Mother Moon, Cousin Love

Chapters

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Epilogue

Chapter One

Princess Mi Amore Cadenza backs away her heart racing as she raised her hooves to protect herself. Sweat matted her pink coat as her fear threatened to overwhelm her. The cause of the fear was before her, stalking her, teal predatory eyes studying her with pure determination to deliver the final blow to end her life.

She tried to block the blow only to have her hoof brush aside. Closing her eyes she prepares for the death blow, her eyes were not even closed fully as a hoof touches the side of her head.

“You did better this time Cadence.” Princess Luna backed up and makes a bow of respect. “You are improving, thought you lost your focus at the end. The trick is to divert the blow not to stop it because you did try to stop my strike I was able to overwhelm you.”

Cadence flan herself with her wings. “Aunt Luna, when would I have to fight? I’m marring the Captain of the Guard.” She sighs and moves over to the table where a butler finished pouring two tall glasses of lemonade with ice.

Luna looked to the crystal heart cutie mark thinking about the Crystal Empire and Sombra. “It’s better to have a skill in self-defense and not need it, then need it and not have it. After all, if you had more skill in the hoof to hoof fighting you could have handled the mess you ended up during Discord’s rampage.”

“I was attacked by stuffed animals. They were full of fluff. I know because I did kick a stuffed bunny head off. I doubt being a black belt would have helped.”

“See, imagine not having the teaching I already gave you.” Luna smiled as she sipped her lemonade. “You are improving. It is a pity that Celestia has been neglecting this in your training.”

Still fanning herself as she sips her lemonade Cadence takes a few moments before replying. “Still it a need that kind of out of date.”

Luna smirk “It part of our deal thought. You help me adapt to this new time, and with what remains of the damage to my soul. I help train you.”

“Remind me why I agreed to this?” Cadence looked over to her Aunt

“Something about trying to bribe me into having therapy and these spars was that bribe. Celestia stopped sparing with me even before the trouble started.” She blushes thinking back “My beloved Shadow Striker was the only one who still spared with me, and could outdo me in the hoof to hoof combat.”

Cadence smiles looking over “Mind telling me about him?”

“It painful I don’t think I would ever get over losing him in such away.”

“If you don’t want to it’s fine.” Cadence didn’t want to sadden her aunt when they were having fun. Though she still wonders about her aunt's version of fun.

“I don’t mind Cadence. The wound finally healing thanks to those therapy sessions. He had a silvery coat like a cloud with moonlight shining on it.” She blinked and look to the castle.

“Well he was a quiet type, but when he showed his feelings it was deep. He confessed his feeling for me during a sparing session. I had him pinned to the ground and he... just leaned up and kissed me.”

Cadence laughed “That better than Shining Armor. He tried to be all romantic, came to my house with flowers all dressed up, but when I opened the door he just stood there. I had to guess he wanted to ask me out on a date.”

“I’m almost afraid of asking how he proposes.”

“That he did much better, a nice romantic dinner, all the...” Cadence stopped as a loud almost whining voice spoke up.

“CADDY! I can’t believe it. You are getting married to that low born Shining Armor?” Prince Blueblood came stomping his way into the private sparing area of the garden. “I thought we had something, What about ME!”

“Bluey!” Cadence gets up and hugs the stallion. “Don’t worry Blue, Mr. Goodlife in on the secret.”

“Oh, thank Celestia. I had to pout and stomp my way from the train. The first thing my so-called friends did was start complaining that you accepted Shining Armor proposal. I’m so happy for you.” The voice of Prince Blueblood dropped to a more normal tone.

“Indeed Prince Blueblood. I take my oaths to serve the royal family very seriously. That includes keeping their secrets.” The butler Goodlife nods “Care for a lemonade?”

“Indeed my good stallion.” Prince Blueblood turns to Luna. “Good to see you again Aunt Luna. Sorry, I haven’t been able to make your acquaintance, but someone had to go to Yakyakistan with Cadence here staying to assist you that task fell to me. To tell the truth, I love the Yaks such a proud people, the trick is to do things in a way to not let them feel shame.”

“Quite alright Prince Blueblood. I also understand why you... put on airs as the modern saying goes.”

Blueblood chuckles as he accepts the glass of Lemonade from Goodlife. “Indeed, I do find staying home so boring. The Nobles thinking they are cunning, I can only stand so much talk about finding tax law loopholes. Not one thinks that me being a Royal my income is from those very taxes. That and a few side businesses I invested in.”

Cadence sat back down “I’m glad you got back in time. Oh, how your mare friend in the Everfree?”

“Everfree... wait is that rumor of that Zebra, Zecora being your mare friend real?” Luna asks looking at the Prince.

“Well... hmm. I guess I didn’t keep that as hidden as I thought. She doing much better now that the Ponies in Ponyville aren’t afraid of her.” He then looked to Goodlife “You didn’t hear that.”

“What sir? All you been doing was crying over the loss of the love of your life to that... what did you call him? Low born Shining Armor.” The butler's face showed no emotion standing as straight as one of the royal guards.

“I met her briefly during our trip to Ponyville during Nightmare Night. She was an impressive display, even though I had an issue with the story she told.” Snorts “Nightmare Moon didn’t gobble down or threaten to gobble down foals.”

“It just part of the tradition that developed the last thousand years Luna.” Cadence brushed her wing over her aunt’s back.

“I know and I don’t blame the mare. Just a touchy reminder of a time long past.”

“You might like her Auntie. Zecora enjoys a bit of mysticism about herself, really plays up the wise Shaman even speaks in rhyme. Thought she drops the act when we are together, kind of hard to rhyme I love you after all.”

Cadence tilts her head “Well it could be done, but not sure if it would make sense.”

“Well, I best be heading off. Got to make a whole grand appearance reporting to Celestia about the trade deal with the Yaks.” Prince Blueblood sets down the glass and looks to Goodlife “And that was wonderful lemonade.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“CADENCE HOW COULD YOU!” Prince Blueblood turns and runs off for the castle “I’m telling Auntie Celestia about this!” He whined as he heads for the throne room to put on a grand display of his broken heart.

“I think he enjoys putting on a show as he does traveling,” Cadence says as she covers her mouth laughing.

“I must say he had me fooled when we first met. Now that we rested... back to your lessons.”

“But... Luna, I need to shower before the cake tasting. If we spar again we will be late.”

“Alright, just because you are getting married,” Luna says as she stands. “Mr. Goodlife please clean up. My niece is correct we both need a shower before we sample these cakes Buttercream been making for us.”

“Of course Princess.” Goodlife lifts the tray and walks his way to the kitchens.

“NO!” the royal purple foal screamed as she fought against the seamstress trying to get her measurement.

“Please, Princess Nightshade just wait a little longer.” The seamstress sighs and tries once again to get the tape measure around the filly’s barrel. “Princess your friend Cream Puff seemed to enjoyed being measured.”

“That because she doesn’t know you are making Froufrou dresses!” Thought Nightshade spoke a few words most was still baby talk the seamstress Cross Stitch couldn't understand.

The door to the nursery suite opens Luna walks in followed closely by Cadence. “I heard my daughter from the hall. Is everything alright?”

“Just seems our little Princess does not enjoy being measured for a new dress.” Peppermint Heart spoke up from the play area where he was keeping an eye on Cream Puff. Who seemed to be playing seamstress measuring her stuffed bunny.

“Nightshade if you behave for the seamstress I make a batch of those moon pies you like,” Luna said to her daughter.

Nightshade stopped her squirming thinking over the deal. “Very well” Standing still to get her measurements done.

“Luna resorting to bribery? That just going to make her more stubborn.” Cadence says as she walks over to nuzzle Nightshade only to get a hoof bopping her snout.

“I’m surprised that worked. I don’t think I ever have seen a foal who could understand so much.” Cross Stitch sated as she was able to finish her job.

“Our Princess Nightshade a very clever pony. We think it’s because of her Alicorn nature, even Princess Cadence has a sharp mind she did the graduate top of her class.” Luna says as she picks up Nightshade.

Just to have Nightshade push her away with her little hooves. “Ugh you both stink”

“And she has a sensitive nose. Alright, I need to have a shower, just finished sparing with Cadence.”

“Oh, how did you do this time Princess Cadence.” Peppermint Heart asks as he takes Nightshade from Luna.

“Terrible, I didn’t even make one hit.” Cadence ears lay down thinking about how poorly the sparing was going.

“Not too bad she lasted a whole three minutes this time,” Luna states impressed by her pupal improvement.

“Just be glad she doesn’t try teaching you the Zebrica style of fighting. I doubt you like trying to balance yourself on a staff.” Peppermint chuckled he sets Nightshade down beside the now curious Cream Puff.

“Well, since you are here Princess Mi Amore Cadenza any particular style of dresses you want for the fillies?” Cross Stitch asks as she puts her stuff away and with a wave of her horn brings up her note pad to make quick notes.

Cadence opens her mouth when another voice cuts in. Nightshade loudly states “NO Fru fru!”

“I wonder what Nightshade fussing about. Almost like she said froufrou.” Cadence reply.

“Does she even know what froufrou means?” Confused Cross Stitch looks to Luna.

“I doubt it, I saw some new dresses that others call froufrou when I took her for a walk. She might have heard the word then. Thought it more like she mimicking the sound you know how baby talks at that stage.” Luna sighs Nightshade wasn’t being careful, another sign the mind behind those teal eyes has become more like the foal she was now. She then looks at the royal purple filly. “After all Nightshade just a year old.”

Nightshade blinks it was now dawning on her that the seamstress might get suspicious. Quick need distraction.

“What with that face she’s making.” The seamstress asks looking at the purple filly right before a clear fart was muffled by the dipper she made.

“Perhaps she was saying poo-poo, not froufrou.” Peppermint waved his hoof in front of his face before he picked up the now soiled filly. “Well, the faster I get that air cleansing gem on the better for us all.” Then it was off to the changing table.

“That our cue to go. Take care of the little ones, Peppermint you are a lifesaver!” Cadence says as she hurries out of the suit, following soon after Cross Stitch.

Luna looks over to her daughter “Really?” Shaking her head she goes for the shower. There was cake to be tasted and harmony forbid if they were late Celestia would freak.

Author's Note

I and my muse have finally got back together and started the second story of Mother Moon saga. The butterfly effect has taken place and I wanted this chapter to reflect one of the major changes. That Luna been teaching Cadence hoof to hoof combat.

The reason for the change is simple. Instead of Cadence going to the Yaks, my reason for why we didn't see Cadence in the show till the wedding happened. It was Prince Blueblood who went. Truth be told I'm kind of loose on the timeline here. Part of me wants to make it after Nightshade starts talking just so she can yell a few things mainly "MINE!"

Some timelines I seen have placed the Canterlot Wedding in early October of the first year of the show. Others lean to the one year for one season idea.

I'm placing the Canterlot Wedding after Discord and Luna Eclipse, why just because I want to! So I reject your timeline and substitute my own. Besides the butterfly effect on going the Wedding might have been delayed in this Universe.

As always I have a few disabilities that make it hard for me to write. Mainly Dyslexia, really can you imagine how hard it is when the bleeping letters move on their own! For a quick help in understanding is this Dyslexia I'm the Scotopic sensitivity type. I can see the words but as I focus on writing they move around on me. This makes my own spell checking and grammar difficult. I do use Grammarly however I can't pay for the full function so only use the Free version. So if you find it hard to read because of typos I do apologize and blame my messed up biology!

Chapter Two

The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza could not be happier. “I’m getting married!” She was bouncing around the garden releasing her pent up emotions.

With a sigh, Princess Luna sips her coffee. “That’s what the 30th time she said that?” She asks looking to her sister Princess Celestia.

“That’s 30 times since you woke up to spar,” Celestia states smiling as she samples another slice of cake. “Oh... I like this, what is this flavor?”

“That one the Luscious Lemon, Princess Celestia. For those who love all things citrus, we layered a tangy Meyer-lemon cake with sweet berry compote for a laid-back last course. Great for a spring or summer wedding we can add berries and fruit to it as well.”

Buttercream smiles offering Princess Luna another sample cake slice. “This one you might like Princess Luna. It’s a Coffee and Cream cake, chocolate cake topped with coffee buttercream. A special blend of buttercream I mixed up myself while thinking of you. It has espresso-Kahlua ganache and hazelnut mousse, all atop of the chocolate torte.”

“You don’t have to say princess every time Buttercream. We are friends after all, and you are too kind making a special icing just for me” Luna blushes a bit as she takes a bite of the cake.

“I’m officially working and being professional, Princess. You know I love baking it’s my special talent after all, so what if I make gifts for friends while doing so.”

“Careful Buttercream if you keep it up Luna would be as big as Celestia.” Cadence walks over after coming off her bridal high. “I don’t think Coffee and Cream cake suits my taste for a wedding reception. Is that Red Velvet cake there?”

“A spiked red velvet. The cream cheese icing is laced with decadent amaretto. More thrilling than just vanilla or chocolate, but less extreme than some of the more exotic mixes.”

“Sorry, we are late!” The group turns to see three unicorn ponies walking into the garden. The first was the light aquamarine, Lyra Heartstring, then was the light blue Minuette, last looking slightly nervous was the light goldish gray Twinkleshine. It was Minuette’s voice that spoke up. “The train was running a little late. Not to mention all the decorating going on.”

“Oh, my gosh... I can’t believe we are in the royal gardens. With the Princesses!” Lyra pranced a bit as she looked about.

“Lyra we have been friends with Cadence since school. Why are you going all fanfilly now?”

“Well duh, Cadence is like a normal pony princess. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are like capital letters Princesses. They are the rulers, Cadence was... well a foul sitter and went to normal school.”

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet the bridesmaids, come there still plenty of cakes to taste test.” Celestia smiles as she samples another slice of the Luscious Lemon cake.

“I think I found what I want Buttercream,” Cadence speaks up after she bites a slice of cake.

“Oh that’s the Strawberry Bagatelle Kirsch moistened sponge cake filled with fresh strawberries or raspberries and light Bavarian Cream.” Buttercream reply after checking her notes. “That one from Chief Sourdough. Thought more of our bread maker he does make good cakes.”

“Could I have that spiked red velvet frosting instead. for this one with filling?” Cadence asks nibbling on some of the spiked red velvet.

“It’s your wedding Cadence! Of course, you can.” Lyra laughs as she hugs her friend.

“Oh good now that the taste testing is finished, we can just enjoy the cakes!” Everyone laughs hearing Celestia.

In the basement of Club Arcane other wedding planning is taking place. “42!” Chrysalis screamed out as she looks over the notes.

The changeling in the disguise of Mixer comes forward and bows dropping the disguise “Yes my Queen?”

“Is everything prepared?” Her hoof tapped the chair arm as she looks at the changeling 42 his annoying habit of keeping that bat pony disguise on till the last moment annoys her. But of all the hive he has been the most successful in this stage of the plan.

“Soon we have replaced key figures in the guards, hiding the real ponies in the abandoned mines. The swarm is now camping in the Everfree forest, they were extremely careful to avoid notice.”

“Good, is this Cadence bachelorette party surprise ready?” Her green eyes narrow was that a smirk on 42‘s face?

“Yes, my Queen. The extra strong knockout drugs should be enough to knock out even an Alicorn.”

“It better... because you are betting your life on it 42.” Nodes or as the Queen calls him 42 swallows. “Yes, my Queen.”

“I want you to lead Princess Luna away to the decoy site. Take the chosen operatives with you. If she gets back, make sure you don’t.”

“But the club... EEPP Yes my Queen.!” Nodes back away and flys up the steps just missing being hit by Chrysalis' magic blast.

“He’s becoming too independent. 49!”

Another changeling comes forward “Yes my Queen?”

“Make sure he doesn’t return.”

“Of course my Queen.” 49 smiles she has been wanting to get back at the club loving Nodes. ------------------------

This wasn’t good. Nodes paced back and forth in the office of the Club Arcane. Why was he being sent to deal with Princess Luna? Sure he took pride in managing the club it was a hotbed of Love for the hive. The whole plan for the swarm was foolish, but what the Queen wants the Queen gets. He looks to the mirror and his insect-like face. With a flash of green, the face of Mixer returned.

“I’m an infiltrator, not a soldier.” With a sigh, he headed out of the club and made his way carefully to the abandoned mines. Of course, they didn’t use the main entrance even if it was blocked off. The changeling had long ago taken over a warehouse and tunneled their way into the mines. He passes two Colts that seem to be the age of 14 playing ball. Seem is the keyword as both focused on him and nodded their eyes flashing green for just a second.

He returned the silent signal and headed into the warehouse. Making his way down the twisting paths to the chamber filled with green cocoons. Stopping just a moment to look at the real Mixer before heading to the location of the already captured Royal guards.

He looked to the gathered Changeling chosen for operation Diverting Moon. “By order of the queen, I will be leading Operation Diverting Moon.”

“Yeah, so you say. What proof do you have?” One of the Pegasus changeling spoke up thrusting his hoof in Nodes face.

A green blast smashes into the Pegasus. “Is that Proof enough?” Queen Chrysalis walks forward with 49. “My changelings, its time. Things are changing and we are masters of change.”

She starts moving forward each step a step of a predator. Only stopping once to brush the side of a cocoon. “A shining new era is coming nearer. Be prepared” The sound of a song starts filling the old mine. A song that would so cause a lawsuit if some mouse overlord heard it.

“NOW FLY MY CHANGELINGS! SOON WE WILL NEVER GO HUNGRY AGAIN!” Her laugh echoed off the mine crystal.

A royal purple filly wakes up with a scream looking around something was wrong but what. Nightshade hushes up as Peppermint Heart trots into the room.

“You okay my little princess?" He came over and picked up Nightshade into his hooves. “You just had a nightmare. It is alright, I'm here to keep you safe.”

Deep in the filly mind, a premonition echoed. Just like her Aunt Celestia, Nightshade's power is tied to the sun, not the moon. The brighter the light the darker the shadows... so she does have the power of premonition thought it unfocused. Just a faint sense of dread and green flames.

Author's Note

Nope, it's not your imagination. I had this chapter mostly done before I had the idea of Chapter One.

Yes, I did include a link to the Lion King's Be Prepared song. It just the song that would fit so well in that complete with GREEN Changeling like colors! Just replace the Hyenas with Changelings and Scar with Crystalis.

Nightshade power tied to the sun? What now? Just think about it a strong light produces a strong shadow when blocked. Night, after all, is the shadow of the world if you think about it. I also needed a reason for Nightshade to start to get suspicious.

As always there are typos somewhere I know they are there. Like changelings hiding in plain sight.

Chapter Three

Morning there was a time Nightmare Moon hated the idea of mornings. A thousand years ago she would have blasted the maid mare who woke her up. Now a year of life in the body of a foal has changed the former villain. Having forgotten about the nightmare she gladly sat up and lifted her front hooves to Rosewater the maid.

“Oh want that bath so soon my little princess?” Rosewater sniffs “Oh... need a diaper change and a proper cleaning.

Nightshade watched as Rosewater made a small bubble bath. She thought the maid was going to finish bathing her when a shadow fell over her. Looking up she saw Luna looking down.

“I see you are behaving yourself this morning my daughter. Perhaps I can help bathe you?”

“Of course Princess. She is your daughter after all.” The maid Rosewater leaves as Luna picks up Nightshade and puts her in the water. Then Nightshade saw her eyes turn green cat slit and her form turns hard like an insect’s. The form of Queen Chrysalis Shoves her head down into the water.

Nightshade wakes again from her second nightmare of the night. This time she didn’t yell out. “Chrysalis? Why am I having nightmares about her?”

This time the morning routine was normal a change than a breakfast of oatmeal with brown sugar and cinnamon it was time to be taken to the daycare. Once at the door to the daycare Nightshade spotted a fussy Buster in a stroller being pushed by a guard. ~Must be his father. I wonder what’s wrong.~

“Thank you Gentle Breeze. I don’t know why he’s fussy this morning I hope he’s not getting sick.” Buster’s Father says as he passes the colt over to Gentle Breeze.

“That alright every foal gets fussy from time to time.” She looks over “Ah Princess Luna good morning to you as well.”

“Good morning as well Gentle Breeze, and Sir Guard.”

“Please you Highness, I’m just a private, Private Stonewall.” He turns and looks down the hall. “I’m running late Buster was a hoof full this morning.” Then Stonewall headed down the hall.

“Hmm, he seems nervous.” Luna pushes the stroller into the daycare center when a squeaky voice calls out.

“Morning Princess Luna.” Peach Blossom the peach-colored unicorn filly waves smiling from her table crayons scattered all over it and a blob of rainbow swirls on the paper. “Can Princess Luna read us a story, Ms. Breeze?”

“That’s up to the Princess, I have no problem with a surprise Princess Story.”

“I think I can tell a story for you my little ponies.” She sets Nightshade into the playpen and goes to the story corner sitting down. “What kind of story you like?”

“A story about a princess!” Peach blossom yelled out.

“Peach Blossom no yelling.” “Sorry, Ms. Breeze.”

“A brave hero story.” A colt added.

“I think I have one... but be warned it a scary story, after all a brave hero can’t be brave without something to be scared about. Long ago, even longer then Equestria itself, there was King Bronze and Queen Jade. They loved each other very much but they had no foals of their own...”

Nightshade looks to Buster “What’s the matter?”

“That wasn’t my daddy. He looks like daddy but... he wasn’t daddy.”

Blinking she looked to the door then back to Buster. “How you know that wasn’t your daddy?”

“He... little things. He didn’t do his special kiss when putting me to bed. Smells funny, but doesn’t smell funny. Don’t know it just not daddy.” Buster sniffs and wipes tears off with his hooves.

For a moment Nightshade was about to just dismiss Buster worry but she hears Luna’s voice. Remembering the instinctive drive to find Luna, her instincts knew Luna was her mother even when she didn’t want to admit it. Were Buster instincts doing the same? But what could replace a pony?

Then the memory of the nightmares returned. “Crystalis”

She looks to Luna how can she tell the grown-ups about the changelings?

As Luna left the daycare center she looked back spotting the odd look of worry on Nightshade.

She walks into the grand hall where the wedding was going to take place. Hearing the planning of Princess Cadence as she spoke about her vision. “Okay, I want some flowers here... oh and ribbons going from pillar to pillar guiding the viewer to where we will be standing.”

“You have given this wedding a lot of thought dear niece. I remember my wedding, there was nothing special but a crown of Night Phlox on my head with a veil provided by my handmaiden. I can still remember the scent of those flowers.” Luna says with a slight sigh one of the happiest memories, just a day later she was a widow.

“Well, I kind of been planning my wedding for... oh... hmm years now.” Cadence smiles as she prances in place. “I’m so excited.”

“And so you should,” Celestia speaks up smiling at the two. “I’m honored that you want me to be the pony to perform the ceremony.”

“As I am honored, and a little surprised you asked me to be your matron of honor.” Luna makes a slight bow to Cadence.

“We almost met every day for the last year Luna. You training me in hoof to hoof fighting and me helping you. Why wouldn’t you think we be good friends now.”

“I just expected you to choose one of your friends from school.”

“It wasn’t easy. Lyra went and move in with her marefriend in Ponyville. She could do it, but well you met her she’s a great friend but I’m not sure she can handle the duty of a maid of honor. Minuette lives there as well, but she often comes to Canterlot for her job as a dentist, it also takes a lot of her time. Twinkleshine, well she a bit on the shy side and I don’t want her to put extra stress on her. I guess Minuette could do it if you can’t.” Cadence looked worried for a moment as she mentally compared her friends with Luna.

“It’s fine I did say I’m honored to be asked.”

“PRINCESSES!” A tired and roughed up looking Pegusis guard came charging into the grand hall. “I have dire news!”

“Report Private Thunder Charger,” Celestia spoke ending the conversation about wedding plans.

“We were out near Baltimore when my patrol was attacked. Dark armored figures struck at us during the night. We got away, but there were hiding in the forest and our best guest is near a thousand of them.”

The three princesses look at each other. “What’s going on? Who would even try to form such a group in Equestria.” Cadence asks looking fearful

“We need to send out a scouting force, if not a whole regiment. Captain Shining armor would need to lead it.” Celestia states thinking about it.

“What... but... our wedding.” Cadence ears fall back against her head and her tail droops.

“Fear not niece, you shall have your wedding. I will lead the regiment to challenge this force that threatens us.” Luna looks to Thunder Charger. “Go get Shining Armor he will be in charge of setting up the defense of the city.

Celestia doesn’t say anything not wanting to show any challenge to Luna’s authority.

“Of course your majesty.” Thunder Charger runs out of the grand hall.

“Luna? Are you sure you should lead this mission?” Celestia asks.

“It makes sense Celestia if Cadence still has her wedding to Shining Armor it would calm the Ponies. They will see that we aren’t afraid of this threat to Equestria. The will also see me going into action to defend them. Even today ponies don’t notice how I help during the night. This will aid in their trust of me.”

“Guess I have to ask Minuette to be the Maid of Honor after all.” Now sitting Cadence blinks as she hugged by Luna.

“I will do my very best to be back before you say I do. This I swear, it the least I can do for my family.”

“I love you too Luna. Be careful out there.”

At the barracks, Thunder Charger walks the chamber and closes the door. His form changes in a flash of green.

“Report 78.” 42 aka Nudes aka Mixer the bat pony commanded. Really why did he have to be in charge of leading Luna away he asks himself again. His eyes look to 49 noting her smug look. She’s the queen’s eyes here if I mess up... his thoughts were interrupted as 78 reported.

“The Princesses bought it hook line and sinker. Princess Luna herself offered to lead the attack on our dummy camp.”

“Good, our Queen will be pleased.”

Author's Note

Happy Thanksgiving to all the U.S. readers!

I have seen the plans my Sisters had for their weddings. Some of the things they planned they had in mind after the first date they had with their husbands. To think Cadence didn't have things thought out ahead of time just seems illogical to me. Really didn't the writers think about how much planning it takes for a wedding, not to mention one taking place in the Castle, with the Royal Princesses being part of it? Some Earth royal wedding takes Years to plan not to mention how much time it takes to get the decorations ready, dresses made, and food prepared. We talking at least two months for a normal wedding. In the show Rarity made dresses for Cadence, Minuette, and the others in at least a day? TIME DOESN'T MAKE SENSE!

Okay, I had a breather and calmed down. Just remember that the show was very fast for a wedding. Poor Rarity all that hard work on rush orders...

Just like I always say, I'm struggling with dyslexia and know there are mistakes somewhere in my work. Report these spelling and grammar errors to the nearest pest exterminators.

Chapter Four

The royal grounds were now filled with guards. “There is a threat to Canterlot itself. An unknown force is making its way here. We will not be waiting. Captain Shining Armor, you will be in charge of the defense of the city. I will lead a force to face these intruders.” Luna spoke up to the assembled troops. Off to the side, reporters were scrambling the news of a possible threat already starting a panic reaction.

“We have full faith in our Royal Guard, so much so the Royal Wedding between Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Captain Shining Armor will go on as planned. Equestria has not been invaded for over a thousand years. This has not been done by being weak. Over and Over forces have tried and failed. Dragons who ignore the treaties are driven away, Gryphon raiders sent home limping, Diamond Dogs whimpering, all because of our Guards protecting the land. All that without the assistance of the Elements of Harmony.” Luna takes a breath, just over a year ago, she was one such force.

“Now those Elements are here in the royal vault ready to be used by the bearers. Not even Discord could stand against them. A force of cowards who hide in the shadow is no match for us. Now my ponies we set out to show these intruders the error of their ways.” Luna hid her anxiety in front of the troops and the news ponies. In her heart, she wonders if this was wise, something was nagging at her wanting her to stay here.

In the crowd, a group on nondescript ponies watched as the troops marched by. A grand display of the might of the royal guards. The smile of a soft blue mare hid the pleasure Queen Crystalis had seeing Princess Luna fall for the ploy. She turns to a tan stallion taking a moment to remember the drone cover name. “Bookworm, what are these Elements she was talking about?”

The stallion pushes a pair of glasses up his muzzle and replies to his queen. “Six magic gems from what I can detect, each keyed to a pony. When all six are used together the magical effects are amplified, they were used to turn Discord into stone, twice now.”

“Are they a threat to my plan?”

“The Bearers have to be in sync, and together for them to work. Discord tried to drive an emotional wedge between them, for a time it worked.”

“Discord skill at manipulation of emotions is sloppy, I would have to figure a way to make sure they don’t interfere.” Crystalis turns and heads for the Club Arcane. “Come we have work to do. We have a bachelorette party coming after all.”

42 Nodes marched with the rest of the disguised Changelings. Deep in his gut, the pains of hunger rippled. This attack was wrong he knew, but they were desperate. It all Discords fault he had a fine gig being Mixer.

He glances at 49 that smile on the face of the pegasus mare was one of anticipation. 49 was a pathetic infiltrator to arrogant in his mind to serve properly. Once more he wonders why she was there. ~It’s a setup I know it is, but how do I get out of it?~

Looking to Luna he remembers the playful flirting he has done to the Princess, it was nothing more then just the teasing any bartender would do. They both knew it was meaningless but there was a budding friendship that helps keep the hunger away. He shakes his head clear of the thoughts.

“Something bothering you Commander?” Princess Luna asks with no hint of the playfulness she showed at the club.

“Just worried about the coming battle your Majesty.”

“Indeed, I too fear the harm that may come to you and the other guards. It true I enjoy sparing and testing my mantle, I don’t look forward to combat itself. There is no joy in it, just the knowledge that for any pain we have is caused by protecting those we love that keeps me focused.”

“For those we love...” He played the part of the guard but those words echoed in his mind.

“I believe you, Buster, there bad ponies who can hide like other ponies. The grown-ups are too loopy headed to know they are here.” In the playpen, Nightshade tries to comfort Buster.

“But... my daddy?”

“He safe, the bad ponies put him to sleep. I remember long ago they did the same to crystal ponies.”

“Crystal Ponies?” Buster shook his head, okay if Princess Nightshade says his dad was safe then he believes her. She is a princess after all.

The third of the foal trio was lowered into the playpen with her stuffed bunny in her grasp. “There you go Cream Puff your friends are already here.” Gentle Breeze says as she pats Cream Puff on the head.

Right away the unicorn foal notices something was off with the other two. “What wrong? Buster got a stinky diaper?”

“No my Daddy, not my Daddy, but Nightshade says my daddy sleeping and another pony my daddy.” Buster nods it makes clear sense to him.

“Okay...” Cream Puff looks to Night.

“What he mean?”

“There bad ponies around now but grown-ups don’t know. They look like other ponies, one now looks like Buster’s daddy.”

“Oh... What we do about it?”

Nightshade stood up and started pacing thinking. “I need help from grown-up... can’t trust any pony but who to trust?”

“Mommy good!” Cream Puff states matter of fact.

“No your mommy can’t help she makes cake not fight bad guys. Buster Daddy now captured because of they afraid he fights them.” Nightshade thinks and nods. “I tell Peppermint, he knows Zebra stuff.”

“But Pe...Peep... Pepper... Stripe guy doesn’t understand us. Like all grown-ups, he doesn’t hear us.” Buster speaks up.

Thinking about her toys Nightshade comes up with a plan. “Okay, you two I need you to do something for me. We need to be safe so all need to be in the same place. Now watch me and I teach you to say my name like a grown-up.”

Gentle Breeze started preparing today's crafting project. She set down the cards and crayons to the foals. “Okay everypony. We going to make wedding cards for Princess Cadence and Shining Armor.”

“Who Shining Armor? Is he nice? Does Princess Cadence love him?” Peach Blossom asks waving her hoof in the air.

“Shining Armor the captain of the Royal Guards and is very nice, so nice that Princess Cadence loves him very much. Just think how happy they are getting cards made by you.”

“Oh, I can draw hearts!” Peach Blossom starts drawing on her card.

Gentle Breeze lifts an ear hearing something strange from the playpen. Ever since the cookie incident, she has been on high alert when it comes to the royal pain... princess so she turns to look at what goes on.

There in the playpen, Nightshade was sitting in front of the other two repeating sounds, that was soon repeated by the foals. Gentle Breeze moves closer to hear better.

“Nigh... Nigh... Night... Shave... shade... Shade. Nightshade! Nightshade, nightshade!”

Azusa Moon joins Gentle looking at the chanting babies. “She got them chanting her name. I’m so writing Celestia about this.”

“Yeah. This is weird even for an alicorn foal.”

Nightshade turns her head smiling at the two caretakers and waves her hoof. Having heard them talk about writing to Celestia just confirmed that those two were still them. After all only a few ponies know about how Celestia was keeping tracks on her. She would have to make sure that the letter was destroyed.

Author's Note

Okay, all the pieces are in place! Part of me isn't happy with the pacing it a tad to fast, but I really don't see how it couldn't be. Nightshade wouldn't just sit around waiting, and the Changelings would be the most active replacing ponies and manipulating things in the shadows.

I making it official Dusty name now Buster! I will go back to earlier chapters and stories replacing his name with Buster. Now that I got a better idea of who he is and going to be he will be showing up more in my writing.

This is a learning experience for me as well. Improving my skill in character development and story crafting. There are bound to be issues, spelling, and grammar errors. It's free for you so you get what you pay for! I love reading comments from you all it helps me develop and encourage me to do more. This second story wouldn't even be written without the posters in Mother Moon, Daughter Nightmare encouraging me to do more. So keep it up even if it constructive criticism on how I can do better.

Chapter Five

Nightshade was worried she now knew that changlings were around but what could she do? First on her list was to protect her friends. Just the thought she had friends was strange, a thousand years isolated on the moon, now she has two friends. True they are foals and easily gullible but they are friends.

To get them safe means she has to do something she hasn’t done for well over that thousand years. Something so annoying and frustrating just the thought bothers her. She has to trust someone.

“You alright there little princess?” Peppermint Heart had picked her up from daycare and noted her frustration.

“No, I’m not alright. The city being attacked and no one knows about it!” Sighs she replies knowing that Peppermint wouldn’t understand. Her language skills were getting better as nerves and muscles developed. It was a miracle she was able to get her friends to articulate her name properly.

Nodding to the babbling Princess. “Don’t worry your mother will be back soon.”

“Wait... Luna’s leaving?” Why would she be leaving? Of course, it must be a trick to get rid of the better Alicorns. So next they are going to try to do something about Cadence, everyone knows Celestia lazy so would be a pushover."

Once they were in her suite Nightshade rushes over to her toys. Then skids to a stop looking back at Peppermint. ~are you, you?~ She needed a test a way to be sure.

“FRU FRU!” She calls out to her nanny.

Peppermint stops and looks at her “Fru fru? Oh, I remember how you said that right before... oh. Alright, let get you to the potty.”

Instead of letting him help her she runs to her toys and yanks out her blocks. Each side of the blocks had different designs, including letters.

Peppermint stops now confused. “So you don’t need to use the potty?”

She starts moving the blocks she stops a flaw in her plan she only has so many letters. -ME WRIT- she then moves the E from Me to the end of Write. Then she starts again moving letters around as she needs to.

-You are safe. Bad Ponies Changelings. In Castle bad guys here now-

Ever since the Discord situation Peppermint knew Nightshade was more than a normal filly. Not just powerful but the mind of Nightmare Moon. Thought most of the time the foal behaved much like any foal he knew. This was not normal.

He had to sit down “Alright I go tell Celestia she know what to do.”

Nightshade stuck out her tongue. Then shifts the blocks again -Already in guard. Buster dad one, Aunt stupid-

“Don’t talk bad about your Aunt. I’m sure she can figure something out.”

-Stay protect friends.-

“What do you mean protect friends?” Nightshade started moving blocks when a knock came to the door. She quickly made it look like she was playing.

Peppermint rose to get the door looking back at Nightshade. “Coming.” He opens it to see Buster’s father there with Buster. The foal was saying the same thing over and over.

“NIGHTSHADE!”

“Oh... Peppermint Heart. I hope you don’t mind but with the city on high alert. Can you babysit Buster? He seems to want his little friend.”

“Sure Stonewall how your mate doing? Shouldn’t she be able to watch Buster?”

“Oh, well she busy with the wedding and everything. Thanks for keeping an eye on him.”

There wasn’t anything obvious about how Stonewall was behaving. Then again it wasn’t often that Nightshade had him visit. As soon as the colt was on the floor he bolted for her earning a smile from Peppermint. “He does like visiting. Just hope this time he doesn’t try to shove a doll up his nose.”

“Yeah, that was silly but he’s a foal. Alright, I need to get back to work.” Stonewall turns and walks away as Peppermint shuts the door.

Once Peppermint couldn't hear the sounds of hoof steps “Of course it was Cream Puff that did that. Caught you...” He looks to Nightshade “Alright I believe you now. Still, we need to tell Celestia somehow.”

Nightshade hated what she had to do. She spelled out one more thing. -Tell Twilight-

“Twilight? You mean Twilight Sparkle?”

This wasn’t working she needed something more than blocks. Looking to Buster “I’m going to magic on Peppermint. Be good it won’t be very long.”

Then she narrows her eyes and focuses all she had on the proper spell. A string of magic came from her horn and connects to Peppermint’s forehead.

As soon as the line of magic touched his forehead the world fell away and he was standing in a field of white. No walls, no sky, nothing but solid white. Then a flash of royal purple and a full-grown Nightshade stood before him.

“That spelling was way harder then I thought. Alright, Peppermint Heart we need to talk now. The Changelings are masters of deception and manipulation. If they are already replacing minor guards like Stonewall they have Celestia surrounded and watched.”

“They drove my Mother away because of Mind Magic, Luna can detect dreams, dreams like the ones the changeling victims have. Right now she not aware of them because she too focused on Nightmares. However, if most of the castle staff seem to be dreaming loving dreams when they should be awake she might notice.”

“So they lured Princess Luna away so she wouldn’t detect them. But what about Twilight Sparkle she doesn’t have any dream walking magic?”

“She does. She hasn’t been trained in it or even tried, but she the bearer of the Element of Magic, and her talent is magic. That little unicorn can learn any magic she comes across if she wants to. Just by having the potential she will be protected by the mind manipulation of a changeling.”

“Wait Changelings can affect minds? That wasn’t in the legions I read about.”

“Legions forget things. Like Luna’s name lost in history until our return. It makes sense that a changeling can cloud the judgment of others, make them more susceptible to manipulation. Easier to control and feed off of. Its weak magic affects a pony like a drug would, clouds the mind. It not easy to mind control but manipulate is easier. Except for ponies that have mental magic already. Like my Mother, Twilight Sparkle, and I.”

“Wait they be able to manipulate even Celestia?”

“Yes, she a feeble old mare. She doesn’t have any mental magic herself so she would not have any defenses. Her judgment already cloudy because of her old age.”

“You shouldn’t be talking about your Aunt that way. You may be a grown-up in this... um.. mindscape. But you still a foal and should show respect.”

“PBTHHHHH” It was odd seeing the grown Nightshade stick her tongue out and blow a raspberry. In truth as he watched Nightshade form reverted to that of a 5-year-old. “Celestia poopy head.”

“Nightshade... I think you are loosing...” The spell ended and Peppermint Heart finds himself in the suite. Before him, Buster was pushing a sleeping Nightshade with his hoof.

“Buster she’s alright, just sleepy. She used a lot of magic and needs her rest.” He picks up the whimpering colt. “I help get your daddy back you see.”

Luna watched as the sun starts to set. For a year now she has been beside her sister during this time to change the day tonight. A year being with her family, now she was miles away in a clearing by a lake alone but for the guards making camp. Once again her heart yearns to return to Canterlot, a nagging feeling in her mind that she was needed.

“My Ponies need me... this is for them.” She looks off into the distance as her horn glows and the moon rises, the night has begun.

On the other side of the camp alone stallion watches Luna raise the moon. Nodes sigh as he thinks of how a group of changelings was meant to take Luna out of the picture. Even an Alicorn can be overpowered but they need the advantage of surprise.

“We can kill her you know.” A mare moves up beside Nodes. “Even she needs to sleep, snap her horn and wings she be grounded and powerless.”

“Is killing her necessary 49? We can cocoon her and feed off of her for generations she already lived a thousand years and the younger sister.”

“Always so careful 42. You need to toughen up, even the Queen sees you as weak. That way you are in charge here she testing you.”

“She put me in charge. So what I say goes, we cocoon her. We did this for food after all why waste such a meal. Only a fool would want to waste that.”

“The Queen wants that. Are you saying the Queen is a fool?”

“No... no, if the queen wants it there a reason.”

“Your weak that what it is. Don’t get cold shoulders now 42. Soon the Queen’s plan will be done and Canterlot will be ours.” 49 turns and heads to her tent.

“The Queen isn’t a fool... I’m just not sure she’s sane.” He looks at Luna once again.

Many traditions wrapped up in what we call a wedding. Many different groups have different spins or flair. The Ponies of the Fillypines dress in red wedding gowns. Still, other traditions are more a modern version of older traditions. The Bachelorette Party is such a tradition. It this tradition that Cadence and her friends now head into the reserved room of the Club Arcane.

“I’m GETTING MARRIED!” Bouncing like Pinkie Pie on a sugar rush Cadence prances about the chamber.

“About time too. How long have you and Shining been sneaking dates?” Minuette smiles as she snatches a stuffed mushroom appetizer into her mouth.

“I can’t believe she having Celestia do the ceremony. That like unheard of, I looked it up she hasn’t performed a wedding ceremony for 127 years.” Lyra smiles showing off her wit.

“Okay Cadence settle down. Its time for some toasts!” Mixer walks in with a tray of glasses and a wine bottle. “I got a rare treat for you, Princess.”

“Aww, thanks, Mixer. You aren’t upset that I’m getting married are you?” Cadence was a little worried her friend seemed off for some reason. Thought as much as she tried she couldn’t figure out why she felt so.

“Ah, Cadence you know my heart is breaking. You marrying Shining Armor... oh how I going to miss his face as I compliment your eyes.” Mixer smiles and starts pouring the wine. “TOAST! To a day that Canterlot will remember for a very long time.”

“CHEERS,” The four ponies drank and once by one the glasses fall. The room starts spinning and Cadence looks to Mixer as he seems to be engulfed in green flames.

Crystalis looks on as Cadence struggles to her feet. "NO! I..." In another universe, Cadence doesn't have any fight training. In another universe Cadence, fear takes over. In this universe, Luna meets Cadence early and gives her that training. It was pure willpower that kept Cadence from succumbing to the drugs in the wine. Such willpower that Chrysalis steps back as the Pink Princess charges forward slamming her left hoof into the Changeling queen's face. "I'm Going to get MARRIED and I won't let you stop me!"

The door to the chamber burst open and ten more changelings charge in. Even outnumbered the pink mare gave it all she had swinging and kicking with gusto. But she was drugged already and outnumbered, as well as still a trainee. A few more blasts of green magic and she was on the ground panting. The long legs of Chrysalis slowly forward savoring each pain-filled gasp of the princess of love. "I underestimated you, Princess. It doesn't matter, no pony can stop the swarm." A flash of green and the Queen of the Changelings was now a copy of Cadence.

“Wha...” She gasps out as she sees herself looking down at her. “Don’t worry I will be taking good care of Shining Armor. Looks like I’m the one getting married after all.” The last thing Cadence hears is maniacal laughter of the Queen of the Changelings echoing off the soundproof private chamber.

Author's Note

Well, now we are at the point just before the Show. Evil plots are moving along, just who's plot will manifest first?

How will the story change if Twilight Sparkle gets told about the Changelings? Will Peppermint Heart be able to get to her in the first place? Next chapter Chrysalis is now replaced Cadence and she starts making her move.

Like always there something wrong somewhere. If you see spelling and grammar errors you may fire at will!

P.s. Oh and thank Vaguely Demented for the idea of having Cadence go down fighting!

Chapter Six

Peppermint Heart sat the two foals down in the crib. Nightshade and Buster curled up in a multicolored mass of fur and fluff. Sighing he heads to the kitchen seeing the sun has already set. “How am I going to tell Lady Twilight Sparkle about this?”

That was when a knock came to the door. He headed overseeing Buttercream holding a crying Cream Puff. “Oh, um. Peppermint Heart can Cream Puff spend the night? She has been fussy ever since she came back from the Daycare. She mentioned Nightshade a few times so... I guess she wants her friend.”

“Sure Buster here as well. It can be a sleepover.” He took the whimpering filly from the mare. “Oh, do you have Mr. Flops?”

“Mr. Flops?” Buttercream blinks.

“You know Cream Puffs stuffed bunny.”

“Oh yeah, the bunny.” Reaching into her saddlebag she brought out Mr. Hops. “Here you go Mr. Flops for my baby girl.”

Got you as well miss changeling. “You must be tired from preparing for the wedding. A whole night without worrying about a foal will be a good time to catch up on sleep.”

“Thanks, Peppermint, indeed it going to be a wedding few would ever forget.” Buttercream kisses Cream Puff on the forehead before walking away.

Closing the door he looks down at Cream Puff. “So they got your mother as well.” A stern look came to the nanny’s face as he settled Cream Puff among the other foals. All three bunch up together as herd instincts kick in. With the mix-matching colors, it was hard to identify one foal from the next, an evolutionary eyesore of rainbow hues. Much like looking at an Optical illusion.

In the kitchen, he starts brewing. “Spirits of my ancestors, please aid me in making this brew. A potion to show what is true.” The pot he was brewing the concoction in was nothing like a traditional shaman would use. But the gas burner provided the heat and the simmering brew glowed a shade of green. In another universe where the changelings' invasion won Zecora used this same brew on the ponies hiding in the Everfree. In this universe, Peppermint Heart hopes he has it right.

Traveling by day was not normal for Princess Luna. It was wearing her out so as the night moved on she settled down in her tent to let her mind connect to the dream realm as her body tries to recover.

Outside the tent, Nodes looked on acting the part of a guard until he heard the princess breathing slowly. Turning his head he looks at the tent. How many nights did Luna visit the club, and socialize with the common ponies? It was true she had to be brought there with Cadence, but she interacted with the common citizens. Something his Queen didn’t do. A snort Queen Chrysalis doesn’t even bother remembering names just assigns numbers. Tick and Mandrake have even been called the wrong numbers a few times. Why couldn’t he have been born a pony? It would be so much easier never being hungry, having friends. These doubts ran across his mind as the other changelings came. Soon the tent was surrounded by the troops sent to investigate the assault. Tonight a Princess was going to die. It was for the good of the Hive, good for all changelings, why did he have doubts?

49 smiles and shifts her form to an Ursa Minor. “Let's get this over with."

The fire was raging all around her. Ponies screamed in terror as the sky filled with smoke and black chitin-covered forms buzzed around. The Changeling swarm was attacking ponies getting snatched off the ground all around her as she ran.

“MOMMY!”

Nightshade was running in fear, her the terror of the night, mistress of nightmares was afraid. She wasn’t fully grown but not a foal anymore, her body looked more like a preteen or tween as some would call it. Out of an alley came a voice “SUCH FEAR...” Nightshade skids to a stop, that voice she knew that voice. It was her own or more to the point it was...the form of Nightmare Moon walking out of the shadow.

“Your mother doesn’t care little one.” The sadistic predatory smile of Nightmare moon caught Nightshade’s eyes. Did she look like that? No wonder the ponies of Ponyville were scared of her.

“She left, like the coward she is. She left you, she left Canterlot. She always runs. Like she did a thousand years ago she ran from her troubles. We are the result of my other-self. Luna won’t help us, no one ever helped us.”

“No. I won’t listen you are nothing but echos of my doubts.” Nightshade stood tall her form shifting to the more mature adult form as she got hold of her fears. “this is just a nightmare, just like you nothing but a bad dream.”

Laughter from a thousand changelings and Nightmare Moon’s laughter was heard all around her. “There a reason for bad dreams as you know very well. The changelings are already here.” The castle shales and Nightshade watch as it falls to the ground fall below.

“It going to happen and you can’t do anything about it.”

“ENOUGH!” A flash of blue and Princess Luna appears beside Nightshade. Everything else stops. Changelings in mid-flight, fires stop burning, it was if the world was put on pause.

“Nightshade? I... I heard you call out to me and I find this. Nightmare happening, what’s going on?”

“Mom... The threat you went to investigate is a distraction. Changelings are already in the castle, they replaced the guards. Buster's father is one of them. It was his instincts that clued me in. You are in danger the guards that went with you.”

“Could be changelings... Have you told Celestia?”

“How? my physical body doesn’t have the physical nerves and muscle control for much talk those are still developing. Even if a could talk properly in that foal body of mine their no way I could get to Celestia without alerting the Changelings. I alerted Peppermint Heart by using my toy blocks he has me and my friends for the night.”

“Alright, I head back righ...” The form of Luna vanished into smoke.

“MOM! MOMMY!”

In the real world, Nightshade wakes up “MOMMY!”

Pain... pain in her horn brought her to the waking world. The tent was blasted away as the large Ursa/changeling smashes it’s massive paw onto her horn once again this time a loud crack was heard as the horn broke. “Aww, I broke your little horn. No magic spell casting for you princess.” The Ursa Minor disguised Changeling smiled with a psychotic grin.

Other changelings thew ropes across Luna, as she squirms trying to rise as the mass of changelings, continue their assault. Another stabbing of pain as one of the changelings used his sword to hack at her wing joint severing tendons.

All but one changeling was in the mob attack. His eyes widen as he watched the swarm brutalize the princess.

“NO!” Nodes' body bursts into flame as he takes up the shape of an Ursa Minor and swats five changelings away. “THIS IS WRONG!”

“TRAITOR!” 49 hissed and turns to tackle the traitorous 42.

That small moment was all Luna needed to get to her feet. Even if her wing was now hanging crippled and her horn broken she was not going to allow that to stop her. “A whole regiment just to take me down. I should be flattered.” With a battle cry, she charges the group of Changelings. “HUZZAH!”

Changelings aren’t normal fighters they are infiltrators and manipulators. Very view bothers learning how to properly fight. Luna was a skilled fighter with combat training that was needed just to survive a thousand years ago when Equestria was unruly after Discord. Even before that she fought against Tirek and his brother. It might have been helpful that the majority of changelings that went on this mission weren’t very bright.

Like many dim-witted minions, they bunched up not wanting to be the first to fight the angered, wounded, but still aggressive Princess.

Not to mention there was a fight between two Ursa disguised Changelings going on behind Luna.

“I’m Going to enjoy this, Nodes. You were always pathetic!” 49 charged tackling Nodes in a very Sumo Wrestling style tackle.

“If I’m so weak, how come you haven’t won yet. You know this isn’t right. It isn’t our way!”

“What the Queen Wants is our way! FOR the Hive.” 49 lifts Nodes Ursa form and moves to slam it. At that moment the watching changeling scream as it dawns on them where Nodes was going to land.

The bunch of Changelings scatters as both Ursa’s go tumbling to the ground. Just missing Luna in the process.

Nodes change his form yet again to a bugbear and pose his stinger up just as the momentum of the toss causes him to hit the ground. 49 eyes widen as she realizes she couldn’t stop.

Blood splattered Nodes face as 49 looks down at the stinger driven into her body. “Seems you... win.” 49‘s body then changes back to a changeling hanging off the tip of the bugbear stinger dead and lifeless.

Nodes shoved off the body and rose to look to the gathered changelings. “Who’s next?”

The other changelings look at each other then took off flying, scattering to the wind in a blind panic to flee.

“Coward every one of you!” Luna called out then turns to look at the bugbear changeling. “Well except for you. Why did you save me?”

Nodes turned back to his normal form and look to luna. “Please forgive me...” He then took up the form of Mixer “I understand if you don’t want to be friends anymore after this..”

“MIx... Mixer? How long?”

“You never did tell me how you liked that Blue Dimond I made.”

“That long ago? Its been over a year.”

“That long. A club a perfect place to gather what we need to survive.”

“Why? Why attack now if you been in Canterlot for so long.”

Sighing “We are dying. Our whole race is on the verge of extinction. All because of Discord. There used to be many hives, many different kinds of changelings. Some fed on the pride of the Yaks, arrogance of the Gryphons, the greed of the dragons. Then Discord happened, every other hive starved to death. Our hive almost did as well, but survived. We did it by figuring out a way to cocoon Ponies in a magical jell. In the cocoons, they experience a happy and joyful life. The love they feel as they dream we fed on. This is what happened to the real Mixer and other ponies we replaced.”

Mixer/Nodes looked up. “Then Discord got free again. The fear he caused during that brief escape was enough that our Queen came up with another plan. Instead of hiding in the shadows getting a little love at a time. We going to capture all of Canterlot in one go, turn it into a new Hive nest and use all the captured ponies as our food. Then spread out, that way we will never risk starving to death again.”

He lowers his head “But... it’s wrong. My instincts telling me to mimic and infiltrate. What the Queen wants now is... worst then Discord. It goes against everything we are. Even using the cocoons in such away is against our instincts. We are not normally aggressive Princess Luna. We only fight when we have to.”

Luna looked in the direction of Canterlot and starts walking shifting her damaged wing as she goes.

“Princess where are you going?”

“To Canterlot, my daughter, my family are in danger. There nothing that going to stop me.”

Nodes look down then to the Princess. “First let get that wing bandaged up. It is faster if you don’t have to drag it.”

Luna stopped and look at Mixer/Nodes. “I know what it's like to be judged for being different, I know what it like knowing you done wrong. Mixer I won’t condemn you for what you have done like you said it was for your survival. You also fought to protect me, because of that I still consider you my friend. Help me. Help me save my family, save my home.”

“My real name is Nodes, and... it means I have to fight my own family.” He gets the first aid kit and starts treating the wounded wing and try to ignore the broken horn on her head. “I’m sorry about the horn.”

Luna sighs and looks to the broken tip of her horn. “If the core was damaged, that would be a crippling injury. Luckily it is not that bad just the tip was snapped off. I can’t focus my magic through it like this, but the core of the horn wasn’t damaged it will mend the damage in time.

Luna nods and lowers her head “I understand. I will have to do this on my own then.”

“No Princess, I... I made my choice.” He looks to the body of 49 “I already have the blood of my sister on my hooves. You won’t be returning to Canterlot alone.”

“Could you become something large enough to fly us back to Canterlot?” Luna asks looking at him.

“I’m sorry Princess, but I used up most of my magic fighting her. Unlike you ponies we don’t recover lost magic, we need to feed off the love of others, which becomes the magic we use in our bodies. After not one but two large shapeshifting I’m spent. I have only enough magic left to become a pony again without feeding.”

Luna looked at the body and with her good wing hugs Nodes. “Thank you, my friend. Now let get her a proper grave.”

“But the attack on Canterlot?”

“Your Family can wait. This is something I can see you need to do first. Besides, there is something you all forgot.”

“What did we forget.”

A sad smile comes to her face “My daughter, she more powerful then you realize and she knows the Changelings are there.”

Author's Note

Made some changes after talking with Vaguely Demented.

Changes are a few changes in the fight. 49 now starts the fight as an Ursa Minor braking Luna's horn. I made it clear that Luna's horn will recover after a for healing. I also thought of a reason why Nodes can't become a dragon or some other large beast to carry Luna back to the city.

I got this done in one go! So... I expect there bound to be some more spelling and grammar errors because I didn't read this over more than I normally do. I read it three times before posting. I use spell checkers and Grammary to double-check my work, however, I can't afford Grammary Paid version. So I only use the free version it has reduced functions.

The truth is I was not expecting or planning on braking Luna's horn. It was something I came up with as I typed. That whole wounded wing I did have in my outline draft.

Looks like I should have read it over a few more times before posting!

P.S. I would like to talk with someone to brainstorm with. The MLP Movie in this universe is the next story I have in mind. I just don't have it fleshed out as much as I like before writing. So any Victims, er volunteers?

Chapter Seven

Chrysalis smiles as she walks the hall of the Canterlot castle. Slowly and surly her changelings replaced the castle staff. Now it was the end game and she shoved down the nervousness she would deny having as she walks into Celestia’s office. “Aunt Celestia, I was thinking that we could get Twilight Sparkle and her friends to come early. Just in case.”

Celestia looks up from the paper she was writing to Cadence. The moment she looked up her eyes locked onto Cadence’s and for just a moment she thought there was a flash of green.

“It just in case you understand. We can have them help with the wedding prepping so no one will wonder why they are here early. You did have the same ponies do the Summer Sun Celebration after all.”

A part of Celestia wondered why her mind became sluggish but she shrugs it off as worry for Luna. “Good idea, I write it up and send it to Spike.”

“Oh, that reminds me.” She put the wedding invite for Twilight Sparkle on the desk. “Given Shining Armor protecting the city we couldn’t go and invite her personally. So can you send this as well.”

“Sure Cadence. Anything for you.”

“Of course. It is my wedding after all. Everything going to be perfect, nothing could possibly go wrong.” Chrysalis smiles and heads out of the office. Today was starting just right.

In a secured area of the castle, a chuckle is heard from the stone form of Discord.

“I GO!” Nightshade looked at her nanny staring him down as he blocked the door out of the suite.

“Sorry, Nightshade. My main duty is to protect you. I can’t do that if you are out in a Changeling infested castle. I work on a way to contact Twilight Sparkle but you have to stay here.”

“No. Mine.” Stupid language barrier. Equestria was hers, she has to protect it from those invaders so she can take it for herself.

“You might have the mind of a thousand-year-old, but you are still just a year old filly. There is too much of a chance you make a mistake. Now go play or I put you in time out.” How in Tartarus did he get in charge of an evil foal from legions? Shaking his head “Still no Nightshade.”

With a huff, she turned and headed to her friends Buster and Cream Puff. Both of the real foals were trying to play but anyone watching could tell the playing was half-hearted.

How was she going to fight if she was stuck in here? The room was enchanted to prevent her from using her shadow step or teleport. Her eyes flash white and she could see the magic on every surface. Wait... surface? A smile came to her face that was the answer the spell acted like a net preventing her from slipping out. It had to be laid down. So she had to slip under the spell in some way. Her eyes move around to her Pony size Ursa Teddy bear. A moment of sadness came to her as she thought about what she had to do.

“What you going to do Nightshade?” Cream Puff looked at her friend her stuffed bunny was being choked hold in the hug as the filly tried to pretend she wasn’t afraid.

“What I need to do, going to save your mommy and Buster’s family. Everyone, I’m a Princess of Equestria it is my duty.” She looked to Peppermint Heart he was guarding the door with a jar of strange green goo and other odd potions he brewed last night. She felt the nanny was well prepared to give Tartarus to any changeling that tried to harm the foals in his care.

The problem was she couldn’t hide. She was too proud to hide in fear. Her mind brought up battle plans, combat spells, and even vast accounts of nightmares she remembered from her former life. She was Nightshade, but deep within was the Queen of Nightmares herself. It was time to make the changelings afraid of the dark.

She turns to her Ursa and with a flash of purple magic cut apart the stitching.

“Nightshade what are you doing?” Peppermint moved from the door heading to the royal filly seeing the stuffing of the bear fall out.

“PTHHHPPPPPPP” with a raspberry she jumped into the stuffing of the bear and activated her shadow step. By the time Peppermint got to the bear, she was gone with most of the stuffing inside.

“Luna not going to be happy about this.” The other two foals answered him with raspberries of their own.

Two ‘Guards’ walk down the hall. “Why we have to continue hiding? The castle is ours and the Queen is handling Celestia.”

“The Queen plan is overwhelming force. We might have a castle but there more ponies in the city. Only the might of the swarm and confusion can prevent them from mobbing us. Do you want to be stampeded by a herd of angry ponies? I don’t.”

“Just annoying is all. I’m not cut out to be an Operative, I was caretaker for the hive, being outside the hive is just... frustrating.”

“Well, soon we will be able to remodel...” The second changeling stopped talking as the lights at the end of the hall went out. Then the next set, and the next. He looked to his fellow guard as the darkness kept coming.

From the shadows came a laugh, one that sent chills down both changelings as a pair of teal eyes open wide with cat slit-like pupils. “Oh how sweet, fresh meat” a mouth under the eyes smiles filled with a sharp predator like teeth.

The two changeling guards look at each other and then turn and started running away. As they approach some stairs going down their hooves met some marbles. Both changelings lost their footing and tumbled down the steps.

At the top, the illusion Nightshade was casting faded and she smiled as she cast her shadow step spell on the two sending the changelings to the dungeon. Sure the chances they stay there are very very low. Just waking up in the dungeon after the fall would freak them out.

She turns and heads into the shadows of the now dark hallway.

In another part of the castle, a maid was walking by a table when oil poured out from nowhere. She almost fell but caught herself and looked down. “Oil? How this get here?”

Then she heard a laugh, a wicked laugh only a hoof full of ponies alive have heard before. The laugh of Nightmare Moon. The maid turned to look at the source of the laugh seeing what could only be called a full moon glowing in the dark hallway. A hallway that was lit a short time ago. The moon had a clear shadow of a Unicorn mare. Nightmare Moon’s symbol. The shadow’s eye opened reviling a cat slit eye. “Need a light?” A spark of magic was all that was needed to set the oil aflame.

The Changeling screamed more in shock and fear. The fire spread but was easily overwhelmed when she changed to her normal appearance the Changeling magic fire incinerating the oil around her in a flash.

Looking back to the shadows all she could see was a dark hallway, nothing else out of place and no sign of the moon or Nightmare Moon. Just he shadows in the dark hallway.

Nightshade collapsed under Luna’s bed. Two illusions with sound and then the added spells of shadow step, and the spark. She was out of magic again. It was worth it! The fear of those changelings will spread. She made sure none saw what was causing the trouble. The unknown was so much scarier then what was seen. She could hear it now whispers that Nightmare Moon was on the hunt. Her eyes closed as she drifted off to sleep needing a nap.

Cadence was nervous as the music started. She looked to her Bride’s maids and her maiden of honor Princess Luna. “I’m glad you got back in time Luna.”

“I’m too Cadence. Turns out it was just some drunken Peguses causing mischief. Nothing more than arresting them and then hurried back. Now let get this wedding done so you can enjoy that Honey Moon.”

One by one the wedding party made their way to the podium where Celestia was waiting. With a deep breath, Cadence took a step and the song she chose for the bride march begin.

Everything was perfect, so why did she feel like something was wrong. Was it the flowers? She tried to shove the doubt down as she walked to Shining Armor her husband to be.

In the real world, a changeling walked along rows of cocooned ponies and stop to look at the one holding the Princess. With a glance around to make sure he wouldn't get caught he opened his mouth to take some of that sweet love, he sensed from her.

In the dream, she stumbles something was very wrong. Her eyes snap around she saw her family. The two earth ponies that adopted her so long ago, and most of her former village.

Wait?.. they couldn’t make it. There was a mudslide that blocked the path wasn’t there? She stopped midway and looked around. There were other things odd, the flowers were all healthy perfect. Instantly her horn lights up and a voice in her mind screamed. It’s all fake!

Outside of the dream Cadence horn lights up and a blast of energy erupts from her horn. The cocoon shatters and she falls to the floor below.

“I DIDN’T DO IT!” The changeling that was feeding on the Princess of Food screamed and double-stepped back as the pink princess stood up.

Cadence eyes widen then narrow. “So it was a dream.” In another universe, Cadence awoke and having no combat skills fled into the abandoned crystal mines of Canterlot. This Cadence was trained to fight.

In a spinning kick that would make Applejack Proud the changeling that feed off her got bucked into the wall of the warehouse.

Cadence smirk and looks around... then the smirk fades as she sees twenty other changelings approach her. “As my Aunt Luna would say. HUZZAH!” Her horn lights and she vanishes. The first lesson Luna taught her was to keep her opponent guessing.

The group of changelings stop and look around. “Where she did she g...” That was all he got to as cadence dropped down from above landing all four of her hooves on his shell. Then she spun flipped off the unfortunate changeling firing a spell as she twirled overhead. Cadence was born a pegasus, her instincts from that time were to use speed and agility. Those instincts added to Luna’s training created a very fast-paced quick dance-like combat stile. Always keep your opponent guessing.

The remaining changelings weren’t hit by any spells as they tried to keep up with the dance fighting combat style of Cadence. That was until they heard the clear sound of thunder as the clouds Cadence summoned fired a lighting bolt into their mass. The weather Cadence summoned continue to build soon the warehouse was filled with fog and lighting. None of the changelings could see far in the mist. An Alicorn born a pegasus used to a life flying among the clouds didn’t have this problem.

One by one either by lighting or by hooves from the mist the numbers of changelings fell. Till there were two cowardly holding each other in the corner. From the mist, a blue glow came closer as Cadence walked out of the fog she looked at the two changelings. “We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Either way, you will tell me what is happening.” Her eyes glowing with power and rage.

At that moment the two changelings found out the meaning of the words. Tartarus has no fury like a mare scorned.

Author's Note

I tried to think of how Cadence will fight. Then I remembered she was born a pegasus. So she used what she was born with, speed, agility, with the help of weather magic. This gave her the advantage of creating conditions where she could overwhelm the superior numbers of the changelings. In the fog, they couldn't see her well enough to gang up on her.

Things are heating up! Nightshade pulling Homealone attacks in the castle, Chrysalis used her mental manipulation magic on Celestia, and Cadence is feed! Unlike Cannon's timeline Cadence here knows how to fight on her own.

I still don't trust my writing. Somewhere there are Spelling and Grammar errors I do apologize for them.

Okay, I had to add Chrystalis say "Nothing could possibly go wrong." Right before things start to go wrong. Thought of that after a second read through.

Chapter Eight

Cadence POV

“Sergeant, report.” Cadence stood at the door of the warehouse. A Unicorn guard walked up beside her.

“The prisoners are bound up and guarded. On the matter of our forces, we have a problem. It seems the longer a pony been in those cocoons the longer it takes to recover. In total we have 20 capable ponies out of them only 14 are guards.”

Cadence sighs and looks down trying to think. “If we going to take back the castle we going to need more troops. From what I got out of the prisoners they replaced almost all the castle guards and half the staff. To keep that many ponies hidden they need a large area like this warehouse. But one close to the castle.”

“The barracks, it large to house the guards and training grounds are off-limits to civilians. Space and isolated by our security measures.”

“Then that will be our goal. Sergeant Hard knocks, pick out a team of five for this operation. The other guards will remain here to protect those that are recovering, and to watch the prisoners.”

sergeant Hard knocks nods and turns to head to the waiting troops.

“How are you doing Cadence?” Lyra asks as she walked up to her friend.

“We got a plan, we can do this.”

“Not what I asked. Cadence you can’t hide it, my friend. You are tense, you are pacing, Cadence you're afraid.”

Cadence lowers her head “Of course I am. I have to be strong, Luna has been lead away, Celestia surrounded... it’s all on me.”

Lyra hugs her and smiles. “No not all of you, on all of us. You aren’t alone, I’m coming with you.”

“Lyra you can’t you don’t know how to fight.”

“Oh, I know how to fight, me and Bonbon spar all the time. We even met at the dojo. She even knows moves that aren’t acceptable in the dojo. So I do know how to fight. That not why I want to come with you. Your fiancee is in control of some evil bug thing, the city is in danger, and it’s your wedding day. A blind and deaf pony would be able to feel how upset you are. If there any time you need a friend by your side it’s now.” Lyra looks her in the eyes smiling.

“Lyra, thank you. Alright, guess you have as much skill in hoof to hoof combat as I do. I only won because I cheated using weather magic indoors.”

“As Bonbon would say, it not cheating if there aren’t any rules. This isn’t a sparring match, this isn’t an honorable battle of champions. There aren’t any rules.”

“Thanks, Lyra.” Cadence turns seeing five ponies heading to her in the lead was Sergeant Hard Knocks. “Sergeant I asked for a team of five.”

“I’m coming as well, Princess.”

Looking over the warehouse “no I need someone with authority here. Lyra will be coming instead.”

“Princess I must object. As a guard, our primary duty is to protect you.”

“Everyone knows an Alicorn isn’t someone that needs protection. Your primary duty is to protect the fools who would anger an alicorn. We need someone in charge here and that’s you. Once we leave don’t open that door to anyone without the correct phase. No one not even Celestia, Luna, and myself.”

“As you wish Princess what is this phase?”

Cadence needed something rare something no one would easily guess, something personal. “Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!”

Hard Knocks blinked “Why would you want to use something like that?”

“It something I did with a filly I used to babysit. A special activity between the two of us so it won’t be randomly guessed. It also something from years ago so not something an imposter would know.”

Cadence horn flashes and she disguises herself as a Unicorn mare. Her colors shift her mane and tail become red hues and her cutie mark became just a heart with gold accents. “There I won’t draw attention. The rest of you will go without armor.”

Lyra looked at Cadence “Where did you learn that spell?”

“Celestia often go out in public as Sunny Days. I learned it after I took them out to the club the first night.”

“WHAT? Sunny Days? Cutie mark of the sun with sunbeams coming down?”

“Yes private. Why you ask?”

“Um...” Blushes “I was flirting with her a few weeks ago.”

Cadence blinks “Okay, I need to talk to Celestia after this. But for now, call me Rose Heart.”

“Cadence... I mean Rose. How are we going to know who a changeling or not?”

“I have been thinking about that. I can sense the emotions of ponies around me if I focus. I will be using that as we head to the barracks. The bad part is I have to focus to tell who we can trust. My, magic isn’t the best I can’t keep up the scan at the same time cast spells.”

“If you excuse me, Princess, if that the case perhaps you should disguise yourself as an Earth pony rather then a Unicorn. That way no one would suspect a spell from you, so if you do need it the spell would be unexpected.” Sergeant Hard Knocks offered.

With another flash of magic Cadence was now the Earth pony Rose Heart. “Alright, ponies let go save our troops. Then save Equestria.”

The team of six ponies heads out of the Warehouse all six didn’t notice the two playing colts stop and look at each other then take off running.

Peppermint Heart POV

Peppermint Heart looks down from the balcony seeing two unicorns below. One was Shining Armor the other Twilight Sparkle. Then came Princess Cadence. His ears move to catch the talk.

“Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!” Twilight sang the song and did a little dance move. In front of Cadence but it seems she didn’t know what Twilight was doing.

“So even Princess Cadence.” Peppermint Heart looks to the two foals and then to Mr. Hops. “Cream Puff. I need to borrow Mr. Hops, he’s going to help save your mother.”

The two foals look at each other then Cream puff looks to her stuffed bunny her lip quivers and she hugs it before holding it up.

“Thank you Cream Puff. He’s a brave hero, and he’s going to help save the day.”

With a toss, he throws the stuffed bunny to the bridge Twilight was standing on. Twilight stops and turns seeing the bunny that fell from the sky and she looked up.

“Lady Twilight Sparkle if you please bring that back up here. One of the foals accidentally threw it.”

“Oh, alright.” She picked up the stuffed bunny and levitated it up to the balcony.

“Please Twilight, come to the suite I want to thank you.” He turned and closed the doors before the bunny got to the balcony. “Damn she almost messed up my plan.”

He hurried past the two foals who sat watching him with puzzled faces. Grabbing his saddlebags with potions and other items he prepared. Reaching in he took out the jar of green paste.

It wasn’t long before a knock to the door came. When he opened the door he saw the angry Unicorn standing before him and got a stuffed bunny thrust at him. “here, I’m in a hurry... Agh!”

He didn’t wait and spattered some of the green paste at her. Not seeing a reaction he grabs her and pulls her inside. “Quiet they hear you. That wasn’t Princess Cadence.”

“What.. what is this stuff, and what do you mean that wasn’t Cadence?”

“Changelings. The threat your brother was talking about is already here. They have been replacing the Guards and many of the staff.”

“Changelings? they are legends, myths”

“So was Nightmare Moon and Discord.”

“Good point. Alright, what this green goo?”

“It a paste Zebra developed to reveal the truth of things. Many things in the savanna would play tricks on the unsuspecting. Water that isn’t water, rocks that would consume you. So the Zebra shaman came up with a way to reveal the truth. If you were one of the changelings this would make you appear as your true self.”

“So, that wasn’t Cadence? I knew something was wrong. I have to warn Celestia!” She turns to head out of the suite.

“Won’t work. Do you think I haven’t thought of that?”

Twilight stopped and turned to look at him. “What do you mean?”

“Changelings can affect the minds of the unsuspecting. Weaken them and make them more susceptible to manipulation. All the guards are changelings, there no telling how long Celestia been affected.”

“But... She Celestia.”

“She still a Pony, Twilight. You have to expose Cadence in front of them. I have a few potions and brews that can help you fight. The Changeling magic isn’t true mind control if you show them the proof they will snap out of it. So the jar of Umbono Wangempela Pastes as I said reveals the truth of things. Just get some of it on her.” He lifts another bottle this one with a purple swirling mist. “A jar inkungu efihliwe will create a magical fog to hide in. Of course, you won’t be able to see out as well, but it something.” Then he lifts a jar of white powder.

“What’s that?” Twilight asks.

“Very powerful itching powder.”

“Wait, it's not Zebrican?” Twilight asks taking the saddlebag of supplies.

“Only a fool limits one option.” Peppermint Heart looks at the mare “There something else you need to know. You are immune to the Changeling mind-affecting magic.”

Twilight blinks and looks at him. “What do you mean I’m immune and how you know that?”

“Your talent is magic itself correct. That includes mind magics, like Luna’s dream walking. The Changelings tricked her into leaving so she wouldn’t interfere. The only other pony that immune is her daughter.”

“Princess Nightshade can dream walk?” Then Twilight looks around “Where is she? This is her suite.”

Peppermint Heart looks down his ears laying flat. “I’m... I don’t know.”

Twilight’s eyes widen her mind coming up with different possibilities.

“I only know they don’t have her. Because they haven’t come here for me. I’m not important, but if they find Princess Nightshade I’m sure they would arrive at the door soon after.”

“Hold on, what do you mean.”

Peppermint Heart shakes his head. “I can’t say Twilight, it’s state secret. Just keep an eye on the shadows.”

Twilight looks at the strange nanny than to the saddlebags. She has a brother to save, so any worries over a filly she shoved to the back of her mind. “Thank you. I hope I can show Princess Celestia the truth before its too late.”

Twilight Sparkle POV

She was angry, her BBBFF was being manipulated, Celestia was being manipulated. For all, she knew her friends were now under this changeling magic. It was her, only her that can do something to stop this.

Her mind spun hundreds of options as she came up with a plan. Soon she came to the grand hall decorated for the wedding. There at the top of the steps was Celestia, Shining Armor, and that imposture. She swallowed her pride and smiled.

“I’m sorry I’m late for the rehearsals. I went and got Cadence a gift.”

“Oh a gift for me? What is it?”

Twilight walked forward, bring out the jar. “I remembered how you do the face mask treatment and got you a jar.” Then she fakes tripping tossing the green goo at Cadence.

Cadence reacted like normal and tried to dodge the splash but some of the paste landed on her. A flash of green and Princess Cadence was now Queen Chrysalis.

“HA... I knew something was wrong! The real Cadence would have remembered the time as my foal sitter.” Twilight smirks as she revealed the truth.

“QUEEN CHRYSALIS! WHERE IS PRINCESS CADENCE!” Celestia horn lights up and her wings spread wide as instincts to make herself seem larger kicked in.

The changeling queen smirks and turns to look at Celestia “With the other castle guards.”

That when the hall doors open and as the guards enter they changed into their true changelings' appearance. “It was so easy, one by one we replaced them all but one.” She looks to Shining Armor “Poor Shining Armor the only one left.”

“Replace them all?” Celestia glances out the window thinking about Luna.

“Yes including them. Luna all alone with a hundred of my troops. With orders to kill her.”

"NO!" Celestia horn flashes sending a bolt of magic at Chrysalis. This was stopped by a blast of magic of her own. Two beams of magic collide as the two rulers fought.

Twilight reached into the saddlebag and drew out the jar of itching powder. If she tosses it at Chrysalis then the queen would be distracted too much to focus on her magic. Just as she was about to throw the jar she gets tackled by one of the Changeling guards.

The rest of the mane 6 joined in the fight. Pinkie Pie pulls out her Party Canon from her mane and fires at the changelings. “CAKE!” A three-layer cake went out of the canon with enough force to send six changelings flying.

Applejack and Rainbow dash stood side by side kicking and swing punches. “That 3 more for me Dash!”

“No, it doesn’t that last one you punched knocked the other two down. You have to hit them down yourself.”

Then there was a flash of green light and laughter. The fight stopped and all the fighters pony and changelings alike look at the laughing form of Queen Chrysalis standing over the knocked out Celestia. “I win! MAH HA HA HA”

“No no...” Twilight looks on as Celestia was surrounded by changelings and what looked to be a cocoon was started to be made.

Then two colts came running in changing into the adult changelings. “My Queen. The Pink Princess escaped and she leading a group of ponies to the barracks!"

“My Changelings send a force to stop her. Even if she gets to the barracks she too late the Swarm has arrived!” Outside the window, she could see hundreds, no thousands of black forms flying to the barrier and starting to strike it trying to get in.

“you see little ponies nothing can stop the swarm! Now be nice and give up.” Chrysalis smiles as she looks to the six ponies and dragon welp still standing. The majority of the force they have been fighting earlier left to go ambush the real Princess Cadence.

Nightshade

Her eyes snap open. She felt it the wave of magic being used, the force of power in both Celestia’s attack and Chrysalis. “NO! Mine!”

She scrambled out from under the bed and takes off flying. As she flew her form shifts to a purple cloud. The few changelings in the halls already afraid of dark things thanks to the rumors of a monster in the shadows panic before the mass of dark purple. All the while the power builds up in the filly.

magical surges are a natural part of development. Pathways open and magic flows in the new channels a foal sometimes can’t stop the outpouring of energy. There is a second type of magic surge, one that triggers under stress or fear. A defensive measure to give a foal enough power to defend itself if attacked. Or in the case of an alicorn foal, enough power to defend what is hers.

Chrysalis laughter stops as she looks to the door. “What is that?”

“Mine, mine, mine, mine, mine MINE MINE MIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!” The doors of the hall blast apart a purple cloud burst into the hall. Twilight Sparkle eyes widen she knew that voice, a voice she heard during the Summer Sun Celebration. The voice of Nightmare Moon.

Author's Note

For those names of things Peppermint Heart gave Twilight, I used google translate English to Zulu. So if those words aren't spelled correctly blame Google!

I'm trying to decide what battle to write next. The fight of Nightshade vs Chyrstalis or write Cadence fight to the Barracks then to the castle. Luna going to make her appearance again as Cadence fights her way to the castle. I think for a cinematic reason I go with Nightshade vs Chrysalis.

Chapter Nine

Chrysalis POV

“What happening! Show yourself!” She spun around looking for the cause of this dark cloud of shadow that consumed everything. Then the world brightens but not enough, she could see that somehow it was night. The moon was up blocking the sun and shadowy forms were chasing her Changelings.

Then a figure walked out of the shadow. “Who are you! My changelings didn't tell me there was a forth Alicorn! Explain yourself!"

Her mane and tail were jet black void that seemed to absorb all light. Her teal eyes slit looked at Chrysalis with pure rage.“Don’t you know? Haven’t you noticed my return? I’m the True Queen of Equestria! I waited over a thousand years, you think I let a bug take what is rightfully MINE!”

She didn't wait and magic fired at this new Alicorn. “I defeated Celestia I can defeat you!” Right before the blast hit the alicorn she leaped into a shadow. Just one heartbeat later her side faired in pain and she went flying into the wall.

Rage filled her getting to her hooves she blasted again. “Stand still!" Yet every time she attacked the alicorn moved out of the way. Sometimes leap, sometimes just lean out of the way. No matter how many blasts not a single one hit.

“I would say you couldn't hit the side of a barn, but you did hit Celestia and she is just about the size of a barn."

She figured out the pattern and shot at the alicorn. Sure enough her target leaped into a shadow. With a spin, she fires at the nearest shadow. Then a laugh came from above. “So you can think after all." She had just enough time to look up before a hoof connects to her jaw sending her flying back.

Once more she struggled to rise only to fall again. Then the Alicorn started approaching with steady steps and rage in her slit teal eyes.

Twilight POV

“What happening! Show yourself!” Twilight hears Chrysalis's voice in the dark shadow fog that seemed to consume everything. Her heart beating with fear eyes darts back and forth.

“It can’t be... How, how is Nightmare Moon here?”

The dark cloud fades and Twilight could see everypony again. Looking outside “NO!” The moon rose and eclipsed the sun the day turned into night. From the moon came shadowy ponies that look as if they were made of smoke with butterfly-like wings. One came close to the window and she backed up. Its face was twisted skull of a pony.

Then movement caught her attention as a dark purple Alicorn walk out of a shadow “Don’t you know? Haven’t you noticed my return? I’m the True Queen of Equestria! I waited over a thousand years, you think I let a bug take what is rightfully MINE!”

Chrysalis just screamed fires a magical blast at the Alicorn. “I defeated Celestia I can defeat you!” The nightmarish alicorn didn’t fire back she jumped into the shadows and vanish. Seemingly the same moment leaped out of a shadow near Chrysalis and bucked her into the far wall.

“Oh this going to be good!” Pinkie Pie says as she tosses some popcorn into her mouth. Where she got the popcorn no one bothered to ask.

“Well, I’ll be, that's a buck worthy of me. Twilight who is this pony?”

“Applejack it’s nightmare moon. The whole thousand years comment, her eyes.” Twilight replied. Chrysalis still attempted to fire magic at Nightmare Moon. The Alicorn seemed to know how to avoid the blast every time.

“No way we kicked Nightmare Moon’s flank” Rainbow took off into the air to watch the fight as Chrysalis once again gets bucked into another wall.

“There are many similarities, the eyes, her form is the same as Nightmare Moon’s. But I would say her colors are more like Nightshade’s.” Rarity flinches as she sees Chrysalis get a hoof to the jaw.

The gears in Twilight’s head clicked into place. Her eyes widen “Nightshade is Nightmare Moon, it all fits that’s why the filly wasn’t there till after the Elements hit her. Look she doesn’t even have a Cutie Mark.”

The others look at the fighting Alicorn. Sure enough her flank was blank. Then Chrysalis fell panting heavily. As Nightmare Nightshade headed to the struggling Chrysalis.

“Now bug it time to be squashed.” With calm steps, the Alicorn moved closer to Chrysalis and raises her hoof. “Long live the Queen”

“No, Nightshade Please don’t! Don’t be the Monster you were!” Twilight screams as she steps forward. “You were given a second chance, a new life don’t throw it away! Please... Don’t be Nightmare Moon again! Spare her, you won she can’t fight anymore.”

Chrysalis looks up with pure hate. “If I die a new queen will be born. You won’t stop my Changling’s revenge.”

Nightshade looks down at Chrysalis. “They are so pathetic, aren’t they? All this time they have been watching afraid, worried, unsure who to cheer for. At any time they could have helped fight you or fought me. They stood there in doubt, knowing they were seeing a fight they were outmatched to join. Now they beg me to stop. They beg to save your life, pathetic, caring, ponies...” Her hoof slams down with a sicking crunch.

Twilight gasps to shocked to look away. The world ended in a flash of pink.

Cadence POV

The group of six headed for the barracks. It was fine till they turned a corner and a group of ten guards was waiting. “Stop in the name of the princesses.”

Cadence in her disguise focused on the guards. “I can see you, changelings. Everypony stay information! Attack!” She grips Lyra’s tail with her own and charged the waiting ponies.

A blast of magic from Lyra got to the changelings first hitting the ground before them. The changelings laughed at this bad aiming. For a moment Cadence didn’t see any reaction. Then bubbles, massive amounts of bubbles formed at the feet. Quickly the foam grew and before they could react two changelings hooves were stuck in the fast hardening foam.

“Got ya!” Lyra leaped up and kicked one of them hard enough the disguise dropped and it flew out of the foam with a pop. She didn’t bother to worry if it was the foam popping or the changeling.

“Get the Princess” The lead changeling ordered as they all changed disguises to look like the other members of the Pony group.

“Quick stay by your partners my little Ponies. Don’t let them confuse you!”

The fight was eight to six thanks to Lyra’s foam attack. It was clear the disguise Cadence had was useless so in a flash of magic she was back to her real appearance. More flashes of light and four of the Changelings mimicked her. Two became Lyra, the others took up the appearance of the other real guards.

“Everypony, circle formation! Intertwine our tails!” The group intertwines the tails and the fight was on. Lyra and another unicorn were slinging spells, Cadence and a pegasus were covering air attacks, and the other were Earth Ponies bucking and punching.

The Pegasus got fell when a changeling got a lucky shot to his jaw. Only to be hit by a pony charging into him at full force. “Sorry to disobey orders Princess, but these bastards have my wife and son!” Stonewall stood there with a determined look to his face.

“Let him in, he’s a pony!" Cadence nods as Stonewall replace the fallen Pegasus. Soon after the rest of the changelings disengaged or were knocked out. “Hurry to the barracks!”

Cadence picks up the fallen Pegasus and the group charged for the barracks. “I got the door” Stonewall charges spins on his front hooves and bucks the door with enough force the hinges break, sending the door into the 15 changelings inside. four were caught by the flying wood.

“your too late ponies. Look behind you!” One of the larger changelings smiled motioning to the shield protecting the city. “The Swarm has arrived.”

Cadence glances back seeing thousands of changelings pounding into the shield, weakening it with each strike. Then she saw something else as a dark cloud of shadow around the great hall. “Shining!” Despair gripped her heart than anger, a rage like she never felt before.

These things are threatening her home, her family, everything she loved! Sparks of red started appearing along her body. She could feel the fear of the ponies in the city, panic set in. The sparks grow into dancing electrical arcs. “AGHHHHHHHHHHHHH” magic enhanced sonic blast erupts from her throat blasting the larger changeling off his hooves as well as many of the others, the ones remaining standing looked stunned and dazed. Her coat started growing redder as the storm of emotions threatens to overwhelm her.

“Cadence?" Lyra steps back seeing the power her friend could barely hold. The other guard ponies joined her as the storm of magic continued. Bolts of angry reddish lighting blasted the other changelings. A thousand years ago Luna lost control, nowhere in Canterlot threatened by swarming enemies, hate and fear threaten to do the same to Cadence.

“Cadence! Focus! You aren’t alone. I’m here for you, we are all here for you. You aren't alone.” The voice was calming and focused, it cut through the chaos in Cadence’s mind. “Luna?” The sparks fade but her color still stayed that deep red. For a moment hate-filled thoughts crossed her mind. ~Luna left! She left abandoned me!~ eyes locked on the approaching. Then Cadence saw the elder Alicorn fully. Broken horn bound wing. Her coat had splotches where blood had dried. “Luna?” That sight of the battle-damaged Luna took the wind out of the storm in Cadence's mind. Then she collapsed into the elder alicorns hooves. “I’m so scared. I tried, I tried to be strong bu..” Tears fall as she cries in the hug from Luna.

Luna got to Cadence and brushed her mane. “I know, I'm so sorry I couldn’t get back sooner my niece. There still much we have to do.” She looks up at the castle more directly at the shadows surrounding the grand hall. “My daughter killing herself, just to give us a chance. We don't have the time to wait.”

Author's Note

Please comment I haven't wrote a battle before so any input will be appreciated!

In the show, we have seen Nightmare Moon and Daybreaker. What would you call the dark version of Cadence? What would it take for Cadence to become corrupt as Luna did? I did come up with the idea long ago of Cadence losing her mind and becoming a Dark Alicorn called Shattered Heart. Luckily in this universe Cadence had someone who knew what was happening to calm her down.

What did Luna mean by saying her Daughter was killing herself? Think about how much magic Nightshade using to fight Chrysalis. That much power, but she still a foal her body can't handle it. Like too much electricity in a power cord, sooner or later the power surge going to destroy the cord. Part of my reasoning for foals to show such magical powers when young is the body trying to expel the excess magic. Nightshade is holding that power to fight Chrysalis instead of expelling it. She holding onto a set of spells. Even a surge protector can only hold so many amps before it's overwhelmed.

Next week I'm going to sign up for Grammary full premium service. That's my next paycheck, for this week I'm broke. If you see grammar and spelling errors tell me and I will fix it. Their time is running out!

Chapter Ten

“Indeed Princess Luna, It won’t be long till the swarm gets through that field.” Nodes in his Mixer disguise came from the same direction Luna came just a few moments before.

Cadence didn’t have her focus on detecting changelings so at first, she looked puzzled. “Mixer?” Then the memory of how she was captured came to the surface and her eyes flash white as she used her empathy to sense the changeling’s emotional energy. “CHANGELING!”

The guards leaped into action the unicorns charge up spells, and Stonewall lead the charge at Nodes. Only to get Luna standing in front of them her good wing spread out. “At ease! Yes, Mixer here is a changeling, but I owe him my life.”

“What? Aunt Luna how?” Cadence looks between Luna and Nodes/Mixer.

“I was in the group that went with Luna to investigate the distraction. Our orders were to... to kill her when we were resting.” Nodes looked down to the ground.

Shocked Cadence stepped back feeling the wave of guilt.

“I killed my sister to save Princess Luna. I do mean my sister, not just clutch mate, we were born of the same nest. Same mother and father.” Luna approached and hugged the now crying Nodes.

“I’m so sorry Nodes, there nothing I can do to repay you.” She looks to the castle “Guards, gets those trapped in the barracks freed. Prepare for battle, Cadence and I will head to the Castle to get the Queen.”

“Princess I’m coming with you. I... I have to see this through.”

“Heck, I’m not going to abandon Cadence now.” Lyra moves up to her friend. “Friends stick by each other good times or bad.”

Cadence smiles the last of the panic she felt earlier fades fully. They will get through this! Her coat finally returns to her normal pink.

“We have to run!” Luna starts charging for the castle, Lyra, Cadence, and Nodes following her.

As the group charged for the castle the pink shield protecting the city finally fell. “Attack only the ones that look like you, or any pony if they attack you first!” Luna orders as she rears up and slams her front hooves into an attacking Changeling.

“I had us hold each other’s tails.” She dropped her passive emotions scan to provide firepower with Lyra.

Then the sky seemed to light up with lightning bolts. The bolts were random striking buildings, missing changelings that would be easy targets. Cadence looks overseeing the blast origins was from Luna. The broken tip of her horn now burnt. “Luna, be careful. You could cause more damage.”

“I had to try!” She spun and bucked another group of changelings.

Chrysalis POV

“Now bug it's time to be squashed.” With calm steps, the Alicorn moved closer to Chrysalis and raises her hoof. “Long live the Queen”

Chrysalis looks up with pure hate. “If I die a new queen will be born. You won’t stop my Changeling’s revenge.”

“AGHhhhhhhhh” The hoof slammed into her left foreleg crushing the limb. It must have been the pain because for a moment it seemed two Alicorns were attacking her. One hit her limb one hit her head.

Then the world ended in a flash of pink.

Applejacks POV.

Something was bothering her. A little nagging feeling like she was being lied to. She looked around and notices that one pony is missing from those that should be here.

“Where's Shining Armor?”

“What do you mean where’s Shining Armor?” Twilight turned to look at Applejack ignoring the fight of the Chrysalis and Nightmare/Nightshade. “He’s over there.” She points to a spot behind Applejack. Sure enough, when AJ looked Shining Armor was standing there.

“How did he get there, he was over on the other side of the room.” Applejack then heard a sicking crunch of a hoof slamming down. Then the world ended in a flash of pink.

Rainbow Dash POV

“Yeah! Kick that Changeling’s flank!” She cheered as the strange alicorn moved with speed and grace worthy of her. That was until the end. When she hears Twilight speak up.

“Now bug it time to be squashed.” With calm steps, the Alicorn moved closer to Chrysalis and raises her hoof. “Long live the Queen”

“Wait what? That foal of Luna’s Nightmare Moon?”

The world ends in a flash of Pink

Fluttershy Pov

The fear she felt was more than ever felt before. She bolts behind Rainbow Dash, each punch and kick echoed in her ears. Cowering down she covers her eyes trying to hide from the fighting.

Then the fight ended and she heard birds... she lifts her head and she was in a glade, sun shining down and a beautiful rainbow overhead. “What... what going on?”

“Sorry Fluttershy, it all a dream. I didn’t mean to scare you so much.” a voice came from behind her.

Leaping up she spins to see a filly about the age of five. Royal purple coat and deep purple mane and tail. It didn’t take long for Fluttershy to recognize Luna’s foal. “A dream? This is all a dream? So Canterlot okay?”

Nightshade shakes her head “no, and I’m losing control of the Nightmare I trapped Chrysalis in, it's falling apart. If my mom doesn’t get here soon... It hurts...” Nightshade starts crying and Fluttershy moves closer to hug her.

“Hush, It will be okay.”

The dream ends in a flash of Pink

Pinkie Pie POV.

She tosses another hoof full of popcorn into her mouth as she watched the Clowns fight with rubber ducks. The castle was decorated in bright colors and balloons of all kinds.

“What? Wait how?" A voice distracted Pinkie Pie and she looks over to the five-year-old Nightshade.

“Oh, Hey Purple Snooty! I got bored with the show you had on so I change it." The dream changed again this time Nightshade found herself standing in a nightclub with the images of Celestia and Luna twerking.

“I DID NOT NEED TO SEE THAT!" Nightshade yells before vanishing. The laughter of Pinkie Pie echoing in the dream version of Club Arcane.

The dream ends in a flash of pink

Peppermint Heart POV

He watched as the dome protecting the city shattered. Looking at the two foals he went over and picked both up putting them in a stroller. “Stay in the stroller you two. I protect you.”

The foals were scared and curled up together. Peppermint wanted to do the same, but he was their protector. He was also prepared, the next thing he did was put on another set of saddlebags he had prepared much like the one he gave Twilight.

So when the balcony door open he turned to look at the three changelings. “Gentlemen, or ladies I do believe you are in the wrong suite.”

“Just give up little pony, It will be easier for you.” The lead changeling smiles as he moves to the stripped pony and the two foals.

The foals started screaming holding each other as the scarry black figures more closer. To Buster and Cream Puff it seemed as if three monsters were coming for them.

“Pony? Ah yes, I’m sorry to disappoint you” He took out a pouch of white powder and tosses it at them. The powder exploded at the invaders' hooves, resulting in a cloud. Peppermint Heart looked on as the changelings started coughing as the powder got into their mouths and lungs. “You see I am only part pony. The other half is a Zebra, and as my father taught me. We are cleaver.” He lifts his hoof that had silvery dust on it and blew. When the dust hit the powder it changed magic flowed and the three changelings couldn’t move. “The magic will fade in an hour or so.”

“Glad to know my brothers will be fine.” A fourth larger Changeling landed on the balcony. “Now where is the royal brat?”

The door of the suite burst open and in charged two ponies. One was Mr. Goodlife the butler, the other was Prince Blueblood. “Did someone call my name?” His horn lights up and he draws his sword. Unlike the normal swords of the Royal guards, Blueblood’s was a Prance rapier sword long and thin with a razor-sharp edge.

“Whare the foal alicorn!” The brutish Changeling draws a sword of his own thick and dark metal the two sword swingers went to battle. It became clear to Blueblood that the thicker heavier sword would easily overpower his rapier if he had to block a blow. The range wasn’t an issue with TK magic being used by both fighters. So he had to cheat.

Dodging the powerful blows Blueblood seemed to dance during the duel. It wasn’t Peppermint Heart then felt a tug at his side did he notice Blueblood’s magic was gripping one of the vials in his saddlebag.

Peppermint slowly moved to free the vial as he went to comfort Cream Puff and Buster. The vial flew across the room and into the back of the changeling’s head. Causing the swing that would have hit Blueblood to miss slamming into the ground.

Blueblood smiles as the changeling size was reduced to where he was about the size of a Parasprite. “Mr. Goodlife, there are bugs in the child’s playroom. Get rid of the icky things.”

“Of course sir.” Goodlife Kicked the changeling gnat out of the balcony door. Followed by the three paralyzed changelings. Then he closed the door and set the lock. “Sir if I may, your competence is showing.”

“oh, that can’t do. It ruined my reputation. If anypony asks I was cowardly hiding in the corner.” Blueblood looked at Peppermint Heart.

“Of course sir. I won’t mention you peed yourself either.” Goodlife Push a couch in front of the balcony door.

“I was just lucky that potion was what I thought it was. My um... romantic interest has some in case Timberwolves attack her home.”

Peppermint Heart nods and pulls out his other jar of green paste. “Just to be sure you are who you appear to be.” He dabs some of the paste on each of the other ponies.

Then all five ponies turned and watched as a wall of pink magic blasted the Changelings away.

“That was impressive.”

Luna POV

She was in pain, cuts and burns marked her body. Along the way, she picked up the unconscious body of Nodes/Mixer. Looking to her side she sees Cadence was also suffering battle damage a line of burnt fur and skin crossed her right flank.

Lyra was on the back of Stonewall having got her foreleg broken the constant fighting for the castle. She wasn’t being lazy as her horn lights up and fires magical blasts at the swarm.

Luna was glad to see they weren’t the only ones fighting. Thought outnumbered Pegasus were flying in the air, and magical blasts could be seen from various areas of the city. The guards freed from the barracks were in the fight.

Cadence reached the black barrier first. She lifts her hoof and strikes against the forcefield. “How are we going to get past this?”

Luna walks up and smiles looking at Cadence. “She’s my Daughter, just like Shining’s field lets in those he would recognize as friendly.” She lifts her hoof and taps the shield and it opens. “Nightshade would let me in.”

The group walks into the grand hall. Every pony within was laying down eyes closes. Even Chrysalis was passed out. Lines of magic flowed from their foreheads to the filly in the center where the lines converge at her horn tip. As they look the lines start flickering as the dreamers started resisting the dream Nightshade was feeding them.

“We don’t have much time. She losing control.” Luna looks overseeing Shining Armor. “Cadence get to Shining! Help him get his shield spell back up.”

“Right!” Cadence runs across the hall and reaching Shining puts her horn to his. His eyes snap open and his magic responds to hers. The wave of Pink magic swept across the room, castle, city. Blasting every Changeling out of the city.

Every changeling except one. Lyra focused as hard as she could and cast her shield on Nodes protecting him from the blast.

Nodes look over to the Unicorn “Thanks”

“Figure Luna would want you around.”

Luna walked over to Nightshade who was waking up. The other ponies in the room were waking up as well.

“Mommy? It hurts.” Then Nightshade falls over her horn burned and smoking.

“NIGHTSHADE!” Luna screamed scooping up her daughter and bolt out of the hall.

Author's Note

Got this one done early!

Remember how Luna connected all the ponies in Ponyville during "Do Princesses Dream of magic sheep."? Well that what Nightshade did, she used the smoke cloud to hide the fact she was putting them all under the spell.

I did forget to include Shining Armor, but I figure he was dazed by Chrysalis manipulation at this point.

However Nightshade just a foal!

Just a few days more till I get Grammarly premium service. Those typos and grammar errors time are running up. However, they are still hiding in the shadows so if you find any report them!

Chapter Eleven

Twilight’s POV

She jolted awake the vision of Chrysalis being killed fresh in her mind. “SHE ... she...”

“Twilight, you alright darling?” Rarity asks approaching her panicking friend.

“Nightshade... she killed.”

“Shoo, it was just a nightmare Twilight.”

“A Nightmare? But it was so real. I... saw it all. She crushed Chrysalis's head.” Twilight hugged Rarity as the panic started to fade. “It was so real.”

“Hmm, I saw her break Chrysalis leg.”

Applejack came over “Ah, think she lost control at the end. I didn’t even see the end of the fight due to my noticing Shining Armor wasn’t there. Twilight in my dream pointed to him being behind me.”

Fluttershy came over “I was so scared, then she made it a lovely glade. She also said she was hurt... Oh no, where is she?”

Nodes looked over “Heading to the Hospital on Luna’s back. Let get Celestia freed then get Lyra here to the hospital as well... Why are you all looking at me like that?”

“Nodes your disguise is gone.”

Nodes lift his holed hoof. “Oh, crap.”

A blue forcefield sprang up around him just before the hoof of Rainbow Dash. “Come on Cadence let me get that Changeling!”

“No Rainbow, that is Nodes and he’s a friend. He helped save Luna’s life.”

“Really? Alright, I guess. But I’m watching you, mister.”

The others still watched with their distrust. Twilight watched as he went to the cocoon and spit on his hoof and then slid it down the side. The cocoon seemed to dissolve and Celestia fell to the floor.

She shakes her head “Sunset?” It took her a few moments before reality reasserts herself and she stands up. “Where is Chrysalis?”

Twilight tilts her head wondering why Celestia was asking if it was sunset. “Gone... um, what did happen Cadence?”

“I got my forcefield back up thanks to Cadence.” Shining Armor nuzzles Cadence. “My lovely Warrior Princess.”

Cadence blushes “Hush you. We got wounded. Luna already heading to the hospital and I bet she’s ignoring her wounds worrying about Nightshade’s.”

Celestia’s head turns quickly. “How badly is Luna wounded?”

Cadence blinks seeing the worry in Celestia’s eyes “I don’t know about Nightshade, Luna’s horn is broken”... Twilight gasps hearing that.

Celestia didn’t wait for more and like Luna before he ran out of the grand hall.

“Times like this I see the family relationship.”

“Can Someone take me to the hospital now. I do have a broken hoof!” Lyra yelled out.

“Come on Sugar cube I carry ya to the hospital.” Applejack carefully lifts Lyra onto her back and with the rest of the gang head out.

Stonewall looks at the others “If you excuse me, Princess Cadence. I have to find my son.”

“Of course Stonewall, you are dismissed. Shining, we have to head to a warehouse to get some survivors in hiding and might not know it’s over.”

“I'll come as well Princess, with me being low on magic I can’t hide what I am. At least you can give credit to me being here.” Nodes look out the door spotting a group of guards.

“Or maybe I hide in a broom closet till it safe...”

“Come on Nodes. You have to be seen sometime.” Cadence sighs already getting a headache.

Luna POV

The Canterlot Hospital was a chaotic mess. This was not surprising given the city just survived an invasion. Several nurses were moving from pony to pony checking wounds from worst to less severe. The amount of treating wounds was low given the Changelings goal was to capture ponies. This still produced a waiting room full of hurt ponies that needed treatment. It was organized chaos.

In such conditions, even a Princess would have trouble getting assistance. That changed when the staff found out it was a filly in critical condition.

It was a blur of activity to Luna as the doctors got her daughter onto a bed and hooked up to monitors.

Doctor Feel Good looked to Luna. “We got her stable. The magical channels in her horn are charred. It rare for a unicorn to use all of their magical reserves. I don’t even think it was possible for an Alicorn. The whole reason foals have magical surges is to prevent this very thing.”

“She... she created a forcefield when the invasion happened and held it.” Luna wanted to tell the whole truth but that would expose the true nature of the filly on the bed before her.

He nods “There is an instinctive defensive surge where a foal would draw in as much ambient magic they can to protect themselves. Mostly it results in teleportation, or extreme rapid flight, or run speeds. I guess if she felt trapped she would have produced a field.” He looks over the medical chart “We can’t give her a magic infusion due to the damaged channels. Injecting fresh magic would cause more harm, and be painful with the channels so raw.”

The door to the room and Celestia rushes in. “Luna... Oh, luna.” Seeing her she rushes to Luna’s side gripping her in a hug. “Are you alright?”

“I've had the worst.” Luna looks down at Nightshade “She's far worst off.”

Celestia looked to the filly. “She did this to herself to save Equestria?”

FeelGood looks at the two Princesses “Alright what aren’t you telling me.”

Luna looks to Celestia then to the Doctor. “We have to tell him. It for her safety.”

Celestia nods and seals the door with magic. “Dr. This filly has memories over a thousand years old. The magic that took my sister away from me...”

“No tricks Celestia. Doctor Feel Good, this filly has the mind of Nightmare Moon. The cursed that doomed me wasn’t some dark spirit, it what you now call dissociative identity disorder combined with the dark magic of Sombra. That became the being history knows as Nightmare Moon. When the Elements of Harmony freed me it spared that other identity, now free of my sadness and anger. Nightshade is as much Nightmare Moon as I am, for we are both free of that cursed magic. Celestia twisted the facts to protect me for when I could be freed from the curse. She didn’t expect my other half to be spared as well.”

“Doctor I know it a lot to take in. Some would judge her for what she was, not what she is. I understand if you would want to be reassigned but I request that you keep this secret.”

Doctor Feel Good closes his eyes and softly “I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:

I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.

I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures which are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.

I will remember that there is an art to medicine, magic, as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife, unicorn’s spell, or the chemist's drug.

I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.

I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my frailty. Above all, I must not play at being a God.

I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems if I am to care adequately for the sick.

I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.

I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.

If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter? May I always act to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.”

He then looks to the princesses. “I made that oath when I became a Doctor. I made it again to you. Your daughter, Princess Luna, well being is my sacred duty. Betraying her privacy and revealing this knowledge will break my oath and duty. Now that is over I got another patient to check out.”

“Of course doctor and thank you.” Celestia drops the spell holding the door but was surprised that he didn’t leave.

Walking over to Luna “now let me look at that horn, I can already tell you tried to use magic after it was damaged. You also have a wing I need to double-check and those burn marks. Alicorn healing factor aside unless properly tended to and treated you could end up with nasty scars, or even a useless wing.”

“I’m fine.”

Doctor Feel Good looks at her “I will be the judge of that.”

Celestia smiles seeing her family was in good hooves. Then she looks into the direction of the castle, thinking about one member who was still lost somewhere on the other side of a magic mirror.

Peppermint Heart’s POV

Looking out the window at the recovering city Peppermint Heart noted the guards on patrols. It looks like the problem was over.

The suite door burst open “Peppermint Heart is my son here?” A panicked looking Stonewall shouted as he entered the room.

“AGH it’s another one! Protect me!” Prince Blueblood shoves Goodlife in front of himself.

“Sir, it’s just the father of the colt, Mr. Stonewall. No need to panic, don’t want another accident now do we?”

“That was the foal’s accident. I did not pee myself.”

“Of course not sir.” Goodlife rolls his eyes.”

Stonewall took a moment to noticed both foals were diapered. “Um, sure Prince Blueblood.”

“Your son here safe and sound.”

“Don’t trust him you nanny. Test him, he could be a shapeshifter.” Blueblood states from the safety of Goodlife.

“If you insist. Stonewall this will remove any illusion or magic hiding the truth of who you are.” He dabs the green paste on Stonewall’s shoulder. “See Prince he’s a Pony.”

Stonewall goes to the playpen containing the two foals and picks up Buster. “My little colt.” He hugs his son the emotions welling up tears came to his eyes.

“Guard, do you know any information about my cousin Nightshade? This incompetent nanny lost track of her.” Blueblood asks worried about his cousin, at the same time not wanting to expose the secret.

“Luna took her to the hospital.”

“Took who to the hospital?” Walking into the suite was Buttercream. She took two more steps before a scream of “MOMMIE!” Cream Puff even dropped her stuffed bunny to try to get out of the playpen to get to her mother. “Oh I feel much better now” she picked up Cream Puff and then the dropped bunny.

Peppermint Heart sighed “Nightshade seems to have been hurt during the attack. Luna took her to the hospital.”

“You can tell me on the way.” She turned seeming to ignore Prince Blueblood as she marched out. Only stopping at the door. “Well, are you coming too Peppermint Heart?”

“Oh, of course.” Peppermint hurried out of the suite following Buttercream “I was wondering something. Would you like to have lunch with me sometime?”

Buttercream stops and looks back shifting Cream Puff onto her back where the filly gripped on tight. “Peppermint are you asking me out on a date?”

“Well, just lunch... I understand if...”

She put her hoof to his mouth. “I will be delighted, but only if Cream Puff can come along. We are a matching set.”

“Of course, I enjoy spending time with little Puff.”

“Good, then in two weeks it's a date. That Friday, I know this wonderful place called the Tasty Treat it off the main strip, so doesn’t have that horrible snobbish food.”

“Sounds lovely.” Peppermint Heart couldn’t help have a spring in his step as they head to the Hospital.

Author's Note

I got another chapter done this week! Things are wrapping up on this story. I have a third full story idea in mind, and I have the Joys of Parenthood ongoing side stories. So the adventures of Nightshade isn't ending.

I'm asking now, should Nightshade go through the Mirror into the EQ universe? Or not?

AGH I noticed a major error! A mistake via cut and past I already fixed it. It was in the part where Applejack talked about what she saw. If you already read that it fixed now.

Epilogue

Buttercream’s POV

It took time for Buttercream to find the room where Nightshade was at but eventually her and Peppermint Heart enter the suite. “Luna?” She asks walking in and not seeing the Princess of the night.

Princess Celestia as reading a book “Then the little pig said “Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin... Oh hello, Buttercream, Peppermint Heart, and little Cream Puff. I was just reading a story to Nightshade.”

“Nightshade” squeaked Cream puff from Buttercream’s back. Buttercream catches her daughter before the young unicorn could leap over to the still sleeping Nightshade.

“How is she doing, and where’s Luna. Shouldn’t she be here?”

“Nightshade will recover she needs rest after spending nearly all her magic, Luna... she’s in the operating room.”

“How bad was Luna wounded, Princess?” Peppermint Heart asks as he moves to the bed and brushes Nightshade’s mane.

“Her wing was broken, cut at the joint. Doctor Feel Good said they had to reset it so her tendons would heal properly. If not she wouldn’t be able to fly again so he got her to agree to an operation.” She looked to the door worry on her face her politician mask forgotten.

Buttercream was about to ask something else but the door opened by a nurse and Luna was pushed in laying on a bed. “I can walk you know.” Luna states as one of the nurses' motions for her to lay on the bed.

“Princess you are going to rest. You might be awake but we still used pain killers and local anesthetics, even you can be affected. You will rest.” The moved the bed so the two beds were near each other.

Buttercream lost her grip of Cream Puff and the filly leaped onto Nightshade’s bed and moves to snuggle next to the sleeping filly. “Nightshade.”

“Cream Puff you can’t snuggle up to Nightshade she needs to rest.”

Dr. Feel Good looks over “it alright, Nightshade just physically tired. Having someone snuggle with her wouldn’t harm her.” He looked over to Luna. “More importantly I think Mother and daughter can rest in the same bed.”

“I got this.” Peppermint Heart moved forward and with the skill of a professional child care worker, he maneuvered both foals and moved them over to Luna where Nightshade subconsciously snuggled up against luna’s side. Then Cream Puff took up Nightshade's other side.

“They are so cute.” Buttercream looks at Luna “I’m glad your okay Luna. Your my best friend, I... I don’t know how I would have reacted if you were hurt more.”

“I have some duties to tend to. I will be back later Luna.” Celestia says smiling and nuzzle her sister.
“I’m sure the press and nobles be wanting answers.”

“Maybe it not to late to have my horn broken?...” Celestia looked to the door then sighs and walks out.

“So Peppermint here finally asked me out. Our first date is Friday two weeks from now.”

Luna looks over to Peppermint who was blushing. “About time.”

Luna’s POV

Three months after the invasion Luna was flying again on her own. The gentle glide in the night air was refreshing.

Her flight wasn’t just enjoyment as she lands in front of the Golden Oaks Library her ear twitch hearing voices.

“Spike! Are the snacks ready?”

“Yes Twilight, and I checked twice.”

“I just want it to be perfect.”

“Princess Luna will not judge if we didn’t dust the top of the bookshelf for the third time,” Spike says as he brings out a tray with a variety of snacks.

“What we didn’t get the shelves dusted a third time? Spike I’m going to learn a whole new type of magic, everything has to be perfect. Hurry she be here any moment...”

The door opened and Luna walks in. “Everything is fine Twilight Sparkle, Spike you do a wonderful job on keeping the place cleaned.”

Twilight’s head turns a wide smile on her face “Princess Luna” A flash of her horn and a scroll and quill appears. “This going to be so much fun. What do I need?”

“First no quill or scroll. Mind magic is mental, not physical. Most of these lessons going to take place in the astral plane and the dream realm. You just have to wait till after to take notes.”

“No...notes?” Twilight’s eye twitches.

“Spike we need a place to lay down. During this time our bodies will be here but our minds will be elsewhere.”

“Sure Princess Luna I got the pillows set as you requested.”

“Thanks, noble spike. Now Twilight settles down and relaxes. Thought we wouldn’t be moving this isn’t resting. The expense of magic will tire you out. This first trip to the dream realm I will be guiding you along.” Luna says as she settles down and takes a nibble of a cucumber sandwich.

“Okay, Princess.” Twilight settles down trying to relax but was so excited about learning dream magic.

Luna’s horn lights up and a line of magic draws out and connects to Twilight’s.

The world faded away and Twilight found herself standing on a blue carpet floating among stars. Doors were on each side of the carpet spreading out into infinity.

“Beautiful isn’t it?” Luna stepped up from behind Twilight. “I chose as simple representation as I could. Each door is another pony’s dream.”

“Each door? It looks like the doors go on forever.”

“Not quite, I count around 7.6 million or so. That just in the Equestria nation, there are even more outside the nation. I can even pick up on the Zebra on the other side of the world. The less Pony like the harder it is for me to pick up a sleeping beings' mind.”

“That’s... seven million? There that many ponies in Equestria?”

“Indeed Twilight Sparkle. It was far less a thousand years ago.” Another form appeared before Twilight. Royal Purple with dark purple mane and tail. Nightshade in her full adult form.

Twilight backs up “Night... Nigh...”

Luna looks down at the now terrified Twilight. “Calm yourself Twilight. My Daughter has no desire to harm you.”

“But she... I saw...”

“I must apologize Twilight. I lost control of the Nightmare. In the end, you saw what your mind created as the worst possible situation.” Nightshade sighs as she bows.

“It was so real... I know it was a dream, but...”

Luna nods “That why I chose to start teaching you Dream magic first. So you can learn to control your nightmares and even tell if they are being controlled, normal or wild uncontrolled nightmares.”

“I’m bored let have some fun. Twilight pick a door.” Nightshade form shifted to her five-year-old variation. “Oh, this is a good dream!” Nightshade points to a door that has a pinkish glow to it.

“That door? Nightshade that not something she should see her first time in the dream realm.” Luna shakes her head.

“Is it a Nightmare?” Twilight curiosity got to her and she looked at the door. She even walked around it completely missing the fact she was walking on nothing.

Luna smirks “No it’s as far away from a Nightmare as one could get. Just... a bit private.”

Twilight opens the door and her eyes widen. From inside the dream, Miss Cake’s voice came out loud and clear. “Oh Pound that cake!” Followed by grunts. Twilight slams the door close blushing.

“I did warn you Twilight.” Luna couldn’t help laughing. “First lesson the glow changes depending on what type of dream. As you can tell the pinkish-red is very... um... passionate.”

The hall of dreams was filled with the laughter of a filly.

Author's Note

I tried thinking of more to include. Everything I came up with seemed tacked on and didn't fit the story.

I wish I remember what story I read had the Miss Cake sexy dream joke. It wasn’t my Idea I did read it on another’s story. If you seen it before please tell me the writers name so I can give credit to them.

An other option for that was Cheerilee naughty teacher gag.