Nightmare Moon, part 5

There she stood, Nightmare Moon. Her mane, which seemed to be made out of the night itself, flowed with an ethereal quality. Her position on the balcony seemed to add to her already intimidating stature. Most of the ponies in the Town Hall could only stare in awe or fear.

Chains felt his heart pounding in his chest, every bit of him was trying to tell him to run, but his legs just wouldn’t move an inch. He heard Rainbow Dash demand that the dark pony tell them what became of their Princess as she moved to attack before being stopped by Applejack, who bit down on her tail to keep her from fighting the being which was not only confident enough to challenge Celestia’s rule, but to do so alone.

The human envied the Pegasus and her courage.

Nightmare Moon only laughed and mocked the ponies and how easily they forget their legends. Before she continued, her eyes landed on the human, and her look of superiority shifted to one of curiosity.

Her eyes locked with Chains’ and despite himself, he stared back, the unearthly gaze of the banished Princess keeping him locked where he was.

She suddenly vanished in smoke only to appear directly in front of the human. In shock he fell backwards, and all the ponies around them retreated back several paces, all except Twilight, who placed herself between Nightmare Moon and the frightened human.

“Strange,” was Nightmare’s first word, ignoring the unicorn who stood between them. “What manner of creature are you?” she wondered aloud.

Chains was still trembling, unable to answer even if he wanted to. Twilight, who still stood her ground, spoke up for him. “Leave him alone, Nightmare Moon,” she stated, trying to keep her own legs from trembling, even though she could feel the dark Alicorn’s immense power just by standing there.

The crowd of ponies gasped when they heard the name Nightmare Moon, and their fear doubled, and even Rainbow Dash’s bravado seemed to falter, if but for a moment.

Nightmare chuckled, and her attention turned from the strange creature, she would learn about it later, and towards the one who defended him. “Well, well, well, somepony who remembers me,” she said with an amused tone. “Then you also know why I’m here,” she said, her eyes narrowing as she stood up straight, towering well above even the largest of stallions.

Twilight’s own bravery was faltering, and though she stayed her ground, she felt as if she was shrinking in the presence of The Mare in the Moon, “you’re here to…. to….” she couldn’t bring herself to finish it.

Nightmare Moon chuckled as she was more than happy to finish the statement herself. “Remember this day little ponies, for it was your last, from this moment forth, the Night will last forever!” she proclaimed, laughing victoriously as her power surged around her, causing lightning to flash and wind to pick up inside the building.

The Mayor, summoning up her own courage and sense of duty turned to the Royal Guards who were present, and too awestruck to act on their own, “seize her!” she called to them, shaking them from their stupor. “Only she knows where the Princess is!”

The guards quickly remembered their sworn duty and flew to apprehend Nightmare Moon, who looked at them as he eyes glowed, “stand back you foals!” she laughed as she threw them back with lightning, before turning to smoke and flying past the ponies and out into the night.

Rainbow Dash broke from Applejack’s hold and flew after the wisp of smoke as it disappeared from sight.

Twilight looked to her human, “Chains, quickly, we have to get to the library,” she said with urgency in her voice as the rest of the ponies in the building began to either panic, or look to help whoever maybe injured from Nightmare’s escape.

Chains took a moment, staring out the door Nightmare left through, before realizing Twilight spoke to him. He hurriedly nodded and got up off the ground as Twilight picked up the fainted baby dragon and they both ran from the Town Hall and to the library, both hoping they might find some way to stop the Nightmare that had been unleashed.

………………………………………..

Chains immediately went to work trying to find anything in the library that could have anything to do with the Elements of Harmony, scanning the titles quickly. His Mistress was taking the time to make sure the fainted baby dragon was put to bed, and he heard a mumbled, “we gotta stop Nightmare….” That drifted off sleepily.

He smiled, despite the danger they were in.

Twilight entered the room and quietly closed the door behind her before proceeding to join the human in their search. “Find anything yet, Chains?” she asked, not looking up at him.

He shook his head, “no, I’m sorry, I haven’t yet, Mistress,” he said moving through book after book, trying hard not to overlook anything.

Twilight was growing frustrated and worried, flipping through a couple of books, “well, keep looking,” she said, moving onto the next one. “We have to find the Elements of Harmony to stop Nightmare Moon.”

No sooner had she said that, a rainbow haired Pegasus flew right up to her, “and just what are the Elements of Harmony?” Rainbow Dash demanded.

Chains, put down the book he was looking through, and turned to the two mares, worried that things would escalate, and a little worried that Rainbow saw him reading, even though she expressed before that she didn’t care about that.

“And how did you know about Nightmare Moon?” The Pegasus pressed further, backing Twilight into a corner. “Are you a spy?”

Chains was about to move to try and defend his Mistress in some way when Rainbow Dash was pulled back by her tail. He looked to see that Applejack had arrived, and looking to the Library door, so had the other ponies they had met throughout the day.

The farm pony sighed as she let go of Dash’s tail, “simmer down Sally,” she told the Pegasus, “she ain’t no spy, but she does know what’s going on,” she said as she and the rest of the ponies came closer to the lavender Unicorn, who looked at them all, and then at Chains, before nodding to herself and beginning to explain.

“I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon,” she started, “some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her, but I don’t know what they are, where to find them,” her voice became more frantic as she went on, “I don’t even know what they do.”

Their attention was drawn to the Pink Pony who had wandered away from the conversation as she spoke up, “The Elements of Harmony,” she said, looking at a seemingly random part of the bookshelf, “A reference guide.”

She was quickly pushed out of the way by Twilight, “How did you find that?” she demanded, looking at the book she and Chains had been searching for this entire time.

The Pink pony just bounced on her hooves as she sang, “it was under ‘EEee’”

Twilight looked at the energetic pony with some amount of annoyance, but more at herself for not looking under ‘E’ in the first place. “Oh,” she said, before grabbing the book with her magic and pulling it off the bookshelf.

The other ponies gathered around her as she began to read. Chains, meanwhile, was cleaning up the books they had looked through already.

“There are six Elements of Harmony,” she began reading, “but only five are known; Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honestly and Loyalty,” the ponies listened more intently, as did Chains, taking a glance over at them as Twilight continued. “The sixths is a complete mystery, it’s said, that the last known location of the Five Elements was in the Ancient Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters, and it is located in what is now….. The Everfree Forest,” she finished.

This got a worried reaction from the five other ponies.

“The Everfree Forest?” they cried in unison.

“Is that a problem?” Twilight asked, closing the book, and setting it aside. “Is it far from here?”

“No, it’s just outside of town,” Rainbow Dash said. “But….”

“Nopony goes there,” Applejack cuts in. “It just ain’t natural.”

Twilight shook her head, “there isn’t much choice,” she said, looking at the five ponies, “could you show me where it is?” she asked them.

They all seemed to shift uncomfortably, but agreed, filing out of the library. Chains followed them out, hoping things weren’t just getting more dangerous for his Mistress.

………………..

It seemed only a few moments later, that the entire group was at the edge of the Everfree Forest, among the most dangerous places in Equestria. Even though it was night, it seemed to be even darker when one peered into the thick twisted trees.

Everyone in the group seemed at least slightly disturbed by the eerie feeling that the forest seemed to carry in the air around it, human and pony alike.

Pinkie was the first to recover, “Wee, let’s go,” she declared as she started to move closer along the path.

She was stopped by Twilight, “not so fast,” the purple unicorn said, “look, I appreciate the offer,” she started as she looked into the forest again, “but I’d really rather do this on my own.”

Chains looked at her with concern, wondering if she was determined to do this monumental task alone for the sake of the safety of the other ponies, who were present.

“No can do, Sugarcube,” Applejack started as she began to walk along the forest path, “we sure ain’t letting any friend of ours go into that creepy place alone,” she smiled; making it clear that no wasn’t going to be an acceptable answer. The others began to follow her, “we’re sticking to you like caramel on a candy apple,” she finished with the other ponies making their own sounds of agreement.

Pinkie Pie smiled brightly, “especially if there are candy apples in there,” she said in a happy tone, despite the situation being grim.

While Twilight looked at the pink mare blankly and with some concern, Chains was finding that he was admiring each of these ponies.

“What?” asked Pinkie Pie when she realized Twilight was staring. “Those things are good,” she giggled as she followed the other four ponies into the forest.

Chains looked to his mistress, who seemed to only get more worried. “We should get going too, Mis……”

He was cut off before he could finish.

“Go back to the Library, Chains,” The unicorn said, starting after the rest of the ponies.

Chains stared wide eyed, “w-what?” he asked. “But Mistress, I…..”

“I don’t want you in the forest, Chains,” Twilight stopped in her tracks and looked back at him, her face was one full of worry, though she tried to make herself look stern, Chains knew her too well to not see what she was really feeling.

She didn’t want him hurt.

The young human only looked back in her eyes; being torn between her order, and his wanting to help her. He swallowed hard, “Mistress, I, I want to help you,” he said, his voice beginning to sound more pleading.

“I won’t need your help, Chains,” she said softly, but with a stern tone. “Just go back to the Library and wait for me.”

The other ponies had stopped and turned their attention to the two of them, as Chains’ legs began to tremble. “But….”

“Just go!” Twilight snapped, catching everyone by surprise.

Chains stared wide eyed for a moment, but then silently nodded, and took a few steps back.

The air was silent, until Twilight finally turned, and began to catch up with the other ponies.

Chains couldn’t get a good look at her face, but the residents of Ponyville did. They saw the tears that threatened to spill over.

They said nothing, even Rainbow Dash, who was starting to get annoyed with Twilight ordering Chains to stay behind. They were all silent for a fair time as they went along the forest trail towards their destination.

Chains stood there watching for a time, until he couldn’t see their forms through the thick darkness that was the Everfree Forest.

He then did as Twilight told him to, and began to make his way back to the Library, the walk there seemed longer than the one it took to get to the Forest in the first place. His feet felt heavy, and they seemed to get heavier with each step as his heart pounded in his chest and ached.

It hurt when Twilight yelled at him, but he knew why she did.

But knowing her reasons did little to help him.

He was at the Library door before he knew it, and his hand went to the doorknob.

…..

…..

…..

He couldn’t turn it.

He didn’t want to.

His Mistress ordered him to wait for her to return, but….

His hand seemed to defy him, not turning the doorknob so he could enter.

Slowly, he let go of the doorknob, and looked back to the direction he had come from.

He couldn’t just sit and wait. Whether Twilight wanted him there or not, whether his Mistress would require his aid or not, that didn’t matter.

He took a step.

His feet felt light again.

He looked around one last time. Nopony was out, they were all inside, frightened of the everlasting night.

His eyes went back to the Forest beyond the town.

And he ran towards the path.

……………………………….

Chains was not athletic, nor in good shape. A lifetime cooped up in a castle, the heaviest things you lift being a large stack of books occasionally didn’t do much to keep one in peak condition.

It wasn’t long before he made it to the Everfree Forest, and it wasn’t long after his entry that he was leaning against a tree, trying to catch his breath.

He only spared himself a few moments though, before trying to move on, trying to follow the path which he could barely see through the darkness.

It wasn’t long before a feint blue glow began to light the area around him. He stopped and looked around.

It was when he decided to look up that he noticed the strange Night Mist, which was the source of such light. It suddenly flew before him, and Nightmare Moon stood there, looking down at him with her serpentine eyes.

His own mismatched irises started back into hers, full of fear, though he tried to stand his ground.

She observed him more, like she had done so earlier, his look of curiosity, nor her air of superiority ever faltering in the slightest.

“I asked you before, and I expect an answer now,” she started. “What are you?”

Chains looked up at her, as her question finally registered through the fear, “H-human,” was his answer.

The Mare of the Night tilted her head curiously, “I’ve never seen your kind before my banishment, your people must be relatively new to Equestria,” she commented. “What is your role?” she continued her questioning as she began to pace around him, looking over his form.

Chains almost wasn’t sure how to answer, but his reply was, “I am a slave.”

Nightmare Moon stopped in her tracks and raised an eyebrow, as if not sure if it was a joke or not. After a moment she smirked, “hah, so my ‘oh so benevolent sister’ has a few murky spots in her reign,” she let out a scornful laugh. “Though I’m shocked really, I never would have thought Celestia would enslave another race for any reason,” she said, continuing to pace around the human like a shark.

Chains felt himself shrink in fear of the Nightmare, before she stopped in her pace and spread her mighty wings, “my curiosity is satisfied for now,” she said. “I’ll figure out what to do with you humans after I dispose of the Foals who seek to end my Night,” she said, turning from him.

Chains’ eyes went wide when he realized what she meant, and reached out to try and stop her, “Wait!”

But it was too late. She had vanished into her dark mist and flew deeper into the forest.

With new fear in his heart, and now more determined than ever to try and help his Mistress, the human went chasing after the starry mist. He wasn’t sure what he could do to stop or slow down Nightmare Moon, but he had to do something.

This determination was quickly shown to be pointless however, as the mist vanished from sight, and Chains could no longer give chase.

He breathed hard as his lungs burned, before his foot caught a root and he was sent sprawling on the ground.

He pushed himself up and breathed heavily, looking up to get ready to try and continue his chase, when realization hit him.

He was lost, completely and utterly.

He looked around, trying to see if he could see any sign of where he could be or would need to go, but nothing seemed at all familiar.

His heart beat faster, this time it wasn’t because of the running.

He was lost, and Twilight was in danger.

He gritted his teeth in frustration, and his fist pounded the ground.

How could he have been so stupid? His Mistress was in trouble and he was completely useless to help her in any way.

He felt pathetic. All those words that Blue Star had said to him in passing over the years ringing in his memories about how useless he, and all humans were.

What hurt most was now Chains was beginning to think he was right.

He was pulled hard from his musings and back into the real world as he heard a feral growl from nearby.

His head whipped around and he looked over his shoulder, to see glowing yellow eyes staring back at him, and what was just as horrifying, was what they belonged to.

It was a large wolf like creature, but it’s body seemed to be constructed out of wood, even the teeth seemed to be sharpened points of wood.

Chains flipped himself over and started to crawl backwards slowly, trying to keep his distance as two more of the creatures appeared from the thicket, and were alongside the first one.

Suddenly, the human felt his back press against earth, and he looked behind him to see a short ridge above him. He quickly stood up and jumped upwards, trying to grab on to it to try and escape, but even at his best, he couldn’t even get his finger tips to the top.

He turned to face the wolves, which had edged even closer, growling, their eyes full of malice.

Chains pressed his back against the earthen wall and closed his eyes tight, tears peaking at the corners of his eyes.

“Mistress,” he said quietly, “I’m sorry.”

He waited for the wolves to strike.

But they didn’t, instead he heard a courageous yell, and his eyes snapped open in time to see something leap upon one of the wolves in the back.

It was a human something.

It raised one hand and brought down what appeared to be a straight short sword into its back, causing it to yelp loudly and collapse, both under the weight of the attacker and the pain of the weapon.

The other wolves turned their attention to the newcomer, and after sizing it up, the first wolf leaped at it, only to have the human duck under it.

The wolf turned around, and the blade which had dispatched its packmate cut across its face, and it let out a pained whimper.

The two remaining wolves backed off from this foe, and ran off into the forest, not hungry enough to deal with prey that could fight back.

As they left, the figure stood up, and turned to look at what was originally going to be the wolves’ meal.

Chains got a good look at his savior now, and noted him to be a human as he was, but certainly much older, and a full head and shoulders taller than he was too.

The long disheveled hair was starting to gray in some parts, and his face was coated in an equally graying beard, the signs of someone who was not yet an old man, but was certainly nearing it.

Also, what Chains noticed, was his clothing, which seemed to be some form of military tunic, weathered and worn, along with the remains of a chainmail vest, which only hung over his left shoulder, looking like the other part of it was ripped away by something some time ago?

His sword, held in his right hand, which he had now raised to point at the younger human seemed to be made of some kind of bone, the edges worn down into a blade.

More noteworthy about the stranger though, was that much of his body seemed to be covered in bandages of some sort. His right forearm, was wrapped up, as were his legs, and the collar of his tunic was opened enough that one could see his chest had bandages as well. And his left arm……

Chains couldn’t help but stare.

The other human’s left arm just wasn’t there. There was just a stump ending just above where his elbow would be.
The younger human quickly looked away from it, not wanting to offend the man who could be his savior, or just a new end to him.

The two humans stared each other in the eye for some time, the Stranger’s steel grey eyes looked intensely into Chains’ own blue and brown ones.

Chains felt his fear ease slightly when the older human sheathed his weapon in a makeshift scabbard.

And he spoke in a rough voice, “Who are you, and why are you hear?” he asked simply.

Author's Note

AN: Okay guys, say what you want about how late these are, but this one was a little bit faster coming out at least. And the good news is, we’re for the most part, past the parts where I watch an episode over and over to get certain parts right.

So we’ll leave off here, letting you ask yourselves who this new guy is and I’ll be honest, most of your assumptions about him are probably going to be wrong.

I make no promises, but I’ll try to get the next chapter out, at least before Season 4 gets rolling.