Queenslayer: The Endless Night

“Wait here.” The man said.

The brigands led them to the edge of the forest on Draquuis side. There, a small lake on which reflected two different skies. On the left side, a full moon could be seen, the sky as dark as the night could be. However, on the right side, a bright sun stood high above the clouds. This panorama, to say the least, incongruous, amazed the bandits but would’ve terrorized the poor prince if he wasn’t already sleeping in Rainbow Dash’s arms.

Of course the bandits would found that wonderful, but Spike, Twilight and Rainbow Dash knew what was the cause of that. And the truth is often darker than one could think.

Next to the lake stood a small wood cottage, greenery on the walls showed that this little house was older that it might seems. In front of the house, two men were standing. One was tall, yellow of hair, eating an apple and talking casually to the other. He had a sword attached to his waist and a shield rested on the cottage wall next to him, next to the front door.

The other man him was bald, and wore a strict look, attached on his back was a bow with a quiver filled with arrows.

The big man who presented himself to Twilight and the others as Big Macintosh walked in their direction, casually waving with his right hand. The yellow haired one smiled at him but the other one didn’t even gave him a glare.

“Sup’ fellas?” Big Mac said, now standing in front of them.

“Heya there Big Mac’” The friendly one replied, “Already home?” Then he looked at the sky, “Did ya’ find any reason why the sky looks like this?” Then he noticed the two girls and the little boy resting in the knight’s arms, who stayed in the background.

“Maybe.” Big Macintosh replied with a smirk. “Is boss here?”

“Sure, she’s still resting, her wound hasn’t totally healed yet.” He said, moving to the side to let Big Mac access to the front door. He made a sign of his hand, miming Twilight and her group to follow him.

“Thanks Braeburn.” Big Mac said, opening the door and letting Twilight pass.

As the four of them entered the house, Big Mac closed the door behind them. The house was small, there was only a small kitchen, with a table and three chairs, a leather chair that seemed in a relatively good shape, and far in the back was a bed on which lay a feminine figure.

Rainbow didn’t waste any time and put Spike on the leather chair.

“Sorry to bother you while your resting sis’,” Big Mac said, an apologetic look on his face, walking toward the bed, “But these fellas can really use our help.”

There was a growl coming from under the blankets, and slowly, a woman emerged from it. She was beautiful, long blond hair with freckles on her cheeks, jade eyes, and a muscular shape that showed that this woman wasn’t someone to mess with. A bandage hid her generous breast, and despites the small pants she was wearing, she wasn’t wearing anything. She stretched her arms and yawned before getting up and smile at them.

“Howdy y’all.” She cheered.

Rainbow Dash, quick as lightning, pushed Twilight behind her and drew her sword, frowning deeply.

“R-Rainbow Dash!” Twilight yelped, “What’s the matter?!”

“I know this woman.” Rainbow Dash said, glaring daggers at the bandits chief, “Her name is… Applejack.”

Applejack wasn’t surprised a bit by that, she just stood there and smiled at the display of loyalty from the knight to the woman she was protecting. Big Macintosh drew his long sword and stood between them, but his sister put a hand on his shoulder.

“It’s okay Big Mac,” She said, before looking at Rainbow, “Ah see that mah reputation precedes me.” She said, putting her hands on her waist, still smiling.

“Rainbow Dash, care to explain?” Twilight whispered.

“She’s well known in Draquuis, she has a bounty on her head.” Rainbow Dash explained, “Two thousand bits if I remember.”

Twilight’s eyes went wide, “T-Two thousand?!”

Applejack chuckled, “Well that was before our little run-in with the guards a few days ago. Now it’s three grand.”

Rainbow Dash held her sword firmly, “Not improving your case.”

“W-Wait!” Twilight jumped in front of Rainbow Dash, “She’s maybe an outlaw, but we need her help Rainbow!”

Rainbow didn’t reply.

“Please?” Twilight asked, a crack in her voice that made Rainbow flinched.

Rainbow finally sighed in defeat and lowered her blade, “Fine.”

“Wise choice.” Applejack approved, then she walked toward them and held her hand out to Twilight. “Let’s make this official, Ah’m Applejack, nice meetin’ ya.’”

“I’m Twilight.” Twilight said, presenting herself, she then pointed to Rainbow Dash who scowled Applejack, “This is my friend, Rainbow Dash.” And finally she pointed to Spike, “And my little brother, Spike.”

Concern covered Applejack’s face when she saw the state of the little boy. “What happened to him?” She asked.

“He was attacked by a Lion-bear.” Twilight explained.

“Damn,” She replied kneeling, taking off Spike’s bandages and frowned at the wound. “Doesn’t look good to me.” She sighed and looked at Twilight, “Glad you could outrun it.”

“Hum,” Twilight started, “The fact is…”

“I killed it.” Rainbow Dash said, walking forward to stood next to them, her arms crossed on her chest.

Applejack whistled and gave her a look of respect, “You killed a Lion-bear? Atta’ girl.” She stood up and walked toward a cabinet. “Well we should change his bandages, and disinfect the wound…” The she looked at the ground. “However…”

“What?” Rainbow asked.

“It’s really, really, not looking good, Ah can’t heal him, Ah don’t have the resources and the expertise.” She explained.

“What?!” Twilight yelled, “B-But… How can…” Tears started to appear on her eyes.

“Ah’m sorry.” Applejack stated, still looking at the ground.

“Hum…” This time it was Big Macintosh who talked, “Maybe… she can?”

Rainbow Dash and Twilight both wore interrogative glares, “Who are you talking about?” Rainbow asked.

Applejack returned with a new bandage and started to apply it on Spike’s arm. “There’s a… Druid. Deep inside the forest.” She explained, “But we don’t go over there, it’s filled with magical beasts and last time Ah tried to go there…” She then showed the now healed wound on her stomach.

“Why would she live there if the beasts are that threatening?” Twilight asked.

“They don’t attack her, don’t know why though.” Applejack said, finishing her work and standing next to them. “But even if you decide to go there… Ah’m not sure she would agree to help you, Ah already meet her but she hates humans,” The she pointed Spike, “And Ah doubt he can make the travel.”

Twilight greeted her teeth and stomped on the ground. Watching this, Rainbow sighed and put her hand on Twilight’s shoulder. “I’ll go see her and bring her here, you two wait here.”

“What?!” Twilight, Applejack, Big Macintosh and Applebloom, who was hiding behind a furniture, all yelled at the same time.

Applejack turned herself around and frowned, “Applebloom! What did Ah tell you about spyin’ on people?”

The girl just wore a childish smile, earning a sigh from both of her siblings.

“Rainbow…” Twilight said, “You don’t have to do that.”

“I do in fact.” Rainbow said, “I promised I would protect you. Both of you, and here we are…” She avoided Twilight’s look, “Let me, at least, try to make this right.”

It was a surprising display of loyalty that Applejack never saw before. She could see, in that woman’s glare, that she was willing to give her life to protect both of the childs. Applejack smiled at that, “I’ll go with you.”

“What?!” This time, it was Twilight, Big Mac, Applebloom and Rainbow Dash.

“Why?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Ah like ya. And going there alone would be suicide.” She stated.

“AJ!” Applebloom yelped, “Don’t do that! Do you remember what happened last time?”

“Ah do. And Ah won’t make the same mistake, if Ah run into that thing again, Ah’ll run in the opposite way.” She said, scratching her sister’s hair. She then turned to Rainbow Dash, “If that’s okay with ya, of course.”

Rainbow scowled her with a ‘humpf’, but she had to admit, Applejack looked strong. And she had a bounty of three thousand bits on her head. Rainbow Dash knew it wasn’t just for show.

“Okay.” She stated, “But you’ll do everything I say.”

Applejack nodded, “Sounds good to me.”

Nightmare Moon was there, standing and facing her opponent, both her hands holding firmly on her sword, ignoring the torrent of flames surrounding them. She knew fighting on the volcano wasn’t a great idea, but it was the only place where she wasn’t able to come.

Her opponent was a knight, he wore a heavy armor bust most of it was destroyed, showing a part of his chest and his helmet was laying on the ground. He had red eyes, mid-length black hair, and a murderous look. He too, was gripping firmly on his sword, but there also was at least fifteen swords flying in the air behind him, all pointing in Nightmare Moon’s direction.

He was in a rough state, bleeding from his mouth and his left ear. Nightmare Moon her, was bleeding from below her right eye, he almost put her eye out with his last move, but she managed to dodged it at the last second. She knew she wasn’t supposed to underestimate him, but she was cocky by nature.

With a war cry, he launched himself at her, she waited patiently pointed her sword blue as night in his direction. This blow, will be the last.

Nightmare Moon was slowly woken up when she heard footsteps resonating against the floor in the wide room.

She saw the hooded woman entering Equuis throne room, Celestia’s statue still standing in the middle of it, and back in the room, on the throne, stood Nightmare Moon, a wide smile on her face.

“Limestone!” She greeted.

The hooded woman spat on the ground, “What did I tell you about my name?!”

“Yes, yes, sorry.” Nightmare Moon said, with a glib wave of her hand, earning a sigh from Limestone.

She lowered her hood, her skin was darker than the peoples of Equuis, it was a pigmentation specific to Stoneheart. She had mid-long white hair and a cocky grin on her face.

“So, what’s the news?” She asked.

Nightmare Moon sighed, and lowered her head on her hand. “We haven’t found them yet…” She explained, pouting. “And our dear Spitfire still won’t talk.”

“Not very surprising… She was trained by… him.” Limestone stated.

“Yes I know, I know.” The despot replied, “But I’m confident. I’m certain Lancelot will squeeze the truth out of her.” She said glaring at the girl, closing her fist to support her words. “And I already told you not to talk about him.”

Limestone rolled her eyes, “Yeah sorry.” She said sighing. “Just hope that Esdeath won’t break her before.” She finally said with a chuckle, quickly followed by Nightmare Moon.

“She won’t, she’s having too much fun with her to break a toy like that.” Nightmare mood said, her good mood back in an instant. They both stopped talking when they heard footsteps behind Limestone. “Ah, speaking of the devil.”

Esdeath walked towards them, her usually white uniform was coated in blood, but Limestone quickly guessed that it wasn’t hers. She glared at her and smirked, “Guess you had fun, eh?”

“I did.” Esdeath said, “Alas, I had to leave it to Lancelot,” She explained before glaring at Nightmare Moon, “I wouldn’t want to interfere with his… work.”

“Good.” Nightmare Moon nodded.

“C’mon don’t make that face.” Limestone said to Esdeath, “Don’t you have puppies to torture or something?”

Esdeath glared at her and put her hand on the handle of her rapier, “Maybe, but right now my sights are on a white haired witch.” She said, “I wonder if what we say about your people it’s true, that your blood is blue.”

“Why you don’t come and find out?” Limestone replied, a murderous glow on her eyes.

“Enough. Both of you.” Nightmare Moon stated authoritatively.

Limestone looked a bit scared but Esdeath just shrugged.

“You know that Spitfire won’t say anything, whatever we do to her right?” Esdeath asked after a sigh.

“Of course I’m very aware of that.” Nightmare Moon nodded.

“So…” Limestone started, “What’s the point of that?”

Esdeath repressed a laugh and Nightmare Moon chuckled, “You’ll see.” She said, “Now, Esdeath, what are the news from Draquuis?”

“No one saw them crossing the borders, so I have two suggestions,” Esdeath explained, “One, they’re still in the forest but on Draquuis side, or two, they’ve managed to cross the border without the guards seeing them.”

“That would be unfortunate.” Nightmare Moon said with a smirk.

She earned an interrogative glare from Limestone, “Wait why are you smiling?”

Esdeath chuckled, “You didn’t get it yet? You really are dumb.” She said getting another dark glare from the stone witch, “We want her to go in Draquuis.”

“W-Why?” Limestone asked, “I thought we wanted to capture her?”

“Yes we do.” The despot stated, “But in the right time, her powers hasn’t awakened yet.”

“Her powers?” Now, Limestone was totally lost.

Nightmare Moon chuckled, “Do you know how Twilight and her stupid little brother came into this world?”

Limestone blushed, “Well... You know… When two peoples love each other very much…”

Esdeath rolled her eyes and Nightmare Moon exploded in laughter, “No, not like that.” She explained after her burst of laughter. “Twilight doesn’t have a father. My sister never got married.”

Limestone frowned, “Then how?”

“Magic.” Nightmare Moon said, in a whisper. “She was born by magic. You see, Celestia managed, somehow… To create life inside her, with her magic… She did it twice actually but it seemed the second time, it failed.”

“But this Twilight girl,” Esdeath continued, “She has a great magical potential, I could feel it just by crossing her glare.”

“Me too.” Nightmare Moon nodded, “She has the potential to be a very powerful and strong mage.”

“So…” Limestone said, “You want her for what? Get her magic?”

Nightmare Moon slowly shook her head, “No dear… It’s much more… So much more.”

Screams of pain could be heard through the dark corridors of Canterlot’s dungeon. All of the screams were feminine, and all came from one person.

Spitfire was held up from the roof by metallic chains, totally naked, her body covered in her own blood. She spat blood on the ground and glared at her tormentor.

“Where are they?” Lancelot, the big dark knight, asked calmly, standing in front of her. Even if she was a few inches above the ground, he still was three, maybe four heads taller than her.

Spitfire slowly smirked and shrugged, earning a powerful punch right in her face.

“Where are they?” He asked again, with the same voice.

“Ev… Even if I knew…” Spitfire managed to say, “I rather die to betray them.” She finished frowning deeply at him.

Lancelot didn’t waste any more time and violently punch her on the stomach, before punching her again in the face. Spitfire never faced someone as strong physically as Lancelot. Each punch he gave her was like a punch of a giant. His spiky gauntlets weren’t helping either.

She spat more blood on the ground with a few of her teeth, feeling like her life was slowly leaving her body. She wasn’t dupe, she knew she would die here. But she will never, ever, say a word.

“Where are they?” He tried again.

“Are… Are you deaf dickhead?” She yelled at him, “I said I don’t know! Is that so complicated for you to understand? You dumb piece of-”

She got cut off by another powerful punch right into her face. Her nose was already broken but it didn’t prevent it to make more cracked sounds.

“You…” She said, breathing loudly, “You better kill me here you know…” She said, “Because, if I ever get out of here.” She raised her head up, looking right into his eyes, “I’ll kill you.”

Lancelot stood there quietly for a few seconds before asking, “Where are they?” earning a chuckle from Spitfire.

“I don’t know.” She replied.

“Be careful… Please?” Applebloom pleaded to her big sister.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were now ready to leave. Applejack gave to Rainbow a better protection than she already had, she was now wearing a leather armor from the bandit’s hideout.

Applejack too was wearing a leather armor, she also had a small dagger on her waist and a bow with a quiver in her back. They were standing not far away from the cottage where Spike was resting in Applejack’s bed. Some bandits, Twilight and Applebloom came to wish them good luck. Big Mac him, was watching over Spike.

“You too Rainbow.” Twilight said, taking her knight’s in her arms, in a tight hug, “I... I don’t know what I’m going to do if I ever lose you.”

“Don’t worry Twi’.” Rainbow said, a cocky grin on her face, “No one can kill this chick.” She said pointing toward herself.

“We should go.” Applejack said.

Thanks to the Apple’s hospitality, they’ve rested a few hours in the cottage, eating some food and sleeping a bit, the sun was now almost gone, the left side of the sky slowly taking place on the right side.

“I still think it’s a bad idea going there by night.” Twilight stated.

“I know, but we can’t waste any more time.” Rainbow replied.

Applejack nodded, “And don’t worry, most of the beasts are sleeping when it’s night time. If we don’t make too much noises, the only threat will be the timberwolves.”

Twilight sighed, “Okay then.” She said, ending the hug, giving Rainbow Dash a small kiss on the cheek.

This being said, Rainbow looked at Applejack who nodded at her and they both headed in the dark forest, Twilight watching them until they totally disappeared from her sight.

Both women walked calmly in the forest, not wanting to make too much noises. But a question burned Applejack’s lips.

“Sooo,” She started, “What’s the deal?”

Rainbow raised an eyebrow, “What do you mean?”

“You three are unusual people you know,” She stated, “And from what Ah could tell, her way to talk, move and walk, Ah can easily say this little Twilight of yours is not a common peasant.”

Rainbow didn’t reply.

“And you,” She continued, “You seem like a strong woman, and Ah didn’t say anything back there but, Ah don’t think a sword like the one you have here ended up in your hands by accident.”

Once again, Rainbow didn’t reply, listening quietly.

“So mah guess is, you three are some important people, and you’re running away from something… From what?” She then looked at the sky, “You three are from Equuis, and just looking at the state of the sky, something bad happened there. And Ah remembered an old tale, about two sisters, one ruling the day, the other the night. But one of the two sisters succumbed to hatred and attacked the eldest. The little sister said that when she’ll come back, she will unleash the endless night on all of Ponytaria…”

Rainbow growled, walking past the blond girl, taking the lead. “You talk too much.”

“Now, Ah’m maybe just a dumb brigand but only a fool wouldn’t understand that both sisters are Queen Celestia and Queen Nightmare Moon. So, when you and your friends slept at the cottage, Ah searched in some old books we have. And then it hit me, Ah knew Twilight’s name, Ah just didn’t thought it would be that Twilight…”

Rainbow turned around and took her sword out from its sheath, holding it a few inches from Applejack’s throat. “And you’re too smart for your own good.”

Applejack smirked, “Now, we can be civilized now don’t we. After all, Ah just want to help ya.”

Rainbow Dash frowned, “And what tells me that you’re not leading us into a trap?”

This time Applejack frowned, “Believe me or not, but Ah never lie.”

“Uh, difficult to believe when you’re facing one of the most famous outlaws of Draquuis.” Rainbow replied, rolling her eyes.

“Ah swear Ah’m telling you the truth, and quite frankly, Ah really want to help you guys.” Applejack said.

“Why?”

Applejack resumed her walk, ignoring Rainbow’s sword following her. “Do you know why we’re doing this?”

“Do what?”

“This.” Applejack said, showing herself, “The thefts, the kidnappings, the… murders…”

Rainbow frowned, “Why?”

“It’s because Draquuis let us down!” She said angrily, “This isn’t Equuis! In this country, it’s kill or be killed, the ones with gold and powers can do whatever they want! But us, the poor people, we have to survive in this hostile environment. I have a family to take care of!”

Rainbow nodded, she wasn’t approving Applejack’s doings, but at least, she understood why.

“So Ah thought that,” Applejack continued, “That if we help ya… Twilight could help us too.”

Rainbow nodded slowly, “I can’t speak for her but, Twilight is the kindest and the most compassionate person this world ever had.” She said, “So I’m pretty sure she’ll agree to help you.”

Applejack started to smile.

“But for that,” Rainbow quickly added, “We have to save her little brother, the prince.”

With a nod, they both resumed their walk through the darkness of the forest.

Rainbow frowned, she still felt Applejack’s glare on her back, and growled. “What now?”

“Uhm, just wanted to know but…” Applejack’s started, Rainbow still looking forward couldn’t see Applejack’s blush, “What’s between you and Twilight?”

Rainbow stopped abruptly. Applejack who didn’t anticipated that collided with Rainbow’s back.

“Ouch.” She let out, rubbing her nose.

“W-What do you mean by, what’s between me and Twilight?” Rainbow said, resuming her walk, this time it was Applejack who couldn’t see her blushing.

“Ah saw how… Determined you were at the thought of protecting her. So Ah thought that-”

“Stop right there.” Rainbow said, “I’m her knight, I vowed to protect her, on my life. That’s all.”

Applejack chuckled. She knew it wasn’t all. “Okay.” She said nonetheless.

“What’s the sudden urge to know about what’s going on between me and Twi’?” Rainbow asked.

“Nothing, I just-” Then Applejack stopped. Rainbow turned around and looked at her quizzically.

“What’s going on?” She asked when she saw the look on Applejack’s face.

“Listen.” The blond girl said.

Rainbow did as she was told and listened. Now, she could clearly hear something following them, something big, at least four legs.

“What is that?” Rainbow asked in a whisper.

Applejack gritted her teeth, “The exact same thing that did that to me.” She said pointing to her wound. “Okay, we’ll walk slowly towards…”

A growl could be heard not far away from them and Applejack and Rainbow now stood back to back, one gripping to her bow, the other one to her sword.

Then, in front of Rainbow, trees began to fall under the footsteps of a huge beast she never saw before. It had four legs with paws, similar to a tiger. It had two bat wings on his back and a scorpion’s tail. His lion’s head glared furiously at both women, his open mouth showing its three rows of pointy and sharp teeth.

Rainbow watched it in horror and asked, “The hell is that?”

“Oh fudge…” Was all Applejack said when the beast jumped towards them, Rainbow rolled on the left and Applejack on the right, both avoiding its attack. “It’s a manticore.” She explained to Rainbow, “Be careful, the poison coming out from its tail is highly lethal.”

Rainbow was glaring at his three rows of teeth, “Yeah, that’s not what I’m the most afraid of.”

“Don’t worry,” Applejack called, “That thing doesn’t like living preys. So it’ll kill you before chew you out.”

“And it’s supposed to make me feel better?” Rainbow asked, annoyed.

The manticore decided to rush towards Rainbow who waited for it, both of her hands holding firmly her sword raised upon her head, pointing it in the manticore’s direction. The beast tried to hit her on her face with one on its paws, but she managed to dodge it graciously like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Unlike the Lion-bear, the manticore wasn’t a very fast beast, so the knight had plenty of time to see the attack coming. With dexterity, she planted her feet in the ground and quickly turned around, slashing the beast’s tail. Her sword shining, the moon light reflecting on its blade, slightly soiled by the dark scarlet blood of the monster.

The beast howled in pain, and with a dark glare of a murderous monster, it gave a head butt on Rainbow’s side, wanting to put the rainbow haired threat away from it. Rainbow saw it coming and not having enough time to dodged it, prepared herself to block it. But the knight heard a quick whistling noise next to her left ear before hearing the beast scream once again, bleeding from its eye, an arrow coming out from it. Rainbow looked behind her and saw Applejack holding her bow, smirking at her.

“Its tail is harder than a graphorn’s horn. And you managed to slice it like it was nothin’.” Applejack stated, “It would be lying to say that Ah’m not impressed.”

“I got some help.” Rainbow replied, holding her sword.

Rainbow turned her attention back to the beast who was starting to run away though the trees. She was going to run after it but Applejack stopped her. “Wait!” She called, “It’s heading for its lair, we managed to defend ourselves against one, but we won’t against several of them.”

Rainbow sighed, “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

Her sword back on her waist, she walked toward Applejack, “Nice shot, by the way.”

Applejack shrugged while smirking, and put her bow on her back.

“Let’s get goin’ partner.” She said while looking at the sky, “It’ll be best for us if we managed to be there before midnight.”

“Why?” Rainbow asked, “What’s going on at midnight?”

With a shiver, Applejack didn’t look at her directly so Rainbow couldn’t really understand what she meant when she said, “It’s better if you don’t found out.”

Then Applejack resumed her walk and with a shrug of her shoulders, Rainbow followed her quietly.