Equis has changed a lot from when Father first came here, over twenty years ago now. The portals that had allowed travel between Equis and where Father came from, a planet called Earth, collapsed permanently. The number of humans on Equis at the time were counted to be just over 1,200. Almost eighty percent of that number where in cross species relationships. Now though, the number of humans have grown to around 4,800.

Father told me that unlike what we know today, human's didn't used to control magic. He was one of the first, one of the only ones who could use magic among though who first came to Equis. This was because of the literal angel and demon in him at the time.

Solest and Umbran.

Quiet Bael, setting the scene.

These beings allowed Father to control the very magic in the world around him, well energy specifically. Making him one of the strongest humans on Equis, until he had to give up his angel and demon to save my life at my birth. It wasn't until I was sixteen that I started hearing them, I really thought I was going crazy. When I told my magic teacher,Aunt Mizuki, about it she immediately got Father. As it turned out, she also had an angel and demon in her. That's when I was told their history.

Call us angels and demons again and you will not like the result.

Ten Solests and another ten Umbrans, have existed for longer than we can comprehend. The two factions hated each other, and a massive war was waged between them. Though being immortal kinda made this pointless. Nevertheless, the war continued. Until it finally came to Earth.

There humans joined the fight and eventually a compromise was reached. Serving as vessels and seals, nine humans took within themselves one Solest and one Umbran, leaving only one of each free. However in an attempt to prevent either side from corrupting the vessels, they turned the whole earth into a magic black hole. Magic could not exist on earth, and kept the Solest and Umbrans weak, while stripping all of humanity of magic they once possessed. The free Solest and Umbran, left Earth and would observe from a distance.

This affinity for magic went dormant, and didn't resurface until the portals to Equis appeared. Over time it was found out that being away from the magic void of Earth, humans were passively absorbing magic in the world around them. This awakened the Solests and Umbrans within their hosts, and set in motion events no one could have expected. Though it is unknown where all nine are, the whereabouts of five vessels are known.

While these nine are known to definitely have the ability to perform magic, within the last couple years some children have shown affinity for very weak magic. I cheated a little, being a vessel and the son of the previous one, my magic is on the level of some of the strongest unicorns, and I'm still learning. Princess Twilight actually told me a couple years ago I shouldn't try to use my full force, as I had gotten to the point where it would be dangerous to those around me. So in reality I don't know exactly how strong I am.

Aunt Mizuki, not my actually Aunt but the closest thing I have to one, has been teaching me since I was very little. My wind magic has always been difficult to control precisely, but over time she pushed me in the right direction. Even if she never actually taught me a thing, just gave me tasks and told me to figure them out. It is because of her that Father finally felt I was ready for today.

My name is Crimson Gale, Grim is what most call me... stupid emo phase.

Today is my twenty first birthday, and it is also the day I become a Guardian.

After a war which attempted to force humanity back to Earth and close the portals, the races of Equis agreed there was a need to form a final defense against similar future threats. Even though the portals collapsed on their own, the damage and fear caused by the war effected the whole of Equis. This was the solution agreed upon by the leaders of the world.

The Guardians of Equis.

A group made up the strongest of each race, allied together to stop prevent disasters like the Purge War from ever happening again. Father was the first to represent humanity because of his magic, and today I will be the second.

I feel so nervous honestly, but also excited. I always idolized my father, his magic was so simplistic but how he used it is what made others consider him to be likely the strongest of the Guardians. I only hope I can prove to be worthy of taking his place.

"Crimson, are you ready yet?" I heard my mother call from downstairs.

"Almost, Mom. I'll be down in a moment." I replied.

All that's left is to be sworn in, for Father to pass the crest and with it the proverbial torch... No more time to delay.

I closed my journal, the runes on it glowing briefly as the locking spell activated. Only family could open and read what I wrote, just in case I ever lost it. I walked downstairs where Mom and my sisters were waiting.

"Shesh, finally bro. Any longer and we would have been late." My twin, Silver Storm, said in her usual high and mighty tone.

"Come on Stormy, can't you let someone enjoy writing in their journal one last time." I teased her.

My half sister Adara Rose, who was reading on the couch, spoke up with her muzzle still in her book, "The day that happens, is the day my cutie mark falls off."

Mom and I laughed as Stormy blushed in embarrassment. She held her tongue though, no one could out quip Adara, except father.

Most don't realize we're siblings at first, with being human myself and my sisters being ponies, most new people we meet think I'm adopted. However Adara and my silver hair and Stormy's silver fur usually helps to combat that argument. Other than that we each take after our parents.

I take after father only by being human, what with my unusual silver hair and red eyes not possible with strictly human genes. Stormy was a unicorn like mom, with her mane colors and dad's blue eyes. While Adara was a terran like Ma with her fur and eyes, if it wasn't for their different mane's the two could be twins. We were definitely an strange set of siblings.

"I'm guessing Ma when on ahead." I said while attaching my weapons to my side.

Father had a principle of people should design their own weapons to best suit them. So after a lot of trial and error, and a bit of video game inspiration, I developed a pair of daggers all my own. With their own special twist of course.

Mom broke me out of my thoughts with her answer, "Yes, she went to let your Father know we should be on our way. So let's go already." She tapped her hoof impatiently.

I chuckled, "Alright, alright, I get it. Let's get this over with."

The crowd was enormous. All of Ponyville was present, plus a horde of reporters and members of other guardians' entourage who were present for the ceremony.

Mom went off to let Father know we had arrived and left us near the stage that had been erected in the middle of town. While we stood there Stormy and Adara chatted quietly while I was left to my thoughts. Though I wasn't left long as a heard a sound that immediately made me dread.

"EEEEE!!!" Came the one and only squeal of glee of one Berria Selene Pie... or Berry Pie for short.

My vision went purple as I was tackled and her puffy mane fell over both of us.

"Hello Berry." I muffle through the mass of hair.

Someone else picked the excited mare off of me, giving me access to sweet sweet oxygen. The little light pink mare just giggling as she watched me get up off the ground. My savior was none other than the Cinnamon Crisp, the farm hand still carrying Berry under his arm to keep her out of trouble.

"Thanks man." I said as he pulled me off the ground with his free hand.

"Mmhm." He hummed and nodded. Stallion of few words, just like his uncle.

I noticed that our pack of friends had arrived with him and Berry.

The 'next six' as some of the town had dubbed them, my friends' status as the children of the Elements of Harmony definitely made things interesting.

Berry was just like her mother, Pinkie Pie, in terms of energy. Cinnamon Crisp, the only stallion of the next six, was often mistaken for being his uncle's foal instead of his mother Applejack's. Though I could see why. Tanzanite was just as flashy as her mother Rarity, with her glittering dress even at such a general event. 'Always dress up' was her motto and she stuck to it. Actual daughter of Big Macintosh and Fluttershy, Honeycrisp differed from both of them with her adventurous soul. Often to the terror of her mother with what she'd get herself into. Then there was Lightning Shot, who sat lazily on her cloud, total opposite in her mother Rainbow Dash in terms of general attitude, but no less of an extraordinary athlete. Said cloud was pulled along by literal leash made by resident mad scientist, Paradox. Well Princess Paradox technically, being daughter to Princess Twilight, though it's not obvious due to the fact she was a draconequus. Daughter of Chaos and Friendship, I'm still waiting to hear the story of how her parents got together.

The others were giggling as they strolled up to join our growing group. Paradox cackling madly as I dusted myself off.

"So much for our Guardian to be. Taken down by a tiny little terran mare." Paradox joked with a toothy smile.

"If I remember rightly you still haven't found a device she can't find a way out of, Doxy." I jabbed back.

The others laughed as Paradox turned red in embarrassment, and I literally mean turned red. Honeycrisp gave me a hug as she commented.

"How are you feeling Grim? Nervous at all?"

"Me? Nervous? Nah, I'm just taking over for the Hero of the Purge war, first and only public human magus, debatably the strongest Guardian, who is also my Father. What would I have to be nervous about?" I replied, with enough sarcasm to drown this entire crowd.

"In other words, 'No duh'." Lightning Shot laughed.

Then I heard another voice speak up in my defense, "Come on everyone, lay off. It's Grim's big day after all."

We turned to see my best friend walking up, Blake Steelsoul. Walking like he didn't have a care in the world, which he probably didn't, he strolled up and added himself to the group. He was wearing is favorite black leather jacket, not real leather of course, with black jeans. His black t-shirt completed his emo-like look, which was added to by his natural short black hair. His cheery demeanor the only factor offsetting his choice of attire, mirth in his blue eyes.

I gave my savior a bro hug and thanked him for his timely appearance, "Glad you decided to show up."

"Look who's talking, I've been here for hours. Star of the show and he arrives only just before the ceremony is set to start."

We stood there for a moment, all of us silent, before we all burst out laughing. Some things never change.

"Happy Birthday, I'm happy for you." Blake told me.

"Yeah, Yeah! We have your 'It's your Birthday and Now you're a Guardian' party right after the ceremony!" Berry cheered as she finally broke from Cinnamon's grasp, who had been keeping her tucked under his arm to keep her out of trouble.

We chatted among ourselves until my mothers strolled up to retrieve me. Tanzanite was the first to notice.

"Mrs. Vinyl, Mrs. Octavia, it's great to see you. Here to get our important friend?" She asked my mothers.

Ma(Octavia) answered, "Indeed, the ceremony will be beginning shortly. I'd say find a good spot to watch but seeing as you all are already next to the stage, I don't need to."

Mom(Vinyl) followed up, "You'll get plenty of time to spend together afterwords. Come on Crimson, we shouldn't wait any longer."

I nodded before falling in step with them through the crowd, waving back to my friends as I did so.

My nervousness was spiking again as we pulled away from the crowd and made it backstage. There was a flurry of activity happening even behind stage as the ceremony was about to begin. There was to be a introduction speech done by Mayor Mare, followed by my father giving a short speech about why I'm am qualified to take on this obligation, then I appear for the actual oath and passing of the crest, concluding the ceremony. Overall fairly short for all this buildup.

I could hear as Mayor Mare tapped on a microphone on stage and beginner her introduction, "Residents and guests of Ponyville! I welcome you as the Mayor of this humble town. It warms my heart to see so many different races present beyond our usual diverse population. We are here today to witness and celebrate the inauguration of a new Guardian."

I stopped paying attention as Mom touched my shoulder and motioned with her head to keep following. We continued until we were near a set of steps that lead up to the stage, but still behind the backdrop. Father was standing there waiting.

He was dressed in his old military uniform, modified when he became a Guardian, from when he lead a spec ops group near the end of the Purge war. Pitch black with added silver trimming, on his left lapel was a silver wolf head pin. His epaulettes no longer denoted a military rank, but rather was his crest as a Guardian. A triquetra with a unifying circle. Simple compared to the say the Dragons' one which look as though it was made of flames, or the Griffons which each arm of the triquetra curved to appear like talons, but the simple crest was fitting in my opinion.

Father broke me out of my thoughts when he said, "Hey son, glad you could make it. Would have been kinda pointless if you had bailed."

"I'm fine sir. Wouldn't have missed this for the world." I said with pride, before a took a step closer and asked on loud enough for him to hear, "Father, do you really think I'm ready?"

He just put an arm around my shoulder and whispered to me, "You're plenty capable. Mizuki's trained you since you were old enough to understand you had magic. You have my training in CQC, and reliable friends and family to help you. You have a lot more than I did in a sense when I became Guardian at your age." He said before looking at my mothers briefly to make sure they weren't close enough to hear, then added. "I'm also not as young as I used to be, I've put my body through hell in my forty odd years alive. My energy magic needs a durable body to use to it's best capacity, and mine just can't keep up anymore. Hasn't been able to for a couple years now. You're in your prime, and with a type of magic that doesn't strain your physical abilities. Now's the perfect time for you to take my place, while I'm still strong enough to aid you should you need it."

He straightened up and spoke at normal volume, "Now let's make you a Guardian. Give that cheering section of yours something to cheer about."

I chuckled as he gave me a pat on my shoulder and ascended the couple steps to the stage. Just in time for Mayor Mare to conclude with.

"And now please welcome the our local Guardian, and Hero of the Purge War, Andrew Duron!"

Cheering and applause erupted as Father took his queue to walk on stage. He shook the mayor's hand as she stepped aside to give him full access to the podium.

Father spoke with confidence and his head held high as he looked over the audience, "Greetings everyone. I am glad so many could come and share in this celebration. I have been a Guardian for almost twenty years, and for all the speeches I have been asked to give, this one I think I'll actually enjoy." He joked, the crowd laughing with him. "That being said, it is my pleasure that I am able to introduce our primary person of interest for today. This young man has grown up his whole life as the 'Son of a Guardian'. Never once have I heard mention of him without some reference to myself contained in the same sentence. Today is the day such talk will cease. This young man, who I am proud to call my son, has proven himself to not only myself but other Guardians that what occurs here today was earned, not gifted. His experience leading to this point might have been different from my own, but it no less qualifies him for this position than when I became a Guardian."

Father really knew how to hit someone in the feels when he wanted to.

He continued with, "Now it is my pleasure to present you with my successor and newest member of the Guardians of Equis, Crimson Gale!"

And that would be my queue.

I walked on stage to thunderous applause, with plenty of loud whistling come from just by the stage. No need to say who by. As I looked at Father and approached he smiled proudly as he took a few steps to meet me part way. The crowd's cheering died down as we grabbed each other's forearm and put our free hand on the other's shoulder. Just like I had been instructed to do beforehand.

Father whispered to me, "Just repeat these words with me."

I gave him a nod before we began. I could feel the magical pressure in the air change as we spoke together.

I swear to protect Equis and all who call it home.

Any who would threaten the peace is my foe.

Should the call be made, I will answer.

For I am, a Guardian of Equis.

The magical pressure was now a storm, wind whipping around us as a band of lightning and another of wind around our wrists where we grasped each other's forearms appeared as we spoke the oath. With it completed the two bands connected and when they did I felt a flow of magic enter my body from Father's.

The spectacle must have been impressive because the awe I could glance from the audience almost made me chuckle. The flow stemmed to a stop and the winds and static around us died out.

While not visible, I had a feeling Father's crest on his chest was gone. Because through my thin grey shirt I could see it shining through on mine with a soft green glow.

I was now a Guardian.

As Father turned to walk back to the mic a rumble in the ground caused him to pause. It was closely followed with what felt like a massive earthquake. An explosion could be heard and a giant pillar of dark blue and black energy erupted from the depths from the Everfree Forest. Cries of panic rose from the crowd as many try to stay standing, only to fall some on top of others causing cries of distress to yell out.

I barely manage to stay upright while father stood like he was unfazed at all as the ground shook under him. He just stared at the pillar of magic that invaded the sky.

After what was probably shorter than it felt, the shaking ended and the pillar of black faded completely. Leaving everything like it had before. Members of the crowd started to help each other up, and my friends went to check on their families. I walked up to my Father and asked him in a low voice.

"What do you think that was?"

He stayed silent for a moment before replying, "I hope it's not what I think it might be."

"What should we do? This seems like exactly the kind of thing I'm supposed to deal with." I told him.

He gave me a grim look before looking back towards the Everfree. "While you aren't wrong, I don't like the idea of sending you to investigate. Especially if it is what I fear it to be."

"And that would be exactly?" I prompted.

"Something I had planned to tell you about once you were more familiar with the role of Guardian. And it would take too much time to explain now." He said before turning to me and gasped my shoulders. "For now you need to check what caused that explosion of magic. Based on it's direction, it looked as though it came from the ruins of Celestia and Luna's old castle. Just make sure to be careful, and don't be stubborn if you are in over your head. Coming back defeated is better than coming back dead."

I gave a nod of my head and looked back to the Everfree. I looked back to see my mothers giving me worried looks but they knew I needed to go. I jumped off the stage and started towards the forest.

"That didn't look good did it." I hear beside me.

I look and find Blake was jogging beside me, a smirk on his face. He had his special snake sword, Ivy, by his side.

"I'd tell you to go back but I know it wouldn't do any good." I tell him as we near the treeline.

He laughed, "You're right, it wouldn't. Besides you still can't beat me in CQC without your magic. Plus I'm four years older than you. You don't have any authority over me."

"The point of that statement was without magic. What we find is most likely going to be powerful and magical, I'd prefer if you went back." I told my friend.

"And you just got named Guardian. I'm not losing my best friend on his first day." He replied before taking the lead.

I sighed before shaking my head and moving faster so that I was leading again. He wasn't planning to lose me, and I wasn't about to lose him either.

The Everfree was surprisingly... empty.

Not a sound could be heard. It was like all the creatures and monsters decided to go into hiding all at once. The only sound that could be heard was the crunching of leaves and snapping of twigs as Blake and I made our way towards the ruins.

"Something feels off here." Blake stated as we continued.

"Thanks Capt. Obvious, want a medal for that expert deduction?" I spat back sarcastically.

"Ok I deserved that. Though really, in all the stories from Princess Twilight and the elements the forest has never been like this. It's unnerving." Blake explained.

I nodded as I kept looking around, "I won't disagree. Father had suppositions about who or what might have caused it, but there was no time to explain. I have a feeling it might have to do with the war."

"All the more reason for me to come along. I owe those bastards for making me an orphan." Blake said, his grip on his sword tightening.

I gave him a slight glance before replying, "We could have been actual brothers you know. I know Father asked you once."

Blake just smirked, "Yeah, he did. But I was already ten by that point. I had been in the orphanage for half my life, and I felt it was better for me to stay. Big sis Dusty always needed help, it didn't feel right to leave."

"And your obvious crush on Aunt Luna, who visited once a month, never played any part of your decision to stay." I smirked back.

Blake's whole face went red as he suddenly found the direction away from me quite fascinating, "I have no idea what you are trying to imply."

I laughed, "Do what you want dude, I'm not telling you what to do." I said before focusing back in front of us.

It didn't take much longer before we were standing outside the ruins of the Celestia Sisters. The atmosphere around us was darker than before, like the air itself was trying to dissuade us from continuing. We were definitely where we needed to be though, as there were trails of residual dark magic drifting from the stone walls of the ruins.

"Give me a minute." I told Blake, he just nodded and observed our surroundings.

Guys, is there anything I should know?

Beyond the obvious dark magic that emanate from the very stone of this ancient keep?

Not particularly. It could have been caused by many things. Though it appears your Father's fears were misplaced.

The hell does that mean?

It means this event was not caused by what your Father feared it might have been.

Obviously. Anything else you can tell me?

We aren't your babysitters, boy. If warnings were necessary then you'd know.

I sighed as I focused back on my surroundings. They weren't going to be of anymore use.

"You done? What they'd say?" Blake asked, knowing what I was doing.

"Nothing very helpful. But according to them, this doesn't link to the war at all." I told him.

He shrugged, "Good and bad I suppose. We going in now?"

"Yeah, no use in standing out here any longer."

Empty... that's all this castle was, empty.

We made our way through cautiously, nearly jumping at at every shadow we thought moved. Again not a living creature to be found, not a rat to a roach. Which meant they were hiding from something, and that something was likely in this castle... somewhere that is.

"Ok, remind me. What was the plan here?" Blake asked in a whisper.

Checking the shadows as we worked our way forward I replied, "Find whatever caused that explosion of magic. I just hope it wasn't a summoning ritual or something. Because with how much magic we saw if it was, fighting is probably the last thing we should do."

Blake just nodded as we continued.

We searched all the main floor and towers, which thankfully only took about an hour. This castle was much smaller than the current one in Canterlot. Now all we had left was the lower dungeons, the darkest part of the castle. Now I wasn't scared of the dark by any means, but in a practical sense it was the easiest place to set up an ambush.

Blake found and lit a torch before rejoining me at the entrance to the dungeons. We looked at each other before taking a deep breath and starting our decent.

Our progress went much slower as we made sure that we searched each room we came across, checking to make sure nothing could surprise us from behind. We were probably halfway through our search when we noticed something.

Turning a corner we both gagged at the smell we encountered.

"Gah, oh lord. What is that?" Blake said as he waved the torch in front of him in a vain attempt to dispel the odor.

I choked back the bile rising in my throat as I replied, "Death."

We continued on this path, the stale air helping us as we just followed the increasingly terrible smell. Eventually we happened upon a large open chamber that looked vaguely like an arena. Scattered around the edges were changelings, or more accurately, their corpses.

Father had told me about changelings or at least how we could recognize them. Their glassy eyes still visible to humans capable of magic. However these were changelings looked different, beyond the fact many were merely blobs of shredded meat and chitin now.

I approached one of the more intact corpses and examined it.

"That's a changeling right?" Blake asked me as he looked around the room. "Any idea what killed them?"

"No idea, could have been a manticore for all I know. What I can tell however is that I don't think they were here of their own will." I say as I stand up and examine another corpse.

"Well they are just like insects right? Hive mind and all, couldn't they have been ordered to die here?"

"From what I know, it's not that simple. Even the drones are sentient creatures, they can refuse orders." I said as I went to inspect a third to seal my suppositions. "Yep just like I thought. These changelings were bound in chains when they were brought here. If you look closely their horns and wings were also removed with precision that could be called surgical. Expect for a few."

Blake walked over as I stood up and continued, "Those with yellow eyes and blood seemed to have been the captors of the green ones. If you look around there are only a few yellow ones, and many of the greens. I think a few guards ended up being very unlucky with whatever they were either feeding or found down here."

"What about summoning?" Blake asked.

"Well unless changeling corpses decompose at an astonishing rate, these corpses are weeks old. It's definitely something we need to report, but I can't say for certain it's related to what brought us here in the first place." I answered.

"Hey Grim, where do you think we are under right now?" I heard Blake ask.

"Judging by the size of this room and what I remember of the path we took, probably below the throne room." I answered, facing him to find him looking up.

"I was afraid you'd say that."

I looked up with him and saw what he meant. My jaw dropped as I stared at the massive runic matrix that was on the ceiling. As my eyes scanned over it I noticed patterns like what Father taught me of the subject. Which meant this was likely made by another vessel, or someone at least taught or directed by one. Though there were elements that I had no clue about, almost like someone was trying to mix human magic and another race's. Or maybe they actually succeeded...

Blake broke me out of my thoughts when he shook my shoulder and asked, "Grim, Crimson! What's wrong!?"

I shook my head as I tried to think about what I saw, when I figured something out, "Oh no, that's not good." I said as I looked back up to make sure.

"That's not exactly what I wanted to hear, Grim." Blake said as he held the torch up higher as we looked.

"It's human, or at least most of it is. There are elements graphed into it that I can't recognize. But there is one thing I can tell about that matrix, it's designed for summoning."

Blake paled, "Summoning what exactly?"

"I wish I knew. Though if the carnage around us is related, it isn't anything good. While there is nothing I'd like more than to destroy that matrix, I think getting my Father and Aunt Twilight to study it would be more useful. I don't think even they have tried fusing human runes before, they'll want to know about this."

"You're right, I don't like that idea either. I agree it's probably the right call though."

"Lets check upstairs again, then head back. I don't want to stay here any longer than I..." I paused as I turned to walk out where we came.

"What is it?" Blake said as he turned and stopped as I did. The light of the torch better illuminating what I caused me to stop.

Indented into the wall left of where we entered was another corpse, however this one was different. While the other corpses were covered and/or surrounded by dried blood, the blood around this corpse glistened as it dripped down the wall. It was a fresh kill.

"Any theories?" Blake asked me.

"A couple, though one stands out right now. Whatever was brought into the plane of existence was probably weak, it's been surviving off killing these changelings. Seeing as the corpses don't appear to be eaten, whatever killed them didn't need them for sustenance. So after possibly weeks or months, with this final kill it finally gained enough power to break either a seal keeping it here or for it to cause that explosion on its own. Either scenario is not good for us." I explained.

"Any chance whatever it was could still be around?" Blake asked with more unease then before.

"I'd say unlikely, though we haven't cleared the entire dungeons so I suppose it could-"

*AAAHHHH*

A scream pierced the air which cause Blake and us to snap our gaze to each other before looking up.

"Did that?" He asked.

"Yep."

We shot off down the halls running to get to the throne room as fast as we could.

"Who could have come here after that explosion?" Blake asked as we ran.

"It doesn't matter we can ask whoever was stupid enough after we make sure they aren't dead." I say.

We charged into the throne room with weapons ready, however we were not ready for what we saw.

All I noticed were a pair of giant black wings flying around the room avoiding the strikes of a monstrosity, one I remember from Aunt Twilight's lectures on extinct monsters.

A Nuckelavee. A demon of a fleshless horse and rider fused together, arms possessing claws able to cut stone with ease. However it's most dangerous trait was if it managed to wrench its sealed mouth open, to unleash a scream that could paralyze all who heard it. Aunt Twilight had mentioned they were one of the most feared creatures in Equis, even a danger to Alicorns. Dark magic oozed from its body in trails like we had seen from the stones of the castle when we first entered.

I was about to charge it when Blake transformed his blade and whipped it across the back legs of the Nuckelavee's horse body. However the damage was minimal, and we actually stared as the cuts mended themselves. The Nuckelavee however was not about to ignore this slight. Its head twisted without the rest of his body like an owl, however the cracking made this action all the more unnatural.

Where its eyes should be were two shining red orbs, which burned with hatred and bloodlust that could only be described as supernatural.

And they happened to be staring straight at me and Blake.

We though we were out of range until I saw the Nuckelavee raise its arms like it was aiming them. I barely had enough time to react and blast Blake and I in opposite directions before its arms shot out like rockets before embedding themselves into the wall behind where we just were.

A voice called out to us, "What are you fools doing!? Get out of here! We don't need to all die here!" By the sound of it , it was a mare who was fighting this thing when we came in.

I tighten my hold my blades before funneling wind into the grips, activating their change. My left dagger shifted up and filled out as it became a short sword, while my right's handle extended so that it was now a pike. I flourished my blades in an attempt to keep the creature's focus on me as I replied.

"I am Crimson Gale! Guardian of Equis! And I will not let an abomination like this roam freely!"

My declaration did its job as the Nuckelavee actually turned itself towards me as its arms slunk back to its sides. The horse snorted as it stared at me with its eyeless sockets. The rider part tilting its head back and forth, as if deciding how to kill me. It made up its mind when it stretched its arms out to each side and swept them towards me from either side.

I focused wind downwards through my feet and shot into air to avoid the attack. However the beast seemed to know I could do this as when it brought its claws together it whipped them upwards to smash me into the ceiling. I braced myself for the hit only have another hit me from the side.

The mare from before had tackled me out of the way before we crashed into the wall. Which considering what I was about to be hit by, it was probably the better alternative. The only thing I noticed from the mare was her striking cat-like cyan eyes as we looked at each other for the briefest moment before I was forced to blast us apart to avoid another attack.

"How do we kill this thing!?" Blake yelled at me.

I deflected a blow with my pike, the force still slammed me against the wall, "I don't know! These things are supposed to be extinct!" I shouted back.

The mare spoke again as Blake slashed the Nuckelavee across the rider's back, causing an ear numbing screech to ring out, "Decapitation, it will just keep regenerating otherwise."

"Which head!?" I asked as I sent a blade of wind to regain its attention.

"Both!" She yelled as she dodged a sweeping blow on its way towards me.

I started to plan how I could immobilize the Nuckelavee as Blake and I took turns distracting it. After a few minutes I shouted out.

"Blake! Can you trip the legs!?"

He dive rolled out of the way and replied, "Yeah I think so, but I'll be an open target if I try"

Without turning to her I asked the mare, "This is asking a lot Ma'am, but do you think you could fly up to one of the pillars and get his attention on you?"

"What happens if thou plan fails?" She asked me.

"We all probably die." I stated plainly.

After a few moments she replied, "Alright, how do I get its attention?"

I glanced over to make sure I wouldn't hit her before throwing my short sword over to her, "That should do the trick." I said as I dodged behind another pillar.

This was a one shot deal. Blake made his way around over towards my side of the room as the mare steeled herself for the distraction.

"NOW!" I shouted readying my pike.

The mare launched herself at the rider's back and slashed him as she flew pass. The Nuckelavee screamed in pain, some of the tendons of flesh sealing its mouth breaking, causing our bodies to falter at the sound. I barely had enough time to recover to ready my pike.

It raised both arms like I planned to launch at the mare, who was flying next to one of the stone pillars in the room. The split second the arms started to move I funneled wind through small holes in the guard of my pike, which the only escape was through the pommel at the bottom of the shaft. The result was an effect of the pike becoming a missile, which because of my timing, pierced both claws and pinned them to the stone pillar.

Blake now seeing my plan in motion whipped his snake sword and wrapped it around the front two legs of the horse. He then twisted around a pillar and used it to make a pulley and with all his force pulled. The Nuckelavee had no way to stop as its front legs were swept out from under itself. It crashed to the ground with another scream.

"Quickly!" Blake yelled as he kept pulling.

I started running towards the creature and called out, "Sword!"

The mare seemed to catch on as she threw the sword down in my path. I stooped down and picked it up as I readied my magic.

It was a technique I was told to reserve for only the worst cases, as its destructive power could effect those around me. I encased my blade in wind, resulting in an effect of slicing with a thousand saw blades at once. The gale that came with it was intense, I heard the mare touch down as she could not remain flying because of the winds. As I charged I condensed the wind as tightly as I could.

I yelled as I brought my blade down on the horse's head, it resisted but with a burst of effort I increased the strength of my wind and throwing my weight into the blow I severed the head from its host. Black ooze and dark magic poured from the stump as the rider lost it, the tendons sealing its mouth finally snapping.

The screech could likely be heard in Ponyville. For us, it consumed all sound.

I could feel my body growing heavy, fighting as hard I as could to will my body to finish the job.

"You... Die... HERE!!!" I screamed.

With all the strength I could muster, I focused wind into the handle of my sword and propelled it to the Rider's neck. I impaled into its throat, but only part way. I could hear bones cracking as it forced its head to look at me, opening its mouth to unleash another wail, one that would end me.

I yelled as I forced my magic to call upon another gale and forced it into my blade. The blade thrust through the creature's neck and came out the other side, my grip tightened as I channeled my wind along the blade. Forcing it out from the edge of the blade, the gale ripped through the Nuckelavee's neck and caused an explosion that threw me backwards.

A second explosion of dark magic shot up into the sky from the corpse of the creature, consuming it entirely. All present watched until it faded. When it disappeared and the dust in the air settled, all that was left was a puddle of black ooze where the Nuckelavee used to be.

Slowly feeling returned to my body. I jolted slightly as a clang came from my right, I saw my pike had fallen from the stone pillar it had been lodged in. As I regained more feeling I made my way over and reclaimed my weapon. Transforming both back to their dagger form and sheathing my weapons.

"Let's never do that again." I heard behind me.

I looked over my shoulder to see Blake walking towards me and rubbing his head. With a chuckle I replied, "Yeah, I'd like that too."

Finally my attention was turned to the mare with us, getting a good look at her for the first time.

She was shakily getting to her hooves, her gaze meeting mine as she looked up.

She was beautiful. Black as night coat, with a... ghostly blue mane. Wait a second here.

Pitch black, blue phantom mane, horn, wings, cat-like cyan eyes.

"Aunt Luna? What are you doing here? And why do you look like that?" I asked her, having seen her like this before on Nightmare Night.

She started to chuckle, "Child, doth thou truly not know who you are standing before?"

Aunt Luna hasn't spoken like that since before I was born. Could this really be? My thoughts finally started to clear.

"Nightmare Moon..." I breathed.

She smirked at my reaction, "Indeed. Though I'm not exactly the being you where likely taught about." She sauntered towards me.

I tensed up as she came closer, though I did not sense any hostility.

"If you're anything like what I was taught, why should I trust you?" I asked as she stood a few steps away now.

"Because the Nightmare Moon you have been told little horror stories about is not who stands before you now. I'd liken the Nightmare Moon you are familiar with to a foal throwing a tantrum fueled by centuries of envy and inadequacy. Who stands before you now is a mare, who through a sequence of events even I do not know the full scope of, now walks freely of the anger and spite that was the catalyst for her creation." She eloquently explained.

"I don't believe that answered my question." I replied, not falling for her redirection.

Again she smiled and something about it made me relax, "Not the fool I first thought. Very well, you want a reason to trust me? Take me to Ponyville, I will explain what I know of how I was returned to Equis. I'm sure the little librarian of magic will be most interested in this as well."

I thought it over for a moment. Aunt Twilight was going to learn about her from either my report or by this, and she knew this. She helped us against the Nuckelavee. Though since they are known to be capable of killing alicorns, it could have simply been for self-preservation. However she has not once made a threatening action to us, and offered of her own volition to go to Ponyville and give an explanation. The only downside was the fact that this was Nightmare Moon, just having her walk into town would likely cause a panic.

She seemed to almost ready my thoughts and said, "Ah, yes. I should have remembered."

With that she cast a glamour on herself, the mare her spell showed changed very little. She was now a unicorn with the same black coat. Her eyes lost their cat-like aspect, along with the phantom effect of her mane and tail. She had been wearing her trademark armor before, which looked more like it was to enhance her looks and intimidation rather than protect, but it was now replaced with a dress of the same color.

She closed the gap between us which let me realize she stood a few inches taller than my 5' 10" frame. Overall she still possessed an enchanting beauty, and the confident smirk on her face gave off a feeling that she knew it.

"This should be acceptable, correct?" She asked in an innocent tone.

I cleared my throat as I turned and started walking out of the throne room, "Yes, that should prevent anyone from suspecting you at first glance."

Blake jogged to catch me as Nightmare Moon followed on behind us.

"Did all that really just happen?" He asked me, throwing a cautious glance back at our new companion.

"You mean, finding a massive summoning circle in the dungeons of some old ruins, fighting a extinct monster that is supposed to eat alicorns for breakfast, and finding out Nightmare Moon is alive and is now accompanying us back to Ponyville? Yes, all that apparently just happened." I said with as much dry sarcasm to turn the South Lunar Sea into a desert.

"Good, so it's not just me going crazy."

I let out a sigh as I threw back a glance of my own, "I wish I was only going crazy."

Author's Note

Merry Christmas!

This is a good gift, right?

So here we are, the sequel to Spinning to a New Tune, and prequel to Wolf Loves the Winter.

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. This story is not required to read before Wolf Loves the Winter, but it will provide some context about certain characters in that story. That being said if you haven't read Spinning to a New Tune, I highly suggest you read it first. Many of the things I will reference here relate to the world building I did with that story.

With that being said, I hope you will continue reading as I release future chapters and comment with feedback. I only get better with your suggestions.

Stay awesome everyone, Lyruil out.