Pro Temerarus es Fautor

by Kromulus Regulus

Rating: teen
Tags: Alternate Universe, Human, Twilight Sparkle, Princess Luna, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other, Adventure
Length: 23651

Twilight Sparkle is asked to investigate a tome. She get's more than she bargained for.

(Constructive Criticism is greatly welcomed! Thanks to Avorin and Petro! for being awesome editors!)

Enter Pro Temerarus es Fautor.

Set before the events of Fatum Fortis Vocat Redux, Twilight Sparkle is one day asked by Princess Luna to investigate a strange tome. The author of the tome, a pony by the name of Quadrivium, had apparently written his book to hold powerful spells of magic. The problem, Twilight soon finds out, is deciphering it. With the help of a later written book, Twilight investigates the meanings of the cryptic tome and soon finds herself in more than she ever bargained for.

Author Notes:
This story is the precursor to the rewrite of Fatum Fortis Vocat. It was originally intended to be a one-shot story for blawrg, whom randomly made a suggestion/request in some manner. Then, as I saw the potential in it, I decided to go ahead and use this opportunity to make way for the rewrite. I will be placing a heavy emphasis on the appearance of Luna and Twilight here, so forgive me for not doing a full "mane six" version. It will probably be about four to five chapters long, so I hope you enjoy it.

Please also note that the human names and organizations, such as links to pictures and explanations, are from my minds imagined world of Anagonia. It was to be, originally, the setting for Fatum Fortis Vocat (Non-Pony version). It is currently the setting for many of my other non-published non-pony related stories.

Published 2012-09-21 13:04:02 UTC
Last updated 2012-09-30 22:35:52 UTC

Prologue

Pro Temerarus es Fautor

Before the Bold are Favored

Written By:

Travis Shane Johnson

(Kromulus Regulus)

Edited By:

Avorin

-and-

Petro!

Written Partially For:

blawrg

“Your idea inspired me to rewrite my story. I thank you for that. Now, here’s the idea you suggested coming to fruition in the guise of my story rewrite. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I will enjoy writing it.”

Prologue

Twilight Sparkle flipped the pages of the tome before her, her eyes quickly darting from left to right as she indulged herself in the new information. Princess Luna had personally handed her the material, requesting that she decipher some cryptic information within it. Through a few days of searching her library, she had found a similar tome that assisted in her efforts of understanding the one before her. Using it (and quickly assimilating the information provided) she now scanned the pages, trying her best to grasp an understanding of just what the author was trying to convey.

Originally, Twilight had been confused about why Luna would be coming to her to inquire about its content. After all, Luna was one of the regal Princesses and she was far older and wiser than Twilight. However, the more she scanned the pages of the large book, the more she understood why. The author, who went by the surname “Quadrivium”, had not written the tome in a manner fitting the time of its creation. According to the author, the book had been finished around the time of the Three Pony Kingdoms. This, at first, had indicated to her that perhaps Starswirl the Bearded had something to do with it. Alas, this was not the case as she later found out.

According to the much later published tome she had previously read, Quadrivium had some interaction with Starswirl the Bearded, but the book itself was not influenced by him directly. Instead, the later book had stated, it was a tome more fitting for teaching advanced methods of magic. As to what methods they were Twilight was still trying to find out. The only things she knew for sure was the names of the two tomes and their purposes. The first tome, by Quadrivium himself, was named Ultra Universitas. The second, written by an unknown author, was titled “An Explanation of Universitas and Quadrivium’s Involvement”. One served as the code while the other seemed to served as a way to crack it.

“Spike,” Twilight called as she rubbed a hoof on her head. “Can you get me some tea please?” She heard a few footsteps coming down the stairs to her position on the library floor. “On it!” acknowledged Spike, the footsteps making their way to the kitchen. Twilight resumed her reading, only to be interrupted a few moments later by Spike as he handed her the requested tea. She politely thanked him, smiling his way as her field of magic grasped the tea cup and brought it to her lips. With a gentle sip, and her setting the cup on the table beside her study, she resumed reading. Spike returned up the stairs shortly after.

Her horn continued to glow as she magically flipped another page, then her eyes widened as they read over a few lines. “This is it!” she squealed happily. After many hours of searching, she had found a paragraph detailing an actual spell that could be conducted. Spike, mistaking her shout for his call, came rushing to her.

“Yes Twilight?”

The unicorn mare blinked, having to stare at Spike for a moment before she giggled softly in understanding. “Oh, no, I didn’t call you, sorry about that.” She then levitated the book so Spike could see the page of interest, “I was actually excited at finding this! See! It matches perfectly with the text described in An Explanation of Universitas and Quadrivium’s Involvement!”

Spike, to his credit, managed to smile and nod slowly. “Oh, yeah, that’s cool.” He then shifted uncomfortably before Twilight, before clearing his throat. “Can I go now?”

Twilight rolled her eyes, sighing as she replaced the tome before her. “Yes Spike, but make sure you finish cleaning the bathroom for me, okay?”

Spike groaned, “I already cleaned it twice today, Twilight!”

She blinked. “Oh, well...um...what time is it?” That was actually a good question, because Twilight had entirely lost track of time. She looked towards the window, surprise in her gaze as she realized night had fallen. When she looked back to Spike, he rolled his eyes. “Almost after nine in the evening, Twilight. You’ve been reading all day.”

“I have?”

“Yes,” he grumbled, “Again. You should really find something else to do.”

She smiled, “Alright spike. I’ll just finish my tea and I’ll probably visit Rarity. I’ve been meaning to talk about something with her anyway.”

At the mention of the mare of his infatuation, Spike beamed. “Can I go too?!”

Twilight giggled, “Of course. Just go and...” She trailed off, looking around at the library. The books were neatly organized, her study was clean and kept and as far as she could see in the kitchen it was still well maintained. “Well, how about you go ahead to Rarity’s and tell her I’ll be right over?”

“Alright!” Spike nearly jumped in excitement, then with a nervous blush as he cleared his throat, he nodded. “I mean,sure thing Twilight..”

With that taken care of, Twilight took another sip of her tea as Spike headed out the door. She started to close the tome and prepare to leave her stool, but soon stopped as she read over something else on the page. She blinked, reading it over again. Was she imagining things or did the words just....jumble around into a picture? Twilight brought her head closer to the page, examine it closer as she read the line again. The words on the page clearly reorganized themselves, suddenly forming a picture of a circle. Twilight gasped, eyes widening in shock as she tried to grip the book with her magic, wanting to raise it to the light source on her stand to make sure she wasn’t seeing things. Just as the magic field enveloped the tome, however, sparks erupted and shocked Twilight.

“Ow!” Twilight cried in pain, raising from her stool and taking a few hoof steps backward. She rubbed her nose where the spark had hit, looking mortified towards the tome. “What in the name of Celest- OH!”

The book rose on its own as Twilight watched, beyond shocked at this point. Sparks erupted from the pages as they flipped in a fast motion. “What is going on?!” Twilight shrieked in fear, looking around her, then back at the book. Another few hoof steps backward and the tome was consumed in the brightest light she had ever witnessed, her forehoof shielding her eyes as she looked away. Then, with a resounding explosion that rocked the library tree, she lost her footing and was thrust backward towards the wall by a powerful shockwave. She lost consciousness as her head hit a table.

* * *

“Twilight, are you okay?!”

“Sweetie, please wake up!”

“Twilight! Twi’!”

“Ohmygoshwhathappened?!”

Her eyes fluttered open slowly, gazing towards the faces of her friends. Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie looked down at her with eyes full of concern. Off to the side she noticed Spike holding Fluttershy as she sniffled silently, only to look up and see Twilight’s eyes open and shoot towards her, wrapping her in a tight hug. Her friends joined suit, all letting go as Twilight groaned. “What happened?”

“That’s actually what we wanted to know from you, darling.” Rarity said. “I heard a dreadful noise from the library and goodness knows what could have happened!” She then nuzzled down towards Spike who, despite his concerned expression, managed to blush. “Poor spikey wikey here was almost in tears when he saw you on the ground!”

He felt somepony grab her sides. A wing flap and moment later she was on all four hooves again. She politely thanked Rainbow Dash, whom smiled with a nod, before looking towards her study table. To her surprise, the tome was still there. As her friends watched, she headed for the table, seeing the exact page opened. This time, as she read it, no words jumbled. “I don’t understand,” she said silently.

“Understan’ what Twi’?” Applejack asked as she came up beside her, “What happened?”

“Yea, what happened?!” Asked Pinkie Pie rather excitedly as she pounced over to Twilight. “Did you try to mix cupcakes and rainbows? Oh my gosh, I did, and let me tell you it was the biggest most messiest mess ever!”

Twilight could only chuckle at the pink earth pony. “No pinkie, I didn’t try to bake rainbow cup-”

“Cupcakes and rainbows,” Pinkie quickly corrected her.

“-Alright, cupcakes and rainbows. Nothing to do with cooking.”

She then turned to face all her friends, looking to each one. “Thank you for coming to my aid, but I promise, I’m fine. I’m just slightly confused, is all.”

Her friends expressions softened as each one nodded, Applejack putting a hoof around Twilight as she spoke. “Well, tell us wha’ happened then surgacube. You jus’ about woke up tha entire town with whatever happened here.”

“I don’t really know,” Twilight admitted. “One moment I was reading Quadrivium and the next it....it levitated and exploded in light. I don’t remember what happened next, just that I woke up with all yo-”

The door to the library suddenly burst open. Luna appeared, a expression of pure shock on her face. Everypony there quickly looked to the Lunar Princess.

“Tell me thou just did not do that,” Luna said, horror filling her voice. All Twilights friends looked from Luna to Twilight, mouths agape. Twilight looked to them, then to Luna, making sure she wasn’t talking to her specifically. Instead, as she slowly realized, she was looking directly at Twilight.

Twilight felt herself shrink back, her eyes wide in confusion and fear.

***

Somewhere far from Equestria....

“I repeat, Nightmare presence confirmed.” Tiberius lowered his com device slowly, his hands shaking both in fear and anger. His five-man squad was to either side of him, watching the same event play out before them from the hill they laid prone. Fire erupted lighting up the night sky where once a town of five thousand had lived. All around, as they continued to observe through their binocs, the black colored beasts attacked and massacred anything and everyone in sight. Screams of pain and horror filled the surrounding area, echoing for what seemed like miles.

“This isn’t a war, it’s a extermination.”

Tiberius could only grunt in the affirmative to Lieutenant Ester by his side, slowly scanning the visual range. After witnessing too many civilians being either split in half or outright eaten alive, he lowered his binocs and looked to the heavens. Normally, when an invasion occurred, one would expect the skies to be filled with jet fighters and bombers. They would expect the ground to be littered with tanks and soldiers fighting to defend the sovereignty of existence and continuity. This was, sadly, too much of a risk. The Nightmares had every advantage over their technology. That had already been proven in the first major offensive against them.

Hardly anyone made it out alive then. Those that did were never seen from again.

The Confederate States Special Forces had, instead, sent Tiberius and his team to “observe”. It was the only thing they could do, next to nuking the town. Tiberius would have preferred it seeing the carnage before him. It would give everyone a quick and painless death, instead of this hell on earth. His radio crackled to life then, Tiberius touching his ear piece out of habit.

“Team Zulu, prep for extraction. Coordinates will be fed to your MGPS. There’s nothing more we can do.”

“Affirmative Joint Command, did you receive the feed from the binocs?”

“It’s not pretty, but we did. Get you and your men out of there before you become part of that picture.”

“Copy.” Tiberius said, gazing at his MGPS unit before he looked to his men, silently using a hand signal and motioning backward. They nodded, gathering their gear quickly and going into a crouch as they headed into the line of trees behind them. They approached a side road, Tiberius giving the signal to stop. With a quick glance to either side, they continued. Just as they reached the middle of the road, they heard the gut wrenching sound of someone in excruciating pain. The shouts came out clear at first, then gurgled. The next sound was that of bone breaking and an unearthly growl.

“Fuck,” Sergeant Wilkus whispered, “We got to do something.”

“Whomever it was is already de-”

“DADDY NO! DADDY HELP ME!”

The sudden cry of a child in danger caught Tiberius attention. “Move!” he shouted, signaling towards the direction of the sound. His squad quickly rose with weapons raised, going as fast as they could towards the source of the cry. Tiberius could clearly make out a vehicle just ahead, rocking back in forth as a small figure jumped out from the back of its bed and ran towards them. “Double time!” Tiberius shouted again. This time they all ran.

“Melkos Damnit!” the Sergeant cried as he saw the two, huge green slitted eyes of the Nightmare look towards the girl, then them. It quickly lunged forth, it’s buglike wings humming to life. Thinking quickly, Tiberius aimed his S/A AdkM75 towards the flying abomination and fired a quick three round burst of its 7.62 rounds. The satisfying GURK of the beast, and the subsequent PLUNK of it hitting the ground was the end result. Tiberius and his men reached the girl after that, quickly surrounding her as she tightly held onto the Sergeants leg.

“It’s alright,” Sergeant Wilkus said softly, “We’re here now.”

“Good,” the girl sniffled, “Because so are we.”

“Wha-” was all Wilkus got out before the girl was engulfed in a green flame. A Nightmare took its place and without hesitation it bit down on Wilkus’ leg and tore it off. Blood spewed across the pavement as Wilkus shouted in agonizing pain, the Nightmare quickly jumping on him and starting to chew through his kevlar vest and into his chest.

All at once the team turned, firing rounds into the Nightmare before it, too, sank to the ground. Lieutenant Ester quickly crouched before the still twitching body of Wilkus, quickly dying after having his heart and half of his internal organs consumed. A final gurgle and Wilkus joined the towns ranks of deaths, Tiberius cursing under his breath as he looked around him. The four man team then came closer together as the eerie sound of buzzing caught their attention. Slowly, on both forested sides of the road, green eyes lit up the darkness. They heard a soft hissing noise emanating all around them.

“It’s been an honor,” Ester said.

“We’re not dead yet,” Tiberius said sternly. “We go into fortress formation. Williams and Jackson, you take north and south. Ester and I will take east and west. We’re damn close to extraction, so let’s start moving!”

“Sir!” they all shouted in unison, going into position and forming the standard positions. They kept their guns aimed towards the eyes, noting how they seemed to be staying back for the moment. Tiberius looked to the west where Ester was, seeing the road clear of Nightmares for the moment. He motioned in that direction, the group following his lead as they maintained their directions. In the distance they heard the loud rotor blades of their extraction vehicle.

“Why aren't they attacking?” Williams asked to his side.

“I don’t know,” Tiberius said, “but I don’t like it. Don’t waste yourselves in a firefight. If we can make it to the LZ, we’ll come back to fight another day.”

“Roger that,” Williams said, keeping his eyes towards the forest.

For what felt like several long, punishing minutes they kept pace. The eyes still followed them, but seemed to be distancing slowly. Normally the Nightmares would never miss a chance for a quick meal, at least in Tiberius’ experience in encountering them. This was, by all definitions, totally against what he knew. He gave one quick sweep before turning and patting his men on their shoulder once. They took the command and faced towards the west, each one keeping close and jogging at a fast pace. Eventually, further down the road, the eyes were gone completely.

The forested side cleared and revealed several houses and yards, all of which had previously been vacated. Lights could still be seen on, but not a single vehicle was in sight. Tiberius hoped that these people had at least heeded the early warning and made it out. He gave a quick glance to his MGPS, noting the direction it wanted them to take and quickly turning on a side road. Farmland could be seen in the distance, the quaint homes behind them as the scenery changed. “There she is,” Ester said from Tiberius side. “Good ol’ Iroquois”.

The heavy thumping of the UH-1D was definitely reassuring to Tiberius. They ran into the field, jumping over a wooden fence as they closed the gap between them and the now descending helicopter. Tiberius took one more look behind him, making sure the Nightmares were truly gone, then ordered his men to double time it. He kept up behind them, covering the rear as the UH-1D landed. Gusts from the blades threatened to knock the four over, but they kept on and eventually Tiberius gave the order to mount. He once again held the rear, watching as Williams got on, then turned to double check his rear. A green fireball headed his way and he gave one frightened look towards Williams who, with eyes on the fireball, could do little but hold on.

“Nooooo!” Tiberius cried, “Take off!”

The pilot didn’t have to be told twice. The engines roared to life as the blades of the Iroquois beat faster against the wind. However it was not enough and, as Tiberius watched, the fireball zoomed past him, and straight into Williams and the rest of his squad. The resulting explosion sent sent Tiberius flying backward as he tried to cover his face. He felt heat unlike anything he’d ever experience, almost like his entire body had been dropped into molten lava. He felt himself smash into the ground, rolling many times, and eventually stopping against what felt like a metal pole.

“Is the poor human sad his wittle fwiends died?”

Tiberius opened his eyes, the extremely menacing and feminine voice above him causing him nearly to go into a state of shock. He observed a Nightmare unlike any before recorded. It was taller, much taller, and had larger wings. It’s snout was elongated and it had a horn on its head. The horn zigged and zagged at places, providing more of a twisted appearance to the beast. He tried to reach for his holstered pistol, his rifle lost during the blast, but his hand was stuck in place by a sudden, painful jab of the creatures hoofed feet. He cried in pain, hearing the Nightmare laugh once more.

“Why?!” Tiberius cried, more out of desperation.

“Because,” said the larger Nightmare with a twisted grin, “you are food. Food that shall make us stronger. Food that gives us a source of magic beyond anything imaginable. Food that, once consumed, will provide us enough power to kill all who oppose us. Now-” The Nightmares horn lowered to nearly touch Tiberius’ head, “prepare to die.”

“No!”

“Yes!”

Then, just as he felt the horn start to pierce the flesh on his forehead, his body didn’t much feel like a body anymore. In fact, as he stared into the eyes of the Nightmare, he could swear she seemed more colorful. Like rainbows, almost. Was this what death was like? If so, why was the Nightmare suddenly looking at him with a shocked expression? Why did he feel like he was being electrocuted? Wh-

With a burst of light, Tiberius was gone.

Queen Chrysalis blinked, anger in her eyes as she glared at the empty spot in the ground before her. “Wher-,” she started, looking around with a growl.

“Where did my food go?!”

=Author Notes=
Seriously, facehoofing at the spacing issues between google docs and here. Ugh.

Chapter Unus - Bellator Fortuna

Chapter Unus

Bellator Fortuna

“Fighting Fortune”

Time had progressed quickly as Twilight soon found herself alone with Luna on the floor of the library. After the Princess had assured her friends (and spike) that she was not in any trouble, the two had began discussing the short series of events leading the strange event and explosion (which turned out to be anything but a burst of magical energy). Eventually, one by one, her friends departed after saying their short farewells and Spike left for his bed. With the Night Princess left alone with Celestia’s prized pupil, they began examining the events and Twilight soon discovered something very important. Luna, despite her request being seemingly innocent in nature, had been holding back on her knowledge of the tome.

“So you’re saying you knew this would happen?” Twilight asked in a hushed tone of confusion, not wanting to wake up Spike. “Luna, I could have been hurt! Or worse...”

Luna replied in a similar tone. “We are apologetic, Twilight Sparkle. We did-...I did not foresee these events playing out as they did. Thou art, after all, one of the Equestria’s brightest minds. I should have known.” She looked down, not noticing the blush on Twilights cheeks from her compliment. “I’m sorry.”

After a moment and a warm smile, Twilight closed the gap between herself and Luna and placed a gentle hoof on her shoulder. This prompted Luna to look at her, smiling just a hair in return. “I forgive you Luna,” Twilight said. “But still,” she lowered her hoof, looking towards her study desk and the tome sitting open on it, “I don’t understand what happened beyond me just activating a spell.”

Twilight placed a hoof on her chin, deep in thought. After a brief silence, she returned her gaze to Luna. “Do you know what happened?” she asked.

Luna shook her head, “I do not, unfortunately. Without being able to sense the magical residue of thy own workings, I can only fathom a guess.” Twilight then gave a hopeful expression, as if expecting a response. Luna sighed, “It is only a guess, but by thy own words, thou hast activating a portal of some kind.”

“A portal?” Twilight raised an eyebrow, “Really? That isn’t something I’d place in a tome of ‘great magical spells’.” She emphasized her last words with a roll of her eyes.

“Thou knowest how to make a portal?” Luna inquired, a hint of surprise in her voice.

“Well, sure, everypony who goes to the royal academy knows.” She then looked off to her side, a slight blush to her cheeks. “I mean, not everypony, but maybe those taught by Celestia.”

“I see,” Luna said simply. She cleared her throat, “In this case, perhaps it should be no surprise that thou did activate a spell within the tome. Thy knowledge of the procedure surely assisted in its activation.”

“I suppose s-”

The two were suddenly drawn to the center of the library where a small orb of light had appeared. Luna gazed towards it with superficial interest, while Twilight took a more surprised expression. It was her that noticed the small bursts of electrical bolts shooting from the orb to the tome. “Luna,” Twilight said in a half gasp, pointing out the observations. Once noticed, Luna’s expression changed to one of worry. “Oh my stars,” the Princess said, gawking, “What is happening?!”

As they watched, the orb became bigger. The bolts of magical lightning shooting at a faster pace, growing in width. Both Luna and Twilight took a few cautious steps back; Twilight herself moving a bit faster due to expecting another shockwave. The door to the Library burst open, the two mares not looking away despite the appearance of four Lunar Guards who beheld the growing orb, making way towards Luna and surrounding her as they lowered their heads and entered a defensive posture. The orb then started to grow in size exponentially, the tome raising above the study table as it was engulfed in a magical field.

“Princess, it’s not safe her-” one of the Lunar Guards started, only to be knocked cleanly off his hooves as the explosion hit. He flew straight into the Princess whom was then knocked into Twilight. All five ponies in the room found themselves either flying into each other or into the wall. Their vision momentarily blinded, they remained on the ground for a few moments as they heard a soft thunk against the wooden floor. The Lunar Guards were first to rise, resuming their positions around the Princess and Twilight. The two mares slowly opened their eyes, Luna first to rise. Twilight was last, rubbing her head from yet another painful impact to her head. Thankfully, it was only against the side of the Princess.

When she looked around her, however, she noticed how still everypony was in the room. Even Luna, who normally had a reserved demeanor, displayed no such reservations. The Lunar Guards and the Princess jaws had literally hit the floor, Twilight almost left to ask why before her eyes turned forward. Then she saw it. It stood on two legs, wearing some form of camouflage attire that looked thicker than its form allowed. On its head was a helmet of some sort, its eyes wide in what Twilight could only assume was fear. It held some sort of mechanism its hand, looking like a sword, but only bigger with a barrel pointed directly at Luna.

“Melkos xsiol! Ti throdenilt malrunwai!” the strange creature shouted, absolute panic in its voice.

***

Tiberius Samsus, Colonel in the Confederate States Special Forces and one of the first responders in the Nightmare Invasion, was no more. At least, he believed he was no more. He had awoken in a place of complete white. No, white wasn’t the word. Whiteness. Everything was white, displaying no structure or form. Nothing his mind could use to gauge distance or direction. As a result of this, Tiberius felt an overwhelming sense of vertigo. It didn’t last long, however. The moment he felt solid ground against his boots (he still had boots?!) he felt the weight of his battle dress uniform on his body (he still had clothes?!). He felt himself almost lose his balance, coming to one knee as he held his head. When he felt his helmet, he slowly took it off, lowering his head as he closed his eyes and tried to calm his breathing.

The last thing he remembered was feeling the Nightmares horn against his head, starting to slowly and painfully impale itself into his skull. He felt where the spot should be, only to feel no break in the skin. Relieved, he opened his eyes, replacing his helmet as his sense of balance (for whatever that mattered here) recovered. He stood, looking in every direction possible as the field of white nothing continued all around him.

“Where am I?”

“In a state of limbo,” said a voice behind him. Startled, Tiberius reached for his handgun and quickly withdrew it from his holster. He made a swift one-hundred and eighty degree turn, his handgun pointed forward as he saw.....nothing. He blinked, eyes widening, looking around him again. “Over here,” called the voice again, this time from behind him. He swiftly turned again, only to have his weapon lower.

“Wilkus?” Tiberius whispered softly. “That’s....not possible...”

Johnny Wilkus stood before Tiberius. The Native-Anagonian wore casual clothing, his sleek raven black hair still neatly cut per military regulations. He was smiling at Tiberius, briefly watching as the Colonel lowered his weapon, then resuming his gaze at his comrade. “Surprised?” He asked.

Tiberius nodded.

“We’re all here, actually. Travis and Steven are somewhere around here,” Johnny said as he looked far off to his left, “But we’ve only met once.”

“Are they....are they in the same state as you?” Tiberius asked, holstering his weapon as he stood. He came closer to the Sergeant, not really believing what he was seeing, but not entirely ready to reject it. That large lingering desire to see his comrade alive was still burning. It was the only thing that kept him sane from what he was experiencing now. “Are they okay?”

“Of course!” Johnny replied, laughing. It was a hearty laugh, similar to when he made his sheepish jokes during their off hours. It further relaxed Tiberius. Maybe this was real. “They’re kinda dressed differently though,” Wilkus continued. “Travis has some black robe on, like the priests in the Drekamythian temple. Steven has like some kind of hunting gear on. We kinda joked about it for a bit, but...then we left.”

“Why?” Tiberius asked.

“I’m not sure,” Johnny admitted. “It was just a feeling. I think we’ll see each other again, I’m not entirely sure how I know, but it’s just a feeling. Same reason why I’m here.” He smiled again, “Guess it was to meet you, Tib.”

Now he was sure this was Johnny. Only he knew that nickname, if only because they had grown up together. Without hesitation, he bridged the gap, quickly taking Johnny’s hand in a shake and briefly hugging him. He exited the embrace with a warm smile, all doubt now gone. Where ever he had ended up, whether limbo as Johnny had suggested or somewhere else, it was simply good to know familiar faces were here. “It’s good to know you’re okay,” Tiberius said.

“I know the feeling,” Johnny said, “So what happened to you? You get eaten up too?”

Somehow, Tiberius found that funny, despite the memories of seeing Wilkus being eaten alive still fresh. It didn’t matter now, he was right here, without even a single scratch. “Nah,” Tiberius gave a nervous chuckle, “I don’t have that attraction to Nightmares.” After seeing Johnny give a smirk, he continued. “I saw a bigger one. An Iroquois had just landed by that time and Travis along with Steven had already got on board. By the time I realized what happened, the big bastard had destroyed and the helicopter along with them. It bested me before I could draw my pistol, saying something about us being food. Then it’s horn touched my head-” Tiberius lightly touched his forehead for reference “-and then I ended up here.”

“I see,” Johnny said, quirking an eyebrow. “So this must be yours then, huh?”

“Wha?” Tiberius blinked, noticing Johnny raise his S/A AdkM75 that definitely had not been there before. “Wait, how did yo-”

“You’ll need this,” Johnny interrupted, not even giving Tiberius a chance to finish his question. “I don’t know why, I just know.” As he finished, he pressed the rifle against Tiberius chest. The Colonel took it, examining it slowly. It didn’t look like it had a scratch on it. As he looked up, Johnny was nowhere to be found. “Goodbye Tib, I’ll see you soon. Just not today.”

“Wait, Johnny!” Tiberius cried, reaching for where Wilkus had just stood. “Don’t go! Don’t leave me here!”

“No Tib, you’re leaving us.”

“No!” Tiberius shouted in protest. The entire scenery of white started to turn a vast array of colors. “Melkos Damnit, No! Johnny please! What about Milessia, what about your son! What do I tell them?!”

“Tell them I love them,” Johnny replied in a somewhat distorted voice,“and I’ll always be watching over them.”

Tiberius field of view shifted as he felt the intense wave of vertigo overcome him again. “Oh Melkos, Oh please no!” He felt his stomach rebel, erupting its contents below.. Strangely enough, with the last bit of vision Tiberius had left as his surroundings started to implode, he saw his bile continue falling downward as if no floor had existed at all.

* * *

When Tiberius opened his eyes, he was laying on the ground. He took a slow intake of breath, feeling some pain as his chest expanded. The smell of a wood floor came through his senses, he groaning softly as he placed his right arm against the ground. Slowly, as the wave of vertigo settled, his head ceasing to throb, he rose himself to a crouching positionn. One knee was on the ground while the other foot rested on the floor. He took a moment to collect his bearings, noting that he now was in some sort of log cabin. No, that wasn’t right, there were bookshelves lining the wall in front of him. Was this some fancy cabin in the woods?

He rose to his feet fully, resting his weapon downward as he looked upward and around. It seemed like he had been spirited away into some treehouse. He noted a small study to his right just after the bookshelves ended. A staircase seemed to go upwards from that side as well, though he couldn’t make out what was on the second floor. To his left was a window. By the darkness that appeared through it, he could tell it was sometime after dark. Slowly he turned around, his head still looking up before looking in the direction he was facing.

He froze, but only for a moment. Fear returned, a deep seating fear that was similar to when the larger Nightmare had him pinned and ready for the kill. He quickly rose his weapon, seeing before him five forms similar to what a regular sized Nightmare looked like. The only difference was the coloration and, by what the three in the fore wore, armor. None of this he truly registered, the fear quickly erasing any sense of logic. He only registered the size of these creatures, how similar they were to his enemy, and that the larger one in the center looked familiar to the one that had tried to kill him.

“Melkos Damnit! Not more Nightmares!” he cried, fear truly consuming him as he began to shake. He couldn’t even pull the trigger on his rifle. “Why won’t you things die!”

One of the armored Nightmares lunged toward him. His adrenaline finally caught up with him and, applied with instinct overtaking his fear, he aimed and fired a quick three round burst. The Nightmare cried out a howl very unlike a Nightmare, gushing red blood on the floor as it collapsed. It gave a hefty gasp, staring at Tiberius with eyes full of shock before its body lay still. Tiberius noted movement from the corner of his eye, pointing his gun at the other two armored Nightmares.

“Stay back!” he commanded, “Stay back! I know your tricks! I know you can take any form! You can’t fool me! Stay the fuck back!”

His voice was now filled with a mix of fear and anger. He swiftly looked to his left, noticing a door. Returning his attention to the remaining four (the larger one and the purple colored one looking in disbelief at the dead Nightmare), he cautiously began sidestepping towards the door. He kept his weapon aimed at the nearest armored Nightmare, only taking his sight off of the thing to watch his step. A tense few moments followed as he gently reached for the door handle, noting how smaller of a frame it was constructed in, slowly lowering to a crouching position before turning the handle.

The door burst open, Tiberius nearly losing his footing as he instinctively rolled backward. He ignored the pain from his combat pack for the moment, quickly going to a crouch on one knee and aiming at another armored Nightmare, whose bat-like wings beat menacingly as it flew towards him. He shot another three round burst, downing it, quickly turning his attention to the previous armored Nightmare surrounding the larger and purple ones. He quickly rose to his feet, seeing no way out, backing up quickly as he felt his combat back hit a bookshelf behind him.

He was surrounded.

“Fucking shit!” He said, tears starting to stream from his eyes. His lips trembled. He was going to be eaten alive. It was going to be the most painful experience of his life. The armored ponies were everywhere in the room, mainly around the larger one, all glaring at him. Their wings flaring as they prepared to lunge towards him. He did the only logical thing he could do. He threw down his rifle, almost immediately noticing a slow movement of the Nightmares, before grasping at a fragmentation grenade and holding it above his head. He watched as the Nightmares came closer, time slowing as he pulled the pin and held the handle with both hands. He brought it down close to his chest, quickly taking a breath. He released the handle, activating the timer.

When he opened his eyes, they were literally upon him. Twenty of them, at least. A feat seemingly impossible in such a small space. He stared into the eyes of one, seeing a similar face of a soldier. For a brief, small instant he thought that maybe, just maybe he had been mistaken. It was too late though. Just as the hooves of the Nightmares touched him, the grenade detonated. The shockwave was felt first, his eyes slowly closing as his cheeks rippled violently. His clothing disintegrated, reaching from the point of detonation at his chest towards his head and feet. A brief moment of flash heat struck his mind before his nerves and body were consumed by the fireball and he could no longer feel anything.

Then....darkness. Beautiful, peaceful, darkness.

Chapter Duos - A Subluceo versus Fatum

Chapter Duos

A Subluceo versus Fatum

“A Glimpse towards Doom”

Time stood still inside the library. The scene unfolding before Luna was one of both unimaginable consequences and endless questions. She had little time to ponder on both these important issues, rather having only enough time to cast her spell. The Princess of the Night moved forward slowly, taking care to avoid the bodies of both her friends and her Lunar Guards. She headed straight for the bipedal alien, his expression nearly blocked by the cloud of flames that had started to engulf his form. Her eyes, emanating an otherworldly light from keeping the spell intact, gazed over the creatures face. It was both frightening and heartbreaking at the same time; the expression on his face reminding her much of Celestia’s so long ago.

She stopped just inches away from the creature, the intense heat of the flames doing little to her form despite its obvious purpose. This much was known as she quickly observed beside her, seeing one of her Lunar Guards closest to the alien in the process of having the skin on his forehoof burnt. Anypony else closer, she noted, was either going through a similar process or about to. The worst of this damage she observed was on the creature itself. Its clothing seemed to be in the process of combustion from the heat, whereas the visible areas of its skin (its neck and face since Luna could not make out the odd appendages at the end of its forehooves) seemed to start to be turning a darker shade of black than they already were. Slowly, her eyes returned to the creatures face, staring absently into the closed eyes.

There had been countless incidents that Luna had both witnessed and heard of where a pony would take their own life. Each situation had presented a cause for the act. Whether it had been to protect somepony else or, in times long past, to defend others by giving their life, much of these acts had a clear and understandable purpose. This one, the one Luna was witnessing before her very eyes, seemed to lack any of the logic or purpose necessary to support the aliens initiative in the matter. This left only a few extremely undesirable motivations, each one slowly being pushed to the side until one of these motivations remained. The fear the creature had shown, the trembling of its body, the swift action of its motions in combat, all of these pieces of information combined to one clear and very dark solution to its initiative to commence this final act.

Suicide.

It was an all but alien concept. Then again, Luna was staring into the face of an alien, so she should not be surprised that such a new element had presented itself. The question now was why? What had Luna, Twilight and her Guardsponies done to investigate the creature to suicide? She felt a slight irritation form at the back of her mind, her thoughts momentarily suspended as she realized her spell would soon falter. If she did not act quickly, she would waste this opportunity to fix this horrible situation. With one sad look towards the two dead Lunar Guards behind and to her side, she closed her eyes and finished the spell proper. Her horn glowed with an intense brightness, almost outshining the Solar Princess in her magnificence. Just as time started to slowly continue its course of events, the bubble of light forming at the tip of her horn expanded and encompassed the entire Library.

***

Tiberius took in a sharp intake of breath. The surprise of being alive didn’t register at first, his brain having a nearly impossible amount of information to process. His heart rate climbed for a brief few moments as he hungrily took in the oxygen, finally slowly enough as he began to feel his extremities. The pain was slight at first, just a few worn muscles sending agitated signals to his brain. Then, in an instant, it intensified as his mind registered the rest of the communication with his body. He screamed in agony, head raising, only to hear his voice muffled by some type of fabric. Instinct kicked in, he trying to move his hands to undo the restraint to his mouth. He screamed again when he came to realization that he could not move his fingers, nor his arms for that matter.

His eyes shot open, dancing from left to right in a panic. His cries muffled, he tried to comprehend his situation through the incredible pain he was enduring. His entire body felt like it had acid poured onto it, his vision starting to blur as he lurched forward from his sitting position and screamed once again. He had barely made out that he resided in a dimly lit room of some sort, with only a single light source to his rear providing less than adequate lighting to ascertain his location. The pain made him not care, though, for the darker parts of his mind had already provided an explanation to his current plight.

He was in hell.

Tiberius mind lost it then. The mind of the warrior he had once been was now broken completely as he remembered the events leading up to his. The combined realization sent him into the deepest, darkest reach of hopelessness he had ever experienced. Tears streamed down his face, each one sending more shots of pain through his body as they flowed down his cheeks. He sobbed uncontrollably for an unregistered amount of time, eventually crying himself into submission. He briefly felt restraints on his form as the upper half of his body rested as far forward as possible. His head slumped down, his vision started to fade. A calm serenity filled his mind then as sleep overtook him.

* * *

When he awoke the second time, he felt no pain. Instead, his body felt numb, his eyes registering a bright light above him as they opened. He could barely move his mouth, but as he did so he no longer felt the pressure of the restraint over his mouth. Instead, there was another feeling. Oxygen, Tiberius realized to himself, I must be in a hospital. This conclusion alone brought peace to him, the previous events all but forgotten as he rested in the knowledge that he was safe and secure. Somehow, he had been found. However it had played out, it had to be one hell of a miracle. “Thank you Melkos,” he said to his deity, hearing the hoarseness of his voice for the first time.

“How do you feel?”

The voice coming from his right startled him somewhat, but the deep concern lined in it calmed him. He concluded it had to be a nurse due to the feminine nature of the voice, eyes opening to catch a glimpse only to be blinded by the light. He tried to move his head, but realized he hadn’t the strength to do it. He gave up, closing his eyes again. “I feel....numb.”

“Good,” the nurse responded. “We tried to give you the best anesthetics we could find.” There was a brief silence, then, “Can you move any of your limbs?”

That was an odd thing to ask someone. Normally, a nurse would ask if a patient could move his hands or feet, or something along those lines. Limbs? He never recalled being asked that. Though, as reason overtook suspicion, he probably sustained injuries due to the grenade he detonated. How he survived he may never know, but the logical thing to assume would be that he lost....

“No,” Tiberius said, the hoarseness of his voice mitigating somewhat. “I can’t feel my hands or feet. Am I...-” He choked on his words, clearing his throat as he took in a deep breath to calm himself. “Am I going to have to have prosthetics?”

Silence was his response. He waited for a few moments, unsure if the nurse was still there or not. He slowly grew worried. “Nurse?” he called, “Nurse, please, just tell me. Please. I need to know.”

“We managed to save most of what was damaged,” the Nurse responded. “I’ll admit, it was a difficult procedure, considering we have no knowledge of your bodily structure, but I do not believe you will need prosthetics.”

Warning sirens erupted in Tiberius’ head. A nurse that didn’t understand human body structure? What place was he in? His eyes opened again and, with a surge of adrenaline at a rising panic, he managed to move his head to his right. He regretted doing so almost instantly as a wave of nausea overtook him, Tiberius feeling bile rise in his throat as he did his best to resist throwing up. His eyelids wavered through the intense disturbance, the feeling almost too much, but he tried his best to concentrate. Slowly, a figure appeared in his vision, the blur around the edges dissipating. After a few moments and the nausea subsiding to bearable levels, he kept his eyes on the figure as it became clearer and clearer and clea-

“You’re a Nightmare!”

The thing before him was similar to that of those he encountered previously. They looked almost exactly like a Nightmare, though he could clearly see the differences in coloration. Panic once again gripped him as his desire for self-preservation kicked in. He felt an intense rush of energy consume him but, alas, it did little to help his situation. The only movement he felt was a slight jerk as he tried to move his arm, but other than that he remained in his position. “Oh Melkos,” he said, the flow of energy subsiding as he felt very tired all of a sudden, “I’ve been saved by a Nightmare.”

“The Princess said you’d probably act this way,” the creature said with a hint of sympathy, “I’m sorry that you’re scared of us, I promise I’m not here to hurt you.”

He grunted, opening his eyes to gaze at the Nightmare again. Tiberius let out a deep sigh, eying the creature slowly for the first time. Now that he thought about it, the only similarity to a Nightmare this thing had was its pony-like structure. It’s expressions and eyes, however, told a different story. They showed care, compassion, something a Nightmare would never be caught doing. Those things were too busy killing and eating people to care. As if on cue, a thought crossed his mind. I’m not being eaten alive, am I?

The decisive negative answer to that mental question was enough to squash his still lingering panic for the moment, Tiberius closing his eyes as he took in a few deep breaths. Whatever this thing was, even if it was similar in form to a Nightmare, he was obviously alive and in what he could only assume to be medical room of some sort. It had to be, considering he felt the pressure of an oxygen mask on his face and, now that he listened, the soft beeps of a heart monitor off to his side. “I believe you,” Tiberius said as he opened his eyes again, gazing into the creatures. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what?”

A sense of overwhelming guilt had flooded Tiberius. Now that he had come to the realization that these creatures were, indeed, not Nightmares and not harmful, the events that played out previously seemed like a gross violation of human rights. Well, human wasn’t the right term in this case, but that was besides the point. He had, despite the panic and fear of the moment, killed two if not more of their species. “I’m sorry for attacking you,” Tiberius explained, “I was afraid, I thought you were Nightmares. I thought you were going to eat me alive.”

The creature came closer, Tiberius now able to fully recognize its form as being similar to a pony. In fact, it was strikingly similar, with the exception of the bulbous head and shorter snout. The eyes were larger too. It was features that had, originally, led him to believe they were similar to the insectoid-like Nightmares. Though, as he thought about it, they honestly didn’t look like such. He then made out a white hat on the ponies head, similar to a nurses and with the same symbol. It was about the only thing visible, other than her bluish colored mane, as she stood at the side of his hospital bed. Her coat was a bland brown, which amused Tiberius mentally due to the contrasting colors.

“I was only given a brief rundown of the events leading to your injuries,” the pony explained, “but I can assure you we ponies do not eat meat. Nor any form of flesh, for that matter.” The pony then tilted her head, “Can you explain to me what a Nightmare is?”

He stared at her for a few silent moments, still registering the existence of this pony before him. It took him another moment to collect his thoughts as he recalled his encounters with the hellish beasts. “Their skin is almost like an insects,” Tiberius started to explain. “They’re always colored black, with the greenest set of demonic eyes. They eat flesh, devouring almost anything living in their way. I’ve mostly encountered them in a size similar to yours, but only once did I encounter one taller and with a twisted horn on top of its head.”

“I see,” the nurse replied, looking down as she brought a hoof to her chin. “Tell you what, you go back to resting. I’m not quite ready to release you for questioning, so I’ll give you time to collect your thoughts. I’m sure all this must be incredibly new to you.”

“Alright,” Tiberius said. As the nurse turned around to leave, he added, “Thank you.”

“It’s my job,” the nurse replied with a smile. “No thanks needed.”

***

The next few days had brought a series of positive reports concerning the humans recovery. Luna was thankful that she had previously cast a language translation spell on the man, now known as Tiberius. As it turned out, his native language was not all that different from dragons. It was simply a stroke of luck, and a bit of genius spellcasting on Lunas’ part, that enabled the spell to properly function. Without it, she doubted Nurse Heart Cure would have been able to diagnose and treat the human, let alone get him to divulge his name and his country of origin.

Colonel Tiberius Samsus, from Anagonia.

Luna still had not forgotten the deaths of her Guardsponies. In fact, it had been that very reason she had originally placed Tiberius in an interrogation cell. When he had not woken up from his sleep, one of the interrogation guards had cast a fire spell on the human. His reaction afterward had sent shivers deep down into everyone present, even the chief interrogation officer. Luna had placed him in the castles infirmary then, deciphering his language through the constant mumblings he emitted. She had personally instructed no one but Nurse Heart to interact with him, thanking herself that she reminded the nurse about his previous misgivings about ponykind.

To her credit, everything played out well. Even Celestia had personally congratulated her sister on her handling of the situation. With the new information concerning these “Nightmares” he spoke about and his description of the larger one he encountered, the two Princesses had concluded that somehow, after the events of the Wedding, Queen Chrysalis had somehow ended up in Tiberius’ homeland. How or, for that matter, why the changelings were consuming flesh rather than consuming feelings was an entirely different matter. It had understandably deeply unsettled the two Goddesses.

Despite all this, there still was the matter of the first contact situation they had endured. Tiberius had killed two Lunar Guardsponies and, through his supposed last act, injured eight others. The law had to be obeyed in these situations, no matter the understanding of it. Tiberius had committed a crime and it needed to be addressed. After a short discussion over the matter with her sister, Luna made her way to the infirmary to meet with Tiberius.

It would be the first time she would see the human since the interrogation room. Every other interaction had been with Nurse Cure, who would give a brief summary of what she gained after every discussion and have that conveyed to Luna. She felt somewhat nervous, if not a little uneasy, at being in the presence of the human again. Despite these reserved emotions, she went alone, the only guard presence being those outside Tiberius’ room. She stood before the door and gave a quick tap with her forehoof. When she heard no reply, she decided to let herself in, cautiously opening the door with her magic and stepping inside.

“Tiberius?” Luna called out.

“I’m here,” Tiberius responded to her left. Luna quickly turned her head, noticing with a hint of surprise that he was on the floor doing what she assumed was pushups. His hospital gown had been discarded to the side, his body laid bare for the Princess to examine. “Just working out,” the human said he did one last push up and quickly stood. When he turned to face Luna, he stood motionless.

She would be lying to herself had Luna said she was not admiring the humans form. He was mostly hairless, with the exception of his head and in between his legs. She had to force herself from looking there specifically due to the odd nature of his-

Luna quickly looked away, realizing that she was being quite rude to the human by staring.“W-we do apologize, Tiberius. We assumed you would still be bedridden.”

Luna could make out Tiberius raising an eyebrow from the corner of her eye. “Understandable,” he said, “Your doctors work wonders. I’m about as surprised as you are.”

He then slowly bent down to pick up his gown. Draping it over himself, he rolled his shoulders and proceeded to the hospital bed. Luna then returned her attention to the human, observing him with other parts concealed. She cleared her throat, moving past the slightly embarrassing guffaw.

“We observe that your skin is still burnt,” she said casually. “Does it hurt?”

Tiberius sat on the bed, facing Luna as he looked at her questioningly. “Burnt?” He asked, raising his arm to look at his dark colored skin. Then realization hit him. “Oh, no no no. This is the natural color of my skin, I’m African-Anagonian. My ancestors come from a climate usually bathed in sunlight, so our skin adapted.”

“Ah,” Luna said, moving a few steps in as she closed the door behind her with a slight tap of her rear hoof. The gentle click of the hinge signaled a return to privacy. “Do you...recall what happened in Twilight Sparkles library?”

It took a moment for Tiberius to realize what she had meant. He didn’t know anyone by the name of “Twilight Sparkle”, but “library” brought back memories alright. He nodded his head in the affirmative. Luna pressed further.

“Dost thou remember our Lunar Guards that thou killed?”

The human noticed the instant change in her tone and wording. He felt slightly uncomfortable, if not for the fact that the intense feeling of guilt had reemerged full force. With a slight nod, he lowered his head. “I do,” he said, looking back up to her. “I assume you’re here to deliver punishment?”

“We are,” Luna said, her tone calming somewhat. “However, we have taken into consideration your understanding of the situation as well. While we can forgive you for thinking we are an enemy, we cannot forgive you so easily for acting on it. You are a warrior where you come from, correct?”

The question hit him hard. It wasn’t even in the form of a question, but a statement of fact. “Yes ma’am,” he responded, “Was might be a more appropriate term.”

“Why is that?” She took another step closer, voice raising again. “Did thou commit similar acts of aggression?!”

“No,” Tiberius responded flatly. He didn’t have anything else to add.

“Then why?” Then, with a stomp of her hoof she added, “Explain!”

“I acted on fear, ma’am.” Tiberius responded. “Something I’m trained not to do. You and your guard looked strikingly similar to the Nightmares. You especially,” he said, looking away from her. “You looked similar to the one that was about to kill me.”

“We- I-” Luna’s face cringed into a snarl, “We are NOT CHANGELINGS!” Her voice came out in a yell, the effect being light a small blast wave against Tiberius. His features didn’t change, just his posture. His shoulders slumped, head looking down in shame. “For whatever it is worth,” he said in a softer tone, “I am deeply sorry. There is no excuse for my actions.”

Luna snorted, glaring at Tiberius. “Dost thou know who we are?”

“No,” he replied, almost whisper.

“Thou art in the presence Princess of the Night!” Luna declared, boasting such with an appropriate posture as she straightened herself, wings spreading. “Thy crimes against our guard, against us and our friends is punishable by death!” She definitely strode closer, each hoof clicking against the floor with hard determination. Her snout mere inches away from Tiberius downtrodden head when she added, “What dost thou have to say to that?!”

If the new information added anything to the humans expression, Luna could not tell. “I understand,” he said, his voice full of submission. “I will accept the consequences of my actions. I have, however,” he continued as he looked up at Luna, “one request.”

“Very well,” Luna replied, “Speak.”

“Nurse Heart Cure told me the story about these changelings, and they seem awfully familiar to our Nightmares.” To Luna’s surprise, his posture straightened, and he looked at her with a resolved expression. “I understand if I must die for my crimes, and I shall shoulder that responsibility and I will not resist the punishment. All I ask is that you help my people.” His expression wavered, just for a brief moment. “Please.”

“Why dost thou believe we should help you?” She snorted, causing Tiberius to close his eyes momentarily. “If thou sees us as these Nightmares, as you say, what makes us believe that your people should not?”

Tiberius gazed downward for a moment, looking back up as he spoke. “I don’t know, but millions, if not billions by this time, have already perished by the Nightmares. They grow everyday. With every death, two more seem to sprout from nowhere. The Confederate Military is overwhelmed, struggling to even make a dent in the incursion. Though nothing helps, not our technology, not our weapons, no matter how many we kill more just come back. If you dealt with them, however, maybe you could help us. Look,” he continued, leaning to his side to stand as he walked past the bed. Luna’s head turned to follow him. “I’m not saying what I did was a good representation of my people. I accept that what I did was wrong, but I had no way of knowing it.”

“They can change forms, be one of us at any time. Thousands of soldiers have already died just because they didn’t have the strength to kill a comrade who suddenly turned on them. It’s madness, complete insanity where I’m from right now Princess.” He turned just slightly so his eyes could meet hers, “but from what I can see now, how you’ve helped heal me, how you’ve seemed to overlook the fact of what I did just for a moment, I can see you have compassion. That something the Nightmares don’t have. All they do is eat, consume and devour every living person or thing they can grab. You don’t seem to be doing that. Hell, your doctors have practically healed me of injuries.”

He then faced her fully, continuing. “I don’t care about myself right now, I never did. I watched several cities be overtaken by the Nightmares, watching because I could do nothing. Yeah, my weapons may do something to one or two, but it’s the numbers they have, the...the energy or magic they seem to possess that overtakes us eventually. I’ve watched and watched, and now I’m standing in a place where these things have obviously been defeated. If it means I got to die, then fine, I was already dead before I showed up here. I just want to know that before I get my punishment that you will at the very least consider tapping into the same compassion you used on me and try to help save my home..”

The determination in Tiberius’ eyes was clearly evident to Luna. Her gaze on him wavered slightly as her wings lowered, her previous grievances against the human forgotten for the moment. Her mind played out the descriptions he gave, she closing her eyes for a moment as she tried to imagine the same thing happening to Equestria. She had no reason to doubt Tiberius, though any evidence to the contrary was hardly present. For all she knew, he was simply trying to get out of the punishment. That would, of course, hold some sense had he been begging to save himself. Instead, as she let out a sigh, he had clearly stated he did not care for his life and would accept his consequences.

She opened her eyes again, gazing into his. His expression didn't changed. She knew this expression all too well. It was the same on the face of Twilight Sparkle when she had freed Luna from the curse of Nightmare Moon. It was the same resolve on the face of every guard who defended a life, even those who had previously given theirs away recently. This face was not of a creature who was lying. No, she concluded, it was not. He was either completely insane, or telling the truth. The former being somewhat possible, while the latter, if true as she supposed, would make this entire situation sit on a different level.

“My name is Luna,” the Princess said.

***

“My name is Luna,” the dark sapphire colored Princess said.

Tiberius was taken back. Her demeanor had changed suddenly, her wings now longer extended, retracting to her body. Her stance no longer seeming to be full of anger (at least as far as he could tell). She slowly approached Tiberius, continuing to gaze at him as she stopped just a few inches away. Her head came up almost in equal height to his, her eyes seeming to scan his features for something.

“I need to know more,” Luna said, her tone and manner of speaking much more forward now. “I need to look into your memories, to see if what you say is true. It is the only way I know of to confirm your words. Do you accept?”

He didn’t feel he had a choice. To Tiberius, it was either death with the knowledge that no help would come to Anagonia, or have his memories sorted through and hopefully some action to be taken. He gave a nod, “I accept.”

“I do this a little differently than my sister,” the Princess said. “While she performs this spell with the intent of preserving someponies sanity, I do not. The sun may brighten places visible to us, but the night always looks deeper. You will feel pain.”

Again, Tiberius nodded. He had just been through three instances of near-death experiences. If another was to come along, he believed he could handle it. At least, he hoped he could. He stood straighter, nodding to the Princess. “I understand. Let’s get this over with.”

“Straightforward,” Luna commented, “We admire that.”

Without another word, he felt the tip of her horn touch his forehead. He would have jerked at the feeling, had he the control to do so. Instead, the instant the horn touched, his body seized up and he shut his eyes tightly. He cringed at the sudden, almost excruciating pain coursing through his brain. It felt like someone was drilling straight through his forehead. He tried to scream, but found he couldn’t as what felt like a wave of intense electricity shocked him in a constant flux. His consciousness began to recede into the back of his mind, he feeling himself loose all sense of reality.

“Get that Melkos Damned transport out of here!” Tiberius cried over the sound of his S/A AdkM75 going full automatic. He was being pressed into a wall as the flood of Nightmares careened over the embankment, the platoon fore having been completely wiped out by the sudden blitz. He and his company were the last in the city, with only around thirty or so to either side of him and the remainder trying their damndest to get the civilians out of harms way. Though, at the rate of enemies flooding over, it looked like a hopeless effort.

Where he stood was just behind one of the main roads leading west. The first half of the city was already overtaken by the Nightmares just beyond the embankment, and now they threatened to finish the job as their numbers alone assisted in their push. Several squads of soldiers held their ground, only to be pounced on seconds later with deadly results. “Protect the fucking civilians!” Tiberius cried, quickly reloading a spent cartridge as he sprinted towards his left. He removed himself from the threat of the wall, turning a corner as he motioned his men to follow.

About ten or so Confederate Marines held up the rear as the soldiers were forced to retreat from their positions. Trailers lined the street they ran down on, each one suddenly having a Nightmare on top of it. Tiberius almost lost his footing as he turned back to help hold the line, he and his men forming a protective circle around the transport truck. Within it was five children and two adults, the only remaining survivors of this cities assault by Nightmares. It would be over Tiberius dead body when the Nightmares got to them.

Though that seemed very likely at this point.

“Hold the fucking line!” Tiberius shouted, “If you let one single fucking thing inside this circle, I’ll kill you myself!”

With a resounding shout of affirmative in response, the remaining twenty-two Marines and Special Forces kept firing on all angles. They were, thankfully, positioned in an intersection to where there was enough space between them and the trailers. Without even having to be asked, the transport started to move forward. The circle of soldiers followed, keeping close as the tide of Nightmares seemed to dwindle for a moment. A few popped up from behind trees and other obstructions, only to be quickly shot dead a moment later. Then, slowly, the Nightmares seemed to disappear. After a few minutes of not seeing any, Tiberius gave the order for double time.

Even if it was a trick, he wasn’t going to waste the opportunity. They were extremely close to the edge of the safe zone. The transport turning a corner as Tiberius caught a glimpse of the occupants inside. He gave a thumbs up to one of the children in, seeing him smile back and wave. Tiberius smile soon turned to horror as the man sitting in the rear of the transport erupted in a green flame. In the mans place was a Nightmare. “Fucking hell! Nightmare inside the transport!”

The soldiers were torn between what to do momentarily, no one having a perfect shot as the Nightmare quickly grabbed the child to the rear and sickeningly licked across his face. The child sobbed at the realization of what was happening, Tiberius acting quickly and taking the shot. The Nightmares head exploded violently, the child being knocked down to the rear. “Shit!” Tiberius exclaimed, then he pointed to a nearby soldier. “Corporal, get the fuck in there and secure that transport permanently!”

“Yes sir!”

Tiberius kept the pace with the truck, assisting the Corporal with mounting the transport from the rear. Once inside, the Corporal stood and stopped. He then turned and faced Tiberius, a look of pure horror on his face. “They’re all dead,” he whispered, being being violently dragged to the fore of the transport by two dark appendages were screams of agony suddenly began and, quite suddenly, ended. Before Tiberius could order the driver out, a Nightmare burst from the drivers side door as it slammed the upper half of the drivers body down on the ground.

“Fuck!” Tiberius shouted, looking to his men, then to the Nightmares. Slowly, all around them, the green eyes of the monsters appeared as they moved out from behind from their various hiding places. The truck came to a slow stop as three more Nightmares burst from the cabin and the bed of the transport. Tiberius felt a shoulder touch his, looking to see that the remainder of his men had formed a tight circle. They were surrounded, the civilians were dead, and now they had to fight to survive.

“Kill’em all!” Tiberius shouted, raising his weapon to a Nightmare and firing.

The various sounds of squeals and screeches filled his hearing as they continued their assault, dark insectoid bodies piling up around them as they made their last stand. The Nightmares, now numbering in the hundreds, continued to form a circle around them, trapping them on all sides. Still, they continued their assault, even to the point that the Nightmares were crawling over the bodies of their dead. Eventually, however, the soldiers had to replace their cartridges.

“I’m out!” Cried someone to Tiberius’ rear. “Here too!” said another.

The ground shook violently then as the sound of a cannon firing resounded all around them. Three more followed suit, followed by the sound of tanks treading closer. Tracer rounds flew past the soldiers as the Nightmares began to dwindle, tank shells impacting where the mass of Nightmares was greater. Tiberius looked behind him, seeing the origin of their momentary salvation. Three AY2-1G’s were quickly killing the distance between themselves and the soldiers. Following close behind them was a line of four Bradley Fighting Vehicles who began opening fire with their bushwhacker cannons. To top off the heavenly sight, two AH-1Z Viper gunships appeared from either side of the soldiers, firing precise bursts from their chainguns and clearing a path for Tiberius and men to their rear.

“Move!” Tiberius ordered, sprinting as fast as he could towards the line of tanks. His soldiers followed behind, the horde of Nightmares becoming increasingly overwhelming as they sprinted after Tiberius and his men. They didn’t look back, none of them did, simply keeping eyes forward as the weapons from the tanks and Bradley’s did a wonderful job of keeping a perimeter. The gunships rotors thudded overhead as they returned for another pass, shooting down missiles this time as they cleared another wave of Nightmares. The three AY2-1G’s formed an armored wall as the soldiers made it past them, heading for the Bradley’s as they opened their rear hatches.

Tiberius took one clear look back, watching the insane number of Nightmares rushing towards them. No amount of firepower Anagonia had at its disposal could stop this. He clenched his teeth, pushing the loss of the civilians and more of his men at the back of his mind as he entered a Bradley. Tomorrow was another day. At least they had the gift of fighting it.

The memory of the Battle of Devil Flats flooded Tiberius mind. Then, it moved on to more battles. The Battle of Saratoga, the Battle of Arkansis, the Battle of Lake Richard. Memories of Operations Liberating Strike and Last Call flew past his thoughts as well, with it all finally settling on the last moments he remembered in Anagonia. The face of the larger Nightmare clearly in his vision. “Why?!” he heard himself asking. The resulting explanation seemed to replayed over and over in his head. Then, as the vision of the Nightmare faded to white a fifth time, he felt a violent jolt overtake his body as he collapsed on the floor of the hospital room.

Tiberius groaned, holding his head. His entire body felt sore. His mind felt worse. He opened his eyes, only to be met with an insane feeling of dizziness. He coughed up what he could only assume to be bile as he rolled on his side, puking up his insides. The dizziness eventually subsided, leaving Tiberius to gaze down in the puddle of bile on the floor. He breathed heavily for a few moments, holding his upper body up with his hands. The shadow of Luna appearing over him causing him to look up.

“We shall set your punishment aside for the moment,” Luna said. Tiberius watched as the Princess turned around, heading for the door. She left without another word being said, the door closing with a softer click than last time. Tiberius closed his eyes, taking in deep breathes as he slowly crawled over to the wall, his will to stand not present for the moment. Slowly, he laid his back against it, bringing his arms over his knees and placing his forehead against his arm as he closed his eyes.

He softly wept, the refreshed memories still haunting his vision.

Chapter Tres - Noctis Salus

Chapter Tres

Noctis Salus

“Night’s Salvation”

For two days thereafter, Luna locked herself in her chambers, not wishing to burden any other pony with the dark secrets that she had uncovered. The events with Tiberius had shaken her to her very core; her mind still very fresh with the grotesque visions of war and death. It was a foreign concept, even to her. Celestia had tried very hard to bring Luna from her seclusion, but to no avail. The Princess of the Night adamantly refused each request, even unto her most loyal of servants. The entire castle had only been alerted to the miniscule amount of information granted to them by the Solar Diarch; the rest the eldest sister had left to the servants’ imaginations to compensate.

Sadly, no amount of positive thoughts being turned up in said servants parallel with reality. Not even the wildest story from the darkest imagination came close to the grim reality that the indigo alicorn faced. While most (having trusted in Celestia’s wisdom in the matter) believed the Princess to be gaining a well-deserved rest, Luna had yet to attain any of the sort. Her eyes were bloodshot from shedding tears of sorrow over the entirety of her seclusion. At times, she had wailed in depression, her shouts of anguish echoing throughout the ancient halls. No pony but Celestia herself would hear of these cries, having to force herself not to come to her sister’s aid.

So it was on the third day of Luna’s depressed state that Celestia did call upon the one pony she had been nearest to when the event occurred. Twilight Sparkle had quickly answered the summons, having little time to alert anypony else after reading the letter sent to her, and handing Spike over to the care of Rarity for a few days (to the young dragons surprise and relief). The lavender unicorn now stood in front of the tall, ominous doors to the personal chambers of the Princess of the Night. Once already had she knocked, the only response being a few quiet sniffles from inside. She dared to knock again, her forehoof gently tapping against the ancient oak frame.

“Did thou not understand?! We firmly stated we wished ourselves to be left alone!”

The shout from the interior of the chamber had easily reached Twilights ears. She felt herself take a step back, head lowering as her ears splayed back. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she gathered her courage. With her head raising and her expression filled with a new resolve, she dared to speak.

“Princess Luna!” Twilight shouted, “It’s me, Twilight Sparkle! I don’t know what you’re facing right now, but I refuse to let a friend in need suffer alone! Please, Luna, I beg of you, please let me help.”

For a moment, things were quiet. Twilight started to doubt herself, believing she had been too forceful. As she was just about to turn around, she heard soft hoofsteps inside the chamber. They became louder, then ended with a soft click as the chamber door slid open a few inches. Not seeing any further movement from the door, Twilight peeked in, seeing nothing but darkness. She absentmindedly gulped, using her magic to open the door further and started inside. “Luna?” She called, a much softer voice than before, comparable to Fluttershy’s. “Luna are you here?”

“Yes, Twilight, we are here.”

Luna’s voice was almost a whisper, barely audible. Twilight heard a sniffle to her left, turning her head as she beheld two glowing eyes gazing at her from the dark. The Element of Magic had to use all her courage not to let out a shriek, placing a hoof to her mouth to stop the instinctive reaction from fully taking place. “L-Luna?” Twilight took a few steps closer to the sets of eyes, Twilights own finally adjusting to the dim moonlight entering the chamber. She could barely make out the Princesses form, curled up upon her bed. “Luna what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Luna lied, her head looking down. Twilight could see a small beam of light falling down upon the lunar princesses cheek, illuminating a small, sparkling tear. “It doesn’t look like nothing to me,” Twilight said, further approaching the bed until she stood beside it, gazing up at Luna. “It seems like, if anything, you’re very, very sad.”

A soft muffle of a sob barely escaped Luna’s lips. “Mayhaps we are.”

The lavender unicorn’s heart almost melted. Moisture had formed at the corner of her eyes, her mind reeling from having to see one of the proudest ponies she knew in this state. Questions filled her mind, her emotions swirling. What had made the Princess so sad that she would lock herself away? Why had no pony come to her aid? Why had Celestia called her?! She quickly calmed her out of control thoughts, knowing that there would be time for answers later. Right now, somepony needed her, and currently she was the only pony able to help.

“Please tell me why,” Twilight said, her voice wavering just slightly.

Luna’s head slowly turned towards Twilight, eyes opening as the unicorn could see the condition of her face. It was, for the lack of a better word, in a horrible state. Her eyes were bloodshot from what Twilight could only assume to be an excessive amount of crying. Her lip, quite visibly, was trembling. “It is not a thing thou should be able to comprehend,” Luna said in her hushed, sad voice. “Thy life, thy conditions do not merit us to explain and ruin thy state of mind.”

“I don’t understand,” Twilight said, raising herself up so her forehooves rested on the side of the bed. “What could you have possibly experienced that would...ruin my state of mind?”

“So much suffering,” Luna said, eyes growing distant. Twilight could see tears starting to stream down her face. “Thy mind could not possibly comprehend it, Twilight Sparkle. We have seen things. Things that nopony should ever witness.”

Twilight did the only thing she knew she could do. In one, quick movement she hopped herself onto the bed and quickly embraced the Princess of the Night in a hug. Luna then broke down completely, her sobs returning as she cried heavily upon Twilights shoulder. Soft words of encouragement flowed from the lavender unicorn as she held her friend in her moment of distress.

***

Tiberius sat at the edge of his bed. It had not been a good stay in the castle for him. He had been cast under heavy suspicion under charges he had yet to comprehend. Guards were stationed outside his door and no one, if ever, entered. The last person (or pony, rather) he had seen had been one of the pony guards, forcefully escorting him to these new accommodations and informing him he was under house arrest. The same guard would enter with a plate of food at appropriate intervals during the day, never staying long enough to talk, but always making sure the plate was placed nicely on his table. Never once did the guard make eye contact with Tiberius.

It unnerved him, this lack of contact. His experience during prior military operations told him that something was being planned for him. By the feeling in his gut, it would not be to his liking. He couldn’t blame these pony creatures, though. He had appeared in their world, made first contact with an entirely new species and what was the first thing that he did? He killed two of their guard. From what he had been told, it was two of the royal guard. In his mind, he saw himself imagining a guillotine being positioned and some dark figure plotting a perfect time for his execution. It’s better than the alternative, he thought absently.

Tiberius blinked, head raising. Did he really just think that? Though, as his head starter to lower again, he supposed that was a correct train of thought. Slowly, he closed his eyes, letting out a deep sigh. The alternative would have been far, far worse. At least this way, it would be painless. He would be led to the guillotine and with one pull of a lever, all his worries and pains would die away with him. It would be a quick death, one without the agonising pain of being eaten alive or seeing your son-

His breath caught, a lump forming in his throat. “Oh Melkos,” Tiberius said with a quiver of his lip, “Don’t let me suffer.” He brought a hand to his face, feeling his emotions besting his subdued demeanor. Moisture formed, slipping between his eyelids and coalescing into a tear. As the weight of the droplet increased, he felt it slide down his face, in between his fingers. Another joined the first, then another, until a steady stream of tears slid down his face. He couldn’t resist sobbing.

His mind, now free from his conscious restraint, unleashed hell as memories pressed forward.

It was a bright sunny day. He could hear the laughter of a child to his side. Looking to his left, he smiled widely as he beheld his flesh and blood. “Go long!” Tiberius called out, the ecstatic cries of Samsus Jr. acknowledging the fathers request. He watched, amused, as the boy ran towards the edge of the front lawn, stopping as he raised his hands up in the air.

“Ready dad!”

“Alright, here we go!” Tiberius said, bringing his throwing arm back with the football in a proper grip. He briefly closed his eyes, preparing to throw. Quickly he opened them, seeing instead of his son the dark insectoid form of a Nightmare. It’s eyes were bright, just like his sons.

“Come on dad,” the Nightmare spoke in a perfect copy of Samsus Jr.’s voice, “Throw it already!”

“No,” Tiberius whispered softly, the football dropping from his hand. He felt his body start to tremble. “No!”

“What’s wrong?” the Nightmare asked, tilting its head as it trotted closer. “Dad are you okay?”

“Why?” he asked, falling to his knees, his body feeling numb. The Nightmares ebony face was right in front of his, the wide eyes staring into his own. “Why what, dad?” the Nightmare asked, a twisted grin on its face.

“Why did you take them from me?”

The Nightmare bared its fangs, the grin still present. Its voice a low, demonic sounding thing. “Because I was hungry.”

The scream of rage emitting from Tiberius lungs was enough to bring one of the guards ponies from outside to open his door. What they saw brought fear to their faces. The human was in the process of lifting his bed, tossing it to the side as he quickly went to the next piece of furniture within reach. He grabbed hold of the nightstand, lifting it and turning around to throw it directly at the partially open door. The guard, having more sense to preserve his life, quickly closed it as the stand crashed into it; splintering pieces of wood flying everywhere from the nightstand.

“Why can’t you understand!” Tiberius yelled to the closed door. “They’re killing everyone!”

His mind took hold of him once more, bringing another repressed memory to life. His body, under the control of his rising rage, continued its instinctive carnage in the room.

The smell of putrid flesh stung against Tiberius nostrils as he continued forward into the small village. Bodies lay strewn over the streets and sidewalks, seeming to indicate the inhabitants had been slaughtered as they ran for their lives. The only thing lacking to the scene was the Nightmares themselves. If experience told true, they were hiding amongst the bodies. He ordered his men to stay sharp, pointing to his eyes then making a circle. The squad that followed behind gave a confirming nod.

He held his AdkM75 in ready, finger resting on the trigger guard. His head scanned his surroundings as they made a left to turn another body-filled street. He quickly ordered his squad to halt, crouching to one knee as he tried to decide where they would search next. He felt a tap on his shoulder, glancing behind to see two large, green, demon like eyes staring at him. “Shit!” he shouted, both in fear and surprise. Instinct quickly took over, the Nightmare pouncing on him and pinning him by the chest as he discarded his rifle and grabbed his combat knife. He felt the pain of flesh being ripped from bone on his left shoulder as the Nightmare began to feast.

Not having time to react any other way, his arm arched upward and down impaling the blade of the combat knife in the head of the Nightmare. It stopped its attack on his shoulder, eyes rolling to the back of its head as it doubled over. Spasms followed, then a short gasp as greenish blood gurgled from its open mouth. He felt hands grab his, helping him to his feet. When he looked to the origin of his assistance, his squad-mate erupted into a greenish flame as a Nightmare took its place.

“We took your family,” the Nightmare said with a demonic laugh, “and now we’re taking you!”

“Noo!”

Tiberius fell to his knees, the images of dead bodies, people who had lives, filling his minds eye. The same image of the Nightmare who took his wife and child was still fresh, continuing to haunt him in his deepest thoughts. The loss of his family had taken place five years ago, when the Nightmare invasion had began. The traumatic event had never truly left him, reminding him of an enemy whom seemed impossible to defeat. He started to sob uncontrollably, his vision blurred by the amount of tears falling. He lurched forward, his head resting against the floor as his arms sagged against the ground.

So much death. All he ever did was watch it, never truly being able to stop it. Why had that princess reminded him of all this? He had it under control, promising himself that the time to grieve would be after the Nightmares had been defeated. Instead, he had been transported by some twist of fate to a world that seemed untouched by his nations horrors. Taken at a moment he wished had progressed to its end. Life had been granted to him once more, yet it seemed to come at a horrible cost. The cost of having every mental barrier placed shattered just because some damn pony wanted to know his innocence.

He would have much rather died.

He lifted himself up from his shameful posture, rubbing his hands across his face as he looked towards the ceiling. His eyes grew distant, as if looking for something that the physical could not represent in form. He closed his eyes after a moment of searching, his breathing slowing as his uncontrollable sobs diminished to nothing. “Melkos,” Tiberius began in prayer, “I know not why you would do this to me, but I ask that you grant me th-”

“Tiberius?”

His eyes opened, almost believing for a moment it was his god who answered. Instead, as he turned his head towards the door, he saw the dark blue princess pony from before. What was her name, Luna? Yes, that was it. She was the one who unlocked all these horrors on his mind. To his surprise, however, anger did not rise at the sight of her. Instead, he felt something else. Indifference. He stared at her, his expression showing nothing of his previous internal struggle. Luna seemed to look uneasy at the awkward silence that followed, until the princess dared to move further in. She seemed to be observing the destruction of the room. Her eyes then fell upon the human.

“I’m sorry,” she said, breaking the silence.

Tiberius looked away, head facing down. He did not reply.

He heard the door close behind her, the silent trapping of her hooves on the stone floor as she approached closer. “I saw everything,” she continued. “I saw the death, the destruction, the bodies. I invaded your mind and-” her voice seemed awfully close now “-for my lack of respect, I have been forced into a reality that I could not possibly comprehend.”

“Everything?” Tiberius asked, his head still not moving.

“Yes, everything.” Luna confirmed. Tiberius heard the sounds of her hooves stop just behind him. He felt her breath pass over the hairs on his neck. “You had a son, did you not?”

If he had been in any other state of mind, Tiberius would have punched her where she stood. Like he was then, he felt no need to, his mood continuing to darken. “Yes. A wife too. They’re dead now.”

He felt her rest her head on his shoulder, pressing against the side of his cheek. “I beg your forgiveness.”

The sensation of her coat touching his skin was something Tiberius could not describe. It was like through that touch, he could feel her sadness as well. It made his mind stop, his eyes widen in some odd, unknown form of comprehension. Then, as quickly as the touch took away his darkness, it returned, harder than before. She may know, but as she admitted she could never comprehend it. Tiberius didn’t know if he felt thankful or offended by that. He let out a sigh as he closed his eyes, subconsciously bringing up his right hand to stroke across her snout. He was already in hell, yet despite what she had done to him it would do no good to allow her to experience it.

“I forgive you,” he said softly. “I understand why you needed to do it.”

“You do?” she replied, her voice almost a soft purr. He didn’t take note of it though, continuing his soft strokes across her muzzle. “Yes,” he replied, “I do understand. I entered your world by whatever means, killed your people without right, and yet the worst thing you did to me was make me remember. It is the least of the punishments I had in mind.”

“Mmm,” came to the reply. He felt something press against his back as Luna sat down close to him, feeling her head rub up against his head gently. “So much pain, so much suffering. I know of it, I’ve experienced it. Do not let it take you hostage.”

Tiberius ceased his petting, lowering his hand as he leaned to the side so he could glimpse her. “Why are you being so nice to me, after what I’ve done?” It was an honest question. After murdering two citizens, two royal guards, one would expect harsher treatment. Instead, the supposed instrument of his fate was lying next to him, showing affection that would be more reserved for closer, more intimate individuals. He did not truthfully know whether it made him feel uneasy, but he did feel slightly on edge by it. “Is this because you’re going to kill me?”

Luna’s eyes widened in shock. “Kill you?!” Her eyes narrowed at him, “To what purpose? Doest thou believe we are cruel and unkind?” She leaned her head closer to Tiberius, closing the distance he had gained before. He was very aware in her change of language. “Nay, thou hast been seen as innocent. We...I have sat in council with my sister. After I shared my experiences with your memories, we both decided you had been through enough.”

He was silent for a moment, gazing away from her. “What did the memories do to you?”

“I shed tears for two days, Tiberius. My mind had been completely shattered.” Her muzzle came dangerously close to his face, he gazing back to see into her wide, cyan eyes. “The experience also made me painfully away of another feeling you endure.”

“And that is?” Tiberius asked, not wavering in his gaze.

“That you are alone,” she said. “Mayhaps it is from the memories I now have, but I feel it very deeply when I think of you. I cannot stand it.”

“You barely know me,” he said, feeling a jolt of surprise as her forehoof pressed against his chest. “I don’t understand. I’m from a different world, I’m supposed to be dead, my memories don’t make a diff-”

“Silence,” Luna ordered, her voice raising for just that word. She pressed her forehoof to the point that Tiberius was forced onto his back. “Your mind, everything you’ve experiences, has infested mine. I know you, Tiberius, more perhaps than you do. When I suffered my tears, you did not go from my thoughts. I’m plagued with trying to find an answer.”

All of a sudden, every bit of a sadness drained from his body. In its place was a damn impossible amount of awkwardness and severe uneasiness. Was this...creature, this horse coming on to him or something? Sirens felt like they were sounding in his head, urging him to escape now. Instead, he couldn’t move, too shocked as he tried to comprehend why this was happening in the first place. He watched as the princess lowered her head to his, then tilted further, her horn pressing to the top of his head. He shut his eyes tight, fearing the worse as a tingling sensation sparked on his forehead.

“Now,” Luna said softly, “I know how to make things right.”

A thousand years of isolation and imprisonment flashed before his eyes. His mind was entirely incapable of comprehending the scope of emotions flowing through his thoughts. He felt himself cringe and try to resist, but the pressure to make him experience it was too much. Whatever barrier he had in place to refuse the knowledge collapsed, the thoughts and memories of a foreign mind entering his as he lived in those long, long years of loneliness.

Then, when he truly believed he could take no more, something impossible happened. The emotions changed within such a short period of time. He witnessed, through the eyes of Luna, her first glimpse at reality again as she embraced her sister. The feeling of loneliness suffered its final demise, being washed away like the current of an unstoppable river.

“Do you feel it?” He heard Luna’s voice ask him. “Do you see what can happen? At the end of every dark valley, there is always the brightest sunrise. I experienced this on that day. Now, as I have taken from you your collection of sufferings, I give you my greatest joy.”

It was as if Tiberius floated in the feeling of warmth and affection. The events turned towards his own memories as the faces of all his loved ones, all the comrades he knew and everyone he had seen before the devastation looked at him as if nothing had happened. They smiled a smile to him, as if saying it was alright, that he could let go. He felt himself thinking that he had tried his best, that it would do little use to hold onto these memories, that it would shame the sacrifices they made.

Then, another face appeared. This one had its own energy emanating from it. He could feel, through the link of emotion, how Luna tried to shy away from it. The face was that of a skull of a man hidden by a dark, abyssal cloak. Red eyes were staring at Tiberius through the empty eye sockets, glimpsing so far into his mind that it felt like everything he was had been laid bare.

“Your fight is far from over,” a deep, croaking voice stated. “Take thine spirit up and cease thy tears. I have use for you yet.”

The red eyes started to glow brightly.

Tiberius felt a sickening pop in his ears as his eyes opened, instantly holding his head at the massive headache coming on. He saw Luna jump to all hooves, a cringing expression on her face as she stumbled back and fell to her side. Tiberius tried to reach for her to catch her, but as he attempted to stand he toppled over as well. One word left his lips before he passed out.

“Melkos.”

Chapter Quattuor - Fortuna Ostendit

Chapter Quattuor

Fortuna Ostendit

“Fate is Shown”

Tiberius’ eyes slowly opened, closing quickly as an intense light blinded him. He raised his hand to his face, blocking the source of the light as his senses returned to him. He realized he was still on the ground then, rolling to his side with a groan as he placed his hand against the....grass? He froze for a moment, his mind trying to remember previous events and where grass had come into the equation. When no collaboration of memory and touch came forth, he began to feel uneasy. His eyes opened a second time as he went to one knee, raising his head to look around him. He took in a sharp breath in surprise.

He was crouching in a seemingly never-ending expanse of tall grass. The skies above were a brilliant shade of blue; not a cloud to be seen as far as he could view. He quickly noted the complete absence of a sun despite the apparent fullness of daytime around him. Slowly, he came to his feet, eyes too fixed on his surroundings as he absentmindedly brushed his hands across his-

“What the...”

Slowly Tiberius looked down at his body, noting that his hand had stopped on the holster to his Mark 23. His face scrunched into confusion, eyes still wide despite the furrowing of his brows. He was in complete camouflage battle dress uniform, from his standard utility vest to the kevlar armor. He quickly felt to his back, noting the presence of his combat pack and his AdkM75. He followed the trail of the assault rifles shoulder strap as his fingers touched the corners of his combat helmet.

“What is going on here?” He said loudly, despite the lack of anyone present to hear him. He turned a complete circle, continuing the observe the endless expanse of grasslands around him. He vividly remembered not being in this place only a few moments earlier. He had been in a room, with the princess pony, as she had attempted to....

“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” whispered Tiberius as he brought his hands before him, turning them to observe the gloves. “Did Luna do this?”

“No,” replied a deep, rumbling voice.

The appearance of this voice, seemingly from nowhere, startled Tiberius. He quickly readied his pistol, taking the safety off as he quickly crouched and brought the sight of the weapon to his vision. He turned around, slowly, his eyes scanning. “Identify yourself!” Tiberius ordered, feeling his breathing quicken as he continued to see no source for the voice. “As you wish,” the voice replied, a sudden burst to his left sending him off balance. He hit the ground on his side, the grip on his weapon lost as he placed both of his hands on the ground behind him. He looked towards the source of the concussion, eyes nearly jutting from his sockets as he took in a sharp breath.

“Fear is not required Tiberius,” stated the entity before him. Its form was completely made up of strands of dark energy, coalescing around a human-like figure. Two very bright, very red orbs of light glared down at Tiberius from where its head should be. “Arise,” it commanded, “Do not insult me with fear and weakness.”

He gulped, the lump in his throat taking its time to descend downward. Slowly nodding, his own eyes fixed on the two red orbs on the entities head, he began to stand. As he did so, the darkness around the entity began to slowly dissipate; revealing beneath it a skeletal frame of a man, with the red orbs clearly originating from the skulls eye sockets. Tiberius felt himself shiver involuntarily as the dark strands of energy reappeared, covering the body of the skeleton like a cloak, leaving the hood to have the skull remain clearly in view. When it spoke again, to Tiberius’ continued disbelief, the jaw did not move.

“Fate has destined you to be here,” the entity stated. “It was not by my choice, nor the others who sit beside me. Rather, by the chance of a very curious magician. Had this not happened, all hope for my people would be lost.”

“I-I don’t...I don’t understand?”

“You dare take me for a fool?!” The entity shot forward, gliding across the surface of the grass without touching it. Its hand stretched out, Tiberius feeling boned fingers latching onto his face. His nose and mouth were covered by the skeletal hand, leaving his eyes to shakingly stare into the entities own. “I have seen your very thoughts, Tiberius Samsus, son of Gritus Samsus!”

Realization slowly dawned on Tiberius, he trying to mouth the words. The entity continued, ignoring his efforts. “Since you’ve arrived in this untainted realm, I have heard your calls to me, I have listened intently to your suffering. Yet now, when I grant you an audience with me despite your obvious flaws, you stand before me in ignorance!”

Tiberius was raised above the ground, his feet dangling as he struggled for leverage. Then, in one quick movement, he was tossed to the side on the ground. With a great Omf he rolled twice upon the surface, coming to a stop on his face. His body was visibly shaking now, the power emanating around him coursing through his veins. It felt like a burning flame inside him, never-ending as it consumed deeper into his soul. He forced himself to breathe, quickly raising himself to his feet again to turn around and face his god.

“I beg...” He started, taking in a gasping breath. “I beg forgiveness, Melkos Unchanos.”

Luna felt herself vomit as she awoke. She heaved up her stomach contents, coughing and gagging as she fell on her side from trying to stand on all fours. She felt weak, extremely weak. Her eyes started to flutter open, despite her lack of strength; her breathing coming in harsh gasps. From the position she lay in, her one eye gazing upward could clearly make out the clearness of the sky. No moon nor sun seemed to be present. She closed her eyes slowly, taking in a deep breath as she felt the spell of dizziness disappear. With a determined expression, she rolled onto her stomach and firmly placed her hooves on the ground. She slowly rose to all fours.

Her body swayed to and fro on her hooves, her mind unsure of its footing for the moment. Her head lowered in deep concentration as she willed magic unto herself. Her horn glowed softly as she checked her body for injuries. Finding none, she concentrated on her surroundings, opening her eyes as a white glow emanated from them. An open expanse of grasslands greeted her, her magic reaching beyond the horizon to feel for anything familiar. To her dismay, everything felt foreign to her magic. This place reeked of a dark energy, one she could not recognize. She took another deep breath as her mind gathered its sense of balance, her swaying ceasing as she raised her head.

“Surely not the work of discord,” she mumbled as she wiped a hoof across her muzzle. She could sense his workings anywhere, and this place had a complete lack of it. Despite the darkness and its inherent signature, it had not felt chaotic or disorderly in the way of Discords magic. Instead it felt...it felt peaceful. There was something else too.

Her eyes widened as another pulse of her magic returned to her. “Tiberius!” She nearly shouted. The discovery of something familiar in a completely foreign landscape quelled the start of her rising fear. If he was here, then perhaps this place belonged to him. She recalled the events prior, believing that somehow she may have enacted a dream walking spell. Though, as she probed the environment around her deeper with her mind, it lacked the telltale signature of a dream. This disturbed her slightly.

“Perhaps finding Tiberius shall reveal the answers I seek,” she told herself. With a nod of determination, she maintained her soft touch of magic as she began to trot, then gallop towards where his signature was last placed. The closer she got to where he was, however, the more ominous the surroundings became.

Luna galloped faster, fearing the worst.

There had been a tense silence between the creator and creation. The god of Tiberius’ ancestors had stood unmoving, continuing its glare towards him. Tiberius stood firm, standing true as the feeling of fear washed away from him. If this was a test, he would be damned should he fail it. Finally, Melkos slowly nodded towards Tiberius, beckoning the man closer with a wave of his hand. Tiberius did not hesitate, approaching the god before him as an unyielding anger rose from his heart as he clenched his hand into a fist.

“We have little ti-”

The sound of Tiberius’ fist impacting the side of Melkos’ jaw echoed with a loud CRACK. “Damn you!” Tiberius shouted, standing before Melkos with an expression of rage. “You were supposed to protect us! We had faith in you, even my son! Yet in our darkest hour, when we needed you the most, you disappeared!” He rose his fist up again, thrusting his arm forward to deliver another punch. It was quickly grasped by a firm had from Melkos, the god merely tilting his head slightly as he continued his unwavering gaze.

Tiberius rose his other hand, clenching it as he tried to punch again. Melkos’ other hand met his, holding it fast with a firm grasp. Tiberius shouted in fury, pushing against the god with all his strength. “My family is dead because of you!” he screamed, “Anagonia is doomed because you didn’t help!” Somehow, he managed to free his left fist, drawing it back quickly to deliver another punch to the skull. Another CRACK echoed, Melkos’ head being forced to the side as his jaw dislocated, one side of it dangling as the other held fast.

Tiberius right fist was released from its hold, he watching as Melkos’ slowly turned his gaze back to Tiberius. The brightness of the gods red eyes had dimmed significantly, his head lowering as he took a step back. The dark energy seemed to slowly degrade from around his form, his feet touching the ground. Tiberius did not hesitate in delivering another blow, then another, shouting in anger with each punch. The god became significantly less so with each impact, groaning in pain as his body jolted with each hit.

Tiberius continued his assault, watching through the red tint of his vision as each hit broke a bone or dislocated another. His strength intensified as the dark mist that once swirled and protected Melkos completely dissipated, leaving only the form of a walking skeleton as a target. He felt a searing pain in his fists as broken edges of bone sliced into them, Tiberius ignoring it as he delivered another punch, then another. He heard a satisfying cry of pain as he successfully broke Melkos’ right arm completely off, the skeletal appendage falling to the ground with a loud thump. Finally, as his rage climaxed to heights even he never experienced, he delivered a swift kick to Melkos’ torso and sent the skeleton flying a few feet forward.

The air around him became still as he watched the body fall to the ground. A eerie silence followed, Tiberius only registering his heavy breathing as he stood in place. He clenched his fists tighter, blood oozing from between the fingers where bone had sliced into his skin. He shut his eyes tight as a stinging sensation began around his eyes. He lowered his head, his body shaking from the flow of adrenaline in his body, watching as droplets of tears fell to the grass below.

“I believed in you,” Tiberius said in a quaking voice. “I read every story of your intervention. I dutifully paid homage in the Drekamthian Temples. I stayed fast to your teachings. All this to only witness the death of my country you swore to protect!”

He felt his anger rise again, stomping forward as each breath was drawn in a hiss through clenched teeth. “Why!” he shouted, coming closer to the toppled god laying helplessly on the grass, “Tell me wh-”

He stopped suddenly, looking down at pieces of the skeleton strewn across a small area. He slowly knelt to one knee, reaching to pick up the skull that had before frightened him with its gaze. With shattered breaths, he examined the eye sockets, seeing nothing but emptiness. His head lowered as tears began to stream down his face, clenching the skull until it broke into a fine dust in his palm. “Why,” he asked as he began to sob, “Why....”

He felt a pressure on his shoulder, opening his eyes to see a hand upon it. It was a human hand, yet the skin seemed to be engulfed in some kind of dark flame. A tingling sensation emanated from the area around the hand, Tiberius gaze follow the arm briefly until it met the beginning of a cloak, matching the same colorations as the flame upon the skin. Slowly, his eyes moved upward, his head following until stopping as he gazed into the dark abyss of a hood. He could clearly make out two eyes illuminated by the red hue of their pupils, both trained on him.

“There comes a time when even a god is helpless, Tiberius.” Melkos said, speaking in a softer voice than before. “I have watched your suffering, I have seen the death, but I am helpless. My powers wane with each passing day, consumed through flesh like your own by these creatures of Nightmares.” With a soft pat to Tiberius shoulder, he bid him to rise with a motion of his hand.

Tiberius stood, albeit slowly, as the eyes inside the dark interior of the hood followed his own. He saw them blink slowly as they gazed away briefly somewhere behind him. “I have little time,” Melkos said looking back to Tiberius. “I have nearly diminished all my strength drawing you here. I require you to pay heed to my next words, for they may very well be my last.”

Tiberius nodded, not saying a word as he listened.

“The Queen of these creatures came to our world not by own bidding,” Melkos began,“but by the action of the creatures of this world. In defense of their realm, they involuntarily caused the Nightmare presence in my realm. I watched them with interest, not knowing where they came from at first. They had started to infiltrate your people, slowly at first. Taking the form of loved ones and, in the beginning of their presence, encompassing those taken in cocoons. They feasted off the love around them, and I upon discovering this started to plan.

“I came in the form of dreams and visions, warning those nearest to the threat in what ways I could. Sadly, none listened, and the Nightmares continued their silent conquest. I then called upon a champion to face them, giving unto him my power and my blessing. I shown him the way to their Queen, only to watch in horror as she consumed the life out of him. In doing so, and by my actions, I allowed the Queen to discover my energy. Through the death of my champion, she had found a new source of energy, and she began to attain it through the deaths of millions.
“I watched, helpless, as my energy was drained through each life taken. Their very souls were no longer mine. By this violation of the natural order, I no longer regained my power through their passing. I knew then that should I come to your defense, I, too, would be drained. If that had occurred, there would surely be no hope for your peoples future.”

“I don’t understand,” Tiberius said softly, shaking his head. “If they consume us for your power, then shouldn’t you be able to take it back?”

Melkos shook his head slowly. “I tried doing such, but to no success. The power was lost to me. Instead, it went straight to their Queen, fueling her hunger further.”

A look of defeat appeared on Tiberius’ face, “Then what hope do we have?”

“Who- what are you?”

Both Melkos and Tiberius turned their heads, looking straight into the perplexed eyes of Luna.

***

“Who- what are you?

She knew something was off about this place. The entire area was soaked in the energy of the dark figure before her. The Princess of the Night was out of her element in this place, understanding now why she had such an adverse reaction upon waking up. It would have been something completely different had this place been linked to her world. She would have naturally fed off the magic, allowing her to instantly know where she was and why she had been placed there. Here, however, she had struggled to even find something, anything, familiar.

“Tiberius?” Luna said, looking to the human with questioning eyes. He remained silent, looking to the being then back to Luna before he stepped to the side. She gave him a confusion expression, turning her attention to the being as it approached her. Her horn flared with magic as she stanced defensively. “Stay back!” she commanded, “I know not where I am, but I am fully capable of defending myself!”

The being stopped, Luna swearing she saw a smile underneath the hood as the red eyes flared brighter for an instant. “Of course,” the entity said, its voice emanating in a deep and ancient tone. “You are the patron goddess of your realm. I knew I felt another presence being drawn here.”

“Who are you?!” Luna demanded, remaining in her posture. “Why am I here?!”

“I am Melkos Unchanos,” the being said, unmoving. “You were brought here by mistake. I only intended for Tiberius to come. If I may, I would like to continue with him. I promise I shall return you once we are finished.”

“Why can you not return me now?” Luna asked, her horn glowing dimmer as she slowly stood from her stance.

“For the reason that should I do so, I would deplete the remainder of my energy. I ask your understanding in this. Though-” he looked from Tiberius then back to Luna “-I sense within you memories of Tiberius.”

“Y-yes,” Luna stuttered, unsure whether to feel insulted or threatened at the violation to her magical aura. “I used a spell on him, to see if he told the truth. I-...I found more than I wished for.”

Melkos slowly nodded, turning away from Luna and looked towards Tiberius. “Time is short, Tiberius. I cannot explain further, but know that there is hope. The tome that brought you to the realm of this goddess is known to me, its powers imbued with my own. The author of this tome had a very deep understanding of the ancient ways. Within it, you will find several methods of not only returning to your realm, but stopping the Nightmares.”

“That’s impossible!” Luna said quickly, “The tome was written in Equestria! It is endowed with solar energy!”

Melkos eyes shifted briefly towards Luna, a silent growl emanating from beneath the hood. Luna took a step back, lowering her horn slightly as she felt an overwhelming urge to run. She resisting, standing firm. Despite her objections, Tiberius remained silent, only briefly acknowledging Luna through a swift glance her way. “Tell me what I need to know,” he asked Melkos.

“My creators hands wrote the pages of this tome, Tiberius. The power of this book was so great, he spirited it away to another realm, fearing it had the potential to undo all of his workings. I only noticed its presence when it was activated recently, and thus I knew a way to save Anagonia.” Melkos came closer to Tiberius, placing a hand to his shoulder again. “The book itself is a way to both undo and redo the creators workings. It is also a portal to reach out to him. You must find this tome again, Tiberius, and find a way to bring the creator back to us. Through him, I hope, all that has been taken from your world shall be restored.”

Luna was unsure of what she was hearing. The tome, Ultra Universitas, had been known for many centuries prior to the reign of the solar and lunar dynasty. Star Swirl the Bearded even made mention of its existence in a few of his writings, but nothing so notable as to be published in modern times. The only other book known to have been created directly as a result of Ultra Universitas had been the one Twilight Sparkle had used to decode it. Then she remembered something, something critical that Twilight Sparkle had mentioned.

“Melkos,” Luna said, the head of the entity looking towards her. “The author of the tome is a pony by the name of Quadrivium. Tell me, what does this mean if what you said is true? What does the name mean?”

“It means Crossroads,” Melkos replied. “The tome is titled ‘The Whole of the Universe’ in homage to the creator and his works. It was intended for my people, though I am not surprised he chose to send it here in the hands- or hooves -of those incapable of deciphering it.”

“I see,” Luna said, tapping a hoof to her chin. “Your quest interests me, Melkos Unchanos. Tell me, what can I do?”

“Help Tiberius find this tome,” Melkos replied bluntly. “Surely having a goddess on his side will aid his mission.”

“So be it. But I warn thee,” Luna said as her tone grew threatening, “I know of your presence now, and if this book should unleash your worlds horrors on my own, I will destroy you.”

“By the time anything should be unleashed by this tome, I would have already been gone.” Melkos then looked to Tiberius, his hand still on his shoulder. “You must go now, Tiberius. I will remember you.”

“And I you,” replied Tiberius. He placed a hand firmly on Melkos shoulder, nodding to him. “Thank you.”

“Fare thee well, champion.”

Luna watched the exchanged, touched slightly by the significance of it. She started to turn around, wanting to find a way from this place as she felt a sudden surge of energy surround her. Before she could turn back to ask what was being done, the surrounding expanse of grasslands burst into a hellish firestorm. The flames tickled at her mane and hooves, driving her to rear her forehooves up and shout in fear. Before her forehooves could touch the ground, the fire consumed her vision, turning everything to darkness. It was then that a sinking feeling of dread hit her. The energy of Melkos had disappeared completely, feeling like it had been completely drained into nothingness.

She felt her body impact a stone floor, taking a sharp intake of breath in surprise as she opened her eyes. Before her was her sister, Princess Celestia, glaring off to her side as she lowered her horn. “I have allowed you to live long enough, human!” Shouted the Solar Princess in righteous anger. “For harming a Princess of the Realm, my own sister nonetheless, I shall deliver the punishment personally!”

Luna eyes widened, struck by the sudden realization that things were about to take a turn for the worst.

Chapter Quinque - Fatum Fortuna Vocat

Chapter Quinque

Fatum Fortuna Vocat

“Fate Favors the Bold”

The scene in Tiberius’ prior chamber of residence was tense. Princess Celestia had lowered her head so as to point her horn directly at the human; a menacing glow emanating from the tip. Luna had just barely raised herself to her knees, gawking in shock at the angered expression on her sisters face. She helplessly looked between Tiberius, Celestia and the four Solar Guards positioned behind the Solar Diarch. At any moment Luna could have stood and calmed things with an explanation. Her mind resisted however, memories of a thousand years prior flashing into her vision from the expression her sister held, holding her in place.

“I need to get to the book,” Tiberius stated again, calmly. He had his AdkM75 pointed directly towards the Princess, holding firm in his standing position. His expression was cold, resolute, staring down the goddess as if her power meant nothing to him. “My world is dying, and this book holds the key.” He added after a silence, “Please.”

“No,” Celestia stated firmly. “Ultra Universitas holds within its pages an incomprehensible amount of power, only a tiny fraction of which was used to bring you to Equestria. Fate only knows what you would do further to endanger my realm!”

“One way or another,” Tiberius said as he gripped his rifle firmly, “I’m getting to the book.”

“Over my dead body,” Celestia hissed.

“Wait!”

The sudden cry from Luna caught everyone by surprise. Even the guards glanced her way, swiftly looking back to the looming threat presented by Tiberius and his strange weapon. Seeing the opportunity present itself, Luna stood to all fours, glaring not only at her sister but Tiberius as well. “What has become of you?!” She said, then looked to Celestia. “And you, my beloved sister, why are you doing this?! Should it not be enough to allow the human to go about his quest? Surely saving his world from our mistake would be a just cause!”

“Wait, what?” Tiberius briefly lowered his rifle, catching a glimpse of one of the guards moving forward only to raise it again. He kept his eyes on Celestia and her escorts as he spoke. “What do you mean by ‘your mistake’?”

“That is none of your concern.” Celestia stated firmly. She, too, kept her eyes on the present danger. “Luna, look at yourself. Over the course of a few days, you’ve changed! Not only has your demeanor changed, but the way you speak, the way you think! Ever since this human came along, ever since you foolishly tapped into his memories, you’ve turned into a completely different mare!” The Solar Princess snorted, her wings flaring. “See reason Luna. Tiberius must be dealt with!”

It was then that Luna saw it. It took her a few moments, but she noticed the subtle shivers across Celestia’s body. These shivers were not caused by anger, but by fear. The Goddess of the Sun was afraid! But of what? Tiberius presented no clear threat, even if he did use his weapon against her. Surely she’d be able to recover from that. No, it was something else. Something...deeper. “You’re ashamed, aren't you?”

Celestia’s horn ceased to glow momentarily as she quickly looked to Luna, eyes wide. “Wha- NO!”

With the opening presenting itself, Tiberius did not hesitate. He quickly charged forward, past Celestia and slammed the butt of his rifle into the Solar Guard in his way. The pony quickly crumpled before him, Tiberius leaping over the groaning figure as he swiftly exited the room. Celestia watched, dumbfounded, then glared to her sister. “What have you done?!” She exclaimed, then let out a frustrated groan. With a swift flap of her wings, she had turned around and darted out the door. Her guards followed.

“Godspeed, Tiberius,” Luna whispered. “Godspeed.”

She then extended her wings and with a mighty flap, flew out the open door to the hallway beyond.

***

Tiberius’ breathing was heavy as he ran with all his might down the long corridor. The feeling that burned inside his chest was intense. It proved to be his guide as he came across a junction of three similar corridors, turning towards the right as he continued. Behind him, he could hear the heavy pounding of hooves on the stone floor, ignoring them as the conclusion of his assigned quest drew nearer. “Stop at once!” shouted a guard to his rear, but he ignored it, turning instead to his left down another junction. “Stop or we will use force!”

“Go to hell!” Tiberius shouted, not looking back. He nearly ran into a wall as he came to a stop, quickly darting his head from left to right. The feeling was beyond description as it burned heavily across his body now. He was close. He took a deep breath, then ran down the corridor to his right, seeing a large, ancient door blocking his way. “Damn it all!” He exclaimed, seeing no visible latches to use. He had been led to a dead end, turning around to see a large form of white and rainbow slamming into him.

The impact against the door forced the air from his lungs. In the process, he lost his grip on his rifle, eyes nearly rolling to the back of his head at the pressure being exerted on his chest. He quickly found his grip on the situation, quite literally, when he thrust his hand upward and grabbed hold of Celestia’s horn. “Amf!” came the startled reply from the Princess as the pressure on his body lessened slightly. It was enough for him to collect himself momentarily, rearing his free hand back and clenching it into a fist. Quickly, he delivered several blows onto the side of Celestia’s head, each one seeming to have an effect as she eventually stumbled backward.

“I was going to let you live,” Celestia seethed as she gathered herself from the sudden attack, “But now, I’ve changed my mind.”

The look on her face told him everything. “Fuck me,” he stated calmly, seeing death rear its ugly head against him as Celestia lowered her horn towards him. She merely smirked at his statement. “Not today or anyday, human!” she declared, snorting as her horn started to glow.

Tiberius looked off to his side, seeing his gun, quickly glancing back to the Princess. She noticed this, but just as Tiberius was about to leap for it one of the Solar Guards had appeared and stood on top of it. “Shit!” he cursed, then grumbled. “Some champion I am.” He felt himself press against the ancient door, feeling the cool metal even beneath his BDU. He closed his eyes as the air around him surged with electricity, a loud hum emanating from Celestia’s horn. This was it. He had failed, but at least it would be over quick-

“Sister, no!” cried Luna as she spiraled into Celestia. Tiberius opened his eyes in time to pounce to his side, barely missing the two Goddesses as they slammed into the door. Luna held fast as Celestia struggled underneath her, she gazing to Tiberius. “Quickly, before she overcomes me! You need to open the door!”

“How?!” Tiberius shouted. Luna rolled her eyes, her horn glowing as a field of magic surrounded Tiberius and lifted him in the air. The guards, meanwhile, stood flabbergasted, unsure as to what to do with both their leaders in such a dispute. Tiberius arms flailed, “What are you doing?!” he exclaimed. “Saving you!” Luna declared, then she shut her eyes. The magical field around Tiberius grew more intense, making him feel as if he was being electrocuted. Before he could announce a sudden onslaught of pain, he disappeared in a blinding flash.

* * *

A loud POP echoed in Tiberius ears. He was now standing in a small room, his breathing heavy as he looked to all sides. He looked around him, seeing nothing but bland, metal walls all around. “Where the hell am I?” he asked to himself. The room seemed to be illuminated by something, but he couldn’t tell from where he was standing. It was just there, not even leaving a trace of his source as Tiberius turned a full circle. A soft click caught his attention, Tiberius looking straight ahead as a small portion of the wall folded open. Inside it on a pedestal was...

“The book!” Tiberius exclaimed happily. “Thank you Luna,” he whispered then, looking to his rear as another light flashed briefly. This time it encompassed the entirety of the wall behind him. He watched as two portions of the wall began to slide apart, gazing up towards the ceiling first before lowering his gaze and seeing a very angry, very frustrated Celestia. Behind her he could visibly see a dozen or so Solar Guards holding down Luna. She glared at him with a manic expression and he took the hint.

“I’m going to kill yo-” started Celestia, only to gawk as Tiberius ignored her and ran towards the tome.”Arrrrggg!” Celestia shouted angrily, a massive flap of her wings causing a thundering roar to echo in the small room. Tiberius was stretching out his hand towards the tome, which by then started to emanate an unearthly glow. Celestia was just on top of him, forehooves outstretched as she reached for the human, her horn slowly lowering not to cast a spell, but to use it as a deadly weapon. It came within inches of Tiberius back, he feeling it slowly sink down through his uniform and down into his skin.

“Aaaahhhh!” Tiberius shouted in pain, just an inch away from the book as he rose his hand in mid-stride, slamming it down on the cover. He then felt the most intense pain of his life as a sickening SHHHLCK resounded in the room. His breath caught, gasping at first, then looking down to see the tip and a good portion thereafter of Celestia’s horn protruding through the center of his chest. He gagged, coughing up blood as he reached with his other hand to for the book. The horn sunk deeper, he felt each inch added as a painful, agonizing experience.

“Must-” he coughed, blood pouring from his mouth as he tried to move forward “-must save...”

He then collapsed, Celestia’s horn the only thing holding up the limp corpse. Celestia raised her head and with a quick snap of her neck flung the body into the wall. Blood stained it as it slid down in a heap on the floor, her attention turning towards the book. It’s glow had not ceased. “Now nothing can cross over,” she said, her expression still maddening. “Curse those changelings.”

Slowly, after a deep sigh, the Princess of the Day turned around and saw the tear-swelled eyes of her sister. She was sobbing uncontrollably, her body still pinned by the several Guards keeping her restrained. Celestia could only smirk at the sight. “Best this than bani- What the?!”

Her head quickly turned back towards the book. It had started to emanate a dark rumbling noise. The room started to shake, causing Celestia’s pupils to grow thin as she gazed around her. “What is going on?! I killed the human!” She shouted to the ceiling above, “I destroyed the only way the book can activate!”

“No,” replied a voice from behind her, Celestia turning to glare at a dark, formless void. “You only delayed the inevitable.”

Celestia roared in anger, lowering her horn and quickly charging her magic to its limits. The roomed shuddered violently as the book rose from its pedestal, pages flipping as the dark void before her collapsed into a human-like shape. With eyes illuminated with the fury of a sun, she released a stream of solar magic from the tip of her horn. The deadly ray impacted through the dark shape, striking straight into....the tome.

“Nooooo!” Celestia cried, “What have I done?!”

“Saved us all,” the form said as it started to dissipate. It’s energy completely disappeared as the violent shaking in the room reached a dramatic apex, pieces of wall falling down on the floor below. Celestia glared towards the tome as its very form was blinded by the light it produced, she lifted a hoof to shield her eyes as it exploded in a ball of energy flinging her from the room. She slammed into her Solar Guards, releasing their hold on Luna as they lost their grip and were pushed in all directions. Her body hitting against the corridors wall, falling quickly onto the stone floor.

The large doors to the room quickly slammed shut, the shaking ceasing immediately. Luna stood up, tears still streaming down her face as she placed a hoof onto the closed door. She felt her hoof tingle, looking up towards the ceiling. “Tiberius,” she whispered. She then sniffled, releasing her hoof from the door as she turned around. She expected to glare at her sister, but her vision was blocked by something directly in front of her. She blinked once, then twice, looking up into the face of the man she saw die moment earlier. She could only gawk.

“Hey,” Tiberius said, waving a hand.

Luna then punched him in the groin with a hoof, grunting angrily as she watched the human crumble into a blubbering heap. “That’s for your memories, you stupid ape!” Luna shouted.

*~*~*

Two weeks had passed since the incident in the holding room. Celestia had eventually come her senses from whatever madness had gripped her, profusely apologizing to Tiberius two days after the incident. Luna, meanwhile, had been more than accommodating to the human despite the brief “hiccup”. They had spent several hours together discussing the events of Tiberius life, Luna coming to understand the full significance of his memories and eventually coming to terms with their occurrences. Tiberius, on the other hand, was offered with an unparalleled experience into the life of an ancient being. Both had equally shared their struggles, pains and emotions. In the process, they became swift friends.

Princess Celestia had soon decided that the proper punishment for Tiberius’ actions, at the behest of Luna who suggested it, would be to take away the human’s weapons. It was an extremely light sentence compared to the actions Tiberius had taken. Then again, it was only appropriate considering the two Lunar Guards had miraculously appeared on duty alive and well. With such an event and little explanation, there had been nothing else the Diarch could do other than ensure another situation not take place again. Both Tiberius and Luna attributed the miracle to the tome itself, while Celestia maintained a reserved opinion on it.

The tome itself had been completely destroyed in the prior incident, leaving no traces behind of its existence. Even the holding room it had been kept it, considering the destruction that had been brought upon it, had been left pristine and untouched. With no way home, it was left to Tiberius to find his future in this new world. The only person, or pony rather, that had been remotely familiar to him was Luna. So he had decided to stay on the grounds of the castle, using his prior military experience to join the Lunar Guards. Such a move had been met with resistance at first, but with Luna’s permission and encouragement, Tiberius had began to construct a new foundation for his new life.

Unbeknownst to either Tiberius nor the two Goddesses, however, the tome had opened a rift to multiple worlds. One had taken the form of an alternate reality, where the energies of the tome had collapsed and summoned the supposed savior of Melkos’ realm. The other was intended to send Tiberius back to his world.

It had failed, instead taking something far more dangerous back to Equestria...

Epilogue

Epilogue

Ultio

The night had once again fallen over Equestria. The moon lit the surrounding capital of Canterlot with a gentle hue as only a few ponies still wandered enough to enjoy its beauty. Tiberius once again found himself on his normal patrol route, rounding a corner just above the Royal Gardens as he made his way to check the perimeter. He had not been assigned any partner on this night, finding it a quiet relief from constantly being asked questions from every other guard that came across him. His guard armor rested nicely against his form, specially fitted for him by Luna’s request. He held firm to his spear, craning his neck around a large bush to observe the gardens contents.

“What is that?” Tiberius mumbled to himself. He made out two forms, one on the ground and one on top. It was obviously equine shaped and the two seemed to moving in unison with another. There was very little doubt in Tiberius’ mind what was going on, though he wondered why anypony would dare do such a thing out in the open. For the thrill of it, perhaps? It didn’t matter. He would put a stop to it, casually rounding the corner and carefully making his way down a set of stairs as his sandaled feet touched the grass. “Alright now,” he called out to the two ponies, barely able to make them out in the position they lay under a taller shrub, “I think you guys should.....stop...”

Tiberius eyes widened, his face growing pale. He watched as the figure on top continued to rip flesh off of the dead corpse below it. Green eyes suddenly shot open and glared at him. He felt a shiver run up his spine. “Alarm!” Tiberius shouted holding his chest armor’s pendant, “Changelings! No, Nightmare!” He glanced to his left and right, seeing the form of Lunar Guards appear over walls or from entrances. They all quickly made way to his location, Tiberius stancing as he held his spear in a defensive fashion, keeping an eye on the unmoving Nightmare as it continued to glare at him.

“Well?!” He said, glancing to his fellow guards, “Shall we take care of this problem?!”

“No,” said Moon Shift to his right, he glancing towards her. “I think we should take care of you”

He was about to gasp in shock until he saw her form erupt in green flames. Then, in horror, he watched as the twelve or so more Lunar Guards followed suit. Changelings appeared, no longer the harmless love sucking devils they once were. Saliva oozed from their mouths, literally drooling as they slowly approached the human.

“Nightmares,” Tiberius hissed slowly. “How the fuck did you get here?!”

Then, in an instant, they were on top of him. Cries of agony and pain echoed in across the Royal Gardens as more joined into a dark chorus of twisted screams across Canterlot. Up above, on top of Princess Luna’s tower, Queen Chrysalis cackled evilly.

“Now nothing stands in my way!” She declared. “Feast, my children! Feast upon flesh and be renewed!”

* ~ * ~ *

“Revenge”