Cantervania: Symphony of the Nightmare

“Tempest Shadow!” cried Twilight as she shook the dark mare. The sleeping pony’s cries echoed throughout the small room, and her legs kicked out as if she was running from something, or someone. Her mouth whimpered and quivered as she quietly spoke.

“Pa...”

With another shove, Twilight began to despair as she feared her friend was caught in a nightmare most terrible. “Tempest please wake up!”

As she rocked, Tempest’s eyes snapped open. She quickly jumped up and whipped her head around, looking but not seeing the room around her. Her eyes were wild and scared, something which terrified the filly that woke her.

“Easy, Tempest... It’s me, Twilight... Remember?” Twilight slowly said and raised her hooves carefully and gestured around the room. “You’re okay... You’re safe.”

The familiar walls and smell of dusty old books calmed Tempest’s nerves, and she slowly regained her composure and smoothed her mane down. She quickly turned and wiped her eyes, trying not to let the purple mare see.

Twilight carefully stretched out a hoof. “Tempest, are you-” she started.

“I’m fine,” Tempest snapped back, and batted her hoof away. “We’ve wasted too much time here. We should keep moving.” Her voice, although angry and cold, was wrought with sorrow and bitterness. “This was a mistake.”

The young mare looked on sadly as Tempest began to pace back and forth, muttering and swearing to herself. She bit her lip as she internally debated whether or not to ask her about her nightmare. As Tempest grew increasingly frantic in a matter of seconds, she swallowed hard and quietly spoke up.

“You were talking in your sleep...”

Tempest froze. Her ears laid back against her skull and she took a deep breath. She seemed to tremble, with fear, anger or sadness, her young friend couldn’t tell.

“What happened, Tempest?” Twilight asked slowly. “You can tell me. Maybe I can understand. Your pa-”

The Shadow rounded on her and hissed between her teeth. Her eyes blazed in anger. “You can never understand, Twilight Sparkle. You’ve never lost anyone, you’ve never seen half the things I’ve seen, or done.” She sneered viciously. “You should go back to Ponyville and find your precious friends.”

Twilight slapped her across the face, leaving a dark red mark on her cheek and stunning her for a moment.

“That’s enough, Tempest!”

Her voice wavered as Tempest scowled and opened her mouth to retort.

Twilight cut her off quickly. “I understand that you’ve been alone for a long time, but you seem to forget I sent my friends away to an unknown world, my brother was in Canterlot when Nightmare Moon attacked and I haven’t heard from him since!” She blinked as tears stung at her eyes. The Shadow’s words cut her deeper than she realised as memories of her friends, her brother, her parents, all came flooding back to her in that instant.

“And I don’t even know where my parents are or if they’re dead or not. So don’t you dare tell me I don’t know what it’s like to... To...”

She broke down and began to sob quietly. Her haunches slunk to the ground as she struggled with her emotions.

Tempest looked at her, shocked. She felt a deep sense of shame twist in her chest. “How could you be so blind, Tempest?” she thought as pity wrenched her gut, like a hot knife thrust into her, twisting and turning. Her mouth opened and closed several times as she fought for the right words.

“Sparkle... Twilight I’m-”

“Forget it, Tempest,” Twilight snapped and rubbed her eyes. She slowly rose and turned away. “Lets find Luna and see if we can-”

Tempest reached out and placed a hoof on the filly’s shoulder. They shared a look, of regret and sadness, and forgiveness and bitterness. A few minutes of silence passed as they gazed into each other’s eyes.

“I’m... Sorry,” the Shadow mumbled and removed her hoof. “I’ve never...” She grimaced and struggled for words. “It’s... Difficult for me to explain.” Her eyes regarded the purple mare sadly. “I’m sorry... You’re a braver pony than most, Twilight Sparkle.”

Her words caused twilight’s heart to swell, and she seized her chance to extend a hoof in friendship. “We’re friends, Tempest, friends listen to each other.” She gave a warm smile. “I’ll be here if you want to talk. I’ll listen to you.”

Tempest blushed and waved her hoof away, feeling her heart melt at the pony’s words. “Don’t get all mushy on me now, Sparkle, we still have to save Equestria first.” She grinned and gave Twilight a light punch, who winced in pain and gave her--a very weak in comparison--punch back.

“We should find Luna, still,” Twilight said, noticing the alicorn’s absence. “I hope she doesn’t feel left out at all...”

Tempest nodded. “Sure I suppose.” Her mouth twitched slightly. “Remember what happened last time she-” She covered her mouth as if part of a conspiracy. “Felt left out?”

Twilight snorted in laughter and gave her a light shove. “Tempest! You’re terrible!”

They laughed together as they set off looking for the alicorn. Twilight gasped as she saw the endless and countless books once again.

“I’d forgotten just how many there are...”

“You’d forget your own horn sometimes if you let yourself get caught up in your books,” Tempest chortled as she strode onwards. “Come on, Luna must be around here somewhere.”

Twilight blushed and mumbled to herself as she trotted after her friend. “I wouldn’t go that far... Well... Maybe.”

***

Luna poured over some books as she absorbed ancient knowledge, lost to the annals of time itself.

Her ear twitched as she heard her companions calling for her. She sighed and placed the book amongst the shelves once again and hoisted a small collection of books she had gathered in the air with her magic.

She spread her wings and rose into the air, spotting her companions nearby and gracefully lowered herself to them. Her face betrayed no emotion as she greeted hem and bowed deeply. “Twilight Sparkle. Tempest Shadow. I trust you slept well?” Her eyes glinted mischievously. “No bad dreams I hope?”

Tempest glared and grunted at her. “We slept fine, not that its any of your business.”

Twilight held her head in her hoof once again and offered the Princess an apology. “Ignore her, Luna, she’s just crankier than usual.” She smiled weakly as the Princess looked on, unamused. She jabbed the Shadow in her ribs and gestured to apologise.

The Shadow sighed and rolled her eyes. “Fine. Sorry, Luna--Princess.” She looked at the pile of books next to Luna, still aglow with her indigo magic and raised her eyebrows. “What were you doing with all of them?”

The Princess scowled. “I was busy researching spells on how to defeat our enemy, I’ll have you know,” she snapped and set the books down. “Or have you forgotten that is why we came here in the first place?”

Tempest raised a hoof defensively and gritted her teeth. “Alright, easy, Princess. Have you learned anything?” she asked, seemingly genuine as she inspected the old textbooks.

Luna paused, the Shadow’s former arrogance and lack of temper seemingly vanished catching her off guard. “I... Yes, actually.” One of the books in her magical grasp slid forwards. The symbol of the two sisters emblazoned on the front, Twilight tilted her head as she recognised it.

“That’s the same book I had in Canterlot, and Ponyville.”

Luna nodded. “Indeed, it is a common enough book these days, but I suspect it was a historical artefact when placed here in this archive.” She waved a hoof around the room.

Tempest snorted. “So you found ancient history in an ancient library, who would have guessed.” She shook her head and made to move on. Luna rolled her eyes and glared at her.

“And if you read ancient books in ancient libraries, then you might learn a thing or two.” The Princess opened the book and pointed at the page. “The only way Celestia defeated Nightmare Moon in the past was with the Elements of Harmony-”

“Yes, yes we’ve all heard the stories, and how the Elements were shattered, never to be used again. That’s old news, the Elements are kept in Canterlot, simply broken relics now. What does that have to do with anything?”

Twilight bit her lip as Luna glared at the Shadow. “And,” she continued, “That forced Nightmare Moon’s soul--my soul--in two. I know what I have to do, but I have to be close enough to her for it to work.”

Tempest blinked at her in confusion. “Care to explain?”

The young unicorn gasped a she understood. “You mean you have to...”

Luna nodded solemnly.

Tempest flicked her eyes between them and tapped a hoof in impatience. “Well?”

The princess turned to her and looked her in the eye. “I must commune with Nightmare Moon herself. I must try and convince her that we should become one--whole again.”

After a few seconds of silence, the Shadow burst into laughter, at which Luna glared. “What, you want to waltz up to the Queen of Evil and just ask her nicely to merge your consciousnesses back together? I never took you for a joker, Princess.” She doubled over in laughter, clutching at her breastplate and wiped a tear from her eye.

“I wasn’t joking, Shadow,” Luna growled.

Twilight scratched her head. “Sorry, Princess, it does sound a bit... Difficult,” she mumbled as the Princess’s gaze rested on her. “I mean... Not that it’s a bad plan or anything, it’s not like we have any other ideas.” She chuckled nervously as the alicorn’s gaze intensified on her. “How would we get you that close to her?”

Luna held another book out in front of her and floated it towards the youngest of the three. “I believe there is something in this book that should help.”

Twilight squinted as she read the dusty cover. “A Compendium of Advanced Magic, by-” She gasped. “Star Swirl the Bearded?!”

The Princess nodded. “I understand you were at the top of Celestia’s classes in magic?”

Twilight nodded vigorously, almost drooling as she snatched the book in her magic and gazed through the forgotten pages.

Tempest narrowed her eyes. “How would you know that?”

Luna batted her eyelashes and smiled coyly. “Call it a hunch,” she said, almost imitating the Shadow perfectly.

The Shadow scowled and snorted.

Twilight gasped as she read the ancient book. “There’s a teleportation spell here!” she cried in excitement as her eyes rapidly scanned the pages.

The Princess nodded. “Indeed, I believe Star Swirl wrote the most powerful spells he discovered down in this very journal. My friends,” she reached her hooves out tot them. “I believe we can use this spell to transport ourselves straight to Canterlot in a matter of mere seconds instead of days.”

Twilight clapped her hooves and praised he princess for her quick thinking, while Tempest rested against a shelf and thought about the princess’s words. “I... That may actually work. Not bad, Princess.”

She clapped the alicorn on the back and smiled. Finally they had a plan of attack, and a mad scheme like that might actually work.

Their joy was abruptly cut short, however, as a loud crash rang throughout the library. The trio slowly turned their heads towards the door they had entered through. It shook on it’s hinges, and another crash was heard.

“Shadow, was there another entrance you didn’t know about into this place?” Luna quietly asked, fixing her gaze on the door as the walls shook and dust rose into the air.

Tempest shook her head slowly. “We found that door by accident, if there’s another way in I don’t know it.”

“I fear it may be too late to search for another.”

Another loud crash sounded as door buckled and shook. Several howls and dark chanting reached their ears, and a foul stench assaulted their nostrils.

“Ugh what’s that smell?” Twilight asked and covered her nose.

Tempest stretched her legs and sneered. “Satyrs. Probably worse.”

Twilight’s lip trembled and her stomach performed somersaults as the smell intensified. “What are satyrs?” she quietly asked as they backed up.

The Shadow shook her head and began to stretch. “Wretched creatures. Twisted forms of creatures fused together using an ancient and forgotten magic.” Her eyes darkened. “Grogar’s magic.”

Luna’s nostrils flared as she stretched her regal form and flexed her back legs. Her horn silently ignited with a magical glow and she tapped her hooves on the ground. She craned her neck backwards to give her wings a quick and careful preen.

The young unicorn shivered and tilted her head, craning to get a look at the door as it shook. “I thought Grogar was supposed to be an old mares tale, older than Nightmare Moon?”

“He is.”

“Then...” Twilight gulped. “How can this be him?”

Tempest sighed in frustration. “Because, Sparkle, some creatures are older than Equestria itself. Grogar was no exception, my mentor told me his magic was a long hunted source of monsters in lands west of Equestria, and they hunted the old goat for years but never found him.” Another rumble and crash shook more books off of their shelves. “I guess he found us instead. Luna, are you ready?” She grimaced and turned to the alicorn.

The Princess nodded. “I am.” She swiped her horn through the air

As if to punctuate her words, a loud rumble and a heavy crash sounded as the door was smashed off of it’s hinges. The lights above flickered as the mountain itself shook.

Twilight’s eyes widened as she saw several foul smelling creatures slowly creep through the dust and the rubble. Large bipeds, with great curved and twisted horns, cloven hooves drenched in blood and bodies caked in filth. Her stomach churned as the smell overpowered her nostrils, and her cheeks puffed outwards as she fought to keep from vomiting.

Tempest herself grimaced, and even Luna held her muzzle for a moment.

“They cake themselves in shit to unsettle their opponents. Don’t let it distract you,” the Shadow muttered and hacked a gob of spit at the creatures. “Imagine fields of nice smelling flowers. That’s what my mentor told me.”

“Some of them look like ponies...” Twilight mumbled and pointed.

A few satyrs walked on all fours, their heads once clearly ponies, now twisted and bent beyond all recognition. Twilight gasped as she saw the tarnished armour of the royal Canterlot Guard. Luna grabbed her quickly and held her back, shaking her head. “They are no longer their former selves, Twilight Sparkle. You must remember that.”

The Princess looked at them sadly as they cried pitiful mewlings. “Killing them now would be a kindness.”

Twilight gulped and nodded, covering her mouth as the creatures advanced. One of the bipedal beasts cracked a vicious looking whip and shoved one of the pony hybrids forwards. The wretch’s mouth frothed as it began to charge, head lowered, horns pointed upwards, in a shambling gait.

Tempest fired a lightning blast at it, the sheer intensity of magic and weakened state of the poor wretch caused it to incinerate into dust almost immediately.

Twilight remained horrified and stepped back as Luna joined the Shadow in the defence. Magic flew through the air, the trio worked silently as the mournful cries of poor wretches rose up against them. Hybrid after hybrid fell amongst their kin, and soon only the biped satyrs remained. They bellowed loudly and brandished cruel looking weapons; jagged swords and knives, long poles with hooks on the end, barbed whips that dripped with fresh blood, and began their attack.

The Shadow and the Princess held the line again while Twilight looked on in horror and sadness. Flashes of magic lit up the darkened room and created long shadows on the walls around them. As the satyr with the whip pointed at Twilight it mumbled something and licked it’s lips, a shiver was sent down the unicorn’s spine before the creature exploded with magic.

As the dust settled, they heard the thundering sound of hooves approach from the cave entrance.

Tempest turned to her companions. “We need to move, it’s not safe here.” She looked at twilight curiously. “It would seem they know something about you, Sparkle.” She glanced around the walls. Rows upon rows of bookshelves lined the library, defending a position here would not be ideal. She grimaced as she turned her attention back to the door.

“Agreed,” Luna replied and nodded. She looked at Twilight. “You must be strong, Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight nodded glumly. “I will be, they’re just so...” She looked at the corpses of the pony satyrs, used as mere cannon fodder. Meat shields. “Horrific.”

“As I said, killing them now is a mercy.” The Princess sneered as more red eyes approached hem from the dark, and guttural cries once again rose up from the smashed entrance. She glanced at Tempest, who steadied herself. “Do you still have that spellbook, Twilight?”

Twilight’s ear twitched as she looked down at Star Swirl’s spellbook, having completely forgotten about it until now. “Oh yes, of course!” She looked at the Princess and mumbled an apology.

“We cannot hold them forever, you must get that spell working, Twilight.”

The young unicorn felt panic creep up on her as she suddenly realised their entire plan now rested on her. She took a deep breath and nodded solemnly.

Tempest rounded on her. “I hope you’re as good as magic as being Celestia’s top student would imply. We can hold them off for you while you ready the spell.” She shared a nod with the Princess as a mass of shadow grew behind the satyrs, who stopped and began to beat their chests and bellow loudly, chanting almost.

A chorus of crows calls rose up behind the beasts, and they parted to reveal their leader. The Shadow’s face dropped as she saw a pony stride forth, blacker than Nightmare Moon herself if that was possible, surrounded by spectral crows.

Two large, feathery wings stretched out behind the mysterious pony, and it’s head was encased in what appeared to be a large bird skull. Sharp, nasty looking talons grew where it’s hooves should be, and none of them could see it’s eyes on it’s cursed head but felt it’s cold gaze all the same.

“Crow Demon...” The Shadow murmured. “Stay behind us, Twilight.”

The satyrs mouths frothed as they bellowed and chanted as the demon held a claw up, and pointed at the small unicorn. A whisper filled their heads, unintelligible but it’s intent was clear:

They wanted Twilight Sparkle.

The young mare felt the reassuring wing of the Princess on her back, and glanced at her companion. Luna looked onwards at the demon, her face twisted into a snarl.

The satyrs parted as the demon shook it’s head and raised it’s talon higher, as if it was signalling for something, or someone. Several satyrs disappeared behind it, and a chattering of shrieks and howls rose up as they clambered back through the rubble, heavy chains in their hands tugged on something big. The ground shook and the walls rumbled as a great beast lumbered forth, heavy chains around it’s neck and gold bangles on it’s twisted horns.

A giant, red, goat-like eye swivelled and observed it’s surroundings, focusing on the trio who stood opposite it. It roared in anger, and a horrific stench crept past it’s jagged and rotten teeth as it shook it’s filthy head, causing the ornaments on it’s horns and chains to rattle and jingle. It’s claws flexed and it’s cloven hooves shook the earth with each step.

“Cyclops,” Tempest muttered.

The crow demon hissed as a murder of spectral crows surrounded it. It vanished, and they spun around to see it materialise behind them, cutting off any chance of escape.

“Twilight...” Tempest swallowed hard. “Are you ready?”

Twilight nodded and gulped, clutching the book to her chest. “I think so...”

“Luna, give Twilight the time she needs. Take care of the cyclops. I’ll deal with this.”

The Princess nodded in agreement. She sneered as the cyclops lowered it’s head and scraped a hoof, preparing to charge. Tempest’s voice dropped to a whisper with her next words.

“Twilight, stay low. If you see a chance to run, take it.”

Twilight shivered as sweat dripped down her face. “Right.” Her heart thumped in her chest and she felt her hooves start to sweat.

She trembled as she held the book and prepared herself. Her horn lit up with a soft magenta glow as she furiously began to try casting the spell. She took another deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Remember what Spike said he does when he’s stressed...

I count slowly count to ten, then by the time I’m done, I’m calm!

Right... One, two... Three...”

She closed her eyes in concentration. Time itself seemed to slow as they all prepared themselves.

Princess stared at cyclops, and Shadow stared at demon. The two ponies back to back, and Twilight in between them. Seconds crept by in what felt like eternity, then the room exploded in movement.

The crow-demon shrieked and rose into the air, it’s spectral posse surrounding it and flying upwards to the high rafters. The cyclops roared as it charged forwards, horn lowered and mouth salivating.

***

Tempest rushed forwards, her horn crackled to life as she fired a blast of lightning at the demon. It nimbly dodged her, twirling through the air as it soared forwards. The Shadow grimaced and charged as it landed and curled it’s black wings.

A flurry of her blows connected with it, forcing its head to look one way, then another again and again. Without caring, or feeling her blows, the demon jumped into the air, it’s mighty wings spreading and creating a heavy gust of wind. It dove towards the Shadow, catching her in it’s talons and carried her away from her companions. She grimaced as she realised she should have known they would try and separate them, and hoped Luna had it handled enough to keep Twilight safe.

Her thoughts turned to why they wanted her. She didn’t care, and grimaced as she punched and kicked in the air, trying to free herself. The demon dropped her and circled in the air.

The Shadow’s horn once again ignited, firing blast after blast, lighting up the dark room. It dodged her again and again, and she realised it was too nimble to fight at range, and had to close the distance. She watched as it flew, almost like a large black bird, almost graceful. She sneered at it and spat on the ground.

“Stand and fight you coward!”

It’s cold dead beak snapped towards her with unseen eyes and dove, moving faster than she anticipated. She quickly ducked, and blindly swung a hoof at it’s face. She heard a sickening crack, and the demon tumbled to the ground. It skidded along the ground and came to a halt, then slowly rose up and stared at her as she charged.

It’s wings rose up and blocked her hooves as she swung them downwards. It grasped one of her hooves and held her steady.

Tempest noticed her blow had cracked it’s skull, revealing skinless muscles and sinew underneath. She shivered as she glared at it.

“What are you?” she muttered through gritted teeth.

The creature gargled something from it’s throat and fell back, releasing it’s grasp and flipping the Shadow over itself, and sent her careening through some shelves.

She winced in pain as she landed, and spat as she glared at the monster. She quickly jumped up and lunged forwards again, her hooves again connecting with the beast’s wings. This time, the crow-demon used it’s talons and legs in defence, and seemed to almost dance with the Shadow as it dodged and parried her. It somersaulted over her as a low hiss escaped it’s cracked skull. With a push of it’s wing, it forced Tempest back as the muscles beneath it’s skull pulsed and quivered, suddenly exposed to the cold air.

Tempest noticed a broken piece of wood, just the right length to be used as a weapon, and grabbed it in her mouth. She swung with it, striking the demon again and again as it continued to parry and deflect her blows. It dodged backwards and furled it’s wings around itself.

The Shadow saw her opportunity and jammed her makeshift weapon in between the demon’s wings, forcing them open, but snapping the wood in the process. It hissed and gargled softly in surprise as Tempest began to strike it, kicking and punching with all her might. Her hooves felt sore and ran red with blood as the demon’s hard tissue began to wear her down. Slowly but surely, she gained ground on it, and saw it began to struggle as much as she did. Her hoof connected with it’s jaw again and stunned it for a moment.

Tempest grunted and flared her nostrils, but saw her opening as the demon stumbled backwards. She quickly spun around, and gave a powerful kick with her back legs to the wretch’s face. It fell back, it’s beak now completely shattered, and revealed a row of gnashing, rotten teeth and a skinless face. Black, soulless eyes gazed down at her as it felt a spark of fear it had never felt before.

She jumped forwards closing the gap between them, eyes ablaze with fury, and jammed her horn against it’s skull. It squawked as lightning erupted around it, coursing over it’s wretched body and singing it’s dark and cursed flesh, and then finally it collapsed, quickly turning into ash.

The Shadow panted as she looked down at her vanquished foe. Her bones creaked and disagreed as she stretched. With an audible click, her spine cracked and she shook her head in satisfaction and released a gasp of air. A glowing light caught her eye, and the sound of a shriek filled her ears. She turned, and saw the cyclops dangling a pony over it’s mouth. She recognised the pony’s purple coat, even at a distance.

“Twilight...”

A growl emanated from the dark mare, She stumbled forwards and charged her horn up again, before pausing and watching in abject horror as the beast dropped the pony into it’s mouth.

An unholy scream rose from the Shadow as she hurled herself forwards, lightning crackling the around her scorched the air and ground beneath her feet.

***

Luna soared through the air as the cyclops swung at her. She dodged, using her skill in flight to her advantage, and fired a blast of magic towards the beast.

It roared as the blast connected, glancing off of it’s rotten hide. The cyclops lowered it’s head and spotted Twilight pouring overt he book, her horn sputtering and failing with magic and made to lunge at her.

The Princess saw it’s goal, and dashed in front of the unicorn. She gazed up at the cyclops’ colossal body and cast a shield around the two of them, causing the beast to cry out in anger as it’s fist smashed down on them. “Twilight, move,” she grunted as her nose began to bleed, the strain of the magic and the beast weighing down on her too heavily. “I can’t hold this for much longer, when I release, run.”

Twilight nodded and scrambled to her feet. She held the book with her magic and readied herself. “I’m ready, princess.”

Luna nodded and used her magic to push outwards, dazzling the beast as it reached down once again.”Me,” she hissed at it as it’s singular eye blinked in confusion and focused. “Focus on me, you wretch.”

It bellowed in a foul, primitive language and swiped at her. She grinned to herself as it took the bait and moved away from the young unicorn, who breathed a visible sigh of relief and mouthed a thank you to her saviour as she fell back, taking cover behind one of the great shelves. The Princess began to gallop in circles around the beast, firing occasional blasts of magic and holy light at it.

The cyclops raged again, and began to feel dizzy as she ran in circles around it. Growing in anger and frustration, it slammed it’s hands down, creating a small shockwave that shook the ground around it, knocking several of the shelves over and exposing the beasts’ true target. The young mare yelped as her cover was stripped away, and just focused her head down and continued trying to cast the spell.

“Come on, Twilight. Come onnn…”

Luna realised she needed to change tactics lest the abomination bring down the mountain itself, and crush her young friend in the process, and spread her wings as she began to rise into the air. She sent another blast of magic that connected with it’s head, searing it’s flesh and making it howl in pain.

The cyclops’ red eye swivelled as it watched the alicorn, and made to grab chunks of broken bookshelves and hurl them upwards at her. She flared her nostrils as she dodged it’s projectiles, and pointed her horn downwards. Her wings folded, and she turned into a nosedive, hurtling towards the beast aiming for it’s head.

Twilight tore her eyes away from the book for a moment and watched in wonder as the alicorn’s horn glanced off of the cyclops’ horns, and how she jabbed repeatedly at it between blasts of magic and beams of energy. Luna quickly flew around to it’s back, and pointed her horn downwards. With a mighty cry, she drove her horn into the beast’s back.

It threw itself back and howled in pain, reaching around trying to grab it’s assailant.

Twilight’s wonder turned to horror as it finally grasped a hold of the Princess’s leg, ripping her off of it’s back and hurled her away. She collided with the wall of the library, rubble and bricks falling around her as the dust became disturbed.

The young unicorn’s blood ran cold as the monster turned to her, licking it’s lips and focusing it’s gaze solely on her. Her horn continued to sputter, the fear she felt too great to concentrate. It’s deranged eye watched her carefully, and made to quickly grab her.

Twilight scrambled to get away, furiously trying to cast a spell to defend herself but to no avail. She screamed as one of it’s claws wrapped itself around her and hoisted her into the air, towards it’s salivating mouth. She threw up as a stench akin to hundreds of rotted bodies overpowered her and shrieked in terror as the maw opened,. Her eyes widened as she gazed into the empty maw of the beat’s churning throat.

Dazed, Luna emerged form the rubble and wiped the blood from her nose. She rose to her feet and spread her wings, her horn dripped with blood as she charged forwards in a blind rage, unaware that the Shadow had a similar idea as their friend faced mortal peril.

Time seemed to slow as the beast released the young mare in it’s grasp. Sounds dulled and quietened and she vaguely heard a scream of anguish as a blinding white-blue light appeared in her peripheral vision, and searing hot pain shot through her abdomen. Memories of her friends and family flooded her mind. Luna and Tempest, all the books she hadn’t read in that library, and last but not least Spike, her dearest little adoptive brother Spike who stuck by her through thick and thin, Spike who she had lied to and abandoned.

“Oh Spike,” she thought to herself. “I’m so sorry... I hope you’re okay...”

As the world faded to darkness, the pain began to recede. She heard voices shouting, and then everything went black.

***

Shining Armour paced in Cadance’s room. A fine layer of stubble graced his chin as he hadn’t rested for hours. He told her of the king’s threat, how he must somehow know of their plans. She looked on with a worried expression and licked her chapped lips.

“Shiny, sit with me...” she murmured.

He didn’t hear her, or ignored her, and kept pacing. He glanced at her. “What if Nightmare Moon finds out what we were planning? That’ll be the end for us. Sombra will get his wish, we’ll never see each other, if I’m lucky I’ll be dead or-”

“Shining that’s enough!” Cadance shouted, startling him. Her wings unfurled and her eyes reddened. “Please just... Sit with me.” She patted the bed next to her, and relaxed her eyes, returning them to their usual beauty. “Please.”

Shining gazed at her as he slowly relaxed, and crossed over to her. He knelt down in front of her. “Cadance I’m-”

“Shhh,” she cooed and stroked his face. “We’ll figure something out, trust m-”

A loud bang at the door cut her off. Shining stood and straightened his armour. They glanced at one another before Cadance wiped her eyes and cleared her throat.

“Come in.”

The door swung open, revealing one of Shining’s guards. “Captain, sir.” he saluted, his voice low and gravelly, his serpentine eyes regarding his commanding officer and visiting Princess carefully. “Ma’am.”

Shining nodded and saluted back. “At ease, soldier.”

The dark pony slackened his muscles. “The Queen requests your presence at once in her study, sir.” He nodded at Cadance. “The Princess is also requested, sir.”

Shining and Cadance shared a glance.

“We’ll be along at once,” the Captain said and saluted. “Thank you.” The guard saluted back.

“Sir. Ma’am.”

He closed the door behind him, leaving the two alone with their thoughts. They looked at each other longingly, at that moment wanting nothing more than to be two commoner ponies far, far away from their current positions, possibly under some bed sheets.

The alicorn strode to her lover and gently took his hoof in hers and smiled, hiding her emotions well. “Come on, Captain. Our Queen has need of us.” Her voice was heavy with grief. He suspected she had reached at least a similar conclusion to him as his mind raced. Had Sombra confronted the Queen? Had some unknown machinations of his come to pass?

Shining gazed into the Princess’s eyes and leant towards her. “As long as she’s safe, do whatever it takes, Shining.”

They kissed, knowing full well what awaited them was nothing good, and took solace in one brief moment of respite before leaving together, and silently marched through the castle.

Several serving mares whispered amongst themselves as they saw the two stride past. The castle was aflutter with gossip about them. The Captain and the Princess: Two star-crossed lovers brought together in dark times, like an old fairy-tale. Cadance smiled sweetly at them as they passed by, while Shining remained stoic and alert. As they rounded the final corner, they saw several of Sombra’s guards outside of the study, their eyes masked by the glowing green of their helmets.

They bowed as their Princess passed by them, and she curtsied to them in kind. She offered her lover a brave smile and prepared herself. Shining Armour took a deep breath as he rapped his hoof on the Queen’s door.

The door swung open in silence, revealing Nightmare Moon in all her glory. The soft glow of her magic dispersed around the handle as they entered.

“Captain. Princess,” her voice rang out. She sounded tired, as if she had been exercising, almost, for several hours.

The sight before them would explain why, and Cadance lost her composure and released a small shriek of surprise and fear. Shining instinctively put his hooves around her, and gaped in horror--and a small relief-- at the pony before them.

Sombra, Vampire King of the Crystal Kingdom, was in a deeply sorry state. His face was bloodied and beaten. His horn was broken, essence of dark magic rose from the broken stub. His teeth showed gaps where his fangs had been pulled and lay in a bloodied pile next to him. With one good eye, he gazed at his daughter and began to mumble something.

Nightmare Moon struck him, driving her hoof into his back and forcing him on the ground.

She bared her fangs at him. Her coat was stained with flecks of blood, and her wings unfurled to their full width as her dark majesty pressed her weight down on him.

“You have my condolences, Cadenza.”

Cadance stumbled forwards and sunk to her knees, cupping her father’s face in her hooves. “What have you... Why?” she asked as she gazed up at the Queen in abject terror. Her father feebly crawled towards her, murmuring something and spitting blood.

Nightmare Moon sneered at her. “Because I am Nightmare Moon, and he has served his purpose.” She turned, her black wings sweeping around her. “Grogar informed me of a plot devised by Sombra and Queen Chrysalis. Together they planned to usurp myself and claim Equestria for themselves.”

The bloodied king mumbled something in his daughter’s hooves.

The Queen looked at him with disgust. “Obviously, I could not allow such transgressions, and had him hauled before me to confess.” She grinned at them, revealing rows of razor sharp teeth and a forked tongue that slithered between them. “It took... Some time, until he told me everything.”

Cadance looked up at her, her eyes ablaze with fury and rage. “Curse you, you evil monster! Hope you suffer in tartarus for all etern-”

Nightmare Moon laughed at her. “My dear, are you so bold to assume I did not know of your own machinations?”

The Princess balked, her rage quickly fading and her voice fell silent. Her jaw opened and closed as she glanced at Shining, who avoided her gaze and looked down at the blood stained ground.

The Queen nodded and smiled. “Oh yes, my Captain informed me of everything. Of all your plots and schemes. He has been a most loyal subject of Equestria, and an excellent spy.”

Shining straightened up and looked the Queen in the eye. “I live to serve Equestria, and all her inhabitants.”

Cadance glared at him as she stood. Her father mewled something at her hooves, and attempted to crawl forwards for shelter. She strode away from him, and made for the door. As she attempted to push past her lover, he grasped her silently and held her still.

“Let go of me, Shining Armour.” Her eyes flashed red and her teeth grew into fangs, revealing her true self as a vampire once more. “Now.”

Shining held steady, and looked towards his Queen.

“Ahem,” she coughed. “I am not finished with you yet, Cadenza.”

The Princess turned and looked at the Queen. Her face fell as she saw Nightmare Moon holding a small crown in her magic. “Your Grace?”

“The Crystal Kingdom is now without a ruler, and I am without two of my councilmembers, as Queen Chrysalis has fled, her schemes foiled and what children she left behind are being expunged from my court as we speak.” Nightmare Mon held the crown high. “If you will submit to my rule, and swear undying loyalty to myself and your vassalage to Equestria, then there is a place for you yet in the world.”

Cadance paused and looked at the crown. She looked back at Shining with tears in her eyes. “Was it all a lie, Shiny?” she asked quietly as her nose twitched.

He looked at her, and softened his face. “No, Cadance. Everything I told you is true, and don’t you see? With this you can rule the Crystal Kingdom, we can be happy together if you only submit to the rightful Queen.”

“Rightful...” Cadance laughed quietly and glared at Nightmare Moon. “The only rightful Queen was my mother, and my father told me how she died.” She looked down at said father, who had been oddly quiet this entire time. He opened his good eye to gaze at her, wracked with sorrow and regret. “He told me of how one thousand years ago, she stood with Celestia against you as a sign of solidarity, and you cast her down as Celestia did to you.” She glared at the Queen and stood against her, defiantly brave, or stupidly naïve.

Silence filled the room. Shining made to place a hoof on Cadance but caught the Queen’s eye, and backed off silently.

Nightmare Moon eyed the alicorn closely. A large grin played across her face and she tutted. “Sombra... You lying devil.” She turned away, and poured herself a glass of wine from a nearby bottle she had on a table close by. She raised it to her lips and took a small drink, smacking her lips together afterwards.

She sighed and looked at the vampire on the floor as his blood pooled around him.

“Your mother died thanks to your father’s curse.”

Cadance started back and her ears splayed back. “How dare... You lie! You killed my mother-”

“Why would I, foolish child?” Nightmare Moon hissed, her patience slipping. “Why would I have ever set hoof in your frozen little kingdom? Why would Celestia care about a forgotten empire as she forgot about her own sister in the same room?” She sneered and turned her head. “Your father’s blood curse drove him mad, and he sunk his fangs into his pretty wife’s slender neck, and lovingly gulped her blood as he relished the taste.”

Her words were harsh, and her voice bitter, but dripped with glee as the alicorn’s face fell and twisted into despair.

“How could you...” Cadance murmured.

“He told me himself, shortly before you arrived here tonight, child.”

Sombra mumbled something weakly. Nightmare Moon’s magic surrounded him and hoisted him into the air. “Sombra, my Lord, is what I have said true?”

His head hung limp as blood trickled out from his mouth. His bruised and swollen face contorted in pain as she held him.

“Ye...sss...”

The Princess stepped back as tears stung at her eyes. “N...no.... It can’t...” Her entire world came crashing down in a matter of seconds as the Queen spoke. She looked into her father’s eyes and realised a truth she had known but never admitted to for many, many years. He looked a her in complete sorrow and mumbled something inaudible.

“Oh but it is,” Nightmare Moon cackled sadistically as she dropped the fallen king. “Your father killed your mother, and blamed me for it. He poisoned your mind for years, even going so far as to curse your blood with his, turning you into a leech like him.” She sneered down at him and placed a hoof on his back. “And now he has betrayed you, to me.”

Cadance’s wings drooped as she sunk to the floor in defeat. “I don’t...”

The Queen strode over to her and raised her chin up so their eyes met. “Swear fealty to me, child. I will see your Kingdom raised up from the depths of depravity, and together we will usher in a golden age of peace and harmony across Equestria.”

The Princess wept quietly, her tears spilled down over her cheeks and over the Queen’s hoof. She twisted her neck around to look at Shining, who silently watched on in sadness.

“You may take Shining Armour, if you so wish. He has served me admirably, I assure you he will do the same for you.”

Cadance looked back at the Queen and slowly rose to her feet, wiping her ears away and gave a low bow. “Most gracious Nightmare Moon... I... Accept your offer.” Her nose almost touched the ground before the Queen’s hooves as she swore fealty. She swore her entire bloodline, any and all descendants she may have, to the service of Equestria and Nightmare Moon.

The Queen, satisfied with her answer and her pledge, nodded and hoisted the king up once again. He groaned in agony as she lowered her horn at the centre of his back.

“Cadance, don’t look,” murmured Shining as he reached out a hoof to her. She glanced at it, then at him, and reluctantly took it. Her eyes changed to their original colour, and her wings returned to their usual form.

She said nothing as she buried her face in his neck.

He swallowed and gingerly put a hoof around her, quite surprised she would even consider nuzzling him at a time like this, yet welcomed her soft touch.

He watched as the Queen’s horn broke through the vampire’s chest, and an unholy scream emanated from the fallen king. His last words were a garbled mess of begging for forgiveness, and curses of the foulest horrors as a raging inferno engulfed him.

Sombra’s flesh melted away in the fire as it scorched the wood beneath him, yet left it’s caster, Nightmare Moon, unaffected. She held him impaled on her horn as his skin turned to ash, and his eyes melted in his skull. Soon enough, only his charred bones remained before they too crumbled into dust.

A pile of ashes and charred wood at Nightmare Moon’s feet were all that remained of the once great and feared Vampire King.

She held up the crown she had for Cadance once again, and smiled. “Approach, child.”

Cadance turned form Shining Armour, lingering onto his hoof for a moment before she stood in front of the Queen. She knelt in her father’s ashes and looked straight ahead, steely eyed and stone faced.

“The King is dead. Long live the Queen,” Nightmare Moon’s voice rang out as she placed the crown atop the Princess’s head. “Rise now, Queen Mi Amore Cadenza, and return to your kingdom.”

The newly crowned queen rose to her feet and nodded in gratitude. Nightmare Moon nodded back in approval. Cadance turned to leave, striding across the blood stained floor and opened the door, pausing only to look at Shining Armour.

The Captain bowed to her and averted his eyes. “Your Grace.”

Her eyes, once so full of life and love, now cold and lifeless regarded him. He chanced a look at her, and swore he could see the gears turning in her head as she turned back to Nightmare Moon.

“Your Grace. May the Captain escort me to my room?”

Nightmare Moon’s eyes glinted as she nodded and waved a hoof. She looked at Shining and nodded curtly at him. “Captain. You have served me with distinction. I release you from my service, you are to now serve Queen Cadenza as you have served Equestria.”

Shining felt his knees almost give out from sheer relief. He nodded to her and bowed deeply. “Your Grace,” he said as he turned to follow Cadance out the room. His throat felt dry and itchy, and cast one last glance back at the Lunar Sovereign as she turned her back on the door and cast a fireball at the empty fireplace, lighting the room in a warm orange glow.

Shining turned back and followed his new Queen down the corridor. Sombra’s guards bowed to her, seemingly aware of the situation and the sudden change in their leadership. If they cared at all for their fallen monarch, they did not show it.

Cadance cleared her throat and addressed them. “We are to make for the north as soon as possible. I have business I must first attend to, and will join you shortly. Shining Armour is your new Captain, and he speaks with my authority on most things, and you will treat him as such as your superior officer.”

The unicorn behind her froze, as her words came at a great surprise to him. He bowed as the ponies wearing obsidian armour saluted him, banging their spears on the ground as they all turned to march.

He started after them, but Cadance reached out and grabbed his shoulder, stopping him. She gestured down the darkened corridor silently and made to leave.

The Captain obeyed her, just as silently, and followed her as they walked through the familiar dark castle once again.

The tension between them grew heavier, and a deafening silence rose up as their hooves sounded against the cold floor. Soon the Queen stopped, and gazed out the window at the garden. The Moon still shone bright in the sky, the Mare Within watching down at what was once her world with a careful eye.

Cadance turned to Shining Armour and placed a hoof against him. She gazed into his eyes, and he into hers. They each lowered their heads, their horns touching ever so slightly, and their breaths mingled and intertwined in the cold air.

Eventually they moved on, towards Cadance’s chambers.

Shining felt his heart pulse in his chest as she led him to the bed, gently pushing him down and laying next to him. They cradled each other as only lovers can, and she rested her ear on his chest, listening to his heart pound away.

Without words, she reached upwards and kissed his cheek, before finally resting, overwhelmed from the emotional rollercoaster they had both endured.

And together they rested, hoof on hoof, as a cold chill breezed through the dark castle.

***

“It’s not safe here, we need to move before they regroup.”

“Twilight’s hurt, we can’t-”

“Tempest she will die if she does not receive the proper medical assistance. I can slow the bleeding but she-”

“Then do it fast!” Tempest shouted, her voice ragged and coarse. She glared up at the Princess. “Use your alicorn magic. Just to stabilize her.” Her voice wavered as the filly in her arms struggled and gasped for air.

Luna sighed in frustration as she lowered her horn. “I will try, Shadow.”

“Thank you...”

Twilight stirred as she heard them. She weakly raised her leg as her eyes creaked open.

The Shadow took her hoof in her own and smiled warmly. “Shhh, Twilight, we got you. You’re safe now,” she cooed as the small unicorn’s began to shake violently, and felt her heartbeat rise exponentially.

“She’s going into shock. Keep talking. Keep her distracted,” Luna murmured as she lowered her horn to Twilight’s wounds, a warm glow radiated from it. “This will be painful, Twilight Sparkle,” she said quietly. “I am sorry for it, but it is necessary for your survival.”

A hair raising scream filled the chamber as the Princess’s magic began to burn the wounds, cauterizing them and slowing the blood flow. Twilight’s eyes snapped open in sudden fright as she fought to get away. Her throat gargled as blood trickled out of her mouth.

Tempest took a deep breath and caressed the unicorn’s face as she struggled. “Shhh, Twilight,” she murmured sadly, wiping away the blood with her free hoof. “I’m going to tell you some stories, okay? You want to know how I got this scar?” She smiled sadly and pointed to her eye.

The filly’s bloodshot eyes looked up at her in pain and fear. With some sense of recognition, she mumbled something quietly and shook her head up and down.

“I got it from fighting an ursa major. The bastard swiped at me as I pushed a friend out of the way.” She smiled, her eyes twinkled in the light of Luna’s magic.

The lavender unicorn coughed and shivered. Her face twisted in pain as another wound was cauterized and a scream escaped her mouth once more.

“More,” Luna murmured.

Tempest took a deep breath and began to tell her friend stories of her adventures. About the time she fought an ancient demon under the sewers of Manehattan and prevented the city from being overrun with ghosts, how she explored the ancient and ruined city of Trot and fought skeletons and a hydra amidst the sand and ruins, and how she once lifted a djinn’s curse from a Saddle Arabian prince in the far eastern deserts.

With each story, Twilight listened, and fought to remain awake. Tempest’s tales filled her with wonder, and a small sense of envy that she could go on such fantastical adventures. She desperately wanted to hear about the djinn, beings of great magical power and energy said to be bale to grant three wishes of anything in the whole universe, akin to Discord’s mythical Chaos Magic.

She mumbled something inaudible before Tempest shushed her.

“Don’t speak, just listen.” She took another deep breath and brushed the pony’s mane out of her eyes. “You want to hear about me as a filly?”

Twilight’s eyes widened. She forced her head to nod, coughing and sputtering a bit of blood weakly. Her eyes watered and her throat croaked as Luna’s horn touched one of her wounds once again.

“Alright... So I should start when I was just growing up then...”

Luna watched and listened as well, focusing herself on her young companion, but still allowed a small smile to dance across her face as Tempest told her story.