Nyx Goes to Prison

More time passed and Pinkie did not return, however Nyx managed to get a copy of the book she requested. It helps, but not as much as she would have liked. Nyx wondered what has become of Pinkie. She wasn’t overly fond of the pink pony, but Nyx found her amusing and greatly enjoyed her company. Nyx pushed these thoughts aside and focused on her task. The book seemed to have been written by several different authors, and read like a running chronology of Equestria. The latter portions appeared to have been written by the same pony, indicated by the flowery and flowing script. Nyx assumed this was Celestia’s writing. At the very least it gives some insight into the mind of the princess.

As expected, this book is only the first volume of what is certainly many more. Nyx sat in her cell and thinks to herself. The guards continue to check on her, but lately they seem more put off than normal. Perhaps it has to do with the way Nyx sat in the darkness with her mismatched eyes burning unnaturally bright. The guards have every reason to be wary. A caged monster is still a monster.

Luna visited Nyx one dark night. The princess materialized in the cell and wasted no time on formalities. “Things have changed,” she says gravely. “The Elements are missing. Celestia sent them into Tartarus to quell a disturbance. No pony has seen or heard from them since.”

Suddenly it all makes sense now. Nyx knows what she has to do. She stares unblinkingly at Luna, who takes a step back in alarm. “And Celestia?” Nyx asks calmly.

“She is more concerned with building the army, reviewing ancient war plans, and spreading hard-line rhetoric to the ponies,” Luna answered darkly. She snorts in disgust, clearly displeased with recent events. “My sister has also set the date for your execution.”

“A trivial matter,” Nyx says. Luna rubbed her hooves together nervously and had a worried look on her face. She is almost afraid to ask, but does anyway. “What will you do?”

“I will do what I must,” Nyx replied simply. Despite the necklace she is wearing, Nyx’s aura is sharp and dangerous. Luna can feel electricity in the air and made her extremely uncomfortable. “I must go. My sister is ever suspicious and must not find me here. I will do what I can.” With that, Luna departs.

Nyx can feel the nervous energy, the anticipation building within her. She keeps it in check. A Hunter is patient, always watchful. Every move a Hunter makes is measured in such a way as to not alert the prey. There is a thrill in the chase, but the Hunter knows there is more to it than the temporary adrenaline rush. The Hunter plans for every possible outcome, but knows that no plan survives first contact.

Nyx knows that she must return to the Old Ways. She does not relish this fact, but accepts that it is what she must do. In order to do what must be done, she needs to remember a time before her imprisonment, a time when the City was still lawless, a time when survival was all that mattered. John Carter would not approve, but then again, he hardly agrees with anything Nyx says or does. Deep in her soul, Nyx embraces the Hunter and lets her free. It will take time for old instincts to become sharp again, but Nyx has nothing but time. A Hunter is patient, and Nyx is very good at waiting.

The cell door opens and guard ponies step inside. They quickly make room in the cramped cell for Princess Celestia. Nyx sees the princess’s eyes are cold and hard, her face twisted into a permanent scowl. Her flowing mane has taken a harder edge and the colors are much sharper. She is also wearing golden armor. Her horn flashes and chains appear. Without saying a word, Celestia chains Nyx’s hands and feet together. Once this is done, she turns and departs. The guard ponies gently prod Nyx with their spears and the prisoner steps out of her cell for the first time.

Nyx turned her focus inward. Days spent meditating in the dark had made her spirit sharp and dangerous. Her aura is intense as she fully embraces The Hunter. The guard ponies can sense something has changed. A tingle runs down their spines and every instinct in their bodies tells them to run in fear. A monster has been released and currently walked among them.

The guards lead Nyx through the castle and out into an open air arena. A quick look around gives Nyx the impression this particular area hadn’t been used for some time, but the seats were filled to overflowing with spectators. Nyx can feel the electricity in the air. Months of listening to Celestia speak had turned the ponies into an angry and hostile crowd. No doubt they blame Nyx for the current problems of Equestria.

With great fanfare, Princess Celestia appears on the balcony. The crowd erupts in cheers and roar approval for their ruler. Celestia looks out at the assembled crowd and soaks in the praise and adoration; however Luna is nowhere to be seen. Nyx cant help being slightly impressed with the grand performance Celestia has put together. To be perfectly honest, that’s all any of this was; a three ring circus for Celestia to show to Equestria and the world that she means business. Gone were the days of friendship, forgiveness, and acceptance of others. Goodbye halcyon days.

“My ponies!” Celestia calls out over the roar of the crowd. “Some time ago, I promised a fitting punishment for this vile creature who arrived unwanted and unannounced in our peaceful land.” Jeers rain down on Nyx, but she ignores it. Celestia spreads her wings and floats gracefully to the ground in front of Nyx. The guard ponies back away to give the two space and a hush settles over the crowd.

Celestia looks Nyx over and slowly walked around. Nyx keeps her eyes forward and stares straight ahead. Celestia snorts in disgust and her horn flares. Nyx doesn’t move as she is lifted high off the ground in Celestia’s telekinesis. From this height, everypony in the arena can see her. Nyx doesn’t care. Let them look. It probably never occurred to those gathered that there was indeed a monster in their midst and it wasn’t Nyx. Well, maybe.

Celestia stands on a platform that has been erected in the middle of the arena and Nyx is lowered down until they are looking eye to eye. Nyx can clearly see that Celestia’s eyes have turned black with bright orange irises. Her grin is predatory as she lifts a large sword off her back. “Kneel before me. I shall hear your confession before your death,” Celestia calls out.

Nyx can feel the heat radiating off Celestia in waves. Her barely contained rage is palpable and leaves a nasty taste in Nyx’s mouth. Nyx says nothing, but stares deep into Celestia’s eyes. The Hunter always knows what her prey looks like. Despite the gravitas of the situation, Nyx keeps her body light and free of tension.

Celestia growled at Nyx’s quiet defiance. “If you will not kneel, then you will be made to!” she commanded and her horn flares again. Nyx suddenly feels the gravity increase tenfold and tries to keep her legs from shaking. The Hunter watches her prey to learn its movements, to know when is the right time to strike.

Celestia’s eyebrows furrow with concentration as she increases her spell. Nyx’s joints groan in protest and warnings started to sound, but Nyx ignores it. The platform begins to creak and the floor suddenly gives way, sending Nyx crashing through. The platform isn’t very tall and Nyx ends up standing on the ground, looking up at Celestia. The princess useds this chance to spread her wings and make herself look as big as possible while she looks down on Nyx. “You foolish mortal? Even now, do you not understand your position? What insect can hope to stand up to the might of the sun?”

Nyx makes no reply and keeps her aura contained. The Hunter moves carefully, silently, so as to not alert the prey or give away her position.

Celestia is visibly agitated. Clearly, she is not getting the reaction she hoped for. Indeed, the crowd begins to whisper and rumblings of boredom can be heard. Feeling her chance is slipping between her hooves, Celestia raises her sword high in the air. “Your silence has been noted and written in the record. For your crimes against pony-kind, I sentence you to die!” Celestia takes her stance and with a mighty swing, separates Nyx’s head from the rest of her body.