The Adventures of Princess Malum

Big Mac was slowly trotting through the darkened Sweet Apple Acres with a starry night shining overhead. The red-coated mare continued to walk over to a tree trunk and sat down on it. He looked down at the ground and brooded over things as he removed the crystal from his chest and placed it on the trunk across from him. The alicorn then reverted to his stallion form again, and he just sat there staring at the crystal and asked, "can you reveal yourself?"

The crystal glowed in dark blue light and started to pulse. Then slowly, an apparition began to form in front of him; now, it began to look more like his princess alicorn form, but she was this wispy red floating creature. The mare was beautiful, with a golden waterfall flowing around her head with her mane. It was like staring in a mirror, having transformed into an alicorn dozens of times.

The princess alicorn bowed and said, "well, I'm here? What do you need from me?"

Big Mac paused; being somewhat unsure of what he would say first, he decided that this time he would get straight answers and find out what this spirit wanted and why it chose him. He cleared his throat and asked, "Before I agree to anything, who are you?"

The spirit looked away, seeming to be ashamed as it spoke. "I am merely a ghost within the dream realm. The spirit of bravery and perseverance."

Big Mac blinked then said, "so...Princess Malum, who was Apple Ale? Was all of that backstory fake?"

Princess Malum continued to float there in silence as Big Mac cursed under his breath, then mumbled, "Princess Luna told me everything about what's going on. So stop hiding secrets from me."

The spirit hovered over him, finally gulped, and said, "yes, I apologize for lying and manipulating you."

The aetherial being lifted her head and asked, "What problems do you have with me?"

"First, how did you talk to the possessed Princess Malum toy?"

The alicorn snickered as she said, "it was a lot easier than you think. I just communicated through the realm and had her use some residual magic to break herself free."

"How much power do you have here exactly?" Big Mac asked with a low growl.

The spirit lowered her head, seeming unable to answer.

"I know you erased our memories and have changed reality to make me the hero," Big Mac growled.

The mare looked away and said, "yes, I did, but you have to believe me; I did all this with the best intentions. Making you have the tropey hero origin story would help you establish that identity and ensure that Ponyville was kept safe."

"Yet, at the cost of our memories, you are warping reality and keeping us in danger," Big Mac snapped.

"Yes…but…"

The stallion held up a hoof, interrupting her; she might have good points in why she wants them to stay in the dream realm. But he was not budging on his laurels and wasn't going to be persuaded. He cleared his throat and said, "so then, let's pull Ponyville back to the real world and end this charade. I think it's not fair to the rest of the citizens of Ponyville to be stuck here and be terrorized."

"Big Mac, you have more power here. The major reason things aren't worse is that your subconscious protects this world. I chose you because you are the most down-to-earth pony here despite your jealousy for Applejack and don't have grandiose desires."

Big Mac was abit confused as he scratched his mane with a hoof. "So you chose me because I'm the less interesting pony here?"

The spirit seemed to snicker and said, "well...yes, and that lack of imagination keeps Nightmare Moon at bay."

Big Mac rose and shouted, "so what!? We stay here forever, with me pretending to be a hero while putting other ponies at risk!? Did you see what happened with Rarity!?"

"Yes, Nightmare Moon's influence is growing, maybe more powerful than I imagined. But it's better, trust me…."

The red-coated stallion held up a hoof and said, "I won't change my mind; I don't care if Nightmare Moon becomes more dangerous; she has her sights on me, right? Then let's go to the real world. Stop this insanity with keeping these ponies prisoners in my dream."

Princess Malum rose from the trunk. "You don't get what you're saying in the real world; you'll be less powerful, the bounds of reality trap us, and everypony will be much more vulnerable. If Nightmare Moon can influence ponies in the real world, she will. Then you will be less capable of saving Ponyville and Equestria."

Big Mac paused as he scratched his chin, thinking over things for a few minutes, and said, "Yet, I'll not only have help from the princesses but Twilight and her friends."

The princess alicorn paused, seeming not to consider, then said, "yes, but that doesn't mean you're ready for the full wrath of Nightmare Moon?"

Big Mac shrugged then said, "then that's the risk we all need to take; we can't just stay here in my prison and pretend that we're fine here."

Princess Malum nodded in approval and said, "ok, but you should know until Nightmare Moon is defeated; we must stay united to keep your alicorn body. That means things will be much more difficult with your family and daily life. We'll be bonded as one, and it can change you in ways you haven't even thought about."

Big Mac didn't like that he had to turn into a princess alicorn to gain this power. Still, it was something he wouldn't mind if it meant his family and Ponyville remained safe. He gave a long deep sigh and said, "That's fine, and I assume once we defeat Nightmare Moon and ensure she's no longer a threat, you'll leave me forever?"

The spirit nodded and said in an assured tone. "Yes, once Nightmare Moon is vanquished, there is no need for us to stay together."

Big Mac paused for a second, thinking things over. Being an alicorn princess for Celestia knows how long, and he has to deal with Nightmare Moon as a constant threat. But he remembered Rarity turning the citizens of Ponyville into ponyquins, among the numerous threats he's faced already. Whatever they may face back in the real world couldn't be worse than what they faced already. He bowed his head and mumbled, "send us back to the real world and restore all our memories."

Princess Malum nodded as she lit her horn. "Alright, then please close your eyes."

Big Mac closed his eyes and gave a deep breath. Everything was enveloped as a sudden bright light surrounded him, as he felt his mind go through what felt like a portal. The red-coated stallion cried in pain as memories, thoughts, and feelings flooded into his mind.

Princess Malum blinked, seeing the sun over her, and she felt the warmth. It was odd seeing the dream realm was much colder, the sun was fake, and the difference was noticeable almost immediately. But he also noticed that she was now an entire alicorn princess body. Instead, the mare was used to being one again, having transformed into one plenty of times. But this was different, like she was half Big Macintosh with all his memories, wants, and desires. But at the same time, not fully princess Malum. She just woke up from a coma and was trying to figure out what was happening. The princess, however, shook her head, completely confused. But as she continued to trot through the streets, Princess Malum realized that her mind was set on making sure that she would tell the truth to the citizens of Ponyville and reassure them she'll try to keep them safe.

As Princess Malum trotted through the streets of Ponyville, where everypony was still looking somewhat confused, some were scared as she raised her wings and, in a loud voice, shouted, "everypony, listen up!"

They all turned to her, looking wide-eyed. The princess stood there trembling and tried her best to remain composed. "We know a lot's happened, and you're all wondering what's going wrong? Well, the truth is we were once a pony named Big Macintosh. He was just a simple earth pony and being the brother of Applejack, he wasn't anypony special."

Many ponies began to giggle and snicker. The alicorn princess began to feel somewhat self-conscious seeing she just told everypony her secret outright." Yes, we all have been trapped in the dream realm where your reality was altered and your memories messed with."

The alicorn princess trembled a little before continuing, "The truth is Princess Malum has been protecting us within the dream realm as she was trying to keep us safe from the wrath of Nightmare Moon. But to do so, she thought Big Mac needed to become the hero."

The other ponies whispered amongst themselves, and then she continued, "look, Twilight and her friends have fought worse than me and have done more than me. We're not here to steal their glory, and my main focus will be to keep you safe."

Princess Malum placed a hoof over her chest, and with her head held high, she pledged. "I swear we will do whatever it takes to do my duty until we vanquish Nightmare Moon!"

Everypony started to clap, and some cheered. She looked over to see that Applejack was looking downward, somewhat unsure about this. While Twilight, who was now an alicorn, seemed rather excited, flying over and shouting. "Everypony, listen! I'll have Princess Malum stay at my castle until we figure things out, so please, let's give her some space, and I'll talk things over with her."

They soon cleared the way as Princess Malum trotted down the road heading towards the castle that was made of crystal. They were indeed in the real world, and Celestia knows what a Princess of Equestria entails seeing her secret was out. The road will be long, noticing that there was no clear direction in what an alicorn princess entails, but whatever happens, she'll be ready for the journey that lies before her.