Chapters NightLight
One thing I have noticed in the time I have been in Equestria is that I seem to learn a lot faster than I did before. Though I think I figured out why, since changelings are living constructs of some kind I am basically a living computer which makes me really good at mental math and a natural multitasker. Changelings also appear to have an inability to forget naturally over time which I happen to find quite convenient.
After the metamorphosis antler like growths similar to what Pharynx had grew out of my head. As for my primary color it was black and a navy blue secondary color.
The first real spell I learned was the one Twilight used to go into books from the Moon Dancer episode called haycarts method and found that she was right on both aspects that drew my attention, how easy it was to learn and improved knowledge comprehension while inside a book. With a speed reading spell that had similar benefits on top of it, and my natural multitasking letting me read like six books at once I can...
I can...
I can see where Twilight gets it from...
I first went through several language books and can now speak them even more fluently than the languages I grew up with back in my old world. On a side note if I am going to curse someone out I will do it in breezy I mean who knew they had such a colorful language.
The next books that I focused on were about travel and more in depth material as well as anything that would help once I joined the night guard. Since Princess Luna was not around their captain position was vacant. It also turns out no one knew about the prophecy about Nightmare Moon's return...
Reactions were a mixed bag.
"WHAT!!!" Celestia shouted in the royal canterlot voice launching me into a wall.
"Can somepony pry me off the wall," I growned.
"I got you," Iron Shield began to pry me off the wall.
"Thanks," looking to Celestia I noticed that she was frozen mentally.
Iron Shield got my attention and said, "So what your saying is that these element bearers stop Nightmare Moon and free the long lost sister of the princess."
I looked back to Celestia and said, "Yes, but honestly I thought she would be happier about this."
Iron Shield sighed and said, "Well she is but at the same time she is worried about how she can face her sister after all this time."
I shrugged and responded with, "I guess I can understand.
I'm going to dump a bucket of water on her."
"Ya you do...
Celestia looked around and saw me in the second hole in the wall, "What just happened?"
From the wall I said, "Worth it."
I decided that only Celestia and Iron Shield needed to know about the elements and their bearers for now though I chose to be sparse with some details.
I also told Celestia some of my plans for the future but kept some secret since her genuine surprise will help with Chrysalis.
Celestia and Iron Shield also told me about the young changeling going by Moth Ball, and I began to make plans. The chances that Chrysalis would let a young changeling just stay in the heart of enemy territory without some line of communication were tiny.
When I asked about the pony who caused me to be brought here I learned it was somepony named Trick Star who left with a and I quote, "I will have my revenge...
That won't come back to bite me...
Trick Star
I the great and powerful Trick Star declared, "The great and powerful Trick Star simply can not believe that he must perform community service on a rock farm. I shall have my revenge!"
Igneous Rock Pie turned to Trick Star, "Perhaps rather than focusing on bringing another down, thou shalt focus on improving thine own craft."
The great and powerful Trick Star thought about it and decided, "Your right the great and powerful Trick Star needs a rival, also I must say Lady Pie this rock soup taste delicious you share with me the recipe."
Author's Note
Just thought I'd mention now but note while you don't need to read the first arch of Accepting Change to understand my story, it may help for somethings.
Also the next chapter is the first major story chapter.
Moth Ball
I really appreciate that they let students take walks this late in the night, it can be so grating being around all these ponies sometimes. At least the food is good.
Suddenly a familiar voice called out behind me, "Lovely night we're having isn't that right my little pony."
I was shocked, what was she doing here, "Oh princess, you scared me. I didn't know that you could sneak up on ponies like that?"
Celestia giggled and said, "One does not make it to my age without learning a few tricks."
Something about the smile was...
I wanted to get away from her, "Oh well I was just going for a walk, but I think I will just finish up and get to sleep. You know?"
There was an awkward silence for a moment as Princess Celestia walked next to me.
Celestia giggled, "So how are you in Canterlot my little pony ?"
Something about that question was strange.
I can't just not answer so, "Well I may be far from my home but I have found a few friends that are helping to take care of me."
Celestia smiled and asked, "That's nice, but how are you in your classes?"
Again with a question that sounded weird?
She should know about that, "I'm doing well, no problems at all."
Celestia lightly chuckled, "I see."
Well this can't get any weirder. I mean really having such a strange conversation all alone with the Princess.
Wait alone, where are the guards?
I looked at Celestia with concern, "Wait where are the guards, and shouldn't we have made it to the dorms by now?"
I was starting to get a little scared.
Then Celestia let out an unsettling laugh.
Looking to Princess Celestia I saw her with a sinister grin on her face, that looked more at home on the Queen rather than her.
Suddenly the Princess burst into dark blue flames, and standing before me was something I just could not make sense of. There standing right in front of me was the strangest changeling that I have ever seen. He looked similar to a drone but was taller and his carapace faded into a dark navy blue, he had these strangely shaped wings, and even stranger antlers on his head. The holes throughout his body only seemed to make his appearance all the more twisted.
As he glared down at me I could not help tremble.
Who are they?
All these questions and more went through my head but none came out of my mouth.
He chuckled and said, "I was wondering when you would notice little pony, or should I say changeling."
He let out a deep yet quite chuckle as he began to pace around me with his eyes analysing my every move.
He than began to ask a series of questions, "So I will ask again how did you get into Canterlot, or the School for Gifted Unicorns for that matter let alone the protective field?
How many more changelings have snuck into Canterlot?
What is the hives food situation?
What is your line of communication with the hive?
Ah, where are my manners.
I had forgotten to introduce myself.
I am Nightlight the Changeling Lord from another world, and you are?"
There were many more things that went through my head at that moment, but they were only more questions.
His expression gained an irritated look, "You know it is very rude to ignore your superior, little changeling."
"I...
... your lordship," Moth Ball trembled as she answered.
Changeling Lord Nightlight gave me a questioning glance, "Was that the only reason you picked her, and what has become of her?
Well out with it."
I will not get out of here without answering him so, "No not at all. I chose her because her metabolism caused her to constantly snack on treats, plus the fact that she was not originally from Canterlot meant that there would be a small chance of getting discovered. The mission was supposed to be a one of multiple long term stack outs since only a small number of changelings have been able to enter Equestria for the first time in ages.
Oh and the pony Moth Ball has been sent back to the hive to be fed on."
Changeling Lord Nightlight let out a small chuckle and said, "I see Celestia will not be happy about that but there really is nothing she can do about that at this point so she will just have to deal with it.
Now what of your line of communication."
Wait Celestia what is this about. I have to find out, "There is a changeling in a near by town named Kevin who I meet when I need to make a report. His cover is..."
Changeling Lord Nightlight put a hoof in my mouth and said, "Hold that thought, I never said anything about use not being watched at the moment."
Wait what? I am even more confused now more than ever.
He had an amused look and said, "Given that you are looking at me with that confused look of yours, perhaps I should explain who I am and where I come from.
Unless you want to discuss something else that is."
"Of course not your lordship, please continue," said Moth Ball.
Finally I may be able to make sense of what is going on.
"As I am sure you heard attending the School for Gifted Unicorns about the senior who was expelled recently correct...
Well they were trying to do something, as in a random something with no plan about what would happen," Changeling Lord Nightlight gave a pause.
What kind of reckless fool would do something like that?
Trick Star
*sneeze*
"I bless thy," Igneous Rock Pie said.
"Thank you, though it felt as though someone was talking about the Great and Powerful Trick Star," said the great and powerful Trick Star.
Moth Ball
"Well as a result of that whole mess I was brought to this world and it appears that returning to my my original world is not possible but now I can fully make use of my ability to see into the past, present, and future of other worlds, giving me an idea of what may happen. The added bonus of being from another world that further ahead in events also helps greatly," finished Changeling Lord Nightlight with a devious grin.
That was not what I was thinking, but I am not quite sure what I was thinking.
"Knowing some of the events that will happen in the years to come, I have made a deal with Celestia..." said Changeling Lord Nightlight.
A deal with the enemy?
"As enemies from long ago reappear that will be disadvantageous for the changelings to face them ourselves, but they are also threats to the ponies who just so happen to be better able to deal with them.
So I thought way not have are enemies defeat each other, then we can swoop in and claim victory for ourselves!
Any questions?" continued Changeling Lord Nightlight.
Questions? Plenty but where to begin.
The question Moth Ball chose to ask was, "Umm...
Why would Princess Celestia agree to something like that?"
"Love after all the promise of being reunited with with her long lost sister is far too tempting an offer, as well as the information needed to help deal with the threats that will appear. Yes she knows that once our common enemies have been defeated we will settle things with them for good, and we will be the ones with advanced notice even Discord himself will ours to devour," answered Changeling Lord Nightlight.
I guess that...
"Did you say Discord?
He has love?
...Your lordship?" asked Moth Ball
Ignoring the question Changeling Lord Nightlight said, "Speaking of Discord, do not speak of any important matters near his statue just because he is stone doesn't mean he can't hear everything around him though it does make it hard to roll his eyes."
What!
Without waiting for a response Changeling Lord Nightlight said, "The next time you go to give a report on your mission I would like you to deliver a letter that is for the Queen's eyes only. It holds some additional information for the Queen."
A letter to the Queen!
"I would go myself, but there are still things I must attend to here in Canterlot," Changeling Lord Nightlight continued.
"Yes sir, I will ensure that your letter is delivered to the Queen, your lordship," answered Moth Ball.
*Deep chuckling*
Suddenly everything went black.
Some time later I woke to the sound of a voice, and saw two guards looking down on me.
The first guard asked, "Are you ok little one."
Wait his eyes, are they glowing blue?
"Transform back into Moth Ball and do not forget the letter," said the second.
Noticing that I was in my true form I quickly transformed back to pony form and took the letter.
As I made my way back to the dorm I thought about my encounter with the Changeling Lord Nightlight and how his horn never glowed throughout the encounter.
Nightlight
I couldn't help but be amused about my little performance with Moth Ball. Celestia seemed to be unhappy about the fact that I scared her the way I did, but Iron Shield managed to convince her that using the similar leadership techniques as Chrysalis in order to gain her trust was a good idea.
"Fine, but I must ask how did you cast those spells without lighting your horn?" Celestia asked.
I chuckled and answered, "Well it's funny you should ask that.
When your researchers told me about how I was some kind of living construct with a core I decided that there should be a way to permanently alter my base form to improve my abilities.
For example I fixed my vision problems, added these fully dexterous ribbon wing things that can stretch, harden, and cause electric shocks.
But to specifically answer your question I made it so that I can hide the use of magic and other abilities such as flight."
They looked a mix of shock and impressed.
"Speaking of which I have once again finished reading through the books you have lent me once again," I continued.
And now they were both scowling.
"Can you read through them faster," Iron Shield asked sarcastically.
The sarcasm was just begging for a comeback.
So I answered, "To be fair I have learned a spell that helps with that called acceleroto which let's me move so fast that I become a blur."
The irritation on their faces actually looked physically painful.
"So can I just have access to the Canterlot Archives please?" I asked.
I put on my best puppy dog eyes as they sighed in defeat.
"Honestly it is only a matter of time before you just stop asking and we can't stop you, so I may as well," answered Celestia.
Oh just you wait princess.
I smiled and said, "Thank you."
For the next few days every pony who went to the Archives was shocked by the mysterious blur that zipped around.
After reading through almost everything that in the Archive that was not behind a locked door I read almost everything I could.
Though I was lucky to get access to the Star Swirl the Bearded Wing, and found that time spell that Starlight modified to make her time travel spell. In fact all the needed information was in the section itself, but I simply improved the original spell to send my memories nine days into the past while syncing the timelines.
Throughout all the various texts throughout the section, relic creation was one which peaked my interest. I had a few ideas on items I could create myself that were not just recreations of technology from my own world.
As I was making my way out of the Archive I heard a familiar voice coming from the section next to me.
"This is impossible, there is literally no information on it!" Moth Ball said in irritation.
"Now now, I'm sure that we can find something on how Star Swirl defeated the sirens I think," assured Twilight Velvet.
She's here? Well now is as good as any to meet her. Walking to them.
As I approached I said, "Actually no, you will not find any information on how he stopped the sirens in this archive.
I checked."
Velvet had a slightly irritated look on her face and said, "Oh really, and just who are you?"
Since I have yet to meet either of them in this form, "My name is Nightlight, I'm the one who has been using acceleroto to zip through every book. What are your names?"
She started to look at me with a bit more interest.
"I am Twilight Velvet and this is Moth Ball," answered Velvet.
Since I need to get on her good side I smiled and asked, "So is there anything I can help you both with?"
Moth Ball looked like she wanted to scream. It put an internal smile on my face.
Velvet smiled and said, "Oh well I noticed that Moth Ball here was struggling with something and after talking to her I learned that she was having trouble finding material on her topic for a research paper. I tried to help her find relevant material, but as you can guess."
While I don't know the details of the assignment I knew it was probably best to be honest and said, "Since there is no way for you to get sourced information for the project, I would change topics if possible."
"But how will she get the necessary information to finish in time?" asked Velvet.
She looked back to me as I stood there drinking a smoothie and wearing a pair of sunglasses.
"You know, this can work," said Velvet.
We ended up changing the topic to ursa majors and used one of Rockhoofs' stories for the report. I would have chosen dragons but with next to no information on them even the sirens would have been easier.
Velvet sighed and said, "Wow is it that time already!
Good work team.
So Nightlight I don't think I have seen you around before, what's your story?"
I chuckled and gave her the back story Celestia had set up, and asked about her.
She just has two more years before she graduates and got her cutie mark for getting a three out of three star rating on a book she wrote.
She was surprised to learn that I didn't attend the School for Gifted Unicorns.
I laughed and said playing up my accent, "At my age and with how I was raised traveling all over I don't think I could really enjoy attending such a academy.
Not to mention that I felt I could do more for my home land as a member of the guard."
Velvet hummed thoughtfully and said, "If you say so.
Oh look at the time, sorry but I am going to be late to a prior arrangement. Maybe we can meet up at another time?"
I smiled and said, "Sure, and you go on ahead. I will walk little Moth Ball back to the School for Gifted Unicorns."
Moth Ball looked like she was about to sweat bullets.
When I was walking down the corridor with Moth Ball I cast a spell that would let us have a private conversation.
Putting on a stern expression I asked, "So has the Queen received my letter?"
Moth Ball brightened up and said, "Yes, and when she read through it she agreed.
She agreed when you mentioned the umbra and the princess of food as you called her."
Nightlight smiled and said, "Good and make sure you give no clues to Celestia about our plans. She would never allow them even if they have only three little acts of genocide."
Ch 5 Secret Grotto (rewrite)
Nightlight
I was looking out of the window of the train cart. Moth Ball was taking me to Ponyville to get something that I had requested from Chrysalis.
As we got off the train and made are way through town I saw Pear Butter going into what I could only assume would become Sugar Cube Corner. I already had Celestia begin to keep tabs on the parents of the element bearers.
Eventually we made it to the home of Star Hunter or rather Kevin. He was apparently a great flier and skilled navigator.
When we made it to his home near the Everfree Forest we just walked in. Apparently it was ok for Moth Ball to just walk into his house.
Seeing that he was apparently not home much to Moth Balls' horror I decided to look around. I found a picture of him with Cranky, Steven Magnet, and a few others at what I recognized from pictures as Flash Freeze Lake.
I found a few awards for flying competitions, since he was apparently acting as the the delivery boy between the hive and agents I guess he'd have to be a good flyer.
Moth Ball was getting even more nervous than before and it was no longer fun.
Deciding to do something about it Nightlight asked, "So do you just give the reports here or what?"
Realization lit up on her face after a second.
"Actually there is a secret grotto in the forest and if he is not home there should be a note with instructions," said Moth Ball.
As she began to look at where the note would be Nightlight responded, "I see, it makes sense for my delivery to be there."
Moth Ball returned with a smile on her face and said, "It appears that Kevin has decided to keep guard over the more sensitive items that you requested your lordship.
I shall lead you to the secret grotto your lordship."
As the sun set we made our way into the Everfree Forest and were approaching the grotto I began to notice the signs of a struggle and Moth Ball also seemed to notice.
We began to move through the forest while keeping to the shadows when we noticed an injured dark coated pegasus in a small clearing looking around frantically.
My guess Star Hunter.
Suddenly a chuckle with a hiss echoed throughout the area and the voice it belonged to began to speak, "What'z wrong little pony or should I zay bug. Zose documents you have zeem quite...
...important.
Perhapsz you could hand zem over and I may just let you live."
The heavy accent told me that the speaker was still unfamiliar with ponish.
Suddenly a shadow silently shot across the ground from a bush behind him.
Before it could stab a dagger in his back I put up a shield behind him.
Finally out in the open I saw the attacker was a thin naga with black scales. His expression changed from a wicked grin to one of confusion. As a changeling I could sense the fear from him.
Moth Ball motioned Kevin to her and the naga attempted to get back to the bushes only to find an invisible barrier.
"What?" Exclaimed the naga.
Nightlight chuckled and said, "I set up a barrier to prevent you from running or hiding. As well as any other outside interference.
Now who are you and why do you want what my little changeling has?"
His face warped into one of anger and he shouted, "DAMN YOU!"
In an instant he coiled around me and was bringing the dagger down on my neck.
I heard Moth Ball and Kevin call out to me.
Suddenly the dagger was nocked out of his hand as a spike pierced it like many others around his body where he wrapped around me.
As the spikes receded and he collapsed to the ground because of my sleep spell. as he fell I noticed a tattoo of a red eight headed serpent but three of them were black.
I took out surgical camera tube thing that I had the team Celestia had assigned to attempt to recreate technology from my world and used it to search his insides.
As Moth Ball and Kevin approached Kevin asked, "How did you do that?"
I began taking steps to ensure he would not escape and said, "We changelings possess the limitless power of transformation.
I have experimented on myself in order to give myself new abilities.
The one that you saw me use to fell it was based off of how dragons grow spikes out of their tails for combat.
So, what happened?"
Kevin
Among all the things that I had to deliver, the collection of items that I was charged with now were the strangest.
I mean why would there be a need for a list of every changelings' name like ever.
Once all these items were used they were to be either destroyed or sent back.
I had chosen to wait about half way from the grotto and edge of the forest.
Suddenly a voice called out from the shadows, "Oh what have we zere, a bug?
What are you doing out zere?
Wiz how close you are holding zose bagz, zey must be quiet important.
So I will make zis simple.
Give me the bags and I may let zou live."
I couldn't figure out where to voice was coming from, but I would not let them have the bags.
There was rustling coming from multiple locations.
I tackled something in the nearest rustling pinned a naga, be it could counter attack I stabbed it with a dagger.
In shock at what happened when I did this I exclaimed, "WHAT!"
There was no blood, no flesh, only skin.
Suddenly it hit me with a strong hit from a branch causing me to drop my dagger.
The voice cackled and said, "I am Razor of ze Orochi, and zou are now my prey."
As I tried to escape he continued to attack me with what I could only assume were his copies.
He continued to mock and belittle me as his copies would attack me.
Even if I got a good hit on one it would only work more to his advantage. There weight and appearance were so real but in a moment they would wrap around him and throw him.
Nightlight
I sighed, "Nothing more annoying than an arrogant coward."
Kevin looked confused, "What do you mean?"
Without looking at him I responded, "He attacked with only his clones, but rather than staying far away he waited until he was sure he would be able to finish you himself.
When you were giving me a overview of what happened I cast a spell to control him remotely and found his copies were disabled when I nocked him unconscious.
They were even more impressive than you realized.
Not only did they weigh and look real.
They gave off heat and had vitals.
In fact they could even have emotional auras.
I wonder if I could replicate it?
Hey cocoon the skins and naga for me while I read what I came here for."
Kevin and Moth Ball began to follow my orders as I read through Chrysalis' reply to my message and confirm some entities did exist and others I just made up didn't, and while she was annoyed that I couldn't report to her myself she understood why.
I read through the list of names and saw that Thorax, and Pharynx were not on it.
Eventually we made our way to the grotto. While there were not really that many books in the hive but I managed convince the Queen to loan me some.
I had books on various topics such as changeling magic, history, culture, and language.
We set up a second grotto for storing Razer and his skins so I could perform experiment on him later.
Moth Ball and I soon returned to Canterlot and we made no mention of the naga to Celestia just yet.
Kevin sent a report to Chrysalis about Razer and I searched both the Archives and city library for the symbol.
Eventually I did find it. In the lost Kingdom of the Naga the Orochi were a group of eight warriors who answered only to the ruling monarch. Originally the first members were the king's drinking buddies but the importance of the group grew over time. When a member of the group dies the head that corresponds to them will turn black.
As it turns out their last ruler The King of Poison Bašmu pronounced Bashmu. Turns out he was quite the tyrant eventually his daughter had enough of him and attempted a cue, and with his dieing breathes he cast a spell that caused all nagas to just disappear. Though this all happened over three thousand years ago.
The most recent members of the Orochi were divided amongst each other three sided with the king Razer, Pechrock, and Laticauda. The ones that sided with the Princess Nigricollis were Crotalus Atrox, Cerrejonensis, Cerastes, Atheris Hispida, and Echis Carinatus.
It was unclear where this kingdom was and since I was unsure of which Orochi members were still alive but since I already had Chrysalis keep tabs on the areas around Equestria for signs of Cadence I asked her to tell them to keep an eye out for the naga.
Ch 6 Date Night (rewrite)
Nightlight
It has been just under two years since I had arrived in Equestria and only two months since my encounter with Razer. He has unfortunately passed away from his internal bleeding. Fortunately I was able to replicate, and improve his body double spell. To preform the spell I created a body part called my black scarf wings.
Despite officially joining the guard I had been assigned to a reserve battalion. This basically means that when there is a surplus of guards we would just be hang out until we get assigned some mission or post.
I also started going on dates with Velvet, one of the other guards who saw me on a date with her was convinced that she was heads over hooves for me.
But I didn't think so.
It was true that Velvet had an interest in me but it was second to her amusement.
When watching Once Upon A Zeppelin, it was easy to tell that Velvet was the type who enjoyed having excitement in her life. The real one was no different, but her amusement told me that she knew that I was hiding something.
When we were on an evening date at Velvets' place she asked me if I would like to stay the night since her parents would not be home for two more days.
I chuckled and said, "I'm not sure if your parents would like that."
Her facial expression changed to a sly grin and she said, "I wanted to talk about who you really are."
I was wondering when she would ask this, after all she wrote mostly mystery and adventure novels. Though I was not sure what it was that gave me away.
I had cast spells that would keep the conversation private already.
Just to make sure I understand what she actually meant I questioned her.
We sat down on the kitchen table Velvet got us each a glass of water as we sat down and she stared at me.
"To start, the way that filly Moth Ball reacted to you despite just meeting you.
It was out of character for her to act that way in fact she reacts in a similar way to the Princess, yet her normal response to any other noble is one of annoyance," said Velvet.
It appears that scaring Moth Ball as I did has backfired.
"But what really got my suspicion was the way you spoke about your parents, how you were raised, and the places you had been.
Simply put you avoid it if at all possible.
When you do it sounds like you have not really been to those places at all.
Yet you also occasionally make comments that just don't fit in," Velvet smirked.
I must admit I really must be more careful, but it was fun seeing how she ripped my alibi apart piece by piece.
I told her that if I were to tell her the truth it would have to be incomplete and will have some deception as well. I also told her that she must keep these a absolute secret even to the Princess because of the danger she would be in otherwise.
The look in her eyes were filled with the flames of excitement as she agreed.
I started with the accident that brought me to this world and what it did to me.
She loved my true changeling form when I showed it to her.
I also told her that for reasons I could not explain I had knowledge of this world and events that may happen in the future.
She found the reason for Moth Balls' reacted the way she did find it funny when I told her at least.
Though she questioned if Chrysalis would realized that I was not being completely honest with her.
Fortunately I had thought about that. By creating a scenario where I had to work with both sides it was only logical that I would have to hide information from both as well.
In fact though Cadence's backstory was kept vague even in the comics there were some details that occasionally get mentioned, such as how she became an alicorn by defeating some sort of witch or queen who would steal love. With the protective barrier from the tree it is unlikely that this occurs in Equestria proper given the time frame.
Since Cadence and Shinning Armer attend the same school and grade in the comics I knew a rough time frame for this to happen.
According to Celestia unicorns can attempt the entrance exam for her school at age ten.
If they start from there it should take ten years for them to graduate, but since Twilight remained her student and stayed in the castle even after she graduated then she would be roughly twenty-one too twenty-three by the time of the thousandth Summer Sun Celebration. If my memories of what Celestia said in the show are accurate.
Since I don't think Celestia would have Twilight leave the school before she graduates that means Shinning and Cadence are around twenty-five and twenty-eight. Of course this is with an estimated age gap.
Velvet hummed thoughtfully at the numbers I estimated before nodding.
According to every source I found cutie marks tend to appear in the age range of eight to twelve with ten to twelve being outliers.
Using these numbers I have an idea of when Cadence will get her cutie mark and become an alicorn of seven to eleven years when she appears.
Velvet had at this point switched to tea for us both.
I chose to mention the umbra which appeared in the comics and told her about how easy it was to convince Chrysalis that we could have Cadence kill them for us. Assuming we follow the comics. I also told her about the city of small cat creatures that the changelings would devour as well.
That would be two acts of genocide and if this witch queen has subjects of her own that would be a third as I will need to have the changelings devour them as well.
Velvet argued that since these events were not dependent on any of my actions I was not guilty of them with the potential exception of the one that may never even happen especially if destiny forces you.
I shook my head and responded that by doing nothing to stop these acts I was still guilty. What's more destiny and fate are no excuse for we have the power to change it. In fact using the umbra as an example just because they are evil does not mean they have no right to live. In fact Sombras' change of heart in the comics proves that they could change.
I may believe in destiny and fate, but I also believe in free will.
I brought out my black scarf wings and ripped off two pieces that hid inside of Velvet so that I could keep her safe if needed.
Ch 7 Trick Star (rewrite)
Nightlight
Since I had little to actually do till something major happens. Especially since Velvet had her final year to focus on I would have more free time. Velvet recommended that I travel a bit for some actual experience with travel and the areas around Equestria.
I felt that was a good idea, while I was deciding on where to go I worked on a few magic items that I felt like I would have to make.
Using the time magic that I had learned in the Star Swirl the Bearded Wing I created what was basically a pair of stasis chambers. I also created a amulet that used changeling magic to let the wearer grow or improve their wings to fly. The amulet was still in the testing phase though.
I volunteered for a few missions as a guard as well. I focused on missions that let me travel to verious areas around Equestria. Such as investigating timber wolf sightings in the Whitetail Woods. Turns out that about a hundred years ago some timber wolves were driven out of the Everfree Forest and as a result they moved to the closest wooded area.
I also chose to investigate the Hollow Shades where they fought the Pony of Shadows. Despite it having been centuries since any pony has lived there it still had traces of a magic that I coined despair magic. Unlike hopelessness magic which is caused by a lack of hope, despair magic is caused by an excess of despair.
Eventually I heard about a rather interesting location thanks to Moth Ball. In the ruins of Fort Trothoof on the north east border of Equestria defensive spells are more powerful. It should be perfect for my future plans, but I will need to check it out myself.
For now though I plan on getting back home and sleeping. Though I was stopped when I noticed something about the house across from mine.
I knew that some pony was moving in but seeing them for the first time and helping bring in the last of the boxes. My first thought was Trixie.
I planned on slipping into my house without being seen but I was not so lucky.
Before I could make it to my door I heard a stallion shout, "Excellent!"
In a flash of smoke standing before me was Trick Star the one who I had to thank for my new life, and if I had to guess Trixie as well.
I growned and after way to long of a pause for my taste he began to introduce himself to me, "I am The Great and Powerful Trick Star!
As your new neighbor I hope we can get along."
Well he seemed nice enough. I introduced myself and had a quick chat with him back told him that I was tired from guard training and need to catch a train tomorrow so I would like to go to sleep.
This got him to leave me alone, apparently he had to prepare his home for a few friends who were welcoming him back to Canterlot. Well at least he won't be bothering me...
Well I was right sorta. I did not mind the sound of the party but someone else did and made a noise complaint. Since I was the only neighbor who he met I'm the one he blamed apparently.
I had a train to catch so I just ignored him for now and made my way to the train station. Since it was a two day train ride to my stop. Because of the somewhat famous nearby inn where I will be staying.
While I was settling in my room in the overnight car while Trick Star snuck under the bed completely undetected, at least if he was not narrating it.
During the first day where he tried to act hidden I decided to ask a costume maker on another cart for a favor. As it turns out they were the neighbor who made the noise complaint last night.
On the second day he stopped trying to hide out of hunger, and declared me to be his eternal rival.
My only question was in what since if we were to have magic duals of any kind I would win.
In response he looked away and scoffed. I took that moment to switch places with a copy double, and turned invisible.
When he looked back and asked what made me think that the copy slit it's throat and collapsed. When he was in shock I got behind him and tapped his shoulder while making a sly grin.
In his state of shock at my alive self I dispelled the clone. When he asked how I did it I merely said a true magician never reveals their secrets.
Eventually we began to discuss where he would be staying since the inn I was staying at was reservation only, and he forgot to bring money.
When he suggested that he camped I informed him of the blizzard scheduled for the first night and how he will freeze to death.
With a concerned expression he asked me if there was any way I could get him into the inn.
Fortunately there was, since I was a lesser noble I was a noble. Since nobles are often jerks they often forget to make reservations for their servants. I could just say he worked for me and pay a fine for him to be allowed in, but he needed a uniform of some kind to make it believable.
So before the train made it to our stop we went to the costume maker who I mentioned lived in the house on the left side of Trick Stars' house.
Since he had nothing he could part with that worked as a butler uniform we had to settle with something else.
As we entered the lobby of the inn the smell of walnut and heat of the fire place washed over us like a wave. The mare at the front desk raised a questioning eyebrow as we entered.
While signing in I asked her for the for the needed paperwork for a unexpected extra guest for my room.
Glancing between us she said sure but hesitantly asked why he was in a maid uniform. With the neutral expression I had throughout the interaction I said I didn't know beyond how weird he was.
She handed me a room key and I looked to Trick Star asking if he was ready.
He had a slack jawed expression of complete shock. In an irritated voice he asked why he even had to wear the maid uniform if I could just have done that.
I pulled some pictures from my saddle bag to show him and said, "Blackmail material."
Ch 9 Fizzlepop Berrytwist (rewrite)
Nightlight
Finally Velvet had graduated and we were free to invest more time in each other. We decided to to wait for a while before getting married. Her parents kinda like me but would still not allow it and she wanted them to be there for her so no eloping.
To celebrate her graduation we went canoeing down river rapids. It was actually quite a relaxing experience.
Well it was until the giant crab showed up.
After that whole situation we returned to the hotel with Velvets' parents let her surprise them with what restaurant we all went to for dinner.
The thing is that there is no such thing as a true herbivore. Though the ponies of Equestria mostly stick to a vegan diet meat options are available. Velvet had never had meat before in Canterlot not that she could not, but rather her parents were scared to let her try.
So when Velvet asked for my opinion on some restaurants I noticed that they were all ones with meat dishes. The one that I thought was the best option was one that I knew had a great chicken salad.
Her parents were not happy about it, and ordered a dish without meat for themselves.
Over the course of three years Velvet and I continued to grow closer. One thing that I had noticed throughout my time in Equestria was that there was no alternate versions of verious stories from my own world. For example there was no version of Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty, or Jekyll and Hyde.
Honestly all I really did was give Velvet a overview of verious stories from my world with plot lines and characters explained.
For an example a person favorite of mine Jekyll and Hyde were turned into the earth pony Open Book and Skeleton Closet.
Though I only knew some of the basics of LoR Velvet began writing her own version.
With the Star Wars movies which I thought would not work, she went all in with the science fiction aspects.
One that got mixed reactions from readers was a a story in a super hero setting but all the characters had useless or harmful powers. As it turns out in a world were powers are normal they never really considered it.
It was not only fans of super hero comics like power ponies but it even caused petitions to be brought up to Celestia for advanced preparation for such situations.
Even Chrysalis got a copy though she found it hysterical. She even took it as a challenge to find uses for some of them. She gave up on finding uses for some like the one with super strength who exploded, the one who could see five seconds into their own past but couldn't turn it off, and a few others.
Readers never bothered us either because Velvet had chosen to use a pen name as well.
As Velvet and I were planning our wedding one of my shadow copies that were waiting for a very specific purpose had finally waited long enough.
Fizzlepop Berrytwist had decided to run away.
As the young filly was running into the night my shadow copy cut her off.
Fizzlepop Berrytwist
When Fizzlepop Berrytwist had finally decided that she had enough and ran away. She planned to run away to the lands far from Equestria.
She had expected to see some strange things out there, but here she was. Her village was just out of view now and she had already found something weird.
Some sort of shadowy fabric suddenly raised up in front of her and before she could even respond tears formed in it forming eyes and a mouth.
I was speechless to what was in front of me.
Suddenly it spoke, "Hello there little one."
The thing gave what I could only guess was a polite bow.
I asked what it wanted with me.
It informed me that it wanted to make a deal with me.
I raised my brow, what would this thing want from a young mare like me?
I asked the thing want was in it for me.
It chuckled and said that it would give me a new horn if I did a little favor for it.
Well I do want a horn, I mean I am just a filly so how bad can it be.
It smiled and told me that it wanted me to kill the Storm King conquerer of many lands when the time is right.
WHAT!?
How in Tartarus does this thing expect me to kill someone like that!?
I mean really I am a child not a highly trained assassin.
The thing said I would not have to worry as the choices I will make in life will prepare me for the task ahead.
It was at that moment that I realized that this thing was talking about the future as if it was the the most natural thing in the world.
Just want is this thing, and what is it planning?
I had to take a risk and ask what it's goal was.
It seemed to be quiet for a moment and it's cruel grin became soft, and with a chuckle said to not underestimate the lengths some parents will go for their children.
I took a second to think about what it just said.
I decided that I would agree but I only had one more question at this point.
How will I know when it is the right time?
The thing let out a quick laugh and smiled and said that I would know because I will remember all this when the time is right.
Wait remember how could I forget all this?
Suddenly the thing rushed forward and before I could react it slithered into my eyes and it all went black.
Later...
I didn't know for how long I have been running.
It all feels like a big blur to me that this moment.
I feel like I am forgetting something important but if I can't remember it then it's not important.
I can...
No, I will survive all on my own.
Ch 10 Brave Shield (rewrite)
Author's Note
*WARNING*
This chapter involves some messed up imagery and is technically skip able.
I am going to be honest here, I never originally planned this chapter.
When I started the story I was stumped on how Nightlight was supposed to get in contact with Tirek. But when I finished the last chapter I thought of this. I never originally planned to give Iron Shield a family.
Ch 10 Brave Shield (rewrite)
Nightlight
When the inside of Tartarus was revealed in the show some questioned why some seemingly random monsters were locked away in Tartarus.
Honestly I never questioned it, because to me it always made some sense to me. In Equestria even the none sapient creatures always displayed a high level of intelligence.
When creatures of such intelligence are capable of committing such high level of cruelty not on accident, but with full intentions.
The bugbear was a disturbing one for sure.
It would raid towns and villages to abduct young fillies and colts. They are then taken back to it's den where it cooks and eats them, or if it feels lazy raw.
Sometimes it will send the leftovers back to the parents.
When someone loses a spouse they are called a widow. When someone loses a parent they are called a orphan. But what do you call someone who has lost their child.
Brave Shield
Hello there my name is Brave Shield and I am a colt who lives in Springhill. It is a nice town but a little out of the way from anywhere else.
I may not be anything special but my dad Iron Shield is the captain of the guard. He's is never really around though.
I want to be just like him when I grow up. My mom Sweet Snacks is a bit protective of me. She thinks that I put myself in too much danger as is.
My sister Sweetie Drops often brags about me.
You see I got my cutie mark protecting a friend from some bullies. You see I just can't stand by and let others be picked on.
You know some think that a peaceful little town like this wouldn't have a problem with bullies but we have a small group of them.
Their young trouble makers who don't cause enough trouble for the adults to step in and put a stop to it for good.
I regularly get into fights with them despite being out matched by their numbers. My mom says I should stop about what what the best course of action is rather than just rushing in. Saying that I should get an adult. The thing is that when I see someone in trouble I jump in to help without thinking.
Sometimes I start heroic speeches to buy time to think.
I made my way into the Springtail Woods. It was a popular hang out spot for children.
With it being such an out of the way spot it was pretty isolated from the rest of town. That is why those trouble makers often caused trouble around here. They would be long gone by the time any adult help arrived.
I was not sure why but I felt like something bad was going to happen today. So I decided that I would keep an eye on the area today. My sister and her friend were supposed to be here today too.
You see my sister Sweetie Drops just got her cutie mark the other day so she and her friends are going to spend the day having fun.
Dad will be here tomorrow morning and we will have a party.
It felt quite...
Like something was wrong...
Where are the birds and other animals?
Suddenly I heard it.
A scream no screams!
There was no time I had to run.
What I saw scared me.
Some sort of bug bear thing had a sack and was stuffing one of the trouble makers in it. I saw my sister running in my direction with tears in her eyes saying that it got her friends.
There was no way I or my sister can get away from it by ourselves.
The bug bear monster was closing in on the last of the trouble makers who was a pegasus that was old enough to carry my sister and still fly faster than she could run.
I ran at it and using a pencil from my saddle bag I stabbed into back of it's hand.
It roared in anger.
The pegasus looked to me in shock. Before the bugbear could react I shouted at him to grab my sister and fly back to town for help.
He seemed to understand. He picked up Sweetie Drops and started flying.
Now I only had to delay it for as long as possible.
Sweetie Drops
I was terrified, why did this have to happen.
Two of the adult pegasus were sent to get my dad. Some other adults went to try and rescue Brave Shield and the other fillies and colts.
Daddy please make it in time.
Brave Shield
There was a throbbing pain in my head. The bugbear had eventually managed to knock me out.
I started to look around and evaluate my surroundings.
I had been tied up with some kind of metal wire, and aside from my head wound I was unharmed.
I was in some kind of cage and from what I could see there was a large rock on top of it.
I saw that the room I was in had an exit to some kind of corridor but had no idea where it led to or if there was any other exit to the room.
The bugbear was stirring a large cauldron with some kind of boiling liquid.
Despite there being other cages in the room I could see the other fillies and colts were not in them. Though I could still hear their muffled cries.
Suddenly the bugbear when out of view, but when it came back into view I screamed.
It was taking the bag full of the other children to the cauldron and dumped them inside it before quickly placing the lid and locking it.
It was horrible, despite the lid being locked on to it I could still hear every last second of their screaming.
I shouted...
I begged...
I screamed at it to let them out...
but it just laughed and smiled.
I know I didn't see my sister or the pegasus which told me that at least they got way, but it didn't stop my tears.
As the ones in the cauldron went quite the bugbear stopped for a moment and began sniffing at the air.
The echoing sound of hoof steps started to come from the corridor.
A dark blue unicorn stallion came through the entry way.
I recognized the cutie mark with two crescent moons. This was Nightlight. He is a recruit in the night guard that showed incredible promise.
He was a friend of my dad. He even asked my dad to be best stallion for his wedding.
Maybe everything will somehow turn out okay. I mean if he's here then dad can't be far behind...
right...
The bugbear was acting intimated, was it scared of him?
A shadow seemed to quickly shot out of his neck and entire the bugbears' eye.
I had no idea what that was but it must have been good.
He glanced at me, but something was wrong.
There was not a single bit of empathy in his cold glare.
He looked back to the bugbear and said in a cold and menacing voice, "Start your meal with that one."
I froze for a second.
When he began turning to leave I screamed.
"WHY!"
Why was he not saving me?
He said that he completed his goal with this and that loose ends needed to be tied up, and that the only reason he had not arrived sooner was that he did not wish to have their screaming bother his ears.
As he walked out I felt nothing...
When the bugbear opened the cage I didn't react...
When the bugbear picked me up and was about to bite into me I did nothing...
My last thought was about the cold heartless eyes of that monster...
Nightlight
Iron Shields' screams when he found what was left of his son were nothing like anything I had ever heard.
The only reason that the bugbear was not already in Tartarus was because Bon Bon was supposed to bring it in.
Doing anything more than I did simply risked to many variables unnecessarily.
Apparently Iron Shields' wife Sweet Snacks is blaming him for the loss of their son and wanted to divorce him.
Well at least she did before she killed herself. She tried to kill Sweetie Drops to but was stopped. Sweetie Drops would be moving to Canterlot permanently.
On a lighter note that pegasus colt got his cutie mark. His name is Flash Sentry.
The bugbear was the only way I could think of getting into Tartarus without arousing suspicion.
Iron Shield...
I'm sorry.
Ch 11 First Born (rewrite)
Nightlight
It was the big day. Trick Star was a bit upset that he was not my best Stallion. Though he kept his discontent to himself when I pointed out that we had only hung out that one time that he had yet to pay me back for.
Iron Shield was a bit out of it but would be fine...
I think.
We decided to keep it small with only a few friends and family.
My 'parents' decided not to show but did send gifts.
Velvets' parents know that my parents had bad relationships with the other Canterlot nobles. They assumed that the reason was that they didn't show up so the nobles won't bother us at the wedding.
To be fair their not wrong I am already on the bad side of a few nobles who seem to have nothing better to do.
Celestia did stop by but it appears that she was still uncertain about me but she managed to mask it from the others.
To be honest I don't think she will really start to accept me until she meets Twilight Sparkle or maybe even until Luna is saved.
During the ceremony Velvets' parents started to cry tears of joy. Very loud tears of joy.
Velvet and I had decided to spend our honeymoon in Los Pegasus.
Honestly it was a bit to crazy for me. Growing up I lived a pretty simple life. If someone told me that I would be in the position I am now. Well first I would be amused then weirded out when I realized that you were serious.
While I like rollercoasters as much as to next guy but there are times that I just want to sit back and read a good book or just enjoy the scenery.
A month later...
Velvet
I can't believe it. I got into an argument with my editor.
This is terrible and how I left was so embarrassing.
We are just going at it and yelling at each other and as I'm leaving she yells go buck yourself.
And how do I respond...
With a maybe I will before slamming the door.
As a walk home I see Trick Star tending to his petunias. Ever since he got those flower boxes installed he has been bragging about them.
Honestly it was starting to get grating even for Nightlight.
On a less grating note we had installed a special glass which was actually some kind of plastic material but it felt like glass. It was effectively a one way window as Nightlight called it.
As I walked up the steps I remembered when I moved in. The house was a modest one with four stories. The first floor had a kitchen, dining room, a living room, a game room, and a bathroom like every floor.
The second floor had what would be the rooms of our children and another game room.
The third floor had are room and an office for each of us.
The fourth floor had guest rooms and a storage room.
The basement also was for storage, but it also had a secret entrance into a second basement.
There were some relics he had made in there including a few special projects he was working on.
When I closed the door to the house behind me I let out a sigh as I remembered what happened with my editor.
Nightlight who was sitting on the couch reading looked up and asked me about what was wrong. Honestly it was adorable how he tilts his head to the side with that expression of genuine innocence sometimes.
That slight head tilt was also completely unintentional on his part. Apparently he used to always have his head tilted to the side when he was younger.
I had a reluctant smile on my face as I told him about the argument. The end of the argument still embarrassing but I heard a flash of transformation from him and looked up.
There sitting on the couch was a perfect copy of me that asked if I was up for it.
One great thing about living with a shape shifter is that it is able to do things like this so it is never boring.
Laughing I gave my doppelganger a kiss and asked if that answered her question.
After a passionate night with Nighty, our first born was conceived.
Nightlight
Shining Armor was finally on his way. About ten months into the pregnancy Velvet and I both had what was known as a naming dream. These are actually quite uncommon after all names were always just special words things like Peter meaning stone.
The only difference is that in ponish they just go with stone instead of Peter.
As the day of Shining Armors' birth approached Chrysalis told me that she wanted to have an in person meeting for my report on the if and how Shining Armors' changeling traits worked.
It would be my first physical meeting with her. I will admit I was scared.
After another month and I was next to Velvet in a hospital bed as she was holding Shining Armor. I will admit knowing what his talent would be and all the achievements he would have in the future. It was strange seeing him so...
so...
small...
and vulnerable.
I never did tell Velvet what his talent would be as she wanted it to be a surprise. Don't get me wrong she has an idea but that's it.
Back in my world I never thought I would want children. It seemed like a massive panic attack waiting to happen, and like to much stress.
I was right so very right.
On the plus side I have noticed something. Shining Armor seems to have a light empathic sense. If I put actual love into his food he will try to eat it but if not...
He throws a massive tantrum.
Fortunately Velvet gave off just enough love for the food she would give him to not be a problem.
Unfortunately his foal sitters were not so lucky, we found one curled up into a ball crying once.
And once again mark my words for I will die on this hill, foals are terrifying. I really wish I could remember that spell Sunburst had them use on Flurry heart. I mean really if it works on an alicorn then a above average unicorn should be no problem.
After some time Velvet and I finally got used to having to care for a foal. I knew that I had to meet up with Chrysalis but I was some what reluctant to leave Velvet by herself with Shining Armor. She had to push me out of the door saying that her parents would help her.
Traveling to Southern Equestria I passed by a small population of jackals who still lived in Equestria.
A bit more to the Badlands where I will find an escort to a satellite nest. Apparently she wanted privacy for the meeting. Half of me wondered if the comments I made about not having test subjects for experiments made her uncomfortable about letting me in the hive proper.
I found my escorts no problem and was led to the location of the changeling territory in the Badlands.
The Badlands is a place much like the Everfree with a variety of dangerous creatures but is very dry.
As the main hive came into view the escorts led me to a cave on the edge of the thrones range.
They told me that Queen Chrysalis would be inside.
The doorway was sealed behind me after I entered.
I followed the corridor to the end were Chrysalis was laying on a mattress with silk sheets.
Chrysalis stood up and began to prowl around me looking me up and down.
As she was doing that I began to give my report on what I had discovered about Shining Armor.
After I completed my report she remained silent for a moment.
She asked to see what a 'complete' changeling looks like, saying my letters were not very discreet about it.
So I showed her my true changeling form without holes.
Chrysalis commented that it would be unfortunate that no changeling would inherent my... traits.
I remembered reading through the books I borrowed from the hive. Chrysalis has had relationships throughout changeling history though they have decreased in frequency over time. Now she just orders males who she feels will partner with her well to do it.
Having never actually used my insect parts which resulted in a very awkward interaction.
When the deed was done Chrysalis asked if I was actually just a social recluse.
I neither confirmed or denied.
Nightlight
When I got home from my meeting with Chrysalis I was glad to find that everything was good with Velvet and Shining Armor.
Well except for the hole in the wall but that was apparently caused by Trick Star.
Though no one was sure how.
When I told Velvet about what happened she laughed. She also vowed to punch Chrysalis for it some day. You know when she's no longer evil.
Seven months later I got a list of all the newly hatched changelings. Chrysalis apparently had two eggs from our encounter. Their names are Pharynx, and Thorax.
Normally changeling parents and children are not told who they are related to at least until the children are old enough. This is done to prevent favoritism from the parents.
Since most adult changelings spend most of their time working on the hives food situation. Favoritism may cause some young to go hungry from unfair rationing. As some changelings must spend long periods of time away from the hive.
Chrysalis worried that it would cause unnecessary problems.
So until the children come of age they are the hives children.
Apparently Chrysalis was worried about how Thorax seemed to be a bit of a push over.
I told her not to worry about that as his actions will unwittingly lead us to metamorphosis.
Pharynx on the other hoof seemed to be doing fine for himself.
Honestly Velvet got a little jealous that changelings become independent so quickly.
Honestly this is going to be a difficult conversation when it comes out. I can imagine the family reunion now, it will be even more awkward than in my old world where I went to family reunions where the only relatives who were not no-shows were the ones I had never met.
I mean seriously why did I have to watch the kids when none of them were mine.
On another note I was taking a walk after my shift of sitting around the barracks waiting to receive a task.
I mean I know that Celestia still can't trust me with guarding anything important since I'm technically a national enemy...
Wait that's actually a good reason.
When making my way through the park when I noticed Sweetie Drops kick a rock and then stomped on a flower. I stood there watching as she grunted in frustration.
After a second or two I walked up and asked what was wrong.
She let out a huff and said that her father won't let her go out and get revenge.
I recommend that she get stronger so that attaining revenge is a viable option.
Sweetie Drops hummed in thought and asked if I could help her.
I thought about it for a second and said that I could start tomorrow since I had to get groceries.
The next day I met Sweetie Drops waiting outside the barracks. She asked if it was really okay for her to be here and use the training area.
I explained that since I had so much seniority over all the new recruits that I can do whatever I want.
She rose an eyebrow at that comment but didn't say anything about it.
Looking around she asked me what most do to begin.
I looked to a slab of stone. Whenever new recruits come we would goat them into trying to break it. But before I could tell her that it was just a prank that we did on the new recruits, she had already broken it.
It impressed everyone in the room though I later learned that all the damage over the years weakend it.
Over the next two weeks I taught Sweetie Drops how to fight.
I must say Sweetie Drops has a lot of potential and a lot of rage.
Eventually Iron Shield came by to ask if I had seen Sweetie Drops. He was not happy that I was letting her skip school to do this.
In my defense I had no idea she attended night classes, but in hindsight it made sense as many Canterlot unicorns look down on earth ponies.
Iron Shield
I can't believe it Nightlight is normally a smart wise guy.
I mean I already know that he's against the idea of revenge, so why is he not here.
Sweetie Drops was sitting on the other side of the table finishing up her breakfast dinner.
I had to have a talk with her about what happened. Remind her of what her brother stood for.
She had a down cast look on her face as I spoke to her but I think I managed to convince her.
To prevent Nightlight from doing this again I promoted him to the special operations joint division.
Nightlight
Wait wait wait so you're telling me that members of the special operations joint division do exactly what I have been doing since I became a guard.
That means that I have been doing that for like seven times my previous pay.
I feel like have been used.
Anyways the first order of business was a organization of monster hunters that Iron Shield was not authorized to know about.
Apparently they were looking to recruit Sweetie Drops. I told them that it was her destiny and explained to them the same drawl I gave the others.
As I found out they were told to not try and investigate me which I was very glad about.
When the agency recruited Sweetie Drops they made sure that Iron Shield would be none the wiser.
Sweetie Drops was apparently becoming their best agent quite quickly.
I had also learned that Flash Sentry was doing his his best to one day become a royal guard.
As for his talent it is actually quite good. Whenever something he can help with is nearby he will instinctively move to help.
Well there is not much left to do until Twilight is born.
View Online
Chapter 13 Twilight Sparkle and Friends (rewrite)
Nightlight
As time passed I started to see Shining Armor develop the interests he had in the show and comics.
When Shining Armor was a year and a half Starlight Glimmer and Sunburst were born. I order to not have to do it later I sent a shadow copy to each of them right away. I even had one extra to stay around their town for when the time comes.
The first among the main six to be born was Fluttershy when Shining was three. The next a year later was Pinkie Pie and a month later Rainbow Dash.
Trick Star had ended up in a encounter with the receptionist from before but she wanted nothing to do with their daughter.
Trick Star couldn't afford to pay for both himself and Trixie so I anonymously helped him out by informing the princess that she would do important things in the future.
She raised an eyebrow at that and asked if I was just trying to help a friend.
I corrected her by explaining that Trick Star and I hate each other but get along really well for some reason.
I decided to use the receptionist for something I was planning. Though I will have to keep quiet on that one so that I won't be connected to her disappearance.
But finally the little lavender unicorn Twilight Sparkle is born.
You know Shining Armor was really looking forward to having a little sibling.
I on the other hoof am questioning my decision making abilities. Since I always knew that foals were terrifying, but now more than ever do I understand why characters seemed to have such large age gaps between siblings.
Though I also happened to learn where Spikes egg came from.
Garble
When my parents made me come along with them to check out the migration route I was peeved.
I mean really why did I have to come along. I wasn't even allowed to raid some small villages.
The only good thing that came out of this was that the wind revealed some cool things in the sand.
It looked like some kind of battle occurred out here in the middle of nowhere.
I knew that I couldn't take everything with me so I had to look for the best stuff among it all.
Most of it was nothing to interesting with the exception of an awesome shield. I think it's fire proof or something.
When considering what else to take a scratchy voice told me that I had good taste.
Turning to the voice I saw some kind of fabric with a face.
I was a little confused about what I was looking at but before I could say anything it began to tell me about the shield.
It was called the Talos. A pony artifact that was used by some pony named Flash Magnus. About how he was a member of some kind of group called the Pillar of Unity who sacrificed themselves to seal away something called the Pony of Shadows.
In irritation I told him that I don't care and that it was now mine.
It had what I could only guess was a look of confusion and laughed.
I prepared for a fight when it said I must protect it for the sake of the future.
Now I was confused.
It's voice grow somber and it began to speak.
Apparently this Pony of Shadows will be unleashed and when it is it will begin it's plans to shroud the whole world in darkness and despair.
Using magic it made a world map covered it in a shroud of shadows.
When it did this it felt like something was crushing my heart making it so I couldn't breathe.
It then told me that I must hold on to it until the dragon Spike and a rainbow maned pegasus come to claim it.
It told me about how this dragon Spike would help save the Crystal Empire from the Tyrant King Sombra and that he would succeed Dragon Lord Torch.
It also told me about how I would meet him and how it must go.
I just wanted the crushing feeling to end so I agreed and honestly this Pony of Shadows thing was starting to get to me.
I told the thing that I would take it's quest and vowed upon my dragon code.
As it saying how glad it was it suddenly looked north.
When I asked what was wrong it said that its' 'hatchling' sitter has been trapped in a horror novel.
I don't even want to know, but apparently it was proud of her already.
Without me noticing my mother landed behind me and asked if I was busy so we could leave and move on.
When I noticed her raise an eyebrow at the weird cloth thing I explained what happened.
She hummed in thought and asked the thing if it was looking for something it could potentially use.
It was now the things' turn to raise a eyebrow and ask what she meant.
My mom bought out an egg she said was a dud and gave it to the thing.
When it was passed the egg its' eyes widened and it said that this was Spikes' egg and teleported away.
Nightlight
When I touched the egg visions started flowing through my head and I knew that the egg I was holding was Spike.
I guess I can add those visions to the list of side effects from overuse of time magic.
Regardless I have most of the pieces I need to ensure that my plan is successful.
I really should have taken the time to ask them a bit more about dragons.
As for the remaining element bearers Rarity and then Applejack were born the year after my little Twilight.
Author's Note
Good news the next chapter will be the start of the Cadence Arc.
Ch 14 The Queen of Snakes (rewrite)
Changeling Scout
When I was told that we were going to be sending scouting parties to forest around the border of Equestria I thought it was a joke.
It was not but at least when they explained what we were looking for it started to make sense.
Now we can finally end this farce. The love stealing rival has been located and is making her move.
Celestia
When Nightlight told me that he needed three of my most skilled guards and a train no questions asked I knew something was wrong.
Unfortunately I can't lend a hoof myself since they were heading outside our borders.
I can only hope things turn out okay.
Dizzy Twister
I couldn't believe it. When I first became a guard Nightlight did not seem like anything to special. In fact he remained in the position we started at for years but then seemed to be reassigned yet nothing seemed to change.
Some of us joked that his job was to make sure that the recruits don't slack off after they officially join.
Now here we are in a train heading to the middle of nowhere and I don't even know way.
It started when I was going to the sparring field with Silver Arrow when Iron Shield tells us to come with him right now away.
When we got on the train and started moving Iron Shield asked Nightlight what was going on he just said that he would explain later.
All we really know is that we are going to the north west border of Equestria.
What makes it even worse is that Nightlight apparently now out ranks me somehow.
The train we were using was meant for deploying a large number of soldiers quickly so with just one cart with the four of us we were going even faster.
What's more I now have to sit here and listen to Iron Shield and Nightlight talk about their children.
Nightlights' son Shining Armor was turning nine in two months and his daughter Twilight Sparkle was four.
I just want them to shut up.
Eventually we came to a stop in what looked like the middle of nowhere.
Geared up we were going to walk through the woods to our destination. Do we get an explanation for what we are doing here, no.
It was starting to get dark and I was on my last straw.
Walking at the back of the the group I had a clear view of every pony in the group.
As we followed Nightlight I noticed that he had a dagger in his forehoof.
Suddenly he throu it behind him and straight for my forehead.
I ducked but before I could yell at him I heard it hit something.
I looked back and saw the dagger in the head of some kind of snake with arms.
Nightlight looked to the left and told a pony named Trick Star to come out.
I had heard about Trick Star. He often caused trouble but was mostly harmless.
Getting all our attention Nightlight decided to finally explain what was actually going on, "Now that we are all here it's time to explain what we need to do."
His tone of voice told me everything I needed to know. If we don't listen to his orders then we will not be going home.
The creature that was sneaking up on me was called a naga. Nightlight gave a quick history lesson about their history including their last ruler The King of Poison Bašmu pronounced Bashmu, their princess, and the Orochi.
I couldn't believe it he has been investigating this for about thirteen years at this point.
Iron Shield was annoyed that Nightlight apparently never mentioned his first encounter with the Orochi member.
I also learned that I was not autherized to know about his foreign contacts who are helping us out from the shadows.
Iron Shield had a slight grimace but Nightlight whispered something into his ear that made him give a reluctant sigh.
I may not have known who he had connections to but they were clearly not good.
What kind of life did he live when traveling with his parents.
Silver Arrow asked if we should worry about the enemy noticing the scout missing.
Nightlight pointed out that his stomach was so full and the other supplies he had on his person meant that he was not expecting for some time.
He even pointed out a few of a potion used to keep them warm in a cold climate.
We decided to bury him off to the side with Nightlight taking a few things saying that it would be wasteful to not take anything.
As we made our way to our destination Nightlight explained what he knew. The naga are going around towns gathering up the townsfolk and draining the love from them for an unknown purpose.
They are currently working from an abandoned castle that has been long forgotten.
There is a lack of internal guards since most of them will be out gathering creatures from a nearby town.
One of the Orochi members should be in the town commanding the troops. The rest will be somewhere in the castle.
When we enter the castle we will spread out in order to find their princess and stop their plans.
But their was one more thing that we had to keep in mind.
Apparently some kind VIP was somewhere in the castle and their life is more important than any of ours.
This was strange to me. Why couldn't these seemingly incredibly competent foreign contacts just rescue this VIP themselves.
After Iron Shield explained Nightlights' power I began to wonder how much he actually knew.
As we approached the castle I started to notice the nagas patrolling the grounds.
To get passed them we used some sort of small wooden totem that is used for a short range teleportation gate. We are going to use it to enter the castle without alerting any guards.
According to Nightlight we had the highest chance of success if Silver Arrow stays at the entry way to make sure that the returning Orochi member can't provide support for the other members.
Trick Star was to go down a corridor to the right and keep going down stairs. If he encounters an Orochi member he should distract them for as long as possible.
Iron Shield was to go down a corridor to the left and stay on the ground floor.
Nightlight and I would go up to main staircase to the second floor. My role was to look for a way to enter the tower in search of the naga princess and/or VIP.
If we run into an Orochi he will stay back to delay them.
Before we dispersed Nightlight had us make him a promise.
A promise to come back alive.
Well it's now or nothing.
Cadance
When I was too young to remember I was found alone in the woods by an old earth pony couple.
They took me home to their village who helped care for me.
Now these nagas have come here and are stealing the love of others.
I tried to stop them but being about nine years old I failed and they tried stealing my love.
When they saw that it didn't work they stuffed me in a sack.
Now I'm in a cage in what I thought was a kitchen, but the naga called it an alchemy lab.
I heard the guards transporting talking about their reasons, but despite what they said something is wrong.
Something is wrong with the naga princess.
Ch 15 Vs. the Orochi (rewrite)
Iron Shield
As we broke I made my way through the left corridor. I only gave the rooms a quick glance.
When Nightlight told us to do our best to keep the Orochi members occupied if we run into them I knew that it could only mean one thing.
We will need to.
Eventually I heard the sound of some kind of flute coming from the courtyard.
I managed to see where the music was coming from. A naga with pure white scales was wrapped around a tree near the center of the yard.
I noticed that they had their eyes closed and began to sneak towards them.
As I got closer I noticed the Orochi tattoo had only three red heads.
If I was lucky I could take them down without even fighting.
The music suddenly stopped when a snapping sound came from under my hoof.
The nagas' eyes opened and focused on me.
The naga had piercing red eyes and as I got a better look at the face I noticed two horns on its' head.
A white glow came from the nagas' horns and a thick fog spread throughout the yard.
I heard the sound of leaves and a sudden thump, but I couldn't figure out where it came from.
A female voice called out from all directions, "An intruder here. To get this far without my knowledge.
I cannot let you leave this courtyard alive.
I am Cerastes a Orochi member."
Well keeping her here may be easier than I thought.
Or just deadlier.
The fog was so thick that I could just barely see passed my back hoof.
There was a sound of clanking metal.
A pair of empty suits of armor came out of the fog to attack me.
Do to their age they pretty much crumbled from the rust when I hit them.
Suddenly a scythe came down from the front left.
As I dodged I felt a blade came down from the back right.
This happened a few more times from different directions.
But this fight would be the death of me if I didn't do something about it.
Suddenly from in front of me the scythe came from the side, going for my neck.
All these attacks had been from above.
There was something strange about this attack.
As the attack approached my neck I thought about how to end it.
Trick Star
When I found a spiral staircase downward I thought I could slide down the hand rails.
It didn't work out but I have a lot more practice falling down stairs than most.
When I hit the bottom I was a little confused and disoriented.
A deep voice resounded through the hall,"Are you okay little pony?"
I was fine and when I saw the size of the naga I was impressed.
I am not even joking when I say this guy was big like titan big.
With his deep resounding voice he introduced himself, "I am Cerrejonensis the Dragon eater. Younger brother of Bashmu. Hero of a thousand battles. And member of the Orochi."
Looking at him I could believe that he ate a dragon. Wait this guy is the brother of that evil king guy. I asked if his brother was the same size but apparently he was even bigger.
Cerrejonensis
Wait before I carry on his this conversation I must ask who they are.
When I asked he stood on his hind legs and said as flashes of light blasted behind him, "I am The Great and Powerful Trick Star though I don't really like to brag about my many achievements."
Admirable and modest. I can respect this stallion and his ability.
So like any proud warrior I challenged him to a dual as he was obviously an intruder.
He was obligated to complete his own mission and while he would rather continue our conversation and show me pictures of his daughter the mission comes first.
While I had neither my weapons or armor and could not cast magic but I had confidence in my physical ability.
His spells could not harm me but I was not able to hit him either.
What I noticed was that some of his spells were actually quite skilled parlor tricks. Using these he could save his magic for more impactful spells.
Unfortunately in his haste he allowed me to circle him with me massive body.
Unfortunately I could not constrict his with the difference in our sizes.
Years ago my beloved niece gave me a potion that let me grow a pair of small fangs.
These fangs held a venom that could put even a dragon to sleep.
I leaned into him and gently bit.
Silver Arrow
When I was told that I was basically had to guard a doorway I thought it would be easy.
Then I realized that Nightlight had implied that the others would be fighting Orochi members one on one.
There is an army on the other side of this door.
The only reason that there is not a fight going on right now is that they were settling in but eventually someone would have to report to higher ups.
I had to set something up.
The first thing I did was use spells that would jam the doors such as melting the lock and bolts.
I also took the time to board up the windows with magic.
Eventually someone tried to open the door.
When they couldn't open the door I heard confused conversation on the other side.
I had to considered bluffing about working to fixing the door, but I felt that they would call my bluff.
When I heard them say that they should send in some naga called Atheris Hispida.
After they agreed on that they went quite and I readied my magic bow.
Eventually a rather small naga easily slipped through the gaps in the boards.
Their spiked scales resembled leaves.
As my arrow flew towards them they noticed and grabbed it out of the air and looked at me.
As it did I noticed the Orochi tattoo on their chest.
Dizzy Twister
As we approached where we thought I could rise up the tower we entered a open room.
In the center of this room was a light brown naga with a dark brown diamond pattern.
Its' piercing glance filled me with unease. Something about it's eyes were unnatural.
It had two pairs of forelimbs but the bottom pair seemed to end in hands that more resembled those of a griffin.
The end of it's tail had some kind of rattle.
Nightlight and I glanced at each other and I made my move.
As I passed the naga did nothing to stop me.
I hoped that was a good sign.
Ch 16 Cadance Ascends (rewrite)
Cadance
When I was stuffed in a sack I was originally scared of what would happen.
Then I learned why they were doing this.
When their former king Bashmu was killed in his dieing breathes he cast a spell that banished his subjects to the aither.
Though the real reason he did this was to prevent them from finding the antidote.
One of the many terrible things that he did to keep control over his subjects was render them infertile. So if any of them wanted children they would have to go directly to him even for permission.
He kept the formula for both the poison and antidote hidden.
By the time the naga returned any documents that could have held the formula had long since decayed.
When their princess was younger she had caught a glance of the formula.
With her skill in alchemy she has been working to recreate it.
When I was left in the alchemy lab I was curious about what the princess would be like.
Apparently I was enough for what she needed.
But something was wrong with her.
She keeps muttering about how the other ingredients were not good enough.
Repeatedly.
Then she said that it was not enough to revive the king before shacking her head and that she shouldn't.
It reminded me of the really old stallion who apparently lost some marbles.
It started to make even more sense when a green fog came out of her mouth and took the form of a head that told her to obey.
When she called it father I started to understand what was going on.
With a jar that was used to steal love.
She would fill them up from me and leave a few extras on the counter next to something which I don't think is possible for me to pronounce.
When I asked how it worked she helpfully explained how it works.
If I used it with the stored love in the jar to dispell the floating head.
Dizzy Twister
As I made my way up the tower I began to worry about Silver Arrow and the others.
Cadance
I noticed that the lock on the cage was rather
While the princess and head were distracted I managed to quietly break the lock off and sneak out of the cage and to the counter.
When I set it up a banging sound came from the door.
The princess and head looked in my direction and I fired the love at the head.
As a pegasus mare broke through the door the head began to laugh.
It said that none could stop the resurrection of The Great King of Poison Bašmu and laughed.
I looked to the mare who I now noticed was wearing armor and told her to break the end of the shooting end.
While she was doing that I reconnected the suction end to myself.
As the head lunged towards it fired a massive burst of love.
Celestia
While I was giving a lecture when I sensed something that felt familiar calling to me but I was not sure why and focused on what I was doing.
Iron Shield
As the scythe came towards my neck I considered what would be the purpose of slashing over my rear.
So I grabbed.
When I felt the scythe in my hoof Cerastes gasped in surprise.
Taking the opportunity I tackled her and knocked her out.
As she lost consciousness the fog began to disperse.
Cerrejonensis
As I leaned back my vision began to blur.
Looking at where my opponent was I realized that I had bitten my own flesh.
As my grip loosened my opponent Trick Star explained that he used a spell that warped my visual perception.
It was normally intended to distract audiences.
As my conscience faded I accepted my defeat.
Silver Arrow
As I fought the Orochi member I avoided arrows he fired.
They were so strong that they easily smashed through stone walls with ease.
My own arrows did nothing to stop them.
Suddenly a powerful burst of some kind of magic surged passed us.
As it did my opponent crumbled to dust.
Dizzy Twister
The floating head of Bashmu screamed saying that it would never be gone forever.
But what really held my attention was the filly being enveloped in light.
The princess shook her head and asked what happened.
Then the light slowly faded and what I saw completely surprised me.
The little filly had became an alicorn.
It was the most incredible thing I had ever seen.
Suddenly their was a series of orbs on the shelf that went crazy.
The princess took a moment to explain to those on the other ends.
When Atheris Hispida had poisoned her it possessed her with the spirit of her father.
We gathered together in the room where I left Nightlight.
The Orochi member Crotalus Atrox had his eyes and the hands of his lower arms were bandaged.
The other Orochi members were going to be okay with the exception of Atheris Hispida who had already been dead.
The jars that were used to steal love had apparently gone missing.
Cadance was happy about getting her cutie mark.
When it was suggested by Nightlight that she come back with us to Canterlot Castle.
When she asked if she was a princess Nightlight said she was.
When she asked if she needed a more princessy name Nightlight laughed.
When she insisted Nightlight suggested Mi Amora Cadanza.
Apparently the parts he added meant "my love".
She really liked it.
When she asked if the naga princess would come with us she said that she was going to find a new home for her subjects.
Cadance had accepted the response.
As we were leaving we took an old earth pony couple who didn't have much.
They had apparently raised Cadance since finding her in the woods.
As we made our way back to Canterlot Nightlight had given Cadance a cloak to hide her wings until she was brought to Celestia.
Celestia
It was a lovely morning.
I was informed that Nightlight would return to some time this morning.
For now though I was just giving an orientation speech to the new students of the School for Gifted Unicorns.
Moth Ball was working as a teaching aid.
It was going well until one of the staff members ran into the room saying that their was something I needed to see.
Luckily I was not demonstrating anything that requires complete attention.
Before I could ask what she was so worked up about Nightlight entered with an alicorn filly on his back.
"WHAT!"
What is this?
He is going to be answering a lot of questions.
Ch 17 Confession (rewrite)
Nightlight
The full truth of what happened was a little darker than any knew.
Using my spell to send my memories back in time I when through the events around sixty times.
There were times that I took a small army though it worked best with small groups.
Settings up those one on one fights with Orochi members were for a reason.
To weaken them.
Cerastes may have been skilled at magic but she lacked physical strength and Iron Shield has a mean right hook.
Cerrejonensis was simply the strong to stop with an attack from anyone other than himself.
Silver Arrow was supposed to be a diversion for the changelings to steal the jars.
As for Crotalus Atrox well he and I have similar ideas.
Crotalus Atrox was known as the illusion striker.
Being a diamond back rattlesnake his enchanted rattle in tandem with his dancing traps his opponents in an illusion.
According to the opponents from previous attempts being affected by it is like having a really bad acid trip.
When I was facing against him his swaying motions caused me to see about twenty of him and about eighty of his arms.
But those weren't the only tricks he had up his sleeve.
One of the previous Orochi members who sided with Bashmu was like a cockatrice.
Crotalus Atrox had taken his eyes and hands.
Though he couldn't use the eyes to there full potential.
He had to charge them up before firing them in a single large burst.
One of the weaknesses was that it required opponents to look into his eyes.
It also caused rocks to form in his stomach causing him pain.
As for the hands slashing with them causes the areas around the wound to turn to stone.
I took both for myself.
When I was trapped by his illusion I knew he would attack from the left.
In every one on one fight he would do this.
During the fight he came from the left but being prepared I leaned back to dodge and shot a spell to knock him out.
Though I messed with his memories to make him think that the fight went on for a longer time.
While he may not have been able to make use of of these abilities but I felt that I could.
As for Princess Nigricollis the poison her father used to possess her was not cured by the blast of love from Cadance.
Once Bashmu starts to take over once more she would likely take the first opportunity to stop herself.
Most likely by taking her own life.
I felt it would be a waste of perfectly good love.
At least that was how I had to make it seem for the changelings.
When Cadance created that powerful burst of love countless changelings were laying in wait to absorb all the excess love.
After we left with Cadance and it was safe to do so they are to attack and subdue the nagas in order to drain them of all their love and then feed off their flesh till nothing but bone remains.
Hopefully Cadance forgets about them.
Regardless Cadance apparently loves to help with children which is good for us because we have been black listed from every foul sitter in Canterlot.
Like I had anticipated Cadance give off so much love that Shining Armor and Twilight were instinctively drawn to her.
It was nice that Twilight finally had some pony that she liked to spend time with when she was not reading books well above any other her age.
As I told all this to Velvet she silently nodded.
Now it was her turn to tell me about the exciting news.
After all the excitement about a new alicorn that no pony had taken the time to tell me how Shining Armor got his cutie mark.
Velvets' eyes widened in shock and she gave me a smile.
Velvet
When I realized that I had not told Nightlight about how Shining Armor had gotten his cutie mark I was shocked.
Shining Armor had never been the type to get into any kind of fight.
In fact when he was Twilight's age he refused to fight back when bullies got physical. He said that it hurt to be hit.
Nightlight said that it was part of the changeling traits that he inherited.
Honestly I remember Nightlight telling him that there were times where one had to stand for what was right.
I didn't really think that the lesson ever really stuck.
Shining Armor had eventually been written off as a nerd.
Twilight on the other hoof was made fun of for different reasons.
Since she would spend her time in the park reading books other children her age couldn't.
Naturally some made fun of her by saying that she was faking it.
When she show that she understood the subjects better than the older ones they got defensive.
And the first push was done.
Before I could step in to put a stop to it Shining Armor was already in between them and saying that they needed to back off.
When I saw this I stayed back remembering what Nightlight said about Shining Armor getting his cutie mark.
Sure enough when Shining Armor cast a defensive spell to make them back off it appeared.
A shield with a six pointed star.
Nighty made no effort to hide how proud he was about it.
Then his face grew a little darker.
He said that he would like to take Shining Armor on a camping trip to give him some training.
I sighed.
I knew that there was going to be a bit of a tough love moment coming up.
Nightlight felt that if our son was going to be in so many dangerous situations in the future that we should prepare him for it.
But Nightlight cares a lot about family and would do anything for our children.
Author's Note
How are you doing.
This chapter marks the transition from the Cadance Arc to the Parenting Arc.
Ch 18 Camping Trip (rewrite)
Nightlight
Twilight was upset that she couldn't come on the camping trip to Fort Trothoof.
Like me Twilight is obsessed with investigating strange magical phenomena.
It is actually quite unfortunate that she would likely never get to test it herself.
Shining Armor
When dad told me that we were going on a camping trip to some place called Fort Trothoof.
I was really looking forward to it.
In fact I could barely sit still in my seat.
But eventually I noticed that dad had a strange expression on his face.
It reminded me of when he was going to talk about something important.
This trip is not really for fun is it.
When dad saw that I was looking at him his expression changed.
He asked me about how school was going, but I just asked him if something was wrong.
The expression returned and he said that he was thinking about work.
He decided to tell me about his first trip to Fort Trothoof with our neighbor Trick Star.
Their relationship was weird to say the least.
They got along well but also disliked each other.
We then started to talk about school and all that.
Before I knew it that expression had all but left my mind.
Nightlight
When I said that I was thinking about work I wasn't lying, but I will admit that it was not anything Shining was thinking.
When we arrived at our inn I noticed some immediate differences. The biggest example of this was that they had changed to key cards for room access.
Since Shining and I had arrived at about two in the afternoon so we were going to stay the night here.
They got a new chess variant called last stand.
It apparently combined chess and some other game.
I tried to take it easy on him but since I basically have a computer for a brain it was a bit difficult.
Twilight was better at these types of games than Shining Armor thought I did take a mental note to get a set of my own to play against Twilight after I taught her.
As for the receptionist from my first visit she had left for a trip and would not be back soon.
It was unfortunate that I could not use her for what I was planning but I over heard a lone traveler who planned to go in the exact opposite direction as us.
Oh well they will have to do.
After a night of sleep we will be on our way to the remains of Fort Trothoof early in the morning.
Since we left pretty early in the morning Shining was sleeping in the sled.
This gave me an opportunity to get there faster than we would otherwise.
When we were getting close I woke him up to show him how to set up a camp site.
We spent the first two days doing actual camp activities which I think we both got bored of quite quickly.
Honestly I was not one for camping and neither was Shining.
On the evening of the second day I decided to tell him the same story I had given to the others.
Shining Armor
While camping was fun at first I felt like it was not what we were really here to do.
As the sun set on the second day dad's expression turned serious again.
I knew that there was a reason why we were really out here.
The first thing he told me about was this strange ability that let him see into the future of other worlds to know what may happen in our own future.
Normally if some pony told me that I would be excited, but his tone said it all.
It was always hard to know what dad was thinking about compared to others.
Even so he had never felt so...
I gulped.
He asked me if I remembered the tale of The Mare in the Moon.
I nodded.
He asked if I knew who the elder princess was.
To be honest I had only realized that it was supposed to be Princess Celestia recently.
Then he said something that shocked me.
We are eighteen years away from the return of Nightmare Moon and Twilight was going to be the one to fight her.
What why would Twilight be the one to do it.
Dad explained that Twilight had an incredible destiny ahead of her.
She would not be alone but there are others with great destinies ahead of them that will stand beside her.
And I would be by their side.
I was the shield that would protect them from harm.
To stand at their side I will need to be ready.
That way I could stand as an equal.
Tomorrow we will start some special training.
I asked if I would have to do things that were bad.
Nightlight
I let out a small chuckle, no he would not have to do anything morally questionable for the future.
But I did not say that the same could not be said for me.
With the knowledge of magic that I had gained I found that some things could in theory be replicated.
The noble phantasms from the Fate series could in theory be replicated.
Though I could not perform them myself.
The ones I chose for Shining Armor to try were Lord Canterlot, Thermopylae Enomotia, and Rho Aias.
Funny enough in Equestria incantations for spell have always been there.
Two examples of them were inspiration manifestation, and Star Swirl's unfinished spell.
The noble phantasms also have this.
With Shining Armor's talent for defensive spells it may be possible for him to replicate them.
Though I took the time to explain the concepts behind noble phantasms, specifically the ones I chose to try and teach him.
After two days of being unable to perform them it was now time to begin the more unsavory part of my plan.
One of my shadow copies had already obtained the stallion named Lone Traveler.
So on the evening of the fourth day camping...
Lone Traveler
I woke up with a nasty pain in my head.
Where was I?
Looking around I saw that I was on a cliff side.
I couldn't see any way down but there was a cave.
Hopefully it will lead me down.
When I entered the cave my mind went foggy.
Something was calling to me from inside the cave.
Without giving it a second thought I entered.
Inside I saw the remains of some kind of creature...
It was wearing something...
A black ooze started to come out of cracks in the bones.
As the tar enveloped me I could not feel or think of anything.
Shining Armor
I was just getting ready to do one last exercise before turning in.
Suddenly a rumbling sound began to come from the other end of the pass.
A large bipedal creature that looked like it was made of some kind of goo was coming this way.
From the side dad said that this was my final test for this trip.
If I failed then he would let it make it's way past us!
This would let it make it's way to the inns and town filled with civilians to die!
Suddenly flashes of the destruction that it would do shot through my mind!
They were to real looking for my taste.
I couldn't let that happen.
There was no way that dad would joke about something like this.
I had to stop it.
It started with shooting large stones at me but I was just barely blocking them.
Dad said that it was not good enough because the real attack was ready.
When I saw the beam it was charging up I understood.
As it fired it's beam I started going over a incantation in my head.
Using the incantations for the noble phantasms as a base I combined them to form my own spell.
I called to the spirits of the soldiers who fell here and asked to borrow their power.
To my amazement I felt their power swelling inside of me.
And in a burst of power shot the beam right back to the beast.
Nightlight
After he defeated the beast Shining Armor fell asleep.
After putting him in a sleeping bag and in the tent I went to the what was still left of the dark magic.
The source of magic actually shocked me.
The Alicorn Amulet.
This was clearly far more dangerous than what it should be.
There was no way I could let Trixie use this.
Unless I broke part of it as a base for a fake that is.
I made sure to get it sealed and sent a shadow copy to lock it up.
Now I have to clean up the mess.
So I cause a small avalanche.
Shining Armor
When we were on our way home dad made sure that I understood that I had to stay quiet about what happened.
I knew why.
Dad also told to remember that I should remember to make sure that I don't use what I learned to harm mere bullies.
I knew that I would have to know when it was truly time to fight, but when he said with great power comes great responsibility.
The way he said it made me feel like he was referencing something.
Maybe a book mom wrote.
I was also pretty tired for the next few days.
Twilight was worried about that but dad and I managed to get her to forget about it.
Celestia
I couldn't believe it.
He is making a weapon out of his son.
I don't know what happened but something is rubbing me the wrong way.
Iron Shield said that we knew that this kind of stuff could happen but still.
When he gets back from the Changeling Hive I am going to have a long talk with him.
Nightlight
To be honest I was still a little stressed about going to the hive.
I was using my warped true form while I was there and was not worried about the eye thing anymore but still.
It was honestly pretty interesting to see what life was like in the hive.
When Thorax said that all the ever did was hunt and train he was not wrong but it can be misleading.
The thing he doesn't really mention is what kind of training they do.
You see the changelings are a giant military so there is more to it than just fighting.
There is equipment that needs to be made and maintained.
Battle plans to write.
And young to care for.
They do have some personal time but most of it is spent with their hobbies.
The thing is that some hobbies are encouraged and anything that isn't be considered useful will cause the changeling the go through hazing.
For example Thorax learned to make his dolls in battle tactics training.
This was where changelings learned how to make and use battle maps.
I was taking a small tour of some of the locations in the hive.
I was planning to spend some time with Thorax and Pharynx.
Though to prevent it from being obvious I was going to be sharing time with unrelated nymphs selected at random.
When they arrived I informed them that we would be going out of the hive for a short excursion.
Pharynx was worried that Thorax should not leave the hive.
I assured him that there would be no danger on my excursion.
I planned to take them to different spots where they would suggest strategies for capturing the creatures there.
Then the next day they will see the hunts in action.
As the time to go out approached I asked what each of them was planning to do as they got older.
Pharynx was planning to become a member of the guard.
Though he didn't say it directly my guess was that this would let him protect Thorax from the others while at the hive.
He likely also thinks that Thorax should pick a roll that will keep him in the hive.
Of the three other nymphs the one named Mandible wish to be a hunter, using metal work to make traps.
Scorpion planned on being an assassin, with a nack for potions.
Flutter planned on being a scout, and battle tactician.
Thorax had no idea what he wanted to do.
This earned him a grilling from the others including Pharynx who said that he needed to pick a direction in life.
I decided to put a stop to it quickly.
When I had there attention I suggested that he become a long term infiltration unit.
Saying that his naturally timid disposition would work to his benefit as he could use it to have others give him space.
After that I had them follow me to begin our excursion.
As night set we were at a camp that I had them set up in a cave.
I would stay up while they went to sleep.
From behind me Pharynx walk towards me and I asked what he was doing up here and not sleeping.
When I turned to him he salute and asked for permission to speak freely.
I told him to be at ease and gave him permission.
He asked why I suggested a job that requires Thorax to leave the hive.
I told him that Thorax had a destiny outside the hive that will lead him down a path that will change the course of changeling history forever.
I knew that he had not been told about my 'prophetic power' so I explained it.
Though reluctantly he did accept it.
Though even with that he would not understand what I really meant.
After returning them to the hive I made my way back to Canterlot expecting a full lecture from Celestia.
As for Sunset Shimmer well when I learned that Celestia had her as a student I got a shadow copy in her before she left.
Celestia
When Nightlight returned I had planned to talk to him about what happened with Shining Armor.
But now I want to talk to him about Sunset Shimmer.
Sunset please be okay.
Nightlight
When I was asked if Sunset was okay I could only answer maybe.
The last time that mirror was used was when Trick Star was being an idiot.
From what I could tell this had caused a delay on the crossing.
I didn't mention this but said that that she should be okay...
I blamed Trick Star.
Ch 20 The Personal Student (rewrite)
Nightlight
When Cadance started to come around to watch Twilight she started to become a bit more social to family.
It is at this point in time where I started to notice Twilight and Shining were starting to develop a competitive attitude with one another.
Fortunately I already knew the solution to that.
When I came to Equestria I was actually looking forward to some of the holidays.
Though Canterlot is not really the best place for some of them.
Nightmare Night is not really popular in Canterlot since it was considered a sore spot for Celestia.
A shame since I had really liked the holiday back in my world.
When Nightmare Night comes around Velvet and I would help Shining Armor and Twilight with their costumes.
It was always fun to have costume sets with each other but Shining Armor and Twilight had quite a few different interests from each other.
Still Hearths Warming was quite fun.
It's actually quite funny that my favorite Christmas story is A Christmas Carol.
As it translated well to my enjoyment of the Equestrian counter part A Hearth's Warming Tail.
Honestly I can't wait to talk to her about my worlds version.
Also Twilight's issues with quesadillas are probably my fault.
You see when Twilight was refusing to stop reading a book and come for lunch.
So I brought lunch to her but when she bit into it it caused the cheese to fall on to the book.
Her panic attacks remind me of my brother only cute.
And finally came the Summer Sun Celebration in Canterlot.
I never did tell Twilight that Celestia was her and Shining Armor's godmother.
Now let me tell you getting her accepted to the school was harder than I thought it would be but Velvet and I pulled through.
But before we could I had to have a chat with Celestia.
Celestia
Out of all the things Nightlight had asked of me. Tell me to switch his own daughter's entry test to the lava crocodile egg after all but one was stolen.
The lava crocodile hatching is difficult for even for the most talented of second year students.
I mean I know that she has high levels of magic and she was going to have a talent in magic but that is not anything new.
What's more he is telling me to make her my personal student after her test.
I don't plan on taking a personal student for a while after what happened with Sunset Shimmer.
Though I will have to hummer his request that I be nearby when she takes her test.
Though hearing how some of the ways that it could go wrong using some examples of events from other worlds where things go horribly wrong.
Regardless it would be irresponsible to not be prepared for something going wrong.
Nightlight
While Velvet and I should be in the room with her, but since in some fan fictions what happens kills us...
I instead chose to switch us with a dust body spell.
It works like a worse version of my remote shadow copies, but it can be better explained away.
While keeping some of my other shadow copies watching the sonic rainboom.
Since no time vortex opened up I could only hope that it meant that my plan for that will work.
As for the unstable burst of magic.
Well it went how one would expect.
Celestia did take Twilight on as a personal student.
Celestia
When I saw Twilight's cutie mark I understood.
Her cutie mark was a large purple star with five smaller stars around it.
She would be the bearer of the element of magic.
He apparently decided to leave her training to become the element of magic.
The egg though has me baffled.
I have no idea how a dragon egg ended up there.
Since I had no real idea of how to deal with it so I asked Nightlight and he said to put him in Twilight's care.
When I asked if he would be some kind of pet.
Nightlight looked at me like I had just kicked a puppy and in a heavily offended voice said that Spike was her adoptive little brother.
His reaction to this caused me to take a double take.
His reaction felt completely genuine.
He had already considered the little dragon a part of the family.
Maybe I had been judging him to harshly.
When I asked Nightlight if he knew what destiny had in store for the little dragon he started to laugh.
Apparently Spike would be there to help make sure Twilight eats and sleeps.
And save the Crystal Empire...
Wait, what?
Nightlight
I'm going to be honest I had expected to have to correct some about Spike being an adoptive son and not a pet.
The thing is I had not expected them to do it to the same individuals so many times .
I mean really how hard is it to get it through their stuck up heads.
Still the day where I have to help explain to Spike that he's adopted is something I am not looking forward to.
But compared to what I will have to do to them...
I would take that any day.
Ch 21 The Everfree Tragedy (rewrite)
Nightlight
Twilight was now eleven going on twelve.
But that is not what I will be focusing on.
Rarity was still working on using her magic to locate gems.
Since she had yet to learn of the gem caves not that her parents would let her go that far at her age.
The thing about children is that they are sometimes oblivious to how much danger they are in.
Rarity had wandered into the Everfree Forest.
Aside from myself two others had also noticed.
Bright Mac and Pear Butter.
Ever since Apple Bloom had been born I knew that it would only be a matter of time before they were going to meet their end.
They were a nice pair.
I would sometimes buy zap apple jam and other apple products when I pass by Ponyville.
The whole apple family is really.
Though that is what makes what will happen all the harder.
The little crusader is far too young to remember them.
She will have to grow up not knowing what what they are like.
The Apple Family are nice ponies.
Nicer than most even if they can be somewhat superstitious but they can work past that.
With the orchard being right next to the Everfree Forest they had a bit less fear of it.
When Bright Mac and Pear Butter eventually found Rarity she was being chased by three of the Everfree Forest's monsters.
Fortunately this was somewhat close to the edge of the forest.
Rarity
Why...
Why did I have to wonder into the Everfree Forest of all places?
As the wooden beasts began to close in on me I screamed.
But before I knew it something hit one of them.
I recognized the voices and forms of Mr Bright Mac and Miss Butter Cup.
As they got between me and the monsters they told me to run in a direction and to not stop until I was in town.
As I ran out of the small clearing I looked back.
The two of them fell off the a ledge into the river with one of the beast biting into a neck.
It happened so fast and I was so panicked that I couldn't remember who it was.
There was still one that was now further behind.
As I was running out of the forest I heard voices but I ignored them and continued to run.
I heard the creature cry out in pain.
Before I knew it I was in the middle of town and collapsed.
Nightlight
After blasting the timber wolf I told the guards who were with me to go in the forest and search for the couple will I went in search of the filly.
Though I know that they would not be found alive.
I fallowed Rarity to the center of town and made sure that she was okay.
Though they could not find the bodies of the two they did find a bloody hat and bows.
Rarity was going to need some kind of therapy and if there was any cost I would pay it under the table.
When Rarity woke up I was still with her.
She asked me what happened to Bright Mac and Butter Cup.
I sighed but said that they had yet to be found.
When she asked how she got back I said that their act of generosity had saved her much to her confusion.
It was at about this point that her parents had arrived and I left her to them.
As I made my way back home from my trip to Ponyville I thought about what I had done.
What the no pony would have realized is that I had shadow copies replace the timber wolves and Bright Mac and Pear Butter.
As for the real ones I had cast spells on them to knock them out.
Now those stasis chambers in my secret basement have contents.
I don't think I can go by Sweet Apple Acres for a long time.
Fortunately there is not much left to do till Nightmare Moon returns.
As time passed I noticed a secret room in Canterlot Castle that Celestia kept dangerous things in.
I remembered the room from the Cosmos storyline in the comics which revolved around Discords' crazy ex.
I managed to find it.
The Star that I would need to feed to Spike.
While I won't be able to get them all now I will eventually.
Though I was annoyed with how terrible the security to this room was.
I will have to keep it in mind for later.
Author's Note
The next chapter should involve the events of the series.
Ch 23 Discord Awakens (rewrite)
Nightlight
Since Luna had returned I had became a candidate for Lunar Captain.
I was still not sure if I would take the position if offered.
Don't get me wrong I don't want to have some pony above me in the chain of command.
Yet I don't really want to deal with the added responsibilities of being captain.
Though as I think of it I would also gain additional freedoms as a result.
I would also be able to be more open about telling others what to do.
Velvet got along great with Luna too.
Hopefully we won't have to deal with the whole Tantabus situation in the future.
Velvet had always been better at the emotional stuff than me.
As for where Velvet and I will be heading to vacation well after Iron Shield retired to Van Hoover.
I had promised to get him an update on Bon Bon, or rather Sweetie Drops.
I wonder how he will feel about her being in a December-May relationship.
Well they aren't an official couple yet but they will be someday.
When the train Velvet and I would be taking arrived I noticed that the field trip from Ponyville had arrived.
Luna
I still was not sure if I would be picking a captain yet.
Nightlight was still uncertain about accepting the position and I did not know enough about the others in my guard to pick any of them.
My return was with mixed results.
Some had not even known that I had even existed.
The nobility had decayed into self absorbed fools.
I never could win with them.
And now they consider me old fashioned and out of touch whatever that means.
Despite that I am also considered a forward thinker with them somehow.
The mother of Twilight Sparkle was helping me every now and again.
At first I found it strange when I would talk with Dame Velvet.
It was as though she had known how raise the mood of one who was feeling guilt over their past actions.
I asked and she had just smiled and said that she had already had practice with Nightlight.
I knew of his origins as much as Celestia but I had not considered that Velvet could have known more.
What actions had Nightlight done in his past caused him grief?
Velvet had reminded me of his ability and asked if I understood all that would come with it.
I had admit that I was unsure of what she meant by that.
She then asked me if I had met the parents of Applejack.
I admit that I was unsure since I had been introduced to so many of her relatives.
She then asked for the names of her siblings.
I knew those Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom.
She then asked for the name of her grandmother.
Her grandmother was Granny Smith.
She then asked if I knew any of her cousins aunts or uncles.
I did not since they were lost among all the names.
It was at this point that I had realized that I had not been introduced to them at all.
It didn't make sense for them to not be there at that time made no sense.
Velvet explained that Nightlight apparently had known that something was going to happen to them but could not intervene due to the risk of adding an unnecessary variable.
This was just one example of a situation where Nightlight felt responsible for a bad situation.
I had started to understand but that was not the same as my situation.
He may have done things that he can not forgive himself for but he had reasons for them I did not have such reasons.
Nightlight
Luckily Velvet and I were already long gone by the time the crusaders were in the castle.
And as the students left the statue of Discord my shadow copies were keeping an eye on the situation.
As the statue cracked I heard a cackling laugh.
Discords body shock in unnatural ways and cracked in unsettling ways.
He started to look arou...
Discord
Boring...
I want to take over from here.
Author
Fine but we are only doing this joke once.
Discord
After I was freed from my stone prison I knew that my first course of action had to be getting rid of those blasted Elements of Harmony.
As I gazed around my surroundings I saw that I had a second shadow on the opposite side it should have been.
That alone wasn't weird.
In fact it having a sinister face and waving at me was not enough.
It was that I had nothing to do with it.
How curious.
I asked what this shadow had wanted with me.
It smiled and said in the greatest of voices my own that it was the one who would get rid of my bothersome ex mare friend.
This made me pause.
How did it know about her. *shivers*
Before I could respond it offered me a deal follow a general script and be freed again later with the answer to a question I never asked.
Or it could release her and doom us all.
I used a spell to ensure that it was telling the truth only to recoil in horror at the truth in it's words.
This thing was a demon no a devil.
It was capable of untold cruelty.
Pure evil.
I was listening.
The ultimate plan was more like basic guidelines.
I could work with this kind of plan and got to work.
This will be fun.
Ch 24 Simple Days (rewrite)
Nightlight
Okay I know way pretty much every one of my bosses were angry at me but in my defense I had the situation completely under control.
I had told Celestia Discord would escape years ago.
Just because I forgot to tell her the details of when which is not really my fault when you think about it.
At least she remembered my advice about sending the letters.
Though no pony had told Luna about Discord at all.
Even Shining and Cadance had been expecting Discord to get loose eventually.
Luna
I was reconsidering that promotion.
Celestia and I were discussing whether or not he was being reckless.
When we called him in we asked him why he just let Discord do as he pleased.
Nightlight raised an eye brow and said that he did not.
When we questioned what that meant he explained.
Apparently if he had done nothing then Discord would have never returned the elements like he had done.
So he made a deal with Discord.
We did not know when he did this but it sounded less like a negotiation and more like a threat.
Though this Calvin Ball.
The most chaotic game that Nightlight promised to teach Discord.
We had no idea how Nightlight threatened to release this mysterious individual but if they terrified Discord then I am just glad Discord bought the bluff.
I mean Nightlight would never release such an entity if he knew the danger.
Right?
Nightlight
I had told Chrysalis before Discord broke out.
After all I needed to prove that I manipulate an inherently random variable.
She had been watching the events unfold.
She had not seen my negotiation with Discord though.
When she asked for my opinion on how I saw Discords chaos.
When I said that I was amused by it.
This seemed to shock Chrysalis.
Being a fan of stories with elements of cosmic horror I said that I have seen worse.
I even welcomed her to everyday of my life.
The list of creatures who believe that I am in serious need of therapy increases yet again.
Now we just need to make preparations for the wedding.
A short time later lesson zero happened.
I must say it was a bit more embarrassing when Twilight is your daughter.
To the events of Luna Eclipsed.
I spent most of that evening in a game of O&O with Shining and a few others.
What I find interesting is that since this is a world with actual magic it had a better idea of how to balance magic and nonmagic classes.
While paladins focus on boosting their allies, dark knights focus on bringing down their enemies.
Heart's Desire.
The heart's desire was quite an interesting plant.
When used right it could be used to help someone in a rout, but in it's natural state it is far too strong.
When Twilight's twenty fourth birthday came around I decided to stop by the party in progress.
It was fun seeing how uncomfortable some of the stuck up elitist were.
Fancy Pants knew exactly what he was doing.
Honestly it was always hard on Spikes' birthday.
I want to get him something but I had to wait for the lesson about greed growths to sink in first.
So I normally would just bring him a rare gem stone as a topping on a cupcake.
Hearth's Warming Eve.
The amount of actors I would have to hear complaint about this cast will be one of the few times I can understand their complaints.
After the play came a party that I got to attend as a guest.
I did try to avoid Rarity and Applejack but was not so lucky.
Since it was somewhat known that I had a fortune telling talent most will not question my unusual knowledge of future events.
The problem is that after gaining the elements it became apparent to Rarity that I knew more then I let on.
And as it turns out she is good at cornering ponies at parties.
When she spotted me she noticed that I was trying to avoid her.
Since I had not wanted Twilight to know yet it was hard to avoid her without it coming back to bite me.
Rarity could easily stop me by getting Twilight so when it became apparent that she would not give up I at least made sure we wouldn't be overheard.
When Rarity confronted me I had prepared my excuses.
I told her that since I was a close friend of Celestia I had known about the elements and that Twilight would be a bearer.
I also pointed out that the sonic rainboom was a hard to miss connection.
Since Rarity had learned through the grapevine that I was a fortune teller I explained that I was following a ill omen Sweet Apple Acres at the time we originally met.
I fortunately managed to convince her to not tell Applejack or Twilight.
She agreed since I had planned to talk about it on my own time when I was ready.
She seemed to notice that I still had issues over the whole situation thanks to her attention to detail.
Eventually came the time travel incident.
I had decided to use that whole incident as cover to get Tirek out of Tartarus.
The dragon migration.
I had sent a shadow copy to keep an eye on Spike and even Garble.
Garble and his mother had kept quiet about me and the details but Garble was open about getting a quest.
His social circle seemed to roll their eyes when it was mentioned but were willing to help protect it if the need arise.
Eventually came the wedding preparations.
Shining Armor and Cadance had no idea about what was to come.
As for the planning I believe Luna summed it up best, "So how are we to ruin our nieces' wedding and then unruin it?"
Luna could either sleep in or join the fight in the city streets.
She choose to sleep in but join near the end.
Fair enough.
Chrysalis was prepared to switch in for Cadance at anytime.
She was looking forward to messing with Twilight.
A bit to much if you asked me.
Celestia was ready to take a dive.
I would make sure that Twilight and Cadance made it out of the caves in time.
Thorax would be among the swarm with little knowledge of the actual plan.
Though Celestia and Luna didn't know that part or who Thorax even was yet.
Pharynx on the other hoof was not happy one but about that but kept his mouth shut about it.
Ch 25 A Canterlot Wedding (rewrite)
Nightlight
As Velvet and I made sure that we were involved in the planning of the wedding I wondered what was keeping Shining Armor and Cadance.
When I heard a knock at the front door.
Velvet went to answer.
As if on que Cadances' voice rang through the house.
Though it was pretty obvious that it was Chrysalis since Cadance would have just walked in with Shining.
Shining was showing signs of being under the effects of a changeling mind hex.
When this was over he could expect me to grill him over this when we were done here.
Well he would if it were not for the Sombra and Crystal Empire situation that would soon come up.
To not tip off Shining about Chrysalis Velvet merely poked fun at her.
Velvet was really good that verbally jabbing others without them noticing.
It was hard not to laugh.
Cadance
When I came face to face with well myself I didn't even have time to think before I was sent to the caves beneath Canterlot.
Oh please be safe Shining Armor.
Nightlight
Twilight was having her little freak out about Cadance being evil.
I mean really Twilight the real Cadance was your favorite person in the whole wide world.
Then again the two of you got too busy to see each other for a while but still.
When Twilight was eventually sent to the caves beneath Canterlot I was already prepared to lead them through the caves.
Cadance
After what I could only guess was two or three days of being in these caves I heard muffled voices.
While I been under here I thought about what that imposter could have been.
Eventually I remembered a creature that may be it.
As I made my way to where the voices were coming from the wall suddenly exploded.
On the other side of what was once a wall Twilight stood with an almost feral growl.
A growl that was directed at me.
From the sound of it she had encountered the imposter.
Despite her anger I managed to convince her that I was the Cadance she remembered and that the one that sent her here was a fake.
Now we had to work together to escape the caves beneath Canterlot.
I noticed a glimpse of light which had led me to our current location.
Together with Twilight we continued forward.
Twilight told me what day it actually was and I sighed.
Today was supposed to be perfect.
Eventually we found a minecart leading into the dark but the glimpse of light lead there.
We heard the sound of the wedding above us and before I could give up hope Twilight saw an exit.
Only our path was now blocked by my bridesmaids.
Nightlight
I made sure that the bridesmaids would be okay.
Twilight
As we made our way into the reception hall the guest gasped as Cadance entered.
She explained that the imposter was a changeling a creature took the place of someone who you love and feeding on your love for them.
Honestly I find it fascinating.
I had read references of them in books.
I had so many questions but now was not the time.
Chrysalis
When it came time to have my clash with Celestia I was worried that she would actually overwhelm me during our clash but to my amazement I was more powerful than I thought.
Shining Armor's love gave me more power than I expected.
Shining Armor
When I was woken up by Cadance during the invasion I was confused to say the least.
I had a vague recollection of what happened when I was under mind control but I couldn't remember anything specific.
But from the look of it I could figure out what was happening.
The lean tall form of the changeling queen as she chuckled in victory told me everything.
Twilight told me to perform my spell but I did not think that I had it in me to cast it.
I looked out the window.
The streets of Canterlot were overwhelmed with the black forms of the changeling army.
I attempted to cast it but I did not have the power.
Darn it.
Way was I not strong enough.
Cadance embraced me and said that her love would give me strength.
I remembered what happened on my camping trip with dad.
I am supposed to be the one who was protecting others, but look at me now.
Being saved by the one that I swore to protect.
I could not let this happen again.
I want to be able to be the one to protect my loved ones.
As Cadances' love flowed through me I felt more from somewhere else.
Equestria has faced many threats in the past.
And many had fallen to protect it and all that they love.
If only I could reach out to it.
I asked if it would lend me it's power.
Chrysalis
As my changelings and I were being blasted out of Canterlot I was shocked.
Not only was the wave of magic filled with love but also a determination to protect.
We were gathering love from the blast as it throw us out but something was getting in the way.
It looked like soldiers.
Nightlight
Chrysalis had landed in the land with the little kitten creatures as expected but something I did not expect happened.
In many fanfictions Shining Armor would become an alicorn years later, but not during the events of A Canterlot Wedding.
I'm going to be honest I had not expected it.
Chrysalis was not even upset about it.
She was upset about Thorax abandoning the hive but I managed to convince her to not hunt him down.
After all he will come to her when the time comes.
Twilight
It was unfortunate that I couldn't interview any changelings.
We know so little of them.
There is so much I want to know about them.
Their history, their biology, and their way of life.
Trick Star
I couldn't believe it.
Those changelings are terrible.
They destroyed my petunias.
How could they?
Ch 26 The Crystal Empire Returns (rewrite)
Nightlight
Since I had sent a shadow copy to the outpost where we would watch for signs of the Crystal Empire's return.
This would allow me to be the first one in Canterlot to know when it shows up.
Though given the nature of the situation Celestia had actually set up an effective method of alerting her.
Rather than inform the princess a little earlier I decided to start up a conversation with Shining Armor about O&O.
Specifically about a one shot that we had done once.
It involved a labyrinth of corridors that would change when switches were flipped.
Creating two labyrinthitis that combined in parts.
When he was called to Celestia I could hope that he would remember my advice.
Unfortunately it appears that my subtle went right over his head.
Shining Armor
Cadance and I made it to the Crystal Empire as quickly as we could.
Once we made it to the end of the train line we had to continue the rest of the way on hoof.
I was still new to the wings and had no idea of how to use them.
The added earth pony strength was certainly a bonus though.
When we arrived at the Empire we noticed that it was being protected by some kind of barrier.
Though it seemed to be just barely holding on.
Cadance and I began our investigation but we were coming out short.
We did find that Cadance could boast the power of the barrier.
Eventually we sensed a strange magical phenomena from outside the border of the Empire.
Despite it being night we had to investigate it immediately.
It led us to a large crack in the ice.
When we looked down the hole we heard a cracking sound came from down below.
A black fog seemed to be condensing inside when suddenly an cackling laugh came from it and an eye opened in it.
Cadance and I ran back from the hole as a shadowy creature with a vaguely unicorn shaped head emerged from the ice.
It began to mumble what sounded like words but the only thing I recognized was crystals.
Was this the unicorn king who enslaved the Empire.
I attempted to trap him in a barrier and it seemed to work, after I few attempts he no longer bounced off it.
Rather his magic seemed to seep into my barrier.
It almost seemed to rot away as he passed through it.
As we gained distance from he the black cloud seeped into the ice below our hooves.
When the shadows spread throughout the ice a series of horrid screeches came from below.
Coming from the many horrible evil beings had been sealed away and forgotten beneath the ice.
In our path was now being blocked by four creatures with pitch black forms.
I recognized them as a chenoo, a qalupalik, a ijiraq, and a akhlut.
I blasted them with magic which managed to push them back but it wouldn't be enough.
Cadance blasted them with love and it caused their bodies to dissolve.
She noted that this meant that they were not the real ones but rather shadows made of Sombras' dark magic.
This gave her an idea.
She said that she needed me to hold him off for a few minutes before returning to the Empire.
I knew that this would be our best chance since I had no better ideas.
I knew went Cadance's plan was completed when the barrier around the Crystal Empire suddenly became stronger.
As the sun rose the shadows which Sombra created as well as Sombra himself began to fade away.
But their was a limit to how much we could hold him off.
So we had to send a message to Celestia.
Nightlight
I had always wondered what kinds of dangers would appear at night that Shining mentioned in the premier.
Not to mention that there were still the monsters that continued to naturally roam.
Chrysalis was finishing preparations for our or rather her plan.
These poor kitten creatures they did not stand a chance.
At least their end was quick.
For some reason I did not feel as bad as I should have.
This worries me.
I still know that I am terrible.
Velvet said that I was over thinking it.
Celestia
After I sent Twilight and her friends to help with the situation in the Crystal Empire I invited Nightlight over to talk.
He seemed to be a little out of it.
I had worried that something had gone wrong but he said that nothing was with complete confidence.
This worried me so I decided that I should talk to Velvet about it but with my current schedule I would not be able.
So I asked Luna to ask about it in the dream realm.
Luna
When I arrived in the dreams of Velvet she was a little confused when it became harder to control her dream.
When I revealed myself her expression turned to one of understanding.
She asked if there was any particular reason for my method of contact.
Her raised brow let me know that she saw straight through me.
In truth I had not wanted Nightlight to know about this conversation.
He hates it when others worry about he according to Velvet.
Velvet sighed and said that not only did he know that I would do this at one point but that it would be about him in a time like this.
I took a back step at this.
It really was not to surprising but still.
Velvet sighed and told me that this happens to him every now and again behind closed doors.
Nightlight was just feeling guilt over an event that he could not prevent but nothing that I should worry about.
More so now that it was already happened.
He would be fine.
Nightlight
The biggest main change in events during the return of the Crystal Empire was that Shining had not lost the ability to cast magic like he had in the show.
Spike was really hamming up his fame.
It put a smile on my face.
Still there was more to do so I could not slow down now.
Author's Note
I just learned that I had missed Fluttershy Day so happy Fluttershy Day.
Ch 27 Princess Twilight (rewrite)
Nightlight
After the Crystal Empire was saved Shining Armor and Cadance were crowned it's new rulers.
They had a lot to do now that the Empire had returned.
It was honestly a complete mess.
There was so much they needed to do.
Countless things needed to be updated including schools, and other pieces of infrastructure.
Well the time for the events of the first for comics as the Secretariat Comet approached.
Cadance and Shining Armor were to remain in the Crystal Empire in order to protect it from any threats that would appear.
Celestia and Luna were making preparations for the wyvern hoard that would be attacking.
Even if Chrysalis threatened to cause harm to the crusaders she would not.
I made sure that she knew that they were important for our future plans.
After that whole mess Chrysalis was trapped and clean up efforts were under way.
As for the Crystal Empire a group of six creatures called rahkshi but since they could not get passed the barrier they could wait for help sealing them up again.
Now to the events of the mirror pool incident.
Now here is the thing about the mirror pool.
The clones are new borns.
This means that they are easily excited, pinky clones more so.
Using this while knowing that Pinky will not be it the best of moods.
This means that I can using changeling spell methods to create a spell that will in a burst of magic that will only affect the clones.
Though I did make sure that a few of them were smuggled out before I had Celestia send it.
I had always felt bad for them but there was just to many.
And soon the magic dual.
Trixie had gotten her hooves on the counterfeit alicorn amulet.
I knew Twilight would be in good hands with Zecora.
The self destruct for the counterfeit amulet I made could be activated remotely so when Trixie discards it I will have it break apart after Zecora takes it.
Trick Star and I spoke about it after and when I told him that Twilight still has not realized that she has lived next to Trixie for years.
He mentioned that it was part of the reason why Trixie had a grudge against Twilight.
Moving on to the Summer Wrap-Up Hoedown and Festival in Ponyville.
Honestly I chose not to question how the crusaders made a siege weapon but at least they didn't get hurt.
Luna also had fun with Big Macintosh.
The crusaders and their sisters were going to be having their camping trip soon.
Knowing this I gave Luna a heads up for Scootaloo.
Shortly after the events of Wonderbolt Academy I asked Spitfire why she did not have Lightning court marshalled.
Turns out that the reason Lightning got off early was because Spitfire felt that she had been unintentionally encouraging that behavior.
After Twilight and her friends had their pirate adventure where they followed the map of the Wandering X and solved the book worm problem in the Golden Oaks Library.
Then came the time to uphold the first part of my promise to Discord.
After Discord was befriended by Fluttershy he actually learned about Calvin Ball without me.
Before he left Ponyville with Celestia he commented that he would be looking into Calvin Ball on his own.
When Twilight heard him she was kind enough to explain it to him.
When he learned the rules he eed in delight at them.
Now it is time for the magical mystery cure.
I must say that it was probably the strangest day in Canterlot for any who noticed the sky above Ponyville that morning.
I was worried that being a parent of the two most recent alicorn.
When I thought about it, makes sense that it never caused problems.
Then came the reflections series of the comics.
The alternate version of me did not believe in free will and ultimately chose the do nothing approach.
When the situation was over I told Celestia and Luna that this is why you do not intervene in the affairs of other worlds.
For the events of the season four finally it was the perfect time to take a vacation with Velvet to the Griffin Empire.
When Tirek ended up back in Tartarus he was not happy but I explained to him in the form of a shadow that he would still have another chance soon with powerful allies.
He seemed reluctant but seemed to acknowledge that he had little choice in the matter.
Discord really does enjoy interacting with the crusaders as an honorary member. The chaos those four cause was something else.
As for the series of robberies Trixie helped stop became a new source of annoyance from Trick Star.
Now the Everfree Forest going crazy was something that I had taken preparation for years but it was still a mess.
Talk about the evils of unregulated capitalism.
But a hoard of living apples was always going to be a weird day. That really was a strange issue.
Starlight Glimmer and her village.
That whole situation was honestly creepy but it all worked out in the end.
But now comes the siege of the Crystal Empire.
Chrysalis was definitely not happy about having to release the umbra from their prison but better to do it now than later.
Sombra still being around still irked her but there was not much we could do about that.
I did not really feel bad about their deaths, but I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if they were reformed.
Oh well.
Since Sombra was reformed this means that I must use that one for the roll instead.
As for Twilight's new castle I sent things that I thought would help make it feel like home for her.
As much I love the episode Tanks for the Memories, but the paperwork was a pain.
I had to pull a lot of strings to have Rainbow Dash not be arrested.
I had never really considered it before but Kevin showing up to Cranky's wedding in his true form took guts.
I had also decided that it was best to keep the whole Tantabus situation a secret from Celestia but wow.
When the crusaders got their cutie marks it really put a smile on my face.
But I also felt terrible.
Bright Mac and Pear Butter have been forced to miss so many things because of me.
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Ch 28 Starlight Glimmer & Sunset Shimmers (rewrite)
Nightlight
While it is true that Starlight Glimmer made a time travel spell.
I also did in fact I even used her spell as a base for my own what if spell.
Starlight Glimmer
When I arrived in the map room of Princess Twilight Sparkle I was greeted by a familiar shadow.
When I had left to start my village I encountered it.
It had only given me cryptic advice and left.
Now it was here and with a gift apparently.
Something that it would no longer need.
I looked over the scroll that it had given me.
It was a spell that let you what would happen.
This could only mean one thing.
Something would go wrong.
So I used it to see what would happen but what I saw was only my own failing.
I tried again.
I tried again.
I tried again.
Over and over again.
My ambition only lead to calamity.
"Why?"
"Why?"
"Why?"
"Why?"
"Why!?"
Nightlight
Eventually Starlight Glimmer was curled up into a ball crying at the base of the table.
She didn't even notice the portal that opened up above the table suck up her spell.
I sent my own spell up with it.
Now I just had to make sure that Twilight would not notice Sunset Shimmer trying to contact her.
The shadow copy in Sunset Shimmer will also make sure that she fixes the crack at the top of the statue pedestal.
Back in my original world I remember learning that some how the original human Sunset Shimmer was supposed to have been trapped between worlds.
If that is the case then a swirling vortex of doom in the sky is probably the best bet of getting her out.
Though I have a rough idea of when pony Sunset Shimmer arrived but I don't know when human Sunset would have been thrown in the void between worlds or how it would affect her.
If she was still alive then this should be the best time to save her.
Or put her out of her misery.
Since Twilight should be dealing with Starlight Glimmer right about now I will be uninterrupted.
Twilight Sparkle
Despite what Spike kept telling me I could not shake the feeling that I had seen Starlight.
I really hoped that I was wrong but I heard a strange sound coming from the map room.
As Spike and I approached we realized that it was sobbing.
As we walked around the table to the source of it we saw no other than Starlight Glimmer.
She was a mess.
What could have happened to her?
Well it I was going to get any answers from her I would need to get her to calm down first.
Nightlight
This could not be right.
I used a spell to locate and view the human Sunset Shimmer from when pony Sunset arrived but nothing was happening.
There has to be a reason for human Sunset to have disappeared just before pony Sunset arrived.
This does not make sense...
...
...
...
...
Unless...
I take her from there myself.
One of human Sunset Shimmers' Parents
It was a perfectly normal day.
It had started to rain around noon but that's about it.
Sunset was finishing up her dinner when suddenly she was just...
We had no idea what was going on but it scared us.
The rain died down as we drove around town looking for any signs of her.
Eventually we saw her, or at least someone who looked like her.
She was Sunset but not the one we knew.
Believe it or not she was from another dimension.
She would not give all the details but from the sound of what she did tell us she could not return home if she wanted.
We helped her adapt to her new form and life.
She said that when she was finally ready to return to her own world she would do what she could to look for our Sunset.
Even so I don't think she really meant it, our Sunset Shimmer is gone.
Nightlight
Sunset's human parents worked jobs that required them to travel a lot and after their Sunset disappeared they worked even more often.
Sunset had eventually forgotten her promise but with all that was going on I wouldn't blame her.
Due to the method I which I brought human Sunset here she was physically about the age of the crusaders maybe even a little younger.
Since I can't just bring her to Canterlot or leave her in Ponyville I would have to find another solution.
Since she did not have Sunsets' cutie mark it would be much easier to seal her memories and dump her in a random town.
Unfortunately orphans are uncommon in Equestria so I will have to be careful about where.
In the end I almost just turned her to stone and put her in my basement but then I realized that I could leave her stoned in the area just outside the Crystal Empire.
With how many things have been forgotten in the snow a filly who had been turned to stone and lost her memory would not be to strange.
After casting a spell to change her colors it won't be a problem.
I can even have her remember slowly over time.
Well that is if some pony finds her.
Twilight had still taken Starlight as a student much to the dismay of her friends.
When it came time for the Crystalling I actually noticed her with a family already.
If I had to guess they probably didn't want another Sombra situation so I guess they chose to adopt her quick.
She was still learning to talk though.
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Ch 29 Thorax, Enter the Final Stage (rewrite)
Nightlight
With Spike befriending the new dragon lord Equestria had gained a powerful allies.
But the biggest thing of note was Thorax befriending Spike.
Those two made great friends.
Both of them being out cast and all that.
Pharynx was still throwing a fit over Thorax leaving the hive.
Chrysalis was getting impatient but I just reminded her that if she rushes now than years of preparation will all go to waste.
After all Thorax will bring the final pieces to her.
Unbeknownst to her Discord, Celestia, and Luna were in on the plan.
Using the shadow copy that I had put in Sunburst years ago I had him notice when Shining Armor, Cadance, and Flurry Heart were replaced.
Since his job was to important he could not just leave the Crystal Empire at the drop of a hat without drawing suspicion.
Plus with changelings now running the Empire it would not be a stretch to assume that Thorax would be in danger if he stayed.
Since we had planned to take Celestia and Luna on the specific night I would capture Luna myself.
Since she would actually be awake.
In reality this was just so that I could make sure that Luna gave Starlight the message that she got in the show.
Discord had been given some of the plan but not all of it.
The changelings that replaced the element bearers had ways to see invisible individuals so that they didn't walk into Starlight.
The guards in the hive with the exclusion of Pharynx were informed on the plan.
Pharynx was assigned a mission outside the hive that as far as he knows is to give him space to clear his head.
In reality it was so he would be out of the way.
I stood on the ledge of the hive as Starlight and the others entered.
Do to my love for dramatic flare I let out a chuckle and said, "My kin arrives and the time has come. It carries well the rituals promise."
Moth Ball looked at me with a raised brow and asked if I just wanted to be dramatic when we first met.
She seemed to completely ignore the kin part.
I decided not to answer and get in position to avoid the explosion that would happen.
Moth Ball left to the throne room as I waited for the time to fulfill my role.
After some time glowing cracks began to appear in the top of the hive.
Chrysalis knew that the throne would be destroyed but I had explained that the hive would not need it.
And though it could be repaired though it's peices the pieces are also often repurposed for something else.
I began to sigh internally.
The time had finally come to come clean this Twilight and her friends.
Not to mention Cadance. This was going to be a mess.
After all I have done some awful things.
When the dust settled I landed in a less modified version of my true changeling form.
Celestia asked what happened like she had in the show, but before Starlight could start I said that I could explain best.
There were a two main things that wrong with the version of events in the show.
First Starlight called Thorax the new leader of the changelings.
And if Thorax is the leader and not her, what is she.
Second she was set in her ways, so there was no way she could accept it that quickly.
Though with years of time to ready herself for a major change in the way of life for the changelings.
The way I appealed to her was saying that the changelings would need aid in guiding them now more than ever.
While I never did mention that she needed to step down as the leader of the changelings, she came to the conclusion herself.
After she named Thorax the new king, she asked if I had planned this from the start using my name.
When Cadance heard it she was shocked.
Twilight looked confused though.
As Celestia made her comment on leaving the changeling kingdom to the changelings I told Thorax that he and Pharynx were always welcome to visit my place.
I don't think he realizes what I actually meant.
I offered to use a portal making relic for a short cut back home.
When I mentioned that Velvet will want to know all the details Twilight gasped while I transformed into my pony form.
Rarity seemed to have a nervous look but said nothing.
Looking at those in the group who did not know I knew that I would have to come clean about somethings.
Twilight
Our destination was my castle.
When the replacements in the castle saw who came through they were more than a little confused but dad told them to return to the hive.
They listened without question but I just couldn't wrap my head around what I have just learned.
My dad is a changeling.
Is he my dad.
Nightlight
I sighed and said that I would make this quick for those who need to be on their way but that I would get to everything eventually.
I started with how I ended up in Equestria.
Then I went over what happened with the naga.
Cadance was not happy about what I did to Princess Nigricollis even after I pointed out that she only knew her for like a day.
When I explained that the amulet that Trixie had gotten was my recreation of the alicorn amulet there were mixed reactions.
I also explained that I was the one who let Tirek out of Tartarus.
Even if he would have done so himself it made everyone upset with the exception of Discord who was enjoying popcorn.
I also mentioned that their were times where I left someone to die despite being able to do something.
Raritys' eyes widened but she said nothing.
She probably thought that I left them to die.
What I did was even worse.
I didn't even mention human Sunset or rather Sunstone.
I took Celestia and Luna back to Canterlot.
Much to everyone's confusion back in Canterlot.
We would be doing the same in the Crystal Empire with Velvet joining on the train ride.
As far as the public will know the princesses went to the changeling kingdom for peace talks and that Thorax has been crowned the new king of the changelings.
Ch 30 Two Holidays (rewrite)
Nightlight
Well it's official.
My kids are mad at me.
Pharynx was mad that I had put Thorax in danger the way I did.
Honestly I thought I ensured that his roll was one of the safest.
Cadance was probably the most justified in being upset with me.
Shining Armor has to play devil's advocate for me since he had always had an idea of what kind of stuff I was willing to do.
Spike was unsure of how to feel but decided that I had my reasons for doing what I did even if not all of them were correct.
Twilight was upset about her life being manipulated the way it was.
Apparently it's okay if Celestia did it but not me.
But now is not the time to worry about that.
Starlight had arrived at the castle to settle the friendship problem between the princesses.
I avoided her and she never came looking for me so that was good.
When Grand Pear moved back to Ponyville I knew that I would have to come clean about what I really did to them.
I had promised to come clean eventually but I'm not yet ready.
When Thorax arrived in Ponyville for advice he had explained that it was because Chrysalis said that he should try to find out on his own or ask a friend for advice.
When Zecora cought swamp fever I could have cured it but I did not want to take Fluttershy's achievement.
As for all the journals in Mage Meadowbrooks' home well I had read through them on my own just in case I needed the medical knowledge within them.
When we took the family trip we had invited Thorax and Pharynx along with us.
Pharynx had wanted to politely turn it down but Thorax got him to come along.
When Iron Will tried to pull his con I put a stop to it immediately.
When he asked about the other guests.
Twilight
Dad whispered something into Iron Wills' ear and suddenly Iron Will became nervous and left.
Almost as soon as Iron Will left and an announcement came on over the loud speaker apologizing for the inconvenience and offering full refunds.
We all looked towards dad and he said that he was going to pay Iron Will back double while offering him exclusive rights for producing a product from another world.
It was obvious that he also threatened Iron Will.
When I asked he said it was only blackmail.
When I said that I didn't need him to fight my battles he started to discuss the importance of a good work life balance.
Nightlight
Okay so lecturing her was not the best choice.
Why am I so bad at this.
Shining Armor was much better with his altitude sickness due to being part pegasus so that went well at least.
Pharynx was also no longer mad at me...
For the most part, it's hard to tell with him.
Soon after the trip Sunburst took his own trip to Ponyville.
When he made the trip to Ponyville I remembered when I had brought up to Celestia that Star Swirl was more than likely alive I knew that I would have to keep an eye on the events and still not interfere.
I had told Celestia and Luna that we couldn't do anything to save Star Swirl and the pillars until the time was right.
I told them that it would soon be time.
Though if they ever really need my help I will.
In fact Spike even suggested asking me if I knew where Ponhenge was.
Which gave me insight on what most of them thought about me.
Fluttershy after talking about it with Discord thought that I was in a lose lose situation of doing nothing or at the least trying to do something.
Rarity felt that I was likely just as hard on myself over everything.
Though she quickly glanced towards Applejack.
Applejack disliked that I had kept secret about it but felt that I was just protecting my kin.
When she said that I looked to the basement door and sighed.
Rainbow Dash seemed to want to punch me in the face for what happened with Brave Shield.
I mean I get it but she is like third on the list of individuals who want to punch me for that specific thing.
Pinkie Pie was not in the room at the time.
Twilight and Starlight shared the opinion that I would give my help if I felt it was needed.
I was tempted to send a letter to confirm but chose not to.
Sunburst on the other hoof was more interested in how my ability worked.
Eventually the situation was resolved and we were in the throne room. I could feel the excitement coming off Celestia and Luna.
They had always thought that their old mentor had been lost, and now Equestria has he and the pillars were back once again.
Hearth's Warming is a magical time of year.
Twilight was hosting a dinner party inviting the family of her friends.
Though I was invited the letter made it clear that Twilight would prefer that I not show up.
At my request Velvet made two requests.
The first was for two extra seats for 'her' parents.
The second was to ask for seats next to the Apple Family, since it has been a long while since she caught up with them.
Applejack
We were on our way to Twilight's party with Grand Pear.
On the way to her castle I noticed her mother Twilight Velvet.
She would often come by during zap apple season for a jar.
Nightlight had done it before but then my parents passed away.
It was something I never really noticed until he came clean.
When we reached Velvet she asked if she could walk with us.
We had no problem with it of course.
As we walked Velvet got quite as we got closer.
When I asked what was wrong she sighed and said that Nightlight wanted to talk to us.
She said that she would show us to a side room in the castle for it.
The rest of my family was a little confused about why I became quite.
I said that we would.
When we arrived at the castle Velvet whispered to Spike who greeted us and then asked us to follow.
We quickly came to a door and she said that this was it and she would make her way to the dining hall.
On the far side of the room Nightlight was scuffing the floor with his hoof and asked us to come in.
He didn't really look at us preferring to look at the floor.
Nightlight
I had taken Bright Mac and Pear Butter out of the stasis chambers and had them under a blanket next to me.
I cast spells to keep them asleep for a bit and to hide them from view.
Apple Bloom and Grand Pear seemed to be quite confused.
Granny Smith and Big Macintosh had known me before I did it and stopped coming by.
But Applejack was the only one that knew my secret but even she couldn't guess what I did.
I started with telling those who were not in the know a brief summary of my abilities.
I gave them a moment to process it.
Twilight
Most of the guest arrived but Applejack and her family should have showed up by now.
My grandparents had not shown up yet either.
When Spike walked in with Scootaloo and her aunt's I asked him what my grandparents will do when they arrived if he was not there.
Mom then said that the seats were actually for someone else.
Dad would apparently bring them here with Applejack and her family.
Before I could leave to search for them my mom put her hoof on my shoulder.
She told me that dad was not perfect but he tried his best like every pony else and that he was harder on himself than anyone else.
She added that this was something he had to do.
What surprised me was Raritys' response.
She apparently had an idea of what he needed to talk about with the Apple Family and that it would be for the best.
I sighed and said I would let him.
Nightlight
After it was clear that they understood I told them that I had never seen a timeline where Bright Mac and Pear Butter survived.
So I saved them.
This caused them to gasp.
I then said that since I could not risk their presence causing problems so I put them in a state of suspended animation.
I then removed the blanket and revealed them.
Without realizing it I had reverted to my true form.
Apple Bloom was the first to move, walking in front of her parents and started nudging them.
Since they were pointing to side as they stirred up they did not see the others.
The two of them were confused after all the last thing they would remember is running into the Everfree Forest to save a reckless filly.
Now they were laying on a crystal floor with a different filly calling them mom and dad.
It took a moment but when they realized that it was Apple Bloom in front of them they were more than a little shocked.
I began to explain what I had already told the others, but I added that I made sure Rarity was okay at the time.
I also explained that Applejack and Rarity were elements bearers and what that meant.
I closed my eyes and waited for what I had coming to me.
I stole years of their lives with their family.
But...
They thanked me.
...
...
...
...
...
...
Why?
Bright Mac walked up to me and said thank you.
I asked why he was not mad at me, since he should hate me.
Bright Mac said that I was it a difficult position and did what I thought was right.
Whether or not it was right is different but even so I had watched over their family for them.
I was not entirely sure on how to react.
I decided to let them catch up in private and went to the dinner party.
When I entered most seemed to try and ignore me, Velvet smiled at me and nodded.
Igneous Rock Pie asked what business I had with the Apple Family.
I said that it involved the two guests that I had brought along with me and left it at that.
Changing the topic I brought out a box and gave it to Scootaloo.
The caused some confusion but when I explained that I had been aware of her issue with flying since before she was even born and had prepared this for her.
It was about then that the Apple Family walked in.
There are no words I can use to describe the reactions of those around the room when the Apple Family walked in.
Ch 31 The Legion of Doom (rewrite)
Nightlight
The events of the movie finally occurred.
Honestly the only reason I had not had Fizzlepop Berrytwist kill the Storm King before he attacked Equestria was because we need to make friends with the hippogriffs.
Before the Storm King could use his staff to steal the magic of the princesses Tempest stoned him and then smashed him to bits.
Twilight was officially mad at me again.
She was happy that I had saved Applejack's parents even if she was not happy about how.
Though letting the Storm King raid Equestria was not the best way to follow up on that.
I really am terrible at this.
Well anyway that could not have gone better but regardless Twilight started her school.
That was a mess all right.
If they had not figured out what was going on with Sand Bar they probably would have actually asked for my help.
But they did not have need of my aid.
The convocation of creatures also went well.
For those who don't know it is basically a meeting between a large number of nations that has not been done in a while.
Cozy Glow was up to her devious tricks.
Tirek also had no problems with giving his advice to her.
Knowing how the spell worked I was actually able to create a counter so that I could keep my magic during that whole situation.
When Twilight had found the pendent with the star from the constellation Cosmos was trapped in.
Fortunately she had remembered advice I had given her in the past about talking magic artifacts.
So that was a plus.
But time finally came for season nine or as I call it Discords' lesson zero.
Tirek
Why do I have to be stuck here in Tartarus with this annoying little filly?
Cozy Glow was a prime example a snake.
As I sat in my cell I was suddenly teleported along with Cozy Glow to some kind of cave.
When I called out asking for who brought us here I had expected to see the shadow I had previously encountered.
But what I really saw was not what I had expected.
What was standing before me was a large blue ram who began casting a spell while saying that only two more were left to receive.
Two swirls began to form one had peices of stone that looked as though they were blasted apart.
The second was surrounded by pieces of twisted armor.
Starry wisps of magic were coming off of them and collecting in the center.
From the first came a creature with white fur and black armor.
An individual known as the Storm King.
The second was a black alicorn with a mane that resembled a starry night.
Nightmare Moon...
This just confused Cozy Glow and myself.
Though to be fair the Storm King and Nightmare Moon were just as confused about being alive apparently.
Our benefactor introduced himself as Grogar the father of all monsters.
Neither to Storm King or Cozy Glow had not heard of him but the Storm King was at least from a distant land so he was excused.
Grogar said that if we were to defeat the insufferable Twilight Sparkle and her friends we had to work together.
It was humiliating to be put on the same level as a filly.
The Storm King voiced his own discontent with the concept of the alliance with the various gathered individuals.
Refusing to work with us.
Grogar had started to grow irritated with him and said that if he felt he could conquer Equestria by himself than he could very well try.
Grogar gave him his staff and teleported him away telling him to give it his best shot.
Nightlight
No one had expected the sudden return of the Storm King.
He had managed to locate the Tree of Harmony and destroy it.
Fortunately the young six managed to restore it.
When the discussion of how he could have returned came up I pointed out that he had never been killed only stoned and shattered.
Thus restoring him is not all that difficult.
So this time after shattering he I turned it back to flesh.
I also volunteered to look into the culprit.
Tirek
We had been left to find a method of working together with each other.
That infernal Cozy Glow was putting up a persona of a bubbly friendly filly, but I knew that she was a deadly viper.
I didn't even try the cupcakes she made for us Nightmare Moon would be my way of testing for poison.
I was still not used to Nightmare Moon being her own separate entity but neither was she apparently.
As we were going nowhere with our ability to work together Grogar entered and after scolding us he ordered us to go collect his Bewitching Bell from Mt. Everhoof.
Nightmare Moon used her ability to shape shift to help us during the climb.
When we finally obtained the Bewitching Bell we felt really good.
We were not really sure of what to do but Nightmare Moon pointed out that regardless we had to do something about Grogar.
She really was not bad.
All she wanted was to be appreciated.
I could understand that.
Since we had no idea on how to use the bell we decided to keep it a secret from Grogar.
We decided that the best way to figure out how to operate the bell was to sneak into Canterlot Castle and stealing the book written by Gusty when they had the bell.
This was definitely going to be difficult but we would find a way.
Hopefully we find out how to use the bell.
When we made our way back we began to read through the book and found the spell to absorb the magic.
Only there was none...
A deep laugh echoed throughout the cavern and Grogars' voice spoke.
Suddenly a beam shot down from the ceiling blasting us in all directions.
When I opened up my eyes I saw Cozy Glow on the other side of the room with what looked like a broken wing.
I couldn't see the bell.
But standing a top Nightmare Moon was Grogar.
He smiled with a twisted grin and said that he granted her a life of her own and he could take it away with ease.
Nightmare Moon's face twisted into one of pain as she screamed.
Her form distorted and she turned into mist and was sucked into Grogars' mouth.
I suddenly felt as though I could move.
I hadn't even realized that I had been restrained.
I screamed and ran up to Grogar punching him.
My first sank into his coat and I screamed in pain.
Pulling out my fist I saw that it was covered in bee stingers.
I removed them the best I could and looked between Grogar and Cozy Glow.
Cozy Glow had tear covering her face and Grogar had a smug grin.
I asked why he didn't kill us.
He said that she was the one who suggested overthrowing him and he had no long term use for her.
When looked to my hand Grogar laughed and said that he learned it from the strange changeling he absorbed.
Grogar then began to say that if we wanted to live we should leave the cavern for now and to not worry about the bell.
He lost before because he was over reliant on it, but now he no longer needs it.
We were free to join his army once it was completed.
I grabbed Cozy Glow and left.
As she cried over Nightmare Moon I knew that the only thing we could do was go to the Princesses.
Ch 32 Vs. Grogar (rewrite)
Twilight
I was starting to get worried.
My mom told me a few days ago that dad suddenly disappeared, and no creature has been able to get in contact with him this was not normal.
Chrysalis had not been able to get him to respond to her messages and even Star Swirl had been unable to locate him.
That was when I had started to worry.
Discord said that he would help look for him but that had gone nowhere.
I was in Canterlot Castle with my friends and the other princesses when a guard barged in saying that Tirek and Cozy Glow had arrived at the front of the castle and was now waiting in the throne room.
We quickly made our way to the throne room only to see that Tirek's right arm had swollen like crazy and Cozy Glow's wing was in a brace.
We were a little confused and Cozy Glow said to Tirek that she told him that we would arrive without asking for details.
When we realized that they were actually not here to cause trouble I had no idea how to react.
Tirek and Cozy Glow seemed to be worried about something.
Tirek had decided that the best way to explain what happened was to start from the beginning.
Though it was far sooner than expected.
Shortly after the bugbear was put in Tartarus a mystery shadow appeared to him and offered a deal.
I told him that that was my father.
This seemed to surprise him but he continued.
Learning about the conversation they had was interesting to say the least.
He got to the part where he was in Tartarus along side Cozy Glow when suddenly they were teleported out by who they learned was Grogar.
Learning that Grogar had revived Nightmare Moon had caused all of us to be shocked.
Cozy Glow had questioned how it was even possible.
Celestia had said that dad had mentioned the possibility but had performed an investigation and had been under the impression that he had cleared out any traces of her that remained.
But it appears that dad had missed a piece, a piece that was found by Grogar.
This whole situation made Luna uncomfortable.
But learning about how she felt disconnected from Luna but wanted to be loved and appreciated all the same.
When we learned of the Bewitching Bell and what happened with it my mouth became dry.
But what truly shook us was when Tirek mentioned what Grogar had said about absorbing a changeling.
Without even letting Tirek finish his sentence I told Spike to send a message to Thorax asking if any other changeling was unaccounted for.
Tirek and Cozy Glow became confused at this and I said that if Grogar had gained the my dad's powers then there is a good chance that we are all in grave danger.
When Thorax got back to us our fears were confirmed.
When Tirek and Cozy Glow were explained the reason for the commotion they understood with grim expressions.
Grogar was apparently in the process of creating an army and if we did not stop him now we will all fall one by one.
So we began to send letters to our allies.
Our hope was to take the fight to him together before his army was finished.
Then we told mom about what we learned she said that we should search the house for anything dad may have left to help us.
Under the floor boards of my parents room there was a letter with a simple message, "Have trust in those who stand beside you and fight together."
This irritated Tirek and Cozy Glow but that was how dad did things.
As we approached Grogars' base our allies were also making their way.
A black tar flowed out of the skull with what appeared to be faces and limbs sticking out of it.
As our armies gathered an astral head of Grogar appeared above.
He laughed and mocked Tirek and Cozy Glow for fulfilling their final purpose in gathering so many creatures who would appose him in one place.
This sparked irritation among our armies the word arrogant resounded clearly from the dragons and yaks in particular.
Our plan of attack was fairly simple since anything to complex could be countered with ease.
In a way the best strategy was to effectively rush him all at once similar to what dad said.
Our armies moved in on Grogars' fortress.
The fire breath of the dragons was helpful in clearing out Grogars' army but some were immune to fire and his army covered far too much land to burn.
The swamp also protected some that may have otherwise been burned to a crisp.
To prevent them from being overwhelmed by swarms of small monsters other flying soldiers worked to keep them off the dragons.
The ground troops would focus on the monsters that were not burned away that couldn't fly.
Cozy Glow was helping with distributing orders throughout the army.
The Princesses, Shining Armor, Tirek, and others would face Grogar.
Though the biggest advantage appeared to be in fighting among Grogars' army.
This would anger Grogar causing him to blast his own monsters.
This had caused Discord to hum to himself.
We had focused on using ranged attacks or weapons.
No one was to use direct attacks.
Aside from blast of magic for ranged attacks he also used a tail with a bulb and stinger on the end.
The bulb would fill with explosive liquid and fire the poison stinger like a flaming ballista.
He would also make mantis limbs to slash and stape at us.
Despite his power Grogar was having a difficult time with all of us.
Suddenly Grogar cried out in frustration questioning how we were continually doing things outside of his future sight.
This caused me to pause in thought for a second.
This could only mean that he was only seeing one future.
Dad was still fighting him from the inside.
And Discord also figured it out.
But him blabbing it out caused Grogar to realize it.
Grogar started to move it strange ways and smiled.
Grogar started to say that he had an even better idea and smiled.
Suddenly ten copies of himself appeared.
Two left to take command of his forces.
And by take command I mean threaten and ridicule.
We had been having difficulty with just one and now there were ten.
The battle suddenly turned further in his favor.
A lightbulb lit over Discords' head.
He whispered something into Fluttershy's ears.
Putting a microphone in front of Fluttershy she started to ask for the attention of Grogars' army.
Then it clicked.
Discord was having Fluttershy ask Grogars' army to turn on him.
And given that he has only been a jerk to them, and they listened.
Now Grogar had to fight his own army.
As a result he had to make even more copies of himself, but this appeared to act in his disadvantage.
His movements continued to slow as he was being overwhelmed.
At this point he shouted out in fury and all his copies started to fuse together.
Together they made a giant ram covered in heads all over his body with a somewhat melted appearance.
The heads let out a horrid wail when suddenly he screamed as his body seemed to wither away.
From one of the heads the form of a changeling burst out of his body.
As this occurred the monsters that made Grogars' army started to turn to ash.
Dad looked around and asked, "What did I miss?"
Ch 33 Aftermath (rewrite)
Nightlight
As far as any creature was concerned the way I overpowered Grogar was by bidding my time until he was overwhelmed before devouring him from the inside.
In truth though I was not fighting seriously I was still running for my life the entire time.
If I was not boosted by the magic in the bell or not been receiving help from Discord it would have been impossible.
Velvet was mad about me running off to fight Grogar by myself.
The thing is when I told her in private she extended the amount of time I had to sleep on the couch.
Fair enough.
Honestly after all that has happened I don't need to hid that I am a changeling but honestly it would just be weird at this point not to.
With the events of season nine having passed I actually gave my verious suggestions for improvements to the castles security.
It was also great to see Tirek and Cozy Glow reformed.
Tirek was planning to go back to his home land and reconcile with his brother.
Cozy Glow's family had always been distant so she had not planned on going back to them.
She had decided to go with Tirek.
Twilight had been invited to Sunset Shimmers' and the other Rainbooms graduation ceremony.
Sunset Shimmer had also remembered to start looking for her human counter part.
I had originally planned to have Sunstone as she was now known regain her memories over time.
But I never got around to it so I was just going to point her in the right direction.
Since the Castle of Friendship was accessable to the public I felt the best strategy was to have her visit to crusaders in Ponyville since she did not have her cutie mark.
When in Ponyville I will have her wonder into the castle and trip into the mirror.
I will dispell the spell that changed her colors when she goes through.
Though I don't think she will even want to go back to the human world even if I gave her memories back.
Since Sunset Shimmer plans to continue living in the human world it would be more convenient for everyone involved.
The amulet that I had given to Scootaloo to let her fly had eventually gotten Rainbow Dash off my back for the most part.
Even if the Apple Family has forgiven me for what I did I still had not fully forgiven myself.
Shining Armor had also finally convinced Cadance to at least try to forgive me for the things I had done.
Honestly I almost felt like taking a long term vacation like Celestia and Luna but you know shorter.
When I told Twilight that I had no major plans for the immediate future she was not as happy as she had expected.
Don't get me wrong I had plans of keeping an eye on things but not to manipulate events in any particular way.
Since I had no more major plans I had time to think.
I loved Velvet and could not really imagine my life without her.
She had been by my side for years at this point.
I really couldn't imagine my life without her.
I guess that I will have to learn the secret of immortality for her.
Of course that will have to be kept a secret.
That means that I will have to keep her hidden from the world by that time.
Though I don't think she will want to keep hidden for a prolonged time.
I would have to give her the ability to transform.
If I was to loss her I don't think I would really be able to handle it well.
Ch 1 Introduction (rewrite)
Unknown
I woke up to the worst pain I had ever felt in my head. Actually never mind it was all over my body.
Looking around I noticed that I was in a cell of some kind. The bed was quite comfortable and saw two unicorn guards outside the door...
Walking or rather limping up to the cell door I asked, "Don't I get a phone call?"
"What's a phone call?" said the first guard.
"Is it a necessity sir?" asked the second guard.
"Well if you could tell me where I am and why I'm in a cell than maybe not."
Before either of the guards could respond they stood to attention and a familiar royal sounding voice came from just out of view.
"I believe I can answer that question my other worldly guest," Princess Celestia said as she both literally and figuratively shined as she walked into view.
"Wow"
"For starters I am sure that you have noticed that you are no longer in your original world correct," Celestia answered.
"The first clue was the unicorn guards, but is there something you can do about the pain I'm in?"
Celestia looked slightly down, "Well the pain actually being caused by a prolonged transformation into a local creature, but adding anything more to your system may cause more harm than good."
"Wait does that mean I can't eat, and if so will I starve?"
"Not at all rather according to the researchers I have on what happened you are in a state of homeostasis, in fact the reason I knew to come check on you is that the various hidden scanners in the room alerted them while I was there," Celestia seemed to literally brighten up with that.
"So how did this even happen to me?"
"Well you see I have a school magic and there is also this mirror that can be used to travel to a parallel world, and well one of the seniors decided to use it for an unapproved experiment for their senior project," Celestia had a guilty, downcast look on her face.
Just before passing out I let out, "Let me guess it went horribly wro..."
Celestia
The individual from another world regained lucidity multiple times and while they seemed nice enough, but it feels as though they are hiding something, "It just seems as though he knows more than he lets on."
I heard the door open and Iron Shield the captain of the Solar Guard walked in, "Am I interrupting something princess?"
"Not at all my little pony, do you have anything to report," from the look on his face I could tell it was good news.
Iron Shield smiled as he began, "When the researchers you assigned learned that our new guest was transforming into a changeling they realized that there may have been a changeling near by at the time. After investigating three suspects we came up with no leads, but after realizing that we missed one other potential suspect who we have confirmed is a changeling without alerting them."
It appears that my fears that the changelings were making a comeback were not unfounded, "Who is it?"
"A filly by the name of Moth Ball who has just begun to attend the School for Gifted Unicorns," Iron Shield sounded disappointed I was just glad that no pony too important was replaced.
Then again Moth Ball is from outside of Equestria so it may just be a created form.
"I see keep her under observation until otherwise stated," Iron Shield solute in affirmation.
Unknown
I had been moved to an underground room in order to be studied and properly learn the information that I was going to need in order to integrate in Equestrian society as well as to learn how to use my new abilities, but I was way to hungry.
If this is how changelings always felt before the metamorphosis than it was no wonder they acted the way they did. If I don't do something about it I will go insane.
So I did...
While facing the door...
Luckily only one of them look mad or is that annoyance.
"Do you care to explain why the door suddenly just seems to explode off the hinges," Iron Shield in a way that honestly sounded more like a statement than question with the tone of his voice
I put on a nervous smile, "Well before you explode on me, I decided that rather than drive myself insane and potentially harm another unintentionally, I felt it would be best to do the metamorphosis now."
The look of confusion on his face amused me, and it appears it was Celestias' turn to ask a question.
Celestia put on a questioning glare as she asked, "How did you know about this metamorphosis, a is it related to why you seem to know more than you let on?"
Straight to the point I see.
Honestly it felt like being well honest was not going to be as helpful so, "Well yes you see I have the ability to see into other worlds but can't control what I see so I know quite a bit more than I let on but I ultimately feel that it may be for the best if I keep it to myself since I do not know how accurate it will be and most of what I see is just white noise."
Please don't call my bluff...
Celestia sighed in defeat but looked somewhat relieved too, "Well it seems these visions of other worlds are like your memory of your previous world we are unable to observe them, but with this metamorphosis we may be able to convince them to accept peace an..."
"I'm going to stop you there. First I am an outsider, the chances of that accepting such a drastic change in life style out of the blue will not go well.
Second it will be better if they see the metamorphosis from one of their own.
Third I believe it would best to keep my overall influence to a minimum as possible. Though I am willing to form a line of communication with Chrysalis for the future of both when ready."
Celestia and the captain looked like deer in headlights after all that.
Celestia said, "Well that was informative, and dare I say wise. Though I was wondering if you have thought about what you would like us to call you because if you haven't, I have thought of one that may work if you want."
"Oh, thank you want is it?" As I asked it occurred to me that I never told her my name, but I may as well abandon it in this new world.
"Well I have two friends who have been been unable to have children and spend most of their time traveling, since they were disowned from their families the have not really kept in touch with any pony so if their roughly seventeen to eighteen year old son chose to settle down in Canterlot, I do not believe that any pony will question it," Celestia had a wide grin like she was asking a favor.
"I don't see a problem with it, what did you have in mind?" It isn't like she was asking me to become someone important.
"A unicorn by the name of Nightlight." Celestia had no idea what she just asked of me.
Que the internal screaming and panic attacks.
After a few seconds or maybe minutes I noticed that the two of them were trying to get my attention.
"Sorry about that I am glad that my new identity is going to be that one who could play the role of an irrelevant side character but knowing that my future children are going to be such major big shots is a bit overwhelming."
Celestia and Iron Shield both looked at me with a mixture of shock and confusion, but I didn't blame them for that.
Nightlight
In the morning Trick Star was in a much better mood than yesterday. When I was making my reservation they only had rooms with two or more beds so he did not need to sleep on the floor.
After a breakfast waffles and toast Trick Star and I were finishing up our hot cocoa. Trick Star noticed the receptionist from last night staring at him. According to him she was into him, but I was pretty sure that she was still weirded out by what happened last night.
We continued to chat as the others eating in the lobby. With a scoff Trick Star asked what I thought he should do if I was so good with mares.
I told him to stop referring to himself in illeism since it makes him sound like an egomaniac. It was good for shows and showing off but all the time was to much. Beyond that I was not sure what more to really tell him.
As I got ready to leave for the ruins Trick Star asked what our plans were. I corrected him that they were my plans and showed him the schedule I wrote up.
He gave it a confused look but commented that it looked nice, but he wanted to know about what I was investigating as we left and why it would take pretty much to whole day.
Even with a good pace Fort Trothoof was by no means close. As for the fort itself about about nine hundred and ninetyish years ago there was a fort about the size of a sports stadium which was used to protect the mountain pass from being used by invading armies. When their was a conflict an enemy force attacked it the soldiers posted there were massacred and the fort now lay to ruin. Unfortunately reinforcements arrived just too late to save the soldiers from the invading forces, but they were able to fend the invading enemies thanks to their sacrifice they were able to drive off the enemy despite having no fortification left.
Trick Star seem excited about the visiting the fort, and was surprised that it was my job to ensure that everything was working the way it was supposed too. So imagine his surprise when I said we arrived, and he asked where the fort was.
I looked off to the side and motioned to the remainder of a wall with about seven weathered bricks left.
The look of disappointment and confusion on his face was not unexpected.
To most this place would have mearly been an empty piece of land, but as a changeling I could sense it. The emotions from the ancient battle were so strong that they were still present. I think this place is perfect for what I have planned.
Trick Star growned loudly and asked me if there was anything interesting about this place.
I looked across the horizon and dramatically said, "The events that transpired here were so powerful that it permanently imprinted on the very soil."
I looked back to Trick Star and saw a look of confusion on his face and he motioned for me to continue.
Nightlight signed having assumed Trick Star would have understood he explained, "The fight was so intense that it's now supernatural."
Trick Star ohhed in understanding and as I continued to perform test on the sight of the battle before I was ready to go back to the inn with a few soil samples.
As we made our way back to the inn Trick Star said he was going to stay at the inn during tomorrow's investigation. This was fine with me since I originally planned to do this alone to begin with.
When we made it back to the inn Trick Star and I began to go through the schedule I made. We started with a local specialty curry which was far too spicy for Trick Stars' palette. Though to be fair I have noticed that a lot of Canterlot ponies liked simple foods.
After eating we made our way to the steam room for a few minutes before making our way to the conference room where they were doing a bingo event.
We played seven games came third in one and fifth in another. Since Trick Star decided that he was going to stay back when I went to perform my investigation tomorrow. Since I had no need for the money we won in bingo so he could have pocket money.
The next day after we had breakfast I made the hike to the fort was faster this time, but I was not there to investigate the fort itself but rather the surrounding areas.
Just off the the cliff side on the other side of the pass I noticed a sealed cave. When I got up to the cave entrance and when I moved the sealing stone I felt it. In the cave there was some kind of dark magic trying to draw me to it, but dark magic is often fueled by hate and other negative emotions. Try as it may as a changeling I am naturally repelled by it, but to not risk it I cast a spell that let me look in from outside. I cast a scanning spell and noticed that it had no real intelligence left. Resealing the cave I finished investigation of the area.
I made my way back to the inn in record time only to find Trick Star laughing with the receptionist. Eventually she walked off and Trick Star noticed me motioned me over.
He asked if I saw his masterful masculine charm.
So I told him that he was still wearing the maid headdress and stockings. The look of realization on his face as he ran back to the room amused me.
Celestia
Velvet hummed thoughtfully before smiling, "Thank you Princess, with this my project is complete."
I smiled at my little pony as she put her papers away. I know that she knew the truth about Nightlight but I was worried that she would get hurt because of it.
I had told her but she said that she knew he was good even if others couldn't see it, and that he knew he would have to allow things he already felt guilty about. He was someone who knew what had to be done and was willing to do them.
Unfortunately that was what worried me.
He knows that he is in the right and will do anything to accomplish his goals.
The road to Tartarus is paved in good intentions.
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Ch 22 The Reunion of the Two Sisters (rewrite)
Nightlight
You know that book that let Twilight know about Nightmare Moon.
Ya I planted it there.
I never really did tell her about Luna before hoof but honestly I have no idea how she didn't notice the connections on her own.
When it came time to use the elements on Nightmare Moon I was hiding nearby in order to investigate the area after.
After the elements purified her Luna and Celestia were reunited.
The emotions were so powerful they caused a short range burst of love.
I took a sample of the love for one of my projects.
One I will hopefully never have to use.
After I concluded my investigation I waited by the chariot back to Canterlot staying invisible to keep from being obvious.
On the fly back Luna asked Celestia if I was supposed to be there.
I had told Celestia that I would make it back to Canterlot on my own but in my defense I never did say that I wouldn't hitch a ride.
I let out a small chuckle as Celestia said that she would explain who I was when introducing Luna to a few others.
When we made our way to Celestia's office we passed Iron Shields' old office which now belonged to Shining Armor.
He would be among those that Luna would be immediately introduced too.
Cadance would be there as well.
I must say Luna's reaction to a new alicorn was not as amusing as Celestia.
Cadance had been told about me being capable of seeing into the possible future but we had never told her to what extent I could.
This meant that Celestia and I would have to tell Luna more later.
Luna
The stallion who was hiding on the chariot was actually a member of my guard.
Nightlight, that was his name.
The father of Twilight Sparkle the element of magic and personal student of my dear sister.
Not only that but is her elder brother was the captain of my sister's own guard.
And the tale of how he had rescued the newest alicorn of Equestria by leading a team of guards into battle against powerful naga warriors.
He was truly skilled at his job.
At his own request we were to keep the true extent of his knowledge a secret even from those closest to him.
I felt guilty about not telling Cadenza about it all but Nightlight made a few compelling arguments involving future events.
But what really got my attention was that Nightlight was a changeling.
This metamorphosis that he was trying to bring about.
I was looking forward to it.
The true paradise that Equestria was on the path to become as he put it, I couldn't wait to see it.
Nightlight
Velvet and I were over due for a vacation in fact I had it scheduled for when Discord breaks free.
After a little time later I had to deal with Trick Star and Trixie when Twilight beat her.
I noticed Trixie skim a book I left open to the Alicorn Amulet.
I knew that it would be okay with the fake that I had created.
As for Tirek...
Tirek
Sometime after the bugbear was put in Tartarus.
Damn you Scorpan.
You had to go and betray me for those puny ponies.
You fool we could have had it all.
And I would have finally proved to be the master of my own destiny.
To no one in particular, "I will prove that I am the master of my own destiny..."
Before I could continue my monologue a voice hissed, "To yourself or to another?"
I quickly looked at my surroundings in search of the voice.
As I looked towards the back and saw that my shadow was far darker than it should have been.
A sinister face appeared in it.
My shadow grew to a more muscular form and smiled.
After a quick glance around I leaned in and asked if their was something I could do for my unexpected guest.
The shadow smiled and said that it was not so different from me.
Apparently it had the ability to see into potential futures.
Most of it's visions were useless but sometime ago it ended up in a situation where it can really affect the future.
It wished to change fate.
I asked what that had to do with me.
Apparently at some time in the future something will happen that will cause magic to leak out of our world into another.
It would like to know how I steal magic to use it to prevent this from happening.
With that reason I had no reason not to but what would I get out of it.
It's grin grew even more and it said that it would break me out of here when the time was right.
It also said that with luck I can prove to change my own fate.
My shadow returned normal and I was silent.
Leaning back in my cell I smiled.