Infernus Astartes: Child of Ruin

Chapters

Prologue: Child of the Pit
Summer Sun Celebration: Chains Shattered
Summer Sun Celebration: The Princess and the Beast
Summer Sun Celebration: The Beast Vs The Nightmare
Summer Sun Celebration: The Night Ends
Sisters Reunited
The Princess and Her Knight
The Morning Follows

Prologue: Child of the Pit

Beyond the Baleful Eye, beyond the gaping maw that gnaws at the edge of this reality and all others, there lies a place that over the eons has been gifted many great and terrible names.

The Abhorrent Pit.

The Ruined Realm

The Sea of Screams

Many choose to simply call it Hell; a place of fire and brimstone, of tortured souls and prideful devils.

At least that is the image that is ever presented in the minds of those that think about this… place that gnaws upon creation.

This image is… false, as such simple things can not actively begin to describe the nightmare that teetered at the edge of reality.

This realm; this realm is raw energy, it is unrefined emotion granted shape, It is nightmares given flesh and bone; and it is hungry.

There is no number to how many worlds and realms it has swallowed up. There is no telling how many more it will swallow up before the end of the new millennium.

It is in this nightmare that one stands alone and surrounded by a sea of fresh carrion. Beneath him lies broken bone and slashed meat; and leaving them seem to be vapors that seep into his armor and the flesh beneath. Before him lies a murky, twisting horizon, and he feels something is staring at him from beyond; he simply doesn’t know what, nor does he actually care. Instead he simply takes a moment to collect himself, to regain his composure and reapply the chains that keep the monster in his soul caged.

It doesn’t fight for control, it wants to be caged. It wasn’t tired, no, the monster within his soul - Battle lust and Blood rage incarnate - was bored. It had had its fun but with nothing led to kill, it quickly grew bored. It knew that if it wanted more blood and bodies it would have to wait. So it returned to its cage and waited for the next chance it got to be released.

As for its host they just breathed deep, breathed in that abhorrent, indescribable taste that filtered throughout this nightmare realm.

It tasted good.

Nothing beats the taste of essence.

The host continued breathing, relaxing as they stared skyward. They are equine; or at the very least descendents of such. Perhaps it was from crossbreeding, or perhaps it was from evolution, hell it could have been a result of powerful magics, but his forefathers had unanimously decided that having fingers was the best thing since the invention of the wheel. Dark gray and burning orange armor wrapped itself around his fur, hiding everything except for his freckled and scarred face and wild red mane. His tail was long, or at least it appeared long as it was wrapped in some part of his armor’s undersuit and ended in a flanged mace of all things. A flanged mace that was mirrored by his favored weapon, a behemoth of a thing ended in a spearhead. Tightening his fingers around his favored yet nameless weapon, the equine rested the mace/spear over his shoulder and cracked his neck before he pressed forward. The vapors, the essence - the souls of those that had fallen following him as he continued to feed.

Know this was not a natural trait. It was one of several gifts brought by magics. To feed upon the Fallen, to draw strength from their very souls was to ensure they never returned to the Screaming Sea. And with every soul he fed upon the screams grew just a little quieter. Not enough for one really notice, but still it was something the Sea itself noticed.

This one was eating it, it fed upon the realm that devoured realms, and this parasite wasn’t going to stop until there was nothing left to devour.

This parasite… the denizens of the Abhorrent Pit knew it as both the Beast and the Blight. The Ghost of a dead Age; the last son of a dead imperium that collectively chose to walk the path of perpetual torment, one that dived into the Screaming Sea not in a bid to destroy it or even buy time for the rest of creation… they came to this realm to conquer it.

Many would call it madness. No words can actively describe how batshit insane an entire people had to be to seek the ruinous thrones with the goal of sitting upon it. What might be more blasphemous was this; at one point they might have succeeded. For the Beast was not the only one to be granted Gifts by their dead Imperium.

He was not the first to receive his gifts, but he was the last alive to carry them.

Walking through the valleys that preyed upon the weak, the Beast said nothing, though his expression said much. Where would he go next? Who would be his next meal?

So he scoured the umbral plains, walked across the twisted tides all so that he might once again cross blades with the Dregs of the Ruined Kingdom.

As he did the realm itself turned against him, trying to turn him from his tireless crusade. Those that sit upon brazen thrones whispered in his ears, trying to bring him to their side.

They failed, just as they always did.

It was not faith that shielded him.

It was not the thirst for revenge that kept him on his path.

It wasn’t even the hunger for feasting upon this realm.

It was devotion; devotion to a dead cause. Devotion to a single objective; to conquer the Infernum. To break the obsidian temples devoted to the Ruinous Ones. To stand before the Primal Gods and snap their spines over his knee. To take their realms and make them his own. That was the task his people had given him, and he was going to complete it; and given his track record, not even death was going to stop him.

He wasn’t entirely sure when the black tide fell upon him. He wasn’t sure when the dregs of an abhorrent realm came to him, but it honestly didn’t matter. His fingers snapped necks that were shielded by layers of muscle comparable to iron. His fists caved in skulls like they were made of paper. His mace/spear pulverized flesh and crushed bones into dust; while his other weapons, they howled like beasts as they bit into their prey.

The one nestled within the Beast’s soul was enjoying the slaughter, and he could feel it tugging at the chains that were keeping it caged. It wanted more, so he gave it more.

One of the smarter servants of the black tide crawled along the ground, trying to escape even though both its legs had been blown off by a grenade launched in its direction. It was a smart decision; to try and get away from the Beast as it continued it’s rampage.

That was before a shadow loomed over it, and the Beast seemingly dropped out of the sky as its boot crushed its hand into a cloud born of both blood and bone debris. The scream it had was short lived; the Beast reaching down, grabbed the Demon’s throat before forcing it up to meet its gaze.

“Nalkramal iuk najor.”

The daemon didn’t respond, simply shaking as it gazed at those eyes as the Beast stared down at it.

That was before a portal - a doorway born of infernal light - opened not too far from the pair, and an armored foot stepped forward. Leaving the portal that leads to another part of this nightmare realm to close behind it. The Beast recognized this breed of daemon, they call themselves the Marauders, and were a breed the Beast was familiar with.

“nalkroro muukav lat exiukav.”

The Marauder jerked it’s weapon it held, the Crucible Axe forming out of crimson light as the Beast simply crushed the neck of the Demon it was holding onto, tossing it aside so that it might face the one that stood before it.

“you nalkriuk have thu our oaavh. ”

“turnaumn your pros againukav avhouke nalkriuk moldun lat.”

The Marauder stated, stepping to the left and the Beast did the same. One dragging its axe as another cracked their knuckles.

“Savand agh fighav, beaukav. ”

“fighav, uko avhaav avhe faavhas maausan mikar wiavneukuk avo your bi.”

The marauder fired a howling round from their own shotgun and the Beast dodged, running to the side before charging forward. It’s fist colliding with a crimson shield brought before “reaching” into it and tearing it down. The Marauder swung its axe only to miss as Beast blocked with the blade mounted on his right arm before deflecting the weapon elsewhere. Before it could throw a punch though the demon responded by raising its foot and kicked the Beast backwards. The Marauder followed by summoning some breed of ethereal wolf that charged the Beast, fangs trying to sink into armor only for its head to be grabbed and ripped in half. The Marauder followed by snapping its shotgun out and firing, the flechette rounds hitting air as the Beast rolled to the side and throwing their arm forward, their own shotgun burning into reality before it was fired.

An energy shield blocked the fire as the Beast closed in, ramming into the shield as he started to push the Marauder back before the shield dropped. A knee met his chest before it was followed by a swing of the energy axe. The Beast grabbed the weapon by its shaft and turned, throwing the demon over its shoulder and onto the ground before raising a foot only to bring it down. It missed its target as the Demon rolled, swinging its axe low as the shaft slammed into the Beast’s leg and forced it to stumble. The Marauder followed by returning to its feet, raising its axe over its head and bringing it down only to miss as the Beast grabbed the weapon and pulled it to its side before decking the Marauder in the face, cracking its mask as it did so before the armblade stabbed into its chest.

The Marauder responded, pressing its shotgun into the Beast’s armored chest and pulled the trigger, the force of its fire being strong enough to send the Beast back as the blade slipped out of its wound. A wound that was closing.

The Beast skid back, responding by firing his shoulder cannon as the Marauder raised his shield, letting it take the explosion as it found itself momentarily blinded. The shield dropped in that moment and the demon found its horns grabbed, the Beast bringing its skull down so that it would meet its knee before punching it in its face. The blow shredded part of its skin, leaving exposed muscle beneath it as the demon backhanded him. The Beast responded by throwing a right hook that evolved into a grab before headbutting the Demon before repeatedly stabbing the Marauder in the chest.

The demon wouldn’t go down.

Bringing an arm up it grabbed the Beast by the face, lifting him up before throwing him aside. In turn the Beast flipped landing on its hooves before charging forward, its armor deflecting shotgun shells before he ended up backhanding a spectral wolf into dust and kicked a second into the air only for the Shoulder cannon to lock on, and blast it into oblivion. The Marauder demon raised its shield, and the Beast’s armored fist tore through it in seconds as he grabbed the Marauder’’s throat and twisted, twisted so hard that he broke it, causing the demon’s head to twist at an odd angle as it fell to the floor.

Realizing what it had done the Beast looked at its hand before resting it on its mask. The distorted sound leaving him being both pissed and annoyed at the same time.

Something echoed into his mind, something guttural and poisonous as he started walking away.

Crack.

The Beast froze, taking the time to look back as he saw the Marauder had realigned its broken neck and was picking themself up again.

The Beast heard - felt chains rattling in his mind as the other Him started getting riled up again.

The Marauder picked up it’s axe and raced forward as the Beast met it. Doomblade extended as he used it to Block the Marauder’s weapon before throwing it back, dodged the shotgun blast and took a swing at the demon. They responded by kicking him in the chest and firing their shotgun. The shotgun didn’t do anything to stop the Beast, but the wolf that had been summoned did delay him for a moment, its fangs biting into the Beast’s leg as it held him still. At less that was before the Doomblade cut it’s head off. The Shoulder cannon belched out a grenade that the Marauder dodged before maneuvering around. Getting close it swung its axe as the Beast grabbed it’s shaft and held it between the two, pulled and headbutted the demon so hard that the Marauder’s Mask broke off revealing the skeletal face that rested beneath it. If the nose wasn’t already gone he would have broke it with his fist. The Marauder retaliated by throwing the Beast over his shoulder and onto the ground, raising a leg he brought it down as the Beast rolled out of the way before slicing the Demon’s leg and forced it to drop beside him. That done he got to his feet, grabbed the Marauder by the arms before pulling. A sickening tear ripped through abhorrentl as the Marauder’s arms were thrown to the ground and the Beast grabbed the demon’s head and forced it to face him.

“Nalkramal iuk najor.” It stared at the Demon from behind its helm as he stared down at him. “Nalkramal iuk faavhas.”

“Lat liwo nevas nauk-ach naj-ri.” The Demon responded, as it summoned its wolves, a whole horde dancing around the pair as they lunged at the Beast, pulling him further and further away from his foe as they swarmed him. As he stared stabbing away at the spectral beasts, he vaguely took notice of the pair of light blue and demons that were dropping out of the sky. And started focusing their magic in his general direction.

“Vaniukh, oaavhbreakas.” Three demons attended to the Marauder, using their magic to stitch his wounds and reattach his severed limbs. “Maausan avhe abyukuk avake lat.”

Jiak liwo gimb mausan waausan avo avhiuk nauk-alm.” The Beast growled. “Jiak liwo gimb naj-ri.”

The other Demons - Summoners - finished their spell and the Beast saw darkness.

Author's Note

This begins Infernus Astarte: Child of Ruin. It's a project I've been meaning to work on for a while while cleaning up some other stories I have posted. If this is interesting or if you recommend some cleaning up on parts feel free to let me know. I'll clean them up as soon as I can.
Also if you end up disliking this story that's fine, just please let me know why, that way I can try making it better.

Summer Sun Celebration: Chains Shattered

???

It was finally time.

That is the thought that runs through her mind as she continues her fight. She could hear them rattling, feel the strain of etherborn metal. Her chains, her shackles are ready to give. After a thousand years they have grown frail, and weak. Weak enough for her to finally break free from.

It has been a trial, she does not deny that.

One thousand years of isolation, one thousand years of imprisonment. Sanity has been tried time and time again, yet she remains as who she was. Singular, dedicated focus has saved her from madness.

The first chain breaks.

Looking ahead, beyond the vacuum of space and stars. She can not help but feel… “giddy” at the prospect of what’s to come. Her return; for a thousand years she’d been waiting, for a thousand years she has dedicated her patience and time to breaking the bonds that now crumble around her. She has mastered her powers, mastered herself all for this moment where she would make her return.

The second chain breaks.

For a thousand years all she could do was stare at the sphere that is Equus, gaze locked on the homeland. her home world. No more. No longer would she be forced to just look at the world that rightfully belonged to her. Soon, soon she’ll be able to walk amongst it’s grass plains once more. Soon she shall be able to breathe the air again and bask in her element with all its glory. Soon she will be going home.

A third breaks and her excitement grows.

Home, how she miss it. She misses everything from the sight of stone to the smell of wood burnt over a fire. Misses the sight of Canterlot Spires and though it pains her to admit it… she misses her: The one that banished her to begin with. That does not change anything. It will not change what must be done, it will not change what shall be done. Refocusing her mind she takes a breath and struggle against the last of her bonds. It is all the keeps her here now. No longer will she let it bind her to this place, the ethereal shadow upon the moon. No longer will she be stuck here, watching, waiting and plotting her return. Tonight she would make her dreams and ideals a reality.

The last bond breaks.

In triumph throw her head back and laughs. She’s free, finally free, and it’s time to go home.

Yet she pauses, for the briefest of moments as she feels “something”. Something swimming through the cold abyss that is star and planet. Her gaze turns, and she sees it a streak of light, a meteor thrown from the far reaches of the cosmic abyss, from the opening of a Baleful Eye some tens of thousands of light-years away. It reaches the homeland in less than several seconds, and she finds herself wondering, thinking, realizing what had been done.

She seethes, her power boils and the Baleful Eye shuts in an instant. She knows not what has come, but she understands what has occurred. Something has been released. Opposition; a threat to her ascension.

This transgression would not stand. She will not tolerate even an unknown rival. And so she moves. Like a falling star she returns to the world rightfully hers.

Her return does not take to long. An instant is all that is needed. But in that instant she takes an eternity to center herself. It has been a thousand years, her homeland -Equestria - is bound to have changed in her absence. Would she even recognize it? She must prepare herself, as to not be overwhelmed or underwhelmed if that is to be the case.

“Dear goddess…” The Castle of Two Sisters, her home, it lies in ruins. The land is covered in moss and cobwebs. The castle lies broken and and in disarray. What… just what has happened here? What has become of her home? Then as soon as she asks the question, she receives her answer. A memory, or rather part of one returns to her. She fought her sister here, her home was the place where her rebellion began. It had become their battleground, as well as where she had lost the battle against her and the Elements of Harmony. “Yet that was over a thousand moons ago… why does it still lie in disrepair?” The mare doesn’t get an answer, finding herself met with silence.

Without a thought she becomes a mist of dark starlight, travels through the seemingly deceased castle grounds, gliding over the overgrowth and across the items that lie scattered. She phases through the aged doors and enters the castle. The interior shows itself the same, deserted, seemingly forgotten by time. Old drapes and banners have been chewed and bitten into by insects. “Celestia!” She shouts, voice echoing around the corridors. “Come out Celestia explain yourself! How could you allow such a thing to happen to this glorious castle?” Celestia, wherever she hides, she does not answer her. “Answer me dear sister. What has become of this land?” As she walks she call out more, passing old images and sights she scarcely remembers from her fillyhood.

She growls, her magic seeps and burns. She closes her eyes, opens them so that they may but glow. And she issues an order. “Show me where she is.” She sees the world; the stars becoming her eyes as she gazes upon the world from a thousand angles.

She does not find, the coward. “Do you not have the courage to face me?” She gets no response. Her sister is not dead, no she would know if that were the case.

Yet if that is the case, where is she?

Where lies the bringer of days.

“It matters little.”

The voice; her voice yet not her voice, the one that gave her strength to move beyond despair reaches out to her, and she listened.

“If she is gone, this world will bow to you, and you alone.”

“Yes.”

“Nothing shall stand in your way, nothing shall stop your ascension.”

She smiles, cruel it may be as she turns to the roads she scarcely remembers. The Sun Bearer is gone, and the night has come. “And the Night shall last-.” The mare stops as he attention turns, something reaching her ears as she looks elsewhere. “What the devil is that noise?”

Canterlot Gardens

The winds changed; that alone told the world itself that something was afoot, what however was currently unknown. Across the realm the trees began to whisper, the lakes seemed to shiver, and the animals suddenly grow restless. The powers that be, powers of this world and this realm watch, and wait, listen and observe; trying to see how things shall play out. To act is to upset the balance the flow of the world they must create. To act is to bring chaos that not even the Spirit of Discord would create.

In a crater located at the far reaches of the Canterlot Maze, where trees lie bent and shrubs lie shattered, the Beast gets to its feet, shaking its head, trying to make sense of things. It looks around, sees the trees, feels the winds and listens to the earth. In a daze it blinks, staring into space, before all around it twists. Trees die, the wind burns, the crater breathes, terraformed from some brand of “growth” long forgotten but shall be referred as the Burn.

The Beast feels not the raw energy of the Ruinous Plains, hear the whispers of Ruinous Gods trying to convert his will. This is the dimension beyond, a realm outside the Sea of Screams. Beyond - currently - the reach of poisonous thirsting gods,and the black tide. He breathes, trying his hardest to calm himself, only to fail. He screams, a cathartic wail like that of something from the darkest corners of Infernum.The world shivers, the stars quake, and still he screams.

Inhabitants of the world wonder what form of daemon from Tartarus’s black pits can make such a dreadful noise. It is not a call though, not to old things slumbering beneath stone and ocean depths. It is not a declaration, a warning of the end times. It does not spread war like a plague to unsuspecting lands. It does not bring the storm.

It is anger, raw unfiltered anger, that the world feels in it’s timeless bones. For that is what the Beast is now. It is angry - no it is livid. Pulled away from it’s hunting grounds and sent here. Wherever here is.

The roar ends, the echoes fade and the beast stares heavenward. The stars catching it’s attention as it falls mute.

‘Beautiful…’

What a strange thought, the Beast realized as it continued staring skyward. It had not seen the stars since its birth. No that is a lie, there lie stars flickering throughout the Sea of Screams. All of them lie perverted, caressed by ruinous powers. None of them look like this; untouched, pure.

Still beyond the sea of stars, beyond that uncaring abyss does he find the Baleful Eye staring down at him, that gaping maw that leads to the nightmare realm.

He could see it, but that didn’t mean he could reach it, least not yet.

He would either need a shuttle to steer directly into the Baleful Eye, or perhaps he could find a door that lead him there.

If there was no door however, he would simply have to make one.

Turning his gaze the Beast looks around, scanning his surroundings as he makes a noise and leaves the crater he had found himself in.

Again the world starts to whisper, wondering what this new being might be. He looks like many that have wandered the world; he walks on two legs like them, and sees through two eyes.

And yet… he feels wrong, so very wrong, unlike the others that walk the world.

The Beast wanders, feeling out his new surroundings. He does not know this place, memories from a time before grant him no knowledge of this world. Still this place reminds him of some, a past he once had eons ago. Before his armor became what it was now, before his people leapt into the tumultuous pit.

He releases a noise and wanders; his attention ever wavering as something calls to him.

It is hunger; not his hunger for war and battle; this hunger is older, simpler even.

He walks on, looking around for something to snack upon.

That in itself is a task easily accomplished.

There lie birds scattered throughout the maze, hundreds of them having migrated from across the world. He can smell them, and he can hunt them down. He hunts the birds down as they release a few muted screams and shrieks.

How long had it been; how long since he actually fed? Carrion flesh had always been an option to him, but in his unending crusade, feasting upon the souls of the damned provided all the sustenance he needed for over countless Eons.

He bites into flesh and feathers like a rabid dog, swallowing many whole like a snake does a rodent.

He feasts upon a dozen at a time, sating his hunger as best he can.

He still hungers though.

He turned his head, attention drifting as a scent fills his nose; it’s sweet, yet reeks of civilization.

It smells close.

Canterlot Castle

The city had fallen silent. Cadence realized as she turned her attention towards the Canterlot gardens. The noise - the first noise - had directed the guard, and drawn them from over Canterlot. And of them, was of course her boyfriend, Shining Armor. That was expected however, after all Shining Armor was Captain of the Royal Guard - of course he would be there.

“So much for spending the Summer Sun Celebration together.” The mare thought with a hint of bitterness. She wasn’t - least that was what she told herself. She was relatively used to this after all, her dating a Guardspony as long as she had, she knew what that entailed, and while they had set aside tonight for themself she couldn’t help but feel that noise deserved looking into. “Just what in Equestria could make that noise though?” She wondered as she narrowed her eyes before taking a breath.”Be safe, Shining Armor.” She whispered before closing her eyes in prayer.

“Hey you’re not supposed to be here!” The sound of brief pained screaming caught her attention as she turned her head in surprise.

“What the - oh buc-”

“Stop him! For the love of Celestia stop -” As quickly as the words came they were silenced; the door to her chamber broke, a body being thrown through it before it slammed into the opposite wall. They didn’t move after hitting the floor. The same couldn’t be said for the one on the opposite end of the room though, stepping into the room as they looked around before locking eyes with her.

“Who are you?” Cadence didn’t get an answer as the figure stared at her and started stepping forward.

Author's Note

We begin when the Nightmare returns, and the Beast crosses paths with the Princess of Love. Shall royal blood be shed this night, or shall something reach that which knows only war? Find out soon.

Summer Sun Celebration: The Princess and the Beast

Moon

‘This might be bad.’ Celestia thought to herself as she stared ahead, attention focused on the “seal” that once housed her sister. She looked around, felt it, and found it empty. The moon was empty, and it was lonely. She breathed though, having brought enough oxygen to the world in order to survive for at least several hours. This night, the night in which her sister was meant to return had come to pass, and so her sister - and the Nightmare was free. The thing though; she was supposed to be here. Away from the populace, and they would be free to speak, and if blows came to pass, they could fight unabated.

“She must have grown more powerful than I expected if she managed to escape and go all the way to our homeworld without me noticing.” Celestia muttered as she looked to the world beneath her. Celestia uncharacteristically bites her lips. “If we end up fighting in Equestria, there might not be a nation left standing.” Regardless she needed to get back to Equestria and confront her sister. Yes there was always the “backup” plan, with her most faithful student, but… Celestia started gathering her magic. It would take a bit before she was able to reach the strength needed to teleport all the way back to her world. In the meantime, she could only hope that her ponies were safe.

Canterlot Castle

“Who are you?” Under no obligation did the Beast reply. His attention focused on the mare that was before him. Wings, horn; Alicorn. He’d seen very few of those in his long life, only the Blessed had those traits. Yet this one was not of the Blessed; not really. Gazing upon her, his blood did not beat with awe and reverence at the pinnacle of genetic perfection that was the alicorn. He did not feel that instinctive respect towards the one before him. Yes, she was molded in their image, but she was not of the Blessed.

Turning his attention elsewhere, the Beast just smelled the air, his attention immediately drifting to the table that was beside the mare. Food, so much food, looked like it was for some kind of small get together.

The food looked lonely on the table by itself.

Without a word he walked up to the mare and table, sparing her a faint glance before smelling the table. So many smells, dozens of scents breaking down in his nose before pulling back.

“What are you-” He hit the table, knocking a muffin into the air and swallowed it whole.

Interesting taste. He spit the wrapper out before he started on the rest of the food.

“Uh - excuse me!” The mare put a small barrier over the food as the Beast felt his muzzle brush against it before backing off. “Sorry but you can’t have that.” She told him, this expression on her face like she was about to scold a child. “That’s for me and Shining Armor, if you're hungry-” He growled at her and she frowned. “You can growl all you want, that isn’t going to.” He moved, his arm snapping out far faster than she had thought was possible.

Canterlot Garden’s

This wasn’t how he wanted to spend his Summer Sun Celebration. That was the thought that ran through the stallion's mind as he looked ahead, the royal guard wandering through the hedge labyrinth. Couldn’t lie, they rarely had to come here. Most they ever had to do was paroles. ‘Still that sound.’ That sound had come from here. Now they just needed to find it, make certain it wasn’t anything dangerous.

‘Still.’ Shining Armor took a breath as he started thinking back to his girlfriend. ‘Wish I didn’t have to leave Cadence like this.’ The stallion thought, resisting the urge to glance back at the Castle. ‘I was planning on proposing tonight too.’ The stallion thought with a restrained sigh. “Bought a beautiful engagement ring and everything.”

“Captain?” One of his guard asked as they heard him mutter. “Is something wrong?”

“No.” Shining Armor stated. ‘Focus Armor, the nights still young, we get this done and we can get back to Cadence and - what in Equestria?” Looking ahead, the royal guard could only look down at the damage that was present here. The hedges were scorched and decayed, and there rested a pit in the ground.

“This hole has to be at least a mile deep.” One of the guards muttered as they looked downward. “What the heck caused this, a meteor?”

“Equestria doesn’t get meteor strikes.” Another muttered.

“It looks like something landed here.” Shining Armor thought aloud as he dropped to look at the strange material on the ground. “What is this growth?” He made to touch it, stopping only when something washed over him. “What the-”

They all felt it; the lingering sense of dread and an undeniable fury. Shining Armor stepped back, a barrier being raised instinctively as the sensation washed over him and the royal guard.

It was a smart decision.

That feeling, that rage seemed almost alive - no it was alive. A dense miasma rose from the growth, and like a maw of snapping teeth it lunged. Shining Armor saw fangs of ether biting into his barrier and gnawing at it and the garden. He watched the decay spread out, bringing death to the hedges.

“What the buck is this thing?!”

Shining Armor didn’t know, at the moment he also didn’t care. The thing pushed against his magic, fangs puncturing the hulls of his barrier before he pushed it back. The miasmic “thing” momentarily becoming a dome before it was sent sliding backwards along the growth, compressing itself into a ball before seeming to vibrate. It moved like a snake, lunging again as Shining Armor reinforced his barrier. It collided with enough force that it sent him and the guard sliding back and through part of the hedge maze. It washed over them like a wave, a few dozen pounds of volatile and angry energy trying to strike them. It thrashed throughout the maze, spreading decay and growth with reckless abandon.

And at the heart of the miasmas the guards saw eyes.

Canterlot Castle

Did the room just get hotter?

Oddly enough that was the first thought that ran through Cadence’s head as she gasped, part in ecstasy and part in pain. On impulse she covered her lips right after she made the noise, flourished as she looked up at the stallion that was pinching her horn.

‘Is… Is he?’ The stallion just made anoise, staring at her with boredom on his face as he kept his hand still, two digits locked tightly at the base of her horn right where the nerves were most sensitive and where her magic started to radiate from. ‘He’s pinching my horn!’ The stallion just looked away from her attention returning to the table as he kicked something beneath it, launching fruit into their and grabbing them with his free hand before biting into them. ‘He’s touching my horn… holly buck he’s touching my horn! Shining Armor hasn’t even done that yet!’

The stallion looked back at her, popped a grape into his mouth and released her, but not before making a gesture with his armored hand; waving his finger like he was reprimanding a filly for doing something either dumb or silly.

Regardless, Cadence got the message.

“Don’t do that again.”

Cadence didn’t say anything, immediately covering her horn as she narrowed her eyes - trying to look either angry or disapproving, but with her brightened cheeks it looked more like she was embarrassed out of her mind.

She did not want to admit that having her horn touched felt good.

The Beast just stared down at her, eyes narrowed, sniffed the air and shrugged. Arousal… not what he was expecting but not anything too surprising. He knew about the Horns' sensitivity. In a previous life he’d fucked enough mares to known that unicorns liked having their horn touched.

Regardless he stared down at the mare, made a noise and returned to what had drawn him here. Without a word, the Beast started eating at the spread. The mare just got to her feet as she looked at him, not even bothering to stop him this time as she slowly touched her horn again.

‘You could have at least asked me out first…’ The mare thought bitterly as she took a breath and went through her breathing exercises. Her unexpected burst of arousal faded as she closed her eyes and collected herself. Finished, she looked at the stallion and approached him again, this time more cautious as she watched him toss another string of grapes into the air before making to swallow them. She caught it with her hand as his jaws snapped at air. He blinked, staring at the dainty appendages before narrowing his eyes and looking at the mare with another growl. “No.” She said firmly, but put some distance between them in case he reached for her again. “These aren’t for you.” He started stalking forward and she put a barrier around herself. “Shining Armor setup this spread for the two of us tonight.” She stated as she took a breath and the stallion seemed to growl again. “It’s the Summer Sun Celebration.” The mare stated. “Shining Armor, spent a lot of time getting all this together, so I'm afraid you can not have any.” The stallion fell silent at that before tilting his head, a blank look on his face.

Celebration.

He understood that word, in another life he’d gone to a few. Back when his people conquered lands and star systems each was met with a celebratory even before they moved on to the next. They had intended to host the greatest celebration in the realms upon conquering the screaming sea.

‘I see…’ The Beast glanced at the spread noting that while there was plenty of food to be shared, it seemed to be meant for two. ‘Likely a private celebration… maybe anniversary?’ His attention shifted, he glanced towards the windows and the gardens beyond it. It appeared the Shadow of Rage was disturbed and moving.

The Shadow of Rage was… emotion, raw unshackled feeling. It clung to reality like a wraith chained by unfinished business. It struck with the brute force of a Daemon and existed only to rage and destroy that which was closest to it.

‘Better be getting a good fight.’ The Beast thought as he looked back at the mare who was glancing in the direction he’d been looking at.

“What is it?” In her distraction, the Beast punctured her barrier and snatched the grapes she’d taken from him. By the time she reacted he’d already swallowed it. “Hey!” She began as she watched her barrier dissolve. ‘How did he?’ The Beast just turned elsewhere and started walking off, he walked in a full circle and dropped onto the floor, seemingly satisfied.

Granted he was still hungry, but if the food was meant for a “celebration”, it wouldn’t be right to steal the food.

Cadence just watched him, staring at the stallion as she frowned before taking a breath. “That barrier…” She began as she walked up to the armored stallion before getting him to glance in her direction. His eyes were almost completely white, it was almost hard to find his iris. “That barrier was one of the strongest barriers taught to me by Shining Armor, and you broke through it like nothing.” She muttered. “Who exactly are you?” As she was starting to expect he didn’t respond, just resting his head against the wall the floor before glancing back at the table. “You’re really hungry, aren’t you.” Cadence asked as she looked at the spread Shining Armor had laid out for the two of them before looking back at the stallion. She used her magic, lifting a few carrots up before hovering them in her direction. She let them rest before the stallion as he glanced at her. “Here.” She told him and he raised an eyebrow. “If you're really hungry, it isn’t right to let you starve.” The mare stated as the stallion sniffed the carrots before snapping his mouth around them, and swallowed. In an instant they were gone and Cadence could just blink in surprise before smiling.

The beast grunted, she took it as a thank you.

“You’re welcome.” She fell silent. “So~” She started up again. “Do you have a name?” He glanced at her again. “If you do, just nod.” He shrugged. “Is there something ponies call you?” He nodded. “Hm.” Cadence made a noise as she looked at the stallion. “My name is Cadenza.” Cadence introduced herself. “But Cadence is fine.” The mare stated as the Beast just glanced at her. “Not that you're going to say it anyway.” Cadence muttered as the Beast just continued to look at her before turning his attention elsewhere.

“Hold the line!”

“Oh goddess it’s everywhere!”

“So many eyes!”

‘Sounds like someone’s never seen a Shadow.’ The stallion thought before rolling his eyes. Honestly; the Shadow wasn’t overly rare, at least, not where he was from.

Which once again brought the question as to where he was. He needed answers on that. With a tsking noise the Beast looked back at Cadence before raising an armored hand to her head and wrapped it around the back of her skull.

“Hm? What are you?” Cadence froze when his lips smashed into hers.

Her brain stepped out as he kissed her.

When her brain decided to come back, her fists either hammering at his armor or trying to push herself away. It was like trying to push a mountain.

When he shoved his tongue down her throat she felt more than a bit of shame in the fact that she was moaning into his mouth.

‘Stop it Cadence! Stop it! Don’t enjoy the kiss! Don’t enjoy it… fuck he’s a good kisser… stop it stop it! Get him off, get him… wait what’s that feeling?’ She felt something… strange. Like something was touching her mind. She felt something poke at her mind reaching for something .When it found it, it seemed to stare at it, read it. Soon as she started to realize that she instinctively fought back, pushing at his invading yet warm “presence” before he pulled back and made a noise. As she dropped to her knees, panting like a dog that had just had a run with its own. “Fuck…” The figure wiped his lips as she stared at him with this sense of longing in her eyes. The mist in Cadence’s eyes cleared and she wiped her lips clean, blushing furiously as she stared at the one before her. “You just…” She paused. “You just entered my thoughts. She got a nod.” She wasn’t sure if she felt more violated or turned on… “You know you could have just asked me something.” She told him and he gave her a look. “I know you can talk.” The stallion just stared at her, raising an eyebrow before Cadence seemed to realize what she had said. “I know you can talk.” She repeated in surprise. “How do I?” The Beast made a noise, and she understood it.

‘The Drift goes both ways.’

“The Drift?” She asked. “What is the Drift?” Another noise.

‘The drift is a mind meld, I step into your mind and you into mine.”

A grunt.

‘The Drift shares memories, instincts and emotions.’

“I didn’t see your memories though.” Cadence countered. “I just… I don’t know, I just, I understand your noises now.” She told him.

‘BecauseI brought nothing into the Drift.’

The stallion went silent before looking at her.

‘Yet, it appears you latched onto something.’

Cadence went silent as she tried making sense of the stallion’s words. “So~” She paused. “Are you still in my head?” He shook his head. “Good.” Cadence muttered with a smile. That would be… concerning. Having this stallion just staying in her head reading her thoughts was not something she wanted. “So~ what do they call you?” He said nothing, but she looked at his face and “heard” the answer.

“Why do they call you the Beast?” He shrugged. “What do you mean you don’t know, let alone care?” He looked at her. “It’s not the nicest nickname.” The stallion responded with a second shrug.

‘I’m not the nicest person’

“Well your certainly the boldest.” Cadence muttered as the Beast stood and stretched. It was then that Cadence realized how tall the Beast was. Nearly as tall as her aunt, with his striking dark armor. His mane was dark red and his face covered in scars. Not to mention a few freckles.

He was… handsome, in a rugged kind of way. No fairytale prince, but he was a looker. He looked down at her, a noise leaving his lips as she blinked out her stuber.

‘What are you staring at?’

Cadence shook her head. “Nothing.” The mare stated. “Beast.” He looked at her. “Where are you from?” He tapped a hoof.

‘A place you’ll never see.’

“Well, does this place have a name?” He nodded.

‘It had a name.’

What do you mean by that?”

‘My home is gone, its been gone for a long time now.’

Cadence fell silent. “What happened to it.” The Beast grunted

“War.”

“War…” Cadence muttered. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

The Beast shrugged before his eyes snapped up and his attention turned elsewhere. He made a noise, this time it was one that Cadence couldn’t translate, as she watched him get to his feet.

“What is it?”

‘Dark magic.’

The stallion growled before starting to trot off. The mare said nothing as she got to her feet, just in time for the window to shatter as a body was thrown through it.

“What in Equestria?” Cadence flinched as she looked to see a barrier disappear. “Shining Armor!?”

“C-Cadence?” The stallion forced out as he tried getting to his feet as the Beast glanced at the wounded stallion. “G… get back.” The stallion whispered as as something eroded the wall and slipped into the building. The Shadow of Rage had come, that miasmic beast born from lingering hate and outrage was ready to sink itsfangs into something.

That something seemed to be the wounded unicorn.

It lunged, corruption spreading across the tile it traveled toward the stallion.

“No!” Cadence moved in an instant, traveling far faster than even she was expecting and raised a barrier before the stallion. Her magic buckled as the miasma washed over her threatening to devour her and Shining Armor.

The Beast just watched, seeing the alicorn replaced by the image of a brother protecting another. He made a tsking noise as he breathed and roared. A burst of magic leaving his lips as the Rage went silent. Cadence cracked an eye open, watching the Rage burn out of existence and the chamber going silent.

“What… what happened?” Shining Armor asked weakly as Cadence felt the air with her magic as the Beast walked over to the broken window and leap out.

“That was…” Cadence paused. “That was love.” She whispered. “That was magic enveloped by love.”

“I didn’t know you could do that.” Shining Armor muttered as he forced himself to his feet.

“I-I didn’t.” She thought aloud. “My love for you protected us, but… that didn’t destroy it.” She whispered. “Beast did that.” The mare muttered as she looked at the direction that the Beast had gone. “I didn’t know… anypony could weaponize love.”

“Beast?”

Castle of the Two Sisters

Her heart stopped. That was the only thought that ran through the mares mind. She tuned out the laughter of Nightmare Moon, her iattention instead focusing on the shattered crystals that were lying at the dark alicorns hooves. ‘The elements…’ That was their last chance. Without the Elements, Nightmare Moon won.

It was over.

She wanted to cry, give into that pit of despair that had nested itself into her heart when she saw Nightmare Moon at Ponyville’s town hall. She trembled then, but she knew they had a chance to seal her away again.

That chance was now gone.

“No…” The mare muttered as Nightmare Moon looked down at her, smirking as the weapon used to once defeat her now laid broken before her. Her grin though vanished, her attention suddenly shifting to a nearby wall as it seemed to boil and become slag.

“Princess Celestia?” Twilight whispered, and the Nightmare stayed silent as she looked to the figure stepping through the puddle of molten slag and rock.

This wasn’t Celestia, still…

“So you’ve come.”

Author's Note

Drawn to the dark magic of Nightmare Moon, the Beast comes to her, and in the confines of the old castle the messiah of corrupted moonlight clashes with the hound of a thousand wars.

Summer Sun Celebration: The Beast Vs The Nightmare

The Beast merely grinned, his attention locked onto the dark mare as she glared back at him. A second Alicorn. ‘Interesting~’ His thoughts hissed. A second alicorn. Two in one night, quite curious, and yet. ‘Still, my heart does not pulse with awe.’ He thought. She too was a broken mold it seemed, the Darkness had made her into that. Regardless, he spared a quick glance at the tiny mare that made up their impromptu trinity. An instant later his attention returned to dark alicorn.

“I heard you when I returned.” The dark mare stated. “And you just saved me the trouble of hunting you down.” The Alicorn stated as The Beast stepped forward. “Now, who are you?” He didn’t respond. “What, no words to offer me?” The Beast was on her in an instant, an armored fist slamming into her with a force that broke part of the castle.

The Beast didn’t say anything, but looking ahead, to the cracks forming across the dark Alicorn’s shield. He watched her eyes narrow as she heard his unspoken message.

Shut up and fight.

Several spheres of magic forming overhead as the Beast just looked at her. Nightmare Moon formed a barrier around him, trapping him and the spheres in a tight area as they detonated, the barrier keeping them contained seemed to pulse as the eruptions went off. As the last one detonated she made to crush the barrier into the size of a pebble. Before she could succeed however the Beast slammed a fist into her face, and sent her into a wall.

“What - how dare you!?” From the confines of the dark sphere the beast just pulled himself free and shook like a dog. He was covered in scratches and bruises, but his armor, curiously was fine.he just smirked and raised a hand, a gesture for “bring it” being made as he charged her. “Very well.” Nightmare Moon dodged his charge, and with a sudden wave of magic intended to swipe at him, she missed, instead hitting air as the Beast circled around and attacked with his arm mounted blade. She grabbed it with her magic, throwing the stallion overhead. When he landed he threw his hand to the side, and as if pulled by magic tethers the Nightmare went flying this time, skidding to a stop only to turn and find the stallion already on her, his jaws snapped down on her head.

No, not her head, her mane, the ethereal, cosmos-like mane of the dark moon princess was caught in the stallions jaws as she dodged.

She narrowed her eyes, the stars in her mane seeming to glow as they attacked, firing a torrent of small yet powerful energy waves at the stallion and forcing him to let go. Smoke left his lips, and the dark princess just prepared another spell, stopping when fingers collided with her throat and held her off the ground. “‘Enough of this.” Nightmare Moon muttered, her own hand snapped out faster than most could see, sending the armored stallion through a wall as the debris came down. “Foals play.” She stated, spitting blood before another fist collided with her face. Stumbling she looked back to the stallion seeing he was right there before her and cracking his neck. She understood the message in his eyes, that sinful taunt he directed at her.

That all you got?

‘No, not even close.’ The Nightmare thought. “You think you can face me in actual combat?” She chuckled darkly. “Let us see.” The dark mare stated as mana started to dance around her. Three rays of dark moonlight fired from her horn and the beast just charged straight through them, his armor rendering the spells inert as she appeared in front of her. He snapped his jaws at the mare and she disappeared, teleporting behind him and with an arcane grip threw him to the ground. Mana blades formed in the air, and stabbed downward. Moment they hit the ground the Beast was gone, his fingers sinking into her tail as he lifted her into the air and smashed her into the castle flooring. She blasted him through the ceiling and flew after him, another wave of magic leaving her horn as she made to launch him into orbit.

He moved; in mid-flight he moved, dodging the blast of dark arcane and seemed to charge the dark alicorn. When he met her, he grabbed the mare, spun and threw her to the ground below with enough force it broke part of the castle. Nightmare Moon just got to her feet, seeming to shug off the pain as he came crashing down on her. Moment he hit the stone though she was gone, disappearing into dark aether as she appeared behind him and swung her horn, a blade of arcane extending from it only for the blade to shatter.

He bit it. Broke the blade into shards and threw a kick, only for the mare to grab the limb and flipped him over her body. The beast steadied himself by stabbing a hoof into the ground before spinning, dragging the mare attached to his limb across the floor before she let go and took to the air. Another wave of magic left her home, cracking earth trailing in a few hundred directions in the castle chamber. It was with both amazement and shock that Nightmare Moon saw the armored stallion walk through the still raging blast, his head poking through the miasma of power as he seemed to inhale and roared at her.

That was what sent her flying, the simple force from his roar sending her skyward and through the hole that formed earlier. Soon as she was gone the Beast chased after her, jumping to the ceiling and landing before blades of arcane impaled his armor. He shook like a wet dog, breaking the arcane blades and lunged. A blast of arcane energy washed over him, punching through the atmosphere as he just charged through it and made to deck the dark alicorn in the face.

“You move with the grace of one feral.” The mare blocked his hoof with her magic as she watched his expression shift to bored indulgence. “And yet.” The mare raised a handto her cheek before looking at the blood on it. “You’re the first in a long time to spill my blood.” The Beast just pressed against the shield, causing it to crack. “Just who are you?” He didn’t respond, breaking her shield as he took a step back and let the magic disperse. “Exactly, what is it you want?”

“I want to feel your bones cracking under my fists.”

“So you do speak.”Nightmare Moon muttered as she watched him shake his hand. “And you want to feel the grinding of my bones.” The mare thought aloud. “See if you can.” She stated as she watched him start stepping forward. “But know this I am Nightmare Moon, and I have never lost a battle of martial prowess.” She stated as she approached the stallion. “It matters not if your armor is made of dragon scales or mithril, you will fall to me.” That got the Beast to stop as he seemed to look himself over, seeming to realize that indeed his armor was still on. With a smirk he looked back at the mare as his eyes flickered, changing colors as his armor seemed to glow. The Alicorn just watched as it started to burn itself, fading out of reality as it left him bare. “So you do have a sense of honor.” The alicorn muttered as she looked at the stallion. “I shall that honor in kind.” Her horn flickered, her Regala starting to remove itself as she cast it aside. Each piece seemed to smoke, miasmic energy trailing off the enchanted metal as they stepped forward, stopping only when they were face to face with each other.

“Twilight!”The purple mare just looked up as she saw Rainbow Dash and the others reach her.

“Girls…” She whispered with a faint smile. “You’re here.”

“Well duh, you didn’t think we’d leave you here did you?”

“Darling are you alright?” Rarity asked as she helped the mare up.

“I’m fine, but the Elements…” Her ears dropping the mare looked to see the shards of crystals resting on the floor. “She broke them.”

“Oh dear.” Fluttershy muttered. “Does this mean we lost?”

“No!” Pinkie shouted as she looked out a window. “We still have him!” She cheered with a point.

“Him darling?” Rarity and the other girls just approached the window as they looked outside. “Oh my~” Rarity didn’t mean to purr, at the stallion, but she couldn’t help it.

“Who the hay is that?” Applejack turned to Twilight as the mare just stared at the armored stallion.

“I-I don’t know.” Twilight muttered. “After Nightmare Moon destroyed the Elements, he came through the wall.”

“Came through the wall? Like a ghost.” Pinkie got a look sent her way.

“No I mean, the wall melted.” Twilight stated as she gestured to the molten puddle that was connecting to an adjacent room. “And he walked through it.”

“That sounds kinda cool.” Rainbow Dash got a look. “What?”

“Well is he on our side?” Fluttershy whispered.

“Well he’s not on Nightmare Moon’s.” Twilight muttered. “He started attacking her without much provocation.”

“I don’t know what that means!” Pinkie stated cheerfully as she looked at the two. “Lookie his armor disappeared!”

“Oh my~”

“How did?” Twilight muttered as she looked at the sight. “ I mean, he’s not a unicorn, so he can’t use any magic.”

“And now Nightmare Moon’s armor’s gone.” Pinkie ignored Twilight’s words as she saw the armor get discarded. “And it’s smoking?”

“It must be a magical object.” Twilight muttered. “Her dark power must be concentrated into the regala.”

They’re approaching each other.”

“Oh? You’re approaching me?” Pinkie made a voice. “Instead of running away, you're coming right to me?"

"I can't beat the buck out of you without getting closer." Rainbow Dash stated in a voice before looking to Pinkie. “I didn’t know you read PoPo.”

“Duh~”

“Rainbow Dash language.” Rarity muttered as she watched the scene “So, Twilight darling.” The mare muttered looking to the “Without the Elements, what exactly do we do now?”

“Let ‘em sort this out?” Applejack asked as Twilight bit her lips before glancing at the destroyed Elements.

“I… I guess?” Twilight made a noise before looking back to the sight before her. “I wish Princess Celestia was here, she’d know what to do.” She muttered quietly. All the while the shards of the Elements seemed to pulse with a faint glow as they seemed to crawl towards one another.

“Shall we begin?” Nightmare Moon’s response was a fist connecting to her jaw that made her spit blood. Without missing a beat she responded with her own, as the Beast gave her a second. Just like that they started throwing hands. Nightmare Moon took several, before more or less mimicking his stance and countering with her own. She felt his bones grinding under her knuckles with that one strike.

‘And yet…’ His head snapped forward, smashing into her muzzle and he responded with an uppercut. He twisted, his hind leg moving at an angle for an Equus and smashed it into her neck. Nightmare Moon grabbed his limb, and held him still, responding as with a blow to his barrel. In less than three seconds she punched him in one spot several times before throwing a kick to his barrel and sent him back. He flipped, landing on a wall before shooting back at her. His hands slamming into the side of her face before he headbutted her. Nightmare Moon bit her lips, red trailing from her muzzle as she slammed a hand into the side of the stallion’s head and twisted, slamming him into the ground face first before throwing a fist at the back of his skull. She gave his thirty, each one causing a quake to be released through the destroyed castle. She stopped though, finding something strangling her from behind as she created claws of mana to try prying it off, failing when it slammed her into the ground. ‘His tail?’

With a quick tug the Beast brought her back to him, right to an awaiting fist. She headbutted the limp, forcing the stallion back as she teleported behind him, freeing herself from the vice-like tailborne grip around her neck and appeared behind him. Nightmare Moon grabbed him, wrapping her hands around his barrel and lifted him over her body before slamming him into the ground. Pushing herself into the air she did it again, making for a third only to find the stallion reversing her throw, forcing his legs onto the ground and pinned her before righting himself and throwing the mare overhead. Nightmare Moon used her wings to catch herself as she landed, the Beast already charging her again as she forced herself upright and started using her forearms to block several of his strikes. He twisted, another kick coming her way as she grabbed it and spun, slamming his back into a wall before starting to throw punches at his face and body.

‘It’s like punching adamantine.’ The mare thought as she continued throwing hands. The stallion blocked the ones he could, stopping only when magic pulled his arms to his sides and his face took several strikestrikes. She stopped when his fangs bit down on her hand, flinching even before he retaliated with a blow to her face that threw her off balance. She responded in an instant, throwing both her legs up as she kicked him through the wall and outside. “It matters little how durable you are.” She dropped onto all fours before rushing the stallion, barely giving him time to respond as she spun and threw a roundhouse to his face. “You will fall before me.”

The Beast just responded by rebalancing himself, his jaws snapping around the stretched limb and spun her around. Without warning he slammed the mare into the ground before repeating the action. The third time he made to do so she became miasma, slipping out of his grip and throwing a hoof to his jaw that knocked one of his fangs out. He just swiped at her, pushing her back before realigning his jaw. He spit blood onto the floor, a lost fang already being replaced with a new one. He looked at Nightmare Moon, noticing his teeth marks on her body and the bruises in store already closing.

She heals.

A gift from Ruinous Gods maybe?

Eh didn’t matter, just meant he could savor this for a good while.

Nightmare Moon lunged, just as he did. Again both started throwing hands, neither seeming to waver as they traded blows in the moonlight. Nightmare Moon hit his face, he hit her barrel. His face twisted in a grin, her’s shifted to annoyance. “What’s wrong~” He called out to her between blows. “Enjoy the moment!” His hoof landed directly between her eyes, her leg hit him in the groin.

His smile dropped, twisting to an honest yet fought off pain as she laid into him. A flurry of fists landing on his body as she pushed him through the castle grounds. She stopped when a claw of magic grabbed her face, his own hand at the center of it as he lifted her up before grinding her skull into the ground. Miasma took her place as she reformed above him and dropped both her hands onto his head. He went down this time, his legs touching the air as he twisted them and threw a kick at her throat. He missed, but it forced her back and gave him some room to return to his feet and rush her.

“Holy buck.” Rainbow Dash muttered. “They’re really going at it.”

“Yeah.” The girls agreed Fluttershy flinched.

“That looks painful though.”

“Why they fighting on two legs though, and why ain’t Nightmare Moon using magic?” Applejack questioned as she continued watching. “I ain’t complaining, but why she letting him get close and fight her like that?

“Consider it an honor duel darling.” Rarity stated. “Unicorns engage in Magic Duels to show their magical talents, and in these duels martial arts is unallowed.” The mare explained. “Likewise a duel of martial prowess arcane arts isn’t allowed.”

“But she’s using magic.” Pinkie pointed out. “See, she’s teleporting!”

“And he’s… are those claws?” Rainbow Dash squinted as she pointed. “He has claws?!”

“Those are Arcane Claws, how is he?”

Both the Beast and the Nightmare stopped, arcane claws grinding against one another as they held each other in a deadlock. The Beast grinned, and Nightmare Moon reared back, their heads slamming together as they pushed. “I don’t know how you can use mana without a horn.” Nightmare Moon declared as both of them went inching back, their hooves digging small trenches into the dirt as the ground between them began to crack and splinter. “But I will say this, you are indeed a worthy adversary.” The mare stated. “And yet.” She began as she broke into a smirk. “You will never defeat me with your power.” She pulled, knocking him off balance as she punched him into the sky. Without warning she followed him, a burst of starlight traveling along the ground as she streaked across the sky and carried him higher. She suffocated him, taking him where the air was thinnest before dropping him like a stone.

She saw him grin even as he fell, no hint of panic leaving his face as he started to catch fire and pierce the clouds.

“Oh dear.” Rarity whispered as she looked up. “Girls I think we should move.”

“On it!”

For something so small, the Beast hit the ground with enough force that it shook the Everfree Forest down to its core. A dust cloud rose from where he landed, trees were uprooted and debris was launched in several directions. Nightmare Moon just looked on, her attention shifting to the fading debris cloud her opponent had made as she dropped and landed. “Still in one piece?” She spoke in surprise as she looked at the downed creature. “You’re durable, I’ll give you that.” The mare stated. “But not even you can survive a fall from -”

He proved her wrong. Right then and there the Beast picked himself up, and shook. His body was scorched, bleeding and covered in debris, but he was standing, that same grin on his face as he looked at her.

“How?” She muttered. “Just what are you made of?” She questioned in disbelief. That disbelief only grew when his burns and wounds healed right before her eyes. “You heal?” Her eyes narrowed. “I see. That is something we share it seems.” The mare gestured to her own closing wounds. “I’m certain you noticed. Like you I heal exceptionally fast.” She stated. “But my healing is far superior. For you see I am touched by the moon itself.” She gestured to her heavenly sphere. “So long as it stands in the sky I can not be defeated. My wounds will heal endlessly, my stamina will never deplete, and my mana infinite.” She boasted. “You can never defeat me.”

In an instant the Beast connected a hoof directly to her face an arcane claw quickly forming as that look of bored indulgence returned. “You talk too much.” He slammed her into the ground before moving, using the mare to drive a trench through the ground as he carried her through the Everfree Forest. He slammed her through a line of trees before throwing her elsewhere; to be exact, he threw her out the forest and into the plains of Equestria.

The Nightmare just grit her teeth, growling as she righted herself and saw the stallion charging her. “Even knowing you can’t defeat me you still wish to carry on this battle?”

“Just shut up already.” He hissed as he threw a hoof, and she blocked deflecting the blow and countering with her own. She knocked him off balance as she latched onto him and started pushing him back. She stopped when he dug his hooves into the ground and tossed her to the side. Nightmare Moon recovered, lunging at the stallion and bringing a fist back. The beast made to block as she seemed to slide, slipping into his blind spot and connected a hoof to his back. She didn’t let up, delivering a second and a third before using a claw of mana to spin him around before punching him square in the face. She continued landing punches and he retaliated with his own, not even bothering to defend himself this time.

“Twilight… Twilight!”

“I’m ok~” The mare muttered as she slowly opened her eyes and looked up to see a familiar golden light wrapping around her. “Princess Celestia?”

“I’m here, Twilight.” The alicorn of days whispered as she looked down at the mare. Not just her, the rest of the girls were here, wrapped in the alicorn’s warm barrier. “Are you girls alright?” They each gave a response of a ‘yes’ as the mare looked around, seeing the destroyed remains of her former home. “Good; now I know I’m a bit late, but will somepony be willing to tell me what is going on?”

“Twilight led us to the Everfree forest to find these things called the Elements of Harmony to try and stop Nightmare Moon but she went and broke the Elements and now she’s fighting some stallion!” Pinkie summed up everything as she smiled proudly. “They went that way.” She pointed in a random direction as Princess Celestia looked in the pointed direction. She saw Canterlot mountain in the distance, but she couldn’t feel her lost sister there. She was close, but she wasn’t at Canterlot itself.

“I see.” The mare muttered as she looked to the six mares,but her thoughts traveled elsewhere. ‘Somepony else is facing Nightmare Moon?’ She thought as she glanced in the direction of her wayward sister. ‘Are they an ally or an enemy?’

“What should we do princess?” Celestia didn’t respond at first, thinking of what could be done here.

“Help me find the Elements of Harmony.” The Alicorn whispered. “I feel that we’ll need them before this night ends.”

“Stop~

‘How long has it been?’

Nightmare Moon took a blow to the cheek and lost three of her teeth. They rgrew back an instant later as broken teeth and blood hit the floor. She threw a punch that sent her opponent staggering. The Beast just wiped blood from his cheek as he took a moment to stare at the mare. “You done?” Nightmare Moon’s answer came in the form of a rush, countless blows slamming into her, most of them hitting her guard with a few others broke past.

“Stop~”

‘How long has it been?’

Nightmare Moon threw a punch at the Beast’s throat and he dodged, headbutting her only to get another in return. The two started trading blows, each one landing as scarlet went flying across the grass. Neither counted the blows they traded, and neither found a need to back down. When they did, the Beast went sprawling back as he hit the floor only to pick himself up again and cracked his neck. “That’s a good look on your face.”

“Stop~”

Nightmare Moon smiled. Bloodied and covered in bruises she smiled as he looked at the stallion. ‘How long has it been since I had this much fun in a fight?!’ Nightmare Moon didn’t know, it had been too long. In the moonlight her shattered fists healed, audibly realigning bone and mending the cuts in her flesh. Still her fists were stained red as she raised them again. “Shall we continue?” The Beast was all too happy to comply.

A cross-counter resulted in a hit for both of them. They followed it with another flurry of punches colliding with and grinding bone that mended in an instant. He sent a blow to her barrel, she landed one on his throat. He responded with a headbutt, and she spun, landing a back-kick on his side. He grabbed her hoof and threw her to the side. She rolled when he suddenly dropped were she had been in a bid to crush her under his hooves. When she got to her feet she lunged, an excited smile on her face as she attacked.

“Stop~”

‘Since I was but a filly under another name, I had been forced to fight.’ The mare thought. ‘Both for country and survival, I have fought a thousand battles.’ She took a hoof to the face. ‘And yet…’ She recovered headbutting the stallion as he smiled. “I do not remember the last time my blood boiled like this!” The Beast smiled. “Joy as pure as rainfall, such ecstas!” she exclaimed. “This is what you’ve given me!” She stated as she caught his fist as they entered another deadlock.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?”

“My heart moves in a way no mare or stallion has ever made it.” She declared as they both pushed against one another and the ground started to split. “This… could this be what they refer to as love?” He didn’t respond, only smiling. “No, not love, this is… release.” She stated. “My chains are truly removed here, my pain, my rage, all disappears as I fight you!” She exclaimed as they broke away, the plains themselves splitting into two halves as the pair broke apart. “How much farther can I be unshackled fighting you? How far are you willing to release me?” She breathed out and licked her lips. “Let’s find out.” The Beast growled in agreement as he prepared to jump across the canyon and at the smiling mare.

‘I said STOP!’

Nightmare Moon froze, her face seeming to twist in pain as she dropped and held her head. “You - what are you doing?!”

“You forget why I blessed you with my power!”

The voice inside her was angry, and that brought pain.

“I gave you power to rule over Equestria, to kill the Light-bearer and bring about my era!”

Nightmare Moon seemed to drop as the Beast looked on, confusion on his face before it disappeared. He felt it, the Dark magic warring with its host. “St-Stop~ Don’t interfere with our fight!”

“No, I have let this continue long enough, and I will not be denied simply because you wish to brawl like a drunken stallion!”

Nightmare Moon screamed, dark vapers enveloping her as waves of miasmic moonlight washed over the area.

“You~”

The Beast heard the voice this time, dual layered as it was while the waves washed over him.

“You made her unfocused.”

The waves seemed to stop before retreating back towards the dark mare enveloping her in a sphere of dark aether.

“With a foalish brawl you gave her cathartic release.”

A purple and starlit hoof stepped out the sphere.

“But make no mistake, she is still mine.”

A new alicorn appeared, one of pure purple and black starlight. It was like a being of raw mana.

“And I will not release my host~”

“Parasite.” Was all the Beast stated as he looked on.

“I don’t know who you are, but I will end you, and set “her” back on the proper path.”

That made the stallion smile sadistically.

“Make no mistake though, I have no interest in fighting you.”

The Nightmare stated as she “it” took flight on aether wings and started to rise above him.

“I am ending this, now.”

The Nightmare continued to rise, its horn - it’s whole body starting to glow as something flickered above.

“Um… girls.”

“I found it!” Pinkie cheered as she held up an Element of Harmony. Some strange music played in the background as she did and trotted over to the others. Twilight just looked on in confusion as the mare brought back the last Element.

“Um, girls?”

“They’re fixed?” Twilight stuttered. “But I saw Nightmare Moon shatter them! How are they fixed?”

“Girls?

“The power of the Elements is ancient Twilight.” Celestia stated as she looked at the five jewels. ‘The sixth must still be sleeping…’ She thought to herself as she addressed the mares. “Even I am not aware of all it’s secrets.”

“Girls~”

“Well we have the Elements, now what?” Rainbow Dash asked. “We just go up to Nightmare Moon and hit her with them?”

“Girls~

“No, there’s supposed to be a spark of magic, and then the Elements would banish Nightmare Moon back to the moon.” Twilight explained as she looked at the five elements. “But I already channeled magic into them, they didn’t do anything.”

“Girls~

“The Elements only work if all six stand together.” Celestia stated.

“Six?” Twilight’s eyes widened. “That’s right there was six in the book, bu -

“GIRLS!” Fluttershy screamed as she caught everypony’s attention. She was shaking, almost like she saw something horrific. “We have a problem.” She continued looking skyward as her ears seemed to flatten. When the others looked in her direction they followed her example.

“Is - is that a?”

“That’s a buckin’ meteor!”

“Ah~” The Beast made a noise as he watched the sky bleed red, a great sphere catching fire as it started to descend upon his location. It wasn’t a planetoid, too small for that, but it was still an impressive sized one. ‘She intends to drop that on me?’ He actually chuckled as he raised his hooves and slammed them onto the ground to steady himself. “Try it!” The nightmare heard the challenge and let he meteor drop before teleporting behind it.

“You challenge the strength to move the stars? How much of a fool are you?”

The stallion said nothing as he watched the sphere continue to drop.

“Perish, nameless berserker…!”

The meteor exploded, shards of burning dust being showered across Equestria alongside a hail of fragments. The Beast just blinked, confusion on his face as he watched the show, an imprompt meteor shower raining across Equestria as the Nightmare screamed.

“You, what are you doing?!”

“That is my question!” A second mares voice left the aether alicorn as her colors started to shift. “You aim to wipe Equestria off the map?”

“A necessary sacrifice to building my world!”

“Sacrifice, this is my home!” The other voice retaliated as the alicorn’s face seemed to painfully split in half. “I am not letting you destroy my homeland!”

“You consider a nation that shuns you to be your homeland?!”

“Yes!” The faces merged back together. “Hated, and shunned, Equestria is my home! And I will not tolerate ANYPONY destroying it!” The body screamed, seemingly caught in between splitting in two and becoming one. “Not even me!”

The Beast just watched the spectacle before frowning, annoyance on his face as the alicorn and the parasite seemed to wrestle for control. He didn’t care who was in control so long as he got a good fight out of it. But if they were going to keep arguing like this… ‘I might as well try separating them.’ He thought as he made a noise. ‘I wonder, can I do that?’ he thought before remembered what had been said earlier.

“My chains are truly removed here, my pain, my rage, all disappears as I fight you!”

“With a foalish brawl you gave her cathartic release.”

‘I wonder… can I just beat the Parasite out of her?’ He thought as the parasite and the alicorn continued fighting and made a noise before sitting down.

“My heart moves in a way no mare nor stallion has ever made it.”

“This… could this be what they refer to as love?”

‘Love…’ The stallion made a noise and inhaled, focusing his feelings as it fed his powers. ‘Wonder.’ He breathed, arcane energy launching itself forward as it slammed into the alicorn/parasite and a scream left them.

‘Wh - what is this?!”

The Beast just watched.

“What kind of love is this?!”

The Beast waited, listening to the screams of the parasite as it held onto its host.

“Beautiful…”

“Filthy! Filthy! Filthy! Filthy!”

The Parasite released its host, peeling itself off the alicorn as she dropped out the sky.

‘Hm, so it is like getting rid of the Shadow of Rage.’ The Beast thought as he watched the mare hit the ground with a thud. ‘Why did she get smaller?’ Why was she blue for that matter?

“YOU!”

Looking skyward the Beast just turned his attention to the parasite as it seemed to shift.

“You filthy, INSECT!”

The Beast casually hopped over the small chasm as he looked at the parasite.

‘I may have lost my host, but I swear you will die by-”

He fired another bolt of love in its direction as it shifted out the way. “No more talking.” He made a gesture with his hoof. “Come.” The parasite hissed as it shifted, becoming something monstrous as it dived at him and he rose up to punch it. Before he succeeded, he felt something wash over him from behind, something warm and bright.

Last thing he heard was the Parasite screaming.

Summer Sun Celebration: The Night Ends

Her body ached. That was the first thought that ran through the mare’s head as she opened her eyes. “What happened?” The mare questioned as she sat up and found somepony nudging her, a faint noise leaving their lips as she turned to them in a daze. Their muzzles brushed against each other as she blinked trying to make sense of who was nudging her. “You~” She sounded like she was in a dream as she stared up at the stallion. “You saved me.” She whispered. She sounded tired, more than that it felt like a haze had been pulled over her mind. The rage that clouded her thoughts was gone, the envy that dug its way into her heart was replaced with a strange yet familiar warmth. The Nightmare was gone. “Thank you.”

And like that she was out again.

The Beast just looked at the mare, a hint of confusion on his face as she returned to the world of unconsciousness. Why’d she thank him? Maybe it was because she enjoyed the fight, or maybe it was because he helped get the parasite out of her. He wasn’t too sure. He frowned, leaning down to nudge the sleeping alicorn as she made a noise. ‘Well she’s out.’ The Beast grumbled before dropping next to the alicorn. ‘You showed me a good time.’ The stallion thought, looking to the moon before turning back to the mare. On reflex he applied his armor, letting it burn into existence around him before hegrabbed the mare and hoisted her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. ‘What to do with you now?’ He questioned as he stared at the mare on his back before looking to the castle atop the mountain. ‘If I give this one to the other Alicorn… I wonder if I’ll get more food in exchange.’ There went a thought, one he could get behind. So walking off the Beast headed towards the mountain, stopping only when something sang throughout his six senses. Something was coming. He turned, adopting a blank look as he stared at the figure that was dropping from the sky.

“Luna…”

His blood did not stir at this third alicorn. He made a tsking noise. This rate he’d run into a fourth. The Beast just watched as the new alicorn moved, a cautious step leaving her as she stared at him, no not at him, but the sleeper over his shoulder.

“You’re back.” She whispered as she took a few stronger steps, stopping only when he growled at her. Finally realizing that he was here the alicorn just stared at him before narrowing her eyes slightly. “Who are you?”

‘Everyone seems to want to know.’

There was something strange about this stallion. Celestia realized as she stared at the figure. The armor was strange, but more than that there was this strange air about him. ‘It’s not admiration or hate… but it’s making my fur stand on ends.’ She looked at her sister though, a serene smile on her lips as she hung limp on the stallions armored back. ‘… when was the last time I saw her smile like that?’ She questioned as she took a breath and approached the stallion. He just watched her, like he was analyzing her movements and waiting for something. “Are you the one… who held off Nightmare Moon?” He didn’t respond, just letting his eyes flicker to Luna before looking back at her. “What do you plan on doing with her now?” This time the stallion took a long look backwards, gesturing to Canterlot castle as Celestia took a breath. “I see.” She whispered. For a moment she was worried, if he planned on killing her wayward sister than this night would end in someone dying. “I can take her if you like.” She said in that voice that while gentle was strict, implying that it wasn’t a request but an order.

He wasn’t impressed.

He actually walked away from her. Luna still hanging limp over his shoulder she remained oblivious to the world around her.

Celestia stared, the wind rushing by her as she saw the stallion move on.

‘Am I being ignored?’ Yes she was. Celestia, the Lightbringer was being ignored. Her cheeks puffed childishly as she approached the stallion, purpose in her steps as made a noise. “Excuse me.” No response. “Excuse me.” He’s still walking. “Excuse me, my little pony.” That got a response, he actually looked at her, annoyance on his face as his armored tail hit the ground. “Please hand over my sister.” He raised an eyebrow as he looked at the sleeping alicorn and then the one awake. “Yes, that’s my sister.” She clarified as she watched the stallion just glance between the two a bit longer. Seemingly satisfied he pulled her off his peerson before dropping her on the floor. Celestia twitched at the obvious disrespect, but before she could say anything the stallion just went back to walking off, heading towards the mountain as she watched him go. As soon as he was a good few feet away from her, she turned her attention to her sister.

Canterlot Castle

“You really like to eat don’t you?” Cadence asked the Beast as he continued stuffing his face with the food that was meant for her and Shining Armor. He glanced at her for a second before returning to the food, a bite tearing apart part of a salad as she just watched. ‘I’m kind of surprised he didn’t eat the bowl too…’ Cadence thought as she shook her head. “Still thank you.” This time he stopped eating, his attention turning to the mare as he raised an eyebrow. “You saved me and Shining Armor.” Cadence explained. “That thing, I don’t know how but you used your love to stop it didn’t you. Thank you for that.”

You don’t have to thank me.”

Was what she got from his stuffed face as he swallowed and licked his lips.

“Just acted on a whim.”

“A whim huh.” Cadence smiled slightly as she looked at the stallion. “You still saved us.”She admitted before going silent. “Do you know what that thing was anyway?” He nodded before staring at a banana and seemed to stare at it in confusion. “What was it-mph!?” Without warning he shoved the banana into her mouth as she reared back. She didn’t need to understand his “language” to get the message.

“Stop talking and eat.”

She blinked and glanced at the food.

“Otherwise, I’ll eat everything myself.”

Cadence made a noise as she pulled the banana from her mouth before pouting. Guess he had a point though, from how he was acting right now, there probably wouldn’t be anything left for her at this rate. So she floated the watermelon back into her lips and started taking bites. Shame though that Shining Armor wasn’t able to enjoy this with her, after that “thing” had been taken care of, he and most of the guard had to be taken to the castle’s infirmary. ‘I wonder how auntie will react to finding out the damage that was done to the castle and the garden.’ Cadence thought with a groan as she returned to eating, this time it was the Beast that was staring at her as she ate, seemingly drawn to something before getting her attention. “What?” She didn’t “hear” his thoughts that time, just watched him turn away and looked at the night sky.

The Beast made a noise as he turned his attention to the dropping moon and seemed to stare as something started rising in its place; the sun.

“So this is the sunrise.” Cadence looked to the Beast, hearing his “voice” for the first time as he seemed to stare at the sight. The rays of the early morning reaching him and Canterlot as he seemed to drift away.

“Have you… never seen the sunrise.” He shook his head. It wasn’t the first time he’d seen the sunrise, it had just… been a while. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

“It is.” He muttered as Cadence saw that neutral look on his face start to turn upward for a moment. “It’s beautiful.”

For reasons she couldn’t understand, her heart skipped a beat.

‘Uh oh.’

Sisters Reunited

When Luna woke up again, she found that dawn had long broken. The sun sphere was already in the sky, it’s radiance shining down on the world of Equestria like it had for countless centuries now. She found herself smiling at that fact.

When was the last time she smiled at the sunrise?

A voice in her head told her that it had been a long time since she’d done that.

It had been a long time since she actually wanted to see the world being cherished by the sun.

She got to her feet, trying to get the feeling back in them as she felt something slide off her back; a blanket.

Now that she actually paid attention to it, she found herself in a room of sorts. The colors, the decorations, told her that this place belonged to someone of importance; and she knew, without the shadow of a doubt who it belonged to.

“Luna.” She turned slightly, her attention quickly turning to the alicorn mare she had spent her youth with.

“Celestia.” The two mares just stared at one another for a moment. An awkward silence passing between the two as Celestia just took a cautious step forward before stopping.

Luna just watched, a small flinch running through her as she looked at her elder sister. ‘Of course she’s cautious about you.’ A voice told her as she just watched her sister. ‘Last time you spoke, you weren’t on the best terms.’

That was putting it lightly, after all, the last time she had saw her sister she had tried to *kill* her.

“I’m sorry.” Luna muttered as she stared at the floor.

“I know.” Celestia muttered. “I’m sorry too.”

“For what?”

“I didn’t realize just what I was putting you through.” Celestia stated as she scratched n arm. “I was so caught up in -”

“Sister… don’t.” Luna muttered as she looked back at Celestia and took a step forward, stopping only for a moment before pressing on. “I was the one who fell into darkness, I was the one who believed the Nightmare’s lies… I was the one who…” She was the one who wanted blood. The mare fell silent as she stopped walking.

“Luna…”

“I wanted to hurt you…” The mare confessed. “I wanted to hurt you so bad. I wanted you to feel the pain I felt you put me through.” Luna whispered. “But in the end… I just… I just really wanted to be seen as your equal. I wanted to stand beside you, just like when we started.”

“Luna.” Celestia whispered, approaching her younger sister as she held out a hoof. She opened her mouth before shutting it and lowered the hoof. A moment later she hugged her counterpart, feeling the mare stiffen out of reflex before she returned it. “I am sorry… I really am.” The mare muttered as she hugged her sister. “If you’ll let me… I’d be more than willing to make things up to you.”

“I know.” Luna muttered as she backed away and wiped a few tears that refused to fall. “I just…” The mare paused as she shook her head. “I don’t even know what I want to say.” The mare chuckled weakly before lowering her head.

“Maybe there’s nothing to say.” Celestia muttered as she rested a hoof on her sister’s back. “I’m just… I’m just happy you’re back, Luna.”

“I as well.” Luna muttered as she looked at her elder. She stared at her for a moment, blinking before her stare became one of curiosity.

“What?”

“You’re… taller than me.”

“I’ve always been taller than you Luna.” Celestia stated with a weak giggle.

“Yes but, I mean, you’re taller than me, but… not as much as you should be.” Luna muttered as she looked herself over. “I’m… I’m not in my suppressed form?”

“It appears so Luna.” Celesta stated. She noticed earlier, but chose not to mention it until now. “It appears some of your magic chose to stay after your essence was cleansed of the Nightmare.”

“How though?” Luna muttered. “After all these centuries, my magic must have been tied to theNightmare, it should have left me after the Nightmare and I were separated.”

“Do you think the Elements had to do with this?” Luna looked at her sister in confusion.

“The Elements?” She repeated before staring at nothing. “No, that’s impossible.” The mare stated. “The Nightmare - I broke them and…”

“That doesn’t appear to be the case Luna.” Celestia stated as she looked to the edge of the ruined castle, and made a gesture to somepony out of sight. Steps caught Luna’s attention as she turned her head, her gaze focusing on six figures that she scarcely recognized. One stood out though, yet what stood out more would have to be what they were carrying.

“The- the Elements? I - but… how?”

“It appears the Elements have self-reconstructing abilities.” Celestia stated as she looked at her flabbergasted sister. “Now I think some introductions are due.” Celestia admitted as she stood between the seven. “Luna, allow me to introduce you to the new Bearers of the Elements of Harmony. Rainbow Dash the bearer of Loyalty.

“Sup.”

“Pinkamena Pie, the Bearer of Laughter.”

“Pinkies fine!”

“Rarity, the bearer of Generosity.”

“Charmed my dear.”

“Fluttershy, the Bearer of Kindness.”

“The Princess knows my name.”

Applejack, the Bearer of Honesty.”

“Howdy.”

“And last but not least, Twilight Sparkle, my personal student and Bearer of Magic.”

“Um… hi.” The last pony whispered as she looked at the dark alicorn. ‘She looks… she looks kinda like Nightmare Moon, but… she doesn’t feel like her.’ Twilight thought as she looked at the dark alicorn.

.”Girls, allow me to introduce you to my younger sister, and princess of the Moon, Luna.”That got everypony’s attention as they looked at the alicorn.

“SISTER?!”

It had been a while since he felt this bored. The Beast realized as he walked through the halls with a frown on his face. His attention drifted, his gaze barely staying on one thing long enough to really pay attention to it. The same couldn’t really be said in reverse however, it appeared the locals of the castle were starting to notice him. Staff; butlers and maids seemed both confused and surprised that he was here. Then again, it wasn’t like he was supposed to be here anyway.

‘I’m supposed to be in the Sea of Screams.’ He reminded himself with a smile. ‘There are battles there, just waiting to be waged, worlds waiting to be broken.and I’m here…’ His smile slipped. ‘Somewhere I am not meant to be.’ He told himself as he turned a corner and heard a yelp. Looking down his attention turned to a tiny stallion who looked up at him.

“Um… hello.” The pony squeaked as he looked at the figure towering over him. “Oh man your big.” Compared to him anyway. The Beast just stared down at him as he looked at the pony. His eyes changed color, something the tiny pony seemed to notice before narrowing his eyes. “Um… can I… Can I help you?” The Beast just leaned down as he sniffed the figure. “Um… ok?”

Equestrian, yet, not equestrian… insectoid energy verified… changeling.’ “Curious.” The stallion shivered at the deep rumbling voice as he saw the Beast lean back before walking off. ‘Something to keep an eye on it seems.’

The stallion shivered as he watched the Beast walk off, staring at his armored form before scurrying off. “If I didn’t know any better… I could have sworn he saw through me… that’s impossible though, right?”

The Princess and Her Knight

He wasn’t going to lie, this wasn’t the first time he’d woken up with a splitting headache. Late nights, those times with the boys off duty. Yeah he had a few of them throughout his career; those headaches had nothing on what he was going through now. It felt like something was trying to push itself out of his skull, and his body hurt in thirty different ways. “What happened?”

“You’re awake.” Looking at his side, Shining Armor turned his attention to Cadence as she sat next to him, a smile on her face as she stared at her coltfriend. “I’m glad.”

“Cadence.” Shining Armor choked out. “What happened?”

“You don't remember?”

“I remember that thing, then… then going through a window.” The stallion confessed as he looked at the mare. “I think I blacked out shortly after that.” The stallion admitted.

“You did.” Cadence confessed. “But that thing is gone now. Beast took care of it.”

“Beast.” Shining Armor sat up with a pained grunt. “You mentioned him before I blacked out didn’t you.”

“Yeah, he’s a…” Cadence paused, not exactly certain how to continue that sentence. Friend? Was the Beast a friend? Was he with Auntie; was he part of some form of Black Ops Guard she wasn’t made aware of? She didn’t know. “Associate, I think that’s the right word.” The princess stated. “After he dealt with that… whatever it was, he headed out.”

“Is that so?” Shining Armor asked curiously. “Did he ever come back?”

“He came back before sunrise.” Cadence confessed. “I don’t know where he is now though.” The mare admitted with an awkward look. “And I think we have other matters to worry about for a while.” Shining Armor felt confusion cross his face.

“Why, what's wrong?” He started slipping into his “Captain” persona as he got ready to stand at attention.

“Don’t worry it’s nothing to bad just, well Auntie came back a while ago, and~ she might have had a small heart attack when she saw the damage that creature caused to the castle.” Shining Armor twitched before rubbing his head.

“Oh…”

“Yeah.” Cadence nodded her head. “The cleaning staff is still trying to clean up the mess it made. There’s this strange… growth it left behind all over the place and we seem to have some issues cleaning it away, plus nopony wants to really go near it.” She shivered. “It feels… vile, like-”

“Rage.” Cadence nodded her head as she looked at Shining Armor. “I know, me and the guards felt the same thing when we got near it.” The stallion crossed his hands in thought. “I never knew such… raw malice could even exist in the world. Not only that it felt - no I think it is alive.” The stallion confessed. “Just what is that stuff?”

“I don’t know.” Cadence paused as she started to think for a moment. “But we’ll have to figure that out later I’m afraid.” The mare stated. “Auntie doesn’t want another one of those “creatures” popping up.” Cadence shook her head, changing the topic as she looked at her coltfriend. “Disregarding that though, we have another new face around the Castle now.” Cadence stated with a reformed smile. “It appears Auntie has a sister who’s just returned from being away for a time.” Shining Armor just blinked confusion on his face as he stared at the mare.

“Princess Celestia has a sister?”

“Yes, Princess Luna of Equestria.”Cadence actually rolled her eyes for a moment at the confusion.

“Yes, you remember the legend right, of… well Nightmare Moon?”

“Yeah it's something my parents used to tell me when I was a foal.” The stallion paused as he started thinking back. “The legend goes that in the beginning of Equestria’s era, there were two sisters, one Celestia who raised the sun and the other Lu…” Shining Armor turned to look at his princess and marefriend. “Na.” He went silent. “”Luna… as in the mare who’s jealousy led to her corruption as Nightmare Moon; That Luna is back?” The stallion got a nod. “Oh dear.”

“It’s not as bad as you think. I don’t know how, but she’s been purified of her corruption. She’s just… Luna now, no more Nightmare.”

“Oh thank Equestria.” Shining Armor whispered as he started to relax. “So that means we have four royals now.” He muttered as he started to frown. “You don’t like Blueblood do you?”

“Oh I hope not.” Cadence giggled. “Two Blueblood’s running around, that’s something I don’t think I can handle.”The two shared a laugh as they enjoyed each other’s company. “So, the Nurse said you’ll have to take a few days off to recover from your injuries.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“It means less work and more time to spend with each other.” Cadence clarified as Shining Armor continued to smile. Cadence reached over the bed, letting her hands rest on her coltfriend’s as she leaned on the bed. “We haven’t had a lot of time to spend together lately.”

“I’m sorry.” Shining Armor whispered. “I wanted to make it up to you yesterday, but things seemed to have spiralled out of control.”

“I know, thank you for trying though.” Cadence pecked her coltfriend on the cheek before she began to nuzzle him. “You tried, and that’s all that matters in the end.” She fell silent as she enjoyed her counterpart’s warmth.

“I love you.”

“I know.” Cadence responded.” I love you too.” She yawned for a moment, pulling back as Shining Armor looked at her.

“You should get some rest.” Her stallion stated. “You look like you could use a rest.”

“I know, just…” She went back to leaning on her counterpart. “Give me a minute.”

“Sure.” That minute lasted longer than it should have, but neither cared. They enjoyed every second of the *minute* they had together.

Sitting up the Beast just narrowed his eyes before sniffing the air. Then just as quickly as his eyes narrowed they returned to normal, and his head dropped again. He sensed something, something he was familiar within the distance. Love. He sensed love coming from somewhere in this castle. A shade he hadn't felt in a long time. What did they call it? Camaraderie? Yes, he was sure that was the word was. Mutual love and trust among those who spent a lot of time together. He frowned at that though.

He had not felt that *Love* since he and his battle brothers dived into the breathing bowels of the Sea of Screams. That was back during the 3rd Millennium. When the Traitorous Legions were born, long before he was blessed/cursed by the Ruinous Gods.

Remembering those days he simply breathed, a light smile across his face as he remembered those glorious days. Brothers, he had not seen his brothers in so very long, and he wondered what had happened to them. Did they fall; yes, of course they fell, and he remembered their finest hour. They fell swinging, breaking so many bones, toppling countless temples. They fell long after their weapons shattered and their armor strained itself to hold onto their wearers.

He had no doubt that even after their death, they were still fighting, in spirit they continued to rage against the Decrepit Gods as vengeful spirits.

“As you hold back the Black Tide." He begins. "As you are blistered by the fires of Armageddon, and feel the claws of Death coil around you. Should the Old Gods try to take you." He pauses as he thinks back to old days and old battles. "May you stand ever vigil. May your spirits never waver, may your flesh never tire." He closed his eyes. "Rip and tear, until it is done." He recited before closing his eyes. He made a noise, choosing to rest. "I have not recited those words in forever."

The Morning Follows

Where… where am I?

Everything’s so dark…

Where’s the light?

What… What is that sound?

Crying. That was the sound of crying. Cadence realized as her eyes started to flutter open. Al Aaround her she saw fillies and foals, every last one of them crying out into the world and she found herself crying out with them. Why where they crying? Better question, why was no one trying to stop them from crying? Where were their parents? Where were their mothers comforting embrace? Where were their fathers warm presence?

Why were these infants left alone? Her gaze shifts from size to side, her attention turning from one collection of infants to the next.

That was before her attention turned to the sight of stallions and mares walking into the room. They couldn’t have been the parents, no, their eyes were to cold, too calculated. They lifted infants and seemed to check them over in the same way that one might examine a jewel. They said few things before collecting a few and sending them off. They checked her over, and cared little for her frantic thrashing in the wind.

She was grateful that they put her down…

She was grateful that they didn’t take her away from her brood.

Cadence woke with what felt a bit like a start. Her heart was pounding in her ears as she stared at her ceiling. “What was that?” She asked, sitting up and pressed a hand against her forehead. “A dream?”

No that couldn’t be a dream… it felt to real to be a dream.

“What was it then?” She didn’t know. She wasn’t even sure she wanted to know. Regardless the mare leaned back in bed, her hand brushing against something as she looked to the side. Her gaze found Shining Armor still sleeping next to her.

She smiled at his sleeping face, and poked his cheek before caressing it.

He looked so peaceful when he was sleeping.

‘I should wake him up soon.’ She really should, he had a job to do after all, And he couldn’t set a bad example for the guards under him by being late. “He looks so adorable when he’s sleeping though…” She muttered as she leaned down and kissed his cheek. “Shing, it’s time to wake up love.” The mare whispers but her boyfriend doesn’t budge. “If you don’t I’m going to have to resort to more drastic measures~” She giggled as she continued kissing his cheek before working her way down. She adjusted herself, putting her legs next to his head and let her naked folds rest above him as her face disappeared under the sheets as her lips wrapped around his shaft.

Beast as he was called snapped awake, his hand lashing out as he grabbed hold of someone’s throat and hoisted them up into the air. The noise he heard was something along the lines of an uncharacteristic ‘eep’ and a panicked yelp. He glanced to the side, his attention focusing on the mare that was now in his grip and how utterly and kicking frantically as she tried getting her feet back on the ground.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” The mare squeaked as her legs fell limp and she just sort of hung in the air like a suspended banner or something along those lines. The Beast looked her over, realizing that she wasn’t a threat and chose to just put her down without a word. He released her, giving her a look as gasped for air.

Seems he grabbed her a bit to tight, he could see his fingers had already left indents on her fur.

‘Why did I enjoy that?’ The mare flourished as she looked up at him and seemed to just stare for a moment. “I uh… wow your taller than I’d thought you’d be.” She muttered before shaking her head. “I uh… I um…Cleaning - yes.” She stated gesturing to the feather duster in her hand. “I have to clean here so um.” The Beast just nodded before walking away, leaving her to handle the spot that he had occupied not that long ago.

Walking through the halls of Canterlot, the ghost of a lost age just made a noise as he looked around. ‘Where the hell am I going?’

Luna woke up feeling better than she had in a long time. Pulling herself from bed and yawning as she did, the mare just glanced around, the haze in her mind still lingering as she tried making sense of where she was. Her sisters room… that was easy to recognize. Celestia had a certain taste in aesthetics, and Luna had her own. Still, as it stood Luna didn’t have one for herself that didn’t really surprise her. The mare had been nothing but a fairytale for the past 1000 years after all. She needed time to have her personal chambers put together, till then she’d be allowed to rest her head in her sister’s chambers.

And she couldn’t really find a reason to complain either.

As fillies she and Celestia used to sleep together all the time. She found nothing strange about doing so now. Still, now that she was awake she had best start her day. Not that she had a real reason to, it wasn’t like she had any duties to perform right now.

“Still, it would be wise to see what has changed since my absence.”

“Well getting acquainted with Canterlot would be a good start.” Looking at her elder sister, Luna found Celestia was still in bed, not really sleeping but just lazing about.

"Still in bed, I see." Luna sounded humored. "Don't you rise with the sun?"

"Don't you rise with the moon?"

"Don't you have a ponydom to rule over?" Celestia gave this shrug that might seem unbecoming of a Princess.

"Equestria can survive a day without my guidance." She stated as Luna felt her cuddle up to her. "All I do is sit on a throne anyway."

"So you'd rather just laze around in bed, I take it." Luna whispered, humor crossing her lips. "when did you become so lazy, dear sister?"

"You were always the busy body." Celestia admitted. "You couldn't stand still for anything, you always had to be doing something."

"Ah yes, I liked to move about and you liked to have your nose buried between the pages of a book." Celestia smiled at the words as she nuzzled up to her younger sister.

"I missed you Luna." She said after a while. "I really did."

"I know." Luna countered as she laid in bed with her sister and just stared off into space. After a minute she got up and pulled herself out of bed.

"Leaving?"

"The washroom calls to me." Luna admitted. "Where-" Celestia just pointed to a door at one of the ends of her quarters. "Ah yes, personal washrooms. Thank you." With what grace she could muster Luna hurried off towards the washroom as her sister watched her leave before returning her attention to the ceiling.

It truly was nice to have her younger sister back. When she had been forced to banish her sister so many moons ago it felt like a part of left as well; and having her back it felt as though that piece had returned as well.

Celestia smiled. "We should do something to celebrate." She told herself. "If not celebrate that we should at least do something together. " She wasn't wrong. "What though?" She asked no one in particular. "Luna does want to see how much Equestria has changed." She made a noise. "Well a walk around Canterlot would be good. I can show her around, take her to a few places she might like." She made another noise. Yes that would be nice, just a walk around Canterlot, just the two of them… and the royal guard. They were royalty, they couldn't go anywhere without the guard present…

Regardless she seemed to have an idea of what they could do for Luna's first day back. She'd run it by her to see what she thought and then they'd just move on from there.

He swore to the Goddess, one of these days Cadence was going to suck him dry. If she didn’t then she sure as Tartrus was going to break his pelvis.

Not that he’d mind either way.

“We all gotta go someway, and if that’s how I gotta go, I’m not going to complain.” Shining Armor muttered as he walked on in this sort of daze, his face trying in vain to keep that stupid grin off his face.

A grin that a lot of ponies understood.

He didn’t really pay attention to the few whispers that were breaking though the silence.

Most of them along the lines of either ‘somepony got lucky last night’. and ‘lucky bastard’.

Yes… he really was lucky. Dating one of the most beautiful mares in Equestria, not to mention a princess of Equestria. Yeah he counted himself considerably lucky.

Smiling, the stallion just continued walking as he made his rounds.

Despite what had happened not even a whole day ago, Equestria seemed to be at peace. He was happy about that fact, however that still didn’t mean that ever was going back to normal. In one night the lost princess of Equestria had returned and then the royal garden had been ruined.

The princess was obviously the more important matter but still… he found himself worrying more about the garden. Yes, whatever caused the issue was apparently taken care of, but he was more worried about the ‘growth’ that had been left behind.

“I’ve never felt something so vile in my life.” He grumbled his smile having long faded as he crossed his arms. “Exactly what was it that caused it? The stallion muttered as he felt himself bumping into somepony and snapped out of his thoughts. “Oh sorry about that.” The stallion muttered as he looked head, first looking down as he expected somepony to be smaller than him, but the next moment he looked up, his attention turning to face a stallion in strange armor staring down at him. ‘Holy shit…’ The stallion thought. ‘He tall.’ The stallion added before seeming to think. “You must be Beast.”