Harmony Lost

Chapters

3. The game
4. "Hope you guess my name"
5. Seniorem Draconus
6. A Slayer is born
2. What a terrible night to have a curse...
1. A Deal with the Devil

3. The game

Twilight Sparkle arrived in Canterlot at noon. This wasn’t the Canterlot she had grown up in. This was a Canterlot that seemed under siege, and the enemy had already infiltrated the premises. The ponies looked tired and scared. They really have no clue what was going on. The image of Canterlot mirrored that of the rest of Equestria so far as Twilight could tell. The amount of corpses left in fields beside the tracks made her sick to her stomach. It was so bad that only after a half hour Twilight started pretending there was nothing to see out the window at all. Why bother with the grief and fear when I ignore it? This was the shared the attitude of everypony on that train.

Twilight had not gotten a bite to eat on the train, and barely eat breakfast. Luna did not specify a time that Celestia wanted her to show up so Twilight decided to stop for lunch. She went into a diner. It was one that she liked to go to during her official visits to Canterlot, but could never seem to remember the name of. It wasn't the classiest of eateries. It was more a place that travelers passing through went to rest up. A good place if you did not want to be recognized.

Once inside she saw what seemed to be the survivors of the night before. Almost everypony had some sort of wound. Most had cuts, while others seemed to have bites. There was barely any chatter. What there was was spoken in hushed voices. This was the quietest this diner had ever been in all the times Twilight had been there.

Walking up to the counter Twilight caught pieces of hushed conversation. “-you think this was an attack?”

“What the hell is Celestia doing about all this?”

“I hear the Crystal Empire is untouched. Clearly they are behind this. This is war!”

“I lost my entire caravan last night. The devil walks I say.”

Twilight got up to the counter. The bartender was having a conversation with a black faced unicorn. Twilight listened in on their conversation.

“That's right. One of Celestia’s own royal guard was found mutilated outside the throne this morning,” the unicorn said.

“Well that's it then. If whatever the hell is attacking folk is in the castle, we're are hooped,” replied the pony working the bar.

“What confuses me is the lack of action by anypony at Canterlot Castle,” said the black unicorn, “shouldn’t the princess be telling us to keep calm? I can see why they would cover this up, and that scares me more. What else have they covered up?”

“Maybe she is trying to figure out what is going on so she can tell us to relax,” Twilight added into their conversation. The black faced unicorn turned to face Twilight. He smiled a slightly vicious grin and seemed to slice right through her.

“Perhaps,” he replied. Then he turned to the bartender, “I do believe this should cover my tab. I think it is time I should be going.”

“Stay frosty. These are some dangerous times we now live in.” After the unicorn paid and left Twilight moved over onto the stool he was sitting in.

“Who was that?” Twilight asked the bartender. She was wondering how this drifter would know of any sort of cover up, if such a thing actually existed at all.

“ Didn't get a name. Apparently he was studying at the library when this all started last night. Why, who are you?” asked the bartender suspiciously. The whole place suddenly got quiet. Everypony was staring at Twilight.

“Just somepony with business at the castle,” Twilight responded trying to draw attention away from herself. That didn’t work however, and the mood in the diner was growing increasingly hostile.

“What kind of business?” somepony asked from the back.

“You know something? Well do ya?” asked another pony.

“I-I don’t know.” Twilight said. She took off out of the diner before the situation escalated. There goes lunch, she thought. Still hungry Twilight decided to go to the castle. Those ponies were scared out of their wits, thought Twilight. If I didn’t leave I could have been mobbed. They seem to be looking for a scapegoat. Why shouldn’t they? What do they know? They do not know Princess Luna was foolish enough to make a deal with Beelzehoof. Still though, say somepony was actually killed, I wonder who it was.

“Hey Twili!” somepony yelled from behind her. There is only one pony who calls me that! Twilight turned around to find her older brother Shining Armour and his wife (and Twilight’s old foalsitter) Princess Cadance running up toward her. Twilight met them and embraced her older brother then performed the ritual she and Cadance had since Twilight was a foal.

“What are you doing here?” Twilight asked.

“My aunt sent me a letter asking to see me today. Your brother just tagged along.” Cadence said.

“So how are things in the Crystal Empire? How bad did you get hit?” asked Twilight out of curiosity for how far spread the damage was.

“Hit by what? Everypony here seems scared. Why? Why are they scared?” Shining Armour asked. Both her brother and sister in-law seemed a little jumpy.

“I don’t exactly know myself,” admitted Twilight, “I am sure the Princess will give all of us the whole story. Don’t worry, I’m sure its not anything too major.” Ignorance is bliss, shedecided, these two seem agitated. Knowing the truth will upset them. They deserve to find out, but not from me. “Come on, lets go to the castle together”

The walk to the castle was not a long one, but it wasn’t a short one either. This fact however was lost on the trio who spent the whole time chatting about familiar things. They arrived at the castle laughing and in general high spirits. So good was their mood that the general sense of fear shared by the Canterlot Guards was lost on them. Once they got inside the castle walls Shining Armour left them for a brief moment.

“I am going to go say hi to a few buddies,” was his excuse. This left Twilight and Cadance alone together. With one in the party gone the positive mood was lost and the gloom of Canterlot Castle set in. The guards looked tired. Instead of greeting Twilight and Cadance as was norm, they kept their silence.

Cadance, being tuned to the feelings of others was getting anxious herself. These ponies are afraid. I don't know what of, but it has them all scared. They were passing through the garden when out of the corner of her eye Cadance caught a glimpse of a black face she had not seen in just under ten years, and wished to never see again. Impossible! He can`t be here. This did a lot more to make her nervous, and even Twilight started to pick up on it.

“Something wrong?” she asked.

“It’s just...Canterlot seems grim. I don’t think it has ever been this depressing.”

“You really have no idea what is going on do you?” Twilight said more as a statement than a question.

“You do?” Cadance inquired.

“Look, I am sure Princess Celestia will explain everything.” Twilight replied. She was avoiding answering the question, or at least it seemed so to Cadance. They reached the the throne room door only to be met by an attendant informing them they can’t go in.

“I am sorry but, you won’t be meeting the princesses in here,” the attendant told them. “You will instead be meeting in the library.” From inside the throne room was heard raised voices and a crash which was followed up with the sound of a raging inferno.

“What the hell is going on in there?!” Cadance demanded. She was tired of being kept in the dark on the whole situation. The fear of not knowing was beginning to drive her temperament more than anything.

“The dragon ambassador I am afraid. The dragons are severing their diplomatic ties with Equestria for the time being. Something to do with this weird superstition of theirs involving evil in this land. Anyhow the princess had a few choice words to say about that and they have been calmly solving their differences for the past ten minutes.”

“Calmly indeed,” replied Cadance. The sarcasm brought a slim ray of light upon the gloom that had fallen upon her. “Well, lets get to the library”

“Cadance!!!” shouted Shining Armour as he dashed down the halls. He was still dazed hearing what he heard. His old pal Aden murdered the night before while on watch in front of the throne room. The castle isn’t safe, and he had foolishly left his wife alone with no protection. It was not that Twilight doesn't have the power to fend for herself or protect anyone, good god no, but it was that she does not know how. Lucky he had found them. “Stay close to me,” he ordered her.

“What?” Cadance replied rather confused. ”Is something wrong?”

“I should be asking the same thing. The throne room is that way,” he pointed opposite to the direction he found them walking, “I should think that is the place for a royal meeting.”

“Oh I wouldn’t want to go in there. At least not until it has been refurbished and aired out,” the attendant that was with Cadance and Twilight answered. Shining Armour was lost in the attendant's dry detached tone, but luckily Twilight saved him from his ignorance.

“Princess Celestia is having a rather toasty disagreement with a dragon in there-”

“-and it is too lit,” finished the attendant. Too lit? Shining Armour thought to himself, What does that mean?

“I will come with you. I don’t trust these halls. You remember Aden? Well, he was murdered while on duty last night.”

“So it was Aden...” Twilight said absently. Shining Armour knew that Twilight would be upset. He remembered when Twilight was just a little filly she had a crush on Aden. Aden was so kind to her. What troubled him though, was how she worded her statement. So it was Aden... Twilight knew more than she was letting onto.

The trio walked together through the stone walls of Canterlot Castle remembering Aden. The warm safe haven that was the castle they knew was gone. It was replaced with a cold, dark fortress where the shadows seemed to creep a little farther than natural. It was as if the keepers of the once harmonious palace had decided to morph it into a dark tower. Even the oil flame lamps seemed not to burn as bright.

Wait a minute. It is the middle of the day, thought Shining Armour, “Why did it get so dark all of a sudden?” he asked aloud.

“That would be for Princess Luna,” the attendant answered. Before Shining Armour could question further the attendant spoke again. “We are at the library now. Princess Luna is already inside, Princess Celestia will be joining you shortly.”

The attendant hurried them in then closed the door behind them. Shining Armour could not help but feel locked in a dark room with his sister and wife even though this was not actually the case. The door was not locked. His wife shared his feelings, but his sister seemed pretty relaxed.

“Princess Luna,” she called out.

“Over here, just trying to find a book on advanced magics... ah, here it is.”

“In pegasus histories?” Twilight questioned. Leave it to Twili to know the layout of this library so that she could find a section in the dark, Shining Armour thought to himself.

“Yes Twilight Sparkle, in pegasus histories. What do we pay these royal librarians for anyway?” replied the voice that seemed to be Princess Luna. Shining Armour had actually never spoken with the Princess of the Night. Despite being captain of the royal guard he could not actually determine whether or not the voice really was Princess Luna. He was forced to assume.

“I know right? I said the very same thing at least once a week when I studied here. Being a librarian isn't that hard” Twilight replied.

“No kidding. Maybe you could teach these librarians a thing or two.” Luna replied.

“Yeah. I just get Spike to do it.” Leave it to Twili.

“Is the Crystal Princess with you?” Luna asked.

“Y-yes I am here” Cadance called out into the shadows in answer. From behind the bookcase where the voice was coming from they heard the clop clop of hooves on the stone cold floor.

Something’s off, Shining Armour thought, I’ve seen Princess Luna. She is just a small thing and those are heavy hoofsteps. Way too heavy for her. The pony alleged to be Princess Luna turned the corner from around the bookcase to face them. Shadows concealed all of her body save for her eyes. Cool blue eyes pierced through the darkness and locked on Cadance causing her to freeze up.

“Princess Mi Amore Cadenza?” addressed the eyes.

“Y-yes?” replied Cadance with a very tight throat that she barely made a sound. Cadance hid behind her husband and Shining Armour got ready to defend his wife. Twilight seemed calm. The eyes stepped out of the shadows to reveal a full body. The body did not belong to the Princess of the Night, but rather her corrupted other. Cadance screamed and Shining Armour understood.

“Twilight how could you! Of all the ponies, I would not expect you to go along with this. What happened? What did she do to you? Is Celestia even still alive? Answer me you bitch!” he demanded.

Twilight’s response was a mixture of confusion followed swiftly by anger. “What the- of course Princess Celestia is still alive, and since when do you get off calling me a bitch!? Ass!” Twilight responded.

“I think there has been a grave misunderstanding,” Nightmare Moon said. However this did little to calm the situation as the door opened and Shining Armour saw who was standing in the doorway. Oh no!

“Oh has there been a misunderstanding! At first I thought that we were in danger of an eternal night to come along with a usurper ruler, but now I see before me two of the four alicorns of the apocalypse. I bet my sister and my wife make four.” His words seemed to hang in the air for a few seconds.

“Huh???” all three mares in the room said collectively. At that moment Shining Armour realized that he had jumped to the most extreme conclusion imaginable. Even Cadance had relaxed.

“Hello Twilight,” said Princess Celestia. The three mares started to pretend that Shining Armour was not even in the room, “How was your trip?”

“Bad,” Twilight replied, “Equestria is under attack, there is no doubt. I hope that the ponies learned a lesson from last night and will stay inside after dark from now on. Otherwise...” she trailed off.

“As I feared,” replied Celestia who then shot a dirty look at Luna. “I will put a royal curfew into effect that starts at sundown. That should help.”

“You aren’t going to tell the public what is going on?!” Twilight exclaimed slightly appalled.

“No, it is for the best,” her mentor replied.

“Excuse me for butting in, but what the hell is going on? All day I have been told that you will explain. So explain,” injected Shining Armour.

“Very well, here is the latest crisis Equestria has to face.”

“So why are we here?” Twilight asked after Princess Celestia had finished explaining. Twilight had heard all of what Princess Celestia had said the night previous from Princess Luna. Their accounts differed little save for personal details.

“You are here to pick up some spell books. See if you can find a spell to counter Beelzhoof’s magic.” Celestia told Twilight. “Cadance is here as a consultant. With all this chaos I am sure you can understand me when I tell you to close off the borders to the Crystal Empire. I am also sorry to say we can’t count on any dragon aid with our situation.” To Twilight laughed under her breath. No kidding!

“I understand why I should close the borders, but why am I here. What will I be consulting on?” Cadance asked, however seeming to already know the answer.

“If I recall you had a brief demon obsession a few years back.” Celestia answered. Cadance started going red.

“My god I totally forgot about that! Black and red really didn't suit you dear” Shining Armour remembered.

Cadance replied to him through clenched teeth,“Thank you.”

“The fact here is,” Luna said pulling them back on topic, “Princess Mi Amore Cadenza-”

“Please, just call me Cadance,” Cadence interrupted.

“Princess Cadance,” Luna continued, “is the foremost expert on this topic of study. I am sure you are quite familiar with Beelzehoof?”

“More than you know,” a voice from the shadows called.

“Beelzehoof, show yourself!” Princess Celestia demanded. Things were about to get interesting.

“As you wish,” Beelzehoof stepped out from where Luna had been searching for a book. He had a smirk on his face, something that seemed to be his default expression. “I congratulate you for finding the one pony in Equestria that knows me best. How you doing Cadance.” Cadance turned away from Beelzehoof. “Cold, Cadance. So very cold. The Crystal Empire has really affected your personality. Climate, you know?”

“Have you been following me!?” demanded Cadance.

"Ever since you got off the train. Figured we could, you know, catch up?” Beelzehoof said casually.

“You know him personally!?” Princess Celestia said with disbelief. “Please don’t tell me you are friends with this-this black soul!”

Cadance replied to her aunt with a single, bile filled word. “Former,” she spat.

“Former what exactly. Cadance what is-was your relationship with Beelzehoof?” Shining Armour asked his wife. Beelzehoof responded with the answer Shining Armour did not want to hear..

“Cadance, Cadance, Cadance. They know you were into me once, but not how much. Lets enlighten them, shall we? Me and that crazy mare over there were more than just friends. We-”

That was all the details Twilight heard about the nature of Cadance’s relationship with Beelzehoof. Sensing the direction that Beelzehoof was headed Princess Celestia used her magic to block sound from coming into Twilight’s ears. For the entire six minutes Beelzehoof ruined Cadance’s reputation (and marriage) in front of the two rulers of Equestria she had only physical reactions to use as a judge for what it was he was saying.

Beelzehoof talked with much passion describing his time with Cadance. Clearly he had enjoyed it. Cadance’s reaction was getting redder and redder, and after a while smaller. There were times when Beelzehoof must have mentioned something that even Cadance remembered fondly because a phantom of a smile would creep onto her face, then disappear. Her brother showed no sign of being amused. His expressions were of shock over time growing to anger. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had almost foil-like reactions. Luna seemed to be mildly amused by the details where as Celestia held the expression of a disapproving parent the whole time. When Beelzehoof seemed to be finished Princess Celestia released the spell on Twilight’s ears.

“You and him did what?!”

This was the first thing she heard. Shining Armour was very angry having learned a piece of his wife’s history he would rather have never learned, and Cadance hoped would remain buried. Cadence remained quiet and all the attention in the room shifted to the married couple.

“If that would be all, I think I need to have a long chat with my wife.” Shining Armour addressed the council. Getting no reply he and Cadance left the library, slamming the door behind them.

“Shit!” Luna yelled, “He disappeared. This is the third time he has done this!” Beelzehoof had vanished.

“Twilight,” began Princess Celestia, ”here are the books you will need. You have now seen Beelzehoof in the flesh and know his game. Do not let him play you or your friends. Be vigilant for any signs.”

“Don’t you worry. I will not let him play anypony. I will crush any attempts on my friends,” Twilight declared assuredly. However her assurance was empty, even if neither she nor Princess Celestia knew it yet. Twilight rushed out of the library with her new spellbook eager to start practicing the spells within.

At that moment a shadow laughed, “This will be fun indeed”

The game had begun.

4. "Hope you guess my name"

The game had begun.

Beelzehoof took a moment of self congratulation. Not only had he set up Celestia’s student with a spellbook of his choosing, but also got back at Cadance. It had been a great day for him so he decided to take time to explore Canterlot Castle. If anypony knew of his return home he would never have a chance to relax; therefore, he kept to the shadows. The shadows were kind to those who knew them and their ways.

He left the Starswirl the Bearded wing of the library scoffing at its existance. They remember Starswirl to be some great stallion. He was a drunken fool who would beat his students and sometimes had moments of brilliance. This is what is fondly remembered in Equestria?

Beelzehoof walked through the garden thinking about what mischief to cause. Cadance had closed the borders to the Crystal Empire, not that it mattered. Meddling with the safety and well being of the Crystal Empire was foolish, and even Beelzehoof would not do it. Twilight would also be the only magical student he would mess with. Despite being evil Beelzehoof could not bring himself to mess with the young minds. He himself remembered what it was like to be a young unicorn eager to learn magic. Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns was safe from his meddling.

Beelzehoof wandered over to Celestia’s private chambers. They were the same chambers the Watchmaker had used so many years ago. Upon entering the room for the first time in thousands of years, he was met with all kinds of memories of the Watchmaker. There were the happy ones, such as being chosen with his sister to be one of the Watchmaker’s private students, and there were also the painful ones of the various tortures the Watchmaker performed on his students for his experiments. All the mutilations and brandings; the poisons and potions. Beelzehoof’s Cutie Mark and wing burned at the mere memory.

Beelzehoof wandered around the room looking for the switch that would lead to the Watchmaker’s old lab/dungeon. He had to be sure nothing had been disturbed. The fireplace moved aside and the clockwork raised the elevator that lead deep into the crystal caves beneath Canterlot. His heart raced as the elevator started to descend. It felt like he was descending into hell itself. A hell where Beelzehoof had no power.

The lab had been used. Beelzehoof could tell even before he got off the elevator. There was a subtle heat given off by residual magic from spells cast within the last week. Beelzehoof started scrambling to find which studies had been reopened. Upon reaching the archive, he checked to see if the Restrictive Talents file had been reopened, not that there was any more work to be put into that project. The restrictions of Cutie Marks were a complete success, but their intent was a failure. Cutie Marks were only one of the things that lead to the Watchmakers downfall. Ponies of that day had not liked being restricted to a single life calling like the ponies of today. Beezlehoof didn’t hate being evil, but his Cutie Mark didn’t give him a choice. Damn you, Watchmaker! he cursed.

The file had not been opened and Beelzehoof moved on. He came across one that had, and he pulled it out. It was a self transformation spell used to make oneself much more powerful at the cost of one’s identity. Beelzehoof opened it up to study notes and found that an entry had been added just over a thousand years before then.

I have finally gotten preparations completed. The spell shall be performed tomorrow before the dawn that will never come. I will be loved. I will be respected. I will be my sister’s worst nightmare.

-L

Beelzlehoof smiled. The entry was written by Princess Luna the night before she became Nightmare Moon. Beelzehoof put the file back and continued looking through the archive. A file is missing, he concluded after looking through it three times, and I bet I know where it is. He walked over to the pedestal and confirmed his suspicions. His wings were aflame when he read the label on the folder. Pain tremored his entire being with the memories of the transformations and mutations. This was a natural reaction to reading the title of the project for one who knew it first hoof.

Project Alicorn

I should destroy it. Do now what I should have done in the first place. This evil should not continue to exist. He did not destroy it, however, deciding instead he started to read it. Reading it was like reading through his entire foalhood, and a reminder of the Watchmaker’s insanity.

Project Alicorn begins today. I have chosen thirteen talented foals as subjects. They are eager to learn and incredibly bright. They will make excellent pawns in this game to bring pegasi and earth ponies under unicorn control. Each has their own distinct character trait...

Beelzehoof cracked a smile at the first individual mention of himself.

Subject Six surprised me today with his reading ability. I had given all subjects a twenty volume series on the inner workings of magic, and he comes up to me the next day telling me he has read it all! At first I did not believe him but when quizzed he answered all questions correctly. He even read the Beginners Guide to Clockwork I gave them. The other subjects are barely halfway through the first volume. I have decided to teach Subject Six how to make watches while the other subjects catch up. In other project advancements I have found a place for the lab...

Notable group dynamics have began to unfold. Apparently Subject Six and Subject Nine are already acquainted. This seems to have stunted their bonding with the other subjects as they mostly only communicate with each other. They are outsiders where they should be harmonious with the rest of the group. Jealousy has also appeared amongst the group. As I feared Subject Six’s reading abilities has put him farther and farther ahead of the group in terms of theory. Subject Ten has shown remarkable ability in mastering new spells and Subject One resents the entire group as she is always the last to do anything. I must find a way to bring this group together if Project Alicorn is to succeed. Subject Seven has...

Today I introduced the subjects to the lab. All of them had mastered their studies much quicker than expected. They have divided themselves up based on their talents to maximize productivity. This was unexpected, but saves time as I do not need to do it myself. All of them have their own watches they made themselves. I have assigned them all projects to work on to get them accustomed to the lab. Soon we will see...

The group dynamics have really advanced since first noted. Subject Six and Subject One have became very close in the past few days. It started where Subject Six took Subject One under his wing figuratively speaking (hopefully not for long) to help her out. Now it seems as though the two have gotten romantically involved. Subject Nine seemed disappointed by this development and almost in spite she started getting involved with Subject Thirteen. This gives me an idea for a possible breeding program should we succeed...

The Watchmaker never was good at picking out behavioural patterns. He didn’t notice them until they were wiping their ass with his face. Even then he could not identify what was really going on. It was the other way around.

Subject Six is advancing his work onto Project Alicorn before intended. He and Subject One have recently chosen a research topic involving the biology of pegasi and their wings. He wants to know why they have wings and if it is possible to replicate them onto a non-pegasus. She has aided him in every project thus far and seems to be good at discovering the overlooked detail. They have outsourced to Subject Nine and Subject Thirteen for help. Playtime is over. It is time to begin our work on ruling Equestria.

Tragedy and success. Today we succeeded in transforming all the test subjects into alicorns. Subject One solved the problem we were having with the amount of magic required for the spell. She purposed I use the spell from the Restrictive Talents project to focus her magical ability. She would also draw energy out of the magical crystals used in the Tartarus portal to truly maximize her magical output. It seemed logical. She cast the spell successfully but its sheer energy destroyed her. Now we need more magical crystals to power the portal.

A tear fell from Beelzehoof’s face as he read this passage. There are some nights he gets the nightmares.

His back burns as he grows new limbs and his horn feels as if it is going to explode. It all subsides and twelve of them have grown wings. One didn’t. He runs up to embrace his one love but she is empty. The spell consumed her. All that remains is a shell that turns to dust. The one His love is gone. His sister tries to comfort him but all that escapes his lips is a sustained scream filled with his agony. His soul left him in that scream...

Beelzehoof went on reading. The next few pages were bland to him. They told of the difficulties and side effects the twelve had to live with. He was mention less frequently in this stage of the project. Eventually he came across an interesting entry, the birth of Celestia.

Subject Nine and Subject Thirteen had their foal today. To my delight she was born with wings and a horn. The wings seem to be natural and no side effects. This shows promise for the future of the alicorn race, and the sustainability of unicorn control...

Eventually he reached the final entry by the Watchmaker.

Project Alicorn was a success, but unicorn control is a failure. Only Subject Six and the offspring of Subject Nine and Subject Thirteen remain. Subject Six is leading an open rebellion against me. I have been branded a monster. My attempts to control Subject Six have failed. Even marking him for chaos with Restrictive Talents spell did not stop him. I have successfully bound everypony in Equestria with it. That will be my legacy, as I disappear tomorrow when I meet the rebellion face on. In a year or so Project Discord shall be unleashed. If unicorns shall not rule Equestria then chaos shall. My only regret is that I won’t get to observe how Subject Six will react.

Beelzehoof turned the page to see that more entries had been written. The first of the new entries was dated to be ten years after Luna’s discovery of the lab.

I have discovered this lab hidden beneath the castle. I do not know who it belongs to or when it was used. I found left out a spell that was performed ten years ago. Luna must have found this place and cast the spell she left out. I found this file beside it. My first instinct when I read this file was to destroy it, until I read about myself and my sister. I am curious as to who Subject Six is and what became of him. I assume Subject Nine and Subject Thirteen are Mother and Father since the description of their foal sounds familiar. This research concerns me. I must learn everything I can about it.

Princess Celestia had discovered the lab and used the file on Project Alicorn to store notes on her research into the project itself. It took her two years to discover that Subject Six was Beelzehoof. After that the entries got spaced farther and farther apart until there was a gap of three hundred years. The entry told of Celestia forming a magic school for advanced unicorns, and that she would not be following in the Watchmaker’s footsteps. This was invalidated by her next entry three hundred years later.

I have decided to take a foal under my wing as her private teacher. She has great power and much potential. She would make a fine alicorn. I have decided to reopen Project Alicron. My intentions are pure. I will not subject this foal to any of the tortures my parents went through. I will find another way.

The entries went of describe various achievements Twilight Sparkle gained, as well as various tweaks to the original formulas. There was also a disturbing entry detailing what Celestia used as test subjects. She would use criminals in the dungeon. There were even pictures of the results of her experiments. She did seem to be making headway, however. An entry dated a year after Nightmare Moon’s escape written by Luna caught Beelzehoof’s eye.

Celestia has taken me back to the lab under the castle. I am not happy to be back here, and more shocked to see that Tia has reopened one of the projects. She intends to turn Twilight Sparkle into an alicorn like us. I am horrified by the contents in this file, but also comforted by the progress my sister made. Twilight won’t suffer like Mother and Father. I can’t endorse any project down here after what happened the last time I cast one of these spells. My aid in this project will be little. That said, what I suggest...

Beelzehoof cast a spell to conceal his horn and disguised himself as a pegasus gardener as he went into the Royal Canterlot Garden. The time was six o’clock and the sun was still high in the sky. He stopped in a clearing in front of a statue and began doing the exercises he needed to do ever since he became an alicorn. If he missed one day his wings would fall off and the wounds would result in death via blood loss. The exercises also put him in a zen like state. Even the devil appreciates a little inner peace.

Upon finishing he decided to go back to the library. Something was driving him there. When he got the he found Celestia and Luna locked in an intense argument.

“The answer is no Luna. The sun is what protects from the night. I will not weaken its intensity just so you can look out a freaking window!”

“But I am sick of staying constantly in the dark.” Luna replied desperately. This argument was not going in her favour.

“Oh, I am sorry. I thought you wanted eternal darkness. Have you decided it isn’t to your liking?” Celestia replied cruelly.

Luna did not respond, only curl up on the floor as a foal might. Not getting a response Celestia left the library, and her sister to the darkness. Luna started to cry. She was overwhelmed with emotion. Her sister was increasingly hostile, and Luna had nopony she could talk to. She was alone. Another sob escaped her, and Luna felt a pat on her back comforting her. She looked up to see who it was, and even dared to hope it was her sister. Instead it was the last pony she wanted to see.

“And what the hell do you want! Enjoying the sideshow?” Luna screamed at Beezlehoof’s face. Spit flew from her mouth in her rage. Beelzehoof made no effort to avoid the spray. He just sat down and remained silent. The silence lasted for about a minute. It was starting to make Luna feel uncomfortable so she repeated her question. This time he did answer.

“No,” said Beelzehoof as he looked her in the eye. Beelzehoof’s sudden burst of sympathy caught Luna off guard.

"Ok, I am not in the mood for this right now. What is your game? Lets get it over with,” she said exasperated.

“You,” Beelzehoof answered, “you cry here alone in the dark. You have nopony to comfort you. You are lonely. I offer you a shoulder to cry on.” Beelzehoof’s word were entirely sincere. This left Luna lost. On one hoof she had a pony offering to listen to her and comfort her in this dark time. On the other hoof, this pony was Beelzehoof. Luna choose not to play this game.

“Why should I trust you? You are a killer, a liar and a cheat. You can answer me a question, however. Why did you kill the guard last night? What did he do? Did he see you, or was he simply convenient.” Beelzehoof chuckled to this. Ah, here is the Beelzehoof I know, thought Luna. She was not prepared for his reply.

“Well that was an accurate description of my character. I do lie, I do cheat, and I am most certainly a killer. These are not my only traits, though. You make me sound like one who kills for killing’s sake. I did not kill that guard last night. I do not kill unless I have no other option.”

“Why should I believe you?” Luna asked with disgust. She found it hard to believe that Beezlehoof had any sort of code. Once again he surprised her. He looked right into her eyes. His eyes told that he had just been insulted greatly. He looked dangerous and Luna was afraid of his retaliation. His retaliation was not with magic, but with words.

“Luna, listen to me,” he said intensely. This was the first time he had called her by her real name. All doubts Luna had were washed away. “I don’t kill for fun.”

“I- I...” Luna started to cry yet again. It was all too much. Beelzehoof was furious with her. He could seriously hurt her without much effort. He didn’t.

“It’s Ok. I don’t blame you at all for not trusting me. Hell, I wouldn’t trust me. Tell you what. Ask me anything, anything at all and I will answer truthfully,” Beelzehoof said. Luna did want to talk to somepony. She admitted to herself that she did find his offer attractive but she decided to remain skeptical.

“What would I ask you?” Luna said. She still thought Beezlehoof had an agenda. She might as well play along.

“I don’t know. Project Alicorn, maybe?” he said.

“Ah-” Luna managed to squeeze out. She did not expect Beelzehoof to want to talk about that. He knows, she realized, now what does he want?

“Oh, don’t act so surprised or, god forbid, clueless. I know your sister reopened that project, and that you are working on it as well. Subject Six stands before you. Ask me a question. Ask me a question, and I will give you the truth. This is pretty low risk for you, Luna. What do you have to lose?”

Subject Six? Yes, Beelzehoof was- is Subject Six. If he is Subject Six, than that means he have must known-

Luna knew what she was going to ask, “You knew Mother and Father?”

“An interesting question. Yeah I knew them. I lived side by side with them for near fifteen years,” Beelzehoof answered.

“What were they like?” Luna asked. She put some faith in Beelzehoof’s promise to be truthful. She never knew her parents. They had both perished before her memory began to from. Celestia had told Luna stories about them. The stories were light on detail. Luna could tell that her sister didn’t remember very much. She, too, had been young when their parents went away. Beezlehoof lived with them for fifteen years. He must be able to tell me more.

“Your mother,” he began, “was a hell of a mare. She was kind, sensitive and beautiful. She was talented, powerful and strong willed. She was gentle, but also had a bit of a wicked streak in her. You remind me so much of her, Luna.” he told fondly.

Luna was flattered. Beelzehoof had just told her she reminded him of a mare that was very important in the lives of others. He talked with a passion about her. He was sincere, and Luna started trusting his promise to tell the truth.

“What was father like?” Luna asked.

Beelzehoof hesitated a little bit, then answered, “I hated him. He was insensitive, arrogant and too proud to admit when he made a mistake. I have no idea what any mare ever saw in him. He was rude, loud and so uptight. I always said he needed to get laid. Maybe then he would have relaxed a little. But- I guess I am more aware of his flaws than anyone else.”

“Why?” Luna asked. She was enjoying hearing about how another thought of her parents. It proved to her that they were actual ponies and not figures made up by her sister. It somehow made Luna actually feel like they did love her, and not like Celestia telling her they did. They actually lived!

“I guess I didn’t like the prick because he was banging my twin sister. That’s not fair, let me try that again. Your mother and I were always very close, and I guess in my mind he kind of stole her from me. I understand it is actually pretty common for a pony to feel this way when a sibling they are close to moves on and finds someone else. It feels invasive.”

Silence fell for a few seconds.

“Your tw- twin sister? You and mother-you and mother are twins? You’re my-” The news hit her like a stampede. Her uncle was evil. She started to cry again from the sheer weight of the revelation. She looked up at Beelzehoof expecting to see his laughing smile, but the nature of Beelzehoof’s game continued to puzzle. He put his hoof on her back to comfort her again. He spoke softly and even had a little pain in his voice.

“Equestria can never really be freed of chaos. Chaos will always exist. Chaos will always find you. You can’t choose your family. No longer can anypony chose to do multiple things. Their whole life is constricted to one calling. You can’t stop a loved one from dying. You can’t control their decisions. All you can do is live and ever curse the chaos.”

Drip Drip Drip Drip Drip Drip

Those were the sound of Beelzehoof’s tears. There was no open sobbing, but he made no attempt to hide them either. Luna was again faced with a dilemma. On one hoof, Beelzehoof had laid his soul out before her to gain her trust, (and it worked), but on the other this could all be a trick and Beelzehoof had found a new low.

I am going to believe him, she decided, at the risk that this is some cruel joke. “Do you want to hear what is bothering me now?” she whispered in his ear. Beelzehoof seemed relatable now that Luna had seen him vulnerable. He didn’t say anything but gestured to the affirmative. Luna tried to think of what to say. It felt awkward to talk about what was bothering her to anypony.

“Um, well, lets see here. I am bloody sick and tired of being in the dark. My sister refuses to lessen the sun so I won’t get burned every bloody time I walk near a bloody window. I am fed up with her bloody attitude and moral superiority. Like she’s so bloody perfect! My subjects are going to be slaughtered tonight and every bloody night for the foreseeable future. I am the reason for their pain. I almost bloody well killed the Element of Generosity. My only bloody friend in all this is you. Right now though, none of that is bothering me so bloody much. The worst bloody thing in my life is that I am hungry.” Luna was no longer sad. Talking about her problems let her see the injustice in it. Now she was angry.

"Well, that certainly was an interesting choice in words there, Luna,” Beelzehoof replied. His eyes were dry now, and so was his smile. He was back to his regular temperament. Most of it, “Let me help you out with some of that. Don't get your hopes up for anything drastic. Our deal still stands, but I can make a slight alteration to your curse, and I can help you with the hunger issue. Lets go for a walk to your new grocery store.” Beelzehoof got up and started moving toward to the library door.

“I’ll burn up. This sun is still shining through the windows!” Luna shouted.

“Oh, I think not. Your curse has been altered so that now you can look out a window. Your sister, I am sure, is in for a midnight tan when she looks at the full moon tonight.”

Luna caught what Beelzehoof meant.Good, she thought, serves the bitch right. Luna followed Beelzehoof into the hall and he motioned to go in the direction that lead opposite the throne room. Luna did not ask where they were going. The thought had occurred to her that perhaps Beelzehoof was manipulating her but she didn’t care. They passed by a room where raised voices could be heard inside. Shining Armour and Cadance were having an intense argument. The door burst open and Shining Armour came storming out. Luna panicked because she did not want to be seen with Beelzehoof. Fortunately he had disappeared and Luna relaxed. Cadance came out of the room shortly after Shining Armour. The two went opposite ways down the hallway.

“Yikes,” Luna heard Beelzehoof say.

Wait. Where does Cadance fit in to *Project Alicorn*? Luna wondered. Beelzehoof materialized behind the door that had been flung open and Luna asked him.

“She doesn’t,” he answered when asked, “as far as Project Alicorn goes, Cadance is not a real alicorn. She flys all right, but she can barely cast a spell that doesn’t involve emotions. Her ‘Cutie Mark’ is also too old for her. Based off the magical signatures it gives off, I would say she got it around the same time the Watchmaker cast the Restrictive Talents spell on the Crystal Empire.”

“The what?” Luna asked. She had no idea what he was talking about.

“Next time you’re in the lab, read the file called Restrictive Talents. It was your parent’s masterpiece. Read it with caution. Anyhow, back to Cadance’s ‘Cutie Mark.’ She got her’s two months after you got yours, and a week before your parents were executed.”

“Executed? Wha... why?!” Luna asked. Nopony had ever told her that her parents were executed.I bet Celestia knew and never told me!

“It’s a long story. One that will take lots of time and preparation to tell- ah, shit! Quick, do you remember the spell you used to turn yourself into mist when you were Nightmare Moon?” Beelzehoof asked.

“Umm, yes,” Luna answered, “why?”

“Because this hallway is too sunny for you, and your sister is walking this way. The spell you need to cast is similar. Instead of focusing on turning to a vapour, focus on letting yourself be covered by a veil. Good, very good, now cast the spell and yourself into that corner-No! Don’t use so much magic, otherwise you won’t be able to release the spell! Try again. Ok, you got it and ah-”

Luna was hiding in plain sight as her sister walked by. Celestia passed without any incident. After a minute Luna felt a hoof on the back of her neck.

“Now release,” Beelzehoof whispered into her ear. She released the spell and it was if a dark, cloudy lens had been removed. Luna had not noticed it.

“What did I just do?” Luna asked.

“Hid in the shadows. Back to answering your question on Cadance. I believe she is older than she looks, but lived just as long as she says she has. There were some weird magical experiments done in the Crystal Empire back in those days. I think she got hit with some chronomancer’s spell and got launched into the future.” Beelzehoof explained.

“Chronomancy is a dead art,” Luna exclaimed.

“You’re welcome. It was dangerous. Necromancy is a levitation spell compared to it.” Beelzehoof said sternly.

“You- nevermind. Back to what you were just saying. You’ve explained the inconsistencies with her Cutie Mark. I don’t understand at all what you mean by that or why it is important, but moving on. Why does she have wings and a horn, and what does this have to do with her being from the far past?” Luna asked.

“I don’t know. I have theories, but nothing solid,” he admitted.

“Share one of them,” Luna requested.

“All right, this is the one I am leaning toward. Cadance is part changeling and part crystal pony. Her origins definitely stem from the Crystal Empire. When I probed her memories I found traces of the Crystal Empire as it was back in those days. She also has some traces of changeling magic in her and she does sometimes exhibit slight changeling behaviour out of what seems like instinct. Her appearance is also just a little too perfect. I believe she has grown up in a disguise her whole life. I don’t think she is aware of this. Finally, I believe her mother was a changeling queen and her father was a crystal pony.”

“You sure she isn’t actually a changeling?” Luna asked.

“Naw, she could pass any changeling test you give her. I don’t think she has enough changeling magic in her to revert to a true form she may or may not even have. Still, it does put a little irony on her wedding day.”

“And you know all this, how?” Luna wondered.

“Well, I had to examine her up close several times. It wasn’t actually too hard to do,” Beelzehoof answered with a smile.

“So you and Cadance, that was just an excuse to examine her?” Luna asked him.

“Meh,” said Beelzehoof passively. They reached a door. “We are here,” Beelzehoof said.

The dungeon? Luna was starting to get the idea. They went down into the bowels of Canterlot Castle where the most dangerous criminals were kept.

“Who do you like?” Beelzehoof asked. “Take your pick. All these ponies are already dead. Their fate is to be Project Alicorn test subjects. Give them a more merciful death.” Beelzehoof said perhaps a little too bluntly.

“I- I,” Luna did not know how to respond. She could kill and eat the prisoners sentenced to a worse death. Beelzehoof had a point. That was his game. He is going to help me get through this time, get me fed, but in the meantime make me the executioner. Seems like a fair trade. I can kill only those pony’s who deserve death.

“One more thing, Nightmare Moon,” Beelzehoof whispered into her ear, “Lets definitely do this again soon, but if a soul finds out we are done. Do you understand me?”

“Yes. I understand you, Uncle,” Luna said. When she turned to face him he was gone. This no longer bothered her, for she knew now how he disappeared. She also had a meal to choose. She choose a pegasus who killed six ponies before he was caught. Equestria will be better off without you. It was seven o’clock when Luna finished feeding. She took her to savor the taste and the texture of her new diet. It was time for her to bring in the night. She slipped into shadow for the walk back to her chambers. It was a good day for her.

The same could not be said for Rarity. Sweetie Belle found her sister passed out at the kitchen table. She called for help when Rarity would not wake up, and she was rushed to the hospital. It was found that she had lost a lot of blood, to the point where doctors were amazed that she was even still alive!. After multiple blood transfusions, Rarity made a miracle recovery that amazed the doctors further. Before noon, she was on her way home. The trip was very uncomfortable; her coat felt like it was burning the whole time. Finally reaching her boutique, she collapsed into bed, falling asleep immediately. Though she tossed and turned, she slept until nightfall. When she woke up, she was changed. Her friends followed suit the next morning, but in their own ways. When Rarity woke up she was changed. By the next morning her friends followed suit, but all in their own ways.

It was a hell of a night.

What puzzle's you?

Special thanks to CplHenderson for the edit. He literally rewrote the last paragraph.

5. Seniorem Draconus

“Hey, watch it!” Spike shouted as he narrowly avoided Twilight’s rogue spell. As soon as she got home she had been casting the spells in her new book non-stop. Spike could tell that the spells she was casting were dangerous. “Maybe you should stop.”

“I can’t Spike,” retorted the faintly glowing unicorn, “Princess Celestia is depending on me to find ways to counter Beelzehoof’s magic. She gave me this spellbook to study. Why would she do that unless she wanted me to learn these spells?”

“Those spells seem to be the kinds of spells that Beelzehoof would cast! Are you sure you were supposed to learn them?” Spike pleaded.

“Maybe this is how I am supposed to identify his work. I need to be vigilant,” Twilight stubbornly replied. Spike knew trying to reason with Twilight like this was pointless, so he left the library to get some fresh air.

Upon going outside, his face was met with the cool kiss of the night air. Spike knew from Twilight just how dangerous it was to go outside, but the sun had only just gone down. How dangerous could it be? In the distance he thought he saw a figure leave Rarity’s boutique. He decided to go investigate to see if Rarity was alright, maybe see if she needs anything. He regretted that decision. He got halfway from the library when something swooped and knocked him on his back. The pegasus that had side tackled him had pinned him to the ground.

“Rainbow Da-” he got halfway through saying when he realized that this wasn’t Rainbow Dash pulling some poorly timed prank. He was face to face with a predator, with him playing the role of prey. This is the end!

“Oo lookie here,” the pegasus began taunting, “a little baby dragon out for an evening stroll. Don’t you know it is dangerous after dark?” The pegasus laughed a chilled, relaxed laugh. She spoke softly with a coolness that suggested a calm peace of a vast frozen expanse. “It has been a long time since I have feasted on dragon, and never a baby dragon. Do you know what this is?”

A cloud that had been covering the moon had been blown away with the dark silent wind of the night. The street was now bathed in pale moonlight, and Spike was able to get a good look at the mare. Her coat, mane and eyes all matched her voice. They were dark yet oddly peaceful. Serene was a word that could be used to describe her entire being. “Your lucky day?” Spike replied hesitantly believing that if he made her laugh, she might let him go.

The mare laughed, but this time her voice contained traced of malice and intent. “Yes, it is my lucky day little dragon, or rather, my lucky night. Tonight I feast. I am tired of this petty exchange. I never did like noisy food.” Her fangs seemed to shine in the dim moonlight. Spike closed his eyes. He did not want the neck of this clod mare to be the last thing in life he saw.

“What are you doing? Get out of here!”THMP The vampony that had Spike hostage suddenly high tailed it and ran. Spike open his eyes to see a friendly looking unicorn with a black face standing over him. “Are you alright little dragon?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Spike answered relieved.

“I am glad to hear it,” Spike’s saviour said smiling. His smile was warm and inviting as opposed to the cool distance his attacker had. “It is dangerous at night. The Princess has a curfew in place after dark. What are you doing outside?” he asked.

“I was going to check on a friend. I think she may have been attacked in her own house last night. I was going to check on her,” Spike answered.

“I doubt she was unless she invited the attacker into her home,” replied the unicorn knowingly.

“What? How would you know this?” Spike asked suspicious of this stranger.

“Creatures of the night such as these are my devoted life’s study. For you see, that is why I am out at this night. The vampony who attacked you is one of the more notoriously cruel and bastardly resourceful vamponies I have ever encountered. Her name is Serenity, and I fear that she has taken up Ponyville as her hunting grounds.” answered the unicorn.

“Wow,” said Spike amazed with the stranger, “I wish I could know so much.”

“Oh but you can,” replied the stranger with a smile. He claimed control of the verbal exchange, though Spike wouldn’t realize it until later.

“How?” asked Spike. If I knew half of what this pony knows I can be a great help to Twilight! Desire was starting to well up within Spike. It was the kind of desire that dragons get when they want something regardless of the cost. This made him vulnerable to the black stranger’s suggestion.

“It would be merely one of the things you would be able to do as a Seniorem Draconus.” Seniorem Draconus. Elder Dragon. Spike had not expected to hear some dragon lore among ponies. Every dragon dreams of being an Elder Dragon. Elder Dragons are immortal unless killed, which is very hard to do. Seniorem Draconus possess terrible power far greater than even alicorn magic.

Spike’s voice faltered when he spoke, “But... I’d need to be marked. There are few who possess the knowledge let alone the power to pull it off.”

“Luckily for you, I do possess both. It is your choice, do you want it, or not?”

“I...” Spike did not know what to do. The desire for power was strong but he was still able to think somewhat rationally. A small part of him was throwing out doubts toward everything the black faced unicorn had said. Sadly this voice did not scream loud enough. “Do it.”

Magic pulsed out of the unicorn’s horn and engulfed Spike. His whole body went numb and an image of clouds seared into Spike’s mind. Weather! I am going to be a master of the weather! The magic died down shortly thereafter and realizations came to Spike like a whirlwind.

He remembered Twilight’s warning about Beelzehoof’s meddling. The voice of reason he ignored before returned with a vengeance.

Wait, if that vampony was so dangerous, then why would it be scared of some random unicorn? Isn’t it also convenient that he happens to know about the most well protected secret in dragon lore? Sure, he claims to be a scholar and a scholar may have learned about it, but how many scholars know how to actually perform the ritual, let alone have the power? All this seems to add up to one fact.

“Beezlehoof, I presume,” Spike said. His voice sounded the same, but felt different in his throat.

“Yes, Spike?” The unicorn removed a cloak he was wearing to reveal a pair of wings. To Spike, Beezlehoof did not look like Twilight’s description. Instead of evil his face displayed sport.

“What did you do to me?” Spike asked calmly (much to his own surprise.)

“Exactly what I said I would. You are now Seniorem Draconus, though you will have to grow into the whole wisdom and master of the elements thing. You are, however, rather observant. That’s cool,” Beelzehoof taunted. Spike smiled realizing what this could mean.

“Now I can notice where you have been meddling. I can really help Twilight,” Spike said triumphantly. He was actually naive enough to think he cheated the devil.

“No, you can’t tell Twilight anything. Remember when she warned against my meddling? You not only have fallen victim, but did so out of your own free will! Oh dear, how will dear old Twilight Sparkle react when she finds out her number one assistant betrayed her? Can you really guarantee your own safety, especially with Twilight practicing those advanced magics?”

“Twilight would never hurt me! She’s my best friend!” Spike retorted. The very idea was inconceivable to the baby dragon.

“Can you be sure? I mean a hundred and sixteen point seven six percent sure, that Twilight would let something like this slide. She was assigned the role of sentinel from Princess Celestia. What is more important to her. I wonder? Will it be her assignment, or the friend that just stabbed her in the back? It’s your tail on the line here. Is it really worth the risk?”

“I-” Beelzehoof had Spike trapped, and Spike had to admit defeat. His own greed and lust for power had gotten the best of him. I’m only dragon, Spike told himself in effort to deceive himself to the gravity of the situation. It was to no avail.

“What am I supposed to do!?” cried Spike in desperation.

“Find a friend you can trust. I am sure you will find them in short supply in the days to come,” Beelzehoof said, then disappeared into shadow...

6. A Slayer is born

Fluttershy needed a breath of fresh air, but couldn’t go outside. Her cottage usually was the home to various woodland creatures, but now they used it as a sanctuary from the darkness of the night. She had lost so many of her animal friends the previous night to things she didn’t even want to imagine. The very thought of what could be so cruel and scary had made her want to bury her head in the sand. The birds crammed the rafters, a family of squirrels were living in her kitchen cupboards, a seal was even living in her bathtub! The smell was almost unbearable. She was thrusted back into reality by a knocking.

“Angel, stop it. You need to learn to share space for a while,” she responded. The little bunny was not happy about having multiple roommates until the crisis was resolved. He went around knocking on walls in an act of childish rebellion.

Fluttershy felt a thump on the back of her head. She turned around to see it was Angel. Just as she was about to scold him, she heard the knocking again, this time more frantically than before. She was looking right at Angel, so he could not be the culprit. The knocking repeated itself and Fluttershy heard a voice calling out from the door.

“Hello?! Can you let me in?! I need sanctuary!” it pleaded. The voice was male and had an educated ring to it, almost like Rarity. Whomever was outside had studied at a high level.

Fluttershy immediately rushed to open the door. The pony who knocked had a snowy-white coat and black socks. He had a pack tied around his flank, which hid his Cutie Mark. The way he held himself seemed to ooze class in Fluttershy’s mind.

He smiled a warm, grateful smile to Fluttershy. “Thank you madame, most other ponies would have left me out in the cold.” He moved to enter, but Fluttershy blocked him.

“I don’t know if I should let you in. I don’t know who you are, and you might harm my animal friends.” She was more worried for the safety of her dependents than her own safety. Even though he looked harmless, Fluttershy knew that looks can be deceiving.

“Do I look like I would?” asked the classy earth pony.

“No, I guess not, but if you hurt them...” Fluttershy menaced.

“Noted.” Fluttershy stepped aside allowing the visitor to enter. “Hoo, that smell,” he commented.

“Sorry, but I had to bring all of them all inside so they wouldn’t be slaughtered. It is unfortunate for them, but what can I do?”

“A better job!” the visitor blurted, his eyes widening and jaw dropping.

“What?”

“Perhaps we should talk about this over a glass of wine. Have you glasses for red?”

“Yes I do, but I don’t keep wine in my cottage,” answered Fluttershy. She was getting a bad feeling that she was not going to like what this stranger had to say. In her experience, ponies only drank when they could not bear to talk sober.

“I do.” The visitor pulled an expensive looking bottle of crimson red wine out of his pack. He set it down on the coffee table then sat down.

Well, if it is his wine and he is willing to share. Fluttershy fetched two wide wine glasses from the kitchen and put them on the table. She popped the bottle and poured the visitor a full glass of the vintage. She was about to pour herself one when the visitor stopped her.

“Woah! You may not want to do that! This is blood wine, and the alcohol content is very high! A full glass will have you passed out drunk. Pour half of mine into yours.”

“Blood wine?” Fluttershy repeated. Was I right to invite him into my home? He drinks blood wine, but what is blood wine? Is he here for me or my animals?

“Oh, you needn’t worry. Blood wine gets its name from the grape it is made from. The blood grape is a very rare vine that bears sweet, crimson red fruit. The juice of the grape does not lose its vivid colour during fermentation, resulting in a potent, sweet wine that looks like blood. Take a sip.”

Fluttershy very cautiously sipped from her glass. It was strange to her that her guest seemed to have read her thoughts. He had said everything right to convince her to at least sip the wine.

Oh, that is sweet, but also smooth; it’svery easy to drink. “Not bad, but why did you have a bottle with you?” she asked. Fluttershy was never a drinker, and already the alcohol had as much effect on her as half a beer.

“I had just purchased it for myself, but since I am your guest in this dark hour, I figured I should share it with my host. You like?” Fluttershy nodded. “I am glad,” he continued, “but now I must tell you something. From what I can see, you are the woodland creatures’ caregiver. You are doing a horrible job! The number of small animals I tripped over to get here was, disturbing, quite frankly! Do a better job,” the visitor stated bluntly. His tone was insulted Fluttershy.

“How dare you-” she began, but got cut off.

“How dare I tell you your work is subpar when it is? Is that what you were going to say?”

“I care for all my animal friends!” Fluttershy retorted. She had drank half the wine that was in her glass and the alcohol was making her bold.

“I beg to differ! Let’s go for a walk to do a little performance review.”

“Ok then!” yelled Fluttershy. She got to her feet and out the door with the visitor close in behind her. They started moving in mutual silence towards the grove that surrounded Fluttershy’s cottage.

Not doing my job. Ha! What in Tartarus does he know! He doesn’t know me or what I do. All my animal friends are safe and cozy back home; this is probably noth- Oh sweet Celestia! Why, what creature could do that!

“This is doing your job?” inquired the visitor solemnly. The scene was awful; two dead squirrels, a rabbit and a pony were all laid out as if they were discarded as scrap.

“What do you think did this?” the visitor whispered in her ear. Fluttershy knew what did this, and what she would do about it.

To hell with a curfew! These animals and that pony were slaughtered as prey. Ponyville needsa protector, a monster slayer. I will protect Ponyville.

Fluttershy took off and left her visitor alone in the clearing; she pursued the creature which had violated her reality, and had awoken her to the severity of the situation.

Left alone in the clearing, the white-coated pony laughed as wings appeared upon his back and a horn appeared upon his head, and his coat started to match his black socks.

“That was far easier than I thought! I could have probably done it without getting that mare drunk!” He started laughing again. “I guess I will leave her the bottle. It is the least I can do, and I think she really enjoyed it.”

A soft rustle came from the brush behind him, causing him to turn around suddenly. A cool blue pegasus emerged to greet the black alicorn.

“Having fun?” she asked in a cool voice.

“You’re not?” he replied playfully.

“Yeah, I just want to thank you in advance for enticing that mare into hunting my kind. You really pulled for us there,” she said sarcastically.

“It is all part of the game, my dear Serenity. Did you tag the farmer like I asked?”

“Yeah, but I still think it would have been easier if you let me-”

“I told you that your way was too messy and has a greater chance of failure,” the stallion cut in sternly, “now you have your new assignment. Go, feed. You did well tonight.”

“I guess a fresh kill will take my mind off this throbbing headache,” the mare stretched her wings, “Oh, by the way, I ran into one of your wraiths on the way here. He-it wanted me to tell you that there is more activity in the north, whatever that means. Anyhow, I’m outta here.” The mare took off leaving the dark stallion alone with his thoughts.

“So he is trying it...” he mumbled. The alicorn pushed this revelation to the back of his mind, for he had more pressing matters to attend to. He needed to find a way to clip the flyer’s wings, and think of a way to tag the pink one with the marks.

Author's note: A rewrite of this story is in progress. This has been sitting here unpublished for a week so I'll post it. Chapters will disappear and be replaced soon.

2. What a terrible night to have a curse...

Something's off. Twilight Sparkle knew this as soon as the moon didn't come out at the right time. There was a brief period of time when Luna resumed her duties where she ran the bringing in of the night a little late. That was two years ago, and never was it this late. Something must of come up at Canterlot Castle that was causing the delay.None of this mattered to Twilight. She was too busy taking this rare opportunity to admire the dusk.

“The sky sure is pretty after the sun sets,” Spike observed. Spike had a knack for saying exactly what Twilight was thinking. “I mean, we don't get to see the sky like this very often. Princess Luna is pretty good at putting up the night before anypony has a chance to appreciate the twilight. I wonder why she is running this late.”

“I don't know Spike,” Twilight answered her assistant, “but I don't think it is anything major, or Princess Celestia would have contacted me. Something probably came up causing a delay.”

Truly there was no reason for alarm. Celestia tells me everything. Unless, Twilight thought,Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are in danger and are unable to send a message to me. The harmony in Equestria could be destroyed and I wouldn't even know it!! Spike shot a look at Twilight that saidReally? and Twilight, taking the hint, calmed herself.No, that would be ridiculous. She thought when suddenly, without warning the night came.

“That was strange. Usually we see Princess Luna streak across the sky when she brings in the night.”

“Your right Spike, that was odd.” Twilight agreed. “Still, it is now night. We should get back to the library and into bed. We have a busy day tomorrow with learning those muting spells. Just think, I get to go all of tomorrow in quiet,” she said with a jest. Spike, however looked a little less enthused. Twilight laughed at her assistant. Something was starting to bug her though.Spike is right. This night did come on a little quick. The fastest it ever has. Usually it takes Princess Luna two or three passes to raise the moon. Tonight it happened without one. I got a bad feeling about this.

“Twilight,” Spike called suddenly, “watch out for the-” Twilight crashed into the door to the library. She was so lost in thought she lost track of time and where she was.

“Thanks,” she responded loosely. They had arrived home, or at least their home in Ponyville. Before they moved here they lived at the castle with Princess Celestia, but when Twilight was assigned to live in Ponyville arrangements were made for her to make her home at the library. This also made her the librarian. It was a duty that she took up without much effort as she was pretty much the only pony who used it.

When they got inside Twilight got what she was secretly dreading: a letter from the princess informing her of a crisis, and a call to arms for her and her friends. The worst part was that the letter also spoke of Princess Luna coming over in person to tell them about what's wrong. Twilight didn't have much time to read into whatever this might mean, she needed to gather the wielders of the Elements of Harmony.

Luna flew by night to reach Ponyville. It was going to take less time than she thought because Beelzehoof's spell somehow made her stronger than her usual self.I hope I don't get there early, she thought to herself. She was afraid. Beezlehoof was powerful, and evil. There was clearly more to her transformation than a simple makeover. Luna shuddered to think of what else he might have done to her. She arrived at Ponyville five minutes earlier than expected.

“Maybe I will fly around a bit,” she said to herself out loud.Why am I afraid to get there early? Circling over Ponyville gave Luna more time to think.What is there to be afraid of? With that thought she was brought back to her last visit to Ponyville.

It was a year ago on Nightmare Night, a feast held in the honour of her, Nightmare Moon. Her sister had told her that she needed to get out more and mingle among their subjects. Luna was shy about the idea but Celestia was very persistent in convincing her to go. She had pointed out that the only reason Luna went mad in the first place was a lack of recognition from anypony, who were not awake to appreciate the night. On that night they would be awake. That night was the perfect opportunity for Luna. Celestia clearly hadn't forgiven Luna for Nightmare Moon, evident by bringing it up every chance she got.Well, Nightmare Moon was your fault, Luna thought,maybe if you payed a little more attention to me, none of this would have happened. Luna didn't have the guts to say this to her sister's face so she reluctantly she agreed.

Luna arrived in Ponyville to discover to her horror what her image had become in the thousand years she was imprisoned. Her image was a joke. Nightmare Moon had become a figure used to scare young colts and fillies before bed. This stung Luna greatly, but not as much as the reaction she got when she announced her arrival. Instead of mingling everypony was afraid of her and ran. The only pony not to run was Twilight Sparkle, the pony who stopped her with the Elements of Harmony, and her sister's prized student. Twilight was the only pony who was kind to her and eventually helped Luna get accepted in Ponyville. For the first time, Luna felt like she actually had a friend.

Luna snapped right back to reality when something zoomed by right in front of her.Rainbow Dash, Luna realized,had she seen me?! What was she so afraid of? They had met before, they were on good terms. The last time they met Luna scared Dash who was about to scare someone else. Afterwards they laughed about it. They really didn't talk the first time they met; Rainbow Dash had wielded the Element of Loyalty against her. Luna had not talked to anypony until that Nightmare Night.

I am afraid, she realized,of being feared, hated. Deep down Luna knew she found what was holding her back. The fear of rejection was at the core of Luna's character. She was always living in the shadow of her sister, both figuratively and literally. Luna desired to step out and be her own pony so bad but feared she couldn't. “Am I doomed to forever be hidden by the shadows cast by the sun?” she asked aloud to the night. She got no answer.

Luna looked down at Ponyville once more. The streets were empty save for a two ponies, one dark coated and the other clearly with an orange hide. Luna knew that this pair was Twilight fetching Applejack.Everypony must already be there, Luna thought,Applejack would take the longest to get into town. The pair arrived at the library confirming Luna's suspicions were correct. With all of Twilight's friends at the library, it was time to go meet them.

Twilight and Applejack arrived together at the library and Twilight was pleased to see that they were the last to arrive. Rarity was there with curlers in her mane looking none too impressed that she was missing, as she called it, her beauty sleep. This made no difference to Spike who was standing around gawking at Rarity. Fluttershy was conversing with Owlowiscious, and seemed to be having a rather engaging conversation despite only gettingwho as a response. Pinkie Pie was being Pinkie Pie and proving that her seemingly endless supply of energy was not confined to daylight hours. Rainbow Dash noticed Twilight had arrived with Apple Jack.

“Hey Twilight, Applejack,” she greeting.

“You came.” Twilight said to everypony present.

“Of course,” Dash answered, “when I heard Equestria was in danger, I couldn't just leave it hanging.”

“Well what is the problem,” Rarity asked rather annoyed, “could this crisis really not be dealt with in the morning?”

“Ah am wonderin' the same thing Twilight. You were pretty tahght lipped on ahr walk here,” Applejack put in. “Just what in tarnation is the all hurry?”

“I guess I haven't told you girls everything,” Twilight admitted. “I'm sorry about that, but the truth is that I don't even know. I got a letter from Princess Celestia warning of a crisis that only we can stop. The letter didn't say what the crisis was, but it did tell me to gather all of you here and wait for Princess Luna to fill us in.”

“Umm... Twilight,” Fluttershy said in her quiet manner, “why is Princess Luna coming over to explain? Doesn't Princess Celestia console you herself on this sort of thing?” A softthump was heard outside the door.

“I guess we can ask Luna herself.” The door opened behind Twilight. Pinkie Pie screamed and pointed at the doorway in a similar fashion to the way she reacted to Luna a year ago. Twilight was about to scold Pinkie when Fluttershy froze up letting out her silent, frightened squee. Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack got into a stance ready to charge. Rarity was the only one to speak. “My god! Its...” Twilight turned to face the doorway and saw standing there to her horror, Nightmare Moon.

The reaction Luna got was the one she expected but still hurt nonetheless. They were ready to fight her. They feared her.

“The Elements! Where are the Elements?” Rainbow Dash yelled out in a panic.

Luna answered to calm the situation, “They are safe, but they can't fix this mess. My mess.”

“Oh yeah? What does that mean?” Dash retorted. Luna just stared at the floor. What seemed like hours went by when Luna felt somepony wrap a leg around her.

“P-princess Luna?” Fluttershy asked cautiously. Luna nodded, and everypony seemed to relax. “What happened to you?” Fluttershy asked.

“I am afraid that is why I am here.” Luna answered. “It is bad, I won't lie. Do you remember how I escaped from the moon...

Luna spent the next two hours explaining the whole situation. Twilight and her friends were far more understanding than her sister, though Twilight's attitude did somewhat mimic Celestia’s.Like pupil like master, Luna thought. When Luna was finished there was silence for a brief time.

“Beelzehoof huh? Aww shit this is bad. Pardon mah french.” Applejack said breaking the silence.

“What are the fangs for?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I don't know. Beelzehoof told my sister she was allergic to moonlight and inferred that I am allergic to sunlight.” Luna replied.

“But he didn't actually say you were allergic to sunlight?” Twilight asked, eyeballing the bookshelf. Clearly she wanted to start researching this right away.

“No,” Luna admitted, “but the way he inferred it suggested that I was allergic to sunlight. He also inferred that there is more to-this.”This referred to her transformation. “It is late, and Celestia wants Twilight to go to Canterlot tomorrow at noon. I should be going now before the sun rises.”

“Wait,” Luna heard from behind her. It was Rarity who spoke up. “Your highness, it is late and you must be tired. Too tired to fly all the way to Canterlot. You must rest. Why not come stay at my house, if only for a bit before your journey.” Luna agreed to rest briefly at Rarity’s. Rarity was uplifted higher than the clouds when Luna agreed. “Princess Luna, in my store. How wonderful.”

Rarity hurried Luna out the door and down to her shop. Luna, despite an increase in strength could not resist the dressmaker's pull.

Thankfully the streets of Ponyville were empty at this time of night. Luna did not want another confrontation with anypony else. Not like this. Twilight and her friends were actually pretty understanding of the situation, but Luna wasn’t sure everypony would share their sympathy. They arrived at Rarity's before long.

“I thank you Rarity for your hospitality,” Luna said thankfully but not entirely focused. She was starting to get hungry.

“Well I wouldn't be the Element of Generosity if I didn't offer you a chance to stay at my store; being exposed to my outfits. Say princess, are you alright? You are looking pale all of a sudden.” Rarity was right. Luna looked in a mirror and she did look slightly more pale than she did a few hours ago.

“N-no its nothing really. I am just a little hungry, that's all,” Luna replied. Luna did not feel well at all. She knew that this hunger had something to do with it. It was strange. It almost seemed as if it was trying to control her.Ridiculous! Luna told herself, and she just shrugged it off. Rarity came and wrapped her leg around Luna.

“Of course, silly me. I should have offered you something as soon as we got in. Pardon my rudeness.” Rarity said. Being this close to another pony caused Luna's hunger to flare and a flash of red before her eyes. Luna blanked out, almost responding to pure instinct for a moment before she got herself under control.

“That would be... nice. A snack would be nice,” Luna replied, and Rarity took off toward the kitchen.What in the seven provinces of Tartarus was that all about! Luna wondered.I mean, I blanked out as soon as she made contact!

“Princess, I am not sure what you like. Could you come in here and I can whip you something up?” Rarity called out from the kitchen.

“Alright,” Luna responded, and made her way into the kitchen.

Rarity had her head in the fridge looking through various leftovers when Luna entered. She was so eager to please the princess she paid no mind to what was going on around her. Had she been paying attention to detail, as was her tendency, she would have noticed that the princess almost seemed to be stumbling when she stepped. She would have noticed that Luna almost tripped on Opal's favourite cat toy left out on the floor, or Sweetie Belle had tried her hoof (rather unsuccessfully) at stitching patterns into her table cloth. All this aside there is a chance she would have noticed the alicorn peering into her window. Her attention was instead devoted to remembering how old the contents of her refrigerator were.

“What do you want princess?” Rarity called out to Luna. Luna stumbled her way over next to Rarity at the refridgerator. “See anything you like?” the dressmaker asked.

“Mmm, not really. How old are those eggs?” mumbled Luna. If Rarity had been paying any attention to anything other than finding the perfect midnight snack she would have noticed that Luna wasn’t looking at the food at all, but rather the princess was looking rather predatory at her. Alas such was not the case.

“Eggs? Oh god don’t eat those! I can’t even remember the last time I bought eggs. Just take anything you wa-”

This was the last thing Rarity remembered of that night.

Luna blanked out. One minute her hunger flared while standing next to Rarity being told to take what she wants, and the next Luna’s hunger is gone and she has no idea where she is. She was bent over something. Something warm.The kitchen, she realized. As she raised her head a warm liquid dripped from her mouth.What the hell? Where did Rarity go? Luna looked out the window at the sky. She was able to deduce from the star positions that she could not have blacked out for any more than two minutes. Luna licked her lips.What is thi-

Luna never finished that thought. The princess found herself standing over the body of the white mare, whose coat was now stained red. The origin of the blood was a gaping wound on her right shoulder. The cut was made with giant incisors. Luna screamed.

“Ohmygosh ohmygosh! No, this didn’t just happen. Rarity, can you hear me? Please tell me you can hear me!” Panic rising, hope fading. Luna turned her over and was about to write off the dressmaker completely when Luna got her wish. Rarity coughed. It wasn’t a very strong cough mind you, but it did mean that she was alive and would recover. Luna rejoiced that she had not killed one of her subjects and the wielder of the Element of Generosity. Crisis passed Luna got calculated.

“Rarity is going to be fine, but I can’t leave this place a mess. Nopony can know what happened,” Luna said aloud, “it happened so fast that i doubt even she will remember what happened.” With that Luna started her clean-up using her magic. She fixed up Rarity’s shoulder then placed her face down on her kitchen table. While doing so she caught a look at the patterns stitched into the table cloth.

“I hope that isn’t her work,” Luna mumbled to herself. She cleaned up the mess in front of the fridge, cleaned herself up, and then took off out of there like a bat outta hell.

The night was warm, kindly and inviting. Had the circumstances been different Luna would have taken her time to get back to Canterlot. It was three on the morning, and there were still ponies out enjoying the night.Lambs to slaughter, realized Luna as she sped on overhead. This was the first night of Beelzehoof’s stay in Equestria. From what Luna saw overhead his minions took no time moving in. She saw thirteen attacks up until that more point. The attacks troubled the princess, but not as much as what had happened at Ponyville.

I attacked her. I attacked her and drank her blood. I am a monster, a killer. She could have died! Luna was pulled out of her thoughts by the clearing of a throat. She had a flying buddy, and it was the last pony she wanted to see.

“Problem?” the dark alicorn asked with a smile on his face. Luna sped up to try and outfly Beelzehoof, but she never was the fastest flyer and despite her increased strength he caught up without much effort.

“I refuse to give you the satisfaction to gloat. Go away,” Luna told him feeling rather annoyed. Beelzehoof did not go away.

“Gloat? Why would I do that, my dear? Watching you discover the full extent of your curse was satisfaction enough. You and your sister most certainly provide and excellent sideshow. She folded just after you left and did not leave her victim alive. I must say you two surprise me. I would have thought it would have been the other way around.”

“You bastard! You curse me and my sister, turn us into killers, and call it an interesting sideshow? Who gave you the right?”

“You did, Nightmare Moon. Our deal remember? Did you really forget already?” Luna didn’t answer, and Beezlehoof took a breath. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” said Beelzehoof referring to the creatures prowling below; preying on ponies in the night. “Equestria, land of bogus harmony stripped down and revealed. Liberating.” Luna could take no more of this.

“Shu-” she started to shout, but when she turned to face Beelzehoof he was gone. Luna finished the rest of the flight was quiet, thankful that the whole episode with Rarity turned out fine, she thought. Little did she know, it didn't.

1. A Deal with the Devil

It was twilight when he showed up at Canterlot Castle. All seemed normal. Celestia was sitting in her throne room winding up the day, and Luna was in the library feverishly going through various books. She had taken up spending her days in the library going over myths and legends. Luna was clearly looking for something in the old ponylore. Celestia had once pointed out to her younger sister that these stories were old mares tales. Luna replied to her sister's comment with, “So was the mare in the moon if I am not mistaken.” Celestia decided to leave Luna to her books after that. She was taking her duty ruling the night very seriously. All was peaceful in Equestria. At least until he showed up.

Nobody saw him arrive and the guards swore he just materialized at the end of the great hallway leading up to the throne room. He walked up to the guard and claimed he had an appointment with the princess. He was cloaked and the guard could not see who (or even what) he was. He was told to come back the following day, partly because the princess had no appointments after four o'clock, and partly because this strange visitor seemed off. He was very adamant that he do see the princess right away. Eventually the guard gave in and let the visitor into the throne room.

Celestia had just taken down the sun when he barged in. She had never seen this visitor before. Something was queer about him. It unnerved her but she remained polite regardless. “I'm sorry, but I have no more appointments today. Maybe you can come back tomorrow. The guard should not have even let you in.”

The visitor did not remove his cloak when he spoke. His voice hissed with every syllable in a snakelike fashion. This visitor was clearly not making a friendly visit. "My apologies Princess Celestia. I am so sorry to barge in on you like this. I do in fact have an appointment. My appointment is with your sister. If you would be so kind as to inform her of my arrival..."

"Luna isn't here right now," Celestia told him calmly. "She is off bringing in the night. There is no way she could have any appointments right now. I'm sorry, but you can come back later."

Just then Luna came trotting into the throne room, unaware that her topic of study was standing in that very room. "Alright sis, I'm off. See you tomor-" Luna cut off when she caught sight of her appointment. Luna immediately started shaking in dread. "No. Not you, not now."

"I have come to collect on your side of our deal," the visitor began, "you do remember our deal, right Nightmare Moon?" Luna flinched at the mention of her other name. The visitor removed his hood, revealing his horn. He had a dark coat, a crimson mane, and dark soulless voids where the eyes should be. The eyes had clearly seen such evil that they were jaded to the point where the cruelty and suffering they had witnessed reflects out of the gloss formed by staring into them. Celestia had to look away after only a few seconds. The length of his horn did not suggest that they were talking to a unicorn. The mysterious visitor was an alicorn, and alicorns could be very dangerous.

"I remember," Luna softly whispered, "but I thought the deal was invalid. Otherwise why wait this long to collect?" Celestia had no idea what deal they were talking about. Luna had kept Celestia completely in the dark about any deals she may have made with anypony. Somehow Celestia knew that the harmony in Equestria was under attack right here before her eyes, and she was powerless.

"Now hold on, what deal is this? What is going on, Luna?" Celestia asked, not being able to stay silent any longer. She had to say something. She hated feeling powerless, out of the loop. It reminded her too much of seeing her sister descend into madness. Luna wouldn't even look her sister in the eye and the alicorn wasn't betraying anything to Celestia that might hint as to what was going on.

"Remember how I escaped the moon?" Luna began slowly. "That was a really strong binding spell you cast. There is no way I could have escaped alone. So-"

"-she made a deal with me. I would help her in exchange for something I want," the alicorn finished. He seemed quite pleased with himself. "She made a deal with the devil. Now I want what's mine. My children of the night must now be allowed to walk in Equestria, doing as they please. Sounds like fun doesn't it?" The alicorn started laughing. "Well, it won't be as much fun now as it is no longer night eternal thanks to your damn student, Celestia. Who the hell does Twilight Sparkle think she is, ruining the night for me and my children?”

“Twilight Sparkle was acting entirely under my orders. If you have a problem with her actions, discuss it with me, but leave her out of this. She is just a filly,” Celestia defended. “Who are you anyways, who sent you? Was it Discord?” Celestia asked calmly with her panic rising inside. The implications of her theories were catastrophic. “Where you sent by some lord of Tartarus?” The alicorn didn't answer. “Luna, do you care to tell me who this is?” Luna still wouldn't look her sister in the eye.

"Sis, he told you who he was,” Luna replied softly. “He told you when he said who the deal was with. I'm sorry, but this isn't Discord, or a lord from Tartarus. That would make things easy. I'm afraid it is worse than both combined."

Celestia took a moment to think this one through. Whomcan be worse than Discord and a lord of Tartarus, she thought. Lets see, he said the deal was with the devil. Deal with the devil. Celestia froze. She knew who this was. It can't be! Celestia took another look at the stranger, then Luna, then said, "Beelzehoof, you make a deal with Beelzhoof. Luna, my sister, made a deal with Beelzehoof, who now stands before me demanding he get his payment. How could you be so stupid!?" Celestia could not help herself from yelling at her younger sister. The recklessness of her actions was astronomical.

Luna went over to Celestia and meekly said "I am sorry sis." That wasn't going to cut it.

"You made a deal with Beelzehoof, and all you can say to me is 'sorry sis.' 'Sorry sis' doesn't cut it when you have caused a major crisis for Equestria. Your immaturity little sister, may have doomed us all."

"I will fix this. Trust me" Luna pleaded

"No, you have done enough. Let me fix your mess, again little sister." Celestia rather angrily replied.

"Just shut up!" Luna screamed at Celestia. "Both of us are thousands of years old, yet you treat me still like a little filly who doesn't have the wisdom to make her own choices. You want to know why I was always in the library studying ancient ponylore? The answer is right in front of you. I had hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but now it has. Right now I am the only one who has any clue whatsoever on how to fix this. So just shut the fuck up and let me!" Luna was clearly holding nothing back. Clearly this was built up and just then getting released. Celestia recognized her sister was right and decided to let her fix this mess.

"Ok, fix this Luna. You have one chance to prove to me you can." Celestia surrendered reluctantly.

Luna turned to face Beelzehoof, who seemed to enjoy watching their little spat. "Our contract was that you would only try to collect after two conditions are met. The first condition was that I was in control of the night once more, the second was that I banished the sun and night was eternal.

"That was our deal. Good to see you remembered it, Nightmare Moon. Do you see any reason to deny me what's mine?" Beelzehoof asked.

Much to the surprise of Celestia (and apparently Beelzehoof based on his reaction) Luna replied, "Yes, in fact I do." Celestia was about to tell Luna to shut up, she blew her chance when Luna shot her a look that said relax, I got this. This is all part of the plan. "Only half the requirements are met. I am in control, but the night is not eternal. Therefore our deal must be amended. Since you want to collect on half, I can pick another half of the deal that must be followed through. You can have your children walk in Equestria, but only at night, of course. I want to add to the deal a requirement which dictates when they must leave. Do as you wish, but if the Elements of Harmony survive you and your children, then you must return everything to its original state and leave Equestria."

"What makes you think I agree. Your sister is right, you are a fool Nightmare Moon." Beelzehoof jeered. But Luna just shook her head.

"We bound our agreement in blood-"

Celestia couldn't stay quiet through this piece of information. "YOU WHAT! not only did you make a deal with the devil, but you BOUND IT IN BLOOD!" Luna pretended Celestia hadn't said anything and continued.

"-and the weight of the agreement must be equal to the weight agreed in blood or we both should die. In my research I first looked into how these agreements work. You can get less than what we bled upon so long as I consent. Well, I do not consent, for that would make me a fool. You make a mistake coming here, counting on my ignorance. My terms are as stated. Do you see any reason to deny me what is mine?”

"Luna..." Celestia was unable to say anything out of awe for her sister. She understood the plan. Luna was a force to be reckoned with. In her deal with the devil, she was winning.

Beelzehoof was not happy with this development. However, there was nothing he could do in spite of it. "I... agree to your terms. Should the Elements of Harmony survive I will pack my bags and leave erasing this whole ordeal. Everything. This should be fun, actually; gives me a project. I think I will start here, with you two."

Beelzehoof horn started to glow a sinister red. Energy then shot out of it hitting both Celestia and Luna. Luna felt a strange tingle all around her when the energy hit. It only lasted what seemed like a few seconds. After it stopped Luna turned to face Beelzehoof who was standing in front of a window. His back was to both of them. Strangely it was night out.

"I hope you don't mind," he began with his back still turned, "but I changed to night for you tonight. Think of it as an act of good faith. This will be fun indeed.” Luna turned look at her sister for reassurance, but was shocked at what she saw.

Celestia was just getting up from getting hit with Beelzehoof's magic. Clearly it wasn't a stun spell Beelzehoof cast on them. Her sister was bigger and menacing looking. She seemed to be lightly plated in gold. To Luna, Celestia looked like her equal to Nightmare Moon. No, Luna looked at her reflection in the window and sure enough she was in Nightmare Moon's body once more. There was something more Luna noted. She had long predatory fangs protruding from her mouth, not quite unlike the Changlings. Celestia had them too.

"I need to go warn Twilight," Celestia decreed still oblivious to her new form. Celestia ran through the open window and immediately fell to the ground in agony. "L-luna... hel-p m-me. It-t hurts!" Luna raced over to her sister and pulled her inside. Celestia recovered only after half a minute. She stood up and faced Beelzehoof. "What the hell did you do?!" In doing so Celestia caught her reflection. "N-no, no no NO NO NO!" She fell to the ground weeping. "This isn't happening. This isn't happening. No no no." Luna went over to try and comfort her sister. Luna knew that this was hard for her older sister, who was used to being at least a little bit in control. This was the first time Celestia was in a situation where she had no control.

Beelzehoof just laughed."Oh how the mighty have fallen. Look at you, Celestia. That is no way to behave. You're supposed to be strong, wise and in control. If this is all it took to strip that from you then this will be fun indeed." Luna shot him a dirty look."I guess I do owe you the knowledge of what I did. I won't explain everything as that would spoil the fun, but I can tell you this. Celestia, the reason that you feel so weak is that you are now deathly allergic to moonlight. More I won't say."

"What about me?" Luna asked desperately. This development caught her completely by surprise. He hadn't expected Beelzehoof to do something like this. Clearly her victory was short lived.

"You're a smart filly, you figure it out." Beelzehoof replied. "Now if you ladies with excuse me, I have some mischief to cause." with that Beelzehoof vanished as quickly as he appeared.

"Luna..." Celestia said softly. Luna wasn't paying attention. Suddenly she understood what Beelzehoof did to her.

"Sunlight. I am allergic to your sunlight. Makes sense when you think about it." Luna said absently.

"Luna, you need to go warn Twilight. Now." Celestia said calmly with deep traces of fear.

Luna caught what her sister said. "I know. Once again Equestria's fate lies with her and her friends. I just hope she is strong enough. Stronger than me." Luna said shamefully. Celestia didn't say anything. Nothing she could have said would comfort Luna now. Without saying anything Luna took off out the window for Ponyville.

Godspeed little sister. Celestia thought silently. After that she started getting strangely hungry.