A white void was almost suffocating to the normal person, but not for the only being inside such a boundless box. There stood an old man built like a viking whom wore a silky white toga draping to his knees with golden lining along with wooden sandals that shone like they were fresh from the chopping block, carved to perfection while he had his hands folded behind him, staring beyond space. However, the man broke off from his trance as if something was watching him to which he turned around to face the new visitor, waving his left hand which had the sign of the Philosopher’s Stone engraved in blood coloured ink.

"Ah, I knew you would eventually want to see me. Following Lux through his journey must have left you wanting more I believe."

The man gave a warm smile to the empty void, in the mind of the beholder, he was looking at something very real.

"Oh! But where are my manners, can't assume that all of you have been following the boy after all. I'am... God. Or an avatar of myself that the boy thought into existence. Trust me when I say that if I was in my true form, we wouldn't be able to talk like this."

In an instant, a very comfy chair appeared behind God out of nowhere and he sat down without even looking back to see where it was placed.

"Now onto the fruit of the matter. I see that there are only a few possibilities on how the veil of reality opened back here. Perhaps it's a story about my existance? No, you're not here for some old man's wise tales. Maybe you wish to ask some questions about the earth? No, but it could be a good idea for another time."

As God lifted his hand onto his chin, the white void folded and cracked until it fully shattered, leaving behind a beautiful galaxy along with billions of stars encircling the relaxed being.

"Oh I'm just messing with you. I know what you're after. You want to see a different timeline! It does make sense I guess. Humans were always such curious creatures -oh, if only I could show you my first creations and their antics, Caelum was just an adventurous little man when he was young!- Ah nevermind, I'm getting off topic."

God extended his other hand outwards and by his will, a star came over to his hand to which he closed it and revealed it to you. "And do you wanna know the funny thing? All but one of these timeliness you see before you wasn't even made by me. It was mostly the work of one mare playing me ,and a crew of siblings trying to stop her. I'm glad though, makes things a lot less boring for me out here. I just wish I could say the same for some of these timelines... infinity brings out every possibility, including the impossible sometimes. Here, let give you an example:"

And so, the little star grew into a blinding light that encapsulated the whole galaxy, until it settled and zoomed into a very familiar destination.

Lux was ejected from the nightmarish fog's hold and would’ve hit a wall face first if he didn’t tuck and roll, slamming into it with his back. Pain shot up his body once he slumped to the floor, but the colt pulled himself off the concrete, concentrating on his breathing while stretching a few limbs for signs of lethal injury.

No sprains or cuts, just a bruise. That’s manageable. Though, I suppose getting kidnapped is a much more pressing matter. Or is it foalnapped? Uhhh other world vocabulary aside, I should probably survey the area.

He turned his focus to his location. From what the colt could gather, he stood in a regal castle and he could notice that whoever lived here hadn't returned. Roots and vegetation encapsulated the stone pillars holding the crumbling ceiling from falling under gravity's call. The windows lost their glass with only pieces of the frame being the only evidence of their existence and at the end of the hall, there lay a circular podium but with nothing on top of it.

Lux walked up the steps and stood in the middle of it to look through the framed window, his most obvious and biggest escape route, only to notice that he was about 6 floors high judging by the number of windows from a distant tower.

He frowned. “Doesn’t matter what I do, I always end up back in this damn Everfree one way or another…” Lux turned to face the open staircase on the other side, “though, broken castles must mean some sort of knowledge. Perhaps I can find something new before Nightmare Moon-”

“Leaving so soon, little colt?” The air ran cold and Lux steeled himself to meet the sound of his perpetrator who bent her neck to meet him at eye level, their muzzles so close to connecting with each other.

Lux scoffed, smirking at her. “Well, being held captive against your will doesn’t induce a lot of hospitality in a guest.”

Nightmare Moon’s widened her smile, revealing her sharp teeth. If Lux didn’t know better, he’d assume she was a carnivore. “Royalty don’t need to follow the intricacies of our subjects, besides you should be honoured foal. You are in the presence of the most powerful creature in all of Equestria.”

“Most… powerful?”

To Nightmare Moon's surprise, the colt didn’t look afraid of that fact, nor did he laugh like it was a nonsensical joke. He was looking at her with a gleam of respect and…admiration? She had already took the foal as a strange case given that he literally some archaic form of runic magic. And the fact that he was standing there stone-faced while interacting with her, the Mare of the Moon who could make grown stallions quake in their boots, was the nail in the coffin.

“Ahem, obviously little one. Now I believe you hold something valuable that I must seek,” she returned to her formal stature, averting her gaze to the window behind her, “that archaic magic you demonstrated before me, how did you acquire such magic, foal?”

Lux waited like a statue with his eyebrow raised and hoof on his chin, pondering his next move.

As she awaited his response, the alicorn lit her horn and scanned the colts body while his eyes were still shut. But surprisingly, their magic channels were still narrow and their mana storage organ wasn't that larger from a normal colt.

Yet he blasted a stream of air that blocked my controlled lightning strike... what kind of potential does this little thing even have?

And the most shocking part was the volume of magic stored inside. It filled the entire organ like it could burst at any second, a clear sign of a soon-to-be magic surge. But at 13 of all ages? The thought didn't scare her of course, but the room for growth was simply too impressive to waste.

Eventually, the colt broke from his position and prostrated himself in front of the mare which amused her greatly, given that it was the first pony to actually use the right manners in front of her. “I apologise, your majesty but to do so would most likely spell my demise by your hoof, yet I don’t wish to upset you so how about a compromise.”

Nightmare Moon peered at him, her slit pupils narrowing to wander deeper into his very being.

A bold creature, this one is. Almost too bold but no matter. “Very well, speak.” She commanded and so Lux obeyed.

“You see, I need to get stronger, I know that with all my power at this moment, it won't be enough to combat the threats that will come my way. Without strength, I’m no help at all… so here's my ultimatum! If you could teach me magic, I can teach you my skills. We both get what we want and I don’t lose out, is that satisfactory?”

She shut her eyes as if deep in thought. “No”

“What?”

“Your magic does seem impressive but it holds no candle to the might of my magic! For a colt to have such arrogance is almost amusing,” she chuckled coldly, grinning at Lux menacingly.

“A life of servitude added to such an ultimatum shall suffice. Your demise, as you put it, wouldn’t be a particularly fitting end for you, so I do encourage you to take this deal.”

The mare cooed, circling around him as he followed her gaze. “Think about it colt, you will be able to do anything under my hoof. Money, power, it shall be yours. All that's required of you is to listen and obey my orders. My words are your life and you will be wise to follow it, I do not tolerate disobedience nor cowardice.”

She stopped circling him and cupped her hoof to his chin, as if scanning for any hint of defiance. “Your answer is obvious colt, yet I need your word.”

Nightmare Moon watched carefully as the colt stared back, pondering his decision. Now that she thought about it, she never got his name. If he did plan to help her, it would at least be wise to have a right hand pony at her beck and call. But asking for it would only ruin the regal image she had made at the moment. So she resorted to more powerful methods, tapping her horn on the colts head, leaving him shocked as an unexpected floodgate of memories overflowed the mare of the Moon.

-Memory Recall

Inside an padded room lit by flourescent lights was Lux, but he was only the height of the desk he was sitting at. Even though the trapped atmosphere and the boring surroundings would've left any toddler crying, Lux was no toddler and he needed to prove it to his instructors.

On the desk itself was a sheet of test paper which had a variety of questions from different subjects which brought out topics like fractions, recent history and chemical elements. It was a bit difficult for Lux to finish it all, but nothing was going to stop him. He had studied too hard for him to retake it in another year.

About two minutes after he set his pen down, the light beeped in accordance of his deadline and out came a seemingly old man, whose face was too smooth to be that of a guy in their 80s and a guy dressed in student attire with a kind smile easily recognisable to the young boy as he eagerly hopped off his seat and hugged their leg.

"Cyprus! I can't believe it, Instructor Vir actually got you to visit."

"Well, once I heard that the big man himself wanted me to check out his newest prodigy in the making, I couldn't say no," Cyprus said cheerfully while smugly elbowing the older man's shoulder, "right, Principal?"

Without wasting an inch of emotion, Vir nodded robotically. "Yes and I apologise for taking you out of your studies on short notice, but the kid just wouldn't shut up when I told him about you and your victories over your classmates."

"Oh?" Cyprus raised an eyebrow while he grinned cheekily. "So~ What did he tell you, kid?"

When Lux realised that the bright student was looking at him, he bounced up and down excitedly. "Well he told me aaaall about how you destroyed your whole class with just your hands alone without ever getting hurt! You must have been all like blam blam!" The enthusiasm sprawled out of the boy as he punched the air like an amateur boxer would before performing a roundhouse kick with delight. "Like that or something."

Cyprus took a second to watch boys moves before getting the green light from Vir who remained as stone faced as ever. "Make it quick. Your final exam will be in just a week and we need to review the kids results right now."

"OK OK. Jeez old man, I know what I'm doing." The student groaned before kneeling down to Luxs level. "So you really like getting stronger, don't you?"

"Do I?" Lux asked rhetorically. "Of course I do, it's what I'm good at; What I'm born to do. I'm gonna sign up for that special course and become just like you someday! A-Actually, look at this."

The kid quickly took out a piece of paper from his plain mint gowns pockets which had the symbol of a triangle and put it in the palm of his hands before speaking. "Ignis!" And in response, a kindled flame came to life on the paper, dancing with life and energy.

"Oh, a descendent of Sir Ignis are you?"

"Yep! Instructor Vir says I've also have Lady Aers genes too but I've had no luck with making air yet... b-but I gotta be close. I just know it!"

For the first time since they locked eyes, the young boys lips quivered and his gaze hardened but the older boy wasn't about to allow that so he reached his hand out and ruffled his hair."Now now kid. No need to rush things. You've already made it further than the rest of your piers, all you need to do is keep working on your dream and eventually you can put that power to good use. Aide Academy is always looking for new people for the Conduit Program after all."

At last, Lux looked up at him through the spaces in between his fingers, the sparkles of admiration shining through his pupils. "In fact, if Mr Vir doesn't mind, I can keep checking on your progress from time to time. And if not, I'll at least tell you this kid... only those who fight for their place truly deserve it."

-End Memory Recall

Maybe it was a strange reaction that occurred from the spell, or maybe it was just the shock of the revelation but Nightmare Moon recoiled away from the colt while he looked at her, wide eyed.

"You... what did you do?"

"It was... merely a precaution to see if you'd be worth my time. Clearly, there was more than I could've ever hoped... a human boy," The alicorn echoed to herself, "you're a human boy in the body of a dead colt."

The sudden bombshell had sent Lux through a loop. He had already came to the conclusion that giving that information would be a terrible idea as it would grant him a one way trip to a pony asylum -if they had one. But now the cat was out of the bag and there was no chance to hide himself under the guise of Darkloud. It truly shook him.

Shit, what now? Is she gonna just end me right here and then? She's probbaly strong enough to do so... fuck! And I've only got the Aer symbols in my saddlebag. If only I still had the Philosopher's Stone, at least I'd have a chance!

"'Cease your inner blabbering... Lux is it? I'd rather not refer to you as day-lover anyway. This has certainly thrown a large hole in our bargain." The Nightmare grinned savagely and circled the colt once more. "So the stars have sent you into a world beyond your knowledge, am I correct?"

"W-Well yes. Though my dad got me acquainted with some basics-"

"It doesn't matter who taught you. It's actually a good thing, you weren't born and raised here... if you did, you would've grown up with the lies of my sister."

Lux' ears perked up at that. "Sister?"

"Yes, my sister. I assume you have heard of Princess Celestia?" A quick nod from the colt and she continued, stopping by him and lowering her neck over his head, whispering in his ear. "Well, she has always been a cruel sister. About 1000 years ago, we were happy as a diararchy, but it all changed when Celestia became too engrossed with her power and decided she wanted full control over her ponies as well as the night. So she overpowered me and betrayed me, Sealing me for a millennium until I had enough strength to escape."

"That's really what happened?" The story kind of puzzled the colt. Why would any sibling wish to suddenly end their own for something so selfish? "So why was everypony so scared of you? That pink mare literally screamed her head off."

Nightmare Moon showed her teeth again, walking towards a broken window. "All my sister again. Once I was sealed into the moon, she kept the night around for a few days before she set things right, fabricating a tale that I of all ponies wanted to place the world in an everlasting night. She... she tried to justify her actions when on the inside she was probably laughing at my poor subjects!"

"That's... really awful. Wait, but if it wasnt your idea, why put things in everlasting night right now?" The mare of the moon growled quietly at the sharpness of this boy, but she had to keep trying. She could see he wasn't disagreeing with her entirely.

"This is just a symbol of revenge. Now my sister can watch, trapped on that moon as I bring her little fabricated story into reality!" Nightmare Moon despised what she would do next, but she needed a nail in the coffin to fully bring the newcomer to her side. And so... she had to be sincere.

She turned back to Lux, but to his surprise, that cold gaze had softened and her lips smiled warmly. "I know you can understand me Lux. All that time, you wanted to use your gifts for others, only for them to stab you in the back and paint you as the evil one. We have that in common and I believe you have the right to live in the luxury you deserve. Forget the bargain. If you join me, I promise you that I will make you a Prince so powerful that no man, pony nor creature can touch you. All I need is your loyalty at my side, what do you say boy?"

Lux took a moment to observe the floor in concentration before looking back and nodding with a smile. "Sure thing. I don't really have a place to go anyway and who better to help me on my journey than the strongest alicorn in Equestria?"

"As you should. I know you would take up my offer Lux... no, no that name is way too non-pony for you, especially with that body. Il have to give you a new name as confirmation of your loyalties but first I must take care of something."

"And what's that?"

"Unfortuantely, Celestia has corrupted many ponies during her time here so a few ponies are trying to take the elements of harmony to stop me."

"The elements of harmony?" Lux pondered. "That sounds more like a good power than a bad one-"

"SILENCE!" She ordered in her Canterlotean voice, promptly shutting the colt up. "Thank you." Nightmare Moon's horn glowed brightly and once it ceased, a purple mare lay confused on the ground along with 6 stone spheres that rolled onto the podium. Lux could tell by the star cutie mark that it was the pony he was next to prior to Nightmare Moon's release.

"Uhhh, what the- Nightmare Moon! Release the colt, you're problems are with me."

"Oh you poor thing. Celestia has truly played with your mind little subject. Fortunately, I shall make to it that I free you from your spell."

"Huh?" Twilight tilted her head in disbelief. She must have gotten quite stupid if the alicorn thought that she would belive those lies. "Don't try to change the subject! By the name of Celestia, I will use the elements of harmony to stop you."

The two ponies ignited their horns to attack, but were disturbed by a brazen colt jumping in between them. "Wait a minute! We don't have to fight like this Miss Moon, can't you just end the spell right now and set things right?"

Twilight blinked in suprise. At last, the studious unicorn could connect the dots with the alicorns game. "Wait, Darkloud I don't know what books you've been reading, but that's the embodiment of evil! You can't negotiate with her."

"Hey, she isn't evil, she's just emotional. Wouldn't 1000 years on the moon do that to anyone?"

"Anyone? Did I hear that right? It doesn't matter, Celestia put her there for good reason and she needs to be stopped!"

However, a shiver came down Twilights spine as Nightmare Moon walked over and patted the colts head. "Now now Lux, it's alright. But I'm sorry to say that my sister's spellwork is no easy thing to crack. I'll need time to figure it out before I can free the ponies of her manipulation."

"Wait wha- Lux? Darkloud, you can't seriously be falling for this? She is literally spouting nonsense!" Twilight shouted, shooting a blast of magic at the mare who blocked it with a magical shield.

"Nonsense? My little subject, you don't know him like I. He is much wiser than the puppeted ponies could ever be. Especially you. Do you know how it felt to be blasted by those elements? To be engulfed in an unquenchable blaze, evaporated into air only to be stuck on the moon never feeling whole as I used to..."

Nightmare Moon smirked as she saw the colt stare at the stones on the podium. He recalledhis old days as a Conduit of the Philosopher's Stone and as a soldier, watching or even participating in the brutish games with his enemies. Back then, his sights were blinded by the glasses of his birth, but he knew better now and it infuriated him.

"That's horrible... why are they called the elements of harmony if they are used for such a painful use? I-Its just torture!" Lux monologues and to Twilight's horror and Nightmare Moon's delight, he stuck a sticky note with an Aer sign on his hoof and shot a blast of wind at the stones, sending them flying out of the castle to inevitably crash onto the ground.

Twilight couldn't believe her eyes, it was almost funny in a sense. A random foal just destroyed the only thing that could save the world. Now it was all over and it was all her fault. If she had just took more time into convincing the naive colt rather than facing Nightmare Moon, there could've been a slight chance that the elements would've responded to her. But now it's a hopeless dream as a deal fast magical bolt sent her flying into the wall, hitting her head and turning everything black as she slumped to the floor.

"Excellent little foal, for a moment I thought my sister's spell would entrapped you too. But it looks like I had nothing to worry about." The Nightmare grinned maniacally from behind him as he walked over the edge and gazed down the tower where the stones shattered. On one hand, it was liberating to be rid of such dangerous artefacts but at the same time, it didn't feel right. Nothing felt right with what he did.

Silently, Nightmare Moon teleported at his side and rubbed his head in a twistedly maternal manner. "Now, you will stay here for a moment while I... 'help' the other unfortunate ponies. You have made the right decision and don't forget that. You have saved the world from my sister's hold and allow me to gift you the world for your contribution. We will gift out the details of your ascendancy once the preparations are in order. Now, if you would bow to me for a moment."

Although hesitant after the rather forcefull knockout of the lavender unicorn, he did as he was told and allowed Nightmare Moon to tap her horn on her shoulders as if he were being knighted. "I, Nightmare Moon, Queen of Equestria now acknowledge you Lux as my right hand pony and second in command. Therefore, I shall grant you the title of 'Prince' along with your new name with you shall adopt until your death, Lucid Storm!"

Once the impromptu ritual was completed, silence filled the hallways until Lux... or Lucid Storm as he is now named, noticed his Queens glare and quickly responded. "Thank you Miss Moon-"

"Ahem, it's your majesty to you."

"Uhm, sorry your majesty."

"And be honoured child, you are the first and the last to ever share a spot with royalty." She declared until the recognisable shouting came from the the staircase. "And it seems the rest of the misguided ponies are arriving. Just wait here, Il go take care of them." The alicorn chuckled menacingly as her wings extended, allowing her to glide along the hall and down the stairs.

Lucid Storm could only walk over to the unconscious unicorn and sit by her as the shouts and screams from below slowly died out to the sporadic blasts of magic and destroyed property.

The newly appointed prince placed his hoof on her neck and thankfully felt the blood still pumping through her skin.

Well, at least Il have someone- ah, I mean somepony to talk to. She understands me, unlike these ponies... more like they wouldn't understand, but I cant control that.

Lucid Storm sighed and stared out the broken window to view the stars that always gifted him with security and love, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. But the new unicorn face plastered onto the moon was painful to look at. He should feel nothing seeing a power hungry alicorn locked away forever, but then again, nopony should deserve isolation on that magnitude.

But what can he do? This was his choice and he hoped to God and those watching that he made the right judgement.

Cause at that very moment as he swiped the dust out of the lavender mares coat, he couldn't tell if the crown he'd eventually wear will be made of gold or thorns.

Author's Note

I thought I'd add some of these alternate timeline stuff as padding out for the wait with season 2. It's gonna take a long time with exams popping up so I wanna put up as much content as I can to shorten the boredom gap. Who knows? They might some into play years down the line.