Nebula's War

One hundred and twenty two ponies disappeared from Manehattan that day, and reappeared an instant later in The Badlands. Before the ponies could regain their bearings, however, the barren fields were replaced by a valley filled with fragrant flowers replaced the barren fields. The process continued as the team teleported to half a dozen locations across the nation before landing in The Everfree Forest. Many of the refugees had passed out halfway through the journey, but when revived they were simultaneously amazed and confused.

“What happened? Where are we?”

“Where did all these trees come from?”

“Where are the demons? Are they going to pop out and kill us?”

“All of those places flashing before my eyes… did we just teleport?”

“Attention, everypony!” The crowd looked up to see Flash Sentry flying over their heads. “I know you’re confused and scared, but I assure you that you’re not in danger.” He gestured to several unicorns that stood among the crowd. “Our team of mages have teleported you to The Everfree Forest, where we live outside Nebula’s influence and plot his downfall. This is your home now, at least until Nebula is gone.” The ponies looked around, but could not see any tents, campfires or weapons that would suggest a secret resistance group lived there.

“It’s okay, this isn’t a trick. We just need to take a short walk.” Flash flew deeper into the forest, with the skeptical crowd following close behind. They tripped over rocks and weaved around trees, and finally came to a stop in a small, shaded grove. The ponies looked around, but the only thing in the grove was a large, flat boulder that Flash pressed his hoof against. As the crowd watched in awe, Flash whispered ‘Luna Nos Custodit’, and the boulder rumbled aside to reveal a long, low tunnel in the ground.

“Follow me, please.” Flash said, and the crowd complied; they followed Flash down the tunnel, which eventually opened into a large cavern that was lit by massive, burning braziers. Elegant tapestries and magnificent weapons adorned the walls, while a long mahogany table ran down the center of the room. Once everypony was safely inside, Flash Sentry announced, “Welcome to Sanctum.” The crowd was in complete awe: they had never imagined that a secret camp was hidden beneath The Everfree Forest.

“What is this place?” Coco Pommel asked.

“This stronghold once belonged to The Nights, a tribe of elite warriors who served Princess Luna.” Chiarascura explained. “They called it ‘Aevenan’, but we just call it ‘Sanctum’. Unfortunately, when The Nights disappeared, their stronghold was lost… until it was rediscovered by Azure, the last of The Nights.”

“You mean Azure Night is still alive?” called a voice from the crowd.

“Yes, he’s alive and well.” Anamir confirmed. “He’ll be back soon, he’s on a secret mission. But for now, we’ll help you get settled.”

“Get settled?” A stallion cried in disbelief. “You mean we’re going to be cooped up in this one room for the next fifteen years?”

“I doubt it’ll take that long.” Jacob remarked. “And no, you’re not going to be ‘cooped up in this one room’.” He gestured to the walls, which the refugees only just realized had tunnels carved into them every ten feet. “This is just the formal meeting room, The Nights had a whole series of tunnels and rooms hidden in their fortress. First of all, is anypony sick or injured?” Twenty hooves shot into the air.

“Follow us to the infirmary, please.” Melody announced as he and Chiarascura walked down one of the tunnels.

“Everypony else, please follow Aaron and Silver, they’ll show you to your sleeping quarters.” The rest of the crowd followed Aaron and Silver down a second tunnel. Once the refugees had left the main hall, Flash collapsed on the floor.

“Flash! Are you okay?” EagleHeart asked.

“It’s all my fault.” Flash sobbed. “Azure trusted me to save the refugees, and now his three best friends are DEAD because of me! He’s going to skin me alive!”

“Flash, don’t say that!” EagleHeart pleaded. “It’s not your fault that Malum showed up and threatened our lives. You performed well under the circumstances.”

“How can you say that? Azure would have found a way to save them, he’d have tackled Malum to the ground and carve his heart out! I was too chicken-hearted to attack.”

“You were not chicken-hearted! If you had taken a single step, they would have killed that stallion. And you tried to convince them that Azure was dead, that counts for something. You did the best you could with the resources you had.”

“Besides, Azure won’t skin you alive.” Anamir chimed in. “He’s a bit rough around the edges, but he’s not a monster. He wouldn’t have given you this mission if he didn’t believe that you would do everything you could do get everypony back safely.” She gave Flash a consoling hug. “You did your best, Azure will understand that. And if he tries to hurt you, I’ll hurt him.” Flash smiled and gave a weak chuckle.

“I guess you’re right.” He admitted. “But all the same, I’ll take full responsibility for the consequences, and help Azure plan the rescue mission. It’s the least I can do.”

“See? Everything will be okay.” Anamir replied, and walked across the room. “If anypony needs me, I’ll be in the commissary helping Granny Smith prepare for dinner.” Flash made to follow her, but a low, monotone voice called out to him.

“Flash Sentry. Thank goodness you’re safe.” Flash turned around to find Maud Pie, her parents Igneous Rock and Cloudy Quartz and her sisters Marble and Limestone.

“Maud! So nice to see you!” Flash galloped over and shook Maud’s hoof. Her half-lidded eyes and frown did not waver, but Flash knew that she was happy to see him. “Did your meeting with King Canis go well?”

“Mm hm.” Marble murmured.

“Yes, ‘tis an exhausting, and sometimes hazardous task to unearth minerals and create passages beneath the surface,” Igneous admitted. “But as long as the diamond dogs supply us with silver, we shan’t complain. Furthermore, Maud has great skill in finding minerals and removing stone.” He gestured to Maud, who easily carried a half-ton boulder into the room and with a few well-placed kicks, turned it into a sculpture of Flash Sentry.

“Your father and I are very proud of you.” Cloudy said to Limestone, Marble and Maud. “You are all doing your part to keep our world safe from harm, just like…” Cloudy began to cry, and Igneous gave her a consoling embrace.

“There there, Ma, there is still hope.” Igneous whispered. “When Mr. Night returns the Princesses, he will surely locate Pinkamena as well.” Cloudy sniffled and smiled at her husband. “Surely you recall Pinkamena’s unbridled enthusiasm? I once thought it foolish, but our daughter has overcome incredible odds by remaining optimistic in frightening situations. Wherever she is, Pinkamena will not be broken by her captors.”

“I… suppose you are correct, Pa.” Cloudy sighed. “We just need to retain our faith in Mr. Night and his friends, surely they will return our daughter home.” Flash walked up to the Pie family and bowed respectfully.

“You have my word, Mr. and Mrs. Pie, I won’t rest until your daughter is safely returned to you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Sentry.” Igneous said, and gave Flash a rare smile. “We shall do all in our power to assist you on your quest.”

“We know you’ll save the day.” Maud added in her deep monotone voice. “After all, you saved us from the monsters. You’re a hero.” Flash smiled at Maud, and he could have sworn she smiled back.

Meanwhile in the infirmary, Zecora was rummaging through her storage cabinet and throwing bits of leaves, herbs and berries into a bowl.

“What do you think, Zecora?” Melody asked as he observed the ponies’ scars and sores. “Is there anything we can do to make them healthy again?”

"Melody Guardian, have no fear. Their ailments are not too severe." Zecora said as she ground the leaves, herbs and berries into a purple paste. "Some broken bones and painful sores, but thankfully they all have cures." All of a sudden, a stallion cried out in pain as a mare with a heart-shaped cutie mark adjusted his leg and tied it in a splint.

"Please, don't mind the painful moans. Nurse Redheart is resetting broken bones." Zecora explained.

"Well, I'm glad to hear that the refugees can be cured." Melody said. "What can we do to help?" Zecora divided the paste into two small bowls and passed one to Melody.

"Spread this paste on any section that has suffered great infection." She demonstrated by applying a layer of paste to a mare's sore-ridden back. As soon as the paste made contact, the mare's pained whines turned to sighs of relief.

"My goodness, Zecora, you really work miracles." Chiarascura said.

"Chiarascura, if you would, could you please get our patients food?" Zecora asked.

"Oh, certainly! I'll be back in just a minute." Chiarascura left the infirmary and walked down to the mess hall, where dinner was well underway. As she walked toward the kitchen, Chiarascura was welcomed with cheers and cries of thanks from the refugees.

"You saved our lives, miss!"

"I thought I was going to die in that sweatshop!"

"When I saw your smiling face, I knew everything was going to be okay."

Chiarascura smiled and waved at the ponies, and eventually came to a stop in front of Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, who were handing out bowls of soup and slices of bread to everypony.

"Hi, Chiarascura!" Sweetie Belle called. "Everypony's talking about how you saved them from the sweatshop."

"Did you really lead everypony out of the city while goblins and gargoyles were trying to eat your faces?" Scootaloo asked.

"Well yes, but-!" Chiarascura said, but Apple Bloom interrupted.

"And you used magic goo to heal their injuries? That's amazing!"

"I did, but-!"

"And you met Countess Color-!"

"GIRLS!" Chiarascura cried, and the trio went silent. "I'll be happy to tell you about our daring mission, but right now I need to get some soup to the infirmary."

"Oh! Can we help?" Scootaloo asked.

"I don't see why not." Chiarascura admitted. "But they need twenty bowls of soup, so we'll need a cart to carry them all."

"No problem!" Sweetie Belle chirped, and with a flick of her horn, a four-tier cart wheeled itself out of the kitchen.

"Come on girls, let's feed those ponies!" Apple Bloom announced, and the girls began scooping hot soup into bowls. Once they had filled twenty bowls, Chiarascura wheeled the cart out of the mess hall, with Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle following close behind.

“Seems like those girls are always helping out around here.” said Bow Hothoof, a stallion with a rainbow-colored mane. “Any time somepony’s hungry or sick or in need of a hug, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are on the scene, helping to make things better.”

“We’re very proud of Sweetie Belle.” Cookie Crumbles said, and hugged her husband, Hondo Flanks. “You wouldn’t believe it, but she was very fussy when she was a filly; she wouldn’t eat anything but applesauce, and she wouldn’t play with anypony except her big sister Rarity.”

“As a matter of fact, it was Rarity who introduced Sweetie to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.” Hondo chimed in. “It was Sweetie’s first day at school and she was very shy, but Rarity invited her to play catch with them, and the rest is history!”

“As I understand it, that’s how our daughter became friends with yours, Bow.” muttered a stallion with a swirly pink mane and matching moustache. “We sent Fluttershy to Flight Camp when she was a filly, and two colts began mocking her because she couldn’t fly.”

“We were about to come over and put a stop to it when your daughter zipped over and told the bullies to leave her alone.” explained Mrs. Shy. “I had never seen such a display of loyalty in one so young.”

“Yes, all of our daughters were remarkable from a young age.” Twilight Velvet declared. “Twilight was always a studious mare, but we never imagined that she would grow up to be a princess!”

“No, I don’t think any of us thought our kids would grow up to save the world,” Granny Smith put in. “But we’re proud of how far they’ve come.” The parents all nodded in agreement, and fell silent.

“So… do you really think they’re still out there?” Mr. Shy whispered, barely loud enough for the group to hear. “Do you think our daughters are, well, still alive?”

“Not a doubt in my mind.” Granny Smith said with a smile. “My grandchildren are the smartest, strongest and most honest ponies around, just like their parents. If anypony would find a way to save the day, it’s my Applejack.”

“I completely agree.” said Night Light. “Our girls have always found a way to set things right, and they’ll do it-!” But the last word caught in Night Light’s throat as a shadowy figure entered the mess hall.

“It’s… it’s him!” Night Light choked, and pointed at the figure. In one uniform motion, everypony turned to see Azure Night pouring himself a bowl of soup. His features had become more rugged in the past three years: his goatee had become a full beard, although it did not mask the long, thin scar upon his right cheek. His broken horn was now covered with a silver cap that gleamed in the torchlight. He carried himself like a stallion who had lived several lifetimes in the span of three years. Excited murmurs broke the silence, but the stallion paid them no mind; he just trotted past the rows of tables and sat by himself. After a few moments, the crowd turned back to their meals, and Flash Sentry approached the table.

“Welcome back, Azure.” Flash muttered. Azure did not reply, he just glared into the soup. “Um… the rescue mission went well. We saved a hundred workers from the sweatshop and killed seventy demons.” Flash wanted to just walk away and pretend that he had concluded his report, but he knew that it was his responsibility to tell Azure the entire story. “But I’m sorry to say that there were… complications.” At that moment, Azure looked up from his bowl and sighed,

“I was a fool.”

“… Sir?” Flash said nervously, expecting Azure to berate him.

“That lead I was following turned out to be a bust.” Azure grumbled. Those who could hear the conversation looked inquiringly at Azure, as if he were in his own world, unaware of where he was. “I heard a rumor that Princess Luna was being held in The San Palomino Desert, so I went to investigate. Days of travelling through harsh terrain, fighting bugbears and cragodiles only to find it was nothing but a hoax. Nothing there but an ancient village in ruins, and a few dozen goblins and imps. I’m convinced it was a trap, but thankfully goblins and imps aren’t too strong or smart, so I was able to get away.”

There was a moment of silence as Azure stared down at his half-eaten bowl of soup. Then, with a frustrated grunt he leapt up and threw the bowl across the room, where it shattered against the wall. Everypony in the room turned to look at Azure.

“Two weeks wasted on a wild goose chase.” Azure growled. He returned to his seat, folded his hooves and rested his head on the table with a loud thud. Those who had been part of the insurrection the longest had not seen Azure so upset in a long time, but while they wanted to help their commander they were hesitant to approach him. Flash regained his composure quickly, for although this might have been a bad time, he needed to inform Azure of the bat ponies’ capture. He needed to make Azure listen.

“Azure, we were ambushed by Malum and his friends when we left Manehattan.” Flash explained. “Eclipse, Night Shade and Nox stayed to fight them while the rest of us escaped.” Flash closed his eyes and hung his head in shame. “I’m sorry. You trusted me to lead this mission, and I failed. I accept any punishment that you see fit.” Flash braced himself, fully expecting Azure to attack or at least shout at him.

“There’s nothing we can do at the moment.” Azure sighed. “File your report, and in the morning we’ll plan our next step. Our first priority will be to make sure they’re alive, then we can worry about a rescue plan.” The rest of the evening went smoothly: the refugees were each given a warm meal and a soft bed, and even the injured ponies were making a speedy recovery under the care of Chiarascura, Melody and Zecora. Finally, as the moon reached its apex, the soldiers, staff and refugees settled into their beds and fell asleep.

All was silent, except for the steady clop-clop of Azure’s hooves as he marched purposefully into the bowels of the fortress. As he descended, the light grew dimmer and the path became rougher and the light dimmer, as they had been so seldom used, until the tunnel opened into a dark chamber lit by half a dozen torches, whose flickering flame shone dimly on a huddled figure.

“Wake up, you disgusting heap of offal.” Azure growled, and the gargoyle inside the cell glared back at him. “I have some questions for you.”