Chapter 5: Heading to Ponyvile part 3/ First Strike

Dayman was immediately on the defensive as he pulls Twilight and Spike behind him as he pulls out his sword and has his shield at the ready and it was then that they notice their surroundings. The entire inside was covered in streamers, balloons, and other party favors as they also notice the many other ponies around them who all looked nervous especially the ones who the 3 have met as Dayman puts away his sword and shield.

“Sorry about that. You all surprised me so much it got me on the defensive.” He said as Twilight came to his side.

“What is going on?” asked the unicorn mare only for a pink mare with a cotton candy like mane and tail appeared before them out of nowhere with a bright smile.

“Silly ponies its your welcome to Ponyvile party. Every new pony that comes to Ponyvile gets their own welcome party as soon as I saw the 3 of you, I knew I had to have a party because who doesn’t want a party after all parties are fun and every pony deserves to have fun and smile.” She said in one single breath as Dayman wondered who she was able to say all of that so quickly.

“Well thank you for the party, Miss-… I am sorry I don’t believe I know your name.” said the disguised human pink mare smiles at him.

“My name is Pinky Pie it’s nice to meet ya.” Said Pinkie as Dayman nods at her, but like the others he soon saw the pink mare as a human female with long black hair, metal right arm, ninja outfit, and with grey eyes just like his. He shakes his head again trying as seeing the mare again who looks at him with a confused look on her face.

“You okay?” asked Pinkie Pie as Dayman nods at her.

“I am fine. And it’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Pie my name is Dayman, this one beside me is Spike, and the other is… Twilight?” said Dayman though he was slow to mention Twilight as he noticed that she wasn’t next to and as he looked around, she spotted her walking toward the punch bowl with an annoyed expression on her face.

Dayman and Spike sighed at how their unicorn friend was acting as they had hoped that she would at least try to make friends but was too adamant on stopping nightmare moon not that Dayman could blame her. After all he knew more about the whole situation but had to play ignorant and follow Celestia’s plan though he hoped that Twilight won’t be to mad at him for this.

“Hey dude what’s up?” he was broken out of his thoughts as he turns to see Rainbow dash who sets herself down on the floor and with her were the other mares that he and his group had met.

“Nothing much what about you?” responded the disguised human as the Pegasus mare smirked at him.

“Training, napping, the usual stuff.” She said as Applejack came in.

“Glad to see that yer doing alright. Especially from what Applebloom mentioned.” She said as Dayman rubs the back of his head sheepishly.

“Yeah, I do apologize for how I was acting, it was due to a condition that I have, but I am good so no need to worry about it.” He said trying to reassure the mare that nothing was wrong though the farm mare could see that he wasn’t telling the whole truth.

“Well, you are a member of the royal guard, so it makes sense for you to have those kinds of conditions though I do wonder what a handsome stallion such as yourself is capable of while on duty.” Said the white unicorn mare known as Rarity who was fluttering her eyes at him much to his confusion as Spike looked at the human with an angry gaze.

“But you are okay right… if you don’t mind me asking?” asked Fluttershy as Dayman rubbed the back of his head.

“I am miss Shy. Though I have to admit it was nice to be in a much greener area like Ponyvile as much as I enjoyed training within the barracks of Canterlot Castle it’s nice to branch out occasionally.” He said with a smile as this catches the mare’s attention though for different reasons.

Just then a scream was made as they all saw Twilight running up the stairs with smoke and flames leaking out of her mouth as the others looked on with confused gazes.

“What just happened?” asked Dayman as Spike walked over to the punch bowl and noticed a bottle that was spilled onto the bowl before lifting it up and reading the label on it.

“Hot sauce?” he said in a questioning tone before Pinkie popped in front of him snatched the bottle from him and poured it contents onto a cupcake she had before eating it.

“What… its really good… for cupcakes.” She said between as Dayman grew curious about the pink mare but decided to put that in the back burner as he walked over to the stairs.

“I need to check on Twilight and I would also like to thank you again miss pie for the party.” He said before climbing up the stairs.

Later that night…

We see Twilight, Dayman, and Spike arrive at City Hall as the celebration was about to start however no pony, but Twilight noticed the mark on the moon fading as the unicorn mare grew anxious by the minute. She soon felt a hand on her shoulder as she turned to see Dayman giving her a reassuring smile as it calms her down a bit, however Dayman herself was being vigilant knowing what was about to happen as the Mayor of Ponyvile known as Mayor Mare was reaching the end of her speech as the mark on the moon soon disappeared as Dayman placed a hand on his sword.

“And now please give a warm welcome to our bringer of the sun… PRINCESSS CELESTIA!!!” Said as the ponies pulled the curtains to present the ruler of the fair kingdom only to reveal no one there as the ponies looked on with confused gazes.

“Wow the Princess really is good at hiding.” Said Pinkie Pie as the other ponies looked around the area hoping to find some trace of their beloved princess only for something else to happen as a sinister laugh was made scaring every pony in sight as a black twister appeared on stage before fading away revealing a female alicorn who looked like Celestia only this one radiated a dark power that sent shivers down the spines of the other ponies.

The mare before them had a black coat, wore blue armor around her body, large black wings, blue eyes with slits on them, and fangs that stood out as she smiled at the crowd who shivered at the sight of her.

Twilight and Spike grew fearful of the mare, but Dayman was calm he pulled his sword slightly out of his sheath waiting for the mare to make a move as she takes notice of the of the crowd before her.

“Come now my subjects… today your true ruler has returned.” she said as Pinkie oblivious to the situation begins to guess her name.

“Oh, is it nights…or maybe, nightshade… oh or how about-…” she was cut off as the mare fires a blast of magic towards Pinkie who eeps at the attack before jumping towards cover.

“Tell me my subjects have you forgotten who I am?” she asked as Twilight steps forward to answer.

“You are Nightmare Moon.” She answers as the crowd gasps at this while the mare known as Nightmare Moon smirks at Twilight who shrank under her gaze.

“That is right my little pony. I have returned to claim what is rightfully mine and create a kingdom where the night shall last forever and this time no one shall stop me. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” she said before letting out an evil cackle as the ponies watched on in fear.

“STOP HER.” Yelled out the mayor signaling the guards to attack as they charged towards Nightmare who proceeded to blast them away with a projectile spell from her horn.

“Come now is that the best you can-…” she was cut off as she was hit by a flying kick to her side as she was pushed back a few feet. Groaning in pain she lifts her head with an angry glare at the pony who would dare hit her as Dayman stood before her with sword and shield ready for battle.

“Every pony, run and get to safety NOW!” He ordered before blocking a magic projectile with his shield from a furious Nightmare Moon.

“YOU DARE ATTACK ME!!!” screamed the midnight alicorn as she fires up her horn as she summons a group of black armored soldiers with red eyes and armed with their own weapon in each hand.

“KILL HIM!!!” ordered Nightmare Moon as her knight’s charge towards the disguised human who raises up his shield before running full speed towards them.

While many of the ponies ran out of City Hall a few remained as Twilight, Spike, Dash, Shy, AJ, Pinkie, and Rarity watched the disguised human do work as he leaps into the air and delivers a flying kick towards the first knight in the head.

He then blocks an attack on his left with his shield before slashing the knight with a downward strike as the second knight goes down. The third one carried a spiked mace as he swings his weapon toward Dayman who dodges the attack before slashing the knights head off from his shoulders. The fourth charges towards him with spear as Dayman blocks it with his shield before slashing the tip of the spear then proceeds to knee the knight in the hand before turning his blade upside down as he pierces the knight through his neck before pulling it out. The fifth knight fires a set of arrows through his bow at the human who blocks it each arrow as he rushes towards the knight once Dayman was close he swings his sword slicing the knights bow before delivering a roundhouse kick to the knight’s head denting his helmet as the force of the kick sends him flying before hitting the floor hard. The first knight for then gets up from the floor and spots Twilight nearby who was watching the fight as the knight then decides to go after her instead drawing his sword before charging toward the purple unicorn who goes wide-eyed at this and was frozen in fear. But just before the knight could get close to him Dayman tosses his shield toward the knight’s legs causing him to trip as he falls as Dayman leaps into the air before bringing his blade down on the knights back ending him once and for all as Dayman pulls his sword out before looking toward Twilight who after a moment breaks out of her frozen state.

“You, okay?” he asked as Twilight nodded in relief as Dayman gives her a thumbs up.

Unfortunately, this manages to distract him as Nightmare charges at him with a broadsword that glowed with a blue and black aura as she swings towards the two as Dayman pulls Twilight away dodging the attack as they hit the floor. Dayman gets up with sword in hand as he and the midnight alicorn do battle as both of their blades clash with one another and as Nightmare swings again Dayman parry’s the attack before kicking her in the chest sending her back as the attack was strong enough to dent her chest plate a bit much to shock of the ponies witnessing the fight. Angered at this Nightmare Moon fires a magical beam towards the human who leaps over her and after landing behind her tries to strike her only for his attack to be blocked by her blade. She then charges up her blade the aura around it glowing brighter as she swings it towards the human who tries to block only for his sword to shatter at the strike. Nightmare Moon smiles at this before delivering a downward strike toward who proceeds to catch the blade by clapping the blade with both hands much to Nightmare’s surprise as the Dayman moves it away while trying to ignore the burning sensation from his hands from the magical aura emanating from the blade.

“Please stop this madness….” Said Dayman as Nightmare looks at him with a raised eyebrow.

“I know what had happened to you. How you were sidelined by your sister because they valued her over you. How they feared you even when all you wanted was their admiration. But plunging the world into an eternal night will end up destroying the land you wish to rule over. Please Luna… Don’t do this!!” said Dayman as Nightmare Moon goes wide-eyed for called Luna as well as the rest of the ponies witnessing the whole ordeal. Unfortunately for Dayman this causes the midnight alicorn to become even more furious than before as she fires up her horn before striking the human with jab to his gut sending him back as he impacts onto the wall while also knocking his helmet off before being grabbed by the neck by an enraged Nightmare Moon who proceeds to slam him onto the wall multiple times.

“YOU KNOW NOTHING OF WHAT I HAVE BEEN THROUGH. YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO SPEAK TO ME IN THAT MANNER. FOOLISH PEASANT!!!!” Screamed out the midnight alicorn who stops after the 10th slam as Dayman remained conscious but was struggling to breath from the mare’s tight grasp. Once she had calmed down she then lifts her sword ready to end him once and for all, but not after saying one last thing to him.

“I admit you put up a good fight, but I am afraid that this is where we-…” Nightmare cuts herself off once she got a good look into the being in her grasp only to go wide-eyed at the sight of a human bearing the same face of someone she knew. She then drops her sword before placing a hand over the humans left cheek as her eyes had change from her blue slit to blue eyes with round pupils.

“B-Brother?” she said in a trembling tone however something within her mind started to flare up as she tosses the huma away from her as Dayman falls onto the ground where Twilight and Spike rush to his aid hoping that their friend was alright. Nightmare is seen clenching onto her head as she lets out a pained scream before bursting through the wall in the form of a black cloud and towards the Everyfree Forest.

“Dayman are you okay? Please speak to me!” asked the worried unicorn mare as Dayman groans at the abuse he had endured before sitting up as both Twilight and Spike sighed in relief and proceeded to hug their friend in a tight embrace.

“Big bro, thank Celestia you’re alright.” Spike says happily as they help onto his feet.

“What happened to Nightmare Moon?” asked Twilight to which Dayman shrugged at her.

“I am not sure she just looked into my face and-…” he cuts himself off before realizing that he was missing something as touched his head.

“My helmets gone.” Said Dayman as both Twilight and Spike go wide-eyed at this.

“We should go right now!” said Twilight as the 3 exit out from city hall and head straight toward the library however they are unaware of the 5 other mares that were following behind them.

Location: Golden Oak Library

The 3 arrive at the library as Spike helps Dayman to the couch even after telling the small dragon that he was fine even though he would occasionally groan as his back was still hurt from being slammed onto the wall. Spike was relieved to see that his big bro was alright as well as admiring how well he fought Nightmare Moon to a stand still as he grabs a first aid kit and proceeded to patch him up starting with his hands. Twilight was relieved as well, she was shocked that Dayman was able to handle himself well against an alicorn, however she was mostly grateful for him saving her from one of the knights that tried to attack her.

“What do we do now?” asked the baby dragon as Twilight had a determined look on her face.

“Stop Nightmare Moon. And I believe that there’s a book that may hold the answers on how to stop her.” She said it was then that the 5 mares from before entered the library as Rainbow got in front of Twilight wanting answers while Rarity and Fluttershy check on Dayman who was having his hands wrapped with bandages by Spike.

“Now just a minute there you seem to know a lot about what is going on. Are you 3 spies?” said Rainbow as Applejack pulls her back.

“Now hold on sugar cube, let’s hear her out. For all we know she may explain what in Equestria is going on.” Said Applejack being the voice of reason as Twilight sighed at this for, she couldn’t keep this to herself any longer.

She explains how she had seen the signs of Nightmare Moons return and how she had tried to warn Princess Celestia who shrugged it off as nothing but an old legend. And how she was trying to look something called the elements which is the key to stopping Nightmare Moon once and for all but was unable to find any book related to it.

“Silly pony its right here.” Said Pinkie as she pulls out a book and hands it to Twilight who went wide eyed for it was the book that she was looking for.

“How did you find it so quickly?” she as the pink mare giggles at her.

“It was under E.” she answered as Twilight proceeds to face hoof at the realization before opening the book and reading what was in it.

“Okay so the elements are a set of artifacts that were once used by Celestia to seal Nightmare Moon for a thousand years on the moon. 6 of them to be exact though the last one is an unknown element that is said to ignite the magic from within the other 5 elements.” She said as the others looked at each other before looking back at Twilight.

“So where are they now?” asked Rainbow Dash as Twilight flipped over the pages before stopping on a particular page.

“According to this the elements were last used withing the castle of the two sisters the very same castle that is within the Everfree Forest.” She said as the mares were scared at the mention of said forest.

“That scary forest where the weather is not controlled, where it’s filled with ferocious wildlife, and where ponies enter but never come out from.” Said Fluttershy who trembled at the mere mention of the forest.

“That’s right and whether you like it or not it’s where the castle is located along with the elements that can stop Nightmare Moon. And if we don’t stop her now or Equestria will be plunged into an eternal night forever.” She said as Dayman to his feet much to the disagreement of Spike and the 2 other mares.

“Not without me you are not.” Said Dayman as everyone in the room stared at him with wide eyes.

“Darling you can’t be serious I mean look at you.” Said Rarity who points out the dents in his armor along with the various areas where he was wrapped with bandages.

“She’s right Dayman you got hurt during your fight against Nightmare Moon. The last thing I want is for you to be severely hurt or even worse.” Said a concerned Twilight as Dayman shakes his head to her.

“I can’t do that Miss Sparkle. I made a promise that I would help you during this crisis and I intend to keep that promise. Look I understand that your concerned for my wellbeing, but I promise you that I will be more careful. After all, this was the first time I ever fought an alicorn so just think of this as a sort of lesson to learn for next time.” He said though Twilight and the others were not convinced as Dayman sighed at this.

“Look I am not only doing this for you, but I am also doing this for T- I mean Princess Celestia who promised to protect you if this ever happened, and I intend to keep it that way. And that also includes the rest of you as well, I may not be one of you, but having lived in this world for the last few months I have come to see this place as home, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to protect this land and its residents.” He said with confidence as the ponies and dragon were moved by his words as he had on a determined look on.

“Well, your goin then I’m goin as well.” said Applejack which surprised Dayman and Twilight.

“If your willing to fight Nightmare Moon then I am coming too.” Said Rainbow Dash as Rarity and Fluttershy said their piece.

“I would gladly aid in your quest sir knight.” Said Rarity as Fluttershy covered the side of her face with her mane once it was her turn to speak.

“I would like to help too… if you don’t mind that is.” She said in a soft tone as Pinkie appears behind the two with a cheerful smile.

“ME TOO…. And I will through us a *We stopped Nightmare and saved Equestria Party*.” Said Pinkie Pie as Dayman smiles at the pink mare enthusiasm as Twilight was surprised at all of this before looking back toward Dayman before forming a determined look on her face before facing the others.

“Alright then. Spike you stay here and hold down the fort. As for the rest of us let’s go.” Said Twilight only to be stopped by Pinkie who yells out…

“Wait!!!”

Everyone stops as the pink mare pulls out a broadsword from her mane before handing it Dayman much to his surprise.

“Figured you would need something to defend yourself after your sword was shattered hope this one will help.” She said as Dayman couldn’t help but smile as he places the sword over his sheath before facing the mare.

“Thank you, Miss Pie.” He thanked as the mare smiled at him.

“No problem. Now then let’s go.” She announced as they all leave out from the library and towards the Everfree Forest. However, Rainbow Dash had something to ask toward the one called Dayman.

“Hey Dayman, what exactly are you anyway?” she asked as Dayman and Twilight both looked at each other before looking back toward Rainbow Dash.

“Well have you ever heard of the legend of Crimson Star?”

Author's Note

i had to post a chapter for this one since its been on my mind for the past few days hope you guys liked it and will see you in the next post.

Updated 2/6/2022