High Seas of the Underworld

“Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria, there were two regal sisters who ruled together and created harmony for all the land. To do this, the eldest used her unicorn powers to raise the sun at dawn; the younger brought out the moon to begin the night. Thus, the two sisters maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects, all the different types of ponies. But as time went on, the younger sister became resentful. The ponies relished and played in the day her elder sister brought forth but shunned and slept through her beautiful night. One fateful day, the younger unicorn refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn. The elder sister tried to reason with her, but the bitterness in the young one's heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness: Nightmare Moon.”

Twilight jumped in slight surprise as lightning flashed in the torrential downpour. Diving for cover as thunder roared in the tumultuous storm, the Batpony’s purple eyes glowed with luminous magic, and eagerly she turned the page of the book, and continued reading out loud.

“She vowed that she would shroud the land in eternal night. Reluctantly, the elder sister harnessed the most powerful magic known to Ponydom: the Elements of Harmony. Using the magic of the Elements of Harmony, she attempted to repel her sister’s onslaught. Something went wrong though and the magic artifacts refused to respond to her, as Nightmare Moon’s final blast struck her full on in the chest.”

Twilight’s eyes went wide. She whispered softly.

“Oh no.”

The story was getting good, it was actually tugging on her heartstrings. Choking back her tears, she steeled her nerves, while the storm thundered on and turned the page with anticipation.

“Nightmare Moon stood victorious over the fallen form of her foe, gazing at the corpse. The sight of her sister’s body before her, broke Luna free of the Nightmare’s call, her eyes returning to the soft blue. She removed the silvery helmet from her head and threw it to the side. The last sister fell to her knees and clutched the fallen Unicorn’s body to her barrel, letting out a gut wrenching scream.”

Twilight placed a hoof against the image of the crying Princess Luna, she looked so familiar. Still the young Batpony continued reading.

“As if in solidarity the sky above went dark, and rain began to fall over the world. Days turned into weeks of darkness and storms, weeks became years. The lands were swallowed up by the water, and Ponykind took to the sea in many boats. The legendary rain has continued to fall as the younger sister dedicated herself to bettering Ponykind in her sister’s stead. And still the rain continued to fall. That same rain has continued to fall ever since.”

Twilight was in so much awe of the story she had read, that she didn’t notice an adult Batpony, a mare, standing beside her. Leaning in close, the silvery gray of the large mare’s hide glistened in the moonlight that streamed down through the leaking cracks in the roof. She spoke with a warmth, unlike any other.

“It’s a fascinating tale, isn’t it?”

Twilight jumped before whirling around with a gasp, only to find a large pair of leathery wings wrapping around her in a warm and loving embrace. Twilight giggled as her snout was gently booped with the mare’s hoof.

“Mama!”

The mare smiled as she flew up to the roof holding her daughter, flipping upside down, letting her hooves make contact with the rafters. With amethyst eyes like her daughter, the mare smiled a loving, fanged smile; her eyes glowing with a silvery magic. The blanket on the floor levitated up to her and swiftly with expert precision, she wrapped the little filly in a warm fluffy cocoon.

“It’s time for little bats to be roosting.”

Twilight whined.

“Aw, but the story-”

Twilight Velvet nuzzled her daughter.

“You can read some more fairytales tomorrow, the crescent moon is high in the night sky, Twilight. You know the rules.”

Overcome by the snuggly warmth of the fur-lined, walrus leather blanket, Twilight gave a reluctant yawn and her eyes flickered. Velvet smiled and whispered lovingly.

“Good day, my little Twilight. Sleep well.”

Twilight’s eyes fell shut, and safe in her cocoon of warmth amidst the damp timbers of the ship she called home, fell into a deep sleep. Velvet watched her little filly snoring softly for a few moments, before her ear twitched.

Narrowing her eyes, she raced up the stairs and flung open the door to the top deck, to reveal an entirely different scene from the tranquility in the cabins. Reaching to her side, Velvet put on the black Tricorn hat, and took a deep breath as batponies rushed around, frantically performing various duties.

The gentleness faded from her eyes, flaring to life with a bright silvery magical light as she opened her muzzle and her voice roared across the windswept deck.

“Ahoy, you filthy bilgebats! Status report!”

A large dark blue stallion with a scar running down his face, through one of his eyes strode up to velvet and spoke in a gruff voice.

“All's well on deck, Captain. The rigging on the mainsail came loose, so Wendy is tying it down tighter. Onyx and Morel are busy swabbing the deck. Claimed they wanted to make it sparkle for you or something. Don’t know what good that does in a stor-”

His voice was stifled by Velvet placing her hoof over his mouth.

“Nice work, honey. Now then-”

Her eyes narrowed with fierce intensity. Her hoof slid down from his muzzle and grabbed him by the throat, as she stared coldly into his eyes.

“What aren’t you telling me, Nightlight Sparkle?”

Nightlight gazed into his wife’s eyes, and swallowed hard. The two had been married for nearly thirty years, and that one action told Velvet everything she needed to know. Her eyes narrowed in rage.

“Where is she?”

The door to the Captain’s chambers blew open, as Velvet stormed in to see an Thestral of obsidian black, laying there on her bed, waving cheerfully to her. Velvet angrily flared her leathery wings and scornfully addressed the figure.

“What are you doing here, Nyx?”

The Thestral laughed and slid from the bed, stepping onto the worn wooden planks. Her eyes were a sapphire blue, brilliant and shining brightly as she flickered her long butterfly eyelashes.

“Oh Velvet, is that any way to greet your Mother? Where’s the love?”

Velvet glared at her, spitting on the floorboards in contempt.

“It died, about the same time I did, your Highhorse.”

Nyx sighed and lifted a hoof, pinning Velvet’s jaw shut before speaking silkily.

“Now, now my little daughter. Let’s not be too crass. The seas of the Underworld are yours to sail to your heart’s content. And who was it that allowed your soul to have such a luxury? Ah, right-”

Velvet’s eyes went wide with terror as her mother and Princess of the Underworld stared venomously into her eyes.

“Me.”

Letting go of her, Nyx sat down on the bed once more, twirling her hoof in the air as she spoke lazily.

“Or have you forgotten our little deal?”

Velvet stiffened and lowered her head, her voice suddenly very meek.

“I-”

Nyx conjured a golden apple, tossing it in the air, playfully.

“Ten years below, ten years above, if I recall. Isn’t that right, daughter of mine?”

Nyx sank her fangs into the golden apple, the juice dripping down her muzzle. Wiping it away with a hoof, she sighed and continued.

“You struck the deal, Velvet. Your life for the lives of your unborn baby and your mortal husband. Of which, I was against you marrying in the first place.”

Sitting up, the Princess of the Underworld, Nyx stared pointedly at Velvet.

“Be that as it may, I granted your request and you, flesh of my flesh, took their place. The two were allowed to keep their bodies and souls, and you were eternally brought to me.”

Sliding out of the bed, Nyx stepped lightly on her coal black hooves, approaching the stunned Velvet.

“And we agreed on the terms of every other decade they would visit you. I must admit, watching you raise my granddaughter to be a Soul Ferrier was quite endearing. However-”

A golden pocket watch suddenly appeared in Nyx’s hooves and clicking it while examining the time on it, she spoke again, this time a bit softer.

“In exactly three minutes, your little bat will be ten years old, Velvet. Normally, I wouldn’t allow this, but I will give you those minutes to say goodbye.”

Velvet’s eyes water as she tore out of the cabin and raced down the stairs to where Twilight slept oblivious. Wrapping her leathery wings around her daughter fiercely, Velvet whispered lovingly.

“I love you Twilight, mommy will be here when you get back.”

Twilight’s big eyes opened wide as she was awoken and sleepily murmured, before closing them once again.

“Twilight loves mommy.”

Velvet clutched her tightly, as a voice beside her said somewhat gently.

“Time’s up.”

With the clicking of the pocket watch a bright light gathered around Twilight and in an instant, she vanished as Velvet sobbed, wailing in anguish. Nyx pulled her daughter into a warm embrace.

“You’ll see her again in ten years.”

Ten years later

“And in the year 1422 AS (After Sun), Princess Luna of the Night sought to end the war with the Crystal Empire, seeking an audience with Empress Amore-”

Twilight yawned sleepily in her seat, as the teacher droned on. Classes at Luna’s Magical University were so droll at times. Her silvery eyes flickered in the eternal moonlight that covered the land.

“And so, Princess Luna destroyed the crystal, expelling the corruption from within the evil Amore, causing her to be reborn into the Princess of Love we know today, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Now class, turn to page 437, Chapter 231 explains that-”

Twilight rolled her eyes, wishing she was elsewhere. Suddenly, she felt a slip of paper being pushed discreetly into her hoof. Lifting her hoof up, Twilight swiftly glanced at the paper:

Hey, Moonblossom, me and the girls are gonna ditch, you in? If yes, wiggle your adorable nose and we’ll meet you in the mare’s bathroom.

-Shitake

Twilight scrunched her snout and gave a slight wiggle, before raising her hoof. Seeing this, the teacher halted mid sentence to address her.

“It was only after Sombra’s defeat that- yes, Twilight?”

Twilight smiled sweetly and squirmed lightly in her seat.

“May I be excused?”

The teacher, noticing the motions, nodded and stated.

“Hall Pass is on the desk. Hurry back though, this will be on the test.”

Twilight got up and bolted for the door, shouting.

“Yes, Mrs Cheerilee!”

Racing down the hall, Twilight encountered a stallion in her path. Going too fast to slow down she moved to the side barely avoiding him, though she accidentally bumped his shoulder causing him to yell at her.

“Hey!”

Still rushing away at a breakneck pace, Twilight hollered back.

“Sorry!”

When she turned the corner, she stopped suddenly, and flipped the stallion’s wallet in her hooves with a sneaky smirk. Pushing open the door to the restroom, she grinned proudly proclaiming.

“Sometimes, it’s just too easy.”

Inside the bathroom the sight of four mares graced her eyes. All Bat Ponies, each had various distinctions that separated them from the others. To Twilight’s left, a chestnut furred batpony approached. It was Shitake Mushroom. Her family was well known for the hundreds of quality mushrooms they grew for the populace. She wore a black Stetson from which flowed her locks of amber brown.

“Hey Moonblossom, glad you could join us!”

Shitake nuzzled Twilight affectionately, while another batpony dropped from the ceiling, this one clad in black eyeliner and purple eyeshadow, her mane was dyed in three shades of gray. Her eyes glistened with a pale blue. Moonstone chuckled.

“Stealing again, Twilight?”

Twilight giggled and waved her hoof loftily.

“More like freshly liberating captive bits.”

Moonstone smirked, the amulet around her neck sparkling in the glowing lamp light. Hoof-crafted from Lunestial Steel by Moonstone herself it boasted the same quality the soft gray furred Batpony was known for; her boutique famous for selling gothic jewelry as what she referred to as ‘bat-couture’.

“Just keep those liberating hooves away from my display cases, alright Darling?”

“Relax girls, she is most certainly going to give it back.”

The words were little more than a gentle, haunting whisper, causing the others to turn towards the corner, where a almost tan-colored batpony, with black ebony mane silky flowing around her, sat hunched over.

Twilight began to argue.

“Take what you can and give nothing-”

The mare rose to her hooves and suddenly was in front of Twilight, eyeing her with unblinkingly fierce golden irises; in her hooves was a star spider, crawling to and fro.

“I said, you WILL be returning that wallet, isn’t that right, Twilight?”

Twilight balked under the glare of Lunar Moth; well known for her fascination with insects, mostly poisonous or deadly ones, as well as her gentle nature. That is unless you upset her.

“Right away, Moth.”

Immediately Twilight started towards the door and left the bathroom, with the girls staring at Lunar Moth who smiled and gently nuzzled the full-grown star spider that cooed like an infant in response.

“Isn’t it adorable?”

Twilight walked back into the bathroom thirty minutes later, and received an approving nod from Lunar Moth who smiled lovingly.

“That’s better.”

“Good you’re back. So are you ready for an awesome Nightmare Night?”

Hanging on the ceiling, Lightning Blaze grinned at Twilight, her magenta eyes shining wickedly in the flickering light. Twilight’s eyes glowed bright silver and pulled Lightning towards her with her magic, grabbing her in her hooves and giving Lightning a fierce hug while she struggled to escape.

Twilight’s voice took on a hesitant tone.

“Well actually, Dad and I were thinking of visiting my mom…for a while.”

Shitake put a hoof to her chin, in thought.

“Come to think of it, Moonblossom , you never really talk about your mom. What’s she like?”

Twilight chuckled nervously.

“She’s fierce, and strong, oh and magical. And a rogue like me.”

“Do you think I could meet her?”

“NO!”

Twilight’s sudden shout caused the girls to exchange glances of surprise, as Twilight suddenly stammered.

“Y-you really don’t want to do that.”

“Twilight are you okay, Darling?”

I um, I wasn’t sure how to say this but I’m moving.”

“Moving?”

“It’s only for ten years but, I- I’ve said too much, I’ve got to go!”

Without another word, Twilight bolted out of the bathroom, leaving behind her friends, now exchanging worried looks with each other.

Flying home to the cave she and her dad lived in, Twilight sighed. She wanted to tell them but how could she? Oh, yes I’m actually the daughter of the daughter of a Goddess, who was damned for eternity to ferry souls across the Seas of the Underworld. And to top it off, I am cursed to visit and live with her every other ten years, which by the way is midnight tonight?

Twilight rolled her eyes and pushed open the door to the cave, muttering fervently to herself. In the sky the moon indicated it was only a few minutes from midnight.

“Riiiight, that would work out soooo well wouldn’t it?”

The cavern was empty, except for a light off to the side in a small cubby. Twilight, frustrated, had tears streaming down her face as she called out.

“Dad, I’m home, gonna head upstairs and get ready.”

Ascending the hewn stone stairs to her room, Twilight thought about the last decade. Elementary School, field trips, meeting the girls, Pony University, prom, her first kiss, and that wild night with Shitake Mushroom on their first date, on the run from Luna’s guards; where they ended up down by the lake in the water. In a deep embrace the ice cold water had gotten warmer by the moment. It had all been amazing. And now it was over.

Last week, her father had told her of the curse, and that the time had come to say goodbye. Twilight pushed open her door shouting in annoyance.

“Thanks dad! What am I supposed to say to the girls? Not like I was in love or anything, not like I care for them more than anything. Damn it!”

“Say what to us, Twilight?”

Twilight’s eyes shot open in shock as they beheld the girls lounging in her room. Shitake slid off her bed and approached her.

“Tell me, Moonblossom, what’s going on?”

The others gathered around her.

“Yeah, c’mon tell us what’s going on.”

Twilight looked from one to the other, before noticing the moon’s position outside her window and shouting frantically amidst the hug they all gave her for encouragement.

“You can’t be here. Girls, let me go, stop! seriously, you need to-”

A bright silvery light enveloped Twilight and then she was gone.

The light faded, and Twilight found herself on a creaking, mold ridden shipdeck, as it rocked amidst torrential, wailing waves. She sighed, it was for the best.

“At least they gave me a last hu-”

“What in the name of Princess Luna…?

“Where, where are we?”

“Some kind of ship?”

“How did we get here?”

Twilight’s eyes went wide as she stared at her friends. No. No. No they can’t be here. This is not good. Her heart raced as Shitake approached her and gently nuzzled her, which she returned in kind.

“Twilight, where are we?”

“You can’t be here! Girls this is bad. This is--”

“Twilight! My baby!”

From out of nowhere, a large Batpony tackled Twilight and squeezed her tightly in a loving embrace. And just behind her stood a stern-looking yet regal Thestral. Twilight nuzzled the bat mare, giving her a kiss on the cheek. She looked every bit like her dad had described.

“Hi, mom.”

Meanwhile while Twilight and her mother reunited, the Thestral's cold eyes roved over the other four.

“And what do we have here? Mortals, in my realm?”

Twilight’s blood ran cold and frantically tore herself from her mother’s embrace to place herself between the Thestral and her friends, shouting.

“Grandmare, don’t!”

The Thestral’s horn, which had been sparking with a violent light, suddenly spluttered as if in surprise and Nyx turned to stare at Twilight.

“Move. Now.”

Shitake, seemingly ignoring the danger, approached Twilight and whispered to her.

“Did you say Grandmare?”

Twilight kept her eyes on the glaring face of the Thestral, while telling Shitake over her shoulder.

“Yes. Shitake, this is my Grandmare, Princess Nyx.”

Nyx stood there, the fur on her hide bristling in cold fury as she eyed Shitake silently, her leathery wings were spread to their full impressive seven hoofs-length. She seemed to be holding herself back for some reason. Twilight took advantage of this to shout at her.

“Grandmare, this is Shitake, my marefriend!”

It was like a spell was cast as the magic faded from Nyx’s horn in a startled instant, with Velvet blinking in surprise as well. Shitake suddenly reached up and covered her furiously glowing cheeks with her hat.

Nyx’s eyes went wide with delight, and she smiled, a terrifying sight for any mortal and Moonstone fainted at the sight, falling back into Lunar Moth’s open hooves; not even noticing the centipede that Moth had befriended, that was now fanning Moonstone with a tiny paper fan.

“How delightful! You, come here!”

Raising her hoof, Shitake found herself pulled forward at a rapid pace, with leathery wings sweeping her into their embrace. Nyx’s eyes were mere centimeters from Shitake, looking her over, while speaking her observations out loud.

“Mortal. Hm, that’s okay, I can work with that, have before. Lovely mane, I can see a rather large reason for Twilight’s interest in you, I take it she likes to walk behind you? Can’t blame her, really. She takes after her mother in that regard, you know.”

Shitake opened her mouth to speak, her cheeks glowing a bright silvery white, only for Nyx to cover her muzzle.

“No, no, don't speak.”

After a moment, Nyx took her hoof away and said in an excited tone.

“So, when did you meet my Grandfilly? How long have you two been together? Are you hungry? I’ll have Velvet set a place at my table for you. I make a mean lasagna, it’s to live for!”

Velvet shook herself out of her stupor and shouted at Nyx.

“Mother! Aren’t you forgetting something?”

Nyx paused to look at her before exclaiming.

“Right, right, we need a place for you and Twilight to live. Ten years is a long time, after all.”

Velvet smacked her own face with her hoof. She groaned.

“Mom, I meant the other mortals.”

Stiffening, Nyx lifted her head in the girl’s direction and noticed them, as if for the first time.

“And who are you?”

“Those are my friends. Grandmare please don’t hurt them.”

Nyx rubbed her chin, in perplexed thought, before glancing at her Grandfilly.

“Twilight, were they by chance, holding onto you when midnight struck?”

“Yes”

Nyx seemed pensive as she voiced her thoughts for all to hear.

“Living creatures in my realm is highly irregular. What to do? On one hoof, I should kill them and be done with it-”

Walking around Twilight’s friends, Nyx sighed in annoyance.

“On the other hoof, Twilight is very close to you, and frankly, I have no idea how you got here or how to send you back, so I have a question for you mortals.”

Leaning in close, Nyx spoke silkily to the shivering Batponies.

“Are you fans of ghost stories?”

Stammering Lightning uttered hesitantly as a chilling cold seemed to feel the air.

“Y-yes.”

Nyx chuckled, and lightning flashed as the driving rain grew heavier, her voice ringing hauntingly in the ears of all present.

“That’s wonderful, and I’m glad to hear that. Because you’re in one!”