Mirageby 1pony4allChaptersPrologueTrepidationDominionCarte BlanchePrologue“Go away...” Princess Luna was walking down one of the many hallways that filled her and her sister's castle in Canturlot, a rather annoyed look on her face. She had just raised the moon and bid good night to her sister, Princess Celestia. “But dear Luna, don't you see?” “There is nothing to see, I'm talking to myself...” Luna looked around again in vein. The voice was coming from her own head. She turned a corner and walked towards the ballroom. The halls in the castle were dimly lit, Luna had been using her magic every night to light the castle lanterns with a pale, white light, much like the moon's own. She never figured it would bother anypony since they were all sleeping, save for the night guards and her small staff of cooks. “If you are talking to yourself, then why don't you show yourself a little respect and listen to what you have to say.” “This is ludicrous...” Luna sighed. The voice in her head had been bothering her for a few weeks now, ever since the Grand Galloping Gala. At first is distressed her so much that she feigned illness to avoid going to the Gala, but she had gotten used to it by now, and was even getting the hang of suppressing it, until tonight anyway. “What is ludicrous is the fact that you deny yourself what you want.” “And I suppose you know exactly what I want?” Luna rolled her eyes to herself and tried to block the voice out again. She rounded yet another corner and found herself at the entrance to the ballroom. It was dimly lit by the full moon that had just barely risen from the horizon. All of the tables and chairs from the Gala had been packed into storage for use at the next big event in the castle. The empty room was enormous when there was nopony around, it was the perfect place for Luna right now. Spreading her wings, the Small, dark blue alicorn took off into the air, flying to the top of one of the dozens of pillars that held up the upper level of the ballroom. Quickly finding a ledge to perch herself on, she turned and faced the moon, her moon. “You're the only one...” “Perhaps you didn't pick up on my sarcasm last time.” There was a hint of anger in Luna's voice, “Let me spell it out for you: Whatever you are, you live in my head, you WILL listen to me, now be quiet.” Luna repositioned herself on the ledge to gain a more comfortable stance, and then, softly, she began to sing. She sang to her moon, she sang of it's beauty, of it's grace. Luna sang out her soul for her moon. The stars in the night sky seemed to respond to her singing, twinkling in unison to her inflections, dancing with her rhythms. Even the moon itself seemed to move with her voice. Princess Luna and her moon were dancing. Slowly, Luna flapped her wings and rose into the air, gently, every move deliberate, careful, planed according to her melody. As she conducted the sky full of her performers, she to became part of the show. Spinning, twirling and soaring throughout the ballroom , Luna was on stage in front of all Equestria. Her singing grew louder without her noticing, she lost herself in the song. She didn't care if anypony saw her now. She was with her night, and her night was with her. Together they danced for hours. Finally, little Luna was exhausted, her wings were numb from keeping her aloft for so long, her thought sore from singing. She gently landed on the ballroom's red carpet and looked at her moon again. It was much higher in the sky now, it must have been close to midnight. She smiled to herself, the moon was happy, she could feel it in her heart. Suddenly, she heard hoof clops coming from behind her. Somepony was applauding her. “Dear Princess Luna, that was truly breathtaking.” It was the voice again, but something was different, it wasn't coming from inside her head anymore. “Who's there!? Show yourself!” Luna spun around to the source of the cloping. She saw nothing. “It's quite a shame nopony saw you but me.” It was behind her again, from near the large window in the back of the room. Luna spun around again, her horn glowing a deep blue as she prepared to defend herself, “Guards! There is an intruder in the castle!” She cried, but when she looked at the window, there was nothing there again. Two of the castle's Pegasus guards crashed through the door and quickly came alongside the Princess, ready to defend her with their lives. “Princess, are you all right?” One of the guards exclaimed. “Where is the intruder?” The other guard asked, looking around the room. “I-I...” Luna wasn't sure what to say, “I... I must be more tired than I thought.” She said sheepishly. She looked at the window again, still nothing. “As long as you are safe Princess.” One of the guards reassured her, “We will double our patrols tonight, just to be sure.” “Thank you.” Luna smiled weakly. The guards turned and headed back to their posts. Luna decided to head back to her room. Walking through the dimly lit corridors again, Luna allowed her mind to wander a bit. She thought about her dancing. She had done it every night since she had started to live at the castle. At first, it was because she was happy to be back with her sister, back with her people. Slowly, though, she began to dance for the sake of the night. While she was... away, Her sister had taken the responsibilities of raising both the sun and the moon, but she never learned about the night, about it's subtleties, about it's wants and desires. She had neglected the night... “No no no!” Luna cursed herself for allowing her to think that way, “Celestia couldn't possibly have been able to find the time for such things. She had a kingdom to rule, and I...” “And you were locked inside of your own creation.” Again, the voice was back, and again it was outside of her head. Luna was suddenly overcome with fear. She dashed straight toward her room as fast as her legs would take her. She had recognized the voice this time, she'd never thought too much about it before, thinking it was some kind of Post Traumatic Stress, but now she knew what it was. Luna rounded the last corner, she could see the door to her bedroom. Using her magic, she threw open the door from afar and dove in, slamming and locking the door behind her as she landed on her bed. The voice was her's. It was her's, but different. It was deeper, smoother, full of anger and hate. It was the voice of Night Mare Moon. Luna quickly looked around her room, it was empty, save for her belongings. She breathed a sigh of frustration and relief. “I must be imagining things... She's gone... She's gone!” Luna yelled. Grabbing the closest pillow and stuffing her face into it, Luna cried. Suddenly, the room grew cold, darkness swirled around the small alicorn, suddenly, Luna felt a hoof on her shoulder. “Young Luna... why do you cry?” Night Mare Moon's voice was soothing, almost motherly. “No no no no NO!” Luna dashed off of her bed and into a corner. “You're not real, you can't be real!” Luna looked up at Night Mare Moon, she was a shadow of her former self, once a large, black alicorn with a deep blue mane full of stars, she was now nothing more than a translucent silhouette save for the bright blue helmet necklace and shoes which were glowing and seemed as real as anything else. “The armor!? It was destroyed!” “Hm, indeed, the armor was broken when those ponies used the Elements on us. Fortunately, those six ponies were not skilled enough to destroy me completely,” Night Mare took a few steps toward Luna, “they merely separated us from one another, encasing me in this armor. It took months, but I mustered the magic I could to repair it and to give myself this poor excuse of a body.” Luna was shivering uncontrollably in the corner, to afraid to speak. “Luna, why do you cower so? Do you not remember that we are the same? Do you not remember when I came to pull you out of that pit of despair over a thousand years ago?” “N-no... I'm n-not you...” Memories flooded back to Luna, memories of the jealousy, the hate she felt so long ago. Memories of when she fought with her sister, memories that she would rather forget. “We could be powerful again, we could rule the lands, rule the night!” Lightning cracked outside the castle walls. Night Mare stepped closer to Luna again, “We could make them love us.” Something inside Luna lit up at that moment. She was loved, her sister had forgiven her, she had made friends with the locals in Canturlot. She had discovered people that do appreciate her night. She no longer had a reason to be Night Mare Moon, no reason to fear Night Mare Moon. Princess Luna rose to her feet, “I don't need that kind of love. Things are different now, I don't need you!” She spat the words at Night Mare. Night Mare laughed softly, “Well well, it seems you've changed quite a bit since our parting.” Luna looked her right in the eyes, no fear. “I tried to be polite about this young princess, but now you leave me with no choice.” Night Mare's armor began glowing brightly. Suddenly, Luna felt something wrap around her legs and neck, something very heavy. “You'll find I've changed quite a bit as well my child.” Night Mare cackled as she lifted Luna into the air with the jet black chains that enveloped her body. “It was not an offer, your powers will be mine again, like it or not!” “No! Let me go! Guards! Guards help!” Luna screamed in vein. Before she could even begin to muster a spell of her own, the two of them disappeared in a blinding flash of light. Trepidation“Ugh... why is everypony so... quiet?” A purple unicorn mare with a picnic basket on her back and a purple and green baby dragon were walking down the main street of the small village of Ponyville. “Spike,” The mare looked down at the tiny dragon, “you know that Princess Luna was kidnapped last week.” The dragon, Spike, instantly regretted what he said, “Oh, right...” “You need to learn to be more sensitive, Spike.” “I'm sorry Twilight,” Spike said to the mare, “It's just... I don't deal well with this negative air.” Twilight Sparkle had moved to Ponyville from Canturlot about a year before hand. Her and her assistant Spike were assigned by her mentor, Princess Celestia to study the magic of friendship. The task was thoroughly enjoyable though as she had met and quickly befriended five other mares in the small village. Together they had a few adventures and grew close. Twilight sighed, “I can't say I'm coping very well myself.” She frowned, “I hope they find her soon, The Princess is a wreck.” She thought back to the first letter the princess had sent her to tell her of the news, the ink was smudged with tears and the writing was shaky. Princess Luna, who was recently reinstated to her rightful rank as princess, had been kidnapped out of the castle in the middle of the night, there was no trace of her and she herself had reported an intruder on the grounds eariler that night. “Let's try to get our minds off of that for now.” Twilight said, shaking her head. “Yeah, today is our day off from the Library.” Spike said with a big smile on his face, he looked at the picnic basket on Twilight's back. “Yes, we've been planing this picnic for weeks now. Today is a day for fun.” Twilight smiled and looked up at the clouds. They were on their way to meet with one of Twilight's friends, Rarity, at her boutique. “Hmmm, Rarity...” Spike drifted off into another one of his daydreams about his crush. “Wake up lover boy,” Twilight joked, jarring Spike from his fantasies, “We're here.” They stood in front of a circular, white and purple building, the Carousel Boutique, Rarity's dress shop/house. Twilight went to knock on the front door, but it opened just before he hoof touched it and a small, white unicorn filly with a purple/pink, cotton candy mane stood in the doorway. “Oh, hello Sweetie Belle.” Said Twilight to the girl, “Is your sister home?” “I don't think so Twilight,” Sweetie said, “I've been looking for her all day, she invited me to the picnic with you guys.” “Huh, maybe she's waiting for us at Fluttershy's cottage.” Twilight guessed, “You can tag along if you want.” Sweetie Belle's eyes lit up, “Okay Twilight!” She gave a little hop and started to walk alongside. “We better stop by Rainbow Dash's house real quick,” Spike suggested,” Looks like she might have overslept.” He pointed to the many clouds that still hovered over Ponyville. “It's on the way to Appeljack's anyway.” Twilight sighed, for being the most loyal friend you could have, Rainbow Dash had a tendency to be unreliable from time to time. ********************************************************************** “Rainbow!” Twilight called up to her friend's cloud house. “Rainbow Dash, are you awake?” There was no response. A White Pegasus mare with a blue mane walked up behind Twilight with an annoyed look on her face. “Looking for Dash?” She asked. “Actually yes, do you know where she is?” “I don't know, but when you find her, tell her that when she skips out on here duties, somepony else has to pick up her slack.” And with an irritated flick of her tail, the Pegasus took of to the sky. “It's not like Rainbow to completely skip out on her job like this.” Said Spike in a slightly worried voice. “Hmmm, something doesn't feel right about all of this Spike. Let's get over to Applejack’s as soon as we can.” ********************************************************************** “Applejack!” “Oh no...” Twilight heard the small voice calling for her big sister. The three rushed over. Applebloom was searching the Apple Family Orchard. “Applebloom!” Twilight called out as she got closer. The yellow filly with a big, pink bow in her red mane looked over, “Twilight, Sweetie!” A smile replaced the worry on her face as she ran over to greet her friends. “Twilight, have you seen mah sister?” Twilight frowned, “No Applebloom, We were just coming here to see if she was ready for the picnic...” Applebloom's smile faded. “Oh, okay...” “Cheer up Applebloom,” Spike chimed in, “I'm sure shes waiting for us at Fluttershy's!” Twilight shot Spike a glare. “Oh, can I go with ya Twilight?” Applebloom bounced happily. Twilight didn't like this, all of her friends had mysteriously disappeared and she had a hunch Fluttershy wasn't going to be home ether, “Sorry Applebloom, I don't think that will be a good idea.” Applebloom's eyes widened and she fluttered her eyelids. “I... err... uh... Sweetie, why don't you stay here and keep Appelbloom company while we go looking for the others?” Sweetie Bell and Applebloom both began to pout. “Look,” Twilight said to the girls, “Something fishy is going on here, I'm just looking out for you two. Why don't you got find Scootaloo and play?” Twilight put on her biggest smile. “Aw, alright Twilight...” complained Appelbloom. The two fillies hung their heads and trotted off toward Ponyville. “Spike, take the basket back to the Library and meet me at Fluttershy's cottage.” “So... no picnic?” Spike looked disappointed. “Sorry Spike, but we have more important things to worry about right now.” “Aw alright...” Spike took the basket from Twilight's back and headed off to the Library. Twilight raced off toward Fluttershy's cottage, “Please let me be imagining things.” She thought to herself. ********************************************************************** The cottage was empty. Even the critters were gone save for the the chickens that were fenced in. “No no no no...” Twilight was stricken with worry, “There's no trace of them, it's like they just vanished.” She looked back at the cottage. It was oddly cold in the area without out the smoke rising from the chimney or the animals playing in the stream. “Twilight!” Twilight turned to see spike running toward her, a scroll in his hand. “Spike, what did you find?” “This letter came just as I was leaving the library.” “Well, what does it say?” Twilight asked impatiently. Spike unrolled the scroll, then squinted his eyes, “Uh... Twilight, I don't think the Princess sent this letter...” “What do you mean? Give me that.” Twilight used her magic to snatch the scroll away from Spike. She examined it closely. Spike was right, this couldn't be the princess's hand writing, it was almost totally illegible. “What is this?” She thought aloud. She examined the letter again, one word seemed to stand out through the smudged mess, “Everfree”. “Spike, I want you to go back to the Library.” Twilight said coldly. “T-Twilight?” “Now!” Spike quickly turned to leave, but he then realized what Twilight was about to do, “No Twilight, I'm not letting you go into that forest alone.” Twilight looked at the stubborn dragon, “Spike, it's too dangerous.” “That's exactly why I can't let you go alone.” “You've never been in there before...” “I'm going with you and that's that!” Twilight sighed, “Fine, but promise me you'll run at the first sign of danger.” “Only if you do the same.” Spike grinned. Twilight smiled, “Alright.” She looked at the Everfree Forest and swallowed. “Spike... I have a bad feeling about this.” The two of them took off toward the forest. DominionMost ponies avoided the Everfree Forest, for good reason. In the majority of Equestria, ponies were nature's shepherds; they took care of the animals, plants and even managed the weather according to what was needed. The Everfree Forest, however, worked on a different set of rules. Weather was totally uncontrolled, unless you were paying attention to the clouds above the forest, you could be caught in a thunderstorm. Sadly, Twilight had not taken this into consideration. “Spike, hop on my back!” Twilight yelled over the howling winds. “If we get separated, we'd never find each other in this storm.” The purple dragon gladly hopped on the soaked mare's back, thankful for the rest. “Are you sure this is a good idea Twilight?” He spoke as he clung around her neck, trying to hold on as she sprinted through the forest. “Do you even know where you are going?” “I have an idea...” Twilight thought of the ancient ruin from her first trip here, where she and her friends fought Nightmare Moon a little over a year ago. “Call it a hunch Spike.” Twilight tore through the forest as fast as her legs could carry her, her hooves pounding along the wet grass and leaves on the forest floor. It had taken her group about 3 hours to reach the old castle last time, and she needed for cross the river again somehow. Suddenly, she heard a voice in the distance, but it was too far to make out. It sounded familiar. “It's coming from over there!” Spike exclaimed, pointing to what looked to be a clearing not far from where they were. Twilight changed course and raced over, hoping to find somepony she knew. “Do mine eyes deceive, or has Twilight Sparkle come to visit me?” Spoke a gray striped pony waring a hood. Twilight instantly recognized the voice and manor of speaking, “Zecora!” She yelled out as she nearly plowed into the foreign zebra. “OH am I glad to see you!” The mysterious zebra, Zecora was standing in the clearing wearing the trademark hood and cloak, a set of saddle bags were draped on her back containing what Twilight assumed were some of her homemade potions. “What brings out so far out of Ponyville? Hurry, come inside, if you will.” Zacora motioned to here house made of a hallowed out tree. Twilight shook here head, “Sorry, but we don't have time, have you seen any of my friends around here?” Twilight gasped for breath as she asked. “I'm afraid I have not seen a soul since morning,” Zecora shook her head, “Surely they must have taken the storm cloud's warning?” As the words left Zecora's mouth, the rain let up, but thunder could still be heard in the background. “I see...” Twilight hung her head, “My apologies Zecora, but the storm isn't going to stay calm for much longer, we must be going.” Zecora smiled from under her hood and nodded in understanding. Twilight turned to leave. All of a sudden, throned vines erupted from the ground, blocking the only way back out of the clearing. Twilight jumped back, barely missing the sharp thorns as they rushed passed. “What is this?!” Zecora gasped. A thunder clap rang out, a wisp of dark blue smoke rose out of the vines. It sped towards Twilight. Spike jumped off of Twilight's back, “Look out!” He dived into the frozen pony, knocking her out of the smoke's path. The smoke continued on it's way, right into Zacora. “Wha-What is-?!” Zacora's words were cut off as she was lifted into the air, the smoke swirling around her. “Zacora!” Twilight dashed to help her friend, but was stopped by a lightning strike at her feet. “Mahahahahahahaha!” A disembodied laugh rang out, lightning struck the all around the area. “AAAAAAAGGHHHHHNN-” Twilight could hear Zacora's pained scream from inside the vortex. Slowly, the swirling slowed and lowered to the ground again. As it touched the ground, the smoke vanished, leaving only Zecora standing, her face hidden by her hood. “Z-Zecora?” Twilight took a cautious step forward, trying to get a better look. A laugh came from under the hood, “Hmeh heh heh heh...” Spike fallowed Twilight, “Are you okay?” he asked cautiously. Zecora's head lifted, revealing a set of glowing, yellow eyes, her face shrouded by shadow. “Hahahahahaha!” She cried out, lunging at Twilight. Taken off guard by the sudden attack, Twilight was knocked back a few feet, narrowly missing the vines and thrones behind her. “Twilight Sparkle, how nice to see you again.” The dazed Twilight shook her head, “Zecora! Whats happened to you?” She picked herself up off the ground. “Don't worry yourself over this one.” Zecora spoke, he voice other worldly. “She's fine in here, with me.” “That voice!” Twilight thought as the recognition set in. “N-Nightmare Moon?” “Ah, so you recognized me yet again, you always were the intelligent one.” She chuckled a bit. “Sadly, I don't have time for pleasantries, you're coming with me.” Zecora reached into one of her bags and pulled out a green vial, then threw it at Twilight. “Catch!” Twilight jumped a foot to her left, dogging the vial as it shattered to the ground. A green vapor rose from the puddle of liquid at her feet. The smell made Twilight dizzy. “These bags are full of powerful medicine, this zebra is quite skilled at her craft.” Zecora laughed again. “I can't let he break many more of those, just one was enough to make me drowsy.” Twilight thought. Spike hadn't been so lucky, only managing to trip out of the way, landing face first in the puddle, he was out cold. Twilight used her magic to pick him up and place him on her back. “What do you want Nightmare?” “You're the last piece of my puzzle Twilight,” She reached into the bag with her mouth again, pulling out another, blue vial, “Everypony is waiting for you at my castle.” she spoke past the vial in her teeth. “So you kidnapped my friends?!” Twilight shouted in rage. She lowered he self a bit, spreading her legs to get a good grip on the ground. Twilight kicked at the ground a few times, signaling her charge. Zecora chuckled again, “Ah, this brings back memories.” Her voice coming clear through a stuffed mouth. Twilight took off running, determined to stop Nightmare, she lowered her head and prepared a stun spell she had learned a few years back, she hoped it would be enough to knock Zecora out without harming her too badly. Zecora threw the blue vial at the ground in front of her, it erupted in a large cloud of smoke just before Twilight made contact. Twilight ran through the cloud, there was nothing there. Then, she heard the sound of another vial breaking, near her feet, the green vapor adding to the the fuzziness in her head. “You little foal, you can not defeat me.” The sound was coming from above, Zecora had lept up to a tree branch at the last moment. Twilight backed away from the puddle, “Another one of those and I won't be able to focus on casting another spell...” She prepared the spell again, this time mixing it with one of her levitation spells and a near by rock. She flung the rock at Zecora, pelting her in the flank. The magic in the rock arked like electricity Through Zecora's body causing her to convulse in pain. She stumbled off of the tree branch. “Ha, Gotcha!” Twilight cried triumphantly as she ran up to Zecora's motionless body. Zecora's hood had fallen off, revealing her face, her eyes still a bright yellow. “Heh heh...” Her voice was strained, “You may have won this time, but I still have your friends.” The black smoke from earlier escaped from Zecora's mouth and flew off to into the night. Zecora's eyes returned to their natural, blue state. She let out a small moan and passed out. Twilight quickly checked over Zecora's body to make sure no major damage had been done. Pangs of guilt rang through her as the adrenalin of the short battle started to wear off. “Oh please be alright Zecora... I'm so sorry.” The vines retracted into the ground and the rain started again. Twilight decided it would be best to bring both Zecora and Spike inside the house for now. ********************************************************************** “Ungh...” A small moan escaped Spikes mouth, “Wh-where am I?” “Oh Spike, you're awake!” Twilgiht said happily when she heard the small dragon's voice. “Twilight? I thought...” Panic spread across Spike's face, “Zecora! Shewentcrazywhereisshe!?!” he cried in full panic mode. Twilight looked at the ground and sighed, “She... She's alright, or rather, she will be.” She motioned toward the bed on the far side of the room. Zecora was asleep on the bed, a bandages warped around her mid section. Her breathing was pained. “What happened?” Twilight explained about Nightmare Moon's return, how she took control of Zecora, and how she was behind the disappearance of the other ponies. By the time she was finished talking, Zecora moaned and rolled over on her bed. “What happened?” Zecora croaked, groggily. She winced as she tried to sit up. “Easy Zecora, you fractured a couple of ribs.” Twilight rushed over to try to comfort the wounded zebra. “Twilight? I remember the smoke... it had enveloped me like a cloak...” Zecora remembered. “Yes, you were possessed.” Twilight told her, “Please, lie still, you are in no shape to be up and around just yet.” “Possesed!?” Zecora shot up, a sudden burst if pain racked her body and she fell back on the bed. Twilight ran a grabbed some pain medication she had found while looking for medical supplies in the home. “Here, take this.” She levitated a vial of potion towards Zecora. “It should help the pain.” “Thank you.” Zecora popped off the cork on the vial and took a drink. “Twilight, if you'd be so kind, could you explain how I ended up in this bind?” Again, Twilight explained exactly what happened. As she finished her story, she added, “Zecora, I'm so sorry. There wasn't any other way... please forgive me.” She has tears in her eyes. “If you will permit,” Zecora said with a smile, “I feel I owe you quite a bit.” Thunder rang out across the forest again, the storm had picked up again. Twilight frowned, “Do you think you will be alright by yourself for a while?” She asked, fully prepared to stay longer if she needed, “Nightmare has my friends, I need to-” Zecora cut her off, “You have made your amends, go and save your friends.” She smiled and lied back on her pillow. Twilight nodded, “Thank you Zecora, I promise I'll be back.” He troted over to the door, “Spike, we need to go.” “Right behind you Twilight.” The young dragon said as he hopped up on the mare's back. The duo raced off toward the river. Carte BlancheTwilight and her companion, Spike, raced through the forest, rain pounding on their heads. The unicorn used a small amount of her magic to keep the water out of her eyes, but it was next to imposable to see through the combined darkness of the forest and the rain being blown in every direction. A misplaced hoof sent the purple mare sprawling onto the ground and the small dragon on her back flying into the air, heading straight for the river. “Twilight!” Cried Spike as he flailed his arms, helpless to stop the inevitable splash into the river. Twilight jumped to her feet just in time to see the small dragon splash into the rushing waters. “Spike!” She cried, scanning the river bank for the purple dragon. Spike's head reemerged from the savage river a few feet farther down, “Help Twilight!” His small body thrashing agents the current in a futile attempt to fight it. He managed to grab onto a low hanging tree branch. “Hang on Spike, I'm coming!” Twilight quickly began to conjure up a levitation spell, but suddenly, Spike's body began to rise out of the water. “My my, is that who I think it is?” A voice came from behind Twilight. She turned to see a very large, very purple sea serpent with fiery orange hair and a fabulous mustache poking out of the river under another tree. “Oh it is! Oh dear Twilight! How have you been?” The serpent brought his tail up and over the river bank with Spike clutching on for dear life until he was safely over solid ground. The baby dragon hit the ground with a soft thud, soaked and shivering, but alright. “You saved me.” said Spike. “Oh it was not trouble at all little friend.” The serpent said with a smile, careful not to take his head out from under the protection of the tree. “Twilight, what are you doing out in such a dreadful storm?” Twilight was familiar with this purple serpent, they had first met during her first time in the Everfree forest after Nightmare Moon had ruined his prized mustache. After her friend, Rarity, helped restore said mustache, they had all become fast friends and he swam up river every once in a while to visit Ponyville. “Steven,” Twilight called the serpent by name, “I'm in a lot of trouble, would it be too much to ask if you could help me across the river again?” Steven looked at the pony and frowned, “You're not planing on going to that nasty little ruin again, are you dear?” there was concern in his voice. Twilight pleaded with the serpent “Please Steven, my friends are in danger.” “It's no problem at all Twilight,” said the serpent as he arched a part of his body over to the bank for Twilight to step on, “but please, be careful, there have been strange things happening at the dreadful place this past week. I don't want you getting hurt.” Twilight hopped on to Steven's back and he maneuvered his body to the other side of the rushing river. “Thank you, could you please check back here after a while, I'll need a way back if this storm doesn’t settle down by then.” “Anything for you, Twilight dear.” The serpent said with a smile. “Take care, and good luck!” He gave a small wave and disappeared back under the waters. *********************************************************************** A half hour later, Spike and Twilight came across the canyon before the ancient castle. To the pair's collective shock, there was a massive wall of roaring winds that cut straight down the canyon. The small wooden bridge, the only way across, had somehow survived the terrible onslaught of gale force winds. “Twilight,” Spiked spoke in Twilight's ear, “There's no way we can cross that, we'll be blown off!” Twilight thought for a moment, the only spell she had that could help them across was here teleportation spell, but she was afraid of where she might end up because she could not see the other side. As she sat, pondering on her new predicament, thunder rang out once more when lightning struck near the bridge. To both Twilight and Spike's amazement, a small gap in the winds opened around the bridge, just big enough for a pony to fit through. “N-n-n-nightmare Moon?” Stammered Spike, still transfixed on the opening. “She wants us to come...” Twilight said in a low voice. “Spike, if you want to stay here, I won't think less of you.” Spike looked up at Twilight, then back to the bridge. He puffed out his chest, “No way Twilight, I'm with you to the end!” Twilight smiled a bit, then motioned for Spike to hop back on to her back. She walked along the bridge slowly in order to make sure she didn't place a hoof through one of the holes where a rotted board had fallen out years ago. She looked around at the magical wall blocking the wind from the bridge, it even stopped the rain form getting in. Tree branches swirled around the bridge, caught in a vortex made by the disruption in the air. It was completely silent. When the pair finally reached the other side, they were shocked to find that there was no storm and the clear night sky was overhead. The full moon was centered right above the highest tower of the ancient castle and strange lights were flashing in it's windows. “That's where she is, Spike.” Twilight motioned to the tower, “This is your last chance.” The dragon's body was shaking uncontrollably, “I-i-i-i-i-i-i-i'm n-n-n-n-n-n-n-not, l-l-l-l-l-leaving y-y-y-y-y-y-you.” Twilight gave her assistant a stern look, but he remained clamped around her neck. With a sigh, She took off full gallop towards the tower. The air around them was charged, like static electricity, crackling with every movement. There was no wind, no sound at all other than the steady sound of hooves on moss covered stone, deep breathing and the occasional chattering of dragon teeth. The door at the base of the tower and long since rotted away, leaving the stairway open to all who dare to enter this place. The pair charged up the long, spiral staircase, up and up and up to the very top. Sounds of crackling and electricity could be heard, louder and louder as they dashed up the stair case. Nothing could stop Twilight from saving her friends now. Finally, once they reached the top, a pair of strong, iron doors blocked their way. Twilight looked at Spike on her back, he was still shaking, but he returned the look, signaling he was ready. Twilight used her magic to throw open the door. She was not prepared for what she saw. In the large stone room was a single, golden chair near the back wall and the remains of a carpet, long since rotted away, leading to the chair form the door. Floating above the room was a gigantic ball of what seemed to be electricity, arking in every direction. Inside this giant ball of light were Twilight's friends: Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, all appeared to be unconscious. “Hmhmhmhmhm...” a soft laugh came from near the chair, “Beautiful, isn’t it?, I used this same spell to brainwash some of the guards 1,000 years ago.” The faint outline that was Nightmare Moon slowly walked toward Twilight, her light blue armored hooves clacking on the stone floor. “Let my friends go!” Twilight shouted. Nightmare Moon laughed, “And just what are you going to do if I don't?” As she moved closer, her outline became more and more filed in, albeit still translucent. “I'll... I'll...” Twilight grasped at straws in her mind. Once again, she lowered her head and charged at Moon, only managing to pass right through her. Unable to stop herself, she crashed into the golden chair. Spike was sent flying off of her back, smashed into the wall and fell behind the chair. Nightmare laughed again, “Tell me, do you have anymore bright ideas in that head of yours?” Moon's horn began to glow and she appeared right next to the dazed Twilight. “Where are your beloved Element of Harmony now?” Nightmare Moon cackled gleefully as a vortex picked up around Twilight, she felt a heavy weight around her legs and neck as she was lifted up into the air, struggling. “Struggle all you want, you'll never break these chains. You'll be my servant just like the others. The Elements will be MINE!” Twilight struggled with all her might against the magical chains, to no avail. “Let. Her. Go!” A voice rang out form behind Nightmare. Before she could turn to see, Spike jumped out form behind the throne and latched onto Moon's chest plate. Nightmare was helpless to do anything and the tiny dragon thrashed about wildly, trying to hit anything he could, only to have his claws and feel connect only with air. “Enough!” Nightmare shouted. A wave of dark magic threw Spike across the room, toward the door. “Spike!” Twilight cried, she knew he'd never survived if he fell down the center of the staircase. “No!” For Spike, time slowed to a crawl, “Heh, maybe that wasn't such a good idea.” he though, still speeding toward the door. “I'm sorry, Twilight.” Just as he was prepared to meet his maker, he felt a pair of legs wrap around him, he looked up expecting to see a dragon angle. “Am... I...” He said slowly. He saw a dark blue pony had caught him just before he had made his trip down the tower. “Pri-Princess!?” Princess Luna had caught the young dragon and saved him form his terrible fate. Her face was dirty, her forelegs were covered with dried blood. Her ankles were bused and swollen. She flapped her wings a few times and landed on the ground where she set Spike down. She stared at Nightmare, sheer determination in here eyes. “So, you escaped again young Princess!” Nightmare Moon yelled, “You're too late, I have what I want!” Princess Luna said nothing, She lowered her head and used her wings and legs to charge forward at Moon, stopping right in between her and Twilight. “Impudent child!” cried Nightmare. Luna quickly lunged at Nightmare, aiming her hoof and her helmet. She managed to knock it off of the translucent witch. “No! What have you done!?” Nightmare streaked and her head faded away, along with her magic. The chains disappeared from Twilight's neck and legs and she fell to the floor. Luna rushed over to help her to her feet. “Princess! You're alright!?” Twilight said in shock, then she remembered, “Spike! Where's Spike!?” She looked around and spotted him by the door. Twilight rushed over to the small dragon and warped her forelegs around him, “Spike, I was so worried.” she had tears in her eyes. “Luna rushed over to the pair, “We need to go.” she said flatly. Twilight looked up at the princess, “But, my friends, we need to save them!” Luna looked down at Twilight, “Twilight, she wants the Elements. If she gets them, who knows what she will be able to do.” Twilight looked up at her friends floating in the air, “But, you're Princess Celestia's sister, with our magic we can free them!” She stood up and look the princess in the eyes. “I-I...” Luna looked away. Nightmare Moon had manged to regain her headpiece, “She can't help you.” She said slyly, “She has no magic, not anymore.” Moon laughed again. Twilight's eyes widened, “You mean-” “We have to leave, now!” Luna yelled at Twilight and then she pushed her out on to the staircase, “We can't fight her, not now.” Twilight shook her head, dumbfounded. “Get back here you foals!” Cried Nightmare. A whirlwind picked up around the three. Horror spread across Luna's face at the prospect of being chained up again,“Twilight!” she cried, desperate to snap Twilight out of her trance. Involuntarily, Twilight's horn began to glow. The three of them disappeared with a blinding flash of light. Nightmare scoffed, “Pathetic foals...” She was ready to chase them herself, but inspiration struck. She looked up at the unconscious ponies above her. A wry smile spread across her face.
Prologue“Go away...” Princess Luna was walking down one of the many hallways that filled her and her sister's castle in Canturlot, a rather annoyed look on her face. She had just raised the moon and bid good night to her sister, Princess Celestia. “But dear Luna, don't you see?” “There is nothing to see, I'm talking to myself...” Luna looked around again in vein. The voice was coming from her own head. She turned a corner and walked towards the ballroom. The halls in the castle were dimly lit, Luna had been using her magic every night to light the castle lanterns with a pale, white light, much like the moon's own. She never figured it would bother anypony since they were all sleeping, save for the night guards and her small staff of cooks. “If you are talking to yourself, then why don't you show yourself a little respect and listen to what you have to say.” “This is ludicrous...” Luna sighed. The voice in her head had been bothering her for a few weeks now, ever since the Grand Galloping Gala. At first is distressed her so much that she feigned illness to avoid going to the Gala, but she had gotten used to it by now, and was even getting the hang of suppressing it, until tonight anyway. “What is ludicrous is the fact that you deny yourself what you want.” “And I suppose you know exactly what I want?” Luna rolled her eyes to herself and tried to block the voice out again. She rounded yet another corner and found herself at the entrance to the ballroom. It was dimly lit by the full moon that had just barely risen from the horizon. All of the tables and chairs from the Gala had been packed into storage for use at the next big event in the castle. The empty room was enormous when there was nopony around, it was the perfect place for Luna right now. Spreading her wings, the Small, dark blue alicorn took off into the air, flying to the top of one of the dozens of pillars that held up the upper level of the ballroom. Quickly finding a ledge to perch herself on, she turned and faced the moon, her moon. “You're the only one...” “Perhaps you didn't pick up on my sarcasm last time.” There was a hint of anger in Luna's voice, “Let me spell it out for you: Whatever you are, you live in my head, you WILL listen to me, now be quiet.” Luna repositioned herself on the ledge to gain a more comfortable stance, and then, softly, she began to sing. She sang to her moon, she sang of it's beauty, of it's grace. Luna sang out her soul for her moon. The stars in the night sky seemed to respond to her singing, twinkling in unison to her inflections, dancing with her rhythms. Even the moon itself seemed to move with her voice. Princess Luna and her moon were dancing. Slowly, Luna flapped her wings and rose into the air, gently, every move deliberate, careful, planed according to her melody. As she conducted the sky full of her performers, she to became part of the show. Spinning, twirling and soaring throughout the ballroom , Luna was on stage in front of all Equestria. Her singing grew louder without her noticing, she lost herself in the song. She didn't care if anypony saw her now. She was with her night, and her night was with her. Together they danced for hours. Finally, little Luna was exhausted, her wings were numb from keeping her aloft for so long, her thought sore from singing. She gently landed on the ballroom's red carpet and looked at her moon again. It was much higher in the sky now, it must have been close to midnight. She smiled to herself, the moon was happy, she could feel it in her heart. Suddenly, she heard hoof clops coming from behind her. Somepony was applauding her. “Dear Princess Luna, that was truly breathtaking.” It was the voice again, but something was different, it wasn't coming from inside her head anymore. “Who's there!? Show yourself!” Luna spun around to the source of the cloping. She saw nothing. “It's quite a shame nopony saw you but me.” It was behind her again, from near the large window in the back of the room. Luna spun around again, her horn glowing a deep blue as she prepared to defend herself, “Guards! There is an intruder in the castle!” She cried, but when she looked at the window, there was nothing there again. Two of the castle's Pegasus guards crashed through the door and quickly came alongside the Princess, ready to defend her with their lives. “Princess, are you all right?” One of the guards exclaimed. “Where is the intruder?” The other guard asked, looking around the room. “I-I...” Luna wasn't sure what to say, “I... I must be more tired than I thought.” She said sheepishly. She looked at the window again, still nothing. “As long as you are safe Princess.” One of the guards reassured her, “We will double our patrols tonight, just to be sure.” “Thank you.” Luna smiled weakly. The guards turned and headed back to their posts. Luna decided to head back to her room. Walking through the dimly lit corridors again, Luna allowed her mind to wander a bit. She thought about her dancing. She had done it every night since she had started to live at the castle. At first, it was because she was happy to be back with her sister, back with her people. Slowly, though, she began to dance for the sake of the night. While she was... away, Her sister had taken the responsibilities of raising both the sun and the moon, but she never learned about the night, about it's subtleties, about it's wants and desires. She had neglected the night... “No no no!” Luna cursed herself for allowing her to think that way, “Celestia couldn't possibly have been able to find the time for such things. She had a kingdom to rule, and I...” “And you were locked inside of your own creation.” Again, the voice was back, and again it was outside of her head. Luna was suddenly overcome with fear. She dashed straight toward her room as fast as her legs would take her. She had recognized the voice this time, she'd never thought too much about it before, thinking it was some kind of Post Traumatic Stress, but now she knew what it was. Luna rounded the last corner, she could see the door to her bedroom. Using her magic, she threw open the door from afar and dove in, slamming and locking the door behind her as she landed on her bed. The voice was her's. It was her's, but different. It was deeper, smoother, full of anger and hate. It was the voice of Night Mare Moon. Luna quickly looked around her room, it was empty, save for her belongings. She breathed a sigh of frustration and relief. “I must be imagining things... She's gone... She's gone!” Luna yelled. Grabbing the closest pillow and stuffing her face into it, Luna cried. Suddenly, the room grew cold, darkness swirled around the small alicorn, suddenly, Luna felt a hoof on her shoulder. “Young Luna... why do you cry?” Night Mare Moon's voice was soothing, almost motherly. “No no no no NO!” Luna dashed off of her bed and into a corner. “You're not real, you can't be real!” Luna looked up at Night Mare Moon, she was a shadow of her former self, once a large, black alicorn with a deep blue mane full of stars, she was now nothing more than a translucent silhouette save for the bright blue helmet necklace and shoes which were glowing and seemed as real as anything else. “The armor!? It was destroyed!” “Hm, indeed, the armor was broken when those ponies used the Elements on us. Fortunately, those six ponies were not skilled enough to destroy me completely,” Night Mare took a few steps toward Luna, “they merely separated us from one another, encasing me in this armor. It took months, but I mustered the magic I could to repair it and to give myself this poor excuse of a body.” Luna was shivering uncontrollably in the corner, to afraid to speak. “Luna, why do you cower so? Do you not remember that we are the same? Do you not remember when I came to pull you out of that pit of despair over a thousand years ago?” “N-no... I'm n-not you...” Memories flooded back to Luna, memories of the jealousy, the hate she felt so long ago. Memories of when she fought with her sister, memories that she would rather forget. “We could be powerful again, we could rule the lands, rule the night!” Lightning cracked outside the castle walls. Night Mare stepped closer to Luna again, “We could make them love us.” Something inside Luna lit up at that moment. She was loved, her sister had forgiven her, she had made friends with the locals in Canturlot. She had discovered people that do appreciate her night. She no longer had a reason to be Night Mare Moon, no reason to fear Night Mare Moon. Princess Luna rose to her feet, “I don't need that kind of love. Things are different now, I don't need you!” She spat the words at Night Mare. Night Mare laughed softly, “Well well, it seems you've changed quite a bit since our parting.” Luna looked her right in the eyes, no fear. “I tried to be polite about this young princess, but now you leave me with no choice.” Night Mare's armor began glowing brightly. Suddenly, Luna felt something wrap around her legs and neck, something very heavy. “You'll find I've changed quite a bit as well my child.” Night Mare cackled as she lifted Luna into the air with the jet black chains that enveloped her body. “It was not an offer, your powers will be mine again, like it or not!” “No! Let me go! Guards! Guards help!” Luna screamed in vein. Before she could even begin to muster a spell of her own, the two of them disappeared in a blinding flash of light.
Trepidation“Ugh... why is everypony so... quiet?” A purple unicorn mare with a picnic basket on her back and a purple and green baby dragon were walking down the main street of the small village of Ponyville. “Spike,” The mare looked down at the tiny dragon, “you know that Princess Luna was kidnapped last week.” The dragon, Spike, instantly regretted what he said, “Oh, right...” “You need to learn to be more sensitive, Spike.” “I'm sorry Twilight,” Spike said to the mare, “It's just... I don't deal well with this negative air.” Twilight Sparkle had moved to Ponyville from Canturlot about a year before hand. Her and her assistant Spike were assigned by her mentor, Princess Celestia to study the magic of friendship. The task was thoroughly enjoyable though as she had met and quickly befriended five other mares in the small village. Together they had a few adventures and grew close. Twilight sighed, “I can't say I'm coping very well myself.” She frowned, “I hope they find her soon, The Princess is a wreck.” She thought back to the first letter the princess had sent her to tell her of the news, the ink was smudged with tears and the writing was shaky. Princess Luna, who was recently reinstated to her rightful rank as princess, had been kidnapped out of the castle in the middle of the night, there was no trace of her and she herself had reported an intruder on the grounds eariler that night. “Let's try to get our minds off of that for now.” Twilight said, shaking her head. “Yeah, today is our day off from the Library.” Spike said with a big smile on his face, he looked at the picnic basket on Twilight's back. “Yes, we've been planing this picnic for weeks now. Today is a day for fun.” Twilight smiled and looked up at the clouds. They were on their way to meet with one of Twilight's friends, Rarity, at her boutique. “Hmmm, Rarity...” Spike drifted off into another one of his daydreams about his crush. “Wake up lover boy,” Twilight joked, jarring Spike from his fantasies, “We're here.” They stood in front of a circular, white and purple building, the Carousel Boutique, Rarity's dress shop/house. Twilight went to knock on the front door, but it opened just before he hoof touched it and a small, white unicorn filly with a purple/pink, cotton candy mane stood in the doorway. “Oh, hello Sweetie Belle.” Said Twilight to the girl, “Is your sister home?” “I don't think so Twilight,” Sweetie said, “I've been looking for her all day, she invited me to the picnic with you guys.” “Huh, maybe she's waiting for us at Fluttershy's cottage.” Twilight guessed, “You can tag along if you want.” Sweetie Belle's eyes lit up, “Okay Twilight!” She gave a little hop and started to walk alongside. “We better stop by Rainbow Dash's house real quick,” Spike suggested,” Looks like she might have overslept.” He pointed to the many clouds that still hovered over Ponyville. “It's on the way to Appeljack's anyway.” Twilight sighed, for being the most loyal friend you could have, Rainbow Dash had a tendency to be unreliable from time to time. ********************************************************************** “Rainbow!” Twilight called up to her friend's cloud house. “Rainbow Dash, are you awake?” There was no response. A White Pegasus mare with a blue mane walked up behind Twilight with an annoyed look on her face. “Looking for Dash?” She asked. “Actually yes, do you know where she is?” “I don't know, but when you find her, tell her that when she skips out on here duties, somepony else has to pick up her slack.” And with an irritated flick of her tail, the Pegasus took of to the sky. “It's not like Rainbow to completely skip out on her job like this.” Said Spike in a slightly worried voice. “Hmmm, something doesn't feel right about all of this Spike. Let's get over to Applejack’s as soon as we can.” ********************************************************************** “Applejack!” “Oh no...” Twilight heard the small voice calling for her big sister. The three rushed over. Applebloom was searching the Apple Family Orchard. “Applebloom!” Twilight called out as she got closer. The yellow filly with a big, pink bow in her red mane looked over, “Twilight, Sweetie!” A smile replaced the worry on her face as she ran over to greet her friends. “Twilight, have you seen mah sister?” Twilight frowned, “No Applebloom, We were just coming here to see if she was ready for the picnic...” Applebloom's smile faded. “Oh, okay...” “Cheer up Applebloom,” Spike chimed in, “I'm sure shes waiting for us at Fluttershy's!” Twilight shot Spike a glare. “Oh, can I go with ya Twilight?” Applebloom bounced happily. Twilight didn't like this, all of her friends had mysteriously disappeared and she had a hunch Fluttershy wasn't going to be home ether, “Sorry Applebloom, I don't think that will be a good idea.” Applebloom's eyes widened and she fluttered her eyelids. “I... err... uh... Sweetie, why don't you stay here and keep Appelbloom company while we go looking for the others?” Sweetie Bell and Applebloom both began to pout. “Look,” Twilight said to the girls, “Something fishy is going on here, I'm just looking out for you two. Why don't you got find Scootaloo and play?” Twilight put on her biggest smile. “Aw, alright Twilight...” complained Appelbloom. The two fillies hung their heads and trotted off toward Ponyville. “Spike, take the basket back to the Library and meet me at Fluttershy's cottage.” “So... no picnic?” Spike looked disappointed. “Sorry Spike, but we have more important things to worry about right now.” “Aw alright...” Spike took the basket from Twilight's back and headed off to the Library. Twilight raced off toward Fluttershy's cottage, “Please let me be imagining things.” She thought to herself. ********************************************************************** The cottage was empty. Even the critters were gone save for the the chickens that were fenced in. “No no no no...” Twilight was stricken with worry, “There's no trace of them, it's like they just vanished.” She looked back at the cottage. It was oddly cold in the area without out the smoke rising from the chimney or the animals playing in the stream. “Twilight!” Twilight turned to see spike running toward her, a scroll in his hand. “Spike, what did you find?” “This letter came just as I was leaving the library.” “Well, what does it say?” Twilight asked impatiently. Spike unrolled the scroll, then squinted his eyes, “Uh... Twilight, I don't think the Princess sent this letter...” “What do you mean? Give me that.” Twilight used her magic to snatch the scroll away from Spike. She examined it closely. Spike was right, this couldn't be the princess's hand writing, it was almost totally illegible. “What is this?” She thought aloud. She examined the letter again, one word seemed to stand out through the smudged mess, “Everfree”. “Spike, I want you to go back to the Library.” Twilight said coldly. “T-Twilight?” “Now!” Spike quickly turned to leave, but he then realized what Twilight was about to do, “No Twilight, I'm not letting you go into that forest alone.” Twilight looked at the stubborn dragon, “Spike, it's too dangerous.” “That's exactly why I can't let you go alone.” “You've never been in there before...” “I'm going with you and that's that!” Twilight sighed, “Fine, but promise me you'll run at the first sign of danger.” “Only if you do the same.” Spike grinned. Twilight smiled, “Alright.” She looked at the Everfree Forest and swallowed. “Spike... I have a bad feeling about this.” The two of them took off toward the forest.
DominionMost ponies avoided the Everfree Forest, for good reason. In the majority of Equestria, ponies were nature's shepherds; they took care of the animals, plants and even managed the weather according to what was needed. The Everfree Forest, however, worked on a different set of rules. Weather was totally uncontrolled, unless you were paying attention to the clouds above the forest, you could be caught in a thunderstorm. Sadly, Twilight had not taken this into consideration. “Spike, hop on my back!” Twilight yelled over the howling winds. “If we get separated, we'd never find each other in this storm.” The purple dragon gladly hopped on the soaked mare's back, thankful for the rest. “Are you sure this is a good idea Twilight?” He spoke as he clung around her neck, trying to hold on as she sprinted through the forest. “Do you even know where you are going?” “I have an idea...” Twilight thought of the ancient ruin from her first trip here, where she and her friends fought Nightmare Moon a little over a year ago. “Call it a hunch Spike.” Twilight tore through the forest as fast as her legs could carry her, her hooves pounding along the wet grass and leaves on the forest floor. It had taken her group about 3 hours to reach the old castle last time, and she needed for cross the river again somehow. Suddenly, she heard a voice in the distance, but it was too far to make out. It sounded familiar. “It's coming from over there!” Spike exclaimed, pointing to what looked to be a clearing not far from where they were. Twilight changed course and raced over, hoping to find somepony she knew. “Do mine eyes deceive, or has Twilight Sparkle come to visit me?” Spoke a gray striped pony waring a hood. Twilight instantly recognized the voice and manor of speaking, “Zecora!” She yelled out as she nearly plowed into the foreign zebra. “OH am I glad to see you!” The mysterious zebra, Zecora was standing in the clearing wearing the trademark hood and cloak, a set of saddle bags were draped on her back containing what Twilight assumed were some of her homemade potions. “What brings out so far out of Ponyville? Hurry, come inside, if you will.” Zacora motioned to here house made of a hallowed out tree. Twilight shook here head, “Sorry, but we don't have time, have you seen any of my friends around here?” Twilight gasped for breath as she asked. “I'm afraid I have not seen a soul since morning,” Zecora shook her head, “Surely they must have taken the storm cloud's warning?” As the words left Zecora's mouth, the rain let up, but thunder could still be heard in the background. “I see...” Twilight hung her head, “My apologies Zecora, but the storm isn't going to stay calm for much longer, we must be going.” Zecora smiled from under her hood and nodded in understanding. Twilight turned to leave. All of a sudden, throned vines erupted from the ground, blocking the only way back out of the clearing. Twilight jumped back, barely missing the sharp thorns as they rushed passed. “What is this?!” Zecora gasped. A thunder clap rang out, a wisp of dark blue smoke rose out of the vines. It sped towards Twilight. Spike jumped off of Twilight's back, “Look out!” He dived into the frozen pony, knocking her out of the smoke's path. The smoke continued on it's way, right into Zacora. “Wha-What is-?!” Zacora's words were cut off as she was lifted into the air, the smoke swirling around her. “Zacora!” Twilight dashed to help her friend, but was stopped by a lightning strike at her feet. “Mahahahahahahaha!” A disembodied laugh rang out, lightning struck the all around the area. “AAAAAAAGGHHHHHNN-” Twilight could hear Zacora's pained scream from inside the vortex. Slowly, the swirling slowed and lowered to the ground again. As it touched the ground, the smoke vanished, leaving only Zecora standing, her face hidden by her hood. “Z-Zecora?” Twilight took a cautious step forward, trying to get a better look. A laugh came from under the hood, “Hmeh heh heh heh...” Spike fallowed Twilight, “Are you okay?” he asked cautiously. Zecora's head lifted, revealing a set of glowing, yellow eyes, her face shrouded by shadow. “Hahahahahaha!” She cried out, lunging at Twilight. Taken off guard by the sudden attack, Twilight was knocked back a few feet, narrowly missing the vines and thrones behind her. “Twilight Sparkle, how nice to see you again.” The dazed Twilight shook her head, “Zecora! Whats happened to you?” She picked herself up off the ground. “Don't worry yourself over this one.” Zecora spoke, he voice other worldly. “She's fine in here, with me.” “That voice!” Twilight thought as the recognition set in. “N-Nightmare Moon?” “Ah, so you recognized me yet again, you always were the intelligent one.” She chuckled a bit. “Sadly, I don't have time for pleasantries, you're coming with me.” Zecora reached into one of her bags and pulled out a green vial, then threw it at Twilight. “Catch!” Twilight jumped a foot to her left, dogging the vial as it shattered to the ground. A green vapor rose from the puddle of liquid at her feet. The smell made Twilight dizzy. “These bags are full of powerful medicine, this zebra is quite skilled at her craft.” Zecora laughed again. “I can't let he break many more of those, just one was enough to make me drowsy.” Twilight thought. Spike hadn't been so lucky, only managing to trip out of the way, landing face first in the puddle, he was out cold. Twilight used her magic to pick him up and place him on her back. “What do you want Nightmare?” “You're the last piece of my puzzle Twilight,” She reached into the bag with her mouth again, pulling out another, blue vial, “Everypony is waiting for you at my castle.” she spoke past the vial in her teeth. “So you kidnapped my friends?!” Twilight shouted in rage. She lowered he self a bit, spreading her legs to get a good grip on the ground. Twilight kicked at the ground a few times, signaling her charge. Zecora chuckled again, “Ah, this brings back memories.” Her voice coming clear through a stuffed mouth. Twilight took off running, determined to stop Nightmare, she lowered her head and prepared a stun spell she had learned a few years back, she hoped it would be enough to knock Zecora out without harming her too badly. Zecora threw the blue vial at the ground in front of her, it erupted in a large cloud of smoke just before Twilight made contact. Twilight ran through the cloud, there was nothing there. Then, she heard the sound of another vial breaking, near her feet, the green vapor adding to the the fuzziness in her head. “You little foal, you can not defeat me.” The sound was coming from above, Zecora had lept up to a tree branch at the last moment. Twilight backed away from the puddle, “Another one of those and I won't be able to focus on casting another spell...” She prepared the spell again, this time mixing it with one of her levitation spells and a near by rock. She flung the rock at Zecora, pelting her in the flank. The magic in the rock arked like electricity Through Zecora's body causing her to convulse in pain. She stumbled off of the tree branch. “Ha, Gotcha!” Twilight cried triumphantly as she ran up to Zecora's motionless body. Zecora's hood had fallen off, revealing her face, her eyes still a bright yellow. “Heh heh...” Her voice was strained, “You may have won this time, but I still have your friends.” The black smoke from earlier escaped from Zecora's mouth and flew off to into the night. Zecora's eyes returned to their natural, blue state. She let out a small moan and passed out. Twilight quickly checked over Zecora's body to make sure no major damage had been done. Pangs of guilt rang through her as the adrenalin of the short battle started to wear off. “Oh please be alright Zecora... I'm so sorry.” The vines retracted into the ground and the rain started again. Twilight decided it would be best to bring both Zecora and Spike inside the house for now. ********************************************************************** “Ungh...” A small moan escaped Spikes mouth, “Wh-where am I?” “Oh Spike, you're awake!” Twilgiht said happily when she heard the small dragon's voice. “Twilight? I thought...” Panic spread across Spike's face, “Zecora! Shewentcrazywhereisshe!?!” he cried in full panic mode. Twilight looked at the ground and sighed, “She... She's alright, or rather, she will be.” She motioned toward the bed on the far side of the room. Zecora was asleep on the bed, a bandages warped around her mid section. Her breathing was pained. “What happened?” Twilight explained about Nightmare Moon's return, how she took control of Zecora, and how she was behind the disappearance of the other ponies. By the time she was finished talking, Zecora moaned and rolled over on her bed. “What happened?” Zecora croaked, groggily. She winced as she tried to sit up. “Easy Zecora, you fractured a couple of ribs.” Twilight rushed over to try to comfort the wounded zebra. “Twilight? I remember the smoke... it had enveloped me like a cloak...” Zecora remembered. “Yes, you were possessed.” Twilight told her, “Please, lie still, you are in no shape to be up and around just yet.” “Possesed!?” Zecora shot up, a sudden burst if pain racked her body and she fell back on the bed. Twilight ran a grabbed some pain medication she had found while looking for medical supplies in the home. “Here, take this.” She levitated a vial of potion towards Zecora. “It should help the pain.” “Thank you.” Zecora popped off the cork on the vial and took a drink. “Twilight, if you'd be so kind, could you explain how I ended up in this bind?” Again, Twilight explained exactly what happened. As she finished her story, she added, “Zecora, I'm so sorry. There wasn't any other way... please forgive me.” She has tears in her eyes. “If you will permit,” Zecora said with a smile, “I feel I owe you quite a bit.” Thunder rang out across the forest again, the storm had picked up again. Twilight frowned, “Do you think you will be alright by yourself for a while?” She asked, fully prepared to stay longer if she needed, “Nightmare has my friends, I need to-” Zecora cut her off, “You have made your amends, go and save your friends.” She smiled and lied back on her pillow. Twilight nodded, “Thank you Zecora, I promise I'll be back.” He troted over to the door, “Spike, we need to go.” “Right behind you Twilight.” The young dragon said as he hopped up on the mare's back. The duo raced off toward the river.
Carte BlancheTwilight and her companion, Spike, raced through the forest, rain pounding on their heads. The unicorn used a small amount of her magic to keep the water out of her eyes, but it was next to imposable to see through the combined darkness of the forest and the rain being blown in every direction. A misplaced hoof sent the purple mare sprawling onto the ground and the small dragon on her back flying into the air, heading straight for the river. “Twilight!” Cried Spike as he flailed his arms, helpless to stop the inevitable splash into the river. Twilight jumped to her feet just in time to see the small dragon splash into the rushing waters. “Spike!” She cried, scanning the river bank for the purple dragon. Spike's head reemerged from the savage river a few feet farther down, “Help Twilight!” His small body thrashing agents the current in a futile attempt to fight it. He managed to grab onto a low hanging tree branch. “Hang on Spike, I'm coming!” Twilight quickly began to conjure up a levitation spell, but suddenly, Spike's body began to rise out of the water. “My my, is that who I think it is?” A voice came from behind Twilight. She turned to see a very large, very purple sea serpent with fiery orange hair and a fabulous mustache poking out of the river under another tree. “Oh it is! Oh dear Twilight! How have you been?” The serpent brought his tail up and over the river bank with Spike clutching on for dear life until he was safely over solid ground. The baby dragon hit the ground with a soft thud, soaked and shivering, but alright. “You saved me.” said Spike. “Oh it was not trouble at all little friend.” The serpent said with a smile, careful not to take his head out from under the protection of the tree. “Twilight, what are you doing out in such a dreadful storm?” Twilight was familiar with this purple serpent, they had first met during her first time in the Everfree forest after Nightmare Moon had ruined his prized mustache. After her friend, Rarity, helped restore said mustache, they had all become fast friends and he swam up river every once in a while to visit Ponyville. “Steven,” Twilight called the serpent by name, “I'm in a lot of trouble, would it be too much to ask if you could help me across the river again?” Steven looked at the pony and frowned, “You're not planing on going to that nasty little ruin again, are you dear?” there was concern in his voice. Twilight pleaded with the serpent “Please Steven, my friends are in danger.” “It's no problem at all Twilight,” said the serpent as he arched a part of his body over to the bank for Twilight to step on, “but please, be careful, there have been strange things happening at the dreadful place this past week. I don't want you getting hurt.” Twilight hopped on to Steven's back and he maneuvered his body to the other side of the rushing river. “Thank you, could you please check back here after a while, I'll need a way back if this storm doesn’t settle down by then.” “Anything for you, Twilight dear.” The serpent said with a smile. “Take care, and good luck!” He gave a small wave and disappeared back under the waters. *********************************************************************** A half hour later, Spike and Twilight came across the canyon before the ancient castle. To the pair's collective shock, there was a massive wall of roaring winds that cut straight down the canyon. The small wooden bridge, the only way across, had somehow survived the terrible onslaught of gale force winds. “Twilight,” Spiked spoke in Twilight's ear, “There's no way we can cross that, we'll be blown off!” Twilight thought for a moment, the only spell she had that could help them across was here teleportation spell, but she was afraid of where she might end up because she could not see the other side. As she sat, pondering on her new predicament, thunder rang out once more when lightning struck near the bridge. To both Twilight and Spike's amazement, a small gap in the winds opened around the bridge, just big enough for a pony to fit through. “N-n-n-nightmare Moon?” Stammered Spike, still transfixed on the opening. “She wants us to come...” Twilight said in a low voice. “Spike, if you want to stay here, I won't think less of you.” Spike looked up at Twilight, then back to the bridge. He puffed out his chest, “No way Twilight, I'm with you to the end!” Twilight smiled a bit, then motioned for Spike to hop back on to her back. She walked along the bridge slowly in order to make sure she didn't place a hoof through one of the holes where a rotted board had fallen out years ago. She looked around at the magical wall blocking the wind from the bridge, it even stopped the rain form getting in. Tree branches swirled around the bridge, caught in a vortex made by the disruption in the air. It was completely silent. When the pair finally reached the other side, they were shocked to find that there was no storm and the clear night sky was overhead. The full moon was centered right above the highest tower of the ancient castle and strange lights were flashing in it's windows. “That's where she is, Spike.” Twilight motioned to the tower, “This is your last chance.” The dragon's body was shaking uncontrollably, “I-i-i-i-i-i-i-i'm n-n-n-n-n-n-n-not, l-l-l-l-l-leaving y-y-y-y-y-y-you.” Twilight gave her assistant a stern look, but he remained clamped around her neck. With a sigh, She took off full gallop towards the tower. The air around them was charged, like static electricity, crackling with every movement. There was no wind, no sound at all other than the steady sound of hooves on moss covered stone, deep breathing and the occasional chattering of dragon teeth. The door at the base of the tower and long since rotted away, leaving the stairway open to all who dare to enter this place. The pair charged up the long, spiral staircase, up and up and up to the very top. Sounds of crackling and electricity could be heard, louder and louder as they dashed up the stair case. Nothing could stop Twilight from saving her friends now. Finally, once they reached the top, a pair of strong, iron doors blocked their way. Twilight looked at Spike on her back, he was still shaking, but he returned the look, signaling he was ready. Twilight used her magic to throw open the door. She was not prepared for what she saw. In the large stone room was a single, golden chair near the back wall and the remains of a carpet, long since rotted away, leading to the chair form the door. Floating above the room was a gigantic ball of what seemed to be electricity, arking in every direction. Inside this giant ball of light were Twilight's friends: Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, all appeared to be unconscious. “Hmhmhmhmhm...” a soft laugh came from near the chair, “Beautiful, isn’t it?, I used this same spell to brainwash some of the guards 1,000 years ago.” The faint outline that was Nightmare Moon slowly walked toward Twilight, her light blue armored hooves clacking on the stone floor. “Let my friends go!” Twilight shouted. Nightmare Moon laughed, “And just what are you going to do if I don't?” As she moved closer, her outline became more and more filed in, albeit still translucent. “I'll... I'll...” Twilight grasped at straws in her mind. Once again, she lowered her head and charged at Moon, only managing to pass right through her. Unable to stop herself, she crashed into the golden chair. Spike was sent flying off of her back, smashed into the wall and fell behind the chair. Nightmare laughed again, “Tell me, do you have anymore bright ideas in that head of yours?” Moon's horn began to glow and she appeared right next to the dazed Twilight. “Where are your beloved Element of Harmony now?” Nightmare Moon cackled gleefully as a vortex picked up around Twilight, she felt a heavy weight around her legs and neck as she was lifted up into the air, struggling. “Struggle all you want, you'll never break these chains. You'll be my servant just like the others. The Elements will be MINE!” Twilight struggled with all her might against the magical chains, to no avail. “Let. Her. Go!” A voice rang out form behind Nightmare. Before she could turn to see, Spike jumped out form behind the throne and latched onto Moon's chest plate. Nightmare was helpless to do anything and the tiny dragon thrashed about wildly, trying to hit anything he could, only to have his claws and feel connect only with air. “Enough!” Nightmare shouted. A wave of dark magic threw Spike across the room, toward the door. “Spike!” Twilight cried, she knew he'd never survived if he fell down the center of the staircase. “No!” For Spike, time slowed to a crawl, “Heh, maybe that wasn't such a good idea.” he though, still speeding toward the door. “I'm sorry, Twilight.” Just as he was prepared to meet his maker, he felt a pair of legs wrap around him, he looked up expecting to see a dragon angle. “Am... I...” He said slowly. He saw a dark blue pony had caught him just before he had made his trip down the tower. “Pri-Princess!?” Princess Luna had caught the young dragon and saved him form his terrible fate. Her face was dirty, her forelegs were covered with dried blood. Her ankles were bused and swollen. She flapped her wings a few times and landed on the ground where she set Spike down. She stared at Nightmare, sheer determination in here eyes. “So, you escaped again young Princess!” Nightmare Moon yelled, “You're too late, I have what I want!” Princess Luna said nothing, She lowered her head and used her wings and legs to charge forward at Moon, stopping right in between her and Twilight. “Impudent child!” cried Nightmare. Luna quickly lunged at Nightmare, aiming her hoof and her helmet. She managed to knock it off of the translucent witch. “No! What have you done!?” Nightmare streaked and her head faded away, along with her magic. The chains disappeared from Twilight's neck and legs and she fell to the floor. Luna rushed over to help her to her feet. “Princess! You're alright!?” Twilight said in shock, then she remembered, “Spike! Where's Spike!?” She looked around and spotted him by the door. Twilight rushed over to the small dragon and warped her forelegs around him, “Spike, I was so worried.” she had tears in her eyes. “Luna rushed over to the pair, “We need to go.” she said flatly. Twilight looked up at the princess, “But, my friends, we need to save them!” Luna looked down at Twilight, “Twilight, she wants the Elements. If she gets them, who knows what she will be able to do.” Twilight looked up at her friends floating in the air, “But, you're Princess Celestia's sister, with our magic we can free them!” She stood up and look the princess in the eyes. “I-I...” Luna looked away. Nightmare Moon had manged to regain her headpiece, “She can't help you.” She said slyly, “She has no magic, not anymore.” Moon laughed again. Twilight's eyes widened, “You mean-” “We have to leave, now!” Luna yelled at Twilight and then she pushed her out on to the staircase, “We can't fight her, not now.” Twilight shook her head, dumbfounded. “Get back here you foals!” Cried Nightmare. A whirlwind picked up around the three. Horror spread across Luna's face at the prospect of being chained up again,“Twilight!” she cried, desperate to snap Twilight out of her trance. Involuntarily, Twilight's horn began to glow. The three of them disappeared with a blinding flash of light. Nightmare scoffed, “Pathetic foals...” She was ready to chase them herself, but inspiration struck. She looked up at the unconscious ponies above her. A wry smile spread across her face.
