Dark Souls: Story of the Blanks

Chapter Six

Tales Beside The Bonfire

“There we go!” Apple Bloom said as she clapped the dust off her hands. “It may not be much, but at least this will keep the rain from falling on us.”

“Nice work on fixing the holes in the ceiling and repairing the door-” Before Mitta could finish her sentence, she along with Apple Bloom felt the castle shake followed by a loud booming sound coming from below them. As the Castle shook, the repairs that Apple Bloom did began to fall apart as Apple Bloom fell from off a nearby pillar along with a piece of the ceiling she just fixed falling on top of her. Upon seeing this, Mitta quickly rushed over to the young filly as she began to pull the debris off of Apple Bloom. “Apple Bloom, are you okay!?” As she continued to pull more debris off of her, the young filly popped her head from underneath the debris with a deadpan expression on her face.

“No...No I am not okay. Do you know how hard it is to fix something like this without the proper tools? It’s very hard!” She said before coughing up some dust from her mouth. “Especially now seeing how I have to make more mud to make the bricks stick together.”

“....I get the feeling that Alma must have found a monster hiding out in the castle,” Mitta said as she pulled Apple Bloom out of the debris and patted off the dirt and dust that was on her body.

“What could she have done that could’ve caused the castle to shake like that?”

“Might be a spell that she can use thanks to that sword of hers, but something tells me that she doesn’t need help with whatever she’s dealing with.”

“What makes you say that?” The filly asked as Mitta pointed a finger behind her. As Apple Bloom turns around, she can see Alma making her way through the doorway of the room along with Nightmare Moon and the decapitated body of a cockatrice she’s dragging from behind.

“Look what I found. Food for tonight, and a mare that was trapped in stone.” Alma said as she moved the dead body of the monster to the side to reveal Nightmare Moon. Both Mitta and Apple Bloom stared at her for a moment before the older mare spoke up.

“Why do I get the feeling that you’re gonna be a magnet that attracts a lot of strange ponies?” Mitta said as she looked over at the dead cockatrice. “I take it that thing was the reason why the castle just shook?”

“Yeah, sorry about that. Didn’t think I would find a weird chicken monster that can turn peop....ponies into stone here in a place like this.” She said as Apple Bloom walked over to it and sniffed it. “Is it safe to eat?” Apple Bloom quickly took a bite out of its chest and munched on it for a bit before swallowing.

“Yeah...At least I think this one is. I’ve been in this forest for...some time, and I’ve never seen a cockatrice like this before. They’re usually small...this one is different.”

“Well you weren’t kidding me when you said that I would be surprised. I’m surprised that two of the ponies here are from that cursed town called Sunnytown….well one at least. The other is a trapped soul within an undead body, which I’m surprised is in a state of non-decay.” Nightmare Moon said as Apple Bloom and Mitta stared at the alicorn in disbelief.

“Who are you, strange pony?” Mitta asked.

“Nightmare Moon...Former Ruler of this Castle.”

“Wait, you’re Nightmare Moon? As in the mare who took over Princess Luna’s body and tried to put Equestria into an everlasting night?” Apple Bloom asked as the alicorn nodded. “Huh…..the story was way off on how you look. I figured you would be tall and scary-looking trying to take over Equestria.”

“....I should be insulted that they would picture me as something like that, but at this point, I couldn’t care less about it.” She said before sitting down. “My mood for trying to take over Equestria died nine years ago.”

“Okay Moony, care to explain how you know about Sunnytown and the curse placed on there?” Mitta asked as she folded her arms and glared at the mare. “You wouldn’t have anything to do with it would you?”

“Technically no. How I learned about your town was during my time with Luna one thousand years ago before she and I were banished to the moon.” Nightmare Moon was about to say something, but paused as she looked at her naked self from underneath the cloak she had on.

“Excuse me for a second, I need to change into something that is more...suitable for myself.” The alicorn’s horn began to glow as a blinding light filled the room, causing all three of them to cover their eyes for a moment. Once the light finally settles down and vanishes, they see Nightmare Moon wearing more mage-like clothes, while using Alma’s cloak as an added accessory. “Much better.”

“Not bad. For a second there I thought you were going to make something that was skimpy and skin-revealing.” Alma said as she noticed the alicorn deadpanning at her. “What? Most mages would be wearing revealing clothes or something. It can be a bit annoying.”

“Just...go back to preparing the meal and listen to what I’m about to tell the mare with the red mane.” She said before clearing her throat. “Now then...um.”

“Mitta.”

“Weird name, but I’m not one to judge. How I know about Sunnytown is because Celestia and Luna were the ones that caused the mess to begin with.” Nightmare Moon took notice of Apple Bloom’s and Mitta’s confused expressions as she couldn’t help but smirk at their expressions. “It all started one thousand years ago before my banishment to the moon. There was a small little town in the middle of the forest called Sunnytown. That town was supposed to be a test to see if ponies can survive living in the Everfree Forest. So far the test was going so well. The ponies were able to colonize a small section of the area within the Everfree, craft houses from the trees, and were able to find some very tasty-looking fruits and vegetables. Everything was going pretty well for the ponies in Sunnytown...well, that is until the incident.”

“Do you know what caused it?” Mitta asked as the alicorn nodded

“As you know, with every kingdom there’s always one or more ponies that think their ruler or rulers can’t cut it and take it upon themselves to do things their way. This would be the moment in time when a small group of royal ponies within Celestia and Luna’s circle of trust started to plan for the princess's downfall. So they formed a secret cult as a means to try and take them down for good. I warned Luna about this, and she in turn told Celestia. Like the naive idiot she chooses to not think it’s an issue nor would she believe us about it. That is until Celestia noticed a widespread cutie pox going around within the castle. It was thanks to Starswirl the Bearded that we were able to find out where the cultists were hiding out.”

“Sunnytown I take it?” Alma asked as Nightmare Moon nodded.

“Sadly yes. From what he told Celestia and Luna, they were planning on placing a curse on the two of them that would rapidly drain them of their magic over the years. But somepony bucked up the last spell and ended up causing the spread of Cutie Pox. Seeing how they couldn’t find a cure at the time, and modern medicine was crap back then from what I can remember. Starswirl suggested that they should place the infected ponies with the cutie pox that he calls it in Sunnytown until a cure could be found.”

“That...doesn’t seem like a bad idea?” Apple Bloom said as the alicorn snorted.

“Oh, it was a bad idea. I decided to have a look around the town, so I placed a spell on one of the cultists to see what was going on inside while Luna wasn’t aware of it. When I saw what was going on, I was a bit surprised as they were trying to perform a spell to help cure the citizens of their cutie pox.” Nightmare Moon shivered a bit before continuing. “History seems to repeat itself as the same unicorn bucked up the spell again, and thus caused the spell to start eating away at the infected ponies flesh. I couldn’t continue watching due to feeling my stomach turning from seeing this, and the pony I was watching it from was dying. I suggested that she and Celestia head over to the town to check up on it...it took them a month to finally make time to check up on them.”

“And I take it that they were dead the moment they lowered the barrier they placed over the town ?” Alma asked.

“At first yes, but the moment when they started to come to life and try to make their way towards us, the princesses quickly closed the barrier off and decided to forget about Sunnytown and the ponies inside of it. Makes sense seeing how they pretty much became undead monsters.” She said before looking over at Mitta who looked at her with a death glare.

“So you mean that they knew about what was going on in Sunnytown and sealed it off for all these years!?”

“....If I say yes, you’re not going to punch me in the face are you?”

“No...but I am going to do that to the bitches that made my home like it is now.”

“Oh...well good luck with that then.” Nightmare Moon said as she looked over at Alma who was halfway done with plucking the feathers off of the monster. “Wow, you’re quick.”

“I’m only focusing on a certain area of this monster’s body.” She said before unsheathing her sword and began to cut out a section of the beast's flesh. Once she cut off a good five slabs of meat, she looked over at Nightmare Moon. “Got any firewood or something we can burn?” She asked as the unicorn used her magic to pull a piece of cloth from off the ceiling and some rocks that were off to the side in the shadows she set it on fire while placing the rocks around it.

“Thanks.”

“Please cook the meat because I am very hungry.”

“Makes sense seeing how you were turned to stone for eight to nine years,” Alma said as she placed the slabs of meat on her katana and began to cook it. Well all but one, as she handed the raw meat over to Apple Bloom who tore into it like a hungry beast in the wild. “Well seeing how we’re gonna be here for the night, might as well get to know each other. Anyone willing to start?” She asked before looking at Apple Bloom. “What about you? You did say you were going to tell me as to what happened that made you like this.”

“It's a bit harsh to ask something from a little filly isn’t it?”

“N-No. It’s fine. I don’t mind talking about it, and I did say I would tell you what happened to me and Mitta. So now’s a perfect time to say it.” Apple Bloom said after taking another bit out of the slab of meat before putting it to the side and taking a deep breath. The young filly explained in great detail about how it started with her and Twilight going to Zecora, how she discovered Sunnytown and the citizens within it, how she had almost gotten turned into an undead pony like them, and how Ruby was able to save her and guided her back to Twilight to take her home. The older mares seemed to be relieved upon hearing her getting home safely, but upon hearing the aftermath of it. Their attitude soon changed upon hearing it, mainly Nightmare Moon who was visibly getting angry by the second.

“I am both surprised and not surprised.” Nightmare Moon said as she grabbed an already-cooked slab of meat over to her. “I’m not surprised that the spell that the princesses placed on the town wouldn't last, but surprised that they would be so Tartarus bent on going after you.”

“The dead can hold a grudge upon the living. It would make sense that they would be going after Apple Bloom in the dead of night. Guess that means Mitta’s friend is having trouble trying to keep them from going out of the Everfree Forest seeing how the Princesses barrier isn’t holding up anymore.” Alma said as she looked over at Mitta who was visibly shaking from what she was being told. “You okay?”

“I’ve just been told that my entire town was sealed away due to the princesses' buck up and that my friend is still alive but as a ghost protecting everypony by keeping the ponies of Sunnytown inside for the past one-thousand years….what the buck do you think!?” Mitta said as everyone noticed blood-colored tears rolling down her face.

“Right, stupid question on my part. Sorry.”

“All this time...all this time they knew about what had happened to Sunnytown. And they choose to bury it like Grey Hoof did to my friend. Hiding the truth from everypony else and pretending like it didn’t happen…forget punching them, I want to kill them.”

“Royalty in a nutshell when you think about it. Though killing them wouldn’t make things any better.” Nightmare Moon said before taking a bite out of her meat. “If I had ruled over Equestria, I would’ve done something about it. But alas, that didn’t plan out so well in my case.”

“But, can’t you do something about it now?” Apple Bloom asked. “I mean, I’m sure Princess Twilight might be able to do something about it.”

“Princess…Twilight?”

“Yeah...there was a coronation for her two years ago after fixing some kind of spell or something. Where have you been?” The filly said as Nightmare Moon stared at her for a moment before sighing. “...Oh...um...sorry.”

“You’re going to have to get us all up to date as to what has happened to Equestria over the past couple of years we've been in this place. But to answer your question little filly, do you think Celestia or Luna would be willing to help them?”

“They...are too far gone to be helped. You know what they did to Ruby and experienced their help seeing how you’re reduced to this walking living corpse.” Mitta said as she wiped away her tears. ”I would rather see them burn than help them.”

“I’m in agreement with that given the passing of time and from what I’m looking at due to how you two turned out...no offense.” Nightmare Moon said as the two undead ponies said in union.

“None taken.” They said while deadpanning at the alicorn.

“What I’m more interested in is why this mare is giving off lunar magic similar to that of Luna and me?”

“Wait, she can use magic?” Apple Bloom asked as Mitta nodded. “I thought only unicorns and alicorns like Nightmare Moon or the princesses could use magic?” Alma pretty much shrugs as she raises her hand and shows them a bow and arrow made out of lightning. Both Apple Bloom and Nightmare Moon were taken by surprise as the bat pony made it disappear in a flash.

“....Where are you from Alma.” Nightmare Moon asked as the bat pony stared at the three who were also curious as to where she came from.

“I could tell them where I come from...but I have a feeling they won’t believe me...lie to them for the most part.” She thought before looking over at them. “I’m a foreigner from a different country. How I’m able to use magic was thanks to a curse that was placed on me by my father.”

“What kind of curse?” Apple Bloom asked as the bat pony shrugged.

“Don’t know. So far it allows me to use magic, teleport with the assistance of a bonfire, and bring me back from the dead.” She said before noticing a raised eyebrow from all three mares. “What, it’s true.”

“I might believe the other two seeing how you’re not from Equestria and the magic you’re giving off. But you coming back from the dead is something I don’t believe.”

“Yeah, I have to agree with Moon on that,” Mitta said unamused by this before going back to watching the fire burn the meat.

“I’m undead and even I find that hard to believe.” Apple Bloom added as the bat pony deadpans with a huff of annoyance.

“Makes sense that they wouldn’t believe me...matter of fact, even I don’t know if I can come back to life if I’m killed…better not test that theory anytime soon. Don’t want to look like a fool that died because of it.” Alma thought before breaking away from her thoughts after hearing Nightmare Moon speak

“Amusing as that joke was. My next question would be, where do we go from here?”

“We’re planning on leaving the forest to get help with this situation. Apple Bloom, you know this forest inside and out right? Or at least for the most part. Do you know of any towns or something that’s near here?”

“Yeah I do...but...I can’t go back.” Apple Bloom said as she looked over herself. “Especially given the way that I look now.”

“Well, it’s not like you can stay out here forever given how they’ll be looking for Mitta and me.” The Ashen one said as she poked at the bonfire she made. “Eventually they will end up finding you soon and try to keep you in Sunnytown.”

“Do we need to get help? I mean why can’t you just use that magic of yours to wipe out the entire town already?” Mitta asked as the bat pony turned her attention to the older earth pony.

“Because I can’t go all out knowing that they will try to attack you three. I know you all might be able to handle yourselves, but let me be frank. You Mitta can’t fight so well and your only weapon is a knife, Nightmare Moon has been in stone for the past nine years, and Apple Bloom is suffering from a mental breakdown given the situation she’s been through.”

“I-I’m not suffering from a mental breakdown.” Apple Bloom said as she looked off towards the side.

“I’ve been around p...ponies with facial expressions like yours before. It’s not that hard to tell when someone is suffering from a mental breakdown. Hence I’m saying that we need help with this.” She said as everyone around the fire had an uneasy look on their faces. Alma sighed as she stood up. “Look right now we’re a bit limited at the moment, and I don’t care so much about your emotional baggage. But we have more important things to worry about than your fear, grudges, and whatever. If we don’t get the hell out of the forest, they will soon end up leaving the forest to get more ponies and turn them into their friends. Now I’m going to have a look around the castle so that the area is safe for us to sleep for the night. When I get back, I expect an answer from you three.” With that, the bat pony leaves the castle. Leaving the three of them alone to think over their options.

(Ponyville, School of Friendship)

“Alright class. That will be it for today. Remember that you’ll be having a test on the foundations of friendship tomorrow afternoon, so be sure to rest up and study~” Twilight said as the students began to make their way out of the classroom and to their dorm rooms. Once the last student left her classroom, the alicorn princess began to gather her belongings so she could retire for the night. That is until a familiar cyan color pegasus with rainbow color mane zoomed in and almost crashed into the princess, only for her to crash into the blackboard behind her. “Rainbow Dash, how many times have I told you not to fly around like that?”

“Twenty-seven times, but I have a good reason for it.” Rainbow Dash said as she quickly grabbed Twilight by her hand. “You gotta see what’s going on outside in the sky!”

“What are you-” Before Twilight could finish, she felt herself being pulled out of the classroom and headed outside with her. Once she was outside, she glared at the pegasus for a moment before looking up at the night sky to see a strange aqua-green beam soaring over the sky. The Princess soon followed where the line was going, only for her eyes to widen upon seeing a giant hole in the center of Canterlot Castle. “Dear Celestia! What happened!?”

“That’s what we want to know as well.” Chimed in a familiar Southern voice. Twilight looked over to her right to see Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Starlight, and Fluttershy making their way over to her and Rainbow Dash. “Y'all want to tell us why there’s a giant hole in Canterlot Castle?”
“How should I know?” Rainbow Dash said as she landed next to Twilight. “I was busy sleeping in my home with Scootaloo, and then the next thing I saw was some kind of beam taking out half my home and hitting Canterlot smack dab in the middle.”

“So that's what that sound was? I thought it was Starlight blasting Discord with a magical beam again.” Pinkie Pie said as Starlight blushed in embarrassment from that.

“That was a one-time thing. Also even my magic doesn't leave a trail like that, nor can it even reach Canterlot even if I tried.”

“As much as I like the color it gives off in the night sky, which gives me a few new ideas for a wonderful outfit.” Rarity said as she looked over at Twilight. “This might be a Save Equestria situation seeing how it hit Canterlot.”

“Y-You don’t think Tirek is behind this i-is he?” Fluttershy asked as Twilight shook his head.

“I doubt it. He’s still in Tartarus along with Cerberus guarding him.” She said before looking at where the magic of arcane energy was trailing off from. “From the looks of it, the magic is coming from the Everfree Forest.”

“Seriously? Why does everything weird happen in the Everfree Forest?” Rainbow Dash asked in slight annoyance. “Why can’t it be a normal forest or something for once.”

“Much that I would agree with how annoying it can be for something odd to happen from the forest. We have to investigate this matter,” Twilight said as her horn began to glow. “I’ll head off to Canterlot to see if Celestia and Luna are okay. You girls get what you need for tonight and meet me at the Castle of Friendship.” She said before teleporting off. There was a moment of silence between them all before hearing Applejack walking towards Sweet Apple Acres with her hat covering parts of her face.

“Well, y’all heard her. Let’s get going.” She said before feeling a hand placed on her shoulder.

“Darling, are you okay?” Rarity asked as the apple farmer replied.

“I’m fine, Rarity.”

“Are you sure? You have been kinda quiet since….well….you know?”

“The day Apple Bloom went missing?” Applejack said bluntly which caused the seamstress to flinch back a bit. “You don’t have to sugarcoat it Rarity.”

“I didn’t want to sound rude or anything seeing how it’s a touchy subject. I just want to be sure you’re okay with going into the Everfree Forest.”

“I’ll be fine. You girls get what you need and I’ll meet you at The Castle of Friendship.” Applejack said before continuing to walk off.

“Okay…Just remember that we’re here for you if you need to talk to us.” Rarity tacked on, a worried expression on her face before feeling Rainbow Dash’s presence next to her.

“It’s been two years since Apple Bloom was announced dead from what was left of her. I can’t imagine what could be going on in that mare’s head.”

“Neither can I darling, though at least she’s being more open about it towards us than finding...other means to cope with the loss.”

“It was only when we found her in a dumpster hungover was when she finally decided to let us help her,” Starlight said as she sighed. “You girls weren’t kidding when you said that AJ would be as stubborn as a mule.”

“Maybe we could throw her a cheering-up party to try and make her feel better?” Pinkie Pie suggested as Fluttershy shook her head to her suggestion.

“I don’t think she’ll be up for it, Pinkie. It takes time for somepony to come to terms with losing a family member. I would possibly be the same way she is if I lost my mom, dad, or brother.”

“I’ll be sure to try to ask her about it later during our next therapy session. Right now we should go and get what we need and meet up at the castle.” Starlight said as the others nodded before heading off towards their homes to get what they needed for the expedition into the Everfree Forest.