In Pursuit of...

Chapter 9: Welcome Home

As the others made it to shore, Nimbus introduced the ponies to his parents. They were both very polite, but Nimbus could tell they seemed uneasy about having visitors. Finally, Nimbus’s suspicions were confirmed when his father walked up to him.

“So what brings you and your friends here?” he asked.

“Well, Dad, did you hear about what happened in Canterlot yesterday?”

The blue pony nodded. “I did, yes. Terrible.”

“Well, I was involved,” said Nimbus. “I was a part of the security detail at the Wonderbolts’ performance when Eclipse kidnapped Luna.”

His father raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”

“I joined up with the rest of the ponies here and tried to find out who Eclipse was and why he took Luna. Eventually, we came to the conclusion that Eclipse is actually a manifestation of the evil side of Nightmare Moon, separated when Luna was freed by the Elements of Harmony. He’s either found or is looking for an old artifact called “The Unifier,” which purifies the Elements. He can’t use it while he only remains as a half of someone else, though, so he’d need Luna’s consciousness to become whole again.”

“So why are you here, then?” his father asked, still confused.

“I wanted to ask you guys or Grandpa if there’s any information about the Unifier’s whereabouts around here.”

Nimbus’s father scratched his chin for a moment. “There is information…” he said slowly, “but it’s only accessible through a very… special manner- a very dangerous manner. The information is on an old scroll we’ve kept over the centuries, but it’s hidden, and no one but this family is to know the whereabouts. Therefore-“ he glanced around at the other ponies, chatting with Nimbus’s mother, “I have to insist that you go alone, with your grandfather.”

Nimbus was about to say something, then stopped. His father was right- the scroll’s safety couldn’t be compromised.

“I understand,” he said.

“Good,” said his father, “then let’s get you and your friends into the house for a bite to eat. You must be starving!”

Nimbus licked his lips in anticipation. He’d been hungry all morning. A meal now would be just the thing to get him going again.

…

Celestia was out on her balcony; she’d been there all day, in fact. Her sister’s disappearance had left her feeling empty, and alone again. The previous night, she’d taken it upon herself to bring forth the night, as she’d done so many years ago. She was tired, and it showed. Celestia let out a sigh.

“My dear sister,” she said, whispering and gazing off into the distance, “you were only here for a short while, and now I’ve lost you again. I know you can’t hear me, but I have a message for you all the same- be strong, little sister. Whatever this ‘Eclipse’ does, stay true to-“

“A personal letter for you, Your Highness.”

Celestia turned around to see one of her Royal Guards with a parchment case attached to his flank. She nodded, and the guard reached into the case and pulled out a scroll. Celestia dismissed him and proceeded to use her magic to unravel the parchment.

“A letter?” she said, “from Twilight Sparkle?”

Twilight must have had urgent news if she’d decided to send this letter regardless of Spike’s absence. Teleportation spells were tricky, and often tiring at long distance. She proceeded to read the note aloud, intrigued.

Dear Princess Celestia, it began. The princess smiled, sinking into the letter’s familiar format.

My friends and I have started our journey. I don’t know exactly where we’re headed, or for how long we’ll be gone, but I just wanted to tell you about something I’ve noticed recently.

Our newcomer-Nimbus- I don’t quite know what it is about him, but whenever I’m near him I feel at peace, which is kind of a big deal for stressed-out me. I don’t want to say anything yet, but I’m beginning to think I like him, and not just as a friend. I tried to talk to Rainbow Dash about it, since she’s the one who’s known Nimbus longer than the rest of us, but she just shrugged me off. I think something’s bothering her, too, and I almost wonder if Nimbus is on her mind as well, though if she does like them, she has a very odd way of showing it. Seems the two are constantly competing, although I believe Nimbus is honestly trying to change his ways. Perhaps he’ll learn about humility on this journey, and if he does, perhaps he’ll write to you about it. When this is all over, do you suppose I could talk to you about Nimbus and how I feel about him?

Your Faithful Student,

Twilight Sparkle

Celestia was smiling by the end of the letter. It seemed Twilight had finally begun her quest for a significant other. She had known this day would come for a long time, and she was happy to see that today, it had finally arrived. She was just about to pick up a quill and parchment to respond to Twilight’s letter, when the guard appeared again.

“Another letter Your Highness,” he said, handing her a rolled-up piece of parchment tied with a velvet black bow. Celestia was curious- she’d never seen a ribbon like it before.

“Guard,” she inquired, “who sent this?”

The guard shrugged. “I have no idea. It was dropped almost right into my hooves by a big, black bird.

Celestia frowned. Every shred of common sense in her body told her not to open the note, but her curiosity took over. She took the note, thanked the guard again, and walked back into her throne room. As she opened the note, she was surprised. Only a single sentence stood on the paper. Peering closer, she read it.

Surprised to see me again?

Celestia’s heart skipped a beat. If the letter meant what she thought it meant-

“Guards!” she called. No one answered. Instead, the massive throne room doors shut. Celestia leaped off the throne and ran to them, summoning her magic in an attempt to open them, but the massive doors never budged. Then, every light in the throne room went out. Slowly, Celestia turned around to face her throne, with a bad feeling about what was coming next.

“Hello, my dear Princess Celestia, well met, I'm sure.”

From behind the throne, two glowing blue eyes appeared. Celestia knew immediately who it was.

“Eclipse,” she said, summoning her magic, “I was not expecting a visit from you today.”

Eclipse chuckled. “No, I would imagine you didn’t. Still, here I am.” The eyes blinked once, and an eerie green light illuminated the room, emanating from what appeared to be a jewel attached to a gold chain around Eclipse’s neck. Celestia felt she’d seen it before, but she couldn’t place where. The dark stallion walked up to her, unafraid.

“You know I hold the power to defeat you,” Celestia said, “it was foolish to come here alone.”

“Oh, I doubt that,” said Eclipse, staring at the Unifier. “Do you know what this is?”

“A trinket,” said Celestia, lying, “nothing more.”

“Oh no,” Eclipse said, “this is no mere trinket. This is a strong artifact, the key to unlimited power, and don’t try to deny that you know of its existence. Luna was aware of it, and she knew you were, as well.”

Celestia was confused. She really hadn't know what Eclipse was talking about until today, and she was positive that Luna hadn't known. The only explanation would have to be a memory-erasing spell, but she had no way of knowing if she'd been affected by one. “How do you know this?” Celestia demanded.

“Simple. Your beloved sister is a part of me now.”

Celestia’s eyes widened. “My sister..."

“And with that in mind, I have a proposition for you.”

Celestia narrowed her eyes, tensing her back legs and lowering her head slightly. “And what might that be?”

Eclipse’s eyes seemed to flash with a sudden blue fire. “I want Equestria. I was destined to rule it, but the form of Nightmare Moon was too weak to achieve the objective. I’m here to finish what I started, but I forget myself. Here is my offer: you surrender-“

Celestia sprung forward, horn bared, ready to do battle with Eclipse. The stallion simply blinked again, and Celestia was sent sailing into a nearby bookshelf, impacting hard.

“Ready to listen now?” Eclipse asked. Celestia simply growled in response.

“Good. Turn Equestria over to me, and I shall create a Utopia for its citizens. I’ll bring about no harm, I will create contentment- everything you and your weak sister could never fully do.”

“And what if I refuse?”

Eclipse shrugged. “Nothing really changes. Using the power of the Unifier, as Luna called it, I still get the throne, but the casualties go up.” He moved up to the throne and sat. “Face it, Celestia- I’m too powerful for you. Make this easier on the citizens of Equestria and give me your authority.”

Standing up slowly, looking defeated, Celestia walked over to where Eclipse was gleefully sitting.

“If it prevents bloodshed,” she whispered, dipping her head and letting her crown fall to the ground, “then I relinquish my role as ruler.”

Eclipse’s mouth turned up in a sneer. “Good. Then my first command is that you are henceforth imprisoned!” A blue dome formed over Celestia, and she sank with it below the throne room floor. She didn’t try to struggle in the least.

“Guards!” Eclipse called. The throne room doors snapped open, and the Royal Guards ran in, weapons bared. Eclipse had but to fix them with his intense blue gaze, and they dropped their arms, however.

“My subjects,” said Eclipse when the guards were all gathered and brainwashed, “I have a task for you. Spread the word that Equestria has a new leader. Celestia is dead- the grief of her lost sister was too much for her, and she simply fell asleep, never to wake up again. I am her successor. Tonight, I will announce a gathering. Every pony in Equestria must be there. It is to be held tomorrow, in the Canterlot town square, and I will personally address them all as their new leader.”

One of the guards, presumably the leader, knelt down. “It shall be done, Your Highness.”

“Good,” said Eclipse, settling back onto the throne, “just the sort of dedication I’ll be expecting.”

…

When the ponies were led inside Nimbus’s family’s house- a large, old, white-painted manor covered in vines, they were immediately treated to a delectable lunch by Nimbus’s parents. Tarts, pies, and sandwiches of all sorts littered the table. Pinkie Pie was positively bursting with excitement at the variety!

“It’s just like a party!” she yelled, then clapped her hands over her mouth, remembering that she was in the company of Nimbus’s family, and that she wanted to make a good impression. Nimbus’s mother simply smiled at her antics. She then motioned for Nimbus to follow her out of the dining room. Nimbus complied, and followed his mother down a long hallway.

“He’s in there,” his mother said, stopping at a room and pointing through the open door. Slowly, Nimbus walked in. Inside, a small fire was blazing, and a bed stood, neatly made. Bookshelves covered almost every wall, and on the fireplace’s mantle… the stone! Nimbus walked over to it. The stone was exactly as he remembered it- shiny, smooth, and a deep green in color. He reached out to touch it…

And was instantly knocked to the floor.

“Nimbus! You’re back!” Nimbus stood as he saw his assailant. He was another Pegasus, but he was a dark grey with a white mane. His cutie mark was the same as the mark on the stone Nimbus had nearly touched: the symbol of the Unifier.

“Grandpa!” Nimbus said, dusting himself off. “Seems you’ve still got the touch.”

The old Pegasus chuckled to himself. “Well, yes, I suppose I do. What brings you here?”

“I want to know about the Unifier.”

The pony froze. “How do you know about that?”

“I read about it,” said Nimbus, turning back to the stone and observing it, “but now there’s somepony out there with the potential to do a lot of damage to Equestria if he gets it.”

“Eclipse,” Nimbus’s grandfather said, “yes, I heard about him. Still, this is a very closely-guarded secret.”

“I know it is,” said Nimbus, “but you can trust me. I’m not a little colt anymore.”

The grey Pegasus chuckled. “I know, but this is a very serious undertaking. I want to make sure you can commit.”

“I will,” said Nimbus.

“Good. Then let’s begin.”

Nimbus’s grandfather crossed the room and pulled a lever hidden behind a book. At once, the fireplace split in two, sliding inwards and to the sides to reveal a set of stone stairs, leading into a dark abyss.

“No one’s been down there in centuries,” the old Pegasus said, “in fact, I’ve only been down once- long ago, in my youth. I’d ask that you remain on guard at all times.”

Nimbus checked his single remaining extendable blade. He suddenly realized that he should have asked Mecha for his other one back, but it was a bit late for that now.

“Why hasn’t anyone been down here?” Nimbus asked.

“Well, as you know, we keep a very old scroll down there- a scroll which, until now, contained writing which spoke of something you never knew about: the Unifier.”

Nimbus nodded, starting down the stairs next to his grandfather.

“When Discord was defeated by the Elements of Harmony the first time, a select few ponies, one from each race, to be exact, helped Celestia and Luna in their battle. In fact, I represented the Pegasi in that particular engagement. While the royal sisters wielded the Elements, we wielded the Unifier. I remember the day well. We had Discord trapped in a magical field, cornered atop a mountain. We were naïve then, and assumed he was defenseless as well. When the Elements were used, we tried to use the Unifier to bolster their strength. Things did not, unfortunately, go as planned. Discord struck out, and every one of us was sent flying off the mountain. By this time, Celestia and Luna were deep within the Elements’ influence, and could do nothing to help. I tried to catch the others as they fell, but I couldn’t reach them in time.”

He hung his head and continued.

“I finally brought the Unifier back to the sisters after the battle. We knew its power couldn’t fall into the wrong hands, so the sisters took me to a place they knew of. I can’t recall the name, but it was a castle, built with stone as black as night, which rested on a mountain which floated high above Equestria. As it turned out, it was a stronghold, built by the Alicorns of old. They’d put a protective spell around the structure, which shielded it from the eyes of most ponies, making it the perfect hiding place. The sisters placed the Unifier inside the castle, and made one final, difficult choice: they erased the event from their memory, leaving me with the scroll detailing the Unifier’s location. Our family is the Unifier’s guardians. That’s why so many of us have taken up arms in Equestria’s defense. We simply don’t want to see that power in the wrong hands. The Unifier was never used, and it shouldn’t need to be used.”

Nimbus nodded. “Unfortunately, if we can’t stop Eclipse soon, it will be used.”

His grandfather looked him straight in the eyes as they reached the bottom of the stairs.

“Then it seems we’ve got some work to do.”