Twilight was trotting in darkness.

“Where am I now?” Twilight said, expecting there to be some kind of resurgence of the entity.

What she got instead was a light at the end of the tunnel, she entered and found herself in a chamber.

She looked around and saw she was in a library of sorts.

“Odd, is this just a normal dream? But how am I aware it is a dream?” Twilight wondered.

She trotted through the library and found herself phasing through the books as she reached for one.

“Odd, am I-” Before Twilight could finish she heard footsteps and turned to see a brown and blue dragon approaching her.

“Aah! Stay back!” Twilight said trying to light her horn as he reached for her, to no avail,

She readied herself to fight back until his hand reached through her and grabbed a book before he left.

“Huh?” Twilight said realizing he hadn’t seen her. “This is weird… even for a dream,” Twilight said before she heard noises down a hallway.

Curiosity piqued she ventured down the hall to see what the noise was.

And she found herself in some kind of chamber with a torch in the center and robed beings kneeling before it.

“What is this?” Twilight questioned before the torch’s flame suddenly grew bigger and a demonic face formed on it.

She gasped when she saw the same eyes that have been haunting her skimming the room.

“Hail Arma Geddo,” The cultists said.

“I sense an interference, why has the third sealing crystal not been found? We have the book detailing its location,” The monster named Arma demanded.

A griffon nervously approached.

“Forgive us master, a mysterious pony intervened,” he said.

“I sent thirty of you, and you mean to tell me one pony killed them all and made off with it?” Arma growled.

The griffon shuddered under the weighty presence of his master, it was so great even Twilight felt it.

“F-forgive us, w-we tried but his strength was supernatural, it was as though he was invincible,” The griffon said.

“I will not tolerate failure, twenty days in the pit,” Arma coldly said.

“No… NO!” The griffon tried to run but a dragon pounced on him and dragged the panicking griffon away.

“What is this?” Twilight asked.

“Lord Arma,” a pony walked through her and she saw a familiar elderly black stallion.

“What is it Vel?” Arma asked disinterestedly.

“I offer my condolences for their incompetence in losing the crystal, I will send Cloud with them next time, he should be able to do better next time,”

“See to it, and while we’re at it, let’s address the intruder in the room,” Arma said before looking Twilight right in the eye making her gasp.

“H-he can see me?” Twilight said, hoping he couldn’t. However, the monster then leaned in with a grin, until all she could see was her reflection in his eyes.

“Hello Twilight Sparkle, to what do I owe the intrusion?” Arma asked.

“Eek!” Twilight whimpered.

“Forgive me master, I didn’t notice her sooner, that pony is proving a bigger problem if he’s bold enough to pull this,” Vel said sounding embarrassed.

“Who are you?” Twilight asked backing up.

“Search your heart Twilight, you know…” Arma said.

“No… I-I don’t know you!” Twilight said.

“Deny it all you want, I look forward to the day we meet in person, for now, wake-”

“-up!” Twilight’s eyes snapped open and she sprung up on the couch in her castle, ready to defend herself.

“Whoa!” Rainbow Dash backed off as Twilight had her lit horn pointed at her.

“Uh, hey Twilight, the Princess is in the map room… you going to lower the horn anytime soon?” RD asked.

“Huh? I’m awake?” Twilight glanced around and didn’t notice the cultists and the monster that menaced her, she saw her surprised friends and settled down.

“Uh, sorry,” Twilight said sheepishly.

“You look less pale today, that’s good, must have been having some nightmare to nearly blow my head off,” Rainbow said.

“I really am sorry, It was just a bad dream… I think,” Twilight mumbled the last part and followed the girls and Spike out the door and into the map room.

Trixie had beat them there and was chatting with the princess.

“But whyyyy?” Trixie whined.

“I already have a student, and besides, from what you’ve said Twilight’s been teaching you some things,” Celestia said.

“Well yes, but becoming the student of you will-” Trixie paused when she saw the group entering. “We’ll talk later,” Trixie said before backing off.

“Hello my dear student,” Celestia waved Twilight over.

“Hello Celestia,” Twilight greeted.

“Future former student maybe…” Trixie mumbled leaving the room.

“It’s good to see that you’ve taken on a student yourself, although she has some ego issues she should become an exemplary student under your tutelage,” Celestia said.

“Thank you, so what did you want to talk about?” Twilight asked.

“Right to it huh? Very well, come sit, All of you,” Celestia said while conjuring a chair for herself.

After seating everypony Celestia took a moment before speaking.

“I will get to the point, Equestria is once more in grave danger,” Celestia.

“Oh dear,” Fluttershy said.

“Had a feelin,” Applejack said.

“Yeah, it was inevitable, so what are we dealing with today?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“...I’m not sure,” Celestia said, which surprised the group.

“You don’t know? That’s concerning,” Rarity said.

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.

“I know from what has been collected that there is a danger encroaching on Equestria, but what, I know not of its origin, what I do know is that this enemy seems to be after something, what it is what we need to find out,” Celestia said.

“Will everypony be okay?” Fluttershy said.

“I am afraid that casualties and crime in certain areas of Equestria are up due to these events, I just wish there was a way to know what we’re up against,” Celestia said.

Twilight remembered her dream, what the monster was talking about.

“Sealing gems…Arma…” Twilight whispered.

“Hmm? Did you say something Twilight?” Celestia asked.

“I… I know it's a long shot but I think I know,” Twilight said.

“You do? What is it?” Celestia asked.

“Have you ever heard the name Arma?” Twilight asked.

Pinkie’s eyes widened and Celestia seemed equally surprised.

“That name… I have only heard of it from history books of old… how did you come across that name?” Celestia asked.

“In a dream, at least, I think it was,” Twilight said.

“...This requires further questions, everypony else I will talk with Twilight in private,” Celestia said getting out of her chair.

“What will we do?” Spike asked.

“Chat amongst yourselves, I will be back,” Celestia beckoned Twilight to follow her and they left the room.

“What was so important about what I said that you had to take me somewhere private?” Twilight asked.

“I have heard dark things about that name, and you having this dream on the same day we talk about a new threat to Equestria? It cannot be a coincidence,” Celestia said as the two arrived in the living room area.

“So… what’s going to happen? Twilight asked.

“Twilight, I need you to commune with my sister,” Celestia said scribbling a message out swiftly and sending it.

“Why?” Twilight asked.

“Because if your seeing something in your dreams and you know of a being you have undoubtedly never met, then there must be something your dreams are trying to show you,” Celestia said seriously.

“I suppose that makes sense,” Twilight said.

“Luna has been notified, now to make you sleep,” Celestia said turning to Twilight.

“Wait, I just got up from a nap, how will I-” Twilight hit the ground unconscious when the sleep spell hit her.

“Do forgive my suddenness, but if what we’re up against is what we think, then we must make every precaution,” Celestia said before kneeling beside Twilight and waiting.

Twilight was standing in a void…

Where-... Where am I? Did Celestia really hit me with a sleep spell?” Twilight said, wondering what was making her teacher so hasty.

“Do not fear Twilight,” Twilight spun to see Luna approaching.

“Luna? Celestia told me to come find you, I didn’t think it’d escalate to this so quickly,” Twilight said walking over to Luna.

“Indeed we were caught off guard too, but we have been aware for some time that there is encroaching danger coming to Equestria, she mentioned the name Arma and that you knew it, how is this?” Luna asked.

“My dreams, I had a dream I was in some kind of cult place, and they were praising some kind of demon-like creature.” Twilight said “It was the only thing there that noticed me, it was… as if I was there, but not physically,” Twilight said.

“Soul projection,” Luna said.

“What?” Twilight replied.

“A form of magic taught long ago in Starswirls time, few ponies these days boast such a power, me included,” Luna said.

“Amazing,” Twilight said.

“Later, for now, we need to focus, show me the dream,” Luna said.

“How?” Twilight asked.

“By allowing me to access your memories,” Luna said.

“Ok,” Twilight agreed.

Luna floated up to Twilight and touched horns with her, she saw the chamber, the library, the cult room, the-... wait…

“What is that?” Luna asked as she saw the fiery torch creature and how it saw Twilight.

But something began to happen…

It didn’t do anything or say anything, it just stared… and then it lunged.

“What?!” Luna jumped as something attacked her and forced her away “AAAHH!” Luna cried as she stumbled back.

“Luna?! What’s wrong? What-” Suddenly Twilight was cut off when a light lit up behind her.

“Huh?” Twilight turned and saw the fiery eye, big as a building behind her.

“Hello again, it seems you brought a companion,” Arma said coldly.

“W-What is this?!” Luna backed away.

“No! Not again!” Twilight backed up as well.

“Hello Luna, it seems you’ve found me inside her head,” Arma said.

“It… it cannot be, mother and father destroyed you!” Luna yelled.

“I will admit, they forced me and my previous host back… but they only destroyed my physical form, my spirit is eternal,” Arma said.

“Luna… you know this being?” Twilight turned to Luna.

“She knows me well enough, Twilight, I’m the reason she became Nightmare Moon, the reason her parents perished, I broke her family, and soon, I’ll end her line, once and for all, but first, I must return,” Arma said, as his eye locked onto Twilight.

“No…” Twilight said.

“Yes Twilight, You may be Celestia’s puppet, but soon you will have new strings, and a new perspective on things, a new goddess for a new world!” Arma laughed.

“CELESTIA! WAKE TWILI-AGH!” Luna shouted before a fiery tendril shot from the flames of the eye and snagged her by her throat and slammed her down.

“Luna!” Twilight shouted before turning and firing a powerful blast of magic at the eye.

“Pitiful,” Arma said before snagging Twilight as well and holding her up.

“NO! I won’t be your host!” Twilight thrashed.

“That is not your choice, not with me or with Celestia,” Arma said.

“What do you mean?” Twiligh asked.

“...You mean to say she never told you?” the eye gave a loud laugh “She must not trust you won’t abandon her when she tells you, what a pity,” Arma said.

“What?... Tell me what?!” Twilight shouted.

Celestia had just put Twilight to rest, expecting her to awaken soon.

What she didn’t expect was for Twilight’s eyes to open, and a familiar pair of orange slit eyes to stare at her.

“No… It can’t be,” Celestia gasped backing away.

The body of Twilight floated into the air and fire began to build up around her.

“Twilight! You must fight it!” Celestia called.

“You should wait to see the look on her face Celestia, when I tell her what you neglected to say to her for her whole life,” Arma taunted.

“No… NO! Don’t tell her!” Celestia lit her horn and tried to encapsulate the creature possessing Twilight but it easily broke through and landed leaving burn marks on the ground as it walked.

“I wonder if she’ll be disgusted, hateful? Vengeful? Maybe she’ll even work for me willingly afterward,” Arma said.

“She’d never!” Celestia said.

“We’ll see,” Arma said before her body collapsed and an orange barrier surrounded her.

“TWILIGHT!” Celestia tried to magically attack the barrier but it wouldn’t break.

“Let me go!” Twilight thrashed.

“Please! Don’t hurt her!” Luna said as she was bound with multiple tentacles.

“Oh I won’t hurt her, but I will have to proceed with my plans now that you’ve discovered me, but first, Celestia’s secret,” Arma said looking at Twilight.

“I won’t believe you! No matter what you say!” Twilight shouted.

“You’ll know when you hear it,” Arma said.

Celestia continued trying to break open the barrier, but it there was no chance, she’d need a miracle.

…

….

…..

“Celestia,” A voice said behind her.

“Huh?!” Celestia whirled to see a hooded figure. “Who are you?!” Celestia said standing in front of Twilight protectively.

“There is no time, Secede ut adiuvet” the being ordered.

“That… that’s the language of-” Celestia didn’t get to finish as the being shoved past her and knelt to Twilight, he reached through the barrier effortlessly.

“There’s no doubt then… your a-”

“Quiet, I must focus,” The figure said before touching his horn to Twilight’s.

“I won’t listen to your lies!” Twilight said.

“You will, because Celestia, is really your-...” Arma paused as he saw a figure standing behind Luna.

“Arma, you will leave this mare be,” The pony looked at the eye with glowing blue eyes.

“What are you doing here? Your kind isn’t allowed to interfere with mortal affairs!” Arma growled.

“This serves to be an exception,” The stallion said lighting his horn and spreading his white wings.

“No… it isn’t possible,” Luna said with wide eyes.

Arma realizing the danger the intruder poses, cast Twilight aside and lashed a dozen fiery tendrils at him.

“Exite,” The pony said as a light barrier formed around him and dissolved the tendrils.

“Die!” Arma yelled before firing a firey beam from his eye but the beam dissipated against the barrier as well.

“Exite,” The being commanded once again and fired a beam from his horn and it struck Arma, Arma growled in pain as he was blasted several more times.

“EXITE!” The being commanded loudly and blasted the eye once more and the eye began to crumble.

“You… don’t think you’ve won, she is mine, and you and even your betters will all bow to me, I will leave, but once all the sealing crystals are mine, armageddon shall be my celebration,” Arma said before vanishing.

Luna was freed and fell to the ground and looked up at the being in shock and reverence.

“Save your questions, it is not time,” The being said as he approached Twilight.

Twilight struggled to her hooves and looked up at the being.

“Who…Who are you?” Twilight asked.

“I am the protector of you, that is all you need to know, now surgit,” He commanded and Twilight woke up.

“Huh?!” Twilight was back with Celestia and her friends.

“Your awake, thank goodness,” Rarity said.

“Twilight speak to me, are you ok?” Celestia asked.

“I-I’m fine,” Twilight said before getting up slowly “What happened?” Twilight asked.

“We heard shouting and noises and ran into the room to see some stallion hovering over you, we were about to intervene but Celestia stopped us and assured us he was here to help,” Pinkie said, although she had an unreadable expression for some reason.

“The stallion… wait, where is he?” Twilight looked around for him.

“He left afterward, he just vanished into thin air, and he left this,” Fluttershy said showing a glowing blue crystal.

“It truly is a pretty crystal, I might take it-”

“No, it is going with me,” Celestia said.

“What? But it’s so-”

“No Rarity, I know of this crystal, and it’s best it goes where it can be protected,” Celestia said.

“Oh…” Rarity looked upset at the missed opportunity.

“What was happening back there,” Rainbow asked.

“What I feared, girls, an ancient evil has reemerged…” Celestia said.

“What kind of ancient evil?” Rainbow asked.

“Arma Geddo, the demon of fire,” Celestia said before making to leave “I must begin preparations for the future, Equestria is in grave danger,” Celestia said before being stopped by Twilight.

“Wait! What about this Arma creature, what is he?” Twilight asked.

“I must move along Twilight, I must assign guards, reinforce vaults, gather ponies,” Celestia said.

“But… he was saying something about you, what was he-”

“He was lying Twilight, please trust me, I haven’t lied to you about anything,” Celestia said.

“...” Twilight looked unsure, so Celestia embraced her.

“I must get Equestria prepared for the coming days, and you as well, I cannot allow whatever this is to get ahold of you, so please, ignore what he said and aid me,” Celestia said.

“I… I trust you,” Twilight said hugging her back.

“Then I must hurry, you will receive instructions soon, farewell for now Twilight,” Celestia said.

“Goodbye,” Twilight said as Celestia left.

“Sheesh, what happened here while we were off waiting in the map room?” Rainbow asked.

“It’s a long story,” Twilight sat down with her friends.

Celestia left the castle and went to her carriage in a hectic trot.

“If Arma really has returned then I must prepare Twilight for anything, I cannot allow her to fall to darkness,” Celestia said, before feeling a presence behind her and she turned to see the being.

“It’s you,” Celestia said.

“Yes, and I see I have room to be concerned for Equestria’s future, you have grown soft Celly,” The being said.

“I…Admit the complacent life has weakened me, but I will rectify that, but won’t the others be mad you broke the rules?” Celestia asked the hooded figure.

“No, we agreed that with the coming danger, we needed to hurry and assist,” he said.

“Than your kind will assist us in this endeavor?” Celestia said with hope.

“No, we will do our part, I will leave for now, but be wary, to end this problem, something must be given in return,” He said.

“What do you mean?” Celestia asked,

“Farewell for now Celestia,” he said before leaving.

“...As you wish,” Celestia bowed her head before leaving.

The torch lit up and Arma appeared looking in pain.

“Master?!” Vel said approaching and bowing “What ails you?” Vel asked.

“Silence, I have encountered another, it will be some time before I can communicate, my soul has been damaged,” Arma said.

“You mean?” Vel asked

“A progenitor of the alicorn race… an Angel, I will be dormant for a while, you will take charge until I return, understood?” Arma said.

“As you command,” Vel said.

“Find the rest of the stones, and capture the mare Twilight Sparkle, time is running out,” Vel said before the torch went back to normal.

“Very well,” Vel said taking his leave “If the Angels are getting involved, then time is of the essence! We must hurry,” Vel said.

Author's Note

This concludes part two of the series involving The Strange Six.

I hope you enjoyed it.

Things will get even more epic coming soon, so comment on your ideas.

[Btw if you are curious about who the robed pony that helped Twilight is, Twilight encountered him much earlier in the story, as he warned her to leave Equestria.]

Tune in for when the series continues, till then