Chapters Krampus, Harmony's Shadow
It was a chilly day in November, when comicon came to my city and I decided 'you know what, I'm gonna cosplay.' Oh how I hate that decision now, woops, where are my manners? My name is Vartile Shadowmaker. You see I wasn't like other con goers, while everyone usually went with the coolest or most popular beings of fantasy. I decided to cosplay as Krampus from the 2015 movie Krampus, now I know what you're thinking, this guy just went in a random demon mask with horns and fake fur, and that's where you're very wrong. I made an exact replica of the suit, beard, chains, and rusty bells, from the Krampus movie including the old man mask and horns through the hood. I even managed to track down cloven hoof shoes from someone in the furry community...don't ask. I even managed to get the claw finger nails correct, and soon I arrived at the con and started stalking around full Krampus, safe to say I drew a lot of attention.
It's not every con you see someone who is fully cosplaying as the literal shadow of saint Nicholas, but there I was. I should have known something was up the moment I started walking around the vendor booths but I didn't pay much attention. I was having too much fun snarling, and talking demonically with a bunch of spoiled brats. But as I walked past a particular booth I couldn't help but overhear an argument.
"What do you mean you won't sell to me" The guy cosplaying as One Above All.
"Exactly that" said the ragged old man, who was dressed as The Old Man from wasteland 3. "There is already one that I've sold to and I don't have anything like what you're asking for" the old man finished.
"It seems you're bothering the nice man, now why don't you get out of here before you learn what happens to naughty boys and girls" I said in my demonic voice.
"Oh yeah and...what...are..you" he said turning around getting quieter as he realized who I was cosplaying as.
"Boo" I said, causing him to scream and run away in fear. "Bwahahaha" I laughed in my normal voice as the merchant behind the table cackled with me.
"Thanks a lot lad, he was really starting to irritate me" The Old Man said. He looked my costume up and down and asked "so what can I do for you Krampus?"
I smiled as I walked up to his table to look at his wares, he had spell books, devil fruit, the necronomicon. But what caught my eye was the sack filled with toys and four rusted old bells. I picked up one of the bells and was amazed as it had 'Grüß vom Krampus' engraved on it, I was practically jumping for joy in my head. "I'll take these four bells, and what's in the sack?" I asked pointing to the old burlap sack he had in a corner.
"Just some old toys, would you like to take a look to see if they're to your liking" he asked. When I nodded he walked over and picked up the sack bringing it to the counter. I opened the sack and I literally almost fainted, the entire sack was filled with replicas of the evil toys Krampus had.
"How much for the bells and the sack of toys?" I asked as I reached for my wallet which I had hidden under the soot covered red jacket I was wearing. As I began to pull it out the man waved off my attempt.
"No no, that won't be necessary" he said as his eyes lit up and a smile formed on his face. "It's the least I could do to repay you for driving away that false One Above All, that and it doesn't seem right to let Krampus go without being himself" he finished.
"Thanks," I said, picking up the bells and attaching them to my chains. As I did this the merchants smile turned almost demented, "well thanks again man I appreciate it" I said picking up the sack of toys, and began to walk away.
"Oh it was no problem, enjoy your trip Krampus" he said cackling madly again. I turned around with a confused look in my eyes, as I began to feel light headed, as I started to black out I heard the merchant call out one last time. "I can't wait to see what you can accomplish, just remember, somethings can't be changed" and with that I finally blacked out.
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I groaned as I started regaining consciousness, "ohhh, my head" I said putting a hand against my skull. "Did anyone get the license plate of the truck that hit me " I finished rubbing the spot where my skull felt like a hammer was striking an anvil. I decided to open my eyes and when I did, I instantly regretted that decision, I wasn't lying on the cold floor of the con and I wasn't in a hospital room like I thought I would be, instead I was in a very dark looking forest. "Well then " I started and instantly stopped as I was still talking in my demonic voice, 'this can't be right' I thought to myself as I tried getting to my feet. Once I was finally standing I braced myself against one of the old trees in the forest and started panning my head back and forth trying to locate a pond of any kind. I didn't see anything but my ears picked up the sound of running water, I turned my head in the direction I heard it and attempted to start walking towards it.
I say attempted because I was hunched over and when I put one of my hands against my back I felt the wicker basket I had made specifically for my cosplay. Deciding it would be easier for me to walk without such a great weight on my back I attempted to take it off, it wouldn't budge when I turned my head I noticed the burlap sack resting against the tree next to me. I don't know why I decided to grab it...I just did, I tried opening the basket and it actually opened so I decided to put the sack in there instead of carrying it on my shoulder. I turned my head once more towards the stream and started trying to walk, I found that my movement was slow like my attempt at stalking at comic con, and that my foot falls felt heavier.
Once I reached the stream I dropped to my knees and looked into the crystal clear stream to see the old man mask staring back at me, I put my hands to where I knew the mask ended but I felt nothing but skin and sharp nails. Looking back into the water I realized there weren't any seems to indicate a mask and when I attempted to pull off one of the fake nails it wouldn't budge, at this point I was starting to freak out but I lost it once I looked down and lifted the coat from around my feet and realized that the cloven hooves shoes I was wearing turned into my real feet. I fell onto my ass and started hyperventilating, until my memory dragged up the con and the merchant. "That mother fucking, cock sucking, son of a douchebag lapping, numb cunt son of a whore turned me into the real Krampus " I said angrily. I started snorting and my vision turned red, I didn't like where my mind was going so I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, in through the nose, out through the mouth. I thought in my head as I did my breathing exercise, I don't know how long I sat by that small creak just breathing it could have been a minute, it could've been a couple hours, but my train of thought was broken when I heard a twig snap behind me.
I decided to stay still and let whoever or whatever was there come out and make the first move. When I heard bushes rustling to my right, I took a deep breath of air and let my new senses take over, I smelled a strong scent of lilac, metal polish, and ozone. "Whomever is there, I will not bring you harm unless you bring it to me " I stated with my eyes closed.
"How didst thou know we were here, thou back is turned to us" a feminine voice said.
"I could hear and smell you child, may I ask as to why you sought to sneak up on me ?" I asked the female, still with my eyes closed and my back turned, focusing on the powers that Krampus possesses.
"Thou art a strange creature, prithee what is thine name?" The strange female asked.
Standing up, I finally turn around and open my eyes, and standing just a few feet away is a dark blue female, with the muzzle of a horse, large eyes, wings and a horn. "My name is Krampus " I said smiling, making sure my razor sharp teeth stayed hidden. "And pray tell, what is your name lass ?" I asked even though I already had a good idea of who she was.
"Thy name is Princess Luna, Princess of the moon and night" she said. "What type of being are you? You have the horns and hooves of a ram, but you don't look like a ram," she asked.
"I am a being known as a satyr half man, half goat " I said. "And pray tell, what are you? " I asked.
"Thy am an alicorn, dost thou not already know that?" She asked, cocking her head to the side.
"I have never heard of your species before, though I have met many different species. You say you control the moon, I am the protector of the innocent and I punish those who have lost faith in family, friends and all that is good " I said hoping to gain her trust.
"Really?" She asked skeptically. "Then Thou shalt come with us to talk with mine sister, then we will decide what to do with thee" she said leaving no room for rebuttal. I just nodded and slowly walked beside her as we headed to wherever her sister was, although I had a really good idea we were headed to the castle of the two sisters.
Krampus, Harmony's Shadow
Me and Luna had been walking through the forest for a few minutes in silence. Luna wasn't talking so I figured I'd take the time to think about what I would do when we met with her sister. 'I could always tell the truth…nah' I thought to myself, as I tried to think of a way to get them to believe I wasn't evil.
"We art here, Krampus" I heard Luna say. I snapped out of my thoughts and gazed upon the castle of the two sisters. The stone work was impeccable, well from what I could see from the other side of the ravine. I kept staring at the castle as I saw Luna fly into the ari and over the thirty foot wide casm, as I stood watching her gracefully float in front of me. "There is a bridge this way" she said as she floated next to the rope bridge.
"No offense Princess " I started, staring at the rickety bridge. "But, there is no way that this bridge will hold my weight ."
"Then how dost thou plan to cross the ravine so we can meet with mine sister?" She asked with a confused and perplexed look on her face. I let the corner of my mouth lift up slightly, and stood beside the bridge. 'Hopefully this works' I thought to myself, as I closed my eyes I imagined in my mind's eye jumping the ravine. I took a steady breath and opened my eyes, crouched low, and jumped.
I have never felt more exhilaration in my entire life, I had jumped about a hundred feet into the air. I stuck my arms out in front of me and focused on where I wanted to land at the other side near the castle. I started to drop out of the sky slowly instead of quickly, and when I finally landed, I put my arms to my side and smiled. "That is how I plan to get to the castle, " I said turning around to find Luna floating where she was before I jumped. I snickered as she looked between where I was and where I am now, and when she looked at me again I motioned for her to continue leading the way.
As she floated toward me, I looked on towards the castle as I tried to figure out where in the timeline I was. I looked back towards Luna as she landed next to me, I laughed as her jaw was almost unhinged and her eyes were larger than they were the entire trip. "Close your mouth, you might accidentally swallow a fly " I said and she instantly closed her mouth and shook her head.
"How didst thou jump that ravine, not even an earth pony could do that!" She exclaimed as she bore a whole into me with her eyes.
I just smiled and said "that would be one of my few tricks, now after you child because I have no idea where your sister might be ." She scowled at me before turning around and headed to the castle, once more I followed and we walked in silence. I had to contain my enthusiasm as we entered the double doors of the castle, it was grander on the inside, gold and obsidian lined and swirled on the floors, as fine tapestries hung on the walls.
And there in the center of the room we entered, were two thrones. One of onyx and gold with the symbol of the sun, and the other right next to it that was marble and obsidian. But what really took my breath away was the being sitting in the first throne, she was as white as snow, her hair was a mix of green, light purple, blue and magenta flowing in a non existent breeze. She smiled a warm motherly smile as she saw Luna, and I frowned when her eyes turned to me and I saw nothing but fear and hatred.
"Sister, why art thou coming to me with such a strange creature" she said.
Luna adopted a confused expression as she said "what dost thou mean sister, we thought it best to speak with him together."
I decided to get in their good graces, so I bowed before Princess Celestia. "Princess Luna told me that she wished to consult with you, as when she found me I was sitting by a small river in the forest " I said with my head bowed. I listened as Celestia's breath hitch, and I could hear her heart beat faster.
"What is thy name beast" I heard Celestia say.
"My name is Krampus, and may I inquire as to yours your highness " I said hoping that I could get them to not imprison me.
"My name is Princess Celestia beast, remember that. As for your sister we ask again why did you bring him here? Why not just destroy him when you found him?" Celestia asked.
"Because sister" Luna started. "He heard us and asked us why we would attack him with his back turned. He then revealed he is the punisher of the wicked, and protector of faith, friendship and good" she finished. I tilted my head up slightly so I could get a look at Celestia, her eyes were wide after hearing that I punish bad and evil, and protect friendships.
"And you believed it," Celestia said incredulously. She stood up and walked towards me and Luna as she almost seemed to be seething as she continued. "You know that only ponies are peaceful and practice friendship, this being looks like it's."
"He's " Luna interrupted. "Krampus is a he sister and isn't it you that said all beings deserve friendship?" She asked. If Celestia was seething before she was full blown pissed now.
"Don't ever interrupt me again Luna, you have dared to grow bolder and use my words against me since we defeated Sombra" Celestia started giving me a good idea as to where I was in the timeline. "We tried to get Discord to accept friendship yet he tried to make the world his, we tried to get Tirek to accept friendship, even his brother Scorpan tried and yet he still attempted to take over. And FINALLY Sombra, he gave up on friendship, a pony pondered in dark magic" Celestia continued as I watched her mane turn to fire and her eyes turn slitted, 'no' I thought as I watched as Celestia, transformed into Daybreaker.
"Celestia, what is wrong with you?" Luna asked, terrified as she watched her older sister give in to darkness.
"Isn't it obvious sister" Celestia started. "Sombra was right, friendship doesn't work. It has not helped us."
"Lies sister" Luna yelled, cutting off her sister once more. I slipped into the shadows, as Celestia fired a magic blast at Luna and they started fighting. 'it's not supposed to go this way' I thought to myself, as I watched them fight each other from the shadows waiting for an opportunity to help Luna. 'Daybreaker wasn't supposed to be a thing until Starlight changes their cutie marks, and even then she's just a dream version'. I thought as I slunk around and set up a few toys and watched.
"Sister please, stop this madness" I heard Luna yell at her sister. "This isn't you, please do not make me use the elements."
"Celestia, is no longer here little Luna, for I am Daybreaker and everyone will forever love me" Daybreaker cackled. "You will never have the love of Equestria and I will forever rule unopposed." As she said that she walked close to the doll I had set down which set it off "mama" the doll said in a cheery tone. Which made Daybreaker spin around, as she looked down at the small toy, I slunk next to Luna.
"I will keep her busy, you see if you can stop her " I whispered to Luna. As I said that the doll turned demonic and jumped into Daybreaker, and crawled up to her horn and latched on, when she tried using her magic it wouldn't work because the doll was blocking her concentration .
"Get off of me you confounded toy!" Daybreaker screamed as I appeared behind her and let a ribbon snake from under my sleeve, around her wings constricting them to her back. Daybreaker spun around to face me and looked even angrier as she said "you dare help my wench of a sister, she will never rule, only me."
I grined as Luna lit her horn once more and the elements spun around her. "Yes, " I said, staring into the eyes of Daybreaker. "Because you have forgotten the meaning of friendship, you have lost your faith and must be reminded why friends are always worth having and making " I continued, I looked to Luna and nodded. Her eyes took on a dejected tone as she nodded back and fired the elements, when they hit day breaker my toys let go, the rainbow light spun around her as she screamed.
"I will defeat you both" she screamed. "You'll pay for this" she finished as she disappeared into the rainbow as it shot through the roof and left an image of a mare in the sun. I looked back at Luna as the elements dropped from around her and she fell to her knees weeping, I walked up to her and wiped a tear away forcing her to look at me.
"It will be alright, I will be here for you and I will help you when you need me to. Your sister shall return, but not for a very long time " I started staring into her eyes. "But when she returns, we will have the elements to help us, we must never give into hate. You will have to carry your sisters legacy of friendship " I finished as I picked up the toys.
"We know," Luna sighed. "We will rule without our sister, and we will continue peace, friendship, and prosperity. We will hide the elements and wait for when the true bearers make themselves known" she looked to me as she continued "will you stay with me and be my friend? Will you help keep Equestria safe while my sister is gone?" She asked.
I helped her to her hooves as we both looked to the sun. "I promise you, I will forever be your friend, I will uphold friendship. I will punish any and all evil that will come along and together we shall watch and wait for the time that you and your sister may reunite " I finished.
Krampus, Harmony's Shadow
The explanation/Love loses faith
It had been a couple of days since Luna had to banish her sister and I had been giving her her space. I had been asking myself why, why did Daybreaker appear and so suddenly, I hated myself for it but I needed to ask Luna. I walked through the halls of the broken castle quietly, slipping in and out of shadows, testing my theory that I could only be seen if I wanted to be, and so far I was right, I stopped slinking through the shadows in front of Luna's room. As I stood there, I couldn't help but still think that I was rushing asking her, but I needed to make sure my friend was ok, I raised my hand and gave a slight knock on her door.
"Please leave us alone" I heard her say from behind the door. I knew in that moment I couldn't just walk away.
"Princess Luna, it's Krampus " I said, waiting to see if she said anything back. When I didn't hear anything I continued, "please let me in so we can talk, it is not healthy to you to stay in your room sulking. I understand that you're hurting and I want to help you ." It grew quiet as I listened, and when I thought all was lost I heard the door unlock, I took a deep breath and entered her bed chambers. As I entered I noticed she was sitting on her bed facing away from me, I closed the door behind me and locked it once more as I walked forward to sit with my friend.
"She was always looking for the best in everypony," I heard Luna say. I stopped walking in front of her and once more wiped a few tears from her face.
"I understand that it hurts, but if you talk about it I can try to help you " I said, taking one of her hands in mine. I smiled slightly as she faced me and once more she sniffled.
"She started acting funny a couple months ago."
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*A couple months ago Princess Luna POV*
"Are you sure sister?" I asked Celestia.
"Unfortunately so sister, somepony has taken over the empire and has enslaved the crystal ponies" she said. I just stared at her and nodded as we both took off headed for the frozen north. We flew quickly hoping to get there sooner, we had to stop but once on our way there.
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"We arrived the next day, and it was horrible," Luna said.
"What happened at the empire that could cause your sister to change so drastically. That she would lose faith in friendship and give into hatred? " I asked Luna.
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The clear crystals that had made up the castle and most of the empire had turned a sickly black. Nopony was smiling and every guard we saw had swirling clouds in their eyes. We landed just outside the empire and decided to walk to the castle, most of the buildings were in disrepair, the road was covered in ash and snow, any guard we came across, I put into a deep slumber.
It took me and my sister about half an hour to reach the castle, because we didn't want to fight our own ponies. Once we entered the castle it was even worse and all paintings of princess cadenza were gone, replaced by paintings of a black umbra stallion with a curved blood red horn.
"This is wrong sister" Celestia said to me.
"What do you mean sister?" I asked her looking between the black crystals, the paintings and my sister.
"I mean why are there paintings of an umbra? Why would someone who uses dark magic not have their own likeness in the frames?" She asked seemingly perplexed and questions flew about in her mind. I knew the answer to that and I hated to have to point out what it was to her.
"Because sister, if evil hasn't changed its ways and is still self centered. Then we are looking at the face of the stallion responsible." I said as we passed by broken doors, and decrepit rooms getting closer to the throne room.
"Preposterous sister!" Celestia exclaimed, like I had just slapped her. "Nopony would ever do such evil, this is the work of Grogar if I had to hazard a guess."
"Then you would guess wrong Princess" a voice shouted at us full of venom as soon as we entered the throne room.
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"And sitting there on the throne was the stallion responsible for everything that had happened to the empire, what happened to my sister." Luna said sniffling once more, almost breaking down.
"King Sombra? " I said questioningly, "how did Celestia take this revelation that a pony was responsible for such hardships? "
"She refused to believe me, she refused to believe Sombra. Only after he used his shadow form, he cast horrible shadow magic that caused horrible nightmares."
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I was standing in the shadows, listening to the whispers, yet I wouldn't break. I had faced worse nightmares than this foolish stallion could produce, but I heard Celestia scream from somewhere close to me. I ignited my horn and focused on my magic that forced nightmares back. When my spell hit the shadows they dispersed and I managed to find Celestia, she was sobbing incoherently, I heard Sombra cackle, once more I lit my horn.
"Come sister" I exclaimed, helping Celestia to her hooves. "Let us show this shadow what happens when evil decides to harm good."
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"We drove Sombra back, and managed to banish him to the shadow realm. But unfortunately, he had one more spell placed, that caused the empire to be banished with him." Luna told me as I nodded.
"Celestia fell victim to the shadows, and fell into darkness didn't she? " I asked knowing the answer.
"Yes, but it was so much worse" Luna started. "She refused to talk with anyone that wasn't a pony because she believed that even though most of the talks were of peace they would attack her. I delegated most of the treaties and Celestia wasn't even consulted because she was getting so paranoid."
"Then why have me meet with her, if you knew she was so paranoid? " I asked her.
"Because ever since I headed peace talks and summits, Celestia started to become more like her old self. She started acting peaceful again and was asking me about the talks of peace so I figured we could speak once more normally but I should have seen the signs" she said sniffling and letting her tears fall.
"You could not know I would be the straw that broke the camel's back. You could never have seen the events that transpired five days ago " I said, wiping her tears away once more. I embraced her in a hug as I let her cry herself to sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~500 years later~~~~~~~~~~~
It's been about five hundred years since I met Luna, five hundred years since Daybreaker. A couple weeks after I had helped Luna and learned of what happened to Celestia, Luna said she didn't feel comfortable in the old castle and I helped her move to Canterlot. I helped her plan the building of it, but I told her it was best if I stayed in the shadows, I had watched the night for her while she helped the ponies that were having nightmares. I had become a living legend to those that dabbled in darkness, I have become the boogeyman of the boogeyman, I've learned to control most of my powers in that time.
Today had been a very quiet day, too quiet for my taste, I had learned long ago that if it's quiet to me...I will be needed. That's when I heard the angelic voice of a child, speak coldly and venomously almost like they were right next to me. "I hate love, I hate friendship and I hate living here, I wish everypony would just go away" my head snapped in the direction of that hateful wish, I let a smile form on my face because children that have lost faith are the loudest to me. I disappeared into the shadows and headed to where I knew the voice was coming from, as I got closer to a single building I could feel dying faith and my blood ran cold, for I was standing in front of an orphanage. I snuck in through the shadows and watched as children laughed and played, all except for one pink unicorn filly, she stunk of dying faith, as I approached her I heard the tell tale signs of silent tears and little sniffles.
I decided right then and there I would help this filly no matter what, so as she silently cried, I put my hand on her back trying my best to console her. At first she went rigid and turned away, but as I started to pull my hand away, she leaned more towards me and I allowed her to see me. I watched as several emotions went through her eyes from sadness, to fear, to curiosity, and finally they settled on a happier look.
"H-hi, are...are you my imaginary friend?" She asked me in childish innocence. I nodded not wanting to scare her with my voice as I wiped away her tears. She smiled and clapped her hands together laughing slightly "my name's Mi Amore Cadenza, but I prefer Cadence, what's yours?" She asked still with the innocence of her childish mind, she didn't see me as a monster but as someone who could help her take away whatever pain she was feeling. I still didn't want to scare her with my voice so looking around I found letter blocks, grabing the correct blocks I spelled out my name, "Krampus? Is that your name" I nodded. "Can you talk?" I nodded once more, "why don't you? I don't care what you sound like it would be easier for us to communicate" she said smiling.
I sighed as I looked down, I set my resolve and looked back up, to Cadence I was an imaginary friend who could never harm her. "I hope not, it is a pleasure to meet you Cadence, I am Krampus " I said hoping I didn't scare her, but all she did was beam at me.
"Wow *giggle* you sound so cool, what do you want to do Krampus?" She asked, forgetting whatever was making her sad.
"Whatever it is that you want….my friend " I said smiling at the prospect of my second friend in Equestria. So for the rest of the day I played with Cadence, we had imaginary tea, we set up a doll house, I even taught friendship lessons to a couple fighting dolls. Her smile never left her face all day, but soon I had to watch the night so I told her I had to leave for the night, she frowned and asked me why. I explained to her that I was her personal imaginary friend, but I protected all children from monsters that wished to harm them in the night, she nodded at that, but before I left, I imagined a doll in my right hand. I focused through my mind's eye a doll that could chime any song possible, and when I opened my eyes and saw the doll that was in my hand, "here Mi Amore, this doll is specifically for you, she will protect you when I cannot, but if you should ever need me speak my name to the doll and I shall come straight to you " I said handing her the doll.
"She's beautiful, what's her name?" She said looking at the doll I had handed her. I had to think about that because none of the toys I had had names.
"What name do you think she should have? " I asked her.
She became quiet as I saw her scrunch up her nose in thought, she stayed like that for a few minutes as her eyes went wide and a huge grin adorned her face. "How about Lilac?" She said looking up at me.
"It's a beautiful name, child, now I must be off " I said ruffling her mane. I stepped back and disappeared back into the shadows watching as Cadence waved me goodbye hugging lilac close to her I smiled as once more I walked through the shadows back to the castle knowing I had helped to start healing my new friend but I would bring up her existence to Luna and together hopefully we'd be able to give her a better life. I kept slipping through the shadows until I reached the castle, and continued to walk until I reached to main doors, Luna had insisted that the be the same radiance as the moon while still incorporating the sun, I slipped under the door using my inner magic and on the other side found the beautiful radiance of the halls.
I walked through the halls navigating the corridors until I reached the throne room doors. As the guards on duty opened the doors for a snobby noble, I followed through the doors and stood behind one of the many pillars in the throne room to wait for a chance to speak with Luna. Honestly standing here is boring, but there's nothing else for me to do, so as I listen to the pompous ass drone on about taxes or such bullshit I couldn't help but listen more closely when he brought up an orphanage.
"Also Princess Luna, we need to lock the filly away because she is a danger to everypony" the pompous ass said.
"Oh and pray tell why I should have a FILLY! locked away and not you" Luna said to the stallion.
"Because Princess, she understands emotions to well, if you ask me she's a changeling and at this very moment while you and your guards do nothing, I've already sent ponies that actually care about the well being of Canterlot to deal with her" the pompous said, making my blood boil. I stepped out of the shadows allowing everypony in the room to see me, and Luna knew by the look on my face this stallion had pushed the wrong button.
"And what exactly does that entail? " I said standing behind him. I watched as he turned around to attempt to sound more important than me only for his eyes to bug out of his skull and his jaw drop. I laughed darkly as I saw a dark stain start to flow down his trousers as I looked him in the eyes, then I heard it *KRAMPUS HELP ME!* it was like she was right next to me, Cadence had called for help and I realized who the child he had sent ponies after was. I saw red as I roared my fury to the ceiling of the throne room, I looked back at the cowering stallion and lifted him by his neck "if anything happens to that child, any punishment Luna thinks of will seem like heaven when I get back " I said calmly as I dropped him on his ass and turned towards one of the windows in the throne room.
I lept towards the window, shattering it as I flew out of it, a freezing gust of wind following behind me. As I flew towards the orphanage I let my powers out conjuring a blizzard, the sparse white clouds that the pegasi had left in the sky intensely turned black and spread out covering the whole of Canterlot. I let myself drop onto the roof of the orphanage as my bells jingled and my chains rattled, the wind blew in horrible gusts as snow fell from the sky by the buckets, I stalked slowly towards the chimney allowing my hoof falls, bells and chains to be heard as a warning, I was here and I was pissed
~~~~~~~~~~~Cadence POV~~~~~~~~~~
It had been a couple hours since Krampus had left and I was playing dress up with lilac, when the nicest of our four caretakers came to see me. She was a nice earth pony and one of the few that didn't mind that I was good at feeling emotions better than anypony else, mostly because I had helped her and her husband realize why they had fallen in love in the first place.
"Hey Cadence, do you mind if we sit and talk?" She asked me as I looked at her, while holding lilac close.
"Of course Mrs. Night Light, what would you like to talk about?" I asked her a bit confused, she usually didn't come talk to me until Saturdays.
"It's about how you're adjusting here, did you finally make a friend today?" She asked motioning towards lilac.
I smiled as I said "yes isn't it wonderful, Krampus gave her to me, her name's lilac" I said hoping lilac didn't notify Krampus about me speaking about him.
"Lilac is a beautiful name, but who's Krampus?" She asked me, seeming confused. Before I could answer her question we both heard yelling and fighting out in the halls, "Cadence" Night Light started "I want you and lilac to stay here while I go see what's going on, okay?"
"Okay Mrs. Night Light" I said, as I watched Mrs Night Light leave my room. I heard the yelling stop and Mrs Night Light asking questions and then I heard a loud slam and then the fighting voices asked her where I was. I heard her give a sharp cry and then nothing, I scooted back against the wall hugging lilac closely, as I heard hoof steps once more only they were getting closer.
I started getting scared and I locked my door using my magic, hoping it would deter whoever was there to go away. But my fears were proven right when my door knob jiggled for a few seconds and then stopped, only to be broken down shortly after causing me to scream.
"So this is the changeling whore that needs to die" the unicorn standing where my door was said.
"Oh yes, it should be fun to break it" cackled a black pegasus behind him. I started crying as both stallions started coming into my room. The unicorn raised his hand to hit me, "what's the matter bug too afraid to do anything to stop us" he said laughing as I felt his hand hit my cheek.
"KRAMPUS HELP ME!" I screamed holding lilac close. The stallions in my room chuckled darkly as they stalked closer to me, then I heard it, like a whisper in the breeze *I'm here child* all of a sudden my fear was gone, replaced with joy as I smiled and laughed.
"What so funny bug" the pegasus said darkly. That's when we heard the sound of heavy hoof falls on the roof, followed by the jingling of bells and the rattling of chains. "What's that?" The pegasus asked the unicorn and before he could answer lilac did.
"My master, her friend, your demise, but you may call him...Krampus." That's when the first scream of many sounded as lilac started laughing darkly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I crawled down the chimney, making it crack and buckle, with my size and weight I focused my powers as I reached the bottom. As the fire roared to life I set my hands on the sides of the opening, slowly crawling out of the opening, I felt a spell connect with the fire attempting to put it out. Cutting my power controlling it, as the fire died, as I left the chimney, I smiled as I jumped at the stallion that fired the spell, causing him to scream and me to smile. Standing up I pulled the wicker basket off my back and stuck the horrible stallion inside of it, and turned my head to the left and saw three stallions run into the room I was in, as they stopped and saw me only two of them charged their horns.
I smiled and focused my power into one of the cherubs hanging from the ceiling, as it's cold eyes came to life with fire, he notched three arrows and fired as I disappeared into the shadows. I watched as the three arrows found their homes, one got lodged in the skull of one of the two with his horn lit, the other one had an arrow lodged in his shoulder causing him to scream out in pain and the third had an arrow in his back. Stalking forward I picked up the two that were still alive and put them in the basket.
Picking up the basket once more I focused my power and slunk into the shadows and walked towards Cadence's room. When I reached the hall that led to her room, I saw the female caretaker dead on the floor and the other three by the door to Cadence's room. Snarling I focused the wind to blow the window opposite the three of them to blow open causing snow to swirl in at a frightening pace, stalking forward once more I grabbed one of them in the confusion of the snow and stuck him in the basket.
The other two managed to reorient themselves quicker than the one I grabbed, but it didn't matter. As the snow in the hall got deeper the one closest to Cadence's door was dragged backwards by a snowman that I had been able to create out of the snow, as the stallion disappeared into the snowman allowing me to grab the third one from behind and stick him in the basket as well. Turning to where Cadence's door should have been was a gaping hole leading into her room, as I slowly stepped through the doorway, I saw Cadence smiling at a black pegasus and a brown unicorn. As they turned around I smiled darkly and as Cadence looked to me she started laughing even harder.
"Gentle stallions, I present to you my friend, Krampus" she said with a huge grin on her face. The unicorn smiled and fired a spell at me, I did nothing as it hit. I heard him laughing, and as the blast dissipated, I cackled louder causing both of the stallion's eyes to widen.
"Now, now men , now we can't do this the easy way, " I said pointing to my sack of toys in the corner. I smiled widely as the sack split open and toys started piling out as tinsel fell from my sleeves.
"Let us go or we kill the kid" the unicorn or dumbass one said. Unbeknownst to him or dumbass two, lilac was standing right behind of him and jumped into his back, and crawled up to his horn latching on. Just as that happened the tinsel that fell had slithered to dumbass two and had jumped wrapping around his wings. I jumped forward in the blink of an eye and had them both by their throats.
"Usually I'd take you straight to Luna, but you've pissed me off. So your punishment shall be to serve me for the rest of eternity " I said cackling madly as my power flowed from my hands into their bodies transforming them into tin soldiers. "Now, Mi Amore, would you like to live with me and the princess so bad men like these will never hurt you again ?" I asked Cadence as she slowly walked forward with lilac.
"Really!?" She said with stars in her eyes. Again she wasn't afraid of me, she probably thought she was being taken care of by the police and that I was once again there to help her heal, 'ah the wonders of a child's mind' I thought to myself as I called the storm off and had the toys return to the bag. I reattached the basket to my back and put Cadence on my shoulder, "Hang on child for we should be to the castle shortly " I told her with and with a smile on both our faces once more I lept through a window, making sure it was open first and headed for the castle.
Author's Note
Sorry if this might seem rushed, I worked on the pacing a lot and I feel like it flows really well. Also this is my longest chapter ever so enjoy 😁
Krampus, Harmony's Shadow
Making friends and Two Tales
It has been a thousand years since I came to Equestria, a thousand years since I met Luna. Five hundred years since I saved and adopted Mi Amore, and in that time my legend has grown. I have gone from a myth to a living legend, for every horrible and despicable creature I go after, my sack of toys grows larger. I still handle the night when Luna watches dreams, and my daughter ascended almost four hundred and twenty five years ago this year. I have watched as Luna took in a student who proved exceptional at magic, I watched as the first ever sonic rainboom occurred and I knew it wouldn't be long until Daybreaker returned.
It was getting close to the fall moon celebration where the ponies celebrated the longest night of the year, it was three days away when I suggested Twilight go to Ponyville to check on the preparations and make friends. Luna agreed with me because she had noticed Twilight becoming more reclusive in her books and like me could see the potential for greatness. Today was the day Luna would give her the quest that would start it all, as I stood next to Luna in the shadows so only she could see me. We awaited Twilight Sparkle and her number one assistant to come through the doors to the throne room.
"Princess Luna, I'm sorry if we've kept you waiting" Twilight said running through the doors and sliding to a stop bowing to Luna. I chuckled silently as Luna rolled her eyes and bid her to stand back up as Spike walked slowly up to Twilight as she said "so what do you need me to do Princess?"
"Please Twilight, how many times must I tell you?" Luna started looking bored. "Just call me Luna, and I need you and Spike to head to the town of Ponyville to check on preparations for the fall moon celebration."
"Of course Princess, you can count on us" she said smiling. I chuckled once more as Luna told her and Spike that they would be staying at the library of Ponyville until after the celebration at which Twilight beamed causing me to chuckle again. As Twilight and Spike left I made myself known to the throne room, and looked to Luna.
"You know she will send you a message saying your sister shall return on the morning of the celebration correct? " I said.
"Of course I know that's why I'm going to send her a message saying she should make friends, however" she started.
"I already planned on following her, after all what kind of protector doesn't protect? " I asked, chuckling slightly as I started heading for the door.
"Are you traveling your way or by train?" I heard Luna ask from behind me.
"I figured I'd follow her the normal way, besides " I said, turning my head slightly. "I've yet to try the train ." After Luna bid me farewell and good luck I stalked through the shadows following Twilight Sparkle and Spike, as she floated their bags behind her, and Spike was going over notes and lists by the looks of it. It took about forty five minutes of walking for us to reach the train station, I watched from inside one of the cargo cars as Twilight paid for their tickets and entered the train bound for Ponyville.
I just decided to move cars once the train left the station, so navigating my way on top of the train, I landed on the platform of the rear passenger car before the train entered the tunnel. As the train traversed the tunnel I stalked through the passenger car, and the one after that until finally I found Twilight and Spike. Sitting opposite them I decided to listen in on their conversation.
"This is so exciting Spike, the princess is entrusting the preparations for the fall moon celebration to us." Twilight said.
"Yeah, but it will probably be a little easier considering you have at least seven different lists" Spike said jokingly.
"You can never have too many lists Spike, I'm just...I don't know" I heard her say, making me raise an eyebrow.
"What do you mean Twi?" Spike asked.
"I mean the books I've been reading, they point to an old evil coming back and every time I've tried bringing it up princess Luna changes the subject. I think that's what she is really sending us to Ponyville for" she said.
"Please Twilight" Spike started sounding exasperated. "We need to focus on the preparations, not some old mares tale."
"Yeah I guess you're right Spike, but when we're not busy I'm going to continue researching it, because I know I'm right." She started, "so what's first on the list?" She asked.
"First we need to speak to mayor mare and then." I decided to zone out and ignore their conversation knowing how events would go. I decided to close my eyes and wait for when we hit Ponyville, so I could continue my vigilant watch and make sure everything goes without a hitch. It had felt like only a few seconds that my eyes had been closed when I heard the toll of the whistle, signalling that we had reached a destination, opening my eyes I found the train at the Ponyville platform, getting out of the seat and stretching I left the car in the silence of shadows and followed Twilight.
As per her list the first place she stopped was the town hall to meet with the mayor, to figure out who to check with and about what. I listened in as Mayor Mare gave Twilight the names of the ponies to check with, first was Applejack about food and refreshment, second was Rainbow Dash about weather, and third was Fluttershy for music and fourth was Rarity for decorations. I knew along the way she'd meet Pinkie Pie and I knew that for the time being I had to steer clear of her but I had a sinking feeling she already knew three ponies had come to Ponyville and wouldn't stop looking for me. I watched as Twilight thanked the Mayor and left town hall headed for Sweet Apple Acres, I decided to follow her sticking to the shadows, it was time for the mane six to get started.
~~~~~~~~~~Twilight POV:~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Alright Spike first on the list is Sweet Apple Acres, for food" I said to Spike as we left town hall and headed down the road to where the mayor said it was.
"I know Twi, I've already got the checklist started" Spike said smiling. As we walked along through Ponyville, a lot of ponies waved or said hi to us. Spike waved back, but I just tuned it out, after all I was on an important mission for the princess. It took us fifteen minutes to reach Sweet Apple Acres, after leaving town hall and coming upon the gate to the farm both me and Spike were struck speechless, there were trees as far as the eye could see. Walking down the path from the entrance to the farm it didn't take us very long to come upon one of the residents of the farm, a tan mare with a blond mane, wearing blue jeans, cowboy boots, a tank top and an old stetson cowboy hat.
As we approached her I started thinking this might be Applejack, the mare we were sent to talk to. "Excuse me?" I asked as we got close enough to her, "but you wouldn't happen to be Applejack would you?"
"Ah sure am" Applejack said smiling. "And who might y'all be?" She asked us.
"I'm Twilight Sparkle and this is my assistant Spike, we were sent by Princess Luna to check on the peepers for the fall moon festival" I said hoping we could get this done quickly so I could study.
"Shoot why didn't just say so, we got everything food wise covered from pies, fritters, cider, cobbler,you name it we got it. Would y'all like to have a taste, make sure it's to your liking?" She asked us with a smile.
"No thanks, we're just here to make sure everything is ready" I said right before my stomach betrayed me. Letting out the loudest gargle I've ever heard, 'shoot I knew I shouldn't have skipped breakfast' I thought to myself as Applejack chuckled.
"Sounds like y'all are lying, but don't worry, the Apple's never turn away a friend" she said as she rang a small bell attached to one of the posts on the porch. Soon a table of food and a sea of ponies greeted us and practically begged us to eat, claiming friends don't let other friends go hungry.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~Krampus~~~~~~~~~~~~
I laughed from the shadows of the apple trees as Twilight and Spike were practically forced to take part in the impromptu Apple family feast. Sneaking my way through the shadows and ponies I made my own way to the food table and selected a few snacks of my own for later consumption. Walking back to the trees to wait I watched for at least fifteen minutes as Twilight and Spike ate and talked with the Apples, as they waved goodbye and started to leave the apple orchard, I followed once more. It wasn't five minutes before the Twilight was bowled over by Rainbow Dash, during her practice session, knowing how the rest of this day would go I decided to head to the library, mostly to leave the book that contained the legend of Daybreaker, and another book about my legend.
As I stalked through Ponyville, keeping to the shadows and skirting as far away from Sugar Cube Corner for now, it took me half an hour of stalking carefully to finally reach the library. Slipping through the shadows to the interior of the library, no one was hidden just yet, meaning I didn't draw the attention of Pinkie, and she hadn't run into Twilight yet. It was actually larger on the inside than I thought it actually was, and there were more shelves than the show gave it credit for slipping through the shelves of the library. It didn't take me long to find what I was looking for. The non-fiction section, I managed to find books about tall tales and legends, finding my toy bag I opened it and reached in pulling out the books I needed to, Predictions and Prophecies and The Boogeyman of Equestria: Fact or Fiction, to be honest the second book always made me raise an eyebrow because it was apparently written by someone that I had taught a lesson to, and had first person accounts of run in's with me.
Shaking my head I set the books in the correct places on the shelves, and resealed my toy bag. Deciding I had taken enough time placing the books, I crept from between the bookshelves to notice the library was packed with ponies. 'How could Pinkie have done this with me inside the entire time and I was only placing those books for a few minutes at most' I thought to myself shaking my head. Deciding I wanted to experience the surprise like a normal pony, I silently snuck out of the library and it didn't take me long to find Twilight and Spike on their way to the library, with Spike having hearts in his eyes and Twilight in a beautiful dress, and a fancy mane style, snickering I followed them back to the library.
~~~~~~~~~~~Twilight POV~~~~~~~~~~~
It had taken me and Spike longer than I had thought to finish the checklist, mostly because of Rarity. She even denied me giving her money, because "friends do things like that" 'ugh' I thought to myself. "I can't wait to get to the library and just study" I said out loud causing Spike to chuckle a bit. Finally reaching the library I opened the front door to be greeted by darkness, I shrugged and walked in.
"SURPRISE!!!" I jumped at least three feet off the ground as the pink pony who gasped and ran away from me and Spike earlier was suddenly in front of me.
"What is all this!?" I asked, still a little startled and trying to get my breathing under control.
"This is your surprise, welcome to Ponyville party silly" the pink mare said, bouncing up and down. "I'm Pinkie Pie by the way, do you like the party, well do ya, do ya, do ya?" She asked excitedly.
"Well...yes but why through somepony you don't know a party?" I asked, perplexed. Watching as Spike walked away from me and to a food table set up a little ways away.
"That's easy silly filly, so me and everypony else could get to know you" she said happily. I suddenly felt myself dragged through the party and introduced to every single pony there, slowly I warmed up to the citizens of the town and slowly started to mingle. Tasting great food, playing games and talking with the five mares I had talked to about the preparations for the celebration. The party lasted until about 9:30 pm and as everypony left I thanked them all, especially Pinkie Pie for the party, finally able to relax, I perused the shelves of the library seeing what books it held within.
Perusing the non-fiction section I came across two books I had never seen or read before. I grabbed the books in my magic and giddily walked back to the main portion of the library where there was a couch setup. Plopping myself onto the comfy couch and carefully setting the books on the coffee table in front of me I picked up the first book Prophecies and Predictions and started reading. It took me about two hours to finish the book and I had finally been able to piece together the full story, my eyes widened and I yelled to Spike "Spike!, Take a letter."
"Arghhh, alright what am I writing?" He asked grumpily, getting up and grabbing a quill and a piece of parchment.
"Dear Princess Luna, I have come across a horrible conclusion. The villain Daybreaker will be returning after a thousand years on the day of the fall moon celebration. We need to find the elements of harmony so we can banish her once more" I said watching as Spike wrote everything I said down and with a breath of fire disappeared. "Good now we wait for her to respond and then I can read the other book" I said, then I looked to the other book 'Equestria's Boogeyman: Fact or Fiction' I picked it up and flipped it open, turning back to Spike I said "let me know when the Princess responds" watching him nod I decided to read the second book.
It felt like I had only been reading for a few minutes, when I felt Spike tap my shoulder. Smiling at him as he handed me the rolled up letter I nodded to him signalling he could go to bed. Undoing the crescent moon wax seal, and unrolling the letter, I read it...once, twice and finally on the third time it sunk in.
"Dear Twilight Sparkle,
Thank you for writing your letter and letting me know about what you found. However it would be in your best interest not to follow old mare tales and find friends, your only young once after all. Tell Spike I said hi, and please enjoy your time in Ponyville.
Your friend,
I couldn't believe the princess would tell me not to focus on a possible threat to the country and tell me I need friends. 'I don't need friends, I have my books' I thought to myself and smiled, until I remembered how much fun I had had at Pinkie's welcome party for me. Sighing I decided to head to bed deciding that Equestria's boogeyman was a myth told to keep young colts and fillies in line. Trudging up the stairs to my bedroom, I opened the door and entered, closing the door silently behind me to make sure I didn't wake up Spike.
Face planting onto the bed I pulled the covers over my head and decided I would continue my research tomorrow. Besides I still had two days until Daybreaker returned, I would figure out how to find the elements of harmony in time for the fall moon celebration.
Author's Note
Again I'm sorry if this seems rushed. And I'm sorry I'm using POV again I just figured it would help the story flow, I don't plan any more POV changes because I want to challenge myself. That's why I'm writing this story, I felt this chapter flowed really well.
Krampus, Harmony's Shadow
A Myth No More, Sister's United
Today was finally the day, after watching Twilight study the legend of Daybreaker and get closer to the five ponies that became her friends. I was standing in the shadows behind the crowd of ponies in the town square of Ponyville, waiting for Luna to show up to raise the moon. Everyone was waiting patiently and talking amongst themselves and I was watching the shadow on the sun as it glimmered and disappeared. My eyes widened, as I looked from the sun to the balcony of town hall as shadows started to form and a cackling laugh could be heard throughout the square.
"Bwahaha, foolish ponies, you have been basking in the night for too long, I have returned to save you!" Daybreaker shouted, looking around menacingly. Everyone in the square looked horrified, I started walking through the shadows, towards town hall when a voice made me stop.
"What have you done with the princess Daybreaker!?" I heard Twilight shout. Turning to look at her, her and her friends didn't look scared, well except for Fluttershy, turning back towards Daybreaker I smiled as I saw her grin eb slowly away.
"I am the princess you foals, and day will rule eternal, ahahaha" Daybreaker cackled and disappeared in a flash of red magic just as I was about to jump. Cursing my timing, I turned and watched as Twilight and her friends ran from town hall, knowing where they were going I leaped through the air. Landing on a rooftop, I ran beside them leaping from roof to roof to keep up with them, until Twilight ran right into the library door, landing from my last leap on the ground behind the mane six. I winced slightly and watched as Fluttershy and Pinkie helped her to her hooves, as Applejack threw the door open and all six mares rushed inside.
"Who exactly was that Twi?" Applejack asked and I saw the same question on the rest of the girls' faces.
"That" Twilight started grabbing a book off her coffee table. "was Daybreaker, a thousand years ago she attempted to dethrone Princess Luna and plunge the world into eternal day. But that's not even the worse part, she believed ponies were the superior species and was going to attempt to have ponies start a genocidal war." She finished, causing everypony in the room to either blanch or turn pale.
"Wait, if she was defeated before she can be again right?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Twilight smiled as she said "correct all we have to do is find the elements of harmony, and if I'm right I know exactly where they are, follow me." With that statement everyone in the room took off after Twilight, I knew exactly where they would end up from the run so stepping outside, I lept towards the everfree forest. Landing on the outskirts of the forest, I knew how everything would go in the show, but then again Daybreaker wasn't a thing until much, much later in the original timeline, I decided to wait for the mane six.
As I was waiting for them to arrive I found something hanging from a branch of one of the trees. Walking over, I noticed it was a silver pocket watch with a symbol I recognized from my world.
"The state alchemist " I said, slowly reaching out and picking it from the tree, a jolt of energy ran through me and I heard.
I am the one who constructs and deconstructs, the partner and protector of the moon, I aid the Innocent and protect the children, If you require aid, Call my name and I will come forth, The Crimson Sage.
I also noticed not very far from the pocket watch was what looked like a yellow and brown choker, walking closer. I noticed the sections were a trapezoid with a narrow center and long angles. "Yang Xiao Long's choker " I said, realizing what it was. Carefully picking it from the tree the same jolt of energy ran through me as I heard.
"If you need me, preferably not for fighting, call me over. The phrase is Come forth, calm flame.”
Deciding to investigate the strange objects I found later, I put them in my cloak pocket and continued my wait. I didn't have long to wait because no more than five minutes later I saw the mane six running up the trail leading to the everfree, I watched as Twilight stopped and turned to talk to the rest of the girls. I watched as they all nodded their heads to whatever Twilight was talking to them about and as Twilight turned and entered the forest the rest of the girls followed suit, and I followed along in the shadows. Deciding that a couple more pairs of eyes and ears would be a good thing, I envisioned my toy sack and when I felt the weight of it in my left hand I smiled.
Opening it up while following the mane six I called forth a couple toy owls. As they flew out of the sack, I closed it and once vanished into the shadows, "search the woods, and send me a message when you spot anything that Daybreaker will do differently from my memories " I said to the owls. Watching as the three of them fly away, I continued following the girls until they came upon the first challenge that Daybreaker had set up.
The trees had started to take on ghostly faces, and we're starting to scare most of the girl's. Except for Pinkie, just like in the show she laughed and made faces at the trees and told the girls to giggle at the ghosties and the faces would disappear. As the girls did this, the faces slowly disappeared all except for one, noticing the face taking on a body I slowly walked up to it and put my arm around it.
"Such a powerful tool, laughter " I said, causing the face to lose its snarl and turn to me with a look of fear. "Hopefully you've enjoyed being a toy, because you'll be one for as long as I draw breath " I said as I slowly molded the face, head and torso the shadow had managed to create and turned it into a nutcracker. Continuing to follow the girls into the forest one of the owls returned to me, making a few low tone hoots, nodding to it and sending it back into the woods I made sure to stay closer to the mane six.
It didn't take too long to come across Fluttershy's test, the manticore. I knew something else was wrong the second I saw it, so as five of the mane six decided to fight it I slunk through the shadows until I found what I was looking for. Looking at the elongated shadows around the manticore, I followed them leading to a small imp of some kind. Carefully walking forward so he wouldn't see me, I looked back towards the mane six and saw Fluttershy cooing to the manticore, looking back to the imp a grin started forming on my face.
"Such a wonderful thing, kindness " I said, causing the imp to drop the shadow strings and spin around. Staying hidden I watched as it's eyes turned as big as dinner plates as it realized no one was there.
"H-hello?" It asked in a very small voice. "W-w-whos t-t-there, please whoever or whatever you are I just want my peaceful life back."
"And you shall have it youngling " I said, making myself known, kneeling in front of the imp. "What has Daybreaker taken from you, to cause you to create such disharmony? "
"She, *sniff* she took my family hostage and told me that *sniff* if I didn't stop six mare from reaching the castle of the two sisters" it said unable to hold back the tears. I frowned and furrowed my brows as I thought of a way I could help the imp in front of me, snapping my fingers as my eyes sparkled. I had an idea, a wonderful idea, a horrible wonderful idea.
"You will get your family back, help me instead you will not need to cause such disharmony " I said watching as his eyes sparkled. "Come, there are still three more challenges we need to make sure the mares win, by the way what's your name? "
"I shall help you because you have shown me great kindness, and I am called Rockto (Rohktoh) it will be an honor to work with you Krampus" he said causing my eyes to widen.
"You know of me? " I said motioning for him to follow me so we could keep up with the mane six.
"Of course, every being on Equis knows of you" he said following closely behind me. As we walked through the woods we talked about his family and where Daybreaker might have hid them. Rockto actually didn't know very much except that if he didn't do what Daybreaker said, he'd never see his family again, nodding to the small being walking beside my hulking frame we continued onward.
Catching up with the mane six we came upon the third challenge, generosity. Unlike what I knew from the show of a hydra with his mustache shaved off, we came across the mane six facing a crying imp.
"Is that one of your family members Rockto? " I asked the imp with me.
"Yes! That is my sister Grenda (Grhendah)" Rockto said.
"How many members of your family did Daybreaker take? " I asked watching as Rarity gave Grenda her own coat.
"Six Krampus" he started. "Me, Grenda, my brother Shadow, my other sister Flori, my mother Shadra and my father Groton" after he finished speaking I thought back to the shadow I turned into a nutcracker. Imagining said toy in my hand, I opened my eyes to see the nutcracker in my hand. Focusing my power into the toy, I changed it back into the shadow that I had captured. As soon as the shadow saw me it turned to run, only to see Rockto standing in front of me, I watched as the shadow solidified into a dark imp.
"It seems I already caught one of your siblings, but I assumed it was an actual shadow. Hopefully you can both forgive me for not checking more closely, now let us get your sister " I said, slinking into the shadows as the brothers hugged. I slunk through the shadows around the mane six as the imp they just helped stood stock still with her mouth open. Sneaking up behind her, I figured it would be best to do what I did with Rockto. "And what has you flabbergasted, child? " I asked, I watched as she jumped and spun around to see who spoke only to start trembling as she saw me.
"T-the legends are true, Krampus?" she spoke. I nodded to answer her, I watched as her jaw almost unhinged and her eyes grew as large as saucers.
"Do not be alarmed child, I am here to help you, as I have helped your brothers " I said pointing to where Rockto was. I watched as her jaw closed as she ran headlong, towards her brothers, I laughed madly as she tackled them both to the ground in a smothering hug. I watched as the three hugged and cried to have each other in their arms, I heard the low hoot of one of the owls. Turning my head I watched the owl fly towards me erratically hooting loudly, my eyes widened in disbelief.
"Rockto, gather your siblings, we must hurry if we are to gather your parents and other sister before Daybreaker destroys them " I said, turning towards the three imps. I watched as Rockto's eyes widened before they narrowed with a fire burning deep inside.
"Can you carry the three of us Krampus?" He asked me. I nodded, smiling wickedly, I picked up the three imps and readied myself for one of my flying leaps.
"Hold on lady and gentlemen, and please enjoy your trip on air Krampus " I said wickedly. Leaping into the air, I flew with speeds that would rival Rainbow Dash, focusing my powers on the clouds in the everfree, I watched as they turned dark and followed me through the sky towards the castle of the two sisters. I flew over the ravine just as Rainbow Dash showed loyalty and the rest of the mane six crossed the old rope bridge, but as they crossed I watched as Pinkie convulsed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Ooohhhh, that was a doozy," Pinkie said, bouncing behind us as we crossed the rope bridge.
"What was a doozy?" Twilight asked as the mane six skidded to a halt before the doors to the castle.
"Well, I got a twitchy tail, floppy ears and an itchy hoof. I don't know what that combination means though" Pinkie said.
"Ughh, girls I hate t'be the bearer ah bad news but" Applejack started as she pointed towards the sky. The rest of the mane six looked up and watched as the clouds above the Everfree forest darkened and congregated above the castle, thunder rumbled and lightning flashed in the sky as snow started to fall.
"Quickly girls" Twilight started kicking the doors to the castle open. "We need to get the elements and quickly" and with that the mane six ran through the castle until they reached the doors that lead to the tree of harmony. As they entered they were met with the sight of the elements of harmony and Daybreaker.
"Ahahaha I have the elements and know you will never stop me" she yelled as she fired a beam of magic towards the mane six. As they scattered Twilight lit her horn and teleported beside Daybreaker blasting her with her own magic as she grabbed the elements. Daybreaker quickly stood back up and blasted Twilight back, before getting hit behind by a cyan blur knocking her forward. Cursing loudly she attempted to teleport herself and the elements away from the six to one battle but as her horn flashed she was tackled by Twilight causing them both and the elements to be teleported to a different part of the castle, as soon as the flash was over the rest of the girls took off to look for Twilight, Daybreaker and the elements.
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As I was looking through the castle for the other three imps the ones I had with me were also searching. As we were looking through the shadows we came upon the throne room where we found Shadra, Groton and Flori, the four of us quickly untied the three imps and as the family embraced each other I slunk through the shadows until I was standing in the middle of the two thrones. All of a sudden I heard the buzz of energy and quickly lept to the side as Daybreaker, Twilight Sparkle and the elements of harmony appeared where I had been standing.
Quickly getting back to my hooves I watched as Twilight grabbed the elements and attempted to ignite them to cleanse Daybreaker. The elements shined slightly and then turned grey and fell, before Daybreaker.
"I don't understand" Twilight started as she looked at the grey stones. "When the elements are together they bring out the sixth but it didn't work, why didn't it work?"
"Can't you see child?" Daybreaker started laughing madly, "the elements will never work and you will never defeat me" she said as she ignited her horn. Seeing what would happen I decided to buy the Twilight and the other girls some time, grabbing some tinsel from my sleeves I followed into a ball and threw it at Daybreaker. I watched as the tinsel came alive mid throw and un-balled itself and flew straight and true for Daybreakers horn, landing on her head the tinsel quickly set to wrapping itself around her horn cutting off her magic.
"What is the meaning of this" Daybreaker yelled as she clawed at the tinsel on her horn. I watched as the six imps walked out of the shadows and engaged Daybreaker head on with Shadow and Shadra turning into their shadow forms, to hold her in place as Rockto sent out his shadow strings to control Daybreakers movements. Groton, Flori and Grenda hit the ground with their hands causing the stone to rise up and encase Daybreakers legs up to her knees.
As she continued to struggle I heard the door break open and the rest of the mane six came charging in yelling about how they were going to help Twilight. Nodding to the imps and having the tinsel return to me I watched as Twilight gave her speech about the elements and her friends being kindness, honesty, generosity, loyalty and laughter. The elements ignited into the correct colors and flew towards their correct bearers turning into beautifully crafted necklaces and settled around their necks. The element of magic came into existence as a beautiful crown with a six point star at the forefront, the six elements ignited and flew towards Daybreaker as she yelled at the mane six.
I watched as the circle of rainbow power encircled Daybreaker, I watched as her shadow form broke away from her and attempted to escape. Having the shadow imps cut off it's escape I snuck in from behind of it and grabbed the shadowy mist with my left hand.
"You have caused issues for this nation, my friend, her sister and these six mares. For your transgressions I sentence you to serve me for the rest of eternity " I said darkly as I forced the shadow to bend to my will. I forced the shadow to take on the form of the most useless toy I had in my canvas sack, I forced the shadow into the form of a bouncy ball the size of a tennis ball, as the transformation completed the orbital rainbow cannon stopped firing. I turned back towards the thrones to see the prone form of Princess Celestia, and the mane six high hugging each other for a job well done, I felt a magical signature I recognized, shaking my head I awaited the arrival of my first friend Princess Luna.
Once more I heard the faint buzz of magic, and felt the air grow lighter, I watched as a dark blue light emenated from in front of the mane six, it flashed and standing where the light was, was Luna. I snickered as the mane six bowed to her I stalked in towards my friend. As I stepped beside her I heard her say.
"Rise my little ponies, you have done me and Equestria a service for returning my sister." She said as she turned around to face Celestia, who was just starting to open her eyes. As Celestia looked around her eyes landed on Luna and grew to the size of dinner plates, Luna kneeled in front of her sister and wrapped her in a hug, I didn't hear what she said but I knew she was ecstatic to have her sister back in her life.
"So everything is back to normal, though I have a feeling your student will stay " I said as Luna ended her embrace with Celestia.
"Hopefully she will" she whispered to me as she stood up.
"Who are you speaking to sister?" Celestia asked, causing me and Luna's eyes to widen as we looked at each other silently asking the same question, 'should we tell them?'
"Yeah princess, besides why are you staring into empty space like that?" Rainbow asked.
"Yeah, you do that a lot" Twilight started. "I've seen you do that a lot whenever I'm around. I see you either stare into nothing, swivel one of your ears like someone is talking to you when I'm the only one with you. You did it the day I left, I even watched you roll your eyes as your ear was facing your left a few seconds after I stopped talking."
"Yes sister, I have a hazy memory of you wanting to introduce me to someone before the nightmares took over" Celestia said looking worried.
"It's time my old friend, " I said, sighing to Luna as she nodded.
"My faithful student and friends, what do you know of Krampus?" Luna asked, I playfully shoved her in mock hurt.
"Easy he's just an old mare's tale told to keep fillies and colts in line" Twilight said.
"Yet Daybreaker was real?" Luna asked, causing the mane six's eyes to widen, especially Twilight's. "Sister it is a very long time coming but I would like you to meet my friend, Krampus" she said as I left the shadows and let everyone in the room see me.
As the mane six gasped and Celestia's eyes widened as once more I kneeled in front of her. "A thousand years ago your sister Princess Luna found me sitting alone by a river in the forest. She thought it best to seek your council on what would be done with me. Instead of an honorable meeting, you referred to me as beast and chose to act unbefitting of a princess. I forgave you a thousand years ago when I helped Luna banish you and I do not need an apology now. I have lived peacefully amongst the beings of this world, and once more I introduce myself, I am Krampus, watcher of the night, protector of the innocent, and I wish to be your friend. "
Waiting for what Celestia would say I heard "rise Krampus, please you don't have to bow to me. Once I saw you the memory of that day returned with a vengeance I could never apologise enough for my behavior, and yet you forgive me. You have watched the night as my sister took over in my place to watch the day, I have no right to judge you and I...I would love to be your friend." Looking up it was Celestia who spoke, in her eyes were tears and standing up I wiped the tears from her eyes and embraced the returned Princess of the sun.
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The mane six stood stock still as Luna introduced her sister. Godsmacked that Daybreaker was a twisted visage of her, but what really had them on the ropes was when Luna looked at them and asked.
"My faithful student and friends, what do you know of Krampus?"
Rainbow, Applejack, Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy's eyes widened at the prospect of the old tale their parents had told them was a true living being.
"Easy he's just an old mare's tale told to keep fillies and colts in line" Twilight said. Causing the other five to gasp at what she had said.
Luna just smiled a knowing smile as she said "yet Daybreaker was real." Twilight's eyes widened as the shadow next to Princess Luna shimmered and soon all right mares bore witness to a myth just as old as Daybreaker. Standing about as tall as Luna, was a stocky bent over figure wearing a soot covered read cloak with stained white fur trim. He was covered in chains that rattled and bells that chimed as he shifted his position, and they could see his cloven hooves as he started walking towards Princess Celestia. He had ram horns that came out of the hood of the cloak and curved slightly, his face was wrinkled and his once white beard was a dirty grey in color.
None of the mane six dared to move a muscle, they had just faced Daybreaker. The dark version of Princess Celestia who a thousand years ago attempted to throw the world into eternal day, they had proven themselves the true elements of harmony. Yet even Rainbow Dash who never feared anything in her life refused to unfurl her wings to attempt to beat the creature in front of her, Applejack who was strong and honest, held her hat to her chest as she couldn't tear her eyes away from the being her parents told her about truly being real.
Rarity who was generous and believed in prim and proper fainted as he walked past her. His once pristine suit dirty and once shiny chains and bells rusted and creaking, Pinkie who was always jovial, bouncing and loved to meet new ponies couldn't even bounce as he walked past her. Fluttershy who was kind to everyone and everything yet afraid of her own shadow couldn't hide, couldn't look away. She felt no kindness when she looked at him and as her eyes met his, her mind stopped, for in this eyes kindness and spite walked hand in hand there was kindness for the innocent yet spite and hatred for the wicked.
Finally as he walked past Twilight, the gears in her mind kicked into overdrive. She had read about him not more than three days ago, she had memorized how the book described him. She looked for flaws in the projection for that is what it had to be, Krampus wasn't real. Her analytic mind couldn't comprehend the possibility of someone who could fight for the innocent and harmony that could even vehemently harm those that were wicked. As soon as Celestia saw him her mind brought forth memories from a thousand years ago when she first met Krampus, and how she had treated him.
Then she remembered what the shadow did, and how it forced her prejudice to only see ponies as good and every other species as evil. Her eyes watered and the tears fell like a waterfall as she remembered all the horrible things she had said, all the plotting and scheming she did behind everyone's back. How she planned to imprison her own sister for not being loyal enough to pony kind. Her heart broke and then was ground into a fine dust that blew away into the breeze as her mind made her relive every horrible thing she had done a thousand years prior.
She watched as once more Krampus kneeled in front of her and as his words entered her mind she berated herself. She heard everything he said but her subconscious broke her, beat her and removed her ponanity in her mind. And as the voices we're about to win and her magic destroy her, his words stuck.
"I forgave you a thousand years ago when I helped Luna banish you and I do not need an apology now. I have lived peacefully amongst the beings of this world, and once more I introduce myself, I am Krampus, watcher of the night, protector of the innocent, and I wish to be your friend. "
Celestia wept even harder for this kind being who she was nothing short of disgusted to forgave her. He wanted to be her friend, her voice subconscious couldn't understand it, he should hate her, resent her, yet he forgave her. "Rise Krampus, please you don't have to bow to me. Once I saw you the memory of that day returned with a vengeance I could never apologise enough for my behavior, and yet you forgive me. You have watched the night as my sister took over in my place to watch the day, I have no right to judge you and I...I would love to be your friend" she said as she continued to weep.
Krampus stood and she was taken aback as he wiped the tears from her eyes and embraced her. She hugged him back and cried, she was back to normal, she had her sister back, and the being she attempted to harm forgave her and wanted to be her friend. Celestia knew it wasn't going to be an easy road, but as she felt another six pairs of arms wrap around her she heard Luna's comforting words as her mane was stroked.
"You will never be alone, sister, you can change. You have friends in these six girls if you ask nicely and Krampus has forgiven you and become your friend. Soon Equestria will have two rulers and shall once more feel the glory of your day." As Celestia pulled her head away from Krampus's chest she looked at her sister's bright smile and caring eyes and nodded slowly as her head rested once more on the chest of the satyr she had wronged a thousand years ago.
