The Apprentice of War

Chapter Seven: Riot Control

September 13th 1715

Perspective: Eclipse

‘Owww... my horn hurt so much! I shouldn’t have over exerted myself yesterday...’ I gently lift my lifeless body out of bed only to flop back down onto my pillows. ‘By Nightmare’s Moon it feels like I went twenty rounds with a brick wall!’

I just lie in my bed thinking of the previous day, ‘so much happened yesterday that most of it was hard to comprehend; I am a new mare now, new coat, mane, and a new cutie mark!’

My magic improved greatly, my control and understanding of magic has doubled under Nightmare Moon’s tutorship... I have surprisingly grown very close to the onyx mare.

After five minutes of reflecting on my thoughts and waiting for the pain in my head to dim down to at least a bearable level I got up from my large alicron sized bed and moved towards the large mirror in the room, I slowly  began to brush my mane, but I could not take my eyes off well... my eyes, the deep purple draconic slits stared back in the reflection.

My thoughts were suddenly ended by loud knocks on the heavy oak door. A large, well built guard peered into my room and stared at me in surprise, “Umm... Queen Nightmare Moon has ordered your presence in the night court immediately m’lady.”

“Very well.” I stood up from the small stool and cantered past the guard, down the halls of the castle; the decorations were being replaced with darker colours, fully replacing my old mentors reign. I reached the familiar double doors to the throne and swung them wide open with a large burst of magic, Nightmare sat regally on the dark onyx throne.

“Eclipse, I hope you are well from our last training session?” I simply nodded; the dreariness of sleep still claimed my body, “That is good, well...you must be wondering why I have called you for this meeting, to put it simply a group of mares in Ponyville have incited a riot, I want you to end it as I fear a rebellion will arise because of the actions of these tedious peasants”

I nod again nonchalantly, I bowed low to the floor, my voice was dry and gruff. “Of Course Nightmare Moon, as you comma-” Nightmare Moon suddenly interrupted me, leaving me in a low bow.

“Eclipse there is no need to bow, you are now my student and are above that of the lowly scum of this city.”

A small smile crept upon my face. “Thank you m’lady, is that it?” I felt somewhat shocked how the Queen has treated me, and even thought of me as an acquaintance. I quickly rose, “My Queen, would you like these mares dead or alive?” I questioned

“Preferably alive, but you never know what can happen in the heat of things.” Nightmare Moon winked at me. ‘I will make them suffer, I will mentally break them, cause them to beg for death.’

“I will leave at once; do not worry Nightmare Moon, this rebellion will be crushed immediately.” With that I turned around and trotted out of the throne room, as I reached the door, two guards opened them for me.

I trotted down the corridor, heading straight towards the armoury. My pace quickened as the thought of hunting down those mares raced through my mind, I planned how I would torture them, make them cry and beg for death, slowly drag out the inevitable.

Suddenly a large well built stallion halted me in my path, “Excuse me ma’am. But do you have permission to be down here?” The stallion donned the Night guards armour, purple and silvery swirls danced across his chest, and a dark purple eye as the centerpiece of his armour. His eyes were a dark quartz and his fur a dark ashened grey.

“I am the personal student of Queen Nightmare Moon, I do not think I need such permission to enter the guards armoury.” I replied, my voice stern and distant. The guard seemed to shrink at my agression.

“I am very sorry ma’am none of the guards have been briefed on your role in the palace, w-well like I said... I am eternally sorry your grace.”He quickly bowed, groveling at my feet out of pure fear. I recoiled in surprise. ‘Your grace? I am not a noble... why would he give me such a title?’  Before I could question his choice of words he sprinted down the corridor.

I shook my head in confusion and carried on trotting down the corridor.

Perspective: Spitfire

I ran. I ran as fast as I could from the crazy stallion chasing me, some time last night Colour Shadow found me and Berry. about an hour ago we split up to try and lose him, unfortunately I was stuck with him. I jumped and ducked over logs and under low tree branches, I would have flown but the canopy was too thick.

“You better pick up the pace you slimy little cocksucker! I can run all day!” Bellowed the crazed sword swinging Colour Sergeant. I immediately ran quicker, fatigue was creeping up on me, running for two hours straight does that to a mare.

Perspective: Eclipse

I finally arrived at the armourer to receive a few pieces of equipment for my little trip. The stallion behind the large oak desk was fairly well built, and was the same colours of all Nightmare Moon’s guard. I walked up to the desk and cleared my throat. Instantly the stallion turned around and gave me a forced smile.

“What can I do for ya filly?” He spoke, his voice deep and gruff. I smiled at him, ‘no need to be a grouch’. “Just some light protection for a riot. A dagger will do.” The stallion nodded and turned towards a large chest and pulled out a plain, simple dagger. ‘Affective.’ I mused, it was around eight inches, easily large enough to kill somepony.

“Thank you, have a good day” I said cheerfully, I then charged my magic, building up the required amount to do the complicated teleportation spell. With a sudden poof I appeared just outside of ponyville. I casually started walking down one of the villages old dirt roads. After five minutes I could begin to see the town centre, shops were closed and hundreds of ponies were crowded around the town hall, shouting at a flustered mayor.

Next to the mayor was five familiar mares, shouting at the aging mayor. At the sight of those mares my blood boiled, ‘Why did Nightmare not tell me it was ‘them’!’. I furiously stomped my way through the thick crowd, many moving aside allowing me to move past, mainly through my sheer size, I’m even sure I saw one piss them selves. As I reached the stage the white one, I think she was called Rarity? Screamed at the top of her voice and almost like clockwork, fainted.

The rest of the mares turned quickly and looked at my alarming form, only Applejack knew who I was, her scowl deepening. “Hello.” I said, my voice dead, holding malice and hatred.

The only one in the group who did not shrink back in fear was Fluttershy surprisingly. “W-who are you?” Rainbow Dash said shakily.

I smirked, this only seemed to make the group shake more, “It’s only been what? A week since you left me?” Confusion appeared on their faces, minus Applejack of cause, the mare only seemed to get more and more nervous. “I am Eclipse.” I said just loud enough for the five to hear me, “Student of Queen Nightmare Moon, formally Twilight Sparkle.” At the last part the group gasped, even Pinkie Pie hair deflated, becoming straight and lifeless due to the shock of the revelation of my former, pathetic and naïve self.

“Tw-twilight dear? What happened to you?” Rarity asked, at the sound of my old name I sneered and anger filled my eyes.

“Twilight is dead, she died that night you all abandoned me!” They all flinched at my outburst, “I am now Eclipse, the student of the merciful Nightmare Moon.” I spoke with pride of my mentor, she had taught me more in the past few days than Celestia ever did.

“Merciful?” Rainbow Dashed scoffed.

“She is more merciful than that tyrant Celestia!” I shouted, “She has given us the beauty of the night which we all took for granted, she has opened the eyes of our naïve nation!” The group looked at me in surprise and even confusion, ‘They are still blinded by Celestia’s lies...’. I took a step towards the five mares and looked each of them dead in the eye. “Now. Will you surrender to Nightmare Moon and end this riot? Or will I have to use more creative methods?” A cruel and psychotic smile etched its way onto my dark face.