I fluff my wings up in an attempt to boost my composure. I am trailed by the Hue-Man, who identified herself as Artemis, and guard commander Slicing Steele, who is currently levitating two of his fallen comrades. Artemis had decided to stop riding on her back just before they entered town while muttering something about it ‘feeling rude’.

I take this moment right before our rag-tag team enters Ponyville to get a proper good look at their strangest companion.

Artemis has very little hair on their body which they seem to counter by wearing an abundance of clothing. The colour of their skin is a tanned peachy colour which complements their dull chocolate hair. Said hair is spiky as well as thick and reaches about half-way down their neck. Her face is sharp and toned with a scar going over her left eye. The eyes themselves are a beautiful but very rare, deep crimson colour, that would make many ponies uncomfortable. A forest green cloak is draped over her body, the hood that would usually conceal her face resting on her shoulders. As she moves, I get glimpses of what clothing she wears under the cloak, though it is not very exciting. She wears a slightly duller green shirt and tight black pants. On her figure is a belt around her waist, and one going from her left shoulder to her right hip. On the belts are a collection of intriguing items including a large knife, a quiver, and many stuffed pouches. I briefly wonder if I will ever get to see what is in all those pouches. The attire is complete with large boots that crush everything beneath them with ease. Finally, there’s an imposing longbow slung over one shoulder, nearly as tall as the already massive creature.

I hesitate at the entrance to the town. My mood has lifted since my last visiting of Ponyville mere hours prior, and I am not ready to be shunned again. I do not judge the common ponies for fearing me, I deserve it. The only ones who don’t freak out are the guards and my sister, and the guards don’t talk to me. Artemis doesn’t know of the atrocity I’ve committed, if she did, she would act the same as everypony else.

Apparently sick of my stalling, Artemis walks ahead of me. This action is immediately followed by a:

“AHHH! It’s a monster! Run for your lives!” The whole town goes haywire with many ponies stumbling over each other in a bid for escape. I quickly gallop to try calm the fray. I’m about to use the royal Canterlot voice when I hear, “They’re with Nightmare Moon!” My words get stuck in my throat.

The guard had already slipped away to try find a quiet place to mourn. I stand next to Artemis for what could have been seconds or hours until I finally hear something other than screaming.

“Princess Luna?” A confused but curious voice asks. I look down to see Twilight Sparkle staring up at me, concern painted on her features. “Are you okay, what’s going on, what is that?”

“Ah, Miss Sparkle. We found this creature in the forest; her name is Artemis.” I state in practiced calm while Artemis lets out a little ‘W’sup.’, startling the lavender unicorn. “But some concerning news has come to light, and we must discuss it post-haste!”

Twilight looks as though she is about to ask me ‘Are you okay’ again but decides against it. “Sure Princess. Let’s go back to the library and we can talk more there.”

With that Twilight sets off back to the library. I chance a glance at Artemis to see her face looking quite neutral. However many years with my sister has trained me in the ability to see beyond a pony’s mask. Despite the look on her face, I can see a slight shake in her step and her eyes occasionally dart to scan her surroundings. Artemis is nervous.

* * *

I sit at a table in Twilight’s living room, surrounded by The Elements of Harmony and one very uncomfortable biped. Each of the Element’s had had a different reaction to Artemis’ presence when they arrived.

The first element to arrive being Pinkie Pie. She had immediately started gushing over ‘her new friend’. She was speaking so fast it was hard to catch but the words ‘party’ and ‘fun’ seemed to be common themes. Artemis had flinched every time Pinkie shot around, her strange claw like appendages brushing her knife.

The second one who had showed up was Applejack. She was shocked at the sight of the human but quickly regained her composure, muttering something about Twilight calling them on short notice. She was quite polite but seemed to grow more distant after Artemis introduced herself.

The third to arrive was Rainbow Dash who looked mighty disappointed that Applejack had gotten there before her. That was before she noticed the ‘monster’ sitting in the room and tried to fight her. Artemis had looked incredibly unimpressed by her air boxing and seemed even amused by how quickly Twilight was able to get her to realize there was no threat. Rainbow then started gushing about how ‘cool’ her bow is. (But not as cool as her of course.)

Next to join the party was Rarity. I had expected her to also think of Artemis as a monster but instead she just hyper fixated on the cloak she was wearing. Artemis’ mood lifted at that statement, and she promised to tell Rarity all about it later.

Finally there was Fluttershy. She was incredibly excited to meet a new ‘animal friend’ and flew right up to Artemis. She tried to look through her pockets just as I had done but was swatted away by a violent flinch from Artemis. Artemis then proclaimed that she ‘isn’t very fond of people being close to her’. At that statement I felt a pang of guilt.

Now we all sit in a slightly awkward silence waiting for somepony to say something. I have already sent a letter to my sister to summon her and talk about both Artemis and the newest monsters in the forest. After a few minutes of this, I speak up.

“We art clearly not getting anywhere by sitting here!” I announce boldly.

“I thought we were playing the silent game.” Pinkie chimes in.

“How about this.” Artemis starts, “I’ll ask one of you a question, and then the one I ask will ask me a question.”

After a moment everyone added there acceptance.

“Okay, when I was in town and all of the ponies were freaking out, someone mention a ‘Nightmare Moon’. What is that?” I freeze up suddenly. It took so little time for her to ask about it. Am I bound to everyone hating me; is this the punishment for my foalish actions. A few seconds pass before Twilight pipes in.

“That’s not exactly a comfor-”

“No, we can handle this.” With a heavy sigh I recount my story. From my sorrow for being shunned and my misplaced anger in the Little Ponies of Equestria and my dear sister. To my inevitable submission to the Nightmare and subsequence evil acts. All the while Artemis listens. She is quite the audience as she perks up every time I mention something magical. Finally I conclude my tale, “So we were turned back to our normal self by the Elements of Harmony and our sister accepted us back into the diarchy of Equestria. We… I understand if you hate me.”

Artemis contemplates for a fairly long period of time. Her elbows on the table while her mobile claws sit just on her lips. At one point Applejack tries to say something but a claw quickly moves just in front of her mouth, shushing her. After a hoofful of minutes trickle by, she finally speaks again.

“I’ve been trying to figure out why I would hate you, but I can’t do it.” She says simply.

“What?” I can’t think of anything else to say, and the Elements around me look shocked in turn.

A small smile flickers onto her face. “You felt rejected, you did something stupid, I’ve been there. Maybe not so extreme…”

“We hurt so many!” I whimper with tears coming to my eyes. “I’m a terrible pony and an even worse ruler.”

“I knew someone. He was shunned by his parents until he was driven mad enough to burn their house with his parents still inside. People all called him awful, and he was sent to prison for arson and murder. He’s the nicest man I’ve ever met.” A flicker of sadness crosses her smile as she recounts the story. “What he did was terrible, unforgiveable to most, but I gave him a chance and it paid off. I don’t see why I shouldn’t give you one too.”

“We… we don’t know what to say.”

“Plus!” She exclaims in a lift-the-mood kind of way. “You said you raise the Moon and protect dreams, which you have to show me later by the way. That kind of makes you a Goddess, and to shun a Goddess is a very big mistake.” Artemis gets up and makes her way next to me. “And I’ll let you in on a little secret… I think the night is way better than the day.”

“Truly?” I say in a soft voice.

“I picked the name Artemis for a reason.” She states to a crowd of confused stares. “Back where I come from, Artemis is the Goddess of the Hunt and the Night.” I smile weakly but fall back into a sombre look. Artemis pipes up again. “Hey, don’t let what randoms say get you down. The only ones who can have a real opinion of you are the ones who actually know who you are.”

I take a moment to formulate a response, but my attempts fall flat. “Thanks.” Is all I manage.

Twilight looks positively giddy. “Ooh this will make an excellent friendship lesson.” She beams before bolting out of the room. Artemis takes her seat again and the questions continue, but this time they’re less heavy. Everyone at the table holding their big questions for when Celestia arrives. Artemis reverts back to looking uncomfortable and out of place and I feel my spirits lift a little. We all just sit their asking queries and telling stories until a knock comes from the library door and I feel my sisters presence just outside.

Twilight, who had finished her letter and returned to the table, gets up to open the door.

“Hello, my most faithful student.”

Author's Note

Yay! More 'The Extermination Design' writing. This chapter was more relaxing to write than a lot of the other ones which is nice. There was nothing too far out my comfort zone although that may have made me complacent.

This was suppose to come out a bit earlier but there was this little holiday you might of heard of called Kris-Mass or something. Who's Kris. Hope you enjoyed it none the less. This one got a bit heavy unexpectedly and also I don't condone arson I just enjoy giving my OCs tragic backstories. Sue me.

By the way yall almost DOUBLED THE LIKES last chapter! I guess that chapter was peak fimfiction and the best writing I've ever done. But in all seriousness thanks a lot peoples (and ponies).

Speaking of ratings, I reread my prologue cause that's where I got all my dislikes so I expected it to be shit. And... that is the best writing I've ever done, I do not know what you people are on but okay I guess.

Hope yall are enjoying the story as much as I enjoy thinking about writing and not doing it. Drop a like if you want to see a new chapter and as always, happy writing!

(YouTuber ass outro wtf)