I didn't know where to start off now. I knew I was not safe in Ponyvile anymore judging by somepony murdering my wife, so staying in town is out of the question. But that's not what is leading me to Ponyvile to begin with. It's the fact that I sense a familiar magic around in this town. Matter of fact, I believe it's the same magic that helped my recovery.

I finally was able to get through the Everfree forest approaching the woods edge. Strangely, the magic intensified in volume.

"That doesn't feel right at all."

My pace hastened as I break through the neck of the woods. My run turns into a fast jog as I approach the town. I jogged by Fluttershy's cottage getting fond memories floating in my mind. It instantly drifted to the advanced magical torch in the crystal tunnel.

"Obviously, some things have changed. I might need to temporarily be someone else."

Then I remembered something very important. My magic didn't work in this world..... Or did it. I thought up a spell from my home world and with a snap of my fingers a zap apple appeared in my left hand, but just as quickly it vanished in thin air.

I sighed. "Well, at least it somewhat works. I'll just have to improvise."

I looked around for anything to cover myself with. Before I knew what was coming, I spot some rags cruelly discard into the trash in a nearby alleyway. The alleyway was designed just enough to prevent anypony from noticing me, or peering over my shoulder! Silently, I praised my slim amounts of luck before I grabbed the rags pulling a needle and thread from my hammer space swiftly getting to work.

The damn disguise took two hours of my life. Sure, nopony saw me, but I had to sit there and cross threads for two hours straight. It's a pain even for me. Anyway, I put on the makeshift jacket flipping the hood. I had on a relatively clever disguise. I walked in with little more trouble.

Ponyvile for the most part looked the same from my last experience.... Well, at least from the outside and construction perspective. Military technology however is a different story. The guards that were posted here have new shiny gray armor on their body which gave the clue it was some sort of steel material. Weapons in hand before were flimsy wooden handle spears, but now they're new standard issue are swords.... Which was only slightly better from their other choice. Mostly because they can effectively cut somepony down in close combat; that's if they properly know how to use it of course. I didn't pay the guards much mind though, so they were never bothered of my presence.

The source of the familiar magic in this town caused my fur to stand on edge. I walk down the road to my destination. Hopefully, it's nothing that will try to kill Equis, right?

My thoughts scattered when I heard a startled yelp. I manage to recompose myself just in time to save the mare from falling to the ground. When our eyes met I couldn't believe who it was.

Twilight Sparkle stared into my eyes for the longest time. I broke the silence by helping her to her feet, still saying nothing. Twilight seemed to be in a variety of emotions: from anger to confusion.

"You are alive.... But why did you come back now of all times?" she asked with a malice undertone.

I matched my own confusion with hers. "What do you mean, Twilight? I was trying to resupply my magic reserves."

Twilight looked ready to explode right there. "So you mean to tell me that it took five years to fill up your innate magic reserves?! Magic does not work like that. You should have been fully recovered in a week, yet you still didn't recover spiritually-"

The rest was muffled under my internal thought. I've been gone for five years and this world already looked a lot different on my first day existing in this new world. "-Now we are on the verge of war because of your battle with Hades!"

Wait, what? "Wait a minute, is Equestria seriously going into war?" I asked.

Twilight glared at me with hostile intent, but it somewhat vanished into hiding again. "We saw the whole thing, remember? Before you passed out, an event where the entire planet was effected by your initial battle with Hades. Due to two different magical powers colliding on Equis, it caused the physics to change slightly. Scientists couldn't figure out the phenomena until a year after the Worldquake happened. Whatever you did to Hades, his massive magical energy is radiating throughout the planet's mantle now. This is creating a sort of magical phenomenon on a very large scale. Now these cracks of reality keep on forming-"

"You mean a Spacetime Crack."

Twilight blinked owlishly at me. "You know what they are?"

I sighed heavily. "Twilight, look. I'm sorry for what has happened to Equis. It was caught in the cross fire of something that should have never existed here. But I promise you this, I will make sure that Equis and its inhabitants will stay safe from harms way, even if it kills me. If it's one thing that I keep is that I make sure to keep my word."

Twilight grew silent. ".....To start off your question, I have heard of these 'cracks in reality' before," I broke from the conversation looking at my surroundings carefully. "I can't talk here with you. I think it would be best if we carry the topic indoors."

Twilight's expression was strangely unreadable before a soft smile crossed her muzzle.

"Alright. But you owe me a big explanation for how you know about these 'Spacetime Cracks' you dub them." she said.

I smirked. "Sure thing. Your place?"

And with that we left to The Golden Oak Library. Although, I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy of her current behavior...

It didn't take long for us to get inside the library into her private reading quarters. I kind of wondered how and why this room even existed. I looked at Twilight before taking a seat down. She followed suit. I then noticed some key details I neglected to notice before: she has a pair of lavender wings.

"Since when did she became an alicorn!"

Thoughts aside, I took a deep breath to explain myself. "There is not much about the Spacetime Cracks I know about, but I do know that they are simple constructs made out of really unstable energy, concentrated into one area at once. It happened quite often on the planet I came from."

She remained collected. "So these cracks in reality called 'Spacetime Cracks' are really nothing about a result of concentrated magic?"

"Well, yes and no. The Spacetime Cracks are......gate ways to different realities."

Her confusion seem to grow under my answer then it hit her. "So it's like time travelling."

I chuckled at her comment. "No, much more than that. Time travelling is an entirely different topic. What I'm getting at is that they are kind of like......holes in current reality to different places. Kind of like short teleportation, however, there is one catch," she stared at me intently. "They tend to fade in and out of existence randomly. My guess is you sent ponies into the portal?"

"Prin- Celestia personally sent some ponies into the cracks to investigate what is in them." she said.

My face hardened in thought. "Hopefully they had the correct blood type make-up. I would hate to have some ponies exploding into a pile of bloody gore in the middle of transferring."

"I see. Hopefully they came back, right?" I asked carefully.

Twilight didn't seem pleased with my question. "To be honest, Nopony knows what happened to them. They never came back on the date they were due to come back."

My mind organized the information I received before smiling. "I'm sure they are fine."

"Yeeeah, I bet that they had died a long time ago."

"Why did you come into Ponyvile covered in rags anyway?" Twilight asked.

"I wasn't sure how I would be presented or what time it was. There is no such thing as being overly cautious anyway." I said.

"Well, then I'll just tell Celestia that-"

"I don't think that's a good idea, Twilight." I interrupted her.

She stared back at me in mild surprise. "And why not? You don't have anything to hide, right?"

"It's not that..... I just have my own reasons for not agreeing with you. Just for right now keep me and our interaction a secret," Twilight was awfully silent right now. "Please, I need to do something first before the world can be ready for me again."

"........You have a month before I announce this news to the public." She said finally.

Perfect for me though. I smiled slightly. "Thank you, you won't regret it."

And with that I took my leave from the library wearing my 'cloak' once more.

I followed the field of the familiar magic making many corners while I looked at the ponies around me. They didn't even seen to notice me which is perfectly fine. The signature of magical energy reached its peak in the middle of the town, so I followed it.

I was surprised to say the least seeing one of the biggest Spacetime Cracks in my lifetime. From my experience, the bigger the crack, the bigger and more powerful the reality is. Now, I know that makes no sense, but it has always proved to be true. I scanned the surrounding area of the crack to detect a fairly large amount of Royal Solar Guard soldiers, twenty two in all.

My surprise settled on annoyance as I rethought my plan. However, that was brought to a stop when I felt some sort of barrier fall upon the area. Not long after, a lengthy figure pops into existence swiftly turning the nearest guard into a bloody red stain on the ground. The momentarily startled guards gave the figure time to create sharp points of solid green energy hurled into ten more guards. Some didn't instantly die from being impaled. The remaining ten others regained themselves charging at the figure with there swords unsheathed. It seemed like a toothy grin revealed itself under the darkness as a long sword of his own popped into his hands. A mystical green aura surround it as it easily sliced through the first couple of guards.

I wasted no time in materializing Apocalypse charging at the figure myself. Just as I was about to come in contact, it seemed to somersault right over the guard he was previously fighting, avoiding my strike.

The figure seemed to grow bored of the remaining guards quickly. The guards had no more time left as they suddenly started melting into dying screams and piles of liquidated flesh and metal.

My face scrunched up in disgust. This guy had talent in magic and the blade. That much credit I'll give him, or her.

There was a brief pause in the atmosphere before the figure looked back at me. I could only see the yellow of its eyes revealing some type of madness that seem to consume the figure. The figure grinned before making a mad dash toward the Spacetime Crack. He was too quick for me to handicap him as he was absorbed into the crack.

"Damn it!"

The magic barrier put up a few moments ago began to flicker.
Questions floated in my head as I looked back at the destruction the figure caused. Whatever it was, I was not going to just simply let it roam into another reality. So without much further thought, I dive straight into the Spacetime Crack after the figure.

Just like old times.

Nightmare's POV

Nobles. The bane of my new existence. I simply have nothing more than pure hatred for their whiny pampered plots. I sometimes wonder how the royal sisters even handle such ponies. Nevertheless, they manage while I end up just wanting to punch their perfect teeth in.

I have no room to complain though, this year the royal sisters somehow was about to get the noble ponies to go with the new policy of upgrading the military. I would be happier if I didn't feel like a complete stranger on the throne.

Don't get me wrong, Luna talks to me personally, but I have literally no purpose in the throne room or power itself. Which leads me to my current life now: socializing with nobles and the Royal Sisters. Especially for meetings such as this one going on now.

I wasn't really paying to much detail into the meeting. It wasn't my job anyways to be appointed here. Why am I here then? My guess is for somepony to talk to, like Luna.

That didn't prevent me from getting bored in these meetings. So I decided to be adventuous and wondered through the halls of the castle this time. By now I knew every crack and cranny of the palace, but it was always nice to see the hard work and design put into the entire palace.

Nightmare...

My hooves froze in place at that voice in my head staring wide eyed in front of me. I looked around to see where the voice came from, but no sign of a pony could be found. I then got a glimpse of some form of a shadow near the closest hallway intersection. My curiosity overrode my rational side as I ran after the shadow. It just so happened to completely disappear around the corner before I was a second away from the intersection.

By the time I was able to see the other hallway the shadow seemed to disappear from sight. It was true until I spot a particular door to be open. I walked up to the open door to get better details.

The steel door was obviously meant to keep anything from coming inside, yet there was no sign of it being pried forcefully open. Instead, it looked in peak condition... And it was unlocked.

My nerves froze up getting a sudden chill crawling up my spine. There have been many rumors of these steel doors in the castle. All maids and servants of the palace tend to avoid these doors. Why? Simply because of one rumor. The myth states that if you enter the doors or even get caught touching one of them, then you would be immediately executed without reason or an explanation.

Now, these are just rumors, but ponies still took them quite seriously. Why wouldn't they? Ponies don't question the Princesses in any right. Not out of fear, but out of respect for their positions and power.

Nonetheless, I have no doubt if the rumors were true I would be immediately executed even though I am alicorn in status. I steal my nerves before entering into the dark hall below. I used my magic to silently close the steel door behind me.

Illumination wasn't a problem thanks to the everfire torches burning eternally throughout the tunnel. I picked one up before moving forward. It was awfully quiet down in the tunnel that it was impossible to not hear the soft clipping of my hooves on the stone. My senses didn't like the silence not one bit.

Nightmare.....

The voice was closer and I couldn't help but jump slightly at the sinister voice in my thoughts. Whatever it was it had me where it wanted me. So I searched my surroundings, almost erratically, to find the location of the voice to no avail.

"Show yourself fiend! The Mistress of the Night request you to reveal your true colors!" My response only echoed off the walls, but nothing more. I was completely frustrated at this point and wanted to go back to the safety of the Canterlot Castle hallways.

A scream of pure agony answered my call as I visibly recoiled in shock. I had not expected to hear such a cry from any pony... Maybe that shadow met its match....

I reguardless made my way through the tunnel to pinpoint the source of the cry. Making my way though the tunnel also somehow caused the temperature to rise with it. I barely noticed the difference however as I finally made it to the source, in a small room area. The screaming continued on even as I peeked around the corner through the open doorway.

My eyes widen in complete and utter shock and horror. My mind tried to make better sense of the scene only for its logic to fail.

The room was covered in torture tools with a giant furnace on the left side of it. In the middle of the room, however bound by her wrists, magic inhibator, and ankles in chains was Queen Chrysalis. Although, she did not seem to be in a healthy state, and have the attitude of a cold calculating ruler. That was her in just under six years ago. Now, she is nothing but a broken changling that was molded from tears pain and despair.

The mare that did the wicked deeds to the former bug queen was a different story altogether. The torturer has a cool blue coat with a simple pink mane. I couldn't determine anything beyond that with the stuff she wore, but I could tell the monster was taking pleasure in hurting the former queen.

Tear stained streaks had formed an almost permanent mark on Chrysalis cheeks. I could even tell the torture methods the torturer used has been slowly driving her to madness.

"I have to do something. This....torture has been going on for long enough."

My emotional side drove itself more magic into my body as my trusty blade appeared in my hand. It was a simple straight steel katana, but the blade was also my greatest weapon in close combat. I had to make this weapon secretly in order to prevent raising suspicion around for the public or nobles.

I skillfully charged at my intended target easily closing the gap between us before cutting the torturer's head clean off. The body manage to keep itself erected for a moment filling the room with an eerie silence. Not long after, the body toppled over with her respective head lying somewhere closeby. I sheathed my weapon before tending to my first priority: Chrysalis.

She stared at me with wide unfocused eyes as her mouth struggled to comprehend my presence. It caused her to peacefully pass out. I quickly went to work in freeing her from her bonds.

Why am I doing this? She is the evil Chrysalis that threatened to use the entire pony species as nothing but cattle.

Look where she is now. Utterly weakened and broken, yet you call this justice?

My mind was in conflict of all of this. It made no sense. Equestria is not the enemy, right? Why would the ponies do something so evil?

Evil is not born into a pony; they can only choose to be good or evil. Ignorance is the root and stem of all evil.

My inner voice was right with every word... If only Shadow was here... He would know what to do.

I felt a slight pain lingering in the depths of my heart for my friend. When I heard the news of his passing I was grief stricken. I always told myself that at least Shadow didn't die in pain, but it still drove a deep wound in my soul nonetheless...... I owed him my life. If it wasn't for his bravery and kindness I would still be in a mental institution. He saved my life, so I guess saving Chrysalis will make us even.

Once I took off all the chains, I took Chrysalis over my shoulder and carried her out of the room back into the tunnel I originally came from. I still needed to find a way out....

A deep chuckle echoed off the tunnel walls. I turned my head to the side to the strange new presence in the tunnel. I immediately realized that the same shadowy figure from before was standing in the shade of the torches naturally provided light. Its pearl white teeth stared down at me. The only thing that I could distinctly recognize through the shading was its crystalline red eyes.

"It seems like I found the perfect two hosts I have been looking for." It said licking its lips.

I needed a quick exit so I searched for anything I could find leverage over the strange figure. My horn lit up as a starry mist made itself known into existence. I wrapped the figure in a binding grip before hurling the figure further back into the tunnel path it came from. I wasted no time running slinging Chrysalis over top of me to immediately sprint in the opposite direction. A manical crackle of laughter could be heard echoing through the tunnels behind me.

Author's Note

Hello everyone! This chapter is darker than usual for the second chapter of my books, but bare with me.

Double storyline sequence: I thought about this for a while now, and I decided to split the story into two specific POVs: Shadow and Nightmare Moon. Which is a reason why I'll be adding the Nightmare Moon tag.

Note for Point Of Views: If some of you followers are worried about me not switching it up POV's once in a while, then let me assure you that they will continue to be a thing in the story, just to keep it fresh.

This is actually a very efficient way to organize my thoughts on here. Reguardless, I hoped you enjoyed the chapter I published. Until next chapter......