long as Nightmare Moon was from nose to tail, and her body stretched, her fur changing to shining navy scales. Her smoky tail solidified into a long pointed reptile's, spines growing out of the ridge of her back. Her hooves changed into long sharp talons and, finally, her face twisted into a dragon's head complete with horns and razor sharp teeth. Fear once more gripped Twilight as the pony-now-dragon picked her up in its massive claws. Purple flames licked out from between Moon Beam's lips, evaporating in the air. "Do you doubt my power now, pitiful worm?!"

This creature before her was a stark contrast to the little filly that had smiled so innocently up at her mistress. Nightmare Moon simply sat and watched, smiling as Twilight nodded, too stricken with terror to form any kind of coherent speech. In an instant the dragon had reverted its shape, once again taking on her original filly form. She smiled sweetly at the lavender unicorn as Nightmare Moon stepped up beside them, levitating Twilight off of the floor. "Welcome back, little one. I hope this time we will be able to live together in peace, without fear of assailants in the night." Twilight was stunned to see Nightmare Moon showing so much... affection towards the foal.

Twilight's thoughts were disturbed as she felt something brush against her leg. Her attention was drawn away from the alicorn to the filly that was now clutching about her knee. "Are you going to be my new aunt?" The innocent question had caught Twilight off guard. She looked up to Nightmare Moon for answers only to find that the mare's usual stoic expression had returned, offering no way out. With no other choice, as she didn't wish to upset the filly once again, Twilight nodded. The pony's unearthly grip tightened about the older mare's leg. "Yay! Now I have more family!" The foal seemed to have completely forgotten what had happened only moments ago.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Sixth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Fifteen Ante Meridian
|

Silent Brook awoke with a start, sweating, her blue mane plastered to her face. The blankets she had been provided clung to her body as she sighed in relief, moving off of the bed. "It was just a dream...." She shuddered, more from lingering fear than the cool air touching her sweat soaked body. "It was so real though.... I just hope it doesn't have and kind of meaning for times to come...." She tossed the blankets in a dirty linen basket by the door to her room and made her way out into the halls. It had been a little over a week since she had come to the castle and it had taken nearly all of that time to memorize the entire layout of the place. She had gotten lost several times during the first few nights, but it had only served to better her knowledge of the halls.

She trotted casually down the worker's hallway towards the center path, nodding at all of the ponies she passed. She hadn't learned any of their names, but they knew her by the proximity she held with the Queen. She was at the Queen's side quite often, helping her with the daily tasks such as bringing her food, fetching her for her meals and giving her reports on the progress of the construction. The palace was nearing completion, the workers more willing to work now that Nightmare Moon herself was present to keep tabs on their construction. In only a few more days, Silent Brook will have to learn all about the new south wing and inform the Moon Queen of its details.

Maybe I'll go see if Twilight is alone.... A smile came to her face as she trotted through the hallways, passing by the many doors and branches until she came to the stairs. She ascended quickly until a sound caught her ear. It was high pitched and seemed to be.... Laughter? Not just laughter. A filly's laugh. As she came to the first landing she caught sight of Nightmare Moon traversing the halls, her face stoic save for a slight smile barely visible from this distance. Around her hooves danced a young unicorn filly, the tiny form bouncing and weaving between her legs, laughing in pure bliss. Neither of them noticed Brook or her dumbfounded expression as they passed, oblivious to the world around them. She shook off her surprise and continued up the stairs. Who was that filly? Well, at least Twilight will be alone since I didn't see her with them. I could ask her.

She continued her ascent, her pace slightly faster than before, and arrived at the door to Nightmare Moon's chambers. She raised a hoof and knocked three times, paused, then a fourth to signal it was her and not some other housekeeper or servant. Twilight's voice sounded from within, "Come on in, Brook."

The lime earth pony opened the door and stepped through, closing it behind her. "Heya, Twilight. Have you thought about, y'know, us?" She smiled weakly, then held up her hoof as Twilight was about to speak. "Wait, never mind. It's too soon. I do have another question though. Who is that filly with Queen Moon? I haven't seen her before until now."

Twilight tilted her head up in thought, trying to figure out how best to inform her. "Well..., I'm not entirely sure myself. I just met her last night, but I do know that she was Nightmare Moon's most loyal subject. Her name is Moon Beam and she's very powerful.... Frighteningly so." The unicorn shuddered as scenes from the previous night played through her mind.

Silent Brook noticed and walked closer to Twilight placing a hoof on her back, giving her a worried smile. "Did something happen? What's wrong?" Something caught her eye and she noticed a faint glow beneath the blankets Twilight had wrapped around her. "Is she still shackling you? I wish I could help you out of those...."

Twilight merely smiled and laid upon her side. "Thank you. For worrying about me." She looked down, a slight blush on her face. "I... wouldn't mind giving you a chance. You seem to really care about me and, I would enjoy having somepony I could talk to...."

Silent Brook stared at her, the surprise in her features quickly changing to a beaming grin. She jumped on top of the unicorn and locked lips with her, embracing her in a deep kiss. Twilight relaxed underneath the earth pony's weight. This kiss was entirely different from the lust filled one Nightmare Moon had forced upon her, meant only for pleasure. This kiss had something else to it. The lust was still there, of course, she could feel it, but that wasn't it entirely. Silent Brook pulled back, breaking the kiss and Twilight saw it in her eyes. Affection. Brook looked down, smiling then back up at the unicorn. "I should probably leave before they come back." Twilight nodded her approval.

"Umm, before you go, I want to warn you. I, uhhh.... I've never been in any kind of relationship before so, uhh...." Brook merely kissed her again, silencing her.

"It's all right," she said, sighing as she pulled back. "You'll learn from experience. It will be slightly different than most relationships go, however. Since we won't be able to meet under the watch of Queen Moon." She climbed off the bed and started making her way back towards the door. "I'll come see you again as soon as I can."

Twilight smiled as the lime earth pony left the room, the first moment of true happiness since her enslavement to Nightmare Moon filling her heart.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Fifth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Ten Twenty-Two Post Meridian
|

Rarity stood in the lobby of her boutique, her five friends gathered around her waiting to figure out why they had been called to meet here. Rainbow Dash thumped her hooves impatiently before speaking up. "C'mon, Rarity, what the hay did you call us here for? It's late and I want to sleep!"

The white unicorn sighed and smiled. "Well, I have some good news. Twilight is alive and well." There were gasps of surprise and relief at the news.

Spike was the first to respond. "But, how do you know?"

Rarity turned to him and smiled. "Why, I made a dress for her, Spike. Nightmare Moon summoned me to her castle, and my what an intimidating structure that is, to make an outfit for Twilight. I'll, uhh..., not go into too many details about the dress, but the most important thing is that she's perfectly fine. Well, for now at least. I also have a pretty good idea of where she sleeps and some of the layout of the hallways."

"Hoo boy, Rarity. Y'all are quite the amazin' pony. Ah' wouldn't a' thought that ya could keep yerself calm in that kinda situation." Applejack beamed. "Well, ah' reckon we should get to workin' on a plan. We know where she is and now all we hafta do is figure out how to get in there and get her out."

Spike started crying, relief allowing his emotions to flow freely. Pinkie Pie smiled in her typical manner, pulling the dragon into an embrace that soon all the others joined in on. "Don't you worry Spikey-Wikey. We'll get her back in no time!"

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: Woo another chapter! Figured I'd put this one out as quickly as I could to help relieve you all of the cliffhanger cuz I'm a nice pony and all that jazz. *cough* I'mlyingthroughmyteeth *cough* I totally didn't enjoy leaving you guys like that at all *applelie shifty eyes* Well I hope you enjoy it and in the mean time I'm going to go back and fix the errors that somepony kindly pointed out to me in the last chapter. Peppy out!

Editor's Notes: Not much to say. Good chapter. I don't like Brook (but who does, am I right) I also noticed an increase in the number of errors in this chapter compared to previous chapters. Fixed 'em, thou.

Chapter 8.1 - A Night of Pain and Pleasure (Clop-lite Version)

Chapter 8 - A Night of Pain and Pleasure

Septara Twelfth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Two Oh-Seven Post Meridian
|

Darkness filled the castle halls as Nightmare Moon traversed them, Twilight and Moon Beam following close behind. The filly was humming a happy tune, filling the air with cheer. Twilight couldn't help but to smile. Moon Beam is so happy. It's kind of infectious. It makes me wonder how Nightmare Moon could care so much for anything other than herself. She could see it in Nightmare Moon's eyes every time they were drawn to Moon Beam's antics. Is she truly Moon Beam's mother?

"Mommy, Auntie! Guess what!" They focused their attention on the giggling filly. "I think I saw somepony following ussss~!" She sang out the words prancing around the pair as she did.

From the shadows came a group of ponies, each wearing heavy metal armor and wielding weapons of various types. Swords, spears, and hoof-axes all gleamed in the sparse moonlight. "Ahh, I was wondering when you would return to try and kill me. I'm quite surprised any of the Canterlot guards still live. I thought you had all thrown yourselves to your deaths that first night."

They created a circle around the group, cutting off any exits they could imagine while a few unicorns on the perimeter of the guard line created a magical barrier, trapping them inside. Nightmare Moon attempted to conjure her magic but could barely create a shimmering blade before her. Surprise found its way upon her expression. The largest of the group stepped forth, his spear mounted beside him in a leather holster. "I am commanding officer Firebrand. You are enclosed inside an anti-magic barrier. If you do not surrender now, we will be forced to kill you where you stand."

Twilight looked up to Nightmare Moon, trying to read her thoughts, but she held the same impassive features of the last time she had been attacked. Moon Beam jumped out at them giggling. "Oh, you sillies. You cant hurt Mommy Moon~. I won't let you~."

The guards looked at each other and frowned. What was a filly doing with the likes of this demon? Why was she standing between them and her? And why was she still smiling? Firebrand stepped closer and brought his head down to the filly's level. "Please move out of our way. We do not wish to harm you. We want only Nightmare Moon and her unicorn cons-" His words were cut off by a swift kick from the filly's hind legs, bloodying his nose. His anger flared. "INSOLENT WELP!" In a single swift motion, Firebrand ripped his spear out of its holster and impaled the filly through the head, skewering her to the floor.

Twilight screamed out in dismay. "MOON BEAM!" She tried to rush forward only to be impeded by Nightmare Moon, her hoof holding the unicorn back. Tears filled Twilight's eyes. "HOW COULD YOU LET HIM DO THAT!? I THOUGHT YOU CARED FOR-" Her words cut of by a deep gurgling cackle, as if something was trying to laugh underwater.

The guards all stared on in horror as the impaled filly began to lose shape, the spilled blood flowing back into her. Twilight smiled slightly, relieved that Moon Beam was okay, even if she knew what was going to happen next. Her elation that the filly hadn't died overwrote all other feelings. The tiny navy unicorn, now a globular mass of hatred, opened its blood-red eyes, piercing Firebrand's soul with its stare. He couldn't move, couldn't blink. He could only look back into those sinister eyes, feeling them drain his life as they drew nearer. "I warned you that I would not let you hurt My Queen, and yet you failed to heed my words...." Her voice shook the air around her, its deep gravelly tone causing the ponies to flinch back. "I shall see to it that you will never... repeat this... again...!"

Dark tendrils shot out at him, grasping the commander by the throat as they slowly snaked up to his face. He opened his mouth to scream only to have the hellish vines rush down his throat, cutting off his voice. He couldn't feel the things inside him, but he knew they were there. He could feel them draining his life force. A large grin of sharp, gleaming teeth shone on the orb's form, just below the eyes. The guards watched on in terror as Firebrand's body began to shrivel up, his body drying up like a grape in the sun. When she finished, Firebrand's body dropped to the ground, dissolving into dust.

"Ahhh, it has been so long since I've fed upon you pitiful beings. It really is such a wonderful feeling to-" Her harsh words were cut short by a sword passing through her body, black blood spewed onto the ground before being absorbed back into her orb. "Ohoho, another brave pony wishes to strike me down?" Her form shifted, eyes disappearing before reappearing to glare at the pony that had struck her. Hot liquid poured down his legs as he turned tail to run, only to be impeded by the barrier meant to keep them in.

He pounded and pounded shouting at the unicorns to lower it so they could flee, but they refused. If the barrier dropped then even they would be killed. Moon Beam's body changed, taking on the essence of an adolescent dragon. Her form hardened, scales now covering it entirely. Her maw opened, deep purple flames, danced over her tongue, as she brought her head over the helpless pony before her. One final scream tore itself from his mouth as her jaws clamped down on his hind quarters, tearing through his flesh and biting him in half. Blood poured out of his wound and from between her teeth as she chewed and swallowed the morsel. The pony didn't die from the blood loss, as shock had stopped his heart.

Seeing their impending doom, the rest of the guards rushed Moon Beam, their weapons swinging at her. Cuts ran all along her body as the swords, axes, and spears all pierced her scales. She howled in fury and swung her tail, smashing two ponies behind her into a bloody pulp on the walls of the shield. The force caused the shimmering blue field to flicker. Another guard thrust his spear into her side, eliciting a yelp of pain before his head was torn from his neck by a swat from her clawed hands. She yanked the spear out and thrust it into the chest of an oncoming sword-wielder, pinning him to the ground with enough force to shatter the spear in his body. Blood pooled on the ground beneath them, making the floor slick and their footing poor. Ten more ponies remained, all of them forming a semi-circle around the dragon filly, Twilight, and Nightmare Moon.

Twilight stared on in shock, unable to control her stomach. She retched, spilling her dinner to mingle with the pooling blood at her hooves. The ponies stamped their hooves, preparing to charge the dragon in one last-ditch effort to bring it down. Moon Beam glared at them contemptuously. "You insects think you can slay me? A being with power second to only My Queen?!" They charged. Moon Beam merely cackled, before taking in a deep breath, filling her lungs with air. Before the guards could draw any closer, the navy dragon filly arched her neck, head facing the ponies before her, and spewed searing flames across their bodies. Purple plasma burnt their flesh off, then their muscles, and organs. She stopped the flames and watched as their skeletons tumbled to the ground, still moving forward from their momentum, before scattering before the trio.

Moon Beam focused her attention on the unicorns outside, shaking violently as they kept the shield up to save themselves. A malicious grin crept its way onto her face. She glared at the nearest unicorn, her piercing red eyes paralyzing her. "You are going to release the barrier," Moon Beam stated as if her words were a fact of nature. The unicorn mare began to shake again, losing control of her magic, before turning tail and running off down the halls, leaving a warm trail and her four companions behind her. The shield faltered, then fell, leaving the four remaining guards to huddle together, wailing in terror.

Twilight recovered from her sickness and looked up at Nightmare Moon only to find the mare grinning sadistically. She's reveling in their deaths and Moon Beam's fury...! The realization struck her like a concrete slab to her face. Moon Beam took a step towards the cowering mass, her claws scraping noisily on the ground. Another step. One more. Before she could lower her clawed foot something grabbed her around one of her hind legs. The sound of sobbing caught her draconic ears and she turned to see Twilight, her fore-legs wrapped around her, crying into her. "Please don't kill anymore...! Please.... I don't want you to become a monster...!"

Moon Beam's expression twisted, the rage in her eyes dying as Twilight's pleas pierced her anger-fueled heart. She slowly began to lose her draconic form, layers of navy smoke falling off her body to evaporate into the air around them. Twilight continued to hold her, her eyes clenched shut, until the filly was squirming in her arms, covered in blood and cuts. "Auntie Twilight? Why are you crying?"

The lavender unicorn shot her head up and smiled weakly at the little filly, nuzzling her softly. "You're back to normal.... Good...." Moon Beam giggled and hugged Twilight back, reveling in the attention. While all the focus was on the two unicorns, the rest of the guards took off out of sight, fleeing for their lives.

Nightmare Moon scowled fiercely and stamped her hooves. "YOU FOAL! How dare you stop her from finishing them!? They will be back and next time they'll be prepared! Your insolence has cost you more than you can even imagine!" Her mane began to shimmer until it returned to its astral likeness, billowing in an unseen wind once more.

Moon Beam looked up to the alicorn and frowned slightly. "What did Auntie Twilight do? Please don't be mad at her...."

"Silence, Moon! She will pay for her interference!" The filly simply lowered her head, casting a sad smile Twilight's way. "You will go find Silent Brook and have her entertain you while I mete out my pet's punishment."

"Yes, Mommy...." The filly squirmed her way out of Twilight's arms and took off down the halls, her usual springy step missing.

After Nightmare Moon saw the navy filly turn the corner, she once more focused her rage-filled attention on the quivering unicorn before her. "I know not how you calmed Moon Beam out of her fury, but you shall pay dearly for getting in my way once more. You may have protected me before, but I will not tolerate your selfish actions." Her horn glowed and they both disappeared from the halls. There was no sign of either of them until high pitched wails of agony tore through the castle, stopping many workers in their tracks.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Twelfth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Three Thirteen Post Meridian
|

Silent Brook trotted down the hall, humming to herself as she went about her daily duties such as directing workflow and overseeing that all jobs were completed. She turned a corner and was bowled over by a flying mass of blue and black as it tackled her to the ground. "Hi miss Brook!" The filly stood on her chest, smiling gaily, but with a hint of sadness in her large red eyes. "Mommy Moon told me to come find you so you can play with me~"

Brook giggled, the filly that seemed so close to Nightmare Moon was such a contrast to the dark and sinister alicorn. "And why am I to be graced by such a cute little thing as yourself?" Moon Beam giggled cutely as Brook messed with her wispy mane. "Isn't Twilight the one that you normally go to?" In the few days that the filly had been in the castle, she had never seen her frown, even if this current one lasted for but a second.

"Auntie Twilight did something that Mommy Moon didn't like so now she's being punished..." The tiny unicorn's mood changed back to her typical cheerfulness. "But that's okay 'cause I know that Mommy Moon really likes Auntie Twilight~ She wouldn't ever spank her too badly~"

Silent Brook frowned, knowing very well that Nightmare Moon would indeed hurt Twilight, and severely at that. She forced herself not to show any hint of worry on her features, instead smiling back at the child before her. "You're right. Now let's go find us some adventure!" She shouted into the air followed by the cutest little squeal of joy she had ever heard.

"Yay! Adventure time!" The filly bounced around the lime pony and laughed as they took off down the halls, 'attacking' the workers as they went.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Twelfth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Three Fifteen Post Meridian
|

Twilight was huddled on the ground, panting heavily with several burn marks and cuts covering her body. Blood trickled out of the lacerations and colored her lavender coat a sickly red. Above her stood Nightmare Moon, a flaming ethereal whip floating beside her head. The unicorn could no longer cry, not for lack of trying, but her tears had dried up. The alicorn smirked before lashing Twilight with the whip once more, eliciting a pained yell and adding to the smell of singed fur already lingering in the air. Another lashing and another yelp followed by another.

The unicorn looked up at her Queen, her one open eye pleading for mercy to which the alicorn ignored, whipping her again. Satisfied with the amount of lashing, Nightmare Moon dispersed the magic holding the ethereal whip together and sent it off into the atmosphere. She stepped closer to the huddled mass and laughed. "You shall learn not to cross me even if I have to beat it into you. You will stay here and ponder what I have taught you. If you are as smart as I would believe, you shall come to the right decision and finally learn your place. Should you not...." Her evil grin reappeared as a large burning brand with a mimic of her cutie mark on the end materialized, floating inches away from Twilight's flank, "I shall permanently impart my words upon your body as a reminder."

Twilight could feel the heat radiating off the brand. She tried to slide away from it and plea for forgiveness, but the screaming had ravaged her throat, leaving her temporarily voiceless. Nightmare Moon cackled and released the magical brand then bound her pet to the ground with the glowing shackles. "I will send the head maid to clean up your..." She looked at the urine and blood stains on the floor, "mess...." With those final words, Nightmare Moon enveloped herself in her mane and shot off down the halls, wisps of astral smoke lingering behind until dispersing into nothingness. Twilight could only sit there, bleeding and wracked with pain, sobbing weakly into her magically bound fore-legs.

As time passed by, she could feel herself beginning to drift into unconsciousness, her exhausted body only wanting to rest, until a knock sounded on the door, snapping her focus back to her surroundings. The door opened and in seconds she was being smothered by a lime green pony. "Oh Celestia, you're hurt so bad! I can't believe she'd do this to you!" Sobs wracked Twilight's body once more as Silent Brook's embrace tightened around her. The earth pony showered her forehead with kisses. "Shh. Shh. Don't worry. I'm here for you.... Nightmare Moon took Moon Beam to bathe then play outside. We'll be alone for a couple hours.... Let's get you cleaned up and get those cuts bandaged."

Twilight simply lay on the floor, the cold rock like a soothing salve against her burning skin, as Silent Brook applied ointments from her saddlebag before wrapping her with clean white gauze. No matter how hard she tried, however, she just couldn't get the medical tape to wrap around Twilight's flank where most of the wounds had been inflicted. "P-Please.... My flank burns horribly...." The open air was making her wounds hurt more as if the air around her was another whip inflicting more pain upon her body. "Make it stop...." she whimpered.

Silent Brook stared at the dark lacerations on Twilight's flank thinking hard as to what she could do. An idea forced itself into her brain. "I.... I have an idea but it will sting a lot.... I'm out of the healing salve, but..."

"Please...! Anything...! Just help the pain...!"

This is going to be weird.... I hope she doesn't hate me for this, but I've read that saliva is a good healing compound.... She sighed and brought her mouth closer to Twilight's rear. "I'm going to lick the wounds.... Saliva is supposed-"

"To be a substance that can hasten the healing process.... I know.... Just please hurry...!"

"Okay...! I'll use one of the sheets to cover you when I'm... done...." A hot blush burned Silent Brook's cheeks as she slid her tongue out and drew it across Twilight's flank, the taste of metallic blood settling on her tongue. I've always wanted to do this, but never under these circumstances.... She slathered her saliva over Twilight's backside, tensing every time the unicorn flinched from her tongue darting across the wounds. She finished as quickly as she could, not wanting to cause Twilight any more pain, and tore one of the sheets off of the bed beside them, using it to bind the lavender pony's flanks. "There.... That should help it heal faster and the pressure should help to alleviate some of the pain...." She turned to face the unicorn and found her smiling weakly.

"Thank you...!" Twilight leaned her head forward and kissed Brook deeply. They broke apart, a strand of saliva lingering between them before breaking and sticking to their chins.

Silent Brook smiled lovingly, and edged closer to the unicorn. "I know a way that could take your mind off the pain for a bit...." Her voice was husky and hinted at possible pleasures to come.

Twilight closed her eyes, trying to ignore the fire that burned through her back and hindquarters. She wanted to tell Brook no. Tell her it was too soon. She had only ever given to her Queen and was nervous about having somepony else in her nethers. But the pain was too much. She wanted, more than anything, for the burning and throbbing to go away. "I... I..." Her vision was foggy through the pained haze. "Please..., make it go away...."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Censored! You're reading the clop-lite version. Have a nice day.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

As the orgasm wore down and Twilight began to regain control of her lower body, she pulled the lime mare up to her face, weakly, but Silent Brook rose willingly, making it easier for the exhausted unicorn. "I've... never felt that... good before...!" She said in between gasps for air. She smiled, her face lit up by the post-coital after-glow. She was in heaven. "I've only given to Nightmare Moon. This was so... amazing."

Silent Brook merely smiled down at her and brought their mouths together into a deep, love-filled kiss. Twilight could taste herself on Brook's tongue. "I'll be glad to do it for you again. Nightmare Moon has no idea what she's missing." The two cuddled together on the now hot floor until Silent Brook eventually pulled herself away. She smiled sadly down at the unicorn. "I should probably leave now, before they return. I'll get you cleaned up again." She hastily gathered the soiled sheet on the floor and wiped Twilight down, pressing gingerly around the cuts to avoid hurting her as much as possible. She wiped the stains off the floor with the same sheet and trotted over to the door. She turned and smiled one final time before leaving, allowing Twilight to fall into a warm, pleasant dream on the hard floor.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: Woo! Talk about fun. I had a blast writing this chapter clop content or not. It was really quite a joy xD. For those of you reading the cloppy version, I made it as sexy as possible but still allowed for it to build upon the two mares' relationship. For those of you not reading the cloppy version, you are missing out amirite gaiz? Well hope you enjoy the chapter and try not to get TOO into it. Peppy out!

Editor's Notes: Well..., that was... different. Anyway, Dr.Jekyll here. Nothing to say beyond maybe a few lol's here and there. Enjoy (in an appropriate manner, please.)!

Chapter 8.2 - A Night of Pain and Pleasure

Chapter 8 - A Night of Pain and Pleasure

Septara Twelfth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Two Oh-Seven Post Meridian
|

"Mommy, Auntie! Guess what!" They focused their attention on the giggling filly. "I think I saw somepony following ussss~!" She sang out the words prancing around the pair as she did.

The lavender unicorn shot her head up and smiled weakly at the little filly, nuzzling her softly. "You're back to normal.... good...." Moon Beam giggled and hugged Twilight back, reveling in the attention. While all the focus was on the two unicorns, the rest of the guards took off out of sight, fleeing for their lives.

Moon Beam looked up to the alicorn and frowned slightly. "What did Auntie Twilight do? Please don't be mad at her...."

"Yes, Mommy...." The filly squirmed her way out of Twilight's arms and took off down the halls, her usual springy step missing.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Twelfth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Three Thirteen Post Meridian
|

Silent Brook trotted down the hall, humming to herself as she went about her daily duties such as directing work flow and overseeing that all jobs were completed. She turned a corner and was bowled over by a flying mass of blue and black as it tackled her to the ground. "Hi miss Brook!" The filly stood on her chest, smiling gaily, but with a hint of sadness in her large red eyes. "Mommy Moon told me to come find you so you can play with me~"

"Yay! Adventure time!" The filly bounced around the lime pony and laughed as they took off down the halls, 'attacking' the workers as they went.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Twelfth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Three Fifteen Post Meridian
|

"Please...! Anything...! Just help the pain...!"

"To be a substance that can hasten the healing process.... I know.... Just please hurry...!"

"Thank you...!" Twilight leaned her head forward and kissed Brook deeply. They broke apart, a strand of saliva lingering between them before breaking and sticking to their chins.

Silent Brook smiled lovingly, and edged closer to the unicorn. "I know a way that could take your mind off the pain for a bit...." Her voice was husky and hinted at possible pleasures to come.

Silent Brook smiled sweetly at her, a smile that Twilight barely noticed, and moved back behind the unicorn of her desires. Gingerly lifting the sheets that covered her backside, Brook took in the sight before her. It was beautiful, even if marred by slight red marks from Nightmare Moon's beatings. She licked her lips, transfixed by the radiant garden, and gingerly slid her tongue up Twilight's backside causing the mare to inhale sharply. She licked again and again, her tongue sliding gently along Twilight's folds until she could hear her moan in delight. Smiling, the lime pony dug her snout into her soft love, shoving her tongue deep into her, twisting it and lapping at her insides.

Twilight shuddered, her anguish being washed away by waves of euphoria. She had never thought having somepony stick their tongue inside her would feel so... Amazing. She could feel wetness seeping as Brook pulled back, breathing heavily. Her hot breath tickled and sent chills up her spine. Brook brought her mouth closer. Twilight tensed, anticipating the hot moist tongue on her sex. The lime mare had other ideas. Twilight gasped in shock when the tongue pressed against her anus, instinctively clenching it tighter. Brook paid it no heed and instead rolled her tongue around the puckered hole, eliciting soft moans as Twilight slowly relaxed once more. As soon as she was able, Silent Brook dove in, pressing her mouth tightly on Twilight's backside and slid her tongue inside.

Twilight gasped, moaned, then melted under the hot ministrations Brook was performing upon her backside. It felt so wonderful, so surprising,... so right. She had never thought that her anus could give her pleasure, but here she was, enjoying Brook's tongue inside her backside more than she had with it in her love. Brook could feel Twilight growing more and more relaxed, her hole opening wider for her. She pulled out, much to the dismay of Twilight, and returned her attention to the mound below. It was sopping wet now and Brook could smell Twilight clearly. She softly drew her tongue up the slit, reveling in Twilight's taste. She was mildly sour and had an acidic taste, but to Brook, it was the best thing she had ever had. Lust filled her eyes and she shoved her snout back into Twilight, licking furiously, breathing in Twilight's scent as heavily as possible. She was in heaven even if she knew that she wouldn't be receiving the same attention afterwards. It was pleasure enough for her to be able to indulge in Twilight's love.

The lavender unicorn couldn't get enough of Brook's tongue. She wanted more. She concentrated on Brook's movements, taking in each time she moved her head and darted her tongue across her hard nub. She started to thrust her hips. Unsteadily at first, but quickly began to match the lime pony's movements, doubling her euphoria. Silent Brook pulled back, gasping for air, and noticed something just beyond Twilight's beckoning love. Two nipples standing erect between Twilight's thighs like little mountain peaks standing proudly on a field of purple grass. In one swift motion, Brook turned Twilight onto her back and latched onto one of the nipples, suckling on it, nipping it lightly. Twilight's eyes flew open, her legs tensed and the mound between her legs seemed to catch fire. "Oh...! Brook! Something's coming...! I-I can feel it.... Please don't stop...! Suck on my breasts some more...!"

Needing no other instructions, Brook doubled her efforts and sucked harder, bit more sharply. Twilight's body shuddered. Whatever was coming was so close. She could feel the fire in her body. A new fire, not the one that had pained her previously, but a burning wave of ecstasy. She bit her lip to keep from screaming and pressed Brook's head down upon her breasts with her fore-hooves. She came. The pleasure racked her body in waves as she moaned loudly, her thighs convulsing.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Editor's Notes: Well..., that was... different. Anyway, Dr.Jekyll here. Nothing to say beyond maybe a few lol's here and there. Enjoy (in an appropriate manner, please.)!

Chapter 9 - A Soldier's Solitude

Chapter 9 - A Soldier's Solitude

Septara Thirteenth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Thirty-Seven Ante Meridian
|

Twilight was abruptly awoken by a sharp pain in her side and a dramatic gasp. She yelped and her eyes shot open, to search for what had hurt her only to have them fall upon the frowning face of Moon Beam. Twilight's gaze softened at the filly's obvious worry. "Auntie Twilight? Are you okay? Do you want me to kiss it and make it better?"

Twilight smiled and pulled the little unicorn into a hug to which she sighed happily. Despite knowing what the filly was capable of, she still found her to be very adorable. Her innocence reminded her of when she was a filly herself. "I'll be fine, although it does still hurt. Where's Nightmare Moon?"

Moon Beam snuggled up close to Twilight, resting her head on the mare's back, "Mommy Moon is meeting some ponies in her fancy room! She told me to come stay with you. I'm on guard duty!" She stood up and puffed up her chest in an attempt to make herself look fierce. It just made her that much more cute.

Twilight laughed and wrestled the filly to the floor, tickling her on her sides. "Well the big evil Auntie Twilight is here to stop miss guard pony!"

"Noooo! Stop! Eeeeee~!" The filly laughed full force as Twilight continued to tickle her. She squirmed and wriggled under the mare's grasp but couldn't escape. "Nooo! Auntie Twilight have mercy!! Aaaaaah!" Tears were forming in the corners of the filly's eyes as she continued to guffaw.

Eventually Twilight ceased her torture and laughed along with Moon Beam. She nuzzled the filly and pulled her in close. "Thank you, Moon Beam...."

The navy unicorn looked up at her, confusion on her face. "For what Auntie Twilight? I didn't do anything."

"For making me laugh, silly. I don't get to do that much anymore." She kissed Moon Beam on her forehead, right below her horn, eliciting a content sigh from the foal. "I'm curious. How did you meet Nightmare Moon? She doesn't seem like the kind of mare to take in a filly like you."

Moon Beam tilted her head upwards in thought. "Hmmm... Oh yeah!" She giggled. "It was actually kinda funny! When I was little, and I mean reeeaaaal little, I used to live in the town around the Pony Sister's castle! Have you ever been there? It's really pretty! Well one day I was out playing in the rain cause I love jumping in puddles when this big wave of black fire blew past me like WOOSH! You know it's weird. I don't remember anything before that day.... Oh well!" She paused only to breathe. "Well after that wave I was very sleepy and cold so I thought I'd take a nap. That's when Mommy Moon came up to me. She had the funniest face. Her eyes were all scrunched up and her mouth was hanging open all 'blah what?' and it made me giggle." She smiled brightly at the story. "Next thing I know I wake up with Mommy Moon!"

Twilight furrowed her brow as she tried to follow along with what the energetic filly was saying. Apparently she was hit by a wave of powerful magic and it most likely almost killed her. She frowned slightly at this. Nightmare Moon must have sensed that it hit her and saved her, but why? I've never known her to care for anything but herself and her night. Maybe she really is Nightmare Moon's foal? I'll have to ask her myself.... Finishing her contemplation, she snuggled closer to the filly. "Well, I'm glad she found you."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Thirteenth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Forty Ante Miridian
|

Nightmare Moon sat upon her throne, glaring at the line of ponies before her. After the many attempts on her life, she knew she didn't have as tight a grip on the kingdom as she had thought so she was in the process of recruiting guards. She now knew that there were still Celestial Guards plotting against her and planned to build an army against them. So far the ponies that had been found were... pathetic. They were all stallions of small stature, and even a few older colts. Not a single one of them seemed fit to fight in her honor, but they'd have to do. She couldn't be choosy when she had almost an entire country that wasn't fond of her usurping the throne.

She sighed and looked about the room one more time. Still not a single decent warrior in this- Her eyes fell upon a pegasus pony towards the back of the room. The mare was standing alone, her bright blue eye staring over the room to watch Nightmare Moon. She was built quite largely for a mare and seemed to have the muscles of a seasoned fighter. Her coat, which was hidden under dull brown cloth, was a bright orange similar to the sunset and her mane and tail a bright white. She had a scar across her right eye that was covered partially by an eye patch.

The Moon Queen grinned wide. "You, in the back. Come forth and tell me your name and why you are here."

The pegasus stood up and casually walked to the stairs in front of the throne, bowing her head. "My name is Cloudy Horizon, your Majesty. I wish only to serve as a loyal guard under your command."

"Why should I trust you to not stab me in the back? You have obviously served as some sort of warrior in the past." Nightmare Moon eyed her cautiously, keeping a watch on her expression.

Cloudy lifted her head and stared right back into the alicorn's eyes. "I once served under Celestia and her guards. They sent me on a mission to retrieve one of our own from captivity in Griffonia. He was killed en-route to the palace and they unjustly pinned his death on me. I have no love for the sun princess."

Nightmare Moon beamed at the stern look the pegasus gave her. "Very well. I shall allow you to prove your loyalty to me through your services. You will be head of my personal guard and will train the rest of these foals in the art of war. You seem to have seen battle before so I believe that will not prove too difficult for one such as yourself. On the morrow I shall have your captain’s armor crafted and enchant you to fit your role. Silent Brook!" The lime earth pony stepped up beside her from where she had been sitting off to the side. "Escort Captain Horizon and the rest to the guards barracks in the south wing. Make sure they are accommodated properly then come see me in my chambers."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" She bowed and turned to the group before the throne. "Please follow me and do not get lost." Brook trotted off at a leisurely pace, Cloudy behind her and the rest behind Cloudy. In total there were about two-hundred ponies, guessed Brook as she led them through the vast black halls. She slowed her pace slightly to get even with Cloudy. "So, Miss Horizons, have any family back home?"

"No."

"Any friends? Any pets?"

"No."

"What do you do for fun? Do you like to dance? Play Music?"

"Nothing."

Brook stuck her lower lip out in a pout. "You could lighten up, you know. I'm just trying to be friendly. It doesn't have to be all work here."

"I am here only to serve Her Majesty, Queen Moon. I am not here to be friendly. If you wish to talk, go talk to the recruits behind us."

Brook scrunched her nose up then stuck her tongue out at the orange pegasus. "Boo. You're no fun at all. Just wait till you get tackled by Moon Beam...." she muttered under her breath, snickering with anticipation of the inevitable event. In a matter of minutes, the group had arrived at the guards' dorm. The hall was huge and lined with rows and rows of beds, all uniform and dull. Small iron frames with a single mattress covered by a fitting sheet and top sheet. Nothing special, but still cozy. "This is the guards' room. Pick a bed and mark the trunk at the foot of your bed with your name. That's where you'll store whatever stuff you have brought with you." The ponies all began to file away, picking their beds. Cloudy tried to go too. "Not you." The mare looked at Brook curiously. "You get your own quarters. It is closer to the throne room and Her Majesty's chambers. Follow me, please."

Brook turned around and began the journey back to the northern wing, moving slightly faster as she didn't want to make Nightmare Moon wait. They trotted through the halls, passing several castle workers on the way, none of which paid them any heed, until they came to the staircase. They ascended the stairs, and stopped on the first landing. "This is typically our guest floor, but we do not have many guests so you will be taking one of these rooms as your own. Her Majesty would most likely prefer you take the one nearest the stairs. The dining hall is just below us to the left should you require food and all of the rooms have their own lavatories. Make yourself comfortable."

"Thank you." Cloudy turned away from her and entered the first door to her right without waiting for a reply.

Silent Brook frowned and turned away. "Somepony has a stick up her butt...." she said as she continued up the stairs to Nightmare Moon's floor.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Thirteenth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Nineteen Post Meridian
|

Nightmare Moon stood on the balcony overlooking the construction of the city that was to be built around the castle with the castle being the direct center. There were several foundations set out across the barren ground and even a few beginnings of the skeleton of a building. The construction was going at a much slower pace than the castle had as Nightmare Moon felt no need to finish it in a rush. She had no wish to be surrounded by incompetent foals just yet. She had been there for hours now after sending Silent Brook away after she had found Moon Beam and Twilight sleeping together upon her arrival. She hadn't a use for the maid at that time.

Now she just stood on the balcony, admiring her work on the night, reveling in the cool breeze of night air. This was her kingdom and no amount of disloyal peons were going to take it away from her. She looked up into the sky and smirked. "Do you see this sister? Your once sunny and cheerful world is now plunged into darkness by my power. The ponies no longer have a choice as to whether or not they want to appreciate my night. Not even the Elements can stop me now." She started to laugh only to be interrupted by the sound of hooves by her side. She turned to find Twilight Sparkle standing next to her, yawning groggily and wincing slightly as she over-stretched her back.

"I'm sorry to have disturbed you, My Queen...." She had seen Nightmare Moon's glare at having been interrupted.

"How did you stop Moon Beam? Nopony has ever been able to soothe her rage aside from myself."

Twilight was slightly shocked to have been asked this question, but recovered quickly. "I- I'm not sure.... I know that I've been spending a lot of time with her this past week, but I still don't know why she listened to me.... I'm so-sorry for-"

"Stop. While I am furious that your actions allowed those guards to escape, I am now more curious as to how you did it. As you can tell, she is not a normal foal. She doesn't usually retain any memory of her time in her shadow nor does she normally share feelings with her foal form. Why she responded to you is... disturbing."

Twilight couldn't contain her shock. She had expected Nightmare Moon to yell at her or something, but not ask her questions or find her unusual ability disturbing. "I...,.I don't know. Maybe she views me as family like you?" Twilight contemplated her next sentence, trying to figure out if she should voice her thoughts. She feared reprisal but could barely retain her curiosity. Her curiosity won. "Is.... Is Moon Beam truly your daughter?"

The black alicorn tensed up, her straight navy mane bristling. "No. That is all I have to say on the matter."

"She said that you found her in the town outside-" She looked up and recoiled at the seething glare the alicorn was giving her.

"Enough." She barely spoke above a whisper, but Twilight could feel the words shake her soul nonetheless. "You shall ask no more of this or face my wrath. The only reason I am restraining from punishing you now is the foal sleeping just meters from us."

Twilight nodded slightly and backed up into the room. A shiver ran down her back as she settled back into bed beside Moon Beam. Nightmare Moon continued to stand on the balcony, staring off into the night, thinking. Why did I not set her in her place? I know Moon could have slept through it, so why did I make that excuse? She straightened her face, returning it to that passive gaze she typically held. It matters not. She knows not to cross me now. With that final thought, she turned away from the railing and walked inside to settle into the head of her bed. I have more important things to worry about than some useless pet.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Fourteenth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Fifteen Ante Meridian
|

Nightmare Moon and Moon Beam sat in the castle courtyard in front of the obelisk, watching the new guard ponies go about their daily training. They were all doing sets of push-ups and sit-ups to strengthen their bodies with Cloudy Horizon at the head of the group barking orders at them. Her looks had changed dramatically from her first night in the castle.

The morning, as far as time is concerned, after she had arrived, Nightmare Moon had summoned her to the throne room once more. She had performed the ritual of inducting her into her personal guard and bestowed upon her a special enchantment given only to those ponies of the highest ranking in her army. It changed her body drastically. Her wings, once soft and covered in feathers, had been morphed into a bat's wings, light and leathery, perfect for aerial maneuverability. Her orange coat was dyed a dark grey and her mane and tail were dyed black and midnight blue. Her ears were lengthened slightly and feathered off at the tips and her eye, once blue, changed yellow with draconic pupils matching her Queen's. Special armor was crafted for her as well. A purple plate helm and neck guard with a navy saddle trimmed with sky blue to cover the top of her body down to her flanks. Upon her breast was a fierce black gorget that hooked onto the plates along her neck and her hooves were covered with purple horse shoes. She was truly a terrifying creature with her enchantments.

Moon Beam squirmed beside Nightmare Moon. She hadn't gotten to meet the new pony with the awesome armor and wings yet and she was doing her best to refrain from tackling her with a hug. The pair sat and watched as, finally, the ponies finished their drills and began to rest, taking a breather from the strenuous activities they were not accustomed to. The moment Cloudy turned away from the group was the moment she was on her back with a navy unicorn giggling in her face.

"Hi! I'm Moon Beam! What's your name? Are you new here? I'm so excited to meet another pony that knows Mommy Moon! Has anypony told you that you look really cool? Are those wings real? Can I touch them?" At the end of her barrage of words, Moon Beam reached out with one of her front hooves to stroke Cloudy's wing only to be wrapped in a black glow and lifted off the flustered pegasus. "Awwww...!"

Cloudy Horizon stood up and composed herself, dusting off the dirt from her fall to the earth. "Energetic filly, Your Majesty."

Nightmare Moon set the small unicorn on her back and nodded to her captain. "Yes, she is. Return to your training. I shall keep a closer watch on her so she does not assault you again." This sentence elicited a giggle from Nightmare Moon's back.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." She bowed and turned back to the congregation of guards-in-training. "All right you knaves! Get back into formation! We're going to train in hoof-to-hoof combat!"

Nightmare Moon watched carefully as the recruits toiled away under the light of the moon. She knew a battle was coming. She could feel it ever since Twilight caused the unicorns to escape. She had to be prepared or else it could mean the end of her reign. Even with her great magic and Moon Beam, the alicorn knew she couldn't stop an entire army of Celestia's guards.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Fourteenth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Thirty-One Ante Meridian
|

Twilight sighed into her hooves. The wounds she had received had healed up enough that she no longer required bandages, but the soreness still lingered. She was once again alone on the grand bed that belonged to her Queen, shackled with the glowing magic as was normal only this time she was expecting a visitor. Soon after her thoughts began to drift into mindless contemplation, a knock sounded on the door causing Twilight's heart to jump in excitement. She's here! Twilight straightened her mane as best she could without her magic then coughed slightly, clearing her throat. "Come in, Brook!"

Immediately after the words escaped her lips, the doors to the room swung open to reveal the lime green earth pony as she walked through the portal. Silent Brook quickly made her way to the bed and sat beside Twilight, kissing her lightly on the forehead. "Are you feeling any better? I'm not the best medical pony, but I hope my ministrations were okay." Twilight blushed fiercely, remembering the 'ministrations' that Brook had performed on her. The mare noticed the blush and giggled. "Not that, Twilight. I meant the bandages. I already know what you thought of my other medical technique."

Twilight flushed again and just laughed with Brook. "They were perfect. I probably wouldn't have been healed nearly as well if it wasn't for your help.... Thank you so much." Twilight kissed Brook softly, and leaned her head on the mare's neck.

The earth pony smiled and brought her face in front of Twilight's, nose only inches away from the unicorn's. "You have lovely eyes, Twilight." She smiled at the blushing mare then brought her mouth to Twilight's, their lips meeting in a deep, passionate kiss. They could both feel the affection coming from the other pony as their tongues danced in each other's mouth. Eventually the kiss was broken by them having to pull back for air, but only for a moment as they were once more locked together, their actions speaking for their hearts. Time seemed to slow around them as they shared this intimate moment together and Twilight felt herself wishing that it could last forever. Alas, such a wish was not to come true. Silent Brook pulled out of the kiss once more, a trail of saliva connecting them momentarily before her words broke the strand. "I should go before Nightmare Moon comes back. She was only watching the new guards train and I doubt she'll stay during their whole routine."

Twilight sighed dejectedly then brought her smile back. "You're right. I just wish we could spend more time together without fear of what would happen if we were caught. I'd love to learn more about you and your life as a worker for Princess Celestia and maybe more about your feelings of us."

Silent Brook smiled and stood, heading back to where she had come in. "Don't worry, Twilight. I'll tell you all about my past and my feelings for you soon." With one final reassuring grin, the earth pony exited the room, shutting the door behind her. The moment the portal was closed, she lost her smile and went back to her daily tasks.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: Oh god I'm soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo tired! I should be asleep right now, but I wanted to get this out to you guys as soon as possible. Hate to leave you guys hanging. So here we are, introducing another OC into the story that is important to the plot! 'How many more are there gonna be!?' you ask? I can't tell ya cause I'm not sure myself! After all the times Nightmare Moon has killed off the captains of Celestia's Guard you can probably guess that there'll be AT LEAST a few more, but eh, who's to say? Well, hope you enjoy this chapter as I am now going to bed. Have fun and sleep well everypony! Peppy out!

Editor's Notes: Okay, Dr.Jekyll here and I haven't slept in *thinking* eighty-six hours (or roughly three-and-a-half days). Imma' go to sleep now. Hope you enjoyed the chapter. I know I did.

Author's Notes (again): Makes me sound like a slave driver, doesn't he?

Chapter 10 - Strategies for the Future

Chapter 10 - Strategies for the Future

Septara Fifteenth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Six Thirty Ante Meridian
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True night was beginning to fade, the moon slowly gaining the sun's properties to banish the cold and strengthen the crops of Equestria, as the five free Elements gathered, this time in Sugarcube Corner, the residence of Pinkie Pie. The gingerbread house shaped confectionery shop was just about to open for the new 'day' as each of the four guests walked in through the front door. A plump blue mare with a pink mane and tail poofy enough to rival Pinkie Pie's greeted them at the sound of the door chime. "Oh, hello girls. Pinkie Pie is up in her room. You go right on ahead, she's waiting for you."

"Mornin' Mrs. Cake. 'Ah wanna say thank you fer lettin' us come in so early. It mighty kind o' ya." Apple Jack said as the others nodded their greetings and continued up the stairs behind the counter.

"Oh, it's no problem at all dearie. Just make sure to keep whatever you girls are doing to a low volume okay? I don't want to disturb any customers we may get." Mrs. Cake smiled at her and waved as she began her ascent of the stairs leading to the second floor of the shop and the bedrooms.

"Don't y'all worry 'bout a thing Mrs. Cake. We'll be so quiet y'all won't even know we're here." With a tilt of her hat and a warm smile, Apple Jack turned and finished her climb, disappearing from the shop-owner's view. She quickly made her way to the door at the end of the short hall and walked in, closing the door behind her. She was instantly greeted by a tight hug from a flying stream of pink that began to cut off her air supply. "Pinkie!" She coughed and pried the pink earth ponies legs off of herself. "Y'all almost strangled me there. 'Ah know we don't meet a lot, but shucks, y'all could at least not crush us to death whenever ya see us."

Pinkie Pie merely giggled and hopped away, scooping up a small green alligator onto her back and sitting down between Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. The five friends looked at each other, filled with new found hope after being informed by Rarity that their friend was still alive and, if they were lucky, very savable. Now all they needed was a plan. "I say we just bust in there, buck Nightmare Moon in the face, and get out with Twilight as fast as we can!" Rainbow Dash had stood up and was miming her words.

Rarity sighed and shook her head. "Rainbow, dear, if we did that she'd catch us without any problem. She was very powerful when we fought her and now she's had time to fully recover from being imprisoned. Plus, my friend has told me that she's begun recruiting guards." The white unicorn batted her eyes. "I honestly do not see why anypony would want to serve her. I don't even want to consider how many ponies she's... killed since her return." She shuddered and swallowed a knot in her throat.

"Oh oh I know! We can throw her a party! Everypony loooooves parties and I'm the best there is at throwing parties. I bet if we went in there decorated and threw her the BIIIGGEST party she's ever seen, I'd think that even that mean old black snooty would want to give Twilight back to us! I mean, honestly, how can anypony say no to-" Pinkie was silenced by Apple Jack's hoof to her mouth, which she continued to try and talk around but only managed to spew out muffled mumbles.

"Woah, hold on there Sugarcube. Ah mean no offense, but ah reckon Nightmare Moon ain't one to enjoy a party let alone have any kinda decorations being set up in her castle. Besides, mah brother, Big Macintosh, said that there's a war brewin'. Some o' Celestia's royal guards came by the farm tha other day to try an' recruit him. We should wait until after the fight to sneak in an' get her."

"Oh...! Oh my, a war? I don't want anypony to die.... Uhm..., maybe we should go try and talk to her? We might be able to, uhmm..., convince her to stop...." Fluttershy smiled weakly, hiding behind her mane.

"Yeah, right! There's no way Nightmare Moon will ever listen to us. We're the Elements of Harmony, remember? The one thing to ever defeat her? She won't even let us get close enough to talk to her before she kills us!"

"Settle down now, Rainbow. We need t' wait until after this battle that's cookin'. The guards are all probably on edge and we wouldn't want to be caught due to carelessness. After the clash we'll sneak in there and get out with Twilight before they even notice she's missin'."

The group nodded their agreement and began to file out of the room, Pinkie in the lead as she guided them to the main floor of the bakery. When they arrived in the lobby of the confectionery shop, Mrs. Cake greeted them once more. "Done with the meeting already? How would you girls like some fresh cupcakes? Mr. Cake and I just finished baking them."

"That's mighty fine o' ya, Mrs. Cake. We was just about to head on over to the library to check on Spike so ah'm sure he'd love some."

"Ooooo yeah! Spike has been so sad lately so maybe we could throw him a party to make him happy! We can have cake and streamers and play some pin the tail on the pony and drink some punch! Oh oh and we can tell him all about our-" Pinkie's torrent of words was once again quelled by Apple Jack's hoof in her mouth, only this time the orange earth pony was looking about to make sure nopony heard the pink pony's last sentence.

"Shhh...! You have to be quiet about that. I'm sure nopony likes Nightmare Moon, but you never know who'd snitch just to get on her good side. Ya hear?" Pinkie nodded and smiled.

"I promise! Cross my heart, hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye!" She motioned out her swear and finished it off by poking herself in her closed eye with a hoof. Apple Jack merely chuckled and shook her head.

The five of them took the cupcakes they had been offered and headed over to the library. The streets of Ponyville were still lightly populated considering how early it was. Most of the ponies were still snug in bed with nary a worry as they dreamt away. The group moved swiftly across the ground illuminated by the soft glow of the moon. They had no reason to hurry other than to escape the chill air of early morning. The giant tree that housed the library loomed above them as they approached it's front door and, with a knock, they waited for Spike to answer. After a few moments, the door opened to reveal a groggy purple and green dragon rubbing his eyes, a sign that they had just awakened him.

"What's going on you guys? It's still early...." He yawned widely and stretched, then sniffed the air, smelling something delicious, "Ooooh... Are those cupcakes I smell?"

Pinkie Pie burst through the doorway and jumped around the room. "Yessiree Bob! Mrs. Cake gave them to us so we thought we'd come by here and share them with you since we just know you loooooove her cupcakes! It also gives us time to tell you our plan!"

By the time she had finished her sentence, the rest of the group had entered the tree house and made themselves comfortable. "Plan? What plan? Are we finally going to go get Twilight back!?"

Rarity levitated the box of cupcakes onto the table in the center of the library and began passing them out, two for each pony and Spike. "Not yet, dear." Spike's excitement turned south at those words. "We do, however, know that we shall be acting soon. I believe Apple Jack can tell you more." Spike focused on the orange earth pony and listened intently as she went over what they were waiting for and how they were to act on their strategy.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Sixteenth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
One Nineteen Post Meridian
|

Moon Beam crouched in the shadows of the obelisk, watching as the ever increasing number of guards ponies drilled in the central courtyard. They had been steadily streaming in to serve Nightmare Moon under promises of their families' safety and were now almost a thousand strong. The central area of the castle was vast, but they would soon need to move their training to an area outside the castle grounds where their numbers could be held without issue. All this the filly paid no heed to, however, as she was focused on one thing, the bat-winged mare pacing through the rows and rows of ponies swinging their weapons in practiced maneuvers. Cloudy Horizon made her way past the sweating, hard-working mass and emerged out the rear of the bodies before turning slightly and heading back towards the front. She stopped and scolded a few recruits on their improper use of a sword or to shove a pony to the ground due to their lack of proper battle stance, but she quickly arrived at the front of the herd once more.

That's when Moon Beam made her move. The filly sprang into the air in a powerful leap before landing and galloping across the newly planted grass. She set her eyes in determination and, with a quick burst of speed, dove at the unsuspecting mare "Attaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!" She cried as she plowed into Cloudy, tackling her to the earth.

The pegasus gasped as the impact nearly knocked the air out of her lungs then turned to glare at the foal that had blind-sided her, but stopped when she saw the mischievous grin on the filly's face. Her eyes widened in shock as the filly raised her hooves. "No. You wouldn't da-"

Cloudy didn't have a chance to finish her sentence as Moon Beam had brought her hooves down to the pegasus' sides and began to furiously tickle her. "Tickle attack!!"

The pegasus steeled her face, fighting the urge to laugh as her sides began to stitch up from the pent up emotion. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, but she held firm and simply glared at the filly atop her. Thus was her downfall. Moon Beam's face was scrunched up in dire concentration as she worked her hooves across the mare's sides, her little tongue sticking out only to make her already silly face uncontrollably adorable. Cloudy's countenance broke and she found herself unable to hold in the raging laughter she had bottled up with a high pitched and very feminine squeal, the pegasus burst out laughing and writhed in the grass, squirming to get her assailant off of her.

"Say uncle! Say uncle!" The filly cried out as she intensified her assault, moving her hooves up to just under the pegasus' fore-legs.

Cloudy's laughter intensified as the filly had found her most sensitive spots for torture and flailed about comically on the ground. "I G-GIVE!! UNCLE!!!" She yelled in between aching breaths for air.

"Yay! I have defeated the stuffy pony!" Moon Beam abruptly halted her tickling and jumped off the mare, prancing about her in glee. "I knew I could make you smile!"

Cloudy quickly stood up, blushing fiercely and composed herself, replacing her smile with the stone cold look she was known for. Despite her best efforts, however, a faint smirk could be seen at the edges of her mouth. "Yes, yes. Now would you please leave us be. We must train and you are impeding our progress."

"Awwww. C'mon! Come and play with me~!" She frowned and put on the cutest, most irresistible puppy-eyes she could give, but the mare was unfazed.

A few snickers sounded from the group behind them and Cloudy immediately turned to stare down whoever was making any noise that wasn't the sound of metal slicing through the air. "If I hear another chuckle or chortle out of anypony! I will double your work efforts for the next week! Understood!?" The entire force of ponies doubled their efforts immediately, not wishing to train any harder then they already were. "As for you, Moon Beam. You should go find somepony else to play with you. I am far too busy to deal with a foal."

The filly frowned once more and turned away, heading back towards the doors to the castle. "Brookie would play with me if I wanted her to...." She mumbled half-heartedly under her breath as she walked away. "Well, I guess I should go find her since Mommy Moon and Auntie Twilight are busy 'making plans' in the bedroom. I wonder where she could be...?" The foal's mood shifted instantly and she once more began her light hop as she passed through the halls of the castle, keeping a watchful eye out for the head maid. As she turned a corner, a hint of green caught her eye and she sprinted off towards the color. "Broooookieeeee~!"

The pony in front of her turned her head and smiled at the incoming ball of navy as it hurdled towards her. In a flash of blue and lime, the two ponies collided and skid across the floor, laughing brightly with each other. "Hello, Moon Beam. How are you today?"

The filly smiled and hugged the earth pony. "I'm doing great! I got Cloudy to laugh! You should have seen it, it was sooooo funny!"

"Great job, Moon! It's about time that pony got that stick out of her-" The mare caught herself before she finished her sentence and changed topics quickly. "So, why aren't you with Twilight or Queen Moon?"

"Oh. Mommy Moon told me to go and play 'cause she said that her and Twilight needed to 'make plans' or something. I asked if I could help but they said it was for big ponies only so here I am!" She didn't breathe once during the whole explanation and just continued to smile the whole time despite Silent Brook's expression of dawning understanding.

"And they are very right," she said with a slight blush, remember her own 'planning' she had done with the lavender unicorn. "Very well, then. What do you want to play first?"

The filly pondered for a moment, one of her hooves on her chin as she thought of what she wanted to do. After only moments, an idea popped into her head. "Let's play tag! We can get some of the other ponies to play with us too!"

Silent Brook merely nodded her approval and smiled. "Okay! Let's go find us some players!" The two cheered then trotted off down the halls in search of more participants.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Seventeenth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
One Oh-Six Post Meridian
|

Nightmare Moon tore herself from the enticing coziness of her bed and walked out to the balcony overlooking the outlying lands and absorbed the warmth of the enchanted moon into her skin. Her army was growing larger by the night as more and more ponies showed up to fight for her in return for the guaranteed safety of their families. She had once more returned to her full power after the resurrection and now her castle was complete. The town was slowly being built around her and, given a few months, ponies could begin to move into the houses being built and companies could lease the offices and various shops that would be built. Everything was going smoothly.

Everything except for the looming threat of the Celestial guards.

She still hadn't a clue as to where they could be hiding or even how they were hiding a force as large as she believed they were so well. She was also quite sure that for every pony that joined her cause, two more joined her enemy's. War was coming to her rule. She could taste the tension and emotions on the air. Anger and fear soaked the winds as both her guards and the hidden guards of Celestia continued their preparations. It was only a matter of time before they struck and she wasn't going to just sit by and let them attack unfettered.

Nightmare Moon had taken the efforts to gather as many powerful unicorns to her side as possible. She could remember how the five unicorns had sealed away her magic making her utterly useless in a battle and she would not let that happen again. Over the past few days, Nightmare Moon herself had been teaching the unicorns to channel their magic in an anti magic dispell so they could free her magic for whatever combat had to be done. It was tiring, as the unicorns were slow learners, but they were slowly starting to get the hang of it. She had a total of ten new unicorn magi that would assist her in battle. It wasn't as many as she would have hoped, but enough to keep her in the battle.

Twilight walked up next to her and looked up at the alicorn with tired eyes. "Thinking about the upcoming battle, My Queen?"

The alicorn nodded and continued to stare off into the distance. "You know, I've always thought of the night sky as a calming tool to help me get to sleep, or to help me stay awake on nights I wish to star gaze." She gauged the black mare's reaction and only found a stoic expression. "Do you think they'll actually attack? Will they actually try and kill you?" She gulped heavily at the thought of Nightmare Moon dying. She didn't like being imprisoned, but she would never wish death on anypony, not even Nightmare Moon.

"Those foals will attack. I have no doubt of that. They will very likely throw their entire force at me in order to topple me, but I'll stand victoriously after all this is over."

Twilight sat on her haunches and stared at the floor. I sure hope it never comes to that. I don't want anypony else to die.... It's just so... horrific. Ponies shouldn't ever kill each other. It goes against our very nature, yet, here we are, on the brink of war. She sighed then remembered a question she's had since her first night under Nightmare Moon's control. I wonder if she'll tell me how she blocked the Elements yet? No, probably not. She'd just think I was trying to get together with the rest of the girls to thwart her. But, maybe she will?

Nightmare Moon noticed Twilight's concentration and focused on the quiet unicorn. "What are you thinking of? Do not hide your thoughts from your Queen."

Twilight jumped a little at the edge in Nightmare Moon's voice and quickly recollected her thoughts. "Oh! I'm sorry, You Majesty. I was just admiring the night sky that you created." Twilight mentally face-hoofed and sighed dejectedly. I'll ask next time. Stupid brain making me act like an idiot.... The lavender unicorn missed the look of pride that crossed the alicorn's face and turned back into the room, leaving Nightmare Moon to her own thoughts once more out on the balcony.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: Chapter 10! Weeeee! The epic battle of awesomeness is coming soon! As is the revealing of who the spy is along with who's been letting the assassins in. Also there will be secrets told in the coming chapters as well! Just about to reach the climax of the story so be prepared for the awesomeness of the next few chapters. Also, as a side note, I'll be throwing in a Christmas special on , yup, you guessed it, Christmas! (Ermmm Hearth's Warming day) So be on the look out for that! Enjoy and have a good night!

Editor's Notes: Dr.Jekyll here. Fan-buckin'-tastic chapter, Peppy.

Chapter 11 - Battle Preparations

Chapter 11 - Battle Preparations

Septara Twenty-First of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Seven Twenty-Nine Post Meridian
|

The night grew darker as the day enchantment faded away to make way for the true night moon. Nightmare Moon once more stood before the mass of her new army. She was quite pleased with the mass of ponies before her. In little over a week, she had amassed a considerable force. Nearly three thousand ponies stood at attention before her, all of them wearing light metal armor colored black like the night sky. After the first large influx of guards, Cloudy could no longer watch over the army herself and, with Nightmare Moon's permission, appointed two of the best recruits to positions under her to help regulate and train the soldiers. From the times that Nightmare Moon had watched them, the group had progressed very well. What was once a pathetic excuse for a militia had become used to their weapons and could swing them about and not almost kill the pony ten feet away. They weren't what she would imagine in an army, but they were better than leaving herself defenseless.

She studied them closely, taking in the sea of colors and smiled inwardly. "So we have an account of every one of them?"

Cloudy nodded curtly. "Yes, My Queen. We have their names, cutie marks, colors, and home-towns all cataloged and kept stored away per your instructions."

"Excellent. The Celestial guard will be attacking soon. I can feel it. I wish to be informed if any of the recruits desert or plot to turn against me. I will not tolerate anypony betraying me and, should they decide to, make them regret ever having the thoughts cross their minds." Nightmare Moon looked at the grey pony beside her. "You may dismiss the ponies to return to their barracks and then join me for dinner. I would like to discuss our strategy for the upcoming battle."

"Right away, My Queen." She saluted and coughed into her hoof, clearing her throat as Nightmare Moon turned to enter the castle. "You heard the Queen! You are dismissed for tonight! You may return to your rooms and prepare yourselves for supper! Lights out at midnight! Understood!?"

A chorus of 'Yes, Ma'am' filled the air before the ponies broke formation and trotted off towards the camp set up outside the castle. The castle's guard barracks wasn't meant to hold three thousand and so tents were erected across the castle grounds as shelter for the newest recruits. After the city was built, there would be sufficient housing for the mass of ponies, but as it currently stood, the city was still far from completion. The looming fight against the former guard hadn't helped to hasten the construction either.

After seeing that everything was going smoothly, Cloudy Horizon turned on her heels and entered the castle's main door and made her way towards the dining hall. She rounded a corner and was pummeled to the ground by a flying ball of pony. With a thud and a soft 'oof', the mare and filly hit the floor and slid. Moon Beam giggled and jumped off Cloudy then danced around her. "Could you not tackle me every time you see me? One day my instincts are going to do something that I will regret." The pegasus' tone was cold and almost monotone.

"Awwww, c'mon! I was just told to come get you for dinner~! You know, you really should have more fun~!" The filly started hopping away down the hall, glancing back at Cloudy to make sure she was following. After noticing an increasing distance between her and the mare, Moon Beam turned around and trotted back up to the stern pegasus. "Aren't you coming? Mommy Moon said that you'd be eating with us tonight. You are, aren't you?"

The pleading look that the filly put on could have felled lesser beings, but Cloudy simply brushed it off and broke her contemplation, resuming her brisk pace through the halls. "Let us hurry. I do not wish to make My Queen wait."

The filly, frustrated that her fail-proof technique was ineffective, was now the one falling behind. With a quiet 'eep', Moon Beam took off towards the mare to catch up. "Hey! Wait for me!" She slowed down when she had gotten beside the pegasus. "It's not very nice to leave ponies behind you know...!" Moon Beam pouted as she struggled to keep up with Cloudy's brisk pace.

"It's rude to tackle ponies out of nowhere." she replied.

"I wouldn't have to if you would play with me more!"

"I do not play. I am here only to command Her Majesty's forces, nothing else. I believe it's Silent Brook's job to play with you."

"And Auntie Twilight! She likes to play with me too whenever Mommy is busy!" The filly bounced happily again at the mentioning of the lavender unicorn.

Cloudy stopped dead in her tracks. "Auntie Twilight? As in Twilight Sparkle?"

"Yes! Do you know Auntie Twilight? She's really nice! She even reads me bed time stories!" chirped the filly excitedly.

"Why is Twilight Sparkle here? I must inform the Queen!" The pegasus lifted into the air with a powerful stroke of her bat-like wings then tore off down the hall, speeding past the castle servants. When she reached the doors to the dining hall, Cloudy kicked them open and searched the area. She saw the unicorn sitting beside Nightmare Moon then sped through the air, hurtling towards Twilight. The unicorn didn't have enough time to even contemplate moving out of the way before she was throttled to the floor by the force of the impact. Cloudy stood above her, glaring down at the now semi-conscious mare.

Twilight groaned and cringed as a hoof pressed against her head. She looked up at the pegasus pinning her and her eyes shot open in fright. Nightmare Moon stood up, furious. "Horizon! What are you doing!?"

"This is Twilight Sparkle! Protege of Celestia and a very powerful unicorn! She cannot be trusted!"

"I know."

"Your Majesty? You know who this is and you still allow her to live?" Cloudy's typical stoic expression was masked by confusion. She hadn't been expecting anything of the sort.

"Yes. That is my pet you are crushing. As you can see by looking at her horn, her magic is sealed so she is not a threat to me. Even if she could use magic I know she wouldn't turn it against me to do me harm. She has been... broken." Nightmare Moon eyed the pegasus and, with only a moment of hesitation, Cloudy stepped off of Twilight, allowing her to return to her hooves. The unicorn glanced at Nightmare Moon then stared down at the floor.

"Very well. If that is what you wish, My Queen, then I shall spare her life." She moved to the opposite side of the table and sat down just as Moon Beam entered through the open door. "You wished to discuss the upcoming battle?"

The filly trotted up beside Twilight and nuzzled up against her. "Hi, Auntie Twilight!" She noticed the depressed look on the mare's face. "Is something wrong? Did mean old Cloudy hurt you?" The filly growled at the pegasus to which Twilight couldn't help but laugh.

Twilight sighed, but kept the slight smile on her face. I may be only a pet to Nightmare Moon and a problem to Cloudy, but at least I have two ponies that love me.... Her head shot up as what Cloudy had said registered in her mind. "What do you mean battle? We are going to fight?"

Nightmare Moon shot a glare at her but replied nonetheless. "Yes. The royal guard were not eradicated as I had assumed and can only be amassing an army for themselves as I have done. I can sense them in my night. They are preparing to march on this castle soon. I, however, will not sit idly by and let them do as they please. Cloudy, do you have any suggestions on what we should do? It has been a long time since I've had to fight any large force."

"We need to prepare some sort of defense. Celestia has a lot of ponies loyal to her so the royal guard will not have any problem recruiting ponies to their cause. We can expect around double our forces." Twilight blanched at the thought of so many ponies fighting each other. She had seen Nightmare Moon and Moon Beam kill before, but was not prepared for the large scale death that was coming. She'd never seen anypony die before that first night with nightmare Moon and now so many ponies were going to be slaughtering each other in a senseless battle. "We have the upper hoof, however. We know the area much better than any of them and you've been teaching our unicorns battle magic and ways to block anti-magic spells. They will most likely have more pegasi due to Cloudsdale's military facility where they send all pegasus guards for training."

"Yes, the pegasi could be a problem, but we have both myself and Moon Beam to balance that out. My only worry is that our recruits will flee at the first sight of blood. They have not seen battle in their lifetimes and I doubt that their families have either. We must be prepared for anything." Nightmare Moon went silent as she thought of anything that could strengthen her forces.

"My Queen?" Twilight spoke quietly in hopes that her soft voice would not anger her. "Why must we fight each other? Can't we compromise?"

"Silence! They will not relent unless I return their princess or kill them all. They bring this upon themselves." Nightmare Moon glared furiously at the cowering unicorn. "You will speak no more on this or you will go without food."

Twilight nodded and turned her attention to the empty plate in front of her. Moon Beam scooted close to her and leaned against Twilight. "It's okay, Auntie Twilight. Mommy just gets cranky when she has to fight." The filly dropped to a whisper. "She doesn't like to kill ponies. She only acts like that so ponies don't try and hurt her."

Twilight frowned, knowing this not to be true by the way she was beaten, but nuzzled the filly anyway to show that she appreciated the words. This isn't going to end well for either side... I just know something horrible is going to happen. The royal guards have always been resourceful. As Twilight was left to her fears the other two mares discussed tactics, force organization, and the guards' possible strategies.

"We should amass most of our troops at the front of the castle. That is currently the only entrance to the castle as of now, am I correct?"

"Yes. I made sure that there not be any way to get inside other than the main gate. Our only possible issue would be pegasi flying down over the wall." Nightmare Moon thought carefully. How could we protect against pegasi?

"I'll personally lead our pegasus squad to counter any aerial opposition we may have. My second and third in command can guide the ground troops." Cloudy thought once more, racking her brain for anything they could have missed. "Keep the largest part of our army inside the gates between the castle and the walls. We'll have a small group, maybe three hundred, outside the walls to the north, hidden to flank the enemy. They will likely attack head on due to a lack of any other way through the wall."

Nightmare Moon nodded. "Yes. That will most definitely be the case. Go and inform your sergeants and with their help prepare the troops. I can feel the guards marching. First, we eat. I do not wish to be defeated due to the empty stomachs of my army. After you have finished, make sure to have the recruits eat as well."

"Yes, My Queen."

The food was brought out before them moments later. Salads with hay sandwiches and sides of daisy soup. It was a light meal as the chefs were busy preparing vast amounts of food for the army, but it was satisfying. The group ate silently aside from Moon Beam who hummed happily as she devoured her meal. Twilight found solace in the filly's happy-go-lucky nature, but she knew that the navy unicorn would be battling alongside the rest of them. She feared for the filly's life and didn't want Moon Beam to fight at all. But if I say anything...

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Twenty-Second of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Seven Eighteen Ante Meridian
|

Silent Brook trotted through the halls, her hooves clopping against the hard floor as she passed the servants around her. She heard whispers around her from the ponies at work.

"Did you hear? Apparently we're going to war..."

"What do you think of that foal? I hear she's Nightmare Moon's..."

"So, Twilight is at it again. First with Celestia and now Nightmare Moon." a stallion cleaning the floor in the central hall said to a mare dusting around them.

"Wasn't she Celestia's student? I think I remember seeing her with the princess a few years back."

"Yeah, I was cleaning outside the room that she took her test in. The princess came and welcomed Twilight herself. I think that's always been her thing."

"What do you mean?"

"You know? Get in close with the royalty and live easy? It should be quite obvious."

"I'm not sure.... Have you seen Twilight recently?" The stallion shook his head. "She's been wearing bandages under that dress of hers. Apparently Nightmare Moon has been beating her."

"That whore probably enjoys it. I haven't heard of her complaining once..."

Silent Brook frowned fiercely and continued on towards her destination. She had just seen Nightmare Moon, Cloudy, and Moon Beam leave towards the castle gates. She knew that they were going off to fight and also knew that they wouldn't return for a while. It was time to go talk to Twilight.

She quickly made her way up the staircase leading to Nightmare Moon's chambers and practically plowed through any servants that happened to be in the way. In a matter of seconds she had scaled the stairs and was now standing in front of the twin doors. Giving her knock, she waited for a reply only to be answered by a weak 'Go Away'. Brook flinched slightly but opened the door anyways and poked her head in. Twilight was laying on the bed, the glowing shackles about her hooves once again, with puffy red eyes. The earth pony looked on in worry.

"Are you okay? What happened?"

"Moon Beam is going off to fight...! She's too young! How could Nightmare Moon expect her to do such atrocities!?" Silent Brook frowned.

Silent Brook gasped and looked at the mare incredulously. "You mean that filly is going to be out there in the middle of all that killing?" She knew that Moon Beam was going to be with Nightmare Moon until the battle started already, but she hadn't expected the filly to actually be in the fray herself.

"She...." Twilight bit her lip, hesitating over the next sentence. "She isn't like normal fillies."

"What do you mean? She seems normal to me. Well, if you exclude her mane, but I thought that was from being the daughter of an alicorn."

"She isn't Nightmare Moon's daughter. I'm not sure whose foal she is, but I do know that she is very powerful." The lavender unicorn swallowed hard, remembering the night Moon Beam had destroyed the guards that had attacked them. "She has... unholy powers. I've watched her transform into a dragon and tear through a group of royal guards...."

Brook recoiled slightly, remembering all the times the filly had tackled her and giggled in her face. "That can't be true! She's so young...! So sweet!"

"I know! When she transforms... she seems to change personalities. It's kinda like she's a completely different pony. Nightmare Moon told me that she doesn't remember anything between forms."

Silent Brook contemplated this and frowned deeply. "We need to stop them. We have to keep Moon Beam from fighting." Silent Brook's expression shifted from the worried look she'd been giving to one of stoic seriousness. "Do you know any of Nightmare Moon's weaknesses? Anything I could use against her?"

Twilight looked at the earth pony like she had been slapped. "I.... I don't.... Yes. She's very aggressive. When she attacks she uses as much power in her spells as she can. I watched her slaughter a group of ponies with massive amounts of magic many times when even a small amount could have sufficed. She likes to show off and will drain herself very quickly in doing so. Why do you ask? You won't be able to keep Nightmare Moon from making Moon Beam fight. I've tried before...."

Silent Brook smiled and shook her head. "I just wanted to know what I was up against."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Twenty-Second of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Seven Twenty-Two Ante Meridian
|

Nightmare Moon, Moon Beam and Cloudy Horizon all stood in front of the giant doors that closed off the castle. Before them stood an army three thousand strong. The massive group of ponies wore dark blue plated armor and were armed with multitudes of weapons ranging from earth ponies wielding short swords, hoof axes and spears to unicorns levitating bows, and pegasi with long sharp blades attached to their hooves and sharp metal adorning their wings for aerial combat. The crowd continued to shift nervously. They were going to battle and not a single one of them had ever expected anything like this when they signed up. If any of them said that they weren't scared, they'd be lying.

Nightmare Moon's horn glowed as she enchanted the voices of herself, Cloudy, and her two appointed sergeants. She coughed to clear her throat and the noise boomed out across the masses. "DEVOUT FOLLOWERS! TODAY YOU WILL BE GOING TO WAR WITH YOUR KINSPONIES AND SHALL MEET THEM IN COMBAT EITHER INSIDE THE WALLS OF MY CASTLE OR IN THE AIR ABOVE! IT IS YOUR DUTY TO ASSURE OUR VICTORY TONIGHT AND TO SLAUGHTER THE ROYAL GUARDS OF CELESTIA FOR THEY HAVE CROSSED YOUR QUEEN! TAKE UP YOUR ARMS AND PREPARE YOURSELVES! THE SOLAR ARMY APPROACHES AND WILL BEGIN TO LAY SIEGE TO OUR WALLS WITHIN MINUTES! SHOULD ANY OF YOU TRY TO FLEE OR DECIDE TO FIGHT AGAINST ME THEN YOUR FAMILIES SHALL PAY THE PRICE OF YOU FOALISHNESS!"

Cloudy started shouting orders and her two sergeants followed suit. In a matter of minutes, the pegasus had gotten her pegasus unit into formation and took off into the sky, preparing to strike the initial blow against their foes. She soared high into the sky and searched the horizon to the east. There wasn't anything there.... Not a single pony showed in her sight. Was the Queen wrong? Are the royal guard even planning on-

Her thoughts were cut short by a deafening roar to the north. She spun around swiftly and almost dropped out of the sky in shock. A massive army of ponies were marching and flying towards the northern wall. Nightmare Moon was right about one thing. They had almost twice as many soldiers as Nightmare Moon, but there was one thing that neither of them had expected.

The royal guard had dragons.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: Dun dun duuuuuuuun! And so, with the next chapter, the battle will begin. Plots will unfold and shit will hit the fan. I'm going to do my best to get the next chapter AND the Hearth's Warming night special in tomorrow so it looks like I'mma be doing a loooooooooooot of writing. (I'd just put out the special but it kinda relies on the next chapter being out) Well, before I do that, I need sleep. So I'm going to wait around for about an hour for any comments you guys might share then hit the hay. Peppy out!

Editor's Notes: *GASP* Didn't see that one commin'. Well, it was fun editing this. Looking forward to the next chapter. Enjoy.

Chapter 12 - A Night Forever Changing

Chapter 12 - A Night Forever Changing

Septara Twenty-Second of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Seven Twenty-Three Ante Meridian
|

Cloudy gazed in fear across the mass before her, her usual countenance broken by absolute terror. She had fought many things in her life: Griffons, wild beasts of the Everfree, and even pony criminals, but she had never before come face to face with an adult dragon. Or twenty of the creatures. The giant lumbering forms flanked the mass of armored ponies like war tanks of living, fire-breathing flesh. She was literally too frightened to move.

"Captain?" A pegasus beside her called out. "Your orders?"

The bat winged pegasus snapped out of her paralysis and turned to the pony beside her. "Go! Fly as quickly as you can and inform Nightmare Moon! I'm not sure if we can handle this...!" Her fear was obvious in her sharp tone.

"Yes, Ma'am!" He saluted and tore through the air, barreling towards the army below them. He spotted the Queen standing before the fidgeting troops and swooped down before landing as gracefully as he could considering his momentum. "Your Highness! Captain Cloudy sends me with a report!"

The alicorn turned her attention from the gates to the pegasus. "Go ahead."

"The Royal Canterlot army is not attacking from the east as we had predicted. They are marching on the northern wall with considerable numbers...." He looked towards the north nervously.

"And? Is that all?"

"No, Your Highness. They have dragons. About twenty of them. Captain Cloudy is not sure if we can handle the dragons and the army together."

Nightmare Moon twitched slightly. "Dragons, you say?" Her calm features morphed into a menacing scowl. "Those foals dare to acquire help from the dragons?! Very well...! If they wish to use them against us and if the dragons are willing to fight by their side, then I will hold nothing back! MOON BEAM!" She spun around to face the filly, whose face was nearly split in half by a sinister grin. The pegasus beside them cowered under the filly's eyes. "I am allowing you to do as you please. They are to be shown no mercy."

Moon Beam's smile spread even more and she cackled ominously. "Of course, My Queen." Her voice grated through the air causing the ponies around her to cringe. "They will taste fear as they have never known before." The filly's evil grin continued to spread as her body melted into a thick ooze on the floor then evaporated into the air. In moments Moon Beam was gone.

Nightmare Moon focused her magic and morphed her mane from the straight navy locks into the ethereal starry sky she was known for. Her body flashed and her armor plating appeared upon her, providing protection for her bare skin. "Soldier. Return to Captain Horizon and have her fall back to the skies above the castle. We will wait for them here." The pegasus saluted and took off into the sky once more as Nightmare Moon turned to the masses before her. "Sergeant Fire Dancer, Sergeant Grey Mane!" The two stallions trotted up to her, bowed, then stood at attention. "Order the troops to move towards the northern wall of the castle. The Royal Army will be attacking there. Sergeant Fire Dancer, you are to lead a platoon of five hundred to flank the army from the east. Go and fight in My Honor!"

After the forces began to move and file towards their positions Nightmare Moon shivered. I did not expect them to gain the aid of the dragon kin.... She felt herself tremble again and looked down at her hooves. They were shaking lightly. Is this... Do I fear the army marching upon my walls? She shook her head and steeled herself. "No. I will not allow them the satisfaction of causing me fear. They will face my fury for standing against me." She laughed long and hard. "YOU FOALS SHALL PERISH BEFORE THIS NIGHT IS OVER!"

In a flash of light, Nightmare Moon disappeared and teleported atop the northern-most tower overlooking the fields of building foundations before her. The royal army must have evacuated the workers while she was busy amassing her troops. It matters not. Before this night is over the ground will be soaked with the blood of my enemies. She gazed out towards the fields and spotted a seething mass of darkness blanketing the land. She smiled and nodded as the darkness seeped into the earth, disappearing from view once more. Excellent, my child. Show them the true meaning of death.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Twenty-Second of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Seven Twenty-Five Ante Miridian
|

The mass of golden armored ponies stopped at the behest of the brightly adorned ponies at the front. The army generals. The pony at the head of the group stepped forth and cleared his throat. "NIGHTMARE MOON! THIS IS YOUR FINAL CHANCE TO STAND DOWN AND RETURN PRINCESS CELESTIA FROM WHEREVER YOU HAVE IMPRISONED HER! DO THIS AND YOU SHALL BE TRIED FAIRLY IN HER MAJESTY CELESTIA'S COURT. SHOULD YOU REFUSE THEN WE WILL ATTACK WITHOUT HESITATION. ANYPONY THAT DOES NOT WISH TO FIGHT, THROW DOWN YOU WEAPONS AND RETREAT. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED." His magically amplified voice bellowed across the thick walls of the castle to be heard by the ponies on the opposite side.

Nightmare Moon laughed menacingly. "YOU FOALS KNOW NOT WHO YOU ARE SPEAKING TO! I BOW TO NOPONY! YOUR TIME IS NIGH!"

The guard that had warned Nightmare Moon dropped his head then turned to his troops. "Order the attack. Have the dragons break down that wall. Once they are destroyed we will attack in force. We outnumber them and, even with an alicorn, they stand no chance. Begin our assault."

As the orders were spread throughout the troops, the battle began. The dragons flanking the army lumbered towards their target, roaring fiercely. Their heavy, scaled claws scraped the hard ground beneath them and tossed up dirt. Just as the first five were to reach the wall, the ground turned black and two enormous red eyes shot open beneath them. The black surface opened up to reveal twin rows of gleaming white teeth into which the five were dropped and devoured. Blood sprayed out of the darkness as their bodies were gnashed and torn to pieces by the diamond sharp teeth. Deep terrified roars filled the air as the dragons roared in pain until their lives were ended.

"Ahhh...! Sweet flesh of the living...!" Moon Beam drew herself from the earth and formed a sphere in the sky large enough to blot out the view of the moon for the vast majority of the troops. Both sides stared in absolute terror at the sight of the thing, with iron resolve, the rest of the dragons continued to charge the battlements. Moon Beam cackled then shifted, morphing into a giant vulture three times the size of any of the adult dragons and took flight. The first dragon, a blue and green, reached the walls and reared up, then brought the full force of its body upon the obsidian. The volcanic rock cracked along its face, but held until a second red dragon came up beside it and rammed with all its might. A section of the wall fell inwards and crushed the small group of guards unlucky enough to be too close. The other thirteen soon followed suit, using their weight and strength to tear down the obsidian in order to make way for the pony army marching behind them.

With a shrill cry, Moon Beam swept through the air and grasped a black dragon by the neck in her sharp talons. She lifted it high into the air and reached down with her neck and began to peck furiously at its stomach with a razor sharp beak. The scales stood no chance as she soon disemboweled the creature, spewing its fiery organs on the ponies and dragons below. With her current target dead, she flew into the middle of the ponies on the ground and dropped the carcass onto their ranks. Several were crushed to death under the weight of the dragon's body.

"ALL PEGASI! FORM TOGETHER AND FIGHT THE MONSTER ABOVE US! UNICORNS ASSIST WITH ANY COMBAT SPELLS AND ARROWS YOU HAVE! ALL OTHERS KEEP UP YOUR MARCH! DO NO FALTER!" The lead pony picked up his pace and the others soon caught on, now trotting towards the slowly crumbling wall.

Moon Beam tilted her body and turned in the air only to come face to faces with a platoon of pegasi four-hundred strong. She laughed, which came out as a high pitched shriek, and barreled towards the blade-winged ponies. Before she reached them, she pulled up and stretched her talons out before her, the razor sharp nails extended, and flew above the ponies, mutilating any that failed to move from her path. Screams of agony sounded through the night as pegasi with crippling but not fatal wounds were thrown out of the sky to plummet to their deaths below.

Nightmare Moon watched the bloodshed from her tower until a dragon caught sight of her and reared up, maw facing where she stood. Her eyes narrowed and just before the licking flames scorched her body, she took to the air and landed on the nose of the great beast. She glared into its eyes as her horn glowed. The dragon reached to swat her off its snout but couldn't move its legs. The warmth in his body was fading away and, with a sudden realization, he shook his head, dislodging the alicorn from her perch. The dragon looked down to see that the entirety of his body up to his neck was now stone. The alicorn laughed before flashing her horn once more and causing the rock to explode into granite dust. The head flopped to the earth where it bled out onto the dirt. Nightmare Moon looked up to where Cloudy was positioned with her squad of pegasi and nodded her head.

Cloudy nodded her reply and turned to her troops. "All right! It is our duty to assist Nightmare Moon's creature in battle against the Royal Army's pegasus unit! Assume flight formation and follow me!"

The group gathered into formation and sped off through the air, hurtling towards the mass of pegasi assailing the vulture form of Moon Beam. When they arrived, Moon Beam had already taken several blows, gashes ran across her chest and wings from where the more agile ponies had been able to get in and cut at her with bladed wings. Cloudy's group of pegasi clashed with the mass around the shadow beast. The two sides were locked in aerial combat, blades on their hooves and wings gleaming red as they tore through each other. Moon Beam flew above the group and shifted once more, her body stretching into a long serpentine form with two sets of giant leathery wings stretching out from one quarter and halfway down her body. Two large fangs protruded from her snake-like head and, when she smiled, lightning raced along her gleaming razor teeth. She slid through the air gracefully, her sleek body slicing through air resistance, and circled the ponies below her.

She opened her great maw and, after a sharp inhalation, spewed electricity across her foes. Two score ponies shrieked and wailed as the lightning scorched their bodies and made them convulse violently until they plummeted to their deaths, incapable of recovering from the lingering shock. The royal guard, their attention now torn between the pegasi and the lightning wyrm, spread out their ranks to allow the ponies inside of their formation. Cloudy's pegasi took the bait and flew into the group, slashing and stabbing as they went until they were blocked off by the guards ponies on all sides. Fierce air skirmishes broke out and the sounds of blades clashing against each other rang though the air. Moon Beam continued to blast lightning into the crowd, heedless of friend or foe, and cackled madly as ponies fell to her power. A small detachment of pegasi circled around her and closed in, their blades gleaming in the moonlight. The wyrm watched them intently and, as they all began to fly at her as one, lashed out with her teeth, snatching the ten directly in front of her in her powerful jaws.

The rest of the pegasi slashed her body with their blades and she howled in pain, but continued to devour the ponies she had captured. Blood spewed from Moon Beam's wounds, but, as she swallowed the ten, they began to close, the life of the ponies she had devoured healing her. With that group gone, the wyrm turned her attention to the ones that had been hacking at her and inhaled once more before spewing hot white electricity across their bodies. Two-hundred of the original four remained and continued to fall, but not without dwindling the numbers of the opposing army. Cloudy's flight had been cut down to fifty pegasi and they were flying about now, avoiding battle and attacking only when an opening showed itself. The Royal guard fought fiercely, cutting down ponies in fell sweeps, but the guerrilla tactics of Cloudy's troops were thinning them out.

The ponies on the ground caught up with the dragons that had breached the castle walls and were now beginning to pour through the gaping holes to join the dragons in combat with the ponies inside. Unicorns launched volleys of arrows through the air into the opposing sides and felled many. Fireballs soared through the air as the Royal unicorns launched their combat magic at the ranks of Nightmare Moon's armies. The blue armored ponies charged forward, their fear for their families driving them, and plowed into the oncoming force. Blades flashed, ponies screamed, and blood spilled as the two sides clashed together. The fourteen remaining dragons climbed the wall and perched themselves on it, spewing multi-colored fire across the opposing army before them. The stench of burnt flesh filled the air as ponies were charred to death by the intense flames.

Nightmare Moon took heed of the plight below and teleported down. With a sharp crack, she appeared in the middle of her army and brought forth a shield around her. Her eyes glowed and pulses of black magical aura flew through the night. In a blinding flash, giant meteors rained from the sky towards the walls of her castle. Six of the dragons took notice of the incoming flaming rocks and were able to move from their paths, but the other eight did not fare so well. The massive stones impacted the dragons and sent them hurtling to the ground under their momentum to be crushed and splattered on the earth, huge craters filled with the blood of smashed ponies and dragons lined the outside of the castle. The smoldering remains of the rocks disintegrated to leave only the pooling gore of the dead. The spell faded and Nightmare Moon panted heavily, such magic took a toll on her, but she used it to strike fear into the hearts of her enemies. They didn't know if she could cast such a spell over and over and they would never know. Several ponies from both sides fled, terror overtaking them, but were cut down by their enemies as they passed.

Cloudy spun in the air to face her attackers. A group of twenty pegasi had her surrounded and were closing in slowly so as not to be escaped. The grey pegasus watched them as they flew in closer to her and muttered prayers to the moon to make it out alive. Moon Beam gazed across the battle before her and caught sight of the surrounded pegasus. Her eyes softened in worry then sharpened in terrible rage. With a blood curdling roar, she morphed once again into the lumbering form of an enormous navy and black dragon and flew at breakneck speeds towards the orb of ponies. "YOU WILL NOT HURT CLOUDY!!" She bellowed as she barreled toward the ponies.

The group of pegasi flew in closer and, as they were about to reach her, Cloudy sped upwards, slashing her way past the ponies above her. The pegasi followed quickly behind and took turns swooping in to make sharp strikes against her. Cuts and gashes appeared all over her body as they continued their assault and soon she was incapable of flight. Her cut and battered wings failed her causing her to begin her final fall to the earth below. Moon Beam roared in fury and tore past the watching pegasi, their bodies snapping and twisting in grotesque directions from the force of Moon Beam's descent.

The dragon quickly caught up to the falling pegasus and caught her just a hundred feet from the ground before pulling up and gliding towards the castle. The filly dragon's red eyes gazed at the crippled form of the pegasus in sadness before landing inside the walls where no battle was being fought. Moon Beam's deep harsh voice tore through Cloudy's dazed mind. "I'm sorry...! I couldn't get to you faster...!"

The pegasus noticed the soft look that the dragon was giving her and gasped in surprise. "Moon... Beam...?" she uttered before falling unconscious on the hard earth.

The soft break in the shadow's emotions passed and was once more shifted into blind rage. She took to the air on thick, heavy wings and flew off towards the battle raging across the castle. She flew past the front lines of the Royal guard's forces and landed in the center of the army, crushing hundreds of ponies beneath her massive form. Her burning red eyes glowed brighter as she reared up on her hind legs and breathed in heavily. The ponies around her slowly came out of their daze and gazed up at the towering mass of scales above them and drew back as if they could escape the oncoming death. With a terrible, bellowing roar, Moon Beam spewed purple fire across the mass of ponies before her, burning hundreds of ponies into goop then ash as they were caught in her devastating flames. The ponies not caught in her arch of fire charged bravely, stabbing at her legs and even climbing atop her back to slash at her from above.

The dragon filly raked diamond claws across the ponies around her and smashed others with sweeps of her powerful tail, but they continued to pile atop her. Unicorns began to barrage her with arrows and rain large shards of magical ice from the sky. They had been prepared to fight this beast after the unicorns that escaped informed them of her. Great holes and gashes lined her body as more and more ponies charged at her, risking life and limb to bring this great creature down.

Nightmare Moon could sense the damage that the filly was taking and, seeing that her troops were gaining the upper hoof on this front, focused her magic to teleport to Moon Beam's side. In a quick flash, the alicorn appeared atop the dragon's body and immediately began to pool blood into a sword as she raised a defensive shield about herself. She cut the ponies atop Moon Beam's back and watched as they fell dead to the ground then began to make her way towards the forces below her.

Out of the near six thousand that the guards had arrived with, only one thousand remained, the others' corpses littering the ground. Nightmare Moon's pegasus unit had been decimated and the remaining fifty of the royal guards were beginning to assault the ground based troops, starting with her unicorns. The wing based ponies fell swiftly under the precision of magic guided arrows, but not without striking a heavy blow to Nightmare Moon's already small amount of magical troops. She was down to six hundred and those ponies were falling swiftly. The hour that they had been battling was taking a toll on the new warriors, but they continued nonetheless, cutting down guards as they slowly made their way outside the castle's walls over corpses and rubble.

The alicorn deftly cut through the ponies that flanked her, the shield deflecting attacks as if they were nothing. She kept an air of confidence about her, but she knew that the shield spell was draining her magic swiftly. Each strike against it draining her more and more. She spun the blood blade about her dismembering the guards that charged her position then cringed in pain when something struck her flank. An arrow had pierced her shield and glowed with the faint traces of an anti-magic spell. Moon Beam felt Nightmare Moon's anger swell and reacted in turn, her wounded body lumbering towards the unicorns at the rear of the field of battle. She towered above them and breathed in. A few of the unicorns were able to scurry out of the way but the vast majority of them were liquefied by the burst of fire that passed over their bodies.

The filly panted heavily with exhausted lungs as she turned back to the army behind her. Both sides were dwindling down to the hundreds and she knew that if she and Nightmare Moon didn't do something, they would not come out of this the victors. She dragged herself across the ground raking at the ponies that crossed her path and started eating as many of the live ones as she could. Her wounds closed slightly, but her healing abilities were dwindling as her magical energy was draining. Nightmare Moon took to the air and flew towards the massive dragon and landed beside her. She dropped her shield and breathed in, concentrating. "This shall be my final spell, Moon Beam. I need you to guard me with your life for, should this fail, the night will have been lost."

The alicorn closed her eyes and lit her horn. A layer of magic encompassed it and began to glow a dark black, sucking light out of the area around her. Ponies ran towards the pair and charged at them, swinging their weapons bravely only to be crushed by Moon Beam's massive claws. The dragon curled her tail about Nightmare Moon in her defense and continued to rake and smash the ponies as they attacked. Another layer of magical glow encompassed the first, this one a dark grey. The Royal Guard increased their assault, striking at the dragon filly as she tried her best to fell them. Another layer of magic, a gray aura, formed around the previous two. Moon Beam breathed in and spewed fire before her, its diminishing power killing only a few and leaving the rest in its fiery path to die in agonizing pain as they burned slowly. A light gray, almost white, burst of magic enveloped the ones before it and started to spark furiously, flashes of light piercing the darkness of night. Moon Beam swung her bloodied, clawed fore limb one last time before passing out on the ground and returning to the tiny form of her filly self, bleeding on the ground beside Nightmare Moon.

The guards converged on the alicorn and raised their blades to strike her. Nearly one hundred ponies, the only ones left from the battle, rushed at her ready to finish the fight and end her tyranny.

Nightmare Moon's horn flashed a final time, blinding white light exploded around her and blew the ponies off their hooves and onto the ground. They all stared up in shock as she was lifted from the earth in a magical aura and began to pulse violently. She opened her mouth, white light pouring out of her orifice, and shouted into the night.

"YOU HAVE ANGERED ME FOR THE FINAL TIME!! YOUR LIVES ARE FORFEIT AND THIS SHALL BE YOUR RECKONING!!" As her words died down, the clouds overhead parted and the moon could be seen glowing brightly, closer than normal. Every pony shifted their focus to the blinding light of the orb and began to scream in terror as they felt their bodies begin to be pressed into the ground. The moon loomed closer and closer, and soon the earth began to crack in the four miles that the moon's gravity was being focused upon. Nightmare Moon floated Moon Beam up to her side and gazed lovingly at the near dead filly before refocusing her attention on the magic she was controlling. The moon grew closer and soon the screams were silenced as the ponies could no longer take air into their lungs. They tried to grasp at their throats and force air into themselves, but they couldn't move. Bones snapped and pierced organs and soon blood began to be squeezed out of the pores of the dying ponies. With one final push of her magic, Nightmare Moon brought her namesake terribly close the the planet and flattened her enemies. Flesh was liquefied by the pressure and pooled with the mass amounts of blood in the giant crater left by the moon's presence.

Nightmare Moon released the spell and the moon swiftly returned to its natural resting place as she floated to the ground. Using the last ounce of magic she had, the alicorn teleported herself and the filly into the walls of her castle, just inside the eastern gate.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Twenty-Second of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Fifty-Two Ante Meridian
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Silent Brook stood up from her resting place beside Twilight. She could no longer hear the wails of dying ponies outside and smiled in the absence. Twilight looked up at her and tilted her head curiously, her tear streaked face gazing at the pony in concern. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to finish off Nightmare Moon, of course. You said yourself that she tends to use exhaustive magic in order to assert dominance, am I correct?"

"Finish her off? What do you mean? You're not going to kill her are you!?" Twilight stood and attempted to move towards Silent Brook but only succeeded in falling on her face due to the glowing shackles.

"Of course I'm going to kill her! Are you a foal? How else are we going to bring Celestia back?"

"No! Please don't kill her! I.... I know she's evil and that she has banished Celestia, but that doesn't mean you have to kill her! That'll make you no better than her!" She looked into Silent Brook's eyes and pleaded. "Please... If you love me... Don't do it!"

The lime earth pony looked at her and laughed. Not a cheerful giggle, but a hearty, spiteful laugh. "You truly thought that I loved you?" She laughed again before glaring at the unicorn, the once tender look she had given to her now full of hatred. "I've never loved you. I've always hated you. Celestia's prized pupil. Apple of her eye! She would always look at you like a mother does her daughter...! YOU STOLE HER FROM ME!!" She slapped Twilight hard with a hoof, knocking her to her side. "I used to be the one that Celestia thought of as her daughter! I never had family of my own! The princess took me in as a foal and raised me herself! But then you came along and ruined that!"

"But.... I thought that..." Twilight was silenced by another hoof to her face.

"Did you not think to question my story about how we met?! That one day years ago? The filly you gave that book to? I'm sure a pony as smart as the great Twilight could have known that was a lie! Oh, wait. You're not used to being lied to, are you? Oh, no! You took my explanation and gobbled it up because I showed you some affection!" She laughed again. "It is true that I've been watching you for a long time. I've watched you ever since you usurped me from my place at the princess' side. You never even knew I was there, did you?"

Twilight watched the earth pony fearfully and shook her head. "That's good! You see..., my special talent is espionage. Strange, isn't it? I knew from the first time I was able to blend in with the castle workers what I was meant to do. I can persuade myself into any position and blend in with those around me with ease. I named myself, you see. After I earned my cutie mark."

"But.... why did you tell Nightmare Moon about the ponies trying to kill me? You couldn't hate me that much if you're willing to-"

Another hoof cut her off again. "Shut up! I was the one that gave those ponies the idea to come kill you! I told Nightmare Moon about all the times the servants were attacking because I knew that would earn me a higher spot in her staff! The poor foals doing my bidding never suspected a thing. They hardly ever noticed the green mare at the back of their group giving them suggestions on what to do next." She chuckled to herself. "It was really quite brilliant. Oh, and to answer your question, I only told her about the attack on you so I could gain your trust. How else was I supposed to learn Nightmare Moon's fatal flaw then through her pet whore? I've wasted enough time here. I can't allow her to recover any of her power. Don't worry, though. Once I'm done with her, I'll come back to finish you as well."

With a wink and a cackle, Silent Brook strode out through the doors of Nightmare Moon's room in search of the alicorn, trotting swiftly through the halls.

Twilight stared in shock at the still wide open doors, her brain processing everything that had just happened to her, all the words that had been spat at her. She closed her eyes and fresh tears formed at the corners of them as depression took over.

"No..." The hot liquid streaked down her face, wetting her coat.

"No....." The tears poured out of her eyes as they increased in intensity.

"No......." Sobs wracked her body as she broke down, her emotions running wild.

"No........." Her face contorted from betrayed hurt to welling anger, the tears of sadness soon become tears of fury.

"NO!!" Rage at her betrayal twisted her expression, and a spark of magic fizzed from her horn, the ring about its base cracking.

"NONONONONONONONONO!!" The room glowed brightly as Twilight opened her now glowing white eyes, filling the room with bright light. The ring on her horn shattered and torrents of magic shot from the tip of her horn. The two month long repressed power flooded the room and bathed it in a magenta glow. The shackles about her legs exploded in light as they failed to withstand her magical prowess. Twilight reached out with her exploding power and searched for the life force of Nightmare Moon and Silent Brook. She found them both outside of the castle entrance and, with a blinding flash of light, disappeared, the magical fallout slowly dissipating from where she had been imprisoned.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Twenty-Second of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Fifty-Nine Ante Meridian
|

Silent Brook stepped out into the night air. After having questioned the castle staff about the Moon Queen's whereabouts, she had discerned that the alicorn was not inside the castle due to their clueless answers. She was surprised to find Nightmare Moon laying unconscious on the ground just outside the castle doors. The earth pony grinned devilishly and walked up to the barely breathing alicorn. She gasped in shock when she found the bloody and twitching form of Moon Beam in the mare's embrace, but shook it off, steeling herself for what she was about to do. She turned her head and undid the braid in her tail, to allow a sharp blade to drop to the ground from its previous hiding place.

"This is your final moment, you monster. It's time you returned my Celestia to me. You and that whore pet of yours." She picked the blade up by its handle in her mouth and stepped over the body of Nightmare Moon, positioning the edge above the alicorn's head. "Time for you to die...!" She thrust her head toward the mare's, the gleaming blade throttling towards the unprotected eye and clenched her teeth, readying for the blow.

The blade never connected.

A powerful blast of energy threw Silent Brook off her hooves and into the castle wall then fell to the ground grunting. Twilight floated in the air above Nightmare Moon who had been startled awake by the explosion of magic. Tears dripped onto the alicorn's face as Twilight sobbed heavily above her, tears of mixed rage and betrayal falling from her eyes. Nightmare Moon turned her attention to the haggard breathing five feet away from her coming from a twitching and sputtering lime pony then back to the descending form of the lavender unicorn. Twilight touched her horn to Moon Beam's body and slowly, the wounds began to close and heal, leaving the filly breathing calmly in a deep sleep.

Twilight then turned to Nightmare Moon and fell into her hooves, sobbing wildly. "You'll.... You'll never leave me will you!? I'll always be your pet...! Just please.... don't hate me...!"

Twilight's world had shattered around her. The pony that she thought had loved her and that she had drawn strength from had betrayed her and promised to kill her. She knew that Nightmare Moon had, on multiple accounts, beaten her savagely, but never once actually followed through on a threat to kill her. She knew from the sounds of Silent Brook's breaths that the mare was dying. She had heard the same gasps from Nightmare Moon that first night after being imprisoned. The knife that Brook had been using must have impaled her when she was thrown against the wall, but Twilight didn't care. All she wanted was somepony to watch her forever, to hold her at night. She hoped beyond all hope that the mare she had thrown herself upon would be that one. She was the only pony she had left....

Nightmare Moon stared at the pony in bewilderment. Twilight had just saved her once more from likely death and, this time, even doomed her assailant to death as well. She could tell that the lavender unicorn knew Silent Brook was dying. She could hear the pain in her voice, the same pain that she had once felt upon killing her first victim as well. Twilight just killed somepony for me.... After all the times she had stopped me from killing, she did so herself just to protect me.... The alicorn's shocked expression soon melted away to be replaced by a small smile. "I won't."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: Woo! Long chapter is long! Two in a one day time period? I must be serious! Intense action and heart wrenching scenes huh? And don't worry, Cloudy's not dead nor is this the end. Yet. I'm going to get started on the Hearth's Warming special shortly, but first, I need a break. I have a pounding headache for no discernible reason and so I shall spend some time playing vidya games. Well I'm off for about an hour! Peppy out!

Editor's Notes: Tab...scroll...tab...scroll...tab...scroll...tab. When does it end. Indent yo' paragraphs, Peppy. But seriously, nothin' but the usual errors. 'DAAAWWW' at that last bit, thou. Loved it. And take that, Brook. I never liked her.

Chapter 13 - Fears and Acceptance

Chapter 13 - Fears and Acceptance

Septara Twenty-Second of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Thirty-Three Ante Meridian
|

Nightmare Moon continued to lay on the ground, Twilight had calmed down slightly, but her breaths still came in short, stuttering sobs. She could barely move from the exhaustion of her spell, but knew that she had to or else she left herself open to anymore would-be do-gooders. She raised herself onto unsteady legs and took in a deep breath. I should have used more discretion with my magic...

Twilight looked up at her with bleary, tear filled eyes, and brought herself to her hooves as well. She looked over at the dying form of Silent Brook, who was hyperventilating as she tried to suck air into her lungs, and swallowed rising bile. She almost killed a pony. If I act now, I can save her.... Images and memories of her final meeting with the earth pony flashed through her mind and she twisted her face in rage. No. I don't care anymore...! Let her die. All that matters now is Nightmare Moon and Moon Beam. The lavender unicorn walked closer to the pony lying in a spreading pool of her own blood and stared down in disgust.

Silent Brook looked up at her, the knife still sticking out of her stomach, and pleaded. "Please... I don't want to die... I'm sorry. I-I'm s-sorry..."

"No. You toyed with my feelings.... I won't save you." Twilight's voice was cold and uncaring, not too dissimilar to Nightmare Moon's.

"B-But... you'll be... just like... her...." Desperation filled her voice, as she felt the warmth continue to drain from her body with each once of blood that poured from her gut.

Twilight's countenance broke for a moment as she realized the implications of what she was doing, but her features hardened once more. She stared into the dying pony's eyes and smiled. "If it means that Nightmare Moon won't hate me...." Her voice softened as she thought of the alicorn's approval, "Then so be it."

Silent Brook coughed, blood splattering to add to the puddle beneath her. "I always knew... that you'd side with that... monster...." She hissed at the unicorn. "If Celestia were here..., she would...." her final words were lost as the life faded from her.

"But she isn't," Twilight said sadly, "nor will she likely ever be anymore...." Twilight turned away and left the body cold and alone on the cobbled ground and trotted up to the sleeping form of Moon Beam. She smiled warmly and levitated the foal onto her back, kissing her below her horn. "At least I have you two...."

Nightmare Moon walked over to the unicorn, her eyes never leaving the filly on her back. "You healed her, yes?"

Twilight flinched and turned to see Nightmare Moon only feet away. "Umm..., Yes. It's not the best healing, but I've learned a few spells from the Canterlot nurses...."

"Thank you." Twilight stared at the alicorn in surprise. She had never given any kind of thanks since she had met her. "Do not become accustomed to receiving such praise. I am only displaying my gratitude since Moon Beam is... dear to me."

Twilight smiled and turned to the foal once more. "I'm glad to help, My Queen. I'll do... anything... for you and Moon Beam." She looked towards the corpse of Silent Brook and drew in a deep breath of air.

Nightmare Moon beamed and walked over to the body. "I want you to incinerate it. As your final act of loyalty, you will dispose of this traitor completely." She eyed the unicorn, looking for any signs of hesitation and was ecstatic at how quickly she responded. Twilight placed herself beside Nightmare Moon and gazed upon the pony lying in her own blood then, with a flash of her horn, set her ablaze, burning away any traces of affection towards Silent Brook along with her body.

Twilight sighed heavily then sagged her head. I never thought I'd use my magic to harm another pony.... All that matters now, however, is that they never turn me away.... As long as I have Moon Beam and Nightmare Moon.... Twilight was startled from her internal monologue by a soft yawn and movement on her back. She spun her head and came face to face with the large, adorable eyes of Moon Beam.

"Auntie Twilight!" The little unicorn tossed her fore-legs around Twilight's neck and embraced her in a crushing hug. "Have you been crying? Your face is all wet!"

Twilight's somber mood faded as the beacon of joy that is Moon Beam smothered her with affection. "I was, but I'm all better now that you're awake." She nuzzled the foal before letting her hop down onto the ground. "I'm just glad you're okay."

"Huh? Why would I not be okay? I'm invincible! Nothing can ever beat me! Right Mommy Moon?!"

The alicorn nodded weakly then moved to enter the castle. She lit her horn, but whenever she applied any magic onto the doors, her power fizzed out and wouldn't respond. She tried over and over with each attempt proving less and less effective until, with a shout of frustration, she kicked the doors open, slamming them against the inner walls. "I shall retire to my chambers.... I require rest. Moon Beam, come with me. Twilight, go find Captain Horizon and take her to the infirmary. I'm not sure where Moon Beam took her but she is within the castle walls."

Twilight bowed and began her search for the pegasus guard. She trotted across the cobbled ground, her hooves clopping noisily as she avoided the rubble and corpses lining the northern section of the wall. The stench of blood and death was slowly starting to fill the air as the gore from the multitudes of bodies sat exposed to the open air. Twilight fought the urge to retch and moved faster, attempting to cross the field of death as quickly as possible while keeping her eyes peeled for the enchanted form of Cloudy. She could not see any sign of the pegasus in this area and thus continued her search around the western side of the castle. She glanced up and took notice of a flock of carrion buzzards flying over something just around the next corner of the castle and gasped.

With a quick burst of speed, Twilight launched herself into a gallop and tore around the corner to find Cloudy unconscious on the ground with vultures beginning to close in. She flashed her horn and, with a sudden gust of magical wind, scattered the scavenging birds. Cloudy stirred from the disturbance and looked about with clouded vision. She took notice of the lavender unicorn and let out a sharp breath. "Come to finish me off, pet of Celestia? I knew you were not to be trusted..." She dropped her head to the ground once more, resigning herself to whatever the unicorn had planned for her. "Just.... Is Moon Beam... alive?"

Twilight smiled at the mare, and levitated her off the ground. "Don't worry. I'm not going to kill you. Nightmare Moon sent me to take you to the infirmary." Twilight heard an almost inaudible sigh of relief as the pegasus was gently set upon her back. "Moon Beam is fine as well. They are going to their room to sleep."

Cloudy grinned as she slowly began to lose consciousness one more time. "Tell Moon Beam, thank you..." Twilight shifted her weight gently so as not to jar the pegasus and began the trek back to the castle.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Twenty-Third of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Twelve Nineteen Ante Meridian
|

Nightmare Moon awoke to the sound of a terrified scream beside her. She opened her eyes to find Twilight Sparkle hyperventilating and clutched her chest, tears streaking her face. The lavender mare sobbed heavily and hung her head in shame as she noticed the annoyed glare that Nightmare Moon was giving her. "I'm s-sorry..., I just.... The dream was so.... Please, don't hate me...."

The Moon Queen frowned at the distraught Twilight. She had been like this for the past two nights since the battle. It was beginning to wear on the alicorn's nerves. Moon Beam yawned then jumped in surprise when she saw Twilight. "Oh no! Auntie Twilight! Did you have another bad dream?" The filly snuggled up closer to the unicorn to provide comfort to her by proximity. "Don't you worry! The all powerful Moon Beam will protect you from those horrible dreams! I'll be all 'Grr! Moon Beam SMASH!' and then those mean old dreams will run away cause you don't mess with Auntie Twilight!" The filly giggled and nuzzled the recovering mare.

Twilight smiled weakly at the foals ramblings. She had promised the same thing every time that Twilight's night terrors startled her awake. She truly appreciated Moon Beam's sentiments and love, but those alone wouldn't end her suffering. Her smile faded as she recalled the most recent invasion of her mind. She didn't want to remember it, but the images forced themselves into her mind causing her to relive each and every moment of it whenever she closed her eyes...

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Twilight walked through a tunnel of pitch blackness being led only by a light that could be seen just on the edge of her vision. She shivered as a gust of icy wind blew through the corridor, kicking up unseen dust and whipping her mane. Unholy noises echoed through the darkness, sounds of screaming and deep guttural growls filled the air. She shuddered as something hot breezed past her neck, but when she turned to see what had touched her, only black nothingness answered. She panicked and spun around, racing for the far off light. She could hear sharp talons scraping along the floor behind her along with laughter. Very familiar laughter.

She quickened her pace, straining herself against her typical boundaries. The laughter grew louder. She knew who that voice belonged to, but she couldn't concentrate enough to place the name. She was too terrified. The scraping began to sound faster and in longer, drawn-out strides as if the creature had suddenly gotten much larger. She continued to push herself towards the safety that the light seemed to promise, but it was still a distance away.

The creature was getting closer.

Twilight glanced behind her and her eyes caught with another pair of bright turquoise. She gasped and, in her recklessness, tripped over her own hooves. In seconds the monster was upon her, but when Twilight looked up at it, the form was completely wrong. The moment it caught her, the blackness exploded into white light. The body did not match any of the sounds she had heard. Atop her stood the bleeding body of Silent Brook.

Twilight screamed and, with a burst of magic, sent the earth pony flying against the ceiling of the tunnel. A sickening crunch echoed through the hall as Brook's body smashed into the ceiling and fell to the floor with a resounding thud. Twilight got back on her hooves and tried to run away, but found that she couldn't move. Silent Brook's eyes had her glued to the spot she had stood upon. The earth pony brought herself to her feet, bones snapping and popping as she righted herself on broken limbs, and slowly crawled her way over to the lavender mare.

"You killed me...!" Silent Brook laughed, as she drew nearer. "You are a murderer... just like... that monster...!"

Twilight clenched her eyes shut. "No! I was only protecting them!"

"You chose a monster... over a pony...!" Twilight spun around as she heard a new voice appear behind her. A second lime pony had materialized while her eyes were shut.

"You broke my heart! Why...? Why would I choose you over them?!"

"You always had a choice.... You could have saved us...!" Another had appeared to Twilight's right and spoke in unison with the other two. "You could have prevented... us from dying...!" A fourth mimic took form to Twilight's left and began to laugh along with the other three.

"Stop! I'm not a murderer...!"

A flash of light blinded Twilight and, when she recovered, two more Brooks had completed the circle around her. The six ponies closed in and pounced on her, slamming their hooves against her body as they laughed. "You didn't have to burn our body...! You could have saved us...! You are a monster...! Murderer...! Whore...! Slave...!" They chanted the last three words over and over as they continued to pound away at Twilight's bruised and beaten form.

Tears streamed down Twilight's face as she curled up to prevent any damage to her face. She could feel bones breaking under the force of the blows and soon blood began to pour from small lacerations from their hooves. She cried in pain as a hoof cracked down hard against her fore-leg, snapping the bone beneath her knee. Then, in an instant, Twilight's magic flared to life. Her eyes shot open and glowed white hot as her horn began to glow. A pulse of energy threw the six doppelgangers off her body and sent waves of fire tearing around her body. She screamed in pain and anger as her broken limbs moved and agitated the injuries, but she took no notice after the first wave of agony. When she looked at the burning bodies of the Silent Brooks, she saw her six friends in Ponyville. Rarity, Apple Jack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Spike were all slumped against the walls screaming as their flesh was burnt away from their bodies. They all chanted the same words over and over again.

"Murderer...! Whore...! Slave...!"

Twilight tried to end her spell, but she had lost control of her magic. The flames ran rampant through the halls and continued to sear the life out of her six friends. Tears pooled in the corners of her eyes as she could only sit and watch them all die. One by one. Until a hoof touched her shoulder. She remember a similar touch from when she was a filly and she spun around instinctively to find the source of the comfort. Behind her stood Nightmare Moon, smiling proudly at her as if she had just won an award in some popular contest.

"Good job, my pet..."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Twenty-Third of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Three Oh-Three Ante Meridian
|

Twilight opened her eyes once more, fresh tears streaming down her face as she took in the area around her. Nightmare Moon was no longer present in the room, but Moon Beam still snuggled affectionately against her. She shuddered as she recalled visions of the dream and laid her head down next to the filly's. She knew what was causing the dreams, but didn't know how to dispel them. "I'm not a murderer...." she muttered as she began to drift off into terror filled dreams once again.

Moon Beam stirred slightly from the movement caused by Twilight as she found a comfortable position to sleep in. "Auntie Twilight?" The purple unicorn opened her eyes and smiled warmly at the unicorn filly. "Are you okay? Did you do something bad?"

Twilight blanched at the foal's words. She didn't know how to explain what had happened to the small unicorn without hurting her innocence. She knew how, whenever something bad would happen to the filly form of Moon Beam, she would shift personalities and forget all experiences that happened while changed, but she also knew that that kept the filly's innocence mostly intact. "I...." She choked on a sob that had found its way into her throat. "I did.... I hurt somepony really bad..., but they hurt me too.... I guess I'm just scared of myself...."

Moon Beam frowned and kissed Twilight on the head just as the lavender unicorn does for her. "It's okay, Auntie Twilight. Mommy Moon and I still love you!" She beamed and snuggled up closer to the mare. "Mommy Moon doesn't show it but she really likes you. And I like you too! You're the nicest Auntie I've ever had. It's too bad Brookie isn't here anymore. I'm sure she likes you too!"

Twilight froze, her expression dropping into depression once again. Her body grew cold as memories of Silent Brook's confession tore through her brain. She fought back tears once more and put on a brave face for the filly, despite her inner turmoil. "Yeah..., she probably would...." Twilight nuzzled the filly and curled up around her once again. "Let's try and go back to sleep. It's still bed time for you."

"Okay, Auntie Twilight. Good night."

"Good night, Moon Beam."

The filly kissed Twilight on the forehead once more before snuggling up close to the unicorn's stomach. "I love you, Auntie Twilight...." She said as she quickly drifted off back to sleep.

Twilight breathed deeply and closed her eyes. "I love you too, Moon Beam...." She, too, began to fall into slumber.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Twenty-Third of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Five-Twelve Ante Meridian
|

All lights were off in the town of Ponyville save for the tree house library where a purple dragon met with five mares of varying colors. They spoke quietly even though no noise could escape the walls of the tree.

"Alright girls. Tomorrow night, we're gonna go in there an' get Twilight out. Do y'all know what ya gotta do?" The orange earth pony asked, her cowpony hat tilted up out of her face.

The group all nodded. "Uhm.... Do you think... that, uh..., we'll all be... okay? I mean..., isn't this... dangerous?" Fluttershy asked, the fear obvious in her voice.

Rainbow Dash swooped down from her perch on the upper level of the library. "Duh! Of course we'll be alright! There's no way our plan can go wrong! All of the guards will be too tired to stop us since they are still recovering from that battle and the same goes for Nightmare Moon! There's no way she wouldn't have gotten out of that fight without being some kind of tired."

"Now, Rainbow Dash. Don't go getting overconfident. Something can always go wrong, darling, but it is good to be optimistic. We will perform our jobs as quickly and as safely as we can. Now, if you don't mind, could we go over this one more time? I simply cannot allow anypony to forget their roles." Rarity glanced about the group and watched their faces. They all silently agreed.

"All right then. Rarity and I will be the ones to go in an' get Twilight out. Rarity cause she already knows some of the castle from goin' there and me cause I can handle any guards that might try an' get in our way." Apple Jack looked over to Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash. "You two will be keeping a look out from the outside. If anything happens, y'all have ta be tha ones to cause a distraction as y'all are much more difficult ta catch than Fluttershy or Spike here. Fluttershy and Spike will stay at the wagon for when we make out getaway. It's yer job to make sure nopony keeps us from being able to leave as soon as we get Twilight. Everypony understand?" They nodded their agreement once more as Apple Jack stood up to stretch her legs. "I reckon it'd be good for y'all to go an' get some rest. We got ourselves a big day ahead an' we can't be riskin' our lives and be tired at tha’ same time. Now head on home, Ah'll stay here an' watch over Spike. And girls.... Be careful on yer way home. Y'all hear that one mare dis'peared a few nights ago."

"Let us not speak of that now, darling."

The purple dragon smiled but shook his head. "No, I didn't hear about that, but I'm sure it's safe AJ. You go on ahead and go home too. I'm sure your family would be worried if you weren't at home when they woke up. Besides, I'll be fine here by myself. I am a man after all."

The five mares chuckled and turned to leave the library, all saying their good-byes to the baby dragon. "Take care, Spike. Try not to stay up too late." Fluttershy called out before closing the door behind her.

Spike waved back at them until they disappeared from view then sprinted up the stairs to hop into bed. He picked up a picture from his bedside and gazed at it lovingly. The picture depicted Princess Celestia standing over a filly Twilight Sparkle and the newly born Spike as she smiled at them. It was taken the day after Twilight was accepted to be Princess Celestia's personal protege and Twilight had given it to him a year ago for his birthday. He sighed and stroked it as he curled up, clutching the picture to his stomach. "Don't you worry, Twilight.... We're finally coming to save you...."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: Yay being sick! Just totally ruins any plans you may have! I guess, on a brighter note, I didn't have to go in to work so it kinda works out in my favor. Oh well, here's Ch. 13 just like I promised! And it didn't even kill me! High score! Hope you enjoy, but I must be getting to the sleepz. I don't want to be sick tomorrow... Peppy out!

Also, a shout out to one of my readers, Janushyde (in the form of a silly line by an adorable filly)! Thanks for the giggles!

Editor's Notes: Personal shout-out to Tonto the Trotter. Can you find it. I'll give ya' a hint. It's near the end and you have to be familiar with his assassins side story.

Chapter 15 - A Step Forward

Chapter 15 - A Step Forward

Septara Twenty-Fifth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Five Twenty Post Meridian
|

Rarity and Apple Jack sat in the former's boutique as they waited for their friends to arrive. They both glanced about and shared the occasional nervous look between each other, the weight of the words they had weighing on their shoulders. They had put off telling their friends about the truth of Twilight's refusal for two nights, but the others had began pressing for details. They couldn't procrastinate any longer.

"Uhmm, Rarity? What do y'all think we're gonna tell 'em? How are we gonna tell 'em? This isn't somethin' we can just come right out an' say like ya would a crush or somethin'." She looked at the white unicorn, who had the same worry etched on her face along with a hint of something else entirely. Anger.

"I believe we should just tell them exactly what happened Apple Jack. Twilight has done nothing to deserve our pity. She killed one of my best friends." Her voice was calm, but Apple Jack could feel the bitter emotions emanating from Rarity.

"Ah know what she did, an' I know how ya feel 'bout it, but ah'm not sure how tha others will react. Ah for sure don't want Spike knowin'. He's hurtin' bad enough as it is."

Rarity's anger slackened at the thought of the baby dragon, his heart crushed by his 'big sister'. "I know.... It's just.... I feel so conflicted. I know she helped us back there despite everything that's happened. I can still remember the look in her eyes, the look of a pony who has lost all hope... Brook had that look once too." Her anger slackened once more and she sighed. "I just wish this hadn't ever happened. If the Elements had worked.... If we had gone to save her sooner..."

A knock reverberated from the door, startling the two mares out of their conversation. Rarity walked to open it and was met by three pairs of eyes standing just outside, two of which were hidden slightly behind the others. "Oh, hello girls! Come on in and make yourselves comfortable. We have stuff that must be discussed, as you all know." She nodded her head as each pony passed, first Pinkie Pie, then Rainbow Dash, and finally Fluttershy. After they had all gotten situated, Rarity shut the door and locked it behind her.

"So what's the big secret?" Dash exclaimed, eager to get whatever it was out in the open. "You've been quiet for two days now and we all know something happened in there, so just spill the bean already!"

Fluttershy spoke up as well, her soft voice barely audible even in the silence. "Oh, yes. Like Rainbow said, we'd all really like to know.... Ummm..., if you want to tell us...."

Pinkie Pie bounced up and put on her largest smile. "We all REEEEEAAAAALLLLYYY wanna know! It's been bugging us super bad this whole time. I've been thinking to myself: 'What's so important that they waited this long to tell us?' I mean it's gotta be super important for you two to want to keep it a secret." She gasped loudly and settled down, her tone becoming more serious. "Unless you promised to keep it a secret. If you tell somepony's secret that they trusted you with, that's a good way to lose a friend's trust FOREEEEEVVVVEEEERRRR!"

Apple Jack sighed heavily before glancing at Pinkie. "It's all right, Sugarcube, we didn't promise to keep no secrets. We just, didn't know how to explain it is all. We weren't entirely sure how ya'd react either."

"Oh, come on! Just tell us already!" Dash yelled, her small amount of patience wearing thin.

"All right, dear. There's a few things we have to talk about and we'll go over the least shocking items first. When we got inside, we met a filly, somewhere around my sister's age, in the castle named Moon Beam. We aren't entirely sure of her connection to Nightmare Moon, but we did hear her call her 'Mommy Moon' and Twilight 'Auntie Twilight'. We're guessing she's not Nightmare Moon's daughter, seeing as how Nightmare Moon was just released from the moon, but I can't be certain."

Fluttershy gasped, a sound that was completely out of character for the pegasus. "There's a filly in the castle? Ohh, that poor thing. It must be terrible being stuck with that mean old Nightmare Moon against her will..."

"That's just it Fluttershy. We're not for sure whether or not she's there on her own. She looked like she was mighty fond o' Nightmare Moon if ya ask me." Apple Jack looked about the group and noticed their mixed expressions. Dash seemed bored, the thought of a filly didn't appeal to her and Pinkie was unreadable, her typical bubbly mood suppressed. "If y'all don't have any questions then we'll go on." Nopony made any attempt to talk, Fluttershy's words expressing what any of them could have said. "All right. It also seems that Twilight has pledged herself to Nightmare Moon. Nightmare Moon also called her a pet."

"Now she's keeping ponies as pets? I knew that mare was a sick pony, but that's just a new kind of low. I say we go in there again and buck her right in the face. Show her what we think of making Twilight a pet." Rainbow Dash's brash nature showed and Apple Jack couldn't help but to chuckle inwardly despite the tense atmosphere.

"Awww, now don't say that! It can't be that bad being a pet! I mean I have gummy, Apple Jack has Winona, Fluttershy has Angel, and Rarity has Opalescence! Well, I guess being a pet for that Black Snooty would be pretty bad. She probably makes Twilight do all kinds of stuff against her will." Pinkie frowned slightly at that last part, but cheered up almost immediately. "Well, maybe not if Twilight wanted to stay! Maybe they have parties every night! Ooooh~ That would be so much fun! Now I'm kind of jealous! Hmmm... Maybe I should throw a party every night too!"

Pinkie would have continued, but Rarity held up a hoof to silence her. "That's quite all right, darling. We all know you love to throw parties, but this last bit of information needs to be told." She breathed in deeply, suppressing her rising emotions, and let the held breath loose. "What I'm going to tell you will come as a... shock, so be prepared." She looked at all the eager faces and sighed. "Twilight didn't choose to stay behind just because she wanted to. She had another reason that she couldn't return with us even if Nightmare Moon hadn't captured us. Do you remember the friend I had talked about? The one that has been sending us information about the goings-on of Nightmare Moon and the ponies in the castle? Well, I hadn't received a letter from her in a while and she had promised one the night after the battle was supposed to end. It never came." The group listened closely, realization slowly beginning to form on their faces. "Well, when we went to retrieve Twilight, she refused and we asked her why. She told us...."

Rarity could no long keep herself composed and she broke down into sobs. Fluttershy quickly moved over to her to comfort her, as she had understood what was going on. Pinkie's smile was gone replaced by a sad frown, her cheerful mood completely eradicated. Rainbow Dash was the only one who didn't get it. "What'd she tell you? I'm not dumb or anything, but I'm not sure I follow. What does Twilight have to do with-" Her words were cut off by a sharp glare from Apple Jack and the thoughts all coalesced into one conclusion. "Oh..."

"I... I can't believe she would do something like that...." Pinkie said, her voice soft and mirthless. "She didn't seem like a meany mean murder pants...."

Apple Jack looked at her sadly, her typical emotional fortitude broken under the weight of the truth. "Ah know, Sugarcube. She said she didn't have any choice, but ah'm not so sure. She's been with Nightmare Moon so long that it's probably begun to rub off on her."

Rainbow Dash took to her air, her eye's wide with shock. "Come on, girls! There's no way Twilight would do something like this without a reason! She's too nerdy to do anything of the sort. There has to be a reason why!"

Rarity looked back up, having composed herself once more, though tears still streaked down her cheeks. "She... She thought Silent Brook was going to kill her. That cannot be true, though! Brook was such a nice mare.... She would never do anything like that...."

The group remained silent for a moment before Rainbow Dash spoke up. "We can't let Spike know. He's already doing terribly right now and this could send him over the edge. I don't want the little guy to suffer anymore."

Fluttershy nodded and began to walk towards the exit. "I agree. I'll go pick him up and take him over to my place. The poor thing is probably having trouble sleeping at the library."

The mares all stood and began to follow Fluttershy out, save for Rarity and Apple Jack. Soon, the two were left alone once more and the white unicorn broke down again, unable to control her emotions. "I'm sorry...! I just... I want to believe them both..., but I don't know who's right.... It's so hard.... I just can't choose...!"

Apple Jack just sighed and pulled Rarity in a tight embrace. "It's okay. Ah know that it's gotta be tough on ya, but don't you fret none. We'll figure this out. We hafta...."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Twilight walked briskly down Mane Street in Ponyville, her hair flapping lightly in the slight summer breeze as Spike bounced softly on her back. She smiled widely, the warmth of the sun energizing her for the task she had ahead of her. The Princess had sent her here to supervise the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration and she couldn't be happier! She was eager to complete her task and meet with the residents of the town. She might even make some new friends by the end of the day.

As she made her way from where the sky chariot had dropped her off, she looked back at Spike as he went over the list they were given. "So, Spike. What's first on the list for today?" Her voice was chipper and rang with a sweet tone as she half sang the words.

"Hmmm. First we have to go to Sweet Apple Acres to check up on the food preparations being made by an earth pony named Apple Jack." He rolled the paper up and stuck it in a pouch on Twilight's saddle bags.

"All right! First stop, Sweet Apple Acres!" She picked up her pace slightly, eager to meet the new pony and perhaps even sample some of the food. She had full faith in the pony's ability to provide for the feast.

They soon arrived at the outskirts of Ponyville where a large farm with hundreds of apple trees dotting the landscape. She took in a deep breath of air, the delicious smell of apples filling her nostrils. Spike soon followed suit and sighed in bliss. This farm was truly magnificent. Twilight returned to her pace after a moment and quickly arrived at the gate to the farm. She took note of the ponies moving about busily as they prepared the food. There were about two dozen ponies mulling about, all of them carrying trays of food or barrels of apples on their backs moving back and forth between the barn, a large red house, and a row of tables set up outside. Twilight smiled brightly and took a step through the threshold as she went to approach the ponies.

Everything morphed.

The sun instantly disappeared from the sky to be replaced by a full, silver moon that hung low in the sky casting eerie shadows across the expanse. The once sweet smell of apples turned to the gut wrenching, foul stench of decay as the bountiful trees all became rotting corpses of their former selves. The bustle of ponies had disappeared to leave only four, all sitting under a withered tree, staring mournfully up at the last of the edible apples in the orchard. They were emaciated and starving, the occasional sounds of gurgling stomachs could be heard over the sounds of the ponies' sobbing cries.

Twilight spun around, shocked by the instant shift in the world, until she once again faced the four ponies. To find the largest and smallest of them pouncing upon the frail elderly pony in the center and begin to tear the flesh from her body in a desperate act for nourishment. Twilight retched, the contents of her stomach spilling across the ground to her side. When she recovered, she warily raised her gaze up to where the ponies had cannibalized their own to find an orange mare standing only feet away, her green eyes staring furiously at Twilight.

The lavender unicorn took a step back, frightened. "Apple Jack...! What's wrong? What's going on?"

The earth pony's scowl deepened and she took a step towards Twilight. "What's wrong? Yer what's wrong! Ya betrayed us! Ya left us alone to fend fer ourselves! Ya killed somepony. It's all yer fault that stuff ended up like this!" She motioned her hoof to the decimated orchard and the disemboweled corpse of Apple Jack's grandmother. "Ya gave up on everything just so ya could be some pet o' Nightmare's! Yer not welcome round here no more, so git!" She raised her hoof and brought it down upon Twilight's head, the connection making a dull cracking noise and dropping the mare to the ground, stunned and in severe pain.

Twilight slowly recovered and stood up to look around as blood trickled down her forehead. She watched warily in case the earth pony might come back and inflict more harm upon her, but, as quickly as the original shift, everything returned to the bright and cheery atmosphere of before. She gazed around in confusion, the pain in her head slowly subsiding, until Spike poked her shoulder.

"Hey, Twilight! Let's get going! We still have more stuff to do before the day's over!"

Twilight snapped out of her stupor and gazed back at the purple and green dragon on her back. She smiled again, but nowhere near as cheerily as she had before. "You're right, Spike. Now let's get going on to the next thing on the list. Where to?" She turned and started trotting back the way she came to the center of Ponyville.

"It says here that there's a pegasus pony by the name of Rainbow Dash that should be clearing the skies in preparation for the festival."

Twilight glanced up at the sky and frowned at the multitude of clouds blotting out the glow of the sun. "Well, it doesn't look like she's doing a very good job of it, where is this Rainbow Da-"

In that instant, the world shifted again. The center of Ponyville was no longer dotted with clouds, but now had a huge curtain of them blotting out the sky, rumbling and flashing briefly as they hinted at a brewing storm. Glimpses of silver and red could be seen through small breaks in the cloud cover, but otherwise only darkness prevailed. She stared around in disbelief once more, fear returning to her. Twilight looked back for Spike, but the baby dragon was missing and, instead, she saw a flash of a rainbow blur right before it collided with her, sending her straight into the dirt. She could feel her skin tearing against the hard earth and knew that the impact had fractured several of her ribs, but all she could focus on was the cyan pegasus standing above her, her deep magenta eyes staring down with unconstrained loathing.

"So, you thought you'd just abandon us, huh? Ditch us for good and leave us to die alone here in Ponyville? You thought you'd shrug off the most loyal pony in Equestria for a spot of power?" Rainbow Dash grabbed the sides of Twilight's head with her hooves and brought her own into contact with it in a rush of force. Twilight screamed in pain as their heads connected in the same spot that Apple Jack had punched her, the blood now gushing out of the wound. "I gave up a chance to be captain of a group that could rival the Wonderbolts for you and this is how you repay me!?" She stood up and kicked dirt into the lavender unicorn's face. "I hope it was worth it." She took to the air, speeding away into the storm.

Twilight felt the burning of tears welling up in her eyes as blood continued to pour down her face from the gash right below her horn. She tried to stand, but was only able to lay on her knees until the world reverted to it's original state. The sun had returned and was no longer obscured by clouds as the sky was now clear. She wiped the tears from her face and turned her head to see Spike mulling over the list once more, ignorant of her pain.

"Spike...! Can you.... Can you not see what's going on? Can you not see the blood on my face? The cut?" Her voice was strained and panicked and Spike turned to look at her, confused.

"What do you mean, Twi? There's nothing wrong with you. If anything you have a silly hair-do from where Rainbow Dash rain-blow-dried it." He snickered quietly and returned to reading the list.

Twilight reached up to her forehead, sure that he was wrong, but found that there was, in fact, not a drop of blood or even pain. Confusion and worry etched themselves into her face, but she continued nonetheless, slightly more cautious of her surroundings. "I.... I guess you're right.... Sorry, must have dozed off for a second there and dreamt it up.... Heh...." She took in a deep breath to calm her nerves and sighed. "Okay, so what's next on the list?"

Spike looked up at her and pointed towards the town hall. "Decorations! A pony named Rarity is supposed to be preparing the place for Celestia's big entrance."

She nodded and slowly started the short trek to the central building, her smile having disappeared to be replaced by a mask of fear. They reached the door to the town hall must faster than she had hoped and, with a push from her magic, the door opened to reveal a stunning white unicorn with curled purple hair setting up ribbons and other various decorations about the place. It looked amazing and it helped to bring her out of the slump she had fallen into. Her fears forgotten momentarily, Twilight stepped through the portal and into the room ready to greet the mare at the other end.

It was too good to be true. Light flashed and the room was bathed in a deep red glow as if something had painted the windows with blood, but when Twilight went to check, she saw the moon glowing a sickly red color. The streamers and ribbons that had been hung about the room were replaced by dozens of ponies, all impaled upon sharp spikes protruding from the walls. On closer inspection, as she couldn't help but to examine them, Twilight noticed that the bodies were all the same and belonged to a single mare. Silent Brook. They hung lifelessly on the walls, staring coldly at the unicorn as she walked by them, their accusing eyes tormenting her as she cowered.

Rarity spun around before Twilight could even get within two meters of her, a knife, similar to the one that had ended Brook's life, suspended in the air by her magic. She took a step closer to Twilight, her once pristine white coat mottled with blood stains and dirt, with a wicked grin on her face. "So, you came to kill me like you did my friend? You wish to be rid of me like some insect that just happened to cross your path?"

Twilight broke free from her shock and shook her head violently. "No! Rarity, please listen to me...! I know what I did was horrible, but she was going to kill me if I didn't act first! She had toyed with my heart and was even going to murder a filly! I didn't have-"

"Lies. Don't you lie to me, sniveling whore! Brook would have never done anything like that! She was the nicest pony I'd ever known and you murdered her!" Rarity moved ever closer to Twilight, the knife levitating lower and lower until it was neck level with the two mares.

Twilight opened her mouth to speak again, but Rarity had other plans. With a rush, she pounced on the lavender unicorn and brought the blade hurtling down into her chest, stabbing deep through the space between two of her ribs. Twilight screamed in pain as blood gushed out of the wound, but she was incapable of fighting back. All strength had left her body the moment Rarity had tackled her. With a scream of rage, the white unicorn brought the knife down over and over, stabbing Twilight to the hilt with each strike and ripping open holes in her body. Tears fell from the lavender mare's eyes as she felt her life fading away from her until Rarity drew the blade back once more. She smiled in triumph before hurtling the knife at Twilight one final time, the edge aiming right at the spot Silent Brook had been impaled....

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Twenty-Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eleven Thirty-Six Post Meridian
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Twilight Sparkle awoke with a start, her heart racing and sweat soaking her body as tears poured down her face. She glanced about the room and heaved a sobbing sigh of relief. Tonight's dream was... so much more terrifying. I don't know if I'll be able to keep this up.... She looked at the sleeping forms of Moon Beam and Nightmare Moon and wiped her brow with a shaky hoof. Perhaps I can ask Nightmare to help with the dreams.... She shook the thought from her head and curled around the filly once more. She wouldn't help me like that.... I wish I knew what I could do....

Nightmare Moon opened an eye and observed Twilight, noting the fear, sweat and tears upon her face. She chuckled in her mind. I can see why they named such dreams after me. If Twilight's reaction to such things has been like this, it would make sense. She sat up slightly, careful not to alert the unicorn to her presence, and watched her lay there for a moment longer until a thought began to form in her head. I could end the dreams.... It would even make her that much more devoted to me. She grinned at her idea before hiding her smile behind her typical mask of uncaring. "I could end those dreams for you."

Twilight started and spun around, not expecting Nightmare Moon to be awake. She dropped her head slightly in shame. "I'm sorry, Mistress.... I didn't mean to wake you...."

Nightmare Moon frowned, but then repeated her statement. "As I said: I could keep you from having those dreams if you so wished." She monitored Twilight's reaction carefully.

The lavender mare's eyes immediately shot up, surprised evident in them. "You.... You'd do that? For me? But, I'm just your pet.... I don't deserve..." Her words faded as she lost her confidence.

"If that is what you wish. You have earned your place by my side through your actions as of late and I do not want you to continue with these dreams." She frowned slightly, catching her words too late. "You keep me from my slumber. Even if I do not require such things as you do, I enjoy the comfort of sleep." She added quickly.

Twilight's demeanor softened and she smiled up at the alicorn, her mood lightening. "Thank you, Your Highness, but, if it's all right with you, I would like to try and solve this on my own."

Nightmare Moon looked at her in surprise, but quickly hid behind her facade once more. I never thought she would decline my offer. She seems to still have some self-confidence remaining, but it's definitely minute. Perhaps she will be a fine companion in the future. She nodded slightly. "Very well, but I give you two weeks. If you have not figured out how to end the dreams I will rid you of them even against your will." Twilight smiled again and went to curl back up around Moon Beam until Nightmare Moon began to rise.

"My Queen, where are you going?" She asked, the fear of being abandoned, despite having Moon Beam beside her, showing through her uncertain words.

"I must begin recruiting more soldiers. That battle has left me weary and, if I am to try and control the outlying countries, I will need to gather my forces once more. It will only be a matter of time before they learn of my weakness and begin trying to claim Equestria for their own. I also need to find an adviser that I will be able to trust to not stab me in the back." She walked over to the pony mannequin that held her armor and began to levitate each part off before clasping them onto her body. With her armor equipped, she focused magic into her navy mane, tucked underneath the helmet, and shifted it into its ethereal form, the stars in the blue abyss blinking in and out of existence as it flowed in an unseen wind. "It is time I reopened my court once more."

The Moon Queen began to walk towards the door when she heard Twilight speak softly behind her. "Ummm..." Nightmare turned her head to look at the unicorn who was shuffling about nervously. "Could I come with you? I... don't want to be alone...." The fear was evident in her eyes as she stepped closer to the alicorn.

Nightmare Moon arched an eyebrow, but nodded her head in assent. "If you wish, but I will not have you appearing in my court without your attire. Dress yourself so we may leave." Twilight nodded swiftly and rushed to the dresser where she had placed the dress the night before and slid into it as quickly as she could. With her dress on and with herself feeling even more revealed, she trotted up to her mistress and took her place beside her. The two left the room, with Moon Beam still sleeping soundly on the bed, and began the walk to find the royal messenger to announce the news.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: Yay! Gotta love the stuff that get's you behind! Writer's block coupled with work and being sick = a hell of a time writing ANYTHING. Would have had this out last night had I been able to come up with ANY sort of ideas for what to put in it. As I said, plot is laid out already, but the stuff in between is what takes the time. Anyhooves, here is Chapter 15 and all its gooey fun stuff. Hope you enjoy. Also, a hint at upcoming chapters is set up in there so you guys can know what to expect soon. Well, that's all for now. Oh wait! There's more!

I want to thank all my readers so far cause, without you, this would probably never have gotten as far as it is. (I don't like to write if nopony reads my stuff. I get bored with it and just toss it to the side like that.) I want you to know that I live off your comments and even take some of your words into consideration when writing the chapters out. You guys are awesome! Also wanted to thank meine Mutter since she has been helping me to fix any errors in my stories. Also wanted to thank my sister for reading this as well (even if I threaten to take her internet away, she still enjoys reading it). And finally, a thanks to Hasbro/Lauren Faust for making this stuff possible.

Peppy out!

Editor's Notes: Coffee, coffee, coffee. Don't much like the stuff, but it gets the job done. Wooo...! Goin' on myyyy... thirty-third hour now. Well, whatever. I'mma start editin' the next chapter when I stop feeling nauseous.... Buckin' coffee.

Chapter 16 - Royal Pains and Loyal Gains

Chapter 16 - Royal Pains and Loyal Gains

Nightober First of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eleven Ten Ante Meridian
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Nightmare Moon sat on her throne, staring blankly out at the crowd of ponies gathered before her. Her mind drifted to the first time she had allowed others into her court and her mouth drooped into a distasteful frown. I cannot believe these blathering idiots were allowed to retain their status in Celestia's rule. These foals do not deserve their wealth, nor the influence they once had over the workings of the government. She could see the ponies' faces as they each waited their turn to meet with the Queen. Most of them wore poor masks to hide their discomfort and fear of losing their standing and Nightmare Moon could see right through them. Two particular stallions caught her eyes. One was a tall, handsome unicorn, his horn somewhat longer than most and his blonde mane well-groomed. He had a smug grin on his face that Nightmare absolutely loathed. The other was also a white unicorn, smaller in stature than the first, with a blue mane and mustache, but he held himself with an air of confidence. She could tell that he was comfortable in his surroundings, a trait taken by one that has seen his fair share of events like this.

Twilight fidgeted nervously, an act that Nightmare Moon took note of. She must not feel comfortable in front of all these foals dressed as she is, but she hasn't said a word. Perhaps I should reward her with a new article of clothing that she would feel more at ease in around others.... The thoughts were scattered when the next pony walked up to the area just below the raised platform of the throne and bowed, announcing herself as Silver Delight. The alicorn nodded slightly and ignored the obvious act of trying to kiss up to her. She enjoyed when her subjects prostrated themselves before her in fear and reverence, but the brown-nosing of the so-called 'elite' tried her patience. Pushing thoughts of the ponies out of her mind, she refocused on Twilight, but made certain to show some signs of interest to the speakers.

The lavender unicorn was watching the proceedings with mild interest. Nightmare Moon could tell that she was eager to learn about the higher society of ponies, but that their attitudes were driving a wedge into her scholarly pursuit. Twilight noticed the sidelong gaze of the Moon Queen and turned to her, smiling slightly, an act that none but the alicorn saw. She seems so bored with this stuff.... Why doesn't she just let some other pony take care of these thing for her? I'm sure that there would be plenty of others that would jump on the idea of the job. She probably just doesn't trust anypony to do it, but herself.... I wish I could be of more assistance, but I can't do anything but sit here....

Three more ponies had come and gone, their words blending together as they spewed identical tales to better themselves in the Queen's eyes. It came time for the blue-maned white unicorn stallion to present himself and he strode up to the throne, bowing low. "Hello, Your Majesty. My name is Fancy Pants and it is quite a pleasure to meet you." Nightmare Moon listened closely and noted the sincerity in his voice.

"Yes...! Well, Fancy Pants, do you have anything you wish to discuss?" Her voice was wary, still trying to figure out his intentions.

"Oh, why yes, I do. It is nothing of grave importance, though. First, I'd like to welcome you back to Equestria. I was unable to attend the feast held in your honor and would like to apologize for my absence. It was quite rude of me." He bowed again, a warm smile on his face. "I would also like to thank you for your willingness to help Equestria with the issue of the everlasting night. Without your blessings, the plants would have withered and even us nobles would have been scrounging for food, a topic that my colleagues seemed to forget."

Nightmare Moon smiled and nodded to the stallion. "Ahh, finally. A stallion that knows his place and isn't too snotty to be humble. You are welcome in my court any time." He bowed again. "Is there anything else you wished to discuss? My mood has been elevated and I may be slightly more generous."

Fancy Pants shook his head and simply smiled. "No, Your Majesty. I have said all I wanted." He noticed Twilight sitting beside her and arched a brow in curiosity. "I'm sorry, but I do have one question. Who is the lovely young mare? I feel as if I've met her before."

Nightmare Moon frowned, expecting a look of lust, but saw only curiosity. Her anger abated. "This is my... personal servant, Twilight Sparkle. She was once the student of Celestia before my return and now serves me willingly."

"Ah, yes. I remember now. I've seen you many times in the company of the Princess. Well met, Twilight Sparkle." He bowed to each of them once more and moved away to allow the next in line to babble pathetically at the Queen.

Twilight took no heed of them, her mind focused on the sentence Nightmare Moon had uttered. She... didn't call me her pet...! Does she... like me more now? Am I more than a pet? Happiness flooded her body and she soon felt herself breezing through the monotony of the dreadful nobility. Pony after pony came and went, doing nothing more than feeding the alicorn's frustration, but Twilight was too joyful to care. Until the smug unicorn stallion forced his way past the ponies he was behind to stand before Nightmare Moon.

The Moon Queen scowled at his first mistake. He hadn't bowed. "Greetings, Queen Moon. I am Prince Blueblood, son of Golden Rod." His pompous voice was like scraping metal across a chalkboard to Nightmare Moon's ears.

She put her loathing aside and nodded her acknowledgment of his presence. "I have never heard of you or your father. Why should I care? What have you done to strengthen my country?"

Blueblood scoffed, an action that only irked the alicorn even more. "I am a Prince. I have no need to stoop so low as to do commoner's work. I would never sully my hooves with such demeaning labor. I would love to personally assist you, though. I'm sure somepony like you would love a stallion like me by your side." He stepped up closer to the throne and winked at the Queen.

Nightmare Moon's rage flared and she shot to her feat, her horn radiating with magic. The pompous unicorn was lifted into the air by his neck and brought inches away from her face. "Are you suggesting that you wish to become an equal in my court? A consort?" She growled through clenched teeth, her magical grip tightening.

Blueblood gasped for air, terror on his face. "No! I didn't mean... it like that...! I just... I!" He tried to lie his way out of the situation, but Nightmare Moon continued to strangle him.

Just before he lost consciousness, the Moon Queen threw him to the ground and looked at Twilight as he tried to recover. "Twilight Sparkle, do you have knowledge of who heads the social stations? The one that holds influence over the status of all Canterlot society?"

Twilight shrunk under her gaze but slowly shook her head. "Ummm, no, Your Majesty. I never got acquainted with the ponies in Celestia's court. I only knew some of the higher ranked guards and her closest servants."

Fancy Pants stepped forward and bowed again. "That would be me, Your Majesty. I was head of the Equestrian government below Celestia whenever she wished to delegate her tasks to another pony. I had a small group of elected officials to assist me as well."

Nightmare Moon smiled, her anger fading once more. "Excellent. Do you wish to resume your previous station as head of Equestrian government under my rule? I am tired of these pompous foals trying to worm their way into my favor with their pitiful words."

"I would be honored, Your Majesty."

"Then it shall be done. You will once again have your circle of equals selected, but they must be approved by myself. I will not have these foals running my government. As your first act of..." She paused for a moment to think of his title. "Chancellor will have to do. As your first act of Chancellor, you will be doubling the taxes on any pony that makes more than one-hundred thousand bits a year." A series of gasps and outraged shouts filled the air as the ponies realized that all of them were included in that range. "SILENCE. Your actions brought this upon yourselves. I am the one true ruler of this country and none of your titles and wealth mean anything to me! You have lived far too long swimming in your wealth and turning your noses up at the poor, but remember! It was the poor that built the houses that you live in! It is the poor that grow the food that you eat! None of you brown-nosing foals are worthy of my presence." She turned her scowl down to Blueblood, her scowl deepening. "I want this wretch stripped of his title and wealth. Even most of these other ponies have likely worked to earn their living, but he has done nothing to contribute to my society."

He stood up, coughing, and moved to approach the Queen, her temper rising. "You cannot do that to me! I am a Prince and I will not stand for-"

In a flash of magenta light, he was crushed to the floor again, this time Twilight standing with her horn glowing. "You will not approach my Mistress with such a threatening tone!"

Nightmare Moon looked at her in shock, but smiled devilishly. It would seem I have more influence over her than I thought.... She nodded to the lavender unicorn and her magic was released. Blue sputtered on the ground, coughing and squirming as he complained about his coat being ruined and muttered curses under his breath.

Fancy Pants stepped over him and moved closer to the Queen and spoke so only Nightmare Moon could hear. "While I agree that the ponies of Canterlot's high society should be taxed higher, it would probably be best to only raise the taxes slightly and only increase it more over time. It is best not to put a barrier of hatred between yourself and your subjects like this."

"Hmmm. Yes, I see your point. Very well." She looked up over the mass and increased the volume of her voice once more. "I will retract my previous order to double the taxes on the wealthy," sighs of relief flooded the hall, "however, the taxes will be raised nonetheless. I am not Celestia, content to sit around and allow ponies with wealth control those without. I am the one true power in Equestria and, with this foal as my first witness, will punish those that do not follow by my rule." Unsure murmurs spread throughout the crowd, but nopony protested. She looked down at Blueblood and lit her horn. It glowed briefly for a moment, then, with a quick flash, the stallion disappeared. "You are all dismissed as you have said your share. I will now be meeting with any that have issues they wish to bring up be them rich or poor."

The group shuffled out of the throne room and a line formed at the door, a long group of ponies filing into place as they awaited their turn to have their issues brought to light. At the head of the line stood a rather elderly stallion, Nightmare recognized him as one of the only nobles from before to show some true humility. Before allowing him and to approach, Nightmare Moon looked to Twilight who was watching the alicorn intently. "You have done well, Twilight Sparkle, and have pleased me greatly. You truly are worthy to be by my side."

The unicorn blushed and dropped her head, embarrassed at the praise. I haven't received such words since the night I became Nightmare Moon's pet and she is even calling me by name now! Twilight smiled. "Thank you, Your Majesty. It means a lot to me to hear you say that...."

I have gained a powerful consort. It would do me well to keep her in my grasp. Nightmare Moon focused her attention on the line again and reset her mask. She prepared herself for hours of dull complaints and silently wished she had made the white unicorn handle this in her stead. "First pony, step forward."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober First of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Twelve Oh-One Post Meridian
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Fluttershy knocked on the door to the library and, much to her displeasure, not a single noise was given as a reply. She frowned and knocked again, slightly louder, but still no answer. "Spike? Are you in there? I know you haven't come out yet so please let me in. You haven't had anything to eat in two days!" She shouted, but the words came out as just barely above her normal quiet voice.

She was only greeted, once again, by silence.

"Please, Spike? I just want to help you...!" She took in a deep breath and looked around in case somepony might be watching. When she saw the coast was clear she put a hoof of the door handle. "All right..., I'm coming in. I'm sorry...." As her voice got quieter, she turned the handle and opened the front door to the library, stepping into the pitch darkness inside. All the windows had been drawn closed so not even a sliver of moonlight lit the tree house. She stumbled about in the darkness, her fear slowly seeping into her mind, but slowly made her way to the stairs by memory alone. "Spike? Please answer me.... I only want to help."

"Go away. I don't want your help!"

Fluttershy jumped in surprise, but calmed down quickly as she realized it was Spike that had answered. "Please, Spike? You haven't eaten since we got back and you haven't left your bed either. It's not healthy for you...."

"I said go away. I don't need help from anyone." Complete sadness filled his voice, but traces of bottled anger seeped into it ever so slightly.

The cream pegasus pressed further. "I know you're upset, but you can't hide away like this.... I mean, Twilight had her reasons.... and she wouldn't want you to be sad for her...."

"What do you know!?" Spike snapped, his pent up anger and frustration being directed at the only outlet nearby: Fluttershy. "She abandoned me! She doesn't love me any more and it's all your fault! You and the others! If you would have gone to save her when we talked about it first she would still love me! If she hadn't read that stupid book about the Elements of Harmony she wouldn't have ever met you! We would still be together in Canterlot! If Nightmare Moon hadn't taken her she would never have stopped loving me! I HATE THAT BOOK! I HATE YOU! I HATE NIGHTMARE MOON!" Fluttershy couldn't see him, but she knew the baby dragon was crying by the loud wails and sobs that echoed through the otherwise silent tree. "I hate Twilight.... I hate her for leaving me.... She was the only family I ever had..., but most of all... I hate myself. I shouldn't have pushed her to come to Ponyville.... It's my fault.... I was so eager to help her make friends and look what happened...."

Fluttershy had found her way next to the baby dragon and wrapped her fore-legs around him, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Shh... It's not your fault.... You could never have known that this would happen." Her voice was soft and motherly, her element being put into full use. "I know that it's hard, but it was never your fault. And don't worry, I'm sure this isn't the last time you'll see Twilight. She'll come to her senses and come running home to find you."

Spike sniffed as he tried to dry his tears with a clawed hand, but they kept on pouring out despite his best efforts. "Do.... Do you really... think that she'll... come back?"

Fluttershy nodded her head. "I'm sure, but you have to take care of yourself or else she won't have a Spike to return to. It's going to be difficult, but I'm sure that we can all help you through it.... Until Twilight comes back." Spike nodded and sniffled as he wiped his face. "Now, come on. You'll be coming over to my place for a while so I can take care of you, okay? You can stay with me as long as you like. Even until Twilight comes back."

She released the hug and stood back, waiting as Spike composed himself and gather some of his belongings, specifically the blanket and tiny bed Twilight had given to him on his last birthday. They walked down the stairs, carefully as the lights still hadn't been lit, and made their way towards the entrance of the library. As they neared the door, Spike looked up to Fluttershy. "Are you sure that Twilight will come back? She... didn't look like she ever wanted... to leave...."

Fluttershy gave her best smile, but doubts still played through her head. She knew the truth. "Of course, she will. Twilight loves you very much and would never leave you alone forever." As they left, Fluttershy gazed at the library forlornly. I sure hope that she does....

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober First of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Two Twenty-Nine Post Meridian
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Cloudy awoke abruptly, her stump of wing burning slightly as she recovered from slumber. The magical anesthetics had worn off, but she took no heed of the pain. One of the castle staff was talking just outside the hall, conversing with the medical ponies. She strained her ears to pick up on the conversation, her years of training as a guard helping to tune into the conversation.

"So, Nightmare Moon is going to be recruiting guards again."

"Yeah, I heard. She's making the announcement tonight, but I wonder who she's going to get to train them. She had Horizons to do that before, but with her injury I'm not sure that she's in any condition to lead them."

"Not only that, how will she get anyone to volunteer? Everypony that followed her into battle that night died and now nopony will want to join her. They'll be too terrified. I know I am."

"I know what you mean. I've never fought anypony in my entire life, and now we are building up an army to try and conquer the Drakenrange and Griffonia? She expects us to teach ourselves how to fight? I, for one, do not want to fight anything other than sickness. Treating Horizons was the most terrifying thing I've ever done!"

Cloudy frowned at their cowardice. She looked at the IV's stabbed into her leg and, with the grace of a rock, tore them out and tossed the blankets covering her aside. If nopony wishes to take command of Her Majesty's army, then I will once again. I am still able to fight even if I cannot fly anymore. A continuous beep filled the air as she removed the cuff of the heartbeat monitor and stood up out of the bed, wobbling slightly on unsteady legs. The doctor and servant quickly rushed into the room.

"What are you doing out of bed!? You haven't fully recovered yet!" The doctor stallion shouted over the noisome monitor before shutting it off completely.

"I'm going to lead Her Majesty's Lunar Army like I was trained to do and you will not stop me. Now out of my way." She pushed past the two, their mouths agape at her blatant disregard for her own health, and made her way through the halls. The pace was slow as she moved stiffly, her muscles still sore from being bedridden, but she eventually found herself outside the throne room. A small line of ponies gathered in the hall as they patiently waited their turn for an audience with the Queen, but she pushed past them, much to their chagrin, and forced her way towards the throne where she upstaged the current visitor and bowed lowly, wincing as her wounds were stretched.

Twilight immediately shot up and dashed to the pegasus' side. "You shouldn't be here! You should be resting! Come on, let me get you back to the infirmary!"

Cloudy pushed her back. "I do not need assistance. I am here for only one thing." She focused her attention on Nightmare Moon. "I wish to command your army, My Queen, and personally recruit ponies to your command. It would be my honor to serve under your banner once more." She dropped her head in reverence and Nightmare Moon beamed.

"You are welcome to resume your place as High Commander of my Royal Army if you believe you are physically capable of the task. You have served me well in the past month and I expect the same dedication from you now as I had before. Do you still wish to accept?"

Twilight moved to protest, but Nightmare shook her head, cutting her off. "I will do as you wish, My Queen. I am yours to do with as you please...."

Nightmare Moon smiled and stood. "Very well. I hereby assign you, Cloudy Horizons, title of High Commander once more and give you full control over my armies to build and shape as you please. I shall eagerly await your results. Also, for your first task, I require a small force to be sent to seise the Estate of one Lord Rust in what he calls Rust County. He has recently gifted the Estate to his Queen due to the recent loss of his wife and his increasingly poor health." As the recently reinstated High Commander Cloudy moved off to the side, Nightmare Moon beckoned to a pony standing off to the other side of the room and he moved forward towards the throne, bowing deeply. "Send for Chancellor Fancy Pants to finish with the rest of the concerns my subjects have for me. I wish to retire for the night." He bowed and hurried out of the room towards where the guests were gathered in search of his target. "Captain Horizons, you are dismissed for tonight and will begin your duties on the morrow. For now, do as you wish." Cloudy nodded curtly and left as well, heading to her room on the second level of the castle.

She looked at Twilight and smiled, truly pleased with the outcome of this night despite the minor issues from before. "You, Twilight Sparkle, will be coming with me. It has been quite some time since I have been given a massage. I want the full treatment when we return to my chambers."

Twilight blushed, knowing exactly what the alicorn expected from her and nodded sheepishly as she was led from the room to the third floor. "What about Moon Beam? I wouldn't want her to have to-"

"It would not be the first time Moon beam has seen me with another mare. If it displeases you, however, then I shall send her to go entertain herself with the castle staff."

Twilight opened the door to the bedroom only to be assaulted by a flying navy filly. "Yay! You're back! Now we can go outside and play and have all kinds-"

Nightmare Moon lifted Moon Beam off of Twilight and set her on her hooves as Twilight unsteadily rose from the ground. "Moon Beam, I want you to go and play with the servants downstairs. Twilight and I have much to discuss and do not wish to be disturbed. We will come and fetch you when we are finished."

Moon Beam pouted and kicked a front hoof dejectedly. "You two are going to have fun up here with each other aren't you. Why can't I stay? You never made me leave before!"

Twilight flushed again, but knelt down next to the filly. "I'm sorry, Moonie. I just don't want you to watch, okay?" The foal curled her bottom lip further and quivered it slightly as she widened her eyes and made them water as she forced herself to the verge of tears. Twilight felt her heartstrings tug. "Don't worry. I'll be sure to play with you all day tomorrow to make up for it, okay?"

Moon Beam cheered up instantly and hugged them both before dashing out the open door. "Don't forget, you promised!" She yelled back as she ran out of sight.

Twilight smiled as she watched the filly disappear around the corner until she heard Nightmare Moon call her name from the bed. She turned slowly and let out a gasp of surprise when a black aura enveloped her and levitated her to the alicorn's side. She calmed herself and, after closing the door with her own magic, began working her hooves over Nightmare Moon's body....

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: Heya guys! Next chapter is up and running! Hope you enjoy. I must say that I am finally starting to come down from my sickness and I feel quite a bit better than a few days ago. Being sick sucks, let me tell ya. Well, enough complaining, you guys didn't come here to listen to me moan and groan! You came here to read! Don't really have much to say about this chapter other than: I HATE BLUEBLOOD. Such an ass. Can't stand people like him that think they're better than others cause they have money. Oh well, I get to do what I want with him since I'm writing this. Also, inb4 y u no tell us what happened with him! That's not the last you'll be seeing of Blueblood (unfortunately). He'll return. Anyhooves, have fun! Peppy out! OH! Anypony feel like helping me think of a name for this one? I can't think of one >.> Having a bit of trouble with it. It will be much appreciated!

Editor's Notes: Dr.Jekyll here and I love Blueblood hate. Not much else to say. Great great great chapter. Loved it. And another reference to Tonto the Trotter's assassin side story, this time, it's a lot more obvious.

Chapter 17 - Darkness Looms

Chapter 17 - Darkness Looms

Twilight fell through a black abyss, screaming in terror as she plunged into a seemingly endless pit. Her mind raced to find a way out, but she couldn't concentrate on any thought. Every time she attempted to delve into her mind, images of her friends tearing the flesh off her body in a fit of rage forced her to halt and choke back tears. She did not have any choice, but to relinquish herself to her fate and plummet to her death. She stopped screaming, resigned to her demise and looked below her, a feat made more difficult as she was tumbling about due to unknown sources. What she saw brought relief to her eyes. A patch of solid ground was looming ever closer. The end was drawing nearer. Just a few more moments and I'll never have to worry about anything ever again.... She closed her eyes just moments before the anticipated impact.

But nothing happened.

Slowly, cautiously, she opened her eyes once more and found herself standing in the throne room of Canterlot Castle. Night had fallen and she could see death all around her. Her stomach churned, but she was able to keep herself composed. After having spent several months around Nightmare Moon and the carnage and death she had wrought, she had become somewhat desensitized to it. Until her single greatest fear caught her notice. On the ground, only meters away, was Nightmare Moon, bleeding out on the cold floor of the Sun Castle throne room.

"NO!" She dashed over to Nightmare Moon's and dropped to her knees beside her, wrapping her hooves around the dying alicorn's neck. She sobbed heavily into her mane and tried to spark her horn to life, but the ring about its base thwarted every attempt. "Please! Please don't die! I don't want to be left alone! You're all I have left! Please!"

Nightmare Moon coughed, blood splattering onto the floor, and looked at Twilight, her eyes clouded with concern. "You... foal.... Do not... think... that I'd... leave you alone.... You still... have Moon Beam...." Her voice was ragged and hoarse, the toll of the obvious battle she had participated in left her throat dry from exertion.

Twilight shook her head and buried her face deeper into the Moon Queen's neck. "It's.... It's not the same! You can't leave me! You promised!" The sound of hooves clopping on tile behind her forced Twilight's attention away from her Queen. She stared in shock at the being before her.

"Twilight Sparkle, My Faithful Student.... Come to me.... Everything will be all right."

"Prin-Princess...!" She shot up onto her hooves and moved to rush to her mentor's side, but she stopped. She turned back to Nightmare Moon, whose face was masked over with her typical stoic facade. A sign that the mare was hiding her current emotions. Emotions that Twilight could easily name. She looked back to Celestia, tears in her eyes. "Princess...! Please. Can you heal her? I.... I don't want her to die!"

Celestia frowned, her soft features hardening slightly with stern resolve. "I cannot. She has done too much wrong for me to offer her any mercy. Now, come here Twilight. Rejoin me."

Twilight shook her head and moved back to Nightmare Moon. "Why not!? Why can't you heal her!? I'm not moving! I can't let her die!"

"I could ask you the same thing, Twilight. Why do you not simply leave her? Has she not caused you much grief and pain since she returned? Have you not suffered under her rule? Why do you not come back with me, where you are safe?"

"I...." She looked up at Celestia, then back to Nightmare Moon and raised a leg to move, but hesitated. "I can't.... I promised I'd stay with her...."

"That cannot be the true reason. Have I not treated you as my surrogate daughter? Have I not practically raised you since I took you under my wing? Do you not love me?" She questioned, her voice calm and motherly, an inviting tone to Twilight after such a long time in misery.

"I do! I love you like a second mother!"

"Then why do you choose her over me? Why choose a promise over your mother? This is your final chance, Twilight Sparkle. Why do you still serve Nightmare Moon?" Celestia's tone grew firm and forceful causing Twilight to cower slightly, but the lavender unicorn regained her composure.

She looked to Nightmare Moon, whose almost impenetrable facade was broken only by her betraying eyes. She could see the fear of rejection in them, an emotion that Twilight would never have expected to see in the alicorn. She sighed and, after shaking off any doubt in her mind, came to the answer she had been seeking herself. She had felt this emotion before. "Because I love her...." She smiled slightly, and raised her head to face the snow white alicorn, determination in her eyes. "She may have killed ponies, and hurt me, and held me against my will, but she's never once abandoned me.... She saved me from being killed.... She has compassion in her heart too! I've seen it when she's around Moon Beam.... She doesn't show it, but I bet, given time, she can change. It may take years, but I'll stay by her side. She may never return my feelings, but I'll never let that deter me.... I love Nightmare Moon and I may be misguided in my feelings, but nopony will change my mind!"

Confidence welled in Twilight's heart as she stood up to her mentor, and was rewarded with a warm smile. "Now, if only you could accept that outside of your dreams...."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Second of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Six Oh-Five Ante Meridian
|

Twilight awoke, a warm feeling flushing her body. She looked about and was greeted only by two sleeping forms. What was that dream about? I... can't remember any details.... I know I saw Nightmare Moon... and my friends killing me... and... She gasped, but quickly clasped her hooves over her mouth, stifling any noise that tried to escape. Celestia.... I can't believe I forgot about her.... She's the entire reason I even went to Ponyville and to find the Elements.... She felts tears beginning to form in the corners of her eyes. I'm... a horrible pony... and student.... Another thought popped in her head and she nearly punched herself as it came. I haven't talked to my parents in so long.... I wonder how they're doing.... I bet they're worried sick about me.... Maybe I could ask Nightmare Moon to let me write them? I'm sure she wouldn't mind.

She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself, but thoughts of the dream she couldn't recall kept niggling at the back of her mind. She couldn't shake off the thought that something important had happened in her mind, something she needed to know, but no matter how hard she tried she just couldn't dig up any memories of her slumber. She looked over to Nightmare Moon and smiled. She's been so much more kind to me recently.... It's almost kind of unsettling, but I don't mind.... I'll do anything just to be able to stay with her.... She scooted closer to the alicorn and curled up around Moon Beam, drawing the filly closer to her body, an act that elicited a content sigh as the new warmth brought comfort to her sleep.

She closed her eyes, preparing herself for another round of torment before she was due to rise, but couldn't even get close to sleep before loud thuds could be heard from the door. Nightmare Moon's head shot up, disturbed from her slumber by the heavy knocking, her eyes focused on the door in anger. With the black aura of her magic, she flung the doors open to find Cloudy Horizons standing just outside, her hoof raised for another series of knocks. "Why do you disturb me at this hour, Captain Horizons?" Her anger had faded to mild annoyance at the sight of the one-winged pegasus, but still lingered in the back of her mind.

"Your Majesty, I have important news regarding our borders." She said, bowing deeply before entering the room. By now, Moon Beam had awoken as well, a feat quite spectacular due to her ability to sleep through almost anything, and was beginning to stir as she recovered from dream land.

"Go ahead. It must be quite important seeing as you interrupted my slumber for it."

"Yes, Your Highness!" She pulled a sheet of parchment from her saddlebags and passed it on to the alicorn who promptly unrolled it and began to read as Cloudy dictated. "There has been news of the Griffons from the northern lands beginning to amass a front along the borders to Equestria. The border cities of Manehattan and Wintertrot have sent reports to Chancellor Fancy Pants about Griffon activity across the country lines. The reports state that several Griffons have been spotted flying across the city in large flocks toward our current position. These sightings have been confirmed by our neighboring city of Fillydelphia and have even gone on to say that the Griffons have been setting up camp just inside the forest of our castles borders." Nightmare Moon absorbed the current information and, when after she had given Cloudy the go ahead, the pegasus continued. "Due to our previously strained relationship with the Griffons, it is not likely that these forces have come in peace. They likely sense weakness within our monarchy and there is a high probability that they will strike soon in an attempt to gain control of our lands. They know of the sudden change in rule and expect to strike while the iron is hot. What do you wish me to do?"

Nightmare Moon sighed, but Twilight stood up quickly. "That can't be right! Celestia has had peaceful negotiations with the Griffons for years! They wouldn't just break the truce like that!"

The orange pegasus glared at Twilight and shook her head. "Have you forgotten what I told you about my past? The Griffons have always been on the verge of war with us. They want our resources and have only kept the truce with Celestia because she appeased them with offerings. Now that Celestia is gone, they are no longer receiving the food and gems that she had been regularly giving them as a token of peace. The everlasting night is a sure sign of the ex-princess' disappearance and they will not pass up a chance to take what they want." She turned back to Nightmare Moon after berating the lavender unicorn into silence. "Apparently, they have been massing for quite a while now and have been scoping us out for weeks. They know our forces are depleted and they know that you are still recovering from the battle. I estimate that we have only a few days before they send in some sort of strike team to try and kill you quickly. Should that not work, I have little doubt that they'll march their entire force upon us."

"It would seem that these whelps must be taught a lesson. Captain Horizons, I want you to continue recruiting immediately. Do whatever it takes to gather whatever forces you can. You have permission to use my personal sky chariot to go from city to city and draft any able-bodied pony into service. Should they refuse, take their name and residence, and report them to me. We will compile a list of refusals and deal with them when the time comes. It will be difficult and taxing, but we shall not be caught off-guard when the Griffons come."

Twilight blanched at Nightmare Moon's words. Was she.... Was she going to kill anypony that didn't join her army? Twilight could feel the sadness welling in her body, but stuffed it down into a bottle, deep in her mind. "My Mistress...." The black alicorn turned to her, a questioning look on her face. "What about the ponies that have foals? Fillies? You can't take their parents away from them! I know that we need to be able to fight back, but will it be worth it if all we have left are children without parents?" She looked at Moon Beam who simply smiled up at her. "What would Moon Beam do if both of us died? How would she feel?"

Nightmare frowned deeply. She did not want to admit that Twilight was right, but when she thought of Moon Beam, a chord was struck in her heart. "You.... You are right, however that still does not mean that we aren't at a time of desperation. I will allow those with children the choice to refuse, but remind them that their foal's life is in the hooves of ponies they do not know. All others that refuse shall be disposed of as I previously stated."

Twilight smiled warmly at the alicorn, but turned her head so she wouldn't be seen. Maybe.... Maybe I can get her to change.... Her smile faded as thoughts of the upcoming war invaded her reverie. It's only been a week and we're already going to be killing again.... It hurts to see how poorly things are turning out.... Everyone is going to such great lengths to mete out their own wants.... I wish everything could be normal once again....

"Auntie Twilight!" Moon Beam pounced on her and nuzzled her neck. "You really, really do love me don't you? I know I'd be very sad if you were to die.... I wouldn't ever want you to leave." Moon Beam buried her face in Twilight's neck and sighed happily.

Twilight hugged the filly and pet the top of her head. "I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you or Queen Moon. You two are everything to me...." She fought back tears as her night terrors returned to her and managed to keep them at bay. She looked up to see that Nightmare Moon had left with Cloudy to prepare for recruitment. She shuddered at the thought of being attacked by griffons. I've never seen a griffon in real life, but from the way Cloudy talks about them.... I never thought they would be so violent. It's so different from all the books I've read about them.... She remember her previous thoughts and pet the filly's head. "Hey, Moonie. Do you want to help me write a letter to my parents? I'm sure they'd love to hear all about you."

Moon Beam's eyes opened wide in glee. "Oh, really!? I can!? I want to meet your mommy and daddy too! Can we meet them some time!?"

Twilight laughed and stood up, making her way over to the writing desk off to the side of the room with a prancing unicorn behind her. She levitated out a quill and inkwell while rummaging for some parchment in the drawers. "I'm sure they'd love to meet you Moon Beam. Maybe one day we can go see them after all this mess is over. Aha!" She procured a blank piece of paper from the bottom drawer of the desk and set it flat then dipped her quill in the ink. "How about you start it off for me?"

Moon Beam nodded her head furiously and scrunched her face up, quite comically, in thought. "Oh oh! Dear Mommy and Daddy...."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Second of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Forty-One Ante Meridian
|

Nightmare Moon walked briskly alongside Fancy Pants as they walked through the castle corridors, avoiding anypony that crossed their path so as not to impede their progress. "Chancellor Fancy Pants, I have need of your services. We are soon going to war with Griffonia and we will need supplies for our troops. I do not doubt the vast wealth of the royal coffers, but I know that we cannot simply draw off of that forever. We will need to resume construction on the city surrounding my castle soon and much of the royal pool will be poured into that. What do you think would be the best course of action in order to support my stores?"

The blue unicorn paused mid step for a moment, but quickly resumed their previous pace. "While I would not typically agree with this solution, it seems that we are in desperate times. We could start allowing businesses to buy plots of land for new shops around the castle in order to increase the royal revenue, but that would put a lot of the control of the city in the hooves of the wealthy. Most poorer ponies would not be able to afford such things. Another solution along those lines would be to take deposits. It would provide less income, but still leave you in control of the city in its entirety. This would also allow more middle class families to make a claim on property to be built." He nodded up to her, his voice calm. "I never thought I would see war in my lifetime. Are you sure there isn't any other way?"

"The Griffons are set on taking over Equestria and I will not have them taking my country. That foal Celestia simply went with appeasement to try and prevent any issues, but, even if I hadn't returned, that would only have lasted so long. They would eventually decide that what they were getting wasn't enough and demand more. It would continue until Celestia could no longer meet their demand and, with us weakened, they would have simply taken over." Her words were cold and calculating, a sign that she had put great thought into the issue beforehand.

"I still think that it would be wise to..." He was stopped dead in his tracks by a cold, menacing glare from Nightmare Moon.

"I do not tolerate insolence from anypony, even you, Chancellor. Do not think that I will let you by with any transgression you commit just because you are useful. Twilight has made that mistake many times and has paid for it. I will not hesitate to do the same to you or anypony else." Fancy Pants kept his calm demeanor, but Nightmare could still sense the fear in the air. It would serve him well to know his place.

"Yes, Your Highness. Now about the prisoner in the dungeons.... What would you have done with him?"

Nightmare Moon scowled at the thought of the self-centered foal she had imprisoned the night before. "Leave him there, but keep him fed. He will serve a use soon enough. He shall learn humility even if I have to beat it into him myself. Now, I must be returning to my chambers. I have much to do in preparation for the attacks and I do not need any distractions." Fancy Pants bowed and moved off to continue his duties. Nightmare Moon closed her eyes and swiftly enveloped herself in her mane, becoming a wisp of the night sky, and took off through the halls. She arrived at the door and returned to her corporeal state before entering to find the room empty.

They must have gone out to the courtyard to- Something out of the ordinary caught her eye. She looked at the writing desk in the room, an object she hadn't used, and noticed a rolled up scroll sealed with a small red ribbon. She moved beside the desk and levitated the parchment, untying the ribbon and unrolling the paper to find a letter written in gentle letters. Twilight must have written this....

Dear Mommy and Daddy,

Hi. I'm sorry that I haven't written in so long, but everything has been quite hectic lately. I think my last letter was eight months ago just after I had discovered my ability to teleport. I remember how proud of me you were when I told you... That letter meant so much to me. I thought I'd write to tell you how I've been and to inquire about how you've been doing. I think the most important thing that's happened to me since the time between letters was my new job. I got a position as Nightmare Moon's personal staff. It's really not as bad as you would think. Sure, she is quite strict and has yelled at me for my mistakes many times, but I know that she has kindness in her. It's most apparent because of the filly she takes care of. Her name is Moon Beam and she is so adorable. She kind of adopted me into the family as her Auntie and, I must say, I am quite fond of her myself.

I know you're probably worried about me after the disappearance of Princess Celestia and all the attacks on the castle since Nightmare Moon's claim of the throne, but don't worry, I'm perfectly fine. I actually like it here. I also found a marefr**nd, but th***s didn't w**k out. I miss y** so much. Pl***e write b**k as so** as you *an

Your L***ing Da**hter,

Twilght Sp***le

The last part of the letter was stained with tears, but the Moon Queen didn't have any problems reading the slightly smeared text.

Nightmare Moon stared at the letter in disbelief. Does Twilight truly think of me like that? I thought she clung to me out of fear.... Maybe it was something else...? Perhaps there is more to this mare than I previously thought. I may have to reevaluate my thoughts on her.... I will go and inquire about this myself. Nightmare Moon walked out onto the balcony and spread her wings, relishing the cool air from the enchanted moon. After a few moments of relaxing, she beat her powerful wings and pushed herself into the air with great gusts of wind blowing about her. She flew above the castle and looked down in search of the two unicorns and, just as she had thought, they were running around in the courtyard, playing merrily in the magically enhanced grass.

She alighted not far from where they frolicked and merely watched as Moon Beam continued to chase Twilight around, leaping at her tail. Nightmare Moon's mouth tilted as a slight smile tugged on her lips, but kept her typical facade to mask her thoughts. After several minutes of standing still, the two finally noticed her and, with a squeal of joy, Moon Beam sprinted over towards the tall black alicorn. Twilight moved at a slower rate, tired from all the physical and emotional exercise she had gone through in the past hour. As she drew nearer, however, something caught her attention. A glint of light flashing across the ground in sporadic movements. She followed the light's trajectory and stared in shock.

Above her, high in the sky, was a mass of feathers and fur, hurtling towards the area that Nightmare Moon stood, a long gleaming blade reflecting the light of the moon. The griffons had already sent an assassin to deal with the Moon Queen. Twilight took off at a gallop towards Nightmare Moon, hoping to reach the alicorn before the griffon, but the griffon was moving too quickly. She wouldn't make it in time, nor would any warning could give her Queen enough time to save herself....

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: Inb4 BUT PEPPY Y U SO CLIFFHANGER YOU PROMISED. I said I'd try :trollestia: but it seems I couldn't help it. It's just such a perfect spot to leave it off that I couldn't pass it up! Well, the dream sequence was quite different this time around, wouldn't you say? Hint at things to come? Who knows? (Peppy Does) Well, anyhooves, I'm off to bed (after about an hour so I can read and comment on anything you leave me by then) and will reply to whatever I don't immediately when I awaken. Peppy out!

Editor's Notes: Y U SO Cliffhanger? Gaah... Anyway, nice chapter, regardless.

Chapter 18 - Fate's Desires

Previously, on After That Fateful Night:

Celestia: You have to accept yourself, give in to your true feelings!

Cloudy: My Queen, I have dire news. The griffons; they're coming...

Nightmare Moon: Captain Horizons, we must rebuild the army. It's our only hope.

Fancy Pants: Perhaps we should auction off the town?

Twilight Sparkle: NIGHTMARE! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

And now, the conclusion...

Okay, enough of that silly stuff. Somepony said it would be awesome and I'll be damned if I disagree. Now for the actual fic: (Also, Do a barrel roll, Moon!)

Chapter 18 - Fate's Desires

Nightober Second of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Ten Oh-Six Ante Meridian
|

Twilight stared into the air, her eyes focused on a mass of fur and feathers barreling towards the alicorn standing almost a hundred feet to her right. The object sped closer and Twilight realized what it was. A Griffon. She eyed its trajectory and took off at a gallop, hoping to intercept it in time, but she was too slow. There wasn't any way her legs would be able to close the distance fast enough nor would a warning now save her Mistress. Tears burned the corners of her eyes as she raced, the mare and Griffon speeding towards a single location, the latter dangerously close. In a final act of desperation, Twilight's horn flared as she screamed. "NIGHTMARE!!"

The alicorn looked up from the filly at her hooves to find the lavender unicorn racing towards her only to disappear in a flash half a second later. She heard the sound of feathers rushing through the air above her and finally noticed the Griffon descending on her spot. The curved blade it held in its claws gleamed in the pale light of the moon as the Griffon raised it above its head, preparing to strike. Nightmare flared her wings and raised a hoof in a vain attempt at defense, but it was too late. She braced herself for death, one final thought passing through her brain. Twilight, take care of Moon Beam....

Another flash announced the arrival of Twilight, floating just feet above Nightmare Moon's head as she levitated herself in the path of the winged assailant. The Griffon, having already begun its attack, couldn't redirect the blade and, instead of finding its original target, the cold steel tore through Twilight's chest. Twilight screamed in agony, blood gushing from the wound, and was thrown to the ground, carried by the Griffon's momentum. She landed hard, tumbling across the earth and smearing her blood in a haphazard line behind her. Her body was on fire, but she smiled despite all the pain. I... finally did something... right....

Nightmare stared in horror as Twilight was thrown from her levitation field and crumpled on the ground. She watched as the Griffon slowly recovered, shrieking in fury as it unsheathed a smaller dagger from a holster on its side. She watched as Moon Beam wailed in despair at the sight of Twilight dying in the grass, too distraught for her other side to take over. She watched as her own tears, tears of fury and grief, poured down her face, soaking her coat. Then, everything went blank.

Twilight gasped for breath, the sword making it harder and harder to breathe as the blade had cut into a lung. The part inside her had disappeared completely, stuck between her ribs and mere inches away from her spine. It was a fatal wound unless something could be done quickly and she doubted that any kind of help would arrive. She strained her eyes, her vision blurred by the burning agony of the gaping wound, and caught sight of the Griffon limping towards Nightmare Moon, seemingly too stunned to move. Twilight opened her mouth in an attempt to warn the mare, but only blood escaped. A fit of coughs wracked her body sending searing pain through her with every shake, but she couldn't give up. She... needs me....

Nightmare Moon's eyes opened wide, the turquoise gone, replaced by a seething blackness that literally sucked the light out of the air around her. The darkness seeped out of her sockets like dark tears and began to drip to the ground below her as the Griffon grew ever closer. A wave of magic shot from her horn, staggering the predator for a moment, but not severely hindering it. The alicorn opened her mouth and a seething mass of black began to ooze out, pooling in the grass. Her body shook, and her horn flared to life.

Twilight reached her hooves out once more, stretching them as far as her weakened body would let her, and dragged herself inches closer to her queen. Her body was losing its warmth from the blood loss, but her mind wouldn't let her stop. I... have to.... She pulled herself again, more blood trailing behind her. Help... my Queen.... I have.... Another short distance and she had pulled herself five feet closer to the alicorn, but still not close enough. Save... the mare... I love.... She almost stopped to contemplate her words and where she had come to that conclusion, but she didn't have the time. She was dying quickly and she had to stop the Griffon from finishing what it started. She stopped momentarily to take in a shuddering breath and looked at Nightmare to see blurred liquids dropping from the alicorn. Please... don't cry... for me.... Then the moon grew dim.

The moon began to grow fainter as Nightmare's eyes bulged, the black that had taken them over pushing out of her sockets. She focused her attention and faced the oncoming Griffon who was nearly upon her. The Griffon froze, his vision trapped by the unholy mass working its way out of his target. He tried to move his body, but none of it was responding then, in a flash of unbearable pain, he could feel his left hind leg being torn from its socket. He stared unwillingly at the terror before him, trying to break his gaze to save himself, but he couldn't move. Nightmare moon opened her mouth again, the black mass gone, much to the Griffon's worry, and spoke. "YOU HAVE CROSSED THE ONE TRUE RULER OF THIS WORLD AND HAVE TAKEN THE OBJECT OF MY HEART AWAY FROM ME...!" Her voice shook the air around her and grated against the ears of anything within range as if her vocal chords had been replaced by gravel and glass. "YOU SHALL SUFFER DEARLY FOR YOUR TRANSGRESSION...!"

Twilight watched in terror as the Griffon's hind leg was torn from its body by a dark tendril. The limb was torn to shreds as more tendrils joined it. Blood spewed from the wound, but the flow was cut off by a sudden blazing fire, cauterizing the wound. Twilight gasped, feeling her body begin to stiffen, and redoubled her efforts to reach Nightmare Moon. Moon Beam had long since passed out and it was up to her to calm the alicorn.

The Griffon would have screamed in agony, but the stare he was locked in prevented him from doing anything but breathing as if it was only to keep him from killing himself. He felt the icy cold of the demonic tendrils sliding their way across his body and tensed as they sporadically dug into his flesh, opening gaping holes that were burnt closed like his leg. They continued to snake along his body, piercing him every few inches, until they came to his wings. Two tentacles wrapped about the base of the wings and gave a tug. Pain lanced through his shoulders and, after another firm tug, the tendrils tore the feathered limbs from his back, ripping muscle, nerve and bone as they were torn to bits like his leg. He could sense the darkness feeding off his fear and the limbs he had lost, but he hadn't a way to free himself.

Twilight inched ever closer, the gap between her and the Moon Queen growing smaller and smaller with every passing moment. She could also feel her life draining away as well, her blood pooling on the ground in her wake. She saw the tendrils that were maiming the Griffon worm their way up its body to its face, wrapping around his throat. They snaked their way into his gaping, drooling mouth, and slithered down his esophagus. She saw his eyes bulge and blood begin to seep out of his open orifice then, one of the two tendrils slid out, wrapped around a bloody kidney. The two tentacles repeated the process back and forth as they tore his organs from his body, one by one. They took the organs he could live without first: His kidneys, then liver, then stomach until they ended with his lungs. Twilight was very near and she could feel her body giving out, the exertion becoming almost too much. I only need... a little... bit more....

Nightmare saw the life beginning to fade from his eyes through the darkness in hers. "YOU WILL NEVER CAUSE HARM TO THE THRONE AGAIN...! DO NOT WORRY, THOUGH... YOU SHALL BE JOINED BY YOUR BRETHREN VERY SOON...!" Another tendril shot from the writhing pit below the Griffon, this one twice the size of the others and wrapped around the upper part of the Griffon's beak, forcing it open wider. One final dark limb joined the first, but on the opposite side, gripping his bottom beak. The two began to pull and, soon, the sounds of bones snapping could be heard. The Griffon wanted to give one final shriek, but his lack of lungs and oxygen prevented any attempts. His jaw shattered and his cheeks tore down the sides of his face. The tentacles gripped further back and continued their tugging force until, with a sickening tear and several crunches as bones broke, the lion and eagle hybrid was torn in half, his top and bottom being devoured by the unholy spawn that had come from Nightmare's moon fed rage.

Twilight stopped just before Nightmare's legs as the Griffon disappeared into the abyss that had gripped him. Blood caked her body, but she had finally reached her goal. With a weak, trembling hoof, she reached out and brushed the alicorn's leg softly. Nightmare Moon froze up at her touch and looked down to see the lavender mare smiling up at her, the scimitar lodged in her side with tears and blood covering her face. The malicious darkness returned from whence it came as the moon regained its previous brilliance and was replaced with two glowing turquoise eyes, gazing down at the unicorn, tears welling up in the corners.

Twilight shook her head just slightly, a movement that brought no pain as her body was going numb, and dropped her hoof. "Please... don't cry... for me.... I just... want you... to... live...." Her words were soft and choked out between coughs. "I... love..." Her words were never finished as she crossed the threshold of consciousness...

Nightmare Moon stared down at Twilight's body, despair filling her mind, a feeling that was quite new to her, unable to accept what was going on. "No...! No...! NO! YOU CANNOT DIE! AS YOUR QUEEN I WILL NOT ALLOW YOU DIE!!" Her horn ignited and the three ponies disappeared in a dark portal.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Twilight gazed about herself, confused as to her current situation. She couldn't remember anything.... Her entire mind was a wall of fog intent on deterring her from drawing from the pool of her memories. Around her, there was nothing, just an endless abyss of black spreading out in all directions. She could feel a hard surface beneath her hooves, but could see nothing. She closed her eyes once more and opened them again, hoping that the lapse of sight would reveal anything about her, but was met with only the darkness. Terror spread through her fogged mind and she spun about, frantically searching for anything. She dashed off into the abyss, her emotions getting the better of her, and panted heavily as she began hyperventilating.

She couldn't hear anything other than her frantic breaths and the lack of her sight terrified her more than anything. She tripped over her own hooves and smashed face first into the invisible floor, her jaw splitting open on the hard plane beneath her. She didn't return to her feet, however, and simply laid upon the ground, sobbing like a foal. She was alone and terrified. She hadn't a clue as to what was going on about her. "Where are you, Nightmare Moon...?"

In a flash of color, the world around her came to life, filling with grass and trees and buildings just from the single memory that Twilight had managed to draw from behind that wall of fog. The moon hung low in the sky, its pale light reflecting off the pond that Twilight was sprawled out in front of. She blinked in shock, but was relieved to finally be able to see again. She gazed about and tried to take in her surroundings in an attempt to name her current location, but the fog in her mind prevented it. She knew she recognized the area, but her mind couldn't conjure up the name....

She gazed forlornly at the pool of water before her, the stars and moon reflecting beautifully off its surface, and wiped her face. What.... What was I doing before I came here? Where is here? What do I do now? These three thoughts played themselves over and over in her mind and she wracked her brain for any clues that could assist her. An idea popped into her mind and she shot up onto her hooves, heading into the small village behind her. I'll ask one of the locals where I am. I'm sure they'll be able to help me....

She puzzled her current existence over and over until she arrived at the nearest house, a quaint little cottage with a light smoke billowing from a brick chimney. She raised her hoof and knocked once, twice, thrice and waited for an answer. Nothing came. She knocked again, slightly louder this time so that she could make sure that she'd be heard, but again nopony answered back. "Hello? Is anypony home in there? I just want to ask where I am!" Again, she was greeted only by silence. Strange. It seems that nopony is home, but I can see a light on inside and there's smoke coming from the chimney.... Perhaps I could peek in through the window? I'm sure they wouldn't mind....

Twilight silently moved over to the low window just beside the front door and peeked around the corner. She looked inside as carefully as she could, but, to her great surprise, not a single creature was in the house. She contemplated the possible reasons for the lack of residents, but all her brain could come up with is that they were out visiting somepony else. That still doesn't explain why they left the lights on and a fire going.... Maybe the next house will be able to tell me.

She moved just up the roughly cobbled street to the next house. Another cottage, this one slightly smaller with a garden of vegetables about its perimeter, stood before her. She followed the last routine and, must to her dismay, this house came up empty as well. Where could they all-

"DO NOT LEAVE ME!!"

Twilight started at the booming voice as it echoed through the night, but a wave of familiarity washed over her. "Nightmare?" Her eyes widened and she gazed about again. This.... This is my home town... just below Canterlot.... How did I get here? Where's Nightmare Moon? Another idea donned on her, and she spun about to gain her bearings. If.... If I'm in my home town..., then I can ask my parents what to do.... They'll be able to help for sure!

She dashed off down the streets, checking each house and putting them out of her mind until she found the only one she remembered. A small, two-story house with a white picket fence enclosing its yard. It was a light blue like the midday with a white, angled roof, typical of most country homes. It had been forever since she had been home, but she would never forget her childhood home. With renewed vigor, she trotted past the gate and strode straight up to the door. Without even bothering to knock, Twilight magicked the door open and stepped inside.

"Mommy! Daddy! I'm home!" She looked into the main room and dead-panned. Instead of her two loving parents, a lone robed pony sat on the sofa that was placed in front of the fireplace. "Umm.... Who are you? Where are my parents?" she asked, her previous anxiety returning.

The mysterious robed pony didn't move, but his gravelly voice answered nonetheless. "They are gone. As is the rest of this town. As are you."

Twilight stared at the pony, a stallion she guessed from its voice, and moved closer. "What do you mean they're gone? I'm gone? I can't be gone! I'm standing right here talking to you!"

The stallion laughed, a harsh noise, and shook his head. "Oh, but you are gone. You just don't know it yet..."

"I WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO DIE!!"

Nightmare Moon's voice roared through the air once again and Twilight paled. "I.... I'm dead...." A glimpse of her body laying in a pool of her own blood, the curved scimitar stuck in her side, flashed into her head. "Oh...!" Tears welled up in her eyes and she began to cry, grief overtaking her mind. The pony turned around, and stared right into Twilight's eyes. The lavender unicorn gasped at the sight and couldn't help but avert her gaze, her tears quickly forgotten. "You're.... You're death..., aren't you...? This must be the plane before the afterlife...." The robed pony nodded. Her analytic mind-set took over and she quickly lost herself in her thoughts. I've always heard stories and theories about death and read many accounts of ponies that claim they had seen the spectral plane, but I always thought they were speaking lies. Their accounts were never the same so I shrugged it off.... I guess this plane of existence, or is it non-existence, differs from pony to pony.

Her thoughts were cut short by the touch of a hoof on her shoulder. She flinched, but looked up into the endless pools of Death's eyes. "It is time to transcend. Come, I will guide you...."

She shook her head and cleared her mind of any lingering doubts as to what was going on. "So..., this is really the end?" He nodded and Twilight fought to keep her composure. It was a vain attempt. Her eyes let loose a torrent of salty liquid as she broke down once more. "I.... I don't want to die.... I still... have so much to live for.... I want to stay... with Nightmare... and Moon Beam.... I want to see... my parents again...." She looked back up at the faceless pony and pleaded. "Please..., let me go back...."

Death simply shook his head and motioned towards the upstairs hallway. "No. It is your time and I cannot allow you to break my laws no matter how much you beg."

Twilight opened her mouth to protest, but hung her head, resigning herself to her fate. I... finally found confidence... in myself... and it's already over...! I'm so sorry..., Nightmare...!

"YOU WILL LEAVE TWILIGHT BE! THAT IS AN ORDER FROM YOUR QUEEN!"

Twilight stopped dead in her tracks. Nightmare Moon's voice, which had previously been like an announcement in the air, now sounded close. Very close. She turned her head and her face lit up immediately, her tears of sadness replaced with tears of joy at the sight of the alicorn. Death turned as well and walked closer to the intruder. "You are not welcome here. This is not a place for you to be."

"I am the goddess of the moon and reigning monarch of Equestria! I make the choices of where I am allowed to be! Now, you have something of mine and I want her back!" She glared at the robed pony in defiance.

"You cannot have her. She must pass on as her time has come. If you interfere, I will not hesitate to end your existence as well...."

Nightmare Moon continued to stare Death down, but glanced briefly at Twilight. "Twilight Sparkle. Come take your place by your Queen. We shall be leaving this place." Twilight glanced at Death, but quickly moved over to Nightmare Moon's side, eager to be reunited with the object of her affection.

Death began to swirl into a vortex of black and brown the moment twilight left his side. "So.... That is your choice...." His body reshaped itself. His cloak, which was once suited for a pony, floated in the air, its form now bipedal, two sleeves for invisible arms set upon its side while the equine hood gained a taller, more rounded shape. The cloak was separated in the center by a glowing black orb, its depths occasionally flashed white as a captured soul moved across its surface a pairs of fingered gloves were suspended just beyond the openings of the sleeves. Another orb spun in the hood and, in a flash of light, two beady red eyes glared at the two ponies before him. He gripped his right glove shut and a sinister black scythe materialized, grasped in his hand. His soft gravelly voice was replaced by a fearsome bellow. "So be it...!"

"Let us depart, Twilight. I will not allow him to claim either of us." Twilight nodded and followed Nightmare Moon as she burst through the front door of the house. They raced off down the street just as death demolished the building they had been inside only moments ago.

Death floated behind them, wisps of dark smoke trailing from his cloak as he slowly gained ground. He swung his great scythe and cleaved the roofs off a row of houses, but missed his intended targets. Nightmare Moon glanced behind herself and saw the looming creature not far behind. She saw him move to swing again, and levitated the slower mare beside her just in time to avoid being reaped. "You cannot escape me...! I will have your souls soon enough...!"

Twilight watched in horror as the Thanatos drew ever closer to them, readying his scythe for a final swing. She clenched her eyes shut, preparing herself to finally meet her end. She could hear the sound of Nightmare Moon panting as she ran, the sound of the air whistling past her ears and, finally, the sound of the scythe slicing through the air. Then....

Nothing....

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Fourth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Three O'clock Post Meridian
|

Twilight stirred, unable to see anything once again. She heard faint whispers of noise nearby, but she couldn't quite place the sounds. She tried to move, but her body felt foreign to her, as if something was missing or she didn't belong in her body at all. The noise grew louder as she slowly regained her full ability to hear and she could finally discern what that sound was. Crying. Somepony was crying beside her. She tried to turn her head, but her body still wouldn't respond so she did the only other thing that she could think of.

She spoke....

She said the one word that came to her mind and it slipped out of her desert-like mouth in a hoarse rasp.

"Nightmare...."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: HEY THERE EVERYPONY! Bet you didn't expect this out so early did you? Nope, didn't think so. So here is the next installment to the very magical tale of love, death, and hardship! Hope you all enjoy this one as I'm sure that the cliffhanger left you wanting more. Well, I must be getting to sleep as I have work later today so, without further adieu, Peppy out!

(P.S. I was soooooooooooooooooooooo totally going to leave you off on that cliffhanger with Death there, but I thought, "Now, Peppy. That isn't very nice. You just left the, hanging last chapter and two cliffhangers in a row is just plain cruel." So I didn't. Please don't kill me!)

Editor's Notes: That was rather gory, but the bird had it commin'. Fun chapter all 'round. Hmmmm, a bit of confusing dialogue, here and there. Sometimes, certain words were missing while at other times, there were words that didn't belong. But, from what I gather, Peppy wrote this in a hurry, so no big deal. Fixed everything I noticed. Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. I know I did.

Chapter 19 - Rebirth and Recovery

Chapter 19 - Rebirth and Recovery

Nightober Fourth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Three O’clock Post Meridian
|

Twilight opened her mouth, her throat burning from the lack of moisture, and spoke. "Nightmare...."

She heard movement around her and the crying died down as something wrapped around her neck. Her body stung with pins and needles as the feeling slowly came back into her. She felt hot breath shuddering on her neck as it began to moisten with tears. "Auntie Twilight...! I'm so happy you're okay...!" She felt Moon Beam nuzzling her, the prickling sensation dulled by the filly's embrace, and tried to speak again, but no words could escape her throat.

"Do not try to speak, Twilight Sparkle." Nightmare Moon's voice echoed through her ears and she sighed happily in her mind.

"You will be very weak for the next few days." A buck's voice spoke from her left as Moon beam continued to nuzzle her neck. "The levels of magic that were used to preserve you are very taxing on one's body. Not to mention that you actually died and were brought back. Other than the physical alterations, there's no telling what other side effects these events will have on you. I want you to stay in bed until I say otherwise or else complications may arise."

Twilight nodded her head slightly, her body slowly coming back under her control, and tried to right her vision, but to no avail. She heard the stallion walking away and, as soon as she could no longer hear his hoof steps, Nightmare stepped closer. "Your sight will return in due time, but I would like to discuss something else...." Twilight could hear the strain in her voice, as if she was exhausted, and nodded. "I shall wait till you recover, however. You are in no condition to be straining yourself with speech or movement."

"Auntie Twilight! Here, have some water. You must be thirsty." She felt a wobbly glass being lifted against her lips and softly took a sip. The cool liquid slid down her throat, soothing some of the burning from its dryness. Moon Beam set the glass down and snuggled up closer to the unicorn. "I love you, Auntie Twilight.... Please don't leave us again...." she said before dozing off from the toll her running emotions had taken on her.

Twilight slowly, as her body was still refusing to work properly for her, wrapped her hooves around the navy unicorn. Why.... Why does my body feel so... alien. I know that an injury like that can cause numbness, but this.... This doesn't make any sense. I wish I could see....

Nightmare shuffled around next to her and stood up. "I must leave for now. Commander Horizons should be returning from the first night of recruitment and I need to discuss with her the events that went on today." She moved towards the door of the infirmary and took a final glance at the pair of unicorns before leaving them alone under the watchful eye of the doctor.

Maybe I could ask the doctor why I can barely feel my body.... She shifted about as much as her numbness would allow and halted as pain lanced up her side. She opened her mouth and let loose a hoarse scream as fire raced through her chest.

Moon Beam was torn from her slumber and she jumped up to find Twilight writhing in agony, the grisly scar on her chest pulsing. "Auntie Twilight!" She looked on frantically as Twilight continued to scream, her voice growing quieter as her throat grew hoarser. "Don't worry! I'll go get the doctor! Please be okay!" She turned to jump off the raised bed, tears beginning to form in her eyes, but stopped when the white coated medical buck dashed to the bedside.

He stared into her dilating pupils and touched his horn to her forehead. "Twilight! I'm going to need you to calm down!" His magic helped soothe her throes, but she still continued to spasm in mild pain. "Good.... You need to stay still," he said as he wiped sweat from his pink forehead. "The magic used to... heal you was very potent and was not meant to be used as it was, so the Queen says. Not to mention the poison that was used on the blade. I'm not entirely sure how thorough Queen Moon's spell was, as I've never seen anything like it, but even it couldn't cleanse you of the toxin completely. That scar is a testament of the fact. While it is no longer lethal, you still have to worry about permanent damage through lack of caution." His stern tone softened as Twilight's convulsions ceased and smoothed his white mane. "Now, I want you to rest. I'll be back to check on you every hour to make sure you're fine and I'm sure little Moon Beam here will gladly keep an eye on you for me, right?"

The filly giggled as he patted her on the head. "Yup! I'm going to make sure Auntie Twilight stays in bed!" She looked down at the tear stained face of the lavender mare and kissed her on the nose. Twilight's heaving breaths calmed down at the touch of Moon Beam's lips and she smiled weakly in response, ignoring the burning in her chest. The shadowy maned foal beamed and snuggled up against Twilight once more, this time maintaining consciousness so as to keep watch on the unicorn. She lasted seven minutes before sleep claimed her once more.

Despite the warmth of Moon Beam's affection, Twilight couldn't help but to feel terror burning at the recesses of her brain. He.... He said poison.... What manner of poison did they use? Will.... Will I ever fully recover? Will Nightmare Moon still want me if I don't? She could feel her eyes burning as tears began to form, but still couldn't see anything about her. Please.... Please don't leave me if I become useless.... Her tears fell unnoticed as she, too, succumbed to slumber.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Fourth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Five Twenty-Two Post Meridian
|

Nightmare Moon snorted in frustration at the stallion before her. She was standing in front of a cell in her dungeon, glaring at the foal that had dared approach her a few nights prior. "You will work to pay off your transgression or else you will pay with your life."

"I will not dirty my hooves with a peasant's tasks. Prince Blueblood does not lower himself to the level of the poor." He scoffed and turned his head away, oblivious to the Queen's growing wrath.

"I shall give you one final chance. You are trying my patience so it would be in your best interest to accept my offer. I will not give you another." The white unicorn looked at her and balked, the anger showing in her features. "Join the construction crew in their efforts to build my city or die in this cage like the filthy rat you are."

Blueblood gazed frantically about the room, his eyes searching for a way out, but he was trapped. He had no escape route other than past the Queen and that was blocked by both a metal door and the alicorn. He swallowed the knot in his throat. "V-very well.... I shall take your offer. I would prefer not to be killed."

Nightmare Moon's demeanor shifted slightly as his words sunk in. Ahh.... Finally, I will be getting this foal out of my dungeons. I was growing tired of his incessant whining to Chancellor Fancy Pants to free him. Too bad he agreed. I'd have loved to end him. Her thoughts turned as she did in order to leave the dungeon. The images of the Griffon assassin striking Twilight down before she lost control returned to her mind. Why did I react to that so wildly? It is strange. It would seem that Twilight has been affecting me more than I thought. That Griffon.... Her curiosity turned to anger at the thought of the feathered creature as she neared the stairs to exit the dungeon. They will pay dearly for this strike against me. I will not stop until I eradicate their entire race. They will know the true meaning of terror!

The Moon Queen passed by the numerous servant ponies as they scurried about their daily tasks. Hints of conversations were caught by her ears, but her concentration was focused on the previous events as they played over and over in her mind. She navigated the halls swiftly, paying no heed to the ponies about her, until she reached the doors to her throne room. They were opened and before her sat Cloudy Horizons dressed in her armor, her nub wrapped in white bandages.

When the pegasus heard Nightmare's hoof-fall, she immediately spun around and bowed. "My Queen, I have returned."

"Rise, Commander Horizons." The orange mare righted herself and stood at attention. "How goes the recruitment? I trust that everything is going as planned?"

"Yes, Your Majesty! I have gone to all of the major cities such as Manehattan, Wintertrot, Fillydelphia, and Cloudsdale. The mayors of each city were informed to begin drafting all ponies that did not have foals. They all agreed and said that they would begin in a few days as they would require to gather information for the list." She took a breath and glanced about. "Where is Twilight Sparkle and Moon Beam? I would have thought that they would be with you."

Nightmare Moon frowned and looked out the stained glass window behind her throne. She calmly walked to her throne and sat, making herself as comfortable as she could. "Twilight Sparkle is in the infirmary recovering from her injury. Moon Beam is with her."

Cloudy tilted her head, confused. "Injury? Did she trip and fall down the stairs while reading a book? I can't see how she'd sustain any type of injury to require hospitalization unless...."

"A Griffon assassin attempted to murder me while you were gone." Nightmare glanced off to her right as she continued, "Twilight teleported herself into the line of the Griffon to protect me from its poisoned blade. Had she not done so, I would have certainly died. She suffered a grievous wound and I was barely able to revive her."

"Those treacherous bastards! I knew they would strike, but I never thought it'd be so soon. They must have been waiting for the opportunity to strike for days." She looked up at Nightmare and noticed the hint of sadness mixed into her rage.

"Those foals used wyvern poison! If I hadn't acted when I did, Twilight would have never made it!" Her rage seethed through her clenched teeth. Why did she protect me? She could have pushed me with her magic! She didn't have to take the blade like that!

"My Queen? Are you all right? We can continue this conversation later, if you wish. You look like you could use some rest." Cloudy eyed the alicorn curiously as she rose and began to trot towards the hallway.

"I will be fine. I used a lot of magic to sustain Twilight and am drained from the ordeal." She glanced about and proceeded past the throne room's doors. "I will check on her before retiring to my chambers. You are free to do as you wish for the remainder of the night. We will finish your report when I awaken."

Cloudy bowed and trotted out behind Nightmare. Could she be growing attached to Twilight? I would not have thought she would save the mare's life, even if Twilight sacrificed herself for Queen Moon's sake. She sighed as she climbed the stairs to her own room. It is none of my concern who the queen chooses as long as she stays loyal. Perhaps Twilight isn't as bad as I first thought.... Cloudy reached the door to her chambers and walked inside, preparing for the next day's duties.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Fifth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eleven Twelve Ante Meridian
|

Twilight groaned as she slowly roused from her sleep, the warm body of Moon Beam still curled up next to her. The burning pain in her chest remained, but the pins and needles from before were beginning to fade. She fought the urge to stretch and simply laid there, her eyes shut against the glaring light from beyond her eyelids. She grunted in discomfort the froze. Glaring light? I.... Maybe I can see again! She cautiously cracked open her eyes only to clench them shut once more, the light from the room burning in her unfocused vision.

"You should be careful, Twilight." The sudden voice caused her to flinch and send a wave of agony through her body from the sudden movement. She grit her teeth and forced herself not to scream. "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. You really should work slowly on the eyesight. You haven't been able to use your eyes in a little over three days and they will take some time to adjust. It usually wouldn't have been a problem, but yours isn't a normal case. Now, I want you to keep your eyes as lightly closed as you can so as to allow as much light as possible to filter through your eyelids. When you feel that the light is no longer as bright as before, you may open your eyes fully."

Twilight did as she was told and forced herself not to squeeze her eyes as tightly shut as she could against the sun burning just beyond her eyelids. Tears welled in the corners of her eyes, but, after what seemed like an eternity to the unicorn, the glare began to dim as her eyes adjusted. Soon, the light continued to fade until it became a dull glow. Carefully, she cracked her eyes open once more and was greeted by the soothing form of a sleeping navy filly. "Ahhh. Perfect. You recovered much faster than I expected, you know. I thought you'd have been without sight for at least another day or so. Now, you'll probably want to avoid any bright lights for a few-"

Twilight could sense the magic stirring in the air before she saw the flash of magic and was blinded once again, crying out in pain. Nightmare Moon stood before them, having teleported into the room. "I sensed that Twilight had awoken and I was right. It would seem that she has her eyesight back already as well."

The doctor sighed and stroked a hoof through his mane. "Yes, she has awoken. I was just about to tell her to avoid bright lights, but I figure she knows to do so now. I do not mean to be rude, but I would try to be more careful around her until she is fully healed." He looked back to the unicorn and smacked himself in the head with a hoof. "Would you like something to drink? All you've had since you came back was that glass of water yesterday so I can imagine your throat is like a sandstorm in a desert right now. And, judging from how your outburst sounded moments ago, I'm very much correct."

Twilight nodded slightly and he levitated a pitcher of water from her bed stand and poured it into the glass she had drank from the night before. Twilight tried to grasp the glass with her magic, but her horn wouldn't respond. The doctor simply pressed the glass to her lips and carefully allowed her to drink from it, making sure not to spill any on her. "You will not be able to use your magic for a week at the bare minimum," Nightmare Moon said, her voice somber. "The spell I used to resurrect you drew from your magic as well and, along with the lasting effects of being returned from death, has caused something of a magical overload. It will return, just as your eyesight has, but it will require more time."

"You... won't leave me..., will you?" Twilight rasped out, fighting against the dryness of her throat.

Nightmare Moon flinched back, surprised by the question, but quickly recovered. "No, I shall not abandon you. You have more than earned your place by my side and I have already left a permanent impression on your body. You gained more than a scar from the time you were gone." Nightmare levitated a mirror from the far off wall in the infirmary and floated it over beside Twilight's bed.

The unicorn stared in shock at the image staring back at her. It was so different than what she had expected and it hit her like a boulder. "Wh-what? Why do I...." She lifted a shaky, unsteady hoof and stared at the near black fur covering her leg before turning back to the mirror again. The Twilight in the mirror was not the one she had remembered. Her whole coat had changed from lavender to a deep purple only a few shades from solid black. The dark purple of her mane had turned a deep red and the pink highlight was now a blue that closely resembled Nightmare's starry mane. "I.... I look... so different.... Was.... Was it the... magic?"

"Yes. You are quite similar to Moon Beam now, but without her abilities." She turned to the doctor. "Is she able to be moved?"

He looked over the rough pink scar on her chest and scratched his chin with a hoof, thinking. "Lift your hooves for me, Twilight."

She didn't respond immediately as her thoughts still dwelt on the words Nightmare Moon had spoken. I.... I'm like Moon Beam? Does this mean that she used similar magic on her? I remember Moon Beam talking about how she was hit by a wave of magic before being picked up by Nightmare, but why did it change her so much? I'll have to ask Nightmare myself....

"Twilight. Could you please raise your hooves? All four of them." Twilight snapped out of her thoughts and nodded slightly. With a bit of effort, she was able to hold all of her hooves in the air above her with only a minor addition of discomfort to the ever present burning of her scar. "Does it hurt anymore like this?"

Twilight shook her head softly. "No. It's just... a little... uncomfortable...." She lowered her hooves and returned to her position on her back once more, her legs curled just slightly. "Could.... Could I get... some more... water..?"

"Ah, yes. Of course. Here you go." He levitated the glass once more and the dark unicorn drank this just as swiftly as the last. "She seems ready to be moved as long as you don't jar her body with sudden movements. As long as you keep her back straight so as not to constrict her chest, she'll be just fine."

"Good. I have missed the company of these two while I slept. It feels different without them." She ignited her horn and lifted the two unicorns off the bed.

Twilight smiled as Nightmare Moon's words processed in her mind. She... missed me. Maybe she'll return my feelings some day as well.... She smiled as the warmth of the alicorn's magic embraced her. I'll be content as long as she keeps me with her though....

"You are to stay in bed until the pain is gone. The wound is no longer fatal, but it would be best not to agitate it seeing as the wyvern venom is still active in the skin around the scar."

Twilight nodded as she was carried away by the alicorn's magic, gently floating through the halls past the watching servants. They moved in complete silence excluding the clopping hooffall of Nightmare's steps until they passed through the doors of their bed chamber. Nightmare gently set the foal and mare upon the bed and laid herself beside them. Before she closed her eyes, she whispered softly into Twilight's ear. "Thank you."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: Chapter 19 for ya! Yes, I know that I don't have Twilight's color change or any hints about the scar in the Hearthswarming chapter so don't bother saying anything about it. It was meant to be that way so there weren't any spoilers (seeing as the chapters weren't anywhere close to this point at that time). Not much else to say, I think, so I shall bid you all adieu. Peppy Out!

Editor's Notes: DAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!

Chapter 20 - Growth and Reunion

Chapter 20 - Growth and Reunion

Twilight sauntered through a grand castle, familiar, yet not resembling anything she had ever seen before. The walls were all painted gold with a dark blue arched ceiling dotted with specks of white to resemble the night sky. She passed by an open window and gazed outside, an act she couldn't control, and took in the grand city laid out before her. Multi-storied buildings stood proudly under the midday sun, but she did not recognize any of the designs. None of them rose higher than four stories and they seemed to be made out of roughly-cut stone instead of the typical brick she was used to. Ponies milled about in their daily chores and musings as small figures in her vision. What's going on? Where is this place? Why can't I move?

Her body once more started off down the sunlit hall, passing by oddly dressed ponies without so much as acknowledging their existence. They followed suit and simply went about their day, cleaning and tending to the needs of guests, paying no heed to Twilight as she passed. This inability to control my body is strange.... It's nothing like what's wrong with me now. I can still feel and see and hear everything, but I lack the ability to make my body do what I wish. Perhaps I'm dreaming again? Her body turned a corner and opened a pair of midnight blue metal doors with the white crescent moon handles that gleamed under even the faint light of this windowless section of the corridor. They glowed a deep blue and were pushed open to reveal a posh room filled with a multitude of stuffed animals and dolls. They covered the oak shelves at the back of the of the room and were strewn across a circular midnight blue bed, laying against the pillows and over the blankets.

Her body gazed about the area and spotted what she had come here for. A white alicorn, not much larger than Twilight herself, stood beside a small writing desk in the corner of the room reading a small book, a look of sadness on her face. Her long pink hair hung over the side of her face, blocking her view of Twilight. Celestia...? That has to be her.... That cutie mark is unmistakable! Why does she look so... young?

"Sister, it is rude to read somepony else's diary." Her body spoke. The voice was soft yet commanding, hints of aggravation tinging her words. Sister? I must be in Nightmare Moon's body, then. This must be before her banishment. Why is she so small though? I thought they were always as large as they are now....

Celestia jumped and dropped the diary. "I'm.... I didn't mean to, Luna...." She bit her lip nervously. "You've just been so... upset recently. Why? What's wrong?"

Luna? Is that Nightmare Moon's real name? It has to be.... Luna turned from her sister to gaze into the standing mirror beside the desk. In the reflection, Twilight saw not the dark alicorn she was accustomed to, but a petite dark blue mare, roughly her own height, with a lighter blue mane that held none of the enchantments that Celestia and Nightmare had. She also wore none of her armor. "It is nothing. You perusing my belongings without permission, however isn't."

"But sister..., I'm just worried for-"

"Worried? Since when have you had time for me? You're always busy with your precious ponies." She felt Luna sneer at Celestia. "Well, you obviously have time to go rummaging through my stuff so why don't you just go back to who you really care about!" Twilight could see the hurt on Celestia's face, but Luna spun on her hooves and walked away as the scenes around her began to fade into blackness.

Everything shifted about her. She could feel the world morphing even if she couldn't see any of it transpiring. Twilight's mind danced about as she processed her situation. I.... I must have witnessed a memory of Nightmare Moon.... Maybe this is one of the side effects of the spell? That still doesn't make any sense! A spell shouldn't have given me her memories unless she wanted me to have them. I wouldn't think she'd share any of this with me willingly, so why am I seeing-

She was cut short as color and light flashed into existence. Twilight was once more in the halls of her previous vision, but, instead of the bright and cheerful atmosphere of day that had been present before, night reigned with its moon hanging low in the sky. Her host, who she assumed to be Luna once more, was once again gazing out of a window at the city below. None of the ponies that were there previously remained as they had all retired for the night in order to be ready for the next day's job. She felt Luna's face contort in anger before turning about and storming through the halls. Few servants still remained as the night staff began their shifts, only remaining awake due to necessity. Luna scowled at the working ponies as she passed and they shied away in turn, eager to stay out of the way of the alicorn.

Luna and Twilight continued through the corridors, moving swiftly past windows and decorations, until they reached the twin doors from the previous vision. The alicorn burst through the doors and slammed them shut behind her, the force of the collision knocking several stuffed animals to the floor. Twilight's eyes began to burn as tears formed in them. Is.... Is Luna crying?

Luna tossed herself onto the bed and clutched a small blue filly doll with crude black strings for a mane. "Oh...! Moon Beam...! You are the only one that cares about me...." Twilight started as her mind wrapped itself around the words she had just heard. Moon Beam? That doll? That cannot be. She probably renamed the foal after the doll when she found her. Moon Beam said that she used to live in the city surrounding the Royal Pony Sisters' castle. She obvious has memories from before meeting Nightmare.

"You won't ever leave me, will you?" Luna smiled weakly at the crude doll before kissing its forehead and clutching it close once again. "Of course you won't. I'll make sure to keep you extra safe so you can always be mine." Twilight felt the alicorn's mood shift again, anger replacing the comfort that the doll had brought her. "Those foals only care about stupid Celestia and her useless sun! They can't even look at it without going blind! My moon is so beautiful! The stars that I move are a work of art! Does anypony care? NO! All they do is sleep and ignore all my hard work!"

"I can change all of that, though." Twilight flinched in her mind, the familiar voice of Nightmare Moon escaping from Luna's mouth. "I could make them all worship my night. All I have to do is not lower the moon."

"I can't do that, though.... Celestia would be furious. We have rules that we set up ages past." Twilight concentrated, trying her best to figure out what was going on with Luna, but nothing could come to mind. Why does her voice keep changing? I thought Nightmare Moon and Luna were the same pony. Is she actually possessed?

"It does not matter anymore! None of the ponies will ever love my moon unless I make them! It is my right as Princess of the Night to have ponies worship my work!" She felt Luna's body heaving as she shouted the words before turning to the mirror. What she saw answered all of her questions. Laying before her, cuddled around the doll, was Luna, the blue alicorn. There were not any differences from the pony she had seen in Celestia's mirror save the eyes. The once blue eyes had become the draconic turquoise that Twilight had seen innumerable times throughout her time under the Queen. This must be the first time Nightmare surfaced.... Was this night really the start of it all?

"No. No.... I can't do that.... Maybe if I give them time, they'll learn to love my night..." The world faded once more as Twilight felt herself being drawn away from Luna's body. She tried to anchor herself, but it was to no avail. She couldn't control anything about her.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Sixth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Twenty-Seven Ante Meridian
|

Twilight felt something shifting her body as a soft noise drifted into her ears. She couldn't quite hear it, but, as the movements beside her increased in pace, her chest began to burn from the constant movement. Her eyes shot open and she screeched as fire flared up in her chest. She turned her gaze to the where the movement had originated from in order to glare at the source, but softened her features when she saw Moon Beam with her tiny hooves just above her flank, her mouth open as she prepared to call Twilight's name once more.

"Oh! Sorry, Auntie Twilight, but Mommy Moon told me to come wake you up. She wanted to talk to you and said that you need to meet her in her fancy room!" Moon Beam smiled up at her before moving to embrace the dark byzantium unicorn's neck. "She said it was reaaaaaally important!"

"Thank you, Moonie, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to walk that far...." Twilight looked at the pulsing scar and cringed. The jagged pink skin seemed to writhe of its own accord. "It still hurts too much to move about. I don't know how I'll even make it out the door."

"Oh, that's okay Auntie! Mommy Moon said you should be able to make it. She said," Moon Beam cleared her throat and took up a pose similar to Nightmare Moon's typical stance and began to imitate the alicorn's voice, "I have full faith in Twilight's abilities to reach her Queen's side. She will be able to make it." The act, while meant to be serious, was quite the opposite. Twilight giggled at the foal's adorable mimicry. "Heyyyyy~! It's not funny! She really said that!"

Twilight just smiled at her. "Don't worry, Moonie. It was very cute. Could you run and tell Mommy Moon that I'll be down as quickly as I can?"

"Awwww...! I wanted to walk with you...!" She kicked a fore-hoof on the bed dejectedly as she pouted.

"It's okay Moonie. You can rush right back up to walk with me after you tell her that I'm coming. I still have to get my dress on." Twilight smiled reassuringly at the filly as she tried to hide her true intentions behind her words.

Moon Beam put a hoof to her chin to assist with her thinking as she eyed Twilight curiously, but ultimately agreed with a giggle as she always does. "Okie dokie Auntie Twilight! I'll be sure to go as fast as I can that way I can help you get to Mommy!" She kissed Twilight on the cheek and dashed off down the hall leaving Twilight by herself in the bed.

Twilight coughed nervously and made sure Moon Beam wasn't simply around the corner before moving. She carefully dragged her body across the bed in order to avoid any sudden movements. "Sorry for lying to you Moon Beam.... I just didn't want you worrying in case I hurt myself...." She sighed helplessly when she glanced over the side of the bed, the usually short drop now seeming like the sheer height of a mountain to her injured body, "Which is looking to be the case...." Twilight swallowed the lump that had begun to form in her throat and steeled herself as she prepared for the first step to her ultimate recovery.

She swung her hind legs over the side of the bed and gingerly placed them upon the obsidian floor. With her hooves firmly planted, or as firmly planted as she could get them, Twilight carefully brought the rest of her body over the edge. The moment her front hooves touched the ground and her weight redistributed itself to the center of her body, the fire from the cut reignited and, with a cry of pain, she fell to her side. Her eyes burned with tears as she fought away the agony and, after only a few moments of deep breathing, she slowly brought herself to her knees. "It.... Oh, Nightmare Moon, it hurts so much...." She ignored her suffering and slowly raised herself up onto shaking legs. The moment she finished, the agony of her body weight tried to overtake her once again, but, with clenched teeth and her determination to not let Nightmare Moon down, she stayed firm.

She stood there for what seemed like hours until, to her surprise, the pain ebbed to a dull throb. She gasped for breath now that she could take in larger bursts of air and noticed something was off. "Is.... Is everything shorter?" She looked around and took note of the heights of various objects about her. "Bed is the same height as is the desk and armoire..., so why does everything seem..." Her eyes wandered to the standing mirror and she gasped in surprise. "I'm taller! And so is my horn.... How did I not notice that before?" Twilight carefully put one hoof out in front of herself to move closer to the mirror and instantly regretted it.

Pain lanced through her body as her weight shifted causing her to retract her hoof and steady herself. "Gah! Oh, why won't it stop burning! I never knew wyvern venom could do this...." The pain soon subsided once again and, with more caution than before, she stuck her hoof out and placed it upon the floor a few inches ahead of her. She felt the pain growing, but blocked it out and continued her slow shuffle, moving inches at a time until she stood directly in front of her destination. The mirror, which was slightly taller than Nightmare Moon, was now a mere two and a half feet above her head where, before, it had been three. "I grew six inches! That's so amazing! I didn't think I'd ever get any taller! My whole family has been on the rather short-" Her eyes were drawn back to the mirror when they caught her attention. "Were.... were my eyes like this last night?"

Twilight leaned in closer to make sure and, exactly as she had thought, her eyes did have the draconic pupils similar to Nightmare Moon's. "When.... When did this happen!? I'm sure they were normal last night! W-what's going on!?" She glanced about and a realization dawned on her. "The.... The lights are off... and I can see perfectly fine.... Am I still changing? Did all of the changes not happen at once?" She sighed and swallowed the lump in her throat. "That must be it. There isn't any other explanation. I was probably already this height last night, but, due to the numbness, I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't notice. The eyes and horn, however, are a sure sign. There isn't a single possibility that I overlooked that. I was staring myself in the face with that mirror."

She pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind and resumed her original purpose. Using the same shuffling method as before, but with slightly longer strides, Twilight moved to the dresser and bit down on a handle before pulling it open. She eyed the dress and, with the precision of almost a month of practice, donned the dress without the use of her magic. Twilight turned and, now that she was ready, took slow steps towards the open door, wincing each time she raised a hoof off the ground. Through practice and weathered pain, Twilight passed through the open door and into the hallway leading to the stairs. She moved slowly, but steadily as she traversed the corridor until, as she turned the corner to head down the first flight of stairs, she met up with Moon Beam as she sat by the stairs waiting.

"Oh! OH! You're walking! Yay! I knew you could do it, Auntie Twilight!" She squealed in delight and ran circles around the dark unicorn before skidding to a halt at her side. "You're so strong, Auntie. When I grow up, I wanna be just like you and Mommy! Well, maybe not the Queen, but strong!" She giggled and dashed off down the stairs, stopping at the first landing. "Come on Auntie! Mommy is waiting and she has a surprise!"

Twilight smiled warmly. The foal’s words gave her strength that Moon Beam couldn't even begin to comprehend. After having doubted herself and her abilities for so long, having to go out of her way to please others and be the best that she could, the words of praise and idolization filled her with so much joy. "Coming, Moon Beam. I'll be right behind you." She slowly began her descent of the stairs, the warmth of the foal's love dulling the fire of her aching wounds.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Sixth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Thirty-Five Ante Meridian
|

Nightmare Moon sat upon her throne once more, gazing idly towards the door as she waited for Twilight. I wonder if she'll be pleased with what I have for her. I am sure that she won't be expecting it. The alicorn frowned at herself and looked about. Why am I doing this? I know that she saved my life, but I already brought her back from the dead. Isn't that enough payment for her actions? Of course it is. But why can't I stop thinking about the incident? About her? She shook the thoughts from her mind and refocused her stare on the door once more. It matters not. This is a reward for her actions. When she makes it down here, she will have earned it.

The door opened and Nightmare Moon's ears perked up. She looked to the opening, expecting to see Twilight walking in, proud and strong, but was, instead, greeted by a grinning navy foal rushing to her side. "Ah, Moon Beam. Where is Twilight? Is she not coming?" Disappointment tinged Nightmare Moon's voice, but the foal failed to pick up on it.

"Oh, no! Auntie Twilight is coming! She said she had to get dressed and sent me to come tell you and so here I am!" Moon Beam giggled happily as she stood proud before Nightmare Moon giving a mock salute. "She also wants me to come back as soon as I was done so can I-" She lost her focus and noticed something standing behind the throne. "Hey, who are those-"

"Shush, child. You may go back to Twilight, but do not tell her what you saw. I wish it to be a secret until she sees it herself." The alicorn nodded her head towards the door and the filly complied by trotting off the way she had come.

"Don't worry, Mommy Moon! I'll make sure Auntie Twilight gets here safe and sound!" She stopped for a moment and took her thinking posture. "And fast too!" With a burst of energy, the foal disappeared through the crack she opened in the doors leaving Nightmare Moon sitting alone once more.

The alicorn sat still as a statue as she waited on the pair to arrive. Minutes passed without a single sound from the hallway and her placid features turned into a slight frown. She listened to the shuffling behind her and turned her attention to the two ponies behind her. With a stern glance, she urged them into silence and continued her act as a sentry. More minutes passed and she began to worry. Maybe she couldn't make it? No, she would have sent Moon Beam ahead to come and tell me. Why is she taking so long? She should have been able to move faster by now.... Her frustration was soon alleviated as she saw the doors opening wider to allow the unicorns to enter the room. "Ah, Twilight Sparkle. I was right to believe in your ability to recover so quickly. You have certainly shown yourself to be quite capable as my consort."

Twilight moved to the area below the throne and bowed as low as her body would let her. "Thank you, my Queen. I was made aware that you had something to disc-"

Her sentence was interrupted when the two ponies behind Nightmare Moon stepped into her line of sight. She froze as the mare and stallion opened their mouths in surprise before the mare spoke. "Twilight...? Is that you? Twilight?"

Tears formed in their eyes as Twilight took a step closer, her mouth hanging open as well with her own tears staining her face. "M-mommy? Daddy?"

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: AWWWWWWWWWW YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!! Shit just got real! What's the dream all about? Why is Twilight still changing? ARE THOSE HER PARENTS?! Yes. Yes, they are. I'm sure you guys will enjoy this chapter as you get a little more backstory on Nightmare Moon, some insight into her mind, some new revelations about Twilight, and a cliffhanger that doesn't leave you wondering 'WHO THE BUCK ARE THE TWO PONIES BEHIND THE THRONE!?'. Yeah, I was gonna leave it like that, but I thought 'Hey, that's just evil! Don't do that! Shame on you, Peppy!' Notice a trend? I do. I'm evil. Kinda. Well, enjoy! Peppy out!

Editor's Notes: You're not evil, Peppy..., well..., maybe a little. Any-who, loved this chapter. and once again..., DAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!

Chapter 21 - Tears and Joy

Chapter 21 - Tears and Joy

Nightober Sixth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Thirty-Five Ante Meridian
|

Twilight stared at the two ponies before her, memories of her time as a foal and the few breaks she got in her time with Celestia rising to the surface. She couldn't believe her newly enhanced eyes. Her parents were standing before her at the behest of Nightmare Moon. "M-mommy? Daddy?" Tears began to well up in her eyes as she slowly approached her parents, her breath coming out in stuttered sobs. The two ponies looked at her curiously before the full realization came over them.

"Twilight...! Oh, Twilight! That really is you!" The mare, a white unicorn with a striped purple and white mane and tail, her cutie mark a trio of purple stars, rushed up and embraced Twilight, who now stood almost a foot taller than her. The two nuzzled affectionately, both crying in joy at the reunion and in relief in each other's safety. "Oh, Twilight...! I was so worried when I heard about the battle that happened here after getting your letter...!"

Twilight pulled back in surprise and winced at the sudden movement, an action that both of her parents took note of. Her father, a cyan coated stallion with a dark blue mane and twin crescent moons for a cutie mark, stepped forward and looked at her worriedly. He narrowed his yellow eyes as he approached, looking for any signs of what caused the grimace. "Twilight, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

Twilight flicked her eyes between them nervously as she lowered her body in an attempt to hide the scar. "I'm.... I'm fine! Just a little surprised that you got the letter is all. I didn't think that I had sent it out. How'd you get it?"

The two looked between each other nervously, silently debating on whether they should say until the mare spoke up. "Come on, Dusk Shine. She came and brought us here so I doubt she'd mind if we told Twilight."

Dusk smiled and nodded. "You're right Star." He glanced up at Nightmare Moon, who gave no sign of objection, then turned back to Twilight. "Her Majesty, Queen Moon brought the letter to us this morning. After we read it, we asked if she would let us come to see you." The two smiled at each other then back to Twilight. "We were surprised when she said yes. After everything that tabloid reporter, Green Ink, said about how evil she was when she interviewed us, we never thought that she would agree."

Twilight looked up at Nightmare Moon and smiled brightly, but the mare simply looked away as if uninterested. "Now, Twilight, why do you look so different? What happened to you?" Star Sparkle moved around her daughter and examined her top to bottom, taking in all the changes. "It's not often that ponies change color or grow past their adult height. Did you use..." Despite Twilight's attempts to hide it, her mother found the scar and rushed to examine it. "Twilight! How...? How did this happen!? It's...."

Dusk moved beside her. "What's wrong, dear? What...."

Star turned on Nightmare Moon and glared at her, hate in her eyes. "You let this happen, didn't you!? How could you let my precious Twilight come to harm!? She means-"

Twilight grasped her mother around the neck and pulled her back, gritting her teeth against the strain. "No! It's.... It's okay mom. I.... I did this myself. It wasn't her fault.... I... A lot has happened since after Queen Moon took over.... I never wanted you to worry...." Twilight began to tear up again as she calmed her mother, the conflicting emotions of her love for her parents, her love for Nightmare Moon, and her need to defend both sides swirling in her head.

"Twilight...." Dusk hugged the byzantium unicorn and pulled back to look her in the eyes, "we're just worried about you. We hadn't heard from you in months and when Celestia disappeared, we feared the worst." He looked at his wife and she nodded her head, her anger soothed by Twilight's embrace. "We can talk about how you got the scar later. We want to hear how you've been until now... and why you're dressed so... peculiarly."

Twilight blushed and turned to Nightmare Moon for support, but, once again, the alicorn turned away to gaze out a window. Twilight frowned, ready to complain to the mare, but was interrupted by her stomach grumbling angrily at her. She blushed in embarrassment. "Oh... Hehe. I forgot I haven't eaten in two days...." She looked up and found Nightmare eyeing her curiously, the slightest hint of worry tugging at her facade. "My Queen, could we possibly talk over lunch? I'm sure my parents would enjoy some food and Moonie is probably hungry as well. Speaking of Moonie, she has been rather quiet."

"Moonie? You mean the foal, right?" Star cocked her head as she thought, a habit that she had picked up from her daughter when she was a filly. "I do not think we were ever introduced. Where could she have gone off-"

Out of nowhere, the filly crashed into Star and knocked her off her feet. "Hi! I'm Moon Beam! So, you are Auntie Twilight's mommy and daddy! Tee hee, I knew it. You look just like her!" She stopped and thought for a moment. "Well, you used to, but she looks different now. I still love the new Auntie though! She's my favorite Auntie ever! If she's my Auntie though, what would you be? Maybe great auntie? Yes! You can be Great Auntie Star and Great Uncle Dusk!" The filly rushed over to Nightmare Moon and bounced about her. "Can they be part of the family too, Mommy? Pleeeeeeaaaaaasssse~?"

"If you wish. They are already the parents of Twilight so I do not see why you would require my permission. It is ultimately their choice, however." Nightmare Moon looked at the two, her gaze practically telling them to do what they had already decided for themselves.

"She is quite the energetic filly isn't she, Star?" He tousled the foal's mane, an act that left no residual signs, and smiled down at her. "Of course, we'll be your Great Uncle and Aunt. How could we say no to something as cute as you are?" He leaned in close to the filly's ear and spoke in a voice just loud enough for Twilight and Moon Beam to hear it. "You are just like Twilight when she was younger, you know. She was always as energetic as you, especially when it came to learning magic."

Moon Beam giggled as Twilight scoffed at his words, but, before she could protest, Nightmare Moon stood and drew their attention. "Let us go to the dining hall. We can continue our discussion over a meal." The group all said their agreements before being led by the Moon Queen to the solitary enclave reserved for the Queen and her guests.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Sixth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Fifty-One Ante Meridian
|

Cloudy Horizons stepped out of the Queen's sky chariot, a large, black imposing vessel made of magically dyed steel. She placed her hooves on the ground and gazed about, taking in the view of the quaint little village. The first thing to catch her attention was a large gingerbread house built around the central square of the town, its candy-like facade blatantly advertising the goods sold inside. She nodded to the six pegasi that pulled the chariot, allowing them to take a break for the time she'd be here.

"So, this is Ponyville? The town where Queen Moon made her first appearance after her return. It doesn't seem like much. I cannot understand why Celestia chose this town, of all places, to host the Summer Sun Celebration." She marched off towards the confectionery shop and opened the door, disregarding the 'closed' sign hanging in the front window.

A cheery voice called out from behind a counter filled with multitudes of baked sweets when she heard the door open. "Awwww, I'm sorry, but we're closed now. You'll have to come back tomorrow if you want something to eat. I may be able to get you something small though, if you don't mind leftover treats from today. I'd hate to leave a pony hungry!" A pink head with a cotton candy mane popped up from behind the display holding a small broom.

Cloudy ignored the mare's words and strode further into the store until she stood directly opposite from her. "I am High Commander Cloudy Horizons of Nightmare Moon's Lunar Army. I am here on command of Her Majesty in order to draft all able bodied ponies into her army. Direct me to the City Hall and I shall be on my way."

The mare's smiled dropped into a frown at the mention of Nightmare Moon's name. "Oh... You're her subordinate. Well, the mayor's office is right down the road past the Library. You'll notice the library as it's the only tree in town that's been turned into a building. It's not far from the center of town as it's the main event hall for Ponyville." The mare turned back to her work and continued to sweep the floor. "Now, could you leave? I have work I need to finish."

"What is your name?"

"Oh, it's Pinkie Pie."

"Well, Miss Pie, I would advise you to watch your tone when dealing with a ranking officer in the Queen's army. All may not be as forgiving as myself." Cloudy turned and left, flexing her left wing as if to prepare for flight out of instinct.

As soon as the one winged pegasus was out of earshot, Pinkie Pie sighed and fought back tears. "We wouldn't dislike you if you hadn't taken Twilight away from us...."

Cloudy moved past the throngs of ponies that had gathered in the town square as they began their morning routines, mulling about to go shopping or heading to their jobs. She maintained her stoic expression as the ponies gaped in bewilderment at the stub of her wing, her hooves clopping in the hard dirt. She moved by the her carriage and saw a gathering about it, talking to themselves over the elaborate design and make. She heard several ponies inquire as to how such an obviously heavy vehicle could be pulled by such a small team of pegasi. Cloudy couldn't help but to smirk at their simplicity. Obviously it's enchanted to be weightless. If I still had my wing, I could have pulled it solo.

She pushed her personal thoughts about the town's residents aside and focused once more on the reason she had come. Her pace quickened slightly and, just as the pink mare had said, she soon found herself standing in front of the Town Hall, residence of the mayor and event hall. It is a wonder how anypony figures out that this is the Town Center. I cannot understand why they would fail to mark the most important building in the town in order to display its purpose. She shook her head in exasperation and pushed open the door, disregarding the typical courtesy of knocking.

As the doors slammed shut behind her, Cloudy startled the cream colored mare behind a desk in the left most corner of the room. She fumbled with some papers she had been holding and spilled them across the floor before huffing and pushing her gray mane out of her face. "Excuse me, but most ponies generally knock before entering a building. It's rude to just barge in on a pony like that. Now would you be so kind as to explain your..." The mares eyes were drawn to the elaborate armor that Cloudy was wearing as a dawning realization washed over her. "Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't realize you were with the Lunar Army. Please forgive my earlier outburst. Everything has just been so hectic with the endless night. We've got reports of nocturnal animals prowling more wantonly, rare and poisonous plants growing in greater abundance, and even a few reports of the animals of the Everfree emerging from the-"

"I am not here to listen to your issues. If you have problems, you can bring them to the attention of Chancellor Fancy Pants in New Mareland." Cloudy turned and retrieved a scroll from a saddlebag she had strapped across her back. "I, High Commander Cloudy Horizons, am here on behalf of Her Majesty, Queen Moon, to issue a draft for all able bodied ponies to join Her Lunar Army. The scroll contains all of the details that you need to know. We require a list of all the ponies that are capable of joining in a week's time barring those who have children or are essential to the running of the town. Everypony, mare or stallion, must be accounted for and recorded for our recruitment. Anypony that refuses shall be punished severely by declaration of the Queen and all who join will be rewarded handsomely."

"Everypony? We are such a small town, I'm not sure how many ponies will be capable of joining, but if it's Her Majesty's orders then I'll do my best to gather the list you require." The cream mare pushed her glasses back up her nose so that she could focus on the now unraveled scroll before her. "I'll be sure to have one of our mail ponies deliver it as soon as I am finished."

"Good. Our business here is concluded. May I ask your name?"

"Oh, most certainly, Commander Horizons. My name is Silver Ink, but everypony calls me Miss Mayor or Mayor Mare." She smiled nervously at the orange pony and was relieved when Cloudy nodded her head in confirmation.

"Very well, Miss Ink. I thank you for your cooperation as does our Queen. We look forward to your report and, given a few days after receiving it, we will meet again when we come to retrieve the drafted." Cloudy gave a stiff salute and turned on her heels, marching out of the building, much to the cream colored mare's relief.

She once again found herself standing in the streets of Ponyville, gazing about the area and memorizing her surroundings. If I am to return here once more, it would be best to have my bearings-

"Pssst!" Cloudy glanced about, the almost silent noise barely catching her attention. "Hey, over here!" The commander turned to the direction the voice was originating from and saw a shadow waving her down from an alleyway. "Come over here, I have something I need to talk to you about."

The orange mare eyed the shadow cautiously and, in preparation for a surprise attack, unbuckled the clasp on her sword's hilt in case it was needed. Cloudy stepped closer to the alley and called into the darkness. "Who is it and why are you talking so quietly? Do you have something to hide from me?" She eyed the shifting shadow carefully, taking note of its larger build and the pair of wings barely visible at its side.

"Fine, fine. I don't have anything to hide." The figure moved out of the shadows, its features coming slowly into view under the 'day's' moonlight. Before Cloudy was a Griffon, a female Griffon, whose white, eagle-like head and fore-legs connected to a sleek, brown lion's body. She ruffled her large brown wings before continuing. "I saw you flying in and I-"

Her words were cut short by a blade being pressed against her throat. She hadn't even seen the pony unsheathe it. "Silence, Griffon scum!" Several ponies gasped behind them and quickly hid inside the closest buildings they could find. "Why should I not kill you where you stand? We are at war!"

The Griffon gazed back, fear in her yellow eyes, before sputtering her words to preserve her life. "I-I wanted to j-join you and h-help in th-the w-war! I swear! I-I don't h-hold any allegiance t-to my k-kind!"

Cloudy stared into the Griffon's eyes, determining if the girl was speaking truth or lies, before pulling her sword away from the Griffon's neck. She sheathed the blade, but kept the clasp unfastened in case she required it again. "Very well, you may speak, but, should you make any wrong moves, know that I will separate that pretty little head of yours from your shoulders before you even have a chance to retaliate. Start with your name."

The Griffon gulped loudly before continuing. "My name is Gilda. I'm daughter of the War-Chief of the head Griffon tribe, the Steelfeathers. I wanted to join your army because I've never liked my family or my tribe. I may not like the presence of these dweebs, but I know that not everyone is as lame as this town's ponies."

Cloudy stared at Gilda, contemplating her words. "Why would you fight against your own people? You may not like them, but they are your race."

"Those jerks have been trying to force me to become one of their priestesses! I'm not going to do what they tell me. I'm a free bird and I make my own choices! If it takes me joining you ponies and fighting them myself, then I'll do just that."

A fire burned in the Griffon's eyes that Cloudy recognized instantly. She grinned at the child's anger and stuck out a hoof. "Very well. Welcome to the Lunar Army. I'm certain we can find a special place for someone like yourself." The Griffon clasped the hoofed in a yellow talon and shook it briefly before releasing. "Follow me and we will be on our way. I must inform Her Majesty of your allegiance and report my success on my duties."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Sixth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Ten Oh-Four Ante Meridian
|

The five ponies sat around one of the smaller tables in the private dining room. Nightmare Moon sat at the head of the octagonal table with Moon Beam to her right and Twilight on her left. Star Sparkle sat beside Twilight with Dusk Shine sitting directly opposite Moon Beam, beside his wife. They all were talking quietly as they waited on their food to arrive.

"So, Twilight, what all have you been doing under Queen Moon? I'd also like to hear about where you acquired that dress." Star watched her daughter intently after finishing her question, her curiosity unable to be held back any longer.

Twilight gazed about nervously, having the spotlight already shined on the most embarrassing topic of her current life. "Uhm.... I.... I'm-"

"She is my companion." Nightmare Moon interjected. "She serves me in any way I wish of her and she does so willingly." The alicorn looked to the injured unicorn. "It is not nearly as embarrassing as you'd think, Twilight Sparkle. Royal consorts are held in high esteem by those around them. There is nopony closer to the ruler than their spouse or consort. The dress is something I had made for her to befit her status and be pleasing to my eye."

Star held her hoof to her mouth in surprise, but grinned devilishly at her daughter. Her father laughed. "So, finally found a mare for yourself, Twi?"

Twilight blushed furiously, the color being hidden, to her relief, by her darker coat. "D-Daddy!" She tried to work her mouth, but to no avail at first. Soon, she regained her ability to speak. "How.... How did you know I liked mares or about my love for.... Ummm, My Queen...?"

Star just giggled at her which elicited a giggle from the filly as well. "Oh, Twilight. You told us so in your letters and, besides, we always noticed where your eyes are drawn. We are your parents, you know. We can always tell." She placed a hoof on her daughter's back before sighing and continuing. "Now, I'd like to know where the adorable little filly over there came from. It's only been three months since Her Majesty's return so I doubt that she has been foaled since then." At the mention of her name, Moon Beam smiled brightly and squirmed in her seat, eager to move about and hug her new Great Aunt and Uncle.

"I know that one!" Moon Beam waved her hoof in the air as if in a classroom. Twilight's parents couldn't help but to smile at her exuberance. "Mommy Moon and Auntie Twilight brought me back about two months ago! I was sleeping for a very long time until Mommy Moon came and woke me up!" She bounced in her seat, excited that she had gotten to answer something.

"Brought you back as in...?" Dusk couldn't help but to shudder at his thoughts, however his fears were put to rest by the alicorn.

"No, she was not dead. I put her to rest before my downfall a millennium ago in case my sister somehow defeated me. I simply returned her from slumber." Nightmare kept her stoic expression through her simple explanation, hiding the anger towards Celestia behind her facade.

Twilight heard her parents sigh in relief then remembered her own curiosity. "What have you two been doing since we last talked? Are you still doing okay?"

The two glanced at each other and planted fake smiles upon their faces. "Of course we're doing fine, dear. The book store has been doing excellently recently. It's quite amazing at how many ponies have wanted to take up reading all of a sudden." Star kept up her smile, but Twilight stared right past it.

"Mommy? What's wrong? I can tell that you're lying. You know that none of us have good poker faces...."

Dusk touched his wife's shoulder and frowned slightly. "It's nothing too serious, Twi. Business hasn't been too great recently due to all of the fighting and such that's been going on. The royal guard were causing quite a stir in Canterlot until recently as they tried to recruit as many ponies as they could. Everypony is too scared to go outside now and, with news of Griffon scouts being spotted in Equestria, it's getting worse. We still get enough business to get by, but we're going to have to start drawing from our savings soon if this keeps up."

Twilight frowned and moved to talk, but was shushed by her mother. "Don't worry, dear. We'll be fine. We've had to deal with poor business like this before. You have enough to worry about here, after all. We can't have you fretting over us." She hugged her daughter closely and, after the young mare flinched in pain, released her just as quickly as she had grasped her. "Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you!"

Twilight smiled at her mother's fretting and shook her head. "It's fine. It doesn't hurt as bad as before. I just have to be careful."

Dusk frowned, his face becoming serious once more. "Twilight. Can you tell us how you got that scar? It doesn't look natural. It's almost as if it's moving...." Star nodded her agreement as well, she had been wondering the same thing, but had been too scared to bring it up.

Twilight glanced nervously at Nightmare Moon who simply gave her a nod of approval and sighed. "Al-Alright. I'll tell you, but you have to promise to not be angry. I... It's not the prettiest story...." Her parents silently agreed and, with a slight clearing of her throat, Twilight began. "Well..., three days ago, Moon Beam and I were playing in the castle courtyard when Queen Moon came out. This was about a week after the battle here against the Royal Guard and the Griffons, seeing it as an opportunity to strike while the iron was hot, sent an assassin to kill her. I saw the assassin, but I wouldn't have been able to warn her in time so I did the only thing I could think of to protect my beloved Queen...." She looked up at her parents, tears beginning to sting her eyes. "I teleported myself between her and the assassin and took the blade myself."

Star had tears dripping down her face as she had already guessed what had happened from the moment Twilight had said assassin. Dusk simply gazed at her, his face unreadable. "But, why does it look like that? I wouldn't think any blade meant for quick murder would leave such a grisly scar like that."

Nightmare Moon answered for her companion. "The scimitar was coated with wyvern venom, a very potent poison meant to prevent healing. Were it not for that, Twilight would be perfectly fine right now even after taking a sword to her chest like that. That is also the cause of her... changes. The magic I used to heal her wasn't meant to be used for healing. It has had many unpredictable side-effects and will continue to change her, but I do not think any of them shall be negative." The alicorn stopped and gave the two parents time to compose themselves before their meals would be brought before them.

After a few moments Star had calmed down enough to speak without sobbing. "Oh, Twilight...." She hugged her daughter closely once more. "I.... I may not like that you got yourself hurt like that, but to protect the pony you love.... I'm so proud of you.... Just.... Please be more careful.... You mean the world to us.... I wouldn't want to ever live in a world without you...."

Her father nodded his head and was about to speak his agreement before a knock was heard on the door. Nightmare Moon glanced at it before speaking. "You may enter." The doors opened and a blue earth pony wearing a chef's hat with a fork and salad spoon for a cutie mark walked in pushing a tray of food. He bowed to Nightmare Moon before giving each pony their order then bowed once more before taking his leave. "Ah... The food is here. We can continue our conversation after we have eaten." She looked about the room and received only nods of compliance before returning her attention to her own plate.

The ponies all gathered outside the main castle doors as a sky carriage meant for Twilight's parents flew down to them, landing not far from their position. Twilight hugged her parents then released them, smiling warmly. "I'll be sure to write more often. I'm sorry I wasn't able to until recently."

Star smiled at her and shook her head. "It's all right Twilight. Just know that we love you and that we want you to stay safe." She looked up at Nightmare Moon and bowed. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty. I don't mean to ask too much, but could you watch over our daughter for us? She's our shining star and we'd hate to lose her." Nightmare Moon nodded briefly, but retained her placid expression. "Thank you, Your Majesty." She bowed once more before turning to get onto the carriage, the doors being held open by one of the pegasus chauffeurs.

Dusk leaned in close to Twilight and whispered into her ear. "She likes you, you know. Don't give up and I'm sure you'll be able to make even the Queen do whatever you want her to." He winked and snickered at her.

Twilight blushed and pushed him away in embarrassment. "Daddy! Th-that's- I don't- Agh! Just go!"

Dusk laughed and moved to join his wife. "We love you Twilight! It was nice meeting you, Moon Beam!"

The filly smiled and waved her hoof at the couple. "Come back and visit us! I wanna play with everypony some day soon!"

Her smile warmed their hearts and Star nodded her head. "We'll come back as soon as we can! We'd love to play with somepony as cute as you!" She closed the door with her magic and waved out the window one last time before the pegasi hitched themselves to the carriage once more and pulled them off into the night.

Twilight smiled happily before turning and embracing Nightmare Moon in a tight hug, happy tears beginning to stain her cheeks. "Thank you... so much."

Nightmare Moon's features cracked slightly as a smile tugged at her lips. "You're welcome, Twilight Sparkle." She did not return the hug, but they were both soon joined by a smaller embrace as Moon Beam wormed her way into the middle of the two.

Twilight broke the embrace and looked back at the slowly shrinking form of the carriage before turning to follow Nightmare Moon and Moon Beam as they walked back inside, a joyous smile on her face and a warmth in her heart.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: Tried to get this out yesterday, just didn't work. You try writing when your favorite pony/hentai artist is hosting a livestream and drawing ponies while talking to you and another of your favorite pony artists. Not likely gonna happen. Well, anyhooves, her it is! Now with 100% more Twilight family and even a sneak peak at Gilda and her new role in Nightmare Moon's army. You guys really need to stop spoiling my story before you even know about it. So evil... Lol I j/k of course. It's always fun to see what you guys come up with and being elusive about many subjects involving the story, so please, don't hold back. Well, I'm going to go play some MW3 and some other stuff while I wait for comments! Enjoy~ Peppy out!

Chapter 22 - Rising Trouble

Chapter 22 - Rising Trouble

Nightober Sixth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Seven Twenty-Nine Post Meridian
|

Cloudy Horizons stood outside the castle gates, eyeing the first transport of fresh soldiers to come in from Stalliongrad. She checked off each wagon that passed through the arched gate and counted the number of ponies in each vehicle, her blue eyes skimming the lists of cutie marks and matching them to what she saw on their flanks. As she had requested, the ponies had been loaded in order by name so as to make the counting process easier. Beside her stood Gilda, boredom playing across her face as she watch Cloudy perform her tasks, eager to get started on her training. They had just returned from Ponyville only minutes before the caravan had begun to arrive.

Cloudy looked at the list that one of the unicorn servants was holding for her as the next wagon pulled up. Looking into the passenger section, she noticed something was off. "You! At the front!" The lead stallion pulling the sky carriage unhitched himself and saluted. "This is wagon number twenty-six. Where are wagons twenty-two through twenty-five?"

The pegasus looked about nervously, not used to the nature of the commander. "Uhm... They.... They were attacked by Griffons on the way here. None of us are really trained for combat so we didn't stand a chance. If we didn't have some of the fresh recruits from Cloudsdale with us, we probably would have all died back there."

"Buck...!" The orange mare seethed under her breath. "They're already attacking our caravans." She turned to the unicorn that was assisting her. "You, what's your name?"

The mare jolted at the strength of the voice directed at her. "It... It's Sunshine, ma'am."

"All right, Sunshine. You are going to finish tallying the wagons as they come in. I want a number of how many we are missing taken to my room when you are finished. I must go speak with the Queen." The mare nodded shakily and focused on the incoming sky wagons.

"Gilda, follow me. We are going to meet the Queen." She turned and walked briskly into the gates, the Griffon following close behind. "You must remember that we are at war with your kind. If you wish to keep your life, I would advise you to remain silent unless you are spoken to directly. Queen Moon has a personal reason to want to kill you on sight so it would be best to not draw attention to yourself."

"Why, in Equestria, would she hate me? What did I ever do to her?" Gilda scowled as they walked through the front doors of the castle. They moved briskly through the corridors, the ponies watching Gilda with blatant worry plastered on their faces. "All of these lame-o's are scared of me. The heck did I do?"

"One of your country's assassins made an attempt on the Queen's life and was thwarted by Twilight Sparkle, her... companion."

"So they hate me cause some rookie got killed? That's totally not cool. Even if she was attacked, that still doesn't explain why she'd kill me!"

"Twilight was gravely wounded by the assassin. Were it not for the Queen, she would have surely died." Cloudy stopped and glared at the young Griffon. "Her Majesty is holding a personal grudge against the Griffons. It is unwise to underestimate the Queen's wrath." Gilda snorted, but nodded her head in compliance as the pegasus resumed her pace and followed behind her once more.

They continued on in silence, the only noises being made were the padding and scraping of Gilda's feet and the clopping of Cloudy's hooves against the obsidian floor. The servants were all avoiding the pair, the news of the assassination attempt scaring them into hiding, leaving the halls empty as they continued their small trek. The young Griffon gazed about her surrounds in awe. "I've never seen anything so... awesome! I mean, Cloudsdale was pretty cool and all, but you can only see so many cloud houses before you've seen them all." They turned down the corridor leading to the staircase as Gilda continued to talk. "We don't have anything like this in Griffonia. We pretty much just live in cut out mountains and tents. Totally uncool. I bet this must have cost a for-"

"We have almost arrived. Be silent and we will make this meeting as brief as possible." Gilda sealed her beak as they approached the black double doors barring passage to Nightmare Moon's private quarters. Cloudy lifted a hoof and, with three quick strikes, alerted the occupants to her presence.

"I'll get it, Mommy!" Shouted a cheerful voice from the opposite side of the doors.

Cloudy frowned and turned to the Griffon. "Horseapples...! I forgot about Moon Beam. I should warn you that-"

One of the doors swung open from Moon Beam's magic to reveal the navy filly, her smoky mane trailing in the air. She looked up at Cloudy and smiled, ready to pounce on her, but then she noticed Gilda. Her eyes widened in shock and her mouth opened. "You...!" She squeaked out, her eyes beginning to glow.

Gilda stared at the foal, confusion showing on her face, as Moon Beam's eyes slowly started to glow brighter. "Moon Beam? Who is it?" A soft voice said, grabbing the Griffon's attention.

The moment her eyes left Moon Beam's she felt a chill in the air. "You...!" The foal said once more, this time her voice was a deep, gravelly terror. "You are the one that hurt Twilight...!"

"What!? That's so not true you little-" Her voice caught in her throat when she looked back to the foal, or, what once was the foal.

Moon Beam had lost all physical similarities to a pony, her body quickly growing and shifting. Hard scales replaced fur as her small body morphed into a giant serpent, her neck flattened into a crest with glowing runes on each side. The black naja hissed and spun around Gilda with lightning speed, crushing the Griffon in her powerful grasp. "You made Twilight die...! You made My Queen cry...! You will pay with your blood...!" The grating sound of Moon Beam's voice hurt Gilda's sensitive hearing, but she was too focused on the slow crushing of her body to care about her aural injuries.

Gilda gasped as she heard joints pop and felt her lungs being compressed to take in less oxygen. Cloudy shouted for Moon Beam to stop, but the foal was not listening. She saw only a creature similar to the one she had been unable to save Twilight from and intended to mete out her vengeance upon it. Gilda screeched as more joints popped, feeling her bones begin to weaken under the might of the constricting serpent, but unable to fight back or worm her way free. Nightmare Moon now stood in the doorway, smiling, as she took great pleasure in the Griffon's suffering. Moon Beam's grip continued to tighten even further until the soft voice from before rang out once again.

"Moonie.... Please stop. That's not the one that hurt me.... He's dead already. Please, let her go."

Gilda's vision had begun to blur from the lack of oxygen being received by her lungs until she felt the giant snake's grip loosen then fully release her. Moon Beam reverted back to her foal form and fell, crying, into Twilight's embrace. "Aunt-Auntie.... I-I'm sorry...! I-I was just..."

Twilight stroked the foal's head soothingly, 'shh'ing her as she began to calm down, while Nightmare Moon stepped closer to the gasping Griffon. "High Commander Horizons. Why have you brought this insect before me? You know that the birds are our enemy, correct?"

Cloudy moved forward, beginning to speak, before Gilda glared up at her. "I... am not... an insect!" She twisted her body and shrieked as her joints popped back into place, but fought back the tears in order to retain her 'cool' demeanor. "I came... to help!" The Griffon seethed in Nightmare Moon's face, breathing heavily as she recovered from her injuries.

Nightmare Moon stared at her, taken aback, then burst out into laughter causing Gilda to shrink back, stunned by the alicorn's reaction. "You surprise me, Griffon. I would not think one such as yourself would have the audacity to stand up to a being with far greater power than yourself, but it seems I misjudged you." She looked to Cloudy who just stood there, her expression unreadable. "Commander Horizons, what were you intending to do with this... ally?"

The pegasus stood at attention and saluted. "I was planning on putting her in the aerial combat unit, specifically the one I intended to use for less direct attacks, Your Majesty."

Nightmare Moon smirked and shook her head. "No. I have a better idea. You are going to recruit a team of the most skilled ponies, or other beings, and train them personally. I assume that your years as a guard and scout have prepared you for stealth, am I correct?" Cloudy nodded curtly. "You and this young Griffon will be the first of my elite guard. I shall oversee your... special training and will also be given tasks based on my needs for your service."

"So... does that make us, like, spies? Cause that'd be pretty sweet!" Gilda pumped one of her fore talons in a cheer. She looked back to Nightmare Moon and her excitement died immediately.

The alicorn glared at her, her eyes burning with distaste. "If you wish to be spared then you will take your role seriously. Were it not for your bravery, whether it was foalish or not, and Twilight's intervention, you would be nothing more than a bag of feathers and meat." The Griffon swallowed hard and nodded, squeaking out a 'Yes, ma'am' as she gave a trembling salute. Nightmare Moon turned back to Cloudy. "I want to meet each possible candidate for your squad before they will be selected to join. I have ways of discerning truth from lies and, after Silent Brook's betrayal, I will no longer be taking any chances. Now, as far as the rest of the recruitment is concerned, how are things proceeding?"

"We have begun bringing in recruits from Stalliongrad and, given a few more days, should be welcoming more from Fillydelphia, Canterlot and Wintertrot. We have had reports that caravans of recruits were being attacked by small squads of Griffons and, today, those attacks have been confirmed as truth. The losses are being tallied, but I'm estimating it to be around ten carriages. That totals to two-hundred fifty ponies. The losses to our sky carriages is of little importance as of now, but, if we continue to take such casualties, it could be highly problematic in the long run. Cloudsdale recruitment is going steadily and the Pegasus Guard Training Facility has been put under new command to make training the pegasi faster." She stopped to think then continued, finishing her report. "The Canterlot guard facility has also been commandeered and any remaining drill sergeant has been requisitioned to assist in the training of the incoming recruits. I estimate that we will be receiving, barring any losses that may occur, four thousand ponies per day. It would be of great importance to begin setting up camps and tents for the mass influx of soldiers and to start hiring more cooks to deal with the increased need for food."

Nightmare Moon stood for a moment as she absorbed all of what the Commander had said before nodding. "I will need to speak with Chancellor Fancy Pants about hiring more workers and acquiring the accommodations for the new recruits." She laughed and moved to find the Chancellor. "This war will be quite the show.... The Griffons will pay for their insolence and I know exactly how to make them...." She stopped and looked back. "Commander Horizons, you and the griffon will begin your training on the morrow. Twilight. Moon Beam. Come with me."

Gilda's feathers bristled in indignation as she shouted at the Queen. "I have a name, you know! It's Gilda!"

Nightmare Moon froze the Griffon with her stare once more. "And I am your Queen. You will address me as such or I will remove that beak of yours to prevent you from speaking out of line again."

Gilda stood still as a statue as Twilight walked slowly along behind Moon Beam to join Nightmare Moon's side. The Griffon remained stationary for several minutes until Cloudy snapped her out of her stupor with a sharp stomp. "I warned you about speaking out of line, but it seems it did some good for you. At least you're not dead. Follow me and I'll have a room set up for you on the guest levels. Seeing as you'll be training under Her Majesty and myself, it would be best for you to be situated close by."

Gilda nodded and hopped closer to the pegasus. "So.... That foal.... Is she...?"

Cloudy shook her head and smiled. "I do not know, but she is very powerful. I owe my life to her." She glanced at the Griffon's features and noted the fear in her eyes. "Do not worry. Moon Beam will grow to like you and will not be attacking you again.... Maliciously, anyway."

The young Griffon stared at Cloudy, bewilderment replacing her fear. "Hey! What's that supposed to mean? She's going to try and kill me again?!" The pegasus ignored her and continued walking, leaving Gilda to catch up and attempt to badger her for answers.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Seventh of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Thirty-Three Ante Meridian
|

Fancy Pants looked over the list of items Nightmare Moon had told him they needed. The list was quite extensive and some of the items were pretty easy to acquire, but the large number of sky wagons had him worried. "My Queen, while I know we have need of of most of these items for the army, why do we require more sky chariots? They are rather expensive and there are few crafts-ponies capable of making them quickly.... And well."

"We have been losing more and more sky wagons to the Griffons as we bring in more troops. They are attacking the caravans and destroying whatever they can."

"Perhaps we could use something else to transport the ponies?" Twilight said, speaking up from behind the alicorn. "I remember from my time as Celestia's student that airships have begun to be more mass produced. I'm sure that we could requisition all of the larger cruise type airships to bring in even more soldiers at a much faster rate. They'd also be much simpler to defend seeing as it's a single object instead of a large group. We could form the troops we have in a tighter formation around them. If I'm not mistaken, they're also made to be more durable than a sky carriage due to their larger size so they'd be much more difficult to take down."

The ponies stared at Twilight who shrunk back, fearful that she had done something wrong, before Fancy Pants smiled. "That's a brilliant idea! I doubt that the rich will be needing their airships any time in the near future should the griffons win this war so we should be able to requisition them without much issue." Twilight smiled up at Nightmare Moon, proud that she had helped her love once more. "Now, about the supplies for troops. The food will be possible, but I'm not sure how we'll be able to equip so many ponies in such short notice. Even with the large amount of metal workers in Stalliongrad, it will take quite some time to find the materials for the gear."

"Take the armor from the fallen outside my castle. We will use what remains out there to bolster my troops. I would also like to have the bones of the dragons collected as well. I have something I wish to use them for. You can have them stored in one of the empty guest rooms on the second floor. I will work them myself." Nightmare Moon nodded to Fancy Pants who looked at the list again before nodding his confirmation. "Work as quickly as possible, but do not rush. I will not accept failure due to cut corners."

The trio left just as they had come in and quickly made their way back through the halls to their sleeping quarters. Moon Beam bounced around happily once more, her earlier experience pushed out of her mind now that she had been soothed by Twilight. "Can we go outside and play? Huh? Huh?"

The black alicorn frowned and turned to the foal. "I am sorry, but I have much to do to prepare for the war on the horizon." Moon Beam's expression dropped as she began to pout, her bottom lip pushed out as her eyes began to water. "That is not to say that Twilight cannot entertain you. I am just too busy due to recent issues."

"Auntie Twiliiiiiight~! Can you play with me?"

The foal gave her biggest puppy eyes that she could and Twilight felt her heart twinge. "I.... Of course I will, Moonie." She smiled down at Moon Beam whose cheer was beginning to return. "How could I say no to somepony as cute as you? Maybe we could go ask Cloudy to join us too."

"Oh oh! We could even ask the birdie! I bet she'll be lots of fun!" Twilight flinched at the mention of Gilda and tried to mask her concern, but the foal was quick to catch on. "Is something wrong, Auntie?"

The unicorn shook her head and smiled down at the filly. "I'm sure it'll be fine. Come on! Let's go find Cloudy and...," she snickered at Moon Beam's classification of the griffon, "the birdie."

Nightmare Moon watched them race off ahead of her, Twilight moving slower due to the lingering injury, while she contemplated the recent turn of events. The Griffons are becoming more aggressive in their tactics. I did not expect them to proceed so swiftly.... It seems my millennium on the moon has left me behind as far as war times are concerned.... The young Griffon will be quite useful as well. She passed through the halls, her mind wandering onto the byzantium mare. Why does she show sympathy for the griffons? They nearly killed her once already so why spare them? She frowned and trotted up the stairs. Why can I not keep her out of my mind?

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Seventh of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Forty-Seven Ante Meridian
|

Twilight and Moon Beam came upon the open door leading to Cloudy's room and, after peeking in to see if she was present, noted the lack of a certain orange pegasus. Moon Beam put her hoof to her chin and gazed up at the ceiling. "Hmmmm. Where could Cloudy be? I was sure that she'd be in her room! Maybe she went-" A door opened across the hall and Gilda stepped out into view. Moon Beam spun about and, after plastering a devilish grin on her face, charged at the unaware Griffon. She pounced just as Gilda turned her head from the wooden door. "Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii~ birdie!!!"

The Griffon flinched back, trying to raise her talons up in an attempt to block the incoming bullet of a pony, but was too slow. "What the-!" Moon Beam plowed into her, sending both of them tumbling across the ground. The filly giggled as she ruffled Gilda's feathers in an attempt to tickle her while the Griffon tried her best to dislodge her assailant from her body. "Get.... Get off!" She grabbed Moon Beam and pushed her off before jumping back and spreading her wings to make herself more intimidating. "That twerp tried to kill me again!" She growled causing Moon Beam to form tears in the corners of her eyes.

The filly turned to Twilight and buried her face in one of the mare's legs, sobbing. "Aunt-Auntie Twiliiight~! The b-birdie... is being... m-meeeaaan~!"

Twilight sighed and brushed her hoof over the foal's head, calming her sobs. "Shhh...! She didn't mean it. You just scared her is all. She wasn't expecting you to be tickling her. Say you're sorry for scaring her and she'll do the same." Twilight glared at the Griffon. "Won't you?"

The Griffon balked. The way twilight's eyes changed colors from purple to deep red just then gripped her soul just as Nightmare Moon's stare had not long before. "I.... I, ummm..." She grimaced, not used to apologizing to anything. "I'm sorry, alright!? She wasn't like this before! She tried to ki-" Another shift of Twilight's eyes ended her sentence. "Fine! Fine. I'm sorry, squirt. Just startled me." Gilda looked away and muttered under her breath, "Totally lame, apologizing to a kid.... Rainbow Dash would never let me live this down...."

Twilight's ears perked up at the mention of a certain rainbow maned pegasus. "You know Rainbow Dash? Where exactly are you from?"

"Psh, yeah! Of course I know Dash. She was the only cool pony in the Junior Speedsters! Not nearly as awesome as yours truly, but the only one worth hanging out with!" The Griffon puffed up her chest in pride. "Why? Do you know her?"

Twilight smiled forlornly, but nodded her head. "Yeah.... She is... was a friend of mine. Can't see her ever being my friend now, though.... She lives in Ponyville."

"I knew it! I was headed there to try and find Dash before I met up with Commander Stick-in-her-Flank. Figured I'd join with you guys to get back at my clan." She laughed before feeling a hoof touch her shoulder. The Griffon turned her head to find Cloudy staring blankly at her, no sign of emotion on her face.

"Commander what?"

Gilda stumbled for words, unable to come up with anything to defend her case, but was rescued by a flying ball of pony. "Cloooooudy~!" The pegasus, having grown accustomed to being tackled by the filly, braced herself and, deftly using her one wing for extra balance, caught Moon Beam in mid air before setting her on the ground. The foal giggled and jumped onto the pegasus' back. "You have to come play with Auntie Twilight and me! Birdie can come too! It's going to be so much fun!"

Cloudy looked to the form of the filly, her face scrunched in the most adorable face she could muster, and sighed, nodding her compliance. "Fine, but if I am coming then Private Gilda is as well." The Griffon made to protest, but Cloudy silenced her before she could begin. "That is an order. There will be no debating it." Gilda huffed, but gave in, knowing she couldn't disagree and moved beside her Commander. "So, Moon Beam, what did you have in mind?"

Twilight laughed at the exchange and followed behind the trio, trying her best to keep pace. I'm so glad that they were able to forgive each other.... She sighed contentedly and looked to the stairs leading to the third floor. Please don't strain yourself too much, My Queen.... I hope you can rely on me more to help out.... Her eyes closed as her feelings welled up inside her, but the sound of hooves clopping and the scraping of talons were growing more distant. She focused back on the group that was now reaching the bottom of the stairs. She had lingered in the hall as she thought of her beloved Queen and had fallen behind. "Wait you guys! I can't walk that fast!" Twilight smiled, quickening her pace in order to close the distance the others had created while she was in her reverie.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: Next chapter! Woo! Distractions galore! Can't get anything done around here! You guys are too much fun. Oh well, it's worth it. I enjoy chatting with all of you whether it be on skype or her or wherever! Hope you guys enjoy this one as well! Since this one was put out relatively early as compared to most times, I'll be able to comment more than before. Can't wait to see what you have to say! Peppy out!

Editor's Notes: Well, thats the last of the post-release-edits. For now, anyway. I'm sure me and Peppy can come up with (or rip out of the comments) ideas for improving the early chapters later. I love Twilight's glare and I loved this chapter. Hope you all enjoyed it.

Chapter 23 - Memories and Milestones

Chapter 23 - Memories and Milestones

Nightober Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Six Fort-Three Ante Meridian
|

Cloudy Horizons woke early as the day cycle began, the warmth of the enchanted moon beginning to clear away the chill of the prior night. She yawned, stretching her limbs to work out the grip of sleep, and slowly crawled from beneath her blankets. With practiced precision, the orange pegasus reset her sheets into their proper place and turned to equip her armor. She walked over to the ponnequin and unlatched the metal plating from its wooden body. She latched the dark armor upon her chest and was proceeding to put on the marching shoes, but another yawn inhibited her progress.

She huffed in frustration. "It seems that I spent too much time entertaining Moon Beam this prior evening." Another yawn attempted to escape her throat, but she stifled it before it could fully manifest. "I will need to make sure not to exhaust myself like that again." She chuckled, images of the group playing tag and hide-and-go-seek resurfacing in her mind. "I am certainly not my usual self when it concerns that filly. Perhaps I'm finally going soft...."

A quick laugh sounded behind her, causing her to spin about and prepare herself for an attack. As she readied her body to defend herself, her eyes fell upon the source of the sound. Gilda was leaning up against the wall on her hind legs, smirking at the pegasus commander. "You may act tough, but that kid certainly has you tied around her little hooves." She righted herself back upon all four limbs and gave a mock salute. "You know when we're supposed to start the special training? I'm eager to start kickin' ass!"

Cloudy glared at the griffon before finishing the task of equipping herself. With her metal shoes in place and sword strapped to her side, she turned back to confront her subordinate. "First, you will call me by my title and surname, High Commander Horizons. Now, regarding your blatant disregard for privacy and unprofessional behavior, you are forgiven this time, but you will be scrubbing the barracks down with a tooth brush should it happen again. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yeah, yeah. Can we just get going? I want to-" Cloudy clopped her on the back of the head, causing the griffon to screech in pain. "OW! What was that for!?"

"Do I have to repeat myself? You are now part of Queen Moon's Lunar Army and you will act as such. I will not have you tarnish our name." She turned and pushed open the door to her room and stepped outside, waiting for the griffon to follow before closing it back. "Now, follow me and we shall go see if Her Majesty is prepared to begin the first session." Gilda pumped one of her talons in excitement and followed behind the pegasus as they began the short trip to Nightmare Moon's chambers.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Twilight once again found herself bound to the form of Nightmare Moon's past being, Luna, as the alicorn gazed across the city before her. She always seems to be watching the ponies in the city. I wonder what she's looking for? Twilight's thoughts were interrupted when her host turned from the moonlit balcony just outside her room and levitated the doll she had called Moon Beam over to her. The glass eyes reflected the princess' image, her coat now a darker blue and her entire eyes the turquoise that the unicorn was familiar with from the months she had spent under her Queen. She's beginning to change into Nightmare. I thought it would have been near instantaneous! This is quite amazing to be able to witness first-hoof!

"Why do they not love me, Moon Beam? I am their princess." Her voice was soft and dejected, the tone of a lonely mare laced in her words. She squeezed the doll close to her body and hugged it tightly. "You're, truly, the only one that cares for me. I wish you could talk back so I no longer have to talk to myself." Twilight could feel the alicorn's emotions surge as an idea appeared to form in her mind. She could not discern the moon princess' thoughts, but she could certainly feel the excitement that began to flow through her. She would not, however, be required to wait long to receive the answer to her thoughts about Luna's plan. "I know just what I can do!"

The moon princess held the unicorn doll in front of her and spun around on a hind leg, her wings steadying her balance. "I'll just have to make you real! That way we can be together forever!" Luna landed on all four hooves once again and levitated the care-worn doll beside her as she walked back out onto the balcony, ignoring the stuffed animals scattered about her path. She crouched down and unfurled her wings before jumping into the air and, with powerful strokes from her feathered limbs, began flying into the city.

Twilight felt her existence being pulled back and so fought to stay with this current vision, the story behind Moon Beam's history a subject she was highly curious of. No! I don't want to change yet! Blackness began to overwhelm her vision and, despite how much she fought against it, pulled her into the limbo between instances. Twilight fumed in anger. Why would she send me to see that vision if she didn't want me to finish it!? Nightmare Moon doesn't make any sense some times. Her mental grumblings continued as she floated about, waiting for the next vision to manifest. She hoped that she would be able to follow the next vision more closely and for a longer period. She continued to wait, floating in seeming nothingness, until a sliver of light caught her vision.

She tried to move about in order to get a better view of the small trace of light, but found her body to be anchored still. She could feel herself moving slowly, slow enough so that it could have been easily overlooked, but not so slow as to prevent notice. After several minutes of the agonizingly sluggish movement, the light had begun to take form, but, once again, she could feel herself being tugged away to another memory. The unicorn silently grumbled her annoyance, but resigned herself to the inevitable fact that she couldn't stop the flow of the visions. The pulling soon became uncomfortable as the force seemed to stretch her ethereal being in all directions, but, soon, the sensations stopped and she once again found herself in the shell of her Queen's younger form.

Luna stood under the midday sun before a large cathedral surrounded by many quaint yet well-built houses and shops. The building was a deep black that seemed to absorb the light from its surroundings. It held several stained glass windows, a few of which were shattered, lining the walls. Beautiful depictions of Nightmare Moon in all her regalia were shown in the majority of the windows while the others revealed traces of a white alicorn left lingering on the few remaining shards. The alicorn walked up towards the door and pushed it open, its tall, dark form swinging inward on well-oiled hinges. Inside, several ponies scurried about as they cleaned up debris from the construction and worked to clear out the remainders of the destroyed windows. The room was mostly bare save a few benches and the wooden scaffolding used to reach the higher points of the building. A lone stallion stood in front of a pulpit, ordering the others about as he over saw their progress. He turned his head towards the open door when a few of the workers stopped to bow and froze in surprise when he saw the lunar alicorn stepping up to him.

"Princess Luna! I did not expect to see you here! It is a pleasure to have you watching over us." He bowed quickly in an attempt to avoid Luna's wrath for not knowing of her presence. Even Twilight, in the recesses of the alicorn's mind, could discern the earth pony's obvious dislike of the princess.

Luna seemed to notice as well. "Silence your lies, foal." The alicorn's voice had a hint of Nightmare Moon's cold tone. This must be some time after the last vision. I wouldn't doubt that she looked almost exactly like Nightmare Moon already. "I have merely come to check on the progress of the renovations for my new cathedral. I assume you've removed any trace of my sister's previous occupation of the building, correct?"

The brown stallion nodded quickly and waved his hoof in reference to the room. "Yes, Princess. We removed all of the previous decorations and miscellaneous items that had been devoted to Princess Celestia as ordered." Twilight heard the venom in his words as he mentioned the defiling of the previous Celestial church. "We have also painted the walls black as you desired. The renovations should be complete within the next few days. You will have your shrine soon."

"Good. See to it that everything is perfect for when I announce the completion. I will not have anything go wrong when I allow ponies to worship me in my first shrine." She felt Luna smile as the news of the building's near completion flowed into her ears. The alicorn turned and began to leave, passing by the ponies and, once again, causing them to drop their work in order to bow before her presence.

"I don't think it's a good idea to destroy Princess Celestia's chapel just to fill your ego...." The stallion muttered the words under his breath as he turned, not expecting the mare to still be within earshot.

Luna's ears pricked up at the stallions mutterings, her acute hearing picking up the entire sentence. She spun on her hooves, her turquoise eyes glowing, as she marched back up to the pulpit. Twilight could feel the alicorn's anger filling her emotions and recoiled from the strength of her fury, a feeling she knew all too well. "YOU DARE TO UTTER SUCH TREASONOUS WORDS IN THE PRESENCE OF YOUR PRINCESS?!" Her voice, amplified by magic, boomed through the cathedral, rattling the windows and shaking the cowering ponies.

The forepony flinched and shrunk under the terrifying gaze of his ruler, shivering in abject horror. "I-I'm sorry! I-I didn't m-mean it! I d-don't know wh-why I said it! P-please f-forgive me!"

Luna glared at him before igniting her horn, encasing the stallion in a dark blue glow. "I will allow you to keep your life, foal, but you will not go unpunished!" She released the pony and turned about, resuming her previously interrupted departure. "You will not be paid for your services here." The stallion moved to protest, but stopped when the alicorn turned and stared him into submission once more. "Know that I am not without mercy. Your words should have been righted by your death. Be glad I thought to be kind and spare your life." Luna pushed open the doors and walked outside, slamming them shut behind her and causing several of the remaining shards of glass adorning the stain-glass frames to fall with a crash to the floor inside.

Twilight felt herself being tugged away once more and couldn't help but to smile inside. So she wasn't always as irrational as she was when I first met her. I'm glad that she's slowly becoming more forgiving now as she was a thousand years ago. Twilight smiled to herself when her consciousness was finally removed from her host. Darkness once more engulfed her as she began to fade out of the memories.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Seven Fourteen Ante Meridian
|

Nightmare Moon stood beside the bed, her mane hanging loose, free from its typical astral form, as she watched Twilight sleep. The black alicorn could sense the workings of powerful magic coursing through the sleeping mare and was watching curiously for any outward signs of such workings, but to no avail. She had been standing there for hours examining the unicorn and, to her utter frustration, not a single hint as to what was happening had shown itself. She is obviously dreaming of something, but not even my abilities as Queen of the Night can penetrate the veil of her consciousness. What power is it that blocks me? A hint of fear lurked in the recesses of the Queen's mind. Perhaps she is beginning to grow away from me.... Would she? Nightmare Moon shook the thoughts from her head, the idea bothering her more than she would have imagined. No. I trust that she would never betray me.

She shook off any doubts and returned to her observations only to be thrown out of concentration by firm knocking on the doors. Twilight stirred, disturbed from her slumber, and slowly began to open her eyes, the light of the moon being the only illumination in the otherwise pitch black room. She sat up and, with a deep yawn, looked up at the queen with a warm smile. "Good morning, My Queen." The alicorn nodded her greetings and opened her mouth to talk when another knock sounded from behind her. "Shall I get it, My Queen?"

"No. You may rest." She turned and moved over to the door, pulling them open with minimal effort from her magic. Outside, Cloudy and Gilda stood waiting, causing a small smirk to form at the corner of her mouth. "Ah, my loyal subjects. Eager to begin your training are we? Very well. We will start shortly. Go to the courtyard under the black obelisk and await further orders. I will follow soon after."

Cloudy bowed, an act that Gilda soon followed as she didn't wish to upset the Queen, and looked to the bed where the unicorns lay. Her look softened at the sight of the filly before being steeled once more behind her mask of duty. "Yes, Your Highness. We shall be awaiting your command." The pegasus spun and marched away, motioning for the young griffon to follow.

Nightmare Moon turned back to Twilight and moved closer, her eyes never leaving the dark unicorn's. Twilight felt uneasy under the scrutiny of her mistress, but never broke eye contact for fear of reprisal. "My Queen? Is something the matter?"

"Yes. There is a matter I wish to discuss." Twilight frowned, uncertain as to what she had done wrong. "I wish to know of what you are dreaming. I have tried to delve into your mind as you slept, but you, or something else, has been blocking all of my attempts."

The alicorn's voice was slightly accusatory, but held more of a tone of uncertainty, a feeling that Twilight was also holding. "You.... You don't know? How could you not? I thought you were the one that was giving me these visions!" Twilight glanced down at her hooves, fear beginning to settle into her mind. She looked back up to see confusion spread across the queen's face.

"Visions? I have not been planting any sort of visions into your dreams." She replaced her stoic facade, her expression turning serious once more. "What is it that you are seeing, Twilight?"

"I've.... I've been seeing parts of your past.... Or what I believe to be your past." Nightmare Moon's eyes widened in shock, but she remained silent. "I saw one of the arguments you had with Celestia when she read your diary and the reconstruction of your first cathedral. I also saw you clinging to a doll you called Moon Beam...."

The lunar alicorn stayed silent for many moments causing Twilight's mind to drift to thoughts of punishment for her trespassing in the queen's past, but the alicorn merely sighed. "This must be a side effect of the revival. I knew that it would change you, but I never thought it'd link our souls." She looked at the unicorn and closed her eyes. "I cannot sever the link between us or prevent you from dreaming without destroying your mind in the process." Nightmare Moon looked away before turning back to Twilight. "Wake Moon Beam. We will be going to prepare the instruments for you, Gilda, and Commander Horizons before meeting them at the obelisk."

"Yes, Your Majes-" She blinked as the words sank in. "Wait. Me? How would I be able to assist in their training? I can barely move and I still don't have my magic!"

"You will not be helping me train. You will be training with them." Twilight's mouth dropped, hanging agape as she stumbled for words. "You have proven, time and again, your loyalty to me. I wish you to have proper training so, when you decide to throw yourself into the path of another assassin, you will be capable of defending yourself while defending Your Queen." Twilight's heart fluttered at the alicorn's words and she smiled in gratitude at the indirect show of affection.

Twilight slowly crawled out of bed and began the task of rousing the sleeping filly from her slumber, a task that the byzantium unicorn was hesitant to perform due to the comfortable aura the tiny unicorn seemed to ooze. She nudged Moon Beam with her nose, eliciting a sleep driven murmur as the foal wrapped her hooves around Twilight's face in a tight embrace. Twilight's heart melted from the adorable action, but, reluctantly, she pulled free from her grasp and shook the filly with a gentle hoof instead. Moon Beam's eyes opened sluggishly as she yawned away the remaining traces of sleep. She looked up and smiled lovingly at Twilight. "Good morning, Auntie Twilight."

Twilight smiled back and stood up straight. "Good morning, Moonie. I'm sorry for waking you up, seeing as you exhausted yourself last night, but Queen Moon wants us to go with her." She watched as the foal struggled to escape the confines of Twilight's blue blanket before hopping off the bed, her energy from the night before back with gusto. Twilight joined her as Moon Beam rushed over to Nightmare Moon, eager to spend time with her.

"Let us go. We have several things to do before we meet Commander Horizons and Gilda to begin your training." She walked through the open door, followed closely by Moon Beam and Twilight, as she set off to begin the task of gathering the instruments needed for the upcoming session.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Seven Twenty Ante Meridian
|

Cloudy watched the griffon fly about as they waited for their Queen to arrive. Her thoughts drifted to the upcoming training session, ideas of what the queen had in store for them swirling in her. She tried to picture what it was the alicorn was planning, but all of her ideas pointed to stuff she had already learned through her years as a Royal Guard under Celestia. She frowned as a thought crept into her mind. "Private Gilda." The griffon stopped mid-air and floated lower before alighting on the grass. "Have you received any combat training?"

The griffon scoffed, looking insulted, but her eyes betrayed her expression. She caught the stern stare of her superior and sighed. "No. I've never had anyone teach me how to fight. I mean, I've been in a few brawls, but I've never used a weapon or anything. I've only been through some lame pony flight schools."

Cloudy sighed in exasperation. "I will need to teach you how to properly defend yourself if you are to be useful to Queen Moon. Unless you learn at least the basics, you will be easy prey for whoever decides to attack." She turned and pointed in the direction of her room. "Fly up to my chambers and retrieve one of my extra blades. You will require it to spar with me." The griffon nodded and prepared to take off, but the pegasus stopped her. "Wait! You need to choose a weapon that suits your body. Find one that you can easily carry and feels more natural to you. I have several types in my room for you to choose from."

Gilda nodded once more. "All right! I'll be back in a snap!" The brown and white griffon took to the air and raced towards the pegasus' window, folding her wings and drawing her limbs as close to her body as she soared through the opening, her constricted frame easily passing through the tight fit. She halted herself on the other side, using her wings and legs to maintain balance, and gazed about the room. She had been in here earlier, but her focus had been on the pegasus and not the decorations. Dozens of weapons hung on racks around the room, filling up the once empty spaces along the walls. I've never seen so many weapons in one place! My father's room had a few, and I wasn't allowed in the war room. She grinned like a child that had just found a myriad of new toys.

The griffon went about the room, taking different weapons into her talons as she examined them. She grabbed a short sword and, after giving it a couple swings, placed it back on the shelf, finding the item too small for her taste. A broad-headed ax caught her eye and she moved to the other side of the room. She hefted the heavy object from the wall, surprised at its weight, and gave it a few goes. It seemed to fit well, but, as she tried to lift herself into the air, the weight of the weapon threw her off balance, sending her toppling to the floor. She grumbled obscenities at it before replacing it upon its resting place. She scanned the room once more, her eyes passing over several rapiers, a weapon that seemed impractical for a pony to have, a few more axes of varying sizes, and curved blades similar to those her country's assassins used before catching sight of an item the piqued her interest. Hung up above a rack of swords sat a weapon of great flexibility. She couldn't put a name to the polearm, but it seemed to be the most practical weapon she had seen. It had a long shaft of metal and ended with a broad head. One side of the head was shaped similarly to the ax she had tested before, wide and curved to slice, but thinner for a much cleaner cut. The other side was curved and jagged, as if it was meant to be used to grapple as opposed to killing, while, on the tip of the head, ran a one and a half foot long spike meant for piercing.

This is the weapon I was meant to use.

Gilda grabbed the polearm from the wall and returned to the window. Her new weapon in her talons, she jumped out and soared back to her waiting commander, the excitement at learning to use the weapon showing on her face. Cloudy looked at her choice and smirked. "You have chosen well, Private Gilda. A halberd is an excellent choice for aerial units as its versatility can be turned against any close to mid-ranged combatant." She reached back and drew her sword, clasping onto its handle with an enchanted metal band around her right fore-hoof. The pegasus extended her leg, allowing the tip of the sword, a three foot straight blade, to rest upon the ground as she balanced with trained expertise on three legs. "Now, we shall begin your first session. I want you to try and get past my guard. Give me everything that you have. If your weapon can move past my sword without being blocked, then you will have completed this training lesson."

The griffon stared at her superior, determination settling in as she gripped the weapon in her claws, standing on her hind legs with her wings ready to support her movements. The pegasus nodded and, after taking a moment to steady herself, Gilda began her assault of Cloudy's defense. She sent several thrusts, sloppy and poorly balanced, towards the center of the pegasus' chest. Cloudy easily moved out of the way, parrying the spearhead with a quick movement of her sword. Gilda shrieked and swung her blade horizontally, an attack that was deftly sent into the ground with the merest flick of a leg. Frustration began to build upon Gilda's mind causing her already poor attacks to become sloppier. She spun in a circle, weapon held out at full length in an attempt to cyclone an attack, but Cloudy smashed the head of the polearm with the broad side of her blade sending the girffon sprawling onto her stomach.

Gilda cried out in frustration and began several rushed thrusts with intermittent vertical swings of her weapon, but the one-winged pegasus stopped all attacks short. She continued to press her attack, fatigue beginning to wear upon her as her arms began to tire from the added weight they were not accustomed to. Her thrusts came slower and each swing of the bladed side of the weapon moved at lethargic speeds. She couldn't keep her concentration up. She stopped, panting, before her eye caught Cloudy's own, or lack thereof.

"Had enough already? I'm sure I have a few more hours left in me. Show me the best you can do, bird." Gilda smirked and, with a sharp battle cry, swung the blade at Cloudy's left side. The pegasus moved to block the attack, but it never connected. Gilda turned her face in concentration and spun the polearm around, sending the blunt bottom of the staff towards the pegasus' blind side, using the lack of sight and surprise of the change in tactics to her advantage. Her confidence soared as the pole whizzed ever closer the the opening created by the Commander's smug confidence, but her hopes were shattered when the feint was parried with another quick movement. The halberd fell to the ground as it was knocked from Gilda's grasp, the blade embedding itself in the earth. Cloudy laughed and sheathed her sword. "Excellent try, Private, but I have spent years without my right eye and have trained myself to sense the movement from that side. You have promise, I can tell." She bit the handle of the polearm and handed it back to the stunned griffon. "We will continue at a later date. For now, relax and compose yourself for when the Queen arrives."

The two sat there, silent, as they waited for the alicorn to come and give them their orders. Gilda continued to think of the vast difference between her own meager abilities and that of the seasoned Commander. Her complete failure to even come close to hitting the pegasus failed to discourage her, however. I'll beat her yet! There isn't any way I'll let some pony best me! Her resolve found, the griffon sat and rested, the previous excitement at gaining special training once more resurfacing in her mind. I wonder what we'll be required to do....

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: Here ya go! Next chapter all hot from the.... Erm.... Press? Nope, that isn't right. Well, whatever! New chapter! That's all that matters! Got some exciting training in there for ya. (Although it's not likely what you expected now, is it?) Got a few more scenes of Nightmare's past and the revealing of what's going on as far as that's concerned. We also now know what type of weapon is best for Gilda! (As far as I would like, at least.) I think that's about it. *thinks* Yup! That's it! Well, now I must be off! Peppy out!

Editor's Notes: Hello, all. Dr.Jekyll here and I'm gonna' go ahead and be dick for a sec'.... Ahem.... FIRST. Well now that thats out of the way, this is my first actual PRErelease edit. Wooot. Hope you enjoyed it. Have a nice day.

Chapter 24 - Conspiracies and Contemplations

Chapter 24 - Conspiracies & Contemplations

Nightober Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Seven Twenty-Six Ante Meridian
|

Nightmare Moon and Twilight walked through the crowded corridors, the castle servants beginning to trade shifts as the night crew returned to their rooms. Moon Beam sat on Twilight’s back humming away as the ponies all bowed before their presence, her cheerful demeanor raising the byzantium unicorn’s mood. I wonder what Nightmare has in mind for the training. I can’t see her having much practice with a weapon and I’m not able to perform any magic right now…. “My Queen?” Nightmare slowed her pace so she could look at Twilight. “What type of training are we going to be doing?”

“I cannot discuss it here, Twilight. You must be more cautious of your surroundings when you speak. A crowded hall, surrounded by prying ears, is not the place to discuss secrets meant for my personal circle.” The alicorn’s reprimanding caused Twilight to fold her ears back in shame.

“I’m sorry…. I wasn’t thinking.” She walked slower as well, her dejection at having disappointed her mistress weighing upon her spirits.

Nightmare eyed her curiously. Do my words truly have that much of an effect on her? I meant it not to be a disciplinary explanation, but more of a word of caution. “Do not fret, Twilight. You are still new to times of war.” She picked up her pace as her words helped to pull the unicorn out of the slump she had fallen into. “You cannot trust anypony to keep a secret and you can never know who is a spy for your enemies and who is not.” Twilight nodded, her mood brightened as she returned to the long lost role of a student. “However, it is also a mistake to not have a council of peers or close subordinates to assist you with the difficulties that arise during a war. Without assistance, even I would fall. It is hard to admit, but not even I am capable of knowing everything.”

Twilight smiled. She’s become much more open about her shortcomings. It’s surprising how much she’s changed since I was first enslaved. It’s surprising how much I’ve changed since then. She thought back to the first week she had been under Nightmare Moon’s power, the images of her being ruthlessly beaten and forced to perform whatever deed the black alicorn wished. She could still remember the paralyzing fear from whenever she anticipated the next punishment or the loathing of the queen herself, but now things were different. I never would have thought I’d fall in love with the pony that banished Celestia and enslaved me. A smile spread across her face as she welcomed the feelings within her. I never thought I’d take a sword for anypony either. I likely wouldn’t have done that for even Celestia….

Moon Beam looked around Twilight’s neck to see her grin and gasped. “Auntie Twilight? What’cha smiling about?” The foal watched Twilight’s expression turn from a content smile to one of flushed embarrassment. The filly giggled at her reaction. “I bet you were thinking of Mommy~!”

Nightmare Moon turned her head back to them again. “Yes, I was.” The alicorn’s eyes widened slightly in mild surprise as the grin on Twilight’s face widened. “I’m always thinking about Queen Moon.” The unicorn looked up to her mistress, love dancing in her eyes like a flame. “You and Moon Beam are my world. I’d do anything for you.”

Several gasps sounded around them, causing the alicorn to glare in response. The servants that had reacted to Twilight’s declaration quickly returned to their tasks, wary of being disciplined. Nightmare returned her gaze to the pair of unicorns, her eyes softening ever so subtly. “While I appreciate your attention, Twilight, it would be best not to advertise it to everypony. You do recall what I said moments ago, yes?” Twilight nodded, but retained her smile. “We must hurry. I do not wish to keep High Commander Horizons waiting.”

The three quickened their pace, hastening their trip through the throngs of workers, heedless of their surroundings. Behind them, a lone mare slunk off into a back hall, unnoticed by the passing trio or the surrounding servants. She tossed her chocolate mane from her soft pink eyes, trotting casually past her peers, blending perfectly with the crowd. Her smooth mint body turned a corner into an empty corridor, devoid of all but minor furnishings. She passed several locked windows until she came upon a sole open portal.

She extended her sturdy wings and, with several powerful thrusts, lifted into the air and propelled herself through the opening. The day-cycle moon shone down on her light body, bathing the mare in silver light as she soared through the air, cutting a path in the night as she raced towards the growing tree line to the north. The Whitetail Woods crept ever closer and, as she began to near the edge of the forest, she slowed her descent, fishing a small lamp from a saddle bag. Twisting the knob on the front, she flashed a small beam of light over the trees, a signal that was returned from a particularly dense portion of the woods. In a matter of seconds, the pegasus landed on the ground, her hooves crushing pine needles and cones as she settled.

“What do you have to report?” A gravelly voice called out from the darkness around her, the noise seeming to come from all around, devoid of any particular direction.

“I have news of the queen that would be of great importance to your cause.” She gave a stiff salute, but her face betrayed the fear in her heart.

A large muscular griffon moved from the darkness, his black head and grey body seeming to melt into his surroundings. He was flanked by a light squad of griffon guards, their heavy silver armor gleaming in the scant moonlight peering through the trees. “Excellent. You are certainly living up to your promise, Sweet Scoop. Now, what is it you have for us?”

“Yes, Warchief! I overheard Nightmare Moon and her whore talking about special training. She silenced the unicorn before they could speak further about the subject. She knows that there are spies in the castle, but does not know who. She also has a deep attachment to the unicorn mare Twilight Sparkle. She is often seen at the queen’s side, but I have noticed her to be on her own occasionally. If you were to kill or capture her, it would work in your favor.” The pegasus looked down, unsure about her next report.

“What else is there? I can tell you’re not telling me something. I will not hesitate to kill you if I do not get answers.” His voice was cold and uncaring, a tone truly befitting his station as Warchief.

“Well…, I’ve seen another griffon inside the castle. One not sent by you.” The gray griffon’s features turned to a scowl, his anger rising quickly. “She’s a young griffon. Probably eighteen to twenty winters with the coloration of a bald eagle. I think her name is Gilda.”

“WHAT!?” His face darkened as the blood rushed to his head, his fury reaching a bursting point. He grabbed the pegasus by her throat with one talon and lifted her off the ground. “You are absolutely certain that she is there!?” Scoop nodded weakly, the crushing grip on her neck restricting her movement. “I CANNOT BELIEVE SHE WOULD BETRAY HER CLAN BY DEFECTING TO YOUR BITCH QUEEN!” With a great heave, he threw the pegasus to the ground and turned, motioning for his squad to follow him. He took a deep breath and turned back to the sobbing mint mare. “Do not worry. I shall not kill you. You are too valuable to let die. When we destroy your queen and take over, I will be sure to reward you well for your services. Now leave.”

She stood shakily before lifting off into the air, her wings carrying her away from the terrifying griffon and his guards. She looked back at her cutie mark, a glass bowl with one scoop of chocolate, mint, and strawberry ice cream coated in chocolate syrup. I shouldn’t have agreed to do this…. I may hate the queen, but I don’t know if this is even worth the risk….

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Seven Thirty-Four Ante Meridian
|

Nightmare Moon, Twilight, and Moon Beam all arrived at the room where Fancy Pants was currently staying. Twilight knocked lightly on the door and waited. A few seconds passed before the door was opened, the white unicorn standing in the opening. He bowed low when he saw the group. “My Queen, Lady Twilight, Moon Beam, what brings you to me this morning?”

“Where have the dragon bones been stored? I require their use.” Nightmare Moon watched as he frowned slightly.

“The cleanup crew hasn’t recovered all of the remains yet, My Queen. They’ve only managed to remove the skeleton of one dragon which I had them store in the largest room on this floor.”

“That is fine. What I need them for shouldn’t require any more than the one skeleton. If you would lead me to where they are, I will allow you to return to your duties.”

“Of course. Follow me.” He exited the room and moved past the trio into the hallway, heading further down the corridor towards the western section of the second floor. The alicorn and two unicorns followed behind him, the combined sounds of their hooves clopping against the floor filling the air. He turned a corner and before them stood a large wooden door with a sign reading, “Property of Queen Nightmare Moon. All unauthorized ponies caught inside will be detained for questioning and punishment.” Fancy Pants produced a key from one of the pockets on his black coat and slid it into the lock on the door. “Here we are. I had a lock placed on both of the room’s doors as a means to prevent access.” He levitated a second key from his pocket and passed it to Nightmare Moon. “When we gather the remaining dragon bones we will store them in here as well. I believe this is the only room large enough to fit any amount of the massive creatures.”

“Excellent, Chancellor. You may leave. If I have need of your services later I will send for you.” He bowed his respects and began the return trip through the halls. Nightmare Moon grinned as she swung the doors open with her magic. The room before her was enormous, three times the size of the dining hall with several ornate objects lining the walls as decorations. The room was devoid of furniture save for a few chairs and stools scattered about for whatever servants required a time to rest. The rest of the decorations had been cleared in order to make room for what sat in the middle. The massive red form of a dragon’s skeleton lay lifeless, its sinister form cleared of all flesh and muscle.

Twilight grimaced at the sight, memories of hearing the battle raging and thoughts of her emotional woes returning to the front of her mind. She took a deep breath and steadied her rising heart rate. It’s fine, Twilight. That’s all in the past and you don’t have to worry about it anymore. Nightmare has accepted you. “What…. What are you going to do with the bones? Is it related to the training?”

Nightmare Moon smiled and turned to her. “Yes. Dragons are magical creatures and thus their bones are the perfect objects to hold enchantments. Typically, gems are used as they can be attuned to hold a spell, but the bones of dragons are far more receptive and much sturdier. They can also be shaped with more ease due to their magical nature. Now... watch.”

Twilight nodded and, as soon as her head stopped moving, the air around Nightmare Moon shifted. The alicorn closed her eyes, her horn glowing a pale white as she levitated the skull, the spine, and two of its claws into the air. The silvery glow around the bones brightened as a cold, white fire began to encase them. Twilight stared in awe. She could feel the immense amounts of magic pouring forth from her mistress as her horn began to resonate along with the alicorn’s. She knew magic as it was her special talent, but this was unlike anything she had felt before. It felt old and cool unlike the warmth of typical unicorn magic. She turned her focus away from the soothing sensation in her horn back to the magic at hoof.

The fire around the bones had intensified causing them to melt into three individual orbs. Nightmare Moon’s horn glow intensified and another layer, this one pitch black, formed around it. The contrasting shades mingled into a solid gray. The alicorn opened her intensely glowing turquoise eyes and they bathed the globes in their light. Slowly, each blob began to move, shaping into their final construct.

What was once a skull shimmered as it was torn into multiple pieces. Several plates akin to a dragon’s underside formed, latching onto each other without the need of nails or joint locks. Another piece formed into a broad breastplate, two ‘wings’ stretching off to the sides and forming into a ring meant to circle a pony’s neck. The breastplate attached itself to the under plating in a similar fashion, the edges connecting and held together without need of a proper link. More pieces broke from the slowly shrinking blob and formed linking plates that curved to the shape of a pony’s back and neck. The center set of plates, the ones that would reach around the sides of their wearer, were sectioned off and interlocking in order to allow for easier maneuverability with two holes positioned perfectly for a pair of wings. Four globules of bone moved beneath the armor and formed greaves for each leg, the joints where a pony could bend their leg were linked by a small rounded guard on the fronts to allow proper movement. Each of the greaves attached to the main section of the armor at the appropriate area as the final piece began to shape. A helmet formed, the skull guard smooth and rounded to fit perfectly on a pony’s head. From the cap, the helmet curved around the ears in a perfect circle while the face guard curved around to connect at the nose. A large bladed horn protruded from the forehead while two decorative horns curled back from just below the ear slots.

The second orb shimmered, this one the remains of the claws, quivered as they slowly began to reform. The massive size of the dragon claws were condensed and molded into a pair of gruesome clawed gauntlets. Each joint of the fingers had a protruding spine for close melee while the underside was a mesh specially designed to help form a grip. From the wrists, the liquid bone formed plated guards sized to fit a griffon’s forelegs with rounded plates at each elbow. The plating extended to just below where a griffon’s legs would connect to its torso.

Twilight watched Nightmare Moon once more, the alicorn seemingly no worse for wear as she continued to maintain this immensely powerful spell. I hope she isn’t overdoing it…. She never seems to show her fatigue so I can only hope that this spell isn’t exhausting her.... She returned her gaze back to the remaining orb, the spine. It had split off into two pieces, both of similar size, and moved away from each other. The section to Twilight’s right shifted and roiled, expanding and contracting as the cold fire around it intensified. A third layer of magical aura overlapped the gray, turning it a deep black. The roiling blob stilled before taking form. It shaped itself into an ornate circlet, small runes etched around the outer ring while the front shaped a large horn from the thick mass gathered there. The final section twisted and contracted seeming to fold over onto itself several times until it formed a small dagger and sheathe. The blade curved from the handle into a form resembling a simple flame, the edge sharp as a razor. The handle was simple in design, not much different from a typical dagger’s handle as far as Twilight could tell, save for the glowing symbols carved into the base.

The fire slowly died as Nightmare Moon’s horn lost its intense glow, dimming to the typical black Twilight was used to seeing. Each object cooled and began to take on a sheen similar to that of mythril silver, a soft glow lingering from the aftermath of the magic. Nightmare took a deep breath before levitating the objects closer to them. Moon Beam’s expression was one of awe, her mouth hanging open as she marveled at the beautiful pieces of enchanted equipment.

The alicorn turned to Twilight and moved the dagger and circlet closer. “These are yours, Twilight. Seeing as you are constantly by my side, I saw fit to gift you with two objects. The first is a circlet that I wish for you to wear at all times. I have enchanted it to enhance your magical abilities and at the same time mask them from the senses of others.”

The circlet floated over to the unicorn and affixed itself upon her head, her horn sliding into the hollow shell and locking in place. As soon as the entirety of her horn was covered, a slight tingling ran through her skull. Her face flushed as the sensation of magic coursed through her body. “It’s…. Thank you, My Queen. I may not be capable of wielding my magic, but I’ll never remove it.”

“Wow, Auntie Twilight! That makes you look so pretty!” The filly clambered across Twilight’s back to perch herself on the mare’s shoulders in order to get a closer look. Twilight merely blushed and smiled, looking back at the tiny unicorn.

“Now. The second item I have for you is this dagger.” She floated it closer to the unicorn so she could inspect it. “This item has been specially enchanted into a substance similar to liquid metal in order to change form based on your desire. It can become anything you wish, be it staff, sword, axe, or even shield. I will explain how such changes can be forced upon it when we join the other two at the obelisk. For now, I will strap it around your chest so we can be on our way.” A length of the silvery bone extended from the sheathe when it came into contact with Twilight’s chest and wrapped around her. As soon as the new strap connected to its origin, its color blended to match Twilight’s coat effectively hiding all but the dagger from view.

“Wow! That’s amazing! I never knew dragon bones could be used to create such complicated enchantments. In all the books I’ve read about magic and enchanting, I’ve never seen anything like this done before!” Her eyes glowed with scholarly passion as her mind filled itself with questions. “Could you… explain how it works to me and maybe show me how you did it?”

“Not at this time, but I will tell you how it works when we meet with Commander Horizons and Gilda.” She enveloped the armor and gauntlets in her mane before turning to leave. She motioned for Twilight to follow and, after making sure the two unicorns were at her side, left the ballroom.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Twenty-Nine Ante Meridian
|

Gilda sat in the grass tapping her talons on the ground in impatience while Cloudy continued to stand at attention, her eyes watching the entrances to the courtyard for signs of the queen. The griffon shouted in frustration. “What the hell!? What’s taking them so long? We’ve been waiting her for almost an hour! Ugh!” She looked over at the pegasus and frowned. “How can you stand to just stare at the walls!?”

“I have spent several years in the Canterlot Royal Guard before being accepted into the Lunar Army. I have been trained to remain completely stationary for several hours without moving.” She turned her head to watch the young griffon’s face. “This is nothing compared to the training sessions required to enter the guard.”

Gilda sighed before glancing off to her right, movement in the corner of her vision catching her attention. She focused her vision on the form of three incoming ponies and rolled her eyes. “About time! I thought they were just gonna leave us here!”

Nightmare Moon and Twilight swiftly made their way across the vast courtyard and stopped in front of the pair. Cloudy bowed low before forcing the griffon to do the same. “Rise, Commander Horizons. Let us enter so we may begin the first session of your training.”

The two winged soldiers both looked at each other, confusion playing across their features. “What do you mean, enter? There isn’t a door anywhere near here! You’ve obviously lost your mind, lady.” A swift crack of the pegasus’ hoof sent the griffon’s senses reeling as she grasped her head in pain. “Buck! Fine! You’ve obviously lost your mind, Your Highness.”

Nightmare Moon scowled, but paid no heed to the griffon’s childish words. “That is because you cannot see the entrance, but it is most certainly there. If you would just walk through the wall there, you’ll see what I mean.”

Gilda eyed the obelisk where she was pointing and cautiously walked closer to it. She could see the wall, but not a single opening presented itself. She squinted her eyes in order to try and discern if there was something to mark the entrance, but nothing seemed out of place or strange. With a shrug of her shoulders, the griffon started off at a brisk pace towards the wall and, just as she reached the tower, smashed beak first into solid stone. She shrieked in surprise as she fell upon her backside. “Buck! I thought you said that there was an entrance there!”

Moon Beam burst into laughter as she watched the griffon squirm on the ground holding her face which elicited a chuckle from Twilight as well. Nightmare Moon and Cloudy both maintained their stoic expression. “There is. I just didn’t open it for you. Consider that your punishment for not calling me by my title.” Her horn glowed slightly causing the surface of the black tower to ripple. “You may now proceed. As soon as we are inside I will begin your lesson.”

The three ponies moved into the entrance followed by a grumbling Gilda with the queen bringing up the rear. As soon as they stepped inside, the wall behind them once again solidified into an impassable slab preventing anything from leaving or entering. Nightmare Moon looked up to the two new to the scene, their eyes wide in awe.

“This place…. It’s so much bigger than it looks! My Queen, it is truly amazing.” Cloudy glanced around at the flowers and lush grass growing around the tomb in the center. Everything was illuminated by the moon overhead coloring everything with a pale glow.

“I thought this would just be some boring old useless tower, but I have to admit that it’s pretty awesome.”

“Let us hurry and begin. I would like to get this lesson over with as soon as possible. It is by far the hardest thing I am going to teach you, but it is absolutely necessary if you wish to stay and learn the rest I have to offer.” She loosed the dragon bone items from her mane, their silvery sheen glowing brighter in the moonlight, and suspended them in the air with her magic. “For you, Private Gilda, a pair of gauntlets fashioned from the claws of a dragon. Commander Horizons, to you I give this set of armor also forged from the bones of a dragon. Take your time to put them on before I start.” She levitated the items to their respective owners and watched as they struggled to equip the gear. Gilda couldn’t get her talons through the thin holes of the arm guards while Cloudy struggled to fit herself into the backside of her armor. Neither of them could get into their new gear.

“You may stop. Neither of you would be capable of using the gear as of yet. What you have before you are objects forged in moon fire and enchanted to draw upon the energies of my namesake.” She looked up into the sky where the natural satellite hovered full and proud. “As my personal guards, I am going to teach you how to draw upon the power resting within the bestowed objects and, in turn, call upon the powers of the moon to aid you.”

Twilight gasped, her mind filled with even more questions. “The moon? We’re going to be able to use it like you? How is that even possible?”

“It is certainly not impossible, Twilight. The only objects in Equestria that are capable of holding lunar enchantment are the bones of dragons, basilisks, and star metal. While dragon bone is capable of holding lunar magic, it is by far the weakest of the three items. It vastly limits your ability to draw upon the moon’s magic, but is useful nonetheless. Now,” she turned back to the other two, “seeing as you are neither unicorn nor other magical creature, you two will have the most difficulty using the armor. It requires intense concentration in order to pass the first wall, but after you attune yourself to your focusing item you will have a much simpler time manipulating them.”

She levitated the armor and gauntlets and touched them to the bodies of their owners. “You must close your minds to all outside disturbances and inner workings. Let your subconscious mind control the necessary motions your body needs to survive while allowing your conscious mind to free itself from all worldly bonds.” The two closed their eyes, attempting to shut off their thoughts and allow peace to overcome themselves. “You must learn to feel for the magic of the moon and the world around you, focusing your mind on the flow of the moon.”

Gilda fought with her over-active mind to bring it under control. She wasn’t used to concentrating on anything other than what she could see and it was showing in her features. Her mind raced with thoughts of flying through the sky, the feeling of the wind flowing past her as she raced her closest friend. The cyan pegasus flew directly beside her, her rainbow mane billowing in the rushing currents. “You must shut out all feelings and accept only the magic.” The griffon shook the memory from her thoughts and concentrated even harder. The cold touch of the bone slowly faded until finally her mind was free.

Beside her, Cloudy struggled with similar problems. She forsook all forms of meditation and relaxation after the trauma with the griffons years ago. Every time she allowed herself a moment to think, the memories flooded into her mind. Images of the fight with the griffon squad burned her thoughts as she watched her husband die over and over, the scene replaying in an infinite loop. Every night she dreamt of that day, unable to keep herself from succumbing to the draw of rest. Her mind fought with itself over what it should do, consciously fighting to suppress the images while subconsciously forcing them to the front of her thoughts. She continued to struggle for what seemed like hours, until her persistence won. For the first time in years, her mind was clear of the regret of not having died with her beloved.

Twilight watched the two struggle to calm themselves, taking in their expressions as they suppressed all internal and external forces. As soon as their features slackened in a state of relaxation, she too closed her eyes. She focused on the feeling she had experienced before, the cool power that had radiated from Nightmare Moon’s magic. She brought her head down in concentration, probing the lines of magic with the slim amount of power she could draw from her circlet for the traces of energy she knew to be the moon. She sighed in frustration as the magic eluded her. Why can’t I do it? I should be able to find the moon’s magic without any trouble! Magic is my special talent! I’m sorry, my beloved Nightmare. I can’t even do this simple task….

Nightmare Moon looked away from the two in front of her and focused her attention on the unicorn. She had felt the shift in Twilight’s mood, felt her own mood dampen as Twilight’s dropped. The link must not be just one way. I can feel her emotions. “Do not worry, Twilight. I have already explained that this is not a simple ability to grasp. I did not expect you to be able to perform the task right away.”

Twilight looked up at her in surprise, but quickly dropped her head again. “I should be able to do it…. I know what the moon’s magic feels like. I could feel it when you were making our focusing items. I just can’t do it….”

The alicorn looked at the unicorn, her lip curling into a slight smile noticeable only by those paying enough attention. “You can find it, Twilight. I know because you are a very talented unicorn. You were able to destroy a magic draining ring without any outside assistance. All you have to do is concentrate.”

Twilight’s face lit up with a heavy blush, Nightmare Moon’s stoic voice outplayed by her encouraging words. She felt her heart swell as her feelings swirled inside her head. She… believes in me…. I…. I don’t even know what to…. Her face continued to heat up as she replayed the alicorn’s words in her head over and over. She hardly noticed the soothing coolness begin to enter her body or the way her horn had begun to glow a dark black as the lunar magic filled her body. What she could feel, however, was the dagger shifting and squirming between her front legs. She looked down at the silver dagger and opened her eyes in surprise. It’s moving! I…. I was able to access the magic! The dagger continued to shift and ripple as it changed shape until it stopped, its form now a necklace with Nightmare Moon’s cutie mark imprinted on the sides of a small medallion.

Nightmare Moon nodded in approval, a feeling of satisfaction and something else welling up inside her. She couldn’t place the second emotion, but could easily discern from where it stemmed. She turned back to the griffon and pegasus who were still concentrating on the task given to them. Their faces showed no emotion or care, only serene calm. They had started nearly fifteen minutes ago and were still trying to feel for the magic.

The unicorns and alicorn sat and watched them intently, as the minutes continued to pass by. After twenty-six, the two still hadn’t shown any sign of coming close to finding the lunar energy until, as one, their focusing items shimmered. Twilight smiled as the armor and gauntlets began to melt around their owners and solidifying once more into their true shape. The pair opened their eyes and looked down.

“YES! Haha! I knew I could do it! In your face moon!” Gilda shouted in excitement as she tested out her new gear, flexing the joints and fingers to get a proper feel for them.

Cloudy simply sat there and admired her armor. “It is surprisingly light, Your Majesty. With how thick the plating is and how much plating it consists of, I was expecting it to weigh much more than this.”

“Excellent. I am pleased that you have completed the first task today. It shall allow us to continue your training much faster than I had originally planned.”

Gilda stopped and looked over to the black alicorn. “What do you mean? I can keep going! That was no sweat at-” the griffon’s body immediately slumped as she began to feel fatigue from exercising that she couldn’t even remember doing. “Ugh…. Why do I feel so weak?” She looked over to the pegasus who was doing just as poorly.

“Being non-magical beings, you are much more susceptible to magical fatigue than a unicorn that has lived her entire life casting spells. The attunement to the moon is a very powerful spell and draws upon your energy in order to be cast as you did not have the full assistance of your enchanted gear. We will continue this tomorrow after you have rested.” She turned and reopened the passage through the wall of the obelisk, allowing the group to pass through once more. “You may retire to your chambers or spend the rest of the night doing whatever you wish. We will meet here at the same time tomorrow morning.” Cloudy bowed and began the return to her room while Gilda simply took off into the air after picking her halberd from the ground where she had planted it.

Nightmare Moon and Twilight turned towards the door closest to the stairs and walked towards them. The unicorn was able to take six steps before collapsing on the ground, exhaustion evident on her face. “Oh no! Auntie Twilight! I’m sorry! I must be really heavy.”

The foal moved off of Twilight’s back, but the unicorn still couldn’t move. “I’m sorry, Mistress…. I’m just… so tired….” She closed her eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep as she lay in the grass.

Nightmare Moon watched her quietly before levitating the unicorn across her back and continuing towards the castle. “Follow closely, Moon Beam.” The foal complied and walked faster to keep up with the alicorn’s long strides. She certainly tries her hardest. Does she truly care for me that much? A slight smile graced the alicorn’s lips as they entered the castle doors. Inside, she was stopped by the white unicorn chancellor, his face an open book of grim news. “What is it, Chancellor?”

“The griffons have begun attacking.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author’s Notes: Hey gaiz! Peppy here! Sorry this one took so long. My brain hasn’t been wanting to co-operate with me so it’s been difficult to concentrate and use my imagination (cue SpongeBob drawing a rainbow in the air with his hands). Dunno what’s going on, but I’ll try and get it to stop being a royal pain in my plot (like Blueblood is to EVERYTHING). Anyhooves, here you go! Chapter 24! Also, I’ll try to get around to drawing what the armor is supposed to look like (It’s not gonna be the best thing you’ve seen, but I’ll do my best). Peppy out!

Editor's Notes: Hi everypony, Dr.Jekyll here and this chapter was amazing. A lil' sloppy (if it wasn't, I would be out of the job), but definitely fantastic. And now, allow me to introduce my new Co-Editor, Sukasa. Give a round of applause, everypony. I hope you enjoyed it and turn the mic- *cough*, I mean pen over to Sukasa. Have at it.

Editor’s Notes #2: Hi. Kasa here, but I bet half of you stopped reading somewhere above this anyways. It’s funny, I spoke to Peppy about this a while back, but I’ve only just started helping out. Doesn’t matter, edited document. I’m happy to join the team, and hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Until next time!

Chapter 25 - Unforeseeable Tragedy

Chapter 25 – Unforeseeable Tragedy

Nightober Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Twelve Oh-Three Post Meridian
|

A giant cloud of black blocked out the light of the moon as a fleet of roughly four hundred griffons flew in formation through the sky. The powerful beating of their wings filled the air with a resounding fury as they rocketed towards their destination. A small town began to come into view, the lights all on to compensate for the darkness of night. A large griffon at the front of the pride motioned for them to begin their descent and, as one; the griffons adjusted their flight to fall into a dive, aiming for the town as it slowly loomed closer.

Below, the ponies were moving about, going about their typical lives, unaware of the small force of griffons headed their way. Of them all, Cherry Jubilee, a cream colored earth pony with a cherry mane, stepped out of the sorting station on her cherry ranch. She hummed a cheerful tune, he mouth curved up in a smile, as she trotted down the road towards the main section of town. Her Cherry Hill Ranch was positioned just on the outskirts of Dodge Junction, a small town a little more than an hour’s trip by carriage from New Mareland.

Today was just another typical day for Cherry. Supervise the work in the various parts of her ranch to make sure things were going smoothly. Head into town to procure whatever groceries she would need for dinner. Meet up with some of her friends at the local tavern to talk about their week. All of these tasks were part of her typical routine. The earth pony looked up to the sky and her smile dropped slightly.

“I never knew that it was supposed to rain today. Oh well. I’ll just have to be quick with my shopping if I want to get…” She stopped and looked at the wall of clouds closer. “Those clouds are moving awfully fast. I don’t feel any wind so why would they be moving like that?”

The clouds continued to move in closer as Cherry sat in awe at their speed. Then, the clouds dove. She gasped in fright as what she thought were rain-filled storm clouds revealed themselves to be a unit of heavily armed griffons descending on Dodge Junction. “Those…. Those are certainly not clouds! Why do they all have weapons!?”

The pride swarmed over the town and soon the air was filled with the cries of fear and death from the unsuspecting ponies that were unfortunate enough to be outside. Cherry watched in horror while the griffons demolished the town, killing everything in sight. She was frozen to the spot, terror gripping her senses as the massacre played out before her. Screams of pain from every pony in town echoed through the night as not even the mares, foals or elderly were spared. The griffons were cold and precise, taking care not to miss any building lest they leave somebody to report their presence.

The cream mare began to shake, unable to control her body’s distress as she watched friends and neighbors being slaughtered. She continued to stand in that lone spot until a pair of eyes turned her way. One of the griffons had notice her in the darkness just outside the outskirts of town. Her eyes widened in terror as her mind and body raced, fighting to keep her alive. I have to escape and save myself! Somepony has to tell the Queen that the griffons are coming! I need to keep my family safe! Her mind stopped short as she processed her last words. Cherry Tart! I need to find Cherry Tart and run!

The griffon was rapidly closing the distance between it and the mare, its talons gripped around a scimitar poised to strike. Jubilee panted and pushed herself, rushing to reach the front door to her house before the griffon. She smiled at herself as she came upon the threshold and thanked herself for leaving the door open. In a swift movement, the cream mare jumped inside and bucked the door closed just as the griffon was preparing to attack. She locked the door and ran upstairs leaving the enraged predator to bang on the wood.

She raced down the halls, kicking open each door until she finally came upon a play room filled with various toys and games that lay scattered across the floor and two tables. A small red filly with a yellow mane jumped in surprise and turned around to see Jubilee, sweating and panting in the doorway. “Momma! You done shopping already? You’re usually in town much longer than this! So, what are we going to eat tonight?!” The mare sighed in relief and smiled warmly at the filly.

“I’m so glad you’re here, Tart. Now, don’t be scared, but I want you to gather up a few of your toys and put them in you school bags. We’re going to go on a -.” Her words were cut short as a lightning quick form barreled into her, forcing her to the ground. She heard the filly scream, but her mind was preoccupied with the powerful form above her. The griffon grinned sadistically and, in his eyes, she saw a carnal lust in those fierce organs. “What are you-?” She was interrupted again by the feeling of something hot on her stomach. Her eyes widened and, as her instincts for survival kicked in, she kicked with great ferocity at the hot area just above her thighs.

The griffon howled in pain and fell off the mare, clutching itself as she scrabbled for purchase to escape. She was able to rise to her hooves, but not before he recovered. “Oh no! You’re not going anywhere after what you just did!” He raked a claw along her side eliciting a scream of pain from Jubilee followed by a cry of terror from the filly hiding in the play room. “As soon as I’m finished with you, the kid is next,” he hissed into her ear as he brought her backside closer to himself once more.

Jubilee’s eyes widened then shrunk into thin slits as anger tinged her face red. She shifted her body once again and, after gaining just enough distance between herself and the griffon, bucked with all of her might. The griffon shrieked in pain, an audible crunch resounding from his back as the force of the kick buckled his lower spine. The mare rushed up to him, fury burning in her eyes as she raised the front of her body and brought her hooves smashing down onto his head. “YOU… WILL NOT… TOUCH… MY DAUGHTER…!” She emphasized each set of words with another blow to the griffons head until, after the final exclamation left her lips, the thing lay dead with his head smashed into the floor.

She stopped and panted, looking down at her blood soaked hooves as the adrenaline faded. The dull throbbing in her side from the cuts the griffon’s claws had made exploded into a fiery pain as she took notice of just how deep the gashes were. Cherry Tart poked her head out of the door and rushed to her mother’s side, doting over the wound. Jubilee plastered a weak smile on her face before turning to the filly once more. “Don’t worry, Tart. Momma’s gonna be just fine. Now I want you to hop on my back. We have to get to the Queen’s castle right away.”

The filly complied and, with some help from her mother, positioned herself on the mare’s back. Jubilee turned back to her and smiled again before rushing past the griffon and down the stairs. She stopped at her back door and looked about, checking for any sign of any nearby griffons before bursting through the portal and sprinting off into the night.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Three Seventeen Post Meridian
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A young pegasus soldier, a new recruit from the Cloudsdale Guard Training Facility, stood guard along the walls of The Night Castle, eyes alert for any sign of movement. He had just started his first shift after being released for duty and sent here for his temporary post before being assigned a position and permanent post. So far, everything was going perfectly. He hadn’t sighted any griffons in the sky nor had there been anything moving in the distance. Coming right for the entrance. Quickly.

He jumped up to attention and focused his sight on the figure in the distance, his eyes trying to make fact of what he was seeing. “Buck. Looks like I actually have to do something.” He sighed and took flight, his sword ready at his side just in case it was needed, and soared towards the oncoming form. He saw the form stagger and fall then right itself after picking something from the ground and replacing it on its back before continuing its race for the castle. He picked up his pace and swooped down towards the ground as he neared what he now could see as a cream mare running frantically towards the black fortress, her cherry hair streaming behind her.

The mare noticed him and stopped to wave him down. “Hey…! Come… down here…!” She fell to the ground, heaving for air while clutching the figure that had been resting on her back.

The guard flew in closer and alighted next to her and finally saw what she was holding. A young red filly of approximately ten winters was sobbing in the mare’s embrace, her tousled yellow mane a testament to the mare’s haste. “Ma’am, may I ask why you’re hastening towards the castle? We are high alert with the looming griffon threat and….” His eyes fell to the mare’s side where a deep, bloodied wound lay, slowly oozing. “You… You’re hurt! Hold on just a moment! I’ll go get some more help and We’ll rush you insi-.”

“No…. Please. Take my daughter… and tell… the Queen… the griffons attacked…. They killed… all of Dodge Junction…. It was… about noon….”

The filly wailed in despair and clutched onto her mother in desperation. “No! I don’t want to go! Please come too mommy!” The foal’s tears streamed off of her to soak the mare’s neck.

“Shhh…. Be calm Tart….”The mare caressed the filly’s head with a shaking hoof, her words gradually becoming weaker as the blood slipped from the gash. “I’m sorry… that I can’t come with you…. Just…. Just know… that Mommy will… always love you…. Now, please, Tart, go with the guard….”

The mare delicately pried the screaming filly from her neck and passed her into the waiting hooves of the pegasus. He held the filly as she screamed and cried, struggling against his firm grasp in an attempt to return to her mother. “Your name, Ma’am….” He strained to keep composure; the heart-wrenching scene he was a part of threatened to break his calm demeanor. “So that I may tell the Queen who sacrificed herself to inform us of the attack.”

“Cherry Jubilee…. Please…. Find somepony to take care of my daughter….” She struggled to keep a smile for the filly, but as the warmth of her blood continued to leave her body, she found herself unable to keep her façade. Tears spilled down her cheeks after giving her daughter one final kiss on the forehead then watched the pegasus guard nod his head and take off into the sky.

Her eyes never left the retreating forms of her daughter and the guard as she slowly faded from life. She smiled slightly and blew a kiss towards Tart, an act she knew could not be seen, but one she felt needed to be done. “Be strong… for Mommy….”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Three Twenty-Five Post Meridian
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The guard glided over the wall of the castle, firmly holding the struggling filly to his chest as he dove through an open window on the second floor of the castle. He cruised through the halls, the wailing Tart sounding as a siren in the usually quiet building, soaring over the stunned ponies as he made his way to the Chancellor’s room. With a soft clop, he landed before the door and readied a fore hoof to knock, using his wings for support while holding the filly in his other leg, but had to jump back swiftly as the door swung open. Fancy Pants stood in the doorway, a look of concern on his face as he looked upon the source of the noise.

He looked to the guard, a stern gaze fixed upon his face. “Why are you carrying a screaming child? Where are her parents?”

The pegasus looked down at the filly and carefully set her upon the floor. Her wails were slowly dying down, but the sobs and tears continued. “Chancellor, sir! I was keeping watch on the tower when I saw a figure moving in the distance. When I went to investigate, I found a mare with a fatal gash in her side carrying this filly. She said she had come from Dodge Junction and that griffons had completely wiped the town. She….” He took a deep breath, calming his emotions. “She told me to take her daughter and inform you and the Queen.” His composure broke as tears began streaming down his passive face. “She… had run for hours to get here…. She said it was noon when she left…. It is now approximately three after noon.”

Fancy Pants held back his emotions as he lifted the filly up with his magic and placed her on his back. “Thank you, soldier. I want you to find somepony to take your place on duty and have the rest of the day off. You did well in your service to the Queen and such deeds will be rewarded. For now, I will let this child rest in my room while I go to inform Her Majesty.” The pegasus saluted and turned on his hooves, doing his best to recompose himself before returning to the barracks. Fancy Pants closed the door to his room and levitated the foal onto the soft mattress in the corner of his room. “I want you to stay here and get some sleep. I’ll come back after I tell the Queen what happened. Don’t worry; your mother will be avenged.” His soothing words were broken by the fierce determination of his last sentence, but the filly still nodded weakly and passed out moments later, exhausted from the trip and the emotional turmoil.

The white unicorn exited his chambers and softly closed the door behind him. He moved at a brisk pace, hoping to catch the Queen before she retired for the day, as he moved through the corridors, rushing past the various servants flanking the halls. Nobody bothered to stop and watch whenever they noticed the ferocity in his gaze and, instead, opted to make way for him. His mind raced with thoughts of the griffons’ crimes as he trotted towards his destination. He had never wanted this war to happen, his heart set on keeping his fellow ponies safe, but this strike against his home country pushed him towards the only option left available.

We have to fight back.

He rounded the corner to the northern entrance to the courtyard and nearly plowed into the oncoming monarch who stopped and looked at him. She could see the grim look that he had donned and arched an eyebrow in curiosity. “What is it, Chancellor?”

Fancy Pants frowned. “The griffons have begun attacking.”

The Queen’s previous cheer faded completely at his announcement, but she kept her cool countenance and nodded. “I want the full report. We are not prepared for a full force attack and so I must know what we are currently dealing with.”

The white unicorn cleared his throat and calmed himself. “Minutes prior to the present, one of the soldiers came to me with a report of an attack staged against the town of Dodge Junction. He told me that a mare had run from the attack with her child in order to bring word of it to us. She told him that the entire town had been massacred without mercy. Had it not been for her, we would not have had any mention of the incident for several weeks.”

Nightmare Moon listened closely and one thing caught her attention. “Was there mention of the size of the invading force? Did she give any numbers or approximations?”

Fancy Pants shook his head. “Not that I was informed of.”

“Does…. Does this mean that we won’t have time to ready ourselves?” Twilight’s voice quivered with fear, but she kept her features as even as possible. “I don’t want another fight like when the Royal Guards attacked. We…. We lost everypony in that battle.”

Nightmare Moon sighed. “We will not be able to win this alone.” She looked to Fancy Pants and held his gaze. “Begin commissioning all available airships to start ferrying the drafted soldiers to the training facilities in Canterlot and Cloudsdale. Should anypony refuse to offer up their vessel then you have the right by my martial order to detain them and take the craft by force. Have messengers sent to Wintertrot and have them start increasing their shipments of metal and other resources to Hoofington and Manehattan to begin increased production of armor and weaponry for our soldiers. I also want every pony capable of training in the art of battle to be hired to begin training new recruits. I do not care if they are retired or just out of school themselves. They will comply or they will be punished.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I have one other question.” The alicorn arched an eyebrow, but nodded for him to proceed. “The mare that gave us the report had a filly with her, as I explained, and is now currently in our care.”

“Why not return her to her mother? Speaking of the mare, where is she? I wish to reward her for her duty to her Queen and country.”

The white unicorn dropped his eyes causing Twilight to take in a sharp breath of air. “She’s…. She’s dead, isn’t she?” The Chancellor nodded as Twilight felt tears begin to well in her eyes. “My Queen…. Could we…. Could we take care of her? I don’t want to leave her alone. Not after having lost her mother….”

“We cannot. While I hate to leave a child to such a fate, I cannot keep an eye on her and lead this country against the griffons. Chancellor. Perhaps you could-.”

“I’ll watch her, Your Majesty.” All eyes spun to see who had spoken. Their gazes fell upon the orange body of Cloudy Horizons, her one good eye burning with determination. “I heard about the situation from the guard that found them when he came to ask for the night off. I’ll take care of the child in your place.”

Twilight smiled warmly and rushed up to the pegasus to pull her into a tight hug which was soon joined in by another enthusiastic unicorn. “Thank you, Cloudy. I’d hate to have to watch the poor filly be left on her own. If you need help, at any time, come ask me. I’ll be glad to assist when I can.”

“And I’ll come to play with her every day! I can’t wait to meet her!” Moon Beam grinned brightly as she clung onto the red tinged Commander who proceeded to brush them off in an attempt to retain her pride.

“Do not worry. I have wanted a child since before Celestia ruined my life. I will take good care of her.” She looked to Fancy Pants and nodded. “Where is she currently, Chancellor?”

“She’s sleeping in my room. Try to be gentle as she has been through much recently. I’d hate for something bad to befall the child.”

Cloudy saluted and left at a steady pace leaving the original four again. Nightmare Moon returned her gaze to Fancy Pants, her eyes showing a hardened resolve. “Chancellor. I wish you to prepare my royal carriage for a journey. I will be leaving to request the aid of one of our bordered countries.”

He nodded his assent once more. “I’ll have it prepared immediately, Your Majesty.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author’s Notes: Here ya go! Chapter 25 hot off the press (After some editing, of course)! Fun twists and much less Nightmare Moon/Twilight than any other chapter in history (For a good reason, though)! Also, yes. I will admit. This chapter pretty much makes me a plothole. I am quite ashamed of myself, but I do not regret it at all. ALL FOR THE PLOT! Have fun reading as I shall be gaming and reading comments when they arrive!

Editor's Note #1: Why*sob*Peppy, why?

Editor’s Note #2: I don’t have much to say; the chapter had to be done.

Chapter 26 - Confessions and Renewed Hope

Chapter 26 – Confessions and Renewed Hope

Nightober Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Five Thirty-Eight Post Meridian
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Nightmare Moon stepped onto the landing field for the sky carriages, once more carrying Twilight upon her back, and looked about for her personal transport. She could see the pegasi in the distance as they prepared themselves for flight, stretching their wings, checking to make sure their harnesses were fully functional, and ensuring that everything was in perfect condition for flight. A soft mumble and stirring from behind her brought her attention once more to the mare resting upon her back. Her cold gaze softened slightly when she heard traces of her own name from the unicorn’s lips. She truly strained herself in order to impress me today. Her mind recalled the happenings mere minutes before.

Fancy Pants turned to carry out his Queen’s orders, trotting off towards the pegasus flight team’s temporary quarters. Nightmare Moon watched him go until she heard a soft ‘eep’ from beside her. Her eyes turned and saw Twilight lying upon her side, her eyes drooping as she fought unconsciousness. Moon Beam was running about the mare, the sound having come from her, as she tried to figure out what had befallen the unicorn.

“Auntie Twilight! Are you okay?!” She stopped before Twilight’s face and watched the unicorn with a worried expression upon her features. “Ohhh... You look sleepy….” The filly frowned slightly and nudged her with her nose. “You can’t go to sleep here, Auntie! You’ll catch a cold!”

Nightmare Moon gazed upon the slowly fading unicorn, concern slipping through her mask. “You do not seem fit to come with me on this trip, Twilight. Perhaps you should stay here and rest. You certainly deserve some sleep.”

Twilight’s eyes shot open as she brought herself to full alertness and quickly raised herself upon her hooves once more. “No! I…. I want to go with you. I haven’t had the chance to meet any other races aside from ponies and griffons, so it’d be a great opportunity. I also… don’t want to leave you alone….”

“I will be fine, Twilight. It would not be the first time I have performed my duties as Queen on my own.” She watched as Twilight slowly began to slip away once more. “You can hardly keep your eyes open. It will not do either of us any good if you cannot function properly.”

“I won’t be a burden, I promise!” She walked closer to Nightmare Moon and looked at her with pleading eyes. She began to totter as she moved closer before falling against the alicorn’s side, her head resting on the mare’s back. “I… just need… a little sleep….”

She passed out leaning upon Nightmare Moon, her steady breaths tickling along the moon queen’s coat. She sighed and lifted the mare upon her back once more. “Moon Beam.” The filly jumped to attention and smiled up at the alicorn expectantly. “I want you to stay here with Commander Horizons and the new arrival. You can do whatever you want until I return. I will be bringing Twilight with me for the trip, as she desires.”

Moon Beam smiled and nodded furiously. “Okie dokie, Mommy! Ohhh, I know! I’m going to go see if Cloudy and Birdie want to play! I’m sure the new pony would love to play with me!” She hugged Nightmare’s leg before dashing off down the halls, leaving a trail of wispy mane behind her.

The sound of hoofsteps nearby snapped Nightmare Moon out of her reverie, causing her to spin her head in the direction of the sound. One of the pegasi that was to pull her carriage had stepped before her and was now bowing. “Your carriage is ready, My Queen. We are prepared to leave whenever you wish.”

“Good. I do not wish to tarry any further. Allow myself and my consort to make ourselves comfortable, then begin the trip without delay.” He bowed lower and then turned and moved back to the elegant black carriage, shouting orders to the other pegasi in his team. Nightmare Moon moved hastily behind him and stepped into the waiting passenger door, careful to avoid knocking Twilight’s head on the frame. She gingerly levitated the sleeping unicorn off her back to place her upon one of the plush cushioned seats before sitting herself beside her. The pegasus chauffeur peeked in through the door to make sure they were situated. “I am settled. We will depart.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

He bowed low once more and shut the door to the carriage, the lock clicking to secure the door from the inside. Nightmare Moon felt the initial lurch of the carriage being pulled into motion and glanced to Twilight. The movement had seemed to only make the unicorn move closer to the alicorn in an unconscious effort to seek comfort from her. As the carriage lifted from the ground, Nightmare Moon’s gaze remained fixated upon Twilight’s sleeping form while her mind focused on the tasks ahead of her.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Three Thirty-Nine Post Meridian
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Cloudy stepped up to the entrance of Fancy Pants’ chamber and took a deep breath. She hadn’t dealt with emotional distress from anything in several years and wasn’t entirely sure how she would be able to help the filly. Breathing in once more to help settle her nerves, she raised a hoof and gently rapped upon the wood then sat to wait for a reply. She could hear faint traces of movement from the opposite side as she imagined the filly stirring from slumber. She smiled softly; an act that lasted until she heard a word sounding just beyond the doorway.

“Mommy?” The voice was soft and weak, slightly hoarse from overuse.

Cloudy’s stomach clenched. She could hear the desperation in the voice and knew that the moment she opened the door, she would break the filly’s heart. She also knew, however, that no action at all would be even worse. She steeled herself and slowly pushed open the doors, keeping her face as kind as she could. When she came into view of the filly, she saw her face turn from hopeful desperation to utter despair as tears began to well in the pony’s eyes.

“I’m sorry. I’m not your mother.” The filly began to cry, her breaths coming out in stutters as tears poured down her face. Cloudy felt like her heart had cracked, her usually stoic mind set in turmoil by the filly’s anguish. “I….” She looked to the filly and felt her own tears stinging her eyes. I haven’t…. I can’t cry. I am stronger than this. She touched a hoof to her face and wiped away the building liquid before stepping closer to the filly then, finally, moving right beside her. She swept her up into a tight embrace and sat upon the floor as the filly cried into her chest.

“I…. I want… my mommy….” She wailed out these words over and over as she pressed her muzzle into Cloudy’s chest, smearing tears and mucous on the dark armor covering the mare.

“I’m sorry…. I wish I was your mother….” She stroked the filly’s red mane and cooed in her ear in an attempt to soothe her. It worked with mild success as, eventually, the sobs lessened and the foal’s cries for her mother began to subside. Cloudy smiled slightly when she felt the filly move her head in an attempt to get more comfortable in the mare’s embrace. “Shhh…. Don’t worry. I’ll stay with you for as long as you like.”

Her tears spent, the filly calmed a little more and clutched Cloudy closer. The pegasus continued stroking the filly’s mane as she held her. “I…. Is mommy going to…? Is mommy going to come back?” Her words were unmistakable even through the muffling provided by the mare’s armor.

Cloudy’s smile dropped as she pulled the filly back so she could look into her soft pink eyes. “She won’t be coming back. I’m so sorry. I know how it feels to lose somepony you love….” The filly, drained of the ability to cry, simply lowered her head. “I’ll take care of you though…. It won’t be the same, I know, but I’ll always be there for you. My name is Cloudy Horizons. What’s yours?”

“Cherry… Tart….” She sniffled and looked up into Cloudy’s one blue eye. “You…. You won’t ever leave? Ever?”

Cloudy smiled down at her and kissed her forehead before brushing some of the filly’s frazzled mane from her face. “I’ll never leave.” Cloudy couldn’t help but to feel somewhat guilty for making that promise. I am the Queen’s highest commander…. I can’t be expected to be able to watch her all of the time…. I’ll have to go to battle sooner or later and I cannot predict what will happen…. She kissed the pony’s forehead once more and stood up. “Come with me. I’ll take you to our room so that-.”

“Auntie Clooouuudyyyy~!” Moon Beam burst through the doors and stopped dead in her tracks, the sight of the depressed filly halting her excitement. “Oh no! You can’t be sad! Little fillies and colts should never be sad! We’re supposed to be happy!” She smiled brightly and hopped up to the shocked Tart. “Hi, I’m Moon Beam! What’s your name?”

“Ch-Cherry T-Tart….” She was too stunned to form a lengthier reply, but Moon Beam hadn’t paid any heed.

“Oh wow! That name is so cute! I’ve never tried a cherry tart before! Mommy Moon never lets me have too many desserts, but Auntie Twilight always sneaks me some when she isn’t around! I wonder if she’ll get me a cherry tart someday.” She shook her head and refocused her attention on the still gaping filly. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to forget about cheering you up! I know! Maybe we could go outside and-.”

Cloudy halted her sentence by placing a hoof to Moon Beam’s mouth. “I’m sorry, Moon Beam, but Cherry needs to get some sleep.” The navy unicorn frowned, but Cloudy ignored her. “Come on, Cherry. Let me take you to our room. I’m sure you’d like to get some rest after all of what’s happened.”

“Tart….” Cloudy looked to the filly, confused. “Mommy always called me Tart since her name was Cherry, too. So…, please call me Tart….”

Cloudy smiled and hefted the filly onto her back eliciting a soft ‘eep’ as she was picked from the floor. “Alright, Tart. Let’s go get you to bed. You can come as well Moon Beam. Just try to be quiet.”

Moon Beam nodded her assent and bounced along behind the pair excitedly. I’ve never met another pony my age before! I can’t wait to see what games she likes to play! Maybe we can play tag or hide-and-seek! She hummed happily and followed closely, plans of befriending the yellow filly brewing in her mind.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Forty-Four Post Meridian
|

Nightmare Moon closed her eyes and breathed in deep. They had been flying for several hours now and, when she had looked out the window of her carriage, she could see the passing rows of exotic trees not native to Equestria. It had been over a thousand years since her last trip outside of her own country. She could scarcely remember her visit to the foreign countries, but she could still remember approximately where each country was save for minor border changes over the centuries she had been banished.

A soft stirring and a quiet uttering of her name brought her attention to the dark unicorn at her side. Twilight’s soft purple eyes opened to gaze up at the alicorn; the moment of concern from their conversation earlier was washed away when she realized they were both in the Queen’s sky carriage. “Thank you… for bringing me along. It means a lot to me that you allowed me to come... even in my current state.” Nightmare Moon nodded her head and continued to watch Twilight as she moved to look out the window. “Wow! All these trees are so amazing! I’ve only read about these kinds of plants in books back at the Canterlot Library! I never thought I’d be able to see them firsthoof!” She turned around and gently settled herself back down next to her Queen. “Ummm…. May I ask you a question?”

“I do not mind. What is it you wish to know?”

“I’ve been curious for a while about this. Back when you first returned to Equestria, when you stopped my friends and I, how were you able to stop the power of the Elements? I always thought they were the most powerful source of magic in Equestria.”

Nightmare Moon smiled and stared into Twilight’s purple eyes. “Ahhh…. I can see why you would be curious about that. I must say that I had never planned to tell you about this, but you have proven yourself to be more than loyal to me.” Twilight blushed, but kept her gaze fixed expectantly upon the alicorn. “Well, I had known of the Elements of Harmony before my initial banishment to the moon by the hooves of Celestia, but was not capable of defending myself from it back then. I spent the thousand years of my banishment figuring out how to defeat them when I realized I had the exact thing I needed at my disposal.”

“The moon, right? You used the moon to block them.”

“Partially, yes. As I’m sure you saw during the encounter, I created a shield to defend myself against the destructive powers that are the Elements. I had spent that millennium drawing magic and power from the moon in order to protect myself from the spell of the Elements. That would not have been enough, however. I remembered from the times my sister and I had used it to imprison one of our greatest enemies when we were much younger. Both of us controlled three of the elements each. I was the master of Magic, Laughter, and Honesty while Celestia held the powers of Loyalty, Kindness, and Generosity. We were not able to use each other’s elements for ourselves until the day we faced off with Discord. That day, after they were fully activated and attuned to us, if one of us displayed enough of an element we could bend that particular Element to our will.

“That was how she banished me. She manipulated the elements to her will and used their combined power to send me away and, in that realization, I had found my way to stop their use a second time. Together, the Elements can defeat anything. Even the power of the moon after being steadily siphoned for a thousand years, but, if even a single element is missing, they are nowhere near their potential ability. I used my affinity to magic in order to cancel out your Element’s spell thus making my lunar shield capable of withstanding the onslaught of the others.”

“That’s…. That’s amazing! I never would have thought that you could do something like that! I had thought that, when we activated the Elements, nothing could go wrong.” She thought for a moment. “If we had tried to use the Elements again, we could have defeated you, couldn’t we?” The alicorn nodded slightly, but Twilight smiled up at Nightmare Moon. “I’m glad we failed though. I’d never have found my love for you if we hadn’t.”

Nightmare Moon could feel the emotion coming from the unicorn and it startled her. Every time Twilight had said those words, she had brushed them aside as the love one should feel for her Queen, but the raw feelings being relayed through their link spoke otherwise. She pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind and looked away. “I will admit that I am most pleased that you hadn’t thought to try a second time. It is unfortunate that my subjects loathe me so and that we must seek aid from others to support our war.”

Twilight frowned at the dismissal of her words, but curiosity took over. “Where are we going? I haven’t been outside of Equestria so I am not entirely familiar of the landscape here. I don’t know much about the outlying countries due to the limited knowledge of them in the books.”

“We are heading to Zebria in order to request assistance from the zebra Caesar. The zebras were the closest race to ponies back before I was banished and so I believe we will be more capable of acquiring their aid than some of the other races.”

“I cannot wait to meet the zebras! I’ve read a few books on their race seeing as they are so closely related to use, but I’ve never been able to meet one myself. I wonder how their government works.” She placed a hoof to her chin in thought and smiled. “From how you called their leader a Caesar, I’d say they were a patriarchal society with the Caesar being somewhat akin to a king. Do you think they have a democracy or would their entire country be run by the decision of the Caesar alone similar to ours? I’m sure they have their own armies as well. The zebras depicted in my books always seemed like they were a type of graceful fighter.”

Nightmare Moon could feel the enthusiasm and excitement filling the unicorn and smiled again, the link beginning to affect her own mood. Twilight stopped her rambling and looked to the Queen. “You know…. You should smile more often. I think it makes you look amazing.”

The alicorn watched Twilight’s features as she grinned warmly up at her. She has changed so much. She never would have said something like that a month ago. “Why do you compliment me so?”

Twilight momentarily averted her gaze. “It’s because… I love you.” She looked back, her eyes wavering in the soft light of the moon.

“Love me? I am your Queen. It is your duty to love me. Is that not all it is?” She continued to gauge Twilight’s emotions through the link and could feel a warmth building in her chest. “I can feel your soul through our connection and, despite what I believe, I can feel something different from you. What is it?”

“It’s… love…. I don’t really know how to explain it. When…. When I had come to save you from Brook, we were talking together in your room. We had been seeing each other in secret for weeks and I thought she cared for me….” Her gaze never left the Queen’s, who kept her face even and unreadable. “She told me what she was going to do. She told me that she was going to kill you and Moon Beam then come back to kill me. I trusted her more than anything and she betrayed me….” Tears had begun to well up in her eyes, but she blinked them away and smiled. “That was when I realized that you had never betrayed me. You always did what you said you would and even defended me from those four stallions a couple months ago. You may have beaten me if I messed up, but you also rewarded me for my successes.

“I should have realized it sooner, but I knew that I could depend on you to always lead me like a true Queen should. As time went by, I began to notice changes. I could feel my devotion to you becoming something more. I wasn’t entirely sure what it was until the griffon attacked. When I saw his blade drawn and ready to attack, my feelings clicked into place. I knew that I had grown to love you. Not as a monarch, but as a mare. Were it not for that, I likely would not have taken the blade for you.” Tears burned at Twilight’s eyes once more, but she allowed them to fall this time. “When you came for me in Death’s realm, I was so happy. I…. I know that I’m just your consort, but being by your side is all that I could ever hope to ask for. I just…. I want to know what you think of me. I don’t mind if you don’t love me back or if you merely tolerate me, but I just want to know….”

Nightmare Moon was stunned. She could feel every little shift in Twilight as she twisted through different emotions. The fear, anger, sadness, betrayal, joy, and, most of all, love all played through the alicorn’s mind. She had never had to deal with such passionate feelings before as, since before she had been banished, nopony had ever cared for her more than what was required by her status. I… do not know what to say. I have never had an issue with words before. Why can I not think properly? Is this-?

A dull thud sounded from the top of the carriage drawing the attention of both ponies inside. They heard a cry of pain from the head of the craft followed by orders being shouted. “My Queen! Stay inside the carriage! We will defend you with our-!” Another cry of pain and the voice of the head pegasus was cut off and drowned out by the sound of weapons clashing together.

Nightmare Moon stood and glared out one of the windows. For a brief moment, she caught sight of a griffon speeding by unhindered by the large craft. “Twilight, stay next to me. The griffons have figured out what we are doing. Do not worry. I will keep you safe.” She watched as Twilight nodded, but could still feel the apprehension coursing through the unicorn’s brain. She shut out her mind and focused on the battle raging around them. She hadn’t brought many pegasus guards so she would appear less hostile to the Zebrians, but it ended up leaving her open. I figured that this spur of the moment trip would have left me safer. I should have expected them to attack when I am lightly guarded.

Twilight quivered behind the alicorn, fearing for the both of them. She looked down at the dragon bone pendant and willed it back into its dagger form before taking it in her mouth. I… may not know how to use this…. She swallowed hard around the handle and glanced about. But I will not let them hurt my love!

A harsh scraping followed by several more clashes of weapons sounded from above them and, after several moments, more screams of agony echoed through the air, signifying the loss of the final pegasus guard. They had heard very few griffons screech in pain and guessed that they had only suffered minor casualties. A clicking could be heard on the roof as griffon claws scraped and clacked against the metal plating until the movement stopped. The sky carriage halted completely and, after a few moments, a black-feathered head peered through an open window.

“Ahhh, Nightmare Moon. I must say that I am quite glad to have met you before you died at our talons. I have to thank you for all of the assistance you’ve given us by removing the Royal guards and Celestia.” He smirked and laughed. “Fear not, however. We will certainly rule over your land quite fairly. Every pony will be eaten without discretion. We are carnivores after all, and pony meat is by far the most delectable. We’ll even raise some of them as cattle! It will be such a joy.”

“You foal! Do you think that you can stop me here?” Her eyes glowed and a bolt of lightning struck him in the chest.

“You bitch!” He squawked and stripped the metal plating from his sizzling chest, the feathers burnt where the bolt had struck. “Very well, then. You get to die the slow way. Granis! Drop the carriage! I hope you enjoy the rest of your life. However short it will be.” He grinned sadistically and, after a few clicks, disappeared from view as the sky carriage instantly began to lose altitude.

Twilight screamed in terror as they freefell towards the forest, the carriage beginning to spin about as they slowly started to float in the large space. Nightmare Moon turned to Twilight and grabbed ahold of her with her forelegs. “Hold on to me and do not let go!” Twilight’s screaming halted the moment their bodies touched and felt her face heat up despite the serious predicament they were in, but she complied and wrapped all four of her legs around the alicorn’s body.

They rapidly approached the ground, the sky carriage picking up speed as gravity increased its momentum. Twilight clenched her eyes shut, fearing the inevitable and softly whispered into the alicorn’s ear. “I love you so much….”

Nightmare Moon’s horn erupted in magical flames as pure energy exploded around them, obliterating the carriage and the rising trees below them. She unfurled her wings, the great black appendages catching the rushing air and cutting their momentum. Nightmare could feel the bones breaking under the instant force placed upon them, but left them extended until, to her great relief, she slowed to a glide before settling on the ground. She gasped in pain and let her wings hang uselessly at her sides, the bones and muscles broken and torn, but kept her stance above Twilight who had settled shakily to the ground.

“Nightmare Moon! Your wings…! They….”

“It does not matter as long as you are safe. I will live. Given time they will heal, but for now it does not matter.” She looked up to the descending griffons and charged her horn once more. Another bolt of lightning arched from the tip and struck a tawny griffon in the face. Her features melted around the point of impact and, without a scream, fell dead to the ground with a sickening crunch. “I….” Another bolt and another griffon fell, his heart stopped by the jolt of electricity. “Will not….” A third hit the ground, his stomach burnt open and trailing his guts along his crash course. “Let them….” Two more dropped, a single bolt penetrating through the first and striking the second with enough force to paralyze him. They too landed among the growing pile of corpses. “Hurt you….” Her horn flashed again but failed to hit. She was getting tired and her accuracy had dropped considerably.

“Please, stop! I don’t want you to hurt yourself for me! I know you still have enough magic to teleport yourself away! Just….” Her tears stained the shaded grass as they poured from upon her face. “Please…. I don’t want to… see you die…. I don’t have… the strength… to save you….” Her shuddering sobs broke her sentence as she tried to move from underneath the alicorn in order to help her escape, but Nightmare Moon stood her ground.

“No.” Another bolt arched through the air, the smell of burning ozone filling their nostrils. “You did the same thing for me and I could not understand why.” A flash of light followed by a screech of pain signified another griffon’s death. “Now I will return the favor…,” she looked at the unicorn below her body, trapped underneath in her protective embrace and kissed her forehead, “and your love.”

“Awww, how touching! The Queen and her whore, falling in love while on the verge of death. How cliché.” He squawked with laughter and shook his head. “I’d say I was impressed, but you only managed to kill six of my thirty-seven soldiers. That hardly counts as an impressive feat. Any last words before I finish you and your unicorn sex toy?”

Nightmare Moon affixed her gaze upon the griffon, but he didn’t so much as flinch. “If you touch her I will tear your body to pieces like the last griffon that did.”

He laughed again and drew a long silver blade from his back and held it in his talons. “I don’t think I’ll have to worry about that, bitch.” He raised his claymore high above his head and, just as he was to bring it down upon the alicorn’s head, a slight rumble shook the ground. He dropped his sword and glanced around. “Is this another one of your tricks? You think to scare me with an earthquake? Hah!”

Nightmare Moon’s eyes widened in shock as a great lumbering form came crashing through the tree to her left. The massive body plowed into four of the griffons and lifted them from the ground in its two huge arms. They screeched and squawked as the giant hugged them to its chest until, after several horrifying pops and great bursts of blood, the four griffons were crushed in half, their two halves dropping to the ground with sick squelches. The form stood to its full twelve-foot height and looked at the group around it. Its massive bull head was attached to the torso of a hairless gorilla which rested atop a pair of bovine legs.

They all stared wide-eyed at the creature until Twilight looked up into its eyes and saw only gentleness. “It’s… a minotaur!”

“My brethren!” The minotaur bellowed, his deep voice echoed through the forest. “I have found the griffon scourge and our fair alicorn Goddess!”

More shaking could be heard from all around them as the minotaur’s comrades followed the sound of his voice. The griffons all looked to their black and gray leader who promptly turned tail and fled into the sky, fleeing in terror. The rest of the pride attempted to follow suit, but the clambering forms of dozens of other minotaur began grabbing them or crushing them with massive steel hammers as they took flight. Only eight of the thirty-three were able to escape with their lives.

The first minotaur stepped up to Nightmare Moon, who kept her protective stance over Twilight, and bowed as gracefully as his large form could. “Greetings, Pony Queen. I am Jahurl, Lord of Valtaura. I wish to extend the aid of my people to your war against Griffonia.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author’s Notes: Awww now isn’t that cute? BUT IT’S- Oh no, wait. That is right. Proceed then. Well, here it is! Chapter 26 in all its glory! Hope you don’t mind but shipping starts in… NOW! Yup! It’s official! Shipping is a go! Hope you enjoyed the read cause I REALLY enjoyed writing it. Ally not what you were expecting? What a :twistnerd: ! Anyhooves, Peppy out!

Editor's Note #1: Dr.Jekyll here and I officially love you, Peppy (no homo). BEST. CHAPTER. YET. So much D'aww to be had between Cherry/Cloudy/Moon Beam and Twilight/Nightmare Moon that I had fifty-eight consecutive heart attacks while reading this. I can't express how much I'm lovin' this right now. And *fake gasp*, Minotaurs, didn't see that one comin' *shifty eyes*. Well..., I think I've said all I can, so I'll be seeing all of you in the next chapter. Tah-tah.

Editor’s Note #2: Sukasa here, a little slow on the keyboard today but here nonetheless. Quite the chapter, and now we get the best stuff, political intrigue! Haha, just kidding. I hate politicians. Shipping is fun, let’s look forward to that instead~

Chapter 27.1 - A Night of Relaxation (Clop-lite Version)

Chapter 27 – A Night of Relaxation

Nightober Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Eleven Post Meridian
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Nightmare Moon eyed the massive minotaur bowing before her, her cold gaze never faltering as he came out of the bow. “You are offering your services to assist in my war?” Her voice quivered with exhaustion, the past few days having taken a major toll on her body. “You may have saved my partner and I from the griffons with your actions, but what is to keep you from simply killing us when we are unprepared?”

“My Queen, I don’t think they’d do that.” Twilight carefully extracted herself from below the alicorn and nuzzled her neck. “If they wanted to kill us they could have done so after the griffons fled.” She turned back to the minotaur lord and bowed. “I am Twilight Sparkle, consort of Her Majesty. I’m sure I speak for both of us when I ask why you’ve helped us.”

Jahurl smiled, his large molars gleaming in the moonlight. “Ahhh, yes. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Sparkle. I can tell you how we found you, but I think we should postpone our talk of the war until you have rested in Valtaura.” His deep voice boomed through the night, echoing off the trees. “We were on our way to your country, you see, and noticed the griffons attacking your carriage from afar. We guessed that, from the pegasi pulling the carriage; it would belong to the ponies of Equestria. We arrived to assist you as quickly as we could. It was much to our surprise to find the Queen herself fighting.” His words, albeit loud, were calm and well-articulated, a sign that he had spent many years perfecting his speech.

“How did you know who I am? I understand that the only creatures to truly know of my presence were my subjects, the dragons, and the griffons.” Twilight felt the alicorn relax slightly, but could tell she was prepared for battle if it became a necessity.

“Pony Queen. We minotaur have many fables of your defeat and inevitable return. When the night fell and banished the sun we knew that it was you who had returned.” He nodded his head while looking to the other minotaur in magically cleared space. “While we do not hold any special reverence towards you we certainly respect your duty as Queen of the Moon.” He looked off into the distance before fixing his gaze on the two ponies. “It is getting late and I’m sure you wish to rest. Come with me to Valtaura where we shall provide to you a place to rest and eat. My soldiers will tend to your fallen.”

“Very well. I shall accept your invitation of hospitality seeing as how I am currently… incapable of returning to my castle. Twilight, stay close to me.” The unicorn nodded and moved to the alicorn’s side, keeping as close as she could without disturbing the wings hanging uselessly from her back.

Nightmare Moon watched the minotaur turn to leave as his fellows left to find the bodies of her pegasus team before lifting a fore leg to walk. She gasped in shock as her legs lost their strength and buckled under her weight. “Nightmare! Are you okay!?” Twilight was checking to see if she had sustained any new injuries as the queen grunted in annoyance.

“I am much weaker than I thought. I’ve used too much magic recently with little time to recuperate.” She sighed and shakily got to her hooves after much struggle. “I’ll be fine. Let us be-.”

She was cut short as her body was lifted from the ground. Below her, Twilight smiled as she carefully positioned the alicorn on her back. “I’ll carry you, My Queen. You’ve done so much for me recently that it would be the least I could do in return.” Nightmare Moon scowled slightly, but not at Twilight so much as her own current weakness. Twilight looked to the minotaur lord who had stopped to allow them to get prepared. “I’ll follow behind you, Lord Jahurl.”

Jahurl waited for them to close the distance he had created before continuing. “Will you be able to carry her for the entire trip, young unicorn? It shall be a few hours at this pace before we reach my city.”

Nightmare Moon opened her mouth to protest Twilight’s insistence to carry her, but Twilight spoke up and cut her words short. “I’m certain I will be exhausted by the time we get there, but it will be worth it. I’m sure I’ll be able to manage.” She smiled back at the alicorn as they followed behind the lumbering form of the minotaur.

“If you wish it, young unicorn. Should it be necessary, I will carry you both to our destination.” He chuckled lightly, a deep laugh that bounced through the forest around them. “I certainly have the strength to carry two small ponies such as you. If you are prepared then let us continue. It would be best to arrive earlier rather than later.” He returned to his previous pace, but still remained slow enough to accommodate for the unicorn’s weighted speed.

Twilight was pleasantly surprised by how little the Moon Queen weighed. Judging by her size, I’d have expected Nightmare to weigh considerably more than she does. I guess I’ve never really paid enough attention to her weight before. “Nightmare?”

“I may have reciprocated your feelings, but I am still your Queen. You must continue to use my title outside the privacy of our chambers.” Her voice was stern yet held not the cold, callous undertone Twilight was used to.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I will be sure to watch what I say.” She smiled and moved slightly faster, energized by the Queen’s kindness. It’s nice not to be yelled at when I make a mistake. “I want to thank you for protecting me. I’m sure that the griffons would have done unspeakable things to me…. You know, Moon Beam will probably be quite excited when we get back. I can just see her calling me ‘Mommy Twilight’.”

“Yes. Until you, I was the only pony she had ever known.” Nightmare Moon shifted on Twilight’s back and brought her forelegs around the unicorn’s neck for added support.

Twilight sighed in contentment, but perked her ears as she realized what Nightmare had said. “The only other pony she’s known? Didn’t she used to live in the castle with you before you sealed her in the tomb?”

“She did, but for a very short time. She was never allowed free roam of the castle back then for fear of what Celestia might do when she found her.” The alicorn scowled at the mention of her sister.

“I…. I remember Moonie saying something about when she met you.” The unicorn turned her head to face Nightmare Moon. “She said she was hit by a powerful wave of magic and then saw you flying up towards her. I also remember you calling a doll in your room Moon Beam from the visions of your past. What…. What is she, exactly?”

“It’s a difficult story. Not one I am fond of telling.” She looked into Twilight’s pleading eyes, the purple irises glinting whenever moonlight snuck through the branches of the trees to reflect off them, and closed her own. “Very well, I will tell you.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Tauril Eleventh of the Seven-Hundred and Ninety-Fourth Post Discordian Year
Twelve Thirty-Seven Post Meridian
|

Luna stared down her sister; the white alicorn, with her pink mane billowing in the wind, looked back with a resigned sadness. “Luna, could you please stop all of this nonsense? You cannot keep delaying the sun like this. The ponies are becoming worried that something is going on.”

“Oh, but can you not tell, Sister? Something is going on. I am tired of you and your sun stealing the attention of our subjects!” Her voice dripped with malice, her eyes glowing turquoise in the night. “I have spent too much time being spurned and forgotten as your day captivates and enthralls the peons of our nation! I will no longer assist in lowering the moon for you, Sister. From now on, I will put my efforts into lengthening the night to show our subjects whose creation is most beautiful.”

“Luna….”

“NO!” Her horn flared and a wave of magic pulsed around her. “You will not dissuade me. My decision has been made and you will do nothing to stop me!” Luna turned, and began walking away to signify the end of the discussion, but Celestia followed after her.

“You know that I cannot allow you to do this, don’t you?” Luna ignored her and kept up her pace. “Please, Luna! I don’t want to have to fight you to change your mind!”

The moon goddess spun about and glared at her sister’s face. “You cannot fight me because you do not have the ability with magic that I possess!” Her horn flared to life and a powerful gale began to form in the area around them, the trees and dirt road being torn apart by its force. Celestia erected the strongest barrier she could against the onslaught and cast a pleading glance at the lunar alicorn.

“Luna…. Please stop….”

“I WILL NOT BEND TO YOU!” Her voice echoed in the next as the maelstrom gained more strength, the radius of her spell growing as she pumped more magic into it. Celestia cried out as her shield was shattered sending her flying through the air to land on the ground with a dull thud. A high pitched scream pierced the air and Luna’s spell dropped immediately. The scream hadn’t come from her sister, but from somewhere behind her.

Luna looked to the unconscious form of Celestia before taking off down the destroyed dirt road in the direction of the anguished cry. Shouts rose in the air as several ponies began to converge on an area just ahead of her. An area dominated by an uprooted tree smashed into the ground. Blood pooled on the ground where the wind-stripped tree had landed, its bare branches reveal a scene of horror beneath their cover.

A mare and a foal lay crushed under its mass, their bodies twisted unnaturally by the force of the collision. Luna stared in horror at the scene before tearing her eyes away and flying into the night air. I did this…. I let my anger free and killed a filly and her mother…. Tears fell from her eyes. I never meant for this to happen! I just wanted everyone to appreciate my night!

But isn’t this exactly what you wished for? Luna blinked in confusion at the second voice playing in her mind. You wanted them to pay for not loving you. What better way to make them pay than by killing them? They do not deserve your mercy.

Do I…? Do I really want that? She shook her head and fought her darker urges. No! She was just a filly! She didn’t deserve to die!

Oh, but she’s not beyond saving…. Not yet. The lunar alicorn froze in midair, her thoughts coming together. You could use that spell. Make her yours forever and spare her the fate you inflicted upon her. You would be doing her a favor and be making your claim to the monarchy that much more firm.

Luna smiled devilishly. That’s right. She would make a perfect addition to my army. I’ve always wanted a foal and now I’ll be able to have a foal and a servant without having to desecrate myself with the filth of a male. She lit her horn and disappeared into darkness only to reappear in her room moments later. She stepped over to her bed and levitated the navy doll from its resting place. “Well, Moon Beam, it seems that you’ll finally be able to be with me forever. I’ll finally be able to hear you talk back.”

She disappeared once more before reappearing in the middle of the crowd surrounding the tree. Several unicorns were attempting to lift the thing with their magic, but it was buried too deep into the ground. Luna strolled past them and ignited her horn. The massive tree tore itself from the ground along with some of the gore from the mangled unicorns beneath it. The ponies gathered about watched as she effortlessly tossed the trunk into the distance and lifted the body of the foal into the air.

“You will speak not of this to anypony that asks.” She voice was cold and sinister, the edges of her tone hinted at the changes beginning in her. “Should I catch word of this event travelling around, I will personally deal with each of you.” The crowd all nodded weakly and murmured their compliance as Luna winked out of existence before them. She soon arrived at a large clearing far from her castle, encircled by large marble pillars.

She carefully lay the dead child down on an altar in the center. The filly’s blood pooled around her until it found its way into several etched grooves in the altar’s surface. Luna’s horn began to glow a faint red as the levitation spell holding the doll in the air mixed with something much darker and more powerful. The blood quickly spread through the white marble etchings on the altar and began to trickle off where the carvings met the edge. The blood, moved by Luna’s magic, quickly filled the small circle around the altar and, in a burst of blood red light; the whole area began to hum with power.

Luna slowly lowered the unicorn doll towards the foal’s corpse. Her horn took on a darker hue as she poured more magic into the spell. The doll jerked in spasms as it came in contact with the body until it, too, began to hum with its own energy. The doll twisted and contorted as it started to take on a more pony shape, its body becoming fuller as the fabric became tissue. The corpse slowly began to be absorbed into the doll-now-pony, the blood seeping back up the altar’s sides to become one with its new host. A faint shimmer shone through the minute space between the two bodies and, as soon as that shimmer vanished, so too did the remainder of the corpse.

The doll hung lifelessly above the altar, its new shape a navy unicorn filly with a wispy, smoke-like mane and tail. With a final urge of her magic, Luna focused and, between her and the foal, a similar shimmering coalesced. The ethereal blue wisp quickly snapped itself from Luna’s body and disappeared into the unicorn. The filly gasped as her eyes shot open, life once unheard of now coursing through the ex-doll’s body. She was carefully set upon the altar to gaze up at the alicorn.

“Welcome to my side, Moon Beam. We will be together forever.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Thirty Post Meridian
|

“Wow.” Twilight was awestruck. She had never assumed that Nightmare Moon was capable of such powerful magic. “Is Moonie truly just a doll? I cannot seem to fathom that being so. I’d assume that a homunculus or golem would be much more… lifeless. She’s so full of energy and has a wonderful personality.”

Nightmare Moon looked to the sky. They had been walking for almost an hour as she recanted the tale. Twilight continued to carry her without complaint, but she could tell that the unicorn was struggling now due to the slight shaking whenever a hoof was lifted from the ground. “She is…, but then she isn’t. Moon Beam is essentially a doll, but she has parts of my and the filly’s soul inside of her. She is flesh and blood now, all of it taken from the dead filly to give her life.”

“Part of your soul? How is that possible? I never knew that you could separate your soul or even give it to something else!” She looked forward to make sure she wouldn’t run into any trees. “Why would you even need to give her your soul if you could take the filly’s? What about when you cast that spell on me!?”

“Normally you would not be capable of performing that spell even with the altar to guide you. I, however, am the Goddess of the Moon. My domain is darkness and that is where I gather much of my power. I am more than capable of commanding the arcane magic.” She shifted again. “As to the question about the soul…. The filly’s soul had already begun to move on when I started the ritual so the piece that I drew into Moon Beam was but a fragment. You cannot animate a doll without an entire soul so, having no other available sources, I gave a piece of my own. It was not much of a loss for me as I am immortal save for unnatural death. I can stand to lose a portion of my soul and still come out unscathed. The ritual with you was quite different, however. You had not tried to move on when I started so I merely had to augment your soul with my own. I never expected it to link them permanently, however. I was also not giving life to an inanimate object as the spell is supposed to do. With you, I guided your soul back into your body and reanimated the flesh with it. It is… much more tiring than the other form and requires a greater ability.”

Twilight was speechless. She hadn’t known just how difficult a spell like that was and that Nightmare Moon had used it to save her was heartwarming. She looked to the sky and smiled brightly at the moon above, her heart fluttering in excitement. The proximity to Nightmare Moon was exciting and to have it mixed with her own feelings made her as happy as she could be despite the aching in her legs and chest. “You are tired, Twilight. I can feel it. You are still recovering from the venom and have been carrying me for over an hour. I will be able to walk on my own.”

Twilight shook her head and kept her pace steady. “I’ll be fine. You have overexerted yourself and broken your wings. You are in much worse shape than I right now.”

“We are about to leave the edge of the forest, ponies. We will be travelling over desert for the rest of the trip, but the oasis where my people live is not far from here. We only have about an hour’s journey remaining.” Jahurl had paused mid-stride to speak with them. “If you wish for me to ferry you at any time, feel free to ask.”

“We’ll be fine, Lord Jahurl. We are nearing the Night Cycle of the moon, I believe, so it should be cooling down soon. I will be able to make it.” The minotaur nodded and moved ahead of them as Twilight once more followed behind. In the distance, the sound of heavy hoofsteps could be heard signifying the approach of Jahurl’s small platoon.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Ten Fifty-Seven Post Meridian
|

Twilight collapsed in the sand as they passed the first building marking the beginning of Valtaura. The hot sand burned her skin as she lay there, but she couldn’t will herself to move any further. She had quickly been losing her stamina from the moment they set foot in the desert due to the high difficulty of travelling over such unsteady ground. She had read about adventurers trudging through vast deserts in search of hidden treasures, but none of those stories or historical facts could have prepared her for the arduous task first hoof. She was sweating profusely, a fact that Nightmare Moon was begrudgingly aware of, and gasping for air.

The alicorn had asked her to stop and allow her to walk on her own, but she had refused every time. Now that the unicorn was incapable of movement, however, the black alicorn raised herself upon her hooves and sighed. “Did I not tell you to allow me to walk on my own?”

“I’m… sorry…, My Queen….” She tried to lift herself from the ground, but to no avail. Her legs just didn’t want to co-operate. To make matters worse, the sand was burning her scar with a fiery fervor. “Please…. The sand…. It is burning… my chest….”

Jahurl laughed and carefully hefted the unicorn onto his shoulder. “I admire your determination, young pony. Not many would do what you have for anything. Now come, I will lead you to where you’ll be staying until we can return you to Equestria.”

Nightmare Moon followed behind him, her movements only lightly hindered by the sand under her hooves, as Twilight rode upon his massive shoulder. The unicorn looked around her in awe. She hadn’t noticed how well built the city was due to her exhaustion, but, now that she no longer had to move herself, she could appreciate its design. All of the buildings were made of a cool gray stone and had large entrances for the stature of their inhabitants. The city spread out in all directions and seemed to go on forever. They passed through several streets, the ground now lined with stone as well in order to allow for easier movement, and saw several different stores all selling various metal wares. There were places dedicated to fine jewelry made of gold and silver, many places with finely crafted household utensils and decorations on display in their windows, and even a shop with elegant clothes for the fashion-minded minotaur, but the most common type of building that could be seen were the smithies. There were dozens of them all over the city that they saw on their short trip through and Twilight assumed that there were even more that they hadn’t passed. It seemed as if the entire civilization relied on metalworking for their income.

The buildings were not the only thing of interest in Valtaura, however. The citizens themselves were quite fascinating to the young unicorn. “Your people are quite interesting, Lord Jahurl. I wouldn’t have expected everyone to not wear clothing. It’s quite… free.”

He chuckled at her remark. “You ponies are not much different, young one. I have seen how liberal you are. You almost never wear clothes yourself if I am not mistaken.” The realization hit Twilight and she blushed in embarrassment only to invoke yet another hearty chuckle from the minotaur lord. “Clothes are, like your society, a self-indulging pleasure here. We only wear them when we wish to look nice.”

“I guess you are right. I never thought about it.” She looked about and then down at Nightmare Moon who simply watched her surroundings cautiously. “Your females are quite different from your males. I would have expected them to have similar heads. Why are their faces so flat and hairless? I can see small horns, but, other than their legs, I’d have never been able to tell they were minotaur.”

“Ahhh, that is something not even we are entirely sure of. It has been as such since before I was born and shall continue to be after I have long since passed on.” He rubbed his chin in thought, and grinned. “We have many folk tales about where the change originated from. The most popular, however, is that our ancestors were experimented on by extra-terrestrials and they thought it interesting to change our females. It is quite an elaborate tale, but just a story nonetheless.”

The crowds lining the streets all began to take notice of the pair of ponies and their lord. Some bowed slightly in reverence to Jahurl while others only gawked at the newcomers. “Your subjects must not see a lot of ponies. It is quite obvious that they are not used to our presence.”

“Yes. The only one that have ever seen the ponies of Equestria are those in my personal guard that have gone with me to pay our respect to the Sun Princess. We do not typically receive very many outsiders here considering the terrain of our land. Our brethren in the Grandimino Peaks are much more diverse than we Valtaurans.”

He turned left onto a wide length of street and they were assaulted by the bustle of the market. There were many stands and shops spread about this cross-like intersection and the outlying streets. They were filled with many types of objects ranging from food to ornate rugs made from cotton to glass stained in multitudes of colors. Twilight stared in wonder at the boisterous marketplace and all of the minotaur moving about as they shopped and chatted with each other. Jahurl moved swiftly through the crowd as they all parted to make way for him and his guests. They rounded another corner and continued down the street until they reached a wide clearing surrounding an enormous lake of water. All around the lake were large buildings, much larger than any they had passed before, of multiple stories and obvious importance.

“This is the center of my fair city, the spot where Valtaura was found and it is from here that we continue to prosper. This is the Valtauran Oasis.” He waved his hand in front of him, motioning to the lake and grassed ground surrounding it. “That building over there,” he pointed to the largest construct in the area directly across the lake from where they were currently standing, “is where you will be staying. It is our foreign dignitaries’ quarters and was made specifically for anyone that came on business for their country. I’m ever so certain that you will find it to your liking. I reside in the Lord’s Hall, my personal abode, just to the north of here. You’ll notice it by the large red insignia on the front of the doors. I will make sure you are situated at the dignitaries’ quarters, but then I must attend to my duties. Do not worry, though. You will be taken care of with services fitting your station, Queen Moon.”

“Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Jahurl.” Twilight smiled from her temporary perch and glanced down at Nightmare who simply nodded in agreement.

“It is my pleasure to assist you. We will be fighting together in this war so it is better to fight with friends rather than neutral countries with a mutual enemy.”

They moved quickly around the lake’s edge, Nightmare Moon, Jahurl, and his entourage taking large strides over the soft grass surrounding them. It took little time for the group to arrive at the dignitaries’ building and they soon found themselves inside in the cool air of the building’s lobby. Jahurl carefully set Twilight on the ground and only removed his hands when he was sure that she could hold herself up. The lobby was quite amazing by the standards that the rest of the city had set. It was circular and domed as compared to the boxy buildings they had passed on their way here and was decorated with many paintings of past foreign diplomats. There were portraits of ponies, griffons, zebras, and, most surprisingly, a young dragon hanging on the walls. The floor was covered in a soft, blue carpet with intricate designs and abstract shapes covering its expanse. There were several forms of furniture ranging from couches to simple stools and even a few pillows set around on the floor. The white roof was decorated with small murals depicting gatherings of the many species as they determined what would be the fate of their countries. This is rather nice. I wouldn’t have thought such artistic beauty and design could come from such large creatures. I have certainly underestimated the minotaur.

A pair of minotaurs, one male and one female, came into view as they exited a room towards the back of the lobby. They caught sight of their Lord and quickly bowed to his presence. “Welcome, Lord Jahurl. It is a pleasure to see you here.” The female was the first to come out of her bow. “Who are our guests, My Lord?”

“Tyra, this is Queen Nightmare Moon of Equestria and her consort, Lady Twilight Sparkle. They are going to be our guests for a short period of time until I lead our forces in their aid against the griffons.” The two gasped in near-perfect unison and bowed to the two ponies. “Tyra, Tyro, I would like for you to attend to their every need for their stay here and to guide them through the city if they wish it. I must attend to my duties for the night and will be incapable of doing so myself so I leave it in your hands.” The minotaur lord turned on the spot and left the ponies to the young minotaur in front of them.

“As you wish, My Lord.” The male, Tyro, stepped forward and dropped to one knee, his pale beige head lowered in respect. “I am Tyro and this is my sister Tyra. It is our pleasure to assist you in any way possible. Perhaps you would want to be lead to your room first?”

“That would be most desirable, Tyro. My companion and I require rest after the ordeals of this night.” Twilight nodded weakly and closed the small distance between herself and Nightmare Moon.

The minotaur siblings nodded and motioned behind them. “If you would follow us, Queen Moon, we will guide you to your rooms.”

“We require only a single bed. One room shall be enough for us.” Twilight couldn’t help but to giggle at the looks Tyra gave them.

“Of course, Your Majesty. We will make sure that you have our best room available to you which shouldn’t be too hard considering we don’t have any other guests.” Tyro rolled his eyes at his sister. “You act like you’ve never seen a foreign ruler and their partner before.”

“Well, I’m sorry if I can’t help but to be surprised by such things. Most of our guests still accept the separate rooms and go about their business privately.” She glanced back at the pair of ponies nervously. “I just hope they aren’t too loud.”

The group passed through an archway next to the door the minotaur siblings had arrived from. Beyond was a long hallway lined with doors on either side. The carpet extended to the end of the corridor and was occasionally dotted by small stands with glowing candles to light the path. Twilight noted that, while the hall was rather long, its ceiling was, by comparison, much larger. The current lighting failed to illuminate the very top, but all along the walls hung tapestries and flags of the various countries. Equestria’s flag of the dual alicorns sat between the Griffonian and Draken flags just opposite of the door their guides had stopped before.

“This is our finest room that we set aside for the royalty that occasionally visit. It is quite the masterpiece with its own lavatory and a large array of reading material. All of the furniture is crafted with the finest materials from the silk sheets to the mahogany seats all hand crafted by our own skilled artisans.” Tyra continued to list off the many wonderful items stuffed into the most spacious chamber, but Nightmare Moon ignored her ramblings.

The alicorn pushed open the door and strolled inside, cutting off the words of the minotaur. “While I appreciate the effort of explaining every minute detail of our room, I wish only to rest.” Twilight moved in behind her, and smiled apologetically at the pair. “Should I have need of your services I will call for you.” She closed the door behind her leaving the siblings to stand in shock at her abrupt dismissal.

Twilight smiled and pressed her body against Nightmare’s. “We can finally relax after that exhausting trip, can’t we?” She sighed in contentment until she felt a surge of something pulsing through her body. She couldn’t exactly describe it, but it felt familiar somehow. She looked up to see the alicorn grimacing as she brushed up against Nightmare’s wing. “They still hurt don’t they?”

“It is uncomfortable, but I believe I have rested enough from the journey on your back to be able to fix the bones.” As if on cue, her horn flared to life and enveloped the appendages in a black glow that was hardly visible around their already black coloring. Twilight saw the slightly misshapen wings right themselves, but continue to hang weakly at her side. “They will be sore for a while, but my natural healing will take care of the rest.”

Twilight took in a deep breath through her nose and cringed at the smell of sweat exuding from her body. “I think we should wash ourselves before we sleep. I’d hate to soak our bed in our sweat.”

Nightmare Moon gazed down towards the weary unicorn and nodded. “Yes, that would be desirable. It may also help us to relax as well.” She searched the room and found the entrance to the bathroom, a large arched opening in the stone wall that led to a white-tiled, expansive washroom. A series of tubs filled the area, all of them large enough for five minotaurs of Jahurl’s size, and were filled with water of various temperatures.

“I’ve read about these kinds of lavatories. Each tub is supposed to serve a different purpose. One for washing, rinsing, soaking, and cooling.” Twilight pointed to each tub in order and smiled proudly at her knowledge of such workings. “It’s a system made to prevent the user from simply bathing in their own dirt. We should start with the first tub so we can clean ourselves.”

Nightmare Moon stepped towards the wash pool and, after removing her various pieces of decorative armor, tested the waters with a hoof. It was pleasantly warm. Not too hot to prevent immediate entrance and not cold enough to require a quick cleansing, but just that perfect temperature to allow for a soothing bath. She lowered herself into the water and felt the sweat and dirt from her travel begin to slowly lift from her coat. Twilight soon joined her, wincing slightly as the heat agitated her scar, but quickly relaxing as she, too, grew accustomed to the temperature. They sat together in silence, soaking in the water, until Twilight noticed the various soaps lining one side of the basin.

She swiftly moved through the water, making sure to keep to the shallower parts of the tub, and cradled a rose-scented bar in her grasp. Twilight moved up next to Nightmare Moon and positioned herself behind her, sliding down to fit the alicorn almost perfectly between her legs. “Allow me to wash you, Nightmare.” Twilight spoke softly, her voice carrying a hint of eagerness to the Queen’s ears. Nightmare Moon looked back at the unicorn and nodded her approval. “Thank you.”

Twilight dipped the soap into the water and, using both of her hooves, worked up lather on the bar. She touched the soap to Nightmare Moon’s back and slowly drew it across the length of her back leaving a trail of white, soapy suds in its wake. Her hooves worked over the alicorn’s back as she gently covered the short black coat. The coverage complete, Twilight began to rub her hooves in circular motions across Nightmare’s body, the soft massaging movements eliciting a sigh of approval from her love’s lips. Twilight smiled. She could feel the calm that Nightmare Moon was experiencing albeit weakly as her shoulders relaxed and muscles lost their tension. She recognized a similar sensation only moments ago and realized that she could partially sense the mare’s feelings and emotions. It was very weak, but definitely noticeable from the previous absence of the ability before.

This means that I can know what makes her happiest. She resumed the workings of her hooves and slowly brought them back up to the base of the alicorn’s wings. They gingerly rubbed the muscles where back and wing connected invoking yet another content sigh to escape Nightmare Moon. Seeing that she didn’t move to protest, Twilight carefully extended her reach up to the scapular feathers just above her shoulder of her right wing. The alicorn tensed slightly, but, after some gentle massaging, relaxed once more under the euphoric ministrations of the byzantium unicorn. Twilight worked her way up the wing, softly caressing the feathered appendage with careful motions until both of the wings extended to full length. Twilight giggled slightly as she felt hints of Nightmare’s pleasure. Her wings must be very sensitive.

She soon moved on to the second wing, coating it in suds to match its twin, each stroke making the black mare twinge in delight. Twilight lingered for a few moments longer before continuing with her sensual ministrations, drawing her hooves down Nightmare’s back once more before urging the alicorn to raise her backside from the water. She carefully set to work on lathering her love’s flanks and cutie marks, remembering with great detail the last time her hooves had touched the crescent moons. This time, however, she received only a moan of delight from the Queen and once more lingered to caress one of the mare’s most sensitive areas. Nightmare’s soft breaths grew heavier as Twilight worked her hooves away from her flanks and around the front of the mare’s body to begin cleansing her chest and stomach. She pressed herself against the alicorn’s back and rested her head against Nightmare’s neck, breathing in the mare’s rosy scent.

Twilight grinned at another aroma beginning to mingle with the fragrance of the soap. She could smell the Queen’s arousal far before she would ever feel it from their link. The musky scent tickled her nostrils and only caused her to double her efforts. Her hooves kneaded Nightmare’s body as she slowly drew her own along the alicorn’s back. Her stomach was tickled by the soft hairs stroking it, but instead of giggling, she merely sighed in bliss.

Nightmare lowered herself further into the water, much to Twilight’s dismay, and allowed the suds from their bodies to float just on the surface of the bath around them. She turned around and pressed upon the unicorn’s chest, making sure to avoid the scar, until she was leaning back upon the curved surface of the basin. “I believe it is your turn to be washed, Twilight. We should not tarry too long else we will have to postpone our... strategic meeting.”

Twilight opened her mouth to express the confusion written across her features, but was cut short as Nightmare occupied the mare’s lips with her own. Twilight opened her eyes wide in shock, not expecting to have her beloved Queen initiate their first kiss as lovers, but quickly melted under the alicorn’s action, her eyes slowly drifting closed. Nightmare Moon levitated the soap over to them once more as she broke away from the kiss in order to breathe. They both drew in air, their eyes locking in euphoric bliss, before their lips came together once more. This time, their tongues came into play as they massaged the hot muscles together, their saliva mingling in each other’s mouths as they moaned in pleasure. Nightmare worked over Twilight’s body with the soap, making sure that she covered the unicorn in suds as they repeatedly broke their kisses in order to take in air before beginning anew.

After an eternity in each other’s embrace, Twilight had been thoroughly cleansed of dirt and they broke away from each other only so they could climb out of the soapy, murky water. Their eyes met. They both knew that neither wished to dry off for any time spent removing water from their fur and manes would mean less time in each other’s embrace. Their gazes were filled with lust, their eyes flickering in the dim candlelight as they slowly closed the distance between each other. Their mouths locked together once more in order to reinvigorate their craving for more. Both of them could hardly hold back as they pulled away. It was time to come together.

Chapter 27.2 - A Night of Relaxation

Chapter 27 – A Night of Relaxation

Nightober Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Eleven Post Meridian
|

“Yes. Until you, I was the only pony she had ever known.” Nightmare Moon shifted on Twilight’s back and brought her fore legs around the unicorn’s neck for added support.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Tauril Eleventh of the Seven-Hundred and Ninety-Fourth Post Discordian Year
Twelve Thirty-Seven Post Meridian
|

“Luna….”

“You know that I cannot allow you to do this, don’t you?” Luna ignored her and kept up her pace. “Please, Luna! I don’t want to have to fight you to change your mind!”

“Luna…. Please stop….”

Do I…? Do I really want that? She shook her head and fought her darker urges. No! She was just a filly! She didn’t deserve to die!

“Welcome to my side, Moon Beam. We will be together forever.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Thirty Post Meridian
|

Twilight shook her head and kept her pace steady. “I’ll be fine. You have overexerted yourself and broken your wings. You are in much worse shape than I right now.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Ten Fifty-Seven Post Meridian
|

“Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Jahurl.” Twilight smiled from her temporary perch and glanced down at Nightmare who simply nodded in agreement.

“It is my pleasure to assist you. We will be fighting together in this war so it is better to fight with friends rather than neutral countries with a mutual enemy.”

“That would be most desirable, Tyro. My companion and I require rest after the ordeals of this night.” Twilight nodded weakly and closed the small distance between herself and Nightmare Moon.

The minotaur siblings nodded and motioned behind them. “If you would follow us, Queen Moon, we will guide you to your rooms.”

“We require only a single bed. One room shall be enough for us.” Twilight couldn’t help but to giggle at the looks Tyra gave them.

They moved together under the arch that led to their room, their bodies dripping with water to soak the floor as they walked. They pressed their flanks against each other, the constant rubbing of their bodies serving as a method to sustain their arousal. They knew it was unnecessary, but the desire to touch, to feel each other’s subtle movements was too great to ignore. Their bed couldn’t be any further away from them as it was situated in the back of the room, but they quickly arrived beside its posh form and stopped. Their muzzles connected as the resumed their sensual kisses. Their forehooves caressed the other’s neck and mane while their tongues danced wildly in their passionate embrace.

Twilight moaned as Nightmare gently bit down on her tongue, the slight pain turned into immense pleasure as the alicorn simultaneously massaged it with her own. The unicorn could no longer hold back. As gently as she could, Twilight moved Nightmare Moon closer to the bed, their lips not once parting as they breathed through their nostrils, until the alicorn was laid upon her back with Twilight straddling her waist. Twilight pulled out of the kiss, a light trail of saliva connecting the two ponies as they stared into each other’s eyes. “I love you so much.” With those words, Twilight moved further up her Queen’s body and traced her tongue along her fluted horn. Nightmare Moon moaned in ecstasy as the unicorn’s tongue caressed her horn. She could feel the warmth between her thighs growing as her sensitive appendage sent jolts of pleasure throughout her body.

Twilight smiled as she felt small traces of Nightmare Moon’s growing arousal causing her own marehood to burn with need. She ignored her urges as she wrapped her lips around the alicorn’s horn and slowly guided it into her mouth. Nightmare gasped as her horn began to warm from both her lover’s mouth and her own biological reaction. The unicorn bobbed her head up and down along the fluted shaft, the ridges massaging her tongue as it slid across them. She felt the warm glow of Nightmare’s horn as the stimulation increased as she began to pick up speed. Her head moved faster and faster as the alicorn’s moans and cries grew in volume until the horn ignited. The hot aura from her horn magnified tenfold as magical essence sparked from the tip of the horn and tingled Twilight’s tongue and throat. The sensation lasted only seconds, but both mares, Nightmare through direct stimulation and Twilight through soul connection, felt the effects for what seemed like hours.

Nightmare gasped as she wrested back control of her magic, and looked up at Twilight’s smiling face. She felt wet warmth on her chest where Twilight was sitting and smiled back. Her horn glowed dimly as her black aura surrounded the unicorn as she was lifted from her Queen’s body. Nightmare Moon carefully laid her upon her back and stood above, her face hovering inches away from Twilight’s face. She closed the distance and kissed the unicorn’s lips ever so gently eliciting a soft moan in response. She kissed her cheek then moved down to her neck, trailing her lips along the byzantium fur as she went, pecking her every few centimeters. She nipped softly at the mare’s neck where it met her shoulders making Twilight gasp as it sent raw electricity through her nerves.

Nightmare drew ever lower, planting soft kisses along the mare’s chest, sides, and stomach until she arrived at her small, swollen breasts just between her thighs. The alicorn traced her tongue around each breast coating the mare’s fur in her saliva. Twilight moaned in delight and clutched her forehooves to her chest to keep from grabbing Nightmare’s head. “O-oh Nightmare…. That’s….”

Her words died in her throat when her beloved flicked her tongue across one of her nipples before sucking it into her mouth. She couldn’t hold back the cry of pleasure that forced its way from her throat and filled the air with her husky voice. Nightmare, feeling the mare’s sensitivity skyrocket, grazed the tip of her nipple with her teeth before gently biting onto it and pulling. She made sure only to pull to where it would add the perfect mix of pain and pleasure, an action that she executed perfectly. Twilight’s body shivered in ecstasy as Nightmare Moon released the breast and moved on to the second, performing the same maneuvers and achieving very similar results.

The alicorn took a moment to look into Twilight’s eyes. The glistening irises burned with desire and plead for more. “Please…. Don’t stop….” Twilight was panting, her previous exhaustion forgotten in the throes of passion.

Nightmare Moon said nothing and drew her gaze to the glistening folds of Twilight’s marehood. Her juices leaked in excess as she was brought further and further into the heights of passion. The alicorn brought her nose closer and took a deep breath, becoming intoxicated by the powerful aroma radiating from the mare’s burning love. She opened her mouth and lightly drew her tongue across her folds taking some of the excess juice onto her taste buds. Twilight shivered at the teasing touch, but maintained her composure. She didn’t want to beg any more. Another snaking graze of her lover’s tongue and a soft moan came forth. A third brought Nightmare’s tongue between her labia to gently stroke inside. A fourth and the alicorn could no longer control herself.

She buried her face deep into Twilight’s throbbing love and lapped at the soaked walls. Twilight loosed a throaty moan and reached down to caress the alicorn’s ears with her hooves. Nightmare slid her tongue into the unicorn’s anxious hole and swirled it furiously, relishing the taste of her marehood. She pulled back and smiled before sliding it back into the hole. Twilight bucked her hips forward, urging the mare to try and go deeper, but she had reached her limit. She didn’t have a tongue long enough for what Twilight wanted, but she still had one thing. She drew her mouth up Twilight’s vagina and suckled softly on the mare’s bead causing her to cry into the air, her back arched as she was assaulted by electric pleasure all originating in that sensitive nub.

Twilight was on pins and needles. She had been so close to orgasm for a while now, but she had held back. There was one thing she wanted more than anything, but she was determined to make sure her Queen achieved climax first. “Nightmare…. Please turn around. I don’t want to be the only one to enjoy this.”

The lunar mare complied and brought her dripping love in front of Twilight’s face as she continued to suck on her clitoris. Twilight had smelled this scent before. Many times, in fact, but never before had it smelled as amazing as it did right then. Her love for the mare heightened her lust for the mare and her lust heightened her love in return. It was the perfect cycle to maximize her want to please her Queen. Twilight gently kissed Nightmare Moon’s folds, the sticky fluids creating a bridge of passion between her and the soaked love. Twilight licked her lips and followed her lover’s motions. She sucked on the firm nub before sliding her tongue across the sleek labia and stopping just as she drew across Nightmare’s anus.

Nightmare drew back in surprise, but didn’t protest, her need for more overpowering her misgivings she had previously held. Twilight pulled Nightmare’s backside closer to her face and swirled her tongue around the clenched hole just below the alicorn’s tail, gently coaxing her to loosen her muscles. Nightmare Moon slowly relaxed as the strange sensation began to give way to something so much better than she could have imagined. Twilight continued to assault the alicorn’s backside, her tongue teasing the entrance over and over until she whimpered in need. The unicorn complied and shoved her tongue deep into Nightmare’s anus, intent on giving her the same feeling of euphoria that Brook had given her that night seemingly ages in the past.

The Queen stopped her actions and lost herself in this unexpected source of pleasure. She had never known that anal play could feel so amazing until she felt Twilight dancing around inside of her, stimulating her with intense motions. Still, it was not enough. She wanted her horn. Nightmare Moon pulled herself off of Twilight’s face, the unicorn’s tongue sliding out of her anus as she bent over, backside in the air. “Twilight… Your horn, I want your horn.”

The unicorn repositioned herself behind the black mare and ran the length of her horn along her soaking folds, lubricating it with her juices. She smiled and carefully brought the tip to Nightmare’s love, before sliding it in. Her labia parted around the shaft as it sank further and further in her until Twilight’s forehead made contact with her backside. Her mane was quickly soaked as she moved her horn back and forth into the alicorn, but she paid no attention. Her mind was filling by the overwhelming sensation of her horn being stimulated and the growing tightness in her loins as the shared sensations between them grew and grew as they drew closer to climax.

Nightmare Moon grunted, and began to shake her hips in unison with Twilight’s thrusting horn. The matched movements increased the pleasure as they both began to pick up pace. The thrusts were growing more erratic and their breaths were coming in shorter, more passionate gasps as their moans filled the air. They screamed in unison as their link heightened each other’s orgasms. Simultaneously the mares went numb save for the throbbing pleasure burning in their loins as each wave of climax was transferred back and forth between them, the bond peaking in power as their emotions ran wild. They stayed in that position for near eternity until they slowly began to regain control of their bodies.

Twilight extracted her horn and crawled weakly up beside Nightmare just as she collapsed on her side and wrapped her hooves around the alicorn in a tight embrace. Tears of joy spilled upon the black mare’s neck as they held each other in the warm glow of post-climax. “I love you, Nightmare, My Beloved Queen….”

Nightmare Moon pulled the unicorn closer, any qualms about showing affection thrown out the window after their lovemaking. She kissed Twilight’s forehead and whispered softly into her ear, “I love you too, Twilight Sparkle.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author’s Notes: Here it is! The much awaited second clop chapter brought to you with 100% concentrated love! Talk about some serious sex. They were going at it forever! Do they ever TRY to achieve orgasm? Yes, I know that Twilight didn’t exactly get what she wanted (Nightmare Moon’s horn inside her), but she was able to cream herself and make her Queen cream which, for her, is just as good! She’ll have to put off losing her V-card (Brooksie totally doesn’t count) until the next clop chapter. That one, while still containing the love between the two, will certainly be more lusty than sensual. Oh well, enjoy, clop, read, don’t clop. Whatever. I must disappear for a bit as I sleep and work. Peppy out!

Editor’s Notes #1: At Peppy's request, I, Dr.Jekyll, present you with this link. I'd hate to sound like a broken record but... Best. Chapter. Yet. D'aww and all that good stuff. Oh... and longest chapter too.

Editor’s Notes #2: This section intentionally left blank.

Chapter 28 - Dreams and Duties

Chapter 28 - Dreams and Duties

Twilight’s eyes fluttered open, the air around her cold despite the warmth of the body pressed against her. The area was dark, not a single light could be seen to illuminate her surroundings. She could tell that, by the stiff plane below her, she was not in the room the Minotaur had provided them. It felt as if she was on a smooth table, but her memories of previous dreams told her that was not a likely answer. It’s so strange. I usually can’t move when dreaming.... She moved in closer to the body that ensnared her. Not recently, at least.

She concentrated on herself, closing her mind to any outside thoughts or possible influences, and felt for her magic. I may be incapable of magic outside of dreams, but perhaps that might not be the case here.... Her face scrunched as she focused, pouring her entire being into this effort, but even with such determination, nothing happened. Not even a spark. Twilight sighed and gasped as she heard the noise escape her lips. “Oh wow! That’s certainly surprising! I can’t perform magic, I can hear noises, and I can consciously move my body. Maybe this isn’t a dream at all.”

A soft noise beside her forced her out of her thoughts and back to her surroundings. Her voice had disturbed her companion’s sleep causing her to slowly return from slumber. The mare opened her eyes, the turquoise orbs illuminating a small area around them with their gentle glow. “Twilight. Where are we? I cannot see anything around us.”

Nightmare Moon’s voice, despite their current situation, was relatively calm, a trait that Twilight admired about the alicorn. “I’m not sure, Nightmare. It’s similar to when I dreamt of your past, but it has a few differences. The most obvious being that we are able to do what we want.” She looked about once more, hoping to find something that could give them a clue as to what was going on, but the absence of light prevented every attempt. “Nightmare? Could you try and light the area? I’d do it, but I can’t use my magic in here either.”

The lunar alicorn turned her head towards the unicorn’s voice. “I can try, but I do not think there is anything here. It isn’t often that I am without sight in the dark.” Nightmare Moon ignited her horn, the black aura blending with the darkness around it, and released her magic. A beam of silver light shot into the space above them and, with a brilliant flash, illuminated their surroundings.

Twilight looked towards Nightmare Moon and saw only black. There wasn’t a single feature to the area as far as she could see, but the look on her Queen’s face told her otherwise. She turned around and fell upon her haunches. She stared in amazement at the object behind her. “It’s.... It’s a door!” She quickly returned to her hooves and stepped away from it, her eyes gliding over its features as she studied its form. The door was huge, about large enough for Jahurl and an identical twin to pass through side-by-side, and didn’t seem to be made of any type of material she had ever seen. The door’s face had a glossy sheen to it that shimmered like a rainbow in the dancing light of Nightmare Moon’s artificial star and was covered in tiny etchings of a filly unicorn dancing, playing, and studying. “What do you think it is, Nightmare?”

The black alicorn strode up beside Twilight and examined it closely. “I am not certain, but it is certainly not of the physical plane. There is not a material such as this in existence that I am aware of.” She stepped closer and touched a hoof to the door. The surface shimmered as it resonated with a harmonious hum. “It is a metal and certainly magical, but it doesn’t seem to be dangerous. Seeing as it is the only object or passage, we should find out where it leads.”

Twilight nodded and tentatively reached her hoof out. As her hoof drew nearer, the door began to resonate with a faint glow as it seemed to bend towards her in an effort to make contact. She took a deep breath and quickly closed the distance. The door clicked as if a lock had been undone and, with a slight push from the unicorn, swung inwards on phantom hinges. A blinding light filled the area as the portal continued to open, the massive door gliding effortlessly even after Twilight withdrew her hoof to shield her eyes. Another faint click sounded and the light immediately dimmed to a tolerable glow. The pair cautiously removed their hooves from their faces and gazed ahead.

The door had disappeared completely. In its stead was a wall of glass that rippled from an unseen disturbance. Beyond the glass showed a brightly lit room filled with multitudes of bookshelves carrying vast amounts of tomes of varying sizes and forms. The blue walls were inlaid with white trim with a large window overlooking a magnificent castle of white and gold. Twilight gasped as she began to recognize the scene before them. “This is Canterlot! The royal library to be exact!” Twilight grinned eagerly up at Nightmare who looked on with a passive stare.

“Let us go. I do not wish to tarry any longer.” She placed her hoof against the glass and, in a flash of light, the pair disappeared. Moments later they found themselves in the room beyond the glass, but, instead of the empty floor, they were met with the form of a crying, lavender filly curled into a ball beneath the tender gaze of a white alicorn.

Twilight stepped closer, her eyes widened in shock. “This.... I remember this....”

“Where’s.... Where’s Mommy? Where’s Daddy?” The filly spoke between sobs as she continued to cry into her own hooves. “Why aren’t they here?”

The white alicorn moved closer and nuzzled the filly. “I ‘m sorry they were unable to come, Twilight, but they are still recovering. The hospital wouldn’t let them leave.”

“They aren’t coming because they hate me, aren’t they?” The filly Twilight’s voice cracked as she said those words, her brain not wanting to accept it. “They hate me because I hurt them. I didn’t mean to! Please tell them not to hate me, Princess! Please.... Don’t let them hate me....”

Tears began to form in Twilight’s eyes, her lip quivering slightly as she fought back her emotions. “Twilight. What is this?” Nightmare Moon was watching her closely, the feeling of the mare’s sadness being unwillingly transferred to her. “What is happening?”

“They don’t hate you, Twilight.” Celestia said softly as she continued her efforts to soothe the young unicorn. “They could never hate you.”

“Then why won’t they come see me on my birthday?”

“Then why won’t they come see me on my birthday?”

The unicorns both spoke in unison as tears now freely slipped down Twilight’s face. “This is my first birthday.... My first birthday after being enrolled as Celestia’s personal protégé. My parents weren’t able to come because I had lost control of my magic during the entrance exam. I turned them into plants, a fern and a cactus, but even after they reverted they still had some side effects. They were in the hospital still.”

Celestia looked away and stared out the window as the sun slowly crossed over into midday. “Maybe we could go visit them instead? I’m sure they hate missing their daughter’s birthday and would love to see you.” She turned back to the filly and nudged her gently with her nose. “Come with me, Twilight.”

“No! They don’t want to see me. They’ll just yell at me.”

Twilight smiled slightly causing Nightmare to raise her eyebrows in confusion. “Why are you smiling? Is this not a bad memory?”

Twilight merely shook her head and smiled more. “No. Just watch.”

Celestia frowned and her horn lit up, its golden aura appearing around the filly as well. She let loose a small ‘eep’ as she was lifted into the air, her legs flailing as she tried to escape. “Wh-what are you doing!? Let me go!”

The white alicorn smiled and began walking towards the door. The pair left without another word as the filly version of Twilight continued to struggle against her teacher’s magical field. “She’s taking me to see my parents anyways. It turned out, against everything I thought, to be a wonderful day. My parents were so excited to be able to see me despite their orders to stay in the hospital. I never did thank her for that.” She looked at her hooves before turning to the black alicorn. “Do you think that you’ll ever release Celestia?”

“I will not. She would not allow me to remain after all that has happened. She may have been kind to you, but I am certain that I will not be allowed the same leniency.” She looked to the downcast unicorn and nudged her slightly. “She fully expected you to be able to defeat me and banish me once more. Do not weep for the past as I will always be with you.”

Twilight smiled and nodded. “You’re right. I chose to be by your side on my own and I don’t regret it at all. Celestia may be gone, but I have found somepony much more important to me.”

A soft glow began to resonate behind them and drew their attention towards its source. The door to the library had been replaced by the glass wall that had led them there and once more revealed a beautiful scene in its depths. They moved closer, their hooves clacking on the marble floor, and gazed through the glass. Beyond was a scene both ponies were familiar with. The large room depicted was carpeted in blue, several windows looking out towards the city beyond. The walls were lightly decorated with scenic paintings and golden lamps that glowed with waning candle light. Towards the furthest wall was a bed upon which two forms lay sleeping together, their bodies rising and falling in even breaths as they slumbered.

“Ahhh, it would seem that this is the end.” Nightmare Moon looked to Twilight who simply nodded and leaned against her. “Let us return. We have much to do.” She reached her hoof to the glass and, once again, they disappeared in a flash of light.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Thirty-Two Ante Meridian
|

Gilda stretched with cat-like grace as she slowly rose from slumber, her talons digging into the mattress below her. She yawned noisily, her beak stretching until it popped, and jumped from her bed. “What’s on the menu for today? I bet Cloudy’s gonna teach me some wicked sweet moves with my halberd! I can’t wait to.... Wait a sec. Wasn’t she supposed to come wake me up?”

She furrowed her brow in annoyance and quickly moved towards the door. “Some commander she is! Can’t even get up on time!” Gilda flung her door open and loped down the hall, her feet scraping across the obsidian with each movement. “She better have a damn good reason for being late. I sure as hell am not going to play babysitter for a full grown mare.” She stopped before the door to Cloudy’s room and, without hesitation, threw open the door. “Hey, dweeb! Why aren’t you-?”

She paused at the sight of a filly quickly raising her head, eyes focused on her. The filly’s eyes widened, tears forming in their corners, as she began to shake. “Oh, buck.” The filly wailed as she ran towards the furthest corner of Cloudy’s room and dove behind a rack of weapons. Gilda looked from the filly to Cloudy who had shot straight onto her hooves. Cloudy dropped into an aggressive stance and Gilda held up a talon. “Wait! Don’t even think about it! What’s wrong with the kid?”

Cloudy looked to the terror-stricken Cherry Tart before jumping towards Gilda and pushing her out the door. “Get out! I’ll tell you later!” She slammed the door behind her and rushed over to the cowering filly, her eyes softening as she moved closer. “Shhh.... It’s okay. I won’t let her hurt you. She won’t do anything.”

Cherry slowly moved out from behind the swords, being careful not to knock them over, and jumped into Cloudy’s waiting embrace. “She.... She looks.... just like.... the one that killed.... Mommy....” Her tears soaked into Cloudy’s fur, matting it against her body.

The orange pegasus caressed the filly’s head as she held her close. “Don’t worry. Gilda isn’t going to hurt you. She’s helping us get the ones that want to hurt us. The ones that attacked you before.” She kissed her on the forehead and smiled down at her.

“I.... I don’t like her....” She calmed down enough to halt her tears, but her breaths still came in broken gasps. “Will you.... Will you stay with me? I don’t want to go outside....”

“I have duties that I must complete....” The filly’s expression dropped and tears started forming once more. “But I think I can hold them off for tomorrow. I do need to do one thing though.” Another kiss and she lifted the filly into her fore legs to carry her to the bed. “I’ll finish it as fast as I can and come straight back here, okay?”

Cherry nodded, her yellow mane dropping down into her face as she curled up by Cloudy’s pillows. The pegasus looked back one last time when she reached the door and, after making sure the filly was all right, opened the door enough to be able to fit and slid through. Gilda sat on the other side scowling. “Who was that?! When did you get a kid and what’s her problem!?”

“Be quiet! You should be glad I didn’t buck you in the face.” She looked back towards her room and sighed. “Her name is Cherry Tart. She and her mother were attacked by griffons in Dodge Junction. Her mother died when she arrived outside the castle and so I volunteered to take care of her.”

“You know that you could die, right?” Gilda shook her head. “Some commander you are. Definitely not what I thought when we met.” She smirked and stretched her wings. “Big, scary Cloudy is all soft and mushy on the inside.” She laughed and quickly dodged a swing from the scowling pony. “Haha! Gonna have to do better than that! Now, what are we doing today? I’m itching to try out some new moves with my new toy!”

“We are doing nothing. You, however, are going back to Ponyville to supervise the recruitment there. I believe that some of the airships will be arriving today. You will be leading a squad of our pegasi, but, should I hear of anything going wrong due to your personal screw-ups, you’ll be on toilet duty for the next week. I’ll be sure to let the staff here know to leave it to you.” She turned towards the stairwell and trotted off, ignoring the glare from the griffon. “Quickly. I do not want to wait.”

Gilda scowled and followed behind her, grumbling as they traversed the slowly filling halls. A dull hum sounded from the are above them, barely audible through the thick walls and three stories, and drew their attention towards one of the windows looking out to the courtyard. Gilda watched in amazement as a small fleet of airships soared into the airspace above them. “Holy crap! Those things are huge! What the buck are they?!”

“Those are airships. The pinnacle of Equestrian engineering used for the pleasure of our posh and pampered nobles. Their use is wasted on them, but our Queen has commandeered them for our cause.” She looked out towards the approaching airships with admiration. “Let us move quickly. I’m sure you would like to get acquainted with their design before you are required to escort them.”

Gilda tore her eyes away from the stunning machines and quickly followed the orange pegasus towards the castle’s entrance. They opened the door and stepped out only to be greeted by Fancy Pants and a red earth pony wearing a black aviator’s cap with matching black vest. “Ahh, High Commander Horizons. Come to survey the new transports?” Fancy Pants smiled at her and watched her curiously.

“No, Chancellor. I am here to introduce my subordinate, Private Gilda, to the ship captain and her squad of pegasi before they begin the flight to Ponyville. She will be leading the guard unit meant to protect the new recruits on their journey to the Canterlot Training Facility.”

“Ahh, yes, the griffon recruit. It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Gilda.” He bowed his head curtly and chuckled as the young griffon rolled her eyes. “Quite the brash one, aren’t you? Well, this is the captain of The Aerburg, the green ship moored just past the walls, Silver Lining.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” he said, bowing in a similar fashion to Fancy Pants. “So you are going to be the one leading the defense of my fleet, eh?” He looked towards Gilda, his short, silver mane peeking out from under his dislodged hat. “I never thought that a griffon would be escorting us to protect against her own kind. I’m honestly not even sure I trust you.”

“Hey! I’m plenty trustable you jerk! You should be glad I don’t just punch you right here for that!” The incensed griffon puffed out her chest as she jumped into the stallion’s face. “Be glad I’m on your side, boy.”

Silver laughed and took a step back. “Oh yes. She’s definitely young.” He patted Gilda on the shoulder and chuckled again. “I was just messing with ya kid. If you are training under the High General of Queen Moon’s army then you are obviously trusted enough in my eyes. Should work on that temper though.” Gilda fumed, wishing she could just clobber the infuriating captain, but knew that, if she did, she’d have to deal with Cloudy. “Come on, kid. I’ll show you around my fleet before I get ready for the trip.”

“Before that, Captain Silver, I must inform the squad that they will be following Gilda’s orders and introduce her to them.” She motioned for Gilda to follow her and started off at a quick trot, working her way around the octagonal castle walls until they came upon the first sets of tents. Numerous ponies moved about while others relaxed in an attempt to dissuade the fears of the upcoming battles. She stepped towards the lazing ponies who all jumped to their hooves and saluted as soon as they noticed her presence. “Pegasus Squad Zero One Five, front and center!” In an instant of scrambling and curses nearly seventy pegasi formed into lines behind the pair. “All of you are hereby assigned under the command of Private First Class Gilda as you escort the recruitment airships to Ponyville then to Canterlot where they will left for training. You will be guiding a pair of luxury class airships equipped without any defenses as of this time so they shall be entirely reliant on your abilities as soldiers to keep them from harm. Any questions?”

“Why are we taking orders from some scum griffon? Aren’t we supposed to be killing them?” A couple of chuckles and suppressed laughs sounded from the pegasi.

“There will not be any dissent among my troops!” She glared at them fiercely and any further protests were silenced. “Gilda will be your commanding officer. She has been specifically chosen by Queen Nightmare Moon as a member of her personal guard and elite soldiers. Any more questions?”

“Umm.... Do you think we’ll actually have to fight? I mean.... Will the griffons actually attack?”

“I don’t know. They are attacking our caravans randomly, but we can probably expect some sort of resistance. Be prepared for anything.” She scanned the crowd of nervously shifting ponies before speaking again. “Do not worry. You have all been trained in the Cloudsdale Training Center to the best of their abilities. I have faith that you will be able to complete this task without any difficulty. Private Gilda. Do not let me down. Consider this the next step in your training.”

Gilda smirked and gave a mock salute before taking off into the air back towards the waiting airship captain. “Hey, geezer! Let’s get going! I don’t wanna wait all day!” She flew in close and landed heavily on the ground directly in front of the two middle-aged ponies.”Come on! I wanna see the inside!”

“Hold your tail feathers, kid. Follow me.” Silver sighed and shook his head. Kids nowadays don’t have any respect for anyone. He walked casually towards the gate of the castle wall, his eyes never losing their focus on the massive metal doors.

Gilda, however, couldn't keep her focus off of the mechanical wonder above her. The hull of the ship almost perfectly resembled the old cargo ships she had seen in books from the flight school library. It was covered from fore to aft in metal plates colored forest green to match the sleek, oblong, wooden dome attached to where she assumed a ship’s deck would be. The two sections were held together by a thick metal brace running between the hull and dome and ended in a decorative shield that covered the bow. Upon the shield, a crest, once obviously featuring another symbol, depicting a crescent moon had been hastily welded into its center symbolizing its place in the Lunar army. All of this, its sheer size, magnificence, and structural genius, amazed Gilda, but what drew her attention the most were the massive engines and propellers set along its length. On the stern, just before the tail wings, attached stabilizers, and rudders, was a pair of bronze turbines jutting from its body. She couldn’t discern their immediate use, but could definitely tell they were important. Gilda shifted her focus to the propellers. There were six sets of them, all in pairs directly opposite each other on the airship. The first pair, positioned at the bow of the ship directly below the flight deck, were set horizontally with the blades facing forward. The other pairs were set evenly down the length of the body and faced towards the sky as they were meant to keep the craft aloft.

“Wow! How are those four propellers able to keep this beast aloft!?”

Silver chuckled at the griffon’s eager words. “Magic comes into play somewhat, but they are mostly unassisted. They are large enough to catch enough lift and are capable of spinning much faster than you see now. The ship is moored to the ground and resting on its... stilts, I guess. Easiest way to explain it.”

“I’m guessing the front propellers are for forward movement, but what are those engine things in the back? I’ve never seen anything like that in any book I’ve been unfortunate enough to have to read.”

“Those are... hard to explain. They are combustion engines of a sort, but instead of burning coal or wood, we use processed gems. One gem can last about a week if taken on a single round trip from Canterlot to Wintertrot every day.” He beamed with pride. “Grade A earth pony technology right there.”

“So you run this baby on magic?” Her look was one of incredulity. “I’m not sure how that’s entirely possible. I mean, I know that your unicorns can do some pretty cool stuff with their magic, but I doubt they could do anything this complex.”

“You’re smarter than you look.” He laughed at her fierce glare. “You’re right, it can’t run on magic. Unless the Queen or ex-Princess Celestia were to power it, of course. The gems are processed with fire and infused with a levitation spell in the process. It takes at least ten average unicorns and four gems in order to create one talisman for those engines. Hence why only the rich are capable of affording these. Those gems aren’t cheap not to mention the price for the ship itself.”

Gilda smiled devilishly. “I wish I could have seen the faces on those dweebs when they had their most expensive toys taken from them. I’m sure several of them almost had heart attacks!”

The pair soon reached the opening gate of the castle’s entrance, their focus now set upon the airstairs that extended from the hull of the ship. “That is where we will be boarding. Let’s hurry. We have a tight schedule to adhere to.” He climbed the stairs with the agility brought on from repetition with Gilda hovering close behind. They passed through the passenger bay and into an extensive hall sectioned off by a pair of stairs leading to higher levels. Several doors lined the walls before the path ended in another stairwell. “Welcome aboard Her Majesty’s First Air Transport, The Aerburg. This is the entry level and storage bay. Each door leads to a section of storage rooms where we keep our passengers’ personal items that they do not wish to carry with them when they move about upstairs. The hall is wide enough to fit five ponies abreast without being too confined and is designed for durability as this is the most travelled level of the ship.”

“Yeah, yeah. So it’s used to let everyone on and off. Let’s go, this is boring.” Gilda rolled her eyes and began padding her way over to the first set of stairs. “These go to the second floor, right?”

“Obviously.” Silver caught up to her and took the stairs two at a time. He arrived on the second level with Gilda at his tail and turned around. “This is the commons.” He motioned with his hoof to the open space behind him. “This section of the airship is typically used for relaxation and several indoors activities that the nobles like to indulge in, but everything has been removed to make room for more passengers. This is where the majority of the recruits will be during our trip.”

This level is completely empty. Worst ship ever. “Where’s all the cool stuff?! I was under the impression that this would be the most badass thing ever. I haven’t seen anything other than doors and pillars to hold the room up.”

Silver sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “We’ll get to the engine room soon enough. That’s obviously what you’re hoping to see.” How did she get put in charge of this? We’re going to die for sure. “Well, let’s continue. This way.” He motioned for Gilda to follow and walked towards the rear of the ship where the main access stairwell was situated. “Since you are so intent on skipping the boring stuff, I’ll just explain each floor as we pass until we get to the personnel levels.”

“Good. I don’t care about the rest of it. If it isn’t cool, then it isn’t worth my time.”

Another exasperated sigh escaped the red earth pony as they slowly approached the stern. The stairs were quickly traversed and they stopped before a metal door blocking the entrance to the next room. “This is the observatory level. The metal brace running along the center of the airship has been altered with magic in order to allow the passengers inside to see through it so they can view their aerial surroundings. It was originally meant as a way for non-pegasus ponies to experience the thrills of flight without the need for wings. This section will now be used as a means to scout for enemy griffons should they wish to attack.” He pulled on the door handle to reveal another nearly vacant room almost identical to the one below. The main difference was the length of glass windows lining the walls. They spanned from the floor to the metal ceiling and seemed to be held together by metal beams. “The glass is merely an illusion. It’s still metal.”

Gilda stepped through the door and moved towards the nearest window. “This is actually pretty cool. I didn’t know you ponies could do stuff like this.” She gazed out upon the obsidian castle below them, the silver glow of the moon illuminating the area around them.

“We usually wouldn’t be able to. Enchantments like these take massive amounts of magical power and wouldn’t typically be done, but the nobles paid immense sums of bits for it to be done. I don’t understand how they come up with as much money as they do, but it worked out in our favor, didn’t it?” He chuckled at the nobles’ misfortune and stepped back through the door. “Let’s continue. The fourth level is another luxury section similar to the second, but, seeing as it’s on the widest section of the ship, it houses several passenger rooms along the center of its rectangular hall. The bow of the ship on this section has a small, private room, albeit larger than the rest, made for the airship’s previous owner. Should the Queen ever decide to use this airship for travel, that will be her personal chamber.”

Gilda nodded as they passed the fourth floor landing and followed Silver to the next. “This one houses the personnel level. This is where all the staff stay during the flight. The kitchens, attendants’ quarters, and staff rooms are all here.” Gilda glanced through the door and took note of the lack of decorations the previous levels had. This floor was strictly business. “This is where the main stairwell ends. The next level is sectioned off into two areas. The fore section holds the flight deck where all of our navigational devices and controls are situated while the rear is the engine room. You would have noticed a few pipes on the floor below if we had stopped to explore the hall. The engine section supplies power to all of the ship’s propellers through the magical energy provided by the levitation talisman. The magic is transferred through specially enchanted pipes into the propellers in order to keep them working. If you would follow me.”

He moved through the entrance to the personnel section and expertly passed by the employees moving about with Gilda hovering above them in order to make her passage easier. Her feet hung above the ponies’ heads, missing them by a mere foot of space. “This thing is a lot bigger than I would have thought. It looks huge from the outside, of course, but you can’t really scope out its true size unless you check out what’s inside.”

“Yes, it truly is a masterpiece. This airship could hold roughly three hundred passengers before we removed the furniture and various unnecessary items. If I could estimate its capacity now, I’d say we could transport almost five hundred ponies without crowding them too much.” They arrived at the center of the floor and turned to climb the dividing stairs. “How many recruits are we going to be picking up from Ponyville? I can’t imagine they have all that many able-bodied ponies being the small town that it is.”

“Pfft. Like I know. I just learned that I’d be doing this earlier today! Nobody gave me a list or anything. I guess we’ll have to find out when we get there.” She grinned and landed next to the red pony. “I can’t wait to finally test out my new toys in actual combat! I’ll teach my dad not to control me!”

They arrived on the landing and were given a choice of directions. “Directly across from us is the stairway to the lower level just like the one we came up on. To our right is the flight deck,” he motioned towards the right door in the square room, “and to our left is the engine section.” He glanced back to Gilda who was practically dancing on the spot. “Which would you prefer to see first?”

“Duh. The engines! I’m sure those are going to be totally awesome!” She dashed over to the door that lead to the engine room and stopped when she heard a low, steady growl on the opposite side. “Hey, what’s that noise?”

“That would be the engines. We have to keep them running at a low output even when we are parked like this to keep the ship afloat. It’s not necessary when we dock at a landing bay such as the ones in Canterlot and Manehattan since they have holding braces.” He grinned and kicked open the door. Almost immediately, the low growl turned into an almost deafening roar as the sounds of the engines overwhelmed the unsuspecting griffon.

Gilda squawked in pain and backpedalled away from the door. “WHAT THE BUCK!? ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME?!” She clutched her head and closed her eyes to try and dull the pounding that the engines were bringing.

Silver laughed and shut the door. “Serves you right, kid. Maybe now you’ll learn to respect your elders.”

Gilda glared at him before shaking the lingering throbbing from her head. “Fine! I’ll show you!” She jumped back to the closed door and threw it open once more. Just like before, she was assaulted by the blaring noise of the running engines, but this time she was prepared. She walked straight through the threshold and into the heated hallway. All along the walls were massive metal constructions with multitudes of moving parts, all of them running in perfect harmony. Steam coiled in the air from several exhaust pipes settled along the roaring constructs until it disappeared into grates along the ceiling. The room extended to the rear of the ship, the machines running all the way down the path, until it came to a final object. At the furthest section of the ship sat a massive machine dwarfing the others in the lengthy room. It was shaped into an hourglass, the upper and lower sections traced with silver pipes glowing a dark red from the magic flowing through them. In the center was a large cube with a glass-like faceplate displaying a grand, radiant-cut ruby, its multiple facets shimmering from the magical radiation emanating from it. Upon the sides of the cube, a twin set of thick black pipes extended to the metal plated walls and passed through to the ship’s exterior. “That’s the gem-processor engine thing right?! Those pipes must be attached to the two things in front of the tail!”

“Quite observant, Gilda! Yes, that’s the gem-processor used to keep the entire ship running! Amazing how a single gem not much bigger than a large pony’s head can power an entire construct such as this, isn’t it?!” Silver motioned for Gilda to follow him back into the dividing room and, as they left the engine room, he shut the door behind them once again, dropping the noise. “We should be getting ready for the trip. Go get yourself and your unit ready so we can get moving. I’ll be outside talking with Fancy Pants when you are prepared.”

“Yeah, yeah. You better be ready when I get back!” Gilda sprinted back down the stairs, pushing past the workers below. Finally! I’ll finally be able to see some action!

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Ten Fifty-Eight Ante Meridian
|

Rainbow Dash lay sleeping in her cloud home above Ponyville, her legs hanging carelessly over the edges of her fluffy, white bed. Her snores echoed through the large, empty room as soft knocks sounded from the door downstairs. She snorted and rolled onto her stomach, burying her face in the cloud pillow below her. The knocks grew louder, pulling the cyan pegasus from her dreams. “What the hay! I’m trying to sleep!”

Rainbow huffed in annoyance and stomped to the door, her hoofsteps sounding loudly on the tightly packed cloud. She soon reached her front door and pulled it open, glaring out at whoever was knocking. “Hey! What’s the big idea!?”

“Miss Rainbow Dash.” A small yellow mare with a blue mane stood at her door, a grim look upon her face.

“What do you want Raindrops? I was sleeping! It's only five in the morning!”

“I’m here to tell you that you’ve been chosen for the draft. Everypony that isn’t necessary to the running of the town and those without children are required to join.” She looked down at the cloud floor and frowned deeper. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m not going. I don’t care what’s required.” Rainbow turned around and started to shut her door, but Raindrops held out a hoof. “What? I told you I’m not joining!”

“Wait! Rainbow! You have to join! I don’t know what they’ll do if you don’t..., but I’ve heard rumors.” She looked at her hooves again. “One of my friends in Manehattan refused. I don’t know why, but she just up and vanished after that! She hasn’t mailed me or anything ever since. I.... I think they’re taking the ones that say no and... killing them.”

“What?! They can’t do that! Isn’t that against the law or something?!”

“I don’t know anymore. Ever since Nightmare Moon took over, everything’s been different. I’ve never heard of griffons in Equestria. I never even knew what war was! They don’t teach that in school and now they want us to kill. I’ve never been in a scuffle before....”

Rainbow placed one of her hooves on Raindrops’ shoulder. “Fine, I’ll join. Thanks for telling me, I guess....” She sighed and looked down to the town square. “There sure are a lot of ponies there. Is all of this for the war?”

Raindrops followed the cyan mare’s eyes and nodded. “Yeah.... Lots of ponies are being called in. Lyra and Bon Bon, Big MacIntosh, Romana, and even Fluttershy. She’s next on my list.”

“WHAT!? Fluttershy!? She can’t fight! She’d be the first one to die!” Rainbow looked about frantically. “I can’t let her fight! I won’t let them draft Fluttershy!”

“You can’t! If you don’t let her come then they’ll kill her anyways!” She stepped into Rainbow’s path, blocking her exit. “I’m sure they’ll let her do something not on the battlefields. They’ll see that she can’t fight when training her or something. I remember hearing of this one colt that kept hurting himself every time they tried to teach him to fight and so they put him on supply duty or something like that. They’ll probably do something similar with Fluttershy, but that’s only if she goes.”

Rainbow was fuming, but nodded. “Fine, but I’m going to make sure that they don’t choose her. I’ve known Flutters forever and I’d hate to see her have to pick up a weapon.” She sighed and pushed her mane out of her face. “Go finish. I’ll see you down there.” Raindrops nodded and started to fly off, but Rainbow bit her tail to hold her back. “Wait. Do you know if.... If any of my other friends are having to fight? AJ, Rarity, or Pinkie?”

“No, none of them are being called as far as I know. Apple Jack has to take care of the farm and Applebloom, Rarity has Sweetie Belle, and with the Cakes’ babies on the way, Pinkie is being left to help take care of them and Sugarcube Corner.” She smiled at the relief on Rainbow’s face. “I’ll see you when I’m done. I’ll make sure to tell Fluttershy to find you.”

Rainbow nodded and looked to the ground once more. This is totally uncool. I don’t want to fight for that witch. She jumped off her cloud home’s porch and gently glided to the ground, alighting towards the front of the crowd. I guess its better than being killed for saying ‘no’. I wonder if I have time to talk to the others.

She looked about and saw that there were still ponies joining the crowd and took off into the air once more. I should probably go see AJ first. She’s probably taking it the hardest. With a burst of speed, Rainbow took off through the sky towards Sweet Apple Acres, her wings propelling her faster and faster with each stroke. In seconds, she reached the front door to the Apple Family home and landed at the doorstep before knocking thrice. “Hey AJ! You home?!”

She waited patiently at the door until it was pulled open, a red-eyed and unkempt Apple Jack standing in the frame. “What do ya want Rainbow? Ah’m already upset ‘nough with Big Mac leavin’ to fight. Ah don’t need ya comin’ and makin’ it worse.”

“I ummm.... I was actually coming to ask how you were doing. I guess that answers my question....” She looked nervously down at her hooves. “Look, I’m not very good at this ‘feelings’ thing so I’m just going do what I always do. I’ve been drafted as well and I wanted to say bye. So, uhhh.... Cya.”

“Ah figured ya’d be called, too.” Apple Jack touched the pegasus’ shoulder gently, her hoof shaking. “Ya just come back safe. Ah’d hate to see ya die just as much as muh brother.”

Rainbow smiled and gently nuzzled the orange mare’s neck. “Who do you think you’re talking to? I’m the most awesome pony in the world! There isn’t any way they’d ever get me!” She gave a half-hearted laugh before backing away. “Take care, AJ. I’ll be back before you know it!”

Apple Jack watched Rainbow fly away, the small smile on her muzzle fading away as the pegasus flew out of view. “Y’all better come back, Rainbow, Big Mac....”

Rainbow slowed herself once more before landing in front of the small purple door of Rarity’s Carousel Boutique. She peeked through one of the open windows, noticing the indigo maned mare working at her sewing machine, and knocked softly on the door. “Coming~!” The sound of the sewing machine stopped and hoofsteps could be heard through the wall. “We are open you know, dear. You could have come-.” Rarity stopped mid-sentence and smiled warmly. “Why hello, Rainbow Dash. What brings you here?”

“I wanted to tell you I’m being drafted. Fluttershy and I are going to be leaving shortly.”

“Oh heavens no! Fluttershy just cannot be allowed to leave! Don’t get me wrong, Rainbow Dash. I don’t want you to leave either, but Fluttershy couldn’t possibly hurt anything! We have to stop her!” Rarity moved to shove the cyan pegasus from her path, but Rainbow held out a hoof.

“Don’t worry, Rares. I don’t think she’ll be made to fight. One of my friends from the weather squad told me that ponies that can’t fight get reassigned to other stuff. She’ll probably be a cook or something.”

“Oh.... Well, I still don’t like the idea of either of you leaving town to fight in that mare’s name. Especially after what she and Twilight have done.” Rarity frowned but kept her composure.

“Yeah.... I don’t like it either. I’ve been in a couple of fights when I was in Flight School, but I’ve never had to do anything like this.”

Rarity’s smile came back and she drew Rainbow into a tight embrace. “Be careful, Rainbow. You better take care of Fluttershy or I’ll have to hunt you down.”

The pair laughed and broke the hug. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she doesn’t have to do anything dangerous. Heck, she’ll probably freeze up as soon as we get there. She’s scared of her own shadow after all.” She looked towards the town center nervously before moving away. “I think they’re almost done gathering everypony. I’d better hurry up and see Pinkie before it’s too late.” Without giving Rarity a chance to say good-bye, Rainbow took to the air again and rocketed towards the gingerbread shaped confectionery shop.

Before she even had a chance to land, a pink blur tackled her from the air and onto the ground. “Hi Dashie!” Pinkie giggled down at the pegasus, her blue eyes displaying her carefree mood. “Where you going? Ohh! Were you coming to see me?! I sure hope you were, because that would make me super duper happy! We could throw a party or something! Look! We already have the guests! All we need to do is go get my party cannon and-.”

Rainbow grinned wildly as she shoved her hoof in the pink pony’s mouth. “Calm down there, Pinks. I’m just here to tell you I’ve gotta go. They’re calling me off to fight. Thanks for the offer, though. You know I’d never miss one of your parties if I had a choice.”

Pinkie’s mood dropped momentarily before she immediately perked back up. “Oh, that’s okay Dashie! I know you love my parties! I just wish you didn’t have to go. It’s going to be super mega boring around here without you. And very cloudy! Without you to clear the clouds every day, it’s going to take forever! You better not get hurt, though.”

Her rapid shift in topic startled Rainbow, but she quickly shrugged it off. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine! Like I told AJ! You’re talking to the coolest, most awesome pony in Equestria! There’s no way anything could happen to me!” She grinned, puffing her chest out.

“Oh, Dashie! You are definitely the coolest pony in Equestria! Why, I bet you could even win this on your own! Go in there, buck a few griffons, and have them running back home with their tails between their legs! Well, maybe they’d be flying. I’m not sure! The last griffon I saw was the one here a few days ago talking to Commander Butt-face and she wasn’t flying, but I don’t really know a lot about griffons so I couldn’t tell if that’s normal or not.”

“Well, I’ll cya around Pinkie! I need to get going before they boot me in the head. Don’t wanna be late!” She slid out from under the pink pony, but not before she was crushed in a bear hug.

“Bye-bye, Dashie! Be sure to come see me right away and I’ll throw a surprise ‘Welcome Home Rainbow Dash, Great Job Beating Up Those Griffons’ party! Well, I guess it won’t be a surprise since you know it’ll happen, but it’ll still be a party!”

“You got it, Pinks!” In a flurry of wind, Rainbow once more returned to the skies as she made the short trip to the town center. She spotted Raindrops in the crowd and carefully landed beside her. “Hey, Raindrops! I didn’t see Fluttershy. Where is she?”

“Oh, hey Rainbow! She actually got a pardon from the mayor. She’s been taking care of Spike, and so, since he’s technically a kid and needs to be watched, Miss Mare allowed her to remove her name from the list.”

“Good. I’d hate to see her have to struggle through this. I just wish I had more time to say bye to her as well. Not much I can do about it now, though.” She looked towards the fountain past several rows of ponies. “How in the hay are we supposed to get to wherever we’re going anyways? There has to be at least four hundred ponies here!”

“I’m not sure, but I know that they’ll have some way. I mean, they’ve been getting ponies from Manehattan and Fillydelphia, so they obviously have something.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” The pair of pegasi fell into silence as they waited for the unknown transport. Rainbow kept her eyes focused on the crowd, scanning for familiar faces. Lyra and Bon Bon were standing together, hoof-in-hoof as they awaited what was to come. Big Macintosh stood to the front of the crowd, his larger stature making him much easier to pick out from the horde of ponies. His face was, like always, unreadable. She saw Nurse Red Heart sitting beside a pair of reverse colored earth ponies, their pink and blue palettes swapped perfectly. Those must be the spa sisters. I wonder what they think of all this. I don’t think they’re from Equestria so it must be pretty hard on them.

Her thoughts were pulled away by a consistent sound in the distance. She turned her gaze back up to the sky and almost lost her jaw when a pair of flying ships came into view from the horizon. Raindrops leaned over and nudged Rainbow’s hip. “I think I know what’s going to be carrying everypony.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author’s Notes: Awwwwww Yeaaaaaaah~! Another 8k+ words! Like a baws. Well, sorry for the delay with this one. Hopefully this time my brain will co-operate with me instead of trying to take a dump on my ideas every time I start to write. Seriously, though. Stop it brain. Well, I hope you enjoyed it! Got some back story on Twi and Celestia. A confirmation on Celestia’s fate. Twilight’s decision to stay with Nightmare no matter what a certainty. An in depth look as to what the Airships are like and how they function. Gilda being given some command. And, last but certainly not least, who all is going to be participating in the war from Ponyville! (Only Rainbow and BG characters lol) Get yourselves pumped for the next chapter cause I have no idea when it’s coming out! HAH! Oh well, time to turn this over to Jekyll and Kasa cause they are awesome and stuff. Whatevs. Peppy Out!

Oh! Also, I wanted to personally thank Jekyll and Kasa for their hard work in making this 20% more awesomer (yeah, that’s right. I said awesomer). Keep up the great work gaiz! :heart:

Editor’s Notes #1: Whooo~ Fan-buckin-tastic chapter here. Much love. Short note. Stuff. Things. Your Welcome, Peppy. It’s an honor to be here. Hmmm... losing steam. Cya next chapter, folks.... BUCKING CLIFFHANGER. *reads over note* Yup... I sound like a crazy pony. Well... Jekyll say ‘Bye, bye!’ now.

Chapter 29 - A Not-so-silent Night

Chapter 29 - A Not-So-Silent Night

Nightober Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Fifty-One Ante Meridian
|

Gilda stepped into the warm air, her bone-clad talons scraping against the cobbled ground of the castle courtyard. She gripped her halberd at her side, using the shaft to balance herself on three legs, and searched for the pegasi that she would be leading. The group had all gathered just inside the castle gates, their dark blue armor shining in the moonlight. This is going to be totally awesome. These dweebs have to practically kiss my ass! She strode towards the group, making as much noise as possible as she drew nearer, and stood before them.

With a quick strike of the butt of her halberd on the stone, she drew their attention to herself. “All right! You mules are going to be following me cause Captain Stick-up-her-ass said so. Don’t like it? Tough.” She snickered quietly, but swiftly resumed her serious demeanor. “We’re going to be flying in a typical flock formation. I’ll fly lead and we’ll take up a V shape with a small group keeping watch on the underside of the airship. If you see any movement that looks out of place, send word through the line to me and I’ll break off with a small unit to check it out. Questions?”

A young stallion with a tan coat towards the front snickered amongst his peers and raised his hoof. “Yeah, I’ve got one! Why the buck do you think we’ll do what you sa-”

Gilda dropped her halberd and clenched one of her talons into a fist. In a swift strike, the barbed gauntlet landed firmly in the center of his breastplate. The small spikes pierced through, gouging his skin as he yelled in pain from the surprise. “Because if you don’t, I’ll remind you that I’m bigger than you are, again.” She flicked the small traces of blood from her talon and retrieved her polearm, smiling triumphantly all-the-while. “Seriously, though. I’ve been in more brawls than most of you have seen in a lifetime combined. Any more smart-ass remarks? Good. Let’s go. I’m itching to find some action!”

The tawny griffon padded through the open gates, her path set directly for the two middle-aged stallions conversing meters away, the squad of pegasi reluctantly following close behind. “Ahhh, the chick has returned. Finally ready to embark?” Silver Lining grinned at his remark as Gilda scowled.

“I’m not a chick! Just because you’re an old mule doesn’t mean I’m a child.” She gave a short huff and rolled her eyes. “We are, however, ready to go. Just had to teach a fool who’s boss.” She motioned with her head to the pegasus with holes dotting his breastplate. “So, ready when you are.”

“Well, good luck, Silver. I’m sure you won’t have too much trouble with the trip. I doubt anyone would be foolish enough to attack that work of art.” Fancy Pants smiled and bowed his head. “Fly safe, Private Gilda and everypony else as well.” He turned back towards the castle, his hoofsteps fading as he slowly moved out of sight.

“All right, Gilda. I’m going to go in there and get her running. The Aerburg will be flying vanguard with the Helmare following behind.” Gilda glanced at the airship that had moored beside the Aerburg, its silvery finish the only thing distinguishing it from the ship she had toured. “As soon as we are moving, your troops should fall into formation, or whatever it is you’ll be doing, alongside it. I’ll only be about ten minutes.”

“Whatever. Just hurry up. I don’t have time for you to drag your old bones across the ground.” Gilda smirked as the airship pilot shook his head. She turned back to the group behind her. “Get yourselves ready. I don’t want to have to wait on you dweebs either. Especially not you dweebs.”

The group checked their gear, making sure their weapons would be simple to draw and that their armor wouldn’t pinch or shift during flight. Gilda stretched her wings, extending them to their full six foot span, and preened her feathers to optimize them for flight. Satisfied, she turned her attention to the pegasi and smirked. Slowpokes. Couldn’t get ready fast enough even if their lives depended on it. Goes to show that griffons are far superior to these mules. The sound of rotors cutting through the air and engines roaring into higher performance drew the young griffon back from her thoughts. She looked towards the Aerburg as it withdrew its anchors and flight stair back into resting position. The Helmare followed suit and, soon, the pair of craft lifted from the ground and began to rise higher into the sky.

Gilda had to shout over the noise, but gained the attention of her squad nonetheless. “All right! Everyone fall in behind me! Let’s get this party started!” After a quick rustling of feathers, Gilda jumped into the air, using her large wings to lift herself higher and higher. She was soon joined by the flight of pegasi as they flew in behind her. She led them to the bow of the airship and, after shouting orders for them to fall into formation, took her place at the head of the V. “Aww yeah! This is gonna be awesome!” She focused on the horizon and picked up her pace to make up for the speed the ship was gaining behind her. “Bring it on, dad! I’ll show you!”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eleven Thirty-Nine Ante Meridian
|

Rainbow Dash danced on her hooves, antsy at having stood still for so long. Those huge ships are taking forever to get here. By the time they arrive we’ll all have died of starvation or some-. She noticed a movement up in the clouds, but by the time she focused on the spot, nothing was there. Well.... That was weird.

“Hey, Raindrops! Do you see anything up there?” She motioned with her hoof towards the mass of clouds just above them. From the questioning look the yellow pegasus gave her, Rainbow could tell that she hadn’t. “Never mind. I guess I’m just imagining things. Why are those things so slow!? Totally not as cool as I thought.” She crossed her hooves on her chest, using her wings to steady herself.

Raindrops laughed and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Look at how big they are. It’s no surprise they’re kinda slow. Besides, nothing can match your speed.”

Rainbow beamed and puffed out her chest. “That’s right! I’m the fastest in Equestria! There’s no way some flying boat can outrace me!” She came down from her ego boost and stretched her wings. “It’s so boring just sitting here. I’m gonna fly around a bit. Cover for me while I’m gone!”

Before Raindrops could utter any refusal, Rainbow took off into the sky, flying in loops and circles in an attempt to stave off her boredom. The yellow mare smiled warmly up at the rainbow maned pegasus, eagerly watching her perform aerial acrobatics. A slight nudge from beside her drew her back from her reverie. She looked to her side and saw a caramel colored earth pony snickering beside her. “What’s so funny Caramel? Do I have something on my face?”

The stallion chuckled harder, but managed to speak through the snorts. “Ohh, yes. Yes, you do. I’m sure that if you got any more red, we could use you to replace the sun.”

Raindrops flushed harder, finally noticing the light blush she had acquired during her Rainbow-gazing. “Th-that’s not funny! Besides! I’ve seen how you look at Big Mac!” The tables turned and now it was Caramel’s turn to glow in the dark. “Hah! See? I’m not the only one that can light a fire!”

“Sh-shut up!” He turned his gaze to the ground. “He wouldn’t fall for me anyways. He isn’t looking for a relationship, let alone a stallion. Apple Family tradition and all of that. I think the only pony that could ever learn to change in that family is Applebloom.”

“Speaking of Applebloom.... Does she know about her brother going off to war? I wasn’t the pony sent to tell them, so I’m kind of curious. I sure hope not.” She gazed over to the large, read stallion and shook her head. “I hope we never have to worry about anything like this again. After this is over, I plan on finally telling Rainbow how I feel. You should try with Big Mac, too. I’m sure he’d at least listen to you.”

“No. I’ll keep it to myself. I don’t want to suffer through rejection. It’s better this way. For both of us.” He cast his gaze back towards the distance and noticed the airships coming in closer. The dull hum of their rotors carried through the still night air as they drew nearer and nearer. “Seems our rides are almost here. I’m going to talk to Big Mac. See how he’s taking recruitment and all.”

Raindrops giggled. “Yeah, sure. Go ‘see how he’s doing’. I’ll be here eyeing up Rainbow and admitting it.” Caramel rolled his eyes and walked off, much to the delight of the yellow pegasus. The airships were drawing ever nearer and so she returned her sight to the mare of her desires, wanting to make sure that she’d remain a safe distance from the incoming vessels. Her eyes followed the swift and graceful stunts of the cyan pegasus flying high in the sky. A broad smile drew across her muzzle and, as the airship began its landing procedures, thoughts of her possible future with the rainbow maned mare danced in her mind.

A large group of pegasi landed in the distance at the sound of two pairs of anchors dropping into the earth. They looked about as a griffon took its place at the front of the group and started barking orders at them. Raindrops tilted her head in confusion. Aren’t we supposed to be enemies with the griffons? Why are they taking orders from one? She shrugged and looked up to Rainbow Dash. “Hey, Rainbow! They’re about to start letting us-!” A shadow moved above the oblivious pegasus followed by several more. What the.... A feathered head came into view just above where Rainbow was practicing followed by a gleaming spear. “RAINBOW, LOOK OUT!”

Rainbow looked down at Raindrops and waved happily before motioning the yellow mare to watch. The griffon locked its eyes on the unsuspecting pegasus and slowly moved into a position to attack. Raindrops bit her lip, looking about for anypony to help her, but they were all focused on her, startled at her sudden outburst. Her eyes grew wide as Rainbow started flying closer to the clouds and, with a surge of adrenaline-fueled speed, Raindrops shot into the air, beating her wings as hard and fast as she could. The griffon moved from the cloud cover and, as silently as it could, began descending upon the cyan mare.

Raindrops squinted against the wind rushing against her face, pushing herself as fast as she could in an attempt to save Rainbow. Come on! Just a little more! She caught up to the rainbow maned pegasus and, with a slight adjustment to her trajectory, sped past, startling Rainbow out of the barrel roll she had begun. The griffon loomed closer, unsuspecting. “Oh no you don’t!”

Raindrops crashed into the griffon and sent them both flying above the layer of clouds. During her ascent, she cast a quick glance around and almost stopped in fear. All about her, griffons were beginning to pierce through the clouds and descend upon the town below. A pained grunt from in front of her brought her attention back to the griffon she had tackled mid-air. She was finally recovering and was now scowling fiercely at the yellow pegasus. “You fucked with the wrong griffon, pony.”

Raindrops gasped for air as a fist collided with her stomach, knocking the oxygen from her lungs. She plummeted towards the ground as she struggled to breathe, the griffon following her closely. She couldn’t catch her breath in the thin air above the ground and, instead of struggling to aim concentrated kicks, flailed her legs about in an attempt to stave off the griffon’s assault. Several hits landed on the griffon as they quickly fell to the ground until both stopped their free fall with a cautious flaring of their wings. Raindrops glared at the griffon, hate in her eyes. “I won’t let you hurt Rainbow!” She shot through the air, faster than the griffon had expected, and landed a swift kick to the griffon’s chest. She squawked in pain just as screams began to ring out from the ponies below.

Raindrops tore her attention from the griffon threat and chanced a glance to the town. The others in the assault group were now killing any pony they could get their talons on. She saw the ponies fight back as well as they could, but nopony in this town was trained for combat, let alone against attacks from above. A scream of agony sounded in the night followed by another of dismay. “NO! BON BON!” Lyra’s exclamation brought Raindrops’ attention back to her own situation just in time to see the griffon rushing at her, lance aimed directly at her chest.

She shifted her body as quickly as she could, catching a glimpse of Rainbow Dash flying straight towards her, but couldn’t move fast enough. The griffon smirked, pride dominating her features as she shoved the lance through Raindrops’ stomach, the shaft piercing through till it lodged itself inside her, the tip nearly three feet past the exit wound. Her eyes widened in shock, the pain keeping her from moving, and she plummeted once more to the ground. She caught sight of the flight of pegasi in the distance skirmishing with the griffon assailants and, after looking back towards her killer, saw Rainbow Dash buck the griffon in the face, the force of her near sonic speed kick audibly snapping the griffon’s head against its back.

Raindrops jolted as her body hit the ground, the spear sliding a foot out of her body after having the rest shoved into the dirt. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t see straight. She could feel the bones that had been broken in the fall, but it was all dulled by the cold embrace of oncoming death. The cyan blur landed beside her and lifted her head in a tight embrace. She saw the mare’s mouth moving, but couldn’t hear anything. “Rain... bow....” Her own came out gargled and hoarse, the blood in her mouth making it difficult to speak at all. Tears streamed down Rainbow Dash’s face, landing on Raindrops. “Please.... be safe..... for... me....”

Rainbow nodded furiously, her words catching in her mouth. A gust of wind drew her attention as another griffon swooped down for a kill. Rainbow Dash screamed in fury and jumped at him, using the surprise to tackle the would-be attacker to the ground. She stomped on the griffon’s fore legs, crushing them in her rage. He screeched in agony until, after grabbing his sword in her mouth, Rainbow Dash shoved his blade through his face. Blood pooled from the griffon’s corpse, but Rainbow didn’t care. She returned to Raindrops’ side, watching her friend slowly fade from life. “I’m.... so sorry.... I wasn’t fast enough! I should have been faster....”

The yellow mare shook her head as much as her body would allow, the pain of movement making her grimace. “Just... help us... win....” She smiled weakly, an act that, before, would have been simple, but now brought only more agony. “I’m... sorry....” I can’t tell you.... Not now.... It’d only make this... so much worse....

Rainbow Dash nodded numbly, her emotions running high, until the light of life in Raindrops’ eyes faded away. She clutched her friend closer, but, once again, the sounds of fighting around her stole her focus. The pegasus team was quickly dispatching the few griffons that had attacked. The ponies severely outnumbered them, but they had also taken heavy casualties. Rainbow focused on the one griffon that wasn’t killing ponies, her eyes drawing across the familiar features. Her despair turned to excitement as recognition settled in. Gilda!

Gilda laughed as she flew circles around the her slower kin. Her halberd pierced and hacked away at any that got too close and, for those that got any closer, a swift punch to the face or chest dropped them as well. Her mad cackles filled the air. This is what I was born to do! I’m not some priestess! I was born to be a warrior! She dashed off towards Ponyville, her eyes focused on her next kill. The griffon loomed up ahead of her and, with a swift thrust of her pole arm, felled her target before it could strike at the ponies below it.

She glanced to the ponies below, the mob, for the most part, screaming and running from their assailants. Cowards. They better learn to fight or else they’ll just die faster in a real battle. Movement caught her eye and she spun in mid-air, deftly using her years of flight school, and smashed the butt of her halberd across her face. The griffon, stunned, fell to the ground where the ponies that were fighting waited. She watched them stomp the griffon to death before looking to a large red earth pony fending off two griffons on his own. Gilda flew over the crowd, smashing griffons with her polearm as she went, and tore into the griffon assaulting the earth pony from behind. Her talons ripped through the griffon’s face leaving it to twitch helplessly on the ground. The griffons were thinned down to a small handful and soon, even those were dispatched as her squad surrounded and routed them.

Gilda beamed, blood covering her body, before flying back towards the airship. “You guys stay here and watch the ponies! I’m going to find the mayor and have her help count the dead!” She sped off towards the town hall before taking notice of a lone white figure in the distance. Curious, she flew closer and landed beside it. Her eyes widened in surprise and she had to cover her mouth with one of her talons. She squeezed her eyes shut, her body lurching, but she couldn’t hold it in any longer.

Gilda burst out laughing. Her guffaws rang through the night, driving out the silence. “Oh! Oh buck! I’ve never seen anything this funny in my life!” She turned away from the scene and tried to calm herself, but it was too much. She couldn’t help but to sneak peeks. Behind her, taunting her with its obscenity, was the corpse of a white stallion. The blonde unicorn, taller than most, was face down in the dirt, his compass rose cutie mark standing proudly in the air upon his flank. From just below his tail, straight through his body and into the ground, stood a spear, holding the stallion in this position. “Hehe.... His luck must suck.”

She shook her head and took to the skies again in search of the mayor. She scanned the ground, taking in the carnage wrought by the griffon attack. There were nearly one hundred ponies dead, a number that was much too high for having fought so few griffons. “Buck.... Cloudy’s gonna be so pissed....” Gilda’s body sagged, fear of whatever punishment the pegasus could cook up running through her thoughts. “This is gonna suck so hard....” Pushing the possible punishments from her mind, Gilda resumed her flight to the city hall, or what she believed to be the city hall, judging by its size compared to most buildings.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eleven Forty-Two Ante Meridian
|

Fluttershy watched Spike as he sat in her living room, a book in his hands with a small cup of tea at his side. She smiled fondly at the baby dragon, her blue eyes sparkling in the light of her firefly lanterns. “I’m so glad they let me stay behind to watch you. I would have felt just awful if I had to leave you all alone.”

“I can take care of myself, Fluttershy.” His tone was as cold as usual since the night Twilight had sent them away, but it no longer held the anger from before. Fluttershy cowered back, still not used to Spike’s quick retorts even after all the time they’ve spent together. “I’m sorry.... It’s just.... I don’t want to be treated like a kid. I was doing most of Twilight’s cooking and cleaning back at the castle.”

The timid pegasus nodded with a slight smile. “I know.... But I still can’t just leave. I’m sure Twilight wouldn’t want you to be alone either.”

“Yeah.... Right.” He perked up his head, his acute hearing something Fluttershy’s could not. “Do you hear something?”

Fluttershy tilted her head and looked around. “No, Spike. I can’t hear anything. Why? Is something outside?” She huddled down into a ball, shivering. “Oh dear.... I sure hope it isn’t something scary.”

“Shhhh! It... sounds like yelling. No wait! Screaming! Somebody’s screaming!” Spike jumped to his feet and ran over to the window. “Fluttershy! Something’s attacking Ponyville! I... can’t see what it is, but ponies are getting hurt! We.... We have to help them!”

Fluttershy didn’t move. She could finally hear the screams coming from town, their volume finally reaching her cottage at the edge of the Everfree Forest. She was too terrified to move. “I.... I can’t....” She squeezed her eyes shut in an attempt to block out the horrible noise, but nothing could shut out their agony.

“Fluttershy! FLUTTERSHY!” The yellow pegasus jumped, her pink mane falling over her face to completely shroud it. “We have to go help! Ponies are getting hurt!”

The thought of her friends being hurt by anything snapped her out her fear. “Oh no! Rainbow Dash is out there! We have to go make sure she’s okay!” Fluttershy jumped to her hooves and bolted out the door, but stopped just on her doorstep. “I should get some medical supplies! Ohh, I hope I don’t need them.” She dashed upstairs, moving faster than Spike had ever seen the normally slow pegasus run, and rummaged through her belongings until she pulled out a set of saddlebags filled with bandages and salves. “Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no!”

Spike followed her out the door, making sure to shut it behind him and, his small legs carrying him as fast as they could, sprinted off after Fluttershy. The noise was dying down ahead of them and neither of the two could see what had been attacking the town. Wails of sorrow and anger still carried in the night air as they drew nearer and, after passing the first row of buildings, they stopped dead in their tracks. Fluttershy took in a deep breath of air, almost choking on the sobs that were fighting their way out of her throat, before averting her gaze.

Spike stared blankly at the scene of horror before him, unable to wrench his eyes from the display. The bodies of ponies and griffons alike littered the ground, blood gathering in great pools around them. He just stood there, eyes locked forward, until his breakfast forced its way out of his throat. He retched, hurling the morning’s food onto the ground, over and over until he no longer had anything to vomit. Yet, still the retching continued. His stomach heaved at each glance that his eyes made despite his yearning for them to stay shut. It was too horrific. He couldn’t look away.

Fluttershy snapped out of her stupor, forcing her own bile to stay down, and drew the baby dragon up into her embrace. She cooed soothing words in an attempt to calm him down, but she knew, despite all of her attempts, this moment would stay with him forever. Ohh, Spike.... I’m so sorry.... She flew over the buildings, ignoring the terrible display below her, and raced as quickly as her weak wings could carry her to Sweet Apple Acres. It took much longer than she’d have liked, despite knowing exactly where the farm was, but she arrived nonetheless, Spike now sleeping fitfully in her embrace. With a near-silent landing, Fluttershy knocked almost as quietly upon the door to Applejack’s barn house. “Ummm.... Applejack.... Uhhh.... Could you.... If you want to, that is.... Come out here?”

Her voice was barely audible over the noise of the crickets, but the door was answered by the orange mare. “Oh, hey there Fluttershy! Almost didn’t hear ya knockin’! What ya doin’ all the way out here?”

“Ummm.... Could you.... Could you watch Spike for me? I.... I need to go back to Ponyville.... And I don’t want him to....” She dropped her words, incapable of explaining what she had seen to her friend.

“Well, sure! I don’t mind at all. He looks plain tuckered out. Ah’ll go get ‘im into a spare bed.”

“Oh, ummm.... Thank you, Applejack.” The orange mare turned to walk back into the house, but was stopped by a butter-yellow hoof on her side. Fluttershy motioned the farmer to lean in closely before whispering into the mare’s ear. “I don’t think I’ll be coming back.... Something... terrible happened in town and.... I’m going to join the other ponies.”

“Now ya can’t go and do that! What do ya think-!?”

“Shhhh! I don’t want Spike to know.” She frowned and cast her gaze to her hooves. “I feel so awful for leaving like this. I know that he says he can take care of himself, but.... I just can’t let everypony go.... I’m going to see if I can be a medic. I know a lot about treating injuries from all my time helping the forest critters. I’m sure they’ll need my help. Could you.... Could you tell the others...? I don’t think I’d be able to....”

Applejack smiled warmly at the kind pegasus before nuzzling up against her neck. “Sure, Sugarcube. Now ya better be careful out there. I don’t want to get a letter saying ya went and got hurt.”

Fluttershy nodded and turned away, casting one final glance at her friend before taking off towards Ponyville. She arrived faster than it had taken her to fly to Sweet Apple Acres, the loss of Spike’s added weight boosting her speed. The death once again hit her hard, but, this time, she was more prepared for the assault on her emotions. She shut out the images of the dead as best as she could and, instead, focused her attention to seeking out the injured. The wind stung her eyes, but she soon spotted a small group of ponies gathered into one area with a team of nurses and doctors tending to them as best as they could.

She landed, fighting against the vomit building in her throat as her hooves squished in the bloodied ground, and slowly walked towards the makeshift medical station. She stopped a white pony with a soft pink mane running between patients with a nearly inaudible squeak. “Oh, ummm, yes? Do you need help too, dear?”

Fluttershy could hear the urgency in her strained voice, and, after working up her courage, spoke. “I was.... I was wondering if you needed any.... Ummm.... Help.... Miss Redheart....”

“Oh, bless you, Fluttershy!” She hugged the butter pegasus tightly before motioning to the moaning ponies about her. “Please, just do whatever you can. We don’t have enough medical supplies to deal with a situation like this so we’ve been using anything we could find that was clean.” The nurse gave Fluttershy a wan smile before dashing off once more, rushing to her next patient.

Fluttershy looked about nervously before putting on the bravest face she could muster. “Okay, Fluttershy. This is the time to help. Now, get working.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Twelve Twelve Post Meridian
|

Gilda landed once more beside the airship, having just left the mayor to revise her list, and strode towards the silver maned captain. “Yo! Geezer! You know if they took any damage?” She motioned to the aircraft with a talon.

“They weren’t attacked at all. The griffons must have known that they wouldn’t be able to hurt this baby with their sticks and knives.” He laughed before sobering his attitude. “Now, we did have some casualties, however. Lost a couple of the kitchen staff that were down here helping us moor the ship. Also lost an engineer and some ex-noble. Blueblood, I think his name was. Chicken ran off right as the griffons started attacking. Big white baby! I hope they got him.”

“White? Is he a unicorn with a blonde mane and tail?”

“Yeah, that’s him. Why, you seen him?”

Gilda could hardly contain her mirth. “Oh, yes.... You should see him, too. In fact, everyone should go and get a good look at him.”

The stallion could see the amusement in the young griffon’s eyes and just shook his head. “You are just....” He gave a heavy sigh before turning away. “We’ll be ready to leave shortly. I assume it’ll take a while to round up the ponies after this, but try and make it quick. I don’t want to get bucked for being late.”

The griffon nodded and jumped into the air, flying back towards the town. She reached the edge before being intercepted by a rainbow blur. Startled, the griffon squawked, but quickly regained her composure only to be surprised once more. “Dash!”

“Gilda! I knew it was you! What are you doing all the way out here!?” Rainbow Dash beamed at her old friend, reminiscing about all of their past memories.

“I’m part of the Lunar Army! One of the Queen’s personal guard! Betcha couldn’t join!” The griffon smirked proudly, but faltered at the glare from the pegasus. “Yo! What’s with the look Dash? Aren’t you supposed to fanfilly all over the place now that I’m back?”

“I can’t believe that you’d join her army before you came to see me! She kidnapped and brainwashed my friend, you know!”

“Yo, Dash! Chill. I would have come to see you, but it’s not easy being a griffon here right now!” The pegasus’ glare softened. “Besides, you know I’m your best pal ever, right? Nothing is gonna keep me from hanging out with the second fastest flier in the world.”

“Second!? More like fastest ever! You couldn’t beat me in a race if I had both wings tied behind my back!” The cyan mare smirked before being grasped in a headlock. “Ack! What the hay!? Let me go!”

“Not a chance, dweeb! Admit that I’m number one and I’ll let you go!” She held onto Rainbow Dash’s neck, holding the mare in place, until the situation at hand snuck up on her. “Oh, buck! I have to go Dash! I’m supposed to be watching this squad of losers. Who knows what they’ll do without me there to tell them what to do. We’re going to have to catch up sometime! Come to the castle when you get done with your training!” Before the cyan mare could utter a single word, Gilda dashed off towards Ponyville, leaving Rainbow to fly alone in that spot.

The rainbow maned pegasus watched her fly away, her eyes never leaving her friend’s form. “But.... I can’t go back to the castle.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author’s Notes: What? Cliffhanger? So what? Nothing new lol. Dealwithit.jpg. Welp, here is the next chapter of awesome awesomeness made 20% awesomer by my awesometastic awesomeditors. Could this gain any more awesome? Probably, but we’ll leave that up to fate to decide. No Nightmare or Twi this time, but, honestly, I don’t think it’ll hurt too bad. Maybe a little. Hope you enjoyed the Ponyville scene because I had a heck of a time writing it. Kekekeke.... You gaiz still don’t know who all died and who didn’t. I’m so evil. Finally: LOL BLUEBLOOD Y SO FAIL!? Kasa, Jekyll, and I have been wanting this to happen for a looooooooooooooooooooong time and, so, I have finally found a place for it to be accomplished. EAT DIRT AND YOUR OWN SPEARED POOP BLUEBLOOD! Nuff’ said. Welp, Peppy out!

Editor’s Notes #1: Wooooooo..., Blueblood finally dies... and in the most embarrassing way Peppy and I could come up with, a spear up the bum as he cowered in fear. Don’t give me that look, you all know it’s funny as all hell. Don’t have much else to say ‘cept.... HUZZAH for live editing (thank you g-doc). Till next time everypony..., Tah-Tah.

Editor’s Notes #2: I don’t much care about Blueblood... But I had to laugh at the mental image. And, more character development! There is so much I want to say and so little I can think to say. Here’s to the next chapter!...

...Oh, and did his pages match the cover?

Chapter 31 - Respite and Disaster

Chapter 31 - Respite and Disaster

Nightober Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Five Forty-Two Post Meridian
|

Rainbow Dash sighed, pacing around the spacious cabin of the Aerburg as her boredom continued to grow exponentially. She wanted to go outside and fly, race along the path of the airship, and hang out with Gilda, but whenever she checked down the corridor leading to the docking door, one of the guards stationed inside would stomp his hoof, sending her right back into her restless thoughts. This is stupid! I could have been to Cloudsdale and back six times by now! Dumb unicorns and earth ponies being dropped off at Canterlot.

The Aerburg’s course had been set, upon departure, for the Canterlot Guard’s Training Facility and, aside from the short mooring as it loosed its passengers, hadn’t stopped a single time during the whole trip. When she asked one of the guards if she could stretch her wings a bit all she received was a grunt of denial and not a single explanation as to why. They’re probably just trying to mess with me. I don’t see why they can’t let me go outside to fly!

She turned her gaze to the observation windows, watching the remaining guards fly in formation alongside the vessels. In the few hours since the griffon forces had been killed, no others had tried to make an assault on the ships and so, Rainbow had been left with nothing to do but wait. After the emotional events following the Ponyville attack, she couldn’t get herself to relax enough to try and nap as she always did to pass the time. Ugh! This sucks! How far is Cloudsdale anyways!? The drift schedule for this week said it’d be just outside of Fillydelphia so we should be there by now.

“Hey, Rainbow Dash? Um, do you know when we’re supposed to get there?” Rainbow turned towards the pony that had approached her. She rubbed her forelegs together, her eyes flitting about as her nervousness continued to rise. “I checked the schedule for Cloudsdale before we left and it said it was over Fillydelphia. We left Canterlot about an hour and a half ago. I mean, I don’t want to doubt the captain’s abilities, but some of us are getting kind of scared.”

Rainbow looked to the group of pegasi behind them and could practically feel the unease filling the air around the mass of quivering ponies. She laid a hoof on the mare’s shoulder and smiled as reassuringly as she could. “Don’t worry, Dizzy. I’m sure there’s some reason for the delay. I’ll go talk to the captain and figure out what’s up. I’m getting tired of waiting myself.”

Dizzy’s features relaxed somewhat as Dash trotted past her, heading for the staircase to the higher levels. Rainbow waved a hoof towards her before climbing up the stairs, ignoring the few ponies that were moving around her. She ascended past the passenger quarter, casting a quick glance towards the luxurious halls before continuing her ascent, and opened the door to the personnel level. She was immediately met by another guard, this one blocking her from continuing into the area. “Halt. Passengers are not allowed past this point.”

“Move it, bucket head. I need to talk to the captain.” She tried to push past him, but was blocked by an outstretched wing. “Hey! What’s the big idea!?”

“Only airship staff are permitted past this point. All recruits are to remain in the designated passenger levels until we arrive at Cloudsdale.”

“Seriously? I can’t even ask the captain a question?” She glared at the gray armored pegasus, her brow furrowing as her muscles tensed. “Fine! I’ll just go through you, then!” She tackled the guard where he stood and rolled off of him before dashing down the hallway, her vision set on the next flight of stairs. She could barely hear the stallion cursing over the drone of the engines as he recovered from the sudden assault, but ignored him, taking the turn up the stairwell as quickly as she could. Her legs and chest hurt from the crash against the guard’s armor, but she put it to the back of her mind and instead focused on the task at hoof: Find the captain and ask him what the buck was going on.

At the top of the stairs, Dash turned towards the door on her left, the one that wasn’t emitting a very audible roar, and shoved it open to find a red earth pony at the helm along with several unicorns and pegasi monitoring various magical consoles around the room. “Are you the captain of this ship?”

All eyes turned towards her save for the pony at the wheel as she stomped towards him. “I am. Name’s Silver Lining. May I ask why you’ve barged onto the flight deck unannounced, recruit?” He kept his focus trained on the sky before him, never once deviating from his duty.

“I would have had permission if the guard would have let me through.”

A loud clanking sounded behind her and, just before she could turn around to see what was causing it, she was pinned to the ground by a rather heavy pegasus dressed in thick armor. “Got you! Don’t worry, sir. I’ll have this mare taken away and locked up till we reach Cloudsdale.”

“Hey! Get off me, you jerk!” Rainbow tried to buck him off of her back, but she could hardly wiggle her legs enough to get them at her sides. There wasn’t any way she was going to be able to lift him without outside aid. “What the hay! I’m trying to ask him a question!”

“Let her go. She hasn’t done me any harm so I don’t see the need to restrain her. Besides, she’ll leave as soon as she’s asked her question, won’t she?” Dash nodded swiftly and, after a few moments’ hesitation, the guard lifted himself off of her back and stood up straight. He gave a curt salute and left, ignoring the faces and gestures Rainbow was making in his direction. “Now, what is it you wanted to ask?”

Dash snapped to attention and chuckled nervously despite knowing that the stallion hadn’t turned to look at her at all. “I wanna know why it’s taking so long to get to Cloudsdale. We’ve been flying for hours and, considering Cloudsdale isn’t too far from Canterlot ‘cause it’s near Fillydelphia right now-.”

“Oh, Cloudsdale isn’t anywhere near Fillydelphia right now.”

“Wait.... What? What do you mean Cloudsdale isn’t near Fillydelphia? The schedule said-.”

“The schedule is fake. Did you honestly think that after all of the griffon attacks on the various towns and cities, Cloudsdale would just leave itself open to attack like that by distributing drift information to anypony that happens to want a copy?” Rainbow’s features dropped into a frown. “I’m not a pegasus so I don’t know anything about the cloudflying stuff, but I’m certain that giving out information as powerful as your location could be easily used against them. They only give the true schedule to the highest officials in Equestria and they only give it out to those that need it such as myself.” He smirked and looked back at her, finally taking his eyes off the skies in front of him. “Cloudsdale is currently anchored just off the shore of the Great Equine Ocean. They’ve been there since the griffon attacks have begun,” gloated Lining.

“Anchored? You mean they stopped drifting completely?” She sat on her haunches and stared out the window dumbfounded. “They only do that in the event of a disaster. Cloudsdale wasn’t attacked, was it?”

“I’m not entirely sure. I haven’t seen the city in months since it passed by Canterlot, but with the way the country has been lately, I wouldn’t doubt it.” He returned his focus back on the aerial path before him. “Now, go back down and wait. We should be there in about half an hour or so. Tell the rest of them what’s going on as well. I’d hate for everypony to be getting as antsy as you are.”

Rainbow nodded and stood back up on unsteady legs before starting the short trip back down to the passenger levels. If the Cloudsdale, the aerial fortress itself, has been hit like Ponyville.... We might not have a chance….

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Thirteen Ante Meridian
|

Tyra shook slightly, her eyes wide as sweat dripped down her forehead. “Are.... Are you sure you want me to do this, My Lord? I don’t think they’ll react well if they find out. I.... I don’t want to face her if she does....”

“It will be fine as long as you are discreet. Now do as you are told and make sure they get around town without issue.” Jahurl smiled and waved her out of his office, doing his best to ease the girl’s mind.

“Yes, My Lord.” She smiled weakly and bowed before leaving the room to find the two mares waiting patiently in the lobby. “Queen Moon, Lady Sparkle. If you’d like, I’ll show you all of the most popular shops in town so you can enjoy the city to its fullest.”

“That would be desirable. Lead on, Tyra and we shall follow.” Nightmare Moon took a step towards the door and pulled it open, bathing the area just beyond the threshold in moonlight. “I do not have a preference as to where we can go so I leave the choice to you.”

Tyra nodded and quickly took her place at the head of the group. “I’ll show you everything that I can so you can get a feel for what we have here.” They walked casually towards the more populated sections of the town and soon began to see small groups of minotaurs moving about as they started their day. “As you can probably tell, our most important product that we export would be our metalcraft. We make various weapons, armor, and other more day-to-day stuff such as dining utensils and parts for larger creations. We have many weavers in town from the Grandimino Peaks that sell their various creations in the market square. We don’t have much in the way of home grown food, however we do have some pretty amazing ways of preparing the food we import.”

They passed through the busy streets of the town, the two ponies taking in the sights of the minotaurs performing their usual routines without missing a single beat. The pair checked the first line of shops’ windows as they passed noting the wood and metal products, but not taking too much interest. Tyra turned them down a wider road and Twilight, almost immediately, stopped in front of a wide window on their right. She smiled widely and looked up at Nightmare.

“Can we see what they have in here? I’d love to see if it differs from Equestria.” She spoke quickly and in a higher pitch than she was used to, but she didn’t care. This shop needed to be explored.

“We have the entire day to do whatever we please. If you want to peruse this shop’s wares, then I do not see why we would not.” Nightmare opened the door and stepped in just as the small bell above the door finished its chime.

An older female minotaur looked up from the counter she was seated behind and smiled broadly. “Welcome! Don’t get too many ponies in my shop, but feel free to browse. Everything on the shelves is for sale.” Her voice was somewhat hoarse, but inviting nonetheless.

Twilight stepped through the door and took a deep breath, sighing with a small smile on her muzzle. This is so great! I haven’t been to a book shop since my parents got that new shipment six months ago! Another deep breath to relax her even further and she set about eyeing the stock. There are so many things I haven’t seen before! What do I want to get!? “Umm, ma’am? I don’t know much about the books you have in here. Do you think you could give me some recommendations?”

The woman stood and walked over to Twilight, smiling broadly. “Ah, a fan of literature and written word, I assume?” Twilight nodded rapidly, a wide smile played across her face. She chuckled and began reaching for various titles. “I admit I don’t know much about pony interests, but I do know a few of my personal favorites. Here we have Minotaur History: A guide to ancient Minotaur lore. It’s one of a five part series describing our culture and various points in our extensive lineage and explains back as far as when we started actively recording what we knew. I’m sad to admit that it’s not nearly as far back as I’d have liked. I really wish I knew exactly where we came from. Next we have Metallurgy and Minotaur Smithing: A Reference Guide. It goes into great detail in explaining how Valtauran smiths understand and work with the various metals we use in all of our work. It is one of the few books that most minotaurs have to read as they grow up. Our entire lifestyle here in Valtaura relies on metalworking. Now, for the treat on the top of the cake, I present to you the greatest work of literature in minotaur history: The Great Migration.”

“The Great Migration? You have this story as well?” Twilight’s eyes shone in the dark, glowing a light blue as her excitement swelled.

“Oh my, your eyes are quite amazing, young one.” The unicorn looked back at her, confused, but the minotaur merely smiled. “It’s nothing, dear. Now you said you have The Great Migration back in pony land? What’s it about?”

“Oh, I’m not entirely sure since I haven’t been allowed to read it. My old mentor....” Twilight paused, her excitement dying down as thoughts of Celestia played in her mind. She slowly recalled the dream, her words to Nightmare ringing in her head. I can’t believe I denied her so readily.... She was so important in my life and I just....

“Young one? Are you alright?”

Twilight snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head, smiling sheepishly. “Oh, uhhh.... Yeah, I’m fine. I was just thinking about something.” Nightmare Moon lowered the book she was skimming, her eyes watching Twilight’s smile fade. “I was saying that my mentor never let me read it. I don’t think anypony was allowed to read the book. I’m not sure why, though.”

The shopkeeper frowned and lowered the tome to the pony’s level of vision. “It’s a story about a terrible war that tore this world apart two thousand years ago. It’s not a first hand account by any standard, but it was written around the time that the war ended. It describes what happened during the ten years the war raged through and the aftermath of it all. I can understand why your mentor would want to keep it from the populace, but it truly is a magnificent piece of art and a great reminder about past mistakes.” Her eyes were practically burning with the passion of a true pursuer of literary knowledge and Twilight found herself yearning to read about this tale.

She looked at Nightmare once more, her purple eyes pleading in place of her words. The alicorn couldn’t help but to grin. “We’ll take all seven of the suggested tomes. I would also like to take this one on basilisk theory.”

The minotaur nodded and walked behind her counter, carrying the seven books Twilight had chosen, and accept the one Nightmare Moon was levitating. “That’ll be twenty-three silver bits for all eight.”

Tyra’s mouth dropped as she tried to stutter out an objection. “Tw.... Twenty-th.... Twenty-three silvers!? You’ve gotta be joking!” She scowled at the woman, her brows squeezing together. “That’s outrageous for just a few books!”

“Why? Are silvers high in the monetary system?” Twilight’s head tilted slightly, confused by the girl’s outburst.

“Our monetary system has three levels starting with the common bronze bit which has the lowest value of the three. Next is the silver bit which is worth one hundred bronze bits and following that is the gold bit which is worth one hundred silvers. So, twenty-three silver bits is two-thousand three hundred bronze bits which is completely too much for just a few books.”

“Ah, well that is my price. The set of five books are two silvers apiece and the copy of The Great Migration is worth eight and fifty bronze. The last remaining copy of Basilisk Lore is worth ten silver bits. If anything I’m giving you a discount!”

Twilight’s pleading eyes were now turned towards Tyra as she tried her greatest to convince the girl to get them. Eventually she sighed and dug into the pouch to fish out the coins to purchase the tomes. “Dumb bookshop woman overcharging for some stupid books....” She continued muttering to herself as she took the newly bagged tomes into her grasp and began walking towards the door.

“Thanks for the purchase, my dears. I hope you enjoy them!” The woman smiled at the retreating customers and returned to her own book in front of her.

“Thanks a lot, Tyra! I can’t wait to read these when we get back to our room! What’s our next stop?” Twilight beamed, as she practically danced on her hooves through the growing crowd of pedestrians.

“I guess we can check out the market square next. I’m sure you’ll be able to find all kinds of stuff that suit your fancy there.” She sighed and returned to mumbling under her breath. “Better not be another bout of rip-offs this time though.... Seriously, trying to take advantage of a girl because she’s young....”

The trio made their way through the streets, occasionally stopping at stores as they noticed things that intrigued them. They spoke to a few minotaurs that let their curiosity overcome their need to work and found their reactions to be a mix of surprise and interest towards the ponies. They stopped after a few hours of browsing and decided to have lunch at a small cafe in the center of Valtaura’s market district.

“This is the Brown Cow. The best cafe in the city as far as I think. Not sure why they named it that though. Seems kind of silly to me.” Tyra shrugged.

“The name comes from the idea that minotaurs were nothing but bovines in the past and somehow evolved into what we are now.” Tyra yelped and jumped out of her chair, completely taken off guard by the sudden appearance of a large male minotaur standing behind her wearing a white apron. “Hehe. Sorry about that. I’ve been told that I need to stop sneaking up on the customers. My name is Toro. Welcome to The Brown Cow. What can I get for you this fine afternoon?”

His voice was deep and cheerful, somewhat similar to Jahurl’s as far as Twilight noticed, but seemed to have a younger tone to it. “Oh.... Umm.... What would you recommend? We don’t really know what any of this stuff on the menu is.”

“I’ll have the ‘Blackpowder Cactus’ and will be sharing it with my companion.” Twilight looked up to Nightmare Moon, curiosity played on her face, but just shrugged and nodded, content to eat whatever her lover suggested.

“I’ll just have a light salad. I’m not all that hungry.” Tyra handed the small menus to their waiter and looked towards the two ponies who stared at her questioningly. “What? I don’t eat a lot.”

Nightmare Moon looked around at the various shops surrounding them and watched as every minotaur stole glances at the trio sitting together under the warm afternoon moon. This civilization is intriguing, but it lacks the organization of a strict rule. They seem content, however. Maybe it’s- Nightmare flinched slightly as something warm and soft pressed against her side and looked down to see Twilight leaning against her, eyes closed and breathing evenly. Did she... just fall asleep? Ah, yes.... I almost forgot about the scar and the drain that lost magic can have on a pony. I’m surprised that she was able to carry me as far as she did last night. The black alicorn returned to watching the Valtauran population as she searched the shops for anything that might interest her.

Tyra watched Twilight, a faint smile on her lips at the cute scene playing out before her, until she heard the queen begin to speak. “What is that shop over there? The one with the shining garments in the open display?”

She lifted her head and spun around to see where Nightmare Moon was pointing. “Oh! That’s Madame Meerlon’s silversilk shop. She makes the finest spools of silversilk I’ve ever seen. It’s a difficult craft to take up as it requires very precise hand work and extremely honed abilities. I don’t think many could even attempt to create silversilk, let alone perfect it. She is truly a master craftswoman.”

Perhaps Twilight would like another dress to wear around the castle as opposed to her first. “We will go to that shop after we are finished with lunch.” Tyra nodded and smiled as Toro walked silently over to the table.

“Your food, ladies. Enjoy and do not be afraid to call me if you need assistance.”

Nightmare nudged Twilight with her side making the unicorn blink her eyes before realizing where she was leaning. She squeaked and jumped away from the alicorn. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you!”

“It is fine, Twilight. Our food has arrived.” Before them sat a large bowl of boiled cactus, the green plant sitting in a broth made from a mixture of the cactus’ slime and some black and red powders mixed in with corn and a few leafs of lettuce.

Twilight could feel her mouth watering as she stared at the mixture and let the scent of spice and vegetables fill her nostrils. Nightmare levitated a pair of spoons and filled them both with the food before lifting them to their recipient’s mouth. Twilight blushed and accepted the food, chewing the vegetables and swallowing it. “This is pretty.... Oh, jeez that’s spicy!” Her eyes were watering and a slight bit of mucous dribbled out of her nose, but she was otherwise quite content. “Wow! That’s delicious, but very spicy.”

Tyra laughed and watched them eat their food as she slowly picked at her own. They are kind of cute together if you ignore the fact that one of them is an almighty goddess and queen of her kind and the other a mere common pony. They all finished their meals and paid for the food after washing down the burning after taste with some of the proprietress’ natural milk.

They stood to leave, Tyra and Twilight following Nightmare Moon to the shop she had pointed out earlier. They stepped up to the open window-made-counter and called out to the minotaur working in front of a small forge. “Madame Meerlon. I would like to inquire about your crafts.”

Meerlon looked up from the pieces of silver she was working with, adjusting her metal-framed glasses further up her nose, and grinned further than the ponies thought possible. “Welcome to my shop, Queen of The Night! I’m glad you’ve taken a fancy to my wares as I spend many, many hours perfecting each piece! And before you ask, I know who you are since I listen to just about every going-on in the city. A woman’s gotta keep herself informed of potential customers after all. Now, what can I help ya with?”

“I was looking to have a dress made for my partner and thought that your material would be perfect for such a thing. Have you any skill in creating clothing for ponies?”

“I can’t say I do. I’m not even that good at making clothes for minotaur to be honest. My skill extends only as far as the making of the silver silk. After that, it’s up to other craftsmen to shape it into what they need.” She smiled despite her inability to fully assist the alicorn. “I can tell you, though, that my material is the best you’ll find anywhere. It’s light as a feather and extremely sturdy. You won’t find any better quality anywhere. All you’d need was a skilled designer and I’m sure you’d have the best dress in all of the world.”

Twilight looked up to Nightmare, her eyes alight with and wavering in the light. “You want to get me another dress? Th.... Thank you. I umm.... I might know a pony that could help us make it, though.”

“Oh? Who do you think would be able to make it? If it can be done, then I want it to be.”

The byzantium unicorn dropped her gaze to the ground, a frown working its way onto her features. “It’s the same mare that made the first one. I’m sure she could do it, but....”

“Ah, yes. I remember her. She did a fine job on the first one. Perhaps she will be able to make another.” Nightmare felt her emotions twinge and looked down to Twilight, noticing how she could barely hide her grimace. “But, what? Why are you so upset?”

“That was one of the Elements of Harmony. You said that if you ever saw any of them again, you’d kill them. I.... I kind of want her to come back, though. Not to free me..., but to explain why I killed Brook. I don’t know if she’ll ever forgive me, but I want her to at least understand. Could.... Could we ask her? If not, then I won’t ask again.”

“I will request her services once more. I do not doubt that you would never try and escape, so I will accept your request. If she, and only she, comes, then I will allow it.” Nightmare Moon looked up towards her namesake. “I’m surprised that I didn’t notice who she was considering I have seen her thrice since my return.” She returned her gaze to Meerlon and nodded. “I’ll take a bolt of silver silk.”

“Of course! One bolt of silver silk comes to thirty-seven gold bits.” The two ponies and Meerlon heard a barely audible swear behind them, but they were soon pushed aside by the red-faced Tyra as she practically threw the bits at Meerlon.

“Damn expensive ponies just throwing money wherever they please....” She grabbed the bolt of silver silk and started trudging back towards the dignitaries’ quarters, her cloven hooves clopping loudly against the cobbled street. Twilight giggled and followed behind her and was soon joined by Nightmare as they returned to their temporary residence.

“Come back if you ever need any more! I’ll be sure to give you a discount next time!”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Twelve Twenty-Three Post Meridian
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The New Mareland central courtyard was alive with laughter and activity. The two fillies’ and servant’s little game of knights had garnered the attention of several other servants and now included a large mass of ponies. The group had split into warring factions, the ‘good guys’ led by Moon Beam, were slowly taking over the ‘bad guys’, who were led by that first mare, as they tried their best to get the ‘princess’, Cherry Tart, out of their evil clutches. Play kicks were launched and false squeals of agony were echoed in the night as the battle raged on claiming several snickering lives as they went down for the count.

Moon Beam’s forces were slowly gaining ground over the ‘evil’ mare’s own troops and it was only a matter of time before the brave ‘knight’ had conquered her enemies to claim the princess for her own. “Don’t worry, Princess Tart! The good knight Moonie is here to save you!” Her words were followed by a raucous laughter as every pony around her fell victim to her antics. She giggled along with them and charged ahead, ‘felling’ any pony that got in her way.

“Oh, no! Help me Sir Moonie! The Evil Mare of Evilness is going to eat me!” Cherry couldn’t help but to giggle at her own words, knowing full well how silly they were.

“Wahahaha! You cannot stop my reign of terror, puny knight! Nopony can stop me now that I have your Princess! Wahahaha, I’mma gonna win!” She pretended to twirl a moustache as she cackled madly over the roaring laughter and joy that banished the loneliness of the night.

Moon Beam rushed through the ponies, swatting at the evil doers as she passed until, finally, she was face to face with her ‘arch nemesis’. She pointed a hoof at the mare and puffed out her chest. “I’m here for you, Evil Mare! Surrender the Princess or I’ll beat you up, too!”

The servant stifled a snicker and set Cherry down behind her. “I’ll never let you have her back! En garde!”

The two engaged in an intense battle, their play swings clashing in the light of the moon as they made ‘swooshing’ and ‘clanging’ noises as they pretended to clash swords with each other. Their eyes were focused, brows furrowed as each pony moved their hooves in perfect rhythm with each other, their mock war coming to a crescendo. The mare knocked Moon Beam to the ground and the filly rolled away comically eliciting a ‘startled’ gasp from the crowd.

The servant stood above Moon Beam, twisting her moustache once more. “Wahahaha! Any last words, ‘brave’ knight, before I finish you once and for all!?”

Moon Beam giggled as Cherry Tart came up behind the mare, the widest grin the two had ever seen plastered across the red filly’s face. “Only one, Evil Mare of Evilness! I win!” Cherry mock swung her hoof, tapping the mare on her shoulder and causing her to fall dramatically to the ground as Moon Beam ‘recovered’.

“Curse you, Princess Tart and Sir Moonie! I’ll never let this deed go unpunished! Wa... ha... ha... haaaa....” Her tongue lolled out of her mouth, drooping as she pretended to die.

A series of cheers from the victors and ‘awww’s from the losers sounded through the night before, after so much ridiculous entertainment, the entire group burst into laughter and rolled on the ground. The laughter ended just as abruptly as it had began as a gurgling cry of pain followed by several more tore the ponies’ attention from their fun. They all turned towards the source to see a half-score griffons descending upon the group, two of their blades already dripping blood as they stood over the bodies of their first victims. The group panicked and began to flee moving as quickly as they could for the entrances of the castle, their screams echoing in the darkness.

Their cries fell on deaf ears, however, as the guards had begun to ignore the group after the first few ‘squeals of terror’ had torn them from their posts only to be met with the confused glances of the merry party. The griffons tore down anypony they could reach, their blades singing through the air to dispose of their prey as they slowly made their way over to the trio of ponies huddled together in abject terror.

They drew closer and Cherry screamed, her howl of dismay ringing in Moon Beam’s ears. The filly’s eyes twitched and started to glow while her body lost its shape and morphed, growing into her nightmare form. Her hind legs took on a feline fashion and great feathered wings sprouted from her back as her forelegs thinned into sturdy avian talons. Her neck grew thinner as her snout morphed into a beak and, just as she opened her deep, black eyes, a red starburst formed around the sockets as a type of feather-brand. The Moon Beam griffon shrieked loudly, as she lunged at the stunned group.

The ten fled from their sinister mimic, utterly terrified of a griffon nearly four times their size, but they didn’t stand a chance. Moon beam grabbed two in one of her talons and crushed them together turning the parts of them in her grasp into a bloody mush. A swipe of her other claw rent another into shreds after he took wing to try and escape. She charged on, chasing the remaining seven and pounced on a pair that had remained together on the ground, crushing them beneath her weight. She spread her wings, cawing into the night, and snapped at another with her beak, severing its spine. She watched the remainder flee, unable to catch up with them lest she leave the ponies below undefended and so, gave up her chase to land beside Cherry Tart and their temporary guardian.

Cherry cowered under the mare’s body as Moon Beam approached, her sobs filling the area as she tried to hide even further out of sight. The griffon-filly slowly began to revert, the blood from the griffons soaking into her body until, finally, she was once more back in her filly form. She stepped closer to Cherry, her friend, and reached out a hoof only to have the terrified filly scream a few words and run away at the sight of her.

Moon Beam fell to her haunches, dumbstruck by Cherry’s reaction. Why.... What did she scream at me for.... Tears streaked down the navy filly’s face as her body began to quiver. What.... What did I do? She sobbed loudly, and felt the mare pull her into a tight hug, but she didn’t care. Why did she call me.... A monster? Her wailing cries filled the night, their ethereal echoes causing anything that heard them to shiver without fully understanding why....

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author’s notes: Heh. Sorry this one took so long. Had to have my editors beat me with sticks and shove hot coals up my butt to keep me working on it. I COULDN’T HELP IT! SO MANY FUN GAMES TO PLAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!! Back to the point. Chapter 31. Filled with D’awwwwww and ended with FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU. Ain’t I just the evilest thing ever? I think so. Well, hope you enjoy (or not, technically? How can you enjoy that ending? What kinda sicko are you?). Make sure to check out Necro Domina if you haven’t already (seriously. Why haven’t you?) Blah blah blah. I’m awesome Dealwithit.jpg blah blah. Anyhooves, have fun! Peppy out!

P.S. Thanks jekyll for keeping my on track!

P.P.S. God you jerk, not letting me have any fun. >:( lol

Editor’s Notes #1: My god, do you know just how hard it is to force hot coals up someone’s arse. No! Well, it’s pretty damn hard.... But enough about Peppy and his laziness. There was much D’aww to be had here. Between Nightmare and Twilight’s interactions and the first half of the Cherry and Moonbeam scene, I predict a staggering increase in the number of heart attacks in the days following the release of this chapter.

P.S. On a more serious note, I have already announced that I will be collecting all the (unpublished) side stories and fixing them up a bit. I’ll then be posting a Mega-comment at the top of the next chapter’s comment section containing all of them or, if there’s more then I think there are, I’ll be splitting them up by author. All credit will be given to their respective writers. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I’ll be seeing all of you next time. Ciao.

Editor’s Notes #2: Too busy playing ME3? Not for ATFN!

Chapter 32.1 - Resolve and Regalement (Clop-lite Version)

Chapter 32 - Resolve and Regalement

Nightober Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Three Forty-Seven Post Meridian
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Fluttershy rushed about the hastily-erected medical tents, the groans and sobs of the injured residents of Ponyville drawing her attention as far as it would allow. She had already been tending to the crowd gathered just outside of Ponyville's town limits for several hours and was now bordering on sickening exhaustion. She slumped against a medical cart and closed her eyes for a passing moment. Seconds later, her eyes shot open again and she stood up straight, alert, but visibly drowsy.

"No, Fluttershy. You can't stop no matter how tired you are, these ponies need you." She took a deep breath, slightly restored by her self-directed pep talk, and dragged herself to the next patient, a cream earth pony with a two-toned pink and purple mane. Fluttershy took a sharp intake of air and muttered a nearly inaudible 'oh my'. The mare had a deep, jagged gash across her back that was only lightly bandaged to stop the bleeding.

Beside the mare sat a teal unicorn whose face showed her despair without inhibition. Fluttershy stepped closer to the unicorn and touched a hoof to her withers. "Lyra, I know it's tough, but you should get some sleep. I'll keep a watch on Bon Bon while you're gone. Besides, you'll have to be careful and rested in case the Queen's Guards come to find you once they realize you're missing."

"Let them.... If Bonnie dies then I've got no reason to keep going anyways. They might as well just kill me outright." Her words were hoarse and strained, spoken just barely above Fluttershy's typical soft tone. Lyra, who was on the verge of breaking down into a fit of sobs once more, looked at Fluttershy. "I.... I was going to propose to her.... She was going to say yes and we'd both get married and live happily here in Ponyville. We'd have foals with a little magical help... and raise them and grow old together...."

"You still can, Lyra. Don't talk like it's over. She isn't dead and I'm sure she'll pull through. I'll do my best to help her and, after she's able to leave, she'll need you to help her fully recover." Fluttershy looked at her hooves and pawed nervously at the ground. "I know it doesn't look very... um... promising and I know I'm not the best pony to talk about courage, but giving up now only makes the end inevitably closer...." The demure, yellow pegasus smiled softly in her best attempt to be reassuring.

Lyra blinked back the first few tears that threatened to fall before just giving in completely. The distraught unicorn grasped onto Fluttershy's neck and bawled loudly into her fur, momentarily startling the pegasus. "You're right, Fluttershy.... She'd be so disappointed in me right now, acting like a foal when I should be trusting you and the nurses and helping where I can."

"It isn't foalish to mourn the loss or injury of a loved one. It's only natural that you're deeply upset by it, but you're definitely right about the rest; it's what you do while mourning that counts."

Lyra chuckled lightly and bumped Fluttershy lightly on the forehead. "You know, I didn't expect to be lectured by Ponyville's resident scaredy-pony."

The butter yellow pony blushed and hid her face behind her pink mane. "Oh, I'm sorry.... I didn't mean to lecture you.... Umm...."

"It's okay, Fluttershy. I needed it. Thanks.... I'll see what I can do to help out with the little amount of healing magic I learned in school." Lyra stood and leaned down to nuzzle Bon Bon as she lay upon the red-stained white cot. "I'll make you proud, Bonnie.... I'll do my best until you wake up...."

Fluttershy watched Lyra trot away to find Nurse Tenderheart tending to another pony just on the other side of their current tent before turning back around to come almost muzzle-to-muzzle with Nurse Redheart. The pegasus squeaked in surprise and flinched away, cowering under her hooves. "Oh dear. I'm sorry, Fluttershy; I didn't mean to startle you."

Fluttershy, hearing her name, peeked out from a newly formed spacing in between her fore legs and visibly relaxed. After loosing a quiet sigh, the mare smiled nervously. “Oh... um.... It’s not a problem Nurse Redheart. I should have been paying attention to where I was going. It was probably my fault....”

“Nonsense, Fluttershy. I shouldn’t have snuck up on you like that. It was terribly rude of me.” The white mare dipped her head in an apology and returned her gaze once more to meet Fluttershy’s. “Oh! I was coming to tell you something. One of the pegasus teams that watch over the medical caravans reported in to tell me that the carriages would be here within the next couple hours. They’ll be returning to the Manehattan General Hospital after dropping off supplies and then returning to distribute their work force to the military camps set up around Equestria. I thought I’d tell you since it’d be the best way to join them.”

“Oh.... Thank you, Nurse Redheart. To be honest, I’m kind of scared to go alone, but I want to help as many ponies as I can.” Fluttershy turned her gaze to the trampled grass and kicked a hoof. “I don’t see why we have to go through all this fighting.... What happened to the times when everypony was happy and nice? Why can’t everything be normal again?” Hot tears spilled down Fluttershy’s cheeks as she cried openly, sniffled in between breaths.

“Oh Fluttershy....” The red-maned mare pulled the shy pony into a soft embrace and patted her on the back. “I’m not sure, Fluttershy. I wonder the same thing. I’ve never had to treat so many ponies at once and.... And telling the families that their child or parent died never gets any easier with repetition; it’s so tough on everypony, but us nurses and volunteers like you need to be strong for them. We may not be fighting out on the front lines, but we’re fighting all the same. We fight against the death that the griffons bring and it’s up to us make sure that we save as many ponies that get hurt as possible. So, come on, turn that frown around and we’ll help everypony together.”

“That’s right! We can’t have our favorite nurse ponies being all sad and mopey, can we!? I know what we need! We need a party!” Pinkie Pie popped into view and startled the pair. “I can set up balloons and streamers and cake and make everypony get-well-soon cards and even sing a song! Everypony loves my songs!” Pinkie Pie started humming a tune as she walked off towards Sugar Cube Corner leaving the pair staring after her in bewilderment.

Redheart was the first to recover, as she returned to her conversation with Fluttershy. “Why don’t you take a nap before Pinkie’s party? You’ll need it for when you get to Manehattan, as I’m sure they’ll be extremely busy. Come on, I’ll find you an empty cot.” Fluttershy opened her mouth to protest, but was betrayed by a yawn that forced all attempts away. The yellow pegasus blushed and nodded before following Redheart as she led the pair to another tent set up parallel to the one they had come from.

Fluttershy looked through the white flaps and flinched back in surprise when she saw all the bloodied bandages and unconscious ponies inside. She had been in the tent before, but it was still a difficult sight to behold. Rows of ponies with vicious-looking wounds lay on blood-soaked cots as they waited out their final moments. The two mares looked at each other with despair in their eyes and walked to the far end of the tent where a single clean cot lay amongst the near-dead.

“It’s so horrible. I wish there was something I could do to help them....” Fluttershy surveyed the bodies, which were motionless save for the shallow rise and fall of their chests as they breathed. “Why don’t we have unicorns try and heal them? I know that there’s healing magic....”

“We’ve tried, but magic can only go so far with healing. We’ve never had to heal anything like this before, and all of our medical unicorns were trained to fight against minor injuries and sicknesses.” She took a deep breath and loosed a tired sigh. “Plus, healing magic is very difficult and extremely hit-or-miss. You have to know exactly what you’re doing or you could permanently damage a patient or cause the opposite of the desired effect you’re aiming for.” She laughed bitterly and shook her head. “To think that magic used for destruction and harm is so much simpler and safer to cast than magic to save and repair. It doesn’t make any sense....

“Well, I’m sure you’re exhausted, so I’ll let you be so you can get some rest; I’ll come wake you when Pinkie is set up.” Fluttershy nodded and lay upon the cot, resting her head on her forehooves before closing her eyes and drifting off into much needed slumber.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
One Twenty-Five Post Meridian
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Servants rushed through the halls of Nightmare’s castle, frantically racing back and forth to clear out the bodies of the dead and prepare a space for proper burial. They paid no heed to a unicorn filly as she trudged through the crowd, her smoky mane cascading down her face to pool on the ground at her hooves. Moon Beam meandered through the halls, oblivious to the cacophony around her as her hot tears streaked down her muzzle. Her mind was a jumbled mess of rampant despair, clouded with guilt for an act she couldn’t remember. The only coherent thought she could form wasn’t a comfort in her time of need.

Mommy Moon.... Auntie Twilight.... Am I a monster? Moon Beam momentarily looked up from the floor to check her surroundings and stared blearily at the door separating her from the castle courtyard where her short games with Cherry had ended so horribly. What did I do wrong? I thought I was a good pony.... I thought everypony liked me.... She turned her gaze towards the end of the hall she was in, her eyes pausing on the door to the castle’s throne room, and took a deep, shuddering breath. Mommy and Auntie aren’t here.... Maybe.... Maybe Cloudy will know what to do since she’s Cherry’s mommy now.

The navy filly stepped over to the door leading out into the courtyard and pushed the heavy blockade open just enough for her to squeeze past. She searched the bustling crowd of ponies as they moved the corpses into lines to separate the griffons from the ponies until she spotted the familiar orange and white form of Cloudy. Moon Beam moved closer to the frantic group, slinking by the legs of the gathered ponies until she reached the small opening where Cloudy was shouting orders. The unicorn filly crept up to the pegasus and tapped her lightly on the flank; subconsciously holding her breath.

Cloudy flinched at the touch and spun to see who had disturbed her to find Moon Beam with her face scrunched up as she fought back her tears. The pegasus’ eyes widened and she bent down to meet the filly’s gaze. “Moonie.... What’s wrong? What happened?”

Moon Beam sniffled and wiped her face with a hoof. “I.... I don’t know! Cherry... and.... Cherry and... some other ponies.... We were playing.... Griffons came.... Then Cherry called me....” Moon broke down, falling to the floor and sobbing loudly.

Cloudy glared at the ponies that gathered to stare at the miserable filly, motioning for them to leave before turning her attention back to Moon Beam. She picked the filly up and stroked her mane. “What did she call you Moon Beam? Where is she?”

“She.... She called me a monster! I don’t know why! I.... We were playing out here, then the griffons came. The next thing.... The next thing I know, she’s scared... and calling me a monster..., then ran away....” Moon clung tightly to the mare’s neck, squeezing her as if the contact would make everything better. “Why did she run? I didn’t do anything wrong....”

“You must have.... Never mind, let’s just go find her. Come on, Moon Beam; I’ll help sort this out.” The orange pegasus smiled and stood; releasing the filly from her grasp. She must have changed to save them. Cherry didn’t know. She scanned the dispersing crowd, noting the distinct lack of guards in the area. “You! Green guard!”

One of the guards, a light green mare, looked in the direction of the voice and balked. “Oh.... Umm.... Commander Cloudy, Ma’am!” She shakily saluted and trotted up to the pair. “Y-yes ma’am? What d-do you need ma’am?”

“How did this happen? Why wasn’t there anybody here to stop the griffons from killing so many ponies?!” Cloudy’s fierce stare made the guard pony shiver even more.

“I-I don’t know ma’am! I just s-started my shift. I heard some of the others talking about ignoring a game.... I don’t know anything other than that!” She covered her head with her hooves and shook, terrified of what her superior would do. “Please don’t hurt me or fire me! I promise I’ll do better!”

“I’m not going to be taking any action against you....” The pegasus sighed at the unicorn’s display of cowardice. “I want the names of every pony from the previous shift. Have the head officer in charge of assigning patrols determine the punishment for failing to do their duties. You, in the mean time, need to work on your discipline. You are a knight in the queen’s army and should act like one. We are at war. We cannot have you cowering in fear from something as petty as punishment.”

“Y-yes ma’am, Commander Horizons, ma’am!” The unicorn spun on her hooves and raced away to do as she was told.

The orange pegasus sighed and looked to Moon Beam. “Come on, I think I know where she went.” She led the foal through the halls of the castle and up to her own quarters to find the door left partially open. Cloudy stuck her head through the door to find Cherry Tart shaking under the blankets on their bed. “Tart.... What’s wrong?” She turned to Moon Beam and spoke quietly. “Stay out here until I say it’s okay to come in. I want to make sure she’s willing to talk first.”

The filly under the blankets peeked out from an opening, calming down from her frightened state almost immediately. She crawled into full view and wiped her face with a shaking hoof. “It.... It was so scary.... Those monsters tried to kill us.... They.... They got so many ponies and then.... Then....” Her eyes widened as she recalled the moment the navy unicorn had changed; twisted into her worst nightmare. “She’s one of them.... She’s... a monster....”

The filly began trembling again as the memories filled her with dread until Cloudy stroked her yellow mane. “Moon Beam.... She’s different. I can’t really explain what she is, but she’s also a filly just like you.” Cherry opened her mouth to protest, but Cloudy cut her off. “Ah, ah. Don’t interrupt your guardian, missy. Moon Beam will never, never do you any harm. She... can do stuff that most fillies and colts can’t, but she only does those things to help those she cares for.” She glanced to the cracked doorway and smiled at the navy filly just outside. “The fact that she did that to save you means that she likes you. She saved me once too, you know.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.... I was hurt really bad and she swooped in and rescued me.... I may have lost my wing, but she saved my life....” The pegasus nudged her ward to the door. “Go talk to her; She doesn’t know what happened and is really hurt right now. She would love to have you as a friend again, and I’m sure you enjoyed the time you spent with her as well.”

Cherry bit her lip and eyed the door anxiously, unsure of whether or not it was a good idea. After another gentle but firm prodding from her guardian, she cautiously walked over to the door and opened it to find the downcast filly on the other side. Cloudy watched as Moon Beam looked up and made Cherry flinch back with fearful anticipation. When the expected attack didn’t come, Cherry returned her gaze to Moon Beam whose eyes were now filled with tears as she began turning to walk away. Before the unicorn could take a single step, the earth pony tackled her to the ground squeaking out apology after apology until they were both smiling and hugging on the obsidian floor. The orange pegasus smiled, her heart warmed by the scene of the two fillies renewing their friendship and strengthening their bonds.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Seven Eighteen Post Meridian
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The door to the ambassador’s quarters opened with a black glow to allow Nightmare Moon and Twilight into the building’s lobby. Tyra followed close behind, dragging herself through sheer determination alone in order to keep up with the pair of ponies. Twilight turned her head and chuckled at the sight of the exhausted minotaur. “Sorry for dragging you around with us all day. It’s just so amazing to see the vast difference between our two cultures! I’m still quite surprised that you’re capable of maintaining your society through metalworking! The varieties of food and just... everything!”

Nightmare nodded as her own expression of gratitude. “Yes. I may have been around since before your kind existed, but I never took the time to become truly acquainted with every aspect of your society.” The midnight mare looked away towards the hall that lead to their room. “I have also been absent for the past thousand years. Your kind shall certainly be a welcome addition to our alliance. Please inform your lord that I shall be extending our stay in Valtaura, but wish to discuss with him the time I choose. In the morning, of course.” Nightmare motioned for Twilight to follow her and, just as Tyra made to follow them, halted her with the unfurling of one of her powerful wings. “We shall be fine finding our room ourselves. You may do as you wish for the remainder of the night after informing Jahurl of my decision.”

Tyra loosed a great sigh of relief and bowed awkwardly, having to fight to keep from falling on her face. “Thank you, Queen Moon. I hope that you enjoy your night. I’ll see you in the morning when I come to inform you of breakfast.” The young minotaur stood upright and bolted out of the building as quickly as her tired legs would carry her, much to the amusement of the byzantium unicorn.

“She’s certainly nice, that’s for sure. Maybe a bit too eager at times, though.” Twilight paced beside the black alicorn as they moved across the carpeted flooring to their room in the center of the building. With a quick burst of magic, Nightmare led her companion inside and noiselessly shut the door behind them. “Did you want to bathe again before bed? We have been out in the desert heat all day and, even though it’s somewhat cooler than what I’d assume it’d be, we did sweat a little bit.” Another suppressed giggle escaped her lips. “Maybe not as much as Tyra, though.”

Nightmare shook her head and carefully began levitating the blue armor from her body. “No, I wish only to rest tonight, Twilight. We can bathe ourselves on the morrow should the need arise.” Her turquoise eyes flashed in the flickering lamplight. “Besides, you have quite an alluring scent, my pet....”

Twilight’s breath caught in her throat at the use of her old position, but not from the dread the word used to bring her. Instead, her chest tightened with arousal, the term calling forth excitement from unbidden thoughts of being dominated by the alicorn. Her face flushed darker as she looked at her hooves. “I can’t smell too attractive. At least, I don’t think me being sweaty is very attractive.... Is it?”

“Not as enticing as another scent I can recall, but it is certainly a smell that I enjoy.” She nudged Twilight towards the bed and soon followed her onto the freshly blanketed mattress. “Perhaps we could partake of both aromas in the morning after we have rested.” The alluring gaze from the moon queen elicited a deep, shuddering breath from the young mare. “I shall assume that was a ‘Yes, My Queen.’ as I did not have any plans to allow any form of refusal.” She leaned over towards Twilight’s head and whispered huskily into her ear. “I will take you tomorrow morning, so be sure you are ready....”

Twilight moaned softly as her lover's breath caressed the inside of her ear. She nodded weakly and returned the kiss brought by her queen’s lips before curling up in the alicorn’s embrace. Nightmare Moon quickly fell into a deep slumber, but Twilight found it incredibly difficult to follow suit. Thoughts ran unhindered in the mare’s mind as she imagined the possible events that would undoubtedly occur only a scant few hours from then. After a near infinite passage of time, exhaustion finally took hold of the unicorn and pulled her under the embrace of sleep.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Darkness once more enveloped the unicorn, embracing her with its typical indifference. She tried in vain, something that had become more habit than actual want, to move or fix her view someplace else, but was completely incapable of moving as expected. A long mental sigh punctuated her thoughts before she felt the familiar tug on her consciousness that denoted a coming vision. Her eyes focused on a dim light in the distance, the tiniest crescent sliver on an unknown horizon, before she was pulled into the welcoming embrace of Nightmare's memory.

She stood at the head of a grand army, the thousands of ponies that filled its ranks poised tall and proud, their senses alert. The ground, soft and wet, squished beneath her hooves as she took a step away from the formation behind her to climb the small crest of a hill before them. The feel of the sinking earth drew her attention down until her turquoise eyes halted on a shallow puddle reflecting her image upon its surface. Luna drew her head back to admire her new visage. Twilight admired the mare as well, her freshly blackened coat shone in the moonlight with a luster that was curiously absent from the Nightmare Moon she was accustomed to. Her mane billowed in its ethereal wind, but instead of the glowing field of blue, it resembled something akin to a winter aurora with stars dancing in its brilliant colors.

Wow.... She looked amazing back then. Why would she change such magnificence? Twilight mentally chastised herself for her unintended slip. She looks beautiful now, too, but.... Am I defending myself in my own thoughts? She made another mental sigh in order to realign her thoughts. I'll be sure to find out why later.

Luna took one last glance at her reflection, inspecting the heavy blue armor that almost completely covered her from head to hoof. Its polished surface seemed to absorb the silvery light of the moon instead of reflect it, which only served to enhance its sinister image. "Ahh, We truly are a wonder to behold. Wouldst thou agree, Commander Heart Gleam?"

The majestic alicorn turned to a bat-enchanted pony standing behind and to her right. Twilight could feel Luna's eyes daring the pony to disagree and feared for the soldier's safety. "Yes, Your Majesty. You are truly the most majestic being in existence. Not even your sister could hope to match your beauty." Her voice was soft and sweet, a complete contradiction to her appearance, but befitting her name. Her words rang with a tone that, even if Twilight wanted to believe she were lying, would seemingly scream that what was spoken is the absolute truth. Twilight certainly didn't need convincing of the mare's honesty, however. The way that the petite bat-pony looked at her ruler tinged her thoughts with jealousy.

“Thou hast certainly served thy purpose well these last few months, Heart Gleam. Shouldest thou continue to prove thy worth, thy position at Our side will remain assured.” Luna looked away, back towards the rolling fields just before her. “Dost thou believe Our sister will join Us in battle tonight? She seems all too eager to send her pawns to wage war with Us instead. We know that Our sister is much too frightened of Our majestic pow-.”

She stopped and focused her vision on the horizon, straining her eyes to see as far as she could. Just at the edge of her sight, a flash of gold played in the night followed by the distant sound of marching hooves sloshing in the dampened soil. “Ahh, it would seem Our sister hast decided to grace Us with her presence. Heart Gleam, We leave Our army under thine command. When We flare Our wings, call the order to attack. Tonight, We shall show Our sister who is truly fit to rule!”

Luna took to the air, flying towards the white, pink, and gold figure silhouetted against the rows of gold armored gray and white. Celestia moved towards Luna as she approached, her face showing signs of exhaustion and worry. She looks... so haggard.... I could never have thought she could ever be so... distraught.

“Sister.... Do we.... Do we have to fight? Why won’t you stop this nonsense?” Celestia wearily held her gaze upon Luna, watching her with unease.

“Yes, sister. This shall be done regardless of whether or not you wish to do battle. We will crush thou beneath Our hooves regardless of whether thou fight back or not!”

Celestia sighed and hung her head. “Luna.... Why can’t we just talk this out? So many ponies have died because of your actions. Why? Why is this all necessary?”

I knew the reasons. I remember reading them being explained in the lore book that had led me to find the Elements, but it doesn’t seem like a true justification for the actions taken. If this was all caused by simple jealousy.... Luna scoffed. “The time for negotiations is over, Celestia. Ponies have worshipped thou for far too long only to hate Us and the night that We bring. They feared Us long before any of this began. If that is how they wish to see Us, as a monster meant to oppress and destroy them, then that is what We shall become! Thou never paid attention to Our plight until We posed a threat to thine kingdom. Why, dear sister, should We listen to thine pleas?”

“Luna, please....” Celestia’s desperate cry fell on deaf ears as Luna spun on her heels.

“We are not Luna anymore. From now on, thou shalt call Us Nightmare Moon, Queen of the Night and true ruler of Equestria!” She cackled and flared her wings. Moments later, a resounding cry of thousands of ponies tore through the night causing Celestia to visibly shake.

“Luna....”

“We are not Luna!”

“N-Nightmare... Moon.... Please leave our subjects out of this!” Luna ignored the solar alicorn and jumped into the air, hovering above Celestia with her powerful wings. “Fine.... If you won’t spare our subjects, then I will.” Luna and Twilight watched Celestia’s horn glow a bright gold and, within moments, the same golden aura encompassed the mass of gathered ponies. Luna looked back to her army as they stopped and began to panic, but, in a flash of brilliant golden light, they disappeared from the battlefield. The last sound heard was a cry of despair from Heart Gleam as she was whisked away from her Queen’s side.

Luna spun in the air and landed before Celestia as the pearly white alicorn panted in exhaustion. “If that is how thou wish to die, Celestia, alone and unprotected, then so be it. We shall not hold back on the account of thou wasting thine energy saving these pitiful insects!”

The world darkened around Twilight as Luna reared onto her hind hooves in an attempt to land a devastating blow to her elder sister’s head. Again, Twilight found herself trapped in the darkness between visions; a place where she could ponder the happenings of the previous memory. After a long mental sigh, she focused her raging thoughts into a single coherent line of insight. It’s terrifying how far everything went just from pent up feelings of abandonment and loathing.... I can’t help but to place the blame on Nightmare, though.... She could have talked with Celestia about it.... I would ha-. Twilight paused, her mind sorting out her feelings. I would have..., wouldn’t I? I’d have talked to Celestia..., but what if I was in her horse shoes? I’ve already done so much that I never thought I would before.... Almost all of it in the name of the pony that banished my mentor.... The pony I love. I.... I don’t even know if I’d have been able to do anything differently.... She’d had thousands of years before this to gain knowledge from, and not even all of that had stopped anything.... I’d have been just as terrible.

Twilight closed her senses off through intense concentration, tired of being in the emptiness and alone with her rampaging thoughts and fears. She wanted to wake up and hold Nightmare Moon; to feel the caress of the alicorn’s fur on her muzzle. Anything to escape the dread of her recent vision. After several long, excruciating moments, the darkness finally fully consumed her and pulled her out of the memory and back into dreamless slumber.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Tenth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Twenty-Six Ante Meridian
|

Tyra strode down the hall humming softly to a phantom tune as she carried a small platter decorated with light breakfast dishes. She came upon the door of the ponies' current dwelling and paused. I swear I heard something in there.... She shrugged and placed the silver platter on one hand as she raised the other and knocked lightly on the door. "Queen Moon, Lady Sparkle, I've brought your breakfast and a summons from Lord Jahurl. I'll come and set it on your coffee table.”

Had the girl been paying attention, she would have heard the muted cry of protest from the unicorn, but due to her haste, she barged through the door and stopped dead in her tracks. The silver platter and all of its contents were dropped upon the carpeting as she took in the sight before her. Her mouth opened and closed uselessly as her mind sorted out the scene before her. The queen is over.... With a.... In Lady Sparkle's bum-

The young minotaur fell to the floor, her consciousness stolen by the rapid rush of blood to her face as she fainted. Twilight similarly flushed and buried her face in Nightmare's chest to hide her shame while the black alicorn merely looked at the unmoving minotaur on the carpet. She made to continue, but Twilight shook her head and pushed on her chest lightly.

"I.... I can't.... She ruined it.... Bucking horn halter...." Nightmare Moon sighed and climbed off of Twilight so they could bathe and cleanse themselves of their love and Twilight's shame.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Seven Forty-Three Post Meridian
|

Pale moonlight glinted off the side of the Aerburg as its turbines slowed and reversed their rotations to decelerate. The massive airship and its trailing companion glided slowly into the waiting air docks of the pegasus city of Cloudsdale. Rainbow Dash jumped to her hooves from her resting position as soon as the craft stopped its movement and rushed to wake Dizzy Twister. She found the mare laying against the wall near the stairs, passed out from exhaustion before she could claim one of the many open sleeping cabins for herself.

Rainbow shook the mare gently with her hoof, whispering quietly into her ear. "Dizzy. Dizzy! Wake up. We're here." The slightly older mare opened her eyes and blinked, shaking off the lingering urge to sleep as a yawn escaped her lips. "Come on, I wanna be the first one out and I don't wanna leave you behind, considering that this is your hometown and all."

Dizzy smiled and slowly rose to her hooves. "Thanks, Dash. We’d better hurry to the loading dock if we're going to be the first ones out." She followed after the rainbow maned mare as she led them down into the entrance corridor. The pair arrived quickly and, in a matter of minutes, the rest of the ponies aboard the airship began to gather behind them. "Have you ever seen the western coast from Cloudsdale?"

Dash shook her head and sighed. “I've never been too far from Ponyville. I only stayed in Cloudsdale for flight school during the months it remained stationary above Canterlot. My parents never did like the idea of me being too far away from home."

Dizzy smiled and watched the docking door as it hissed and began to open. "Well, you've certainly missed out. The view of the ocean reflecting the light of the moon and the way Cloudsdale clouds refract the light.... It truly is the most beau... tiful...." The door to the loading dock opened to reveal a ravaged city of clouds. The once majestic buildings now broken apart and almost unrecognizable. "Thing...."

Rainbow Dash gaped in horror, stunned by the destruction. "What the buck... happened here?"

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author’s Notes: Well, This one is certainly the best ever so far. Clop-wise at least. I absolutely loved writing this one and hope you enjoy it as well. I plan on writing out a sub chapter after this similar to the Hearthswarming chapter after I finish Chapter 3 of Necro Domina. It will be glorious and cloppy and there will be much rejoicing! Yaaay~ For now, indulge yourselves in this wonderful chapter (for those of you who decide to read the clop) and shame on you if you don’t (for those of you that don’t read the clop. srsly gaiz. the clop is the best part.) A big thanks to Jeky-poo, Squidbilly, and Kassy for their wonderful assistance (especially Jeky-poo for all his help in keeping me on task [lol keeping me on task] and giving me ideas for bits and pieces). For now, Peppy out!

Editor’s Notes #1: Hello all. Fun fun fun chapter we have here (let’sssssssss hope nothing happensssssss to it -Peppy Creeper). I’m pretty beat from work right now so this is gonna be a bit short. BUT... Nice lil’ tid bit aboot the intermission- It is very cloppy and there is heavy use of an... ‘enlargement’ spell. Make of that what you will. Cya next chapter (Whether it be ATFN or ND, doesn’t matter [But if your reading this and you haven’t read Necro Domina yet then get your ass over there and read it! {Now! (I won’t say it again. [Stop reading my god damn note and go read it. {I mean come on. (Two chapters and nineteen-thousand one-hundred and eighty-eight words. [Necromancy. {What’s not to love? (That question does not give anyone permission to troll the comments.) } ] ) } ] ) } ] ).

Peppy: Seriously. Necro Domina will tie in heavily with the sequel so it is imperative that you read it as well if you don’t wanna be like: Wtf is going on here?

Editor’s Notes #3: You could have simply said, “Necromancy,” Jekyll. I know that I’m not the only one who gets aroused from merely mentioning it. Right? ...Right?

Chapter 32.2 - Resolve and Regalement

Chapter 32 - Resolve and Regalement

Nightober Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Three Forty-Seven Post Meridian
|

Lyra chuckled lightly and bumped Fluttershy lightly on the forehead. "You know, I didn't expect to be lectured by Ponyville's resident scaredy-pony."

The butter yellow pony blushed and hid her face behind her pink mane. "Oh, I'm sorry.... I didn't mean to lecture you.... Umm...."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
One Twenty-Five Post Meridian
|

“How did this happen? Why wasn’t there anybody here to stop the griffons from killing so many ponies?!” Cloudy’s fierce stare made the guard pony shiver even more.

“Y-yes ma’am, Commander Horizons, ma’am!” The unicorn spun on her hooves and raced away to do as she was told.

“Really?”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Seven Eighteen Post Meridian
|

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

“Sister.... Do we.... Do we have to fight? Why won’t you stop this nonsense?” Celestia wearily held her gaze upon Luna, watching her with unease.

“Yes, sister. This shall be done regardless of whether or not you wish to do battle. We will crush thou beneath Our hooves regardless of whether thou fight back or not!”

Celestia sighed and hung her head. “Luna.... Why can’t we just talk this out? So many ponies have died because of your actions. Why? Why is this all necessary?”

I knew the reasons. I remember reading them being explained in the lore book that had led me to find the Elements, but it doesn’t seem like a true justification for the actions taken. If this was all caused by simple jealousy.... Luna scoffed. “The time for negotiations is over, Celestia. Ponies have worshipped thou for far too long only to hate Us and the night that We bring. They feared Us long before any of this began. If that is how they wish to see Us, as a monster meant to oppress and destroy them, then that is what We shall become! Thou never paid attention to Our plight until We posed a threat to thine kingdom. Why, dear sister, should We listen to thine pleas?”

“Luna, please....” Celestia’s desperate cry fell on deaf ears as Luna spun on her heels.

“Luna....”

“We are not Luna!”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Tenth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Four Forty-Seven Post Meridian
|

Nightmare Moon watched Twilight’s sleeping form, her breathing heavy as her gaze lingered on the mare’s rising and falling chest. She had not remained asleep like the unicorn had, having been awoken hours before by a mix of her growing desire and the young mare's dream-induced whimpers. Perhaps it was foalish of me to postpone our coupling.... Restraining myself for this long has been.... She breathed in deeply, inhaling a whiff of Twilight's sweat and natural scent, and exhaled heavily. I cannot wait any longer.

She withdrew her wing from where it draped across the byzantium mare's body and leaned down; placing her muzzle a scant few millimeters from Twilight's ear. The midnight alicorn's hot breath tickled the unicorn making her neck tense up as she was slowly pulled from her slumber. Nightmare Moon nipped the ear's tip gently eliciting a soft murmur of pleasure from the unconscious mare before speaking huskily. "Twilight, it is time to awaken. I am ready."

Twilight's eyelids fluttered lightly as she first emerged from sleep's embrace before her sleep-addled mind fully processed her lover's words. Her eyes shot open to full alert and turned to meet Nightmare's lust-filled gaze. "N-Nightmare...."

"I am glad that you have roused from your dreams so quickly. I was not certain how much longer I could have waited. I was about to smother your face between my haunches."

Twilight flushed brightly and averted her eyes from the alicorn's. “T-that’s.... That’s kind of unlike you....” She looked back up, smiling, and breathed in to smell the near-overwhelming musk of Nightmare's arousal. "How long...?"

"Several hours. I woke not long after you fell asleep."

Twilight gasped, inhaling another burst of the alicorn's strong aroma; increasing her own blush. She felt a rising heat from between her own thighs. “Why didn’t you wake me sooner!? I wouldn’t have minded!” She leaned her muzzle towards Nightmare’s, and the two locked their lips in a passionate kiss.

“I suggested we wait-.” Another joining of muzzles and their tongues danced together, fighting for dominance as they were forced back and forth between mouths. They moaned huskily into each other, the sensual tango clouding their minds with lust. Nightmare pulled away, leaving a small bridge of saliva to connect their mouths before it broke. They panted heavily, their breath stolen from them by their kiss.

Twilight gazed dreamily into Nightmare Moon’s turquoise irises before leaning forward once more to kiss the alicorn lightly on her lips. The alicorn moved to lengthen the peck, but Twilight kissed lower, just upon her jawline, and accentuated it with a slight nip. “Twilight-.” Nightmare’s words were stolen by another peck, a quick lap of tongue on the nape of her neck, and were replaced by a sharp gasp. Twilight continued her trail of kisses, bites, and licks down the alicorn’s body until she reached her chest.

The young unicorn pressed lightly on her lover’s barrel, a hint that was taken quite speedily as Nightmare laid herself on her back. Twilight ran a hoof across the mare’s chest, tracing circles lightly along the skin and making her muscles tense at the near-phantom touch. She licked Nightmare’s stomach, trailing a line of saliva from the bottom of her barrel to her throat, eliciting a throaty moan from the royal mare. Twilight smiled and crawled lower, keeping her face close the the alicorn’s body so her breathing would caress her fur. She stopped above the two small mounds of Nightmare’s breasts, breathing heavily as she fought the urge to dive straight into her queen’s soaked love, and traced around each nipple with her tongue.

The reaction from Nightmare Moon brought a smile to the unicorn’s lips as she bit her left nipple lightly. Her tongue danced across the tip as she softly ground her teeth on the sensitive peak. Nightmare gasped and instinctively thrust her hips into Twilight’s chest, smearing the unicorn’s coat with her fluids. Twilight sucked hard upon the nipple in her mouth, forcing another moan from the alicorn’s muzzle, before releasing it with a loud ‘pop’ and kissing both of the hardened peaks. “Nightmare.... Your scent is so... powerful.... Do you want me to...?”

“Yes!” The uncharacteristic outburst startled both of the mares and made Twilight giggle quietly. “Twilight, I want your tongue... and your horn inside of me....” Her words were labored and heavy, a sign that she was struggling with the fire in her loins. Do not make me wait any longer, love.... I have been holding back all night....

The unicorn, for her part, was restraining herself very well despite the musk that emanated from her love’s folds. She took a deep breath of the pungent aroma, shuddering in delight as it clouded her sense, then traced her tongue along Nightmare’s thigh and up her leg. Her slick muscle danced across the sole of the mare’s hoof, teasing the sensitive appendage. Nightmare groaned and pulled her hoof away, spreading herself wider. Twilight took the hint and returned to the delicate flesh between the mare’s thighs, teasing around her vulva with gentle hoof and mouth. Sensuous nips of her teeth, followed by fiery lashes of wet tongue, were accentuated by the prodding and massaging of the unicorn mare’s forelimb. “Twilight.... Please....”

Twilight was caught off-guard, never having expected her queen to plead for anything, but quickly recovered and proceeded on to what was being indirectly requested. She drew her tongue across the fiery folds of Nightmare’s love, drawing the overflowing mare fluids into her mouth at the peak of the lick. She savored both Nightmare’s taste and her cry of pleasure, relishing the feeling of bringing such a powerful reaction from the mare she loved. Another slide of her strong tongue, this one lingering on the sensitive bud hidden beneath protective folds, and another guttural moan escaped the midnight mare’s lips.

Nightmare writhed under the ministrations of her dedicated partner. Her haunches were on fire, begging to be taken by something more than a tongue. Even if that tongue is- Ohhh.... So amazing.... Twilight buried her face deep into Nightmare’s love, her muzzle digging lovingly into her vulva as her tongue explored further, caressing the walls of her most intimate cavity. The royal mare tensed; her mound squeezed tightly upon Twilight’s lashing muscle as her first orgasm rocked her body, punctuated by a scream of lust. “Tw- Twilight!”

The young unicorn was surprised by the sudden flood of juices that sprayed upon her muzzle, but she quickly recovered and lapped furiously at the clenching and winking vagina. She guided Nightmare Moon down from the first of many peaks that were certainly going to be reached and, as soon as the mare’s legs stopped spasming, pulled her face away to give the alicorn a smoldering gaze. “Nightmare..., did you-?”

“Your necklace, Twilight.” Nightmare Moon cut her off, returning the lusty stare even as Twilight’s turned into one of confusion. “I can smell you.... Your sweat and musk.... Give me your necklace.” Twilight complied and carefully used her hooves to hand the dragon bone choker over as demanded. “Now, turn around and present yourself.” Once more, Twilight did as she was told and turned so her backside was facing the black alicorn who took her time to stand upon slightly shaky legs. “Your scent is so enticing, Twilight. It would be rude as your lover to leave you as the only one giving.”

Twilight looked back to see Nightmare Moon wrapping the strap of her necklace around her hips before the black glow of her magic turned a silvery white. She watched the dragon bone change shape from the necklace she kept it as into something resembling black lingerie with a small pouch. Her eyes widened in a mix of shock and excitement as it continued to morph into the form of a long, thick black phallus. “Are.... Are you going to use that on me?” Her words seemed alien to her, husky and dripping with lust, as she felt the heat in her haunches skyrocket.

Nightmare Moon stared at the prostrate mare before her, her attention absorbed by the winking sex on full display. She leaned forward slowly and dragged her tongue across Twilight’s vulva causing the mare to moan and swat her tail across her muzzle, inviting her to continue. Instead, she pulled away and positioned herself above the defenseless unicorn. “Are you prepared, Twilight? I do not know if you’ve experienced this before, and I do not wish to harm you during an act as intimate as this.”

“No.... I mean- No! I’ve never been... penetrated before, but yes.... I’m ready.” She glanced at the thick dildo mere inches from her sex and shuddered. “Please... be gentle....”

The royal alicorn nodded knowingly and stepped forward, pressing the flared head against Twilight’s opening. The unicorn moaned as it pressed against her folds and shifted herself towards it to increase the pressure against herself. Nightmare Moon pushed her hips forward, spreading the mare's lips around the head of the artificial shaft and bringing forth a groan of discomfort from the submissive unicorn. She paused in her advance, waiting for a sign to continue, and was met with a slight force against her stomach as Twilight pushed against the member. The black alicorn responded in turn and pressed further, sliding the slicked length deeper and deeper until she felt resistance mere inches inside.

Nightmare pushed harder making Twilight whimper in pain, but, just as she attempted to pull out, the young mare's walls held the phallus in place. "No...." The word came out as more of a gasp of desperation than any coherent utterance. "Don't stop.... Just..., carefully...."

Twilight bit her bottom lip as Nightmare returned the pressure to her hymen. "Relax or it will hurt more." Twilight took a deep, shuddering breath and loosed it as she forced herself to loosen her grasp on the intruding object. The black alicorn didn't waste the chance and thrust forward, piercing past the thin membrane and filling the unicorn completely.

Twilight cried out in pain, but was quickly silenced as Nightmare magicked her head around to lock her in a deep kiss. Their tongues lashed together, and Twilight soon found herself crushing the penis; the dull, aching pain replaced by a throbbing need. The lunar mare took the byzantium unicorn's throaty groan as a cue and pulled partially out, leaving Twilight with an aching feeling of emptiness. She longed to be filled once again, and her soft whimper to urge her lover on was rewarded with a quick thrust that spread her open and thudded against her cervix.

Twilight cried out in delight as Nightmare began pumping in and out of her at a steady, forceful pace and clenched tighter every time the phallus' preputial ring passed her opening, stretching her more than even the thickest part of the shaft. Twilight lashed her tail across Nightmare's nipples, her tongue hanging out to drool on the bed sheets as she panted loudly. "Faster...! I'm.... I'm close!" The royal mare snorted and increased her speed and flared her horn. The black glow surrounded Twilight's firm breasts, kneading the supple flesh as a similar glow formed under her own tail.

The glow of her magic spread her soaked flower open, revealing her love tunnel to the open air as it worked in and out in tandem to her thrusts in the squealing unicorn. Twilight's high pitched cries filled the air as Nightmare Moon grunted in a mix of pleasure and effort, both of them approaching climax at a breakneck speed. The black mare's hips slapped noisily against Twilight's rump, each contact sending biting pleasure through her flanks and tingling all the way up her spine to her horn.

"Nightmare..., my love.... Kiss me!" They locked lips once more as the dominant mare pounded Twilight's yielding love-hole. The black of Nightmare's magic was overwhelmed by silver as she forced the phallus to grow in girth as she embedded it as far as she could. Twilight's eyes went wide and her mouth opened in a silent scream as her walls were stretched open to their limit, forcing her over the edge. Nightmare Moon's orgasm soon followed as the mix between the pleasure of dominating her lover, her lover's own climax, and her own magical ministrations flipped her switch. The room was filled with the pungent smell of sex and sweat as the two mares collapsed on each other, their glistening, sweat-soaked bodies pressed together as they rode out their orgasms, dripping hot mare-fluids down their legs to further soak the bed.

Twilight, surprisingly, was the first to recover and she took advantage of her lover's immobility to pull herself off the phallus that had impaled her, moaning as it slid out and left her feeling empty. She teasingly kissed down Nightmare's body; making her way to the thoroughly drenched member and suckled on the head, relishing the taste of her own arousal. "Can.... Can I...?"

Nightmare Moon didn't need to hear Twilight's question to understand what she wanted and responded by turning over onto her back, her stiff wings spread wide on the bed and dragon bone penis standing erect. "Do it."

Twilight nodded and carefully pulled the phallus-endowed lingerie off of the alicorn's backside and off her legs. She slid the love-drenched bone up her own legs to nestle against her nethers, the normally solid bone now soft as silk against her slick, heated backside. It fit itself to her form automatically and the eager mare didn't waste any time as she slid it into her waiting lover's passage. There was little resistance on the first thrust, but as she continued on, Nightmare grasped the length as it massaged her sensitive walls.

Nightmare Moon's pleasure was heightened by the thought of her juices mixing with Twilight's underneath the now-byzantium lingerie. Her panting breaths soon turned to powerful moans as the unicorn thrust into her as quickly as she could. Twilight smiled lustfully at the once-dominant mare that was trapped by her hips and forelegs before pressing her muzzle to her lover’s. The pair shared one passionate kiss after another as their hips slapped together and their mare cum soaked their fur even as Nightmare reached her third orgasm.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Tenth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Twenty-Six Ante Meridian
|

"I.... I can't.... She ruined it.... Bucking horn halter...." Nightmare Moon sighed and climbed off of Twilight so they could bathe and cleanse themselves of their love and Twilight's shame.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Seven Forty-Three Post Meridian
|

Rainbow Dash gaped in horror, stunned by the destruction. "What the buck... happened here?"

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author’s Notes: Well, This one is certainly the best ever so far. Clop-wise at least. I absolutely loved writing this one and hope you enjoy it as well. I plan on writing out a sub chapter after this similar to the Hearthswarming chapter after I finish Chapter 3 of Necro Domina. It will be glorious and cloppy and there will be much rejoicing! Yaaay~ For now, indulge yourselves in this wonderful chapter (for those of you who decide to read the clop) and shame on you if you don’t (for those of you that don’t read the clop. srsly gaiz. the clop is the best part.) A big thanks to Jeky-poo, Squidbilly, and Kassy for their wonderful assistance (especially Jeky-poo for all his help in keeping me on task [lol keeping me on task] and giving me ideas for bits and pieces). For now, Peppy out!

Peppy: Seriously. Necro Domina will tie in heavily with the sequel so it is imperative that you read it as well if you don’t wanna be like: Wtf is going on here?

Editor’s Notes #3: You could have simply said, “Necromancy,” Jekyll. I know that I’m not the only one who gets aroused from merely mentioning it. Right? ...Right?

Chapter 33 - Transition and Ascension

Chapter 33 - Transition and Ascension

Nightober Eleventh of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
One Twelve Post Meridian
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The warm midday air blew through the open window in Jahurl's office, relaxing the occupants further as they lounged before and behind his desk. The Minotaur Lord leaned back in his chair and grinned, his face creasing from lines of laughter. "So, have you decided how long you want to stay? I heard from Tyra that you're planning on at least a few more days, or nights, technically."

"We find it would be best to return to our kingdom as soon as possible, but meeting with the ruler of Grandimino is something that should be done sooner rather than later. It is as you say, Lord Jahurl. Negotiations for assistance would work more to my favor should I meet her and negotiate it firsthand instead of through liaisons." Nightmare Moon looked down to Twilight. "Besides, my companion still requires time to recuperate from her previous injuries and it is much safer here than anywhere in Equestria."

"Ah, yes. It'd be a shame for something to happen to the young mare."

Nightmare's eyes narrowed as she morphed her passive gaze into a fierce scowl. "I would advise you to watch what you say, mortal. Know that, should anything happen to Twilight while we are here, I will personally eradicate your city and its people."

"I meant everything that statement directly implied, my Queen. Lady Sparkle is a magnificent mare," he smiled at the dark unicorn before returning his focus to the alicorn, "and it would be unfortunate for anything to happen to her. We shall, to the best of our abilities, make sure no harm comes your way during your stay here. Now, back to the reason we're here, arranging a meeting with my sister will take a few days seeing as she is a busy Tauran. About how long are you willing to spare?"

Nightmare Moon looked at her lover who simply shrugged. "We'll stay until her magic has returned, at least partially. She needs to be able to defend herself to some degree. Other than that, I'd prefer to leave not long after our meeting with.... Who is the ruler of Grandimino?"

"Ah, I apologize. My sister, Lady Borea, is the current ruler of Grandimino, based in the embrace of the Grandimino Peaks. She is strict, but given to acts of compassion towards helping her people. Unless it's me, of course." He laughed heartily and rubbed a newly forming tear from his eye. "She thinks I'm a pushover due to how I run my country. Eh, she may be right. I'm a big softy at heart."

"I look forward to meeting with Lady Borea and to discussing the possibility of a treaty with her as well."

Twilight shifted slightly, easing the discomfort in her backside from their extended seating and her previous... activities. "Do you know if there'll by anything we can offer her to help ease our way through this? From the way you spoke of her, it doesn't seem like a simple trade arrangement and offer of our assistance in time of need will be enough."

"Still quite the thinker, even after this morning, eh?" Twilight's eyes widened as a burning blush spread across her face. "Haha! Don't be surprised that I knew, young one. I'd be surprised if half the city didn't hear you." His chuckling continued for several moments, much to the dismay and embarrassment of Twilight, until he took a deep breath to calm himself. "Hah.... You are correct, however. Borea can be difficult to sway, but with the fact that Griffonia is a plague to her people as well, it should be easier than under different circumstances."

"Very well. My companion and I shall take our leave for the time being. Please inform us of the date of our negotiations as soon as it is available." Nightmare Moon stood and was joined by an unsteady Twilight, her legs still shaking to support her tired body. "Do you require assistance, Twilight?"

The unicorn shook her head and smiled warmly. "No, I’ll be okay. Thank you, though." Her blush returned, lighting up her face with its warmth. "I'm actually surprised that you're seemingly unaffected. Your stamina is amazing."

Jahurl burst out laughing again from behind the pair of mares. "Ahh, love at its finest. Coupling until they can hardly walk and speaking about it in front of others without shame. Truly admirable." He smacked Tyra on her rump and pushed her out the door. "Accompany our guests again, Tyra. Make sure they have just as much fun today as they did yesterday. I can't wait to hear what new noises this one can make!" He grinned deviously at Twilight who buried her head in her forehooves, burning with shame.

As Nightmare looked upon the humiliated unicorn, she felt her lips curl into a faint hint of a smile. I will not regret my decision to be with this mare. That is a certainty.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Seven Forty-Five Post Meridian
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Pegasi flew between crumbled buildings, pushing clouds to and fro as those that weren’t dutifully undergoing the pegasi’s training regimen worked to repair the damaged city. Rainbow Dash stared in awe at the carnage wrought upon the once proud city, noticing the distinct shortage of construction ponies. “Sweet Celestia.... How did this happen?”

“This was one of the first cities the griffons attacked in full force during the initial raids.” Dizzy and Rainbow jumped and spun around to see Silver Lining standing just at the top of the docking bay. “They were extremely understaffed, even with the large groups of pegasi trained for battle, and were taken off-guard by the sudden assault. I don’t know much else, but Cloudsdale lost a lot of good pegasi that day. Were it not for the leadership of the Wonderbolts, this city would probably be unlivable.”

Dizzy sucked in air and spun back around to face the carnage. “M-my family.... I have to go find my family! R-Rainbow, c-could you cover for me? I.... I need to find out if they’re....”

The cyan pegasus looked at her friend, eyes soft, and nodded. “Yeah, but be quick. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to keep the facility on hold. I hear those drill sergeant ponies are tough apples.” The golden pegasus nodded and took off into the city, eyes darting to and fro as she weaved between wreckage and workers. Rainbow sighed, drooping, and cast a glance back to Silver. “I can’t believe anything would want to do this. Do you know why the griffons are killing everypony? Why this war is even happening? My best friend is a griffon and I haven’t heard anything about this before.”

“I haven’t got a clue. I think you should ask Gilda. She’ll probably know more about this than anybody else. I’m just the captain of an airship once meant to cater to pompous fools that has been recommissioned for recruitment purposes. I hope your friend finds her family, but I need to get everypony off so I can rest for the next flight.” He bowed low and turned back inside against the flow of ponies leaving the ship.

Rainbow Dash turned back to the wreckage and stuttered out a heavy sigh as the sound of beatings wings played in the distance. She looked up to see Gilda hovering above the ponies with her battalion of Lunar Soldiers keeping watch on the horizon. The young griffon spotted her and immediately dropped from her position to settle on the cloud bed beside her. “Hey Dash. Bucking crazy, isn’t it? Feels kinda bad knowing that the only pony city I actually liked was hit so hard.”

“Hey, Gilda. The airship captain said you’d know why all this is going on. Why we’re fighting you guys and such. I just don’t understand why this would happen out of the blue!” She grit her teeth, glaring at the broken city. “I always thought, you know, the griffons and us were pretty cool. I mean, you’re over here helping us, so what gives?”

“Look Dash. I’m not even supposed to be talking to you let alone leading your Queen’s armies. My tribe has always had it out for you ponies for many generations. Something about being kicked out due to some chaos-monster-god-thing. I don’t know the details. I never did give two bucks about our past, but our tribe’s pretty much taken over all the others.” She looked off into the distant north as if seeing something that nobody else could. “After we took the majority of the tribes, our chieftains have been pushing them to invade Equestria, but the appeasement treaty with the former princess has kept them at bay for hundreds of years."

"So, you're saying that, with Princess Celestia gone, you guys decided to attack? So this is all Nightmare Moon's fault!?"

"Dash, chill. This would have happened eventually either way. My dad's been setting up for a war against ponies for a while now." The young griffon smirked, scratching at the purple-dyed feathers around her eyes. "If anything, Nightmare Moon is a blessing for you ponies. That namby pamby princess wouldn't have fought back against Griffonia until it was too late."

"Tch, whatever. I still don't like Nightmare Moon for what she did, especially to Twilight, and what she's made other ponies do, but if the griffons are trying to kill us, then I'll fight for her." Dash held her head high and beamed. "I am the Element of Loyalty, after all. I can't let other ponies fight and not help out myself! I mean, what would the Wonderbolts think of me if I hid like a chicken?"

"They'd prolly hate you and never let you join them, duh!" Gilda laughed at Rainbow's glare, then looked to the sky. "Hey, I dunno how long your training is gonna last, but I'll see you when you get out. I've gotta jet for now, though. Cya Dash!"

The rainbow maned pony sighed as she watched her childhood friend fly off to join the guards circling the area. I wish it would all just go back to the way it was. This war is so stupid. Bucking griffons....

"Alright recruits! Gather around me and we'll take you to processing where you'll receive your unit number and initial equipment!" Rainbow's ears perked up at the sound of a stallion’s voice and turned towards the source. In front of the growing group of assembling pegasi was a large, purple stallion with a bright red mane streaked with grey. He wore thick, silver armor accentuated with a golden trim which only seemed to add to his intimidating build.

Dash joined the group of recruits and listened as closely as she could over the cacophony of murmuring voices. "We are moving to the far end of Cloudsdale where the facility is located! Fall in behind me in rows of ten and don't lag behind! I don't have time to be sending out ponies to search for your pansy asses!"

The group quickly formed sloppy rows of mismatched colors before moving in behind the drill sergeant. He grunted in disgust at the lackluster display before spreading his wings and lifting off into the air with a jump and a few powerful strokes of his sturdy appendages. The flight across Cloudsdale was slow; the large group of ponies moving sluggishly compared to individual flight.

Rainbow found herself grumbling under her breath, thoroughly annoyed at the languid pace she was being forced to take. This is ridiculous! I shouldn't have to fly this slow! If it wasn't for Dizzy, I'd just fly on ahead and leave these slugs in the dust. She sighed and looked around, trying to catch a glimpse of the rosy-maned mare from her position at the rear of the flock. I sure hope she finds her family. Her thoughts were interrupted by a surprise hug from behind, nearly knocking her out of her flight pattern.

"Oh, thankyousomuchRainbowDash!" Dizzy's whispering voice was barely audible over the random beating of nearly fifty pegasi.

Rainbow shrugged her off and watched as she joined the procession. "Did you find your family, Diz?"

"Yes! I'm so relieved that they're safe. With all of the damage to the city, I thought I'd never see them again." Her excitement turned sour moments later. "I wish I could say the same about our neighbors, though.... They lost their colt to those monsters."

The cyan pegasus, and a few eavesdropping others, gasped in shock at the downcast mare's words. "Well, we're going to be getting some proper training soon, so we'll be able to return the favor! I still find it hard to believe that my best friend is one of them. She seems so different."

Dizzy watched Rainbow curiously, expecting the mare to lose her brave smile over those words, but instead saw a new look of determination set in. She smiled at the rainbow-maned pony and looked to the front of the group, watching the lead stallion as he altered his course towards a large, almost fully intact cloud building below them. The group followed suit and they all landed softly on the cloud bed outside with disharmonious thuds.

"Alright recruits! This is the recently improved Cloudsdale Royal Guards Training Facility where you will either be spending the next month honing your abilities to become an asset to Her Majesty's Lunar Army, or crying like a foal as we try to whip your sorry ass into shape. Who knows? Some of you might even make it out early if you show exceptional skill. That'll all be determined during your training. Don't expect any partial treatment from our instructors, though. They've been dealing with suck-ups and ass-kissers longer than you've been off your mommies teats! Do you understand?"

The crowd mumbled out varied unenthusiastic responses highlighted by the deep, gravelly 'Yeah!' of a heavily muscled white stallion in the center of the group. Rainbow chuckled and shook her head. "This'll be a snap. I'll be in and out of this in a jiffy."

"You should try and stay as long as you can, Dash."

Dash stared at Dizzy incredulously. "Why? I don't take orders very well, if you couldn't tell from all those years with Cloud Kicker as head weather pony. I don't wanna be here any longer than I have to."

"But, Dash. The moment you finish here, you'll be sent off to fight. You could die!"

"Shhh! Don't want him to hear you." She inclined her head towards the instructor who was going over the processing procedure. "I know, however I can't just lolligag. I can't let other ponies fight while I'm horsing around to avoid it. Plus, I need to get out so I can see my friend; make sure she doesn't kick it."

"I.... I see. C-could you at least stay until I 'm almost done? I'm really scared from everything going on and it'd be nice to have somepony to look up to during this. Plus, I'm not really that powerful of a flyer."

Dash grinned smugly, running a hoof through her mane. "Psh, of course I can. After what Raindrops did for me, I'd have to be a complete ass to say no." She looked up towards the front of the formation to find them filing into the massive facility. "Oh, hey! We're moving. Don't worry, Diz. I'll stick with you until you're good to go."

They followed the lead ponies to the building's entrance, keeping pace with the sluggish crawl as the crowd passed the columned entrance in groups of three. Dash looked over as much of the building as she could, marvelling at the intricate architecture. The facility was a wonder of Cloudsdalean construction, its massive cloud walls and ceilings supported by pillars of ancient Roaman influence. In the center, clearly visible over the sloped roofing, sat a monstrous, domed coliseum.

"Wow! How long has this place been here? I can't believe I didn't notice it as a filly during flight school." Dash gaped at the expertly crafted construct as she prodded her companion for information.

"The training facility has been around since long before any of us were born, but it was never this big. That dome is new, too. It must've been added recently."

The pair finally passed under the archway and into the building, finding themselves in a high-topped lobby with two doors on either side of the far wall. Beside each door sat small desks. Behind each sat a pair of pegasi dressed in white coats, one with a camera and one holding a clipboard and pen. Groups of ponies in silver armor similar to the instructor's stood in tight formations around the sparsely furnished room.

The instructor stepped in front of the group and cleared his throat, the noise echoing in the cloud chamber. "Alright recruits! This is where it all begins! Mares on the left and stallions to the right! Move in single file and we'll be done in no time at all!"

Rainbow and Dizzy waited silently in the mare's line, watching each pony pass through the swinging door and into another room beyond. Time passed horrendously slowly for the cyan mare leaving her to practically dance in place until, finally, her turn came.

"Name and age, please." The mare with the camera demanded as she snapped a picture of Dash's backside.

"Hey, there. I usually charge for pictures, you know."

Rainbow snickered and the mare rolled her eyes. "Name and age."

"Yeah. Yeah. Don't get your withers in a twist. Seriously, no sense of humor. Rainbow Dash, age thirteen." The mare with the clipboard scribbled down the information and clipped the photograph of Dash's cutie mark to the front.

"All set. Take this to the next open station and wait for a nurse to join you for your physical."

The cyan mare was ushered into the next room by the impatient mare behind her. The next section of the building consisted of a plain, long room lined with dividing screens that sectioned off the length into small cubicles. Dash strode past each divider, glancing into the ones without drawn curtains; catching glimpses of various mares have their mouths, wings, and even the parts under their tails checked. She blushed, catching sight of Dizzy shamelessly lifting her tail for her nurse to inspect her.

Wow.... She must be used to stuff like this. Cloudsdale weather patrol probably has routine check-ups or something. She shook her head and forced her slowly stiffening wings back under control before stepping past Dizzy's stall and into her own empty cubicle. She resigned herself to the inevitable eternity she'd have to wait for her own physician, but was gratefully surprised when a middle-aged mare stepped in after only a few, short minutes. "Huh. You guys are pretty efficient. I thought I was gonna be here forever." Dash set her file on a metal gurney and stepped back to allow the nurse more room to maneuver.

"We have to process hundreds of ponies with almost every group that is shipped in. If we weren't this productive, we'd be trapped here for days on end trying to make sure you're healthy enough to fight." She skimmed over the clipboard, smirking. "Okay. Let's get st-"

"Uhm, hey. Could we, like, close the curtain? I don't wanna..., you know."

"Oh? Modest, are we?" She picked up the clipboard once more and closed the curtain. "That can't be right. The medical note here says that you are 'A smart-alecky show-off'."

Rainbow Dash gasped in shock then growled. "Those bucking receptionists. I aught'a go out there and buck them in the flank!"

The nurse grinned and chuckled, her eyes glowing with mirth. "Oh, I'm sure you'd absolutely love to buck their flanks Rainbow, but we have a physical to do. Plus you have the rest of orientation to finish."

"What!? What's that supposed to mean? Huh?"

The nurse just laughed louder and smiled at the hot-headed mare before her. "Do you really not remember me, Rainbow Dash? I certainly remember that boastful, young pegasus dead-set on trying to make her pediatric nurse become her marefriend six years ago."

Dash's eyes went wide and her cheeks flushed a bright red as she opened her mouth in a knowing 'O'. "M-miss Bluebell?"

"Hello again, Rainbow. You've certainly become quite the mare haven't you?" She smiled warmly at Dash. "Let's get to work so you aren't late for anything." Bluebell pressed the end of her stethoscope to her charge's chest, listening to her heartbeat and lungs as she breathed. "That seems okay. Open wide and say 'Ahhh'. Throat seems fine. Been having any trouble breathing recently? Any scratchiness or mucous buildup?"

"Nope. I've been in tip-top shape for years. I have to be if I wanna join the Wonderbolts!" Rainbow rubbed her head with a hoof; chuckling nervously. "Uhm, hey. I wanna apologize for back in flight school. It must've gotten pretty annoying to have a filly constantly swooning over you. Especially since you were, and still are, quite pretty. You must've had stallions and mares vying for your attention all the time."

"Oh, it was not a problem at all. Flattery can get you everywhere in life. If you were older and I attracted to mares, I would have probably taken you up on your advances. I'm not nearly as attractive as you say, after all." She lifted an otoscope and capped the end in plastic before lifting it into Rainbow Dash's ear. "How's your griffon friend, Gilda, I think, been? Is she staying safe during all of this?"

"She's actually pretty high up in the army from what I've seen. She was leading the troop that got us here tonight." Rainbow sighed, forcing her ear not to twitch at the disturbance.

"How's the hearing been? Any signs of loss, major or minor? I know that flying high speed can have a toll on the hearing." The cyan pegasus shook her head, flinching as her blue-coated nurse inspected her opposite ear. "Everything seems alright. Last check and we're done. Turn around and move your tail, please." Rainbow complied, albeit hesitantly, and faced away from Bluebell. "Are you sexually active?"

Dash scoffed and grinned smugly. "Of course! I have sex all the time! Nopony can keep their hooves off The Dash!"

"Lying will get you nowhere, Rainbow. I'll just mark you down as a virgin aaaaaaaand...." She looked closely, checking for any signs of inflammation or malformations. "It looks like you're free to go. It was nice seeing you again Rainbow. Hopefully it'll be the last, so no getting sick or injured. Okay?"

The nurse laughed at Rainbow Dash's embarrassment and pushed her towards the curtain. "H-hey, Miss Bluebell? I meant what I said as a filly. You should try to find a stallion for yourself before it's too late. And, thanks for sticking with me as a kid."

"Go on! Being all sentimental isn't like you at all. Just don't let us down out there and perhaps I'll give it a shot."

Dash nodded and stepped through the next doorway, shooting one last glance at her nurse before moving out of sight. Huh. Who'd have thought I'd see her again?

The procession of mares soon reconnected with the stallions in another sizable chamber, this one set up similarly to the reception room. Dash scanned the crowd for Dizzy and spotted her standing not far from the examination hall's door. She settled in between her and the wall, forcing all memory of the last few minutes from her mind and instead focusing on a new instructor, this one a mare, standing at the head of the crowd.

As the last mare found her place towards the rear of the mass, the mare cleared her throat. "All right, maggots! This is where your time in our happy little camp truly begins! From here on you'll do what we say, when we say it, understood!?" She paused for a second, but continued before any affirmation could be sounded. "You are going to be spending the first few days in assessment where your current skills will be tested! After that, most of you worms will move on to physical conditioning and basic combat training!" Her smooth, yet firm voice was amplified by the acoustics of the chamber and rang out clearly over the crowd. "Those lucky few that pass with above average abilities will skip the conditioning and proceed to the combat training and discipline training! From there, every one of you failures will begin endurance conditioning until you won't be crying for your mommy when you fall and get a boo boo!"

"Man, this mare's kind of a bitch, isn't she Dizzy?" Rainbow prodded the pegasus, chuckling at her jabs.

"What was that, maggot!? Care to stand up and say that again!?" The instructor jumped down from the small raised portion of the cloud floor she was on and trotted over to Dash, glowering at the pegasus. "I said, would you care to repeat what you said, maggot!?" Rainbow Dash swallowed nervously and shook her head. "Oh, I'm sorry. I can't seem to hear you. Perhaps you'd like to start your training off with the extreme conditioning and endurance tests we have set up for our ranking officer evaluations?"

"Nah, I'm good!"

"Oh? That's good? Excellent, maggot! We'll be sure to have that ready for you the moment you get your bunk and gear! I'll see you again in an hour! By the way, maggots! I am Colonel Clear Skies and will be the drill sergeant whipping you foals into shape! Now, follow me and you'll receive your identification number which will also assign you to a bunk!" She leaned in close to Dash's ear and smiled. "Next time you'll lose half of your rations for each meal."

Rainbow Dash glared at the armored mare as she walked away, headed for the large, pushbar-handled doors at the rear end of the room. "I'll show you, Clear. You'll eat those words."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Thinth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Twenty-One Post Meridian
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Fluttershy's carriage bounced over the cracked asphalt of the Manehattan streets, maneuvering the crowded city at the mercy of its hitched stallions. She cowered under the seats, hiding from the noise of the bustling city as a gray-blue mare attempted to coax her out of hiding. "Come on, Fluttershy. It'll be fine. Nothing's going to hurt you. It's just the engines of the magicoaches. There's nothing to be afraid of."

The butter pegasus whimpered a weak reply, inaudible over the carriages creaking wheels alone. She had hidden the moment they crossed into suburban Manehattan and the first horn pierced the night air. Tenderheart had been trying to comfort her for just as long. Now, twenty minutes later, they were pulling into the loading bay of the Manehattan General Hospital where both Fluttershy was to receive advanced medical training to strengthen her limited knowledge of veterinary and equine care. Instead of the eager enthusiasm she had when she left Ponyville, however, Fluttershy was regretting having ever left her cozy cottage.

"Fluttershy.... I'll make sure nothing happens to you, all right? I know it must be scary, coming to such a boisterous city like this from Ponyville, but you do have a friend here to help you." Tenderheart brushed a stray teal lock out of her face and smiled with a gentleness that embodied her name perfectly.

Fluttershy opened one eye, the one not covered by her frazzled, pink mane, and looked to the nurse. "P-promise?"

Tenderheart nodded and pulled the pegasus into a light embrace before helping her back out from under the seat and onto her hooves. Fluttershy continued to tremble despite the proximity to a trusted companion as they stepped out into the bustling hospital, dodging hurried nurses and doctors as they pushed stretchers with injured ponies into the automated sliding emergency entrance.

Neither of them knew where they'd be going, but, under the ushering of the medical ponies they had ridden from Ponyville with, Fluttershy and Tenderheart soon found themselves on their way to the third floor of the massive complex. Fluttershy loosed a sigh of relief at the sudden absence of the massive crowds just two floors below them. This floor, unlike the one below, didn't house patient rooms, but instead was lined with small bedrooms which Fluttershy assumed was for the live-in staff.

The pair walked down the hall, glancing into the open, empty rooms to see the most basic accommodations, a pair of small beds, a small writing desk, and a trash can in each. Eventually they came to a 'T' intersection with a small sheet of paper taped to the wall. "Hmmm.... What’s this?” Tenderheart stepped up to the paper, holding the bottom in place so the air vents wouldn’t shift it while she was reading. “'All medical trainees and transfer staff need to report to conference room number six for bunk assignment and scheduling'. Huh.... I wonder where that is. This floor doesn't really have too many guidance signs."

"Uhmm.... Maybe we could ask one of the nurses back there? I mean.... C-could you ask them? I d-don't do well with new p-ponies."

Tenderheart smiled and nodded. "Oh, Fluttershy. You really should try to be less scared of everypony, but I'll ask." She rubbed the pegasus' back and led her back to the elevator where a pair of stallions were emerging from the first bunk room on their left. "Oh! Gentlestallions, could I bother you with a question?"

The first stallion, an earth pony, looked up at them. "Oho, new nurses? Looks like we're moving up in life here. Whatcha need, miss?"

"Well, my friend and I are new here, obviously, and we were wondering if you could tell us where conference room six is. In such a large hospital, it'd be much faster to just get directions rather than search manually, after all." She smiled sweetly at the pair and received grins in return.

The stallions' grins turned towards each other before the second stallion, a unicorn, tossed a foreleg over Fluttershy's withers, eliciting a frightened squeak from the mare. "Why don't we just show you where it is? We could chat, get to know each other, and exchange names."

Tenderheart sighed, shaking her head before prying the stallion's leg from her trembling friend's back. "Apparently, it would seem you are less interested in helping us look for our destination and more interested in helping yourselves to looking at us. And Redheart wonders why I prefer small town hospitals over ones like this." She pulled Fluttershy away from the miffed stallions and guided her down the hall away from them. "We'll just look for it ourselves, then. Don't think I'll forget either of you when I talk to the director later, though!"

They reached the 'T' intersection once more before glancing back towards where they had left the stallions. "I can't believe they let ponies like that work here. It's outrageous! How have they not been written up for harassment?"

"Th-thank you for helping me. I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't stepped in like that." Fluttershy's head dropped until she was staring intently at her hooves. "I just freeze up around strangers...."

The blue nurse squeezed Fluttershy's shoulder reassuringly. "You don't have to thank me, Fluttershy. You're too much of a cutie to let anypony try and take advantage of you like that. Definitely going to have to work on that passive nature of yours, though, but worry not for I shall assist you." She grinned widely and struck a valiant pose, but broke her composure the moment the yellow pegasus giggled at her display. "All right, all right. Let's just look for that conference room. We'll get you trained and certified as a field medic in no time at all!"

Fluttershy nodded and followed behind her earth pony compatriot, smiling at the thought of having a friend to help her adjust to her surroundings when a thought pierced the front of her mind. "Nurse Tenderheart?" The mare in question glanced back, her eyebrow raised. "I was just wondering, if you don't mind me asking, why you came to Manehattan. You're a nurse, so you didn't have to leave Ponyville, right?"

"Yes, ma'am! I could practically do what I want unless I get an order from the Queen."

"So, why are you here? I mean, I certainly don't mind, of course. I was just wondering.... I'm sorry. I'll stop asking."

Tenderheart laughed and pulled the pegasus into a soft embrace, smiling warmly. "Oh, I have my reasons. You'll find out soon enough, Flutters." She left her leg draped over the pegasus as they passed through the halls in their search for the first step towards the pegasus' education.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Fourteenth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Forty-One Ante Meridian
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Twilight sighed, shaking her head as she and Nightmare toweled off, drying their bodies from their most recent bath. "We should probably start locking the door when we..., you know. That's the third time Tyra's walked in on us! How can she not hear the noises I make when you-" Her eyes widened as she realized what she was saying and she shoved a hoof in her mouth, blushing profusely. "Oh, horse apples. I can't believe I said that."

Nightmare smirked, but swiftly wiped all traces of her reaction from her features. "I still do not understand your qualms. Coitus is simply an act of pleasure even when the parties involved are attempting conception. I can recall several moments from before my banishment of my subjects rutting in the street. I even partook of my most loyal advisors during court on occasion."

Twilight's blush intensified, leaving her to cover her face with her hooves. "I-I just c-can't. It's j-just so embarrassing! It's so f-frowned upon that we're taught to find such things as indecent and embarrassing. I d-don't understand why since we're always naked, b-but after so long-. C-can we just g-go see Jahurl?"

Nightmare rubbed the towel across Twilight's body, making sure to be cautious of the mare's scarred stomach. Only a few weeks ago, I wouldn't have even been mindful of her injuries and now I'm drying her and assisting her bathing. It amazes me, how much can I change my thoughts of a single mare. "You could always consider it as displaying your love for me for all to see. It would please me greatly for you to perform such acts before my court, but you are correct. We must make haste to see Lord Jahurl if we wish to expedite our return home."

Twilight stammered out meaningless utterances, unable to properly process the alicorn's words without picturing the actions in question. "I-I'll th-think about it, N-Nightmare. It's just s-so illogically embarrassing for so natural an act. L-let's just g-go."

Nightmare grinned, suppressing a chuckle. "Of course. I look forward to your decision, though, my love." She made certain to emphasize those words, making Twilight's breath catch in her throat. She will, with utmost certainty, do as I wish. Seeing her react like that to words, truth or otherwise, is proof enough.

Jahurl looked up from his desk, beaming as the two ponies and minotaur siblings stepped into his office. "Ah, good morning, Queen Moon, Lady Sparkle! Judging by little Tyra's lingering look of shame, she must've walked in on you two again. How do you not notice the sounds?"

"My sister is rather dense, My Lord. She seems to tune out anything around her." The girl flushed and bowed her horned head in shame.

"That is quite enough about our bedroom activities!" Twilight glanced around and smiled sheepishly. "So, we're going to meet Lady Borea tonight, correct? When do we depart and how are we going to get there? I figure that the most obvious mode of transport would be by hoof, but if it's going to be anything like the journey here, I'm not sure how long I'll be able to walk."

"We will be walking. It won't be much longer than an hour so long as we move without any breaks. We shall also be climbing to higher elevations, so it'll cool off the further we progress. As for a time? I was hoping to leave within the hour.

"The sooner, the better. Twilight's magic should return within the next day or so and I would like to leave then, as I've stated previously." Nightmare looked into the minotaur lord's eyes and only averted her gaze to her lover's when he gave a nod of confirmation. "Perfect. We shall be in our quarters when you are set to leave. I also wish to ask who all will be accompanying us? Will it be the same group that lead us here originally?"

"Oh, no. It'll be just the five of us making the journey. Which reminds me...." He turned to the twins and grinned mischievously. "You two will be coming with us. Fetch your weapons and, if you wish, armor while I prepare myself. Meet back here when you are all finished and we'll begin the trek without any further delays."

Tyro nodded and gave a quick bow before dragging his dumbfounded sister from the room. Twilight giggled and stood alongside Nightmare to follow the alicorn back to their room. "So, My Queen, do you have a feeling like he's not bringing as much defense as he should as well?"

"I will trust in his decision even if I agree with your sentiment. We'll have to see how it turns out."

Twilight nuzzled up against Nightmare, who leaned slightly into the mare. "I'll gladly put my life on the line for you, should the need arise."

Her voice shook, but her resolve was firm as far as the alicorn could tell. "I will be sure that it does not come to that, Twilight. You will not die again, even for me." She stopped alongside the lake, standing under a palm tree, and lowered her head. Her lips met with Twilight's, who parted hers, allowing Nightmare full access. They broke away, gazing lovingly into each others' eyes until the night queen turned away. "Come, we do not have much, but we shall retrieve your pendant and my armor."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Fourteenth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Twenty-Three Ante Meridian
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Nightmare Moon and Twilight stepped into Jahurl's office to find the twins and minotaur lord all ready and waiting. Tyra shifted nervously, the gray plate metal armor covering almost all but her shins and hooves obviously constricting her body compared to her typical nudity. "Do I have to come? I haven't had to wear this in years and I haven't had it adjusted! It's squishing me."

Tyro, similarly armored, but with noticeably heavier plates, shook his head, rubbing his snout with an iron-clad hand. "That is your fault, sister. You know that you're supposed to fit your armor with every major growth spurt. Something like this can happen at any time. Why do you think they train us, as children, to fight? So we can defend ourselves against angry monarchs when we walk in on them having sex?"

"No.... I just never thought I'd be chosen to guard anything as a host to foreign ambassadors."

"Alright, enough bickering you two. When we get back we'll have your armor fitted properly, Tyra, but for now we need to depart. Just let this be a lesson to you. Do as you are told for you never know what could happen." He donned his mischievous grin once more before redirecting his attention to the waiting mares. "Your Majesty, Lady Sparkle, I assume you are ready to leave?"

"Of course. We did not require much in the way of preparation, so it was just a matter of awaiting the time of meeting. Grandimino Peaks are to the north from here, am I correct?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. We will be leaving by the northern gate and should arrive at Grandimino City in under two hours, at the most." He stood, his heavy-metal armor clanking together. "Well, let us be off, then. This trip isn't going to make itself!"

Twilight huffed, groaning as they crossed another ridge before collapsing onto the rocky ground, clutching her chest. "I-I can't keep going. This terrain is... too tough... for me to travel... across...." She panted, cringing as her scar writhed from being agitated.

"The wyvern poison is reacting to your exertion, is it not?" Nightmare stood beside her, her horn aglow as she attempted to relieve the unicorn's pain. "I thought it had been completely flushed already. I apologize, Twilight. I should have been more thorough with the cleansing."

"Do you want me to carry her, Queen Moon?" Tyra stepped up beside the pair, worry set across her features. "We are not too far from Grandimino City, but the climbing only becomes worse until we reach the outskirts where the ground has been levelled."

"No, I shall carry her." Nightmare lifted Twilight in her magic, making the unicorn's coat stand on end as her cool embrace enveloped her. "We have already spent more than two hours walking and it'll be faster if she isn't weighing us down."

"I'm sorry, Nightmare. I wish I wasn't such a burden on you all of the time."

"Silence, Twilight. Just rest while we finish the journey. As soon as we arrive, I will find a place for you to lay while I meet with Lady Borea." Nightmare Moon nodded to Jahurl, who returned the gesture and resumed leading the group along the mountain pass.

"N-no. I'll stay with you for the meeting. I want to meet Lady Borea and it'd be best if your most loyal subject was to be with you. Celestia always made a point to have me with her whenever I wasn't studying or in classes." Twilight closed her eyes, slowly relaxing as the alicorn's cool magic soothed her burning chest.

The remainder of the trip was made in silence, the minutes ticking by until the basin valley containing Grandimino City came into view. The massive valley was filled with various stone structures, the rocks obviously hewn from the mountains themselves to create the buildings that made up the town. Large expanses of vegetable, cotton, and wheat fields surrounded the outer buildings with several mills dotting the land. In the direct middle of the town stood a large tower-like building, the residence of Lady Borea.

"Here we are, company, Grandimino City run by my sister, Lady Borea. She will be, if it wasn't already apparent, in the central tower." He turned to the group, grinning widely. "Well, shall we get this meeting going? I'm sure you would all like to rest after our surprisingly long journey."

Twilight looked across the town as Nightmare levitated her alongside her. "Wow! I wouldn't have expected such a large town in the mountains. I mean, Canterlot is fairly large, but a vast majority of the city is at the base of the mountain. These minotuars, well maybe not these minotaurs, but their ancestors broke down these mountains without magic! Truly incredible."

They passed through the paths between grain fields, catching glances of minotaur women tending the stalks. The group was paid virtually no heed, the only acknowledgement of their presence being quick, sidelong glances in their direction. Nightmare silently fumed at such disrespectful behaviour, fighting the urge to lash out at the minotaurs. These are not my subjects. I cannot act against them, even as goddess of the night, if I wish to gain the favor of Borea.

The group of five soon reached the edge of the first set of buildings, passing the edges and onto the stone pathway comprising the town's streets. "Why is everybody so unfriendly? I was expecting something like Valtaura." Twilight looked around, watching the minotaurs stop mid-conversation to stare at the group as they passed. "This is somewhat disconcerting."

"They do not know you, so they do not trust you. The Grandimians have been a solitary society for many generations ever since the first griffon invasions." He smiled at a trio of tauran women who proceeded to ignore him and return to their idle gossip. “They also don’t like me too much. Sibling rivalry and all of that. Something about me not being competent enough to have a sister as ‘great and wonderful’ as Borea.” His grin grew wider as he nudged Twilight. “It’s a good thing I have plenty of women to choose from in Valtaura, eh?”

“You know, I’m surprised you aren’t more popular here, Lord Jahurl. Honestly. I don’t think I could ever dislike you, all comments about My Queen’s and my relations aside.” She smiled at the jovial lord as they drew nearer to the tower. “It’s a great wonder to find a ruler that can interact with his or her people on a casual level rather than through formalities and pomp.”

“I thank you, Lady Sparkle, for the compliment. Unlike my sister, I revel in meeting new people and making said people comfortable.” The group paused, standing before a wrought-iron gate guarded by a pair of spear-wielding female guards. “Greetings, ladies. I, Lord Jahurl of Valtaura, am here with Queen Nightmare Moon of Equestria and our honor guard. We have a meeting with the Lady of the City, Borea, and request entry into the Grandimian Tower.”

“Right away, Lord Jahurl. The Lady Borea is waiting in the audience chambers for you and your party. Do you require guidance, or are you capable of finding them on your own?” The guard to Jahurl’s right saluted, while the left guard spoke.

“A guide will not be necessary, Minne. I have been here often enough to know my way around.”

“Of course, Lord Jahurl. You may proceed through the gates.” She turned, along with her accomplice, and pulled the sliding iron open to allow the group passage.

“Lord Jahurl, I didn’t know you knew the names of Lady Borea’s guards. You really do take the time to care for others.” Twilight patted the minotaur’s shoulder grinning cheerfully at him.

“Oh, no. Minne’s family has been serving as guards for the Grandimian Lords and Ladies for generations. Minne started as a guard when she was big enough to hold a sword and is the kindest of the guards I know.” He scratched his chin, glancing back at the lightly armored guards. “She was a cute lass back then and has grown into a fine, young woman.”

They strode across the tower’s grounds, the patchwork stone streets now solid slabs of rock, and through the small gardens lining the path. The tower loomed overhead, its massive structure tantamount to the Grandimian minotaurs’ masonry prowess. The pale gray walls reached several stories into the air, the crenellated walls dotted with windows. The building itself lacked decoration, but made up for the absence with sheer perfection. Not a single stone was out of place and the entire surface was sanded down to give it a smooth, sleek finish.

Jahurl twisted the ornate, golden handles and pulled the tower's massive, oaken doors open to allow the other four entrance. The tower's interior began with a lengthy hallway which opened into a vast, circular room. The roof rested above them at six stories, the upper levels of the tower accessible by dual staircases running up and along the walls to meet at a landing which housed several doors to various rooms.

Twilight stared up the tower, marvelling at the structural magnificence and the mural painted onto the stones making up the roof, marred only by an opening to the tower's roof. The mural, quite obviously and painstakingly well-maintained, depicted early minotaurs toiling against the mountains, cleaving large slabs of stone as others used prepared stones to build the budding town they now lived in. "Wow! This is amazing! To think that everything here was made without the use of magic is simply astounding!"

"Yes, my sister's people are very skilled in masonry and farming, but do not doubt their military prowess else you fall prey to their blades." Jahurl motioned across the room to another pair of wooden doors decorated with floral carvings.

Nightmare Moon lowered Twilight to the floor, carefully setting her on her hooves. "You are all right to stand on your own, correct?" The byzantium mare nodded and Nightmare released her magical hold on her. "Excellent. Let us meet the lady, Borea, so we may rest before returning to Valtaura." She strode forward purposefully, Twilight keeping pace behind her, and magicked open the doors to the tower's audience chamber.

This room was noticeably smaller in area as compared to the central chamber, but housed more furnishings ranging from green tapestries on the walls to small, wooden stands holding vases of various flora. The floor was covered by a thick, red carpet which effectively silenced the group's hoofsteps and, at the far end of the room sat an ornate wooden throne upon which sat a female minotaur of comparable size to Jahurl. Her considerably larger horns, as compared to other females', protruded from under the bangs of a meticulously groomed head of blue-black hair.

The woman's piercing black eyes scanned over the group before she stood. She bowed, her slim torso dipping with practiced grace as her left arm waved out in formality. “Welcome, Queen Nightmare Moon and Lady Twilight Sparkle, to Grandimino. Brother." She nodded curtly to the Valtauran lord and the twins.

"Greetings, sister! It's been quite some time since we last met! How have you been this past year?" Jahurl stepped towards Borea, but halted with a slight frown as she held up a hand to stop him.

"Not long enough for me. I wish to speak with the pony queen. Your letter said she had a request for military support, am I correct, Your Majesty?" She coldly ignored her brother's insincere pouting and focused on the ponies in her presence.

Nightmare Moon stepped forward, dipping her head in respect before speaking. "That is correct. We are currently at war with the nation of Griffonia. They have attacked several of our cities already and sabotaged several troop recruitments and supply lines. While your brother's assistance is a welcome, and formidable, addition to our cause, it would be a great advantage to have your people at our side during this war as well."

"Ah, I see. While we have had ongoing issues with the griffon nation in the past, I do not see how coming to your aid would benefit my city. We have a highly defensible city nestled in the valley of a mountain and very little ties with Equestria. It would not be of any benefit to aid you." She returned to her throne, staring at the group in boredom.

"Very well." Nightmare Moon bowed her head once more. "If that is your decision, Lady Borea, then I shall-"

"What!? That's outrageous! Helpless ponies will be slaughtered by the griffons! We don't have any extensive military training and we're even shorter trained due to a recent civil war! You're telling us that you'll let them have their way with us!?" Twilight advanced on the minotaur, her mane smoking as sparks raced along her horn. "You're just as despicable as the griffons! It's no wonder your people are so cold and unreceptive to strangers with a ruler like you!"

Borea stood, the muscles under her naked skin rippling as she tensed. "You have quite the tongue for being the queen's fuck-toy. I'll make a wager with you, unicorn: Fight me in single combat, a duel to submission or surrender. Should you defeat me, it'll prove that you ponies are worth protecting and I shall aid you. Should you lose, I'll have you publicly executed for threatening the ruler of Grandimino."

"I will not allow this duel to happen. You do not have any right to try my consort. She will be properly punished for her actions on my terms."

Borea glared at the alicorn, her muscles tensing further. "Who said there would be a choice in this matter? She has threatened me, even if it was inadvertent. The duel will happen or she dies regardless."

"I could drop the moon on your people! Do you dare think to cross the goddess of the-"

"I'll do it. I won't let this witch have her way. She is unfit to rule if she cannot assist others in need, especially if the threat is a common enemy." Twilight glared defiantly at the woman, fire burning in her eyes as the smoking of her mane and her horn's sparking increasing. Her face flushed as a familiar heat filled her body and she began panting.

"You may use whatever you wish to fight me and I will use only my body. You may begin whenever you wish." She took up a battle stance, levelling her body in preparation for whatever the unicorn could throw her way.

"Twilight, should you lose, I shall escape with you. Know-"

"There won't be any need for that, my queen. I will not lose to her even if she batters my body." She concentrated as Nightmare stepped away, the medallion about her neck oozing up her neck to reform in her mouth as its original long dagger form. She narrowed her eyes, growling at the minotaur, and charged.

She stopped short, using her momentum to spin her body, and kicked her hind legs out, attempting to buck Borea's legs with as much force as her body could muster. The minotaur grabbed her legs, laughing, and threw her into the wall. Twilight cried out in pain, clutching her chest, but stood once more and charged again. She swung the dagger as Borea threw a clenched fist.

The blade cut along the minotaur's arm leaving a wide gash, but didn't halt her progress. Her fist connected with Twilight's ribs, cracking a pair of them and sending her tumbling. She stood again, tears staining her cheeks, as she loosed a mixture of agonized pants and husky moans. Her horn buzzed with energy, the electricity jumping off of its length and crackling in the air.

Borea looked at her skeptically, ignoring the searing wound on her forearm. "Are you getting off to this? It takes a very twisted being to find sexual pleasure in fighting and being mauled."

"I... would never... enjoy fighting... and this is nothing... compared to some... punishments I've received....."

"Very well, then. I'll just have to show you true pain."

Borea charged at Twilight, her hoof stomps thudding noisily even through the thick carpeting, and prepared to tackle the unicorn. Twilight tensed her body, preparing for the inevitable crushing force of the minotaur's momentum and weight. Time seemed to slow to a standstill as Borea leapt at Twilight and, just before they would have collided, Twilight's eyes glowed a menacing red.

The energy build-up crackling in her horn exploded with monumental force, sending Borea flying in the opposite direction to crash against the wall, cracking it on impact. Twilight's mane and tail burst into flames as the magical onslaught turned into a destructive maelstrom, the powerful energies slashing across Borea's body and lashing against Nightmare's quickly erected shield. Twilight moaned loudly, her throaty cry audible even above the deafening magic, however, just as quickly as it had begun, the magical outburst petered out. Borea and Twilight both fell to the ground, but it was the unicorn who was the one to recover.

She grimaced at the scent of blood and heat filling the room as she levitated her dagger beside her, reshaping it into a short sword as she attempted to ignore the wetness running down her legs. Twilight stepped over the shaking, bleeding body of Borea, panting. "Do you... concede defeat...?"

The minotaur laughed, keeping her eyes shut as she spoke. "That.... That was a magical orgasm, wasn't it? I've read about you ponies getting off with your horn and, judging by the odor coming from you.... Hah.... I was beaten, by an orgasm...."

Twilight flushed a bright red, but lowered her sword and horn. "I'll try and heal your cuts.... Just... stay st-" She slumped to the ground, dragon bone sword dropping beside her as she slipped from consciousness.

Nightmare Moon lowered her shield and stepped over to the battered pair, focusing her magic on closing their lacerations and healing broken bones. As soon as Borea could move, she rose to her hooves, tottering unsteadily for a moment. "You have a very special mare, Queen Moon. Do not let this one go. And, per my promise, I shall assist you in fighting Griffonia. For now, take the young unicorn and rest. I shall have my brother direct you to a guest room in the tower."

Nightmare Moon dipped her head again and levitated Twilight's sleeping form, turning away and walking out of the room with her three minotaur escorts following behind in awed silence. The black alicorn drew Twilight closer, pressing her lips against the mare's before speaking into her ear. "Well done, Twilight. I am proud."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Sixteenth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Twelve Oh-Eight Post Meridian
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Nightmare Moon stood on the sands at the outskirts of Valtaura; Twilight, Jahurl, Tyra, and Tyro standing nearby while several platoons of tauran soldiers massed in formation, their heavy armor loaded into wide-wheeled carts and wagons. "Borea said she would be sending her troops alongside my second wave of armor and soldiers, but for now we have a total of two-hundred fifty-two Valtauran soldiers armed and ready to do battle. We also have almost as much armor created for the average pony build for both male and female."

"Perfect. Let us depart. I have spent too much time away from my country and wish to return before things can take a turn for the worse. Twilight, you shall be riding in a wagon for the duration of the trip which will be pulled alongside me so that I may watch over you." Nightmare Moon glanced over to the unicorn, catching a glimpse of her bright smile.

"Of course, My Lady. I can't wait to be back home. I bet Moonie misses us as much as I miss her.... Even if the time away was spent... constructively." Her cheeks tinged red, but she swiftly shook it off and followed her lover as she made her way to the head of the formation.

Twilight climbed into the waiting wagon, sitting on a seat at the front, and silently watched Nightmare Moon converse with Jahurl. I hope she isn't upset that I stepped out of line in Grandimino. She hasn't mentioned the incident since it happened.... I did the right thing, didn't I?

"People of Valtaura, today we march to aid Equestria in their plight against Griffonia! We shall march for three days across varying terrain, breaking every eight hours and camping at night to rest! Keep your eyes open for any possible threats and inform the company should you see anything suspicious. Set march!"

"You need not accompany us to fight. Your people will be leaderless should you fall in battle." Nightmare Moon marched alongside the minotaur lord, watching Twilight on her perch through her peripheral vision.

"It is a ruler's duty to fight alongside his soldiers. Only a coward would hide behind his army and direct while he watched from afar. Should I fall in battle, I'll be returned to Hornhalla to join my family and fallen comrades. My people have chosen their leader by bout of strength since the beginning of the minotaurs and so shall they choose their leader when I die....” He paused for a moment, never once turning his head from the path before him.

“That is truly an admirable trait. There is no glory in victory if it is not you who has won the battle.”

“Not that I want to die, though. That would certainly put a damper on any future endeavors with the ladies.” He smirked, amused at having caught Nightmare Moon off-guard with his remark. Beside them, he caught a glimpse of Twilight hoofing herself in the face, but with a slight smile spread across her lips. “Definitely not in the plans, Queen Moon.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author’s Notes: Woohoo~! Another long chapter full of awesomey goodness and cream filling! Well, maybe less cream filling (unless you count magic orgasm as cream. Zing!) To think, the worst way you could ever be defeated/killed would be by horngasm (barring Blueblood’s death of course.) Nothing says pro clopper like hornjizzing all over your opponent (no matter how inadvertently it was done) and subduing them. Seriously. I’ll explain the horngasm next chapter, fyi. Don’t want it to seem like she was just getting off on being beaten, do I? (maybe). Anyhoof, enjoy and stuff. Peppy out~

Editor’s Notes #1: It would seem that the hot coals are losing their effect. I really need to come up with more... creative ways to keep Peps on task. I ask you, the readers, for some... interesting methods to tortu-*hack... cough*... Ahem, excuse me... Anyway... I need ways in which I can persuade the evil bastard to keep writing and not succomb to the temptations of his... what are the kids call these things again... Ehks Beoks... Eh, sounded something like that. Well, I look forward to your comments and wish you all the love this high functioning sociopath has to offer. Pip pip, Cheerio.

Chapter 34 - New Labor and Cruel Order

Chapter 34 - New Labor and Cruel Order

Nightober Seventeenth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year

Seven Twenty-Three Post Meridian

Moonlight glinted off polished steel as a mass of fur and feathers skimmed over the roiling bank of storm clouds filling the night sky. Small campfires dotted the edge of a vast forest with hundreds of large figures moving or resting about them. A small, female griffon wearing light, metal armor fluttered up beside a trio of larger male griffons. "Sir Zephyr, the queen's company has halted and set up camp. Should we attack?"

Zephyr, a heavily-built griffon in similarly weighted armor ceased his conversation with the others around him. "We were told to scout and no more. You saw what they did to War-chief Steelfeather's group. Our small party wouldn't stand a chance against all of them."

"But, sir! We know where the queen, minotaur lord and the queen's concubine are situated! We could swoop down there and-"

"Do you not recall what happened to Mano Stonewing? He cut a hole in the unicorn's chest with a poisoned blade. The pony queen devoured him with magic and the unicorn still lives. It's suicide to attack them with anything short of an army."

The young griffon puffed her chest out and glared at her flight's leader before stalking off. The other two males burst with laughter at her retreat, making the griffon blush and huff angrily before taking to the air. I'll show them! They're just too scared to do any fighting! How could a coward like that have become a flight master anyways!?

She landed on a solitary cloud positioned a fair distance away from the main cloud bank and peered over the edge at the smallest group of figures below. There were five forms circled around a small fire. Three sat evenly spaced from each other while the other, smaller, pair leaned against each other. The griffon sneered and readied her dual-headed battle axe, glaring daggers at the five.

"Damn ponies, corrupting Gilda and taking her away from me! I'll show them all what happens when they steal my best friend with their brainwashing. I'll show them even without help!" She spread her tawny wings and dove from the cloud she had perched upon, spiraling slowly towards the ground. Her eagle-sharp eyes sighted the group of five below and she set her body to accelerate her fall. The wind whipped over her body and ruffled feathers as she drew nearer to the circle.

As she closed the distance between her and her prey, it became easier to pick out individuals thus allowing her to target the pair of ponies sitting side-by-side. Her axe levelled out beside her, arms ready to take a swing, and muscles tensed. She sucked in air and held it, but, just as she was almost in range for the strike, she collided with a shimmering black bubble that had materialized from nothing. She squawked and screamed as bones shattered on impact, leaving her to cry and writhe on the ground at the base of the shield where she landed.

The group turned to look at the recent disturbance, Twilight first as she had sensed the impact on her magic. Nightmare Moon glanced at the heap of griffon wailing on the rough earth and turned back to the fire, ignoring the noise. "Ignore it. Another would-be assassin that has failed like the rest of them."

"But Nightmare.... Why would she break off from the rest of them to do this alone? It's not logical! I'm going to help her!" Twilight dropped the now-invisible shield and carefully stepped over to the young griffon and lit her horn. "Oh.... Oh, wow.... You hit that shield hard. Both forelegs broken in several places, fractured skull, mangled spine, and multiple broken ribs.... How did you survive that?"

The black alicorn watched her lover rush to the aid of the broken griffon, her face a sure sign of the confusion stirring her thoughts. How can she continue to show kindness to these worthless murderers? She blinked and sighed, folding her ears back. The same way she can love me..., of course.

"Will she make it, Miss Sparkle?" Tyra stepped up beside the unicorn and looked on in worry. "She... doesn't look very good at all...."

Twilight took a deep breath and steeled her nerves. "I.... I don't know, but I'll do my best to help her. These kinds of injuries are... difficult to fix and I've only had limited magi-medical training. I just hope it's similar to healing cuts and bruises...." Her horn glowed brighter as she swept it across the griffon's body, starting with her skull.

The girl screamed louder as her skull's fractures slowly mended, the bits of shattered bone dislodging from her flesh and resetting in their proper place. Twilight moved down to her spine, focusing on setting the length of bones and repairing the damage done there. Sweat poured from the unicorn's face at the exhaustion from the use of powerful and unfamiliar magic. Next, even as she neared the precipice of her magic's abilities, Twilight moved on to the griffon's chest. Her horn flared brighter, its black-light consuming the area, as she worked to set the shattered bones and mend the together.

The griffon screamed in agony until her voice gave out and she was left only to thrash about. One of her swipes connected with Twilight's cheek, breaking her concentration and knocking her to the dirt. "Gah! I -I can't heal all of this... and she isn't making it any better...." She turned and gave a pleading look to the alicorn. "Nightmare. Please, help her."

The griffon stopped struggling and glared at the alicorn in a mixture of fear and loathing, but her injuries from the crash and the self-inflicted altercations prevented her from trying to flee. She watched as the moon queen stepped up to her, eyes aglow with hatred, and flinched when she lowered her horn. The griffon screwed her eyes shut and wept hoarsely. I guess... I was wrong. It was stupid to attack alone... I should have listened. I should have list- She blinked when, instead of the addition of more torture, a soothing coolness enveloped her body. She felt the numerous injuries in her chest and the remainder of her body disappear and heaved a sigh of immense relief as soon as her once-damaged lungs could properly breathe.

Nightmare stepped away, but held the griffon in a restraining aura of magic. "Wh- You should have just killed me." The girl spat at the ground by Nightmares hooves and snorted. "If you don't, then my flight master will."

Tyra moved beside Twilight and helped the mare back to on her hooves. "You know, you should thank the ones that saved your life, not tell them to finish the job. Especially since you tried to kill said ponies."

"It doesn't matter! I can't go back and I don't have anyplace else to go." She slumped in the magical aura, tears once more spilling down her face and matting her feathers. "I only wanted to bring Gilda home. And it's you ponies' fault that she's gone! You and that rainbow pony!"

Twilight stared at her hooves for several seconds before looking pleadingly back up at Nightmare Moon once more. "May-"

"You shall come with us. That is neither a question, nor an offer. You shall accompany us or I shall reverse the magic I used to mend you and leave you for dead or your leader's punishment." She turned and moved back to the campfire, suspended griffon in tow. "I find myself in need of a new personal maid, seeing as the previous pony to fill that spot died, and you will be perfect for the role. I do not trust you with a weapon, but I do not think a featherduster or uniform would do any harm."

"I- What makes you think I'd do that!? Humiliate myself like that? I'd rather die than be your new pet!"

"You'll be able to see Gilda again!" Twilight stepped in front of Nightmare, halting the alicorn's advance on the griffon even as she struggled to not fall on her face from her magical exhaustion. "She works closely with us. You'll likely be able to see her quite often as long as she's at the castle."

The griffon clenched her eyes shut and balled her fists, visibly shaking as she attempted to fight off her rising anger. "Fine.... As long as I'll be able to see Gilda again, I'll do it."

Nightmare nodded and lowered the griffon to the ground, but stopped short of releasing her. "Ah, yes. I believe it would be best to prevent her from fleeing. Even if she is incapable of returning to her kind, what is to stop her from plunging a dagger in our backs and flying away?" She reached to the griffon with her mane and subdued her limbs with its ethereal grasp as she worked her magic into thick loops around her midsection. The loops of magic solidified into glowing, metallic bands that bound her wings to her sides. She struggled against the bonds for a moment, the discomfort of being incapable of spreading her wings making her squawk with trepidation, but the bindings held firm. "They are tight enough to make it impossible to get free of them, but loose enough to prevent them from hurting. I am certain that this is much more preferable than clipping your wings or mangling them."

Jahurl slapped the girl's back, knocking the wind out of her as he laughed. "Excellent choice! I'm quite sure you won't regret it at all! After all, you'll be seeing a friend again right? Don't you fret, uhm.... Y'know, we never did get your name, did we?"

"Tabatha. My name's Tabatha." The young griffon glared at her captors before glancing up at the clouds that were supposed to be hiding her ex-squad mates. How did they know we were up there?

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Nineteenth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year

Five Twenty-Three Ante Meridian

Twilight lay on her back, exhausted and snuggled up close to Nightmare Moon under the covered bed of a carriage. She panted heavily, each breath taking in the prominent scents of mare and sweat. Her smile was warmly as she nuzzled her lover who was basking in the warmth of post-coital bliss. "Hey, Nightmare? Do you think we should ease up on the, you know, sex? I mean, don't misunderstand! I love it and I love you, but I just don't want it to get boring. I mean, I can only read a book about twenty-three times before I learn everything I need to know about said book and no longer find it entertaining. I don't want our relationship to become like that."

Nightmare rubbed her horn against Twilight's then nuzzled the mare softly. "We can always do some other activity aside from mating, Twilight. I have always enjoyed the pleasures of the flesh, but I am willing to appease your other lusts as well. You need not worry about our coupling becoming stale, though. As long as it feels pleasurable, I am certain we would be able to find new ways to have sex. In front of the nobles and guests of my Lunar Court, for instance."

Twilight flushed and covered her face with her hooves. "I-I still don't know about that, but it does remind me of a question I've had. A couple questions, to be precise." The alicorn cocked an eyebrow, curious of what would stir in the unicorn's mind from the topic of public sex. "Well, first I was wondering why my magic's aura is black now. Is it because I died? There aren't any recordings of ponies dying and coming back to life with altered magic as far as I've read."

Nightmare chuckled and rapped horns with Twilight once more. "For a pony so devout in her love for me, you truly do not know much on the subject matter, do you? This is quite simple, or difficult if you wish to know the intricacies of the alterations, to explain. Your, and any other unicorn's, change in magical aura stems from your true love for me. When a unicorn's magic changes color, it is a sign that shows that they have devoted their love to a certain mare or stallion. Sometimes it is obvious, like with yours which is more prominent between unicorns, and sometimes it is a subtle change."

Twilight folded her ears back and glanced away from the glistening alicorn. "R-really? Then... why hasn't yours changed? Y-you love me..., right?"

Nightmare frowned and nuzzled Twilight's cheek. "An alicorn's magic, such as Celestia's and mine, differ from a normal pony's. Our magic defines who we are and is incapable of changing from what I have seen over my long, long life. Celestia has chosen many lovers over the years, but not once has her magic been altered and I have you." Twilight continued to look away until a soothing warmth filled her chest causing her to gasp and turn to stare into Nightmare's unusually tender gaze. "I see that you had forgotten about our bond. You need not ask when you can feel."

Twilight smiled weakly and kissed the underside of her lover's muzzle eliciting a coo of happiness. "It's just.... You never put feeling into your words and it's so difficult to tell if you actually feel that way or if you're just saying it to keep me docile. I guess I was just overreacting." Her grin widened into one of amusement as thoughts of her next question entered her mind. "Now, about my seco-"

"WE'RE UNDER ATTACK! ALL SOLDIERS TO ARMS!"

"I am sorry Twilight, but we must put your next question on hold. We are too close to home to let these foals ruin it now." She rose to her hooves as her mane took on its magical properties and her armor winked into existence upon her body. "Stay here and stay safe. I shall return as soon as this is over."

Twilight shook her head and stood beside her queen. "I'll come too. I can use magic now, so I'll help keep you and the others safe." She levitated her medallion beside her, reshaping it into a long sabre.

Nightmare Moon watched Twilight carefully, checking for any signs of physical struggle, but aside from the clenching tightness in her chest from the mare's anxiety and her shaky legs, nothing showed. She nodded and opened the carriage's rear flap to allow them passage into the rising chaos outside. Minotaurs rushed to grab weapons or anything they could find to use as one in the forest's clearing that they had decided to camp in while the unknown assailants were nowhere to be seen.

The ponies turned at the sound of hooves upon dirt and watched as Tyro rushed up next to them in full armor. "Your Majesty and Lady Sparkle! I advise you both to remain under the cover of your wagon. We have not found the source of the attack, but a pair of our guards have been killed. We're assuming it's griffons, though. Some of the other night watchmen reported catching glimpses of metal and the two that have died were taken down by an archer."

Twilight nodded and looked up to Nightmare who was staring into the darkness of the forest. "Twilight, can you feel that?"

"What? No, I don-" She paused and looked into the same area that the alicorn was facing. "That's.... That's magic! There's somepony casting magic over- Everyone watch out!" Twilight lowered her horn and fired a shock wave of magic towards the tree line. The thick stream of energy collided with another that had crossed into the clearing half a second before Twilight's would have left it and the resulting explosion knocked everyone within twenty yards of the blast to the ground.

Nightmare grabbed Twilight with her mane and galloped towards the point where the magic bolt had been fired. She skidded to a halt right at the clearing's edge and tore the trees from the ground in a cone in front of her, flinging the uprooted flora further into the forest. Her destruction ended when the missing trees revealed a trio of unicorns, two of which were standing, magic ready, above a third that had been rendered useless by an obvious spinal injury. They all wore polished gold armor emblazoned with Celestia's insignia upon the breastplates and the two conscious ponies both glared defiantly at the queen and her consort.

Nightmare Moon stood stock still, a mixture of sheer hatred and utter shock frozen in her features, until one of the stallions fired a bolt of magic at her. Twilight immediately deflected the spell with a simple flash of her horn, then proceeded on to crush the pair into the ground with invisible force. The midnight alicorn shook the stunned expression from herself, but maintained her burning malice. "We are at war with a country that wishes nothing more than to see us enslaved or dead and yet you still stand against me? Your ignorance knows no bounds, foals."

"You don't belong on the throne! The only reason the griffons are attacking is because you attacked them first!" The one that had fired the bolt struggled against his invisible restraint as he growled out his response.

"You...." Nightmare stomped the ground beside his head, caving in a small portion of the packed dirt. "You believe that the griffons are not to blame for this? Do you forget that it was always your comrades that attacked us or are you too new in the ranks to have any knowledge of the night of my return? What makes you believe that it was I that started this war?"

"I'll never tell you, false queen! We are not your subjects! We bow only to Cele-"

"The griffons offered their help in dethroning you! We sought them out when we heard that they were attacking, thinking that they were invaders, but the War-Chief told us that he was only trying to bring Celestia back! We joined with them and now we're here and please don't kill me!" The second stallion burst into tears, crying uncontrollably as his partner screamed profanities in his direction.

Twilight gasped in shock and looked up to her queen who had begun to radiate with hate-fueled magic. Nightmare leaned in close to the seething rebel, meeting his gaze at ground level. "Griffonia is the start of this war. The moment our forces were weakened, they struck our smaller settlements and killed the ponies who resided there. They have continued to assault our cities and supply lines since the first invasive maneuver." Her voice was surprisingly even despite her obvious boiling emotions, but the stallion growled deeper and spat in her eye. "ENOUGH! I HAVE HEARD ENOUGH OF YOUR SLANDER AND LIES AND YOUR ACTIONS HAVE SHOWN WHERE YOUR LOYALTIES LIE! Twilight! Kill this rebel and bind the other two!"

"B-but Nightmare Moon! I-I can't.... I don't want to-"

"You swore that you would stay by my side and do as I wished! If you want to remain as my lover and knight, then you will have to put aside your feelings of death when presented with foals such as this! I was willing to spare his life, as I shall his comrades, but he has rebuked my offer and spat in the face of his saviour! Kill him now, or deal with the repercussions when we return to the New Mareland!"

Twilight shrank away from the infuriated Nightmare Moon and bit her lip, shaking heavily as she glanced in the direction of the powerless stallion. Her whole body quaked anxiously while her mind fought with itself. I should do it.... I promised that I'd do anything, but I cannot take another ponies- That's not true. I have killed before. But that was just self-preservation! Brook was trying to kill Nightmare and I... and so was he. He'll try again, too. I'm so sorry everypony.... I hope I can be forgiven for this....

Twilight sucked in a deep breath, steadying her shakes, and closed the distance between her and her captive. He attempted to use his magic, but the crushing hold of Twilight's own prevented it, cracking his horn in the process. He sucked in breath through clenched teeth to quell all urges to cry out from the sudden pain. Twilight leaned in closer to him and spoke softly into his ear. "I am sorry, but my queen demands it."

"Just get it over with, bitch. You and your pet will burn in Tartarus for your crimes, False Queen! The griffons will crush you and my death will not have been in vain even if this coward lives in my stead!"

Twilight stepped away from the immobilized unicorn and brought her sabre to hover above her head. The blade thickened into a more ax-like form, the blade widening into a sharp wedge instead of the thin razor it had been. She took a deep, shuddering breath and raised the weapon higher, then closed her eyes and swung it in the direction she had remembered his neck to be.

As soon as her blade made contact, however, she did not her the sickening sound of metal severing flesh and scraping bone, but instead a squishy thunk and blood curdling screams. Her eyes shot open to find her axe-bladed sword buried in the stallion's upper back, oozing blood as he howled like a banshee. Twilight joined him, screaming apologies as she wept, and, panicking, withdrew her sword to chop wildly at him with all of her strength in hope that he would die faster, but each misplaced blow only worsened the trauma.

Finally, after an eternity of tear-blurred, mis-aimed swings, the stallion's agony ended as his head fell away from the rest of his mangled body. Twilight stared, horror-struck at his mutilated corpse, weeping as Nightmare stepped up to her. She looked up into the eyes of her lover, trying to ignore the taste of his blood in her mouth and hoping that she would be showing even the slightest sliver of remorse for making her kill.

But there was not any to be found. The only thing Twilight could pull from the night queen's facade was pride mixed with the faintest hint of joy. She felt her pride and joy and it made her sick. "Twilight, I am pr-"

The dark unicorn heaved the contents of her stomach, choking on the acidic bile that soon began to pool on the ground. Nightmare raised a hoof to try and comfort the sickened, distraught mare, but it was batted away as Twilight raced off into the camp and disappeared into the bustle of the minotaurs. She heard a rustle and grunt behind her and turned to see the spared unicorn standing and lifting the downed mare with his magic.

"Y-you are a monster, Nightmare Moon. Even if you weren't the instigator of this war, I cannot accept you as ruler of Equestria." His fear was gone, replaced by a deep loathing that laced his words with venom. Tyro moved to apprehend the unicorn and his injured companion, but was pushed away by his magic. "Do not touch me demon's ally. I will find my own way to a cage without the tainting touch of your hands."

Tyro glanced at the alicorn, surprised by the lack of emotion in her features, and opened his mouth to speak. "If you are going to comment on the recent events, minotaur, I advise you to hold your tongue."

"Uhm. N-no, Your Majesty. I was going to tell you that the rest of the ponies involved in the attack have been either killed in action or subdued. They are currently in holding in the center of camp." He glanced at the retreating unicorn then back to Nightmare who kept her expressionless stare held on the unicorn corpse. "I shall find Lord Jahurl and inform him of our victory."

The black alicorn said nothing as the young minotaur left her alone. She held the deceased unicorn's unseeing, accusing gaze, his comrade's words and Twilight's actions biting deep into her heart. She blinked, feeling moisture build up in her eyes. I... made a terrible mistake. Tears slid down her face, wetting her cheeks, as Nightmare Moon cried for the first time in over a millennium.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Nineteenth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year

Ten Thirty-One Ante Meridian

Gilda groaned, dragging her claws across the obsidian floor on the final stretch to her room. She paused for a moment to scratch underneath her armor, wincing at the touch of her chafed skin and dislodged feathers. "Ugh.... Guide the airships to Ponyville and back, she said. We flew over half of this damned country ferrying all of those dweebs.... If it wasn't for the pilots and crew needing some rest...." She shuddered at the thought and practically crawled the remainder of the distance between herself and sweet, blissful slumber on her plush bed.

But, it was not meant to be as a tiny navy blur crashed into her and threw her into the open room. "Yay! Chicken, I mean Gilda, is back! Did you have fun on your trip? Wow! You look sleepy! You must've had lotsa fun! I'm so jealous!"

The young griffon rubbed her purple-highlighted eyes and squawked in frustration. "Oh yeah. Loads of fun." She rolled her eyes and pushed the filly off of her back. "Look, I'm really tired, so could you beat it kid?"

Moon Beam, completely unphased by Gilda's rough shove and urging to leave, bounced happily around the disgruntled griffon. "You shoulda let me come too! I wish I had as much fun as you did. Well, I did have a lot of fun, but then that one time more chickens like you came and then Cherry started hating me for no reason. But we're friends again now, so that's okay. Huh. I guess I did have as much fun as you did. Why are you so tired and I'm not then?"

"Seriously kid. Just go tell Commander Hardass that I'm back and that, after I get some sleep, she needs to get her stick-filled ass up here to see me. I have stuff I need to tell her." Moon Beam cocked her head and waited. "What? Did you not understand? Go tell Cloudy that I've got something to tell her sorry ass!"

The filly opened her mouth in a silent 'oh'. "You do know that her name isn't hardass, right? Her name is Cloudy, silly!" Moon Beam giggled and dashed away, leaving Gilda alone at last.

"Damn that kid is annoying. I sure as Tartarus don't want any kids of my own." She sighed, rubbing her face, and turned back to lay upon her bed. Her face planted itself on a pillow and, after the rest of her body found a comfortable position, she cooed in relief. "Ahh, finally able to relax and jus-" She blinked, then squawked in disbelief as the realization of what was said only moments ago set in. "Fuck. She's going to tell her everything I said. Screw it. Too tired...." Her head dropped back onto her pillow and, only seconds later, she was wrapped in the soothing embrace of slumber.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author’s Notes: Well, chapter 34 at long last is here! Only a week or so into their happy love life and Nightmare's already fucked shit up. Oh wait, that's my fault. (Hah!) Also, Twilight is best failecutioner ever. Nopony can fail at chopping somepony’s head off as well as she can. Anyhoof. I apologize once more (I've been doing that a lot lately, haven't I?) I'm really not trying to torment you guys with waiting (aside from Necro Domina's last chapter, of course), but new games (plus the fact that Jeky-poo plays em with me now, too) really put a damper on other activities. Oh well. Hope you enjoyed (or technically hated amirite?) this chapter and you'll probably see ND follow within the next week or so. Welp! Peppy out!

Editor’s Notes: Gad damn I’ve been tired as all hell lately. Chapter was good, other things, stuff... you guys know the drill. It’s a short one this time. Didn’t help that Peps started writing the next chapter of ND first and then switched to writing this for some reason. Hope you liked it, (and I loved all of your ideas about Peps’... motivational material [although, it hasn’t really helped] ). Tah-tah.

P.S. OH! One last (not fanfic related) bit of news. The game me and Peps have been playing lately is WoW. If anyone wants to contribute to the delay of the next chapter, make a comment about joining us.

Chapter 35 - A Second Chance at Second Chances

Chapter 35 - A Second Chance at Second Chances

Nightober Nineteenth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Ten Fifty-Three Ante Meridian
|

The heat of the moon, filtered through the green canopy of the Whitetail Wood's trees warmed Nightmare Moon as she trotted alongside the lead wagons and Jahurl of Valtaura. However, despite the relaxing embrace of lunar heat, the night regent found her heart and mind chilled, the icy talons of self-loathing grasping her firmly. Why do I feel like this? I know it it not the worst act I have committed in my life and yet, I cannot help to believe that there are few deeds of greater magnitude than this morning's. She scanned the forest and bodies around her with her magic, trying for the thirty-fourth time since they had broken camp to find her missing companion. Still nothing. For her to be able to conceal herself from my senses.... She must have called upon the moon for aid. At the least, I can still feel her link within our masses.

She sighed again, causing the minotaur lord to break his gaze from the forest path and look in the regal mare's direction. He noted the lack of ethereal glow in her typically astral mane, still shocked, even after having seen it since the camp raid, that the starry void wasn't natural. "You could search the wagons for her."

"Silence, knave! Do you think that I have not already done so? If I had found her then, I would not be searching magically!" Nightmare's eyes glowed fiercely, but she quickly quelled her anger and focused once more on the task of sensing the missing mare. "It is no wonder that one as gifted as her could escape my eyes. I doubt that she could be found right now even if I were use all of my power."

"If you'd like, I could have Tyro search for her."

Nightmare Moon shook her head slowly. "No. I shall wait for her to allow herself to be found." However much I loathe waiting. "For now, keep vigilant. I do not doubt that there are more rebels watching; waiting for a chance to rescue their comrades." Woe is their fate should they tempt me this day. Her gaze hardened as she extended her magic further than the traveling minotaur battalion.

Twilight huddled, curled into a quivering ball, in a large, lightweight storage crate, its previous inhabitants stuffed unceremoniously in the back of the wagon she was being carried beside. Tyra walked at the rear of the battalion, carefully carrying the distraught mare as she had been for roughly five hours. Luckily, she had become quite used to carting around large parcels and other heavy object over the years, so, when Twilight had come to her, wailing and begging her to hide her, she was fully prepared to assist her.

Tyra peeked under the canvas cover of the crate, being cautious so she didn't accidentally jar the unicorn, and found her as she was twenty minutes ago: shaking with horn aglow, silvery light mixed with black. "Lady Sparkle, are you alright? Have you calmed enough to talk about it?"

Twilight did nothing for almost a minute causing the young minotaur to fear that she might never emerge from this new shell, but, seconds later, she gave the faintest trace of a nod. Twilight looked up at Tyra, her large, purple irises now red from her heightened emotional stress. "I-I'm so scared, T-Tyra. She's looking f-for me to hu-hurt me again. L-like she used t-to."

Tyra smirked inadvertently eliciting a gasp of shock and cold glare from the unicorn that practically froze her blood. "S-sorry. I.... I just remembered... what Lady Borea said. About you being a masochist and-"

"You think this is funny!? The one pony I love, and that I thought loved me, just wants to use me however she likes.... Just like the last one.... I-I thought...." Twilight teared up, her head curling back up under her forehooves. "I thought I would be okay with doing... whatever she w-wanted, with her l-love or n-not, but.... I c-can't. It hurts.... It hurts so much.... I can't feel her anymore. I c-can only feel her magic. I don't want her to hate me, b-but I c-can't kill h-helpless ponies. I wish I could, just so she'd love me again."

"Twilight." Tyra looked into the mare's glowing red eyes, her gaze firm yet comforting. "Don't ever let go of your kindness. I've seen too many people go down the road of the cold-hearted, like Borea and..., well, too many. Perhaps we could go talk to her and try to work this out?"

"No! I.... I don't want to talk to her. I can't. I-I'm afraid... that she'll hurt me and... I.... I don't know wh-what I might say."

"Okay then. I'll close the top again. Try to get some sleep. Lord Jahurl said we should be out of the woods within the next hour." Twilight nodded and closed her eyes, muttering a soft 'thank you' before Tyra drew the canvas back over the lid, glaring at her fellow minotaurs and silently commanding them to not speak a word of what had happened.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Nineteenth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Six Oh-Four Post Meridian
|

A small candle illuminated the writing desk in Cloudy's room, the crippled pegasus sitting in front of it as she skimmed over the various reports detailing troop status and recruitment statistics. Her eyes began to cross as she reread the losses report for the fifth time. "How can we be facing so many casualties? We need to get more unicorns on defense duty around the cities...."

She rubbed the bridge of her nose with her hooves and turned away from her desk, sighing. A quick glance to the bed brought a small smile to her gloomy expression. "Well, at least they're getting along better again." Moon Beam and Cherry Tart lay splayed out across the bed, their heads resting on each other as they slept. Cloudy sighed. "She's still frightened though.... I hope she'll be able to overcome her fear of Moon Beam. They make such great friends."

Cloudy stood and stretched her limbs, grunting in relief whenever her joints popped. "Perhaps some food is in order. Haven't eaten since-"

A violent knocking sounded from the door causing the orange mare to hiss angrily. Her door burst open and a frantic colt ran in. "Commander Horizons! A large-"

"Shhhh! They're sleeping!" She jerked her head towards the dozing fillies before affixing the stallion with a cold glare. "Now, what is so important that you force your way into my room in the middle of the night and almost wake a pair of sleeping fillies?"

The young guard balked and looked away, making an obvious attempt at avoiding her eyes. "Th-the perimeter patrol has come back with reports of a large ground-based force about twenty minutes from the castle." He finally made eye contact with his superior and swallowed heavily. "Queen M-Moon is also with them."

"What!?" Cloudy jumped into action, grabbing her sword and fumbling with her dragon bone armor. "Get the troops ready! We have to rescue the Queen right away!" She glanced over at the fillies and cursed under her breath. "Go back to sleep you two. I'll be back soon."

"But Commander Horizons! She doesn't seem to be their prisoner. They said Queen Moon was at the front as if she was heading them."

Cloudy visibly relaxed, but continued to equip her gear as a navy head shot upright behind her. "Mommy's back!? Yay! Mommy and Auntie Twilight are back!" Moon Beam jumped to her hooves and ran circles around her pegasus caretaker. "Come on! Hurry! I wanna give her a biiiiiiiiig hug right when she opens the door!"

Cherry stepped up beside her adoptive parent, yawning, obviously too tired to share in her navy friend's excitement. "You. Go inform Private Gilda in the lavatories that Her Majesty Queen Moon has returned and that she should clean herself before meeting me at the main gate." The colt turned to leave, but Cloudy held up a hoof. "Oh, don't forget to tell her that, as soon as we're done, Commander Hardass wants her to clean the second floors lavatories as well."

The stallion nodded quickly, then dashed away down the hall leaving the fillies and mare alone in the room. "Cloudy, what's a hardass?"

"Nothing that you should be worried about, Tart, or saying."

Nightmare strode regally at the head of the minotaur battalion, Jahurl to her right with Tyro falling in close behind. Although her countenance displayed nothing but pride and confidence, her mind was filled with anything but. Where is she? How could she still be hiding from my magic? What is Moon Beam going to say? She snapped out of her thoughts when she came face-to-face with the obsidian gates of her castle.

She stopped momentarily before they began swinging inward to reveal a small platoon of saluting soldiers flanking the path leading to the castle's entrance. Cloudy, Gilda, Moon Beam, and Cherry all stood in between the two groups, Cherry standing behind the two adults and as far from Gilda as possible and Moon Beam at the front bouncing excitedly. Nightmare looked to the filly who looked around quizzically and held in a sigh of relief when she had decided that a hug was more important than what she had been looking for.

"Welcome back, Mommy! Did you have fun? What are these funny looking things?" She eyed the minotaurs curiously before returning her attention to the alicorn. "Where's Auntie Twilight? She went with you too, right?"

Nightmare Moon clenched her teeth, fighting with herself to keep from displaying any of the fear and sadness that had been plaguing her since they had last seen each other. "Twilight is...."

As if being summoned, the unicorn in question moved from within the minotaurs' ranks to beside Jahurl with Tyra following closely behind. She smiled down at the filly who didn't waste any time before practically tackling the mare with a hug. "Hello, Moonie. I hope you haven't given Cloudy too much trouble while I was gone."

The navy filly smiled and shook her head. "Nope! I was a good filly! Do I get a reward for being good? Pleeeaaaaaase?"

Twilight nuzzled Moon Beam's face and nodded slightly. "I suppose I could try and find something for-"

"Twilight...."

The mare tensed and forced herself to look at the voice's owner. Nightmare stood beside her, features as unreadable as ever, watching her. She thought she heard desperation in her love's word, but the lack of emotions being displayed and her inability to 'feel' what she was, convinced her otherwise. Twilight looked back at Moon Beam and forced a smile. "I'll see you inside, okay Moonie?" The filly had barely gotten off a nod before the unicorn had bolted off, dodging the trio in her path, and disappeared into the imposing structure.

Nightmare stared into the building where her lover had disappeared, her stoic expression slipping into a mask of agony and anger. She looked into the sky, ignoring the concerned questions of her filly and the present company. Her horn glowed brighter as she threw her senses twenty miles in all directions and found what she sought. "Tyro! Bring me the stallion that Twilight captured!"

Her voice demanded no resistance and the young minotaur didn't waste any time in retrieving the bound unicorn. "What do you want, monster queen!?" He fought against the minotaur's grasp, but stopped dead the moment Nightmare's eyes met his.

Murderous intent glowed in her turquoise irises as moisture gathered in the corners of her eyes. "You call me a monster. Very well. It is time I show you, all of you, just how much of a monster I can be!"

She screamed in rage and ignited her horn, its silvery glow making the moon's light pale in comparison. The skies rumble as the clouds overhead charged and began to shift position until they amassed in one area almost two-hundred yards south. All eyes were on the roiling mass when the first explosion of electricity illuminated the sky and filled the air with shrieking and panic. A squad of twenty-four griffons flew off into the sky, away from the death trap they had been perched on and into the one waiting below.

Instantly, the clouds dispersed and the griffons began to visibly struggle to stay aloft. They were drawn towards the fearful mare, their once slow descent towards her position quickly growing in speed until they impacted the earth around her with sickening crunches. Their collective cries filled the air, unheeded by Nightmare as she poured more magic into her fury-driven rampage. The first griffon was forced back into consciousness when her aura surrounded his hind legs, slowly curling the limbs as one would a carpet and crushing the bones inside into tiny, sharp fragments that pierced rolled flesh.

As her rage-fueled torture went on, she turned to her crowd and smiled maliciously. "If you and the mare I love can see me as nothing but a monster, then I shall become just that! No longer will I show mercy for my enemies! If you do not fall upon your own blade in fear, then I shall end you personally! Starting with these griffons and band of traitors, MY REIGN SHALL BE HELD FIRM UNDER MY IRON HOOF!"

The crowd gasped in horror as her magic finished rolling her first victim, blood, organs, and fragmented bone pooled on the ground next to his long-dead mass. She turned her magic on two more griffons, this time piercing their body with millions of tiny, magical needles until they bled to death from minute wounds carpeting their bodies. Each pair of griffons were killed differently, but they none of them died mercifully. Nightmare Moon cackled madly as her final target had her skin flayed from her body only to be left writhing pitifully in the dirt as her raw flesh seeped her lifeblood into the ground.

Cloudy snapped from her fear-held stupor as the final griffon's screams ended with her heart shutting down from the shock. She looked about frantically to her sobbing, terror-stricken ward and nudged her lightly. "Tart.... Tart, listen. She's not always like this, but you and Moon Beam have to go find Twilight. She'll notice if I'm gone, so it has to be you two. Hurry!"

Cherry just stared, frozen to the spot until Moon Beam nudged her shoulder. "We have to get Auntie Twilight cause Mommy Moon is really angry!" Cherry looked hesitently at her wispy-maned friend and nodded slowly when she saw the filly's pleading eyes.

The pair of fillies dashed off and into the open castle entrance leaving Cloudy to return her attention to her queen's murderous activities. Hurry. I may not be able to watch wihout acting for much longer.

The black emptiness of the royal bedroom was filled with light, abruptly clearing away the suffocating darkness as Twilight lit the magical torches lining the walls with her horn. She wearily climbed onto the massive bed in the center and pulled the sheets over her body to try and block out the chill air of the long under-heated chamber. She snuggled her face into the sheets, sniffing the lingering scent of Nightmare Moon and sighed from the relief that the familiar setting gave her.

Even if I can't relax mentally, at least my blanket still comforts me physically. She closed her eyes and rubbed her face on the cool fabric, but frowned when her lover's scent dredged up the unwanted longing and sadness she had been trying to force away. Why...? How could she have lied to me like that? She said she loves me, but she doesn't even care about how I feel.... I.... I should just confine my emotions like a good slave and do as I'm told. At least that will hurt less than having them trampled....

Twilight shook her head and and curled into a ball. No. That won't help. I'll have to go about this logically, scientifically. Talk to her and judge her reaction, but do so without showing any emotion yourself. Perhaps she does, in fact, feel remorse for her actions. You already know she doesn't show how she feels very often. Then, when you have gauged her reaction, you can decide what to do from there. She smiled slightly as her thoughts came to a plan of action. I don't know why I didn't think to do this before. Having a set plan always seems to com-

The sound of tiny hooffall caught her ear and brought her out of the comfort of her mind. She peeked her head out from under the blankets just in time to see a panicked Moon Beam and terrified Cherry Tart running into the room. Before she even had a chance to question their haste and obvious emotional statuses, the navy filly jumped onto the bed and plowed into her.

"AuntieTwilightyouhavetocomequickMommy'smadandCloudytoldustocomefindyouandIdon'tknowwhattodo!" She cried into the mare's chest, rubbing her nose on the sheets and dampening them with fresh tears.

Twilight held the filly close while she loosed her torrent of tears, but couldn't wait for her to calm down before questioning her on what she had said. "Now, Moonie. What do you mean she's mad? What happened? Were we attacked again?"

"I-I don't know.... Mommy was okay, but when I talked to you and you left she said she was a monster and started killing the big chickens." The two lay there in relative silence save for the filly's sniffling until Moon Beam looked up into Twilight's worried eyes, the faintest traces of fear in her own. "Auntie Twilight. Are.... Are we monsters? Cause-"

"No! No, you are not." She smiled at the filly and stood, pushing her sheets away. "Nopony here is a monster, neither you nor Nightmare. Even if you do bad things, they are nothing but mistakes and I have to go stop your mommy from making another one. You two stay here, okay?"

She waited for the two to nod in affirmation before racing out of the room and down the hall as quickly as her injuries would allow her. She stopped at the top of the stairs and, instead of galloping down them and risking hurting herself, wink to the first floor in a burst of magic. Twilight shook off her disorientation from the long-unused magic then resumed her gallop through the eerily empty castle hallways.

Soon, the sounds of screaming reached her ears as she closed the distance between herself and the structure's entrance. Ohnonononono! I have to get there faster before she does something horre- She stopped in her tracks the moment she could see into the outer courtyard. Her stomach heaved, but she held the sickness down and proceeded carefully past the mutilated and brutalized corpses of griffon and pony alike. Her eyes remained trained on the blood-splattered alicorn who had just finished off, as far as Twilight could tell, the final Celestial Guard remnant.

The guard's screaming was silenced when Nightmare crushed her skull as she had the rest of her body. Twilight tried to move, to cry out for the black alicorn to stop, but she was too stunned to do anything other than watch. Nightmare scanned the crowd as if she were searching for anything else that wished to try her ire and grinned malevolently when she picked out another target from the horrified onlookers. The dark unicorn followed her gaze and gasped when she saw the paralyzed form of Tabatha being enveloped by her queen's black aura. The young griffon kicked, screamed, and clawed at the ground to try and escape her imminent fate, but nothing she tried could break Nightmare's titanic hold on her.

"Tabby!" Gilda squawked and crouched, getting ready to attempt a rescue for her friend, but she was held in place by another field of black.

"Don't, she'll kill you too!" Twilight stepped in front of the struggling griffon and stared into her eyes, her own glowing red. "I want you to stay here and not do anything. Right now, you'd only get yourself killed."

Gilda blinked and shrugged off Twilight's attempt at persuasion and struggled once more against her magic. "She's going to kill Tabby! I can't just let-"

"I'll stop her. Just, stay here." Twilight didn't wait for the girl to respond and instead teleported directly between Nightmare and her tawny victim. The alicorn's magic was nullified by a quick burst from the unicorn mare's horn which loosed the griffon and allowed her to scrabble away into the crowd to seek shelter. Twilight gazed into the glowing, furious eyes of her lover, standing defiantly under the queen's baleful glare. "Nightmare, you have to stop! The ponies will never learn to accept you if you continue to persecute them as if they're all traitors!"

"Silence, slave! You do not have any right to speak to your queen in such a manner! Now, stand down or I shall crush you just as I have the others!" Nightmare Moon tried to push the byzantium mare from her path in order to renew her search for her latest kill, but another flash from Twilight stopped it from budging her. The black alicorn grit her teeth and growled in anger at having been thwarted again. "My patience has already been worn thin, worm. If you do not leave my sight immediately, your fate shall be sealed!"

Twilight shook her head and looked pleadingly into Nightmare's hateful eyes. "Nightmare, it's Twilight. Please stop, for me. I don't know what's wrong, but I'll try to help."

The night queen looked her over more closely and grinned when recognition set in. "So it is." Her smile widened into a malicious impostor which caused the unicorn to shiver with dread and shy away. "Ah, pet. I seem to recall warning you about what would happen should you defy me and, here you are, standing before me and impeding my justice."

Twilight cocked her head, and stared, bewildered, at Nightmare. "What do you mean? I don't-"

Twilight once again found herself under the effects of the alicorn's magic, but this time the crushing presence and force prevented her from any attempt to conjure a counter-spell. She was dragged across the dirt, body scraping painfully across the rough ground, to stand with her backside facing her captor. "In the years before my banishment, lords and slave traders had taken up the practice of marking their 'cattle' whenever they received them or if they were unruly and disobedient." She looked down upon the quivering form of Twilight and frowned. "Did I not warn you of the consequences of acting against my orders?"

A large, magical brand twisted into existence mere inches away from Twilight's restrained flank, its glowing-white head steaming in the cold air. Twilight felt her muscles tense from the heat caused by its mere proximity to her flesh. "Nightmare, please. You don't want to do this, do you? You lo-"

The young mare's scream pierced the shock of the onlookers as the brand pressed into her flank, completely swallowing her left cutie mark in its white-hot grasp. Nightmare held it on her for several agonizing seconds, filling the air with the stench of burnt hair and sizzling skin, before removing it and exposing the raw, sensitive moon-shaped burn to the cold. Twilight fell to the ground, writhing in agony while her leg spasmed and throbbed.

The byzantium unicorn screamed through clenched teeth as she fought through the pain, much to the amazement of her tormentor. Carefully, she rose to three shaky legs and turned to face Nightmare, tears streaming freely down cheeks. Nightmare flinched, expecting to see hatred or anger hot enough to match her own written across the mare's features, but not a trace of loathing was present. Twilight forced a smile and limped closer to the black alicorn who stepped away, disconcerted.

"Stay where you are, slave, or I shall take your other mark as well!"

The young mare paused, the forcefulness of the threat worrying her, but she shook her head and hobbled closer defiantly. "N-Nightmare.... Please l-look at me. Not me, the slave or pet, but me, the mare you love and who loves you in return."

Twilight found herself being jerkily yanked into the air by the alicorn's magic, but, unlike before, the oppressing presence was absent allowing her to manipulate the aura and bring herself closer. She wrapped her forelegs around Nightmare's neck and pulled herself ever nearer as the black queen fought to repel her attempt. "How are you still fighting me!? Why will you not just do as-"

Her words were silenced when another pair of lips were pressed into her own, cutting off any attempt to form a coherent sentence. She tried to fight against the mare's embrace, but found herself incapable of resisting or, rather not wanting to resist. The raging haze in her mind began melting away under the burning passion of her lover's kiss even as her magic tried to force the prod towards the mare's other cutie mark.

"Luna...," Twilight gasped out, barely under a whisper, as she leaned back, still in the grasp of the alicorn's magic.

"Th-that is no longer my name.... How? How can you not hate me? After what I've done to you?" Nightmare Moon watched the unicorn warily, expecting her to lash out in retribution.

"Luna's a beautiful name." She smiled, blinking away the tears that were forcing their way down her face. "You should use that instead. I think I will...." Twilight chuckled softly and nuzzled against the queen, her queen, heedless of the multitudes of eyes upon them. "You know, I've always been fascinated by the beauty of the night. It's no surprise that I ended up falling in love with the ruler of that domain."

"You did not answer my question. Why do you continue to forgive my transgressions against you? Do you not hate me for my actions. Are you not angry?"

Twilight sighed and nodded, relieved that Nightmare was reacting how she was. "I-. Of course, I'm angry. It hurts... so much, more than you realize, when you threaten me, punish me, or force me to do things like with that stallion. I'm so angry, so hurt, but I love you, truly." She laughed, a soft, choking chuckle. "It doesn't make any sense. The logical thing to feel for somepony that has done what you have is hatred, but I can't hate you. It goes against everything I've ever been to not react to this with my mind, but my heart is in control here.

"It knows that, if I don't love you or forgive you, then nopony will. And I do. I love you so much and I'm willing to forgive what you've done to me, but only if you're willing to try to make things better, to change."

The alicorn's cool countenance shattered, despite her efforts to maintain it, and she clutched the injured unicorn tightly, letting hot tears flow freely to mat their coats. "Twilight. I am sorry for what I did. I never meant to cause you harm. I shall do everything in my power to prove that I love you and to make things better." She breathed deeply and righted herself yet continued to hold Twilight closely with her magic, gently smoothing her mane and tail. "What would you have me do?"

"Well...,"

~Jekyll’s Super Awesome Alternate Ending (Of This Chapter)~

And then they had sex.

And it was good.

~Now Back To What Really Happened~

Twilight looked tentatively at the dead surrounding them and then to the horrified crowd around that. "Let's start by giving these ponies and griffons a proper burial. It's more than they would have gotten.... And perhaps an apology to your subjects. I doubt they'll be as quick to forgive as I, but you need them and they need you. Without your subjects, you cannot win this war and without you, they'll never survive." She hissed softly and glanced down at her throbbing, searing flank. "And could you help me with this? It hurts really badly."

Nightmare ground her teeth and shook her head. "I cannot. I wish there was some way for me to heal it or alleviate the pain, but an injury upon one's cutie mark is irreversible and must be allowed to heal naturally, with time, else you risk further complications. I am sorry. I should never have done this to you. I have taken away who you are with my selfish, foalish rage."

"It's alright. It's not like it's my cutie mark that makes me, me, right? I'll just try to sleep.... I'm so tired." Twilight closed her eyes and slumped in the magical hold seconds later, her pained breathing becoming lighter and more even despite the occasional sob breaking the pattern.

Nightmare Moon closed her eyes as well and softly kissed the peak of Twilight's horn before gingerly enveloping her in the astral mass of her mane in hopes that it would ease her slow recovery. With her lover carefully sequestered into safety, the black alicorn turned her attention to her one-winged guard. "High Commander Horizons. Lead a group to set up our new allies inside the castle or wherever they choose to stay. When I am finished, I shall send a servant to fetch you. I have a speech to make. Go now." She watched the pegasus stare numbly for a few moments before saluting and beginning the tasks she had been ordered to perform, then turned to look upon the desiccated corpses around her. Her horn lit and several holes began to open up in the ground as the dirt was scooped away from them to begin a pile several yards away.

One-by-one, the bodies were laid in their graves and covered with the displaced soil until each had been properly taken care of. She looked upon the small mounds forlornly before sparking her magic once more. Slowly, small blades of grass began to grow from the magically enriched earth until a small garden of green stretched across the unmarked graves and further from the castle walkway. Nightmare sighed and shook a bead of sweat from her forehead before turning to return to her castle, her home. The first step towards a kingdom that will not fear my rule. It will be arduous, but necessary if I wish to be celebrated instead of feared. She breathed deeply, the smell of fresh grass gladly overpowering the stained blood. Perhaps they shall come to love my night as Twilight has. If I am to make this work, I will need her, but not as a pet or servant. As a companion, an equal.

She cast one last glance back at the growing field of grass, silently apologizing to the ponies and, despite her hesitance, the slain griffons, before marching proudly into her castle.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author's Notes: Woo! Another chapter and more fun. Or destruction. Or both. Whatever. Before y'all say anything, she won't be changing too much. Maybe be more lenient and such, but it is still a war and that means she can't be entirely compassionate, but she won't be murdering people like just then. Also, don't expect the relationship issues to be completely over (they might not be I haven't decided), but we'll probably see some lingering blargharaghaghrargh from it. Otherwise, from here on it'll move faster (I think). We still have the rarity scene, the coming together of the armies, the battle meetings, some of the actual battles, (another secret chapter perhaps *wink wink*), and the final battle and/or chapter, so hold onto your ani cause it's gonna be a bumpy ride! Anyhoof, it's time to get back to work (and then play some WoW when I get home). Peppy out!

Thanks to Breach for the Ch name.

Editor’s Notes #1: I couldn’t resist. It was too perfect and the chapter was especially heavy so I thought it could use some comedic relief. Anyway, nice chapter (although it came as a surprise because Peps had told me [maybe not, can’t remember] that there wouldn’t be all this doubting each other nonsense [or maybe that was something else, I can’t remember (Contrary to my use of the word nonsense, it was still good.) ] ).

Chapter 36.1 - Of Love and Warfare (Clop-lite Version)

Chapter 36 - Of Love and Warfare

Nightober Twentieth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Thirty-One Ante Meridian
|

The moon shone in through an open window in the bedchamber of the night queen, casting its warm light upon the slumbering form of Twilight as she lay splayed out upon the room's single bed. The young mare grunted as the light shone in her face, disturbing her rest. She shifted slightly to her left and came into contact with a larger body and, in response to the discovery of this new warmth, turned onto her side to curl up against it. As she crawled closer, her movements displaced the large patch of yellowed gauze across her flank. "Ow! Owowowow!"

Twilight quickly rolled over onto her opposite side, inadvertently kicking Nightmare Moon as she did so, and hissed as she fought back the burning pain. The midnight alicorn looked upon the agonized mare forlornly and carefully lifted the blue sheets away from their bodies. "Twilight. Try not to move. I shall reapply the ointment and fresh bandages." Her horn lit as she levitated a large jar of thick, bluish cream, several pads of medical gauze, and a roll of medical tape from a nearby nightstand.

Twilight looked down at her leg, not wanting to look away for fear of making the upcoming bandage removal hurt worse. She watched with baited breath as her partner's black aura surrounded the applied adhesive, weakening its hold, before gingerly peeling away the gauze. The byzantium unicorn winced at the blistered, oozing skin and fought the urge to cry. "Wait, Luna.... I think we should wash it first. Would you mind taking a cool bath with me?"

"Please, Twilight. I have told you that I am Luna no longer. My name is Nightmare Moon, as it has been for the last one-thousand years." She stood and magically assisted Twilight off the bed before stepping down herself. "As for the bath, I believe we both have need of one. I cannot help but to smell our... exertion from our last encounter lingering on us despite the passage of time."

Twilight sniffed herself and grimaced, before casting a furtive glance towards the displaced bed clothes. "Maybe we should have bathed last night. I feel kind of guilty for making Tabatha take care of this, especially after what happened."

"It is her duty to tend to our needs, regardless of the happenings of the previous night." Twilight shot the alicorn a stern frown, but Nightmare paid it little heed. "I am well aware of the possible emotional trauma I may have inflicted upon the griffon, but I will not relieve her of her duties because of such results. She is still our prisoner and is still useful as a tool against our enemy. She has knowledge of Griffonia's actions and I plan to extract that knowledge before I give her her freedom. If she earns it." The black alicorn couldn't help but to grin as Twilight's pleased look from the mention of the griffon's pseudo-imminent release disappeared at the addition of terms.

"Well, at least her living conditions aren't deplorable." Twilight smiled and nuzzled up against the alicorn, but tensed as memories of her branding, pulled back to the surface by the pain in her flank, resurfaced. She pushed them back into her subconscious, willing them away. Forgive, but never forget, Twilight. Your mark is a reminder. For the both of us. "Let's get going. I really want to put that ointment on this. It burns badly." Nightmare glanced at the ink splotch and moon-shaped blister marring Twilight's byzantium flank, prepared to apologize again, but was preempted by a swift peck from the unicorn.

"Luna, remember. You're only as much of a nightmare as you make yourself out to be. You don't have to be the pony you once were, but you also don't have to remain the one your ponies have feared for these past months. As long as you never forget your mistakes and learn from them, you can change for the better."

Nightmare contemplated Twilight's words for a moment, remaining silent as they traversed the halls towards the royal bath chamber. She speaks wisdom beyond her years. If it were only that simple in our present predicament. A war with Discord's spawn, even if they are free from his control, requires strength, not kindness. "Those are wise words, Twilight. Who taught you them?"

Twilight paused in front of the bath chamber's doors and smiled, looking away sheepishly. "I..., uhh..., read that in a book. Maybe not exactly like that, but.... Okay, maybe I recited it word-for-word, but that's not the point!" She huffed and limped into the washroom, pointedly ignoring her mate's smirk. "What's important is that you move on and use your experience, along with the help of your family and friends-"

Nightmare watched in worry as Twilight's ears drooped while her head sunk. "Twilight, are you alright? Are the scar and burn acting up? Should I use the salve now?"

The somber unicorn shook her head and looked up at the black alicorn with misty eyes. "No. I just remembered something is all." The rare sign of concern in Nightmare's eyes as Twilight looked up into them seemed to urge her to explain further and so she obliged. "I was thinking of my life up until now. I've lived almost all of my life in the castle in Canterlot, away from my family, and hid myself away from the rest of society. I never really had any friends other than Spike, Princess Celestia, my foalsitter, and my big brother. Then I went to Ponyville and met the other Elements.

"I didn't want to make friends then; I just wanted to find a way to stop you, but they grew on me. And now?" She let out a long, stuttering sigh and fought back her welling depression. "They all either hate me, or, at the very least, want to disassociate themselves from me. The only friends I've had in my life other than family or my caretakers aren't even my friends anymore. One day of friendship to let me taste the nectar of close company only to have it stripped away in an instant."

"I am sorry for causing this, but did you not request to have the Element of Generosity make you a dress so you could attempt to repair that relationship?"

Twilight nodded, but kept her head low as she gingerly stepped into the empty wash basin and began filling it with cool water. "I did, and I still want to, but I'm scared. I don't know how she'll react when she gets here, or if she'll even come. I don't know if she'll listen to me, or ignore me while she works." The injured unicorn bit hit lips as the water lapped at the sensitive flesh on her backside, but soon relaxed as she became accustomed to the added stinging it brought and moved over to allow Nightmare room to enter.

The pair sat in silence, soaking in the water and leaning against each other. Finally, Twilight spoke again, breaking the lul in conversation. "I'm glad Cloudy agreed to watch Moonie for another night. She almost didn't agree to go with her, but one pleading look from Tart and she was off in a flash." She smiled and nuzzled against her mare. "I know Moon Beam likes Tart, but do you think Tart likes Moonie?"

"That is a foalish question, Twilight. Is it not apparent that they like each other? Why else would they play together?"

Twilight snickered and shook her head. "That's not what I meant, Luna. I mean-"

"Mommy Moon! Auntie Twilight! Are you down here?! Helloooooo!?"

Twilight giggled and looked towards the door just in time to see a navy head squeeze past the cracked opening. "We're bathing, Moonie. Come on in." She turned to Nightmare and leaned in closely. "We haven't told her about us, have we?" A curt shake of her head was all the reply Twilight needed before she turned to welcome the wispy-maned filly into the bath with them.

Moon Beam grinned widely as Twilight stretched her forelegs open, waiting to accept her into the spacious tub, and practically dove into the mare's embrace. The moment she touched the water, however, she yelped and began shivering. "M-m-mommy. It's c-cold."

"It needs to be. With her injury, Twilight would not be able to bathe in hot water. If you want, I will dry you off and you can sit at the edge and wait for us to finish. We will not be much longer."

"I'll be okay. Besides, Auntie Twilight's very warm. I'll be all toasty in no time!" She clung tightly to the unicorn and rubbed against her, easing her chattering just slightly.

Twilight chuckled and rubbed the filly's head. "Hey, Moonie. Have you noticed anything different about your mom and I?"

Moon Beam leaned back and studiously examined the pair as she scratched her chin. "Weeeeeeeeeeeeell.... Oh! Auntie's taller! And Mommy has.... Huh...."

"Wait, what? I'm taller?" Twilight looked down to her hooves under the water and, sure enough, she had grown a couple inches. "I guess I did grow a little, but that's not it. I mean the both us. Together." She placed a bit more emphasis on the word than she meant to, but still hoped that she would understand. It's just not as fun unless she finds out herself, after all.

"Twilight, why not just tell her? All of this dancing around our rela-"

"Shhh! No, no! I wanna figure it out myself!" The young unicorn leapt upon Nightmare and shoved her hooves in her face, but kept her face scrunched up in concentration. "Oh, I got it! You both smell funny!"

The two adults recoiled, both attempting to sniff themselves discreetly, before the unicorn facehoofed and shook her head. "We know that, Moonie. It's why we were taking a bath. I meant our relationship. We're a couple now, even if our time as one has been a bit rocky."

"What'cha mean? Weren't you always a couple? I thought when two ponies were together, they were a couple."

Twilight chuckled and shook her head. "While that is true as far as pairs are considered, that's not what I was getting at. Luna and I are marefriends now. We love each other and, some day I hope, will get married and possibly have another filly or colt together to give you a little brother or sister."

The two watched patiently as what Twilight said began to click in the little unicorn's head and, after a minute, Moon Beam gasped, eyes wide. "Does.... Does that mean... you're my mommy, too?!" A slight nod was all it took to have the navy filly pounce the ready unicorn and crush her in a hug. "Oh, oh! I'm so happy! I need to tell Cherry! Oh! When am I gonna have a little brother or sister? Is it soon? Tomorrow?" She pressed her ear up against Twilight's stomach and frowned when she didn't hear or feel anything.

"Not yet, Moonie. Fillies and colts aren't born that quickly. Don't worry, we'll tell you when we decide to have a foal. It's a big decision that needs to be made by the whole family."

"I need to go tell Cherry right now! Hurry up and get unstinky so we can tell everypony!" Before Twilight could stop her, Moon Beam was off, running down the halls and leaving a trail of water from her sopping coat.

Nightmare sighed before lifting Twilight to settle her to her left. "You went through all that trouble of not telling her just to blurt it out the moment she guessed incorrectly. You are, most certainly, incapable of keeping a secret when frustrated, are you not?"

Twilight smiled sheepishly and bumped her partner's side with an elbow. "I'm not that bad at keeping secrets. Honest." The pair nuzzled each other affectionately as they continued to soak in the cool tub. "We probably shouldn't stay here too long. Isn't Cloudy going to be questioning Tabatha soon? Why don't we wash each other to speed it up a bit?"

Without waiting for an answer, Twilight levitated a large bottle of shampoo from an ornate wooden shelf upon the wall. Slowly, she squeezed out a large pool of the rose-scented soap into a separate magical field. As her magic began to work up a lather, the unicorn took some into her hooves to start massaging it into Nightmare's mane and scalp. The black alicorn sighed as the gentle ministrations soothed her, helping to release the tension of the past few days.

"You have become quite skilled with your hooves, Twilight. It feels wonderful," Nightmare cooed as her mare massaged her way down her neck, applying more shampoo whenever necessary.

"Well, I did spend almost four months without magic before the war and then another week and a half because of... dying." She moved further down paying special attention to the alicorn's shoulders and hips where her muscles were most tense and simultaneously massaged out the knots and cleansed her coat of dirt. As she drew nearer to Nightmare's tail, Twilight began to catch whiffs of arousal and had to force herself not to bury herself under the mare's dark blue hair. Maybe washing each other isn't the fastest method.

Soon, Twilight was finished and the baton was passed to Nightmare who had, with the help of the object of her desire, rinsed the suds from her body. The older mare started similarly to Twilight, but soon deviated from the procedure with a slow lick inside the unicorn's ear. "It is rude to ignore your queen's desires, Twilight. Mayhap you require some instruction on how it feels to be left out in the cold while needing?"

Twilight shuddered as Nightmare's tongue swirled tantalizingly within her aural orifice while the alicorn's hooves sensually caressed her body. "Oh, Luna...." The byzantium unicorn found it increasingly difficult to maintain her composure with the heat rising in her haunches and, when Nightmare's soapy hooves drew across her unmarred flank, she couldn't withhold the traitorous moan that escaped her lips. As if on cue, the black alicorn dropped an orb of water on Twilight, ridding her of the rosy suds, and leaned back to admire her work. "Wh-why'd you stop?"

Nightmare grinned devilishly at the desperation in Twilight's voice and leaned in to whisper softly in the mare's ear. "Is it not absolutely horrid? The fire burns and yet it is not being quenched." She nibbled lightly on the tip of the unicorn's ear, making her shiver with delight. "Do you wish for me to continue? Do you desire your queen's touch? Her body?"

"Oh, please.... I'm sorry for ignoring you, but please don't tease me." Twilight shifted impatiently in the grasp of Nightmare's forelegs, hoping her movements would urge the mare to continue in case her words did not, and moaned in relief when the alicorn slowly drew her hooves across her body.

Nightmare traced intricate designs in Twilight's wet coat, sensually dragging the tips of her hooves across the mare's back and sides eliciting soft coos and squeaks of pleasure. She drew lower, drawing down to the end of her barrel, and began to pepper her with kisses, sharp nips, and quick drags with her tongue. "Oh Luna..., that feels wonderful. Please don't- BUCK! OW!"

Nightmare pulled away from the mare with lightning speed and scowled at her rippling reflection in the water. "I am sorry, Twilight. I did not mean to touch the burn. I was too caught up in what I was-"

Twilight quickly magicked the black mare's hooves back onto her body, placing her left closer to her tail and leaving the other to hold her right cutie mark. "It's okay, but please don't stop. I can ignore the pain as long as we don't touch it anymore."

Nightmare smiled and kissed at the head of Twilight's tail following it up with a tug on the hair with her teeth. "I know a way to take your mind off the pain for a bit...." With her mouth still upon the mare's backside as she spoke those words, Nightmare was able to feel the unicorn tense as she uttered them and paused in her descent. "Is something the matter, Twilight?"

"N-no! It's.... That's exactly what Silent Brook said the first time she... touched me." She sighed and pushed the resurfacing memories away, locking them away in her mind forever. "It's okay. I just thought I had put it behind me. Perhaps it's something we should work with later, but for now I have a much more sensitive issue that needs resolving."

Nightmare smiled as she began working on her young lover, moving on from the foreplay and diving into her waiting prize. Twilight reacted in turn moaning audibly under the alicorn’s ministrations. The queen sensed her mare’s imminent release and quickened her pace, working the unicorn over and breathing in her heady musk. Soon, Twilight hit her peak, far sooner than she would have liked, and fell face-first into the water, her legs now too weak to support her.

Nightmare chuckled and levitated the mare from the tub to lay her upon her back on the smooth, obsidian floor. "Reached orgasm already, have you? You are quite sensitive tonight, but I am far from finished. I cannot have enough of your scent and flavor." She nuzzled against Twilight's stomach, allowing her cheek to brush tantalizingly across the pinned unicorn's teats before returning to her activities below.

Twilight sucked in air and pressed lightly on Nightmare's head, urging her look and listen. "Luna, I need you inside of me."

Nightmare stared into the unicorn's eyes as they shifted back and forth between their usual purple and the glowing red of her emotion-driven magic. "I was beginning to wonder when you would beg to be taken. Where do you want it first?" She began levitating the necklace and medallion from Twilight's neck only to be thwarted by a similar grasp of magic.

"Uhmmm, actually.... I was just thinking of something I read a few years back when I was under Celestia's tutelage and I was wondering if you'd want to try it with me." The unicorn gave a pleading smile and pulled Nightmare up for a kiss, savoring the taste of herself on her marefriend's tongue. "It'll be a great way to pleasure the both of us and, even if it requires a familiarity with the magic involved, it's quite a simple spell."

"What is this spell you speak of, Twilight? A sensitivity spell? Sensory linking spell?" The alicorn watched her curiously, intrigued by the thought of a spell she was unfamiliar with. Especially one to deal with added pleasure. "Well?"

"Oh, none of those at all. It's actually a type of growth magic, but instead of something simple such as growing hair or a plant, it's used to create an all new organ." She blushed a deep crimson, darkening her coat further as Nightmare's scrutinizing gaze bored deep into her, demanding a better explanation. "It makes you grow a penis!"

Nightmare sighed, her previous excitement from the possibility of new magic gone in an instant. "Twilight. If you have not noticed, I am not attracted to males, so why would I wish to make myself one?"

"But it doesn't make you a male. More of a hermaphrodite. You keep your female organs as well! It's like using the dragon bone as a phallus except you can feel it as well. It's all magic, so it'll disappear whenever you want...." Aside from the semen, for some reason. I should read up on why it does that. "Aside from the initial discomfort of a new appendage, it feels quite amazing. So.... Do you think we can try it?"

The black alicorn pondered the mare's words for a moment and blinked when a thought most devious planted itself in her head. She smiled warmly and nodded to the unicorn who almost immediately cheered. "I will, but there is one condition. You must perform a favor for me in return. I will not tell you until I have decided, but this will not happen unless you agree."

This time it was Twilight's turn to consider her options. A pause that consisted of a total of ten seconds before she blurted out her reply. "Anything! Just tell me when and I'll do whatever you want!" She recoiled at the lack of proper thought she had put into her reply, but mentally shrugged. It couldn't be that bad, could it?

"Very well then, you may perform your spell." Excellent. She should have thought about her agreement more carefully.

Twilight’s ears fell when Nightmare’s smile twitched ominously, but pushed the dread from her mind to be replaced by excitement. This is going to be spectacular! I’ve never had the chance to test the spell out on anypony else before, nor have I been able to feel it... tested... on myself. While you were a great study partner Miss Smartypants, you have been replaced. “Okay, just lean back and spread your legs. Try not to tense up, too. It makes it more difficult.”

Nightmare Moon complied, moving away from the edge of the basin where Twilight was now sitting, and leaned back against the opposite side. She slowly parted her hind legs, allowing them to rest comfortably across the floor, and awaited the unicorn mare’s next action. Twilight took a moment to admire her lover, devoting the sight to memory once more, but this time for a completely different reason. With her imagery refreshed and her mind ready, the byzantium mage lit her horn and focused on the patch of flesh and fur just above the queen’s sanctuary.

The alicorn cringed when she felt her pubic region twitch and grow hot. Her sensitive skin pulsed as Twilight’s magic flowed into it, moulding and shaping it into something else. Her stomach twisted when the new internal additions grew from nothing, but, just as quickly as Twilight’s horn had begun the process, it ended it as well. The black glow faded leaving a smiling unicorn and a confused alicorn alone with their thoughts. Nightmare sighed and began to sit up into a more comfortable position.

“Twilight. I do not think it worked. Other than the seeming movement of my stomach during the attempt, I do not feel any-” She glanced down instinctively in order to properly right herself and her sight landed on something entirely foreign to her body. Between her hind legs, exactly where she had felt the ‘false’ sensations, was a large protrusion about the size of her hoof. She looked closer, feeling as if something was missing even as she stared into the opening on her new sheath, until it clicked. “Where are the testicles? Does it not add everything?”

“Oh! Those are on the inside. I, uh... figured you’d want to avoid having them, you know, out. I’ve read that they’re highly sensitive and, with my books and past experiences with you, I just thought it’d be best. Do you... want the scrotum? I can fix that in a second if you-”

“No, Twilight. This is fine. I can still see myself this way. It is comforting.” She glanced back down at the sheath and frowned. All this time wasted has somewhat halted my arousal. How long does it take to- A splash in the water drew her attention back to her mare who had dropped back into the tub with her.

Twilight quickly closed the distance between herself and Nightmare, keeping her smoldering eyes locked on the alicorn’s even as their lips met. The black alicorn leaned into the kiss, closing her eyes as her body relaxed once more until she was completely at the whims of her younger companion. “Luna,” she whispered softly into Nightmare’s ear before gently nibbling on the tip. “Lie back like I was earlier. Since my little speech seems to have dampened your mood, I will take it upon myself to get you back up to full mast.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightmare Moon lay atop her lover at the edge of the tub, the pony pair completely exhausted by their rigorous activities. After several minutes, the moon queen shifted and sighed into her star-flanked companion. “I love you, Twilight, and I.... I am sorry, again.”

“For what? That was.... Breathtaking.” She smiled at how her slight pause to breathe accentuated her statement. Perfect timing. “And wow! Those books don’t lie when... they describe the sensation of being filled. I always thought... it was a bunch of nonsense, but trying it out first-hoof? Incredible. I mean, I wouldn’t want a stallion to do that, or any other pony for that matter, but.... Astounding.”

The lunar monarch smiled and lifted some of her weight off of the unicorn’s back, miraculously finding the strength to support herself. “I was apologizing for not taking it slowly like you asked. I succumbed to my carnal instinct despite knowing it could hurt you. I am glad you are all right.” She lifted herself further until her body was completely separate from the unicorn’s and watched her cream drip into the water as she felt her length slowly recede. “Perhaps this can be done again. It was certainly not as unpleasant an experience as I thought it would be.” Twilight smiled proudly, doing a mental dance in her head at her triumph. “However, I still expect you to hold up your end of our agreement.”

Her expression fell at that, she had forgotten all about their exchange beforehand due to their exchange, but Twilight quickly recovered her post-coital glow. “Alright. I suppose that I should. We had a deal, after all. On a side note, I wonder how all of this will affect our bodies. I never had any complications when I used the spell on myself, but I didn’t ejaculate inside somepony. Do you think the semen will affect me? I wonder if it will cause a spike in my magic due to your magical essence mixing with mine. Or will it do nothing due to the fact that I was already infused with some of your magic anyways? Hmm.... This is quite the situation to-”

“Your Majesty! I have urgent business to discuss with... you....” Twilight turned to see Cloudy about facing quickly, but not fast enough to hide the light blush tinting her white cheeks. “Ah.... Uhm.... I apologize, Your Majesty. I did not expect you to be engaging in intercourse after Moon Beam came to inform me you would be coming shortly.” She peeked back towards the queen who sat unabashedly at the edge of the tub before averting her gaze once more, shocked at what she saw.

“What is it, High Commander? It must be important if you came down here to tell me. Did the griffon tell us anything?”

“Uhm.... Ah! Yes! Tabatha, at first, resisted our inquiries into what she knew of the griffon’s plans, but, after careful persuasion, we were able to get her to divulge what she knew.” The sunset-orange-haired pegasus turned and stood at attention, pointedly ignoring the obscene scene before her, instead opting to look directly into her ruler’s eyes. “We have every current force position and a large number of Griffonia’s future actions on file now. If we ready what soldiers we have available, we could begin to finally strike back, joining them on the offensive, instead of just waiting for them to come to us.”

“That’s excellent news! Maybe we can end this soon.” Twilight sat next to her queen and smiled brightly. “We’ll finally be able to stop this war if we can stop them from attacking us.”

“That is very optimistic, Twilight, but I doubt that even this information will solely end the war. We will be able to land a substantial blow against their forces, however, and it will most certainly assist us in winning. Unfortunately, I do not see this war being a short one. The griffons, if what that Steelfeathers foal said was true, have had a long-standing hatred of Equestria and plan to take the land by any means necessary.” Nightmare looked at her reflection in the white-stained water for a moment before casting her sight up to see Cloudy staring into the rippling pool as well, but with her blush returned. “High Commander Horizons. Inform Jahurl of Valtaura that we will be convening in five days’ time for a meeting of strategy. It is almost time to begin showing those foals from the north what it means to cross blades with Nightmare Moon and her Lunar Army.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. Oh, while I am headed that way, shall I fetch a servant to come drain and refill your bath for you?”

“No. That is fine. We will bathe at a later time. For now, we will be going to speak with the detained griffon personally.”

“Of course. By your leave, Your Majesty.”

The pair watched as Cloudy left the spacious room, a bit of a limp slowing her walk as she kept her tail pressed firmly against her backside. “Why aren’t we going to have somepony change the bath? I thought we would be-” She blinked, then sighed as Nightmare began to smile devilishly at her. “You’re going to make me walk around without washing myself, aren’t you?” She sighed and shook her head, but couldn’t keep the hint of a grin from her face. I’d love to carry you around inside me, but it doesn’t mean I can’t pretend to not like it.

“Of course. Now, we should be going. If what Commander Horizons said is any indicator, then we could truly be well on our way to winning this war and conquering the griffons.” Nightmare leaned down to press her lips against Twilight’s in a quick kiss, then stood and moved towards the door. The sudden action left the unicorn momentarily stunned, but a quick draw of the queen’s astral tail against her chin pulled her back to the moment and moved to follow.

With a soft squelch, Twilight rose to her hooves and trailed after her queen, but cast a quick glance to the mess on the floor from where she had been seated. “I kind of feel bad for Tabatha. She isn’t going to have any clue what happened in here. I just hope she doesn’t mistake it for soap.” As they began descending the stairs to the servant’s quarters and, in turn, the griffon’s current ‘prison’, Twilight gasped as her left flank rippled from the her first step down the stairs almost causing her to plummet to the bottom from the sudden spike of pain. Luckily, Nightmare was there to catch her. “Ouch.... Maybe we should put the soothing salve on first?” That could have only ended badly.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Twentieth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Ten Oh-Four Ante Meridian
|

With Twilight’s leg freshly bandaged and Nightmare’s worries calmed, the two now stood just inside the door to the captive griffon’s room, watching calmly as Tabatha recovered from a recent outburst of tears made obvious by the wet feathers and her bloodshot eyes. They had arrived only moments ago to find the armored Gilda holding her younger friend as she attempted to calm her, something that was obviously not one of her ‘many’ talents. Now, she was glaring at the black mare, the events of the night before still fresh on her mind.

“What do you want? Come to finish what you started last night!? I warn you, just because I joined you because hate my father, it doesn’t mean I won’t fight you to defend Tabby!”

The griffon’s words bit deep, but Nightmare Moon was fully prepared for them. I could not have expected it to be over with just an apology. “No. As I said in my address the prior evening, I will not be taking action against the young griffon and I apologize for what happened. You need not believe me, but remember; it is only because I know you are upset that I allow you to live now, Gilda. Turning against me is, and will be, punishable by death.” She sighed and sat on the ground, still looming taller than the other three, but only by a few inches. “I have come to hear, from her mouth, exactly what Tabatha knows of her force’s plans and whereabouts. I find it pertinent to receive the information directly from the source in lieu of a second-hoof account.”

“Well, she doesn’t wanna talk to-”

“I’ll tell her, Gilda. What’s the difference between telling this wretch and telling the ones that serve under her? Might as well get used to it since I won’t be going anywhere.” She spoke confidently, but kept her gaze averted to the floor. Something that Twilight noticed was probably keeping her from breaking down again. “We have smaller griffon units positioned all over Equestria acting as scouts, reporting every little move you ponies make to the main force and War Chief Steelfeathers. Our main targets, as of now, are your larger cities. Manehattan, Fillydelphia, Stalliongrad, and that little mining town on our border.”

Twilight perked her ears and tilted her head in confusion. “That doesn’t seem very logical. Why would you only have small forces dedicated to attacking our major cities? Wouldn’t it be better to storm them with everything you have? We aren’t exactly fully prepared right now.”

“Why would you walk around all day smelling and looking like you just had your brains screwed out?” Twilight flushed and looked away, subconsciously squeezing her hind legs together. “I don’t know. I was just a scout. All I know is where we are and some of the major plotting points that were circulating around the camps.” She took a deep breath, composing herself again after her small outburst. “Our main bulk of army is spread out in three groups. They move around a lot to avoid detection, but have a kind of pattern to their deployment. They mostly stick to the trees of the, uhhhh.... What did you ponies call them? The Whiteback woods? I don’t care. Those woods we came through on our way here, but much further north. We also have a section set up in the small mountain range near Canterlot. They’ve been waiting for a chance to attack the training barracks there for a while, but with the massive amounts of defense stationed there? Not going to happen any time soon.”

“And what do you know of Cloudsdale? Any strategies in place to attempt to capture or destroy that?” Nightmare watched the griffon carefully, using her years of practice detecting ponies’ words for truth or lies to discern whether or not she was spinning an elaborate tale or truly complying with them. If only I had thought to ‘test’ Brook the Traitor. But then, from what Twilight has said, I would not likely be as blessed as I am today if I had.

“-any clue where it is. After that initial assault on the weather capitol, the place practically disappeared. From what I know, which, as I said, isn’t much, none of the griffons know where it is.” Nightmare blinked, realizing she had missed the first part of the girl’s explanation while she had been thinking, but shrugged off the lost information. Could not have been that important. “Anything else? It’s really hard to talk when you’re scared out of your mind.”

Scared out of your mind? She doesn’t seem-? Twilight opened her mouth into a small ‘oh’ as she looked closer. The young griffon was trembling furiously, but Gilda’s firm hold on her helped to keep it from being apparent. “I have one. I heard from the doctor when I, uhm... awoke after being cut that the griffon who attacked had a sword laced with wyvern venom. How did you manage to convince the feral wyrmlings to part with their poison?”

“We didn’t. We killed a few of them and our priestesses kept their venom sacs preserved. It’s a stupid idea since, if the Drakenrange dragons get word of us breaking the treaty, we’ll be screw-” Her eyes went wide as she clenched her beak shut, instantly regretting the words she had just emitted.

Nightmare only smiled. “It would seem I have found a slight advantage over our adversaries tonight. Excellent inquiry, my love. Now I need only compose a letter to the Drakonian ambassador to have these new facts brought to light. Unfortunately, that will have to wait. We still have several things that need to be done before I over-exert myself by sending a letter. Come, Twilight. Let us meet with High Commander Horizons. We have much to discuss about the upcoming months and very little time to formulate strategies for our victory.” She stood and made to leave, but stopped at the doorjamb and turned back to the griffon pair. “You have helped us a great deal, Tabatha and I shall grant you some freedom while you are here, but you are not to leave the castle for any circumstance. Private Gilda can escort you around to help you familiarize yourself with the place, but in six hours, I want you to report to my chambers to begin your duties as a servant in my castle. As long as you obey my rules, you need not worry about your safety.”

While the mare’s words carried a tone hinting at unpleasant times should she screw up, Tabatha was relieved that she wasn’t going to be killed or hurt for the time being. Twilight, too, smiled at her marefriend’s words as they traversed the obsidian halls towards the second floor where a secluded wing of the castle awaited their arrival. “You really are making progress, Luna. You didn’t have to tell give her such freedom even if it’s something at everyone deserves, but you did anyways. Could have left out that last part though.” A soft chuckle escaped the unicorn’s lips. “I’m sure it did more good than harm, but there was just a teensy bit of threat in there.”

“It was meant to have an underlying threat. I have learned from my mistakes with Silent Brook and know better than to trust just anybody.” Her tone was even and commanding, her voice reverted back to her old passive state. “I have something else to discuss at the moment, however. You know that the war is looming greater upon us, especially since they likely know of our alliance with the minotaur. I hold no illusions that all of our subjects will live and, while I have soldier stationed heavily in Canterlot, there is no guarantee that it will remain unmolested. If you wish, I can move your parent here, where it is safer and more defensible. Is this something you would have me do?”

She paused and gazed softly into Twilight’s widened eyes, but the mare closed them tight, fighting back tears, and shook her head. “They wouldn’t come even if I begged them. That house, that book store, is everything to them. I remember asking my parents to come stay with me in the castle when I was a filly and even Celestia asked if they would move in with me.” Nightmare’s brow furrowed at her sister’s name and Twilight felt a tinge of anger with a hint of jealousy enter her. She really hates Celestia. It’s sad and kind of painful. This reminds me of the dream Luna and I shared. Was the reason I was so cold about never seeing her again because of the influence of our link? “They refused. I remember them saying: ‘Don’t you worry, Twilight. We still love you very much, but we simply can’t leave the house alone now, can we? It has so many memories built into the wood. What would we do if you got the urge to sleep in your little bed randomly only to not be able to? We’ll keep it nice, safe, and filled with love for whenever you are finished with your schooling and on breaks.’

“I, of course, cried like the filly I was, begging them to come with me, but they were quite adamant about their decision. They did visit often those first few years, though, to make up for it.” She smiled and nuzzled against her lover’s neck before planting a soft kiss upon her cheek. “I would love to see them again before it gets too hectic, though. You’re right. There’s no telling what could happen in the immediate future. Unless I found a time spell and went to ask a future Twilight, but I haven’t heard of any, so....”

Nightmare Moon listened intently as the love of her long, long life continued on her extensive tirade, linking one bit of information to the next, her young brain working in a set pattern until they arrived at the door to thew ‘new’ war-room. “One final question, Twilight.” The unicorn’s ears perked as she blushed sheepishly, finally realizing she had barely had a chance to breathe during their walk. “When would you wish for the dressmaker, Rarity, to be brought here? I will schedule both your parents’ visit and her commission as soon as you wish.”

Twilight stiffened momentarily, but scratched her head nervously with a byzantium hoof as she thought of the best possible time for the meeting between her and her ex-friend. “I.... I guess sooner would be best. Before I lose my nerve and back out of what needs to be done. How about sometime later this week so I can compose a checklist of things I’d like to talk to her about and stuff I’d like to tell her?”

“If that is what you wish, Twilight. I will have a notice sent out to her to expect a carriage to the castle in four days.” She noted Twilight’s anxiety build and gently kissed the mare to ease her growing shakes. “I will be there for you when she arrives if you wish.” The smaller pony smiled affectionately and made to enter the room where the one-winged commander was waiting for them, but stopped when Nightmare didn’t budge. “One last thing. It would most likely be best to dispel your endowment upon my body before we attempt serious discussion about our future.

Twilight blanched and quickly reversed the spell on her mare and tried to remove the warm liquid from her own body with a quick sweep of her magic, but a cool black aura overrode her own. “No. My seed will stay where it is. You asked to make you my mare and that is what you shall be.”

Twilight giggled despite her growing embarrassment. “I suppose I should have thought that through a little better when I said that.” She shook her head and pushed open the door with her magic, allowing the alicorn to enter first. The pair filed into the war-room, which of a single piece of furniture, a large, flat, magical map contained within an obsidian table, and joined the small group of ponies already present.

Nightmare looked them all over, noting the other stallions and mares as officers Cloudy had personally selected, and took a deep breath. This is it. This is where it will all start to turn, for better or worse. “Let us begin.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author’s Notes: Wow, this one took forever. I will be posting a blog post explaining the delay in this one (it was actually rather serious mixed in with failed concentration on my part), but for now, I bid you happy reading! You’ll see that, unlike previous cloppy chapters, this one doesn’t just cut out the chunk where they buck like bunnies (assuming you’re reading both, that is) and instead hints at it and leaves traces at the end of the fun stuff. It needed to be done because I like it like that, so meh. Anyhoof, I’m off for now. Comment if ya like. Peppy out~!

Editor’s Notes: Things are stating to move again.Certain bits of this chapter are really important to the rest of the story and the sequel. What bits? I’m not sayin’. Tiss a good story/fun times chapter. Now, I got my DK to level. Tah-Tah.

Chapter 37 - Preamble

Chapter 37 - Preamble

Nightober Twenty-Fourth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Fifty-Seven Ante Meridian
|

A small white cat lay, curled into a ball, on a windowsill in the elegant boutique and residence of Ponyville's premier fashion designer and diva. Silently, the feline slept, its chest rising and falling even despite the commotion playing out just downstairs. However, not even she could slumber through the ruckus of shattering dishware that echoed throughout the building followed by agitated, and moderately angry shouts.

"I will most certainly not go with you to that wretch's castle whether it be by demand or request. I do not have anything I wish to say to any of that structure's residents that would be considered ladylike and so I will be remaining here in my boutique." Rarity glared at the pair of pegasus soldiers she had allowed into her home with distaste. "I was expecting news about the war, not some brutish demand that I return to that dreadful place."

"Miss Rarity. The queen has ordered us to come fetch you. She requests your presence later this evening and has even provided us with the necessary provisions to make a stop in Fillydelphia should you wish to dine before your arrival." The pink stallion spoke as if he were bored of the mare's attitude mixed with mild ire at having a plate smashed upon his helmet.

"My answer is still, no. I do not wish to speak with the queen and so, I ask that you leave so that I may open my shop for the night." With a huff and a raise of her nose, Rarity spun in place and made for the rear of her shop's lobby, busying herself with arranging the ponyquins and a few dresses for display should any clientele aside from her current commissioners decide to visit.

The guard that had been speaking to her loosed an exasperated sigh and turned to leave. "Alright then. The queen suspected you would be hesitant to come and so we have been stationed here for four hours should you change your mind. We will be waiting in the town square."

The pale unicorn watched as the pair of pegasi marched out of her boutique, then returned to her pre-opening duties. "Honestly. Who do they think they are, demanding me to just up and leave my business? And to meet with the murderer of my dearest friend, no less. Hmph!"

She would have killed me! I didn't mean for it to happen....

The white mare stood stiffly as her former friend's words bit at the back of her mind. "Maybe I should have listened to her side of it.... No! I will not. There isn't any way that poor girl could have wanted to kill anypony." Yet, despite her need to defend her deceased companion, the look on Twilight's face when she had uttered that phrase seemed truly desperate. She sighed and halted her setup of the boutique, too distracted to even prepare for the work day. "I should go see how little Spikey-Wikey is doing. I sure hope Apple Jack isn't overworking him. That would be simply dreadful."

The path to the apple farm that housed the orange country mare and her family plus one was littered with the dead leaves of fall, finally beginning to settle since the war cancelled this year's Running. Rarity trotted down the debris-strewn path, cautiously avoiding the dirtiest sections in order to keep her coat pristine. A sudden gust of wind tossed her mane and scarf about causing her to shudder in its cold grip.

"My, this weather has been absolutely horrid. It's going to become too much for the weather ponies soon, if we don't get more here to assist them." Her thoughts turned to her absent friends as her worry for the upcoming winter season weather linked them to the hindrances it would create for any type of fighting. Her heart sank, then filled with anger when her mind drifted towards a certain lavender unicorn. “Why am I worried about her, of all ponies? No, I simply cannot let my anger spoil a meeting with friends.” She cast her gaze down the path and bit her bottom lip. “Friends.... How is Twilight doing? It must be horrible living under that tyrant..., but that still doesn’t excuse her for-”

“Well, howdy Rarity. Fancy meetin’ ya here!” The orange farmer stepped onto the path next to her wearing a large smile followed by an oppositely dispositioned baby dragon. She bumped her rump against the white mare and chuckled when she cringed at the messy earth pony’s contact. “What are ya up to, comin’ all the way down to the farm on a day like this?”

“Ugh, Apple Jack. Do you always have to be so... dirty?” She shivered slightly and took a tentative step away from the apple farmer. “Anyways, I came here to see how Spike was doing. He’s been through so much already and I wanted to make sure you aren’t overworking him.”

“I’m fine, Rarity. I volunteered to help with all of the chores. Not like I have anything better to do, with everyone leaving me....”

Rarity felt another pang of sadness and anger fill her heart at the young dragon’s words and demeanor. And how could she just tell Spike to leave like that? He’s much too young to just brush off as if it were normal. Well! I’ve decided! I’m going to go to that castle and give that mare a piece of my mind! “I’m sorry, Spike. Well, I didn’t only come here to see how you were doing, Spikey-Wikey.” She emphasized the nickname by ruffling his spines before looking back up at Apple Jack. “I also came to tell you that I would be leaving town for the day and, perhaps if it takes longer than I expect, into tomorrow. You see, I have been summoned, again, by Nightmare Moon to, as I assume, make Twilight another dress. I’ll be leaving from the town center as soon as I get there, so could you be a dear and tell Pinkie Pie and Sweetie Belle for me? I mustn't waste anymore time or else those barbarians may simply leave without me.”

Apple Jack nodded and whistled. “Well, shoot. Y’all better be careful, sugarcube. If ya find it to be dangerous, just high tail it on outta there. Who knows what that mare’ll do.” She tilted her stetson up and smiled at the unicorn. “Don’t ya worry none, though. Ah’ll be sure to let the others know where y’all are gonna be goin’.”

“Why, thank you, Apple Jack. I’ll be certain to come and tell you when I return. Ta-ta for now!”

The orange mare watched her friend return down the path towards Ponyville’s main thoroughfare before turning and heading back to her own farm. “Come on, Spike. Ah think we’ve done enough for today.” She stopped when she didn’t hear the soft padding of scaly feet upon the dirt path and turned to find the purple dragon missing. “Poor fella must have been tired and went back already. I sure hope Rarity can talk some sense into that unicorn. Spike needs her.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Twenty-Fourth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Twelve Fifteen Post Meridian
|

Darkness settled upon the obsidian castle as the protective cloud barrier, recently commissioned from several towns’ smaller weather factories, settled over the keep. For miles around the structure, densely packed cloudstuff formed a solid wall between it and the open sky, blocking out the moon’s light along with any possible aerial invaders. A young stallion stood parallel the High Commander of the Lunar Army, the pair staring up at the now-settled protection inspecting its length for any structural flaws.

“Lieutenant Swift Eye. The eastern section seems loose. Command the Cloud-flight to pack it further and provide some additional rainbow for magical support. I do not want this barrier to fall unless we, ourselves, need it gone.”

The tanned-yellow unicorn nodded and lit his horn, the rusty color lighting a small area around them as he amplified his voice. “Flight Captain Cane! Reinforce the eastern cloud-wall and apply more rainbow essence to the area!”

A stern-faced pegasus mare fluttered down into view, by way of the many magical spot lights set up to illuminate the pegasi’s work, followed by a score of other ponies before saluting and ordering her squad to perform their given task. “Excellent. It seems the rest of our barrier has been made to perfection. You will accompany me to the Lunar Throne and we will report to the queen of the completion of the project.”

“Yes, ma’am!” He stiffly saluted and fell into march behind Cloudy, keeping his gaze focused on the hallway ahead of him. Despite his training and close proximity to the queen due to his rank, he still couldn’t help but to be nervous. Everypony still recalled the night Nightmare Moon had furiously destroyed her enemies. The terror still sat fresh in their minds, yet he had a duty to perform and, after being hoof-picked by the High commander to help lead the queen’s armies, he wasn’t about to let his fears get in the way of his job. He had a family to feed.

Cloudy stopped outside the throne room door, the short trek from one of the castle's parapets gone in a flash, before pushing open the door to step inside. Both ponies halted in their tracks and blushed furiously, joining the several other ponies dotting the room in avoiding looking at the spectacle before them.

Nightmare Moon was reclining upon her throne, casually stroking the mane of the mare between her haunches, when she noticed the pair of soldiers step into her hall. She took a deep breath and looked up at them, her facial features not faltering from their usual passive gaze. “High Commander Horizons. How goes the placement and securing of our cloud-wall?”

The white mare opened her mouth to speak, caught off-guard once again by the night mare’s actions, but couldn’t find her voice. A quick, nervous cough and a shifting of her eyes to attempt to block out Twilight’s form assisted her, however. “Uhm.... Oh. Y-yes, Your Majesty. The barrier has been... erected... a-and our troops are rea-ready to begin seeking out the enemy base camps."

"Excellent. Have.... Have your commanding officers divide the-” Nightmare gasped and took a moment to recompose herself before placing a hoof on Twilight’s head. “Hold, Twilight. I am aware that this is what I instructed you to do, but you are causing me to lose my focus.” With the unicorn pulled away for the moment, the black queen returned to addressing the present ponies. “As I was attempting to order, have your commanding officers divide the current troops stationed at the castle, along with a squad of fifty minotaur per unit, and deploy them to the cities with the largest known griffon camps nearby. Leave five-hundred troops here to defend my castle should Griffonia decide that now is an opportune time to assault my keep.” Cloudy saluted, followed by a sloppy salute from the stallion beside her which finally drew the alicorn’s attention. “Hmmm.... And who would this whelp be? I have not seen him often among my army’s ranks.”

The unicorn hesitated for a moment during which Cloudy took the floor for him. “Lieutenant Swift Eye of the Moon Gazers. One of the officers I selected at your behest. Chosen for his skill in training and uncanny ability to long-distance spot.”

Nightmare raised her head, and eyed him curiously, a hint of distaste in her gaze. “Ah, I recall the Moon Gazer family. Very loyal to my cause. It is a shame that the noble line had to be sullied by stallions.”

“Wait.... Moon Gazer.... Didn’t that family name die out centuries ago? The last known member was supposed to have died with the passing of Snow Drift.” Twilight looked from her lover to the unicorn in question, her confusion displayed openly on her face.

“Uhm.... I don’t know everything, but my mother had told me that we were once nobles and were waiting on something to rejoin the elite ranks. There certainly aren’t as many of us around as our family tree suggests there should be.”

“Regardless, perform the task I have given. Commander Horizons, I shall expect the soldiers to be deployed by tomorrow morning. Divide your officers as you see fit. If you have nothing else to report, you are dismissed and can begin preparations for the movement.”

“Actually, Your Majesty, I do have one question.” Nightmare raised her eyebrow, waiting for the pegasus to fight off her blush and continue. “I thought you were a.... A mare. Why-”

“A spell. Twilight revealed to me the spell a few days prior, the aftermath of said spell you saw yourself, and I figured it would be a decent practice of... endurance... since it is rather sensitive.” A sparkle of mirth glinted in the mare’s eye as she looked back down at between her legs. “Plus, she owes me a favor promised on that night.”

“Of... course....” Cloudy nodded slightly, averting her eyes once more, then cleared her throat and motioned for the exit with a tilt of her head. “Come, Lieutenant Swift Eye. We have much to complete in a short time span.”

With the distraction gone, Nightmare pressed back upon Twilight’s head, urging her to return to her duties. “You are not finished yet. We still have several hours until the seamstress arrives.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Twenty-Fourth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
One Twenty-Two Post Meridian
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Rarity stepped into the large echoing halls of the obsidian castle for the third time since its construction and slowly made her way through the dark corridors with the assistance of a servant mare. If she was to say she was entirely comfortable with traversing the eerie building that was home to her greatest enemy, she would most definitely be lying. Rarity constantly glanced about her, trying to discern any other noises over the noisome clopping of their hooves. She couldn’t keep her mind from wandering towards her previous ejection from the place and the promises that had come with it.

Despite her trepidation and latent fear and anger, the trip went smoothly, almost without incident save for her rather unladylike collision with another servant that she hadn’t seen due to her distractedness. In mere minutes the pair had arrived at the door to the throne room, the towering doors standing ominously above them. “Here we are, Miss Rarity. Queen Moon instructed that, when you arrived, you be taken directly to her audience chamber. You’ll find the queen and her consort inside.”

Rarity nodded and made to enter, but a hoof on her shoulder halted her mid-stride. “Oh, uhm. I would be cautious about what you say in the queen’s presence. There have been... incidents recently which have invoked her wrath and she’s had something of a short fuse for the past week.”

The white unicorn blanched, paling noticeably even through her already pristine white coat. If her fears weren’t set before, they certainly were now. “I.... Thank you, dear. For the warning.” With a slight nod, the earth pony left Rarity alone in front of the doors, contemplating whether or not she should just leave. A short moment later, she sighed and lit her horn. “I cannot back down now. Not after telling Spike I’d talk to her.” She magicked the heavy, metal doors open and froze in place just a step inside, feeling her anger begin to boil over her fear, and the shock at the unfamiliar form of her ex-friend, at the lewd display before her.

Chapter 38 - Addendum

Chapter 38 - Addendum

Nightober Twenty-Fourth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
One Twenty-Six Post Meridian
|

The two mares looked up in unison at the new arrival to the now-empty royal court, the slightly smaller unicorn’s eyes widening as she pulled away from her lover whose gaze remained impassive. Twilight stood and wiped the lingering drool from her muzzle with a whisk of magic before taking a few steps closer to Rarity, but stopped when she was shot a baleful glare. Oh, please don’t let Luna have seen that. “R-Rarity! It’s.... It’s been a while.... I... uhm....” The pale pony remained silent, her rage-filled eyes locked with Twilight’s. The byzantium mare looked away shamefully and turned to Nightmare. “L-Luna. Could I.... Could Rarity and I talk alone for a while? I know you said you wanted to watch the dress making, but....”

The queen could sense the worry in her mare’s voice, could feel her soul trembling through their bond, but the desire to speak privately was certainly sincere. She rose and passed slowly beside the two. “If that is what you wish. I shall be outside supervising the movement of my soldiers. You know how I can be reached should you require my presence.” She nodded at Twilight’s mouthed ‘thank-you’ and closed the doors behind her as she exited, pausing to glance at a flash of movement to the right of the door before turning and walking away.

Twilight looked from the door back to the room’s only other occupant, flinching at the raging eyes that bored into her mind. She moved to speak, but a quick slap of magic across her muzzle froze any attempt at speech she would have made. “You are a sick, twisted mare, Twilight. Is that really how you greet ponies now? Throat-deep on another pony’s member!? I am beyond furious, Twilight! I- I can’t understand how you would stoop so low! Is that why you brought me here!? So you could show me how adept you had become at pleasuring a stallion!? I cannot believe I thought that this excursion would be a good idea.”

“Rarity.... I-”

Another lash of magic brought Twilight to her haunches, too stunned by the prim mare’s hateful display to defend herself. “I came here, hoping I could talk some sense into you! Poor Spike has been beating himself up over everything for the past half a year and look at you! You sit at the hoof of that- That.... Bitch! You’re just a little sex-toy now, aren’t you? I don’t even know why I thought a murdering-” She stopped, her spiteful rant cut short by a wailing cry as Twilight broke down in front of her. The larger unicorn fell in a heap on the floor and wept, sending a pang of guilt into the white unicorn’s heart. Oh my.... I.... “Tw-Twilight. I-”

“I know! I can’t even tell you how much it hurt to have to send Spike away! Do you think... that I like watching my friends leave? Watching them hate me? Be disappointed that I’m not what they want?” She looked up at Rarity, her eyes glowing red causing the white mare to involuntarily step away. “It tears me to pieces whenever I think of the look on his face that night! But what was I supposed to do!? Let him be killed!? Stay with a pony that had just murdered another pony!? Put him in danger by being around the queen!?” The glow in her eyes abated as her swollen anger died down, dropping her back into depression until she once more slumped upon the cold floor. “No.... I couldn’t let that happen.... I didn’t want any of you to be hurt.... Even after you snapped at me for what happened to Brook... without letting me explain or anything.... You were still my friends....

“But you’re right. You wouldn’t want to be friends with a murdering whore. I shouldn’t have asked Moon to let you visit.” Twilight sucked in a lungful of air, forcing away her tears with practiced ease, and stood, facing away from the dumbstruck Rarity. “Please leave. The carriage will still be outside waiting. You can tell the others that I probably won’t ever see them again.” She breathed deeply again, a wry smile forming on her lips. “You know, this was one of the worst-case scenarios I had thought up during the week before today and, wouldn’t you know, I can’t remember anything I had planned to try and turn this around.”

Rarity stood stock-still, watching as Twilight coalesced magic upon her horn to teleport away, but was too stunned by the mare’s and her own outburst to do anything about it. Luckily, there was somebody else around to stop the scholar for her. “Twi! Wait! D-don’t go!”

Twilight’s magic fizzled as she halted her spell and spun around just in time to have a small reptilian body latch onto one of her forelegs and pound its tiny claws against it. “Sp-Spike!? What are you doing here!? You’re supposed to be in Ponyville!”

“I hate you, Twilight! I hate you so much!" Twilight, for all her ability with words, found herself speechless, babbling incoherently. "You left without a word and now you're going to l-leave again! I don't ever want to see you again!"

The darker unicorn's ears fell at the words, but despite the dragon's declaration, he held firmly onto her captured limb. "Spike...."

"I hate you! I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!" He looked up into her pained gaze and his mouth flapped uselessly as it tried in vain to spout out what his brain was trying to make it. "Why? Why did you have to leave? Why didn't you come back with us before? Is it something I did? I'll change, I promise! I'll do whatever you need! Just.... Come back.... Please."

Rarity held a hoof to her mouth, fighting off the welling feelings that had replaced her anger, and watched as Twilight swept the baby dragon off his feet and into an embrace. "Spike! I'm sorry I left, but it needed to happen. I-" She bit her lip, hesitating upon the explanation that had almost wormed its way out of her. "I would never have left if I had a choice. I know that it must have hurt so terribly, I was torn as well when I thought of never being able to see you again, but I couldn't do anything about it."

Tears flowed freely down the pony’s and dragon’s faces as they held tightly to each other. Spike, despite all his anger, didn’t loosen his grip on the mare he had just announced his hatred for. “Wh-why? You c-could have come back. The-” He pulled away and finally took in the sight before him, the once diminutive lavender unicorn now towering above him like a giant with a near-black coat. “Why are...? You look....”

Twilight breathed deeply, settling her emotions and taking a quick glance at Rarity, making sure the mare wasn’t going to leave or do anything anger driven. She looked at the last few minutes and mentally kicked herself for her reaction to the fashionista’s words. “It’s.... It’s one of the reasons I can’t leave, Spike, and why I don’t want to leave.” Spike tried to talk, but a soft pressing of a hoof to his lips preemptively silenced the words. “I understand that it hurts, Spike, but it can’t be changed. I understand if you hate me for it, but I do love you. I’ve raised you from the time that I hatched you and nothing can happen that could change that.”

“Can’t I stay here, then? Why can’t we live together!?” His anger was returning, but another hug from Twilight settled it back to a more manageable level.

“I would love for you to stay here, Spike, but it’s too dangerous. You’re just a baby and with everything that happens here.... The attacks, assassins, and... traitors.... I don’t want to risk you getting hurt, or worse.”

“I hate to interrupt, but this is hardly the only place that’s been attacked, Twilight. Ponyville was assailed not too long ago as well. I don’t think there’s any place that’s safe as of now.” Rarity walked over, placing a hoof on the dragon’s shoulder. “If anything, this would be the safest place. Why, I doubt that even an army of griffons could fully take this keep.”

“The queen lives here, Rarity. The griffon’s know this and, despite the heavy fortifications and our near monopoly of the available soldiers, they still find cracks in our armor.” She took a hesitant glance at her barrel, or, more specifically, the scar running across it, hoping that the motion wouldn’t be noticed.

Unfortunately, Rarity was a pony of detail, and saw the motion of the mare’s eyes, gasping quietly when she finally noticed the grotesque wound. Fortunately, she knew better than to bring the topic up in the presence of the child amongst them. “You never did tell us why you look differently.” Twilight looked up at her, her eyes pleading for a change in subject, or anything to avoid the conversation that would follow her statement. “I guess that’s not important now. And, dear, while I admire the look and how you didn’t send Spike away, I am still quite upset with you. Spike, could Twilight and I talk privately, please?”

“What!? No! I don’t want to leave! If I do, I’ll never get to see her again!” Moisture began to form in his eyes once more, but a soft embrace from his ‘sister’ eased his emotions.

“Don’t worry, Spike. I promise that I’ll talk to you some more before you and Rarity have to leave. I won’t ever just leave without saying anything to you ever again. Promise.”

“I-I don’t believe you!”

“Spike, darling.... I’ll be sure that it doesn’t happen, alright? I’ll make sure she holds to her promise. Besides, I’m ever so certain that she’d follow through with it even if I wasn’t here to make sure of it.” She nuzzled him softly and led him to the hallway.

“Spike, there should be a servant pony nearby. Have her escort you to the courtyard where Nightmare Moon is and find the filly that’s likely hanging around near her. I’m sure Moon Beam would love to have somebody to play with and it’ll help you pass the time while Rarity and I talk.”

He nodded and disappeared as the door shut behind him, helped by the pale blue glow of the diva’s magic. As soon as she was certain that the dragon whelp was well out of hearing distance, Rarity spun around and fixed her harsh gaze on Twilight once more. “I appreciate how you handled that, but you’re not telling us everything. Why do you look like that? Where did you get that ghastly scar? What happened a month ago?”

Twilight’s ears drooped and she hung her head, the bitter memories swirling about her thoughts as if they had happened only moments ago. “It’s complicated. Besides, why would you listen to me now when you wouldn’t when I tried to tell you the first time?” She instantly regretted the harsh tinge in her words, but it was too late to take it back now.

“You obviously didn’t send for me just to make a dress like the last time, so I assumed that that is what you would be wanting. I came to tell you about Spike and, seeing as he did it for me, your current state has left me somewhat curious.”

Twilight stood, and began to pace, her growing anxiety causing the poison from the scar to act up again. “You’re right, but we did want you to make a dress if you were willing.... I.... I don’t really know where to start....”

“Why don’t you start with why you murdered my best friend? That seems like it would be the best place to begin.”

Rarity’s cold words bit deeply, causing Twilight to flinch from their harshness, but she merely nodded and began her story. “Well, Silent Brook first came under Nightmare’s service back when she first returned from the moon. The night after she had stormed and took the Canterlot Palace, Brook pledged her and the other castle servants’ service to her. She worked her way to the highest position in Nightmare’s staff and eventually got close to me as well.

“Whenever Nightmare would punish me or just abuse me whenever it pleased her, Brook would be there to comfort me mere moments after Nightmare had left.” She placed a hoof to her chin, halting her pacing for a moment. “In hindsight, I probably should have noticed that, but I guess it doesn’t matter anymore. Well, one night after a particularly bad series of... punishments..., she came in and comforted me when I needed it most. It hurts to say it now, but I really fell for her then.” Her eyes fell to the floor as she recalled Brook’s method of ‘soothing’ her pain.

“If you liked her as a mare, then why would you do something so atrocious as killing her!? I don’t even know why I bothered-”

“Rarity! Please. Let me finish. You’ll possibly understand then.” She waited for the unicorn to nod before continuing. “After that, we met whenever we could. By then, the ‘lessons’ had grown fewer in number as I began helping Nightmare more and so she left me on my own more often than before. It gave us ample opportunities to see each other outside of the watchful gaze of the queen. We grew closer and I would express my thoughts and feeling to her and she would listen. She never talked about herself much and, despite that one moment where she had explained where we had met before, I never doubted her intentions.

“Then that night happened....” Her voice caught in her throat as the sweet memories turned sour. “That night.... The night ponies have branded as the Moonlit Massacre.... Nightmare Moon had gone off to fight, leaving me behind due to the magical inhibitor I had on. Silent Brook came not long after Nightmare had left and sat with me as I worried about all the death that would happen and about... other things.... She comforted me as we listened to the cries and sounds of battle outside, but when it was over....”

Twilight stared right into Rarity’s eyes, her gaze solemn, but hinting at residual anger. “After the battle ended, she got up to leave. I asked her where she was going and she told me that she was going to kill Nightmare and Moon Beam while they were weak. I pleaded with her, begged her, even tried to coerce her with the mention of our ‘love’ to get her to reconsider, but she didn’t care. She told me that she never loved me. She said she had always hated me, hated how I had displaced her from her spot near Princess Celestia, hated how I was so close to her. She told me that her special talent was espionage, manipulation, and that she was only getting close to me so she could learn what she needed about Nightmare. She told me that, as soon as she was done with the queen, she’d come back to kill me as well. She would have killed me!

“My emotions took over and assisted my magic in overloading the inhibitor ring and, when I teleported to save Nightmare Moon and Moon Beam, the magical burst knocked her away and impaled her with her own dagger. I could have saved her then, but I didn’t. She had hurt me far more than any of Nightmare’s physical beatings ever could and I stood over her, listening to her beg me to spare her and then curse me with her last breath. She was my pillar when I was hurt and her betrayal was the last crack to crumble my haven.”

“I-I find all of this hard to believe, Twilight.... She couldn’t be like that. She never got upset at anypony from when she lived in Ponyville.... She couldn’t want to kill anypony! It doesn’t make any sense. You have to be lying.” She was on the verge of tears, forcing her to believe what she was saying, but she knew from the way the unicorn in front of her had spoken that she was telling the truth.

“I’m sorry, Rarity. I wish I was lying. I never wanted it to happen, but like I told Spike, I didn’t have much of a choice at the time....”

“I-I’ll have to think this over, Twilight, before I can give you my honest feelings.... I am quite upset at the moment and I don’t want to judge you unfairly, but... I want to believe you.... You didn’t seem like a pony that would ruthlessly kill ponies like a barbarous villain when we first met, but she was my best friend....” She sighed and looked to the door, glad that she had sent Spike away. He shouldn’t have to hear this. It would crush him even more than when Twilight left. “Why don’t you tell me why you look so differently and why you have that scar now? Either one is fine.”

“Well, those both are kind of intertwined. It’s... a lot worse, though. Are you sure you want to hear?” A slight nod from the posh mare and Twilight drooped her head lower. “Well, I died.”

“What!? That’s impossible! You’re standing right here and I can tell that you’re very much alive!”

“It’s true. I am alive now, but I did die. It was a couple weeks ago, but I was watching Moon Beam play in the inner courtyard. Nightmare Moon had come out to check on us when one of the griffons' assassins chose to attack. He was moving too fast and I was too panicked to do anything but teleport in his way. When he swung his sword, it hit me in Nightmare’s stead and sent me flying with the blade buried in my chest. I didn’t survive. It was coated in wyvern’s venom, an extremely potent poison that could easily fell a fully grown dragon, so you can imagine how quickly that and the blood loss overtook me.”

“But.... How are you-?”

“Nightmare Moon brought me back. She used powerful magic to expel most of the venom from my blood and used her own soul to anchor mine back in my body after rescuing me from the astral plane. The magic, while potent, couldn’t fully heal me and left lasting effects on my body as you can very well see.”

“I... see.... Twilight, dear, you know that you could have come back with us then, right? Why ever did you decide to stay? From what we’ve seen of Nightmare Moon’s actions and what you’ve told me, wouldn’t it have been better? You had your magic then. You could have escaped.”

“Well, it was like I said at the time.... She and little Moonie were all I had left. I had been at her mercy for months without any hope of rescue, I was without magic for that time, and she was easing away from physical punishment. When Brook.... After that happened, Nightmare promised that I could stay with her, that she wouldn’t abandon me.” A warm smile spread across the scholarly unicorn’s muzzle. “Now, however, I have a... better reason to stay. I’m in love with Nightmare Moon.”

“That’s not a good reason at- What!?” Rarity stood, dumbfounded. “What? How- How could you be in love with her!? After everything that she’s done!?” She advanced on the mare, but Twilight held her ground. “This is a joke, right? What am I thinking? This can’t be a joke. Why would she be joking?”

“Of course it’s a joke, Rarity.” The white unicorn paused, once again blindsided by her companion. Twilight burst out laughing. “Oh, wow. I haven’t laughed like that in a while. I’m serious though. Nightmare and I are in love. She may not express it very well, but the feeling is mutual. The, uhm, act that you caught us in when you entered was mostly voluntary. Kind of a promise on my side, but I was definitely willing. Just, don’t tell anypony else about it, okay? I don’t mind you telling them about our relationship, but keep the ‘encounter’ between us.”

“Twilight, that doesn’t answer my question and it brings about a couple more. How are you in love with her? She’s a tyrant!”

Twilight sighed and glanced out one of the room’s windows, the stained glass and cloudy sky making it difficult to see anything other than vague outlines. “It’s hard to tell. I first realized how I felt when I, well, when I died. As I was crawling along the ground with the sword in me, my only thought was to be by Nightmare, make sure she was alright. When she saved me from death, I knew then that, even if she didn’t love me back, I would follow her to the end of the world. Luckily, she ended up returning my feelings. It hasn’t been perfect, but she’s changing. She’s trying to be a better mare, a better pony, for me and I wouldn’t change it for anything. I’m... kind of glad that most of the things that have happened, happened. I would never have met Nightmare. I would never have grown close to her.... I would never have met my special somepony.”

The pale fashionista bit her lip, then nodded before pulling Twilight into a light hug. “I.... I’m not sure what to say, darling, but.... I am sorry for everything that has happened. I do so wish that Silent Brook could still be here. She may have changed her mind....” Her eyes widened as a memory came to her. “Did Brook ever tell you her real name?” A shake of Twilight’s head was all she needed. A light chuckle escaped her lips. “Her name was Red Cedar. I remember back when her parents were around.... They named her that because of her color. She absolutely hated it. After her parents died and she got her Cutie Mark, she changed it to Silent Brook to help her repress the memories.”

Twilight looked at her curiously. Why would she hate that name? I think it’s- “Oh.... Oh! I get it. Red Cedar like the- Ohhhhhhh!” Twilight soon found herself forcing back her giggles. “I get it now. Hehe. I kind of feel bad for her. That’s a horrible name.”

They gradually climbed down from the short giggle-fest and sighed happily. “Twilight.... I’m glad we were able to talk like this. It was definitely a struggle after the Summer Solstice with you gone. You might not believe it, but you were the one that brought us together, darling. You really helped us get through that forest even if it wasn’t directly.” The somber mood ended as she stood up straight and looked around. “Now! You said we would be making a dress, yes? We can get that out of the way and then visit for a while longer. You promised Spike, after all.”

Twilight smiled and nodded before trotting casually towards the door. “That I did. Nightmare said she wanted to be there when the dress was made, so let’s go fetch her.” The pair trotted out the door as Twilight magicked it ajar, but paused when the taller mare turned around. “Oh, Rarity? Thank you. I’m sure you’re still upset, but... I’m glad we were at least able to move on. Friends?”

Rarity smiled and nodded, softly nuzzling Twilight’s shoulder. “Friends.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Twenty-Fourth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Ten Fifty Post Meridian
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The darkness of cloud cover was broken by the dim glow of the magical lights conjured by the unicorns and alicorn gathered in the outer courtyard of the obsidian castle. Twilight and Rarity walked close to each other in near silence, but not from discomfort or poor mood. Instead, they held their words in an effort to allow the children perched atop their backs to continue sleeping. They stopped before the same black carriage that Rarity had arrived in, minus the old chauffeurs and plus a pair of new bodies.

With the gentle glow of their magic, the unicorns swapped passengers, but not without Twilight planting a soft kiss on Spike's forehead. "Twilight, dear, you will come and visit him after all of this nonsensical violence is over, correct? I don't want to have to break his heart after his hopes had been renewed."

"Of course I will. Just, make sure he gets taken care of. I'm sure Apple Jack is a great big sister, but baby dragons can be a hoofful. It's a shame Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had to leave though. I hope they'll be okay."

"There is no need to worry, dear!! They'll be fine. They are big mares and, even if dear Fluttershy is, well, shy, she can most certainly handle herself. Who I'm worried about is you. Do be careful here, okay? From everything you've told me, it seems you are more at risk than the others." She looked worriedly at Twilight, but smiled slightly when the darker unicorn did the same. "And you, Nigh- Er, Queen Moon. Take care of Twilight. She may not be perfect, but she is a friend and cares deeply for you." Rarity sighed and hugged her friend. "Perhaps sometime soon I'll be able to move past the loss of Brook. She may have acted cruelly towards you, but she was still dear to me. It's not a wound that will heal with a single apology, after all."

"I apologize to you, Rarity. I will lift my ban on the Element Bearers due to your conduct tonight and, for Twilight's sake, I hope that the others may come to forgive her as well." Nightmare glanced at her lover and leaned into the embrace she was given. "Should you or your friends find yourselves yearning to visit, send a letter to the palace and I will arrange transportation."

Twilight grinned and nuzzled closer to the alicorn's cheek. "Thank you, Luna. Honestly, I’m surprised you weren’t angry at all when you found out about Spike. And kind of relieved that he wasn’t looking in the door when you entered, Rarity.” She blinked, a thought passing through her mind. “Now that I think about it, how were you able to tell it was me, uhm... there?”

“The servant mare told me that you two were in the throne room, of course. Plus, it is rather difficult to mistake you for another mare with a cutie mark as unique as yours. Even with your appearance so drastically altered.” She smiled softly before carefully levitating the sleeping dragon onto a seat in the carriage. “I daresay that I feel horrible for not noticing a hitchhiker in my luggage. I would have brought him along if he had merely insisted. It must have been so uncomfortable. Well, darling, I should be getting back to Ponyville. Do enjoy the dress. Or perhaps armor is the best word to describe it? Either way, take care of yourself and, perhaps later, you could tell me a bit about the filly? She is such a sweetheart.”

Twilight dipped her head and took a moment to admire the silver garb she was donning. The metal had been shaped into a bodice, covering her chest and barrel, before trailing over her flanks and almost to her ankles in resemblance of a skirt. From the bodice, sleeves covered her forelegs in their silver sheen. The collar had been flared somewhat, an addition that had been added with the assistance of Twilight’s magic, to resemble something akin to the cloaks of the mages of old. And, in an attempt to add to the beauty of the piece which, in Rarity’s words, had been rather bland, the white unicorn infused the piece with tendrils of rich gold and crimson in the shape of celestial objects, giving the garment a royal flair.

The magic-inclined unicorn grinned brightly, an action that was mirrored, albeit to a much lesser degree, by her lover. “It’s wonderful, Rarity. Thank you.”

“Not at all, dear. It was a welcome challenge, I’ve never worked with a metal ‘fabric’ before, and I do believe I pulled it off most excellently.” The mares attached to the coach gave a pair of impatient whinnies, urging the trio to hurry so that they may continue their regular duties. “It seems that I am wasting time. Ta-ta, Twilight. Queen Moon. Take care.”

Twilight waved as the carriage gradually took off into the night with her renewed friend in tow, then turned to the mare still at her side. “You know, Luna. This may not have started out well, but it all ended on a happy note. I appreciate you allowing me the chance to talk to her after what happened before." She grinned mischievously, gingerly massaging Nightmare's abdomen. "You know, we were interrupted back then. If you’re feeling up to it, I may be so inclined as to finish what we started.”

Twilight giggled at Nightmare’s body’s eager response, betraying the unyielding passivity of her ever-present coolness. “The flowers in the courtyard garden have been wilting recently. They are certainly due for some fertilization.”

Twilight blinked, momentarily confused. Did.... Did she just make a pun? Her smile returned in earnest as she followed her black queen back into the imposing construct that was their home and towards the activities awaiting them just inside.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author’s Notes: Yeah, how’d you like them apples? Ain’t I just evil. That’ll learn ya ta not put ideas into my mind at the end of chapters *insert mad cackling here*. Anyhoof, another chapter that took way too long, but, like Jeky-poo said in the comments earlier, after this chapter will be a sweet, delicious surprise that I’m sure you’ll all enjoy. Props go out to Jekyll for his help with a few things, such as Brook’s real name (which neither he nor I will explain. If you don’t get it, then too bad! *more mad cackling*). Anyhoof, expecting something fun in the near future. Peppy out~!

A bit late, but EDIT: Nightmare is never, and I mean NEVER, going to go back to being Luna. Ever. The only reason Twi calls her Luna is a sign of endearment. It's to bring them closer together in a way that no other pony would be allowed and to help Nightmare remember that, even if her name is Nightmare Moon, she doesn't have to be the nightmare from the moon.

Editor’s Notes: Peppy! Why do you write sooooo slow and then spring three thousand words on me out of nowhere?! I’m totally serious guys, this son-of-a-bee-sting (said in the voice of a five year old child) can write when the mood strikes him. *Sigh* But even more seriously, special stuff coming up and, big announcement that everyone who read my comment should already know, after the super special duper secret (that doesn’t even make sense) surprizey thing that I can’t talk about comes out, Peps is going back to Necro Domina, WOO!

Chapter 40 - Egregious Endeavours

Chapter 40 - Egregious Endeavours

Gilda screamed as the darkness around her suddenly faded followed by the numbness, then the returning pain. She grasped at her chest, scraping against the solid steel to check her wounds, but found nothing to show that she had ever been injured. There was no blood on the ground around her save for that of the few corpses that lay nearby, nor was there a gash severing her breastplate. Her eyes frantically scanned the horizon, taking in the deadly scene before her. The scene that had not changed at all since she had supposedly been slain.

“Wh- What the fuck?”

A heavy sigh permeated the air, carrying with it a note of annoyance. I would have thought that you would survive longer than that with all of the boasting you perform. Your performance was pitiful, at best. I am of the mind to simply leave you in this state for the rest of your mortal life, however short that may be.

“Hey! How was I supposed to know what was going to happen! I wasn’t expecting to be shoved into some freak’s magical battlefield! Stupid cunt!”

As soon as those final two words slipped from her beak, the entire platoon of gold-clad ponies within her vision turned their eyes on her, turquoise fire burning behind their soulless pupils. They converged upon the terrified griffoness, their weapons poised to strike. Do not forget who is in control here, worthless cur! You should be grateful that I am even taking the time to teach you of my magic! You are not of my subjects. I hold no duty to protect you. Nightmare’s voice rumbled through the fog like an earthquake, shaking the air and vibrating Gilda’s eardrums almost to the point of bursting. You and your worthless companion would not be alive were it not for my subordinates’ and mate’s efforts. Remember this when you recover from your next death. Remember who holds ultimate power over your very life, in reality or in dreams.

Before Gilda had a chance to react, to even twitch her body, dozens of weapons converged upon her, slicing, ripping, beating, and tearing her to pieces. She couldn’t even scream as the darkness enveloped her again.

The young hybrid once more returned to consciousness with a gasp, coughing breathing in the iron-tinged air as if she had just surfaced from nearly drowning. She frantically scanned her surroundings, expecting to see the mob ready to cut her down again, but all of the ponies were much too busy with each other again. She sighed in relief, sat on her haunches, and ran her claws over her body, rubbing away the phantom pains from her last failure.

“Fine! You win.” Gilda glared up at the clouds, then grabbed a slain pony’s weapon, a plain claymore, from the ground beside her. Fuck, that hurts. Damn crazy bitch. She held the heavy weapon in her talons, one holding the grip and the other allowing the blade to rest in its grasp, and began flapping over to the nearest cluster of ponies.

She watched the trio of earth ponies fighting, taking care to stay out of the gold armoured pair’s vision, and waited for a chance to strike. She readied her sword, flying closer, and began her vertical cleave, but a sudden impact from behind her followed by a burning slash against her unarmoured back sent her face-first into the bloody mud, weapon lost to the murk and pain.

Gilda scrabbled to regain her footing and find her blade, ignoring the fire that was her back, and turned to face her challenger. A pair of pegasi flew towards her at high speeds, two ponies she hadn’t noticed in her scan of the area, sword and axe at the ready, but never made contact as Gilda dove to the side. She tried to move her wings to take flight for a more even fight, but a sharp flare along her spine informed her that it wasn’t going to happen. She cringed and hefted her blade in front of her, struggling to maintain its weight with her newest wound, and waited for the pair to make a return pass.

Luckily, she had been prepared this time, for their speed would have surely done her in, but she hopped to their left and, with a deft vertical slash, cleaved one of the ponies down the middle. She watched cooly as the body fell, spilling its innards into the filth, and screamed into the night until its life was drained into the growing pool around it.

Gilda dropped to her knees, panting heavily as the strain of using the weapon and her continuous loss of blood finally took its toll on her. Her mind raced in panic as she tried to call upon the moon’s power, attempted to recall the technique that her cruel mentor had taught her, but it couldn’t focus. The molten agony of her wound and her terror of dying again kept her mind closed to all attempts.

The remaining pegasus, noting her inability to retaliate, landed beside the griffon and raised its blade. Gilda looked up into the pony’s eyes and saw a fire behind them. Not the same fire that had shone when Nightmare Moon had taken over them, but the flames of one who has lost the one thing they cared most about. The griffon opened her mouth to speak, but into it the pony’s blade was thrust, silencing her and pinning her to the ground through her chest.

Her eyes remained open, tears blurring her vision, as the taste of blood, steel, and bile filled her mouth until she drowned in her own blood.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Twenty-Sixth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Four Seventeen Post Meridian
|

Soft squeaks and agonized cries filled the starch-white hallways of the Manehattan central hospital, the once quiet haven now filled to bursting with hundreds upon hundreds of casualties. Screams echoed through the halls as patients were wheeled to holding rooms or to and from operating rooms. The entirety of the unicorn staff worked endlessly as they healed the patients that could be saved through spells or magically sedated the ones that could not.

Everyone else worked as quickly as they could to cover the ground that the unicorns could not. They amputated the dead limbs of sedated casualties, saving them from possible infections, hooked up severe cases to pain medication from their ever dwindling supply, and risked all to rescue critical patients through heavy surgery. Yet, even with all of the effort each and every staff member put in to save each pony, six more died before they could be reached.

A butter-yellow pegasus calmly flitted about one of the hospital’s higher floors, moving from room to room, determination set in her tear-stained face. She had been hard at work for well over half of the day, helping the few ponies that she could, yet every time she landed before one of the patients’ rooms, she was struck dumb by the sheer number of ponies clustered about one room. Each new ward brought fresh tears to her eyes.

“Fluttershy.... You’re working yourself too hard.” A dull-blue earth pony looked up from between a trio of gurneys inside the room as she carefully glided a needle into a sleeping patient’s foreleg. “You haven’t slept in two days. Please, why don’t you take a rest?”

The timid mare glanced at the unexpected nurse, surprised, but relaxed as she recognized her. “I-I can’t Nurse Tenderheart. They’re all in so much pain.... I just can’t let them suffer while I can still do something to help the poor dears....” She sighed, looking over each unconscious pony. They were all from the lower levels, ponies moved upstairs so that they could make room for newcomers below. None of them were expected to survive a day.

The nurse smiled weakly, the effort of finding any kind of joy in such a situation a strain all on its own. “Flutters.... It’s okay. There isn’t anything we can do for them. Not even the doctors could help them and neither of us are trained for any of this.”

“But it’s not!” The pegasus’ wings flared in agitation, but were quickly brought back down to her sides as she hid behind her mane. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell.”

Tenderheart smiled again, abandoning her duty of inserting IVs, and wrapped a foreleg around her friend. “You don’t have anything to apologize over. You’re right, I shouldn’t be okay with this, but there really isn’t anything we can do here to save any of these ponies. All we can hope for is that they pass easily without too much pain. It’s....” Tears burned her eyes and she clung tighter to the sweet, sunny mare.

"I know. It hurts, doesn't it? We Ponies aren't meant to fight." Fluttershy sniffled as she stroked her companion's mane, comforting yet another pony despite her weariness. "I came to help ponies and treat the sick because I like helping others. Even in such scary times, it makes me happy to take care of hurt ponies..., but I never thought it would be this bad.

"I saw so many of my friends in Ponyville hurt that night and I knew that others would need my help, too...." She closed her eyes, picturing the dead laid out in rows just outside of the town. Each of the ponies had their own little blanket to cover them while the griffons were all piled up in a cluster off to the side. They had lit a massive funeral fire and cremated their friends, sending them off with the warmest love and aching longing. She saw the emergency tents set up, filled to the brim with the victims of the assault. “I just wanted to help ponies....”

The teal-maned mare smiled and bumped her friend with her hip. “Here I am, getting all sad and being cheered up by you when I’m supposed to be keeping you happy. Some friend I am, huh?” She giggled as Fluttershy cracked a joyful, yet embarrassed smile. Their moment of bonding was interrupted by the crackle of the intercom sparking to life as it filled the area with its message.

“All medical staff stationed on floor seven, please report to the third floor conference room for reassignment.” A young mare’s voice played through the speakers, the slight crackle in her voice making the age of the system apparent. “I repeat. All medical staff stationed on the Intensive Care floor, please report to the floor three conference room for reassignment.” The intercom system died down with a noisome buzz, then the floor was quiet again for the brief moment before the few nurses on the floor began filing towards the elevators.

“Reassignment? But these ponies still need us!” Fluttershy paced back and forth, her eyes flitting between the comatose stallions and mares laid atop their beds with worry. “What if they wake up and they’re in pain? What if they.... What if they....”

“Flutters, it’s okay.” She nudged the pegasus with her nose, calmly booting her towards the door as she spoke. “They wouldn’t just leave these ponies on their own, I’m sure some other nurses are going to be here within a few minutes to take over. Let’s catch up with the others so we don’t have to wait for an elevator.”

The butter-yellow mare chewed on her bottom lip, but relented. “O-okay, but I don’t know how I can be of help anywhere else. I’m not really a nurse.”

Slowly, as they were pushed along by the small herd of employees, the pair entered the mecha-magical lift, surrounded on all sides by various mares and stallions. Fluttershy cowered in the presence of so many ponies, succumbing to a fear that, despite the month and a half that she had been around many of them, still overwhelmed her in such situations. Luckily, she had the wonderful Nurse Tenderheart by her side the whole time. One soft nudge and an encouraging smile later and the timid mare had moved up to simply hiding behind her friend, her face concealed by her pink mane.

The small herd of ponies shuffled off of the elevator two at a time the moment the twin doors slid apart. Led by the crowd, Tenderheart and Fluttershy quickly arrived at the small conference room, the area familiar and fresh in their minds, and sat around the small coffee table set up in the middle.

The earth pony nurse took a quick head count, her head and green mane bobbing with each ‘tick’ to mark the ponies, and ended with a total of eleven. Eleven? Counting Fluttershy and I, they are relocating thirteen nurses? With all of the recent victims coming in and how much we’re struggling now, why would they risk cutting even one?

“Uhmm, Nurse Tenderheart?” Fluttershy scooted closer to her friend, the only pony she truly knew in the entire building, speaking just above a whisper.

“Please, just call me Heart. I’ve already told you that we’re more than close enough friends for it.” She grinned as she turned her attention away from the others and onto the butter-yellow mare. “Now, what’s bothering you dear?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I just wanted to know....” She paused, glancing around the room to the various looks of resignation on everyone’s faces, then looked back to Tenderheart. “We aren’t just changing floors, are we? Everypony’s awfully quiet.”

The blue mare sighed and shook her head. “Not likely, Flutters. We’re probably going to be sent to the castle, Fillydelphia, or somewhere like that. Most of the injured here won’t make it and, despite how horrible it is, everypony knows. There are many doctors here, sure, but not even all of them can make much of a difference.” The earth pony mare closed her eyes and leaned back to stretch her aching forelegs. “The latest death count since last night is one-hundred and eighty-three.”

Fluttershy gasped and covered her mouth with her hooves as tears began to trickle down her face. “Oh- Oh my.... Oh, that’s terrible!”

Tenderheart nodded and grit her teeth, her anger flaring up for the slightest moment until she got her emotions in check. “I know. And when I think of all of those fatally wounded ponies on floor seven, just laying there waiting for their turn to pass on.... This whole thing is so stupid! First the civil war and now this? It’s all Nightmare Moon’s fault! None of this would have happened if she hadn’t taken over!”

“Shh.... You have to be careful. I... uhmm.... I’ve met her before and she’s not a very nice pony. You have to be careful who you talk around.” The mare’s aquamarine eyes scanned the crowd, but found nobody paying any attention to the two friends.

“You’ve met the queen? When? How?” The nurse’s surprise was very evident in her voice and her eyes were wide as she regarded her companion. I can’t believe she’s actually met that witch!

“Oh, yes. A couple times, actually. You see, my friend Twilight Sparkle-”

“The filly that came to Ponyville for the Summer Sun Celebration that knew who Nightmare Moon was?”

Fluttershy nodded. “Mhmm. Well, she.... She’s the queen’s... uhm... pet....” The pegasus balked under her friend's incredulous stare, but nodded, answering Tenderheart's question before it could be posed. "When Nightmare Moon returned, we went into the Everfree Forest to try and stop her, but we failed. Twilight sacrificed herself to get us to safety. We thought she died, but Rarity found out she was forced into being the queen's captive."

"Wow.... You're amazing, Fluttershy. I can't believe you stood up to the queen like that. But, what happened? Surely that can't be the end of it?" She leaned in closer to her timid companion, eager to hear the rest of the tale.

"Oh... uhm.... No, that's not all. It's just, I can't tell you everything, but the six of us went to rescue her after that. It had taken some time and we were prepared to get away with Twilight, but she...." Fluttershy looked away, tears beginning to stain her eyes red.

Tenderheart tilted her ears forward, needing to know what happened, but a heavy cough followed by the clearing of a throat dragged her attention away and to a portly stallion that now stood in the doorway. She sighed, suddenly feeling guilty for trying to pry into Fluttershy's past. Some friend I am. I'm trying to get an interesting story and not even bothering about how it makes her feel. How am I supposed to tell her how I feel if I can't even respect her feelings?

"Don't worry about it, Flutters. I don't need to know. If it dampens your mood, we don't have to talk about it." She glanced up at the stallion as he made his way to the center of the room, the various conversations dying down around him. "If you want, we can talk when this is over."

The daisy-yellow pegasus nodded and wiped the fresh liquid from her eyes, then focused on the speaking stallion. "Hello, everypony. As you are well aware, things have taken a drastic turn for the worse here in Manehattan, especially here at Manehattan Central hospital. The rapid influx of battlefield casualties has put us over capacity, but it isn't anything we cannot handle."

He turned around and looked up at a poster depicting basic health regulations, heaving a heavy-hearted sigh. "Unfortunately, most of these ponies will not make it to see the morning as you are all well aware of, having been stationed in the Intensive Care ward." He turned back to the majority of the group with a deep frown weighing heavily upon his muzzle. "However, we have been told that we are not the worst off of the other cities throughout Equestria. As per instructions of Her Majesty, Queen Nightmare Moon, we are going to be sending your group, by carriage tonight, to the hospital in Trottingham."

"But what about the ponies we can save here!?"

The director turned to the stallion that had spoken, the pain that this order was causing him evident in his teary eyes. "I know. The cut will definitely cause us to lose more of our friends and family here, but the hospitals everywhere else are horribly understaffed. If it's this bad here, then I can only imagine how it is where they aren't getting consistent additions to medical staff as we have."

There were a few murmurs of acknowledgement and understanding, but a look of deep concern on Fluttershy's face followed by a soft squeak of words drew the attention of those around her and, in turn, the portly stallion, too. "Was there a question, miss?"

"Oh, uhm.... Wh-what about the griffons? I know that there will be a lot of hurt ponies, but won't there be just as many griffons?"

The director glared at her, forcing the pegasus to hide back behind Tenderheart. "Why should we care what happens to them!? They're killing us!"

"But we're killing them, too! They can't all be horrible like the posters are saying! They need medical attention just like everypony else!" She stared down the pony in charge, then immediately shrunk back. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell, but we can't just leave them. Isn't that what we're here for? To help others?"

The old stallion sighed and scratched his broad muzzle, a resigned frown now etched into his features. “I once had a griffon friend, as several ponies here in Manehattan have, but times have changed. We are at war and the only thing keeping us alive is ourselves.” He trotted to the door and adjusted his trim, white vest. “There isn’t a law against tending to their wounded, but do not expect to be looked kindly upon by those that have lost others due to their malice. You all leave in the morning. Get some sleep. The Trottingham Medical Center is expecting a batch of rested nurses and aides to deal with anything that may arise.”

With that, the light brown stallion disappeared through the open door to leave the various levels of staff together in the small conference room. Murmurs of conversations began to pop up between the various ponies followed up by pointed stares in the golden mare's direction.

Fluttershy, having heard the tone of disgust in the overstallion's voice and noticed the growing animosity towards her, shrunk back behind her blue friend, whimpering softly. Seeing this, Tenderheart abruptly stood, her icy glare causing the would-be hecklers to flinch away, and turned to the pegasus after a pause to ensure nopony decided to make any wrong moves. “Let’s head up to bed, Flutters. We got a long ride ahead of ourselves tomorrow, so we might as well turn in early. Plus, you have to tell me all about your friend!”

Fluttershy followed the young nurse out of the conference room, smiling, but not before catching a glimpse of the other ponies’ baleful glares. She dipped her head and inaudibly sighed as she caught up to Tenderheart’s determined stride. Oh my.... I hope there won’t be any trouble. I’m just glad Nur- I mean, Tenderheart, was there to help me. She’s been so nice lately. Her smile widened ever so slightly as she watched the mare walk in front of her. I don’t think I’d mind everypony not liking me as long as I have at least one friend.

“So, have you heard of anything scandalous about Twilight Sparkle and the queen?”

Fluttershy ‘eep’ed in surprise when she was suddenly face-to-face with her medically-inclined friend and blushed, hoping she hadn’t just been caught staring at her. As the question processed through her mind and Tenderheart’s smile grew, so too did the crimson flush upon the pegasus’ cheeks. “W-well.... My friend, Rarity, sent me a letter just recently about her last visit to the castle... and she said something about them, uhm...”

“Oh....” Tenderheart’s wicked grin expanded to inequine proportions while devious images danced in her mind. “Do tell.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Twenty-Sixth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Five Oh-Nine Post Meridian
|

Crickets chirped, filling the cool night with their music to the metronome of dull thumps resounding off the trees and the patter of apples as they dropped into the waiting buckets. It was quiet, peaceful, a rare occurrence for the orchard after recent horrifying events. It was, however, not something a particular orange farm pony enjoyed as much as she used to.

Apple Jack paused in her work and wiped the sweat from her brow as she glanced over the grove of apple trees she was in the process of bucking. She had been up since early morning, waking around the time the sun would usually begin peeking out from behind the horizon, and had been working the fields since shortly after, yet there were still so many more trees to get to. A soft groan escaped her lips as her eyes scanned the extensive fields of her family’s farm.

“Well, shoot.... This sure has been a slow year. Even with Mac’s help, we still aren’t finished with the harvest.” She sighed and slumped back against the rough bark of a nearby trunk for support and patted the little dog at her side. “Winona, I don’t think we’re gonna get finished with this year’s bucking, ‘specially now that Big Macintosh is gone to fight. We’re not strapped for bits or anything, but it sure is mighty disappointing to leave so much produce to waste.”

The canine barked happily at her side and affectionately licked the hoof scratching her head. A small smile played across the Apple mare's lips, as the warm tongue tickled her frog. "Alright, now! We should get back to work. These trees aren't gonna buck them...."

Apple Jack glanced about the apple-bearing plants, her eyes wide and searching. The cricket's music had come to a complete standstill and her mind conjured up images of all the ponies that had been killed and injured. And the beasts that had done the deed.

Her body shook as she crept along the grassy ground, staying as close to the soft blades of green and out of the revealing light of the moon as she could with her strangely silent companion padding close beside her. “Winona.... If anything happens, I want ya to run an’ get help from the town, okay?”

“What do you mean if anything happens, AJ?”

With a scream most unfitting of the proud Apple mare, Apple Jack spun on her hooves and backed away from the source of the voice and into a waiting apple tree with frightful speed. Absolute fear coursed through her body, fueling it with adrenaline, as she glared at the source of her distress. After a moment, her fear turned to anger as her terror-stricken mind registered who it was that had caused her so much distress.

“A-Apple Bloom!? What are ya doin’ out here!? Ya scared me half to death!” She advanced on the little cream filly, her emerald eyes glaring fiercely at her little sister. “Ah told ya to go straight home after school! It’s dangerous to be outside alone!”

The filly balked under the fury of her older sibling, but didn’t move from her spot. “A-ah know, big sis, but ah do have a reason! Honest! Miss Rarity said she wanted to talk to ya and sent me to find ya after ah got outta school!” She shuffled her hooves, glancing worriedly between the grass below her and the orange farmer. “A-and I wanted to know if ah could c-come with ya.”

Apple Jack sighed, her anger dissipating as the stress from the situation slowly wore. “Now, Apple Bloom.... Ya know we hafta keep an eye out for Granny Smith. She’s very sick and needs all the help she can get and since ah hafta go into town, that means ya hafta be the one that watches her.”

“But ah don’t wanna! She’s weird and scary now and doesn’t even look at me anymore!” The red-maned filly stamped her hoof and stared at her sister with pleading eyes as her bottom lip quivered. “Please, AJ? Please, can ah come with ya?”

The blonde farmer adjusted the stetson resting upon her head and sighed, knowing that her sister wouldn’t back down. Ah know you’re scared Apple Bloom and ah know ya don’t understand why Granny Smith is actin’ so weird.... Ah just wish ah could tell ya. “Fine, but we’re gonna have a little talk when we get back. Ya can't just avoid yer Granny right now. She needs all the help she can get." Her frown lessened as the filly hung her head and gave a slight nod. "All right, little filly, let's go. Ah'm sure ya can play with Rare's little sister while we talk."

Apple Bloom nodded eagerly and fell in line behind the older pony, following the yellow tail as it swayed ahead of her. Apple Jack, however, was much less enthusiastic about the short trek into town and continually shot nervous glances to her surroundings. Yet, despite her misgivings, she never let her fear outwardly show, playing off every time Apple Bloom caught her looking around as if she was making sure the filly was still following properly.

The earth mare sighed and shook the mane that had fallen in her face back to the side. Gosh, darn it. Why does all this have to make me so darn nervous? It's hard 'nough keepin' Apple Bloom as out of the loop as possible, but with me jumpin' at every little noise? How's a pony s'posed to keep her family safe and worry-free if she can't even keep herself from worryin’?

Much to the farmer's relief, the first few buildings of Ponyville slipped into view beyond the treeline and past the wooden fence sectioning off the Apple family land. With the worry of being ambushed left behind in the orchard, Apple Jack trotted into the town with a growing smile working itself across her muzzle. The townsponies greeted them as they came into view, yet none of their old cheerful dispositions were present, long tucked away to be replaced by deep-seated anxiety.

The earth mare frowned. Ah can’t believe Ponyville is so darn quiet. Just a few weeks ago ah couldn’t even hear mahself think and now ah can hear the creek out by the forest no problem.

Trotting along the nearly vacant streets, it took little time for the sisters to reach the elegant door of the Carousel Boutique. A quick knock and a soft "Coming" later, the pony pair found themselves face-to-face with the snowy fashionista herself whose eyes lit up with delight. “Oh, Apple Jack, darling, so nice of you to visit. I see little Apple bloom delivered my message.” She smiled warmly and stepped out of the doorway. “Come in, come in. It’s getting dreadfully cold outside and I don’t want either of you to be getting sick on my part.”

“Thank ya, Rarity. Now, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?” Apple Jack sat beside one of the poneqquins and leaned back against its stand for support.

The unicorn fashionista glanced at the yellow filly rushing about the shop’s lobby as she examined all the various dresses that were on display and coughed gently into her hoof. “Apple Bloom, could you be a dear and go keep my little sister company? Sweetie Belle is up in her room doing her homework, but you can tell her that I said a break is in order.”

“Okay!” With a fillyish giggle, the young earth pony dashed up the stairs, tearing wildly through the hall. “Sweetie Belle! Miss Rarity says you don’t have to do your homework!”

The violet-maned mare winced at the volume of the filly’s voice, but smiled no less as she turned to her blonde friend. “So, how have you been, Apple Jack? Are you holding up well on the farm with Big Macintosh away?”

The farmer sighed and pulled her hat off to scratch her head. “Ah dunno. Ah’m nowhere near finished with this year's harvest and we don’t have much more time before the apples are too ripe.”

“Oh dear, that’s simply dreadful. Well, if you ever need any help just be sure to ask. How’s Granny Smith doing? Is she feeling any better?”

“Ah’m not sure. Granny’s a strong mare, but she’s gettin’ on in her years.” Apple Jack frowned and replaced the stetson upon her head, using the brim of the hat to hide her face as she recomposed herself. “That’s enough ‘bout me, though. What’d ya wanna tell me? Ya can’t have called me all the way out here to just chat.”

Rarity nodded slowly, yet never lost her small smile despite the farm pony’s abruptness. “Right. Do not get me wrong, Darling. I do want to know how you and the others are doing, but that wasn’t the only reason you’re here. I’ve already told Pinkie about it and sent a revised letter to dear Fluttershy since I forgetfully neglected to tell her in my last one, but our ban has been lifted from Nightmare Moon’s castle."

Apple Jack deadpanned. "Is that all? Ah don't rightly care about goin' back to the castle. Sure, it's surprisin', but ah can't say ah wanna go back. You heard what she did from her own mouth."

"I know, dear, but this is important. She's changed...." The fashion-minded mare frowned at her inability to find the words she was looking for. "A lot, actually. She isn't the same mare we met that one night months ago and not entirely for the worse, mind you. She still cares about us and you do remember what happened when me made our daring rescue attempt, right?"

"Yeah, ah know, but...." She's murdered somepony....

"I know what you're thinking, but haven't your brother and Rainbow Dash killed as well? I think a good portion of the town has helped-"

"How can ya be so calm about this!? She killed yer friend for Celestia's sake! What's stoppin' her or that fake queen from killin' somepony else we know?"

Rarity flinched at her companion's sudden outburst, but kept herself calm with a soft smile still drawn across her lips. "I know, darling, and do not think for a second that I have completely forgiven her. I am still very much angry, but I also know how much her actions ate away at her. We talked in length about many things."

"Sis? Are you okay? I heard somepony shouting!" A little white unicorn, followed by a ribbon wearing filly, poked her head around the corner and peered down the stairs into the boutique's lobby.

"Everything is fine, Sweetie, we just had a bit of a disagreement. Go on back and play with Apple Bloom. We shouldn’t be much longer.”

The fillies watched their older siblings’ expressions with worry, but a quick grin from the pair of mares seemed to ease their minds. “Okay. C’mon! Let’s go see if we can....”

The country filly’s voice was lost to the sounds of their hooves clopping against the tiled floor, much to the equal relief and dismay of their elders. Apple Jack was the first to return to the conversation, sighing as she approached Rarity. “So, what are ya gettin’ at? Ah still don’t see what this has to do with me and mah family.”

“Why, it doesn’t really have anything to do with your family, just you and Pinkie. I was genuinely curious about the goings-on of your life, my dear.” The fashionista’s lip curled out in a pout as she assessed the farmer’s attitude. Hmmm, perhaps I should have waited to talk to her, but.... “No, this cannot wait. Apple Jack, let me be completely straightforward with you. I understand that you feel that you don’t owe anything to neither Twilight, nor Nightmare Moon and that this may seem a bit selfish, but there really is not much time left to put this off.

“Would you join Pinkie and I on a trip to visit Twilight? She is, if my guess is correct, going to fight in this war right alongside the other ponies and, while she seems to be quite gifted with magic, she is not quite as gifted in the department involving friends.” Rarity’s expression turned dour as she recalled the extensive discussion the pair had had during the knowledgeable unicorn’s fitting.

“Ah don’t see why she can’t just talk to her master. She didn’t seem to have any need for us when we came to rescue her.”

“Apple Jack! Why are you being so belligerent about this!? In the years that I’ve known you, you’ve never turned your back on a pony! Why, if Rainbow Dash wasn’t already the Element of Loyalty, I would have thought you would be it!”

“Because it’s Nightmare Moon’s fault that all of this is happening! It’s her fault that mah brother’s goin’ off to fight in some stupid war and it’s her fault that Granny Smith so darn sick! And Twilight? She’s siding with the one that did all of this!” Apple Jack stamped her hoof, cracking the tile with the force of her impact. “Ya talk about how Twilight needs us and all of that manure, but the real pony that needs help is Celestia. The Princess has been missin’ for months and nopony’s found her yet. She could put a stop to all of this.”

“But, Apple-”

The earth pony mare glared at her friend, silencing her mid-sentence and shot a glance up to the two fillies watching indiscreetly from the top of the stairs. “Apple Bloom, we’re leavin’. Tell Sweetie Belle goodbye and let’s go.”

The Apple filly’s head drooped as she slowly dragged herself down the stairs and stopped midway to bid farewell to her new friend. “See ya, Sweetie Belle. Maybe we can go lookin’ for our cutie marks some other time?”

“Aw, Rarity! Can’t Apple Bloom stay a little longer? We were having so much fun!” Sweetie Belle rushed down the steps and grabbed ahold of the earth filly as she plead with the largest pout she could muster.

“Ah said let’s go, Apple Bloom. It’s almost supper time and we still hafta make sure Granny Smith is doin’ okay.”

Apple Jack moved to grab her sister’s tail, but was cut off by a stern frown. “Must you punish your sister for our argument? How uncouth of you, Apple Jack. What harm could there be in letting her stay a little longer?”

“It’s dangerous outside and ah don’t want her walkin’ home alone when it’s darker!”

“Then, why not let her spend the evening? I would not mind and I’m certain the two could use each other’s company. With the curfew in effect, it’s become increasingly difficult for little Sweetie to go out and see her little pegasus friend, so this would be a perfect opportunity for the both of them.”

Apple Jack made to protest, but the unicorn fixed her with the most baleful stare the farmer had ever seen. “Uhh.... Okay.” The fillies cheered excitedly, jumping into the air and dancing around the refined unicorn. “But, ah’m gonna be back here come morning to pick her up. And there will be no buts, missy.”

“Thank you, Apple Jack. Do not worry, she will be awake and ready to leave by daybreak. Please, give what I said some consideration. She really could-”

“Ah’ve considered it enough and ah won’t do anything to help either of them. Ah can’t risk it.” She turned away, stepping out through the door Rarity had opened for her, but paused to glance back at her friend who held her head high and kept her face calm. “Ah’m sorry.”

Rarity gave a curt nod and watched quietly as the disgruntled Apple Jack left without another word. Softly, she closed the door and turned to the waiting fillies with a tense, yet tender smile. “You two go back upstairs and have fun. I’ll call you when dinner is ready.”

“Rarity? Are you okay?” Sweetie Belle placed a hoof on her sister’s shoulder, smiling through her worry.

“Why, of course, Sweetie. Now, go on you two. You only have a few hours before bed and we simply must get all of your bounding energy out before then.” Without another word, the fillies grinned and rushed away, scampering away from their jovial guardian and up the stairs to begin playing anew. The moment the pair rounded the corner, however, was also the moment her well-composed facade broke.

Small rivulets of tears slid down her smooth, alabaster cheeks as her body shook with uncontrollable sobs. Carefully, she walked over to her ornate lounge chair and fell upon its plush, crimson cushions to bury her face in its headrest. Twilight.... I’m so sorry.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Twenty-Sixth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Fifty-Two Post Meridian
|

Twilight stared at the twitching body of Gilda Steelfeather, watching the girl's shifting facial expressions worriedly. "She.... She's going to be all right..., right?" She glanced up to the midnight-black alicorn from her position on the grass, but was met with only a look of disapproval.

"She has been attempting my task for the majority of the night and has died twenty-six...." She paused and her scowl deepened. "Twenty-seven times. She already has the knowledge required to call upon my moon. I cannot fathom how she is failing.” Nightmare Moon stamped her hoof, kicking up dirt from the impact, and lit her horn. In seconds, the griffon was consumed by the black glow of her magic, lifted into the air, and dropped unceremoniously upon her back.

“You know, Luna.” Twilight sidled up to her lover, ignoring the groaning griffon save for quick, worried glances in her direction, and nuzzled under the ancient mare’s chin. “You really shouldn’t be too tough on her. Maybe she can’t master the technique that quickly. I’m still having trouble controlling myself while fighting. She just needs time.”

“That is where it differs, Twilight. She is not simply having trouble. She could not even begin to call upon the moon. You have at least lessened your movements.” Then we shall just have to teach you to dance while combat casting. I fear I may lose you yet.

"Wh-what.... What the fuck is wrong with you!?" Gilda staggered onto shaking legs, using her pegasus superior as support, and pointed a trembling claw at the alicorn. "You're a.... I.... I don't even know, but.... Fuck! Do you know how much it hurts to die? That was...."

"I may not know, griffon, but you could have prevented any number of those deaths by accepting the strength of the moon." The night mare frowned as a clump of dirt soared past her head to impact the ethereal walls of the obelisk and break apart into dust. "I would advise against attempting to assault me again, girl. My patience does not last an eternity. I am aware that you are upset, but how can you expect to use my magic if you cannot-"

"Fuck your magic! I haven't needed it yet and I don't need it now! I'll just fight how I was taught!" Spreading her wings, Gilda took to the air with powerful strokes and dashed off towards the barrier only to smash face-first into the wall. With a heavy thud, she landed back in the grass, groaning as she rubbed her face and shook the stars from her eyes.

"I.... I will not lie. That was still pretty funny." Twilight shot Cloudy an incredulous look, genuinely surprised by the hardened mare's reaction. "What? Even I find the fact that she did that twice amusing."

The lunar alicorn groaned and lifted the enchantment on the obelisk with a wave of her head. "Remember, Gilda Steelfeather. I only accept the strongest of allies into my personal service and I hold no love for your people. My patience wears thin and your actions are testing it. Should you fail in your upcoming duty, then surviving on the battlefield will be the least of your worries."

"Wh-whatever. Buck off."

"Are you really going to-"

"What the queen does with an insubordinate child should not concern you, Twilight. Instead, you should be focusing more on your own skills. You still have a lot to learn, after all."

The pegasus trotted past the larger mares and fluffed her wing, wincing as her stub stretched further than she had intended. “As do I. My queen, I assume we are finished for the night?”

“Yes, Commander Horizons. Return to your room and rest. We will return here tomorrow with or without Private Gilda.” Nightmare nodded to the soldier who saluted and began to trot away. “Ah, a moment, Horizons. Have Moon Beam return to my chambers as well. She and Cherry Tart should be in your room.”

“Of course, Queen Moon.”

“Come, Twilight. Let us retire as well. I can feel the strain that tonight’s session has put on your body.” Without another word, the moon mare sauntered away, through the barrier wall, and back towards the castle’s halls, with Twilight following close behind. “You do not need to worry about the griffon. She already knows what I am capable of and will not disappoint me. If not for herself, then for her companion, at least.”

“R-right....”

The dark unicorn followed closely behind her mate as they made the rest of the trip through the palatial halls in silence, never once breaking the tempo of their hooves upon obsidian with her voice. The journey seemed to drag on for hours, the short travel made all the longer without the joyous banter of a smoky-maned filly to entertain her, but they eventually came upon the massive moon-emblazoned doors to their sleeping chambers. Before either Twilight or Nightmare Moon could react, however, the metal portal was thrust open to reveal a very displeased little unicorn.

“Mommy Twilight! Mommy Moon! Why couldn’t Cherry and me come and watch, too? You two are so mean.” Moon Beam stuck her lip out in a pout, and stared at the mares with wavering eyes. “I want to have fun with you, too....”

“Oh, Moonie.... We just didn’t want you to be bored. We really weren’t doing anything fun.” Twilight leaned over and scooped the filly up in her forelegs and nuzzled against her, cheek to cheek. “Do you want to come tomorrow?”

“Twilight, I do not think that-”

“Oh, yes! I do, I do, I do! Yay!” The navy filly squealed happily and crushed her unicorn mother’s neck in a fierce embrace. “Thank you, Mommies!”

Twilight laughed and kissed the petite unicorn on her nose. “All right, but you have to go to sleep if you want to be up early enough. Come on, I’ll tuck you into bed.”

Nightmare watched as her lover slowly followed the overly-energetic filly onto the expansive bed they all shared and cuddled up with her, quietly singing a lullaby as she pulled the blankets with her magic until it covered them both. Soon, Moon Beam’s eyes began to droop as Twilight’s soothing voice carried her off to the land of dreams and into blissful slumber.

The alicorn couldn’t resist the slight smile that crept its way onto her muzzle, a smile that a certain scholarly mare took notice of. “You really are enchantingly beautiful when you smile, Luna. I know that you have to be seen as the one in power, but smiling and being kind to your subjects is another necessity to ruling. Celestia was-”

“Celestia was a fool. Her weakness caused all of what we are struggling with. This war would have never happened if she had kept the griffons under an iron rule, but she instead tried to pacify them with gifts.” Nightmare Moon sighed and joined the pair of unicorns on the bed, closing the gap between them with a single leap and carefully climbing into the bed in order to avoid waking their daughter. “When I ruled alongside her, the griffons were never an issue. We kept our ponies trained for combat and sent patrols through the griffon lands in regular intervals after their breaking away from Equestria. Whenever a patrol would come up missing, we would send our armies to occupy their towns and flush out those who were responsible. They feared our attacks, yet we never moved against them without reason.

“Then, my foal of a sister banishes me and attempts to appease them, to placate them. The chieftains of old may have accepted her tidings, as they remembered the tales of our iron will, but the newer generations care not for such tales. It is evident in their actions.” She wrapped her hooves around Twilight’s withers and pulled her in close before tenderly kissing her. “Tonight, I will show you. You will see the last memory of my time on Equestria before my banishment to the moon. You will know the truth of your mentor, the pony you idolize so reverently, and you will understand the pain that I have faced. When you sleep, I will guide you to the vision, but for now.... For now, I want you to stay like this.”

“Of course, my love. Anything for you....” Twilight leaned in and brought their lips together against, returning the sweet embrace that she had been graced with moments before. For you, I would even risk my love for Celestia. Anything for you, Luna, my beloved.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author’s Notes: Still took forever, but this one isn’t short! Woo! Next chapter will reveal the truth behind Nightmare’s hatred for her sister (aside from her jealousy) and other sweet goodies (who knows what could be inside the mystery chapter? It could even be a boat! You know how much we’ve wanted one of those!) Well, happy reading and enjoy! Peppy out~!

P.S.: Yes, I know alllllllllll about the discrepancy between Fluttershy receiving a letter from Rarity and NOT knowing about the lifted ban on the Elements being able to see Twilight. It was done purposely on my part, and was an accidental omission on Rarity's.

Editor’s Notes: Witty dialogue. Crude joke. Polite outro.

Chapter 41 - The Impact of Tycha

Chapter 41 - The Impact of Tycha

The first thing Twilight recognized as she gained consciousness was the darkness. Not the all encompassing darkness of the void she typically began with whenever she delved into her lover's mind, but just a sheer lack of light in a windowless room. Once more, however, she found herself incapable of moving which meant she was, in fact, playing the phantom guest to Nightmare's body. Twilight smiled inwardly at the comforting feel of her mistress’ form, at the familiarity of her temporary residence in the alicorn’s essence. Even if it is just a dream.

Without warning, her vision jerked to the left, a disorienting feeling when one could barely see her surroundings, to face a pair of heavy, metal doors, surprisingly plain for something that belonged to the night queen. “Why dost thou disturb Us, Commander Heart Gleam?”

“Princess Celes-”

“Silence!” Nightmare’s sharp yell cut the softly spoken words short as it echoed in the vast stone chamber. “She is a Princess of Our kingdom no longer.”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.” From behind the door, Twilight head the soft plunk of something hard hitting the metal followed by a hissing intake of breath causing her to giggle slightly at the other mare’s distress over the obviously failed bow. “Ow.... Scouts have returned with news of sighting Celestia in the vicinity with a vast army of soldiers. They couldn’t determine when she would be marching against us, but it is clear that she could do so at any moment.”

Twilight felt Nightmare’s lips curl up in a smile as the mare rose from the plush bedding she had been laying upon and moved over to the door. With a flash of magic, the metal portal swung inwards to reveal the small bat pony bowing gracefully before her in the warm light of multiple torches. From her limited vision, Twilight recognized the area as a very much completed version of the cathedral she had seen in a previous vision filled with rich mahogany pews and beautifully painted depictions of the lunar ruler upon the ceiling. Were it not for the urgency with which her host moved, she would have certainly stayed in that very spot for hours to take in the sheer magnificence of the worshiping chamber.

"Follow Us, Commander." The young officer quickly fell into step alongside her queen as the much taller mare strode down the aisle between pews, her longer steps requiring Heart Gleam to move at a trot. "Our sister believes we are ill-fitted to continue Our campaign. She doubts the will and resolve of Our subjects, yet, despite the resentment of many of Our subjects, We still have ever so many devout followers. Followers such as you, Heart Gleam of the Moon Gazers."

At last, Nightmare and her companion reached the massive cathedral's wooden entryway which was quickly thrust open to reveal the most amazing thing Twilight had ever seen. Thousands upon thousands of ponies, exponentially more than the meager lot gathered outside the Lunar Castle's present courtyard, moved through the streets below, their combined voices an unexpected and unwelcome roar compared to the completely silent main hall. It was the largest gathering of ponies Twilight had ever seen. It was Nightmare Moon's army occupying the grand city of Mareland.

Nightmare gestured to the soldiers with a hoof, drawing it across the night's horizon. "Celestia dost not expect so many of her beloved ponies to fight for Our cause, but, now that they have truly seen the beauty of Our night, of how truly glorious Our nocturnal realm is...." The alicorn smashed her hoof on the stone below her with a wide grin on her face, the metal of her shoes ringing loudly as they cracked the ground. "'Tis time Our sister learned who the true ruler of Equestria is. Prepare Our soldiers, Commander Heart Gleam. We shall be prepared for her to strike. If she dares to try and steal the adoration of Our subjects, then she shall learn where their true loyalty now lay!"

"Of course, Your Majesty! At once!"

Twilight watched the young commander fly off, seeking out the other similarly enchanted ponies in the distance. So, Princess Celestia is the one that moves first? That doesn't seem very tactically sound, especially since she has to know Luna is waiting for her. Suddenly, Twilight was once again moving with the alicorn, but not in the direction she had been expecting. Back into the cathedral? Isn't she already wearing her armor?

Twilight and her host move purposefully back through the grand hall, this time skirting the wall's edge, and came upon the back wall behind the pulpit. They stood under a massive stained-glass window, edged with rich navy curtains, and upon that fragile mural was a scene Twilight found very familiar save for one odd little detail. The depicted black alicorn flew, wings fully outspread, in front of a large silvery orb as if she were rising with the artfully crafted celestial object. It's just like Celestia's image of her raising the moon, but... is she holding something?

Unlike the outstretched forelegs of Celestia's depiction, Nightmare's showed her with her forelegs curled in as if she were holding something tightly to her chest. Twilight looked as closely as she could and, with her centered concentration, found a few miscolorings in the picture. There was a blotch of navy covering some of Nightmare's black and it seemed as if small wisps of darkness seeped off of the mare's side. Wait.... That's....

"Moon Beam."

From behind the wall, a soft, yet excited voice rang out. A sound Twilight found very familiar. "Yes, Mommy?"

"It is time." Twilight would have flinched, had she been capable of doing so, at the deep sadness that filled her lover's voice as she said those three words. She knew what was coming next despite having never been properly told. But... where is the tomb?

"Why can't I stay awake longer? I don't want to go to bed yet."

Nightmare sighed heavily and her horn lit to reveal a minute fracture running down the wall in front of her. Soon, a whole portion of the stone glowed with black magic until it slid soundlessly into the floor. Beyond was a small area, not much larger than the first room Twilight had arrived in, lit by bright green, magical fires. Dead center, taking up the majority of the chamber, stood a stone crypt and before that sat her future adopted filly, a resigned frown hanging heavily on her muzzle.

"Do not worry, child. It will not be long before We return and wake you."

Moon Beam rushed over to the alicorn and wrapped her tiny forelegs around the mare's much longer leg. "Then just let me stay awake! I will stay here like a good pony, I promise."

"We do not wish to risk thine discovery, Moon Beam. Our sister would not hesitate in destroying you entirely."

The filly's eyes glowed softly as she nodded her head and turned to descend into the stone crypt. "Of course, Mistress. We shall await your return."

Down, the duo plus one passenger went, magical torches igniting with their eerie green light ever meter, until they arrived in the sealing chamber. The sarcophagus lay open, its bed empty, and it was into the padded indentation that Moon Beam crawled. Nightmare's horn glowed again as the child turned to her, tears welling in her large eyes.

"Good night. I love you, Mommy."

Nightmare Moon clenched her eyes shut as she concentrated her magic around the unicorn foal and her sarcophagus, enveloping them in its cool embrace. Into the air, floated Moon Beam, her limbs outstretched and head held high by the aura. For several moments she hovered without any signs of the spell progressing until, with a bright flash, the runes etched onto the side of the coffin exploded with light immediately followed by a heart-wrenching scream from the spell's target.

Louder and louder grew the wailing filly as the aura around her grew darker and more dense until it convulsed with overwhelming power, shaking the very foundations of the tomb.

Twilight's heart ached to hold and comfort the filly she knew was sleeping soundly in her grasp, urged on by the vision's agony. Silently, she wished for the torment to end, trying to will the millenium-passed magic to come to a close.

Finally, and much to the unicorn's relief, the spell finished with an inequine howl from the foal as she dissipated into thick black smoke and was ushered into the waiting basin. The lid slammed shut and sealed with a hiss, leaving the alicorn and Twilight alone to contemplate what had happened.

Nightmare looked to the floor, her gradually clouding vision focusing on the fresh splotches of moisture beginning to gather below her. She's... crying....

"I love you as well, Moon Beam." She quickly regained her composure, forcing herself to end the flow of tears and cease all shows of emotion with practiced ease, and began the short climb back into the cathedral.

With nothing to distract it, the dream-bound mare's mind relentlessly returned to the horrific scene it had played witness to. This.... This is going to haunt me forever.... Please, Luna.... Don't let Moon Beam ever remember.... Noticing they were nearing the ground floor of the tomb, Twilight forced her attention back onto Nightmare's surroundings and, more importantly, Nightmare herself. I.... I want to blame you, Luna, for everything that’s hurt Moonie and me. I want to..., but I can't. You did it to protect her. If you hadn't, she would have been alone, awake, for one-thousand years.... I don’t even want to.... Twilight shook the encroaching thoughts from her mind, forcing herself not to dwell on them. This isn’t the time. We can.... We can talk about it when everything is over.

Nightmare emerged from the structure’s depths and turned to glare at the filly’s stone prison. The ground began to shake all around the building, upsetting the dust and a few small animals that had taken up residence there, and built up into a roar as the earth began to shift. Twilight would have believed that it was the mare’s stare alone that was causing the ground to move had there not been a powerful glow coming from the alicorn’s horn.

The unicorn started as something fell on her lover’s head, an object that she could not see, yet impacted with enough force to bow Nightmare’s neck. It seemed like the church was collapsing in upon them and, with the walls cracking and the floor beginning to sink below them, it seemed as if Nightmare was trying to accomplish just that. Much to Twilight's relief, however, over both the alicorn's inevitable injury and the loss of such an amazing structure, the awesome magic ended with an anti-climactic whumph as the tomb and some of the surrounding floor slowly sank into the ground.

As the dust settled and Twilight took in what had happened, the alicorn passed through the wall’s opening and magicked it closed without even a glance. Nightmare breathed calmly and strode regally past the pews. Twilight examined them in wonder, taken aback by the complete lack of any form of disturbance. It’s like... there wasn’t even an earthquake at all.

Her worries temporarily forgotten in lieu of the mystery before her, Twilight returned her focus to the now-visible city of Mareland, the cathedral’s doors left open behind them. In seconds, Nightmare was joined by a small platoon of enchanted ponies, all of them wearing similar armor to their leader’s. “Are you alright, Your Highness? We heard the ground quake and-”

“‘Twas nothing of thine concern, Commander. We assume that Our soldiers are prepared for battle? We do not wish to disappoint Our sister, after all.”

"Did.... Is Moon Beam finally...?"

Nightmare glared fiercely at the small batpony, making her shrink back quivering. "It is not of thine concern, Commander. Thou shouldst be focused on thine current task else We will be forced to find a replacement."

Heart Gleam's eyes widened in shock, a look of devastation replacing her fearful pose, and shook her head vigorously. "N-no, Your Hi-highness! You're r-right! I'm sorry!" She stood and spun, motioned for the armed mares behind her to disperse, then bowed to the alicorn and followed her subordinates, the distraught frown never once leaving her face.

I.... I feel so sorry for her.... She never had a chance to pursue her feelings, yet I'm... somewhat glad that she didn't. If they had become lovers, then I might not have met the Nightmare I love. She paused and joined her host in watching the soldier begin to take up formations.

The earth ponies in the heaviest armor began to form ranks outside of the city limits, far to the east. Single rows quickly became massive columns as the mares and stallions fell into their squads. Twilight cheered in her mind, recognizing the layout. It wasn't just the simple squares of a marching squad, she realized, as the outermost units began to move forward, creating a massive funnel. Behind them, a line of unicorns equipped with longbows filed in, taking up loose groupings as they checked and rechecked their equipment. The soldiers kept streaming into formation and, soon, the lighter armored infantry took up their columns on the funnel’s flanks, separated by a mighty chasm of grassy field.

Twilight started as Nightmare suddenly took to the air with titanic force, jarring the unicorn out of her observations. Below them, in ever shrinking, sizes, the Lunar Soldiers continued their preparations for battle. It'll still take them hours for all of those ponies to get into formation. At least it doesn't seem like Princess Celestia will be here before then. I just hope they have time to evacuate the city in-

Once again, Twilight's thoughts were shaken by the sudden movement of her host, this time in the form of an abrupt mid-air stop. Nightmare stared at the ground, joined by her unicorn guest, in disbelief. Where once there had been solely ponies armed with shining silver and grey leather, countless units of golden-plated soldiers stood, weapons drawn and ready to strike.

Above them flew a regal white mare, her long pink mane flowing in an ethereal wind. She, too, was clad in thick golden plate with a blazing sun painted onto the crest of her helmet and beside her floated a greatsword of gold, shining with an ephemeral light.

Using the scant seconds of shock she had created with their sudden appearance, Princess Celestia thrust her weapon into the sky. "Go, soldiers, and reclaim Our city! Shouldst they surrender, then their lives will be spared!"

Twilight could feel the fury coming from her lover, as intense as it was, as her whole body shook, muscles tensing and relaxing at random. The world disappeared in a flash of black magic only to reassert itself before the gold-clad warrior princess. The solar regent flapped before them with as calm a gaze as Twilight had ever seen, even on her typically emotionless queen.

"Sister."

"Thou wouldst use such underhoofed tactics, Celestia. Could not wait to slaughter so many of thine precious subjects." Nightmare's voice dripped venom at the biting remark, her anger poorly masked anger adding to the intended sting.

Celestia cast an impassive look down at the unfolding chaos, then steadied her gaze on Nightmare and, in turn, Twilight, causing the mare to mentally shudder. Why doesn't she care? So many ponies are dying!

"Where is the abomination, Nightmare? I know it's here. Surrender it and your control over the moon and I will allow you to go free."

Nightmare Moon burst into laughter, the hearty bellow echoing above the din of battle. "Thou expects Us to relinquish Our child and namesake?" The black alicorn blasted her sister in the breast, the surprise explosion of magic sending the unsuspecting mare hurtling through the air after pinging loduly off her armor. "Dost thou take Us for a foal!? We wouldst never turn over the only beings that matter!"

In the next second, Nightmare was once again in her sister's face, but, unlike before, she did not have the element of surprise. The next flash of magic missiles were deflected by Celestia's glowing weapon and sent aimlessly into the atmosphere. She retaliated with a lightning-fast thrust, using the momentum of her parry to amplify its speed, and grazed Twilight's host's shoulder.

Nightmare recoiled, surprised by the near effortless riposte, but refused to relent. She charged her sister, horn aglow, and released a torrent of magical fire. Celestia dodged out of the deadly flame's path and right into range of the waiting moon goddess. With a powerful flap of her wings and the force of well-toned muscles, Celestia was sent careening into the sky.

Twilight cringed at the sound of her mentor's ribs being crushed. Images of her own death at the talons of a chest injury flashed through her mind and, despite knowing the inevitable victor of this battle, the unicorn worried for the white alicorn's safety.

"Thou hast gone soft, sister! What happened to the mighty warrior princess We once rever-"

Nightmare cut her words short and erected a hasty barrier as a golden beam of light pierced the air before her and impacted heavily upon her shield. The magic barrier shattered where it was struck and the sunbeam seared into the side of the black alicorn's neck.

Nightmare's body seized from the shock and began to plummet to ground. Even without the ability to feel her hosts pain directly, Twilight blanched at the thought of anything that could paralyze her lover in a single blow. This.... Is this the real power of an alicorn? Is this what Luna is teaching us?

The lunar regent recovered from the shock, shaking the remnants of lethargy from her body, and righted herself midair with a few strokes of her sleek, black wings. Her fearsome glare glowed through the night's darkness allowing her enhanced vision to pick out several shapes flitting through the clouds where the beam had originated. "Hiding as a coward amongst thine precious ponies, Celestia?"

"Neigh, Nightmare. I was merely waiting for you to recover." The regal, alabaster mare hovered just outside of Nightmare's vision, her cold expression still etched across her features. "Surrender. Do you not see how your actions are hurting everypony? The crops have all died and the temperatures are gradually dropping further and further into freezing levels. Ponies are dying because of you."

Twilight's host raked her horn, the entire length burning with silvery flames, through the sky. From the star-speckled abyss above hurtled massive balls of rock and ice, ignited by Great Equus' atmosphere, their paths set for the clusters of gold below. Celestia's eyes widened as fear replaced the calm she had enveloped herself with. She sprang into action, firing as many explosive bolts of energy at the unstoppable masses, but no matter how many charges she unleashed, just as many more chunks of space debris continued to appear from rapidly opening portals above.

"Thou still care more of the peasants, of thine beloved ponies than you do thy own sister! Thou wonders how We could ever wish to be noticed, to be recognized for Our deeds! None care about Us or Our night! None care that We keep thine lives safe with Our magic! And, most of all, sister, thou dost not even give Us a chance!" Nightmare’s voice shook the night air as she loosed her Royal Speech and drew all attention upon her.

Twilight felt power surge through the air around them, even through the dream, and watched it coalesce into a massive silver glow in front of her. The air rumbled with unimaginable fury and was rent open by a piece of star, titanic in comparison to the ponies and buildings below. The mass of burning star impacted the solar princess, sending them both careening into the fear-stricken masses below. Homes and places of work exploded under the crushing weight of Nightmare's might and screams could be heard coming from those caught in the meteorite's devastation, yet not close enough to be killed on impact.

Above it all laughed the Moon Princess, her breaths coming quickly as she recovered from her exhaustive expulsion of magic. "Hah.... Come unto Us..., Celestia..., For We know thou... yet live!"

Twilight watched with baited breath, as did the remainder of Celestia's and Nightmare's forces, for some sign of movement from the impact site. How did she survive that!? Such... power. Nothing should have lived through being crushed by a star, but.... It's illogical! Those things have to weigh more than any building we could ever make! Just look at the size of the crater from such a short- Just as Twilight's mind began to think up even more reasons for her former mentor to be incapable of having lived, the star exploded into multitudes of rock.

Out of the rubble climbed the battered, bloodied, and horribly burned form of the sun's equine symbol, her long pink mane no longer swaying in its own hidden wind. The ponies around her, in both gold and silver, cheered in relief at the return of their princess from sure devastation. Twilight, too, sighed in relief at the sight of her godmother.

Nightmare glared at the traitorous soldiers below her, their multicolored manes popping into sight one by one as their mythril helmets were tossed aside. "Our battle is not yet over, soldiers! Celestia yet stands defiant before-"

Nightmare loosed a sharp cry of pain, rattling Twilight's mind with the sheer malice behind it. Her head swiveled to her flank, glaring at the sleek, red-stained arrow that had embedded itself in her haunch. "Thou dares to strike Us with the very weapons We have bestowed upon thee!?" She turned her molten gaze upon the mare that had fired upon her, noting the distinctive colors and shape of one of the elite Lunar Soldiers. Immediately, the mare's body convulsed and began to froth at the mouth. "We hath blessed thee with thine superior gifts and yet thee turn as just another pawn for Our disposal!?"

A dusky flash announced the arrival of Heart Gleam, the diminutive batpony easily distinguished from the others, and a small contingent of less than a dozen other enchanted mares, each flapping their leathery wings in perfect unison. "My Queen. We are all that remain of the Night Watch. The others are either dead or have removed their helmets. I cannot feel their-"

Nightmare flinched as a spear sprouted from her commander's neck, transforming her would-be words into a gargled hiss as she scrabbled to remove the sudden intruder from her body. The others could do nothing to save her or even themselves from the sudden volley of projectile weapons save for flash out of the immediate area on instinct alone.

Taken entirely by surprise and shocked by the sudden loss of her greatest equine ally, the black alicorn was unprepared for the assault. She loosed an agonized howl as unimpeded spears and barbed arrows peppered her body, propelled from the ground below by every available unicorn.

"Enough!" Having regained her senses, Nightmare Moon erected a pure black bubble around her form, obscuring her from view.

Twilight stared in horror at the bloody reflection in the sphere's reflective inner surface, as did her tattered lover, her caring instincts trying to overpower the restrictive hold of the dream. She screamed for her past-bound mate as each deadly instrument was ripped from her body eliciting a gut wrenching wail, spilling more and more of her precious blood.

As the last of the unwelcome protrusions disintegrated in the swirling darkness, Nightmare lifted her horn to the heavens and stared down its length, her nebulous mane roiling and seething with unimaginable power. Her magical appendage gave off no light to signify that a spell was being cast, but, even without the telltale writhing of the alicorn's astral mane, the spectating unicorn could tell that massive amounts of magic was being gathered around her. The moon princess howled mightily into the night and the destructive shell around her doubled in size, forced outwards by the now-tangible motes of mana raging about.

So much.... She can't maintain all of this! It's just not possible! Twilight prepared for the inevitable implosion of untamed magic, but what she expected never came to pass.

Instead of the magic pulling the shield back upon its creator, Nightmare forced the motes outwards with another controlled blast from her horn which now absorbed the moon's light with its infinite darkness. The black shell shot outwards, instantly evaporating any pony, building, or flora in its path, yet this wasn't what awed the ever-studious mare into silence.

As the shield dissipated, Nightmare's control over the rampant magic grew more controlled and her horn once again lost its aura. Each speck of mana sparked as it combined with the alicorn's will and dropped massive bolts of raw electricity upon her victims below, searing, melting, and obliterating everything upon contact. The night sky lit up as bright as day with the constant tide of magic filling the air and not even the screams of dying and despairing ponies could pierce the thunderous cacophony of each bolt.

Twilight watched through glowing turquoise eyes as a handful of soldiers tried in vain desperation to break the night mare's focus, but the few weapons that managed to pierce her skin did little but fuel her fury. They can't even defend themselves.... Even if they could hide in the buildings....

Nightmare turned her gaze upon her sister, upon her bloody and bruised alabaster counterpart, and sneered. "Thine subjects are naught but insects in comparison to Our might, easily crushed beneath hooves of steel, and doomed to live a meager span, yet you still chose them over Us! How does it feel, Celestia, to know that thou art powerless to stop their demise!?"

Still, the ponies tried to stop her, but not even with the aid of their sun princess' magic could they stop the flow of aether. The lightning began to dwindle in power as the charged motes shifted in color, fueled by the sun's magic as Nightmare latched upon the energy being directed at her, morphing into a bright orange tinged with yellow. The specks grew in size, fusing together until it was not mana that dotted the sky, but massive plumes of fire.

Celestia stared in horror at her sister's mastery of magic, truly terrified in the face of such overwhelming odds. "Sister! What have you become!? Where did you go wrong!?"

Nightmare's head snapped back to her elder sibling, the blaze in her eyes making it difficult for her and, in turn, Twilight, to get a clear view of the mare. "Where hath We gone wrong!? We hath done naught that thou hast not brought upon thyself! We came to thee, sister! We came with a simple plea! A simple request to garner the love that thee hath hoarded for thy own! Yet thou, in thine infinite wisdom, denied Us!" As Nightmare screamed the final word, the haunted howl echoing in the now silent night, the massive balls of fire shot to the city below. Each impacted exploded with unstoppable force, simultaneously evaporating even the toughest stone and permanently scarring the ground below.

Celestia sharpened her gaze and her horn flared to life as if spurred on by the need to save any ponies she could. With her magic no longer under the manipulation of her younger sibling, she concentrated as much power as she could manage and took aim. The proceeding beam of pure sunlight pierced the inferno, sucking the air from the flames with gluttonous hunger and expunging them without effort, and struck the rearing moon princess in the abdomen.

Nightmare's agonized cry shook the world around them as the concentrated attack seared through her body with ease. She plummeted to the scorched earth from her aerial perch and landed with a heavy thump on a lone patch of untainted dirt. Her body shook, convulsing from shock, as Celestia slowly limped to her landing point. She gasped for air, working furiously through the agony to heal the damage as best as she could with the lingering bits of aether still prominent in the surrounding area.

The crunch of hoofsteps on broken earth drew her attention to the alabaster alicorn now standing above her and the small force of ponies that remained from her apocalyptic spells. They stared at her prone form, weapons at the ready, as their princess stepped ever closer to the prone form. Nightmare glared at the battered, yet still regal, form of her sister even through the lingering convulsions, hatred burning in her gaze.

"Do you see, Nightmare? You are not the princess they wish to rule them."

"Do not think to speak to Us as if We are inferior! Thy foalish ponies knoweth not what We do for them, nor dost thou!" With her anger riled once more and adrenaline refueling her weary body, Nightmare threw her would-be captors away with a hastily cast repulsion shield, leaving her alone with her sister in the broken remains of a once proud city. "We shalt settle this, Celestia, once and for all, but not here. Even We do not have the magic or strength left to deal with thee and thine hoof-lickers. We shalt meet under Our moon, within the Chamber of Thrones. There, all of Our subjects shalt see thine fall and know who is rightful queen of Equestria and her borders."

Celestia watched, stoned-faced, as the black alicorn stood, favoring her uninjured leg, and took flight. Through Nightmare's eyes, Twilight gazed after her ever-shrinking mentor, both of their eyes locked on the white form despite the distance between them, until she and the squad of survivors disappeared in a flash of magic.

The moon princess focused her sight upon the horizon and the vast forest just beginning to peek up over the horizon and shivered as the adrenaline began fading away. "We art tired, yet she hath suffered more grievous wounds." Nightmare laughed through the wind whistling in her ears, the tone surprisingly bright for the dark, haggard mare. "Thou cannot hope to triumph over Us, Celestia.... Thine days as princess art numbered."

Twilight started as her host gained speed, her exhausted body slicing through the air with ease. She found herself thoughtless, unable to fully comprehend the goings-on of this single evening. A battle that should have lasted hours, ended in an instant.... More ponies than I've ever seen, slaughtered in minutes.... Turned on by the ponies she thought loyal and the one mare that truly worshipped her, dead without a second glance from Celestia.

She paused in her attempt to sort and understand all of this new information as a series of distant and fresh memories resurfaced. Flashes of Nightmare's most recent fury-driven tirade played most prominently with small glimpses of past outbursts. Every time somepony turned on her.... Every time she snapped when somebody didn't immediately follow her orders.... How she smiled gleefully when I finished Brook.... How she reacted when I died and when those ponies meant to kill me, even before our relationship had started. It all makes sense now. Her heart grew heavy as her mind toiled with the troubling discovery. Luna..., we need to talk. About everything....

The unicorn cringed as Nightmare's flight shifted dramatically as she dropped several yards before righting herself on unsteady wings. She feared that her beloved alicorn might not make it to their destination, but her worries were quickly alleviated when her host's vision cleared from the sudden daze. All around her stretched the vast reaches of the Everfree forest, the massive expanse of trees that held the most dangerous creatures known to ponykind exuding their threatening aura even up to the pair's current height, and only a short flight away loomed the past capital of the nation, Everfree City.

Once again awestruck by the thought of a city able to thrive so well and beautifully surrounded by the terror that is the Everfree, Twilight studied as much of the architecture as she could. Her eyes took in every detail of the buildings below, studying each structure with a master's scrutiny, and she smiled widely. I can't believe I passed up this opportunity in past dreams. There's so much to be learned from these ponies just by their building structures alone. Why, even one thousand years ago, they had houses to rival some of the Canterlot elite! She squealed giddily, temporarily distracted from the ominous mood of her mate's past. I don't even think there are any books on pre-destruction Everfree City. Oh, I could be the first to publish one! I wonder if Luna would be willing to help.

The byzantium unicorn giggled with foalish glee as she quickly fell back into old habits. I'll just have to make sure I remember everything I've seen. Oh! I know! I'll make a checklist! I just hope a mental checklist will be as effective as paper. Now, first on the list is building materials. It looks like stone is the primary source of material although I can't really tell what kind. It definitely doesn't look like-

Suddenly, the world twisted and blurred as Nightmare broke into a dive. Twilight could no longer see the mare's wings spread out in flight and, from the way the ground grew closer at an alarmingly fast rate, it seemed the dive had turned into a complete free fall. Slowly, Twilight's vision of the world was cut off as the alicorn's eyes slid shut, yet she could still her the shrill whistle of the wind as it rushed past them. The unicorn prepared herself for the bone shattering impact to come, knowing that, in seconds, they would smash into the roof of the royal castle, but not even she was prepared for what came next.

Nightmare's eyes shot open to sight of solid stone only yards away. In a second, her horn had lit and blasted a hole in the structure. With her passage into her destination open, the alicorn's wings shot open, cutting the speed at which she fell in half, allowing her to land with a deafening crash in the center of the Pony Sisters' Castle throne room. The whole castle shook with her impact, knocking several paintings and pieces of furniture to the floor in its aftermath.

Languidly, the night princess rose to glare into her waiting sister's eyes. "Hath We kept you long, sister? We did not mean to tarry, but a hole through Our womb is nary a simple fix."

Celestia did not respond and, instead, took the time to fix her younger counterpart with a piteous gaze almost bordering on mocking. With a deep sigh, she looked back beyond the black mare to something Twilight could not see, yet was easily recognized by Nightmare. "Dost thou truly believe the Elements of Harmony would work on Us? Thou cannot even wield them all against Us! How, pray tell, will they be of use to thee?"

The black alicorn cackled as she began to charge her horn for the opening attack and rose to her hind legs, her large form casting a sinister shadow in the moonlight. "Art thou ready, Celestia? Hath thou prepared for thine defeat at Our might? Thine rule shalt be no more!"

Celestia didn't even flinch as the black beam struck her dead center in the chest, scorching the golden gorget about her neck, yet leaving her body otherwise unharmed. She just stared past her sister as if unaware that she was even being assaulted. Another bolt struck her side, tearing a piece of her remaining armor from her pristine hide followed by a third to her muzzle. Each consecutive blast tore her ruined barding away and seemed to heal the wounds that once had the solar mare exhausted.

The barrage ended as Nightmare realized the lack of damage being done and her face twisted into a mask of confusion. "What sorcery is this!? Thou hath never matched Our strength! Why do Our-" Her eyes grew wide as she spun to face the now glowing jewels behind her.

The Elements rose, slowly, into the air and drifted to take their places beside Celestia, dancing around her as if celebrating their awakening. With the magical artifacts at her side, the day mare broke from the trance in which she had been held and cast her glowing gaze back to her sister, an unreadable expression plastered upon her face. "Nightmare Moon, for your transgressions against the kingdom of Equestria and her people, We hereby banish you from Our world to pay for your crimes and learn from your mistake. One thousand years away from Our people and those that We border. One thousand years to ponder your actions."

The Elements gained speed, swirling around the princess faster and faster, until the colors began to blend together about her legs. For a moment, her eyes lost the blinding white glow and, for a moment, Nightmare felt her fear boil into rage. "Art thou mocking us!? We will return, and when We do, thou shalt pay for thine actions. Mark this day, Harlot, for on the day of Our return, thou shalt know true fear! We will ne'er for-"

Twilight flinched as the twisting cascade of rainbow arched and crashed into Nightmare moon and swirled around her as she reared back and screamed. The deafening roar of arcane magic threatened to burst her eardrums and the painful shine of the multi-hued spell aimed to blind her, yet she couldn't tear her gaze from her mentor.

The last that Nightmare and Twilight saw before the world went white was the small smile on Celestia's lips.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author's Notes: Welp, here we go. A single chapter and a single scene. Took forever to write as I pretty much only typed it up to and from work, but it be done! Now, by the time you read this, it may have been a day or two since I've finished as my internet port on my computer seems to have exploded, but anyhoof, at least it's done, amirite? Now, as I'm certain this is going to bring about a ton of questions that I WILL NOT be answering in the comments, I will, most definitely answer them in the form of pms if you send me them that way.

Now, as to why and a little explanation. This is the last dream sequence. There will not be any more, but that's not to say that it's the end of that little storyline. The rest of that will be explained in an upcoming chapter and, finally, brought full circle in ATFN pt 2 (which will probably be named something else entirely).

Anyhoof, send any spoiler-inducing questions to me via pm and feel free to comment/speculate below. Peppy out~!

P.S. Chapter name brought to you by.... uhh.... uhmmmm..... Allington Sinclaire

Chapter 42 - Myriad Malaise

Chapter 42 - Myriad Malaise

Nightober Twenty-Seventh of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Six Forty-Nine Ante Meridian
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Silence filled the bedchamber of the moon queen as a dying candle cast its poor light across the pony duo laying asleep on the room’s sole bed. Quietly, the larger form stirred and stretched as much as her captured limbs and their tiny captor would allow. A sad smile graced the unicorn's lips as she carefully, so as not to wake the sleeping filly, pulled the smaller pony into a closer embrace and peppered her head with soft kisses. Tears filled her eyes, yet she did not openly weep as the target of her affection squirmed in her grasp, a small grin beginning its journey across the filly's face.

"Have I informed you that you are very vocal when you sleep, Twilight?"

The soft voice from behind her startled the dark unicorn, eliciting a soft yelp from the mare. She quickly covered her mouth with a hoof, taking a cautious glance at the still form of Moon Beam, then turned to regard her alicorn lover with a slight frown. "Luna.... I'm so sorry that-"

"No. Do not apologize. You did not have a hoof in the happenings of the past, so no blame could ever fall upon you." Nightmare's tone was firm, yet didn't carry the harsh bite she tended to use when giving orders.

"But I've done so much to open old wounds.... I want to say I didn’t know, but... it’s not much of-"

"And I have done more to create fresh wounds," she gazed pointedly at the blister on Twilight's flank, "both physical and emotional." She sighed and looked to the filly sleeping soundly beneath a mass of blankets. "You wish to speak of the vision, yes? I am sure there was much to take in and there will certainly be much to discuss."

Twilight made to protest the change in direction of the conversation, mildly annoyed that her planned path had been deviated from, but held her tongue. We can always come back to it. "How about we start off with the easy stuff?" She smiled and silently levitated a quill and ink from the nearby desk as she took up her spot by the alicorn's side. "Do you mind if I take notes?" A sheepish grin replaced her warm smile as her dark coat hid the blush that tinged her cheeks. "I would love to write a book about this sometime if I have permission to. About all of this. There's so much information that was never recorded about the pre-Celestial times and I'd hate for all of that to be lost forever."

The night mare stared at her companion incredulously before shaking her head with a slight chuckle. "I do not mind, but I will advise against writing it now. Most ponies would not likely wish to read about their princess' usurper."

Twilight smiled sadly at the news, unable to disagree with her lover's worries. "It's, probably true, but.... Well, we'll find out when I'm finished, right? After all, I'm sure you'll be celebrated as a hero after this war is finished!" Her cheer brought a small grin to the alicorn's lips. "Now, onto more pressing matters." Twilight traced a hoof through Nightmare's mane, disturbing the turbulent flow of the starry nebula. "Why did you change your mane? It was... breathtaking back then, the way it shone like the northern reach's Auroras...."

"I...." Nightmare stopped, clamping her mouth shut to contemplate her answer as Twilight's quill poised over her parchment. "I cannot answer that." She recoiled as Twilight's smile slowly disappeared. "You misunderstand. I cannot answer because I do not know. When I returned..., so many changes had been made. I no longer hold control over the vast wealth of power I once enjoyed, my body is weaker, and my mane are but a few of the alterations."

Twilight leaned against her mare as the alicorn's voice grew deeper until it almost resembled a threatening growl. "I wish we knew. Maybe it was a side-effect of the Elements of Harmony?" She paused to scratch away at her scroll, leaving notes for future research. "Maybe that explains the change in Celestia's mane, too? I don't know nearly enough about the Elements to form a proper hypothesis, but that would be a plausible explanation for the... atrophy."

"That may be, but we have neither the time nor resources to use on this. I am fine." Her tone caused a spike of concern in her purple counterpart who simply nodded and turned to watch Moon Beam's sleeping form. "You are curious about our child, yes? You desire to know what happened to her after I sealed her away?” Twilight’s reply was a long, slow nod as she never took her focus from the filly. “Again, I am uncertain. The nature of the spell was supposed to separate the mind and body and put both into a deep, impenetrable sleep. It is a painful process, but the first thing to be put to rest is the mind. She should not remember any of it, but if you wish to know for certain, then it is her you must ask.”

“I....” Twilight smiled and shook her head. “I don’t think she does and, even if she remembers, it doesn’t show. I don’t want to bring back bad memories. She doesn’t deserve that.” The pair sat in silence, leaning against each other to fight off the chill of the Autumn morning, and watched as Moon Beam twitched in her sleep. "Luna?"

The black queen turned to regard her mate as she carefully wrapped a wing around the smaller pony. "Yes, Twilight?"

"Celestia.... Is that what she was really like back then?"

Nightmare flinched at the heavy sadness pushed into her through their bond and instinctively pulled the unicorn closer. "She was. There was once a time when she would stop at nothing to keep me happy. We were as close as any sisters could ever be, but then things changed. We had to use the Elements to seal away a vile, twisted creature. After that, she became so absorbed in helping her weak and pitiful subjects and how they praised her. Nopony ever thanked the mare that kept the beasts of the Everfree at bay and calmed their dreams at night." Nightmare paused after hissing out the last few words and took the time to ease her anger.

Using the lapse in conversation, Twilight scratched her head in thought, pulling pieces of her recent dream into order for analysis and pushed all other processes to the back of her mind. I don't know what to say.... There's just so much that happened.

"One night I came to Celestia with a request." The young unicorn yelped in surprise as Nightmare shifted her feathers and grip, the movement startling her out of her reverie. "Ah, I apologize. I did not mean to-"

"No, no! It's fine. I was just thinking." She chuckled softly as a light blush burned at her cheeks.

Nightmare stifled a smile and nudged the mare with her flank. "You have quite the concentration, Twilight. It is difficult to ignore your surroundings like that. It is little wonder that you pick up on magic so easily." The alicorn tittered softly when Twilight covered her face with her hooves to hide the growing tinge of embarrassment. "As I was saying, one night several years prior, I went to Celestia with a simple request to possibly extend the night a couple hours every morning. There would not have been any drastic changes to the world if such a thing happened, as you can see. The crops would still grow and the ponies would learn to enjoy my night....

"But she refused! It would upset the poor little ponies. The nocturnal creatures would become dangerous." Nightmare stood and stepped heavily over to the desk, ignoring the scritch-scritch of quill point on paper. "I did not press further, but instead announced the first annual Winter Moon Masquerade to take place during the Winter Solstice...."

Twilight swallowed heavily, expecting her lover to continue, but was only met with silence. Slowly, she stood and hobbled over to the alicorn and nuzzled her neck. "Heart Gleam was the only one to show, wasn't she?"

"No. She had come with her mother as this was quite some time before the conflict, but she was the only pony interested of the two." She sighed and stared up into the ceiling. "I was infuriated and rightly so. I had spent months preparing for it, having couriers spread word of the festival only to have some filly and her worthless mother show up."

"She really admired you, you know. I was actually kind of jealous."

"Ah, yes. Ever the diligent mare even if she was less than spectacular. She did not make a good commander, but she was all I had. Joined my ranks at five years after fleeing from her mother and served me up until her death nineteen years later."

Twilight gasped and turned to stare incredulously at Nightmare. "She was twice my age!? She looked so young! Did you...?" She allowed her words to trail off, too afraid of the answer she might receive.

"If you are asking if we had sexual relations, then the answer is yes. There was little she could do as a filly being a pegasus as underdeveloped as she. Despite all those years, she never truly became skilled at pleasing a mare." She stopped to look at Twilight's dumbfounded stare and closed her eyes. "You must remember, Twilight. She was old enough to have had her first heat and even you have said that there are no laws against such acts today. Back then, ponies took foals as their lovers as soon as they were no longer nursing and marriage at the age of two years was commonplace."

Nightmare eyed her mate cautiously, waiting for her reaction, yet was met with a queasy gulp. "Are.... Are you unwell, Twilight? I did not think that our customs would upset you so. Do you-"

"No. It's-" She swallowed deeply, trying to fight off her nausea. "I'm okay. It wasn't that; I'm just feeling a little-" She quickly held a hoof to her mouth and retched lightly. "No, I'm gonna be si-" Her words were cut short as she vomited across the floor to her side, covering the obsidian with the contents of her stomach.

Without even flinching, Nightmare took the dangling length of Twilight's mane into her magic and held it out of the way as the unicorn's fit of retching continued on until nothing remained but air. She sat with tears in her eyes, panting, as she recovered from her sudden bout of nausea. She shuddered, taking deep breaths, and smiled weakly towards her marefriend. "Thank you...."

"Are you alright? What happened?"

"I-I don't know. I've been somewhat queasy these past few days, but I didn't think I would regurgitate like that. Maybe I've got a stomach virus?" Twilight tensed, feeling as if she would vomit again, but eased her body as the sensation passed. "It's fine. I'm sure I'll be in perfect health soon enough."

She carefully wrapped the spilled fluids in her magic and levitated them into a bundle of parchment she quickly enchanted to hold the spillage without risk of leaking. Setting it into the garbage pail, the bookish mare regarded her mate with a slight grimace. "Maybe we should put the rest of this off for later in case that wasn't the end of it?" Nightmare nodded slowly and made to stand, but was stopped when Twilight rested a hoof on her shoulder. "I.... I know how much you hate her, but I'm not sure how I feel. Everything from the dream contradicts everything I've ever known about her. I know I haven't known her as long as you, but... Celestia was practically a mother to me.

"I don't want you to ever think that I'd throw away my love for you just to be back by her side, but she isn't a pony I can just abandon." She stared into Nightmare's impassive gaze, searching for any sign of emotion and praying that she would understand, but was met with the familiar emotional blockade she had come to expect.

After several long, tense minutes, the lunar mare nodded and lifted herself from her seat at the desk. "I cannot begin to fathom her having changed so much in my absence after being given free reign over our nation, but I will not fault you for your feelings. Good or bad, they are not something easily moved past."

Twilight sighed in relief and nuzzled up against Nightmare's stomach. "I have one more inquiry before we figure out why there wasn't a lavatory attached to our room." She waited for a nod of approval before standing and following her life partner, wastebasket in tow. "Where is she? Will I ever be able to see her again?"

Nightmare visibly tensed at the question, but continued her steady gait despite the stiffness. "We shall see, Twilight. I cannot grant your second request now, but after the war.... I will provide you with her whereabouts as long as I have your word that you will not seek to find her before I am prepared to take you." She smiled as she felt Twilight's heart soar with glee.

"Of- Of course! I promise on my mother's name that I won't go against your wishes!"

"Very well. When I returned, I sealed her and-" She froze at the sound of her mate retching once more and turned to find her vomiting into the small trash bin before collapsing weakly to the floor in a tired mess. "Twilight!"

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Twenty-Seventh of the One-Thousandth Celestia Year
Seven Oh-One Ante Meridian
|

The blast of a trumpet startled the residents of the cloud barracks awake, setting the mares and stallions into an almost automatic clockwork motion. The mass of ponies stumbled about in their post-slumber stupor, all of them resetting their uniform sheets and slipping into the dark blue jumpsuits folded neatly at the foot of their beds. All of them except one.

The form of a slim cyan pegasus still prone on her bunk caught the attention of the fiery-maned mare that had sounded the wake-up call. In a fit of frustration, the yellow pegasus stomped over to the rainbow-maned irritation, leaving dents in the cloud floor with each step, and swiftly bucked the bed on its side, spilling mare and mattress onto the unforgiving floor below.

"Every morning, Rainbow Dash! Today, you're not getting off with extra wing-ups and cleaning duty!" She turned to the other recruits waiting nervously by their respective bunks, dressed and ready for orders. "Report to the mess hall. Daily exercise begins in thirty minutes." She returned her harsh glare to the target of her anger as the group filed past them and only softened her gaze when the last pony closed the door behind her. "Look, Dash. I understand you're surpassing the other ponies in all fields of training and that you're worried for your friends, but that doesn't excuse blatantly disregarding the rules. They're there for a reason."

Rainbow arched an eyebrow and smirked. "All these rules are totally uncool. I could sleep through all of this and still come out better than them. Should just let me do whatever."

The young Wonderbolt sighed and rubbed her face with a hoof. "Why are you even still here? You've been cleared for dispatch for a week already."

The athletic pegasus' lips stretched into a smug grin as she rolled her shoulders and worked her wings. "What? Can't a pony make sure she's tip-top of the class? I'm just training like I always do."

Her instructor deadpanned and straightened her stance. "We both know that's not it. Look, you don't have to tell me, but the queen can't afford to have even one pony avoiding active duty."

"I'm not doing this for her."

"Again, I don't need to know why you're here, but whether you want to leave or not, you're scheduled for unit assignment in a week."

Spitfire turned and sauntered to the door when she was stopped by a tap on her flank. "Does this mean I don't have clean-up duty?"

She turned, giving the inquisitive mare a soft smile. "No." With a flick of her tail across Dash's nose, Spitfire sauntered out leaving the trainee to her morning routine.

"Well, horsefeathers." With a heavy sigh, Rainbow began the simple task of fixing her bed. "Man, you were a lot more fun when we first met, Spitfire." Memories of her initial squeal of glee flashed through her mind along with a particular offer exclaimed in the heat of the moment. The cyan mare slapped a hoof to her face with a grunt of frustration. "Ugh.... I can't believe I said that. Totally uncool."

With her bunk made and jumpsuit donned, Rainbow began the short trot to the cafeteria, ignoring the same old pictures of Cloudsdale and the age old Pegasopolis adorning the pristine white walls. Eager to eat, she quickly arrived to find her Ponyvillean friend had saved her a spot and a tray heaped with this morning's oat based meal.

As she approached, the pink maned mare turned and smiled gleefully at her. "Hey, Dash! Get in trouble again today?"

Rainbow grinned and put on her typical air of smugness as she took her place at Dizzy's side. "Nah. I'm too cool for that!"

The young mare laughed alongside their morning compatriots as a stallion on their right worked his hooves in a mimicry of scrubbing toilets. "Oh, stop it Buster. It's not like you haven't had to scrub 'em before." Dizzy giggled as the brown pegasus grinned with his chest shaking in a mute chuckle. "Well, don't wait to eat, Rainbow. You only have ten minutes before PT starts."

The rainbow-maned mare laughed nervously and practically dove into her food, hoping to hide her anxiety. She sighed into the sweet mush, bored of the same old food, but kept eating regardless.

"Something on your mind, Dash? You seem distracted. You didn't get in too much trouble, did you?" Dizzy placed a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder, drawing the mare's attention away from her food.

"Huh? Oh, nah! Still just a little tired." She rubbed a hoof her mane and chuckled. "Hehe. Not enough sleep, you know?"

"Psh. As if you don't get enough sleep, Dash." A soft pink mare across the table laughed and nudged her lime tableside partner. "Soon as you hit the mattress you're asleep. Celestia, I bet Squeeze and I could bang on top of you and you wouldn't even notice."

"Berry!"

The group laughed at the blushing pegasus' expense with Rainbow laughing right along with them. "Hey, you know that's not true! There's no way I could sleep with a pair of mares riding on top of me. My wings wouldn't let me."

"Oh, guys!" The laughter abated as they all turned to Dizzy, her sudden exclamation drawing the area's attention. "You didn't hear this from me, but I finally got one of the serving mares to tell me where they get the sweetener for their oatmeal." All eyebrows arched as the ponies leaned in for the announcement. "Well, they don't use sugar for it. Have you ever heard of that milking company in Trottingham? Milky Way's? Apparently, the entire shop is run by a single mare and the Cloudsdale Guard Station has commissioned her to provide them with milk."

"Oh, it's just sweetened milk? I was expecting something crazy like Zebran sugar cane or something." Another stallion, this one the color of roses, scoffed and shook his head. "Buck, that's disappointing."

"No! You don't get it. It's her milk. Milky Way produces all of the milk herself."

"So what you're saying is that we've been eating mare... milk...."

The table turned to stare at Rainbow who continued scarfing down the food despite the news. She paused in her eating with bits of oatmeal sticking to her muzzle and arched an eyebrow. “What? It’s good.” For several seconds the group just stared at her, dumbfounded, before bursting into laughter loud enough to draw the rest of the cafeteria’s attention.

Like most mornings, the raucous party soon lost the interest of the other tables and, by the time the instructors came to announce breakfast’s end and the morning’s training session’s start, everypony had moved past the disturbance and back to their own conversations. The mass of ponies all stood from their seats at their respective tables and began the slow shuffle into columns behind their class’ instructor.

Rainbow and Dizzy followed suit, falling into position at the end of their line after depositing their trays in the basin, and kept up with the group until the brash mare could pull her friend to the side. “Hey, Dizzy.... I, uhh.... There’s something you should know before it’s too late.”

The custard colored mare stared blankly at her friend. “What’s up, Rainbow? You didn’t really get into a mess because of this morning, did you? Oh, I knew I should have woken you up.”

“No, it wasn’t because of- Okay, it was a little because of that, but it’s not about me getting in trouble.” Rainbow sighed and scratched her mane as she looked off nervously. “You remember how I promised that I’d stay until you were ready to go? I- I know this sucks, but... I’m not gonna be able to do that. They’re shipping me off next week with the rest of the deployments.”

Dizzy frowned momentarily, but quickly recovered her smile as she patted the athletic pegasus’ shoulder. “It’s okay. You did keep your promise as well as you could, after all, and it’s not like I don’t have friends here. Why didn’t you just tell me earlier, though? I’m sure the others would have congratulated you.”

“Well, it just doesn’t look cool to be all sappy like this, you know? Gotta make sure ponies know I’m all awesome!” The pair laughed softly before peeking around the corner to catch the tail end of the line they were supposed to be a part of. “We should probably catch up before we get caught. I’ll be sure to tell everypony at lunch, but I wanted you to be the first to know.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Rainbow lazed across the patch of cloud she had taken as her perch as she waited for the remainder of her class to finish, ignoring the shouting of their fiery maned drill sergeant. She cast a bored glance towards the panting and sweating ponies, noting with an arrogant smirk that most of them were glaring at her as usual. Dash sighed and laid back across the soft cloud bed with her sword at her side, taking comfort in the fact that her training dummy had been thoroughly, and properly, dismembered on her first go, a feat she had been repeating for several nights. Same old routine.... By Celestia’s beard, I’m so glad that I’mma be outta here soon.

“Rainbow! If you’ve got time to lay about, then you’ve got time to be practicing your swordsponyship!” Spitfire marched over to her, a pair of blunted and cloth-wrapped blades sitting across her back. "Thunderlane! Get over here! You're sparring with Rainbow Dash."

The coal black stallion sighed as he left his third dummy to join the pair of mares. Both pegasi grabbed a weapon, the metal cufflinks at the ankle of their suits and the swords' hoof guards helping to maintain their grips, and took their places facing each other. They stood on their hind legs, using their flared wings for balance, and held their swords to the floor.

Rainbow stared her opponent down, sizing him up as she waited for the match to begin. He's bigger than I am, but I doubt he can match my speed. Nopony can. She smirked and tensed her muscles for flight.

"Begin!"

All eyes were on the pair of duelists as soon as Spitfire's voice echoed across the open hall. In a matter of seconds, Dash had closed the distance between her and her sparring partner. The dark stallion started an arcing swing, aiming to use the mare's momentum against her, but, as his weapon came down, Rainbow was already shifting. Her body twisted gracefully through the air with padded blade following with it as she impacted the stunned pegasus. Cloth and metal met thick leather as her horizontal slash smashed into his side.

Dazed and winded, Thunderlane fell to floor only to come face-to-face with the tip of a sword and its owner grinning smugly behind it. "Sorry, Lane, but you're no match for me."

The stallion went cross-eyed as he stared into the blunted point until it was moved from view and replaced by a cyan hoof. "You're pretty amazing, Dash, but did you really have to hit me that hard? That's gonna leave a bruise."

Rainbow chuckled alongside her compatriot and patted his back consolingly. "Hey, at least it was only one this time, right?" She received a nod of appreciation before turning to the ex-Wonderbolt. "Do you really need to do this everyday? I mean, I love having ponies see how badflank I am, but it-"

She was silenced by a quick smack to the face as Thunderlane's sword blindsided her. She grabbed the side of her helmet and glared at the mare holding the defeated stallion's weapon. "That was totally uncool."

"The griffons won't play fair, Rainbow. Just because you're top of the class here, don't expect everything to be just another day at flight camp." The young instructor dropped the weapon on the cloud and turned to the rest of the trainees only to have a padded sword knock her hind legs out from under her. She recovered quickly, using her wings to pull herself back to her hooves, and turned on the smirking pegasus with a glare.

"What? Can't take your own medicine?" She grinned and rubbed a hoof on her uniform. "And here I thought that the captain of the Wonderbolts would be able to dodge that."

"Rainbow Dash! You will stand down this instant! I am not going to fight you. Just be glad I'm not your commanding officer in the field or else you'd be paying dearly for that."

"Why won't you fight? You seemed to like hitting me with that cheap shot." She lowered herself closer to the floor, her grin stretching wider across her muzzle. "Oh. I get it. You're just chicken."

"Seriously?" Spitfire scoffed and waved a hoof at Rainbow. "Name calling is for foals. You don't honestly think-" She cut her words short to dodge the lightning fast slash Dash had attempted and rolled to the side, her scowl deepening. "Seriously, Rainbow. If you don't stop now I'm-" Another swing cut her short, this time barely skimming through her mane. "You have one last chance to-" She landed face first on the clouds as her forelegs were knocked to the side. With a furious flap of her wings, the ex-Wonderbolt righted herself and grabbed the practice sword thrown to her by the grinning trainee.

In a fit of anger, Spitfire rushed Rainbow who deftly dodged the attack and countered with her own. Swords clacked together as the instructor parried the blow mere inches from her shoulder and pushed her opponent back. The pair of ponies planted their hooves in the fluffy floor, tensed their bodies, then sprang into action once more.

A flurry of feathers, sweat, and swords filled the air around them as they clashed, each slip of the blade resulting in a new bruise on the pegasi. Cheers arose from the audience, split almost evenly between the fighting mares, as the swings became more intense. Tempers rose with each blow as the mares pushed themselves to surpass the other, when Spitfire lashed out with a hoof, sucker-punching Rainbow in the gut.

Dash gasped for air as the hot-headed pegasus stood above her with a triumphant grin on her lips as she wiped a trickle of blood from her nose. "Had enough, Rainbow?"

"That...." She paused and took a deep breath to steady her voice. "That wasn't fair."

"What? Didn't I say that griffons won't fight fairly? You wouldn't learn any-"

In a fraction of a second, blue met with yellow as Rainbow tackled Spitfire to the cloud floor, swinging wildly with her hooves with every opening she could get. She didn't even bother trying to dodge or block her antagonist's retaliation in order to get as many blows landed as she could before the mare could push her off herself, but her berserker's flurry was cut short as a pair of burly hooves pulled her from her prey.

Both mares fought against the ponies restraining them, but their efforts were useless in their exhausted states. They heaved for breath as they were dragged apart, left only to glare in each other’s direction until that, too, became difficult to do. Rainbow and Spitfire were turned to face a grizzled old stallion with a face covered in small scars. He regarded the pair wearily, waiting for their adrenaline high to wear off, before having the brutish guardsponies release them. “So.... Couldn’t wait ta get out an’ start fightin’, could ya?”

“I’m sorry, Sir Strong Shield. It was my fault I-”

“Captain Spitfire.” His voice was calm, yet firm, allowing no room for interruptions. “Ah already know what happened. Miss Twister here tol’ me everythin’. Both a ya are as much ta blame as tha other. An’ both a ya should know better than ta pick a fight in tha middle of a buncha recruits.”

The pegasi hung their heads in shame, but the old guard still wasn’t finished with them. “Captain Spitfire, ya know the punishment fer yer actions. Ah expect ta see ya tomorrow mornin’ in mah office ta turn in yer stripes.” Spitfire nodded as the aged, purple pegasus turned his working eye on Rainbow. “Yer not gettin’ off any better though. We were considerin’ ya fer a rankin’ officer when ya dispatch next week, but this li’l stunt ya pulled tells us ya ain’t quite cut out fer it. Ah expect both a ya on cleanin’ duty tomorrow... unless there’s anythin’ else ya wanna get off yer chests?”

Rainbow and Spitfire shook their heads and gave a quick salute as Shield nodded his buzzed head and turned to leave with his armored guards following close behind him. They waited for the stallion to disappear through the training room’s doors before sighing and turning to each other with their shame showing clearly on their faces. Neither spoke as they fought to find the words to say, but a soft voice prompted them on.

“I’m sorry for getting you two in trouble, but....”

Rainbow turned to her fellow Ponyvillean and chuckled lightly. “Nah, it’s cool Dizzy. I really should be the one apologizing. You probably saved us a trip to the nurse’s station.” She rubbed the back of her head and winced as her hoof brushed a sore spot. “Ohh.... Maybe we should go see the nurse anyways.”

“Hey, Dash.... Uhm, sorry about all that. I guess you can tell why they named me Spitfire, huh?” She laughed weakly and ended it with a sigh. “At least I’ll get to keep teaching.” She looked up to see the group of recruits watching them intently as if waiting for something else exciting to happen and flinched. “All right! Back to work, ponies! I expect to see perfectly maimed training dummies lined up on the wall tonight!”

“You aren’t gonna lose your job, are you? ‘Cause I’d really feel bad if you are.”

“What? Nah. I won’t be able to keep my place as a Wonderbolt after the war’s over, but at worst I’ll get a slap on the hoof and the janitor detail tomorrow.” Spitfire worked her jaw and tentatively rubbed her nose. “Wow, you really do know how to fight, though. I’m gonna be sore for weeks.”

Rainbow smirked and roughly hoofed her instructor’s shoulder. “I used to hang with a griffon back in Flight School. We got in a lotta fights back then. You’re not half bad yourself. I think my flank is numb.”

“What? Oh, you’re bleeding too! Okay, you’re definitely going to the nurse now! Both of you!” Dizzy rushed between the bonding mares and began ushering them towards the door, but not before Spitfire could shout a warning threat to the ponies that had already started taking advantage of her soon-to-be absence.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Twenty-Seventh of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Ten Twelve Ante Meridian
|

“Okay, so I can’t find anything physically wrong with her and, aside from the lingering physical injuries,” the unicorn doctor shot both of the mares a worried glance, “Twilight is in perfect health. The venom levels are low, though still present, and wouldn’t cause such spontaneous nausea. Her magical stores are unusually high, but it isn’t uncommon for a unicorn to experience such levels after a magical blockage, but, again, it wouldn’t cause these symptoms.” He paused and went over a list floating in his magical grasp. “Have you participated in any overly-strenuous activities lately? Something that required more stamina than you are used to using?”

The dark unicorn blushed and looked to Nightmare, but the stallion stopped the line of thought with a shake of his head. “Non-sexual activities. While I will admit that they can be taxing, they are not typically draining.”

“She has been working on her combat skills recently. My commander is not one for promoting laziness. Perhaps that would be the cause?”

He paused and jotted something down on the clipboard before turning to his patient resting in the bed, but Twilight cut him off before he could probe further. “I don’t think that would be the issue. I only started practicing last night and I’ve been having these issues for a while now.”

“I see.... I suggest you take the training easier from now on in case it’s making whatever illness you have worse.” He rubbed his white mane and set the clipboard on the bed’s hook. “I would like you to stay here and rest, though, for tonight. It’ll give me a chance to run some more tests and try to pin down exactly what’s wrong.”

Twilight frowned and turned to Nightmare with a look of concern on her face. “I’m feeling better now. Maybe I should come back when-”

“Rest, Twilight. I will fetch Moon Beam to keep you company while I take care of my court. I am certain that Chancellor Fancy Pants will appreciate the assistance.” She nodded to the medical unicorn and turned to leave. “I will come and check on you when I have finished what needs my attention. Thank you for your time, Doctor Well Wisher.”

“Anytime, Your Majesty. I will be sure to inform you if I find anything new.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author’s Notes: A chapter out before the month’s end? Wtf is going on here? I think somebody replaced Peppy with some fiendish monster Tartarus-bent on giving you fun stuff to read. Who would do such a thing? I dunno, but this monster needs to be stopped. Anyhoof, new chapter, so have fun and try to pretend you know what’s happening while I watch *insert evil giggling* Peppy out~! (also, what jeky-poo says below. Wilkommen Spacecowboy!)

Editors’ Notes:

Dr.Jekyll: Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I like this peppy monster clone thing better then the real one (that slow bastard). Mandatory joke over, it’s time for me to be a lil’ serious and make a super sweet special awesome (poorly written) announcement. We have a new proofreader/editor in our midsts. Please give a wondrous round of clacking-keyboard-keys for Spacecowboy!~

Spacecowboy: *Dodges the spotlight* Oh drat. Well, seems I picked a good time to come on board, as Pep wrote this out pretty damn fast. Jekyll is kinda cool too I suppose. Guess what folks? I know all sorts of spoilers now, and you can’t have any~ Hopefully y’all enjoy this chapter, and buckle your seat belts cause Pep has got quite the ride in store for y’all, and I’m glad to be on board helping with the editing.

Chapter 43 - Ultimate Ultimatum

Chapter 42 - Ultimate Ultimatum

Nightober Twenty-Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Fifteen Post Meridian
|

Three pairs of eyes stared out across the menagerie of tents, campfires, and bodies clustered under vast plastic tarps to escape the night's torrential downpour. One set of eyes motioned to the others with a black talon, pointing towards the thundering clouds above them. As one, the trio took to the air on black wings, blending in perfectly with the gloomy backdrop. Rain pelted their bodies, soaking them to the bone the moment they left the sanctuary of their own encampment, but they paid it little heed as their powerful bodies soared across the sky.

They reached the base of the storm clouds in seconds, using the massive front as further camouflage to mask their movements. The outer walls of the obsidian palace passed far beneath them and, after a sharp clicking of the leader's beak, the stealthy group turned into a nosedive. Their sharp sight picked out a lone pony on the castle's parapets. They descended upon her with lightning speed, leaving the mare just enough time to notice them before her throat was ripped to shreds by well-maintained claws.

All that escaped the soldier's mouth were choking gargles that the storm drowned out with its fury.

The leader clicked to one of his subordinates who immediately took to hiding the corpse, tucking the body into the nearest dark corner. With their initial task complete, the griffons leapt from the wall to land in the outer courtyard. More tents surrounded them, but nothing noticed the pitch black creatures slinking over the muddy ground, their sloshing steps muted by the roar of rain and explosions of thunder.

The towering walls of the Lunar Castle loomed over them as they came upon its massive expanse, but they paid them little heed. The two smaller griffons broke away from their leader and prowled the perimeter leaving the bulkier male to claw up to the ledge directly above. The halls were inspected for patrols and, only after the coast was deemed clear, did the three reconverge at the nearest window.

With a nod, the griffons burst through the obsidian portal, shattering glass without a second thought, and rolled into an attack stance. They heard hoofsteps in the distance, moving slowly to their position, so they waited for their owner to come into sight. The moment his armored head poked around the corner to inspect the disturbance, it fell from his neck with a deft stroke of the griffoness' scimitar.

They took a moment to clean up the newest mess, clearing away the body and shattered glass with haste, but their actions were carried out in vain when a young mare happily trotted around the corner. She paused, momentarily stunned by the sight of the headless corpse, then let loose a terrified scream that echoed through the halls despite the cacophonous storm outside. The alpha quickly silenced the mare and glared at her twitching, throatless corpse.

"Why didn't you tell us she was coming!" The youngest and only female of the group pointed to the mare's hooves with a shaking talon, drawing the leader's gaze back to the earth pony. "Socks.... Alright! We make this quick and get out! She's going to be on this floor or the top floor if our mole is correct! Let's move!"

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Twenty-Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Twenty Post Meridian
|

The sound of heavy clops filled the castle’s hallways as a pair of young minotaurs trudged through the pony filled passage. The small equines gave the two a wide berth as they dragged a large chest between them, the scraping of its metal corners across the volcanic stone adding to the already present din of chatter. “Tyro, stop for a second....”

The male’s movement was halted by the sudden lack of assistance with the massive weight of their luggage causing him to stumble. He glared at his sister who now lay across the chest, dangling her arms from the opposite side. “We don’t have time to rest Tyra. These were supposed to be delivered to Queen Nightmare last night, but somebody forgot to inform me. If you wanted to take it slowly, you should have thought about that before running off to do whatever it was you were doing before.”

“I was with Miss Sparkle! She was sick, you know!” She took a moment to squeeze some of the remaining water from her burgundy hair, much to the dissatisfaction of the castle workers around her, before rubbing her hairless arms. “Besides, I’m cold! I don’t have fur like you! Can’t we find something to warm up with before we go see her?” Tyra covered her chest with her arms and shivered from the cold.

“That would also be your own fault.” He sighed and took his spot on his side of their delivery. “It is almost winter, sister. You should be wearing your cold weather garments. We packed them for a reason.”

The younger sibling continued to pout even as she reassumed her position by the chest, but the moment her hand touched the cold metal of the package’s handle a short scream echoed over the noise around them. Tyra dropped her grip and stood, narrowing her eyes as she listened for a second wind, but none came. “Tyro, I think-”

“You! Unicorn colt. Deliver this to Her Majesty, Nightmare Moon and send somebody to find some guards!” Tyro pointed at a young stallion dressed in a simple vest, not even bothering to call for more help as he struggled to even budge the chest before turning to his sister. “Let’s go.”

They nodded to each other and took off at a sprint, each thundering step of their hooves cracking the floor beneath them. Tyro slammed the first set of steel doors open with ease, startling the already terrified ponies on the other side even more, but neither sibling paid them and mind. They built up speed with each step, snorting wildly as they plowed through another door and snapped its upper hinges. Ahead, they could hear a clamor and fought to slow their pace before slamming the final set of doors open to find a trio of servant ponies quivering as they stood over the bloodied corpse of another serving mare.

“Who did this?” Tyro snapped his head back and forth and spotted the shattered glass strewn across the rain-soaked floor, then trailed his view to another body tucked into a corner. “We’ve got an intruder. Maybe more. Tyra, we’re going after them. They can’t have gotten far.”

“Right.”

Again, the pair took off down the hall, quickly regaining their momentum as they avoided the occasional dead body. They could hear a commotion ahead of them and picked up their pace, panting heavily as they rushed through another open doorway. They didn’t take the effort to stop when they saw the griffon wrestling with an armored mare, his claws digging into her neck, instead using their speed to surprise the hybrid as they overcame him.

In a rush of feathers and fur, Tyro and Tyra tackled the lone griffon off of his intended victim. They landed on top of him, using his body as cushioning for their landing, and slid across the bloodied floor with little resistance. The larger twin lifted the gasping griffon from the ground, using his considerable strength to hold him pinned to his chest, and motioned to his sister. “Tyra. Take his blade and find the others. This can’t be all of them.” The captured bird began to struggle in his grasp, but a quick squeeze followed by the popping of several vertebrae stopped him with ease.

Tyra nodded and grabbed the crimson splattered scimitar before taking off at a brisk trot down the black halls. She cast a quick glance back towards her brother in time to see him bend the black intruder backwards until his feathered head touched the dock of his feline tail before she passed through the next entryway and moved out of sight.

Returning her focus to the halls in front of her, Tyra heaved a sigh of relief at the distinct lack of dead ponies. They must have escaped after that last group of guards delayed them. That's a- She stopped mid-step as she came to face a fork in her path. "Well, damn.... Now... which way did they go? Well, let's see. What could they be here for?"

Her mind churned for an answer as she struggled with the urgency of the situation to get a clear choice when a flash of lightning illuminated a line of blood marked a path down the hall to her left. "Oh.... Shit! They're after the griffon girl!"

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

The lead griffon paused to check around the corner and clicked his beak to the girl watching behind them who limped up to stand beside him. "We've been careless. They know we're here....

"The pony told us she would be in the servants' quarters." He paused and checked around the corners again then motioned for the griffoness to follow.

Together, they crawled alongside the wall, keeping under the magical lighting's shadows. Their progress was slowed by the girl's injury, but their hobbled pace allowed them to avoid further detection by the frantic sentries. Even with their lack of haste, they reached the long hall of the servant's dormitory quickly and relatively unimpeded.

The vast expanse of doorways extended down past the hall's curve and out of sight, but they were uninterested in the furthest rooms. Together, they systematically checked each room, casting quick glances in the open portals for their target and ignoring the empty and pony-filled chambers. The search was slow as they crept past each open door, but their patience paid off as they reach one of the smaller entrances near the hall’s end. They heard a pair of voices chatting in the lightless room and paused, paying close attention to the words over the heavy patter of the rain.

Their ears strained, but the soft click of a beak mid-sentence was all they needed. They drew their swords, their unsheathing muffled by cloth padding, and crawled languidly towards the door. The leader snuck a quick peek around the corner and grinned, his black beak flashing a silver tongue, as he spotted their intended prey. He prepared to move in, holding his scimitar ready at his side, but stopped when he felt a tug on his tail.

"What is it, Aura? We can't delay much longer." He looked to the griffoness, a sharp scowl on his face, but his frustration was quickly replaced by surprise as he followed her talon.

A minotaur barrelled down the hall towards their position, her hooves clopping loudly on the stone floor, carrying a bloodied scimitar much like their own. He cursed loudly and mentally slapped himself for not being aware of his surroundings. "Keep her busy. I'm going for-"

The griffon screeched in agony as his back was pierced by a fistful of sharp needles. "Hah. That'll teach you to try and sneak up on me." He dropped to the ground and drew the attention of his mute companion.

In a split second, marked by the sound of metal clanging off obsidian, Aura was swiped from the ground and sent hurtling towards the far wall with the assistance of her assailant. The bone-crunching impact sent spidery cracks along the sleek black surface and shook the walls for several yards. With a silent gasp, the griffoness slumped in the minotaur's grasp, paralyzed.

Seeing the girl fall at the assault, leaving him as the sole infiltrator, the leader planted his claws below him and lashed out with his leonine hind legs. The sharp nails raked across his surprise attacker's breastplate and shoved her away. With his obstacles out of the way, the burly alpha turned on the huddled mass in the darkened chamber and grinned.

Ignoring the searing pain in his back, he leapt at his prey, but a pair of hands around his back legs yanked him away, halting his forward motion and snapping a piece of his beak off on the ground. As one, the hands gripping his legs shifted and bent the appendages outwards, breaking them at the thighs; the resulting howl echoed through the nearly empty hall.

The minotaur twins glanced at each other, then released the broken griffon from their grasp. "What are we gonna do with him, brother? They killed so many ponies."

"We'll take him to Nightmare, but first...." Gilda grinned down at their captor as he struggled to crawl away, but a set of sturdy talons on his injured back stopped him. "Hey, Tabby. Do you know this guy?"

The younger griffon poked her tawny head out the door and took a quick glance towards the crippled male. "No, I don't think...." She leaned closer to get a better look at his face, but pulled back as he snapped at her. "No, but he's part of the Silverbeak clan." Tabatha sighed and looked over to griffoness laid out on her stomach. "I guess they assumed I would try to hold out on you guys. I knew our scouting groups were diligent, but after the demon queen killed that squad and made the cloud cover.... How did you know I was here?"

"I'm naht tellin' ya anythin'."

"Oh, wow. So that's what you sound like when you break your beak." Gilda laughed and shook her head. "Man, I'd hate to have that happen to me, but.... I doubt you'll hafta worry about that for long. Let me just...." She planted her hind legs in the center of his back and grasped his wings in her talons, then gave them a swift yank. She ignored his agonized howls and turned to the minotaurs flanking her. "Take him to Nightmare. She'll deal with him. I've gotta go find the hardass and tell her what happened."

"What about the girl? She won't be going anywhere, but we can't just leave her." Tyra looked to the paralyzed mute with a sad frown.

"Just go on ahead. I'll deal with her too." She waited for the twins to carry off the weeping alpha before retrieving her halberd from just inside Tabatha's room and crouched beside the soundlessly sobbing griffoness. "I'm sorry that I have to kill a hottie like you, but... you really shouldn't have come after my friend."

The griffon's eyes went wide as Gilda raised the poleaxe's blade above her and tried to plead with her executioner, but the minute shaking of her head went unheeded. In one swift motion, Gilda swung the weapon and cleaved the girl's head from her neck as she embedded the blade in the obsidian.

"Tabby. Find some other ponies to help you with the mess, then go to the queen. It's about time for your shift and, even if it's lame, I don't think you should piss her off."

Tabatha nodded and watched her friend fly off, then turned to the headless body and blood-soaked floor. She suppressed a shudder and let loose a heavy sigh. "I'm definitely not cut out to be like you, Gil...."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

"Mommy, why is it still raining? I wanna go outside and play!" Moon Beam pranced in circles upon the soft mattress they all shared, much to her unicorn parent's chagrin. "Can't we go play in the rain? Pleaasssee?"

Twilight giggled and shook her head as she set the book down on the bed. "Come on, Moonie. It's too cold for little fillies to be playing in the rain. How about we go find Cloudy and see if we can arrange a sleepover with Tart instead?"

The filly gasped loudly and clopped her forehooves together in an excited cheer. "Really!?" Her voice squeaked from her glee as she pounced upon Twilight. "I mean, you and Mommy Moon were 'sposed to have fun tonight."

"As long as it's okay with Mommy Moon." She let her statement hang in the air and turned, in sync with the giddy filly, to the black alicorn.

Nightmare glanced at their pleading faces and cracked a tiny smile. "I do not have any qualms with her visiting for the night. Anything Twilight and I wished to do can be done at another time. Shall we go fetch the child now, or-"

"Your Majesty!" A series of powerful knocks echoed through the group's room following the husky voice. "It's important! We've captured a griffon!"

"What!?" Nightmare stood from her spot at the desk as her sudden outburst sent scrolls flying from her desk. "Bring it in! I wish to see the one who thought it could infiltrate my castle!"

The chamber's doors swung wide as the minotaur twins carried their defeated cargo through the entry and deposited him on the cold floor. The alicorn watched as he fell gracelessly into a heap, his dislocated wings dropping uselessly to his side, and glared at the broken male. "We caught him going after the griffon girl, Tabatha. He and his two subordinates killed several guards and a few servants before we could stop them."

"And what of these subordinates of his? Where are they?" She regarded the pair carefully, noting the minute scratches along their arms and chests. "Is it safe to assume they have been dealt with?"

"I personally dispatched one of them. I believe Gilda took care of the other." Tyro glanced at the filly sitting beside Twilight and frowned. "Is it wise to be discussing this in the presence of a child?"

"You need not worry yourself over our filly...." She glanced at the ponies laying on the bed, then turned to Tyra. "Would you take Moon Beam to Commander Horizon's room and send her to us? I will not fall to your pleading, child. I am sorry for the change, but this issue must be dealt with."

"Awww.... Stupid, dumb chickens...."

"Don't worry, Moonie. We can have the sleepover any time." Twilight patted the sullen filly's head with a consoling smile. "Now, run along. I'm sure Tart will still be excited to see you."

With a quick nod, Moon Beam hopped from the bed and trotted alongside her minotaur escort as she led her away. "Can I ride on your head?"

Twilight snickered at the tiny unicorn's question, but quickly returned to the current situation with a heavy sigh. "We should tell Jahurl. Things have gotten too far along too quickly."

"Yes, that would be wise. Boy. Find your lord and have him meet us in the war room. It would seem that we can no longer maintain our defensive strategy." Nightmare waited for the room's remaining visitor to depart before staring down at the broken captain. "Twilight."

"Yes, Luna?"

"We will not garner any information from this worm that we do not already know. I need you to finish him off." The black mare did not remove her eyes from the griffon as Twilight recoiled when memories of her last execution flashed before her eyes. "I understand that you do not wish to take another's life, especially the life of a fellow pony, but you will be unable to play your part in your own plans if you cannot move past that.

"I love you dearly, my princess, but it must be done." She sighed, but refused to look at her lover. I cannot hold her hoof for this. "Commander Horizons will be here shortly. I know that this is not a decision to be made lightly, but, as you can see, we do not have the time to ease into this any longer. I expect you to join me with the commander after your choice has been made.”

“Luna! I don’t think-”

“It was not a demand, Twilight. I will not force you to act against your will again. It is merely a request. I need to know for certain that you will hold your life above all others’ and will act upon that to keep yourself alive.” Nightmare Moon allowed a small smile to tease at her lips as she turned her head to regard the trembling mare. “Know that, no matter the outcome of your decision, I will not think any less of you.” She broke eye contact with her terrified lover and strode from the room, leaving Twilight alone with her thoughts and the choice laying before her.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author’s Notes: Another update already!? What the fuck is this creature doing to my story! It’s too damn fast! This blasphemy has to- Oh, wait. You guys like that? Well, fuck.... Either way, I still don’t like this new Peppy.

Anyhoof, on to the story. I’m sure you guys are gonna rage quit my face off when you get down here, but all I can say is Deal With It. Heavy stuff is about to go down and we all know that it’s only a matter of time till it all comes to a crescendo. Hope you enjoyed and Peppy out~!

Also, that's Aura pronounced Or-ah and has nothing to do with emanations.

Editors’ Notes:

Whew, that was fun. Hey guys, Dr.Jekyll here. This one’s a short one. Oh well, get fucked. Hahaha. Ciao!

Spacecowboy here folks, hoped you enjoyed this chapter here, yet another fun one. So, does she? Does she? I know! Also, no clue how much longer this Peppy look-alike is going to be churning these out for you, but when we find where its hidden the real Pep, we’ll be sure to let y’all know! Now to borrow from Jekyll, Ciao!

Chapter 44.1 - The Light Side of the Moon (Clop-lite Version)

Chapter 44 - The Light Side of the Moon

Nightober Twenty-Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Thirty-Four Ante Meridian
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Twilight stared at the door her lover had just departed through. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, the organ's heavy beating pulsing in her ears as she waited, hoping that the alicorn would return and relieve her of this new burden. Yet, despite how fervently she called for Nightmare with her mind, the black mare didn't respond. She couldn't even sense her feelings.

"Why...?" Tears burned in the corners of her eyes as she fought down her building anger. "Why now? Why!?" She could smell a hint of smoke in the air and gasped as she brought her magic back under control, but a deep nasally laugh tore her focus away and to its source.

"Ya ponies are weak.... Strugglin' to kill one of us...."

"Shut up! This is your fault! If you hadn't attacked, then I wouldn't have to do this!" Twilight's mane and tail burst into flames as her outrage grew. "We could have kept things how they were!"

"You are only fooling yourself, Twilight! Get a grip on your emotions!" Twilight yelped at the sudden outburst and looked to the doorway as the flames slowly receded back into their original maroon and blue state. "You know that you wouldn't be able to avoid killing! This is war!"

The one winged mare folded the lone appendage at her side and sighed as she stepped around the struggling griffon, kicking him as he tried to lash out with one of his useful claws. "You are a selfless mare, an admirable trait to have, but you cannot expect to adhere to this path of innocence if you desire to be everything the queen needs."

"But I can't! I don't want to fail...."

Twilight's words petered out as she spoke until nothing they were but mumbling, but the gruff pegasus smiled as the words reached her ears. "Say it, Twilight. Why can't you kill this griffon? What is it that's stopping you?"

"I can't. I don't-"

"What is stopping you?"

Twilight flinched at the slight edge to her friend's words, but shook her head regardless. "I just c-"

"What is it!?" Cloudy stamped her hoof, startling both of the room's other occupants, but neither of them spoke. She screwed her face up into a scowl as the dark unicorn turned her head away, her shame written clearly across her face. "Tell me, Twilight Sparkle!"

"Because I don't want Celestia to hate me!" Twilight burst into tears and collapsed to the ground, covering her head with her hooves. "I've already done so much! I can't.... I love them both so much.... I don't want to lose either of them...."

The pegasus' fierce glare softened as she stepped over to the sobbing mare and wrapped her good wing around her. "You remind me of my mate. He was a damned-good soldier, but the biggest softie." She chuckled softly and shook her head. "Look.... I can't give you any guarantees, Twilight. I do not know Celestia like you or the queen, but one of them is not right here, right now, whether it be by cowardice or Her Majesty's will. We are at war, a fact that I'm certain you are aware of by now, and that means that every second you hesitate more ponies die.

"Your role in this fight is pivotal. You are living proof of Griffonia's treachery and a powerful mage." She stood and stretched her orange feathers to their limit, then turned to the young mare as she slowly regained her composure. "I hold no love for Celestia, but if you truly care for her and her you, then she will understand if you kill to protect."

"I.... You're right.... I was being foalish. I shouldn't have-"

"That is not what I said, Twilight." Cloudy's quick rebuttal silenced the mare, but her tone was still calm. "You have held onto your morals for far longer than any lesser mare could hope for, but tonight is not the night for pacifism. They," she pointed a hoof to the griffon groaning dazedly on the floor, "have forced our hooves....

"Now, what shall I report to Her Majesty?"

Twilight stared down at their captive, her whole body shaking as the flightless soldier watched her. Once again, her heart thudded in her chest, but she ignored the sensation of dread it filled her with. She took a deep breath and loosed it slowly. I.... I can do this. I just....

The silence between the mares was broken as Twilight's horn twinkled to life and levitated her dagger to her side from its place on the room's sole desk. "Tell.... Tell Nightmare Moon that I'll.... I'll join her shortly. Just, give me time...."

Cloudy smiled and nodded as she placed a comforting hoof on the unicorn's back. "Look into his eyes as you do it. It does not make the task easier, but it will help to steel you for the future...."

Without another word, the pegasus commander trotted from the room, but cast a quick glance back to Twilight to see her holding the bloodied, leonine bird at eye level. Their eyes met for the briefest of seconds before Cloudy gave a curt nod and stepped out of view. The pegasus' form shimmered in the magically-lit hallway, shifting and expanding as several rapid flashes of lightning marked her movements upon the walls like a strobe.

The deep roar of thunder followed the alicorn's transformation and drowned out her heavier hoofsteps with its oppressive symphony. She nodded to her army's commander as she turned the corner, the white-maned pegasus stepping in to join her in stride.

"Do you think that was wise, My Queen? I know it's not my place to speak on this matter, but I am concerned about her reaction should she find out."

"I will admit that I am not fond of such manipulative tactics, those being my sister's preferred method, but it had to be done. She is too valuable of an asset against the griffons to have her hidden away and I love her too dearly to send her out unprepared." Nightmare looked to the smaller pony and presented her with a small bow of her head. "I thank you, though. I, as myself, could not have been the one to help her with this. I feared that the results would have been too similar to the last time."

Cloudy nodded, but kept her focus on the halls ahead of them. "What of her reasoning? Do you think it will cause any issues later? The princess practically raised her."

"It has not caused any issues thus far and I cannot foresee any future complications." Nightmare Moon cast a fleeting glance over her shoulder towards her distant room. "I will have to thank my sister when next we meet, however much I loathe to do so.

"I am more concerned about leaving her with our incompetent soldiers than her feelings for Celestia, though. This is not the first time these fools have failed to prevent infiltration. Oh, how the once mighty have fallen...." She heaved a heavy sigh as her head drooped. "Regardless, I cannot entrust my Twilight's life to a squad of blundering oafs, even if you hoof pick them. I would send you, but your services are needed elsewhere and I do not think Moon Beam will be enough."

"What of the minotaurs serving under Lord Jahurl? From what the girl told me, it seems like they subdued the intruders with little difficulty." Cloudy stopped outside of the war room's doors and turned to the black queen, her typical serious features somewhat softened. "It is not my decision to make, but we would benefit greatly to have that pair permanently in our service. We could make a request to have them join Twilight's escort."

Nightmare stood silently and stared at the large black doors before her as she considered the proposal. "I have not seen the girl's prowess for myself, but I have seen her... actions before. I cannot imagine her being a capable warrior...." She paused to bring her magic to life to envelop the war room's passage. "But she is diligent. If they truly were the ones to end our would-be assassination attempt, then the request will be made."

Without further pause, Nightmare pushed through the doorway and strode confidently to her place at the head of the conference table. Taking a seat upon the plush cushion provided for her, the alicorn looked to the room's five other occupants, nodding to them each in passing until her eyes fell upon the out of place pegasus. "Why is she present here?"

Jahurl grinned and slapped the small mare's back, terrifying and winding the mint green pony. "You don't have to worry 'bout little Scoop. She isn't the one making trouble for us."

"You are aware that the castle was just subject to griffon infiltration, are you not? All it would take is a look into her dreams and the truth would be revealed...." She glared at the massive minotaur who simply grinned back at her with his carefree smile. "Would you continue to protect her knowing that conspiring and harboring a traitor means death?"

The alicorn's glare locked the terrified mare's pink eyes to hers, making her tremble under such scrutiny, but a quick ruffle of her chocolate mane broke the spell. "Of course! It was all just a misunderstanding, after all." Jahurl laughed as he hid a pointed finger behind his other hand. "Little girl's just overly enthusiastic about her job. Don't tell her I told you, though." Another chuckle followed the minotaur lord's noisome whisper along with another clap against the dumbfounded pegasus' back.

"Very well. If you would go so far as to lay down your life, then I shall trust her. Do not make me regret this, or you both will suffer greatly."

The beings in attendance silently nodded their agreement as they allowed a short silence to fill the air, broken only by the heavy patter of rain and occasional clap of thunder. Nightmare took this moment to close her eyes and remove the ward she had cast on herself. Her senses were immediately assaulted by a feeling of despair, but, hidden under the tumultuous emotions, a mote of accomplishment brewed. You have done well, my Twilight.

The lull in conversation extended past the group's expectations, passing far into unnecessary lengths as the attendees watched the seemingly meditating queen. The ponies and minotaurs glanced amongst each other, unsure of what they should do, until Jahurl leaned calmly over the table. "So, where's Lady Sparkle gotten off to? I figured the lass would have been the first one here considering her strict devotion to timelines."

Nightmare stared at the minotaur for several moments, ignoring his cheery smirk as she attempted to discern his words' intent. His smirk grew wider at the queen's hesitation when he motioned at Tyro who promptly retrieved a thick scroll from a pouch at his waist. That's the scroll that Twili-. "Ah, I see...." She swept her vision across the room and caught the same questioning look from the rest of the occupants. "She is currently dealing with a delicate matter for me and will be joining us shortly. We will begin when she arrives, but, first, I have a request, Lord Jahurl."

"Oh? And what would that be, our beautiful Queen?"

Nightmare glared at his infuriating grin, but relented as it only served to amplify his mirth. "You know that we are sending Twilight into the Drakenrange, a necessary endeavour if we wish to end this war with even a semblance of haste, but I cannot entrust her to the incompetent foals under my service." She sighed and rubbed a hoof on her helmet in an attempt to alleviate the morning's stress. "It pains me to say it, but Celestia's rule has made my ponies weak, a mockery of the once proud mares and stallions of the United Years. We have already chosen to send our child with her, but I cannot expect her to be Twilight's sole competent defense."

"Well! That shouldn't be too much of an issue now, should it?" Jahurl chuckled and unrolled the bottom of his scroll. "I'll just organize a squad to accompany the little lady. With the reinforcements Borea is gonna be sending, a group of twenty shouldn't be any-"

"No. We cannot risk such a large mobilization. Your folk are too large and noticeable to move stealthily. I only wish for two and, should you agree, I also wish to incorporate them into my personal guard." The oak-furred lord arched an eyebrow at her, but patiently waited for the mare to continue.

Nightmare nodded towards Tyro, then bowed her head in deference. "I request of you, Lord Jahurl, your closest aides, the young twins, Tyro and Tyra."

The massive minotaur sighed and stood to his full, intimidating height. "I'm afraid I have to refuse your request." He placed a hand on his aide's shoulder and frowned. "Tyro here is going to be my successor, after all. I can't have him running off on a suicidal mission like this and I don't want his sister involved either. He's going to need his own aide, after all."

"My Lord, you know that you can't just decide who-"

"Silence, boy. I've been training you for a reason. I have no doubt that you'll succeed me when I die." He turned back to the queen and her subordinates. "You understand why. I can't let Tyro or Tyra go with-"

"I'll go with her." All eyes turned to the doorway and the group of newcomers. Tyra smiled at the already gathered attendees, pointedly ignoring the pair of fillies perched on her shoulders. "Twilight already asked me to join her and I won't refuse."

"Sister, you heard Lord Jahurl. You don't have approval to-"

"What? You'd want to leave her alone just 'cause Jahurl said so? Well, I won't." She balked as her words finally reached her brain and glanced over to the minotaur lord. "Uhmm.... Not that I don't respect your decisions! I just...! She needs...."

The room was filled with Jahurl's deep laughter as he reclaimed his seat at the table. "No need to be so fretful, girl! Your mother would be proud! Don't think there's been a woman that's openly stood up to me since she passed." His grin dropped and was immediately replaced with a serious glare. "Now, I will only ask this once. Are you certain that you want to do this? You are aware of the risks, so, if you agree, I will not tolerate going back on this decision."

Tyra swallowed heavily and glanced down to the bleary-eyed mare at her side, then steeled her face and nodded. "I'm sure. If they need my help, then I'll give it."

"Good. Now then...." Jahurl turned to the black queen, his stern gaze remaining fast. "I must refuse your request to take my personal aide under your command, but through the grace of free will, I offer you Tyra Slatemane to serve with my blessing." He leaned over the table, smiling as he rested his rust-red muzzle on his intertwined fingers. "Will this be sufficient, Queen Nightmare Moon?"

"It will more than suffice. Now, with that matter settled, I believe it is time to discuss our immediate plans." She glanced to the byzantium mare still standing warily in the entry and raised a wing. She waited for the still-shaky unicorn to take her spot and draped her wing over her as she leaned down to her ear. "We will talk when this is over, but, for now, know that I am proud of your choice." Twilight nodded wearily as the alicorn returned her attention to the gathering.

"We were going to take our time and ensure that everything would play in our favor, but tonight's intrusion shows me that we cannot risk postponing anything any further. Lord Jahurl, your soldiers need to be fully divided to fill out the ranks already present in my army. I understand that Lady Borea has not arrived with the supplement soldiers, so your forces may be spread thinly, but there is little we can do for now.

"Commander Horizons, you know what you are to do. Have your force ready within four days' time. Ensure that you have sufficient squad sizes. You cannot fail if we wish to push the griffon positions back towards the border." The pegasus nodded and scribbled on her own scroll as the queen turned back to the minotaurs. "You shall remain at the castle as opposed to our previous arrangement. It would not be wise to send you to perform a role better suited to an aerial force. I will be sending my griffon guard and her legion in your stead."

"Of course, Queen Moon. May I ask where this soldier is? I would expect all of your generals to be present for such an important meeting." Jahurl sighed and scratched his chin as he leaned back in his seat. "I cannot speak for you, but I don't think such an undisciplined soldier is fit to lead a precision attack of this magnitude."

"She is a fine soldier." Cloudy nodded to the the minotaur and stood to move closer to the map spread across the table. "She is... stoneheaded, but she isn't one to give up. She will be able to pull this off, of that I'm certain. She doesn't have a choice, after all.

"Now, our main objective is to push the bulk of Griffonia's forces out of Equestria. If what our captive says is still true, then they will be heavily entrenched in the northern expanse of the Whitetail Woods, here." She took a moment to tap on the red circle enclosing the furthest reaches of the woods, then traced an imaginary line up to the north. "I will be leading the majority of our deployed soldiers in this endeavor, but Gilda and her squad will be joined by the newest drafted ponies in Trottingham where they will evacuate the citizens and guide the griffons further into the north."

She paused and looked up to the group to ensure they were still following her, then turned to Twilight. "You already know what you need to do, but it's crucial that it's done as quickly as possible. Our drive is only going to buy us so much time before they regroup and strike back with the entire country at their backs. Succeed or fail, you will need to be the one to organize everybody in the final march."

Fancy Pants cleared his throat, drawing the group's attention for the first time since the queen arrived. "No offense to Miss Sparkle, but I do not think it wise to leave the final offensive to her." He gave the unicorn an apologetic smile which she returned. "There is no guarantee that she'll return. The dragons of Drakenridge do not take too kindly to your rule, My Queen."

“I would advise you to hold your tongue, chancellor. We are fully aware of the risks and will be taking every precaution to ensure that my life-mate will be returning. Of that you can have no doubt.” Nightmare glared at the middle-aged stallion, yet softened her gaze as she recognized the fear in his eyes. “The dragons will not openly attack our envoy. They have seen what I am capable of and many of them surely remember mine and my sister’s campaigns centuries before. It is the griffons and the traitorous filth that I fear. They have already shown that they do not fear our might.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. I apologize for my presumption. Now, as for the soldiers....” Fancy levitated a large list to the table and spread its length across the surface. “Here are the records of each squad stationed in, and around, the castle. Not including the minotaur supplement, we have eighteen-thousand, nine-hundred and two soldiers minus the poor souls we lost tonight. Each of these are sectioned into squads of five-hundred and from there the squads can be dispersed into groupings of four mixed divisions. This leaves us with nine and one half divisions of capable mares and stallions of all races.”

Cloudy stared at the extensive list of soldiers, a deep frown etched into her features as she sorted out the nearly incomprehensible mass. “Only nineteen-thousand? With all of the draftees we’ve pulled, we only have nineteen-thousand ponies....” She sighed, but replaced her concern with acceptance. “It... isn’t nearly as much as I had hoped, but with the limited timeframe and the necessary pre-deployment requirements.... It will have to be enough. Very well.

“My generals and I will be taking four divisions and marching upon Whitetail, leaving five to be split between Your Majesty, Gilda, and Twilight. We will require at least one division here at all times to maintain control over the Lunar Palace and to help ensure the staffs’ safety. This leaves four.” She paused and looked to the hence-silent unicorn. “Twilight. I will be leaving you with fifty ponies, all hoof-picked, to escort you. Will that be enough?”

Twilight flinched at the sound of her name, but quickly nodded to the commander. “Y-yes. It’ll be more than enough. I should have the smallest group we can afford. I don’t want to be seen crossing into the dragon’s territory.” She finally took a chance to look over the map and list, analyzing the markings with practiced swiftness, then levitated out a quill. “We should keep three divisions here, at least until Lady Borea arrives with reinforcements. We can send Gilda with a division and a half, then Queen Moon and I will arrive with as many as we can spare without leaving New Mareland defenseless for the final push. With, or without the dragons’ help.

“Will that be enough?”

Nightmare beamed and casually pulled her lover in closer. “That will be fine. Given our limited resources, this will be the best division of power we can hope for.” The alicorn turned to her present company and bowed her head before rising. “Ponies and Minotaurs, that will be all for tonight. We will be setting everything in motion within the week’s end, so take this time to prepare. Chancellor, ensure that Commander Horizons has the resources needed to sort the soldiers. Allow them some time to relax as well. They will need the rest if we wish to keep morale high.

"Do you have any inquiries you wish to make? After tonight, there will be no room for revisions." She scanned the room, meeting everybody's gaze, and nodded when nobody voiced any further concerns. "Prepare yourselves. This war will be ours. Come, Twilight. We have much to discuss." The war room's occupants watched as the midnight queen departed from their presence with her dark furred partner trotting at her side before rising to follow suit.

As the ponies filed through the door, Jahurl was stopped by a soft prodding at his waist and turned to see the mint-colored mare trembling at his side. "Tyro. Escort your sister and her precious cargo to have her fitted for some new armor. I'll join you when I'm done here." The young minotaur nodded and followed his twin as she stepped out with a giggling pair of fillies perched upon her shoulders.

As soon as the heavy metal doors clanked together, Sweet tossed herself at the massive lord, weeping as she nuzzled up against his leg. "Th-thank you! Oh, thank you, s-so m-much!" She hiccuped as she pulled away and looked up into Jahurl's soft eyes. "I.... If th-there's anything.... Anything you want me to do, I will! I owe you s-so m-much!"

Jahurl smiled and lifted the pegasus up to meet his gaze. "I am loved by my subjects for many reasons, mercy being one of them...." In an instant, his mirthful grin disappeared and was replaced with a piercing glare. "But I did not achieve my title by wooing my subjects with niceties. I placed my life in your hooves, child, and if I come to regret it, then know that I will personally tear you in half before I meet my end. Do you understand?"

Scoop stared, horrified into the once jovial eyes of her savior, the dark orbs now full of undisguised hostility, and barely managed the slightest nod in response. The grim fierceness slipped from his features as his mouth curved back up into his signature grin. “Good! I think that’s enough of this oppressive line of thought, so how ‘bout we head back to my tent and get ready?”

Sweet nodded again as Jahurl tucked her under his arm and patted her mane. She was conflicted, terrified of the lord and his threat, yet relieved that she would never have to betray his, and the queen's, trust, but one thing was certain in her mind as they departed the room.

She was his.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Twenty-Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial year
Ten Fifteen Ante Meridian
|

"Luna, can we.... Can we go somewhere else for tonight? I don't want to be anywhere near our room."

The onyx alicorn cast a worried gaze to her lover, stared into her puffy, lavender eyes, and nodded. "We will spend the night in the bath chamber, if you wish. We need to clean the blood off of you, regardless."

Twilight gave a curt nod and followed as closely alongside the queen as she could without tripping either of them, a task made all the harder by her incessant shivering. Her eyes closed as she leaned further into Nightmare, taking a measure of solace in her lover’s proximity. She allowed the slightest smile to grace her lips before flashes of a bloodied griffon erased all semblances of joy from her once more.

She shuddered, suppressing the urge to break down into tears, and powered on, ignoring the look of concern the alicorn shot her way. We’ll just... work through this. We’ve been through worse, so this isn’t anything that can’t be solved with a little thought. “Luna?”

The black mare’s eyes shifted their focus towards the unicorn, locking their cool, turquoise gaze on the haggard-looking pony. “Yes, Twilight?”

She watched as a multitude of emotions played across the younger mare’s face, shifting freely until they coalesced into a heavy look of resignation. “I need to tell you something, but... not here, okay?” Their hoofsteps halted as the pair gazed into each other’s eyes, the deep-seated fear in Twilight’s sorrow-rimmed orbs getting drawn into the piercing serenity of her counterpart’s draconic pupils. “It’s imperative that you let me tell you everything I have to say before you react to it, though. I love you too much to risk it over a misunderstanding.”

“Twilight. What could you tell me that could enrage me beyond rational thought? I already have your promise of love and you have mine.” Nightmare nuzzled the side of the scarred unicorn’s face and smiled as she leaned into the caress, pointedly ignoring the hushed whispers of the castle staff as they passed by. “We promised to speak our concerns to one another and overcome any hardship. You have proven yourself to me time and time again with tonight being the greatest obstacle thus far. There is not a thing you could tell me short of declaring my death by your own hooves that could change my feelings for you.”

Twilight nodded, but kept her lips pursed tightly as doubts continued to nip at the edges of her mind. She wanted to believe what Nightmare was saying, to feel the reassurance that the mare’s words intended, but she couldn’t banish the mind-scarring memories of past outbursts. Instead, she chose to focus on another matter entirely and turned her mind to her imminent journey as they continued their trek towards the royal bathchamber. It’s going to take some time, probably months to make it there and back.... We'll need a lot of supplies, enough to last through our time in the Drakenrange.... We can stock up in Minneighsota..., make sure we're well rested and have the gear we'll need for-

"Twilight. Are you alright?"

The unicorn started as Nightmare's voice interrupted her thoughts. She scanned her surroundings, noticing the distinct lack of other ponies and fanciful decor. The bathroom.... We're in the bathroom. "I'm fine, I was just thinking."

"Love. You need not dwell on your thoughts alone." Nightmare stepped before the unicorn and stared calmly into the mare's wavering eyes, stroking the silky contours of her face. "I know that you hurt, that your soul aches with the agony of the world's eternal torment, but I will gladly assist in shouldering your suffering to lighten the load on your heart. We are bound in body, mind, and soul. Your sorrow is my sorrow and your anger, fuel for my justice.” Her hoof trailed down the roots of Twilight’s mane before tracing back up to her chin to pull her quaking mate’s muzzle to her own in a tender, soothing kiss.

The ponies’ eyes slid closed as they leaned into the embrace and pressed themselves further into each other until both mares stood at full height, their horns and tongues fighting against one another. They parted quickly, but neither alicorn nor unicorn worried over the abruptness of their separation; Twilight’s trepidation slowly began melting away and Nightmare’s heart thudded heavily in her chest.

The lunar regent brushed her lips across Twilight’s forehead one final time before she lifted her paramour with the slightest manipulation of her magical wellspring and gently eased her into the steaming basin of water. She watched as the scholarly unicorn’s fur quickly absorbed the soothing liquid as her body was submerged, taking great care not to cause any sudden agony as her blistered flank finally came in contact with the torturous heat.

Twilight hissed, tensing as her haunch seized from the suddenly molten pool, but made no effort to hinder her life partner’s actions. She trusted the alicorn wholeheartedly and knew that the burning was unavoidable. “Luna.... I’m ready to tell you about-”

Nightmare hushed the mare with the tip of her starry mane, then slowly sauntered to the opposite side of the bathing pool, her sensuous movements accentuating the bounce of her flanks with each step. She slid into the water-filled basin, tensing as the magically heated liquid stung her chilled body, and languidly closed the distance between her and her partner. Her hooves met with Twilight’s neck, her body pressed against the mare reclining on the tub’s raised seating, and she massaged her consort’s tense muscles with inexperienced care.

A soft moan escaped the dark lover’s lips as her ruler gently circled her hooves into the slowly softening contours of her neck. She could feel the bits of caked-on blood she had missed in her earlier frantic cleaning begin to flake off, the half-dried sanguine juices starting to float off in the water, when Nightmare gently turned her about. With her chin resting on her forelegs as she draped herself over the edge of the bath and the queen calmly working the stress-tensed muscles in her collar, Twilight finally relaxed.

"I wanted to tell you what I told Cloudy... when she came to check on me earlier." She, very carefully, arched her neck to look into the alicorn's eyes, fighting off the imminent tears in her own. "I was scared... to kill the griffon, but not just because I didn't want.... Didn't want blood on my hooves. Please, don't hate me, but... I didn't want Celestia to hate me!"

Twilight's vision blurred as her fearful sorrow overtook her willpower and allowed the tears left over from before to flow freely. She paused to allow herself a moment to regain her composure, quietly sobbing through the delicate, yet amateurish hoofwork of the moon goddess, before she recovered the strength to continue. "She spent so long teaching me what not to do and to value the lives of others, even if I didn't like them, or didn't know them. I just thought that.... I thought that if I didn't kill anything, she would still love me, still care for me." She returned her gaze back to the stoic eyes of her astral-maned monarch, terrified by the lack of visible anger in the mare's countenance. She shivered, still trapped under the wondrous massage, yet couldn't fight off the lingering feeling of dread. "I'm so sorry.... I should have told you before. It was so foalish of me to cling so desperately to a pony that isn't even-"

"Do not finish your sentence, Twilight." Nightmare stood from her position behind the unicorn, trailing her hooves down the sniffling mare's back as she once more retracted the tip of her mane from Twilight's lips. She stared sternly upon the quivering form beneath her for a moment before silently slinking back to the sullen girl's raised rump. She leaned down, never once taking her eyes from Twilight's turned head, and placed a soft, sensuous kiss upon each of her sensitive flanks.

She flinched as the queen’s soft lips brushed just outside of her blistered cutie mark and spun her head to voice her objection, but jumped when she met with Nightmare’s muzzle only inches away. Her mouth opened in surprise and the larger mare dove in, locking them in another warm, sensuous embrace. Twilight melted into the kiss, moaned softly into her lover’s mouth, and groaned in dissatisfaction when the alicorn pulled away much sooner than she would have liked. “Luna....”

“Shh.... I have spent far too long taking your affection and doing little to return it.” She slid back down the unicorn’s body, casually dragging her fur along Twilight’s back and kissing along her spine as she passed, and calmly stepped back away from the mare. “You are not foalish for your beliefs, Twilight, nor are you as weak as you believe yourself to be.” She levitated a bottle of shampoo from the edge of the bath, squeezing out a generous portion onto her flushed lover’s rump, and lovingly massaged the soap into a lather, causing her to tense and instinctively raise her backside. “You are less influenced by my sister than you know, as well. You have spent the entire length of your time under me, even before we became lovers, trying to keep me from being the monster I am. That is not something Celestia could have told you to do.”

Nightmare slowly worked her way up Twilight’s blood-spattered body, delicately rubbing the cool suds into her dark coat and skin. The unicorn shuddered, cooing under the wondrous ministrations, and Nightmare smiled as she returned to the once-knotted muscles in the girl’s shoulders. She pulled away, keeping her forehooves on Twilight’s raised rear, then started her next pass, this time using her own stomach to work in the lather.

“You are lovely, Twilight. Both in body and mind.” Her lips slowly descended upon one of the unicorn’s rigid ears, gently nibbling on the tip as she breathed in the mixed scent of mare and shampoo.

Twilight moaned into the steamy air of the bathroom and shivered, not from the chill of her cooling, dampened fur, but the blissful feeling of her mate’s body on hers and the tingling in her ear caused by the oh-so-gentle mare’s teeth. She could feel each bristle of hair upon her back, tickling her, teasing her, massaging her, as Nightmare’s hot body burned the cold away.

It felt so strange to be given such wondrous pleasure and not be returning the favor at all, but it was a feeling she gladly accepted. Her stress washed away with each pass of hooves at her sides, the orgasmic pressure of powerful yet cautious bites, and every prod of the black mare’s teats on her backside. All of this, though, was nothing compared to the affection that Nightmare was pouring into her, the tender embrace of the black mare's love as their tethered souls intertwined.

Twilight's eyes filled with tears as she drew closer and closer to climax, but she fought off the telltale sobbing with another deep, throaty moan. I can't let her see me crying. She'll think something is wrong and- She yelped as the warmth on her back suddenly disappeared and she was magicked around until she could gaze up into the warm eyes of the mare standing above her.

"Talk to me, Twilight. You need not hide your tears in shame." Her lips parted in the largest smile Twilight had ever seen on the typically mirthless mare and she rested her body back on top of her mate’s. "You are not upset, not currently, but your emotions are roiling like a tempest. Do you wish for me to stop? If I was presumptuous in thinking that physical pleasure was an acceptable method of displaying affection, then I apologize. Out of the vast length of my life, I have not had much experience with matters of love."

Twilight clenched her eyes as tightly together as she could and shook her head as she weakly pulled Nightmare into the tightest embrace she could muster and buried her face in the mare’s soft neck. Her breath came in short gasps as she fought through her sobs, clinging to the pony she loved with unrestrained desperation. “No.... No, it was.... It was amazing. I-” She hiccuped, and beamed happily as she pulled back to stare longingly into a gaze not unlike one her mentor had often given her. She basked in the tender love of her chosen queen, friend, and lover, then kissed her with all of the passion her exhausted body could muster. “I’m just... so happy.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author’s Notes: The next chapter is done, and each version gets its own fancy make up love session! Weeeeee~ Hope you guys have fun with this, as things can’t stay so sweet forever *menacing cackling ensues*. There’s so much more to go and such little time to do it~ (or lots of time, technically). Well, hope you are enjoying and hope you ‘enjoy’. Anyhoof it’s go time! Peppy out~

P.S. Importante! Chapter title goes to Allington Sinclair and all his awesomeness for drawing this too. Still needs to be revised for my brain-messed errors, but it’s awesome~

Chapter 44.2 - The Light Side of the Moon

Chapter 44 - The Light Side of the Moon

Nightober Twenty-Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Thirty-Four Ante Meridian
|

"Ya ponies are weak.... Strugglin' to kill one of us...."

"Shut up! This is your fault! If you hadn't attacked, then I wouldn't have to do this!" Twilight's mane and tail burst into flames as her outrage grew. "We could have kept things how they were!"

"But I can't! I don't want to fail...."

"I can't. I don't-"

"What is stopping you?"

Twilight flinched at the slight edge to her friend's words, but shook her head regardless. "I just c-"

"I.... You're right.... I was being foalish. I shouldn't have-"

"Now, what shall I report to Her Majesty?"

Cloudy smiled and nodded as she placed a comforting hoof on the unicorn's back. "Look into his eyes as you do it. It does not make the task easier, but it will help to steel you for the future...."

"Do you think that was wise, My Queen? I know it's not my place to speak on this matter, but I am concerned about her reaction should she find out."

Cloudy nodded, but kept her focus on the halls ahead of them. "What of her reasoning? Do you think it will cause any issues later? The princess practically raised her."

Jahurl grinned and slapped the small mare's back, terrifying and winding the mint green pony. "You don't have to worry 'bout little Scoop. She isn't the one making trouble for us."

"Very well. If you would go so far as to lay down your life, then I shall trust her. Do not make me regret this, or you both will suffer greatly."

"Oh? And what would that be, our beautiful Queen?"

Nightmare nodded towards Tyro, then bowed her head in deference. "I request of you, Lord Jahurl, your closest aides, the young twins, Tyro and Tyra."

"My Lord, you know that you can't just decide who-"

"Sister, you heard Lord Jahurl. You don't have approval to-"

Tyra swallowed heavily and glanced down to the bleary-eyed mare at her side, then steeled her face and nodded. "I'm sure. If they need my help, then I'll give it."

She paused and looked up to the group to ensure they were still following her, then turned to Twilight. "You already know what you need to do, but it's crucial that it's done as quickly as possible. Our drive is only going to buy us so much time before they regroup and strike back with the entire country at the back. Succeed or fail, you will need to be the one to organize everybody in the final march."

“Will that be enough?”

The pegasus wiped her face and nosed at the maroon minotaur's thighs, breathing in his heady scent between sniffles. "I-I'll do anything you want. It gets lonely leading an army, right? I haven't seen any.... Any females stay, s-so...."

Sweet cautiously buried face between Jahurl's legs and nudged the hefty sack with her nose. Her hot breath fell heavily upon the dark package as her lips parted and her tentative tongue slowly drew across his sack. He grunted, almost causing her to pull away for fear of upsetting him, but made no move to stop her, so she gave the balls another lick and inhaled his thick, sweaty scent.

Sweet smiled as his sheath twitched and testicles tightened before nosing into the dark protection and drawing her tongue around his soft opening. Another grunt reached her ears, but this time she didn't pause and took a single ball into her mouth. Gently, she suckled on the orb, rolling it around with her tongue before releasing it with a wet pop and panted until she mimicked her actions with its brother.

Jahurl placed a massive hand on the mare's head and massaged her mint ears as she worked her mouth over his sensitive delicates. It was surprising, having the little pony burying her muzzle in his crotch so eagerly, but the only vocalizations he made were grunts and sighs of approval.

Scoop gasped as she released the lord's jewels and turned her attention back to the throbbing sheath. Just a little more.... He's pretty... resilient. With renewed fervor, she shoved her mouth over the opening and swirled her slick muscle in the gap. She flinched as something twitched against the end of her tongue and immediately began teasing the bull's slowly extending length the moment she realized what it was.

The reaction was nearly immediate and she sighed as the shaft began gorging and slipping into her waiting mouth. It felt strange to have such a differently shaped appendage tickling her throat, but the familiar weight of a male's shaft and feeling of satisfaction gained from her repayment overwrote any qualms that surfaced.

With the rapidly extending length reaching further down her throat, Sweet began to suckle. She started with a light suction, keeping her place on his meat until his girth grew to be too much for her mouth to handle, prying her mouth open beyond comfort. She slid back along the massive glistening member, relishing the feeling of it dragging along her throat and oozing its precome on her tongue and palate.

With just the twitching tip resting on her tongue, the pegasus wrapped her mouth back around Jahurl's manhood and shoved as much of it as she could back into her throat, using increased suction to ease the journey. They groaned in tandem as his fully extended member stretched her esophagus to new levels, choking her delightfully. She held it inside of her as long as she could stand, swallowing repeatedly to massage his mass, then quickly retreated when she could hold out no longer. This time, she didn't pause, but bobbed her head along the bull shaft and breathed through her nose to allow for a consistent rhythm.

Jahurl groaned in pleasure, growing closer to orgasm, but stopped the mare with a powerful hand. She yelped as she was lifted away from his meat, but squealed happily when he sat in his council chair and prodded her sopping marehood with his head. "This will possibly hurt."

Without waiting for any possible inquiries, the minotaur lord lowered his serving pegasus onto his glistening pink rod. A deep moan rumbled from her throat as her impossibly narrow passage was stretched by Jahurl's titanic pole, spreading her to her limit and beyond in a matter of seconds. He soon bottomed out inside of her, the tapered point pressing against her womb. Scoop cast a quick glance down to her sore box, and let out a heavy, stuttering gasp. It's not even halfway in....

Jahurl wasted little time, giving the mare a short moment to recover from the sudden penetration before using his considerable upper-body strength to bounce her upon himself. Each descent caused his spearhead to prod at her cervix and each prod elicited a pleased squeal from the pegasus. A steady rhythm was set by the lord and Scoop took full advantage of it by grinding her hips on every descent until he could no longer maintain his pace.

The bouncing grew fervent as he grunted into her mane and each drop was punctuated by a thrust from the bull's hips. Scoop panted huskily, her body shuddering from the near-constant stream of orgasms forced upon her as she watched her stomach bulge slightly with each thrust. It's like... he's trying to buck my... wo-

The mare screamed in a mix of intense pain and delicious pleasure as Jahurl slammed into her one last time, his tapered head finally prodding her cervix wide enough to pass into her deepest pool, and came. Sweet felt the torrent of hot come fill her womb from within, swelling it and her stomach like a balloon until she could take no more and the pressure forced the minotaur to pull out.

He laid the chocolate-maned pegasus face-down on the war table and slid his length from her body, filling her gaping passage with his seed on the way out, then splattering her back and mane with the few final spurts as he laid his member across her back. He stepped back and watched as his seed gushed from her spasming, winking marehood.

Jahurl smiled and lifted the exhausted and sticky pegasus up to meet his gaze. She was oozing semen onto his legs and retreating member, but the minotaur had more pressing matters to attend to. "You are a surprising mare, Sweet Scoop, but there is something I must say before we continue. I am loved by my subjects for many reasons, mercy being one of them...." In an instant, his mirthful grin disappeared and was replaced with a piercing glare. "But I did not achieve my title by wooing my subjects with niceties. I thank you for just now, but I've placed my life in your hooves, child, and if I come to regret it, then know that I will personally tear you in half before I meet my end. Do you understand?"

The exhausted mare was stunned into silence by the sudden shift in the minotaur's demeanor and barely managed a nod in response. The grim fierceness slipped from his features as his mouth curved back up into his signature grin. "Good! Now, enough of all these heavy moods! I say we head to my tent and get you cleaned up."

Sweet nodded again as Jahurl tucked her under his arm and patted her sticky mane. She was conflicted, terrified of the lord and his threat, yet relieved that she would never have to betray his, and the queen's, trust, but one thing was certain in her mind as they departed the room.

She was his mare.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Twenty-Eighth of the One-Thousandth Celestial year
Ten Fifteen Ante Meridian
|

"Luna, can we.... Can we go somewhere else for tonight? I don't want to be anywhere near our room."

The black mare’s eyes shifted their focus towards the unicorn, locking their cool, turquoise gaze on the haggard-looking pony. “Yes, Twilight?”

"Twilight. Are you alright?"

“Shh.... I have spent far too long taking your affection and doing little to return it.” She slid back down the unicorn’s body, casually dragging her fur along Twilight’s back and kissing along her spine as she passed, and paused just above her dock. “You are not foalish for your beliefs, Twilight, nor are you as weak as you believe yourself to be.” She placed the lightest of pecks at the base of her flushed lover’s rump and nipped at the dock of her tail, causing her to tense and instinctively raise her backside. “You are less influenced by my sister than you know, as well. You have spent the entire length of your time under me, even before we became lovers, trying to keep me from being the monster I am. That is not something Celestia could have told you to do.”

Nightmare nosed under Twilight’s raised tail, breathing heavily upon the dark pucker before her, and delicately traced her tongue down the length of her dock, trailing saliva across her tail. The unicorn shuddered, raising her rump higher on straining legs, and Nightmare smiled as she cooled her saliva with a warm breath. She pulled away, keeping Twilight’s tail raised with the slightest manipulation of magic, and blew lightly upon the girl’s winking lips, eliciting another bodily shudder.

“You are lovely, Twilight. Both in body and mind.” Her lips slowly descended upon the glistening folds of the mare she loved and pushed past the delicate protection and into Twilight’s bright, pink marehood. Nightmare nuzzled into the mare’s moist depths, breathing in the hot musk and slowly lapping up the juices as they slickened her muzzle.

Twilight moaned into the steamy air of the bathroom and shivered, not from the chill of her cooling, dampened fur, but the wondrous feeling as her mate’s mouth and tongue gingerly explored her depths. She could feel each bristle of hair upon her throbbing marehood, tickling the soaked flesh even as Nightmare’s hot muscle burned it away with each pass. She shook every time the queen’s nose, lips, tongue, then chin brushed her swollen clitoris and groaned limply into the cold obsidian.

It felt so strange to be given such wondrous pleasure and not be returning the favor at all, but it was a feeling she gladly accepted. Her stress washed away with each draw of the mare’s tongue across her vulva, each time it spread her open with its strength, and each time it sank into her tunnel and massaged her walls with its dexterity. All of this, though, was nothing compared to the affection that Nightmare was pouring into her, the tender embrace of the black mare's love as their tethered souls intertwined.

Twilight's eyes filled with tears as she drew closer and closer to climax, but she fought off the telltale sobbing with another deep, throaty moan. I can't let her see me crying. She'll think something is wrong and- She yelped as her body was suddenly lifted from the floor and spun until she could look down her stomach and gaze into the warm eyes of the mare between her haunches.

"Talk to me, Twilight. You need not hide your tears in shame." Her lips parted in the largest smile Twilight had ever seen on the typically mirthless mare and she dragged her long, thick tongue from her mate's puckered rose to throbbing bead. She rested her chin between the pert clefts of breasts between Twilight's legs and traced her hooves up and down the unicorn's sides. "You are not upset, not currently, but your emotions are roiling like a tempest. Do you wish for me to stop? If I was presumptuous in thinking that physical pleasure was an acceptable method of displaying affection, then I apologize. Out of the vast length of my life, I have not had much experience with matters of love."

Twilight clenched her eyes as tightly together as she could and shook her head as she weakly urged Nightmare away from her tender lips and buried her face in the mare’s soft chest. Her breath came in short gasps as she fought through her sobs, clinging to the pony she loved with unrestrained desperation. “No.... No, it was.... It was amazing. I-” She hiccuped, and beamed happily as she pulled herself up to stare longingly into a gaze not unlike one her mentor had often given her. She basked in the tender love of her chosen queen, friend, and lover, then kissed her with all of the passion her exhausted body could muster. “I’m just... so happy.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

P.S. Importante! Chapter title goes to Allington Sinclair and all his awesomeness for drawing this too. Still needs to be revised for my brain-messed errors, but it’s awesome~

Chapter 45.1 - Heavy Burdens, Heavier Loads (Clop-lite Version)

Chapter 45 - Heavy Burdens, Heavier Loads

Griffember First of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Twenty-Three Ante Meridian
|

The sky continued to pour its contents upon the weary soldiers as Twilight meticulously monitored the loading of supplies into a canvass-topped black wagon. Beside her levitated a quill and parchment, both enchanted with heavy waterproofing spells, which she scribbled on as each piece of luggage was added. Not even her enhanced night vision could easily pierce the dismal darkness the overcast skies caused, but nothing that she didn't order made it past her scrutinizing gaze and into the wagon, not even the carefully disguised filly hiding beneath a quivering white blanket.

The queen's consort suppressed an aggravated sigh and stopped the bulky stallions carrying the stowaway cargo with a hoof before pulling the soaked, sheer blanket away to reveal the quivering mass of red and yellow. Twilight carefully levitated Cherry to her side and dried her with a quick burst of magic, much to the girl's surprise. "Tart, you shouldn't be out here. You'll catch a cold...." She kept the filly encompassed in her protective magic, but set the slowly warming foal on her hooves. "Why did you try to sneak aboard?"

"'Cause I wanna go with Moonie.... Miss Cloudy says I can't go with her, so I don't know what to do...." She hung her head in shame, trying to hide the fearful tears that were stubbornly fighting their way down her cheeks. "I don't want to stay here alone. It's scary.... Can I please go with you and Moonie? P-please? I promise I'll be good!"

Twilight cringed, hating what she had to do, but shook her head. "I'm sorry, Tart, but we can't let you come. There's no way for us to be certain that the griffons won't attack and none of us want you to get hurt. I know the castle can be intimidating and lonely, but you'll always have the staff to play with. Plus, Queen Moon will be here to make sure you're safe as well." She gave the girl a grim smile and stroked her mane soothingly when she clung to her leg, pleading, but her mind was set. "I really am sorry, Cherry. I wouldn't even be taking Moonie with me if I didn't need to...."

She took a deep breath, and carefully pried the sobbing cherry filly from her leg and levitated her to rest on her back, before turning to the group of pegasi that had been assisting her. "I'll be back in a moment. Keep loading the wagon. I expect it to be finished and sealed by the time I return." The soldiers saluted and returned to their task, giving the unicorn her opportunity to deal with the new burden.

The walk through the castle halls was long and dreary with the compounding gloom of the storm melding with the staff's almost palpable unease, but Twilight eventually arrived at the doors to the queen's chambers with an exhausted Cherry Tart napping on her back. The massive black doors opened to her will and she stepped through the threshold and into the warmth of the magically heated room, much to the surprise of the two occupants. She smiled at them and joined the pair at the room's solitary desk.

"I was not expecting you to return so soon. Are the preparations completed already?" Nightmare leaned in and nuzzled her soaked companion, then resumed her writing. "And why are you wet? You need not subject yourself to the cold like that."

"Hi, Mommy Twilight! Are we going now? I can't wait to see the dragons! They'll be all roar! And I'll play with them and we'll have so much fun!"

Twilight chuckled at her adopted daughter's antic and returned the excited hug the filly forced upon her, but shook her head. "Not yet, Moonie. We still have a few more things to prepare, but we'll be ready soon." A quick kiss was planted on the tiny unicorn's forehead, and then the lunar companion returned her attention to her lover. "I didn't think it was fair to stay dry while they toiled away in the weather..., but I actually came to ask if you could watch Tart until we leave. I caught her trying to sneak into the wagon...."

Nightmare eyed the dozing filly curiously, and then nodded as her black magic enveloped the earth pony and set her between a pair of plush pillows on their shared bed. "Of course. With Commander Horizons gone, it will be difficult to keep her entertained, but I will make sure to keep an eye on her."

"Aww, Cherry can't come? But I want her to see the dragons too!"

Twilight patted the moon filly's head and smiled down at her. "I'll make sure to take you both out to see the dragon migration next year, okay? I hear that there will be hundreds of dragons, so many more than we'll get to see on our journey." Moon Beam's eyes lit up with glee as she forgot all about her qualms with leaving her best friend at the castle.

Both mares half-listened to her excited banter as they focused their attention back upon each other. "You should return to your supervisions, love. They may be the commander's highest recommended soldiers, but I still do not entirely trust their competency. I yearn for the times when I had the power to construct golems to serve me, so I could ensure your safety, but recent and ancient events have left me stripped of much of my power.... Temporarily and permanently."

Twilight's lips curled into a loving smile as her royal mate's worry tugged at her own feelings. A quick, sensuous kiss, however, was all it took to help alleviate the elder mare's trepidation. "I'll be fine, Luna. I promise, but this isn't goodbye, yet. I'll be back before we leave...." She punctuated her words with a swish of her tail and another, longer kiss, surprising the alicorn with her forwardness. "We should be ready in an hour if things keep going as they have been. You'll be here waiting for me, right?"

"Of course, Twilight. I shall call the minotaur girl to foalsit when the time comes."

The unicorn nodded, stopped the hyperactive the filly to give her a quick hug, and left the queen to her thoughts and duties. When the door shut, and she was once more left in the relative solitude of the vast chamber, Nightmare replaced her quill upon the length of parchment she had been scribing.

...formally request the aid and continued alliance of the dragons of the Drakenrange under rule of Her Highness, Queen Onyxia of the Silverscale flight.

I, Queen Nightmare Moon of Equestria, find my nation in dire need of a mighty ally such as You and Your kin. I send my life mate and ambassador with my permission, and the authority, to grant any boon that You might feel necessary to demand along with proof of our mutual enemy's, the griffons of Griffonia's, treachery and disregard of your mutual treaty. Should You find the arrangements to Your satisfaction and agree to assist us in our ongoing struggle against Griffonia, then I ask that You sign Your name upon this binding contract.

HRH, Queen Nightmare Moon

_______________________________

The alicorn leaned back and loosed a heavy sigh, just as a pair of tiny hooves pushed on her for attention. She grimaced, looking down at the small mountain of crushed paper that had suffered tears and missed markings from a similar assault, and promptly added the newest attempt to the parchment grave mound. "Yes, Moon Beam?"

"Hey, Mommy? Can me and Cherry go chase the funny fuzzy leg lady? We promise we'll stay inside!" The pair stared up at the impassive regent, their eyes wide and pleading as they poured the full force of their manipulative levels of adorableness into their efforts.

Nightmare sighed again, and nodded, sending them off with a dismissive wave of her hoof. Maybe I will be capable of finishing the contract with them out of my mane....

The miniature duo cheered and, with the magical assistance of the country's ruler to open the heavy door, dashed off into the castle's vast hallways in search of their unsuspecting prey. The immediate vicinity of the children, and many of the surrounding areas, was filled with their gleeful laughter as they tore past housekeepers, guards, and minotaurs. Neither of them had any clue as to where their target was, but neither of them cared as they searched, allowing their previous worries to fly away in the draft of their sprint.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Griffember First of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eleven Oh Five Ante Meridian
|

A final scritch and the shuffle of paper being rolled marked the end of Twilight’s list of tasks to be completed before she could depart and, with a sigh, the unicorn stuffed the scroll into her saddlebag and waved off the final soldier when he deposited his crate in its proper place. She turned to the gathered ponies and gave them the best smile she could, despite the torrential rain. “We’ll meet back out here in an hour. Gather any gear you want to bring, but pack lightly. This will be a long journey, and I’m certain you wouldn’t want to haul it across Equestria and over the mountainous Drakenrange.”

She looked out across the gathered mares and stallions and sighed. “If you have any loved ones here, or if you’ve made any friends, I suggest you say your farewells, too.... I don’t think the dragons will openly attack with me leading you, but we can’t be certain we won’t attract the attention of the griffons or Royal Guard remnants.”

The fifty soldiers saluted her in near-unison as their new commander turned and left, slogging through the swampy mud as if she was just another private. Even though it hadn’t passed midday, the unicorn was exhausted already, but nothing could dampen her spirits as she retraced her steps back through the castle and to the expansive bath set aside for her small family. She would be gone for two months, assuming everything went according to plan, having to track through miles of condensed storm clouds, was required to trek across the arid, near-lifeless expanse that the dragons called home, and may not even return, but at least she would have this last encounter with her lover before she went.

Nothing will take that away from me. She smiled her fatigue away, ignoring the mud caking her hooves and end of her tail, and, much to her surprise, stepped through the bathroom's archway to find her midnight black queen ready and waiting for her. “Luna, I thought you would be waiting in the room? I wanted to take a bath before we-“

Her words were cut short as Nightmare Moon closed the distance between them and pulled her into a tight embrace, ignoring the mud that transferred onto her coat. Twilight gasped, surprised by the sudden contact, but sighed happily as she relaxed into her mate’s warm embrace. “I suppose I don’t mind….” She smiled, snuggled closer, and rubbed her wet face into Nightmare’s coat. “How did you know where I was going to be, though? I’m pretty sure that I can’t read your mind through our bond….”

“I am in tune with all subjects under my moon, Twilight, and can feel their position through my connection with it. It is limited in its functions. As such, I cannot feel the average creature’s intent and I have difficulty sensing a single creature in a crowd of many, but you, and Moon Beam, are special.” She pressed her lips to Twilight’s and kissed her deeply, intertwining their tongues in a desperate struggle of passion. As they pulled apart, the alicorn continued to hold the younger mare close as she carefully levitated them into the comforting warmth of the clean bath.

Twilight could feel her heart thumping heavily in her chest in almost perfect tandem with Nightmare’s and nuzzled under the queen’s chin, tracing soft kisses along her neck. She pulled away, breathing huskily, and stared into the deep, turquoise irises before her. “I’m going to miss you so much…. You won’t find another mare to replace me while I’m gone, will you?” Her gaze turned glum as she watched her mate’s response, but held the slightest hint of mischievousness.

The alicorn’s warm smile slipped into a frown at the question, and she hugged her partner closer. “Why would you think that? Have I not shown how much I love you? You already know I do not wish for a companion other than you….”

“I know. I’ve just read so many stories where two lovers drift apart due to war and the hero comes home to find another pony in their place.” A soft sigh, tinged with an expertly repressed giggle that escaped the unicorn’s lips before she trapped Nightmare’s against them. “I know you’ll never leave me.” Twilight slid up Nightmare’s body and gave the black mare’s horn a long, sensuous lick, tracing each groove of the appendage’s fluting with her tongue, and ended it with a quick peck at the tip.

The alicorn shuddered beneath her, and peppered her chest with kisses, each brush of her lips tickling Twilight’s dark, wet coat. She was rewarded with another stroke from the hot, moist muscle, but instead of drawing to the tip, Twilight stopped midway and wrapped her lips around the center. With the horn between her teeth, she slowly dragged her teeth down the length, taking great care not to bite the alicorn appendage too hard, and pulled away when electricity sparked through her mouth and slightly numbed her lips. She gasped, smacking her lips together, but grinned at her quivering mate as soon as she regained feeling in them. “Luna…. Could we use the spell tonight? I know it’ll be harder to walk, but I want to feel you for as long as I can after I leave….”

“If that is what you want, My Princess, then I will provide. I am strangely fond of the spell myself, even if I detest the enchantment’s origin.” She locked their muzzles together and cast Twilight’s spell with ease, the familiarity of having it used on her so many times before causing it to be engraved into her memory.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

The alicorn collapsed on top of her mate, spent both physically and sexually, and calmly whispered into the quivering mare’s ear. “You will be fine, my princess. Though I welcome the chance to take you, I do not want you to think as if you will not be returning from your mission. You have the blessing of my moon, an envoy of soldiers trained to fall on your enemies’ swords in your defense, and our own child whose power rivals our own.” She nibbled on the tip of Twilight’s ear, surprising the mare with the playfulness of the chuckle that followed a contented moan. “You will return to me, with or without the dragons’ assistance, and together we shall march on Griffonia and crush the foals that stand in our path until peace reigns across Equestria once again.”

A small, bright smile spread across Twilight’s muzzle, catching the salty tears that streamed down her face as she basked in the warm afterglow of her orgasm. She sniffled, carefully adjusting herself under the weight of her mate, and brought herself muzzle to muzzle with the alicorn and finished the move with a long, passionate kiss. “You’ve changed so much…. We’ll come back, Moonie and I. We’ll come back…. I promise.”

Nightmare nodded, stroking the length of Twilight’s neck with a gentle hoof, and kissed the mare just above her horn. “I know you will…. I can smell the power within you.” She smiled, nuzzling the unicorn’s neck, and carefully lifted herself off Twilight’s delicate form. “Let me wash you and prepare your body for the journey…. You still have some time before the soldiers expect your return.”

“I don’t want to be late…. It’ll set a poor example…, even if I don’t want to leave….”

“Please…. Allow me this moment of… weakness.” Nightmare sighed sadly, the frustration of months of ruling finally playing role in her demeanor. “I do not have much to look forward to, love…. The end of a war is a trivial matter to a being as long-lived as I am…, as experienced in such events as I….”

Twilight stared into the curiously forlorn eyes of her mistress and nodded, content to lie across the bath’s edge in her queen’s embrace. Her own smile reformed, curling up from the same the melancholy that had gripped her lover. “You have an eternity to look forward to my love…. Even if I do not live as long as you, my heart and soul will always remain yours….” Byzantium met black as Twilight pressed their lips together in a final, tender embrace. Their eyes met, glistening in the pale blue light of the bathroom's torches, conveying everything that needed not be said.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Griffember First of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Two Fifteen Post Meridian
|

The small caravan moved with little difficulty across the soggy, muddy ground of New Mareland’s desolate outskirts even with the torrential rain slowing the progress more than the dark leader had anticipated. With a sigh, the royal unicorn slowed her steady gait to fall back beside her minotaur caretaker, taking care not to bump into one of her surrounding guards, and nudged the girl out of her conversation with her filly cargo. “You doing okay, Tyra? Moonie isn’t giving you any trouble, is she?”

The navy foal puffed her cheeks in a pout and shook her head in vigorous denial. “I’m being a good filly! Ain’t that right, lady?!” She turned her wide, wavering eyes up to the young minotaur, assaulting her with the full force of her bewitching gaze.

Tyra stuttered, dumbstruck by just how cute the filly could be, and just nodded in response, much to the enjoyment of her mare companion. “You’re going to have to learn how to ignore that stare if you ever want to not be taken advantage of.” Twilight chuckled as she levitated the raincoated foal onto her back and almost stumbled as the weight offset her already strained hind legs. “Trust me, I’ve faced its full power before.”

Moon Beam beamed innocently from her perch and snuggled closer to Twilight’s neck and the warmth the heavily coated unicorn’s body promised, giving Tyra time to recover. The minotaur giggled and scritched between the filly’s ears. “She hasn’t been any trouble, honestly.” Tyra returned Moon Beam’s grin even as the foal loosed a deep yawn. She cast a worried glance at the dark unicorn. “I’m... slightly more worried about you, Lady Sparkle. Are you tired? Do you need me to carry you both for a while?”

“Please, Twilight is fine. I, uhm..., got enough of that Lady Sparkle stuff growing up under Celestia and besides.... Friends don’t need titles to talk to each other.” She smiled brightly up at the much taller girl, easing Tyra’s discomfort, before looking back ahead to watch her footing. “Any particular reason you asked, though?”

“Well, you still have the blister and you’ve been stumbling and walking awkwardly since we set out. I was just worried that you would be-”

“Mommy Moon gave Mommy Twilight a good-bye present! It was prolly really heavy, right Mommy?”

The minotaur blushed, fully aware of what the two mares had likely done, and Twilight just nodded with practiced feigned innocence. “That’s right, Moonie. It wasn’t really heavy, though.... I guess magical would be the word for it.” She smiled and looked up into the stormy sky above, ignoring the rain as it pattered against her face. In the end, one round hadn’t been enough for either of us.... It’s kind of scary how quickly cuddling can lead back into sex, but I won’t be forgetting it for a long time. She paused in her march just long enough for her companion to step ahead of her before snapping out of her reverie and catching up. “Oh, Tyra. There’s something I wanted to talk to you about before we get to Ponyville.”

“Hmm? What’s wrong, Twilight?”

“I know Nightmare Moon talked to you... about protecting me, but I don’t want you to put yourself at risk, okay? I don’t want you getting hurt to protect me.” She kept her head forward as she walked, maintaining a steady focus on the dismal road in front of them even as the minotaur gaped open-mouthed at her. “Just don’t. This is something that we all have to do, but I don't want anybody dying needlessly. I just wish the soldiers weren't so scared of Nightmare that they'd listen to me, too...."

Tyra watched as the unicorn scanned the surrounding ponies with a hint of unease peeking through her mask of worry. She placed a hand on the mare's shoulder, taking care not to jostle the navy filly slipping into a mini coma, and gave her the largest smile she could muster. "I'll avoid jumping in front of any swords for you, if it'll make you feel better." She chuckled lightly and looked forward, missing the fleeting stricken look that flashed across the unicorn's face, and joined her companion in watching the marching warriors. "So, aside from that, what else it eating at you? You've been watching them all for quite a while now."

"It's... nothing. Just keeping an eye out for trouble."

Tyra nodded, but kept her focus on the ponies Twilight was watching. With a sweeping glance, she noted that all of them save for one were stallions, but couldn't make out any reason for the mare's obvious unease. She sighed. Well, she'll tell me when she's ready. For now, though.... "So, tell me about Ponyville. I've never heard of it from the Valtauran historical archives and never having been to Equestria kinda puts me at a bit of a disadvantage."

"Huh? Oh! Well, I don't even know too much about it. I've only been there once, but it's pretty new! Only about two generations old, in fact!" Twilight beamed as she fell into a familiar mindset, the one she had gotten used to under the strict learning guidelines of Celestia's private tutoring. She couldn't help but to feel giddy at her chance to regale her friend with all of her knowledge of Ponyville's history. It's time to talk class!

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author’s Notes: Woohoo! Finally done and, as somewhat of a bonus, this one has sex too! Weeeeee~ Everybody loves sex! You get sex, you get sex, and you get sex! Everybody gets sex! Well, enough of my channeling of my inner Oprah. I figured you guys should knows some fanciness that’s going to happen in upcoming chapters. The focus is really switching now and is going to be pinned entirely on Twilight for her journey to the Draken Range. Yup! That means you won’t have any clue about what’s going on in the rest of Equestria for quite a while! Ohohoho, I can already feel the hate burning!

Also, the chapters are going to be in two formats for the journey as well. Twilight will be keeping a journal which will be my way of conveying the little stuff, the not-so-important-but-kinda-fun stuff. The important plot-centric things will be done in regular so you’ll get the full effect of them (and boy will some of that be crazy). So, keep your eyes peeled for the juicy stuff!

Peppy out~!

P.S. Title Pending. I'll update that later.

Chapter 45.2 - Heavy Burdens, Heavier Loads

Chapter 45 - Heavy Burdens, Heavier Loads

Griffember First of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Twenty-Three Ante Meridian
|

"Hi, Mommy Twilight! Are we going now? I can't wait to see the dragons! They'll be all roar! And I'll play with them and we'll have so much fun!"

"Aww, Cherry can't come? But I want her to see the dragons too!"

"Of course, Twilight. I shall call the minotaur girl to foalsit when the time comes."

...formally request the aid and continued alliance of the dragons of the Drakenrange under rule of Her Highness, Queen Onyxia of the Silverscale flight.

HRH, Queen Nightmare Moon

_______________________________

Nightmare sighed again, and nodded, sending them off with a dismissive wave of her hoof. Maybe I will be capable of finishing the contract with them out of my mane....

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Griffember First of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eleven Oh Five Ante Meridian
|

Twilight giggled into the kiss in excitement as Nightmare’s new shaft slid up between her breasts, teasing the sensitive mounds, and along her stomach as the mare’s arousal was duplicated in it. “So you can learn magic from having it cast on you?” She smiled as she stared down at the thick, black member crushed between their bodies and gyrated her crotch against it. “Well, it does make sense. Learning magic is as simple as having the capacity to cast the spell and figuring out the aether pattern used to give it form. You’re obviously powerful enough to use it and there’s no better way to memorize a matrix than by having it fill your body….”

She pushed away from the alicorn and laid herself out along the edge of the tub with her hind legs splayed up in the air. “Please, Luna. Fill me…. Make me remember this night forever.”

Nightmare smiled and laid atop her mare and, with one swift push, shoved her entire length into Twilight’s anxious depths. Twilight’s mouth opened in silent orgasm as her marehood was pried open to its limit and stretched to amazing lengths as her walls clenched down upon the intruding member, all while the mare in charge watched with unbridled pleasure. She kissed the climaxing unicorn, dominating both of the mare’s lips, and pulled her powerful hips back for another thrust. Her intimidating size slid from Twilight’s tunnel, leaving her to desperately squeeze as she was deprived of the heavenly sensation of being spread, only for it to slam back up against her cervix the moment the alicorn’s swollen head felt the first trace of hot water.

Twilight’s flanks rippled under the water each time Nightmare’s hips met hers and she felt as if she was being ground into a puddle of pony paste, but, despite the shocking pain, she reveled in the ecstasy that overpowered it. She felt herself being pushed up out of the water, inch by inch, with each wet slap, despite the weight of the alicorn above her, and shivered in the chilling air despite their growing and intermingling body heat. She could already feel Nightmare beginning to lose focus and her timed, fluid thrusts become erratic as she drew nearer to her own orgasm, but despite her instinctive need to feel the alicorn erupt inside of her and the growing ache in her haunches, she carefully pushed the queen off of herself with trembling hooves.

“Mmm, no…. It’s too soon. We still have plenty of time left.”

Nightmare smiled, pushing her frustration away with ease, and leaned back as Twilight repositioned herself, the mare’s movements teasingly slow. Her member throbbed at the sight of her lover’s backside, of the supple curves accentuated by the soaked tail draped across a cheek as it was held out of the way, and the swollen, winking treasure that lay bare before her. She ached to remount her quivering mate and plunge back into her anxious marehood, but she knew she was too close and that Twilight was right, even if her ability to tell time was skewed by the endless night and windowless room. So she waited, opting to tease the unicorn in her own, more physical way.

She focused on the base of Twilight’s tail, recalling what her efforts a few nights prior had determined, and nipped the flesh just before her silky hair. Twilight gasped, raising her bottom and tail higher, but made no effort to resist, and instead seemed to melt into the gentle gnawing of teeth on dock.

Hot breath teased across the delicate folds displayed before the monarch as she paused in her tail tugging to admire the results of her work. Flashes of bright pink peeked out from between dark purple lips in the mare’s instinctive attempt to urge Nightmare back inside of her. Twilight’s heady musk filled her nostrils, intoxicating her with the sheer strength of her arousal, but each ‘breath’ the alicorn inhaled carried the slightest trace of something else as well, something alien to the familiarity of her lifemate, yet strangely familiar to the long-lived queen. Something... magical.... Powerful.... She buried her muzzle in Twilight’s nethers, taking great whiffs of the wet, burning desire as her tongue danced inside the mare.

Twilight cooed softly, carefully trying to restrain her own mounting pleasure, but the millennia-old mare’s experience was proving too much for her once again. Her horn lit, enveloping Nightmare in the pitch-black aura of her magic, and lifted the surprised alicorn back up to mount her again. The weight of her mate settled back onto her the second her levitation ceased and she squealed in delight as the thick, black marehood throbbed against her stomach and teats. She turned her head just slightly and glanced sidelong into the deep, turquoise pools behind her.

Nightmare needed neither words, nor the unbreakable bond between her and her unicorn to understand the thoughts that smoldering gaze had conveyed and, following the unspoken invitation, slid her hips back and plunged herself to the hilt inside Twilight with a noisome squelch. Both mares moaned into bath chamber’s emptiness, the cries of pleasure rebounding off the obsidian walls only to be replaced by heavier, more feverish squeals and grunts as Nightmare just pushed harder against Twilight’s cervix as if she were attempting to drive herself deeper.

Twilight clenched around her member, squeezing it in a vice grip and covering the queen’s thighs with powerful gushes of mare come, and screamed into the night, calling out her lover’s name in the throes of her orgasm.

A grin spread across Nightmare’s lips as she relented in her pressing, immediately switching to fierce, steady thrusts. Twilight’s mouth opened in a long, silent moan, her voice and thoughts shut out as the alicorn’s head flared and pumped her womb full of hot seed. Each buck pushed more come into the unicorn’s depths, filling her sex until it take no more and then sending her beyond her assumed limitations until Nightmare’s orgasm finally subsided.

“I don’t want to be late…. It’ll set a poor example…, even if I don’t want to leave….”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Griffember First of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Two Fifteen Post Meridian
|

“Well, you still have the blister and you’ve been stumbling and walking awkwardly since we set out. I was just worried that you would be-”

“Mommy Moon gave Mommy Twilight a good-bye present! It was prolly really heavy, right Mommy?”

“Hmm? What’s wrong, Twilight?”

"It's... nothing. Just keeping an eye out for trouble."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Peppy out~!

P.S. Title Pending. I'll update that later.

Chapter 46 - A Journey of One-Thousand Steps, Part 01

Chapter 46 - A Journey of One-Thousand Steps, Part 01

Griffember Fifth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Six Fifty-Two Ante Meridian
|

Entry Two: Griffember 5th, 1000 Early Morning

Our progress is horrendous. We should have been in Ponyville two days ago, especially with a group this small, but there have been complications stacked on top of complications. After the wagon incident on day one, the soldiers have been taking too much time waking up in the mornings and getting their gear together. Many of them are insubordinate and we’ve already had one deserter. Luna would be furious. I’m somewhat relieved. How are they supposed to be Cloudy’s best? How does she keep them under control?

I guess it doesn’t help that I’m scared to approach some of them. I just.... The memory is still there. I’m not sure if this journey will be as successful as Luna plans; I’m not even certain if we’ll make it to the border within the planned month.

Well, there is one good thing that’s come out of this so far, I suppose. We’ll be heading into Ponyville today. I can already see some of the rooftops and chimney smoke from here now that the moon is brightening for the day. Still, I’m worried.... I guess the only thing I can do is prepare for the worst and be ready to finish this with just Moonie, Tyra, and I.

“Hey, Mommy. What’cha doin’?” The child’s soft voice was followed by a wide yawn that squeaked as it reached its apex.

Twilight smiled at the foal nestled at her side and kissed her just above the horn. “The same thing as last time, Moonie. I’m writing in the journal I requisitioned from the castle’s stores. Somepony has to keep a record of the trip, after all.”

Moon Beam yawned again, this time rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and snuggled closer to her adoptive mother. “Okay.... You were crying, so I thought something was wrong.”

Wha.... The unicorn wiped her face with a foreleg and brought it back, stained wet with her tears. She stared at the damp spot, slackjawed, then turned back to the filly wearing her most comforting smile possible. “I’m fine, Moonie. I just miss your mommy.” She hugged Moon Beam closely and the foal cooed happily into the embrace. “We should get up and moving. We’ve almost reached Ponyville.”

In an instant, Moon Beam was up and dashing out of the tent the two unicorns shared, yelling her early morning call for the sole minotaur of the entourage. Twilight chuckled and shook her head as she stood up. There wasn’t any need for her to wake the soldiers with the filly’s hyperactivity doing just that with immense joy, so she tucked her worries away in the recesses of her mind as she had countless times before in the past few months. The cold-hardened ground crunched under her hooves when she stepped outside her tent and began the meticulous task of breaking it down and packing it away.

With a quick glance around her, she took note of the awakening ponies. Most of them were moving slowly, much to her displeasure, but there were a few that woke and packed in a tolerable speed. Not that those seven will make any difference. It’ll be false dawn by the time we’re ready for breakfast. I suppose we can just find food in Ponyville and have lunch instead. She sighed as the final piece of wooden support was bundled with its brothers and wrapped tightly in the tent’s waterproof canvas. Three minutes. It takes three minutes for a unicorn to break down a tent.

With her minimalistic supplies bundled down and secured in the back of a supply wagon, Twilight began her new daily routine of eavesdropping on her ‘companions’. She walked slowly, moving in between the dark, four-pony tents as silently as possible. She hated this, having to sneak around and avoid her own guards to hear what they talked about while they thought she wasn’t listening, but what else could she do? She took her steps carefully, avoiding stepping on any particularly frosted tufts of grass, and finally came upon a group of soldiers not working in silence.

“I can’t stand that little brat. I have half a mind to kick her the next time she runs by like that.”

“Shh! Don’t say shit like that. Have you seen what that filly can do? She’s a monster! That group of griffons that attacked the courtyard not too long ago? She tore them to pieces.”

“Yeah, I heard she took out the majority of the Royal Guards in the Moonlit Massacre. You don’t want to fuck with that foal.”

“I agree with Steady. I’m sick of hearing that thing’s voice every morning. We should just follow Trail’s lead and ditch.”

“What we should do is teach the queen’s bitch a lesson. It’s her fault we’re even in this mess. It’s a shame the last guys were ratted out. Damn, manipulative mare. She got what was coming to her, too.”

Twilight grimaced and moved on, already forming plans to watch for any signs of mutiny in the future. It hurt, having ponies hate her so much just because of how close she was to the queen, but she knew in her heart that everything would be worth it. We'll win the war and end the suffering. Equestria will return to the peace it once knew, the cities and towns will be rebuilt, and we'll have allies standing with us the entire time. The thought brought a slight smile to her strife-worn face only to have it bumped back into an frown as she ran face first into a furry leg.

"I'm sorry! I wasn't watching where- Oh, good morning, Tyra. I see Moonie found you without any issues." Her smile returned in a flash at the sight of her friend and family walking in tandem.

"Twilight.... You need to take control of them or else you're going to face much greater issues than mumbled curses later."

"I can teach them who's boss, Mommy!"

Twilight grimaced as Moon Beam circled between her silver-clad hooves, giggling as if nothing had been said. "Could you get them moving? I'll join you shortly. You can keep her company if you want, Moonie."

"Okay! Let's go lady!"

The filly giggled and jumped up into the waiting arms of the minotaur and squealed as her support drew back to full height once more. With child in tow, Tyra took one last look at her ward as a deep frown etched across her darkly tanned face, but gave a curt nod and stomped after the first unprepared squad.

The unicorn watched them for a few short moments, then turned back to watch the horizon and distant town with a heavy sigh. This isn’t going anything like how we planned, Luna.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Entry Three: Griffember 5th, 1000 Afternoon

The march to Ponyville took far too long. If Luna’s senses are as powerful as she says, then she must be worried about our pitiful progress so far. I wish the airships weren’t so conspicuous so that we could requisition one for our use.

Regardless, we finally reached Ponyville and, despite the fact that we are a small platoon of Lunar soldiers, or maybe because of it, we were welcomed somewhat warmly. I haven’t seen neither head nor hair of any of my... friends... since I arrived, but I plan on looking for Rarity as soon as we’re settled and have our supplies restocked to maximum capacity. It’s already been four days, after all, and we were never expecting to take so long in transit. With the rate we’ve been going, we’ll need another cart of food if we plan to eat decently during our march to Fillydelphia.

On second thought, we won’t be marching into the city at all. It’ll be too easy for somepony to disappear in a place as populated as that. We should be able to get anything we need from the outlying suburbs. At least we haven’t had another deserter. I guess Tyra said something to them during her rounds. I have a feeling things won’t be much better, though.

T.S. Lunar Ambassador

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Griffember Fifth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Two Thirty-One Post Meridian
|

Twilight carefully marked down the final batch of potatoes and carrots on her list as they were hefted onto a second cart purchased with a small sum of the vast budget the queen had gifted her. She checked the list, going over everything that had been purchased and nearly crumpled it in frustration. “Are you sure you can’t spare anything else, Miss Harvest? I’ll gladly pay you generously for anything more.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but that’s all of the produce I have in stock. It’s been difficult tending to the gardens with so many ponies gone or unable to help.” Her eyes kept falling to her hooves, never keeping eye contact with the unicorn, and even hid behind her orange mane whenever Twilight tried to catch her gaze. “Y-you could always ask the A-apples! They’ve got a whole orchard they tend to. Apple Jack will surely be happy to sell you some of her produce!”

Twilight cringed, biting her bottom lip, and glanced towards the distant farmland she had visited once so long ago. It seemed so different now. The roads between the market and there were far less traveled, as shown by the vast lack of ponies wandering the midday marketplace. The farm itself looked cheerless, lacking the warmth it had on her first, reluctant visit. "I.... I'll take that into consideration and send some soldiers down to purchase some of her stock. Thank you for the suggestion, Miss Harvest."

"O-oh, it wasn't any problem, L-lady Sparkle." The mare flashed Twilight her most courteous smile before returning to her task of closing the stall, pointedly trying to be as small as possible as if that would make her unnoticeable.

The unicorn sighed, giving the farm's path one last regretful glance before beginning her return to her own duties at the camp she and her soldiers had set up in town. I need to see Rarity. Maybe we could go see the others. I.... She sighed again, slumping as the much smaller ponies scurried out of her way, and turned towards the boutique just past the city hall, stopping for just a moment at the camp in the town square to order a cart out to buy apples and anything else the farmers could sell.

She could tell that none of them recognized her and, although that was to be expected due to her short and poorly publicized maiden visit, it made her heart ache for what she could have had. Friends of all varieties, the freedom to go wherever she pleased, and then her wonderful life with the princess. But I’d have to give up love. I... don’t think I’d ever find a mate as meant for me as Luna.... Moon Beam would be lost forever. Her vision blurred, stinging with the first signs of fresh tears. Yes, it hurts. I’ve missed out on so much, so much that Celestia wanted for me, but I’ve acquired so much as well.

Twilight dried her eyes and trotted up to the expansive, exquisite boutique’s front entrance. She could see light through the various windows and heard the steady hum of a sewing machine just barely covering the clip-clop of tiny hooves on linoleum. Somebody was home. The unicorn smiled in relief, thankful that she would have somebody to confide in outside of her circle from the castle, and gently knocked on the wooden door.

The sewing machine paused briefly. "Sweetie, could you get that for me? Just remember what I told you to-"

The mare's voice was drowned out by the door and the sewing machine's return to life, but the high pitched "Yes, Rarity!" sounded through to the unicorn just fine. A bolt on the door unlatched, followed by the twisting of the handle, and the blockade opened to reveal a filly of Moon Beam's age, but with a little more pudge than her adoptive daughter. "Hello, miss! How can I-" The filly's green eyes widened and she scurried back into the boutique, slamming the door in Twilight's face. "It's Nightmare Moon!"

Instantly, the sewing stopped, allowing the haggard mare to hear the foal's hoofsteps as she fled from the door and the noise of the fashionista's steps as she rushed to recover the situation. The door swung open, revealing the alabaster unicorn as she recovered from the sprint. Terror was evident on the mare's face, her mouth hung open as she fumbled for words and she seemed on the verge of tears, but all of that slowly faded as recognition settled in.

Rarity's gape-mouthed stare shifted into a welcoming grin. "Oh my, Twilight. You gave me such a start, darling. I was afraid Sweetie had actually slammed the door in our monarch's face...." She shivered, obviously still not fully recovered from the shock, but shrugged it off as she stepped aside to welcome Twilight inside. "It's wonderful to see you again, but may I ask why you're here? I didn't mess something up with the dress, did I?"

“No, it’s perfect and I’m glad I haven’t had the chance to test its battle prowess. I....” The byzantium ambassador sighed and planted herself on a pile of cushions on the lobby’s floor. “How’s business going? I know it’s been slow with the war going on and all, but have you been able to make ends meet? I can always have Nightmare send you some bits.”

“I’m doing fine, darling. Even with all of the chaos, ponies still come to me for all things fashion. I suppose it’s a way to escape into their own little worlds where none of this is happening.” She motioned to the nearly deserted town outside her walls with a heavy sigh. “Really though, what brings you here, Twilight? You look dreadful. Oh, just a moment.” She turned towards the stairs at her back and stamped her hooves twice. “Sweetie Belle! Come on down, dear. I want you to meet somepony.”

The filly poked her head around the corner, her pink and purple mane bouncing with the quick movement, and carefully descended the stairs, still wary of the mysterious mare. "Sweetie Belle, this is Twilight Sparkle. She is the queen's right hoof, so to speak. Twilight, meet my little sister, Sweetie Belle."

"Hello, Sweetie Belle. Are you doing well?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Twilight watched the foal shuffle nervously, practically dancing from hoof to hoof. She smiled warmly, but not even that seemed to alleviate the filly's fears. "I..., uhm.... You know," her smile grew mischievous as she angled it away from the older sibling, "my daughter is out running around our camp. I'm sure she'd be more than excited to have somebody to play with."

Sweetie's eyes widened and brightened with glee. Before Rarity even had a chance to voice her objections, the marshmallow-white filly was off, slurring together thanks as she rushed out the door.

"Now why would you do that, Twilight? You know how dangerous it is out there! She could get hurt!" Rarity huffed, readying to go chase after her sister, but a silver-clad hoof held her back.

"Don't worry. She's more than safe. My soldiers are setting up camp for the night and I have a very good nanny." She giggled into a hoof as an image of Tyra chasing after her rambunctious daughter and soon-to-be friend made itself present in her mind. "If anything happens, I'll be sure to deal with it myself."

"I-" She paused, pouting as the front door slammed past the bell, "I just worry. I'm sure you understand." After a sigh to compose herself, Rarity was once more focused on the scarred pony occupying her lounge pillows. "Now, tell me, darling. Why are you here?"

"We're heading south to hopefully treat with possible allies. The war isn't going exactly how Nightmare and I had planned. We're here so we can-"

"No, Twilight. I meant why are you here. I'm all for surprise visits from my friends, but I thought you'd want to talk with the other two. We saw each other recently, after all."

"Other...." She tilted her head, confusion displayed openly upon her face. "Other two? What do you mean?"

"Why, didn't you know? Fluttershy and Rainbow went off to help with the rest of the town."

"No! Why? Couldn't they have-" Tears welled in the dark unicorn's eyes and her bottom lip quivered as she fought for composure. "I didn't...." She sniffled, wiping furiously at the moisture streaking down her cheeks. "I didn't get to.... To say good-bye."

Rarity flinched, but moved to comfort her guest and embraced the much taller mare as she broke down into a fit of sobs. "There, there.... Don't worry, Twilight. I'm sure you'll be able to see them again. They're strong girls, after all. You remember how brave they were when we went to stop...." She drifted off, staring into the darkness outside as Twilight's wailing continued. "Twilight, darling.... Are you alright? Do-" she grimaced, but continued to stroke her friend's mane, "you need somepony to talk to? I'll gladly lend my ear to a dear friend."

Twilight shuddered against her friend's body, matting the mare's pristine coat with months of pent up tears. She shook her head, heedless of the mucous dripping from her nose, but gripped Rarity tighter and began to talk. She told her friend of her trials immediately following her enslavement, the nearly endless abuse at the hooves of her mistress and the attempts on both of their lives. Confessions of her foalish love for her would-be assassin, of the comfort the mare had given her despite the risks it could have brought, spilled forth against her will. Everything was laid bare for the fashionista, and though the words cut deep into both of their hearts and the truths burned their eyes with their liquid fury, it brought a sense of understanding for the snow white mare.

“Twilight..., dear.... Why do you...?” She felt the mare tense as her thoughts escaped before she could stop them, but the question was out in the open.

“Because, I need to. I.... I love her, and Moonie, more than anything.” The princess-to-be pulled away and stared into her friend’s quivering, sapphire eyes, her own glowing red in light of the boutique. “I hurt, Rarity, so much.... Sometimes..., I’ve wanted it to just end. There were times when I wished she would go that extra bit..., slip further into darkness and just... crush me....” Rarity shook under the piercing gaze, held and terrified by the raw power of Twilight’s stare yet drawn in by the anger and immense sorrow that filled the luminescent orbs. “When the griffon.... When I died, I yearned to stay..., to support Nightmare, but that one part of me begged her to let me go....

“Please, Rarity.... Tell me....” Twilight blinked, and the burning spell dissipated, leaving behind trembling, violet irises and the weakness of the mare shown within. “What should I do? Is it all worth it?”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author’s Notes: Well, can anypony guess what’s coming next? I actually know! What a twist, amirite? Who’d have thought that Peppy would actually plan something out multiple chapters in advance? Well, anyhooves, I meant for this chapter to be longer and encompass the entire visit to Ponyville plus a few more entries into Twilight’s journal, but I figured I could split it up a bit. 3k words is still quite a bit! Plans for the future: Final Ponyville with stuff, walking walking walking, stuff, stuff then stuff, then things, and finally Drakenridge! Enjoy and Peppy out~!

Chapter 47 - A Journey of One-Thousand Steps, Part 02

Chapter 47 - A Journey of One-Thousand Steps, Part 02

Griffember Fifth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Two Fifty-Three Post Meridian
|

Rarity balked under the intensity of Twilight’s stare, but the deep sorrow that filled her glowing, red eyes drew the mare back in. Her friend’s words rang in her head, tormenting her brain with the horrors the once innocent, bookish unicorn had endured. Please, Rarity.... What should I do...? She didn’t know. There wasn’t any way for her to know. The mare had been through so much, suffered through such agony that not even her most epic of fantasy novels depicted it, and had even died once. But she had also found love. True love, not some fleeting, foalish crush.

Is that worth it?

Is love worth the abuse at the hooves of your lover? Your so-called life-mate?

I don’t know.... Please, Twilight..., don’t make me answer this.

Her body continued to cower under that piercing, crimson glare even as her mind worked through her fear in a frantic search for an answer. Her mouth hung open in the most unladylike fashion, silently mouthing incomprehensible words as those eyes, those slitted, draconic eyes, bored into her very soul. And then, she saw something amazing. Something that, had she been asked later, she would never be able to quite describe what it was, or how it had helped. There was a brief flash, a shift in her friend’s pupils that told her all she needed to give her answer.

With great strain, Rarity wrenched herself free from the petrifying glare that held her, turning her sapphire blue eyes away so she could speak properly despite the obvious shaking of her hooves. “No, Twilight.... I don’t think it is worth it. I think you should turn away and leave that wretched creature to wallow in her own self-destruction.... It’s what any normal mare would do, in your situation....” She heard a despairing whimper from behind her, as if Twilight’s world had crumbled around her, and, all at once, the oppressive weight from her magical gaze dropped away. Rarity choked back a sob, hiding her despair for her friend behind a facade of strength through the brightest smile she could muster, and turned back to the byzantium unicorn.

“But....” She closed the short distance between them with a few short steps, her hooves echoing in the lobby of her beloved boutique, and placed a hoof on the sobbing mare’s withers. “You aren’t a normal mare.” Gingerly, Rarity pulled Twilight into a warm, comforting embrace, letting her sob into her shoulder for the second time that night. “You’ve done so much more than anypony could even begin to imagine. Any normal mare would have given up, broken under Nightmare Moon’s hoof, but not you. Never you.

“I’ve seen the way she looks at you, even with the way she hides it under that stoic facade. Nopony else would have been able to make her change the way you have.” She kissed Twilight’s cheek, an awkward motion considering their height differences, but it seemed to soothe her frantic sobbing, and stroked her mane until she had calmed enough to support her own considerable weight. “So, do what you need to. Follow your heart, darling, because you’ll never, ever, meet another that completes you as Nightmare does.”

The queen’s consort pulled away from her friend, a weak, but growing smile spreading across her muzzle, and nodded before pressing their lips together in a quick, chaste kiss. As she separated from her friend, beaming at the bright flush tinging the alabaster fashionista’s cheeks, her horn lit and wiped the fresh tears from her face. “T-thank you, Rarity.... I’m... glad that you’re my friend. I don’t know what I’d have done without you.”

The white mare blinked, and turned away nervously before chuckling daintily into a hoof. “Oh my, Twilight. I can’t say that anypony has ever caught me off my guard like that before, but... I’m glad I could help. You deserve the best and, however much I despise some of your and the queen’s actions, I know that you will never achieve that in your lifetime if you give up now.” She coughed, recovering from the blush and impromptu therapy session before turning back to the ex-librarian. “Well, darling. Care to tell me what you and those brutish soldiers are doing here in our quaint....” Her ears perked up, swivelling just enough to better catch a distant uproar carried on the night’s light winds. “Do you... hear that?”

“What’s that? It sounds like... shouting!”

With a swiftness that surprised even her, Twilight shot to her hooves and bolted out the front door, ignoring the blue-hued aura that caught the frail frame from smashing against the boutique’s wall. The shouting grew louder and more distinct the closer she got the the town’s center until she could pick out a very familiar southern drawl rising about another pair of angry shouts. “Now, y’all better give me back them apples, or ya’ll are gonna get some sense knocked into those tiny brains of yers! Ah don’t care if yer the queen’s personal apple-pitchers, ya’ll didn’t pay for ‘em!”

“Shut up, you hick! You should be glad we didn’t just clean your whole orchard!” Twilight skidded to a halt as the argument came into view, easily seeing over the crowd of ponies surrounding a pair of pegasi trying to pull an apple-laden cart past a very furious orange mare. “Now, get out of our way, or we’ll show you what happens when you disobey the queen!”

The Apple mare stood her ground despite their threats of violence, but all Twilight could do was stare. Images of her first month in the castle flashed through her mind, reminding her of how much the ponies despised her for just her proximity to the queen. She recognized these ponies, along with many more from the retinue Cloudy had picked out for her, as some of the remaining servants from that time. The ponies that had tried to rape and kill her on the first night Nightmare had saved her life were long dead, but their memory was not.

She had seen it in their eyes every time she passed those remnants in the castle, heard it in their whispers and ‘personal’ conversations. She was scared, too terrified to even come to the aid of a pony that had risked her life to free her, a pony that had joined her that one fateful night without hesitation.

“Twilight! Do something! They’re gonna hurt her!”

The dark unicorn balked and shook her head, rooted to the spot by her own fear. “I-I can’t! You... don’t know them. I-I’m so sorry, Apple J-”

“Stop them, or I will, Mommy Twilight. I’ve been aching for a little fun and these foals seem like they’d be a lot of fun to play with!”

Twilight flinched as her adopted daughter’s sinister, cheery voice popped up out of nowhere, chilling the air despite its jovial tone. She looked back to see Sweetie Belle and Tyra rushing to keep up with the supernatural filly, and swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. “I....” I can’t let Sweetie see....

She took a single tentative step into the crowd as the sound of a hoof connecting with a pony’s cheek sounded through the night air followed by a shocked gasp from the pony mob. The next step was just as difficult. Her hooves felt like lead as she fought against the fear that had settled in her stomach like an iron weight. You jumped in front of a sword. You ran from death. Stood up to the most powerful pony in the world. You can take control of a pair of mere unruly pegasi. You can do it, Twilight.

Before she could change her mind, she was standing above the blonde farmer, staring down at her fallen form with a deep, worried frown. The jab the pegasus had dealt left a large gash in her cheek where hoof had met skin and she seemed dazed, struggling to stand on hooves that wouldn’t support her. Twilight felt her fear beginning to burn away, slowly being replaced by a growing pool of anger. “W-what did I say, Private Cogsworth?”

“We were getting the apples like you told us. It’s not our fault this mare was trying to stop us.”

“Did I not say to pay her generously?” She glared at the pegasus as her eyes flashed back and forth between her natural purple and glowing crimson. “It was a simple job.... Go to the Apple Farm, buy enough apples to last us until the border town, and come back to camp for the night.”

“She wasn’t going to sell us any apples anyway, so we just took them! The queen sent us on this mission, so it’s obvious that the queen wouldn’t care if he took provisions to survive!” The grey pegasus glared back at the taller mare, unfazed by her boiling fury.

Sparks began to pop in Twilight’s mane, filling the air around her with the beginning traces of smoke as the country mare finally rose to her hooves. “Ah don’t care wh-who sent ya! Ya’ll aren’t gettin’ mah apples!”

“Shut up, bitch!” The grey stallion’s partner, a powder-blue pegasus, raised his hoof in an attempt to smack the earth pony again and swung. “Nopony asked y-” Suddenly, his hoof froze in mid-air, halted by a force near-invisible in the night’s darkness. “Wha-”

A series of sharp cracks, followed by an agonized scream startled the crowd as Twilight’s magic folded the pony’s hoof over and over upon itself, the breaking bones piercing his flesh with their jagged edges. The stallion crumpled to the ground the moment Twilight released him and he writhed, wailing, in the blood-stained dirt. “You were given your orders and you disobeyed them, because you thought Queen Nightmare Moon would sanction your behavior?” The remaining stallion looked up from his partner-in-crime to see the imposing, near-black unicorn standing over him, her mane and tail ablaze in orange and yellow flames. “She may have given you an order like that a few months ago, but she would not now.” Her voice was calm, even, despite the twisted, hate-fueled sneer stretching across her muzzle. “That would not matter either way, because Nightmare Moon is not here. I am, and you will follow my order from now on.”

“F-fuck you, whorse! I’ll never obey that bitch’s sl-”

Two more sickening snaps rang through the night, silencing the deafening screams and the obstinate soldier’s protests at once. "Let this be a lesson, soldiers! I will no longer tolerate disobedience, least of all towards my friends!" Twilight glared down at the two bodies with disgust, ignoring the impossible angles that their necks were bent at, then turned back to the blonde mare. All of her fury died in an instant, snuffed out by the loathing stare her former friend directed at her. “A-Apple Jack, are you-”

“Ah don’t wanna hear it, Twilight, if that’s who ya really are anymore. So, y’all just k-kill anypony that doesn’t do what ya say, huh?”

“It.... It was them, or you.... I couldn’t let them-”

“Didn’t ah s-say ah didn’t wanna hear what ya had to say? Ya’ll are just like her, spoiled to the core! Can’t even keep ponies in line without murderin’ ‘em!” Apple Jack frowned as the larger mare cowered, hiding her face and the tears that were beginning to darken the ground below her. “Y’all go on an’ take mah apples! Consider it payment for helpin' me. Just stay away from me an’ mah family!”

“A-Apple Jack, please.... I was just-”

"Now wait just a minute, Apple Jack! Why are you being such a mean ole' grumpy-pants?" A flash of pink was all the warning the earth pony had before another mare was in her face, giving her a disapproving frown. "She's your friend and she just helped you! At least say you're sorry and give her a hug! She needs it...." The pink pony glanced at the puffy-eyed unicorn and smiled brightly, her straight hair giving a light twitch at the genuine display.

"Ah ain't doin' nothin' for her. She's a murderer just like the queen and ah ain't associatin' mahself with a murderer." The orange Apple mare shot a scathing glare at the distraught Twilight, before turning away towards her farm. "Now, get out of the way, Pinkie. Ah have apples to save from any other hoodlum thinking they have a right to 'em."

Pinkie Pie stepped aside, not because she felt that the upset farmer was right, but because she understood her friend's logic. Not even she, the undefeatable premier party-pony of Ponyville, could deny that she was hurting. How could she have just sent us away like that? Doesn't she know that we love her? She turned back to the unicorn, her frown reversed back into the indomitable grin she was known for, and trotted over to the huddled group of white, black, and navy. "Aww, you're having a group hug and you didn't invite me?" Well, she's here now, so maybe things are going to be just peachy! "Don't you worry your pretty little head, Twilight! I'll talk to Apple Jack, so I can help you turn that frown upside-down faster than you can say 'Don't ever leave us again!' "

Twilight frowned at the slip in her jovial friend's cheery voice, but felt her chest warm at the implications. The other two ponies made room for the bubblegum mare, allowing her access to the comfort session. "Thank you, Pinkie. I'm glad I still have you as a friend." Maybe she can help me giggle my worries away like that first night....

"Oh! I know! We have to throw a party! I'll invite everyone in Ponyville and it'll be great! I just have to-"

"No, Pinkie, that's okay...." Twilight smiled through her tears as the poof that had begun to reappear in the party pony's hair deflated and hugged her tighter. "But I would love to talk with you girls some more. I've missed you all so much." A chuckle was all she could manage when Pinkie cheered, her mane and tail bursting back into their bright, untamed curls, and squeezed her as tightly as ponily possible.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Entry Four: Griffember 5th, 1000 Late Night

I lost control of my emotions, again, today and killed two of my subordinates, a grey pegasus by the name of Cogsworth and a light-blue pegasus by the name of Summer Sky. They were assaulting one of my frie Ponyville's residents after having stolen apples from her orchard despite specific instructions to pay gratuitously for them. It's not much of an excuse..., but it does help me come to push my feelings about it away like so many other problems. I think, when if I return from this mission, I'm going to talk with Luna, in depth, about everything.

The other soldiers are much more cooperative now.

Despite all of this, I was able to reconnect with one of my friends here: Pinkie Pie. I never knew I would miss her inane prattle, but it was... nice. She's so cheerful, just as much as I remember, even if a little bit less hyperactive than when we first met.

I never did take enough time to really get to know any of the girls that helped me that night and I regret it. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash are gone, I have no idea if I'll ever see them again, and Apple Jack.... Well, I still have Pinkie and Rarity to help me smile and I can't thank them enough for it.... After everything is over, I'll make sure to tell them just how much their friendship means to me. I still can't believe that they can stand my presence after all that's happened....

As for the mission, we're finally beginning to get back on schedule. Our supplies are re-stocked, overstocked just in case (I just hope everybody likes apples), and everypony is working to make sure we'll be ready to leave in the morning. If nothing goes overly wrong, we should be in Trotsdale by the twentieth.

T.S. Lunar Ambassador

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Griffember Sixth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Five Forty-Three Ante Meridian
|

The cold morning air blew bitterly through the remainder of the caravan's camp, sending shivers down Twilight's spine as she oversaw the breaking down of the last few tents. She sighed, glancing anxiously up at the moon, and shook her head. "Even with the extra motivation, we're still too far behind schedule. We should have been ready and gone almost forty minutes ago, Tyra!"

The minotaur girl glanced down at the mare and frowned. She had not known her for very long, but their proximity over the past few weeks had brought them more than close enough for her to notice signs of distress in Twilight's demeanor. With a gentle hand, she pulled the unicorn closer and stroked her shoulder, feeling her tense at the touch. "Twilight, will you be okay?"

"Am I be okay? Of course I'm okay. Why wouldn't I be? We're at least moving faster than usual and we're more than prepared for the long journey." She smiled up at her half-bovine friend, but the corners of her gesture faltered just slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Just enough for Tyra to notice. "You're not, and you won't be. I can see it in the way you're standing." Almost instinctively, Twilight glanced down at her legs as if she could hide whatever it was that had given her away, but even she knew the damage was done. "Your hind legs stiffen and you can't keep your forelegs still when you're nervous... or upset. Do you... want to talk about last night?"

"No." Immediately, Twilight returned her focus back to the procession of ponies packing their equipment. The process was nearly complete, only a few more tents need to be stored away, but she was still not satisfied. "We can't keep pitching and breaking down tents every night. We either need to cut down on camp gear, or march another night before settling."

"Twilight, don't avoid the subject. I know it's eating at you." She squeezed the mare's shoulder, trying to relax her tense nerves. "You know I'll help you if-"

"I said I was fine!" The dark pony's eyes flared, startling her companion, and she immediately flinched away, shying from the woman's comforting grip. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap, but I said I was fine. Apple Jack hates me, but I did the right thing. Plus, look at what it did! They aren't plotting behind my back anymore and I'm not scared of them...."

Tyra frowned at her royal ward, preparing to counter her argument, but stopped. Her face fell, recalling her own words the morning before. You need to take control of them.... This isn’t what I meant. “Just take some time to visit your friends before you leave. We won’t be back here for a while.” Without another word, the minotaur turned away, heading back to the wagons to finish their departure preparations.

The mare sighed, but kept herself focused on her task as overseer. It was true that the soldiers had become a lot more motivated to keep with her schedule, but despite her words to her companion, she knew differently. She knew, just by the way the ponies would cast furtive glances her way, that they were only keeping up a facade of obedience. They didn't respect her anymore than they had the night before. They just feared what she might do. "Oh, Celestia, I'm becoming a mon-"

Her words died in her throat at the implications of what she was about to say. I'm becoming just like her.... The unicorn fought back her thoughts, locking them down in that recess of sorrow she had created for such occasions. No, I'm not a monster and neither is Luna.... We're only doing what needs to be done and, when all of this is over.... She winced, fighting back a sudden wave of sickness and hunger, and would toppled over if a pair of pink hooves had not caught her in time.

"Woah there, Twi! Are you okay? Do you want me to get you some cupcakes? Everypony loves cupcakes and I just know it’ll fix you right up!” The pink mare beamed at her friend, then picked her up in a crushing hug. “You weren’t gonna leave without saying goodbye, were you?”

“Honestly, darling, after all that happened last night, you must have known we’d come to see you off.” Rarity smiled and patted the unicorn’s back as she was released from her pink prison. Her expression sobered as Twilight recovered, but the comforting motion never stopped. “Twilight, you’re going to be fine, okay? I’m terribly sorry for last night, but Pinkie and I will talk with Apple Jack. Everything will be alright.”

The dark mare nodded, but kept her eyes on the ground. She knew her friends loved her, she could feel it even without a bond like what she and Nightmare shared, and that they would follow through, but there could not be any certainties. Not anymore. “Thanks girls.... It means.... It means a lot to me.” Twilight huffed, shaking her emotions away, and turned her back on the camp to face the two ponies that had supported her from the start. “Do you want to... have breakfast before I have to go? I’m sure Moonie would love to have at least a little fun before we left.” She smiled nervously, knowing that the two could see past her excuse, that she had to hide herself behind her emotional walls, but neither pony cared.

They wrapped their hooves around her neck, gently squeezing her in a quick, warming embrace, and nodded. “Thank you, girls.... I’m going to miss you.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author’s Notes: Heyo! another week, another chapter! It only took me forever to finish that last bit of UD.... OH WELL! Here it goes! From here on, it gets REALLY time-skippy. You can expect about 2-3 months of time compressed down into a few chapters, so keep your jimmies snug in your pockets, because I warned you. As to what happens, that you’ll have to see. It could go perfectly, nothing wrong could happen. Maybe everything will go wrong. Or, it’ll just be anti-climactic. Who knows!?

Anyhooves, I’ll see you in the next installment! Peppy out~!

Chapter 48 - Recorded Reminiscences

Chapter 48 - Recorded Reminiscences

Entry Six: Griffember 10th, 1000 Mid-Morning

Since our departure from Ponyville four days ago, we’ve trekked across quite a bit more ground than our initial march to the town, but we are still much too far behind for me to be celebrating. The soldiers are much more motivated now than they were before, my display of power and waning patience paving the road for their obedience, but Tyra seems to have been right. We’ve had another deserter. I cannot recall which pony it was, I’ve lost the list with each of their names and cutie marks, but the extra bedroll left in the dirt this morning was evidence enough of the pony’s departure. We are now down to forty-six and I fear that number will dwindle to nothing by the time we even reach Equestrian borders.

Despite the trickling loss of ponies, things have been surprisingly quiet since we left the castle. Neither head, nor feather have been seen of any griffons. I suppose that’s a blessing as it means our storm-covered start kept us from being discovered, but it leaves me wondering just how long we have until a scouting party finally notices us. Griffonia has already proven themselves as experts in aerial reconnaissance. I’ve kept several of our pegasi sky-bound daily as a mixed relief from cart carrying and as our eyes above, but none of them have been able to spot anything outside of the wild clouds that have been forming and breaking due to the severely weakened Pegasus Weather Facilities. It’s worrisome, but I’ve made certain to keep the soldiers on their toes despite their growing laxness.

On a more personal note, my stomach cramps and nausea have been pretty steady these past few days, even drawing out into the day as we march, making it somewhat difficult to eat and maintain a steady pace without losing my meals. Tyra has been distant since we left Ponyville and... I can’t say I blame her. I’ll give her some more time before I talk to her. Just in case. I’m very thankful that she’s along for the ride even if we don’t interact as much as we used to, though.

Moon Beam, however, has been.... Moon Beam, I guess. She cannot keep still despite how much Tyra struggles to keep her hyperactivity reigned in. She at least does a good job of keeping her away from the soldiers, however funny it is to see her trip up the occasional pony.

T.S. Lunar Ambassador

Entry Nine: Griffember 17th, 1000 Early Morning

The biting chill of Winter crept upon us without warning last night, dropping the temperature almost twenty degrees. Without the pegasi to consistently and diligently monitor Equestria's weather patterns, the drastic change in seasons came a month early. Luckily, due to our preparations for the oncoming shift, we are adequately equipped for the weather and freezing cold, but it certainly did not help to keep the soldiers moving at their old pace.

The soldiers, despite how much they pretend to follow my orders, have already begun broaching the topics of desertion amongst their peers again. They quickly quiet when I make my presence known, but they can't keep every conversation hidden from me. I guess it should have been expected.

T.S. Lunar Ambassador

Entry Ten: Griffember 19th, 1000 After noon

This morning started off rather quickly. The soldiers were up and packing before even I had awoken, something that I'd thought to be impossible until today, and we were moving long before the moon began its shift into the dawn cycle. I didn't have enough time to prowl the campsite as I had hoped, but it would seem that, from the few hushed whispers I could glean over the heavy hooffall, Tyra woke up early and throttled a pair of earth ponies preparing to... escape.

I'm glad that she still cares enough to try and cover my failings as a leader, but it makes me feel guilty for having unwillingly thrust the duty onto her like that. Especially with how I treated her back in Ponyville and how I've been avoiding anything more than light conversation to pass the time. She's helped me since Valtaura and all I've done is pushed more burdens onto her. I'm going to have to talk with her soon.

T.S. Lunar Ambassador

Entry Twelve: Griffember 22nd, 1000 Late Night

Something seems off with the camp tonight, as if the soldiers know something that I have not caught onto yet. I can't help the anxiety and tension I feel because of it. Moon Beam has opted to spend the night with Tyra, saying that the girl was going to show her some 'cool tricks' before bed, and I begrudgingly let her. It's not that I feel wary about how much she's likely bothering the poor girl, but, because I still can't ignore the fear I have of the other ponies, I can't stop worrying about my safety tonight. It's selfish, I know, but I still vividly remember those stallions' lecherous grins -and their-

Regardless, I'm going to be keeping a ward around my tent tonight. I'm exhausted from all of the walking and my chronic sickness (Side note: When we reach Trotsdale, inquire about possible reasoning for whatever ailment I've befallen), but I think extra protection would be worth the effort.

T.S. Lunar Ambassador

Entry Thirteen: Griffember 23rd, 1000 Early Morning

It seems that nothing happened during the night aside from my inability to sleep; the added enchantment could do nothing to alleviate my anxiety and my mind fed off that to plague me with old night terrors. I'm even more exhausted than before, but the soldiers are going to be up soon and I'll have to put on my best face if I want to maintain what little hold I have left over them. Maybe....

I'm going to talk to Tyra before we leave. I can't leave things how they are any longer and... I need the support she gave me before.

Entry Thirteen cont'd:

The talk with Tyra went much -better than- I had expected. It turns out that she had been keeping her distance so she wouldn't step on my hooves. I'm so relieved that she accepted my apology and chose to stay with me for the remainder of the journey. I feared that I'd never reach our destination if she had chosen to leave me and Moon Beam alone. I need to remember to be more open with myself, much like how I'm trying to influence Nightmare Moon to do the same. I guess I should try to learn from my own teachings.

With personal matters put aside, the camp has been packed up and everypony is waiting on me to finish for once. Things seem like they're going to get better from here, so I'll end tonight's log on this good note.

T.S. Lunar Ambassador

Entry Fourteen: Griffember 30th, 1000 Midday

There has been little to report these last few nights, so, against my natural instinct to chronicle every detail as they happen, I'd postponed further entries until something important or exciting happened.

As it would seem, my earlier anxiety wasn't entirely unfounded, but it was definitely not focused on what it should have been. The griffons weren't as blind to our operation as we would have hoped and made that very clear through a surprise attack while we were sleeping. If it wasn't for my heightened nerves and protective enchantments, I'm very certain I wouldn't have lasted through the previous night with anything less than missing limbs. As it is now, I've got a racking headache and a deep cut on my foreleg.

With this most recent event, I've had to make more than a few adjustments to our routine, especially with the lessened horsepower. We're going to be marching for two days now and resting for one half with the soldiers taking turns resting in shifts, myself included. It will be strenuous, but necessary. We can't afford to waste any more time with our nightly stops, especially now that at least one squad of Griffonian troops knows where we are. Nightmare protect us under your moon's power, because I have a feeling we're going to need it.

T.S. Lunar Ambassador

Entry Fifteen: Lucember 2nd, 1000 Midnight

I've been too tense to do much outside of ensuring that we minimize the chances any marauders would have to attack us, so I've been neglecting to jot down any notes during the breaks we have. Our forward scouts have reported sightings of griffon activity to the west, but not much more than that. It's disconcerting, but not as suspicious as the silence since the last attack. The squad that attacked us was easily large enough to have a nearby outpost to report to for reinforcements, but they haven't returned since their first assault.

Perhaps they recognized me and are sending messengers.

Regardless, I'm exhausted from all of this walking and this sickness is making my body ache even more. Not always in ways that I can handle, either. What's worse is that I can't stop thinking about running home and submitting myself to Nightmare..., or even any of the mares in the troop. It's frightening that I'd be experiencing estrus-like symptoms so far out of season, but Tyra has been exceptionally understanding and helpful. I'm certain that I'd have had to kill more than one stallion for making unbecoming advances if she wasn't around.

I am uncertain what is causing my sickness, especially one so long lived, but I will take some additional time when we arrive at Trotsdale to research it in hopes of curing myself before we continue. Knowing the volatile nature of where. We are headed, it would be best to be in tip-top shape and health whenever something goes awry.

T.S. Lunar Ambassador

Entry Nineteen: Lucember 12th, 1000 Early Evening

We've reached the plains of southern Equestria today, but not without some losses. One of our supply wagons was destroyed in another Griffonian raid and we were only able to save about half of the food, the rest having been crushed and trampled under hoof in the skirmish. Several more soldiers died, seven in total, and three more went missing, setting our numbers back down to thirty-four plus Tyra, Moon Beam, and myself. I am regretting not bringing more ponies despite the temporary stealth advantage we had. They always say that hindsight is twenty-twenty.

Luckily, our unicorns and pegasi were able to finish killing the griffons when they attempted to flee after their attempted surprise attack. It will buy us time and a chance to get a head start, but not much. That group will certainly be missed and more griffons will be deployed in an attempt to route us, likely in a much larger force, but hopefully not before we reach Trotsdale.

Judging by our location and the position of Canis Minor in the sky, we're approximately six and one-half days northeast of Trotsdale by normal travel. With our group and necessities, we likely won't reach the town for another three weeks. I only hope that the griffons had a secondary task they needed to perform that would have delayed them a few days after their planned assault on us.

T.S. Lunar Ambassador

Entry Twenty-One: Lucember 18th, 1000 Midnight

The air is heavy with fog tonight, an ill omen for any plans to continue marching. It rained recently, creating something of a mire out of the loosely packed earth and chilling the air even further. It's such a strange phenomenon, the plains turning into a grassy mud hole, but now I finally understand why they call this area 'The Equestrian Quagmire'. I wish I had the time and light to study the earth here and learn about its fascinating properties, but I am on guard duty tonight and I'll need some sleep afterwards if I want to avoid burdening anybody further.

It's difficult to ignore the biting cold, even through the thick wool cloaks we were provided, and the metal 'silk' does not help to keep me insulated. Despite its assumed protective qualities, I doubt the 'fabric' was made for colder climates. Honestly, I just hope that the silversilk is as strong as the metalworker ensured. It looked like Rarity didn't have any trouble shaping it into my battle dress (it feels so strange to refer to a dress as armor). Regardless of its actual protective attributes, it does not keep me warm and has been making this trip even more miserable. I am eagerly awaiting our arrival in Trotsdale; the warmth from the southern wastelands will be a great relief from the bitter chill of winter.

So far, everything’s been silent aside from the crackling of the campfires and I hope it stays that way.

T.S. Lunar Ambassador

Entry Twenty-Six: Lucember 24th, 1000 Moondown

Again, things have gone increasingly well. We’ve made great progress, covering more ground than I’d have imagined possible, in the past week and our food supplies are still looking decent. I thank the stars for the magical advancement over the years that aided in the preservation of foodstuffs. There isn’t any way we’d have made it this far without have to resort to more desperate means of finding food for survival without those spells.

As we’ve moved further south, the air has begun to gradually warm, a sign that we are drawing closer to the Drakenrange and it’s wastelands. I am uncertain how long it will take us to maneuver the mountain passes, but it should only be a few more days before we finally reach Trotsdale and its famous hospitality. We may even be able to relax for once and enjoy the hot springs I’ve read so much about. Nightmare knows we need to clean up; we’re practically made of mud and grime now, despite the few instances of freezing rain.

The griffons haven’t caught up with us, which means that my hopes have likely come true. That party must have had a secondary or tertiary objective, something that also brings me another measure of relief. I cannot imagine what they had been ordered to do after disposing of us.

Either way, it’s definitely better for our sake that they haven’t come searching for us yet. My weakness has been growing worse these past few days, stemming from my lack of proper nutrition as I continue to lose my breakfast and lunch almost every day. I’ve been wondering if I may be pregnant, all of the symptoms seem to point towards the early signs of pregnancy as long as my memory of equine reproduction serves me correctly, but it seems preposterous since I’ve never mated with a male and I’m very much out of season. Still, it’s become quite a concern, especially around the male soldiers. They’re beginning to smell me and notice my waning strength, so Tyra has been taking extra caution and not leaving me alone for any extended period of time.

I wish I had taken the time to learn that sensor spell I read about a couple years back. It would have been very helpful during this journey.

T.S Lunar Ambassador

As an aside, I find myself longing to be back home at the castle, lying in Nightmare’s embrace by a warm fire as Hearth’s Warming Day slowly creeps upon us. I am unsure if Moon Beam knows what Hearth’s Warming Eve is, but I feel ashamed that I can’t provide her with at least one present come tomorrow morning. Don’t worry, Moonie, Nightmare.... I’ll make it up to you once this is all over.

Entry Twenty-Nine: Lucember 30th, 1000 Moonrise

The new year is upon us and not without good tidings. We’ve finally reached the outskirts of Trotsdalean land, I can see the silhouettes of the buildings just on the horizon from here, and we will finally be able to somewhat relax. I can tell that the journey so far has taken its toll on some of us, but it shouldn't be much longer before we've passed through the mountains and way to capital of

It's such a relief that we've made it all the way here without much hassle; I was expecting to lose all of my guard by the time we reached the dragons, an expectation, I am ashamed to admit, brought me a bit of relief as well, but everything seems to be pointing towards the opposite. Our rationed food is still high enough in quantity that we'd have lasted at least another week on normal meals and my sickness seems to have been waning over the past few days. I still feel ravenously hungry, of course, and my libido is still a chore to keep in check, but I'll survive.

Back to our mission, we'll be marching out within the hour and should arrive at Trotsdale by the evening. We'll replenish our supplies, perhaps convince one of the shop owners to store our winter gear while we explore the warmer climate, and then move out at the start of the new year.

T.S. Lunar Ambassador

As an aside, I wonder if this will mark the beginning of a new age. The first fall of Nightmare Moon a millennium ago ended the Harmonic Age and began the Celestial Age.

Entry Thirty: Lucember 30th, 1000 Moondown

When we arrived at Trotsdale earlier this evening, our reception was less welcoming than I had expected. The war seems to have even affected small tourist towns like this, despite their close proximity to the Drakenrange Mountains. Considering a small, little-known town like Dodge Junction was wiped out early on, I shouldn’t be so surprised, but I guess I just wanted to hold out hope that some ponies could avoid the trouble.

Regardless of how they looked at us, I was able to convince them to rent out the inn to us. We’ll be sleeping on soft beds for a couple nights, something I still took for granted even after the first month under Nightmare’s control. The baths were exquisite even though I opted to wait until everypony else had finished before taking Moon Beam in and relaxing with Tyra. It took forever to clean the caked on mud out of my coat, even with Tyra’s help, but the end result was utter bliss and kind of awkward considering my current predicament. She was kind enough to ignore the issue, or was unaware of it, at least.

We’re finally going to be eating something other than apples and plain vegetables, actual meals with spices and side dishes. My stomach is already grumbling at the thought and, although I am rather fond of carrots, I’m not sure I’d like to eat apples for a while after this.

I’ve given the soldiers free reign to do as they please for the time being, but, from past experiences, I took the precautions of having the town leader, an elderly pony named Fleet, call a town meeting. I’ve made them all aware that I will not accept any unwanted acts against them and that, should something happen with any of my guard, they come to me. I hope it won’t be a problem, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Regardless of what happens tomorrow, we’re going to moving out early morning on the first and not stopping until we reach the foot of the mountain pass.

T.S. Lunar Ambassador

Entry Thirty-One: Peguary 2nd, 1 Midnight

We’ve finally reached the foot of the mountain range and will begin passing through it come morning. For now, we’re resting and recuperating; the trek took longer than I had anticipated, but the heat from the volcanic wastelands helps to keep everypony in good moods and is helping them relax and sleep. There isn’t much else to report tonight, but I’m pretty certain I saw a couple of figures in the sky earlier. The pegasi I sent to check out my suspicions came back without any sightings of griffons, so it was likely just some clouds. True or not, I’m setting double watch tonight and will be personally overseeing the first shift.

T.S. Lunar Ambassador

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Peguary Third of the First Lunar Year
Eight Fifty-Two Post Meridian
|

“Wing Commander! We’ve found something over here!”

A short, burly griffon looked up from the bloodied corpse beneath his talons, taking a moment to wipe the crimson stain from his claws onto the stallion’s cloak, and turned to follow his subordinate. “What is it? We need to find where the rest of these ponies went and we can’t waste time on trash.” He glared at the larger griffoness, making the young wingling cringe, but followed her regardless.

“It’s a journal, Wing Commander. Silven read it and thinks it might be the alicorn’s pet’s writings.”

“The unicorn’s?” His piercing stare slipped, revealing a hint of desire in the older griffon’s eyes. “Perfect. That naive child must have left something important for us.” He drew closer to one of the many destroyed wagons littering the rocky pass, kicking aside the burnt corpses of his slain comrades and mutilated enemies. “Wingling, give me the journal.” The white-headed griffon jumped and shakily handed over the small booklet, avoiding eye contact with his superior as the grizzled veteran scanned the inked pages.

Page after page was flipped after a quick scan, adding to the scowl on the warrior’s face until he threw it into bloody, sending several of the pages into the air. “Useless! What are they doing in the Drakenrange!? This tells me nothing!”

“Uhm, sir! Permission to speak?” The Wing Commander shot Silven a piercing look, but nodded and returned to searching the featureless bodies of the surrounding ponies. “Well, s-sir. I think the ponies are heading to the Molten Palace.” The wingling took a deep breath, calming his nerves, and picked the sullied booklet out of the mud, wiping off a patch of deep purple fur from the cover. “The journal’s owner tried very hard to avoid stating their purpose, but towards the end she slipped up.” He flipped towards the middle of the book, poking at a section of large ink stains. “It’s heavily scratched out, but you can still read ‘capital’ in here. The only capital south of the Range is Drakontos.”

“It’s as I thought.” The elder griffon sighed, clicking his beak, and turned back to the scavenging wing. “Pick up your gear and let’s go! We have to get back to War Chief Steelfeather last week!”

“But sir! We can still catch up to them and-”

“Do you not see the charred bodies? The ponies were not alone when our war party found them. We would not survive a fight that they did not.”

The moment the Wing Commander turned his back, the griffoness punched her fellow soldier, smiling at him as he dropped the sodden booklet. “Good job, Silven, but try not to piss off the Wing Commander. I’m sure you’d prefer a better position in the wing over slave-duty.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author’s Notes: Hmm.... Seems it was another short story, but I figured I’d cut down on a lot of the pointlessness of that entire journey by making it shorter. Nopony cares about how much the ponies’ hooves hurt, right? Anyway, things will start picking back up story-wise and many things are planned for the next chapter, namely: WTF HAPPENED THERE!? Don’t worry. All of that is coming next chapter along with other non-Twilight happenings as well.

Obligatory ‘Sorry it took so long blah, blah, blah’. Keep an eye out for the next chapter and possibly other goodies. Peppy out~!

Chapter 49 - Nacht der Unruhen

Chapter 49 - Nacht der Unruhen

Peguary Twelfth of the First Lunar Year
Ten Oh Five Post Meridian
|

"You know that just standing there with your head up your butt is like asking for trouble, right?" The bulky red earth stallion that, until just recently, had been lounging against the multi-story apartment's rooftop access started, falling on his rump and fumbling with his lance. He glared up at the source of his floundering, ignoring the soft yellow pegasus' futile attempts at preventing her mirth.

"Not everypony has the luxury of wings, Dizzy.” He sighed, setting down his polearm to scratch his head, and stared off into the distance. “Besides, nothing’s coming out this way anyway. Trottingham is as far out of the way of most of Equestria that it'd be pointless to attack. It'd take too long for us to even get anywhere else to help if they were attacked."

The young mare chuckled and hopped from her concrete perch to sit beside the stallion. "You know, just because we're out of the way, it doesn't mean we can't be a target. Did you not hear about what happened to Dodge Junction, North Gallopia, and Fetlanta? None of them have any major strategic significance, but they were wiped out."

"Still, even with that, wouldn't the griffons have-"

"Don't forget what almost happened to Ponyville. If it hadn't been for the soldiers there, my friends and I would have died too." She stared the stallion down, keeping her lighthearted smile present even through her serious tone.

"Fine, I get it, but it still seems pointless. We've been here for months and have seen neither hide nor feather of those beaked freaks." He sighed, retrieving his lance and settling back up against the wall. "I just wish we didn't have to take orders from one of them. It's ridiculous to trust one of those scumbags."

"Hey! I'll have you know that she is one of the reasons Ponyville still exists!" Dizzy glared at her companion, crossing her forelegs, but could not help the smile that slowly took over her stern countenance. “Hehe, the look on your face, Red. Don’t worry, I get what you’re saying, but she isn’t that bad. Plus, Rainbow Dash likes her, so that’s something too.”

“You really like Dash, don’t ya?” Dizzy blushed as Red jabbed her teasingly with his hoof and laughed. “Of course you do. All of Ponyville had the hots for her, right? You do know that she’s only bothered for the griffon though, right? It’s kinda gross if you ask me.”

“Yeah, I know, but it doesn’t mean I can’t pretend.” She giggled and shook her head, watching the lights of the city illuminate the skyline. She closed her eyes and leaned back against the wall with her companion, sighing as her body relaxed. “Think you could keep an eye out for me while I take a nap? I’ve been flying all night.... Just wake me up if somebody-”

“Dizzy! Dizzy, get up!”

The mare jolted up as her armored friend shook her to alertness, and groaned, pushing him away. “Oh, come on! I only got to close my eyes for a few seconds! Just let me nap already!”

“No! Dizzy, look!” Red grabbed her face and pointed her sight towards the edge of the city and the bright green sparkling flare momentarily overpowering the moon’s and city’s ambiance.

“Is.... Is that-?”

“Yes! Go tell the captain!”

"But I was just joking! I didn’t really-”

“Dizzy, shut up! Go tell the captain! The other sentries have probably seen the flare, but the captain needs to know!” The rosy-eyed pony balked under the stallion’s firm voice, quivering and blinking the onset of tears from her eyes, but didn’t move; she stared at the point where the flare had dissipated, wide-eyed and slack-jawed. "Snap out of it and go!"

"I can't! I can't fight! I don't want to fight! I don't want to die!"

The young mare thrashed in her friend's grip, trying to slip away, to escape the imminent war zone, but he held on firmly and shook her until she had called. "What would Rainbow Dash think of you right now!? I don't care if you can't fight, but you need to tell the others that can or we're all dead! Now get up and bucking fly!"

Dizzy flinched, stunned by the sudden anger in the earth pony's voice, but nodded as she backed away and took flight. The city was quickly coming to life below her, the stragglers that hadn’t evacuated or the ponies that just refused to leave their homes had finally realized their folly in staying and were moving to expedite their escape. Panicked shouts filled the air as parents dragged their foals out of their beds, not even bothering to pack more than a few day’s worth of food before fleeing into the night. The pegasi of the Lunar Army filled the air, some directing the evacuees alongside their ground-based comrades while the others helped raise the alarm, yet very few seemed to hold any more confidence than her.

She could see it in the uneven flapping of their wings, the way their tails flicked and fur bristled at the slightest noise. She could feel it in herself, roiling and aching to escape, urging her to turn tail and run like the civilians, but she couldn't. She owed it to her rainbow-maned friend, the pony who had supported her through their training far beyond her own necessities, to stay, even if he own terror was near-paralyzing.

The dome of the town hall drew nearer as Dizzy crested the newest line of businesses, and with it's sighting came the sounds of chaos of a hectic command center. A new feeling welled in the mare's breast as she took in the activity, slowing to a hover to take in the activity. A stuttering sigh escaped her lips and she scratched her muzzle, trying to shrug off the sensation of uselessness before it could settle and overwhelm her.

"I-it's going to be fine, Dizzy. They'll understand. You're just a small town mare. You're not experienced in these-" The pegasus yelped as a sudden weight on her back knocked her off balance. She struggled to buck the sudden freeloader off, but its larger size gave it too good of a purchase, helping it to maintain its grip on her. "Hey! Get off! This isn't fun-!"

"Oh, there's no need to be violent, little pony. I was just about to let go."

The custard-colored mare froze, the telltale sound of a clicking beak chilling her bones, as a pair of taloned claws wrapped around her neck. She could no longer struggle, her body having gone into shock as her fate slapped her in the face. The talons held her up, strangling her, as the Griffin braced its feline hind legs against the barding on her back. Blood began to trickle down her coat as her captor extended her razor sharp nails, piercing her armour and digging into her flesh, but all she could muster was a choked whimper. She wanted to rebel, to fight back and flee, but, as her lungs began to burn from the sudden lack of oxygen and the claws began to scrape away at her spine, she just could not.

"Have fun, pony."

The griffon yanked up on Dizzy's neck and kicked down with her hind legs, applying enough force to snap her neck and tear at the joints in her spinal column. She was released, only noticeable by the sudden burst of air into her body and the peculiar sensation of falling. Her vision cleared as she tumbled head over hooves toward the ground, catching glimpses of the cobbled street below and her albino executioner flying away above with each rotation. There were no sounds over the whistling rush of wind past her ears save for the faintest cry of shock as she hurled closer to her doom. One final thought entered her mind as her panicked brain caught up with her body.

I should have scre-

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Peguary Twelfth of the First Lunar Year
Ten Twenty Post Meridian
|

“What are they doing here!? They’re supposed to be trapped in those fucking woods! We weren’t supposed to move until next week!”

Rainbow flinched as the tawny griffon screamed, throwing a porcelain vase and shattering it against a wall. She shifted on her hooves, watching the commanding officer destroy more of the town's priceless relics, but did not interfere. "Gil, I get it, but we gotta go now. The ponies need you to tell them what to-"

"Fuck!" Another vase shattered, this time against a painting of the city before it's modernization, tearing the canvas. "Fuck, I know Dash. Get out there and get ready. These fucks are gonna regret fucking with me." Gilda sighed as her childhood friend saluted, her light chainmail jingling, and took off out a window. A claw dragged across her face, smoothing her feathers and soothing the twitch growing in her eye. "Damnit. The fuck are you doing Hardass?"

The griffoness growled, shooting a harsh glare out of the window facing east, and strode to the city hall's oaken doors, grabbing her poleax from its resting place against the wall. With a heavy push, the portals swung open, bathing her plate mail in the silver light of the moon and the harsh orange of the building's magical lanterns. She surveyed the area, watching as her soldiers scampered about to form their ranks and avoid the wrath of their commanding officers. Gilda saw Dash fall into line in the griffon's personal regiment, taking her place at the front of the formation, and allowed the slightest bit of cheer to show on her face.

"Heh. It's been awhile since we've been in a fight together, eh Dash?"

The cyan mare smirked and sheathed her sword, taking a moment to lick away the taste of cloth. "Yeah. Not since flight school. Flight school sucked, though. We couldn't do horseapples there." Her confident grin slipped as her eyes drifted to the halberd in her hybrid friend's grasp and she took a quick, shaking glance at her own short sword. "H-hey. Do you-?"

"You better not die, you dweeb. I still gotta kick your ass in a race." Gilda flashed a smile, laughing when Rainbow scoffed, and turned to the rows of pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies. "Okay, you twits! We weren't ready for this shit, but we damn well aren't gonna take it like bitches! The foreguards are already preparing to retreat back to us and draw the baddies right into our main force. Keep your asses ready and be prepared to die! For, uhh.... Whatever! For the Queen!"

The cheers of the soldiers were half-hearted, but the griffon simply nodded, turning back and watching the city from atop their hillside vantage. Pathetic, but they're weak. Can't expect much from a bunch of ponies. She sighed, idly flattening back her crest feathers with her free talon as she leaned on her weapon's haft. The fuck were you thinking, old man? What's the point of-?

"Captain! Captain Steelfeather!" Gilda groaned, grinding her beak, as a lone pegasus landed at her back, saluting shakily. "I have a report from the, uhm... perimeter!"

The stallion stood at attention, shifting noisily in his heavy armour, but made no other move even as Gilda arched an inquisitive brow. "Well? What is it, dumbass?"

"Ma'am! The, uhh... enemy is moving en masse on hoof from the east."

"Good. They sent the dragoons. That means we have the advantage with the pegasi. So, what's the problem?"

"Well.... Isn't it strange that, uhm..." The stallion glanced around the area, pointedly avoiding looking directly at the griffoness. "Isn't it weird that they aren't fighting as your kind normally do? Not that I mean anything by that! I'm just saying that the griffons usually attack in flights. There's an awful lot of ground soldiers and we didn't see a single aerial-"

A splattering crack silenced the ponies as a custard-yellow mare impacted the cobbled courtyard, crushing her body across the ground. Screams rang out from the gathered ponies, most of the soldiers experiencing their first taste of war, but the allied griffon watched the mare's blood begin to seep downhill with disinterest. She looked up at the chaos the pegasus' violent death caused, took a deep breath, and loosed a deafening roar. She smirked as the terrified equines froze to stare wide-eyed at their half-feline officer and cracked the hilt of her polearm against the stones.

"Get your heads out of your asses! The plans have changed!" She turned, keeping an eye on the sky for the wings of Griffonian warriors, and jumped into the air with a flourish to hover under the strength of her powerful wings. "Something's gone wrong and now we're doing the Commander's dirty work! Keep to the air and stay in large groups! We griffons fight like savages, and work together like a bag of rocks!

"The rest of you, don't die. The dragoons are the best of our hunters! We'll try to help from the air, but don't expect it or you're dead!" Gilda raised her halberd and roared, swelling her breast with pride when the ponies cheered along with her. "For the Queen!"

As one, the pegasi took flight, following Gilda's contingent until their officers split them into their own units. The cloud blanket above them drew closer, blocking all sight past its mass, and the bits of straggling grey fluff lowered visibility further, but the Lunar army pushed onward, spurred forward by the griffoness' impromptu speech. Below them, ponies cheered and stamped their hooves, creating a raucous din to lead the frontline soldiers back to the city square.

Gilda smiled, relishing in the early music of war. This is what I live for! You're an idiot, Dad! Fuck the priestesses! She levelled her weapon at her side, gripping the haft until her knuckles ached, and plunged into the cloud curtain. Visibility dropped to inches in front of her face and the thick, condensed moisture dampened the sounds of pegasus blades being drawn behind her, but the eagle griffon pushed on. The light of the moon began to shine through the dense grey, illuminating wavering silhouettes from beyond its borders. She could feel her blood pulsing through her veins, eager to spill the crimson essence of her enemies, and the heaved one final roar before piercing the edge of the clouds.

Immediately, the captain came to a halt, locking weapons with a leather-clad bull griffon, and gaped at the mass of avian soldiers behind him. "Fuck."

The sky exploded into chaos in a matter of seconds as her continent of pegasi burst from the clouds behind her, meeting with the same surprise of their commander. Gilda shrugged off her foe, clubbing him in the beak with the flat of her poleax's head, and watched as several of her unit fell in the first few seconds of battle. The grey mass below was stained red with blood as winged pony and griffons alike crashed into the surface, either too crippled to remain airborne any longer or cut down by enemy blade, and sank through its body as their innate magic left their own.

The novice officer had little time to contemplate her force's next move as a new pair of her former kin took notice of her silver plate. She narrowed her eyes and parried the larger griffon's scimitar, kicking off the wingling as his momentum carried him into the cloud bank. Her second assailant proved to be more skilled than the first, using his smaller, more flexible form to twist and slice at her side, but her metal plate served its purpose against the slashing blade, lessening the blow to a slight flesh wound. Gilda hissed, reflexively flailing her weapon to put some distance between herself and her adversary, and clipped the griffon's head with the flat of her pole's blade, but not before the stunned male's companion latched onto her back.

The soldier grappled with the smaller griffoness, ignoring her frantic squawking and twisting as he tried to snap her wings. Gilda cried out, intensifying her struggling when his nails began to dig into her flanks and shoulders, and tore at his stomach armour with her hind legs in an amazing feat of flexibility, but she couldn't gain enough leverage over him to do enough damage to free herself. Her back burned as the bull pulled on her wings, trying to bend her wings backwards, and her eyes flitted back and forth for something to help her, but all of her own troops were locked in their own death battles. She could feel her joints popping and clenched her beak to keep from screaming when her wings inevitably gave. "Break them and you'll regret it, fucker!"

Her body jerked as something slammed into the pair with a sickening, squelching crack, bringing sweet relief to her strained limbs and sending the Griffonian soldier cartwheeling away, the side of his face smashed and neck snapped at an impossible angle.

"I thought you told us not to die, Gee?" Rainbow smirked and pretended to dust her hoof off on her chainmail, and carefully steadied her feline friend. "Seriously though, we're getting our flanks kicked. We need to do something, or we're all dead."

"Fuck! I know! Damn! Why is every fucking tribe here?" The Lunar Officer cracked her knuckles, perching herself on the storm clouds to rest her wings. Her body went rigid as she surveyed the battlefield from her hidden vantage. Ponies and griffons alike fell like a spring shower from the sky, peppering the grey fluff even further with severed limbs, blood, and corpses.

It was a gruesome sight, one the griffoness knew all too well from her own time in the Griffonian Tundra, but it was what she lived for, what she thrived on. Defeat, however, was not a word that the girl could tolerate and it was all too apparent that her meager forces were not prepared for the full scale of her people's battle prowess. Even as the ponies fought back with all of their combined might, slaying griffons as they swarmed around them with the ferocity that only a cornered prey could exhibit, they were far overmatched and outnumbered in the air to even dream of being victorious.

Horus, we're fucked. "Dash, fly through and sound the retreat. We're falling back below the clouds. We won't win shit up here and the unicorns can provide cover fire with their freak magic." The pony's captain and her prismatic-maned friend flinched as the body of a Griffonian hunter impacted the cloud cover next to them, drawing the attention of his winged comrades over to the hidden alcove. With a growl, Gilda grabbed the fallen griffon’s bow, slinging his half-empty quiver over her head, and slapped Rainbow’s backside, ushering her into the air. “Get out there. I’ll fuck anybody up that messes with ya.”

“Aye, aye, Cap’n!” With a light chuckle and flick of her tail, the pegasus kicked off a cloud and bolted off into the sky, barely dodging Gilda’s first wooden missile that embedded itself in the closest non-pony’s throat, and whizzed past the other griffons, shouting their retreat over the din of war.

Behind her, the Equestrian migrant grappled with another Griffonian, using her moon-enchanted gauntlets to guard against her adversary’s scimitar and pummel his face relentlessly until he slumped, dead. Before his grip could loosen and drop his weapon, Gilda snatched it up and sheathed it between a strap on her armor, switching her focus back to the aerial chaos. Already, ponies were struggling to fall back, most of them barely remaining airborne with the crippling injuries they had suffered, but there was no sight of the rainbow-maned mare. The griffoness cursed herself, discarding her shortbow pulling the liberated scimitar from its momentary sheathe. Her soldiers escaped as quickly as they could, disappearing into the fractured grey front, and the enemy followed suit, chasing their prey as they fled, but the Equestrian officer remained topside.

“Fuckin’ Tartarus, Dash! Why do you have to be so damn fast now!?” Using her superior agility, Gilda swept through the flocks of griffons and pony herds with ease, only stopping to fight when she had no choice and dodging out of melee range with powerful wing beats. She grimaced whenever a new cut added to her already heavily nicked body, but she had suffered far worse, even if it hadn’t been part of reality, and ignored the burning agony of her open wounds.

Damnit! Where did you- A wild sword swing halted Gilda in her tracks, glancing off her heavily-armoured foreleg and scraping across her cheek, spilling a fresh wave of blood down her dirtied white feathers. She squawked, lashing out with her hind legs and raking her claws across the attacking griffoness’ throat, tearing her neck open and ripping through her esophagus. She glared through the red rage as her foe fell and finally caught a glimpse of her own focus further along the clouds, trying to fly around a trio of griffons. Even through the darkness and distance, she recognized the distinct grey coloration and black, owlish plumage of the bull male, but what stood out most was the golden falcon head emblazoned on his black black breastplate, the only metal piece of metal on his suit of brown leather.

"Don't you fuckin' touch her Rahmir!" Gilda knew deep down that her words would never reach the war chief and his entourage through the sadistic cheers of griffons, the agonized wails of the injured and dying, and the clashing of metal on metal, but her panicked mind did not. All it could register was the near endless waves of soldiers in between her and her childhood friend and father and her own waning strength. She’d already fought so many kinsman, all of them falling to her borrowed blade and travel-honed strength, yet more kept coming, pushing her beyond what she had thought was beyond her own abilities. How many times did I die fighting just two dream ponies...?

Her wings ached, her entire body burned from the multitudes of cuts and slashes that had penetrated her plate, but she couldn’t stop; Rainbow Dash was so close, taking advantage of her speed to outmaneuver the warchief and his bulkier soldiers. Gilda watched as one fell, the mare’s sword sticking out of his leather-bound chest, and silently cheered for the pegasus as she grappled with another warrior in her path, but her hope was short-lived. It had escaped her mind that this was a war zone, filled with ponies fighting for their lives and the griffons bent on taking them, so when a stray pegasus clipped her cerulean friend’s wing, her heart leapt to her throat.

The world seemed to move in slow motion for the young griffoness as Rainbow spiralled away from the dazed stallion, her wing bent at an awkward angle as she careened off towards the waiting tribal leader. Gilda crushed the face of the first soldier that blocked her path, ignoring the slick blood as it coated her first and the sickening squelch of the her victim’s eyes as they were pierced by the spines on her knuckles, and shoved her lifeless corpse away. She pushed further, closing the distance between herself and the pegasus at alarming speeds, but her sire had less air to cover. The lunar captain screamed, throwing her scimitar into the back of the last form blocking her path without care if it was friend or foe, and fought with her fatigue to beat her father and save her companion, but the glint of steel in the moonlight shone through as a symbol of her failure.

A piercing cry filled the air, mixing in with the rest of the anguish to all but one as the war chief’s sharp blade tore through the flesh and bone of Rainbow Dash’s foreleg. To Gilda, however, it seemed to drown out all the noise in the world. Blood glistened in the silvery light as the pegasus plummeted to the ground, stunned unconscious by the shock of such immense pain, and the beige eagle-griffon dove after her, blind to the look of surprised satisfaction on Rahmir Steelfeather’s face. The darkened clouds filled her vision and the wind resistance buffeted her face, watering her eyes as she spiralled at top speed to catch up with the fallen mare, but she soon broke through the feral formation into the open air below.

All around her was death and destruction, remnants of an ongoing battle already lost. Roofs were caved in from bodily impacts, splattered with blood and gore. Houses and buildings stood tall, sprayed with the sanguine liquid and littered with bodies, both furred and feathered, like a gruesome combination of a foal's hoof paintings and a sculptor's work of art. Ponies and griffons alike lay in heaps, slain by each other's weapons, having been pushed together to form a macabre barrier in an attempt to create some distance advantage. Gilda almost froze and vomited despite her predatory nature, something many of the survivors below couldn't claim, but shook off the shock and focused on the rapidly retreating form of a certain azure Equestrian and the looming ground below them.

Blood splattered her face as she neared the pegasus, spilling from her crudely hacked limb like a hose, but she merely blinked away the crimson essence and reached out for one of the mare's good hooves, stretching her talons in preparation for when she finally reached her. Her first attempt missed and sent the fallen pony into a wilder spin, but a second swipe netted the griffon a clawful of mane. Disregarding any further suffering she may have caused, Gilda yanked violently on Rainbow's mane and pulled her unconscious form into a tight embrace against her body as she pulled out of the dive, levelling out several meters above the looming buildings.

Tears burned the young griffon's eyes, not from the stinging chill of the air, but the overwhelming fear that finally caught up with her adrenaline-addled mind, as she cradled Dash in her forearms. "I almost lost you, Dash. Why the fuck wasn't I faster?" With the adrenaline high slowing down, Gilda could finally feel the immense weariness her exertions, both physical and emotional, had left her with alongside the added heft of her friend's dead weight and she almost faltered in her already erratic flight. Sound soon returned as the blood in her ears stopped its deafening pounding, surprising her with the volume of the dying city and its invaders, and brought her mind back to the present, immediate danger of the long lost battle.

Already, Griffonian warriors were aiming to swarm her, spotting her as lone, laden prey after disposing of their latest victims. She knew she couldn't fight them, not without sacrificing Rainbow who was growing heavier by the second as what little stamina she had left slowly waned. I'mma have to run.... The thought left a bitter taste in her mouth, amplified by the metallic flavour of blood as it trickled onto her tongue from a cut on her forehead, especially after her most recent failure, but the griffoness had little choice. "She's too spe-" She shook the stay words from her mind and pushed herself, saving her lungs solely for breathing. I don't have enough friends left to just screw Dash over....

Her breathing grew laborious, but Gilda pressed on, giving a mental sigh in relief as her pursuers eventually gave up, their bulkier builds making it near impossible to catch up with the sleek speedster despite her metal and living burdens. Even with the griffons off her tail, though, she didn't stop flying, but slowed down to a more reasonable pace to accommodate for her exhaustion. Already, the Trottingham skyline was fading away, noticeable only by the lights of the buildings and the fires slowly engulfing them, but there was no sign of a refugee camp for the displaced townsfolk anywhere in the distance. The.... The fuck are the rest of my soldiers...? We weren't fighting that long.... How could they have gotten so damn far?

She gave a shuddering sigh and slowly lowered herself to the ground, landing in a clearing spotted with the occasional fir. Gently, Gilda laid the mare on the grass, trying to ignore the blood pooling around her leg, and began stripping off her broken and severed plating, her talons shaking as she struggled to undo the leather clasps. "F-fuck.... J-just hang on, Dash. I'll get you help somewhere, but this damn armour is too heavy...." She fumbled with the straps, the metal pieces clinking together noisily, until her frustration got the better of her and she bit through the leather, snapping them apart one by one with her powerful beak.

Panting and finally free of the oppressive plate mail, the griffoness turned her attention back to the paling pegasus. Her even breaths had grown shallow, labored, and the steady gush of blood from her severed forelimb had slowed to a trickle. "Shit!" Gilda rushed to her friend's side, grabbing one of the least damaged armour strap she could from the flurry of leather littering the grass, and set to work on staunching the already diminished flow of Rainbow's life, an act made near impossible by the tremors in her fatigued limbs. "They don't... prepare you for this... in Junior Speedsters, eh Dee?"

A chuckle escaped the griffoness' throat, a weak, mirthless noise making a poor attempt to cover the ache of guilt swelling in her breast, as she worked on cinching the belt as tightly around the pegasus' stubbed leg as possible. Her throat and eyes burned, whether it was from the smoke she had flown through during her escape or her sorrow she couldn't tell, but she welcomed the distraction; it was difficult enough just trying to puncture new holes in the leather without her being focused on the imminent death of her only real friend. Finally, though, her perseverance paid off and her sharp nail pierced the thick strap, allowing her to finally secure the makeshift tourniquet and cut off any further blood loss.

A heavy, stuttered sigh escaped the girl's beak as she leaned back and gently pulled Rainbow into a weak embrace, tears running lines through the blood splattered across her once pristine feathers. I'm so sorry, Dash. It's all my fault. I could have saved you if I wasn't so damn.... Gilda grimaced as Dash twitched and whimpered weakly and loosened her already slipping hold on the mare. "D-don't worry, Dash. We'll get help. I'm sure somebody will notice us-" The crinkle of leaves behind her set Gilda's fur on end, but didn't have the time not energy to reach for any sort of protection. The young chimaera's body stiffened and slumped to the ground when a sharp crack rang through her skull followed by searing hot pain, and she instinctively pulled her friend as close as possible before she blacked out.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Peguary Thirteenth of the First Lunar Year
Seven Fifteen Ante Meridian
|

Hoofsteps played throughout the depths of the northern Whitetail Woods, resounding off the trunks of the evergreen trees as several troops of ponies stomped their way through the brush. Leaves and pine needles crunched underhoof, crushed into the frosty grass by steel-clad hooves, scaring away the few mildly brave forest critters remaining in the area. No other noise made itself present over the cacophonous march, barring the occasional startled cry of a squirrel or bird, and the lack of outside distractions was taking its toll on the travel weary soldiers, but none as heavily as the one-winged pegasus marching at their head.

The orange mare shifted her saddle packs, repositioning the heavier bags closer to her shoulders and off of her longsword. The packs weighed heavily on her trembling back as her eyes searched the sparsely lit forest and ears swivelled at the slightest shift in the air, twitching nervously. Her feathers ruffled on her one good wing as a lone pegasus in light chainmail alighted before her, momentarily halting the travelling lines, giving a lax salute as the high commander briefly acknowledged his presence. "Well? Any word from the outer units on the enemy positions?"

"No, ma'am. Nobody's seen anythin' of the griffons. There were a few fights with some small fries, but nothin' big, and not many are hurt. There ain't anythin' here 'cept for us and the critters."

Cloudy stared at the older pegasus, her incredulous expression hiding the rising ire in her stance. "Nothing? Really? You haven't found any trace of the Griffonians at all?"

"Not unless you count the small groups flying by, think they might've been scouts or something. Haven't even found any camps or nothin'."

The crippled commander scowled, stomping her bone covered hoof into the dirt with a snarl. "We've wasted too much time on this wild goose chase. You! Soldier!" She turned to a portly unicorn at her back, sweating profusely in his too tight armour despite the chill in the air, and tossed him a pouch from her pack. "Use this and light a flare to signal the eastern and western flanks. We're marching southwest to meet up with the pincer group as planned."

The pudgy pony nodded nervously and scampered off to find a clearing so the signal beacon could be lit. It didn't take him long to find a small break in the trees, large enough to allow the smoke to easily pass through, and he quickly set up a small circle of rocks to contain the magical blaze. "N-now..., was it two flashes for fall back, or three?" He shifted his coif back out of his view, grunting as it gripped his flabby face before undoing its strap and tossing the chain piece to the ground. "Man I h-hate those things. They don't make this stuff big enough for ponies like me."

He loosed a shaky chuckle and lit a small fire with a quick spark from his horn. "Okay, t-two flashes to retreat...." The blue-grey colt sprinkled a pinch of bright green dust on the flames, flinching back when it flared into a dazzling blue pyre and released a thick cloud of purple smoke. "Always surprises me.... Why do I have to do the signals? It's not like I'm good at it. Takes forever to do. And what if the griffons found me? I'd be dead! I can't fight!"

His grumbling quieted to nothing more than mumbles as the flames slowly began to peter out, no longer fueled by the dry grass or magical dust, and tossed a second hoofful of the powder into its origin. Another burst of energy surged into the mini inferno, momentarily illuminating the area with its dazzling display as the unicorn shivered in his shoes. "Stupid fire.... I can't see anything...."

"That's not such a bad thing, eh, little pony? You won't have to see allll the little things that want to take a bite out of that ample meal you call your flank." The unicorn screamed, his unusually high voice piercing the air like a siren, and loosed a bolt of blue from his horn in the direction of the voice. A round of disembodied cackling sounded from around the clearing, any trace of their origin lost in the glare of the signal pyre. "Such a funny pony. It's really a shame that we have to kill you and your friends, but orders are orders.... And you're such a tasty looking morsel...."

The colt whimpered, cowering near the heatless fire for protection as a group of twenty griffons stalked out from the broken line of trees, sinister grins plastered on their faces. "Please, don't.... I'm not even old enough to drink yet! I'm only here because I have to be; I never wanted to hurt anybody!"

"No need to worry your juicy little head. We aren't really going to kill you...." The leader, small by griffon standards, walked up to the colt and drew a sharp talon across his cheek, tracing a fine red scratch along the plump skin. "Give us what we need to know and we will gladly let you go."

"Anything! Please, I'll tell you anything I know, just let me go!"

Another round of laughter filled the little clearing as a pungent odour began to overpower the scent of dry pine, originating from the fat colt. "Aww, you really are scared, eh? Poor little chunk pissed in his armour. That's gonna be such a bitch to get the smell out of." She chuckled softly and sat in front of the pony, crossing her forelegs across her chest. "Now, if you want to go free like I promised, you're gonna have to tell me what I want.... What does that signal mean?"

"I-I don't know! I just d-do what I'm t-told." He yelped as the tingling draw of the griffoness' claw turned into sharp pain as she pressed it into his cheek, drawing a small line of blood from the puncture point. "It's a retreat signal! It's a retreat signal! We're moving southwest to meet up with the rest of our army! Please stop, I'm sorry!"

"That wasn't so hard, was it?" She cooed softly, lightening the pressure on his cheek and quickly lapped up the small trickle of blood as it ran down her rough digits. "So, what are you doing after you join your friends? What is your next target?"

"I d-dunno. I wasn't told. I just use the smoke signal whenever I'm told something new." He squirmed in his soggy armour, fresh tears streaking down his face as the signal fire slowly died down, sputtering as it reached its final breath. "Please, that's all I know. I'm just a relay pony. I- I don't even know how to fight!"

"Aww, well isn't that too bad? You didn't tell me everything I wanted to know, did you? I'm afraid you didn't hold up your end of the bargain." The Griffonian soldier smirked as the blue colt's face twisted into a deeper mask of terror and his trembling worsened and slapped the pony's shoulder. "I'm just playing with you, kid. Get out of here, but don't tell your crippled warchief that you met us."

The colt nodded furiously, never taking his eyes off the feathered cats even as he stumbled through the urine-soaked foliage as he backed away, much to his predators' delight when he tripped over a loose root and sprinted off the moment his eye contact was broken. "Give him a second then rip him to pieces. We can't let him tell that pegasus what we know."

The nearest soldiers grinned as they primed their wings for flight, yearning to tear into the helpless pony and feast on his fatty corpse. Already their stomachs were grumbling, aching for a meal better than the paltry catches they'd had to forage for over the past few days. A twig snapping in the distance was all the signal they needed to take off into the near-black forest, their appetites amplified by the thrill of their hunt, but they hardly made it past the tree line before they fell to the dirt, their bodies peppered with the shafts of arrows. Their death cries, horrible screeching caws more resembling grinding metal than animalistic noise, echoed through the immediate area, alerting the remaining griffon unit who immediately drew their curved blades and feather-carved bows

"Damned pig! I should have guessed they'd follow their relayer!" She growled, her throat vibrating in her frustration as a massive unit of ponies stepped into the break not too dissimilar to how she and her winglings had prowled out to surround their chubby target. "Any chance on letting us go? We promise not to tell our warchief what we know." She held up her claws in the air as if to surrender and chuckled, letting her words draw out in a singsong fashion.

The orange mare smiled, inclining her head to her soldiers who lowered their weapons at the unspoken command. "I'm sure something could be arranged, seeing how kind you were to let our young recruit go, but we're going to need something from you, first."

"Hah. As if we, Griffonian soldiers, would give in to you ponies' demands." She chuckled and shook her head, brushing a stray black crest feather from her face. "We are a proud race! We won't submit now or-" The whistle of an arrow zipping past the griffon's head to be embedded in the eye of one of her comrades ended her rant before she could even raise her voice, instead drawing out a terror-filled croak in its place.

"Well, that's a shame right there. A perfectly good bull griffon, dead before he could even sire his first, most likely. Nice shot, Bowstring." An older mare to the commander’s right smiled and gave a curt nod before stringing another arrow, this one aimed dead center on the wing leader’s beak. “As you can see, I’m much less forgiving than you seem to be. I have no qualms against killing you all right here, especially considering all of the trouble your kind have caused for me and Equestria.”

A dark scowl spread across the griffoness’ face, an act mirrored by the flightless pegasus, until the mare began to raise her hoof and fear finally registered in the foreigner’s mind. “No! Wait! Okay, you damn ponies. What do you want to know? Where our warchief is?” One of the griffons behind the wing leader squawked noisily, motioning angrily with his talons as he yelled at her in Prance-Griffonian, but she just waved him off with a scoff and angry caw of her own.

"What did he say?"

"The idiot was telling me not to say anything. What does it matter, though? I talk, we're more likely to live. If I don't then we're dead for sure, eh?" The girl shrugged and kick some dirt at the griffon behind her, silencing his outrage as he tried to clear the debris from his face.

Cloudy frowned, her jaw setting as she tried to catch some common phrasing, but shrugged it off with a sigh. “Fine. Anyway, you’re a wing leader, so you should know more than some lowly scout. Where is the bulk of your army? You were supposed to be in this forest.”

The northerner would have laughed had it not been for the threat of death staring at her from the curve of a shortbow, but could not help the small smile that crossed her features. “You haven’t figured it out yet, eh? We never had more than a few wings in this forest, most of which are gone or dead.” A soft chuckle escaped her throat, but she quickly swallowed her mirth when Bowstring’s line was drawn taut.

“Moon damn you all!” Cloudy stamped on a rock under her hoof, the dragon bone horseshoe glowing a soft white, and crushed it into dust. The ponies and griffons in the clearing all flinched as a small tremor shook the ground around her, but none dared move. “Farsight!” The chain-clad recon troop jumped to attention, saluting more stiffly than before, and stood tall. “Go find our young flare-colt and bring him back here, then tell our flanks to converge on the northern field.” A choked ‘Yes, ma’am’ was all the response the angered pony received before the stallion took flight to fulfill his orders.

“S-so, can we go now? If we don’t report soon, w-we’re all dead anyway.”

“No! I have other questions that need answered before I let any of you sorry lot off. Patronizing and hunting an innocent colt doesn’t sit too well with me, so let’s hope your answers are adequate.” Cloudy sighed and settled her wing back against her side, frustrated that she had let her emotions loose so easily. “Where are your other wings located? I need specific answers for all of the largest units.”

“You really haven’t received any word, eh? Most of our dragoons are in your city, uhm... Trottingham, I think. Probably killed everything in the area.” The girl watched the older mare, gauging her reaction before continuing on. “The rest of our soldiers that aren’t harassing your suppliers and smaller clutches are keeping your fool queen busy."

The armoured pegasus sighed, kicking the rock dust from her shoe, and turned her tail to the cornered hybrids. "One final question. Where is your warchief and his entourage?"

"I- I don't really know. I heard he was going to attack with our dragoons, but that news is old. I report to my own wing chief. Only he would have new information." Commander Horizons nodded and began her walk back into the dense woods, nodding almost imperceptibly to Bowstring and her subordinates, a motion that did not go unnoticed by the nerve-wracked griffoness. "Wait! You said you'd let us go!”

Cloudy stopped, glancing nonchalantly over her shoulder at the distraught griffons, and shrugged. “You’re free to go. Let’s just hope you can outfly our pegasi.” She scratched her chin and shrugged again before waving the soldiers off. “I’ll even give you a headstart. Seems fair, given the recent circumstances, eh?” The wing leader blanched, her beak moving noiselessly as she stared at the high commander, and backed away slowly, unable to will her wings to open. “You have five seconds. Five....”

Her winglings found their strength and took to the sky, speeding off into the silver-bathed night. “It seems you’re not as brave as you let on. Four.... It’s a shame that you couldn’t keep up your facade. Three....” The mare turned on her heels, drew the ornate longsword from her silver scabbard, and affixed it to her bracer, never once taking her eyes off the petrified girl. “I was looking forward to fighting something of my caliber, but all I’m left with is a boastful child with nothing more to her name than a slot between her legs. Two....” Cloudy stood in front of the griffoness, her weapon-bound hoof raised from the ground, and kicked back up onto her hind legs, using her one wing and years of practice to keep her steady on two hooves, and finally came eye to eye with the much larger being. “Any final words before I silence you and yours forever? One....”

Behind the pegasus, Bowstring nodded and aimed her bow up towards the boughs of the trees, igniting the shaft of her arrow with a small bout of magic, and shot the projectile into the sky. Overhead, hundreds of pegasi zipped over the clearing, momentarily blotting out the light of the moon and leaving only the glow of the pony commander’s magic-infused armor to illuminate her gruesome smile as she lifted her blade above the terror-stricken girl’s head.

“Wait! Please! I am with child!”

The pegasus cloud passed and light returned to the glade, revealing Cloudy’s confused frown and the cowering griffon below her. The white-maned mare lowered her sword to the ground and glowered at the coward. “And why should I spare you after all the trouble your kind has caused us? How many pregnant mothers and children have Griffonian soldiers murdered? How many have you murdered?”

“None! I’ve never touched a pony other than that chubby one! Not violently, at least.” The griffon broke down into fear-driven wails, tears streaking her dark plumage. “I’m just a small-town griffon from Colton, up north! I was born and raised there and my husband was a pony! Please don't kill me! I was only with them 'cause I didn't want to die!"

Cloudy's stern facade broke as the desperate griffon scrambled at her hooves, hugging them as she begged for her life in her thick northern accent, and she lowered herself back onto all fours after stowing her longsword. "You said was. Where is your husband now?"

"I- I don't know. I haven't seen him in months, not since day changed into night. I heard he was in the Royal Guard from one of the wing leaders when they destroyed Colton and that if I joined, I’d be able to see him again.” The girl sniffled, wiping her face on her leather armor, and sat back, keeping her head down and avoiding eye contact with the mare. “I haven’t yet, but if it’s true, I’d do anything to have him back. I won’t be able to raise our hyppogriff alone.”

“He’s likely dead. Most of the Royal Guard were wiped out in their assault on the queen’s castle. If he is still alive, then it’s possible that he’s among your ranks, but he’ll be dead either way. The queen does not tolerate turncoats and your warchief is going to use us as cattle should Griffonia win the war.”

“But they said they’d let him go. They’d honor that, eh?”

Cloudy sighed and sat down next to the griffon, pulling her head down to stare into her eyes. “You know your brethren. They’re a heavily tribal people, savage in their ways. They’ve been pining for our lands and flesh for ages, even if you haven’t noticed it.” The Colton griffoness tried to lower her head and look away, but Cloudy held her firm. "You've obviously been with these ones for some time; you've seen what they're like and changed to fit in. It may just be my age and my own loss getting to me, but I'll let you go. You'll come with us to our rendezvous point and I'll turn you towards Manehattan. It's where we were going after this if you'd prefer to stay with us, but after that you'll be on your own. Stay out of trouble, and if I see you back in armour, I will kill you."

The black plumed hybrid flinched, but nodded and stood, glancing ashamedly at the small cut on the cheek of the plump colt she had tormented as he tried to inconspicuously creep by. "H-hey! You, little pony!" The blue colt jumped, cowering away from the griffoness, but made no other move to retreat as a grown spread across her face. "I, uhm.... I'm sorry for earlier. I didn't want to hurt you, eh? You kinda reminded me of my husband, but I was more worried about saving my own tail." She smiled weakly as Cloudy sidled up to the colt and slipped away, content with her half apology.

The one-winged mare patted the stricken pony’s back and grinned. “Good job, soldier. You did well.”

He jumped, surprised by the sudden contact due to his focus on the retreating griffon, and spun to face his commanding officer, his trembling renewed. “Y-yes, ma’am....” He glanced back at the newest addition to their numbers being escorted into the forest with fresh shackles around her forelegs and swallowed nervously. “Uhm, ma’am? Can I ask a question?” The pegasus commander arched an eyebrow and the young pony took that as his cue to continue. “Why are you having me send signals? I’m useless in a fight and can barely even light the fires. Why don’t you use the pegasi like you have been?”

The scarred mare sighed and ruffled her feathers, using her wings to reposition her pack once more. “What’s your name, soldier?”

“B-Bluebell, ma’am. From Manehattan.”

“I’ll be honest, Bluebell. The signals are meaningless. They’re just smoke and fire, but they are good for drawing attention.” The fat colt gasped and stared wide-eyed at Cloudy, too stunned to speak as anger began to well in his chest. “Don’t think I was just using you. You’re too young to be fighting, even if the draft pulled you in, but you were just what we needed tonight. Did you notice how nothing happened whenever I sent you to signal with an escort?” Bluebell nodded slightly and stared down at his hooves as the pegasus smiled at him. “We would have been running blind for ages if you hadn’t been sending those flares, but now we have some idea of what to do.”

He nodded again, but cast a furtive look over his shoulder at the mass of ponies mulling about where the turncoat griffon has disappeared. “W-will she still try to kill me? Is it safe to keep her around?”

A soft pat turned the colt’s attention back to his superior who motioned towards the ponies’ supply line as it was hauled into the glade. “If she does anything, I’ll kill her myself, but it shouldn’t be an issue. For now, take some water from the cart and get yourself cleaned up. We’re leaving in twenty.” Cloudy watched as the young recruit nodded and sprinted off towards the carts, obviously eager to clean the stench of his shame from his armor, before turning to the bow-wielding unicorn at her side, her motherly facade replaced by an icy stare. “Bowstring, pull together a team from the current parties and hurry up to meet with the main forces in the south. Take a quarter of the soldiers and march back to New Mareland and assist our queen. If the girl was speaking the truth, then there will likely be heavy resistance. Moonspeed....”

Cloudy sighed, looking up into the radiant glow of the moon as her second-in-command trotted off to fulfill her orders, and closed her eyes and whispered into the sky. “Please, My Queen, keep Cherry safe....”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Peguary Fourteenth of the First Lunar Year
Four Twenty-Six Ante Meridian
|

A thunderous explosion shook the black walls of the throne room of the pony queen's castle, dropping dust and debris onto the few milling about the vast chamber. A few whimpers could be hard over the echoing rumble, originating from the weak of heart amongst the castle's staff and one particular filly trembling underneath the relative sanctuary of her temporary guardian's stomach. Another explosion rocked chamber, eliciting wails of despair from the servant ponies and the occasional griffon and sending the little red foal into a fit of tears, and several tapestries adorning the walls fell from their hooks to cover the cold black floor and snuff out a few of the magical torches. Memories of past horrors; of griffons swooping down and slaughtering friends and family, her mother bleeding from a slash in her side, the look of delight in the eyes of the beast that had broken into their ranch home; flashed through the filly's mind with each teeth-rattling concussion until she couldn't bear it anymore.

Cherry Tart latched onto the grown unicorn's leg, quivering enough to cause the mare to nearly lose her balance, and shrieked into her fur, drowning out the moans filling the hall and drawing all attention to the pair. "No! No! Make it stop! Mooommy! Mommy! Make it stop! Mo-ommy!"

The maid, caught off guard by the outburst, glanced nervously to her peers, unsure of what to do with the despairing child, only to see her own bewilderment mirrored on their faces. She grimaced before gingerly nudging the cherry-yellow maned foal. "N-now, don't worry Miss Tart. E-everything will be j-just fine.”

“Nooooooo! I want Mommy! I want Moon Beam!” The filly kicked away from the pink mare, her eyes flicking frantically across the room and widening as she caught sight of each feather-headed cat. Their faces twisted into the cruel grin that still haunted her dreams. She could feel their eyes sizing her up with each step she made towards the massive metal doors, dissecting her into the meals she knew they would make out of her.

“M-miss Tart! What are you doing? The q-queen told us to stay in here!” The maid inched closer to Cherry, worry etched on her face as the girl began to push the portal open.

“No! Stay away!” The crowd crept closer to the earth filly, closing in around her like a pack of wolves that had finally cornered an injured fawn, but Tart screamed and bolted out into the open hallway with a scream. "Moon Beeeam! They're baaaack! M-make them go away!"

Cherry galloped through the halls, her tiny legs carrying her as fast as she could make them, until she ran face-first into a solid mass barring passage to the wing of the palace that housed her room. She fell to the floor, bawling incoherently, and tried to beat away the black barrier with foal-sized kicks and screams. It took her several moments to calm down enough from her terror-induced tantrum for her to remember the past few months, through the off-and-on siege of the castle, and the night her filly friend had left. It finally registered in her mind that the navy-coated foal wouldn't be waiting for her in the room she shared with Cloudy as she was wont to do when they were both up too early in the morning. "M-Moon Beam... isn't.... The-en M-miss- Queen Moon can h-help...." She sniffled, hiccuping as her emotions began settling down, and wiped her nose on her hoof, smearing a line of clear mucous across her fetlock.

Cherry’s journey to the central staircase moved slowly, her exhaustion finally catching up with her now that the explosions had stopped and her fear had dwindled down to a nervous chill and stopped its invigorating supply of adrenaline, and was punctuated by bouts of lost footing as her eyes drooped and exaggerated yawns. By the time she had reached the polished black steps, the filly was already half-asleep, struggling to remain awake to get the comfort she desperately needed. She stumbled on the first step when one of her forelegs didn't quite cover distance, and banged her chin on the volcanic stone. A choked sob escaped her lips as she pulled herself back up, the impact shocking into full alertness, and crept up the staircase with a fresh line of blood trickling down her lip. "O-owww...." She felt the sting of fresh tears resurfacing, but swallowed the pain down with a grimace only to slip over the top step as a new explosion echoed through the empty hall.

Cherry groaned and rubbed her face, darkening the cherry of her coat with a fresh smear crimson, as she stared down the dimly lit passage for the source of the new attack. Another quake shook dust from the rafters and the filly almost turned tail to run back to the false safety of the throne room when something else echoed through the hall. She recognized the sound, having heard it a multitude of times throughout her stay under the obsidian roof and the night queen's care, as Nightmare's voice and, more specifically, her scream. "Sh-she's angry again.... M-maybe I should- shouldn't...."

Her mind screamed at her to turn back, reminding her of what had happened to the last pony that had disturbed the night mare after her temper had flared and his deteriorating mental state, but the tone of her voice, a tone that only a child would notice, caught her attention. Cherry found herself inching towards the cacophony one step at a time, moving softly so her foalish gait wouldn't alert the monarch to her presence, until the intermittent explosions, now easily recognized as blasts of magic and godly crashes of hooves, were nearly deafening to the young pony's ears. The doors to the queen's chambers were closed, rattling with each conclusive force, but she could now clearly make out Nightmare Moon's words through the thick steel.

"-not care for lives of those spineless foals cowering in my throne room! Were it not for me, none of them would be any more than a smear upon the rubble of this castle!" Her words were punctuated by the slamming of her hooves against the floor and a splitting crack as the stone spider-webbed out from beneath the door. "Her life is more precious than all of them entwined!"

The filly heard a gruff clearing somebody's throat before another voice spoke up. "Now, Queen Moon, calm down. You know that-"

"I will not calm myself! I have spent nearly a month keeping this barrier up to protect their pitiful lives as they do nothing but whimper and moan for their lives!" Another explosion shook the floor, this one coming from beyond the walls, followed by a pained scream of rage from the alicorn. "Were it not for those damn foals, I would have razed those pathetic mutants to the ground and fed them to the beasts of Tartarus aeons ago!"

The earth pony shivered, chilled by an immaterial wave that swept past her body, but pressed herself against the dream between the doors, silently and slowly paying them until there was a crack large enough to peep through. The sight beyond the portal took Cherry's breath away, simultaneously bewildering and awing the foal. The once perfect, clean room was in shambles. Pieces of debris, previously beautiful furniture and artwork, lay seen across the floor, most of it burnt and crumbling. The majority of the tapestries that had adorned the walls had been reduced to nothing more than ashes and leftover silk while the few that remained were singed and permanently soot-stained. The walls and floors, riddled with cracks and missing chips, looked like they were ready to collapse, yet remained firm as if through the sheer will of the queen alone. Cherry likened it to a memory of a stampede she had witnessed early in her short length of years, the act having left nothing behind but disaster, and yet, despite all of this, there was still a magnificence to the scene.

The entire room was awash in a radiant white light with small, partly ribbons floating through the air like miniature serpents. The ethereal glow was supported by black tendrils, each one snaking out from a small onyx orb hovering near the ceiling that pulsed like a beating heart.

At the center of it all, though, was the midnight black queen, reclining across the remnants of her once majestic bed. Her turquoise eyes, typically piercing and commanding, were bloodshot baggy with lines of her fuschia makeup running in steaks across her cheeks. The sleek black fur she was known for was matted and disheveled, and yet she still managed to awe the filly with her majesty, but that wasn't what quite caught the girl's eye. The astral mane, that snaking, undulous mass that had always amazed the filly with its star-speckled beauty, hung limply from the mare's head like a roiling navy curtain after a heavy storm.

Cherry shivered as the queen's eyes passed over the door, the deathly coldness in the turquoise orbs drawing out her darkest terrors even when it was apparent that she wasn’t the meant to be the recipient of the gaze. Nightmare’s fury was almost palpable in the air, seething and pulsing from the orb at the room’s center, and yet the foal could see something else in those eyes as they paid no heed to the near-unseeable crevice. She yearned to be close to the mare, to comfort her as only a child could, but her fear of punishment acted as an uncrossable mire, keeping her hooves planted firmly in place at the metal barrier as the queen’s guest, the massive minotaur lord, stepped into view.

“Your Majesty, I know how you feel, but you can’t let those feelings addle your judgement. Those ponies and griffons downstairs need you here.”

“Over a week has passed since my child has gone feral and my link with Twilight was severed!” Nightmare stomped her hoof to emphasize her anger, making the metal frame of her bed give a metallic cry of protest.

“Loss is something I am not unfamiliar with, Your Majesty, but you are a queen and your subjects need their ruler.” He stood over the bed, seeming as if he filled all of the empty space in the room with his presence as he maintained his place.

“What do you, a mere whelp in years when compared to my eternity of life, know of my pain!?” The giant flinched back as the alicorn’s horn pulsed black, sending out a shockwave from the spell’s source that would have slammed the foal’s peephole shut had it not been for her standing in it. “I care not for those foals! They are nobodies from a line of nobodies! They hide in my castle, under my power, like a bushel of terrified rabbits in their hole while my Twilight is missing!”

“They are...” Jahurl crouched down to the mare’s level, meeting her eye where no other would have dared. “But.... If it weren’t for those foals, then you wouldn’t have your throne. Your army also lies in wait inside that barrier, and my people as well. If you go flying off to save a dead mare, then you leave your last bastion only allies to the Griffonians.” Nightmare Moon glared at the bull-headed man, who returned the look, unfaltering under her intense gaze.

“What is an empire without the mare you love!? What measure of solace do I receive from this castle without those I maintain it for!?” The onyx queen stood on the broken mattress, leaning over the crouching bull with an imposing aura. “Let them die! All of them! I would sacrifice the lives of every creature on Equus Prime to Tartarus if only to bring her back!”

“Then why haven’t you?”

Nightmare opened her mouth, prepared to scream her rebuttal at the waiting minotaur, but the words died in her throat. She struggled to find her voice, her lips moving without sound, and found that she couldn’t. The words that she wanted to yell, to crush him with, wouldn’t come. She swallowed the lump that had begun to well in her throat and turned her attention to her ruined bedding. “B-because....” She gave a shuddering gasp, her anger slipping away as her body shook and dropped to her stomach. “Because she- she would not....”

Jahurl lifted the mare’s head with a calloused hand and looked into her watering eyes, a grim frown on his muzzle. “You knew that it was a fool’s mission. Lady Sparkle was a powerful mare, but she was still a child when it comes to war and yet you sent her anyway.” The queen struggled to look away from him, but he held her firm with his substantial strength. “I sent one of my own with her, one that I cared for like my own child, knowing that she would not return. I know what it is you’re feeling now, but you can’t let it control you. You have to remain standing for those that can’t without you.”

“I-I know- I.... I promised her that-that I would protect h-her.... Sh-she was relying on me... and I failed her.... N-nothing but....”

Tears began to well in the emotionally fortuitous mare as she struggled to break free of the minotaur’s grasp, her efforts becoming weaker and weaker as she slipped further away from the protection her mental shell had always provided. She pushed at his arms with her hooves, twisting her head painfully to escape, until her walls finally crumbled. A sob wracked her body as the burning liquid ran down her cheeks. She choked, coughing as the first cry slipped past her lips, sputtering incoherent noise as her attempts to protest the emotion were drowned in her sorrow. The minotaur lord smiled softly and stood, letting the mare’s head sag to the bed as he turned to spare the monarch her dignity. Nightmare gripped the bedding for support, clinging to it as if it was the sole lifeline in a monsoon, not noticing the eep of a foal caught red-hoofed outside the door or Jahurl’s quiet urging of the foal to join her.

Tart crept up to the queen’s bed, watching the mare nervously from just out of view, until she had built up the courage to climb up beside her. Cherry swallowed loudly, nuzzling the alicorn as lightly as possible. “Uhm.... M-miss Moon?” Looking up towards the source of the nudge, Nightmare let loose a piercing wail, a terrible shrieking cry that would forever haunt the dreams of the cherry-maned foal, as she desperately leaned into her tiny embrace.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author’s Notes: Well now, who would have thought Nightmare would finally break her shell and show some real emotion for once? Me, of course. Anyway, sorry this one took so damn long. There will be more to come across the board as I work on and finish the rest of the stuff, but, as for this, you’re gonna hafta hold onto your seats, 'cause I already told ya these are part of the final leg.

I'm probably gonna be working in the next chapter of UD in between work and stuff, so prepare your bodies for some adorable fillies and awkward situations. Who knows? Maybe something interesting will happen. Anyway, the next chapter of ATFN is going to be relatively fun, so here's hoping that I'll find the time to concentrate without too many distractions! Anyhoof, that's it for today! Peppy out~!

Chapter 50 - The Terror of Trepidation

Chapter 50 - The Terror of Trepidation

Peguary Fourteenth of the First Lunar Year
Seven Forty-Seven Ante Meridian
|

A shadow crept across the queen’s destroyed bedchamber, weaving like a snake across the floor, as the magical maelstrom’s light whipped through the air and distorted its presence. A second splotch of black came after it reached the alicorn’s side followed by three others and a final, larger ring. The shadows settled over the ravaged bedspread, circled around the black mare like ethereal sentries.

The black queen examined the shimmering blue armour as it danced around her head, contemplating her next actions with a dark scowl. She glanced over her shoulder towards a spot of shadow in the otherwise brightly illuminated room and her facade slipped, her features softening as the frown lifted into a sad, half-grin. Nightmare lifted the cold metal of her helmet and stared up into its cushioned interior, barely containing the wavering in her aura as she slowly lowered the piece over her horn to rest snugly against her skull. Her body tensed and she spun her head back to stare into the dark cubby, tears welling in the corners of her eyes.

"I am so sorry, love. I wanted to come to you, the moment I felt the fear building in your heart, but I could not. You must believe me." She paused, nodding, and suppressed a shudder before it could work it's way down her spine. "You know that I would never try to abandon you. I had no other choice! These... foa- ...ponies you care so much about would not have survived without my protection."

The queen's head sagged, almost brushing the mane of the filly sleeping beside her, as her sadness began dropping onto the tattered silk beneath her. "You are right, but I have been trying. It is difficult, learning to care for those that have never cared for you, but I have tried just as I was trying to change for you. I- I am uncertain if I can do so without you here, though...."

Nightmare flinched, turning away from the shroud of darkness, and wiped her face with a stray corner of blanket. "Yes, your fate was of my fault alone, but I swear that I did not mean for any of this to happen! You know that I love you overly much to simply leave you to die without a reason of grave import! You are the kingdom, the world, to me, love, and you know this more than anything! How could you even believe such thoughts?"

Silence hung heavy in the room as the lunar alicorn nodded, wiping the moisture off her face and cringing as if shying away from a projectile. "I am aware of... our past. I know what I have done, but you know that I now regret all of it!" She sniffled and took a deep breath before finally looking back into the dark corner of the chamber. "But... was it not you that said our past is what molded and shaped our love?" A warm smile spread across Moon's lips and her shaking stopped as her roiling emotions slowly calmed. "Of course. I have never doubted your words, Love. Sometimes, I presume it is important to be reminded of our shortcomings, Twilight, otherwise we may-"

"Miss Moon?"

The royal alicorn flinched, dropping her hold on the remaining pieces of her armour and spun to stare down at the foal nestled into her side as she wiped the sleep from her eyes. "Yes, child? What do you need?"

"Who are you talking to?"

Nightmare smiled and fanned the remaining moisture from her face as she turned back to the shadows in the room. "I was just speaking with Twilight. There is not any need to worry. You may continue to sleep."

Cherry grinned, following her monarch's gaze with hopes that her fillyfriend would be there with her, but the smile quickly slipped into a confused frown. "But... there's nopony there...."

"What do you imply? Of course she's there, laying beneath her...." Nightmare's words trailed off as her gaze passed over the once-shadowy cubby, now fully illuminated by her spell's shimmering light, and saw only the tattered blanket her once-slave had treasured sitting motionless and flat on a splintered armoire. The mare felt a lump form in her throat and her eyes sting further as the reality of the situation dawned on her. She swallowed, breathing deeply through her nose, and her vision wavered as she stared down at the simple blue linens. From her perch, she could still see traces of her lover's blood staining the fabric from the injuries she had inflicted upon the mare, tinged brown from many months of washing and fading.

Nightmare looked down at the foal, who returned the gaze with visible concern, before turning back to the sheets. Her black aura enveloped the bundle, lifting it from its resting place and drawing it up to her face. She could still smell the byzantium mare on the fabric, a faint hint of the unicorn's sweat mixed with the rosy perfume of their shared bath products, and visions of the pony, wrapped snugly in the blanket's comforting embrace, filled her mind as vividly add her hallucinations had just moments before.

The queen pressed the sheets to her breast, clutching them as tightly to herself as she could as her walls broke down again. She screamed Twilight's name into azure blanket, sobbing uncontrollably as her tears formed dark splotches in the thick cotton. Distantly, she could feel the warmth of another body pressing up against her, squeezing what little bit of her torso it could hold on to, but all her mind could register was the dark hole recently torn from her heart and the tender scab that had just formed ripped viciously away.

For what seemed like hours, the lunar alicorn cried on the bed, shivering in the earth pony filly's embrace. Her body felt heavy, as if weighed down by an invisible force, her resolve to fight trampled by her stampeding emotions. She could hear a distant explosion, a dull, almost imperceptible boom, echo through the castle and felt the shock on her magic, but it did not register in her mind even as more concussions shook her spell's hold. Why, Twilight? Why do you listen to me? Why do you always sacrifice yourself for my benefit when I have done nothing for yours? You are much too intelligent for it to be foalish stupidity, so.... Why?

"Because you need me to. Everything I have done for you is from my love for you."

Nightmare's head jerked up to stare at the lavender apparition at her hooves, garbed in the silky dress long since discarded and chained by the ethereal shackles from her time in servitude. The queen's mouth hung open, starting at the mare's pristine coat, unblemished by any of the cuts, bruises, and scars she had accrued under the alicorn's rule. "Twilight, I.... How do you look...?"

"Don't you remember how I was before our feelings came to fruition? It has been quite some time, I guess." The unicorn giggled and stood from her testing place, moving awkwardly due to the short chains on the cuffs. "This is how I was before all of this started, before everything changed, and how I would have been had I not fallen for you. Literally and figuratively."

"I am so sorry, My Twilight. I did not want this. All that I had ever asked for was the respect and love of my subjects, yet fear and hatred was all that I received. It is all deserved now, I have done much to warrant such feelings in my subjects, but this war and your sacrifice was not...." The lunar monarch turned away as Twilight nuzzled under her chin, barely making contact before being brushed off. "How can you comfort the mare that sent you to your death? Do you secretly enjoy the torment it causes me?"

A sad smile spread across the unicorn's lavender lips as she settled up against the collapsed bed frame. "We just went over this, didn't we? I comfort you because you need it, because it's what you want, and because I love you. Do I need any other reason?" Twilight chuckled, her soft laughter echoing in the black mare's mind. "You're always overthinking things, Nightmare. You want ponies to love you, but you don't just accept the love of those that do, past or present, because you don't think that you've done anything to deserve it."

"But I have not. Why should you love me when I have caused you naught but suffering?"

She muffled her words into the soft, blue blanket, but the purple mare simply smiled and rubbed her face up against Nightmare's neck. "I'm not sure, Nightmare, but you love me, right?"

Queen Moon nodded and stared into Twilight's amethyst eyes. "I do, love. I do..., but what does it matter now?" Her eyes darkened as she peered down at the unicorn's sweetly smiling face. "You are not real, are you?"

The apparition shook her head, but kept it resting against the alicorn's neck, transferring no heat between the two. "You already know that answer, don't you?"

"It is apparent. Twilight would not call me Nightmare. Not in private. And there is no turning back of the clock. The damage done to my beloved's body is irreversible. However wonderful it would be to return her to her former self, it is impossible." Nightmare pulled back, staring deep into the depths of her hallucination's irises. "You are not real, no matter how much I would wish it to be so, but why are you here? Why must you torment me with your presence?"

The unicorn loosed a haunting giggle, the sound echoing quietly through the room, and shrugged. "Why am I here?"

A light nudging on the alicorn's side startled her out of her reverie, drawing a snarl from her lips as Twilight's form dissipated into nothingness in front of her. She spun to her intruder, a furious glare on her face, only to lock eyes with a teary-eyed Cherry Tart who shrunk away from her sight. The night queen's hard gaze slipped, softening into a solemn frown as she carefully scooped the terrified filly into her embrace. "I any sorry, little one. I did not mean to scare you.... I was just... distracted...." The foal began to calm in her embrace, her heavy quaking slowing to just a light tremble. "What did you need?"

"I was scared. The booms are happening again, but your eyes were all dark and you didn't say anything and then you growled at me." Cherry wiped her face off on Nightmare's black coat, rubbing her tears into the black fur of her chest and making hair stick up at odd angles. "Make them stop please. Moonie would make them stop."

A resounding boom thundered through the black castle as if to punctuate the foal's plea, the resulting concussive blast raining bits of obsidian down from the rafters. Another growl rumbled in the queen's throat, this time directed at the weakening stone and those causing its deterioration. "You are right, Cherry Tart. This pathetic attempt to breach my immovable might needs come to its conclusion, but first I require your assistance. Find Lord Jahurl and have him gather our armies beyond the north wall. Inform him that, come noon, we will unleash our fury upon the foals that think us weak cattle born only to fill their stomachs! Tell him that tonight we shall unleash High Tartarus upon our foes and rain moonfire down to smite any that oppose us!" Nightmare settled onto the cracked floor, her hooves clacking noisily on the stone, and turned back to Cherry with a wide, wicked smile. "Thank you, Child. You comforted me when most I needed it and for that I will repay you. I will return Moon Beam and Commander Horizons to us no matter the cost. That, I promise."

"O-okay. I can do that, I think. Y-you're gonna keep me safe, right? Nothing will hurt me?"

"You are under my protection and so you shall remain. I swore to the high commander that I would ensure your safety and I intend to keep that promise." She drew a hoof across the young pony's face, giving her as comforting a smile as she could muster. "I understand how frightening all of this may be, but you must show courage. All will be well and as it was before it all began."

Cherry leaned into the touch, feeling her spirits brighten even with such a small gesture, and bowed her head slightly. "I- I can do it. He's the big thing you were talking to, right? With two horns?" Nightmare simply nodded and gently nudged the foal towards the door with a flash of telekinesis. "Uhm.... I have a question. Wh-what are you g-gonna do?"

The umbral monarch merely smiled and turned toward the far wall, her horn aglow with her dual magicks. "If you wish to see, child, then join the congregation below and experience the true majesty of your queen."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Peguary Fourteenth of the First Lunar Year
Eleven Forty-Nine Ante Meridian
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The winter-frosted ground crunched under the hooves of minotaur and pony alive as they shuffled into their ranks, filling in behind and beside one another as their unit leaders directed them. They shivered in the chill wind, their padded armour only providing limited protection against the biting cold, but they stood as ordered, facing the fearful obsidian palace with grim determination. At the head of the ranks stood the appointed captains, carefully lining their units in file while the minotaur lord directed his own people.

From below the legs of her temporary guardian maidservant, Cherry watched the proceedings in awe, staring wide-eyed at the minotaurs as they marched in near perfect unison. "It's pretty cool, huh? How do ya think they move on two legs with such big bodies?"

The servant mare above her shivered in the cold air, her thin garments providing little protection against the chill compared to the thick blanket wrapped around the foal as a makeshift coat, and shook her head. "I d-don't know. It's freaky if you ask me."

"That's not a nice thing to say, Miss. Some of our kind are mostly normal." The pegasus yelped and cowered under the shadow of the minotaur that had snuck up upon her, eliciting a hearty chuckle from the man. "No need to be scared. We aren't barbarians like most griffons and wild creatures. We know better than to let misinformed judgement get under our skin."

"M-my apologies, S-sir. I didn't mean nothing by it. It's j-just quite weird."

"There's no need to apologize, girl. We know that there is much that is not known to most ponies. A lot has happened over the past centuries and many things have been kept from the general equine public. Until recently, most ponies would not have even known what a griffon or a minotaur is." A small grin stretched across his muzzle as he reached down and ruffled the mare's mane. "And we don't hold it against ya, either. What your princess did for you was something most nations wish they could ask of their own leaders.

"The times have changed now, though, and you all must finally experience the tragedy of war. It is a terrible mistress, one that no people should ever have to suffer under and yet she is as unavoidable as death himself." Jahurl smiled down at the two ponies before rising to his full, massive height and turning to the extensive columns and rows of both minotaurs and ponies, all of the squeezing in under the gargantuan expanse of the queen's pitch-black dome. "You're a brave filly, Miss Tart, and I'm sure that everything will turn out perfectly fine. I have faith that the queen will guide us through the night to win back all that we've lost."

Cherry beamed, watching as the final masses of soldiers filed into their places to stand at attention with their backs to the magical barrier, equally intrigued by their near-unison marching as she was about what the queen had planned. "Mister Giant! Do you know what Mi- Queen Moon is going to do?"

The minotaur lord chuckled softly and shook his head. "I don't, Cherry, but I'm sure it'll be quite the spectacle to behold." Jahurl crouched down and leaned over the filly only to lift her up onto his shoulder. "Also, there's no need to call me mister. Just Giant is fine, although Jahurl would be preferred." Cherry giggled into his ear as he held her in place, snickering comically at his own joke before turning to the trembling maid. "As for you, Miss. I'll keep an eye on the filly if you don't want to stay. You're not dressed for the cold, after all. No need for you to freeze your little flank off with the rest of us."

The mare nodded shakily, her face already tinged red from the nip of the cold, and departed without another word, leaving the foal and foreign ruler alone at the forefront of the combined armies. Behind them, the cacophony caused by the marching of iron-clad hooves and the squad leaders' speed commands finally dwindled down to a dull roar and was only occasionally stirred back up by the sound of griffon explosives being detonated on the onyx force field. Bright flashes, dulled by the black filter of the magical walls, played across the vast expanse, illuminating the dimly lit wasteland outside the castle, yet none of the beings gathered paid the display any need.

All attention turned to the obsidian walls at the peak of the castle as they glowed an ethereal blue, the glossy surface undulating as if it was a mass of eels in a mating pool. With agonizing slowness, a large section of the volcanic stone bulged out from the rest of the palace's face, bubbling and pulsating, until the black mass shattered. The ponies and minotaurs below screamed, trying to break formation in their panic to flee for their lives as their imaginations ran wild with images of being impaled and crushed under the hulking shards, but they were packed too tightly in the limited spacing to escape. As a direct contrast to the terror-stricken masses behind them, Cherry and Jahurl merely watched the pieces of obsidian burst out into the air, maintaining a face of calm composure, despite the filly's now-trembling body, and were the first to bow as the wall's fragments were reeled back in to the new hole to form an exquisite balcony that held the lunar queen as she stepped out into her night. One by one, the soldiers calmed as they realized that their expected deaths weren't coming and their panic shifted their focus into their own salutes and acts of respectful humility until every heart was crossed and mane brushing the dirt.

Nightmare's eyes scanned the congregation, drinking in her subjects' worship, forced out otherwise, until she was certain that all attention was on her before her horn blazed with its black aura. "Fillies and Gentlecolts, soldiers of Equestria, and peoples of Valtaura and Grandimino alike! These past weeks and months we have cowered under the onslaught of Griffonian sieges, trembled in our fortress like foals in fear of the Headless Horse, and lost far too many to the unforgiving barbarians from the north! Lives have been taken, our children and loved ones stolen, and terror has been drilled into our hearts by their promises of death and slavery and we've given in to their tactics!

"But no longer! I have grown tired of keeping you safe under my magical ramparts, of letting you nurse your fear into a state of incompetence! Would you allow these savages, these ruthless murderers bent on destroying all that is precious to our nation, control your lives and serve you up as cattle for the rest of eternity!?" She glared down at the stunned masses far before her, the corner of her mouth lifting in a confident smirk as the ponies began talking amongst themselves, and stomped her hoof, the deafening boom pulling their eyes back up to her. "Tonight, I shall dispel my shield! Tonight, I shall allow those that have tested my power in! Tonight, we shall show just how powerful we ponies of Equestria can be when threatened!

"Tonight, we shall end the Griffonians' siege and drive them from our home. Let tonight be the first of many that we take to the fields of war to destroy those that took our family from us and rend their country asunder!"

Resounding cheers rose to the queen's lofty balcony as the soldiers chanted their anger, raising their voices in righteous fury against the looming Griffonian threat. Jahurl beamed as his own countrymen and women joined in, adding their own cries to the cacophony, and bowed one last time to the mare high above. It seems you've finally learned what it takes to rule a country, lass.

The black mare smiled down at her subjects, patiently waiting out their cries for war and rallying cheers. "Now! Many of you will not survive the night, a terrible consequence to secure your families' and nation's freedom, so take this time to rest and prepare! Say your farewells to those that you wish, but know that any sacrifice you make for us tonight will be remembered forever! Be prepared for we strike at midnight!"

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author's Notes: Here we go, this one came out quite a bit faster than my previous few installments. Not really sure why, exactly, but still! Anyway, imagine the situation all of these poor peoples are in. Constant bombing (where the fuck do they get all that black powder!?) and relentless mental terror of the time that the shields fall. Who else but nightmare could lead them all to victory? Who says that they’re even gonna win? Oh well, you don’t get to know either way till the next chapter. Hope you enjoyed the little bit of drama in this one, ‘cause there will be more.

Peppy out~!

Chapter 51 - Dancing Mad

Chapter 51 - Dancing Mad

Peguary Fourteenth of the First Lunar Year
Eleven Thirty-Nine Post Meridian
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The black queen paced along the intricate railing of her new balcony, carefully monitoring the procession of soldiers below as they reformed their ranks through wavering vision. She rubbed a hoof across her face, smearing a thin line of her lavender eye shadow across her cheek, momentarily clearing her eyes of the fog clouding them. "Chancellor."

The white unicorn lifted his head from the mass of parchment floating around him and bowed briefly before the alicorn. "Yes, My Queen?"

"As you should be aware, there are already griffon invaders prowling the halls of my palace that will strike the moment my shield goes down." Nightmare cast a sidelong glance over her shoulder, mimicking the middle-aged stallion's brief nod. "Very well. Our soldiers will fight to maintain a line of defense at the breaching points in the halls, but it is unlikely that they will be able to hold out forever. Should any of those lines fall, you must be the one to escort the servants to safety aboard one of the airships docked in the courtyard. Arm any willing with the remaining stored Valtauran arms and ensure that as many as possible make it out alive. You needs ensure the safety of the foal above all else, no matter the risk." She turned to him, her turquoise eyes piercing into his soul through his baby blue. "Is this understood?"

With a surprising calm, Fancy Pants bowed, dipping his head low enough for his bright blue mane to brush the floor. "Clearly, Your Majesty. Should the worse come to the worst, then I shall follow your command." The unicorn's facade of ease slipped as he glance up to the shimmering black dome blanketing a large portion of the castle grounds. "Pardon the question, My Queen, but do you truly believe we won't win the night?"

The lunar monarch sighed, smearing another streak of makeup across her face. "I am uncertain. While the Valtauran soldiers are vastly well trained, the same cannot be said of our own army. We have certainly had far more time to prepare than those that were slain in the civil unrest, but it is nothing compared to the savagery of the griffons. They have always been a conflict-focused people....

"I also fear that I will be too weakened to fight at my full potential. Months were spent holding out against constant breach attempts and, while I have been empowered by the moon's eternal presence, a defensive spell this large is taxing." The queen's legs trembled as she stared down at them, silently admiring the ornate plated shoes adorning her hooves. "I am nigh immortal and do not doubt my ability to survive the conflict to come, but I cannot say the same of everybody else. I fear there will be much lost tonight."

Fancy nodded, turning towards the bed chamber's doors with the masses of papers in tow. "You are correct, we are all fragile beings, but do not underestimate the rat backed into a corner by the cat. We may come to surprise even you. For now, Your Majesty, I will take my leave and prepare for the coming hours.... Stay safe. Lady Sparkle would not be pleased if something were to happen to you."

Nightmare watched in silence as the stallion trotted out of sight, only taking her eyes off the doorway after she was certain the unicorn was out of earshot to turn to the lavender apparition at her side. "He is right, you know. I'd be very upset if you got yourself fatally injured."

"Of course you would be displeased. It is to be expected of my own hallucinations to fear for my safety, but would you truly be saddened? Would the real Twilight suffer from the news of my mortal injury?" The alicorn's eyes closed for a moment as the small unicorn nuzzled up against her side, her senses sending false signals to he brain. "I find it difficult to believe that the true Twilight, my Twilight, would truly suffer from my downfall. It would mean the return of her freedom, even if her princesses would remain forever missing. She could return to a normal life, one not plagued with abuse and filled with the love of a pony she deserves."

"But wouldn't your death mean the death of everypony's freedom? Aren't you the last remaining hope that this land has against Griffonia?" The spectre reached of hoof over the balcony's railing and waved it above the military congregation below. "Sure, they have the motive to fight, but do they really have the capacity to? You were right when you said that we're weak, but isn't that why you fight with us?"

Nightmare chuckled and turned away from Twilight, casually strolling to their bed to lift the pieces of her armoured-regalia around her head. "It is. We have seen how you ponies have floundered in the past when left to rule by your own devices." Carefully, she stepped into her plated boots, securing each piece around her hooves with a minor enchantment. "We have seen how you are wont to turn upon each other for personal gain, even if those you betray are seeking to give you their aid." Her starmetal gorget was next and gently glided down the fur of her neck until it rested upon her shoulders, its moon-emblazoned crest sparkling in the shield magic's light. "I have seen how you all cower from danger even if that threat aims to take your precious loved ones away."

The lavender mare opened her mouth as if to protest as Nightmare slipped her crested helmet over her horn, but the alicorn quickly spun on her and lifted her into the air in a crushing embrace. "But.... I have also seen these same ponies selflessly sacrifice themselves for the sake of others, even those that they know nothing about. I have seen the love that you ponies share amongst each other and the bravery that you display in moments where bravery would be in minimal supply, but, most of all...." The black queen pulled away from her consort and held her at leg's length, keeping them aloft with simple beats of her wings. "I have felt the love that you hold for me, no matter how misplaced it may be. I know that you are not real and I know not why I have conjured you here to torment me with false touches and phantom warmth, but you are here and you needs know. I fight for the warmth that you instill in my cold heart and for the random acts of kindness that your peers are known to commit."

"Do you see now? Why you brought me here? You can be a heartless monster, but even under all of that you, too, hold the kindness that is present in everybody. It's time to fight now, so go and protect that kindness." Twilight smiled, her eyes closed, and slowly bridged the gap between Nightmare's lips and her own only to disappear as their mouths connected.

Nightmare Moon sighed as the spectral warmth disappeared from her grasp and slowly opened her eyes to the ruined, lonely expanse of her room as she settled on the cracked obsidian. "I only wish that you were still around for me to tell you directly." She hardened her gaze, pouring magic into her limp navy mane until it flared out into a roiling cosmic mass, and strolled back out onto the balcony.

Silence fell upon the ponies and minotaurs below as her hooves clicked loudly upon the stone, amplified by magic, and all eyes turned up towards her. She continued to flood her body with the moon's magic until she, too, began to give off an ephemeral light and, only after every being present in the crowd gaped at her in fearful awe did she begin to speak. "Gaze, soldiers, upon the awesome beauty and might of your queen and savior, for it may be the final lasting sight that you will behold! Drink in my wonder and revel in my splendor so that you, simple mortals, shall know no fear in the faces of your foes! Know that your queen, your goddess, holds a strength of such monumental heights that no other being, nor their own armies, should ever hope to overcome it!

"Remember! Remember this image, for it very well may be your last, so, when Death is looming over you, his wicked harvester's scythe in tow, you may have the courage and endurance to laugh in his face and wrest your enemies life from their body in your place!" Nightmare squeezed her eyes shut, pooling power through her horn and into her body until it lifted her from her perch, then spread her wings, her eyes opening and pouring out a piercing white light. "Go, my soldiers, my kinsponies, my allies! Go now and let loose the hounds of war! Let the griffons tremble in their folly and know that they have committed a grave sin against the true goddess of the night! Take thine blades and thrust them into your adversaries until this blasted land grows fertile in the bath of their blood!"

The black mare's glow continued to intensify as she was lifted higher into the air, gently flapping her wings to expedite her ascent, until her horn was a mere few inches from the apex of the black dome surrounding the majority of the castle grounds. The mass below waited with baited breath, dancing on their hooves with weapons drawn, for Nightmare to lower the shield, but they did not have long to stand idle. "Go now and slaughter!" The last of her words echoed with a deafening flare as her white hot horn pierced the spell's barrier. An almost soundless explosion shook the air only for an ear-shattering, deep boom to immediately follow it, sending several soldiers to their knees and disintegrating a mass of griffons in the immediate vicinity of the shell into nothingness, the explosives they were carrying joining them in the void.

As the initial shock wore, a steady, rising cry began to rise from the ground, replacing the supersonic blast with the cacophonous call of battle. Almost as one, fleets of hundreds of pegasi took off from the ruined earth, soaring into the sky to clash and tear into the still-stunned ranks of griffons that were outside of the destructive force of the shield's fall. Swords and spears flashed in the pale moonlight, their sharpened blades and honed heads soon drinking in the blood of their victims.

Far below, the hoofsoldiers began their charge, the clink of their platemail quickly drowned out by their thunderous steps. From behind them, several lines of minotaurs took aim with their massive hand-ballistae and let loose a volley of almost spear-length bolts into the unsuspecting Griffonian army. Strangled cries from the griffons joined the ponies' battle calls as the projectiles' barbed heads pierced their ranks and pinned them to the ground to bleed and die. The momentary respite brought by the surprise attack did not last long, however, and soon the griffons began their counter-offensive.

Far above, Nightmare Moon surveyed the initial rush's outcome, hastily measuring the two armies against each other, her growing frown revealing her concern with each passing second. The Griffonians are far more numerous than I had expected. It seems our losses will be far greater than my initial assumption. The alicorn closed her eyes for a brief moment before rising further into the air and pulling a long, wicked blade from her mane. Our ground forces seem to be most outnumbered.... Do not fear, for I shall show you the true meaning of power....

The lunar monarch tilted her body, angling down towards the central mass of the griffon army, the dead center of the heavily armoured soldiers, and pushed off into a nosedive. In a matter of seconds, the ground and griffon soldiers rose up to meet her, the soldiers warned of her presence only by the whistle of the wind around her body, and impacted the earth with groundbreaking force. She felt a northern dragoon compress under her momentum, his body crushed by the force of her landing and his blood and liquefied organs sprayed on his surrounding comrades, but her entrance was not complete. All surrounding attention turned towards her, every eye not blinded by the debris of her impact dilated in a mix of fear and anger, and she took that moment to lift her ornate, serrated sword into the air, her own height nearly towering over the hybrid masses. "Death shall be your only companion this night, for you face a goddess!"

In a nearly imperceptible flash, Nightmare wheeled her weapon around her, the honed edge easily sliding through the metal plating and tearing into the soldiers surrounding her that had survived her initial attack. Blood sprayed from severed necks and dismembered limbs, coating the cracked earth with crimson pools. Again, the surprise of her attack had given Nightmare a chance to survey the situation and plan her next move until a stray arrow lodged itself into her shoulder.

She yelped in surprise, yanking the shaft out with her magic as she turned towards the source of the projectile with murder in her eyes. The griffons, finally coming out of their concussed stupor, converged around her, each of them eager to be the one to slay the god-queen and earn their warchief's favour, but were struck down by blade and magical lance as Nightmare thundered through their ranks. Several more arrows peppered her hide, barely penetrating her magic-thickened skin, but she kept her sights on the first archer that had struck her and cackled like a madmare as she closed in on her, her blade parrying and slaughtering a hole through the griffon's formation. Just as she reached her target, however, the griffon took off into the air in a panic, but, with a tightening of the muscles in her hind legs, the alicorn kicked off from the ground and planted her hooves squarely on the girl's back. As one, they crashed into the soil, Nightmare crushing the griffoness into the earth and shattering her spine with a sickening crunch.

Her former foe's death offered no reprieve, however, as several more arrows arched towards her only to bounce off a quickly formed shield or unintentionally embed themselves into their allies. She spun on her heels, expecting to charge the next group of rangers, but was met with a wall steel and feathers. She glared down at the soldiers barring her path, horn aglow and ready to launch another volley of magic arrows when one of the griffons raised his halberd with a smirk.

"So, the mighty queen is trapped with nowhere to run. How does it feel to be helpless and-"

Nightmare growled, raising herself into her hind legs and smashing her forehooves against the speaking griffon's and his left-flank warrior's helmets, splattering blood on her boots and the ground below as the metal collapsed and their skulls crushed under the force of the kick. "Never monologue on a battlefield, foal!" She came down with a grunt, barely having enough time to parry a thrust aimed at her neck, and howled in pain as one of the griffon infantry thrust her scimitar into her side.

She wrenched the sword from her attacker's grasp, ripping the length that had opened her hide with an agonized hiss, and stopped her own blade across the staggered girl's forelegs, crippling her. The alicorn wasted no time as the rest of the surrounding warriors closed in on her and jumped into the air, hovering just above the battlefield as she closed her wound and swirled a second layer of silvery magic around her black aura. Without warning, the night mare released her charged spell, angling her horn down at the ground below. Faster than any of the griffons could anticipate, a thick ray of concentrated moonlight struck the earth, dimming the moon as it seared the brown dirt black and reduced a wide swath of Griffonian foot soldiers to ash.

The intense ray died down leaving Nightmare panting above the scorched earth to survey the damage as rivulets of sweat ran down her neck. Hundreds of griffons had been eradicated by the spell, missing completely save for the ash slowly blowing away in the late-night breeze, and many more lay writhing, screaming, or dead on the outskirts of the destruction zone from gruesome burns that no amount of medicine or magic could ever hope to heal.

The alicorn grunted again, struggling to remain aloft as she recovered from the taxing effort the spell had taken. I should not have let my anger take hold.... She glanced towards the ground, grimacing as the griffons converged around her, each of them anxiously waiting for her to land and recover from her exhaustion. I do not believe this will end well.... Nightmare closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, and readied her sword as she prepared herself for the imminent struggle below. Her blade quivered in her grasp, her magical reserves also struggling under the heavy strain of the past months, but she held it as firmly as possible. I cannot waver if we wish to come out victorious tonight. I am the beacon of strength, the idol of victory.... Hesitation serves nobody on the battlefield.

“Fight for them, Luna. Show them that you are willing to sacrifice for their survival and they will rally behind you.”

The queen opened her eyes, expecting to see the lavender apparition hovering beside her, smiling at her with the same smile she had seen on her Twilight, but there was nothing, not even a griffon within earshot of her. Frantically, she spun, searching for the source, but found another welcoming sight instead. Her soldiers were pushing the griffons back, slowly, but surely, and they would be joining her shortly. She grinned, her pearly teeth glinting in the light of the moon as she braced her sword at neck level, and pulled her wings in for a dive. She met with the enemy below with as much force as they aimed to press upon her, swirling her own blade at lightning-fast speeds to counter and parry each thrust, swipe, and slicing arc, but even that wasn’t enough to save her from everything.

Each missed block was another notch carved into her thickened skin, each piercing stab created another gash to drain her blood into the growing pool of mixed life-fluids, and, were it not for the magic coursing through her body, Nightmare knew she would have been dead long ago. She cut down a griffon charging her flank, cleaving straight through his heavily plated midsection, and screamed as the sharp head of a spear pierced her ribs, narrowly missing her vital organs as it slid into her flesh. Her wicked weapon swung around to separate the griffon’s head from her body, but stopped short as another spear stuck in her shoulder, glancing off bone and burying itself awkwardly in her muscle.

Nightmare nearly collapsed from the pain, but managed to keep her balance and dispatched her two assailants only to have five more take their place. She gasped, erecting a thick bubble around herself as she whimpered and ripped the broken spear shafts from her body. I- I cannot keep this up.... Too much stamina spent.... Accursed griffons, you will rue the day that you brought my pure fury down upon your heads just as those who have called upon it before you! The alicorn’s eyes dilated, the thin reptilian slits expanding to encompass her irises as they began to radiate a pure, white light. She looked up into the sky, watching as the clouds roiled, stormed, and thundered, charging the air with electricity. Lightning struck, electrocuting a griffon just outside her bubble shield, but she was not done yet.

Her horn burst with silvery light, the growing spell overpowering the black aura maintaining her barrier, and the clouds split to reveal massive swirling portals filled with the blackness of space and the occasional ray of light. The first to notice the change were the aerial units. Pegasi and griffons alike froze in fear as the void above them sparked and roared, catching the first glimpse of the destruction to come. Their warnings went unheard as the thunderous roar grew, though it was still not loud enough for the soldiers below to recognize it over the cries of battle and death howls. Nightmare could feel the stars breaking apart just inside of the portals as they rocketed towards their targets and she licked her lips in anticipation. Tonight, none shall doubt my true ability! Tonight, they shall all die!

“Luna, no! Stop, or you’ll kill everybody!” Again, the voice in her mind forced her to scan the area, the charging spell dissipating.

Her concentration slipped just in time to prevent the first star piece from passing through the howling gates, but she cared little for the lost effort. “Twilight? Where are you? If you have come to haunt me again, then now is not the time!” She screamed, stamping her hoof, and glared down at the griffons around her. They were waiting again, waiting for her to lower her shell so that they could overwhelm her in her weakened state, and she knew that she wouldn’t be able to kill them all before she fell to their instruments of death. “Damn my mental instability to Tartarus.... I should have known that my hallucinations would spell out my downfall....” She sighed, bracing herself for the inevitable as she tried to conjure up the false Twilight one last time before she perished, but nothing happened. Desperate wishes were muttered to bring the lavender mare back one last time so that she could feel the warmth of her body, the soft caress of her fur against her own, even if it was just her senses being fooled, but nothing happened. Not even the haunting whispers that had brought this death upon her returned.

A tear slipped down her cheek as she felt her spell fading. She could not maintain the shield any longer and it began to spark and shattered as she tried to pour magic she did not have into it until. As one, the griffons charged her, covering the short distance created by her bubble in a matter of seconds. Nightmare closed her eyes, waiting for the first bit of metal to cut into her and finally end her life, but was startled out of her stupor by a bellowing shout and a balance-shattering tremor from the ground in front of her. She fell to the earth, her body shaking as the fear of death finally began taking its toll on her, and shot a glance towards the massive bloody maul embedded in the ground at her hooves.

Jahurl lifted his club back into his grasp, winking at the black mare, and turned on the remaining soldiers, ignoring the choked gasps of the griffons he had smashed under the length of his weapon. Nightmare heaved a sigh of relief as more minotaurs and ponies converged on the area, swarming over the Griffonian forces that had not begun their retreat while some of the unicorns and smaller half-bovines assisted her in getting back on her hooves. She could feel the adoration from her ponies as they joined her, most of them having witnessed her brutal charge first-hand, but not the destruction she had planned to rain down upon them, and she silently thanked the phantom voice for interrupting her spell, knowing that she would have been one of the few to survive.

Already, the Griffonian siege force was retreating and cheers were beginning to rise from the ponies as they chased what few they could catch down. Ponies circled around her, dropping their weapons and praising her for her part in routing their foes. The scene almost brought a new batch of tears to her eyes, these ones of a much less somber origin than those shed in the recent past, and she almost didn’t feel the change in her own soul. Almost. It was a familiar sense, something she knew from long, long ago and it brought a slight smile to her face. Moon Beam. Are you well?

“Yes, mistress....” Nightmare’s smile widened and visibly stretched across her muzzle, much to the pleasure of her subjects, though it did not last as the deep, hissing voice of her soul-piece dropped in tone. “But.... There is something that you must know....”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author’s Notes: So, I wasn’t expecting to get this out today, mostly because I wasn’t sure how I wanted to finish out the battle. I had several plans, most of them differing completely, but here’s how it turned out! The first real victory for the ponies, something they sure as sugar needed, and it was brought about not just by Nightmare, but her army’s effort as well. Maybe her view of them will turn for the better now? Who knows? She’s still such a silly pony. Anywho, hope you enjoyed and Merry Christmas! Peppy out~!

Chapter 52 - What's Lost...

Chapter 52 - What’s Lost...

Peguary Fifteenth of the First Lunar Year
Twelve Fifty-Four Ante Meridian
|

Fancy Pants sighed and levitated the smallsword he had requisitioned from the castle's stores at his side, examining the blade as it glinted in the warm torch light. The sounds of war rang throughout the throne room, even through the thick, obsidian walls. Screams, terrible and agonizing, echoed in the halls, amplified by the expansive emptiness and joined by the battles raging inside them, but the stallion remained unmoved. Even after his time serving under the queen, they were still equally terrifying and stomach-churning, but that was not what bothered him the most. Not anymore.

It was the whimpers behind him, the sound of metal clinking, just barely audible over the surrounding cacophony, and the tremble in his own magical grasp that truly scared him now. The feeling of dread that threatened to overwhelm him did not stem from the thought that the griffons might be coming, because he knew that they would come. He knew that the soldiers would be overwhelmed despite the explosive blast that could have only come from the detonation of a magical barrier, because he had seen the paltry defenses left to keep the castle secure, but he did not fault Nightmare Moon for the choice; he would have done the same thing. What he did fear, however, was the ponies he was set to guard.

They’re no warriors.... He sighed, hiding the shakiness in the action to the best of his ability. All it would take is for one of them to panic. Then we'd all be dead.

His nose twitched, an old tick from his school years that always cropped back up whenever his nerves were strained, as the sound of fighting grew louder. It was a sign that the guards stationed to defend the bastion's interior were calling their retreat and he knew that it would be the only real warning that they would have. He sniffled, calming the twitch in his muzzle, and turned to the amassed servants. "Right. It would seem that our soldiers guarding the halls may not make it in time to urge on our departure, so I believe we would be best off making a preemptive move.

"Now, I know you're all scared and I'm sure you want nothing more than to stay here and barricade the door, but I must insist that you follow me to safety." Murmurs rose from the crowd with quiet snippets of both approval and denial reaching out from the masses, but the middle-aged unicorn ignored them and brought back their attention with a quick cough. "I promise that I'll do everything I can to keep you safe, but we must leave now before it's too late. Those of you that can fight or have chosen to, please watch for danger. The castle is large and has quite a few connecting halls."

Fancy Pants turned back towards the double doors, lifting his sword, and took a deep breath as he listened to a few other ponies do the same. I should have never volunteered for this position. I would have been better off staying happy and safe in my Canterlot estate. He gave a soft chuckle and shook his head as he stepped up to the door. “And I know that's not true. All right, fillies and gentlecolts. Be on your guard and, whatever you do, stay calm."

The white stallion's heart thundered in his chest as the metal portals began to swing inwards, powered by the glow of his horn. He wasn't certain how far the griffons had gotten or if they even had a chance if making it to the end of the hall, but none of that truly mattered; he had been assigned the task and he would see it out until his final breath.

After several agonizing moments, the path was finally open and, to his surprise, nothing was there to greet them on the other side. He loosed a relieved sigh as he motioned for the staff to follow. "We'll move together. Don't separate from the group."

His first step was hesitant, his entire foreleg trembled as he willed it forward, but that one step was all he needed to push himself further. Each clop of his hooves spurred him on faster until he, and the entire group, was moving at a steady trot. He kept his head forward, his neck almost rigid, as he moved, but his eyes shot back and forth at every intersection, a creeping paranoia forcing the action lest it gnaw at his mind.

Despite the heightened caution, however, nothing moved out of the ordinary. The occasional chill wind blowing in from an open window startled some of the entourage whenever it fluttered one of the building's many tapestries, but there was nothing to cause true worry. Where are all of the soldiers?

As if to spite the posh unicorn for his inquiry, a lone griffon winged his way into the group's path, flying frantically right towards them. Fancy Pants cursed under his breath and readied his sword, still shaking despite all of his attempts at staying his grip, but it was all for nothing. Behind him, ponies screamed and shouted, their hooves thundering on the floor as they surged forward, driven by panic. He braced himself for the inevitable trampling, tensing his muscles, but the crowd just surged past him and converged upon the stray soldier.

The griffon had no time to react before the ponies had pulled him from the air and began their assault. Fancy could barely hear the poor creature's screams over the outraged cries of the mares and stallions stomping him into the stone and it wasn't long before those were silenced by the flurry of hooves. He stepped back, horrified, as the near-dozen ponies moved away and sneered at the brutalized corpse before returning to the rest of the stunned group. Please let that be the last one. I... don't think I could handle that again.

"A-alright. It looks like the way is..." He paused and shuddered at the sight of the mauled body. "Clear.... Let us move before more-"

He started back at their trot, carefully skirting the splattered blood and hoofprints, only to freeze in place when the sound of beating wings and scraping claws sounded from around the next corner. Already, he could sense the ponies begin their preparations to charge when the clop of heavy hooves joined the scratching followed by a thud and a scream. Almost immediately, the lifeless body of a griffoness tumbled out from the hall ahead, cut in twain through her stomach, until it impacted the opposite wall, splattering blood across the floor as it bounced.

Two more warriors scampered out after her, sliding on the slick floor as their claws tried to find purchase in the glass-like stone, only to be smashed into the wall by the golden-brown shoulder of a hulking minotaur cow. The woman straightened her body, shaking off the dust and debris from the wall that wasn't plastered on by the fresh layer of blood, and brushed away a lock of hair that had gotten tangled around one of the horns on her forehead. She smirked and shook some of the tension out of her thick muscles as an entourage of a half-dozen smaller minotaurs caught up to her. "You should be disappointed in yourselves. Letting your lord do all the fighting.... Check for more griffons then report back to the entrance." She ignored the bumbling excuses of her subordinates as they stumbled over themselves to follow her command and turned to the speechless stallion dressed in blue. "You must know what's going on here. Where is your queen?" Her smile inched wider when he tried uselessly to speak. "We have business we need to conduct."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Peguary Fifteenth of the First Lunar Year
One Twenty-Seven Ante Meridian
|

A massive shadow passed over the moonlit walls of an expansive redstone palace, writhing across the rooftop and partially eclipsing the pearly sphere in the sky. The shadow loosed a terrible roar followed by a blinding burst of light as electricity spewed from its open maw, each consecutive bolt searing the through the black of night and imprinting streaks of white into the vision of the few that witnessed it. Another deep cry echoed through the dark valley as the creature practically crashed onto a landing jutting from the side of the structure. The black mass kept up its momentum, lumbering through hallways barely large enough for it to squeeze in to, and snarled at anything that dared to come into contact with it.

Slowly, the beast began to shrink, growing smaller and smaller, bit by bit. The first features to dissipate in the smoke surrounding it were it's wings; the thick, leathery appendages, much resembling those of the dragons that cowered under the monster's terrible visage, vanished into nothingness. Soon, the feathered, reptilian tail joined it, trimming down to an almost imperceptible nub on the shadow's backside, followed by its neck shortening down into something that would have been comical if not for the grotesque sneer across the creature's muzzle and the fearful aura radiating from its body. Down and down it shrank, its legs slimming and shortening faster than its body could follow to create a mass of flesh scurrying on pads and claws. Claws changed to hooves, shifting the scraping screech of sharp nails across stone and heavy, dull padding into a series of clip-clops and finalizing the transformation.

The black shroud partially dissipated, receding into a mass of roiling smoke trailing from the head and tail of a navy foal whose breaths came in short bursts as she continued her gallop through halls much too large for a pony. Orange light from the passage's numerous torches twinkled off the moisture streaking the filly's face and highlighted the exhaustion and worry etched into her childish features. She rounded a corner, nearly running face-first into a lone dragon meandering through the palace halls, her lungs burning for a reprieve from the torturous strain of her sprinting, but she knew that she didn't have far to go as her destination, an open doorway spilling bright light into the otherwise casually lit expanse, loomed closer by the second.

She raced towards the yawning portal, partially sliding on the polished stone in her haste, and burst through a set of thick curtains blocking off the only section of the room not occupied by the curled form of a bright-white wyrm. "M-mommy Twilight!?" Moon Beam jumped onto the makeshift medical bed, a mattress made of nothing more than thick, folded linens, and stared into the byzantium unicorn's face.

She did not move. She barely even breathed.

Before the filly could work up the energy to try and shake the mare awake, she was firmly lifted from the bed by a pair of strong, feminine hands and squeezed tightly against a mound of soft flesh. She tried to squirm and resist, but the embrace was too firm and the one holding her did not relent. "Moon Beam! You're back! Thank the Lord! I thought I was going to be alone here forever!"

"M-mommy!? Is Mommy okay!?" The foal writhed in Tyra 's grasp, finally worming her way out of her arms and back onto the bed, the moisture from before now running freely down her face as she cried into Twilight's scarred chest. The minotaur did not answer and instead turned her focus to the intricate gilded designs marking the floor, a look a fear flashing across her features. "Miss Lady! Is Mommy okay? I heard Mommy talk!" The foal's words rang in the open room, the chamber's acoustics amplifying her high-pitched shouts twofold.

Moon Beam readied herself to try and shake a response from her adoptive mother, but a low, deep grumble snapped her attention up to the hulking mass taking up the majority of the room as the dragon opened its eyes to stare down at her. "So, this is the beast that has been terrorizing the skies these past nights, is it? You aren't nearly as terrifying now, are you?" Her surprisingly feminine voice rumbled in the still chamber, vibrating the makeshift curtains and bed, its tone much softer than her great size would lead one to believe.

The navy-coated filly glared at the dragoness, her plump face twisting into a snarl. "It's not nice to call names! I'm not a monster! I just wanna know if Mommy Twilight is alive! I wanna know if she's gonna be okay!" She stamped her little hooves, barely making any impact on the multi-layered bedding, and maintained her burning stare.

"Hmm.... I might have been too soon to judge. That is quite the scathing glare." The green wyrm chuckled and delicately smoothed a patch of bristling fur on Moon's back with a massive claw. "To answer your question, though.... I can't be certain. She is most definitely alive, but whether she'll survive is another matter completely. Dragons and our brethren are not known for our medicines and the trauma she received was quite... substantial. Severe head trauma, broken ribs, barely treated lacerations.... Not to mention the wyvern venom that still courses through her veins.

"Add on top of that her other... scar... She should be dead and buried by now. I cannot understand how she still has any will to live...." The dragon heaved a heavy sigh as Moon Beam broke down into heavier sobbing, barely even capable of choking out the comatose mare's name. "Don't cry, child. She's a strong mare, much stronger than any wyrm-lord I've known. If you think she'll pull through, then I'm certain she will...." If your reaction was so fierce, I fear that she may need to before we see what your mistress is truly capable of. With that, the dragon lifted herself from the corners of the room and lumbered off into the hallway, leaving Moon Beam and Tyra alone with Twilight's near motionless form.

The minotaur girl sighed and lifted the sobbing filly from the bed, cautiously cradling her in the crook of her arm. "Let's go, Moonie. We have to make sure and finish what we came here for, or else this whole bit would be pointless. Maybe the dragons will listen to our secret weapon, hmm?"

Moon Beam sniffled and scowled at Tyra, smacking her with blows too weak to leave more than a light scuff. "I'm not a weapon! Why are you being mean?"

"Oh, but you are!" She chuckled as another swat narrowly missed her chin and continued her wide gait into the palace's extensive hallways. "With how cute you are, you should be banned in all countries. Like a ticking doomsday device just waiting to explode." Tyra smiled as a glimpse of cheer slipped through Moon Beam's sour frown. "You are an amazing pony, though. Twilight and Queen Moon are lucky to have you for a daughter and I hope you'll bring me some luck in this conference. I'll definitely need it."

The unicorn yawned, snuggling into Tyra's warm bosom, and closed her eyes. "Hey lady? Do you think Mommy will be okay?"

The minotaur tensed and cast a sidelong glance over her shoulder, but maintained her soft grin. "I- I'm not sure, Moonie, but, if I know Twilight, I think she'll pull through. It's like Karrun said. She's a lot stronger than she looks. If anybody can recover from this ordeal it'll be Twilight."

"That lizard lady... wasn't very nice...."

Tyra chuckled and ran a dainty hand through the undulating smoke of Moon Beam's mane. "Well, I just think she was scared. You're very powerful, so it's not surprising that she'd hide her fear through harsh words."

"Yeah.... I am pretty awesome, huh?"

The filly giggled softly and soon went limp as she finally passed out from exhaustion, leaving Tyra with nothing but her thoughts and the various dragonkin roaming the palace halls. She was ignored overall, typically left to her own devices due to her constant presence in the stone temple over the past weeks, but the addition of the foal in her arms drew a few curious, and occasionally terror-filled, glances her way.

She was glad for the filly's impromptu slumber, especially after having witnessed the destruction she could bring first hand and how quick she was to anger recently; it saved her from having to hide her from the hateful stares. Raised voices soon reached the half-bovine maiden's ears, the booming roars of dragons arguing resounding through the open halls as they echoed off the thick rock. It was normally difficult for her to discern between the great lizards temperaments through their tone as most of their words were as sharp as their talons and rumbled any room they were in, but the ferocity in these dragons’ words was practically palpable. She still could not understand what they were saying, their speech too noisome and intermingled, but she did not need telepathy to know what their argument was over.

This was the meeting that Twilight's mission depended on, the meeting that she now had to attend in the incapacitated unicorn's place.

She swallowed, fighting off the innate fear that a dragon's anger instilled in lesser beings, and pressed against the closed metal portal, clenching her teeth as it ground against the floor. Immediately, the earth-shaking shouts came to a halt and, even though she couldn't yet see them, she knew that every slitted eye was focused on her entrance. As she stepped through the door, struggling to close it behind her with just one arm, Tyra noticed several odd glances from some of the room's occupants and even one visible shudder. She eyed the dragons curiously before taking a few cautious steps towards her own designated seating, a large, plush pillow hefty enough to smother several of the ponies she had come to represent.

She chuckled, her nervousness showing through her facade of tranquility. "So.... I guess you all know why I'm here?"

The smallest of the group of eight, a young green drake just over twice Tyra's height, scoffed as he stretched his wings. "Of course we're aware of your purpose here. Do you take us for fools?" He turned to the elderly black on his left and pointed an accusing claw towards the newcomers. "Do you really fear this cow, the child, and the half-dead horned one? I see nothing but wasted meat!"

"Hold your tongue, whelp! You should know better than to speak harshly towards your elders!" The blue that had spoken crossed her forelegs over her breast as she leaned back to stare the much smaller dragon into submission, but stopped as the obsidian wyrm she was defending chuckled and stroked a shaking claw through his white whiskers.

"No need to be so harsh, Andoril. All of the young ones are quite fiery, just as you were at their age." He leaned over the granite table dividing the group in half and and smiled down at Tyra as his serpentine body followed. "Hello there, young minotaur and Moon Spawn. It is a pleasure to meet you, although we have yet to be properly introduced. You may call me Tinder, for I fear my real name has been lost to the years. And who might you be?"

Tyra grinned nervously, casting her eyes across the draconic assembly. "I'm, uhm.... My name is Tyra of Valtaura. I hail from... Valtaura and-"

Tinder laughed, retreating back across the table and coiling himself slowly around his own cushion. "Do not fear, we won't harm a guest of our nation. We know better than to invoke the wrath of Luna."

The minotaur's grin widened and she stroked a hand through Moon Beam's mane. "S-sorry. I- I should be used to dealing with dragons by now, but...." She sighed and rubbed her face, attempting to massage away her anxiety. "My name's Tyra of Valtaura, personal guardian of the queen's consort-ambassador Twilight Sparkle and n-now her temporary stand-in while she is unable to attend herself."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Tyra. I am Sindra of the Flametongues, and also Tinder's great-granddaughter and current matriarch." The onyx-scaled dragon at the head of the council table, bowed her head, the spines along her jaw brushing against the stone, and Tyra followed suit, being careful not to rouse her current ward. The matriarch lifted herself back up to her full stature, her thick, serpentine body towering far above the rest of the room's occupants.

Tyra stared in wonder at the wingless wyrm, her eyes beginning to water as she strained against the light reflecting off her sleek scales. S-She could easily scale the queen's tower twice over....

"You have already been acquainted with Roma of the Stonebacks." The green drake huffed, but kept silent as Sindra turned to motion towards the pair of elder dragons flanking him. "These two are Kilter the golden and Andoril of Frost Ridge." The yellow and blue nodded, but kept their eyes focused on the sleeping foal. "To your right is Tiatat, Wyvernkin, and left would be Jasspin of the softskins." Tiatat, a large brown whose wings doubled as his forelegs, bowed and motioned for his leathery, peach-colored counterpart to do the same. "Finally, I believe you have already met Karrun of the southern Drakenrange. Now that you know who we are, I feel it is time to inform you of what we are.

"We each represent dragonkind as members possessing vast knowledge and skill, although some of us are loathe to use it." She glanced sidelong at Roma, who ignored the remark, before returning to Tyra. "Together we make up the Drakonian Council. As you have requested, we are gathered here to discuss the motion you have put forth to request the aid of our kind in the battle against Griffonia." The wyrm shifted, coiling herself much like her grandfather, and nodded to each of the others in the room. "Rather, we have gathered here to inform you that your request has been denied."

"What!?" Tyra slammed her fist on the stone table, cracking a small portion and startling Moon Beam awake. "Why won't you help!? Your whelps saw that we were attacked on your borders! You know what the griffons are doing!"

Tiatat growled, but kept his calm, maintaining his gaze upon the awakening foal. "We do, but this is not the dragons' war. We have a treaty with both nations, one we intend to maintain, and we will not break it because your ponies cannot defend themselves."

"But what about the ambush! It happened right at your borders! And what about Twilight!? She's poisoned from a wyvern's venom coated on a Griffonian scimitar! Karrun can vouch for that!" The minotaur girl looked to the snow-white dragon pleadingly, but the dragoness shook her head.

"While the poison in the young mare's blood is definitely from a wyvern, I cannot know the origin of it. All I have is an account from a minotaur that was not even there for the incident where she was poisoned and an unconscious mare."

"Let us also mention the death-child you have brought with you. She has plagued our skies since you arrived, killing our whelps and any that dared venture near the Drakenrange." Kilter's voice rumbled with anger, shaking the table as he leaned upon it. "That foul creature has brought nothing but death since it was made a millennium ago."

"I'm not a monster! You're the monster! You won't help Mommy!" Moon Beam growled, her voice deepening as the Nightmare began to take over, but Tyra shushed her with a finger and rubbed her back.

"Stop it, Moon Beam. We don't want them to have any reason to send us away." The minotaur stood, balancing precariously on the oversized cushion below her, and stared down the dragon matriarch. "You know that this isn't fair. What would you do if you needed their aid?"

"You do not understand how politics work. There has been no evidence provided to support the griffons' breaking of our treaty. They have not outright attacked us." Sindra sighed, the hot air making Tyra cringe as it blasted her face. "We will allow you and the few remaining ponies with you to stay until the unicorn has recovered or passed, but that is all."

"But they attacked us right at your borders! How can you ignore that?"

"We are not disregarding the attack, but you have to realize that it was not an assault made against us. You are lucky that the general was kind enough to ignore the treaty and help you. It will not happen again."

Tiatat grunted in affirmation as Jasspin settled back into his seat. "The boy speaks the truth. We understand that assistance is needed, but we have already done more than we should have. Some of our hot-blooded hatchlings were slaughtered by your queen during her initial return to power and we overlooked it. They went on their own free will. We saved you from certain death against the peace agreement with Griffonia due to a lapse in judgment from our acting General." The wyvern pointed an accusatory claw at the minotaur. "You are staying here under the grace of our matriarch only to continue the standing agreement with Equestria and nothing more. We will care for the horned one and provide for your soldiers, but that is all."

"We have denied your request for aid, Tyra. You may return to your chamber and we still send a hatchling with food come noon. We are sorry, but the decision is made." Sindra bowed her head to each of the council and Tyra before rising from her perch and taking off through one of the room's many glassless windows, her entire body spiralling like a corkscrew as she flew.

The other dragons followed suit, each one departing through a separate archway, until it was just Tyra, Roma, and Tinder left. The ancient serpent smiled sadly, his yellowing teeth showing through the slight gap created. "If it is any consolation, children, both of us were vying to support you. Most of them think me senile and Roma here much too young, but I like think we have much more insight than they expect."

A frown momentarily crossed Tyra's face as she turned to the arrogant drake who turned his snout up at the glance. "You voted to help?"

"Of course! I know how weak your ponies are, my clutch mother always told stories of how they used to prey upon them, and the griffons have always been a plague, skirting the boundaries of the treaty and slowly encroaching upon wyvern territory up north. You think that my disbelief at the others’ fears is cause to ignore your needs?" Roma growled, drawing unintelligible markings on the tabletop with a claw. "I've been yearning for the chance to set the griffons back into their place, but the others won't listen to a whelp." He slammed a clenched claw into the table, startling Tyra and jolting Moon Beam wide awake just as she had started to drift back into slumber.

"Now, now, Roma. Getting upset won't help us. This is why they rarely listen to your opinions." The ancient serpent shook his head and turned his attention back to the minotaur and grumpy filly. "He is right, though. We don't have the influence to sway the council and nothing short of an act of war by the griffons will be likely to change it." He smiled down at his miniscule guests, his toothy grin interspersed with dark gaps from missing teeth. "For now, find some rest, the moon child certainly needs it, and we will continue trying to persuade them while you wait for your friend to recover."

Moon Beam yawned, her eyes watery, and curled up closer to the minotaur's bosom to escape the noise. "We're gonna go see Mommy now?"

Tyra looked up to the dragon councillors, giving them a thankful smile as they nodded and made their departure. "Yeah, we're going to see Twilight. I bet she misses you already."

The filly jerked her head weakly, her eyelids slowly drooping lower and lower. "I miss... Mommy, too...."

She gave one last yawn before succumbing to her exhaustion and once again leaving Tyra with nothing but her thoughts and the few wandering dragons for company. I just hope Twilight gets better.... For everybody’s sake.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author’s Notes: Took forever to get this out. Was planning on only having it only be the bit in the dragon capital (still trying to think of a name), but then I remembered the Fancy Pants thing and didn’t wanna leave that as a pointless conversation. As it turns out, Twilight isn’t dead yet! Just mostly dead. That’s better. Kinda? Anywhore hope you enjoyed it and it’s about time Borea finally joined the fray, amirite? Got a few things planned, some of it you may see soonish(? not likely), so keep your eyes peeled (or don’t, because I hear peeling your eyes can be painful). Peppy out~!

As the blog post said, the part in question is Borea’s appearance and Fancy’s (attempted)flight. It’s supposed to go somewhere in the middle of the battle bit with Nightmare as far as time goes, but I kinda think it works just where it is. What do you guys think?

Chapter 54 - Foreplay (Clop-lite Version)

Chapter 54 - Foreplay

Twilight groaned, the sound coming out closer to a dull whine, and blinked the fire from her eyes as a bright field of white invaded her vision. She tried to turn away from the blinding contrast to her lightless purgatory, but still she was bound to float helplessly. A whimper escaped her lips, and she clenched her eyes as tightly shut as possible, but the piercing light rendered the act useless. Resigning to her fate, the unicorn slowly cracked her eyes, trying to adjust them to the glare, and gazed down upon the massive expanse.

The field of white eventually came into clearer focus, displaying more than just a barren snow-colored land. Ridges, looking more like half-built walls, rose from the ground, towering higher towards her invisible perch and shrinking in size as they moved out from her position, until the entire mass of white began to fall apart like a crumbling ruin only to vanish entirely into the bottomless void. Shapes, strange bulges more closely resembling unkempt bushes, began to move avoid the eerie plateau, some of them moving along the quasi-corridors while others congregated en masse in some of the larger chambers.

One particular mass stood out from the rest of them, laying upon a large table, seemingly alone until a smaller shape popped up just beside it. They moved independently of one another, their forms bobbing as if conversing, when that voice, oh-so-tantalizingly familiar, yet still incoherent, to the unicorn, began to play from below. It was impossible for her to be certain, but it seemed to her that the voice was coming from one of those two atop that platform, alone in the vast chamber.

The entire setting set off a multitude of little bells in the unicorn’s mind. It was so comforting, so close to her, as if she knew those masses, as if she had been to that maze of white, but the connection eluded her. She could not know this place, these things. All she knew, all she had, was pain, and loneliness, and emptiness. Familiarity was impossible. Why are these things tormenting me? It hurts so much....

“I’m- ...sorry, My Twilight. I- ...want this.”

Twilight’s mind recoiled, shaken by the sound, the suddenly clarity, of that voice. She knew she recognized it, although that was impossible. It was familiar, reminiscent of a past, somebody’s past, because it couldn’t have been her’s. She closed her eyes, futilely trying to block out the light and images of the masses in an attempt to shut down the assault on her thoughts. It hurt, those words. She knew they weren’t meant to cause pain, nothing that softly spoken should ever elicit physical agony, but they sent a spike of fire from her stomach to her chest every time she unwillingly replayed them in her mind.

“...love. I do...”

Twilight ground her teeth, fighting back the molten fury working its way through her veins, as that one word echoed in her skull, rebounding over and over until she could take it no longer. As her consciousness slipped, she thought back on that word and would have spat upon it if her body would have allowed her. Love.... Why does this word hurt so much!?

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Peguary Fifteenth of the First Lunar Year
Five Thirty-Nine Post Meridian
|

White feathers scrunched together as the griffon captain furrowed her brow, groaning while the entirety of her rather miniscule caravan plodded past her in the muck. The going was slow, agonizingly slow, as thick mud from the morning rain sucked the wagons deeper into the ruts the ponies pulling them were digging. Her soldiers tired quickly, having to drag the pony-filled carts while dealing with their own sticking hooves.

“I bucking knew it! Damnit, we should have fucking left them!” Gilda grabbed a clawful of mud, squeezing it between her talons, and threw it against a tree with a wet squelch. “Candy Ass!”

“Y-yes, captain?” Cotton looked up into the griffoness’ eyes, her own trembling and shifting as she tried to quell her instinct to flee from the larger predator. For a moment, the griffon didn’t respond, setting the mare’s nerves further on edge with each passing second that those stern, golden orbs stared down at her. Her mind thought up dozens of scenarios where she would be killed and eaten, each one more gruesome than the last, until Gilda finally broke their eye contact.

“How far are we from Manehattan? We’ve gotta be close, right?”

“We’re about... three days away, ma’am. Uhm... three days by carriage.” The earth pony dropped her gaze to her hooves, putting all her efforts into not watching the anger slowly begin to shake Gilda’s body. “If we-”

“Shut up!” The tawny griffon slashed the mud at Candy’s hooves and growled at her, eliciting a quick shriek from the mare. “Horus fuck me! We shoulda fucking killed them! Shit! Damnit, she’s gonna be pissed as Tartarus.”

“M-maybe you should c-calm down! I-I know it can be bad for you if you get too upset.” Cotton kept her focus on the ground, but swivelled her ears towards the hybrid, shrinking down as her superior stalked closer. “There isn’t much we can do, but move as quickly as possible, so....” She cringed. She could feel the griffoness’ breath in her ear, hot and heavy as the girl panted from her exertion, and she tried to edge away, but the captain’s powerful grasp held her still. She opened one eye, watching as the other ponies trudged on past, too far away and too absorbed in the task of pulling and pushing the wagons to notice them off at the distant wood’s edge, as the griffon began to whisper into her ear.

“Don’t ever fucking tell me what to do.” Her voice was heavy, dominating, and sent shivers of terror down the younger girl’s spine. “You are not in charge. Don’t you dare fucking think you’re on my level, dumbass. You got that?” Cotton nodded, but Gilda roughly shook her. “Look at me! I asked you a Horus-damned question. You got that, meat?”

“Y-yes, ma’am!”

Gilda smirked and gave the mare’s cheek a couple of light slaps. “That’s what I thought. Don’t do it again. Now get the buck to the front before I decide to eat you for dinner tonight.” She slapped the mare’s ass, laughing as Candy yelped and took off at a trot towards the rest of the soldiers. She watched the pony’s backside as it bounced with each step, and felt her loins stir with each glance she caught of Cotton’s thick backside whenever her dishevelled tail allowed. Gilda licked the edges of her beak, salivating as her own tail swished in anticipation. “Mmm.... I think I’ve changed my mind....”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Peguary Fifteenth of the First Lunar Year
Nine Oh-Six Post Meridian
|

A groan escaped Gilda’s throat, adding to the cacophonous sound of creaking wheels and hooves squishing into the slowly drying grass. Her wings carried her stiffly through the freezing air, barely holding her body aloft as she circled the head of her miniature army, only a platoon and a half strong including the wounded. The griffon’s breaths came short, huffing out a frosty cloud with each downbeat, and her eyes clouded over with exhaustion, as were those of many of the ponies down below. The several hours of restless travel were finally taking their toll on her and her soldiers and the cold, gradually settling in over the course of the evening, was sapping their stamina faster even than the much the had to truck through. She could feel her wings growing heavy with each flap, inching her closer and closer to the murk with each passing moment, but she fought on, expecting her soldiers to follow suit. Despite her valiant efforts, however, ponies had begun to collapse in exhaustion, rolling onto their sides and groaning as the rested their sore hooves and backs.

Gilda’s eyes narrowed, and she angled herself into a shallow dive towards the troops slacking below, hoping to catch them by surprise and scare them back into their march, but as she pulled back out of her swoop, her wings nearly gave out. “Fuck!” Her muscles rippled as she forced herself back into as stable of a drop as possible and landed heavily on stiff legs, sending pins and needles up her limbs. “Damnit....” She scanned the crowd, looking for the mare she had appointed her personal adjutant only to find Cotton trotting towards her with a slight limp.

A grin spread across the captain’s face at the sight, filling her with a new sense of power, and she greeted the pony with a gentle stroke along her spine. “Alright, Candy Ass. I need you to spread the word. We’re stopping here for tonight. Have these dweebs get some tents up and then meet me in mine.” She scraped her tongue across her beak as she eyed the mare’s flank, taking in her treat-themed cutie mark and thick, candy-plumped haunches. “I’ve got some shit we gotta go over.” The powder-blue earther nodded, gave a weak salute, and ran off to deal out Gilda’s orders, once more leaving the griffon time to admire her backside and thick tailhole.

Within an hour, the majority of the campsite had been set up and several tents, most of them occupied by troops that had collapsed mid-construction and the battlefield casualties, now stood around a large campfire. The few equines that could still stand and work mulled about the campsite, helping to pitch the remaining canvases or set up the pitch-soaked torches that would ensure nothing wild would decide to pay their ragged site a visit while others worked at a separate fire at the camp’s edge to prepare a soup line for any hungry.

Gilda watched from the mouth of her captain’s tent, soaking up the feeling of dominance her status and personal strength gave her. Her sharp eyes scanned the small crowds, her predatory gaze sending shivers through most of the ponies that caught it. “Candy Ass, they’re making some grub for me too, right?”

“O-of course, ma’am!”

She nodded, a look of hunger flashing across her features. “Good. I’m bucking starving and what’s coming next will only make it worse.”

“W-what’s coming next?” The candy-pink maned mare swallowed the nervous lump in her throat as Gilda turned on her and began slinking closer, her feline body sashaying sultrily with each step. She bumped up against the tent flaps, yelping in surprise at the sudden touch, but continued to step back through them in an attempt to get away from the eagle griffon. “M-ma’am?”

“Well, I changed my mind earlier. I’m damn hungry and your candy ass just looks so... delicious.” She reached a talon out towards the mare, drawing her sharp nails across the whimpering pony’s cheek, when a terror-filled scream pierced the air. “Fuck yes!”

“Captain! Griffons and some enemy ponies are attacking fro-”

The stallion’s words were cut short by a wet gurgle, followed by a heavy thud as his body hit the floor outside Gilda’s tent. She cursed under her breath, pushing the candy-maned mare to the ground as a stray arrow tore through the thick canvas and past their heads, and quickly slipped her enchanted gauntlets over her forelegs. Without waiting another second, Gilda sprinted to the tent’s doorway, grabbed her weapon, an old spear taken from one of the injured ponies since her gifted weapon had been lost, from the ground, and turned back to the terrified Cotton with a look of pure glee plastered upon her face. “You keep your tasty ass right there. I’ll be done with these idiots and come back for you in just a minute.”

Gilda turned back to the tent entrance and pounced out of the flaps with a bellowing roar, leaping upon an unsuspecting stallion just outside. She grinned down into his face, one claw around his neck with her razor-sharp nails digging into his neck and her other holding her spear in place between his ribs. Her hips pushed against his weakly flailing legs as he slowly suffocated, grinding herself into his fur as his own fear-fueled desires grew. “So fucking hot, isn’t it!? It turns you on, huh!?” She laughed, pushing her spear deeper into his barrel and through his lung before shoving her nails under his esophagus and ripping his throat out in a spray of blood.

The stallion squirmed for several more seconds as the griffoness continued to grind herself on his leg, revelling in the hot fluids coating her face, before setting her eyes on her next victim. She leapt from the pony, her hind claws ripping into his flesh for better traction as she left the semi-aroused pony to drown in his own blood, and raced at full-speed, her fatigue long forgotten, towards a small griffoness barely large enough to even hold a weapon. This time, her bloodlusting screech drew her target’s attention and the snowy guerilla turned just in time to swipe her cutlass across Gilda’s left cheek, but only served to further the crazed girl’s lust.

Spear readied, she thrust her weapon up under the Griffonian’s foreleg, lifting her into the air and piercing her all the way through before pinning her to the ground with the polearm. She chuckled madly as her prey cried in pain, drinking in her agony, and dragged her coarse tongue across the younger girl’s tear-stained feathers, licking up the salty tears. Not needing her talons to hold her now-broken spear, Gilda dug her nails into the other griffon’s stomach as she pressed their bodies together. “Isn’t it great!? Doesn’t your pussy just burn?”

She felt her heat trailing down her leg to drip on the ground, mixing her lust with the frosting mud, and dug her talons deeper into her enemy’s flesh, ignoring the wailing girl’s cries for mercy. Her lolled from her beak as she bent closer to the half-hawk and ripped into her neck, tearing through flesh and feathers with little effort. Eyes wide, the griffon girl’s life slowly faded as Gilda tore her talons from her gut and traced them along her own stomach, moaning with each inch of hot blood smeared on her body.

Gilda grabbed the fallen huntress’ cutlass and took off into the sky, recklessly tackling another griffon mid-flight and sending them both plummeting to the ground. She landed on his back, snapping his spine with the impact and knocking the wind from herself, but staggered to her feet and began ripping into his shoulders, flinging flesh, blood, and fur all around her. Panting, Gilda stepped away from the bull griffon’s corpse only to be hit in the shoulder herself by a friendly-fired arrow.

Pain lanced along her side as the broad-headed shaft ground against her bone, eliciting a howl of pain and a renewed heat in her loins, and turned her sights on the unicorn mare that had struck her. She ripped the arrow from her arm, screaming as her own blood began to flow down her leg, and sprinted towards the offending pony, favoring her right foreleg. Before the green unicorn could react, Gilda raked her nails across the mare’s face, knocking her to the ground. “Don’t ever fucking hit me again! Next time, you’re dead!” She pressed herself to the open wounds, smearing the blood on haunches as she huffed lustily.

She could feel herself building up to a crescendo, grunting and moaning breathily into the chill night air, only to be charged by a pair of bull griffons, their scimitars pulled back as they rushed above the uneven ground. Gilda screamed in frustration, falling backwards as they converged upon her, and kicked her hind legs out, nails extended. The first griffon howled in pain as she tore his stomach open, ripping through skin and muscle, and floundered as he tried to pull his intestine back into his stomach.

The second male swung and missed, recovered with a flare of his wings, and spun back to face his target only to find the griffoness already charging him, her own pilfered cutlass slashed in a downswing. He dodged backwards, slipping on his comrade’s slick, steaming entrails, and fell to his back on the dying owl’s side. Gilda’s blade sliced through the air, taking off half of the griffon’s foreleg before embedding itself in her companion’s back with a sickening slice. Both bulls yowled in agony, but she was not done with them yet.

Gilda pounced onto the maimed griffon slammed her fist into the barely conscious secretary’s neck, the sharp barbs along her knuckles puncturing his esophagus and filling his throat with crimson blood, as she pressed herself down into his groin. She rubbed herself against his body only for him to push her off with the last of his strength just before he, too, fell victim to his wounds.

Her body was practically screaming for release as she looked for her next victim, but the melee had come to an end as the remaining Griffonian forces retreated into the distant woods, leaving her own army to gather up the freshly wounded and lick their wounds and her with the raging inferno in her loins. Her chest heaved from the exertion, but her body would not be denied its finale. She turned her eyes back to her own tent, the original target of her pent up lust, and licked up some of the sanguine fluid dripping from her beak.

Gilda stalked towards the fluttering tent flaps, her hips swaying with each step, and locked her eyes upon the pony cowering in the spacious area, completely ignorant of the suffering happening around her. Her predatory grin widened, heedless of the fresh laceration across her cheek, until she stood imposingly over the mare, her face inches away. “You’re gonna get me off. You’re gonna do whatever I say, right?” The terror-stricken Cotton nodded fervently, never taking her frantic eyes off the griffon as her forelegs were roughly taken in talons much stronger than she could ever hope to overcome. “Perfect....”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Peguary Seventeenth of the First Lunar Year
Six Fifteen Post Meridian
|

Pale moonlight poured in through the massive window adjacent to Twilight’s makeshift hospital, reflecting off the Karrun’s snowy scales as she busied herself with a large bowl, grinding a miniscule patch of moss into a fine powder. “I am most surprised that she has held on this long. With how often she tosses and screams in her sleep, I figured she’d have passed on by now. You ponies are much sturdier than I was led to believe.”

“Mommy Twilight’s the best, most awesome mommy ever! She can do anything!”

Tyra chuckled and stroked a lock of sweat-matted hair from Twilight’s face, carefully dabbing a damp cloth against the mare’s forehead to try and soothe the heat of the fever holding her. “She certainly is. She really is... amazing....” Her warm smile slipped while she gazed down at the suffering unicorn, her gentle sponging slowing with each passing moment, until she felt a nudge against her arm.

“Mommy’s getting more icky. Why’d ya stop?”

“S-sorry, Moonie. Just-” She looked up to the great dragon who continued to crush the moss into almost nothing. “Is the medicine almost ready yet? She’s burning up.”

“It is done; I was merely ensuring its quality. Now, give me that smaller bowl so that I may separate a safe amount. This plant is meant to heal dragons, not ponies. Even the slightest over-estimation will destroy your friend’s immune system.” Karrun cautiously accepted the small, stone bowl Tyra as handed it to her, and scraped out a miniscule portion of the mud brown powder, barely enough to coat the bottom of the tiny basin, before passing it back to the minotaur. “She has to inhale this powder, so carefully sprinkle it into her nose. This would be much simpler if she was awake, of course, but you’ll have to make due.”

“Won’t she choke?”

“Only if you shove it all in her muzzle at once, which you won’t do. I have not spent the last few weeks nursing this pony just for her to die because her foolish friend accidentally over-applied some medicine.”

The dragon chuckled, setting Tyra’s nerves on end as the deep noise shook the chamber, but otherwise remained silent, intent on watching the young bovine girl as she shakily held the medicine bowl above Twilight’s face with one hand while her other held the unicorn’s head still. The bowl was tilted, allowing the fine dust to pool at the stone rim, and nervously shaken to sprinkle the finely-ground moss into the byzantium pony’s face.

Twilight inhaled the crushed plant, coughing up a small cloud of the mixture only to breathe in more of the potent medicine. For a moment, Tyra had hope that she would wake up and smile up at her and Moon Beam, but the fit soon ended as the moss clung to her lungs and cleared her throat. “Are you sure this’ll work?”

“Of course not. I’d have to be a fool to guarantee that.” Karrun stood, stretching her sore limbs, and stomped towards the open doorway. “This was bred and grown to cure fevers in dragons, not ponies. It won’t kill her in its current quantity, but it won’t necessarily break whatever it is that plagues her, either. It’s merely my best recommendation with my limited knowledge of equine medicine. Keep an eye on her, but try not to disturb her. She may be in a coma, but rest is the only thing I can guarantee will break the sickness... if it can be done.”

The pair at Twilight’s bed nodded, one innocently as she turned back to the mare with an anticipating smile and the other with downcast eyes. “Mommy will be just fine! I’m here, and you’re here, and we’ll take good care of her!” Moon beamed up into the forlorn minotaur’s eyes, her bright smile widening as the beginnings of a grin twitched the corners of Tyra’s tightly drawn lips, and lovingly nuzzled into the girl’s bosom. “I bet Mommy’s thinking of us right now and will wake up very- Who’s there? Show yourself.”

The foal spun to face the room’s exit, her piercing red eyes glaring at the wall as if they could already see the figure that tentatively stepped into view. The young mare kept her head down as she entered, casting fearful glances up at the trio to make sure she was still moving in the right direction, until she reached the foot of the hospital bed and nervously looked towards the half-bovine, never making eye-contact with the navy filly. “I was told that Tinder wanted to talk to you. He’s in the conference chamber.”

“Thank you.” Tyra set her tiny ward at Twilight’s side and gently scratched her head. “Can you watch Twilight for me, Moonie? I’ll be back as soon as I can, okay?”

The icy stare set on the intruding pony was replaced with the foal’s bright smile as she leaned into her friend’s affection. “Okay! I’ll be Mommy’s special knight! Nobody’s gonna hurt her till she’s all better!” She directed the words at the stranger in the room, but her grin never faded, masking the underlying promise with her childish glee, sending a chilling tremor through her target. “You gotta hurry, though! Mommy needs all the bestest guardians she can get!”

With the filly at her back, Tyra gingerly ushered the fear-stricken pony into the hallway before turning towards her own destination. This time, she paid little attention to the halls around her, fixing her gaze past her breasts and to the smoothed stone as her hooves clacked loudly upon them. Her mind raced, jumbling into a mass wreck of thoughts, none of them defined enough to sort from the others, but focused just enough to fill her heart with unease.

So much is going on.... Twilight hasn’t moved in weeks, we’re stuck in Draken Ridge at the complete mercy of the Council.... She sighed, holding a hand to her smooth stomach as it growled angrily at her, demanding to be filled. I want it to all be over so Twilight can.... What? She stopped in her tracks, staring intently at the barren floor, her face scrunched up in thought. What should she, would she, do? “I already know that answer. Return to the queen and throw herself into harm’s way again, over and over, until either she, her enemies, or the queen die.”

Her lips curled back in a sneer, her heart racing faster, as multiple scenarios flashed in her mind, slowly clearing as they all converged into one, an image of Twilight laying dead on a bed of lilies while her closest friends stood around in various degrees of mourning. She saw Twilight as the unicorn fell to the ground, a dagger plunged deep into her back. She saw Twilight standing in front of the pony queen, her eyes wide as a formless assassin shove the blade into her spine. She saw Twilight stepping away from the pony queen as a formless creature descended upon them and raised a wicked blade above its head. She watched as Twilight pulled away from the pony queen, their tongues hanging from their mouths, connected by a single line of saliva.

She saw this and grimaced, lifting her hands to her chest and squeezing them tight to her breast. “Of course I know the answer to that...,” it’s what I’m afraid will happen, “but I can’t do anything to stop it but throw myself in first.” She massaged her temple and looked up into the lengthy hallway, thankful for the mostly cleared hallways, empty save for a few diligent drakes set about their evening tasks, before taking off at a jog towards the council room.

The doors were already open, allowing her easy access to the spacious chamber and an early view of its occupants. Tinder reclined against the far wall, resting upon a series of plush pillows, as a wingless brown drake tended to a series of gruesome scars along his stomach, applying a foul-smelling poultice to the scaleless sections of his underbelly. "Ah, I'm glad you could join us. I apologize for the unsightly display; I was hoping this would be finished before you arrived, but I'm afraid it isn't something that can be delayed. Moon burns are not something to be taken lightly, after all."

The massive wyrm grinned as Tyra’s jaw dropped and chuckled heartily, upsetting the thick paste smeared across his leathery skin. “Did I not inform you of my age? I cannot rightly recall the year of my birth, but I am far over two thousand years, something only Equestria’s princesses can boast at surpassing. It is why I summoned you this night, after all.” His companion slathered a fresh coating of medicine across a bare patch of skin, momentarily distracting him from the minotaur. “Oh, I must apologize. I forgot to introduce you to my nurse. Miss Tyra, this is.... What was your name again, little one?”

“What does it matter? You will forget in a month’s time, just as you did the previous month and the month before that. It is amazing you remember to eat sometimes.”

“Now, now! How could I forget to eat? I enjoy my meals the most out of any other part of the day.” He chuckled, shaking his head, and sighed as the black paste was smeared over a patch of skin just as it started to glow a soft white. “Now, where was I?”

“You were talking about how old you were and why it was important?”

“Of course! Thank you, Miss Tyra. It’s nice to see at least someone respects their elders around here.” Tinder’s smile widened as his nurse rolled her eyes and patted a cushion closer to his neck. “Come, stay a while and listen while I tell you a story.” The onyx serpent waited for Tyra to mount a pillow much too large for her body and propped himself upon his forelegs to lean over her. “This is an important part of history that many have long since forgotten, or, in the case of Equestria, discarded, so be sure to listen closely.

“Many creatures know the story of the times before the night queen’s banishment, namely the first decade before the actual event, but very few know of the distant past. There are remnants of tales from before ‘harmony’, the night Princess Luna, transformed by hate into Nightmare Moon, was defeated by the Elements of Harmony, the ponies’ Hearth’s Warming Eve pageant being one of them. Most of these stories were forced from circulation by the princesses themselves while others were so unimportant or miniscule that they simply disappeared on their own.”

Tinder’s warm smile faded as a shiver ran up his body and laid back down. “This is one of the prior category, one that Equestria’s rulers tried to wipe from every species’ memories with no small amount of effort. As a minotaur, your history books may paint the world’s history somewhat differently, but I’m sure you’re aware that the relative peace we’ve enjoyed over the past few centuries has not been around as long as our esteemed sun princess would lead others to believe?”

Tyra nodded. “Other than the first moon incident a thousand years ago, there was a small war around seven hundred years ago, right?”

“I’m surprised your memory is so lucid with such pointless information, Tinder. With your memory of old history so strong, you would think that you’d be able to remember a few names.”

The old dragon laughed and gently patted the much smaller lizard’s head, much to her chagrin. “Come now. Somebody has to remember this or else we’ll all be doomed to repeat ourselves.” He refocused on the cow, his expression hardening, and regarded her with calm, calculating eyes. “Now, I do want to preface this with something of a... disclaimer, of sorts. I have not reason to paint your ruler, you pony ruler, that is, in anything less than the highest esteem. I do not want you making any radical judgements, but merely wish for you to know our history with Equestria."

He grimaced as his nurse ran a claw across one of the more brightly glowing scars, growling as pain lanced up his body. "Sorry, Tinder. They're flaring up faster than usual."

"What are-?"

"Moon burns, a remnant of our past with Equestria and extremely rare. Most victims of the night princess' wrath don't survive to see them appear." The serpent heaved a stuttering sigh and gingerly stroked the drake's back. "About sixteen hundred years ago, we were the dominant species. We preyed upon all manner of creatures, cattle; griffons; the harpies ; and even minotaurs, anything with flash was ours to feed on, but our primary food source was the Equestrians. They were such easy prey, especially the earth ponies, and there was little they could do when one of our kin felt it was time for a meal. The princesses had just fought Discord, a creature far more vile than anything you could imagine, and were weak, struggling to protect any of their subjects that they could, scattered as they were by the draconequus’ tyranny.

“Of course, the princesses did not take kindly to our excessive predatory actions, but there was little they could do to stop all of us in their weakened state, until....” Tinder’s eyes fell to the floor, staring into the dark stone. “Over the course of a few months, the younger princess, currently known as Nightmare Moon, began to grow increasingly stronger. At the time, she boasted it being her coming into her true adulthood, but... we all know the end result. She gathered ponies, thousands of them, all horned ones like your friend, and trained them. Their kind was already powerful for such a relatively peaceful people, but with the princess’ strength they were a terror.” He shuddered, drawing the younger drake’s attention away from his underbelly.

“They marched south and north, grouped in the hundreds, and slaughtered all dragons in their path. Sure, we are resilient, highly resistant to your magic in adulthood, but they had a weapon that none of us could defend against. Those few, short months were the first times the sun didn’t rise in the morning, giving the moon precedence to pour its might into the rings made of stars about their horns. They utterly destroyed any dragon they came across, young; old; or unborn; burning them into nothing with the cold moon’s fury and, at their head, was their princess.

“She led the march south, towards what was then known as the Spined Gulch. It was once a massive chasm, sharp rocks lining the pit, and where we would herd the ponies to their deaths for sport before feasting. I assume she thought it fitting that our destruction be carried out where we killed so many of them.”

“It was the first time in centuries that all of the dragon species amassed their fittest into one area, and I was present.” For a moment the wyrm’s eyes shone, glittering in the warm glow of the torches as he recalled that night. “We all converged on the ponies, barely a thousand strong, but there we were far outmatched. The skies cleared, clouds dissipating in a sudden, freezing wind, and a bright beam shone from from above. It struck the ground below us, disintegrating everything it touched, and cut a wide swathe through all of us. With just one sweep, half of us were dead, and then the unicorns below mounted their attack. Smaller streams of white shot from the horns atop their heads, tearing through our scales and liquefying our insides. Those that didn’t die on contact fell to their deaths in the ravine below, ripped to pieces by the rocks.”

Tinder looked down into his assistant's eyes as she futilely fought back her emotions and gently stroked her cheek. “I was hit by the tail end of the princess’ magic. It melted the scales from my stomach and scathed the skin underneath, leaving these scars. This one’s great-grandparents were killed in the battle, leaving their newly hatched drakelings on their own.” He sighed and stretched his back, the looked into Tyra’s quivering eyes. “When we were all dead or too injured to move, the princess cast one last spell, far more powerful than anything I’ve ever seen. Where once there was a chasm, massive spires of rock erupted from the ground, splitting the earth and creating the mountain range you see now, ensuring that no more of her kind would fall to their deaths like helpless animals.

“Afterwards, as I was slowly losing consciousness, I heard her voice ring out across the mountains. ‘Prey upon us again, and mercy will be but a word asked for your children as we wipe your filth from existence.’ Never before, nor any time after, in my life have I known fear like I had in those few short moments." Tyra stared at the pale burns, regarding them with a newfound fear at which the elder wyrm merely laughed. "Be calm, Miss Tyra. As I said, I do not wish to warp your view of the monarch or our mutual allies. We deserved the wrath brought down upon us, myself just as much as the others, and the night princess was right to bring us to justice. We were gluttonous fools, hunting the ponies for pleasure. That said, the princess was not merciless.

"Afterwards, an agreement was made between us and Equestria, setting us as allies in name only. They allowed us our traditional migration path and we swore to never prey upon them again, but that was the last true correspondence between our species. We avoided the ponies as if they were a plague and they wiped the incident from their history, likely at the behest of the day princess. Our council forbade contact with Equestria and, outside of a few hotheaded young drakes, we obeyed, too afeared of the consequences to do otherwise. It was the first time in known history that we were truly afraid of any creature. Then, there came the first griffon uprising."

The minotaur gaped at Tinder, stunned by how relaxed he was in spite of his history, whereas she could hardly keep herself from shaking from the sheer terror of his experiences. "Y-you can stop.... Please? I'm not sure I want to envision any more."

The ancient wyrm flashed her a toothy grin and nodded. "I understand. It is a difficult story to stomach, and it is best if your companion hears this as well when she recovers; I will tell you that this last piece involves the moon child and the princess'... fall... so that you may enlighten her when the time comes."

"It's about Moon Beam?" She frowned, playing the storyteller's words over in her mind, her brain working in overdrive to sort her thoughts, while Tinder shifted into a more comfortable area of his cushions. Maybe.... Maybe if I knew what it’s about I could get Twilight to.... “Actually. Could you-?”

The serpent raised a finger, silencing the minotaur. “You should return to your friend and the little one. I’m tired, and I’m certain the horned one would desire to hear what I have to say next. Think on what I’ve said, try to bring it back into the light of history, because I feel that it could very well help all involved in this rather pointless conflict.” He lowered his head to the pillows and closed his eyes, sighing as the brown drake’s claws worked the salve into his skin.

Tyra nodded weakly and hopped from her plush perch onto shaky hooves. The trip back to the hospital was slow-going, albeit uneventful, as her thoughts tried to process everything the old dragon had told her. She stepped into the expansive, sparsely furnished room, her eyes falling on the little navy foal curled up cozily next to her stepmother, and a shiver crawled up her spine as mental images of the queen’s fury flashed in her vision, forcing her to clutch her head and lean on the bed for support.

“Are you okay, lady?”

She eased herself down onto the cot beside her ward’s bed, shaking the haze from her head, and replaced her grimace with an uneasy smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just a little dizzy. You ready for bed, Moonie?” The filly nodded, a bright grin on her face, and curled back up next to the dark unicorn, oblivious to the troubled dreams her caretaker was doomed to experience.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author’s Notes: Wellp, here we go. The next chapter is the doozy that I have promised (I think?) for some time. I ain’t gonna tell ya anything about it, and neither will Soaring (because he doesn't know), but I will warn you to prepare your anuses, because the hurttrain is cummin’ to town!

With that out of the way, I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did and, for you pansy boys that didn’t read the sexy clop bit, shame on you. You’re missing out! You guys have fun and enjoy the slightly longer chapter than usual! Peppy out~!

Slavedriver’s Notes: How’s it going everyone? Hopefully you aren’t all too hot and bothered by this chapter. Remember: if your erection lasts for more than four-hours, be sure to contact your doctor and get that shit checked out. Priapism is not a joke, kiddies. Anywhore, I’m still keeping Peppy writing, so be sure to tip me on your way out. See you in the next chapter!

Chapter 54 - Foreplay

Chapter 54 - Foreplay

“I’m- ...sorry, My Twilight. I- ...want this.”

“...love. I do...”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Peguary Fifteenth of the First Lunar Year
Five Thirty-Nine Post Meridian
|

“I bucking knew it! Damnit, we should have fucking left them!” Gilda grabbed a clawful of mud, squeezing it between her talons, and threw it against a tree with a wet squelch. “Candy Ass!”

“How far are we from Manehattan? We’ve gotta be close, right?”

“Y-yes, ma’am!”

Gilda smirked and gave the mare’s cheek a couple of light slaps. “That’s what I thought. Don’t do it again. Now get the buck to the front before I decide to eat you for dinner tonight.” She slapped the mare’s ass, laughing as Candy yelped and took off at a trot towards the rest of the soldiers. She watched the pony’s backside as it bounced with each step, and felt her loins stir with each glance she caught of Cotton’s thick mound whenever her dishevelled tail allowed. Gilda licked the edges of her beak, salivating as she swished her tail across her core. “Mmm.... I think I’ve changed my mind....”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Peguary Fifteenth of the First Lunar Year
Nine Oh-Six Post Meridian
|

“O-of course, ma’am!”

She nodded, a look of hunger flashing across her features. “Good. I’m bucking starving and what’s coming next will only make it worse.”

“Captain! Griffons and some enemy ponies are attacking fro-”

Gilda turned back to the tent entrance and pounced out of the flaps with a bellowing roar, leaping upon an unsuspecting stallion just outside. She grinned down into his face, one claw around his neck with her razor-sharp nails digging into his neck and her other holding her spear in place between his ribs. Her hips pushed against his weakly flailing legs as he slowly suffocated, grinding her swollen sex into his fur as his own stallionhood began to peak out of his sheath. “So fucking hot, isn’t it!? It turns you on, huh!?” She laughed, pushing her spear deeper into his barrel and through his lung before shoving her nails under his esophagus and ripping his throat out in a spray of blood.

The stallion squirmed for several more seconds as the griffoness continued to grind herself on his leg, revelling in the hot fluids coating her face, before setting her eyes on her next victim. She leapt from the pony, her hind claws ripping into his flesh for better traction as she left the semi-erect pony to drown in his own blood, and raced at full-speed, her fatigue long forgotten, towards a small griffoness barely large enough to even hold a weapon. This time, her bloodlusting screech drew her target’s attention and the snowy guerilla turned just in time to swipe her cutlass across Gilda’s left cheek, but only served to further the crazed girl’s lust.

Spear readied, she thrust her weapon up under the Griffonian guerilla’s foreleg, lifting her into the air and piercing her all the way through before pinning her to the ground with the polearm. She chuckled madly as her prey cried in pain, drinking in her agony, and dragged her coarse tongue across the younger girl’s tear-stained feathers, licking up the salty tears. Not needing her talons to hold her now-broken spear, Gilda dug her nails into the other griffon’s stomach as she pressed their bodies together. “Isn’t it great!? Doesn’t your pussy just burn?”

She felt her heat trailing down her leg to drip on the ground, mixing her lust with the frosting mud, and dug her talons deeper into her enemy’s flesh, ignoring the wailing girl’s cries for mercy. Her lips throbbed with need as she bent closer to the half-hawk and ripped into her neck, her beak tearing through flesh and feathers with little effort. Eyes wide, the griffon girl’s life slowly faded as Gilda tore her talons from her gut and traced them along her own stomach, moaning with each inch of hot blood smeared on her body.

Pain lanced along her side as the broad-headed shaft ground against her bone, eliciting a howl of pain and a flash of heat in her loins, and turned her sights on the unicorn mare that had struck her. She ripped the arrow from her arm, screaming as her own blood began to flow down her leg, and sprinted towards the offending pony, favoring her right foreleg. Before the green unicorn could react, Gilda raked her nails across the mare’s face, knocking her to the ground. “Don’t ever fucking hit me again! Next time, you’re dead!” She pressed her soaked sex to the open wounds, smearing the blood on her lips and in her folds as she huffed lustily.

She could feel herself building up to a crescendo as her mound grinded against the struggling mare’s gashes, grunting and moaning breathily into the chill night air, only to be charged by a pair of bull griffons, their scimitars pulled back as they rushed above the uneven ground. Gilda screamed in frustration, falling backwards as they convened on her, and kicked her hind legs out, nails extended. The first griffon howled in pain as she tore his stomach open, ripping through skin and muscle, and floundered as he tried to pull his intestine back into his stomach.

The second male swung and missed Gilda, recovered with a flare of his wings, and spun back to face his target only to find the griffoness already charging him, her own pilfered cutlass slashed in a downswing. He dodged backwards, slipping on his comrade’s slick, steaming entrails, and fell to his back on the dying owl’s side. Gilda’s blade sliced through the air, taking off half of the griffon’s foreleg before embedding itself in her companion’s back with a sickening slice. Both bulls yowled in agony, but she was not done with them yet.

Gilda pounced onto the maimed griffon slammed her fist into the barely conscious secretary’s neck, the sharp barbs along her knuckles puncturing his esophagus and filling his throat with crimson blood., as she pressed herself down into his groin. She rubbed herself against his testicles, pressing roughly and smearing blood and lubrication into the sensitive organs, only for him to push her off with the last of his strength just before his barbed tip began poking from its hiding place.

Her mound was practically screaming for release as she looked for her next victim, but the melee had come to an end as the remaining Griffonian forces retreated into the distant woods, leaving her forces to gather up the freshly wounded and lick their wounds and her with the raging inferno in her loins. Her chest heaved from the exertion, but her body would not be denied its release. She turned her eyes back to her own tent, the original target of her pent up lust, and licked up some of the sanguine fluid dripping from her beak.

Gilda stalked towards the fluttering tent flaps, her hips swaying with each step, and lock her eyes upon the pony cowering in the spacious area, completely ignorant of the suffering happening around her. Her predatory grin widened, heedless of the fresh laceration across her cheek, until she stood imposingly over the mare, her face inches away. “You’re gonna get me off. You’re gonna do whatever I say, right?” The terror-stricken Cotton nodded fervently, never taking her frantic eyes off the griffon as her forelegs were roughly taken in talons much stronger than her.

Gilda spread Candy’s forelegs, pushing them out from her sides until the girl’s joints burned in protest, and jumped on her face without warning, humping her muzzle with her swollen, bloodsoaked lips. She fought back a wave of sickness as the near-black fluid was smeared across her mouth, some of it painting her teeth whenever she couldn’t keep her lips sealed tight, and tried to worm her muzzle away from her captain’s drenched gash, but the griffon howled in frustration and crushed her face under her weight. “You better fucking lick my cunt, or you’ll be marching with the fuckhead that tried to kill me!”

She punctuated her threat by digging her claws into the flesh around Cotton’s teats, squeezing roughly for support as she gyrated her hips, until she felt the first tentative dab at her needy folds. “Harder! Get in there, moron! If you’re good, I might fuck you back!” A second lick dragged across her soaked fur, parting her mound just enough to tease her sopping hole. Gilda groaned, pumping her haunches back to bury the mare’s nose in her slit and drag her barbed bud across the tip of her muzzle. “More, damnit! Faster! Drink everything you see! I better fucking taste my prey and pussy if I kiss you! Fuck, I’m so fucking close!”

Candy needed no further prompting before she began to lick and suck on Gilda’s sex with as much fervor as her mouth would allow, too terrified of the bloodlusting girl to even think rationally. Her tongue dipped into the tangy box, slurping up a torrent of come and blood as the griffoness finally climaxed, her walls attempting to crush a non-existent shaft. She spluttered and coughed as a gush of juices sprayed up her nose and down her throat, but slowly relaxed thinking her suffering was over only to gasp in surprise when she felt the sharp tip of the officer’s beak nipping at her nipples.

Pain lanced out from her groin as Gilda bit down on her, not enough to pierce her skin, but just enough to shock her sensitive nubs. “Your tongue is pretty good, but it’s not enough!” She smirked as she rubbed her scaly fingers on the pony’s dark flower, smearing a coating of blood over the slowly moistening petals. “I bet your cunt would taste great covered in blood, but you don’t deserve pleasure. You’re too fucking slow.” The griffon hopped up to her feet, giving Cotton just enough time to suck in a lungful of fresh air before laying back on her side, one hind leg splayed up in the air to put herself on display. She grabbed a clawful of the pony’s mane and pulled the earther’s face to her stomach as she traced around her own blood-stained nipples with her other talon.

“Lick it up. I want my teats licked clean.” The pink-maned mare nodded quickly and lapped up several layers of blood from the griffon’s stomach, taking extra time to swirl her tongue around each nipple and eliciting a coo of delight from Gilda, until the only metallic tang she tasted was what was soaked into her lips.

She hated the taste, fighting back the urge to vomit, but the moment she thought she’d lose control of her stomach, Gilda pulled their faces together and suckled greedily on her tongue, slurping up the mixture of blood, saliva, and her own come. For a moment, Cotton allowed herself to think the griffon was going to act kinder, perhaps even allow her to leave and cry in one of the infantry tents, but her hope was short-lived as she was pushed to the ground without any warning. Her head bounced off the brown canvas, cushioned by the half-dried mud below, and she was soon pinned once more under the heavier girl’s body, this time nearly parallel to her dominator.

Gilda’s predatory smile lengthened as she pressed rubbed her tongue-slicked body along the immobile mare’s, panting as each of her six nipples scraped across the tickling fur, and stopped only when her beak was inches away from Cotton’s folded ears. “You’re going to be my bitch from now on. You’ll do whatever I say, won’t you?” The earth mare nodded and stifled a groan as Gilda arched her back so she could grind their lips together. “You’ll suck my cunt whenever I say, won’t you? You’ll shove your tongue in my ass whenever I want?” Again, Candy nodded, dishevelled pink mane bobbing violently as the eagle griffon’s thrusting increased in frequency. “Good! That’s what I like to hear from my little bitch.”

Gilda loosed an ear splitting screech as her second orgasmn rocked her body, and snapped her beak into the tip of Cotton’s ear, biting off a small chunk of the soft flesh. The mare screamed in pain and thrashed below her, but only served to mash their sexes together and drive Gilda’s climax to new heights. The griffoness held them together, ensuring the pony’s thrashing would do nothing but abuse her greedy honeypot more, and rode out her orgasm until her new servant finally calmed enough foto be released.

She fell back, a satisfied grin spreading across her face, and slowly pulled the sobbing mare into against her stomach in post-orgasmic bliss. “You’re a great fuck. I’m gonna like keeping you around, Candy Ass, but don’t forget. You’re nothing but my bitch, got it? You fuck me when I say and I may keep you when I tell.... And I may keep you.” The pony nodded as blood trickled down her face and soaked into the griffon’s fur, wishing that, above all else, she was somewhere else.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Peguary Seventeenth of the First Lunar Year
Six Fifteen Post Meridian
|

“Mommy Twilight’s the best, most awesome mommy ever! She can do anything!”

“Mommy’s getting more icky. Why’d ya stop?”

“S-sorry, Moonie. Just-” She looked up to the great dragon who continued to crush the moss into almost nothing. “Is the medicine almost ready yet? She’s burning up.”

“Won’t she choke?”

“Thank you.” Tyra set her tiny ward at Twilight’s side and gently scratched her head. “Can you watch Twilight for me, Moonie? I’ll be back as soon as I can, okay?”

“What does it matter? You will forget in a month’s time, just as you did the previous month and the month before that. It is amazing you remember to eat sometimes.”

“You were talking about how old you were and why it was important?”

Tyra nodded. “Other than the first moon incident a thousand years ago, there was a small war around seven hundred years ago, right?”

“I’m surprised your memory is so lucid with such pointless information, Tinder. With your memory of old history so strong, you would think that you’d be able to remember a few names.”

He grimaced as his nurse ran a claw across one of the more brightly glowing scars, growling as pain lanced up his body. "Sorry, Tinder. They're flaring up faster than usual."

"What are-?"

“Are you okay, lady?”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author’s Notes: Wellp, here we go. The next chapter is the doozy that I have promised (I think?) for some time. I ain’t gonna tell ya anything about it, and neither will Soaring (because he doesn’t know), but I will warn you to prepare your anuses, because the hurttrain is cummin’ to town!

Chapter 1 - Severance and Servitude

Chapter 1 - Severance and Servitude

Zune Twenty-First of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year

Seven Forty-Three Ante Meridian

A tall black mare adorned in blue armor stood on the raised platform in the tower of The Royal Pony Sisters' Castle. Her star-speckled astral mane billowed in an intangible wind as she gazed down at the six ponies floating before her, an air of confidence spilling off of her. Their bodies, having levitated off the ground from the power resonating from the Elements of Harmony, brought them into formation behind a purple mare, whose eyes glowed white with the power of the tiara atop her head. The purple mare's horn sparked, flashed the grey stone walls with momentary light and began the final stage of what was to come. Another flash of light, and a brilliant cascade of colors shot from each of the Elements and combined into a rainbow of pure magic. Nightmare Moon smirked, raised her head slightly, and sent a flash of her own magic from her horn, surrounding herself in a field of darkness.

"This trick shall not defeat me again!" she cried just before the rainbow crashed into the darkness about her and swirled around the barrier she had erected.

The rainbow grew in size. Doubled. Tripled. It grew until it engulfed the entirety of Nightmare Moon's platform and obscured her from view. The roar of the magic was deafening, and only continued to grow in power and volume until it stopped. Not even half a minute after the rainbow had bounded from the six ponies and their elements, it disappeared abruptly, leaving a disgruntled and exhausted alicorn in its wake. Exhausted, but whole. The glowing of the necklaces faded, dropping the six mares to the ground unceremoniously.

The first to regain her senses was the purple mare. She groaned and clutched her head as she tried to focus her sight before her. Her eyes fell upon the form of the alicorn and started, fear spread across her features. "Wha-what's g-going on? The El-Elements should have de-defeated you!"

"Ahahahah! You FOALS! Did you truly think that I would allow this to catch me off guard twice!?" the black alicorn returned, cackling darkly at the helpless group before her.

The other mares began to regain coherence, each donning the purple mare's look of shock and defeat. The orange-coated blonde earth pony was the first to speak up. "Twilight...! What happened?! 'Ah thought you said tha' Elements a' Harmony were s'posed to defeat Nightmare Moon!"

One, by one the others stood up and began to huddle together. A yellow pegasus donning a pink mane that hid part of her face cowered behind the rest of the group, shivering visibly in abject terror. The blue pegasus before her turned and tried to comfort the quivering ball of pony, her rainbow mane hiding the doubt in her own eyes. "Shh... Fluttershy, it's okay. I'm sure Twilight will think of something."

The pink pony with a shocking cotton candy pink mane shot up off the ground and growled at the towering alicorn before them. "That's right Dashie! Twilight will definitely bring this black snooty down!"

The last one to recover was a white unicorn that practically radiated fabulousity, her purple curled mane only slightly tousled from the fall. She held her tongue, unsure as of what to say to help the situation. Nightmare Moon simply stood there, staring harshly at the party as they regained composure. She bored holes into each of the ponies with her eyes causing them each to flinch away in response until her gaze met Twilight's. The lavender mare stared back nervously as her brain worked frantically.

Thoughts raced through her head a mile a minute. I could just blind her and run away with the girls in order to reformulate a plan and maybe find Princess Celestia to ask for her aid or a way to empower the Elements of Harmony but ohhhh where is the Princess when I need her is she even still in Equestria if not then how am I supposed to fight Nightmare Moon if the Elements don't work I never learned any combat related magic would I be able to defeat her on my own I don't want to get the others hurt...

"Twilight! Dear, we need your advice. Please tell me you have thought of something." pleaded the white unicorn.

Twilight turned to the others and took in their terrified looks. She was struck deep in the heart with guilt at having allowed them to come here with her to help defeat this evil and put themselves in harm's way. She hung her head in defeat and spoke slowly, "I'm sorry, Rarity. I... I can't think of anything. I don't have any spell that could help us out here... I'm so sorry to have brought you with me..."

The others gasped sharply, all of them turning their gaze back to the dark figure before them. Nightmare Moon now grinned menacingly at the huddled group below her. "Is that all you foals have? You came at me hoping that some magic lost for a millennium that could barely banish me that one time?" Her eyebrow raised at the question and when their heads sunk further she laughed again. "Hah! That's rich! Oh you poor pitiful foals. So, tell me. Do you have any last words before I end your pitiful existences?"

All but Twilight shuddered as sobs began to overcome them. Even Pinkie Pie, the pink mare, was crying, her poofy pink mane straight and dangling over her face. Twilight looked back at them again, stricken with grief as she watched her new friends break down, expecting their impending doom. She steeled her face and turned back to Nightmare Moon, determination in her eyes, her resolve firm. "I won't let you hurt any of these wonderful ponies! I got them into this and I'll get them out!"

Twilight lowered her head in concentration and her horn started to glow causing light to fill the cold grey room and banish the darkness of night. Nightmare Moon stepped back slightly, preparing for whatever the little lavender unicorn could throw at her. The unicorn's horn flashed and the alicorn brought back her shield from before, but when the light faded she was alone with the small lavender mare. Twilight gasped and clutched her horn as she recovered from the exertion needed to teleport a group of five ponies such a long distance. She had sent them back to the outskirts of Ponyville, their home, and left herself there so Nightmare Moon wouldn't be able to find where her magic took her friends.

Nightmare Moon quickly shook off the shock of Twilight's insolence and beamed, filled with mirth. "I'm amused that you would selflessly sacrifice yourself for those foals you met only hours ago. And such raw power! Teleporting not just one but five ponies at once! You are powerful. I shall have to see that you don't have the chance to oppose me in the future." Nightmare Moon's horn began to radiate a dull darkness as she prepared her next spell to end the lavender mare when Twilight stood taller, taking a stance of brave defiance, prepared for what was to come.

"I don't care what you do to me, Nightmare Moon, but I shall NOT let you harm my friends. I know you won't be able to find them since you can only trace the caster of a spell. I go knowing that my friends will be safe!"

The alicorn broke her spell and cackled fiercely. "Oh! You pathetic foal! Do you think I care about those pitiful ponies?! With Celestia gone you're the only one with enough power to even think of trying to stop me and you're nothing without your so-called friends! Ah, I am feeling generous." She walked slowly over to the only other being in the room, her armored hooves clacking on the cold stone floor. "It is the moment of my joyous return after all." She walked around Twilight, the young unicorn watching her nervously, her determination faltering. "I think I may spare you. I've always wanted a pet."

Nightmare Moon smirked and Twilight blanched, trying to move away from the incoming Queen. Nightmare Moon released another bellowing laugh and reached out towards Twilight with her gaseous mane and slowly started to envelope the unicorn. Twilight screamed, trying to get away, but the alicorn was too powerful and the unicorn too exhausted. The mane reached her neck, engulfing her. Terror filled her eyes while Nightmare Moon continued to laugh, and consume more of the unicorn until, with a final screech of fear, Twilight disappeared into that flowing body of stars.

Looking around once more, the alicorn took to the air on her powerful wings and flew off toward the site of where she would construct her new palace to rule in darkness once again.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: Hey guys! Peppy here. Just wanted to let ya know how excited I am to finally be writing for you guys here at fimfiction (and anywhere else I deem necessary to publish this). This is my first fanfic and, in fact, the first piece of literature I've released to the public at all. Please don't be gentle when commenting cause I want to know exactly what i did wrong so I can improve on it in the future. I'm probably going to be doing short but frequent updates while I'm not at work or being distracted by the great pieces of art that everypony is shoving at me on here but expect at least 1-2 chapters a week. If I don't post anything you guys can yell at me to get my flank in gear hehe. Here's to a (hopefully) long and interesting story for you guys! Hope you enjoyed!

Editor's Notes: Hi, I'm Dr.Jekyll... and I'll be your editor today. Not much to say. Didn't need to fix or change much of anything in this chapter. As of editing this, there are already twenty-four chapters so enjoy! Well... twenty-two chapters. The other two don't count.

Chapter 14 - Fear and Loathing

Chapter 14 - Fear and Loathing

Septara Twenty-Third of the One-Thousandth
Nine Oh-Two Ante Meridian
|

Twilight Sparkle watched Moon Beam run about in the courtyard of the castle, laughing as she jumped in puddles of water from the recent rain. She couldn't help but enjoy the scene playing out before her. Times like this helped her to forget about the nightmares and hardships if even for a moment and she relished these moments. Moon Beam dashed up to her and pranced about giggling as she moved. "Auntie Twilight! Auntie Twilight! Look at the splashes I can make!" She jumped as high as she could and came down in a large puddle directly to the left of Twilight. The water shot up into the air around the filly and soaked the lavender mare with cold murky water.

Twilight gasped in shock, but soon recovered and cheered Moon Beam on. "That's great, Moonie!" The filly beamed and sprinted off to find more puddles to romp in while Twilight took the time to dry off. I haven't got a clue where she gets all this energy from. She runs around all day playing with the castle staff and yet she still has some hidden reserve that she seems to continuously draw upon. She sighed and waved the filly over. "Moon Beam! Come on! We're supposed to go check on Miss Horizon soon!"

Moon Beam stopped mid-jump and spun around with a look of uncontrollable excitement. She broke off in a full gallop towards Twilight and tackled her to the ground. "Oh yeah! Thank you for remembering Auntie Twilight! I'm sure that Cloudy would be very sad if I didn't visit her~!" She moved off of Twilight and allowed the unicorn to stand before hopping on her back. "Onward, my trusty steed!" She yelled, pointing her hoof in the direction of the infirmary.

Twilight sighed with a slight grin, but started off at a casual pace as she didn't want to dismount the filly. Moon Beam huffed on her back, disappointed that Twilight hadn't galloped off into the night, but soon found herself humming cheerily as they began their trek through the corridors of the castle. Twilight noted the distinct lack of ponies that had been here just two days ago and shuddered. So many ponies died that night. And I added to that count.... Images of her nightmare flashed through her mind and caused her to break out in a cold sweat. Fear was beginning to overtake her, but the warmth of a pair of hooves around her neck brought her back to reality.

"Auntie Twilight...? Are you okay? We're gonna be late if you don't hurry!"

The lavender unicorn looked back at the filly's large joy filled eyes and smiled. "Yeah. I'm all right. Just remembered my dreams. Now let's go see how Cloudy is doing!" She nuzzled the small unicorn before returning to her previous pace. In less than a minute they arrived at the infirmary and moved up to the only resident of this section of the castle.

Cloudy Horizon was laid on a raised cot sitting just below neck level on Twilight. She was covered in patches of gauze and bandages that were helping heal all of the minor cuts and wounds she had received, but that's not the injury that Twilight took notice of. Her eyes were immediately drawn the the bloody patch of bandages covering Cloudy's back. Pressed up against her skin.

"It's not going to grow back if you keep staring at it."

Twilight was startled by the pony she had thought was asleep. "I'm sorry.... How did this happen? I didn't think something like this would happen when I found you...."

The pegasus looked away, and stared out the window through locks of white mane. Her enchantment had faded after Nightmare Moon had rested the night after the battle. "That was the problem. It only seemed fine because it had stopped bleeding. The large amount of blood loss killed the limb."

Moon Beam hopped from Twilight's back to the bed beside Cloudy and locked the pegasus in a tight hug. "Don't you worry Cloudy! We still like you even if you can't fly anymore! Right Auntie Twilight?"

The unicorn flinched at the filly's abrasive words, but Cloudy just smiled. Twilight wordlessly gave her agreement. "If you keep acting like this, little filly, you're going to give somepony a heart attack." Cloudy said as she rolled onto her side to hide her grin. I'm growing soft cause of this kid.... She sighed and closed her eyes. Well, she did save my life, after all....

Twilight took notice of the pegasus' expulsion of air and levitated Moon Beam off the bed. "Alright, Moonie. You should go find somepony to play with. Miss Horizon needs her rest and I want to talk with her for a moment."

The filly whined and pouted, but, with a stern glance from the lavender unicorn, turned tail and ran off down the halls. Twilight couldn't help but to laugh at the instant reaction. Cloudy turned back over to stare the unicorn in the eyes. "What did you want to talk about?"

Twilight gazed back, but refused to be intimidated by the orange pony's glare. "You. I want to know why you serve Nightmare Moon. Why you would give up your flight for her." Twilight said this with the most sincere smile she could muster. She was naturally curious about a pony as devout as herself to any cause, especially Nightmare Moon.

The pegasus eyed Twilight angrily before sighing again. "Very well. It is no fault of mine if you come to hate as I do...." Cloudy looked away from the unicorn and closed her eyes as she prepared herself for her tale. She returned her gaze to the purple unicorn who was simply watching and waiting.

"Princess Celestia sent me on a mission to retrieve one of our scouts from griffon lands about eight years ago. We've always been on tense terms with Grffonia, so when our scout was found patrolling in their lands he was imprisoned. It was my job to infiltrate the prison, get him out, and return back to Equestria safely. Everything went according to plan until we came upon Whitetail Woods. We were ambushed by a platoon of Griffon skirmishers and he didn't survive. I was able to make it out with nothing more than a few scratches as I was more actively trained for combat." Cloudy's demeanor shifted into one of sad acceptance. "The scout was my mate. Star Gazer was his name. Never really skilled for the job, but devout nonetheless. When I returned to the castle alone, Celestia questioned me on the whereabouts of Star Gazer and when I told her what had happened she and a group of her guards, with me as their guide, went to find the scene. When we got there, the bodies of the griffons had been hauled away and all that was left was Star Gazer's body with my sword beside him."

Twilight gasped and looked at the pegasus' calm countenance with pity in her eyes. She knew where this was heading. "They blamed you for the death, didn't they?"

Cloudy glared at the unicorn with traces of anger behind those blue orbs. "Your precious princess didn't even give me a chance to defend my word! She only saw what was laid out before her and had me imprisoned without trial! I had never, not even once, gotten into an argument with Star Gazer! All they could see was a traitor and murderer and so they forced me away to my cell. I struggled and that's where I got my scar. But that wasn't even the worst of it...." The pegasus's anger faded and Twilight caught just the briefest glimpse of a tear in her eye. "I was with foal at the time. I wasn't very far along, but... the undernourishment and poor conditions of my confines caused me to miscarriage six months in...." She breathed in deeply to compose herself once more then looked back to Twilight. "Now you know why I've sworn to crush the Royal Guard and bring as much suffering to Celestia as I can, why I've sworn myself to Nightmare Moon. I hope this satisfied you curiosity."

The lavender unicorn just stared, dumbfounded, at the orange pegasus as tears began to well up in her eyes. She stood up and walked out of the room, ignoring the cold glares that the pegasus was giving her. I.... I don't want to believe that Celestia did something so terrible.... I know that Celestia was only judging based off of what she'd seen..., but her story seemed too real to be a lie.... I just don't know what to believe anymore.... Twilight continued walking through the halls on the verge of crying until she came to the royal chamber's doors. She opened the door with her magic, a feat she was still learning to get used to once again, and found that she was alone. Moon Beam must have run off to go play with the castle staff again. I wonder where Nightmare Moon is.... She laid herself upon the bed and closed her eyes. Restless sleep soon overtook her.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Twenty-Third of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Nine Thirteen Ante Meridian
|

The six mares and Spike gathered together just outside range of any possible prying eyes from the castle. They huddled around a small cart that was hitched to Apple Jack as they prepared for the infiltration they were about to perform. "Okay now, y'all. Ah need Spike an' Fluttershy to stay on watch here at the cart and be ready to leave at a moment's notice. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash, y'all will follow us to the walls and be ready to make a ruckus if'n either of us get in trouble. Rarity and I will be going in, getting Twilight, and coming back out to meet back up here."

The group said their agreements and took positions. The four of the main group began the short trot to the castle walls, eyes peeled for any guards that may be flying around or watching from the towers. To their grateful surprise, there didn't seem to be anypony around to spot them as if every guard was off duty. Rainbow Dash leaned in close to Apple Jack. "You don't think that all of Nightmare Moon's army died in that battle do you?"

"Ah'm not sure Dash. It does seem strange that there ain't no guard ponies around."

"Well, I, for one, find it to be quite convenient, don't you think? At least we'll only have to worry about the staff finding us and I honestly doubt that they'll turn us in." Rarity said bluntly.

"Ooooo! Maybe they'll even let us have some tasty dessert when they find us! I would absolutely loooooooove a cupcake right now!" Pinkie Pie bounced around in excitement at the prospect of possible sweets.

"Calm down there, Sugarcube. Don't want to be givin' ourselves away do ya?" Pinkie stopped mid-air and seemed to float back down to the ground, landing silently. She drew a hoof across her lips to signify that she'd be quiet before resuming their pace.

"Oh, I do hope my friend is all right. I haven't heard from her since Nightmare Moon first started gathering that army...." Rarity swallowed nervously.

"Hey! You never did tell us who your friend is. If she's been helping us out this much then we should at least know her name." Dash exclaimed.

"Oh my! Did I not tell you girls? I've no idea how it slipped my mind. It was never supposed to be a secret. My informant on the inside is a mare by the name of Silent Brook. It's a fake name, though. I cannot recall what her real name is as she changed it when she got her cutie mark. She really is such a darling. I knew her from when she lived in Ponyville as a filly right before she moved to Canterlot to get away from her parent's deaths. She doesn't like to talk about their deaths. She sent me letters every now and then about how she had become a worker in the Canterlot palace and was being taken care of by the Princess herself. Kind of like a certain lavender unicorn we all know. Well, she's become the head maid of Nightmare Moon's castle as well and has been feeding us information about the goings-on inside."

"Ah reckon we'll hafta thank her fer all she's done fer us. Fer now though, we'll just hafta focus on our task."

The ponies reached the front gate to the castle where Rainbow Dash took to the sky to search for a way in. She soared high above the walls, watching about her cautiously as her eyes scanned the area for any separate entrance. She quickly spotted the broken wall, but immediately averted her gaze. The gore from the battle still hadn't been cleaned up. She fought the urge to vomit and descended back to the waiting ponies below.

"Any sign of a way in Dashie?" Pinkie asked, bouncing about once more.

She grimaced as the images of the dead resurfaced and shook her head. "No. It's okay though. I'll just carry them inside. When they get Twilight they can open the gates since it won't matter if we're noticed then."

Apple Jack nodded and braced herself as Rainbow hovered above her and latched her legs around the orange mare. With powerful wing strokes, the two flew up into the air and glided over the wall. Rainbow set the earth pony back on land and disappeared over the wall only to reappear moments later with a frazzled Rarity.

"You could have warned me that you would mess up my mane." She complained as she used her magic to right her curls.

"Yeah, yeah. I doubt that your mane is the most important thing we have to worry about right now. Just hurry up and get Twilight so we can high tail it out of here." She looked around nervously as if expecting to find more corpses. "Besides..., I don't think you would have preferred the alternative." The other two mares gave her an inquisitive look, but the cyan pegasus just brushed them off. "Don't ask. Just hurry up so we can leave. This isn't a good place to be."

Apple Jack gave her a final worried look before agreeing. "Right. We'll be back here in a jiffy. Y'all just make sure nopony finds you unless you absolutely hafta. And ah know it won't be easy, but could ya try an' follow us from the outside just in case we need ya ta cause a ruckus?"

Rainbow saluted with a grin. "Sure thing, boss!" She shouted in mock uniform before soaring over the wall and grabbing Pinkie. The two ponies took up position along the castle wall and stood waiting as Apple Jack and Rarity sneaked inside.

Rarity and Apple Jack walked through the halls as silently as they could, muffling their hoof-falls with light steps as they crept along. They encountered few of the castle staff, but those that they met paid them no heed as they went about their daily business. "Ah'm guessin' that they're used ta ponies just walkin' around. They probably don't even know everypony on the staff list since they likely work in shifts."

Rarity nodded. "So it would seem. I'm honestly quite surprised. You'd think that, with living under Nightmare Moon's rule, these ponies would at least know each other. I mean, honestly, what else is there to- oof!"

Rarity was cut short as she tripped and fell face first onto the obsidian floor. Something soft beneath her gave a muffled 'eep' as she shifted causing her to jump away in surprise. A little navy filly with a smoke-like mane was sprawled on the ground, dazed. "Owwie..." She said as she stood up and shook herself off. She quickly took notice of the two mares standing before her and jumped in joy. "Oh oh! Hello! You must be new here! My name is Moon Beam! What's your names?"

The two ponies shared a puzzled look before turning back to the filly. "Hello there, Moon Beam. My name is Rarity and this is my companion, Apple Jack."

"Ohhh yay! I was right! You ARE new here. I know everypony in the castle cause I like to play with everypony! Not all of them like to play with me though. Are you gonna play with me?! Ohhhh that would make me soooooooo happy!" she exclaimed, bouncing about.

"Well. Aren't you just a energetic little filly. Actually, Rarity an' ah are lookin' fer our friend. Her name is Twilight and she should-"

"Oh! You know Auntie Twilight too!? Are you friends of hers? If you want I can take you to her! Then we can all play together! That would be so much fun! Especially since I can't seem to find Brookie anywhere." Her mood turned sour as she spoke that last sentence, but the hope of new play mates instantly raised her spirits once again. Her mood was truly infallible.

"That would be wonderful dear. Could you please show us the way?" Rarity asked, her voice gentle and kind.

"Uhuh!" The filly shouted before bolting off down the hall leaving the two mares standing stunned until they realized they were falling behind. They followed the filly past multiple branching halls and doors until they came to the hall leading to the staircase. The filly turned the corner at lightning speeds, as she was quite used to dashing through the castle, with the mares following close behind. They reached the third floor swiftly and, after a few more moments on running, came upon the obsidian doors to Nightmare Moon's personal chamber. Rarity opened the way with her magic and the three stepped through the portal to find Twilight sleeping soundly on the lavish bed centered in the room. Moon Beam dashed to her and pounced upon the lavender unicorn, startling her awake. "Auntie Twilight! Auntie Twilight! Some friends of yours are here to see you! We're going to go outside and play together right!?"

Twilight shook off the remaining drowsiness from post-slumber and slowly absorbed the words the filly was barraging her with. She couldn't understand what she meant by friends, but a quick glance to the entrance to the chamber gave her the answer she sought. "Rarity! Apple Jack! What are you doing here?! You have to leave now! You don't know what Nightmare Moon will do to you!"

The two mares frowned at the unicorn's outburst but just stepped closer. "Oh no, dear. Not without you. We've been planning to come and get you out of here for a while now. We've just been waiting for the right moment."

"Rarity's right. Ah reckon you'd want to escape from this place. Now hurry up before somepony finds us out."

Moon Beam frowned and hugged Twilight to herself. "You can't take Auntie Twilight! She wants to stay here with me and Mommy Moon! Right?!"

Rarity walked closer and leaned in close to the foal. "Now now, darling. You can come with us too if you'd like. I'm certain that you'd have much more fun with us than here at the castle. Besides, Twilight doesn't want to stay-"

"She's right." Twilight interrupted.

The mares stared at Twilight in shock before Apple Jack recovered. "Pardon? Ah thought that ya'd want ta be rescued! Ah don't believe that ya'd stay here willingly."

"I did..., but that was a while ago... I can't leave now. Moon Beam needs me and besides..., there are other reasons too...." She looked away, mixed emotions playing across her features.

"What ever do you mean, darling? What could possibly make you want to stay here?"

"I.... I've devoted myself to Nightmare Moon and Moon Beam.... They're all I have left...." She attempted to hide her true issue, but her eyes betrayed her.

Apple Jack gave her a disapproving frown. "Now, come on Twilight. That can't be it. Ya know ya got us in Ponyville. What's the real reason ya don't think ya can come with us? Why do ya think that we'll not accept you?"

Twilight looked away, fear and sorrow twisting her countenance. She looked at Moon Beam and saw the pleading look in her eyes, begging her to stay. She knew to leave would mean being torn inside forever. "I.... I murdered a pony.... She was the head maid here.... She tried to kill Nightmare Moon, but I killed her instead."

Rarity stepped back away in shock, realization dawning on her. "You.... You killed Silent Brook didn't you.... You're the reason that she...." Tears welled in the corners of the white unicorns eyes as Twilight hung her head in shame. The fashionista looked at the lavender unicorn in disgust. "I cannot believe you would do such a... horrendous act.... She was... such a nice pony! How could you kill somepony like that!?"

Twilight recoiled from Rarity's anger and fought back tears of her own. "I... She would have killed Nightmare Moon! She would have killed me! I didn't mean for it to happen..., but I didn't stop it. Now please..., go before Nightmare Moon comes and-" Her words were cut short as she took notice the of form of the dark alicorn standing behind Apple Jack and Rarity.

"Comes and what, my pet? Finds them? I've known they were in the castle for quite some time. I've just been... busy fishing out some other rats." She levitated the remaining four of the group into the room, bound and gagged by magical restraints. "Would you care to explain why these foals were in my domain?" Nightmare Moon's features were plain as she hid the anger welling inside her.

Twilight gasped, but stayed rooted to the spot. "They were coming to steal me away." she said, looking away from her six friends. She hung her head once more and choked back a sob. "I'm sorry, you guys.... Especially to you, Spike, but I'm staying here. I've made my choice...."

The four new arrival's eyes all shot open in shock and they struggled against their bonds, but Nightmare Moon silenced them with a surge of her magic. "Excellent...! I'm glad that you have finally chosen me as Your Queen, Twilight Sparkle. Excuse me while I take care of this filth."

The alicorn turned to walk away, levitating the five ponies and Spike towards the exit, but was halted by a squeak of a voice from the bed. She turned her head to find Twilight barely hanging off the edge, her eyes desperate. "Wait...! Please. Don't hurt them...! They only wanted to help me...!" Apple Jack and Rarity stared at Twilight, the anger from her confession fading as she tried to defend them.

Nightmare Moon scowled. "Do not harm them? They were attempting to get away with their Queen's pet and you wish for me to let them go? They deserve the fate that I have in store for them!"

"I know.... Please! I'm begging you! Let them go! They won't come back ever again! I promise! If they do..., you can do what you wish and punish me for my insubordination, but please...." Twilight pleaded, her voice cracking as Nightmare Moon's scowl failed to change.

"I will do with them as I please now! I will not take the chance of them returning with any type of support and you will be punished for this outburst regardless! Now silence yourself, foal, or I-"

"Please, Mommy Moon?" Moon Beam was standing right beside the alicorn's fore-hooves staring up at her with large, pleading eyes. "Please do it for Auntie Twilight! I know you don't want to hurt her.... She helped you and Cloudy, remember? If you love Auntie Twilight like I do, then please let them go." The filly pouted underneath the stare of Nightmare Moon and, after several long moments, the alicorn faltered.

Nightmare Moon looked over her bound captives and then to the sob-ridden Twilight and sighed. "Very well. I will release them. Know this, foals. Should I ever find you in my castle again, your lives will not be saved by the words of my foal or pet again."

She released the magical restraints and her horn glowed brighter. Just as the spell was nearing completion, Spike turned to look at Twilight, his heart break showing clearly on his face. Twilight looked away in shame just before the group was teleported outside of the castle near the cart they had arrived with. Nightmare Moon looked to Twilight who was choking back tears and trying to compose herself. Her features softened slightly, but quickly returned to the typical mask she wore to hide any emotion. "Be thankful that Moon Beam has spared you and your friends. Were it not for her, they would be dead and you'd be wishing you were...."

Twilight looked up at her and smiled weakly, having caught the momentary crack in the alicorn's emotional armor. "Thank you, My Queen. And thank you, Moon Beam." The filly hugged Nightmare Moon about a fore-leg then hopped up to Twilight and curled into a ball, snuggling up in the unicorn's warm embrace.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Septara Twenty-Third of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Ten Fifteen Ante Meridian
|

The five mares quietly made their way back to Ponyville, the silence only being broken by the cries of Spike as he laid curled up in the cart, mourning the loss of his 'big sister'. Rarity and Apple Jack shared a look, the truth weighing heavily upon them, and silently decided that they'll tell the other three ponies of the true reason for Twilight's refusal after Spike had fallen asleep. They knew that the truth would destroy him, and his image of Twilight, even more than the seeming betrayal of the lavender unicorn. The rest of the trip was made without a single glance from either of the ponies as they all kept their gazes on the ground, not wishing to validate the events that had just occurred, pushing back the inevitable as far as they could....

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Notes: Sorry this one took so long guys! Been doing my best to get this out, but working and being sick and working while being sick has pretty much kept me busy. That and LOADS of sleep. Fun and joy, this chapter brings amirite? Finally get to see what happens when the truth is revealed to the other Elements and you guys get two of their reactions. The others will be shown at later points in the story as, if you couldn't tell, Rarity and AJ will procrastinate with the confession until they simply cannot hide it any longer. At least it's not ALL bad though. Also, more insight on one dead earth pony and one awesome pegasus! Can't get much better than that! Well, anyhooves, I'm going to play some games then get to sleep. Will reply to any comment I get before then! Peppy out!

Editor's Notes: Dr.Jekyll here, how have you guys been.... Good, good. Well, anyway, had fun with this one. Same ol' issues in this. Hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Chapter 30 - A Meeting, a Contract Formed

Chapter 30 - A Meeting, a Contract Formed

Nightober Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Seven Twenty-One Ante Meridian
|

A soft thudding echoed through the corridor of the dignitaries’ quarters as Tyra crept towards the door where the two ponies slept. Oh Jahurl, I hope they’re sleeping. She shuddered and, after arriving at the large doors to their room, reached out a hand to carefully turn the handles. The golden handles turned soundlessly, the doors having been well maintained, and were pushed open just enough for the girl to peek inside. She sighed in relief at the pair of resting mares and stood up straight. “I’m so glad they’re asleep.... I’d hate to catch them in the act.... Especially after hearing it last night.” Another tremor from haunting memories passed through her body, but Tyra shrugged them off before turning away.

“It’s impolite to watch a pony while they sleep, you know.” The minotaur stiffened and turned towards the source of the voice. Twilight was sitting up in the bed, eyes focused on her. “Did you need something?”

The girl sputtered out incomprehensible excuses as to why she had been spying on them, her mouth working too quickly for her mind to follow, but was eventually capable of proper speech after a few calming breaths. “Oh.... Umm, Tyro wanted me to come see if you were awake for breakfast. We have prepared food for you and I didn’t want to knock and wake you if you were sleeping soIjustopenedthedoortoseeifyouwereawakeandwhenIsaw-.”

“Shhh! It’s fine. You don’t have to explain it to me. You said breakfast is ready?” Tyra nodded quickly, her beige hair bouncing wildly in the braids she had it held in. “Okay, we’ll be just a moment. Could you close the door to give us a moment to get ready?” Another shake of assent and the pair were left alone, the soft clicking of the door’s latch clicking into place sounding in the silent room. Twilight couldn’t help but snicker at the minotaur’s reaction.

She leaned over Nightmare Moon’s body and planted a soft kiss on her cheek. “Come on, My Queen. You heard her. We both came out of the dream at the same time after all.” The black alicorn lifted her body from the bed, her limp mane quickly flaring into its astral form as she poured her magic into it. “I’m glad you let me address Tyra, though. You probably would have given her a heart attack.”

Nightmare’s expression remained passive as she rose and stretched her wings and limbs. “I did not wish to deal with the intrusive servant. She should know better than to enter a Queen’s chamber without first announcing her presence.” Twilight pressed herself against the alicorn’s side, nuzzling her neck affectionately, an act that was willingly reciprocated. “Let us eat. I do not wish to tarry any longer as we must return to Equestria as soon as possible. I do not doubt that the griffons are using this chance to attack more boldly.”

Twilight frowned briefly and hopped from the bed, wincing as the sudden impact made her scar twitch. “What do you think that he’ll ask for in return for his aid? Jahurl, I mean.” She watched Nightmare Moon gracefully climb from her place of rest and stride to the door. “Will we even be able to promise him anything for his help? We seem to be stretched a little thin already.”

“We will offer him whatever he needs that I deem fit to give. We, however much I am loathe to admit it, require the aid of the minotaur if we wish to win this. The griffons have spent their lives bolstering their armies and training them for battle. Our forces have received nothing in the form of combat training other than those we have recently sent off.” Her gaze was firmly locked on the door as she drew her armor to her body. “I will not allow the griffons to win this; even if I must seek the aid of something other than my own power.”

Twilight nodded solemnly. She could sense the strain in Nightmare from admitting her weakness and found it endearing that she would do so in her presence. “Do you have any idea of how many are going to come with us? I don’t doubt that they’d be formidable, but they are largely ground-based. I’m not sure how much help they’d be outside of surprise attacks.”

Nightmare Moon nodded as she pulled open the doors causing Tyra to fall into the room, splaying on the floor. She stood up as quickly as she could, a furious blush upon her face. “Oh! Uhh.... I was.... Ummm.... Just about.... Just about to see if you were ready and then.... You opened the door! Yeah! That’s it! Was gonna check on you, then you opened the door and pulled me in!” The pair glared at the minotaur, their eyes glowing in unison. “Really! I uhhh.... Fine! I was listening in case you were going to.... You know....” She looked away, clearly embarrassed, the spell of their stares broken.

“You should be thankful that I am in a forgiving mood, tonight.” Nightmare watched Tyra as she fumbled to compose herself, her face lit up with shame and embarrassment. “Lead us so we may dine. I am eager to return to my country so that I can continue planning for this war.”

Tyra nodded vigorously in an attempt to both clear away her blush and agree to the task. Twilight stepped up to the girl and whispered softly. “You really shouldn’t eavesdrop on ponies like that. Nightmare may be letting you go now, but she isn’t always so generous. She’s killed ponies for less.” She gave the minotaur a soft smile to reassure her, but Tyra was stunned by her words.

“I.... I didn’t mean anything by it, Queen Moon!” There was a frantic tone to her voice that was equally displayed upon her visage. “I just.... I was curious how ponies....” Another glare from the alicorn and she shut her mouth, squeezing her lips together. A final nod and she swiftly led them from the room and back towards the entrance hall. They passed into the elegant room and turned to their left where Tyro stood waiting by a pair of oak doors.

He looked towards them as they drew nearer and bowed lowly, carefully balancing on his hooves from years of practice. “Good morning, Your Majesty. Lady Sparkle. Were your sleeping arrangements to your liking?”

“It was adequate. I thank you for your hospitality, but I only wish to eat and meet with your Lord. We have much to discuss and the longer I wait, the longer it takes for me to return to Equestria.” She pushed past him and into the dining hall, a simple, rectangular room with a single long table positioned in the direct center. The room didn’t have any decorations and was lit by a few well-placed lanterns fueled by oil. The dim glow gave it a quiet ambiance that seemed to ease the ponies despite their urge to rush.

They enjoyed dishes of salads and fruits, most of the food completely new and exotic to their palates. They dined in relative silence, the only sounds being made were the clinking of silverware against dishes and the soft breaths as they chewed. The twins watched the ponies in awe. They had never seen magic in their lifetime and the skill with which the Queen wielded it baffled them. Twilight caught their attention and frowned slightly causing Tyro to speak up. “Why do you not use magic as well? I heard that all unicorns could use magic to some degree.”

Her frown deepened, but she found solace in the reason behind her loss. “I can’t use magic right now. Something happened and now I’m recovering.” She sighed contentedly after shoving a few more pieces of a small black fruit in her mouth. “Thank you for this! I’ve never even seen some of these fruits before. What are these black ones called?”

Tyra laughed. “Oh, those are blackberries. We can’t grow them here, but our Grandimian brethren have whole plots of their mountains sectioned off just for them. They trade a lot with the Zebras and those blackberries are by far their most exported item.” She stood and, after making sure Nightmare Moon had finished her meal, retrieved their dishes to return them to the kitchen, a room adjoining the one they currently occupied by a set of swinging doors.

Tyro also rose from his seat in the corner of the dining hall, standing to his full height before bowing. “I shall take my leave of you, Your Majesty. My sister will be your guide this night as I clean your room and draw new water for your baths. She will take you to see Lord Jahurl, or to wherever you wish to explore.”

“Very well, Tyro.” Nightmare Moon nodded her head in his direction, dismissing him. The minotaur quickly removed himself from the room just as his sister returned from her run to the kitchen.

“Ah, so my brother left already? Oh well.” She glanced between the two, nervous once more now that she was left alone with them. “So uhh.... Where do you want to go? Do you want me to take you to Lord Jahurl first, or would you prefer a tour of the town?”

“I believe I have already told you that I need to meet with Jahurl so that we are able to leave. I wish to go straight to him. No detours.” Tyra opened her mouth to protest, but a stern glance from the alicorn silenced any attempts to voice them. The girl nodded, a slight pout on her face, and motioned for them to follow her.

The trio moved swiftly, leaving the dignitaries’ quarters and heading to the northern-most building surrounding the oasis. The bright red insignia on its front door, lit by a pair of lanterns hanging from the roof, was the tell-tale sign that Jahurl had told them would signify the Lord’s Hall. Twilight examined it closely. The majority of the symbol seemed to be an island surrounded by a lake of water with a pair of curved horns gracing it like disembodied wings. The entire thing was surrounded by a plain circle. Her curiosity was piqued. “Is this the symbol for all minotaur? It seems like it would only be for Valtaura from the depicted island. If your brethren live in the mountains, I do not see how this would match them at all.”

“Oh no, that is certainly Valtaura’s coat of arms. Grandimino has its own as well.” She puffed her chest out with pride at her knowledge. “We may both be minotaur by birth, but we are vastly different. Where we do not feel the need to wear clothing all the time like you ponies seem to do, Grandimians find it improper to be seen naked in public. I find it quite silly myself. We were born naked, so why should we cover ourselves for any reason other than to look nice?”

They climbed the small ramp to the entrance of the building, its plain façade not giving any hint as to the true nature of the place, and softly pushed open the doors. They found themselves in a room just as plain as the outside of the building. Sandstone walls painted grey and sparsely furnished with inexpensive, but sturdy benches. Small paintings of varying quality dotted the walls, but other than the golden lamps, the place had no other decorations. “Wow, I was certainly expecting something more along the lines of our accommodations when I pictured the Lord’s Hall.” Twilight was baffled by the lack of decor, having spent most of her life under Celestia’s, and now Nightmare Moon’s, wing in their magnificent palaces.

“Lord Jahurl isn’t fond of useless clutter. This place used to be quite extravagant, but, after his father passed away, Lord Jahurl sold the rich furniture and paintings that he didn’t like so he could give the money to the poorer families of Valtaura.” She beamed, extremely pleased by the kindness of her current ruler.

“Lord Jahurl is certainly an interesting being.” Nightmare Moon kept her pace behind Tyra, her eyes set upon their path, but still managed to speak as if she were facing the minotaur herself. “I am not surprised that he has received much reverence in the short time that I walked through his city with him. My subjects would not accept me as willingly even if I was to do something of similar results. I do not care either way as I am their ruler now whether it is to their liking or not and, without me, Griffonia will surely destroy them.”

Tyra led them to the rear of the building, passing narrow halls that branched off on either side of them, until they came to another set of plain wooden doors inlaid with the Valtauran symbol. She clenched her hand into a fist and lightly rapped on the door, announcing their presence to her lord. “Lord Jahurl, Queen Moon and Lady Sparkle are here to see you.”

They heard a soft shifting from behind the door, a sound that Twilight recognized as a chair being pushed across carpeting, and Jahurl’s booming voice answered. “Excellent! Send them in!” Tyra nodded to the ponies and grasped the door’s handle. She pulled the door open and motioned for them to move inside before closing it just as they passed the threshold. “Ahh, Your Majesty, Queen Moon and Lady Sparkle. Did you two find the room provided to your liking?”

“It was fine, Lord Jahurl, but I must stress that we need to discuss the war. The griffons will not wait for my return to begin attacking.” Nightmare Moon strode towards the large desk the minotaur lord was situated behind and sat before it with the grace and poise of her status. “What is it you wish for your aid against Griffonia? I will offer you whatever is within reasonable price.”

“Straight to the point, eh?” He smiled broadly as he motioned for Twilight to sit beside her Queen. “It is not much, Your Majesty. I only wish to open trading routes with Equestria so that my and my sister’s people can expand their markets to more than Zebria and Drakenrange. Aside from that, I would also like to request a share of the griffon lands to help expand the minotaur kingdom. Nothing exceedingly large, but enough to start another town or two.” He sat back into the large burgundy chair behind him, reclining as it laid back under his weight.

“And what do we get in return other than having you as an ally during the war?” Twilight chirped before she could constrain herself. She covered her muzzle with her forehooves, blushing in shame.

Jahurl stared at her and gave a mountainous guffaw. “You are quite the pony, Lady Sparkle. Quite the catch, Queen Moon.” He leaned forward and smiled at them. “Do not worry, Lady Sparkle. You did not offend. I intend to ally myself with your nation and will come to your aid in your times of need whether it be the near or distant future. My successors will also follow this pact, however, I would expect for you to do likewise should the need arise.” His smile widened further, causing Twilight to wonder if it would be possible to expand it any more without tearing muscles and flesh. “You will also have the world’s greatest blacksmiths hailing from my very own Valtaura at your service. We don’t rely on our metal craft for export without reason, you know.”

Nightmare Moon nodded and rose to her hooves. “Your requests and offers in exchange seem reasonable to me and, given my current need for aid, I would be foolish to turn you down. I accept your treaty and swear by the moon in my sky that I shall uphold my end of the bargain.”

Jahurl stood once more and walked around the table to stand before the royal alicorn. “I pledge myself and my people as allies to your nation and swear that, should you require us, we will stand by your side. I swear under the name of my ancestors that I shall stay true to my word.”

The pair stared into each others’ eyes as Twilight watched them in awe. They just swore themselves into the others’ service without missing a single beat. It’s amazing what times of need can bring about. I never thought that Nightmare would ever declare herself a lifelong ally to anyone. Nightmare Moon shifted and her horn began to glow, the dark aura beginning to create a spectral scroll in the air. What is she doing?

The phantom scroll took on a more distinctive shape, the edges fraying as if it were centuries old, but retained the glossy finish of a fresh sheet of waxed paper. It unrolled itself into a long parchment of solid black and, as it drew itself out into its full length, glowing silver words began to form on its surface. “I am creating here a binding contract that will serve as written confirmation of our agreement. I have scribed the terms of our arrangement upon the scroll and now only await your signature to seal it.” Nightmare Moon flared her magic and her name began to scratch itself in silver upon the line created at the end meant for her signature.

“I shall read the words first so as to assure that I am accepting what we have agreed upon in words.” The moon queen glared at him, but he kept a serious look on his face. “I may be young compared to Your Majesty, but I am ruler of Valtaura for more reasons than my size and birthright. I do not hold my throne by those alone.” His smile returned as he skimmed the page, checking for any alterations that had not been discussed. To his surprise, there was not a single stray mention of anything outside what they had agreed upon and so he scratched out his name with a spectral quill provided by the queen. “I am most pleased that you did not try to fix anything to your liking in an attempt to trap me.”

“Do not think me a con, Lord Jahurl. I may be dark, but I will keep my word. I swore upon my namesake and shall not dishonor it over something as petty as a treaty.” Her indignation at his accusations showed plainly on her face, but she quickly hid it behind her mask of stoicism. “Now that the issues involving the terms have been resolved, I would like to know when we can leave to return to Equestria.”

Jahurl put a hand to his face, scratching his furred chin. “We should be capable of leaving tomorrow at the earliest. I still need to gather the soldiers that will be coming with us as the main force.” He looked at the alicorn, a frown on his muzzle. “That would not be ideal, however. If I am not mistaken, you probably need more armor and weapons for your troops, correct?”

“I think so, Lord Jahurl. We lost quite a bit of supplies from the battle with the Royal Guard and we’re gaining more troops than we had then.” Twilight looked at the ceiling thoughtfully. “If I remember from all of the books I’ve read, our only true forges are in Stalliongrad with a few in other industrial towns. They certainly don’t have the output that a race of master craftsmen would.”

“As I thought. If you wish, we can wait a few more days, maybe five, and my smiths can make more armor for your troops to have right away. Otherwise, you will have to wait for the second caravan to bring the gear when they have prepared a sufficient amount.” Nightmare Moon contemplated the situation and, after coming to a conclusion, began to speak, but was interrupted by a motion for silence from the minotaur lord. “I also ask this so we can requisition assistance from my sister in Grandimino. We could still leave tomorrow and I can have one of my aides sent to inform her, but it would be much quicker to go myself.” He stood and straightened himself to his full height. “I will give you until after noon tomorrow to decide. If you cannot come to a decision by then, we will gather and leave for Equestria by the twilight hours.” His serious demeanor fell and was once more replaced by his typical jovial grin. “Until then, feel free to explore Valtaura to your hearts’ content. I’ll give Tyra some money for you to use as you will should you find something you like.”

Nightmare Moon bowed her head slightly as a sign of respect, an action that was reflected by Twilight in the form of a full bow, and watched as the Lord of Valtaura sat himself behind his desk once more. “I shall have my answer for you when I awaken tomorrow. For now, I bid you farewell.”

The ponies left Jahurl’s office and watched as Tyra quickly stepped through the door closing behind them to speak with her elder. “Lord Jahurl is quite generous, don’t you think? He’s offering his services to use for an almost paltry gain and is even allotting us some of his currency to purchase goods from his people.”

The black alicorn nodded curtly. “He knows of my power and has likely heard rumors of other possible unicorns with power such as your own. He also knows it would be foolish to oppose me as the griffons have so blatantly done.” Twilight looked at her curiously, her confusion displayed openly on her features. “I could see it in his soul when we held eye contact. He fears my power along with any magic. Such is the way of the minotaur.”

The byzantium mare frowned. Why would minotaurs fear magic? Tyra and Tyro do not seem to mind it. In fact, they seemed quite enthralled by Nightmare’s display during breakfast. She looked into her lover’s glowing turquoise eyes and almost lost herself in their beauty. I can see why he’d fear Nightmare, though. Her power is just.... divine.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Ninth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eleven Thirty-Four Ante Meridian
|

Moon Beam pranced happily through the halls, her eyes aglow with enthusiasm as she imagined all of the things that she and Cherry could do together. Her smile brightened as she came to the second story of the castle, her sight set on the closed door barricading her from Cloudy’s room. Ohh, I can’t wait! Today is going to be so much fun! I’m sure Cherry will love playing with me! She skidded to a halt, standing before the large doors, the only things preventing her from a day of joy and bliss. She readied herself to burst through the door, crouching into a lunging position, before she remembered the last time she’d barged in on the pair. Maybe I should knock this time.... Her grin broadened. Nah! I’m sure they won’t mind.

With a fierce howl, or in her case a cute, but ferocious squeak, she forced open the doors, much to the astonishment of the two ponies inside. “Hi Auntie Cloudy! Hi Cherry!” She trotted up to them, all smiles and happiness, ignoring their panting breaths and abating fear. “Can Cherry come out to play today? Huh? Huh? Pleaaaaase~?”

The filly in question was currently hiding behind the orange mare, her yellow mane just barely poking out from behind her back. Cloudy frowned at the intrusion, but spoke casually. “Moon Beam, I do not think she is in the mood to play today. As I said before, could you-?”

“I’ll play.” Cloudy stopped mid-sentence and looked curiously at the cherry-red filly. “I wouldn’t mind. It.... It could help me not think about other... stuff....”

Her mood dropped, but Moon Beam quickly jumped into action. “Really!? You really wanna play!?” Her excitement was poorly masked, if at all, and in seconds the navy filly was right next to Cherry, her eyes shining with eager glee. “Oooh~! What would you like to play? We can do so many things! We can play hide-and-seek, tag, knight and the princess, the tickle-.”

Cloudy placed a hoof to Moon Beam’s muzzle, effectively silencing her. “You don’t have to list everything, Moon Beam. I’m sure Tart knows what kinds of games you two can play.” She looked down to the filly and felt her heart flutter. She could see the faint traces of a smile forming and silently thanked the enthusiastic Moon Beam. “Why don’t you two go outside or maybe roam the halls to play? I need to talk with the soldiers some time today and I could do it now while you two are out. If you don’t feel comfortable going alone I’ll come and watch.”

Cherry shook her head and smiled softly. “I’ll be okay. You’ll come find us when you’re done, right?” Her eyes wavered, her hope on full display.

Cloudy nodded and stroked Cherry’s mane with a hoof eliciting a sigh of content from the filly. She’s trying so hard to be strong despite everything that happened. It’s... a little sad. She’s bottling it up like I did when my.... I’ll have to talk to her about it later. “Okay, Tart. You two go have fun. I’ll come looking as soon as I’m finished.”

Cherry nodded and followed Moon Beam to the door. She gave one last glance back at her caretaker and smiled as best as she could before racing off to catch up with her ecstatic guide. The pair of fillies moved swiftly through the halls, brushing past the servants and occasional soldiers. Moon Beam giggled in her excitement while Cherry did her best to maintain the ‘younger’ filly’s pace. They moved between ponies with the ease brought only by youth and small stature until they arrived at their destination: the castle’s inner courtyard.

The red filly gazed about the grassy grounds, admiring the giant black obelisk with the wonderment of a foal, until she was snapped back to reality by an eager face directly in front of hers. “Sooo~. What do you wanna do? I don’t care myself ‘cause I just want to play with you, so I’ll just let you decide!”

Cherry stumbled back, surprised by the intrusion of her space, but couldn’t help but to smile at her antics. “I don’t mind. I’m not really good at deciding....” Moon Beam frowned at her new playmate’s indecision. Cherry opened her mouth, shocked by the sudden mood change, and blurted out the first thing to come to mind. “Oh, uhhh.... I guess we could play knight and the princess?” Her statement came out more as a question, but Moon Beam didn’t seem to notice.

The smoke-maned filly reverted to her jovial mood and pranced about. “Okay! I’m going to be the knight and you can be the princess in danger! I’ll go find somepony to come be the big mean dragon!”

The two fillies were soon joined by an obviously confused mare being dragged along by the insistence of Moon Beam. The details were quickly explained and, after some heart-melting coaching by the ‘youngest’ filly, the trio began to act out their roles. Time flew by for them as they played, but out of the three, one’s joy stood out the most. Her worries temporarily forgotten, Cherry smiled warmly, laughter playing sweetly from her mouth.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author’s Notes: Sorry this one took so long (after the competition, that is) to come out. Been fookin busy at work and then I got the bright idea to download 3 addictive ass games. Not the best idea, there Peppy. Totally not helping to get past the mental block or keep focus. Oh well, dealwithit.jpg. It happens to the best of us I guess (and I know. I am the best. lol) so, without further ado, Chapter 30 in all it’s righteous glory (or plot-moving glory. Whichever you prefer.) Peppy out~

Editor’s Notes #2: Wahey, I’m first time this? Wait, I think I did that wrong... A little delayed, but the chapter didn’t suffer for it. More plot, and some story advancement too! Should be fun to see where things go from here!

Editor’s Notes #1: Jekyll here and wooooooooo, even more Twi and Nightmare. And more D’awww with Moonbeam and Cherry. Well, I’m tired as all hell so Imma take a nap. See you guys next chapter. Hope you like it (as I know you will). Ciao.

Chapter 36.2 - Of Love and Warfare

Chapter 36 - Of Love and Warfare

Nightober Twentieth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Eight Thirty-One Ante Meridian
|

"Well, at least her living conditions aren't deplorable." Twilight smiled and nuzzled up against the alicorn, but tensed as memories of her branding, pulled back to the surface by the pain in her flank, resurfaced. She pushed them back into her subconscious, willing them away. Forgive, but never forget, Twilight. Your mark is a reminder. For the both of us. "Let's get going. I really want to put that ointment on this. It burns badly." Nightmare glanced at the ink splotch- and moon-shaped blister marring Twilight's byzantium flank, prepared to apologize again, but was preempted by a swift peck from the unicorn.

Nightmare watched in worry as Twilight's ears drooped while her head sunk. "Twilight, are you alright? Are the scar and burn acting up? Should I use the salve now?"

"I am sorry for causing this, but did you not request to have the Element of Generosity make you a dress so you could attempt to repair that relationship?"

The pair sat in silence, soaking in the water and leaning against each other. Finally, Twilight spoke again, breaking the lull in conversation. "I'm glad Cloudy agreed to watch Moonie for another night. She almost didn't agree to go with her, but one pleading look from Tart and she was off in a flash." She smiled and nuzzled against her mare. "I know Moon Beam likes Tart, but do you think Tart likes Moonie?"

"That is a foalish question, Twilight. Is it not apparent that they like each other? Why else would they play together?"

Twilight snickered and shook her head. "That's not what I meant, Luna. I mean-"

"Mommy Moon! Auntie Twilight! Are you down here?! Helloooooo!?"

"It needs to be. With her injury, Twilight would not be able to bathe in hot water. If you want, I will dry you off and you can sit at the edge and wait for us to finish. We will not be much longer."

"I'll be okay. Besides, Auntie Twilight's very warm. I'll be all toasty in no time!" She clung tightly to the unicorn and rubbed against her, easing her chattering just slightly.

Twilight chuckled and rubbed the filly's head. "Hey, Moonie. Have you noticed anything different about your mom and I?"

Moon Beam leaned back and studiously examined the pair as she scratched her chin. "Weeeeeeeeeeeeell.... Oh! Auntie's taller! And Mommy has.... Huh...."

"Twilight, why not just tell her? All of this dancing around about our rela-"

"What'cha mean? Weren't you always a couple? I thought when two ponies were together, they were a couple."

"Not yet, Moonie. Fillies and colts aren't born that quickly. Don't worry, we'll tell you when we decide to have a foal. It's a big decision that needs to be made by the whole family."

"You have become quite skilled with your hooves, Twilight. It feels wonderful," Nightmare cooed as her mare massaged her way down her neck, applying more shampoo whenever necessary.

Maybe washing each other isn't the fastest method.

Her voice was laced with racy intentions and Nightmare smiled before lifting Twilight's tail and pressing her mouth against the mare's soaking lips. Twilight gasped and pressed back against the alicorn's snout, forcing her deeper into her folds. The lunar lover eagerly lapped up the dark unicorn's fluids, occasionally sucking upon her love hole. Twilight shuddered, reaching her climax far too soon for her own wants, and fell face-first into the water, her legs now too weak to support her.

The night queen bit Twilight's nipple lightly and held it with her teeth as she lashed the tip with her tongue. The young mare thrust her hips up towards her mate, coating the alicorn's neck in her excitement with each contact. Twilight sucked in air and pressed lightly on Nightmare's head, urging her look and listen. "Luna, I need you inside of me."

Nightmare nipped harder on the mare's breast making her yelp with a mixture of pain and pleasure before pulling away. She stared into the unicorn's eyes as they shifted back and forth between their usual purple and the glowing red of her emotion-driven magic. "I was beginning to wonder when you would beg to be taken. Where do you want it first?" She began levitating the necklace and medallion from Twilight's neck only to be thwarted by a similar grasp of magic.

"Very well then, you may perform your spell." Excellent. She should have thought about her agreement more carefully.

“No, Twilight. This is fine. I can still see my marehood this way. It’s comforting.” She glanced back down at the sheath and frowned. All this time wasted has somewhat halted my arousal. How long does it take to- A splash in the water drew her attention back to her mare who had dropped back into the tub with her.

Twilight quickly closed the distance between herself and Nightmare, keeping her smoldering eyes locked on the alicorn’s even as their lips met. The black alicorn leaned into the kiss, closing her eyes as her body relaxed once more until she was completely at the whims of her younger companion. “Luna,” she whispered softly into Nightmare’s ear before gently nibbling on the tip. “Lie back like I was earlier. Since my little speech seems to have dampened your mood, I will take it upon myself to get you back up to full mast.”

“Very well Twilight, but I still do not see the point in making this change. It does not feel much different. Just a little-” As she was speaking, Nightmare climbed from the tub and laid back, keeping her gaze focus on her nether region, only to shiver and stiffen when her marefriend’s hoof graced the black protrusion between her legs. Despite her previous denial of any new feelings, the stimulation brought on by the unicorn’s gentle hoof most certainly brought out an unfamiliar sensation from her loins. The lunar queen relaxed her neck in order to regain sight of what was happening below and gasped in shock, and a copious amount of pleasure, when she saw the fruit of Twilight’s magical and physical manipulations.

The purple mare used both of her forehooves to massage Nightmare’s sheath, the intense feeling in the mare’s overly-sensitive stallionhood caused her new phallus to quickly reveal itself to them both. Twilight smiled brightly when the shaft stood proudly at its full length, the shaft was larger and longer than the fake they had been using and colored pure-black to match it’s owners coat. “Wow, Luna. I don’t know if I’ll be able to take all of that.... Uhm.... After I get you... warmed up.... You’ll be sure to go easy on me, right?”

She received no reply as Nightmare was too busy staring in awe at her erect member throbbing in the grasp of her lover’s hooves. Twilight shrugged and took a deep breath, preparing herself to the relatively new and exciting turn of events. She reset her smile and brought her snout up against the base of the shaft, breathing in the scent of the alicorn’s arousal and bath water, then stuck out her tongue. Slowly she licked up the mare’s rod, taking pride in the husky moans she was forcing from the other mare, until she came to the tip.

Just as she was ready to take the penis’ flared head in her mouth, the moist orifice already open to swallow it, Nightmare threw her head back, panting. “Twilight! Something’s- I’m-” Without any further warning, the black length pulsed, shooting a thick strand of milky semen onto Twilight’s face and into her mouth. The initial shock of the sudden orgasm knocked the mare off balance, sending her backwards into the water as several more streams of seed shot into the air to coat Nightmare’s stomach, legs, and the floor around her. She lay, panting, as her climax wore down and her lover pulled herself back to the ledge. “I’m... sorry, Twilight. I did not mean....”

“It’s okay! I should have expected that to happen.” She chuckled and wiped the gunk from her face that hadn’t come off in the surprise bath before sensually licking it from her hoof. After all, it happened to me on my first trial of this spell. “New experiences can be very stimulating. Especially if they involve- Hey! You can’t be done already!” The byzantium mare shouted, annoyed, at the quickly retreating length before sucking the come-leaking tip into her mouth.

Once more, Nightmare found herself succumbing to overwhelming pleasure, but, unlike her mare parts, she found her male organ less capable of reaching a second peak right away. Instead, her shrinking shaft restored itself to near-full-size as Twilight languidly bobbed her head, coating it in slick saliva. The black alicorn, enraptured by her mate's erotic actions, gasped and moaned until, finally, she could no longer bear the rising urge. “Twilight.... Stop.” The mare halted mid-descent and looked up into Nightmare’s glowing turquoise orbs. “Bend over the edge. I am going to rut you until you cannot stand.”

The young unicorn pulled away from the slippery tower and hastened to replace the queen in her spot on the floor, laying upon her stomach with tail lifted aside. Nightmare inhaled the heavy scent of Twilight’s arousal mixed with traces of sweat and lingering blood and had to force herself not to bury her muzzle in her honeypot. Instead, she eagerly mounted her, pressing herself against Twilight’s opening, and prepared for entry. “Luna, please remember. Carefully. No matter how much I want this, you’re a little big.”

With a slight nod, anything longer and she may not have been able to hold back, Nightmare pushed further until her glans penetrated the unicorn’s folds. As soon as she was in, she succumbed to her carnal desires. The pleasure was too much and, instead of the gentle entry Twilight expected, the black monarch plunged as far into the darkly-toned pony underneath her as she could. Her tip hit Twilight's cervix which halted her movements with a satisfying slap of flanks and stomach, but left several inches of the midnight rod in the open.

Twilight squealed at the sudden pain of having been stretched further than ever at such an alarming speed, but didn't have any time to recuperate. Nightmare had lost her wits to the pleasure and, instead of heeding the mare's quiet plea for her to wait, pulled out to buck into her again. Another cry of pain, although lessened substantially by her renewing arousal, slipped from Twilight's lips at the second thud upon her womb's entrance.

True to her word, Nightmare slapped into her lover, rutting the mare like an instict-driven beast. The plowed unicorn could do nothing under the queen's onslaught, nor did she want to. Despite her denial of what Borea had said, the accusations against her during their fight, Twilight couldn't avoid the mind-numbing sensation of having her most sensitive area pummeled over and over. She was enjoying the pain.

"Oh, Luna! Harder! I can't- I can't believe how great this feels!" She clenched herself around the mare's pumping piston, squeezing the flesh with her own as tightly as she could, increasing the satisfaction for them both exponentially.

"Twilight! You are- You were correct!" Her breathing grew labored as he exertion compounded with each thrust. How do males keep up with this!? It is too sensitive! I am- "I- It is coming again, Twilight! I am about to-"

Her words were silenced by a heavy slap against her thighs, followed by another, and a third after that. She grunted and looked down at her lover who bucked back against her in rhythm with her own thrusts making her shaft press even further in. "Faster! I'm... close too! Rut me as hard as...! As hard as you can! Make me your mare!"

The mares slammed against each other as hard as they could, the fleshy slaps echoing loudly in the large bath room, causing the water around their legs to spill violently onto the stone floor. Their breaths grew faster and shorter as they each drew nearer, their hearts thundering in their chests. Twilight felt pain from her injured flank, but the burning, throbbing penis ravaging her insides dulled it to near non-existence and, after a wonderful eternity, she sensed some other sensation from, or rather inside, her body.

Nightmare moaned throatily, humping erratically, desperately, into Twilight’s abused sweetness as she deposited her thick seed in several powerful spurts. Each sensitive thrust pumped her mare full of her love until, finally, she felt Twilight clench down even tighter as she reached her own peak. The pair stayed in that position as they both recovered, not once changing anything about their surroundings aside from the creamy spill leaking from between the alicorn’s penis and the unicorn’s lips.

After several minutes, the moon queen shifted and sighed into her star-flanked companion. “I love you, Twilight, and I.... I am sorry, again.”

“What is it, High Commander? It must be important if you came down here to tell me. Did the griffon tell us anything?”

“That’s excellent news! Maybe we can end this soon.” Twilight sat next to her queen and smiled brightly. “We’ll finally be able to stop this war if we can stop them from attacking us.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. Oh, while I am headed that way, shall I fetch a servant to come drain and refill your bath for you?”

“No. That is fine. We will bathe at a later time. For now, we will be going to speak with the detained griffon personally.”

“Of course. By your leave, Your Majesty.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Twentieth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Ten Oh-Four Ante Meridian
|

“What do you want? Come to finish what you started last night!? I warn you, just because I joined you because hate my father, it doesn’t mean I won’t fight you to defend Tabby!”

“Well, she doesn’t wanna talk to-”

Nightmare only smiled. “It would seem I have found a slight advantage over our adversaries tonight. Excellent inquiry, my love. Now I need only compose a letter to the Drakonian ambassador to have these new facts brought to light. Unfortunately, that will have to wait. We still have several things that need to be done before I over-exert myself by sending a letter. Come, Twilight. Let us meet with High Commander Horizons. We have much to discuss about the upcoming months and very little time to formulate strategies for our victory.” She stood and made to leave, but stopped at the doorjamb and turned back to the griffon pair. “You have helped us a great deal, Tabatha, so I shall grant you some freedom while you are here, but you are not to leave the castle for any circumstance. Private Gilda can escort you around to help you familiarize yourself with the place, but in six hours, I want you to report to my chambers to begin your duties as a servant in my castle. As long as you obey my rules, you need not worry about your safety.”

While the mare’s words carried a tone hinting at unpleasant times should she screw up, Tabatha was relieved that she wasn’t going to be killed or hurt for the time being. Twilight, too, smiled at her marefriend’s words as they traversed the obsidian halls towards the second floor where a secluded wing of the castle awaited their arrival. “You really are making progress, Luna. You didn’t have to give her such freedom even if it’s something that everyone deserves, but you did anyways. Could have left out that last part though.” A soft chuckle escaped the unicorn’s lips. “I’m sure it did more good than harm, but there was just a teensy bit of threat in there.”

“It was meant to have an underlying threat. I have learned from my mistakes with Silent Brook and know better than to trust just anybody.” Her tone was even and commanding, her voice reverted back to her old passive state. “I have something else to discuss at the moment, however. You know that the war is looming greater upon us, especially since they likely know of our alliance with the minotaur. I hold no illusions that all of our subjects will live and, while I have soldiers stationed heavily in Canterlot, there is no guarantee that it will remain unmolested. If you wish, I can move your parents here, where it is safer and more defensible. Is this something you would have me do?”

Nightmare Moon listened intently as the love of her long, long life continued on her extensive tirade, linking one bit of information to the next, her young brain working in a set pattern until they arrived at the door to the ‘new’ war-room. “One final question, Twilight.” The unicorn’s ears perked as she blushed sheepishly, finally realizing she had barely had a chance to breathe during their walk. “When would you wish for the dressmaker, Rarity, to be brought here? I will schedule both your parents’ visit and her commission as soon as you wish.”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Chapter 39 - Tribulatory Training

Chapter 39 - Tribulatory Training

Nightober Twenty-Fifth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Twelve Post Meridian
|

Nightmare pushed open a pair of heavy metal doors to reveal her circle of closest allies situated around her war table. She scanned the occupants, taking note of their varying levels of attentiveness, and smiled toothily. “My loyal subjects and comrades.” She bowed her head and motioned for the unicorn beside her to take a seat at the head of the table. “I thank you for joining us tonight. As High Commander Horizons has informed you, we have received valuable information regarding our enemy and, since she has worked closest with our captured griffon, she will supply us with the details.”

“Your Majesty.” The orange mare stood, saluted the queen, and directed the room’s attention to the map laid across the table. “If what Tabatha said is to be trusted, then the bulk of the griffon forces are currently sheltered within Whitetail Woods to the northeast.” She tapped a hoof against the map and circled a large batch of forest. “They are in this general area and move about frequently in order to avoid arousing suspicion from road travellers that pass through there moving towards Wintertrot. This information was partially confirmed by reports of missing caravans and businessponies that had departed from or were travelling to the mining town.

“Now, I was also told that there are several units, most of them no larger than two-hundred soldiers, stationed throughout the nation and posted near our major cities along with even smaller groups meant for scouting our movement.” She looked to Gilda sitting across from her who nodded in confirmation. With a quick motion, she pointed out a large patch of open ground west of Manehattan. “Currently, we have a contingent of aerial and magical knights posted here to watch the main road between Manehattan and Canterlot supported by miniature camps acting as road patrol for ground-based troop movement. Each major city has its own military force, each of them small in comparison to what we have stationed here, large enough to defend against any minor invasion.”

“The bulk of our military is here, right?” Cloudy nodded and Twilight turned to Jahurl. “You have your people here as well with more to be arriving soon, so that would make New Mareland a prime target for guerilla attacks. They’ve obviously seen the state of our military operations here with the bulk of our forces practically camping just inside our walls. The griffons have a greater advantage over us in that aspect since they can just fly over our walls to attack our ground-based soldiers.”

“I’m surprised you’re so well-versed in martial tactics young pony, but I am not certain of what you are trying to point out.” Jahurl leaned back in his chair and stroked his chin. “It wouldn’t be to our best interest to up and move the brunt of the soldiers somewhere else to leave the castle nigh defenseless and it would take too much time to build cover.”

“Well, what I’m saying is that we should have at least half of our troops broken off of the main group and split into separate parties. Let’s say we break it into fourths. Since we number at approximately twelve-thousand here, we’ll have three groups of one-thousand led by Gilda, Cloudy, and I with the fourth under Queen Moon’s command, or whoever she sees fit to lead.” She stood and began pacing around the table, studying the map and the various markings to show their own troop placements. "Were there any specific areas other than the griffon warriors in Whitetail that Tabby talked about?"

Cloudy nodded and tapped in four areas, each spread apart from each other. "Aside from the griffons positioned near Fillydelphia, Manehattan, Stalliongrad, and Wintertrot, she said that there were supposed to be large battalions north of Ponyville, the remains of Dodge Junction, south west of Canterlot and directly west of here. All of them are supposedly lightly camped and ready to move at a moment's notice should they receive an order to attack."

Tyro abruptly stood, his armor clanking loudly against his chair, and pounded his fists against the table. "How did you ponies let this happen!? They have already practically taken over your country!"

"We are aware of the implications, foal, but there was little we could do to stop this. We are still recovering from civil war and Griffonia has been taking advantage of this fact." Nightmare sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose with a hoof. "However, I assume my mate has a plan to remedy the situation, yes?"

The dark mare grinned and nodded. "Of course, it'll be quite simple even with under-experienced soldiers. Now...."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Twenty-Fifth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Two Thirty-Six Post Meridian
|

"That was quite impressive, Lady Sparkle. For a pony without experience with battle or warfare, you are proving yourself quite capable as a strategist and warrior." Jahurl grinned and clapped the mare on the back, the sound of the impact resounding through the nigh empty halls. Nightmare Moon paused

Twilight winced and smiled sheepishly. "I'm definitely not a fighter, but I've been reading books on ancient wars. I think a lot of the old practices are still applicable today."

"Well, you've more than proven yourself capable in a fight. Do you not recall your bout with my sister? She was quite impressed with your display of courage and instinctual ability.” His grin widened as the victim of his praise hid her face in her lover’s neck. “Even if you won with an orgasm.”

“I- That. It wasn’t an orgasm! It was a highly potent magical... d-discharge... and....” Twilight chewed her lip and did her best to avoid eye contact with the mad minotaur. “It just wasn’t an orgasm, okay!?”

“Yet, after the fact, I remember a very distinctive scent following the ordeal.” The unicorn gasped and hid her face in her hooves, much to the amusement of the ponies and minotaur around her. “You far exceeded any expectations I had of you today.” The alicorn’s lips curled in the faintest resemblance of a smile. “So that is what you had been doing during your times away from my side.”

“I am going to look in on Cherry and Moon Beam. We will be deploying soon, so I want to make sure that she is... alright.” Cloudy stepped past the stationary group, but paused at the end of the hall. “If you plan on following through with this, then we will need to begin your physical training. Immediately. Both you and Private Gilda are inadequate where combat abilities are concerned and if you were to be caught in any full-scale battle you would surely be killed.”

“Hey! I kicked so much ass in Ponyville that not even those seasoned fighters stood a chance!” The young griffon smirked and puffed out her chest despite the lack of attention she was garnering. “Fine! You’ll all see how badass I am soon enough. Since you’re going to check on the twerps, I’ll go fly around till we’re ready to fight.”

Cloudy sighed as Gilda flew off and out a window, not bothering to close it behind her. “I apologize for her behaviour, Your Majesty. I’ll be sure to discipline her more thoroughly. How she can be a decent fighter with such small amounts of self-control, I’ll never know.”

"It does not matter, High Commander. As long as she stays loyal to us and she doesn't cause an uproar, then her actions are of little consequence to me." Nightmare cast a sidelong glance at the crippled pegasus before turning and closing the window the reckless hybrid had escaped through. "You three will be training under the protection of my obelisk for I wish to observe. There are more things I need to teach you about your magic as well."

"Of course, My Queen. By your leave."

The regal mare dipped her head and watched as her army's general departed, leaving her with the minotaur lord, the twins, and her lover. She turned to her foreign guests and motioned for them to continue their walk through the castle. "If I am not mistaken, you will have much to do in preparation for our endeavour as well. If there is anything you require, my chancellor will be able to arrange for whatever it is to be obtained. You have that servant mare still, yes?"

“Ah, yes. Sweet Scoop. She is... an interesting pony. Very nervous and almost always trying to look over my shoulder... which is quite the humorous act to behold!” The buff lord laughed uproariously and pulled his subordinate twins into a tight embrace before allowing his smile to fade. “I will be keeping an eye on her though. She has not done anything to arouse my full suspicion, but I do not trust her around my quarters alone."

Nightmare's narrowed her eyes and stamped at the stone beneath her, cracking the floor with the force. "Are you implying that I have a traitor amongst my ranks!? I will have her head mounted upon a pike for betraying me!” She fumed, lighting her horn, and began casting out her magic only to have it interrupted by a massive arm wrapped around her neck.

“Aww, come now! There’s no need for that! We don’t know if she’s actually a spy or if she’s just a curious cat that’s poking her nose where she shouldn’t.” He chuckled and patted the mare roughly, jarring her form. “I’ll be sure to keep a close eye on her for you. Don’t you worry about it at all.”

“I could have you killed for touching me, Jahurl. Do not think to test my patience with your actions.” She glared at the larger being, anger still prominent in her eyes, yet sighed and moved away. “Very well. I am certain that I have done enough damage to my subjects already. Should you discover that she is indeed a spy, then you will inform me at once. I will not tolerate traitors.”

Twilight smiled and nuzzled against Nightmare’s cheek. "I don't think you'd have wanted to hurt him anyways. He's too interesting to get rid of." The unicorn grinned at the minotaur who replied with a deep bellowing laugh.

"This girl knows how to butter a guy up, that's for sure!" The massive lord beamed and pushed his subordinates down the hall, their large hooves clacking deeply upon the stone floor with each step. "We'll be leaving you two to your own devices. Don't go doing anything I wouldn't do!"

With a final, deep chortle, Jahurl, Tyra, and Tyro left the lover pair standing alone in the empty hallway to stare after them. Twilight broke the silence with a soft giggle that was quickly sobered by necessity. She looked up into Nightmare's cool, turquoise eyes, her lips drooping into the slightest frown. "You're really trying to be kinder, aren't you? I was scared for a moment.... When I felt that rush of anger, I thought you were really going to hurt him, but...." She let her vision fall to the floor and drew circles upon it with a hoof before cautiously looking back up at her mate.

"It is not simple, Twilight. I have spent the last one-thousand years building upon my hatred and fueling my anger. I have known little else from before my banishment until now." The alicorn's eyes closed as she took a deep, relaxing breath and, when she opened them again, she was turned to face the hall which the foreigners had departed to. "We must go. There is too much to do in this short period of relative peace to spend our time on trivial matters such as emotion. If we do not win this war, then all of it would have been for naught.”

Nightmare began the walk through the halls, following in the steps of the minotaurs and her pony underlings, leaving Twilight to hesitate behind her. The young unicorn made to follow, but stopped before she could even take the first step. “Luna! Wait!” The black alicorn stopped mid-step and turned to find her lover staring nervously at the floor. “You’re wrong, you know.... Even if we win, there’s no guarantee that I’ll live.... I’m not as powerful as you are, nor am I as skilled in fighting. I’m not even close."

Twilight returned her gaze to the alicorn's, sadness showing openly in her eyes. "If we don't talk, express ourselves, now, then we may not ever get another chance. You're right that we have a lot to work through and that we don't have enough time to do everything that we need, but how we feel is just as important as how prepared we are for battle."

"You will not die, Twilight. I will make sure of it."

"But you can't know! And even if you could, it's not what matters! If I die, and we don't talk about it, then we'll never have had the chance to." Tears welled in the corners of her eyes as she fought back the sniffles that would inevitably prevail. "I'm scared of what you'll do if I die.... You've saved me once, but... not even you can bring me back if I'm forced to move on."

"You. Will. Not. Die.” Nightmare’s eyes glowed brightly in the dark corridor, illuminating what even the magical torches could not. “If you are injured, I will find you. If you are in danger, I will find you. If you are mortally wounded, I will find you. And I will save you.” Twilight cowered under the ferocity of her lover’s display until a hoof was pressed gently to her back, calming her quaking body. “Twilight.... I know I have done much to give you cause to fear me, but you are very dear to my heart. You should not be frightened, nor should you worry about yourself as long as I live."

"But it's not me that I'm worried about, Luna! It's you. I've always been the one to calm you when something happens." The dark unicorn sighed and wiped the tears from her face with a hoof. "If I die, I know what will happen. It's already been done before with that griffon. I saw what you did to him, all of that anger coalesced into a single spell. If there were others around, I'm certain you would not have stopped with just him. Facts about previous attacks and your retaliations prove it...." She sat on her haunches and pulled her queen into a tight embrace, knocking the larger mare off balance and pulling her to the ground. "We have to talk about it. We have to help you move past all of your hatred, or nothing will ever change."

Nightmare Moon stared down at the mare beneath her, all emotion missing from her features. Twilight stared back, concern and love evident in her soft, weak smile. The pair gazed into each other's eyes for an eternity, lost in the mix of purple and turquoise glow until their lips met in a sudden, much-needed kiss. Twilight squirmed blissfully under the pressure of her lover's mouth, her eyes squeezed shut as they wrestled their tongues against each other's until they broke apart.

The pair stared into each other's eyes, lost in the mixed purple and turquoise glow that illuminated the darkness between them that the magical torches could not. Nightmare blinked and slowly began to rise from her lover’s body, then assisted Twilight in regaining her own footing. She once more turned her vision to the cloud-covered sky and held her head high, before turning and continuing down the path through the castle. “Come, Twilight. We have much to do before we rest tonight. I believe it is time you saw what happened on the night of my banishment.”

The byzantium mare’s ears drooped at the hint of sorrow tinging the edges of the alicorn’s voice. She stood, staring ahead unfocused, as she was slowly left behind, contemplating the queen’s words. A small smile tugged at her lips. Don’t worry, Luna. We’ll get through this together.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Twenty-Fifth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
Three Twelve Post Meridian
|

Minotaur working about the camp’s fires, preparing to begin cooking up the coming night’s meals, stood and bowed to their massive leader as he passed, followed closely behind by his twin subordinates. He nodded his head to each group in passing, slowly making his way through the crowded camp’s pathways, until he came upon the largest tent set up at the far edges of the minotaur’s base of operations. He turned to gaze out across his assembled peoples, watching every group working together towards some end whether it be assembling more massive, beige tents for the most recent influx of ponies that had arrived from Canterlot or preparing meals with the assistance of said ponies.

He shifted on his hooves, the dry, graying ground cracking further under his massive weight with each movement, and looked to the young pair at his sides. His great arms reached out to them and pulled the two into a crushing embrace as an enormous grin stretched across his muzzle. “Look at this! Ponies and minotaur together at last! I never would have thought it would happen in my lifetime! To think that it took a war to do what our ancestors have struggle towards for centuries.” He laughed, his hearty bellow reaching out across his and Nightmare’s people. “Looks like we need some more things to fight if we want to bring the zebras, dragons, and others together as well, eh?”

Tyra struggled out of the brute’s grasp and worked her arms to try and regain the feeling that had been squeezed out of them as her brother took a moment to straighten his armor. “Lord Jahurl, I don’t think that’s a good idea. If we kept fighting, there would not be anybody left to form alliances with.”

“Ah, that’s right, Tyro. Smart young lad.” He chuckled and mussed up the boy’s thick mane of black hair. “Well, let’s get started on sectioning of soldiers!” His grin widened as he turned his head towards the tent’s flap and raised his voice. “I sure hope there isn’t anybody in there trying to figure out our plans from all of the fake documents I’ve strategically placed about my tent!” A startled, high-pitched gasp sounded from within the canvas eliciting another deep bark of laughter from the lord. “Little Scoop, my girl.... We’re going to have to work on some manners for you!”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Nightober Twenty-Sixth of the One-Thousandth Celestial Year
One Fifty-Five Post Meridian
|

“What are you doing!? Your magic is its own weapon! Don't move your body with your magic! You have to work it separately!" Cloudy smacked Twilight's leg out from under her using the flat of her blade, sending the taller unicorn face-first into the grass. The moment she made contact, the dragon bone dagger dropped from her black aura. "Never let your weapon go! You die the moment you cannot defend yourself!" Another quick smack from the pegasus' blade sent the dark mare to her side with a yelp.

Gilda, although she had her eyes closed in concentration, snickered at the sound of the pony's distress. An action with a swift punishment in the form of a sharp jolt of electricity to the tail-end of her spine. She, too, squawked in alarm and scratched furiously at her twitching backside. "Hey! The buck was that for!?"

"You are not concentrating. You are allowing outside happenings to intrude upon your meditation." Nightmare stiffened her stance, keeping her eyes trained on the dueling ponies as her horn slowly sputtered out. “You and my mate are similar. Where she is lacking in physical prowess, you are lacking in magical aptitude. If you do not wish to be disciplined again, then I would advise you to focus until you can feel yourself being strengthened by the moon. You have already squandered a day away with your inability to master this simple technique."

Gilda huffed and puffed her chest feathers out, but resigned herself to her fate. Better just do it. Crazy bat will probably beat me if I don't. She returned to her prone position, her head resting upon crossed forelegs, and closed her eyes, once more trying to block out the clashing of metal upon metal and screams of her uptight superior officer. It's not like Failight is doing any better.

"You're doing it again! Hold your body still when you attack with your dagger." Cloudy sheathed her blade, and walked over to Twilight. "Here. Stand up straight with your legs planted firmly on the ground. Keep them evenly spaced so you can maintain a better balance when struck, but do not- Stop! Your back hooves are too far apart." She smacked the mare on the rump causing her to yelp and draw her legs closer together. "Better. Now, swing your blade."

Twilight nodded and performed a quick, vertical slash only to lean forward as the dagger sliced through the air earning her another slap from her instructor. Again she swung, this time vertically, and again she tilted her body with the dagger. "I can't! It's something I've done since I was a filly! It's hard enough to not do it with tasks that I can do slowly, but fighting is too fast!"

"Stop. Twilight, in battle, magically wielded weapons have two great advantages over those that are wielded by one's body. They are highly unpredictable and are only limited by great range." She paced around the panting, frustrated mare, poking and prodding her to correct the issues with her stance, and stopped to stare into her eyes. “If you do not fix this, then you lose half of your advantage and, since you don’t have the skill required to measure up to the griffons’ life-long experience, you will not last a minute outside of these walls."

"I know! I've read every book I could find on warfare and just combat in general, and there are definitely too few on either subject, but even with that there's a distinctive line between knowledge and practice." Twilight sighed and let her shoulders sag. "I want to be able to help out more than just telling ponies where to go and die for us. It's not fair for me to be the only one not fighting."

The crippled pegasus stared at the bookish unicorn, her incredulous expression slowly being overcome by a wide grin. "I'm still amazed that you were the pupil of that liar. The massive amounts of reading is definitely definitive, but your sense of honor.... You would make a fine general if you learned how to fight." The smile dropped only to be replaced by her stern glare. "Until then, you're just as much of a rookie as those foals in the military academy! Now, get back into proper form and keep trying. Until you can at least attack without moving, you will standing there without rest.”

Twilight nodded and took a deep breath, resetting her stance and mentally prepared herself for the long session to come. At least I understand how she commands our soldiers so well. She's so strict that she seems terrifying. She giggled softly and received a sharp slap on her rump by her instructor's sword. Well, she would be if I didn't know how she was around Tart. A final effort was taken to clear her mind after having another disciplinary action taken upon her backside for delaying and, with a fierce cry, the unicorn swung her dagger.

"Oh, come on! Why the buck are you screaming!? How in Tartarus am I supposed to concentrate with her grunting and yelling every time she tries and fails!?" The griffon scowled at the trio of mares, but, after a harsh glower from the moon queen, quickly returned to trying to relax and meditate.

"You foal. Do you believe that, in the heat of combat, your foes will give you the opportunity to sit and concentrate on healing your wounds or gathering energy to smite them?" Nightmare Moon nodded to her partner who reciprocated the action and resumed her efforts at learning the art of the blade. "If you ever wish to gain a true advantage over your kin, then you must learn to ignore the cries of war. I believe that a bit of a hooves-on approach would be quite helpful in this situation."

Gilda opened one eye, peeking at her mentor to find the alicorn grinning devilishly at her. “I’m not fighting you. I’d have to be bucking crazy to-”

“Remember. If you wish to continue, then you will have to draw upon my magic even while under the stress of battle."

Nightmare's horn began to glow as she lowered it down towards the griffon who, despite the sudden inability to control her body, struggled to escape. "Hey! The fuck are you do-? Don't put that near me! St-"

The moment her horn made contact with the young hybrid's forehead, she stopped her struggles and slumped as her body went limp in the magical hold. The queen set the girl upon the ground, leaving her to splay out without any true direction, and returned to watching her mate's struggle with basic combat. She frowned at the unbelieving stares she was receiving and waved them off with a hoof.

"Continue. She will be fine."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Gilda squawked in pain as she clutched the throbbing mass that she assumed was her head and tried to clear the blur from her vision. Her hearing rang violently, pulsing and screeching hellishly, but she swore she could hear something else, something loud. The world spun as she regained her footing, images swirling and clouding together to form misshapen blots until something hard and heavy smashed her right talon.

Gilda screeched in pain, then froze as the whole world around her, and all the sounds that come with it, came into immediate focus.

All around her was chaos. Pure, bloody chaos in the form of death and unbridled violence. The corpses of ponies, pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies alike, lay strewn across the crimson stained earth, their lightly and uninjured comrades still matching blades and spells long after they had passed. She heard the cries of agony as ponies were impaled, dismembered, and gored by their opponents to join their dead and dying brethren in the field of death. The mortally wounded moaned and cried in the bloody mud, the blackened sludge slowly draining the color from their bodies.

Gilda squawked in dismay as a heavy fog rolled in from the north, quickly concealing anything further than forty feet, making the cacophony of war all the more frightening. "H-hey! What the fuck is going on here!? Nightmare!"

You must focus, griffon. When you have mastered the ability to draw upon my moon and rejuvenate yourself, then you shall be freed. The alicorn's voice echoed from all around the terrified girl, yet none of the soldiers paid it any heed. A word of warning. The pain you will face is very real, so your attention had better be trained upon your surroundings.

"What does that- Ah! Fuck!" Gilda screeched and jumped away from an earth pony that had slashed her across her breastplate with its sword. The weapon had sliced through the front and left a long gash on her chest which now bled profusely. "Fuck, fuck, fuck!" She roared furiously and slashed the earth pony across the face with her gauntlet-covered talons, tearing the flesh and bone into ribbons and leaving the thing to twitch and moan with its mangled mouth as it slowly died.

She panted heavily, clutching her bleeding chest, and tried to focus on the faint energy provided by her augmented link to the silvery celestial body. This, however, proved impossible as the disastrous mix of pain and the surrounding cacophony thwarted all attempts and, despite her silent wishes to be left alone, more ponies were moving nearer, drawn by the defeat of their comrade.

Concentrate and your wounds can be healed. Focus and you will have the strength to fight through even the most grievous of wounds. Failure will result in certain death. In war, one cannot rely solely upon her comrades or subordinates.

“What are you talking about!? Get me out of here, you bitch!” The young griffon’s eyes flashed frantically between the squad of ponies as they approached with weapons raised and ready to attack. She took note of the fact, just briefly, that they all donned a dull golden armor before scrabbling for the sword her first opponent had dropped and held it in her unsteady grasp. She glanced down to the gaping gash and inhaled sharply at the sight of her own blood-soaked body.

"Ffff-Fuck." Gilda watched with darkening vision as the trio of soldiers advanced on her before succumbing to the cold, numbness of encroaching death. She fell to the ground, her body limp, and cried out as the first blade pierced her armor. Her senses shut down long before the second and third blows ever connected, saving her from the agony that was sure to follow.

A soft 'Tsk, tsk, tsk' was the last sound the runaway griffon heard before the darkness overwhelmed her.

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author’s Notes: Ok, so this one took much longer than it had any reason to and the reason for that is? Vidya Games. That’s right, your favourite author ever is a gamer and is therefore prone to bouts of laziness. I said it! There! *cries* Anyhoof, I did try to work on this a lot more than it seems, but every time I sat down to get writing, sibling would come home and we’d go kill shit/level or I’d get called to some guild thingy. Truly, not the best time for it. Anyhoof, again, reason for short chapter? I like where this one ended. Cause evil. And stuff. I’ll get started on the next chapter really soon though so it won’t be as long as this time. Cause I feelz badz. Peppy out~

P.S: I don't wanna hear anything about 'Tribulatory' not being a word. Cause it's a word now. I used it.

Editor’s Notes: Yawn. Cough. I feel so sick and sleepy right now. Well, whateves. I’m here... reading crap-tons of manga (quickly becoming an otaku). Anyway, nice chapter. Took too damn long.

Chapter 53 - ...May Never Be Found

Chapter 53 - ...May Never Be Found

Darkness.

Black abyss was all that could describe wherever it was the lavender mare found herself. Only silence surrounded her as she hung suspended in the nothingness, but she could not say that she was lonely. After all, she had a companion keeping her thoughts occupied over the endless expanse of time she had spent and knew she would spend here.

Pain.

Pain, unending and sickening. It was all she knew, all she could and would feel, as she hovered in the depths of whatever hell she had fallen into. Her stomach felt as if it had been torn open and her insides seemed like they were being continually gnawed on by some invisible gremlin bent on furthering her suffering for as long as possible without pushing her body over whatever threshold would allow her the sweet relief of death. She thought she had known agony with the wyvern venom endlessly burning through her veins, the blade she had taken, and the recent brand upon her flank, but this new sensation was different; it was worse in a way that she had no ability to describe.

Thus, it was in equal parts surprise and relief that she welcomed another companion in the dark, something other than the endless agony, even if that something was merely a disembodied voice. She couldn't yet make sense out of the voice's words, they were garbled and stuttering, but it was soothing to finally have something to partially distract her from her torment and there was something oddly familiar about it as well.

The voice wouldn't serve to remove the terrible pain, but it did help her ease into unconsciousness, or whatever could be considered unconsciousness in a state where there was nothing but yourself, and dream of a grieving black alicorn.

Peguary Fifteenth of the First Lunar Year
Six Forty-One Ante Meridian
|

"Ruin...."

"Pardon, My Queen?" Fancy Pants looked up from the maps strewn across the castle war room's round table, lifting his reading glasses to better see the black mare in the dim light.

"Lord Jahurl. Your sister, Lady Borea asked me what I thought of the state of my kingdom and I did not have an answer...." Nightmare Moon dipped her head, touched her horn to the mirror hung upon the wall, and frowned when an image of the castle's exterior spread across the narrow furnishing. "My subjects lay dead in the field of battle, some of them freshly fallen and some left from the weeks of the siege, many of them cut down by enemy blades and even more crushed under my unrelenting hoof." Another tap against the mirror and the grisly scene was replaced by the mare's exhausted reflection. "My palace is half demolished, I am nearing the breaking point of my physical fortitude, my love is dying, and I am constantly haunted by....

"Sometimes I wonder if I should free my sister, show her what I have wrought, and beg her to crush my enemies beside me...." The alicorn grit her teeth, glared into the dark-ringed turquoise of her reflected doppelganger, then smashed the mirror into a shower of glass. "But I know she would not stand against her own ponies, nor would she raise her blade against the griffon threat again. She has grown soft, believes that love would resolve any conflict. But what has love brought to this war other than pain? My kingdom, my life, is nothing but ruins wrought by my own hoof.

"Go tell your sister what I have said. Tell her what I think of our situation, and prepare your soldiers for the march north. It is time I spread the ruin of my country to those that wish to wreak more havoc upon my own failings."

Without a word, the usually jovial minotaur stood from his place at the table, his features expressionless, and stepped out as ordered. Only the queen and the chancellor remained in the chamber. Fancy replaced his glasses to return to the maps and plot out the recent scouting reports, but a presence over his shoulder pulled him away before he could even begin.

"Chancellor, would you listen to my request?"

The stallion set his glasses on the table and looked up into his monarch's eyes, stared into the wavering turquoise orbs, and smiled as softly as he could. "I live to serve, your majesty. What do you need?"

"I need you to take one of the airships, one built for speed, and take it to the Draken Range. It is clear that Griffonia already knows of our plan to gain the dragons' aid, so stealth is no longer a concern." Nightmare paused, carefully considering her next words. "I... want you to bring Twilight back. I do not care if you have to kill to do it, but I want her returned here so I may take care of her and... fulfill her wish to visit Celestia."

The unicorn's eyes widened, having just barely caught the monarch's whisper. "Princess Celestia is...?" He frowned, a myriad thoughts and questions rushing to be put to words like a rabbit eager to escape its lupine predators, but the menacing glare boring into his soul urged otherwise.

"You have served me well, Chancellor, but there are things that would be regretted once asked. Your princess lives, but that is all that shall be known." She turned away from the chancellor, and lifted the broken pieces of the mirror to their origin. "Bring Twilight back to me, no matter the cost."

"I.... I would, Your Majesty, but our remaining airships are already deployed across the country delivering supplies to our hospitals, soldiers, and border stations. With their current directives, none of our ships will return here for several months...." Fancy prepared for a burst of anger, but, instead of the cry of rage he had expected from the obsidian mare, he saw nothing but her imposing form deflating into a slump.

"I... see.... How is it possible that I continue to fail her expectations?" Queen Moon lifted herself into as proud of a stance as she was capable, but barely reached her full height as if some weight was holding her down. "Leave me and inform our soldiers that we are moving soon. Send messengers to Commander Horizons and instruct her to push hard north." The chancellor nodded, carefully gathering his papers and glasses from the war table, and rushed from the room as quickly as he could without looking fearful, not even trying to keep from slamming the metal doors.

"You know that there's nothing you can do, right?" Twilight smiled and sidled up to the black mare, gently rubbing her face against the alicorn's exposed neck. "You shouldn't push yourself for my sake. Just focus on your ponies and helping them through this war."

Nightmare looked off towards the doorway, pointedly avoiding looking at the lavender pony at her side. Her eyes wavered, blurring as traces of years string at their corners, but she kept them trained on the intricate steel barricade even as the apparition began circling around her. "I thought you had gone.... Let me be."

The unicorn's smile widened as she pulled Nightmare's head down and style a quick kiss from her lips. "I'll be here until you move on and forget about me."

An agonized grimace morphed the monarch's features as she jerked away from the torturous mare. "I could never forget...!"

"Well.... I guess that I'll be here forever, then, my love."

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Peguary Fifteenth of the First Lunar Year
Eleven Ten Ante Meridian
|

Rain sounded from all around, pattering noisily upon the canvas roof of the dull brown medical tent, as Fluttershy carefully busied herself tending to the dying and wounded. Dark bags showed clearly under her bright blue eyes as she rushed about, ensuring every pony was as comfortable as they could be on their tiny cots in the overcrowded, makeshift hospital.

She brushed a lock of hair that had escaped from the sloppily-made bun atop her head with a hoof and paused at a cot near the middle of the tent, staring teary-eyed down at the rainbow-maned mare lying comatose upon it. “Oh, Rainbow. How could anything do this to you?” She carefully readjusted the bloody, bandage-covered stump of Dash’s foreleg on its pillow, but almost dropped it in surprise when she felt another pony brush up against her.

She spun, nearly knocking Nurse Tenderheart into a pink earth pony patient behind her. “Oh, I’m sorry, Tenderheart. I was just....”

The mare smiled and gently nuzzled against the canary pegasus’ cheek. “It’s fine, Fluttershy. You’re tired. We all are.” Tenderheart sent her gaze about the room, her smile fading with each pony groaning in their sleep. “I don’t think any of us were expecting this, though. Ponyville was nothing in comparison....”

Shy nodded, and glanced back down to Rainbow’s unconscious form with a grimace. “She wanted to become a Wonderbolt so badly, but now... they’ll never let her in with such a crippling injury. All of these other ponies probably had dreams they wanted to live up to as well, but....”

“I know, I know. I don’t think anypony was prepared for any of this. It’s just been one... nightmare... after another.” The nurse sighed and carefully replaced her careworn smile. “At least, if we try, we can probably get some of these ponies back to having as normal of a life as possible.”

Fluttershy nodded and prepared to turn back to continue her patrol down the canvas covered ground when a crash of metal and shouting rang out over the pitter-patter of the rain, followed by a bellowing roar. She shrank back into her nursing companion, both of them quivering, herself more than Tenderheart, and watched the entrance with wide, fearful eyes. “You don’t think the griffons would attack a hospital, would you?”

“I’m not sure, Shy. Just stay behind me.”

The mares flinched, cringing back, when the tent’s door flaps were thrown open, the only clear space in the area now filled by a bloodied, bandaged griffoness. She panted laboriously, her head rotating slowly as she scanned the dimly lit building. The pair shrank as her piercing, yellow eyes fell upon them, sharpening, and tried to move away as she limped closer. “Where’s-?” She paused, coughing roughly into a talon to clear the scratching in her throat, and levelled herself back up to her full height. “Where’s Rainbow Dash? Tell me and you won’t end up like the guards.”

“Wh-what?” The pegasus blinked, caught off guard by the softness of the girl’s voice, and looked up over her companion’s shoulder. “Why do you-?”

“Where’s Rainbow Dash!?” Both ponies shrieked, ducking down beside one of the medicated patients, as the near-roar washed over them like a tempest. The griffoness moved to close the distance between herself and the nurses, cringing whenever her injured foreleg touched the ground, but slowed when the bed behind the mares came into view.

Gilda faltered, almost tripping over one of the legs of a heavily bandaged stallion, and stepped over the nurses as she approached the cyan pegasus’ bedside. Her talons carefully traced the length of the bandage on Rainbow’s foreleg, taking caution so she didn’t agitate the bloodstained stump. “Is-” She coughed, her voice catching in her throat, and looked back at the cowering ponies. “Is she...?”

Fluttershy shook her head, unsure of what the griffon was asking, but wasn’t given enough time to ask before she was urged to her hooves by a trembling Tenderheart. “L-let’s go.”

Gilda ignored them, turning back to Dash as they fled the room at the earth pony’s insistence, and ran a claw through her friend’s mane. “I’ll kill him, Dash.... I promise.” Tears welled in her eyes, mixing with the rain that already soaked into her feathers. “He’s dead! I’ll kill the bastard and- I’ll kill him and I’ll come back for you, okay? You won’t have to worry about anything.” She swallowed a sob and wiped her face with a trembling claw. “I swear. Just-

“I’m s-” The griffoness cringed as the tent flaps were thrown open and several heavily-armed ponies ran in, each of them levelling their weapons at her. “Fuck off, idiots! Go point your shit somewhere else! I‘m your commanding officer!” She massaged the ridge between her eyes, inconspicuously wiping away a batch of fresh tears before they could fall, and straightened her back with a pained grunt. "I want the remaining soldiers that can still hold a weapon armed and ready to march by tomorrow! The queen wanted us to hop in with Commander Hardass, and that's what's gonna happen." When the group made no effort to follow her order, she lifted onto her hind legs and loosed a bellowing roar. "MOVE BEFORE I TEAR YOUR FACES OFF AND USE THEM TO WIPE MY ASS LATER!"

The soldiers, notably green by the way their weapons shook and dipped heavily, forgot their courage and fled from the griffoness, a couple of them leaving their weapons and one lone trail of urine. Gilda growled, massaging her head to try to alleviated the throbbing ache in her skull, and followed her subordinates out into the storm, picking up their discarded tools on the way. She cast one last glance back over her shoulder, sucked in a deep lungful of air, and turned back out, her piercing yellow eyes, practically glowing in the magically protected torch light, hardened as they stared out towards the remnants of her defeat.

The ruins of Trottingham were barely visible over the distant tree line, the rising smoke and remnants of fires in some of the taller buildings that had been started by the Griffonian forces being all that even the strongest vision could catch sight of.

The young girl fluffed her wing feathers, ignoring the chill of defeat that washed over her at the sight of the city, and grimaced as a vision of Rainbow's mutilation flashed in front of her eyes. Her head throbbed in time with the memory, emanating from where she had been struck on the back of her skull, and forced her to heave into a bush near the corner of the medical tent. As the wave of nausea faded, she wiped her tongue across her leg to try and disperse the taste of vomit and staggered back into the central pathway. "I'm sorry, Dash. It's my fault that you.... Why didn't I fucking listen!? If I had just....

"FUCK!" Gilda chucked the cowardly ponies' weapons into the rain-slogged muck, kicking up a small wave of mud in her fit of rage. "Where the fuck are our sentries!? Why are there torches lit!? Are you all Horus-damned idiots?" She grabbed the nearest light source and, screaming furiously, smashed its pitch-coated head into the mud until the magic encasing it was shattered and its flame was snuffed out, snapping the shaft in half in the process.

The griffon staggered off towards the edge of the forest, and the largest source of light in the area, her chest heaving for the oxygen her fit had deprived her of. As she struggled through the surprisingly thick brush, Gilda began to hear the voices of several ponies, both mares and stallions, over the heavy downpour. She broke into a clearing filled with dozens of massive tents, all of them covered with masses of leafy branches, and lit by sporadically placed campfires. Red filled her vision and she let loose an ear-splitting roar.

The ponies nearest to her all froze mid-action, many of them tripping over themselves or others in shock, as the young griffon stomped her way over to the closest fire. Some, primarily those that had been lounging further from the raging hybrid, fumbled for their weapons, but froze, nearly soiling their armor, when they drew near enough to catch her eye and draw her baleful glare their way. Gilda grabbed one of the ponies that couldn't draw enough sense to flee from her, a middle-aged brown mare with a drooping, darker brown mane, and pressed her beak to her captive's muzzle. "Who's in charge?"

The griffon ignored the stench of urine as the mare's shame trickled down her hind legs and shook the sobbing pony until their eyes met. "P-please don't hurt me!"

"Just answer my damn question! Who's in charge!?"

“That would be me!”

Gilda threw the mare into the mud and turned towards the nasally voice, grinding her beak as its wiry master came into view. The stallion, if he could have been called that, seemed as pathetic as one could be without a massive pair of glasses and a calculator in place of the shortsword at his side. His mane was an unkempt mass of dirty yellow and whatever bit of his lanky body that wasn’t covered in dirt or acne was a sickly, pale white. The griffon mentally cringed at the sight, but kept her glare burning into his eyes as she reared back and punched him in his breast with a clenched talon. “Not anymore! You’re a godsdamned moron!”

She turned to the nearest pony, another mare, and pointed towards the glowing torchlight. “Put that shit out before somebody comes and-” Gilda watched as the pony’s eyes flicked back and forth between her and the recently-demoted acting commander and ducked just as the shadow of a blade swished through the air above her head. She spun on her heels, fighting the rush of dizziness that followed the rapid movement, and stared down at the young stallion as he recovered from his reckless attack. He glared defiantly up at her, heaving for breath around the handle of his sword.

“Hah...” The griffoness clamped a claw to her face and shook, tears filling her eyes, until she could take no more. She burst out laughing, shaking the ponies out of their fear-driven stupor and drawing several looks of utter confusion her way. “Oh.... You, kid... Hah! You got spunk! Buck....” Gilda wiped a stray tear from her eyes, smearing mud across her feathers, and shook her head as the bewildered stallion lowered his sword. Immediately, her features hardened again and she lashed out, clipping the side of his head with her fist and knocking him senselessly into the ground. “You’ve earned a spot right up front when we march on the griffons for that. Dweeb....

“So, anybody else?” Her sharp eyes scanned the crowd, passing over each armed pony until they all tossed their weapons to the ground. “Cowards.... It’s a wonder any of you are still alive....” Gilda turned back to the powder-blue mare she had addressed the moment before and growled at her. “Why are there still torches!? Put them out!”

“B-but we won’t be able to keep our lookout! The griffons are gone!”

She blinked, doubt playing across her face as she took in the trembling pony’s words. “Gone? What’cha mean, gone? My dad doesn’t just leave like that!”

“I-I don’t know. Once we escaped, they just torched the city and moved east....” The mare looked down at the ground, avoiding the griffon captain’s scrutinizing gaze. “We were so focused on helping as many of the hurt as we could when the Manehattan nurses showed up that we didn’t think to find out why they left.”

“Shit.... We’ve....” Gilda groaned slapped the ground, kicking up a wave of mud. “Horus, damnit! You! Uhh....”

“Cotton Candy, ma’am.”

“Candy-ass, go... get everybody that can move together. We’ve gotta get outta here and meet with the main army. Can’t just sit here thumbing our asses.” Cotton merely stood at attention, watching her as the griffon began to pace back and forth, her golden orbs tracing invisible lines in the ground, until she came to a full stop, staring at the terrified mare’s immobile hind legs. “Didn’t I just tell you to do something? Do it!” With a splatter of mud, Gilda slapped the mare’s backside, eliciting a yelp from the surprised pony and sending her scurrying to gather the ponies that hadn’t been drawn by the captain’s rampage. “The rest of you start packing this shit up and getting the ones that can’t move themselves into a cart. We’re leaving anybody that can’t survive and there better not be single hair out of place on Dash’s head or I’ll tear your hearts out with just my talons.

“Move damnit!” She sighed, holding her head as a new onslaught of pain bounded through her skull, and slunk off towards her medical tent, ignoring the rain as it continued to mat her fur and splatter the muck further across her body.

Gilda pressed through the thick foliage and emerged on the opposite side to meet with the sight of dozens of ponies rushing about and covering wagons for medical transport, much to her surprise. She chuckled softly, hiding her smug grin behind a talon as she staggered across the soggy ground and into the bustling, crowded, circus-sized tent. Her eyes scanned across the other occupants, lingering on the tear-streaked faces of the few conscious ponies that had just received the news of their fate, and a pang of guilt clenched at her throat. She clutched her chest, sucking in a deep lungful of air, and exhaled before dragging herself over to her own cot.

She shakily slid her dragon bone gauntlets over her forearms, grimacing as a fresh bout of nausea washed over her, and carefully focused until the braces formed snugly about her talons. It’s not your fault, Gee. They’ll be dead by tomorrow and you can’t wait for them to die. You’ve already missed who knows how many days since the fight. Just ignore them, get Dash, and....

“Damnit....” She frowned, rubbing her forehead, and grabbed the first pony that passed by her cot. “Pack everybody up. We’ll bring all of them with us and bury anybody that dies on the way.” The unicorn, barely out of his colthood, nodded nervously and rushed to tell the rest of the soldiers the new orders as Gilda carefully unwrapped her bloodstained bandage, flinching as she tore the cloth off the bloody gash on the back of her head. “I’m gonna bucking regret this....”

With her weapon and armor gone, Gilda had no further reason to remain at her hospital bed and cautiously made her way back to Rainbow’s medical ward, the dull brown tent positioned several meters across from her own. This center was equally busy as her own and she felt her frustration rising as she pushed past several mares and stallions before she finally reached her childhood companion’s bedside. Her eyes watered at the sight of her friend’s mutilated leg as memories of the pegasus boasting about joining the Wonderbolts flashed through her mind. “Damnit.... Now you’ll never join that stupid flight team and....” It’s all my fault.

The tawny griffoness stiffened at the sound of a pony sliding up next to her, quiet enough so that no pony would be able to hear the movement, but she was no pony. She quickly rubbed the moisture from her eyes, sniffling, and glared unconvincingly at the canary pegasus. “What do you want? You better not bucking touch her.”

“You, uhm.... You’re the one that saved her, right? Rainbow Dash?” The pony shuffled on her hooves, pointedly avoiding eye contact with the larger creature, but smiled weakly behind her soft pink mane. “Th-thank you. I know you were just trying to see her earlier and I... forgive you.” Gilda stared, dumbstruck, at the timid mare, but the nurse spoke up once more before she could respond. “My name’s Fluttershy. I’m... a friend of Rainbow’s. We both live in Ponyville.”

“Oh, you’re one of her Ponyville dwe- Friends. I never understood why she hung out with you guys. She’s not like any of you ponies.” She sighed, looking back at their mutual friend. “She would make a great griffon....”

Fluttershy watched carefully as a flash of longing played in Gilda’s eyes and gave her a warm smile when she snapped back to reality. “Knowing her, I’m sure Rainbow would have found that... awesome.”

Gilda cracked a wavering smile and traced a mud-caked claw throw Rainbow’s mane. “Yeah....”

~{A}~{T}~{F}~{N}~

Author's Note

Author’s Notes: So, this took far longer to get out than I was hoping, but a little bit of a boot to the ass from Mr. Buddy Soaring Skies helped get it back in motion (also a trip to Nashville).

Some stuff is getting underway here, namely the resolution of the failed defense in Trottingham and a quick look into Twilight’s current mental state (she spends a lot of time trapped in The Void, eh?) along with a glimpse into how Nightmare is coping. Next chapter to include more Gilda, Cloudy, and Draken Ridge. Maybe some more Nightmare Moon.

As for Twilight’s actual condition? Well, you’ll just have to wait and see. Maybe she’ll recall it all in a dream or something? Who knows? Not me. Peppy out~!

Slavedriver's Notes: Hey everyone, Soaring Skies here. Due to Peppy’s addiction to porn, Dark Souls and procrastination, I’ve been recruited to help keep him on track! Pretty sweet job, huh? But seriously, I know how badly you all want updates, so I’ll be sure to do my best to keep my head off a pike and keep Peppy from slacking off.

Oh, and we’ve got some pretty exciting shit going down, huh? You all ready for the march north? No? Too bad! Drop your horsecock and grab your tissue box, you’re all in for one hell of a ride!