Displaced: Fallen Kingdom

Chapters

1

Unknown Location

“The moon looks beautiful tonight.” The mare muttered as she let her eyes turn skyward, looking beyond the treeline to rest upon the heavenly sphere. Full Moon tonight, and it was beautiful as always, here though, among the trees and the stones. It seemed even more beautiful for some reason. Night sky had always been beautiful in her opinion and tonight was no exception. A thousand stars blinked in an out of existence, poking holes in the dark blanket that had covered the sky. Each star shined with a brightness that one might of thought that they were competing with each other to see who could shine the brightest. In which case the moon won that silent contest, bathing the world with it's pale light. The moon bathed every tree and plant in an otherworldly glow, giving even the most plain strips of land an enchanted look. In that regard it was unlike the world bathed in sunlight, who’s light while beautiful made everything appear plain, natural. She could never understand why ponies adored it so much. A sphere of blazing light that blinded and burned whomever stared at it. Perhaps it was just her opinion.

Any other night the sight of a moonlit world would have brought a smile to her face, but tonight she couldn’t find much joy in the sight. With a sigh the mare turned away from her surroundings as she let a hoof go to her head. Muttering a small series of words she twisted her head to the side letting a dull audio pop be heard.

“You really shouldn’t do that.” Before her a cloaked stallion shook his head as he set a few things down upon an stone table. The fresh pelt of a bear, a bow forged of antlers, a knife from sharpened bone, a headset of feathers.

“I shouldn’t do a lot of things.” The mare remarked as she leaned against the woodwork and shrugged. “Yet I do them anyway.” She focused her attention on the stallion before her watching him sit down and start to mutter something under his breath. She looked beyond him, letting her eyes linger on the place they had come to today. Hidden in the woods of the world, out of sight and out of mind. An altar of stone; a shrine of wood and vines, a forest born temple. She’d heard of places like this, they were parts of the old stories her grandma used to tell her. Stories that half of the world seemed to have forgotten, unwillingly or intentionally. Truth she never put much stock in those stories, but an old tale made a great bedtime story. “So how long is this going to take anyway?”

“As long as needed.”

“And what are you doing, exactly?”

“Praying.”

“Wh~y?”

“I pray to my gods, I thank them for what they have given us.” He paused before glancing back. “Do you not pray to the princesses of day and night?” The mare just snorted.

“No. They are not my princesses, and they most certainly are not my goddesses.” The mare rolled her eyes as she looked at her hooves. “They may carry the sun and moon upon their backs but I refuse to see them as the goddess-pony rulers like most dumb ponies.”

“And why is that?”

“Why do you care?”

“I don’t.” The stallion stated as he returned to the altar. Going silent for a few more minutes before picking himself up. “Either case we’re done here. We can go now.”

“Good, much as I love nature and the night, I’m bored.” The mare stated as she pushed herself off the tree as the two started to walk. “So what did your gods tell you?”

“Tell me? They were silent tonight, but that doesn’t mean they failed to hear me.” The stallion stated. “And I asked them to watch over us, to bless us in our quest.”

“Will they?”

“We’ll have to wait and find out.” The stallion muttered as he looked back towards the altar. “Ah it appeared she liked the offerings.” The stallion muttered as the mare took a look back in confusion.

“What the - they’re gone?”

“That tends to happen when they accept offerings.” He muttered. “Though I wasn’t expecting her to respond so quickly.” He smiled under his hood. “But that gives us our answer, we have support, and we are blessed.”

Alright. Then let’s get this show on the road.” The mare stated as she released a vicious smile. “To Equestria.”

“To the death of the Princesses.”

***

Three Weeks Later
Equestria
Canterlot City

She hadn't expected it to rain today. Princess Celestia thought as she look outside her balcony, watched as Canterlot was cloaked under a veil water. Heavy rain clouds hanging overhead as streaks of lightning raced across the sky. Had she turned her gaze lower the Equestrian Princess would have noticed her subjects running about town under a sea of umbrellas. Except her attention remained focused on the storm brewing above her. Celestia had lived a thousand years, seen countless rainstorms and sun-showers, but none of them had ever been like this. This storm was rare by Equestrian standards, the last time she'd seen it build like this… Biting her lips the sun princess left her chambers. Passing the royal guards positioned outside her door as she made her way down the castle halls. “Luna.”

The last time Equestria had a storm like this, her sister had brought it by accident. For reasons even she couldn't quite understand, Luna's feelings had always been intimately tied to the weather. It was something that made her particularly special, unique even by alicorn standards. Brief moments of sadness brought the rain, her anger brought thunder and lightning, her grief called the winds. If Equestria was being met with a storm like this, then something was deeply bothering her younger sister. Passing one of the local maids Celestia stopped her for a moment as she adopted her mask, letting the worried sister be hidden by the benevolent ruler that was the Sun Princess. “Your highness, is there anything I can do for you?”

“Feather Duster, have you you seen my sister Luna?” For her part Feather Duster shook her head apologetically as Celestia quietly cursed to herself. Being one of the many maids that were responsible for maintaining the castle's Lunar Wing, she had crossed paths with her sister more often than any other pony.

“I'm sorry your highness, I haven't. Is something wrong?”

Calmly shaking her head Celestia gave the maid a light smile. “No nothing's wrong, I just need to speak to her for a moment.” Starting back on her way the princess walked past the mare with an almost unnoticeable kick in her step. “Thank you for your time.”

“If I see her I promise to inform her that you're looking for her!”

“Thank you.” As soon as she rounded an empty corner Celestia dropped her mask as she picked up her pace a bit. ‘Maybe I should start by checking her room.’ Celestia thought to herself as she started thinking back. When Luna had first returned to Equestria she had spent a considerable amount of time locked away in her room. It was her haven, her sanctuary where nopony could judge her especially considering her past… accidents. If there was any place that she could release her feeling away from prying eyes, it would likely be at her room. “What's bothering you Luna?”

***

“It really has been a long time…” Princess Luna whispered under her cloak as she stared ahead. Ignoring the building storm overhead pelting her with hail like rain, the moon alicorn kept her gaze forward to a set of tombstones as she read the names of the departed. Berry Bonette, Joking Jackle, Fruit Pie, turning her attention to the fourth grave marker she released a small if hollow laugh as she read it. “I see Sweat Sock finally got his name changed. Always said he would.” A smile crossing her face, Luna lifted her hoof before wiping bits of mold and grime from the grave markers. In contrast to what ponies would believe, while her mane was ethereal in nature, it still clung to her when it became soaked. “I knew all of you would go before me, but not like this. It feels like yesterday since I last saw your faces.” Truth be told, for her it may very well of been yesterday. There wasn't the traditional ‘gap’ between her memories from a thousand years ago and from her return two years prior. In her mind Equestria had changed overnight, transforming into a foreign nation, one where her friends didn't exist anymore.

“I remember how Pistachio used to tease Sock about his name do you?” Beside her a shadow appeared as she sat with her counterpart. Her shadow, her sins - the Ghost of Nightmare Moon. Still there was no hostility, no sense of malice between the two at the moment as they simply sat in the rain and looked at the graves before them. For her part Luna simply nodded her had, a loose smile crossing her face as she started to think back.

“He’d always get so angry his colt turned red.” Luna was met with silence as she wiped her eyes, blaming the rain for the moisture that was running down her cheeks. “Berry what about that you accidentally turned Puddinghead into a foal? We had to pretend we were foalsitting his nephew until we found a way to reverse the aging spell!” A series of laughs left the princess and her shadow as she fussed with her mane. “We were horrible foal sitters; any chance we had of starting a foalsitting service disappeared in an instant.” Continuing her trip down memory lane Luna found the markers disappearing as they were replaced with phantoms of the ponies she once knew. “Those were good times.”

“Some of the best.”

It really was a strange sensation; to essentially go to sleep and awaken in a new era. To blink and discover that her closest friends and longtime companions had passed on. It didn't seem real. Her memories were frozen with the images of young vibrant colts and mares aiming to take Equestria by the reigns. Talking about their dreams and ambitions, challenging one another to childish competitions. She couldn't picture them aged by time and lying on their deathbeds. She couldn't imagine them resting in an open casket as somepony gave them a sending. She couldn't imagine it all because she hadn't been there. The price of her banishment wasn't just her tarnished reputation in the eyes of her fellow ponies, it had also cost her time. Beyond their deaths she wasn't aware of of a single thing that had occurred after her imprisonment. Who did they grow into? Did they ever reach their dreams? Did they marry? There were hundreds of things she was supposed to know about her friends, but she didn't. She missed so much, all because she let herself be consumed by her jealousy and rage. “I'm so sorry… I - I miss you.” Nightmare Moon simply stayed silent as she watched her counterpart break down, figuratively returning to the small mare that she always was inside. Without a word she unfurled a pitch black wing as she enveloped the mare by her side and rested her chin on her head.

“I know, I miss them too.”

***

“So she has the weather manipulating abilities.” Resting atop a building a cloaked mare looked to the city below as she stared at the Equestrian princess. “Now that is interesting. No pony has been born with that power for a good thousand plus years. I was beginning to think it was just a myth.” She thought aloud as she felt the rain grow stronger and pelt her coat against her form, forcing her to wear it like a second skin. A small smirk crossed her lips as she kept her gaze on the dark princess a few good stories away from her. “Well I can't risk standing here being impressed all day; still have a job to do after all." She held out a hoof watching as something crawled from under her cloak and started to twist into shape before her. "Let's see what you can do, princess.”

***

Amidst her emotional breakdown Luna felt part of her brain push it aside as found herself going rigid. Call it paranoia, call instinct, something went off inside her like a light in the darkness as she turned, unconsciously raising a shield spell as something rammed into her. She went flying over her friend's grave markers as she impacted another's. Not enough force to break it, but enough to feel that iconic sense of pain coursing through her body. "What?" Rolling to her feet she turned again as she blinked a couple of times to try clearing her eyes of tears as something impacted her shield forcing her to stumble back. The next time her magic shield was hit she struck back as she bashed it against whomever was attacking her and took the moment to wipe her eyes so she could focus. "Who's there?" The alicorn hissed as she looked around as something shifted in the rain before charging her again. Ducking low she watched as the fog passed over her before landing as she pointed her constructed shield at what ever was after her. 'What in Faust's name is that?' Whatever she was looking at, it wasn't normal. In her opinion it looked like some kind of giant worm that had grown a pair of claws. Two fin like appendages appeared where she could only guess was the head of the creature do the rows upon rows of sharp teeth that made up the creature's tunnel like mouth. Two tendrils poked out from behind a bunch of oversized hair follicles and seemed to sway slightly from either the rain or the body's own movements. Even during the old era she'd never seen something like it before. Some kind of new mutant species maybe?

“Not certain.” Nightmare Moon muttered as she watched Luna steady herself. “But you’ll have to find that out later.” Agreeing with her shadow she she raised her shield to defend herself from another charge and grit her teeth as she was pushed back. Getting an up close look at the creature she cringed at the sight of it's teeth trying to bite down on her shield. "That stench is horrid…" She muttered as she turned a bit to let the creature go charging past. She didn't need this today. Some worm…thing attacking her. All she wanted to do was take care of something she'd been postponing for two whole years and pay her respects. Not disrespect the dead by fighting in front of their graves. Letting her anger spike some barely acknowledged a thunderclap behind her as she saw the creature charge again as she rushed it. Dropping low she moved her shield above her as she pushed the creature above and off balance before firing a series of magic rays at it's exposed underside. Following it with a shield bash she toppled it over before jumping over a swing from one of the creature's claws. Bring her wings out she hovered above the ground as she fired another ray of magic as it returned to an upright position and took swing at her. Hitting a tombstone the lunar princess grunted in pain before disappearing into a poof of magic before the claw could come at her and landed on the creatures back. She should have used another shield, or better yet a barrier she complained as she watched Gentle Feather's grave was reduced to rubble.

If dancing on graves was disrespectful, destroying one just had to be worse. Luna thought as she split her magic and used it to latch onto the worm creatures tendrils as she fired a concentrated beam of magic into the creatures backside. Trying to burn a hole through it's head in an impromptu lobotomy she road the creature as if it were a bull attempting to shake her off. Charging a nearby tree the creature rammed into it as the princess let go and jumped off before she found her vision filled with wood and shrapnel. With a quick land she molded her magic as she swiped her head at air and created a thin crescent of light blue energy. It passed through the tree with ease before continuing on and lobbed off a piece of tombstone.

***

Elsewhere a stallion stopped as he found his umbrella covering his eye. Using his hoof he adjusted the item as it tipped over and fell to the floor, a thin clean cut splitting it in half. "Huh?"

***

Firing another thin wave of magic Luna split the tree in the opposite direction as it formed a faint x for a moment before falling to the ground. "Slippery daemon aren't you?" Luna muttered as she watched the creature crawl out from the mess of leaves that formed the fallen tree. Watching it take a moment to hiss at her she took a few precautionary looks to the side before walking to the left. Some distance between herself and the nearest tombstone she charged her magic as she charged. The creature took the moment to inhale as the princess's eyes widened and it created a sudden noise from it's throat and a murky lime colored liquid was released. Cancelling her previous plan for an attack spell she shaped the magic into a shield as it was covered by the slime while some stragglers hit a few patches of grass and stone causing them to bubble and sink. "Acid?" Smashing her acid covered shield against the creature the princess pushed forward as she turned her attention to the broken tree that she had knocked down. "Well it appears charging blindly isn't your only trick." Capturing the tree with her magic she forced it to levitate as she she spun it around. Smashing the bark against the creature from behind she launched it into the air before turning the tree to smash them into the ground. Turning her makeshift weapon again she stabbed it downward as the creature recovered and slipped to the side as the tree returned to an upright position. Glancing at it she saw the familiar liquid being flung at her before she adjusted her already murky shield construct to protect her. Letting the acid cloak it she dropped her shield, letting it return to magic and teleported behind the creature before firing another quick bullet of her magic to catch its attention. Hissing at the princess the creature charged again as Luna turned kicked off the grass and ran.

‘We haven’t played tag since the Siege of Drakenshield.’ The Nightmare muttered as Luna nodded unconsciously and ran outside the Canterlot Graveyard and ran into the city. Her creature close behind her as she kept an eye out for anypony that may be caught in the crossfire. Finding to many she fired her magic at the floor and she felt herself rise into the air as she jumped land on one of the lower buildings. Considering where she was, there were not a lot of those.

"Come worm! I'm right here!" She wasn't sure is she successfully baited it or if the creature only had eyes for her to start off with but the creature followed after her, using its two limbs to scale the building wall and chased after her. This way none of the others would be hurt in the crossfire. Dodging another burst of acid spit Luna jumped over to the next building as it hit the wall and started melting it. The creature meanwhile simply followed after her, hissing at some points as it followed the princess across the selection of building. Reaching one that she couldn't jump to because of height she spread her wings and took flight, flying up to the wall as the creature followed after her. "That's it worm, follow me."

***

"Ha ha take that that Changeling! I hereby banish you to the sun!" Gum Drop yelled as he continued playing with his figuri - action figures. The foal's hooves were currently holding a tiny Princess Luna as he knocked over an organized army of even smaller changelings as well as a Queen Chrysalis. "Argh Curse you Luna! I will have my revenge!" The changeling queen was lifted as he made her talk back to the moon princess. "This is far from over! Mha ha ha!" Outside the foals room the real Moon Princess flew past before taking a quick moment to look back in curiosity, her mouth muttering something along the lines of 'is that me'. Looking behind her she fired a burst of her magic as the foal continued playing his games. "No you're wrong Changeling, it is over! You'll never lay a hoof on my land again!" Diving Luna disappeared as the creature climbed over the foal's window before turning as the moon princess somehow dropped from above and planted her hooves into it's face before flying off. "Is that what you think! Hahaha! Your dear Equestria is already mine." Outside the window worm like creature finished climbing onto another building as it grabbed Luna into one of it's claws as the princess took the opportunity to punch it in the face. "What do you mean by that?" Teleporting out the creature's grip and she impaled it with her horn as she blew a hole in it with her magic before backing away and rolled to avoid getting spit on. "Really Luna? You haven't noticed? The changes your beloved sister has suddenly gone through?" Gum Drop pretended to gasp as Luna grabbed onto the creature with her magic as she broke a chimney with it's head before charging it. "What? What ha-"

"Gum Drop! It's time for lunch!" From outside the door a mare's voice caught the foals attention as he looked up. Outside Luna tackled the creature over the edge of the building as they dropped into the alley below.

"Be right there!"

***

Hissing in pain Luna rolled herself off of the dumpster she had landed on - but thankfully not in and lifted a hoof to rub her back. "Oow…" She was going to be sore tomorrow. Her opponent hadn't been so lucky, face planting the ground as it struggled to compose itself. It didn't even need thirty seconds as it hissed at the mare and charged. "Resilient aren't you worm?" Glancing at the dumpster she'd just gotten off she enveloped it in her magic as she smashed it against the worm's charging face before kicking it with strength inherent to an alicorn pureblood. The dumpster raced across the alleyway as the worm crawled over it before it was embedded in the wall as it continued chasing the mare. Not a lot of room to maneuver the alicorn resumed running as they returned to playing a game of life or death tag.

She thanked Faust that the streets seemed to of cleared for her, all the ponies either just stepping through their homes or already inside them as she picked up her pace just enough to keep a bit of extra distance between her and her opponent. Hearing a bit of stone behind her getting hit by something that obviously wasn't rain she glanced back before making a quick frown. 'That better not melt through a pipeline.' The princess thought as she turned. Slipping a bit because of the wet streets she moved to one of of the less industrialized parts of the city and stepped into the park. The worm followed chasing after her as she jumped over a bench which it promptly ran through. "Damages can be kept to a minimum here…" Luna muttered as she glanced back. Yes the repair company was going to have a field day with all this damage they were doing but at least she was far away from anything else that could be broken. Jumping over another bench she ran across the field as she fired blades of magic at the thing behind her before turning. Letting a glyph form under her feet the mare dashed forward, becoming a streak of light as she passed under the creature before jumping onto it’s back and smashed her hooves onto it’s back. Following it with a magic ray the mare burned a hole into it’s back before it reached the floor. Without much delay the thing reached behind it, grabbing onto the mare before throwing her through the air.

Using her wings to steady herself the mare landed with ease. Raising a barrier she protected herself from a wave of acid before throwing it away. Without much delay she fired an array of magic in it’s direction before charging forward. Dodging to the side she avoided another caw strike before creating a blade of magic that carved a well made trench through the creature’s hide. “This isn’t working.” The nightmare muttered as she looked at her counterpart. “You need more power Luna.”

“I don’t need yours.” The light half muttered as she put some distance between herself and the creature. Frowning slightly Nightmare looked at her counterpart for a moment.

“You can’t defeat it like this. Raise the moon and draw from it’s powers.”

“And cause an eclipse again? I refuse.”

“You are not strong enough little moon, most of your half of the power is still returning from being hit by the Elements upon your return.” Luna simply frowned as she dug her hooves into the dirt for a moment as she prepared herself. Her darker half was right, two years ago when she had been struck by the Elements she had lost much of her power. Stripped away from her along with her darker half. Or so she thought. “You can not win this battle on your own little moon. You need my help.”

“Allow me to prove you wrong.”

2

For the first time in the longest Canterlot Castle was eerily quiet. Majestic halls filled with guards and the cleaning staff stood frozen as if they had been replaced by statues. The only movement they had was the faint turning that came from their heads covered with disbelief. Princess Luna ignored their shock as she walked past them, listening to the sound that came from her hooves hitting tile as the rest of her world was drenched in silence. For them her presence was always something that was simply captivating. It was much different than her sister who had created an air that alerted everypony in the room that she there was filled with benevolence and the embodiment of all that was good in the world. A presence that was simply awe-inspiring.

The night princess was very different. While her presence still alerted every nearby soul that she had entered a room her aura was much stronger and pronounced, captivating yet also intimidating she radiated an air laced with raw power that more akin to something that been taught the secrets of Tartarus. Today it was no different, only it was even more noticeable as if she had loosened the reins on her power, and one could only guess why. Her cloak was gone, showing her traditionally neat coat was riddled with cuts and scrapes alongside bits of mud and grime. Her ethereal mane clung to her neck, snaking around her form in a wet yet shining starlit mess. A wing, her right wing to be exact had traces of some kind of burns on as well as her matching ear. One of her heels were missing while another was cracked. Her tail was no different from her mane dragging behind her like a makeshift cape as it soaked the floor while she carried what looked like a her cloak bundled into a bag of sorts held within a magical grip. To them she looked like some warrior returning from some quest. Her eyes shining with the same calculated gaze that always seemed to have reminded a few of them of a huntress. She looked… breathtaking.

"Y-your highness?" A maid responded in a meek voice as they caught her attention. "Are you alright? What happened?"

"We're fine." Luna replied with an almost alluring tone as she gave the mare a slight smile as she colored. "Sorry about the floor." She told the maid as she watched her wings shoot out as she flourished. Paying it little mind the moon princess walked on as she took a calming breath. As composed as she appeared, inside she was electric. It felt as if there was a storm dancing inside her. The rush, the adrenaline, the sound of her heart in her ears ready to burst. By Faust she missed it! She missed almost getting drunk by the stimulation of her senses heightening from combat. To use her magic for something other than holding papers together and moving chairs or shutting her blinds. To feel the strain of her muscles overworking and the wind rushing by her as she danced over the razors edge. To not be a pretty princess but a warrior! Feeling her breath become a bit erratic the dark alicorn couldn't help licking her lips as she smiled lightly from the taste of her blood, unconsciously making a few other ponies color as wings shot into the air as if to salute her arrival. Not that she really cared, nor did she notice as her thoughts went into overdrive replaying her battle in her head like these moving pictures her sister had told her about.

She knew why she felt this way; a thousand moons ago she wasn't a pretty princess that sat on a throne, she was a warrior born in a young Equestria, still rich with battle and conflict. When she and her sister fought for the Crystal Empire she'd led the charge against King Sombra, fighting as though the fabled War Alicorn; Ares’ blood coursed through her veins. When Discord had tried taking control of Equestria she had held him off while her sister tried finding a solution, and it appeared that tooth she knocked out hadn't grown back yet; but to be fair they had turned him to stone shortly after. During the dark hours of an old Equestria when her dear friend Princess Platinum had been kidnapped by a cyclops, she had been her knight, breaking into the cyclops' fortress and saving her friend. Truth, in every book of Equestria's old history, more than half the records of glory had been brought by her hooves, not her sister. She was one of the firsts on the battlefields and the last to leave them.

Growing up in those times had forged her like tempered steel, but it helped that she had an apparent talent for it. She chalked it up to her naturally adventurous nature like the fictional Daring Do. The desire to go out and explore. It was what she always did back then when her sister and Starswirl were busy reading like the eggheads they were. It was how she first met Melvin the Manticore and discovered that beyond the Everfree Forest lied the land of Zebras. And while she would never tell anypony- let alone her sister less she planned to give the mare a heart attack- it was also why she at a time took to exploring old tombs and locked dungeons. She knew exactly why A.K. Yearlings books were so popular; it was so much fun! Dodging the traps and searching for treasure left by lost civilizations. Such a rush! So exciting! She read the mare's tales because they reminded her so much of her earlier years.

Turning down a hall Luna dragged her tail across the floor as she started to grumble to herself. In contrast her old life; full of danger and excitement, of drinking ale with her friends and fellow warriors as they swapped tales of valor and adventure, this Equestria was so very dull! Don't get her wrong peace was a wonderful thing, but for her - a bred warrior suddenly returning from battle and finding the world apparently at peace - it was wrong. It was plain. It was boring. The most excitement the land had were incredibly small things her sister's pupil and her companions had been tasked with taking care off. Playing Discord's game, erasing Sombra's shadow. The most she had been able to do was swat a few hundred changelings on her wall before a 'love barrier' threw all of them out out Canterlot. A total buzzkill… if she was using the words correctly.

In this era there was no real reason for her to fight, to unsheathe her weapons and get her hooves dirty. Have her blood burn as though it was lava. Even if it was horribly timed, earlier had been just what she needed; getting covered in the grime and sweat just like in the old days. Taking a 'prize' afterwards that could either be stuffed or hung on her wall. 'That might be a bad idea actually...' Luna thought as she made the contents of her bag shift a bit. Having something stuffed was fine centuries ago. Now though... something told her that would set off the wrong alarms for everypony. Especially the maids that cleaned her chambers. Sighing Luna looked elsewhere and pouted slightly. It had been reflex really, taking something after a battle with some monster. A claw, a head, maybe a tooth or the heart. Trophies as they were called in the old days, proof that a pony wasn't just blowing hot air out their muzzle trying to appear bigger than they were. Trophies that were hung proudly in either a room or down the halls. To bad everypony now was just so... squeamish.

“I stand corrected, little moon.” Nightmare Moon cut through her thoughts like a hot knife through butter as she made her reappearance. Looking down at her light half as she frowned slightly. “You were indeed strong enough to finish that insect off on your own.”

“You underestimated my power.” Luna remarked with a slight smirk. “You seem to do that quite often; first against our sister a thousand moons ago, and again once you returned.”

“We grew overconfident yes, drunk on our own power, but next time.” The darkest alicorn shrugged as she turned her attention ahead. “Next time we shall be ready.”

“You still assume their will be a next time? A time when I will require your dark magic.”

“Assume little moon? No, I do not assume anything.” Nightmare Moon didn’t turn her gaze away from what was in front of her. “I know.” Luna resisted the urge to roll her eyes as she turned away from her shadow. This had been their dynamic for a while now, since her shadow suddenly resurface. So confident that she would use her power some day. She could still remember the night she had returned.

***

Princess Luna stepped lightly as she walked the halls of Canterlot Castle and looked about. Hooves travelling over paved marble and silk carpets as she stared at whatever drew her attention. Beyond the windows to the moonlit labyrinth, to the designs upon hanging drapes. Anything her eyes set themselves on, she studied for the faintest of moments before moving on, at least till her eyes rested on them. Memories; preserved images in decorative stained glass. Times long passed shared with her sister. Their coronation under their mother’s watchful eyes. Their first meeting and trials alongside Starswirl the Bearded. The treaty forged after one of the Pony-Gryphon war. Discord’s sealing alongside many others who wished to blanket Equestria in darkness. So many memories, some good, some bad, some odd. Seeing them laid before her the nocturnal princess couldn’t help but think of days long past. Every one she looked at seemed to come alive as she remembered what occurred those days. Even the darkest of her memories; the birth of Nightmare Moon, her final day in an old Equestria.

Seeing the visage of her darker self Luna couldn’t help but feel old emotions resurface. Envy, anger loneliness, despair… old feelings that birthed the Nightmare stirred from their slumber. Whispering words of owed retribution should she embrace them once more. “Silence.” With that single word she forced them away, back into the darkest recesses of her mind as she stared at her reflection. “It’s been over two years… we are free from you.” She spoke in a tone of authority as she narrowed her eyes. She half expected her doppelganger to laugh at her, step from it’s glass like casing but only found it staring in her direction. “We are free from you.” Luna repeated the words but a sense of emptiness greeted her in return.

“You will never be free of me Luna.” Freezing, Luna turned her head as she stepped back in surprise. Standing across from the mare was her Nightmare self. A dark yet seductive smile crossed the shadow’s face as she looked at the light of her soul. “But you know, If you wanted to talk to me, you needn’t speak to glass.”

“You… n-no this is impossible.” Nightmare moon raised a delicate eyebrow as she looked at her smaller self. “You are gone. We felt it! Twilight Sparkle and her friends rid us of you. You can’t be here.” Laughter filled the darker alicorn’s lungs as it echoed for a moment.

“Those foals? Get rid of me?” The dark alicorn smiled as she stepped to the side before approaching her counterpart, causing Luna to step back further. From fear or something else she didn’t exactly know. “My dear Luna I am part of you, just as you are part of me.”

“You’re lying… you are not part of us! You are a concentration of the Nightmare Force.”

“Why would I lie?” The mare questioned. “Though you are partly correct. I was an aspect of that parasite, but no more. Remember Luna everypony has darkness in their souls, and I am yours." Stopping Nightmare Moon turned her attention to the stained glass. A hint of curiosity in her eyes as she looked at the image it presented. “So this is to be our niece I take it; Princess Mi Amore Cadenza?” Luna slowly nodded as she looked to the image of the pink alicorn. “Princess of Love, if I am correct.”

“That’s right.”

“She’s beautiful.” Luna blinked in surprise as she turned to her darker self. An approving look across her face that reminded her of how she would gaze at the world at time; like one would judge a cut diamond to see any imperfections. Brushing her mane back Nightmare Moon settled her gaze on the image and nodded. “The sun princess must be proud.” It was odd Luna realized. Seeing her alter ego, appraising her niece as calmly as she was. Let alone so… calm and refined as she was.

‘No… I won’t be tricked like this.’ Luna thought as she narrowed her eyes. Nightmare Moon was a skilled manipulator. Not on par with Discord, but she was skilled. She wanted something. “What are you doing here Nightmare Moon? Here to cause trouble once more?”

“I am here to talk.” Turning her gaze to Luna the dark alicorn gave her a playful gaze. “And to offer you my powers, just as I did all those moons ago.”

“Haven’t learned your lesson I see. Still plotting to overthrow my sister? Did failing twice teach you nothing?”

“Oh I learned dear Luna; that Equestria’s greatest weapon can be negated, that by breaking the harmony of those that carry them they will be useless. ” Luna froze at that, the realization of the Elements being powerless. Nightmare Moon shared her memories, so of course she would know about the Element’s weakness. Luna had always theorized it - that the Element’s Chosen needed to be united, and for the young mares of Lady Twilight and her friends… their bond could be temporarily broken. Discord had proven that theory true. And the Nightmare needed only a moment of broken trust to sink her fangs into the youths. Nightmare Moon simply smiled at her. “That weapon can be removed - whether directly or indirectly - and with it gone I can finish what we started so long ago of course…” Luna shook her head as she found Nightmare Moon behind her, hunched over a bit to whisper in her ear. “That is, if you’ll let me.”

“No.” Luna stepped away from her counterpart and looked away. “I won’t let you. Even if the Elements of Harmony were unusable, I’ll never let you take over me again.”

“So you say.” Nightmare Moon held a knowing smile as she returned her gaze to the image of their niece. “You haven’t spent much time with her have you? Mi Amore may not be of blood but she is family. Do you not like her?” Before Luna could speak up the mare shook her head. “No I doubt that, I would know if you disliked the mare.”

“I have been busy, Nightmare. Shamefully so.”

“Ah yes, your nightly activities. They certainly do take up a lot of time.” The shadow mused before shrugging. “But not all. For example you are not out tonight.”

“We are not needed tonight.” Luna admitted as she she looked to the side and found her counterpart lounging around a chaotic looking cloud. “We have “the night off” as they say.”

“Ah I see.” The nightmare patted the cloud for a moment as she made some room. “Care to join me? It’s quite comfy.” All she received was a glare before Luna looked elsewhere. “Calm yourself my other half, I have not done anything to warrant such distrust.”

“Haven’t you?”

“No my dear, I haven’t. I am thou and thou art I. All I do is what we agree upon. But for now we are at an impasse so I’ll ask again; will you accept my power?”

“You have my answer Nightmare.”

“For now anyway.” The mare stated as Luna blinked only to find her counterpart directly in front of her and staring her down. “You’ll need it soon enough and once that day comes I’ll ask you again.”

“And what pray tell makes you believe that we shall accept it then?” All Nightmare Moon did was smile, leaning down as she looked her counterpart in the eyes. Feline like pupils shrunk for a moment as she spoke.

“Because you’ll need it.”

***

Since that day the Nightmare - her shadow had stayed with her. Keeping her company whispering the promise of power in her ears. Strangely though the latter only occurred on one occasion or the next. She did not bring up the promise of power often, rather she focused mainly on other things, let her thoughts drift to subjects that Luna wouldn’t have thought possible for the darkness in her soul. “I wonder who was responsible for that monster attack.” The dark half of her soul muttered as she floated atop a cloud.

“You believe that beast wasn’t acting on its own accord?”

“I believe it was smuggled in, how else would something like that would be able to reside within our walls, and for who knows how long?”

“A fair point, and one we will no doubt have to look into.”

“Privately?”

“Of course, if word gets out that that thing was in our walls we’d have a massive panic on our hooves.”

“A fair point, but you must still be cautious, nothing like that could sneak within our walls without somepony very high up pulling at strings. We may have a traitor in our household.”

“Perhaps, perhaps not; regardless we will have to act with caution.”

“‘We’ my other self? Does that mean you accept my power?” At that Luna turned her head and frowned. Her attention focused on her counterpart as she stopped for a moment.

“No. I mean we as in the guard, my sister and myself. We shall stop whatever is coming.” Luna went silent for a moment as she continued walking. “I will not need your aid.”

“That is what you believe isn’t it.” Nightmare Moon shrugged as she resumed walking with her lighter half. “But if you want to go down the other route, you will certainly have your work cut out for you. Equestria has not had the best track record with enemies as of late - let alone the possibility of an actual war, and the guard has certainly lost it’s edge.”

“That much I can agree with. They will need to be retrained.” Luna paused for a moment as she started thinking back for a moment. Her branch of the guard was a bit ahead in that corner. Since her return she had fallen into the old habit of sparring with them in order to gauge their skills and her own. At first she hadn’t been impressed in the slightest but in time she had shaped them into a decent defense force. Nothing in comparison to their past glory but something that could hold their own in a fight for a while. Granted as a side effect she had to deal with some uncalled for rumors that claimed she still hadn’t changed and was still plotting to take over Equestria, only this time with her night guard supporting her. “Perhaps I should have my sister’s guard join us. It would be easier to train them if they are all together.

“Some mock battles won’t hurt. Give them a taste of what to expect.”

“I do not see why not.” Luna whispered before looking to her counterpart. “Wait… are you… assisting us in this endeavor?”

“Though it is not a land of eternal night, your Equestria is still my own.” The shadow stated as she stared down at her counterpart with her slitted eyes. “I will protect what is mine.”

“I - I…”

"Luna!" Hearing something behind her Luna pulled to a sudden stop as she head galloping. Looking behind her the Nightmare frowned as she looked at the mare trotting up to them.

“Celestia…”

"Sister?" Turning the little alicorn came face to face with her elder sister as Celestia's eyes widened. "Good evening, how are you fairing?"

It was at a time like this the day princess discarded prestige and titles as she kicked her holy ruler image out the window and across the borders. There wasn't any need for the decorum and all it entitles, her sister was a mess! Covered in mud and scrapes, her regula chipped and missing. She was a shadow of her former well maintained self - and all she had to say was good evening? Like she'd just woken up? Letting the worried sister she was out Celestia looked over her younger sister in a panic. "WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU!?" Luna flinched slightly as she felt her ears ring for a moment. Luna grew up with the mare and yet it still amazed her how loud her typically soft spoken elder sister could actually get even without resorting to the Royal Canterlot Voice. "I go to your room earlier to see you but you weren't there and this is how I find you?" The panicked sister continued to circle her younger sister as she started applying medical diagnostic spells on her to see how badly her sister was hurt. "By Faust Luna, you broke a rib! And a hoof!"

"I did?" Luna questioned as she applied her own spell and blinked. "Huh I did." The Nightmare raised an eyebrow as she looked at her counterpart.

“You truly didn’t notice that until now?” Her counterpart must have been high on adrenaline or something.

"I did?" Celestia repeated as she pressed her muzzle in her sister's face. "That's it? What in Equestria were you doing!? Were you attacked? Was it Queen Chrysalis?" Listing off several more old enemies that were lost to history Luna raised her hoof, her broken one and actually waved it do to some magic that she applied to realign the bones.

"No-no sister it's nothing like that." 'Kind of.' Luna secretly added as she smiled at her sister. Memories of life or death combat returning to her as she felt her heart skip a couple beats again as she tried to calm herself. There was no way she'd let her sister know she was attacked earlier by a worm… thing. She really needed to give that thing a name. That and see if anypony could dissect it to figure out what it was, maybe even add it into the regional bestiary that had been started when she was just a filly. 'Thou there is considerable doubt that last one will actually be done… doesn't seem like the bestiary is used as often as it used to.' Luna suppressed a frown as she thought back to the corpse she had left in the plains.

"Then what were you doing?" Celestia asked as she started healing her sister. "Jumping off Canterlot?" Celestia stopped as she saw her sister's expression change ever so slightly. "By Faust you were!"

"Not exact~ly." 'I jumped off a building if that counts.’ Luna stumbled as she she felt her body suddenly hurt.

“There goes your adrenaline high…” The Nightmare muttered as she shook her head.

Feeling her sister suddenly grab onto her Luna raised her hoof as if to push her away. "I - I'm alright, suddenly extremely tired that's all." Luna muttered as she her sister held her regardless.

"I bet you are..." Celestia murmured as she held on to her sister. Why in Equestria would her sister be jumping off Canterlot? Unless... "Luna...are you alright?"

"I already told you I'm fine sister." Luna rolled her eyes as she tried pushing her sister away only to find her holding her tighter.

"That's not what I meant." The white alicorn whispered as Luna felt her shake a bit. It sounded like her voice was cracking. "Did you...did you...I saw the storm Luna." Celestia muttered as she shook a bit harder. "I saw it; your feelings and how they were turning. Did you...did you jump Luna?" The Nightmare blinked as he looked at the pale alicorn.

“Wow… we’re just going straight to that aren’t we?”

Eyes widening Luna felt her a bit of her strength return as she pushed her sister away. Catching the older alicorn by surprise she gripped the sides of her face and brought them down. "NO!" It was a good thing that everypony had cleared out when they heard the older alicorn suddenly yell, Luna didn't want anypony to know this was what her sister was thinking; that she hit rock bottom. "I didn't jump sister." Not in that sense anyway. "I slipped..." She lied but quickly continued afterwards. "I - I went to see them sister...I went to the cemetery." Feeling Celestia flinch Luna inhaled as she heard one of the clouds rumble. Lying to her sister had never been easy, especially if the lie was why she'd become upset since the skies decided to express her true feelings but decades by her counterpart had taught her how to pull it off; sprinkle a bit of the truth in it. "I had been trying to work up the nerve to see them there... I believed i was ready but it appears i wasn't. Seeing the stones knowing they were really gone was harder than I thought." Pausing for both effect and to collect herself a bit the younger alicorn felt her ears drop unintentionally as she kept her thoughts on her old friends. Now that she thought about it she was going to need to fix the damage to the cemetery. The tree would be a bit hard but maybe she could just stab it into its stump and nopony would notice. "I... went around Canterlot to try clearing my head, to calm down, but when I took to one of the buildings I lost my footing. I slipped and hurt myself."

“And then you wrecked the park fighting a giant worm creature.” Nightmare Moon added with an eye roll while Luna stared at her sister’s eyes.

"But I swear on the moon I carry sister, I didn't jump! I've no intention of going to the astral plains and abandoning you."

"I'm sorry." Celestia wiped her eyes as she repeated the words over and over again. She didn't mean to jump to conclusions, she really didn't but her sister wasn't upset. Then again she understood why; first few weeks of her return she would have considered it. Traumatized by what she had done as her Nightmare counterpart as well as hearing the whispers that danced around Equestria of her being a monster- not to mention a certain mental parasite she would never openly speak about residing in her dreams. She hadn't jumped then but her sister had been forced to rip a knife out of her grip and lodge it four-fifths of a way through the nearest wall. It took months of therapy for her to come back from that dark place in her mind. She'd recovered since then, but Celestia, behind her various masks and her age, the mare who was forced to see that hadn't. She'd almost lost her again, this time permanently.

"No I'm sorry." Luna muttered as she held her sister as the larger alicorn's wings enveloped around her. Squeezing her a bit tighter than she would have liked but she would bare it. "I never meant to make you worry. It is all my doing, not yours." She whispered before peaking out the corner of her eye to notice one of the castles maids turning down the hall only to stop at the sight of the two. "I'm a horrible sister, all I do is make you worry." Giving the maid a glare that clearly spelled 'leave and never speak of this again' Luna watched her disappear faster than one of her teleportation spells.

"You're not a horrible sister. I am." Celestia countered as she finally released her younger sibling."I was blind for decades, I made terrible decisions and you were hurt because of them."

"We've both made mistakes sister." Luna admitted as she lifted a hoof and wiped a tear off her sister's face. "And we both bare scars because of it. Only those of the flesh have faded faster than the ones we carry in our hearts." An almost sage like voice left the smaller alicorn as she smiled. "I think we both just need some more time to heal." Slowly Celestia nodded as she took a moment to recompose herself at least attempt to. It was funny Luna thought, that at the moment she was acting as though she was the elder of the two, consolidating her sibling because they were hurting inside. "I think you should get some rest sister, you look exhausted."

"Me? What about you?" Celestia quietly commented as Luna looked herself over. Right, she looked like she needed a doctor, and maybe a bath too. "I should make sure you get to a doctor."

"I'll be fine, my chambers are right there after all." Luna admitted as she looked behind her. "I keep medical gauze in my room and alongside a few healing spells I should be fine after a rest." Nodding Luna started applying a healing spell to her broken rip as she winched slightly from the pain.

"Are you sure?" Dismissing the worried look on her face Luna smiled at her sister as she made a habit of waving her hoof.

"Of course. Mere scratches won't be enough to end me. I am not some dangly mare that is so easily bested." An almost cocky look left the typically calm and calculated mare as she waved her sister off. "Now go on, we both need our rest." Watching her sister yawn Luna repressed the urge to follow suite. What was it about being around somepony that was tired that was so infectious? Or maybe that was just her since all the extra energy she had finally burning out. She didn't care, it beat the alternative.

"I guess you're right. But I'll need to wake in a few hours. I still have a few more meetings to get to."

"Just cancel them." Luna muttered a bit harsher than she intended to. "They are not newborns, we mustn't hold their hooves the entire time. Equestria can manage itself for a few hours without falling apart." She shook her head as she turned back to her room and grabbed her bundled cloak. "Sister you cuddle them too much." Despite her words Celestia smiled as she covered her mouth for another yawn. "Pleasant dreams sister."

"Pleasant dreams Luna." Remaining where she stood Nightmare Moon rolled her eyes as she looked at the pale alicorn slowly walk away.

“You’re too kind to her.”

“You shut up.”

***

Sitting in her room a mare hummed to herself as she relaxed, ignorant to the darkness that enveloped her hotel suite. In her bathroom her cloak rested atop the curtain to dry off as she stared into darkness with a smile. 'Well done Princess, you did rather well today.' She thought as she giggled slightly, her humming evolving into a song as she did. 'But you could have been better, I'll rate you as a B.' Frowning the mare closed her eyes, not that it made a difference to the darkness. I'II still need to examine the other two princesses later, but right now...' Smiling she opened her eyes to an outline of red in the darkness as she felt it move around her room. 'I have some more important work to do.'

3

Felt like cobwebs were in her head. Couldn’t really come up with another way to say it. Cobwebs were in her head and cotton was in her throat. Guess that was to be expected considering she was asleep for so long. Still now however she was awake, and once again part of the waking work. As she moved the trees bent in her wake, almost sensing that something had changed in the world, and in a way it had, though whether that was a bad thing or not was up for debate. Around her the night life took notice gathering to her as she stepped forward, each move stretching tired limbs. She turned to the owls bid them a pleasant night before stopping. “I know you’re there.” She stated, her voice sounding like honey. “Come out.”

“For a beauty like you, I’d come out the closet.” A mare stated as she stepped out from the trees and smiled. “Damn your hot, you know that?”

She ignored the blatant compliment, but smiled regardless. “What brings you to my sanctuary young one.”

“Nothing much just trying to see if this little do-hicky.” The mare held something up and though she fought the visual indicators, she was surprised about what the mare had pulled out of her bag. “Would wake you up like it was supposed to. Needless to say though, it succeeded.”

“It appears so.” She muttered after a while and looked around. “I was not supposed to awaken for another 12,000 years little one. Tell me why have you awakened me before my time.”

Well, my boss thought it would be proper to wake the True Queen considering the circumstances. Allow you to see how much has changed in the world.”

“Changes?” The True Queen fell silent as her eyes fell vacant for a moment. The next though they widened, and the gathered fauna started to scatter as they narrowed. “What… have you done?”

“Don’t look at me I didn’t do shit.” The mare muttered as she stepped forward on impulse, little to no fear radiating off her as her counterpart leered at her. “But I know who’s responsible.” She growled, the act coming out more like a demon than any other species as the ground trembled. “I know who mocks your work.”

“And now I as well… please give me but a moment little one; I must awaken my brother and sister.”

***

Princess Celestia wasn't sure what woke her up first, the nightmare that plagued her tonight or the sound of her own screaming. The sound leaving her with a volume that surpassed the Royal Canterlot voice that shook everything her chambers currently held. Her bed, her desk, even her mementos from this century shook from the force of the noise that left her, and continued for the next three minutes before finally coming to a stop. Gasping for breath Celestia pulled her blanket over her as she tried to calm her beating heart that threatened to jump out of her chest. It wasn't a nightmare, it wasn't a vision either that came to her tonight, it was a memory. One of her greatest mistakes deciding to resurface and remind her of what she did. Not that it needed to, she couldn't ever forget her mistakes, they were always there lingering in the back of her mind like some parasite and whispering in her ears like the voice of conspirators. "I need something to drink..." Trying to push the thoughts away Celestia pulled herself from her bed as she stepped to the floor, immediately she was met with what could best be described as a ripple running through it. A precautionary spell, one of a few she always set up before she went to bed. Any sound that originated from her chambers was silenced to the outside world. Otherwise every guard in the palace - perhaps Canterlot all together - would have heard her screaming and broke her double doors down. Each of her steps was rewarded with another ripple as she deactivated the spell and glanced around, seeing which of her things had been broken before heading out. A few vases, the glass on a picture, small things that she could fix later once she had completely calmed her nerves.

Walking down the castle halls she felt the silence that her world presented and found the displeasure of her hooves echoing into the halls. Her sister's moon was hanging overhead, shining with a magic many wouldn't notice and yet one she couldn't replicate no matter how many centuries she had spent taking over her sister's position. A small tired smile crossed her lips at that thought. No matter what many believed; that she was the better and more talented sister, there were actually a number of things dear Luna could do that she'd couldn't begin to master.

Turning her attention elsewhere she returned her gaze to the empty halls as her smile faded. It was just so… barren. The halls usually filled with guards and staff were etched in silence, not all of them mind you but nearly every hall she crossed into the night patrols had finished going through, leaving her alone. She didn't like it, she didn't like the silence that told her no pony was around to catch her attention. Not to sound spoiled, but she needed the attention right now, because right now without the distraction, however small it was, she found herself thinking. Thoughts that she kept pushed back in the presence of others were crawling forward and surfaced before her. Whispering into her head like something was trying to take over her mind. Only these thoughts were her own and not anypony else's.

Unable to distract herself she started letting them play out, thoughts and memories of ten centuries past returning again. She remembered the days she and her sister had started drifting apart, her own flesh and blood - the one who she loved more than herself being cast in the long shadow she had unknowingly created. She could remember the pride she felt when ponies long past called her perfection, and turned her into an idol that many adored and many more wanted to be with. She remembered the parties, the celebrations and events that she was invited to and how her sister struggled to gain recognition for her craft. Lowering her head Celestia found those thoughts warping into an image she longed to forget but never would, as rainbow colored light took her over and she lost her best friend.

Generations after generations viewed her as perfect, a benevolent goddess that could never do wrong. But she wasn't a goddess - not in the literal sense anyway. She lived longer than they did but she was still mortal. If she lost her balance she tripped, if she scraped her knee it hurt. She could cry from a broken heart and lose her way. She could make mistakes, and by Faust had she made mistakes. Mistakes that were lost to the abyss of time in everyponies eyes except her own. Her sister was her greatest mistake but it wasn't her only one. Pausing mid-step Celestia found herself walking by the throne room as she stared at it. Focusing her magic just enough to see through the large double doors she found her bandaged sister herself seated in her own throne. A throne that was - regrettably - a bit smaller than her own. She wanted it exchanged, but Luna didn't care. She was home, and they had been reunited, that was all that mattered to her. Looking at her younger sister Celestia found her in a serene state, her eyes closed and her horn radiating the faintest pulses of mystic light that was near identical to what radiated off the moon itself, all despite her obvious injuries. Her sister was dream-walking, her consciousness floating through a world Celestia could never enter and looking out for any nightmares that bothered her subjects. Walking past Celestia returned to the silence as to not interrupt her sister's concentration. Luna had been unaware of her own, but that was her doing. One of the spells that Celestia had put in her chambers was meant to keep any outer forces from entering her thoughts. A wonderful spell to counter mind control and it seemed to also help keep her sister unaware of what was going on with her at night. … Well it was that or one of the five other precautionary spells she had put up as mental barricades. There were things in her head that she didn't want her sister to know about, let alone remember. One such thing was tonight's thousand year phantom.

Shaking her head Celestia quickened her pace to the kitchen before pausing. '...idiot.' Closing her eyes she felt a sense of weightlessness as she felt the world become enveloped in light before returning. So far in her thoughts the princess forgot she could just teleport to save time. Opening one of the cabinets she pulled out a glass cup before reaching into the fridge, pulling out an extravagant pitcher of ice cold water and gave it a dead stare. "This is a waste of taxpayers money..." Putting the container back she turned her attention to the liquid in her cup and proceeded to drink. She hadn't realized how parched she was until the liquid met her throat and emptied the cup in record time. Not to leave the staff with anything extra for tomorrow she washed the item, taking slight comfort in the act as she felt the sink water and soap coat her hooves. “It's been a long time since we've washed anything by hoof isn't it.” She asked nopony in particular as she set the cup aside and proceeded to dry her hooves. "When was the last time we've actually done dishes?"

'When the Castle of Two Sisters still stood.' An old memory called out as Celestia met it with mixed responses. Both happiness and sadness ran through her as she remembered their old home. She remembered the two - looking much like they did now - leaned over the sink as they alternated between washing and drying the dishes. Manes pulled back as they talked about whatever they felt like while the cleaning staff had yet another miniature panic. 'Princesses shouldn't touch dirty dishes they said.' The memory faded replaced with a wall being destroyed by corrupted magic as Celestia froze. A moment later she moved again, tossing her paper towel into the trash and fired up her magic. 'No...' The magic dying down Celestia took a breath as she decided to walk. Rather she needed to walk, she needed to fly.

Stepping into the halls once more the day princess spread her wings and took off. While she may have been the tallest pony ever recorded, half expected in her long life, Canterlot Castle was still naturally much larger than she was, and offered her plenty of room to fly around in. Half flying - half gliding over the empty halls Celestia maneuvered just enough to not bump into anything as she turned. Crossing halls far faster she could do by walking she glided over the tile and past an assortment of windows. Crossing into a better lit portion of her caste she tilted her wings slightly as she went higher and did a mid-air flip, her hooves tapping the ceiling as she did before continuing on her normal path.

This portion of the castle didn't really have a name, but she thought of it as her 'Hall of Memories'. Stainglass covered every window, each one depicting an event that had happened in her lifetime. The coronation of the two sister, the original reign they shared. Sombra's evil and the lost of the Crystal Empire. Tirek's imprisonment and so on. There was even an old if embarrassing moment preserved of her yelling at a great dragon holding a crystal heart. Since that day she had attempted to keep her temper in check, but that dragon had just been so incredibly rude! There were even some she couldn't accurately remember, because she only knew the smallest details about them to begin with. One such depicted Starswirl the Bearded and three half-pony half-fish creatures called the sirens being sent into a void of sorts. Passing the memories Celestia couldn't help smiling as she did saw the ones that brightened her day before flying towards a window. She didn't greet the memory preserved before her, instead simply flying through it as she used a quick spell to make her intangible. The cold air hitting her Celestia sighed in relief as she flew over Canterlot, her shadow unnoticed by all as she flew over the streets and atop houses.

"I needed this." The alicorn thought aloud as she dived off the edge of Canterlot and descended down the mountainside. Flying always made her feel better no matter how dark her thoughts became as she confronted her mistakes. It was one of the only ways she kept her sanity after her sister had been imprisoned. Otherwise she wouldn't have made it past her first half century alone. Letting a murky memory cross her Celestia spread her wings as she took flight again and let the memory play out. A battle, not the greatest of battles came to her as she remembered the queen of the Changelings. When they had lost Troy, and she had reacted quicker than any would have expected. Practically bolting out her castle as she assaulted Chrysalis faster than the Changeling horde could realize what was happening and sealed her pseudo-alicorn kin into a volcano. That was some five-six centuries ago, and she had returned the favor on her niece's wedding day. Hindsight she may have deserved it, and getting hung upside down like some trophy. After all imprisonment in a volcano and reducing her to that 'hole-y' state deserved some form of retribution. Or revenge. Even after all this time sometimes it was hard to tell which side of revenge and retribution somepony was on.

"I wonder if there's any way of making amends..." Celestia thought as she closed her eyes and turned, forming an upward spiral as she found herself bathed in her sister's light. Making amends with the changelings… was it possible? Old as their species was, with what records that they had managed to create, they were still a very alien species. Their origins unknown to even her and driven by something she wasn't certain on. Was it possible to reach out to them and apologize for the bad blood they had created? 'Equestria is a place of second chances so...maybe.' That was still a big maybe, and added with the fact they would need to meet caused another problem; she had no idea where they were. You can't propose a meeting with somepony when you couldn't find them.

Twisting into a barrel roll Celestia found a distant cloud and messed with it as she flew by. Decades of skill enabling her to quickly rearrange it to appear as the face of a unicorn as she did and flew around to admire her work and with it another memory chose to surface.

An old… student, one of the best she had ever taken. Much like her recent student she was intelligent, brave, and remarkably talented, perhaps even more so than her successor. Social whereas the other needed a nudge to start accepting others. A student that had fallen, her talents warping her into a shadow of her former self filled with pride and a thirst for power. Her ability to socialize being turned into a weapon she used against others and magical skill that was used to intimidate. Something she should have noticed early on with how close they once were. She should have tempered her more, humbled her so neither would have gone down the path they had created. Not word or whisper of her last student had reached her ears in these past couple years and part of her feared the worst; that she had passed away. If that was the case than she would never be able to say she was sorry, she would never get to say how much she missed her.

Looking at the image of her old student Celestia felt her heart ache as she made the image disappear with a single beat of her wings. Her mistake was letting her go, letting her fall and left alone after the death of her own sister.

Sighing Celestia thought of the positive. If she was not dead, then perhaps she simply didn’t wish to return. Perhaps she had found something that caused her to stay in that world. Acceptance, love, it could have been anything really. 'Still I wonder what she looks like now…’ An off thought crossed her as Celestia messed with her hooves for a moment. While she had never been to whichever dimension her little Sunset had gone to, her youth with Starswirl had sent her to a few which had some... interesting effects on her anatomy. Like having claws, and being able to hold things without using magic or her teeth growing into fangs - why one times he even became a rather attractive stallion. 'I don’t think I ever ran from mares that often in my life...' Celestia thought as she closed her eyes. A sigh left her as she turned a bit and flew higher. Regardless her setting sun was a world away, literally and she might never see her again. 'If Sunset even wants to see me again...'

Celestia pushed the thought aside as she poked a hole through the clouds and flew toward her sister's moon. Flying higher than any natural pegasus dared she watched the clear sky grow darker as the stars began to shine with greater Radiance. Sunset wasn't the only one worlds away, there was also him, her lover bearing the face of her enemy; King Sombra.

Stopping her climb the princess she broke into a freefall. She remembered in an older era when they first met, she was young and travelling realities with Starswirl. She'd been in love, sneaking to his reality to be with him. She remembered having to leave their affair a secret, returning to her realm and silently dreading to see him again when the portal was ready. As an alicorn she had a lifespan much longer than any regular equine, and her connection to the sun would extend her life even more so. As such every time she returned to him she dreaded he had passed during her absence, and every time he didn't. He stayed no matter how long the clock kept ticking. No matter how many moons passed for him. Very few were like him, the magic inside him strong enough to extend his natural life span past regular limits. Celestia took another breath as she looked at a cloud before leveling out and flying straight. He was one of the best things that happened to her and also one of the worst.

Because she met him they had lost the Crystal Empire. She remembered their battle with the other Sombra - their Sombra. Ready to end the tyrant's reign, her will tempered like iron and her heart turned to stone. She remembered staring at his weakened form and charging her spell. The psychological trigger ready to be pulled and… she froze. She hesitated. They had the same face, they had the same voice, she just couldn't do it and he took advantage of it. That was how they lost the Crystal Empire and to this day she never told anypony, not even her sister.

Thinking on her sister her thoughts suddenly shifted to her “twin”. The other Celestia, one she had met on more than one occasion after the crossing. Her twin; the one that showed such a hideous side of herself that would do seemingly anything to win. "And she's still there isn't she…” Celestia whispered as she turned, realizing she was flying over Ponyville and headed toward the Everfree Forest. That side of her, that witch wasn’t just over there - across the veil, she was also inside her. That had to be the one good thing about meeting her alternate reality counterpart; it showed her what she could be, and what parts of her were kept buried so far inside her own heart she wasn't aware of them, and that meant somewhere in this incarnation of her that witch was still alive- likely nurturing on the pain and sorrow that she repressed so far down that no pony could see - and yet that was something she could live with.

Passing over the ruins of her old castle Celestia took to flying through the wreckage as she looked it over. "Every time I've made a mistake...somepony else has paid the price for it." Her pride and ignorance had blinded her and sent her sister into Nightmare Moon's clutches. Because she froze up Tyrant Sombra banished the entire Crystal Empire. Her ignorance had lead Sunset into whatever she'd been beyond the mirror. She left the ruins as she kept on. Letting more of her mistakes return to her. If she had tried listing every mistake she had created she would probably need half the stars in her sister's sky. "Hm, a star for each of my mistakes...that sounds rather poetic." Celestia whispered as she paused for a moment, one of her senses going off without her command. It was an odd one, like something was tugging at her hair. Each tug acting - bringing a type of static with it that lasted for but a moment before disappearing. Fighting it, fighting it was strange, acting like a game of tug-o-war. And each time she fought it… something crept into her mind. An anger not her own - an energy foreign to her. “What in E-”

“Enough.”

It felt like someone ripped her face off. Celestia realized as she screamed, her voice carrying over the Everfree forest and waking the residents of the nearby town of Ponyville in seconds. Dropping out the sky Celestia clutched her head in pain, sanguine creeping out the grooves of her horn as she screamed, she crashed through the few clouds that remained in the night and through the trees of the Everfree. They smashed into her, broke under her weight, cut into her fur, stopping only when she crashed into the Everfree soil.

She screamed for maybe minutes - maybe hours, clutching her skull as pain wrecked through her body. Vapors of mana pouring out her horn as she tossed and turned. When she stopped she wasn’t sure, when she did though her coat was matted with mud and grime and stained by her own blood. ‘What… what is happening?’ She hurt from her injuries, but beyond that she felt weak. Still she rose to her feet, staggering - struggling as she looked around trying to make sense of what was happening. Something was taking her power. Her mana - the vast reserves she carried after all these centuries - was leaving her. Head felt like someone was stabbing knives into her skull. And her ears were filled with the sound of growling.

When her vision returned however she found the reasons for that last part. Glowing yellow eyes and wooden structures. Timberwolves, she must have fallen into their den. She struggled to focus, try and prepare herself but failed. When they moved they attacked with a heightened sense of coordination that she wasn’t accustomed to. Even if she wasn’t dazed - even if she wasn’t losing her magic their level of coordination was frightening to say the least. She knew they acted as a pack, she knew they were aggressive, but this - this was different, it was as if they shared a single mind - a single entity one that wanted her dead.

Regaining strength in her wings she took flight, soaring out of the den as she punched through the trees and cut herself up a bit more. What she saw when she returned to the air though, that horrified her. “What in Equestria?” She could hear the ponies of Ponyville screaming, as the ground beneath their town shook. It wasn’t just Ponyville though, it was the entire plains, the Everfree, the mountains. All of them trembled under some unknown force as a storm greater than what her sister had brought gathered in the skies, lightning crackling and setting the plains and buildings on fire while the winds threatened to strip the feathers from her wings. “What in Equestria is going on?”

4

“Everypony run!” Somepony screamed as Ponyville came alive. Hundreds of different ponies taking to the streets as their homes trembled, most of them breaking apart as lightning smashed into the ground. An act that seemed more like spears than an act of nature.

“Twilight!” The purple unicorn turned her head as she lifted Spike onto her back, the drowsy dragon clutching her back so hard that it seemed that he was trying to pry it off her bones. Beside her Rarity and an equally clingy Opalescence sticking to her. “Darling what’s going on?”

“I don’t know.” Above, Rainbow Dash and the rest of the Weather Patrol were trying to clear the skies, push the wild storm clouds away. One was rewarded for their efforts by a crack of lightning smashing into them.

“Bottle?” The scorched pony smashed into the ground, if the direct hit from lightning didn’t kill them the fall did. Fur had been burned away leaving all that remained but a smoking husk. Several ponies looked in surprise at the pony, though it quickly changed into horror as realization kicked in. “Bottle!” The screaming returned around the same time as the call went out. From the skies another pony dropped to the ground as they shook the charred pony. “Bottle, come on bro get up! Get up! We get hit by lightning all the time and we brush it off. Come on man get up! Get up!” Somepony else screamed as the skies came alive, more spears of lightning smashing into the soil and targeting airborne ponies with almost archer like precision. If the lightning didn’t hit the soil the it was only because it his ponies, dropping the scorched bodies of pegasi like pony-sized meteors.

“Everypony out of the sky!” The pegasi obeyed, willingly dropping out the sky and took to the land. They ran and hovered close to the soil, helping whomever they could as this… disaster took over.

“Twilight!” Applejack struggled to get to her friends as she fought against the winds for a winds trying to lift her into the air. “Good you girls are safe.”

“Somehow, what about you? Where’s Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie?”

“Ah saw Pinkie helping the Cakes with the youngins on my way over, as for Fluttershy I was hoping you knew where she was.”

“Fluttershy’s probably still at her cottage.” Rainbow Dash screamed as she dropped by her friends. “I’ll go check on her!”

“We’ll come with you!”

“Nuh uh, no way! Not in this weather.” Dash told them as she covered her face for a moment from the winds kicking up. “Besides you guys got to get Spike and the others to safety.”

“But -”

“Go I’ll be fine, this weather’s nothing!” Rainbow Dash muttered as she took to the air and started to fly. “I’ll be back before you know it!”

“Don’t fly to high! This lightning isn’t normal!” Twilight called out as she watched her friend disappear. “Please be safe.”

“What do we do Twilight?” Spike tightened his grip on his foster sister as he started to slip off her back.

“We get to somewhere safe! Somewhere that this weather won’t be able to reach us.”

“No offense Twilight darling but I don’t think there’s going to be any place like that left at this rate.”

“What about a cellar?” Applejack asked as she held onto her hat. “My family cellar ain’t all that, but It’s big enough to hold at least a couple ponies. It’s where my family is hiding right now.”

“Sounds like an idea.” Twilight muttered as she looked around. “It’s underground too so it should be able to -”

“Incoming!” Hearing Spike scream Twilight looked up as a spear of lightning raced towards her and her friends. Arching across the sky and aiming directly for them like some jagged spear.

***

“Get up princess.” Nightmare Moon called out as Luna stood, wobbling as she returned to her feet. Vapors leaving her horn as she was left in some degree of stress and pain. Although she wasn’t certain if that was from the pain brought by her horn bleeding or her injuries acting up. She guessed it was some combination of both considering her old wounds had opened up again. “Good, are you ok?”

“Do I look ok?” Luna retaliated as she shook her head, fighting the haze that had blacked her out for a moment. “You are me yes? Then you should know how I’m feeling.”

“Just checking little moon.” Her darkness muttered as she turned her attention inward. “Your half of our magic is being stolen.”

“Yes but who - what in Equestria has that sort of power?” Her dark half didn’t respond, instead staying silent as she turned her attention elsewhere.

“I’m afraid that doesn’t matter, it appears you’re needed.” Luna simply nodded her head as she took off, carrying her body across the throne room as she forced herself into a run.

***

It didn’t hurt like she expected it to. In fact there was no pain, there was no burning in her lungs, just blinding light. Blinding light and the sound of lightning smashing into something. Slowly however, as her eyes adjusted to the light she found a shadow over her and her friends.

“Oh my goddess…”

“What?”

Holding the strike of lightning back Celestia stood tall, a barrier of light shining around the edge of her body as it flickered in and out of vision. Still that didn’t stop the Alicorn of days, she grit her teeth, forcing her magic to hold back the lightning spear as she reflected its power in a number of directions; left, right, up, down they were all sending a portion of the lightning in a different area.

“Princess Celestia?”

“Twilight! Rarity! Form your on barriers now!” The solar diarch order and they complied, expanding their magic to reinforce their diarch. The extra strength behind their protective shell lasted, surviving the lightning assault before a second struck their location.

“Are you kidding me?!” A third followed the words, as the trio of spellweavers were pushed back for a moment. The fourth broke the layered shield as the two unicorn’s eyes widened in surprise. The fifth? That one was just barely avoided, punching through the air by Celestia’s skull before smashing into the ground someplace behind her. “P - princess?”

“I’m fine Twilight.” Celestia whispered to her student as she looked back at her. She didn’t look fine; the Princess of Equestria was covered in blood and dirt and grime, and vapors of magic were rising out of her horn. She looked like she had just come out a battle of some sorts. “Are all of you alright?”

“Yes your highness.”

“Mighty grateful your majesty.”

“Good.” Celestia whispered as she looked around, her attention taking on the destruction that was befalling one of her cities and it’s ponies.

“Princess Celestia?” Twilights voice pulled her out of whatever thoughts she was currently having as she looked at her student. Seeing the uncertainty, the fear on her face tore at her heart, but it couldn’t be helped. “Princess, what’s going on, what’s happening to Ponyville?”

“I’m not certain Twilight.” The sun diarch muttered as she returned her attention to the city. She really didn’t know what was going on, but to affect the world on such a scale - to cause this much blatant destruction; This was the work of incredibly powerful magic.

“Do you think it’s that ruffian Discord again?”

“No.” She knew that much. Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony or not, Discord was more of a glorified trickster than anything. He delighted in causing mischief and twisting reality to make it more “interesting”. Wanton destruction like this; no he’d never do this. “This is the work of something else.”

“Who?” Before another word could be said a new tremor ripped through Ponyville, splitting the ground open as a fissure was born, only to be quickly filled as trees grew wild and across the gaps. Winding, twisting branches were born, knocking into one another to fuse together before separating once more.

“Run.” Celestia ordered as the fissure started to reach them. The group however didn’t need to be told twice, they moved, running with the fissure following after them.

***

Canterlot was in an uproar. Hundreds upon hundreds of homes that once touched the sky were now burning ad with them ponies were evacuating their places of residence. Some were reckless; running back into their homes as they made a vain attempt to save some of their prized valuables. Others were trying to avoid the falling debris from crumbling homes. The others still? They were trying to evacuate to the caves of Canterlot Mountain, use the dug up catacombs to try waiting out the freak weather. “Faust…” Luna muttered as she looked at the world from around her. “This is horrible.”

“I agree.” Nightmare Moon muttered as she narrowed her eyes. “Go to our ponies, they need us.” Luna simply looked at her counterpart in surprise for a moment before running off.

***

“What kind of freak weather is this?” Velvet questioned as he felt the wind running against his body as he ran. His pale blue coat felt like it was about to go flying off, and his jacket providing very little protection. His hooves kicked up parts of broken debris as he ran into the city; or at least what remained of it anyway; the buildings either having holes punched through them or toppled over in a haphazard mess. Glass windows were breaking and littering the grounds like one would expect grass. Everything was a mess. Hearing what sounded as a cry the unicorn pulled to a sudden stop as he looked around before running off to one of the buildings. "Anypony here?!" Coming to a stop the colt found a foal turning to him as they tried to pull their parent out from under a bit of rubble that had trapped them.

"My mom, she's stuck!"

"Back up a sec little guy." Jogging up to the mare he looked her over as he sighed in relief. Bit of blood, but she'd be alright. Igniting his horn in an aura of green magic he took hold of the debris as he struggled for a moment. He wasn't the best caster, but he wasn't a slouch either, still this much was a bit out of his league. Forcing his weight under the mess of soaked wood and brick, Velvet backed up his spell with pure physical strength as the debris started to rise up. He couldn't get it that high, but he didn't need to. Lifting it up just enough for the mare to crawl out the colt promptly followed after her and dropped the mess like it was spoiled food. "Fuuu~ I need to work out more." Velvet half-joked/ half admitted as he saw the foal hugging his mother with a light smile. A smile he quickly dismissed. "Alright, you two gotta get out of here. Go to the south gate, you'll catch up with everypony else, heading to the caves ok?"

"Y-yes."

"What about you? You're coming with us right?"

Velvet simply rested a hoof on the foal’s head as he smiled slightly. "Sorry kid, I gotta help make sure everypony's out ." Glancing at the mare he crouched down to be more level with the foal in front of him. "Now can you do me a favor though? Make sure your mom gets out of here safe?"

"Yes sir."

"That a boy." Another nudge to the foal and Velvet returned to is full height. "You only get one of her, so don't lose her now." Running past the pair Velvet took off as he kept scanning the city. Magic augmenting his hearing as he tried picking up the sound of any others still in the city. He may not have been a member of the guard, but he was still working civilian control today. Making certain nopony (alive) was left behind. Him and about twelve others that he'd found himself working beside. Not the biggest workforce, but they'd have to do, this was all that could be spared at the moment, or at the very least were the ones that managed to make it in time. Not soldiers but they definitely weren't resistance either. Gathered some time when all this originally started - whatever this was anyway. The colt didn't know; he'd just been one of the few that picked up an age old torch when the minotaur’s shit started hitting the fan. “Damn it this sucks…” Velvet muttered as he glanced back, seeing another series of lightning strikes cutting through the city. Freezing though the stallion opened his mouth in pure disbelief as he watched a charred pony drop infront of him. “Shit.”

***

Overlooking the destruction from a corporate suite a stallion couldn’t but hum along slightly to the Beethoven’s Fur Elise. A cup of aged wine resting beside him on the table and as he sits in an absurdly comfortable chair. He doesn’t mind the destruction befalling his nation - given the possibility it is his to begin with. Shows no interest in the fires and lightning that plagued the city and it’s inhabitants. Anything his eyes seem to dart around with an analytical gaze and take note of a few insignificant things. The only time he actively stops is when a spark of lightning crosses his vision, and with it Canterlot Castle coming into view.

“Oh this is beautiful.” Without turning around or leaving his seat the stallion addresses his counterpart. A young mare smiling lovngly at the display that was going on around her. With his hoof he picks up his glass of wine and takes a drink. “I never knew that things would progress so fast. The limits of her power is astounding” The cup pauses before touching the table, a fact that doesn’t go unnoticed.

“Indeed.”

“At this rate we’ll be able to finish the old work without much problem.”

“Yes… do you have the data on Princess Luna?”

“Of course I do.” The mare stated as she walked forward to get a better view of the world. “You wanted it after all.” The mare stated as a shadow crawled over to the stallion and revealed a set of papers. He reached for them only to have them taken away from her as she offered a seductive smile. “Nh - uh. Money first.”

“Of course.” The stallion muttered as he reached for his intercom. “Bell?”

“Yes sir?”

“The payment; I’d like you to bring it up.”

“Of course.”

***

The pony screamed as she saw the spear of lightning coming in her direction, only to have it vaporized a moment later as an arc of magic rammed into it from the side. “Are thou alright?” Princess Luna asked as she looked at the pony, her eyes looking the mare over as she got a weak nod. “Can you stand?”

“Y - yes princess.”

“Then rise, this is not the place for you to fall.” She commanded as she offered her a hoof and helped her up. “Good, now head to the mountain. It will protect you from the storm.”

“Y - yes princess!” The mare bowed quickly before running off, leaving Luna alone in the street.

“How are you holding up?” Her darkness asked as she made her reappearance. Looking her light half over before getting a deep sigh as her answer.

“We are holding it together. Though we are not certain for how long.”

“With all this running around your wounds must be killing you, not only that your magic is still leaving you.” The dark alicorn muttered as she watched her counterpart cover herself from a wave of angry winds. “All this… the timing is too close to be coincidence.”

“I agree.” The light half muttered as she broke into a pained run, trying to seek out any others that were in danger. “But who - what is the cause of this? And where is our sister?”

“Expand your senses little moon, feel her through your connection.” The dark mare muttered as Luna obeyed - for once.

“Ponyville? Why is she there?”

“No doubt trying to protect her student.” Nightmare Moon muttered as she frowned for a moment. “Strange though; does her signal seem… weaker than usual?”

“She is losing power just as we are. Damn just what is going on tonight?”

“I’m admittingly curious myself.” The dark half of Luna’s soul stated as the pair continued to move, one dodging lightning as they threatened to impale her. “But I do believe that doesn’t matter right, we need to protect the ponies of our land.”

“To hear you say such words… I admit it feels strange.”

“Why might that be little moon? Thou art I and I am thou, your desires is my own, your wishes are mine. You wish to protect the tribes - so do I.”

“And yet you wish to rule alone.”

“I wish for us to rule, to have our night loved as equally as the day star. We carry not the lesser light, but one of equal beauty and radiance.” The Nightmare stated as Luna dodged another lightning bolt. “Regardless, that matters not right now.”

“Yes we have more important matters to attend to."

5

Princess Celestia sighed to herself as she listened to her gathered council. Each one giving their field reports on the condition of the other towns and cities, or rather what had remained of them anyway. Fourteen days; two entire weeks. That was how long the freak weather phenomenon continued and in it’s time Equestria all but ripped itself apart. Fissures opened up and closed back together, Trees sprang up with unnatural speeds, wrapping around one another in thick and winding branches. New mountains were born and others were all but pulverized into dust. Towns were either splintered or lost as a whole. In the span of two weeks Equestria had become almost unrecognizable from the way it had once been, but Equestria was still Equestria. It was the home to the pony tribes, it was a land they had worked for centuries to build up, and would for more centuries to pass. That said however; the land they once called their own, the land they had become the masters of - that had changed almost beyond recognition.

No longer could they call Equestria a shining nation. How could they when half the nation was either cloaked in woods or halfway ground into dust? Ponies were wondering what this meant, questioning what the destruction of their nation meant for Equestria as a whole. Was this the end of Equestria? Could they rebuild from this kind of devastation? What was the cause of all this? For all three questions, Celestia couldn’t find an answer. She wasn’t sure what this meant, or what had caused this destruction. But she knew one thing, her ponies would make it through this, they would try to rebuild, though she wasn’t sure how long it would take.

Realizing her thoughts were taking her attention away from her council she refocused her attention, looking at the gathered as they spoke for a few more minutes. Hearing enough she dismissed them, letting them take a much needed rest from their individual journeys. In the meantime she decided to take a walk, looking around what had all but become her place of residence since the end of the freak weather. It wasn’t much, just a makeshift village of grass and moss hidden in the now winding trees that had take hold of Ponyville. It wasn’t Ponyville itself, no; Ponyville had all but been overrun by the trees and vines and broken by the quakes. It was not safe for anypony to return to the city; not yet anyway.

As for Canterlot; the capital? It still stood, if barely. A parade of lightning had all but atomized the great city, reducing two-thirds of it to rubble and the last of it to ruins. Worse still, the two week long bombardment had drastically destabilized the hanging city. One wrong move felt like it would send it tumbling off the mountainside and crashing into the plains below. Evacuation had been all but mandatory after they had found out. Naturally the nobles hadn’t been happy but they followed the command that went out. She was surprised that Canterlot’s entire civilization hadn’t split after that; half coming to this new haven, the other remaining in the mountain with all the crystal in the catacombs. Guess they hadn’t gone that deep into the mines and discovered the bounty of gems within them.

As for Luna?

Stepping into what was essentially an oversized hut Celestia turned her gaze toward her younger sister. The mare was resting on a cot of sorts, new bandages wrapping around her as body as she stared off into the distance for a moment, seemingly lost in thought before frowning to herself. Moving Luna to their temporary haven, that had been a bit of an ordeal. Her magic had been drastically expended and her old injuries had opened up - though part of her couldn't help but believe that some of these wounds were fresh from the storm. “Luna I’m back.”

Hearing her elder sister Luna perked up as she lost her frown and smiled. “Ah sister! Is the council meeting over already?”

“Yes, we’re done for the day.”

“Ah good.”

“How are you feeling? Better I hope.”

“Much dear sister. Some actual rest does wonders.” The mare stated as Celestia sighed in relief.

“That’s good to hear.”

“But…” Luna paused for a moment as she looked at her bandaged hooves and her frown returned. “Something… something has changed dear sister, I am certain you have felt it as well.” Celestia didn’t say anything, simply waiting for her sister to continue as she nodded her head. “Whatever happened all those days ago has left us weak… I can feel but a fraction of the magic I once possessed.”

“You are not the only one Luna.” Celestia muttered as she reached for her magic. “Most of our magic it’s feels as though it was ripped from us.”

“Do you believe it is his doing?” Celestia shook her head as she thought to the mad centaur.

“No it can’t be him; he is still sealed within Tartarus remember?”

“Yes… yes you're right.” Luna muttered to herself as she slowly nodded her head. “He is gone, locked behind a cage of obsidian and watched by Cerberus.”

“Tirek.” The pale alicorn whispered the name before shaking her head. He was gone, never to hurt her ponies again, he wouldn’t cause them any trouble and he certainly wouldn’t have been able cause what had happened all those days ago.

“There’s more dear sister.” Luna spoke up as she chased away her sisters’ thoughts about the centaur locked away. “I - I am not healing sister.” Luna whispered to her sister’s shock. “No it is not that I am not healing; rather I am not healing as fast as usual.” Correcting herself the dark alicorn looked at her hooves again before frowning. “Injuries we both have sustained in the past fully healed within hours to mere days.But these wounds I carry…”

“It might be a side effect from our lost magic.” Celestia muttered. ”Our magic was so vast it permeated our bodies; speeding up our natural ability to heal. With most of it gone so must it’s benefits.”

“Ah yes… that makes sense. But who could be strong enough to rip our magic from us?”

“I don’t know Luna, but if such a pony is out there, we have to be careful. We don’t know what else they might be capable of now that they have the power of two alicorn mares.” Luna made a noise as she nodded her head.

“But somepony like that; I doubt we can combat somepony with that kind of power in their hooves.” Luna admitted before crossing her hooves. “Still we have to don’t we; our ponies safety depends on it. The question is how?” Both sisters fell silent, something they seemed to settle into for a while as they searched for their answers. Twilight and her friends? No she doubted they would be able to help them in this endeavor. With the Elements of Harmony or not, there was no telling if they could be able to face such an enemy that could warp the world to such an extent. Not only that Twilight and her friends were not battle ready. Yes they had the potential to fight - all their ponies did - but Celestia would rather not risk the lives of her subjects. They were still… children in a way. Then again to her they really were just children.

Celestia shook her head as she pushed the thought away. Trying to focus on something else, another way to solve their problems and make it through their ordeals. ‘I wish Starswirl was here. He’d have some ideas.’ She wasn’t that lucky though was she? Starswirl was gone, all she had were his notes and everything else he had left behind. I wonder if that mirror is still safe.’ Celestia thought as an off thought. The mirrors to other worlds - to other realities. Starswirl hadn’t just made one, he’d revealed to her long ago that he had to create a number of prototypes before he found one safe enough to operate. The most finalized one; that should still be in the archive; the one that her last student had walked into.

Another off thought came to Celestia as she frowned for a moment. Despite their many adventures across the veil of reality, she never did come to understand Starswirl’s apparent fixation with the other dimensions. After her old master had introduced her to the art she found his interest in them nearly bordered of obsession. The spells he created; the kind that connected two separate realities, the kind that could only be cast across their borders of reality. Why did he make so many spells pertaining to it when they had been the only two that would travel through them? ‘Perhaps we weren’t the only one’s he meant to have cross the boundary?’ If so then what was his real reason for sealing most of the portals? Was it just because Celestia had stepped through the portal one to many times? Or was their some other reason? ‘Perhaps he realized it was an endeavor that wouldn’t benefit us in the long run.’ The mare rationalized before thinking further on the subject. Her thoughts trailing off to the spells he had built for such an endeavor. Listing off his successes and theories by heart, before stopping at one in particular. “I wonder…”

“Hm what was that sister?”

“Oh nothing… I was just thinking back to a spell Starswirl made.” The elder alicorn muttered as she returned her attention to Luna. “It’s a summoning spell he developed after a while.”

“Summoning? You mean to bring forth a familiar and bind it to your will?” Luna tilted her head and drifted off for a moment. “I remember those brand of spells were common during a young Equestria. I hadn’t been aware he had been working on a new variation.”

“Yes well, Starswirl had been dabbling in quite a few subjects when he was still with us. This spell in particular wasn’t meant to summon stronger familiars, but rather summon another being from across the dimensions.”

“… what?”

“Right, you weren’t aware back then; Starswirl had been diving into rather interesting possibilities with magic; crossing the unseen veil of reality was one of them. I’ve~ seen his work on the subject an I admit it’s rather impressive.”

“He found a way… to cross the veil?”

“Yes and the spell I’m thinking about. It was one of Starswirl’s more adventurous spells though it still held many roots in Summoning Familiar magic; only it involved not summoning familiars or imps but actual ponies from beyond. Though I admit he never perfected it. He designed it so instead of going across the veil to find and speak with an individual, it was supposed to bring them to ours.”

“Why would he design such a spell? Bringing a familiar into our plane of existence is difficult enough for all but the strongest of unicorn wizards - not to mention potentially dangerous if the binding isn’t done properly, to bring another more alien existence to our own reality… that sounds incredibly dangerous.”

“I believe he began development of the spell before he found out the dangers.” Celestia admitted before frowning. “Regardless he never perfected it, and personally I’m not certain why I’m thinking about it.”

“Perhaps you believe the summoning can help us. Bring in an outside force to face the trials that need to be faced. Fight the enemy that needs to be defeated.”

“Maybe, but as I said he never perfected it, it can’t be used.”

“So you believe.” Luna muttered as she started to think. “It may have become one of his more private projects, the kind that he completed before leaving us.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time.” Celestia admitted as she released an uncharacteristic shrug.

“If that is the case, shall we risk it? Or at least try using it?” Luna stated simply as she looked to her sister. “If we can scrounge up the mana necessary, if we can perfect the spell, perhaps we can bring outside help to our side.”

“I’m not certain that’s a safe idea.” Celestia muttered as she started thinking back to one of her last conversations with Starswirl, she remembered him sealing up the portal, him mentioning the dangers of continuous travel connecting two worlds. How the longer they stayed in one world that wasn’t their own the deeper they began to connect together. Starswirll called it the Paradox Factor, something that kicked in because only one of everything was meant to exist in their respective dimensions. When two were brought together things tended to get… odd. Sometimes; Discord-like odd.

“Sister, what is it you aren’t telling me?” Luna asked with a bit of skepticism that caused her sister to sigh in defeat, but she answered anyway. Told her sister about her and Starswirl’s adventures across reality. Told her about the Paradox Factor, told her about him. When she got to her old love she saw realization cross her sister’s face - like she just solved some ancient puzzle. In a way she did; she finally understood the loss of the Crystal Empire. She understood why she hesitated that day. Still pausing as she did; Celestia waited for something, anything from her sister as she spoke her truth. The same rage and anger that Starswirl had displayed, some form of indifference or taunting. What she received was a look of pity, and a hug from the bed-bound mare.

“You poor thing, sister. I am so sorry.”

“You aren’t mad?”

“Mad no, but I do understand now. I understand your desire to be loved as a mare and not as an icon, I understand your heart yearned for Sombra and likely still does. Had I met a stallion that loved me the way he loved you I would have done the same as you had.” Luna whispered as she pulled back for a moment. “But I also understand Starswirl’s reason, the potential of endangering two kingdoms instead of just one...and why he could not allow you to stay with your love.” She paused for a moment. “But at the same time I believe he could have found another way.” She stated to her sister’s confusion. “Starswirl was a genius caster sister, he created a way to visit foreign worlds just as you said. So surely he could have found a way to deal with the “Paradox Factor” you speak of. He could have found a way for you to be happy and protect the two worlds instead of keeping them apart.” The night princess stayed silent for a moment before frowning. “I believe we should use the spell.”

“Luna.”

“We will deal with this Paradox Factor as it comes, we will take responsibility for whatever happens to our world… we will not run from it.” Luna declared as she took a breathe. “Besides… with our loss of power, I believe we will need the extra help.”

“You have a point, but Twilight and her friends -”

“Are not ready to face a being that can cause such wanton destruction. Whomever we are dealing with, they are outside the girl’s jurisdiction. We need a real warrior to help us.” She crossed her hooves again. “I would recommend the guard but~”

“Yes they are still shadows of the warriors we once had.” Celestia muttered before sighing. “We need someone that would be ready to fight whatever is coming.” The pale alicorn stayed silent for a moment before shaking her head. “We’re going to do this aren’t we?”

“It appears so sister.”

“I’ll go through Starswirl’s notes, and start preparing the spell. You should continue to rest until your injuries fully heal.”

“Yes yes we know sister, now off with you.” The Night Princess commanded as she waved her hoof. “Speak with your student, she is likely worried about you.”

“You don’t want me to stay a bit longer.” We believe some more rest will do us good.” Luna stated as she stretched slightly. We will join you after a quick nap.”

“Alright.” Celestia stated as she stood again, this time planting a kiss on her younger sister’s cheek before she started off. “Have a good rest Luna, I’ll see you later.” Luna just waved her elder sister off, waiting for her elder sister to wander off before sighing to herself.

“Well isn’t this curious?” Nightmare Moon made her appearance as she sat at the edge of the bed, a light in her eyes that Luna wasn’t all that sure she was comfortable with. “A warrior from another world. That’s not something we get everyday.”

“Yes well; I believe this will require such a being.”

“I as well.” Nightmare Moon made a show of looking at her hooves before frowning. “Still are we certain this is a good idea?”

“We never said that.” Luna sighed as she leaned back in the bed. “If this Paradox Factor does start to surface I have no idea how to deal with it as of yet.”

“Ah we are “grasping at straws” are we?”

“I believe so.” Luna muttered as she frowned for a moment. “But to do something like this, we will need quite a bit of magic, possibly more than me and my sister can offer at the moment.”

“Then do not do this alone.” Her darkness stated with a shrug. “There are no longer two alicorns are there - there are three and then we have the Element Bearers. Perhaps together enough power will be needed to pull a champion from across the veil.”

“You are not offering your power for this ordeal?”

“At the moment… no. Drawing upon my power for this ordeal would reveal me to our sister. I’d rather stay hidden from her eyes for now.”

“Really, then what makes you believe I will not simply reveal you to our sister myself?”

“Because you haven’t - or rather you can’t. You have kept my existence a secret from Celestia because you don’t want her to look at you differently. You don’t want her to question if “Luna” is still in control or if “Nightmare Moon” is returning. You don’t want to lose her faith and trust again.” Nightmare Moon stated with a smile. “You can’t tell her without putting your sister at a tail’s length and you know this.” Luna didn’t say anything as she leered at her dark half, though Nightmare Moon ignored it. “Regardless be ready. You will need all the strength you have in order to use this coming spell. Be ready, little moon.”

6

Earth

Manhattan; Subway

He’d be at this all day. The teen thought as he found himself stepping through yet another subway station. He grunted in disgust as his boots hit puddles of sludge, leftovers from either people not tossing their garbage in the cans provided down here or from the heavy rain that had stirred up not to long ago. Either case though it felt disgusting. Saving grace however; boots were waterproof. So murk wasn’t getting to his socks, let alone his feet. They touched his feet he was going to need another fucking bath. Not that he wasn’t going to need another bath after this anyway. Was already feeling dirty down here, and he hadn’t even gotten his clothes messed up yet.

Best not jinx it though.

Getting to the subway station had been rather easy, all it took was finding a station, and thankfully there were plenty around for him to access. All that took afterwards was to slip through the gates and walk out onto the tracks. He just hoped the trains were still out, otherwise he’s be pulling an Indiana Jones, only instead of a boulder chasing his ass it’ll be a 85,200 lb subway train clocking out at 55 mph. He could thank Wikipedia for that knowledge; as well as an essay on trains thanks to his old teacher.

Wonder if he made it out ok though… The teen thought before taking a breath, shaking his head and pressed on. If he was lucky his old teachers were still alive as were a few of his friends. If they wasn’t…

“Don’t think like that.” He muttered as he clenched his fists for a moment. “They should all still be alive. You saw them get away. You saw that they were alright.” He reminded himself as he closed his eyes for a moment and took a calming breath. Something scuttered beyond his senses as he opened his eyes turning his head as he reached for his weapon, stopping only when he realized that it was just a few rats moving about. “Fucking rats. For a moment I thought…” The teen shook his head as he pressed on, this time breaking into a jog as he headed down the tunnels. Wasn’t sure how long he moved. Could have been half an hour could have been a couple, but he still moved. Making his way across the tracks and through more dens of rats and mice. Thankfully they were the only things down here today. Above ground though?

Above ground wasn’t so lucky.

Reaching another station the teen came to a quick pause as he looked at where he was. Finally made it. Took twelve stops but he made it, and no Indiana reenactments either so that was a plus.

Now came the hard part…

Bringing himself outside the subway the teen signed to himself as he took in this part of Manhattan.

Didn’t matter where he went, Manhattan was a wreck. A glorified gravesite of buildings that either towered overhead or were smashed into the ground. Streets were broken, and cars were rammed into one another. Moss and some type of twisted black tar covered just everything; worse part was that the tar seemed alive, breathing and twitching every now and then. And the sky? The sky was etched in dark clouds for days now and it was maybe through luck the rain had not returned. Not that he cared at the moment though, he made his way through the streets dodging the black ooze and climbing over cars and trucks. Getting on top of a bus gave him a good view of his city, but it was still a sight of a fallen city.

“Still I doubt that any city won’t look like this now.” He thought before jumping off the bus and moved on.

“N ialbb m aeghmb maejv pi.” Stopping he looked at one of the buildings as something stepped out. Some freak of nature covered in horns and blackened, molted skin. It was quickly followed by another, as well as a third before they all looked around.

“Mi de n fgehrlg.”

“Ljepvr oep he mgl mbmoi ialbbnjv aeghmbi, nh’i bnclbo tpih oepg rpjvlg.” The third muttered as it looked back at it’s companions. From his hiding spot the teen listened as they had a back and forth, though he couldn’t make heads or tails of whatever the hell it was they were saying. Not certain that he wanted to either way. “Hmal oepg rpjvlg, I nbb zlld oep ieej ao fgehrlgi.” For his part the teen did nothing, simply reaching for his weapon as he slowly moved.

Could he take em? That was a good question. He could always turn and try another street if he was lucky, but as of right now? Too close. One of the monsters stepped over the car he was hiding behind as he held his breath. “… Jehrnjv ni rlgl, seal blh pi glhpgj he hrl dlj, zeed nbb bnclbo fl mmnhnjv pi.”

The others said something before they stormed off, both wandering after their apparent leader before disappearing through down one of the streets. As for the human, he took a breath, slowly getting to his feet as he moved.

Far to close that time. How many patrols did that make now? Seven? Eight? And to think those weren’t the only things he was dodging up here. He pushed that fact away and shook his head, reaching his destination. One of the residential districts, most of it was trashed but it was still standing, thankfully. Now he just needed to find the right building.

“Should be somewhere over here… here!” The teen muttered as he looked at one of the buildings and approached. Static greeted him, which in itself made his hair stand on end for a moment, but it was nothing a quick brushing down couldn’t have helped with. He knocked a few times, before pushing it open and stepped inside. “Hello? Anybody here?”

“Who’s there?” Hearing a voice actually greet him the teen raised his hands as he found a shotgun pointed at him from across the hall. Before him was an older woman, though if he had to guess she wasn’t that much older than him. Hazel eyes and ebon hair.

“Easy, easy? I’m not your enemy.” He told her as he slowly approached.

“Don’t move!” He obeyed. She stepped forward her weapon ready as she looked him over. For a moment her eyes changed; once, twice before turning to normal and she relaxed. “You’re not one of the shifters.”

“Thankfully.”

“And yet you made it through my barrier… who are you, what house do you hail from?” The teen simply took a breath as he lowered his arms, seeing as the older woman wasn’t going to put a hole in his chest as she started to lower her weapon.

“My name is Noah Astray Bellerosé; seventh son of Damian - husband of Vanessa. Eighth and youngest heir of the Bellerosé family bloodline. I seek the assistance of the House of Altera.” Hearing his introduction the woman completely lowered her weapon before nodding. She raised a hand to her breast as she took a quick inhale.

“I am Lucretia Liam Altera; third daughter of Michael - husband of Rosaria. Second eldest heir to the Altera family bloodline.” Noah bowed.

“Tis’ an honor.”

***

Their had always been two parts to the Earth; that which everyone saw in the light, and that which was hidden in the darkness. What was myth and fable in the light was real and true in the dark. Monsters, demons and goblins, they all existed in the shadows. It was a shame then, that what was hidden in the dark was now crossing over into the world of light.

“I’m sorry if it’s a bit bland, we don’t have much sugar left I’m afraid.” Lucretia stated as she poured two cups of tea.

“It’s find, bland is better than nothing, right?” Noah stated as he started to drink and relax for a moment. Noah wasn’t the most attractive of young men his age, though he wasn’t unpleasant to look upon either. Puberty had obviously been kind to him. His jacket was ripped and scratched up, and his pants had dirty knee-pads but still he found a way to look relatively decent. Her attention shifted to his weapon of choice, the one he had set aside for a moment. A European styled sword with a length between a longsword and a greatsword - a bastard sword if she recalled correctly. The other was still in it’s holster. A pistol that she couldn’t fully make out. “Thank you.” He said out of nowhere as she just returned to her own drink.

“You’re welcome.” She admitted as she took a moment. “I must say I am surprised though, I had not expected to cross the Bellerosé, let alone find one outside my doorstep. It is good to see that your family is still around.”

“Likewise, I hadn’t heard of what might have happened to the Altera, I was beginning to worry.”

“As you can see, we are still alive, though for how much longer, that’s the question.” Lucretia stated as she took a drink. “Regardless what brings you to our home Bellerosé, do you seek haven for the coming night?” Noah shook his head as he lowered his cup.

“As lovely as that would be, right now all I can ask for is your assistance.”

“In?”

“I need to contact the Order, do you have an Echolite I can borrow?”

“The Order?” That seemed to catch Lucretia off guard for moment as she leaned forward. “Are you certain you want to contact them?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Then I’ll lend you my Echolite.”

“Just like that?” Lucretia simply giggled as she looked at the teen. “I was expecting I would need to try convincing you or something.”

“The day may still be young, but dark times are still wrapping around us. Do you have the time to try convincing me to let you speak with them?” Noah stayed silent for a moment before nodding his head.

“I guess you have a point. In this situation neither of us have time to try beating around the bush.” The teen smiled for a moment as he lowered his cup. “Thanks again. As soon as I’m done with my call, I’ll be out of your hair.”

***

The Order; The Kingsmen, Knights of the Round Table. Had a thousand other names in the past but those were the most common. Noah had never bothered contacting them in his life before, never needed to, but times were different now. And hopefully enough time had passed to…

“Here you go. You know how to work this right?’ Lucretia asked as she handed the Echolite to Noah and watched him roll it between his palm for a moment. Bigger than the clump he was used to back home. Theirs was about the size of an chicken’s egg, this thing? Might as well of been a snowglobe.

“How the hell did you get one this big?”

“I’m not quite certain myself, but it’s been in my family for some generations now.” The young woman admitted before stepping back. “Whenever your ready.” Noah nodded his head and closed his eyes for a moment, focusing for a moment as the globe sized stone started to glow with an almost phantom blue coloration. He bounced it once, twice before tossing it forward.

The globe never hit the floor, simply floating in the air as the glow around it stretched for a moment, glowing into a horizontal line that touches both the ceiling and the floor at the same time.The globe pulsed a few times, vapors of magic spilling out of it before it enveloped the room and bathed the two in it’s light. They both blinked a few times watching as thirteen “ghosts” came into appearance.

“… and Geraint?”

“We haven’t heard… hm? Who’s there?”

“Hey, sorry I interrupting something?” Noah said as he reached his hand in his pocket. “I have the worst timing sometimes.”

“How did you find out this echo frequency?”

“My grandfather taught it to me when I was young, said that I might come in handy one day.” Noah did a mock bow as he introduced himself once more. “My name is Noah Astray Bellerosé; seventh son of Damian - husband of Vanessa. Eighth and youngest heir of the Bellerosé family bloodline.” Lucretia did a curtsy, something that admittingly looked a little odd considering she wasn’t in anything remotely like a dress.

“I am Lucretia Liam Altera; third daughter of Michael - husband of to Rosaria. Second eldest heir to the Altera family bloodline.”

“…! Altera? Bellerosé?”

“What are you two doing contacting us?!” One of the ghosts called out as they all but growled. “Leave the circle right now!”

“I’ll break it after we’ve exchanged words knight.” The teen muttered as he looked around for a moment, trying to figure something out before frowning. ‘This would be so much easier if we could see their faces.’ “Which of you made the circle?”

“That would be me.” One of the ghost’s stated as they stepped forward. Female, definitely female. “I am the Knight Lancelot.”

“A pleasure, and I apologize, I represent none of the Knights among us. So my name will have to do.”

“As will mine.” Lucretia muttered as she tried gauging the female ghost - the echo before her.

“I understand. Tell us what caused you to join the circle Bellerosé? Altera?”

“I wanted to talk.” Noah admitted. “As you know the world is all but falling apart at the seams, and that which we have forced into the darkness is starting to claw back to the surface.”

“Oh we’re aware of that, Ausgestoßener, how could we not? This is not a quarantined event.”

“Easy Sir Kay.”

“What was that?” Noah turned to the male echo and frowned for a moment. “Seriously what was that? I don’t speak Sweden.”

“Actually that was German.” Lucretia chimed in before coughing into her fist.

“Oh…well I don’t speak German either.” He muttered before turning back to Lancelot. “Regardless, I wanted to speak with you on the possibility of an alliance; one between the Order and the Tapestry.”

“Allying with the Tapestry?”

“Do you think we’re crazy?”

“Why in the hell would you even recommend such a thing?”

“Enough.” Lancelot silenced the echoes as she turned to the members of the circle. “You speak on behalf of the Tapestry, then I trust your words are their own?”

“I’m neutral in this ordeal, but yes I carry their words. Will you listen to them?” He was greeted with a series of denials but again Lancelot silenced them with her hand.

“Speak your piece.”

“I ask this alliance because we all have a common enemy and goal in mind; survival of humanity. I can’t think of a better analogy here but; Hell is knocking at our doorstep, it’s walking in the streets. The Tapestry sees this and wishes to put an end to hostilities in light of this crisis and honestly I agree with them.” Noah admitted. “We can’t help anyone if you’re focusing on your own shadow war. We want to protect the people, we need to stand united.”

“We can handle things on our own, Ausgestoßener, we don’t need the Tapestry’s help in doing that.”

“Agreed.”

“I disagree.” Lancelot stated as she turned to Kay and the others. “We have a crisis on our hands, one that is spreading far to fast for us to deal with on our own. We face not one enemy but five. We need all the help we can get during this kind ordeal.”

“Thank the Mother Goddess one of you see’s reason.” Noah muttered as he crossed his arms. “Your right too; none of us can do this alone. Hell, what remains of the nations are starting to gather as well, that’s just how fucking bad our situation is.”

“No truer words could be said.” One of the other Knights admitted as he shook his head. “I have connections in the American Government; they told me the president is trying to get in touch with the Council of Nations to organize a counterattack.”

“As is the Monarchy.” Lancelot stated. “Gawain, please try and contact the other Knight families. We need to bring this up to all the others.”

“As you wish Sir Lancelot.”

“You can’t be serious.” Kay growled as his echo stepped forward. “You seriously want us to consider an alliance with the Tapestry?”

“The entire world is at danger Sir Kay. If we are to survive this we will need allies. If the nations of the world can try putting aside their differences to protect our species we can do the same.”

“I can’t believe you…”

“As soon as the Tapestry has it’s chance they’ll no doubt turn on us, you know this.”

“You can not be to sure about that. This might just be what is needed in order to -”

“My ass!” One of the Echos growled. “If you believe we can trust those monsters then that’s on you, I want nothing to do with it.” The Knight’s Echo disappeared a moment later. He wasn’t the only one, one after the next the Knight’s disappeared, leaving only Gawain and Lancelot remaining.

“They always like this?”

“Not always.” Lancelot muttered as she raised an arm to her temples. “Usually the circle is more calm, but with how things are going lately…”

“I understand.” Lucretia chipped in. “Tensions are running high all over the place, it was bound to spill out sooner or later. We were just the outlet they needed.”

“I’m afraid so, and I apologize for any disrespect they may have caused.” Lancelot bowed before rising again. “Altera, Bellerosé; I ask for some time, when the remaining knights gather I will try to make them see reason. As you said; hell is knocking at our doorstep, if we can not be united for such an event, then we will never be.”

“Take all the time you need, Sir Lancelot. Gawain.”

“Be safe you two.”

The last two echoes disappeared as the Echolite dropped to the ground, bouncing a few times before falling still. Noah just sighed as he retrieved the stone, running his free hand through his hair as he looked at his companion. “Why is it that your half of the species is the one that’s the most understanding?”

“You obviously don’t watch Reality TV do you?” Taking the globe-sized piece of Echolite Lucretia made to put it away as she shook her head.

“No I really don’t.” Noah admitted before reaching for his sword. “Either way my message was at least sent, all I can do now is just hope they at least try to get an alliance going... we’ll need it.” The teen muttered as he set the weapon on his back. “Either way as promised I’ll get out of your hair now. Thank you for your hospitality.”

“My hospitality doesn’t have to end just yet.” Lucretia stated as she walked back over to the teen. “This is a safe place, and as I said before; if you desire it we can accommodate you with a bed for the night, perhaps even a bath.”

“I’d hate to impose.”

“You wouldn’t be imposing anything.” The young woman stated. “Though this is not the true Altera home, our doors are forever open to those that can bypass the barrier - so long as they do not stir up trouble.”

“I don’t plan to cause trouble.”

“Then my home is yours. Anything within its walls are yours.”

7

Felt like forever since he rested his head on an actual bed. So long in fact he actually didn’t want to leave it. Didn’t mean he wasn’t going to though. Sitting up Noah grunted as he stretched. Pulling himself from the bed he scratched his head and looked around. Remembering where he was and what he had done the day before. The message he had delivered and being invited to stay the night by Lucretia. ‘All that’s left to do is hope Lancelot can convince the other knights to see things the way she does.’ Picking himself up Noah started getting dressed. His pants were already on thankfully - he’d chosen to sleep in them the night before. All that was missing was his shirt and his jacket. Shirt was easy to find, jacket… that was another story. “Could have sworn that I left it on this chair, and where the hell are my boots?” The teen questioned as he looked around, his attention shifting from one place to the next. “Seriously I know they were in here somewhere…” He looked for a few more minutes before giving up, leaving the room Lucretia had given him for the night and started down the hall.

“Good morning.” Lucretia called out from the kitchen as she looked to see the teen walking into the room.

“Morning.”

“Looking for something?”

“My jacket and boots. Seems like I misplaced them.”

“You didn’t misplace them, I took them.” Lucretia stated as she drew the teens eyes. “They were dirty so I decided to clean them for you while you slept. I would have done your pants as well but you were still wearing them.”

“Oh… oh.” Noah scratched his head as he gave a sheepish grin. “Thanks I guess. So where~”

“Your jacket is resting on the counter, as for your boots; you’ll find them near the door.”

“Thanks.” Finding his jacket Noah looked it over for a moment before putting it on. Lucretia had done some sewing it seemed, couldn’t even find the tears it once had. As for his boots, he couldn’t make out a lick of grime on them.

“Would you like to stay for breakfast before you head out?”

“A bed, cleaning my clothes and now breakfast? If I didn’t no any better I’d think you were trying to get me to stay.” Noah remarked as he finished tying his boots up.

“Perhaps I am.” The young woman remarked as she set two plates on the table as Noah joined her. Now that he looked at it, the table had four seats. “I haven’t had company in a few days after all.”

“The rest of your family isn’t here?” Lucretia shook her head.

“My two sisters went out searching for supplies. As for my mother; she’s made a habit of staying out monster slaying. I was chosen to hold down the home front.” She noted as she looked towards her family shotgun.

“Really?” She nodded her head. “How long ago was that?”

“Four days now, although when mother goes out she usually stays out for at least a week slaying, as for my sisters… I worry for them.” Lucretia admitted. “They should be back by now. I understand it’s difficult to move around because of what lies outside, but four whole days…” The two ate in silence as Noah made a noise after a while.

“This is good.”

“I try.”

“If you want… I can go looking for them.” Noah muttered as he caught her attention.

“You don’t have to.”

“Consider it a thank you for the shelter and food.” Noah stated as he finished his plate and picked himself up. Grabbing his backpack and sword he set them in place. “Got a photo I can borrow?”

***

Back to the streets, back into a wrecked city. Noah didn’t fully care. Been spending enough time out here as it was. Returning to it after a night at a safe haven; that wasn’t that much of a surprise. “Strong family resemblance.” Noah thought as he looked at the photo of Lucretia and her sisters; one older, one younger. “Didn’t know any better I’d say they were triplets.” He set the photo away for a moment before closing his eyes, focusing he expanded his sense for a moment as he breathed. Raising his hand he held it out and letting the air around him twist and warp as he reached for something ethereal. Only when something reached back did he stop, opening his eyes as he found a ghost before him.

“You have called upon us.”

“I have.”

“Why?”

“I require your power to find somebody. Rather I need to find two.” Noah admitted as he retrieved the photo once more and showed it to the spirit.

“The Altera.”

“Two of the sisters have been missing for a couple days now. I want to find them.” The spirit didn’t say anything just shifting it’s form as it took the appearance of a phantom bird before flying off. Noah was right behind it, jogging after the phantom creature as it led him on. “I just hope they’re still out there in one piece.” That and he hoped he would make it out of this in one piece. So long as he didn’t run into any trouble he’d be fine.

Hearing something crash into the street across from him Noah groaned slightly as he came to a stop. Had to jinx it didn’t he? Noah questioned as he took a few steps back, focusing his gaze on the titan sized thing that was now picking itself up off the ground. “Ah, fuck you’re a big one…” The titan paid him little mind though instead turning its head backwards and growled. From behind it all Noah spotted were parts of silvery-white wings. The titan roared, forcing Noah to cover his ears as glass started to snap and shatter. Wasn’t sure what was trying to implode his brain first, the screaming or that putrid song that decided sing in his head.

Either case he knew one thing; those two were planning on duking it out, and he didn’t want to be around when Round 2 started. He ran, ran as fast as his legs could carry him away from the scene as he could as he heard things starting to break behind him as the two titans started to fight it out.

“Damn it why on earth did my generation have to be the one getting stuck with the fucking apocalypse? Why couldn’t it have been gran-dads or my grandkids?”

“Cause they got their own schedule to follow, and apparently our time just aligns perfectly.”

Hearing the voice in his head Noah couldn’t help sighing in relief. “Vivian.”

“Yeah, it’s me little brother. It’s good to hear you in my head again.”

“Same, where are you?”

“Queens, you close?

“Not even remotely.” Noah grumbled as he stared at his his guide for a moment, stopping only when his attention shifted to what was in front of him; three monsters, three demons. “I’m in the middle of Manhattan pulling a favor.” The three noticed him, and roared, charging as Noah muttered to himself.

“Noah… please tell me that wasn’t what I thought it sounded like.”

“Ok I won’t.” The first demon swung a type of sword that had been all but fused to its arm, Noah simply drew his sword and knocked it away before moving around to the second. It used it’s claws and he ducked underneath it. He rose, smashing it in the face with the butt of his sword before bring the weapon back and stabbed the other in the chest. To soft of a hit, barely punched through skin. Didn't matter though. Noah turned, twisting around as he rammed his elbow into one of the demon’s face before bringing his blade back he clashed it against another before ducking under a set of claws. He dropped to the floor and rolled, avoiding a stab in the face before stopping.

“Noah!”

“Busy!” Raising his leg he shot his foot out, kneeing a demon in the groin before raising his blade. Letting the falling demon impale itself on his weapon before releasing it. Weight and angle let the weapon dig into the ground, while still providing him enough room to maneuver and return to his feet. The third demon made themselves known, jumping at him with claws ready as he twitched one of his fingers. A phantom hand made of black caught the outstretched claw as he countered, decking the third in the throat. It gasped for breath and he circled around it, using it as a living shield that the other tore into to get at him. In the meantime; he snapped its neck before backing up, vaulting over a nearby car to put some distance between him and the last one only to find it ripping through the vehicle to get at him. He dodged the first hit, weaved out the way of the second, blocked the third with his arm and tackled it. Heavy as it was he still found the strength to push it back a few inches before he summoned another phantom hand that grabbed it’s leg and pulled, knocking the thing off balance and sending him overhead.

Letting go he rolled to his feet before making for his sword. The demon wasn’t going to let that happen though, latching onto the youths leg and sending him face first into the floor this time, it got to it’s feet, crawling on top of the teen and raised one of it’s claws. Noah countered with that same black hand, catching the downward thrust and held it’s wrist. His left arm changed slightly; the knuckle enlarging as he rammed his fist into the demon’s elbow. It screamed as it’s arm broke prying itself off the teen only for him to raise his leg and nutshot it like it’s companion. It went down and he forced his body up, wrapping his legs it’s chest and used his shadow hand to bring its other arm to him. A well placed armbar broke it’s other arm, and the scream grew louder while he let it go. Both arms useless he got to his feet, letting the the thing wander around before charging it. Both knees met it’s back as it stumbled forward before he grabbed it by its throat and pulled it back in an arch. Raising it up only to bring it back down, he smashed the back of it’s neck into his knee before taking a breath.

“Ok… I’m back.” Noah muttered as he got to his feet and retrieved his sword.

“Noah are you alright?”

“Yeah sis I’m fine, nothing I couldn’t handle.” He muttered before wiping the blood off his weapon. Returning it to his sheathe he looked at his hand and watched the knuckle return to average size. “What about you? You alright?”

“I’m not the one that just got in a fight.”

“Well that makes one of us.” He muttered as he looked around for his spirit guide. Finding it resting on a tree he ran after it, and like that it took off again. “What are you doing in Queens anyway?”

“I was visiting some friends when all of this happened. I’ve been staying with them ever since.”

“Any word from mom and dad yet?”

“I wish. I haven’t even been able to contact our brothers. I’ve tried the phones but the communication networks still dead.”

Noah just made a noise as he vaulted over a car. “Weren’t they trying to fix that months ago?”

“Trying yes, succeeding however that’s another story. If we had come out of hiding earlier and introduced Echolite to the world…”

“No point dwelling on could haves and should haves. Besides you know why the families stayed hidden in the first place just as well as I do.”

“Yeah I know… but still if had made effort of melding wor ith one we’d at least be able to .”

“Vivian? Vivian? Can you hear me? Sis?”

“No h? Ah?”

Noah actually flinched when some type of static ripped through his brain. And he held his head. “Ow!” Grunting Noah took a moment as he tried clearing his head for a moment. “What the… interference?” He pounded his head a few times as he tried clearing it. “That’s never happened before.” Turning his attention in a seemingly random direction Noah bit his lips and started to move, only to stop and look back in the direction he was originally going. “Focus Noah… you got something to do, and from the sound of it sis was fine before the line went dead. She’s fine.” He repeated that last part a few times before running off. “Sis is going to be fine…”

***

“I’m not going to be fine…” The teen muttered as he looked ahead, his attention slowly shifting to his spirit guide as he gave it a look. “Please tell me your joking with me.”

“We can not joke.”

“You’re telling me that the Altera sisters are in there…?”

“Indeed.”

“Fuck.” Noah grunted as he rubbed his head. “This is just what I need.” He told himself before looking back ahead, his eyes resting on what had once been the Metropolitan Museum. He said “what had once been” because as of now the building was warped, covered in some kind of demonic growth. Wasn’t even sure you could call it a building anymore. “I have to go into a fucking demon’s den to find the sisters.” He muttered as he looked at the picture one more time and grunted. “Sometimes I hate my luck you know that.” The avian disappeared into vapors as Noah stepped forward, grabbing his sword as he inhaled. For a brief moment his eyes changed, flashing scarlet before returning to normal. “Hopefully that’ll be enough.” If not he could always do some more later. That in mind though he forced the front door open. “What I’d give for a fucking save point right about now.”

To bad life wasn’t a video game.

Stepping inside the den he raised a hand to his mouth. Dead bodies were scattered here and there, chunks of discarded flesh and bone were stretched out and covering warped ground. Glass was broken and cases were smashed in. Looked like these people either died here or were dragged into the building and passed around for lunch. Noah resisted the urge to puke, choking the bile down as it started to rise. Seen stuff like this for months now, still wasn’t used to it yet. Still wasn’t used to the mess that got left behind.

‘Deep breaths… remember the breathing exercises that mom taught you…’ He breathed a few more times, inhaling the scent of rotting flesh before forcing himself to adjust. Soon as he was done did he step forward again, moving over the piles as he looked around. A den this size must have housed at least a few hundred daemons at a time. Question was where the hell were they? Upper floor? Out gathering more people? Wasn’t sure, didn’t matter in the end either. He wasn’t here to play demon slayer, he was here to pick up two girls. ‘Should be asking where they are.’ Pausing he looked to the side, where one of the other rooms were and stepped over. A bit of disbelief on his face as he found an overturned bus parked into the building. ‘How the hell did they pull that off?’ He looked back, his attention focused on the far wall to find nothing but moss and grime covering it.

Stepping over to the bus he jumped, climbing on top of it before looking inside. Empty; should have guessed. He shrugged scratching his head before jumping off. He made for another room, muttering something under his breath before pressing on. “Seriously where is everybody? “He questioned before heading upstairs.

“There’s no one here.” The teen muttered as he checked the second floor. The faint echoes of chanting reaching his ears as he frowned. “I’ve played way to many video games to know this doesn’t bode well.” Noah tightened his grip on his sword before remembering his breathing exercises. No daemons, no humans - least none that were alive anyway.

Third floor. Well he found everyone. Demons were pretty much everywhere and there were a crowd of people resting at the center. Some were crying, some were silent, but all of them were scared out of their minds and holding onto one another. They didn’t have the slightest clue what was going on, but he had an idea. “You know… despite how cliché it seems, I was not expecting demons to be into mass sacrifice.” His voice reached farther than he expected, causing a few of the demons to turn their heads as they took sight of the one that invaded their den. “I thought that was something only we humans did.” He muttered as he held his sword at the ready and summoned his phantom arm, wrapping it around his own right arm and stepped forward. “Well either case here we go… and like Ryan Reynolds senpai once said, maximum effort.”

“Mjehrlg imsgnznsl zeg hrl wgnjsli!” Several of the horde charged, rushing forward as they went after the teen. Noah thrust his phantom hand out watching as the limb stretched and grabbed a daemon by the leg before pulling, knocking them off balance. He stepped on it’s head a moment later, jumping into the crowd as he swung his sword. Metal met hides and claws tempered by hell’s fire, but that didn’t stop him in the slightest. He swung his blade upright before turning deflecting one blow before striking another. He twisted to avoid being hit before ducking, swinging his blade at the knees and dropped a few. He raised his free as the phantom claw grew, and it was either by magic, brute force or some combination of the two that he was able to latch onto one of the downed demons and swing them around. He bashed the demon into one of the others before letting go, bringing the phantom hand back to backhand another. Using his sword he blocked another daemon before ducking as another charged him. He grabbed their waist and flipped them over his back. Stomping on their face he blocked another attack as one grabbed his sword arm and pulled it back. He twisted in their direction and kneed their privates, wretching his arm free at the same time before taking their head. Soon as that was done he thrust his phantom arm out, this time creating a blast red liquid that caught fire a moment later.

The heat was nothing compared to what the daemons were accustomed to but that wasn’t the point, the point came after they were blinded for a moment. His blade stabbed through one’s mouth before he twisted it in an overhead swing, cutting their skull in half as he went low.

The group pressed their attack as Noah grunted. Turning, twisting and countering to the best of his ability before one of them caught his sword and pulled it from him. All he did was point his now free sword arm out and blasted them with a red telekinetic wave. They went flying as a few others went after him from behind and he turned on a dime. Dodging the first and grabbing the second by the wrist before throwing them over his shoulder. He brought his hands behind him and blasted the two with another telekinetic wave before bringing his hands up to block another. This one he twisted with him, turning them into a living shield as one tried to cut him open only to hit their comrade. When he let go he found another already on him grabbing onto him and holding him from behind him.

Three claws went for his torso as he pointed his phantom arm skyward and he disappeared. The arm stretching to the ceiling and taking him and his tag along with them. It bit into his shoulder as he screamed, stopping only when he dropped the two of them to the floor, back first and forced it to let go. He rolled over the demon getting to his feet as he thrust his free arm out and pulled at the air. His sword came to him a moment later as he held it at the ready.

“Hrni ejl rmi ieal znvrh nj hrla!”

“Veed!” The group didn’t stop coming after him, and he returned to swinging his blade through the crowd as he made his way towards whom he assumed was in charge. When that didn’t work he thrust his phantom hand out, letting it streak through the crowds to grab the demon by the face and bring it to him. He stabbed them in the mouth, before turning looking at the rest before rolling his shoulders. One hurt but he didn’t care all that much. Couldn’t risk focusing on it right now anyway, besides he healed.

“N nbb dgnjc zgea rni icpbb!”

“N mjh rni mgai!”

“N’bb fglmc rni hllhr!” More calls came out as he found himself forced into a circle. He panted for breath as he looked them over for.

“Fuck there sure are a lot of these guys…” Noah muttered as he glanced over to where the people once were. Good, he didn’t have to tell them to get lost. “That means it’s just me and you guys.” He noted a he separated his real arm from his shadow one and created a sphere of red liquid. His one didn’t burst into flame, in fact when he threw it the sphere exploded into a “flower” of scarlet crystals. He roared, charging in right after as he went back to hacking up the group, the actions making him appear more like a rabid animal than a human. His phantom arm reached for the ceiling, growing as it grabbed onto it, all before bringing it down on part of the group as he focused on the other half.

***

Equestria

“Do you think it’s ready?” Twilight was actually a bit nervous as she asked the question. Looking at her mentor as she seemed lost in thought. “I mean - it’s just that I never tried this kind of spell before so I was just…”

“It’s fine Twilight, I understand.” Coming from her thoughts Celestia gave her student a smile. “You’re just concerned that’s all. It’s not everyday we try finishing one of Starswirl’s spells.”

“Especially one that requires such interesting requirements.” Luna added as she focused on the summoning array. Something about it bothering her but she wouldn’t voice her thoughts on the subject. It wasn’t that she saw the spell as wrong or anything, it was more that something about the spell was… familiar. Yes, they had dug into as many old references as they could to complete Starswirl’s own, but what he used as a basis… that bothered her a bit. Her sister must have noticed it as well, this style of old magic, the makeup… ‘Why would you dig into that style of magic Starswirl?’ If the old stallion was still around perhaps he would be able to answer her. As for now though…

“So~ are we just going to stand here, or are we going to do this?” Rainbow Dash added her two bits in as she adjusted her Element of Harmony. Though they weren’t certain if they needed them, the six bearers had brought them upon request. They were going to create a hole in the dimensions and pull somepony through it. They were going to need all the magic they could spare at the moment.

“Yes, is everypony ready?” Celestia called out as all the mare’s stood at attention. “Then let’s bring our new guest from beyond the veil and…

“And hope we performed this correctly.” Celestia looked at her sister before nodding her head slightly.

“Yes, as my sister said, let’s hope we’ve done this correctly.” The taller princess muttered as she closed her eyes and started to focus. The rest of the group followed their example, though in the case of six their elements activated, stretching into a rainbow like thread of magic around their bearers before combining with that of the two princesses.

Luna sighed at the feeling, her magic properly melding with the elements had always been a pleasant experience, unlike the two times she was under her shadow’s influence. She just hoped the Elements wouldn’t respond to that lingering shadow, would turn the pleasant experience into one she hated. So far though, everything was going fine. There were no problems, her shadow was staying quiet and the elements were accepting what she brought forward.

“Here we go.”

8

Equestria

Makeshift Hospital

Fuck his head hurt. Felt like he got hit by a car… again. Noah thought as he turned, groaning slightly as his brain decided to pulse, damn, that felt like a boxer was using skull as a sandbag. “Ugh~ fuck…” The teen muttered as he reached for the pillow and buried his face into it. Damn this was a comfy pillow, bed wasn’t half bad either.

…

Wait.

Bed? Shaking for a moment the Noah felt around. Yeah he was definitely on a bed, weird last he remembered was --

“N’bb fglmc rni hllhr!”

Eyes snapping open Noah sat up like a rocket, and from the sudden noise he heard he knocked something over but he didn’t care. He looked around, jumped out of bed ready for a fight before falling on his face. Accident or not it pulled him out of his battle hazed mind, forcing him to calm down as he took in his surroundings. Was this a hut? Certainly looked like it. If a hut appeared as a makeshift hospital. ‘There shouldn’t be any place like this in Manhattan.’ Manhattan was a city of brick, and iron, sure the parks appeared kind of big but none of them would have a straw hospital. Least he was pretty sure there weren’t any. So that raised a question, where the hell was he? "Lets try and get our head on straight what happened…? I went to the museum. I got in a fight…” He crossed his arms for a moment. “I won… then blacked out from blood loss.” He muttered before frowning. “That’s all I seem to remember so… what… happened... after…” He looked at his hands, or at least tried to. His hands were gone apparently. There wasn’t any pain, there wasn’t any phantom limb syndrome it was more like… he made a fist and couldn’t unclench it. Looking at his hand though… “What the shit?” He muttered before looking at his other hand to find it gone as well, then his legs, to find they looked the same, and - where the hell were his abs? He felt his face for a moment, breathing a few times before swiping his hand at air, creating a hazy red mirror to look through.

He stared at his reflection for a moment, blinked and watched it mimic his movements.

***

“ZKDW WKH VKLW!!??”

The entire village heard the yell, several sprand out of their beds while others stopped what they were doing and looked around in confusion.. “What the?” A pony muttered as they heard the call of some foreign tongue.

“Who's yelling?”

“What language is that?”

Celestia perked up as she heard the noise, her attention, like everyone else turning to the hospital. “Sister.” Luna muttered as she caught her elder’s attention. “It appears our guest has awakened.”

***

He was a horse. He was a fucking, pastel colored, cartoon looking horse! What the actual shit!? Why was he a horse? He took a moment to breath, watching his reflection mimicked the action. Calming himself though he took another look at himself Well at least he sort of recognized himself; kind of. Definitely recognized the hair -mane(?)- as his own. A mess of two-toned purple and black. He recognized the eyes too, the amber-gold he and his sister had been born with. His skin -coat(?)- was still chocolate colored. That was all he recognized. The hooves, the horn, the tail, those definitely weren’t there before. He moved his tail watching it sway in the air for a moment. He made a noise… muttering something under his breath before raising a hoof. Without waiting a second he slugged himself in the face.

“Ah fuck… ok real, definitely real.”He noted as he released a noise and continued to stare at his reflection for a moment. “But… why am I even… what in Gaea’s grace happened?” No one answered as he continued to stare at his reflection for a moment longer“… know what I ain’t got a clue, but I’m honestly not all that mad.” The teen stated after a while and shrugged. “Look at me, I’m fucking adorable.” He stated before touching his forehead, specifically the long horn poking out his head. “This though, I could do without it.”

Dismissing his mirror he made a noise and looked around. “Ok that aside I now have three questions; 1 where the fuck am I? 2, where are my clothes? 3…” He stumbled and dropped when he tried walking. “How the fuck do I walk straight?” He questioned before trying again. Failing miserably before repeating the process. “Shit… fuck… ok one more - SHIT FUCK!!!”

“Rk!” Freezing the teen turned horse turned his attention to the side as he caught sight of another pastel colored horse stepping into the room. This one though, this one had to of been a female. Eyelashes gave it away. “Zh zhuhq'w hashfwlqj brx wr eh xs vr vrrq.”

…

“What?” Noah raised an eyebrow as he looked at the female. Whether it was in bewilderment or confusion was up for grabs but the safe bet was on the later.

“Pb qdph lv Qxuvh Uhgkhduw, L'p wkh qxuvh lq fkdujh ri orrnlqj diwhu brx Pu…” Noah just stayed silent blinking a few times before hitting the side of his head.

“Again… what?” She was trying to say something as she approached, pulling out some medical equipment… somehow and started trying to look him over. “Yeah~ who - what are you?”

“Hafxvh ph?” She blinked in confusion. “L'p vruub zkdw glg brx vdb?”

“What did you just say?”

“L'p… L'p vruub L fdq'w xqghuvwdqg br.”

“I have no idea what your saying…” The two went quiet as they stared at each other. The nurse(?) having finished her check up as she stared at the taller figure. After a while though Noah shrugged and he suddenly grabbed her face between his hand - pardon hooves and started messing with it.

“H-hafxvh ph zkdw duh brx… ?”

“Squishy, kinda like playdough - no playdoughs rougher…” The horse made a noise one that he couldn’t quite understand as he continued to knead her face. Was her tail wagging?

“Duh zh lqwhuuxswlqj vrphwklqj?”

“L wklqn vr vlvwhu.” Hearing the two new voices the female horse released a noise as she froze. Noah stopped his action as he looked towards the new pair.

“Brxu pdmhvwlhv; w-wklv lvq'w zkdw lw orrnv olnh!”

“Wuxob, ehfdxvh lw orrnv olnh brxu hqmrblqj klv wrxfk Qxuvh Uhgkhduw.”

“Txlwh vr.”

“L gr qrw eodph brx qxuvh, kh lv txlwh kdqgvrph.” One of the two new faces made a noise as they released a playful smile.

“Never thought I’d think that about a horses expressions…” Noah muttered.

“Q -qr lw'v qrw olnh wkdw L zdv vlpsob frplqj lq wr fkhfn rq klp zkhq kh vxgghqob judeehg pb idfh dqg-”

“Fdop brxuvhoi Uhgkhduw zh vlpsob mhvw. Zh xqghuvwdqg brx zrxog qrw gr dqbwklqj xqsurihvvlrqdo zkloh zrunlqj.”

“Wkdw vdlg frxog brx hafxvh xv iru d prphqw qxuvh? Zh'g olnh wr vshdn zlwk rxu qhz iulhqg.” The tallest said something as Noah frowned. Seriously what the hell were these animals saying?

“B - bhv ri frxuvh sulqfhvv. Eb brxu ohdyh.” The smallest of horses left in an instant, bowing to the two much to Noah’s confusion. When she left though the two approached, keeping a bit of distance between him and them as they looked him over. Without much prompting he did the same. One was much taller than him, the other, they stood side by side he could probably rest his chin on their forehead. Both were females - again the eyelashes gave it away. Both had horns like him, though there’s were much longer and sharp looking. Not only that; but the taller one had a much longer horn than he did; curiously though, they both had wings as well. One was white the other was dark blue. Certainly didn’t look like any horses he’d seen before, then again he hadn’t seen much horses in his life. What really confused him though, was the regula they wore.

“Krz duh brx idlulqj?” The tallest said something as Noah stayed silent a few times.

“… hi.”

“L nqrz brx pxv kdyh txhvwlrqv dqg L dvvxuh brx zh'oo dqvzhu wkhp wr wkh ehvw ri rxu delolwb, wudyhohu exw iluvw -”

“What the hell are you saying?” Noah groaned out in exasperation as he looked at the tallest. “Seriously I haven’t the slightest clue what you guys - girls have been saying for the past couple minutes. Can you speak English, please?” The tallest went silent for a moment as her counterpart looked at her.

“Zkdw glg kh vdb?”

“L… L'p qrw fhuwdlq.” The taller replied before biting her lips. “Kh'v...kh'v vshdnlqj dqrwkhu odqjxdjh.” The smaller groaned.

“Rk ghdu… L grq'w uhfdoo xv uljjlqj wkh vshoo lq rughu wr wudqvodwh rxu odqjxdjh.”

“Zh qhyhu qhhghg wr...zh edvhg lw rq d wbslfdo vxpprqlqj vshoo, vr zh mxvw dvvxphg lw zrxog eh deoh wr xqghuvwdqg xv olnh doo wkh rwkhuv suhylrxvob vxpprqhg…”

“Wkhq krz duh zh jrlqj wr krog d frqyhuvdwlrq zkhq -”

“ENGLISH!” Noah shouted after a moment as he startled the two. “I can speak six different languages, read seven but I can not understand a word you two are saying. Can you speak English, please?”

“Rk ghdu… wklv pljkw eh d sureohp… gr zh kdyh dqb zdb wr wudqvodwh iru klp?”

“Shukdsv? L frxog dwwhpsw wr phog rxu plqgv wrjhwkhu olnh zkhq L guhdp zdon, svbfklfdoob lpsodqw rxu odqjxdjh lqwr klv khdg.” The smaller one narrowed her eyes as she stepped forward, her horn glowing as Noah immediately went on guard. “L gr qrw phdq brx kdup.” She tapped her forehead, that gestured to his own. Raising an eyebrow Noah nodded slightly before stepping forward. She reached for his forehead, letting her horn touch his own.

He recognized this feeling, it was magic. The winged unicorn was using magic, but something was off about it… and he didn’t just mean it was because of this was different than his families style of arcane. There was something about it, something just straight up weird about her magic. Before he could question it further though, he felt something poking at his mind. Magic searching for something before finding it. That was when it started feeling a bit weird. It wasn’t like that feeling when someone tried rewriting his brain and overpowering it, it was more like she was trying to implant something; a thought, a letter, a sound, a word.

Language. She was trying to give him her language. He muttered something under his breathe; new letters - new numbers before frowning, the horse - mare - did as well. Vocal cords were having trouble making the right sounds. He was getting it though, mentally anyway. Would just need a moment to to harmonize his vocals with the words.

The mare stepped back, cutting their psychic link as she took a moment to gather herself. “Luna?”

“I’m fine… reaching into his mind is just… difficult.” The mare - Luna muttered as she looked at her counterpart. “It is different, un-Equestrian in origin.” The mare muttered as she looked back at the teen. “I just hope I succeeded.” Noah stared at the two for a moment before closing his eyes and starting to mutter something over his breathe. “Can you… understand us?”

“The pleasure of Buzby’s company is what I most enjoy. He put a tack on Miss Yancy’s chair when she called him a horrible boy. At the end of the month he was flinging two kittens across the width of the room. I count on his schemes to reveal the…”

“What is he saying?” The teen continued to mutter under his breath as the mares looked at one another.

“I’m… not certain.”

“... a way to escape my gloom.” Noah finished his muttering as he raised a hoof to his throat. “Glad that actually works.” The teen stated to both the pairs surprise. “What language am I speaking?”

“B - basic.” Luna whispered as she stared at the teen. “Even with the language implant, I had not expected you to grasp it so quickly.”

“Trick I learned from a movie…” Noah stated as he looked at the pair for a moment. “So~ who… what are you? Where am I?”

“Ah yes, well I am Princess Luna of Equestria, and this is my elder sister Princess Celestia.” Luna gestured to herself and her sister as Noah raised an eyebrow.

“Princesses?”

“Yes.”

“Horse… Princesses?”

“Pony to be exact.” Celestia corrected as Noah stared at the pair for a moment before looking to the side and and eventually before looking back at them.

“Ok~.”

“And you are?”

“My name is Noah Astray Bellerosé; seventh son of Damian - husband of Vanessa. Eighth and youngest heir of the Bellerosé family bloodline.” Noah repeated his greeting from his meeting with Lucretia as the pair bowed at him, he more or less returned it, trying to bow to the apparent royals before giving up.

“We welcome you to Equestria, Noah Astray Bellerosé… what remains of it anyway.” Luna stated as she and her sister rose back up.

“You must have questions.”

“Oh you have no idea.” Noah muttered as he sat on his haunches and crossed his front hooves.

“We will do all that we can to answer your questions Noah, but first… why don’t we speak somewhere a bit more… private.” Celestia stated as she looked behind her, and so did Noah, both seeing a small crowd of ponies peeking into the room from the doorway.

“Yeah~ I’m with you on that one, but can I get my gear back first? Particularly my pants?”

***

“Urgh~” Leaning back in her seat the mare groaned as she stared off into space, watching the dust particles fly by before her. “Nrh~” she turned her attention elsewhere as she pouted. “Grh~” Another groan and she closed her eyes. “I’m bored.” The mare muttered as she pulled herself from her seat and started pacing around her room. Since her boss had her awaken the True Queen she’d been bored out of her mind. The Queen’s power, her storm, it had been beautiful, but everything after had been uncomfortably dull. Couldn’t be helped considering these past few weeks she’d been on standby. Boss didn’t want her targeting Celestia - least not yet anyway. Had to wait till he got back from… whatever it was that he was doing at the time. “What in Tartarus could he be doing that takes a few couple weeks?”

“Business.” The mare twisted her head as she heard the stallion call out to her. “Apologies I wasn’t expecting to be gone for so long.”

“Oh thank the Goddess you’re back…” The mare muttered as she returned to her seat. “You finished with whatever you were working on?”

“Yes, everything’s in order. Did you enjoy your time off?” The mare just rolled her eyes.

“Not a chance.” The mare muttered as her boss tilted his head. “I admit watching the storm had been fun. I admit getting hammered at a makeshift bar was fun but these past couple days have been boring as shit.” She muttered before shrugging. “Never thought I’d say this but I’d rather be working, or so smashed I’d be waking up in two weeks wondering what I did.”

“I wouldn’t recommend that.” Her boss stated as he walked over, leaning over the couch to look at his counterpart. “Drinking is an enjoyable vice, but one to do sparingly. Getting so hammered you can’t even think straight. Never a good idea my dear.”

“Whatever dad.” She rolled her eyes. “Can I get back to work now, all this waiting around has me bored out of my skull.”

“Then by all means.” The stallion shrugged as he backed away from mare. “Time to continue our contract.” Darkness and red started to wrap around the mare as she grinned viciously.

“Gladly.”

9

Not having fingers was definitely something he was going to have to get used to. Noah realized that as he took a drink, holding a wooden mug in between his hooves. Holding the cup had definitely been difficult, but not as difficult getting his clothes on. Took him a whole thirty minutes to figure that out properly. “So let me get this straight…” Noah started as he lowered the cup. “You recently underwent some kind of magic induced disaster that almost destroyed your nation.”

“Yes.”

You two and six others summoned me from my world in order to hopefully deal with it.”

“Yes.”

“I’m in another world, one mostly populated by ponies and other talking species.”

“Yes.” Noah took another drink as he glanced to the side for a moment.

“And you summoned me, at random, without the knowledge that I might be in the middle of something very important.

“… yes.”

“And I was in the hospital for how long?”

“Three days.”

“… ok.”

“What?”

“Ok?”

“Ok.” Noah muttered as he took another drink. “I’ll see if I can find the one responsible.” The teen turned stallion stated as the two sisters looked at one another.

“You~re taking this surprisingly well.”

“Mh.” Noah shrugged. “Don’t get me wrong I’m absolutely livid.” The two jumped slightly as he hissed slightly. “But~ when you have magic and you can’t reign in your emotions… things tend to happen against your will.” Celestia simply nodded her head at the stallion’s words, finding an obvious truth in them. Wild emotions tended to send magic spiraling out of control after all. “So understand, I’m just keeping my temper in check.”

“Thank you.”

“That said… what. The. fuck.”

“P - pardon?”

“Forgive my language but my world had effectively become a shitshow yes, but it was my world. It’s where my family resides. And they’ve been worried sick about me since I haven’t been home in a while - but now, now I’m pretty much certain that they think I’m dead considering Vivian’s connection likely doesn’t cover the distance of fucking worlds.” The teen hissed out as he took a moment to breathe and drink. “But it’s likely to late isn’t it? I know summoning magic, it takes a lot of mana and it’s usually one way so~” Noah made a gesture with his hooves one the mares couldn’t quite get before shrugging. “I try my hands at fixing your world, you try yours at sending me home...sound fair?”

“Yes.”

“Of course.” The two sisters breathed as Noah sighed in annoyance. He would have rubbed his temples but… he didn’t have any fingers at the moment.

“Let’s change the subject… might help me get this over with.” Noah muttered as he rolled his shoulders. “A nation-wide magic assault would require a tremendous amount of mana to draw upon. Way more than your everyday person would be able to draw upon.”

“Yes we’ve thought of that.” Luna admitted as she straightened up a bit. “It’s as you said, no mere mortal could draw upon the magic needed to do such a thing save perhaps another alicorn… but such a thing would be possible if many like minded individuals united their magic.”

“That said however it would still require a vast number of individuals to do such, and we don’t know of any enemies that would be willing to join together enough to do such a thing.”

“What about the small ones; the kind you usually overlook?”

“Such as?”

“I don’t know... you got Doomsday cults here?” That made Luna grow uncomfortable for a moment, only for her sister to reach for her hoof. “You used to be part of one weren’t you?”

“No! No…” Luna muttered as Noah turned to Celestia and gave her a look. The return look he got showed that this was a highly uncomfortable subject.

“We have had our run ins with such cults in the past, but I assure you my sister has never had a hoof in their creation or their actions.” The mare stated as Noah slowly nodded his head. “Regardless the last time I dealt with them was a long time ago, nearly 700 years prior.”

“Doesn’t mean that they are gone however.” Luna muttered as she sighed to herself. “Many likely still exist in this day and age, cloaking themselves in the shadows and hiding beyond our sight.”

“Yes well…”

“So anyway!” Feeling the conversation between the two mares growing uncomfortable Noah interrupted before taking another drink. “This body feels weird.” Noah muttered as he messed with the hooves for a moment. “Let’s say there’s a doomsday cult doing all this. Let’s say they have been hiding for~ those 700 years and are finally moving into the light. If that’s the case… they’ll probably go back to hiding for a while.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Well we already established that it would require a tremendous amount of mana to do something that could affect a nation. What they had to use in order to do this~”

“Yes, they would need time to recover from such a spell.” Celestia caught on as she saw Noah nod. “Regardless their numbers they would not be able to cast a new spell for quite some time.”

“So that gives us some time before they try anything new. Meanwhile someone looks into old cults and doomsdays prophecies and tries to find anything that tells us who we’re up against."

“I shall handle that.” Luna volunteered as she looked at the stallion. “Such information is likely back within the Canterlot archives, We shall fly there in order to discover what we can.”

“Awesome… meanwhile I’ll do what I can, searching around on foot I guess.” Noah muttered as he sighed in annoyance, that tail of his sliding along the floor as it moved with his emotions. “One more thing I want you to understand something about me, about what I am.”

“And what might that be?”

“I’m a…” He started before shaking his head. “You know what let me rephrase that - why am I a unicorn?” He asked as he raised a hoof and looked it over for a moment. “I’m not one normally. In fact I’d never even been close to transforming into one back home.” ‘Not that I ever tried.’ “So yeah, why am I a unicorn and not how I usually look?” The two went silent as they looked at Noah.

“I am afraid we can’t answer that.” Celestia admitted. “Truth we wouldn’t have been aware that you were not originally a unicorn if you hadn’t brought it up?”

“You mean this wasn’t intended?” He asked as he looked himself over again.

“No, when we performed the summoning, we didn’t “set” it to transform your base species.” Celestia admitted as she seemed to think to herself. ‘When Starswirl and I crossed dimensions before we never changed species… yes my anatomy changed slightly but to do a full species change... why?’ Glanced at the stallion she raised a hoof to her lips in thought. ‘Perhaps… it was a feature he had introduced after I stopped coming with him on his adventures?’ Noah moved his tail as he glanced at it for a moment. ‘Or… perhaps it was an accident? I’m not certain.’ Either case she’d have to look into that spell they rigged together. Maybe the answer would reside within that or Starswirl’s other spells.

“Hm~.” Noah stopped staring at his tail and returned to his drink for a moment before standing up. Walking over to his bag and blade he frowned lightly as he fumbled with the weapon for a moment. Holding the blade would certainly take some getting used to in this body, that was a given. ‘Maybe if I use the shadow hand…’ He thought for a moment as he lifted the sheathed blade and put it on his back. Took a couple tries but he succeeded. ‘Definitely need to take some time adjusting to this body…’

“That is quite an interesting blade you carry.” Luna stated as she approached the stallion. “I have not seen a blade like that in quite some time, last I recall beings like Minotaurus carried blades as large as that one, though there’s were notably much thicker.” The mare noted as she looked at it. “May I?”

“Hm? Sure.” Her magic wrapped around the weapon as Noah watched her examine the blade for a moment.

“It’s quite well made… balanced as well.” She noted as she ran a good along the flat of the weapon. “But not iron, what material is this?”

“It’s just made of everyday steel.”

“You’ll have to forgive her, my sister has been… away for a good thousand years.” Celestia admitted as she approached the duo. “She’s behind on our current metal work.”

“Well that sucks.” Noah noted as Luna returned the weapon to it’s sheathe on the stallion’s back. “Where have you been?”

“The moon.” Noah gave her a look, one that showed he didn’t fully believe her or get whatever joke she was trying to make.

“Ri~ght. So… where do you want me to start looking?” Noah asked the pair as he fastened his backpack in place.

“Looking?”

“You want me to deal with your problem right? Where do you want me to start looking?”

“Well~”

“We aren’t exactly sure ourselves.” Celestia was honest he’d give her that. “But members of our guard are looking into a few places as we speak.”

“Until then why don’t we take a chance to get you accommodated to your new surroundings, We certainly do have a few ponies that are curious about the new stallion in town.”

“Sure, gives me a chance to -” The door to the princesses abode was forced open as an armored stallion rushed forward. “Nice armor, bit flashy though.”

“News from northern Equestria! Uh... Your Highnesses.”

“Yes?” Celestia began as she looked at one of her guardsponies as they removed their helmet.

“I am simply to tell you that it has returned.” Both Celestia and Luna gasped as Noah raised an eyebrow.

“It?”

When they shook out of their stubber Celestia once again gave her sister her full attention before receiving a nod of her head. Returning her gaze to the guard not a moment later she frowned slightly. “Find Princess Cadence and Shining Armor.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” The stallion ran off as Noah sat down and crossed his hooves.

“Trouble?”

“Not yet.” Luna muttered as she turned to the stallion. “But there might be. The Crystal Empire has returned.”

“The Crystal Empire?”

“The Crystal Empire was once a neighboring land that resided within the Frozen North. One of our allies in fact, formerly ruled by Princess Amore; the Crystal Princess.”

“You said formerly.”

“Yes, well, we’re afraid to say that she was overthrown a long time ago by…” Luna looked at her sister, this time with a look that Noah caught on to pretty easily. He’d had it a few times himself; the look that said the next words said might be like stepping on a landmine. Celestia gave her sister a look in return though, a soft sad smile crossing her lips before she picked up where her sister left off.

“Sombra. King Sombra as he took to calling himself after he overthrew Princess Amore some thousand years ago. A unicorn stallion with a heart as black as night and skilled in dark magic. He is one of the four greatest threats that Equestria has ever been forced to face.”

“That so… but you said that was a thousand years ago, shouldn’t he be dead?” He looked between the two as they shook their head.

“We’re afraid Sombra is very much alive. Our last confrontation ended when my sister and I banished him to the ice of the arctic north, however that was not before he laid a curse upon the Crystal Empire and it’s ponies; causing it to vanish into thin air.” Luna explained as Noah made a noise. “And now it appears to be back.”

“And you believe that Sombra’s returned with it?”

“That is a possibility yes, but not all we are concerned by.” Celestia drew Noah’s attention as she spoke now. “The Crystal Empire houses a powerful magic, when filled with hope and love, those feelings are reflected across all of Equestria. If hatred and fear take hold…”

“I think I get the idea.” Noah muttered as he tilted his head. “Maleficium, I get how that works. It’s corrosive - it corrupts. If your saying the empire can spread ‘light’ across your entire nation, then the same must be said about ‘darkness’ as well.”

“Yes. Exactly. Be it Sombra’s darkness, or… whomever is responsible for our current predicament as well.”

“Hm…” The doors to the princesses residence opened up as two figures ran. The first; a white stallion. The second a pink mare of the same breed as the two princesses.

“Your highnesses.”

“Auntie - you called us?” Noah stepped back as he looked at the scene before him.

“Yes, it appears the Crystal Empire has returned from it’s banishment.”

“The Crystal Empire?” The pink mare, questioned as she developed a thoughtful look. “I remember you giving me a few lessons back during my studies.”

“The guard had a few lessons on it as well, but they weren’t able to cover much about it, for some reason.”

“That’s because there wasn’t much to teach on the subject.” Celestia basically told Cadence and Shining Armor the same thing she and her sister had told Noah, so he tuned out most of it. Instead he flexed his hooves a few times, trying to grow used to the feeling of having them instead of fingers.

‘Wow, I’m already beginning to miss my fingers…’ The teen thought after a moment before turning to look back at the scene. “Princesses.” Drawing the fours attention he returned to standing as he looked at the royals. “If it’s alright with you, I’d like to go to the North and see the Crystal Empire.”

“Noah?”

“Are you certain?”

“I’d like to get an idea of where I am and what I’m dealing with.” He shrugged. “ Besides, you brought me here to solve an issue, I can’t do that if I’m just staying in one place.” Also it would give him enough time to try seeing where he stood in a fight in case things went south. This body was still foreign to him, so it would do him good to try adjusting to anything beyond the physical changes. What better way than to figure that out except through a trial by fire?

Celestia and Luna looked at each other, but nodded moments later in unison. “Alright, you can join my niece and Shining Armor.” Something sparked behind Celestia’s eyes as she turned to the pair. “Where have my manners run off to? Cadence, Shining Armor, this is Noah Astray Bellerosé. Noah; this is my niece Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and her husband Prince Shining Armor.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Shining Armor held out his hoof to the transformed teen as Noah took it, shook it like he would a hand and retracted his limb.

“Likewise.” Noah stated before looking between the couple before resting his eyes on Princess Cadence as she smiled at him. “Nice to meet you too, Mi Amore Cadenza…” Kind of a mouthful, that name.

“Cadence is fine.”

“Noah will do.” He lowered his head for a moment before raising it back up.

“Noah, you’ll be joining Cadence and Shining Armor on their journey up north.”

“That’s fine. I’m new to the area but I’ll try not to slow you both down.” Turning his head to the two other princesses Noah rolled his shoulders and made a noise. “So how are we getting there? If we’re walking then that might take forever.”

“Yes well; regrettably our field reports say that the trains will take some more time before they are running again, there’s simply to much debris covering the tracks.”

“What about the airships?”

“That may be the best choice Luna; however the pilot may not be able to take them the entire way.” Celesta muttered as she turned her head towards the trio. “The winds of the Frozen North are fierce when they come. They can freeze an airship - let alone a pony within a matter or moments if you aren’t careful. And this time of year begin to grow in strength.”

“You’ll need to prepare for the worst.”

***

“Damn I never thought I’d be so happy to return to work.” The mare cheered as she all but skipped down the roads of a destroyed Canterlot. She honestly didn’t mind the wreckage, Canterlot looked better trashed in her opinion but that's besides the point. Coming to a stop the mare stretched for a moment as she turned her attention towards the sky. “Now the question is, who do I study next?” The mare muttered as she levitated a stone to her side and started chucking it repeatedly into the air. “I already studied Luna, all that’s left are pretty in peak and little miss sunshine.” Carving something onto the both sides of the stone she made a noise before tossing it one final time. “Why don’t you tell me who I should go after?”

“You… are quite an oddity.” Glancing to the side the mare focused her attention on one that had slipped by her guard.

“Well what do you know. What are you doing here, True Queen?”

“Am I not allowed to tread upon my own lands?”

“I never said that. You can go wherever you want.” The mare shrugged as she watched the stone land, one of it’s carved sides sticking up as she grinned.

“Happy about the selection I take it?”

“Oh you have no idea.” The mare stated as she returned her attention to her counterpart. “Still that aside what can I do for you. I thought I wouldn’t be seeing you again after I woke you up.”

“‘Seeing’ me is a blessing in and of itself. But since you awoke me I have been watching you quite a bit.”

“Stalker much.”

“Please, do not compare me to those types of beings.” The True Queen states, her words sounding more like silk than anything as she approaches the mare, walking around her a moment as if in thought. “I watch because I must, I look to you because I am curious. You are not like the others I have seen in this era.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Your eyes, the way you move, the way you talk… I find a story in them.” She muttered before smiling. “One I respect and yet…” She simply smirked in return as her counterpart stepped back. “You are not right.” She muttered as she narrowed her eyes. “Who are you?”

“Just a mercenary.”

Author's Note

10

“I haven’t been on a plane in over 4 months…” Well technically it was more of a fantasy styled airship but that didn’t really matter. Point was Noah hadn’t been in the air for a good while now. Then again it was hard to get in the air when seemingly all the planes were grounded. Staring out the airship window for a moment longer Noah took a moment to get a look at the landscape below. Equestria, it really was a mess now that he got a better look at it. Trees were twisting and winding just about everywhere, the ground was cracked and battered from some previous event he was lucky enough to not of been part of. Plains were scarred with lightning forged impact craters and what few cities that had passed over were pulverized, either reduced to atoms or covered in greenery for some reason. And the reason he was able to see all this, was because the airship - the Princesses personal carrier at that - was flying relatively low. Certainly lower than the planes back home, but still high enough to not crash into any of the buildings.

He wondered if Celestia and Luna made that intentional; let him get a look at what he was dealing with. Let him see what had become of the ponies nation. He frowned though, as he stared on, his eyes resting on yet another destroyed city before grunting. This sight... scary thing was it reminded him a lot of home. Destroyed buildings, some hanging together only because overgrowth instead of black tar. “Wonder what caused this… wonder what caused both.” Not getting an answer Noah finally pried his eyes away from the sight before walking further into the ship.

The ship wasn’t that bad looking. Wood was well made and the ships interior was pretty spacious. Planes back home could definitely take a few pointers from these airships. Lots of space and the bathrooms weren’t small boxes. The cargo room wasn’t that bad either been though it was pretty much empty today. Whatever supplies that were here had been packed only covering a portion of the room, leaving the rest of the of it pretty much barren. He did see shadows on the floor though, places where the rest of the supplies had been at some point. Where they were now though that was anyone’s guess. Probably distributed amongst the people… ponies. “Whatever…” He muttered after a moment before using magic to discard his sword, bag, jacket and pistol. Stepping away from the gear Noah took a breath before forcing his body upward and after struggling for a moment or two balanced himself on his hind legs.

***

Maybe it was a pegasi thing, but the cold always bothered her for some reason. Everytime the cold seasons came she had to bundle up more than the rest of the Canterlot populous. Maybe it was a Pegasi thing; after all she had been one before her ascension. Regardless Cadence released a breath, shivering slightly as she took a moment as the weather started to get to her. She could tell they were starting to get close and if her auntie was right the airship wouldn’t be able to carry them that much farther.

Regardless she felt somepony wrap around her a moment later as she smiled slightly, feeling somepony else’s body heat starting to transfer over to her. “Cold?”

“Not anymore.” Cadence looked back at her husband and gave him a peck on the cheek. “Thanks.”

“You don’t need to thank me you know.”

“I know.” Leaning back she rested her head on the nook of Shining Armor’s neck and sighed lightly.

“Bit for your thoughts?”

“I’m just… thinking you know. Equestria gets attacked by some unknown force and our nation is virtually in shambles. We’re going north to try and protect the Crystal Empire - which just so happens to pop up again out of nowhere…” Cadence released a small noise. “This wasn’t really how I expected to spend my first year of being married.”

“Me neither.” Shining Armor admitted.

“It’s actually a bit better.”

“… what?” Shining actually pulled back from his wife for a moment as she giggled.

“Shining you know I’ve always been a bit of a thrill seeker, and how many couples can say that they got to save a resurrected kingdom together?”

“Good point.” The stallion muttered as he leaned back into his wife. “We get to be the couple with the most awesome story to tell.” Smiling the two fell into a relative silence before one of the ships staff approached them, a trio of covered plates resting on a tray beside them.

“Princess Mi Amore, Captain Armor, your meals.”

“Thank you.”

“Thanks, and please, Shining Armor will do.” The stallion stated as he scratched the back of his head. “I’m not really Captain of Celestia’s Guard anymore.”

“You’re right it’s ‘Prince’ now isn’t it?” Cadence received a look from her husband as she giggled and the plates were set down before them.

“Ugh~ I thought being called Captain took a while to get used to but Prince?”

“You’ll get used to it my love.” Cadence nuzzled her spouse as she smiled. Looking to the third plate she noticed the staff starting to walk off with it before stopping at her words. “Excuse me, where's Noah?”

“Ah~ Well earlier Sir Noah asked where the cargo bay was. He said that if we were to search for him that would be the place to find him.”

“Cargo bay?” The royal couple looked at each other for a moment in confusion before looking back at the staff.

“Why would he be in the cargo bay?”

“I…” The staffpony coughed into her hoof. “I’m not entirely sure, all he said was he needed a bit of space for something important.”

“Oh…” The couple fell silent as they shared another look. “I wonder what’s so important that he’d need to go to the cargo bay.” Shining Armor shrugged before he and Cadence levitating their plates into the air.

“Let’s find out.”

***

Thinking was hard, wasn’t always this way, but being gone for a thousand years had it’s side effects. Made even harder when your corporal form was scattered, and with it most of one’s consciousness. Would take a bit of time to fully regather himself. Least physically anyway. His powers were deeply tied with his mind. Regain the mind - regain control of the power that raged inside him. The body, the body could wait. He needed the mind under his control.

“Hello~o.” A voice calls out, allowing him something else to focus on for a moment as peer from beyond the shattered consciousness. “Wow you’re a bit of a mess right now aren’t you?” A giggle reached him as did the sound of something rusting for a moment. “What do you say we fix that.”

For a moment he didn’t feel anything, then the pain came; only he wasn’t certain if the pain was from his “body” or his mind exploding. Broken images turned into a full picture, and shadows forcefully birthed flesh. He would have screamed, might have if he had a throat. When it came - his throat that was- he roared, the sound erupting from his throat that it may have sounded like some demon’s roar instead of a pained scream.

“There, that’s better, big boy.” When the pain subsided he growled, looking upon the figure that was before him with hate in his eyes before letting it subside. He stalked forward, stopped when he felt his hooves touch the snow covered ground and looked at them.

“What did you do?”

“Oh nothing much, just sped up your recovery by sa~y five - six days. Just don’t expect me to do it again big boy.” The mare stated as she slipped forward, her eyelashes fluttering for a moment as she stared upward at the stallion. “Mh~ give you one thing you certainly are a looker partner. A lesser mare would certainly fall in love at first sight.” Wasn’t quite certain if that was a dig at something or just her own ego talking, regardless he dismissed it. Raising a hoof he pushed the mare away from him as he made a noise.

“Why did you heal me?”

“Oh no major reason.” The mare stated as she settled herself down and pulled down the hood of her cloak. “I healed you, and now you owe me one.”

“A royal favor.”

“Bingo big boy.” The mare stated as she stretched. Sombra for his part growled before looking upon the mare. A tyrant or not he was still a king. And now he was one that was in a mare’s debt. Even thinking the word was like bile in his throat. But that didn’t change anything, and he refused to remain indebted to her. No royal in their right mind would desire to remain under a mare’s hoof. “I want something.”

“And what might that be? Jewels? A place among my council?”

“Oh I wouldn’t ask for something so extravagant. I just want you to put on a good show.” The mare stated as she picked herself up.

“What?”

“I have some homework you see, I have to do a research paper on an Equestrian Princess and make a class report later; an~d it just so happens that she’s heading up this way.” The mare shrugged before smiling. “Normally I’d take care of things myself, but since you are here I’d like you to play with the princess while I kick back and study.”

“That’s it?”

“Nothing to hard right?” The mare stated as she started walking around the stallion for a moment. “I don’t really care if you play too rough with her, but so long as I get my class report in, I’m good either way.”

Sombra stayed silent, trying to read the mare in front of him as she stepped forward, resting further into the blizzard before stopping. “I fail to see how any of this benefits you…”

“Don’t get it huh; I get my homework done and I barely have to put any effort forth, this time around anyway.” She shrugged. “After I get that report in I get to relax until my last class assignment comes in.” She gave a smile. “So big boy, can you do this little mare this teeny tiny favor?” Sombra stayed silent before making a deep growl.

“Very well.” This benefited him regardless. He had a debt to settle with Celestia and Luna anyway, if one was coming to him, coming to his empire. He’d gladly pay them back for past transgressions. “I’ll give you a show… mare.”

“That’s the spirit.” The mare clapped her front hooves together as she took a deep breathe. Then in the blizzard she whistled. Made one so loudly that she actually deafened the storm for a moment. Soon as she was done though, an odd silence passed over, at least before something started to move in the blizzard behind her.

“What in Grogar’s name?”

“Oh don’t mind him, he’s harmless - to you anyway.” The mare stated as she started to climb. “Anyway, it’s a long walk from here to the Crystal Empire so I recommend you start walking. I’ll make sure you get there before the princess but that’s it, after that I’m backing out.” The mare called out as she tapped her pet’s head and took off. “I’ll be seeing you at the Crystal Empire big boy!”

***

“Wow…” Shining Armor took the words right out her mouth. Staring at Noah, Cadence and her husband stood in a daze, watching the unicorn move from left to right in this strange rhythmic pattern of his. It looked like he was dancing, alternating between biped and quadruped movements. Sweat clinging to his body as he kept up these strange movements of his. Eventually though he stopped, his body stumbling as he misplaced a step and landed with a small hiss.

“Damn, still can’t…”

“That was beautiful.” Cadence clapped a few times, Shining Armor as well as they drew Noah’s attention.

“Uh… how long were you standing there.”

“Long enough.” Shining stated gestured to the three plates the staff had let them take with them. “Hungry?” Noah didn’t say anything, instead just touching his barrel before nodding his head. Walking over he enveloped a plate in his magic as he set down next to the two royals as they started eating on the floor.

“I didn’t know you danced Noah.” Cadence said after a while before smiling, trying to make small talk with the unknown pony.

“I dabble a bit.”

“Just dabble? You’re really good at it though.”

“That wasn’t dancing though.” Shining Armor stated as he turned to Noah. “That was some kind of martial arts, wasn’t it?”

“Yep.”

“That was martial arts?” Cadence blinked in surprise as she looked at her husband only to see him nod his head. “I never knew martial arts could look like that.”

“Me neither, what style was that?”

“It’s mostly street-fighting, mixed with a bit of Aikido, Capoeira, Muay Thai, Silat, Systema, Wuxia…”

“I’ve never heard of any of those.” Noah just shrugged as he returned to his food.

“I’m not surprised. Different countries have different styles after all.”

“Well you have a point…” Shining Armor noted as he started to eat. “So who were your teachers?”

“My grandparents mostly, but got some refinement by heading offland to different countries..”

“Was that what led you to Equestria?” That actually made Noah laugh for a moment as he got looks of confusion.

“Sorry, sorry. No I didn’t come to Equestria to refine my style, to be honest I’d never even heard of Equestria until I woke up in your hospital a few hours ago.”

“Really?” Noah just nodded as Cadence developed a curious look. “Then… how’d you get to Equestria?”

“You can thank Celestia and your mom for that.” Noah stated, though he didn’t sound even remotely upset about the fact. Cadence though looked at him in confusion, Shining as well as the stallion continued to eat.

“Your mom?”

“My mom?”

“Yeah, your mom; Luna They brought me to Equestria after I blacked out.” Cadence stared for a moment before a light went off behind her eyes.

“Oh! Sorry there’s some misunderstanding; Luna’s not my mom.”

“She’s not?”

“No.”

“But you called Celestia “auntie”, I heard you.”

“That’s right.”

“So Luna is your…”

“She’s my aunt as well.”

“So~ one of your parents are their sister? Their brother?”

“No Noah, I’m adopted.”

“Ohhhh~.”

“My parents adopted me when I was a filly, and then when they passed away after my Ascension Celestia took me under her wing. I’ve been calling her auntie ever since.” Noah made another “oh” as he nodded his head.

“That makes more sense.” Noah muttered as he yawned for a moment. “I don’t think I've ever ran into someone that was adopted.”

“We don’t usually talk about it.” Cadence’s ears dropped to the sides of her head as she took a breathe. “Ponies… tend to think we’re not real ponies when they find out we’re adopted. Say things that really hurt.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Shining Armor reached for his wife as she gave him a smile.

“By the way Noah, what is that?”

“What’s what?”

“That thing you rested near your sword.” Noah turned his attention towards his gear as he looked them over for a moment. Shining Armor couldn’t have been talking about his jacket let alone his bag, only thing left was…

“This?” Noah levitated his pistol and brought it towards their little group. Another bit of crimson hued magic and he extracted the magazine.

“Yeah I’ve never seen it before, what is that?”

“It’s called a handgun, a Glock 20 to be exact. It’s a weapon from where I’m from.”

“That’s a weapon? It doesn’t look like much.”

“Not supposed to.” Noah shrugged as he removed a shell from the magazine and let it float in the air. “But this little thing is one of the most dangerous weapons ever developed. Revolutionized modern warfare."

“I find that hard to believe.” Shining was obviously skeptical at the tiny weapon. Noah just shrugged as he extracted a bullet from the magazine.

“You see this shell; this is a 10mm Automatic cartridge. Like the gun it doesn’t look like much, but when fired from the pistol.” He telepathically shook the empty handgun. “This little thing will go over 300 miles per second. You could be over 45 metres away and this thing could punch a hole through your skull in what seems like an instant.” He returned the shell to it’s magazine and then the Glock before resting it in it’s holster.

“You’re joking, right?” Noah gave Shining Armor a look as he eyed the gun more cautiously. “Oh Faust… your serious.”

“Where did you get something like that?”

“I stole it.” The royal couple blinked in surprise as Noah shrugged. “Other guy wasn’t gonna be using it.” Then again the other guy was dead so~ yeah. “So… how long you two been married?” Changing the subject the two actually perked up.

“A few months actually.”

“Ah~ newlyweds, congratulations. how was the wedding?”

“It was one you’d never forget.” Cadence said with a smile, one that told an interesting story. Cadence opened her lips to start as Shining looked down in embarrassment. To bad the airship shook before Noah got to hear the story. “What in Equestria?” Another shake sent the trio tumbling.

“This is your captain speaking! We’re under attack, I repeat we’re under attack by -”

“What in Tartarus is that thing!?”

Some kind of screech ripped through the ship, though neither of the trio were certain if it came from over the intercom or from outside the ship. All they did understand however was that right after there was another tremo,r this time accompanied by the sound of something exploding.

11

“ h!”

“N h!

“No h!

“Noah please wake up!”

This really wasn’t his day. Noah thought as he regained consciousness, rubbing his head and stumbling to his feet.“This is the second time I’ve woken up from being unconscious.” Think he was starting to find a trend for today's activities.

“Thank goodness you're alright.” He knew that voice, Cadence.

“Good to see your alright too.” Noah muttered as he rubbed his aching head. “Where's Shining Armor?” Cadence turned her head, gesturing to the unconscious stallion resting against a crate as his horn pulsed red for a moment. “What happened?”

“We fell.” Cadence muttered. “Something hit us and we dropped out the sky. Shining Armor tried minimizing the damage through the use of a pair of barriers both in and around the ship, but the stress of that combined with the speed we hit the ground…”

“Magical backlash huh.” Noah muttered as Cadence nodded her head. “Let me try something.” The stallion approached the unconscious prince as he held his head for a moment. He closed his eyes, the act preventing Cadence from seeing his them flash crimson as he started working. A few moments of silence and Shining Armor’s horn started to return to it’s natural white coloration and the stallion slowly opened his eyes.

“Ugh~ what happened?”

“Shining!” Noah backed away for a moment as he gave the couple some space. In the meantime he just checked his hooves before nodding his head.

“Glad to see I can still do that.”

“I can’t believe it… how did you?”

“Family secret.” Noah stated as he turned his attention elsewhere, looking for his discarded gear before levitating them to his side. “Either case we should be getting out of here.”

“You’re right we need to check on the rest of the staff.” Shining Armor muttered as he returned to his feet and started to move, only to stumble as Cadence caught him.

“Careful!”

“I only minimized the damage Armor, I wasn’t able to take it all away. You’ll still be a bit dizzy for a while and your magic a bit scattered.” Noah stated as he sighed. ‘Until I can fully understand this body then a full repair jobs going to be a bit difficult.’ “You’ll need to take it slow for a few minutes.”

“I - If you say so.” The group walked over to the entrance of the cargo bay as they looked to the stack of boxes covering it.

“Of course the exit’s blocked…” Cadence muttered as she started to levitate the boxes out the way. Noah just watched, lowering his hoof as he muttered something under his breath.

“I was just going to blew a hole through it, but that works to.”

“What was that Noah?”

“Nothing Shining Armor.” Noah muttered as he shook his head. The last of the boxes moved the trio headed out on their way racing down the halls to find the others.

***

“That should do it.” The mercenary muttered as she looked from on top her pet, patting it’s head affectionately as she was rewarded with a growl. “You did good sweetheart, very good. They’ll be walking the rest of the way to the Crystal Empire.” She told her pet as she ordered them to take off. “That should give big boy enough time to reestablish his place among the Crystal Ponies. So all that’s left is to kick back and watch the show.” The mare stated as she heard another growl. “Hm, why am I doing this? Well the money’s good and -” Another growl. “Oh~ you mean helping tall, dark and hissy. Well you see the answer is quite simple. I’m bored, simple as that.” The mare stated with a shrug. “My job is to study the princesses that’s all - anything else that goes on while I do my studies, well, I can if I can have some fun seeing what happens. The outcome doesn’t really concern me.” Growl. “Either way, I get paid.”

***

“This everyone?” Cadence nods her head as she looks to her husband, a bit of medical bandages floating in her hooves as she used it to wrap around another’s hoof.

“Yeah, I did a headcount, this is all of the staff that we got from my aunt.”

“So everyone is alive?” Noah muttered as he walked back into the room as he frowned. ‘Back home we wouldn’t be so lucky.’

“Seems like it.” Cadence mutters as she finished her wrapping and started on another. Shining Armor was helping the captain move, old pony was walking with a limp, obviously having dislodged it earlier during the crash.
“Captain are you-”

“I’m fine, but I ain’t going to be using this blasted hoof for a while.”

“Not like that anyway.” Noah muttered as he stepped forward and looked at the aged stallion. “Set him down.” Shining Armor simply looked in confusion but did as recommended, setting the stallion down against a wall as Noah grabbed the stallions hoof and looked it over.

“I know what you’re planning.” The old stallion muttered as he looked at Noah. “Make it quick.”

“Ain’t no other way to do it.” Noah stated as he took a moment and breathed. The next the entire group heard a crack as the aged stallion grunted in pain. “There we go.”

“That hurts as much as I remember.” The stallion muttered as he moved the relocated hoof. “Thanks.”

“Don’t sweat it.” Noah stated as he stepped away. “So what’s the damage?”

“Engines are shot, half the ship either broken and we got snow coming in from the outside.” The captain muttered as he looked at the unicorn.

“Got a radio? Any way to get in touch with Celestia and Luna?”

“I can send a letter through spellfire.” Cadence stated as Noah raised an eyebrow.

“Spellfire?” Before Cadence could answer Noah shook his head. “Know what, forget it. Do it. Shining can you help me get some covers? No point in freezing ourselves to death.”

“Yeah. Good point.” Shining Armor turned to his wife for a moment. “Will you be alright by yourself?”

“Yeah Shining I’ll be fine, I won’t be alone you know, and I’ll just be writing a letter to Auntie.”

“Right.” Cadence nuzzled her husband as she smiled. “I won’t be long ok?”

“Just go you big worrywort. I’ll be waiting for you to get back.” The stallion nodded his head Noah made a face, raising his hoof to his mouth and pretended to gag. Soon as Shining Armor turned though he stopped, starting on his way as Shining Armor followed after him. “So where should we start looking?”

“We passed a bunch of rooms when we were gathering everypony together. Let’s gather up the blankets and maybe something to start a fire.”

“This doesn’t seem like the first time you’ve done this.”

“I had some previous experience; ever do a LARP in the middle of winter?”

“Yes.” Shining Armor blinked. “Wait, you LARP?”

“Used to, you?”

“Same. Haven’t been able to LARP since before I joined the guard though.” Shining developed a fond smile across his face. “When my friends and I used to play Ogres and Oubliettes we used to have so much fun not just on the board but off it too.”

“Never heard of Ogres and Oubliettes before.” Shining Armor snapped his head towards the stallion so fast he was surprised his neck hadn’t snapped. “It any fun?”

“Is it any fu -"

"Yes it’s one of the best out there, I can’t believe you haven’t heard of it before! What did you play back home?”

“Mh~ bit of this and that; my friends and I mostly played this game we made up with a bit a White Wolf, bit of Call of Cthulhu… we were actually going to continue our last campaign but we weren’t able to.”

“What happened.”

“Apocalypse happened.” Noah muttered as he sighed in regret. “Haven’t seen my friends in months… and it’s hard to play when you haven’t seen your friends in so long you aren’t even certain that their still alive.” Staring into space Noah frowned as he thought back to his friends. He missed though guys. Some of the best people he had the privilege of being associated with. He just hoped they were still alive. Shaking his head Noah entered a room and lifted the blankets up. “These things look like they’d suit a king… wait. Is this - cashmere?” He turned his attention to Shining Armor as the stallion shrugged.

“The airship is mainly used when the princesses take a day off and have royal dignitaries flying with them. Trust me, no expenses were spared.”

“Fuck… that explains the food.” He muttered before shaking his head and folded the cloth up and set it on his back. “I thought that stuff looked a bit to fancy.”

“You get used to it, I’m still trying to myself honestly.”

“Right you married into royalty.” Noah stated as he and Shining Armor hit another room. “What’s that like?”

“A little weird to be honest. But it’s nothing I’m not all that unused to.” Again Shining Armor shrugged as he was handed a blanket. “Ponies treated me differently from most ever since I joined the Royal Guard. They kind of treat me the same way after I married Cadence.” Noah’s ear perked slightly.

“Royal Guard? You mean you’re a knight?”

“Well I was, I had to retire early because of marriage, but I was the captain of Celestia’s royal Guard before that happened.”

“Hm~ a princess and a knight captain.” Noah made a noise. “Sounds almost like something out a fairytale.” All Shining Armor did was laugh slightly, rubbing his head as Noah grabbed another blanket.

“I guess it really was; Cadence and I have been together since high school so we had the highschool romance and then grew into the fairytale knight and princess.” He gave a smile as they entered another room. “Though I gotta say the wedding wasn’t much of a fairytale.”

“Your wife said it was one you’d wouldn’t forget.”

“Trust me it was.” Shining stressed. “I just wish I was able to recall most of it.” The stallion got a raised eyebrow as he gave a nervous smile.

“You can’t recall most of your own wedding?”

“Yeah see I~ I might have been… under a spell during most of it.” Noah snickered slightly as he looked at the stallion.

“Oh this I gotta hear.” Shining Armor actually colored as Noah passed him another blanket. “I have got to ask Cadence about this wedding later.”

“Mn~ well what about you, you got a special somepony waiting back home?”

“I’m gonna take a guess and say “Special Somepony” is your way of saying a lover or a girlfriend or something, and then I’m gonna say no. I’m rocking the single life for now.”

“Really you’re single?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well you’re… don’t take this the wrong way but your not that bad looking, even with the scars.”

“Hm. Thanks.” Noah muttered as he checked their gathered blankets and covers. “I look good but getting a compliment isn’t that bad either.” Noah shrugged as he nodded to himself. “Anyway this should be enough blankets, come on let’s head back.”

“Right.” A pause ran between the two as they left the room and started back towards the others. “So why are you single?”

“No real reason.”

“Really?”

“Well… well there’s really three reasons.” Noah caved surprisingly easy. “First I’m just not looking right now. Can’t really say anything else on that. I’m not looking for a girl.”

“Have you tried?”

“I tried once, it ended on a good note but she… she just couldn’t take it anymore.”

“Take what?”

“The secrets.” Noah sighed as he started to think back.

“You kept secrets from her? That’s never a good idea - why would you -”

“It was mandatory, partly for her own protection and partly because of our ways.”

“What do you mean?”

“Magic.” Noah stated as he took a moment to make his horn spark crimson for a second. “Magic isn’t common where I’m from, well it is but… we have to hide it. We’ve had to hide from the regular people. Otherwise they’ll start treating us differently. Some might revere us, most might fear us, and the rest they’ll want to cut us open and try to figure out how we cast.”

“Ok you got to be exaggerating…” Noah shook his head. “But you’re a unicorn, surely they’d already know you could cast.”

‘I wasn’t born a unicorn Armor.’ “unicorns aren’t common where I’m from, so uncommon that no one knows what they're capable of exactly.” Ok he was lying out his ass here but he doubted Shining Armor would believe him if he said he was a world jumping human turned pony. Well he might but lets not test that theory. “So we hide our magic from the masses, appear normal… well most of us do.”

“Why hide it though, ponies can handle the truth?”

“You’re ponies can, my people can’t. They fear what they don't understand and hate what they can't conquer. They respected us at one point but after a while they grew scared of our powers, they burned us and any other they believed to be spellweavers alive. They demonized us, turned us into the enemies of knights and kingdoms with a penchant for conquest and Maleficium, wrote us up as monsters…” Noah sighed as his eyes flashed scarlet unconsciously. “And the worst part… some of us became that, became the monsters they created.” He looked at Shining Armor as they stopped walking. “You ever grow up, being pushed and berated so much that at one point that voice inside your head tells you enough is enough and that it’s finally your turn to hit back. You ever get to that point when you see your tormentors you decide make them regret all their words and actions against you? You ever see the look on their face when the tables turned on them, when you hold their fate in your hand?” Noah paused as he let his words sink into Shining Armor went silent.

“Once…” He said after a while. “I used to be bullied a lot when I was growing up. I was the nerd so the jocks liked to pick on me and my friends. It never went anywhere… but It’s like you said though, at one point that voice in my head started whispering at me to get back at them. To hurt them.”

“But you didn’t.”

“I’m not sure if it’s because I knew better - because I was strong enough not to, or because I was to scared to do it.” Shining dug one of his hooves into the floorboard. “I know one thing though, I didn’t want to set a bad example for my little sister, maybe that’s what stopped me in the end.”

“That’s a good anchor.” Noah muttered.

“Did you ever -”

“Once.” Noah admitted dispassionately. “I was under a lot of stress from trying to make my family proud of me and I was bullied at school myself. One point I just snapped. My parents mind wiped the entire school and I had to transfer. So no one remembers it, but I did put someone in a hospital for a couple months and every time he saw me afterwards he’d get these shakes and start to vomit. Like subconsciously he remembered, or at least his body did.”

“Do you ever regret it?”

“Sometimes… when I think about it I do. Other times I don’t; but I do know this. When I do and I close my eyes, I can still see his horrified face. And then I start to wonder if I did the right thing. Did I deserve to wound him like I did? Sometimes the voice in my head says yes, other times it says no.” Noah took a breath as he started walking again. “But let’s forget about all that, what were we talking about before I drifted off?”

“Your reasons for not dating.”

“Right~ well reason number 3. Disregarding one and two it’s really hard to find a girl back home now a days.”

“Why?”

“Everything’s gone to shit.” Big surprise, It was really hard to find a girlfriend when the apocalypse was going on. Movies made it look so damn easy.

“You’re situation back home is that bad?”

"If I described it to you, I’d only be able to put it lightly.” Reaching the rest of the group the duo ended their conversation as Cadence ran up to them. “How’d it go?”

“The letters sent, at most by tomorrow it should reach auntie Celestia.”

“Do we have a day to wait for a response?”

“Yes, we have enough food and supplies on board to make it last a good while.” Shining Armor looked to one of the staff as they spoke. “But I don’t think you should wait for the response.”

“What do you mean?”

“He means that you three should go ahead towards the Crystal Empire.” The Captain stated as he looked at the trio. “We’re grounded but that doesn’t mean you should stay here and wait with us.”

“But we can’t just leave you.”

“Yes you can.” The captain grumbled. “You were heading towards the Crystal Empire in the first place and to be honest I’m not to certain how much farther we’d be able to take you before the storm gets to dangerous.”

“He’s got a point.” Noah looked outside as he took a break from passing out blankets. “From the looks of it it’s going to get really bad in a bit. And from what your Aunt was telling us, if it gets bad it’s gonna stay that way for a while.” He muttered as he closed his eyes for a moment. As he did his horn flashed once, then a second time before going dead. “I’d rather get a move on before then.”

“I guess you have a point.” Shining Armor muttered as he scratched his head. “I don’t feel comfortable leaving everypony here though. Isn’t there anything we can do?”

“If you can crank out another barrier that could probably keep the cold out would be great, for a while at least.” Noah shrugged. “Otherwise we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. "Wait to see if Celestia and Luna can do anything that can help these guys while we’re up and on the move.” Shining Armor and Cadence made a noise as they looked at one another. For a while they didn’t say anything instead just ran things over in their heads for a moment.

“Are you sure you’ll be fine if we leave you here?” Cadence questioned as she looked at the group one last time.

“We’ll be fine princess.” The Captain stated as he removed his hat and set it aside. “We have plenty of blankets to keep us warm, food to go around, all we need to do is make a fire and we’ll manage.” He told her as she opened her lips to say something else before nodding her head.

“Alright.”

“I’ll get the barrier ready.” Shining muttered as he started to gather his magic. As he started to charge his spell Noah couldn’t stare in curiosity. His horn was glowing; was that normal for spellweavers of this world? Did his horn glow when he used spells? Normally it was just his eyes despite the protective membrane he had.

…

Come to think of it he really needed to take those out. Eyes were beginning to itch. That in mind Noah turned his attention away from the stallion as he focused his own spell. Normally he’d do this with his fingers but as he didn’t have those at the moment he’d have to improvise a bit. He stared at one of his hooves as he held it up, creating false fingers as he dug into his eyes and pulled out a thin semi-transparent lens.

“You wear contacts.” One of the staffponies noted.

“Sometimes.” These however weren’t contacts. The easiest way to describe them would be a magically induced biological adaptation. The kind that kept dust and debris from getting into his eyes on a regular basis and would regrow after a enough time had passed. Noah made a noise as he blinked a few times, letting them readjust to the absence of the protective membrane again. “Always feels a bit tender after taking these out.” He blinked a few more times before taking a breath, muttering something under his breath and the tenderness subsided. “Alright that’s better. Alright whenever you two are ready.” Cadence and Shining Armor stayed silent as they stared at the stallion’s eyes for a moment.

“You’re eyes…” They were still golden amber, but now had the pupils seemingly taken straight from a vulpine.

“I know, they’re different, runs in the family.” Noah muttered as he rolled his eyes. Anyway I’ll be outside. When your ready, let’s get a move on.”

12

She expected it to be cold, she really did. She just didn’t expect it to be this cold. Cadence shivered as she tried disappearing into her scarf. The Canterlot winters had nothing on this. Muttering something under her breath Shining Armor turned to her, those eyes of his filled with concern as he slowed down for a moment to keep in pace with her.

“You ok?”

“Yeah I’m fine, just… really cold.”

“Same.”

“You two should have at least brought jackets and boots.” Noah stated as he stopped to look at the pair. “Seriously, you’re gonna catch frostbite at this rate ya know.” The married pair released awkward smiles as they looked at the stallion. “You two know any fire magic? You could use it to heat yourselves up.”

“Fire magic?” Why did they look confused when he said that?

“No ponies practiced elemental magic in 1000 years.” Cadence admitted as Noah blinked in surprise.

“… what?”

“Yeah, no pony practices elemental magic anymore.”

“Oh you’ve gotta be…” Noah took a breathe as he tried rubbing his temples with his hoof. Giving up the unicorn pointed the hoof at the pair as he started to focus, his eyes flashing red for a moment as two red symbols came into creation in front of him. They didn’t stay with him long, floating over to the pair before resting over their heads. “There, that should do it.”

“What on… I feel warmer.” Cadence muttered as she looked at her husband for a moment as he stopped looking at the symbol hovering over his head.

“What did you just do?”

“Just created a pair of sigils to act as heaters. Nothing to major and it won’t last forever, but it’ll keep you warm, for a while at least.” The stallion muttered as he started walking ahead of the duo. “Come on, I don’t know how much ground we gotta cover before those wear off.”

“Uh-”

“Right!”

“Don’t you need one of these too?”

“Nope.” Noah muttered as he continued walking and adjusted his jacket. “I’m good with what I got.”

“How? You’re jacket doesn’t look like it’ll do much with the cold.”

‘That’s why I did a few changes before we left.’ “It’s a story, not a long one, but I just don’t feel like talking about it.” Noah admitted as he frowned for a moment. ‘Speaking of changes…’ He closed his eyes for a moment as he started to focus, drawing into himself before nodding his head. ‘Looks like everything's still the same; well inside anyway, seems only the outside really changed…’ “Meaning I don’t have to adjust to new organs and figuring what does what.”

“What was that?”

“Nothing.” Glancing back at the pair Noah made a noise as he watched them for a moment. “So why is it that you guys don’t know Elemental Magic? Is it impossible for you to learn or something?”

“Oh no it’s not that.” Shining Armor began. “It’s possible to use it but it’s forbidden."

“Forbidden?” Noah paused for a moment. “You mean elemental magic is forbidden in Equestria?”

“Yes, it has been for 1000 years now.”

“… what?” Seeing as Cadence wasn’t going to continue the teen turned unicorn just took a breath before narrowing his eyes slightly. Whether it was from anger, annoyance or disbelief even he wasn’t all that sure but he did. “Why… is elemental magic… forbidden?”

“I don’t know all the details personally.” Cadence muttered as Noah let her and Shining Armor take the lead again. “But Auntie Celestia and the rest of the nobles decreed that all Elemental Magic was forbidden after a while.” Cadence paused as she tried digging into her thoughts. “All I can really say is that, whenever Auntie thinks back to those days she gets… really depressed. She told me once that she made a lot of mistakes a thousand years ago. Especially after she was forced to banish Auntie Luna.” That caught Noah’s attention as he looked at the mare.

“Excuse me real quick… did you just say she banished her sister?” Cadence’s ears dropped as she nodded her head. This was obviously a sensitive subject to talk about.

To bad Noah didn’t exactly care this time around.

“What happened? Why did Celestia banish her own flesh and blood?”

It’s because…”

“Cadence you don’t have to if you don’t want to. I can -”

“No, no it’s fine Shining.” Cadence took a breath as she looked back at Noah. “You’re bound to find out sooner or later since it’s part of our history. You see a thousand years ago Auntie Luna was tricked into rebelling, and tried becoming the sole ruler of Equestria.” Cadence admitted as Noah just stared at her. “Thousands of moons ago back when Equestria was still young Auntie Celestia and Luna both ruled over Equestria, but as time went on Auntie Luna grew bitter and resentful because ponies did not worship her as they did her sister. They didn’t see the beauty in all the work she did for them night after night.” Cadence muttered as she seemed to drift away for a moment. “Then one day she just… changed, something apparently got inside her, some dark magic took hold of her and caused her to rebel.”

“I take it Luna’s rebellion failed in the end hence her banishment.”

“That’s right? With the Elements of Harmony, Auntie Celestia managed to defeat her sister, and in turn she was banished to the moon for a thousand years.”

***

“You’ll have to forgive her, my sister has been… away for a good thousand years.” Celestia admitted as she approached the duo. “She’s, behind on our current metal work.”

“Well that sucks.” Noah noted as Luna returned the weapon to it’s sheathe on the stallion’s back. “Where have you been?”

“The moon.” Noah gave her a look, one that showed he didn’t fully believe her or get whatever joke she was trying to make.

***

‘So that wasn’t some kind of inside joke…’ Noah made a noise as he started to drift into his thoughts. I’m not sure if I should be impressed or horrified. To do something like that would take an insane amount of magic, way more than any human would be able to do without performing mass sacrifices.’ Was that level of magic normal for these ponies or just the princess? ‘Wait Cadence mentioned something about Elements of Harmony. That some sort of weapon or magic amplifier? Might have to look into that.’ Not sure if it would get him home, but it definitely sounded like something to look into regardless. If it could help send a person to the moon - and keep them alive for a thousand years in an oxygenless environment; definitely something to look out for. He did not want that turned on him for whatever reasons. ‘That said…’ “So Celestia banishes her sister, and then Elemental Magic becomes forbidden. I get the feeling the two are connected.”

“You’d be right.” Cadence admitted. “After Auntie Luna was imprisoned the nobles feared that her turning to darkness do to her Elemental magic, and in order to prevent it another from turning out like her, they recommended all Elemental based magic be forbidden, and Auntie Celestia agreed in the end.”

“… that is the dumbest reason to seal away magic I have ever heard.” Noah muttered but the duo obviously heard him. “Please tell me that’s not the real reason that Elemental spells were sealed away.”

“It wasn’t.” Cadence sighed. “Really it was just an excuse. Auntie Celestia told me that the nobles had been fearing the potential of Elemental Magic for a good while - there were even conflicts before Equestria was formed based on usage of such spells.”

“Well that makes sense… but how does that link to Luna?”

“Princess Luna is probably the most powerful elemental user in the entire nation - maybe the whole world.” Shining cut in as he looked to Noah. “She’s so intune with Elemental magic that she can manipulate it unconsciously.”

‘And~ there’s my answer..’ Noah thought as he looked between the duo for a moment. ‘A royal that turned traitor and the most powerful elementalist this nation ever produced. Now I’m starting to connect a couple dots.’ “So they used a rogue royal as a scapegoat to stop the practice of elemental magic.”

“Basically.”

“I’m gonna need to talk to Celestia after this…’ A thousand years or not; to hear a mage not practice some form of elemental magic was essentially blasphemy. In a way Elemental magic was deeply tied with Mage society; well at least it was back home anyway. It was just one of those things a spellweaver had to learn at one point in their lives even if they would never use it at some point in time. To find an entire society that had forbidden it. Curious, but mostly weird. “Do you know what nobles mainly wanted it removed?”

“Oh that’s easy, it was the Pegasi.”

Noah didn’t even make a noise as he looked at the two, expecting them to go on only for them to stay silent. Apparently “the Pegasi” was the whole answer. “Forget it…” He muttered as the trio continued walking for a moment. “So ‘nother question.” The stallion pulled to a stop as he looked at the pair. “Do either of you know if we’re going in the right direction to the Crystal Empire?” That got the pair to stop as they looked at each other before looking back at the foreign unicorn.

“Uh~ that’s uh… that’s a good question.” Shining Armor muttered as he raised his hoof and scratched his head. “I don’t remember Princess Celestia giving us a map or anything to tell us which direction to go.”

“Don’t worry we’re going the right way.” Cadence stated as she received a pair of looks. All she did was frown for a moment as she looked in a random direction. “I… I don’t know how but I… I just know we’re going the right direction. Does that make sense?”

“Not really but…maybe it’s a subconscious thing?”

“Maybe.”

“Well weirder stuffs happened in my life.” Noah shrugged as he turned back to Cadence. “Either case, we’ll just start following you and -" Barely a moment after the words left the stallion the ground started to tremble under their feet. “Hm?”

“What the - what now?” The trio covered their faces as a rush of cold winds slamming into them and the ground continued to shake beneath them. When the winds fell silent they all turned to see something reaching the sky, some kind of pillar of purple and black and green was growing in the distance as Cadence’s eyes widened. “That’s - that’s dark magic!”

***

Luna didn’t need to see it; she felt it the moment it happened. A heavy concentration of dark magic suddenly erupting from the north of Equestria and “shining” like a beacon in the dead of night. “Looks like Sombra’s reclaimed the Crystal Empire after all.” Nightmare Moon noted as she stared out the nearest window. An action that Luna copied, turning her attention towards the sky as a dark aurora started to spread over the land. It would do no harm, but it did act as a signal. One that told they had once again lost the Empire.

“But how? Cadence and Shining Armor’s love should have been able to keep Sombra’s evil from reaching the Empire.”

“Given they reached the Crystal Empire first.” The Nightmare stated as Luna turned to her. “Sombra knows the northern terrain, those three do not. They may have gotten lost once they began moving on foot.” Luna muttered a curse under her breath as she looked around, her attention turning to the tomes she had been reading not moments ago before she started channeling her magic. Not to lift the books and return to her studying, but to l find sompony; her sister.

In a flash of light the night princess left the Canterlot archives only to reappear in the earthen roads of the Everfree’s makeshift village. She found her sister not to far from where she landed. The mare was looking skyward, her attention locked on the dark aurora that now streaked across the sky. “Sister…”

Celestia turned to her sister as she gave her a look. It had been a long time since Luna had seen her sister worried, and even now it still put a cold pit in her stomach. “I just received a letter from Cadence not to long ago.” The elder alicorn admitted as she took a moment to school her features. “She said that the airship was shot down by something before they reached the drop off point. Everypony appears to be safe but she’s requesting aid as soon as possible.”

“Do we have any more ships?”

“Yes, thankfully.” The mare admitted as she returned her attention skyward and narrowed her eyes. “We’ll need one of our fastest ships to pick them up, after that however…”

“We prepare for war sister?”

“… yes.”

***

Her attention turned back, the True Queen released a noise as she watched the dark aurora. “Hm… so you allow him to reach his empire first mercenary.” She whispered as she turned her attention away and continued walking. “An interesting move, though I question your intentions mercenary.” Looking to a tree she frowned before tapping her foot a few times on the dirt, and right before her eyes she watched it shrivel up into dust. “Mercenary… I do not know why you chose to aid the Umbrum, but be warned; you must put him on a leash, or else I shall deal with him myself.”

***

“Move!” Shining Armor didn’t need to be told twice, combat honed instincts forced him to dodge to the side as a spire of black crystal suddenly erupted from the ground. Cadence did as well jumping as she took to the sky as one tried stabbing into her from below. As for Noah, he bolted, dodging the series of crystal spikes that started rising up out the ground as he cursed under his breath. “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” Dodging another spiked he continued his string of curses as he and the wed couple started weaving through the rising black spires.

“Shining!”

“I’m fine; just keep moving!”

“Fuck!”

“Cadence are you-”

“Oh Horse apples!”

“Dodge!”

It only took five minutes for the crystals to stop sprouting, but in all honesty, it felt more like thirty. Shining Armor dropped a barrier as Cadence took to the snow and crystal covered floor. Noah released one final curse as he leered at the spires. “I. Hate. The north.” He muttered as he brushed some snow off his form and took a breath. “I also hate having to readjust to a new center of gravity.”

“Is everypony ok?”

“Yeah, just… winded.” Cadence muttered as she looked at the crystal structures.

“What are these things? They’re not regular crystals…”

“It’s.. it’s crystal magic?" Cadence stated. ‘But it’s… It’s so dark… darker than anything I’ve ever felt.’ “This mana… it feels wrong. It makes me feel sick just looking at it.”

“Heavy concentrations of Dark Mana will do that to you.” Noah muttered as stepped away from the crystals. “Their filled with blinding hate and malice, or crippling despair and sorrow.” He made a ‘tsking’ noise. “In this case it’s the former. Hate this sensation…”

“You sound like this isn’t your first time being exposed to Dark Magic.”

“It’s not.” Noah admitted as he shrugged to himself. “Come on, we should probably get going. These things didn’t just decide to rise of for no reason after all.” Cadence nodded her head as she looked in the direction the spires originated from.

“We have to get to the Crystal Empire now…” The mare muttered as she and the two stallions took off running, slipping through spires of blackened crystals as they made their way towards their origin. When they reached the heart of the crystallized area though they paused.

“Well… fuck.”

13

Corruption could spread like a plague. Sometimes it was invisible; taking it’s time to spread its roots and fester like a poison. In other cases it was easily noticeable; acting like a rabid beast that lashed out at everything. In this case it was the latter. Dark Magic, Maleficium, it’s corruption had spread throughout the Crystal Empire like a twisted force of Nature, warping the nation into what was now a shadow of itself. Forming dark spires in the streets and plains as a blackened infernal castle stood in the distance.

“This… this is the Crystal Empire?” Shining Armor wondered as he stared ahead. Eyes locked in disbelief as Cadence bit her lips.

“It is now.” She muttered. “How… how is it?”

“It’s caused by dark magic.” Noah muttered as he frowned. “Dark magic, it corrupts whatever it touches, sometimes it works fast - sometimes it works slow, but it always corrupts. I’ve just never seen I twist something this fast before in my life.”

“The crystal Empire it’s… empathetic.” Cadence muttered as she drew a pair of looks. “It resonates with magic, amplifies it. When fed by King Sombra’s it… helped spread the corruption.” She stated before her eyes widened in alarm and confusion. “How - how do I know that?”

“Cadence?”

“Auntie never told me that so how - how do I know…”

‘This isn’t just a subconscious thing is it?’ Noah thought as he stared at the princess of Equestria, however a moment later his eyes drifted behind her, staring at the strange tattoo that she had on her back - her butt? Flank? What was the right word? It didn’t matter at the moment. What mattered was that the tattoo was glowing, faintly anyway. Shining hadn’t noticed because he was to busy staring at his wife’s face, whereas Noah had gotten distracted by the crystal heart seeming to pulse. Shining made to ay something before stopping, his attention snapping to the dark castle as something from it shot into the air, a dark pillar of light that stabbed the sky and started to spread. “Now what?”

“We gotta move now!” Shining caught the pair’s attention as they looked at him. “That’s the first part of a barrier spell, we don’t inside it’s range of effect before that thing drops we’ll never get into the Crystal Empire!” He took off running, with Cadence and Noah right behind him, each sprinting across the plains as the black miasma started to spread over the empire’s grounds. They were fast, admittingly so; the spell was faster, rolling across the sky like thunderclouds and curving as it started to drop.

“Come on…”

“Stop it..”

“Come on.”

“Stop it.”

Come on make it…”

“You jinx us I’m kicking your ass Armor!” Noah hissed as they approached the edge of the falling barrier. They were cutting it close, it to close to be honest. Could barely see the city now.

“No!” It barely hit the ground as Noah stopped running. Rising onto his hind legs he cupped his hooves before bringing them forward firing a small blast of white energy at curved wall. There was no explosion, there was no rebound. All that happened was the wall started to dissolve, bits of black arcane disappearing as it formed a hole. “What the-”

“Just run!” Leading by example Noah, dropped to be back on all fours as he and the others started to run again, charging through the hole before it started to close once more. Moment the last part of the barrier repaired and the barrier was closed it glowed once before becoming transparent. Turning Noah tapped the barrier as he saw it bend for a moment. “Looks like we made it.” He noted as he looked back at the pair as they took a moment to regain their breaths.

“Yeah.” Shining Armor noted as Cadence looked back to the empire grounds. “Nice save. We wouldn’t have made it without your quick thinking.”

“Just don’t expect me to do that again, doing that took a lot out of me.”

“Oh Equestria.” Cadence raised a hoof tapping her husband on the back as she drew his attention “Look.”

May very well of been a city of of the dead; an empire of moving corpses, all dead in all but name. There were no chains, but the entire empire was enslaved. Noah just took a breath, staring at the sight as Shining Armor shook his head. “I’d heard of places like this in books… never thought I’d ever see one in real life.” The transformed teen stated with a hint of distaste. His skin crawled, his blood boiled, his eyes glowed a faint red. Reading stuff like this in books always bothered him, wasn’t sure why but it always had. To actually see it though? He took a breath, as he calmed down, breathing out red vapors before taking a look towards the sky. Something was circling the skies, before stopping, resting itself on top of the crystal castle and releasing a noise.

“Is that… is that a dragon?”

“Well isn’t that cliche.” Noah made a noise as he shook his head. “Big bad tyrant’s gotta dragon for a guard dog.” Looking back to the road ahead he started walking. “Come on, we still gotta move.”

Sneaking into the Crystal Empire wasn’t exactly difficult; not when the numbers were small and with a three-pony team, moving around was wonderfully easy. Getting caught would be the problem though. Noah, Cadence and Shining Armor realized that as they found themselves hiding behind a building, getting a better look at all the sights that were present in the city.

“Look at them all, it’s like there’s… nothing left inside them.”

“It’s like the life was sucked out of them.”

“Might as well.” Noah muttered as he returned to their hiding spot. “Look at their stances, their eyes.”

“They look so… defeated.” Cadence whispered as Noah shook his head. “They’re like a pack of zomponies.”

“They’ve lost their will to live, their will to fight fight back.” There was no need to chain those so broken and defeated. A waste of iron. “Still I honestly I was not expecting this.” Not from adorable cartoon like equine.

“Everyone hide.” Shining Armor called out as the three hid, ducking behind their shared hiding spot as a shadow passed overhead. Dragon; no not dragon, something else. What though, that was a question that refused to be answered in the brief moment they saw it.

“Nice save.” Shining Armor just nodded his head as he started looking around.

“We can’t stay here, we gotta move.”

“But where?” Cadence whispered as she looked at her husband.

“Anywhere that dragon can’t find us.” Shining Armor muttered as he started looking around. “They didn’t cover how to fight dragons back when I was in the Guard.”

“I just don’t deal with dragons…” Noah shrugged as he settled down and crossed his hooves. “Still that said I’m with you on trying to find a place to hide for a moment. Much as I’d love to just charge in through the front door, put a bullet in this Sombra guys head and call it a day, I don’t think that’s possible at this moment.” The teen muttered as he looked back towards the castle. “I mean I’ll do it, but he’s got a home-field advantage on us.” ‘Then again when has that stopped me before?’ He questioned before glancing elsewhere.

“There has to be a place for us to hide. Maybe one -” Before either could link Noah turned and lunged. Sword practically flying out his sheath like a quiver as Shining Armor released a noise in surprise. Before is magic could spark to life Noah was behind him as a muffled yell was heard. When the stallion turned, he found the dark haired unicorn pinning a mare to the wall. His sword pointed at her throat as it was held by a floating black claw. The mare released another panicked scream as she stared at the stallion for a moment longer. “Noah!”

“Noah wait!” Cadence cut in. ‘A black claw?’ “Don’t hurt her!” Noah didn’t say anything as he just stared at the frightened mare a moment longer.

“You have good eyes.” He said after a moment as the claw lowered his blade and returned it to it’s sheathe. Without much delay he lowered her to the floor as he nodded his head. “Sorry, you shouldn’t try sneaking up on us.”

“O - Ok…” The mare whispered as she looked between the trio. “Sorry.” She lowered his head. “I saw color and grew curious.”

“Saw color?” Noah muttered as he looked back around corner. “Well I guess we do stand out a bit. Everyone’s so gray.”

“Why is that?”

“I - I’m not sure, I don’t remember. We don’t really try to remember what has been done to us under Sombra’s rule.” Noah twitched as he glanced at the mare for a moment. “Who… who are you? Are you here to help us?”

“Yes.” Cadence stated as she stepped forward. “We were sent by Auntie… Princess Celestia and Luna. We were sent here to protect the Crystal Empire from King Sombra.”

“We’re just sorry we’re so late. We hadn’t expected him to get here ahead of us.” Shining's words went unheard as the mare stared at Cadence for a while longer before her eyes widened in shock.

“The Crystal Princess.” She bowed.

“What?”

“You… you’ve returned - I had always wondered- I’d hoped you’d return, but I hadn’t thought I’d live to see the day…” Raising her head she looked at the mare a while longer before tilting her head. “You look… different for some reason though. Did you adopt a new appearance after you were banished?”

“Banished?” Cadence’s face had the same expression as her spouse while Noah just raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about I’m not Crystal Princess, what lead you to believe-”

“Excuse me real quick, but should we really be having this conversation out here?” Noah asked as Shining Armor nodded his head. “Curious as I am, I’d prefer to get answers somewhere more private and without the treat of dragons hanging overhead.”

“Yes - yes of course.” The mare stated as she looked around for moment. “Please follow me. My home is open to you.”

***

The beast was making its rounds again. Patrolling the city as though it were all part of its own territory. The beast’s owner was nowhere to be found, but her pet was still flying through his skies - only way he knew she was still in his domain. Where she had disappeared to was beyond him, but so long as she did not stand in his way that was fine. Sombra thought as he stared outside his castle balcony any watched the dragon-like beast fly through his skies, landing here and there, looking down at his slaves before finding another place to look from. ‘She is skilled if she could tame such a behemoth…’ He thought to himself as he turned his attention away from the animal and made his way back into the castle. Dragon or not, tamer or not, he let his thoughts go elsewhere. For starters; his location. It was good to be home. The frost and ice of the northern wastes was nothing compared to the shelter brought about by his empire, and he’d certainly missed it after these past thousand years. Missed the sight of his slaves struggling through backbreaking labor. Always brought a smile to his face.

That said however, there was still a princess either on the horizon or within his walls. Question was who was it; Captivating Celestia or the Lovely Luna? Honestly he wanted the daybringer, but he was hoping for night sister. There had always been something in her, some darkness that he had recognized when they first battled all those moons ago. As for Celestia? Yes there was a darkness within her as well, but it was buried, buried so deep he could barely sense it. To twist her darkness, allow it to grow and fester - that would take time and careful manipulation. Something she would without a doubt fight every step of the way. Molded the right way both would certainly be suited for as queen… perhaps even as empresses. And every empress needs an emperor.’ He stated before shaking his head. He could think upon such thoughts later. As of now; he had other matters to deal with - there was still that old ‘project’ he had yet to finish, and of course there was seeking out the one that was in his lands. He promised that beast tamer a show, he’d give her one.

***

Dead on their feet, ponies walked through the streets without a word or really a sound. Staring at them from outside the house Noah shook his head as his tail moved with his irritation. So many empty vessels, so many broken souls. This was Sombra’s handiwork, and they were unfortunate enough to see it. Turning his attention back to the inside of the house the stallion sat on his haunches and crossed his front hooves. The house wasn’t the biggest, but it was still large enough to hold all of them easily. At a table fit for four Shining Armor, cadence and the gray mare sat as they talked. The mare, Misty Peaks, looked down at her hooves as Cadence finished her piece. Shock and revelation on her face as she seemed to be processing what she was just told.

“Has it… has it really been 1000 years?”

“Yes, I’m sorry but you, the crystal ponies, and the Crystal Empire disappeared do to King Sombra’s curse all those centuries ago.” Misty Peaks shook her head.

“I can’t believe it… it feels like only yesterday that the battle between the Equestrian Princesses and Sombra was going on… but 1000 whole years? We’ve missed so much.” Misty looked back to Cadence as her ears dropped a bit. “So you… you really aren’t the Crystal Princess are you?” Cadence could practically see the hope starting to break in the mare’s eyes, but there was nothing she could really do about it at the moment. Reluctantly she just nodded her head.

“I’m sorry; my name is Mi Amore Cadenza, Equestria’s third Princess and the Princess of Love.”

“Amore?” Was it weird how easily ponies expressions changed? That was all that went through Noah’s head as Misty perked up. “That’s the name of the royal family.”

“It is?” Shining Armor received a nod as Cadence looked on in confusion.

“Yes, the Amore Bloodline traces itself back to the founding of the Crystal Empire, and as such every member of the royal family carries it. How do you possess it?”

“I - I’ve always had that name.” Cadence admitted as her look of confusion grew. “My parents said that my birth name was written on the basket they found me in all those years ago.” The mare fell silent as she seemed to think on something, or at least she tried to anyway. In her eyes they could see a fog surfacing, trying to make her forget what she was trying to remember.

“If that’s the case…” Noah spoke up as he looked at the trio for a moment. “It could be that you really are the crystal princess, or at least descended from one.” He stated as he glanced at Cadence. ‘Hell you may even be reincarnated for all I know.’ “Misty… was it possible that some of the royal family escaped when Sombra took over?”

“Escaped? No… no I don’t think so.” She whispered as she tried looking into her clouded thoughts. “No… maybe… there was a rumor that the former princess was supposed to have carried a child shortly before Sombra took over.” She paused for a moment. “No actually - yes she did carry a child once. I remember because one of the days she went about the empire I saw her belly, but Sombra took over before the birth was publicly announced - or at least before the Crystalling could take place.” The mare nodded her head as remembered that fraction of her empire’s past. “It could be that one of the princesses trusted managed to escape with her child before Sombra got to them.”

“Crystalling?” Noah shook his head as he dismissed the question.

“If that’s the case, the pony probably would have retreated to Equestria.” Shining pipped in as he started looking at his wife in a new light. “It is the closest allied nation after all. Cadence you might be descended from that baby.”

”I… I…”

‘But if that’s the case why didn’t they take the baby straight to Princess Celestia and Luna? Wouldn’t they have accepted the child and refugee with open arms… hooves? Whatever. And if that’s the case why wasn’t she born in the castle after all these centuries instead of being adopted by some random couple somewhere outside the capital?’ Noah’s private questions went unanswered as he looked at Cadence’s confused expression. Obviously this was getting to her. ‘Then again she’s also seems to know about the Crystal Empire and its location despite never being here before. No wonder she looks like she’s suppressing a panic attack…’ “Anyway unless we got something to prove it, this is all just one big theory anyway Cadence. We can figure all that out later.”

“Yeah, your right.” Cadence still looked a bit uncertain but she nodded her head. “Misty? Do you have any idea of how we can get into the castle? We have to deal with Sombra as soon as possible.” Misty’s ears dropped again.

“I’m sorry I don’t think I can help you with that. The only way I know into the Castle is through the front door.”

“Damn, and here I thought we could use some secret passages or something.”

“Secret entrances?” Misty shook her head as she looked at Noah. “Sorry I don’t know anything like that… Clear might though.”

“Clear?”

“She used to work in the castle, so maybe.”

“Where can we find her?”

“She should be with her family right now, I think - I hope.” Correcting herself Misty shook her head as she continued. “I can go ask her for you.”

“You don’t have to, if you just tell us what she looks like then -”

“You will stand out like sore hooves, I can move through the city without drawing attention to myself.”

“Well you do look like everyone… I’m sorry that sounded way less racist in my head.”

“You’re forgiven... I think.” Misty replied as she stood from her seat. “Please allow me to do this for you. No pony will suspect a thing if I go speak with her. In the meantime you can all stay here and rest.”

“Are you certain?” Misty just nodded her head. “You’ve already done enough just hiding us here.”

“I’m on board with this.” Noah cut in as he looked at Misty. “You served the last Crystal Princess didn’t you?”

“Yes how did you -”

“Your eyes.” Noah tapped the side of his face as he closed his eye. “Your eyes tell a story. They’re not like an everyday person but not a knight either. I’m guessing you were a squire or something?”

“I was starting guard training before Sombra took over so yes. But after he took over I was sent to the mines. I was one of the lucky ones that way. The others were… they didn’t last long.”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you really want to know?” Noah muttered from his spot and Shining Armor’s silence answered for him. “Misty… be careful, and thank you.”

“You don’t have to worry. I… I’m honored to help.” The mare said as her coat brightened for a moment before returning to normal. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Please just stay hidden until then.” The mare stated as she quickly left her house as she returned to the streets.

“Real quick; you two saw that right - her body changing color?”

“I saw it.”

“Ok so I wasn’t seeing things, was that normal?”

“I don’t think so. Maybe it’s a crystal pony thing?” Shining Armor wasn’t sure and Cadence wasn’t answering. “So what do we do now?”

“We wait.”

14

Patience was a virtue. Cadence and Shining Armor had learned that lesson well. Cadence in her years of dealing with nobles; Shining Armor in his time as a guard. That said though, they wouldn’t deny that they were starting to get worried; hours had passed and Misty Peaks was still nowhere to be seen. Cadence was lightly tapping her hoof on the ground - a sign that Shining Armor recognized as her beginning to get nervous. As for her stallion, he was openly pacing around the enclosed space that was Misty’s home.

“Where is she?” The stallion questioned as he glanced towards the door. “It shouldn’t take this long for her to come back should it?”

“No, I don’t think so. Maybe something happened?”

“Probably.” Noah muttered as he opened one of his eyes and looked at the stallion. “Then again something was bound to happen eventually. She could have got caught, could have become dragon food, our target could have had her ‘invited’ to his bed chambers…”

“How can you say all that so easily?”

“Even if something doesn’t look back; you stare into the abyss to long and it changes you.” Noah stated as he closed his eyes again. “The darker side of the world gets easier to see - to accept. Least that’s what I think.”

“Even if something doesn’t look back; you stare into the abyss to long and it changes you?” Cadence repeated as looked at the seated stallion. “What does that mean?”

“It’s a twist on a philosophical saying back home. The actual quote goes “He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby becomes a monster. And if thou gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will also gaze into thee.”

“What does it mean?”

“ Nietzsche left it up to the reader to interpret it so it’s meaning so it changes depending on who you ask. I could give you my answer but that doesn’t mean it’s the ‘right’ one.” Noah shrugged. “Besides, my family uses a variation of it anyway - we could be more off than normal.”

“Well what does it mean to you?” Cadence asked as curiosity crossed her face. Princess or not she was interested in philosophy. It was something that stuck with her since her school days. Gave her an idea of how other ponies thought and saw the world.

“To me? Well… I guess you could say the first part means do not let hate for someone consume you; lest it becomes all you know. Hatred; hating that person, hating their line… Don’t get me wrong I get hate, but it’s a poison you know. It eats at you, and does more harm than good in the long run. In the long run it… demonizes you, turns you into something beyond recognition to yourself or even those you love.”

“You turn yourself into a monster.” Noah nodded his head at Cadence’s words and she fell silent. “And the second verse?”

“Ah the second verse.” Noah made a noise that sounded like a chuckle, though not one a pony should have been able to produce. “Well -” Before the stallion could continue the front door opened and the three turned their heads to see Misty Peaks slipping into her home.

“I’m - I’m sorry I’m late! I didn’t mean to be gone for so long.” The mare stated as she bowed her head in submission. “Sombra forced me and others into the mines to work.”

“As long as you’re alright.” Noah nodded his head as Cadence stood and made room for the mare. “How did it go, were you able to find Clear?”

“Yes she was in the mines with me. She just…” Misty’s ears dropped to the sides of her head as she looked down. “She just doesn’t fully believe me, believe that we're 1000 years in the future.”

‘Big shocker there.’

“She needs proof. Proof that we aren’t in our era and that ponies are here to help.” Misty stated as she looked at the princess. “She’d like to meet you. To know that somepony really is here trying to help us.”

“We can do that.” Cadence stated as she looked to her husband.

“Meeting with her should dispel any doubts in her mind. Where can we meet her?”

“Her home would be safe.” Misty stated as she spoke up. “It’s a bit far from here, but it’s probably the best place for you to meet…”

“Then let’s go.” Noah grunted as he pulled himself from the ground and stretched. “Sooner we get this over with the better.”

“N - now but?”

“Noah’s right, besides it’s already past moonrise and the empire should be sleeping.” Shining Armor stated as he peaked out from the nearest window. “If we’re going to move now would be the best time.”

“I’m not certain about that.” Misty stated as she looked at the stallion. “Sombra controls the night, his eyes are always open when the shadows are out.”

“I doubt that.” Noah stated as he shook his head. “If it’s his words it’s probably a bluff to keep you guy in check.”

“I’m with Noah, besides the night belongs to Princess Luna, not Sombra.” Shining Armor stated as Noah adjusted his hood. “And as long as Lunas watching us then we should be fine in the darkness.” Misty stayed silent as she looked at Cadence before seeing her nod her head.

“Alright I’ll take you to Clears home, but… just to be safe we should stay away from the shadows.”

"If you say so."

***

They looked like twins. Noah thought as he looked between Misty and Clear. Same gray coat, same dark mane. The eyes though, the eyes were different. Clears were almost silver, Misty’s were more blue. Other than that they really did look like twins, even had the same expression of disbelief upon seeing Cadence. For a while Noah wondered if all the mares shared that expression. Watching the mare bow to Cadence, Noah took notice of how her expression changed for a moment. ‘She’s uncomfortable with this.’ Strange, you'd think as a princess other ponies bowing to her might be a common thing.

“So it’s… it’s really been 1000 years?”

“Yes, strange isn’t it?” Misty put a hoof on Clear’s back as she looked at her friend. “It took me a moment to believe it myself.”

“It feels like only hours have passed.”

“We get that.” Noah muttered as he crossed his hooves. “But regardless; Misty said that you might be able to help us get into the Crystal Castle unnoticed.”

“Well yes, possibly?”

“Anyone else getting a 'maybe' vibe?” Noah looked to Cadence and Shining Armor before shaking his head. “Whatever, I mean I can always use the front door. Wouldn’t be the first time I walked into an enemy stronghold that way.”

“You may not have to, I mean there are ways to sneak into the Crystal Castle, secret passageways that the public knows. They’re just hard to find.”

‘That’s… kinda the point.’

“Well can you lead us to one?”

“I can but… I don’t think you wanna go that way.”

“Why?”

“It’s…” Clear paused as she shook her head. “It’s not blocked off or anything it’s just… it’s filled with dark magic, Gives it a really strange feeling, and… when somepony I knew went down there once… he didn’t come back the same. It was like he saw something that shook him to his core.”

Noah just made a noise as he took a moment to stretch and look to the window. “So we got something above us and some dark magic in the shadows… great setup we can’t get anywhere without getting into trouble.” He sighed slightly as he looked at his handgun for a moment and checked to see how many slugs he had in it. “Bothersome. Why can’t this ever be easy?” He muttered as he crossed his hooves and leaned against the wall.

“Any ideas on what we should do?” Cadence looked to Shining Armor and Noah as they both just stayed silent for a moment.

“Is there anyway to purify the secret passage of dark magic?” Shining asked a Noah looked at his hoof for a moment as some energy flickered to life for a moment.

“Purify the dark magic? That… That’s possible I think just… you would need something.” Clear muttered as she tried thinking back. "What was it again? Why can't I... ?"

“The Crystal Heart?” Cadence muttered as everypony turned to her. “What’s the…”

The Crystal Heart?”

“Yes - yes that’s right!” Clear and Misty both physically brightened as their coats flickered for a moment.

“The Crystal Heart is an ancient relic of the empire. When filled with the light and love of everypony around, it has the ability to cleanse the entire empire of dark magic!”

“Well that’s useful.” Noah muttered as he looked back to Cadence. That confused and disturbed look was back. ‘Something about this place is definitely doing something to her…’

“Where is it?”

“We… we don’t know.”

“Sombra hid the Crystal Heart after he took the throne, we really don’t know where it is…” Misty admitted as Cadence’s ears dropped.

“Where there goes that idea.” Shining Armor just sighed as Noah made to rub his temples but stopped and looked at his hooves. ‘Right; no fingers…’

“What should we do then; look for it?” Cadence looked between her husband and Noah as they both exchanged glances.

“I don’t want to risk getting corrupted by dark magic…”

“I don’t wanna risk getting a dragon’s attention.” Noah admitted as he yawned. “But right now topside sounds like our safest bet."

“So the front door?” Noah shrugged as he crossed his hooves. “If that’s the case when should we move?”

“Tomorrow night.” Noah stated as he looked at the group. “It’s late right now and we’ve had a long day just getting here. Should get some rest and save our strength for what’s coming.” Shining Armor just nodded his head and turned to Clear and Misty.

“I’d hate to ask this but would you be willing to put us up for the night?”

“Of course! Please I’d be more than happy to offer you a place to stay.” Clear turned to Cadence as she gave a weak smile. “I’ll clear off my bed for you.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Cadence stated as she gave a smile. “I can take the floor.”

“But-”

“It’s fine.” Noah stated as he looked at Cadence for a moment longer before turning his attention to Clear. “Just bring a couple blankets and we’ll be fine.”

“I… alright.”

***

Cadence looked so peaceful when she slept. Seemed that whatever was bothering her earlier hadn’t rooted itself in her dreams. Shining was happy about that. He’d noticed the looks she kept getting earlier. She wasn’t sure what was going on with her, and neither was he to be honest. “I just wish I knew what I could do to help…” The stallion muttered as he ran a hoof on his wife’s cheek and took a deep breath. “This is the least I can do…” Shining muttered as he put his blanket over Cadence’s own and started to walk away.

“Shining…” Pausing the stallion looked at his sleeping wife as she smiled in her dreams. “I love you Shining.”

“I love you too.” He smiled as he went back and kissed her cheek before leaving the house. Night was still young, and that dragon was nowhere in sight. That meant he still had plenty of time till daybreak. So he ran, heading down the streets as he made his way through the darkened empire. Clears place was in the center of the city, but that still put quite a bit of distance between him and the castle.

That said though… he didn’t like this.

The streets were barren. Wasn’t the first time he’d seen empty streets - back when he was a regular guardspony night patrols showed him how empty Canterlot really was, but this was different. Maybe it was because this wasn’t Canterlot, or maybe it was because there weren’t any patrols going around the city. “Where’s his guards?”

“Probably doesn’t have any.” The stallion paused as he looked in a random direction, trying to pinpoint where the voice had come from. He looked to the shadows as he found a pair of golden eyes staring back at him and quickly flared his horn with magic.

“Who’s there?” The watcher just rolled his eyes as stepped further into the light. “Noah?”

“Shining.” The golden eyed stallion remarked with a smirk.

“What are you doing out here?”

“I could ask the same question to you. Bit late for a jog don’t you thing.”

“I was going to the castle.”

“Yeah I figured as much, we're on the same page in that case.” The stallion made a gesture as he stepped back into the darkness and Shining Armor followed. Even with the light from his horn illuminating the area around him Noah was still hard to find. Seemed he was trying to stay out the light for whatever reasons. “You’re going after Sombra, just like I was. Get everything done tonight.”

“So that talk about acting tomorrow night was just to try and get me and Cadence from being involved.”

“Pretty much.” Noah’s eyes blinked before they turned elsewhere. “I figured he wouldn’t expect an assassination attempt the moment he got back from the ice.” The stallion admitted before looking back at Shining Armor. “Everypony’s scared of him and hopefully he thinks we’re on the other side of that barrier.” Noah admitted. “What’s your reason?”

“I just… I don’t want Cadence to get hurt. I’m fully expecting a fight to break out, and I don’t want Cadence to get caught in the crossfire. As her husband, and a guard I can’t allow any harm to come to her.”

“Spoken like a knight… ya move like a novice though.” Noah snickered as Shining Armor raised an eyebrow.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Even if there aren’t any patrols in sight, never charge straight ahead and down the streets to get to your goal. You never know when someone might just turn a corner and spot you. Use the shadows and the environment to hide yourself. Also…” Shining blinked as Noah waved a hoof and his magic suddenly fizzled out. “No lights.”

‘How did he…’ “Right sorry, we didn’t do a lot of stealth missions in the guard… didn’t need to.” He admitted as he stared at the two seemingly floating eyes in the dark. “So what do we do?”

“Now, you follow me, and stay out of sight as best you can.” He saw the stallion turn and suddenly shoot up, landing on one of the buildings as Shining made to follow him. A burst of magic to give him some lift and he jumped, clinging to the ledge before he climbed up to be beside the clothed unicorn. Noah moved and and Shining Armor followed, jumping from one building to the next as Shining created small arcane shields to act as platforms for him. When the gap in the streets became to big of a leap Noah dropped into the shadows below - only to suddenly pop up on the other side of the streets. Shining just followed with his platforms as he tried keeping up with the stallion.

‘Sweet Equestria he’s fast…’ Thanks to his Guard training Shining had always managed to stay in shape, but Noah, no regular equine was this fast and he was moving like water across the rooftops until they reached the entrance of the corrupted Crystal castle.

“You still with me?”

“Yeah… I’m good just… what were you before coming to Equestria; a thief?” He tried to joke as Noah just stepped toward the castle.

“No, but one of my ancestors were.”

“… what?” Noah just shrugged as he stepped forward.

“Well master thief/graverobber anyway.” The stallion admitted as the two stepped into the palace and looked around.

“You know… I was joking about the thief thing right?”

“I wasn’t.” Noah smirked as he looked to Armor before returning to gaze at the castle. “This place looks horrible.”

“Yeah. All this is from dark magic corruption?”

“Fraid so.” Noah just sighed as he created a black claw and used it to unsheathe his blade and let it float to his side. “Come on, sooner we find Sombra the sooner we can get out of here and kill off the source of corruption.”

“Will that revert the crystal empire back to regular form?”

“In a way; it’ll stop the spread, but it won’t heal what’s already been changed. We’ll need some serious purification magic to fix what’s here.”

“Do you know Purification magic?”

“I wish. You?”

“Sorry, I don't. But what about the Crystal Heart thing Cadence and the Crystal Ponies were talking about?”

“If we can find it.” Noah muttered as he closed his eyes and seemed to think. “But let’s do this one thing at a time. We go after Sombra, get him out the picture and then we can worry about fixing the empire later.”

“We should probably start looking for the royal chambers, that’s bound to be where he sleeps.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

***

In another part of the castle a mare couldn’t help opening her eyes and yawned. “Oh they’re here early. I was at least expecting them to wait a day or two, but I guess this works just as well.” She thought aloud as she sat up and stretched. “I get my homework done early and I get out of here.” She thought aloud before breaking into a smile. “Do put on a good show Sombra, in the meantime, I have something else to do before I end up leaving this place.”

***

He gulped, took a breath and steadied himself and looked at the doors before him. Shining Armor wouldn’t lie, he was nervous, then again with the amount of Dark Magic saturating the place that was understandable. He couldn’t just feel the hate in the air, he could taste it on his tongue. And it tasted… wrong, wrong on levels in which he couldn’t accurately describe. Such hate, such rage… what kind of Equestrian let this much hatred reside inside them?

He pushed that thought away though as he and Noah stepped further into the abyss that sprung this evil. They’d started their search for the royal chambers - where Sombra was no doubt sleeping before Noah suddenly turned his attention elsewhere. He hadn’t said why but after a few minutes of walking Shining felt the reason, felt the choking darkness growing around him and his companion. ‘How’d he know it was this way?’ Well the stallion had said that this wasn’t his first time with dark magic so maybe he developed a sense for it? Either way the longer he followed the stallion the more the darkness grew till it was almost suffocating the former guard captain.

“Looks like we made it.” He muttered as Noah looked ahead, focusing his attention on the large double-doors in which the dark sensation was originating from. He took a breath as Noah snorted.

“Nothing says Boss Room like two oversized intricate doors, right?”

“I hear ya…” Shining Armor couldn’t help breaking a smile as Noah returned it. “It does seem pretty cliche though doesn’t it, evil overlords castle, giant foreboding doors.”

“All we’re missing is the hundreds of monsters occupying the castle in order gain experience points from.” The two shared a short laugh as Noah took a breath. “And we’re missing a final save point or backup characters, but we should be fine; after all we have the hero and his sidekick here to save the empire.”

“Which of us is the hero though?”

“Me.” Noah stated as he smirked. “Duh.”

“Why are you the hero, I’m the knight.”

“Former knight.” Noah used his black claw to wave his sword. “You retired, and I have the cool sword.”

“I’m the one who gets the princess in the end though.”

“Yeah about that; fuck you.”

“Bite me.”

“Have your wife do it, I bet you like it when she nibbles.” The two broke into a short laugh as they shared a smile.

“You know, I figured I’d be more nervous about charging at an evil royal.”

“Yeah I try to not stay completely serious when I’m about to do something stupid - can do that when I’m getting my ass kicked.” Noah admitted as turned back towards the door. “So you ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

“Good enough.” Noah muttered as he and Shining both used their magic to envelop the doors and pushed them open. “Let’s do this.”

15

Noah was actually disappointed when he and Shining Armor finished pushing the double doors open. There was no sudden burst of compressed black miasma washing over him, there was no blast of murderous intent, there was just… nothing. Just this dark sensation crawling along the floor. Still when they entered the chamber Noah tightened psychic tethers around his blade as he and Shining Armor stepped forward. This chamber was much like the others; crystalline in design, but beyond that it wasn’t like the others to say the least.

The castles dark tile was outlined with overgrown crystal-like parasitic vines that raced around as they climbed up to cover the roof. Each one a mix of either black and purple or green as they shined from an unseen light source. Nestled on the walls the two found dozens - literally hundreds of crystal spires, each having an equine figure locked behind them.

“What in Equestria?” Shining began as he and Noah stepped into this strange holding chamber. “These ponies, are they…” Noah’s eyes flashed, and he saw through the crystals, saw through the bound figures and frowned.

“They’re alive, barely.” The stallion muttered as he walked up to a crystal spire and stared at the pony it held. “It’s like they’re in a state of suspended animation; their vitals have been slowed to be almost nonexistent… but their hearts are still beating… also this crystal… it’s supplying oxygen to their lungs….”

“You can tell?”

“Sort of.” The stallion admitted as his eyes flashed again and he tapped the bound pony. “I can tell they’re alive, but how long is the real question. I also can’t tell what this crystal is doing to them.”

“Can we get them out?”

“No way; with how low their vitals are, the shock of leaving these crystals and jump-starting their vitals would probably kill them.”

“Very astute.” A voice hissed as the two paused and looked around. “And you’re correct, those crystals and my power are the only things keeping them alive right now.”

“Sombra.” Shining Armor muttered the name as his horn flared to life. “Show yourself.”

“Hm~ two unicorns… but no princess. Where is she?”

“None of your business.” Noah remarked as he turned his gaze in a random direction. “Now; come out of hiding before I drag you out.” The stallion was rewarded with a dark chuckle as the shadows started to move, converging in a single location before two eyes started to glow. Soon after the shadows started to peel away and show dark flesh and Noah watched the transition for shadow to flesh. Shining seemed to stiffen as he gazed upon the dark unicorn, while Noah just tilted his head. Dark coat, curved crimson horn, scarlet slitted eyes, red cloak…

Somepony was trying way too hard to be the bad guy.

“So this is the Unicorn king…” Shining muttered as Sombra stepped forward and started to raise small shards of blackened crystal beneath him.

‘Is there anything about this guy that isn’t cliche?’ Swear, he’d seen less generic looking bad guys in his tabletop campaigns. Noah coughed into his hoof as he caught the black stallion’s attention. “I thank you for showing yourself so easily, Blackened King of Unicorns. My battle-brother and I come far to stand before you this night.” Shining heard the words leave the stallion’s mouth like silk as he turned to him.

‘What?’

‘Dude, play along.’ That was what Noah’s eyes told the stallion.

“Ah, it appears the tongue of the old age have not changed in my absence.” Sombra stated as he stood before the two. “And here I expected time to affect it.”

“Make no mistake, Blackened King, much has changed since your time, however thou shall not be blessed in seeing our era.”

‘You’re really doing this.’

‘I’m really doing this.’

“And what pray tell makes thou so certain?”

“Before the rising sun rests upon your empire, you shall have fallen to my blade.” Sombra just chuckled, though it quickly evolved into a full blown laugh as he threw his head back for a moment before staring at the stallion.

“Interesting~. and who pray tell is it that aims to slay me?”

‘Don’t…’

“I go by many names; the Twilightsworn, Aberration Knight, the Scarlet Sorcerer, High Shaman of Rosengard, the Hunter, I am Sir Noah Astray; youngest son of the House of Bellerosé.”

“I am the High Paladin of the Keepers of the Sun, Champion of Lowrise, Captain of the Dawnguard, The Lightbound, I am Sir Shining Armor, eldest son of the House of Twilight Shield.”

Sombra just grinned viciously as he looked at the pair. “As the Umbrum King, I welcome you to my Crystal Empire, knights of Equestria.” How Shining Armor kept the smile from forming - how he kept himself from laughing - was beyond him. They were really doing this; they were screwing with the Crystal Tyrant. Keepers of the Sun, the city of Lowrise… Lightbound, all that belonged to his Ogres & Oubliettes characters. Dawnguard though; that was the official name of Celestia’s Royal Guard faction, counteracting Princess Luna’s Duskguard. ‘We are gonna be in so much trouble if he finds out we’re screwing with him…’

‘Worth it.’

‘Totally worth it.’

Both shared a look as Noah held his sword at the ready as Sombra created a hole of shadows upon the ground and levitated something out of it. A scythe of blackened metal rose from the ground as Noah frowned. Honestly he was expecting a shadow scythe or crystal but a plain black metal scythe with a wrapped handle worked too.

“Come.”

‘Que the boss music.’

Noah stepped and the ground cracked beneath him, he shot forward like a bullet as he swung his blade, locking it with Sombra’s scythe before breaking away.

‘Fast!’ Shining charged after as he fired a ray of magic at the dark stallion only for him to dodge. Noah swung his blade again as Sombra dodged, countering he brought his scythe forward and made for the stallion’s throat only for Noah to duck, dodging before he slammed his hoof into the stallion’s regula and pushed him back. He fired his blade forward as it pierced through the dark king only for black vapors to spill from the wound as he became shadows and slipped across the room. Shadow moved like a snake; circling around the stallion before lunging forward. Noah moved as Sombra became flesh again and Shining Armor fired a blast of arcane that the dark king deflected with his scythe. Noah used that moment to charge forward and tap the king’s chest with his hoof as a pulse of telekinesis threw him back.

Sombra wasn’t all that bothered, he just became shadows again moved about the room, his eyes glowing as his scythe flew forward and made to slip behind the outlander as Noah made to dodge only to stumble slightly do to loosing his balance.

‘Fucking new center of gravity!’

Before the scythe could cut into him a shield with a familiar emblem popped up before him and blocked the weapon. Armor just made his shield knock the weapon back as Noah took that moment to step back. The scythe turned on it’s own and swung downward to slowly start cutting the shield in two as Shining’s eyes widened.

“What?”

‘Wrought Iron…’

***

Cadence wasn’t to sure what woke her up, maybe it was an impulse, maybe it was the dream she had, or maybe it was because when she reached for her beloved she found herself grasping at air. Either case she found herself opening her eyes as she groaned. “Shining…” She whispered in a daze as she rubbed her eyes and looked around. Needing only a few seconds to wake herself up the mare blinked a few time before she froze. She was still in Clear’s house; but it felt empty. Misty had chosen to stay the night and was muttering something in her sleep, but her husband, and Noah were both missing. “Where…?” Cadence began.

***

“I just wish I knew what I could do to help… This is the least I can do…”

***

“He didn’t.” Cadence’s eyes widened as she made for the front door and pushed it open.

“Princess?” Misty called out in a daze but Cadence didn’t hear her. Mare just moved, heading towards the street as she took a moment to look at the corrupted crystal castle. It was still standing, it looked the same, and yet…

They’d left her behind so they could fight the Unicorn Tyrant on their own. They were putting the weight of everything on their backs and going off to fight.

Much as she hated to admit it, that was possibly the wisest course of action. The proper thing to do was to have her stay behind; let the princess wait for her knight - and whatever Noah classified as - to vanquish the Empires’ evil. She needed to stay safe, she needed to be patient and hope and pray.

…

Buck that.

She moved, breaking into a gallop as she headed towards the ominous castle.

Noah was in there.

Shining Armor was in there.

Her husband was in there.

There was no way in this world or the next that she was going to let him fight a creature like Sombra alone. She almost lost him once to Chrysalis, she was not going to risk losing him a second time.

“Hang on, I’m coming.”

***

Shining Armor moved as the scythe almost struck him. He dodged a ray of dark magic and regained his footing as he turned. He fired at Sombra and watched the shadow twist and mold itself around his attack before charging. His scythe followed from the opposite direction - locking the stallion in a pincer maneuver as he raised a barrier and let the shadow wash over him. As for the scythe, Noah took care of that; coming between the weapon and him as he blocked it with his sword and deflected it towards the ceiling. He turned to Sombra’s darkness and used his black claw to swing his blade at the shadow only for it to phase right through the dark entity.

Shining Armor started to lose ground as his barrier was pushed, though he refused to yield to the dark magic. When the last of the shadow passed over him he dropped his barrier and took a moment to breath - only for that dark scythe to descend upon him. He raised a shield to block it, though his efforts were rewarded by the sight of that magic slowly falling to the dark weapon. His shield broke and the scythe descended on him only for Noah’s blade to block the weapon again and force it back to it’s master.

“What’s going on…” Shining muttered under his breath as he and Noah stood back-to-back for a moment. “My shields… how is it that they’re failing?”

“It’s because his scythe is made of Wrought Iron.” Noah muttered as he brought his sword back.

“Wrought Iron?”

“Yeah… though it’s also called Cold Iron, heard of it?” Shining didn’t respond, not verbally, but he flinched for a moment and his eyes widened.

“So that’s it…” He knew it by that name; studied about it in school history and through lessons later reinforced at Guard training camp. Cold Iron, Wrought Iron; it was an old form of weapons - even older than Equestria itself. Cold Iron could dispel magic and it was - to an extent anyway - poisonous to all spellweavers like unicorns. “How is he carrying it though? Dark Magic or not it should be burning away the mana he’s using to hold it.”

“Wrapping.” Noah whispered as he deflected the scythe again. “That wrappings acting as a buffer. His magic can touch that and not the actual weapon. Makes sense actually… but iron’s not as sturdy as other metals like steel - we should be able to break it…”

“I don’t think so.” Shining blocked another blast of dark magic. “Weapon’s likely made from a fusion of iron and his dark magic. For all we know it could be as strong as diamond.” Noah just made a noise as he agreed. Deflecting the scythe again he watched it fly around the room for a moment.

“That aside we need to stop his movements, any ideas?”

“Sombra isn’t invulnerable in his ‘shadow form’, he’s dodging our magic attacks; he's molding his body around them.”

“It’s because he’s using magic to take on that form instead of just hiding his actual body in it.” Noah added. “And magic can hit magic.“

“Glad to see we’re on the same page.” Sombra’s scythe came flying again as they broke apart, letting it dig into the ground as Noah stood on his hind legs and connected his black claw to his limb, creating a second dark one to better grab the weapon before he brought it back. Shining Armor created another barrier around himself, expanded it at an alarming rate and molded it to press against the walls and forcing Sombra’s darkness in a single position. Noah wrapped his blade it an aura of black and red before swinging it, a large, ghastly wave of mana shooting across the chamber as he saw Sombra’s eyes widen.

The blast didn’t rip through the castle, but it did punch a hole through the next couple rooms as they heard Sombra scream in pain while his shadow shifted into flesh. He groaned as he stood back up, a thin trail of dark crystals chipping away on his side as he turned to look ahead and growled. His eyes narrowed as he found Noah suddenly appearing before him with a hoof pulled back. Without warning he smashed his limb into the dark kings face as he sent him staggering, another strike and the stallion jerked forward , and the third was rewarded with a step to the side.

Spires of black crystal shot from the ground as a shield appeared before Noah’s face and took the blunt of the strike as he was forced back. He rolled and flipped to his feet as Sombra’s eyes flared with dark magic as he fired a ray from his horn, Noah just stood on is hind legs and reached forward, an aura of white gathering around his hooves as he grabbed onto the beam of dark magic and went sliding a few feet back.

The scythe came spinning behind him, but a familiar blade intercepted it’s flight and sent it elsewhere. Shining jumped out from out Noah’s shadow as he caught the weapon, sinking his teeth into the blade's handle as he took to wielding it. When he landed he swung from Sombra’s blindspot as the ray of dark magic disappeared and the tyrant king dodged. He weaved away from the second strike and sidestepped the third. Shining raised a shield when a blast of dark magic rained down on him and stepped around his defense to press his assault. The scythe ripped itself from the shadows as Shining used the blade to block the weapon. The scythe spun around it’s owner before striking from a second angle only for Shining to block, deflecting the weapon to the side as he turned and threw a kick. He turned again firing a ray of magic as Sombra dodged and brought his scythe in an upward swing as it knocked the bastard sword away.

Noah was already leaping above Shining when he used his black claws to grab the weapon and stab it downward into the ground. Sombra dodged, becoming shadow as he slipped around the pair and behind them. He flared his horn as the ground dropped, taking the two other unicorns to a lower level as they stumbled for footing.

“Armor!”

“I’m alright!” Both looked up to see a rain of dark crystals descending upon them and Shining quickly raised a barrier. Floor was littered in seconds but that didn’t stop the crystal rain from falling. Shining just grit his teeth as he kept his barrier strong stopping only when a familiar scythe and it’s owner punched through his defense. Both males moved as the dark stallion slammed into the floor and watched him disappear into a black puddle. Soon after did the crystals that littered the floor start to glow with dark magic. The tyrant king’s eye shined in each one before they fired individual rays of dark magic that bounced off each crystal construct and continued down the cluttered hall like gatling fire.

Noah was already gone, appearing across an empty portion of the hall as the reflected shots continued down toward him. He tossed Shining away from him and turned back to the live-fire. He clapped, and a transparent pulse of white washed over his side of the room as Sombra’s fire started to dissolve and vanish.

Sombra appeared beneath the outlander’s shadow as he swung his scythe, Shining grabbed him with magic and pulled hard to get him to safety. Throwing the stallion to his side the two stood ready as Sombra turned to them.

***

Cadence panted for breath as she looked around the Crystal castle. No pony was in sight; not Sombra, not Shining Armor, not Noah. “Which way?” The sound of something crashing down one of the halls caught her attention as she turned. “That way.” She took off running, following the sounds of battle that seemed to be around every corner she took. Where were they? They sounded so close. She heard the sound again, this time coming from behind her as she turned and felt the ground tremble. “Below.”

***

Noah flipped off a wall as Sombra’s scythe tried to carve into him and landed across from the tyrant king. Shining fired a ray of magic that the dark unicorn deflected before making a swing at him. Shining ducked and Noah threw a punch and smashed it into a wall. Shining formed a barrier around Sombra to keep him still. In turn Sombra just became shadow and started to expand himself till the barrier broke as Noah threw an enchanted punch that made Sombra revert to his corporeal form as he staggered back. Sombra countered with a near point-blank spell that sent Noah through a wall and Shining retaliated by charging the tyrants. He dodged scythe swings and magic spells as he closed in and decked the dark stallion in the face. Unlike Noah, when Sombra retaliated Shining raised a shield and only took a couple steps back to steady himself as the tyrant charged him.

Only thing was the dark stallion tripped, a pair of black claws grabbed his hind legs and pulled him into the room Noah had been launched into. Noah stood, connected the claws to his hooves as he turned and smashed Sombra into the walls before dragging him along the ground. Pinning the stallion with one claw Noah brought the other back as he enlarged it. Bringing it down with a roar the impact smashed him and the Black Tyrant through the floor, and several more hits did the same to the following lower levels.

Shining ran into the room as he looked down at the abyss and made to jump. “Shining!” Cadence’s voice stopped him as he turned and looked to his wife, seeing the mare panting as she stood in the broken hall.

“Cadence.” Shining paused as he noticed something slip in Cadence’s shadow as she approached. “Cadence get down!” Maybe it was reflex from hearing the former guard captain issue an command, but she did as ordered and a dark scythe passed overhead, nipping a few of her hairs and made its way towards the hole in the floor. Noah’s blade was next, firing off and seeming to give pursuit of the darker weapon as it dived. Shining just made for his wife as panic filled his eyes. “Cadence are you -?”

“I’m fine.” She stood and developed a look in her eyes as she stared at her husband. Shining knew that look; knew it from their dating days - showed that he was in trouble. “Where’s Noah and Sombra?” Shining Armor just looked at the hole in the ground as Cadence bit her lips. “Let’s go.”

***

Noah hit a wall as Sombra blasted him with a wave of dark magic before pulling himself from the ground. Sombra just growled as he looked at his opponent and summoned a horde of blackened crystals to fire at the stallion. The outlander’s eyes flashed as the weapons impaled him; smashing into a nearby wall as the hundreds of following crystals ripped through him and the wall.

“Behind you.” Sombra turned, eyes widening as an unscarred Noah came up behind him and smashed his hooves against the stallion’s ears. Disoriented, the dark king failed to notice the two limbs grabbing onto his head and the headbutt against his muzzle that followed. Right after Noah spun, planting a roughly made roundhouse on the side of his face and sent him to the wall. Sombra spit a bit of blood as he looked at the outlander, seeing him try planting both his hind legs on his face. Sombra became shadows; phasing through the attack before wrapping around the younger pony and slammed his front two hooves on his exposed barrel.

Noah’s turn to to spit a bit of blood, Sombra smashed him into the ground before throwing a series of armorclad hooves onto the stallion’s form. Only saving grace was that that armor wasn’t iron, would have stung like a bitch if it had. Noah caught the last punch as he knocked it away, a claw of black grabbing Sombra’s cape as it pulled it over the stallion’s face to blind him. That done he got to his feet and put a bit of room between him and the dark unicorn before raising a hoof to let his claw grab onto the floor above him. With a pull he brought it down on Sombra’s head, dropping chunks of debris on the unicorn kings in an attempt to bury him alive. The tyrant was heard growling as his shadow slipped through the cracks in the debris before washing over the room.

Grunting Noah felt shards of crystal stab into his body as he was carried across the hall and through another wall. Thrown into another room Noah just picked himself up as Sombra glared from beyond his shadow. Noah stood, his tattered jacket sliding off his form as it revealed the few scars his body had beneath it. The young outlander just grunted as he looked at his apparel for a second. “Sorry Lucretia, looks like I need another repair job.”

“You will need more than that when I’m through with you.”

“Mh.” Noah clapped, a pulse of white leaving him as Sombra suddenly reverted to flesh.

“What?!” Noah didn’t answer, just charged as the tyrant king was caught off guard and slammed his hoof into his face. This time Noah didn’t let up, laying into the dark stallion as he pushed him across the room. The last strike he made was reinforced by a wave of telekinesis and threw the dark king away. Sombra retaliated with a wave of of dark magic as Noah went sliding back towards the wall.

‘Ok think Noah… we can’t do that trick much longer… damn it I hate not having my mind and body fully synchronized…’ The youth thought to himself as he ducked under a familiar scythe trying to cut his head off as he looked at it for a moment. “Got it.” Sombra got back to his feet as he charged the stallion and Noah turned to him and tapped the wall. “Come and get me.” Sombra punched the wall as it caved, a vain attempt to hit the outlander only for him to have vanished. Behind him he saw a shadow move, as Noah make a break for it. Sombra tisked as he gave chase, changing into his shadow form as he retrieved his scythe.

Noah sped across the floors as he looked around. “Come on he’s gotta have one here somewhere…”

“Noah!” He saw Shining Armor and Cadence come down a corner as they approached.

“Follow!” The stallion barked as he sped off before them as they looked back, seeing that there was a giant shadow giving chase. They followed the scarred stallion without a second thought and Sombra gave chase.

“We need a plan.”

“Cadence where’s the armory?” Cadence looked at the stallion.

“What makes you think I know where it is?”

“You’re the one getting memories of this empire, you might know where it is.” Cadence just stared at the stallion as she saw his sword return to him and follow its master.

“Um… its…” A light of clarity went off behind the mare’s eyes as she turned her head. “I know where it is.” The mare stated as she started to fly, leading her husband and the offlander down corridors as they dodged waves of dark magic. Noah glanced back at Sombra as the stallion roared and threw his scythe, only for the weapon to be deflected from the outlanders own blade. Shining raised a shield and Sombra blasted it with magic. They alternated between steel and arcane as the dark king continued to chase them, though they were forced to stop and turn down another hall as a wall of tainted crystal rose to block their path. “We’re not going to make it with him chasing us.”

“Then I’ll buy you some time.” Shining Armor stated as he turned to Noah.

“Shining!” The white stallion pulled to a sudden stop and rose a barrier behind him to separate the hall. Cadence and Noah just stopped for a moment as she ran up to the barrier and started to bash on it. “No! I’m not leaving you to fight him on your own!”

“You need to get Noah to the armory, now!” The stallion raised a another barrier - this time one before him as Sombra rammed into it. “I’ll be fine; I was trained for situations like this.”

“Shining…” Shining looked back to his wife as he gave her a smile.

“I’ll see you when this is all over.” The smile dropped as he turned to Noah and looked at the stallion’s eyes. “Keep her safe.” Noah nodded his head and stabbed his bastard sword into the floor as Shining looked at it for a few seconds.

“I want that back when this is over.” He turned his head to Cadence and put a hoof on her back. “We gotta go.” Cadence just looked between Noah and her husband as Shining's barrier started to buckle. “Cadence!”

“Be safe.” Cadence muttered as she turned and led Noah off. Shining grabbed the blade by telekinesis and formed a third barrier behind it. His first one broke as Sombra roared, and Shining pulled the steel bastard sword through his second barrier and held it at the ready.

Sombra just glared down at the stallion as he made a noise. “Standing your ground to protect your comrades, admirable, but foolish white knight.”

“A stallion does foolish things for love.” Shining stated as he glared upward.

“Poor ignorant stallion, love will be your downfall.”

“We’ll see about that.” Shining stated. “I am Shining Armor of the Dawnguard, and I am your opponent now.” He charged and the blade followed. He wrapped it in magic - making it glow a faint rose hue - and right after he formed a shield to protect himself and swung the blade. Sombra swung his scythe, locking it against the weapon as he molded around the shield. Shining took that moment to fire a ray of magic as the tyrant made quick work to mold around it. The dark stallion fired his own ray as Shining formed another shield before him as he deflected the blast elsewhere. He moved and enveloped his opponent’s face in a barrier to keep them still as he brought it down on his borrowed blade. Sombra just countered with his scythe and deflected the weapon before having it spin and split the shield to free himself.

The tyrant smiled as he backed away, raising spikes of dark crystal along the floor only for Shining to create a shield beneath him to act as a platform. When the crystals rose he was thrown airborne, and kicked off a second shield that was above him and flipped over the dark unicorn. Both clashed with rays of arcane as Shining landed behind the shadow. With a quick dodge he cut the connection to his magic and dodged, focusing on the blade and swung as Somba’s visible face. The dark stallion grunted as he was struck before he looked back. A wave of shadows washed over the unicorn as Shining started sliding back. He raised a barrier around him to minimize the damage but when it was over his coat was still bloodied by razors of black energy. In the meantime Sombra charged as he had his scythe rip through the barrier and Shining started to back step, using the blade to parry and block the blows that were coming in his direction.

Shining just grit his teeth as he and Sombra exchanged strikes, sparks of iron and steel colliding with one another as the unicorn knight dodged rays of dark magic. ‘That shadow form is really getting on my nerves.’ Shining thought as he made another swing at the black shadow only for him to mold around it. ‘Long as he can take it I can’t really hurt him.’ He leapt to the side to avoid another strike from Sombra’s scythe before enveloping the corridor in his magic, locking Sombra in place when the magic washed over him. Following it, Shining compressed his magic, forming a barrier around the dark unicorn as he narrowed his eyes. He stomped his hoof and the barrier collapsed - seeming to implode before detonating outward, showering the room in black blood. Only reason Shining wasn’t covered in the liquid was do to a shield he raised at the last minute. When he dropped the shield he looked at the mess he had created and stepped back to lower the blade.

Wouldn't lie, part of him wanted to vomit. Royal guard or not, Shining Armor, ponies in general weren’t accustomed to killing - especially in such a gorey fashion. ‘I compressed him to the size of an ant, there’s no way he could have survived-’ The liquid moved and Shining groaned as it started to crawl towards a single point. “Oh you’ve got to be kidding me…” Even before the liquid fully came together, parts of it lunged, shadow tendrils firing from their mass as they closed in on the knight.

***

“Alright we’re here.” Cadence muttered as she saw Noah kick in the door to the armory and looked around. Naturally there were quite a few varieties of weapons, axes, blades, flails, halberds. Most of crystal, but some were of regular metals like copper and bronze.

“Thanks.” He created a wall of magic and let it pass over the weapons as he seemed to watch for something.

“What did you need to come here for?”

“That.” Noah muttered as he stared at something, rushed forward and smiled. Cadence just looked at the weapon in confusion. It was just a quiver filled with arrows. Not arrows of crystal or enchanted, just plain arrows.

“Arrows?” Looking around Noah found some old banners and used his magic to tear them apart. Being careful he set one of the arrows on the cloth before taking a breath. “What in Equestria are you going to do with arrows?”

“Level the playing field.” Noah stated as he wrapped the arrowhead up and used his magic to pull it from the body. That done he turned to a broadsword, grabbed the bronze handle with magic and turned to Cadence. “Grab one of the weapons, make sure it has either a bronze or copper handle.” Cadence looked in confusion before nodding her head and grabbed a weapon. Her choice? A flail of all things. ‘I’m not sure why, but for a cartoonish pony she just got super hot for some reason.’ He shook his head before rushing out the armory with Cadence close behind him.

They made it to an antechamber when they heard a body drop, saw Shining’s unconscious form and Noah's steel blade.

“No…”

“Don’t worry, he’s alive.” Noah stated as his eyes flashed for a second and looked to the shadow around Shining armor as it formed into Sombra. That said the dark king glared at the stallion before his eyes rested on the pink alicorn. Confusion crossed his eyes as he stared at her though it quickly evolved into a natural glare.

“A new alicorn? How?” Cadence didn’t answer as Noah just looked at the tyrant and stepped forward.

“I’ll pull him away from Shining, you check on him.” Again the ground cracked as Noah blurred forward, and tackled Sombra as he pushed him back. Cadence didn’t hesitate to look after her love as she crouched down next to him. “Shining? Shining?”

“Urgh~” Shining opened his eyes as he struggled to move. He shivered as he did, a noticeable gash across his side that he clutched. “It burns… I - it burns…”

“The wound burns?” Cadence looked down to see shards of dark metal stabbed into her husband’s flesh. Without a word she called on her magic, trying to grab hold of the material only to find her magic not working on it. She used her teeth next, stopping only when she felt a burning sensation shoot through her. “Ow!” What material was this? It… it burned, just like Shining Armor had said. Narrowing her eyes though in determination she dived back into the wound and started to pull the shards from her husband's form. Felt like her lips were blistering as she touched each of the shards, didn’t stop her though. Pulling the last one out with slightly bloody lips the mare spit the shard amongst the tiny pile she had made. “There that should do it.” Shining Armor looked to his wife as he gave her a weak smile.

“Thanks…”

“You don’t have to thank me.” She said with a smile as Shining forced himself to his feet. “Your horn…” There was some strange crystals forming around the base of her stallion’s horn, and when he tried charging a spell he found it blocked.

“It’s some kind of anti-magical crystals.” The stallion muttered as he winched and held his wound. “Damn… this pain is definitely going to linger.”

“Take it easy, I’ll take over.”

“No I can still fight.”

“I know but so can I.” The mare stated as she looked to Noah and saw him clashing with Sombra again. “And it’s my turn.”

Sombra grunted as he slid across the floor and looked to the outlander as he used a hoof to wipe some blood from his cheek. Pain lingered, but he could bare it. Still… “That weapon…”

Noah pointed the blade forward as he took a breath. “You just left these just sitting in the armory, figured I’d take one.” He stated and charged, cracking the ground as their weapons locked and he pushed the taller stallion back. “Come on, go shadow, give me a bigger target!” Sombra just hissed at him and fired a blast of dark magic. Noah just dodged, leaning to the side as he pressed his attack. He made a wide swing and Sombra slipped behind him to swing his scythe. He stopped though when he heard a battle cry and found a flail almost smashing into his face. He stepped back and Cadence turned, pressing the attack as she caused the dark unicorn to start back-pedal. The black king dodged another flail strike as he retaliated with his scythe. Cadence raised a shield and charged. Shield wasn't meant to stop the magic dispelling weapon, it was to slow it down as her horn flared, releasing a blinding flash of blue light that caused Sombra to roar in pain. Blinded he never saw the flail smash into him. Cadence followed it with a back-kick and knocked the stallion away before creating a beam of light. Sombra just shook his head and retreated to the darkness, avoiding the blast as he circled around the mare. He fired blindly, throwing rays of dark magic flaring across the antechambers as it kicked up a torrent of dark crystals.

***

Outside Crystal Ponies were roused from their homes as they heard the blasts, watching streaks of dark magic start to spill out from different parts of the castle. "What the... what's going on?" Misty looked at the castle as she stood among the crowd, watching waves of dark crystal start to grow from the castle, granting it a haphazard appearance.

"Its the Crystal Princess... she and her knights are fighting the king."

"The Crystal Princess?"

"But she's... she's gone."

"She left a successor..." Misty muttered as she stared at the sight and saw part of the castle start to break. "Princess Cadence... be careful." The mare muttered as she saw a young pony drop to her hind legs and started to pray.

"Please be safe."

"Please don't die."

***

Cadence grunted as she pulled herself from a destroyed ledge and started to fly, throwing herself back inside the Crystal castle and the fight as she tackled Sombra. Her flail was right behind her, trying to smash into the stallion's barrel as he faded away and she hit the ground with a roll. The dark king reformed and fired a wave of magic as he growled at the mare and charged.

"Head's up." Cadence ducked as a steel blade came flying behind her. Sombra moved, dodging only to find the broadsword flying in it's shadow. That one hit home, stabbing into the stallion as he erupted into a scream as he was burned from the blade of Wrought Iron. The outlander made himself known a second later as he closed in and punched Sombra in the stomach as he grabbed his weapon. His striking hoof turned as pushed it forward and sent the dark king back as he pulled his weapon back and backed away.

"My... blood..." Sombra choked as he staggered for a moment and grit his teeth. "Wretched UPSTARTS!!!" A sphere of dark magic washed over the two as princess and outlander braced themselves."

"Think you made him mad!"

"Good!" Before the sphere could reach the pair it dissipated as Sombra coughed, dropping to the floor as Cadence looked at him.

"What the?"

"It... it burns... it burns!" The tyrant choked out as he clutched his side, though it wasn't the one that was cut open and breathing vapors of dark magic. It was his unharmed side that 'burned'. "What did you do to me?"

"That would be the pain of an iron arrowhead nestled next to your stomach." Noah stated as he called back his steel blade. "Wound have gone for your head but my aim was off."

"Iron?" Sombra grunted.

But there's no wound." Noah just made a noise.

"When I punched you I shoved the arrowhead into him and closed the wound right after. Wanted to make sure it stayed no matter which form you took."

"That's impossible no pony can close a wound that fast..." Sombra's eyes narrowed as Noah shrugged.

"Not normally, no." Noah stated as he charged and Sombra stopped him with his scythe. "Getting grazed by iron burns so badly it feels like being burned at the stake, having it inside you must feel like your bathing in hellfire!"

"Don't... get... ahead of yourself!" The black king grunted as he got to his feet and made to blast the stallion away. Spell was far weaker than he expected, but he still succeeded. He bit into his scythe and swung it as Noah blocked. Cadence came from his blindside as Sombra moved, dodging her flail and she fired a ray of magic. He dodged the ray and went after Cadence, forcing her to defend with the handle of her flail. She dodged another swing and Noah struck only to be blocked by a wave of crystals. He coughed up blood as he was impaled, and dropped.

"Noah!" Cadence grit her teeth as she stepped around the dark stallion and ripped out a piece of dark crystal before stabbing it at the tyrant king's hind leg. Sombra grunted as he lifted the leg and threw a kick at her and pushed her back. The scythe followed as he swung it, coming around and almost scarring her face had she not blocked with an arcane shield before ducking low. She swung her flail and the dark king blocked it with his scythe, letting the iron weapon wrap around his scythe before he wretched it from her side. He turned spinning his weapon only for it to disappear as an explosion sounded in their ears. Weapon was broken, busted into shards as Sombra looked back at it. A whistle caught his attention as a hoof brushed against part of the broken scythe.

Cadence's eyes widened, as did Sombra's - though the latter changed when Noah stabbed the dark iron shard into Sombra's side made it disappear into his flesh. The bleeding outlander flowed it with a punch and a headbutt that broke the king's muzzle. Cadence shook her head and rejoined the fight, charging the dark unicorn as she fired rays of magic. Sombra grunted as he turned to her, forced his magic to gather before releasing blast of dark crystals in her direction. She blocked with a shield of magic as she grunted. Creating a flash of blinding light she stole the king's eyes while Noah slammed his hooves on his ears to disorient his hearing. Right after they both forced themselves to grab hold of scythe shards and started to stab them into the dark king, forcing the dark iron into his body to further spread it's poison. Sombra surrounded himself in a wall of dark magic as he pushed outward, a wave pushing his two attackers back as Noah rolled switching to his handgun and took aim. He fired, another explosion of sound piercing through the castle as the tyrant staggered back.
The dark king roared, another wave of dark crystals rising around him as they shot outward and Cadence took flight. Noah cracked the ground and appeared a good couple feet away from the destruction.

"He can still cast with that much iron in his system?"

"He's cornered and desperate!" Noah remarked as he called the two blades to his side. "He's calling out everything he can just to keep going." Looking at the dark king the two stared at the storm of dark magic that was radiating from his horn and eyes. The stallion really was bringing out everything he had, it was corrupting the dark tile even beyond it's current appearance.

"So what do we do?"

"Hit him with everything!" Noah muttered as he stomped his hooves and pointed forward with a front limb. "I'll give you an opening, just don't miss." An aura of white gathered around the stallion's hoof as he aimed it. Cadence just nodded as she dived into herself as she focused, her horn sparking to life as she thought to her past. Her magic ran on her feelings; her love. The love for her husband, the love for her aunt, the love for nation... she focused on all of it as her cutie mark glowed.

Sombra twitched as he looked at the mare before roaring and threw his head forward, a blast of dark arcane firing from his horn as Noah countered with his own. There was no explosion upon contact, there was no sphere of power that threatened to grow, there was no quake or sparks. All there was, was a shower of light upon contact, the dark magic and the wave Noah created were quietly wrestling against one another as Noah grit his teeth. There was a lot of magic spilling from the tyrant, he couldn't keep this up for long and he was already at his limit since he hadn't fully adjust to his body yet.

[i']But that doesn't mean I can't do this much' Noah grunted as he released more of his power and pushed Sombra's back. 'Come on... come on... you can do this Noah! She just needs one opening, you can give her that much!' He grunted as he felt Sombra's dark magic start to over take him.

That was when he saw the flail make a reappearance and smack into the dark king. Both he and Sombra turned to see Shining Armor standing, still clutching his side as he looked at Sombra in defiance.

"You!"

"Cadence; fire!" Cadence did just that, launching a wave of light leaving her horn as it chased after Noah's. The stallion's did it's work first; neutralizing the dark magic and Cadence's followed right after washing over the dark king as it punched through the remaining wall and he started to break apart.

"No... no! NOOO!" In an instant the dark king was gone, his body shattering like glass as the ray of good magic punched through the sky and disappeared. For a moment everything ran silent as Noah, Shining and Cadence looked at the destruction and took a moment to gather their collective breaths. Noah and Cadence dropped as Shining approached them. A weak smile upon his face as he sat next to them as well.

"Hey."

"Hey." Noah smirked as he raised a hoof and Shining bumped it with his own.

"We won..." Cadence whispered.

"Fuck yeah." Noah leaned back. "I haven't been this winded after a fight in the longest, I wanna nap."

"I think we all earned one." Cadence admitted as she heard Shining chuckle.

"So... what now?" A growl caught the pairs attention as they turned to the hole in the wall and saw the outside world.

"Oh... right; dragon." No not dragon. It had some odd features as it glared at them and Noah couldn't help but groan as he looked back at the titan thing. "... we come in peace?"

"We are so screwed aren't we?"

"Yes; yes we are." Cadence admitted as the trio forced themselves to their feet. Noah floated the bastard sword to his side as he held it at the ready. Cadence flared what magic she had left, and Shining bit into the broadsword's bronze handle. The dragonoid entity just growled a moment longer as it stared at the trio before going silent, seeming to turn it's gaze elsewhere before backing up. Two great leathery wings took flight as it roared at them, and in turn it kicked up a gale like force that nearly knocked the tree back on their butts. It didn't attack though, it didn't roast them alive, it backed off, took flight outside the castle and started to disappear over the horizon. "What?"

"Its leaving?"

"Oh thank the Mother Goddess." Noah dropped the bastard sword and breathed a sigh of relief. "I did not wanna deal with that."

"Why'd it leave?" Shining asked as Cadence watched the beast fly off.

"Maybe it was under a spell? Like some form of hypnosis and it was freed when Sombra fell?"

"Maybe..."

"I don't really care." Noah muttered. "I pretty much have nothing left in me right now. I expended a lot of Ki today."

"Ki?"

"Story, to tired to talk about it." Noah admitted as he yawned. "I just wanna take five and wake up next week."

"Me too."

"Not so fast you two. We still have a job to do." Cadence was met with a pair of groans as the two looked at her. "We have to get to the Crystal Heart and use its power to purify the Crystal Empire."

"Fu~uck, do have to do that right now?"

"Yes."

"We don't even know where it is." Shining Armor just got a smile from his wife. "really..."

"I know where it is." The two just looked at her before turning to each other.

"How?"

"I~ felt it, when I focused my powers against Sombra." Cadence looked to a tower as Shining and Noah noticed her Cutie Mark glowing.

"Damn magic butt stamp bullshit." Noah muttered as he got to his feet and Shining followed. "Fine... one last ride before the dawn?"

"One last ride before the dawn." Shining stated as Cadence started walking down the destroyed room and made their way through the castle.

"Also." Cadence paused as she looked back at the two. "You two are in so much trouble when were done with this."

"Worth it."

"Not worth it Armor... Noah muttered as he groaned. "Not worth it."