The Phoenix and the Dark Prince

Skipting wandered the streets of Canterlot, the winter wind swirling around him, but not penetrating his clothes and armor.

When school had ended and he had gone home with Sunset, he had taken a shower before changing back into his normal clothes, the ones he'd been wearing when he came to this world. His cloak was at its full length, billowing behind him in the wind.

Since he was going to have to walk through rather shady and dangerous parts of town, he had decided to leave his weapons in their true forms, so as to dissuade any potential threats from attempting to confront or attack him.

The Twilight Blade was strapped to his back as usual, tilted to face towards the right side. The Kingusureiyā was also at its usual place at his hip, in an Iaido sage to. The Night's Embrace was strapped to the outside of his right thigh. The only weapon that wasn't in its natural form was the Terror Praetor, which was in its watch form, due to the fact that its natural form's size and shape would hinder his movement being on his arm.

The young Prince had also decided to bring one of his larger and more powerful weapons.

The Formless Sword, the Fifth Nightmare, was given to Mother Nightmare as a gift from Mother Chrysalis, in honor of their union in companionship and love.

The large blade was of Nordic make, as Mother Chrysalis was of Nordic lineage, and was forged by the Queen herself. It was called the “Formless Blade” because it had the power to change form to suit the wielder’s desire, just like a Changeling. Its blade could become a dagger, a long sword, a rapier, or even a flexible metal whip, or whatever type of blade it’s wielder wished. However, Skipting normally kept it in its standard greatsword form out of personal preference, although he did like to occasionally transform the blade into that of a rapier.

It was engraved with numerous runes of power, some granting the weapon eternal fortitude so it would never dull nor rust, never losing its deadly capabilities. Others granted the blade mystical powers, including the power to reappear in its sheath whenever it was taken or dropped and could not be located, so it could never be stolen nor lost. All of the Five Nightmares had these enchantments placed upon them, the reappearing enchantments being bound to the wielder.

When Prince Skipting came of age, his parents modified the enchantments to bind the weapons to him. They still bore a bond with their original wielder, so that Mother Nightmare could acquire and use them if necessary, such as the seemingly impossible chance of her beloved son being kidnapped, unable to escape or fight back, or being in need of aid.

Skipting removed himself from his thoughts as he came to stand before a building. He looked for one of the odd blue signs that were at the corners of every street and intersection, to see what street he was on. He hummed in satisfaction when he saw that he was on East 2nd Street.

Looking at the building in front of him, he took in its features. It was a somewhat large building from where he stood, and was painted with shades of pink and blue, reminding him heavily of the spa back in Canterlot in Equestria, as well as the one in Ponyville.

He had only gone to the Canterlot Spa once, and he had learned that it was run by twins, who he discovered were actually quadruplets, as their other two quadruplet sisters, Aloe and Lotus, ran the Blossom Relaxation Spa in Ponyville.

He looked at the sign above the double doors.

"'Blossom Spa.’ It appears that I am close to my destination," he said aloud to himself.

Turning around to face the area behind him, he looked across the street to see what was most definitely the Dancing Star club.

The building across the street had a sign that bore words and a shape in a bright pink that glowed, the color and technology being what Sunset had told him was called "neon.” The words spelled out the club's name in cursive, and the shape in neon made the form of a woman spinning around a pole with a star flying from her outstretched hand.

Skipting crossed the street—after making sure it was clear, of course—and went to stand close to the club. Observing the people outside in front of the building, he counted twenty-nine people standing in a line, kept in single file by small, waist-high brass poles that held velvet ropes. There was a man at the door, who was talking to the people in line as they came to stand in front of him, and checking a list before either letting someone in or making them leave.

He went to stand near the line, hiding around the corner so as to stay out of sight. A bit of waiting resulted in the line being completely empty. The man at the door, who he assumed was a bodyguard to keep people standing in line in check, was the only person outside, still standing at the door.

He was a rather large man, with a muscular build that reminded him of that one Minotaur he’d had the displeasure of meeting two days after his return from the war. Iron Will was his name, if he recalled correctly. A rather boastful and arrogant creature. He was quite surprised when the Minotaur had informed him of the time Fluttershy attended one of his “seminars,” and became a “much more confident and assertive version of herself.”

Of course, the comment did not sit well with the young Prince, even more so because he was drunk, which led him to backhand the Minotaur in the face, leading to a rather nasty fight. His parents were outraged by the Minotaur’s actions.

Skipting chuckled slightly when he remembered how Mother Nightmare wanted to put him in the dungeons and force him to live his worst nightmares, while Mother Chrysalis wanted to eat him. Needless to say, Skipting agreed with the former, especially since the Minotaur’s nightmares of angry customers wanting refunds and coming after him with torches and pitchforks was amusing. It still made him smile thinking about it.

The bouncer was bald, with black facial hair in a goatee. He wore sunglasses over his eyes. He wore jeans with dirty hiking boots, and a tight dark gray t-shirt that showed off his muscular torso.

Skipting came out from around the corner and walked up to the bodyguard.

"Excuse me, sir. I was wondering if you would grant me entrance into this establishment. There is a woman who works here, and I wish to meet and speak with her," he said.

The bodyguard looked at him.

"Name?" he asked gruffly.

"I am Prince Skipting Lunam."

The man looked at the list he held for a moment, then back at him. "You're not on the list. Not on the list means no entrance," he said.

"I will have you know, good sir, that the matter I wish to discuss with a woman who works here is of utmost importance. I come here seeking her assistance in helping a young girl named Sunset Shimmer, who has been the target of heavy bullying and serious violence due to an online account," Skipting said.

He looked sternly at the man.

"This situation carries a risk of extreme injury or even death for Miss Shimmer. My mother sent me to this city to protect her, and I will not allow anyone to keep me from carrying out my mission," he said darkly.

As he spoke, his hand went to the Kingusureiyā, unlocking the weapon with a small push of his thumb.

The man's eyes widened slightly, and a small smile appeared on his face. "You're friends with Sunset Shimmer?" he said.

It sounded to Skipting like more of a statement of slight disbelief and surprise, rather than a question.

He nodded.

"More accurately, I am her cousin, as well as her protector," he said.

The man grinned.

"Well why didn't you say so in the first place?! Sunset’s a real good friend of mine!" he exclaimed cheerfully.

He shook his head a little.

“Oh, sorry. Forgot to introduce myself. Iron Will’s the name, and keeping rascals out is my game!”

Skipting relocked the Kingusureiyā and shook the man's hand.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Will," he said.

Iron Will nodded in agreement, stepping aside and unhooking one end of the velvet rope he stood near. He gestured for Skipting to pass, which he did.

As he walked through the dark hall to the main area, he could hear the loud music playing from the area. He recognized it as what Vinyl had said was called, "dubstep,” of which she was a professional artist. The girl had mentioned that she made her own music, and was also a DJ, which she said stood for "Disc Jockey.”

He finally came to the main area, and was taken back by it.

There were numerous tables all over the room, some with metal poles in the center that reached the ceiling. There were flashing lights around the stage, which had a runway like one might see at a fashion show, with a large circular section at the front. A bar was located at the back of the room, where a few patrons were sitting on stools and being served drinks by the bartender.

The flashing lights took a few moments of getting used to, but Skipting was able to quickly adapt, since he occasionally dealt with flashing lights on some missions.

He began to walk into the large room, and as he walked towards an empty table that was away from the stage, in the shadows, he felt the staring eyes of the patrons as he passed them. He still felt some stares even after he sat down.

He looked at the stage, which now had a woman standing on it, walking along the runway. She appeared to be in her early twenties, with messy blue and red hair tied into a ponytail that reached about halfway down the length of her upper arm.

She wore almost nothing, her modesty covered only by a set of unusually thin undergarments, if just barely. He found it rather odd that a woman would dress like this in a public establishment, but then again, some of the bars he’d been to had dancers and entertainment like this, although he never really paid it any mind.

He looked away from the stage, deciding to simply sit and wait for the woman he was supposed to meet to appear. holding the golden pocket watch hanging from his hip, he saw that it was 5:21.

He was woken up from his rest when he felt the vibrations of nearby footsteps. He looked up to see a woman in her early twenties standing next to the table he sat at.

She had long curly brown hair, and hazel eyes that held curiosity. She wore a magenta short skirt, black thigh-high fishnet stockings, and black high heels on her lower body. However, to Skipting's annoyance, her upper body was completely bare, save for the elbow-length fingerless fishnet gloves on her arms. Her chest was exposed to the cool air of the club.

Even though I come from a culture that practically lives off sex and accepts public nudity and sex, I believe I will never understand the appeal of working at an establishment such as this, especially while half naked, he thought to himself.

Although, perhaps it would be best not to attempt to understand. To do so would be like attempting to make Discord or Koz make sense, or trying to cease making love to my mothers, or trying to get either of them to start fornicating less than the rate at which Changelings breed. Sanarath’s leg hairs, they are like rabbits.

"Oh, did I wake you? I'm so sorry, sir," she apologized.

"It is quite alright, Miss. I meant to rest for only ten minutes, but according to my watch, I have been asleep for almost half an hour," Skipting assured, quickly regaining his composure.

The woman smiled.

"Well, can I get you anything?" she asked.

"No, thank you," he replied.

"Okay. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"I believe there is one thing you can do for me. I am looking for a woman who works here. She goes by the name, 'Ravenous Desire.’ Do you know where I can find her?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Yep. She's actually about to come on stage right now. If you want, I can let her know you're looking for her when she's done dancing," she offered.

"I appreciate the offer. But I am certain that she will spot me during her dance, and will come to me afterwards," he declined.

The young woman walked off, leaving him alone.

The crowd applauded as the dancer Ravenous Love finished her dance and walked to the back of the stage, where she disappeared around the sides to go backstage.

Skipting did not have to wait long for her, as he soon found her standing in front of him.

She was the exact mirror image of her shape-changing mother in appearance, and he could already tell that she was just like his mother in personality, what with the way she was looking down at him. There was a mischievous glint in her moderate harlequin eyes, as well as a lustful, hungry look in them. She was smiling, too, and the young Prince could see that her teeth were extremely sharp, just like Mother Chrysalis’.

"I'm guessing you're the one Lulu told me about? The 'dashing young Prince who has come to Sunset Shimmer’s aid'?" she asked, her tone and voice sultry and seductive.

He nodded.

"Prince Lunam Skipting of Equestria, Child of the Nightmare and Spawn of the Sacred Mother, at your service," he introduced.

"Chrysalis Dumont."

She sat down across from him.

"Miss Mond told me you would be able to help me. What did she mean by that? How will you help me in my mission to protect Sunset and bring down Anon-A-Miss?" he asked.

Chrysalis smiled.

"As the leader of the Black Hive, I have eyes and ears everywhere. My children can blend in with any crowd, and infiltrate any area. They're excellent trackers and spies," she said.

"I feel as though you have something else to add. Is it something that will not please me?" he asked.

She laughed.

"God, no! It's just that if I'm going to be working with you and allowing you to use my resources and my children, I want you to meet my children! But one of them will most definitely be very… interesting for you to meet, to say the least," she replied.

"Again, I feel as though you have another thing to add."

She chuckled.

"You're pretty damn observant, kid. How old are you, anyways?" she said.

"I am one hundred seventy-nine," he replied bluntly.

"Damn. If I wasn't already married to Luna, I'd probably offer you a date with me. I'm forty-nine, myself," she said with a Cheshire grin as she leaned back. "I guess there really is an age gap between this world and yours."

"What do you mean?"

"My kid's twenty-six. Thanks to some recent advances in science and all that, hermaphrodites like myself are able to have kids both ways, whether it’s on the female side of it or the male side. Of course, I don't usually have kids in the 'normal way.’ No, sir. I'm the one doing the impregnating. I got Lulu pregnant with our kids, and we've been happy ever since," she informed.

"I see," Skipting said. "And what is this child's name?"

"Shifting Moon. That's the English translation of your name, isn't it? We named the kid in English at Luna’s suggestion," she replied. “Though, he normally goes by ‘Soren Mond.’”

"My children are damn good at what they do, but they're rookies in comparison to Moony. The kid actually picked up a career as a mercenary a few years back. And I gotta say, he's got the whole damn city terrified. People call him 'Nightmare's Hitman.’”

"You said you want me to meet your 'children' and your son. Is there a specific time you wish to do this?"

"Not really. I could arrange for us to meet you someplace, but it depends on your schedule, my schedule, and Moony's schedule."

Skipting nodded.

"Very well."

He stood up.

"I shall see you another time. I look forward to meeting your children and your son."

With that, he left the club, but not before confronting a man at the bar who was clearly harassing several of the female employees and dancers with highly graphic and sexual remarks.

Then throwing said man at the bar, breaking numerous bottles and shelves. Anyone who attempted to advance on him, he simply pushed away with a wave of his hand, sending out a wave of force to knock them back.