Chapter two

Fluttershy streaked toward Ponyville, heart hammering, and breath shallow, as she pushed herself to fly as fast as her wings would carry her.

As she passed over the outskirts of the town, she spotted the guard station, but her racing mind latched onto Twilight instead, and she made for the tree library at the center of town.

Normally, the sounds of music, and laughter, from the treehouse would have driven her away, but the adrenaline spurred her on until she kicked open the door with a loud bang. That brought the party to a halt.

“What up, Flutters!” Rainbow Dash called from the gathered ponies. “You’re late if you, uh, couldn’t tell!” She extricated herself from everypony else and began to approach her friend. “That was a heck of an entrance, though!”

Fluttershy’s strength abandoned her. And she sagged to the ground in tears. Pinkie Pie and Applejack quickly moved over to the crying pegasus. “Sweet Celestia! What happened to ya sugar cube?!” Applejack half shouted, seeing the state of her wing and back.

“Somepony got some rags! or does anypony know a healing spell?!” the farm pony shouted while she moved closer to Fluttershy, applying pressure to the wounds.

Spike had managed to drag Twilight out of her room and through the chaos of panicking ponies. Seeing Spike made Fluttershy break down completely, finally speaking before the five mares and one dragon.

“I-i left h-him for dead! He s-saved my life and i-I left t-that Stallion to be k-killed!” She spoke through her tears as Twilight’s horn began to glow.

“You can let go Applejack, I got this,” Twilight said before casting a healing spell. Rarity tried to calm Fluttershy down while avoiding the bloodstains on her back, while Rarity rubbed her back. “Darling, listen to me. Breathe in, breathe out, calm down, you’re safe here. Now, tell us what happened, from the beginning, dear.”

“I flew into the Ever-free alone. I felt b-bad for the display I showed my b-bird friends so I thought I sh-should apologize to them. Then I was a-attacked by Timberwolves.” Taking a shaky breath, Fluttershy continued as her friends listened.

“I-I thought I was going to d-die when a stallion in all black s-saved me. H-he told me to run s-so I did.” After she finished, Rainbow Dash spoke up. “Let’s go save this guy. He doesn’t deserve to be chewed up by those overgrown toothpicks!”

Then Rarity spoke up."I second the motion, a Gentlecolt like that doesn’t deserve that kind of fate."

Applejack and Pinkie Pie threw in their opinions. “This colt sounds mighty nice sugar-cube, and for saving you I’ll help get him out of there, even if I have to buck every Timberwolf in the Ever-free!”

“Yeah! This mysterious stranger deserves two parties! One for saving Fluttershy! And the second for a welcome to Ponyville Party!”

When Twilight finished the spell, Fluttershy’s back and wings felt good as new. While Twilight spoke up, “It’s settled then. Come on, girls, let’s return the favor!” The six rushed out of the treehouse heading for the Ever-free.

Matthew had taken glances at the woman as she flew away ‘that isn’t a human.’ He thought to himself, saving that conversation for another time because of the three Timberwolves that circled Matthew, baring their teeth and growling.

“Come on, you overgrew weeds! I’m going to make you work for this meal!” He half shouted, trying to Intimidate them to turn tail and run off.

Sadly, it wasn’t the case. Getting an idea, Matthew turned to the two others, giving his back to the left wolf, thinking it would go for the attack if his back was turned to it.

Listening closely, Matthew was no doubt given a bone by the old gods, while the wooden wolf began running towards the experienced Ranger’s back, and when the moment felt just right, he turned like a dime. Stabbing it in the eye as Matthew forced it as deep as the head of the wood would give.

“Let’s see if you can come back from this!” Matthew said while thrusting it deeper into the smaller Timberwolf. It howled in pain as it fell apart, turning its attention to the last two wooden wolves and seeing the larger one move closer, thinking it could take him while its packmate stayed out of this.

“Come on now. I’m just getting started! When I’m done, I’m going to use your bodies to warm myself up!” He shouted while Matthew attempted to pull his sword out of the pile of wood, but it was not very successful. ‘Shit shit shit, this isn’t good. What else can I use as a weapon?’ He thought.

Before looking down at the shield in his hand, and gulping, to use this metal shield Matthew would need to get in close, something he didn’t want to do, gripping the sides he readied himself for the wolf.

Soon the large beast charged him, and once again his training kicked in, as he brought the shield down, causing a loud clang to be heard.

The Main six, including Fluttershy, were running their way back while Rainbow Dash spoke up over the other four mares, heavy breathing. “How in the hay did you manage this Fluttershy with a broken wing?” She asked while the light yellow mare spoke up.

“It was fear and A-adrenaline that got me to the tree house.” While Applejack spoke.

“You did good sugar-cube, now let’s help out your new friend.” Before Fluttershy could speak, Twilight stopped dead in her tracks; before she spoke up. “Girls, do you hear that?” She asked as the group stopped, their ears moving around.

After some time, their hearing picked up their breathing, but in the distance, they could hear loud clangs of metal.

“I think we found our gentle-colt girls, let’s go!” Said Twilight as she began running towards the sound. The others did the same. Found themselves in a field of moonlight. The moon was shining bright, enough to illuminate the area as the clangs of metal were much louder now.

Across the Cross the field, they could see somepony with a metal shield. In his hands he was using it as a blunt weapon, as he slammed it repeatedly into the Timberwolf’s head.

“Sweet Celestia, I don’t think he needed any kind of help from us.” Rainbow dash said as Rarity spoke up again.

“What in the hay is that kind of clothing? This isn’t nightmare night, it looks dreadful.” As they talked, the last Timberwolf’s ear turned to face them while turning its wooden head.

Seeing that now they were outnumbered, it turned tail and ran. Matthew had climbed off the shattered Timberwolf while he walked over to a different pile of wood.

Reaching down, and grabbing hold of something, the stallion began to pull on the object, while the group made their way over as Twilight spoke up.

“Sir, we came to help you but I guess you had things covered?” Twilight said while Matthew grunted, as to show he heard her, the sounds of Metal slicing. Out of wood were heard the main six were able to see his sword, as they all had mixed reactions, especially Rainbow dash.

“Your help was much appreciated. I see that your yellow friend managed to get to safety?” Matthew said as Twilight was about to answer him but Rainbow dash interrupted her.

“That Sword looks so awesome! Where did you get it?!” Asked Rainbow dash to the mysterious Stallion, while she circled him. “What’s with the getup as well?”

“Rainbow dash! Knock it off! This colt saved Fluttershy’s life. Show him some respect!” Yelled Rarity; the rainbow mare blushed, while she brushed some of her long mane out of her face chuckling nervously. “Heh, sorry about that big fella.”

“I did not take any kind of offense to your questions, so there’s no need to apologize.” Not long after speaking, Fluttershy came up to him before she flung herself at him into a tight hug.

“Y-your A-alive! I-i thought we wouldn’t be F-finding you in one piece!” Fluttershy spoke while she crushed him in a death grip.

“Careful! This is a sharp sword, Fluttershy. I don’t need you to skew yourself, after seeing a Maester.” While Matthew worked around, he embraced, to sheath his sword.

“Welcome! Even though you’re not near Ponyville! I welcome you anyway to our small town! If you’ll excuse me! I need to plan a party for you!” Before the pink mare Anthro tried to run off, Rarity stopped her.

“Are you insane, Pinky?! You can’t run off from the group in a place like this! And need I remind you, Pinky pie, this area has Timberwolves!”

The white unicorn mare shouted at the pink mare, while Matthew spoke up. “I’m sorry to interrupt you all, but I think proper introductions are in order.”

While the main six had fixed their act up, the purple mare went first. “Hello, I’m Twilight sparkle. I’m from Canterlot to oversee the preparations for the sun celebration this year.”

Nodding His head in acknowledgment, he turned to face the light orange woman with a hat on her head.

“Greetings partner! My name’s Applejack! It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My family and I live on sweet apple acres.” Walking over to Matthew.

Applejack grabbed his black-gloved hand, and she began to shake his hand furiously while giving his hand a firm grip. “I want to thank you personally for saving dear Fluttershy here. She doesn’t know how to stand up for herself sometimes, you see”

Matthew gave Applejack’s hand a firm grip in return while he reciprocated the gesture. “I was just nearby. It was the least I could do.”

“If you mind my curiosity partner, why the hay do you have a mask on? It’s going to scare anypony who hasn’t met ya. Let alone fillies and colts, and older folk.” After asking her question, she released his hand, and Matthew tried to pull Fluttershy off of his chest.

“The reason I wear this mask was to block snow and strong winds, from getting in my eyes, I hail from the far North you see.” While Fluttershy refused to let go of the stranger. Applejack, having been satisfied with the answer, went back to the others as Rarity moved forward.

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, darling. My name is Rarity and I run the Carousel Boutique. we’re I make new types of clothing and not to sound rude sir, but your clothing isn’t something that screams a knight in shining armor.”

Matthew had rolled his eyes internally at how she complimented his apparel. “I’ll take your criticism to heart, Lady Rarity.” From the way she spoke to him about his clothes, Matthew assumed she was from their version of high society.

Rarity nodded as she giggled with glee as she fanned her face. “such manners! I’m not surprised if you’ve already been dating or spoken for already!” After saying her peace, Rarity had gone back as Rainbow dash moved forward before striking a pose.

“Name’s Rainbow dash! The fastest flier in all of Equestria! And I want to thank you for what you did for Fluttershy.”

She leaned in close. “I would love to have a look at the Sword when the sun rises. It looks so cool at night!” While Matthew chuckled at her childish way of asking him to see his sword.

“Yes, you can look at it when the sun rises, but we need to go over some ground rules beforehand. I don’t need someone getting hurt.” As Rainbow gave a sound of excitement at the idea of holding an amazing-looking weapon, suddenly coughing, and shrugging her shoulders.

“Eh, that’s fine with me.” Rainbow dash said plainly, joining the group while Matthew looked away slightly. ‘Don’t lie Rainbow dash, you are looking forward to using this Sword.’ Matthew mulled before looking towards Pinky.

“I know your name, Pinky pie. Thank you for offering two parties, but I don’t think I will be able to attend them.” After hearing those words, Pinky pie deflated some, before inflating again.

“That’s Okay! With me! I’ll just have to do it another time!” After speaking, it was now his turn for Matthew to tell everyone his name.

“Hello everyone, my name is Matthew. I would bow in respect to you all, but currently I’m occupied with being hugged. If you six didn’t hear me before, I hail from the North.” Before the main, six could pelt him with questions.

Twilight stopped them by remembering the celebration that was going to happen soon. “Girls, we need to head back now, if we want to attend the sun Celebration so let’s make haste!”

Matthew had finally managed to pull Fluttershy off his person; “we need to start moving. Now come on Fluttershy.” While she spoke up, “R-right! Sorry about that L-long hug. I thought you D-didn’t survive.”

After that embarrassing episode from Fluttershy’s closeness, the group began the journey back to Ponyville.

Matthew’s arm was burning. No doubt the wound he sustained from the battle for the Wall was infected. Sadly, he couldn’t check without the six others in his group getting worried about him being hurt.

‘God’s damn it, this hurts.’ he thought while trying to ignore the feelings his arm was currently giving him.

But other than that, he met a baby dragon, shockingly, even after the small council of the king, in Westeros had just publicly declared, all dragons were dead for a couple of years before he was born.

When the group entered a large building in the center of the town, the moment he stepped into the large room, he could feel plenty of eyes watching him. Matthew could see many colored ‘ponies.’ It didn’t help that the man was taller than these ponies by a foot, maybe even two.

The unknown ponies of this building. We’re watching him, as Matthew stuck out like a sore thumb. Because of him being in pure black, among multiple different colors, and his height, he was easily spotted.

‘This isn’t good, I don’t like this.’ Matthew thought, as Rarity and Fluttershy left to prepare for the Ceremony, while the ponies that were closest to him moved away, in slight fear.

Matthew had moved closer to Twilight, either above him in the air, or on the Balconies, ponies began whispering to one another, about this stranger in all black with a mask.

‘So much for blending in with a crowd.’ he thought to himself before he heard… birds singing? While the Wall didn’t have these kinds of birds. It had crows and ravens, while someone began to speak.

“Fillies and gentle colts, as Mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to Announce the start of the summer sun Celebration!” Shortly after speaking, ponies all around Matthew were cheering along with more interesting; ways of showing their excitement. All but one pony, Twilight wasn’t showing the same joy as her peers.

Leaning over, Matthew whispered into Twilight’s ear. “Is something wrong? You’re not happy about this celebration?” While the pony on stage continued to speak.

While Twilight shook her head. “I am, but I’m just hoping I’m wrong about something.” She said while looking at the moon before letting out a shaken gasp.

Matthew noticed her shocked expression before looking in the same direction. ‘What’s so shocking about the moon?’ Matthew was stumped as to what scared the purple Anthro, as the Mayor of the town continued.

“And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun, and moon, each and every day the good, the wise, and the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria Princess Celestia!”

Turned his attention to the stage, which had a bright light on it, as the curtains were moved back to show… no one?

“I guess she didn’t get the signal to be standing there?” Matthew offered the idea to Twilight. “There’s no way Princess Celestia wouldn’t be there; she told me to come here and get everything ready for her this year.”

While they watched Rarity, go behind the curtains; she disappeared, and the Mayor tried to keep the other ponies calm.

Rarity had arrived back on the stage while she spoke out to everyone. “She’s gone!” Rarity half shouted, while Pinkie pie’s startled shout alerted everyone to the dark star-filled magic taking the stage.

While the shape slowly grew in size till finally, a larger and dark pony appeared as Twilight spoke softly. “O-oh no! It’s Nightmare moon.”

Matthew began to study this. ‘Nightmare moon’ in his mind. She was taller than the average pony but compared to his height, she had to be face to face with his shoulder or neck at most.

He had to guess. She had massive wings, unlike Fluttershy or Rainbow Dash. this Nightmare moon had the largest wings both in size and wingspan, Matthew had seen so far.

While Spike fainted, the baby dragon landed against his chest, the man took hold of Spike, not taking his eyes off Nightmare moon. as he sets him down, so Spike didn’t fall and hurt himself. The nightmare began to speak.

“Oh~ my beloved subjects, it’s been so long since I last seen your sun-loving faces~,” Nightmare moon stated before Rainbow dash spoke up. “What did you do with Princess Celestia?!”

Before Rainbow dash, tried to attack Nightmare moon. Applejack stopped her with her hands on Rainbow’s side. “Woah their sugar cube. Ya can’t fight her on your own.”

Rainbow dash struggled. but shouted at the larger anthro, “What did you do with our princess!”

Nightmare moon started with a gentle chuckle, which involved a gentle but evil laugh. “why? Am I not royal enough for you? Don’t you know who I am?” While Pinky took this moment to try to answer Nightmare moon.

Before she was able to get a single word out, Applejack plugged her mouth with some food, not wanting the Night Princess to gaze toward them as Nightmare moon continued.

“Does my Crown no longer count, now that I’ve been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did no pony recall the legend? Did you ponies not see the Signs?” While Nightmare Moon gave her evil speech, Twilight moved to the center of the room.

“I did. You’re the mare in the moon. Nightmare moon!” Shouted Twilight, while the surrounding ponies gasped.

Ponies began moving away from the stage that Nightmare moon stood on while she gave a face of admiration.

“Well well well.~ somepony who remembers me, then you must also know why I’m here.~” while she asked Twilight the question she was unable to answer.

Seeing the Silence as Twilight’s response, Nightmare moon laughed again, before speaking once more. “Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last, from this moment forth. The night will last forever!”

Nightmare moon began to laugh while her mane grew, shooting lightning bolts out to cause fear.

Matthew had seen and had enough, ambling toward the center of the room. Keeping his hand on his sword handle. The Mayor pointed and shouted. “seize her! Only she knows Where Princess Celestia is!”

Suddenly, ponies with golden armor appeared to capture her. “Stand back, you foals!” Nightmare moon shouted while she slammed them away, using her mane and fear to stop them.

Matthew had made his way next to Twilight while the human stood in an open spot in front of Nightmare moon’s gaze.

She stopped her evil laughing, seeing the newcomer in all black, while her mane went back to its normal size. And flowing in a nonexistent breeze, her slit eyes were on him, studying him. He knew that stare. Matthew intrigued her as he drew his sword.

“Oh?~ and who might you be?” Seeing this is as good of a time as any, he decided to Recite the Night’s Watch Vow. However, before that, Matthew.

Leaning towards Twilight, he whispered to her. “Get out of here, and whoever else will leave. I will buy you the time you need.” Matthew said, while moving closer to the balcony. Nightmare moon was standing on. She was still watching him expectantly.

‘This might piss her off, but I should give Fluttershy and her friends time to get out of here.’

“Hear my words. And bear witness to my vow; Night gathers. And now my watch begins, it shall not end until my death. I shall take no wife, Hold no lands. Father, no children, I shall wear no Crowns and win no glory. I shall live and die. At my Post, I am the Sword in the darkness. I am the Watcher on the Walls, I am the Fire that burns against the Cold. the Light, that brings the Dawn, the Horn, that wakes the Sleepers. The Shield, that Guards, the Realms of men, I pledge my Life and Honor to the Night’s watch. For this Night and all the Nights to come.”

Nightmare Moon did not like that answer by a long shot. The look on her face especially told how she felt about his vow, mostly the part about being the light that brings the dawn.

While she began to grind her sharp teeth together, she spoke. “Did my sister think that founding an order to keep watch for my return? To try to stop me, was a good idea?!” she asked, sounding completely and utterly pissed.

‘Plan worked.’ Matthew thought before answering her. “Your sister had nothing to do with the founding of my order. The Long night. And the Dead Rising was the principal cause.” Nightmare moon scoffed, as she did her best not to laugh, covering her muzzle, before losing it at this seeing this as a joke.

After catching her breath, she wiped the tears from her cat-like eyes. “I would apologize for my rudeness, but that sounds utterly ridiculous! The dead? How much of a fool do you think I am!” Nightmare moon asked while her mane grew in size.

“Better yet, let’s test your claim! And see how skilled at fighting me! If you can handle the ‘dead’, you should be able to handle me! Better than my sister’s pathetic Royal guards!”

She said while she used her enlarged mane to attack Matthew. Twilight and her friends were stunned, along with most of the population of ponyville. They were forced to watch, Nightmare moon tried to make Matthew follow the same fate as the Royal guards.

However, Matthew was able to stop her attack by using his Sword, to cut her hair clean off, causing her to hiss in discomfort, while the magical hair disappeared from the ground.

“You shouldn’t be able to do that! Where in my Moon did you get that Sword!” Nightmare moon said, hissing while flaring her wings.

“If you’re looking for an easy fight, Nightmare moon, I’m not it,” Matthew said simply, showing her question did not faze him.

Seeing her time was up, Nightmare moon decided now was the best time to leave, while she growled, slowly going back into a dark magic blob. “I’ll remember this Night Watchmen! You can count on it!!”

While Nightmare Moon fled, Rainbow dash was finally able to free herself from her friend AppleJack. Rainbow tried to follow her but failed.

Inside the library, Twilight had been using her magic to go through books at a decent speed, as Rainbow dash was trying to interrogate Matthew and utterly failed. “Just what are you ‘Matthew’ how do we not know you’re just a follower of Nightmare moon? Or even some kind of spy!” Rainbow dash said getting in his face while Matthew backed up.

“Firstly, Rainbow dash personal space learn it. Secondly, if you all remember correctly, Nightmare moon threw three Royal guards as they are called, with no regard for their lives. She could have and possibly killed maybe one of them?”

Rainbow grew frustrated with Matthew’s point. She went to go back into his face before Apple Jack stopped her from entering his bubble. “I don’t get what point you’re trying to make!” Shouted Rainbow dash.

While Twilight answered for him. “He’s saying Rainbow, if he was with Nightmare moon, he wouldn’t have cared to save Fluttershy when Timberwolves attacked her.” While that took her attention off of him, it turned to the purple mare.

“Oh yeah? What the hay are the elements of harmony, and how did you know that Nightmare moon would come back?” While Applejack grabbed onto her rainbow tail to stop her.

“That’s enough Rainbow! If you keep yelling at ponies, nopony is going to want to give you the answer.”

After calming down and landing, Rainbow dash gave Twilight an expectant look, and Twilight began to speak. “I learned about Nightmare moon and the elements of harmony in a book, but I can’t find anything else about them!”

Pinky pie jumped out, giving the book to Twilight. “You forgot to check under E!” she said while Twilight facepalmed, while she used her magic to find the page she needed;

While they approached the Ever-free forest, Matthew stayed close behind the group, while Twilight sighed. “Girls, I do appreciate the offer, including you, Matthew, but I need to do this on my own.” That made Applejack upset.

“No sugar cube. Ya must have a few screws loose. If you’d think we all will let ya go in there alone!”

Every single mare but Twilight had voiced their agreement, minus Matthew, who just drew his sword. “I’m fine with this. It is significantly better than going North of the Wall,” he said, thinking this was going to be an easy, in-and-out type of job.

But when the time came and when he had his chance, he would need to kill Nightmare moon. She was a dangerous creature of the night, even rivaling or surpassing White walkers.

When the time arrived, Matthew already knew what must be done for the good of the Realms, personally. He very much disliked it. She showed no signs of being a white walker but those eyes she had.

We’re pretty damn similar to a monster, in Matthew’s opinion. Along with that being said, she was speaking. Another thing White walkers or even Wights never did.

The path seemed stable enough, no animals were out as the girls stayed close to Matthew because of his sword, and while Applejack spoke up.

“This forest isn’t natural.” Matthew responded, “it seems like a normal forest to me.” While Rainbow started to tell spooky stories about the forest.

“Rainbow dash stops it. If you scare the others, you’ll be carrying them,” Matthew said, but she continued away. This time more towards him but after a few minutes of Matthew being unfazed by her tales Rainbow dash groaned in annoyance. “what? You’re telling me nothing scares you, matt?” She asked while he turned to look at her spot in the back of the group.

“Rainbow dash. In my honest opinion, your stories only scare children before bed, along with our friends here.” While Rainbow dash grinned, she moved to his side. “oh yeah? Tough guy, lay it on me! Tell me what! Scare you!”

“Rainbow dash the things I’ve seen, have given me Sleepless nights, more than once occasionally. Believe me, it takes a lot more than people or children going missing to scare me.”

“Then tell me! I can take it! If you can, so can I. It’s not like you’re fighting an army of Timberwolves or something!”

That’s when they arrived at a cliff’s edge. “Another time Rainbow dash not in front of the others. They aren’t trying to scare one another into running away.”

Before they all knew it, the ground caved underneath them, and as they began falling down the steep end, Rainbow dash and Fluttershy were fine because of their wings, but the other four weren’t much better off.

While their friends slid off towards a drop, they did their best to save everypony Rainbow dash and Fluttershy tried to save Matthew, but he waved them off. “I’ll be fine! Worry about the others! I’ll get down safely!” Matthew lied, while he couldn’t tell what was at the bottom, but he rather saved their lives than his own.

Once getting off the cliff, he jumped, aiming for a tree to hopefully break his fall, as he braced for the fall. ‘Come on, just give me this one this one time!’ Matthew thought while he readied his sword.

His landing was hard, but thank the old gods, the tree didn’t have many branches. He used his sword to stab deep into the bark of the tree to slow his rapidly falling descent, stopping at the foot of the tree.

Matthew stood there in utter shock at what he just accomplished. Pulling his sword out of the tree, he made his way back to the group, on solid ground while Applejack landed next to him and began to ask questions. “Matthew! You’re alive?! How did ya survive?”

“By using my Sword. as a tool to slow my fall. And if I’m honest, I didn’t think it would have worked, but here I stand,” Matthew said while the others looked Relieved seeing that Matthew was alive and not dead.

It surprised Matthew to say the very least he had one hell of a night. First, he survived a fall from a cliff, and second, Fluttershy stopped a creature called a ‘manticore’ from attacking them. Pinky pie had made faces of trees disappear, by making everyone laugh, granted even he chuckled somewhat at their antics.

Rarity stopped a giant worm-like creature by giving him some of her tail and finally, Rainbow dash helped put a wooden bridge back together.

Now inside a very old-looking, and ruined Castle, Matthew stayed outside of the collapsed room keeping watch over the entrance. They all came out again but Twilight. Noticing this, he waved Applejack over to ask her about it. “Applejack, where is Twilight?” Matthew asked while Applejack stood in front of him.

“She’s trying to find the hidden element to activate them all so we can stop Nightmare moon.”

“What will happen if we win?” Matthew asked as Applejack snorted. “You’re gonna have to explain something to us all, partner.”

“Explain what? The things I said to Rainbow dash?” Matthew asked while Applejack shook her head. “no sugar cube, ya just appearing on the same night as Nightmare moon wearing all this? Ya fancy words you told her didn’t seem to agree with what she’s planning to do.”

Before Matthew could answer her, everyone would hear Twilight’s scream of surprise. This grabbed everyone’s attention. Making their way back inside, seeing their purple friend jump into a tornado of stars, and darkness, Matthew, along with the others, rushed to help her but it disappeared.

“Where did she go? Twilight?!” Yelled Applejack, as Matthew took charge, “Spread out! Look for anything out of the ordinary! They couldn’t have gotten far.” While the ponies ran around, looking for where they had gone, Rarity’s voice broke through their panicked state.

“Look! She has to be there at the top of the Castle!” Rarity shouted, while all the ponies looked including Matthew. “Let’s give her a helping hand so she won’t face that thing alone. Come on!” Matthew spoke while drawing his sword and ran outside, following the group to where Twilight had been taken to.

Finally, the group of five mares and one human had managed to get inside the main part of the Castle, finding seemingly endless halls, and stairways, with widening turns. Getting more lost, with every turn, until. They heard evil laughter coming from a floor above them.

While they all began shouting for Twilight, to ease her from facing Nightmare Moon alone, Matthew stayed silent, not wanting to dash any hopes if Twilight faced her end there. He wanted to be wrong; he prayed that he was. The group got closer, and they were finally able to hear Twilight’s voice.

The group of ponies seemed witty, that they found her, Matthew however sighed a breath of relief, knowing she hadn’t died to a creature of the night.

“Get in their girls, I’ll Hold these stairs, and make sure Nightmare moon. doesn't try to leave any surprises for us, while your backs are turned,” Matthew said while they all nodded, and went into the room to see their friend.

Matthew could faintly hear what was going on and it seemed that this Nightmare moon was going to lose. Until suddenly, bright lights came from the floor above. Thinking they had won, Matthew climbed the steps two, and even three at a time, until he saw a strange sight.

Everyone was lying on the ground breathing, thankfully. Seeing the creature Nightmare moon unconscious on the ground. He made his way over to her, his footfalls echoing through the room.

Shortly, standing next to the now smaller Nightmare moon, the main six began to wake up. “Ugh, my head. Did we get her?” Asked Rainbow dash, while Applejack spoke up. “Everypony ok?” she asked, looking around before spotting Matthew.

While Twilight asked. “Girls, what is he doing over their near Nightmare moon?” Before they could ask him, Matthew slowly drew his sword. As the loud metal being unsheathed. awoke Nightmare moon, her eyes wide in fear. While he held the handle with both hands as he settled the tip of the blade into the ground.

“In the name of the Night’s watch, I Matthew second in command of the Ranger Order and next in line for first Ranger. While also being a sworn brother of the Night’s watch. Sentences you to death. If you have any last words now, is the time to say them.”

She looked up at him, her eye’s as wide as dinner plates, while Nightmare moon tried to crawl away. As fear made her stutter words, Matthew couldn’t understand before his foot on her back stopped her while he spoke again.

“I take no pleasure in this. I don’t, but I do this for the good of the Realms.”

Finally, the stuttering stopped, and she began to speak. “M-mercy! I beg for your mercy. My actions were not of my own free will! Please, I didn’t mean to harm anypony!” As Nightmare moon pleaded for her life with this stranger in all black.

Kept his foot planted on her back before speaking to her. “If you keep moving, this won’t be a clean cut, and you’ll feel pain. I’m trying to make this a clean passing, for you creature of the Night!”

“Matthew, stop it! You don’t need to kill her! She’s weak! There’s no need to do this!” Shouted Twilight. While she got up and began slowly approaching the two. Her friends did the same.

“And risk your world going through the long Night? Where thousands of innocents starve and froze to death? Is that really what you want for your future?!”

Matthew asked before razing his Sword, getting ready to bring it down, on Nightmare moon’s neck, before a golden glow enveloped his Sword. It was ripped free of his hands as the blade slid across the ground.

“That is enough, sir Matthew!” said an unfamiliar regal voice. A bright white orb entered the room, then appeared a larger white pony, with a horn and wings.

Her appearance made the main six-stop. The look on her face was that of pure anger. “Get off of her this Instance!” Celestia said before her wings flared as she moved till she was in front of the main six.

“My apologies, my Lady, but I do not recognize who you are?” Asked Matthew respectfully, and her horn began to glow.

“I am Princess Celestia, ruler of the day, and of Equestria! And I order you to stand down before I am forced to act against you!” While Matthew shook his head.

“I’m sorry your Grace, but I can not do such a thing.” He said as Celestia raised an eyebrow in suspicion.

“And what is the reason that is stopping you from getting off Princess Luna? “She asked while Matthew answered Celestia.

“I have sentenced her to death and I must carry out the sentence or I will question my Honor.”

“You did What?!” Celestia shouted as she blasted Matthew with a large amount of magic, causing him to slam against a stone wall, knocking him out along with opening his arm wound.

While blood leaked from his arm, Celestia made her way to her sister. Seeing blood leak from the mysterious stranger, Celestia used her magic to stop his bleeding.

So she could handle him later. She moved towards Luna." It has been a thousand years since I last saw you like this. It is time for us to put our differences behind us. We were meant to work together, Little Sister."

Luna had been staring at the ‘pony.’ in all black, before slowly looking back at her older sister. Moving in and embracing her while tears fell from her eyes. “I’m so sorry, big sister! I’ve missed you all this time!”

Shouted Luna, her head pressing against Celestia’s chest while hugging her tightly while her older sister did the same. “I’ve missed you as well.”

Author's Note

Holy crap guys! Chapter two is out sorry for the Wait! Make sure to relax and enjoy the reading!

And do not worry readers! Luna will be fine you'll see in future chapters soon enough!