Thunder and Magic: The Dark Chronicles|Nightmare Moon

Lucid awoke from his bed with apathetic confusion. He had expected the nightmares to plague him even worse than before given what happened last night, but he didn't have any dreams of a dead Twilight nor did he dream of finding the skeleton of his friendly assistant in the sands of the desert. It was actually a nice dream for once.

If he could recall, the dream was in a humble courtyard that lit up from the moon-filled starscape above. His whole body was paralysed during the whole experience and yet he didn't care because he was lying on something soft like fur. So he just laid there, basking the view of the stars, an unrecognisable hoof stroked his back and his mane in a rhythmic manner.

He had read from a book that mothers do that kind of practice on their kid to calm them down so maybe he was unconsciously using that information to keep himself from panicking in his dreams.

Man. If that's the case then I hope I can keep doing that. It's better than the nightmares at least.

"Did you sleep well, Prince?"

Despite the familiarty of the voice, it never failed to make Lucids skin crawl when he heard it. Still, he brought his gaze to the corner where the shadows took their spot and saw those snake-like diamond eyes gleaming back at him.

"You could've knocked, you know?" Lucid commented as the mare proudly exited the veil of shadows and into some proper lighting where the Prince could see her cackling grin.

"And you should be more aware of a sudden entry. If I were a rebel pony, you would've been a deer caught in headlights."

A scowl immediately formed on his lips. "Don't take my inaction for cowardice, Nightmare. If I froze up often, I'd be dead by now."

"That I'm sure." She responded, her body slithering beside his bed as she awaited his every breath. "Now, I'm also sure that you understand why I 'am here." A slow nod from the drowsy stallion was all she needed to give the Prince a dastardly grin. "Good. Now, come walk with me. We have much to discuss."

Without a moment of hesitation, Lucid got out of bed and teleported his regalia onto himself, the golden gleam from its smooth texture shining proudly for the Queen to see. I guess Miss Rarity is putting in more effort than normal. Hope she's doing okay.

Steadily, the pair of royalty made their way through the castle hallways, but Lucid knew better. It was essentially the same path that he took when he got bored, so he could only presume a long chat was ahead of him.

"So as you are definately aware, I had noticed that a particular thorn in my side has finally kicked the bucket. You were responsible for this, yes?" Although the images of that night still turned his stomach, he gave a resolute nod. "Excellent. I thought it would take a decade or two before you got rid of that sentimental idiocy, but colour me impressed Storm."

Usually, Lucid would use Custodios alchemic arts to hide the rage slowly bubbling within him, but that form of alchemy was now lost to him so he had to use sheer force of will. It was barely successful.

Thankfully, Nightmare Moon was too engrossed in squishing his cheeks with her magic. "Well, I shouldn't be too surprised. I raised you after all. Hehehehehe~" Eventually, the mare stopped in her tracks as she guided the stallion onto a balcony. Billions of stars greeted him beyond the horizon and at last, his heart paced itself.

"Why did you bring me up here? I've seen this starscape hundreds of times now."

"Oh no, dear. What I'm thinking is below my domain. Equestria herself." She said slyly and with a touch more gentle than he had ever felt from the tyrant, she lowered the stallions chin to face the land below. Both Canterlot and Ponyville could be seen thanks to the endless generation of lights that gleamed the houses. Around 2 years ago, he was able to create a stable source of electricity using his limited alchemy, reverted backwards with a time gem.

What did I name it again? The Infini-Magnet? Man, I suck at names.

Either way, he could smile fondly whenever he looked at those lights as if the joys of his breakthrough and the happiness of the pony civillians had came back for seconds. Nightmare Moon smiled proudly as she spoke again. "Tell me, Lucid Storm. When you look at your kingdom, what do you see?"

"Uhm... I see a place that can grow on its own, ponies that I must protect. Stuff like that."

The mare of the moon scoffed playfully. "You think too small, young foal."

"Oi!" Lucid blurted. "I'm 18, I'd appreciate some respect if you want me to be your heir."

"And I'm 1049 years old, young one. So you would be wise to listen. Will you?"

"..."

"Thank you. As I was saying, you're views are too short sighted for your role in this world. Sooner or later, everything the moonlight touches shall be our kingdom. We will have to show all the creatures that dwell on this planet that we are the superior beings with both the physical and regal right to rule over them. Unfortunately, that would become only me in 90 more years, your might may be strong for most ponies but time isn't a foe one can face."

Swiftly but gracefully, she extended her wings and hovered above the balcony, giving the stallion a prideful smirk as the moon bathed her in shadows.

"So with your test finally over, I believe it's about time for your true coronation to begin!"

About 2 moon cycles later, Lucid was walking through the ballroom that had been referberished for his up-coming coronation. The place shone like the moonlight and the ponies were all crowded together as they mingled to pass the time.

He almost forgot how refreshing it was to partake in these kinds of parties. The last one he remembered attending was the Academy Prom night back at his old world, where he and Zelus caused quite a rukus on the dance floor. Just recalling the pissed off faces of the much older Belican Elites with punch soaking their hair and formal attire left a cheeky smirk on his lips.

Hehehehe... man I miss those days.

Sadly, the fun he would dream for was neigh impossible in his current position.

"Y-Your drink, Prince S-Storm..." A frail and anxious voice whispered, though Lucid didn't need to turn his head to recognise the shaking mess that was the cleaner. Her natural flowing mane he recalled years ago was now neatly tied in a bun and wore the midnight coloured attire that all the servents were required to use. But the fear that bound her eyes and body were still the same which put a sour taste in his heart.

I kind of hoped I would change that, but it beats how she saw me down in the dungeons... how everypony saw me down there.

"Thank you Fluttershy, I could really use a glass." He responded warmly, elegantly levitating the drink of apple cider with magic before taking a quick gulp of it. The instant taste of fruity freshness has enveloped him, reacting with a restrained sigh. "Hooo, I can get used to this..."

And with that, he took the bottle that lightly bounced on the shaky tray Fluttershy held and chugged on that too, but not for long as it was plucked out of his mouth. "You... uh- really shouldn't drink so much so fast, you could get sick during your big day."

Lucid glared coldly at the frantic servant as if it were second nature, but one instinctual flap away from him told him everything as his demeanour softened. "Sorry Fluttershy, y-your right. Just thought I'd try livening myself up before it starts."

An awkward chill filled the air that almost held form, the other guests staying clear of their view in a state of compliment ignorance. "Thanks anyway, Il should meet up with-" Before he could turn around however, he could feel the air that breezed on his fur along with a hoof that gently gripped his back.

"Are you... feeling nervous?" The question almost sounded ridiculous to him. He was in the forefront of several wars from both sides of his life. He who had taken more lives than he would care to have on his conscience.

"Me.... nervous?" Lucid chuckled half-heartedly. "Noooo of course not. I'm only becoming a deity who will need to hold the responsibility of an entire country with somepony whom I can't tell is supporting me out of love or malice. Does that sound like I'm nervous?" Fluttershy gave the prince a look of pity before nodding in tow. Lucids forced grin vanished instantly. "Yeah, fine... I'm a little nervous."

"Do you wanna talk about it?" The mare hovered to his left and set down the tray and glassware on a nearby table. "Talking about my problems to my animals makes me feel better, maybe it can work for you."

"Last time I checked, you aren't an animal Fluttershy and the irony isn't lost on me ,but I get what you mean." Lucid teleported two seats beside them and sat down to set the mood. "It's just I've got alot on my hooves and it's gonna get more heavy from here on out."

"But you've been performing your duty for as long as I've known you." Fluttershy averted her gaze for a brief moment, the thoughts of the past still clawing at her mind. "I mean, many ponies would be lost if you haven't lent a hoof. And if you didn't give me and my friends a chance, I...I don't want to think about it."

"It was the least I could do. There's much more I need to make amends for..."

He coldly glared up to the podium which he would be stationed soon and where his majesty stood, pridefully conversing with the nobles in her inner circle. He even recognised a few them such as Fancy Pants whom had invited him to a play regailing his previous conquests and Mr Rich who gave a generous donation to the Royal Court.

Fluttershy followed his glare before giving an awkward smile. "Well, I-I may not be the best pony to help you with that, but if it makes you feel any better, you're going to be alright. And I know that whatever you do next will be for the good of everypony. You have heart and that's all you need."

The kind servents words had seemed to resonate with the Prince, though the tang of regret never escaped his tongue.

I have a heart huh? One drenched in blood thats for sure... if only you knew what I had to do in that prison you were once trapped in.

Shrugging that though however, he tried to respond to her advise with a resolute nod. "Thanks Fluttershy, Il be a Prince that everypony can look at fondly, just wait and see."

The air felt warmer all of a sudden but Lucid didn't mind as he made his way towards the podium to meet his destiny while the servent watched from behind.

"I sure hope so..."

"Hey Fluttershy, what are you doing standing around?" Said another servent. "Get another tray before the superiors catch on!"

Immediately, she shrieked and instinctually bounced in the air. "C-Coming!"

"And that was the story of how Prince Storm successfully subdued the Griffon chief of Griffinstone. Truly a glorious tale was it not?" Nightmare Moon said.

"Why of course," Fancy Pants answered honestly, "for as young as he is, to be able to make 12 battalions surrender with a magically enhanced thunderstorm is quite amazing."

"Y-You've certainly raised him well, your highness." Mr Rich stammered, his eyes aiming their gaze towards her hooves.

"Ohohoho, that is obvious peasant. My intuition of a pony's potential has never been wrong ,despite all the set backs out of my control." The alicorn showed her teeth at her last sentence, the memories of Lucids past defiance on her mind. That was until a shadow was cast between them which linked back to the stallion in question. "And thank the stars, Prince Storm. I was almost sure that you'd wait in your quarters until the big event." She then raised her hoof towards him

Lucid sparked a faint smile at her. "Well, I didn't want to trust my clock so I thought I'd bare the festivities." And although the act always made his fur stand on edge, he lowered his neck and kissed the plating on her hoof, as per curtesy.

"Hmf, I suppose now you're here, we should get along with the ceremony. Peasants, you're all excused." One by one, the nobles stepped off the podium with restrained annoyance on their faces besides Fancy Pants who past by Lucid Storm confidently.

"Good luck your highness." He whispered before taking his leave and rendezvousing with his wife. Despite the sentiment holding no personal connection to the Prince, it still made a dent in his default cold demeanour.

"Now then, before I make the announcement, please heed my words carefully my dear." Nightmare Moon cooed before pulling his head inches from hers with a magical tug. "From here forth, you are now an official Prince of the eternal night and thereby related to my blood. I expect you to carry on my will as long as you're alive and train your offspring in the same teachings should you choose to produce. Am I clear. My son?"

Son? Now that's new.

On one side, it almost warmed him that she finally saw him in such a way. But on the other hand, it wasn't like he knew how that felt in the first place so for all he knew, she was just playing with tradition.

Still awaiting a responce, the stallion spoke firmly. "Yes."

"..." Her hold hadn't loosened.

"Yes Miss Moon."

"..."

"Yes your majesty."

"You're testing my patience Lucid."

"... yes. Mom."

A callous smirk expanded on her smugly. "Wonderful." The previously tense flow of magic had unlatched from Lucid as he got into place in the center of the podium. Meanwhile, Nightmare Moon teleported to the edge and surveyed the room before teleporting a mirror case to briefly check her visage.

"Ahem." She coughed, but the ponies were rather too afraid to look in her vicinity or just didn't hear her which produced a bulged vein on her symmetrical face. "AHEM. GREETINGS MY SUBJECTS!" The reins of her Canterlot voice put everypony in a chokebind as none moved a muscle while the music faded into silence like the Queens mere presence terrified it.

And it greatly amused her. "Now that I have your ignorant attention, I shall first thank you all for coming. I do recognise that 3 days was of short notice for many but it warms my heart to have a full audience. I wouldn't have expected any less."-

Lucid didn't need to read their minds to know that their shallow faces responded harshly to the Queens words.

Warms your heart? You barely have one. A random pony thought. Everypony else had similar opinions from what Lucid could feel, and it was lucky that Nightmare Moon was too caught up with her speech to delve into their thoughts. Otherwise, there would be blood.

-"But as you should be aware, this night is very special in our history. Far beyond the events you normally mingle in. For today marks the first time in a millennium that a pony ascends to the throne as an alicorn! And I wouldn't bestow this opportunity to any lowly pony, not even one with class. No, only perfection would be suitable to be at my hoof and at last, I've done it." Nightmare Moon promptly shut the doors with a blue haze and shined her carnivorous jaws to the audience. "I welcome you the newest member of my family, and the central force of the Equestrian guard, Prince Storm."

As the sound of cheers and clops filled the air, Lucid exhaled his stress away before standing beside her. She then lit her horn towards the moon which sent a scroll flying out of it and into the Queens grasp. "Now. Are you ready?" She stated.

"Yes." And that was the last thing that needed to be said as she spoke the words written in the scroll. Immediately, his body glowed a bright yellow as he floated in the air, hair drifted back and eyes a pure white. He could feel his consciousness pulling itself somewhere and the feeling was growing fast.

All he could see was the audience whom stared up at him in amazement. A few caught his eye like Fluttershy whose hopeful smile put him at ease and the guards who were saluting him through the whole process. But he had a different feeling in his gut. Like he was missing somepony else.

And that's where he saw her.

The formal silk suit and crimson tie, the studious black eyes and glasses, the brunette hair neatly tied in a bun. It was too similar to be anypony else.

Raven?! She's alive? The revelation seemed to add yet another boost to his soul as he smirked genuinely at the crowd. Fluttershys right, I've got ponies counting one me and it isnt on me to let them down... wait. At that moment, his mind clicked. Raven Inkwell said before that she'd try to head to a base from Cadences Revolution. So if she's here, then that means-

Crap! Was all he could think before the light sent his thoughts away.

A galactic glow glistened beautifully among the walls of the ballroom which stone a cascade of colours to Inkwells dark eyes.

So this is the process of alicornification. Sweet Celestia, it's more gorgeous than I imagined.

But it didn't wash away the struggles of the stallion behind the light and she wasn't about to let it continue any longer. Ever since she took up the role of double agent for the rebellion, the dilligent secretary had Lucid Storm in mind. Just the thoughts of seeing the stressed foal relaxing under the sun made all of her deception and deceit worth it.

Smiling to herself, she momentarily looked around to check if the guards had noticed her. Upon seeing their focus transfixed on the transformation reached into her suit and pulled out an small orb. It was clear as day but glistened with pink stars inside its material.

She took one last glance at the menace of the night before she threw the orb to the floor. This is for Celestia.

CRASH

Shards scattered everywhere along with a rosey smoke that permitted the floors. Everypony finally took their eyes off the marvel and backed away from it. Nightmare Moon however had flown into the air for a better view, scowling in the process.

"Tsk. To think you would schedule your foolish last stand today, Cadance!"

The smoke sparked out of existance, revealing a tall pink alicorn with jade eyes, a flowing candy mane along with a set crown and necklace embroidered with her cutiemark.

"We have tolerated your tyrannical night for far too long, Nightmare Moon. Now shall be the hour where the sun shall rise once again!" Cadance preached, her followers brandishing their swords and shields to the Queen.

Nightmare Moon gritted her teeth and bellowed at the guards. "SEIZE THEM!" And with that, chaos ensued and the guests fled the castle in a panic while those who had the will to pick up a sword clashed with their respective foes.

"My little ponies, now is the time to stand up against her. All I need is your faith in me and I assure you that victory will be ours!" Cadance roared as her emerald magical blast locked with the Queen of the Night.

The civillians that remained must have felt emotionally connected to her words, rather from the prospect of a better ruler or the downfall of a monster, they picked up their arms against the Queens forces all the same.

Observing the carnage from afar, Raven took fast paced steps towards Lucid Storm. By the time she reached the podium, the wind that picked up from the transformation had died down whilst the shifting mass of lights drifted back to the floor.

"Lucid," Raven called, a hesitant hoof slowly reaching into the mystical cocoon, "Lucid, can you hear me?"

Unfortunately, no answer arose from within, leaving the ex-secretary in a panic as the richet of the royals blasts shot dangerously close to her vicinity.

Come on, I cant just come back without trying to pay my debts!

Snapping out of her thoughts, she fully extended her hoof through the barrier. But as she supposedly interacted with Lucids body, a shocking reaction occurred that discharged the surroundings, sending her and anypony near the podium to the walls which left a nasty crack.

"Ha! Foolish traitor," Nightmare Moon cackled, throwing an array of tableware at Cadance with annoying success, "once the alicornification is in process, there is no reverting it until the chosen pony is ready! You're attempts to weaken my forces is futile."

"Urghhh, my subjets are NOT of your concern" Cadence grunted in frustration and set up a green barrier in front of her aggressors assault before pushing it towards the Queen, sending her flying through a window. A loud cheer from the rebellion followed the advantage which left the guards speechless, allowing for Cadance to cast a quick spell through the ballroom that made the guards fall flat on the floor. Asleep.

Once the last soldier was overcome by their drowsiness, the Princess grinned shifted her gaze to the podium. "Well, if we can't weaken the enemy any further, we can at least erase the numbers." Suddenly, she charged her horn whilst aiming towards Lucid.

Raven almost lost ber breath as she dashed in front of her horn. "WAIT!" she shouted. "What are you doing, Princess? You promised me we'd talk to the Prince first! I know him well enough, I can convince him-"

"Subject, that tyrant has had her hooves on that stallion for a long time, I can't take that chance if we ever want to maintain a better future. So I'm asking you nicely." Cadance responded coldly, her emerald glare sending shivers down Ravens spine. "Step aside."

Only the sounds of the buzzing magic reverberated the area, leaving a tense staleless where they stood. The poor secretary's heart was now beating faster than a drum, eyes wide as her body refused to make a move and her mind erupted into a frenzy.

Why the sudden change in the Princess' demeanour? Would the Princess really do it? I thought shed never break a promise. Why did it come to this?...

Wait... did she always have emerald eyes-

A deafening crack of magic blasted through the broken window and into Cadances face, careening her body into her followers. Out of the open wreckage was Nightmare Moon who growled at her adversary like a wild Ursa Major.

"To think a fledgling like you could test the rims of my patience. Though, I suppose insect would be a more logical term."

The comment left a couple of the ponies puzzled while the rest (Cadance included) looked like they were about to blow up. "Shut your foul mouth. All you are is a false idol under Celestias throne!"

"Oh? That's rich! You are one to talk. I had wondered why a fledgling such as you could gather enough magic were to fight against me but now it's all become clear." The Queen smirked smugly as green steam flaked off the blast wond on Cadance.

"P-Princess, are you alright?" A concerned stallion asked, steadily moving closer to her until she snapped. And that was when everypony could see it. The previously beautiful pink fur that covered her face had mutated into a scaly black while her horn became like that of a dagger.

The stallion shrieked backwards and tried to run for the doors, but his path was blocked by two other ponies. "G-GET OUT THE WAY!" He panicked. "CANT YOU SEE? SHES A-"

"-changeling..."

The two ponies were basked in a green glow until their forms shifted into quadreped bugs, grinning down at the terrified pony.

"Just as I thought." Nightmare Moon flew to the Cadance imposters side, having the time of her life. "You took poor Cadance hostage and posed as her so you could feed on a constant supply of love from your members. It was smart, Il give you that."

"It doesnt matter anymore," the imposter finally threw off her disguise, showing her full form to the crowd, "nopony other than my subject will be alive to tell the tale. The love I've gained will be more than enough to drstory you, for I am Queen Chrysalis! The rightful ruler of Equestria!"

"Ha! Queen of Changelings, Queen of Nothing, your dominion is negligent in face of the night!" And as their beams clashed again, chaos erupted.

Real ponies dashed around the place in a fit of fear or fought of the sudden arrival of the changeling whom lifted their forms, and all Raven could do was watch.

All this time, I was following a changling? No... it cant be. So that means the real Cadence... oh Celestia, Im sorry. Inside, she really wanted to vomit after all the twists and turns that befell her in that moment, but she couldn't.

Raven knew that her time on life was running out no matter which creature arose from the corpse of the other and so she could only rely on one. So as a few changelings broke off from the war zone to creep towards Raven, she stood strong and spoke inches apart from Lucids ethereal cocoon.

"Lucid! Please, if you can hear me, we need you here right now! I know that you've held all your troubles to your chest, but tonight you get to confront them. And out of everypony who has the power to take the throne, Equestria would rather have you. I'm sorry I couldn't be of much use to you, but I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me. Be the Prince we need."

"Huh?" Lucid awoke from his summer and hastily picked himself up from the floor. Though it was more like standing on glass, as the whole room was filled with starlight.

However it's patterns were much different from the ones in his reality as were felt much lighter in colour and held a warm glow in contrast to the untouchable coldness of Nightmare Moon's design. Lucid would've only dreamed of witnessing a spectacle like this from his old world, but after a few minutes of star gazing, his mind zapped him into attention of their goal.

"Oh, right." He exclaimed, looking deep into the vacuum of space. "This is probably some kind of lobby I'm resting in until the alicornification process completes."

"..."

The Prince sighed at nothing in particular. "Well, this is gonna get REAL boring depending on how long this'll take. Man, this is almost as unbearable as being stuck with Ira on one of her shopping tirades... and by almost, I should mean not even close- what am I thinking? I can do this!"

"Then perhaps I can be of help to you."

"No need, I think I can handle waiiiiting- okay who said that?"

Lucid brought his horn into position and charged electricity into his magic, priming it in the direction of the echoing voice.

"Oh, please don't be alarmed my little pony. I mean no harm to you." The voice persisted and a faint light shone from above whilst a snowy alicorn descended onto the floor, to Lucids bemusement.

Though upon close inspection, the Prince had noticed just who was in front of him.

Rainbow mane, gentle and honest face. It must be her.

"You're Princess Celestia. T-The one that was supposed to be at the Summer Set Festival 5 years ago!"

"Indeed," Celestia smiled brightly at him which competed with the dominion she held power over, "and although I would find it strange that you didn't recognise my voice, I suppose your form tells me all I need to know."

"Form?" Lucid questioned, "What do you... oh!" The moment he looked down and inspected himself, he realised that he was standing upright, hands and feet were real as can be and his clothes were the exact same as when he left them. "I'm, my old self again. Then again, it's not the first time somepony figured it out."

Celestia chuckled faintly with the boy. "Well either way, it's a pleasure to meet you, human from another world." She helf out her hoof and Lucid responded to it with his own and shook it.

"Thank you. But if feel much better if you'd call me Lucid. Lux had finished his journey 5 years ago and it would feel weird to keep switching my name."

"Very well." She responded, walking ahead of Lucid into the deep space. "Come walk with me, would you?"

Feeling no harm is agreeing, he briskfully kept pace with Celestia as they journeyed through. "I must say, Raven was definately not wrong about you. You really are must kinder than I expected royalty to be."

"Oh? So you've met Miss Inkwell. She was a great friend to me and got me out of many tight corners, you have a good future with her by your side."

"That's if I can talk to her..." He faintly mumbled. "But anyway, why are you in here? I need to finish up this process and try making things right before the revolutionaries make swiss cheese out of the castle!"

"I'm very aware, but I feel like you need to take some things off your chest before you make your first move." She responded and suddenly, many smoke rimmed windows appeared parallel to eachother, facing him down like a hallway and as they passed them, the glass panes showed quick images of his memories. From Lux and from Lucid Storm.

The majority were from his old life, like when he was able to use fire and wind alchemy in tandem of eachother which rounded a nonconsentual group hug with his friends or when he was out of the field saving civillians from the war. Those memories, he could smile for, and not the darker memories comprised of the dead and his failures.

"Throughout your time in Equestria, you have inadvertently changed the course of history. With Nightmare Moon still at large, I could not escape from my capture in the sun and take a stand. But please don't blame yourself as from what I can see, you have tried your best to rectify your mistakes."

The rest were the times when he was getting the hang of being a Prince. He could see the dubious experiments he tried in an inclosed space to replace the sunlight required for photosynthesis with moonlight and the happy faces of business ponies when he gifted those products. But out all of his memories, the wars and the fights, the highs and lows, he only stopped to grasp at one.

It was a simple memory. It was back when he first reincarnated into Equestria and was just learning about the world. He was with his father, Heatwave kicking down vineapples and placing them in baskets while joking about and laughing with eachother. It only reminded Lucid of who he lost, what he lost and it brought a tear in his eye.

Then, a light hoof held his shoulder in comfort. "You were young and in need of help, but too many obstacles blocked you from it. As of now, Nightmare Moon is in battle with the Changling Queen which will give you a large opportunity." With a sweet motherly embrace, Celestia cupped her hoof under Lucids cheek. "When you awaken, all you need to do is concentrate all your power to raising the sun from its slumber, then Il take care of the rest."

At last, his body felt tingly as it shifted and changed back into the stallion form he was used to and his eyes glowed in signal of something. "Il see what I can do. I'm sorry for how long this has gone on for, Princess."

"Your regrets are already forgiven my little pony. Let's bring Equestria back into the light and fix all the damages due time, I believe in you Lucid."

The Prince floated in the air and a galactic force flowed around his body, forming large wings that spread further than a pegasus, a large horn that was only a bit shorter than Nightmare Moon's and a fair increase in height. Eventually, the magic began pumping into his system, creating an electrifying reaction that resulted in his mind shutting off for a brief moment.

The magical cocoon that held Lucid finally cracked and shattered, revealing his new alicorn form even though he had slumped to the floor.

"Owww" He groaned, steadily picking himself from the wet quartz. "This feels eerily like deja vu..."

But as he did so, the pince made a double take over his hooves. "Wait, why is the floor so wet?" Steadily, he aimed to answer himself as look to the supposed battle that was at hand. Perhaps Nightmare Moon or this Changeling character had shed some blood on the battlefield or maybe it belonged to one of the many ponies that stayed around.

Though upon raising his head, he didn't see the raging battle that his ears could recognise. No, what laid before him was much worse on his eyes.

It was his most treasured secretary.

The blood was hers.

"Oh... oh my God, Raven!" She was currently holding onto him with everything she had left, her glasses still on her snout even when they were snapped in two and her back smoking with green magic. On closer inspection, Lucid saw just how deep the wound was as the spine was visible amoung meat and fur.

He let out a cursed plea before casting a spell on top of the wound. "Hey... hey Raven. Speak to me, tell me you're okay dammit!"

The warm glow that permitted Ravens back did nothing to help seal it, but it did work against the pain, allowing the secretary to cough to life.

"Cough! Cough!. Huh... oh, you're finally awake Prince Lucid. Heh, you look great with a pair of wings."

The pair of changelings on the side had stepped back from the newly awakened alicorn, but as they noticed his focus was on another, they went on the attack. However, Lucids horn and wings reacted on instinct, horn sending a shockwave of lightning that cleanly shot through the attackers and wings wrapping themselves around Ravens slumped position.

"N-No, this can't be happening. We just found eachother again, you can't just up and die right now!"

"I-Im sorry, Lucid. But I losing too much blood, it's getting harder to talk at... at this rate." The glazed look in her eyes was becoming more and more hazy as she spoke. "But please...please don't blame yourself. This was my choice, and I don't regret any of it. You made... you made these 5 long years more tolerable than I could've hoped for." Lucid felt like he wanted to scream, to curse the world for what it did to him, but all that could escape him was a helpless gasp. Like he was choking for air.

"It... was an honor...to be your friend. Lucid...."

And with that, the glossiness in her eyes had fully taken over. With no more strength left in the mare, her hooves unlatched from Lucid and laid onto the floor. Lifeless.

But Lucid didn't have the heart to look down at her. He just stared in front of him, the static in his ears taking hold of him.

Why? Why does this keep happening? Why is it that no matter how strong I become, they just keep dying!?

It was one life-changing event after another but in a sick sense, it always ended with a body at his feet.

His best friend.

His father.

His studeous prisoner.

It was like he could picture their corpses traced over Ravens lifeless form so vividly, it was gut wretching.

Im so tired... tired of everything going wrong. No more fighting, no more war, I am... so... SICK OF BEING SCREWED OVER!

On the other end of the ballroom, there wasnt any focus on Lucid anymore. Because Nightmare Moon was standing and Chrysalis was not.

The mare of the moon was breathing heavily and many magical singes riddled her jet black fur along with her dusty regalia, but she was still standing.

Chrysalis however, had holes shot through her skin that bleed profusely unlike her natural holes and she was missing her left wing and rear hoof, both parts scattered around the battlefield. This left the once proud changling into a cowering bug, crawling backwards as her blood dragged with her.

Nightmare Moon cackled maniacally and the darkness followed, slowly creeping towards the defeated creature. "Kahahaha! Il admit you worm, that was a close fight. Oh moons, I don't think I've fought this seriously since my sister! But as much I hate to give her anything, she was much stronger. Do you want to know why?"

The the darkness etched ever closer to Chrysalis until her frail body hit a wall, keeping her in place while she stared on at her demise, mouth jittery and eyes like saucers. "W-Wait, no-"

"I wasn't being rhetorical insect!" A blunt hoof indented the changelings face as her head cracked the stone wall. "The answer is power. You have been using the support and love from your rebellion to emass an immense surge of magic, similar to electricity in a battery. But like a battery, it needs to be in constant supply."

Nightmare Moon held her bludgeoned head in her magic and moved it to the side. "Now look over there. How many mindless sheep do you see breathing?"

The entire place had been reduced to a bloodbath as both green and red created a sickly colour of death among the ponies and changlings on the floor, some riddled with blades, others smoking from hot magic. Nopony was up. "Exactly, so without a charger, you're left with what power you have, and the more you use, the less you have stored up. Eventually, the scales were going to end up in my favour, just as it should be."

Chrysalis attempted to speak but all that came out were raspy whimpers, her throat too dry and horse to make a word. "Well, it's been fun, but I have to talk with my council and figure out a good story to make to the public. Say hello, to the late Princess Cadance while you're there!"

One magical blast later, and the Changling Queen was no more. Reduced to dust, which made the alicorn sigh in satisfaction. "Good riddance. Now, I wonder if Prince Storm has finally...what?"

Nightmare Moon glared up at the podium but instead of clearly seeing the form of Lucid in front of her, she was blinded by a light. A very bright light.

"What in the stars is that? Prince Storm, I demand you give me an-" And then it clicked. The light wasn't coming from inside the place, it was coming from beyond the windows, beyond the sky. Now there was no stars dominating the horizon, no darkened blues casting eternal night onto the land. There was no moon.

It was the sun.