Diablo III: Fall of Equestria

When Starlight returned to the room, she found Sunset snoring quietly on her bed. All of the lights were turned off except for a small wall light next to Starlight’s bed. She winced and immediately felt guilty when she saw the hastily repaired hole in the wall. Starlight made a mental note to fix it better before going to work. She looked around the room. Nothing appeared out of place, but a chill rolled down her spine. She felt like she was being watched. Did Nyx somehow make it back before she did? Starlight found this unlikely. Once again, her eyes gazed over the room, trying to see the shadows hidden in the dark. A light hissing laughter made Starlight jump and she clamped her hooves over her mouth to keep from screaming. “You ponies are so amusing,” Onyxia giggled.

“What are you doing here?” Starlight hissed after her heart climbed down out of her throat. “Won’t you get in trouble?”

“Not necessarily,” Onyxia said. “You and Sunset are guests to the Crystal Empire and it is my duty to keep an eye on you.”

Starlight narrowed her eyes. “So you’re spying on us then. Who are you reporting to, King Sombra or Princess Luna?”

Onyxia’s eyes became hard and her smile turned predatory. “We have no love toward the False Shadow, and the Mistress would be saddened to hear your accusations.”

Starlight rubbed her face and sighed. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’ve had a long day.”

“So I have heard,” Onyxia said.

Starlight sat on the bed and stared at the bat-pony. Her coat and mane color blended perfectly with the shadows. What little light there was in the room danced hypnotically in Onyxia’s golden eyes. She sat at the table, completely stone still like a castle gargoyle.

“You have questions,” Onyxia stated.

“A few,” Starlight admitted.

“About our mission, or about bat-poinies?” Onyxia purred.

“Both actually,” Starlight said. “Do all bat-ponies work for Princess Luna?”

Onyxia shook her head. “Most do, but a small number prefer to keep their independence. However, all bat-ponies have sworn to protect the Mistress and come to her aid when called.”

“Wow,” Starlight said. “Sounds kind of cultish if you ask me.”

“Says the unicorn who convinced and entire town to give up their Cutie Marks and individuality, in the name of equality for all,” Onyxia countered.

“Okay, you got me there,” Starlight admitted. “Where do bat-ponies come from? There isn’t much written about you.”

“Silly mare,” Onyxia chuckled. “You see, when a mother bat-pony loves a father bat-pony very much-“

“Okay! I get it. Never mind,” Starlight hurriedly interrupted.

“The first bat-ponies were created by the Mistress,” Onyxia explained. “Back in the early days of Equestria, a large majority of the ponies looked up to and swore fealty to the Sun Princess. However, a very small number chose to follow the Mistress. She took us in, trained us, and used her magic to remake us in her image to better serve her.” Starlight wasn’t sure if Onyxia was blushing, or if it was just a trick of the light. “Those who follow the Mistress are few in number, and as such, she loves us all fiercely.”

Starlight leaned back and digested Onyxia’s words. It was well documented that during the early years of Luna’s banishment, various cults dedicated to worshiping either the moon or Luna herself appeared across Equestria. Some were more…fanatical…than others. Unfortunately, some even attempted to assassinate Princess Celestia. By the time Luna returned, moon worship had all but died out. “What happened during Luna’s banishment and the whole Nightmare Moon thing?” Starlight asked.

Onyxia’s face fell. “There are none who remain from that time, except the Mistress herself, and she is loath to talk about it. Through the lore that is passed down, we are taught that the Mistress’s chosen fought by her side, despite any misgivings there might have been. It was a time of great sorrow, but an oath sworn is an oath upheld.” Onyxia sighed and gathered her thoughts. “After the Mistress was banished, the Sun Princess, in her great foresight, offered pardons to those who survived. As you would expect, this was not a popular decision. For a time, we were hunted down and killed in a misguided attempt at justice and retribution. Those who survived this purge settled away from Equestria and large population centers. We survived in the shadows, waiting for the day the Mistress would return.”

“Wow,” Starlight said. “Whole villages of bat-ponies?” Onyxia nodded. “But how have you maintained your populations? I hate to ask, but wouldn’t inbreeding be a problem without enough diversity in the gene pool?”

Onyxia hissed softly. “My sensibilities are not so easily upset, little unicorn. There were those who worried about such things in the beginning, but it is not a problem now.”

“How so?” Starlight asked, adjusting her position on the bed.

‘You see, back then there were normal ponies who sympathized with our plight. It was not uncommon for normal stallions and mares to be accepted into the bat-pony tribes. The Mistress also had the foresight to ensure that as long as one of the parents was a bat-pony, the offspring would be born as such.”

Starlight’s eyes went wide. “That is quite terrifying,” she said.

“Indeed,” Onyxia agreed. “Whether by accident or design, bat-ponies could breed out the other pony species within a few generations, if we chose to do so.”

The implications boggled Starlight’s mind. Looking at it from pure logic, it made sense on Nightmare Moon’s part. If her goal was to cover Equestria in eternal darkness, it made sense to have ponies that could thrive in that environment. Starlight suppressed a shudder.

“On to more important things,” Onyxia said, changing the subject, “as I have already discussed with Sunset Shimmer.”

“Oh. Okay then,” Starlight said, moving to the edge of the bed.

“As I have said before, Sombra returned a little over a month ago. His return and rise to the throne was swift and bloody. In one night, Sombra took control of the castle. Within a week, the storm set in, and in the time since it is as you have seen.”

Starlight gasped in shock. “How did this happen, and so quick?”

Onyxia sighed and gave a shrug. “Sombra was very thorough in his conquest. He used his Dark Magic to take control of the guard ponies first, then moved on the castle. I was not here when it happened, however I was able to learn from sources that Sombra had help, in addition to the guards under his control.”

“What kind of help? Changelings? Gryphons?” Starlight asked, but Onyxia shook her head. “The Changling hive has been dealing with problems of its own, and the Gryphons have not moved from Gryphonstone.”

Starlight sat back and thought to herself. “Dragons or Diamond Dogs perhaps?”

Onyxia’s eyes glowed like molten gold in the dark. “I think you know,” she said softly.

Starlight looked to Onyxia and frowned. What was she missing? Onyxia made it sound like it was painfully obvious. Obvious how? She looked up and saw the sympathetic look Onyxia was giving her. And then it hit her. Starlight’s body deflated like she had been punched in the gut. But how? Why?

The anxiety started to build, and Starlight’s breath became short. Panic began to overwhelm her mind. Starlight frantically looked around the room. The darkness was closing in. She was suffocating. The whispers grew louder. Icy fingers slowly gripped her heart and began to squeeze. Starlight’s heart jumped to her throat and she wanted to vomit. I have to get away I have to get away…

“Starlight Glimmer,” Onyxia’s smooth voice broke through Starlight’s mind. “Starlight Glimmer. Look into my eyes. Listen to the sound of my voice.”

Starlight felt compelled to listen to Onyxia’s voice. Warmth slowly crept into her shaking body. “Starlight Glimmer. Breathe in. Hold it. Let it out slowly. Breathe in. Hold. Out,” Onyxia intoned and demonstrated. Starlight’s shaky breathing slowly steadied. Onyxia slowly leaned forward, bringing her face into the light. “Listen to me, Starlight Glimmer. This is a safe place. You are safe. The bed is safe. The room is safe. Starlight Glimmer is a talented and much-loved friend. Ponies trust you. Ponies love you.”

Starlight closed her eyes and focused on the luxurious sound of Onyxia’s voice. “I am safe. I am loved,” she repeated while concentrating on her breathing.

“Yes Starlight Glimmer. This is real. You are real. The bed is real. Feel the softness of the blanket. This table is real. See the simple, yet sturdy wood. I am real. Listen to the sound of my voice,” Onyxia said.

Starlight did as instructed. She touched the blanket with her hoof, and traced the patterns of the weave. She looked to the table. Onyxia was right. It was a simple, solid wooden table. She listened to the sound of Onyxia’s voice. It was easy to listen to, the kind you could sit and admire for hours.

During all this, Starlight found her heart rate slowed and her breathing returned to normal. She opened her eyes and found Onyxia staring at her. “Better?” she asked.

“Yes,” Starlight replied and let out a long breath. “What did you do? Hypnosis?”

Onyxia chuckled. “Not quite. During the onset of a panic or anxiety attack, ideally find five things that you can associate with one of the five senses. Something to touch, something to see, taste, hear, smell. Even one thing to do all five. The idea is to find something real you can focus on to help ground yourself.”

Starlight thought about it for a while. “You are a pony of many talents.”

Onyxia chuckled. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”

Starlight nodded and closed her eyes. She was real. This was real. She could do this. “Back to what we were talking about earlier. How did Sombra get-“ she took a moment to clear her throat and center her thoughts. “-demons, to help him overthrow the Crystal Empire? Where did they come from? Where are they now?”

Onyxia shook her head. “I am sorry, but I do not have those answers for you right now. You and Sunset will have to keep your eyes and ears open.”

“And the Royal Family? What of them?” Starlight asked.

“Not much more I am afraid,” Onyxia admitted. “The family was captured when Sombra took over. Shining Armor is in the dungeon. Princess Cadance and Flurry Heart have not been seen in some time. I imagine they are in the castle somewhere.”

“So how do we get in the castle?” Starlight asked.

Onyxia grinned and her fangs showed in the light. “I admire your enthusiasm, but I believe that particular task is better suited to one with a ‘particular set of skills’ as she put it.”

“Oh. Nyx,” Starlight replied and made a face. “You’ve met her then?”

“Only briefly,” Onyxia said. “I like her. I can see why the Mistress trusts her.”

Starlight frowned and kept her thoughts to herself. She yawned and realized how tired she was. “I hate to be rude, but I need to sleep.”

“Of course,” Onyxia said and slipped out of the chair with practiced ease. “I will be in touch. May the Mistress grant you peaceful dreams.”

Starlight didn’t even hear Onyxia leave. She lay back, pulled the covers up and closed her eyes. Starlight hoped she would fall asleep quickly. If yesterday was any indication, her immediate future would be filled with long, tiring days. After some time, Starlight fell asleep. Fortunately, the nightmares did not come.