Nyx Goes to Prison

After she left the interrogation room, Sweetie Drops walked through the castle, lost in thought. As she rounded a corner, a sudden chill went down her spine and she looked around to see Princess Luna step out of the shadows. “Princess!” she exclaimed and hurriedly bowed her head.

“Relax,” Luna said and Sweetie Drops tried her best to calm down. “Walk with me,” Luna said and motioned with her head. Frowning, Sweetie Drops did as asked. “So. How did the questioning go?” Luna asked.

Sweetie Drops took a moment to formulate her thoughts. “It was rather odd, unlike any questioning I have been a part of,” she finally said.

“How so?” Luna asked.

“Normally, when ponies are brought in for questioning, they are very nervous, tend to fidget a lot, and question everything. As such, it can take a long time to get anything useful out of them. It is very evident they don’t want to be there,” Sweetie Drops explained. “But with Nyx, it was very different. She seemed very calm during everything, almost like she was bored with the whole process.” Sweetie Drops frowned. “I get the feeling that Nyx wants to be here. But that doesn’t make any sense. Why would she willingly let herself be imprisoned if she continues to profess her innocence?”

Luna pondered what Sweetie Drops had said. “And another thing. I don’t know if it was intentional or not, but Nyx clearly upset Princess Celestia in some way. I’ve never seen the princess so angry before.”

“I have, but not for a very long time,” Luna muttered. Sweetie Drops looked up at Princess Luna. “Who is Nyx? Where did she come from and why is she here?” she asked.

“I wish I had answers for you,” Luna replied.

When Nyx finally opened her eyes, she found herself in a 4x4 foot stone cell with a heavy metal door set in iron bars for an entrance. A small slit in the wall by the ceiling allowed pale moonlight to filter inside. Apart from that, there was no other source of light that Nyx could see. She guessed the dungeon hadn’t been used for a very long time, but the cell was well-maintained. None of the stones showed signs of wear or chipping and the metal was free from rust.

Nyx slowly rose to her feet and ran a quick diagnostic check. Her self repair function had fixed the damage Celestia had caused and her joints moved freely. Nyx noticed her wrists and ankles were still shackled, but the chain had been removed. Nyx surmised that this particular cell was decent sized for a pony, but her head nearly touched the ceiling and there was no way for her to comfortably lie down or stretch out.

So. Here she was, back in prison. Nyx chuckled at the fact she couldn’t seem to escape confinement, no matter where she went.

A light mist appeared in the window and slowly filtered in. Nyx watched with interest as the mist condensed into the cloaked form of Princess Luna. “That’s a pretty neat trick. Wish I could do that,” Nyx said.

Luna pulled her hood back and she didn’t look very happy. “I apologize for your treatment by my sister.”

Nyx waved her off. “So. I take it she found out?” she asked and Luna nodded. “It is as she said, however it baffles me as to how she found out in the first place. To my knowledge, Celestia has not been to Tartarus for some time.” Luna frowned and added, “Did you know this would happen? It seemed as if you were waiting for me.”

Nyx shrugged her shoulders. “I am not omniscient. I don’t know everything. The things I do know come in the form of sudden thoughts or urges, like that feeling you get when your hair stands on end and all your senses go on high alert, even if nothing is happening.” Nyx sighed. “To put it bluntly, I am here because the Plot demands it.”

Luna glared at Nyx and muttered under her breath. “But why put up with all this? I am well aware of what you Guardians are capable of.”

Nyx tapped the necklace at her throat. “No Light remember? I’m as helpless as a newborn foal.”

“I doubt that very much,” Luna replied. Her gaze softened and she hesitantly stepped forward. “I know I have no right to ask this after our treatment of you, but I request your help.”

“Oh? And what is it this time?” Nyx asked.

Luna sighed and said, “There is something happening with my sister and I would very much like to know what.”

“Why can’t you do this? Don’t you have your own guards and network of spies and informants?” Nyx asked.

“What you say is true, however, my sister has become increasingly suspicious of my own actions and has spoken against me many times. She has had most of my own guards replaced and several of my agents have gone missing,” Luna said.

“And you think Celestia is responsible?” Nyx asked.

“I did not say that,” Luna snorted.

Nyx looked around her cell. “I’m not going to accomplish much in here,” she said.

Luna rolled her eyes and said, “Somehow, I doubt that will stop you.”

Nyx became serious and stared intently at Luna. “Are you sure you want to do this Princess? Once you start to unravel this thread, there will be no going back. No matter what happens, I doubt Equestria will be the same.”

Luna wilted slightly under Nyx’s intense aura, but held her ground. “I am prepared to face the consequences when the time comes,” she said.

“I doubt that very much,” Nyx replied. “Besides, if you are so worried about Celestia’s growing paranoia, aren’t you afraid she’ll find you here?”

Luna chuckled. “Celestia won’t find us here because this is all in your dream.”

Nyx was taken aback. “Well then. I don’t remember the last time I had a dream, so well done Princess.”

Luna smiled wickedly, then stood up straight and became serious again. “I Princess Luna, formally request that you, Nyx the Hunter, investigate my sister Princess Celestia.”

Nyx opened her eyes and found herself sitting in her cell with Luna nowhere to be seen. She slowly clapped her hands together and said, “Bravo Princess. Well done.”

Nyx didn’t receive any guests, nor did she expect to. The guard ponies came by several times a day to check on her, mostly to make sure he was still in her cell. Time passed slowly and Nyx didn’t bother to keep track of the days. She used that time to formulate her plan and go over all the information she knew about Princess Celestia and Equestria. Eventually, Nyx found herself wanting something to read, hopefully something to fill the gaps in her knowledge.

Eventually one of the guards game to her cell carrying a cardboard box. “A delivery for the prisoner,” he said gruffly.

Nyx kept back from the cell door and was intrigued. Other than the princesses and the guards, who else knew she was here? The guard carefully opened the door and placed the box inside. Once the guard had locked the door and left, Nyx opened the box to find a round cake covered with white frosting. Nyx’s face was drawn on the cake behind lines of frosting, resembling prison bars. Nyx pulled the cake out and found a note in the bottom that read “Get out Soon!” The card wasn’t signed, but had a picture of three balloon. Nyx couldn’t help but roll her eyes and chuckle. She carefully cut open the cake and found a length of rope coiled inside.

Several days later, another package arrived that contained shortcake with whipped cream and strawberries. As she suspected, Nyx found a set of lock picks baked inside. After that, Nyx received packages with regularity and obtained a sizeable stash of tools, including a small rock pick, hacksaw blades, blueprints of Canterlot Castle dungeon, a roll of wire, and a metal file. Nyx gave the treats to the guards, which made them slightly less grumpy.

When Nyx didn’t receive a new package for several days, she briefly wondered if the guards finally had enough of the gifts, or if her mysterious benefactor simply stopped sending them. Nyx heard the guard approach and noticed this guard wasn’t like the others, mainly that frizzy pink hair sprouted through the gaps of the helmet. “Hello Pinkie,” Nyx said and gave a little wave.

Pinkie quickly looked around and pulled the helmet off. “What are you still doing here? Didn’t you get any of my presents?” she asked in a harsh whisper.

“I did. Thank you very much. I’m sure the guards enjoyed your cakes,” Nyx said.

Pinkie’s eyes went wide and she gasped in horror. “Those fiends! How dare they! I’m gonna give them a piece of my mind!” She glared and angrily shook her hoof.

Nyx was amused by Pinkie’s actions. “What brings you here?” she asked.

“Well, everyone heard about what happened. Princess Celestia mad a BIG announcement, saying she had captured a foreigner who came through the mirror to do bad things,” Pinkie said. Her face fell and her poofy mane deflated a little. “At first I was shocked and upset, then I remembered what we did and became sad because I didn’t think this would happen. So I asked around and found out you had been thrown in jail. I felt bad that you were in trouble, so I decided to help you out.” Pinkie managed a sad smile and disheartened squee sounded from somewhere.

“Thank you for your concern,” Nyx said.

Pinkie took off her borrowed armor and shook herself out. “So why haven’t busted out yet?”

“I’m waiting for the right time, when the Plot demands it,” Nyx said.
Pinkie squeezed through the bars and fell on the floor with a plop. “What kind of terrible story would keep you in jail on purpose?” shea asked with a frown.

“This one apparently,” Nyx replied. She watched as Pinkie wandered around the small cell. “Aren’t you alone here?” she asked. “I mean, stuck here in this little cell in a universe that isn’t even yours?”

“Not really,” Nyx replied. “You’re here aren’t you?”

Pinkie rolled her eyes. “I mean, besides me. Don’t you have any family or anyone who will miss you?”

“Nope. I’ve told you before that where I’m from, people tend to avoid me,” Nyx replied.

“Oh,” Pinkie said sadly and sat in the middle of the floor.

After a moment, Nyx said, “However, I do have a sister of sorts.”

At this, Pinkie perked up a little. “Oh yeah? What’s her name? What’s she like?”

“Her name is Selene and she’s a lot like me, but a little more level headed,” Nyx said. Pinkie walked over to Nyx and sat beside her. “Selene and I are both Hunters. Selene likes to explore new places and see new things, but I like learn new things and know everything,” Nyx continued. “My curiosity and desire for knowledge is what got me in trouble in the first place.”

“You mean that time you were in jail back in your world?” Pinkie asked and Nyx nodded. “Where is Selene now?” Pinkie asked.

“Who knows?” Nyx replied. “Probably off on her own adventure.”

Pinkie put her head on her hooves and Nyx gently stroked her mane. “Pinkamena, what makes you happy?” she asked.

At the mention of her real name, Pinkie’s head shot up and she stared wide-eyed at Nyx. “Why did you call me by that name?” she asked.

“It is your real name isn’t it?” Nyx asked.

Pinkie looked to the floor. “I mean, it IS my name, but I don’t like it very much. It reminds me of a time before I got my cutie mark, or I’m in a lot of trouble, or things are super serious.” Pinkie looked back up at Nyx. “Some people also associate Pinkamena with a crazy and psychotic personality that comes out when I’m under a lot of stress or REALLY feeling sad.”

“So what makes you happy Pinkamena?” Nyx repeated softly, indicating her desire for seriousness.

“Bringing joy and laughter to others,” Pinkie replied.

“But no one can be happy all the time,” Nyx pointed out.

“I know,” Pinkie said, “But I feel like I have to try. If there is on joy or laughter, life just feels so dull and gray.” As if to emphasize her point, Pinkie’s coat turned several shades darker and her mane went completely flat.

“You can’t force others to laugh and be happy, as much as you might want to Pinkamena,” Nyx said.

“I know that too,” Pinkie said, her eyes beginning to water. “So let me ask you, what makes YOU happy?”

Nyx thought for a moment. “Quiet times like these,” she said. “Also reading and learning new things. Sitting in this cell wouldn’t be so bad if I had something to read, like oh I don’t know, the complete History of Equestria for starters.”

Pinkie’s eyes went wide. “You should definitely meet Twilight then.”

“I most certainly should not. I heard what she did to Hildr and I have no interest in that happening to me,” Nyx replied.

Pinkie frowned. “Twilight’s head would explode if she found any of her books missing.”

“I never said you had to get them from her,” Nyx pointed out.

“And I never said I would get them for you,” Pinkie replied. They stared at each other for several long moments. “I think we understand each other,” Nyx said.

“Seems that way,” Pinkie agreed. She snuggled in closer to Nyx and sighed. “You don’t mind if I keep you company for a while, do you?” she asked.

“Not at all. I would like that very much,” Nyx replied and gently stroked Pinkie’s mane.